homicide. The character of a murderer is not changed, because, instead of a hangman's cap, men place upon his head the crown of an Emperor."

Great as was his literary genius (just now praised beyond what the verdict of time may finally allow), probably it was less this than his sympathy with the people that won for him the adoration of France while living, and the most illustrious funeral of modern history. If any exception to this last statement be named, according to the measure of the valuation of millions of men, it must be, not those of the kings of any country, nor the re-interment of the first Napoleon, nor the pompous obsequies of the Duke of Wellington; but rather the burial of Abraham Lincoln, in our own country.

We may, and must, lament that no higher and better protestation of faith came from the dying patriot-poet of France, than "Dei voluntas," the will of God. But it is still something to congratulate that country for, that, if it will idolize human genius and power, it is, to day, not "le dieu du soldat," the god of the soldier, as Napoleon I. was called; but a man whose heart was warm in well. wishing towards all mankind; a hater of oppression and war; and a lover of little children.

FRIENDS' FREEDMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA. As has been shown elsewhere in our columns, the Executive Board of this body are endeavoring to carry out the instruction of the last annual meeting, in Yearly Meeting week, to look towards extension and invigoration, rather than contraction, of the work.

In order for this to be possible, in the direction especially of promoting facilities for the training and equipment of colored teachers for the South, there will be required liberal contributions of money, as well as of sympathy and encouragement, from all interested in the cause. Early contributions are especially desirable this year; as the Executive Board will need very shortly to decide what it is practicable for it to do, in regard to several openings for usefulness, beyond the aid and support given to the schools within its range of action last year.

The Meeting of Ministers and Elders assembled in Glens Falls, as by adjournment last year, on Fifth-day, 28th of Fifth mo., 1885.

The first hour was spent in waiting on the Lord in prayer, both expressed and unuttered, and an inquiry by Seth Rees, of Ohio, "What does the church most need to make her a power for God and His cause in extending the kingdom of Christ ?" Some may respond, a better trained theology, a better intellectual preparation of its ministers, but my reply is, a more entire consecration to God and His service, more agonizing prayer for the baptism of power; more of the unction of the Holy Spirit, more preaching to the hearts and less to the heads of the hearers. I may not be able to define what this unction is, but you and I know and can distinguish between a ministry with or without it. Moses' gift was his rod. God inquired, What is that in thine hand?" He replied, "a rod." "Cast it on the ground," and from that time it became the instrument in his hand by which God's wonders were performed, as exhibitions of His power. What we need is, not excusing ourselves from any service, because of the inefficiency of our gifts, but to cast them on the ground at the feet of the Master, a full, a complete consecration to God, however small they may be; and with even a worm God can thrash a mountain, lead out His people, or prepare the way of the people, and lead them out of bondage to victory.

་་

John T. Dorland fully endorsed the speaker, but would not have us forget that the better fitted and qualified, even intellectually, the more efficient may we be, for doing valiantly for God. Moses was well versed in the law of God's people, and in that of their enemies, well versed in Egyptian lore, which when accompanied with the rod, sanctified for the work to which he was called, greatly increased the effectiveness of his service as a leader of the chosen people. All the gifts of God have their embodiment in the "unspeakable gift" of His dear Son, and as they are exercised are emanations from Him for His service.

The gifts are not all for the ministry of the word. There are gifts of government, gifts of administration, gifts of healing and gifts of teaching. Let us study to fit ourselves for the most effective exercise of His gifts, to His greatest glory. Paul was better fitted than Peter, because of his superior advantages and educational privileges. But all must needs be held in abey ance and accompanied by the unction of God's Holy

and sanctification, as intimated by the command, "Now take it in thy hand."

the past year. Several touching tributes to the memory of some of them were made by those present. Three ministers have been acknowledged in the course of the

Four ministers and three elders have died during

year.

Afternoon. Meeting of Ministers and Elders at 3 P. M. The Representatives reported the reappointment

of D. H. Lane for Clerk and M. S. Kimber for Assistant Clerk, which was fully approved by the meeting.

