Protestant Dissenters, and in an especial manner relieved by the legislature, in several cases which peculiarly concern us as a people; we therefore think ourselves obliged earnestly to advise all Friends, that they be particularly careful to behave with all dutifulness and gratitude, and especially to discountenance every the least appearance of indecent freedom, or mark of dissatisfaction, in word or writing, relating to the government.

We also recommend the good order of Friends relating to marriage, that it be carefully preserved, and duly maintained, in the first and earliest procedings leading thereunto, as well as the orderly solemnization thereof. And if any persons, contrary to the repeated advice and established order of Friends, should, under any pretence whatsoever, presume to take one another in any meeting for worship, without the consent of the Monthly Meeting to which they belong (such proceeding being of a clandestine nature, tending to make void the just care of Friends in that case, which is of good esteem among the people ;) we advise that the Monthly Meeting doth not fail to testify against the practice, as well as against the persons concerned therein; whereby the body may be preserved clear from any just imputation of allowing or approving that practice. And also we intreat that due regard be had to the former advices of this meeting, respecting marriage between near relations, and intermarriage with persons not of the same faith and profession with us.

We likewise are engaged to refer to former advice from this meeting relating to a godly care and concern for the good education of our youth, in order to their preservation from evil conversation, and the corruptions which do too much abound; agreeable to that ancient and apostolic doctrine, that "Evil communication corrupts good manners." With this view we did last year, and do now again, earnestly recommend and beseech all Friends, to admonish and exhort the youth under their care, not to read but refrain, all such books as tend to make void the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures, and to promote profaneness and infidelity in the earth. This, if pressed earnestly in the love of truth, and in the meekness of wisdom, we would hope may often prove effectual. But if, after all these endeavours they shall not be reclaimed, then will a close reprehension and rebuke be necessary; that our society may be acquitted from the imputation of blame, which otherwise may be laid upon it. And we have good

ground to hope, if parents of children, and masters of families, would carefully example their families in all christian watchfulness, it would be helpful to preserve our youth in our ancient and primitive innocency, and plainness in habit, in speech, and in all manner of conversation.

It hath been a weighty concern on this meeting, that our ancient and honourable testimony against Friends being concerned in bearing of arms, or fighting, may be maintained; it being a doctrine and testimony agreeable to the nature and design of the christian religion, and to the universal love and grace of God. This testimony we desire may be strictly and carefully maintained, by a godly care and concern in all to stand single and clear therein; so shall we strengthen and comfort one another.

Dear Friends,

Among the gospel precepts, we find not any thing more strongly and frequently recommended by our Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles to the primitive believers, than that they should love one another; and as we are sensible, that nothing will more contribute to the peace and prosperity of the church, than a due regard to this advice, so we earnestly desire that it may be the care and concern of all Friends, every where, to dwell therein; and, in the unity of the holy Spirit, to maintain love, concord and peace, in and among all the churches of Christ.

In order thereunto, we recommend it to all Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, to watch carefully over their members in this respect; that so, where any root of bitterness shall appear, that would bring forth envy, strife, emulation and hatred, and thereby our holy unity in the spirit be broken, they do use timely and earnest endeavours to prevent and remove the same; whereby we may be preserved a people to the glory of God, and in that perfect love and unity which will demonstrate us to be the disciples of Christ.

Beloved in the Lord,

66

Having given you the sundry advices proper and necessary, from the state of things as represented to this meeting, we do now add the recommendation of the apostle Paul to the church of the PHILIPPIANS; "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, what"soever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any "praise, think of these things:" commending you to God, and the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among the sanctified through faith in our Lord Jesus. Unto whom, with the Father, through the holy Spirit, be dominion and glory, throughout all the churches, now and for ever. Amen.

Signed in and on behalf of the Yearly Meeting, by

JOHN MOORE, Clerk of the Meeting this Year,

EPISTLE LIV-1731.

Dear Friends and Brethren,

In a fresh spring of divine love, which has been mercifully and comfortably extended to us, in this our annual assembly; by which our hearts have been affected together, and our spirits livingly engaged, for the help, strength and encouragement of one another, in that holy way of truth and righteousness into which the Lord our God hath called us a people; we dearly salute you: humbly beseeching the God and Father of all our mercies, that as he hath called us by his grace to be a people to his praise, and hitherto continued his most gracious and inerciful visitations to us, so he may still continue to look down upon us with an eye of pity and tender compassion; and that he may never forsake his inheritance, but, according to our Lord's blessed promise, may "abide with us for ever."

We farther signify to you, that we have not only had large and comfortable seasons during the course of this our annual solemnity, in those meetings for the worship of God, but also in those which concern the general affairs of the church; which have been managed throughout in a spirit of love and mutual condescension, which we have reason to hope increases among Friends.

