Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

favored to have it, enjoy that which is calcu-
lated to make the wilderness of the world an
Eden, and the desert soul like the garden of the
Lord. " Joy and Gladness shall be found there-
in, thanksgiving and the voice of melody."

over which the church, and we trust in meas- Iriving its power from Him, must ever be of
ure, the Holy Spirit hath made us overseers, great value to mankind, and they who are
and the language made use of by the Divine
Master was feelingly brought into view, "the
Father worketh hitherto and I work." It is a
great truth, that if we would gather, we must
sow, and it is equally applicable to the natural
and spiritual kingdom. Our fathers labored
diligently in their day, for the promotion of the
cause of truth and righteousness in the earth,
and they witnessed the divine blessing to rest
upon their labors. So will it be with us, dear
friends, if we come bearing precious sheaves
with us.
We must be actuated by the same
spirit, and labor as diligently and faithfully as
they did, in order to produce the like results,
and having thus labored and sown to the spirit,
we shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.

Our scattered condition was made apparent, by the reports from our constituent branches, and we were exhorted to dwell in, and act under the influence of that power which gives ability to labor successfully in the church of Christ. There is but one true church, the church militant on earth, and the church triumphant in Heaven. Christ is one, and his spirit one, and as many as are led by "the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." The blessed Master declared "my sheep they know my voice, and follow me, and a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers." Oh! that we, dear friends, may be of that number who are of the true sheepfold, who know the Master's voice, and can distinguish it from the voice of strangers, that we may hear it, and heed its requirings, believing it will do for us exceeding abundantly, even more than we can ask or think, and that the truthfulness of the promise will be verified, if we hear this divine voice and obey it, our souls shall live.

Finally, dear friends, we would exhort all most tenderly to renewed faithfulness and dedication, and buckling on the armor of righteousness, and taking the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation, press onward towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and not to faint or give out by the way; remembering that it is only they who endure to the end that shall be saved, and receive that crown immortal, invisible, eternal, that fadeth not away.

Signed on behalf of the Meeting,

GEORGE T. TRIMBLE, Clerk.

Human minds may, and they often do, know each other with an assurance which results in a happy unity of trust and love. Let it not be doubted, then, that the divine and human mind may know each other with a more perfect assurance, and with higher and richer results.

To Friends of the Ministry in Pennsylvania
and New Jersey.

ENFIELD, 30th of 5th month, 1685. DEAR FRIENDS,-With my love to you all, and all other friends, I was glad to hear from you; but you gave me no account of the increase of Truth amongst you, nor what meetings you have had amongst the Indian kings and their people abroad in the countries, and of your visiting Friends in New England, Virginia, and Carolina, nor of your travels and labors in the Gospel; though you have, in all those countries, liberty to serve and worship God, and Those in the ministry were tenderly entreat- preach the Truth. And I understand many ed to remember the responsibility of their call- have a desire to live in it, especially in Carolina; ing, and always to bear in mind that none can and you who travel now to visit Friends in those minister availingly, in attending to the injunc- provinces, it is thought strange that you do not tion of the Divine Master-feed my Lambs-to visit them; [those people who were seeking the the gathering of the flocks, but those that are Truth.] Therefore I desire that you may all anointed and receive their qualification from on improve your gifts and talents, and not hide High-that nothing but what proceeds from them in a napkin, lest they be taken from you; God, can gather to him-that no human quali- and not put your candle under a bushel, lest it fication is sufficient for the performance of this go out; and not be like the foolish virgins, great service aright, and that all the scholastic which kept their name of virgins, but neglected attainments in the world fall very far short of a having oil in their lamps: such were not right qualification for the ministry-that the diligent in the work of God, nor in the concerns gift being divine, the qualification must be of of the Lord, nor in their own particulars. And God, and should be performed freely, and with- therefore my desires are, that you may all be out any view to reward from man; and as there diligent, serving the Lord and minding his glory is a looking to Him, who calls and qualifies for and the prosperity of his Truth, this little time the work, He will reward them with that peace you have to live; and be not, like Adam, in the of mind that is of far more value than any tem- earth, but use this world as though you did not poral consideration. A gospel ministry thus use it; for they that covet after this world, fall brought forth, having its source in God, and de-into divers snares and hurtful lusts; and there

[ocr errors]

