traditions, recognizing that these trammel and hinder our progress, in so far as they are depended on, instead of the Inward Light, which alone can guide us aright. It may yet be so, that this will lead us to work in other directions than those we have been accustomed to; wider fields of labor may be opened to our vision, and we should not falter nor fear to enter in, if but our guide goes before to direct our steps.

At the meeting for worship held on Firstday morning, after gathering into silence, a Friend arose with the text, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord," and said in illustration, a good man can rejoice in the testimony of a good conscience, having lived righteously, he may realize the promise of the Most High, "When thy feet pass through the water, I will be near to support thee; I will make a way where there is no way."

It was said by another "It is a mistake to think the Almighty did not constitute us with feelings of humanity. Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, his humanity differed in no respect from our own. The desire was expressed that he, with us, might bear in mind the words of Solomon, 'When thou appearest in the house of God, remember that He is in heaven and thou on earth,' therefore let thy words be few, and that all might come home within themselves, to the grace of God which appeareth unto all, and which when allowed dominion in our hearts, will indeed make our bodies the temple of the living God. Then the New Jerusalem will have come down from God out of heaven."

A Friend recalled the testimony of Jesus to the woman of Samaria, that "the hour had come that neither in this mount, nor yet in Jerusalem should they worship the Father; but those that worship him should do so in spirit and in truth, for he seeketh such to worship him." He had faith in the power of God to create a new heart in every one of his rational creatures who desired it. That was a memorable day in which Jesus was born into the world: the child, the son, the Prince of Peace, of the increase of whose government there should be no end. We are very apt to think, if we had lived in that favored time, we would have been willing to give up all our possessions, to follow Him in His journeyings; but are we willing now to follow the teachings of the Christ Spirit within us, which will lead out of darkness into Light?

On Second-day morning a meeting of the Representative Committee was held.

À leaflet entitled "A True Gospel Ministry" was presented, and the propriety of issuing an address to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, of the other branch of Friends, in

recognition of one sent out by that body last year, to all bearing the name of Friend, was considered. Committees were appointed to take both subjects in charge and report to a future session. Near the time of gathering, the Yearly Meeting assembled to transact business. In the Women's Meeting all the representatives were present except one.

Minutes were read for Ann Packer, of Green Plain, Ohio, Rebecca Price, of Baltimore, Md., Reuben Wilson, of Fishing Creek, Pa., Joseph M. Spencer, of West Branch, Pa., Isaac Wilson, of West Lake, Canada, and Samuel Tomlinson, of Short Creek, Ohio.

Before entering on the business we were exhorted to walk in the Light that we might have fellowship one with another, and in this fellowship we will be preserved from talebearing and such like evils and will be engaged to mind the apostle's injunction to forsake not the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is," for in so doing we suffer great loss. In silent waiting there is power, and the flowing of Divine love through the heart will make amends for difficulties experienced in gathering together; we will feel fed and sustained by Him, and prepared to live a life of righteousness. Then we will have no time to pass away lightly, but living in the light of truth, will become not only professed children of God, but really so. If we bow in our youth, and bear the cross, we shall build up the walls of our Zion. Then, "instead of the fathers, shall be the sons, instead of the mothers, shall be the daughters." The words of the Master, "love one another," were feelingly alluded to, and desires expressed that we should all know His voice and obey it, in little duties as well as great ones, and in His love we will be strengthened to perform our duties.

One friend had known some, laboring under disadvantages and discouragements, to move away to escape confusion and avoid responsibilities and accountabilities, who had afterwards to acknowledge a yearning for religious fellowship, and the kindness and care of Friends. Notwithstanding we see many failings, the conviction is, "that Joseph is yet alive," and she was not discouraged, for she believed in the mercy and goodness of God.

The meeting was brought into a feeling of near sympathy with those of our members who are deprived of the privilege of mingling with us, and under covering of this feeling, a committee was appointed to prepare an address to be issued to them, conveying a sense of our desire that they too might be made partakers in a degree of the good things spread out before us.

A brother visiting us, was led to encourage

Valuable epistles from all our sister Yearly Meetings were read, giving evidence of a continuance of sisterly regard. They were as brooks by the way, showing also that in all parts of the vineyard there are chosen plants of our Heavenly Father's planting.

On reviewing the state of society as brought before us by reading the Queries and Answers, it was felt that although deficiencies were acknowledged there was cause for encouragement, in the belief that our vital testimonies are still dear to our hearts.

A sister of another faith being present desired to express her gratification at our manner of transacting business, and feelingly exhorted the young women to faithful obedience to the inner voice, saying they could not overestimate the advantage of this principle early engrafted on their minds.

On Fourth-day morning the Representative Committee again met. The sub-committees, approving of the leaflet, and producing the address before mentioned, both were referred to the Yearly Meeting. One expression, "Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," in the address, it was feared might mislead some as to our views, and considerable comment was made, but as the phrase seemed to give general satisfaction, it was unaltered. One Friend explained her idea of " Jesus Christ," as Jesus the example, Christ the Saviour.

