PURE AIR ESSENTIAL TO PROFITABLE WOR- | ordered, that the possession of wealth, family

SHIP.

A certain rural church was somewhat famous for its picturesque gothic architecture, and equally famous for its sleepy atmosphere; the rules of gothic symmetry requiring very small windows, which could only be partially opened Everybody was affected alike in this church; minister and people complained that it was like the enchanted ground in the Pilgrim's Progress. Do what they would, sleep was ever at their elbows; the blue, red, and green of the painted windows melted into a rainbow dimness of hazy confusion, and ere they were aware they were off on a cloud to the land of dreams.

distinction, or personal elegance, though accompanied by ignorance, folly, or even dissoluteness, is sometimes a surer passport into what is termed good society, than the best culture of mind and heart, where external advantages have been denied.

When we value mankind according to their external advantages, our moral standard is as false as the drawing upon a Chinese plate. We have no true moral perspective. Our ideas of right and wrong are confused and imperfect, and in danger of becoming corrupt. We laugh at the stupidity of the poor Chinaman in his attempts after beauty and art, while in morals An energetic sister in the church suggested we are quite as stupid as he. Believing ourthe inquiry whether it was ever ventilated, and selves wise, we are fools. It is very hard to esdiscovered that it was regularly locked up at cape being unduly influenced by the opinions of the close of service, till opened for the next society; but the more earnestly we seek true week. She suggested the thought whether giv- excellence for ourselves, the more easily we ing the church a thorough ventilation on Satur- learn to value true excellence in others, and to day would not improve the Sunday services; overlook the opinions of the world. The more but nobody acted on her suggestion. Finally independent we become of opinion, the better she borrowed the sexton's key on Saturday will be the influence we exert upon society, night, and went to the church and opened all as well as that which we receive from it in rethe windows herself, and let them remain so for the night. The next day everybody remarked. the improved comfort of the church, and won dered what had produced the change. Nevertheless, when it was discovered, it was not deemed a matter of enough importance to call for an order on the sexton to perpetuate the improvement.-Atlantic Monthly.

COMPANIONSHIP.

BY MARY G. CHANDLER. (Continued from page 231.)

turn.

If the influence of our Companionship with those whom we meet in general society and in the daily avocations of life be important, far more so is that which comes to us through the friends whom we select from the world at large as best adapted to minister to our happiness; and in proportion as they are near and dear to us will their influence be strong and deep.

The choice of friends is influenced by an equal variety of motives, and of a similar nature Society at large, according as we walk in it as those that lead to the selection of the social in a spirit of meekness or a spirit of egotism, thus circle. There is often no better foundation serves to develope and expand our powers, or than selfishness for what passes current in the to narrow and degrade them more and more con- world for ardent friendship. The selfish and tinually. To the casual observer, the difference worldly love from selfish and worldly motives, in the advancement of the two classes may not and doubtless they receive their reward; but if in early life be apparent. The forth-putting we would derive the advantages to Character pretension of egotism may indeed cause it to that result from a wise Companionship, we seem the more rapidly advancing character of must select our friends without undue regard to the two, but the progress of years will widen the opinions of the world, and impelled by a the separation between their paths, till it shall be desire for moral or intellectual advancement. seen as a great gulf, of which the opposite sides Falsehood and fickleness in friendship result have naught in common. Advancing age will from its being built upon merely selfish or cirshow the egotist narrow-minded and overbear- cumstantial foundations. When built upon ing, peevish and fault-finding; while he who mutual respect and affection, it contains no elepursues his even course, walking in Christian ment of decay or change; and they who trust to meekness with his fellow men, will in old age any other foundation have no right to comexhibit ever-enlarging charity and ever-expand-plain if their confidence is abused and disaping wisdom, and his gray hairs will seem like a crown of glory.

It may seem almost needless to speak of the danger to Character that is involved in seeking the Companionship of the worthless or the evildisposed. "Can one handle pitch and not be defiled?" Yet the usages of society are so dis

pointed.

