timations of truth in their ripening understandings, they are entered on a course of self-denial, they will feel you doubly dear to them, for having led them on the way they should go, and will bless the Lord on your behalf.

Thus have we again touched upon some of the most important objects of the constant care of this meeting, and indeed all those who desire to see our society builded up as a city that is compact together. "Jerusalem," saith the psalmist, "is builded as a city that is compact together; whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel." (Psalm, cxxii. 3, 4.)

We may now turn from snbjects which concern every state in life; and direct the course of our christian counsel to the states, more in particular. And first, you who are not entrusted with much of the possessions of this life, you are still the objects of our constant care. The society has long endeavoured to consult your interests, and to place within your reach whatever is necessary for your welfare, and for that of your offspring. And you are equally the care of Him who provides for the sparrows: to his ear your access is as easy as that of any condition amongst men; and if, by his holy assistance, and by a conformity to his will, you become truly poor in spirit, yours is the kingdom of heaven. (Mat. v. 3.) But, dear Friends, suffer us to remind you, that there is not a passion that can infest the rich, which may not also, in a degree subversive of your peace, be fostered in your minds. You may covet, and give way to pride and anger, and to all the "foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." (1 Tim. vi. 9.) Therefore, do you partake of the universal necessity of paying strict attention to Christ's sacred injunction, when addressing himself to his immediate followers, he closed his address with these memorable words; "What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch." (Mark, xiii. 37.)

As for you, dear Friends, who occupy what are termed the middle stations of life, you have every cause to bless the Lord for the sphere in which he hath permitted you to move. In you, seems fulfilled the wish of Agur: "Give me neither poverty nor riches ; feed me with food convenient for me; lest I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." (Prov. xxx. 8, 9.) Among your number the society has often found many of its more useful members, of its more able advocates. Be content therefore, with your stations. Seek not great things for yourselves; yea, "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate." (Romans, xii. 16.) But, above all things, "Follow on to know the Lord;" (Hosea, vi. 3.) or, if you have not known him and served him, fully and faithfully, seek him "with a perfect heart,

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and with a willing mind," for if you seek him, he will be found of you; (1 Chron. xxviii. 9,) and you will remain to be, as many of you have been, supports of the building, under the protecting providence of the Lord; who is the sole and true builder of his spiritual house, the "house of prayer for all people." (See Isaiah, Ivi. 7.)

And you who are entrusted with much of the good things of this life, you who cannot disclaim the title of affluent-we believe there are among you many good stewards of the temporal things committed to your trust; yet we desire that others may duly consider, whether they are so "rich in faith," as to be "heirs of the kingdom," (James, ii, 5,) being fruitful in those good works which are produced by faith. Though, Friends, you may not have to labour with your hands, the cause of truth has business of importance for you to do; and it may be promoted or obstructed by right or wrong application of your property. Much responsibility lies on you; your property is an additional article in the account; and we desire that you may be so awake to a sense of these things, as to be prepared to render up your accounts with joy, and to receive the answer of "Well done." The poor and the rich have their appropriate virtues; and, at the same time that each is required to be content and to be humble, we believe it may be truly said, that as contentment is a peculiar ornament of the poor, so is humility of the rich.

Your station in life subjects you, more than others, to be tried by associating with other wealthy persons, among the people at large, with whom the cross of Christ is often in too little esteem. You may be leavened by their conversation and example: and it may operate still more sensibly and rapidly upon your children. Therefore we tenderly entreat you, for your own sake, for that of your offspring whom ye are bound to protect, and for the sake of the cause of Truth-we entreat you, dear Friends, we beseech you "by the mercies of God.-Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. For," continues the apostle, " I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think more-highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom. xii. 1, 2, 3.)

But, how shall we address a state lamentably to be found in every condition of life; and from which few places are wholly freethat state which despises counsel, and places itself almost out of the reach of advice? Dear, but mistaken Friends, it is difficult to speak to your state, but we may pray to the Father of mercies,

that he would in mercy plead with you. And we beseech you take time to be serious. Be solicitous about your eternal well-being. The restraint of the Spirit of Truth is the armour that protects the soul; and if you will not be invested with it, you are open to the repeated and increasing assaults of the destroyer; and how will you at length be prepared and found worthy "to stand before the Son of Man ?" (Luke, xxi. 36.)

In this Meeting we have received Epistles from our American brethren in most of the states, showing the continuance of their zeal in the cause of righteousness, and encouraging us to perseverence; the particulars of any of which it does not seem needful now to detail. The amount of the sufferings of Friends this year in Great Britain and Ireland, chiefly for tithes, those called church-rates, and military demands, is upwards of eleven thousand seven hundred and seventy pounds; and two Friends have been imprisoned for not having found substitutes in the militia. But we are by no means inclined to complain of the conduct of magistrates; on the contrary, we believe in many places there is a disposition in the hearts of magistrates, which induces them to protect us from suffering to the utmost limit of the law; and we desire that Friends may, on their part, by a meek and peaceable conduct, always insure, and never forfeit, their good opinion. In so conducting ourselves, we adorn our profession, and suffer our light to shine.

Now, dear Friends, of every rank, state, and condition, let us endeavour to be one in the Lord: that he may shower down of his mercies, gifts and grace upon all. This will keep each in his proper place. The young will be mild, submissive and teachable; and will become early acquainted with that power which is their only safe conductor through life, and their hope in death. These are near to our hearts. The very remembrance of them awakens our tenderest feeling, and prompts our prayer to the Lord for their preservation. The middle-aged will stand firm in their day, as watchmen upon the wall, and as valiants, having on the armour of light, to withstand the attacks of the enemy. And the aged will have to rejoice both in the retrospective, and prospective view. The past will recall to their gladdened remembrance the numberless mercies of the Lord; and the future, through the power of an endless life, and the redeeming virtue of Christ Jesus our Lord, will open to them the prospect, and satisfy them with the assurance, of being his for ever, Amen.

Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by

JOHN WILKINSON, Clerk to the Meeting this Year.

FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON.

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Dear Friends,

EPISTLE CXXXII-1809.

In turning our attention to you, in your various allotments, we are encouraged to offer you this testimonial of our love; a love which is felt to be the blessed consequence of our endeavour to serve the Lord,from whom it springs. We desire that you also may be furnished and replenished with this greatest of spiritual gifts. It will contribute to sweeten life; and through the efficacy of redeeming mercy, it will disarm death of its terror. In pursuit, however, of this "pearl of great price," oppositions will arise, during your state of probation: yet do not be dismayed, but be patient. "Be"hold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit," even "of "the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the "early and latter rain. Be ye also patient. (James, v. 7, 8.) Remember that the fruit which you seek, is not only peace, in such proportion as the Lord shall see meet to bestow it, in time; but peace, in eternal fulness, with him for ever.

The subjects of our care, in this Meeting, have been conducted with much of that brotherly love and condescension whieh our christian principles enjoin; and we have been permitted from time to time to experience that refreshment of mind, which induces us to believe that our Meeting is still owned by our Holy Head and High Priest, Christ Jesus.

Our present engagements have been similar to those which have had our attention in preceding Meetings. At our last, we believed it right, by a special minute, to urge our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to stir up those to whom is entrusted the care of children and young people, to a conscientious discharge of that sacred duty. We are now disposed to express our warm desire that the youth may co-operate wirh our concern, by being willing early and seriously to watch over their own conduct, by the help of that" true light" (John i. 9.) which is not withheld from the humble mind. Dear young Friends, be not only willing to submit to the gentle admonition and restraint of those who desire for you, above every other attainment, a growth in the holy fear and love of God; but be watchful even over your own thoughts: for thought is the spring of action. Out of the heart, as was observed by our blessed Lord, proceed those evil practices which defile the man. And if you should, as yet, be startled at the suppositjon of defilement, let us say, in consonant language, that in the heart are conceived those evil propensities, which, if unrestrained, will mar the work of sanctification. Above all, do not forget or neglect to let your souls arise in frequent supplication to the Pre

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server of Men, who hears the prayer of the humble, and is well pleased with the dedication of youth-the sacrifice of the begin ning of your strength.

A part of the object of the advice which we have mentioned as having been the late concern of this Meeting to give to parents, was to train up their families in plainness-a comprehensive word. At this time, on reviewing the subject, a fear has prevailed among us, that not a few elder Friends, and even some who take part in our discipline, have not been sufficiently exemplary; particularly in the furniture of their houses. It seems, therefore, right to caution all against giving way, in this respect, to the varying, and often costly fashions of the age. Though it is a weakness which does not seem to savour so much of personal pride, as does vain attire ; yet it bespeaks a mind engaged with trifles, and a fondness for show which is inconsistent with the christian character; and it disqualifies for duly advising such as may rush into further degrees of extravagance.

The amount of the sufferings of Friends, of which an account has been this year brought to the Meeting from Great Britain and Ireland, is upwards of thirteen thousand pounds. They are principally for tithes, priests' demands, and those culled church-rates, and a considerable part for military demands. A few young men have suffered a temporary imprisonment under the militia laws. We retain an unabated concern that Friends may be strengthened to support, on principle, our testimony against a ministry not depending on the fresh opening of the Spirit of Christ in the heart, and supported by pecuniary means. We believe also,

that this testimony to the purity of this genuine and Gospel ministry, strongly evinces that the formation of our Society was not an effort of human wisdom; neither is there any thing more calculated to sap our foundation, and render us a degenerate church, than a general departure from this principle.

We are inclined also, dear Friends, to draw your attention to the root of our testimony against war. It is no other than christian love, and that righteousness which produces peace, quietness, and perpetual assurance, as its natural fruit. This draws the mind away from those passions and desires, in which are laid the foundations of contest. Let us then frequently examine our hearts, yea, let us prove our ownselves, and see how far the seed of contention withers, and a resignation to suffer is cherished there. And since, as we have mentioned, some of our young men have suffered, and more may probably suffer, imprisonment, we are deeply desirous that they may walk consistently with their testimony in every respect: showing by their conduct that they truly follow a Master, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.