Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-09-22

their beloved offspring and, as they
seek for wisdom and strength to act
rightly herein, they will be assisted by
Him to whom they should desire, that
they and their children may be wholly
dedicated.
AS we are concerned to work out our
own salvation with fear and trembling,
the mind is elevated above the fading
objects of this life: it acquires more So
ldity and vigor, and its eager pursuit is
not after those things which perish with
the using; we feel that the fashions, the
maXims and the pleasures of the world,
are to be renounccd by all who would
follow "a crucitied Rcdeemer; and as we
follow on to know the Lord, that true
simplicity which the christian religion
requires, and to which our profession has
peculiar reference, marks the general
dcmcanor; and the heart is at times en-
richcd with the incomes of heavenly
pcace-of that peace which Passeth all
understanding. The more we are
brought under the influence Of the spirit
of truth, the more are the holy scriptures,
those sacred records which were given
forth under its divine authority, truly felt
to proceed from God, and to direct the
soul unto Him: we shall then come to
know what it is to mediate upon his pre-
cepts with great delight. And, whilst
thankful for the blessing Of living under
the gospel, the dispcnsaiions Of Divine
Providence under the law will be more
fully acknowledged, to our instruction
and benefit.
BE cntrcatcd, then, dear friends, to
press after true christian piety; endeavor
to show forth, in your daily intercourse
among men, that you really love the
Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. This
love will lead us to pity those whom we
see involved in distress, or others who
are pursuing the paths Of folly and vice;
and, with active and willing hearts, to
promote those measures which tend to
diminish the sum of human woe.
In this meeting we have been deeply
affected in rejecting upon the numerous
evils and the great misery which attend
the improper and immoderatc use of ar
dent spirits, now lamentably prevalent in
this country. The continuance of slav-
cry in the British Colonies, and of the
slave trade under foreign governments,
has impressed us with deep and renewed
sorrow. We have also carnc silly desired
that our Legislature may proceed in miti-I
eating the severity of the criminal code
of our beloved country, and thus make
its laws more contormablc to the spirit of
the christian religion. We would en-
courage our members Individually to take
part with their fellow countrymen in the !
efforts which are now making for the re-
moval ofthcsc evils: we desire that they
may act with energy and perseverance,
yet with that love and respect towards all
men, and more especially towards our
rulers, which become our profession as
christians. AT the same time, we feel
an ailectionatc solicitudc tha. they may
not be unduly anxious as to the fruit of
their cXcrtions; but constantly bear in
mind, that in whatever we may be en-
gagged in the cause of Christ, that cause
is not ours, but His. 1t is for us to be
found in a meek and quiet spirit, cndcav-
oring to do our duty, and thus to fill up
the measure of usefulness designed for
us by our heavenly Father.
True christian love has no limits; when
it governs and takes possession of the
heart, it leads us to consider every coun-
try as our country, and every man as our
brother. Under, we trust, some sense of
its heavenly influence, and of the inesti-
mable blessings of the gospel of Christ,
we revcrently desire that it may please
the Lord to hasten the coming of that
day, when from the rising ofthe sun even
unto the going down of the same, His
name shall be great among the Gentilcs;
and in every place incense shall be offer
ed unto His name, and pure offering.
Signed in and on behalf the Meeting,
JOSIAH FORSTER,
Clerk to the Meeting this year.