of September 14, the Russian Premier, M. Stolypin, was assassinated while attending the theater at Kieve. His death, however, did not occur until the 18th. His assassin, one Bogroff, is a member of a Jewish anarchistic society, and it is feared that his deed will result in further persecutions of Russian Jews.

Convention Notice.

The convention of the Eastern Michigan District, Zion's ReligioLiterary Society will meet jointly with the Sunday school at Marlette, Michigan, November 3. Order of services, 9 a. m., social service; 10.30, institute work; 1.30 p. m., business and election of officers; 7 p. m., model Religio session. Bring your quarterlies and a studied lesson. You can do much good and receive considerable benefit if you come prepared and praying for the Lord's blessing to rest with us. William F. Sage, district president, 27 Lyman Place, Detroit, Michigan.

Ethical Status of the American People.

By the ethical status of the American people we mean the moral condition of the American people. And for me to define their condition as growing worse or better, is, I doubt not, to assume the roll of a judge against whom there is found to be opposition, as there are prevalent opinions both in the affirmative and in the negative.

Those who are in the affirmative adduce statistics to prove their judgment, while those who take the negative state that the apparent increase of immorality is due to the facility of getting news and statistics as compared to formerly.

While another class of thinkers tell us that the apparent increase is due to the fact that the papers and the people pander to news of the immoral, and consequently all other kind of news is in the minority as a nation wide object of interest. Another class tells us the apparent increase is due to the increase of the people. As for me, I am persuaded to believe that the condition of the American people is exceedingly immoral; that it is growing worse each passing year.

An eminent doctor has recently remarked that throughout all his travels in the oriental countries he never saw that longing for a bit of human kindness so marked in the faces of the people as he observed in the faces of the inhabitants of New York City-the rich and poor alike. Every city of America is becoming a duplicate of New York City.

In the days of the melody loving Greeks it was considered that he who possessed the ability and honor of writing the songs for the nation need crave no higher gift; but, as a nation, we are not on the whole so inclined; sufficient though to be susceptible to effects for good or evil springing from our popular songs. And you who hear or are wont to sing these songs, dare you tell me they do not cater to the immoral?

Who is it to-day that endows us with our national songs? Whence the source and environment of that source? It is the playhouse that has become our benefactor in this respect. Yes, the playhouse, which is rapidly pandering to everything which is, in the playwright's parlance, called suggestive. Suggestive! Suggestive!

Has not the public for two years just past endeavored to establish an office endowed with the power censorship against these suggestive plays, and with a view to put a ban on the astounding wrecking of all that is ethical? From such theaters as the Century and the Gayety of our own city, has been sounded these national songs. And gradually but imperceptibly they find their way to the more classical playhouses, nay more, to the very graphophone and pianos of our homes. Thus we are being ruined by the once blest gift of music and song.

Our fashions were once largely imported from Paris; but now are beginning to emanate from the stage, being introduced by a Mary Garden. Our dances, once graceful, charming, and virtuous, have become rude, lewd, and suggestive; have become a pander for the harlots of earth who lead captive the weaklings of manhood, and invariably introduced by the stage.

The conversations of our forefathers were centralized on the rare privilege of personal liberty, of religious freedom, of God and good; but to-day we hear nothing but corruption; men and women of to-day are putrefied wood floating down the river of immorality, tossed to and fro at the will of the mighty water. It has overflown its banks and found its way to the moving pictures for our children to behold. It is leaking into the churches. The pleasures of the world must change as do the fashions, and yet like fashions they bring no satisfaction. The young stay out nights, indulging in these changing pleasures, and thus they grow physically and mentally weak. They become artificial or unnatural, without natural affection, and float as they are tossed by the constant stream of changes. The people are taught that the houses of ill fame are a necessary evil, and yet those teachers enact laws against the white slavery traffic. But can they stop it? I say no. The flood is on. It is said by God that in the last days wickedness shall wax worse and worse. Hence, they may enact laws against the use of tobacco, but the devil will substitute something worse.

It was also said by Christ that in the days of his coming, men shall be eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, so they may enact laws against the liquor traffic, but it will prosper. They may enact laws against the divorce traffic, but it will increase. The eminent judges establish rules in prohibition of divorces, but still they increase. If the great and venerable statesman who said, "Give me liberty or give me death," were to arise and give expression to national sentiment, he would inscribe on a banner held aloof to lead the nation, "Give me vanity or give me suicide"; below that in blood colored letters, "Immorality the tyrant; virtue the vanquished"; and on that banner he would paint the scarlet colored harlot who is making all nations drink of the wrath of her fornication. ALEX MCINTOSH, JR.

