leaving an unexpended balance in hands of Treasurer of $48.90. The committee has held four meetings du this neighborhood report that the school needed some pecuniary aid to put it in a better condition, and if the Yearly Meeting would extend the necessary assistance the in-ring the year. One at Purchase in Eighth terests of the Society would be promoted by maintaining a Friends' meeting in that locality. Signed on behalf of the committee. GEO. C. MACY, JOHN WM. HUTCHINSON, MARY JANE FIELD, PHEBE C. Wright. month, one at Oswego village at the close of Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting in Eleventh month (at which papers were read and it was thought to be an interesting meeting, and was well attended; most of the Friends who attended Quarterly Meeting remaining and evincing an interest), one at the time of Report of the Temperance Committee of New Westbury Quarterly Meeting in First month, York Yearly Meeting. New York, 5th mo. 28, 1883. In submitting a report of our work for the year, the committee feel glad that the Yearly Meeting endeavored to create a moral force to offset the constant effort that is made to ensnare the weak and entrap the unwary, luring men to greater degeneracy through the use of intoxicating drinks; it seems like an effort on the part of the Yearly Meeting to help those " that oppose themselves," who seem so willing to throw away the gift that God means they should have, viz., the joy of a full Christ-like manhood. The Yearly Meeting has thus raised a voice in the wilderness, be it but a weak one, that may extend but a short distance, nevertheless it is a voice of warning and goes to swell the mighty whole which grows stronger by all right accessions. and one Fifth month 29th, 1883. The Executive Committee appointed from the general committee has held several meetings during the year. At a meeting of the committee held in First month, a paper prepared for that meeting was read, which it was concluded to offer to the Westbury Quarterly Meeting, and receiving the concurrence of that meeting was read in both men's and women's meetings and seemed to be acceptable to those assembled. Soon after the appointment of this committee (about a year ago) a paper was prepared and forwarded to Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, desiring them to feel earnestly after the matter, whether local work in this cause was not needed in their various neighborhoods and suggesting the holding of conferences in regard to this important subject at their various meeting-houses on the The committee has distributed to the seve-afternoons of First-days, or at some other ral Monthly Meetings, composing the Yearly suitable time. Meeting, 2,500 copies of Dr. Michener's leaflet called "Cider Question." 2,500 copies of "Temperance Work among Friends," by Aaron M. Powell. 3,000 copies of the leaflets approved and printed by the Temperance Committee of Illinois Yearly Meeting. 125 copies of the pamphlet called "Beer Question," by Aaron M. Powell. 25 copies Alcohol and Hygiene." 125 copies of "Physiology of Alcoholics." The committee also had printed an address by R. S. Haviland and one by Jesse H. Griffen, combined in one leaflet, and distributed 2,500 copies of the same to the several Monthly Meetings. To the sixteen First-day schools within our Yearly Meeting the committee gave to each, one copy of "Brewer's Fortune" and one copy of "Job Tufton," making in all thirtytwo First-day school books given. Purchase Quarterly Meeting has since found considerable service in this way, and it seems to us presents a beneficial example, having held a number of conferences at several of their meeting-houses, which we believe have proved interesting and profitable occasions, arousing some to see that this great evil in our land needs to be suppressed, and to accomplish its suppression each one's little part in the way of example, timely word of caution, or whatever may come to each of us to do, is needed. A concern was opened in one of the meetings (of the committee, that a word of caution might be sent to a member of Congress who was then using his influence to further the passage of the "bonded whisky bill;" he being a member of our Society, it seemed right to the committee that he should know that we were grieved with his course. was therefore decided that a personal communication be sent him from the committee, which was done. It An address that had been prepared by In conclusion, we would suggest that the the committee was printed and forwarded to Yearly Meeting continue a committee to lathe several Quarterly and Monthly Meetings. bor in this cause as way may open, trusting All the foregoing at a cost of $116.09, ❘ it will only move forward under right power and authority, knowing that only what God | ly accompanied her husband, and their unibuilds and makes will stand. May He find ted labors were remarkable for harmony in willing instruments for all His beautiful religious thoughts; and together, for more work, which tends to strengthen and build than forty years, they earnestly disseminated up in all righteousness and beauty, and to the Gospel of peace and good will, not only the pulling down and doing away with all within the limits of their own society, but that is evil. among those of other denominations. Not unfrequently these occasions have been of deepest interest; many of the hearers, being impressed with that love that knows no sectarian bounds, have acknowledged, with a warm grasp of the hand, that the children of God are all brethren. We would further recommend that the Yearly Meeting appropriate the sum of $150 for the use of such committee should way open for its appointment. Signed by direction and on behalf of the committee. Jos. A. BOGARDUS, SARAH M. HAVILAND, } Clerks. Memorial for Naomi Barnes, deceased, read in and approved by New York Yearly Meeting. Naomi Barnes, who departed this life Sixth month, 24th, 