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activity, to have found out this inference, and | and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destrucingrafted it into my soul.

"Thou hast taught me, Holy Father, by thy prophets, that the way of holiness, in the times of the gospel, or under the kingdom of the Messiah, shall be a highway, a plain and easy path; so that the wayfaring man, or a stranger though a fool, shall not err therein. And thou hast called the poor and the ignorant, the mean and the foolish things of this world, to the knowledge of thyself, and thy son, and taught them to receive and partake of the salvation which thou hast provided. But how can such weak creatures ever take in so strange, so difficult and so abstruse a doctrine as this; in the explication and defence whereof, multitudes of men, even men of learning and piety, have lost themselves in infinite subtilties of dispute, and endless mazes of darkness? And can this strange and perplexing notion of three real persons going to make up one true God be so necessary and so important a part of the Christian doctrine, which, in the Old Testament and the New, is represented as so plain and so easy even to the meanest understandings?"

tion and perdition. The love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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It is probable there are some sufferers from this state of things who lack the teachings of experience, and have incautiously extended their business, while others have been induced from the force of circumstances which surrounded them, to enlarge their operations, not merely from sordid motives, but for a desire to furnish employment for others. These have our sympathy, and we may hope that a more healthy state of affairs will enable them to recover from their embarrassments, and avoid in future the dangers they have experienced. In the midst of the general gloom that now overshadows the mercantile community, and more or less affects nearly every class among us, it would perhaps be unsuitable to indulge in censure at the extravagance of dress, furniture and equipage which has so generally

FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. prevailed, and from which many bearing our

PHILADELPHIA, TENTH MONTH 3, 1857.

The difficulties in the commercial world, and the derangement in monetary affairs, which now exist throughout the country, and particularly in our large cities, should bring every individual to a serious consideration both of their causes and remedy.

It is a law in the physical, as well as in the moral world, that when correct principles are violated, the penalty of such violation must sooner or later be paid, and no attentive readers of the signs of the times will have failed to observe Lat a disposition to extravagance, and a making haste to be rich, have more or less extended through every department of society.

The love of display, induces a desire for accumulation beyond what the limitations of truth prescribe-speculation is often resorted to the day of reckoning approaches-and bankruptcy

and ruin follow.

name are not exempt. But it is wise to pause, and survey the picture which this state of things has revealed, and see whether there is not something to be done by every individual.

The advances of luxury are so insidious, and the line which divides it from comfort and suitable accommodation so difficult to define, that even those whose desires are in good measure bounded by the limitations of true wisdom, are in danger of sliding, little by little, into things which at one time were clearly seen to be inconsistent and unnecessary. By erecting a barrier for ourselves, and saying, thus far we will go and no farther, this danger may be escaped; and although such a course may subject those who adopt it to the charge of singularity, they will be privileged to enjoy all the real comforts of life, and being good stewards over the remainder, will enjoy the luxury of doing good, and a peace which cannot in the nature of things be found in mere animal gratification.

In the history of the past, there is abundant Let then, each of us enquire how far we have evidence, that an inordinate desire for the accu- indulged in extravagance, either in dress, in furnimulation of riches has always prevailed in the ture, or in our style of living, and how much we human family, and has always produced the same can do by a consistent example for those who may results. As it is now, so it was in the days of not be so blessed with temporal goods as ourthe Apostle : "They that will be rich fall into selves? It appears to us there never has been temptation and a snare, and into many foolish a time when there was more need that the Chris.

tian testimony to moderation should be exalted among men by a faithful example, and to those who have been blessed with an education in the simple habits and practices of the Society of Friends, the obligation rests with peculiar force to "let their moderation be known unto all men."

DIED, On the 7th of 8th mo. 1857, EMMA RUTH, daughter of M. S. and E. S. Wright, aged 3 months. At the residence of her brother, in La Fayette County, Wisconsin, on the 15th of 8th month, 1857, in the 35th year of her age, ELIZABETH S. WRIGHT, Wife of M. S. Wright, and daughter of William Shepherd, of Carrol County, Md.

On 5th day, 17th of 9th month, LOYD JONES, a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, in the 93d year of his age.

