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IN

PHILADELPHIA, EIGHTH MONTH 1, 1885.

MINISTRY AMONG FRIENDS.

N searching for the causes of decline in the attendance of our meetings, on the part of so many who have a birthright membership in the Society of Friends, much has been charged to the free criticism of the ministry. The merits or demerits of those who speak in our assemblies, it is said, are freely discussed in the presence of the young, and a bias is thus often given to the youthful mind that leads away from the Society.

Doubtless there is some ground for this charge, and it is one that calls for close searching on the part of all who have the interest and the perpetuity of the Society at heart. Especially is this required from those who believe themselves called to preach the Gospel, and they have need to make earnest, prayerful inquiry as to the cal, the ground upon which it rests, and the diligence with which they occupy the gift conferred, that it may commend the message to those to whom it is given.

To be the mouth-piece for the Holy One is a high calling, and the true instrument, feeling the weight and responsibility assumed, will be so watchful of the utterance, that in the message handed forth, truth shall rise in dominion, to the honor of him whose cause is advocated. Such ministers always command attention, and what they hand forth, whether in the much or the little, is heard with gladness and treasured up in the heart.

The minister owes it to himself, to God and to the people, to speak in plain, intelligible language. He may have had few or no literary advantages in his younger life, and this makes it imperative that he keep himself within his scope, always remembering that in the present state of education no excuse can cover errors against the simple rules of correct speaking.

It has often been remarked of an aged minister now several years deceased, how correct and unexceptional her language was, though she was entirely ignorant of book-learning. Young and old listened to her clear and forcible appeals with interest and instruction-they carried with them the evidence of spiritual illumination, and her ministry was greatly blest. Criticism is not a thing to be deplored, but it

does need care that the "wine and the oil" be not injured. By our words as well as by our works, we must stand or fall. Every individual, whether minister or lay member in the church, sooner or later finds his true place, and the minister in the Society of Friends is no exception to the rule. Let him be sure he has a message, and let him deliver it in a manner that shall find acceptance for the truth he utters. He need have no further care than to see that his words are the best he is capable of using-that his speech is honest speech, simply spoken and backed by the experience that makes it true and worthy to be handed forth. This is what is wanted in our religious meetings. The great Master of assemblies will take care that it accomplishes that "whereunto it is sent.”

To love God and one another are simple propositions that after all that has been said and written make up the sum of Christian duty. The first will lead us to seek by all intelligent ways to manifest our faith and dependence upon Him; and the second, which is "like unto it," will bring us more and more into a spirit of loving social unity, that by frequent mingling together in our houses of worship and in our homes, we may be helpful one to another in all that develops Christian character and ennobles humanity.

In last week's issue there were errors in typography, on pages 394 and 395, that seem to require correction. In the former, in the first column, 17th line from the top, Amesburg, Miss., should be Amesbury, Mass. In the latter, in the article on Concord Quarterly Meeting, Abel A. Hull's name is twice printed Hill, and his residence given in Ind., instead of Md.

DEATHS.

ARMITAGE.—In Abington, Eighth month 1st, Hannah, wife of Jacob Armitage, in her 72d year.

BARNETT.-In West Philadelphia, Eighth month 1st, William H., son of Daniel R. and Hannah H. Barnett, aged 35 years.

BROWN.- Lydia Brown, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Battey, was born in Addison Co., Vermont, in 1819. She was married to Christopher Brown in 1842, and moved with her husband and four children to Scipio, N. Y., in 1852, where she resided until her death, Fourth month 4th, 1885, in her 66th year: a member and elder of Scipio Monthly Meeting.

She was earnest to carry out the principles of Christianity in her every-day deportment: naturally of a quiet spirit: often expressing it to be her duty to visit the sick and needy whenever called upon, either by night or by day, and render such assistance and encouragement as she was capable of. She was an earnest advocate and strong supporter of the temperance cause, and of total abstinence from the use of tobacco, in which the whole family have adhered to her principles. After two years of severe and patient suffering, with an afflicting disease which her physicians said had been creeping on her undiscovered for years, her pure and lovely spirit took its flight for that beautiful home prepared by her Heavenly Father for all of those that

have kept His commandments. Her midnight prayer was that she might be granted an easy passage to the mansions of rest. Her death was the first to break the family circle. Her husband and seven children survive her to mourn her loss. C. B. CONROW. — At Bellevue, Del., Seventh month 29th, Clarence W., infant son of Joseph D. and Lavinia R. Conrow, aged 11 months.

CONROW.-Seventh month 31st, near Moorestown, N. J., Harley A., infant son of Abraham E. and Minnie B. Conrow.

