the book that could be fairly so characterized. He thought the main object of the essayists was directed against the extravagant and exaggerated popular view of the Atonement, but certainly not against the Atonement itself. He had not read the book with a microscope, but he felt he was in substantial agree ment with the writers on many points. The book was evidently intended to help those who were doubting, and who could not accept some of the phraseology and the definitions of the popular theology.

At a later sitting of the same body of preachers, etc., Isaac Brown (Kendal), for many years principal of the Flounders College, asked for liberty to say a few words on the subject. He spoke of his advanced age, and of the great uncertainty of his ever being present at a Yearly Meeting again. He then referred to the essays that had claimed so much attention, and spoke of the dangers both of taking from the truth and of adding to it. He could not but regard this little book as defective and incomplete. But, much as he regretted this, he had been far more grieved by expressions that he had heard applied to the writers. The faults of these dear Friends, if faults there were, were faults of the intellect and not of the heart. They were truly Christian men, evidently loving God and Christ, and seeking to know and do the Divine will. Isaac Brown then went on to allude to the serious errors on the other side, of adding to the truth; speaking of the mischief done in this way, even among Friends, by greatly perplexing and even turning aside thoughtful inquiring minds. He referred to various unscriptural expressions often used by preachers. One was "being washed in the blood of Christ." He was greatly grieved that this expression had been introduced into "the Children's Epistle." The passage on which the expression was based (Rev. i, 5) is, in the Revised Version, rightly rendered "loosed us from our sins by His blood." Then there was the expression so often to be heard, "the imputed righteousness of Christ," or "being clothed in Christ's righteousness." "" These are expressions nowhere to be found in the Scripture. It is the righteousness of God, by faith in Christ, that is spoken of. Another objectionable expression is that of "Christ enduring the wrath of God to avert the penalty of Sin." Now, the sacrifice of Christ was a manifestation of Divine love, not of Divine wrath. That "Christ died to satisfy the justice of God" is another popular idea that is unscriptural. He would further say, that although there might be in the word "Substitution " a true thought if used in a special sense, yet in its ordinary acceptation it was unscriptural. When he read in an "Evangelical" paper, "He was our Substitute, and bare for us the wrath of God," he said to himself that he would never again use the word "Substitute when preaching, lest he should be misunderstood.

The address, of which the above is a brief and imperfect outline, was listened to by the meeting with an almost startled attention, and, at its close, several of the " ultra-evangelical Friends were eager to reply; but the clerk ruled that the subject was not then open for further discussion.

A Constant Reader writes: "I am an old enough attender of our Yearly Meeting to corroborate the

comparisons your correspondent draws between the middle of the century and now. Membership in the Society being a matter of birthright or inheritance, and a theological test not being used, may partly account for a prevailing nervousness on the matter of heresy. While in early days Friends were apt to profess a special allegiance to the Third Person of the Trinity, the last and the present generation have shown a transference of this to the Second Person. Many ministers have beyond doubt laid themselves open to the charge of Sabellianism or an exclusive worship of the Saviour and the reasoned faith of the Athanasian Creed has rarely been maintained in Quaker ministry. The nervousness about heresy has been touched by the devout earnest pamphlet, "A Reasonable Faith, by Three Friends," and many in the Yearly Meeting were excited about it. Seeing, however, that the Society of Friends has a sprinkling not small (including some scientific and literary members), who trouble themselves as little about Orthodoxy as our leading scientists are known to do, I venture to think that your readers should be asked to share in wonder and regret that the Yearly Meeting listened to denunciation of such a book.

POETRY.

THE TEACHING OF DEATH.

1 saw my darling in calm slumber lying,
His still, pale face so beautiful in death;
So like sweet sleep, that, hushed from tears and sigh-
ing,
I looked and listened for his gentle breath,
His little hands, so white and thin, were folded,
Clasping the purest flowers that love could bring ;
Never was marble in such beauty molded-

God and Death only makes so fair a thing.

I felt, in awe, that God and Death were present;
I felt the presence of the world unseen—
This life, so poor, so vain, so evanescent,
And that so grand, so holy and serene.

I thought how God rejoiceth in His creatures,
How He must love the beauty he hath made;
Why should he suffer Death to touch those features,
Why let such graces in the dust be laid?
Because He seemed so high, so wise, so holy,
And we so ignorant of our human needs,

Mistaking good for ill-I thanked Him solely

That so above us were His ways and deeds. And in that room of death my soul drew nearer To the great presence of the things unseen ; The deep, dark mystery of life grew clearer,

Until on life and death I looked serene.

