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Jacob, to give unto their posterity "the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers, and he had heard their groanings in bondage, and remembered his covenant." Long and wearily did Moses wait for the fulfilment of this promise. The more Pharaoh was urged to let the people go, the more he would not. Many plagues and great suffering were brought upon the Egyptians because of their hard-hearted king. The fish died in their ponds and rivers, and the waters of their streams were rendered unfit to drink. Frogs were everywhere to be seen in the villages and in the fields, in their houses, in the bed chambers, on the beds, and even in the ovens and kneading troughs. In his distress Pharaoh sent for Moses and said, "Entreat the Lord that he may take away the frogs, and I will let the people go that they may do sacrifice unto him." Moses replied, "Be it according to thy word, that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God." So the frogs died; but when Pharaoh saw there "was a respite," or that this trouble was removed, he refused to do as he promised. Then there came upon him other greater difficulties one after another, until we might suppose he would have been glad if the whole nation of the Israelites had departed. We have not room to mention the one-half that befell them, but among other things "a thick darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days. They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place during that time, but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." At length, so great was their distress, that the Egyptians were urgent that the Israelites should be sent out of the land in haste, and Pharaoh rose up in the night and called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Rise up and get you forth from among my people and go serve the Lord; take also your flocks and your herds as ye have said, and be gone, and bless me also." A mixed multitude then went out of Egypt. There were about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children, and they had many flocks and herds, "even very much cattle," and they journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. They had been in the land of Egypt four hundred and thirty years, and were now to be brought out from thence through the instrumentality of Moses, who in his infancy was rescued from imminent danger by the command of the daughter of Pharaoh. "Moses said unto the people, remember the day in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage, for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out from this place."

Moses took the bones of Joseph with him. Joseph had told the children of Israel many years before this, that God would surely visit them, and they should carry his bones away with them. "The Lord led the people through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea," and "went be

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fore them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light.' As they were encamped by the Red Sea, they saw Pharaoh and his army coming in pursuit of them, and they were "sore afraid," and told Moses it would have been better for them to serve the Egyptians than die in the wilderness; but Moses said, "Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show you." Moses then, by the direction of the Most High, lifted up the rod which he carried in his hand, and stretched it over the sea. A strong east wind sprang up, which blew all night, and the sea went backward, and the waters were divided agreeably to the promise which Moses had received, and the people passed over on dry ground, with the waters as a wall upon the right hand and left." The Egyptians followed them, and when they were in the midst of the sea, the waters returned and swept over them so that they all perished. The Israelites seeing their enemies were slain, and that a "great work" had been wrought for them, "believed the Lord and his servant Moses." Their hearts were filled with gratitude, and they sang praises to God in the hour of their deliverance, saying, "Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed; thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation," &c. After this they travelled three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah they could not drink, because the waters of Marah were bitter, and this was the reason it was called Marah. Here the people murmured, and asked Moses what they should drink? He cried unto the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which, when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet. A statute and an ordinance was now made for them; that "if they would diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord their God, and do that which was right in his sight, and would give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, he would put none of the diseases upon them which had been brought upon the Egyptians, for, said He, "I am the Lord that healeth thee." When they came to Elim they found "twelve wells of water and three score and ten palm trees, and they encamped there by the waters." From Elim they "came unto the wilderness of Sin," where there was nothing to eat; and instead of trusting to that power which had always done such great and marvellous things for them, they seem to have forgotten it, and "the whole congregation" found fault with Moses and Aaron, telling them that they would have preferred to have died sitting by the flesh-pots of Egypt, to being brought into this wilderness to be killed with hunger. Now let us mark the infinite goodness of our Heavenly Father, who deal

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FRIENDS INTELLIGENCER.

so mercifully with even his erring children, as | the sixth to our ancient and honorable friend often to look with an eye of compassion upon John Haddock's, at Coppwell; and so through their condition, and relieve them in a manner Preston, Garstang, Lancaster, and Kendall to which it would have been impossible for human Penrith; from which my tender and fatherly wisdom to have achieved or brought about. "The companion went towards Hartly IIall, and I reLord spake unto Moses, saying, I have heard the turned to my father's house, at Justicetown. murmurings of the children of Israel; speak unto them and say, At even you shall cat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread, and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God. And it came to pass at evening the quails come up and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay round about the host."

