the earth's surface being covered. Flower gardens have been successfully made, in which all the earth was covered with a cement, as hard and smooth as a walk, except the small holes through which the stems of the shrubs grew.

Parchment paper-that is a tough waterproof paper, made by dipping unsized paper in sulphuric acid-is now employed for covering garden soil. In short, this prepared paper is a mulch. A Frenchman who has experimented with this method sums up the advantages as follows: First, a greater rapidity of growth; second, lessening of the great cost of water; third, saving of hard work in weeding; and fourth, the crop is doubled. This is certainly saying a great deal more for a mulch than Americans could do. These experiments prove that there is a field here for the further development of the advantages of mulches of all kinds.-Beedy Aich in Independent.

SCHOOL.

IN A LETTER written by Mrs. Henry Fawcett, wife of the Postmaster General of England, to the London Daily News, in which she pleads for the admission of women to honor examinations at Oxford, she relates the following amusing story, for the truth of which she vouches: "It has been very interesting," she says, "to those who have had the opportunity of watching the Cambridge experiments from the outset, to see the gradual downfall of the prejudices at first widely entertained against having women students there. One gentleman, an examiner in a tripos examination, was opposed to the whole movement, and at that time women had no right to be examined; they could only be examined through the grace and kindness of the examiners. A Newnham student had asked to be examined, and the gentleman referred to, finding that he was the only one of the four examiners who objected to admit her, waived his own objections. Whether from accident or design I know not, but the lady did not sign her papers with her Christian name in full-she only put the initial before her surname, which I shall now call Glover. After looking over all the papers the examiners met, and the gentleman who at first declined to examine Miss Glover, said to his brother examiners: I don't know what result you have come to, but my best man is Glover.'". Exchange.

THE CHRISTIAN UNION reported more than a year ago the steps taken by the State of Georgia in the direction of industrial education, as an indication of the growth of intelligence and progress in the New South. The Commission appointed by the Legislature of Georgia visited and inspected the best technical schools in the North for the purpose of getting information and maturing a plan for the establishment of similar schools in that State. A movement in the same direction is now being made in North Carolina, where the appointment of a Commission for the same object is being urged upon the Legislature. One of the leading

benevolent institutions of the State has lately established a department for the industrial training of the children committed to it; and in several Southern universities scientific and technical departments have been either established or greatly strengthened and enlarged. A number of the leading Southern newspapers are giving the subject of industrial education for Southern children constant and earnest discussion; and it is one of the favorable signs of the times in that section that the immense progress of the North in these directions is being recognized and studied with a view, not entirely to imitation, but adaptation to the needs of the South.

THE SWISS ARTIST.-An infidel Swiss artist who was serving the devil to the extent of his ability, went to Sheffield, England, in 1880. There he was asked to make a caricature of a Salvation Army meeting. He went there on that errand, and scanned the faces of the people; he with his heart like the troubled sea that could not find rest, tossed and driven by tempests of passion, and tormented by a conscience burdened with sinlooked on the assembled worshipers and saw peace written on their faces, and an inward joy beaming from their countenances. The sight convinced him of his sinfulness. He saw that those people had something which he lacked and which

he needed. He turned his feet unto God's testimonies, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, found peace through the blood of the cross, and rejoiced with the rejoicing ones.

How many others there are as weary and sad as he, who only need to see-instead of the empty formalists of the day-loving, active, fervent, zealous, happy Christians, to be convinced of their own need, and led to turn to God and find salvation through Him who died to redeem the lost.-Armory.

THE Primitive Methodist has a good article on the difference between ecclesiastical and spiritual religion, a subject requiring constant elucidations and enforcement. They are often confounded one with the other, and as a consequence many souls are self deceived. Our contemporary is none too practical, and is strictly correct in saying:

"There are men to-day who are scrupulously religious, who are sound in creed, attentive to ecclesiastical arrangements, and zealous to win converts, but who will take advantage of their brother for their own interest; who will take usury from the poor, and leave the helpless to perish. There are men who would not miss a Mass, or aitendance at church or chapel on Sunday, who would not miss a meeting, or neglect their contributions to the church funds; who would not read a doubtful book or be seen in the company of a person suspected of heresy; who would not put themselves in circumstances where they could be misunderstood, or go further than the regulation journey on a Sabbath; who fast twice in the week

and give tithes of all they possess; who are the very pink of propriety and free from every suspicion, but in whom there is not to be found one drop of human kindness; who are cold, hard and selfish, and never knew what it was to be moved by the enthusiasm of humanity."-The [London] Christian.

