has fallen precipitously down the whole height of the mountain-side, and in cooling has cracked and rent itself into a thousand wild fantastic shapes, forming a great gulf of inconceivable extent and depth. Why the pastoral name, “Val di Bue" (Valley, or Tract of the Oxen), should be given to such a place, I am at a loss to conceive. Such an appellation is, however, quite in keeping with the one which a strange conceit has given to the black, desolate plain that on three sides surrounded the Fiery Region, namely, "Piana del Frumento" (the Plain of Corn)—a ghastly mockery, like crowning a skeleton with flowers. climbed a quarter of the height before the poor | In one place the accumulated scoriæ have formed doctor began to complain piteously of the painful a mountain equal in size to that which contains effects of the toilsome ascent through the rarefied the crater; in another direction the fiery torrent air, and to doubt the possibility of accomplishing our object. The sharp pains I began to feel myself-just such a sensation, in fact, as is produced by running against the wind in frosty weathersomewhat staggered my own resolution. However, I found that the pain subsided as I became gradually accustomed to the work by making frequent halts. We had not proceeded very far in this manner when the doctor gave up, lay down on his back, panting for breath, and declared he should die if he went a step further. I was greatly disappointed in being thus deprived of my companion, at a moment when, of all others, the interchange of opinion and sentiment was desirable and encouraging; but there was no help for it, so, wishing him new strength and ultimate success, I plodded on, and soon lost sight of my friend and his guide, who were hid by the irregularities of the surface or they would shortly afterwards have seen me in a like predicament, not so much from want of breath as from the exhaustion of strength, for my legs trembled under me, and positively seemed to refuse their support. The fact is, I had been too eager at first, and did not remember De Saussure's advice, which I have many a time since followed to my comfort-"If you wish to reach the summit of a mountain, commence your ascent as if you never intended to get there." The mouth of the crater was so distinctly visible from where I stood, that I fancied one vigorous effort would complete the task; but, alas! my hopes were doomed to cruel disappointment, when the guide, a rough, pleasant lad, coolly answered to my eager question, "How much farther to go?" "About half-way." Campbell says, "Distance lends enchantment to the view;" but never was mortal wight more thoroughly disenchanted than I was by this unexpected knowledge of the distance before me. "In that case," I despondingly replied, "it is impossible for me to reach the summit." I crawled to a friendly block of lava projecting close at hand, and sat down, fairly beaten, dejected, and crestfallen. Overcome by the journey through the night, and the fatigue of the morning's work, I fell into a deep sleep, utterly unconscious and oblivious of the pains and pleasures of my singular situation. My repose lasted about five minutes, and then to what a scene I opened my eyes! Perched upon the silent rock, I seemed to be suspended in mid air, and for an instant, before I could collect my thoughts, wondered where on earth I had got to. Then first I found leisure to contemplate the strange, incomparable panorama of the volcano. The table-land, which extends to a great distance around the base of the crater, is covered with the fine sand, like black ash, deposited by the most ancient eruptions which burst from the crater's mouth, and must have been awful in the extreme. Mr. Watson now found that the worst part of the ascent was accomplished, a considerable undulation afterwards affording facilities, and the soil becoming firmer. The ground was covered with the most beautiful crystals of sulphur and nitre, as delicate as the hoarfrost, and glowing in the morning sun with an infinite variety of color. His path lay along the edge of a vast hollow, perfectly round and smooth, and lined with a thick crust of crystallized sulphur. After descending a little way, he again climbed the steep side, and thence emerging, stood "upon the crater's burning lips," in breathless admiration. The Never before had I felt such a deep, such an awful sense of the power of the Almighty. contrast with the plains below reminded me that "He can create, and He destroy." I beheld a scene which no effort of imagination can presuppose, no powers of invention prepare the nerves to bear its exciting effects unmoved. Nor was I surprised to hear my friend, the doctor, who ultimately reached the crater, when I was half way down, say that he could not refrain from tears, such was his state of excitement. We stood on the edge of a precipitous chasm, sharp and rugged as if the mountain had just been rent asunder. The internal surface, as far as the eye could penetrate, consisted of a coating of sulphureous earth, which seemed to be continually burning without being consumed; whilst through innumerable fissures jets of flame darted up, and played over the glowing mass, dazzling the eye by the intense brightness and variety of their coloring. The jagged, irregular outline of the whole crater is divided by a vast projecting wall of rock, of