News from Societies.

West Lamoni Local.-Our Religio is still making every effort to move onward and upward. Of late we have been having very interesting and instructive lessons, and have enjoyed them very much indeed. Our programs have also been very good of late, and we have been having a very large attendance. Bro. J. E. Anderson, president, and teacher of the senior class, has endeared himself to the school insomuch that we would regret very much to lose him. Sr. Sadie Moon is our vice president and also our organist, and Sr. Nellie Midgorden our secretary and chorister. We have three junior classes, which enjoy the study of their lessons very much, and they also are moving onward and upward.

HOLLIE LANE.

Oak Hill Local, Saint Louis, Missouri.-We, as Religians, are progressing nicely, although our attendance decreased during vacation. There have been two members added to our enrollment. We have two classes, senior and junior. Our president, Brother Remington, masters the lessons nobly as outlined in the quarterly, and we feel they are very instructive and beneficial. August 23 we gave an ice cream social, and had a good attendance despite the inclemency of the weather, all having an enjoyable time.

MRS. GEO. PEGDAR, Correspondent.

Saint Louis, Missouri.-In July, at our regular election, some changes were made in our officers. Bro. Rob Lloyd was elected president; Charles Tanner, vice president; J. R. Lloyd, treasurer; Joe Tanner, secretary; Elizabeth Tanner, pianist; Adel Peters, chorister, and the undersigned, correspondent.

On July 14, at the installation of officers, each one furnished a number for the program. One of our former presidents, Bro. Joseph Jaques, now of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, spoke to the society on why we should attend Religio. We have gained one new member since last report.

On July 29 a very pleasant outing was enjoyed by our young people. Our new force of officers are doing all they can to make things interesting. The programs have been all that could be desired. We have enjoyed the instruction and knowledge that we have gleaned from the lessons during the last quarter, and regret that all do not take advantage of this splendid opportunity of learning of God's word.

ELIZABETH PATTERSON.

Eastern Michigan District.-To all Religians and especially those of Eastern Michigan District, we again extend greeting through the columns of the LEAVES, of which every Religian ought not only to be a subscriber, but also a reader, and further, a supporter, by letting all know what you as workers are doing.

It has come to my mind that the present is an opportune time to speak concerning the progress of the work in our district. The

outlook at present is very promising, better than for some time past; but we can always find room for improvement, no matter how perfect we are, until we reach the perfection of Christ.

At

In the last quarter Bay Port headed in the attendance with a percentage of about 98. Detroit local is first in enrollment, with Flint close behind. The leader of the home department is also Detroit. A word here concerning home department work. present there are only a few locals with home departments, though some interest has been aroused and others are taking it up. If we would only realize that this is one of the feeders of the locals and can be made so as to greatly increase the interest of all in the Religio, as well as making them better acquainted with the work, and, of course, helping them in their knowledge of God's word.

All the locals have not yet organized their library board and gospel literature committee. We trust that those who have not started will do so now. These are necessary before complete organization is effected. So now let us work along these lines at once, so that we can report to the fall convention as having all these in our local. At the convention we hope to see a large representation from all the locals. Come prepared to take home food to be used in strengthening your local.

Let all remember the translation fund and contribute as much as you can. WM. F. SAGE.

Boston, Massachusetts.-While Boston is not heard from very often, it is nevertheless very much alive. Our members are returning from their summer vacations, and all seem to be filled with enthusiasm and a desire to make our winter's work a success. We miss many of our numbers who used to take active part in the work of the Religio, but they are unable to attend on account of family cares. Brother Kozman, who was with us last winter, has left for the Northwest, where we hear he is doing well. Sr. Mary Lewis Mesle has left us for a greater attraction at Niagara Falls. Four of our young men have started a quartet for the Religio and we hope to hear from them often. Surely their courage is to be commended. We also have a Religio paper once a month called the Surprise, edited by Bro. C. H. Rich, in which we get many novel bits of news concerning the members of the society which are "surprises" indeed. The institute work at our late reunion was I think the best we ever had, being educational, interesting, and lively all the way through. One particularly interesting feature was the debates, and as we give debating a prominent place in our local programs, they were especially interesting to us There is very much more to say about our local, but space will not allow this time. RENA W. RICH, Correspondent.