Among these was the late John M. Ogden, of Philadelphia, who died in 1882, aged ninety-one years, a builder by occupation, a citizen of distinction, and many years a valued elder of Green Street Monthly Meeting. His wife was Harriet Middleton, of the Middletons of Mount Holly, N. J., daughter of Gabriel Middleton, also a well-known Friend, who adhered to the old style of dress to his death, wearing, it was said, the last of the "knee-breeches." By inter-marriages the Ogdens are connected with many other families; the index shows besides shorter lists, extended ones under Abbott, Bartram, Cuthbert, Davis, Horne, Lewis, Lippincott, Lockwood, Long, Pancoast, Perkins, Roberts, Smith, Street, Thomas, Townsend, and White. The Cuthbert branch was formed by the marriage of Mary Ogden, daughter of Joseph, to Captain Anthony Cuthbert, an active citizen before and during the Revolution. Joseph Ogden, her father, was a merchant, an innkeeper, and keeper of the "Middle Ferry" over the Schuylkill, at Market street, in Revolutionary times. such duties could not be properly trusted to an open meeting like a monthly meeting, as it would be likely to lead to much difficulty from the expressed judgment or desire of inexperienced or prejudiced persons, and that so important a subject could not be properly treated but by a committee at once discreet and experienced. And from this standpoint I would regard it as extremely injudicious to open the meetings of this committee to the indiscriminate attendance of all our members. I would have no objection to one who may express a concern to sit with them being allowed the privilege, as is now already provided for in the Discip ine of some of the yearly meetings. This is a matter in which we should not be guided by mere sentiment, but in which we need the exercise of our best judgment. When in these meetings we are answering the queries, for instance, we find there is some delinquency on the part of a minister which quiet, judicious. care could and would remedy, it certainly would not The book is liberally illustrated, having over be wise to discuss such a subject in an open monthly seventy portraits, thirty-four views of houses, old or quarterly meeting, nor with a large proportion of family relics, etc., and some dozen coats-of-arms. A the members present. section of Thomas Holme's "Map of Original Purchases," showing the location of David Ogden's original purchase in Middletown, is also given. The book brings to our geneological collections a valuable contribution of material, much of it new. We congratulate the editor on his excellent work. It seems to me if the suggestion contained in the account of Ohio Yearly Meeting be adopted, it will destroy the usefulness of the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, and lay the foundation for the discontinuance of that meeting. And while I know there is a good deal of feeling tending in that direction, I as an individual should much regret the loss of strength that MEETINGS OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS. meeting has been to me in the exercise of my gift, Editors FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER : I NOTICE in your issue of this week [17th] that two of your correspondents, P. G., and J. T. H., in referring to the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, call it the Select Meeting. While I am fully aware that this term is very commonly used in all parts of our Society, I nevertheless regard it as improper, and am always pained when I hear it. First, it is a misnomer. That meeting is no more select than is the Representative Committee or any other Committee to whom is delegated a special service, and whose meetings are regulated either by the Discipline or by the appointing power. Second, it tends to create and foster an unfounded prejudice against that meeting, under the false idea that it is somewhat of an exclusive or aristocratic body, and by the creation of that prejudice more or less impairs its usefulness. more If the functions of that meeting were clearly and generally understood, I believe much of the antagonism felt in relation to it would disappear. If it were looked upon as what it is, a committee to have the general oversight of the Ministry, and the facts were understood that its regular meetings are designed to meet emergencies that may arise regarding the ministry, that its queries are instituted to inquire into the consistency of the life one should lead to whom is entrusted the gift of the ministry, as well as of those who are to judge of the character and evidence given of such a gift,—I think it would be readily seen that under our form of disciplinary government, and I believe it will be a serious loss to the Society, when the duties now devolving upon that meeting are relegated to the monthly meeting. For these reasons I deprecate the use of any terms. that shall tend to bring that meeting into disrepute, experience, to be an unfounded prejudice. or foster what seems to me, after nearly forty years' Baltimore, Ninth month 17. JOHN J. CORNELI.. THE PROPOSED COLONIAL EXTENSION. I READ with great interest the account of the visit of be