The public meeting followed, and much vocal exercise was had by both men and women speakers. Our public meetings were not quite so large as at some former times, but it was thought the meetings for business were fully as large, and marked with much apparent interest by the aged, middle-aged and young.

In joint session the Indian question, the subjects of Prison Reform, of Temperance, the First-day School cause, Isolated Friends, Co-operative Labor, etc, were introduced, and the reports of the several committees read, showed an evidently increasing interest in the humanitarian works in which we are engaged, inciting us to still greater faithfulness in the discharge to our fellow creatures, of any obligation that arises to our view, or that may be laid upon us by the Society.

The First-day School Annual Association held two sessions; there was also one meeting of the Peace Society, and two or three evening house meetings.

FRIENDS AND THEIR MEETING HOUSES—V.

The rain on Fifth-day, (Eighth month 2d) interfered with a proposed ride to Rye Lake, a small body of water lying in a deep basin. Only a glimpse of its limpid waters is had from the road. It is from this lake that New York expects to add to her water supply. All along the railroad upon which we traveled in coming to Purchase, we had observed the line of pipes, some in place and others waiting the labor of the workmen.

There are doubts in the minds of many in the neighborhood in regard to the undertaking; the supply that can be drawn therefrom is not considered adequate to meet the wants of the city. The lake is fed from subterranean sources, and its capacity can only be tested by actual trial. The outflow is very small, and there are no surface streams running into it. The water is pure and of excellent quality, and if the source is inexhaustible the people of New York may be very willing to incur the heavy expense attending the work.

Our next point of interest is Rockland County, and its little Friends, meeting at Kakiat; but to reach it we have to return to New York, which we do on Fifth-day afternoon, and the same evening accompany our friends to the meeting held fortnightly in the library-room at Rutherford place. Many who usually attend being out of the city the number present was smaller on that account.

It may be well to add that these meetings originated from a concern on the part of some friends who are unable to get to the Fourthday morning meeting, and who were regular attenders of the evening meeting held formerly at Twenty-seventh street.

The first half hour is devoted to reading and the consideration of the "Lesson Leaves" for First-day schools, the remainder of the time is given more directly to social worship. This blending of worship and study seemed to us a very profitable way of spending an evening, and one that would increase the interest of those who attended, in the work among the children of the Society.

For several miles the land is low and marshy, the Hackensack river rolls its waters lazily along on the left, sometimes quite near and at others more distant.

The roadsides are bordered with the small cat tail (typha augustifolia) in great abundance, besides many of the brighter flowering plants that luxuriate in wet soil.

We pass from this to the broken and hilly surface of Rockland county. Every mile or so as we steam along, is marked by a station, around which a village has sprung up. Some of these are neat and attractive in appearance and show a spirit of enterprise in the residents.

We are again among wooded heights, meadows, corn-fields, orchards and comfortable farm-houses. The latter, with the barns and out-buildings, are kept in excellent condition-paint is not spared, and the effect is to give an air of thrift and neatness that is very commendable. The soil is rocky, very many of the fences are of stone, and much of the land seems only fit for sheep pasture. One can but admire the patience and perseverance that has brought so many fields into cultivation. The wild carrot (Dancus carota) lifts its graceful umbels to the sunshine along all the fences, and has spread into the meadows and waste lands like an invading foe, but is entirely too pretty to be classed among the "cumberers of the ground." Occasionally a delicate rosy pink umbel is seen among them; all have the dark purple sterile flower in the

centre.

We enjoy for a few days the hospitality of our friends in this picturesque locality. A drive to Rockland Lake is one of its points of interest. It is here that the Knickerbocker Company has its large storing houses for ice located. Quite a village has grown up in the immediate vicinity. The steep ascent from the lake passes under the roadway that at a high elevation follows the shore-line. A cable road from the storage houses to the Hudson river conveys the ice to the barges waiting to receive it. As we follow the road which descends to the level of the lake again, we get a fine view of the Hudson river, and are surprised that it is so near. The town of Sing Sing, on the opposite shore is distinctly

seen.

On First-day morning we start for Kakiat meeting, an hour's ride over long hills, but for the most part excellent roads brings us to the place in time to mingle in the First-day school exercises. The small, neat meeting-house is on a hill, from which peak upon peak of wooded mountains is seen in every direction. It is delightfully situated for attendance in

access in the stormy weather of mid-winter.

We find the house well filled with teachers and scholars. It is temperance day, and the exercises are mostly directed to that subject, all were very earnest and attentive. Temperance lesson books are used, which seemed to us helpful and appropriate.

Few of those present belong to the Society of Friends. The meeting as well as the school is largely made up of those gathered from other denominations, who find it pleasant and profitable to sit with the two or three who hold the meeting. The membership was never very large, and the changes from removals and death have reduced it to its present condition.

At the close of the school a brief recess was taken; others came in, and when the meeting settled into quiet waiting, we were surprised that so many were there.

The close attention paid to the spoken word was very encouraging; it seemed truly that the good seed of our simple religion was falling upon ground prepared to receive it. Both speakers and hearers felt the inspiration of the hour. Some who recalled the days of their childhood when they sat with their parents in a Friends meeting, were melted into tears.

