THE BARREN FIG TREE. Within a vineyard's sunny bound Enjoying sun and showers; When round the vintage season came, But though the leaves were broad and green, Because no fruit was there. "For three long years," the Master cried, Ungrateful tree! the axe's blow Why cumbers it the soil? "Ah! let it stand just one year more," The dresser said, "till all my store Of rural arts I've shown; I'll dig about its sluggish roots; How many years hast thou, my heart, Leafy, and fresh, and fair, But where the fruit? ah! where ! How often must the Lord have prayed Till all due means were tried; To teach this heart of pride? But fruit of heavenly hue; Faith works by love, if true. LITTLE CHILDREN. BY MARIA ROSEAU. Speak gently to the little child, Who with a trustful, loving heart, Puts confidence in thee. Speak not the cold and careless thoughts If on his brow there rests a cloud, Speak loving words and let him feel Oh! teach him, this should be his aim, To strive where thickest darkness reigns Some radiance to impart : To spread a peaceful quiet calm Where dwells the noise of strife, Thus doing good and blessing all To spend the whole of life. To love with pure affection deep, All creatures great and small, And still a stronger love to bear For Him, who made them all, Remember, 'tis no common task That thus to thee is given, To rear a spirit fit to be The inhabitant of heaven. DIED, On the morning of the 7th inst., in the 91st year of his age, ELLIS YARNALL, a member of the Western District Monthly Meeting, and for about fifty years an elder in this city. Through submission to the visitations of Divine grace, our beloved friend may be said to have served the Lord from his youth. Having removed to this city when quite young, the Christian kindness of some of those who then occupied prominent stations in the Society was greatly blessed to him, and in after life he was very diligent in seeking out such as were exposed to similar trials, inviting them to his house, and endeavouring to allure them into those paths of grace into which he had himself been permitted to enter. In obedience to secret intimations of duty, he made, when commencing business, what appeared to be a considerable sacrifice of worldly prospects; and was permitted not only to enjoy the reward of peace, but subsequently to realize the truth that "godliness is profitable unto all things." When comparatively young he was called to occupy important stations in the church. While very faithful in the discharge of the duties that devolved upon him, he was, through Divine mercy, preserved in great humility and meekness, and enabled to be a ruler over his own spirit. The tenderness and gentleness which characterized our beloved friend, qualified him to enter into feeling with those who were in trouble; much of his time, during an active life of more than ordinary duration, was devoted to their assistance, and to them his Christian sympathy and counsel were freely offered. When the infirmities of age gathered around him, and his sphere of duty became more contracted; there was no abatement of Christian love. The cause of Truth was ever precious to him, and his earnest sympathy was with those who were rightly called to advocate it. He who had been his morning light was now emphatically his evening song. Having been graciously enabled to perform the allotted work of his day, it was his privilege to enjoy an old age of much tranquillity, which few things were permitted to disturb. His thoughts were more and more turned to that world of rest into which he was about to enter. Relying for salvation upon the mercy of God through Christ Jesus, his Saviour, he was enabled to possess his soul in patience, and was kept in peace because his mind was stayed upon Him. His strength very gradually declined, and after a confinement to his bed of three days, without pain or suffering, he quietly departed. "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” "He will beautify the meek with salvation." —, on the 25th of last month, at his residence at Skeneatelas, Onondaga county, New York, JAMES C. FULLER, a member of our Society, in the 54th year of his age. FRIENDS' REVIEW. A RELIGIOUS, LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS JOURNAL. VOL. I. PHILADELPHIA, TWELFTH MONTH 18, 1847. EDITED BY ENOCH LEWIS. Published Weekly by Josiah Tatum, No. 50 North Fourth Street, corner of Appletree Alley, PHILADELPHIA. Price two dollars per annum, payable in advance, or six copies for ten dollars. This paper is subject to newspaper postage only. For Friends' Review. LIFE OF WILLIAM ALLEN. (Continued from page 179.) Soon after the interview with the Swedish monarch, William Allen and his companion set out for Petersburg, the Russian capital. On their way they passed through Abo, a town of about 12,000 inhabitants, on the Gulf of Bothnia, which, ten years before, was wrested from Sweden by the Russian government. There they spent several days, visiting the schools, prisons, &c., and seizing upon opportunities, whenever they offered, of diffusing information relative to our religious principles and doctrines, as well as of promoting improvements in their establishments for civil and philanthropic objects. And it was pleasing to find, as they passed along, that a