journey, a wide, generally shallow, sluggish stream, with banks only two to four feet high, and nothing more than a few water willows skirting its banks,—so different from our Illinois streams, all of which wind their way through belts of timber, from one to four miles in width.

Our friends the Vores received us kindly, though we were all strangers to them. On First-day morning we attended their regular meeting, which is held in a school-house about three miles East of Genoa. William L. Dorland, of Bennett, Neb., having joined us at Valley, on the 25th, he went directly to Genoa, and was in attendance.

The meeting was composed of about thirty-five persons, mostly members, and appeared earnest and devoted. If there could be measures used to build a meeting house it would be a strength to them.

There are not so many members here as several years ago, some having left at the time of drouth and the grasshopper plague, and their places filled by those not in membership with us. We dined with our friend George S. Truman, in company with a number of other friends, and in the evening had an appointed meeting at Isaiah Lightner's, (he being at the Indian Agency). We thought it a favored opportunity. About thirty-five were present. On Second and Third days, through the kindness mainly of George S. Truman, we visited the families of Leonard J. Myers, ex-Indian agent Joseph Webster, David Brown, Joseph Truman, David L. Conard, William Walton, and Rebecca Jones,-widow of the late Barclay Jones. We generally had religious exercises with them. We also visited the Indian school, where there are 136 children under the supervision of efficient teachers, gaining that which we hope will enable them to be better men and women. On Fourthday afternoon we held a meeting by appointment for the members and those interested, when the importance of maintaining our organization was dwelt upon, and the necessity of individual faithfulness in following the light before us as the only means of knowing the spiritual growth, also the importance of having certificates forwarded to the executive bodies nearest to the scattered ones. We felt the meeting to be a strength to us and to them.

We propose to give a synopsis of each neighborhood visited, believing that to those who are contemplating a western home, it may be an incentive to settle among Friends, and to those who feel that their numbers are not sufficient to hold a meeting will be a strength, and thus our efforts for the upbuilding of our Society will be promoted.

Genoa, in Nance county, is situated near the Loup river in a valley ranging from one to four miles back, on each side of almost perfectly level country, which is used but little, except for meadows, the grass being very heavy. Back of this is the farm land, some of which is beautiful, and all very fertile, as was manifested by the immense crops growing there, even on the hilly farms. Land ranges from ten dollars for raw prairie to thirty for improved farms per acre. Our friends all appeared satisfied with their situation, and will gladly answer all inquiries relative to prices and location, for those desiring to cast

their lots with them. On the high land a supply of water is reached from one hundred to one hundred and eighty feet below the surface, and on the bottom land at a much less depth.

On Fifth-day we returned to Central City to the residence of E. W. Allen and wife, the latter not a member with us, but an earnest Christian woman, and in cordial sympathy with Friends. In the evening we attended an appointed meeting in the courthouse, which was small, but in a good degree satisfactory. The next morning we visited an aged woman Friend named Taylor, who had not seen a Friend for twenty years. She was rejoiced to see us. This place is situated two miles north of the Platte river, in a sandy, barren country.

More anon.

Mt. Palatine, Ill., 11th mo. 6th.

ABEL MILLS.

For Friends' Intelligencer and Journal.
LETTERS BY THE WAY.

AT the last meeting of Caln Quarterly Meeting,

held at Sadsbury, near Christiana, (Lancaster Co., Pa.), there were present several members of the Yearly Meeting's Committee, who have been acceptably visiting meetings and families in this quarter. Also from other quarterly meetings there were John Parrish, of New Jersey, and Lydia H. Price, of West Chester, Pa. Our friend John Parrish spoke of the Society of Friends as being the only one that recognizes the equality of women, but the question arose in my mind whether this was now strictly the case, -whether some other religious bodies have not advanced to this mark.

I have been much interested lately in observing how women of the evangelical sects are coming forward in this day into action in public. If I remember aright, some years ago women of these sects formed "Ladies' Aid Societies." They might collect money to aid the missionary cause, but when their public meetings occurred, they called in their minister to make a prayer and address them, or some other brother would officiate. The women knew their "own appropriate sphere," too well to speak in the churches; they had been too well drilled in Paul's doctrine: "I suffer not a woman to speak in the church." But those who have now been following the reports of the late meeting of the Women's Home Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, and of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, (both in Philadelphia), cannot have failed to note the public activity amongst women belonging to orthodox or evangelical sects. In the Home Missionary Society, at the opening, (Tenth month 23d), the presiding officer was the wife of ex-President Hayes, and in the evening she presided at the mass meeting, and introduced to the audience the two men who addressed it.

