the Russian policy is not to fill Japan with Russian clergy, nor to appoint foreign bishops, but to develop a Church entirely native, with its own clergy and bishops. The missionaries prepare Japanese students for the ministry, sending the best of them to Russia for education. They think that, for this reason, and because the interests of Japan will be promoted by friendly relations with the Czar, the Mikado will give his imperial favor and patronage to Orthodoxy.-Independent.

JAMES PASCOE, the solitary missionary in the Mexican mountains, holds the fort bravely, despite a succession of mishaps and difficulties that would long ago have daunted any ordinary mortal. It is refreshing to read in his little "Occasional Paper," entitled Mexico, how by dint of courage, perseverance, and sanctified ingenuity, he manages to circumvent the enemies of the work. The Lord has so blessed his evangelistic labors on the mountains that there are now four congregations in the municipality. He writes thus: There is more of real triumph in these three outlying congregations than our generous supporters in England imagine. Not only are they witnessing for Jesus at the constant risk of their lives, but they set a healthy example to other Protestants. In each congregation the preachers are all unpaid, and there are two such leaders to each flock. All the Bibles, tracts, or other books they require we give to them freely. Of expenses they have none, neither for rents nor for lights."-The Christian.

AFRICA'S MILLIONS.-The (London) Christian says: Last Friday there was present at the Central noon prayer meeting Dr. W. K. Summers, who is about to go to Central Africa for evangelistic work, under the auspices of Bishop Taylor. Some time since, in a letter from Dr. Dowkontt, of New York, our readers were furnished with some details of the scheme formulated by Bishop Taylor, but we may here recapitulate them:

(1) That a line of mission stations be established in Central Africa, extending from Loanda on the west to Lake Tanganyika in the east central region.

(2) That to this end two parties enter the "Dark Continent," one under the personal superintendence of Bishop Taylor, to start from Loanda, and the other under Dr. Summers, to enter from the Zambesi river; each party to consist of about twenty missionaries.

(3) The parties to establish stations along the way, leaving two Missionaries in each station, and so on until the pioneers meet in the interior.

(4) The Missionaries to be heart-consecrated men, willing to give their lives, if necessary, in the work of Christ for Africa.

(5) The Bishop's party to enter Loanda about February, and the Doctor's party to enter the Zambesi about April.

The Mission is to be on the self-supporting principle, as laid down in the "Great Commission," no man receiving a salary, but depending upon God to supply all needs from the indigenous resources of the country. The only fund is an "outfit and transit" fund. The Lord has sent

along about thirty of the men, and the fund will not be behind hand. Hasten the day, O Lord, when the knowledge of Thee and of Thy blessed Son, Jesus, shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, for Christ's sake. Let the reader say, Amen!

RURAL.

PROFITABLE FORESTRY.-Any one who has visited those sections of the Alps which have been reforested, or those which have been put under State superintendence for preservation, or who has even passed through the great forest of Ardennes, will have seen in successful operation a system of forestfarming which not only pays the expense of preserving the forest, but makes an excellent investment of the operation. In the Veneto the mountain-tops, where once denuded of forest, have been replanted with larch and fir, and a large proportion of the lumber from that section comes from these plantations. The Italian Government has formed forestry schools and bodies of forest guards; Vallombrosa and Abetone are huge treefarms in Central Italy, which are extending their jurisdiction and operations as far as their means and organization permit, and always with profit. A Belgian proprietor residing near the forest of Ardennes informed us that the proprietors found that the land cultivated in trees and cut once in a hundred years-i. e., the trees being selected according to their condition, and cut at the rate of I per cent. per annum-paid just as well as raising wheat on the same extent of land. What is wanted, then, in our forest management is the application of a vigorous system of intelligent official superintendence to the cutting of the trees, none but those marked for cutting to be allowed to be cut, and the lumberers being placed under the necessity of removing all the branches, brushwood, and dead wood which form the fuel for the conflagrations.-The Nation.