When the dew was dispelled, there was found upon the ground, “ a small round thing as small as the hoar-frost," which was "white like coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey." They were directed when to gather this bread from heaven which they called manna, and also how much they would require according to their number; (an omer being considered enough for one man an omer is a Hebrew measure, which, agreeably to Josephus, is nearly equal to five English quarts.) The Children of Israel ate manna for forty years, until they came to a land inhabited, upon the borders of Canaan.

(To be continued.)

THOMAS STORY.
(Continued from page 5€6.)

In the early part of the visit to the west, he says, (page 78) concerning Thomas Wilson and himself (his companion as before stated) that at

Oxford,

We had a comfortable open meeting; for though many of the Collegians were there, who used to be rude in an extraordinary manner, yet, the invisible power of the Word of life being over them at that time, they were quiet under the testimony thereof, in the authoritative ministry of Thomas Wilson, whose voice was as thunder from the clouds, and with words penetrating as lightning, saying, "It is the pride, luxury, and whoredoms of the priests now, as in the days of Eli the high priest, which deprives them of the open vision of heaven." Upon which many of them were struck with amazement and surprise, and their eyes were filled with tears; so that several of the elder sort retired, but in a decent manner, as if to hide the effect of Truth; which, if they had stayed, could not have been concealed: but, above all the rest, a young man, a very comely youth, who, by his appearance and behaviour, seemed to be the son of some noble person, was most deeply affected.

Be

stances in this journey, in a general way. Now, as to my own condition and circumfore this time, I was favored with the knowledge and enjoyment of the life of Truth; I had delighted therein above all things, and thereby was reduced to a state of silence; not willing to inpresence, by any needless and unprofitable talk terrupt the sweet and divine pleasure of his upon mean and trifling subjects, which I observed many were insnared in; I was still so preserved as in a state of childhood in the Truth, without the least apprehension of censure. For though I usually sat with my companion in the meetings, and was constantly much broken and tendered with an efflux, from time to time, of many tears, not of sorrow, (which I had known long before) but of joy and satisfaction unspeakable; I never considered what any might think concerning me, as to the cause of my weeping, or of any expectation they might have of my appearance in a public ministry, often, if not always, accompanied with such indications in the beginning of that concern.

And though I knew the Lord had called, and with anything so great a cross to my natural disbegun such a work in me, yet I had never met position, as appearance in public. And if I might have continued to enjoy the good presence of the Lord any other way, or on any other terms, wages I could not live without; the countenance I had never submitted to it. But those divine of the Lord was become my all, and too dear to part with; and therefore, at length, I yielded without any manner of human consideration or views.

time of our leaving Bristol, every stage we jourBut it is not to be forgot, that from the last neyed northward my mind became darker and darker, and the thoughts of returning to my father's house loathsome and burdensome to me, and even intolerable; and before I got thither, I was greatly clouded, as if a thick fog of darkness came over my mind; and then I mourned, looking back to times past, recounting every step, and the several views and openings of the things of God and his counsel, which I had seen and enjoyed in the several meetings in this journey; and how the Lord, who is a spirit, exhibits the matters and things of his kingdom in the pure mind, which is spiritual, and impresses it with a On the first of the Sixth month we were at justing the instrument, which he chooses, to bring necessity of uttering them; qualifying and adthe meeting at Worcester; and next day we them forth in an apt and intelligible manner, for went by Bendley, Sturbridge, Newin, Newport, the information, help, and consolation of those Nantwich, Middlewich, Northwich and Warring- that hear and believe; whether in doctrine, exton to Sanky, where we had a meeting; and on position of the Holy Scriptures, reproof, instruc

tion in morals, or whatsoever tends to the convincement of unbelievers, confirmation of the unstable, edification of the church and body of Christ, and perfecting the sanctified in Him.

