In turning our attention to the state of the Society as it has been now laid before us, the proper employment of the first day of the week, the day more particularly set apart for public worship, is a subject that has claimed our serious attention. It is no small privilege to be living in a country where much regard is paid to this duty, and it highly becomes us to be careful that our example in this respect be consistent with the profession we make to the world. We desire that heads of families, and our younger Friends also, may closely examine, whether they are sufficiently solicitous to improve that portion of this day which is not allotted to the great duty of meeting with their friends for the purpose of Divine wor ship. To those who are awakened to a due sense of the eternal interests of the soul-and oh! that this were the case with all— we believe that these intervals have often proved times of much religious benefit. Many have derived great increase of strength both at these and other times, from retiring to wait upon the Lord; from reading the Holy Scriptures with minds turned to their Divine Author, in desire that he would bless them to their comfort and edification; and from perusing the pious lives and experiences of those who have gone before them. But we avoid prescribing any precise line of conduct, believing that if the attention be sincerely turned unto the Heavenly Shepherd, his preserving help and guidance will not be withheld. Those of the class whom we have just been addressing may sometimes feel that their faith is low, when about to attend their meetings in the course of the week, it may be, under great outward difficulties. These sacrifices of time, and opportunities of withdrawing from worldly cares, have been blessed to many: they have proved, in seasons of deep trial and discouragement, times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The waiting, dependant mind has thus been enabled to put on strength to persevere in the Christian course; and under the pressure of many troubles and perplexities, to experience an increase of faith in the merciful and omnipotent care of our great Creator. Be encouraged then, dear Friends, not to neglect your meetings, however small; but to believe that, by a diligent attendance of them, and a right engagement of mind therein, you will be strengthened to fill up your stations as faithful and devoted Christians. In a well-ordered family, short opportunities of religious retirement frequently occur, in which the mind may be turned in secret aspiration to the Author of all our blessings; and which have often proved times of more than transient benefit. It is our present concern, that no exception to this practice may be found amongst us; whether it take place on the reading of a portion of the sacred volume, or when, we are assembled to partake of the provisions with FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON. 449 On these which we are supplied for the sustenance of the body. latter occasions, may the hearts of our young Friends also, be turned in gratitude to God, who thus liberally provides for them. May the experience of us all be such, that we can adopt the words of the psalmist, "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray." (Ps. lv. 17.) In our last year's Epistle, we had to remark the failure of some of our members in paying their just debts. We have been again deeply pained on finding that some disgraceful cases of this kind have since occured. Whilst we lament the condition of such as have thus wounded their own peace, and brought condemnation on themselves, we also feel very tenderly both for the near relatives of these, and for their creditors who have suffered through them. In adverting to these cases, it is our solicitude that the misconduct of those to whom we allude may be a caution to others. At all times, but more particularly in the present depressed state of trade and commerce, it will be very useful for Friends frequently to inspect into the state of their own property, to keep their concerns within proper bounds, and so to confine their wants within the limits of Christian contentment, that should any unforeseen reverses be experienced, they may look back with feelings of conscious integrity. And we would especially recommend to Friends of discrimination and sound judgment, in kindness and love, to watch over their brethren for good. Great advantages would result from early, repeated, and private advice to young tradesmen, who from temporary success and inexperience may be in danger of exceeding their capital, and of imprudently extending their business. Our sympathy is much excited by those, who, after fair prospects, have, from a sudden depreciation of property, been subjected to many difficulties. We wish kindly to encourage such of these as have it still within their power, to a timely contraction of their domestic expenses. And we desire that their trials may be lightened, by beholding in their offspring a disposition to industry and economy, and a willingness that their expectations should not exceed those limits which become a Christian character; this we believe would ultimately tend to their greatest good. Before we quit this subject, we would remind our friends of the former advice of this Meeting, that where any have injured others in their property, the greatest frugality should be observed by themselves and their families; and although they may have a legal discharge from their creditors, both equity and our Christian profession demand, that none when they have it in their power should rest satisfied, until a just restitution be made to those who have suffered by them. The amount of sufferings reported this year, for tithes and other ecclesiastical claims, and a few demands of a military nature, is upwards of fourteen thousand four hundred pounds. We have received Epistles from all, except one, of the Yearly Meetings on the American continent. From these, we observe with pleasure, that besides a watchful care to support the testimonies of our own Society, our brethren beyond the Atlantic are engaged in various acts of benevolence for the welfare of their fellow-men. Dear young Friends, our hearts are warmed with love to you. We desire that it may be your frequent concern to seek for an establishment on the only sure foundation, and to wait in humble watchfulness for the teachings of the heavenly instructor. If conflicts of mind should attend you, and prove painful and humiliating in their nature, this is no cause for dismay. Those who steadily pursue the path of a true disciple, will, through the goodness of the Lord, at times be permitted indubitably to feel that they are the objects of his paternal regard. Thus they will have cause to acknowledge the great benefit of patient religious exercise. They will, from their own