JACOB POST, Islington. AGENTS IN LONDON. WILLIAM GRAY, at 50, Eastcheap. P. I. BUTLER, 29, Liverpool Street, City. WANT of space compels us, this month, to forego editorial comment. From the same cause, we have reluctantly to defer, till our next, the account of the Women's Yearly Meeting, and various other articles. THE BRITISH FRIEND. GLASGOW, 6TH MONTH, 7TH, 1830. PROCEEDINGS OF YEARLY MEETINGS. PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING. The following account was received too late for insertion in our last. The same remark applies to the additional particulars given below: Our annual assembly was large. There was an unusual number of young persons of both sexes in attendance, and it was gratifying to observe the plain appearance presented by them generally. Friends were present with Certificates or Minutes, from New York, Baltimore, North Carolina, and Indiana Yearly Meetings. Epistles, as usual, were read, except from North Carolina, which had not come to hand. The subject of reading the replies, received from New England, in answer to the document adopted by our Meeting last year, a copy of which was directed to be sent to each of the two bodies claiming to be New England Yearly Meeting, was before the Meeting, and its consideration deferred. during the past year there has been a large attendance of pupils. Order and harmony have generally prevailed throughout the family; and a comfortable evidence is afforded, that this valuable seminary not only bestows important benefits upon those sent there to receive their education, but continues to be a blessing to the Yearly Meeting at large. The whole amount of the funds required for erecting the necessary buildings on the farm not being yet obtained, an additional subscription was recommended. The Report of the Committee for the gradual civilization and improvement of the Indian natives, informed that the two schools under its care are still kept up, and though the attendance at them is small, yet their influence upon the children is highly valuable. A Friend and his wife, together with a female Friend, are now residing on the farm belonging to the Yearly Meeting, and engaged in imparting instruction to the natives in agriculture, in housewifery, and the arts of civilized life. The Committee was encouraged to persevere in its benevolent labours; and should any feasible plan, for more effectually aiding that poor people in acquiring a suitable education, suggest itself to them, to propose it to our next Yearly Meeting for consideration. The Reports received from the Quarterly Meetings, on the subject of the use of spirituous liquors, showed that the number in that practice was steadily decreasing, and Friends were encouraged to persevere in their endeavours to reclaim those who still use, or give to others that pernicious article, and were directed to report as usual next year. The subject of the education of Friends' children being brought before the Meeting, the great importance of its being conducted in schools under the care of Friends, where they could be properly guarded and trained while receiving literary instruction, took hold of the minds of many; and it was concluded to send down a Minute in the extracts, requesting the subordinate Meetings to send up, next year, Reports of the number of children of a suitable age to go to school, and the manner in which they are disposed of By the Minutes of the Meeting for Sufferings, it appeared that that body had given diligent heed to the various concerns affecting the interests of our religious Society, which had transpired within our limits during the past year; and had also been engaged in seeking information relative to the slave trade, and in pleading the cause of the free blacks in the State of Peun-in that respect. sylvania, whose rights and liberties are placed in jeopardy by the proposed repeal of part of the law passed in 1847, for preventing kidnapping. The Report of the Book Committee was interesting and encouraging; and there is evidently an increasing demand at the Book-store, by serious people of other persuasions, for Friends' books. In reviewing the state of Society as presented by the Answers to the Queries, the minds of many Friends were brought under exercise on account of the deficiencies apparent among us, and pertinent counsel and encouragement were extended, for the purpose of stirring Friends up to a more faithful performance of their individual duty in supporting the doctrines and testimonies of the Society, and also in discharging the obligation resting upon them, to watch over one another for good. An interesting Report, from the Committee having charge of the Boarding School at West-town, was presented to the Meeting, by which it appears, that Memorials for our late beloved Friends, MARGARET HUTCHINSON and SARAH EMLEN, were read, reminding us of the many valiants who have been removed from our midst within a few years past; and, we trust, exciting some to a renewed endeavour to walk by the same rule, and to mind the same thing which made those servants of Christ fit to be employed in his Church. The Committee appointed for that service having prepared Epistles to the several Yearly Meetings, they were read and approved; and the Meeting concluded in much quiet and solemnity; and was favoured, we humbly believe, with the overshadowings of ancient Goodness.