bear with him for one night?" And Abraham arose in the self-same hour, and went out into the desert, and sought the old man where he had laid him down under the shelter of an overhanging rock, and he brought him again into his tent and ministered to his wants.

Perhaps of all forms of toleration, political toleration is most difficult to be attained. Life is so short, and we feel that if we are to serve our generation there brooks no delay; so that it is not easy to be forbearing towards opponents who, it seems to us, are, by their untoward influence, thrusting back for ages the national prosperity. Something perhaps of the grand old spirit of chivalry, so lost, alas! in the present day, would help us here-the spirit of knightly courtesy towards opponents, and of preferring rather to fall on the battlefield than to stain our banner by treachery or dishonor. And let us remember that even unchangeable Truth is many-sided in her aspects. That view on which we rejoice to gaze may be hidden from our neighbor, whilst he, from the vantage ground of a different position, may clearly see points to us invisible.

We all know the story of the two knights, who, riding across a plain from different directions, came at the same time in view of a statue, which we may suppose to represent Truth, and began to dispute as to whether the gleaming shield she held aloft were of massive silver or of burnished gold. From angry words they came to deadly blows, and it was not till both lay wounded and dying on the ground that each looking upwards perceived the reverse side of the shield from that which had first caught his gaze, and, clasping each other's hands, they acknowledged with their latest breath that each was alike right and each alike wrong; that the shield, though of pure bright silver on one side, shone on the other with the yellow lustre of gold.

But the spirit of toleration is not needed only amidst political or theological diversities. Not less to be cultivated is a social and domestic tolerationthat “live-and-let-live" spirit which makes us tolerant of the "fads" and fancies, the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies of those around us-which is willing to let others be happy in their own way and useful in their own way, according to the individual nature and bent of each; instead of seeking to bring all to one approved standard of dress and manners, habits and opinions, whereby we may be sure much of force, and much of originality, are in this generation sacrificed at the shrine of conventionality.

In conclusion, to return to our former point of view, the history of the past has clearly shown us the inexpediency of intolerance and persecution for the suppression of error; that it is also opposed to the forbearance and charity taught by Christ and his apostles, it is not difficult to see; and, finally, we have endeavored to show that it is needless; that, in fact, “ Magna est veritas et prevalebit." Yet we must not forget that Truth, in order to prevail, must be brought before men's view; nor will it do to allow our toleration for the feelings and opinions of others to make us less earnest or fearless in upholding our own convictions, even though we know that our very

progress itself proves how fallible and shifting are human judgment and human conceptions of the true.

There is an unspeakable sense of rest and strength in the thought that while we poor mortals are doubting, and disputing, and changing our beliefs, truth herself, calm, grand and absolute, towers above all, unchanged and unchangeable; hereafter, let us trust, to be known and recognized by all her true seekers, when the mists of earth shall have cleared away, and at last " we shall know even as we are known." This thought it is that makes it easy to be tolerant to all honest thinkers here, and if we have known any such, who, while earnestly seeking after truth, have yet lived and died in error, we may rejoice in the thought that at length in the light of a more perfect existence they can say, Whereas we were blind now we see." ANNA W. SHACKLETON.

M

For Friends' Intelligencer and Journal.

A WORD TO THE ISOLATED ONES.

Y sympathies have often been enlisted in thinking of the isolated position of some members of the Society of Friends, feeling assured they still feel a warmth of sentiment towards the body called Friends which seems to cement us more closely in reverence for a true spiritual worship of the author of all our bountiful blessings and many good gifts. This is why I take my pen to address a few lines to those whom it may concern.

I see it is a time of much activity of thought and words, and I deem it of vital importance that we are ever careful to rally to the place of justice and mercy. not in the hurry and bustle of our own thoughts or imagination, but in the quiet conviction which the light of true judgment brings to our aid, in the right time and in the right place, if we are truly willing to be trught by him who is meek and lowly of heartthen I believe no contention or strife would rule the nation.

It is my desire that the peaceable spirit of Jesus may find place in our hearts, then it would regulate our actions, and all would move along together in that harmonious rule which we call purity, and deserves the name of Golden. Oh! that we withhold not that which might do good, but let our light shine, for good gifts are given to be a blessing to each other; that goeth forth weeping shall come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves of peace with him."

"He

We have great encourgement both by outward testimony and the inspeaking word in our hearts, to press forward to do that which our hands find to do, not halting or tarrying by the way, lest our purpose be injudiciously intercepted-for he who would win must keep the eye of his mind unswervingly on that Light which never deceives, but will ever be a sure abiding place for the weary and tired soul, there to find that rest which can never be found elsewhere.

