The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-09-05
Religious.
THE EPIsTLB FROM THE
YEARLY MEETING,
HELD IN LONDON.

BY adjournment, from the 23d of the 9Th month
to the Slst of the same inclusive, 1897.
Ietbe Quqr!e::'!y:tS ..NontMy meetings Of Friends
TIC ureGt Britain, ireland, and elseWhere.
DEAR FRIENDS,
We who have been permitted to assem-
Die, to transact the concerns of this meet
ing, have reverently to acknowledge TINT
1t has been good for us that we have come
together. 1t hos been a comfort to behold
the countenances of one another; and to
be sensible of the prev alencc of that Chris
tian love and fellowship which invigorates
the mind, as we pass along the arduous
path OF life. And we feel It to be a duty
to inform oil our beloved brethren and sis
ters, that the Lord, in his continued mercy.
mas enabled us to proceed in the delibera-
ions OF this meeting, in much brotherlv
love.
What then, dear friends, prevents our
becoming wholly spiritually minded peo-
Plea Church, though small, we'll com
pacted and fitted together, and built I'D in
Nhrlst Jesus, our Lord? We fear that sin
ana transgression are separating some
amongst us from Him, and thus preventing
item from becoming living branches in the
true Vine. o! that such would apply in
laith to the great Physician; unto Him
~ho hath loved us freely, who would heal
our diseases, and present us faultless be-
-ere the presence of his glory. Nav we
all narrowly examine ourselves in the light
OF Christ, and see how far we are engaged
each to do his part well that we may, as a
religious body, shine with brightness;
with that brightness, which, if the fault
were not our own, the Lord, in his unmer-
tied goodness, would cause to break forth
amongst u.s.
vital Christianity CONSISTENT not in words
but IN power; and however important itis
that we have right apprehension of the
doctrines of the Gospel, this availeth not,
unless we are regenerated by the power of
the Holy Ghost. We therefore tenderly
entreat all to wait in humble faith for its
qulckening influence and to seek to have
Then we believe that they will know for
themselves of his great goodness; and as
they continue, from time to time, profting
by what they learn in the way of life and
salvation, but not trusting to it, they will
partake Of that living bread which cometh
down from heaven they will drink of those
living waters which nourish the soul unto
eternal life. This course of christian ex-
perience we earnestly desire for every one
amongst us. 1t is AN individual work but
!. is indispensable for all. 1t may often be
slow in us rraGress, but it is certain in its
effects; and amongst the blessed conse-
QuenceS which it produces, we come to
have an establishment in Christ, resulting
not from any speculative system of belief,
but from heartfelt acquaintance with his
power inWardly revealed to the soul.
l,l ly-E g.,
in the support Of our views of christian
practice, trials are our portion, knowing in
whom we have believed, we can look, in
humble. but firm reliance, unto Him. Re-
signation under the various trials incident
to human life, is often the happy attain
ment of the patient, christian traveller:
these may arise to him from outward atlic-
tions, or from the privation of the society of
faithful christian friends: he may be cast
down from not feeling those evidences of
the love of God, or of the clear guidance
of the Spirit of Truth, which his soul
would desire. But a frequent recurrence
to past mercies, and to numberless bless
ings still bestowed upon us, should warm
the heart with gratitude; and animate it
with the belief, that all these things will be
blessed, as means by which we may be-
COHlC VI 'CiAC pun IL hSdlt WilO oilulA oCC
God. Wait, then, dear friends, upon Him:
be of good courage, and he will strength
en- your hearts.
Those who have felt the effects of Sa-
viour's love should be often considering
whether they are making an open confess
sion of Him before man, and cherishing the
desire that others may become full partak-
ers of the blessings of the Gospel. We
speak not here of the preaching of the
word; highly as We esteem this, when ex-
ercised in the power and life of the Holy
Spirit, but of that faithful adherence to
sound principle and consistent practice, of
which, in our intercourse with the world,
we ought to give proof At the same time
it is very important that we abide in true
humility and in the fear of the Lord, and
tina: we reverently and patiently wait to
know the service assigned to us in the
Church. All, if they are faithful to the
manifestations of the light of Truth, may
be employed in its service; and as they
order their conversation Alright, though il
may be in the private walks of life, others
seeing their good works, may be led tc
glorlfy our Father who is in heaven
We have in this meeting been led to the
reflection, that one of the great benefits o.
religious society is, that it places us under
the care one of another, and that we arc
called upon to watch over each other 70,
good. When we see any of our brethre,
or sisters overtaken with fault, or nep
Letting an important duty, we ought t
cherish solicitude for their Improvement