LOCAL INFORMATION.

MAKEFIELD Monthly Meeting, held at Newtown on the 7th of Sixth month was a large and interesting meeting. John Parrish and Louisa A. Wright were both present and labored very acceptably in the line of gospel ministry.

In accordance with the notice given at the close of Bucks Quarterly Meeting, about 20 members of the Committee attended Wrightstown Meeting on the 10th inst., where a large company of Friends assembled, mostly in the middle and younger walks of life, and also the children connected with the First-day school at that place.

The meeting for Divine worship was considered by all present to be a very solemn and favored opportunity. The stream of gospel love flowed freely from the lips of several speakers, in words that seemed to be felt in the hearts of the large concourse of people who listened with profound attention. There were quite a number of members present who are not in the practice of attending meetings for worship, even on First-days.

Their deportment and countenances seemed to show that they felt the weight of the truths proclaimed, when allusion was made to the concern brought over the Society on account of the lukewarmness existing in so many of the members in regard to the attendance of our religious meetings, after the privilege of holding them had been obtained at the cost of so much suffering to our early predecessors. The meeting for worship held about two hours. At its close a conference was held with all present, in which remarks were made by a number of the Committee, who are neither Ministers nor Elders, in which their experience was given in regard to attending meetings. Young parents were encouraged to establish and carry out the habit of going to meeting regularly and taking their families with them.

It is thought that some good resolves were made that will continue and show fruit in the

future.

The conference closed with the evident feeling prevailing that we had had a very satisfactory opportunity, and each one was glad to have been present; and it is hoped that many will continue to come to meeting who have heretofore neglected that duty. The Committee will meet again on the 24th inst. at Makefield Meeting.

THE Committee on Intoxicating Beverages held a conference in the Meeting-house on School Lane, Germantown, on First-day, the 10th inst., at three o'clock.

The extreme heat, doubtless, kept many

away whose presence would have added to the size and interest of the occasion, yet there was a goodly number who by close attention to what was said, as well as participation in the discussion of the great question that had called them together, manifested the deep hold the subject had taken upon their minds. The demoralizing influence of tobacco was made a prominent feature of the meeting, and much clear and forcible thought based upon experimental and scientific knowledge was given forth.

These conferences are calculated to spread among the people a better understanding of the baleful effects the indulgence in the use of intoxicants and narcotics have upon their devotees, and the great need there is for active efforts to suppress their traffic. R.

FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. PHILADELPHIA, SIXTH MO. 16, 1883. WITHIN AND WITHOUT.—Within the limits of all religious organizations, and our own is no exception to the general rule, are to be found individuals who hold views in advance of the masses. These are not always leaders, but they exercise more or less influence, and are valuable members of the Society in so far as their lives correspond with the advanced truths they profess. Some of these are content to work to help elevate their fellows to their own standard of thought, others become restive and discouraged at our slow growth, and absent themselves from our meetings on the plea of want of congeniality. Some withdraw, urging that we do not progress towards that perfection which is so desirable in a religious body. If we stop to analyze all these points of difference we find, perhaps, a measure of truth in each, and feel little inclined to blame either class. If censure must fall upon any, it should rather belong to the absentees, who stand idly by, not helpers but hinderers of the church's progress, inasmuch as they swell the list of its members and put themselves outside the pale of labor for its advancement.

We strongly question, however, the advantage gained by those who withdraw. If they go into other folds they do not always assimilate in a manner productive of the highest good, and too often they remain outside, and lose that stimulus to soul-growth that comes from mingling with such as desire to grow in the knowledge of spiritual things,

relinquish its brooding guardianship over them. For these reasons I return the bill without my approval.

ROBERT E. PATTISON."

MARRIED.

SATTERTHWAIT-HEALD.-On Sixth mo. 6th, 1883, at the residence of the bride's parents, under the care of Wilmington Monthly Meeting, Del., of Friends, John J. Satterthwait, youngest son of Charles and the late Phebe J. Satterthwait, of Crosswicks, N. J., and Lucy, daughter of Joshua and Hannah Heald, of Wilmington, Del.

