MOVEMENTS IN THE RELIGIOUS FIELD. AT the meeting of the New York Presbytery, in New York, on the 11th inst., a letter from Dr. Charles A. Briggs was read, withdrawing from the Presbyterian Church. The resignation was accepted. Dr. Briggs's letter was, in part, as follows: “After long and careful reflection, I have decided to sever my connection with the Presbytery of New York, and more especially with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. I withhold the reasons for this decision in the interests of peace and quietness. I may simply say that I have remained under your jurisdiction as long as I could do so with a good conscience. I desire to act in all charity toward all my brethren, and, so far as possible, relieve them from responsibility for my action." President Hall, of the Union Theological Seminary, says that Dr. Briggs will continue to hold his professorship in the seminary, as there is nothing in his entering into another branch of the Christian communion to prevent his performing his duties as Professor of Biblical Theology. THE Unitarian body has made for some time past a decided, though slow, growth. The Christian Register, Boston, in a recent issue, has this paragraph : "A correspondent reports that a Western revivalist is prophesying the death of Unitarianism, and asserting that there are seven fewer Unitarian churches in the United States than there were ten years ago. He wishes us to publish the facts in the case. The facts are not important, and nothing to boast of. Indeed, we are ashamed to say that the gain of churches in that time has been only about one hundred and twenty-five." The pro A "BURNING QUESTION in the Methodist Church, for several years, has been that of equal representation of "laymen" with ministers in the annual conferences. These conferences are now composed only of the ministers. posal to establish equal representation has failed in previous years, but this year the measure shows greatly increased support, and is now sure of adoption. It requires a three-fourths affirmative support, and as the votes cast now are entirely those of the ministers, it shows how the influence of the laymen-the non-ministers-is growing. It seems that there is still some disposition to impeach Ian Maclaren," (John Watson), on the ground that he is unsound in doctrine, according to the Presbyterian standards. Dr. Kennedy Moore, who was prominent in last year's attack, has notified the Presbytery of South London that he will move at its next meeting to transmit to the Synod, which meets at Liverpool, on the 25th inst., an overture complaining of the heresy in Dr. Watson's work, "The Mind of the Master, and praying the Synod to take steps "to vindicate the honor and faith of the church." THE question has been asked "When, where, and by who was the first Sunday-school work permanently begun in America?' To which the answer has been given : "There are many claimants for the credit of introducing the modern Sunday-school into the United States. The facts, so far as they are known, are given in detail by H. Clay Trumbull's Yale Lectures on the Sunday-school' (pp. 122, 123). It is known, for example, that in 1786 a Sunday-school was organized, under the direction of Bishop Asbury, at the house of Thomas Crenshaw, in Hanover county, Virginia. Little, however, is known of that school save its beginning. In February, 1790, the Methodist Conference in Charleston, S. C., favored organizing Sunday-schools; but no record is known of any schools founded as a result of this favorable action. In January, 1791, the First-day, or Sunday-school, Society was formed. In 1816 and 1817, local unions for Sundayschool work were organized in New York and Boston and Philadelphia. These unions became the nucleus of the American Sunday-school Union, a national society, organized in 1824." CURRENT EVENTS. THE two Houses of Congress, late on the night of the 18th, agreed on resolutions concerning Cuba, in response to the President's Message. They are as follows: First. That the people of the Island of Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free and independent. Second. That it is the duty of the United States to demand, and the Government of the United States does hereby demand that the Government of Spain at once relinquish its authority and government in the Island of Cuba, and withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. Third. That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, directed and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of the several States to such extent as may be necessary to carry these resolutions into effect. Fourth. That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island, except for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determination when that is accomplished to leave the government and control of the island to its people. In the passage of the resolutions, the Senate and House differed as to their wording, the former, by a vote of 51 to 37, on the 16th inst., having adopted a clause “recognizing” the present insurrectionary organization in Cuba as a free and independent government. The House, on the 18th, by a vote of 179 to 156, refused to agree to this, and it required several hours of conference by committees to adjust the difference, In the first the Senate finally yielding the recognition clause. resolution, as above, the House also desired to strike out the words "are and," after “Cuba, "' but this the Senate conferees would not yield. In the non-recognition of the present Cuban Republic the policy of President McKinley was followed, the Republicans of the House voting with a few exceptions on that side, under the leadership of Speaker Reed. Representative Henry U. Johnson, of the Richmond district of Indiana, opposed any resolutions looking toward war, and so voted. PRESIDENT MCKINLEY signed the resolutions of Congress on the afternoon of the 19th inst., and their text was cabled to Minister Woodford, at Madrid, with instructions to notify the Spanish Ministry of their purport, and at the same time to demand that the military and naval forces of Spain shall be withdrawn at once from Cuba and Cuban waters. The Spanish Government is requested to make formal answer to this demand before 12 o'clock noon, Washington time, on the 23d instant. It is expected that the Spanish Government will at once refuse, and that a military movement will then be begun by the United States. THE Cortes (Parliament) of Spain met at Madrid on the 20th instant. Senor Sagasta, the head of the Government, made an address to the members of his party, the previous day. He declared that Spain would not consent to the loss of any of her territory, and that "acts, not words," were now called for. On receipt of word from Washington of the war resolutions by Congress, the Spanish Foreign Minister sent to the Spanish 'ambassadors at the capitals of other countries, a memorandum to submit to the foreign Governments setting forth the grievances of Spain, showing all Spain has done to avoid war, and saying the responsibility for war rests entirely upon the United States. PREPARATIONS for war have been pushed forward without abatement of haste or expenditure. The four large steamships of the American Line, the St. Paul, St. Louis, Paris,、 and New York, have all been purchased by the Government, and will be converted into "cruisers. Nearly the whole of the regular army is being concentrated in the South, on or near the Gulf coast. It is expected that the President will call for 60,000 volunteers, and will also call into service the militia of the different States. A bill adding new taxes will be immediately passed by Congress, and it is said $100,000,000 new bonds are to be issued. The expenditure for war purposes promises to be very large. AN article in the Philadelphia Press, 19th inst., cautions its readers not to be too sanguine that the war now being entered upon will be "soon over," and is certain of success. It points out that the forts defending Havana may not be so easily reduced" by the warships; in the English attack on Alexandria, the forts after the bombardment were still defensible. Cuba cannot be taken and held by a small force; it will require a large army. Havana has a population of 200,000, and Santiago 71,000, while there are five other cities with 30,000 or more. The Spanish troops in the island are said to be 60,000. The Press does not mention the terribly insalubrious climate at this season, which has been so fatal to the Spanish soldiers. was hardly appreciable, but in lower sections, where moisture accumulated, more harm was done. In the northern parts of the State very little injury was done because the buds were not sufficiently advanced. Dispatches from Chambersburg say the peach orchards in that vicinity are all right, and that no peaches but the Globe and Crawford varieties have been affected. The South Mountain belt is also reported to be in a fair condition with promise of a large yield. A SCION from the old "Penn Treaty "Penn Treaty" elm tree (which stood on the bank of the Delaware River, at Kensington, at the settlement of Philadelphia, and under which William Penn is said to have held his peace treaty with the Indians in 1683), was planted in 1896, in the grounds of the University of Pennsylvania, and is growing vigorously. It was presented for the purpose by Paul A. Oliver, of Wilkesbarre, Pa. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association has now procured a brass tablet which will be placed by the tree on Arbor Day, (22nd inst.), with this inscription: "Scion of the Penn Treaty Elm, A RECENT magazine article says that 500,000 men, with the aid of machinery, now do the work which a few years ago required the labor of 16,000,000. LITTLE MARGARET, gazing at a waterfall, exclaimed: Mamma, the water is coming downstairs. It can't find the steps, so it is just sliding!"-Youth's Companion. ,, A GENTLEMAN observed his little son WILLIAM B. PAXSON. 1518 CHESTNUT ST. MAHLON B. PAXSON. attention. WATCHES. As one of the oldest houses in the watch WANTED. I desire to make copies of the Manuscript "Extracts" of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, between the years 1708 and 1748, both inclusive. A few of them I already have, as follows: trade established three generations ago-and sible care of any handed me, and return them with little 1020 Chestnut St.-2d Floor.' Established 1810 at 824 North Second Street. Please mention FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER, when answering Advertisements in it. This is of value to us and to the advertisers. -The New York Board of Education has made up its "budget" for the year. It includes the expenses of the public school education in all five boroughs of the city. The total cost of public education in Greater New York, this year, will be $10,009, 189, of which more than half is for the schools in the boroughs of Manhattan and Bronx. Brooklyn gets $3,026,939. Of the total $10,000,000, $6,522,936 is for salaries of teachers. In addition to ordinary expenses, the Commissioners also voted to ask for $4,389,000 for new schools in Manhattan, and $1,000,000 for new schools in Brooklyn, so that the grand total demanded is $15,398, 189. -An English paper says that the other day, when Queen Victoria was seated in her drawing-room, with several of her household in attendance, the lamp placed close beside her began to smoke. To the horror and astonishment of the company, the Queen promptly raised her august hand and turned down the flame. Your Majesty," said the lady-in-waiting, in awestruck tones, "why did you trouble to do that yourself?" Because," said the Queen, "if I had called out, This lamp is smoking!' one of you ladies would have said to the equerry, 'See! the lamp is smoking!' and the equerry would have called out to the nearest servant, Here! the Queen's lamp is smoking!' and the servant would have called to a footman to attend to it, and all the time the lamp would have gone on smoking; so I preferred to turn it down myself."' -The United States Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutionality of the act of the New York Legislature of 1895, prohibiting persons who have been convicted of and punished for a crime from practicing medicine in the State. The Court has also sustained the constitutionality of the Civil Service law of the State of Illinois. -The Voice says the farmers of Ohio "are beginning to realize more than ever before what drink costs the hard-workFarmers' institutes this ing tax-payer who never drinks. winter have paid much attention to the subject and the result is a marked increase of Prohibition interest.' -The reindeer relief and exploring expedition in Alaska has been pronounced a failure, the animals proving useless for the purpose intended, and the Government has recalled Captain Brainerd. National Lead Co., 100 William St., New York. A GOOD INVESTMENT. One of the safest of all investments is the bond of a good Pennsylvania water company. Recent decisions of our Supreme Court have determined that when a town has given such a company the right to supply the town with water, the franchise cannot be withdrawn, except for good cause. The Muncy Water Supply Company, of Muncy, Lycoming Co., has just issued First Mortgage Gold Bonds, to run forty years, which are now offered for sale to investors at par and accrued interest from April 1st. They pay FIVE per cent. interest. They are free from State Tax. Interest paid in Philadelphia at the office of the City Trust Company, 927 Chestnut Street. The present revenues of the Company, with about 400 more houses yet to be supplied with warer, are sufficient to pay all expenses, including interest on the bonds, and still leave a surplus. A Sinking Fund has been provided sufficient to pay off all the bonds at maturity, or purchase any that may be offered before maturity, at a price not exceeding 105 and interest. The bonds are in denominations of $500 and $1,000; they are