Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-09-01

l.
TO the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of Frien,i
IN GrcIt-britain, Ireland, and elsewhere.
\ Dean RlENDs,-Fceling our heart.
warmed with love towards our brethren
and sisters, wherever situated, we do moi
hesitate again TO salute you; and to ex-
press cur desire and prayer, that grace
and peace may be multiplied unto you
from God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ.
We nave again to rejoice in the con-
dcscenion of the Great Head of the
Church; for, while we have found abun
dant calse for humiliation, in the dcfc-
iencics which continue to prevail among st
us, we may gratefully acknowledge that
HE has not cast off his unworthy chill
dren. He has enabled MS to conduct the
business which has come before us in
love and harmony, and has graclousTy
bestowed upon us Il solemn and refresh
ing sense of his mercy. We have re-
ceivcd an Epistle from our dear brethren
in Ireland, and one from each of the
Yearly Meetings Of our friends in North
America; and have been comforted by
these renewed tokens of Christian aflcc-
tion. The Epistles from our friends in
America afford an evidence of their con
tinued zeal for the cause of Christ; yet
We deeply sympathize with them in the
trials to which they are still exposed, and
desire to commend them to the grace and
goodness of God
Whilst ihus assembled in large num-
bers, we have been led to feel for those
OF our dear friends who are scattered in
solitary places, and who are accustomed
to meet for the purpose of worship in We
ry small companies. May such be en-
couragcd to a pcrsevering diligence in
the performance of this Christian duty.
1t Is consolmg to remember, that God is
every where present to bless his faithful
children, and that our holy Redeemel
maniicsts himself by his spirit, to the two
or three who are gathered together in
his name. Many valuable members of
our society have been trained TO-; useful
ness, by the Divine hand in very seclu-
dcd situations; and the consistent exam
pie even of a solitary individual may be
of great use in promoting the cause of
truth and righteousness. As such en-
deavor to maintain their religious princi-
pies faithfully, others may in the end
gather round them.
Our well-known practice of assembling
for worship at an appointed time during
the week, besides the first day, has again
been a subject of religious exercise
amongst us. Thus to leave our outward
concerns, in humble dependence upon
God, and, in solemn silence, to wait to-
gether upon Him, we believe to be ac-
ccptabc to our Heavenly Father, and
emincntIy calculated to promote our re-
ligious edifcaton. We desire to cncour-
age our dear friends every where, to a
dtIigent attendance of these meetings.; :;
the neglect of them is an affecting indi-
cation of luke warm mind; and there is
surely great danger that we shall hinder
our religious progress, if we refuse to
avail ourselves of so valuable a privl-
lege.
We would remind our beloved breth-
rem, that unless we are pressing forward
towards Zion, the city ofthe living God,
we may soon lose our remaining strength
and become immersed in the spirit ofthe
world. How earnestly will they who
are seeking TO make progress in the spir-
itual course, ask and wait for that holy
aid which constitutes the life s. strength
of the renewed soul 1t was by con-
slant reference to the Spirit of Christ in
the heart, that our early predecessors
were enabled to support their Christian
testimonies under severe persecution; as
well as to maintain that standard of
Christian principle b., which they obtain
ed, from those who injured them, 50 high
a character for strict veracity and integ-
rity in all .heir transactions. We en-
treat you, dear friends, to consider wheth
er the Lord is not requiring ofus, indlvid-
ually, fuller surrender of the natural
will, a greater degree of decision in CIV
ing up all for Christ, and a more ardent
pursuit of heavenly things. Tf ye then
be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth OH
the right hand OF God"
a Just view and full belief Of the as
tonishing fact; that God sent his only be-
gotten Son into the world to save us, is
We believe suited, beyond all other
things, under the power of the Holy
Spirit, to humble us in sense of our own
corruption, and to excite in our minds
fcrvcnt gratitude towards the Author of
all good Under the influence Of this
gratitude, may We all devote ourselves
without reserve to the service of our Re
dccmcr! When love for Christ has cx-
PEELED from our hearts the love of the
world, we shall no longer go haltng on