Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-10-05


we are concerned that the testimonies of
Trut may not fall from our hands; and
when il is our earnest, secret prayer, that
our light may so shine before men that
Others, seeing our good works, may glo-
rify our Father who is in heaven.
Love and charity towards others are
essential in the religious character. They
excite in US a deep interest in the spir
tual welfare OF our friends they prompt
us to sympathize with them in their trou-
bIes, and in real kindness, 10 offer word
OF encouragement, and to extend hand
Of help. When they arc the habitual
clothing Of the mind, they check the first
inclination TO speak to the disadv antage
of another, and induce US to consider
what is our real motive in proceeding to
depreciae his character. These Chris
tan virtues are comparable with firm
adherence 10 our own religious prlnci-
pies, and with steadfas, care to observe
that line OF conduct hich il may be right
for us to pursue. They enlarge the heart
towards the whole human race; they
lead Us to rejoice in the extension ofpure
and vital Christianity, whatever may be
the denomination amongst them, by
which the disciples, engaged IN It's diff
fusion, are designated.
Dear friends, we still fear that some
amongst US are too earnest IN the pur-
suit OF the things OF time. We enlreat
these TO consider whether they may not
hereby cause the way OF truth to be evil
spoken OF by others. May we all be
loosened from the spirit oil this world ::
and may we also be careful that all our
transactions in business be such as viii!
bear the strictest Investigation oi upright
men and be sure that we have reasoBa-
bic prospect Of Killing all thepecunia-
ry engagements which we contract.
And should any in consequence of d.
minishcd profits be tempted 10 extend
lncir concerns in trade, let tnem care
fully examine their motives, and trust In
The Lord for his blessing, even on We
ry limited provision, rather t'ian endan-
ger their advancement in a christian
course, byLecom;ng too deeply Involved
in their cares and tolls Of this life.
The situation Of many Of QUE mem
bers in some districts, arising from the
pressure Of the times, has again claimed
our sympathy. We feel for all who
are brought into trouble ; but more par
ticularly for those whose change in their
outward condition, whilst they were bo-
nes,ly providing for THEN families, may
have been occasioned by circumstances
which it was no, in their power to con-
troll. We would tenderly encourage
such to bear their reverses with a patient
submissive mind, and to be very careful
that they do not increase their own dii-
hculties by any hasty, unadvised at
tempts to exlricate themselves from
them May they, whilst eodeayoring,
with diligence and prudence, to do their
part we'll, fix, in HE FIRST place, their
hopes Of support, under these trials, on
the tender compassion of their Lord.
We have received, as in former years,
accounts O. the suffering ofour members
in the support of our Christian testigno-
ny, against ,l,hes and olher ecclesiastical
demands. The amount including the
costs and charges OF the distraints, to-
ge,her With few demands OF a military
nature is upwards oil fourteen thousand
Eve hundred pounds.
We have maintained our epistoiary
with our dear friends in
Ireland, and with our distant brethren
of all the American Yearly Meetings;
and we are comiorted in observing,
from the written testimonials of their
love, that in the various meetings with
which we correspond, there are many to
whom the testimonies OF Truth and the
doctrines of the Gospel continue to be
precious.
The cruellies and horrors of the
Slave Trade have, at this time, deeply
our feelings. We have heard
with sorrow that this trade, with all It's
attendant evils and ,nlseries, is still pur-
sued, by the subjects Of several foreign
pos ars, to a very great extent. AS 3
leSimony OI our oeIIeI that II is a us
grace 10 any people protesting the
Christian name, we have been engaged
to issue an Address TO the Inhabitants Of
Europe ON the iuiqui.y of the traffic.
We recommend the unhappy victims OF
it to your continued pity and commits
GRAFTON, and We desire that the minds
Of Friends may be frequently exercised
in secret before the Lord, not only on
their behalf, but for those who, by pur-
suing this odious traffic, are doing ,io-
lence to all law, both moral and divine,
and are increasing theirguilt to an alarm
ing extent in the sight of a merciful
but righteous God.
Dear friends" The work of right