The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-06-30
THE VOICE WITHIN.
The Spiritual senses Should BE Kept Free
from Evil Acts and Influences.

from EVIL Acts ana Influences.
"He is governed by his conscience,
and his conscience by the Divine Spirit,
and so he walks with Cod" was the
picture that one gave of life that was
fruitful in good. He hath life that we
do not see. and hears voice that we
do not hear. The influences that make
him what he is are from within and
from above"
John Woolman waited for this Heav-
enly voice to guide him in every act
of his life, even in the choice of his
clothes and his food and in his daily
work.
We are apt to smile at this trusting
faith as childlike. But was it less wise
than the modern habit of thought
which makes of the world only place
for food. clothes and ork, and never
hears, beyond and above all, the
Heavenly Cafl.
In the unpublished annals of
Friends meeting" held near the
village of Philadelphia century and
a half ago, we find the remarkable
story of Jane -, the daughter of
farmer in Kent, who emigrated to this
country with some of her kinsfolk, and
remained with them for year as dairy
maid. She "was of a gloomy and
thoughtful spirit" and was dissatisfied
with her place in life. One day, with
some other young people, she went to
the little country Westinghouse where
the Quakers assembled, chiefly from
curiosity and wish for amusement. 1t
was a quiet morning in June. No one
was moved to speak, and after two hours
silent session the Friends dispersed.
Among them was an old Quaker and
his wife, who were eminent for their
zeal and godly spirit. The English
girl, we are told, looked at them
steadfastly, and was moved of the
Spirit to join herself to them. They
also were drawn to observe her, and
"were strangely rendered towards
her." Outside of the house she went
to them, and they, feeling that they
were moved by God, bade her come to
their house. She remained with them
for four months, and after that, being
moved to go out to carry the Gospel
to the Indians, 'journeyed up and
down the coast as far as Florida amoul
the wild tribes for forty years, bring
ing many souls to God"
Robert Barrow, another Quaker
teacher of the Indians, while in
Jamaica heard one day in his soul
a silent voice bidding him take up this
work, and "though an aged man and
feeble, was not disobedient to the
Heavenly Call" but gave his life to the
work. eHf 'i.
There is spiritual hearing as well al
spiritual seeing, and both may be lost
by evil acts and influences. The moth
er of John and Charles Wesley under
stood this principle clearly. Would
you judge of the lawfulness or anlaw'
fulness Of pleasure, she wrote to John
Wesley while he was q student, "takt
this for your rule: Whatever impairi
the tenderness of your conscience and
takes away your relish of spiritua
things, that to you Is wrong, however
innocent IL may be in itself"
''Keep your spiritual senses clear. '
said noble artist to q pupil, 'fol
nature does not reveal her beauties t.
mind clouded by any darkness o
character. So also keep your spiritus
hearing clear, and amid all the voice.
that call, fail not to have an open eal
to the Voice that ID Divine. Youth
C0nspGni0n.