most singular appearance, coated with the deposit of the fumes which rise from the great laboratory below. This sublimation, being chiefly sulphur, appeared in every shade of bright yellow, orange, and crimson, as it glittered in the morning sunbeam. Clouds of dense white vapor rose, from time to time, from the innermost depths, with a hissing, roaring sound like a mighty cataract. The occasional intermission of the rising clouds, which steamed forth from the to perform these labors in the western world which he can perform with greater advantage, under the stimulus of hope, in his native land. Let free labor in Africa be brought, under proper regulations, into competition with the slave labor of the United States, and the fetters of slavery will not long hold together. Enlightened self-interest will dissolve them. great gulf, afforded a partial glance of the lurid, fire raging in the internal abyss. All around, as far as the eye could reach, within the crater, large masses of rock lay tumbled over each other in chaotic confusion. Such an appearance, when the volcano is in a quiescent state, cannot fail to impress a spectator with a fearful idea of the inconceivable powers set in operation when the pent-up fires burst their bonds, and through this chasm, which is said to be nearly three miles in extent, the mountain hurls back the rocks buried within it by the fury of some earlier commotion. For myself, I can only say, that the glorious view from the dizzy height on the one side, and on At Friends' Meeting House, in Fall Rivthe other the bewildering noise, the dazzlinger, Mass., on the 14th of Eleventh month, CLARK glare, and the sulphureous vapor, concurred to SHOVE to ELIZABETH SLADE, both members of raise a mingled feeling of admiration, awe, and Swansey Monthly Meeting. terror.-Morning Chronicle. FRIENDS' REVIEW. PHILADELPHIA, FIRST MONTH 14, 1854. We present to our readers this week, the first portion of a communication from a correspondent, who has long taken a deep interest in the improvement of the condition of the African race. The fact that the slavery which has blackened our prosperous country, and exposed our profession of freedom and liberality to the censure and ridicule of people less free and enlightened than we suppose ourselves to be, owes its support and continuance to the market for its productions, is too obvious to require illustration or argument; and of the products of slave labor in the United States, it is well known that cotton constitutes an important part; so important, indeed, that we may fairly question whether the system could be much longer sustained without it. Well may we regret that an article so valuable in itself, and so conducive to domestic convenience and comfort, should be made the basis, either wholly or in part, of an institution so oppressive and degrading as American slavery. There is certainly no reason why this portion of the means which a bountiful Providence has furnished for our use and convenience, may not be cultivated, as well as anything else, by the hands of freemen. The soil and climate of Africa are shown to be remarkably suited to the production of cotton; and some of our English philanthropists have recently turned their atteution to that continent, as a source from which they hope to procure a supply for their factories; and thus obviate the necessity of resorting to the slave-fed markets of the United States. It may be hoped that the time will come, and at no distant day, when the native African will no longer be carried across the Atlantic, and subjected to all the horrors of a middle passage, Meeting House, East Grove, Henry county, Iowa, DIED,-On the 17th ult., at his residence, Farnham, Canada East, of a lingering and distressing illness of about two months, CHARLES TABER, in the 71st year of his age, a valuable minister and member of Farnham Monthly Meeting. This beloved Friend manifested much love and devotion to the cause of truth, and in the constrainings of gospel love labored much, both at home and abroad, for the good of mankind, and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in the earth. This zeal and devotedness appeared to increase with his advancing years. When laid upon his dying bed he was frequently engaged to offer encouragement and admonition to those who visited him. When near his close, he expressed a humble assurance that the Lord would be with him through the valley and shadow of death; and this assurance was apparently answered in his peaceful and tranquil passage from works to rewards. At Fall River, Mass., on the 28th of 11th a worthy member of Swansey Monthly Meeting month, in the 79th year of his age, HENRY SLADE, of Friends. At his residence in Sandwich, New Hampshire, on the morning of the 25th of 11th month last, after a short but distressing illness, which he resignation, JOHN FOLSOM, in the 72d year of his was enabled to bear with Christian patience and age, an esteemed member of Sandwich Monthly Meeting. | session, may probably be called up at a future, mother and child is usually strong. The mother day : is not always a wise counsellor, but she must be presumed to be the most constant and sincere friend the child has. Let, then, the latter enjoy the parental oversight during childhood, that it may be better prepared, by good principles and industrious habits, to act its part