[R1304 : page 77]

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

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NOW READY.
MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. III.
"THY KINGDOM COME."
380 PAGES.

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In cloth binding (Retail price $1.) . 50c.
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Dr. Agnew, of Philadelphia, expresses the opinion that the climatic changes which are now going on in this country will, in time, cause the flora of the tropics to flourish up north.

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The Times of Morocco says that so habitual is drunkenness among foreigners there that the natives think that it is a part of the religion of Christians and Jews. When a wearer of the blue ribbon explains its meaning to them, they exclaim: "What! you a Christian and don't drink, and you are not a Jew? You must be a Mohammedan!"

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Something like a preachers' trust has been organized by the Iowa Presbytery, that body having decided to discourage theological students from preaching, as it interferes with ordained ministers seeking places. The Word, it would seem, is not, in the estimation of the Iowa Presbytery, something to be scattered broadcast free of charge, but is to be considered partly in the light of a premium to secure places. This is something of a departure.

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Count von Moltke, Germany's greatest general in modern times, whose death has lately been announced, in a recent speech before the Reichstag left no one in ignorance as to his views of the next European war. The powers of Europe, he declared, "are armed as they never have been armed before. No one of them can be so completely shattered in one or two campaigns as to confess itself beaten and to conclude peace on hard terms, or as not to recover in a year or two and renew the conflict. It may be a seven-years' war; it may be a thirty-years' war. Woe to him who sets fire to Europe." The old warrior dispelled the idea that the next war would be short, sharp and decisive. In his opinion such a war would be both fierce and protracted.

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The locomotives for the Jaffa and Jerusalem railroad recently reached Palestine. They bear the names of "Jerusalem," "Ramleh" and "Jaffa." A Philadelphia company has the honor of supplying the motive power. The most interesting fact about the appearance of the iron horse in the Holy Land is that the Jewish rabbis have already figured out a fulfilment of prophecy. In the book of Nahum is found that which is now interpreted as a revelation of the locomotive. Consul Gillman, of Jerusalem, tells this in a recent report to the state department. He sends the passage. The words are significant. They are found in Nahum 11:3,4, and are as follows: "The chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation. They shall seem like torches; they shall run like the lightning." Mr. Gillman, also reports that there is quite a boom in Jerusalem real estate on account of the building of this railroad. More visitors arrived in the holy city last year than in any previous year, and Americans outnumbered any other nationality. "The Jews from all lands," says Consul Gillman, "continue to come to Palestine to reside in increasing numbers. Many of them are aged persons, who immigrate with the sole object of dying in Jerusalem, in accordance with their religious belief, so that they may be buried on the Mount of Olives."

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