labor, and are wisely adapted to the wants of man. Deprived of the mineral kingdom, man with all his boasted wisdom and scientific knowledge could never fill the void. All the works of the Creator are the fruits of his love, conferred upon us for a wise and noble purpose. But in order that our peace and enjoyment may become full and our happiness complete, we must love and adore the Giver more than all His gifts. Fairfield Co., Con., 3d mo. 28th, 1857.

For Friends' Intelligencer.
THOMAS STORY.

BY JOSEPH FOULKE.

It would be very desirable that the "Life of Thomas Story" might be made more public. The work was written by himself and published by his executors, John Wilson, James Wilson and William Williamson, out of funds set apart for the purpose in his "will," in pursuance of which, it appears by an advertisement prefixed to the work, that "they have accordingly printed a certain number of copies of the said Journal, to be bestowed upon the public as the Author's Legacy, of which number this volume is one."

The volume now before me is entire, except the title page, and contains 768 pages, folio. I propose making some extracts from it for

maple and pine, the perennial, deciduous, fruit, | and ornamental trees, in all their varieties, are more or less useful, and impart a degree of embellishment and beauty to the humblest dwelling, and greatly enhance the comfort and enjoyment of its inmates. The feeblest plant or shrub contains within itself a germ of that perfection which we so much admire in the grandest tree. Every leaf that flutters in the forest, every shrub or plant, every spear of grass or grain that waves in the valley, and the entire floral kingdom whose. fragrance perfumes the air. as they rise from one degree of perfection and beauty to another, point towards heaven, and the seal of the divine architect is clearly inscribed upon them. "Behold the lilies of the field! they toil not neither do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." What earthly gift or treasure can be more beautiful or desirable than a well cultivated fruit garden, field, or orchard richly laden with delicious fruit, bowing their branches towards the earth seemingly to invite us to receive their treasures. The grape, the peach, the plum and the pear, richly laden with their treasures, and the various delightful fruits which adorn the valley and borders of the garden, are gifts from the divine hand, and should teach us that we too in like manner should abound with the precious fruits of the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the earth, however beautiful and desirable they may be, are bending towards the earth from whence they sprang, nourish and sustain animal life and remind us of the Giver. What does this delightful state of perfection in the vegetable kingdom teach us? does it not teach us that they came from the Author of creation perfect, and that they remain passive to the forming hand? and this passive example further teaches the necessity of passive obedience to His executors above named, in their address the divine will in order that we may fulfil the to the readers of his Journal, say of him, that moral and Christian obligations that devolve" he was known to be a man of excellent underupon us. Then would the distilling dews of heaven continue to rest upon the tender buds and branches of moral and Christian virtues, causing them to expand; and even as the rose of the valley and lily of the field unfold their leaves and impart their fragrant perfume to the air, so would every Christian example of piety holiness and virtue diffuse its sacred influence, and rise up as sweet incense before the Lord, while the attention would be invited to this unerring standard and many would flee unto it. It is simply the design of this article to bring the subject of the beauty and order of the outward and visible creation into view, that we may, in "I have solid evidence to believe that the moments of retirement, contemplate upon its Lord in his great mercy and kindness had an vast magnitude, sublimity and grandeur. As eye upon me for good, even in my infancy, inthe mineral kingdom holds an essential and im-clining my heart to seek after him in my tender portant rank in its order, it should not be en-years; from whence I may reasonably conclude tirely overlooked. Its treasures are mostly en- arose that early inclination I had to solitude, closed in the bosom of the earth. They are where I sometimes had religious thoughts, and gradually revealed through diligent search and frequently read in the holy Scriptures, which I

Friends' Intelligencer," in the hope that some way may open for the whole work to fall into the hands of the rising generation. The name of Thomas Story stands high in the estimation of Friends and others who are acquainted with the early history of Pennsylvania. appointments conferred on him by William Penn, when the government was in a critical state, show the confidence that eminent worthy reposed in him.

standing and extensive learning;" and yet, like the apostle, he accounted all these accomplishments like dross, that he might win Christ." H begins his Journal as follows :—

"That which I intend by the following work, is to record the tender mercies and judgments of the Lord; to relate my own experience of his dealings with me through the course of my life; and to write a faithful Journal of my travels and labors in the service of the gospel, which I design for my own review, and likewise for the serious perusal of all those who may incline to enquire into things of this nature.

