cause, do not comply with these advices Their children grow up without the acquisition of scriptural knowledge, except what they hear from the lips of ministers in our meetings for worship. It is evident that some parents do not feel a religious concern on this subject, and

disturb my faith in its godlike powers and ten- I can render available the treasures of wisdom dencies. I know how it is despis d, how it has they contain. It must be acknowledged, howbeen oppressed, how civil and religious estab-ever, that there are in the Society many heads lishments have for ages conspired to crush it. of families, who, from indifference or some other I know its history, I shut my eyes on none of its weaknesses and crimes I understand the proofs by which despotism demonstrates that man is a wild beast, in want of a master, and only safe in chains. But, injured, trampled on, and scorned as our nature is, I still turn to it with intense sympathy and strong hope. The sig-probably others, who at times feel it, do not act natures of its origin and its end are impressed too deeply to be ever wholly effaced. I bless it for its kind affections, for its strong and tender love. I honor it for its struggles against oppression, for its growth and progress under the weight of so many chains and prejudices, for its achievements in science and art, and still more for its examples of heroic and saintly virtue. These are marks of a divine origin, and the pledges of a celestial inheritance; and I thank God that my own lot is bound up with that of the

human race.

For Friends' Intelligencer.

upon it, from an apprehension that they are not qualified for so grave an undertaking. How is this concern, which has so often been felt in our Yearly Meetings, to be carried out in praetice? There appears to be no other way than for those who have the welfare of the Society at heart, who believe the Scriptures are "profitable for doctrine, for reproot, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works," to make an effort to supply the deficiencies of parents, and to bring to bear upon this concern the stimulus that results from associated action. There is a debt due from the Society to its juvenile members; if we exFor some years past there has been a grow-pect them to bear our testimonies, we must ining concern in several branches of our Society in relation to the religious training and instruction of our junior members; and in many minds it has been accompanied by a consciousness that, as a body, we are not performing our whole duty to this interesting class. This has led, in some places, to the establishment of First-day Schools for the teaching of children in scriptural knowledge, and of Bible classes in which persons of both sexes and various ages meet for mutual instruction.

FIRST-DAY SCHOOLS.

We have reason to believe that in the early days of the Society, no people were so thoroughly acquainted with the Scriptures as Friends, for we find in their writings a continual reference to them, and it appears that in their public ministry and in their controversies they brought an abundance of scriptural testimony to prove their doctrines. They were members by convincement, and, like the noble Bereans, they "received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so." Their successors have generally been less earnest and devotional, as has been the case in the experience of other religious organizations, and one of the consequences of this declension in zeal has been a less assiduous study of the sacred volume.

struct them in our principles. We must show them by example and precept that true religion is not stern and repulsive, but genial, attrac tive and consoling.

Let us not be so fearful of forms, which may possibly become lifeless, as to remain inactive when opportunities for usefulness are presented and the impulse to do good is felt within us. There should be no idlers in the church of Christ; but there is a diversity of gifts adapted to different fields of labor. Some are called to preach the gospel; others to instruct the young, to educate the ignorant, to elevate the degraded, to visit the sick, or to console the afflicted. By helping others we help ourselves; for every effort to do good, arising from a pure impulse, will have its reward;" He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal."

Our religious Society has always set a high value upon the Scriptures, as a means supplied by Divine Providence to afford instruction in the way of holiness; placing them, however, in subordination to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, from which they derive all their efficacy. An English author, writing on "The Education of the World," says, "Had the Bible been drawn up in precise statements of faith, or detailed precepts of conduct, we should have had In order to remedy this acknowledged defect, no alternative, but either permanent subjection the Yearly Meetings of Friends have for many to an outer law, or loss of the highest instruyears past very frequently sent down advices to ment of self education. But the Bible from its the subordinate meetings, enjoining upon the very form is exactly adapted to our present members more attention to the reading of the want. It is a history; even the doctrinal parts Scriptures in their families, as well as more prac-of it are cast in a historical form, and are best tical reliance upon the spirit of truth, which alone I studied by considering them as records of the