-American Friend. [Further particulars, from a Correspondent.] The Friends on a visit from Great Britain to this country were not in attendance. The presence of several venerable members, who have long borne the burden in the heat of the day, and are fast passing hence, was consolatory. A large number of young Friends were, as usual, in attendance, whose decorous deportment gave evidence of their appreciation of the occasion. The burden of some of the Epistles appeared to be the desire, that nothing that would divide in Jacob should be encouraged; and the expression of a renewed confidence in the belief that the Lord had raised up our predecessors to be a people to his praise; and that to be, or become so, we must continue to be a united body. Some of them declared their firm adherence to the doctrines of the Society; but recommended the re-opening on our part of the correspondence with the "larger body" in New England, believing it necessary for the restoration of harmony in the Society. From others, the language of encouragement was held forth, to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called; exhorting to hold nothing too near or too dear to part with, so that we may win Christ, &c. The feeling of the Meeting, as expressed in the Minute thereon, was, the desire that this correspondence may continue to be maintained, and that the cementing influence of the love of God may be the spring of the intercourse. The reading of the Epistles having been concluded, the Clerk informed the Meeting that two documents, from the bodies purporting to be New England Yearly Meeting one an Epistle from the "larger body," the other, a Minute from the "smaller body," were upon the table, and requested the direction of the Meeting as to their disposal. Much discussion followed, in which many influential Friends united in the propriety of reading the Minute from the "smaller body;" some approving of its acknowledgment by opening a correspondence therewith, drawing their reasons from the fact that the "larger body" had, in the document of last year, been virtually disowned by this Yearly Meeting, and the "smaller body" acknowledged to be composed of members of our Society. The opposition to this course advanced no new arguments, and the feeling was evidently in favour of reading, as a simple act of justice and right, the minute from the "smaller body," which had received our document. Others advanced the view, that the document of last year, reviewing the conduct of the two bodies, needed no reply on their part; that it was addressed to them as a persuasive to reconciliation, &c., and proposed to postpone the subject until another year. A few united with this, but many more approved of the first proposition to read the minute from the "smaller body." It was, however, indefinitely postponed. Fourth-day Morning.-The question of the reception of the documents from New England having been indefinitely postponed, a Friend, in a very weighty manner, and under a strong sense of obligation so to do, re-opened the subject. The condition of our Yearly Meeting was compared to that of the children of Israel, when, finding the Red Sea before and the Egyptians behind them, they feared to move forward, and gave themselves up as lost. He advised that we should move forward, trusting that the Lord would, as of old, prepare a way where there appeared no way, and be lieved that, to His praise, we should yet stand on the banks of deliverance. He advocated the reception of the communication from the body in New England which had received the document issued by our Yearly Meeting last year, and believed the present the right time to read it. Others affirmed the opinion, that we were bound to receive it as a reply to our communication. The opposition referred to the statement of the document itself, that it was designed to persuade to reconciliation, and believed that the reply thereto ought not to be read. Those, on the contrary, opposed to the acknowledgment of the "smaller body" of Friends in New England, reviewed the action of our Meeting for Sufferings in this concern; and while expressing great sympathy with the "smaller body," deemed the recognition of their right as members of our Society as much as we could, with propriety, do; and proposed that the subject should rest as now disposed of. The members of the "smaller body" came among us, were admitted to our Meetings, and enjoyed all the privileges of members.' The objection raised was noticed, that there was no prospect of a re-union of the bodies, and the belief was expressed that the way for such union would be more closed up if action should be taken at this time. This view was united with by the opposers of the reception of the Minute, and thus, against the advice of weighty Friends, who have long travailed for the maintenance of the doctrines of the Society, and the encouragement of those who have been endeavouring to sustain them in their simplicity, was this question again postponed, to the sorrow of those who desire the prosperity of Zion, and who, at every hazard, would consistently maintain, in the steadfast spirit of our fathers, the Truth which they, amid persecution unto death, dared to defend. Sixth-day Morning.