. their professed principles. Their decision would be founded, such has been and still is, the theory on that which is addressed to them from within or from without; on appeals from others, on their own reflections, or spiritual enlightenment.

By this reasonable, and may it not be said, truly correct mode of proceeding, the taking of votes is not needed; but, after patient and careful observation, the clerk announces what seems to be the "sense of the meeting," the few dissentients acquiescing frequently in the decision, as, after all, possibly right. But as serious dissent is not impossible, so the mode of dealing with it has been simple. Weighty minorities, so to speak, cannot properly or safely be disregarded; and accordingly the very wholesome practice has prevailed, of deferring the subject for reconsideration at a future time.

Propositions to the Yearly Meeting from bodies of its members come under established arrangements, and are always entertained and considered. Originating generally, Originating generally, if not always in a Quarterly Meeting, one of many such meetings composing the Yearly Meeting, the question arises, What is the true position of the applicants in relation to their proposition when it comes on for consideration? They are members of the Yearly Meeting, and as respects all ordinary business, on an equality with all other members. But when their own question is before the meeting can they take part in the discussion and the decision? The query may be thought | needless; for good sense, propriety and sound principle, all unite in forbidding it. They may, of course, be present, and are permitted, indeed generally desired, to explain and illustrate. Further than this they can only be listeners. The reader will at once perceive how this leads to and bears upon the proposition submitted to the last Yearly Meeting. The philanthropic activity of the present century, far in advance of all that had gone before it, had enrolled among its zealous advocates and supporters, large numbers of Friends. The organizations at the present time for the promotion of men's temporal and spiritual welfare it would be difficult to enumerate; but foremost among them may be named Bible circulation, foreign and home missions, and "Sunday " schools. Friends had extensively united with others not of their own body, selecting co-operators and fields of labor, as circumstances and duty dictated. Without inquiring in what way or when the idea originated, it is enough that an idea gained strength, that the duty of a Christian church, besides training up individual living members prepared for their Master's service, should point out their fields of labor

and supervise their work; in a word, should specify the kind of fruit they should bear, and assist them in bearing it. This was to be done by means of a special organization.

At a conference convened by the Friends' First-day school association and the committee of the Bedford Institute, which was largely attended by Friends from all parts of the United Kingdom, a committee was appointed to bring the conclusions of the conference before the Yearly Meeting. The proposition had reference mainly to Home Mission work, and pointed to the need of some organization for its extension, independently of the regular Church organization.

Having traced the proposition through its simple stages, it is proper now to observe of its originators that the excellence of their object and the purity of their motives are readily conceded. Further, their labors secured the expression of the warmest sympathy in the meeting; and there was no exception to a desire that they might be, as circumstances favored, cordially encouraged and supported. Even they who from various causes had not seen their way to unite in work manifestly blessed, carefully avoided the mistake of sitting in judgment upon it. The course of proceeding now claims attention.

The proposition was met at the very outset by a serious objection. To receive a report from a body outside the Yearly Meeting, and not in any way recognized by it, was clearly out of order. A proposition made even by an individual in the meeting may be, and has been entertained. But to entertain a proposition founded on deliberations previously and seriously conducted, and pressed by a body of preponderating influence, is but feebly described as out of order: it is upon the face of it constitutionally at variance not only with propriety, but with safety; for with such a leverage, what obstacle could not be overcome? The conference of the movers was largely attended by representatives from important bodies throughout the kingdom, and by other Friends. This is exactly the class of Friends who, strictly speaking, constitute the Yearly Meeting; and as these, rightly or wrongly, could claim, and did claim, their full rights as members, the meeting was composed of two bodies or partiesa larger and a smaller. Let it not be said that the word "party" is employed disparagingly or disrespectfully. There is not another word so expressive of the facts; and the facts must be held responsible for it.

