Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

How can any who have been redeemed from the thraldom of sin through the agency of divine love feel other than a deep interest in the history of the holy Jesus, who passed through the world untarnished by its pollutions, and who raised the standard of purity to a high eleva tion, thus inviting every candidate for immortal

cipline will not always fall on those far advanced in years, but they will probably often sit by, and, like careful fathers and mothers, encourage by their presence and by their weighty spirits the younger and middle aged to come up in and maintain their respective ranks; and now and then, in the language of experience, put in a few words, well seasoned and well timed, to the in-ity to follow him in the regeneration that they creasing of the weight and solemnity. Oh the the use of the company of fathers and mothers, my beloved friends, in any society. Oh the pleasantness of seeing the hoary head in our assemblies, those who have kept the faith, have loved the truth, and believed in it to the end." W. G.

For Friends' Intelligencer.

In number thirty-four of the Intelligencer, there is an extract signed Walker, which tells us what the gospel is, and recommends preaching as Christ and his Apostles preached. Now this comprised the whole matter. Christ spake only what he received from his Father in heaven, therefore with divine authority he bore witness to the truth, and so powerful was his ministry that even gainsayers could not always resist the wisdom with which he spake. So clear, simple and sweet were the instructions that flowed through this pure channel, that every child in his school may understand them. We read, when Jesus came up out of the river Jordan, "the heavens were opened unto him, and the spirit of God descended like a dove and lighted upon him, and there was a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." On the mount of transfiguration, also, did the same voice seal the former testimony with "this is my beloved son,

hear him."

To the three who had ascended with him his Father more fully disclosed the brightness of his glory. They saw him clothed with heavenly lustre and robed in light, his raiment was white and radiant, showing these men who were to be his witnesses how he stood in the eyes of heaven's eternal King. No marvel they desired to tabernacle with him there! A cloud overshadowed them, and when this was removed, the beautiful vision was gone, and they were left alone with Jesus; and with him they descended and passed through many trying scenes. An instructive lesson to us to keep with the Master in heights and depths, to bear the cross that we may wear the crown. Such as do this, will find the same glorious miracles performed, spiritually, that were then performed outwardly, to substantiate his mission. "Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe." See the mercy and goodness of God, who condescends to meet mankind in their low estate, convincing their judgment by the display of his power and the exaltation of his great and excellent name.

may sit with him "in the throne of his glory.'

The Apostles preached not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the spirit and with power; they spake as the spirit gave them utterance, and thousands were gathered to the church. They sought not their own glory or the praise of men; but the approval of a good conscience and the salvation of men, and also to honor Him who anointed them for His work. Nor were they ashamed to advert to the sayings and doings of their Lord and Master. The whole chain of incidents concerning him was to them a theme of enduring interest, from the first prophecy of Moses down. to the fulfilment of all that was spoken by those who saw, in spiritual vision, the dawn of that blessed era, "When a king should reign in righteousness." They gloried in the promulgation of that gospel which breathes peace on earth and good-will to men.

A recital of Scripture testimony, when revived in gospel authority may still be the means of inducing devotional feelings with desires to become Christ-like, and thus be prepared to enter that city whose walls are salvation and whose gates are praise.

Precious children, never doubt or call in question that power which created all things by his word, and that upholds worlds and systems of worlds, and by which, when these were prepared for the habitation of man, he was brought into being to glorify and enjoy his great Creator, both Contemplate your own here and hereafter. organization, reflect on the powers given you, and use them aright, and you will surely say with the Psalmist, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that my soul knoweth right well." 11 month, 1857.

EXTRACTS.

S. H.

"I have thought that many would like to feel the comforts of religion, but miss it from expecting to find some great thing to begin with; whereas, perhaps, the way appointed for most, is to begin with something very little; and it would be well, when our minds are exercised, and grieved that we feel little or no capacity towards good, to consider whether there is not something manifested as duty, that we are not yielding to. Perhaps this is the very thing which is to be the door of entrance into the path of life, and of increasing consolation and experience of good."

