Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-19
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1911.

NY i'aS iiV.h C1iIhood so the care OF the
hving members ofthe church are successive
" attracted, to attempt their preservation
from the dangers incident to their state, and
90 encourage them to pcrseverc in their at
tachment to their holy end heart-tendcrinr
Visitant. Thus, dear young people, though
we may seem 90 repeat cur former advice;
our theme, ike the successive touches of
good which from time to time are melting
your hearts, isneyer obsolete, it is a sineu-
lar favor, thar s;vax;ous places there are
continually fresh proofs Of the prevalence of
the love CT Christ operating on the mind, and
producing It's genuine and blessed effect of
conformity to his likeness. Humility, it is
true, and seif-denial, must form part of his
likeness; but soxloth, also the real and fruit
fui love OF God, and of cur neighbour and
Ii we have been planted together in the
likeness or ms death, we shall be also, in the
iiseaess OF his resnrrection;" ca bend
therefore, we beseech you, early bend in
good earnest and cheerfuily under the
forming hand of the Lord " The fear of
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Re
yea, the foundation of true knowledge.-
There is danger in seeking knowledge indie
pendeiitly Of this, for so, as saith the Apos-
tie, knowledge puffcth up" Cf) But this
true knowledge is life eternal "This,''
said our blessed Lord, s'is life eternal, that
they might know the only true God, and Je-
sus Christ Hhom thou hast sent" CgJ o,
the favor, fhe honor and the eternally blessed
effect of being taught of the Lord
Nor have our good desires at this time
been confined 70 the youth only. We are
disposed to write also to you, who have pas
sed the mertlian of life. You have travelled
a long courF through. the dangers and vics-
STUDIES OF time: and it will be we'll for you
to reflect, and to know, how far you have
Kept yourselves "unspotted from the word'
(h) Some of you have also been engaged
in long course of profession; and to some
OF you we trust it may be said "You have
known him that's from the beginning" II
we beseech you 90 pause and to ponder the
path of Your feet. (k) Is your salutation
nearer than when you believedh ~ Is your
present state answefable to the love with
which you were visited, and attracted in the
morning OF your day : (m) and is your love
now; equal to the love of your espousals ,
Fruits of increasing love 70 God are manifes-
ted in variety ofways; and probably rot
in any one more clearly, or more acceptable
to him than by tokens of regard for the plants
OF his hand, the visited youth of his church.
1t is remarkable, that when our Lord thrice
put the question to his Jealous disciple, Pc
ter, Simon, son of Jonas. lowest thou me
(nJ the only consequent injunction was,
Feed my lambs, feed my sheep There
are various ways tao, in which this may be
effected; by precept, by sympathy, BY as
sistance in their spiritual difficulties; but
above all, by steady uniform circumspect ex-
ample. And this dear friends, as you know
cannot be afforded to them unless you expe-
rience fresh supplies of spiritual strength to
preserve yourselvesin dedication faithfulneSs,
and the fear of the Lord. How fruitful of
advantage, then is an observance of the
comprehensive command of Christ, " / say
unto ali, Watchp (o) Thus, young and
old may be helps to each other: for as
He that watereth, shall be watered him
self"(h) The disciple who By the benefit
ofholy example and sound precept, contri-
butes to forward others in the path of right
eousness and peace, will receive an increase
of ability himself to hold on his way and the
faithful members of the gathered church will
become each others joy in the Lord.
We have received at this yearly meeting,
an acceptableepistle from Ireland, and from
each of the North American Yearly Meet
| ings. The latter continue steadily occupied
| in endeavoring not only to build up our own
Society in christian practice, but to difiuse
| the benefits of their christian charity Beyond
our limits. Two of them, namely, those OF
\ NldIlidnu anu NdIOllild nave ltN6lJ DS-
| come advocates with their respective legis-
latures, for the oppressed brethren OF the AT
| rican race and tho vet in vain not with
OBSCURE cement to further intcrccssion: and
| three of them, those of New york, Pennsyl-
| vania and Maryland are still attentive to the
benevolent object of attempting to ciyilize
| their Indian neighbors.
| The sufierings reported this year amount
in all to about twelve thousand seven hun.
dred pounds. Ecclesiastical demands form
the bulk, and military ones considerable
| part and few friends have been impri
| soned for refusing to serve in the militia.
Now friends, as in our religious refusa
10 pay tithes, and to take our part with O.
theirs in military service, our object is u
bear testimony to the freedom of gospel mi
nistry, and to the supremacy of Christ, q
teachers in. the heart and also 10 his rcigl
Iofpeace in the Kingdom Cf this world - a.
we desire that in all your conduct amonl
men, you may walk worthy Of the high pro
fcssion which You make in which trul
christian endeavouryou will continually fee
the need of his inward support.
Many arc the duties incumbent on the fol
lowers Of Christ, and all require the sup
port of his presence for their due perform
ancc. Without me-" they are his ow
words, {" ye can do nothing" ~ We fe,
inclined at this time, cre VIC close the preser
salutation Of our love to remind you Of ths
indispensable duty, the acknowledgement
our dependence on his power, by duly q,