a Higher Power, the Conference adjourned to LYDIA C. STALLER, Clerks. (To be continued.) in their own belief, had through these means been drawn into other fields of labor, while we thus lost those who might have been pioneers for the dissemination of our own principles. Examples of each class were given; one a Friend had taught a First-day school for colored persons in Friends' Meeting House, at Alexan dria, Va., about 40 years ago. Now he hailed FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER. with joy this general movement, believing that a deeper meaning than might at first be perceived lay in the almost simultaneous awakening, resulting, without any concerted action, in such similarity of plan and purpose. PHILADELPHIA, ELEVENTH MONTH 30, 1867. MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP AND DISCIPLINE. -By a communication from W. T. C. we are Allusion was made to the objections urged informed that on First day afternoon, the 10th by some, indicating fear lest erroneous doctrinal matter might be inculcated, but it was inst., a meeting was held at Wilmington, in asked, "Because any good thing is liable to pursuance with an invitation contained in a abuse, shall we refrain from endeavors to use it Circular addressed by that Monthly Meeting to properly?" "Shall we close our meeting its members, to consider the subject of the neghouses lest doctrines with which we cannot lect of the younger members of the Society in unite be at times held forth?" "Had our living testimonies of peace, love and universal brotherhood, with the guidance of the light within, been held up in this way to our youth during the last 30 years, who can estimate the beneficial results to our Society? On the teaching of the letter a caution was given by one who, although not wishing to oppose the work, would urge those engaged in it to walk carefully. She had felt a jealousy, lest in the zeal of youthful labors our main principles might not be kept always clearly in view; but she was "in a measure acquainted with the interest and feeling of some of the workers," and gave "these suggestions merely as a wholesome caution." By another Friend, not a teacher, was added encouragement as from one "who had known the hearts of some engaged in it and who gave them cordial sympathy." This was followed by the expression of the hope that those who had begun with earnest purpose and from a real concern to disseminate the pure truths of righteousness might go on, relying for guidance upon the simple teachings of the Spirit, which will enable them rightly to impart all that has been received. the attendance of mid week and disciplinary meetings. A large number of Friends convened, notwithstanding the weather was stormy and unpropitious, and the meeting proved to be one of unusual interest, especially to the young people, whose sympathies became enlisted in the concern. The object of the meeting was stated by T. C. Taylor, Clerk of the Men's Monthly Meeting, by whom also the address was read. Considerable expression was elicited from both the older and younger members, and it was concluded to hold a meeting on Fourthday evening of each week, at which the discipline of the Society should be read and considered by sections. The Friends of Wilmington appear to have adopted a course similar to that which has been pursued by Friends in other parts of the country. The meetings called Disciplinary Meetings, held at Race street, have been thought by many to have had a salutary effect in uniting in fellowship the old and the young, as well as in awakening an interest in the minds of the latter in some of the testimonies particularly valued by our Society. While we with others deplore the laxity which is too prevalent in regard to the One who had great confidence in those who attendance of our religious and disciplinary meethad undertaken the work, wished to suggest the ings, we think there can be no radical change, propriety of confining the Biblical reading and without change of purpose. The defect, accordJessons mostly to the clear and beautiful teaching to our belief, originates, in too many inings of the New Testament, but acknowledged himself satisfied with the explanation offered on the part of the teachers. One of the teachers on behalf of the rest, feeling the cautions above mentioned well meant, expressed her desire to profit by them, adding however a few remarks explanatory of the tendency of their teachings, and calculated to relieve exercised minds. Feeling renewed strength to go forward in the cause, yet humbly trusting in the guidance of stances, in suffering the mind to become unduly engrossed with the cares of this life, and the pursuit of riches, which have the effect as presented in the parable of the sower, to choke the good seed and prevent its yielding fruit, which would strengthen the religious element, and induce a disposition to seek first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness. Is it not the case that many who desire Truth are unwilling to part with all that prevents its full reception, and these go on their way, often sorrowing in secret, because of the painful void that naught can fill save the love of the Father? This would act not only as a "refiner with fire," but it breathes into the soul an inspiration by which the angelic anthem of glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will to men becomes the language of its life. It may be thought by some that too much stress is laid upon the attendance of meetings. We are conscious that the mere act of going to meeting will avail little, unless the motive be pure and the desire is felt to worship the Father of spirits in spirit and in truth. While we sit not in judgment over our brethren, we cannot but believe where this desire and love for good have the pre eminence in the mind, there will need no stronger incentive to assemble with our friends for the purpose of Divine worship; and in the performance of this, as the apostle calls it, reasonable service, we are convinced there will be found