Lately I have mused much on the many sentences dropped daily by the thoughtless-words of jest and mirth, perhaps, uttered without an aim, yet which have proved indeed "ill-omened birds," wafting on their raven plumes sighs to a heart already burdened with earth's sorrows, and open to pain, as the leafless trees to the blasts of winter.

first, is it right? second, is it kind? third, is
it necessary?

Take care to be an economist in prosperity,
and there is no fear of your having to be one in
adversity.

From "The Friends' Quarterly Examiner.
NO LIVING MEMBER EXEMPT FROM SERVICE.

"From whom the whole body, fitly joined together
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure of
every pait, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love."

There are two lessons to be learnt from this passage; the one similar to that which our Lord himself taught to his disciples when, under the figure of the vine, He showed how union with Him is essential to the believer's life; How little Pleasure thinks, when she calls the other, that every joint, every member, her train, and casts back her glances toward the whether larger or smaller, is required for the loiterers by the way, how many of them are fit joining together and compacting of the spiritNiobes, the fountain of whose tears her scorn ual body and its consequent increase. Taken shall afresh unseal,-or Sarcasm, priding her- together, they need to be deeply pondered by self on intellectual birth, and burling from her every one amongst us, and honest answers towering heights shafts of wit to sink deep into given to the questions which they suggest:some sensitive nature, and leave it bleeding and "Am I myself, through my junction with quivering for many a day: and how little Gos-Christ, a living member of the body; and, if sip recks, with her free speech, (forgotten on so, am I, by the effectual working of his Spirit in the morrow, by herself) of the stones rudely me, contributing my full share to its prosperjostled from the sepulchre of buried griefs, into ity." whose grave the world shall peer with unfeeling and unholy eyes.

Shall we not then guard well our words? lest their purpose be mistaken, and they prove as arrows to some unhealed wound, where we should rather pour the oil of kindness and of love

"Oh! Kindly words!
Angelic birds !"

Close questions these, though none the less requiring distinct reply, and that from all who would bear the name of Christian; but I would Dow more especially bring them before the notice of some amongst us, and they are confined to no class, no order of education, who need to be practically reminded that they have as actual a part in this mattter as any member of the community. I allude to those who,

White-winged messengers, bearing to the heart owing to circumstances, to slenderer mental
songs of praise and chants of peace.
Poughkeepsie, 11th mo., 1867.

endowments, to timidity, to youth, to any of
those manifold causes with which all are so
familiar, seem to themselves of less account than
their brethren; of such small account indeed,
according to their own humble estimate of
their powers, that to be joined to the Head, and
thereby to be assured of individual life, is all
that they hope for, forgetting, or perhaps I
ought rather to say, not daring to believe, that
what is true of the physical is true also of the
spiritual body, that every portion has its own
function and measure of labour assigned to it
specially, and that, failing its due performance,
other members must be overtasked, or, in many
cases, from simple necessity, the work be left
wholly undone.

Such backwardness of apprehension is very
far from being peculiar to the Society of
Friends; all Christian sects have more or less
to deplore it, though amongst us, owing to the
remarkable freedom of our Church arrange-
ments, it seems still more grievous than else-
where. Yet, while we may earnestly deprecate

cellent; but what a sermon that was of ————————— ! Ah! that was the one! I never listened to anything equal to it."

the error, those who commit it claim the sym-faction, and its various points were being sumpathy of all who understand their position; and med up and dwelt upon in a manner which not sympathy alone, but that helping hand showed how genuine had been the impression which, were it wisely extended to them, they produced, when the other friend, equally full of would often in their turn be enabled to hold the opposite side of the subject, abruptly broke forth to others. There are doubts and dis-in and exclaimed: "Yes,-no doubt it was excouragements in their way, and difficulties, too, peculiar to themselves. Perhaps if they could be convinced that their brethren at large have their special trials also, the feeling of kinship might do much to loosen the fetters that restrain them; if the habit of more general interchange of thought and religious experience were cultivated amongst our members; if they that fear the Lord, be they who they may, spoke more feeble knees, and hands hanging down, than often one to another, there would be fewer weaken us now: the effectual working in the measure of every part would make an increase of the body of which, under present conditions, we can have but a faint idea.