afterward." The following bill is said to be now before the Legislature of Georgia, and one of nearly similar import appears to be under consideration in Tennessee: "The utility of establishing an agricultural college, with a model farm attached, wherein the principles of a scientific cultivation of the soil and manual labor in that pursuit would be joined to the usual academical studies, has been strongly urged upon my attention. Such an institution and system of education, it is believed, would at the same time improve the physical and moral condition of the professional and mercantile classes, and promote the social and intellectual attainments of the agriculturist, mechanic and laborer, in addition to the vast benefits it would Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and confer upon the pursuit of the farmer. These House of Representatives of the State of Georconsiderations, and others which will doubtless gia, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby be presented by the advocates of the proposed in-enacted by the authority of the same, that the stitution, will commend the subject to your fa- children not exceeding five years of age, of any vorable consideration. It is believed that such woman slave, and such woman slave, shall not be an institution can be successfully organized un-separately sold, or exposed to sale, under execuder the auspices of the State and county societies." MELIORATION OF SLAVE LAWS. tion or other legal process, order or decree, or at any sale made by an executor, administrator, guardian, or other trustee, but shall be placed together, in one of the parts into which the esless such division cannot in any wise be effected tate to which they belong is to be divided, unwithout such separation. The following extract from the message of the Governor of South Carolina to the Legislature, may be regarded, whatever may be its result, as "Sec. 2. And be it enacted by the authority an evidence of a disposition on the part of that aforesaid, that by consent of the ordinary, slaves, functionary, to improve the condition of the ser-living in a different county from a deceased owner, vile class. Though clearly convinced that sla- may be sold in the county in which said slaves may reside, upon application being made for such very, however modified, is essentially and intrin-purpose. sically unjust, and that the protection which the "Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, that all best laws can afford to the slave, must be sadly laws and parts of laws militating against this act, defective; still we may justly hail with satisfac-be and the same are hereby repealed." tion every demonstration that the growing humanity of the age is extending its softening influence over the regions of slavery: "The code very properly provides that slave children of tender years shall, at judicial and some other sales, be offered with their mothers, where the defendant in execution, &c., is the owner both of the mother and children; and that at such sales slaves must be offered and, if practicable, sold in families. But it is allowable for either of the parties in interest to impair, to a great extent, these very salutary enactments. The provisions, in my judgment, should be absolute, at least as it respects mothers and children of ten years of age and under, and husband and wife, where the latter relation is admitted by the owner of the slaves. ON THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. The following letter from Samuel Bownas was addressed to a female friend, who appears from its contents to have been then young in the ministry. The small time I had with thee, furnished me with an opportunity of observing the disposition of thy mind, and gave me a taste of thy ministry, both which, under proper cultivation, I think may be improved, so as to render thee a member of good service in the body; in order to which, and that thou mayest in thy public engagements appear in the beauty of the Spirit, without any mixture of the flesh, I will give thee a short sketch of some of my hits and misses, when, in my youth, I publicly appeared in the gallery; the "These are relations which moral duty re-observation of which, I hope, may tend to thy quires us to respect, and it can be no violation of profit and instruction. policy to conform municipal law to good morals. I was seldom, for near two years after my It is universally conceded that slaves are reason-mouth was first opened to preach the Gospel, able beings-with the moral feelings, it is true, without some degree of Divine love and virtue often obtuse, but susceptible of improvement. on my mind, but after I was called out to the The husband and wife generally cherish affection service of visiting meetings abroad, I found for each other, and the mutual attachment of my mind very often barren and weak, and as I then thought, void of all good, in which state, (being companion to my dear friend J. A. J.) I cried out that I was deceived, to his great surprise; he fearing my affliction would be too hard for me. I had imprudently thought, that having such aboundings of Divine love and life when I was daily at my work, I should be much more favored therewith when abroad in the service of the Gospel, disengaged from all other employments; but finding the reverse, I wished myself at home again, rather