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from us to testify our willingness to have a fair | discuss public questions in a manner which it dis-
correspondence with thee. And what this approves shall be punished with death.

Agent shall do in our names we will agree unto.
I hope that thou wilt kindly Receive him and
comply with his desires on our behalf both with
respect to the Land and Trade. The Great God
be with thee, Amen.

PHILIP THEODORE LEHNMAN,
Secretary."

WM. PENN.

DANGEROUS PAPER.

Congress has passed a bill providing for a "Department of Education" in Washington. This new national department is for the purpose of collecting such statistics and facts as shall show the condition and progress of education in the several States and Territories, and of diffusing such information respecting the organization and management of schools and school systems and methods of teaching as shall aid the people of the United States in the establish. ment and maintenance of efficient school systems, and otherwise promote the cause of education throughout the country. The bill provides for the appointment of a "Commissioner of Education," present an annual report of the results of his inveswith three subordinate clerks, and requires him to tigations to Congress. A bill in relation to the Indian tribes, which provides that they shall not be recognized as independent nations, but as communities, was introduced into the Senate. The suppleHouse amendments were acted upon. The first was mentary reconstruction bill was called up, and the adopted; the second, requiring for the adoption of the State constitution a majority of the registered voters instead of a majority of the votes cast, was The third amendment was concurred disagreed to.

There is a great difference in the combustibili ty of common papers. Enamelled card paper, on account of its compact body and the presence of mineral matter, white lead or barytes, is quite disinclined to burn; in fact some kinds are practically fire-proof. White writing and printing paper can seldom be lighted by a spark, and when ignited by a flame, it requires dexterity to keep it burning. On the other hand, there is a common reddish-yellow paper which, in some circumstances, is as dangerous as gunpowder. It takes fire by the smallest spark, and burns like tinder; when once lighted, if left alone, it is sure to be consumed completely. All the yellow and buff paper which I have tested, out of which envolopes are made, partakes more or less of the same character. I have no doubt that such paper has been the occasion of some of the fires which have been otherwise unex-paid into the treasury, was passed. The Senate plained, such as the fires in paper warehouses and offices of professional men. A spark of fire, or the stump of a lighted cigar, falling in a waste-basket containing yellow envelopes with other kind of paper, would have a good chance of setting the whole on fire.-Prof. Seeley.

God's gift of himself to us is not a miser's treasure, to be buried for safety in the earth.

ITEMS.

in, and the bill goes back to the House.
In the House a resolution appropriating $500,000
for the expenses of carrying the act of reconstruction
into effect was pissed. The Senate resolution, ap-
propriating fifteen thousand dollars for the relief of
destitute colored persons in the District of Columbia,
claimed by the Richmond banks, ordering it to be
was passed. The resolution in reference to the coin

resolution, proposing a joint rule to prohibit the sale
or use of liquors in the Capitol, was passed. The
Senate amendments to the supplementary recon-
struction bill were acted upon.

The bill to allow colored persons to ride in all pub. lic conveyances has passed both Houses of the Pennsylvania Legislature. It only requires the signature of the Governor to become a law.

THE FREEDMEN.-The colored citizens of Georgetown and Washington are about organizing a joint stock association, for the purpose of establishing & daily and weekly newspaper in the National metropopro-lars have already been subscribed. lis. It is stated that upwards of two thousand dol

An International Auti-Slavery Conference is posed to be held in Paris in the Sixth month. Dr. and Margaret A. Griscom, William C. and Rachel M. Biddle have been appointed delegates thereto from Friends' Association of Philadelphia for the Aid and Elevation of the Freedmen.

the consent of his Executive Council, has appointed Governor Bullock, of Massachusetts, by and with the Peace for the county of Suffolk. There are ala colored man, named Gengel Ruffin, a Justice of ready in Massachusetts a colored member of the Legislature and a colored constable.

