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xtu&'U Alt THE CHATHAM RECORD THE CHATHAM RECORD Rates of Advertising One Square, one insertion - - $1.00 One Square, two insertions - $L50 One Square, one month - .- $2.50 For Larger Advertisements Liberal Contracts will be made. H. A. London, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR Terms of Subscription $1.50 PER YEAR Strictly in Advance VOL. XXXVUI. PITTSBORO, CHATHAM COUNTY, N. C, SEPTEMBER 1, 1915. NO. 4. IMPORTANT NEWS THE WORLD OVER Happenings of This and Other Nations For Seven Days ire Given. THE NEWS OF THE SOUTH What !s Taking Place In the land Will Be Found in Brief Paragraphs. South- foreign Reports from the South Wales coal gelds state that 25,000 miners have joined the new 6trike. The recurrence of labor troubles is due to growing dissatisfaction with the award of the president of the board of trade,, who Every traveler leaving France here after will be required to declare the amount of funds in coin in his posses sion. If more than ten dollars, he will be compelled to exchange the excess for paper money. This action resulted from a scarcity of silver coin. Another protest has been made to the German government by Sweden. The complaint has to do with the shelling of the Swedish steamer Goth land, which subsequently was taken into Cuxhaven by the Germans. During the month of July, 1,856 deaths were registered in Mexico City. According to Charles. J. O'Connor of the American Red Cross, eight per cent of the deaths occurring in the City of Mexico are due to starvation. Karl Helfferich, German secretary of the treasury, explained that the new German war loan would com pletely exhaust the empire's financial resources and that the increase in ex chequer bonds would cause bankrupt cy. Therefore, Dr. Helfferich urged it was needful to prepare for honorable peace. , Premier Okuma of Japan states that Japan has decided to give greater as sistance to Russia to prosecute the war. He could not discuss details, but allowed it to be understood that this assistance would take the form of the forwarding of greater supplies of munitions of war. It is reported that Germany has twice attempted to open pourparlers for a separate peace once with France and once with Russia. The Belgian government has issued an official reply to the German white book, published the, latter part of May, and in which, as the Belgian au thorities put it, Germany seeks to justify by law the reprisals and the "atrocities committed at Dinant, Bel gium, on the 23d and 24th of August, 1914. The German emperor, with General von Falenhaven, chief of staff of the German army; Field Marshal von Hin denburg, General von Beseler and a brilliant suite, entered the still burn ing town of Novogeorgievsk, in Rus sian Poland. Domestic The conference of governors at Bos ton, Mass., discussed at great length the naval and military resources of the country, and it was agreed that the United States was not prepared to re sist foreign invasion adequately. The National Educational associa tion adopted a "declaration of prin ciples" at Oakland, Cal., commending President Wilson's policy "concerning both the European and Mexican sit uations." W. P. G. Harding of the federal re serve board told the Alabama Mer chants' association that the placing of cotton on the contraband list by the allies did not create a desperate sit uation, but rather one calling for in telligent action and leadership. He urged Southern bankers to make con cessions to finance the crop. A navy steadily increased in size and efficiency so that it will be ready to defend the country against attack from any quarter, Is the aim of Sec retary of the Navy Daniels. This he declared before the governors' confer ence at an adjourned session on board the flagship Wyoming of the North Atlantic fleet in Massachusetts bay, at Eoston. ' By a close vote the lower house of the Alabama legislature refused to al low the people of the state to vote at the next general election on an amendment providing -equal suffrage. Announcement has been made in Mew York City that arrangements for a 20,000,000 French commercial ex Port credit have been completed and the credit issued. " The coroner's inquest into the re cent Frank lynching found that he came to his death at the hands of "unknown parties." The inquest was held in Marietta, Cobb county, Geor gia. Estimates are placed at $250,000 as the damage done by a cyclone which cut a sw ath through the borough of Hanover, eighteen miles southwest of iork, Pa. Rumors that a large body of Mexi cans was preparing to cross the bor dfer caused troops of the sixth and six teenth infantry to be recalled hur riedly from tempoiary leaves of ab sence and to be ordered to report Im mediately at Fort Bliss, Texas. The third of a party suspected by United States authorities with being