"from all the tribes." Which were not of the sons of Levi. The Priests and Levites unanimously refused to countenance the new worship and left their houses in the kingdom of Israel and went to settle in Judah. II Chron. xi. 13, 14. 32. And Jeroboam ordained a feast *** like unto the feast that is in Judah. That is the Feast of Tabernacles, which was held on the fifteenth of the Seventh month. Cf. chap. viii. 2. "Had Jeroboam provided no counter attraction for this great festive gathering in Judah (as the feast of the harvest it was the most joyous feast of the year) he might have found it a formidable temptation to his subjects."-Pulpit Com. And he offered upon the altar. R. V. "and he went up unto the altar"— so also in v. 33. PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 1. The central lesson is that Jeroboam disregard ed or doubted the promise which God had made him and set about to establish his house in his own way. He did succeed in his intention of preventing the house of Israel from returning to Rehoboam, but he entirely failed in his real object, and his line ended with his grandson on account of his sin. Cf. Rom. x. 3. 2. Wrong-doing puts an everlasting blot upon our name. Ch. xiv. 16; xv. 30, 34; xvi. 2-26; ch. xxii. 52. 3. V. 33. One main point in Jeroboam's sin was that he devised out of his own heart" new symbols, temples, priests, times and methods, which he thought would serve his own private ends better than the divinely appointed ones. MT. LEBANON, SYRIA, Fourth mo. 14th, 1885. I went in company of Abdelnour, our assistant, and examined the girls of Mansourieh; we found thirty girls and two boys at the school. Seventeen of them could read nicely in the Gospel, and the others are still in the spelling book. This school suffered on account of the teacher's illness, which I reported two months ago, but now I see that the school has made good progress. The children were examined in the Gospel story, and they answered well; they repeated also many texts from the Holy Scriptures by heart, even whole chap ters, and did some arithmetic; repeated the Lord's prayer and the ten commandments, and many nice hymns, and answered 300 Bible questions from the Old and New Testaments. About thirty women were present at this examination and expressed their thankfulness to their Philadelphia friends. After all was finished, I addressed the women and said that we altogether, with our friends at Philadelphia, wish that they should learn to know the Gospel and give their hearts to Jesus. One woman said, "Have you ever heard that a cow has learned to read? So it is with us women; we cannot learn. God made us for hard work in this world." Then I said, "No! He made you for heaven." "Yes," said she, "that is, after all, our best hope; we rejoice that our daughters get educated, but with us old women do ་་ not trouble yourself, because it is in vain." I said, My sister, what is impossible by men, is possible by God." About twenty years ago was a man killed at Mansourieh, which caused a great division among the inhabitants, so that they are divided into two parties, always hating each other so that even in their church they had some fighting among them, that they had to be separated from each other by wooden bars, which looks very singular indeed. Only in the school we love and peace, learning the same lesson of Christian find the children of the two parties sitting together in love and forbearance. I see that Mansourieh is improving; the people from both parties are mixing up with each other now and then without commotion; they seem to dress better and cleaner, and they improve also their houses, and are no more so fanatical, but it needs much patience, love and wisdom to treat THEOPHILUS WALDEMEIER. Our school is progressing nicely. We have good attendance; 104 were present at last Sabbath-school. On Seventh-day I visited fourteen families, the members of our Dorcas. What pleasure these visits always give me; there is so much to be done, I find no time to be idle in the immense field of labor. I am trying to keep up a growing interest in the Dorcas by encouraging the members to piece quilts, in order that each may have one at the close of the present year. During my vacation we will quilt all we have on hand at that time. I find it necessary to appeal to you for more bits of patchwork; it is not necessary that you baste them, but it will save postage to cut them before sending. I shall be exceedingly obliged if each member will kindly send me a small package to Brownsville, Texas. The children of our sewing department have already finished three quilts they commenced with the patchwork from Philadelphia, and since then Western friends have supplied them. The girls of my room joined the Dorcas (being the largest girls of the school); they pay six cents each month, with which we will buy calico for them to make into dresses, during their sewing