VOL. XL.

No. 20.

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matter

GENESEE YEARLY MEETING, HELD AT FARMINGTON, N. Y.-WOMEN'S BRANCH. Genesee Yearly Meeting closed on the 14th of Sixth month. It was many times expressed that this had been a season of sweet mingling together, wherein the Father's loving presence was felt to be around and in our midst, drawing all into a oneness of feeling and purpose.

The business which usually claims the attention of this body at its annual gathering came before it and was acted upon, harmony and order prevailing throughout its several sittings.

Minutes of unity for Friends in attendance from other Yearly Meetings were read, viz.: for Daniel H. Griffin, a minister, and Amy N. Griffin, his wife, an elder, from Amawalk Monthly Meeting, N. Y.; for Isaac Hicks, a minister from Westbury Monthly Meeting, Long Island; for Martha S. Towsend, a minister from Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Md.; for William John and Rebecca M. Thomas, Elders from the Monthly Meeting of Friends held at Sandy Spring, Md.

Their company and also that of some in attendance without minutes was felt to be very acceptable.

Epistles were received from all the sister Yearly Meetings except New York, each bringing to view some thought, some truth worthy our earnest consideration, clearly showing there are living members within our

borders who are endeavoring to follow the injunction of George Fox to "mind the light," not of the past but of to-day.

The summary answers to our Queries as adopted by the Meeting, showed an earnest desire to maintain the several testimonies queried after, though deficiencies are acknowledged.

Ön Fifth day morning at ten o'clock, the Meeting met in joint session, when the reports of the Indian and Temperance Committees were read.

That of the Indian Committee was thought to be interesting and encouraging. The meeting concluded to continue a committee to extend such care and labor as way may open for.

The Temperance Committee report, that way has not opened for the accomplishing of much during the past year, but they were united in the appointment of a committee to procure and examine leaflets upon the use and effects of intoxicants, and if by them deemed advisable to distribute them throughout the Yearly Meeting.

Epistles were prepared, read, approved and directed to be forwarded to each of the Yearly Meetings with which we correspond.

The committee to collect some of the exercises of the meeting prepared the following:

"We have the company of a number of dear Friends from other Yearly Meetings, whose labors of love well as earnest silent travail

of spirit have been truly encouraging and strengthening. 'How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of them that bring glad tidings.' Their ministry has fallen like dew upon the tender plant. Truly they have been cup-bearers from the fountain to the weary thirsty ones. Weak as some of us are, we feel strengthened for renewed labor and encouraged to press on that we may forward the work of the heavenly kingdom.'

In reviewing the State of society as shown by the answers to the queries we acknowledge many deficiencies, particularly in the attendance of our religious meetings, which called forth loving counsels and exhortations to individually search our hearts. Oh! let us remember that if we are willing to mingle with those who are endeavoring to gather to the fountain of life, away from every hindering thing, we may often experience our spiritual strength renewed.

The evils of intemperance have claimed our attention, we realize how great is the need of a reform, and feel willing faithfully and steadfastly to bear our testimony against the manufacture of all intoxicants, looking for ability where alone it can be found.

We have been feelingly reminded of dear fathers and mothers who have been removed from our midst and we were counselled so to profit by their example, so to dwell under the regulating influence of the pure spirit of truth, that we too shall be enabled to go through life scattering precious seed.

Testimonies have been borne to the excellency and beauty of simplicity of dress and address, the dear young sisters were entreated not to allow their minds to be so filled with the frivolous pleasures of an hour as to leave no room for that which is everlasting in its rewards of happiness and peace. They were shown that their lives will produce fruit and it is for them to decide what its character shall be. May they with a high aim in life and a stedfast purpose be true to their convictions and become the humble followers of the Divine Master.

All classes and conditions have been feelingly addressed. Those who are in affliction were entreated to be of good cheer. Those who feel called to the work of the ministry exhorted to yield a ready and faithful were obedience to the Divine requirings, thereby earning for themselves a steady growth in the truth and the commendation of "well done." Mothers were admonished to remember that their influence when rightly exerted is more restraining and enduring than any other, and they cannot too early begin to exert that influence in the way of truth and love, a touching tribute being borne to the influence of a mother's prayers. Then let the

unbounded wealth of a judicious love be extended to the children, relax not your efforts on their behalf, still lovingly work and pray.

