ble followers of a lowly-minded, though omnipotent Saviour. If we feel a deficiency of humility, let us pray for an increase, and for assistance to check the springings up of its dreadful opposite, pride; and if we are not without some ground of hope that we are endowed, in good degree, with an humble heart, we shall certainly be encouraged still to supplicate for its continuance. Finally, dear Friends, whether, with the beloved disciple, we address you as fathers, or as young men ; whether without regard of sex or station, our love in Christ now salutes the aged or the rising generation; remember, that it is "the meek" whom the Lord will "teach his way" (Psalm, xxv. 9:) and thus taught and receiving with unreserving heart, the holy doctrine, "Grace and peace" will be multiplied," from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 1.7.) Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by JOHN WILKINSON, Clerk to the Meeting this year. Dear Friends, EPISTLE CXXXIV-1811. Renewedly deliberating on the subject of addressing you, with some account of the exercises, and engagements of mind, which have occupied us at this season, we have again felt encouragement to believe that we may thus contribute, through the blessing which is permitted to crown the humble endeavour of the disciple, to build you up" on your most holy faith" (Jude, 20,) in Christ Jesus our Lord. Receive then our cordial salutation in Him, the living stone," the "chief corner stone, elect, precious ;" and come to him that ye may be "built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood." (1 Peter, ii. 4, 5, 6.) These are indeed sacred expressions, not lightly to be adopted! and the state to which they point is a high attainment, not to be reached by human contrivance and skill; but, remember, it is the glory of the gospel dispensation, that by it "every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain ;" (Isaiah, xl. 4;) yea, even the blind shall be led by a way that they knew not,' and darkness shall be made "light before them." "These things," saith the Lord, "will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” (Isaiah, xlii. 16.) FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON. 429 One principal engagement of mind, which has been manifested in this Meeting, has been for our youth and as the influences of heavenly love are successively visiting them, as they rise from childhood; so the care of the living members of the church is successively attracted, to attempt their preservation from the dangers incident to their state, and to encourage them to persevere in their attachment to their holy and heart-tendering visitant. Thus, dear young people, though we may seem to repeat former advice, our theme, like the successive touches of good which from time to time are melting your hearts, is never obsolete. It is a signal favour, that, in various places, there are continually fresh proofs of the prevalence of the love of Christ, operating on the mind, and producing its genuine and blessed effect of conformity to his likeness. Humility it is true, and self-denial must form a part of this likeness; but so doth also, the real and fruitful love of God, and of our neighbour: and "if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also, in the likeness of his resurrection." (Rom. vi. 5.) Bend, therefore, we beseech you, early-bend in good earnest and cheerfully, under the forming hand of the Lord. "The fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom," (Psalm, cxi. 10,) yea, the foundation of true knowledge. There is danger in seeking knowledge independently of this, for so, as saith the apostle, "knowledge puffeth up." (1 Cor. viii. 1.) But this true knowledge is life eternal. "This," said our blessed Lord, "is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John, xvii. 3.) O, the favour, the honour, and the eternally blessed effect, of being taught of the Lord! Nor have our good desires at this time been confined to the youth only. We are disposed to write also to you, who have passed the meridian of life. You have travelled a long course through the dangers and vicissitudes of time; and it will be well for you to reflect and know, how far you have kept yourselves "unspotted from the world." (James, i. 27.) Some of you, also, have been engaged in a long course of profession; and to some of you we trust it may be said, "Ye have known Him that is from the beginning." (1 John, ii. 13.) We beseech you to pause and to ponder the path of your feet. (Prov. iv. 26.) Is your salvation nearer than when you believed? (Rom. xiii. 11.) Is your present state answerable to the love with which you were visited, and attracted in the morning of your day? and is your love now equal to the love of your espousals? (Jer. ii. 2.) Fruits of increasing love to God are manifested in a variety of ways; and probably not in any one more clearly, or acceptably to him, than by tokens of regard for the plants of his hand, the visited youth of his church. It is remarkable, that when our Lord thrice put the question to his zealous disciple Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" the only consequent injunction was, "Feed my lambs-feed my sheep." (John, xxi. 15-17.) There are various ways too, in which this may be effected by precept, by sympa thy, by assistance in their spiritual difficulties; but above all, by steady, uniform, circumspect example. And this, dear Friends, as you know, cannot be afforded to them, unless you experience fresh supplies of spiritual strength to persevere yourselves in dedication, faithfulness, and the fear of the Lord. How fruitful of advantage, then, is an observance of the comprehensive command of Christ," I say unto all, Watch!" (Mark, xiii. 37.) Thus, young and old may be helps to each other: for, as "he that watereth, shall be watered also himself," (Prov. xi. 25,) the disciple who, by the benefit of holy example, and sound precept, contributes to forward others in the path of righteousness and peace, will receive an increase of ability himself to hold on his way; and the faithful members of the gathered church will become each other's joy in the Lord. We have