"Is not the great thing which is wanting in

our religious Society, an individual travail, and close attention to individual duty? Hereby we should experience a fitness and qualification for collective service as well as more availingly contribute to the advancement and spreading of Truth."

"It is indeed a nice thing, and requiring a portion of Best Wisdom to know how to move along in temporal concerns. To be suitably alive to the useful discharge of our duty as to temporal matters, and yet to have the mind so detached from them, as to have the one thing needful perpetually before us, is a most desirable attainment. Uncertainty is so stamped on all visible enjoyments, that we had need, indeed, to be solicitous to have our minds established in something beyond them all."

"Blessed be the Lord"-" Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods."

On the day after the arrival of his father-inlaw, Moses "sat to judge the people," and it took him from "the morning unto the evening;" and Jethro seeing it was "too heavy a charge" for Moses, beside being very tedious for the people to have to wait so long to be heard, told Moses to listen to his counsel. He then proposed to him to select men of truth, "who feared God and hated covetousness," to be rulers of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and tens. These were to be taught by Moses, "the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do." They were to "judge the people at all seasons"-deciding small matters themselves, but "the hard causes" they were to bring to Moses. In accordance with this advice Moses acted, and thus were judges elected in Israel. After this Jethro From Rephidim the Israelites came to the wilderdeparted, and went his way into his own land. the air on the breeze that rocks the flowers ness of Sinai and "camped before the Mount;" upon the stem-upon the rain-drop that refreshes "And Moses went up" and communed with God, the sprig of moss that lifts its head in the desert and received from him the commandments which -upon its deep chambers-upon every pencilled still constitute the Jewish or Mosaic law. It sheet that sleeps in the cavern of the deep, no would extend this imperfect sketch beyond its less than upon the mighty sun that warms and cheers millions of creatures which live in its proper limits to enumerate all the particulars contained in this law, but among the commandlight-upon all His works He has written-ments which continue to be binding upon us

[ocr errors]

LIVE NOT FOR THYSELF.

W. G.

God has written on the flowers that sweeten

none liveth for himself."

[blocks in formation]

[Continued from page 582.] When the Israelites left the wilderness of Sin they pitched their camp in Rephidim, where there was no water. Again the people found fault with Moses, and said unto him, "Give us water, that we may drink." This no doubt troubled Moses, for he "asked them, why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?" But "Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, what shall I do unto this people, they be almost ready to stone me?" Then he was commanded to take the elders of the tribes with him and go on before the people, and to carry in his hand the rod with which he smote the river. "Behold, said the Lord, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it that the people may drink." And Moses did as he was bid in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the chiding of the people, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, "is be among us or not?" Jethro and his daughter Zipporah, the wife of Moses, and her two sons, came into the wilderness to him; and when the priest of Midian heard what had been done for Moses and the people, he rejoiced in their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, and said,

and which will forever endure, are the first and second, which include supreme love to our heavenly Father, and love to our neighbor or brother, and also those which say, "Honor thy father and thy mother;" "Thou shalt not kill;" "Thou shalt not steal;" "Thou shalt not bear false witness," or tell an untruth. All these, dear children, you doubtless have been taught, are very important commandments, and we cannot disregard or disobey them without displeas ing that great and good Being who revealed them to Moses, and who has likewise written them upon the tablet of every heart.

If you wish to know more about what occurred there, you can read from the 20th chapter of Exodus to the end of that book; in which you will also find an interesting description of the tabernacle, which was to be made after the pattern shown Moses in the Mount. The time may come when, by a spiritual application, you will discover the deep meaning contained in the beautiful figure of this holy sanctuary—the mercy seat of pure gold placed above the ark of the testimony, and the cherubims of beaten gold with their wings stretched forth covering the mercy seat, together with the various vessels all of pure gold, are highly descriptive of the temple of the heart furnished by divine love and charity, in which dwell the heavenly virtues, justice, mercy and humanity. When Moses descended from the Mount, he found great confusion among the people. They had turned aside from the commandment to serve God only, and