POT CULTURE, whether in rooms or greenhouses, depends, in a great measure, for its success, on how to water properly. Everything is simple after that. Now, the oftener plants want water, the healthier they will be; but to give them water when they do not need it is "awfully" bad practice. The "drainage"-that is to say, the material over the hole at the bottom of the pot-is in order to help carry water rapidly away. It seldom hurts a plant to give it a great deal of water, provided it runs rapidly through the pot, and away through the hole at the bottom. Therefore if you give a plant water in some quantity and it does not run through rapidly, be assured there is something wrong with the drainage. We must always watch very carefully when the plant is dry, before watering it. But the best plan is to turn the pot up-side-down, and knock the edge against a post, letting the ball fall into the left hand, examine the bottom of the ball and take away whatever may obstruct the water's passage, and then return to the same pot. We should like to repeat, so that it may be always

present in the mind of the novice in pot culture, that it is almost impossible to give a plant too much water, when the water passes away rapidly through the soil and through the hole in the bottom of the pot.-Gardeners' Monthly.

SMALL FARMS.-How often we find a farmer who is going over far too much land to make it profitable. He has too much land, and the remedy may be selling a part, or giving it to his boys, to keep them from going West. I believe in small farms, although a great many think, unless they have one hundred acres or more, they can do nothing at farming. A young man of my

ance who is now an engineer on a railroad, is quite anxious to engage in farming, but does not wish to purchase less than one hundred acres; but he has not the capital to buy so much at present, so proposes to wait until he does have. Now if it were the writer, he would purchase fifty, twentyfive, or ten acres even, and go to farming. A great deal can be done on ten acres, if it is properly situated and judiciously worked. More depends on the man than on the amount of land he possesses.-N. E. Farmer.

This

OUR readers will be interested in the account of siloing in England, in our Farm department. The striking points are: First, That Indian corn, or as the English call it, maize, is deemed the best fodder for preservation in its greer state. gives a new crop to Britain; for though there is not heat enough in its climate to ripen corn, it seems to succeed remarkably well as a green crop. Second, The green fodder is minced much finer than we ever heard of its being cut in America, and packed immediately so closely and covered so well that no air can get into it and consequently there is no fermentation, putridity or evil odor. Third, The fodder thus preserved has all the qualities of the green corn in its natural state, which can neither injure the cows nor their milk, but on the contrary, when fed with a due proportion of other food, must be very beneficial. Fourth, This fodder can be packed in barrels and sent to a distance, so that cows in cities can be supplied with it fresh and fresh from the place of growth. This will increase the value of land, and give business to railroads. What an advantage this mode of preserving green food would be in Minnesota and Canada, where long Winters and deep snow prevent the cattle from getting a bite of green food for perhaps four months-Weekly Witness.

WHY the sap ascends in trees is yet a mystery. All attempts to solve it by mechanical or chemical laws have failed. At one time we think we have it when some good man talks to us about what he calls"root pressure." Then, some other tells us about osmotic action, and we get learned disquisitions on the power of endosmose and exosmose. Again, another gives us an explanation of the manner in which starch is converted into sugar, and the tension which occurs during this change acting as a pump to pull up the sap. But the

A COMING DAY.-When the day comes in the dim future that woman's body is not over-worked, and her brain underfed; that she devotes her attention less to fashion and wealth and more to health and culture, and to the enjoyment of the beautiful through the actual contemplation of it; when she treads unchallenged and fully rewarded all avenues of honest thrift and industry for which she is fitted; that she has outlived the drudgery of work, and it is no longer considered a disgrace for her to walk alone; that she has a capacity and appreciation for high intellectual attainments; that men recognize and acknowledge such mental capacity, and that society values women for solidityof character, strength and stability of judgment, will there be a joyful recognition of the wonderful as women and citizens, then, and not till then, possibilities and supreme glories of being a woman, educated as justice, humanity, nature and God would have her.-Elvira Hester, in Earlhamite.

The moments seemed very long and silent. I remember well now my tears dropped down on the mat; I was so grieved and ashamed. The five minutes were not nearly over, but the handle of the door was partly turned, and Johnnie's curly head peeped out.

Both his arms were round my neck in a minute, and he said, "Carrie, go in, I'll be naughty instead of you;" and before I had time to say a word he had pushed me in, and shut the door.