engaged in the making of counterfeit dollars in Mobile, Ala., dated ' 1900, was arrested at Mobile, Ala., by dep uties of the TTnitfid States marshal in the person of Nick McGinnis, a gro- v;tr. Enough canned food-to supply four thousand people with two meals were taken as far as possible by train and then transferred to motor boats to the five thousand inhabitants at Newport, Ark., refugees and passengers on ma rooned trains. I Two unmasked men locked E. W. Fincher, cashier of the Bank of Am ity (Arkansas) in the vault and es caped with twelve hundred dollars. A memorial is to be erected to the memory of the late Dr. Joseph A. Holmes, at Pittsburg, Pa., who was director of the United States bureau of mines for many years. Washington The greatest total ot internal reve nue receipts in the history of the government, with income tax from in dividuals $42,000,000 under the amount estimated by the framers of the in come tax law, were recorded in the annual report of the commissioner of internal revenue. If the commander of a German sub marine exceeded his instructions in sinking the steamer Arabic, the Ger man government will give full satis faction to the United States, Chancel lor von Bethman-Hollweg stated in an interview given to the press. Secretary of the Navy Daniels says that in his opinion submarines and aeroplanes were among the most pow erful weapons of warfare and reaf firmed his Intention to ask congress to strengthen both ot these branches of the service. The American government has ad dressed the government of Haiti, ex pressing its desire that there be ac cepted without delay the draft of a convention for ten years under which there shall be established an effective control of Haitien customs as well a3 administration of finances of the coun try, under a receiver general and American employees. Count von Bernstorff, the German ambassador, communicated to the state department his government's re gret and sympathy if any American lives were lost in the sinking of the liner Arabic, and asked that the Unit ed States delay taking a definite atti tude until Germany could be heard from. Cotton cargoes for neutral countries will not be confiscated under the re cent decree of the allies declaring cot ton contraband if within, the normal consumption of those countries This assurance was given cotton shippers in a statement issued from the Brit ish embassy. Treasury officials made public an announcement by Secretary McAdoo that, in view of the action of the al lies in putting cotton on the contra band list, he would, if it became nec essary, place thirty million dollars, or more, in gold, in the federal re serve banks at Atlanta, Ga., Dallas, Texas, and Richmond, Va., for the pur pose of enabling the reserve banks to rediscount loans on cotton secured by warehouse receipts made by national banks and state banks belonging to the federal reserve system. Reliable reports received in Wash ington state that Haitien reb els have been organizing an army to attack the American forces on the island. This, it is stated, is responsi ble for the plans now being carried out to reinforce Admiral Caperton's marines and bluejackets. European War Geneneral PolivanoftV Russian min ister of war, announces that Russia is raising- another two million men, and that the fate of the campaign will not be decided before some time next year. President Poincare, Minister of War Millerand and General Joffre of France have ' sent a telegram to Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia expressing entire confidence in the future of the Russian armies. The Germans are in full possession of the entire Brest-LItovsk line, and have resumed the offensive in the Bal tic provinces. It is expected that when von Hin- denburg has been reinforced his army will make another attempt to cut off the Russian retreaL Petrograd dispatches assert that the Russian armies are intact, with virtu ally all their guns and prospects of a more plentiful supply, of ammunition. A French official report on the fight- ins in the Dardanelles, between Au gust 20 and the morning of August 25, relates that the British lert wing nas made progress against the Turks, oc cupying 800 yards of Turkish trench es in the northern zone of the fight ing. A statement from an authoritative source on Germany's strength in men and her losses, made public in Lon don, asserts that about July 21 the Gemans had 1,800,000 men on the west ern and 1,400,000 on the eastern front a total of 3,200,000 men on the actual fighting line while, there also were 1,120,000 Austrians fighting the Russians. Both Berlin and Vienna report that the Teutonic forces continue to force the Muscovites back, especially in the of the Pulva river. several transports laden with Ital ian troops and escorted by war ships j have departed from Naples, Syracuse, Taranto and Brindisi