Persons sometimes suppose themselves the fast friends of others, when their affection is merely the result of benefits received, directly or indirectly; and if these benefits are withheld, their supposed friendship is dissipated at once, or perhaps changed to enmity. Such a friendship

is merely circumstantial, and has no just claim | traits of character are confirmed or cast aside, and to the name. Mere juxtaposition, the habit of new ones developed or implanted. seeing each other every day, is often sufficient to produce what the parties concerned esteem friendship, and to occasion the freest interchange of confidence. The slightest change of circumstance, a few miles of separation, an inadvertant offence, a trivial difference of opinion, a clashing of interest, are, any one of them, sufficient to bring such an intimacy to an end, and to cast reproach upon the sacred name of friendship, when friendsdip had never existed between the parties for a single moment.

Genuine friendship can exist only between persons of some elevation of moral character, and its strength and duration will be commensurate with the degree of this moral elevation. Truthfulness, frankness, disinterestedness, and faithfulness are qualities absolutely essential to friendship, and these must be crowned by a sympathy that enters into all the joys, the sorrows, and the interests of the friend, that delights in all its upward progress, and when he stumbles or falls, as all at times must, stretches out the helping hand, not condescendingly nor scornfully, but in the simplicity of true charity that forgives even as it would be forgiven, and is tender and patient even where it condemns. In such a friendship there is no room for rivalry, weariness, distrust, or anything subversive of confidence. With the sclfish and the worldly, such a connection cannot exist, because with them rivalries and clashing interests must arise; for it is only among the seekers after excellence that there is room for the gratification of the desires of all. Neither can it exist between the false, for falsehood shuts the door upon confidence; nor with the morally weak, the foolish, or the idle, for they weary of each other even as they weary of themselves.

This union, so sacred that it even supersedes that which exists between parent and child, should be entered upon only from the highest and purest motives; and then, let worldly prosperity come or go as it may, this twain whom God has joined, not by a mere formal ritual of the Church, but by a true, spiritual union that man cannot put assunder, are a heaven unto themselves, and peace will ever dwell within their habitation.

In proportion as a true marriage of the affections between the pure in heart is productive of the highest happiness that can exist on earth, so every remove from it diminishes the degree of this happiness, until it passes into the opposite, and becomes, in its most worldly and selfish form, a fountain of misery, of a quality absolutely infernal.

Amid the disorder and imperfection reigning in the world, it is not to be supposed that a large proportion of mariages should be truly heavenly. In order to arrive at this, both parties must be of a higher moral standing than is often reached at an age when marriage is usually entered upon; but unless the character of each is inclined heavenward, there is no rational ground for anticipating happiness, except of the lowest kind.

Many persons of a naturally amiable disposition enjoy what may seem a high degree of happiness, through their sympathy with each other in worldliness and ambition: but such happiness is not of a kind that can endure the clouds and tempests of life. It is nourished only by the good things of this world, and if it cannot obtain them, is converted into the greater wretchedness because the being which is dearest in life shares this wretchedness. When, on the contrary, things heavenly are those most highly prized and earnestly sought, each party helps to sustain the other in all earthly privations and disappointments; for each is looking beyond and above the trials of earth and, each is in possession of a hope, nay, a fruition, that cannot be taken away, and which is dearer than all that is lost. With them, to suffer together is to rob suffering of half its weight, and almost all its bitterness. Whatever earthly deprivation may befall them, the kingdom of heaven is ever within their souls.

Of all earthly Companionship, there is none so deeply fraught with weal or woe, with blessing or with cursing, as the Companionship of married life. After this relationship is formed, although the threads still remain the same, the whole warp and woof of the being are dyed with a new color, woven ccording to a new pattern. Character is never the same after marriage as before. There is a new impetus given by it to the powers of thought and affection, inducing them to a different activity, and deciding what tendencies are henceforth to take the lead in the action of the mind; whether the soul is to spread its wings for a higher flight than it has hitherto ventured, or to sit with closed pinions, content to be of the earth, earthy. All are in- Most professing Christians will, perhaps, adterested, even strangers, in hearing of the estab-mit the necessity of having a saving faith in the lishment of a newly married pair in what relates to the equipage of external life. Far more interesting would it be if we could trace the mental establishing that is going on, as old

(To be continued.)

For Friends' Intelligencer.
SAVING FAITH.

