fulness to known duties. The meeting closed | tives that are the mainspring of action. The satisfactorily. M. A. S. "The Windsor," Cape May, N. J., TRUE GREATNESS.—The standard of greatness set up by Jesus makes its attainment possible to the lowliest individual. It is not dependent upon outward circumstances, neither are culture or social position essential. All these, joined to the prestige of priestly birth, formed the environment of John the Baptist, of whom Jesus declared "none had arisen greater than he." "Nevertheless," He added, "he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater." Here we have the only pure in heart, the meek in spirit, the earnest seeker, he that is hungering and athirst after righteousness-all these are the great in the Heavenly Kingdom. To the soul that has crossed but the border lines of this blessed territory, and began as it were to breathe its holy atmosphere, the honor and greatness dross." To win this kingdom, to know its that come of worldly distinction are but as King and be owned of Him, becomes the absorbing desire. And what a hope and consolation to the struggling heart of humanity is this truth ! It is "the glad tidings of great joy" to all peoples. The poor, the illiterate, the despised, and the downtrodden may sit with kings and standard that meets all conditions of men, councilors; more than this-they may themeverywhere. There can be no mistake in the selves become "kings and priests unto God” meaning of His words; the old thought that forever. This is a greatness that brings no placed the Kingdom of Heaven in a future pang to the recipients, that is reached through state was, perhaps, the best while it satisfied no strife for place, and no assumption of the desire of the seeker, and gave him hope power. It is a greatness that enlarges the for the better condition when his probation heart of man, that leads him to prefer was accomplished. One can hardly imagine another to himself, and is not so much conthe power that this hope gave to the multi-cerned whether his own works shall be seen tudes who, in the terrible persecutions and of men as that the "Searcher of hearts shall be satisfied of his integrity. martyrdoms which man has inflicted upon man for conscience sake, were strengthened to endure to the end, without wavering, glad to be accounted worthy to follow their Master in the way of the Cross. Are we among the little ones of this kingdom? is the important question upon which the judgment for time and for eternity must rest. But the enlightened conscience of this age What doth it profit if we gain the highest finds its best interpretation of the Kingdom earthly distinction and have no part or lot in of Heaven as Jesus taught, in that complete- this kingdom? In view of the fearful odds ness of the spiritual life which brings every it involves, well might the blessed One put power and faculty into subjection to its gov- the startling query, "What shall a man give ernment, so that it may be said of a truth in exchange for his soul?" the Kingdom of Heaven is within every one who has realized the beginning of this work in his own experience. This being a state into which only that which is spiritually discerned may enter, its attainment does not depend on the ordinary method by which worldly greatness is achieved. The man whom the multitude delights to honor may be the farthest from it, and yet earthly distinction is not incompatible with the greatness of the Gospel. The Divine estimate is made up from within, it takes cognizance only of the mo OUR MEMBERSHIP.-That the membership of the Society of Friends is not increasing as is that of most other religious bodies, and that in many localities it can hardly hold its own from decade to decade, is too true to be disputed. We even hear of meetings entirely laid down, and even in meetings which have much strength, and where true zeal for the cause of truth warms the hearts and animates the minds of the members, children of parents who have been eminent in their day are retiring from the fold, casting away their inheritance, and turning their backs upon the House of their Fathers. Inquiry into the causes of this lack of cohering power has as yet led to no very clear reasons for the state of things manifested. It has been wisely said, "To know ourselves diseased is half our cure," and it is far better that the church be grieved and anxious in view of the facts than that she sit serene in self-satisfaction while the very foundations are being undermined. Are the zeal and energy of the young members of the Society of Friends engaged as they should be in its behalf? Are children carefully shown the reasonableness and reality of our simple faith? Are the Discipline and Order of the Society judiciously adapted to the