There I stood, with my eyes on the ground, and feeling so red and so uncomfortable, not knowing whether I might go up to the table, but papa took me by the hand, and led me to the table, and kissed me, and put me on my chair; and I knew I was forgiven just as much as if I had borne all the pun

ishment; but oh! how I wished that Johnnie might come in.

When the five minutes were up he was called in, and then papa took us both,-me, the poor little naughty child, and Johnnie the loving brother,and folded us both in his arms, and I sobbed it all out, the repentance, and love, and gratefulness, while we were held close to that loving heart. And now that I look back to that little scene, it seems a very typical one. For the years went by, and I found myself outside another door, separated from the Father, sin having come between my soul and God, till I saw One who loved me come and take my place, and put me into his place of nearness, and I was forgiven for Christ's sake; and I knew the fullness and freeness of that forgiveness, for our Father drew me close to His Divine heart of love, and there with the Lord Jesus, my sinbearer, I found "joy unspeakable and full of glory."

"Payment He will not twice demand,
First at my bleeding Surety's hand,
And then again at mine."

C. W. A.

never impracticable for any one's duties to others to be brought into compatibility with such habitual attendance; but, if they exist, the instances of such real incompatibility must be very rare. Many examples are on record confirming the truth that, in this as in other respects, godliness is profitable for all things; having the promise of the life that now is, as well as that of the life to come. The life that now is, spiritually, must be sustained by heavenly food from day to day; and it is well, it is needful for the church, that this bread be taken often, by its members together, at the table of the Lord.

DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION is well treated of by President J. J. Mills, of Earlham College, in his address at the Educational Meeting of New York Yearly Meeting, this year. The following are impressive sentences:

"The Society of Friends is worth perpetuation. It has been of value to the world in the past. God's

PHILADELPHIA, TWELFTH MO. 13, 1884.

"MID WEEK MEETINGS appear to be growing smaller. We believe them to be profitable, especially to build up and strengthen believers; and desire to encourage our members to faithfulness in attending them. If we are imbued with the love of Christ, it will be manifested in our daily lives." Such is the opening of the Minute upon the State of Society, of Indiana Yearly Meeting, passed at its late session. But the condition of things thus portrayed is by no means peculiar to any one locality. While there are many indications of active religious life amongst Friends, this fact cannot be interpreted, wherever it is true, as anything else than a bad sign. It is both an evidence and a source of weakness in the church.

Is it true that, anywhere, at the time of the visitation of a noted evangelist, hundreds are brought to the "altar" under emotional movement and conviction, and yet, months afterwards, many of those thus seemingly converted never attend mid-week meetings, and seldom even those on the first day of the week? If so, there must certainly be wanting something in the reality of their conversion, or else something must be wrong in the meetings, which should be, to them, centres of near fellowship with

one another in Christ.

Much is missed by those who fail to avail themselves of the privilege as well as duty of attendance at mid-week meetings. We cannot say that it is

yard. This and other lands are the better to day because of the ministration that has been committed to this people. Nor has it outlived its day of usefulness. The need for the promulgation of the principles of the gospel of Christ as held by Friends is as real and widespread to-day as it was in the day riah again, and see in it Jehovah's promise of great of George Fox. So I take up the vision of Zechathings which He will do for this church in years to come, if only the Friends will learn the lesson which the prophet meant that the Jews of old should learn. Let the boys and girls be cared for. Let them be brought to Christ, as the 'one thing needful,' but let more than this be done for them. Let the church provide them facilities for all the intellectual development and culture that enter into a complete manhood. Give heart and intellect each its rightful place in the education of our children, and the day shall speedily come, when the Quaker church shall abound with men and women full of years, each one leaning upon his staff for very age,' and telling the story of what God has done through them for the betterment of the world in which they have lived.

"Let it be repeated that the perpetuity of our church as a body of Christians holding positive distinctive views depends in a very large degree upon the care that is taken of the boys and girls who are found in our midst. It is a saying of the Talmud, born of the experience of God's chosen people, that 'the world is saved by the breath of the children in the schools.' On the same authority, it is assert ed that Jerusalem was destroyed because the education of children was neglected.' And again, ‘a town wherein there is no school must perish.' 'He that hath an ear let him hear' what these ancient

sayings proclaim to the people called Quakers today: That church in which the education of the young is neglected must perish.

