FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. "TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO; KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE." EMMOR COMLY, AGENT, At Publication Office, No. 144 North Seventh Street, TERMS:-PAYABLE IN ADVANCE The Paper is issued every Seventh day, at Three Dollars per annum. $2.50 for Clubs; or, four copies for $10. Agents for Clubs will be expected to pay for the entire Club. Henry Haydock, Brooklyn, N. Y. William H. Churchman, Indianapolis, Ind. RELIGIOUS PROGRESS. BY S. M. JANNEY. The progress of the soul in spiritual knowl edge is referred to by the Apostle Paul in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, xiii. 11, where he says, "When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things." All who have noticed the sports of children must have observed how earnestly they engage in them, and how greatly they prize toys that, to persons of mature age, appear to have no in trinsic value; such things, however, are appropriate for them; serving to invigorate the body, to exercise the organs of sense, and, in some degree, to develope the intellect. In like manner, most of the objects sought for by men and women who are earnestly engaged in acquiring temporal possessions, appear, when compared with the riches of Christ's kingdom, to be as unworthy of the care of an immortal being as the toys of childhood. These things, however, have their appropriate use, while kept in subordination to the great end of our being. CONTENTS. Religious Progress · · · The Selfishness of Culture...... .... Social Emulation....... Notes of Foreign Travel, from Private Correspondence. OBITUARY. An Old English Custom.... The Influence of Steam..................... 401 403 403 ..... 406 408 408 409 409 410 411 411 When we consider how brief is the term of this life, even when extended to its utmost limit, and how immeasurable is the life to come, it seems surprising that any rational being should be engrossed with the cares of time and entirely forgetful of eternity. A grain of sand taken from the globe we inhabit, a drop of water abstracted from the ocean, are but faint emblems of the infinite disparity between time to us here, and the eternity of happiness or misery that awaits us in the world of spirits. But although life is transient, it is doubtless suffi cient for the purpose intended if we apply ourselves with diligence to the performance of its duties, which is the only way to secure permanent happiness. When we look around and observe how admi- The prayer of our Lord on behalf of his folrably the world on which we are placed is adapt lowers was not that they should be taken out of ed to supply all that is needful for the body, the world, but that they should be kept from and how the efforts required for this purpose the evil. They who think to escape temptation contribute to physical health and intellectual and to perfect their spiritual nature by retiring development, we are led to adore the goodness from the companionship of men, will find evil of that Almighty Being who placed us here to thoughts intruding upon them in the ceil train us for a higher sphere by exercise and of the recluse no less than in the thor appearing pleasant to the natural mind, are not best for us, in the similitude of offence from the eye. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck the eye or cut off the hand is attended with sharp pain; and how precious is the instruction thus opened to us, that we may not faint under the most painful trials, but put our trust in Him; even in Him who sent an angel to feed Elijah in the wilderness; who fed a multitude with a few barley loaves; and is now as attentive to the wants of his people as ever." oughfares of commerce, and they will suffer great loss from having no field for the exercise of their domestic and social affections, without which the character cannot be perfected. it out, and cast it from thee.' To pluck out "This," says an eminent author,* is a very important principle for consideration in the present day. There is a growing tendency to look on a life of contemplation and retirement, of separation from all earthly ties,-in a word, asceticism, as the higher life. Let us understand that God has so made man, that ordinarily he who lives alone leaves part of his heart uncultivated; for God made man for domestic life. He who would be wiser than his Maker is only wise in appearance. He who cultivates one part of his nature at the expense of the rest, has not produced a perfect man, but an exaggeration. It is easy in silence and solitude for the hermit to be abstracted from all human interests and hopes, to be dead to honor, dead to pleasure. But then the sympathies which make a man with men-how shall they grow? He is not the highest Christian who lives alone and single, but he who, whether single or married, lives superior to this earth; he who in the midst of domestic cares, petty annoyances or daily vexations, can still be calm, and serene, and sweet. This is real unworldliness; and in comparison with this, the mere hermit's life is easy indeed." In order to promote our spiritual powers, all the propensities and desires of our nature must be kept in subordination to the principle of spiritual life, and then, this Divine Power, like the leaven that a woman hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened, will bring the corporeal, the intellectual and the moral nature into conformity with itself. The mind that is fully impressed with these considerations cannot be content to lead an inactive life, when power and opportunity for usefulness are afforded; but