OF THEIR KIND AND LIBERAL CONDUCT, AND AS A PUBLIC

EXPRESSION OF THE FEELINGS AND

SENTIMENTS ENTER

TAINED AND CHERISHED TOWARD THEM BY

Philadelphia, 30th May, 1817.

THE AUTHOR.

A PLEA, &c.

MODERATOR,

I HAVE often marked, but never till this hour did I so fully realize the force and spirit of that apostolick admonition, " be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only." From the days of "righteous Abel" down to the time when that venerable man, a last and lonely relict of the Saviour's much loved family, was banished to Patmos "for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ," we have innumerable examples of the meekness and piety, with which the disciples of the Saviour have answered for themselves, before tribunals of every kind and temper, and to accusations of almost every form.-I mark that meekness which no occurrence could unsettle; I ponder that piety which armed their minds with unconquerable patience, and fortified their allegiance with a courage that nothing could quell: and in this record of "the faith and patience of the saints," I distinctly recognize a universal mandate, "go thou and do likewise." But, Moderator, we are deceived if we imagine that, because in the hour of undisturbed repose, and while in possession of a fame fair and unmenaced, our hearts chime harmony with a requisition so commanding-we are deceived if we imagine that when the