My attention was attracted lately by a passage in a portion of Scripture, read aloud at Lampeter meeting, (Lancaster county). The usual meetings being very small, and without any speaking, it was lately concluded to have some reading, after 45 minutes of silence. The works used hitherto have been the New Testament, and Janney's Life of George Fox. The passage alluded to is from the first epistle of John: "This, then, is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another."

On hearing this passage in the portion read, it struck me as perhaps never before, and it seems to me not inappropriate to be quoted to such fearful souls as dread discoveries in natural science lest they destroy their religion, or controvert their theological opinions.

At Lampeter meeting, on First-day morning, Eleventh mo. 1st, Samuel Swain, of Bristol, Pa., and Samuel Walker, of this monthly meeting, appeared in the ministry. In the afternoon, an animated temperance meeting was held under the direction of Friends' Temperance Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Samuel Swain spoke at some length, followed by Marianna Gibbons and others. Samuel Swain and others leaving on the train, the meeting was continued, the Methodist local preacher and circuit preacher being among the speakers. The latter is named McClintock, and is a relative of our late friend Thomas McClintock.

Two practical points brought out in this meeting were these: A certain township in Delaware county, Pa., having long had two licensed taverns, against the wishes of many of the people, a canvass was made of the township as to those opposed to these houses;

Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting: those following belonged as stated:

In Philadelphia Yearly Meeting: Mary A. Cox, Mary Pike, Sarah T. Betts, Mary Levis, Henry Woodman, Elizabeth Comfort, Mary H. Child, Lydia L. Garrett, Jane Price, Martha E. Travilla, Ann P. Jackson, James Jackson, Benjamin Kent, Samuel Martin, George Webster, Edith Webster, Maria Jane Kent, Patience H. Jenkins, Mary Ann Marshall, Elizabeth Hodgins, Rhoda O. Lamb, Wm. Borton, Mary Smith, Wm. Haines, Rachel Haines, Elizabeth T. Andrews, Rachel S. Ward, Rachel N. Hancock.

In New York Yearly Meeting: John D. Wright, Rachel Hicks, Edmund Willetts, Samuel Keese, David H. Barnes, Naomi Barnes, Esther Haviland, Job Scott, Andrew Dorland, Humphrey Allen, Israel Drake.

In Genesee Yearly Meeting: Edwin Ewer, Benjamin Renouf, Freeman Clark.

In Ohio Yearly Meeting: Joseph Mead.

In Indiana Yearly Meeting: Dinah Furnas, Rebecca Winder, Wm. R. Woolman, Emily L. Stratton, Elizabeth Roberts, Rebecca J. Morris, Elsie H. A. Lukens.

In Illinois Yearly Meeting: Elizabeth S. Brooks, Elida John, Sarah B. Dugdale, Jesse Holmes, Abner Moore.

In Baltimore Yearly Meeting: Samuel Townsend, John Needles, Mary B. Needles, Esther Canby, Elizabeth M. Matthews, Benjamin Hallowell, James Baynes, George Reese, Caleb C. Way, Joseph Branson, Samuel M. Janney, Chalkley Gillingham, Mercy K. Johnston.

Very likely others should be named, as the list was not full, Friends seeming to hesitate at that time about furnishing the information. J. M. T., JR.

THE FIRST-DAY SCHOOLS.

CLOSING EXERCISES AT WRIGHTSTOWN.

on

First-day afternoon, (Eleventh month 1st), after a successful season. The exercises were held in the meeting-house, and opened at 2 o'clock with the recitation of the 19th Psalm by the school. Stephen Betts then read an article from Mangasarian on his Change of Theological Views," and Lillian Brooks gave a well rendered recitation, " Grandfather's Advice." Clara Krewson read an essay on Seeds," Robert Woodman recited "Our Heavenly Father" and Grace Woodman recited a little poem containing good advice. Both recitations had been well learned and were spoken very nicely by the little folks. Lidie R. Smith read a poem entitled "The Gypsy Kettle," and Willie Buckman gave a pleasing recitation. William Woodman followed with a few remarks concerning the changes that had taken place in the meeting since a generation or two ago, and their results. Class E, composed of the smallest of the little ones, gave a short concert recitation. Chapman Warner then recited "Summer is Gone but Spring Will Come Again,' a poem appropriate to the season. Thirza Smith read an essay on “Trifles," followed by remarks by Comly Woodman. Anna Warner then recited "A Nameless

