Another of the converging rays of which we have spoken reached us from the other side of the Atlantic, in a little magazine called the Friends' Review. It was in a paragraph which runs thus-I will give it, entire, statistics and all, for it is very short : of ladies of culture and refinement and artistic taste with young lads of the laboring classes can scarcely fail of being highly advantageous, and those ladies who have tried the work will be the last to smile if we say, advantageous to both-the teachers and the taught. It has been found by those who are making this teaching a life's work, that things of yet deeper import may be taught along with the elementary principles of Art. Instruction in the laws of Art, which are also the laws of "Learn a trade! There are multitudes idly waiting for clerkships and unfilled offices. while mechanical work, more honorable and more remunerative, invites on all sides the efforts of willing hands. It is a fact, as startling as significant, that of 17,000 criminals in the United States, in 1868, ninety-nature and the laws of God, is like a side seven per cent. had never learned a trade."* Some persons may say it is impossible to teach trades to all our boys; it would be too expensive. Are criminals, then, not expensive? And is money better laid out on tools and technical teachers, or on gaols and all the horrible paraphernalia necessary for the repression of crime? Oh, we are too shortsighted in our economies! We have not got by heart the old lesson, "Prevention is better than cure" nay, we forget that there is no cure, in this world at least, for a great deal of the crime and drunkenness, the sin and misery and poverty, that are the direct result of idleness, nor for the wretchedness that springs from vacuity of mind, and idle, useless, unoccupied hands; the utter wretchedness of ennui, known alike to the uncultivated laborer in his leisure hours, and to the fine lady in hers. Another thought connected with the diffusion of this fine art and industrial training is this, that our country is so much the richer for every son of hers capable of producing good work, food, clothing, or works of art. Money's worth, and not money, is real wealth; and, in defiance of Malthus and all his shortsighted theories, we declare that mankind is wealthier in proportion to the power of individual production of things needful for the well-being of body and mind. A good deal is being done in America in the way of technical teaching, and there are signs of its taking hold of the minds of persons interested in education in our own country. The desire of those deeply convinced of the importance of the subject, is to have handwork introduced into our schools, and for voluntary associations to be formed, presided over for the most part by ladies, for the purpose of imparting a knowledge of some one of the "minor arts" to young men and boys of the working classes. The association door, which opens into the great Temple of the Infinite, and the youthful soul may be drawn on to see some glimpses of the wonder and the beauty that dwell within; and he may be taught that this is his Father's house, and that he must be "about his Father's business." In this happy intercourse between classes only now too widely separated, we may find a partial answer to another of the Sphynx problems of our day, and a bridge, strong as adamant and lovely as the rainbow, will be found to arch over that terrible gulf, which otherwise may demand, ere it close, far other sacrifice. HANNAH MARIA WIGHAM. THE DIVINE WORD. Every day, and many times each day, are we met by the old warning: Choose ye this day which ye will serve! Here the divine light and the divine love beckons us with its infinite upleadings and its high blessedness; there, the world, with all its old false promises of a peace it can never give its miserable thirty pieces of silver paid in exchange for a man's soul. Which will we choose? Well for us if the higher voice have charmed us so sweetly that we can only find our peace in listening to it, and gladly following where it leads! Well for us if the world's babble of gain, of reward, have for us no allurement ! For, if we yield to the lower prompting, going forth from the divine presence of the good, we shall most surely find the shadows closing about us. The night has come-that night which always sets in upon passion unrestrained or a self-willed blindness. And, oh! how dark is that night! Heaven be praised! No mistake can be wholly irremediable. Though we turn our backs on the light-the highest we have seen, the best we have known-that light still shines to lure us back, that divinely better than our human best forever draws us. Still, the Man-Christ constrains the heart of the Judas betrayer. For, when we have done of the higher voice; have gone away-very our worst; have yielded to the lower instead far away, as the poor Prodigal departed into a far country," and have " spent our sub This injunction occurs frequently in the Scriptures and is very full of meaning. We all know that the human system has times of feeling "let down," as we express it. Times when the tone is low and feeble. This applies to our mental condition as well, and many are accustomed, at such times, to resort to tonics or stimulants to restore a vigorous tone or condition. So I think it is with our spiritual nature. There are times when we seem to sink to a low plane, and experience "poverty of spirit," as ancient Friends were accustomed to express it. In dwelling upon this, it has seemed to me that the causes for these depressions are not unlike. These times of weakness generally follow some period of unusual effort or excitement, and are really periods of reaction when we sink below the ordinary level, that the average which nature requires may be restored. The question, then, is how far shall we go? Have we a right to overtax ourselves in any way? Is it not our duty to maintain as nearly as possible an equable