In the land of sunshine and flowers, stands an old mansion, having many a wierd history connected with it, which if written, would contain strong argument against the idea that slavery is right, or that equally errone. ous one, that whatever opportunities or training might be given to the negro race, they would still be an inferior people. The house was irregularly built, giving proof that successive owners had made new angles or filled up old ones, to suit their respective wants or tastes. Though bearing an ancient date it was as high as the more modern residences around it. The lower and upper verandah were pleasant retreats for the numerous guests with which the old fabric was often enlivened. The long avenue leading up from the street was shaded by the beautiful magnolia. The grounds were laid out with taste and care, showing none of that age or decay which you could not help noticing as you wandered through the castle-like looking building which stood in its centre.

The place originally belonged to one of the F. F. V.'s, but the last scion of that aristocratic house having an irresistible passion for sea-life, the place was at the time of which I write, occupied by Mrs. Franklin and her pupils. This excellent lady, coming from the land of steady habits, found no superior educational advantages in the city beyond dull convent walls. Many families, knowing her abilities, besought her to take charge of a seminary for misses, to which she consented; and although married a few years after assuming these responsibilities, she did not leave the institution.

Now she was a widow with two lovely boys, who looked to her for care, counsel, and support, as their only inheritance from their father was a spotless name.

Her great grief rested on her like a shadowy cloud, through which you can catch bright gleams of sunshine. In person she was tall, slender, well-formed, and easy in her manners. Her face was one that, having once seen, you would look for again; not handsome, but intellectual and full of sympathy and kindness for all that needed it. Her forehead was high and broad, while the small blue eyes had within them a light which was not of earth.

In the early autumn of 1848, I became an inmate of her home in the capacity of both teacher and pupil. As my home had been where all are free and equal, where slavery was looked upon as a sin and a curse, no wonder that the poor bondmen around me, were objects both of great curiosity and sincere pity. Not one that belonged to Mrs. F. was ignorant of the first principles of education, namely, reading and writing; therefore they considered themselves among che" aristocratic niggers." The winter passed leasantly away, bringing with it mental imrovement and moral discipline, extended

around.

In the spring, as our school had increased considerably, we needed more servants. Mrs. F. went out in the country to hire one whom she knew to be faithful. Mrs. Stillham was the only surviving member of a family, once noted for wealth, and who boasted a descent from some noble house in France. Now her income was chiefly derived from the labor of the numerous servants which composed the bulk of her prop erty. Stately but courteous, she received us with great kindness, and entertained us with that hospitality for which her people are remarkable. We made known our business and with some little inconvenience to herself, she allowed Mrs. F. her choice in servants. Patsey, for this was the name of the new-comer, was a real character; everyone noticed something strikingly individual in our new cook.

Her words were few, consisting of inquiries as to how "the missus would have this or that done," respectful answers to questions asked by her superiors, and at suitable times addressing her equals with words concerning addressing her equals with words concerning a better and higher life. Her conscientiousness was remarkable; she did not consider that she had any right to waste her time, and she so arranged her labor that she ac complished as much as any two about the house. Her faith in God's promises often put me to shame, and well do I remember how firm was her trust that ere long the bondage which lay so heavily upon her people would be lifted from off them, that the oppressed might go free. She read well and drank in the lore of the sacred page as sweet messages from One she loved. She remarked to Mrs. F., who always showed great kindness to those about her, "Missus, I knows I'se a slave now, but up thar we all be free. Tank de Lord. That's, one great thing I praise Him for, we's the Lord's freemen.' Thinking of her poverty she would exclaim, "Poor Patsey, poor Patsey," but with the next breath she would show a change of feeling, saying, "No, no; rich Patsey, ebry ting I see is my Father's; I de chile ob a very rich king." She was never singing snatches of the songs so common among the negroes while at her work, but it you passed her cabin of an evening, you might hear some of the sweet songs of Zion, which seemed to come from the depths of her heart. With her she brought a little girl of nine summers, who was the only one left to her of ten, the others having gone to pay her old master's debts. master's debts. Winnie was her pride, and no mother in the land could have done more, according to her ability, for the mental or moral education of her child, than did this poor slave woman. Patsey was herself a mulatto and Winnie was quite light in com

The wise and knowing way in which she executed the little errands committed to her trust amused us all. She was ever respectful, but had about her a childish frankness, and simplicity which is very uncommon among the race, as the condition in which they are born leads them to practice deceit and cunning.

The religious instructions with which she favored her little playmates as they would gather on the back verandah of an afternoon, would have done credit to an older and wiser head. The spring passed with its luxury of flowers, in whose very surfeit of sweetness I reveled like a child. Our parterre was a miracle of nature and of art. Often on a holiday, when we strolled through some grand old forest, carpeted with the poetry of nature, my heart was so full of happy thought that words were wanting; for the time I seemed dumb.

