STAND STRONG IN YOUR PURPOSE. About eighteen hundred years ago, there occurred the great eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The red-hot lava rolled down the sides of the burning mountain into the sea. A cloud was seen to ascend out of the mouth of the fiery crater, the appearance of which, as it rose, resembled a tall pine tree. This cloud was carried over Pompeii and Herculaneum, where it settled down upon those cities, burying them many feet deep in hot ashes. Recent excavations in Pompeii have revealed the wonders of that city, and brought to view its streets, its houses, its public buildings, its picture galleries, and how the people lived and what they were doing when the descend. ing ashes overtook them. Some were in their houses at work; the baker was baking his bread, his oven filled, and his table covered with bread already baked. Ladies were gathering their most valuable and precious articles of clothing and jewelry. Some had reached the street, and perished as they were fleeing for safety. One man had his money, seventy-four pieces, clinched in his hand. At the corn-mill, two prisoners chained together were grinding corn and could not escape. Two thousand people are supposed to have perished. The city was walled, and had eight gates. The gates were guarded by soldiers. At one of the gates, where excavations have been made, was found standing at his post a soldier with his armor on and his weapons by his side. When that terrible storm fell upon that doomed city, and its panic-stricken inhabitants were fleeing for life and crowding through the gates by thousands (for the population is estimated all the way from 12,000 to 50,000), there stood the Roman soldier faithful to duty and dying at his post. When for once you have formed your purpose and laid your plans for its accomplishment, let no influence swerve you from your course. Set your face like a flint against all the combined influ ences that will be brought to bear upon you, neither turning to the right or the left, never faltering, never fainting, but resolutely and bravely push on to the goal, and VICTORY will crown your wellchosen life PURPOSE. "Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever; Do noble things, not dream them, all day long, -Charles Kingsley. A BOOK FOR EVERYBODY. KENT'S NEW COMMENTARY: A MANUAL FOR YOUNG MEN. BY C. H. KENT, DAVENPORT IOWA. TO THE YOUNG MEN OF AMERICA.-The "NEW COMMENTARY" has been compiled expressly for, and in the interest of, the young men of America. It is more fascinating than any novel. When any young man commences to read it, he will not lay it aside until he has read it through. It is a book to be read and re-read; it is good for a lifetime: a life chart, 10 matter what your calling or profession. It is an infallible guide to all who will be guided in the right path, that leads to success, to the true enjoyment of life, which every young man hopes eventually to secure. One of the best books ever written for them -for everybody. It is not a bible or a law commentary, but it is brimful of the most intensely interesting topics which boys and young men are ever so exceedingly anxious to know about. It answers the oft-repeated inquiry of many a son, "What shall I do?" and that equally anxious question of thousands of mothers in the land, "What shall I do with my boy?" The best scholars, teachers, ministers, presidents of colleges, judges of the highest courts, have given their unqualified indorsement, and express unanimously the wish that "it might be placed in the hands of every young man in the land." No young man can invest a dollar that will pay so large a profit. It will be better than a present of a thousand dollars in money, if its instructions are wisely heeded. It is handsomely printed, on beautifully tinted paper, substantially bound, with elegantly stamped cover. For a gift, it is admirably adapted, having an ornamental page arranged expressly for inscribing names of donor and receiver. PRICE, ONE DOLLAR-Specimen copies sent postpaid on receipt of price. Good Opinions from Good Men and Women. From the many good words received from the Press and from individuals, commendatory of the above named work, the author respectfully submits the following: From REV. GEO. F. MAGOUN, D. D., President of Iowa College, Grinnell, Iowa: C. H. KENT, Esq.:-My Dear Sir-In the odds and ends of vacation days I have dipped into your book here and there, and found it fresh, wholesome, full of useful truth, pleasantly and pointedly expressed, and fitted to help young men to a re markable degree. If it was not made to be read in this way-in spare moments by those who cannot at the time give continuous attention-it stands the test of such reading extremely well. No young man can have it by him and read it even so, without being stimulated, protected from mistakes, folly and wrong, and guided into ways of honor, manliness and truth. I admire your enterprise and industry in producing such a "Manual." Some of the best and most living things in literature have been done in just this way, because the author felt called to help his struggling fellows, and aimed not at lit erary reputation, but "at hitting the nail on the head." Your way of clinching every nail by pertinent and striking examples, so largely new to readers, is most commendable. Jacob Abbott began that line of writing for the young, and he has had no lineal successor, unless you prove to be the man. I hope you may. The good purpose of your little book is perfectly manifest; the genial tone and touches of humor are attractive: its healthy sentiment, without cant or formalism, is above all praise, and the impulse there is in it for those who are willing to work and struggle in life, is most healthful. Yours, with the best wishes for yourself and the "New Commentary." GEO. F. MAGOUN. From REV. JAMES POWELL, Western Secretary A. M. A.; It is just such a book as can be placed in the hands of young men starting out in life. It answers in a practical way many of the questions they ask, and is a stimulus to ambition for success, secured by uprightness and integrity. May it have a large sale and wide circulation. Every young man in the land should have a copy of "Kent's New Commentary." The teachings it contains are worth a hundred times their cost to those that heed them.-Review, Moline, Ill. From REV. E. H. GREELEY, Concord, N. H.: I am greatly pleased with the book, and think it eminently calculated to be useful with a large class of our young men, and hope it will have a wide circulation. It is very sure to be read through by all who once begin it, and the whole impression is certain to be a salutary one. From RT. REV. FREDERICK D. HUNTINGTON, S. T. D., Bishop of the Diocese of Central New York: Its influence is on the right side. The statements are good. The style is lively and popular, and I should think the book would be entertaining to many readers. From JOHN R. FRENCH, L.L. D., Professor of Mathematics, and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Syracuse University: C. H. KENT, Esq.:-I have hastily examined your "New Commentary," and am much pleased with it. I heartily commend it to the young, in whose hands it will be very useful as well as entertaining. From REV. JOSEPH M. CLARKE, D. D., Rector St. James Episcopal Church, Lock Street, Syracuse, N. Y.: "Kent's New Commentary" seems to me to be well intended and well executed, and likely to be useful to the readers for whose perusal it has been prepared The author judiciously determined to catch young eyes that peep within the covers, and to hold them. Nothing goodish here; and again it is proved that bad books are not the only pleasing ones. Anyone who writes a good book and a bright one, is a benefactor. Mr. Kent has earned the right to be thus classified.Standard, Syracuse, N. Y. From G. H. LAUGHLIN, Professor of Languages in Oskaloosa (Ia.) College: "Kent's New Commentary" is a book of gems. Its precious truths come as "food to the hungering and drink to the famishing." In it are "apples of gold in pictures of silver" for every reader, whether young or old. It is well worthy a place in the best libraries of our land. |