an increase of ability and strength for the fulfilment of our daily duties, however varied these may be. The precious promise is worthy of continual remembrance, that they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; and there is another of equal value-Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. That the assemblings proposed by our friends of Wilmington, as well as similar ones in other neighborhoods, may have the effect to stir up the pure mind, and put it in remembrance of those things which pertain to an eternal life, is our ardent desire. INDIANA YEARLY MEETING-By the delay in the reception of the extracts from Indiana Yearly meeting, we have not been able to furnish our readers with its proceedings as usual. Those from women's meeting have just com to hand. They report their meeting to have been a season of Divine favor, and the business which claimed attention was conducted in love and harmony. The meeting continued a committee on education. The laws of Indiana exclude the people of color from the benefit of the common school fund, and Friends have had the past year three schools in Richmond for Monthly Meeting of Friends, in the State of Iowa, on the 3d of Tenth month last, ALBERT A. BLACK- this class. The committee express their satisBURN, late of Centre County, Pa., to MARY S. THOMAS, faction with the order and progress of the pu daughter of Nathan and Asseneth Thomas. pils, and think "their aptitude and disposition for acquiring knowledge truly commendable." A committee was appointed to unite with men Friends on the subject of the revisal of the discipline, and report next year. MARRIED, with the approbation of Prairie Grove on the 31st of Tenth month last, in Friends' Meeting-house at Prairie Grove, in the State of Iowa, WILLIAM H. CANBY to SALLIE S. RUSSELL, daughter of Caleb and Elizabeth Russell. --, with the approbation of Goshen Monthly Meeting, on the 13th of Eleventh month, 1867, at the residence of Mary G. Pratt, in Marple, Delaware County, Pa, T. DILLWYN DUTTON to LYDIA PRATT, both of Delaware County. We append the minute embodying some of the exercises of the meeting. After a season of solemn silence, the spirit learned eloquence attendant on it, and were reof prayer was recognized in an early communi-minded that the gospel was simple, freely recation that we might so dwell under the perceived and to be freely given. vading influence as to secure the Divine bless- Our young sisters were called upon to coning upon our proceedings, enabling us to trans-sider the crnobling effect of cultivating a state act the business that may come before us in or habit of mind in which the love of God is harmony and condescension. so felt and appreciated as to exclude all desire for diversions calculated to estrange therefrom. Our fundamental principle of the internal revelations of the will of God to man, was aptly illustrated and confirmed by the manner in which all the reformers, from Abraham down, perceived the requirements of truth, which was by impressions and convictions made on the mind by God. The isolated situation of many of our scattered members, was feelingly introduced to our notice, who, from various circumstances, were prevented from mingling with us; some of whom, perhaps, had now, with the privation, to lament past neglected privileges. Thus we were admonished to, cultivate a spirit which would induce an appreciation of opportunities of meeting together spiritually and socially. The view was forcibly presented, that we were, to some extent, our brother's keeper, inasmuch as we do exert our influence over one another for good or evil by our conduct and conversa tion. A sense of responsibility or necessity of being a proper example was tenderly adverted to by a Friend, who acknowledged that the query had arisen in her mind when attending fuperals, whether she had at all times been as exact in her deportment as a constant regard for the truth demanded, and that would have acquitted her of all accountability in respect to the deceased. Such an appeal, fraught with so much humility and self-abasement, that others might be edified, is surely calculated to stir up our minds and arouse serious reflections on the past, and incite a disposition to set a guard on our actions and our words. Our young sisters were encouraged to maintain their integrity to the truth, for the time was apprehended to be near when some of them would be called to bear testimony to its excellency. The voice of thanksgiving ascended for the bread which had been dispensed amongst us; a petition arose that the aged might witness the light of goodness through the vale of death, and that the middle aged might be supported by the Divine arm under the trials that are permitted to compass their path. Those whose means are ample were affectionately invited to seek the poor and needy, and to minister of their abundance to such, and to evince their sympathy to all needing it, by genial action; thus, while they are contributing to the comfort of others, they are securing blessings to themselves; but a care was expressed that none should be actuated by motives of popularity. A concern was expressed that in dealing with offenders, we should adhere very closely to the spirit or disposition of mind suggested by the ninth query, manifesting a feeling that would gather instead of scatter, binding them to the fold instead of driving them far away. If we do not succeed in reclaiming, we shall have the consolation of having done what we could. Considerable concern was evinced on the subject of the proper school education of our children, in consequence of an apparently lukewarm spirit manifested by so few practical reinsults. The manifestation of kind feelings, through the medium of appropriate actions and expres sions, was encouraged in the younger members, and they were reminded that true religion was not far off, but near to us, to be practiced as the life of the holy Jesus, who went about doing good to the souls and bodies of men. The necessity of a meek and humble spirit