condition? We e recognize that there are periods of "storm and stress," when it becomes necessary to expend unusual energy; but nature de mands that rest should follow. This is the natural restorative, and in this age of pressure it becomes increasingly important that this rule should be observed. energy of position, or energy at rest." So it seems to me there is a spiritual force which is not always in action, but as the word diligence implies, is attentive, heedful, constant. "Let thine eyes look straight on and thine eyelids straight before thee," is an injunction of like import. There may be times of peculiar enlightenment, comparable to being upon the Mount, as was Moses, when the Lord shows us a pattern of the work He would have us do, or the creature He would have us be. Afterward, in "our daily round, our common task," we may follow this pattern with the grace which He bestows upon all who will receive it. So let us endeavor to keep up our tone, not falling to the supposed level of others, but with "loins girded and lamps clear and burning," live always as on the watch. H. A. P. PROHIBITORY LEGISLATION. The opening number of Friends' Intelligencer, for 1883, comes to us with much of interest. An article on the "Suppression of Intemperance," claims a careful reading. "What kind of legislation will best suppress the evils of intemperance," is its leading question. The Scripture injunction, "Cease to do evil. Learn to do well," is as emphatic now as formerly. Let Friends endeavor to act upon it, believing and asserting that no Christian community can license or sanction any custom calculated to permanently injure or degrade the human family. Can a government honestly derive a revenue from any trafic which persistently pauperizes the people-a government professedly instituted for the protection of the governed? Is it not unwise legislation which permits and profits by a truffic that is filling our insane asylums and prisons with wrecked and hopeless victims? Stand, hopeless victims? We are told that large monied interests are involved that, were it withdrawn, trade would be deranged and all classes of the community suffer. Admit it; great evils are never uprooted without some sacrifice. When we cease to do evil, we learn to do well, and what monied interest weighs in the balance when integrity and virtue are sacrificed? We may well tremble for a political economy that ignores both. Jesus says, "Let your loins be girded and your lamp burning." Paul says, "Stand, therefore, with your loins girded." These conditions are not necessarily active, therefore not exhaustive. They simply imply watchfulness and readiness, and are not incompatible with rest. They indicate a preparation for action. We must be on our guard and not suffer ourselves to be unduly occupied with minor matters, allowing our attention to be directed from the main and important object. Another duty coincident with this is the education of the children. Traditionally, social customs have blinded our eyes to the importance of this subject, making us apathetic or indifferent. Many of us have times of devotion, when we feel that we could become martyrs, and the next hour or the next day forget all about it. This is not the right position of the soul, not the alert receptive attitude which is enjoined. "There is imperative need of a revised "Keep thy heart with all diligence"-science of political economy, prepared in full keeping and doing imply different conditions. view of the facts,and in a truly scientific spirit." Force is defined as energy of motion, and Let us spare no pains in teaching the young ་ the nature and effect of alcoholic stimulants | soil, immense water power facilities, for build upon the human system-teach them that the ing the materials being abundant, with & use of it brings desolation and disease. Teach healthy location, almost if not quite unthem that few forms of disease admits of its equalled. medical administration, and that their duty and ours makes it necessary to be informed with regard to the developments of scientific truth on this subject. Thus may we mould the young mind and while saving it for future usefulness we may build up a community prepared for wiser and better legislation. Were parents and teachers alive to this subject, did they feel the need of a revised system of education, one that places the moral standard of a nation above its financial interests, a few years might show a more cheering aspect in the political world than we can now exhibit. E. P. C. Philadelphia, Second mo., 1883. For Friends' Intelligencer. I hope the opportunity now offered will be embraced, and that the time may not be far distant when some of those to whom this and other reservations were solemnly guaranteed by our government, may as graduates of such an institution, become intelligent cultivators of its superior soil, and demonstrating their appreciation of the advantages of civilized life. Clarksboro, New Jersey. A. J. PEASLEE. For Friends' Intelligencer. To visit those who need alms, has ever been considered a sacred duty, and no system of social science can be so perfected and refined as to make the friendly visitation an unnecessary part of charitable work. The patient and perfect man of the antique world in his retrospect of life could declare with meek self-approval that the cause that. he knew not he had searched out. A system of faithful visitation of those who are believed to be in need of charitable relief is now in operation in many of our great cities, and it is reasonable to hope that a general elevation of the class from which pauperism springs, may in time be effected by this energetic policy, followed by judicious counsel and timely help in the right direction. The right direction is ever toward self-help, where such self-help is at all possible. Money earned is ever better than that received as alms, and the bread won by honorable toil, far sweeter than that granted to the solicitation of