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for the companions of his frailty and poverty, yet his fellow-partakers of the offered riches of the gospel.

Dear Friends, we believe that the Lord's goodness is still towards his people; and that his language to them yet remains to be "O similar to that, which of old was conveyed by the prophet.

"that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always; that it might be well with "them, and with their children for ever.

Signed in, and on behalf of the Meeting, by

JOSEPH GURNEY,

Clerk to the Meeling this Year.

Dear Friends,

EPISTLE CXXIX-1806.

We find, in meeting in this our annual assembly, a renewal of lively zeal for promoting the righteousness which is of Christ, and for removing, as far as in us lies, the causes which obstruct it. We trust that our meeting is not only professedly in his name; but, as we are given to derive strength and encouragement in his cause, from the mutual communication of our feelings and exercises of mind, that he still owns us, however unworthy; and grants us, by being at times baptized into the sense of our own weakness, to seek, with more earnestness, his everlasting strength. In the desire therefore that ye may be built up a people truly christian; that "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost," (Rom. xiv. 17.) may increase and abound; we again convey to you the salutation of love unfeigned. We beseech you to consider the holy gradation of righteousness, peace, and joy; and to mark that the first step is that most comprehensive attainment, righteousnesss.-Righteousness is immutable justice. It leaves no duty unfilled. Man has his full share of love from man; and God, his due reverence, adoration, and praise. Peace then flows as a river, and joy in the Holy Spirit completes the gracious purpose of christian redemption. "Happy that people, that is in such "a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord." (Psalm, cxliv. 15.)

But, Friends, though we are thus favoured to see, and to approve things which are excellent, yet when we review the state of

*DEUT. V. 29.

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our religious Society, and scrutinize into the conduct of its members, we are often obliged to observe that an enemy is at work ; that earth sometimes obtrudes into the place of heaven; and that self-love in many is more conspicuous than self-denial. You know that the subjects of our inquiry on these occasions are arranged under different heads; and that it becomes from time to time our concern, to remind you of your duty respecting many of them. When we ask the question, "Is there any growth in the truth?" modesty, were there nothing else, might occasion a doubtful reply. But nothing needs prevent every man, endued with the light of Christ in himself, from endeavouring to answer this most important query plainly to his own conscience. As the vigorous tree brings forth its fruit in its season, so if any man grow in the Truth, he will bring forth the fruits of Truth, even the fruit of the Spirit, so well described by the apostle to the Galatian converts. (Gal. v. 22.) And what obstructs this growth in any? We reply, the love of ease the dread of conflict. But as winter and storms promote the well-being of the outward creation, so tribulation and conflict improve the christian. They have their appropriate and appointed end, in the work of santification; they arise not out of the dust, but are sent or permitted in the proper seasons: and whoever seeks to escape without his share, rejects the very means of his advancement, and scarcely can hope to attain his due "measure of "the stature of the fullness of Christ :" (Eph. iv. 13.) a state of which the same apostle speaks, as attainable by all.

Now, beloved brethren, a subject, a deeply interesting subject, hath intervened among our deliberations on the state of our Society; and its long-felt importance induces us to suffer it here also to interrupt the current of our christian counsel. No longer since than the last year we excited your attention afresh to the sufferings of the Africans, and spoke of the continuance of the cruel slave trade as of an accumulation of misery and of guilt. How then do we now rejoice in having to proclaim that this torrent of iniquity is arrested in its progress; that an important restriction of the trade has taken place; that the annual enslaving of thousands is prevented; and that the prospect again opens, with increased brightness, of "a termination to the wrongs of Africa!"*

Let us therefore thank God, and take courage; and still perseyere in the support of those testimonies and practices, to which christian love gives rise, and which Christ requires of his church. And, in order that we may be able to do this, let love, pure, unconquerable love, reign in our hearts. We have often expatiated

Yearly Meeting Epistle, 1792,

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on this topic; but yet we must violate our feelings, if we suppress some further observations on it at this time. Friends, remember, that to be made perfect in love, (1 John, iv. 17, 18.) is a high state of christian excellence, and not attainable but by the sacrifice of selfish passions. No degree of resentment can consist with this state. Some persons are apt to profess that they can forgive those whom they suppose to have injured them, when such are brought to know, and acknowledge their fault. But that is little else than a disguised pride, seeking for superiority. The love which Christ commanded to his church goes further than that. "This is my "commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you." (John, xv. 12.) And how did the Lord love the world? Let the apostle answer. "God commandeth his love towards us, in "that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. v. 8.) And, Friends, mark and remember his gracious dying words, when praying for his very persecutors, he said, "Father, forgive them; "for they know not what they do." (Luke, xxiii. 34.) And shall we expect access for our feeble prayers, at the throne of grace, if we harbour any ill will to our fellow travellers towards immortality? Let us hear again the Saviour of men: "And when ye "stand praying, forgive if ye have aught against any." (Mark, xi. 25.) He doth not allow time for seeing the injuring person become submissive; but,-Standing, forgive: for "If ye do not "forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Verse 26.) 0, the excellence of christian love, and the temper of forgiveness! It is the indispensable requisite in that spiritual worship to which we as a people more peculiarly bear testimony; yea, is it not the very balm of life, and the passport to heaven?

Thus have we hinted at some of the leading characteristics of the christian; we have attempted to hold up the standard of truth; and we tenderly entreat all our Friends who feel the necessity of measuring themselves by it, and are in great degree exemplary persons themselves, to be frequently attending to their respective gifts, in order to be helpful to others for we are members one of another, if we are really members of that body of which the head is Christ. This mutual care is a fundamental principle of our christian discipline: this mutual care hath brought us together at

this time.

We have received this year Epistles from all the Meetings with which this Meeting usually corresponds. The most remarkable feature in the intelligence which, from these and other sources, we receive respecting our brethren in North America, is the great and successful diligence of some of their Yearly Meetings in promo

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FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON.

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ting the civilization of the Indian natives. We find that our Meeting for Sufferings has very properly diffused this intelligence among Friends; and impressed with a desire of co-operating in a work so benevolent, this Meeting has recommended a contribution, to assist our American brethren in their very worthy pursuit ; and we doubt not that Friends will cheerfully embrace this opportunity of testifying our unity with their labours.

Although, as we have already remarked, in the accounts which come up from the several branches of this Meeting, we are affected with noting various particulars which we deplore, yet we also are encouraged in observing that the good cause remains dear to many; that fresh instances offer themselves to view of zeal in the Lord's service; and that some serious persons are still seeking to be united to us in consequence of convincement.

The amount of sufferings brought in this year is about ten thousand three hundred and fourteen pounds : of which some part is for demands of military nature; but the chief part, ecclesiastical. And Friends, while we are endeavouring to bear testimony against war, let us show, by our inoffensive, quiet demeanour, that we are truly children of peace; and while we refuse the claims of a priesthood from which we conscientiously dissent, let us be diligent in waiting on the great Minister of the true tabernacle. This, youknow, Friends, is the purpose of our assembling together in silence and though there is among us at times but little instrumental ministry, or none, let not this produce any abatement of diligence in the duty. Instrumental ministry, in the life and power of the gospel, is a great favour to the church; but the distinguishing excellence of the christian dispensation is the immediate communication with our heavenly Father, through the inward revelation of the Spirit of Christ. Let us, therefore, brethren, submit to the baptizing operations of the Holy Spirit, which purify the soul, and produce the capacity for communion with God.

Now "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Cor. xiii. 14.)

Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by

ARNEE FRANK, Clerk to the Meeting this year.

412

ANNUAL EPISTLES

EPISTLE CXXX-1807.

Dear Friends,

Receive, we beseech you, the salutation of our undiminished and renewed love may we not reverently say, of our love in the gospel of Christ. For we desire to be as the messengers of good tidings, to allure you to increasing degrees of dedication to the cause of truth, and to make you partake of the encouragement which we are mercifully allowed to feel, by meeting thus together as with one accord. But though we have again cause to confess that there is strength in the union of exercise, in a joint engagement of spirit, we also entreat you to remember that "the same "Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." (Rom. x. 12.) We believe, as a frequent application of heart to the Lord is the practice of Friends in their remote allotments, that he will enrich them with due portions of his wisdom and strength. Thus will he restrain in them the dispositions which tend towards the world, he will invigorate those which have their origin and accomplishment in heaven, and he will even make glad for them the solitary place. (Isa. xxxv. 1.)

On the particular inspection this year into the state of our religious society, various objects tending to its welfare have engaged our attention; some of which we shall endeavour briefly to lay before you. But first we are inclined to express our thankfulness for an event which concerns not us only, but incalculable multititudes of our fellow-creatures, our fellow-possessors of the faculty of reason-our fellow objects of the redemption which comes by Christ. We scarcely need name the Abolition of the Slave Trade. We view it as one of the most important acts of public, national righteousness, which ever dignified the councils of any government; and our minds have been directed in secret prayer to the Almighty Parent of the universe, that he may be pleased to regard this kingdom for good; and direct its future councils to such future acts of justice and mercy as may promote his glory, in the harmony of his rational creation.

We may also here mention that we learn by the accounts which we have received from our brethren in America, that their attention in assisting some of the Indian nations to attain to the benefits of civilization, is still continued with vigour and with increasing We are gratified with being informed of the contribution which Friends in this nation have raised in order to participate in this work of benevolence, Six thousand pounds of it are already

success.

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