The First Report of the Citizens Association of Pennsylvania has just been published. The ob- The Memphis Post says:-"The colored people ject is the reformation of inebriates. At present have been so much better treated in Tennessee than the principal effort of the association is to procure in the surrounding States, that they will hire to lands and buildings for the use and cure of the in- Tennesseans at less wages than to others. Their temperate. A farm has been purchased in Darby, enfranchisement will now add largely to our laborDelaware County, of 107 acres, easy of access, suring population at the expense of the adjoining States. rounded by woods, and admirably adapted for build-We are glad that many plantations have been diing houses of various sizes, being intended for vided up, and the parts furnished with houses and from five to twenty persons. It has been calculated rented to colored lessees on shares. that about one person in every seventy-four is an in--| ebriate, which would make in Pennsylvania between 49,000 and 50,000. The causes of this are ably treated in this report by Dr. Parrish.

AFFAIRS IN SPAIN.-The treatment of the people of Spain by their rulers is notorious, and that country has been for some time on the eve of a revolution. The latest exhibition of tyranny has been the announcement by the government that writers who

We hear of instances of this in Mississippi, where last year it was made a misdemeanor to lease lands to colored people. Hands are generally found to work better on shares than for wages, and more are hired this year than last. A half of the cotton is usually allowed, from which all necessary advances are deducted. Wages vary, according to the hand, from $20 per month, in some cases payable monthly, but more frequently at the end of the year.

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FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER.

"TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO; KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE."

VOL. XXIV.

PHILADELPHIA, THIRD MONTH 30, 1867.

No. 4.

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY AN ASSOCIATION
OF FRIENDS.

COMMUNICATIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED AND PAYMENTS
MADE TO

EMMOR COMLY, AGENT,

At Publication Office, No. 144 North Seventh Street,
Residence, 809 North Seventeenth Street.
Open from 9 A.M. until 5 P.M.

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. The Postage on this paper, paid in advance at the office where is received, in any part of the United States, is 20 cents a year.

AGENTS-Joseph S. Cohu, New York.

Henry Haydock, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Benj. Stratton, Richmond, Ind.

William H. Churchman, Indianapolis, Ind.

James Baynes, Baltimore, Md.

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SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF JOHN neither to the right hand, nor to the left; suf

BARCLAY.

(Continued from page 35.)

To E. J.

CROYDON, 17th of Eighth month, 1833. My dear friend.-I must not longer omit assuring thee of the acceptance of thy letter, which was truly cordial to me; evincing that thy mind through all changes has remained, as I trust, firmly anchored on that Rock which cannot be removed; and comfortably proving to me, what I sometimes seem almost unable to assume, that my own poor tossed bark is yet preserved on the top of the waters, and this by the skilful hand of the unerring Pilot. Truly it is reviving to know, that we have companions in this wilderness and warfare; that we do indeed mutually desire to walk together by the same rule, and to mind the same thing.; and that no temptation or strange thing has happened or is happening to us, but what is common to men, yes, even the best; and that above all, He is with us who can alone do all things for us, and enable us to endure all things through faith, of which he is the author and the finisher.

fering nothing overmuch to absorb, disquiet, perplex, or divert thee from that which makes for peace; and pursuing the simple path of duty, wherever it may lead. Ah! how easy to prescribe all this, how difficult to get to that spot and to keep there, where the yoke, the burden, the commandment are known and felt to be easy, light, and most pleasant.

I rest as ever thy affectionate friend,

To

J. B.

CROYDON, Tenth Month, 1833. Thy letter, my dear friend, I believe I have never acknowledged; but be assured it was in all its parts very acceptable, although it conveyed tidings of a truly mournful aspect. These things, however, must be expected; and those who are entering into discipleship, must bear to hear of what the Master forewarns them they must endure. Though they "hear of wars, and rumors of wars, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things" that 66 yet see that ye be not troubled;" await, &c., and, "in your patience possess ye your souls," is still the watchword of perfect and divine I earnestly trust, that thy mind is too much one Wisdom, coincident with the blessed experiencewith the wrestling seed of Christ, to suffer thee of the Psalmist,-"My heart is fixed, trusting to be in any wise moved away, from the hum-in the Lord;" by whom the very hairs of the bling engagement of filling up thy measure of head are numbered, and everything overruled usefulness, in whatever way may yet remain for for the good of his chosen, now as ever! And thee, or be pointed out; even that thou art en- they are directed in all their movements, so far deavoring to be looking right on, turning as the Master has need of them, in steadying

the ark, or bearing it aright, without over much | remnant, whose hands, though hanging down, anxiety; trusting themselves and their cause, I trust will not let go their hold of that which which is His, to his own keeping. We-have they have truly handled, and which they know signs of the times enough to assure us, that to be their only hope, strength and safety. there is that at work in our poor Society, which if not averted, may beguile and corrupt, if not shake us as in a sieve, till we be reduced to a little remnant. O! that we may individually be concerned to know the will of our Master; doing neither more nor less, acting only in the obedience of faith, making faith perfect, as saith the apostle James.

