loudly call. Some of us have too long been idlers, and need to be aroused from protracted slumber, which has a withering effect; and when light is thrown upon our pathway, let us be up and doing, that our work may be done in the day time, for "the night cometh wherein no man can work." A home-labor is required, an individual search to see that our own hearts are pure and clean, that they may be prepared for the divine unction, through which we may be strengthened to labor effectually for the good of others as well as our own. Watch and pray is a Scripture injunction that is necessary for all to observe. Let us continually seek for strength, preservation and knowledge, that we be not drawn off by much that is abroad in the land which is calculated to divert the attention from the true Guide, and which leads into a state of spiritual weakness and poverty.

If parents in their early setting out in life would daily gather their little ones about them, either in solemn silence, or read to them portions of Scripture or other religious books, and, as ability is furnished, explain what they read, I believe they would increase in the knowledge of divine things, and the influence would be to enliven the body of which they are members. Is not the reverential waiting upon God in our families with the desire to be led and guided by His Spirit, a sure foundation for us to build upon who profess a faith in the

immediate revelation of His will?

If children were accustomed to seasons of silent waiting at home, I think they would learn to love them and to love to go to meeting. They would be impressed by example as well as pre cept with the importance of secking first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, that they might witness the fulfilment of the promise attached, that all things necessary will be added. If this were the habit of Friends, then do I believe that our meetings would increase, and that we as a people would prosper; but much, very much, depends upon the manner in which our children are educated, and this should be done within the pale of our own Society. H. M.

It is an undoubted truth, that the less one has to do, the less one finds time to do it in. One yawns, one procrastinates, one can do it when one will, and, therefore, one seldom does it at all; whereas, those who have a great deal of business, must (to use a vulgar expression) buckle to it; and then they always find time. enough to do it in.

The man who has never tried the companionship of a little child, has carelessly passed by one of the greatest pleasures of life, as one passes a rare flower without plucking it or knowing its value.

From "The Silent Pastor."
MEDITATIONS.

Come, let us praise the goodness of God, who orders every thing for the best; our life and our death are equally His care.

The Lord casts us upon a bed of sickness, and draws the curtain between the world and us, shutting out all its vain designs, and contracting our business to our little chamber. In that quiet solitude He speaks to our hearts, an l sets our whole life, as iu a mirror, before us. There he discovers to us the treachery of the world, and invites us, by the exhibition of its vanity, to prepare for a better.

Thither He sends His messengers of peace to perfect our reconciliation.

Oh! how different are the thoughts of that hour from those of careless, unreflecting health. How do we now censure what we once esteemed.

How easily are we led to wiser resolutions, when our unruly senses are rebuked with pain,

and the fears of death teach the rashness of

our minds sobriety;-when the occasions of sin are removed from our way, and everything about us exhorts to repentance.

sanctifies into a blessing even the chastisement Adored be thy name, O Lord! whose mercy of Thy rod.

Thou bringest us low to awaken our humility, and prescribest sickness to cure our infirmity. Thou commandest, and the grave is inexorable; with it is no respect of persons.

die, but kindly hidest in clouds and darkness Thou tellest us by experience that all must be upon our guard, and through all our days the time and place, that everywhere we may may be looking for the summons.

Thou teachest us, by the removal of those we love, to renew the contemplation of our own grave, and the wholesome thoughts of a future

world.

Let not, O Lord! these gracious desigas be lost upon us; but let such scenes be attended with the most serious reflections upon our own mortality.

And oh cause every meditation of this nature to make us the more diligent in preparing for our latter end.

Mind the Light, that light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. By attending to this inward monitor, the mind will be led on from one degree of perfection to another, until we realize the promise, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." O! This abiding in the Spirit of Christ, how it qualifies for every duty at all times and on all occasions.

It is wise and well to look on the cloud of sorrow as though we expected it to turn into a rainbow.

From "Reformers and Martyrs before and after Luther."
BY WM. HODGSON.
THOMAS A KEMPIS.

Among the numerous pupils of the schools of the "Brethren of the Common Lot," none became more justly eminent for genuine piety, or was more truly and widely beloved by cotempo. rary and succeeding Christians for the loving and lamb-like spirit pervading his writings, than the humble but celebrated author of the "Imitation of Christ."

