Friends, were depicted, although we feel sure that in the conclusion of the whole matter there would be an abundant testimony to the general kindness and consideration which have been displayed on every hand towards those who, without fear, favour, or reward, have striven to the best of their ability to occupy the talent or the post entrusted to them.

Before turning to the more serious thoughts which naturally engage our attention at the commencement of a fresh year, we desire to express our obligation also to our subscribers, and more especially to those who have kindly exerted themselves to enrol fresh names to supply the voids created by death and other causes in our annual list. Without some effort on their part it is evident that in so small a community the regular subscribers will gradually lessen in number; whilst from the nature of the work set before us, viz., a religious, social, and miscellaneous review, treating all questions from the Friends' standpoint, and whose object is, as stated in our first prospectus, "to promote the well-being of our religious Society and the advancement of its Christian doctrines and its religious, social, and national influence," we cannot look for any large body of subscribers outside its borders. If, in various meetings, those who feel an interest in our publication will, at the opening of this fourteenth volume, interest themselves in procuring additional names of subscribers, it will be conferring a benefit upon the cause we advocate, and materially conduce to our future success.

Anything like a review of events during the past year would be beyond the scope of and also beyond the space usually occupied by our opening remarks; but it may not be out of place to record some of the more important features of 1879 which go towards making up the history of that year. We wish that we could feel that the year was one to which English

men could look back either with pride or thankfulness. On the contrary, it has been marked by proceedings which can never add to the honour or real renown of a Christian nation. The dreams of brotherhood and peace and progress, which were nourished in the hearts of many, have been rudely broken up, and in the several quarters of the world wars and rumours of wars have been the all-absorbing themes of Christian homes.

Foremost amongst these unchristian proceedings must be mentioned the Zulu war, with all its horrors and butchery, embracing that mysterious event by which the future of France has been as in a moment so utterly changed. That in a war in which the British troops have suffered so little in the tented field, the heir of an imperial name should have ignominiously fallen by the hand of a few savages is a strange comment on human scheming and foresight. Without attempting to fathom the overrulings of an All-wise Providence, we cannot but see in the blundering and incapacity which renders such an event possible, something more than what are called the ordinary chances and mischances of military life.

Then, before we are out of this unjust and needless war in South Africa, we find ourselves involved in attempting a "scientific frontier" in the North-west of our vast Indian territories, and spreading our borders into a country whose hostility has been fatally aroused by our intrusion. Seldom have the prophetic words of statesmen well versed in Indian affairs been so quickly fulfilled as those of the late Lord Lawrence and other rulers of that country. Bent on an unjust procedure, tending, as was predicted, to our own humiliation and loss of prestige, we have invaded a territory the possession or the abandonment of which is perhaps equally full of peril to England's strength and prosperity. We can only await with anxious foreboding the consequences which, before many years are past,

appear likely to follow our unrighteous invasion of a country too distant to benefit us, and too vast and scattered, and uncivilised for us to annex.

It is no part of our vocation to discuss the political bearings of these questions, but as professed followers of the Prince of Peace we feel bound to enter a firm and emphatic protest against the policy which would embroil us with distant tribes and peoples under the specious pretence of protecting our foreign possessions, or upholding our colonial interests. Nothing that is morally wrong can ever be politically right, and the sooner this Christian axiom is acted on by statesmen, as well as accepted theoretically, the earlier may we look for deliverance from the many dangers, anxieties, and perplexities with which our foreign policy has of late years been surrounded.

The commercial depression which has for several years past been felt throughout the country in every branch of trade, is we trust becoming less, and we may fairly look for increased prosperity in the many kinds of industry which have lain dormant for long months. Upon one great interest, however, viz., that of agriculturists, the blight of adversity now rests with great intensity. The list of bankrupts amongst this very important class of the community has become alarming, and the prospect of a very large addition to their number is painfully apparent. Whilst we cannot here enter upon the remedies propounded, there is a wide-spread conviction that an entire change in our land laws is the only means of restoring life and prosperity to farming pursuits. We would suggest to some amongst our many thoughtful readers that a practical essay on this important subject would be both interesting and opportune, especially as many of our readers are engaged in this avocation.

Space forbids our making more than a passing allusion to the religious aspect of affairs around us at the

That there is an

commencement of the new year. increased energy and life manifest in many religious congregations and organisations we cannot doubt; a zeal from which, if tempered with heavenly wisdom and gentleness, much of good may be expected. On the other hand there is greater boldness in scepticism and an increased disposition to question the foundation as well as superstructure of every creed. Never, probably, has this country possessed greater men in the ranks of science, culture, philosophy, and religion, than at present. What the age seems most to need is men of wisdom and Christian forbearance combined with a firm intellectual faith, who shall strive to enlist these varied forces under the Banner of Christ. So much harm has been done by the injudicious advocacy of the Truth, that we long that men equipped for the fight, and who have put on "the whole armour of God," may be forthcoming not only to argue with, but to persuade the many doubting souls who find no adequate rest of spirit either in science, philosophy, or worldly avocations.

In this great work we still believe that the members of the Society of Friends are destined, if faithful, to occupy a prominent part. Our past history, and the possessions purchased through the sufferings and labours of our predecessors, have descended to us as an inheritance from which we cannot disentail ourselves if we would. In an outward sense we know that property has its duties as well as its rights; so is it spiritually. That which has been handed down to us as a community by our forefathers is inherited, not for selfindulgence or personal ease and enjoyment, but as so many talents committed to us by the Great Husbandman, to be occupied for Him until He come. It is a wealth which it has taken two centuries to accumulate, and, few as we now are, we stand upon a vantage ground by reason of these possessions. The

gifts of intellect, religious freedom, personal conviction, influence, and even good esteem amongst our fellow-men, and, may we not add, a large share of Heavenly blessing both in the things which are seen and the things which are unseen, are all talents bequeathed to us as heirs to this good estate of Quakerism for which we shall have to give an account on the great day that is to come. "Unto whom much is given of him shall be much required," are words especially applicable to what we have been accustomed to call "our highly favoured Society." May they rest on our hearts and minds as a call to fresh diligence and earnestness in working while it is called to-day"for the night cometh when no man can work.”

EDITOR.

DECEMBER 31ST, 1879.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.

GENTLY, thou dying year,
We bear thee to thy rest,
Holding with reverent care

Thy hands across thy breast,
Encircling thee with thoughts
And memories unconfessed.

For as upon the couch

On which our dead is lain,
A stranger's eye discerns

Only what doth remain,

And turns him from the sight

With steps of shuddering pain