existing condition of things, rather than to the circumstances of past times? Above all, do our less experienced members see constantly before them a pure and high example of righteous and benevolent living on the part of those to whom they look as watchmen on the walls and shepherds of the flock, and are they led to feel that it it is their duty to uphold the hands of their dedicated fellow-members upon whom is laid the burden of the work of the Church? It is well to look the facts of the case fully in the face, and in all humility accept the remedy that the best light we can attain to may show. Committees even now are deeply engaged in inquiries concerning acknowledged deficiencies, but no really concerned Friend can feel free from care in this matter. Taking a review of the present and the past, it seems apparent that at no time has the membership of this body been purer or more earnest. As a whole, we are desirous of the prosperity of our Zion, and hope for an enlargement of her borders. We ask that Paul may plant and that Apollos may water, and beseech the Lord of the Harvest to give an increase. The principles of religious truth, and the general precepts of the Society, are no less excellent than they have ever been, and they challenge the approval of mankind. Surely, if there is a general searching of heart, and an honest resolve that individual deficiencies shall be redressed, a better day The cloak of exclusiveness is not favorable to spiritual health and life, and the garment of self-righteousness is no ornament to the Christian professor. We desire to cast away these, and put on the whole armor of God, that we may be fitted for His service, and work. The spirit which seeks to stifle inquiry, that we may be qualified to carry on His and that has no tolerance of candid and does not savor of the meekness and gentleearnest expression on the part of others, ness of Christ, nor can it promote the interests of the Church. MARRIED. DANIELS — LUKENS.-On Third-day Seventh mo. 3d, 1883, at the residence of the bride's parents, by Friends' ceremony, Henry Daniels, of Philadelphia, to Annie M., daughter of Seth and Mary M. Lukens, of Gwynedd, Montgomery co., Pa. DIED. FOULKE.-On Third mo. 30th, at Lloydsville, Belmont co., Ohio, of pneumonia, Barton Foulke, aged nearly 75. The deceased was for many years an Elder and Overseer of Plainfield Monthly Meeting, where his loss will be greatly felt. TROTH.-On Fifth month 27th, at his residence in Accotink, Va., Paul Hillman Troth, in the 66th year of his age. Member of Fairfax Monthly Meeting. ZORNS.-On Seventh month 13th, in Philadelphia, William Zorns, in the 92d year of his age. An Elder of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, Pa. CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE.-The sun is full of heat and light, and it asks no questions as to how it shall do good, but is perpetually pouring out its golden flood. The spring that sparkles at the foot of the hill is full, and, asking leave of no one, is forever welling forth its sweet waters. So the Christian, if only full of the love of God and man, and shedding around him benign influence, as a natural result cannot help doing good. SOME OBSERVATIONS ON MEXICO-II. BY JOSEPH THOMAS, M.D., LL.D. It would be difficult to name any two large countries more strikingly contrasted with respect to the means of internal communication than Mexico and the eastern portion of the United States; the one completely destitute of navigable streams or lakes of any considerable extent, and presenting few extensive plains adapted to the construction of easy roads; the other penetrated in almost every part by majestic rivers or wide spreading arms of the sea, such as the Connecticut, the Hudson, the Delaware and its noble bay, the Chesapeake with its multitudinous branches, and, not to mention smaller streams, the Savannah, the Alabama, and lastly the mighty Mississippi, unequaled among all the rivers of the world for its length, and only equaled by the Amazon in the quantity of water which it rolls into the sea. lic for a short and delightful trip during a summer vacation; or for a longer sojourn in the cooler portion of the year-autumn, winter or spring. A journey to the country in the cooler season will have this especial advantage, that the tourist can then with comparative comfort and safety visit every region, and not confine himself chiefly, as he must do in summer, to the tierras frias of the great central plateau of Mexico. It should, however, be borne in mind that nearly all the grandest scenery, including the magnificent mountains, Orizaba and Popóca-Tepetl, can be seen to good advantage in the hot season, when the temperature of the high table-land is more agreeable than it would be in winter. It is