THOMAS STORY.

(Continued from page 437.)

But, considering their weak and carnal state, and incapacity then to reach the knowledge of divine mysteries, the Apostle had in their initiation into the Christian religion related to them the sayings of Christ on that subject; and they had been in the practice, or rather abuse of it, till the time of the writing of this epistle;* if that place be carefully and impartially observed, Little more than a year ago, the subject of this no- without prepossession or prejudice, and compared tice left the home of her childhood, with the husband with other Scriptures, it will appear, that there of her choice, to find a home in the West, with bright is not any positive command for it at all, much vision of peace and happiness. But alas! in a few

months we laid her in the bosom of the quiet prairie. less is it made a standing ordinance, but left to That fell destroyer, consumption, marked her for his the option and discretion of his disciples; to own. She had contracted a cold and cough before she whom it was first mentioned how often they left Maryland, from which she never entirely recov- should do it, and, consequently, also, how long they should continue it; as appears by the same text now adduced, viz: This do as often as ye do it, in remembrance of me.

ered. After her health became so delicate that it was

feared she would not live long, she was very anxious to get to her old home, if only to die in the midst of her family and friends, surrounded by all the endearing scenes of her childhood. But after the death of But, to set this matter in a clearer light, it is her babe, she gave up this hope, saying she "could not survive the shock." On 3rd day evening she well known that at the time of the redemption thought she was dying, and called us all around her of the Jews from their Egyptian slavery, the Passbed, and spoke calmly and sweetly about her approach- over, with the paschal lamb, was instituted as ing change, saying, that " for more than a year past a standing ordinance, in commemoration of it, she had endeavored to do what she thought to be her until Christ, the lamb of God, and antitype of duty, and although she was far from being perfect, she

felt assured that all would be well with her." At that figure, should come but as Israel, offendanother time she said she did not wish to "linger long, ing the Lord, was afterwards sent into captivity, and hoped she would soon be released." She seemed under the Babylonians, they could not, in that to feel humble and unworthy, but not to have one doubt or fear on her mind. At one time when she state, and under that government, celebrate it in thought she was going, she requested us to bid her form; and therefore they invented another way farewell, and kiss her each in turn, saying with great to keep that great deliverance in memory, which emphasis to one of her brothers when he came," Fare- was this: well, my dear brother Solomon, I hope thoul't meet me The father, or chief of the family, at the in heaven!" with something similar to all the rest. Oh! that these solemn scenes may have a salutary and proper time of the paschal supper, took bread, lasting effect upon us all. Seventh day the 15th, and and blessed it, saying: "Blessed be thou, O about six o'clock in the evening, she departed without Lord our God, who gives us the fruit of the the least struggle. earth;" then dividing it among the company, in Throughout all her sickness she evinced an unusual like manner also he took the cup, and, blessing degree of patience and resignation, bearing her various trials with a fortitude and sweetness of temper it, said, "Blessed be thou, O Lord, who gives us surprising to us all, showing clearly that she had re- the fruit of the vine." This they did in a solemn ceived strength from One who is able and willing to manner, remembering their Egyptian slavery and save and sustain all who humbly and sincerely ask deliverance, lamenting their present state, acfor his protecting care, and that her Heavenly Father, knowledging their sins, and the justice of God in his boundless love and mercy, had prepared her for a reception into his glorious presence. in their punishment, and hopes of his mercy, from his former kind dealings and gracious promises.

Since her separation from her own meeting, which was Pike Creek, Md., she often said with great feeling, "What a privilege it would be to unite with them again in religious worship in our little silent meetings at home." It is a great comfort to us in our grief to believe that she is enjoying the "rest prepared for the people of God."

The Jews being thus initiated into the practice, upon so solemn an occasion as the Lord's being pleased to remember them with redempS. tion a second time, the succeeding generations continued it, as incident to the Passover, until the Lord Christ, the Antitype, (as well of the paschal lamb, as of the bread and wine) did come; who, when he appeared, was declared by John the Baptist to be the Lamb of God that

Shullsburg, La Fayette Co., Wis., 9th mo. 14th, 1857. At his residence near Medford, on the 11th of 9th mo., after a short illness, WILLIAM BALLINGER, in the 63d year of his age, a member of Medford Monthly Meeting of Friends.