DIED.

BUNTING.—On the morning of Sixth mo. 4th, 1883, in West Philadelphia, Elizabeth T., daughter of the late Samuel C. and Elizabeth A. Bunting; a member of the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia.

GRIFFITH.—On Fourth month 8th, 1883, Rachel M. Griffith, in the 88th year of her age; a member of Baltimore Monthly Meeting. RIDGWAY.—At the residence of his sisters, in Philadelphia, William P. Ridgway, late of San Francisco, Cal., son of the late Joseph and Esther C. Ridgway, of Philadelphia.

SEARING.-On the afternoon of Fifth mo. 28th, 1883, at the residence of his grandparents, in Ledyard, Cayuga county, N. Y., Charles Willet, oldest son of Samuel and Amelia G. Searing, aged 5 years; members of Scipio Monthly Meeting.

Afflicted with infantile paralysis, he never gained the use of his feet; but his bright, happy face and winning way won him many friends, who spared no pains to amuse and interest him, and did all that human hands could do to lighten the weariness of his last hours. The cause of his death was quick consumption.

WILLITS. On Sixth month 8th, 1883, Emma, youngest daughter of the late John H. and Edith W. Willits; a member of the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia.

For Friends' Intelligencer.

YEARLY MEETING LINGERING AND GLIMPSES

AT VASSAR.

Yearly Meeting is over. The assembled tribes have dispersed, the world goes on as ever, and each one as before doth chase his favorite phantom. But some yet linger at the hospitable board and by the fireside, and talk over the days of refreshing and spiritual exaltation that have just passed, and can only be recalled by memory. And memory of things so near is vivid, and we assist each other to bring again before us the wise, clear statements of eternal truth, the close, logical reasonings, the Scripture illustrations as we have heard them from the lips of the anointed sage, who quickly'departed when his appointed work was done. He has planted and other disciples will water, and we are permitted to

trust that the Lord of the harvest will ordain that fruition be realized. The wise young monarch, called to reign over Israel, in the glory of his early manhood, asked for wisdom as better than all other earthly gifts, if wisdom was withheld. Even so does young Quakerdom need to invoke this heavenly gift, as it puts on its armor and prepares to assume its responsibilities for the maintenance of the pure and simple faith and high moral cult of the house of the Fathers.

"Let him not boast who puts his armor on, As he that puts it off."

Quakerism has won many battles, and its heroes and champions have had their palms of victory; but there are yet worlds to conquer. It avails not to build the sepulchres of the prophets. The work of wisdom must surely be to continue the warfare against wrong, ignorance, and spiritual darkness wherever these are found to prevail. Healthful inquiry into causes, practical measures for rebuilding the waste places, and the advancement of all truth's testimonies are the seeming needs of to-day. But zeal must not go without the guidance of wisdom, to the combat

with lions. Let wisdom's voice be heard.

into silence. Before leaving the mighty city, And so our Yearly Meeting talk dies away let us go and see what the ocean murmurs by the near sea-side, and breathe its healing breezes; let us contemplate again the towering relic of old Egypt, which rises so grandly into the pure sky from its mound of green sward, let ns enter once more the temple of art, which gathers things old and new and stores them in safe halls of beauty, where man may study them, and delight in them in his leisure hours; let us stand again in Castle Garden and watch the wondrous immigration of the nations here received by thousands every day. Hungarian, Pole, Scandinavian, Frenchman, Italian, Englishman, Scotchman, as well as the inevitable German and Irishman, are tending hitherward, seeking the realization of many hopes in this good land of promise. Their landing on this perfect day in June, their generous reception in this queenly city, and their stepping forth into a beautiful water-side park before the new trials that must beset the exile have fairly begun, must be an epoch of hope and gladness in the monotony of a life of toil unending.

Neatly clad, bearing evidences of substantial civilization come these Europeans to us to-day. We may welcome them, even while we know that they bring among us the sins. of the Fatherland, as well as some of the virtues, born of toil and obedience, in countries dominated by kings and nobles. It is with a curious mixture of feeling that we muse to-day upon the incoming multitude, so

The Brooklyn bridge which spans the briny river, linking the great cities in more than wonted brotherhood, rises before us in all its perfectness, a firm roadway for the multitude, massive yet delicate, as if constructed by the joint labors of giant and fairy.

On the 4th of June we take the Albany day boat and are borne tranquilly up the historic Hudson, past palisade on one hand and palace on the other, past picturesque mountain and storied highlands, to the city of Poughkeepsie, seventy-six miles above New York. We wish to visit Vassar College, where, in the midst of war's alarms and dread anxieties, the good Matthew Vassar, twenty-two years ago, mindful of the future of his country, obeyed the sacred impulse to Jay broad and deep the foundation of an institution for the higher learning, which might be a centre of ennobling influence for all the days to come. He had himself been witness to the marvellous power of sound learning in the exaltation of womanhood, and wished, while he yet lived, to plant wisely the good seed from which might grow a tree whose fruits are for the healing of the nations.

The seed sown in the time of deep proving, amid the storm and stress of warfare and civil strife has prospered, it may be conjectured, far beyond what the sower foresaw. Already have women carried into many channels the noble impulses and the lofty aspirations it is the mission of Vassar to awaken; and other awakened minds will carry on the work, until at length the influence of Vassar will, in its diffusion and in the reactive light it has kindled, be no longer conspicuous, but mingle with the general radiance. Such were our thoughts as we descended from the street car at the gateway to the grounds of Vassar, and had our first view of the imposing edifice which shelters the Institution. It is said to have been modelled after the Tuilleries, and we can recognize the architectural points of correspondence. The material is common brick, with the trimming of red sandstone which makes no contrast. The mortar was black, or very dark, at least, and an appearance of some antiquity was at once attained. Now the Ampelopsis has been trained over the walls, and its graceful and abundant masses

Our friend, the resident physician, comes to meet us, and we walk up the broad, firbordered avenue to the doorway. Entering, we mark the stern simplicity of the appointments, and after an excellent repast are shown to our rooms, from which a noble view of hill and dale and distant mountain refreshes the vision. The situation is commanding and' beautiful, and a domain of two hundred acres affords a park sufficiently seclusive for the needs of an institution such as this. There is a flower-garden, and a tennis ground; there are groves of dense shades, there are shadowy and secluded woodsy-places, there are broad green spaces, and near or distant views of enchanting beauty; and the trees have attained sufficient size to cast refreshing shadows in the declining day.

The work of the school year is over, and the examinations are steadily progressing, for the Commencement occurs on the 13th, which as steadily draws near. The Library is the resort of the students who consult great tomes, making notes and thoughtfully conning the pages, where the scholarship of the past holds out a helping hand to the aspiring student of to-day. About these girls I could detect nothing of the dull depression that comes of over-work. Health was indicated in color, expression, movement and voice. Neither was there any frivolity perceptible among them. The joyousness of youth attuned to lofty thought and high endeavor. O Matthew Vassar, good was thy gift, and many a daughter of this land, revelling in the delights of the intellectual life will bless thy memory!

In the gloaming we may ascend to the library on the fourth floor and meditate awhile amid its shades. The marble bust of the elder Vassar meets the eye of the visitor first, since it faces the door of entrance, and on his right hand is the plaster cast of the first President, John H. Raymond, while on his left is the clay semblance of the noble and eminent Maria Mitchell, the astronomer, who has spent the ripened years of her useful life as high priestess of Urania at Vassar College. She was called to the chair of Astronomy in the early days of the institution, and has led many young minds to a knowledge of the most ancient and sublime of all the sciences. The