The Friends in attendance from other Yearly Meetings were introduced by reading their names, their minutes being reserved to be read in the Yearly Meeting proper. Evi Sharpless, of Iowa, a missionary from Jamaica, responded to the salutation of love by which they as visitors were greeted by many Friends; that he came for the first time among us as a child among fathers and mothers, and asked the prayers and counsel of Friends while in our midst. If I do or say anything among you that you do not approve, I hope you will have grace enough to maintain entire silence or come to me with it. As fellow-laborers let us work in harmony, let us not hurt each other nor the cause we represent, by backbiting and weakening the influence of each other. Let us have confidence in God as our Leader and Guide, and in each other as fellow-laborers in the cause of Christ.

James R. Jones exhorted to a faithful and consistent co-operation in preaching the truth as it is in Jesus and the spirituality of the gospel. To maintain the harmony of labor, let us teach privately as well as pub. licly, as representatives of the gospel, and of the church which is ours by persuasion and adoption. Disaster and discord must follow a public profession in conflict with a private teaching and influence until a following is obtained, endangering the harmony and unity. of the church. Let us be consistent and steadfast in so presenting the gospel of life and salvation as a sure and strong defense against all the innovations of ritualisms and ordinances that have been done away in Christ. Caution was also extended by many friends against all unsoundness, and doctrines in conflict with Scriptural authority, however specious and plausible. The voice of warning was especially raised against the idea of "annihilation of the wicked," of "restoration" and of an inward principle, which if obeyed would save us, all of which is directly in conflict with the clear teaching of our Lord Himself and the inspired men of God.

The first session of the Representative Meeting was held the evening following; also a public meeting of worship called by Caroline E. Talbott on behalf of herself and other ministers present. At the latter, the gospel was preached with power by Huldah Rees, Evi Sharpless and Caroline E. Talbott, mingled with prayer and praise and thanksgiving.

Caroline E. Talbott illustrated the power and the love of Christ when brought to bear upon the hardest, most obdurate hearts, by a scene in a bar-room of blas. phemous drinking men whom she addressed as brothers, who jeeringly replied, "we are not your brothers." She assured them they were, for of one blood God has created us all, and we are all His children by creation, and He wants us all to become His children by adoption. "No," they replied, we are not your kind." "Yes, but Christ died to redeem and save you, and you are His by the purchase of His blood." Thus she addressed them, they standing and listening for an hour, some of them melted to tears, and seven of them gave their hearts to God and united with the church. "I tell you, dear friends, the pure gospel is the power of God unto salvation."

"

The Yearly Meeting opened for business Fifth mo. 29th at 10 A. M.

The first hour was spent in devotional exercises. Prayer, both uttered and unexpressed, mingled with thanksgiving, prevailed. M. Binford remarked that if the Apostle Paul thanked God and took courage when he was met by brethren in the faith, surely it is our privilege when meeting as we do, in the feilowship of the gospel, our brethren as visitors and visited, to

thank God for the communion of saints, for the inspiration we receive as we meet in the service of the Master, especially when characterized by His own presence and power, and to take courage in His name as we bid each other God speed in His service.

J. T. Dorland said the Lord "loveth the gates of Zion more than the tents of Jacob." His version of the text was, that however goodly the tents of Israel, and the tabernacles of Jacob, yet God was better pleased with the gates of Zion, the city of the saint's solemnity, our approach to the throne of grace in His worship and praise, which he hoped would never be divorced from the business of the church, but that even in this service devotion should accompany and form a part of this line of church service, all being done as unto the Lord, to His glory and praise.

Minutes were read of Friends in attendance from other Yearly Meetings. From Ohio Yearly Meeting, Caroline E. Talbott, Seth and Huldah Rees, William Allen and companion Fred. Ryan, Phebe Hoag and companion Ann Hopton, and George Willis; from North Carolina Yearly Meeting, Jehu and Sarah Newlin, Levi and Jeremiah Cox and James R. Jones; from Indiana Yearly Meeting, Susan Ratcliff; from Iowa Yearly Meeting, Evi Sharpless, Rufus Garret.

A cordial greeting was extended to these dear Friends, and they were encouraged in their service for the Master while among us.

A committee was appointed to aid them, and to have an oversight of all meetings for gospel work, and prepare returning minutes as way opens.