true that in summer (the rainy season) the mountains are often hidden by clouds, but they can usually be seen early in the morning, and sometimes through the entire day. Still more remarkable, perhaps, are the fa- I have spoken of the great facilities which cilities for communication afforded on our the tourist will enjoy for visiting Mexico, northern frontier by that mighty chain of when the railways now contemplated shall fresh-water seas, which has nowhere any par- have been finished. It may be proper to say allel in the geography of the globe. In addi- something of the most convenient way of vistion to the above inestimable advantages, I iting the country while we are waiting for need only allude to the far-stretching plains that consummation so "devoutly to be wished." occurring more particularly in the West and The tourist may take his choice either to go Northwest, so remarkably adapted to the in a steamer directly from New York to Vera construction of railways and other roads. Cruz (the port of Mexico), or he may go by The entire absence of all these natural ad-rail to New Orleans, then across the Gulf to vantages is the predominant characteristic of Mexico; and having (with but one important exception*) no easy and ready communication between one distant part of her territory and another, an extensive and active commerce, furnishing an outlet for the productions of her mines or her fields, is impossible, and consequently the people have no adequate stimulus to their industry or enterprise. The true and only remedy for all these evils is the construction of an ample system of railways, which, thanks to American energy and enterprise, is now going forward on a rapid and extensive scale. When the various roads now projected shall have been finished, it will be a much less serious undertaking to visit the nearer portions of Mexico, than it is now to visit California. Then I feel confident multitudes of our citizens of the class who now commonly make the tour of Europe, attracted by the magnificent scenery, or by the peculiari ties and novel customs of the Mexican people, will flock to the land of our sister repub *I refer to the railways connecting Vera Cruz with the city of Mexico and Queretaro. The two roads, though belonging to different companies, may be said to form one continuous line of travel, which at the beyond Queretaro. Yet the two together do not reach present time extends to the northwest, considerably nearly one-third of the distance across the territory of the republic from the southeast to the north west. Vera Cruz, and thence by the railway to the Mexican capital. I chose the latter course. By the Air Line road I reached New Orleans in less than two days and a half from Philadelphia. The passage across the Gulf takes from five to six days. I arrived by the steamer City of Merida at Vera Cruz on the morning of the 17th of June, 1882. I ought to state that, though the steamer was not a very fast one to travel, I never was in any vessel in which both officers and waiter seemed more anxious to promote the comfort of the passengers in every respect. I shall always remember with pleasure that five days' trip across the Gulf. As our steamer previously, on her arrival from Vera Cruz (one of the most unhealthy places in the world), had been quarantined by the authorities of New Orleans for a few days, until it could be ascertained that there was no yellow fever on board, the Vera Cruzans, naturally apprehensive for the reputation of their city, felt it incumbent on them, as a point of honor, to place us likewise in quarantine. We were detained, however, only two days, which passed pleasantly and quickly. Our steamer being anchored at considerable distance from tle breezes from the Gulf. I was never weary shore, we were constantly fanned by the genwith gazing at the beautiful breakers which were constantly playing over the coral reefs | tions of sugar cane and bananas, one sees on one side of the harbor. In the opposite direction the lofty cone of Orizaba wearing, like a queen, A brilliant crown of everlasting snow; was a sight never to be forgotten by any one who had once beheld it. In the forenoon of the 19th we were per mitted to go ashore. At 6 o'clock A.M. on the 20th, I took my place in the railway train destined for the city of Mexico. The Spanish name for a railway is ferro-carril. It is quite worth while to listen to the rich rolling of the two double r's in this word as pronounced by the Mexicans. almost everywhere the maguey (or American aloe), from which pulque is made. I should judge, at a rough estimate, that I saw tens of thousands of acres planted with this most characteristic of Mexican plants. With the exception, perhaps, of Indian corn, there is probably no one vegetable production