of truth in their hearts, may be found; but we think we can trace several of them to that common, but destructive cause, the love of worldly things. In some it discovers itself in a desire to be rich and great; whilst in others the worldly spirit is as clearly discerned, though the attention seems to be occupied in smaller concerns: and though we are clear that very extensive ones are often in themselves great evils, yet the trafficker in hundreds, unless the eye be kept single, may be as much buried in the earth as the trafficker in thousands. But were each honestly to ask himself the question, "Have I first sought the kingdom of heaven and "its righteousness?" how might the answer tend to cover the face with confusion! Did our Lord utter any one precept with a clear address to the reason, and greater promise of support, than that of which such a question is the substance? So that to seek first the world, is to give up at once our obedience to his com mand with our trust in his promise. "All these things shall be "added unto you." "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye "have need of all these things."*

We are not about to condemn industry, which we believe to be not only praise-worthy, but indispensable. It is the desire of great things, and the engrossment of the time and attention, from which we desire that all our dear Friends may be redeemed. We doubtless owe duties to ourselves, and to our families; but we owe them also to society; and do we not owe even our ownselves to our all-wise, all-protecting, and provident Creator ? Should we therefore suffer the things of this world to prevent our attending at the times appointed for his worship; whether on the day generally set apart for that purpose, or on other stated days of the week; and ought we to be content when assembled, to permit our thoughts to wander into the concerns of the present life?

The situation of the offspring, and of the servants, of those who neglect the due attendance of our religious meetings, is greatly to be lamented; as is, that even of some who though frequently seen at them, do not by their conduct seem to believe that it is required of them to allow their dependents also to attend; but are leaving these still to pursue the world for them at home, For if any have in a greater or less degree, made gold their hope, or have " said to the fine gold, thou art my confidence,"+ it will be found that, in proportion, they will be slack in bringing their families to our accustomed opportunities for public worship.

We feel not inclined, though war yet continues to desolate the earth, to repeat our advices on that head, or to resume the subject further than to remark how thankful we ought to be, in that we *MAT. vi. 32, 33, + JOB. xxxi. 24,

are still permitted to meet together, as we have done at this time, in brotherly fellowship and mutual condescension; whilst the world around us is tossed with the tempest of discord. O Friends, may we consider it as an incitement to suffer every thing, which tends to contention, to be eradicated from our hearts; and, under the influence of the heavenly husband man, to cultivate with unwearied assiduity and patience, all those dispositions which make for peace; things whereby we may edify one another; yea, things by which we may evince to our fellow men at large, that we are really redeemed from the spirit of contests, and truly the disciples of a merciful Redeemer; whose holy, pure, and undefiled religion is a system of universal love.

Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by

JOSEPH GIBBINS, Clerk to the Meeting this Year.

Dear Friends,

EPISTLE CXXI-1798.

Among other advantages which we find in thus assembling ourselves before the Lord, it is none of the least, that our love for the members of his mystical body, the church, receives from time to time a renewal of holy fervour; with ardent desire that she may increase in qualification to be presented to him a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. May we, Friends, as a part thereof, through the grace which is given to us, be willing to cleanse ourselves from every polution of flesh and spirit, and to become holy in all manner of conversation. We have no new doctrines to communicate. Happy, yea, blessed should we be, could every man find a testimony in his conscience, that he acted consistently with those he hath already received: but still it remains our concern to stir up the pure mind in each other, and to press the observance of those things which appear to be neglected. And how shall we find any subject of greater moment, whereon to renew the often repeated call to vigilance, than that leading duty of public worship, and of seeking the recruits of strength, and of confidence to persevere in the way of peace, which the mind may experience in the humble performance of this solemn obligation? None of the negligent can say he has no need of the support; yet too many seem, by their conduct, to indicate that they think so. But, Friends, review the subject; let not an evil habit prevail; but suffer yourselves to be

weaned from it. Make the essay of a better practice, and you will find to your comfort that difficulties will often sink as you approach.

Every step which we can gain in the way of obedience to duty, is not only of advantage to ourselves, but it gives additional strength and animation to be beneficial to others, By this mean alone can the parent, the guardian, or the master, hope to discharge his important and awful trust to the lambs committed to his care, in the wilderness of this world. And what need there is of seeking all means of qualification to be helpful to them, the dangers of that wilderness, and the failure of many who are entrusted with the charge, too obviously declare. We fear that in many instances, an early and frequent perusal of the scrip res of truth, and opportunities of quiet retirement in families, before the Lord, are neglected; whilst amusements not suited to the condition of a candidate for immortality, and writings inimical to the simplicity of the gospel, are indulged or connived at. We fear also, that some of our youth are training in habits of expence in attire, furniture and attendance; which, growing into custom, are not only inconsistent with the simplicity of the gospel, but a constant call for much of that property, which would be better employed in feeding the hungry; and of that time, which might be occupied in visiting and cheering the habitations of human misery. The trimmings of the vain world,' said our worthy elder William Penn, would clothe the naked one.' It is not however with such only that we plead, on behalf of the indigent. We wish those who are generally consistent in appearance and manners with our self-denying profession, to be clear that a due proportion of their time and substance is spent in the relief of distress. This is a day when thousands of our fellow-creatures are wanting the necessaries of the body; and thousands imbibing with avidity principles injurious to the mind. Happy will it be, on a parting retrospect, to believe that we have neither contributed, by misapplication of our entrusted property, to the one; nor omitted to do all in our power to prevent the baneful spread of the other. Christ is all; in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and the observance of his law, written on the heart, would restore perfect harmony to the universe,

