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FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON.

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to indulge or suffer them in pride, or corrupt liberty; whereby they become exposed to the world, to be ensnared either in their marriages, or evil conversation tending to their hurt and ruin. And that Friends keep to their wonted example and testimony against the superstitious observation of days.

It is also the advice of this meeting, that all and every your meeting-houses, and mansion-houses, where meetings are or may be, be entered upon record, as the law directs; each particularly we having seen both the service and safety thereof, and the hurt and danger that may come by omission. And that care be taken in each Monthly Meeting, that Friends who have estates to dispose of, by will or otherwise be particularly advised to make their wills, or settle their estates, in due time: to prevent the inconveniences, loss and trouble, that may follow upon their relations and friends, and injury to the poor, through their dying intestate. Delays and omissions in this case having been very prejudicial in divers respects.

We are glad to hear that care is taken in some places, according to former advice, for the providing school-masters and mistresses who are faithful Friends, to instruct Friends' children in such method as truth allows. And we desire that Friends go on in that care to promote such education and schools, for the advantage of their children and posterity.

Divers good epistles and accounts were read in this meeting from foreign parts; as Ireland, Scotland, Amsterdam, Dantzick, Jamaica, Nevis, Maryland, Rhode-Island (and two from Friends, captives at Mequinez in Barbary, under the emperor of Morocco) intimating the prosperity of truth, and the peace and unity of Friends among themselves, and their love to Friends in this nation; and in many places their want of faithful labourers; and their desires for the spreading of truth as much as may be, both by Friends' books and ministry; and also to be furnished with books, as Friends can send them.

There yet remain nine English Friends captives at Mequinez, and three at Murbay ; who have received the truth there (it being three or four days journey distant,) who correspond with each other by letters. One Friend (to wit, Joseph Wasey) being lately redeemed, and newly come over, gave a large account to this meeting of their miserable hard usage in captivity; having no lodging but under arches, in deep places on the cold ground, winter and summer; only water for their drink; and no bread allowed them by the king, but of old rotten stinking barley; and no clothes, but a frock once in two years; and forced to hard labour; (except three days in a year;) and more especially on the Sixth day of the week (which is their day of worship) they are

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compelled to carry heavy burdens on their heads, running from sun rising to sun-setting, with brutish black boys following with whips and stripes at their pleasure. Many of the other captives perish and die, through their extreme hardships, and want of food to sustain them as in all likelihood Friends there had, if Friends and their relations here had not sent them some relief; seven pence a month, formerly allowed them by the king, being now taken from them. Their sufferings are lamentable; yet the Lord's power has worderfully preserved them, and greatly restrained the fury and cruelty of that emperor towards poor Friends there; in whose behalf the said Joseph Wasey did, by an interpreter, speak to the said emperor; giving him an account of their innocent conversation and religion; which he heard with moderation; though he often kills men in cold blood at his pleasure.

Joseph Wasey also signified that Friends' day-time being taken up with hard servitude, they are necessitated to keep their meetings in the night season to wait on God. And that the aforesaid captive Friends were very thankful for the relief sent from hence; which was very refreshing to them.

An epistle from Friends' Half-Year Meeting in Ireland was read; giving an account, that notwithstanding Friends' great suffering and exercise in that kingdom, Friends there have been well supported by the Lord's power under the same; having yet left them wherewital to relieve them that stand in need and are impoverished. And accordingly our dear and ancient Friend William Edmundson (who lately came from Ireland, having with his family undergone deep suffering) also acquainted the meeting, that although Friends there have undergone great suffering and losses, yet care is taken that no Friends need now come from thence for want of a present supply, or without a certificate from Friends of some meeting there. Wherefore, if there be necessity hereafter to minister to their relief when they are capable to receieve and make use thereof, it is left to the care of the meeting here for Sufferings to give you notice thereof in its time and season, when further necessity shall require.

We do also acquaint you, that the Friends appointed by this meeting to inspect the accounts, report back to this meeting, that they find them truly stated and fairly kept; and nothing of what was contributed towards captives' redemption is disbursed this year past; no opportunity having yet presented for their redemption, though much endeavoured; but sixty pounds added, being repaid by Levan Buskin, who was a captive redeemed from Algiers some years since. But that the contribution intended for the ease and relief of suffering and necessitous Friends, is wholly expended and in debt, by reason of the urgent occasions to en

deavour the ease and relief of Friends that do or may suffer in divers general cases (and also the charity bestowed upon divers of our suffering Friends and brethren of Ireland, both there and here;) wherein our Friends of London have been very industrious, and intend not to be wanting therein, as the Lord shall yet afford opportunity. Whereupon they offer it to this meeting as their judgment, that it is needful there should be a further supply, by a general contribution among Friends, for the like service, to be made this year. Which being duly and weightily considered, this meeting agrees unanimously that a contribution be made by Friends throughout all the several meetings of Friends in England and Wales, for the supply and service of Friends and truth, as aforesaid. And it is recommended by this meeting to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings aforesaid; who are desired to take care therein with as much convenient speed as may be ; and to return the collections to the six Friends of the city, who are intrusted this year with the accounts; namely, Thomas Lacy, Thomas Cooper, George Green, Hercey Wilson, Jos. Wright, and Cornelius Mason, or any of them.