maintained in these islands? I do not think the Friends meant to be so understood; but I fear their reply will be so interpreted. I think the proper reply should have been, "Do not hold one foot, except by the peaceable agreement of all parties concerned, and military occupation and compulsion." Our Declaranever attempt to insure good government by foreign Since tion of Independence says, "Governments derive their a Liberal of the 17th rather than of the 19th century. mind is open; no decision has been reached by me, The late deplorable war, now happily brought to a close, has caused a most lamentable revolution in the policy of our government. We have commenced to follow the colonial policy of European nations, and have inaugurated an era of foreign conquest and subjugation, that must prove most injurious to our material and moral welfare. Our army is to be increased from about 28,000 to perhaps 140,000, and our Navy in proportion. What an incalculable increase of expense and of pensions, which amounted to $140,000,000 before the war. But far more to be deplored than the money loss is the moral deterioration, our children imbued with the spirit of strife and national animosity; building toy forts bristling with miniature cannon, etc. Great as is the loss and misfortune to Spain, I think it will be still greater to our own country. O, that our statesmen, our diplomatists, and all our people, would re-read and take to heart the advice of our immortal Washington in his farewell address, where he says: "Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, humor, or caprice? Observe good faith and justice toward all nations, cultivate peace and harmony with all. . It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted virtue and benevolence." D. FERRIS. Wilmington, Del., Ninth month 17. Conferences, Associations, Etc. NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN.-A regular meeting of the Young Friends' Association of New York and Brooklyn was held in the Library Room, 16th street and Rutherford Place, on First-day evening, the 25th. The newly elected officers, D. Fred Carver and Dorothy Dresler were at the table, and about fifty in attendance. The Executive Committee reported names of Friends to serve on the following committees: Lookout, Publication, Conference, and Executive Committee of the General Conference. The Kindergarten Committee, composed mostly of young Friends, but not under the care of our Association, gave an interesting report. A mission kindergarten was held from the 20th of Sixth month till the 2d of Ninth month, in one of the rooms of the Friends' Seminary. The attendance was about thirty, near the end. Twice a week the Flower Mission sent bouquets to the children. Henry M. Haviland read a most profitable paper, entitled "An Early Liberal." It gave a concise account of the life and works of George Fox, who, he said, was one of those liberal that are sometimes called disturbers of the peace. His serious manner of living led him away from the follies of youth and at an early age deep spiritual truths were revealed unto him. The simple following in his footsteps would make of us In the discussion which followed, we were reminded that After some announcements, the usual period of silence MOORESTOWN, N J.-A meeting of the Young Friends' Association was held Ninth month 9, with the vice-president presiding. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved, after which the report of the Executive Committee was read. Frank M. Bartram reported for the History Committee, by giving a history of our Conferences since their organization. Deborah W. Coles, on behalf of the Literature Committee, read two selections from "Quaker Poems.” Rebecca Ballinger reported for the Discipline Committee, by reading a portion of an article by Edward B. Rawson, Christianity as Friends See It." Annie Cooper Lippincott gave an interesting account of After roll-call and a moment of silence, meeting adjourned. Educational Department. CONFERENCE AT FIFTEENTH AND RACE STREETS. WE call attention to the notice elsewhere given of the Educational Conference, under the care of the Educational Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, at 15th and Race streets, on this, Seventh-day, Tenth month 1. There will be an address by Prof. John B. De Motte, on Brains and Thinking." Prof. De Motte is well known as an interesting and attractive speaker. The hour is 2 p. m.,—not in the morning, as usual. SWARTHMORE COLLEGE NOTES. THE regular college year of 1898-'99 was formally opened on In the list of instructors several changes are to be noted. The increase in the number of students is encouraging, and everyone believes that the College will go on enlarging its lists. The present enrolment is 180, which is twenty in advance of any time during the previous year. Of this one hundred and eighty, seventy-one have entered for the first time, most of them joining the Freshman class. Some welcome changes and improvements in the college buildings and campus are to be noted. During the summer the central building has been entirely refitted with new heating apparatus, as the old had proven inadequate. The meetinghouse has also been supplied with comfortable cushions for its benches. Dr. Hull, who has been quite ill for some time in New York, has as yet not returned to college. The college literary societies, which have done so much good in the past, have re-organized and resumed work again. The first regular meeting of the Young Friends' Association was held in the college parlors, on First-day evening, the 25th. The paper of the evening was, "Thoughts on the Richmond Conferences," by Abby M. Hall, and was followed by a talk by President Birdsall on the same subject. there are differences of idea and treatment, both the author substantially agree in desiring an international friendship between the two countries, but without any hampering or entangling alliance. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, issue a " Cambridge Edition" of the poems of Alfred Tennyson, edited by William J. Rolfe, on the same general lines with the CamDiscus-bridge Editions of Longfellow, Whittier, Browning, etc. The greatest care has been taken to have the book on the literary side as perfect as Tennyson's poems themselves, and on the bookmaking side, although the volume contains over 900 pages, a thin, opaque paper is used, which makes a volume entirely convenient to handle. sion followed on the subject of the recent conferences, and GEORGE SCHOOL. School opened on the 15th inst. Fourth-day, the 14th, was occupied in classifying new students and in welcoming old ones. There are sixty-eight new names on the roll this year. On the first Seventh-day evening of their stay with us the students were entertained by an illustrated lecture from Prof. J. Russell Smith, subject, "Friends in Anti-Slavery Days," the same lecture given at the Richmond Conference. Bucks County First-day School Union, held at Buckingham on the 24th, was attended by several members of the faculty, and a number of the students. Prof. George H. Nutt read a paper on "How to prepare a First-day School Lesson, when Lesson Leaves are not used." On the evening of the 24th the first meeting of the Whittier Society was held. The principal literary features were an oration by Grace Woodman, subject "Our Returned Soldiers," recitations by Elsie Wallace, and Marian Rice, Declamation, Patriotism, by Horace Way. A good issue of the Society paper, the Whittier Greenleaf, was presented by the editress, Bertha Perdue. * THE Atlantic Monthly is publishing a series of letters written by Thomas Carlyle to members of his family, chiefly to a married sister, who died a few years ago in Canada, Jenny Hanning. These letters will be read with interest by many; we observe some criticism of them as being merely domestic letters, mentioning small affairs, but they have a distinct value, we think, as showing the close attachment of Carlyle to his kin—the continued unity of their family—and their style is always characteristic. In the same number the Anglo-American question is treated from the American side by Carl Schurz, who opens the number, and from the English standpoint by Albert V. Dicey, the distinguished jurist, who follows him. Though Russia and the Slavs" is the title of an instructive article by Prof. William Z. Ripley, which will appear in the Popular Science Monthly for this month. The rapid growth of Russian civilization, and the prominent position which she is assuming among the modern nations, give the article a popular interest quite apart from its strictly scientific aspects. Other notable articles in the number include "Plant Life in the Canaries,” by Alice Carter Cook, and “ Weather Freaks of the West Indies," by Felix L. Oswald. Aside from the continuation of the depressing war chronicles the Review of Reviews has matter of interest in this month's issue. We include under this designation, a series of Indian portraits made by F. A. Rinehart, the photographer of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, in connection with an account of the Indian congress now in session there, and a review of Dr. Albert Shaw, (editor of the magazine), of Dr. Moritz Busch's recently published memoirs of Bismarck. The department of The Progress of the World," discusses the attitude of the Spanish people toward peace conditions, the new relations between Germany and England, the Czar's proposition for disarmament, the Dreyfus case in France, England's reopening of the Soudan, and other serious problems confronting the European Powers. The hoary watchman keeps his vigil lonely To hail the time when Battle shall be dumb ; O, could some beam across the darkness only Illume the sky and bid the morning come! And still the blind world ever onward swinging Moans in the darkness and the dreary cold, And war's wild discord in her ears is ringing As through the long, gray centuries of old. This fair young New World with the Old World vying, This fair broad empire rimmed with purple seas! And tropic trenches hide the deeds of daring By valor wrought when bugle notes were blown, When life went out from men whose martial bearing Flung out the stars above a fallen throne! So hearts must bleed while fierce, red battle rages; Of War's red passion kindled fierce and long, When thrones and kings shall perish and decay ; When Hate shall die and all that bodes disaster, And Love and Peace hold undivided sway! For God is Love and somewhere down the ages His sway divine shall bid all tumult cease, And on the new earth's fair unspotted pages Shall write the story of the reign of Peace. -BENJAMIN F. LEGGETT. Correspondence of Friends' Intelligencer. FROM ELIZABETH POWELL BOND.