Paul proceeds to show that the Christ had set the Church free from such outward observances as "Days and Times," and called his disciples to put aside all worldly mindedness and uncleanness and bitterness, "for which things sake cometh the wrath of God." In a word, "to put off the old man with his who is doings, and put on the new man renewed into the image and likeness of God, in whom "Christ is all, and in all." Righteousness, not ceremonial observance of any kind, is the evidence of true discipleship. As to fast days, properly speaking, there are none regularly observed by Protestant Christendom, I think, except the observance of the forty days partial fast at Lent. The Puritan and Presbyterian churches ignore Lent, and Friends were not the first by any means to object to the ceremonial observance of the festival called Christmas. Perhaps one motive of the Reformed, in the first ages of the modern religious awakening, was to separate themselves as widely as possible from the ceremonials and superstitions of the Romish Church. Of course the feeling of joyous affection, the desire to renew all ties of kindred, the remembrance of those who sit in solitary places, the tranquil festivity, held within due bounds, are not matters which call for any testimony of objection; but the Quaker turns away from the superstitious or religious observance of Christinas. This is both reasonable and scriptural, and we hope that Friends may not fail to be steadfast here as a matter of principle. Of the same nature is the observance of the day called Good Friday. As Christmas is supposed to be the birthday, Good Friday (so called) is supposed to be the day on which the Blessed Teacher suffered martyrdom. This is now observed as a legal holiday in Pennsylvania, and as such, Friends and most other Protestant Christians have a perfect right to object to it, as an interference of the civil power in matters ecclesiastic. As to Holy Days (so called) in general, Charles Buch, author of the "Theological Dictionary," observes, "That if holy days had been necessary, under the present dispensation, Jesus Christ would have observed something respecting them, whereas he was silent about them; that it is bringing us again into that bondage to ceremonial laws from which Christ freed us; that it is a tacit reflection on the Head of the Church in not appointing them; that such days, on the whole, are more pernicious than useful to society, as they open a door for indolence and profaneness; and Scripture speaks against such days." * An English Clergyman of 1771. In regard to the observance of the first day of the week as a holy day, our Society has never held that either the Jewish Sabbath is represented by it, or that it is a true Christian Sabbath. The Friends have ever believed that the Sabbath to the Christian has a more spiritual sense. Barclay says, in his "Apology," We know no moral obligation by the fourth command, or elsewhere, to keep the first day of the week more than any other, or any holiness inherent in it. But first, forasmuch as it is necessary that there be some time set apart for the saints to meet together to wait upon God; and that secondly, it is fit at some times they be freed from their other outward affairs; and that thirdly, reason and equity doth allow that servants and beasts have some time allowed them to be eased from their continual labor; and that fourthly, it appears that the apostles and primitive Christians did use the first day of the week for these purposes; we find ourselves suffi ciently moved tor these causes to do so also, without superstitiously straining the Scriptures for another reason: which, that it is not to be there found, many Protestants, yea, Calvin himself, upon the fourth command, hath abundantly evinced. And though we therefore meet, and abstain from working upon this day, yet doth not that hinder us from having meetings, also for worship at other times.' From these positions, the Society of Friends have never varied, and, in my opinion, ought never to vary, for they are absolutely impregnable. Much might be said but we deem it idle to multiply words. The approaching festival of Thanksgiving is of National authority, and is a legal holiday all over the United States. So far as Friends are concerned, this act of the civil ruler is not felt to be valid. The President has no proper authority in such a matter as ordaining a general religious service of praise and thanksgiving. Certainly his message to the people is only a recommendation, and does not in the least interfere with individual action. But the experience of Friends has been such as to lead us to dread and avoid any entering wedge, however apparently harmless, which may in time be dangerous to liberty of conscience, our precious inheritance from faithful confessors and fathers. If the civil magistrate can enjoin one religious observance he may enjoin another, and by small degrees of aggression, a foothold may be gained, which might be a vantage ground for oppression. For this reason, our body of Christiau professors stand aloof from the formal, religious observance of Thanksgiving Day. But we hold, that from the altar of the devout and reverent heart, the incense of praise and thanksgiving must ascend unceasingly. All days must be days of thanksgiving. As has been said at another time: We may well pause in overflowing gratitude in view of the delights and blessings which make life a joy, and lure us onward from youth to old age in happy progression, from duty to duty, until life's work is ended. Not alone, and not chiefly, do we entertain a grateful sense of the blessings which enrich our material lives; but we feel it far more a cause of real thanksgiving that the Heavenly Father has thrown immortality into the background of human consciousness. Virtue's ways are ways of pleasantness, and her paths are paths of peace, and these ways, we have faith to believe, lead to eternal blessedness. The crowning gift of all, is that of the Divine Wisdom and Love. Says an excellent writer: "Over the chaos of our conflicting will and desires His