It seems to me these lessons of impression ought to be taught to our children who are looking to us for "bread," and, oh, that we may be qualified to give them something better than a "stone." I do not have reference alone to our families, but on all

occasions both public and private, at temperance meetings, etc., where an opening offers, in Peter's words, "be ready at all times to give a reason for the hope that is in us to those who ask us." Then we will be fulfilling the mission required of those endowed with talents which should not be hid under a bushel.

It certainly is a great strength to our spiritual needs to be visited by those whose lives are devoted to their master's work and are qualified to hand forth that which is nourishing to many minds who are weary of the rugged road over which is their pathway. C. W. C.

ΜΑ

For Friends' Intelligencer and Journal.
FRIENDS AND EDUCATION.

ANY have been the controversial writers concerning the pathway of the Christian, from the opening of that era, along down through the 7arious ages, the present epoch not excepted. Still the children of God continue to struggle under the weighty burthen, to greater strength, becoming subjects immediately under the power of divine law, whereby they are made perfect through suffering, an eternal verity proffered to all that obey without faltering, hence there were many faithful servants covenanted with God during the lapse of these ages, who were permitted to dwell with his chosen flock and partake of the good things of his Kingdom. Perhaps no era numbered more zealous covenanting sons and daughters of the divine Father than that of the 17th century, bearing the appellation of "Friends." They considered themselves under obligations to follow virtue, as shown by the divine will, even unto death. Among the auxiliaries to this condition of virtue was education and discipline under the same influence, ingrafting knowledge into their children with the purity which Christianity would prescribe. A virtuous education in preference to a learned one was peculiarly watched and sought for with the youth, yet with no condemnation thereof. Barclay nowhere condemns the propriety or usefulness of a scholastic education. But, mark, "not necessary to make a minister of the Gospel." Penn, equally celebrated with Barclay as a scholar, affords in his works abundant proof of his erudition, and that he was a friend to learning on the principle that it enlarged the understanding, but like the rest of his associates he was no advocate for learning as a qualification for a minister of the Gospel. He entreated his wife in a beautiful letter left her before he embarked on his first voyage to America, "not to be sparing of expense in procuring learning for his children." Let us hear the account which Thomas Ellwood gives of himself in his own journal. He says "when I was a boy I made some progress in learning, and that I lost before I came to be a man. Nor was I rightly sensible of my loss therein, till I came amongst the Quakers; there I both saw my loss and lamented it, and applied myself with the utmost diligence at all leisure times to recover it, so false I found that charge to be which in those times was cast as a reproach upon the Quakers, that they despised and decried all human learning

because they denied it to be essentially necessary to a Gospel ministry." The concerned observer will also find that Friends considered that part of a classical education with which heathen mythology was necessarily connected as objectionable. The historian Sewell records the epistle from the Yearly Meeting in London held by adjournment from the tenth day of the Fourth month to the fourteenth of the same inclusive, 1717, to the quarterly and monthly meetings of Friends in Great Britain and elsewhere, of which he says, we see by it that they give notice of the state of society, recommending love and unity among their members, with other christian virtues, and especially a good education of their children, besides other matters which they judge to be meet and necessary. So down the glades of time unto the present, we find prevailing a fervent concern amongst Friends upon the subject of education, that a vigilant care be exercised in the establishment of schools for the "better preservation of the youth and their advancement in piety and virtue.”

For the casual reader it may be said that at no time have Friends undervalued education, except as a necessary qualification for a minister of the Gospel. Here they have made a stand, discriminating between what is essential and what is non-essential. But it will nowhere be found that they have denied that learning contributes to the innocent pleasures of life, or that it may be made a subordinate and auxiliary instrument in the promoting of virtue. We have acknowledgments from the pen of various writers, in each decade, since the advent of Fox and his co-laborers, testifying to the regenerating efficacy of the truth promulgated by Friends, yet many of them declaring these essential practices, as non-essential" to the support thereof. Charges hard to bear. But the ingression of our Lord with his eternal law to teach non-resistance by example, ever continues to so instruct all that are obedient. For "it is impossible but that offences will come" to the Christian organization as well as to the Christian. "The law entered that offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." These dispensations of proving are to the effect that it may be known who would stand for the truth, and in the truth, even though they stand alone in that patience and faith as formerly delivered to the Fathers. CHAS. A. LUKENS.

Hoopeston, Ill., Eleventh month 5.