Which of these two was right, or rather were they not both correct? We talk about small gifts far too much, and too many of those to whom they are entrusted sadly shrink from exercising them; and all the time, as was so clearly proved in the case just cited, they have as important and necessary a place in the spiritual economy as any other, even those which we term the largest. In the meeting I have referred to surely there was, to one at least of those present, something that might well be compared to "ten thousand words in an unknown tongue;" phases of experience, doctrinal distinctions, and even it may be actual language, with which the listener was unacquainted, and consequently unimpressed; and it was left for the utterer of the "five words," briefly and simply given forth, to supply the need of one hungering soul, probably of many others similar to it, and thereby to minister effectually to the increase of the body through edification. Thus through the division of the word by the lips of more than one minister is a congregation

Probably of all divisions of labor in the Church, that relating to the ministry least needs to be dwelt on here. So strongly does our teaching from childhood up inculcate a regard of what we hold to be a direct call to the office of preacher, that I would hope that few allow secular considerations to turn them from what they believe to be the path of duty; yet even when obedience has been rendered, the weakness of the flesh is so great, and there is such a constant temptation to forget that God never sets His children to useless work, that a word of en-al growth known. couragement may not come amiss. Slight as the following incident is, it has so often recur red to my mind with interest and instruction, that I do not like to pass it by. "In the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." This saying of the apostle's is so closely connected in idea with the occurrence, that I never recollect the one without the other presenting itself also.

Two ministers, both travelling on Gospel service, paid a visit to one of our meetings, at the same time, though not in company. Their gifts were very different, and so were their positions in life; in everything, in fact, they were unlike, save that both were humble, devoted followers of the Master. It happened that I was present on the occasion, and I recollect being much struck with the marked dissimilarity in the style, and matter, and manner of their discourses; and when, a few days after, a conversation between two friends took place regarding their visit in my hearing, I received a lesson which I hope will never pass from my memory. The longer discourse, powerful and argumentative, and couched in excellent language, as it had been, was referred to by one of the speakers with the utmost satis

Would it not be well for us more generally to make a point of avoiding the words large and small in connection with ministerial gifts? (The apostolic term "best" is no voucher for such language; it refers to many differing qualifications, not to varying degrees of the one). In some instances, doubtless, they may be rightly, at least inoffensively, applied; but in the majority of cases their effect is, may I not say, confessedly injurious. Ought we not rather, knowing how easily we are led into error even by our own words, to endeavour simply to receive what is sent us, gratefully accepting that which we feel to be intended for us specially, and allowing our brethren to take their share also undisturbed? There would then be less of that unreflecting criticism which now too often diminishes the real effect of preaching on the hearer's soul, less of that disposition to hold one messenger lightly in comparison with another, which we all, to a larger or smaller extent, have so bitterly to deplcre in ourselves and so often to combat in one another.

But I have said more on this part of my subject than I had intended: it is time to turn to the other divisions, some of them, too, of such vast importance, that any attempt at categorical examination is far beyond my intention.

seats, men and women, old and young, learned
and unlearned, full of this world's goods, or
comparatively empty; blessed with leisure or
obliged to devote every day to toil; so different
in outward appearance and position; so like in
this one point, that every one, without exception,
has a charge to keep, has his or her appointed
work to do. He alone, who knows the secret
of each heart, can tell whether by junction with
the living Head, these separate members are in
condition to perform their functions; our
feeble sight cannot in many cases go below the
surface, or distinguish between deadness and
inactivity, but we can grievously feel that, as a
whole, there is something amiss, that there is
an absence of that compacting and energy
which would of necessity follow on an effectual