Thomas Hamerken, or Hamerlein, was born in the year 1380, at the little town of Kempen, in the great plain of the Rhine, near the city of Cologne. From the name of his native place, according to the custom of those times, he was generally called Thomas à Kempis. His parents, John and Gertrude, were in humble life, his father earning their subsistence by his daily labor as a mechanic; his mother was a woman of exemplary piety, exerting a favorable influence on the tender mind of her son, in cherishing a love for heavenly things.

When about thirteen years of age, he went to Deventer, where the school of the Brethren of the Common Lot offered an opportunity for his obtaining a good education without much expense to his family. He was, however, not at first a resident in the Brother House, but being introduced to Florentius Rade wins, the superintendent, be obtained through him a lodging in the house of a pious matron, and pursued bis studies in the grammar school. Florentius soon won bis respect by his venerable manners, and his affection by acts of kindness and attention to the poor boy. He furnished him with books, which his limited means did not enable him to purchase, and supplied him with money to pay the school expenses. The rector of the grammar school at that time was John Boehme, who, according to Thomas's account, was an intimate friend of Florentius, and exercised rigid discipline. Thomas having one day gone to him to pay the school fees, and to redeem a book which he had temporarily pawned, the rector asked him, "who gave you the money?" y?" On hearing that it was Floren tius, Boehme dismissed the boy, with the words, "Go, take it back to him; for his sake I shall charge you nothing" He thus obtained his schooling for the future on the funds of the Institution.

Thomas was evidently a youth of very conscientious, tender, and susceptible feelings; and being deeply imbued with sentiments of piety, was struck with love and admiration whenever he witnessed evidences of it in others. In his memoir of his friend Florentius, Thomas mentions many traits of that simplicity, dignity, gentleness, and self-sacrificing activity for the good of others, which had won his ardent admiration. Before he became a boarder in the

Brother House, he was directed by the teacher to attend with some other boys in the choir of the chapel. Here Florentius attended also. Thomas says, "Now whenever I saw my good master Florentius standing in the choir, even though he did not look about, I was so awed in his presence by his venerable aspect, that I never dared to speak a word. On one occasion I stood close beside him, and he turned to me, and sang from the same book. He even put his hand upon my shoulder, and then I stood as if rooted to the spot, afraid even to stir, so amazed was I at the honor done me."

Thomas, in course of time, came to dwell in Florentius's house, and closer acquaintance strengthened his love for him. When he happened to be troubled in his mind, he applied, like the other youths on similar occasions, to his respected master; and such was the effect of even a sight of his placid and cheerful countenance, or of a few words of conversation, that he seldom failed to leave his presence comforted and encouraged. This attachment showed itself in small matters. In consequence of weak health, Florentius sometimes could not partake of the common meals, but ate at a small table in the kitchen. Thomas then considered it an honor to wait upon him. "Unworthy though I was," he says, "I often at bis invitation prepared the table, brought from the dining-room what little he required, and served him with cheerfulness and joy." If Florentius was at any time more sick than usual, it was customary with the Brethren to inform the neighboring Brother Houses and request their remembrance of him in prayer. On such occasions Thomas often undertook to carry the message, delighting to be so employed. Doubtless Florentius's pious example had great effect in moulding the afterlife and character of his affectionate pupil.

Another inmate, whose example made a deep impression on him, was Henry Brune, a memoir of whose life also is among the productions of his pen. He says, "One day in winter, Henry was sitting by the fireside, warming his hands, but with his face turned towards the wall, for he was at the time engaged in secret prayer. When I saw this, I was greatly edified, and from that day loved him all the more." Little incidents of this nature, told in Thomas's simple familiar style, let us into the inward character of his mind perhaps more readily than events of apparently greater importance. He was deeply interested in the religious exercises of the Brethren at Deventer, and attached himself entirely to their mode of life, entering into full outward communion with the society. He obtained from Florentius a place in the Brother House, in which at that time twentythree members dwelt together and received maintenance. His chief companion, and soon his most intimate friend, was Arnold of Schoen

it was as yet but little known. This institution, as being in Florentius's estimation the most eligible, he recommended to Thomas's choice, and gave him a letter of introduction to the prior. Thomas was kindly received, duly installed there at first for five years as a novitiate, and afterwards as a priest, and spent the rest of his long and quiet life within its cloisters.

