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yet they should not be set up as a standard. The testimony to moderation in living and in dress is increasingly valuable now that by the accumulation of wealth among us the tendency to large expenditures upon personal luxuries is greatly increased. Whether Friends are known in the community at large by a uniform dress, or not, it is eminently important that they should not cease to be a peculiar people in their conformity to the restraining influence of truth, which will keep them from excess in using the good things of this life.

telligent beings, responsible to the giver of every good gift.

The interesting remarks made at this meeting are here very imperfectly sketched; there can be little doubt but that the subjects presented took deep hold on many who were present; they were continued for further consideration at our next meeting.

Essay on Industry, Economy and Moderation. tion in trade and business, and the accumulaAt our last meeting, the subject of moderation of wealth, was pretty freely discussed, as was also the obligation to appropriate wealth to worthy and benevoleut objects. The testimony to moderation in our mode of living, holds a very prominent place in our Discipline, and was evidently regarded by the fathers of the Society as inseparably connected with its permanence and well being; and I think an evening devoted to the consideration of this testimony in its various branches would be well spent.

In the course of the remarks, which were participated in by an unusual number, the peculiarities of Friends were brought under review in a way to impress us with the importance of individual faithfulness to manifested duty, and we were reminded that by this means the vital testimonies which distinguished our forefathers and are still in a measure maintained among us, have been brought forth and diffused throughout the Society, and to some ex- There is a prevailing idea that, provided tent in the community at large. An interesting wealth be honestly and justly acquired, it is incident was related, in which, by a faithful and quite allowable to expend a large proportion of non-resisting adherence to the testimony against it in the purchase of a large house (whatever hat honor, a Friend in attendance upon a court may be the size of the family,) in a fashionable of justice had not only vindicated the great part of the city, in expensive furniture, and democratic principle of which it is an external clothing, and in the gratification of elegant manifestation, but had called forth a public tastes. Now, as regards any exact limit to the tribute of respect from an officer of the court. gratification of all these desires, no standard While the habit of wearing the hat in our meet-can be set up, without leading into false judg ings is, on some occasions, connected with in Couvenience, and viewed as a habit, does not commend itself to general ac eptance, yet the refusal to remove it on the pretext of the superior sanctity of a place, or the assumed superiority of a judge or minister is founded in truth, and may yet be required of many of those whom the truth has made free.

ments and uncharitableness. But the watchful Christian, who knows by what imperceptible degrees he may be led from the right path, while he prays not to be led into temptation, will not only not rush into it, but will carefully avoid the first steps towards it. Even if this caution is not felt to be necessary on his own account, he will feel it deeply as regards his In the training of little children parents children. The neighborhood, and the style in should be careful not to direct their attention which we live, the school to which we send our to their dress and appearance, except so far as children, the business in which we place them, necessary to neatness and cleanliness. The generally determine the character of their assoeffect of too much attention being paid to these ciates, and their most important connections in subjects, can scarcely fail to be prejudicial to life. That industry, economy and moderation, the permanent interests of children; whether so conducive to health of body and mind, and they are unduly restricted and compelled to that satisfaction with simple, natural and elevaadopt peculiarity which render them conspicu- ted pleasures, which is one of the great secrets ous, or are taught to be very particular at all of happiness, are all imperiled by every step times to present an attractive appearance, the toward luxury. A large house, particularly if effect is in either case to give an undue promi- in the city, and in a fashionable neighborhood, pence to a comparatively unimportant matter. involves the necessity of a certain number of It was also urged that the training of little domestics. These have each their special dechildren should lead them to unselfish and gen- partments of labor, into which the daughters erous acts to consider those obligations which of the family may not enter without a sense of in after life will make them useful members of degradation. They are thus excluded from society at large. In speaking to them of the some of the most healthful bodily exercises, and uses of education, the idea should be held up often driven to the poor substitutes of horseback that the cultivat on of their faculties is not so riding, gymnastics, &c., which, being unconmuch that they may gratify personal ambition nected with a sense of ministering to the wants or reach distinction in society, as that they may or comfort of others, are therefore less eunofulfil their mission in the world as rational in-ling to the mind than useful labor,

We are too much in the habit of associating ideas of refinement and cultivation with wealth and a certain style of living; and many parents, not wealthy themselves, are anxious that their children should get into what is called good society. But if this is supposed to be found, especially among those who live in a certain style, there is a great mistake made. True refiuement is native to the character, and is independent of outward conditions; the adjuncts to wealth, which are sometimes mistaken for it, are often found in connection with innate

coarseness.