And being fully convinced I had fallen short of my duty, by neglecting to utter the first sentences which had been impressed upon my mind in several meetings, not thinking them of sufficient weight and importance for public service; and now plainly perceiving that through want of obedience in that which was first required, I had been precluded from any further progress, the whole depending upon the due order and connection of the parts; and in consequence of my disobedience, having been deprived of all sense of the divine presence for many days, and destitute of all comfort, save a little secret hope that the Lord might mercifully return, I resolved, that if it might so please him, I would then obey. And deeply mourning for many weeks, till all hope was near vanishing, the heavens became as brass, and shut up as with bars of iron; and nothing remained but a bare remembrance of former enjoyments and things, where the true idea was wanting; which nothing can give, restore, or continue, but the divine essential Truth himself, by his own presence and power.

But notwithstanding all this, when the Lord did again unexpectedly appear, as divine love and light in my heart and mind, and new matter presented in my understanding, I found that state so comfortable and pleasing, that I thought nothing could be added to my enjoyment by uttering it in words while in that condition; and so let the proper time of moving therewith slip over. And the duty being anew neglected, I again fell short of a settlement in the divine presence; and when that was withdrawn, condemnation only remained, as due to my fresh disobedience and neglect; and then I was surrounded again with black horror and despair, as if that had been the last call of the Lord, and latest offer of terms of divine peace and salvation; and my soul mourned again unspeakably. And then I understood the language of the Apostle Paul, when he said, "Wo is unto me if I preach not the Gospel."

And while I was in this condition, my beloved and much esteemed friend, the aforesaid Thomas Wilson, imparted to me his intention of visiting the churches in Ireland, desiring my company; but having so thick a cloud over my mind, and little love then appearing in me, either to him, or any other particular, or to mankind in general, I did not think myself worthy or in a condition for such an undertaking. And besides, I was at that time unprovided with money and other necessaries for the voyage, and for so long a journey; and the latter I made use of as an excuse for the former; and so declined it.

But though this cloud remained over me for a time, laying me under a necessity to stand still,

to see what the Lord would please to do; yet his never failing goodness and mercy did not finally leave me, but remained as withdrawn behind the thick vail, hid from me only for a season; for, in another meeting, in Kinklinton, in Cumberland, on a First day, some weeks after, the Lord returned in peace and reconciliation, and his divine countenance shined again upon me; whereby I was enabled to resolve, that if the Lord moved anything then, as in times past, I would obey.

Soon after that resolution was firmly settled in my mind, sprang therein these words, It is a good day unto all those who obey the voice of the Lord; and as they settled in my mind, with the presence of the Lord remaining, I stood up and uttered them in his fear, with a voice just so audible as that the meeting generally heard. And no sooner were the words uttered, than my soul was increased in joy unspeakable, which was followed with an efflux of a flood of tears from that root; and the meeting in general was immediately affected the same way, as a seal of the work of the Lord thus brought forth in me; and all were silent under the canopy of the divine presence for some time. At length John Bowstead (before mentioned), having had a particular concern to come to that meeting, (about eight miles from his house at Eglinby,) stood up in testimony to the truth of what I had uttered, making it the substance of what he said, to general edification; and, as a father, taking the weak by the hand, and helping forward in that exercise, in which I had been long waited for, and expected by Friends in general in those parts. And the Lord favored us with the enjoyment of his divine presence that day.

After the meeting was over I returned to my father's house, restored to a sense of the remaining goodness of the Lord; and thence forward, from time to time, appeared with a few words in meetings, as the Lord made way, and gave matter, strength, and utterance; but was not forward to visit any other meetings, till I began to be a little shut up there; and then I waited on the Lord, to know the drawings of his love to some other places, in which I was favored through his divine goodness; and yet did not make haste, but was kept under a slow, gentle, and gradual progress.

