although he might gain a temporary victory, in the ensuing summer a much more powerful force would threaten his power, and this induced him to consent to the entry of the troops; but he managed, by fomenting jealousy between the civil governor and the military commander, to set them at variance, so that, whilst in no way strengthening the one, he contrived to neutralise the power of the other; he himself still held his position of dictator, and the only change that resulted from the entry of the United States' troops was that of enabling "Gentiles" to settle in the State. The stay of the troops was not, however, of long duration, for on the outbreak of the war they were ordered to the Potomac. An enormous amount of munitions of war, accumulated in camp, was destroyed; the heavy ordnance were thrown into wells, and the stores and provisions were sold for very little to the now exultant Mormons.

During the war the Mormons were left pretty much to themselves; from time to time fresh Governors were appointed; sometimes the “Gentiles" were in favour, at others the Church made efforts at extermination. Acts of murder and violence were frequent in the State, and many a fearful tragedy is related of the action of the Dannite band (a body of men enrolled to execute the orders of the Church). It was a rough time for the Mormons; had they been left to themselves, their submission to the authorities of the Church, and their readiness to follow the orders of their president, would have kept order; but as soon as the Federal Government had determined, as a military necessity, to carry a railway across the Rocky Mountains to San Francisco, the State swarmed with the very lowest characters. Gamblers, murderers, and blacklegs of every description, who had escaped punishment for their crimes, sought their living amid the chances of rough border life, and gave great trouble to the Mor

mons. At the close of the war attention was again directed to the condition of the State, interference took place, fresh efforts were made to put down polygamous practices, and take away the power of Brigham Young; but for a long time he has succeeded by influence at Washington, and by encouraging quarrels amongst the authorities, to maintain his position; and it was not till last year that a Bill was passed through the Legislature, which is likely very materially to curtail his

power.

JOSEPH BECK.

(To be concluded next number.)

Notices of Books Received.

The Bedford Institute First-day School and Home Mission Association. Eighth Annual Report, 1874.

We again welcome this annual record of the cluster of labours hanging around the Bedford Institute. A glance at the great variety of mission efforts connected with it will satisfy the reader of the great value of this central institution for religious labour amongst the poor and ignorant. We trust also that those whose residence in other places prevents the possibility of their personally engaging in the work, will be induced liberally to respond to the appeal for pecuniary help, which must be needful for the successful carrying on of the different organizations. We feel also that the prayers of our fellow-members should often be raised on high that the Lord would be pleased to sustain and to bless in their services those upon whom the burden and heat of the day now rests, in connection with this institution. Except the Lord keep the city, they labour in vain that build it;" but with this Divine help may we not anticipate for the Bedford Institute associations a long and increasingly useful career? May each help according to his ability, and give of that which he possesses, whether in time, talent, or money!

NOTICE.

*Correspondents and Subscribers are requested to take notice that the Publishing Office of the "FRIENDS' QUARTERLY EXAMINER" has been removed to 21, Seething Lane, London; and, owing to the retirement of RICHARD BARRETT, and other changes, that the style of the firm will, in future, be BARRETT, SONS & Co.

Subscribers who have not yet paid their subscriptions will please remit by Post Office Orders, payable at the General Post Office, to BARRETT, SONS & Co., 21, Seething Lane, London.

All Communications and Subscriptions should be sent to the Publishers, BARRETT, SONS & Co., 21, Seething Lane, London, E.C.; and all MSS. for insertion, and Books for Review, should be forwarded to the Honorary Editor, W. C. WESTLAKE, Southampton, at least one month before the day of publication.

THE

FRIENDS' QUARTERLY EXAMINER.

A

Religious, Social, & Miscellaneous Review.

No. XXXIV.-FOURTH MONTH, 1875.

N.B.-The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed in any article bearing the signature of the writer.

HISTORY OF THE QUERIES.

"WHAT a dry subject!" will doubtless have been the first thought of many a reader in glancing through the list of contents of the present number. But we demur to this assertion, and venture to maintain that no history can be dry, if rightly told; whether we may succeed in the present instance in proving this rule by illustration or by exception the reader must determine; but, if void of interest, we will candidly admit the fault lies with the compiler, and not with the subject.

These records of the past experiences and views of our Church, assuredly have an interest identical with the history of the Society of Friends as a religious community; for, embedded within the folds and intimately connected with the various alterations of the Queries, the patient investigator will discover

M

a thread of precious history. By laying bare the two centuries of Query-existence, and dissecting the sixand-thirty changes which have been made in them by different Yearly Meetings, we may perchance trace not only the causes of change, but something of the history of the Society itself, at the various periods of additions, subtractions, and alterations in these timehonoured relics of our corporate life.

Archbishop Trench, in his interesting book on the "Study of Words," offers some valuable hints relative to the tracing out of English history through the study of the English language. After stating that it may be affirmed with truth that "language is fossil history," and that words very often embody the facts of history and the conviction of man's moral sense, he goes on to say, "Great then will be our gains, if, having these treasures of wisdom and knowledge lying round about us, we determine that we will make what portion of them we can, our own; that we will ask the words we use to give an account of themselves-to say whence they are, and whither they tend."

It is in this same spirit of inquiry that we would query of the Queries themselves, whence they came, and why; and what facts in the history of the Society of Friends do they bear witness of? It will doubtless be thought very bold and far too imaginative to apply to the so-called "lifeless Queries," the following sentences from the same author in relation to living words; but we quote them nevertheless, leaving the application for those who can accept it :

"We could scarcely have a single lesson on the growth of our English tongue, we could scarcely follow up one of its significant words, without having mastered a lesson in English history as well; without not merely falling on some curious fact. illustrative of our national life, but learning also how the great heart which is beating at the centre of that life was gradually shaped and moulded. We should thus