FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. "TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO: KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE." VOL. XL. PHILADELPHIA, TENTH MONTH 13, 1883. No, 35. CONTENTS. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY AN ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS. COMMUNICATIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED AND PAYMENTS MADE TO JOHN COMLY, AGENT, AT PUBLICATION OFFICE, No. 1020 ARCH STREET. TERMS:-TO BE PAID IN ADVANCE. The Paper is issued every week. The FORTIETH Volume commenced on the 17th of Second month, 1883, at Two Dollars and Fifty Cents to subscribers receiving it through mail, postage prepaid. SINGLE NUMBERS SIX CENTS. 553 555 556 Poetry To Autumn-A Voice from the Sick Room........ 557 557 558 559 560 560 The Boyhood of James Nasmyth.. It is desirable that all subscriptions should commence at the Early Christian Epitaphs.. beginning of the volume. REMITTANCES by mail should be in CHECKS, DRAFTS, or P. 0. MONEY-ORDERS; the latter preferred. MONEY sent by mail will be at the risk of the person so sending. AGENTS:-Edwin Blackburn, Baltimore, Md. Benj. Strattan, Richmond, Ind. Entered at the Post-Office at Philadelphia, Penna. as second-class matter ILLINOIS YEARLY MEETING. The Clerk of Illinois Yearly Meeting has kindly forwarded to us the advance sheets of the proceedings of that body at its recent sessions, from which we have made the following synopsis of the transactions in Men's division.--EDS. The representatives were all present. Minutes for visiting Friends from other Yearly Meetings were read, and the Clerk was directed to prepare a suitable minute acknowledging their presence. Jonathan W. Plummer and Oliver Wilson were reappointed as Clerk and Assistant. Under date of Second month 23d, 1883, Blue River Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders reports that Clear Creek Monthly Meeting had recorded Abel Mills as a minister. Also, under date of Ninth month 2d, 1881, that Benjamin ville Monthly Meeting had recorded Edward Coale as a minister. To A Check to Poverty.. Natural History Studies. Tangles............ Items......... warded to our members, with which this meeting cordially unites, and leaves the preparation of the letter in the hands of Women Friends. On Third-day afternoon— Rebecca Price and Ann Heacock gave us an acceptable visit, and extended Gospel counsel and love, to our edification and satisfaction. Having finished the reading of the queries and answers, the following summaries were adopted by the meeting, as nearly representing our condition at this time: 1st Answer. Friends are generally diligent in the attendance of our meetings for worship and discipline, except those for worship near the middle of the week. Unbecoming conduct mostly avoided, and Friends generally observe the hour for meeting. 2ď Ans. Love and fellowship are generally maintained as queried after. Tale-bearing and detraction are discouraged, and no differences are known to exist, except that one Monthly Meeting notes an exception in regard to love and fellowship among some of its members. Epistles from each of the Yearly Meetings with which we correspond were presented and read to our satisfaction and edification. prepare an epistle or epistles to be sent to 3d Ans. Most of our members observe simthose meetings, in recognition of the fellow-plicity and utility in their apparel, and genship thus manifested, and which is so accept-erally avoid superfluity and vain fashions, able to us, were appointed. Women Friends presented to this meeting a concern to have an address, or letter of encouragement and love, prepared and for and advise their children and those under their influence to the same care. Many are thoughtful to encourage plain and honest speech, and kindness and gentleness in de portment; more care to guard against frivo- | ety within the State, Henry Atherton, Benlous and pernicious literature, and to furnish jamin Coale, J. W. Plummer, Abel Mills, that which is profitable and inviting in its Joshua L. Mills and Thomas H. Trueblood stead is desirable. As far as known, corrupt were appointed to take the subject into conconversation is not indulged in, and the fre- sideration and report their judgment upon quent reading of the Scriptures is pretty the request to a future session. Also, if generally encouraged. thought advisable, to recommend the names of suitable persons to act as a committee to prepare such a history, for presentation to this meeting next year. The minutes of the Representative Committee were read. 4th Ans. Our members are clear, as far as known, of importing, distilling, vending or using intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and they avoid renting their property or selling their grain for such purposes. Generally thoughtful in extending a temperance influence in their neighborhoods. With a few istry With a few exceptions they are clear of the use of tobacco. More care is necessary in bearing a watchful testimony against attending places of unprofitable diversion. 5th Ans. The necessities of the poor of our neighborhoods, so far as they have come to our notice, have been relieved as far as duty seemed to require, and those needing it have been advised and assisted in obtaining employment. The school education of their children is encouraged when necessary. 6th Ans. We believe that our members generally maintain a faithful testimony in favor of a free Gospel ministry, based on divine qualification alone, and bear testimony against oppression, oaths, military services, clandestine trade, prize goods and lotteries. 