On one of these occasions we begged of Mrs. F. to allow Winnie to accompany us, and the little brown girl delighted us all by her artless expressions upon the beauty and variety of the flowers, the green grass, and the ever-varying shades of foliage which met our gaze. Summer came, warm and sultry, making us all listless and inactive. Most of the pupils had gone home for vacation so I had no school-duties devolving upon me. We rose early to enjoy the cool of the day, and often finding Winnie in my walks, I amused myself by asking her questions. I felt that here was truly one of the lambs of Christ's flock.

At one time I commenced singing, "Suffer little children," after I had finished, the child remarked, "Jesus told that when He lived on earth. That is why I come to Him. He blessed little children; wasn't that good and kind."

Autumn, sombre, thought-inspiring season, they called it in my old New England home, with its yellow leaves, and chill November wind visited that southern clime, but there it appeared to me that nature had put on her most gorgeous attire, making bold to enchain all hearts, and bring them captives to her feet.

Mrs. F. had agreed that at this season Patsey should go for a few days back to her mistress to carry her wages and receive her clothing for the winter. Her stay was to be short, but we missed her, even the few days she was absent, as her duties were many aud always well performed. Thursday evening came, and with it our faithful slave, but not Winnie who, she said, would come in on a load of cotton, which old Cesar was to bring

to town on the morrow.

That morrow came, and such a dawn as a southern autumn only knows. The hours passed, swift-winged, and as the clock was on the stroke of eleven, looking from one of the study windows, I saw a burly negro, coming up the avenue, bearing in his arms the little slave child that had become such a pet with us all. Groans from her and the tears, big with sorrow, that were coursing down the

quisition his belief that the earth moved round the sun, went from their presence to have the truth force itself again from his lips, "It does move."

The spirit of inquiry penetrated monasteries and convents, and monks and nuns began to ask if theirs was indeed the "higher life," if by penance, repetitions of prayer and good works, they could merit heaven; if there were any venial sins or a purgatory; if any but God could forgive sins; if indulgences could be granted by any mortal. And finding in God's Word no mention of these prominent doctrines of their church, began a new, more useful and holy life, founded on justification by faith in Jesus Christ.

"By their fruits ye shall know them." Compare the statistics of crime in countries or among classes where the Bible is unknown or unread, with those in which it is the acknowledged rule of life, and it will be found that in the latter, life and property are far more secure, homes are purer and happier.

God is light, His word giveth light, His people walk in the light; all that is divine. and heavenly rejoices in the light. All that is evil shuns the light and the day. Satan is called the prince of darkness, the fallen angels in darkness await the judgment of the great day, and unto the wicked is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. It is when night's shadows are upon the earth that the tempter, the burglar, the murderer oftenest seek for victims. Only systems of oppression and wrong, fear when eagle-eyed justice and truth scan their works and results.

That cannot be pure and undefiled religion which shrinks from having the light of God's own word fall upon it. "This then is the message which we have heard of Him and declare unto you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we do not the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin."

H. E. O.

OFFENCES MUST NEEDS COME.

WE suppose it quite imposible in a world like this always to escape censure, or avoid giving offence, and that, therefore, our chief aim should be to do right, and if in so doing trials come, then "tread the thorns down," and still pursue the even tenor of our way.

We We were recently quite surprised in noticing the first of the following paragraphs in the Evening Post, a daily paper that we highly esteem, and one that has a wide cirenlation among our friends and patrons. The brief reply found below was sent immediately, but

being delayed for several days, was overlooked by some who read the first. For this reason we are requested to insert both in our columns, that misapprehension may be corrected. "A CASE OF SECTARIANISM.

To the Editors of the Evening Post: One naturally turns to your columns if he wants to bring an abuse before the public eye. I have one to complain of which I will state as briefly as possible. Two days ago word was sent to a young lady, who is anxiously seeking a situation, that a teacher was needed at the "Home of the Friendless," a charitable institution on Thirtieth street, near Madison avenue; one who could instruct little children in singing and the first rudiments of a plain English education. The young lady applied at once, was asked some questions about her acquirements, the answers to which were apparantly satisfactory to the Vice-President, who then asked the applicant to what church she belonged. "I have been mostly to Friends' meeting lately," was the reply, "but I attended Dr. Bellows' church with my aunt a long time." "We are not at all sectarian," the Vice-President responded, and with a few more words they parted. The next day there was to be a meeting of the Board, at which it was necessary for the young teacher to be present to press her suit. After the half-encouragement of the day before, she naturally expecto receive a favorable answer to her application, but was told the situation could not be given her because she attended Dr. Bellows' church, as they require some one who will read the Bible and prayers to the children, and who is a member of a church! This anti-sectarian lady added that they do not want Unitarian principles taught to the children. Since this occurred I have learned something more of the policy of this liberal institution; while | professing to be free from sectarianism, it yet not only refuses to receive a Friend among its board of managers, but absolutely will not allow one of its bantlings to be placed in a Friend's family.