for an unknown Hestination. They sailed under sealed orders. It is believed that they are to be employed for operations against Turkey The naval battle between, German and Russian warships in the Gulf of Riga has ended in the German fleet withdrawing, after, having lost the battle cruiser Moltke of ,the dread- naught type; three other cruisers anu seven torpeao Dut. GENERAL SCOTT READY TO REPORT HAS BEEN TO BORDER IN CON FERENCE WITH MEXICAN LEADERS. RETURNS TO WASHINGTON Has Been Working For Several Weeks in Furtherance of Pan-American Peace Plans. Washington. Gen. Hugh It. ' Scott, chief of staff of the army, returned to Washington from the Mexican border, where for several weks he has been warklng in furtherance of the Pan American peace plans. He would not comment on the results of his mission, which he will discuss with Secretary Lansing. General Scott's first mission on ar rival at the border was to confer with General Villa and settle difficul ties arising from seizure of property of foreign merchants at Chihuahua. The General also discussed with Villa the Pan-American convention pro posal, which Villa and his followers have accepted. Since then the nature of General Scott's discussion has not been dis closed. It is reported that he tried to get in communication with Gen eral Obregon, General Carranza's chief in the field. Whether "he suc ceeded in" this has not been learned. Obregon, however, ' responding to" the Pan-American appeal, said that Car ranza's answer would be his. It is talten tor granted here that General Scott brought back a fund of interesting Information. The chief of staff has long been familiar with conditions in Mexico, and is person ally acquainted with many military leaders. No disclosures have been made as to the next step the Pan-American conferees are planning with refer ence to Mexico. There will be' no meeting until Carranza's reply to the appeal for a peace conference has been received. The conferees will urge recognition of the Carranza gov ernment. JULY EXPORTS BREAK RECORD. Greatest Ever Recorded For That Month, Valued at $267,978,900. Washington. Exports of the pro ducts of American farms and facto ries in July valued at $267,978,900 were the greatest ever recorded in that month, the department of com merce has Just announced. The near est approach to the new record was made in July, 1913, when American shipments abroad reached $160,990,- 778. The trade balance for the month the excess of exports over imports was $124,879,370, compared with a balance of $21,929,008 in July, 1913. In July, 1914, exports were less than im ports by more than $5,000,000. Exports for the first seven months of the year valued at $1,969,787,495, gave a balance of trade in favor of the United States only a little' short of one billion dollars. The balance was $960,878,054, compared with 60, 388,789 in the first seven months of 1914. July imports were valued at $143, 099.62, compared with $159,677,291 last year; for the seven months $1, 908,909, 441, against $1,140,593,373. Fell From Top of Mountain. Atlanta, Ga. Wilson Reid of Nor folk, Va., fell four hundred feet from the top of Stone Mountain near here and was instantly killed. Workmen in a quarry at the foot of the moun tain saw him plunge over the edge of the precipice on the north side of the peak. His body was found after a search of 30 minutes. It is supposed Reid slipped while attempting to look over the edge of the precipice. Aeronaut Killed. Fort Wayne, Ind. George Williams, 25, an aeronaut, was killed when. he jumped out of his parachute to escape falling Into a forest. His neck was broken. Submarine F-4 Brought to Surface. Honolulu. The U. S. S. submarine F-4 submerged outside the harbor here since March 26 last was refloated and towed to the quarantine station in Honolulu Bay. The submarine F-4 commanded by Lieutenant Alfred L. Ede and with a crew of 21 men, went to the bottom of the harbor of Hono lulu March 26, 1915, during maneou vers of the "F" squadron. She was located two days later and Diver John the Navr. descended 215 feet estabUshmg a new world's record Millions in Toys May Be Lost. "RerHn. American business men in Germany are taking the gloomiest view of the fate of great quantities of goods ordered in Germany for the American Christmas trade. They say that the loss of these goods will amount to millions. Orders totalling $50,000,000 for such wares as toys, Bohemian glassware, bronzes, Christ mas cards and optical specialties had been placed for Bummer delivery, it is stated, this being the usual practice it, nrdpr to eive American wholesale dealen an apportunity to place goods PROMISES TO AID WIVES FARMS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WILL WORK IN CO-OPERATION WITH RURAL CLUBS. DISPATCHES FROM RALEIGH Doings and Happenings That Mark the Progress of North Carolina