We must now contemplate Thomas Hamerken as a monk, for that he truly was during about seventy years of his life. Yet his monastic habit appears as if it had ever been covered by the genial warmth of a truly Christian spirit. How far it was wise in him to make the choice

doubts. But we must take into consideration the tendencies of the age, and the almost universal practice at that time for religious persons to seek refuge in such institutions, though often a fallacious one, from the pollutions, temptations, and dangers of the world around them.

hofen, a youth of fervent piety, with whom he shared a little chamber and bed. Here Thomas occupied himself in copying and reading the Holy Scriptures, taking part also unremittingly in the religious exercises of the family. What he earned by writing, he put into the common fund; and when it fell below what was needful for his support, the lack was supplied by the generosity of Florentius. The pious example of his young friend Arnold deeply impressed him. Arnold would rise every morning exactly at four o'clock, and after a short prayer at his bedside, quickly dressed himself and hastened to the place of worship, where, at all the exercises, he was the first to come and the last to of this mode of life, we may certainly have depart. Besides, he frequently withdrew to some solitary place, in order to devote himself unobserved to prayer and meditation. Thomas sometimes accidentally became a witness of these outpourings of his friend's heart. He says, in his biography of Arnold, "I found myself on such occasions kindled by his zeal to prayer, and wished to experience, were it only sometimes, a devotion like that which he seemed almost daily to possess. Nor was his fervor in prayer at all wonderful, considering that where soever he went or staid, he was most diligent in keeping his heart and mouth." Arnold expressing once to him his earnest wish to learn quickly and well the art of neat writing, so usefully applied by the Brethren, Thomas It may be interesting to Friends generally thought within himself, "Ah, willingly would to know that a meeting for worship, to be held I also learn to write, did I but first know how after the manner of Friends, on First-day mornto make myself better. But," adds he respecting, at 104 o'clock, has been recently estabing his friend, "he obtained special grace from God, which made him skilful in every good work." Thomas evidently looked upon him as far more advanced in the spiritual life than himself.

He thus spent seven happy years, industriously engaged in prosecuting his studies and transcribing religious books, in the school and Brother House at Deventer. He was probably about completing the twenty-first year of his age, when one day Florentius called him to him at the close of the religious exercises, and addressed him seriously on the importance of the choice which he must now look towards making, of an avocation for life. It seems that having often observed Thomas's pious disposition, he was inclined to promote his entering into some monastic order; and Thomas, who had un bounded confidence in his master's judgment, finding it to accord with his own inclination towards a quiet contemplative religious life, at once acceded to his advice. The Brethren of the Common Lot had been instrumental in founding a monastery which they called the Monastery of St. Agnes, by the Dutch since known as Berg Clooster, situated on a pleasant and healthy elevation near the town of Zwoll. Recently erected, and with but slender means,

(To be continued.)

A soul conversant with virtue resembles a

fountain; for it is clear, and gentle, and sweet, and communicative, and rich, and harmless, and

innocent.

For Friends' Intelligencer.

FRIENDS' MEETING AT ORANGE, ESSEX CO.,
NEW JERSEY.

lished in this beautiful and romantic neighborhood. Orange holds very much the same relation to the city of New York that Germantown does to Philadelphia. It is about five miles long, running west from the city of Newark, consisting mostly of one long street, being built up all the way, more or less, from Newark, with handsome cottage residences of gentlemen, many of whom do business in New York. Near the end of this long street, or avenue, a few Friends have hired a room in what is known as "The Library Buildings," and hold a meeting for worship, generally in silence, which, though within hearing of the organ of a large Presbyterian church, has its own peculiar attractions. The writer has twice attended this meeting. At each time about fourteen persons were gathered, forming a pleasant little company, of which were several young men and women.