1882, in the eightieth year of her age, was the eldest child of Abijah and Patience Haviland, active members of Purchase Monthly Meeting. Believing it is well to commemorate the lives of the righteous, and perhaps gain spiritual strength from their experience, we are concerned to preserve some account of our dear friend, of whom we can truly say she was "gathered as a shock of corn, fully ripe." Her early years were blessed with the watch ful care of religious parents, who strictly guarded their daughter's footsteps, and the great favor of having pious parental instruction through childhood was often spoken of in her declining years. On the 18th of Eighth month, 1824, she was united in marriage with David H. Barnes. This union proved one of great harmony and affection. The first great sorrow that visited their home was the death of a beloved child, David A. Barnes, seven years of age. The mother's heart was so closely bound to him that for a time her spirit seemed almost crushed; but by prayer to her Heavenly Father for strength she was enabled to take up again the duties of life, one of which was to lend loving aid and encouragement to her husband, who about that time appeared as a Gospel minister. Although surrounded by family cares, she was ever ready to encourage him to obedience when called to religious service at home or in distant places, frequently within the limits of other Yearly Meetings. In the year 1837 she first appeared in the ministry, and in this field of duty her labors were endued with a sweet spirit of charity and love. She was fervent in prayer, and her communications, generally brief, were earnest and impressive. In the service of the ministry she frequent Another trial was meted to our dear friend when called to part with a lovely daughter of eight years, whose unusually deher closely to her parents, who felt most veloped character of Christian piety endeared keenly the separation; though two years of suffering, patiently borne by this dear child, had in a measure prepared them for the great loss. Amid the varied duties of subsequent years there was a marked cheerfulness and sweet spirit of resignation that made the example of our beloved friend truly worthy of imitation. Her genial companionship and tender counsel endeared her alike to the aged and the young, and by no class will her memory be more fondly cherished, on these accounts, than by the youthful mind, with whom she was ever ready to mingle. The happiness of the family circle was again shadowed in the year 1879, by the removal, by death, of a beloved daughter, who occupied the position of wife and mother. The severing of this earthly tie was the source of deep sorrow, but her grief was mitigated by the thought that the separation from this loved one would not be long. In the spring of 1880 a call to religious duty rested on the mind of our friend to accompany her husband on a visit of Gospel love to the families of Purchase Monthly Meeting, and encourage, if possible, a more regular attendance of meetings for worship. This united call from the Divine Master tended to strengthen their hands for the work, and in the houses visited the more than welcome greeting they received gave evidence that they had been directed by the great Head of the Church in this labor of love. On the 15th of Twelfth month, 1880, our beloved friend experienced the closest trial of her life, in the sudden illness and death of her husband, who had been her companion for more than fifty-six years. With the Christian's unshaken faith in that Power that "doeth all things well," she was enabled to meet this loss with a beautiful resignation which gave the assurance that her support was the Divine Arm. She was frequently heard to remark: "We shall soon again be united in the heavenly home, never more to part. I am called while I live to be cheerful and resigned, doing all in my power to make those around me happy." | One school, by its own request, has been taken under the care of the Monthly Meeting, which has assumed its financial liabilities and its general oversight with apparently satisfactory results. Several of the schools refer to a desire on the part of those Though there were many times her family concerned in the work to conduct the schools felt that the weakness incident to advanced in accordance with the usage of Friends, and age would have excused her leaving home to to familiarize the children with the principles attend to religious or social duties, in her and customs of the Society, and some note the desire to be faithful to the end, she over-increased attendance of our religious meetings came these infirmities, and, whenever she due to the schools. could, attended her meetings and paid social visits. In the early part of Fifth month, 1882, she was attacked with lameness, which for a time prevented her from using much exertion. She expressed the belief that she would again be able to walk, which privilege was granted, but in a few weeks was followed by general debility, although there was no apparent disease. There were frequent evidences of mental vigor, and assurance of the happiness afforded in the view she was permitted to enjoy of the beautiful home which was soon to be hers. In all the references to the character of the work done in the schools, there is a noticeable absence of any attempt to teach a form of belief, and there is a very marked evidence of a desire to develop in the minds of the children a reliance upon the witness for truth within their own hearts. That "will lead them to walk in the paths of Love, Charity, Temperance, Forbearance, and all the virtues belonging to a Christian character." In nearly all the schools a feeling of great encouragement prevails, in none discouragement. The work of the year seems to have been full of promise, not only for the enlargement of the schools, but for the benefit of our So To the devoted ones at her bedside, she said she was