had made for themselves a "molten calf," which | they worshipped. In his anger he cast from him the tables which were written upon both sides, and broke them. He talked with his brother, and Aaron explained to him why the people were dissatisfied. He had been gone so long from them, that they knew not what had become of him. Again, Moses ascended to inquire of his great Lawgiver what atonement he should make for his nation; and he was commanded to depart thence unto the promised land flowing with milk and honey. Moses said, "if Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." And the Lord said "my presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.' He then told Moses to prepare two tables of stone like the first, upon which he would write the words that were upon those he broke. Again, a covenant was made with Israel, wherein they were admonished not to mingle with the nations by whom they were surrounded, and they were to worship no other god, for the Lord had "proclaimed" himself, "merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth." Moses was with the Lord "forty days and forty nights," wherein he did not eat bread nor drink water; and when he came down from Mount Sinai with the "tables of testimony," he knew not that his face shone. For a while the people feared to come near him; but when they understood it was because of the divine communion with which he was blessed, they drew nigh, and Moses "put a veil on his face," and "spake unto them that which he was commanded."

given. When the people moved their encamp. ment, the Levites were to take it down; and when it was to be pitched, they were to set it up, and they were to keep near it, and place their tents round about it. On the day that the tabernacle was reared, a cloud covered it, and at night there was the appearance of fire upon it. If the cloud was taken up, then the people journeyed forward; but if it abode "two days, a month or a year, they rested in their tents and journeyed not." Thus "they kept the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses."

[To be continued.]

THOMAS STORY.

[Continued from page 584.]

After this, my uneasiness in my father's house increasing, I took an occasion one morning to remind him of the change of his countenance and behavior towards me, and of the many hints and oblique intimations he had thought fit to give, concerning my way of living in the world, (as if I were like to be chargeable to him,) in some other way than by the practice of the law, into which I had been initiated; having altogether declined it, as noted before in this relation. And I told him that he could not charge me with any act of disobedience to him from my childhood, (nor did he, or my mother, or any schoolmaster ever correct me with the rod, or had any cause,) or with the neglect of any duty, save now, at last, my embracing the Truth of God, as my only way to salvation; in which case he had no right to command or hinder, but rather to consider his own ways and state, and how far just and pleasing in the sight of God, to whom I must answer for myself, where he could not for me. And then added, that I intended to leave his house in a short time, and make him easy on that account.

When they were called upon for "free gifts" for the tabernacle, "every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation." "Both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, offered an offering of gold unto the Lord." "And all the women that were wise-hearted did This touched my dear father so near that he spin with their hands, and brought that which could not bear it, but wept abundantly; conthey spun." They continued to bring free offer- fessing that I had ever been a dutiful child to ings every morning until they were restrained, him, and had never disobliged him, save in that because of the abundance which had been fur- thing only; nor did he begrudge anything in his nished for the making of the tabernacle. For power to do for me; but as he had brought me Aaron, their priest, was made a "plate of the up to the law so far, (which was laid aside,) he holy crown of pure gold, and there was written thought it might have been a way of living in the upon it a writing like to the engravings of a world, both plentiful and reputable, but could signet, "Holiness to the Lord," and they not now see any reasonable means of a compefastened it on high upon the mitre. Moses tent subsistence, with that reputation which my looked upon the work and saw that it was done circumstances required, after that appearance I as the Lord had commanded, and he blessed had begun to make among mankind, before I them. espoused those principles I seemed now too much attached to. However, he made me this proposal, as the best he could then think of, viz. that I should manage his estate to the best advantage I could, and take all the incomes to myself, save a reputable subsistence to himself, and to my mother-in-law, his wife.

