"Have you seen the last edition of today's paper?"
None of them had.
"Well, I found something here of more than usual interest. It seems that some workmen, excavating for a building, came across the ruins of a nineteenth century city. In a cavity in a stone they found some coins of that period, also a number of newspapers. It was a common practice in those days to imbed such things in the corner stones of buildings. Extracts from those papers are reproduced here, and they are of interest to the children of today in showing the condition of the world when under the influence of that fallen spirit who rebelled against God in the beginning. Let me read you a few extracts, principally headings only."
"'Yesterday this city was visited by a most destructive fire. One-half of the business part was swept away. Thousands of dollars of property were lost, and it is supposed that about fifty persons have perished in the flames.'
"'The great strike. Thousands of workmen out of employment. Children crying for bread. Mobs march through the streets, defying the police, and demolishing property. The governor calls out the state militia.'
"Here is another:
"'War! War! England, Germany, France, Russia and the United States are preparing!'
"Yes, you have read your histories. You know all about that. What do you think of this?"
"'Millions of the people's money have been expended by those in office to purchase votes. A set of corrupt political bosses rule the nation.'
"Still another: