FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON. 433 ing in the good things of this life, may find that in using moderation in their own expenditure, they may have wherewith to supply the wants of others, and to make the heart of the poor man sing for joy. O, the blessing of clothing the naked, and feeding the hungry ! who would not desire to be entitled to a share of it? Moderation in personal and domestic expense, every way becomes the followers of a lowly-hearted Saviour. We are therefore engaged to press it upon our young Friends, just setting out in life, to beware of needless expense in the furniture of their houses, and in their general domestic habits. Even those who think their property may entitle them to abundance or to elegance, by indulging in costly habits are setting but an ill example to those of more contracted means; and as we are but too apt to copy that which coincides with our natural disposition, our want of circumspection may prove an incitement to extravagance in others, and prompt them to use exertions for supporting an appearwhich may divert them from the true business of life-the daily study to be approved in the sight of God. ance, And, dear youth in general,especially you whose period of life may not be so advanced as that of those whom we have just addressed, even you who have left, or are about to leave, the protection of a parent, and to enter into the busy scenes of life; some of you, probably, in populous towns, far different from the retirement of your paternal abodes; we beseech you to guard against the new temptations which may now assail you. Oppose the first incitement to any liberty inconsistent with your principles, and be wil ling to seek the society of experienced Friends in the places where you may be situated, and to receive their admonition with meekness and attention. Never forget that the season of early youth is a season of peculiar danger; and if you grow up under this sense, you will from time to time be led to cry for preservation to Hin, who has said, (and his words are Amen, for ever,) "Him, that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." (John, vi. 37.) The ususal accounts of sufferings brought in this year, chiefly for tithes, and those called church-rates, and for military demands, amount to thirteen thousand six hundred and forty-five pounds. Five young men have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in the local militia. Besides these and other accounts which we have received from our several Quarterly Meetings, we have an epistle from Ireland, and one from each of the Yearly Meetings on the The Yearly Meetings of our American American continent. brethren seem vigilant in their attention to the support of our testimonies, and to purposes of general benevolence. The due education of our youth still forms a part of the concern of the Yearly Meeting of Pennsylvania; which has also, together with those of 434 ANNUAL EPISTLES Maryland and New-York, continued to care for the native inhabitants of the wilderness; and those of Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland testify, in their epistles their unremitting concern for the state of the enslaved Africans in their land. Although in our country, as well as in theirs, the infamous traffic with Africa in slaves has been abolished by law, we desire Friends not to forget that slavery still exists within the British empire, and to suffer their sympathy still to flow towards its oppressed victims. Thus, dear Friends, we trust we may say that, both abroad and at home, the Lord is influencing his servants to remain on the watch. Though the subject of our concern may be sowewhat various, it is still pleasant to reflect that all are aiming at the same object, and all looking to the same Lord for his gracious assistance. Having the same faith, and being baptised with the same baptism, (even those plunges into exercise and conflict which wash us from confidence in our own exertions,) how can it be otherwise than that we should rely, as we have just hinted, on the same Lord? May this unity of travail encourage us all to abide steadfast in our allegiance to him, that in due season we may reap the unfading reward of his holy peace. Having touched on some of the subjects, which have warmed our hearts in desire that we may be built up a spiritual house, we entreat you to consider that it is by means of individual exertions, under the direction of the omnipotent Master-builder, that the work is to be effected to his praise. Be vigilant therefore, we beseech you; be constant, when cases require it, in faithful and tender admonition. Neglect in this point gives countenance to defects and increases them, whilst the faithful admonisher may hope to partake of the reward of those who " turn many to righteousness ;" who, saith the prophet, shine "as the stars for ever and ever." (Dan. xii. 3.) Now, dear Friends, in conclusion, let us observe, that love, Christian love, is the parent of every virtue: it restrains our immoderate gratification of personal indulgence: it expands our hearts to every class of society, and to every modification of the human speecies it makes us prompt to lend a hand of help to such as may stray from the path of safety; it leads to universal benevolence: and as it is the origin of every good work, so through the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, it will be the reward of a life passed in his service, in its native region, the realm of unmixed love, with him for ever. Amen. Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by JOHN WILKINSON, Clerk to the Meeting this Year. FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON. 435 Dear Friends, EPISTLE CXXXVI-1813. We have had cause, at this time, to acknowledge the condescension of our Heavenly Father, who is still pleased to own with his presence these our annual assemblies. Under this influence, our hearts have been united; and we have been animated to crave the assistance of his Holy Spirit, that we may be enabled to serve him with faithfulness, and to uphold with christian simplicity, our various religious testimonies. And we believe, that the constraining love of the gospel calls upon us to salute our dear brethren, with the invitation, "O! taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm, xxxiv. 8.) In the course of the usual proceedings of this Meeting, we have received from the several Quarterly and other Meetings of which it is constituted, an account of the state of our religious Society. Whilst we lament that many amongst us are still too much engrossed with the fading enjoyments of this life, and are refusing to follow our holy pattern, in the path of self-denial, we wish they may not be deprived of that encouragement to turn into the right way, which often results from the faithful admonitions of those who have known the benefits of greater circumspection. Though from a sense of their own weakness, some of the rightly concerned among us may be ready to shrink from the performance of this duty, we would remind them, that by thus evincing their love to their Friends, they will receive additional strength themselves, and that such acts of dedication will contribute to their own advancement in the christian course. We desire, dear Friends, that such of you as often meet in small companies for the solemn purpose of worship, may not relax your diligence. Your situation will at times appear discouraging: but although you may be seldom assisted by the company and travail of your brethren,never forget that you are under the continued notice of the Lord; and that his tender regard extends to all those who wait upon him in reverence and humility. Many who have been alike circumstanced, can acknowledge that they have known their strength renewed, and their confidence in divine support increased, by a due attendance of their meetings for religious worship. Your situation, though trying to yourselves, is important. If with faithfulness and integrity you perform your christian duties, your example will prevail with others who have been too negligent of the concerns of a future life; and by your consistent conduct, the truth which we profess will be exalted-the name of the Lord glori Our minds have been affected, at this time, by the recent decease of many with whom we have been often associated in religious labour, and whose memory is precious. We feel the loss of these; yet we can with thankfulness acknowledge, we have been comforted in reflecting, that the Almighty Power which was their support, and which has preserved us since we were first gathered to be a people, is unchangeably the same. We sympathize also with those who are in the decline of life, in whose hearts such afflictive deprivations may, in their solicitude for the welfare of the church, excite many discouraging feelings. To you, our elder brethren and sisters, we offer the salutation of our cordial love. We desire that you may partake of our comfort, in observing the conduct of many, who are now in the vigour of health and strength, and who, in various ways, are giving proofs of their attachment to that cause, the prosperity of which has been your greatest joy. We doubt not that your endeavours to stand approved in the sight of God, have met his gracious acceptance; and that your example, and labours in the Lord's service, have animated many of these younger brethren to follow you, as you have been endeavouring to follow Christ. Let us likewise entreat you, dear Friends, who are of less religious experience, but who have entered upon the active scenes of life, not to retard your christian progress, by any unwillingness to make an entire surrender of your hearts to the disposal of infinite wisdom. The Lord is a rich rewarder of all his faithful followers; and happy will it be for you, should you be permitted to see many days, to reflect, at the close of life, that you have been devoted to the promotion of his cause. The amount of sufferings brought in this year, is upwards of fif teen thousand four hundred and seventy pounds; a small proportion of this sum has been taken for military purposes; but the greater part was incurred in the support of our ancient christian testimony against tithes and other demands of an ecclesiastical na ture. We have received an Epistle from our Friends in Ireland, and one from each of the Yearly Meetings on the continent of America, except that of Carolina. In consequence of large emigrations from other parts of the United States, five Quarterly Meetings of Friends resident on the western side of the Alleghany mountains, have been detached from the Yearly Meeting of Maryland, and formed into a separate one. Under the influence of that love by which we are united as brethren, we have addressed an Epistle to those who are intending to meet on that important occasion, in the eighth month next, in the state of Ohio. From the Epistles and other communications from America, we find that our Friends, besides being attentive to the concerns of our own Society, are still FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON. 437 pursuing their engagements for the welfare of the African and Indian race. But the war, in which that country and this are now sorrowfully involved, has presented great obstacles to their efforts towards civilizing the Indians; and is likely, for a time, to suspend in some parts their successful exertions in that important and interesting cause. When we consider the continuance and the extension of war, we cannot but deeply feel, on account of the desolations and numerous evils which are its inseparable attendants: and we earnestly entreat all our members, so to abide within the limitations of truth, as in no degree to violate our christian testimony in this respect for the sake of gain. Let us keep out of even the spirit of contest; and strive for the attainment of a dependance on Him, whose kingdom is not of this world. Amongst the numerous benevolent undertakings which now interest the minds of our countrymen, we contemplate with much satisfaction, the general circulation of the Holy Scriptures. Our sense of that inestimable treasure has been frequently acknowledged; and we feel ourselves engaged to call the attention of such of our members as may be employed in this salutary work, to the supreme importance of giving heed to that Divine word, to which the Scriptures bear testimony. This word is Christ; the "Bread of Life," (John, vi. 48.) and "the Light of men;" that " Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (Ibid. i. 4, 9.) If we are earnest to obey the teachings of this unerring guide, we shall be led to cry to the Lord, that he would preserve us from self-exaltation, from attributing to ourselves that honour which is due to Him alone. We shall be on our guard lest we should mistake our proper sphere of usefulness, or suffer any pursuit, however laudable in itself, to divert us from our true allotment of labour in the church. This watchfulness unto prayer can alone ensure our growth in religious experience, and our establishment in every good word and work. "Finally, brethren, farewell! Be perfect," (2 Cor. xiii. 11.) Let this attainment be the principal object in view: then will you be of good comfort, and of one mind; you will live in peace one with another, and "the God of love and peace" will be with you. Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting, by JOHN WILKINSON, Clerk to the Meeting this Year. |