and by the Committee that prepared it. To this Committee was also referred its distribution and this Meeting authorized the expense which may thus be incurred. The letter is as follows:

Realizing that the situation of the present day is dif ferent from that in which our mothers found themselves, we ask your attention.

The attitude of society towards women has radically changed, opening avenues of service to many new fields, with accompanying disadvantages.

The increasing love of chance as an element of our pastimes gives much concern for the community. The word "Gambling" is disagreeable to all. Yet must we not face the danger of being often in close contact with it? It is about us in greater or lesser degree, from the little. children dabbling in it at marbles, the older brothers and sisters raffling at a so-called benevolent fair, to the maids in the home buying lottery tickets, up to the mother at the bridge table, and the father on the stock market.

We do not condemn healthful games, many stimulate the intellect and brighten the wits, others develop instinctive obedience, loyalty, and the ability to work harmoniously with our fellows.

But why is it that such a large percentage of Christian people object to the use of playing-cards? Is it not the gross waste of time for intelligent people, and that their use tends to abuse?

Edward C. Wood states that no other game is excrcised to so great an extent in this way. Say what we will about the possibilities-and he acknowledges the possibility-yet the tendency and majority of practice is in the other direction. Gambling in its various forms such as betting, raffling, lottery, has been under discussion for many years and the world's best opinion is practically against it.

Even when the games played are so easy and the chances so nominal as to be little considered, the unsound habit of regarding the getting of "something for nothing' as honorable is steadily being ingrained into the character.

Dr. Porter, former President of Yale, says that gambling owes its elements of capacity for tenacious hold on the feelings and its rapidly accumulating strength to its capacity to occupy and interest the imagination, and to excite the passion of hope and daring and self-confidence. And Dr. James E. Rhoads, former President of Bryn Mawr College, said, “If amusements exhaust the energies that should be reserved for more serious duties, if they waken tastes and form imaginary schemes of life that are false and impracticable, or render the plain work of life distasteful, if they arouse unholy passions, they should be exchanged for others free from such results."

Let us look at gambling when combined with hospitality; it is there perhaps that we see its most ugly feature.

Even the barbarian's guest is sacred, to be given of one's best and sent upon his way unharmed. And what shall we think of gentle folk, of good society, who invite friends to their homes with the intention of retaining some of their property when they shall leave? Or of the guest who is willing after an otherwise delightful evening. to walk away with a number of dollars belonging to the kind hostess?

The essential feature common to both stealing and gambling is the transfer of property to which the recipient has no honorable title.

And this includes no glimpse of a girl who goes home to her parents, sick and mortified with her losses; or of the young man who is so hampered and so pinched by his disastrous play, that his imagination can suggest no means to help himself but that of more playing.

Do you feel the sketch is drawn too harshly? Men and women who permit themselves to indulge in such things have dulled the keen edge of their sense of honor. Unless they awaken to the need of high principles in their daily lives, and appeal to our Lord for his power to overcome temptation, what shall restore their usefulness to society?

The responsibility lies with those of us who are convinced of the evil of all gambling. If we desire high standards of honesty and fidelity to promises in the

government of our nation, the individuals composing that nation must uphold those standards in the fruitfulness of their daily lives.

The five Annual Queries were read with their answers. By the answers to the First Query, the Meeting was informed of the death, within the year, of one minister and twelve elders, members of this Yearly Meeting.

A memorial of our late dear friend Mary Bettle, was read and is a beautiful testimony to a sweet and dedicated spirit. The gentleness and the simplicity of her character, the practical nature of her devotion to her Heavenly. Father and her humility in accepting all, even afflictions, as from the hand of her loving Master remain as a blessed memory and an incitement to faithfulness for many of us. Hers was the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

The reading of the memorial of our late beloved friend Josiah W. Leeds, who was aptly characterized as "a gentle and powerful man," was listened to with deep interest. It gave a vivid picture of a life largely devoted to public good, and made clear the method by which such usefulness is possible to all. It was accepted as a help and inspiration to the Meeting and was recommended to the careful perusal of young Friends. The fruitfulness of our lives will depend upon abiding in our places, and in doing our own work, as this Friend so faithfully did. "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

In the large gatherings that have assembled from session to session of this Yearly Meeting, great diversity of gifts, of training, of point of view must have been represented. The harmony which has characterized the Meetings of the past week has been possible because the members

have realized a good measure of the "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" and the messages which have been sent out from the Meeting have come from hearts bound together in Christian love.

For the manifold blessings, the precious seasons of united prayer and praise, and the oneness of purpose, thanksgiving has arisen from humble hearts to Him who has again manifested Himself to be the "Head over all. blessed forever."

May the blessing which has descended upon us not be dissipated as we go to our various homes, but may we experience a deepening in the root of life and a daily growth in grace, "until we all come to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

The Meeting then concluded to meet at the appointed time in the Third Month next, if consistent with the Divine will.

JANE W. BARTLETT,

Clerk.

Dr.

Rebecca Matlack, Treasurer, in Account with the Yearly Meeting of Women Friends.

Additional from one Monthly Meeting....

Donation from a Friend..

Interest on deposits.

Amount.

Sixth Month 9, 1913-Expenses of Lunchroom in excess of Receipts..

Fifth and Seventh Months, 1913-Expenses occasioned by injury of Helper in the Lunch

Cr.

$ 372.46

We have examined the above accounts, compared the payments with the vouchers and found them to be