The simple virtues of industry, economy and moderation, are too apt to be associated, particularly in the minds of the young, with parsimony, meanness, and a lack of culture and good taste. No doubt the ascetic habits of Friends in an earlier day, excluding as they did the exercise of taste, and confining themselves only to what was necessary and useful in dress and furniture, has given rise to this idea. May it not be, is it not the mission of modern Friends to divorce these improperly joined ideas? To show the young that industry is the best handmaid of grace; that moderation is not inconsistent with good taste and a love for the really beautiful; and that economy, the "doctrine of uses," the adaptation of means to ends, calls for the exercise of some of the highest . mental faculties.

One of the sad results attendant upon the indulgence which comes in the train of wealth, is the idea, easily acquired, that the pleasures which cost the most money are the best; whereas a relish for simple, inexpensive pleasures, early imbibed, is a mine of enjoyment through life, of which those who have been accustomed to the artificial and exciting have no conception.

I have mentioned industry in connection with the training of our daughters; but the remarks apply equally to the sons. Those who acquire wealth, and live in a corresponding manner, are generally unwilling to place their sons in mechanical employments. This was not so in the earlier and more simple days of the Society, before wealth had corrupted it. The great-grandfathers, grandfathers and the fathers, too, of most of the eldest here, labored with their own hands at mechanical employments; and their honest toil was no barrier to their filling stations of the highest usefulness and honor. Will we not have to come back to simplicity, moderation and industry, if we expect to perpetuate a society which has for its pattern Him who was called the Carpenter of Nazareth?

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From "The Tent on the Beach."
THE BROTHER OF MERCY.
BY JOHN G. WHITTIER.

Piero Luca, known of all the town
As the gray porter by the Pitti wall
Where the noon shadows of the garden fall,
Sick and in dolor, waited to lay down
His last burden, and beside his mat

The barefoot monk of La Certosa sat.

Unseen, in square and blossoming garden drifted,
Soft sunset lights through green Val d'Arno sifted;
Unheard, below the living shuttles shifted
Backward and forth, and wove, in love or strife,
In mirth or pain, the mottled web of life;
But when at last came upward from the street
Tinkle of bell and tread of measured feet,
The sick man started, strove to rise in vain,
Siuking back heavily with a moan of pain.
And the monk said, "Tis but the Brotherhood
Of Mercy going on some errand good:
Their black masks by the palace-wall I see."
Piero answered faintly, "Woe is me!
This day for the first time in forty years
Calling me with my brethren of the mask,
Beggar and Prince alike, to some new task
Of love or pity,-haply from the street
To bear a wretch plague stricken, or, with feet
Hushed to the quickened ear and feverish brain,
To tread the crowded lazaretto's floors,
Down the long twilight of the corridors,
'Midst tossing arms and faces full of pain.
loved the work: it was its own reward.
never counted on it to offset

I

In vain the bell hath sounded in my ears,

I

My sins, which are many, or make less my debt
To the free giace and mercy of our Lord;
But somehow, father, it has come to be
In these long years so much a part of me,
I should not know myself, if lacking it,
But with the work the worker too would die,
And in my place some other self would sit
Joyful or sad,-what matters, if not I?
And now all's over. Woe is me!"-" My son,"
The monk sid soothingly, "thy work is done;
And no more as a servant, but the guest
Of God thou enterest thy eternal rest.
No toil, no tears, no sorrow for the lost
Shall mar thy perfect bliss.
Clad in white robes, and wear a golden crown
Forever and forever." Piero tossed
On his sick pillow: "Miserable me!
I am too poor for such grand company:
The crown would be too heavy for this gray
old head; and God forgive me if I say
It would be hard to sit there night and day,
Like an image in the Tribune, doing naught
With these hard hand, that all my life have
wrought,

Thou shalt sit down

Not for bread only, but for pity's sake.
I'm dull at prayers; I could not keep awake,
Counting my beads. Mine's but a crazy head,
Scarce worth the saving, if all else be dead.
And if one goes to heaven without a beart,
God knows he leaves behind his better part.
I love my fellow men; the worst I know
I would do good to. Will death change me so
That I shall sit among the lazy saints,
Turning a deaf ear to the sore complaints
Of souls that suffer? Why, I never yet
Left a poor dog in the strada hard beset,
Must I rate them less
Or ass o'erladen!