received at this Yearly Meeting, an acceptable epistle from Ireland, and from each of the North American Yearly Meetings. The latter continue steadily occupied in endeavouring not only to build up our own society in christian practice, but to diffuse the benefits of their christian charity beyond our limits. Two of them, namely, those of Maryland, and Carolina, have lately again become advocates with their respective legislatures, for their oppressed brethren of the African race; and, though yet in vain, not with discouragement to further intercession and three of them, those of New-York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, are still attentive to the benevolent object of attempting to civilize their Indian neighbours. The sufferings reported this year amount in all to about twelve thousand seven hundred pounds. Ecclesiastical demands form the bulk, and military ones a considerable part; and a few Friends have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in the militia. Now Friends, as in our religious refusal to pay tithes, and to take our part with others in military service, our object is to bear testimony to the freedom of gospel ministry, and to the supremacy of Christ, as a teacher in the heart; and also to his reign of peace in the "kingdoms of this world;" (Rev. xi. 15.) we desire that in all your conduct among men, you may walk worthy of the high profession which you make: in which truly christian endeavour you will continually feel the need of his inward support. FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON 431 Many are the duties incumbent on the followers of Christ, and all require the support of his presence for their due performance. "Without me," (they are his own words,) "ye can do nothing." (John, xv. 5.) We feel inclined at this time, ere we close the present salutation of our love, to remind you of that indespensable duty, the acknowledgment of our dependence on his power, by duly assembling at the seasons appointed for waiting on, and worshipping God. Deficiencies, indeed, in this respect do not in the general appear to increase; and we are aware that we often renew our tender exhortation on this subject. Once more, dear Friends, let the exhortation go forth. Consider the motives of deficiency, such of you as may be conscious of it. If, as the Apostle has declared the presenting of "your bodies be a reasonable service," (Rom. xii. 1,) we beseech you to examine into the cause that it is too often intermitted. Is it not, that, in a greater or less degree you may still be "conformed to this world?" (Rom. xii. 2.) But recollect; this conformity will still prevent the christian professor from being transformed by the renewing of the mind; and from proving (as who, at the solemn approaching close, will not rejoice to have proved?)" what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." "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-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Heb. xiii. 20, 21.) Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by Being permitted to meet at the present time, to investigate the state of our religious society, and participating together in that love which, we believe, takes its origin in the boundless mercy of God through Christ our holy Redeemer, through Him who died for us, and who ever liveth to make intercession for us; we have found this love to extend to you our brethren. We have considered your situation, whether in your larger or smaller meetings; and as we have again been impressed with the belief, that in renewing the written salutation of our love, we shall be found in the way of our duty; we have desired to be directed to impart to you such information and counsel, as may tend to your increase in the fear of the Lord, and in the consolations of his presence. Seeing therefore, the infinite value of love, that indispensable qualification of a true disciple, we are desirous of pressing it on every individual, to examine impartially how far he feels it to flourish in his own mind, and to influence all his actions, thus inducing others to follow him, as he is endeavouring to follow Christ. And we believe that nothing will be so favourable to the preservation of this holy disposition, as humility of heart, a temper in which we constantly see ourselves unworthy of the least of the Lord's mercies, and dependent only on his compassion for our final acceptance. Seeing also that no awakened mind can be without a view to a better and an enduring state, and that no one knows how soon he may be called to put off mutability: let us bear in perpetual recollection that, in the state to which we aspire, there is nothing but eternal love, joy, and adoration, in the presence of Him, through whose love we were first awakened. In contemplating this copious subject, though we are not apprehensive of more symptoms of deficiency than in former years, we feel disposed afresh to encourage Friends to be prompt in undertaking, and prudent in executing, the blessed office of peace-maker. And we believe the patient endeavours of faithful Friends, will be generally crowned with success, in proportion as their own minds are seeking to Jesus, for assistance in performing an office on which he has pronounced his blessing; and endeavouring to lead the minds of any contending persons, to a sense of the absolute necessity for all true disciples to live in peace one with another, and to forgive one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven them. (Ephes. iv. 32.) Before we quit the subject of christian love, let us remind you that no limit of name can bound its influence. In this season of almost unprecedented pressure on some of the poorer classes of our countrymen, we deem it particularly desirable, that our dear Friends every where should not be backward in examining into their distresses; but liberal in contributing a due portion of relief. Many are allowed to have temporal possessions sufficient to do this with comparative ease. Let these therefore, remember that they are but stewards, and let them seek to be good and faithful stewards. And it is probable that others, not equally abound |