Grave," and Louisa Woodman read an essay entitled Faith, Hope and Charity." Rudolph Smith then read "A Free Seat," from which a lesson might be drawn on kindness to strangers. Mercianna Merrick read a poem, "The Teacher's Dream," which showed that a teacher's work receives the blessing of the great Teacher himself. Agnes Woodman read an excellent essay on "Judging," and Charles Pettit followed with a few remarks on "Sabbath Schools." Cynthia Holcomb read an article containing advice to the boys concerning the spending of their evenings at home instead of at public lounging places. Oliver H. Holcomb then spoke a few words of encouragement, and the superintendent, Aaron Twining, dismissed the school after thanking the members for their coöperation during the past season.

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING FIRST-DAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

THE Association of Friends for the promotion of Firstday schools within the limits of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, held the annual meeting on Seventh-day last, at Race street Meeting-house. Delegates were present from all the unions and from very many of the schools not embraced in the unions. The reports from these show continued and increasing interest in the subject. It was very evident that the favorable action of our yearly meeting at its last session, towards this department of Christian work, has strengthened the hold that the schools have on the several meetings where they are established, as well as given an impulse in that direction in meetings where there has been no action heretofore taken. The statistics are as follows: The Philadelphia Union has 7 schools, 661 pupils, 39 teachers and officers; Salem Union 5 schools 295 pupils; Concord, 9 schools, 535 pupils, 67 teachers and officers; Western, 3 schools, 200 pupils, 29 teachers and officers; Haddonfield, 5 schools, 201 pupils; Burlington, 6 schools, 278 pupils, 49 teachers and officers; Bucks, 9 schools, 492 pupils, 97 teachers and officers; Abington, 6 schools, 344 pupils, 49 teachers and officers. The report of the treasurer was read, showing a small balance on hand.

The remarks following the reading of the reports were characterized by earnest, forcible thought, clearly expressed. The subject of holding the “General Conference" in connection with the annual meeting in 1886 was considered, and a committee of the Association was appointed to unite with a similar committee of the Conference to make the necessary arrangements. It was fully united with to invite the Philanthropic Union to meet in Philadelphia, at the same place and time. The subject of the "Scripture Lessons" now in course of preparation was introduced to the meeting through the reading of the minutes of the Executive committee, and a very general unity expressed with the plan, and with the continuance of their publication.

S. Raymond Roberts and Tacy Albertson were appointed clerks for the ensuing year.

AT a meeting of the Executive Committee of the First-day School General Conference, held at Race

Street Meeting House, Philadelphia, Eleventh month 7,1885, at 7 p. m., eleven members of the Committee present:

The subject of a suitable time for holding the sessions of the next General Conference was considered, and the clerk was directed to inform Philadelphia Association that the General Conference adjourned to meet in Philadelphia about the time of their Association meeting in Eleventh month, 1886, and we ask their coöperation in arranging the time for said meetings.

The subject of increasing the usefulness of the Scattered Seeds was carefully considered, and a very general feeling expressed that a benefit might be derived, if it could be made a weekly, instead of a monthly paper; also that as there seemed to be so strong a feeling manifest throughout the several Yearly Meeting Associations it ought to be brought more directly under the care of the General Confer

ence.

The clerk was directed to bring this subject to the attention of Philadelphia Association for its consideration.

Communications were received and read from several of our absent members, all of them expressing much satisfaction with the present series of Lesson Leaves, and suggesting their continuance. As to the best means of raising the necessary funds for their publication and distribution, two plans were suggested, one of making an assessment on the several yearly meeting associations, as heretofore, and the other, of having the individual schools using them pay for what copies they may need.

The Committee united in judgment that the present series of lessons should be continued, and that the expense attendant thereto should be met by an assessment upon the several yearly meeting associations.

The Committee directed that the sum of eight hundred dollars should be raised for this purpose, and the clerk was directed to request the treasurers of the several yearly meeting association, to pay their respective quotas of this amount to Edwin Blackburn, treasurer of the General Conference, as early as practicable.

It was proposed and united with that the following reädjustment of quotas be made-namely, that Philadelphia Association quota be changed from fifty to forty-four per cent.; New York, from twenty to twenty-five per cent.; Baltimore, from fourteen to fifteen per cent., and that the other association quotas remain as heretofore-namely, Indiana, seven per cent.; Illinois, five per cent.; Ohio, four per cent.