By accounts brought into this meeting from the several counties; as also by epistles from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, NewEngland, Virginia, Maryland, Long-Island, Pennsylvania, Barbadoes, North and South-Carolina, we have received acceptable informations of Friends' prosperity in the truth; and that love and unity, and a godly concern for keeping up the good order and discipline of the church, is maintained in many places; though in some others there is a shortness in these respects; which is matter of sorrow, and calls for our christian care and endeavour to redress.

We have also received accounts of some convincement in several places, both in Great Britain and America; and that there appears a great openness among people to hear the testimony of truth declared.

The amount of Friends' sufferings in England and Wales brought in this year, which are, as usual, mostly for tithes and church-rates, so called, is three thousand three hundred and five pounds, and upwards; and there is one Friend a prisoner on that

account.

And now, dear Friends; in the weighty sense and considera

tion of the present state of the church, we recommend unto you the following advices:

Inasmuch as we have a large body of youth growing up, the offspring of Friends, these call for our especial care and concern, that they may be preserved in the way of truth, in which our forefathers walked. And in order thereto, we tenderly recommend to all parents and guardians, first, that they take heed to themselves, that their own spirits be rightly seasoned and directed, for the help and good government of their children; and then, that they have a constant and watchful eye in love over them for their good, and keep them, as much as possible, within their notice and observation. For this we are sensible of, that the miscarriages of youth have very much proceeded from their being imprudently indulged, or left to themselves; by which means they become exposed to the danger of evil examples on the one hand, and vicious corrupt principles on the other, with which the world too much abounds. And therefore we earnestly and tenderly advise all parents and guardians to be watchfully concerned in this respect; and that they take all proper occasions, both by example and instruction, to help their children. And that mothers of children, as well as fathers (as they have frequently the best opportunities) would take particular care to instruct them in the knowledge of religion and the holy scriptures; because it hath been found, by experience, that good impressions, made early on the tender minds of children, have proved lasting means of preserving them in a religious life and conversation. This praetice was enjoined strongly upon the people of Israel by Moses and Joshua, the servants of the Lord, who required them to read or repeat the law to their children. And the apostle Paul takes notice of Timothy's being well instructed in the holy scriptures from a child; and of the unfeigned faith which dwelt in his grandmother Lois, and mother Eunice, 2 TIM. i. 5. who no doubt had a religious care of his education.

But where parents or guardians are deficient in such their care, we recommend to Monthly Meetings that they stir them up thereto, either by visiting them in their families, or in such manner as in the wisdom of God they may see meet; that so the doctrines of the gospel, and a conversation agreeable thereunto, may be maintained unto all generations.

And in order to render these advices more effectual, we farther tenderly recommend to all heads of families, that they do frequently call their children and servants together; and, in a solemn religious way, cause them to read the holy scriptures; and in so doing, that they humbly wait upon God with their families, for instruction and counsel to them, respecting christian faith and

practice, according to the former advices of this meeting, particularly that in the year 1706; to which in an especial manner we refer on this occasion.

And with regard to that openness and good disposition which appears in the minds of people to hear the testimony of truth, and some convincement in divers places, we earnestly advise Friends, that they be careful of their conduct at all times, and on all occasions; that no stumbling-block be laid in the way of honest inquirers, nor offence given to tender young-convinced Friends. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Let us walk wisely towards those that are without, as well as those within. Let our moderation and prudence, as well as truth and justice, appear unto all men, and in all things; in trading and commerce, in speech and communication, in eating and drinking, in habit and furniture; and, through all, in a meek, lowly, quiet spirit; that, as we profess to be a spiritually-minded people, we may appear to be such, as, being bounded by the cross of Christ, shew forth the power of that divine principle we make profession of, by a conversation every way agreeable there

unto.

And, dear Friends; an earnest travail and concern of mind remains upon the spirits of many brethren, in order to excite all Friends, who make profession of truth with us, to stand faithful in our ancient and christian testimony against tithes of all kinds (as well as church-rates, so called), according to the several former advices of this meeting, particularly that in the year 1706.

And it will conduce very much to the rendering the foregoing and all other advices of this meeting effectual, if Friends every where, in an especial manner, take care to keep up the good order and discipline of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, in that spirit of love and divine wisdom in which they were at first constituted; that therein every thing may be managed to the praise of God, and the preservation of his church and people, within the bounds and limits of his blessed truth. This, we are sensible, has been a mean, under divine direction, to keep many hurtful things out of the church; and therefore we are sincerely concerned that nothing may weaken the hands of Friends in this good work, but that it may be carried on for the support of our christian testimony in all its branches.

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead "our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the "blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every "good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well