happy in having her earthly jewels so close around her, and to each a lov-ciety. ing farewell was given, her mind being clear to the last. Gently and calmly as the closing of a summer's day was her departure. The memory of the just is blessed, and from the life of our beloved friend we may gather lessons of devotion, tenderness, and love. Signed on behalf of Purchase Monthly Meeting, held at Purchase, Third month 7th, 1883. (Signed) JAMES FIELD, An essay of a letter to the several Yearly Meetings' First-day School Associations was received from the committee appointed for its preparation. It was read and approved, and was referred to the Executive Committee for engrossing, with directions that after it has been signed by the Clerks of this Association it be forwarded to all the Yearly Meetings' Associations. The Executive Committee was also directed ESTHER H. BARNES, Clerks. to prepare a suitable minute to accompany Summary of the Proceedings of the First-day Session. During the past year the schools, which are fourteen in number, have had a total enrollment of 576 scholars. As far as appears nine of them use the "Lesson Leaves" in some of the classes, and several refer to them as a valuable aid in the work done therein. Seven of the schools report the distribution of "Scattered Seeds" among the children, and seven report the possession of libraries, increasing in size, that are greatly valued and extensively used by the scholars. In most of the schools there are adult classes in which great interest is manifest. Several schools report a continued interest in temperance work, and one refers to the establishment of a Mission School with a total enrollment of 101 scholars. this letter, that should express the deep sense of loss we feel in the death of that faithful and efficient First-day school worker, our beloved friend, Lydia C. Stabler, of Balti For Friends' Intelligencer. IN THE WAY OF GOOD. "If you wish to become good, you must put yourself in the way of good. Go where you hear good things. Associate with those whose lives are godly. Read books that lead you to love goodness." love fixed upon self, confounds all words of the spirit of God." Let us not despair, but continue to struggle and cultivate the good, for when we least expect it we may reach the goal, and the blessing of Divine communion may be ours. L. H. H. JUDICIAL OATHS. We have been asked to call attention to a These words, earnestly and impressively uttered, during a private conversation, many years ago, by a young minister, whose few years upon earth were rich with deep religious experiences, have again and again sug-tract "On Judicial Oaths and their Effect," gested the inquiry as to there being a general prepared by the Representative Committee of desire to grow in the knowledge of spiritual the Yearly Meeting of Friends, held on Arch things. In the pleasures of our physical na- Street, Philadelphia. We copy a few of the ture, in the enjoyment of intellectual culture, and the satisfaction resulting from a moral closing paragraphs : life, is there not a danger of neglecting to cultivate the growth of the spirit? Our age is so full of interest, so rapid have been the developments of science, improvements in the arts have been so great, and life here made so valuable, that we are well content to rest and not search for the "hidden things of God" in the sense of a truly religious growth for the soul, feeling, perhaps, all the while a consciousness of loss, and at times a deep unrest, a weariness of all that delights the eye, charms the ear, or satisfies the mind. The spirit is not fed. "There is little doubt that many of those who take judicial oaths do so without a clear conception of the force of the expressions used. They do not fully realize the fact that by the concluding words, 'so help me God,' they deliberately renounce all claim on His mercy in the awful day of final judgment, if the statements they make are wilfully untrue. That this is the true meaning of the words is evident if we consider that they are only the abridged form of the old English oath, So help me God at His holy doom.' As has been well said by a writer on this sub the particle so-so, that is, upon condition of my speaking the truth, or performing the promise, and not otherwise, "may God help me." Whatever be the form of an oath, the signification is the same. It is the calling upon God to witness-that is, to take notice of what we say, and invoking His vengeance or renouncing His favor if what we say be false, or what we promise be not fulfilled.' The simple utterance above quoted sug-ject: The energy of the sentence resides in gests the remedy. Cultivate the devotional nature. If we wish to be intelligent, we first learn to read. We try by every avenue of thought to enlarge our mental powers, and we reap our enjoyment here in proportion as we sow the seeds of mental growth. Do we want to improve physically, we turn our at tention to that, employing skilled aid to accomplish it. It follows, then, if we wish to grow spiritually, we must work for it. The "It may be argued in support of the oath first step towards growth is taken when we that we must deal with men and their inare humble enough to acknowledge that we firmities as we find them, rather than as we need and desire it. That this growth will be would wish them to be. But do oaths pracslow at first is very evident. If long neg-tically control the conscience and elicit truth lected, it will be very, very slow. Just as the mature man that has never learned to read finds his task not only slow but painful. With some of us the realization of religious growth does not reach further than a consciousness of "Honest men when called upon to testify duty. It was a fine answer given by a cler- do not need the pressure of an oath; and the gyman to a fellow-religionist when the ques- gain to justice by the occasional extortion of tion was put, "Can you tell