right membership, and also that an increased experience of the working of such admissions brought with it hesitation as to accepting the responsibility of the oversight and education of these children. The admission of minors evidently must stand or fall with birthright membership. The total number admitted as minors in thirty-seven years has been 1921.

The admission of adults by convincement has become of recent years far the most important entrance into the Society. In the early period of 1862-6 convincements brought in 73 annually, whilst those born. of parents who were members, together with removals into the Yearly Meeting, reinstatements, and admissions as minors averaged 362. In the last period, 1893-7, the annual convincements were 275, and those brought in by all the other entrances amounted to 243 only. If convincements had remained as in the early period, our Society would be dwindling at the rate of 100 per annum, instead of adding that number each year.

We may say that about 1862 there was a parting of the ways. We had too long prided ourselves on our selectness; had said that we were not a proselytizing Society; that members were rather to be weighed than counted. We had learned to expect to be but few, and had scarcely realized that continual diminutions year after year could have but one issue, in the death of the organization. Year after year we had asked, "Is there any appearance of convincement among you?" and the answer was generally in the negative. Late, but not too late, we begin to realize the fact that it was not enough to hold the truth, but it was also needful to spread the truth. Gradually we have become a missionary organization, and are working for results, and the results follow. Yet it is a strange thing that after the Society of Friends has existed for over two centuries, it should still be in doubt as to the wise course to adopt towards those drawing near to us in faith and practice, and should ask the Home Mission Committee to make enquiries, so as to guide our Yearly Meeting next year in its action.

In the thirty-seven years 6813 members were added by admission on convincement, and in the seven periods the annual additions have been 73, 118, 131, 187, 215, 257, and 275: There is much cause for thankfulness, perhaps still more incitement to continued faithfulness to duty.

JOHN MORLAND.

GLAD prophecy! To this at last Shall all things come.

Forgotten be the bugle blast,

And battle music of the drum ; A little while the world may run Its old mad way,

With needle-gun and ironclad,
But truth at last shall reign.

The cradle song of Christ
Was never sung in vain."

It is astonishing how soon the whole conscience begins to unravel if a single stitch drops; one little sin indulged makes a hole you could put your head through.-Charles Buxton.

W. E. GLADSTONE ON WAR. (Continued from last week.)

CAUSES AND COST OF WARS.

WHILE agreeing with my honorable friend in everything he has said as to the deplorable character of war itself, yet I cannot travel with him to such an extent as to say that those wars-wars of liberty— are to be regarded as unmixed evils, however much we may lament that the end which it was desired to attain was not reached by other means.

As to dynastic wars, wars of aggrandisement, needless wars, wanton wars-and I am sorry to say we have not to go far to find them-no words my honorable friend can devise, no words which the wit of man can invent, are strong enough to describe the folly and guilt of such wars.

But I cannot feel myself justified in overlooking distinctions which are real; and it is, I think, a real distinction which may be drawn by the impartial judge between a war made for lawful purposes and carried through with benefit to mankind, and, on the other hand, that prevalence both of a disposition to war and the actual making of wars which have no such justification, and which are to be regarded as an encouragement of unmixed evils, some of the most terrible which can afflict humanity.

While refraining from censuring the conduct which has led to some wars, which has led to some wars, I entirely agree with my honorable friend, that even with regard to the greatest objects—though we may abstain from censuring those objects-yet I go all lengths with him in expressing the desire to devise the means of encouraging other and more national, less costly, and less demoralizing means of achieving the same objects.

