Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-06-18

Howe.
A gentleman Just arrived from Hamburg
states that the people along the line of the
railroad are arriving en- masse, and throwing
up rude entertainments, but the absence Of
competent leaders seems to be severely felt
Annual Meeting of the Alumni of the
Friends Yearly Meeting school.
The fifth annual meeting of the alumni
association of Friends yearly meeting school
at Providence, was held at Newport on Mon
day, June 10th, in Aquidneck hall. The
meeting for business was held in the after
noon, the president Moses A, Garland OF
of Lee, N. H., presiding. Jonathan L. So-
cum OF Worcester, was elected president of
the association for the year ensuing, with a
list of thirty vice presidents from various Sec
tons OF the country, Of whom the following
are from Massachusetts: Thomas Earle,
Worcester; w. S. BUyce, Joseph p. New
hall. and George w. Keene, OF Lynn; Re-
cOrding secretary, Albert X. Smiley of Prov
idence.
The literary exercises were held in the eve
ning the new president in the chair, when an
Grafton was delivered by Moses A. Garland,
his subject being Poetry, as seen in the cool
and SequeStered vale OF life, not in its lofty
manifestations" Mr.. e. is school teacher
OF long experience, and the inspiration Of his
theme was drawn from bunch of flowers
which young lady pupil of his placed upon
his desk.
The poem for the occasion, written by John
G. Whittier, was in his absence, on account
of ill health, read by George II. Chase OF
Lynn. 1t treats of the relations which the So
ciety Of Friends sustain to the great struggle
through which the nation is now passing, fur
nlshlng rule for the guidance of their con-
duct in war time. Friend Whittier having
made an earnest request that for certain rea-
sons bis poem should be withheld from publ
cation at this time, our readers must content
themselves with the following analysis of it
taken from the Providence Press:
The poet commences by saying that we are
living IN time Of distress. The sky is still
clouded, and the sword has not yet found its
sheath. lie tells us, moreover, in passing
that these troubles do not come upon us by
chance, but only by permission of the grea
dsposer of events. Eternal order maintains
its sway amid all the connections of the time
And waves and storm find mete and bound
In providence
He then goes on to admonish his coreligion
lists that they have too long lived in state o
ease and 1orgettulneSs, wearing the gart
earned for them by others that the time ha:
come for them to take part in the trials which
the ancient worthless of their faith so noby
endured.
1.-The land is red with judgments" is here
the burden of the song, land we as sect
have been participants in the transgressions
which have called down the anger of heaven
How faint through din of merchandise
And count of gain
Have seemed to us the captive cries,
How lar away the tears and signs
Of souls i'll pain!
And now the day Of reckoning has come a
last,
We hear around our peaceful homes
The summons of the cOnscript drums.
Still must we bear for conscience sake oul
testimony against fighting;
The war net draws
Round us in vain:
We may not take the leveled gun or the
sword. But we must patiently endure.
To suffer well is well to serve;
Safe in Lord.
The rigid lines of law shall curve
To spare us; from our heads shall swerye
Its shifting sword
And there are duties devolving upon us in
connection with this struggle which we should
delight in the opportunity of performing. We
can relieve the distressed, pour ba,m into the
aching and broken heart, do good to the wild
ow and tatheress. We can walk the 'groan-
ing corridors" where strong men pine, and
pour out freely Of our oil and wine, which are
in such abundant supply, to heal the wounds
of the suffering. And not only so, but we
have the duty plainly imposed upon us OF
miniStering to those released from slavery
They are our wards, and it is our duty to form
their characters in Christian mould"
"Who them" says the lyrist, twill repine
at living in this day of trial. when God is SC
manifesting his power.
Who murmurs that in these dark days
His lot is cast!
Gods hand within the shadow LAYS
The stones whercon His gates of praise
Shall rise at last.
Turn and e'er turn o outstretched Hand!
Nor stand nor stay:
The years have never dropped their sand
On mortal issues vast and grand
As ours to-day"
The exercises of the evening were con-
cluded with social gathering at the Fillmore
House, where the spacious reception hall was
crowded to overlooking. Mr.. Garland pre-
sided, and remarks were made by him, by
DR.. S. b. Tobey, Mayor Rodman of Provi-
dence, George H. Chase of Lynn, Edward
Brown of Philadelphia, George w. Keene
and Mayor Neale of Lynn. All the exercises
were of most interesting and pleasant char
acter.