will joyfully engage in the service of Him whose right it is to rule in our hearts, and who has conferred precious gifts adapted to promote our happiness, and to glorify His name on earth. "For human souls the course how clear! Oh! then let not the soul stand still, And while on its probation here, Its thoughts are turning." "I thought of you at our late Quarterly That eminent servant of the Most High, John Meeting, and gladly would have shared your Woolman, has left an excellent treatise entitled, cheer, whether sparse or abundant, but I seemed "Considerations on the true harmony of man- too far off to partake, unless it had been a spekind," one chapter of which relates to "Serv-cial duty. I believe I have a chronic love for ing the Lord in our outward employments." the attendance of meetings, particularly those "Our Holy Shepherd," he says, "to encourage of our own Yearly Meeting. It is a pleashis flock in firmness and perseverance, reminds ure that has never diminished with the indulthem of his love for them. As the Father gence-and I have often queried why it was so. hath loved me, so have I loved you, continue I know the Heavenly Father dwelleth not exye in my love. And in another place he gra-clusively in temples made with hands, and is ciously points out the danger of departing there from by going into unsuitable employments; this he represents under the similitude of offence from that useful, active member, the hand; and to fix the instruction the deeper, names the right hand. If thy right hand of fend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee.' If thou feelest offence in thy employment, humbly follow Him who leads unto all truth, and is a strong and faithful friend to those who are resigned to him." "Again, he points out those things which, * Robertson's Lectures on the Corinthians. often as acceptably worshipped in our own dwellings; yet I seldom fail to realize the promise fulfilled- Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst.'I have sometimes thought it might be because I was an empty vessel, susceptible of receiving good from others; and I think I can understand the view sometimes expressed of the spiritual current circulating from vessel to vessel. I am also more apt to be edified by short sermons. In a redundance of words, the mind is sometimes so burdened that it receives no tangible impressions, while a few words fitly spoken are like apples of gold." THE SELFISHNESS OF CULTURE. A distinguished gentleman not long ago said in reply to the question why he did not attend church, that his feelings were almost always so hurt by some parts of the service, that he deemed it more harmful than helpful, and so avoided the church from principle. Another eminent layman was lately reported to profess himself unable to find it worth while to attend, such was the intellectual bareness and poverty, the meagreness of the thought presented, the lack of culture and exact scholarship. The frequency of similar expressions suggests the inquiry whether refinement of taste and the niceties of culture, may not be carried so far, as to deaden those sympathies which bind men together, and destroy all generous flow of warm emotion. At all events it would seem that the excess of the critical and speculative spirit isolates men in their methods of thought and speech, and by making them solitary, is in great danger of making them selfish. We have long been told that our form of religious faith could not reach down to the masses, that it was too thoughtful, scholarly and simple, to attract and move the common mind. Now, it seems that we are not intellectual enough, not sufficiently in good taste to satisfy the culture and estheticism of the age. The children we have nourished and brought up in the very bosom of refinement, in the clearest at mosphere of intellectualism, have rebelled against us, and it would seem wise, instead of heeding their cry for further indulgence in the same direction, to ask if too fastidious attention to critical correctness and exact propriety in our religious services, have not begotten the very tendency we deplore. When the spirit of criticism or the desire for mental entertainment is allowed to come in and destroy the purpose of worship, and the sense of fellowship in the Spirit, it is very questionable whether a man be not spiritually morbid and diseased. That a mere scientist or intellectual epicure should sometimes yawn and turn away is not surprising, but that men claiming to have interest in Christian truth, and heart in all enterprises for the spiritual help and uplifting of the world, should turn away from the church because it is intellectually inadequate, or not wholly agreeable to every fastidious taste, is most remarkable. It is sheer selfishness. On such a principle, no holy work could ever have been undertaken or carried on. That a scholar, whose converse is with the immortals through the week, should not always be greatly enlightened or instructed by the discourse of his fellow mortal in the pulpit, is most likely; but he may be morally warmed and spiritually quickened by social worship and communion. And if he be entire, wanting nothing, so that he does not need the church, all the more the church needs him, his sympathy, his fellowship, the benefit of his counsels and labors in its behalf. In some way, if he be a Christian man, he must feel that the community has a right to share his best thought, and come into communion with the fulness of his soul's life. And that fastidiousness which refuses its companionship and sympathy in the public religious service, may seek to screen itself by complaint of shortcomings in the presentation of religion there, but can hardly fail to be itself convicted of wanting that generous spirit which, next to the Spirit of Holiness, is the life of the church, and which, in default of all other returns, would never fail to reward its possessor for every service it inspires.