This meeting agrees, for the taking off and spreading Friends' books for the service of truth, that such a number of Friends' books as shall be hereafter printed by their approbation (excepting collections of books) be taken off by each Quarterly Meeting, as will only amount to two books of a sort to each Monthly Meeting; provided the two books do not exceed one shilling in price. And if any one book be above six-pence price,then but one of that sort to each Monthly Meeting; who may send for as many more as they have occasion for, or desire [we understand there' are about 151 Monthly Meetings in England and Wales] and that the said books be sent by the several correspondents in London (or by their order) to the correspondents of each county; who are desired to send up the money for the books, when received, to the Friends that are correspondents in London; and to be diligent in spreading Friends' books for truth's service.

It is unanimously agreed and concluded, that this meeting be continued the next year, as formerly, at the usual time, as the Lord shall make way for it. And that, for the service of truth and the churches of Christ, two faithful understanding Friends in every county, who are truly approved in universal love and unity and peace among Friends from whence they come, may be desired to come up; who may be enabled to give a certain and clear account of the condition and suffering of Friends, and truth's prosperity, in their respective counties.

And dear Friends and brethren; we do, in the love of God,

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tenderly recommend all the foregoing matters contained in this paper to your godly and christian care, to observe and manage in his wisdom; as having an eye to the service and prosperity of truth, preservation of his people therein, and the peace of the churches of Christ, and increase of his kingdom and government in this age, and in the ages to come.

The God of peace be with you all. In whose dear love we remain, your faithful Friends and brethren.

It is desired that Friends keep the Yearly Meeting papers together in a book, in each Monthly and Quarterly Meeting.

Signed in behalf of our said Meeting, by

BENJAMIN BEALING.

An epistle of dear G. F's (which was written with his own. hand, and left sealed up, with this superscription; viz. Nor TO BE OPENED BEFORE THE TIME) was read, and agreed to be printed with this Yearly Meeting paper, as followeth.

For the Yearly and Second-day's Meeting in London. And to all the Children of God in all places in the World.

BY AND FROM G. F.

THIS FOR ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD EVERY WHERE; THAT ARE LED BY HIS SPIRIT, AND DO WALK IN HIS LIGHT; IN WHICH THEY HAVE LIFE, AND UNITY AND FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON, AND ONE WITH ANOTHER:

Keep all your meetings in the name of the Lord Jesus, that be gathered in his name, by his light, grace, truth, power, and spirit: By which you will feel his blessed and refreshing presence among you and in you, to your comfort, and God's glory.

And now, all Friends; All your meetings, both men's and women's, Monthly and Quarterly, and Yearly, &c. were set up by the power, and spirit, and wisdom of God. And in them you do know that you have felt both his power, and spirit, and wisdom, and blessed refreshing presence among you and in you, to his praise and glory, and your comfort; so that you have been a city set on a hill, that cannot be hid.

And although many loose and unruly spirits have risen betimes to oppose you and them,both in print and otherwise; yet you have seen how they have come to naught; and the Lord hath blasted them, and brought their deeds to light, and made them manifest to be the trees without fruit, and wells without water, and wan

dering stars from the firmament of God's power, and the raging waves of the sea, casting up their mire and dirt; and many of them are like the dog turned to his old vomit, and the sow that was washed turned again to the mire. And this hath been the condition of many, God knoweth, and his people.

And therefore, all stand stedfast in Christ Jesus, your head; in whom you all are one, male and female; and know his government. And of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. But there will be an end of the devil's, and of all them that be out of Christ, and do oppose it and him; whose judgment doth not linger, and their damnation doth not slumber. And therefore, in God and Christ's light, life, spirit, and power, live and walk (that is over all, and the seed of it) in love, and in innocency, and simplicity and in righteousness and holiness dwell, and in his power and Holy Ghost, in which God's kingdom doth stand.

All children of new and heavenly Jerusalem (that is from above, and is free, with all her holy spiritual children) to her keep your eyes.

And as for this spirit of rebellion and opposition, that hath risen formerly and lately, it is out of the kingdom of God, and heavenly Jerusalem; and is for judgment and condemnation, with all its books, words, and works. And therefore Friends are to live and walk in the power and spirit of God, that is over it; and in the seed that will bruise and break it to pieces: In which seed you have joy and peace with God, and power and authority to judge it. And your unity is in the power and spirit of God, that doth judge it. And all God's witnesses in his tabernacle go out against it, and always have and will.

And let no man live to self, but to the Lord, as they will die in him. And seek the peace of the church of Christ, and the peace of all men in him: for blessed are the peace-makers. And dwell in the pure, peaceable, heavenly wisdom of God, that is gentle, and easy to be intreated, that is full of mercy: all striving to be of one mind, heart, soul, and judgment in Christ, having his mind and spirit dwelling in you; building up one another in the love of God, which doth edify the body of Christ (his church), who is the holy head thereof. So glory to God through Christ, in this age, and all other ages; who is the rock and foundation, and the Emanuel, God with us, Amen, over all, the beginning and the ending. In him live and walk; in whom you have life eternal; in whom you will feel me, and I you.

All children of New Jerusalem that descends from above (the holy city, which the Lord and the Lamb is the light of, and the

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