either coupon or registered, as preferred. This is an excellent opportunity for a safe, profitable, and convenient investment. WILLIAM P. HUSTON, 103 Girard Building, Philadelphia. NOTICES. ** The Committee on Philanthropic Labor of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends will meet in the meeting-house, 15th and Race streets, Philadelphia, Seventh-day, Fourth month 30, 1898, at 1.30 o'clock p. m. The Sub Committees meeting as follows : IO a. m. Colored People, Race Street meeting-house at IO a. m. Improper Publications, in Room No 4, at IO a. m. Purity, in Room No 3, at 9 a. m., Women and Children, in Room No. 5, at IO a. m. Temperance and Tobacco, in Room No. 1, at II a. m. Educational and Publication Committee, in Room No 1, at 9.30 a. m. Legislation Committe, in Race Street Parlor, at 10 a. m. JAMES H. ATKINSON, ELEANOR K. RICHARDS, Clerks. ** Mary B. Paxson (829 N. Broad street, Philadelphia), desires, on behalf of the workers in the Beech Street Mission, to thank those who have been forwarding to her periodicals for the use of the Mission. This is now closed for the summer, and she asks that those who have been so kindly sending on their papers for the use of the boys will now cease to send them to her until the Mission is reopened in the autumn. ** A Circular Meeting, under the care of a Committee of Concord Quarterly Meeting, will be held at Chichester, on First day, the 1st of Fifth month. To convene at 3 o'clock. MARY P HARVEY, Clerk. Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting's Philanthropic Committee, believing that much good was done last year by an organization called the Philadelphia Vacant Lots Committee, which gave work to many unemployed, and wishing to help them this year, would ask that any Friend who has or knows of any vacant lot that the Committee might be able to use, would report the same to the Chairman, who will furnish further information. We hope this appeal will be answered by those having the information we desire in regard to lots either in the city or country. JOSEPH F. SCULL, Chairman of Committee, 1438 N. 17th St., Phila. * A Conference under the care of the Philanthropic Committee of Philadelphia Yearly and Bucks Quarterly Meetings will be held in the meeting-house at Makefield, Bucks county, Pa., on First-day, Fourth month 24, 1898, at 2.30 p. m. The meeting will be addressed by Joseph All Grades. S. Walton Subject, "Temperance and Tobacco." All interested are respectfully invited to attend. On behalf of Committee, SUSANNA RICH, Clerk, Woodbourne, Pa New Styles for Spring. Estimates Given. Philadelphia, Penna. YEO & LUKENS, JOSIAH G. WILLIAMS, No. 13 N. Eleventh Street, near Market, (Formerly of 1027 Market Street.) In the spring the housewife's thoughts turn to the renovating of things. This is where my long experience and training enable me to be of help. I will re-upholster your furniture, and can make it look as well, sometimes better, than when it was new. I make and hang curtains and draperies of all kinds, and awnings. And I charge only moderate prices. Brass and enameled bedsteads are coming to be greater favorites every year. They are very handsome and convenient-but that's only part of the reason. They're clean-they're safe; there's no room for doubts and suspicions. It's a wise housekeeper who knows what is in her own mattresses. I know, because it is all put in here in the building, under my own eye; I don't sell factory-made mattresses. To make sure, rip open an unexpected corner, if you like, and peep in. Come and see the new styles, and get prices. Please mention FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER, when answering Advertisements in it. This is of value to us Residence, 216 W. Coulter Street and to the advertisers. THE GUARDIAN SECURITY, TRUST AND DEPOSIT CO., No. 7 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, Md. President, Edward Stabler, Jr. Vice-Presidents, INSURES LIVES, GRANTS ANNUITIES, RECEIVES MONEY ON DEPOSIT, ACTS AS EXECUTOR, ADMIN- All Trust Funds and Investments are kept separate and apart from the assets of the Company. PENN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Carpetings, Linoleum, Window Shades, etc. Benjamin Green, 33 N. Second St., Philad'a. STONE WALL PAPER of Attractive Styles H.C.BODEN & CO. WALNUT & 13TH STS. MANUFACTURING OPTICIANS PHILADELPHIA Royal Blue Line to New York. SWIFTEST AND SAFEST TRAINS Scenic Reading Route to READING, HARRISBURG, GETTYS- Royal Reading Route to ATLANTIC CITY. CLEANI Popular Prices A. L. Diament & Co., 1624 Chestnut St. AND COMFORT. SAF Harriet W Eck SPEED. Telephone Connection. J. LINVILL, Removed to 1827 N. 10th St., Philad'a. |