One of the originators of this little meeting is a young man, son of S. B., a valued friend, now deceased, late a member of Race street Monthly Meeting, Philadelphia. For a long time he and his friend G. C. not being willing, like too many of our members, to coalesce with other church organizations, when their lot has been cast where there was no Friends' meeting, were in the practice of gathering their families

at the residence of the latter, on First-day mornings, sitting in silence or reading the Scriptures. S. B. writes, "We seldom had any to sit with us, the neighbors feeling a delicacy lest they would intrude upon our privacy. Our meetings were very satisfactory, and we were reluctant to make a change; but finding there were those around us who desired to meet with us if a public meeting could be established, we adopted the plan we are now pursuing."

enough to undertake and carry out such tremendous works. There are roads here in Switzerland that would put to the blush any constructions I have ever seen in America; they must have cost a vast amount in labor and in money. After stopping at Hasen for dinner, we enjoyed the refreshing contrast of a drive through a lovely fertile valley, where the last haymaking of the season was busily going forward, and men, women and children were engaged in mowing, raking and gathering the fragrant freight into enormous cloths, which they tie up and carry on their backs into the barns. It seems to me that in domestic labor horses are almost superfluous here, and will be while there are women enough to supply their places,

An interesting incident occurred at the last meeting I attended. A woman asked permission to say a few words, and no objection being made, she told us that she was from Illinois and was formerly of the Baptist persuasion, and at one time thought that all true religion was in that organization; but now she felt differ-if indeed the name of woman can be applied to ently, and saw the folly of great and fine churches. She believed the Friends were right; and she was grateful for the privilege of sitting with us. I thought her a tender spirited woman who was under exercise, and was looking toward Friends for that true, inward peace that she has failed to find elsewhere.

It is refreshing and encouraging to meet occasionally, as in this instance and in the meeting established in Chicago, young men who are unwilling to part with their precious birthright, and who, appreciating our testimonies, have courage and strength enough to stand firm in their support. I trust the example of these will stimulate others who may be similarly situated to go and do likewise.

How many are there wandering up and down in the land, as sheep without a shepherd, and who are as it were "upon the mountains of Gilboa, where there is neither dew nor rain, nor fields of offering." Many such, I believe, would come to us if we would but be faithful, and erect our altars, where even the two or three are to be found prepared to worship the Father in spirit and in truth. R. E. EVANS.

those poor, dirty, hard-featured, bowed-down, worn-out looking animals which represent the female, though certainly not the fairer part of creation, in this benighted country. At Hospenthal we found a large and very comfortable hotel, at the entrance to what appeared at a distance a pretty and picturesque village, but in a stroll up the main street, we discovered it to be as filthy as it was picturesque; and it was hard to believe that in its dingy and miserable cabins, looking like exaggerated pig-sties, any human creatures could find a "home;" and yet out of one of these very cabins there came a man of respectable and intelligent appearance, who, finding we were consulting about the road or direction we were to take, joined us, and, in very good English, gave us several items of important information. Those who have been among our beautiful, bright New England villages, can scarcely imagine how anything, bearing the same name, can be so utterly different. The people who live on these magnificent mountainsides build their houses in the roughest possible manner of larch wood, which very soon turns almost black from exposure to the weather; and as the windows are few and small, and the

NOTES OF FOREIGN TRAVEL, FROM PRIVATE chimney generally represented by a mere open

CORRESPONDENCE.
No. 9.

(Continued from page 648.)

SWITZERLAND, 9th mo., 1866. The sun shone brightly on our departure from the beautiful lake Lucerne, in an open carriage, for our drive to Hospenthal. The road was excellent and the route magnificent, passing through a very wild and rugged country, constantly ascending and always in sight of the Reuss, whose turbulent waters rushed past us in an unceasing series of rapids, making a descent of several thousand feet, in the course of a few hours' drive. We crossed this brawling torrent eight different times; the last bridge, called the Devil's Bridge, spans a chasm fearful to contemplate, and we cannot help wondering how any could ever be found with nerves strong

ing in the roof, their appearance is dreary and monotonous-dwellings and barns huddled together almost as closely as in a city, or only separated by a mud-puddle or a dung-hill form the external picture of these Alpine hamletsand as far as we could observe through the open doors, their inner life cannot be much more cheerful. Our journey on the morrow was designated on the programme as tending toward the Rhone glacier and across the Furca Pass. We were off in our carriage about eight o'clock. The morning was very fine, and we had a splendid drive among the mountain peaks, with snow all around us, and frequently lying in heaps along the road-side, and reached the gla cier by one o'clock, or I should say the inn, for we had been winding down the mountains, in full view of this magnificent object for three