On the 9th of 9th month, ELIZABETH W. CORLIES, widow of the late Henry P. Corlies, in the 52nd year of her age, a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.

* Epistle to the Corinthians-Reply to Dr. Gilpin on the Sacrament.

taketh away the sin of the world, (John i. 29,) and he declared himself to be the bread of life, the living bread which came down from Heaven: proclaiming also, and that very emphatically, that his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed; that except they ate his flesh and drank his blood, they had no life in them. And all this was meant of the spirit of Christ and not of his flesh; It is the spirit that quick eneth, the flesh profiteth nothing—John vi. 3235, 48-58, 63.

The time drawing near, when the Lamb of God was to be slain, and offered as a sacrifice, declaring the mercy of God the Father, who sent him in love to the whole world, he then said to his disciples, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before 1 suffer. And, at the time of it, as father and chief of his flock and family, he celebrated the Passover in form, with this difference only, that whereas the Jews, until that time, in the celebration of it, had looked back to the type, and outward deliverance from Egypt, the Lord now directs them to himself, as the antitype of all figures; and tells them he would not any more eat thereof, (the Passover,) until it should be fulfilled in the kingdom of God; nor drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when he should drink it new with them in his Father's kingdom.

Which eating and drinkimg in the kingdom of God cannot relate to the material bread and wine; which can only be exhibited as symbols of the outward body of Christ, and the blood of that holy body; which, to be eat and drank in a natural sense, profiteth nothing. But to the all-quickening virtue and power of his holy Spirit, which is all in all, and true feeding to the commonwealth of the whole Israel of God. And therefore this Passover, or any part, or relative to it, whether bread, wine, or any other matter in it, could be of no further use or obligation to the Disciples of Christ, than till they should experience in themselves his divine and spiritual appearance and coming in them; and to be the same to their souls, or minds, which natural food and drink is to the body; its support, strength, nourishment, and means of duration: which divine coming of Christ, as such, can mean no other than his being made manifest in a spiritual administration for as he is that eternal spirit of essential truth, and word, wisdom and power of God, it is not strictly proper to say of him, in that sense, that he shall come or go any where, but be made manifest; for as such he ever was, is, and will be, omnipresent, and never absent from any place or time.

His coming, then, must intend his powerful manifestation where he already is, and not a locomotive coming from where he is, to any other place to where he was not before; for the heaven of heavens cannot contain him.-2 Chron. ii. 6.

Seeing, then, this was only the Passover, and the terms of the application of it to himself, not institutive of any new commandment or ordinance, but a liberty to do or not do it at discretion, this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me, laid no obligation on them to do it any more at all; it being ended by the manifestation of its antitype; and, in the nature of the thing, could be of no further obligation or reasonable use, when Christ himself was witnessed in them to be that eternal, everlasting, never-failing divine substance..

But the Apostle Paul, whose concern for the Jews, and zeal for the conversion of the Gentiles, to whom in an especial manner, he was sent, engaged him to become all things to all men, that by all means he might gain some, recommended to the Corinthians the practice of the Passover, with the new application of it to Christ, at the time of their first believing in him by that Apostle's ministry; that, being yet carnally minded, they might have an outward communion until the true communion should be made known, which their state, at that time, could not bear, as in point of prudence only he practised some other legal rites at some times, which in his doctrine he condemned at other times, where the state of the people were able to bear it.

And it is much more likely, considering the nature and end of the Gospel, and its excellency above the law and all legal and typical rites, as substances excel shadows, that the Apostle, observing how much some of the Corinthians had abused the Passover in practice, and their very carnal state under it, was rather by that epistle endeavoring to supersede it, and bring them off to the living substance; where he saith to such among them as were already sanctified, and to whom he inscribed his epistle, I speak as to wise men, judge ye what I say: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many, are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread.

It is plain, therefore, that the communion of the sanctified and wise in Corinth, stood not in the bread which perisheth, nor in the wine of the grape which some of the Corinthians were carnally abusing, but in the quickening spirit and power of Christ, the true, living, life-giving, and life preserving bread, which daily comes from Heaven, into all the sanctified and saved of the Lord.

