The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1891-01-30

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Bile that the still small voice. may be
heard more distinctly on such occasions?
know not how it was, but utterly un-
used as | was to such a gathering. and
such an entire absence of form OF worship
and ceremony of any kind, l felt, asI saw
those placid and peaceful faces immedi-
ately in my view, something Of magnetic
Influence of the same character, and as
though | had inssnsibly imbi5ed a meas
ure of the same spirit. The irresistible
conclusion came to me that the Heavenly
Father was very near, and it was good to
be there; and in afterward comparing
notes with both my friend and bis wife, |
learned that each had experienced similar
sensations. | cannot tell how long | was
thus occupied | was at length somewhat
startled to observe an aged looking gem
tleman slowly rising from his seat. Re-
moving his hat from his head, he care
fully placed it on the seat be had occupied
then, facing the congregation, be stood for
a moment without uttering a word as
though unwilling to disturb the solemn
stiffness which pervaded the meeting.
Although bearing the marks of considera-
BILE age, he was large and erect of form,
and exhibited face banning with kind
ness and love. lie gave out no text, but
commenced by saying that he had been
impressed while sitting in the meeting
with the idea that there was too much of
formal religion, and he feared too little
attention given to the practical part. He
said he had no creed or doctrine to incul-
cate; each person had his distinct and sep
arate belief or faith, and each, as he be-
lieved, was responsible only for the SINGER
ity of his convictions. He believed, how
ever, that active duties were assigned to
all-that no one could occupy a strictly
selfish position, and be at peace With God,
for the most imperative command, next to
fellow men.
He went on to speak of some of the act
i've duties of life. Greatest Of all was
charity-charity in faith, charity in works
While it was very possible that some might
do deeds of kindness solely for the ap-
plause of men, and without the heart Or
motive derived from Gods own loving in
SEPARATION, yet he considered 1t safe to con
Jude that every really good work indica-
ted that the doer was not very far from the
Kingdom of Heaven, no matter what mis-
profession or faith. His closing remarks
were more particularly addressed by way
Of counsel and advice to the young: to en-.
courage them in seeking direction and as
~sistance from the loving Father whose help
would never be invoked in vain; and his
appeal TO them TO guard against yielding
to temptations was so full of affection and
sim pie patLos that it seemed to touch
every heart. His sermon throughout was
free from flourish or characterization of any
kind nor did he once claim for his Society
any superiority over any other.
It was without exception, the best prac-
teal sermon | had ever listened to, and it
linger. yet in my memory, ~uuequalled by
any have since heard. He took his seat
again covered his head with his broad brim
and a silence followed of a few moments,
when y woman arose. She was dressed so
plainly that at fl st | thought she had at
least attained to the middle age of life, but
a better view of her face readily dispelled
the Illusion; a face not beautiful, but wear
ing an expression so rensively sweet that
| she seemed more than beautiful. Her
voice, wheh she commenced speaking, was
low, but clear and distinct; tremulous,
however, either from difiience before so
! large an audiencs, or from some inward
hidden emotion, which seemed to increase
as she proceeded, but not SO much at any
time as to mar the conference, or detract
| from the musical clearness of her voice.
She was evidently a stranger. for at the
first sound of her voice the entire audience.
including the staid and emotionless old
Quakers in the gallery, objected their gaze
upon her. She commenced by quoting from
St. Paul that beautiful text, And now
abideth these three. Faith, Hope. and
Charity, but the greatest blessing of these
is Charity" After a moment she proceed
ed by saying that the words she had just
quoted came into her mind very impress
lively on her first taking her seat in meet
ing. and lingering with her, she felt con-
strained to give them vocal uttersnce.
She said she could fervently endorse all
that had been said by the dear Friend who
had just preceded her, and then, N her
tremulous voice, briefly and modestly gave
her view of Faith, describing it asa beau
siful and necessary element Of the true in
ward life; but of itself alone, and unaided
by other elements, it is too often descended
TO bigotry and superstition. She believed
that Charity was the outgrovth and
evidence Of pure faith. irrespective of pro-
~fession. because the words and acts OF
kindness to Ou- fellow men could only be
bred from love of God, aud that was the
highest and purest form and kind OF faith
She described the beauty of that Charity of
thought aud expression which conceived
no i'll of any one, and spread the mantle Of
generous federation over all the race Of
mankind, no matter what their profession
,ni.ht he. But a still higher and nobler