Interesting Items.

A CORRESPONDENT of the _Echo_ calls attention to the fact that, at Dr.

Lee's church, in the New Cut, on Sunday night, January 1st, the _Te Deum_ was sung in thanksgiving for the Papal Jubilee, and wishes to know what is to prevent it. "Nothing," replies the editor.

ACCORDING to the _Charity Record_, the amount of money bequeathed in great sums for charitable purposes during the year just closed was more than 700,000; and if bequests under 1,000 be added, the total would at least reach 1,000,000. This is exclusive of the money given to several religious and book-publishing societies.

A THIEVING ELEPHANT.--The contents of a clothes-chest, belonging to one of the people recently employed in the carnival in the Waverley Market, Edinburgh, disappeared in a rather amusing fashion. The chest had been lying near the performing elephants, and in the morning it was observed that one of these animals was particularly lively, and apparently in the very highest spirits. Later on, the owner of the chest discovered that the whole of the contents had been abstracted. Subsequent examination satisfied the searchers that one of the animals was responsible for the disappearance of the wardrobe, and as none of the articles could be discovered hidden away in its vicinity, the only conclusion that could be come to was, that the mischievous animal had swallowed the whole lot--boots, brushes, trousers, shirts, and several other articles of wearing apparel.

THE BAKU NAPHTHA SPRINGS.--Although within the last two years intelligence has frequently reached Europe of extraordinary outbursts of mineral oil on the Apsheron peninsula, near Baku, nothing has yet equalled the astonishing outbreak which the Northern Telegraph Agency telegraphed a few days ago. Their telegram was to the effect that, near the petroleum works of a certain M. Arafeloff, a fountain of oil was throwing out over 2,400 tons daily, that this had been continuing without intermission for four weeks, and that more than the half of this enormous output was going to waste. It is to this loss of the oil that attention is now being directed. Not only at Arafeloff's fountain, but at almost every large fountain in the Balakhan-Sabuntchin district, the waste of this most valuable product has been enormous. Millions of poods of oil have been lost owing to the inefficient way in which it is reservoired and stored. It is now understood that the Government will take immediate steps to prevent this ruinous waste, and to compel the owners of oil-springs to adopt more scientific methods of boring, collecting, and storing.

AN IRISH CABIN PAVED WITH GOLD.--The _Irish Ecclesiastical Gazette_ of December 31st contains the following:--"A few weeks ago, the writer was in a bank office in a country town in the south of Ireland, when a very common-looking, roughly-dressed man pa.s.sed out after a conference with the manager. The latter said, 'Did you see that man? Well, some time ago, there was a run on the Bank of Ireland here, and he withdrew (receiving it in gold) 700 which he had there on deposit. That sum he informs me he still has at home, "under the kitchen flure." He has also more than 400 on deposit here with us.' Is it not hard to know 'what is truth' in Ireland? Here you have the floor of an Irish cabin literally paved with gold at a time when the payment of rent is impossible. It may be said that this is an exceptional case, but we believe such cases are not at all so rare as some suppose."

THE Roman correspondent of _Le Paris_ of January 5th states that, at Florence, Mr. Gladstone was heard to express a desire to see Leo XIII.

This being repeated at the Vatican, the Pope sent word to Mr. Gladstone that nothing would delight him more than to have a visit from him. It is therefore arranged, says the correspondent of the _Paris_, that he is to go to Rome, and when he calls at the Vatican, is to be received according to the ceremonial adopted there when non-Catholic visitors are admitted to audiences. The correspondent thinks that anxiety about the Irish question moved Mr. Gladstone to manifest the desire above mentioned, and that the Pope's celerity in reciprocating it sprung from the same cause. The Pope has been urged to stand out against the Land League; but, feeling what a momentous thing it would be to do this, he is, we are told, delighted to talk over the matter with Mr. Gladstone.

Thus we see Salisbury and Co. and Gladstone and Co. are in perfect agreement as to giving their power to the Pope. It is only a keen compet.i.tion between them as to which shall be first, and do it most effectually. Since Salisbury and Co. have encouraged the Queen to despise her coronation oath, we need no longer wonder that they are so quiet about Mr. Bradlaugh. Perhaps Lord R. Churchill's expressions on the subject were antic.i.p.atory of the whole matter. We find that neither party is worthy of being entrusted with our Protestant interests.

NINE hundred thousand dog licenses were issued for the past year. The duty amounted to 340,000.

CHRISTMAS AT THE LONDON POST OFFICE.--From statistics it would seem that never before have the Post Office officials had their energies so severely taxed as on Christmas Eve last, during which day no fewer than 15,000,000 letters and newspapers were forwarded to their destination.

In all some 3,000 supernumerary men were engaged, these being in addition to the regular staff. At Coldbath Fields, where the Parcel Post is now conducted, some 65,000 inland and 5,000 foreign parcels were disposed of during the day, for the conveyance of which to the various railway termini more than 800 vans were brought into requisition.

AN ATLANTIC WAVE.--An immense wave recently fell upon the steamship _Umbria_ with a deafening roar when a thousand miles from Queenstown, bringing the ship to a standstill, and causing much damage to the decks.

Stout bra.s.s rods, an inch in diameter, that formed the railing about the bridge, were twisted and bent like straws. An eye-witness, who has made thirteen ocean voyages, thus describes the occurrence:--"The look-out saw the wave coming, and the course of the vessel was altered so that she met it obliquely, while the speed of the engines was slackened. As I saw the huge wave, it looked like a black ma.s.s of water with white waves on the top, and it rolled higher and higher as it neared the vessel.

When it struck her she shivered from stem to stern, and the combing of the wave fell with the weight of tons on the deck. The wood cover of the forward hatch was splintered in pieces, while the water poured in torrents into the hold, but the bulkheads were closed. The bridge was broken, and the iron stanchions were twisted with enormous force, while the turtle-back was flattened by the tremendous weight of the water.

There was also a panic among the pa.s.sengers, most of whom were sleeping in their berths. When the force of the wave was felt, they thought the ship was going to the bottom, and many in their night-clothes rushed into the main dining-room. Of course the danger was past, as the wave rolled by, and the excitement subsided."

ZION SUNDAY SCHOOL, HERDEN BRIDGE, YORKSHIRE.--The friends, teachers, and scholars connected with the above place celebrated their annual Christmas tea festival on Christmas Eve, December 24th, 1887. The school-room was very tastefully decorated with evergreens and mottoes in touch with the season; also the tables, so richly laden with all sorts of nice and dainty things, had not escaped the eye of the decorators, for at intervals luxuriant exotics were placed, thereby contributing a very pleasing appearance. The children's features were lightened up with the thought of their happy treat; also the older people seemed to wear pleasant countenances, and apparently enjoyed the time, notwithstanding their thoughts were in a much loftier strain. The tea was served by the young ladies of the place to about one hundred and forty. After tea, a public meeting was held in the chapel, presided over by Mr. John Smith, of Halifax. The meeting was opened by singing a Christmas hymn, after which Mr. T. Barritt, senior deacon, offered prayer. Mr. E. Hargreaves presented the prizes to the scholars for good attendance. Addresses were also delivered by Messrs. T. Smith, Jos. Smith, and T. Barritt. Hymns were sung. The report was read by the Secretary, which showed an increase of eight during the year, the present number on the books being eighty-two. Recitations were given by the scholars, and a very good meeting was brought to a close a little after nine o'clock.

ALBERT STREET CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOL, OXFORD.--The prizes were distributed to the scholars on Tuesday, December 27th, 1887. The meeting was opened by singing, "I thank the goodness and the grace"; this was followed by prayer. Owing to the indisposition of Mr. Newton, the friends, teachers, and scholars were greatly disappointed in not having the usual address they look forward to every year from the Superintendent. There were twenty-eight boys and girls who said pieces, and they, one and all, deserve great commendation for the capital way in which they recited.

One girl, aged twelve, rehea.r.s.ed the story of "Giving Away a Child," in prose, from Volume IX. of the LITTLE GLEANER. Another scholar, aged twelve, repeated in a very perfect manner a lengthy piece containing seventy-nine verses, ent.i.tled "The Little Pilgrim." This too was taken from an early volume of the LITTLE GLEANER. A boy, aged eleven, rehea.r.s.ed very nicely a difficult piece called "The Two Brothers, and what Echo said to them," and he imitated the echo capitally. Then followed, perhaps, the greatest attraction of the evening, namely, the distribution of the prizes. The first prize in the boys' cla.s.s was awarded to William Tombs, and in the girls' cla.s.s to Elizabeth Leech. As usual, a prize was given for the best essay--the subject, "The History of Joseph." This prize was awarded to a boy, who received a nicely-bound book, ent.i.tled "Pebbles from the Brook." The meeting was closed with prayer.

M. S. P.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CARING FOR THE LITTLE ONES]

CARING FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

The faithful guardians of our cities have many and varied duties to perform, but perhaps in none of them does the kindness of their hearts shine forth as it does in their tenderness to little ones who have lost themselves in the winding streets of a great city. In wet or wintry weather they treat them tenderly, and take them home, or to the warm fire at the nearest station, till their parents claim them. This incident may well call to mind the kindness of Jesus to the little ones when on earth, as we read--"And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of G.o.d. And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them" (Mark x. 13, 14, 16).

The mothers came, in days of old, To Jesus, that He might enfold Within His arms their children dear, And then His kindness did appear.

Disciples thought it waste of time; Rebuked, as though it was a crime; But it was ne'er the Saviour's way To turn poor coming ones away.

Therefore the Lord was much displeased, And thus the happy moment seized; Them in His arms did take and bear, Showing His love and kindly care.

His loving voice could never say-- "Oh, take these little ones away!"

And though the parents' hearts might fear, He loved to see them coming near.

His blessed words, "Forbid them not,"

Are with much heavenly comfort fraught; And "Suffer them to come to Me,"

Gives forth a welcome kind and free.

In Him sweet rays of mercy shine-- So tender, harmless, yet divine; Upon them He His hands doth place, And blesses them in truth and grace.

Displeased with what His servants did, And having their unkindness chid, He makes His pleasure shine so bright, Causing the mothers much delight.

Oh, tell it out, to heal the smart Of many an anxious parent's heart-- He hears the sigh, He sees the tear, And each poor pleader welcomes near.

Oh, tell it out, that children dear May seek His face, and never fear, That He will hear their feeble prayer, And give them in His love to share.

He speaks of heaven and glorious things, And is so meek, though King of kings; Of children says, to cheer and please, "The kingdom is of such as these."

Oh, eyes that saw with kindly look!

Oh, arms that thus the children took!

Oh, hands, parental-like, thus laid!

Oh, words to bless, what grace displayed!

Lord, fix our youthful eyes on Thee; Grant us Thy love and grace to see; Cause us to love Thy blessed name, And tune our tongues to speak Thy fame.

The proud, the lofty, all defiled, Must be made as a little child; Must all their sins and vileness own, And seek for mercy at Thy throne.[1]

[1] Throne of grace.

Oh, Saviour, may Thy love so free Encourage souls to come to Thee; And may they, finding all they need, Confess that they are blest indeed.

B. B.

THE biggest lies are told for the least cause.