his wisdom, and manly beauty attracted attention from those in high places, and gained for him that esteem and preferment which eventually brought him to the king's court, and raised him in the estimation of lords and counsellors; he was then chosen as one upon whom favor shined, to be instructed in the language and science of the Chaldeans, and then to stand in the palace royal.

ever loved and still do, above all books, as most | Daniel. In the vigor of youth he, with others, worthy and most profitable, especially the New was taken captive, and carried from the inheri Testament, in which I chiefly delighted. tance of their fathers and their revered Jerusa"In this state my mind suffered many flow-lem to a land of strangers. There his devotion, ings and ebbings, and as I grew up towards a young man, I found myself under great disadvantages in matters of religion as I was then circumstanced, for my father, intending me for the study of the law, which being esteemed a genteel profession, he first sent me to the fencing school as a fashionable and manly accomplishment. Here I became a considerable proficient in a short time, and obtained the chief vogue over all my neighboring cotemporaries in that faculty, by which my mind was greatly drawn out, and too much alienated from those beginnings of solidity which I had once known; and having acquired some skill also in music, the exercise of that occasioned an acquaintance and society not profitable to religion, though I was hitherto preserved from such things as are generally accounted evils among mankind.

After this, I was put to the study of the law under a counsellor in the country, thereby to be initiated, with a design to be entered afterwards into one of the inns of Court, and to make further progress and finish there. But being much in the country, and the family sober and religious in their way, of the most moderate sort of Presbyterians, I had again the advantage of solitude and little company, and that innocent, so that my mind turned to its former state and further search after the truth. And though I had at times some youthful airs, yet through secret grace I was preserved from gross evils and gained respect from all the family. (He next records occurrences of 1686.)

To be continued.

For Friends' Intelligencer.

THE PROPHET DANIEL.

It awakens an awe amounting to reverence for the divine gift, with love and tender regard for its adherents, to contemplate their lives and the incidents attending them, where the wonderworking power of the Creator has been marvellously displayed through his servants, by their unswerving obedience to His spirit's revealings. The most powerful potentates among heathen nations, whose gods were gold and silver, wood and stone, have been brought to acknowledge the superior power of the one true and living God" by the steadfastness of those that believed in His name, and stood in their stability in times of trial. Upborne by a holy confidence and clothed with the panoply of innocence, they feared no threats from such as swayed the sceptre of human power, and ruled the nations as with a rod of iron.

Among the bright and shining lights that emit a radiance as from the presence of the Father of light and spirit, stands the prophet

In this situation his dedication and adherence to the customs of his ancestors were conspicuous; he would not partake of the king's provisions, deeming it a defilement, and begged instead of the assigned portion of meat and wine from his majesty's table, he might have pulse and water, which request was granted, because of the favor he had obtained. Ten days he proposed to prove the effects, and when examined, after religiously declining what might have tended to weaken their faith, he and his companions appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than the full fed.

When the days of preparation were fulfilled, they were brought before the king, and he found them ten times better than the magicians and astrologers of his realm. This was soon to be proved by a circumstance wherein life and death were at issue. The time had arrived when it pleased the Almighty to show this lofty sovereign his power was limited; that a greater than he could overthrow kings. The visions of his head upon his bed troubled him, and the subjects that caused disquiet were not made clear enough to divulge. Now were the wise men of his broad domain called upon, and their power to propound difficult questions tested.

But ah! a rare and hard thing was required,, both to tell the dream and to show the interpretation, or endure his displeasure who would destroy them utterly. Now were these presuming men brought into a great strait, and they entreated him to show the dream, and then, after their manner, they would presume to tell the interpretation; he still answered them, "The thing is gone from me, and I certainly know ye would gain the time" to disclose the mystery. Seeing they could not do it, a decree went out that all the wise men of Babylon should be slain.

Then came forth Daniel inquiring why the decree was so hasty from the king, and appearing in his presence, desired he would waive the execution and give him time, and he would show the whole matter.

Then Daniel went to his house and called upon his companions to unite with him in desiring mercy of the God of heaven, that He would reveal to him the secret, lest they also should perish, and He in whom they trustel

INTELLIGENCER.