A great deal of happiness, of a very beautiful and lasting kind, may be got in the effort to mentally and spiritually grow, and in the effort to distinguish between life and its accidents, the man and his circumstances. And that is a source of happiness open to every one; for the very poorest man, with the very homeliest of occupations, may, out of his poor material, be weaving the lovely pattern of a truly human. life. As the outward man decays, the inward man may be growing to the measure of the stature of perfect manhood. The winds that buffet and chill may blow the voyager into the desired haven; so may the adversities of life speed the pilgrim to his ideal and his home.-John Page Hopps.

“THE HOPE OF THE FUTURE.”

THIS phrase as applied to children has a deep significance, that we believe is fully realized in this generation, for in no period of the world's history has there been so much attention paid to their mental, physical, and (may we not add) moral and spiritual development, as the age through which we are now passing.

If we pause and carefully observe the vast educational resources of our own country, its universities, colleges, high schools, grammar schools, schools intermediate and primary, even the increasing attention given to kindergarten training, one might be pardoned for thinking, for a moment at least, that our people live only to give scholastic advantages to their children. And it is right that it should be so. For what nobler purpose can we pursue than to thoroughly equip and mould for good the characters of those who are to be the future custodians of our free institutions?

But these will present a fear lest, in our anxiety to afford every opportunity for the children, we create in them an undue valuation of their own importance. In our pride in their superior knowledge, the outcome of all these advantages coupled with their own ability and application, are not parents and guardians in danger of yielding too much, and requiring too little of that respect and honor that is ever due to the wisdom of age that has been chastened by the experiences of life? We cannot give experience or wisdom. These must come with years, but youth can be trained to respect and esteem these qualities.

We have happily outlived that adage of Solomon that if we "spare the rod we spoil the child," yet we are firm in the conviction that there is wisdom that will never die in the proverb that "it is good for a

man to bear the yoke in his youth." For there is a happy medium between the severity of the ancient rule, and that liberty that so readily assumes the form of license to step from the line called "straight." If then there is a demand for more liberty than the wisdom of mature years deems advisable, there should be a firmness that is immovable to resist it. That which we crave for our children both here and hereafter is true happiness, and in order to realize this we should remember that it is unwise to so smooth their pathway that they shall have no crosses to strengthen and make firm the tissue of character. We need not go back to the times of David and Solomon, tho' the record of their experience is very valuable, for in every age can be found recorded lives whose brightness and lustre were the result of continuous struggle.

As we steadily progress towards a higher civilization our crosses and struggles must necessarily assume new forms, but let them be met in a heroic spirit, and not suffer our youth to allow themselves weakly to yield to all the indulgences of a luxurious age. There are still enemies to overcome and battles to be won for liberty to live a true Christian life, that will be gained only by the effort to resist the selfish nature, which will grow strong even in the noble pursuit of cultivating the intellect.

Wisdom then is what we most need in this great educational work, happy will we be if we know where to seek it, and thrice happy if we find and can apply it to our need.

THE visit of the sub-committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to the Friends at Crosswicks, N. J., is appointed for Eleventh month 30th, and Twelfth month 1st., as is stated in the notice elsewhere in this issue, signed by our friend Isaac Eyre. (By a misapprehension on the part of one of the editors, the dates for the conference were erroneously given last week.)

DEATHS.

BUZBY.-At Gwynedd, Pa., Eleventh month 15th, Susannah Buzby.

CARRALL.-Eleventh month 18th, Susan, widow of Richard Carrall, in her 78th year; a valued elder of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia.

DAVIS.—Tenth month 13th, Elizabeth S. Davis, in the 60th year of her age; a member of Third Haven Monthly Meeting.

PARKER.-In Philadelphia, Eleventh month 16th, Catharine, wife of Robert Parker, formerly of Bucks county, aged 88.

PECKHAM.--On the 28th of Tenth month, 1885, at Poplar Ridge, Cayuga county, N. Y., of pulmonary consumption, Emily Haines Peckham, wife of John Henry Peckham, in the 28th year of her age. She was granddaughter of John Searing.

NEWS OF FRIENDS.

-A sub-committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Committee on Temperance had an interview with the authorities of Fairmount Park, on the 20th inst., in reference to the sale of liquor within the Park. This is forbidden by law, and in the leases made by the Park Commission the power is rereserved to forfeit them if the tenants should sell intoxicants. As a matter of fact, however, liquor is sold at several places within the Park, and there is little if any attempt to correct it. The sub-committee consisted of Edward H. Magill, Charles Kirk, Sarah Pierce and Lydia A. Schofield. Their interview was with the Police Committee of the Commission, consisting of Gustavus Remak and others. John Welsh, who had interested himself in making the appointment for the interview, was present. The Friends presented a petition and afterward verbally urged the duty of suppressing the sale. The answer of the Committee, substantially, was that they had

no

“official” knowledge that the liquor was sold, but that if any one would bring them evidences to that effect, and appear as a prosecuting witness, they would then proceed with the case.