CORKRAN.-On the 28th of Sixth month, 1885, at the residence of his son-in-law, in Cambridge, Dorchester Co., Md., Henry Corkran, in the 74th year of his age. At the time of his death he was a member of Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Baltimore, Md. He was a consistent member, and gave evidence of his acceptance with his Heavenly Father.

CUMMING.-In Philadelphia, Seventh month 25th, Eliza F., daughter of the late Richard P. and Hannah Cumming, aged 54 years.

HOXIE.-In Scipio, First month 10th, 1885, Hannah Hoxie, in her 74th year, a member of Scipio Monthly Meeting.

MIFFLIN.-At his residence, Wayne Station, on Firstday, Seventh month 26th, Samuel W. Mifflin, formerly of Columbia, Pa., in his 81st year.

PICKERING.-On Sixth month 26th, 1885, at West Liberty, Iowa, of heart disease, John C. Pickering, in the 67th year of his age; a member and elder of Wapsenonoc Monthly Meeting.

RIDGWAY.-Suddenly, at Kennett Square, on Seventh month 26th, Mary Ann Ridgway, daughter of the late Joseph and Esther C. Ridgway, in her 79th year; a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.

ROSS.-On Fifth month 20th, 1885, at the residence of her niece, Emeline B. Wilber, North Easton, N. Y., Anna B. Ross, in the 73d year of her age; a member of North Easton Monthly Meeting.

For a number of years previous to her late removal to North Easton, she was a resident of West Liberty, Ia., and a member of Wapsenonoc Monthly Meeting.

WALL.-On the 16th of Seventh month, 1885, in Penn township, Clearfield Co., Pa., Sidney Wall, aged 72 years, a member, and for many years an elder of West Branch Monthly Meeting.

Her illness, which was long and tedious, she bore with cheerfulness, and when death approached she appeared fully resigned to meet it.

WARE.-Died Seventh month 22d, 1885, Beulah Ware, wife of Elijah Ware, in the 67th year of her age; a member of Salem Monthly Meeting, N. J.

"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.'

This language seems to apply to our departed friend. Her life was full of loving kindness, and unselfish devotion to duty. She was ever ready to forgive the faults of any when she saw their errors, and to throw the mantle of charity over all. By her gentle quiet spirit she diffused happiness around her and was mindful of the lowliest as of the most favored. Her close was calm and peaceful, giving evidence that the desire expressed by her, to "rest in the arms of a loving Saviour," had been granted her.

In her death her family and the meeting have sustained a loss, but feeling that it is her eternal gain, it is our duty to endeavor to bow in submission to the will of Him "who doeth all things well.'

S. C. W.

THI

NEWS OF FRIENDS.

CALN QUARTERLY MEETING.

THIS was held at East Caln, Chester county, Pa., on Seventh month 23d. Members of the sub-committee for the Quarter of the Yearly Meetings Committee attended, including Robert Hatton, Joseph Powell, Mary Thomas, and Martha Dodgson. In the meeting for worship, William Way, of Nottingham, first spoke, followed by Joseph Powell. Abel A. Hull, then engaged the attention of the meeting, and after an exhortation by Mary Thomas, the shutters were closed. The routine in the business meeting presented nothing of special importance. A portion of the" Extracts" from the Yearly Meeting's proceedings was read. At the conclusion, the shutters being reopened, a joint meeting was held, in which Joseph Powell, Robert Hatton and Wm. Way spoke. The sub-committee indicated a prospect of beginning to visit subordinate meetings in this Quarter about the first of the Tenth month.

PHILADELPHIA QUARTERLY MEETING.

PHILADELPHIA Quarterly Meeting, held on the

4th inst., at the Valley Meeting house, (Montgomery Co.,) was very well attended, and an occasion of much interest. The storm of the preceding day interfered with the prompt arrival of members of the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, from Philadelphia, who were detained about three hours after the time of meeting.

Over one hundred went up from the city, on Third-day morning, and the meeting gathered into silence near the hour. A reverent stillness overspread the assembly. A few words of exhortation to silent waiting were followed by the ministry of Thomas Foulke, and others, all of which tended to the gathering into oneness of spirit the attentive audience.

The business meeting in both branches was mainly occupied with the consideration of the report of the quarterly meeting's committee on Temperance. The report, [which is elsewhere given] was accepted and united with; the appropriation of $50 asked for was granted, and the committee encouraged to prosecute the work with diligence. A few changes in the roll of membership were made at the request of those who from various causes felt excused from service.