THE FRIENDS' REVIEW.

PHILADELPHIA, FIRST MO. 10, 1885.

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ON THE SUBJECT Considered in "Thoughts for the Hour," in our present number, it may be remarked, while assenting to all that is said by our contributor, that it is a delicate, and not always an easy thing, to steer in judgment between uncalled-for religious service, and unsanctified inactivity and repression. Both are possible, as righthand and left-hand errors, in a body which professes acceptance of the Headship of Christ and immediate guidance by His Spirit. Both errors have, at different times and places, been exemplified amongst Friends. Except within one Yearly Meeting, where it lingers yet, there has been latterly but little repression of religious service. The greater

present danger among us is of a zeal without competent knowledge; without close enough dependence upon the Master, for the best efficiency in His work. Men may, even in religious performance, say "Lord, Lord," and yet not do the things which He says. The tender admonition of G. W. C. is therefore acceptable and timely. Yet may all prayerfully beware of hiding any talent in a napkin, under the dispensation of fear, which is not of Divine love.

THE NEW YEAR, eighteen hundred and eightyfive, opens upon a world in which there is much of unrest and agitation. In the earth's material crust, a fearful earthquake, in Spain, recurring with ten severe shocks within a few days, has just destroyed the lives of several hundred human beings. A terror not much unlike this has been experienced in the heart of London, from human malignity; threatening the solidity of the central bridge of the great city, with a dynamite explosion.

In public affairs, an "unstable equilibrium "unstable equilibrium" prevails. France is showing that not only kings but the chief officers of republics may play at the game of war, which, were their citizen-subjects wise, they should not continue. Madagascar is still menaced with inexcusable outrage, and China is merely keeping at bay the ferocity which awaits an opportunity

for almost immeasurable destruction. Russia maintains a forced quiet over the ever-seething volcano of pent up nihilism. Germany is becoming restive under the fast-failing control of the iron hand of its ruler, Bismarck. England suffers anxiety on account of the almost hopeless Egyptian entanglement, but is kept in present tranquility by the marvellous tact as well as firmness of Gladstone. Our own land is blessed with political rest; and an era of special goodwill between its remote sections appears to be ushered in by the national and international Exposition at New Orleans. Yet, on account of depression in business, much suffering exists, and is Expected, Even in amongst the working classes this winter. our "free country," discontent is stirred up by evil emissaries from abroad, who try to arouse enmity between labor and capital.

It has been well said that "when the power of a country is in the hands of the many, and its wealth in the hands of a few, there will always be danger." Also it has been truly said, that the trouble in this as in other countries is not in regard to the amount of wealth, but to its distribution. Permanent security from revolutionary changes will never be established interests, prevails amongst all classes. And this until a common feeling, based upon a solidarity of can only be effected by Christianity.

AGREEING FULLY with the tenor and purpose of the article on another page, "The Truth as it is in Jesus," we trust also that its author accepts the testimony of George Fox concerning himself under the regenerating operation of Divine grace: "All things were new; and all the creation gave another smell unto me than before, beyond what words can utter. I knew nothing but pureness, and innocency, and righteousness, being renewed up into the image of God by Christ Jesus; so that I say, I was come up to the state of Adam which he was in before he fell." He said further of what is possible to all Christian believers: "And the Lord showed me that such as were faithful to Him in the power and light of Christ should come up into that state in which Adam was before he fell." Again: "And whereas we have had a great deal of work with the priests and professors who pleaded for imperfection, I was opened to declare and manifest unto them how that Adam and Eve were perfect before they fell, and all that God made He saw that it was good, and He blessed it. But the imperfection came in by the fall through man's and woman's hearkening to the devil, who was out of truth. And though the law made nothing perfect,

yet it made way for the bringing in of the better hope, which hope is in Christ, who destroys the devil and his works that made man and woman imperfect. Now Christ saith to His disciples, 'Be ye perfect, even as your Heavenly Father is perfect.' And He who himself was perfect comes to make man and woman perfect again; and brings them again to the state which God made them in. So He is the maker-up of the breach and the peace between God and man. I told the people Christ was come to do it freely, who by one offering hath perfected forever all them that are sanctified, and renews them up into the image of God which man and woman were in before they fell."