Redeemer of men, in order that they may be received into the kingdom of God. Converted men and women everywhere surely have had convincing evidence of this. Admitting,

DOING GOOD BY PROXY.

therefore, the necessity of faith and trust in | fect, and never fails to make us be taken notice this Saviour, to enable us to pass, in the lan- of, either as wanting sense or as wanting singuage of Scripture, from death in transgression cerity.-Locke. unto life in Christ, to be born as it were a new creature, reconciled to our Heavenly Father, yet, how easy it is for us to attach undue importance to that form or body of flesh in which a large body of the Christian world profess to place their hopes and affections as their Saviour. If the One ever living God, our Father, mani-ized remedy. We have charities for the sick, fested himself in Jesus Christ to accomplish a work in the world, why need we question or attempt strictly to analyze the nature of Jesus? Is it not more important to endeavor to imitate his example, and strive to have the same spirit born in each of us that manifested itself in Him, that we, too, may become, through its saving influence, one in Christ, one in the Father?

In considering the differences that exist between professing Friends and others, the above thoughts have suggested themselves to my mind. C.

Every great city in Christendom has its benovolent societies and charitable institutions. There is no human sorrow of a physical character that has not been provided with an organthe deaf, the dumb, the blind, the aged, the poor, the ignorant, and the feeble of mind. We have associations for the prevention of pauperism and for the prevention of cruelty to animals. We have homes for the outcast, the or phan, and the friendless. We have lying.in hospitals, and free pharmacies, and admirable systems of out-door relief. We have the ear that hears every cry of distress, and the hand that is ever ready to relieve it. However it may be with other races, the Anglo-Saxonwhether in his old home or in his new homesis always as prompt with his purse as with his tongue to alleviate the miseries that he sees

FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. around him. Yet one thing is lacking in our

PHILADELPHIA, SIXTH MONTH 22, 1867.

MARRIED, on the 5th of Sixth month, 1867, at the residence of the bride's parents, according to the order of the Society of Friends, JOSEPH FLOWERS, JR., to HANNAH RICH, both of Bucks Co., Pa.

philanthropy. We carry our inherited business habits into fields wherein we should reverently take off the shoes of commerce from our feet. Where the cry of misery is heard, God is in the midst of it, as he appeared in the midst of the burning bush. It is not meet that we should send our servants into his presence; we should go ourselves, and do his bidding with reverent and jealous zeal.

DIED, on the 5th of Sixth month, 1867, at her residence in Columbiana, Columbiana Co., Ohio, CASSANDRA NICHOLS, widow of Wm. Nichols, aged nearly 82 years; a member of Middleton Monthly Meeting. Her illness was only of one week's duration, and was attended with much suffering, which she bore with much patience and resignation, giving full evidence that her peace was made. About two hours before her departure she said she "would soon rest in Heaven." She was liberal and just in her dealings, and evinced much sympathy for the afflicted and needy; and was a diligent attender of meetings, sel-large numbers. We do not mention these facts

dom absent, however stormy the weather.

, at Rensselaerville, Albany Co., N. Y., on the 29th ult., MIRIAM, wife of Caleb Frost, aged 66 years. This dear friend was the mother of a numerous family of children, remarkable for their affection and circumspect life, to whose welfare and happiness, in conjunction with her dear husband, her life was devoted. Her hand was open to the needy in her neighborhood, and her heart to the oppressed everywhere. Some days before her death she called her household around her, imparting to them her last wish and her last counsel; then taking each by the hand, she bade them a most impressive farewell. Lovely in her life, sweetly peaceful in her death.

Let us illustrate our full meaning by examples-impersonal, but real; for we have watched the operation of this modern method of doing good by proxy in a dozen states and during a dozen years. We have organized new charities; we have assisted in creating others; and we are familiar with the history and management of

for any poor purpose of self-praise; but that the thoughts we write may carry, as they thus ought to carry, the greater credit which the results of long and careful experience obtain over the untried theories of the closet.

There is a real need of organized charity. It is not possible, for example, for an unaided individual to secure that reform in the condition of the tenements of the poor; or the education of the deaf, dumb and blind; or the proper treatment of the insane; or even that constant care of the indigent classes, which civilization and religion compel us at our social peril to secure. If we suffer filth and foul atmosphere to encircle the homes of the poor, the fevers and diseases, physical, moral, and mental, that they breed, will surely find us out, and cause us to pay, in our own persons or in our own families, AFFECTATION. Affectation in any part of the dread penalty of our criminal neglect. But our carriage is lighting up a candle to our de-all these organized agencies should be regarded

FOUND,

On Swarthmore grounds, on the day of the Excursion, a Morocco Satchel, supposed to belong to "S. E. Moore," which the owner can have by calling at the

Store of E. Parrish, Eighth and Arch.

1

as auxiliary or transitional; not as sufficient in themselves and permanent in their nature. While, as citizens, we must act as a society; as Christians, we must act as individuals as well. The Master did not say to the rich man, Go and found a charity; but, "Sell all that thou hast, and give." All of Christ's teachings are addressed to the individual as an individual. He neither sought to save men as organized communities, nor to do good to aggregations of citizens. The modern method is to carry on reform as war is conducted; to regenerate men by the regiment, to be benevolent by batallion.

It has been tried and found wanting. The ablest students of social science, as well as the most experienced superintendents of charities, are beginning to admit that the modern method is a failure. We might illustrate this discovery by many quotations, and by the history of many charities; but our space will permit of one or two representative examples only.

tical.

agrees to see that it is properly disbursed. This stipulation it is beyond the power of man to fulfil. For it is merely an occasional dollar, or a pair of shoes, or another blanket, that our lonely and suffering poor require. It is human sympathy, as well as human aid. No agent has a heart large enough, or can find the days long enough, to do more than disburse eleemosynary gifts. Alas! also, there are few agents who have the heart, even if they had the leisure. For we should never forget that the management of all charities requires men rather of business than of heart. It is a civil necessity which compels this choice, and the cases where both are united in a single man are few and far between. Besides, even men of heart soon become accustomed to the sight of distress. Like surgeons, they must learn to look on it with undimmed eyes, or their judgment might destroy their efficiency. But this is bad for the patient, even if it is good for the system. SometimesTake the case of orphans. What is it that nay, often-a tear and a gentle, loving word are an orphan needs? A home and parents. What more efficient means of relieving distress than is it that we give him? A trundle-bed in a an open hand and a generous order for goods. large dormitory; a place in a boys' monastery, Agents must ask questions, and even in one or a girl's nunnery; instead of a home, an asy-sense be impertinent; whereas the individual lum; instead of a father and a mother, a super- can afford to be liberal without first being skepintendent and a matron. No class of human beings, next to our own children, have a stronger or holier claim to our warmest love and tenderest care than those little motherless wanderers. As men and women, they appeal to our sympathies; as Christians, they have a right to our love. Each little one is a true vicegerent; he is a representative of Christ on earth. There is no mode of denying or evading this claim, except by denying and refusing obedience to the Master himself. For whoso doeth good unto one of these little ones doeth it unto him. Were Christ once more to assume the flesh, and to be wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and laid at our doorstep, would we dare to consign him to an asylum? To ask is the answer, No. If we consented to give up the babe, it would only be because we knew others, with ampler means and tenderer hearts, would nurse and rear him. Now, orphan asylums are needed; but only as temporary homes-until some Rachel, weeping for her lost children, shall come and adopt them as her own. The world is ripe enough in goodness to make this plan successful. There are already charities which are conducted on this method, and which find it easy to furnish every little wanderer with a home. Such charity, like mercy, is twice blessed; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes. The love which it calls up in the orphan's heart is repaid a thousand fold by the holy love which it enkindles in the foster parent's home.

Take the case of the indigent poor. There are those who are satisfied with an annual contribution to some provident society, which

No, philanthropic institutions have their uses-important and essential uses even; but they are neither adequate nor fitted to perform all the holy duties of charity. Sustain such as are efficient; but first see that they are real workers. Take nothing on trust. Follow their agents; visit their buildings; where they carry food, convey kindness also. Above all, supplement them by your own good works. Remember the frequent saying of Dr. Howe:-"There is no vicarious virtue; true charity is not done by deputy."-N. Y. Independent.

NIGHT.

If the relation of sleep at night, and, in some instances, its converse, be real, we cannot reflect without amazement upon the extent to which it carries us. Day and night are things close to us; the change applies immediately to our sensations; of all the phenomena of nature, it is the most obvious and the most familiar to our experience; but in its cause, it belongs to the great motions which are passing in the heavens. Whilst the earth glides round her axis, she ministers to the alternate necessities of the animals dwelling upon her surface, at the same time that she obeys the influence of those attractions which regulate the order of many thousand worlds. The relation, therefore, of sleep at night is the relation of the inhabitants of the earth to the rotation of their globe; probably it is more; it is a relation to the system of which that globe is a part; and, still further, to the congregation of systems of which theirs