7th Ans. Friends are generally careful to live within the limits of their circumstances, and to avoid involving themselves in business beyond their control, are just in their dealings, and prompt in complying with engagements. Where fear has been felt in any of these respects, one meeting reports that care has been extended. 8th Ans. Care has been extended to most of those who have violated our vital testimonies. 9th Ans. Our members are careful, so far as their means will allow, to give their children and those under their care a useful and sufficient education under surroundings that will aid their growth in principles of pure morality; but circumstances will not admit of schools under the direction of persons in membership with us. The leaflet entitled "A Free Gospel Ministry" was read, and the recommendations of the Representative Committee approved. It is directed to the care of the Revising Committee for publication with the minutes, and 5,000 copies as a leaflet. The letter to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends (of another branch) was read, approved and directed to the care of the correspondents for copying, with the addition of the proper heading and the signature of our clerks, and forwarding as proposed. The report of the Committee on Indian Affairs was read, with accompanying papers, its recommendations approved, and the committee authorized to draw on the Treasurer for the sum of $75, if needed, during the year. The report is as follows: Your committee has not much to report during the past year, but would recommend the continuance of care on this subject, and that an appropriation of $75 be made for the use of the committee. The committee met and read the report of the ex-committee and other documents present. Sidney Averill laid before us a proposition to take charge of and educate thirty Indian children at or near his residence in Bureau county, Ill. After a free expression of opinion the subject was referred to the Yearly Meeting for its consideration. The committee recommend the appointment of a delegate to attend the Executive Committee meeting to be held in Baltimore, 30th Tenth month next. (To be Continued.). THE Church alone of all human institutions, speaks to us of immortality, of heaven, of an infinite Father and Friend. It alone 10th Ans. The queries addressed to our meetings have been read and answered as directed. 11th Ans. Blue River reports that an Ex-supplies the deepest need of the human heart, ecutive Meeting has been established within its limits, at Old Blue River, Washington county, Indiana, to be held on the second Seventh-day in the First, Fourth, Eighth and Tenth months. and is therefore built on a rock; and no matter what stones of revolution or floods of change may come, it will not fall. The rock on which it stands is not a creed or a miracle; not a pope or priest; not superstition, nor Information being given of a request from ceremony, nor habit; but the everlasting the compilers of a History of Illinois, for a need felt by the earthly child for his Heavhistory of the rise and progress of this Soci-enly Father.-J. Freeman Clarke. THE BRAHMO SOMAJ. This society of worshippers of the Eternal Goodness, long known to us through the utterances of its teachers and preachers, had its origin in the work of the Hindoo scholar and reformer of Bengal, India-Rammohun Roy. Himself a Brahmin of high caste, he renounced polytheism avowed remarkable spiritual theistic views. In 1803 he published several pamphlets to show that the Brahmins had fallen away from the original faith of their inspired teachers, and translated the Vedanta the Hindoo theology as contained in the Vedas (sacred hymns in Sanscrit) into the languages of modern India. In his work entitled "The Precepts of Jesus the Guide to Peace and Happiness," he announced his belief in the divine mission of the Christ, and declared that he considered Christianity consistent with Brahminism as it is in the ancient Sanscrit authorities. In 1833 he died, having made an abiding impression upon the best minds of his nation. and race. The brotherhood which arose from this moment-the Brahmo Somaj-is a most interesting body which has gained the respect of enlightened minds throughout the earth. Babu Protap Chunder Mozoomdar is a teacher of this order who is now visiting our country Recently he spoke at some length in regard to the religious body of which he is a representative in one of the houses of Christian worship in the city of Boston. An abstract of this discourse, which reaches us through the Christian Register, interests us deeply, so closely does it follow the line of thought which characterizes the best teachings of Christianity. After disclaiming the idea that all religious knowledge must be derived from the far off past, and that there can be no progress in that learning which pertains to man's eternal welfare, he exclaimed that in the view of the Brahmo Somaj, God is conceived as a living presence, dealing with us in our every day life, and shaping our ends "rough hew them how we will." He adds: "In the dispensation of the Brahmo Somaj, we hold the doctrine of direct access to God. We do not set aside the name of Christ. In the East, the word name means spirit: the name of God is the spirit and the essence of God. Between the name and the spirit there is no difference. 