experience, know an increase of true faith in the power and perceptible support of the Holy Spirit. Ascribing this to the free gift of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, they will become firmly persuaded that the tendering power of Redeeming love, though undervalued by too many, is above all things precious. We are consoled in the belief, that the feet of many of our beloved young Friends have been turned into this path. And it is our earnest desire, that neither the fear of man, the offence of the cross, an aversion to the simplicity of the truth, nor the activity of their own wills, may interrupt their progress; but that they may, through the unfoldings of Divine counsel, come to know an establishment in that faith, which giveth the victory. (1 John, v. 4.) And, dear Friends, you who love the Truth, and who are in the vigour of life; feeling, as you must, the many blessings of which you have been partakers, and the privilege it is to be employed in the smallest degree, in the service of the Lord, let it be your concern to offer your hearts to his disposal, and under his sacred guidance, to become devoted to the support of his cause. May our dear elder brethren and sisters, though often depressed on various accounts, be, by continued watchfulness unto prayer, endued with capacity to trust in God. May they receive that Divine support, which will enable them acceptably to endure the remaining trials of time; and, being preserved in liveliness and meekness of spirit, be prepared to enter into rest everlasting-Farewell. Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by WILLIAM DILLWORTH CREWDSON, FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON. 451 EPISTLE CXLI-1818. Dear Friends, In this our annual assembly, it has again pleased our Heavenly Father to overshadow us with his love. We have been enabled to transact the important affairs which have come before us, in much harmony and condescension, and have been comforted, and permitted to rejoice in a renewed sense of Divine goodness. Under the expansive influence of these feelings, we offer you our cordial salutation, and express our earnest solicitude, that we may indeed be a spiritual house, built up in our Lord Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Intercessor-our hope of eternal glory. We have received an epistle from our Friends in Ireland, and one from each of the Yearly meetings in America, except that of North Carolina. Our brethren in the State of Ohio, although themselves removed from the scene of slavery, have, after the example of those in Pennsylvania, thought it right to address á me. morial to their general government on behalf of the African race, who in various parts of the United States are kidnapped, and involved in the miseries of lawless violence. The Epistle from New-York conveys the acceptable intelligence of an act of their Legislature which declares that slavery shall cease in that state in the year 1827. The amount of the sufferings of our members, as reported to this meeting, in support of our testimony against tithes and other ecclesiastical claims, and including some small demands for military purposes, is upwards of sixteen thousand two hundred pounds.* This meeting has been large; and in examining into the state of our Society, we have been afresh desirous that our various christian testimonies may be maintained in purity and consistency. One of those by which we are distinguished is, our peculiar view of the subject of public worship. Great are the benefits which result from a right performance of this indispensable service. The tendency of our practice is to direct the mind unto God; and, if it be pursued with sincerity and earnestness, our hopes will be ultimately fixed on Him, the unfailing Source of help. We * An opinion being sometimes entertained with regard to these sufferings, that individuals are reimbursed by the Society, it is desired, if occasion should occur, that Friends would refute it; as no such practice exists. shall then be led from an undue dependance on outward ministry, and come to experience'that state in which we can " worship God in spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." (Phil. iii. 3.) How circumspect, how reverent, and how watchful, ought we then to be in our religious meetings! But we fear that too many do not maintain a waiting, dependant state of mind in these assemblies; that they do not enough seek for strength to abstract their attention from wandering thoughts and earthly cares. Hence it arises, that they do not so fully partake of the evidence of Divine superintending regard—of those cousolations which the Lord in mercy grants to such as hunger and thirst after righteousness. This unwatchfulness, we apprebend to be a principal cause that so many are found to neglect our First-day afternoon meetings. And we entreat those who are thus deficient, to consider whether they are not preferring ease, and an indulgence in the pleasures of life, to the obligations of religious duty, and the possession of spiritual riches. We believe that all who are faithful in the christian practice to which we have just alluded, will on reflection, discover that their care is not to be confined only to themselves. We therefore, exhort Friends, whether in towns or in the country, whether engaged in tråde or in agriculture, to be watchful over their children and dependants, and in love to use their influence to prevent them froin associating with improper company, on the days set apart for public worship. Where a consistency of conduct in this respect is observed, it is instructive to others; and its effects are, we doubt not, beneficially felt, on resuming the necessary cares of life. The offering of a word of counsel on this and on all occasions where it may appear needed, in tenderness to the object of it, and in the flowings of pure love, is worthy of the attention of all classes of our members. And now, dear Friends, who fill the important station of parents, permit us to express the warm interest which we have felt on your account, and on that of your offspring. It has often been the concern of this meeting to recommend, (and again feeling its importance we desire to enforce the advice,) that your interesting charge may from very early life, be brought up "in the nurture aud admonition of the Lord." Let it be your earnest and tender care to subject their wills, and thus prepare them to bear the cross of Christ. Cultivate in their minds, as far as is in your power, the fear and love of God, and a strict regard to truth and integrity. Neglect no endeavours to preserve them in innocence, and let them be early habituated to simplicity of dress and manner, and to restraints from indulgencies inconsistent with our christian profession. As their infant minds expand, may it be your care frequent |