in all Mexico which the people regard as so important as the maguey. The drink (pulque) obtained from it is believed to be a sovereign remedy for that poverty (or thinness) of blood caused by the rarefied air of the table-land. After a passage of 263 miles from Vera Cruz, our train arrived at the city of Mexico about 9 P.M. The railway station is some two miles from the densely built portion of the city. It was to me a surprise and pleasure to see electric lights near the Hotel Iturbide, the most fashionable and most expensive in the city. As a general rule, the guest takes his room (or rooms) at the hotel and his meals at a restaurant. I was excellently accommodated with the former at San Carlos Hotel, and with the latter at the English restaurant of Mr. Naylor.-Country Gentleman. For Friends' Intelligencer. A RETREAT FROM SUMMER SUNBEAMS. With the intenser heats of summer comes a wild unrest to the dwellers in the sun-smitten cities. about cities. They have heard that there are high places where the cool waters have reposed for ages, where the woods have triumphed in their murmurous grandeur, where the free winds sweep away malarial vapors, and where weary men and women have found it good to seek summer repose and mutual help toward the higher life. President Garfield once stated briefly the truth that the first problem of civilization is, "How shall we get leisure ?” Every blow that labor has struck since the foundation of the world has this meaning. As soon as the train started, its motion gave us some relief from the suffocating heat of Vera Cruz; but we did not experience any very decided change in the temperature till we approached the base of the mountains at some 50 or 60 miles from the coast. In this region the air is not only fresh and delightful, but the traveler sees on every hand the rich vegetation of the tropics-plantations of sugar cane, coffee and bananas, the last sometimes covering thousands of acres. Here he will meet with almost every kind of tropical fruit, including oranges, mangoes and pineapples, of the most delicious quality. From Atoyac, 53 miles from Vera Cruz, the ascent becomes much steeper. Atoyac is only about 1,500 feet above the sea. In the next 12 miles (to near Cordova) the ascent is about 1,200 feet, or 100 feet to a mile. Cordova, 2,700 feet above the sea, is a couple of miles or so from the railway. It was formerly a place of some consequence, but, though now apparently on the decline, it still has a population of from 9,000 to 10,000. The next town of importance is Orizaba, situated not very far from the base of the mountain of this name, 82 miles from Vera Cruz, and about 4,000 feet above the level of the sea. It has a population of about 13,000. Owing to the proximity of the great mountain Orizaba, there is a remarkable change in the temperature in this portion of our journey, and the passenger, if he is wise, will take care in advance to have a shawl or overcoat near at hand. From the neglect of this precaution, some have suffered severely from cold in the ascent to the high table-land-a misfortune which, no doubt, is more likely to occur in the warm season, as no one sweltering from the heat of Vera Cruz would be apt to suspect that before many hours he might keenly feel the need of winter clothing. Having at length reached the high table-land of Central Mexico, the traveler observes a wonderful change both in scenery and productions. The country is in many places comparatively level, and, instead of the planta The second problem is "What shall we do. with our leisure?" Unless properly used, a dreadfully bad thing is leisure. To use it well requires a certain culture of mind and heart, and an appreciative spirit which can accept the rich bounties nature offers. Says Emerson, "He who knows the most, he who knows what sweets and virtues are in the ground, the waters, the plants, the heavens, and how to come at these enchantments is the rich and royal man.” A notable thing is said to have happened in this our day, On the grassy, shadowy banks of the most western of the New York lakes is now being attempted the solution of the last of these problems of civilization. The general prosperity of our times has given to many of our people the means of leisure, and now the gifted and the wise have concentrated their forces and to the banks of Lake Chatauqua have invited those who seek to learn the secret of the wise and profitable use of the days of leisure which a work-day life affords. Shall we go and see what are the intellectual and aesthetic attractions of this place which so confidently challenges our admiration? sacrificial worship, once deemed acceptable to the Divine Being. A sectional model of the Great Pyramid explains to all inquiring minds the architectural notions of royal Cheops of far antiquity. An Amphitheatre seating six thousand people is the audience room for the expected multitude who are to come hungry for knowledge to this astonishing summer school of multifarious learning. The "Brush Electric Light" illuminates buildings and grounds by night, and all use of intoxicants is prohibited upon the grounds or within the precincts of Chatauqua. The card-table, the dance, and late hours are forbidden, and those who sojourn here are supposed to be such only as are willing to live the ideal life of virtue and of righteous endeavor after moral and intellectual good which the holders of this domain deem advisable. Very beautiful it looks to-day as we lie for a few moments by the landing and get a glimpse of the panorama of life as it unfolds among the groves and upon the green sward. Pretty cottages nestle among the trees, and an imposing hotel, bearing the suggestive classic name "Athenæum," offers luxury and repose such as only a fully equipped hotel can. Roller skating, lawn tennis, archery, croquet, swings, all are here, and the abundance of rowing and sailing boats along the beach speak of pleasures upon the water, superior to any of the recreations on terra firma. The Methodist body, I think, predominate at Chatauqua, and the moral and religious, as well as the educational ideas of that people here find expression. We might live under their rules without the slightest sense of constraint, for none of their negations are our affirmations; but yonder rises a smoothlyrounded headland on the northeastern shore and to it, Point Chatauqua, we are destined. The signs are favorable, we will go. Amid the glow and fervor of the heats of the patriotic Fourth, our great trunks are laden with the things pertaining to comfort and intellectual help, and on the unimportant and ignoble Fifth we take our flight from comfortable, yet scorching Philadelphia, follow the track of the North Penn to Bethlehem, and thence along the ever-lovely Lehigh and Susquehanna valleys beyond the borders of our own State. Westward by the Erie road, through oil regions, by forest and flood, and over ridges of hills we go until at length is reached Jamestown, N. Y. Here a steamer awaits us, all warm and weary as we are, and we embark on the waters of the Chatauqua. A quiet tortuous stream it is at first, the mere outlet of the generous waters further on. The trees rise out of the depths, as it seems, and form a luxuriant boundary line to the shadowy outlet which gradually widens as we progress and the broad waters of the blue lake open around us. The rapid movement of the boat insures a breeze which soothes away the irritations of common life, while the fair scenery of the lake, worthy a poet's praise, elevates the tone of thought, exhilarates the spirits, and inclines the heart to joy and gladness. We pass onward, stopping near the south end at Lakewood, a most attractive grove, hotel and cottages; on the east shore, at Bemus Point, also pleasant; at Long Point, a long, narrow projection of land into the lake, on which are growing shadowy trees to its ex- Again the swift steamer cuts the shining tremity, among which are rustic seats that waters and we are soon at rest by the landing. seem restful and incline one to linger by the Here a company of Baptist people, mainly, gentle waters. Further on, on the west shore, have purchased for themselves a domain of we reach the town of Chatauqua where the goodly size, erected a fine, large hotel, conChatauqua Assembly and the Chatauqua served and improved a noble grove, reared Literary and Scientific Circle have their seat. an array of fine cottage homes, constructed a This is a most notable point, and has the ad- spacious tabernacle for assemblies, ordained a vantage of being well wooded to the water's series of wholesome entertainments, and inedge. One hundred and fifty acres of wood-structive lectures, and they call to the comland are beautifully laid out in parks, walks, and carriage drives. The Model of the Holy Land, nearly 300 feet in length, lies on the borders of the lake, which is supposed to represent the Mediterranean Sea. This is designed to assist the sluggish imagination of the student of Holy Writ who would impress on his mind the topography of the region of the sacred story. A model of the Jewish Tabernacle makes clear the description of the old fort-seeking pilgrims of earth to come and be taken charge of and be taught the ways of wisdom by competent professors of that science. Here, instead of native forests, we have apple orchards, grassy meads and fruitful gardens, while a solemn temple of the Dryads crowns the heights and speaks of cool retreats and gracious musings over the deep things of life. We land, and stand beside our trunks, |