want. I have been deeply interested in an article in the Intelligencer from the pen of our esteemed friend Stephen R. Hicks, as also the notice on the subject a few weeks since, in regard | to "Further Aid toward Indians," and fully believing that the position of our Society as friends of the red man, both in early and later times, points to the propriety of our embracing instead of ignoring the opportunity now offered by the government to those interested in the improvement and elevation of those descendants of a race which so kindly received and cherished those of our faith, who were the early pioneers in the settlement of lands then an almost unbroken wilderness, since become the abode of a high type of christian civilization, affording them succor and nourishment in seasons of sore need, shall not our actions upon this opportunity for doing good to that Where faithful counsel is disregarded, and people, since the field lately occupied by us help which would lift up the dependent and seeins now about to close, still further testify needy into the ranks of independent workers, our unfaltering desire to afford an undoubted is rejected, the natural inference is that the evidence of our gratitude that the firm friend-proper dignity of humanity is, in a degree, lost. ship and "unbroken faith" which long existed between "Onas" and his successors and the aborigines of our land is still on our part held in sacred reverence. In regard to the Otoe Reservation and the opportunity there furnished of securing a desirable location for an Industrial School, I entirely agree with Barclay White, who has abundant knowledge of that section and its many advantages, indeed in my travels in that country, a few years since, as one of a committee to visit the reservations under the care of our Yearly Meeting, I saw no locality that appeared to combine more advantages for a settlement of Friends, should they incline to make one, than that part of the Otoe Reservation. The natural advantages such as great fertility of The friend of the poor is not entirely disheartened even when many attempts toward the best help fail, but strives to awaken the better and nobler nature with a sort of divine persistence, that will take no denial, and that shows by its unselfishness, that it is seeking the highest good of the recipient. The utmost effort may fail of its primary object, and the degradation of sunken humanity be beyond the reach of the most loving and faithful human aid; but the ministrant who has labored for the good of others, striving to be eyes to the blind and feet to the lame, never fails of a blessed growth toward the Eternal Wisdom and Goodness by this walking with God. So much is sure. But concentration is the secret of strength, and while a band of good men and women are laboring to help up the fallen by the exertion of personal influence, other bands in sympathy with these should be effecting a removal of temptations to idleness and self-indulgence; others in preparing business that may furnish work and its rewards to many; others in gathering and training the children in the ways of virtue and wisdom; and others in healing the diseases of the body and the soul, which are the poison of the body politic. Many hearts and heads enlisted in an earnest labor for the general good, are a mighty force when thus concentrated. That minor questions of opinion on subjects which "God has left at large," should in a great degree hinder this concentrated effort to make the vast masses of our constantly increasing population worthy of their great inheritance of civil rights and large liberties is deeply to be regretted; and the reformer who can show us how to obliterate prejudice and unite more cordially the honest-hearted, who would confer benefits on themselves and those who are to succeed them by undermining pauperism and vice, deserves double honor. Then would appear that glorious brotherhood toward which Christian ethics and Christian worship forever tends. Surely it is a great blessedness to be permitted to do some little portion in this building of the walls of Zion, in this strengthening of her bulwarks. An excellent writer of these times (J. F. Clarke), has said: "Life becomes a work of art when it is all directed to one aim, all arranged according to a plan, and all thoroughly executed. Christianity alone can make life high art, because it alone fulfills these conditions. It gives high aim to all our activity, fills it with a noble spirit, and teaches us to execute it thoroughly and perfectly." The patient visitant to the poor and discouraged, who is now toiling in the strength and wisdom which the heavenly Guide alone can give, is building the foundations of a structure which, we trust, is to be a refuge for the coming generations. S. R. CORRESPONDENCE. this highest form is set forth in a few words, which seem to embrace so much that there is nothing essential left unsaid. It is this union and communion with the Divine Being which forms the connecting link between the good of all lands and all ages. People may talk of their doctrinal beliefs and theological opinions, but underlying all these is the simple. truth, as set forth, from which necessarily flows all good deeds, and which is the essential element in all true religion, bringing the peace and joy that alone satisfy the longings of the immortal soul. In the abundance of reading matter spread before us in this day there is, of course, much that is abjectionable, but we are at liberty to choose with regard to it the same as we choose our company; and having faith in the innate sense of right on the part of the people, who ever recognize and respond to the truth when set forth in a plain straightforward manner, there is every encouragement for those who are striving to promote the best interests of mankind to persevere in spreading the truth in its simplicity. E. B. Baltimore, Second mo. 18th, 1883. DEAR EDITORS: Being thoroughly convinced of the rectitude