faith and meet the consequences. We were well aware that we would appear before men as craven and cowardly, as selfish and miserly, and as reapers of the spoils purchased by the blood of patriots, returning no equivalent. To

WHEN the demand from the Government, called upon the States to draft hundreds of thousands, it found the Shakers with a faith that neither allowed men of spirit among us, it looked at us to fight, to serve in hospitals, or to pay for substitutes. To enter the army was to renounce our faith in Christ. To serve with the wounded, was to restore the soldier 10 the use of the rifle and the sword. To pay for substitutes was to employ another to do the work of human butchery for us. We hesitated not a moment, but determined to take a firm stand upon the glad tidings, sung by angels at the birth of Jesus: "Peace on earth and good will to men.

times fearful; but we determined to stand true. Pretenders left us to enter the army, this they were at liberty to do. But there were among us, Godfearing young men, who took a straight course, and one by one they were num bered among the drafted. One young man was summoned from the Society at Shirley, was examined and accepted. He returned home determined to remain there and to place his whole trust in God. He prayed fervently, was We had long ago, in the days of peace sorrowful at his prospect, and continued surveyed the whole field, counted the thus till an officer took him from the cost, and were prepared to stand by our | Village. When forced away almost

heart-broken, he more than ever deter- Scarcely a society of our number, mined to stand on the power of non-re- but what met with similar trials; but sistance and place his whole trust in we had a God-fearing President, and Heaven. others of like spirit, at the helm of state who knew that the sincere children of God had been the salvation of nations ever since the world began.

The first night he was placed in prison with deserters, and in irons. Their curses upon the government, their ruf fian-like conduct, and their horrid oaths, so shocked him, and contrasted so fearfully with his own God-fearing people at his quiet home, that it seemed to him like dropping from heaven into the very hells of perdition. He would then have considered it a favor to have faced death before the morning light.

On the island he could not be suaded or threatened into a Course

per

to make him take his first degrees in the drill of a soldier, and was of course kept in confinement. Finally, one of the officers designing to arouse his fears, threatened to have him shot, if he did not comply. He entirely mistook his man; he had lived a life which had wholly disarmed death of its terrors and he meekly replied, "I would consider it a great favor if you would shoot me, for I had far rather be shot than to be placed in my present condition."

The draft extending to all was right. But the officials listened to reason why we could neither fight, or voluntarily pay an equivalent, gave indefinite furloughs to all such, and sent them out of the service. This was equally as right. And was not God's protection to be seen in this likewise?

In Kentucky, a village of Shakers may be found at South Union, a few miles from Bowling-green, where for a season, the rebel army lay. They were in want of everything, and the brethren had much to supply their wants. The leading members had strong reasons to fear their raids for plunder. They knew that they had planned such robberies, and were distressed at their prospect of danger. They earnestly looked to Heaven for a protector, and one was raised up from a quarter unexpected the notorious Morgan,-the Commander at In all this they could feel no willful- that place. He learned all that was inness or rebellion. They saw so clearly tended, and promptly stepped forward that it was the effect of acting from to the rescue. He issued immediate or principle, that they liberated him, and ders, strictly forbidding any such proceed

assigned him the duty of a waiter. He enlisted the sympathies of every one who knew his case. They admitted his friends to visit him, and although he had passed one surgical examination, they favored him with another. Last of all they released him on furlough, sent him home, and never recalled him. Who doubts the interposition of kind heaven in the case of this trial of faith, in this servant of the Lord?

ings. He informed his legions that he had long known the Shakers, that they were harmless and unoffending, that they took no part with ei her side, injured no man, and had no desire so to do, and none under his command should injure them in any way. His strong iron will and unquestionable power shielded them, and they were thankful to heaven for it. They viewed him as one that God raised up to help them in the day of trouble,

and so do we. Rebel though he was, to the extent of my means, may dine at this will be held in grateful remembrance my table; and I will do what I can for by those he befriended.