hours in school, for poor little children. My object in organizing this Society among the girls was to bring them up in the work; they are our hope. While we may do all we can for the mothers, they can never make as efficient workers as they could have done had they been brought up in the cause. I must not fail to mention that I am teaching two girls to knit stockings. This is quite a new feature in our school. I do not know of a single native that is able to knit. I am quite sure you are all very anxious by this time to hear how our new Sabbath-school on the Plaza de la Capilla is prospering. I am exceedingly encouraged in my work there. It was quite a new experience to have the members of my class to ask me for a Bible; last Sabbath I was able to take two, through the kindness of our friend, Gulielma Purdie. They had never heard of a Bible before. My class is composed of married women and grown-up girls. As I have written you before, it is in a large upper room," which overlooks the "Plaza de los Torres," or the plaza for bull-fights, which is enclosed by a wall of reeds. Last Sabbath we had a good attendance, although it was the principal day of the Fair, which is being held in the same plaza as our school; also, a bull-fight in the adjoining plaza. *** This is a An unknown friend of mine in Philadelphia has been for some time sending me a little paper, entitled Our Dumb Animals," from which we get some good ideas. Will you kindly inform me at what rate 100 of badges can be bought? We want the "Star Badges," as they will be more serviceable. * * * Shall we sit still and let the great sin of this land abound without an effort on our part? We need Bibles! I need them in my school room. If I had enough Testaments for each child in my school-room to have one, we cannot tell what a spread of the Gospel it would make. I lent one to a little pupil of mine sometime since to learn a passage from. In a few days his father (a Catholic) sent to me for a Bible. Now he reads and studies it. Will you send me three dozen Testaments and Psalms and God's blessing on them? *** May God's richest blessings rest on us and the work, and may we use our strength for His glory only. With love to all, your sister in Christ, JULIA L. BALlinger. TRUE MAGNANIMITY. It is pleasant to record that when the Prince and Princess of Wales, after a fortnight's almost incessant round of traveling, were the Sunday guests of the Duke of Abercorn at Baronscourt, the Princess, after having attended divine service, visited the room of a poor working girl in the neighboring town of Newtownstewart, and remained with the dying sufferer for two hours. What passed during the long interview on that quiet Sabbath afternoon probably will never be known on earth, for the girl passed into eternal rest a few hours afterwards; but there is in the fact a lesson and an example for those in less exalted positions who have it in their power to carry comfort and love to the homes and hearts of the lowly and suffering, and who profess to be unable to find time for the exercise of such practical Christianity. There has been a "royal progress" down at the East-end, which was all the more royal for the moral dignity that appertained to it. The Princess Louise made her tour through Whitechapel, Mile End, and Bethnal Green, not merely to make a display and attract a host of wondering spectators, but to perform a pleasant and worthy task-first, to open an Industrial Exhibition; secondly, to open a public garden; and, thirdly, to preside at the inaugural ceremony of the conversion of a churchyard into a healthful and enjoyable open space. There was something specially remarkable about the public garden. It was formed out of land owned by a lady who had intended to let the spot on a building lease, but was induced to offer it to Lord Brabazon's Association. The local authorities were asked to take the place into their care, but, we are told, "they refused the duty." Two ladies then paid for a fountain, and a third defrayed the cost of laying out the grounds. So the work was done without "the authorities," and the Princess came to celebrate the conclusion. The people were delighted, and East London gave the Royal lady and her friends a joyful welcome. It is far from the East to the West; but where both are in one city, the distance is not too great for the rich to go forth and visit their humble neighbors. Three hundred dock laborers, whom that morning even the docks could not employ, were entertained at a breakfast, "at which Lord Lorne, Mrs. Gladstone, and many others rendered good service in waiting upon the guests.' "Thou shalt be blessed," said the Master, "for they cannot recom pense thee." We doubt not there was a blessing down at Wapping that May morning, such as is often wanting in the gay and dazzling assemblies of the West end. Such gatherings as these have heaven's smile upon them, and who shall say how far such intercourse may avail to unite the hearts of rich and poor, so that the latter shall bless the former, instead of launching forth that bitter curse which comes of despairing poverty. Human beings have hearts which respond to the touch of sympathy, just as surely as they resent the want of it. From the poor there may not proceed an immediate recompense; but the history of the French Revolution shows how the wretched can retaliate. If the rich and royal will not go to the poor, the poor may some day come to them in a form which will admit of no denial. The graceful and sympathizing words of Mrs. Gladstone were a fitting pendant to the feast, and will not be forgotten.