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At this Meeting, as at former ones, we have received Epistles from our brethren in the several Yearly Meetings in North America, and one from that of Ireland. On the continent, these meetings appear generally attentive to the important concerns of religious society; a care to sympathize with the oppressed objects of slavery remains, and we believe will remain as long as the evil exists; and the more recent engagement of some of these Yearly Meetings, to diffuse the benefits of civilization among the native Indian tribes of America, subsists in unabated vigour. The account from Ireland is encouraging, and induces an animating hope, not only that the Yearly Meeting there is favoured with zeal and discernment, but that many individuals are under a preparation of heart to become advocates of our christian testimonies and principles.

In the silent lapse of time, several of those who have long been endeavouring to support the cause of truth, and divers who have been wont to meet with us for that purpose in this annual assembly have attained the limit of their allotted probation, and we humbly trust, are safely arrived beyond the reach of sorrow. Of such events we have again, at this Meeting, received some impressive accounts. We perceive the apparent chasm which their removal occasions; but we may be animated in observing their peaceful close-how, as they approached the confines of that " city which "hath foundations, (Heb. xi. 10.) their hearts were filled with hope, and their tongues employed in praise :—as it were, the beginning of a song, of which the melody is unlimited and the duration eternal. "The Lord is my strength and song, and is become "my salvation." (Psalm, cxviii. 14.)

We are also comforted in observing from year to year, and not often more than the present year, a succession arisen and arising, of such as appear to be endeavouring to serve the Lord in uprightness of heart: some in one way, and some in another. In the Lord's service, there is employment for every talent with which he has endowed his creature man: each should be employed in the proper and allotted department; and all to his praise. "There are diversities of gifts," saith the apostle, "but the same spirit." (1 Cor. xii. 4.)

Having therefore no reason to think that the great Head of the Church hath forsaken us, but that he is still willing, as our hearts stand open to him, to qualify for judges and for counsellors, let us endeavour, by his gracious assistance, and with unceasing prayer to him for that holy help, to hold on our way. And you tender youth, yet in that most critical time of life, in which men often receive the bias which forms them into servants of their God, or warps them away from his fear, and sometimes almost irretrievably, let us

again, in conclusion, press you to ponder the path of your feet. The earlier you are devoted to his service, the better servants you will be. And he is served in little things, and not in those only which appear great, and highly beneficial to others. But what attainment is greater than to be able in a pure heart to say, "Thy will be "done?" and this, by the Spirit of Him who taught his immediate followers after this manner to pray, may be attained even in childhood. It will be a most precious morning sacrifice to the Lord, who hath given you life, who stands ready, as you faithfully serve him, to store it with blessings; and who can finally crown it with a peaceful immortality.

Signed in, and on behalf of the Meeting, by

JOHN WILKINSON,

Clerk to the Meeting this Year.

Dear Friends,

EPISTLE CXXXIII-1810.

In turning our minds towards saluting you with an Epistle, and particularly as the subject came more closely under attention, an encouragement was felt, which induces us to believe that in so doing we shall be in the way of our duty: and when that precious love which binds together the various members of the spiritual body is in dominion, this duty is freely fulfilled. And as the collected Church of Christ, gathered into his name, and baptized into his Spirit, must abide under this powerful influence to guide its proceedings; so also the members, in their seperate allotments, can find no surer means of being preserved, each in the way of his own duty, or of contributing, each his share, to the common welfare, than by experiencing "the love of God" renewedly "shed abroad" in their hearts. (Rom. v. 5.) But we know that the love of earthly things too often prevails, the harmony of even religious societies is interrupted, yea, even many become spiritually "robbed and spoiled." [Isa. xlii. 22.] Dear Friends, all of you who may hear or read this our tender salutation, let us address you in the language of the evangelical prophet, "Arise, shine :" [chap. Ix. i you to whose hearts the Lord, in his never failing mercy, may direct the words of his servants, which of you can say that your "light is" not "come?" [ibid.] Let it then be displayed in conduct. Keep in view the two great commandments of perpetual obligation: the love of God, and the love of our

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neighbour. The latter is the ground of our christian discipline; and the former is the life of our spiritual worship. And we are persuaded that if, through the redeeming power of the Lord, and by continuing in his fear and under his guidance, we become settled in these holy dispositions :-if, to use other words, with gratitude, watchfulness, and lowliness of mind, we improve these holy gifts of grace, they will never be taken from us; but will remain and expand, when the veil of flesh shall be removed, and a nearer access be opened to the fountain of love, in a blissful immortality.

At these annual assemblies, when we are receiving accounts of the state of the Meetings which this Yearly Meeting superintends, we have too often occasion of grief,in hearing of defects which do not comport with a people professing to be spiritually minded. Such are from various quarters reported to us this year. Yet we are not disposed to enumerate them now; though we can readily trace their origin. But let us remind every one amongst us, that it is better to be willing to trace, each the origin of his own defect, than to compose his mind by considering it a small one. The more we dan abide under a sense of our own wants, the readier and the more earnestly shall we apply for help to Him upon whom help is laid. And probably the natural unwillingness there is in the creature to feel in itself a testimony to its own unworthiness, is one great reason why no more are raised up as testimony bearers to the Lord's all-sufficiency and goodness. It can scarcely be denied, that faithful labourers in his vineyard are still wanting. We noticed in our last year's Epistle, the removal of many who, according to our power of spiritual perception, might bear that appellation. The information of the present year has added to the list of the dead, who, we doubt not, have died in the Lord; and is a repeated call to the living, to look well to their foundations. This call also has additional force, when we consider that other faithful servants are verging to the same solemn period: a period which, though to them it may be unspeakably blessed, will deprive the church of their labours, and of the secret travail, sympathy, and prayer of their spirits.

It is certainly not easy to compress the wants of the church in one comprehensive term: but it seems as if one of the watchwords, peculiarly worthy of attention in the present day were DEDICATION. Remember, dear visited Friends, that when Christ invites you to submit to his yoke, he declares it to be easy; while the yoke of disobedience is known to be heavy. Thus, while we are inviting you to faithfulness, by the losses which we are ready to deplore, in the departure of servants and of handmaids; and by the joy that opened on their view as they were en

tering on that nearer union with their Lord: with Him" of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named ;" (Eph. 3. 15.) we may truly say, brethren, sisters, ye are all "called unto liberty," (Gal. v. 13.) even "the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Rom. viii. 21.) And it is with thankfulness that we perceive, as also we hinted last year, that very many of our beloved young Friends of both sexes, seem sensible that the Lord's preparing hand is upon them. How then do we desire that these may persevere in the path of dedication: yea, that in their love and service, they may go on "from strength to strength," (Psalm, lxxxiv. 7.) until having fulfilled their due measure of suffering, every one of them may appear with final acceptance, "before God" in Zion. (Ibid.)

The amount of the sufferings reported this year on account of tithes, priests' demands, and those called church-rates, and for military demands, is upwards of twelve thousand six hundred and seventy eight pounds. In our last year's Epistle we adverted to the imprisonment of a few young men under the militia laws; and expressed our apprehension that more cases of that kind would follow. Our belief of the attachment of many of our youth to their peaceable testimony, induced this apprehension, and it has been verified by the confinement of several more on account of the local militia, and of one for the common militia. Though these temporary sacrifices of liberty, demonstrate a disposition which endears them to our hearts; nevertheless we cannot forget that they are yet but in the beginning of their course of devotedness; and, as is the case in various ways with many others of our precious youth, are now only girding on "the harness." If, dear youth, you are allowed to receive a peaceful reward for your early submission to duty, gratitude prompts you still to keep your eye to your holy guide, for further manifestations of his will, and for further proofs of his protecting care. And know assuredly, that if your days are prolonged to a period at present remote, and you are preserved in the fear of the Lord, these, and all your morning acts of humble attachment to his cause, will be sweet in your remembrance.

We have received at this time Epistles from all the North Ameriean Yearly Meetings: in which, besides the general vigilance over the welfare of the Society, we find a continuance of attention to the same objects of more general concern, which we mentioned last year: namely, the state of the black people still held as slaves, and the measures employed for civilizing the Indian natives.

The epistle from Ireland has been particularly grateful to us, and we have not failed to testify our unity with Friends in that nation by a few affectionate words of reply. Living as we do under the same government, and above all, professing the same holy

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and uniting principle, we are inclined at this time to commend our Friends of the sister nation, to the continued cordial remembrance of their brethren on this side. the channel.

Now, dear Friends, we would mention one subject which at this time has been under our notice ; a caution to all, to use moderation in their manner of living; and in this way to seek relief from the increasing expense of the times in which we live, rather than by engaging in more extensive, and often hazardous schemes in trade. By these latter means, the mind becomes encumbered and unfitted for religious service, yea, often for religious thought, and for breathing daily after the spiritual riches, which are to be enjoyed in close communion with God. And let us beseech you to consider, how distant from the state which endeavours to stand resigned to give up all, if required, is that which indulges itself in ease to the full extent of its power; or is endeavouring by multiplied adventures in trade, to acquire that power, which it covets for the purpose of worldly enjoyment. We believe however, and we are glad in believing, that there are numbers who act upon sounder principles than these; who knowing, as saith the apostle, that "the fashion of this world passeth away," are really desirous of using "this world as not abusing it." (1 Cor. vii. 31.) These, we would encourage to hold on in the way cast up before them, trusting in the Lord, who hath declared that all things necessary will be given to those who seek first his kingdom. Thus trusting, and endeavouring to apply to him in secret supplication, in the difficulties that must in a state of probation be the lot of all, we may humbly hope that, in our several proportions, we shall grow in the truth" individually; and that, coming up in our allotments in the church militant, our various meetings will also, whether more or less as to number, experience among them a "growth in the truth."

But, dear Friends, there is one attainment which, at this time, we are earnest to remind you of; an attainment without which, no other gift can be permanent, and certain. We want to press

on you the never ceasing duty of humility and lowliness of mind. Even our blessed Lord declared himself to be "meek and lowly in heart ;" and can any one, expecting salvation by him, be exempt from the need of possessing the same holy temper? However great the talents with which he may have endowed us by nature, or however he may replenish our souls with the more excellent gifts of his Holy Spirit, still we have nothing which we have not received; and we can have no sound reason for setting at nought the least of our brethren-for whom, let us remember, equally as for us, Christ died. Let us then, dear Friends, be willing to examine ourselves and know whether we are indeed hum