Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-10-08


ragraphs from the Address of the Members
of the Sixtieth Annual Conference, held at
Manchester in the year 1908, to the Mem
bers of Methodist Society throughout G.
Britain, particularly as this class OF men
have been represented as not very well at
fected:
Dearly Beloved Brethren IN the Lord,
The present awful crisis calls aloud on
your affectionate and faithful Pastors to adj
dress you, and to impart to you their
thoughts concerning the conductyou should
pursue in respect to the public affairs otthe
nation.
We are perfectly confident, Brethren,
that the true spirit ofloyalty possesses your
breasts; and that it is a genuine principle
in your souls, wrought there by the word
and spirit of God. But we are also bound
by strong ties of gratitude to our sovereign
and his government. Our humble appli-
cations in various distressing cases relating
to the prosperity of the work of God among
us, have been received by our Rulers with
kind attention, and have produced the hap
piest effects. Evenvery lately our govern
ment and legislature have given very strik-
ing proofs of the liberality of their senti-
ments. The exemptions and other clauses
in the late acts of Parliament for raising the
army of reserve, and for arming the nation
at large, which respect the public ministers
of the Gospel, and the mode of training the
people to arms, are peculiarly favorable to
the spiritual interests of the people Of God.
And though these privileges are not pecu-
liar to the Methodists, but are extended to
all the religious characters Of the realm, we
cannot but feel ourselves grateful to the
Government for that large portion which
we enjoy of the blessings which flow, and
will continue to flow from this source. At
the same time we acknowledge, that it is to
Almighty God we are primarily indebted
for all our mercies, and to him alone must
be ascribed all the glory both first and last
nevertheless, our holy religion requires us
to manifest all due gratitude to those secon-
diary causes, whence these blessings visibly
and Immediately flow.
And now, brethren, we must earnestly
and from full conviction of the necessity
of the case, besecch youto comply with the
acquisitions Of Government with cheerful
ness and alacrity, fully using your privilege
in respect to the Sabbath-day.
But at the same time we charge you in
the name of God, to avoid all public enter
tainments. Frequent not the ale-house or
taverns, those nurseries of vice and immo-
rality. To strengthen our caution, and to
cause it to be remembered, we repeat it, as
you love that adorable Savior, who came
TO save his people from their sins, have no.
thing to do with those places and works of
darkness.
Be diligent in your respective callings,
be not sloathful in business, but fervent
N spirit, serving the Lord" Avoid all
unnecessary expences, that you may have
wherewith to communicate to him that
needeth, and thereby lay up good foun-
dation against the time to come.
But above all put your trust in Cod
Look unto Jesus, who is head over all this
for the Church, which is his Body. He
has declared by his apostle, that allthings
work together for good to them that love
him." He is our anchor of hope; let US
cast it within the vail. Let us not disho-
nour him by doubling for moment his
power or love, or willingness to save us.
To his holy keeping we recommend you.
We shall daily in our prayers bear you up
before the throne of grace. Pray also for