Abridged from The Christian Union.
THE WHITE CROSS LEAGUE.

The Bishop of Durham was the originator of the White Cross Army, which has grown to number thousands, and which has accomplished untold good in England since its organization. The only thing that is obligatory is its distinctive name, the White Cross, and if the name be taken, to accept the five White Cross obligations without alteration. For its motto we took the words of the spotless knight of old, from the spotless poet :

"My strength is as the strength of ten,
Because my heart is pure;"

a splendid motto for young men, the truth of which
true scientific teaching is revealing in unexpected
ways. And we adopted the five simple obligations
which had been worked out at St. Peter's Choir
Vestry, Eaton Square, a year or two previously,
only wording them a little more plainly:
"I,

PROMISE, BY THE HELP OF GOD,

1. To treat all women with respect, and endeavor to protect them from wrong and degradation. 2. To endeavor to put down all indecent language and coarse jests.

3. To maintain the law of purity as equally binding upon men and women.

4. To endeavor to spread these principles among my companions, and to try and help my younger

brothers.

"On this simple basis we started the White Cross Army at a crowded meeting of men only (a large proportion of whom were pitmen and clerks) in the Bishop Lightfoot Institute at Bishop Auckland, the Bishop himself taking the chair and putting the Obligations' to the meeting one by one. I never had a more enthusiastic audience, and nearly half came forward boldly and enrolled themselves. Since then we have held very much larger meetings of a thousand to two thousand men of all classes, partly in the Diocese of Durham, but partly in other parts of England. It was said it would be impossible to hold mass-meetings of men of all ranks on this subject without an outbreak of the coarse jocularity with which it is treated among men. I can only say, whatever effort it may have

cost me, I have never addressed meetings so solemn, so earnest, so enthusiastic, as these meetings.

"The order of the meeting is a very solemn one. The principal speaker gives the opening address. The Chairman then passes the Obligations' one by one, those who consent to take them as the principles of their daily conduct being asked to hold up their hands to God; before the last, from its peculiarly responsible and solemn character, there is generally five minutes' silent prayer before the hands are held up to God. By this simple action the men are made to feel their responsibility, and to commit themselves at any rate to the acknowedgment of right principles, which surely is in itself a great step to forming a more righteous public opinion, even where right principle is not always acted up to. Then comes the enrolling of those who are willing to take a step further and come out actively on the side of right. Earnest Christian men are placed at intervals down the room, each undertaking a row of men, paper and pencil being rapidly passed down the ranks, and the men willing to enroll as soldiers of the White Cross Army inscribing their name and address while a hymn is being sung. The Card of Membership is given out at the first meeting of members. As soon as the lists of the names are completed and passed up to the platform, the remaining speakers are asked to address the men, after which the meeting is closed by the Doxology.

"The meetings of the members are to be held quarterly, and can be taken up either by (1) an earnest address and a simple devotional service, or (2) by a medical lecture-a thing unspeakably needed."

For Friends' Review.

OUR EDUCATIONAL PAPER.

Probably many Friends over the country look a school journal, mainly for teachers, and do not upon our one educational paper, The Student, as understand that it aims to be as helpful in the home as the school. Started at the time of the first general meeting of the "Educational Association of Friends in America," held at Haverford College in 1880, it seeks to supply to parents, teachers, and others who care to promote true education, the means of continual conference. Delightful and inspiring as these general gatherings are, we cannot all take the time and money to come together from all over our broad country; but any of us can, for only one dollar a year, bring into our homes the monthly Student, affording opportunity to express our views. ask for information, and receive a stimulus to thought on one of the most important of questions, "How to guide the unfolding nature of our youth to the highest development and best usefulness?"

In the part of the country where The Student is best known nearly one-half of its subscribers are parents-a much larger proportion than of teachers. This is as it should be. In every community the number of parents is greater than of teachers, and to the fathers and mothers belongs also the deeper responsibility.

It is the desire of those conducting The Student to promote education in its widest sense-including the bringing out of the whole being-physical, mental, spiritual-at home and at school-and from childhood to age. While it seems best to leave to our religious periodicals the discussion of doctrine and of methods of religious teaching, we make it evident that the sense of responsibility to our Heavenly Father on the part of teacher and pupil must be apparent in the daily instruction of a Christian teacher.