It was recommended that no meetings be held that will divert the attention of our members from the interests of the Yearly Meeting.

Epistles were read from London, Dublin and Canada Yearly Meetings.

3.30 P. M.-The Representatives proposed that' Augustus Taber be appointed Clerk, and Thos. H. Bedell Assistant Clerk. They were approved by the meeting.

Epistles were then read from the remaining Yearly Meetings, and a committee was appointed to produce essays and replies to a future sitting.

The proposition that all our meetings be held jointly, referred on our minutes last year to this, having been considered by the women's meeting, they informed our meeting that while they thanked us for the courtesy extended to them, they declined to accept the proposition, but proposed to continue the present practice of holding separate sessions, except during the consideration of such subjects as are of equal interest to both meetings; proposing that the opening session of each Yearly Meeting be held jointly. This proposition was accepted by the meeting.

In the evening a large and interesting meeting was held in the interest of Bible-schools.

Seventh-day, 10 A. M.-Met in joint session. Vocal prayer was offered by Caroline E. Talbott.

Epistles were read from Friends in Tasmania and Melbourne, Australia, bearing evidence that however remotely situated, One is our Master, even Christ, and all we are brethren. Some were surprised to notice that a meeting had been established there for fifty years.

A proposition was sent up from one of the Quarters that to the Query on Temperance be added a clause on the use of tobacco and opium. The subject was referred to a committee.

Examination into the State of Society was entered into by reading and answering the Queries. Thomas Kimber thought the significance of all these Queries comprised and described a life hid with Christ in God; having reference to our duties to God and man. Mary H. Thomas and Mary K. Murray hoped and believed the time would come when all these or similar

Queries would not be required to be answered except mentally. We would not then be looking to see it they were answered correctly and criticising each other's defects, but prompting a self-examination as before God.

E. L. Comstock, referring to the importance of a family altar and vocal prayer, instanced the case of a young man with whom she met in prison, whom his father, who accompanied her, addressed with great sadness, saying, "My son, how often I have prayed for thee. If thou had only heeded my counsel and warnings;" to which the son replied, with sobs and tears, "O my father, if I had only known that you were praying for me, I might not have been here."

Levi Cox pitied that family in which there is no family altar. I owe my all, under the blessing of God, to praying parents. Sad, indeed, must be the reflections of those parents of whom their children can say, I never heard my parents pray.

S. Newlin referred to her own early experience, when the cross of praying before her family seemed too great, and she shrank from it, and she only found peace and a sense of acceptance with God, when she yielded to the duty and privilege as she now felt it to be, to bring her loved ones to God in faith and prayer. Friends, if you have no family altar, you can't afford to wait. Life is too uncertain, its responsibilities too great to live without it.

Evi Sharpless inquired, do your children find in you a sympathizing friend, to whom they can go in confidence in all their trials, their doubts and fears? No child should find away from home a more comforting and confidential friend than at home in their father and mother. I thank God that for what I am I am indebted to my mother's prayers.

George Willis and several others gave similar testimonies to their parents' prayers.

C. E. Talbott referred to the Query on love and ,unity. Those who are wanting in these cannot claim the name of Friends, for ye are my friends if ye do what I command you, and His command is, "That ye love one another." "If I had any ill will or want of love in my heart towards any, I would ask right here and now that all join me in asking pardon and restoring love, for I cannot love God whom I have not seen, if I do not love all those whom I have seen."

Much pertinent counsel and many living testimonies and loving encouragement characterized this

session.

Afternoon, 3.30.-Invitations were read from New York and Glens Falls Quarterly Meetings that the Yearly Meeting be held at each of those places next year. The subject was referred to a committee.

Report of the Bible-school and Missionary Board was then read, showing a continued prosperity in the several interests under their care.

There are 69 Bible schools and 4000 scholars attending them in our Yearly Meeting, and 21 schools among the freedmen in the South, with 921 scholars, and 13 Bible schools in prosperous working order. Two Monthly Meetings are established among and composed of 710 Indians. Several of the Modocs are recognized ministers, elders and overseers.