'He that named God first found his whole face and beard bathed in golden glory,' says the Veda. If, then, we and with that name take the name of Christ, are to take the name of God in our prayers, we mean that we offer our prayers in the spirit of Christ. All great prophets have come to the world to teach us to pray. They were prayer incarnated. Because, face of the man that prayeth a prayer for the believe me, prayer needed a revelation. The moment reflects the glory of God's formless face. In the spirit of the great prophets, in their faith and love, humility and dependence, submission and reverence, we are to approach God, but between our Father and ourselves there shall be no medium. As the sunlight penetrates through every pore of our body and stirs our blood unconsciously, as the oxygen of the air pierces through our bloodeternal sunshine penetrates through the pores vessels and purifies everything within, so the of our spiritual being, and the azure of God purifies our aspirations. "We believe in the grand doctrine that God in His spiritual glory has come down to earth, and that now access between Him and us is direct. That glorious doctrine of true Christianity has been obscured and dimmed by men who lack due appreciation of the teachings of their own scriptures, but the time has come when the claims of the Holy Spirit shall be vindicated. If the Spirit of God is a living presence, if He is a consuming fire, if He is a ready counselor, if He is one to whom every appeal may be made in any moment of perplexity and sorrow, bound to tell the world what the responses of that Spirit are. we are "In the first place, then, there must be a vision of the Spirit of God. By vision I do not mean phantoms, rappings on the table, voices in the air: I mean a realization of the Spirit of God by the spirit of man, as the outward eye beholds light. We believe, in the Brahmo Somaj, that as the outward body has an organ of sight to perceive external objects, so the inner spirit is able to commune with objects internal. If the forms and attributes of matter are thus realizable by the eye that to-day is and to-morrow is quenched, shall not the attributes of the Spirit be realized by that inner eye of the soul which can never be blinded, but grows brighter and stronger as it approaches toward eternity? "We believe, therefore, that the spirit can realize and recognize the presence of God; and the realization of that presence is so deep and so intense that very well may we apply to it the word, 'seeing the vision.' We are told that in the depth of the midnight, on the silent mountain top, when the apostles were drowsy and heavy with slumber, the praying Jesus, in the ecstasy of devotion, beheld Moses and Elias. Some will say that they appeared in physical form. I do not hold that view: I believe it was a vision, purely spiritual and inward. Similarly, I believe that, when a man's inward faculties are all purified, the Spirit of God is always realized, -realized by faith; and faith is the sight of the soul. By direct access to the presence of God, then, we mean that, by faith, devotion, and self-consecration, we behold the presence of the Infinite Spirit in all the beauty and glory of nature outside. we commune with this presence? We do not believe in formal, routine prayer, in intonations and recitations, and candles and vestments, and things written in black ink and in red ink. We believe prayer to be entirely a spiritual transaction, spirit communing with spirit. The law of prayer is the law of faith. We must have confidence in Him to whom we send our prayers. He who has faith sails easily into the harbor of God's bosom, and his devotions are carried on the wings of heartfelt love. Where love is not, faith is a millstone on the intellect, a mere exercise of words. "When our prayers go from the depth of our souls, what is the response? That prayer is efficacious which immediately brings back “I have often found fault with the way in its response, and that response is inspiration. which Western thinkers commune with Na- Prayer is a breath, prayer is a sigh, prayer is ture. It is entirely through the chemist's an attitude, prayer is a cry for help to the inlaboratory, the astronomer's telescope. They finite source of all help. When the man is try to disenchant this marvelous structure of full of misery and sin and rottenness, a breath beauty. But their Aryan forefathers, when goes out of him, a want often unexpressed, they looked out on the map of the great that pierces God's ear, and God responds. heavens or around on the solitudes and wil- How many of us can stand up and lay our dernesses and sublimities of our magnificent hands on our hearts and say, When I pray, landscapes, felt that the outward form was a comfort comes; and when I inquire the reply delusion, that all harmony was the harmony is heard, and when I speak the Spirit auof the soul, that there is a peculiar music swers? That is our belief in the new dispenwhich is sung by the eye to the inner spirit, sation of the Brahmo Somaj. We believe a peculiar sweetness which the ear pours that, as we can behold God in his universe through itself into the bosom of the soul, a through the spiritual eye, so we can hear peculiar meaning and teaching conveyed to the spirit of man, when he communes with the outward structure of the world. It is a mighty and marvelous book; but he who reads the true meaning learns that wisdom which gives him prosperity here and hereafter, he learns to realize God's presence as an all-pervading force. "What is this force? All force, according to the Hindus, is God-force; and we confidently assert that the time will come when the pendulum of thought shall swing in the other direction, and scientific men shall recognize the fact that all force is God-force, If God-force is enthroned in the world, if it is the light of God's force that gleams from every eye, if it is the smile of supreme blessedness that manifests itself through all the forms of joy and peace in the world, we feel that life becomes sanctified. In our church, therefore, we hold that, though matter be essentially different from mind, and the body mysteriously and radically different from the spirit, yet all the phases of life-the beauties and harmonies, the intelligences, the glories, the beneficences-are all but scintillating sparks from