Than dog or ass, in holy selfishness?
Methinks (Lord, pardon, if the thought be sin!)
The world of pain were better, if therein

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One's heart might still be human, and desires
Of natural piety drop upon its fires

Some cooling tears."

Thereat the pale monk crossed

humanely inspired course is to make those who are subject to its influence over-confident of their ability to surmount the obstacles interposed by

His brow, and muttering, "Madman! thou art lost!" their infirmity, and, in many instances, almost to

Took up his pyx and fled; and, left alone,

The sick man closed his eyes with a great groan
That sank into a prayer, "Thy will be done!"
Then was he made aware, by soul or ear,
Of somewhat pure and holy bending o'er him,
And of a voice like that of her who bore him,
Tender and most compassionate: "Never fear!
For heaven is love, as God himself is love;
Thy work below shall be thy work above."

persuade them that blindness is a blessing, rather than otherwise. This may be kindness; but if so it is of the cruel sort. Better would it be for all who are engaged in the management of institutions for the blind to deal frankly with their pupils, withhold nothing fromn them through fear of discouraging their hopes, but striving in every way to inspire them with

And when he looked, lo! in the stern monk's place fortitude to endure and strength to overcome He saw the shining of an angel's face!

ACCOMPANIMENTS AND EFFECTS OF BLINDNESS.
BY WM. H. CHURCHMAN, A.M.*

the real difficulties of life, which, sooner or later, they must needs encounter.

It is laid down, as a fundamental proposition in the prevailing systems of mental philosophy, that the unfolding of the intellectual faculties, at least, is dependent upon the stimulus derived from the external world through the medium of the sense. In view of some of the phenomenal manifestations of the peculiar, spiritual organization which we denominate genius, the strict truth of this doctrine is sometimes deemed, in a slight degree, questionable; but, in the present state of knowledge, we cannot do better than receive it. At all events, to assume that the mind can grow into a condition of complete, harmonious action, with any one of its more important avenues to sensorial impressions closed, is to charge, that an All-wise Creator has endowed his creatures with a useless faculty.

In treating of the physical and mental condition of persons who are afflicted with blindness, it is almost invariably the case that they are considered as forming a distinct class, separated from the rest of the human family, and possessing in common certain characteristics, coporeal and mental, which distinguish them as members thereof, whereas there is little, if any more reason, for thus abstracting and grouping them than exists in the case of any other set of persons, who happened to be afflicted with a common malady. This undoubtedly arises from the necessity of gathering them into separate institutions of learning, where they may have the benefit of peculiar apparatus and methods of instruction, devised to meet their wants, by adapting them to the tactual sense. But it is very There are those who, either through ignorance desirable, on many accounts, that care should be of the elementary principles of mental science, taken to avoid this unphilosophical method of or from want of reflection, manifest great astontreating the subject. Its influence is an unhap ishment on discovering that a blind child is py one upon the sufferers themselves, making possessed of correct notions with regard to the them, in many instances, feel their misfortune form, dimensions and other tactual qualities of much more keenly. than they otherwise would, material objects, and straightway proceed to acand in others, providing a plausible excuse for count for the phenomenon by declaring that continuance in peculiar and unbecoming habits the power which would have been exercised by which they may happen to contract from im- the missing sense, had it been present, is merproper Essociations, and which are as reprehen- cifully distributed among the remaining ones. sible in them as in any one else. Besides, it But this mode of reasoning, it is scarcely necestends to mislead the public mind as to the sary to say, will not answer. Each sense has its capabilities of the human powers in overcoming especial function, and this function cannot be the obstacles presented by blindness, and teaches performed by another. True, after the particuit to look apologetically upon any shortcom-lar notions which originally reach the mind ings practiced by the smitten ones, as well as through a given sense have been derived, distrustfully upon their efforts to battle manful through the functional operations of the approly against the difficulties they must needs encount-priate organ of that sense, they may afterwards er in their journey through life. Far better be cognizable by another sense, as acquired perwould it be, in every point of view, to pursue a ceptions, but without the intervention of the contrary course, and endeavor to counteract every special sense which forms the appropriate chaninfluence whose tendency is to foster the notionnel for the original conveyance of these notions of isolation alluded to.