time at which they were written, and as con- ing off with her plow on her shoulder, and once veying to us the highest and greatest religious I saw a man carrying two plows); and when at life of that time. Hence we use the Bible-work he walks not behind, but at the side, and some consciously, some unconsciously-not to guides it with one hand by its single upright override, but to evoke the voice of conscience." handle. In the other hand he carries a long It must, we presume, be admitted by all, that pole, with an iron "prick" on one end, to urge no other book has had so great and salutary an his oxen on (Acts ix. 5)—and a flat iron on influence in the education of the most enlight- the other, to scrape the dirt occasionally from ened nations; and could it now be blotted out the plow. Our route was through many narrow and lost to the world, an incalculable injury gorges, in one of which we came upon the site would be sustained. Taking this view of the of Abila, the capital of the district of Abilane subject, which few will controvert, and remem- (Luke iii. 2), in the Wady Barada. The ruins bering moreover the literary merits of that consisted of a few broken columns, some tombs greatest work of antiquity, we must consider hewn in the side of the mountain, and the rethat person who is not well acquainted with its mains of a road cut in part through the solid contents as very imperfectly educated. rock to the depth of twenty feet by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, A.D. 161. The villages along our way were of a very poor description, the

Looking at this subject in a rational point of view, it appears really astonishing that so many who live in a Christian land should be well in-houses being of small stone and mud, eight or structed in heathen mythology, through the classic authors of Greece and Rome, and yet almost unacquainted with that book which contains the recorded experience of the holy men of old, the precepts of the Son of God, and the writings of his apostles.

So far as this deficiency is chargeable to the members of our religious Society, we trust that it will be remedied, and that measures will be taken by those who feel a concern on the subject, to supply the neglect of parents in the religious training of their children.

We look upon the movement already begun as an evidence of spiritual life,-an awakening of interest in heavenly things; and we earnestly desire that it may be so guided and regulated by the Shepherd of Israel, that the sheep of his pasture may be fed and the lambs of his flock gathered. S. M. J.

BAALBEK TO DAMASCUS.

BY W. W. PATTON, CHICAGO, Ill.

The road from Baalbek to Damascus carried us across the anti-Lebanon range, winding in and out along its valleys, and up and down its separate mountains. The scenery was bolder than any that we met in crossing Lebanon from Beirut. Occasional showers by day, and a heavier fall of rain at night, told us that the rainy season had commenced, and called into use our india-rubber overcoats and leggings. I noticed single cedars occasionally, one of which was four feet in diameter near the ground. The soil in the valleys and on the mountain-sides was everywhere put to use, being rich, though very stony. The plows in this region are entirely of wood, and amount to very little more than a pointed crooked branch, which makes a scratch in the lonse earth four inches deep. The plows are drawn by all sorts of animals in Syria-horses (rarely), camels, oxen, cows, and donkeys, single or in couples. The plowman in the morning shoulders his plow (I once saw a women start

ten feet high, close together, with flat earthroofs, continuous from one end of the village to the other, and without windows usually. The gardens and houses had a curious wooden lock on doors and gates, that I shook and rattled, but could not opeu, while I could see no reason for the wooden slide remaining fixed. Dr. Thompson's "Land and Book" explains the mystery. There was a hole by the lock, through which to put in the hand with a key to unlock it, as in Solomon's Song, v. 4. At Ain Fiji we came to a most beautiful and romantic glen, where the principal source of the Pharphar of Scripture bursts out copiously at the base of the mountain, making at once a stream twenty or thirty feet wide, of the purest water. Above the rock under which the water issues is a small temple, and another a few feet distant by its side. Both are built in massive style, with thick walls and large stones, and are supposed to be very ancient, or not less than 2,000 or 2,500 years old. As we drew towards Damascus the strata of limestone rock were much contorted, and at last the mountains assumed a chalky appearance. Hermon stood out in bolder relief to the south, with a fine cap of snow upon the summit. Then we ascended a hight, with a monumental tomb, or wely, on the top, and Damascus, in all its far-famed beauty, was at our feet. The view from that hill top has been noted for ages, and certainly it is not exceeded by many views the world over. Damascus is on a level plain, immediately at the base, and the eye takes in the city, with its minarets, embosomed in gardens, which spread out for miles on every side, owing to the irrigation of the river Barada, the ancient Pharphar, which Naaman preferred to all the rivers of Israel. At this season, the vast plain beyond these gardens was dry and brown, being parched by the summer's heat, and thus the contrast was more marked between this green oasis, embosoming a city, and the surrounding desert. Then beyond the broad

dently been cut on an unoccupied place on the lintel, after the building passed from heathen to Christian hands, and it is singular that Mohammedans have allowed it to remain. But there it is, in hope of a better day.