the eternal conflagration of God's presence, without and within. This is the first principle of our belief in the new church. "The next principle is prayer. How can What is God's voice through the inner ear. "If we speak of our inner experiences, we speak also of the testimonies which we receive independently from the outside world. Here is opened before us the great world of prophets, saints, scriptures, churches, and religions. Great hosts of these holy men stand entirely outside of us. Hear the prophet of the North speaking in trumpet sounds, hear the prophets of the East proclaiming God's purposes in language of thunder and lightning. There are differences on minor points; but, when David strings his harp and sings the sweet melody of his kingly devotion, you find a similar chord struck further east in India; and the Bhagavata sings the response to David's psalms. Again, in Persia, amid the nightingales and the roses of Ispahan and Shiraz, you hear Hafiz singing the same song in another language. You hear Zoroaster on the tops of the silent mountains singing the same. The prophets of the world give testimony to the counsels of the spirit in themselves. When you open their scriptures, you find the language of your own heart re-echoed and reinscribed in characters the meaning of which you cannot mistake. Maculay will say, and Buckle will respond, and Spencer will bear testimony, and Mill will re-echo that there is no progress in religion; but we say, when so many aspects of spiritual culture present themselves, how can there be no progress? If the soul of the great East travels far into the West, and learns the grand developments of practical morality and pure life which you have achieved, if it learns from you the secrets of your success, your liberty, your honor for the female sex, and if the spirit of the West travels across the ocean into the East, and stands awe-struck amid the grand scenes of devotion and ascetic self-denial, and if the products of the two be exchanged, is there no prospect of progress? "The Spirit invites all men, all races, all churches, to exchange with each other their inner experiences, that all experiences may be assimilated, all ideals summed up, and one great ideal formed, the goal of the world and the end of mankind. "You will say, This is ideal. But the world is governed by ideas. The Son of Man was governed by a sublime idea. Where was the kingdom he came to establish? Where was the majesty which he claimed? Where were the apostles he meant to send around the world? All these were within his own heart. He lived in the midst of his ideals. Two thousand years have tried to realize them, but have not sufficiently succeeded. "In the Brahmo Somaj, therefore, we feel that we are surrounded by a great ocean of objective testimony, and we feel that the time has come when all nations should take note of the signs and tendencies around them. Everywhere there is a cry for more light. Science and philosophy have declared undying war against faith and devotion. Churches do not seem to satisfy the deepest instincts of human souls. Amid every religion,-Buddhist, Mohammedan, Hindu, and Christian, you find strange conflicts going on. Whence is peace to come? Who is to pour oil on these troubled waters? These refracted rays fall upon us from every direction. Whose hand is to concentrate them into stars of ever lasting and infinite light? No single, individual church can do it. But let all churches and nations look to God alone, and when the aspirations of the world shall form one aspiration, when prayer shall mingle with prayer, then each will cry, 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHARITIES, ETC. One of the 'delegates to this Association. has kindly sent us the following account of its proceedings: The National Association of Charities and Corrections, held at Louisville, Ky., from Ninth month 24th to 28th, inclusive, 1883, was one of the most interesting and cheering signs of the times. Every Southern State except Texas was represented by delegations of rare intelligence and earnestness, and every Northern and Western State east of the Rocky Mountains, except Maine and West Virginia, were represented by delegates appointed by their Governors or State Boards of Charities, and charitable and reformatory institutions, Many valuable papers were read upon charitable, penal, and reformatory work, all showing increasing interest in suffering humanity in all parts of our country. Never before has there been manifest, especially from the South, such widespread interest in the unfortunate classes of society. Reports were received from nearly all the States upon the condition of their hospitals, prisons, insane asylums, reform schools, houses of refuge, and charitable institutions, and the discussions upon the papers read by distinguished individuals were very interesting and instructive. The Governor of the State of Kentucky, Hon. J. Proctor Knott, and the Mayor of the City of Louisville were present at the opening session and both of them welcomed the delegates to the State and City by eloquent addresses, the best citizens of Louisville were also present in large numbers and manifested great interest in the proceedings and gave a hearty welcome to their visitors. The Convention held three sessions each day; upon the first day reports were received from the States, upon the condition of their institutions and charitable work, after which papers were read upon charity organization societies, charitable institutions, and relief societies, the essays and discussions covering the whole field of out-door charitable work, showing great advance and encouragement in all of the States, North and South. Upon the second day, the subject of Prison and Prison Discipline, and Relief to Dis |