In the evening a meeting was held in the interest of Missionary work, addressed by Evi Sharpless, who presented the needs of the degraded people of Jamaica, wishing to enlist the interest of the Yearly Meeting in their behalf. He, feeling that the Lord calls him to other fields of labor, is hoping and praying that the Lord will call, and some one will respond and go and labor in that benighted land.

This meeting was also addressed by Micajah Bin

ford on behalf of the open door for missionary labor in Mexico.

Alfred Smiley presented the claims of the Indians upon Christian effort on their behalf. 26,000 Indians, with 40,000 children, are now needing the help of the Government and of all Christians in elevating them to the rights and privileges of civilization and citizenship; and he believed that at the present rate of increase of interest on their behalf, in twenty-five years they would reach such a destination.

First-day, Fifth mo. 31st.-Invitations were received from pastors of the evangelical churches of the village and vicinity that Friends should occupy their desks to-day; which was responded to. Fourteen meetings were held, and so far as we learn, the gospel was preached with power, and presented faithfully from a Friends' standpoint.

GOLDEN TEXT.-But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. II Pet. iii. 8.

The Second Epistle of Peter was probably written at Rome before the destruction of Jerusalem. It was addressed to the Christian churches generally, and was written originally in Greek. The purpose of the Epistle is set forth in the last two verses of it. Lesson XII. is a fervent enforcing of the exhortation which is the burden of the Epistle, watch, grow.

1. Simon Peter. Simon was the name given to the apostle by his parents. Peter or Cephas, signi fying a stone or rock, was given him by Jesus. (John i. 42.) It is not probable that the apostle was wholly uneducated; the passage, "unlearned and ignorant men," Acts iv. 13, being equivalent to "laymen," i. e. men of ordinary education as contrasted with those who were educated in the schools of the Rabbis.-Smith. That he was not a common laborer, living in a hovel by the sea, we know from the fact that he was associated in business with James and John, who had hired servants (Luke v. 10; Mark i. 20) and that he lived in Bethsaida and afterward at Capernaum (John i. 44; Matt. vii. 5, 14-16) where he entertained Jesus and his disciples. Servant. One submitting in entire obedience. Apostle. The especial designation of those chosen by Jesus Christ and trained by Him to bear witness of His divinity. Of God and our Saviour. R. V. Of our God and Saviour.

2. Grace (R. V. to you) and peace-through (R. V. in) the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Combining two beautiful salutations of the Greeks and Hebrews. The apostle desires that these good gifts may increase rapidly and abundantly. In the Gospel we have all that we need, light and life. By a full ripe knowledge of Jesus we know God's character and love. John xiv. 7.

3. R. V. Seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that called us by His own glory and virtue.

4. Whereby are given the things of verse 3. promises. The term "promise" means at times, not the verbal promise itself, but its fulfilment. Com. Luke lxxiv. 49; Heb. ix. 15.-Schaff. What is meant, therefore, is that this grant of "all things serviceable for life and godliness," which Christ's divine power has secured for us, becomes actually ours only as we know the God whom Christ has declared.-Ibid.

5. And beside this. R. V. Yea, and for this very cause adding: That is, besides those precious promises on God's part, bringing on your part all diligence; and (R. V.) in your faith supply virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, love.

8. For if these things be in you. R. V. Are yours. If the above-mentioned graces are a part of your character, they make you fruitful-tend to produce fruit.

9. But he that lacketh these things is blind. As the possession of fruits proves knowledge, the lack of them proves dimness of sight, not seeing things as he ought to see them, seeing things in false magnitudes, having an eye for things present at hand, but none for the distant realities of the eternal world. Having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. R. V.

10. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. Those acts of God's grace which called them through the preaching of His Son's gospel, and took them out of the world of heathenism, were to be made "sure," or secure, by following them up by diligent attention to all the virtues into which they had ushered the readers.Schaff.

11. For thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If these graces abound in you, you shall have your entrance into heaven not merely "scarcely," as if escaping from shipwreck, or from fire, but in a sort of triumph you may enter in with an unstumbling step, and take delight in things past, present, and to come.— Schaff.

PRACTICAL THOUGHTS.

All progress and all abounding in the graces of the Christian life, must in the nature of the case, come through knowing God and His Son.-Cowles.

