American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-08-30
THE EpIsTLE

From the Yearly Meeting, held in London, by ad-
Iournments from the 22d of the fifth month, to
The S1st of the same, inclusive, 1929, to the
Quarterly and Monthly Meetings oil Friends, Id
Great Britain, Ireland, and elsewhere.
DEAR FRIsNps-We have again to acknowledge
the unmerited mercy of our Heavenly Father -
We have been sensible OF a renewalof our strength
from him, the inexhaustible source Of good, in
which we have been united unto another, and
have felt the current OF Christian love to flow to all
our dear brethren and sisters. Our beloved elder
friends, both present and absent, living IN different
parts of the nation, who love the truth, and who
have, through the course Of many years, endea-
voured faithfully to serve their Creator, brought
near unto us in the fellowship of the everlasting
Gospel. We desire that it may p ease the Lord
to comfort and strengthen these In their declining
years that he who has been their morning light,
may be their evening song.
We have at this time been renewedly convinced,
that the gathering and establishing of religious
Society was not the effect of human wisdom. 1t
pleased the Lord by the powerful influence OF his
eternal word on the hearts OF our faithful prede-
cessors, 10 prepare them 10 receive the truth in the
love OF it.-They consulted not with flesh and blood,
but obeyed the heavenly call They were strength.
ened to bear, with 6rmness and meekness, the
SCOTS, aud prosecutions, and imp comments, to
which they were subjected. In supporting their
religious testimonies, thesought not the praise o.
men, but the appreciation of Cod Believing that
heir views of the design in the coming OF Chr st,
and Of The nature of his dispensaton, were confr-
med to their understandings, by the power OF his
Spnt, they suffered freely and cheerfully for his
name.-Their patience and tortltude, and their re
lance on the Lord alone for deliverance from the
hands OF their prosecutors gave clear proof OF their
sincerity, and ultimately secured free and undis
nod NJ, he
II has been under the influence of the same AL
mighty Power, that we have been preserved uni
ted religious body, and that these testimonies have
been faithfully borne amongst us from generation to
generation.
The great truths of Christian doctrine are of in
dlvidual application and we feel il to be our duty
10 press upon all our members closely to examine
each for himself how lar he is building on Christ,
the sure foundation. Are you, dear friends daily
watng in faith. before the Lord for the gentle in
nna'ions of his spirit are you with alacrity of
heart yielding TO the discoveries of the light of
truth, and thus preparing the way for further man.
lfestatlons Of the Divine will? II is indeed Of espe
clsl importance, that in the FIRST place, you seek
Tor the aid OF the Holy Spirit TO enable you 10 per
form all the commandments of Christ openly tcl
Wedge, by life and conversation, that you ookl
unto him, as your example, ysur leader and you'll
Saviour The talents with which you are intrusted.
and Tor the right use of which you must sooner or
later render an account, never occupied so &C.
ceptaoly IN the divine sight when they are cheer
July and unreservedly devoted to the service andl
disposal OF him who gave them. Whenever theseI
talents are employed on the great truths Of rel
demption, and other articles Of Christian faith mos
surely believed amongst us let II be done under AMI
humhling sense OF the limited powers OF the hu.
man mind, and with reverence and fear as in the
llslne presenee.-Then, we believe, there will be |
abundant cause to acknowledge the manifold bles /
sings which the Lord has provided for all, through
Christ, our holy Redeemer.
Each OF US is assaed by his peculiar tempta.
lions. Amidst the various besetments by which we
are surrounded, some have to contend with love of
money others are liable to give way either TO an
nasty or ungenerous temper; others TO an indul
gence in the fading pleasures and Batteries Of the
world but is the blessed nature Of the relipion
d Jesus to regulate our affections, to change our
hearts and TO establish US IN charity, meekness and
self denial. Examine yourselves, then, daily. and
zee whether ], is your sincere ard feryent desire,
nat the words OF your mouths, and the medtations
p your hearts may be acceptable in the sight of
Inc Lord; and that He may be indeed your Strenstb
and your Redeemer
Beloved brethren and sisters-our earnest con.
'ern Tor all IS that each may stand fast in the liberty
"nere"ith Christ has made US free. We reioire q
q the belief that there al more than few anongs,
49, al the present day, by whom the Christian tes
monies committed to our early friends are felt tol
'e most important trust, These we counsel ,oI,
continue 6rm in their respective alotmen,s and L
'h'teyer trials they may meet with. to perseyerel
INTO the end It's privilege not only to belieyeIi
~ Christ but also to suffer for him this view oil
ne subject ought not however to exalt bur to hum |,
We US And let no one think that he is exempt FRONT
aSlng his part in the promotion of the cause of {
ruth; all are not called to the same prominent,
'suoh ; out each has his respective duties to per.
o'In oy me due discharge OF which, the harmo.
y and strength of the body will be increased Anal
We believe that we are, at no time more qualified,
0 MI up our ranks in righteousness, than WHEN We
re concerned that the testimonies &c 1,....L -