of the principles of the Society of Friends, a guarded education of the youth has long been a subject of deep interest to me, and one which I fear has been too much neglected. When the subject of a Friends' College was presented, where those among Friends who were endowed with gifts competent for a higher education for usefulness, wherein the students could be guarded against wrong and hurtful things, both spiritually and outwardly, I could but unite with and give it practical support according to my small ability-not for the encouragement of pride, but of humility, which is characteristic of true christianity. When I read the account of the large gathering, of which I would have been glad to have been one, had more than fourscore years of age permitted, on the occasion of the transfer of the restored College edifice to the Board of Management, on which occasion many suitable remarks were made, most of which I united with, I thought that some other expression than the word "proud" would have ESTEEMED EDITORS: Your editorial, "Our New Volume," in Friends' Intelligencer of last week, has been read with real satisfac-been more befitting the occasion. I was, tion. In some respects it is so comprehensive that it leaves little more to be said. It is certainly gratifying to your readers that you can say, "the work of preparing our paper has always been a privilege." In the third paragraph is the statement that Friends, as a religious body, profess the highest form of religious thought, and then what constitutes however, somewhat relieved on finding that I was not alone in my feelings and views about it. The article in Friends Intelligencer signed "S," I think so fully and beautifully coincided with my own views that I feel to make but few more remarks on the subject. I feel that anything like pride or exaltation ought to be avoided, but rather we should cherish a sense of thankfulness to our Heav-| were reached, for it is said their hearts were enly Father that we have been, we hope, so melted that the very floors were wet with the humble instruments in promoting the their tears. cause of true civilization and righteousness JOHN SEARING. in the earth. Second mo., 1883. FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. PHILADELPHIA, SECOND MO. 24, 1883. SCIENCE IN SHORT CHAPTERS.-No. 81 of the Standard Library of Funk & Wagnalls, is now before us. It consists of 44 lively papers by W. M. Williams, on subjects of special interest at the present time. It is intended to supply a growing want of these days of busy endeavor, when the careful study of formal treatises has become impossible to so many thoughtful persons. We find these papers of interest and value, so far as a very cursory reading can give insight. The author says of his work: "In writing these papers, my highest literary ambition has always been to combine clearness and simplicity with some attempt at philosophy." THE TRUE BOND OF UNION.-As we gather week after week in our meeting houses and sit in the quiet, the question sometimes arises, what is the bond of union among Friends? why do we thus assemble when we have the same access to the holy spirit at our homes that we have in our places of worship? and remembering those who are absent, the thought comes, what does the Society need to draw them to it? Looking back at the early history of Quakerism, we find no lack of interest in the attendance of meetings, nor want of fervor when as sembled; even the children continued to hold the meetings when the officers of an righteous law carried the parents to prison; thus it appears in their time, the bond of union was so simple that the childish understanding could comprehend it, and something so real that they were willing to face persecution, in order to enjoy it. Opposition develops a determination to carry a point, but there was more than grim obstinacy in these people; their deepest and tenderest feelings un The Discipline was not then a force to keep them together, for it was only in the forming period; nor is it that which unites. us, for the Discipline deals with our outward affairs, with men and women who often make mistakes, whose estimates of each other are not always just; but the spirit which is unseen, whose law is unwritten save in the heart, bound the early Friends together, and would again unite us, could we submit to its tender influences. Perhaps, all of us have experienced the baptism of spirit when, at times, we have been gathered together, and a sweet and solemn covering of love seemed to brood over all. At such times our higher nature rises into ascendancy, and each partaking of the bread of life, has a part in the true communion of souls. In this communion we are blessed together, love for each other is quickened, and we find that our common faith in the indwelling spirit, is our strong bond of union. As the glowing fire is sooner kindled when the embers are drawn together, so the fire in our hearts, which may seem to smoulder, will brighten as we draw near to one another, and mutual help and warmth be experienced. Our social natures lead us to seek our friends in joy, and in sorrow, and though each one must be fed singly, yet we may sit down in multitudes and receive each his share of the loaves and the fishes. There is an abundance of food; what is needed is the hunger and thirst. Some of our members feel that they learn nothing at meeting if there is no sermon, but the source from which the minister draws is ours also; have we done our part unless we have gone there to draw? Mayhap, we shall at the well meet Him, who will give us the "living water.” Our society which offers no barriers to the free inflowing of the spirit of God, is in its very simplicity, objectionable to those who are not willing to work out their own salvation; it places the burden upon the shoulders of each one; but because all are not willing to accept this burden, it does not imply a defect in the principle upon which the society |