My honorable friend (Mr. Henry Richard) has quoted some figures as to the cost of wars, which must have startled the House. He places the cost of wars belonging to the present and belonging to the past, and of preparations for future wars, at £500,000,000 a year in Europe. I wish I could reI believe duce greatly that estimate, but I cannot. my honorable friend has not greatly overstated the mere cost of past wars and of the preparations for future wars. If we take I have not minutely examined the figures but I have no doubt my honorable friend is very near the mark-the actual military estimates at the sum at which he fixes it, £150,000,000, he is also, I think, perfectly justified in saying that the consequence of the withdrawal, from fruitful industries to military purposes, of the mind and the hand of man is in all cases a double cost, because you not only employ a man in that which does not produce, but you likewise withdraw him from the business of production in which he would otherwise be occupied. I am not, of course, saying that this is an argument which is to go against adequate, rational, and becoming measures of defence which every country is bound to take for its own security; but I apply it as an argument of immense force against excess and against extravagance in these matters, and in order that the pecuniary part of the question may be understood, though I am far from saying that that is the whole or even the most important of the various

branches of the subject. If my honorable friend, on account of the withdrawal of labor from peaceful to warlike industry or idleness, as the case may be, doubles his £150,000,000 on that score, I cannot find fault with him, and when he comes to another chapter, namely, the consequences of war, neither can I find fault with him. You have first to consider the effect of your war estimates, and next the effect your military establishments produce by the withdrawal of labor from other pursuits; and, in the third place, the consequence of former wars of which we are now bearing the charge.-Speech in the House of Commons, Debate on Mr. H. Richard's Motion, June 15th, 1886.

RESULTS OF WARS.

In this matter it is wonderful to see how much more easy it is to judge our ancestors than ourselves. It is exactly the case of judging your neighbor as compared with yourself. It is very easy for us to find fault with other nations for being extravagant in their expenditure on their military and naval establishments, but the honorable and gallant gentleman who has just spoken has told us that his friends in foreign armies have pressed upon him the point that we who enjoy the advantages of an insular position ought to afford a better example in this respect to the world. That is, however, a point with regard to which I do not propose to enter into an argument at present.

What I wish to point out is that most of us agree that, as a general rule, the wars which have led to the creation of the national debts of the world have been chiefly dynastic, or reactionary, or religious wars, and that almost all of them have been wrong and unjust. If these wars have left behind them these national debts now passing 4,000 millions-I was not aware that the figures were quite so high-it comes to this, that we have to pay in Europe, in the shape of interest for debt, a sum little short of £160,000,000, which forms a third item to be added to the two items of £150,000,000, which my honorable friend has already included in his computation. I am afraid, then, that £450,000,000, or £500,000,000, is the actual charge in Europe for past wars, and the present preparations for the same end. But this is a pecuniary matter.Ibid.

DISARMAMENT.

My honorable friend says with perfect truth that at one time an endeavor was made by Lord Clarendon, in conjunction with the Government of which I had the honor to be the head, in 1869, to set in motion, if we could, some small measure, which was to be at least a beginning of disarmament. It was not an attempt to combine the armed nations of Europe for that purpose. Lord Clarendon believed-and I shared his belief then, as I still share it—that if you could gather the plenipotentiaries of Europe round a table to hear a discussion on disarmament, their meetings would end in no positive and substantial result, and that the only way in which a measure of disarmament can be initiated is in detail.

It is to take advantage of some occasion when particular countries are in face of each other, burdening their own people, exhausting their own resources, and endangering peace, and to endeavor to prevail on

them, relatively to these particular circumstances, to pursue a more rational course.

Lord Clarendon was apprehensive in 1869 of those results in respect to which his prognostications were so early verified. He thought the relations between France and Germany were menacing to Europe, and he endeavored to prevail on those two countries to begin the good work of some small measure of disarmament. It is not for me to refer to this matter in the character of a judge between those two great countries. What happened was simply this: The French Government adopted the first part of Lord Clarendon's proposal to this extent that they offered to make a reduction in their army of 10,000 men. That was not a large reduction, but still it was a reduction. On the other hand, the Government of Germany stated that the force they had under arms was smaller in proportion to their population than the force of France, and that, consequently, they could not undertake to make any reduction whatever. To address other Powers on this subject is a very serious step. When Lord Clarendon made overtures to France and Germany there was nothing in our policy in any portion of the globe that at all weakened our position or made it otherwise than desirable to be the authors of such overtures.