Mothers who have not yet in the lives of their children beheld the full fruits of their loving admonitions and watchful care were encouraged to still hope. We look on the grey branches left naked by the blasts of winter and inwardly exclaim" can these dry twigs live," but in the right time they bud and put forth leaves, and are clothed in beauty. Even so let us trust it will be with the bread cast upon the waters.

If we can feel that in our thus mingling together both religiously and socially, our trust and confidence in the Divine have been strengthened, our charity broadened, our love made purer, our desires to know and do the will of our Father increased, our coming together will not have been in vain, and we shall return to our homes refreshed and better prepared to again resume the duties of life. With desires that this may be the experience of each one here gathered, we separate to meet at Yarmouth, Ontario, the usual time next year if consistent with the Divine will.

For Friends' Intelligencer.

OUR SCHOOLS.

Perhaps there is, at this time, nothing in the organized work of our religious body more satisfactorily useful and effective than the schools in which are taught the various branches of science and literature, and in which there is imparted to our youth somewhat of the philosophy of life and character which is distinctive with the Society of Friends. While we cannot claim perfectness in any particular, and have never yet reached our own high ideal, we feel that in the earnest endeavor after the best, of which we are the witnesses, there is progress and great possibility of excellence in the future.

It is gratifying to Friends to note that those not of our religious profession are so willing, in many cases, to entrust their youth to the care and guidance of the teachers who are appointed primarily for the education of the children of Friends. The admission of these into our schools modifies the character of the school, and may have an influence to modify the ideas of the youth of our own body, and give them wider views of the community in which they live. If it had been the object of Friends to nourish a spirit of sectarian bigotry among themselves, they would have kept their schools select, admitting none to their privileges except such as were in membership with the Society.

As it is, any who are willing to conform to

The great importance of selecting for this work faithful representatives of our cherished principles, and good examples of the Christian rectitude to which we aspire is manifest. Those who conduct the children up the slopes of learning are also their moral guides and to some extent their religious exemplars. The love of the pupil for the teacher is a consequent of the teacher's love and care for the pupil, and is often of great power, influencing not only conduct, but in a remarkable degree moulding character.

The richest reward of the pains-taking, conscientious instructor of youth is to see those for whom they have labored treading the pathway of mature life with that firm step of rectitude and wisdom which betokens the trained mind and the heart directed to the source and centre of all wisdom. The teacher lives again in the lives of the youth whom he has trained, and has somewhat of the father's joy in the fulfilment of the promise of early life. This is his most precious recompense for the labor of his high calling, and must accompany him to the utmost bounds of mortal life.

The closing exercises of the Friends' Central Schools were held on Fifth-day, the 21st, at the Meeting House at Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia. This was an interesting occasion not only to the friends and relatives of the students and graduates, but to many who watch with great solicitude the progress of educational work in our religious Society.

In the exercises by the graduating classes pure sentiment, exalted aims and the noble enthusiasm of youth were observable; and in the parting words of the Principals who here took leave of the young people, so long the objects of their care and solicitude, wise counsels were conveyed to ingenuous minds and loving hearts.

The retiring Principal of the Boys' Department, Aaron B. Ivins, with many expressions of warm affection for his co-workers and his students, laid down the office he has so ably filled for many years, and was greeted with equal affection by the youth with and for whom the energies of his ripest years have been expended.

George L. Maris, A. M., succeeds Aaron B. Ivins as Principal of the Boys' Department, and to him, at West Chester, Pa., all applications for admission to the boys' school should be made. Applications for the girls'

A Post-graduate class for those who desire to pursue their studies in special branches has been instituted, while for those who from sickness, want of opportunity or ability, have difficulty in keeping pace in the regularly graded schools, and for those desiring instruction in special branches only, a Department for Special Studies has been established. In this department the studies are elective, and it is intended to combine the advantages of a small school with those of a larger institution strictly graded.

Friends' Central School has now reached, and indeed has held for many years, a position of large influence in Philadelphia, and its results have been such as must reflect credit upon the able and faithful instructors employed, and give satisfaction to the Friends who have as a Committee of Management labored so faithfully for its interests and for the cause of the solid, guarded education of the youth of this generation.

