662 FRIENDS’
clear the Truth and Friends, if it be thought
worth further notice; but as their petition is
dismissed, and some Friends are doubtful of
taking so much notice of the matter, while
others think it necessary, I have requested James
to take some of you together, and collect your
views on the subject.”

D.C. continues: “ The Quarterly Meeting for
business opened at eleven o’clock. I staid to
the meeting for worship on First-day, Seventh
month Ist, and in the afternoon believing it
right to return home, I took leave of James
Thornton, Samuel Smith, Thomas Carrington,
George Churchman, Warner Mifflin, Moses
Brown and wife, and divers other Friends with
whom I had been in company for several weeks,
and who had become very near tome. It was an
affecting parting, and a season not to be forgot-
ten. The other western Friends, intended to go
further eastward.”

From the view thus given of the weak state
of the church in this section and at this junc-
ture, and of the inflammable materials existing,
one schism having just taken place, and another
in the not remote future, though as yet unde-
veloped, we cannot resist the conclusion that
Friends in New Jersey had been directed by
profitable Wisdom, in witholding their creden-
tials froma minister, who, though unquestion-
ably endowed with a gift, was in bondage to
eccentricities which he declared to be “ points
of faith,” in which he regarded himself as
forerunner to a reformation, and which might
probably have increased the tendency to a con-
fusion of which the Holy Head of the Church
is not the author.

 

For Friends’ Review.

WRITTEN IN REPLY TO ScriprurE Questions VeERsI-
FIED, PUBLISHED IN FOURTH MONTH LAST.

Peninah, in whose evil heart, unworthy thoughts pre-
vailed,

With bitter jest and scorning words pure Hannah oft
assailed.

King Saul, whose haughty spirit sought for bound-
less power and fame,

Fought valiantly, and long contrived to gain an
empty name:

A name alone, that owns no beauty, nor has power to
give

Those feelings true, those virtues pure, that with the
good should live.

The ase Ezra, titled scribe, and skilful with the

Tehapeibed the law by Moses given, to guard the
acts of men.

Elijah, pure of heart and mind, his Lord’s command-
ments love,

With talents rare and purpose true in wisdom’s path
did move ;

But evil ones with jealous heart, his life essayed to
gain ;

Then through the wilderness’ dark depths, where si-
lence holds her reign,

He took his loue and weary way, and wished that he
could die

REVIEW. cs
ie

For those pure truths, that noble law, proceeding
from on high.

While there his wearied form reposed, a shining one
did come—

An angel,—heavenly messenger,
Father’s home;

And twice did bid him rise and eat, that he might
journey on,

Renew his strength, increase his faith, complete the
work begun.

He left the Juniper’s green shade, to Horeb’s asia
retired,

And by that “still small voice” was told the ser-
vice God desired.

Isaiah’s gifted tongue did speak of Syria’s over-
throw,

In startling eloquence foretold that Israel low must
bow.

The loving Ruth in tender tones, portrayed i faith-
ful heart ;—

“Naomi, I will cleave to thee, ’till death our lives
shall part.”

Gehazi’s heart so hardened em, that falsehood
there found rest ;

And even his master sought i in vain, for truth within

from out his

his breast.

Og, widely known as Bashan’s king, at Edrei was
laid low,

His giant frame, renowned for strength, before the
foe did bow.

No mortal power, no human skill, can turn the dart

away,

When God decrees that here below man shall no
longer stay.

’"T was David’s hand that touched the harp, and woke
that thrilling strain,

Within whose heavenly sounding tones nought evil
could remain ;

He played for Saul, whose spirit writhed in sorrow
deep distressed,

But ere those notes had died away his tortured frame
found rest.

On wooden pulpit Ezra stood, while tia 4, Moses’
law

To multitudes whose eager minds instruction sought
to draw ;

Attentive ears were listening there, to pure oasie
freely given ;

Forms low were bowed, prayers fervent raised in
trusting faith to heaven.

The generous Esther, full of love for kindred sorely
tried,

Plead well their cause, when for this act life was the
sacrifice ;

But heavenly mercy, ne’er denied to those whose

faith is firm,

Failed not now, and stayed the hand that fain would
do her wrong.

On Mount Gilboa’s bloody plain, Saul drew his part-
ing breath ;

His servant struck the final blow, that laid him low
in death.

Paul, true to church, and true to State, by friendship’s
chain was bound

To Timothy, whose ‘ unfeigned rag ” his minor
virtues crowned.

His cloak, his books, and parchment 60, at Troas
left behind,

To this true one, this loving friend, were trustingly
consigned.

King Solomon, for worthy deeds and wisdom wide
renowned,

The love, the confidence and praise of kings from for
had found ;

 

And Hiram king’ of Tyre proclaimed the pleasure
*twould afford,