We speak of the House of Commons, and say such a bill, after much opposition, was passed by it. It is little better than a figure of speech. A bill is passed by the stronger

party, called the "Government," in the teeth | been called, let it be emphatically stated that of the weaker party, called the "Opposition." all through their proceedings, honesty, integ The Government is a party with a majority. rity, and good intentions must be frankly The majority is its life. The minority or op- accorded to the parties composing it. position for the occasion is powerless. And

BARTON DELL.

so of the Friends' Conference. A numerous | Elgin Park, Bristol, 4th mo. 9th, 1883.
and influential party meet beforehand. They
discuss and agree upon certain measures
which, being so far settled, only remain to be
carried. They take their places as members
of the meeting, together with the "opposition."
The proposition is nominally addressed to
both parties; the minority objects, but the
majority prevails. A strong party without
power out of meeting pass certain resolutions.
The same party in meeting agree upon and
carry the same in the face of dissentients;
and the decision is said to be that of the
Yearly Meeting. Whether this mode of leg-
islating is or is not defensible, it is entirely
new in the history of the Society. In the
light of Friends' principles it is clearly an
unconstitutional and dangerous innovation;
for by such a procedure any decision may be
assured. Even were it proposed to defray
all the expense out of the National Stock
(and how many entertain this idea already
is not yet apparent), there is nothing to pre-
vent the proposition from being carried. It
may, however, be said, and said truly, that a
more disquieting, not to say perilous, course
could scarcely be adopted, than to lay the
burden of expenses on the contributors to this
fund. Still, without this material aid to the
movement, what has been gained? for the
essential ingredient remaining as before to be
provided by outside arrangements, the move-
ment could only profit by the approbation
and moral support of the dissentients; and
these as above stated it already had, whether
inside or outside the Yearly Meeting. The
movers claimed for their measure truly its
adoption by the latter; but as already shown,
it was adopted substantially by its authors
only. The Yearly Meeting, in the only sense
in which a decision had ever been understood,
was no party to it. The committee that was
appointed did not represent it in any true
sense; and one equally good and efficient
could have been nominated at another "out-
side" Conference.

For Friends' Intelligencer.
FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK.
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good

pleasure to give you the kingdom."

As my spirit has been led in love and sympathy to greet those who are concerned to obey the requirings of the Divine Father, wherever scattered, the above loving words of Jesus came to mind, conveying encouragement to the meek and lowly ones, who are little in their own sight, and, like Gideon of old, saying "My family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.' But these are taken cognizance of by the good Shepherd, who says," My sheep know my voice, and a stranger's they will not follow."

The impression is probably gaining ground that a grave mistake has been made, and the only right and safe course is to retrace steps so unwarrantably and so hastily taken. It will be noticed that the proposition itself is not here discussed, but only the mode of its origin, the position of its originators, the influence under which it obtained consideration, and by which it was adopted.

With whatever freedom remarks have been made respecting the "majority," as it has

Oh, then, may this little flock, some of whom may have but newly entered therein, be encouraged to press on in faithfulness to every known duty, in which an increase of strength will be experienced, and ability given to rise above the hindering things that have appeared in the way, remembering it is the Father's good pleasure to give the sure reward of peace for every act of simple obedience; and I have thought a testimony of Jesus might be a fitting close to this brief message. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples." REBECCA PRICE.

Fifth month 22d, 1883.

ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Life

An element of weakness in much of our resolving is that we try to grasp too much of life at one time. We think of it as a whole instead of taking the days one by one. is a mosaic and each tiny piece must be cut and set with skill. The only way to make a perfect chain is to fashion each separate link with care as it passes through our hands. A lady who teaches a kindergarten school put into each little child's hand, at the opening of the new year, a book with three hundred and sixty-five white blank pages, instructing them to take just one page each day, and to put upon it something, whatever they desired, a little sketch or picture or design, and then bring the book to her again at the end of the year.

It is thus each year of life comes to us,for each day a clean, white page; and we are artists, whose duty it is to put something beautiful on the pages one by one; or we are poets, and are to write some lovely thought,

some radiant sentence, on each as it lies open | so much more thickly populated that they before us; or we are historians, and must give are more disastrous. to the page some record of work or duty or victory to enshrine and carry away.