In the book of Leviticus are recorded the many statutes which were to be observed by the Israelites, all of which were given them through Moses. In Numbers, is given the order of the tribes in their tents, and the number of every tribe except that of Levi. To this family, the charge of "the tabernacle of testimony" was

To this I returned him my dutiful acknow

ledgment, but told him it was now too late; II found my mind fully qualified to appear in pubwas fixed in another resolution, under a view of lic; but being freely opened at length in the a different nature, and could not subject myself word of life, the meeting was generally reached to such a confinement, if he would on such terms and tendered thereby to a great degree, which give me his whole estate forever but withal, as- was likewise renewed in prayer; this had its sured him that I did not leave him under any right effect upon the Friends, so that they were discontent, or resentment of any behaviour he had affectionately kind and loving after the meeting; used towards me, which he had a right to do, ac- and most of them spent the evening with me, cording to his views and meaning; but that I and we were no strangers one to another any had an inducement for my departure, which, more, but one in the blessed Truth, though we probably, he could not rightly apprehend or be- had never seen the faces of each other before; lieve if I should declare it; which was no other and from thenceforward were near in friendship, in my own concealed mind than more perfect becoming outwardly acquainted also, on after ocliberty to serve the Lord and his people, in the casions, from that beginning, in which we had a way of the calling of God, which was gradually certain evidence of the spirits of each other as increasing at that time upon me; and I was now the best and most sure foundation of a lasting grown a little stronger in the ministry, and more and unchangeable friendship. experienced in the exercise of the gift of God therein.

The next day I went forward by Northampton, Newport, Pagnel, &c., and on the 2nd of the Twelfth month, arrived at London; where at that time, was a great body of good Friends, well established in the Truth, and many meetings, and a good number of great and able ministers of the gospel among them; as William Penn, George Whitehead, Samuel Waldenfield, William Bingley, John Vaughton, John Field, Francis Stamper, John Bowater, James Park, and many others of the younger sort.

Not long after this, Aaron Atkinson acquainted me with his concern to visit Friends in some south and west parts of England; and as we had from the time of my joining with Friends, been very intimate and near in the Truth and love of it, I was also willing to travel the same way: but he being ready sooner than I could be, went before up to London where he staid for me. And on the 22nd of the 11th month, 1694, I took leave of my father and his family, and set for- And considering the many talents of the minward for London, taking some meetings by the isters, their improvements thereof, experience, way, as they happened of course to fall out; for discerning, and other attainments in the Truth, I did not think proper to appoint any, my thoughts in their several degrees; their parts and qualifiof my own ministry being very low; yet the cations as men; as also the like qualifications of Lord favored me with his goodness and encour Friends there in general; together with the poaging presence, and made way for me every-liteness, knowledge, and understanding of the where; and gave me several open and comfortable times with Friends in my journey, though altogether a stranger as to outward acquaintance with any one; but the most satisfactory was at Leicester. It was a hard frost, and snowed every day, more or less during most of my journey, with a high wind for some days at first; so that the lanes and highways were generally blocked up by the driven snow, and few travellers upon observing him acceptable in his ministry among the road; for it was very bad and dangerous travelling, and I was sometimes alone riding long stages. And when I came to Leicester, having been directed to the house of honest John Brooks, he was the first person that came to the door, and looking upon me as I sat on horseback, gave me a kind invitation to alight, which I did, and was received with gravity and kindness.

It was their meeting day, the 30th of the Eleventh month, in the afternoon; and, being favored with the divine presence, as my only stay, I had little to say to the family in conversation, but was much in silence; in which I perceived I had good unity with them, for the son of peace was there.

And after some refreshment we went into the meeting house, where the meeting was small; and we sat in silence a considerable time, before

people in that place, I was kept very low in my mind, and circumspect; having no courage of my own to appear in public among them. But the Lord knowing me altogether, my weakness, integrity, simplicity, and good meaning, supported my mind under all these considerations. And Aaron Atkinson, my intended companion, having been in the city some time before, and

them, gave me an occasion of reasoning, that I might also, probably, go through the meetings without offence; which was the full amount of my expectations or desire there. And that which added much to my encouragement was, the fatherly care and behaviour of the ministers in general, but especially of that great minister of the gospel and faithful servant of Christ, William Penn; who abounded in wisdom, discretion, prudence, love, and tenderness of affection, with all sincerity above most in this generation; and indeed I never knew his equal; nor were Friends in general wanting to me in open and tender friendship.

