expressions, "We have had a good meeting." "It was good for us to be here." The essence of a "good meeting" is the manifestation of that Power which softens the obdurate heart, awakens the indifferent, brings strength and encouragement to those who are cast down, and enables us all to become partakers of the true bread of life from the hand of the Master as He manifests himself by his spiritual appearance. The congregation will then often break up with unwonted tenderness towards one another, and our faces and our conversation will betray that we "have been with Jesus."

When away from home, amid conditions which preclude assembling for worship according to our usual practice, we were entreated not to yield to the temptation to balk our religious profession before our associates by omitting this duty altogether, or by, without prayerful consideration, so placing ourselves as to let fall our testimony to a waiting, spiritual worship and a free Gospel ministry.

Our attention was called to a particular relationship existing between the first and the second Queries. The first may be answered for us by the observation of others, the second can only be truly answered by deep searching of our own heart. Where the spirit of true love and unity actually exists there will be no room found for tale-bearing or detraction.

In the matter of simplicity of deportment, speech and dress, unto which our Christian profession calls us, we were tenderly exhorted not to seek outward conformity by taking counsel of human wisdom or tradition, but to seek for that heavenly guidance, which as it has power to lead into all truth and into that liberty which is enjoyed by the children of God, without rebuke, will surely guide us in regard to those things which relate to our consistent appearance in all our relationships before the world. When we shall have attained to this standard, these Queries will take on a new meaning as they (a little changed) come to us in the revised Discipline, and by being continually answered in our individual conscience,

our deficiencies will be supplied, our weaknesses will be eliminated, and, as a beloved minister of this meeting, now deceased, was wont to say, our branch of the church will advance as in ancient days to its true place before the world.

Our members were cautioned to so demean themselves with regard to the administration of official oaths that in private and professional life they may adorn the doctrine of our Divine Teacher, who has forbidden his followers to swear under any circumstances.

Counsel was also given by several concerned Friends regarding the reading and prayerful study of the Holy Scriptures. Fears were expressed lest the practice of their frequent reading both in the family and in private, is not universally prevalent as our profession calls for. Parents were encouraged to inculcate in the minds of their children the value of this practice, both in the retirement of the home and when absent therefrom at school or elsewhere. Time for private devotion will be found for both old and young-by those pressed with the cares of this life as well as by those somewhat steeped in its pleasures, when they have learned to apply the injunction and tasted a little of the verity of its expression: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

The advices laid down in the Discipline concerning marriage, are held by us to be sound and practical, for those about entering into this most sacred relationship. Life's happiness to the contracting parties, the harmony of the family in all its vital and precious relationshipsall that is bound up in those endearing domestic termshusband, wife, child-lies deeply imbedded in that sanctifying influence which pervades the home when the marriage covenant is entered into with Divine approval, and solemnized "in the presence of the Lord." Then shall many a father and mother be enabled to say with David Barclay of old, "The perfect discovery of the Day-spring from on high is a blessing which has been to me and my family."

With the adoption of the new Discipline some changes

appear in the wording of the Queries. These were not made with a view of lowering our high standards of living, but rather with the hope that subordinate meetings will thereby be encouraged to answer them definitely and sincerely, and with full regard to their import as a means of conveying to this Meeting their true condition, to the end that we may be more perfectly knit together and that the spiritual life of the body as a whole may be even more manifest in the individual lives of its members.

A Memorial, prepared by Germantown Monthly Meeting, concerning Elizabeth Allen, a beloved minister, was read. It is directed that it be recorded in the book kept for the purpose, and also that it be printed.

With gratitude to our Heavenly Father, for his blessings and favor, the Meeting concludes, to convene at the usual time next year if consistent with the Divine Will.

CHARLES S. CARTER,

Clerk to the Meeting this year.

EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE WOMEN'S YEARLY MEETING.

At a Yearly Meeting of Women Friends, held in Philadelphia, by adjournments from the eighteenth of Fourth Month, 1910, until the twenty-second of the same, inclusive.

The Friends appointed by the several Quarterly Meetings as Representatives to this meeting were present, with the exception of six Friends, who were unavoidably prevented from being present. Our Friend, Margaretta W. Satterthwaite, was called from works to rewards, between her appointment as Representative and the convening of this meeting.

We proceeded with the reading of the Queries and their Answers as far as the sixth, inclusive.

The Representatives were requested to meet together at the close of the meeting to consider Friends to serve as Clerk, Assistant Clerk, and some one to assist with the reading, during this year.

Third-day, Fourth Month 19th.

The Meeting resumed business near the time appointed. One of the Representatives reported they were united in proposing for the consideration of this meeting, Rebecca S. Conard for Clerk, Susanna S. Kite for Assistant Clerk, and Jane H. Bartlett to assist with the reading. These appointments were separately considered and approved. The remaining Queries with their Answers were read, and the Summary Answers to these, together with those read yesterday, were approved.

The exercises attending the reading of the Queries with their Answers were felt to be impressive and helpful. That our First-day morning meetings are so well attended is cause for thankfulness. Friends were again encouraged to greater diligence in the attendance of their weekday meetings. It would seem that some of the smaller meetings might have to be laid down unless help was forthcoming. Great faithfulness is often shown by the constant attendance at these of the "two or three," and they were encouraged to trust in the Lord (for He will surely help), and reminded of the Scripture language, "My grace is sufficient for thee; My strength is made perfect in weakness." The younger members of such meetings were lovingly urged to attend, as their presence is a great help. Even if the meetings seem to have but little to offer, we know not when a visitation of the Holy Spirit may come to us. It is by individual faithfulness that the Church must grow, and this faithfulness is not only helpful to ourselves, but is an example to our neighbors. Mothers and busy women were affectionately encouraged to attend our meetings, even when so worn in body that the struggle to keep the thoughts centred is great; and to remember that our Heavenly Father knoweth our limitations and will help us. They were also tenderly invited to take the young children with them, as their presence is encouraging to older Friends.

In connection with the second Query, we were reminded that thoughts come before words, and the quotation, "Guard well thy thoughts, thy thoughts are heard in heaven," seemed applicable. Tale-bearing and detraction injure Christian family life. Our mothers were cautioned against such indulgence in the presence of their