And if sometimes you should have some meetings with the Indian kings and their councils, to let them know the principles of Truth; so that they may know the way of salvation, and the nature of true Christianity, and how that Christ hath died for them, who "tasted death for every man;" (and so the gospel of salvation must be preached to every creature under heaven ;) and how that Christ hath enlightened them, who enlightens all that come into the world. And God hath poured out his spirit upon all flesh; and so the Indians must receive God's spirit; for "the grace of God which brings salvation hath appeared to all men." And so let them know, that they have a day of salvation, grace, and favor of God offered unto them; if they will receive it, it will be their blessing.

fore consider, that you are but sojourners here, | expected to observe "the proprieties." The that you may pass your time in the fear of God; day after my last, we bade adieu to London, and you being many, and having many of the and were not sorry to exchange the smoke and friends of the ministry, going over into those noise of the city for the pure air and lovely parts, you may be a hindrance one unto another scenery of the country, through which we if you [confine your visits to Friends, and] do passed to Oxford, and we felt when we reached not travel in the life of the universal Truth, there, as though translated to another world, so that would have all men to be saved, and come quiet and peaceful, and in every way charming, to the knowledge of the Truth: and if you were the truly "Academic shades" of this beauwould have them come to the knowledge of tiful and justly celebrated nursery of learning. Truth, let them know it, and where it is to be We were prepared to see the embodiment of found. So I desire that you be valiant for it everything that was venerable and ancient, but upon the earth, that you may give a good ac- the broad and elegant streets, and still more, count unto God at the last with joy. I desire, the immense size and magnificent proportions that all Friends in the ministry may see this in of the college buildings, astonished and dePennsylvania and New Jersey. lighted us. There are nineteen of these buildings, distinct from each other, and in various parts of the city, some of them very ancient, and all grand and imposing in a remarkable degree. I had imagined Oxford University to be something after the fashion of Yale-plain brick buildings, without any pretentions beyond that of solidity-and was therefore surprised to see instead, those massive and venerable Gothic edifices, in many instances forming a hollow square, enclosing a large court-yard, and beyond that were frequently extensive grounds of great beauty, and kept uniformly in the most perfect order. We went through several of these gardens and into several of the colleges, and spent a very interesting morning. Some of our party also visited the Bodleian Library, located here. A little more than an hour, by car, brought us from Oxford to Leamington, which we expected to find a quiet country town, offering in its neighborhood a great many attractions, and very desirable as a place of sojourn for several days. We were consequently a little disappointed on finding it a very fashionable watering place, with closely built streets and rows of handsome residences. But there are a number of interesting objects within a short distance, and we have been enjoying them. Leamington is celebrated for its medicinal waters, which are used both for bathing and drinking, and are considered very valuable. There are two distinct springs, one of sulphur and one of saline water, and besides the pumprooms and bathing houses, where, of course, it is paid for, there are public fountains, where any one may drink without restriction, though it is not allowable to carry away the water in large quantities.

My love to you all in the holy Seed of life that reigns over all. Amen.-George Fox.

NOTES OF FOREIGN TRAVEL, FROM PRIVATE

CORRESPONDENCE.

No. 1.

LEAMINGTON, 6th mo. 23, 1866. It has struck us with some surprise in passing through places we visited fifteen years ago, that in a country that then looked so finished, there should appear now so many changes. In the cities, this is particularly apparent, and in the matter of hotels, they acknowledge to having copied after America, though, as yet, our system is not thoroughly carried out. In London, there are several immense establishments, almost as large as the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York, and somewhat on the same principle, with ladies' coffee-rooms, &c., though I think the more exclusive arrangement of pri- Our first afternoon here was devoted to a vate parlors and table will be some time in visit to Kenilworth, five miles distant, where yielding to the spirit of (so called) improve- we spent some delightful hours in rambling To me it would be an unwelcome among the magnificent ruins of the castle, and change. I do so enjoy the coziness and com-admiring the exquisitely lovely scenery that is fort of our own rooms-making our own tea, &c., when we come in weary of an evening, instead of dressing to appear at a large public ta ble, filled with strangers, where we would be

ment.