F. W. L.

To the Editors of the Evening Post: A communication, signed F. W. L., having appeared in your paper of March 4th, reflecting unjustly upon the managers of the Home for the Friendless, your permission to reply briefly to the same will be esteemed a favor. One statement made in this article relative to the institution above-named, wholly at variance with the truth, is the following:

'While professing to be free from sectarianism, it yet not only refuses to receive a Friend among its board of managers, but absolutely will not allow one of its bantlings to be placed in a Friend's family.'

Now the annual reports of this society record the name of Sarah C. Hawxhurst-a Friend-as one of its highly-esteemed managers and officers, up to the period of her death; while the well-known name of Joseph B. Collins-also a Friend-has ever stood upon its board of counselors.

It is also true that its foster-children have been often placed in the family of Friends, and have ever been regarded as specially safe in such families. For proof of this, reference may be made at any time to the Society's records.

The ill-feeling manifested by F. W. L. would not of course have been thus exhibited to the public eye had his youthful relative been an accepted applicant. A score or more applica

tions had come before hers, some of which had received encouragement. Of this she was duly informed; also that the Committee felt bound in their decisions to regard the best good of the schools in their charge, in preference to the pressing wants of applicants, however much their sympathies might become enlisted.

One word more; if it is true that an institution embracing in its Board of Managers, members of every orthodox Christian church is "sectarian," then the Home for the Friendless is sectarian-not otherwise."

We regret that a stranger to the facts should have made a public statement representing the management of the institution so at variance with its known character. And especially that the feelings of many of our beloved fellowlaborers of the Society of Friends should have been tried without cause. Numbers have called upon us for a verbal explanation, on hearing which, they have seemed entirely satisfied.

Our Book Table.

Jerry and his Friends; or, The Way to Heaven. By ALICE A. DODGE. Boston: Am. Tract Society. New York: J. G. Broughton. A precious book to place in the hands of the young, who think they would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, if they only knew how: many such there are, to whom this little volume may be a light in a dark place.

Apples. of Gold in Pictures of Silver. By KRUNA. Same publishers.

Beautiful stories for children, with such titles as these: Cups of Cold Water: The Sunbeam Caught: Saying and Doing, &c. Mothers and teachers will find this little volume like a friend in need.

The Temperance Tales. By LUCIUS M. SARA new edition, Vol. V. Same pub

GENT. lishers. The entire series should be in every family.

Daily Prayers for the Lord's Hidden Ones. "For the Lord heareth the poor and despiseth not the prisoner." Same publishers.

A book written by an invalid in intervals of relief, to aid fellow-sufferers in lifting their weak and wandering thoughts up to heavenly and divine things. It is well adapted to this purpose.

Letters to a Theological Student. By LEVERET GRIGGS. Pastor of the Congregational Church, Bristol, Ct. Same publishers. A collection of letters first written at the request of Prof. Day, of Lane Theol. Seminary, and now published in their present form at his suggestion.

The Employments of Women: A Cyclopedia of Woman's Work. By VIRGINIA PENNY. Boston: Walker, Wise & Co.

This work contains five hundred and thirtythree articles, over five hundred of which are descriptions of the occupations in which wo men are or may be engaged; the effect of each on the health; the rate of wages paid for those carried on in the United States; a comparison in the price of male and female labor of the same kind; the length of time required to learn the business fully, and the time required to learn the part done by women; whether women are paid while learning; the qualifications needed; the prospect of future employment in each branch; and much other valuable information of like character. In addition are articles on unusual employments in England, France, the United States, and other countries; minor employments in the United States, England, and France.

THE WORLD MOVES.-It is said that there are now one thousand women employed in the various departments of the Government, at salaries of $600 a year.-Er. Post.

For the Advocate and Guardian. A TIME TO DANCE!!

Ir is said that Nero fiddled and sang when Rome was in a blaze. America's sons and daughters, apparently as reckless as the Roman tyrant, revel and dance at our National and State capitals, while our country is bleeding at every pore! It is announced that the Bazaar at Albany for the relief of the wounded and dying soldiers, will close with a grand ball.

We express our thoughts at this announcement, not in a spirit of fault-finding with those whose noble efforts have thus far carried on this great work, but of regret, that in all things the ruling spirits of that association have not incorporated in the bright pageant "whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are pure and of good report." On the assumption that the end will justify the means, a Turkish Harem has been represented there, attracting general observation and remark. Its peculiar characteristic of secrecy is suspended for the gratification of the paying crowd, so all may gaze upon a lordly Turk, lying off in Oriental magnificence, surrounded by half a score of "lovely favorites of the Harem." Christian mothers have encouraged or permitted their daughters to exhibit their charming faces and graceful attitudes in this chaste domestic group. Even more, since this Turkish

Harem has been generously photographed, its beauties may secure a permanent notoriety, sell their fair images throughout Christendom, yes, transmit copies to Turkeydom, thus evincing their appreciation of Eastern morals and peculiar institutions.