-After the business of the Meeting had been concluded, an esteemed minister, from the upper seats, taking up the concluding text of an Epistle just read, "The foundation of God standeth sure; having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his," adverted to the evidence drawn from Scripture of the superintending care of Divine Providence over his people, and instanced the preservation of Mordecai and the Jews from the destruction prepared for them by the proud Haman, He expressed the belief that there was a Mordecai in our day, "who, whilst humbly waiting and watching at the king's gate," was enabled to detect a conspiracy which some of the Lord's professed servants had entered into against the doctrines, and testimonies, and inward appearance of their Lord and King; and he was not only enabled to detect this conspiracy, but he was faithful in exposing it; and he was strengthened to bear a clear and faithful testimony against it in his Master's name. Α record of these, his honest and faithful services, has been written in the Lord's book of remembrance; and it was because of his unflinching integrity and faithfulness therein, and because he could not be brought to bow down at the will of those who were banded together for the purpose of changing the doctrines and principles of our religious Society, that a decree has gone forth against him and his suffering friends, to root them out of the Lord's heritage. Such is the conspiracy which has been entered into against some of the Lord's most faithful people; but all this consulting and contriving, in the will and wisdom of the creature, will be rebuked, to the confusion of its authors; yea, persuaded I am, that it will result in the downfall of those who think to overturn the doctrines and principles of our religious Society. We ought surely to have read the Minute from our suffering Friends in New England; we were bound to do so by the common courtesies of life, by the usages of our religious Society, by sympathy for our Friends, by our love for the Truth, and by our faithfulness to the cause of our Lord and Master. He said, that he was fully convinced that the Lord owned them, and because his Divine Master owned them, he owned them also as brethren in the fellowship of the gospel. And thus having relieved his burdened mind of some part of the painful load that rested upon it, he was strengthened with a renewal of belief, that "The foundation of God standeth sure; having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his."-4th Month, 26th, 1850. DUBLIN YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS commenced in that city on First-day, the 28th of Fourth Month, and the concluding Meetings for worship were held on First-day, the 5th of Fifth Month. The business of the Meeting was completed in eight sittings, and Meetings for worship were held on Fourth and Sixthday mornings, during the Yearly Meeting week. On Second-day morning, the 29th, certificates were read on behalf of JAMES JONES, from the United States, and for SARAH SQUIRE, MARTHA THORNHILL, and CORDELIA BAYES, from England. Epistles to this Meeting were then read from all the Yearly Meetings of Friends in the United States, with which Friends on this side of the Atlantie maintain a correspondence, and the usual large Committee was appointed to prepare replies, if they thought right to do so. In the evening sitting, various papers communicated by the London Meeting for Sufferings to our Yearly Meetings' Committee were read. These were chiefly reports respecting those who profess with Friends in Norway, and on other parts of the Continent. Those from Norway included some letters from the people themselves, which were distinguished by the freshness that might be expected from a primitive community in the enjoyment of new religious views, and of the kindness and fostering care of the Society of Friends in England. dress, which has been committed to WILLIAM Forster, and one or two other Friends, for presentation, was listened to with great interest, as were some particulars communicated by ROBERT FORSTER, respecting the progress his brother had hitherto made in the objects of his voluntary mission, and the interest created on the continent of Europe amongst various classes, by the information diffused by him and his companions respecting slavery and the slave trade. After all, these efforts in England, and on the continent of Europe, will be comparatively unavailing, unless American slavery be grappled with. The United States are the stronghold of the slave system. When it is overthrown there, it will soon expire elsewhere. Until the friends of the anti-slavery cause in these islands are prepared to assist those in America, and to concentrate their efforts against the system in that direction, they cannot possibly effect much. On Fifth-day morning, four other testimonies respecting English ministers were read. These were followed by an interesting discussion arising from some remarks by a Friend, on the great importance of the religious education of the younger members of the Society. He considered that much deficiency prevailed in this respect, and that a large proportion of the youth amongst Friends, are brought up in ignorance of the principles they profess, and of the reasons for the peculiarities by which they are distinguished. He thought it desirable that some active measures should be taken to remedy this defect. This was objected to, as uncalled for, by many who thought that the prevalent deficiencies were not attributable so much to ignorance, as to indifference. This may be so in some cases, but it is unquestionable that a great amount of ignorance prevails amongst members of the Society, respecting the ground work of many of their most important testimonies, such as those against war, oaths, tithes, &c.; and that, partly in consequence of this ignorance, a lifeless formality is often substituted for that intelligent zeal, by which the Society was distinguished in its earlier days. 4 In the course of the remarks on this subject, the question of temperance was incidentally introduced; and although Friends, in their Yearly Meeting capacity, were not prepared to take any step forwards in the way of discipline, it was manifest, that the feeling of the Meeting was more decidedly in favour of discountenancing the use of strong drink altogether, than on any former occasion. It was admitted, that the advice of Friends, for some years past, against the sale of ardent spirits by members