than travelling in such a barren state as I was then in, though at times I had eminent enjoyments; but, alas! they were soon gone. In due time, I was favored with the design of Providence in dealing thus with me; and the very cattle in the field, by weaning their young and turning them to shift for themselves, taught me, that it was meet I should be left to myself, and not always be kept to the breast and dandled upon the knee like an infant; but that it was needful that I should grow and advance above this infant state, to a degree more fit for service. entirely new to me; for nothing can be said that hath not been said, and it is the renewed evidence of the Spirit that makes it savory, both to us and our hearers. Superfluous words, tones and gestures-ahs! and groans-I was never under any temptation to make use of; but the impertinence of self sometimes, to my shame and trouble, would appear in my imprudently affecting eloquent terms and scholastic expressions, which seemed to me, in that weak state, to adorn my doctrine, and recommend it better to the audience: all this proceeded from an affectation of appearing an able or skilful minister; a piece of unprofit able vanity; but I soon found it most safe and edifying, to use no more words but what I well understood, and could properly apply, and that truth shines brightest in a plain dress. No embellishments of ours can add to its lustre. I have also, sometimes, for want of a patient. and humble waiting to see my way opened, and discover clearly the leading of the Divine Gift, warmed myself with sparks of my owu kindling, to a degree of zeal and passion, and begun to thresh the assemblies, judging and charging the unfaithful, whether any such or none were there (it was all one to me:) thus, in the dark, mistaking the cause of that uneasiness and straitness I found in myself, imagining myself loaded and oppressed by dark and unfaithful spirits in the assembly; after wearying myself with denouncing judgments upon them, I have sat down in sadness and trouble: and though I have found this sort of preaching please many, and was commended, it was ever afflicting to me, when on reflection, I found the true cause of that uneasiness was in my own breast. Yet, it may sometimes happen, that the unfaithful may bring great grief and uneasiness upon us, and this may be hard to bear; but let us take care we move not till the cloud is removed from off the tabernacle, because it is unsafe going forward till then. When I was thoroughly informed in this point, I longed to be a man; yea, sometimes, I verily thought I was so; but met often with great disappointments therein, by undertaking matters above my growth and experience; and the weak part appearing at times to my great shame and confusion, humbled me again for some time; but recovering strength and courage, I began, as I thought, to advance above the danger of making such blunders: a confidence arising in me, on imprudently comparing my service and growth as a minister, with others, that were in the work before me; supposing myself (and it was self that did suppose) more eminent than they; thus self prevailed, to my shame and sorrow; but my Master's kindness and gracious regard were soon after evidently manifested in letting me plainly see the weakness and folly of taking the honor to ourselves, which alone is due to Him, when we have been drawn forth in the beauty of the Gospel, beyond what we ourselves, I have, from experience, found it my safest or those that heard us, did expect. Now I per- and best way, carefully to attend to my gift, ceived the necessity of guarding against the in- endeavoring to keep my place without judgclinations of the flesh, which would sometimes ing others; patiently bearing my own burden, be decking itself with the jewels of the Spirit, and earnestly desiring I may judge nothing saying, I did this, or that, fishing for and seek- before its time, but that my understanding may ing the praise of men more than of God. I also be opened to see the true cause of my own saw a danger of falling into a formal way of barrenness, that I may be enabled to address preaching a form of words, almost without myself suitably to the Father of Spirits for help; variation, which, though sound, and perhaps that first, if it be in myself it may be removed, pleasing to many, yet wanting the renewing of then the effect will cease; or secondly, if the Divine virtue, are tasteless and unprofitable to weakness or backsliding of others, be the cause the hearers; and the view I had of the unpro- of our barrenness and seeming dejection when fitableness of such a ministry, would have car- we are sympathizing with the true seed in its ried me too far, to my own disadvantage, had I oppressed state, that we may patiently wait the not also been favored with a clear prospect of Lord's time, to receive a word from him fitly the lawfulness, expediency and necessity, of to speak to the present state of the people; or, speaking the same matter, or preaching the thirdly, if the people's too imprudent expectasame doctrine to-day, (being divinely opened tion of what cannot be had, unless I am favourand engaged thereto) as yesterday, though thened with a superior aid, qualifying me to answer their desires-I say, if by any or all of these causes, at times, I am shut up, the best way I have ever found is to be