Spirit broods, 'moving on the face of the deep,' and stilling into sunniest calm the night storm of the howling waves. For the inspiration which has enlightened the conscience, for the grace which has melted and purified the heart, who shall thank God enough ?" Said Israel's Psalmist King: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." S. R. For Friends' Intelligencer. LET HER ALONE, SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD." This was the reply of Jesus to those who murmured against the woman that came with a box of precious ointment and poured it on his head. And some that had indignation within themselves said, "Why was this waste of the ointment made, for it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor." Then Jesus said, "Let her alone; why trouble ye her, she has wrought a good work on me, for ye have the poor always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." This interesting and deeply instructive account in the fourteenth chapter of St. Mark has impressed my mind that it would be right to bring it into view for reflection, believing there are many up and down in the world who are endeavoring to do the best they can under the circumstances in which they are placed, and yet they may be complained of by others, as was the case with the woman spoken of; but if they have the approval of the Divine Master within themselves, they need not fear, for He who careth for the sparrows will care for His depending ones, who feel they have none in heaven but Him, nor upon earth to desire beside Him, and whose voice may be heard at times in the secret of the soul, saying, "Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.' REBECCA PRICE. Eleventh mo. 24th, 1884. "C 'PHILANTHROPIC WORK." We find this document in the official extracts of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and have deemed it of such interest as to claim a place in our now crowded columns. The Standing Committee appointed last year to engage in Philanthropic Work as opportunity should offer, made the following report, which was read and was satisfactory: To the Yearly Meeting: The Standing Committee appointed at our last Annual Meeting, "to labor in Philanthropic work, also to co-operate with similar Committees of other Yearly Meeting thus engaged." Reports: We met together at the close of last Yearly Meeting and organized by the appointment of a Chairman, members of the different Committees of the Philanthropic Union, and a local Executive Committee. This latter Committee has acted for the general body and from its report is gleaned the substance of the matters hereinafter set forth. A Circular letter was prepared stating the object of the Yearly Meeting in appointing this Committee, suggesting the duties that seemed properly to claim its attention, and proposing a general plan of action in the important Concerns of Prison reform, Temperance, Arbitration, and Compulsory Education. A copy of this Circular letter was forwarded to each member of the general Committee, with the request, that after the work should have been performed, a report of the results of their investigations within the limits of the different Monthly Meetings, with such information and suggestions as might seem proper to be made, should be forwarded to the Clerk of the Executive Committee. Reports have been received from nine of the Monthly Meetings, namely: Pipe Creek, Monallen, Hopewell, Goose Creek, Alexandria, Nottingham, Little Britain, Deer Creek and Baltimore. Following is a summary of the statements made in these reports. Pipe Creek reports no organized effort to carry out the objects of the appointment, though some individual work has been done. In the Temperance reform, a local Committee has been steadily at work. The subject of Compulsory Education has received some attention. "Children's Home," "Almshouse," "Hospital" and "Prison" within the limits of their Meeting but the Committee has had no opportunity to visit them. No organization of the local Committee in Deer Creek Monthly Meeting, the report states. There is no Almshouse or Jail within their limits and no tavern has been seen in their neighborhood for a number of years. The people are remarkable for their sobriety and temperance. The tendency in settling differences, is towards Arbitration. The report from Baltimore states that the local Committee has organized by the appointment of a Chairman and Clerk and has had several Meetings. Sub-Committees were appointed to visit and inspect the different penal and charitable Institutions of Baltimore and the vicinity; which visits were to some extent accomplished. The local Committee of Hopewell Monthly Meeting reports attention to the various subjects comprised in the work. They state that the Prison and Almshouse are well lighted and ventilated and in a cleanly condition but considerably out of repair. That the inmates are properly treated and appear as contented as could be expected. In the Temperance reform there has been some work done by individuals but no organized effort of the Committee has been made. The settlement" of differences by Arbitration is popular and is availed of to a considerable extent. Monallen reports attention to the various subjects under consideration. The Institutions visited were found in good order. In regard to the imprisonment of children, this report states that there is a law in Pennsylvania, requiring the managers of prisons to find homes for children who may be committed there, in private families or charitable institutions. The Committees on Temperance of the Yearly and Monthly Meetings are working in the cause and find the interest increasing. A verbal report from Goose Creek, informs that their local committee has not worked as an organization. They find the field of operations so well supplied with workers from the "Womens' Christian Temperance Union" that little or nothing is left for others to do. The Committee in Alexandria Monthly Meeting reports having visited the Almshouse at Alexandria, and the Jail at Washington. Both these Institutions are reported to be in