expanse rose mountain peaks in every direction, clearly visible at a distance of from twenty to forty miles, giving a horizon of noble character. Much of the beauty of Damascus, as of all other Oriental cities, vanishes on approach. The gardens look ragged and untidy when near at hand, There are many Jews in the city now, as in and are beautiful simply because trees and Paul's day. I visited their quarter to see the shrubs are always beautiful, and not because in- interior of a house. It was on a Saturday afterdustry and skill have done much for or with noon, and the females were in their best costhem. And then the architecture, that had tume, in the streets and in the doorways. The such an airy and romantic appearance afar, younger ones were rather handsome, and all proves to be cheap, and tawdry, and ruinous. were richly and gayly dressed, with their dressThe houses are dull-looking without, having few es marvelously open at the top, making a full windows, and those covered with lattice work display, such as explained the language of Solo-the dependence for light being on the inner mon's Song, vii. 3, and viii. 10. I did not omit court. Step through the doorway into these, to walk through the street which is called and the scene changes instantly. Thus we dis- Straight." and which still bears that name, mounted at the hotel (of the "Universe,") stooped and deserves it, in comparison with the streets to get through the low door, walked on a few in general, there and in all Eastern cities. Thinksteps, and were in a court of Oriental beauty. ing of Paul, as I rode and walked about the Two fountains gave forth their little streams, city, I was not a little pleased to observe houses a small pond was filled with gold fish, lemon built directly upon the outer wall, and having and citron trees hung full of fruit, and a raised a window through which one could easily be let divan, with cushions, invited us to rest. Damas-down by a rope, either in a basket, like the aposcus is noted for the interior splendor of its bet-tle, or otherwise. As I passed the Lord's day ter class of dwellings, which have their courts in Damascus, my mind was much filled with paved with marble, and rooms opening upon the thought that here Paul was converted and them, with walls inlaid with marble slabs and first preached the Gospel, beginning that wonpilasters, and adorned with gilding, and contain-drous career whose influence has affected the ing highly ornamental furniture. The good taste entire world, and will do so to even a greater exof all this adornment is another matter. Orient- tent hereafter. Alas, there are but few traces als and Occidentals will hardly agree in that of his labors there now. The city is most bigotrespect. We do not believe in so much glitter edly Mohammedan! There is a mission sustained and tinsel; and they do. The bazaars of Da- by the Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, and mascus are very extensive and curious. The I had a very pleasant interview with Rev. trades occupy their respective portions along the Messrs. Robson and Wright. Damascus is full narrow, dingy, and dark passages, and the vari- of odd sights and curious objects. In the street ous mechanics and tradesmen may be seen at Straight was a Mohammedan school, in a room their occupations in little seven-by-nine shops; 15 or 18 feet square. The teacher, in his turban, those at work, sitting down to it on the floor, sat squatted on the floor, with an Arabic bo k and those waiting for a customer, in the same before him. The boys, about thirty in number, posture amid their wares, with a resigned and sat in a similar manner around, as thickly as placid expression upon their faces. Damascus possible. He and they were all talking at once, is not yet affected by European ideas, and as and the clamor was quite deafening. As they one of the oldest cities mentioned in history spoke they moved their bodies to and fro like (Abraham's servant Eliazer having been born so many weavers. The scene was very amusing, there) keeps on in its ancient ways. The dogs and precisely the same each time we passed. In are as lean and numerous as in Constantinople, one of the principal streets is a huge plane tree, and barked at us furiously, knowing that we were in perfect vigor, that measures forty feet in a set of "infidel dogs," according to Moham-girth; and another just in the suburbs, and medan notions. The grand mosque contains some very fine Corinthian columns around its court, stolen from some ruin, of course, and was previously a Christian church, and before that a heathen temple. A singular proof that it once had a Christian use I saw with my own eyes. For, ascending to the roof of a neighboring bazaar, that is built against it, and walking along some distance, I found an old gateway, just lifting its upper portion above the bazaar roof, and on it an inscription in Greek, ascribing to Christ eternal dominion. This had evi

hollow within, is used now as a shop, and was
formely a custom house office for the road lead-
ing out of the city on that side.
At the post-
office a man sat with a basket of letters at his
feet, and each person who came in looked them
all over and selected bis own! But my sheet is
full, and I must stop.-Exchange Paper.
November 5, 1866.