This is that spirit that quickens and preserves to life eternal; the flesh profiteth nothing and since it it so, much less does any symbol of the flesh profit, but the divine substance only. This is that substance of which the Apostle draws the comparison, we being many are one bread: for as wheat consists of many particular grains, each containing a distinct principle of life after

its kind, and all of the same nature, which, | Lord both gives the word, and makes the applibeing broken and rightly prepared and ordered cation to every state, in every particular person, by the good husbandman, becomes one bread: which no preacher or instrument is able to do. even so is the church of Christ; every member in his natural state being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance and darkness that was in him, and separated also one from another, as without a proper medium and condition of union; but being ordered and prepared by the Father of mercies, through Christ his eternal Word, they became one body and one spirit, the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who filleth all in all.

The substance of this was what I observed to the Doctor, though I have in this place expatiated somewhat further on this subject, and generally applied the Scriptures, to which he made little other reply, than by telling me in a very calm and familiar manner, that as he had always believed it to be an ordinance of Christ, he had solemnly used it as such, and found comfort in it-to which I returned, that I did not doubt but that he might have some satisfaction in it, since he believed it a remaining ordinance, and did it under that apprehension. Whosoever in his heart believes anything to be a standing duty in the church of Christ, which ever had any countenance in it by practice, and performs it faithfully according to his belief and understanding, may find a satisfaction in it. But since God in his mercy is pleased to afford the living substance without the use of those means which are supposed to lead to an end already attained, they can be no more a duty to such; and that is the real case among the true Quakers who love and fear the Lord sincerely.

As to the other point, viz. baptism, he said but little; for he knew very well that, in strictness, they were not so much as in the form of water baptism. And I only asked him the question, whether he did believe it necessary to salvation? He answered, that he did not think it absolutely necessary. Then, said I, we shall not need to say any more about it, and so the whole matter ended, as to those points.

Then he said something concerning the books I had sent him, speaking slightly of them, but thought that about prayer, written, I think, by George Keith, the best; and said, that seeing the Quakers pretended that they did not know, before they went to meetings, whether they should preach or pray, or what way in either, and yet travelled in strange places, how could they speak to the states of the people, or be joined with in prayer?

To this I answered, that such as went to meeting empty of all things, and waited upon God, were filled with his holy spirit, who knows all states at all times and places: and if the preacher attend to Ilim as he ought, and delivers those matters open to him at the time, the

And as to joining in prayer, all right prayer is by the aid of the spirit of Christ, the mediator between God and man, which in that respect is called the spirit of prayer and of supplication; and, as such is promised of the Father to the church, and received by her. And her unity in prayer stands not so much in the form of words, though sound and pertinent, as in the nature, virtue and influence of the holy spirit of Christ, her holy head, life, law-giver and comforter.

The Doctor did not oppose this, but only said, I had given him better satisfaction, in that point, than he had found in the book; and, afterwards he was much more free and familiar with me than before, or than I expected, and so we parted in friendship, and I returned in peace and gladness. (To be continued.)

For the Children. THE FOUNTAIN.

"I shall never, never be good; there's no use trying!" cried Julia, throwing herself impatiently down on the hearth-rug, and covering her face with her hands. She had just been reproved and punished by her mother for quarrelling with her brothers and sisters. Julia had resolved again and again to conquer her temper, but it had always proved too strong for her, and now she was tempted at last to cease her endeavors in despair.

Her Uncle George was sitting in the room with a book in his hand, apparently taking no notice of what was passing. But he heard the little girl's bitter exclamation, and saw the tears which trickled through her fingers. He had himself known too much of inward struggles not to feel for one engaged in them, though only a child, and, without addressing himself particularly to her, he read aloud from his book the following fable:

"A fountain, day after day, threw up its limpid waters, in a vain attempt to reach the clouds. One instant they seemed to rise higher than ever, then sank back again into the basin with a murmuring sound; something seemed ever to draw them down to the earth; they only rose to fall again. The sun looked down from the bright sky, glancing in pity on the vain efforts of the fountain. He smiled on it, and its waters sparkled in his ray; then softly, silently, he drew a portion of them up towards himself, rising in thin vapor to the shining clouds above; he had conquered the attraction which earth had before, by the power of his bright, warm beams!"

