Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-06-17
THE kPIsTLE FRoM THE
Y E A II l. Y EETIN

HELD IN LONDON, by ADJoURNMENTs,
FROM the 21st to the 51St Qf'fhe 5th month,
1906, fncLusipe.
To the Quarterly end Monthly Meetings of
Friends, in Great Britain, ireland and
elsewhere
DEAR FRIENDS,
WE. find, in meeting in this our annual
assembly, renewal of lively zeal for pro-
noting the righteousness which is of Christ,
and for removing, as far as in US lies, the
causes which obstruct it. We trus, that
! our meeting is not only professedly in his
names, but, as we are given to derive
strength and ENCOURAGEMENT in his cause.
from the mutual communication CT cur fec
lings and exercises of mind, that he still
owns us, however unworthy, and grants us
by being at times baptized into the sense
oil our weakness, to seek, with more ear
nestnes his everlasting strength. In the
desire therefore that we may be built up
4 people truly christian that Z" righteous-
ness and peace, and JOY in the Holy Chest"
may increase and abound we again con-
vey to you the salutation of love unfeicncd.
! we beseech you to consider the holy era
dation or Righteousness, peace, and ioy : and
to mark that the first step is that most
comprehensive attainment, righteousness
| righteousness in immutable Justice. 1t
leaves no duty unfulslled. Man has his
full Share of love from man; and God, his
que reverence, alteration and praise. Peace
then flows as river, and iov in the HOLY
opirit completes the gracious purpose of
christian redemption. "Happy is that peo-
pie that is in such case: yea, happy
is that people whose God is the Lord"
Bnt friends, though we are thus favour
ed to see and to approve things which are
excellent, yet when we review the state of
our religious society & scrutnize into the
conduct of its members, we are often o.
bhged to observe that an enemy is at work :;
tAat earth sometimes obtrudes into the
place oil heaven and that self love in ma :
ny rs more conspicuous than self denial.
You know that the subject OF our enquiry
ON these occasions are arranged under
different heads, and that il becomes from
time to time our concern TO remind YOU of
your duty respecting many OF them. When
we ask the question, &c Is there any growth
IN the truth !" modestv, were there no.
thing else, might occasion doubtful re-
ply. But nothing needs prevent every man,
endued with the light of Christ in HIM
self, from endeavcuring TO answer this
most important query plainly to his own
conscience As the Vigorous tree brings
forth its fruit in its season, so if any man
grow in the truth, he wiz bring forth the
fruits of truth, even the fruit OF the Spi-
rit, so well described By the apostle TO
the Callahan converts.-And what OBJ
structs this growth in any? We reply the
love OF ease the dread of conflict. But
as winter and storms promote the well be-
ing OF the outward creation, so tribulation
and conflict improve the christian. They
have their appropriate and appointed end
in the work Of Sanct.ficaiion they arise
not out of the dust, but are sent or permit
ted IN the proper seasons and whoever
seeks to escape without his share, rejects
the very means of his advancement, and
scarcely can hope 10 attain his due mca-
sure of the fulness of Christ - state of
which the same apostle speaks as attaina-
BILE to all.
Now, beloved brethren, subject, a
deeply interesting subject, interviewed a.
mong our deliberations on the state Of our
society /; aud It's longiul Importance iGdu-
ceS US 60 suffer it here also to interrupt the
cGrrent OF our christian counsel. No icn-
ger since than the last year we excited
your attention afrcsh to the sufierings of
the Africans, and spoke Of the continuance
of the cruel. Slave trade as of an ac-
icumulation of misery and Of guilt. How
then do we now rejoice in having to pro-
claim, that this torrent of iniquity is ar
rested i'm It's progress that an important
restriction of the trade has taken place
THAT the annual enslaving of thousands is
prevented and that the prospect again
"opens, with increased brightness, of g a
termination 10 fhe 7YtonPs Of.6fjicd"
Let us therefore thank God. and take
tcourage; and still perscvere in the sup
lport OF those testimonies ard practices, to
which christian love gives rise, and which
Christ requires Of his church And in or
der that we may be able to do this, let
Hove, pure, Cnconquersble love, reign in cur
lhearts. We have often eXpatiated on this
Stopic but yet we must violate our feelings
lif we suppress some further observations
on it at this time. Friends remember that
20 be O. made perfect in love-" is n high
state of Christian excellence, and not at
tainable but by the sacrifice Of selfish pas.
isicns. No degree of resentment Can con-
sist with this state. Some persons are
apt to profess that they can forgive those
when they suppose to have Injured thcm
when such are brought to know and acknow.
ledge their fault Put that is little else
than a disguised pride, seeking for supe.
riority. The love which Christ command.
ed Co his church goes further than that
! This IS my commandment, that VIC love
one another, as I have loved YOU" bnt
how did the Lord love the world Let the
apostle answer. GOOD oommCndeth hi,
= love towards us, in that while we were sc
iofr, f-,.se t.J s., r-,. ,tt