As long-time admirers of these admirable Sabbath sermocinations THE PHILISTINE welcomes this innovation. And we think we know the wherefore of it. The Rev. Mr. Hepworth’s name attached to an article denunciatory of sin will have a tendency to strike terror into the heart of Beelzebub, and it was for this reason, no doubt, that Mr. Bennett directed Brother Hepworth to take the field in person. Unquestionably this will add a new and livelier interest to the church. Each combatant knows exactly whom he is fighting. It is now Hepworth against Satan with a fair field and no favor. We have no hesitancy in saying that so far as Mr. Hepworth is concerned there will be no _Valkyrie_ business. Moreover there is no desire to shirk responsibility. What he has to say he will say fearlessly over his own signature, and if those against whom these ecclesiastical thunderbolts are launched do not like them they know what they can do. Wot t’ell! ROBERT W. CRISWELL. “_De mortuis nil nisi bonum._” “Speak no evil of the dead:” Standard story that of Cain; Sence his vitle spark has fled, Dast a soul of him complain? Did his brother mortle harm, Lied about the thing, to God; His’n the fust abandoned farm; Skipped to Canady or Nod. Like some latter-day ex-gent, Sorry—for his punishment. Judas did a traitor’s deed, ’Scuse, I beg, the mention here, Bein’ his life has gone to seed (Scattered far and wide, I fear), Of him may no ill be sayed, Though this miscreant for gain The one perfec’ Man betrayed To be crucified and slain: Went and killed hisself withal— After readin’ Ingersoll. Stay! That max’m mayn’t be true; In old heathen Rome ’twas bred; Livin’ men should have in view What’s the status of ’em dead. Conduc’ stands—time don’t forswear’t— Even to a lord’s disgrace, When with Cain and Judas Scairt He has went ter his own place. Cains and Judases, don’t guess Death will make you a success. L. S. GOODWIN. SIDE TALKS WITH THE PHILISTINES: BEING SUNDRY BITS OF WISDOM WHICH HAVE BEEN HERETOFORE SECRETED, AND ARE NOW SET FORTH IN PRINT.