The revival of this isolated meeting shows what the faithfulness of one individual may accomplish a brief history of its establishment and revival, as I have it from one who is good authority, will not be out of place. It is as follows: Somewhere in the early part of the present century, a few Friends, resident in the neighborhood began to hold meetings in private houses. David Sands, a minister, attended one of these meetings and so aroused the Friends that they determined to build a meeting house, which was done. Some years after (the date is not given) several families, mostly the heads of the meeting, removed to Western New York. This so reduced their numbers that it was thought the meeting might be laid down. About this time William Conklin, a minister, left in his will a sum of money to keep the meeting house in a condition for use, when Friends traveling in the ministry were in the vicinity. The trust was held by Cornwall Monthly Meeting of which Kakiat was a part.

This Friend before his death predicted that though the meeting might go down it would be revived again, and the person was already living who would be instrumental in its reopening.

When Restore and Rhoda Lamb were in New York on a religious visit to the prisons of that State, the house was opened for an appointed meeting which was held by them.

Says the American of this city: "The central point in the man's character was his profound and unshaken faith in the living God. Of Moses it is written that 'he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.' It might be written of Luther also. That vision went with him through his life. God was the first of realities with him. Hence his personal contempt for danger when the fate of Huss seemed to impend over him at Worms. Hence also his contempt for considerations of policy when he could see a clue to the right course. Hence his constant refusal to cast himself and his cause upon the support of this or that party in the State, although he was most urgent in summoning each in its turn to the work of reformation. He stood unshaken and as on a rock amid the shifts and changes of his time, always believing that a higher power than emperors, princes, and nobles had a hand in the making of history, and would fail in nothing that the good cause required. If our Lord God will have His church,' said he, 'then we tell Him plainly that He must uphold it. We could not do so for an hour, and if we could we should be the proudest asses under heaven.' And as he trusted in God for great things, so also for small for Dr. Luther's life and safety. When his wife writes that she has been anxious about these during his absence on a journey, he replies humorously that her anxiety has done him fine service, as he has been all but burned alive in his inn and has but escaped being crushed by a falling rock, and that if she continues her care, instead of leaving him to God's care, perhaps the earth will open and swallow him down! Courage of this kind, the courage that carries a man forward unflinchingly in the defense of principles, is not a cheap or common quality.

"Luther's truthfulness like his courage had its root in religious faith, and like that it was a marked quality in the man. He waged a lifelong warfare upon edifying liesthe shams and pretenses which churchmen and statesmen tolerate in the belief that the people need to be governed by falsehoods. He had the strong man's hatred of lies, and the conviction that the truth is always edifying, a lie never so. He hated lies as a German also. In one of his works he calls attention to the truthfulness of the German character as distinguishing the Teuton from the Italian. The Italian, he notices, is not offended at being called a liar; the German will make no jest of it, but takes it as the worst of insults. And on this quality, in his opinion, Teutonic society must rest; when princes cease to keep faith with their people, and the people with each other, then society must resolve itself into its elements. There

is nothing more Protestant in Luther's reformation than this principle that truth is always edifying, a lie always mischievous. It is true that those who think they are carrying forward his work have not always been faithful to it. They too often have yielded to that partisan spirit which is essentially a spirit of lies. They too often have yielded to the spirit of fear which suggests that the truth for its own sake is not the chief end of man, but only so much of the truth as is edifying. In nearly every new controversy, the first voices heard are those of weak brethren who insist, not on the falsehood, but on the dangerous character, of any new opinion that has been broached. Had Luther listened to such voices, there would have been no Reformation. He saw as clearly as man could that his own chief doctrine that of justification by faith-was liable to great abuses; but when he was satisfied of its truth he went forward, leaving consequences to God.

"Luther is dear to his countrymen as the vindicator of the sacredness of family life as the best and most Christian kind of living. For many long years after he had ceased to believe in the celibate life as the best, he continued to obey the vows of poverty and celibacy, rather than give offence to weak consciences. Even when he had satisfied himself that religious vows have only so much force as they derive from their conformity to the will of God, and that therefore these two vows had none, he still remained unmarried. It was not until 1525, when he was in his forty-second year, and when he had observed the vow of celibacy for twenty years in both its letter and its spirit, and when one of the German princes called upon him to exemplify his teachings by his practise, that he took to wife a good woman who, like himself, had renounced the obligations of that vow. What their family life was, in cheerful devoutness and constancy of faith, we know from the letters that passed between him and his wife, from the accounts left us by those who visited him in Wittenberg, and, above all, from that most indiscriminate and often blundering but still admirable record of what passed at his own table, the Tischreden' ('Table-talk'). It seems that we have in this huge congeries of his sayings little more than the record of the year 1534. Yet it exhibits the overflow of a mind large in its intellectual and moral interests, richly stored with the fruits of study and observation, and heartily devout in all things. We should have known Luther less intimately had no such Boswellian zeal been busy with him, in spite of his resistance and his protests. Some of his finest sayings are in the