Peo ple ; Gathered "Around the State CapitoL ' . s-1 V .. ' ' Raleigh. MaJ. W. A. Graham, commissioner of agriculture, said that the various divisions of the state department hav ing to do with the rural home life will 'co-operation In the closest pos sible way with the organization of the wives and daughters of farmers into which their convention in connection with the , State Farmers' convention has resolved itself, and that in some respects its work will be directly op posed to that of the Federation of Women's Clubs which has as" one ob Ject the getting of poultry, eggs, but ter and other farm home products at the lowest possible prices. The new federation of farm women will srive for maintaining prices. However, he believes there is a big field for co operation in the matter of cutting out the middle men, who under present conditions really get the big share of the profits. It is asserted tnat the new federa tion, the North Carolina Federation of Rural Women, will work along the most conservative lines. This is the idea of its officers; Mrs. J. G. Boylin, Wadesboro, president; Mrs. J. Z. Green, Marshville, and Mrs. C. L. Jen kins, Raleigh, vice presidents; Miss Margaret Scott, Raleigh, secretary; Miss Lucy Webb, treasurer. Much attention is being given by those interested in the movement to the drafting of the constitution and by-laws which are to state what the federation stands for. For the com mittee to draft this Mrs. W. N. Hutt, closely connectd with the depart ment of agriculture, is chairman, and the others are Mrs. Gale Groom, Wil mington; Mrs. J. Z. Green, Marsh ville; Mrs. Coyt Redfern, Anson Coun ty; Mrs. Fowle, Caldwell.' State Pays Million More 'Taxes. Special from Washington. The an nual report of Col. W. H. Osborn, com missioner of internal revenue, a synopsis of which was given out a few days ago, shows that North Carolina paid more than $1,000,000 in revenues in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1915, than the year previous. The exact in crease was $1,704,667.17, which comes from the special war tax. There was a decided falling off iff the receipts from the corporation and individual income taxes. Colonel Osborne's report shows that the aggregate collections made and reported to the commissioner of Inter nal revenue by Collector Joshia W. Bailey and Alston y. Watts of North Carolina, during the fiscal year end ed June 30, 1915, were: Fourth dis trict. Mr. Bailey, $5,477,314.17; fifth district, Mr. Watts, $8,174,622.67, ing a total for the state of $13,651, 937.38. The collections in the same dis tricts for last for last year were: Fourth district, $4,960,245.34; fifth. dis trict. $6,361,918.27. The total for 1914 was $11,947,270.54. In 1915, receipts for corporation and individual income tax amounted to: Corporation, $257,825.38; indivi dual, $123,553.96. In 1914, the corporation income tax for the state was $.73,267.99, and the individual income tax $46,566.55. In that year there was an additional cor poration excise tax of $84,410.55. The August Health Bulletin. . The August Bulletin of the State Board of Health is off the press and is largely devoted to the proper pre cautions to prevent tuberculosis, and contains a number of illustrations;. One article by Dr. G. M. Cooper, of the Rural Sanitation Bureau, is on the subject of "Story of Tuberculosis." This, too, is illustrated. Increase in Live Stock Reported. The commissioner has received as surances from the Corporation Com mission, that there will be available very soon full returns as to the num ber of hogs and cattle in the state, these figures being available for the first time in five years. Major Gra ham is confident that the record as to hogs will show a gain of at least 600,- 000 in number. He estimates that there will be shown to be more than 1,800,000 hogs, whereas there were five vears ago only j.,200,000. The in- creasein cattle is promising. Work With Munitions Plant. At a meeting of the executive corn- mittee of the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina, Prof. Andrew H. Patterson was granted a year's release from his duties as pro fessor of physics and science of the School of. Applied Science in the Uni versity to accept important work in organizing and developing the labora tories of a large fnumtions concern in New York. Professor Patterson will be associated with ordnance experts from the United States and English armies. 