considerable number of persons, in conspicuous stations in the world, appeared qualified, from their own experience, to understand and admit the Gospel truths which they were labouring to instil. Their religious engagements appear to have been limited to small companies, yet, among these, opportunities for social worship were sometimes found, in which the tendering impressions of the Father's love were very sensibly experienced. In this journey they had occasion, more than once, to observe and deplore the demoralizing effects of the use of spirituous liquors, and of the wars in which those people had been recently involved. One of the objects which attracted their notice, soon after their arrival at Petersburg, was an establishment, under the patronage and support of the Emperor and his ministers, for the diffusion of the Holy Scriptures. In one room they had ten presses constantly at work on these invaluable writings, besides two other presses in another room. They were beginning to print an edition of the Testament in the common lan No. 13. guage of the country, which had not been previously done, although thirty millions of the people understood no other tongue. This undertaking, it appears, was suggested by Alexander himself, and immediately complied with by the heads of the clergy. But a very important work remained, before the diffusion of the Holy Scriptures, in their native dialect, could accomplish its object among the great mass of the population. It was believed that upwards of twenty millions were unable to read; hence, the establishment of schools, upon an extensive scale, appeared an object of primary importance. Dr. Paterson, who seems to have had the principal charge of the Bible establishment, and who was confident of the Emperor's desire to promote the instruction of his subjects, regarded the visit of William Allen, at the time he was there, as a Providential interference. For the acquaintance with the subject of general education, which he had acquired by his connection with the seminaries in his native country, must have rendered his observations highly interesting and instructive. Upon being introduced to Prince Alexander Galitzin, to whom they had a letter from Lord Teignmouth, he received the letter, and, without reading, handed it to a confidential attendant, observing, as he pointed to his breast, that he felt what was a sufficient introduction. The conference which ensued, continued upwards of an hour, in which they explained to the Prince their motives in visiting the country; which were, the performance of a duty to which they believed themselves called by the great Parent of the universe, and a strong desire to promote the general welfare of mankind; they explained to him the prison discipline adopted in some parts of the United States, and solicited permission to visit the public institutions of the country, particularly the prisons and schools. The Prince and his friend appeared to be men of deep piety, and intent upon doing good, not only to their own country, but to the world at large. He readily agreed to afford them every facility in the prosecution of their religious and benevolent designs. In this city and its immediate vicinity, a num ber of persons were found, whose circumstances and associations in life were not calculated to nourish Christian humility, who were, notwith a very pious man. The Bishop, as well as the standing, evidently acquainted with the work of never On the last day of the year 1818, our friends visited a hospital under the patronage of the Empress Dowager, mother to the Emperor Alexander, of which W. Allen gives the follow "It is a magnificent building, with a portico, supported by lofty columns in the centre. It is open, day and night, to all applicants, who bring a passport from the police, but soldiers being provided for elsewhere, are not considered eligible, nor domestic servants, who have a claim upon their lords. There are eight physicians, in constant attendance, two, in succession, remaining below, to attend to the out-patients, and Our friends paid a visit to a monastery and the rest being up stairs. The women are on one were there introduced to the Metropolitan side, and the men on the other. There is a female Michael, the head of the Greek church. From superintendent, who presides over the nurses, his appearance no little superstition might have and six of the Veuves de la Charité* are always been expected, yet his conversation manifested a there. A black board is placed at the head of degree of liberality which was probably not an- each bed, on which the patient's name is neatly ticipated. The conversation was entirely on re-written in chalk, and the name of the disease in ligious subjects, and the Metropolitan expressed | Latin. The Emperor suggested its being in that himself with much candour, and without the least language, remarking that it would be intelligible tincture of cavilling. In reference to what are to those to whom it was of any consequence to called the ordinances, he seemed to think that the be known, and on many occasions, if the patients main difference between us was, that we took knew the nature of their disease, it might sink every thing in a spiritual sense, but they believed their spirits and