—VI. COLWYN BAY, North Wales, 8th month 24. COLWYN BAY is one of the seaside resorts of England, very easily reached from Liverpool and Chester. With its fine beach and its bath-houses on wheels, and its partly-enclosed spaces for minstrel performances along shore, it presents a lively aspect at all hours of the day. The growing town has many charms as a place of residence, sloping upward from the shore of the Irish Sea, with bold promontories to add picturesqueness to the views and wooded glens for nearer delights. Then, it is at the threshold of the inner glories of North Wales. One of our hopes was to make the ascent of Snowdon, now easily accomplished by the railway, which without being obtrusive in the landscape, goes quite to the top. A morning dawned which fulfilled, as we thought, the conditions of wind and sun requisite for the visit to Snowdon, and we set out with high hopes. Alas for the hopes of the traveler in these mountain districts! Our short railroad journey, past the fine ruin of Conway castle, in sight of the famous Menai bridges, and the vast slate quarries that are the great industry of this region, ended at Llanberis, at the foot of the mountain, in one of the gentle rains that Snowdon loves to dispense. We gave up all thought of making the ascent, and contented ourselves with the beautiful waterfall Cunant Mawr, and the lakes Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris, which lie in the basin of the terraced quarries. Later in the day, however, the clouds scattered, and the sun was shining near us, and our hopes beguiled us into the car that had continued its trips to the summit. The open car gave us very beautiful views, as we slowly made our way up the steep ascent. We looked across the greenest valleys to other mountain peaks, along whose sides the grazing sheep soon appeared like white specks against the green; we looked down startling precipices into the Pass of Llanberis far below us. We were very glad we had made the venture! Presently, we had looked our last at the views! For we arrived at the cloud which persisted about the head of Snowdon ; and from this point my diary records, "Our 'view was the same as in a dense fog at sea!" found to be useless to go to the very top; and our car was stopped for the arrival of tourists waiting for the descent. An element of peril entered into this waiting, for the wind was blowing furiously, and we realized our nearness to the edge of the wall we had climbed. We had come up to the "nests for the flying clouds," and could not protect ourselves from them by lowering the curtains; for this would increase the danger from the wind. So, it was a very much dampened company, but a cheerful company still, that slowly made its way down the mountainside, pursued by the cloud nearly to the valley, and thankful to have escaped without harm from a gale that made it necessary to telephone to the station at the foot of the mountain, "Further traffic is suspended.”- This is an oft-told tale of those who try to reach the top of Snowdon. There were glimpses enough permitted us to make us realize the thrilling experience it must be to stand upon that unclouded mountain-top, with its wide expanse of sea, and its twenty lakes, and its billows of mountains. It was It is of little use to try to report the beauties of Bettws-y-Coed, another short journey from Colwyn for radiant sunshine and lovely waterfalls, and one Bay by train, along the Conway river; remembered shadowed glen, and roadsides beautiful with ivy and ferns, and again "travelers' joy." The scenery of Wales is well worth a visit from tourists; but for our "party of three," Snowdon and Llanberis and Bettws-y-Coed are quite incidental to the deeper satisfactions, which can not be all expressed, of our meeting with congenial souls. The home which it has been our privilege to enter here— this will remain in our memory a hallowed spot, The words of Emerson came to my mind— "For well I know, no mountain can LONDON, Ninth month 3. After Wales, came Chester, whose interest is so different. Here it is the quaintness of old-time building that charms us-the Roman wall which is such a fine promenade about the ancient part of the town; the over-hanging stories; the "rows" and arcades that recall Berne and Thun; the timbered houses; the noble cathedral and the ivy-grown ruins of St. John. Warwick and Kenilworth and Coventry all have this charm of quaintness; and then history and romance and poetry have added interests that will never be let die. And for the pilgrims reported in this letter, Warwick will have a new interest henceforth, deep and tender,-the memory of another home. The gentle ministrations of this home will be remembered always; and its historic associations with the martyrdom of early Friends we