Some extracts from the first editorial in 1880 will show the aims with which The Student was begun, and with which also it is continued:

"To afford a channel for communication be tween teachers and friends of education, to make known the needs and resources of different sections of the Society, to state what is doing and how, to discuss the actual work of instruction in the schoolroom, to encourage right methods of training at home, and to plead for the better organization of educational work, all this is feasible and cannot fail to be profitable if rightly entered into. We do not believe that education should cease with the school days. Many young people would gladly carry on some systematic work in after years. Thoughtful parents would willingly have higher intellectual influences pervading their homes."

"In explanation of the name selected, The Student, we would say, that it conveys our idea of the proper position for all interested in the great work of Education. Good teachers must be continual students. Parents who perform their duties in this line successfully must make them their study, and all must keep their minds receptive to new methods, and seek, out of the great mass of ideas current, to choose the good and refuse the hurtful. We need, all of us, from least to greatest, to study. It is to students in this larger sense that we address the journal."

An additional advantage is found in the opportunity for intelligent members of our Society, in different parts of the country, to know and respect each other. But not half so many have availed themselves of this as it seems might be profitable.

It is for Friends to say, by their support given or withheld, whether we shall have an educational journal.

Specimen copies will be sent to any Friends who desire to know the work better. Address any requests or communications to The Student, Germantown, Pa.

FRIENDS' COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.-We are in debted to the Student for the following items:

The Managers of Haverford College have concluded to release Professor Allen C. Thomas for a year in Europe. Professor Gifford will return to the College.

Damascus Academy, Ohio, had an enrollment of eighty-four for the last two terms. The money subscribed for the purpose of rebuilding is nearly all collected, and the work will begin in the spring.

The school is in charge of Emma R. Clarke, A. B. (Earlham), Principal, and Ida M. Davis, Assistant. The Richmond Normal School, Richmond, Ind., started in 1883, has prospered and increased rapidly. The report gives one hundred and ninety-four pupils in the Normal Department, and fifty-one in the Primary. Timothy Nicholson is President of the Board of Trustees, Cyrus W. Hodgin, Principal of the Faculty, and Dr. Erastus Test, Principal of the Academic Department.

From The [London] Christian.

THE CRISIS IN THE SOUDAN.

Do those who sit in their arm-chairs at home think what war means:

"

With fire and sword the country round

Was wasted far and wide,

And many a childing mother then,
And new-born baby died;

But things like that, you know, must be
At every famous victory."

Let not the Christians of England swell the savage cry for vengeance which is being heard. We rejoice that many faithful men are trying to preach it down. Amongst similar utterances we quote from the Rev. Newman Hall:

"He left to others the political aspect, but as a Christian minister he thought it right to ask them to weigh such considerations as the following: That revenge meant the slaughter of some thousands of brave Arabs and of some hundreds of our own valiant soldiers; that those Arabs of the Soudan had by Gordon himself been proclaimed free, and therefore were no rebels; that they were in arms against the vile and oppressive tyranny of Egypt; that they were in their own land, protecting it against foreign invaders seeking to bring them back to bondage, and were doing just what we should do in their case; that throughout our land prayers were that day offered to God to deliver us from battle and murder,' 'to give peace in our time,' to help us to forgive our enemies,' and to incline our hearts to keep this law, Thou shalt not kill,' and that Christ had taught us that we should do to others as we would that they should do to us. The people if urged to support the continuance of war should ask themselves whether there was sufficient necessity in this case to justify a departure from the plain meaning of the teaching of the Prince of Peace."

If England leads the van of the nations, she could prove her supremacy and exalt her prestige against the war spirit which is abroad. in no more effectual way than by setting her face

THE simple truth of the Bible is, that Christ hath suffered and died in the stead of sinners; and every man that is a sinner hath a right to come.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

A TIME OF REFRESHING.-The spirit of revival is in the Churches. The years of dearth are past and the years of fullness-may they be many have come. The gracious influence of the Holy Spirit is upon God's people in moving power, and from all parts of our land, and from churches of all evangelical communions, come tidings of a great ingathering. We spoke last week of the prevalence of this revival spirit, and of the apparent willingness of the people everywhere to attend evangelistic services. We have been led by the extraordinary fullness of the reports of such meetings in our religious exchanges to make a count of the conversions, and we find cause for joy and hope in the result. Our gleanings are from about two dozen journals, nine of which are Methodist, representing three branches; six are Presbyterian, of the churches North and South; and three are Baptist, besides Congregational, Lutheran and other denominational organs. It is enough to know that many thousands are flocking to the sanctuary to enroll themselves as God's people.