Perhaps the reader may have no special qualification for the office of teacher; but is there no one, not one single person, with whom the daily round of life may bring him into contact, to whom such exposition of the truth as he alone feels capable of, will be immeasurably more intelligible, just because of its very simplicity, than the elaborate arguments of the scholar? Advice, encouragement, nay, even warning and reproof, can we any of us venture to say that we are clear from such responsibili-a ties? And for this end what talent is needed in most cases beyond that which falls to the share of every Christian?-what knowledge? -what grasp of intellect? Earthly lots may be very different, but are we not all walking along the same road Zionward, exposed to the same temptations, beset by the same weak-working of vitality in every part; that gifts nesses, needing the same grace to uphold and guide us? Who can tell the value of a simple word, a quiet reference to past experience, an hour's companionship, as it were, on the way, all the more welcome and refreshing, it may be, because the utterer of the word, the kindly comrade, is one from whom we had not been taught to expect such aid? There are those in every meeting, in every community, who seem set apart to fill the chief places in the Tanks: they have their mission to perform, an onerous and important one, when rightly undertaken and fully carried out; but I am persuaded that there are many amongst us who can refer to occasions when a word in season, whispered by some unrecognised office-bearer, who had received his charge direct from the Church's Head, won its way into the heart, and bore fruit there, when everything besides seemed to fall uselessly on the barren surface. There is indeed a peculiar blessing often attendant on such ministrations; they come to us more pure from earthly admixture, more free from the temptation to lose sight of the Creator in the creature, than is possible in most other cases. If these instances could be increased, if they could become of constant, of daily occurrence, what added vitality there would be in the body, and how easily should we comprehend by our own experience the full and blessed scope of the text before us!

are being neglected, capacities wasted, influences
left undirected, which, however slender in in-
dividual amount, would in the aggregate form
a power for good almost beyond compute. As
already observed, in the spiritual as in the
physical economy, every portion must do its
own duty; for there cannot, consistently with
safety or health, be a transference of the
burden from the many smaller to the few
larger organs. Lesser and greater, let us each
individually, earnestly, perseveringly, seek out
our part and do it, in that strength through which
alone such will be possible, and let us "consid-
er one another," not censoriously, nor yet with
an unacknowledged hope of finding in our com-
panion's inaction an excuse for our own, but
according to the apostle's precept," to provoke
unto love and," wherever that is, the other
can hardly be far distant,-"to good works."

And now, before closing, I would say a few words on a subject so connected with the question which we have just beer examining, as to render allusion to it almost necessary. I refer to the answer so often given to appeals for activity in any department of labor, any service for God, or for our fellow creatures:-"I am not good enough!" Not good enough? If such an excuse were valid, which of us would dare to take one step, or lift a finger, in any work whatever? Perhaps few who say those words can realize how painfully they often I would not indulge in a spirit of judgment, strike upon the hearer, how that idea of "good or suggest such to others; nor would I for a enough," vague as it certainly is, and frequently moment seem to advocate the disposition which uttered lightly by the speaker, sends a sort of prompted Peter's "Lord, and what shall this shudder through the listener's heart, lest, in man do?" but I would appeal to every one who such small efforts as he has been enabled to has at heart the true interests of his fellows, make, he may possibly have been guilty of, as and ask whether an almost oppressive sense of it were, touching holy things with unhallowed the waste of power that there is undeniably hands: and fewer still, if they but gave themamongst us does not often weigh on him, selves time for serious reflection, would venture brought home most forcibly perhaps when, for to bring it forward at all as a plea for exemption whatever purpose it may be, our members from service. If we wait till we are conscious gather together in larger or smaller companies? of being good enough, we shall wait for life; or They come, one after another, taking their rather, if such an idea were to take possession

of our minds, it would prove at once and incon-
testably that we were wholly unfit for the work,
whatever it might be. But is it to our own
power or holiness that we have to look for prep-
aration? Are we to hold out no helping hand
to a brother until we need none ourselves?
May we not strive earnestly to strengthen our
companions against temptation, though we are
still subject to such assault ourselves, aye, and
still ever and anon yield grievously before it?