-Several improvements have lately been made in and around the meeting-house at Londongrove, (Chester Co., Pa.) The portico over the eastern entrance has been replaced by a wide porch, extending the whole width of the house, supported by iron posts. The old portico has been erected over the southern entrance to the western or men's apartment. The benches in this part of the house have been nicely cushioned, which adds much to the comfort of attendance. The old wood stoves in the western apartment are to be disposed of, and will be replaced with coal stoves, which will tend to make the house warmer and more comfortable in cold weather. W. Tenth month 23d.

-At the recent session of Abington Quarterly Meeting, held at Byberry, the question which had been laid over from the sitting at Gwynedd, in Eighth month, again came up of appointing a Quarterly Meeting Committee on Temperance Work. The women's branch have such a committee, and have asked the men to coöperate with them. The conclusion was minuted by men's meeting, that way did not open at this time for the appointment.

-Our friend Margaretta Walton, who had been engaged for some weeks in visiting meetings, belonging to New York Yearly Meeting, returned on the 14th inst. to Pennsylvania, and later, to her home in Chester country. She spoke in the meeting at Gwynedd on the 15th.

-Farmington Quarterly Meeting was held at Farmington, N. Y., on 11th month 14th, with about the usual number in attendance. Among those present were Nicholas and Charity Clapp, and William W. and Charlotte W. Cocks, of Mendon. The meeting opened with supplication, and very appropriate remarks were made by Wm. G. Barker and others in regard to the state of our Society. The temperance question also enlisted the attention of the meeting.

On the day of the public meeting, 5th of the week, (and 5th, also, of the month), there were nearly the same number in attendance as the day before, -the gallery not so well filled, but more apparently in the body of the house. John J. Cornell spoke at length, and was followed by a Friend of the other branch of the Society, from North Carolina, in a lively discourse; when the meeting closed. C. Mendon Centre, N. Y.

-Our friend, Dr. Jacob H. Way, who had intended, (as was mentioned by a notice in INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL), to go South, some weeks ago, found himself too unwell to attempt the journey, and has since been severely ill at his home in Atlantic City. He was removed, however, on the 17th inst., to his sister's home at Christiana, Pa., and suffered no injury, apparently, from the trip.

-A private letter from our friend Jonathan W. Plummer, of Chicago, dated 20th inst., says: "I had hoped to write for the INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL before this, but have not yet recruited sufficiently to attempt it. My trip South was short, but gave me opportunity to see and address briefly the students of Fisk University, at Nashville, Tenn., during an afternoon hour set apart for devotion; also to meet a lit tle group in a country chapel near Knoxville, at a meeting appointed by Joseph Schofield, a Friend formerly from Indiana, and now living near Knoxville. In each case the simply presented truth, as seen by us, was warmly received, as I believe it would be almost anywhere, if it was intelligently stated, and sectarian feeling was not aroused."

-Friends at Germantown meeting, (Philadelphia), have been lately holding an after-meeting conference. On the 8th inst., Leedom Sharp read a paper upon the temperance question, which elicited an interesting discussion; on the 15th inst., Rachel W. Hillborn read an essay, intended to develop a view of the essential principles of Friends; and on the 22d, Joseph Wharton spoke extemporaneously in the the conference, discussing the elements of religious faith as found in the different religious bodies.

-The visiting sub-committee, (of the Y. M. Committee), for Providence, in Concord Quarter, paid the third of its series of visits to that meeting, on the 15th inst., and pursued its work there with much satisfaction in the after-meeting conference. The gathering was the largest yet held, the seats on the women's side being insufficient to accommodate women Friends. The members of the committee in attendance were Edmund Webster, Samuel S. Ash, and Clement M. Biddle.

-The sub-committte to visit Darby meeting,— Samuel S. Ash and S. Robinson Cuale,-expect to hold an informal conference with Friends of that meeting, at the house of Clement M. Biddle, (near Darby), on Second-day evening next, the 30th inst.

He who with good gifts most is blest,
Or stands for God above the rest,
Let him so think,-"To serve the dear,
The lowlier children, I am here."

-Jean Ingelow.

SWARTHMORE.

THE foundations for the new observatory have been

FROM MT. PLEASANT, S. C.

building will be completed. The site chosen for it is on the lawn, nearly east of the college building. Meantime, the lens, (six-inch), will be made by Alvan Clark & Sons, at Cambridgeport, Mass., and the apparatus has been ordered of Warner & Swazey, of Cleveland, Ohio. William J. Hall, Superintendent at Swarthmore, accompanied by Morgan Bunting, (who has prepared the plans for the observatory building), made a visit to Cleveland, last week, to see the makers of the apparatus, and especially to inspect their plan of constructing the movable dome, inside of which the telescope is placed. A dome of 12 feet diameter, constructed for use by the great Lick Observatory of California, practically as a model, is now set up and in operation at Warner & Swazey's works, and the plan of its construction appears to be a very great improvement over the domes in use at most of the observatories of the different colleges. The usual experience is that these revolve with difficulty, requiring considerable power for the purpose, and the shutter out of which the telescope is pointed often gets out of order. The one shown at Cleveland revolves very easily, indeed, the pressure of a single pound weight setting it in motion; and the judgment of the visitors was that Swarthmore would secure an excellent apparatus under the arrangement that has been made.

Prof. Robert Ellis Thompson's lecture on Protection, on the evening of the 20th, was heard by the college classes, and a small group of visitors, in the Alumni room. It was an animated and earnest treatment of the subject, and was heard with attention, many expressions of pleasure being heard at the close.

An interesting reunion of graduates of the Providence, R. I., High School was held in that city, on the 13th inst., at which an address was delivered by Prof. William H. Appleton, of Swarthmore, in place of President Magill, who had originally expected to do so. Prof. Appleton referred with considerable fulness to many of the educational topics which are now under discussion. We give elsewhere an extract upon literature as a means of culture.

President Magill delivered his lecture on the Value of a College Education, in the meeting-house at West Chester, on the evening of the 21st. He was attentively heard by a good audience.

The hour of assembling at the Swarthmore Meeting, on First-day mornings, has been changed to 10.45 a. m., to accommodate Friends who may come from Philadelphia in the train leaving Broad street at 9.50 a. m.

But very late in life, and that after experiencing many trials, a man learns to sympathize with a fallen, feeble brother, to help him without inwardly enjoying his own goodness and strength, to humbly understand and appreciate the naturalness, nay, the unavoidableness, of committing a wrong sometimes. -Turgeneff.

charge of the school at Mt. Pleasant, S. C., dated on the 11th inst., says: We commenced school on the 9th inst., in the Methodist church, after having some repairing done to make it as comfortable as possible. It does a great deal better than nothing, and I am glad to have this place to flee to, but it is very inconvenient, and cannot be well heated when the weather is colder, as there is no chimney; we shall · have to run the stove-pipe out of the window on the side of the house. But we shall do the best we can, —as the colored folks always say,—till we can do bet

ter.

I found that Miss Larned had already consulted one or two persons in regard to getting the lumber apart and the débris removed, preparatory to building. They commenced the work to-day. I never saw such a complete wreck. There isn't even a bench or desk left whole; and the lumber is so twisted and broken that very little-much less than I expected-can be used. It may be considered a total loss. It is a sickening sight to me. About half perhaps more than half-of the books were saved,

but no slates.

The school is larger than is usual at its commencement. The children went in on Second-day morning, took their seats, though it was as uncomfortable as you could think, and went about their work just as if they had always been accustomed to the place. They have well learned the lesson of patience under difficulties. We are having delightful weather-very favorable to our situation. I do hope the funds will come in, so we can begin our building as soon as possible.

The storm destroyed the cotton crop entirely, in this vicinity-just whipped the cotton out of the pods, and beat it into the ground. You ought to hear the colored people describe it.

COMMUNICATIONS.

MILTON'S PARADISE LOST, Editors of INTELLIGENCER AND JOURNAL:

I REGRET to see that some Friend objects to the reading of Milton's "Paradise Lost" in the new "Swarthmore Circle,” at West Chester. It is not necessary that we adopt the views of all writers with whose works we become familiar. Would the friend restrict the reading of our members to works of our own-or those only in which our own views are taught? Is it not desirable to become familiar with the various phases of human thought both in the present and the past, and especially as expressed by those who are regarded as the great masters of our English speech? If our principles are rightly founded they surely cannot be shaken by becoming familiar with the views and principles of others. Rather will they thus come to rest on a more secure foundation. I observe with pleasure and satisfaction that " W." has himself read the great work referred to, and that he has not been shaken thereby in his views as to the principles which are the foundation of our religious Society.