On the other hand there is a class who run to the opposite extreme and put forth senti ments which encourage false hopes in the objects of their care, as well as in the community at large. The result of this injudicious, though

The author of this article is himself blind.

to the mind, they never could reach it. Thus it is with regard to the notions of form, etc., just alluded to. In the absence of the tactual sense from birth, though the visual one be ever so perfect, they never could reach the mind; and so with the original cognitions of light and shade, which form the basis of acquired per

ceptions of the sense of sight, The mind must remain forever destitute of them, at least in its earthly state of existence, when that sense is missing. Hence it may be remarked, in passing. that the marvelous, unphilosophical stories which we sometimes hear, of certain blind persons being able to distinguish colors by touch, are utterly without foundation in truth. If, then, these premises are correct, while there is no just reason for astonishment at the blind child's possession of the kinds of knowledge before cited, there are, nevertheless, some notions of the qualities of material objects, of which he must remain essentially ignorant, and therefore his mental development must, in just so much, be unfavorably influenced. Now, it is a knowledge of the character and amount of this influence which we are, through our present inquiry, seeking to obtain, in the hope of being able to sug gest some available means of counteracting it, so far as such a thing is possible.

The human soul, considered in its relation ship to external nature, is sometimes beautifully likened to a musical instrument. "Regarded in itself, it is an invisible existence, having the capacity and elements of harmony." The senses, the brain and the nervous system gener ally, constitute the beautiful framework which the Creator has woven around its mysterious, invisible strings. This living instrument is, at first, voiceless and silent, but when it is properly wrought upon "by those outward influences which exist in various forms and adaptations of the material world," it gives forth ravishing strains of exquisite harmony.

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Now, when some of the finer chords of this wonderful instrument, those which carry the beautiful windings of the melody, and contribute their rich blendings of color, light and shade to the deep, swelling harmonies of is ceaseless hymn of praise, remain untouched, save but lightly, by the finger of nature, though no discords may result to mar the effect, yet there will be an absence of some of the parts necessary to that full, rich flood of harmony which alone can satisfy the perfect ear of Deity. And herein we find the sought for character of the influence referred to. Its amount will depend, first, upon the nicety with which the dor mant strings are attuned to the rest, and their consequent susceptibility to sympathetic vibration, as in the manifestations of genius; and, secondly, upon the adaptedness of the means which may be employed by kind friends to counteract it.

But in order to present the matter in a clearer light, let us glance briefly at the operations of the sensorial faculties, or rather those of them which are sometimes denominated the intellectual senses, and trace the influence of these operations upon the more interior portions of the mental economy. To this end, and in order not

to stray beyond the established limits of mental science, the following summary is made up, in great part, from the writings of acknowledged authorities upon the subject.

The sense of touch is the medium through which we derive our first notions of externality, or the existence of a world outside of ourselves. Without it, we could have no such notion. The cognitions of this sense are exceedingly definite and perfect. "By it we not only know that a quality exists, but also what it is. We have the knowledge, and we know what it is that produces it. In this manner the perceptions by touch lie at the foundation of all our knowl edge of an external world. We rely upon them with more certainty than any other." Many of the qualities originally revealed to us by touch, are subsequently cogniz ble by sight as acquired perceptions. If, however, in any case, we have reason to doubt the evidence of sight, we instinctively apply to the sense of touch, in order to verify our visual judgement.

"The principal qualities cognized by touch, besides externality, are extension, hardness, softness, form, size, motion, situation and roughness or smoothness.' Besides these, however, there are various bodily sensations of pain and pleasure, given by this sense, which it were useless to mention here.

"Conforming ourselves, therefore, to the perceptions of touch, we find that they are almost exclusively given us by the hand. In this manner we obtain a distinct knowledge of extension, of size, of hardness, softness and form. When the body is small, or the discrimination delicate, we rely almost wholly upon the perceptive power of the fingers. In this manner we obtain, experimentally, nearly all our knowledge of the primary qualities of bodies."

"We learn by a proper examination of the subject, that not only does this sense emable us to make large additions to our knowledge, but that it is really the original source of a great part of our knowledge of the world around us. Of its intrinsic importance, we may form an opinion from the fact that there is no case on record in which a human being has been born without it. By it alone, as in the case of Laura Bridgman, we may learn our relations to the world around us; may be taught the use of language, and may even acquire the power of writing it with considerable accuracy. This sense is lost only in paralysis, and in those cases in which the individual, drawing near to dissolution, has no further need of any of the organs of sense."