can never forget. A sunny First-day in Stratford-on-Avon is one of the summer's happy memories. If it had not its associations with Shakespeare, Stratford would still be a pleasant place to linger in. For it has the quaint old timbered buildings-the birthplace of John Harvard is one, and very picturesque; and the old guild hall is most interesting just to look at. Its cleanliness is another of its charms; and the quiet river and the farming country round about. Of course, the suggestions of Shakespeare are at every turn, and there is, too, free use of the familiar bust by Gerard Johnson; but it gives one a fresh sense of the 'reality of his life to pass among the authentic memorials of him. It would be a stolid soul that could Whatever may be in store for us in the days that still separate us from our dear people and waiting work at home, the summer behind us is a treasury of very precious memories. ELIZABETH POWELL BOND. METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY FOR Mean barometer, Highest temperature during the month, 1st, 31st, 30.024 30.256 29.795 76.6 93. 59. 84.9 68.3 23. 8. 16.5 78.6 67.9 8.43 Greatest precipitation in any 24 consecutive hours, 4.57 inches of rain, on the and 3d and 4th. Number of days on which .01 inch or more of rain fell, 13 Prevailing direction of wind from the Southwest. Thunder storms on the 3d, 4th, 5th, 8th, 10th, 18th, 24th, 25th. Meteors on the 6th. SENSIBLE TEMPERATURE DATA. Maximum temperature of wet bulb thermometer at 8 a.m., 77 on 24th. The amount of precipitation for the month is near five inches more than the normal. sit unmoved in Trinity Church, near the burial place degrees above the normal, and three degrees above the corresponding of the great poet, and of his wife and daughters. That beautiful day in Stratford gave us a morning of cloudless sky; an afternoon with gentle showers and vivid rainbow; an evening with brilliant sunset; and then moonlight beside the Avon. And with all this was the realization that Shakespeare had walked these streets, and beside this river-that here he was born, and here he had passed on to the life invisible. sociations are multiplied for the guest in "Red Horse Inn,” where Washington Irving linked his own name with Shakespeare's; and especially for the guest in "Room No. 15," which was Irving's own. As The percentage of humidity was high. On the 3d inst., between 10.50 a m. and I p. m., the most violent electrical and rain storm on record passed over this station, and the central portion of Philadelphia. It came over without special warning, there being but slight changes in pressure, temperature, or wind velocity. The wind continued light during the storm. The temperature fell but 13 degrees. There was some hail and a very heavy down-pour of rain, 4.25 inches falling in about one hour. The accumulation of water was so rapid that many buildings were flooded with the water which flowed into them from the sewers. The electrical forces of nature seemed to be centered over the city; vivid and blinding flashes of lightning occurred in rapid succession, followed by terrific crashes of thunder; from II a. m. to 12 m. the storm appeared to remain nearly stationary over the city. JOHN COMLY, Observer. Centennial Avenue, Philadelphia, Eighth month 31. CURRENT EVENTS. THE United States Peace Commissioners reached Liverpool on the 23d ult., and proceeded to London, where they remained over First-day. They arrived in Paris on the 26th. The meetings are to begin next week. The French Government has placed at the use of the Conference extensive rooms in the Foreign Department building. The Spanish commissioners arrived in Paris also on the 26th. We returned to London on the 29th to make ready for sailing on the 1st: but found ourselves transferred to the Servia, which is to sail from Liverpool on the 6th. The four unexpected days in London seem to be of the nature of a reprieve. It is very pleasant to go leisurely about for last glimpses meetings are to begin next week. of favorite places. We have been happy in once more joining the "Holmes party" for a morning visit Bunhill Fields;" passing the tombs of Bunyan, and DeFoe and Isaac Watts, on our way to the separated portion in which a simple stone marks the burial place of George Fox. It was a disappoint-vestigate the conduct of the war has organized at Washington ment to us that St. Giles, Cripplegate, was closed to visitors on account of repairs, and we could get only glimpses of the interior in which Milton lies buried, and Cromwell was married. to " These friends were to embark yesterday from Boulogne, and it is to be hoped they are finding a quiet, fogless sea. THE Commission appointed by President McKinley to in and begun its inquiries. A program for sending troops to Cuba is said to have been adopted; about 12,000 will go in the next two months. They will be broken up into small detachments as garrisons for the towns. General Garcia, the Cuban leader, informed General Lawton, at Santiago, in an interview on the 25th, that there was a strong feeling among the Cubans in regard to the intentions of the United States, and that they would accept nothing but independence. |