Content, I looked down on that lovely sleeper,
And kissed the face which silently had taught
That Death and Sorrow bring us knowledge deeper,
And deeper joy than his dear life had brought.
So I gave up my child with sweet caresses
My arms are empty, but my soul he blesses,
And laid him from my breast beneath the sod;
And, when I long for him, I trust in God.

-Chronicle.

BAD habits gather by unseen degrees,
As brooks make rivers, rivers run to seas.
-Dryden.

THE DAY.

BY F. L. HOSMER.

Routine of duties,
Commonplace cares,-
Angels disguised

Entertained unawares ;-
Sweet human fellowships
Familiar, less near,
Drawing the soul from

Its self atmosphere;

The book's friendly company
Leading along

To fields of new knowledge,
The uplands of song;
•Acquaintance with Nature,
Morning's red bars,
Waysides in beauty,

Night with its stars;

The nearer communion

In silence apart,

When thought blooms to prayer Reviving the heart,

And the things unseen

Grow more and more real
As life deepens and broadens
Toward larger ideal:-

How many the blessings
Each day has to give
The soul that is seeking
Truly to live!

THE ORIGINAL TRADITION OF THE GOSPELS.

I have recently been much interested in a work by two scholars of the Church of England, "The Common Tradition of the Synoptic Gospels," by Edwin A. Abbott, D. D., and W. G. Rushbrooke, M. D., of Cambridge, England. (My copy I procured at the Episcopal book-store, in Philadelphia.) The book affords very full evidence of the progress, even amongst the most orthodox teachers and writers, for the results of enlightened Scriptural exegesis, and of the disposition also, to treat the whole subject more reasonably.

The "Common Tradition" of the Gospels, which is presented by the book is that which was common to them as we have them now preserved. The authors hold that it is " a tradition earlier than any of our existing Gospels." They assert that "Mark contains the whole of a tradition from which Matthew and Luke borrowed parts," but that all of the tradition is to be now found in the three-Mark, Matthew and Luke. Hence the book is made up mostly of these in three columns, to produce a "Harmony of the Synoptic Gospels." "The reader will at once," these authors say," notice a number of words in black type. On examination he will find that the same, or nearly the same, black type recurs in each of the three columns representing Mark, Matthew and Luke; or, in other words, that this black type exhibits the matter common to the first three evangelists." Thus these authors attempt to reproduce the long lost "primitive Gospel," concerning which so much has been written in ancient and

It is believed at first there was an oral Gospel, as see The Mishna as Illustrating the Gospels," by W. H. Bennett, B. A. (M. A. London), an eminent Orthodox authority. "The language of the Mishna, The Uralthough pure, was concise and terse. evangelum was no doubt as these authors point out in this second stage of embryo, and then "the elliptical style" of the earliest Gospel notes and memoirs, which needed to be expanded before they could be used for the purpose of teaching, and which might naturally be expanded with various and sometimes divergent amplifications. Thus our authors speak of the manner in which the original memoirs became expanded." And they quote instances of this as in Luke x, 2-4. (See marginal notes of the revisors). And the appendix to Mark xvi, 9-20, for which there is no authority.

Our authors "Synopticon " or new Gospel, thus reduced from the Synoptic Gospels, has the merit of brevity, simplicity and rationality, and although somewhat disconnected as the Mishna is, yet it has a continuity and close union throughout. It has another great advantage which I would recommend to those who by their teachings, (and I speak not only of preachers, but also of teachers) who, like the English clergy above mentioned, are turning honest inquirers away from "the Faith" by irrational and unwise expositions of the Bible. The new Gospel which was the old also, discloses no superhuman Jesus. He is born as other men are born and lives a life wherein He exalted the Christ principle. This was His thought and His theme. This anointing He received from His Father just as we receive it. This was the "Lord" of whom Paul spoke, when he said: "No man "No man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit." This divinity, however, no man can take of himself. It is given to us, as it was given to Jesus from heaven.

This little book I would recommend to First-day school teachers. It will show them the folly of seeking to implant in dear little children's minds, credulity and superstition, which may ripen into germs of infidelity and unfaith.

Abington, Sixth month, 1885.

DAVID NEWPORT.

WESTMINSTER MEETING, LONDON.

We attended the Westminster Meeting yesterday morning. The meeting-house is new and not large, but nice. We were shown to seats by a woman Friend. We had two sermons and a prayer. We did not speak to any one and no one spoke to us, though all seemed very sociable with those they knew. It made me a little homesick, for the meeting opens into a large library room without chairs, so men and women are all thrown together for a pleasant talk before going into the street.