Edwin Blackburn, treasurer of the General Conference, submitted a report which was satisfactory, showing a balance on hand, Tenth month 8th, 1885, of $33.35.

J. Wm. Hutchinson, chairman of the literature committee, submitted a report of the work accomplished by said committee, which was satisfactory to the meeting.

It was proposed and united with that a committee be appointed to draft a series of questions to

be addressed to the several yearly meeting associations, in order that we may obtain for the use of the next General Conference certain statistics relative to the origin, growth and present condition of the Firstday school movement.

The following named Friends were appointed to the service-J. Wm. Hutchinson, Eli M. Lamb, Robert M. Janney.

The following named Friends were appointed to consider of and assign to the several yearly meeting associations topics upon which they will be expected to prepare papers for consideration at the next general Conference. The Committee was also instructed to make all necessary arrangements for the meetings of said conference: namely-Jos. A. Bogardus, Wm. M. Jackson, Lydia H. Hall, Seneca P. Broomall, Robert M. Janney, Anna M. Starr, Mercy G. Griffith. The Committee adjourned to meet at the call of the clerk. Jos. A. BOGARDUS, Clerk.

EDUCATIONAL.

BENEFITS OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION.

PRESI

RESIDENT Edward H. Magill, of Swarthmore, lectured at Wilmington, Del., before the Friends' school, on the 23d ult., and again at Baltimore, at the invitation of the Yearly Meeting's Educational Committee, on the following Fourth-day evening, the 28th, his subject being "The Benefits of a College Education." The audiences, in both places, were large, and the lecture was listened to with much interest.

Referring to the feeling formerly entertained among Friends to a considerable extent that a college course was unnecessary, if not positively injurious, he said the training in colleges had undergone a great change since the days of George Fox, and no longer signified the old monastic system it then did. Many new studies had been added, the courses had become largely elective, science had been included in the curriculum, and Greek and Latin were not the only companions of mathematics. Thus the college course has widened, and, shall I not say also, deepened, with the advance of knowledge; and it is no longer true, as was thought a few generations ago, that college graduates are unpractical theorists,-deeply learned, perhaps, in a few specialties, having little practical bearing upon life and its duties, while absolutely ignorant of many other subjects of equal or greater importance. The motto of educators

is coming to be: 'Know something of everything, and everything of something,'-i. e., while including some general knowledge of all subjects of human concern, in every full course of study, confine the attention, in the later stages of the course, to some specialty, and master that most thoroughly and completely in all of its details. Let me stop and emphasize, in an especial manner, the words 'the later stages of the course,' for the tendency of modern education, (one extreme following another), is rather to select specialties in the earlier stages, instead of first acquiring that general knowledge and culture essential to every well trained mind.

It should be

firmly and deeply impressed upon the minds of the young that their studies, both in school and college,

are not so much intended to teach them specific subjects, as to train their minds and teach them proper methods of study. It is not so much a question of what as how. No course, however extended, could ever teach more than a mere fragment of what must ultimately be acquired: and now that the domain of human knowledge is so widely extended, that the longest life would be insufficient to compass it all, even were we hard students every day, it is of the utmost importance that methods of study be so taught and so mastered in youth that valuable time may not be wasted in vainly attempting the acquisition of knowledge in our later years.”

The speaker then proceeded to explain at some length the three ordinary college courses of study, leading to degrees-the Classical, Literary, and Scientific, developing the strong points and the valuable features of each. To Latin, as a discipline for the mind, he assigned an important place. 'After carefully observing generations of children, passing under my care for nearly forty years, I am prepared to assert most positively that those children who have included Latin in their preparatory studies have gained thereby in general mental power, on an average, fully 25 per cent-a gain not seen from the effect of any other one study, in any curriculum. The study of mathematics, which is made so prominent in many Friends' schools, is inferior to the study of Latin in this strengthening effect upon the mind. In the study of Latin the judgment is constantly exercised in selecting the best among various expressions for the translation-the reason in making careful comparison of these; and the memory in retaining them-and this particular kind of varied training which the mind thus receives, fits it far better to cope with the varied problems of actual life than does the dealing with the absolute and inflexible laws of mathematics. There are few important decisions to be made in practical life which do not consist largely in weighing and balancing probabilities. For such decisions the linguist is better fitted by scholastic training than the mathematician. In this view, then, as between Latin and mathematics, the former is really the more practical study."

