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not governed by cliques for the succession or parceling out of officers for years to come." His. of Cal., VII, 322.)

As he had witnessed the emergence of the Union cause from its desperate stage into complete triumph in the capacity of member of the lower house of the national legislature, he was now called upon as Senator to participate in the work of reconstruction, and to sit in judgment at the impeachment trial of President Johnson. His colleagues as senators-elect included Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania, Roscoe Conkling of New York, Justin S. Morrill of Vermont, John Sherman of Ohio, and others. Old members in the Senate included George F. Edmunds, William P. Fassenden, Charles Sumner and Richard Yates. His colleague from California was John Conness.

Senator Cole cannot be said to have specialized to any great extent in the national legislature. His interests were somewhat numerous, as shown in the Congressional Globe, and included new post roads and improved postal service, canal construction for irrigation and the reclamation of unproductive land, the promotion of forest tree cultivation on the plains, education, the protection of fur-bearing seals, the humane treatment of Indians, and tional finances-especially the payment of the Public Debt. His position on Senate committees was of special advantage to the Pacific Coast-referring particularly to the Committee on Post Offices and Post roads and the Committee on Appropriations of which latter he had the unusual honor of being chairman.

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Referring to the impeachment of President Johnson, Senator Cole is of the opinion that the "provocation was so great and persisted in with such tenacity that the House could see no alternative but to take steps to stop it." (Memoirs, 278.) Of his own vote on the final test in judicial capacity as Senator he say: "I voted with the majority to sustain the accusations. Although among the more radical of my party. I so decided with no pleasure, and have since been glad the trial

turned out as it did." (Memoirs, 277.)

Previous to taking his seat in the Senate, Mr. Cole had in 1866 visited Southern California. In the course of his visit he called upon General Phineas Banning at Wilmington; and on the representations then made he was afterwards able to obtain from the Government an appropriation of $200,000 for the improvement of Wilmington harbor, the first for that purpose. This event is of special significance when viewed in the light of later developments-the struggle for a free harbor at San Pedro and Wilmington as opposed to Santa Monica, urged by the Southern Pacific Railroad, the annexation of San Pedro and Wilmington to Los Angeles, and the growing maritime greatness of Southern California by virtue of Los Angeles harbor.

One of the momentous achievements of the American government during the encumbency of Senator Cole was the acquisition of Alaska in 1867. This came about in a somewhat unexpected manner. As Senator-elect, Cole had interested himself in the project of a group of San Franciscans who were hoping to succeed to the lucrative business in furs enjoyed by the RussianAmerican Fur Company. He had written Cassius M. Clay, our Minister at St. Petersburg, on the subject, and on going to Washington had called on Baron Stoeckl, the Russian Minister, with the result that everything was apparently settled in favor of the San Francisco company. But while the expiration of the charter of the RussianAmerican Company was being awaited the scheme for the outright purchase of Alaska was brought forward and the actual transfer by treaty quickly followed. Cole therefore does not claim to have been the originator of the proposition for the transfer, his opinion being that the first suggestion of sale came from St. Petersburg through Baron Stoeckl. Not long after Alaska had come under American jurisdiction he introduced two important bills, namely: "A bill to provide a territorial government for the Territory of Alaska," and "A bill to prevent the

extermination of fur bearing animals in Alaska, and to protect the inhabitants thereof."

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The Chinese Question, already leading issue in California, was first discussed in Congress in 1869-70. While opposed to the Chinaman's voting, Cole was less inclined to exclude him from the country-he deemed the exclusion policy more befitting of China than the United States. "I did not then believe, nor do I now," he tells us in his "Memoirs" (Ib., 286. Cf. remarks in the Senate, Dec. 22, 1869. Cong. Globe, 2d Sess. 41s Cong., 1869-70, Part I, 301), that a number of Chinese large enough, or of a class bad enough, will ever cross the Pacific to put in peril our political integrity."

As a preliminary to the next Senatorial campaign it is necessary to advert to another matter that proved to be of prime importance to the career of Mr. Cole. So unrestrained had the directors of the Central Pacific Railroad become in their craving for government aid that they "conceived a desire to possess themselves of Goat Island, strategically situated in the harbor of San Francisco, as a terminus for traffic purposes of their great system." This bold project was embodied in a bill, which passed the House with very slight opposition, being supported by the California delegation and a powerful lobby. In the Senate it was warmly advocated by Mr. Conness of California and the Senators of Nevada and Oregon, besides several influential Senators from States east of the Rocky Mountains. "In the meantime," says Senator Cole, "the people of San Francisco, who deemed the movement one much against their interest, became thoroughly aroused upon the subject, and manifested their opposition, not only through the public press, but by formal action on the part of the city government, and in various other ways. A most voluminous report, signed by thousands of citizens, was forwarded to Washington, and by me laid before. the Senate with explanations." (Memoirs, 266.) The concession was op

posed by the War Department, which deemed Goat Island necessary for military purposes and argued that the construction by the railroad of a solid causeway from the mainland would seriously injure the harbor. Cole vigorously opposed the measure, from a sense of duty to the public. The bill was defeated, and Goat Island continues in the possession of the military authorities of the government.