good condition, cleanly and well managed. There are some children in the Jail, but no insane. Suitable literature was distributed among the inmates. The report states that "there has been much done in the cause of Temperance, not in a public way by our own Society but they are alive to the need, and labor in a quiet manner whenever opportunity offers." The National Peace and Arbitration League meets in Washington once a month and is attended by Friends who feel much interest in the cause. Nottingham reports no organized work but a feeling of deep interest in the cause and some individual effort. Little Britain reports that they have a The" Penitentiary," "Jail," "Almshouse," Home of the Friendless" and "House of Refuge" were visited and carefully inspected. Interviews were had with the managers of the "House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children" and "The Industrial Home for Colored Girls" and interesting reports received from them. All these Institutions are well lighted, well ventilated and cleanly, and properly managed as far as could be seen, with the exception of Baltimore City Jail; that is cleanly and well lighted but very much overcrowded, badly ventilated and poorly supplied with water. The Committee feels that it may have some work to do in helping to remedy these evils, as well as some others that the investigation developed. The Temperance reform has claimed the earnest attention of the Committees having charge of the subject, and also of Friends generally in this Monthly Meeting, and some organized work has been done, as will be shown by the report. A Court of Arbitration is in operation in Baltimore but the privilege afforded by it for the settlement of differences is availed of only to a limited extent. The Committee suggests that it is a matter calling for serious consideration, why so fair and equitable a manner of settling difficulties and at the same time so direct and inexpensive, should be ignored. It will be noticed that seven of the Monthly Meetings fail to make any report, and we conclude that no organized effort was made on their part under the direction of this Com. mittee. Delegates were appointed to attend the Philanthropie Union held during Ohio Yearly Meeting and some of them were present on that occasion. Of the appropriation of one hundred dollars made for the use of the Committee, seventy-five dollars and ninety-two cents have been expended. In view of the magnitude of the work placed in charge of this Committee, its varied nature and the wide field of operations necessary to be gone over, together with the fact that considerable investigation was necessary before intelligent and effective labor could be performed, it was not to be expected that it would much more than perfect an organization during the first year. That it has not done this in all the Monthly Meetings is to be regretted, but there is a deep interest felt by many Friends in this work and an earnest desire on their part to labor for the advancement of the important concerns that the Committee has in view. With a more thorough and more general organization of the Committees throughout the Yearly Meeting, we are not without hope that at the close of another year substantial results may be shown. That that great Christian testimony of Friends as old as the Society itself is making progress in this country at least, could not be more surely evidenced than by reference to an address made recently by a prominent aspirant for the position of Chief Magistrate of these United States. Public men are not as a rule the manufacturers of public sentiment, but rather its exponents; let us then hope that the day is not far distant when all differences between individuals and nations shall be settled by the Christian rule of Arbitration instead of its opposite: that of contention and force. We extract from the address alluded to as follows: 66 Very respectable members of the Society of Friends have spoken to me in warm commendation of the proposition for a peace congress of American nations, as originally designed under the administration of President America has indicated its desire to meet in such a congress in the city of Washington, and every instinct of justice, every consideration of philanthrophy, every teaching of Christianity suggests that such a congress should be held, though it would embrace in its membership only the nations of America. I confess I should wish no prouder distinction for the United States of America to have than to initiate a movement that might, in the wide sweep of its beneficent influence, incorporate a principle of friendly arbitration as a prominent part of the international code of the world. Without intermedling in the affairs of other nations we can exert upon them an influence of lofty example, and commend to them a policy based on the eternal principles of justice.' The Yearly Meeting having referred to our Committee, at its present session, the subject of the welfare and condition of the uneducated white and colored people in some of the Southern States, the same was weightily considered by us and we have now to report, that we have appointed out of our own body a sub-committee as follows: Sarah T. Miller, Jonathan K. Taylor, Darlington Hoopes, Cyrus Blackburn, David W. Branson, Ann B. Branson, Rebecca M. Thomas and Rebecca Ballinger, who are set at liberty to labor as way may open therefor, to "Encourage a more general Education in the Southern States." We recommend that an appropriation of $150.00 be made for the use of the Committee the ensuing year. On behalf of the Committee. Signed: Clerk of THOS. H. MATTHEWS, ELIZABETH P. BLACKBURN. EDWARD STABLER, JR., SARAH PUGH. "Reason thy lamp, and Faith thy star while hereNow both one brightness in the Light of God." Garfield. Such a movement as that I consider myself to be the basis of a sound and wise foreign policy. We seek no intervention in the struggles and contentions of European governments, but we do seek expansion of trade with our American neighbors, and as a prerequisite thereto, we seek friendly and peaceful