for the right prosecution of every good work, was presented to view. The neglect of the attendance of our religious meetings was shown to be detrimental to a spiritual growth and was conducive of apathy to our best interest; on the contrary, an attention to our religious obligations would be conducive to a strengthening influence that would prove comforting and sustaining in seasons of sore trials and afflictions. The attention of Friends being directed to our Testimony concerning a hired ministry, the error of the principle was demonstrated and oppression shown to be the result. The young were warned against the seductions of the The superiority and excellency of Christian. love, as cxhibited in its cementing influence, its quality of supporting under adversity, its tendency to gather all to the pure fountain of goodness and rendering our immortal souls, by virtue of its life in our hearts, fit inhabitants of the kingdom of God, was baptizingly preached amongst us. The strong probability of the present opportunity being the last that would be afforded many now gathered of meeting together again in a state of mutability, was feelingly alluded to, as an incentive to an earnest preparation for the approach of death. And in conclusion a feeling of gratitude was expressed, by way of supplication to the Great Author of all our blessings, for His continued favor during our Meeting. For Friends' Intelligencer. BIRDS AND INSECTS. "Are not five sparrows sold for threepence, and not one of them is forgotten of God.” This is as it should be. In our neighborhood (Westbury, L. I.) there has been a great reformation in regard to gunning. A little more than a quarter of a century ago it was 'common Gone are our summer birds, one by one, so for both men and boys to spend their First-days silently, we have scarcely been aware of their in strolling around the fields and through the departure. A lonely robin or cat-bird, or it woods in quest of birds. In consequence of may be the gentle chipping bird and soug spar- this moral reform, or change in public sentirow, still liuger, tempted by the fine weather; ment, the number of birds has greatly increased. but their melody greets us not in the morning, The larva of the May-bug, which is familiarly as in the summer time. We have enjoyed their known as the "Grub," has almost disappeared, company, and while noticing their modes of while formerly they were so numerous as often life, especially the kinds of food of which they to cause the loss of entire crops of corn, and partake, we have been reminded of the truth of sometimes wheat. Other instances of the dimi the text above quoted, "None of them are for nution of insects since the increase of birds gotten of our Father." The relation that birds might be given. The immense powers of resustain in the economy of the universe is a sub-production, and the instincts with which this ject of pleasing contemplation, and gives evi- portion of the creation is endowed, renders it dence of the wisdom and goodness of Him that impossible for men, aided by the birds, to utcreated them. We may first view them as conterly destroy a single species of our insect foes. servators of health, as they assist in purifying We hear occasional complaints from fruitthe atmosphere, like other animals, by taking growers that birds are eating up all the strawinto their animal organization the abundant berries and cherries, and that they are even oxygen, and returning the carbon necessary for robbing us of our nicely grown luscious grapes. the food of plants. But we will not dwell on a What shall we do in this case? Some would subject which is or should be familiar to every say shoot away till we kill all the robins and school boy. The great good they confer as dis-cat-birds in the country-age, and cedar-birds seminators of seeds should not be overlooked. too. It is trying to both faith and patience, Many trees and plants, for aught we know, would have remained in their first or primitive localities, had it not been for the agency of birds. In what way would the different berries, and also many of the fruit-bearing trees, have been spread, as we find them, over the land, in the distant woods, by the hedge rows, and in the depths of forests, unless birds had eaten their fruit, and carried the seeds to these distant places. Birds have been shot in the Northern States with grains of rice yet undigested in their crops from the plantations of Carolina or Georgia The trees that were brought from Europe in the early settlement of the country are profusely scattered in the woods and fields, and the weeds, also imported, which have become a greater naisance than those natural to our soil, have in part been spread by birds. But the most important relation birds bear to us is as destroyers of insects. We admit their value to some extent as food and the enjoyment we receive from their cheerful melody; but as insect destroyers, they are essential to our existence. Without them our beautiful country would be a desert. Every green thing would in a few short years be swept off the earth by innumerable insects, unless He who forgets not the sparrows should interpose and employ other agents for their destruction. - Much interest has been awakened in this country in regard to the preservation of birds. Laws have been enacted in several States, making it a penal offence to shoot, during most of the year, any of our small and useful birds. after we have nearly ripened our fruit, and our labor and care are being amply rewarded, to have the marauding birds take it. Of two evils we should choose the least. Better have the birds to eat the fruit, than to have the worms destroy both fruit and trees. We can in a great measure protect the fruit, or often employ some method to frighten them away. If we kill them, we may destroy our best friends. The law of supply and demand will operate here in beautiful harmony, for as we cultivate more plants and vegetables for the worms to live on, their numbers will increase; and so, in the same ratio, birds, finding