PHILADELPHIA, FOURTH MONTH 25, 1857.

listened to their entreaty and revealed the secret to will find the counsellor prove a comforter.
Daniel in a night vision. Then did he burst forth John Mason.
in acclamations of thanksgiving to that being
who knoweth what is in the darkness, and light FRIENDS'
dwelleth with Him; "I thank Thee and praise
Thee O! thou God of my fathers, who hath
given me wisdom and might, and made known
unto me what I desired of Thee." Then was
the decree reversed, and this captive of Judah
presented before the king to testify that no man
of the class called upon could answer the de-
mand, but the God of heaven only,-He will
make known what shall be in the latter days.
How he clearly described the image, the form,
proportions and the materials of which it was
composed, and though the form was terrible, the
materials were such as could not long adhere
together. The head was gold, the breast and arms
silver, the body brass, the feet of iron and clay

Thou sawest till a stone cut out without hands

smote the feet and broke them in pieces, then was the whole of this mighty structure broken to pieces and became like chaff of the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away, but the stone became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Thou O king art this head of gold. The God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and glory; but strong as is thy power, it shall be severed and rent asunder, and He who is King of kings and Lord of lords shall set up a king dom that shall never be destroyed.

But as for me this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have, more than any living, but for thee O! king, that thou mightest O! sweet know the thoughts of thine heart. humility to bow reverently and give God the glory. Then the king bowed before Daniel and said, of a truth your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, a revealer of secrets, seeing thou

couldst reveal this secret.

Then the king made Daniel a great man, gave him many gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief governor over the wise men, and by his request were his companions, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego set also over the affairs of the province, but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Thus did the everlasting Father magnify himself in the eyes of a mighty monarch, by the unwavering integrity of a young man, who stood before Him in simple obedience without fear or favor, a humble captive, subject to his will whose sway was absolute. of the spirit of meekness the haughty was brought to bow before the humble, and to acknowledge "the Most High ruled."

4th mo. 12th, 1857.

Ah! in the exercise

[To be continued.]

If you follow Satan, you will find the tempter prove a tormentor; if you follow the Spirit, you

There were those in ancient time who thought the "former days were better than these," and the preacher declared, that they "spake not wisely," and it is probable there have been those in every period of the world since that time, who regarded the former days better than those in which they lived, and there are those who are inclined to look upon the men and the institutions which preceded them, as superior to any of their own time. How far this may be the result of temperament, of association, or of circumstances which surround us, it may not be necessary to enquire, but such is the fact.

In comparing the past with the present by the light which history has handed down to us, we are not prepared to take so discouraging a view of the subject. We believe it is not profitable, nor will it tend to our advancement either in

knowledge or goodness, to believe that the human race are making no right progress, but are in a constant state of degeneracy.

It is true that old heads cannot transmit all

the lessons which they have learned to younger
It seems to be a necessary part of our
ones.
probation that each succeeding generation should
learn many things by experience, and this ex-
perience is often purchased by the things we
suffer, and yet we believe that history teaches
that there is not only a gradual advance in the
Arts and Sciences, but in the elements of sub-
stantial goodness. It is true that mankind are
slow to learn, yet each generation leaves a
legacy to its successor. While the same evils
which afflicted the race in the early period of
the world, are still exerting their influence, and
producing the same bitter fruits, we incline to
believe that they are generally ameliorated, and
that there is a better appreciation of what is
honest, just and true.

Notwithstanding the slow advance which it would appear Christianity has made since the advent of the Prince of Peace, we may be encouraged by the view of the evangelical prophet, when he saw in prophetic vision the ushering in of the Redeemer's Kingdom, and declared

that of the increase of his government and peace | 000; one $12,000; one $14,000; six $15,000; there shall be no end. four $20,000; five $30,000; two $10,000. The names of twenty-five others are given, and it is stated that these and many others, whose names are not mentioned, have property ranging in value from three to twenty thousand dollars. North American.

the two nations were at peace-such a peace!-ing but ruins, filth, alleys, and dung-hills-the during nearly the first five months of 1756. As lurking-places of the most desperate and flagitious heartless Horace Walpole remarks of this period, characters. Even the best parts of London were the English and French ministers were crossing frequented by footpads; and gentlemen, when over, and figuring in-in politics. Each coun-out at night, in preference to riding in a carriage try, in fact, was se lulously preparing for war, while deceitfully, or diplomatically, which is much the same sort of thing, endeavoring to gain time by pretending to treat for peace.