- Christian Register. A writer in the Christian Examiner of Fifth month last thus treats of social emulation; motive," to quote his own words, "to which the strength and weakness, the safety and danger of our American life are largely due,-a motive never before so active and wide-spreading in its operation as now and here." EDS. Nowhere in a young prosperous country, uncrowded, with undeveloped and unlimited resources, could this principle have the sway it possesses among ourselves. In older nations, emulations are confined within narrow bounds. A certain spirit of contentment, born of circumstances that promise but doubtful prizes to ambition or rewards to effort, captivates the heart weary with observing the restlessness and forward-pushing desires of our own people. But where this moderation or contentment prevails, we find feeble and dispirited energies, unawakened or drowsy powers, and a fixed mediocrity of affairs. Old abuses go uncured. Permanent inequalities prevail. Along with unknown and unused resources, there is needless poverty, stereotyped dulness and thinness of life. Doubtless no state of society is so picturesque as one in which broad contrasts are prodaced by unequal laws: on one side, a lofty aristocracy; on the other, a meek and dependent vassalige. None is so saintly in secming. as that in which a showy asceticism, accompa nied with a sentimental devoutness, produces faces and costumes which are the delight of artists and the awe of ritualists. And, besides | refinements of the oldest parts of this country, the picturesque effect, there is often an advantage more substantial. A noble condescension in the high, or a tender reverence in the low; the loyalty of an implicit faith, or that order of graces which flows out of the relations of widely contrasted classes of society, cannot be had where the exalted of yesterday are brought low to-day, and the low of to-day are lifted up to-morrow. Still, justice is the only permanent foundation of political or social life. All legal or artificial inequalities are curses and wrongs. The freest nation, the most equitable law, has the surest guaranty of its stability and happiness. into the newest Territories and States. Michigan claims the largest American university, most munificent in endowment, and most generous in plan. St. Louis is at this hour rebuilding the largest and most sumptuous hotel in the world, destroyed by the recent conflagration; is building an Episcopal church, perhaps the costliest on the continent; has the finest building for a Polytechnic Institute to be found in America; the noblest Post-office and City Hall; and has grown in the last thirty years, from fourteen thousand inhabitants to upwards of two hundred thous nd. Chicago, even more energetic and restless, rivals New York in bustle and stir, and in its vast territorial extent. With its elegant churches, its convenient and expensive school houses, it looks in parts like a city hundreds of years old; while in other parts a mere collection of extemporized shanties. The best models of New-England schools, with the best teachers, are already scattered over Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, No Eastern churches that we and California. Social emulation is the whip that stirs the slothful faculties and drowsy desires of that constitutionally idle animal, man. It is to this, in great measure, we owe our swift growth in wealth and civilization. No man is willing to be poorer, less favored, less respectable than his neighbors. He must be as well clothed and as well appointed as they; his family must be as well dressed and housed as theirs; he will not be content with less of educational advan-have seen are as thoroughly equipped for parish tage or religious privilege, or opportunity of uses and religious charities, as are found in literary culture, or facility of communication Illinois, Missouri, and California. The social with the world at large. The railroad system element is so predominant in Western piety, of this country, that miracle of energy, wealth, that the churches almost uniformly provide for and engineering skill, is due but in small part every gratification and development of that to immediate needs of commerce, or hope of feeling,-some even including arrangements for pecuniary profit. Farmers have mortgaged exhibiting tableaux and semi dramatic shows, their lands to invest in reads that merely in- while furnishing all possible accommodation for creased their sense of being in direct relations parish parties. The same spirit of emulation with the centres of life, and not behind the improves domestic architecture, introducing times; and this emulation has provoked and water and gas and side-walks into the remotest A lecturer in a Western village finds sustained enterprises of the most hopeless finan- towns. cial character. Take the Baltimore and Ohio himself indebted for his flattering audience to Road, for example,-running directly across the attractions of the novel gas-illumination; the bed of numerous torrents, or laid in rocky and, being eagerly solicited to repeat his adtroughs, or raised on huge embankments, or dress in a certain place, presently discovers lifted on stilted tressels,-here having an ex- that the anxiety is not to hear him, but simply tensive bridge, there diving into a tunnel bored to prevent Oshosk from receiving any privilege through a granite mountain.