But although George Fox was "taken up in spirit to see into another or more steadfast state than Adam's in innocency, even into a state in Christ Jesus, that should never fall," yet, holy man as he was, thoroughly surrendered and dedicated to the service of God, he does not say that he had attained to that state.

While it is to be held, and is witnessed to by many, that, as is taught in Scripture, a perfect victory over all that is evil may be wrought by Divine grace, it is a seductive and dangerous temptation to suppose this to be accomplished when it is not. "I press on," were the words of Paul. "He that thinketh he standeth, let him take heed lest he fall," is an admonition too little remembered in these days of easy confidence. There is existing a type of looking glass religion, which loses time in contemplating its own accomplishments, which time might be better spent in "doing the next thing" in earnest self-forgetful service.

We believe fully in the possibility of Christian perfection, as above described in George Fox's words. There are flawless diamonds in the mines of Golconda and Brazil, and those who pursue the right path may find them. But it is not well, on the way, to count every shining pebble a diamond; and those who have seen the most of precious jewels are the least likely to overvalue those which they possess, or to "glory, as if they had not received."

IF THERE IS One thing more wished for than another, in the conduct of Friends' Review, besides the spread and triumph of the Gospel, it is, strength and unity in the Society of Friends. How can we be truly friends to the world at large, or even to Christ, unless friends at unity amongst ourselves? If it were possible for us to avoid all controversy, or even difference of opinion, it would be a matter for great rejoicing. But, for the sake of unity and

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strength, we must endeavor to see and accept the truth; and, while as fallible as others, it will most promote the outcoming of the actual truth, as it is in Jesus," for us as well as others to speak out plainly and fraternally, about what seem now to be the signs of the times.

More than once, allusion has been made in these columns to what we are obliged to think mistaken and disadvantageous teaching and practice in religious matters, in some places, amongst Friends. We feel that it is now time to warn our scattered members of the danger of a more and more clearly defined tendency and leadership, unfavorable to unity, which, it followed, will transform the Society of Friends, by destruction of all that is vital to it, into a weak imitation, almost a caricature, of Methodism. Should these seem like strong words, we believe that not a few of our readers, West and East, are aware of evidence which makes them appropriate. There is a conservatism, so-called, which is obstructive; but to preserve unimpaired a glorious heritage of Gospel truth and the "building of a church," while accepting every really good thing, new or old, in right application to our surrour.dings, this is loyalty. To this, we believe, our people are earnestly summoned to day.

DIED.

EASTLACK.-On the 1st of Twelfth mo, 1884, at her residence in Camden, N. J., Sarah Eastlack, aged 77 years; a member of the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia for the Western District.

Her life was one of devotion to others, and although her trials were many, she was enabled to run with patience the race that was set before her, looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of her faith.

HATHAWAY.-Asleep in Jesus. Died of diphtheria, at West Branch, Ià., on the 12th of Eleventh month, Henry W., in the 6th year of his age; and Twelfth mo. 8th, William Clayton, in the 4th year of his age, only children of Thomas L. and Ida Hathaway; members of Springdale Monthly Meeting.

The last words of little Henry showed his child-like trust in God. He said to his mother as she bent over him, "Jesus helps me to bear the suffering; I would like to stay with papa and mamma, but if Jesus wants me to come I am willing to go."

GOULD.-At the residence of her son, Edward W. Gould, on Staten Island, N. Y., on the 19th of Twelfth mo., 1884, Eliza R. Gould, widow of Daniel J. Gould; a member of Rhode Island Monthly Meeting, in the 69th year of her age.

A life of remarkable activity and usefulness was thus brought to a peaceful close by a brief illness,typhoid pneumonia. For several years our dear friend, in addition to her many home duties, had acceptably filled a position on the Rhode Island Board of Female Visitors to the State Penal Institutions. Whatever her engagements were,-in the details of her well-ordered and hospitable home, in the care of her plants (almost a passion with her), in the social claims of a very