Note two ways of seeking to be like God: (1) Satan's way, as in Gen. iii. 5, which is continually being tried, and is a failure now as it was then, (2) God's way, as is taught in these verses. It is the only true way.-Peloubet.

Those who are most like Christ in their lives have the fullest knowledge of Him.-Ellicott. A good life can never be a failure.

THE MAN who begins the day with prayer, may well end it with praise; while the man who, in his haste and rush, forgets to pray, has special reason to be thankful if the evening hour does not bring with it sadness and regret for duties neglected or sins committed. The (Boston) Christian.

CORRESPONDENCE.

WELLINGTON, ONTARIO, Fifth mo. 28th, 1885. Our Society here seems to be alive and growing, and earnest in the converting of souls. In order to be better prepared for the work, we concluded to build a new meeting-house in the village, and began it last fall. It is now nearing completion, having its first coat of plaster on; but we are sadly in need of funds, lacking about seven hundred dollars, which to a small membership, composed largely of farmers, seems like a large debt, especially harassed as we are by the law expenses of the tedious law suit. If there are any of your Philadelphia Friends or others who would like to help us, even from five dollars upwards, it would be thankfully received. I would like to state here that Baltimore sent us three hundred dollars.

BART. WISTAR.

GRAND RIVER, INDIAN TERRITORY, Sixth mo. 1st, 1885. We had a blessed meeting among the Senecas and Wyandottes yesterday. There were more Indians out to attend the meeting than on any previous occasion. There were two Indians admitted as members at our Monthly Meeting. J. HUBBARD.

WORK AMONG THE FREEDMEN.

It may be regretted that many more than were present could not hear the addresses delivered at the meeting on behalf of the educational interests of the colored people, at Twelfth street meeting-house, Philadelphia, on the evening of Fifth mo. 29th. Three representative speakers, on that occasion, set before us the present importance of doing all that is possible towards improving the existing state of things in the South.

General S. C. Armstrong first spoke, mentioning the dark shadow, in some places even growing darker, pervading the social state of the colored population of the Gulf States. There they are, in some respects, worse off than before emancipation. While slavery lasted, there were many noble Christian women of slaveholding families, who felt their responsibility towards the blacks, and did much towards elevating their religious and moral condition. Also, at that time, the churches of the master race extended a sheltering and improving influence over them. Both of these helpful agencies are, since the war, withdrawn. One of the saddest facts is that the most persistent hindrance in the way of the education of the freedmen is that of the colored preachers. These are often ignorant and immoral; and they try to maintain their power by keeping their people in ignorance.

Amongst the whites, General Armstrong's experience and observation have been to the effect that opposition to improvement among the freedmen has, in the border States at least, as Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, very much disappeared. He and those associated with him have, during a number of years, had no grievances. Millions of dollars annually, and much intelligent effort, are engaged in providing common school education in the Southern States. At Danville and elsewhere, Gen. Armstrong has recently seen evidences of the great gain accomplished, towards which, in times past, the labors and contributions of Friends in the North have been of service.

Now the great need is the supply of well qualified colored teachers, to meet the demand for them all through the South. Those sent from Hampton are

all, as a rule, doing well. The majority of them are employed as successful teachers; and others also are becoming independent, acquiring property, and holding respectable positions in the community. Thus the elevation of the race must go on; education, not only literary, but also practical, being given; then the pos session of homesteads sustains the family and social life, and all is for the better. Most difficult and discouraging, however, is the prospect in the far Southern region, where climatic as well as other causes make it seem almost impossible to raise the masses of the colored people above the condition of heathendom. To bring them, however, to a state fit for the citizenship with which they are legally endowed, is a neces sity, not of benevolence only, but of self-protection for the whole country.

