A letter also from Jamaica, signifying the sad effects of the late terrible earthquake there, by the destruction of many, with their substance; two-thirds of the people (as is supposed) at PortRoyal, and the most of Friends then there, being lost; except those that were at a Monthly Meeting, twelve miles distant from Port-Royal, who were by that mean preserved.

An epistle from Amsterdam in Holland, signifying their meetings are quiet, and that they are thankful to God for it; and their desires to be visited.

And our dear Friend John Furley of Colchester, being newly returned out of Holland, and present at this meeting, gave a full account that he hath lately visited all the meetings in Holland, and the low countries in those parts, except one little meeting, which he could not get to, the place being much covered with water. And that there is some openness in some places, and great flocking of strangers to the meeting at Amsterdam.

An account was given of Dantzick Friends, that they have been quiet one year and a half, and so continue, though but few are left; some having died under persecution. The magistrates there are now pretty kind. And that there are a people raised up and increased in Germany, from among the LUTHERANS, called PIETISTS, and by some called QUAKERS; many whereof are persons of learning, and of the gentry that they are a people of sober conversations; persecuted by the Duke of Saxony and the priests, but favoured and tolerated by the Duke of Brandenburgh. Several Friends' books, at their request, have been spread among them. The priests at Hamburgh, much disturbed and enraged against our Friends and them, do rail at and abuse them in print; endeavouring to incense the magistrates there by their lies and calumnies: but the magistrates do not gratify them, but rather discountenance them. Blessed be the Lord; whose power is at work in the hearts of many people.

The Friends yet remaining captives in Mequinez, are still held under great severities and hardships by that cruel tyrannical task-master, who is yet suffered cruelly to punish, wound, and kill poor captives at his pleasure. And all possible care of their redemption and relief is by this meeting still recommended to the Meeting for Sufferings, to continue their endeavours for the effecting thereof.

This meeting being acquainted that endeavours have been used for the relief of Friends in relation to oaths (pursuant to the last Yearly Meeting's advice in that case), and what progress was made in the House of Commons in order thereto, and before the committee of parliament; who, after a due hearing of Friends, drew up a fair report, and gave their opinion for our relief;

which nevertheless was lost by vote in the house; this meeting being sensible of the great care of the Meeting for Sufferings here in that case, many tenderly acknowledged Friends' labours and endeavours therein. And the meeting still leaves it to the said Meeting for Sufferings to continue their care and endeavours in that case, as the Lord shall please to make way for the general ease of Friends.

An account being given to this meeting, that several poor Friends have removed themselves and their families, from divers parts of the nation, to the city of London, who, soon after their coming, being not capable to subsist, have applied themselves to Friends there for relief, and have been very chargeable;

It is advised, that if any poor Friends for the time to come should incline to remove themselves and families to this city, that before they unsettle themselves, they apply themselves to the Monthly or Quarterly Meetings to which they belong, for advice and counsel; and that such meetings do rather advise them to be contented in their station and places, where provisions and accommodations may be easier and much cheaper obtained than at London. Or if permitted, by certificate from the counties, to remove, that then the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings from whence they come, do take care to supply their necessities, that the Friends of London be not overcharged for the future.

It is desired that the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings respectively take notice of all Friends' books, that are or may be sent to them, according to former agreement, and take care for the dispersing the same for the service of truth.

And also it is agreed that each Quarterly Meeting take care to advise the correspondents for the counties, and any others concerned, to write only to their correspondents in London about their sufferings, and not to other persons, lest their suffering case be delayed.

Friends appointed to view the accounts report, that they find they are truly stated and rightly kept. And Friends are again advised to bring up with them the total sum of each county's collection for the relief of Friends that suffered by the calamities in Ireland.

We are truly comforted and greatly refreshed in the Lord, by the weighty accounts given at this our solemn assembly from the respective counties in England and Wales, by the Friends sent up; as also by some epistles from several counties, importing the unity, love, peace and concord among Friends, and prosperity of the blessed truth, and increase of the government of Christ, and his peace in the church; in which we pray God to keep his people to the end.

To avoid contention and strife in all meetings, it is the advice and sense of this meeting;

1. That all Friends have a care of God's glory, and be tender thereof, as hath been often advised.

2. And to keep the authority of your meetings in the power of God, and unity of his blessed Spirit, whereby they were erected and settled; and continue your godly care and services therein, for those good ends for which they were first instituted.

3. And to keep all contention, personal reflections and smitings, out of your meetings; and keep down and out of all heats, and passions, and doubtful disputations.

4. Suffer no turbulent contentious quarrelsome spirit, or persons, to be concerned among you, in ordering your affairs; that they may be all managed in the peaceable tender spirit and wisdom of Christ Jesus.

5. Suffer no divisions, or schisms, or making parties among yourselves one against another. For they will greatly tend to weaken your meetings, and cause them to lose their power, and them and you to be slighted.