spread for miles around them, and of which the highest remaining portions of this once superb structure command an extensive prospect. Returning by the cars at eight, we were at home

ter, until it was deep enough to give the occupant a thorough ducking. We also visited Warwick Castle, and were ushered through a long and magnificent suite of state apartments, with marble or polished oaken floors, crowded with the most superb furniture, and adorned with paintings of rare value. Several of the tables and cabinets were of immense cost. One valued at £10,000, and another, a splendid mosaic, had formerly belonged to Marie Antoinette. The entrance hall is said to be the finest baronial hall in England. After looking at all this splendor, we walked through a portion of the park, but "milord" was also walking there, and we were not allowed to see the most beautiful part. We however ascended the tower and battlements and had an extensive view. We then passed out, stopping at the lodge to see the great Guy's Porridge Pot, now used as a punch bowl, and containing 102 gallons. The same old woman we had seen there fifteen years ago, still went over the enumeration of the varied curiosities she had to show, in the same tone, and probably the identical words, she had used several times a day ever since, and she will most likely continue to do so as long as her memory serves her to recall the story and the shillings to reward it.

long before dark, which does not reach us here I was fastened and drawn by a horse into the wanow until very late, and we are able to read or write with ease by daylight until after nine. Our next visit was to Stratford on Avon, the birth place of Shakespeare, and to the house where he was born, which, under the direction of the Shakesperian Committee, is said to have been restored to its original appearance; but we were disappointed on finding that their efforts had resulted in a failure. It had far less the look of verity and antiquity about it than at the time of our former visit, and the restoratives, as they were called, were so very apparent, as effectually to destroy the sanctity of the place. We were glad that we had seen it under more favorable circumstances. The old church and the tomb of the Bard of Avon remain unchanged. After a lunch, we drove, in two open carriages, out to Guy's Cliff, a most beautiful and picturesque old place, belonging to Lord Charles Percy. The grounds are a very remarkable combination of nicely kept gardens and lawns and the wildest and most rugged rocks and caverns; among the latter is a cave in which it is said the famous Guy of Warwick lived as a hermit for several years. In the chapel we saw his statue, eight feet eleven inches in height, the size of life, but so mutilated that it was impossible to form much idea of his appearance. After seeing the grounds, we rang the bell, and were shown by the housekeeper through a number of the spacious and elegant apartments, furnished in rich old fashioned style; but the occupants being in London for the season, the carpets were rolled up the curtains pinned up, and most of the chairs and sofas covered up to such a degree as effectually to dispel the idea that the rooms were meant to be really lived in. The whole place struck us as especially curious, and altogether different from anything we had seen, and our visit there, in addition to the charming drive, gave us a very delightful afternoon. Thou hast no idea what a constant feast our eyes are having in the rich velvety green of the fields and meadows and the brilliant coloring of the flowers, which grow here in a style of perfection which is perfectly bewitching, and which we, alas! under our burning suns, can never hope to emulate. I wish we could send thee part of our enjoyment of them. The, rhododendrons were just at their height when we reached England, and at Falmouth we saw one that measured 160 feet in circumference and supposed to be fifty years old, though still in full vigor and beauty. The day after our drive to Guy's Cliff, we went to Warwick, two miles from here-saw an old church, part of which was built in the 10th century also, the "Ducking Chair," used in olden time for the punishment of culprits, and consisting of a very heavy seat, something like a chair, in which the unfortunate offender

After leaving the castle, we took a cup of tea and some excellent bread and butter at a nice, clean, quaint little cottage, near by, with its brick floor, and bright copper tea kettle singing before the tiny grate, and the room so small as barely to hold us around the table, but it was all the more enjoyable for the variety; and after doing full justice to the repast, we took omnibus and returned to the "Albion."

(To be continued.)

For Friends' Intelligencer.

By request, we put together a few memoranda, simply to revive recollections of a pleasant ramble participated in by several, of our "Club." J. G. H.

OUR WADE AFTER WATER LILIES.
7th mo. 17th and 18th, 1867.
"The green trees whispered, mild and low,
'Come, be a child once more,'

And waved their long arms to and fro,
And beckoned solemnly and slow;
Oh! we could not choose but go

Into the woodlands hoar."

In these glorious modern days, when the forest and lonely swamps are often startled with the piercing neigh of the iron horse, it is not difficult for the botanist to wander far, and into strange and solitary places-into the rare ola homes where the pets of his science delight to dwell. In the olden fables, doubtless, there is, or should have been, a tradition that the beautiful flowers are the celestial shadows of our

1

loved and lost earthly friends, still permitted, Sarracenia has her pitchers, Rhexia has her in kindness, to adorn the earthly scenes of our urns; for her brown calyx, four-lipped at the daily walks-planted so cunningly on mossy edge, is as graceful in shape as the Portland banks, by the boggy pool, growing by the vase. Old Rome deposited the ashes of dead singing brook, or cradled on the polished Senators and Patricians in her urns; does bosom of the lake, to teach us, often thought- Rhexia, too, treasure the memories of her less ones, how charming life is. forest friends in these pretty vessels? Was it accidental that beauty so rare should have welcomed us first to the bogs?