The appointment of a committee to co-operate with the Yearly Meeting's Visiting Committee, in arranging for the attendance by the committee of the monthly, preparative, and other meetings of the Quarter, was proposed, and after much deliberation, especially in the women's branch, was united with, and one member from each of the meetings above mentioned was set apart to constitute the committee.

In women's branch, the reading of the minutes of the last meeting called up the subject of changes in the Discipline, and at the request of the meeting the proposed changes, forwarded to the late Yearly Meeting by Philadelphia Quarter, were read, that the subject might be kept under consideration, as recommended by the Yearly Meeting.

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THIS, held at Norristown, Seventh month 30th, was

unusually well attended. The announcement that the sub-committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, appointed for the purpose of visiting meetings, was expected to be present drew together many of the members of that meeting, as well as a goodly representation of other monthly meetings in the vicinity. In the meeting for worship, acceptable communications were received from Dr. H. T. Child, Clement Biddle, Joel Borton, Jr., and our venerable and faithful standard bearer, Catharine Foulke. A slight misunderstanding occured in the business meetings, resulting in the appointment of a committee of arrangements in the women's meeting, but not in the men's. This latter duty will, we hope, be attended to at our next monthly meeting held at Plymouth. In the women's business meeting, Lydia H. Hall addressed the younger members of the audience in a touching and impressive manner, and was feelingly supported in her remarks by her co-laborer, Rachel W. Hillborn. At the close of the business meetings a conference was held, in which stirring appeals were made by Dr. Childs, Clement Biddle, James V. Watson and Amos Hillborn. Altogether the meeting was one of interest, and the presence of the committee felt to be an acceptable auxiliary amongst us. Norristown, 7th mo. 31.

LABOR IN BUCKS QUARTER.

L. W. H.

THE sub-committee of the Yearly Meeting's com

mittee, set apart for labor in Bucks Quarter, met at Middletown on the 26th of Seventh month. The public meeting in the morning was large and very satisfactory. In the afternoon a conference was held with the committees of five of the monthly meetings.

A plan of operation was decided on, which among other things embraced some family visits and the attendance of meetings which came in course during the week, and then the attendance of the eight monthly meetings, and the appointment of several meetings in the afternoons and evenings.

As some of the members of the sub-committee wished to attend their own quarterly meetings, the labor seemed to devolve at first on Joseph B. Livezey, Watson Tomlinson, and Annie S. Clothier. They held

a parlor meeting with about twenty-five Friends, that evening, at the house of John Wildman, in Langhorne, which was a solemn and very interesting occasion. On Second and Third days, they visited ten families, and also attended the preparative meeting of Ministers and Elders of Middletown, and in the evening went up to Newtown.

On Fourth day, they attended the select meeting for Makefield monthly meeting, and also visited some families, and in the evening had a parlor meeting with about forty Friends at Isaac Eyre's.

On Fifth day, they attended a regular Fifth day meeting, in Newtown, which was very large,—the

meeting-house being well filled in both ends. All the Friends named had vocal service, which was well received, and we trust the occasion will be long remembered by many present who seldom go to meeting. In the evening a parlor meeting was held at Jesse Leedom's, where nearly fifty Friends and Friendly people inet and were well satisfied.

On Sixth day, those three Friends, with Barclay Knight and Elmira Twining, went about thirty miles up to Quakertown, N. J., attended an appointed meeting that evening, and the monthly meeting there the next day, and then came down to Lumberville, where they had a parlor meeting at Lukens Thomas's with Friends and Friendly people of that neighborhood.

On First day, Eighth month 2nd, the committee attended Plumstead meeting in the morning, at which the house was very full. It was a satisfactory and good meeting. They attended an appointed meeting at Doylestown in the afternoon, but as the weather was rainy the gathering was not so large. They expect to attend the seven remaining monthly meetings and five appointed meetings within a week, and if a way opens, to visit families in the near future.

We trust their arduous labors in this quarterly meeting will be blessed and the fruits of it be seen as time progresses.

Newtown, Pa., 8th mo. 3d.

TH

ISAAC EYRE.

LABOR IN ABINGTON QUARTER.

THE sub-committee of the Yearly Meeting's Visiting Committee appointed for Abington Quarter, were in attendance at the monthly meetings of Abington, Byberry, Horsham, Gwynedd, (held at Norristown), and Richland, held at Quakertown, all of them last week.

In all of these meetings interesting conferences were held, and at Horsham a joint committee was appointed to assist the committee in making arrangements for visits to the several preparative meetings of which it is composed.

At Quakertown a nominating committee was set apart to bring forward names to constitute a committee for Richland Monthly Meeting.

The Committee feel greatly encouraged in the prosecution of their work. A portion of the members expect to be at Stroudsburg on the 9th, and at Warminster on the 16th inst.