relations with all the countries of North and South America. We seek more Mingled are the feelings that would tribute than that. We desire not only to be peaceful pay the teacher of a rapidly passing generaand friendly with those nations, but we desire tion; for though forty years and more have that they shall be peaceful and friendly with passed since the writer received ten years of each other. I confess that I can imagine no instruction in the school of Sarah Pugh, it is more impressive spectacle than would be pre- not too late to recall with loving gratitude, sented by all the nations of the new world her exquisite influence upon the minds and meeting at the capital of the great republic hearts of her pupils; many of them living and solemnly agreeing as between themselves in this place. As a teacher "kind words that war shall cease, and that every difficulty and looks were her outward demonstrations; that may arise shall be submitted to impartial patience and forbearance, the sentiments arbitration for just and friendly settlement. within." Profound and clear in thought she Almost every republic of North and South was ever serene and benignant in action. Dignity invested her authority, sympathy graced her direction of it, while under the silent influence of her spirituality the royal road to learning was traversed apace by teacher and scholar with a cheery fortitude born of inspiration. She possessed the rare faculty of developing individual capacity and instilling at the same time a conscientious reception of the knowledge imparted. She taught us how to redeem the time given to labor. Although she had reached the advanced of eighty-four age the building of her life had proved a harmonious structure, every part of highest efficiency, with nothing useless. "Whatever of good the old time had, was living still." We have the soothing confidence of knowing that the soul was prepared to cast aside the frail and fading habiliments, and to know that it was "visited by the day spring from on high" and clad in the spotless vesture of a glorious Eternity.H. S. Cook, in Germantown Guide. years, THE popular proverb says, "Old men for counsel; young men for action;" but that proverb, like most proverbs, shows at one time a truth, at another time a half-truth, and then again it is all false. A good deal depends on who the men are, and in what line their counsel or action is wanted. A truer way of stating the case would be, Old men for caution, young men for progress. The two great forces in modern navigation are represented by the steam engine and the anchor. Each force is essential in its time; but for 'getting on in the world, the engine has a decided advantage; and the young man is a steam engine personified. The old man can hold back with a forty-ton power, and sometimes it is all-important that he should do so. But, again, the engines should keep moving, even if they have to drag the anchor, instead of carrying it swung. Among the many wise observations of Jonathan Edwards, as recorded in his diary, was this one: "I observe that old men seldom have any advantage of new discoveries; because these are beside [apart from] a way of thinking they have been so long used to. Resolved, if ever I live to years, that I will be impartial to hear the reasons of all pretended discoveries, and receive them, if rational, how long soever I have been used to another way of thinking." As the young men are so frequently reminded of their rashness, it is well for the older ones to be reminded of their sluggish tendency to an over-conservatism. Perhaps it might be well to re-shape the old proverb occasionally, so that it should read: Young men to show what needs doing; old men to help them do it.-S. S. Times. CORRESPONDENCE. DEAR FRIENDS:-I have carefully read what has been said about the importance of Friends voting for this or that candidate who was held up for the highest office in the gift of the people. It seems right for me to say that when I arrived at the age which gave me the privilege of the elective franchise it appeared clear to my mind (for reasons it would not be in place to give now) that it would not be well for me to exercise it then or after. Although nearly four score years have passed over me, I have at no time nor on any occasion departed from the conclusions I thus early arrived at. In view of the recent election, the corrupt basis upon which it was carried on by the contending parties, by the use of untold amounts of money; the feeling of bitter strife that was engendered, not wholly unattended by the shedding of human blood; I am thankful now, as I often have been, to my Heavenly Father that I have undeviatingly been favored to carry out thus far the course it seemed best for me to pursue. After saying so much of the position I have occupied, not judging a brother who may think and act differently, I will not detain the readers of Friends Intelligencer further than to express my regret in perusing the first communication on so excitable a subject, of the importance of Friends voting in a given direction. The feeling of regret was far from being lessened in perusing commuHow careful we nications that followed. should all be to accord to others the same right and privilege to think and act that we claim for ourselves! In concluding I would suggest, Would it not be well that the further discussion of the subject referred to should now cease, that the high position of excellence to which Friends' Intelligencer has attained may not be lessened in the estimation of its many patrons? M. Ghent, N. Y. The Conscience Vote. The admission of well-tempered articles on the political situation and the political duties of voters into the columns of Friends' Intelligencer is calculated, in the judgment of many subscribers, to enlarge the sphere of its usefulness. Thoughtful discussions of political issues, from a moral point of view, need not turn Friends' Intelligencer into a political paper. The moral weapon of to-day is the ballot. It is the duty of every voter to let his ballot be the index of his convictions. Whoever, |