when you became the truth from an unscrupulous witness is far converted?" and the reply was, "When reli- outweighed by the diffusion through the comgion ceased to be a duty, and became a plea-munity of a laxity of sentiment with regard sure.” We must wrestle for it, and if we fail to truthfulness. Any practice which assumes again and again, keep up the struggle. Our that a departure from strict veracity on ordigreatest enemy will be the activity of our nary occasions is a more venial offence against mental powers. morals, and less hateful to the Divine Being than the same falsehood cloaked with the form of an appeal to Him, and an imprecation on the witness, degrades the value of How rare it is," said Fenelon, "to find a soul still enough to hear God speak! The slightest murmur of our vain desires, or of a when a simple affirmation would fail? The reports of perjury aud false witness in judicial trials so often put forth in public journals contradict such an assumption. simple truth as a principle from the place He has given it, and sets its price at the cost of the punishment which may follow its denial. If affirmations were universally substituted for oaths, and the same penalties attached to false statements made without an oath, a portion of the odium which now attaches to perjury would adhere to all other violations of the truth. "That society should set up a distinction, which is not in the Christian code, between lying with an added oath and a lie without it, and that judicial tribunals should support it, we believe weakens the public conscience, both by undervaluing the naked truth and disregarding an express command of Christ. We hold, then, that all judicial oaths should be expunged from the statute books, and that legislative authority should be given to the principle, that every departure from the honest, simple truth, is an offence against both God and man.” The tract may be procured at Friends' Book Store, No. 304 Arch Street, Philada. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM M. F. The accompanying "Extract from a letter” "Extract from a letter" was found in an old pocketbook with some other papers, and sent by a friend, as an interesting instance of the brightness of the spiritual parts surviving the failing of the physical. H. M. L. "All were in tears while we stayed. The remembrance of the opportunity is not off my mind yet, nor I hope ever will be while memory remains, for I think Mary Griffin and Comfort Collins are the most memorable instances of the reality and rectitude of the precious principle of light and life next to the influence of it in my own soul I ever met with." LOCAL INFORMATION. Friends' Meeting, Cape May Point, N. J., was held for the first time for the present season, on Seventh month 1st, at 10.30 A.M., at the cottage of Thomas T. Hilliard, who with his family are summer residents of the place, and members of Salem Monthly Meeting, N. J. The meeting is an indulged one, under the care of Greenwich Monthly and Salem Quarterly Meetings, and is generally attended by some of the committee appointed for the service, this being the second year of its existence. That held on the 1st was a solemn gathering. On reaching it a few minutes after the hour, by public conveyance from Cape May City, we found some Friends and others collected. Our lateness was caused by our dependence on the cars. Since then arrangements have been made for reaching the place in due season. gathering of the summer, quoted the beautiful promise of Jesus to those of former times "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there will I be in the midst." The promise had been verified, for a sweet and holy calmness seemed to pervade the meeting. She spoke of the goodness and mercy of God, of His love to all, how He invited us to become His children, never leaving us, but desiring we should enjoy His continual presence, enabling us to fulfil all the allotments of life to His honor. Our party consisted of seven from "the Windsor," Cape May City. Soon after being seated, a quietness that was felt settled over "We called to see Comfort Collins, aged all for some time; it was broken by a woman 101 years and 8 months. A more instructive Friend from Salem, one of the committee, A. and precious opportunity I have no remem- R. Paul, who, after a few remarks of how she brance of. All her faculties have, in a man-had desired to mingle with them in the first ner, fled, save her religious sensibility. She has no kind of recollection that she ever had a husband or children, houses or lands, nor of nearest friends when named, yet her sense of Divine good and the religious fervor of her mind appear unabated. We stayed about an hour, during which time she was engaged in praising her Maker, in exhorting us to love the Lord, and lay up treasure in heaven, several times saying, 'One hour in His presence is worth a thousand elsewhere, I know it, friends, I know it from experience,' and then her voice would seem to settle away with that kind of melody which dear old Mary Griffin used to make. After being still a minute or two, she would again lift up her voice with angelic sweetness in praising the Lord, and advising us to love and fear Him, and would look around upon us and say, 'I love you, dear friends, though you are strangers to me, but I love them that fear the Lord. Blessed be His name.' She held B. P. and myself by the hand nearly all the time. A period of sweet silence and spiritual communing followed, and with a feeling that we had been blessed the meeting closed, all realizing it was good to be there. The meeting held to day (the 8th) was larger, and was reached in good time. Several of the committee were in attendance, as well as others from Cape May City and some of the summer residents of Cape May Point not associated with us in religious membership. Words of love and exhortation from a man Friend were heard, inviting us to faith |
