Altogether, our experiences of the day have been so delightful and unusual, not to say supernatural, that it makes it difficult to realize that we have not been dreaming—so interesting withal as to make it seem a duty, as it is a pleasure, to communicate the above to your widely-read paper, which I have so frequently observed to chronicle the works of the author of this unparalleled triumph of mind over matter. All honour to Edison!
I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
G. E. Gouraud.
Little Menlo, Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, Surrey, June 26th, 1888.
P.S.—It may be interesting to add that the above communication was spoken by me into the phonograph, and written from the phonograph's dictation by a member of my family, who had, of course, no previous experience of the instrument.
THE HOUSE UPON THE SAND.
"Whilst we were conversing with a man named Joachim," says a missionary to Syria, "in the city of Nazareth, a sudden but violent storm arose, and terrific peals of thunder rolled over our heads. The brow of the hill whereon the city was built was every moment gleaming as the lightning flashed. The rain fell in torrents, and in the course of an hour a river flowed past the convent door, along what lately was a dry and quiet street. In the darkness of the night, we heard loud shrieks for help. The floods carried away baskets, logs of wood, tables, and fruit-stands. At length a general alarm was given. Two houses built on the sand were undermined by the water, and both fell together, while the people in them escaped with difficulty. It was impossible not to pity these poor, houseless creatures, and, at the same time, to thank God we were in a secure building."
The power and meaning of these words spoken by our Lord was thus made plain—"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."