plenty of food, will multiply more rapidly to meet the demand if we do not molest them. There are portions of the country where, at certain seasons, worms and grasshoppers sweep off vegetation as with the besom of destruction. Why have not the birds kept these in check? The reason probably is there is not sufficient food for them through the season, except a week or two when these pests prevail; and birds will not make their home and rear their young where instinct teaches them there will be famine part of the season. When those places cultivate vegetables and fruits extensively, it is probable the small birds will increase in numbers and materially assist in reducing the immense swarms of destructive insects. Ia long cultivated and productive soils in the eastern States there is no doubt a great increase of birds, since the Indians owned the land; especially the insectiverous birds, which we love to call by the term sociable or home-birds. We find different tastes in birds, some are only in sectiverous, others will consume a variety of food and will resort to means to satisfy hunger which they would not from choice. Sometimes pieces of leather and other incongruous sub stances have been found in the stomach of the crow, and the sap-sucker or red headed woodpecker may only eat the sap to prevent him from starving. We have seen the cat-bird, in the midst of his imitative song, take a bite of the blossom of the apple. And our highly prized and most useful Baltimore Oriole is accused, at the West, of being one of the worst depredators on fruit they have. We think there could not have been a sufficient supply of insect food, or they would not have eaten the fruit. We must enter a plea for the robins, too. When they come from their winter quarters at the south, they are no doubt sorely pressed with hunger, and we see them follow the newly turned furrow with keenest gaze, hopping about to find some larva of butterfly or moth. They do not sing much at this time, as there is no respite from labor. But when the bright sun of early summer days has reddened the cherries and put the blush on the strawberry beds, robin has easier times. The little ones, turned out into the world to provide for themselves, seek the easiest method by feeding on the ripening fruits. If there were none of these to be found, perhaps but a small portion of the young birds could find worms enough, as at that season most of those upon which they prey have changed into their perfect state, and are, in the silent hours of the night, laying their eggs on bush or tree for a future generation. We find even here, that they are not roving among the pretty flowers and fluttering over the tree-tops with impunity. Nocturnal birds reduce and keep them in bounds. The night hawk and whippoorwill, with the bats, that are in some respects similar to birds, and the night rovers among our small animals, find in them a choice morsel. We love to watch the pretty goldfinches scraping off with their bills the aphides or plant lice, or note the nimble chickadce hunting the minute insect eggs in the fall and winter, for we know they are working for us as well as for themselves. It was with much interest we stood quietly by a fence one sum mer day, watching the actions of a Baltimore Oriole busily making a repast from a nest of the tent caterpillar. He would insert his bill through a rent he had made, take out a fat caterpillar and bite him in two, about twothirds of his length or below his stomach, eat the fat or vital parts in that region, and lay him on a pile. After singing a little he would take out another. This bird must have killed a hundred caterpillars. If, as is said of the yellow billed cuckoo, he fed upon whole insects, few would suffice. Last summer a person brought a complaint to the Farmer's Club against that most useful bird, the Tyrant Fly-Catcher, or King-Bird, stating that he was very destructive to the bees. He had shot him and brought his crop full of bees in proof of the charge. On examination, they were all drones, and probably not being needed, the bees had driven them out, and the king bird had done no harm. Long after the bee is dissected it will put out its sting, and it would be impossible for any bird to endure such stabs. Many denounce the crow also as a pest, but if we knew all his good deeds they would overbalance the evil. If the many thousands of bugs, crickets, etc., he eats through the summer, and the herds of grasshoppers he picks up every pleasant day in winter, and also the bushels of weed-seeds which he devours, were reckoned in the account, his credit side would be fair. But we will find with almost all created things, as well as the crow, that good unmixed with what we call evil, does not exist, Unless we study the habits of birds and their usefulness as connected with other animated beings, we may, in ignorance, kill our best friends. We regard with unceasing pleasure, as we come to understand them, those benignant laws by which this most interesting class of the animal kingdom is governed. No wonder that Jesus, who saw these proofs of Divine providence, should call the attention of his hearers to it as an evidence of his Father's merciful regard. Are ye not of more value than the birds, O ye of little faith? How much more precious are ye in the Divine sight, being gifted with immortal souls, than the short-lived sparrows! The earth is full cf the Father's goodness and love, and it would be well for us if we would draw instruction from them, as Jesus, the prophets and the apostles did. The field is as wide as ever from which parables and incidents can be drawn to prove spiritual truths. Desiring to mingle pleasure with profit, we have given these random sketches, hoping they will invite further thought. And in learning from the things of nature which surround us, we may also view the imprint of the Divine finger upon them, and be incited to labor more diligently and effectually in the service of Him who is ever desiring to bless and make happy His children. ISAAC HICKS. |