-The (London) Christian. THE COLORS OF STARS.-Some proceedings at a recent meeting of the Astronomical Society of Liverpool draw from a correspondent to the Post of that city a communication that concludes as follows: It is interesting to note, with regard to the color red, about which there is some doubt as to the existence of a red star in the sky, that nine of Hind's discoveries are recorded as being red, and one absolutely crimson, like to a "blood-drop on the black ground of the sky," Mr. W. S. Frank, F. R. A. Š., who came across Biridentical with the discovery made quite recently by mingham's 521 Cygni, "which was like a drop of blood in the black sky." The discoverers of R. Gem. inorum stated its having passed through blue, yellow and red during the 571 days of the gradations in its lustre. Mr. Hind also wrote, in 1850, that in October, 1845, he remarked a most fiery or scarlet star on the confines of Lupus and Orion, adding that it was the most deeply colored he had yet seen, and in striking contrast with a beautiful white star preceding it one minute. Signor Sertini raised the question as to whether colors may or may not be found to vary with spects. Others have had this singular physical defect in regard to particular colors only; for instance, Dalton-atomic Dalton-who, though so conversant with the laws of the spectrum, could not discriminate between scarlet and brown, and of whom the story is told that he bought pink stockings instead of drab colored, and went to a meeting arrayed in them. So also were two celebrated men, Troughton and Dugald Stewart, affected, but their peculiarity consisted in confusing scarlet with green, and pink with blue To the former the ripe cherry with its leaf were of one hue, only to be distinguished by their form, yet his eyesight was sharp enough for the examination of the minutest subdivisions of graduated instruments. Thompson's starlike description of colors will be remembered by your readers for its beauty: First the flaming red Sprang vivid forth: the tawny orange next;, Died in the fainting violet away.-Phila. Pub. Ledger. SHARED. BY LUCY LARCOM. I said it in the meadow-path- Are those which every mortal shares. The air we breathe-the sky -the breeze- The grass is softer to my tread For rest it yields unnumbered feet; Sweeter to me the wild rose red, Because she makes the whole world sweet. Into your heavenly loneliness Ye welcomed me, oh solemn peaks! And me in every guest you bless Who reverently your mystery seeks. And up the radiant peopled way That opens into worlds unknown, Rich through my brethren's poverty! -Good Company. SHALL WE MEET? Shall we meet the shining angels Who have guarded us while here? Shall we listen to their welcomes, And return their words of cheer? Shall we be their bright companions, Far beyond this land of tears? Shall we share their holy raptures Through the lapse of endless years? Shall we meet in yonder city, Built by workmanship divine? Where pellucid waters glide? When the burden we lay down? Shall we change our cross of anguish For the bright, unfading crown? Do we love our Lord's appearing? Shall we gladly see His face? Shall it beam with smiles of welcome? Shall He bring us endless grace? Shall we meet, O weary wanderer, Say, oh, will you meet me there, When earth's glory shall be darkness, And its joy shall be despair? When before the throne of judgment We shall all together stand, Will you pray and strive to meet me With the blest at Christ's right hand? -Selected. H. L. HASTINGS. THE AISLES OF PAIN. BY FANNIE ISABEL SHERRICK. The temple of God is fair and high, To the stars uprise its spires of gold And we who pass through the lonely night The aisles of pain are darkened with tears, The martyrs walked in the olden days We may mock at pleasure and mock at pain, We must kneel in sorrow and walk in tears SUMMARY OF NEWS. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.-Advices from Europe are to the 30th ult. GREAT BRITAIN.