We never doubted, but gratefully acknowledged that we shared largely in the civil blessings secured to this nation, by the noble heroes, patriots and martyrs who fought and fell in putting down this bloody rebellion. And however it may appear to men who do not recognize the "wisdom from above" or the higher law, we never doubted that we could do more good] for this cause by obeying the word of God to us than any other condition in which we could be placed. God would have saved even Sodom, if five comparatively righteous souls could have been found in that wicked city.

in

thy soldiers." It was kindly accepted. This was the right spirit. We do not wish to boast of kind deeds, but present a few cases in connection with this to show that the man of peace should be liberal even in extreme cases.

In

Our Societies gave liberally to the sanitary cause and to the freed men. We shared with the soldiers in hospitals luxuries, provisions and money. In our Western Societies, especially in Kentucky, they helped feed with a liberal hand, the armies of the North. South Union, a great grain-growing section, they dealt out large stores of provisions to hungry troops, and submitted to some demands for horses, wagons &c. with as much good nature as any could have done.

This nation suffered to put down treason, on the worldy political plane, while the Church, non-resistants, often suffered At the Society of Pleasant Hill, in to obey their convictions and hold their Kentucky, they witnessed the strife of standing on the plane above. This conflict, cared for the wounded of both patriotic and Christian struggle, beauti-parties left on their ground, fed bands fully blended to uproot treason, and re- of soldiers, and one morning, prepared store peace and prosperity to the land. and dealt out breakfast to 1200 cavalry As with others, that war greatly en-men, and fed their horses. larged our expenses, doubled our taxes, Boasting of such deeds is far from and entailed on us our part of the debt my intention, I simply present them to of this nation. If it had been greater, show what the non-resistant man may do we would have scorned to complain. If and stand upright. To close, allow me the authorities had attached property to to say that a Shaker Village is the best pay for substitutes, we would have sub- peace society in existence. mitted to it patiently. Harvard, Mass.

In the days of the old Revolution, one of the Quaker fathers, who lived in Valley-forge, met the Commander-inChief when the army was in sore distress, and kindly said, "Friend George, my religion utterly forbids me, to use carnal weapons; but it requires me to feed the hungry, and cloth the naked, as far as I am able. Thee and thy officers,

CONSIDERATION.

CHILDHOOD and youth have all been blest
With care and kindness of pure love,
"Tis not enough that here we rest;
But for the good of others move.
Unfaithful stewards if no more
Than talents given are found at last,
But sevenfold the gain in store,
Should be into the Treasury cast.-M. W.
Canterbury, N. H.

MY MISSION.

ASENATH C. STICKNEY.

O WHAT is the mission appointed to me

As the days come and go, and the swift moments flee?
It is, Live to do good wheresoe'er is your call,

And give to the household your services all.

Ah, this is the mission appointed to me,

As the days come and go, and the swift moments flee.

Go strengthen the feeble, encourage the strong;
Be thou as a light, a joy, a new song;

Seek only the wisdom which comes from above;
First holy, then peaceful, abounding in love.
Ah, this is the mission appointed to me,

As the days come and go, and the swift moments flee.

And do not your alms to be honored of men,
Was the Savior's injunction so simple and plain ;
But give to the needy, thus lend to the Lord;

For these ye have always, and ye have your reward.
Ah, this is the mission appointed to me,

As the days come and go, and the winged moments flee.

Like the diligent coral beneath the deep sea,

Toil thou for the future; though hidden may be
The structure you build, by devotion and care,—

If founded in virtue its worth will appear.

Ah, this is the mission appointed to me,

As the days come and go, and the winged moments flee.
Canterbury, N. H.

PERSEVERE.

BROTHER! Choose the path of duty,
Keep the path, and have no fear;
Life will show thee all its beauty,

If thou wilt but persevere.

When dark clouds are hanging o'er thee,
And thy way seems dim and drear,
Think of heaven that lies before thee,

Work for God, and persevere.
Grieve not, if thy lot is lowly,

And thou toilest year by year; Has not God made labor holy?

Do thy best, and persevere.

Art thou statesman, artist, poet,

Hold thy own vocation dear, By the love of virtue show it,

Help thy brethren, persevere! God has given to all His creatures Duties, loving, true and clear; Every state has noble features,

Choose thy own, and persevere. Make each day in life a witness,

Spreading tidings far and near,
Of the glory and the fitness

Of the watchword-Persevere.
-Guardian Angel.