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No convulsion apparently awaits us,-it might be better for us if it were so;-no, no; the enemy is wiser than to foment this:-only let us be induced to give up the true foundation for another, and he promises so gently and peaceably to glide us on it, that we shall not know it; except that it will be less rugged and hard to flesh and blood, without any cross or struggle; and there shall be nothing taken from us that we may affect to prize, such as our customs and traditions, our church system, and so forth,-nothing shall be disturbed of all this; and all the professors, and the world too, shall love us the better. How instructive it is to see, that the most eminently gifted instru ments are only really useful, while in the Divine hand and ordering; and that the Almighty is not bound to work by them, but as he sees meet: and he can raise up striplings, that no flesh should glory! It is the distinguishing feature of this heresy, that it runs among the rich, and the great, and learned, and the eloquent, and the gifted, and experienced. Oh, that all who are not with us would even go out from us, and show their true colors; it would be more honorable, than to be endeavoring to insinuate something else among us, which our fathers could not, neither can we adopt,-nay, which we have protested against, and came out from, when we become a people.

CROYDON, 5th of Tenth month, 1834. Most fully do I and many more unite in all thou hast conveyed in thy last; and especially in those clear views thou hast received to give forth (as I believe) relative to the state of the church. My heart salutes thee, and bids thee God speed on thy journey, travail, and service; desiring that no man, nor thing, may hinder thee from doing all that thou hast to do, in thy measure and in thy day, for Him and his glory, for his cause and people, while life and strength are graciously vouchsafed. O! how often have I remembered thee, and thought of thee, as one whom the Lord has made use of in an emiLent manner, to uncover and bring out to view the working of the wily enemy, as it is this day; and to manifest the path of the Just One, and the work of God in and among his people. As surely as I believe the views, which we have ever held, to be according to Truth, so I be- Thy affectionate remembrance of us is very lieve, that many up and down are preparing to precious; and it is our sincere desire, that thou acknowledge and embrace them; and that the wilt continue to think of us for good, who often old fashioned testimonies which are upheld in feel very sensib'y what poor unworthy, unprofit our early Friend's writings, will come to be ad-able things we are, and how we are borne with mired and sought out. Oh, surely, there is a goodly company without our pale, who may even take the places and the crowns of those, (be they who they may within the camp,) that desert the cause, which once was dear to them, and which they honored; but who now seek to undermine, lay waste, or make of none effect; endeavoring also to lower the standard, and make it square with their own notions and practice. It seems to me, that the snares and temptations are more and more seen through by Friends at large, especially the lowly, contrite, little, teachable ones-the poor of the flock.

I have been absent from home three months this summer in Cornwall, &c., having liberty for religious service among Friends, as way might open; and found myself obliged to join hands with a beloved Friend, in visiting the families of Falmouth Monthly Meeting. I have had much occasion to notice, that, though the standing of many seems in slippery places and on shifting ground, and many of understanding may yet fall, there is nevertheless a worthy

and favored! Farewell, my beloved friend;
may the Most High be our shield and exceed-
ing great reward, and a very present help in
trouble!
J. B.

To C. P. A.

CROYDON, Tenth month, 1834. My beloved friends.-I am ready to believe you would not attribute my silence to neglect or want of feeling, were I even longer to forbear to communicate by pen and ink. I trust we are too much like epistles written in one another's hearts, that this should have place. Be assured, however, that it is very pleasant to me to salute you from my home.