It ought not to be hard to live well one day. Any one should be able to carry his burden, or fight his battle, or endure his sorrow, or stand at his post, or do his work, for just one day. Any one should be able to remember God, and keep his heart open toward heaven; and to remember others in need and suffering about him, and keep his hand stretched out in helpfulness, for just one day. Yet that is all there is to do. We never have more than one day to live. We have no to-morrows. God never gives us years, or even weeks: he gives us only days. If we live each day well, all our life will, in the end, be radiant and beautiful.-Sunday | School Times.

BLANCO WHITE said that a whole Bridgewater Treatise might be written on the proofs of beneficent design manifested in the laws of harmonious sounds and the adaptation of the human ear to their enjoyment. Still wider diffused is the delight in beauty, of which the whole earth and sky afford one endless spectacle. Even the humbler sense of smell gives us a variety of delicate pleasures which we should rank higher than we do, were we to pay attention to their beneficent power over the memory and the animal spirit. Why has God made us to enjoy beauty and music? or why simply has he made the flowers, but out of love like that of a mother? Why, but to make us happy, to gladden our hearts with his beautiful works, to put some proof of his love into every path our feet may tread. F. P. COBBE.

CORRESPONDENCE.

EXTRACT FROM A PRIVATE LETTER.

Our hot day, yesterday, proved to be a fearful one before its close. Severe wind, lasting nearly all night.

The town of Racine, about 50 miles north of here, on the Lake shore, was the object of the cyclone, resulting in the death of 20 persons, several injured, and 150 houses wrecked. Think what a day to-morrow will be with all those funerals! Families broken up and homes destroyed; no insurance (as fire insurance will not cover the storm's damage). So sudden, and no protection possible. Isn't it fearful? No part of our country seems exempt. I would like the opinion of meteorologists as to the cause of the frequency of these cloud formations.

Some people think they are not more frequent than heretofore, but that the country is

Others think that the iron and steel rails and electric wires which cover the face of the earth effect the atmospheric conditions and produce greater action of atmospheric forces. If thou knowest any reliable scientist, whose opinion is founded upon knowledge, do ask him whether the increased frequency is a matter of fact according to recorded statistics. I do not know any one here who has studied meteorology. Many have given it some thought. There are, no doubt, qualified people on the subject in our university and other schools, but I do not know them. I often think of the remark Goethe is said to have made, as a child, after the Lisbon earthquake: "The souls of men cannot be injured by any evil fate," meaning natural catastrophes, I suppose. So it is well for us not to dwell unduly on such sad things. Simply be prepared for any event, so far as our souls are concerned; and then, whether we live or die, or whatever befalls us, we can only fall into our Father's arms. We can only trust Him and accept life as it comes to us.

Chicago, Fifth month 17th, 1883.

LOCAL INFORMATION.

At the last Monthly Meeting, held at Green Street, Philadelphia, the committees having charge of collecting funds and erecting the Meeting House at Fair Hill, made reports, informing that the work for which they had been appointed, was now completed, and the building committee was prepared to transfer the Meeting House to the Monthly Meeting.

The total cost amounted to $11,500, all of which had been raised as needed, and every bill paid on presentation.

The meeting accepted the reports and released the Collecting Committee, but continued the Building Committee to finish up the improvement of the grounds.

The house was opened for divine worship on First day, the 27th ult., at three o'clock. The day being very fine a large gathering from all the adjacent Friends' Meetings was in attendance. The seating capacity accommodates about four hundred, every available chair was added, and yet there were fifty or more persons obliged to stand.

Soon as the closely packed audience had gathered into silence, the voice of prayer and thanksgiving was raised, which was followed by addresses from ministers and others, all harmonizing with the occasion. A brief supplication closed the exercises. Every one present appeared to have caught the inspiration of the hour and mutual congratulations and commendations followed.

were the appeals that bore the impress of such minds as his and our other tried and trusted co-laborer Wm. Dorsey, whose tender message "Teach the dear children the love of God;" a legacy to the teachers that has been an inspiration ever since, preserving in their minds a never dying remembrance of him who uttered it. The rest who have gone hence, were called away while as yet many years of useful service remained between them and the possible duration of human life.