1WIII Advertise State Advantages. Special from Charlotte. Mr. Bi6n H. Butler of Southern Pines, promin ent in the industrial deevlopment of the state is in Charlotte in the inter est Of the newly-born North Carolina State Publicity Bureau. A confer ence with local business men and the heads., of various corporations Is the object of Mr. Butler's sojourn, with reference to the promotion of the state-wide project which he rep resents. The officers of the North Carolina State Bureau of Publicity art Messrs. Henry A. Page of Aberdeen, presi dent; Alfred A. Thompson of Raleigh, treasurer, and J. C. Forester of Greensboro, secretary. The vice pres idents are Messrs. A. K. Tate, ' High Point, Wilton McLean, Lumberton, Clarence Poe, Raleigh, Andrew Joy ner, Greenville ; W. N. Hewitt, Ashe- ville, and Prof. E. C. Branson of Chapel Hill. Among others identified with the public spirited project, are Messrs. Hugh MacRae, Wilmington; George A. Holderne&s, Tarboro; R. C. Hood, Greensboro, and many others of equal prominence throughout North Carolina. "The Bureau, came into existence through a meeting which was held in Raleigh in July," said Mr Butler. "At the session in the Capital City, more than 100 citizens from many points in the state were present. An organization was effected and ifficers elected. Some three weeks ago, a meeting of the officers was held in Raleigh, when a modus operandi was promulgated with regard to financing the proposition. It was estimated that $5,000 was needed to place the work actually under, way. With this amount as our goal, we expect to raise $50 each from each of 100 indi viduals, organizations and , corpora tions. Recently I have visited Tar boro. Fayetteville. - Aberdeen and Rockingham and have met with sur prising success in the canvass. The future of the organization was, I feel, assured through the solid and subs tan tial citizenship which was behind it from its inception, and the reception which it is receiving in the 'various cities, is but an added guarantee of its future.' Ninety Counties File Assessments. Assessments for ninety counties in North Carolina have been filed with the state tax commission. That body, after hearing a number of protests from corporations in these counties elative to tax increases, is considering these together with reports of the traveling auditors receirtly appointed, preparatory to issuing the final figures on the 1915 assessment. An average increase of from ten to fifteen per cent, it is understood, has been made in the state. No figures have been given out by the commis sion but the estimate comes from re liable sources. A number of corporations which have appealed to the commission in protest against increased assessment this year because of the present busi- nes situation, are viewing the result with little optimism. If the commis sion were fixing figures from year to year, this fact might be well consid ered and acted upon it is said. But the assessment this year is for four years and if it were reduced from the figure of 1911 as some have argued for, it would necessarily remain so until the next four year assessment. In the meanwhile brightening of the business prospects and loosenine of the financial situation would work no corresponding improvement in the condition of the state treasury- Cost of Right Living Is Small. The monthly health letter of the Life Extension Institute gives much sound advice on what one should eat and what one should spend in order to be well nourished but not pam pered. It maintains that the cost of the real necessities of life has not in creased to1 a point that should cause hardship, privation or undernutrition even among wage-earners.' For in stance, air, the first requirement ol life, costs nothing. "Food, the next requirement of lifp" savs the letter, "cost little, ii what the body really needs is con sidered. 10.6 cents a day will provide plain, simple, palatable food (not pork and beans, or its equivalent, bread and butter, milk and coffee, and the fuel to cook it), sufficient to nourish a person of average weight and activity When the cost of food perpared in the home rises above 5,0 cents per day per individual, there is certainly either waste or luxury. Better Care For Convicts. For the sanitary and hygienic care of prisoners the stats board of health and the State Highway Commission have jointly issued a set of plans and specifications embracing a new sys tem for portable convict camps. Three types of camps are detailed in the new scheme. The plans were pre pared by Mr. Frank K. Thompson, of Raleigh, and they embody the ideas of Dr. W. S. Rankin and Dr. Joseph Hyde Pratt, relative to the construc tion and equipment of convict camps. Governor Craig Names Delegates, Governor Craig appointed as dele- gates at large from this state to the second annual Southern Tubercuosis Conference, Dr. C. L. Minor, Ashe ville; Dr. T. B. McBrayer, Sanitorium; I Dr. G. W. Purefoy, Asheville; Dr. I. J. Archer, Black Mountain; Dr. W. S. Rankin, Raleigh. The conference will be in Columbia, October 8-9, and will be under the direction of the .Nation al Association for the Study of Pre vention of Tuberculosis and will con sider matters of vital importance to .public health in the Southern States. TRULL IS DOOMED TO DIE FOR MURDER