cumstance; as for instance: The cook at the Shakspeare, who was run through the body in endeavoring to prevent two gentlemen from fighting a duel, is in a fair way of recovery.'

or chair, walked, with their drawn swords in their hands, so as to be better prepared to repel an attack; for then almost every male adult wore a sword-a custom which, allowing no time for There were few newspapers in those days; and passion to subside or reason to reflect, led to freindeed there were little if any of that literary, quent and fatal encounters. Every tavern, scientific, and social intelligence we now include gaming-house, and disreputable haunt was the under the denomination of home news. The scene of sanguinary contests between wine-madleading announcements, referring to domestic af- dened duellists. So common and so little thought fairs, in the journals of 1756, are little more than of were these occurrences, that we seldom meet records of crimes and punishments, and the pro- with notices of them in the newspapers of the ceedings of press gangs. According to our mod-time, except in connection with some other cirern notions, London could not have been a very pleasant place to reside in at that time. Highwaymen labored in their vocation at Knightsbridge; well-guarded mails were stopped, and robbed at Notting Hill. Some parts of the me- A few years previous to the time of which we tropolis were continual scenes of riot and disor- write, the king, in his speech to parliament, said: der. Spitalfields was a complete Alsatia. TheIt is with the utmost regret I observe that the denizens, principally weavers of that locality, horrid crimes of robbery and murder are, of late, whom we now associate with ideas of feeble mis- rather increased than decreased.' As a remedy ery and helpless poverty, were then the terror of for this state of affairs, a reward of L.40 was given London. In organized bodies, and armed with to every one who arrested a thief, and prosecuted cutlasses and bludgeons, these Ishmaels of the him to conviction and the inévitable gallows. gutter fought with hordes of Irish, crowds of The suburban districts also formed societies, and soldiers, and crews of sailors; and even afforded gave L.100 more, if the offence took place five a sanctuary to numbers from the formidable press miles distant from the city. Moreover, every gang. They were known by the appellation of one who captured a highwayman was entitled to Cutters, because they levied a frequent black- the culprit's horse, whatever might be its value, mail, from the master manufacturers, of four or whoever might have been its legitimate ownshillings on each loom employed in the district; er. The highwaymen, being well mounted and and if the money were not promptly paid, they well armed, were seldom captured, except in their cut into pieces the cloth or yarn in process of hours of recreation. But these rewards gave rise manufacture. The Cutters reigned till 1769, to a regular business of thief-making' and 'thiefwhen their leaders were attacked in their head-taking.' Gangs of villains, conspiring together, quarters, a public-house named the Dolphin, by trepanned simple youths into seeming robberies; a posse of magistrates and constables, supported by a detachment of soldiers. The preliminary summons to surrender being treated with contemptuous indifference, a brisk firing commenced from both sides. The Cutters, barricading the lower part of the house, fired out of the windows, till the door was forced; they then retreated over In Maitland's History of London, published the adjoining house-tops, firing as they went. in 1756, there is an engraving of Newgate, as it By this bold defence, they succeeded in escaping then appeared, and on the top of the building we to a man; but one soldier was shot dead on the see a large machine resembling the sails of a spot, and others were severely wounded. In con- wind-mill. This was a ventilator, to dissipate sequence of this affray, the parish church was the vitiated air of the prison, which it did, to the converted into a temporary barracks, and occu- great annoyance of the neighborhood. The cause pied by a strong body of troops, who succeeded of this machine being erected was, simply, that at last in putting down the pugnacious Cutters. in the spring of 1750, the jail-distemper, a kind The bill for building Blackfriar's Bridge was of typhus now unknown, caused by crowding and passed in 1756-of course not without great op- insufficient air, found its way from the jail to the position from vested interests'—and one of the sessions-house, and killed two judges, one lordarguments adduced in favor of the project was, mayor, several aldermen, jurymen, and others, to that between Fleet Street and the Thames on one the number, in all, of sixty persons. The buildside, and Holborn on the other, there were nothing of this ventilator, though a step in the right

and succeeded in hanging numbers of lads, for the purpose of pocketing the price of their guiltless blood. As may be supposed, those ancient English institutions, the gallows, pillory, and whipping-post, flourished exceedingly one hundred years ago.