The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-08-20

interfere with the right occupation of those
gifts and graces which the Lord has bestow-
ed on US. If in all simplicity and integrity
OF heart, we are each concerned singly to
know and to do the will of God through the
help of his Transforming grace, our real hap
piness in this life will be promoted, and the
unity and fellowship of the Gospel will in
crease and abound amongst us.
We are all intrusted with talents to be
employed to the praise of the Great Giver
some IN one service, some in another. In
dolence with regard to religion, whether it
relates to the welfare of our own souls, or to
our usefulness in the church, is dangerous
state of mind, and offensive in the sight of
God. Let none think, because their situa-
ton Is obscure, or their services are less con-
splcuous than those of others, that their la
Dor Is useless. We may all Individually
contribute, through the help of. the Holy
Spirit, to the furtherance of the Lords work
on the earth, at the same time bearing in re-
membrance, that we are instructed to sub
init ourselves " one to another in the fear of
God," and in lowliness of mind each to es-
TEEN others better than themselves"
| He who desires to advance in the Christ
ian life should frequently examine himself,
and honestly endeavor to know whether he
is right in the sight of an omnipresent God
Our spiritual progress is greatly aided by
! frequent retirement from the cares of this
I life, for longer or shorter time, to wait in
reverence and fear upon the Most HIGH
The convictions of truth, and the visitations
of heavenly love are often known, at such
times, to instruct and animate the humbled
soul and it is enabled, under a sense of the
Lords power and goodness, to offer praise
and thanksgiving unto him.
We continue to believe that our disuse of
set forms of prayer is founded on correct
view ofspritual nature of the gospel dispen-
sation. At the same time we are persuaded
that all who have a just sense of the value
of their immortal souls, and of their own
great need of help from above, must rejoice
with thankfulness, in knowing and in feeling
that they may pray unto our Father who is in
heaven. Oh then that every one may avail
himselfof :his great privilege, and with a
sincere and believing heart and with rever-
entail awe, approach the throne of grace,
trusting in the mediation of Him through
whom we have access by one spirit unto
the Father" But having thus asked in faith
and submission, may we all be concerned so
to walk before the Lord, that our prayer
may be heard with acceptance. Let none,
however, be discouraged from the perform
ance of this duty by knowledge of their
transgressions but in humility and sincere
repentance, let them implore the forgiveness
of God, who, as they patiently wait before
Him, will in his own time, supply all their
need. And if there be any, who, if they
deal honestly with their own hearts, must
acknowledge that they do not pray, may
these deeply reflect upon the danger of their
situation, and be alarmed at the great loss
which they sustain by not thus availing them
selves of the high privilege of drawing nigh
unto God, and partaking of the assurance
that he will draw nigh unto them.
We are glad to know that the daily read
ing of the Holy Scriptures in the families of
Friends, is so prevalent as it is, and we
earnestly desire that this practice may be
observed by all our members, and that those
who neglect the performance of it would
seriously consider the great injury which
they and their families suffer by such omis-
sion. The more we become acquainted
with the true nature and worth of these in
spired writings, the more highly we shall es-
TEEN them; the more we rightly know and
comprehend the truths of the Bible, the
more we shall find that they contribute, I'M
der the power of the Holy Spirit, by their
! practical application to our moral and relig-
ious conduct, to lead us forward in the way
of life and salvation. We therefore earn
estly recommend to all, the diligent private
reading of the sacred volume, in addition
to the practice already alluded to. AS we
seek in humility and the fear of the Lord,
to have right understanding of what we
read, and in faith to accept this revelation of
4 the will and purposes of the Most High, the
force and excellency of the Scriptures be-
come Increasingly obvious; we are more
ready to acknowledge their divine origin,
and their concurrent testimony to that re-
demption which cometh by the Lord Jesus
| Christ.
When the mind is truly awakened to a
sense of the necessity of divine help to
work out the salvation of the soul, due
attendance of our meeting for public wor-
ship naturally ensues. In silent reverence,
waiting before God for renewal of spirit
ual strength, an advance is made in the life
Of religion, and an increase is known of that
faith which giveth the victory. Being led
I from dependence on the teachings of man.
our own experience proves to us the bless
edness of coming Immediately unto Him.
who, praised be his name, still retaineth to
be the spiritual teacher of his people. And
though very -humiliating sense of their
condition may render some fearful of thus
coming before the Lord, yet as they faith
fully abide under these convictions, He will
in his great mercy, enable them to trust in
Him.
And whilst the remembrance of our Gre
ator ought at all times to be present with
us, we have been again concerned that the
day more especially set apart for religious
duties, may be rightly observed amongst us
Let those hours which are not passed in at
tending our meetings, be SO occupied as tc
| strengthen habits of pietY and devotinn Il