The conceptions of tangible qualities, like the perceptions of touch, are exceedingly definite. It is sometimes said that the blind, who rely exclusively upon this sense for their knowl edge of external objects, cannot form abstract conceptions of these, but must in all cases im

for once give a poor man something to eat, for God's sake? How much does he owe anyhow?" The debt was eight silver groschen, and the Jew paying this, took the poor man by the hand aud led him to the door. Those present did not seem to enjoy the reproof which their brutality had received, and one iusolent fellow cried out:

agine themselves in immediate contact with the objects conceived. This, however, is a great mistake. Besides being inconsistent with the acknowledged principles of mental science, it is contradicted by observation and experience. Were such a view correct, it would be impossible for a person born blind to have any correct knowledge of distance, or of objects of great" Hey! Jew, what have you done?-this is the magnitude. Nor would he be able to derive information from descriptions of such objects as have never been brought within the reach of his tactual sense.

Sabbath, and you have touched money!" [This is forbidden to the Israelites.] "You are right," answered the Jew. "Just now I forgot that I was a Jew, just as you forgot that you were Christians. But you may rest easy on my account; I understand my commandment which says, Honor the Sabbath-day and keep it holy.' Just get some schoolmaster to explain it to you, and if he is a reasonable man he will agree with me. Good deeds have no Sabbath." And with these words the good man left the room.

From the Evening Bulletin.
AN OLD DOCUMENT.

The sense of sight is, primarily, simple in its function. Nothing is original with it, but per. ceptions of light, and its various modifications denominated color. These perceptions, however, are exceedingly numerous. "In this respect, the intimations of the sense of sight stand on the same footing with those of taste and hearing. A part of that knowledge which we attribute to the sight, and which has the appearance of being immediate and original in that sense, is not 80. Some of its alleged perceptions are properly the result of sensations, combined not only The following is a copy, verbatim, of a treaty with the usual reference to an external cause, of peace, and the appointment of a commissionbut also with various other acts of the judger by William Penn, to treat with the Governor ment. In some cases, the combination of the of Canada to establish a system of trade by acts of the judgment with the visual sensation which the people of the Province of Pennsylis carried so far, that there is a sort of transfer vania and those of Canada could be provided to the sight, of the knowledge which has been with such commodities of traffic as might be deobtained from some other source. And not un-sired for the comfort of both Provinces. The frequently, in consequence of a long and tena-original copy was written by William Penn, and cious association, we are apt to look upon the addressed to the Governor of Canada in June, knowledge thus acquired as truly original in the seeing power." Thus it is with the cognitions of extension, figure or form, magnitude, solidity, distance, relative position and some others. These are all conveyed to the mind through certain dispositions of light and shade.

ANECDOTE.

1682 (185 years ago), and is now neatly framed, and adorns the walls of the Surveyor General's office. Iu size it is 30 by 24 inches, and is written in the old English style. In the same office may be seen many other valuable old documents, some of them written over two centuries ago. The novelty and singular style of writing is worth the time occupied in their perusal. The first letter of the first word is about four inches long, and is ornamental in its appearance.

The following admirable anecdote is from Breslau, and is of recent date. Not long since an elderly man with bare head stood in an eat- "The Great God that made thee and me and ing-house, surrounded by a crowd of people. all the the world Incline our hearts to peace The landlord held the man's hat and cane in and justice that we may live friendly together his bands, and an impudent waiter stood between as becomes the workmanship of the Great God. the guest and the door. The confusion of the The King of England who is a Great Prince old man was indescribable. He seemed to be hath for divers Reasons granted to me a large for the first time in his life in such a scrape country in America which however I am willsaid nothing, looked down on the ground, and ing to Inj y upon friendly terms with thee. with difficulty restrained his tears, while all And this I will say that the people who comes around mocked and jeered him. Just then a poor- with me are a jnst, plain and honest people that ly-dressed Jew, with a long white beard, entered, neither make war upon others nor fear war from and inquired what it all mean, and with an ex-others because they will be just. I have set up a pression of almost feminine curiosity. He was told that the man had eaten and drank, and now that he must pay he searched his pockets in vain for money. "Well," exclaimed the Jew," I see the old man for the first time, but I'll be bound he did not come here to cheat. And landlord, suppose he had no money to forget, couldn't you

Society of Traders in my Province to traffick with thee and thy people for your commodities, that you may be furnished with that which is good at reasonable rates. And that Society hath ordered their President to treat with thee about a future Trade and have joined with me to send this Messenger to thee with certain Presents

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