S. R.

HOW THE FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE IN
SPITALFIELDS WAS SAVED.

To worship thus, in such a climate as England, needs a building of some sort, and as during the days of persecution the authorities engaged themselves in the task of wrecking and pulling down all places of worship not churches-so as to stop meetings-it will be shown how the Friends of Spitalfields contrived to save their meeting house even after it was condemned.

The Society had lost two in other parts of London, which had been pulled down into ruins, and thus were cautious when Sir John Robinson, the governor of the Tower of London, threatened to have this one down also. He was informed that it was owned by a Friend who happened at that time to be traveling away from London, and was pleaded with for delay until he could return to answer for himself as to this accusation of having a meeting house contrary to the then law. The governor relented so far as to grant a respite of three weeks for this purpose, but with the warning that if by that time no such owner had appeared the place should be laid in ruins without further delay. Happily, just before this time had expired, Gilbert Latey, its owner had returned to London, and he directly took measures to meet the situation. He had something to do before he would venture himself into the presence of the enraged governor of the Tower, and this was to find a tenant for the premises; for which purpose he looked up one Denis Dodman, a weaver, saying to him that he wanted him to

"And so," said the angry official, "you are the owner of this Spitalfields meeting house."

"It is true," said the Friend,* in courtly tones, for Gilbert had, ere he joined the Friends' Society, been a court tailor in large practice at the West End among the gentry, and never lost the polished manners he had acquired. "I have yet to learn," said the famous William Penn (himself accustomed to the surroundings of court), "that anyone should cease to be a gentleman by becoming a Quaker." This had not been the case with Gilbert, as was seen by his bearing before the governor.

"Don't you know," said this official, "how it is against the king's laws to own a meeting house, as he will have all men go to church now?"

"I owned that meeting house and others also," said Gilbert, "before the king had any such law."

"That's not the question," replied Sir John Robinson; "I'll have your meeting house down it's an illegal conventicle, and shall be destroyed."

"But I have a tenant in possession," said the Friend in reply. "How now; governor.

what's that?" said the

"It is so, indeed, I assure thee, for here I present him to thee, and further assert of him that he is one unto whom I have thought fit to grant a lease of those premises thou seekest to destroy."

"Ah, now you have me," said Sir John. "I see your wit and wisdom have saved your meeting house, and if your other friends had but had your brains their other meeting houses I have recked would have been standing still."

And thus, by this wise and cautious policy did Gilbert Latey outwit the law through giving to his meeting house the sanctity of a home, a sanctity not even a governor of the Tower dared to violate. For Gilbert Latey, by putting in a tenant to live there, invested a meeting house with a security that has

PROHIBITION.

The following essay was read at a conference held by the Yearly Meeting's Committee on Intoxicating Beverages.

The advocates of constitutional and legal temperance reform are often met with the assertion that we have an inalienable right to eat and drink what we please; that we cannot regulate the tastes and appetites of men and women by constitutional amendments and legislative enactments, and that prohibition will not prohibit.

Our lawmakers seem to have accepted this theory to some extent, but not in its entirety. The manufacturers of intoxicating liquors have not been interdicted or restricted in their business (if the taxes imposed thereon for purposes of revenue have not been withheld), but the venders of them have been placed under the ban of a restrictive license law.

The legislative power of the people to thus regulate and restrain the traffic in these beverages has been, and now is, fully recognized by the people, and is particularly advocated by the manufacturers and venders of intoxicants, and is sustained by the practice. of this Commonwealth. The right and the necessity of restrictive legislation on this subject cannot be ignored, and that it is practical is equally certain. Laws have been enacted by our Legislature for the restriction of the traffic in our community. Last year, under these laws, some ninety persons in Chester County were allowed the privilege of selling intoxicating beverages, but in that privilege they were restricted; they must not sell on the first day of the week, or on election day; they must not sell to persons of known intemperate habits or to minors. What is this restriction but a legal prohibition to exceed the licensed privilege? Are not the eighty thousand unlicensed people of Chester County prohibited from selling intoxicating beverages by force of the legislative enactments, whereby the traffic is limited to ninety