* Contemplating which Fond du Lac may not enjoy. Frivolous the poverty of the region and the costliness of as the motive may seem, it is a powerful spring the road, one is dumb with wonder at that am- of improvement in our whole new country. It bitious rivalry which would not allow Pennsyl- first did its work in the East, where town acadevania or New York to frame the only bonds be- mies and turnpikes were built fifty years ago tween East and West, but compelled Maryland under its inspiration; and is now transferring and Virginia to this herculean and magnificent its domains to the West, where it is working task, at any cost to their resources. In the its miracles of civilization with a rapidity West, social emulation is the great civilizer. and success that no less universal or less imIt bridges the Mississippi; it occupies the mediate motive could rival. banks of the Colorado and Columbia; it carries But it works for evil too, as well as good. schools, churches, colleges, all the comforts and The extravagant fashions, the late hours, the *Sixteen of these tunnels were counted, on a re-expensive living, the high prices, travel as fast cent journey, in a few miles. The melting snow, followed by a bitter frost, bad decked the sides of those rocky excavations with frozen stalactites of enormous proportions, A fringe of colossal circles hung from the opposite walls of the gleaming way; and, as the sun got power, melted into noisy cataracis, and echoed the thunder of the train. and as far as schools and churches. The fast driving, the gold gambling, the gaudy-drinking houses, the gift-enterprises and showy weddings, the mania for piebald costumes, propagate themselves with telegraphic speed and American universality. If at Leavenworth and Omaha we One great peril of American society is the lack of manly, independent thinking, and individual conscience. Personal aspiration gets lowered to a popular standard. An average and compromised pattern of character is thurst on us by a tyrannical, hasty, and unreasoning public opinion. Things go by tides and rushes and sweeping floods; to colonize California, to occupy Colorado and Montana; to drive railroads over mountain chains, whose bases are hot and sandy, and their summits lost in clouds and snows, or across deserts whose borders are in different climates. Already Chicago, by superior energy, has managed to secure no small portion of the trade due west from St. Louis, and naturally belonging to it, which that city is now striving to regain, by driving her Pacific Railroad to the Rocky Mountains, before the northern line shall reach them. If we knew all the legislative lobbying; all the rash beat and haste; all the efforts to procure federal aid to some of those local enterprises; all the hard feeling, the false and treacherous bargaining, involved in such emulations, we should see that whatever blessings follow them, as contribution to the opening and settling of the country and the increase of its wealth, they tend to degrade and demoralize the generation that handles them, and to undermine justice, fairness and open dealing.* Is there not, East and West, a growing disposition to think success the proof of merit, and almost the test of right? If a man has public spirit (as it is called); if he is successful in his schemes, and helps forward the external prosperity of his community, he may gamble like a German prince, outwit all his contemporaries with his sharp practice, and still stand at the head of society (so called), and even be found taking high ground in regard to the company he keeps, so that none but persons of the very highest social standing can hope to enjoy his acquaintance: and yet hardly a person will be bold enough to smile at the gigantic jest, or to rebuke the fan find the newspapers, the gas works, the paved | At the time of the drawing of the Crosby Operahouse lottery, it was said that hardly a town in the Western country was not largely interested in the exciting scheme. One poor-looking man in the cars was heard to speak of having a hundred and seventy chances in it. It was talked of more than the recent snow-storms, or Southern Reconstruction, or the prospects of spring wheat, or the renewal of the Canadian treaty, or even the price of lots in the new streets of a city that hopes and boasts of its ability to make New York a second-rate place in a generation more. The excitement of a passing fever would have been of no great moral account; if it had not illustrated the immense craving for speculation, the terrible gambling propensity, which, in the haste to be rich, has led to so much moral debauchery and commercial ruin. It is often too easily assumed, that no direct rebuke of the popular temper can have any effect; that fashion is mightier than conscience or the truth; that the world will and must have its way; that the aspiring heart and the consecrated will must retire into privacy and strict *We lately travelled along the line of a canal in Ohio, in which the neighboring farmers had invested, twenty years ago, their little earnings. A railroad company, wishing to avoid its rivalry in freighting, had lately bought up just enough of the stock of the canal to control its direction; and this direction had closed the canal, making the stock absolutely worthless, and robbing all the smaller holders of the whole value of their property in it. Nobody seemed to think it anything but a "smart" transaction, in which cunning and address had triumphed over the sleepy trustfulness of the poor farmers along the line. |