President James E. Rhoads next introduced Captain C. S. Schaeffer, of Christiansburg, Virginia; as one who, through the blessing bestowed upon his devoted efforts, since the war, has been the means of improving greatly the condition of a large extent of country in Southwestern Virginia; where there are now more than a hundred prosperous congregations under his supervision, besides a valuable educational work. His establishment of a school, with other labors, at Christiansburg, has been made familiar already to our readers

Captain Schaeffer referred, with much feeling, to his first consecration of himself to a life-work for the freedmen, while lying on the ground as a wounded soldier, at Antietam, and afterwards at Gettysburg. He would never, indeed have entered the army, but for the purpose of setting free those who were in slavery. Since that time, acquaintance with the convictions and writings of Friends has led to a change of his views in regard to war. But his whole time and energy are now given to the work of promoting the religious and educational development of the colored people. The school at Christiansburg has an average of 250 pupils. of both sexes, in the year; at a total expenditure (besides their board) of but $900 per year. Hardly anywhere else can so much be done in giving instruction at so little cost. The new building now under construction will not only afford better accommodation for teaching, but will also make room for a number of boarding scholars, now very imperfectly provided for. The power of such an institution is great for good, through a wide and constantly extending region. The young men and women who go out thence and make for themselves homes, as teachers, and, in various ways, useful citizens, exercise a powerful civilizing influence.

Fanny M. Jackson Coppin, Principal of the Institute for Colored Youth, Philadelphia, addressed us. In her we saw and heard the embodiment of intelligent en

thusiasm for those who are inheritors of the fruits of long oppression. Interest in the freedmen's cause, she said, so ardent at the close of the war, appears now to be waning. Twenty years seem to have almost worn out the patience of their friends. Yet not for twenty, but for two hundred years, even through the war itself, the patience of this suffering race was tried, and not in vain.

Principal Coppin spoke of the need of opportunities for training teachers to go all through the South as lightbearers, even to the land of the darkest shadow, in the Gulf States. Some pupils have come thence to the Institute for Colored Youth; going back to their homes prepared to do more for their race than any strangers could do. She dwelt emphatically on the urgent demand for industrial education of colored people in the North. In the Southern States, during the days of slavery, the degradation attaching to all kinds of work

led to colored people becoming artisans, and having, indeed, most of the skilled manual labor in handicrafts left to them. But it is not so in the North. Here, it is impossible for colored young men to become apprentices to learn blacksmithing, carpenter work, or that of any similar vocation. Hence, when they grow up, however well taught in the learning of the schools, those not adapted to teaching are in danger of enforced idleness. And no one can guarantee the future of any who are so circumstanced. Better, almost, she said, to have lived on in the Egypt of slavery, than now to perish in the desert of idleness.

Altogether, the impression made by these modest but eloquent expressions of trained minds and consecrated lives in a noble work, was, that they must not be left alone, nor without sufficient encouragement and support, in their arduous labors. Those to whom are entrusted means which they need, should add promptly and liberally to their resources; remembering, as we were so impressively told at this meeting, that it is not the cause of the freedmen alone that is involved, but our own safety, the security, present and future, of the whole country, against the perpetuation, and even the increase, of ignorance and demoralization, amongst those who share with us a common citizenship.

THE CICADAS.

Nearly seventeen years ago, that is to say, about Midsummer, 1868, the Cicada family, of Germantown, Philadelphia, went en retraite. They were fatherless and motherless; they were but a few days old; they were several millions in number. They tumbled off the trees, and burrowed in Germantown soil for a season of withdrawal from the world half a human generation in length.

DR. M'COOK ON THE LOCUSTS.

"The seventeen-year cicada is as much like the locust proper," said Dr. Henry C. McCook, "as a horse is like a cow," and quoting from his popular elucidation of the principles of entomology, "Tenants of an Old Farm," the naturalist went on: "There are few American entomologists who have not often been compelled to explain the wide and fundamental difference between the so-called 'locusts' of the United States and the 'true locusts' of the Holy Scripture and our far West. The latter really do often eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field,' as they did in the days of the plagues of Egypt; while the former having no jaws to eat with, and only a beak to suck sap, are physically incapable of eating any thing at all."

The true locust, who devastates the crops and whose coming is heralded from the West by as much Associated Press space as might be accorded to a presidential progress, masquerades under the idiot, the name of the apparently harmless, foolish, cheerful "grasshopper," who is one and the same individual as he who bothered the head bugologist of the Pharaohs some thousands of years ago, and was by him dignified into a "plague."

THE GERMANTOWN RECORD.

The reappearance of the Germantown Cicadas has been remarkable for its regularity. On May