These encouraging facts indicate that God is among the people and in the churches, and the Gospel is having free course. At such a time no church can remain indifferent without danger and loss. There is a ripened harvest. Why tarry the laborers?-Independent.

THE signs are increasing that among the Jews of Continental Europe there is a movement toward Christianity. The latest indication of this kind is the appearance of a new political and literary paper in Vienna, published in Hebrew, and called Ha Qol (The Voice), which takes a decidedly friendly position toward Christianity in this burning question. On the other hand, the ultras among the Israelites are beginning to publish words of warning, and are hoisting the danger signals. In the whole Jewish world of Europe, especially in the Eastern countries, there is a fermentation going on, which Christians should watch with interest.

EVANGELICAL EDUCATION IN ITALY.

Many ladies of high culture in Italy are now warring with the convent system, and ask for an evangelical system of higher female education to take its place. Dr. William Clark, formerly President of the American Mission Theological Seminary in Constantinople, is now in London, seeking to interest ladies and teachers in establishing in Florence such a College for young Italian women. This endeavor has the warm support of Mrs. Garfield, widow of the late President of the United States, and many other influential people in America. The Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, Mr. George Williams, Rev. Newman Hall, Rev. R. S. Ashton, Secretary of the Evangelical Continental Society, and others in London, have also assured Dr. Clark of their per

sonal interest in it.

A lady in America writes::-" It is a rare opportunity, presented to benevolent and Christian men and women of England and America, for doing a

most noble work for Italian young ladies of the higher classes, to bring a high culture with a high moral and ennobling religious influence among those young women who have the destiny of Italy in their hands."

Another says:-"If the ladies of England and America can be instrumental in establishing such an institution or such schools, which shall be as entering wedges to elevate the moral structure of Europe and inaugurate new systems of education for her young girls, they will have aided in one of the many directions in which true missionary work is being done by Christian women all over the world."- The Christian.

THE recent Episcopal appointments appear to have been made on the principle of pleasing the three great parties in the Establishment. Dr. Temple, of Exeter, who is elected to the See of London, would, we suppose, be claimed by the Broad Church party, though we believe he has not shown any extreme leanings in that direction since his elevation to the Episcopate. Canon King, of Christchurch, who becomes Bishop of Lincoln, in place of Bishop Wordsworth, who has retired from the post, is said to be a High Churchman. Evangelicals will certainly rejoice in the elevation of Dean Bickersteth (late of Hampstead) to the See of Exeter, about to be vacated by Dr. Temple. We pray that all three may be granted the wisdom and fidelity to truth that they sorely need in these perilous times.-The (London) Christian.

THE Wesleyans of England are indignant at the announcement that the Established Church is about to appoint a bishop for the Fiji Islands. They denounce this as ecclesiastical poaching, for while there are in the entire group only three or ganized Episcopalian congregations, in charge of two clergymen, the Wesleyan Methodists have 1,200 congregations, II European ministers, 51 native ministers, 32 catechists, 1,070 head teachers, all of whom are devoted fully to evangelistic or pastoral work, and 1,730 local preachers, besides class leaders and school teachers. There are, more. over, only about 2,000 Europeans in the islands. dists, having been rescued from the most degraded The native population almost to a man are Methoheathenism by the labors of Wesleyan missionaries during the last fifty years.

WE are glad to be able to inform our readers that the Russian Government has decided again to authorize the gratuitous circulation of tracts in that country. All the tracts seized by the authori ties have been restored to the Russian Tract Society. We believe this welcome change of policy has resulted mainly from the recent visit to England of a high dignitary of the Russian Church. While here, he took the opportunity of inspecting the depot of the Religious Tract Society, and had a friendly conference with the secretaries.—The

Christian.

A CONTINUOUS stream of Jews from Russia and Roumania is flowing into Palestine, says the Jewish World, and many even of those who went to

America have returned to the land of their fathers. Most of them support themselves by their own labor.

RURAL.

APPLE ORCHARDS.-The apple is our staple fruit in Western New York, and after three years of failure of the crop the prices have been somewhat discouraging. It must be said, however, that a large portion of our apple crop was not up to the usual standard of excellence, very much not fit to go into market as first class fruit. The main cause of this was that the trees were heavily loaded and poorly fed. We have good orchardists in Western New York, and many of them, but I must say, and I say it from actual observation, that a large number of our orchards are in a very low state of cultivation, neither creditable nor profitable to the

owners.

Without attempting any details of orchard culture, I would say that to make orchards productive and profitable, the fertility of the soil must be maintained by the use of suitable fertilizers, so that the trees will make a vigorous annual growth. Judicious pruning must be given, and insect enemies kept in subjection. Then when the fruits are grown and well grown, they must have proper care in gathering, assorting, packing and marketing. All these require skill and watchfulness at every step. Orcharding, even in our favored section, cannot be made profitable without thoroughness in every detail. The best method of preventing the ravages of the codlin moth is still a matter of anxious inquiry and experiment. The efficacy of Paris green and other poisons, as well as the propriety of using them, are still open questions, and can only be answered satisfactorily by careful experiment. Thus far I think experience favors the use of Paris green, when used with judgment and care.—Address of P. Barry, in Vick's Magazine.

HARD WATER.-Water will feel harsh between the fingers if it has in it mineral salts, such as carbonate of lime (chalk), sulphate of lime (gypsum), sulphate of magnesia (epsom salts), oxide of iron (iron rust), alumina (clay), &c. Common salt (sodic chloride), washed out of the air and soil, is present in all natural springs in minute quantities. Except in wells near the sea coast, or from saltbearing strata, as the new red marls or the coal measures, hard water, containing more than one grain per gallon, should be suspected of previous contamination with organic refuse. Sewage water is always hard. Rain water, in percolating through clay soil and the underlying rocks, dissolves certain of their constituents, all of which, save the salts of soda or potash, harden the water before it reappears at the springs. Part of this hardness may be got out by boiling, because the free carbonic acid gas which retains the carbonates of calcium and magnesium in solution, is driven off by heat, leaving the limy matters to form a "fur" on the kettle or boiler. This is temporary hardness, the permanent hardness being that which remains after the removal

of the temporary hardness, and is due to the sulphates, nitrates, and chlorides, these being soluble in the absence of carbonic acid. It has not been proved that temporary hardness is detrimental to health. Calculus is said to prevail in limestone districts, even sheep suffering severely, but it has not been traced to the water. Permanent hardness is more serious; where the mineral salts exceed five grains per gallon they may cause diarrhoea, dyspepsia, and general disarrangement of the alimentary functions. A horse will prefer a muddy soft water

to a clear hard water.

Hard water is objectionable in every respect. With it vegetables cannot be cooked so thoroughly, nor soups made so strong, and tea will not go as far; ten ounces will make as good tea with soft water as eighteen ounces with hard. From this cause, one-third of the tea used in London is wasted. It is still more wasteful when used for cleansing purposes. Soap consists of fatty acids, with soda or potash, and these acids combine with the mineral salts, and so curd instead of forming a lather. One grain of chalk in solution will destroy nine grains of castile soap, or 10,000 gallons of water will waste twelve pounds of soap for one degree of hardness (1° H). Clark's process, by which the temporary hardness is got rid of, is the following: Quick lime added to the water combines with the free carbonic acid gas, and in twelve hours the chalk is thrown down in the settling tanks.

The consumption of soap in Glasgow was reduced one-half by bringing the soft water from Loch Katrine. Wherever attainable, soft water is to be preferred. It is economical, saves labor and fuel, and for culinary purposes is essential.Monthly Record.

PROFIT IN FRUIT RAISING.-When fruit sells too

low for profit it is time to preserve it and reap keeping fruit will be found most profitable, and are treble gains. The quickest and cheapest ways of the only ways in which a grower can work off a crop in time to save it. Dried fruit is easily handled, and is coming back into favor with knowing housekeepers, who recognize good things and know how they should be cooked. No expense for evaporators is necessary. I long since made up my mind that evaporated fruit is inferior to sundried in flavor, and talking with old dealers in family stores, find they prefer the sun dried for their own use. The best cook I ever knew said the same, and there is reason for it. The sun ripens and develops sugar and flavor in cut fruit dried in its rays. To have a nice quality of dried fruit, select firm, fine, ripe specimens, wipe clean, pare and cut with silver knives, as steel turns them black on the edges, and hurry into the sun as fast as they can be prepared.

This

The cheapest and best way of drying fruit is to lay it on lengths of cheese cloth, suspended in a frame out of doors, in full sun, with white mosquito netting over to keep off shreds and insects. allows the air to reach both sides of the fruit at once, and when you want to turn it, the whole can be swung over on another cloth, leaving the first