--On the 24th, the members of the Gladstone Ministry went to Windsor and delivered up the seals of office to the Queen, and soon afterward the new Ministry of the Marquis of Salisbury went through the ceremony of receiving office. In the House of Commons on that day, the correspondence between W. E. Gladstone and Lord Salisbury pending the latter's acceptance of office, was read. Lord Salis bury asked for pledges of Liberal support to enable the Conservatives to finish the absolutely necessary business of the session, by giving the Government precedence on the days fixed for the supply bills, and if no other way of meeting the deficit were more feasible, to let the income tax remain at 8d. for the remainder of the year, and provide for the deficit by an issue of Exchequer bonds or a temporary loan. Gladstone declined to compromise the liberty of the House of Commons by specific pledges not to oppose the remaining business, without possessing all the facts bearing thereon; but he gave assurance that facilities for expediting supply might reasonably be provided, and there would be no attempt to withhold the means required for the public service. Lord Salisbury on the 25th informed the House of Lords that he had assumed office on the assurances thus given, in compliance with the Queen's wish. Both Houses adjourned from the 25th ult. to the 6th inst. to give time for elections in the cases of the members of the new Ministry. Before the adjournment, it was announced that the bill for the redistribution of Parliamentary seats had received the royal assent; also that providing an annuity for the Princess Beatrice on her marriage; and several others. A mass meeting, at which 30,000 persons were said to be present, was held at Hyde Park, London, on the 28th, to protest against an amendment made in the House of Lords to the Reform bill, proposing to disqualify every voter who had received pauper medical relief for himself or his family within a year of any election. IRELAND.-Earl Spencer, the retiring Lord Lieutenant, left Dublin ou the 27th. The Irish Artisans' Exhibition, embracing every branch of Irish industry and of manufactures, was opened at Dublin on the 24th ult. FRANCE.-President Grévy has issued a decree which makes the French Minister to Tunis a Resident General, with the command of the whole sea and land forces, and having the entire administration of the regency. The Chamber of Deputies, by a vote of 219 to 210, has restored to the estimates for the support of public worship the sum for salaries of canons, which had been expunged by the committee. The French Minister at London, in a conference with Lord Salisbury on the 27th, is said to have renewed the demand that an early day be fixed for the withdrawal of the British troops from Egypt; and suggested the reconstruction of the Egyptian army of mixed Egyptian and Turkish mercenaries, and a change in the administration from the Khedive downward. Lord Salisbury merely replied that Egyptian affairs were under consideration. The same Minister has also notified Lord Salisbury that France, without waiting for the ratification of the treaty of peace with China, which was signed on the 9th ult., has issued orders to all French commanders to raise the blockade of Chinese ports an to ceased searching vessels on the high seas; and that trade may be resumed on the same conditions as before the war. SPAIN. Two of the Cabinet, Canovas del Castillo, President of the Council, and Romero y Robledo, Minister of the Interior, started on the 24th on a tour of inspection of the cholera-infected districts. They were enthusiastically received at Murcia. They reported that place in a lamentable condition of misery and terror. They distributed among the sufferers $50,000, including a gift from the King of $5000. Official reports for the 25th showed a total of 454 new cases and 200 deaths in the infected districts. The Minister of the Interior informed the Cortes on the 24th, that in consequence of the favorable report of the Commissioner appointed to inquire into the subject of inoculation with cholera microbes, as a preventive against the spread of cholera, the practice would be allowed to be continued, but only as an experiment. ITALY.-Signor Depretis announced in the Chamber of Deputies on the 24th that he had been requested by the King to form a Cabinet. On the 30th it was stated that he had completed the formation, himself taking for the present the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His line of foreign policy has not yet been declared. The Pope has issued an order that the Ultramontane (clerical) newspapers published in Rome maintain a friendly attitude toward the Italian Government. This action implies an important change of policy on the part of the Vatican. EGYPT.-A letter has been received at Cairo from the Mahdi, in which he says he will arrive at Wady Halfa after the fast of Ramadan. He has issued commands enjoining the killing of all foreigners unless they become Mohammedans. An Italian missionary priest, who had been long a captive in the Mahdi's camp, has escaped and reached Dongola. He asserts that the Mahdi's forces have been repeatedly defeated by the garrison of Sennaar. DOMESTIC.-Grasshoppers are doing much damage to crops in California. An agent of the Agricultural Department has gone to California to investigate the subject. A bill passed the Legislature of Pennsylvania at its last session, and has been signed by the Governor, requiring, after the 1st of Tenth mo. next, all parties intending marriage to procure from the Clerk of the Orphans' Court of the county a license, to be addressed to the minister or magistrate authorized to perform the ceremony; or if the parties propose to marry themselves, a certificate that no legal impediments exist. If any of the parties are minors, the consent of the parents must be given, personally or in writing attested by two witnesses, before the Clerk of the Court. Any minister or magistrate solemnizing a marriage without such license, or any attesting witnesses to such marriage, shall be fined one hundred dollars. A rain storm of unusual violence visited Baltimore, Md., on the 28th ult. In two hours nearly 41⁄2 inches of rain fell, accompanied by heavy thunder and lightning. Much damage was done by the flooding of cellars, &c., in the lower sections of the city, but no lives were lost, though there were some narrow escapes. Serious disaffection is reported among the Cheyenne Indians in Indian Territory, and apprehensions have been felt that they might break out into open hostili. ties. The Agent has been summoned to Washington, and a special agent is to be sent to the Territory to inquire into their grievances. Accounts received by the War Department indicate that the lands of the Indians have been leased to cattle owners, against the wishes of a majority of their leading men, and the Indians are deprived of pasture for their own herds. Large herds are also driven through their lands. THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS. At one of the early sessions of the late London Yearly Meeting, the following discourse was uttered, as reported in the (London) Friend: J. B. Braithwaite felt more than he could express at having been spared in the Lord's great mercy once more to meet with Friends on that solemn occasion. He felt that it was the very essence of our earliest principles to bring us, if we were rightly there, not into distant sympathy, but into the immediate presence of Him, who, if He be anything to us, must be all. It was a very blessed | thing to know this truth, not simply as professed by this religious Society, but from time to time in the Lord's great mercy realized amongst us, in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God. Who was He under whose protection they now sat but He, the Lord Jesus, ever the same from the foundation of the world, Christ crucified, risen, and glorified, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood. It was part of our allegiance to this blessed Saviour to accept what He had told us of Himself; that He came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. Were we for one moment-he trusted he would not be thought irreverent to suppose that He had less courage CONTENTS. The Faith Once Delivered to the Saints.... Report of London Y. M. Deputation to Canada.. Our London Letter.. ... 769 770 771 ..H.L.B. 771 BOOK NOTICE.-Building for Children in the South...... International Lesson....... 773 • 774 EDITORIAL.-Value of Ciphers-"The Old Banner"-Publisher's Notice.. DEATHS. Dublin Yearly Meeting.. Canada Yearly Meeting.. Isaac Robson....... Uncertainties of Science.. Items ...... 776 778 than Socrates in the presence of death? Were we for one moment to suppose that the language, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me," betrayed any lack of courage to meet the bodily death? Those who would think so knew very little of the depths of His sufferings. Surely no better interpretation could be given of those words than that of George Fox, inserted in the last edition of our Book of Discipline, "At that time the sins of all mankind were upon Him, and their iniquities and transgressions with which He was wounded, which He was made to bear, and be an offering for them, as He was man, but died not, as He was God." Oh that we might realize this, that He gave Himself a ransom for all. God commended His love unto us not without Christ. It was in the Lord Jesus Christ that the thought of the love of God was made possible unto fallen man. thankful that the views of this religious Society had not to be discovered from an anonymous pamphlet, but in the well-authenticated record that embodied the exercises of this portion of the Church for more than 200 years. Let anyone read that with a calm mind, and he would see clearly the views which we had held from age to age of the Lord Jesus Christ, as our only mediator and intercessor, through whom alone we had access by the one Spirit unto the Father. And he felt unutterably thankful that at this time we had firm He was |