As we were there a little early, we heard music in a side room, accompanied by singing; surprised, we wandered into the room at one side of the meeting room, where a few children were gathered. I questioned one of the teachers after school was dismissed, and had this reply: "The children are gathered from the neighborhood, are not members with Friends, the teachers are. Morning school small, afternoon large, at 2 P. M." We could not return, as it was too far from our lodging place; I should dearly have liked E. H.

to.

London, Fifth mo. 25th, 1885.

PROFESSOR TYNDALL'S GIFTS.

Professor John Tyndall, of London, has given to the University of Pennsylvania $10,800 as a foundation for a fellowship in Physics, to be conferred by the corporation. In a letter to the trustees, accompanying the deed of gift, Mr. Appleton narrates the circumstances which led to this act of liberality on the part of Professor Tyndall. The Professor was invited to visit this country in 1872, and to deliver here a series of lectures. These lectures were given in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston. The net proceeds in New York were paid to the Professor, though elsewhere only his expenses were paid. But as he did not come to this country to lecture for money, he resolved to constitute of these proceeds a fund for the encouragement of original research in physics in the United States. He placed this fund (amounting then to about $13,000) in the hands of three Trustees, viz., his uncle, Dr. Hector Tyndall, of this city, Professor Joseph Henry, of Washington, and Dr. E. L. Youmans, of New York, providing that any vacancies which might occur in this board should be filled by appointment by the President of the National Academy of Sciences for the time being. Professor Henry and Dr. Tyndall having died a few years later, the President of the Academy, Dr. William B. Rodgers, of Boston, appointed in their stead President Barnard and Professor J. Lovering, of Harvard University.

The design of Professor Tyndall as to the application of the fund was that its annual interest should be devoted to the support of one or two fellows in science, who should be young men of talent and fondness for physical research, and who should be willing to devote themselves to original research for life. The trustees found some difficulty in selecting persons fulfilling these conditions, and after some years of experience they resolved to represent to Professor Tyndall that the object aimed at by him would probably be better accomplished by placing the administration of the fund in the hands of some one or more educational institutions, where numbers of young men are always on trial, and where suitable subjects for this benefaction would probably be more easily found.

In the meantime the value of the securities in which the fund had been invested had largely increased, and the fund had grown also by the addition of its unexpended income, so that it reached $32,400. Professor Tyndall, acting on the advice given him, resolved to divide this sum into three equal parts, and to give one of these parts to Columbia College, one

to Harvard University, and one to the University of Pennsylvania. The negotiations necessary to effect this change have occupied several months, but have now been brought to a close, and the money has just been paid over.-Evening Telegraph.

FIRST-DAY SCHOOLS.

The editorial in the INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL of Sixth mo. 27th, entitled "The Scriptures in the First-day Schools," is most opportune and has doubtless met the approval of every Friend who has read it. The attention of our Society has of late been repeatedly directed to the subject of First-day schools, and it seems to be very generally admitted that some general effort should be made to support this work in the hope of instructing (and thereby retaining as members) the youth of the Society. But there is great danger that unwise methods may defeat the object aimed at, and, instead of imparting such instruction as will induce the young to retain their membership in the Society of Friends, may give such as will have a tendency to lead them away from the Society. The use of the "International Lesson Leaves " by our First-day schools seems to the writer to be one of these unwise and possibly harmful methods, which should be carefully avoided by those having the future welfare of the Society at heart. The language of the editorial referred to seems very appropriate, and is worthy the attention of all Friends who are interested in First-day school work: "They destroy the ground beneath the feet of our youth, and would, we fear, effectually scatter the Society of Friends."

We have no desire to doubt the honesty of purpose, or to question the ability of the learned men who have prepared the "International Lesson Leaves." We merely state the opinion that they are not suited to the needs of the youth of the Society of Friends, since they uphold views which are in some respects antagonistic to those held by our Society. They may be used with advantage by teachers in First-day schools who already understand the principles of the Society of Friends, and who wish to inform themselves as to the views held by others, but they should not be placed in the hands of children who attend our First-day schools to become acquainted with Friends' principles.

The question will doubtless arise in many minds, "what then shall we use?" To this a suitable answer is found in the statement in the same issue of the INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL, to the effect that a committee of the First-day school General Conference is preparing suitable "Lesson Leaves." It is to be hoped that this work will be completed as rapidly as proper care will permit, for it is no doubt true that many Friends have heretofore hesitated to take an active interest in First-day school work because of the lack of proper aids to teaching, and the fear of doing more harm than good by using questionable means.

One great hindrance to the success of First-day school work is the lack of interest shown by older Friends. They should be leaders in the movement to interest the young in the teachings of Friends; yet, in some localities at least, they exhibit an indif

Esteemed Friends:-I observe that in your paper of the 20th inst. a slight mistake is made in stating that Classes C and B of the Preparatory School of this College have both been dropped. The subject of dropping both of these classes was considered, but it was thought best, for the present, to drop only Class C. Students will therefore be admitted to Class B, as heretofore, next year.

It may be well, at this time, to state, for the information of Friends, the object in view in dropping Class C, and also the present and future effect of this change upon the organization of the College. It has, from the first, been the earnest desire of many of the most active and interested friends of Swarthmore that, as the places were filled by students sufficiently advanced to enter one of the College classes, the number of classes in the Preparatory School would be gradually diminished until the institution became fully a college in reality, as well as in name. It has been the experience of all educators that the progress of a college is seriously impeded by having connected with it a large preparatory school. It was believed that, as this change was gradually progressing at Swarthmore, good Friends' schools in the various neighborhoods, both day schools and boarding schools, would be established, and thus the younger children kept near to their own homes and more directly under the home influence, until old enough to enter a college class. One serious obstacle to the change referred to has hitherto been the existence of the socalled Normal Department of the College, and the supposed need of a model or practice class, of small children, for the young apprentice teachers to practice upon. After giving this system a thorough trial for several years it has finally been concluded that neither the interests of the young children, the students who were preparing to teach, nor the College would warrant its further continuance. This conclusion was reached both from the experience of those having the College in charge, and from the testimony of a large number of able and experienced advocates who were consulted upon the subject. With the dropping of Class C, therefore, it is also decided to give up that feature of the Normal Department, which required a model or practice class. While this is done, Friends must not suppose that Swarthmore does not expect, in the future as in the past, to make the preparation of teachers an important part of its work. One of the leading objects of the founders of the College was to raise the standard of education among us by this very means, and the authorities of the College are in no danger of losing sight of so important a part of the work for which the College was established. They propose to do this by employing the best talent to be obtained at the head of the various departments, and thus training the

young teachers in the best possible way, by placing the best models of imitation ever before them.

It is the intention to supplement the training thus received by courses of lectures to those intending to teach, to be followed in connection with their other studies in the College. If model classes are needed for practice, these classes of teachers will themselves supply them, and practice upon each other, and thus the end will be reached equally well, and the interests of the younger children, who, if they are sent to Swarthmore, have a right to the best instruction from trained teachers, will not be sacrificed.

The attention of Friends should also be turned to another very important consideration in this connection. If we wish to raise the standard of our schools, and properly prepare students to enter the College Classes at Swarthmore, we must encourage those intending to teach to take one of the full courses of studies now so liberally supplied by the College, and take a degree at Swarthmore before entering upon their important work. Let us not fall into the error of making superficial teachers by giving too much attention to Method," and not giving sufficient time and care to the substance of the education given. That Friends may properly educate those intending to teach, and whose means are too limited to allow a full college course, a considerable fund has been already established, under the care of a small and judicious Committee on Trusts and Endowments, and by application to this committee all necessary relief will be afforded. We feel that we cannot too earnestly impress upon those intending to enter upon the teachers' high vocation the importance of laying the foundation broad and deep, by embracing every opportunity to complete a thorough course of study before entering upon their work.

Sixth mo. 29th, 1885.

EDWARD H. MAGILL.

THE VALUE OF THE FIRST-DAY SCHOOLS.

ESTEEMED FRIENDS:-I often feel like sending an encouraging word to you who have the charge of publishing a Friends' paper. There is much to be found that is interesting in the one dated Sixth mo. 27th. I was glad to see the remarks signed by W., in regard to First-day Schools, I should be sorry to have anything said or done in your valuable paper to discourage any work in that direction, as our Society cannot afford to do without the influence of the First-day School. I hope none may be discouraged in the work.

I was also of the opinion, from information received, that the service of ministering Friends was not acceptable at the Meeting at Swarthmore College.

I was much pleased with the valedictory oration of Minnie F. Baker, of Easton, N. Y. I think the information contained in it, with the source from which it came, must exert a good influence on our young members.

Last, but not least, is the account from London Yearly Meeting, and especially so the remarks of William Tallack, which evince a spirit of Christian love towards others who differ some from their own body. If we cultivate more of that spirit, our

usefulness as a religious sect will be found to in

crease.

Mattinocock, L. I., Sixth mo. 28th, 1885.

FIRST-DAY SCHOOL INFORMATION.

J.