This was an essential point. It was necessary that we should stand recti in curia, and that we should not be met with the remark, "What are you doing yourselves? You preach the Gospel of Peace, but are your hands free from the stain of blood? Have you purged yourselves effectually of that stain, and have you retired from the position into which you were driven ?”—Ibid.

(Conclusion to Follow.)

PRINCIPLES AND TESTIMONIES OF FRIENDS.

NINTH MONTH 4, 1898.-No. 36.

AMUSEMENTS.

GOLDEN TEXT.-Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. -I. Cor. 10: 31.

In the "golden age" when literature and art flourished as never since, and body and brain were trained to their highest ability, man lived for beauty and for pleasure. Let us get the most out of this material world, was the spirit, for to-morrow we die. The Church, in mediæval times, reacting from this thought, said: The things of this world are a delusion, the body delays the soul, and he is the greatest saint, who most thoroughly crucifies the flesh. So with mistaken conviction, but reverent faith, holy men served God by retiring into caves of the earth, into mountain solitudes, by wearing hair-cloth garments, by living unwashed and unshorn, and by many other means, mortified the body that the soul might live. History records many whose faith sustained them in an almost living death, and we, too, though deploring the manner, can but canonize in our hearts such loving, devoted service.

These are extreme conceptions of human life. Between lies the golden mean-the answer to the question, "What is life for?" It has recently been

said, "The majority of our people are still avowed pessimists. The things of God still stand for Light, the things of God's world for Darkness."

How much better to accept this world as a beautiful gift of God, not meant to weigh down the spirit, not meant to test the resisting power of the spirit, but designed to give it wings! We cannot answer for another, but how important for us to ask: What is the object of my life? How may I use its blessings, its pleasures, its opportunities, that I may fulfill the Father's thought of me? Longfellow asked this in a time of deep depression, and his answer was "A Psalm of Life," and he says he kept it in manuscript for some time, being unwilling to show it to any one, it being a voice from his "inmost heart." Let us take his answer as our own, and make it another golden text for the day:

Not enjoyment and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way,
But to act that each to-morrow
Finds us farther than to-day."

We are not here for amusement, we are not here for sorrow. We are here as in a school, which we believe is only an incident in a life which shall have no end; here to grow into the likeness of One, who was sent long ago for a Pattern; One who came in the likeness of our own flesh, touched with our infirmities, tempted in all points like as we, and yet without sin. Not essentially a Pattern as to outward daily life and circumstance, but we are to live in our day, in the spirit of the Master, and that means in loving obedience to the Father, whose perfect Son he was.

This beautiful world was not meant for a vale of tears, but to help us live free, wholesome, rational, beautiful lives. If this is our object, we shall examine our conduct, our pursuits, our amusements, to see if they are consistent with our ideal. Are we using the good things in this world so that they contribute to our growth? Does our indulgence in a certain pleasure hinder our own or our neighbor's progress in the true life? Do not let us encourage a cramping asceticism. One may innocently indulge in a pastime which another may enjoy in a wrong manner, and to his own injury. One may abuse a privilege which for another is an innocent pleasure. Ask "Is this thing absolutely and always wrong, or has it a right use?" It has been said that "The highest test of a man's bodily powers is the distance to which they can project the soul on its true course." It is a duty to keep the body at its best; it is a duty to keep the mind at its best, and to this end healthful amusement or recreation is as necessary as our food. Our amusement should tend to physical or mental growth, or to rest a tired body, or relax a weary brain. Time and experience frequently change our idea of what constitutes amusement. At one time we may have enjoyed a kind of humor or joke or game, or place of entertainment, which we have since outgrown. Perhaps we once enjoyed a pleasure which now seems wrong, either harming us directly or placing our influence upon the wrong side. Perhaps we are even now taking part in some amusement which we need to think about more carefully. Are we acting so that