of the Society, had proved almost nugatory, in consequence of the difficulty felt by those who use strong drinks in impressing upon those who sell them a sense of the impropriety of the traffic. A Friend remarked, as the aforesaid Committee was appointed in consequence of the Reports brought up, the want of admonition on this head being On Fourth-day evening, some testimonies were read prominent, and as we had at this time been repeatedly respecting ministering Friends in England, lately de-addressed to "build before our own houses," it was to ceased; also an address to rulers and persons in authority on the Continent, and elsewhere (the United States, we suppose, but this was not expressed). This ad On Third-day morning, the answers to the queries from the three Quarterly Meetings were read, and the evening Meeting was occupied in considering the state of the Society as exhibited by those answers. A large Committee was appointed to visit the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, and to attend to such other service as they might believe right. be hoped that the members of that Committee would look around and see where such admonition was needed; and this duty be so fulfilled, that next year an im military power of the whole Union to the suppression proved picture might be presented; that none of them 66 In the evening, some further remarks were made in reference to the subject of education. One of these was to the effect, that in no other religious body are there so many who entertain an unfriendly feeling to the Society they belong to; and this was attributed to the absence of early religious training in our principles as well as peculiarities. In those religious societies which are not distinguished by external peculiarities of dress or language, the members are often careful to instil their peculiar religious views, so as to produce a strong attachment to them in the minds of their young people. The Reports from the three Provincial Schools, and the Minutes of the last Yearly Meeting, were read. On this occasion, the usual practice was so far departed from, that those Minutes only were read which had a connection with the business of the present Meeting. A saving of much valuable time was thus effected. During this sitting, JAMES JONES visited the Women's Meeting; and the Men's Meeting was, at the same time, visited by SARAH SQUIRE and MARTHA THORNHILL. These were the only visits of the kind that took place during the progress of the Yearly Meeting. The last business sitting was on Sixth-day evening, and was chiefly occupied in the perusal and adoption of drafts of Epistles. Nearly all those addressed to the United States contained some encouragement to Friends to persevere in their efforts for the overthrow of Slavery, as way may open." Advice of this kind would be more likely to be well directed, if Friends on this side of the Atlantic were better acquainted with the prevalence and power of politics in the United States; if they were aware that Friends in that country are by no means free from strong political attachments and prepossessions, and that the chief object of American loyalty and veneration is the United States' constitution which guarantees the union of the free with the slave States, pledging the On Seventh-day evening, the annual Meeting of the subscribers to Brookfield Agricultural School was well attended. The Report was generally satisfactory; but there was some deficiency of funds, owing to the subscriptions from England being much less than in former years. A subscription was commenced in the room, for the special purpose of effecting some addition to the buildings of the School; and, in a few days, £300 were collected. Some were of opinion that the satisfaction given by this institution was mainly to be attributed to the happy selection of the Friends who have had the superintendence since its establishment. They have acted rather as the parents than the guardians of the children committed to their care; and Brookfield School has, in consequence, been more like a well-ordered family, than an ordinary boarding school. YEARLY MEETING OF MINISTERS AND ELDERS.-The constituent and other members of this body assembled, as usual, at eleven o'clock, in the Old Meeting at Devonshire House, on Second-day morning, the 20th of 5th Month, 1850. The number present appeared smaller than we remember to have seen for some time. The continued ill health of the Clerk, SAMUEL TUKE, prevented his being present, and the Assistants, GEORGE STACEY and JAMES BACKHOUSE, performed the duty at this the opening sitting. A few words of Scripture quotation, by a female Friend, and supplication on the part of THOMAS ARNETT, preceded the commencement of the business. The certificates of JAMES JONES, from the State of Maine, having been read, the Answers to the Queries were then proceeded with, and occupied the whole of the sitting. A Committee, to prepare the usual summary of the answers, was also appointed. SAMUEL TUKE having, by letter, requested to be relieved from the office of Clerk, his resignation was accepted, and a Committee was nominated to consider of a suitable Friend to succeed him, and also to propose two Friends as Assistants. Several Friends subsequently made a few observations, in reference to the importance of a consistent example on the part of the members of this body; one of them opening with the Scripture language, "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.' Another Friend was afterwards concerned in supplication. Afternoon Sitting.