Archbishop Manning used to say, 'give me the children of England for twenty years and Eng. land shall be Catholic.' The opposite of the principle involved in this assertion holds equally true. Let the Society of Friends put the education of its children entirely out of its own hands-let it turn them over for instruction and training to the neighboring churches or to the State for twenty years, and at the end of that time there will be found

very few boys and girls playing in the streets Quakerdom."

of

To carry out the principles thus set forth, it is not requisite that Friends' schools and colleges should be limited, in their admission of pupils, to the children of Friends. But it does need that those having charge of such institutions shall be convinced of, and actuated by, the truth and motives of Christianity, uncumbered, as we hold our heritage to be, by sacramentarian or other sectarian excrescences. May the time never come when

Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Earlham, Penn, or any of

our academies or schools, shall cease to have at least a largely preponderating majority (better, all, when practicable) of their teachers, not only Christian men and women, but Christian Friends.

THE MODERN REVIEW, in an article referred to

in our London Letter of last week, exemplifies the truth that one may have an acquaintance with a subject without understanding it fully. The author of that paper has been supplied with material from both sides of the Atlantic. He quotes from Robert Barclay's Apology, as well as from his descendant's "Inner Life," written in our own time; from Joseph John Gurney, Edward Ash, and the London Epistle of 1836; and also from Samuel M. Janney, John Wilbur, William Hodgson and Walter Edger. ton. But he has missed a right apprehension of the belief and teaching of Early Friends; and has almost equally failed to do justice to the real position of modern Friends, as represented in the now prevailing animus and course of London Yearly Meeting.

Thus, he says: "There is little trace in modern Quakerism of the broad doctrine of the Light of the world, of Christ as the spiritual illuminator who visits every soul in every age, in every clime, in every religion and non religion, and abides with those who will receive him and obey him, quite independently of the intervention of historical knowledge, or of a written word of truth." Now we believe that no Early Friend, of recognized authority, ever asserted a knowledge of the truths of the Gospel, conveyed independently of historical knowl. edge," since the Scriptures were given, or among

those to whom they are known. Robert Barclay says, in his Apology (Prop. iii., section vi.): "there is [in the Scriptures] a sufficient clear testimony left to all the essentials of the Christian faith; we do look upon them as the only fit outward judge of controveries among Christians; and that whatsoever doctrine is contrary to their testimony, may therefore justly be rejected as false. . . . We shall also be very willing to admit it as a positive certain maxim, That whatsoever any do, pretending to the Spirit, which is contrary to the Scriptures, be ac

counted and reckoned a delusion of the devil." Again (Prop. iii., sec. ix.) "We do firmly believe that there is no other gospel or doctrine to be preached, but that which was delivered by the apostles; and do freely subscribe to that saying, Let him that preacheth any other gospel than that which hath been already preached by the apostles, and according to the Scriptures, be accursed.”

Along with this may be placed the testimony of the "Christian Discipline" adopted and issued by London Yearly Meeting in 1883, concerning the truth so largely and needfully pressed by the founders of the religious Society of Friends.* Referring to the experience of every true Christian, it is said: "He is taught by the Spirit to look unto Jesus;

that, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord he may be changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' To be guided by the Spirit is the practical application of the Christian religion." Also, "It is the prerogative of Christ to call and qualify by the Holy Spirit his servants to minister in word and doctrine, and to preach repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. In the earliest period of the Christian Church His Spirit, agreeably to ancient prophecy, was poured upon that He continues to call, from the young and servants and upon handmaidens; and we believe from the old, from the unlearned and from the wise, from the poor and from the rich, from women as well as from men, those whom He commissions. to declare unto others the way of salvation."

Against the picture of "altered methods" which is drawn by the writer in the Modern Review, we may set, with a view of showing that, however exceptionally realized, such methods are not characteristic of English Friends to-day, the circular issued in regard to the opening of a new meetinghouse at Southampton; cited in our editorial notice, a week ago, of the last number of the Friends' Quarterly Examiner.