Ir is ever to be remembered that in Divine Grace there is not only light but power. It softens all that is hard, and levels as with the

dust all that is lofty within us. Those, then, who | to avoid divorces, Christians become more care are subject to it, will of necessity become tender, ful about their marriages. This was one of the contrite, and lowly in heart.-J. J. Gurney.

MARRIAGE AND CHRISTIAN MORALS.

wonderful and good effects. The Church was informed of each intended marriage and consulted, and the Christian minister pronounced the nuptial benediction in the name of God, and One of the great forces which, after three registered the names of all married thus in the hundred years of conflict, and after every sort church book. This was the origin of marriage, of examination and opposition, placed Christi being considered not only a civil contract, but anity upon the throne of the Cæsars, was the one religiously blessed. With the heathens all last thing which seemed likely to do so-its was different; there were no registers, and such teachings in regard to marriage, its opposition was the concubinage, the divorce and poylgamy to divorce, polygamy and licentiousness of all and loose connections, that no one knew what kinds. The heathen temples, priests, priestesses, woman was married and who was not, or what worship and mysteries were all connected with children were legitimate. No wife was safe and lusts and abominations so gross that respectable no mother, no husband and no father, except Roman matrons and maidens of high moral only among the Christians. Their marriage was sense could not bear to go near them. The open, registered for life, and sanctioned by the priests and philosophers tolerated and encour-religious community as above reproach. And aged all this to get strong men and rich on their a father could feel sure when he gave away his side, and the religion of the masses became loved daughter to a Christian that it was to a worse and worse. Christianity opposed it all. protector for life, when her beauty was faded This contest began about divorce at pleasure. and he was dead. By degrees the best people The first divorce issued in the Roman Empire wished their children to be thus united, and all was about three hundred years before Christ, other connections were looked upon, as the when one high in rank and influence publicly Church looked on them, as suspicious, disgracedivorced his wife, just as Napoleon [ divorced ful, and where not real marriages, wrong. This Josephine because she was childless. Hitherto was Christianity. It restored the original law the Romans had fought, and robbed, and mur of God. This was the great battle it fought for dered, and farmed, but had been manly and family ties, and it banished paganism and conin their domestic relations. But now fol-quered, just as slavery has been banished more lowed, with increasing wealth, scandalous-licentiousness, and the heathen temples encouraged it, and the Jewish doctors tolerated divorce about at pleasure on the part of the husband. At last powerful wives sometimes divorced weaker husbands, to ally themselves to more ambitious and successful men. Herod the Great had ten wives, some murdered by him, some by the intrigues of the various children, and a few divorced. His sons and grand-children did worse; and Herodias, a grand daughter, divorced one uncle to marry another, i. e., the Herod who beheaded John and mocked Jesus. Drusilla, another grand-daughter, divorced two husbands and married Felix.

pure

slowly.

Now, the question is, Will the world ever be willing to part from this? One might as well ask the Southern slaves if they will ever wish to re-enact slavery. Revolutions do not move backward. Christianity will be better understood and better lived up to in all future ages, but such a system will never be given up. It has always been just on this ground that the battle has bad to be fought between Christianity and its foes, practically. Many in youth, therefore, from ignorance or error, oppose this religion, but as men get settled and are fathers and men of weight and respectability they abandon their opposition, because they see how essentially and fundamentally Christianity is connected with all the truest and dearest ties of earth-all that makes it safe now to give away a daughter in marriage-all that can give a sure and comfortable companionship for old age in the wife of youth. Take away the Christian ideas of marriage and its holy laws, rightly understood, and there can be no peace for the world.

Now, a hundred years before the first divorce in Rome, Malachi, the last of the old prophets in Judea had protested vehemently against divorce at pleasure, as contrary to natural justice in leaving a wife without comfort in age, when youth and beauty were gone, and leaving the children without proper education--indeed as a crime against all right religious feeling, and the true companionship for age, (ch. 14-16.) John Many persons bring forward the laws of the Baptist, 400 years later, commenced a prac Christianity to disprove and correct loose views tical denunciation against the Herods on this of the relations of the sexes, for it suits both account and lost his head. Jesus announced the ways. But this, though proper enough, is not true idea of marriage, and was crucified, but the the chief object of this article. The point is, Christian Church, as Paul's writings show, fixed that Christianity is a true and divine power in here one of the greatest practical contests with the earth, as is proved by the great victory over the paganism and corruption of the age. Then, inan's lower nature, and upon which the whole