-The Committee appointed on the subject of Clerk and Assistants reported to the meeting the name of GEORGE STACEY, for Clerk, and JAMES BACKHOUSE and THOMAS NORTON, Jun., as assistants, who were appointed accordingly. The Summary of the Answers being read, was approved, and directed to be taken to the Yearly Meeting. There had not been, it was believed, for many years, such full Answers brought up; the members of this Meeting being, with a very little exception, reported to be in love and unity, and harmonious in labour for the advancement and spreading of the truth. The Advices to Ministers and Elders were read; and a Committee named to prepare a returning Certificate for SUSAN HOWLAND; she having, since last year, completed her religious service, and returned to New England. A number of Friends were engaged to offer counsel and exhortation, both pertinent and weighty, arising out of the Answers brought up, as well as from observation of the state of the Society more at large. Allusion was also made to the removal of some Friends during last year, and the call hence arising to greater diligence on the part of survivors, &c. Third-day Morning, 5th Month, 21st.-The certificate ordered to be prepared yesterday, for SUSAN HOWLAND, was brought in, read, and agreed to. THOMAS ARNETT then laid before the Meeting his prospect of religious labour on the continent of Europe; to visit those professing with Friends, and to attend to such other openings to service as truth may open the way for, as expressed in the certificates of his own meetings, read last year in the Yearly Meeting. Much unity and sympathy in his concern having been felt and expressed, a Committee was named to prepare a certificate, to be brought to a future sitting. JAMES JONES referred to his having been also liberated by his friends in America, much in the same way as T. Arnett in relation to the continent of Europe; but he had felt relieved from the prospect, believing the will had been taken for the deed. His service in this land, he also believed, was drawing to a close, and he was, before long, likely to return to his native country. In these circumstances, he would leave it to Friends to act as they should deem best. At first, the current of feeling seemed to run towards the issuing of a returning Certificate at the present Meeting; but ultimately it was concluded to be both the best and safest course to delay the issue of the document until after the Friend's service was completed. As in the case of Thomas Arnett, much unity and satisfaction with the labours of James Jones were expressed; and in the course of the discussion and disposal of the business, there was much solemn and interesting communication; the opportunity, as a whole, being not only instructive, but likely not soon to be forgotten by many of those who were privileged to be present. Reference was made, at some length, to the Friends abroad on religious service, in America, in Prussia, and on the Anti-Slavery Mission to the different crowned heads of Europe; and the Clerk was directed to convey to them by letter the expression of the sympathy on their behalf which had been felt in the Meeting. Some matters of routine were afterwards gone through; and some Friends were engaged in religious communication, the Meeting closing after supplication by a woman Friend. Adjourned to such time as the Yearly Meeting may appoint. ACKWORTH SCHOOL.-ADJOURNED GENERAL MEETING. This meeting, which was, as usual, but thinly attended, was held in the Old Meeting House, Devonshire House, at five o'clock, on Third-day afternoon, the 21st of 5th Month. The principal business was the reception and adoption of the report of the Committee. This is a very satisfactory document, except as it relates to the finances, which, we are sorry to observe, are in a discouraging state; the expenditure having exceeded the income in the last three years by upwards of £3200, thus incurring a heavy debt, bearing interest. The Superintendent stated, that since the reduction of the terms of admission, in 1823, from £10, 14s. 4d. to £10, a period of twenty-seven years, there had been only six years in which the current expenses of the institution had not exceeded the income; and that, during the term referred to, capital had thus been sunk to the amount of about £5700. This is not as it should be; and we hope Friends will at once take measures for so increasing their annual subscriptions, as to furnish an income adequate to the requirements of this important institution. The only other subject which claimed much attention in the General Meeting, was a proposal to raise the terms of admission-the lowest rate, from £10 to £12; the second, from £15 to £16; and the highest, from £20 to £21. The feeling of regret was general in the meeting (in which the Committees fully concurred), that this step should be needful; but there was very little diversity of sentiment, that, under the circumstances, no other course could be safely recommended. Some Friends thought that each class should be advanced alike; but it was explained, that only two years ago, the two higher rates had been raised from £10 to their present amount, whilst the lowest was unaltered; and that it was believed that the advance was as much as Friends who paid the higher rates could suitably bear. Economy and good order appear to prevail in the school, and the progress of the children in their learning is encouraging. The Report states, that the subject of improving the school accommodation, and of raising the roof of the girls' wing, has been repeatedly before the Committees; but that they do not think it prudent, under existing circumstances, to proceed at present, as the estimated cost would not be much less than £2000. We learned that most Friends who had had opportunity of comparing the two departments of the boys |