SLAYER OF SWAIN MUST PAY FOR THE CRIML WITH HIS OWN LIFE. CRAIG WILL NOT INTERFERE Governor Refused to Interfere With Sentence After Getting Report of Sanity Commission. Raleigh. -Governor Craig declines to interfere with "the death sentence of Charles Trull, so the prisoner will have to die in the electric chair here on September 3, paying the penalty for the murder and robbery of Sidney Swain, of Charlotte. The governor's action is based on the findings of the special sanity commission that the prisoner was sane and and the conviction that Trull is guilty of first degree murder, so he must let the law take its course. The announcement of Governor Craig followed a full investigation into the facts of the case as well as into the mental condition of the con demned man' the sanity commission appointed at the request of Trull's at torneys, filed its report with Governor Craig, finding in that report that in the opinion of the commission, Char- lee E. Trull is sane now and was sane at the time the crime was committed. Trull's attorneys, Mr. Cameron Mor rison and Mr. Jake Newell, of Char lotte, asked for a last opportunity to present the matter, Wednesday was was set as the date. And Solicitor George W. Wilson, of Gastonia, who prosecuted Trull asked likewise for a hearing at that time. Solicitor Wilson did not appear. Before Governor Craig in his office at the capitol, Mr. Cameron Morri son and Mr. Jake Newell presented the case. Governor Craig listened to all of It with interest, asking ques tions. Trull's mother, Mrs. Charles Trull, of Columbia, with Mr. Coleman, a friend of the family, and Mrs. Jack son, of Union, S. C, Trull's sister, were present. They sat in silence, listening intently, while the attorneys were arguing for the young man's life. When it was over the lawyers suggested that Governor Craig exam ine the mother or the sister for any facts about the young man's life. But he declined. It was shortly after ward that the mother made her ap peal. Sitting in her chair and stretching out her arms slightly she started to speak and her voice broke. 'Governor,' 'she cried, "won't you please commute the .sentence of my boy. I'm his mother." Then she lost control. "Oh, governor," she sobbed. "1 know he's not what he ought to be, but he's my boy. Don't let him die. That was all, she bowed her head comforted by her daughter. Governor Craig sat in silenc. In a few mo ments, the lawyers, the mother, and daughter went out. Mrs. Trull had regained her composure then Gov. Craig had said that he would con sider the matter and announce his de cision later. Miss Fannie E. Heck Dead. Raleigh. Miss Fannie E. Heck died it the Heck home here after being critically ill for two months and an Invalid for nearly two years.. For 30 years Miss Heck had been president of the Woman's Missionary Socety of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, the society at its annual session last May having refus ed to accept her resignation, which she urged on account of failing health; and for 20 years president of the Woman's Missionary Society of the uSothern Baptist Convention, which accepted her resignation at the last annual meeting when she tele graphed that she must not be re-elect ed because of failing health and that she would not permit the society to hamper its work by retaining ah In active president on account of regard it had for her. Fertilizer Plant at Wilmington. Wilmington. The N. J. Josey Guano Company, which' already oper ates fertilizer plants at Scotland Neck and Tarboro, will erect a mixing plant in Wilmington at a cost of between $15,000 and $20,000. A tract of five acres of land has been purchased in the city and work his already been started on the plant which will be ready for operation by the next sea son. E. B. Josey, who has for the past five years been , the manager of the Tarboro plant of the company, will I have charge of the factory here. Fix Up Old "Plank Road." High Point Citizens of High Point, A.sheboro, Trinity, Sophia and Glen ola have inaugurated a movement for the construction of a good road out of 13 miles of the old "Plank" road, which connects Asheboro and High Point. The Randolph commissioners, It is understood, will appropriate part of the $6,600 necessary for the wcrk and the property owners along the road will contribute the balance. High Point and Asheboro each pledging 800 o fthe amount. Committees have $800 o fthe amount. Committees have BflffiffinONAL SI) NMSfflOOL Lesson (By O. E. SELLERS, Acting Director of the Sunday School Course ol the Mooay Bible Institute.) LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 5 i ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS BAAL. OF LESSON TEXT I Kings 18:30-39. GOLDEN TEXT Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Pro v. 15:29 R. V. Following the lesson of last week we have (cb 