impede their recovery. This is that outward ceremonies were also necessary, another trait of his delicate and feeling mind. though they could not, alone, do the work, and that the substance of religion did not consist in them. He believed, most fully, in the operation of the Holy Spirit, and that without it, none can come to a knowledge of the truth. Tea being brought in, the discourse went on in a very satisfactory manner, and they parted under mutual feelings of regard and esteem. They then went to another apartment in the same monastery, to call upon the next in authority, Bishop Philaret, who presided over the whole of the education of their clergy, and was considered "The Empress Dowager places large sums of money at the disposal of the Senator for the relief of cases of peculiar distress, and when a peasant, who comes from the country to work in summer, is obliged by illness to resort to this hospital, and is cured, he is supplied with fur boots and warm clothing to return home. Every thing in the power of art to alleviate the miseries of human nature, appears to be done here. A community of females who have devoted themselves to works of benevolence. Besides the hospital just noticed, there were several other establishments for charitable purposes, under the patronage of the Empress Dowager. One of these was an institution for the deaf and dumb, in which were twenty-four boys and twenty girls, instructed on the plan of the Abbé Sicard and Epée. Another was an institution for Les Enfans Trouvés (foundlings), where it appears that the children of destitute parents were received and provided for. On this W. Allen remarks: There is an excellent system of ventilation; the at a little distance, where one hundred children most perfect neatness and order prevail, and, in are receiving education, and there are also evening short, it may be considered as a complete model, schools, as well as what are called Sunday -I have never seen it equalled anywhere. It schools. I was principally desirous of seeing this seems the work of a most benevolent mind, establishment, with a view to ascertain the moral guided by superior intellect, and working with state of the population, and I must say that I unbounded means.' was gratified in no common degree; not a single instance of immoral conduct has occurred among the females for the last four years, and on the men's side there has only been a very slight exception known; this referred to intoxication. Every thing is neat and clean, both in the building, and in the persons and clothing of the young people. There is a library for the use of the work-people, who appeared in good health, and as if they were extremely well treated. We went down to the dining-room, where they were just going to dinner, and it was a most gratifying sight. Here, as well as in their recreations, the males and females are in separate divisions. The dinner is conducted in silence, and I did not observe any thing like lightness in a single countenance, in all this large company, and yet there was a general appearance of comfort and happiness. We went into the kitchen, which is spacious, and fitted up in capital style with a number of steamers. "The buildings are extremely spacious, and, if we understood rightly, contained three thousand inhabitants. All children are received who are presented for admission, and if the baptismal registers are sent with any of them, and a wish is expressed respecting the religion in which a child is to be brought up, it is educated accordingly, but if not, they are all educated in the Greek church. This conduct is liberal, and does honour to the tolerant spirit of the directors. From fifteen to twenty infants are received in a day. The apartments, beds, and everything were clean, and in the nicest order, and perfect tranquillity seemed to reign. Some of the children are nursed in the country, and come back to the institution to receive their education. They are instructed in various works of industry, as well as the usual branches of learning, and are kept till they are eighteen years of age. The Empress mother has this establishment under her particular care, and visits it constantly, without any notice, sometimes early in the morning, sometimes in the evening, and sometimes at noon." “Upon the whole, I must again remark that, as far as a cursory observation in walking through the rooms can go, the establishment for Les Enfans Trouvés' exceeds any thing of the kind that I have ever seen, in all my travels hitherto." A large cotton spinning manufactory at Alexandroski, about ten miles from Petersburg, was also under the patronage, or rather was the property, of the Empress Dowager. It was then conducted by an Englishman. Of this establishment we have the following account:-"It does not yield any profit at present,-indeed, she has to make up a deficiency at the end of the year, but it affords employment to about seven hundred and fifty young people, who are boarded and lodged on the premises. There are, besides, considerable numbers employed at the mills, but, being married, they live out of the house. Many of the arrangements, in regard to labour and recreation, appear excellent, and the school instruction is very satisfactory. There is a boarding school, "It appears that the excellent regulations in this establishment are due to the Empress Mother, under whose patronage and control the works are carried on. "Provision is made for the sick at a very nice hospital, where every thing was neat and clean." The following notice of some conversation with Prince Galitzin, is too striking and interesting to be omitted, notwithstanding its length: "The Prince is cheerful and lively, and we had much general conversation. He gave us some remarkable accounts of poor people among the peasants in Russia, and particularly of one man about sixty or seventy versts on the other side of Moscow, who seemed to have the gift of prayer in an extraordinary degree. When he was a lad he prevailed upon the bell-ringer to teach him to read privately; he made rapid progress, and at length brought the Psalter home, and read to his parents, who were perfectly astonished, and would not believe but that he ha learned parts of it by heart, until they took him to the priest, and had him examined. He then read their church books and the Fathers, and also obtained a sight of the Scriptures, all which he studied so thoroughly, that he could readily quote them. As he grew up to man's estate, he was especially fervent in prayer, and many remarkable cures were said to be performed through his instrumentality; but he used to say to the people, I am a poor worm; I can do nothing for you, but you must pray for yourselves, and have faith in God.' He then prayed with them. On one day in the week he gave religious in The verst is 1167 yards, or nearly two-thirds of a mile. for us. struction at his own house to all who came there, | reason to believe, that the vanity in dress, at and often has he been known to stand from morning to night. The stir was so great that the priest became alarmed, though he took care to hold his meetings on the days when other places of worship were not open. It was found that those who attended him became more pious, and that he could quote Scripture and religious books in defence of his doctrine and practice, and at length the priest himself became convinced. The poor flocked to him in such numbers, that he had constantly from fifty to one hundred about him, and on some one asking how he could maintain so many, he replied, He that fed the multitude with the five barley loaves does it.' His neighbours cultivate and reap his land, and do everything for him, saying to him, we will take care of these things, you have nothing to do but mind religion and pray He is sometimes sent for to Moscow, and in his absence, the priest keeps up the religious meetings on the usual day of the week. He was once stopped on his way by the police, who took him for some quack, or suspicious person, and put him into prison, where he was mixed with drunkards and other bad characters of all descriptions. Here he improved the opportunity to preach to them, showing the terrible consequences of sin, and how contrary drunkenness, &c., is to the doctrine taught in the Scriptures, which he quoted freely. The poor wretches were astonished, and one of the officers coming to see what he was about, interrupted him. The poor man maintained that it was a duty to warn and exhort sinners, and that if the officer were an advocate for a contrary doctrine, he was an advocate for the cause of the devil. The officer then went to his superior, who, on conversing with the man, and finding what he really was, discharged him." (To be continued.) CRITICISMS. For Friend's Review. Will the Editor permit a few remarks on an article which appeared some time ago, parts of which, perhaps, appeared the more objectionable, from the almost uniform correctness of everything which has appeared in the Review. I had hoped they would have been noticed by the editor or some of his correspondents. The one was a selection, an exceedingly interesting and well written article on Children, by Harriet Beecher Stowe; but representing, nevertheless, as an evidently pleasing incident, the first display of extravagance in dress by young parents on their little child. Very young children may, indeed, be unconscious of the admiration excited by ornament in dress; but the feeling, so highly gratified in the parents, would not be likely to be suppressed just at the moment the early sagacity of the child makes the discovery. There is in fact strong present so prolific of lightness, dissipation, ex- New York, 1847. T. We We give place to the preceding remarks, as a seasonable caution to parents, those particularly who have recently found themselves in that situation, against indulging their own vanity in the decoration of their children, and fostering a propensity which seldom fails to appear at an early period of life. Recurring to 'he essay in question, page 78, the editor cannot discover any satisfactory reason for believing that the writer designed to commend the conduct which she so pleasantly described. That a hard-fisted market man, such as is here presented to our view, should disburse, with evident satisfaction, the whole proceeds of his week's butter, to make the prettiest child he ever saw appear in his eye still prettier, may with much greater propriety be regarded as an exhibition of human nature as we usually find it, than |