But his attitude on the proposed concession to the railroad cost him dearly. Says he: "My opposition at once turned the long existing friendship between the members of the company and myself into hot displeasure on their part. They utterly ignored the many and most valuable services it had been my good fortune to render to them while a member of the Select Committee on the Pacific Railroad of the House of Representatives, only a few years before. Though anxious to favor them, as old friends and neighbors, it was not possible to serve two masters at the same time, and in this instance the people of San Francisco seemed to have the first claim upon me." (Memoirs, 267.) Meanwhile, rather than continue in active participation in its affairs and share in the profits of its "schemes of financial legerdemain," he had at considerable sacrifice disposed of his own shares in the company to Governor Stanford.

Though popular opinion was doubtless decidedly in favor of Senator Cole's re-election in 1872, the vigorous opposition of the railroad interests, to which must be added the hostility of the whisky trust because of his exposure of alleged frauds, and that of the National Bank influence, proved to be a fatal handicap. Failing at length to receive the nomination, which went to Aaron A. Sargent, he thus expressed his democratic principles to a crowd of serenaders: "I started out in my political career as a friend of the poor and the laboring man, and I have never deserted them, nor will I disregard their interests, or forget my duty to them while I remain in public life. I have never been se

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during the period of Reconstruction, that Los Angeles should be able to select him to participate in the celebration in honor of the visit of the Liberty Bell on November 15, 1915, and to claim him to-day as honored. and esteemed fellow citizen, active member of the Centenarian Societyall this is truly cause for genuine felicitation.

Cornelius Cole has participated usefully in many and varied phases of life in California the Golden, and in the great Union of States he loves so well. Every passing year had dropped new richness into his fruitful life, and to-day his retentive memory and alert mind constitute his choicest asset. Here, in a beautiful old age that does honor to the best thought of Cicero's "De Senectute," is a noble Roman, a princely pioneer.

A LEGEND OF THE POND LILY

Against a mass of purple clouds, calm, dreamed the slumbering trees,
And fireflies gay torches flung across the dew-pearled leas;

Lonely, an elderberry bush knelt by the dimpling pool,

While lily-pads with jeweled prows sailed o'er the waters cool.
Then, from the shadows densely dark, where soft the old trees slept,
A stripling birch with stealthy tread close to the blue pond crept.
There, mirrored in its crystal depths, he saw a star of night,
With diamonds flashing on her brow, and on her gown of white.
Entranced, the birch-tree stooped and told the pale star of his love,
While like a broken silver ring the moon shone from above.
Then, sudden, dawn shot arrows red, athwart the misty skies,
And with a little sleepy yawn, the starpoints closed their eyes.
But she who on the blue pool shone, forgot her far-off home,

So night condemned the errant star henceforth on earth to roam.
The fairies lifted lily-pads, and taught her how to float-
Thus ever since, this blossom fair, rides in an emerald boat.
A zephyr from the flowers filched their dainty, sweet perfume,
And scattered it, with dewdrops rife, upon the shimmering bloom.
Smiling a slanting sunbeam danced across the waters cold,
And filled the lily's trembling heart with spikes of burnished gold.

Now, when the summer winds breathe low, and soft the starpoints die,
This blossom lifts her cup of pearl, gold-filled, towards the sky.
The birch still leans across the pool, and keeps his faithful tryst,
Reflected like a silver shaft, where of the star he kissed;

And far outshining all the lights that pierce the dome above,

The sweet pond-lily spreads her leaves, and shines for him-her love.

AGNES LOCKHART HUGHES.

Jehovah's Saintly Jewels

By C. T. Russell

Pastor New York Temple and Brooklyn and London Tabernacles

"When they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon His name. 'And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that Day when I make up My jewels.”—Malachi 3:16, 17.

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VERY important trait of character in any one is humility, and especially in the Christian. If we do not possess humility and meekness, the Lord cannot use us, and we cannot make any progress. We do not know what may be one another's difficulties; but we know that we all have imperfections. We should fight a good fight with ourselves. If we get ourselves into full line with the will of the Lord, He will help us by His providences.