6. Both our men's and women's meetings, and our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and Yearly Meetings, and Meetings for Sufferings, were set up in the wisdom, counsel, and tender love of God. And in the same peaceable wisdom to be kept and encouraged, for all those good ends for which they were intended and appointed.

7. All differences, happening in personal or temporal occasions, to be speedily ended; according to the advice given in our last yearly epistle. And if any doubtful point in law be in the case, then both parties may advise with some well-knowing in the law. For if any lust to be contentious, we have no such custom in the churches of Christ.

8. The Meeting for Sufferings is intrusted to take care of all sufferings of Friends for truth and conscience sake, as at first intended.

The six Friends of the city, appointed and intrusted this year with the accounts, are William Crouch, John Staploe, William Macket, William Chandler, William Beech, and Nathaniel Marks.

Our souls also were very deeply affected with the refreshing presence and counsel of the Lord our God attending this our Yearly Meeting; and the amicable and peaceable management of the affairs, and the blessed end and closure thereof; to the great consolation and satisfaction of Friends, and honour of his blessed truth, in which our unity stands. Blessed be the God of all our mercies for ever.

It is agreed that our Yearly Meeting be continued as hitherto, if the Lord will, being adjourned till the next year. And that Friends of each county send two faithful Friends to attend the service thereof, as formerly directed.

Signed in behalf of our said Meeting, by

BENJAMIN BEALING.

Dear and truly beloved Friends and brethren in Christ, After the salutation of our very dear and tender love and brotherly affection, in that most precious life and divine power wherein our unity and living faith and safety consist, and which hath very eminently attended us in this our Yearly Meeting from first to last; for which we truly bless and praise the God of all our mercies, humbly beseeching him to continue his fatherly love and care towards you, and his whole heritage every where, and to preserve us all in faithfulness and diligence in the truth; that love, concord, and peace may be continued and increased more and more among us, and a tender and christian concern may come upon all in their respective stations, for the keeping of good order in the affairs of truth, in the unity of the spirit, and in the bond of peace;

The principle matters of concernment, agreed upon by this meeting to be communicated, are here recommended to your care and notice.

We understand by the several accounts from the counties, that there remain prisoners on truth's account, for tithes, &c. to the number of one hundred and thirty-two; and that since last year there have died eleven prisoners.

We do not think it necessary now to repeat to you all former advice given you in our late yearly epistles relating to truth's tes timony; but refer you to the same, hoping you will put in practice all necessary and wholesome advice therein given; only remind you, that it is still desired that care be taken, when you send up your yearly accounts of sufferings for tithes, &c. that, as near as can be, you give account therewith, how much is taken in value, and how much it exceeds the pretended value, and by and for whom,

And Friends; remember to keep a true record of manifest judgments upon persecutors, and send up an acccount thereof,

with your sufferings, yearly. If any have been formerly omitted, fail not to send them; that the just judgments of God, in pleading the cause of the innocent sufferers, by signally punishing their persecutors, may be taken notice of, as a warning to posterity; as the heavy judgments and fearful ends of wicked persecutors are recorded in the Holy Scriptures and books of martyrs, &c.

It is also desired, that the several correspondents in the respective counties, when they hear the parliament is like to sit, may not fail sending up an account from each county where Friends are in prison, what alteration is therein relating to prisoners; if any addition of prisoners is made since this meeting; or whether any are discharged; and how many; that Friends may present a true account to the parliament, in case there be any occasion, in order for relief. Wherein, if timely care be taken by the correspondents, it will both prevent much trouble, charge, and loss of time, in sending letters from hence for that purpose.

Several epistles from foreign parts, as Bermudas, Nevis, Maryland, Pennsylvania, East and West Jersey, Dantzick, Amsterdam, Ireland and Scotland, were read; intimating that things were generally well relating to truth and Friends; and that in most parts Friends are in love and unity, and a good openness towards truth; though in some parts of America there is some breach in some measure yet remaining; which hath occasioned this meeting's being longer detained than usual, to hear and inspect the differences, in order to endeavour a composure and end thereof: for which this meeting hath tenderly laboured, under a great exercise and travail many days, for the blessed truth's sake, and honour of the worthy name of our God, and peace of his church and people; and accordingly hath given its sense and faithful advice and counsel for the parties concerned; leaving the issue of all to the Lord, and patiently waiting for the desired end. We were well affected with the large accounts from Amsterdam, of the peace and unity amongst Friends, and prosperity of truth in those parts, especially at Twist and Horne; where of late our dear Friend John Clause, visiting those parts, found great openness and tenderness among the people; who desire o be visited, and salute Friends: and that in some places is found good openness among the MENNISTS (or Baptists) to hear Friends declare the truth.

We have also an account by a Friend from Hamburgh, that Friends there are at unity and peace in their meetings, and desire to be visited. And that there is a great openness amongst the people called PIETISTS; and that some of them continue under the reproach of being called QUAKERS. And by the same ac