FIRST-DAY SCHOOL AT SADSBURY.

THE First-day school connected with Sadsbury Meeting, (Lancaster Co., Pa.,) is held regularly every First-day, after the morning meeting. It has a superintendent and four teachers in charge, and the number of pupils enrolled is 95. There are nearly 300 volumes in the library. The exercises of the first class include the reading and consideration of Friends' Discipline, which is explained to the class by the teacher, touching any points that she may think the class may not understand. Appropriate books form the exercises of the other classes. Alto| gether the proceedings are interesting and instructive.

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After some preliminary business, the various laws of Pennsylvania on the subject of license were read by the Clerk, and a lively interest was shown in the bearing they have on society at large. A subject was then introduced to the consideration of the meeting, viz: "Is drunkenness a disease?" which elicited an animated discussion, was continued at considerable length, and participated in generally by the meeting. The Clerk also read an article entitled "The Bottomless Jug,” which elicited comments by the meeting. A piece was also read addressed to the Conscience voters of the state of New York, which exhibited the state of feeling in that State as it was during the last presidential election.

After the usual appointments to prepare business for the next meeting, the Conference adjourned to meet next at Bart meeting house on the second First day in Eighth month, at 23 o'clock.

COMMUNICATIONS.

We have been encouraged by the fact that fourteen legislatures, including that of our own State, have passed enactments requiring instruction in the public schools on the effects of stimulants and narcotics upon the human system. Friends have also moved in this direction in our First-day schools, and in a letter received from the principal of Friends' Central School in Philadelphia he says: "We have just introduced into the intermediate department a work on physiology which treats of alcohol and tan your issue of Seventh month 18th, I read with

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bacco; and in the Central School the subject is brought to the attention of our boys in the class-rooms and in lectures. It will receive increased attention hereafter. I am thoroughly in accord with the movement, and hope we can accomplish a great deal."

The committee have earnestly labored to present the evils resulting from the use of tobacco, and we believe there is an increasing interest awakened in regard to the injury resulting from this, as well as of intoxicating beverages.

A prominent part of the teachings at our conferences has been to illustrate and explain the effects of stimulants and narcotics upon the human system; endeavoring to present the view that these physical bodies are the temples of the living God; and as the apostle declared: "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy."

It is the design of our Heavenly Father that all our faculties and powers which were pronounced good should be kept pure, and used in the best manner, in order to accomplish the work appointed for us to do.

We are encouraged in feeling that Friends are becoming more interested in maintaining this righteous testimony, which can only be done by observing temperance in all things, which will lead to total abstinence from anything that would injure the body.

We have expended the funds appropriated last year, and would ask, should the committee be continued, or if a new one be appointed, that an appropriation of $50 be made for their current expenses: Signed by direction and on behalf of the Committee.

HENRY T. CHILD, Clerk.

CONFERENCE AT SADSBURY.

THE forty-third conference on the subject of Tem

perance, under the care of a committee of the Monthly Meeting, was held at Sadsbury meeting house near Christiana,(Lancaster co., Pa.), on Seventh mo. 12th, at 2 o'clock. T. Baker and M. A. Moore clerks

THE ASSUMPTION BY MEN'S MEETINGS. Editors of INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL:

IN

pleasure an article entitled "Our Extracts, 1885," from the pen of Emmor Comly, the views of which I most cordially and warmly endorse.

Two

The phrase "unbecoming assumption," it seems to me is as mild as should be used. I am only surprised that men Friends do not abandon this "unbecoming assumption." When finally the Yearly Meeting adopted the principle, giving wonen friends an equal voice in all the business transactions of the Society. and struck out of the Book of Discipline the conflicting clauses and changed the title page, making it read "Rules and Discipline of the Yearly Meeting of Men and Women Friends," the meeting from which the concern originated, (Radnor), at once changed its opening minute by inserting the word "men." other monthly meetings, I am informed, have also adopted this change. I know that a large body of Friends, with myself, regret that the change has gone no farther-that no quarterly meeting of men Friends has as yet been strong enough to adopt the change in its opening minute. Now, as this important subject is being agitated, and a number of quarterly meetings are about to be held, would it not be an opportune time to take this advance step, and so comply in letter and spirit with the revised discipline; and coming up thus, in the right and proper way, the Yearly Meeting may feel at liberty to adopt the suggestions of our friend?