18:1-16) the Interesting account of . Ahab'a search for Elijah and of the prophet's meeting with Oba diah. ., Verses 5 and 6 suggest the se verity of the drought in the land. Ahab's accusation, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel," is replied to by Eli jah's challenge regarding a contest be tween himself, the representative of Jehovah, and the king's prophets rep resenting Baal, (vv. 17-25). In accord ance with the stipulations the prophets of Baal accepted the challenge and most miserably failed (vv. 26-29). The place of this dramatic contest was ML Carmel (see map) and the time prob ably B. C. 906. I. Elijah's Preparation vv. 30-35. On Carmel's crown now swarms a count- les3 throng With one brave soul to stand for God 'Gainst millions in the wrong. George I Taylor. Elijah gave the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 priests of the groves (v. 19) every advantage possible that he might the more clearly unmask their error and make more signal their de feat Their frenzied cries and self injury continued fruitlessly until 3:00 p. m. Then Elijah announces the de tails which were to remove all possible doubt as to whose champion he was or who is to answer his petition, (a) He cans tne people togetner (v. sv) uraw ing them nigh to God and challenging their undivided attention after the con fusion produced by the priests and their consternation over their defeat (b) He constructs the altar (vv. 30-31). Any true and lasting reforma tion must begin at the altars of God. Restore one In the heart, the home and church and there will return to all unity and strength. Note Elijah's insistence upon an undivided nation, as suggested by the "twelve stones." While any lasting reformation must begin In the individual heart, still If it is true and genuine it will work it self out in the nation. "Israel shall be thy name." The "prince that prevails with God," who had wrought for their fathers, who answered Jacob's prayer, is now about to answer Elijah. This altar was not constructed as a monu ment to departed one, nor for the or namentation of the house of God. It was in God's first cathedral and for his glory alone. On this altar Elijah placed his sacrifice. Again Israel is to prevail over its enemies, this time those within, not those from without, (c) He covered the altar (vv. 33,34) e. g., poured wa ter upon it to remove all possible ac cusation of fraud or trickery. The trench "as great as would contain two measures of seed" (v. 32) is equivalent to six gallons. Three times water was taken from the spring, still flowing at this place, and poured upon the altar, twelve jars in all again symbol izirp; the twelve tribes. I. Elijah's Prayer, w, 36,37. The great prophet even could only secure through prayer his desired blessing though its purpose was "that this peo ple may know that thou Lord art God." His prayer was: (a) Addressed to God; (b) Grounded upon experience, that of "Abraham, Isaac and Jacob;" (c) It was for one purpose, the honor of that name; (d) It was to sanction his act in calling forth the drought upon Israel as a' punishment for the sins of princes, priests and people; (e) It was founded upon the word of Jehovah, to corroborate and to affirm the works done "at thy word;' (f) It was for the conversion of the people, that their hearts might be turned back to Jehovah once more. Elijah, the man of faith, staked his all upon the Word of God, he gave himself up wholly to the plans and purposes of God, and relied explicitly upon the covenant-keeping God. . III. God's Power, w. 38-40. We are confident Elijah had never seen fire fall and that he must have realized the awful catastrophe involved if it did not fall. Yet he fearlessly makes his plea and the fire fell. It was not an accidental stroke of lightning. God, the creator, worked upon the laws of nature, his servant, and wrought con fusion to his enemies. It would be a strange God and father who could not use his own laws and creation to pro duce a moral effect The abundance of proof was that not only the offering, but -the water and the very stones of- the altar were consumed. Risking all, all is won. What we need everywhere is men who will follow in Elijah's steps in order that the fire of God may coma upon us. There remained no longer any doubt, God is God, Baal is a sham. So they "fell on their faces," yet fa spite of the victories of God men to day .refase to render unto him like obedience and worship. Compare in this connection the fire of God's holy spirit which came upon the apostles and believers at Pentecost and the resultant convicting power convincing the people of Jerusalem that the crucified Christ wa$ the son of QA - 1,1
The Chatham Record (Pittsboro, N.C.)
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Sept. 1, 1915, edition 1
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