"each to-morrow finds us farther than to-day?" If we find our own standards to change, and that our ideal beckons us a little farther than it did yesterday, let us remember to exercise charity toward those whose ideas of amusement do not entirely accord with ours. How important for the parent not to place countless restrictions upon the growing child. Do not say "It is wrong to play that," "It is wrong to go there," without giving a reason, or allowing the child to find a reason. Keep the conscience tender, keep his confidence, and keep the little mind and heart set to a purpose of earnest living. Let him find that for every pleasure denied there is another and legitimate one in store (do not we older folk discover this?) and that life is just as pleasant as before. Let him learn above all, for he can so early do so, to look within for approval or condemnation for his doings,-"Fed from within with all the strength he needs."

Some one, writing on "The Christian in the World," has said a word appropriate to our lesson: "God made the world for his children and gave them all that is in it richly to enjoy.

All life is ours, all material things, and all activities. They all belong to God's children, who are to ascertain their right use, and so use them. Christian is to learn how to discriminate between the

The

Friends' Intelligencer and Journal.

EDITORS: HOWARD M. JENKINS. LYDIA H. HALL. RACHEL W. HILLBORN. PHILADELPHIA, EIGHTH MONTH 27, 1898.

A STATISTICAL STUDY. THE report annually made to London Yearly Meeting of the changes in membership of Friends in Great Britain affords some interesting points for study, and is not without value, we think, for Friends in this country.

A suggestive fact is connected with its beginning. The report was first made in 1862, and the Society then showed a decline. This had been progressing, no doubt, for a considerable time, and it terminated when the reports began to be systematically made, and the Yearly Meeting and its subordinate meetings began to have a definite knowledge what the situation really was. The return for 1862 showed a nett loss of 18 members. But in the five years following, the period 1862–67, there was a nett increase of 84 members, and 613 "attendance."

The tide turned, therefore, at that time. In 1862 there were 13,844 members and 3,180 attenders; in 1897 there were 16,854 members, and 7,470 attenders. In the former the gain approached 25 per cent., while in the latter-the source ffom which new members chiefly come, no doubt-there was an increase of nearly 135 per cent.

The death-rate, and this compared with the birthrate, is very interesting. In the five years 18671871 the average annual death-rate was 20.7 per thousand members, whereas it then fell in periods following to 20, to 19, to 16.5, to 15.6, and in 1897 to 15.3, which it is reasonably remarked is "as low as can be expected." Exactly what is signified by this lower death-rate we do not find explained, but we suppose it means for one thing a larger proportion of young members of the Society. Where the members' ages are beyond the average the death-rate is of course higher.

The births, however, of members have also declined. In 1862-1866 the average annual number of birth-right members added was 268, and since it has steadily run down to 241, to 215, to 183, to 170, and now to 154, which is but 9.5 per thousand. In thirty-seven years the deaths of members have numbered 9,682 and the births 7,815.

The obvious consequence of this is that the Society's gains are made by convincement, and this is making an important though very slow change in the body. "In 1862-6 more than twice as many individuals entered the Society by birth as came in by

convincement, as minors, or by reinstatement, taken together. In the returns of 1894-8 considerably more than twice as many were admitted by monthly meetings as were born into membership. Probably, up to the present time, birthright members form the majority of the members of the Society of Friends in England, but in a few more years it will not be so."

All these points are suggestive for our body of Friends. Unfortunately we have not until now developed a complete system of orderly statistical reports. There has been a disposition rather to avoid than to obtain an exact knowledge of the Society's condition. The action of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in 1897, however, directing returns of membership to be annually sent up, joined to the system prevailing in the other yearly meetings, will, it is to be hoped, improve the situation.

BIRTHS.

ATLEE.—At Riverton, N. J., Seventh month 27, 1898, to Joshua Woolston and Anna Biddle Atlee, a son, who is named Charles Biddle Atlee.

