Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-09-28
THE EPISTLE


From the yearly meeting OF the Society OF
Friends, held in London, by adjournments
from the 22d to the slst of the 5th month,
1911, inclusive.
To the quarterly and monthly meetings OF
Friends in Great Britain, ireland, and else
where.
DEAR FRIENDS,
Renewedly celebrating on the subject
of addressing you with some account OF the
exercises, and engagements OF mind, which
have occupied us at this season, we have again
felt encouragement to believe that we may
thus contribute through the blessing which is
permitted to crown the humble endeavor of the
disciple to build you up " on you most holy
faith (a) in Christ Jesus our Lord.-Re-
ceive then our cordial salutation in him the
:" living stone," % G. the chief corner stone,
elect precious" and to come to him that We
may be &C built up spiritual house, holy
priesthood" These are indeed sacred ex-
pressions, not ighty to be adopted and the
state to which they point is high attainment;
not to be reached by human continuance and
skill; but, remember it is the glory of the
gospel dispensation, that by it " every valley
Shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill
shall be made low, and the crooked shall be
made straight, and the rough places plain re-
yea, even the blind shall be led "by way
that they knew not" and darkness shall be
made light before them" g These things"
saith the Lord, "will do unto them, and not
forsake them"
One principal engagement of mind, which
has been manifested in this meeting, has been
for our youth and as the influences of hea-
venly love are successfully visiting them, as
they rise from childhood; so the care of the
living members of the church is successfully
attracted, to attempt their preservation from
the dangers incident to their state, and to en-
courage them to persevere in their attachment
to their holy and heart-tendering visitant.-
Thus, dear young people, though we may
seem to repent former advice, our theme, like
the successive touches of good which from
time to time are melting your hearts, is never
obsolete, it is a singular favor that in various
places, there are continually fresh proofs of
the prevalence of the love of Christ, operating
on the mind, and producing its genuine and
blessed effect Of conformity to his likeness
Humility, it is true, and self-denial, must form
part of his likeness but so doth also the
real and fruitful love of God and of our neigh
Dor and (" if we have been planted together
in the likeness of his death, we shall be also
in the likeness of his resurrection - CD bend,
therefore, we beseech you, early bend in good
earnest and cheerfully, under the forming
hand ofthe Lord. The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom," (e) yea, the founda-
ton of true knowledge. There is danger in
seeking knowledge independently of this, for
so, as saith the apostle, knowledge puffeth
up-"0) But this true knowledge lis life
eternal "This, (said our blessed Lord) is
life eternal, that they might know thee the on
ly true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou
hast sent" Cd o, the favor, the honor, and
the eternally blessed effect Of being taught of
the Lord!
Nor have our good desires at this time been
confined to the youth only. We are disposed
to write also to you, who have passed the me-
ridian of life. You have travelled long