"Life is like a furrowed field,' we hear them softly

say,

'Broadcast sown with cares and griefs, which
spring up day by day;'

But ever there, mid crops of care, some bright-
hued joy appears,
To teach you men to hope again for smiles amid

your tears."

All round us, now, lining the roadsides, grew found in former rambles. The cranberry, in beautiful flowers, many such as we had not fruit and flower, threaded its purple stems among the green moss-the Droseras, longiIt was our belief that something curious in folia and filiformis, lifted their spoon-shaped or the plant world might be found over in the thread-like leaves from the wet sand, looking Jersey bogs; and having heard, moreover, of so fresh and sparkling in the sunshine, covered Shamong, a station on the Raritan and Dela- with purple, jewelled hairs, or crowned with ware Bay Railroad, forty miles distant from, one bright blossom at the top. The vernation and in strong contrast with Chestnut street, of the Sun dew is circinate, like the ferns; it we-that is to say, seven "Fragments" of blooms only in the sunshine, and its bright something more than "Bark" from our purple eye remains open just long enough to "Club"-went flying off on wings of steam see the God of Day go down in the west-it from the Camden depot, at 8 A. M., on 7th mo. then closes forever. It has been remarked 17th, onward through towns a few, past happy that some plants, like some human souls, homes of toiling men and women, still onward through oaks and pines, green, barren, inhospitable; onward still we flew around the distant base of Apple-pie Mountain, until "Toot, toot," "screamed our engine, which was simply its way of saying, "Here we are at Shamong.'

blossom downwards, but earth's brightest flowers look always upwards towards the heavens, whose wondrous beauty they seem to reflect, like the happy and joyous ones of our own kind. The Utricularius lifted their golden heads up into the grateful summer light, while their delicate foliage floated in the brown waters, locked in the soft arms of the sphagnum moss.

Sarracenia, too, in fruit now, stood in stately beauty among her more delicate companions. Her purple pitchers are variously colored; some are pale green, streaked with faintest red in capillary veins; others are dark purple, with carmine lips, spotted with gold; some will hold a wine-glass of water, while others are not bigger than a lady's thimble. This plant has many names. Some call it the huntsman's cup, others, the side-saddle plant, but we prefer the name of whippoorwill's shoes, because no huntsman bold rides where this plant grows best; and we are sure that no lady, though armed with whip and spur, can strap her sidesaddle tightly enough to carry her through these swamps. But we do know that whippoorwills might come at night, and bathe their hot feet in Sarracenia's pitchers.

This name seems to be of Indian origin, and therefore suggestive of tomahawks and scalping-knives, and other savage atrocities; but notwithstanding this, we entered "Shamong Hotel," fearing little other than that we might not get a good dinner. This anticipation, however, was groundless; for when we announced our intention of remaining over night, our landlord expressed a wish to do all his means would allow to make our visit agreeable. After dinner, properly equipped for a ramble, we stepped out into the hot white sand, with which nature has paved the principal avenue of Shamong City, and directed our steps towards a belt of cedar in the distance, marking the course of one branch of Wading River. Before walking far, we perceived a novel locality for botanical treasures was opening before us. The white sand was already moist from the dampness of the bog, and, just at the desert's edge, where the water creeps up to kiss its dry lips, the charming little meadow These curious receptacles, moreover, are cunbeauty, (Khexia Virginica,) with its purple ning traps to catch-not sunbeams-but inpetals, was found by one of our party. The sects. Cast one of them open from the top to unfolding of this little flower is very beautiful. the bottom, and we find the lip armed inside Its long crescentic, yellow anthers are doubled with strong, flattened hairs pointing downinwards along the stamens, but, when fully wards; then comes a perfectly smooth and opened, they hang like little boats rocking in highly-polished surface extending all round the summer air. Its long pistil is declined to the pitcher, and at the pointed bottom for one side, as though a weary night-moth had an inch upwards, the inside is again armed rested its little feet on the fragile perch. If with very long cylindrical and delicate hairs,

all pointing downwards. This arrangement of polished surfaces and bristly dens renders it very difficult for insects to escape.