BRICK. At Medford, N. J., Eighth month 3, 1898, to Harry and Lorena M. Brick, a son, who is named Henry Russell Brick.

MARRIAGES.

PYLE—ATKINSON.—At Friends' meeting-house, Upper Dublin, Montgomery county, Pa., under the care of Horsham Monthly Meeting, Eighth month 17, 1898, Louis Ralph Pyle, of Newlin, Chester county, Pa., son of Joseph H. and Sarah Pyle, and Mary, daughter of Albert and Phebe H. Atkinson, of Upper Dublin.

DEATHS.

CARPENTER.-Departed this life at her home in Mount Kisco, Seventh month 30, 1898, Phœbe Carpenter, widow of Zopher Carpenter, in the 89th year of her age; a member of Mount Kisco Meeting.

This dear Friend had been an invalid for fourteen years, unable to walk without constant pain. During that time none knew her to murmur or complain. Very precious and instructive is it to remember the bright example of her life. The kindness of her spirit shed its light upon all, without distinction or respect of person, and in her conduct she was careful to observe the "Golden Rule" of doing unto others as she would be done unto. S. E. G.

HALLOWELL.-At Red Cliff, Colorado, Eighth month 19, 1898, Franklin Hallowell, son of the late Yarnall and Mary A. Hallowell, of Abington, Montgomery county, Pa. ; a member of the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia. LEEDOM.-At Norristown, Pa., Eighth month 10, 1898, Silas J. Leedom, in the 95th year of his age.

LONGSHORE.—Eighth month 19, 1898, Thomas Ellwood Longshore, in his 86th year; a member of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia.

PHILLIPS.—At the residence of her nephew, William Henry Price, in Baltimore county, Md., on 3d of Eighth month, 1898, Lydia Phillips, aged 70 years.

She was a daughter of William and Ann Phillips, who with a large family moved from Nottingham to Upper Oxford Township, Chester county, Pa., about the year 1844, and that year were received by certificate members of Penn's Grove Meeting.

Lydia continued a member there until her death, having resided continuously in the neighborhood except the few declining years of her life. She always maintained a deep in

terest in the meeting and its members, which was reciprocated by the love they bore for her.

She was always a welcome guest and helper on festive occasions; and "Aunt Lydia," as she was generally called, was a ready, sympathizing friend and aid in times of sickness and death. She never gave way to anger or censure, but always looked upon the bright side of life, professing little but practiced the Christian virtues, which brought to her peace, happiness, and contentment.

She realized many months before her close that her bodily powers were gradually giving way, and although suffering much at times, she retained her calm and peaceful spirit to the last and enjoyed the company of her friends.

She awaited the change with patience and resignation and would frequently say, "but a little longer."

Her remains were taken to Penn's Grove for interment, where a solemn meeting was held and testimony borne to her worth and character; but the feeling was expressed that she needed no praise, as her enconium was written upon the hearts of the people, and her good influence would expand as the ripples caused by the dropping of a pebble in the quiet water of the sea.

She was a sister of the late Mary R. Parker, of Tacoma, Washington, who passed away but a few days before.

S. H. B. PYOTT.-In Norristown, Pa., Eighth month 10, 1898, Susan, widow of George Pyott, in the 85th year of her age.

She had been an invalid for several years and deprived of mingling with her friends, except those who came to her home; but always manifested an interest in the Society, of which she was a birthright member, and was often heard to say as Friends were leaving her house to go to meeting, "I wish I could go with you."

Interment was made on the 15th, at Friends' buryingground, at Plymouth.

*

TRUMP.-At the residence of his brother-in-law, Frank E. Chesterman, Lansdowne, Pa., Eighth month 16, 1898, David Furman, son of Magaret F. and the late Watson M. Trump, in his 25th year; a member of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia.

WHITE. -In Mount Holly, N. J., Eighth month 15, 1898, Beulah Sansom White, wife of Barclay White, and daughter of James and Elizabeth S. Shreve, in the 84th year of her age.