He closed the book, approached his little. niece, and laid his hand gently on her shoulder.

"Learn a lesson of hope from this fountain, my love. You are in yourself as little able to

rise to holiness and heaven, as its waters were to reach the sky; but ask help from Him who can draw you to himself, who has the will and the power to make you holy and happy; in His strength you can rise above the temptations of this world, and then shine in his glory for ever!"-The Carrier Dove.

TO A FRIEND ON A RELIGIOUS VISIT.
Strew seed upon the snow;

When winter's course has run,
Roots vigorously will strike below,
Leaves upward seek the sun;
Deem not the seed thus sown as lost,
Though scattered in the realms of frost.

Where hard may seem each heart,
Preach all thy Master's word,
For he shall find an entering part,

His message will be heard;
What he sends forth void cannot be,
Though hidden its effect from thee.
Where idols fill the land,

Of silver, gold, or stone,
For Christ thy Saviour nobly stand,—
Stand for his cross and throne;
No outward cross at man's control,
The hidden burthen of the soul.

Strike, where He aims the blow,
Though on the naked rock;
The living waters thence shall flow
For all the thirsty flock.

. Strike, if He bids thee, on the sand,
Springs shall gush up at his command!

Bring forth thy barley bread,
Thy fishes spread to view,
He wills the people should be fed,
Deem not thy loaves too few;

A word, a crumb he deigns to bless,
Can banish famine and distress.

Though darkness be around,

Draw, as he strings the bow,

The truth-winged arrow shall be found,
Straight to its mark to go.
"Draw at a venture," as the word
Within thy inner soul is heard.

Cast, when he bids thee cast,

Thy "net on the right hand,"
Though wearily the night has passed,
With nothing brought to land,-
Thy net shall compass, if he choose,
More than the multitude can use.

Where meet the proud and vain,
Some message to the low

May spring within thy breast, whose aim
It is not thine to know,-

Preach, it may find a trembling one,
Hidden behind the door, alone!

If mid the lowly train,

Openings on Avarice spring,
Preach, for unholy love of gain,

Has brought its poisoned sting,

And some low man has learned to grind
A needy creature of his kind!

Amid the gathered crowd,

Anxious for word on word,
Gather where come no voices loud,
Where whisperings are not heard ;
The Master may direct no call
Upon the itching ears to fall.

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Within a month past another terrible marine disaster has occurred, the particulars of which have been extensively published. The steam ship Central America from Aspinwall, California, was foundered at sea on the 12th of 9th month.

It is difficult to realize the anguish which prevailed among the and crew at the passengers awful moment when nearly 450 human beings. were suddenly launched into eternity.

By the heroic conduct of the commander, Captain Herndon, and the obediance to his orders which was observed by the passengers and crew, all the women and children were rescued by the bark Marine, Captain Burt. We have selected from the sad details several statements which convey some idea of the scene.

The amount of gold in the Central America is estimated at not less than $2,000,000, nearly all of which went down with the steamer-ED. STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN Badger.

Captain Badger, one of the rescued passengers of the Central America, states that the gale increased until 2 o'clock on Friday, the 11th, when it was perceived that the engine had stopped, and the ship fell off into the trough of the sea, which caused her to make considerable water around her lee shaft and the lee lower dead-lights. It was afterwards ascertained that the cause of the stoppage of the engines was the neglect of the fire and engine department in getting coal along from the bunkers to the fire-room fast enough to keep up the fires; consequently all the engines stopped, as well as all the pumps attached to the engines. The deck pumps were out of order, and at Capt. Badger's suggestion companies were organized, while the steward's gangs and deck hands went down to pass the coal along. By this time the fires were put out, and the water became so heated in the hold of the ship, and the steam engendered was so great, that they were compelled to abandon passing the coal. The ship then lay at the mercy of the waves, but still did not labor hard. We then started several gangs at bailing as the only hope of saving the ship.

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