The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-05-31
Letter from Helen L. Manning.

SoMERvILLE, MASS, May 10, 1895.
The last outing l enjoyed before leaving
Boston was to take in one of Edward Ev-
erett Hale's Thursday noon reading classes,
which have been held in one OF the parlors
of his church during the winter. 1t was
chilly April day without, but within
CHEEKY fire in large open CRATE dlffused
warmth and lent color to the picture which
the little group of listeners made around
the beloved doctor as he sat at table with
a pile of books before him. The subject
was the "English Mystics, George Fox,
William Law and Richard Baxter" The
talk was informal and conversational, and
DIR. Hale handled the books with the touch
of book lover. One of the editions of
Baxter's writings which he had was evil
IDENTIFY very ancient, belonging to the days
of crude and clumsy book-making, quite in
contrast to the dainty, aesthetic volumes
which are so common today. He spoke of
Baxter as the real leader of the non-com-
formist party in England.
DIR. Hale devoted more time tn George
Fox than to either of the others. He read
extracts from his journal and commented
much as follows: "Here in the midst of
those who occupied themselves by talking
about;gowns, robes and rituals, were few
men who really believed in God, recognizing
Him as an ever-present help and guide. 1t
was the spirit that was their authority, and
they called themselves Friends of the
Spirit" hence the name, the Society OF
Friends. They believed that the words of
Jesus, The kingdom of God is within YOU
were just as true as when he spoke them.
Friends enjoned the duty of loving every
body, and accorded honor, not merely to
kings and princes, but to all men. Whether
or not the society is to become extinct, their
cardinal doctrine of the Inner Light is now
accepted by every one from the Pope on
his throne to the widest come-outer.
Methodism, as founded by the Wesleys,
was the logical outcome of the effect of
Quakersm upon tho thought of the last
century, as Unitarianism is of the effect
upon the thought of this. Common to them
all is the belief that God is here and now in
our midst, and that IL we seek him we shall
find Him. Let us cultivate the habit of
listening in silence every day that we may
hear the voice of God speaking in our souls,
truth"
AT the close of the meeting, DR.. Hale
moved cordially among the little company,
shaking hands with all, answering questions.
etc. Upon greeting our party, it was re-
marked that one of the number was a
Quaker, upon which he shook hands again
and remarked: 'Oh well, | am, too. So
is everybody that amounts to anything"
1t may be of interest to others as it was
to me to learn what had been DR.. Hale's
rule about book-buying, one which was en-
joined upon him in his youth by some wise
friend and which he has always followed.
1t is this: Never buy o book until you
are entirely ready to read it," He told this
to friend of mine a short time since, re-
marking that it had kept him from lumber
ing up his library shelves with a lot of
books which might seem desirable or were
specially cheap in the hope that he would
find time to read them some time, but prob
ably he never would, unless he was ready
when they were purchased. 1t would be of
much interest to look over library which
had been selected by its owner in this way.
so that it had become part of himself, and
it would be of special interest to scan the
faces of the book friends whom DR.. Hale
had chosen.
Since mention has been made of the car
dinal doctrine of the Quakers, the Inner
Light the Divine lmmanence, the Indwell-
ing Christ or whatever name be given to
the Divinity which is within us all, it may
be of interest to add that Roberts Bros.
have just published an inspiring little book,
Goods Light as 1t Came to Me-" authors
name Withheld, which shows how this beau
tiful truth came to one who knew nothing
Of the doctrinal teaching. cordially recon-
mend this volume to my friends, sure that
they will find it helpful and uplifting.
HELEN l.. MANNING.
Any one who has ever had an attack of