quarters of an hour; and I assure thee the Grindelwald glacier, over which we had so amusing a scramble, had to hide its diminished head, as we gazed at this, the greatest almost of its kind in all Switzerland. I can never cease to marvel, in looking at them, that those enormous bodies of ice should continue apparently as firm and cold as ever, through all the long warm days of summer; and another won der that presents itself is the fact, that the Rhone owes its origin entirely to the melting of this very glacier under the surface, whence we saw it issuing in a large and rapid stream. After dining at the Glacier Inn, we took a drive of two hours through a desolate country to Münster, arriving there in time for a view of the surrounding snow peaks by the light of the setting sun. Our next day's drive was along the valley of the Rhone, part of it wild and desolate in the extreme, and part of it grand and beautiful, but not so fertile and cultivated ae I had imagined it. We noticed in coming further south a peculiar kind of vegetation, covering the rocks and mountain sides, and clothing them with a rich, warm crimson and orange coloring that was exquisitely lovely, "bathing all things in beauty." By five o'clock we were at Visp, a dreary-looking village which was desolated by an earthquake in 1855, and has not yet recovered from its effects.

were so fresh that, after resting an hour and a half and eating their lunch, they commenced the descent, and were again at the hotel by seven o'clock. R. said some parts of the route looked at first impracticable, and crevasses of unknown depth and a fearful width had to be crossed, but their guides were thoroughly dependable, and they were all four tied together with a good strong rope, so that they had not even a tremulous feeling. At the Grand Mulets they saw a record made a few days before by one of our friends, who had been to the summit of Mont Blanc. The record ended thus, "Taking into consideration the liability to serious annoyance and danger attending this trip, and the small chance for a view, the ascent of Mont Blanc is registered as one of the most foolishly spent days of my life."

During one of our walks we saw some women breaking flax and hemp. It was a new sight to me. The women at every little homestead are busy preparing the winter spinning. They are always at work, and generally knitting as they walk. Their only rest or recreation appears to be attending mass. They are very courteous, and always give us a pleasant "bon jour," as we pass them. I have often counted nine or ten families in sight at once all down on their knees on the earth getting out their potatoes. The parties generally consist of women and CHAMOUNI, 10th mo., 1866. children, rarely any able-bodied men among One of our excursions since being here was them, but often the old grandfather and grandto the Col de Balme-a high ridge or Scheideck mother, bent, and withered, and decrepit, between two chains of mountains. We first owing to the severe and constant toil they drove for an hour to the village of Argentine; have probably been enduring since they were then took mules, and were on the summit by large enough to carry a basket strapped to their two o'clock. We had a beautiful view of the backs. We have seen children, certainly not valley of the Rhone and of Chamouni, but more than six years old, carrying heavy loads Mont Blanc and the other snow-peaks were in that way. The winters here must be inalmost entirely concealed by light fleecy clouds, tensely dreary and bleak. This morning, it was which, toward evening, grew darker and hea just ten o'clock when the sunshine first reached I must now tell thee of the the valley-the mountains are so enormously greatest and most successful trip of the season. high on both sides. The storms and avalanches R. has been up to the Grand Mulets, half way are very destructive, and we might suppose to the summit of Mont Blanc. It was arranged there were few inducements for persons to live that R., J. and I should set out at seven o'clock here. I should think they would joyfully hail yesterday morning, on mules, for the Pierre the approach of spring. One of the women told Pointue, whence they, with two guides and a me they always kept their spinning for winter porteur carrying warm covering and provisions, work, because the snow was too deep for them should proceed on foot, while I returned with to go out. What wretched times they must the mules and the other man. Every thing was have in their dismal cabins, where, so far as I carried out "to the letter." The morning was can see, there is not the first appearance of debright and lovely, and we arrived at Pierre cent comforts. In the sunny clime of Italy, Pointue before ten o'clock, and after taking a the poor people can live in the open air all wincup of warm coffee, I saw them depart, not, I ter, and they are apparently so ignorant of what must acknowledge, without sending with them we would consider necessary home-arrangemany an anxious thought. I then turned to ments, that the want does not affect them. walk back after the three mules and their driver, Here, however, the people are not povertyand reached the hotel in time to have a good stricken, most of them being small proprietors, view of my two friends and their guides through and it is really wonderful that they can content the telescope just before they had attained the themselves year after year in such ways of livGrand Mulets, at one o'clock. The travellersing. In one of our walks along the high road

vier.