The Bazaar is to close with a ball instead of a benediction. This glorious charity, freighted with the labors, sacrifices and prayers of thousands of professing Christians is to be transmitted to the soldier, opened and closed without one humble recognition of that power that casteth down, and alone can raise us up. A friend facetiously remarked, "Why not a gay

ball, the soldiers have balls all the time?" We know they do. Theirs are balls which mangle the quivering flesh; balls which shatter to fragments the arms lifted in our defence; balls which sever the arteries and make the warm heart's blood cold as the turf on which they sink and die. They have music, too, when shot and shell are whistling and shrieking through the sky.

O tender, merciful woman, when in the mazes of the dance, "Forward " and "Back" salute your ears, think of the defenders of your homes. "Forward," to the soldier, means "charge," "onward," to face danger-carnage -death! Back," when hope and all is lost, to retreat or to hasten to some resting-place, "while his life-blood ebbs away."

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Mothers, wives, sisters, now, if ever, lift the heart and bend the knee; not striving to show forth grace in form and motion, but in the heart, our most becoming attitude being that of prayer; so shall our charities be owned and blessed of God, and when earth's fairest visions have passed away, all who have loved mercy, and walked meekly before God shall shine as the stars, forever and ever.

A. L. D.

EXTRACTS FROM VISITOR'S REPORT. WENT to Home I. School on 40th st. It was a bitter cold morning, so that some of the little ones had not ventured out, but it was a pleasure to see how comfortable those present were. One slender, neglected-looking child, who has often attracted our attention, was looking so much improved in all respects, that we inquired about her. The teacher said she was a nice, good girl, and ought to be saved. "From what?" we asked. "Her mother is an inveterate drunkard, and all the families in the house drink and fight with hatchets and tongs and anything that comes handy," she replied. Then she showed me the temperance pledge to which several of the mothers of her pupils had placed their names or mark, in token of a resolution to abstain from all that intoxicates.

Entering Mrs. G.'s house, we asked how her husband was. She hesitated a moment, then answered, "I hope he is better off than he was; he was buried from the hospital, day before yesterday." She said she trusted the Lord had taken him to be with Him. He had been a kind husband and father; his only fault was in thinking everybody else as honest as himself.

Her three children gathered around us as she talked; they had no dresses on, for their mother had washed the only one belonging to each, to have them ready for the new week which would commence on the morrow. But God had been very good to her, she said. her children had never gone hungry, although He had allowed them to be pinched sorely, He had always provided them something. One day they had no coal, and what should they do. Her husband lay sick, and she had

no money to buy it with. She resolved to ask a lady for whom she had worked sometimes, to advance a dollar: but when she reached her house, she dared not ask. What if she should be refused? The lady might not wish to trust her, as she had not known her long so she went home again. She found a lady waiting there when she returned, with a ticket which secured for her a quarter of a ton of coal; and so in various ways she had been relieved in time of trouble.

She was very desirous to own a sewingmachine, as she thought by means of it, she could keep her children in school.

Some kind ladies, to whom her case was mentioned, advanced money for that purpose, and when we called a few days since to tell her that a nice bundle sent by Mrs. S. was waiting for her at the Home, we found her busily at work, and very hopeful withal. Said she had cleared eight dollars over her "living" and rent, during the past month, and would make her first payment toward the machine the next week.

She was very grateful for all the kindness that had been shown to her, and as we left, said, "The Lord will reward you for all this, in another world if not in this."

A note, from "a friend," enclosing one dollar "to get a good beefsteak' for the poor woman with heart-disease and dropsy," having been placed in our hands, we stopped at a place where such was to be found, and bought some nice slices, with a part of the money. With the remainder we shall get her

more soon.

She was sewing on a garment which had been given her to make. "Oh,” said she, exultingly, "I've earned a dollar and a half with my needle since you were here, and it helps." She had the promise of more when she finished that she now had, on condition that she would not sew more than two or three hours a day, as she did not, look able to do more.

The landlord had threatened to send her to the hospital if the rent was not forthcoming in a day or two, but a good man interposed, promising to go next day and hurry forward their claim for damages during the riot; they not knowing what steps were necessary.

She spoke of the overcoat we had been able to give her husband from the Dorcas-room, "He was delighted with it, and I thought it was splendid. It was such a surprise, too. He was almost frozen before he had it. I fixed it some, and he fixed it some, and it has made him very comfortable. Oh, we were so thankful."