I visited dear W. Byrd, and found him comfortable in mind; he had lately been taken into the garden, and was placed by the grave of his wife for a short time. I thought him more bright, and clear, and collected in his faculties and memory, than when his wife was living. The retrospect of my journey, leaves me nothing but peace hitherto; and my only disquietude is, lest I should not duly estimate this

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blessing, with those also that have attended me | Christ Jesus concerning us, that thus we
throughout. I think nothing has failed, of what should "glorify him in the fires." Our busi-
it seemed given me to expect beforehand would ness is to stay ourselves upon the Lord, and
be allotted and meted out. It has been an in- fully to realize the truth,-that all things will
structive humbling time; and in this I rejoice be found to work together, and to have
greatly, for there is no state, I so desire to be happened, for the very best, to those that above
preserved in, as that of pure dependence, fear, all things desire to love and serve Him. May
and tenderness of spirit. I gave in my report we more and more exercise ourselves in these
to our Monthly Meeting, and endeavored to views, that we may in no wise be moved by
stir up the poor flagging mind to faith, zeal, and these or any afflictions; but that the further
love; but things are flat now-a-days: sometimes we go, the more we may witness of the Lord's
under a sense of it, one is ready to say, "My wonders in the deeps, and be confirmed in the
soul is sick with sighing," and "Oh, that I had experience of his mercy, faithfulness, and
in the wilderness a lodging place," &c. Yet at strength; though it should be continually made
other times, when favored to rise above a sel- manifest and made perfect in our abundant
fish interest and anxiety, one cannot but see it weakness. O! the times and the seasons are
is very needful there should be a falling away well left in his hand, who ordereth or overrul-
first, that the man of sin may be revealed, and eth all things well. And in the present low
more and more discovered, and that Zion may and trying state of things, it is not to be won-
be more and more redeemed through judgment, dered at, that oppression and obstruction are
and saved as by fire. Oh, may nothing in low permitted to be felt, to the bowing down of the
and trying seasons be permitted to intervene very souls of some!
and trouble us unprofitably, either as to our in-
dividual lot and state, or as regards our precious
fellowship and unity in that which is unchange-
able, or as to the state of the church or the
world, but may we continue in faith and pa-

tience to the end.

J. B.

[In a letter to another friend about the same
date, alluding to his late journey, he says:]
"Though the humiliations have been frequent
and great, a sense of preserving help has never
been withheld in the needful measure, and at
the needful time. I have found no wonderful
enlargement; but in my little way, have endea-
vored to sympathize with the suffering seed,
the wrestling remnant, who are concerned
above all things to maintain the testimony of
Jesus, by dying daily to themselves. And the
Lord will still keep these in the hollow of his
band; and, amidst all exercises and tribula-
tions, such will grow. May we ever be counted
worthy of taking our lot among this number,
drinking into one Spirit.

To

(To be continued.)

Those whose souls are so far renewed that

they can be said to have entered into the Divine Union, find that, in every season, they have evidence of God's nearness and intimacy. And it ent to them in the fulness and perfection of adds to their happiness to know, that He is presHis nature,—just as much as if they were the only beings in the universe.-Upham.

For Friends' Intelligencer.

THE TREATMENT OF SCHOLARS.

It is painful to observe, even in schools under the care of Friends, how readiness in memorizing lessons, or facility in acquiring favorite branches of knowledge, is made the ground of preferences among the pupils. The smart scholar too often enjoys the special favor of the teacher, though possessing, perhaps, less of the really commendable graces than some who are less apt at learning. Every loving parent must feel that this is wrong; the hindmost of the flock often claims the largest share of parental love. The very absence of that facility which 16th of Twelfth month, 1834.-Unless we is sometimes early developed, though by no have forfeited our privileges as Christians, and means indicative of real superiority, is an inare utterly lost to all right feeling of Divine centive to affectionate care and encouragement help, it is natural and likely, and consistent on the part of the discriminating parent. So with the provisions of Divine wisdom, that as should it be in that larger sphere, outside the our day is, so should our strength be. And O! domestic circle, into which we are obliged to the invincible, the unutterable strength of the send our children for mental discipline and cultrue faith, even but a grain ;—it is calculated to ture. Who can tell how much of the injustice overcome the world and the transient things of and unreasonableness of men and women is to it; as embraced and laid hold of, and cleaved be laid to the charge of this vicious school disunto, it makes us heirs of life, and gives victory cipline? how much of the selfishness and unover death. O! then, what cause, and also hallowed ambition of adult life was fostered into what ability may we find, even to " rejoice ever-growth and activity at school? more, and in every thing to give thanks," as These thoughts have impressed the writer in poor J. Woolman told his attendant,-for this contrasting the discipline of some schools with is, indeed, the will and purpose of God in which he is acquainted with that of the "Aim:

well School," a small but very commendable thou hast had to believe that all is in wisdom, charity school established more than seventy though to our finite view these events are unyears since by Anne Parrish, an older sister of fathomable. And then, again, that indescribathe late Dr. Joseph Parrish. This, which is ble joy (in the midst of grief) in first realizing believed to have been the first established of the feeling that this cherub, which we loved the now numerous free schools in Pennsylvania, with such intense love while on earth, is now has, from its origin, aimed to elevate, by guarded among and one of the glorified spirits around moral, literary and practical education, a class of the throne of bliss. But perhaps thou wilt say neglected girls in our city, and its labors have I know not a parent's feeling. I admit it; been abundantly blessed. but I believe I have known the nearest possible From the printed "Regulations for Teach- approach to it, in the case of a brother's child, ers" of this school the following extract is to whom I was attached with all the love short made, in the hope that it may be deemed worthy of a parent's; for it really seemed as if my to be followed by others: "It is recommended life was bound up in his, and his attachment to that they (the teachers) endeavor to encourage me was nothing less than that for his mother. the diffident, repress the forward and presump. From the most blooming health, at the most tuous, and bestow just and ample commenda- interesting age, he was stricken down, and, tion on the diligent, attentive and orderly, how- with a very few hours' illness, taken from us; ever dull their capacity or slow their progress; and until I was taken from his bedside in anand in an especial manner to endeavor to im-guish, at the time almost insupportable, his eyes bue the minds of the children with religious were hardly off me, and his tongue continued principles, which will be of far greater import-lisping my name as if claiming some relief; ance to them in more advanced life than any other part of their education."

LETTERS FROM SARAH G. RICH.

E. P.

(Continued from page 38.) PHILADELPHIA, 11th mo. 12th, 1848. My dear Friend :-" They who are afflicted often speak one unto another." This expression, or one with its import, I have met with somewhere, and the truth of it I feel, though the language may be in spirit only; and in this way has my mind been much with thee, my dear friend, since hearing of thy late trial, though I am not one who has ever felt gifted for imparting consolation on such occasions, as language appears to me too meagre for the expression of the feelings which are called forth into the sympathetic breast upon such events; and, indeed, what can expression do toward healing an aching void? Know from the alone true teacher, experience, that such wounds can only be healed from that source and fountain of love to which, my dear friend, thou hast access, and from which, doubtless, thou hast partaken of the balm of consolation, the streams of which I may say from past experience are ever ready to be poured into the stricken soul as soon as time prepares the mind to receive them; and then how astonishingly can the contrite heart, which, in the first moments of anguish, seemed closed to every avenue of consolation, be brought truly to feel "the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed forever be His adorable name."

This I doubt not has been thy experience in parting with thy dear infant; and that, though the trial at first may have been like separating the " marrow from the bone," yet, in an unshaken reliance upon an overruling Providence,

but that was not within human power to bestow, and his spirit fled to God, who gave it to us for a brief space. I think I may say the first moIment of consolation was, when looking at his sweet but lifeless form, the impression forcibly arrested my mind-Weep not for him, for he already is a glorified spirit in the regions of bliss. I say realizing this feeling imparted a consolation I never lost.

Afternoon.-I received a letter from thee some three months since, and have many times thought of answering it, but frequently have not felt well enough, and it had to be deferred. The account to which thou alludes, published in Friends' Miscellany some years ago, I remember reading at the time. I remember well the awfulness of the feeling produced by it, and could I at that time have had the slightest imtimation that my situation was ever to approach as near it as it has already done, I know not what a state of despair it would have led me into. For, although in the case alluded to, there was forcible evidence of a Christian resignation, yet to me the dread, the horror, may I not say of years of helplessness, would have plunged my mind into an abyss, from which it could not, I think, have risen. The exclamation of my heart often is-Oh! wisdom, how just in veiling from us poor mortals what is to be our lot in future years! and what mine may yet be is wisely hidden from me; and I desire constantly to render the tribute of a grateful heart for the blessings with which I am surrounded; and though my sufferings at times. are great, increasingly so, yet I feel that I have much, very much, to be thankful for; and not the least is the ability to endure all in that spirit which I trust has some approach to resignation. But I must acknowledge there are times of weakness when nature gains the ascen

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