chalices. To have looked once into the wild sea-eagle's eye, is said to be one of life's great experiences, and surely it was little less than A few rods further in our rambles brought us that to have gazed into these wild cups, where to a rustic bridge spanning a dark but rapid no human eye had glanced before. We and silent stream. From this point of observa- gathered boquets of the regal flowers for our tion, we looked around. A belt of cedar, lady friends on dry land, and waded off, like aged-looking and bearded with moss, marked two brown flamingoes, in quest of other the track of the stream up through the bog. treasures. Nor were we long in finding them. Strange plants lifted their white, and yellow, The bog asphodel (Narthecium Americànum) and woolly heads into the distant view, while held its yellow crest high above its kindred the Nympheas, those "sweet, white-robed lilies sedges. The Lophiola aurea nodded its woolly of the lake," temptingly opened their silver pedicels in the summer air. This is a curious blossoms on the stream. What was to be and beautiful plant. Its six-cleft perianth, done? Could we return and not taste of the reflected at the points and tipped with dark harvest? No! Life would not have been orange, carries on each division a tuft of yellow tolerable under such conditions! Could we hairs near the base. These hairs are golden turn our backs on all these and other imagined beads attached in rows, and under the microtreasures, and homeward go, like sheep in scope, reveal delicate and curious markings single file just clipped of their fleece? Off ornamenting their surfaces. The Sabbatia went shoes and stockings-now we don't mean lanceolata held its pure white petals up against the ladies of our party did this thing-but the the dark cedars, looking so fresh by contrast. writer and his jolly comrade rolled up panta- The false asphodel (Tofieldia glutinosa) grew loons to the knees, and now commenced our here in abundance. Its long stems, bearing wade for the water lilies. For a dead botanist, dense white panicles at the top, are studded all we would not give a crooked pin; he is beyond over with curious dark glands, looking, under the influence of inspiration, and we love him the microscope, like spider's eyes, and nearly not. To feel no enthusiasm in a mine of as brilliant; from these glands, a glutinous diamonds, where each still-untouched gem liquid is given out which covers the stem, and seems larger than a "Kohinoor," implies retains all small insects that fly against it. either hopeless stupidity or a soul of ice. We confess we love the flowers; we do. not only like them, but our love goes forth at their wooing with an unspeakable affection. Their sweet remembrances often fill our eyes with tears, and to our thirsty and often sated lips, they hold the cup of quiet joy. Their fragrance and their wondrous beauty touch every delicate sense of enjoyment, and play upon the still unsounded lyre of the human soul, through a thousand quivering strings.

Here we must pause awhile, and change the current of our thoughts. The little insects of the summer air, we had seen allured by the false asphodel into its fatal trap, but we did not suppose that bigger bugs would be charmed by such trifles. Had we come, then, barefooted to this bog, in order to have our experiences and sensations somewhat enlarged? It would seem that we had. Our comrade left our side to gather the first of these plants he saw, but his footing in the bog was very treacherous, Our feet once fairly wet, thoughts of personal and gradually he commenced disappearing becomfort were forgotten, as we neared the pools neath the surface. Has any member of our in which the water lilies dwelt. We had come dear "Club" ever seen a friend at their side wading along through quaking bogs, carefully slowly sinking down towards China, and heard stepping from one sedgy foothold to another, the sullen waters bubbling up all round, welavoiding, with suspicion, many spots deep coming their victim to the abyss? If so, they, enough to drown a man, until our feet touched too, have known one of life's strange exthe dark leaves of the lilies. Here we enjoyed periences. A drowning man, it is said, obtains a glorious sight. What polished, perfect leaves a vivid picture of nearly all his life's actions, floated like cradles for the flowers to lie on; as well as a foretaste of what is to be his some were turned partly over, revealing their celestial condition; but having tasted a little of purple cheeks, as though blushing to be caught that cup ourself, we are at liberty to question in their summer nap. Spurred into unusual its truth. Our comrade will assert that he activity under the powerful sunlight, life thought only of China, which, of course, some revelled in many charming forms. The hour call the Celestial Empire. of our triumph had come. The breath of the lilies loaded the warm air with a delicious fragrance, and we could look, without winking, right into their golden and silver eyes, as they lay untouched on the lake, and we could inhale their fresh breath as it came from their splendid

And this is the way, we imagine, in which fossils are made-we mean those big batrachians found now and then in the marl formations. The Irish elks and the Mastodons ran after asphodels in their swamps, and were mired too. But fortunately for man, he, like

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »