THREE GENTILES. rep 1. Hector, son of Priam. Homer resents Hector as the noblest of the chiefs who fought against the Greeks during the Trojan war, and one of the finest passages in the Iliad is his farewell to his wife and child before going into battle. Hector was slain by Achilles, and with his death the fall of Troy became inevitable. He had a presentiment of the fate of his country, but persevered in his resistance, preferring death to slavery. in the earliest history of Israel, and his achievements were of the highest order. The nations whom he dispossessed were not, as is often supposed, mere nomadic tribes, but, among others, the Canaanites, or Phoenicians, who were one of the most intelligent nations of antiquity. According to Dr. Smith, "Joshua was a devout warrior, blameless and fearless, who had been taught by serving as a youth how to command as a man; who earned by manly vigor a quiet, honored old age; who combined strength with gentleness, ever looking up for and obeying the divine impulse with the simplicity of a child, while he wielded great power, and directed it calmly and without swerving, to the accomplishment of a high unselfish purpose.", 5. David, King of Israel. It was for his military prowess that David was deemed worthy of being enrolled among the Nine Worthies, and he was certainly a very great warrior. Though the reign of his son Solomon was in some respects more brilliant, it was David who really established the empire, which, during its brief history, ranked among the great monarchies of the world. He was a man 2. Alexander the Great. The reign of Alexander is one of the great turning points in the history of the world. He is not only recognized as one of the greatest conquerors, but he also extended the Greek language over the orient, and thus unconsciously prepared the way for preaching the Gospel. Though gifted with extraordinary military genius he never learned that "he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city." Proverbs 16: 32. His death, which occurred B. C. 323, is believed to have been principally caused by dissipa 1 tion. 3. Julius Cæsar. Shakspeare calls Cæsar "the foremost man of all this world." If great men must be measured of strong passions, who lived in a barby genius and worldly success, we know barous age; but at the same time he of no one whose claim to the highest possessed spiritual aspirations far in adplace in history would be more generally vance of those of his age and nation. It acknowledged. His conquests were as- was his heartfelt repentance for sin that tonishing, and, whatever may be thought rendered him "a man after God's own of the means by which he gained his heart." high position, his abilities as a statesman were unrivalled. Yet his career was brought to an end by assassination, (B. C. 44), and, immediately, there was 'none 6. Judas Maccabeus. This prince was so poor to do him reverence.' Who the most distinguished of a family of cares for Julius Cæsar now? The sim- priestly warriors, who, in the second cenple preaching of Paul in the city of tury before Christ, succeeded in deliv Rome meant more than all his con- ering their country from the tyranny of quests. His name is remembered, but Antiochus Epiphanes. An account of . without affection, while the memory of his career may be found in the Apocsuch a humble individual as Robert rypha and in the works of Josephus. Raikes, who did so simple a thing as to The later Jews regarded his achieveopen a Sunday-school, grows brighter ments with great pride, and his name and clearer as time advances. The very properly concludes the list of their world is gradually learning to know great military leaders. that there have been greater men than Julius Cæsar. THREE JEWS. 4. Joshua, Conqueror of Canaan. Joshua was the greatest military leader "As long as Heaven and earth endure, THREE CHRISTIANS. 7. Arthur, King of Britain. It is difficult to say whether Arthur was a historical character, or a mere creature of the imagination. According to the generally received account he reigned in Britain, about the time of the Saxon invasion, in the sixth century of our era. He lived in great splendor at Carleon, in Wales, and was regarded as "the mirror of knightly courtesy." "From his court, knights went forth to all countries to protect women, chastise oppressors, liberate the oppressed, enchain giants and malicious dwarfs, and engage in other chivalrous adventures." If Arthur ever existed, his career has been so overlaid with fables that it is impossible to distinguish truth from falsehood. These romantic stories have, however, much poetic beauty, and Tennyson has greatly elaborated them in his "Idyla of the King." 8. Charlemagne. The fact that the The fact that the darkest period in European history ended when Charlemagne, in A. D. 800, restored the Western Roman Empire, would of itself give him an exalted position. Though himself comparatively rude and unpolished, he appreciated the value of learning, and did much for its advancement.. As a warrior he had no equal during the Middle Ages, and in his own rough way he labored for the advancement of the Christian religion. Surely, Charlemague deserves a place among the Worthies. At pre 9. Godfrey, of Bouillon. As Godfrey was the leader of the first and only successful crusade, it was but natural that his cotemporaries should regard him as the greatest man in the world. sent there are many persons who regard these struggles for the recovery of the Holy Land from the hands of the Saracens, as mere outbursts of wild enthusiasm, which have left no permanent effects. It must, however, not be forgotten that the crusades first stemmed the tide of Mohammedan conquest, and that it is to them that we owe many of the blessings which we now enjoy. Godfrey was chosen the first Christian king of Jerusalem, A. D. 1099, but he refused to accept a crown, saying, "I will not wear a golden crown where my Saviour wore a crown of thorns." He reigned but a single year, dying in the Holy City. "His sword in rust, His bones are dust, His soul is with the saints we trust." We have tried to answer our friends' question concerning the Nine Worthies. A curious series, is it not? The names are chosen from history-sacred and profane-poetry, and romance; but all of them appear to have been selected for their zeal or supposed military achievements. There are, however, some names which in Heaven are greater than these, for it is of them that the Saviour says: "They have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy." THE FATE OF LEADERS. Those who try to go ahead of their age generally end in being the tail. Too richly freighted, too deeply laden for the depth, they sink before they reach the ocean, and what wealth, what sumless argosies are scattered to the p'under of the little unregarded privacers that float behind. What a futu rity in the wreck of that overfreighted venture of uncalculating genius. How often does such ill-fated power rush madly through the universe-a comet, a meteor, dazzling, amazing, confounding, and then, shocked against some steadfast world, it breaks and scatters, starring space with fragmentary gems. -THOMAS Moore. The following anecdote, supplied by Mr. Blair, is an amusing illustration both of the funeral propensity, and of the working of a defective braiu, in a half-witted carle who used to range the province of Galloway armed with a huge pike-staff, and who one day met a funeral procession a few miles from Wigtown. A long train of carriages, and farmers riding on horseback, suggested the propriety of his bestriding his staff, and following after the funeral. The procession marched at a brisk rate, and on reaching the kirk-yard style, as each rider dismounted, Daft Jock" descended from his wooden steed, besmeared with mire and perspiration, exclaiming, "Hech, sirs, had it no been for the fashion of the thing, I might as well ha' been on my ain feet."Ramsay's "Scottish Life and Character." 66 OUR CABINET. OUR CABINET. WE propose to gather a cabinet for the readers of THE GUARDIAN. It will not be exactly a cabinet of curiosities, though things of that sort will not come amiss. We have in our day made up cabinets of coins, minerals, and such things, and know how to sympathize with young folks whose tastes run in this direction. We like to see them pursuing an innocent hobby; it keeps them out of bad company, and indirectly supplies them with a great deal of valuable information. Perhaps we may sometimes be able to give our youthful collectors an acceptable hint. When they find anything curious—a rare coin, an unusual stone implement of Indian manufacture, an old engraving, an early manuscript, a German book printed in America before the Revolution, or, in short, anything that appears to them to be peculiarly interesting-we want them to write to us, and we will answer, either by letter or in THE GUARDIAN. It is not, however, for this special purpose that we intend to open our cabinet. We want it as a place in which to store the fragments-odds and endswhich appear to us too valuable to be lost. Words of cheer from our friends, curiosa, pleasantries, and, above all. "seedthoughts," will find a place. Will you assist the editor in making up the cabinet? "The Presidents of the United States have all been country boys. Not one of them, from Washington to Arthur, was born in a city." Think of that, country boys! Most of us cannot be Presidents, nor should we wish it. High station involves heavy responsibility; and though a wise man should not shrink from assuming it when it becomes a matter of duty, he will never make it an object of ambition. But let no one imagine that because he has been born in obscurity he is excused from seeking to employ his talents. God still takes men from following after sheep 'to be rulers of His people (2 Sam. 7: 8). Let the young do their best to develop their powers, so that when the Lord calls they may be ready to do His work. The following lines are found printed on a label affixed to the cover of a book. We do not think they have ever been published: “Read and return, nor further me disperse, 66 PROVERBS CONCERNING PUNCTUALITY AND THE USE OF TIME.-St. Paul probably employed a popular proverb when he said: Redeeming the time because the days are evil." There are many proverbs on this general subject. The Arabs say, "Four things are not to be brought back: a word spoken, an arrow discharged, the divine decree, and lost time." The Telegus, "When the dog comes a stone cannot be found; when the stone is found the dog does not come." The Japanese, To cut a stick when the fight is over." The Jews, "While you have shoes on your feet, tread down the thorns." The Bengalis, "They fetch salt after the rice is eaten." The Arabs, 46 " They hammer the iron when it is cold." The Russians, "Hurry is good only for catching flies." .... A little boy of our acquaintance recently wrote a composition on "Moun tains." In it he used some words and phrases which he did not fully understand. Speaking of Mt. Everest, in the Himalayas, he said: "It has never been traversed, but it has been guessed by calculation." "Guessed by calculation" is good. We wonder whether there is not a good deal of so-called scientific work which is accomplished in that manner. We would like to find out how many complete sets of "THE GUARDIAN," from the beginning, in 1850, down to the present time, there are now in existence. Our own set is entirely complete. Ever since Dr. Harbaugh issued the first number, in Lewisburg, more than thirty-one years ago, THE GUARDIAN has paid our home a regular monthly visit, and we now take peculiar pleasure in seeing all the volumes on the shelves of our library. We believe there are several other complete sets. If their owners will send us their names, we will gladly give them a place in the cabinet. BUILDING PLAIN HOUSES.-The "Literary World," in a recent issue, warns its wealthy readers "to build no more Swiss cottages on flat plains, Italian villas on New England pastures, and battlemented castles on riverbanks!" Buildings, to look well, should be in accordance with their surroundings. A city house in the country is as much out of place as a country house would be in the city. An oldfashioned stone farm-house, surrounded by trees, and perhaps covered with ivy, looks better than a spick and span new modern villa in the same location. We do not mean that your new house should be ugly, or that it should be exactly like those which were built half a century ago. When you are building a new house, if you can afford it, by all means devote some attention to ornament; but be careful not to produce a monster whose hideousness is increased by its pretension. GENERAL GEORGE WEEDON.-Students of American history are familiar with the name of General Weedon. He was one of the most distinguished of the Brigadier Generals of the American, Revolution, and at the battle of Brandywine commanded the brigade which covered the retreat, so that, it is said, he saved the American army from destruction. He also commanded the Virginia troops at the siege of Yorktown. None of the books on American history, to which we have been able to refer gives us any account of his early history; but in the December number of the Deutsche Pionier," we find a sketch of his career, which proves that he was a German. His name was originally Gerhard van der Wieden, and he was born in Hanover. The name would seem to indicate that his ancestors had come from Holland. He fought in the war of the Austrian Succession, and was made a lieutenant for bravery in the battle of Dettingen. Coming to America with the Royal American regiment, under Bouquet, he fought in the French and Indian war. Withdrawing from the Army, he settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Here he changed his name to George Weedou, and became a prominent citizen. At the beginning of the Revolution he was postmaster of Fredericksburg. Entering the army he rose rapidly, and on the 24th of February, 1777, was commissioned a Brigadier General. Thus it appears that the name of Weedon should be added to the list of German Generals of the Revolution. DICKENS ON LONG CONTRIBUTIONS. Eitors are frequently compelled to decline excellent articles on account of their length. This must be done carefully, so as not to hurt the feelings of the writer. We have never known this to be accomplished more neatly than by Charles Dickens, as appears from a volume of his letters which has just been published. Miss King had sent him an excellent article, for publication in "Household Words," which was found too long. Mr. Dickens was, however, equal to the occasion, and playfully wrote to the authoress: "I fear my idea of it is too short for you. I am, if possible, more unwilling than I was at first to decline it; but the more I have considered it, the longer it has seemed to grow." SUNDAY-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. LIST OF BOOKS APPROVED BY THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL BUREAU. Here we have the first list of books approved by the Sunday School Bureau. Librarians and others whose duty requires them to select books for Sundayschools, will know how to appreciate its value. Preserve it carefully, and use it when the time comes to replenish the library. HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, N. Y. The Dying Robin and other Tales, Joseph Alden, D. D., p. 212. William the Cottager, do., p. 168. The Lawyer's Daughter, do., p. 186. Alice Gordon, do., p. 198. The Wonders of Science, or, Young Humphrey Davy, Henry Mayhew, p. 450. The Boyhood of Martin Luther, do., p. 372. The Boyhood of Great Men, Anon. p. 385. The Wars of the Roses, J. G. Edgar, p. 470. The Cousin from India, Miss Muloch, p. 229. Is it True? Tales Curious and Wonderful, do. p. 208. Little Sunshine's Holiday, do., p. 210. My Only Sister, Madame Guizo De Witt, p. 251. Miss Moore, a Tale for Girls, Miss Muloch, p. 235. Young Ben. Franklin, a Boy's Book, Henry Mayhew, p. 561. The Peasant-Boy Philosopher, do., p. 500. The Children's Bible Picture Book, p. 321. The Children's Picture Book of the Sagacity of Animals, p. 274. The Children's Picture Book of Birds, p. 274. The Children's Picture Book of Quadrupeds, p. 274. The Children's Picture Fable Book, p. 278. The Magic of Kindness, The Brothers Mayhew, p. 249. The Good Genius, do., p. 201. Footprints of Famous Men, John G. Edgar, p. 369. History for Boys, do., Sea Kings and Naval Heroes, do., P. p. 451. 421. DODD, MEAD & CO., Publishers, N. Y. Victory of the Vanquished, by author of Schonberg Cotta Family, p. 520, $1.00. Against the Stream, do., p. 589, 1.00. On Both Sides of the Sea, do., p. 510, 1.00. Kitty Trevylyan, do., p. 403, 1.00. The Early Dawn, do., p. 429, 1.00. Conquering and to Conquer, do., p. 255, 1.00. Schonberg Cotta Family, Mrs. Charles, p. 552, 100. Sketches of the Women of Christendom, do., p. 334, 1.00. Note Book of the Bertram Family, do., p. 336, 1.00. The Draytons and the Davenants, do., p. 509, 1.00. Character Sketches, Norman Macleod, D., D., p. 325, 90c. The Old Back Room, Jennie Harrison, p. 392, 90c. The Wonderful Life of Our Saviour, Hesba Stretton, p. 325, 90c. Geoffrey the Lollard, Frances Eastwood, p. 342, 90c. The Crew of the Dolphin, Hesba Stretton, p. 232, 75c. Through a Needle's Eye, do., p. 433, 1.00. The King's Servants do., p. 298, 90c. Polly and Minnie, or the Story of the Good Samaritan, F. F. G., p. 136, 75c. Twice Found, author of Lonely Liby, etc., p. 131, 75c. Lonely Liby, p. 95, 75c. Max Kromer, a story of the Siege of Strasburg, Hesba Stretton, p. 184, 75c. The Little Brown Girl, Esme Stuart, p. 314, 90c. Half Hours in the Deep, p. 337, 90c. Half Hours in the Tiny World, p. 311, 90c. Half Hours in the Far North, p. 308, 90c. Half Hours in the Far East, p. 357, 90c. Syrian Home Life, Rev. Isaac Riley, p. 366, 90c. Letters from Egypt, Mary L. Whately, p. 230, 75c. Lost Gip, author Little Meg, etc., p. 245, 90c. Mildred Keith, Martha Finley, p. 340, 1.25. Marcella of Rome, Frances Eastwood, p. 329, 90c. Geneva's Shield, a story of the Swiss Reformation, Rev. W. M. Blackburn, p. 325, 75c. Lapsed but not Lost, author of Schonberg Cotta Family, 273, 1.00. D. LOTHROP & CO,, Publishers, Boston, Mass. Young Folks' Bible History, Charlotte M. Yonge, p. 415, 1.50. Young Folks' History of England. do., p. 415, 1.50. History of India, Fannie Feudge, p. 636, 1.50. History of Egypt, Clara Clement, p. 475, 1.50. Docia's Journal, Pansy, p. 189, 4 vols. in set, Helen Lester, do., P. 170, Bennie's White Chicken, do., p. 178, 3.00. Jessie Wells, do., p, 210. So as by Fire, Margaret Sidney, p. 253, 1.25. Curious Schools, various authors, p. 372, 1.00. Voyage of the Steadfast, William Kingston, p. 180, 1.00. DanWater Wonders, Mrs. A. E. Anderson-Maskell, iel Webster, Rev. Joseph Banvard, p. 334, 1.50. p. 205, 75c. It is the object of the Bureau to select books for the Sunday School which are of superior excellence in every respect. The above have been thoroughly examined, and are heartily recommended as books of such a character. REV. C. S. GERHARD, A. M. REV. R. L. GERHART, A. M. These Books can be purchased of the Reformed Church Publication Board, No. 907 Arch St., Phila. |