In this city we remained in the service of Truth and Friends, according to our several measures and attainments, (for Aaron, as he had been much longer convinced of Truth than me, and

which they allowed me a gratuity. And after that, put all the deeds and writings belonging to the Quarterly Meeting of London into my hands to peruse and consider, and in divers of them I found mistakes, which were rectified. And I made a general index and abstract of them in a folio book of royal paper, whereby the purport of any deed, and what set of trustees the title of any meeting house or burying ground was in, at any time might be found in a quarter of an hour; for which I also had a consideration.

in the ministry some years before I yielded there- | sent from all parts, to the chamber there; for to, he seemed by so much the better grown, stronger, experienced and preferable,) until the 30th day of the 12th month, and that day we had a meeting at Wandsworth, the next day at Kingston, [and so on to fifty-nine other meetings named in order, and very little remarked except the place and date. On page 85, he says:] In this journey, though we were not without temptations and exercises of divers kinds, yet the Lord was near to preserve us; and, through his divine grace, gave us many open, comfortable and edifying times in the assemblies of his people, and in divers families, as also in conversation; for the fear of the Lord was over us, and we did not delight in vain and unprofitable talk, but were kept solid; but not cast down or unconversable.

At London we lodged with our very good friend Peter Briggins, in Bartholomew-close, and there we parted; Aaron went back into Cumberland, and I remained in the city, and entered into business there for my necessary subsistence; for my father had not bestowed any thing upon me at parting.

The first thing I did was to sell my mare, which I had rode in my late journey, for which I got about seven pounds, and with it I put myself into some better clothing; for what I had was much worn out with riding. And Friends in London, knowing my intention of settling there, (at least for some time,) and that I desired to be employed at conveyancing, drawing of settlements, and other public writings of all sorts, as occasion might offer; which was a business I was acquainted with, and also the least confining of any I could think of, and was fitted for; scveral of them were so kind as to give notice of it in some Monthly Meetings in the city, and on other occasions; and recommended me to such Friends as might have any thing to be done in that way; and William Penn in a particular manner was liberal in his recommendations, and showed himself a warm friend in promoting my

interest.

This succeeded so well by the blessing of God, that in a short time I had more business than 1 could do by myself, so that I often employed assistants. And as I was rather under than over my demands, for what business I did, so my pay was good and sure, and I soon came into a reputable and plentiful way of living, for which I was truly thankful to the Lord, who thus provided for me in a way I had not foreseen; but had fully trusted in the Lord that I should not want, though without any particular prospect how I should be supplied when I left my father's house, to follow the Lord more fully, and enjoy his divine peace, than I found I could do there.

Remaining some time in the city, Friends employed me to record all the foreign sufferings, until then lying in the manner they had been

I kept close to meetings and to business, in their proper vicissitudes; the countenance of the Lord was with me, and my business increased daily to my satisfaction; so that I had several offers of clerks, with competent sums of money, both from the North and in London; but considering that as tending too deep an engagement in the affairs of life at that time, and a confinement not consisting with the liberty requisite in the ministry, as I was then stated, or with any secret views that way, I declined every proposal of the kind, and did my business with the help of such writing clerks as I could employ on any emergency, without further engagement.

(To be continued.)

FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER.
PHILADELPHIA, TWELFTH MONTH 5, 1857.

FRIENDS' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

We have received a copy of the Annual Report of the Library Association of Friends, for the year ending 11th mo., 1857, by which we are informed that the Library has been removed, and now occupies a room in the third story of the centre building of the new meeting house on Race street, west of Fifteenth.

The room is large, well lighted and ventilated, and ample space is now afforded for any increase in the size of the Library that it is at all likely will take place for many years to come. Accommodation is thus afforded for Friends to donate such books from their private libraries as they may seldom have occasion to refer to. Many volumes might thus be collected and preserved, that are now comparatively useless, and would constitute a valuable addition to the Library.

The report states, that "in the first six months, viz. from the Tenth month last to the Third month, both inclusive, there were loaned On 770 applications from females 1,911 vols. "611 males 1,595 Making a total of 1,381 applications, on which were delivered 3,506 volumes.

[ocr errors]

The increase of the Library during the past year has been One hundred and thirty-four vol

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »