become the articles of faith which been gullty of such acts of intolermust be subscribed to in order to se- ance and bigotry as are so frequently cure a membership in this or that found recorded upon the pages of body of professing Christians. Al- history. And with no design of acmost every denomination has at some cusing any, it may be urged upon the period in its history, been agitated different religious denominations of by the discussion of some questions, the present day to be not too hasty a belief in which a greater or less to accuse of heresy those who may number of persons united for a time chance to differ from themselves on in saying was essential to orthodoxy, what are commonly called doctrinal if not to salvation. Sometimes it has points. It may well be a question been original sin, total depravity, with us all respecting these points, free agency, or the resurrection of how far our belief is effected by prethe body; and at other times the of judice or education, and how far by fice of the will, baptism by sprinkling a desire to promote the cause of or immersion, or some peculiarity in righteousness; and until we can feel mode of worship. In most in- to desire and even to pray that we stances, after an indefinite amount of may always be willing to seek the discussion, public attention has been truth for its own sake, independent diverted from each topic in turn, of any educational bias, and as glad either by a gradual loss of interest to renounce all illiberal prejudices of in the same, or by the introduction our own as to see others renouncing of some new subject. Seldom has it theirs, it becomes a question for sebeen, however, that many persons, rious inquiry, how far we are really even of those who have subscribed guided by that "unerring spirit that to the same articles of faith, have leads out of all error and into all been fully agreed as touching those truth." And when the religious disputed points, but each persisted in world shall be more anxious to learn understanding them according to his how far they are actuated by a desire own interpretation. While it is in- to promote the cause of the Redeemteresting to look back over the field of er rather than by a desire to add to controversy, it is also instructive to the members of some particular sect; notice how little the cause of truth and when all denominations shall has been advanced by the discussion consider it cause for great rejoicing alluded to. Amid all the cumbrous that a soul has been rescued from persurroundings with which men have dition, no matter by whose instruat different periods invested them- mentality, then may we hope to see selves, tfue religion has ever remained the church making such conquests to be a thing of great simplicity, and against, and achieving such triumphs the earnest, humble seekers therefor, over the powers of darkness as have who came asking in the name of Je- never yet been witnessed. And the sus for the remission of their sins, signs of the times most certainly behave never been turned away unan- token the dawning of the day that swered, no matter how little they shall bring about these results. There may have understood of the dogmas has probably never been a period in that have been proposed from time to the history of the church in which time. Many a soul having no knowl- the masses of those professing the edge of any theology, save that Jesus name of religion, were so earnestly Christ came into the world to save engaged as at the present in the study sinners, has gloriously triumphed of the Holy Scriptures, with a desire over the terrors of death and the of separating truth from error, and grave, and left this world with bright the teachings of God from the traanticipations of a happy immortali- ditions of men. Already are the ty. In view of all this, it seems sur- fruits of this awakening apparent in prising that in the name of a religion an increase of the spirit of liberality which testifies that "we are all one and toleration, and a disposition on in Christ," mankind could have ever the part of the laity to recognize Christ as the only unerring leader, about to rest herself. A pair of these and his teachings as the only theolo- beautiful birds built their nest of gy necessary to the salvation of men. sticks and grass, hair and moss, in a When this shall become the avowed cedar before a window, where we standard by which a man's religion is often stood and watched them. The to be judged, and the bond by which mother bird would frequently utter a all are to be united, then will there shrill scolding cry, as if she had be no longer a disposition to follow quite lost her temper, and very soon this man or that man, who, ambitious her mate would come; then she would of distinction, may desire to set him- leave the nest and fly away, while he self up as a leader, but remembering would take her place. After a while, that we were not baptized in the name instead of four white eggs, we saw a of Paul nor of Cephas, neither of any little bunch of gray down, which was more modern apostle, also that they four little birds, who opened four red were never crucified for us, and that mouths to receive the worms which Christ alone is our head and high the old birds brought to them very priest, there will be a closer clinging often during the day. After awhile to the gospel in its simplicity, and to they grew large enough to fly, and the life as it is in Jesus; and the then they went away, and we never schisms and dissensions which have saw them again. so often set professional brethren at variance, shall give place to "the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." C. D. YOUNG FRIENDS, if you will use your eyes well, you will sometimes see in the green trees a spot that looks like it was red hot. If you will look closer you will find it to be a bird, wearing a bright red coat and cap, and the cap stands up on his head like the letter A. If you will listen you will hear him sing, for he has a beautiful voice, and seems to delight to use it. You, perhaps, will wonder why a bird so beautiful should seem to be alone, when other little birds have mates. The Cardinal Grosbeak, for I think that is his name, has a mate, but she wears a cloak so brown you would hardly guess she belonged to such gay company. Now, if you will think hard, may be you can tell how God shows his love to this little bird by not giving her bright feathers. This is the way: when she is sitting upon her eggs, or covering her little birds, she is not so likely to be seen and hurt, or robbed of them by the hawks or owls, or (I wish I need not say it,) little boys and girls. The fine feathers which Mr. Groesbeak wears, does not turn his little head so that he forgets to do his work; he will come and sit on the nest to keep the eggs warm, while his mate flies H. From Macmillan's Magazine. So spake he from the dungeon's gloom; His faith was low; his heart was chill. The voice that cried in saintliest youth, "Repent ye," to the startled throng; The voice that ever spake the truth, And boldly chid the tyrant's wrong; "Behold the atoning Lamb of God." Unconscious learn the truth they ask. The deaf ear heard his Ephphatha; The dead He raised to life once more; He spake-and spake no other word- M. B. MOVEMENTS OF MINISTERS. SAMUEL LLOYD, of Blue River, accompanied by Walter Moore, is on a religious visit to all the meetings of Western Yearly Meeting. ISAAC JAY, of Northern, and ELWOOD OSBORN, of Iowa, have been attending some of the Quarterly Meetings of Western Yearly Meeting. We are not informed of the extent of their minutes. tions for membership were made, only two of them having previously been connected with the Society. White River, another Monthly Meeting of New Garden, has also received two applications for assistance in holding meetings on First daysone at Bear Creek, fourteen miles distant, and the other at Buena Vista, eight miles off. This latter being situated only four miles from Poplar Run, that Monthly Meeting also apDr. Eli Jessup, of Iowa, is still on pointed a committee in the case. his religious visit in the East. When These committees attend the meetings last heard from, he was in Vermont. on First days, and also visit at the DAVID J. MCMILLAN, of Brideport, houses of the people in the vicinity, Ind., has obtained a minute to visit sometimes several families meeting the meetings in North Carolina together and spending part of the Yearly Meeting, and WILSON G. time socially, and a part in religious SPRAY, of the same place, to visit reading and worship. Dover, another Friends in Kansas. Monthly Meeting of New Garden, Elizabeth L. Comstock sends us received thirteen members in 1st the following: PHEBE B. HATHA- month last. These Meetings are sitWAY, of Rollin, Mich., with a minute, uated in Wayne and Randolph counis visiting Friends and holding meet- ties, Indiana. ings in some cities and villages in the State of New York. MARY JONES, of Raisin, has been hunting up our scattered members, holding meetings in school houses, and visiting the lost sheep of the house of Israel. M. J. NEW GARDEN QUARTERLY MEETING. The following interesting information in regard to Christian work in New Garden Quarterly Meeting, is given on the authority of a prominent member of that meeting. MEETINGS AND SCHOOLS. WALNUT RIDGE Quarterly Meeting held near Carthage, Rush county, Indiana, was opened on the 11th of last month. The new Monthly Meeting at Chicago is to be opened on 4th day the 17th of 4th mo. next. A Conference was held at Adrian, Mich., in the latter part of Ist mo., consisting of committees from Northern, Wabash, and Adrian Quarterly During the past six months, Cherry Meetings. After a somewhat proGrove Monthly Meeting has received tracted discussion, they agreed to two applications, from two different recommend these Quarterly Meetneighborhoods, for assistance in hold- ings to request Indiana Yearly Meeting religious meetings on First days, ing to set up a new Yearly Meeting and a committee was appointed in at Wabash, Ind. each case. One of these applications The Winter term of EARLHAM came from a locality six miles west of COLLEGE closes on the 6th inst., with Cherry Grove, two men being ap- a public examination the two previpointed by the citizens to visit that ous days. The Summer term commeeting and make the application, mences on the 27th. and the other from four miles north. Thirty members were received by this meeting last year, only six of The Winter session of SPICELAND ACADEMY closes on the 1st, and the whom were ever connected with Summer term opens on the 18th inst. Friends before; and in 10th mo. of this year, ten more were received; THE Peace Conference meets at and in the second, nineteen applica- Richmond, Ind., 3d mo. 13, 1867. The American Friend. Christ is worth a thousand done be RICHMOND, IND., 3RD MO., 1867. IF subscribers fail to receive our paper from irregularities in the mails, they will greatly oblige us by informing us of the fact, so that we can send them another copy. THE attention of our readers is invited to the Lecture on Education, which is given entire in this number. Some points are developed, and some conclusions reached, which are not usually found in educational discourses; and the whole will well repay a perusal. D. C. OUR OWN CORRESPONDENCE. * cause it is consistent with Friends' A friend from New Jersey writes: "I feel deeply interested in your enterprise, and believe it is calculated ety of Friends. I feel my heart drawn to supply an urgent need in the Socito pray for you that you may have Heavenly wisdom granted to you in conducting it, and that the truth as it is in Jesus may be exalted above everything else!" as A member of Ohio Yearly Meeting says: "Feeling great encouragement for the future of our Religious Society, from the belief that our members are becoming more and more We have received many words of alive to their responsibilities encouragement and sympathy, or of Friends and as Christians, I desire friendly criticism and suggestion your encouragement in holding up to your readers, and the world an enfrom various friends and correspond- lightened and Christian morality." ents, east and west. For all these kindly manifestations of interest in undertaking we return our our thanks. A member of Iowa Yearly Meeting writes: "The name I consider a peculiarly appropriate one, and hope the influence of the paper may prove as widely national, for the advancement of Truth and Righteousness.' A friend from New York writes: "I rejoice in your undertaking. You A friend from New York offers have my prayers that with all wis- the following suggestions respecting dom and innocency you may proceed. the editorial in our 2d No. We thank There is a time for all things, and I him for calling our attention to the sincerely hope for the sake of our so- expression and fully admit the corciety, that the true time has come for rectness of his views. "I observe in your enterprise. Sure I am that the the leading editorial the remark that hard crust of traditionary obligations we are to follow our predecessors onthat has resulted from the cooling of ly as they followed Christ. I have no the original fervor of our founders, objection to this remark in itselfmust give way. The love of Christ quoted with a little alteration from was the central fire from which their Paul-yet the cases are so very rare actions received their life giving where this chief of the Apostles inpower. It is the part of the natural vites others to follow him at all, that man to love an organization and its I think it would be better if trembmachinery, to desire uniformity and ling and fearful Christians of the presexact conformity, and thus bring us ent day would not adopt it. Mortals into the very things that George Fox are so liable to mistakes and failures, warred against; bigotry, superstition, that it would seem better to refer to and a formal, lifeless profession. One Christ alone, as a perfect and unaction performed from the love of changeable pattern to follow, in ac cordance with a multitude of passages to this effect. Perhaps I am too sensitive on this point, but long years have taught me the utter folly of depending on man." We give below a letter from Wm. C. Westlake, of England, author of the "Sure Foundation," and some of the Old Banner Essays, with which many of our readers are acquainted, and, as will be seen from a notice in our paper this month, Honorary Edtor of the "Friend's Examiner," a new Quarterly, whose publication has been commenced this year. The copies of this periodical which, we are informed, have been sent to us, have not yet reached us, and we can not speak of it from having seen it, but as we learn that it is to be con ducted by the Publishing Committee of the Old Banner Essays, we are prepared to welcome it without sceing it, and hope that it and our own publication may prove what its editor desires they may, a means of fostering our interest in each other, and of promoting unity and harmony of feeling amongst the different portions of our Society. We shall be glad to see his ideas of reciprocity carried out in an interchange of contributions for our periodicals in England and America. and that it may become one more tie added to the many others which now or place, in the bonds of Christian unite us together, irrespective of space fellowship. I have often thought that some journal advocating our sound gospel principles and theories of life, and which should be so conducted as to enlist the sympathies, simultaneously, of American and English Friends, would be a great boon to each. Whether this ideal may yet be realized I know not, but the reception of your magazine, costing by post but little more than one of our own monthly Friend's journals, and containing matter interesting to all bearing our Christian name, has afresh stirred my feelings in this di rection. I by no means under estimate the cherished bonds of unity fostered every year by an exchange of epistles between England and American Yearly Meetings, or the warmer feelings increased with us, (as I doubt not with you,) by the occasional visits of beloved ministers of the gospel: but in order to create a greater and wider interest in each other's concerns, I believe a freer use of cheap postage and cheap printing is eminently desirable amongst us. when the parental home is broken up tered over the wide world, a frequent andthe members of the familyare scatinterchange of letters and newspapers is needful to keep alive an active interest in each other's affairs, so do I believe that a like feeling is fostered (if not created) by the intercommunication of thoughts and records amongst the members of separated religious bodies. Just as SOUTHAMTON, 1st mo. 23, 1867. To the Editors of the American Friend: DEAR FRIENDS-It is with pleasure It is with something of this feeling that I have received a copy of your that the committee of our new publinew journal, and from the interest cation on this side of the water, called which its contents awakened in my the "Friends Examiner," have decided heart toward both its writers and on sending over some 120 copies of readers, in your large Yearly Meet- their first number for sale, or else for ing, I feel disposed to send a friendly distribution in America, as stated in greeting. I trust the new periodical the prospectus. Its writers are all may not only supply a want existing voluntary, and the editor and comon your side the Atlantic, but that its mittee have no money benefit in the moderate price, nice type, and month- sale. They, therefore, feel the greater ly issue may commend it to the notice freedom in recommending the volof some Friends in the old country, ume, and more especially in soliciting |