FRIENDS EDITORS:-Observing in a recent issue the opinion of a Friend, from Byberry, in favor of more sermons and less First-day Schools " in the paper, I must express a very different concern. We need instruction by which the young and tender mind can have the early impressions stamped upon it, can learn those things which it can comprehend, and not be lost in a maze of mysteries which it cannot understand. In the process of time it will advance to higher things, and what is thus worked for in the beginning will be more thoroughly comprehended and more firmly cherished. I think our friend cannot be a diligent worker in the First day Schools, or he would desire literature that equally interests all. Many will join me, I am sure, in saying to you, do not desert the First-day Schools. Fishertown, Sixth mo. 18th, 1885.

CARE IN SCRIPTURE TEACHING.

A. C. B.

DEAR EDITORS:-I am glad for your timely and judicious words concerning the Scriptures in the First-day Schools. I have been pained to observe that there were those amongst us who failed to see any essential difference, whether the central thought of a lesson directed the mind to what was done upon Mount Calvary for its salvation, or inspired obedience to the light and life of Christ in the soul. Children should be taught that the Scriptures were written by men having like dispositions with men of to-day, and that they wrote according to their best comprehensions of truth at the time in which they lived. The writers of the Scriptures were not men raised up for the especial purpose of writing books; they testified of the Truth and the Life, and could do no more. Your friend, JACOB CAPRON.

New York, Sixth mo. 28th, 1885.

CURRENT EVENTS.

THE official statement of Adjutant-General Drum shows that the slain of our Civil War, including deaths among prisoners of war held by the rebel authorities, aggregate at least 359,496. About 2,500,000 men served in the Union army, making the proportion of deaths nearly one and a half in ten.

CHARLES A. BUDDENSIEK, the builder of tumbledown tenements in New York, recently convicted of manslaughter, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment at hard labor, and payment of a fine of $500.

THE new postal rates, which went into effect on the first of the month, include a rate of two cents an ounce for letters instead of two cents for half an ounce as heretofore, also the reduction of newspaper postage to one cent a pound for papers sent from publication

offices in bulk.

THE University of New Mexico has for one of its American Missionary Association has voted it an andepartments an Indian Industrial School. The nual appropriation of $3,000 for the support of teachers. Congress has voted $25,000 for the erection of buildings. Considerable amounts have been given by private persons.

On the first of last month, an excellent law, passed at the last session of the Connecticut legislature, took effect throughout that State. It provides for the imposition of a fine of fifty dollars or less, or imprisonment for three months or less, or both, on persons sellinal news or stories of crime. It is said that the law ing or keeping for sale publications devoted to crimhas already had the effect of purifying the news stands. Connecticut has set an example that the other States should hasten to follow.

A LETTER from Barnum has been published recently in an English newspaper, in which he says that twenty years ago, when he began the management of condition that they should be discharged and forfeit this traveling show with 500 persons, it was made a $5 if they were not total abstainers from strong drink during the season of seven months. Nearly every one complied, and at the end of that time he offered to inwith interest at 6 per cent. if they would still continue vest their savings and guarantee them the principal to abstain. Over 400 accepted the offer, and most of them to-day have several thousand dollars safely invested.

NOTICES.

QUARTERLY MEETINGS. Seventh mo. 21st, Western, London Grove, Pa. 23d, Westbury, Westbury, N. Y. 23d, Caln, E. Caln, Pa.

28th, Concord, Concord, Pa.

29th, Purchase, Purchase, N. Y.

THE Southern Cheyennes, located in the western part of the Indian Territory, are in great excitement over some real or fancied grievance, and the authorities at Washington do not, as yet, know exactly what is amiss. Gen. Augur recommends the appointment of a commission of inquiry.

WE learn that the Orthodox Friends of Philadelphia are about to erect a new school building on the site of the old cemetery at Sixteenth and Race streets. The new structure will have accommodation for about 150 pupils. The work of digging preparatory to laying the foundations for the new building is now being carried forward, and it is expected that the building will be completed by Twelfth month.

CIRCULAR MEETINGS.

19th, Catawissa, Pa., 11 A. ̃M

Western First-day School Union, Seventh mo. 25th.

FRIENDS' ALMANAC FOR 1886.

It is very desirable that this work should be issued in time for Ohio Yearly Meeting (the last of Eighth mo.), and in order to do so, it is necessary that all corrections of meetings, changes of correspondents (or clerks) and any other information in this connection that will be of use to Friends, should not be delayed, but at once forwarded to us. As the work is not a remunerative one, but issued for the benefit of our members, it is no more than reasonable to ask them to co-operate in making it as nearly correct as may be. Address, Friends' Book Association,

1020 Arch Street, Philadelphia.