The speaker warned his audience against desiring too much to teach only the so-called "practical studies" with the idea that they were more nearly connected with success in business and the accumulation of wealth. Horace, in his "Ars Poetica," lamented the decay of Roman letters, under the “rust that eats out the human soul, this corrupting love of gain," and others of the classic writers had the same complaint. Longinus and Quintilian account thus for the decay of eloquence; Galen of physic, Petronius of painting, and Pliny of the whole circle of the liberal arts. "It has been truly said that when the passion of avarice grows general in a country, the temples of honor are soon pulled down, and all men's sacrifices are made to fortune."

Pres. Magill urged the importance of maintaining thoroughly good local schools, able to prepare for entrance to college. He showed that the high comparative standing which Friends' local schools once possessed had been to some extent lost, because com

peting schools had been pushed on so vigorously; and he explained on what ground it was that the college graduate, if suited by nature and character for a teacher, was best equipped for the work. “A modern college course, with its varied and attractive curriculum, its able and experienced corps of instructors, its extensive apparatus, and facilities for abundant illustration in every department of knowledge, its liberal opportunities for the selection of elective studies, is now becoming one of the best preparations for the teacher's important vocation. The normal schools, as at present constituted, cannot so effectually perform the work. Methods of teaching, made so prominent in these schools, must be subservient to, and always follow the acquisition of the knowledge itself. How to teach must follow a thorough knowledge of what to teach, and when this knowledge has been imparted by able and experienced instructors, throughout a course of study which has been deliberately and carefully. followed, and not hastened to its completion, the how to teach it is a matter of comparatively easy acquisition.” During the past few years," the lecturer said, “Friends have been establishing new home-schools, and strengthening the organization, and advancing the course of those already established. This is work in the direction, which, if properly directed and continued, is destined to exert a powerful influence upon the future of our religious society. To raise the standard of these schools, and advance the cause of education among us, we should aim gradually to reach that point when no position of responsibility at the head of a school should be held by other than a properly trained college graduate.

"And for those who are not to be teachers, a college course is becoming more and more a matter of necessity. A young man once made the remark in my hearing: 'I don't care for no more education. I have more now than my father had, and he did very well.' The answer given by a leading educator was one to which all would do well to take heed. 'Young man, times have changed, and are changing ; and the same education which your father had will never enable you to reach the same social plane which he reached.' It is true of all others that the education which was deemed sufficient for their children in the past generation is wholly inadequate to meet the demands of the present day."

The conclusion of the lecture referred to the effect of education upon the Society of Friends, and we propose to print these paragraphs in full, in a later issue of our paper, as of deep interest at the present time. President Magill expects to address Friends upon the general subject included in his lecture, as way may open for the purpose, in all neighborhoods, especially where Friends' schools are established.

COMMUNICATIONS.

LABOR AND ITS RESULT.

Editors INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL:

VIEWS have been presented to my mind concerning the above heading, from sometimes hearing remarks of members of the Yearly Meeting's Committee, and

of others when referring to them and their labor,— namely, that their fruits, or the improvement in Society, is not apparent.

May I inquire what are we laboring for, and what are we looking for?

The Society of Friends is a religious organization; its great need is more spiritual life: and when this want or lack is met and stimulated, it will not be seen in any great outward demonstration. We should remember the parable of the "leaven in a few measures of meal," and be willing to be workers in the humility and simplicity as taught by Jesus; and must wait as his faithful followers the operation of the "leaven." If it be for the glory and honor of man we are working, let it be done in the strength of man, and the result will come in an outward demonstration comparable to the wind and storm. But if it be the glory and honor of God we are seeking, let it be done in and under the guidance of His spirit, when the result will be quiet but sure.

"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” J. P.

Eleventh month 2nd, 1885.

SILENT DEVOTION.

"The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him."-Heb. 2: 20.

THE Lord is on his holy throne;

He sits in kingly state;

Let those who for his favor seek
In humble silence wait.
Your sorrows to his eye are known;
Your secret motives clear;

It needeth not the pomp of words
To pour them on his ear.
Press not thy purpose on thy God;

Urge not thine erring will;
Nor dictate to the Eternal mind,
Nor doubt thy Maker's skill.
True prayer is not the noisy sound
That clamorous lips repeat,
But the deep silence of a soul
That clasps Jehovah's feet.

-L. H. SIGOURNEY.