*"Christian Discipline," &c, pp. 20 and 22.

66

The acquaintance of the author of the Modern Review article with "present day Friends" in the United States, is shown to be especially limited, by his saying that now "the high doctrine of Christian perfection, on which Barclay is so nobly strong, is faintly heard at all, scarce believed in, never preached with the unction and vigor of vital experience." Among the successors of Fox and Barclay, salvation is reduced to a minimum, and not only the Quaker breadth but the Quaker height is shrunk away." On the contrary, no topic is now more frequently dwelt upon in the preaching of leading ministers among Friends in our Western States, than entire sanctification" or Christian perfection. We must regret that this present teaching does sometimes lack the wisdom as well as the "unction" which guided and animated it, as it was trumpeted forth by George Fox, Isaac Penington and others. We have had occasion hitherto, and may still have hereafter, to point out that the obtainment of "perfect love" is placed by at least a few amongst us on too low a platform; and that its maintenance is allowed to be too easily taken for granted, without that constant watchful and prayerful co-operation of the will with the Spirit on which early Friends so uniformly and abundantly insisted. Yet nothing could more widely misrepresent the "modern Quakerism" of the most advanced type in this country, than describing it as if silent on the subject of Christian perfection.

Not accepting, then, the account of the modifications in the Society of Friends, on either side of the water, which is given by the author of the article now under consideration, we are obliged, at the same time, to admit two things: first, that very considerable changes have occurred; and secondly, that, in the actual practice of a number of our members, and in the holding and teaching of a few leading minds, these changes are not all for the better. Some of them tend to weakness; even to disaster. But we conscientiously believe that some change was necessary. Progress is the law of life everywhere; and adaptation is a part of progress. That the adaptation of the Society of Friends, half a century ago, of its own original and essential principles to the existing world around it was incomplete, there is ample reason now to believe. If those who do not accept this conviction desire to observe some partial confirmation of it, they need only to consider the rapid decline, in influence as well as in numbers, of that one of the large bodies of Friends in which the reaction has had the least effect. Also, in William Hodgson's "History of

the Society of Friends in the Nineteenth Century," second volume, may be seen the legitimate results, in progressive disintegration, of adherence to the letter, rather than to the spirit, of genuine Quakerism. May it be favored again to become, more truly than ever, "primitive Christianity revived!"

FRIENDS' MEXICAN MISSION, as shown by the Report to Indiana Yearly Meeting, from which we present extracts in our present number, is growing in importance and usefulness. Samuel A. Purdie writes, recently, to the Committee in charge, in regard to the need of a Boarding School for Girls, as follows:

"We should press this work vigorously by taking children to educate as boarders, and as far as prac ticable use native teachers, trained in the instituschool books to the villages through the country, tion. If we can get to supply teachers as we do what an influence we could wield in educating mothers."

President ArtHUR'S last message to Congress is a clearly written, business-like document, setting forth the internal and foreign relations of our national affairs in a generally satisfactory manner. At peace with all the world, and without even fears at present

of "Indian wars," it is still recommended that greater guns and vessels shall be fitted out for our navy, for "national defence." There is, however, nothing otherwise belligerent in the message. On the whole, one rises from reading it with a renewed sense of gratitude for the blessings of Providence showered upon our country.

MARRIED.

LITTLE-HADLEY.-At the residence of the

bride's parents, Lawrence, Kansas, by Friends' cere mony, on the 30th of Tenth mo., 1884, Geo. E. Little, of Canton, Massachusetts, to Flora, daughter of Washington and Naomi Hadley.

DIED.

CHEW. At the residence of her parents, in Fayette county, Ohio, Seventh month 15th, 1884, R. Matilda Chew, daughter of William and Juliana Chew, aged 39 years; a member of Hopewell Monthly Meeting.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." "They shall hunger no more; neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat. For the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

"In that great cloister's stillness and seclusion, By guardian angels led,

Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution, She lives, whom we call dead." WHITE.-Elwood A. White, son of John and Jane White, a member of Centre Monthly and Providence