Should our imperfection be especially along the line of lack of meekness the Lord will try us in this respect, to show us our need in this direction. Or, it may be along the line of a lack of gentleness. We may be rude, and may say and do things in an unkind manner. The Lord may therefore permit us to have certain trials in order to give us an opportunity of developing this quality of character. We may have tests of love for the brethren, for our own family, for our neighbors. The Lord might even hide His face from us for a time to give us a test of love for Him.

All such experiences "work together for good to them that love God, to the called according to His purpose." These are the ones who are desirous above everything else of becoming copies of God's dear Son. With these the Lord is now dealing.

The Loyal May Have Confidence.

This matter of our testing and trying as New Creatures begins with our begetting of the Holy Spirit, and ends when we die. But one may be sure he is an overcomer; one may have confidence, "full assurance of faith." (Hebrews 10:22.) When we entered into our covenant with God (Psalm 50:5), we gave Him our time, our talents, our influence, our strengtheverything that we had. In return, He gave us the begetting of His Holy Spirit, His providential care, and His exceeding great and precious promises respecting the future. If we are still seeking to walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, then all is well with us. Therefore we need not fear. If any one breaks the contract, it will be ourselves. God will surely carry out His part.-1 Thessalonians 5:24.

Thus we may have confidence, in accordance with the Divinely appointed conditions. As the Apostle says, "If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."

(1 John 3:20, 21.) But if our heart condemn us, then it is not well with us. If we have not been living faithfully to the full extent of our ability, then our hearts will condemn us; and what our heart condemns in us God will also condemn. This means that if we wish to become members of the Bride class, we must be more diligent, more zealous. We must study our character, and see to it that we develop the necessary qualities for a position in the glorified Church.

Ask yourself, "How much have I cultivated these Heavenly fruits and graces the faith, the patience and the brotherly kindness that go with Love?" Then say to yourself, "This

day I shall keep watch over myself and note what my hands are doing, how my time is spent, what my words are, what my thoughts are." Whoever has a proper love for our Lord, a proper appreciation of what He has done for us and of what He will yet do, will not find this careful scrutiny of thought, word and deed a hard thing. It brings before us continually thoughts of God and of Christ, and of the glorious things which He has in reservation for those who love Him more than anything else.

Those who thus study their character are the class mentioned in our text when it says, "They that reverenced the Lord spake often one to another." They speak to one another in Bible studies, in prayer meetings, every Sunday at worship or in the home. They wish to have all the helps the Lord is providing in these last days. They desire to know all the various parts of God's Plan. They

become separated from the masses of nominal Christians and have been brought together through the knowledge of His Word. So now they converse about the good things that the Lord has shown them. They have a fellowship of spirit.

This desire for fellowship with those of like precious faith is not selfishness nor an impropriety. This class are especially anxious for fellowship with those who have characters similar to their own, similar faith in the precious blood of Christ, similar consecration, those who are passing through similar experiences at the hands of the great Polisher of the jewels. Their conversation, therefore, will be respecting "the things which belong to their peace" the things which are uppermost in their hearts; for this class are all seeking first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, and in earthly things are content with whatever the Lord's providence shall arrange for them.

God's Book of Remembrance. When "the Lord hearkened and heard" this class who spoke often one

to another, He had a book of remembrance written for them. It is not that the Almighty had to write down this information so as not to forget, but that this statement gives us the thought that He does not forget and that He loves this class. God loves the world with a broad, sympathetic love; but He has a special love for His true Church, those who have consecrated themselves fully to Him during this Gospel Age. To such the Master says, "The Father Himself loveth you." They are as dear to Him as the apple of His eye.-John 3:16; 16:27; Zachariah 2:8.

This book of remembrance was kept for those who thought upon His name. In olden times the name stood for the character. Now we too often give names at random. Too many times an ignoble character bears a noble name. But in olden times people were very particular to attach a name that would fit the person's character. For instance our Lord was named Jesus because He was to save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21.) Jesus means Savior. God's name stands for His character, glorious in righteousness.

Not very many think highly of the character of our God. There is a reason for this. For centuries the religious teachers have described the Divine character in such a way as to make it very undesirable for any to think much about Him. To many the name Jehovah God stands for One who is to be feared for His mighty power, for One who will throw him over to the Devil, rather than for one who is to be loved because of His great love for all His creatures.

But with God's dear children this is not so. They love God and delight to study about His name, His character, and to think of His care for them. They are trying diligently to be like their Father in Heaven; and He is showing them His character more and more. Something of the lengths, the breadths, the heights and the depths of His wonderful love has been revealed to this class; and they are still longing to know more about Him.

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