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The moon serenely fills her horn and rises calmly at set of sun over the southern heights, glowing down into the broad space within the pillars of our ample gallery, and the hundreds of guests linger far into the night, basking in the friendly beams, enjoying the softness and mildness of the mid-summer night in the valley of the mountains. We observe a sparkling brightness in the blue of the clear heavens, and the moonbeams are broken into iridescence whenever a light film of cloud wavers over the merry face of our reflective neighbor world.

The tranquil hours of such a night favor a free hearted inter change of sentiment, and the recital of personal experiences in which there is consideration for differing stand-points and outlooks upon human life. No doubt there is yet a tragic divergence of view between the grieved ex-Confederate, and the energetic and hopeful Northerner.

There is a general reasonableness and calmness at this time in the attitude of most Southern people. They look forward to the inevitable future in a quietly hopeful spirit, and I think I have met no one who would renew the old nightmare of Slavery if it were possible. One Southern lady of competent experience, speaks most earnestly in rejoicing that the patriarchal institution is dead forever. On being inquired of as to the "why" of her position, she answered with eloquent brevity: "Because it was the degradation of the Southern man and the greater degradation of the Southern woman."

The negro laborer seems to get a low wage, and is very poor generally. But the progress of education for the black race is noticeable and the so-called Bourbon element is being modified by the logic of events. As the historian, John Esten Cooke shows, they are weary of being poor, and see the need there is to take hold of useful enterprises for the improvement and development of their country in a vigorous and hopeful spirit. They fully recognize that the mineral resources of their mountains are inexhaustible: gold, silver, copper, the best hematites, granite, marble, salt, and coal are stored in the treasure-houses of their hills. It will surprise many of our readers to be assured that the State of Virginia has sent to the assay offices more than two millions in gold, and that 25,000,000 pounds of lead have been taken from one county. The southwest is a mine of mineral wealth. There was absolutely no development of these resources before the Civil War, and perhaps it may be true, as our dying chieftain (Grant) declared, with his latest breath, that this life and death struggle was worth to the people of this land all it cost. But we do not clearly see that the spirit of God working upon the hearts of men if they were opened to receive the divine word might not have sufficiently convinced them of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to have induced the putting away of besetting sins, as effectually as it was done by the sword of battle.

The repudiation heresies of the recent past and of the present seem to be a matter of deep regret to all respectable people, and if any are tolerant of them they never express their tolerance in the precincts of this hotel. Those in these days who are staining the honor of the record of this ancient Commonwealth

should remember that they cannot escape the verdict of history.

And so our happy days at the "Warm Springs" draw to a close and we must fold our tents and seek fresh fields and pastures new. This fruitful vale is not exhausted, but the rush of summer visitors is now about at its height, and our appointed time of departure is at hand. Our hearts are warm with sympathy, especially for the sweet brave women with whom we have had kindly converse, these many days, desiring for them all the blessings that enrich mortal life, and all the consolations that can soothe the pathway of their declining years. From the dusky freedman we have received nothing but benefits, and with him rests an important part of the work involved in the building up of the new Virginia which shall be the heritage of the dear children whose merriment makes glad the fair scenes around us to-day. S. R.

Warm Springs, 7th mo. 31st.

H

EA

LIFE.

ACH creature holds an insular point in space:
Yet what man stirs a finger, breathes a sound
But all the multitudinous beings round

In all the countless worlds, with time and place
For their conditions, down to the central base,
Thrill, haply, in vibration and rebound,
Life answering life across the vast profound,
In full antiphony, by a common grace!

I think this sudden joyance which illumes
A child's mouth sleeping, unaware may run
From some soul newly loosened from earth's tombs;
I think this passionate sigh, which half-begun

I stifle back, may reach and stir the plumes
Of God's calm angel standing in the sun.
MRS. BROWNING.

HASTY WORDS.

ALF the actual trouble of life would be saved if people would remember that silence is golden when they are irritated, vexed or annoyed. To feel provoked or exasperated at a trifle, when the nerves are exhausted, is perhaps natural to us in our imperfectly sanctified state. But why put the annoyance into the shape of speech, which once uttered is remembered, which may burn like a blistering wound, or rankle like a poisoned arrow? If a child be trying, or a friend capricious, or a servant unreasonable, be careful what you say. Do not speak while you feel the impulse of anger, for you will be almost certain to say too much, to say more than your cooler judgment will approve, and to speak in a way that you will regret. Be silent until the "sweet bye and bye"-when you shall be calm, rested and self-controlled.

Above all, never write a letter when you are in a mood of irritation. There is anger which is justifiable, there are resentments which are righteous; it is sometimes a duty to express indignation. But if you consider the matter the occasions for putting such feelings on record are comparatively few. They come once in a life-time perhaps, and to many fortunate beings they never come at all. Upon the whole, peo

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