"Alas! the evil which we fain would shun
We do, and leave the wished-for good undone;
Our strength to-day

Is but to-morrow's weakness, prone to fall;
Poor, blind, unprofitable servants all

Are we alway."

Poor, blind, unprofitable! Which of us, from sad experience, cannot add other and darker failings to the list? But if the Master, know ing all this better than we do ourselves, will still permit, nay, even command us, to work for Him, are we to stand back from the task? Let us beware of self-love under the guise of humility; of that dread which we all feel, some of us especially, of making our own shortcomings doubly apparent by our remonstrances against those of others; of the fear of provoking the retort, "Physician, heal thyself," which we all so shrink from hearing, and are so prone to fancy we hear on every side. How many there are who, if they might, would remain entirely in the background, silent and unobserved, so keenly conscious of their own manifold frailties that they would gladly shun every eye, and yet who, through overcoming grace, are made strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, to stand forth unflinchingly for the help of their companions, to rouse the slumbering, to encour age the timid, to support the weak, to turn the Very temptations under which they themselves groan daily into engines of assault against the enemy, by first proving personally, and then effectually pointing out to others, the one sure way of escape from the evil! Truly we may ask, who is "good enough" for such a task? How can such effectual working be produced where all is so imperfect? Let us each one take home the answer supplied by the apostle, and act upon it :-"I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."

ANNA D. PEET.

To every man there are many dark hours when he feels inclined to abandon his best enterprise; hours when his heart's dearest hopes appear delusive; hours when he feels unequal to the burthen, when all his aspirations seem worthless. Let no one think that he alone has dark hours. They are the common lot of humanity. They are the touchstone to try whether We are current coin or not.

BIRD MOUND BUILDERS.

Among the most remarkable of the feathered tribe are the birds of Australia, which construct large mounds, and then leave their eggs to be hatched in them, not by the birds themselves, but by the fermentation of the assembled mass of materials. The heap employed for this pur-pose is collected by the birds during several weeks previous to the period of laying: it varies in size from two to many cart loads, and in most instance is of a pyramidal form. The construction of the mound is either the work of one pair of birds, or, as some suppose, the united labors of several years in succession; the birds adding a fresh supply of materials each succeeding season. The materials composing these mounds are accumulated by the bird grasp ing a quantity in its foot and throwing it back, wards to one common centre; the surface of the ground for a considerable distance being so completely scratched over that scarcely a leaf or blade of grass is left. The mund being completed and time allowed for a sufficient heat to be engendered, the eggs are deposited in a circle, at the distance of nine or twelve inches from each other, and buried more than an arm's depth, with the large end upwards: they are covered up as they are laid, and allowed to remain until they are hatched. Mr. Gould, from whose "Hand-Book" we derive this description, says that it is not an unusual thing to obtain half a bushel of eggs at one time from a single mound. Some of the natives state that the females are constantly in the neighborhood of the mound about the time the young are likely to be hatched, and frequently uncover and cover them up again, apparently for the purpose of assisting those that may have appeared; while others relate that the eggs are merely deposited, and the young allowed to force their way out unassisted. One point has been clearly ascertained, namely, that the young from the hour they are hatched are covered with feathers, and have their wings sufficiently developed to enable them to fly up to the branches of trees, should they need to do so to escape from danger. They are equally nimble on their legs.

and joyful expectation that attends a spiritual A SPIRITUAL MIND.-Oh! the blessed hope mind, especially when it is enlivened and assisted by the powerful influence of divine grace! For, without that, even good men may be liable to some dejections and fears as to another world, from the vastness of the change, the sense of their failings, the weakness of their minds, and mistrust of their own fitness for heaven; but so great is the goodness and mercy of God toward them that sincerely love and fear him, that he always makes their passage safe, though it be not so triumphant. And although the valley of the shadow of death may seem gloomy and

uncomfortable at a distance, yet when God is pleased to conduct his servants through it, he makes it a happy passage into a state of glorious immortality and everlasting life and peace.Stillingfleet.

FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER.

PHILADELPHIA, TWELFTH MONTH 28, 1867.

the business; no longer grudge a religious meet ing for youth in an afternoon; neither should we fear a visit from Women Friends delaying our closing sitting, or have to foreclose subjects purely from lack of time."

In this country we have not "Foreign Missions," but the Aborigines and Freedmen of our own land call for an equal share of sympa thy and labor. The "tract meetings" may be fully represented by the "Publication Association of Friends," and the increasing interest in the education of Friends' children within the limits of our Society.

THE CONSIDERATION OF TOO MANY SUBJECTS OF INTEREST DURING THE WEEK OF OUR YEARLY MEETINGS. In the London "Friend" of the present month, the "Stray Notes on Passing Subjects," by W. C. W., contains some pertinent remarks relative to unduly The change of discipline in relation to intoxicrowding the week of Yearly Meeting, between cating drinks as a beverage, has in great meathe "sittings," with gatherings, which, though sure precluded the necessity of "total abstilaudable and attractive in character, become oppressive after Friends have been a long time together. This subject we think worthy the serious consideration of Friends generally. The over burdening of mind and body at the time of our annual meetings, has, for years, been a matter of concern to a number of Friends who have said but little about it, lest it should be thought to arise from a want of interest in the various subjects which have especially of latter time occupied the "spare hours" "between the sittings" of the Yearly Meeting.

nence meetings" among Friends here; but the sad increase of the use of alcoholic drinks in the community within the past few years, is the cause of deep concern with some of our members, who feel called to labor in this field.

It appears not to matter where our abiding place may be; if there is life, there will be a call to exercise the gifts bestowed upon us in our Master's service; whether the labor be within a limited or more enlarged sphere, the great Husbandman will abilitate for the service required. And as he is not a "hard Master," it is right for us so to apportion our duties that we do not injure or impair the "body prepared" for us, in which to do the Father's will.

FRIENDS' SOCIAL LYCEUM. Ann Preston will lecture on Third-day evening next, Twelfth month 31st, at 7 o'clock. Subject"The Air we Breathe."

FRIEND IN WATERFORD.

W. C. W. proposes that a time should be especially appropriated for what he terms "semireligious meetings," instead of crowding the week of Yearly Meeting with so much that is not only interesting, but important to the welfare and progress of the Society. The minds of valued Friends, he says, being deeply exercised in the concerns of the Yearly Meeting, they are not free to enter into other subjects with the EXTRACT FROM A PRIVATE LETTER FROM A same power that they would on another occasion, and the loss is keenly felt by not a few. He gives as another reason that "to intermix other meetings when we are overtaxed in body by long sittings and late committees, is unprof"It detracts from the warmth and vitality which these occasions would otherwise create, and sends us home weak in body and distracted in mind, with an oppressive sense that we are really unequal to attending Yearly Meeting. "If the duties of the outer and the inner court were thus divided, I believe the interest in each would be increased. We should no longer be driven to hurry through

itable to all."

The storm has stopped our work at the Meeting house. We had made good progress, the material being nearly all on the ground, and with a few weeks of good weather we should have had it under roof. We have the means subscribed to meet the cost of the work. There has been a freedom of both spirit and means manifested greater than was expected; and I feel sorry that that Friend, whoever it may have been, should have said anything, in writing to the Intelligencer, soliciting aid from anywhere outside of our own Quarterly Meeting, for I thought we could do it ourselves; and we can; and right glad I am, for there was a free response when some among us did need help; and now I feel quite sure we do not.