We are almost tempted to question the providence that in the midst of unabated usefulness, breaks in sunder the bonds of mortality, and puts between the serving and the server, an open grave! Thus is it to-day, not only with the sorrowing band in our Sister City, who gather to pay the last tribute of respect and love to a valiant leader who

has fallen, but throughout the length and Heaven," was attributed to Longfellow in-breadth of our borders, wherever the First

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Each concerned member has an influence, and if we feel that our meetings are not interesting we are at liberty to contribute of our wisdom or our learning to increase the interest.

Let us not think that the Society of Friends is a fossilized body, made and finished long ago and only preserved as a curious specimen in the religious world. Those who find within its enclosure the "living waters" need no other evidence of life; and while to the mind which does not understand, it may appear as the stagnant pool, others are content to wait, knowing that at times an angel troubles the waters, and whoso there abides receives the healing his soul has craved.

BUSINESS MEETINGS.-Each member of a¦ or by sympathetic attention when its affairs Monthly Meeting is individually responsible are under consideration. for the interest of its proceedings; we should not go to a meeting for discipline as observers or to hear what those who occupy the foremost seats have to offer; let us remember that when a judgment is called for, the person in the most remote corner is appealed to equally with the one who sits at the head of the meeting. In theory we are truly democratic; let our practice prove that we are so, by those who have earnest views on the subject under consideration presenting them; for when a large portion of the meeting offers no opinion, there remains nothing to be done but for the judgment of a few Friends to settle the questions or the propositions. This is often felt to be a great responsibility, but it is forced upon them by the silence of those whose criticism is quite outspoken in social conversation. We were told in our late Yearly Meeting that the expression of a sentiment which we earnestly feel would strengthen us, while the withholding would tend to impoverish. Let us take this to heart, that we may grow by faithfulness, and thus contribute to the growth of the meeting.

We speak in our peculiar way of the sense of the meeting," and by this we are governed, but owing to the want of expression it is often exceedingly difficult for the clerk to discover what this "sense" is, in order to make a minute in accordance with it.

After having attended, the interesting and instructive sessions of the Yearly Meeting we feel a new impulse in the interests of our Society which we should watch and use in our small meetings that it may be profitable to us and to the body to which we belong. The great gathering of Friends coming to one place with one interest kindles our enthusiasm, warms our hearts, stimulates our love for one another and for our faith, and serves as a strong bond to hold together the integral parts of the body of our church.

After a feast of this kind there should be no reaction, no languor, no lukewarmness, for "out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh," and if we have gained anything and we love our Society, surely we shall give evidence of it, either by the spoken word

MARRIED.

GILLINGHAM-SMITH.-On Fifth mo. 24th, 1883, at the residence of the bride's mother, under the care of the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia, William J. Gillingham, Jr., son of William J. and the late Anna Maria Gillingham, and Frances Ashbridge, daughter of Susan V. and the late Caleb Hallowell Smith, all of Philadelphia.

WALTON-CHAMBERS.-On Fifth-day, Fifth mo. 3d, 1883, under the care of New Garden Monthly Meeting, Pa., at the residence of the bride's parents, Avondale, Chester county, Pa., Chandler B. Walton, son of Chalkley J. and Philena B. Walton, of Toughkenanion, and Eva L. Chambers, daughter of Richard B. and Susan W. Chanibers.

DIED.

KINSEY.—On Fifth mo. 23d, 1883, at the residence of her son-in-law, Barton G. Roberts, Margaret, widow of Dr. John Kinsey, aged 83; a meniber of the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia.

SCOTT.-On First-day morning, Fifth mo. 5th, 1883, at the residence of his daughter, Caroline B. Scott, Sandy Spring, Md., Samuel M. Scott, in the 90th year of his age.

He was diligent in attending religious meetings, and firm in his convictions of the Truth as held by Friends; a kind husband, a good preserved physical ability, active life, and inneighbor and an upright, useful man. His welldustrious habits were continued till near the end of his long life, and the close was calm and peaceful.

STABLER.-On Fifth month 23d, 1883, at ant clerk of Baltimore Yearly Meeting of Baltimore, Lydia C. Stabler; since 1874 assistWomen Friends.

WOOLMAN.-On the morning of Fourth mo. 20 1883, at Walnut Hills, Wm. R. Woolman, aged 58 years; a member and Minister of Cincinnati Particular Meeting.