American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-08-22
for the secret ;n,ations Of his w.-lf this be not

that in the Lords time that evidence OF his care wi
be granted, which will prove consoling to the mine
On such occasions the precepts of holy writ will a
times be brought instructively TO our membranct
With these invaluable writings il becomes ever
one who bears the name OF Christian. to endeavo
| 10 be well acquainted. In order to acquire thu
knowledge, we wish that all our members may %
serve the good practice OF daily serious reading
the Scriptures in their families, when collected
and, also that they frequently read them in privai
in plous disposition OF mind, even though it be bu
a small portion at time.
/ In these sacred writings no duty is more clearl
set forth than that of prayer. Prayer is the aspira
ton OF the heart unto God il is one of the srst en-
gagements Of the awakened soul, and we beley
that it becomes the clothing of the minds OF thos
whose lives are regulated by the fear and love c
I their Creator. If in moments of serious reflection
and when communing with our own hearts, we ar
sufficiently alive to our helpless condition, we sha
often feel that we may pour forth our secret suppl
cations unto the Lord. And as we believe that il
one OF the greatest privileges Christian can enjoy
thus to draw nigh in spirit unto the Father OF mer
cies we earnestly desire that no one may dep'iv
himself of so great blessing. But let all on sucI
occasions remember the awful majesty of Him wit
tlleth Heaven and Earth, and their own unworthi
ness in His pure and holy sight II these consde
rations ought TO possess the mind in our secret as
pirations unto the Almighty, how incumbent is i
upon those who publicly approach the Throne o
Grace, to cherish them in their hearts, and to
only under the influence of that spirit which enables
US to pray Alright!
Whilst he who would be real and not nomina
Christian, is duly impressed with the necessity o
striving TO become meek and humble disciple o
Jesus--whst he bears in mind that he is constantly
liable to fall, and that he must therefore be waiting
he OF at,I al
times be placing his dependence upon Divine aid
there is safety. But we fear, with respect to some
who have run well for time, that either through
the friendship OF men or outward prosperity, OF
through unwachfulness, they have gradually fallen
away from that to which they had once attained and
that others, from similar causes, not advancing
to that state OF purity and simplicity in which they
would become useful members Of the Church oil
Christ. Dear friends, permit US in Christian love,
to remind you OF the ever important injunction oil
our Lord" Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptations the spirit ndeedis willing, but the flesh
is weak" If you endeavor to prove by your actions
the sincerity of your profession, it in your inter
course with others you shew hat you have an honest
and upright heart, if your lives are ordered in the
tear OF the Lord you may. by your daily walk
through life, commend and adorn your own re-
gious principles. But, If there be a want of con-
sstency of conduct, it may lead those around you,
lightly to esteem those very principles which their
judgment has at one time approved; nay, it may
cause the way of Truth to be evil spoken of
There are many ways by which our attachment to
religion and virtue may be made manifest to others
One OF these Is the due observance OF that day which
Is publicly set apart for the performance of divine
worship Our care of the due attendance of our re-
ligious meetings. both on first days and on other
days OF the week, has been repeatedly expressed,
nor have we at this time been unmindful OF this pr.
mary obligation. We earnestly entrea' every one,
when thus met, 10 consider the worship of the AL
mighty as solemn act Under this impre sson his
demeanor will bespeak serious houghtfulness ;
and, let all remember, that at such times, an indo-
lent stale Of mind is offensive in the sight Of Him
whom We are met to serve. But the duties of the
day to which VIC have adverted, are not confined TO
the time allotted to assembling with our brethren
Our spiritual growth may be advanced by habits of
quletness and retirement, and by suitable reading,
IN the course OF the dayton the other hand, great
care is necessary that do not by Improbable vi
sitting or conversation, by travelling on our outward
ayocstions, or by otherwise engaging in them, dis
sipate those good impressions with which we may
have been Incredibly favored
The accounts of the sufferings of our members
IN Great Britain and Ireland, in support of our well
known testimony against tithes and all other eccesi
astical claims, including the costs and charges Of
dIstrant, and few demands for military purposes,
have been brought up in usual course. The a..
mount is upwards Of thirteen thousand two hundred
pounds
We rejoice with gratitude that this country has
continued to be favored with the blessings of peace,
whilst we lament that other nations at no great dis
lance from u.s. have been involved in contention and
bloodshed I'VE desire that we may all so live I'M
der the influence OF that Spirit which breahes peace
on earth and good will towards men, that, whenever
occasion occur we may be prepared, by con-
versation and conduct, in meekness and wisdom, to
shew forth our precious testimony to the peaceable
nature of the Gospel dispensation
Our friends in Ireland, and those Of all the Year
iy Meetings on the continent Of America, have at
his time been brought TO our remembrance, with
the FEELING of much hrntherI LOVE-