patient in waiting the Lord's time for relief. To seek it in our own time, will be but adding sorrow to affliction. is lavishly bestowed upon one, who am only the instrument by which the Lord of the Harvest works; but find it my safest way, humbly to make thereof an offering unto Him who is worthy forever. Thus, dear friend, I have stained some paper with a few observations on my own conduct, aiming at thy good; and conclude with desires, thou mayest endeavor to improve thy skill in this work, and rightly divide the word of Truth, so as neither thou thyself, nor those that hear thee, may have cause of shame or uneasiness. CONNAUGHT HARVEST. A small pamphlet, with the above title, was year. It is the production of John Edgar, a clergyman who has been seven years connected with different agencies for effecting reformation in Connaught. It relates chiefly to the operations of the "Belfast Ladies' Relief Association for Connaught;" and this Association, it may be observed, was constituted during the time when that portion of Ireland was swept of a great part of its population by famine. Although the information which it contains is less connected and circumstantial than might have been desired, it presents a portrait of the efforts still making in that oppressed province, to maintain and perpetuate the domination of a degrading hierarchy, which it is presumable will be interesting to many of our readers. To conclude; the most safe way I ever yet found in the exercise of my gift, is, to stand up, as little regarding any thing besides my opening as I can; and deliver it, in my beginning, just as I do other matters in my common discourse, not endeavoring to beautify it either in matter, tone or address; and as I keep my place, and go on as doctrine is opened in my understanding, I find it safest not to speak too fast, or too loud, lest I lose sight of or outrun my guide, and so lose the sight or sense of that inward strength I felt increasing in my mind. This care seems to published at Belfast, Ireland, within the past me necessary to my taking the Apostle's advice, "Let him that ministers, do it of that ability "Let him that ministers, do it of that ability which God giveth;" this has a double signification: first, respecting the matter which we deliver; if we keep to our openings, we shall be furnished with suitable doctrine; secondly, the wisdom and strength of the spirit and power of the gospel will be felt in it, and, at times, by our thus going on according to the ability God gives, the very spirit and marrow of religion will appear plainly laid open to the understanding of the hearers; but when we raise our voices, or hurry on, above or beyond that inward strength we feel in our minds, we are apt to cloud our own minds, lose sight of or outrun our guide, and then run into a wilderness of words, which I have too often done, and found the consequence of such imprudence poverty and death; though even this kind of preaching is, by some unskilful auditors, admired. They will say, "O, how matter flowed from him! how full was he" (of emptiness and confusion, say I,) "of power and authority," say they; or rather the passion and blind zeal of the creature; the fleshly part not being thoroughly mortified and subdued. But when I am so happy as to begin with the Spirit, and follow its leadings in my ministry, I feel strength by degrees cover all my weaknesses; wisdom, illuminating my mind, hides all my folly, so that nothing appears inconsistent with the beauty and wisdom of the Spirit. This is the vestment, the Urim and Thummim, that covers the whole man that is to be covered; so that no weakness will prevail or appear in our ministry. When I am thus conducted (which sometimes happens), though I may be accounted, in my beginning, a dull, heavy, or lifeless preacher, yet I rarely miss of concluding with peace and inward satisfaction; and feeling the gradual increase of Divine virtue, in the patient exercise of my gift; finding myself both furnished with matter and skill to divide the word aright; both which coming from the Spirit, and not being the produce of my own wisdom or apprehension, I dare assume no part of that honor to myself, Theirs is an institution both secular and reliwhich, at such times, by an imprudent audience gious. They do not interfere with systems of While the freedom which true religion confers always operates to the improvement of the economical and social, as well as the moral condition of mankind, a false and superstitious theology is almost equally destructive to moral and physical prosperity. Sphere, Principles and Agency of Reformation.-The Belfast Ladies' Relief Association for Connaught is what is often sought but seldom found a happy union of Christians of many creeds, working cordially for a Christian end. A common love for their perishing brethren united them in 1846, and as they became partakers of each other's sympathy and joy, seeing abundant blessings on their labors, they felt how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity. They commenced, in the days of famine, by giving food to the dying; but they deplored the fleeting nature and the many ills of such aid, and, therefore, they adopted their present system of giving to females the means of earning their bread; and, while teaching them industry, giving them a knowledge of the truth which saves. |