ANNA M. GREEN.

Anna M. Green, a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, wife of James B. Green, formerly of Quakertown, Pa., and daughter of the late William S. and Ann L. Stokes Emley, of near Bordentown, N. J., died Fifth-day, Eighth month II, in her 65th year. She was for a long time superintendent of Friends' Mission Sewing School, and in recent years energetically and conscientiously engaged in the Children's Country Week Association, even up to the time of her last illness. She was also actively interested in the Woman's Health Protective Association, and other philanthropic work.

She anticipated attending the Richmond Conferences, but Man proposes, God disposes," and He saw meet to remove her to the higher life, which, as the Apostle says, is " far

better."

She leaves her husband and two sons, W. Chapman Green, of Denver, Col., and S. Walter Green, of St. Louis, Mo.

Of the many acceptable testimonials to her memory, these words seemed most fitting : "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my children ye have done it unto me.” And again, "She hath done what she could. . Verily I say unto you, wheresoever the Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."

*

Love never contracts its circles; they widen by as fixed and sure a law as those around a pebble cast into still water.-J. R. Lowell.

NEWS OF FRIENDS.

FAIRFAX QUARTERLY MEETING.

Fairfax Quarterly Meeting held at Lincoln, Va., Eighth month 13, 14 and 15, we feel was an interesting and profitable occasion. A wash-out near Washington prevented attendance by Friends coming by rail from the East in time for the meeting of ministers and elders on Seventh-day, but those from the Shenandoah Valley crossed the river at Snicker's Gap, in the face of some risk, among them the venerable Samuel L. Pidgeon. Martha S. Townsend, of Baltimore, who had come on Sixth-day, was with us to edification. We held our First-day School in the hour before the assembly for worship First-day morning, and think it better to do so than to drop this exercise on these occasions when a mutual advantage should result to us and to our visiting friends from their participation. The work of the ministry, when the house was occupied by a large and decorous assembly for worship on this day, devolved on our home ministers, Jesse Hoge and Phineas I. Nichols, and the Friend from Baltimore. The writer was impressed that the gospel of Jesus was presented in simplicity and clearness, so that many not Friends went away saying, "we endorse that as the truth.".

On Second-day, the meeting was satisfactory in numbers present, although a camp meeting was in progress not many miles from Lincoln. The speakers of the day before, also Edward B. Rawson and Milton Schooley taking part in ministry. Again it seemed our meeting was a profitable one. The business session, held after a recess for lunch, was mainly devoted to inquiry into the state of the Society. Third-day morning was held our First-day School Union, all the Quarterly Meetings were represented by delegates. Valuable papers were read by Sarah Troth, of Wood-lawn; S. Elizabeth Nichols, of Goose Creek (Lincoln); Cassie Pidgeon, of Hopewell; and Mary F. Steer, of Waterford. They were of a most practical character, bearing on the successful conduct of schools and classes. Discussion of the papers or of their subjects was well sustained and spirited; it was altogether the most enthusiastic union yet held in this Quarterly Meeting.

David W. Branson and wife, Ann B. Branson, obtained a minute from Hopewell Meeting, endorsed by our Quarterly Meeting, with the purpose of religious service in the limits of the Western Yearly Meeting, attending the Conference on their way.

Correspondence Friends' Intelligencer.

FROM ELIZABETH POWELL BOND.—III. KESWICK, ENGLAND, Eighth month 2. A VERY kind invitation from the Wilsons, long-time friends and co-workers of my brother and sister, took us on Seventh-day, Seventh month 23, to their hospitable home on Osgathorpe Hill, overlooking the oft smoke-shrouded city of Sheffield. This noble home has already been written of in the INTELLIGENCER. our afternoon drive with Mrs. Wilson it was a pleasant surprise to pass through the little village of Ecclesfield, for many years the home, and now the

In