But now a temptation of another kind began to interrupt me; for having had a reputation in that country, of an understanding at least equal to my education and years, when my acquaintance and others heard of my appearance in a public ministry, they expected something more from me than from some others, of whom they had not conceived the like opinion; and I knowing the way of truth with me was not in the wisdom and multiplicity of words, but in his own virtue and simplicity, and in few sentences only, was not willing (of myself) to yield up my own

Imaginary honor on that account, and be exposed as a fool, in their way of judging; which affected me so as that I became backward to appear when such were present, and sometimes neglected the proper times of the movings of the Lord in this calling by which I retarded my growth therein, and was in danger of greater loss that way. But the Lord is just and merciful; and though he charged it as a failure, yet by degrees he helped me forward, though it was a long time before I got over it; for it laid sometimes as a block in my way for many years after, remaining the unmoved cause of many a heavy load; which none knew, or could ease me of but the Lord alone : and if he had not extended his mercy I had yet been undone for ever.

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At his residence, Pylesville, Harford Co., Md., on the 13th inst., NATHAN PYLE, in the 78th year of his age, a member of Deer Creek Monthly Meeting, and interred on the 15th in Friends' burying ground at Fawn Grove.

The deceased was formerly of Chester Co., Pa., but for the last fifty years resided in Harford County, in which place he had gained the respect and high esteem of all who knew him. He was remarkable for his tes

timony to plainness, both by precept and example, and generally enjoyed the blessing of health, until about two weeks before he died. When taken to his bed he appeared to be perfectly resigned, and to all appearance suffered but little pain, and passed off calm and quiet, as an infant sleeping on the breast of its mother, with his children and dear companion in life, together with several of his friends, at his bedside, reminding us of the saying of Jesus-"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you; let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid."

11th mo. 17th, 1857.

,

In Middletown, Bucks Co., Penna., on the 16th of 11th mo., 1857, after a lingering illness, which he bore with true Christian patience and resignation, BENJAMIN MATHER, in the 72d year of his age, a member and minister belonging to Middletown Monthly and Particular Meetings.

ANECDOTE OF DR. FRANKLIN.

though in possession of unbounded wealth, yet was as busy, and more anxious than the most assiduous clerk in his counting house. The doctor took an apple from a fruit basket, and presented it to a child who could just totter about the room. The child could scarcely grasp it in his hand. He then gave it another, which occupied the other hand; then, choosing a third," remarkable for its size and beauty, he presented that also. The child, after many ineffectual attempts to hold the three, dropped the last on the carpet and burst into tears." See there," said the philosopher, "there is a little man with more riches than he can enjoy!"

The following Report of the schools, condition and prospects of the Senecas, living on the Cattaraugus Reservation in the Western part of the State of New York, has been sent us, which we willingly insert in our paper.

REPORT.

There has been, during the past season, seven schools taught on the above said Reservation. The whole number taught are 204, according to the Report furnished me by the teachers of the several schools. Average number taught, 125; number of boys taught, 116; and that of girls, 88. And those taught and belonging to the asylum for orphan and destitute children number about 47, making the aggregate number of children taught on this Reservation 251.

The support of the several day-schools in the main have been from State appropriations of last winter, amounting, I think, to about 5000 dollars, to be expended in the education of the Indian children within the State. From this the Indians are now realizing a benefit which they never before had, except small appropriations heretofore made by the Legislature of this State, which did much good, but insufficient for the speedy advancement of the Indians in civilization. But since a greater appropriation was made, the interest of schools among the Indians has increased, brought about principally by the appointment of an Indian Agent living near them, who has, for years past, taken great interest in the civil, moral, as well as the future welfare of the

Indians.

un

He is a man in whom we can trust and have confidence to forward with zeal that which the Indians have for years past so greatly needed. Dr. Franklin had a happy mode of illustrat- He has stirred up the people to the importance ing almost every truth, and few had a better of the education of their children, and of the efknowledge of mankind. The following anecdote fort the great State of New York is now is told of him-the circumstance happened a dertaking to bring about the result contemplated. few years previous to his death. A young It is now the plan of the said Superintendent, person, in company with Dr. Franklin, mention- E. M. Pettit, to repair such of the school houses ed his surprise that the possession of great riches as need repairing, so that they shall be comfortshould ever be attended with anxiety and solici-able this winter, and to build in such neighbortude, and instanced a merchant, who, he said, hoods as need a school house. One is about

