Star.
London, England, 1827-07-05 00:00:00

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

The Epistle from the Yearly Meeting, held is Landon, by adieers-
ments, from the 23d of the sth month, to the Slut of t►e same
Inclusive, I err, to the Quarterly and ?deathly Maettap at
Friends, In fileeet Eritahr, Ireland, and alsearlstist.

DIM% Fatenms,..Wq, who have been permitted to
assemble to transact the concerns of this Meeting, have
• it his been good for us
color

reverently to acknowledge that . oss
that we have come together. It has been a ,omfort to
behold the countenances one of another and robe sen-
sible of the prevalence of ghat Christian love and fellow.
'Sip which invigorate the mind, as we pass along the
arduous path of life. And we feel it to be a dpty to in-
form all our beloved brethren and sisters, that the Loan,
in his continued mercy, has enabled us to proceed in
the deliberations of this meeting in much brotherly love.
What, then, dear friends, prevents our becoming
'wholly a spiritually minded people—a church, though
mall, well compacted and fitted together, and built
*p in CHRIST Jaws our Loan? Welear that sin and
tansgiession are separating seine amongst us from
tie. and tints preventing tiers far!, becoming living
branches in the use vine. .0! that such would apply
is faith to the are it PHYSICIAN —unto Hue who path
loved us freely, who would heal our diseases, and pre.
pent us faultless before' the presence of His
.y we all narrowly examine ourselves in thelght
Harm and see bow far we are engaged each to'
his part well; that we may, as a relives body, shine
with brightness—with that brightness, which, if the
lank were not our owu, the Lamp in his unmerited
redness would cause to break forth amongst us.
Vital Christianity consisteth not in 'words bat in power
Itsdhowever important it is that we have a right appro.
hoodoo of the doctrines of the Gospel, this arraiteth not,
*nips we are regenerated by the power GC she HOLY'
GHOST. We, thetefore, tenderly entreat ell to wait is
hatable faith for its qitickening influence, sind to seer{
to have their hearts cootrited before the Loan. Them,
we believe that they will know for themselves of his
great goodness ' • and es they centilitre, from time tts
time, profiting by what they learn in the way of life mai
salvation, but not tinstiog to it, they wßlli.eitriky of *
living *read which conks& down frou
will drink of those living waters which *oafish*,
unto eternal life. This course of Christian experience
we earnestly desire for every one amongst us. It is an
individual work ; but it is indispensable for all. It may
often be slow in its progress, but it is certain in its
effects; and amongst the blessed consequences which it
produces, we come to have an establishment in CHRIST,'
resulting not from any speculative system of belief, but
from a heartfelt acquaintance with his power inwardly
revealed to the soul. When assailed by false doctrines,
or when in the support of our views of Christian prac-
tice, trials are our portion, knowing in whom we have
believed we can look, in bumble but firm reliance, unto
him. Resignation 'under the varied trials incident to
human life is often the happy attainment of the patient
Christian traveller ; these may arise to, him from out-
ward afflictions, or from the privation of the society of
faithful Christian friends ; he may be cut down from
not feeling those evidences of the love of Goo, or of the
clear guidance of the spirit of truth, which his soul
would desire. But a frequent recurrence to past mer-
cies, and to numberless blessings still bestowed upon us,
should warm the heart with gratitude ; ana animate it
with the belief that all these things will be blessed, as
means by which we may become of the pure in heart
who shall see Gon. Wait, then, dear friends, upon
him; be of good courage, and he will strengthen
your hearts.
Those who have felt the effects of a SAVIOUR'S love
should-be often considering whether they are making
an open confession of him before men, and cherishing
the desire that others may become full partakers of the
blessings of the tiospel. We speak not here of the
preaching of the word, highly as we esteem tnis, when
exercised in the power and life of the HOLY Smarr ;
but of that faithful adherence to sound principle and
consistent practice, of which, in our intercourse with
the world, we ought to give proof. At the same time
it is very important that we abide in true humility and
is the fear of the Lotto, and that we reverently and pa-
tiently wait to know the service assigned to us in the
church. All, if they are faithful to the manifestations
'of the light of truth, may be employed in its service;
and as they order their' conversation aright, though it
may be in the private walks of life, others, seeing their
'food works, may be led to glorify our FATHER who is
in Heaven.
We have in this meeting been led to the reflectioi,
that one of the great benefits of religious society is, that
it places us under the care one of another, and that we
are called upon to watch over each other for good.—
'When we see any of our brethren or sisters overtaken
erith a fault, or neglecting an important duty, we
ought to cherish a solicitude for their impeovement ;
and in that love which would lead them to CHRIST, to
offer such counsel or encouragement as we may think
-best calculated to help them. Much depends on the
manner in which advice is offered, and on our embracing
'the right opportunity to convey it. If it should not
immediately have a sanitary effect, we ate not to be too
Much discouraged; we ought to takc heed, that we be-
come not impatient or discomposed, but repeat our ef.
forts in the spirit of love and forbearance. The result
of this Christian concern for our friends is often greater
than is at the time apparent.
In the exercise of this duty, it becomes those who
bave the earliest opportunity of knowing the faults of