We have at this meeting received as usual, accounts of the sufferings of our members. The whole amount in Great-Britain, is upwards of ten thousand three hundred pounds, chiefly for tithes and those called church-rates; but including about two thousand pounds for military purposes. The amount of those reported from Ireland is seven hundred and eighty-five pounds, The Friend imprisoned last year at York, on account of the mi

litia, was released at the expiration of his term; and the remaining prisoners on account of tithes, by a special clause for that purpose in an act of parliament, by virtue of which distraints were made on their effects. Three other Friends were near the end of last year, committed to Huntingdon gaol, by Exchequer process, on account of tithes, and afterwards for a short time to the Fleet prison; but were released on the issuing of a writ of sequestration.

We have received epistles from the Yearly Meetings of Virginia, of Maryland, of Pennsylvania, of New-York, and of NewEngland. Among other concerns of Friends on the continent, that for the violated rights of our fellow-men of the African race still continues. Our Meeting for Sufferings here, also, lately presented, in the name of the society, a third petition to the house of commons, on the subject of the British traffic in the persons of men. Its failure of success is well known; but we see no reason to be discouraged from again becoming public advocates of the Africans, when a sense of duty shall open the way.

We desire afresh to press upon all our members, the necessity of a peaceful and innocent demeanour amongst men; and espe cially let all be careful not to seek or accept profit by any concern in the preparations so extensively making for war: for how reproachfully inconsistent would it be to refuse an active compliance with warlike measures; and, at the same time, not to hesi tate to enrich ourselves by the commerce and other circumstances dependent on war.

Finally, dear Friends; let us bear in constant remembrance that important principle of our profession, a testimony to the pure and free ministry of the gospel of Christ; whose sole prerogative it is, to send and qualify such as it pleases him, without respect to worldly rank, or human acquirements; and all his truly devoted servants, whatever may be their gifts and stations in the church, are brethren; and hold them under him the only head, and the universal and all-sufficient teacher.

We salute you in gospel love, and remain your affectionate Friends and brethren.

Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by

JOSEPH BIRKBECK, Clerk to the Meeting this Year

Dear Friends,

EPISTLE CXXII-1799.

After some serious investigation into the present state of our religious society, wherein we humbly trust, that the gracious head of the church hath not been wanting to cement our minds in the bond of his love, and from time to time to refresh us together, we again salute you; and inform you, that at this our large annual assembly, a concern has been felt, extending to every branch of the family We desire it may be bound up in the same precious cementing union; that so, not any thing which has a tendency to scatter, may be suffered to prevail. To this end, may it be the chief care of all, to dwell near the power, by the assistance of which unsanctified self is reduced and denied: then will the wisdom which is from above be exalted, and brought into dominion.

The accounts of sufferings brought up this year from the vari ous parts of this nation, amount to seven thousand four hundred and seventy eight pounds; aud those from Ireland, to seven hundred and seventy one pounds; chiefly for tithes, priests' demands, and those called church-rates; and also for various demands on account of the militia, and other warlike measures, with which, from a conviction that we ought not to be active in promoting the destruction of the precious, yea invaluable, lives of mankind, we scruple to comply.

We have this year received epistles from four, only, of the Yearly Meetings on the American continent; namely, the Carolinas, &c. Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The last, having met at the usual time of its sitting, during the prevalence of a contagious and highly mortal fever, adjourned to the Twelfth month last. By this disease thousands of the inhabitants of Philadelphia were quickly removed out of time. Let us in reverence of soul, avoid too nice an inquiry into the moral causes of such dreadful calamities; but seek, with unremitting solicitude, an entrance, through the strait gate, into that narrow, but not untrodden path, which alike leads to blessedness through every dispensation of the Lord's unerring providence.

Friends, we in this land, do not live unsurrounded by manifold dangers; nor in an age in which we can dispense with any part of the whole armour of light. The increase of mortality in a country brings the body into jeopardy; but it often arouses the careless, and drives the awakened mind into closer communiou with God. But it is the peculiar property of many of the contagious vices and vanities, with which these countries abound, that