being built in the Pagan neighborhood; and although there are some, as I am told, who are opposed to have one built in their midst; still the few who are in favor of having one built are determined to place a house in their midst where their children can go and be taught to read and understand the English language. This must, and will be accomplished; the wheel of education must continue to roll onward, leaving ignorance, vice, and superstition crushed in its path. As the flood rolleth along its mad career to its place of destination, overcoming and turning away every obstacle that lies in its path, so must the diamond lustre of every letter of that term Education shine forth its rays of light into the dark mind of the Red man, leading him to realize that the destiny of the Indian has been fulfilled, his character has become changed, and that a new era has now broken in upon him; he must stand up in common with the rest of the civilized world, and no longer stoop to the vices and superstitions of his forefathers, or he must become extinct. The seed of prejudice against civilization which our forefathers planted in the hearts of their children are becoming uprooted, and the pillars of ignorance are tottering under the influence and weight of civilization. The pursuits of old Indian life are being forgotten; they no longer follow the deer, or march in file along the trail, but they now follow their teams in the field, and walk in the trail of their ploughs. Their minds are turned to agriculture and raising crops in abundance for their sustenance during the cold, dreary winter of the North.

I am happy to be able to inform you that the Indians have been more industrious this season, and as a consequence have raised at least one half more of the different kinds of crops than they have in any one year for the past ten years. The probability therefore is, there will not be as much suffering for want of food as there was last winter. I can say with confidence that the Indians continue to improve in the arts of civilized life as well as in their civil and moral condition, for they together go hand in hand. It yet only needs the kind and protective care of Friends and individuals who take an interest in the prosperity of the Indians to encourage them a little longer in the undertaking which they have now begun, hoping that the time is not far distant when the Senecas will be equal to, if not superior in civilization to those of their neighbors, the white men, around them.

The Thomas Asylum, for orphan and destitute children, continues to prosper; and since it is but in its infancy, there is no doubt but that it will nced the kind assistance of benevolent individuals and friends to aid and care for the poor orphans, by donations and otherwise, the coming winter; though in this respect the Trustees of this Institution might be better able to lay the wants of the Institution under their care before

the good people than myself; but merely from what I can judge, I can say that they need help to carry on the good work.

Indeed it is a happy thought to the friend of the Indian to know that the Indians still continue to prosper and improve in the mode and habits of civilized life, and in their schools, and in farms; and in their care of providing better and more comfortable houses for their families, and barns for their beasts to shelter in, one can see that progress is on the march among the Indians.

Hoping that the Great Spirit will continue to bless the efforts of the good Friends who have for many years watched and cared for the interests of the Indians, I herewith submit the Report. N. H. PARKER,

U. S. Indian Interpreter for the New York Indians.

ANCIENT CIVILIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

The

A paragraph is going the rounds of the newspapers, affirming that a brass kettle has been found, in Illinois, imbedded in a seam of bituminous coal. Without being willing to vouch for the correctness of the tale, we think it may now be considered demonstrated, that the red man was not the aboriginal inhabitant of North America, but that a race preceded him, far superior in point of civilization. The earthen fortifications of the Mississippi valley, the mounds of the Atlantic States, and the utensils of metal found buried everywhere, are conclusive proofs of this fact. In Europe, at least, similar kinds of evidence are regarded as indisputable. bronze swords which have been dug up from the bogs of Ireland, and which are discovered all over ancient Scandinavia, are accepted as certain testimony that a race of people once inhabited those regions, different from those living there even in the earliest period of history. A similar bronze period, antecedent to the knowledge of iron, appears to have existed in the United States. All the oldest weapons exhumed on this continent are of this composite metal. In the copper mines of the northwest are indications of those mines having been worked long before Father Marquette visited the Mississippi; perhaps before the red man himself was a denizen there.

The ordinary objection to this, that it would be impossible for such a civilization to have perished, is founded on a radical error. For nothing is more conclusively established in history, than that savage nations, wherever their antecedents could be traced, have been found to have been nations in retrograde condition, or the conquerors and successors of such nations. The whole of Northern Africa, now principally the prey of semi-barbarous tribes, was once as civilized a province as any in the world. After the Romans abandoned Britain, the inhabitants, even of the towns, sunk into a state of comparative savagery,

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