Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-11-15
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
THE EPISTLE
From the Kearty Meeting Of the Society Of
Friends.

Friends,
Held in London. by adjournments, from the 23d Of the
Fifth Month, to the I'd Of the Sixth Month"; inclusive
1882,
To the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings Of
Fricn Is, 81 Great Britain, Ireland, and else
,chere.
DEAR FRIENDs,-Through the continued mer.
cy Il our Heavenly Father We have been permit
ted again 20 meet in the character Of Yearly
Meeting; and have often been made sensible ef
the value Of Christian love, and Of that outward
fellowship by which we are connected in religious
Society. We have also been enabled to go
through the usual business Of this meeting a bar.
mony; and to conduct, in Christian condescen-
sion. many important delibc rations for the right
maintenance of our discipline, and for the ad-
vancement of truth and righteousness. We have
received the usual testimonials Of brotherly love,
in Epistles from our friends in Ireland and the
several Yearly Meetings Of our society IN Ame-
RIGA.
We acknowledge our reverent thankfulness to
the Prcservcr Of men. that the pestilence which
has visited various parts OF this kingdom, since
we last met. is now very much diminished. The
rayayes Of this disease have been far greater in
other nations than in ours: hitherto the Lord. in
his unmerited gnodness, has stricken US very
gently with his rod:-this aay be only for time.
Nav we seriously consider, as body OF profess
ing Christians, wins shore we have in tho multi
piled sins of our country. which do indeed justly
render il deserving OF the Divine disbursements.
Solena reflections have been awakened. in con.
tempiating the nature Of this sc0urge. 1t Il ut
the Lords mercies that we are not consumed, be-
Cause his compassious fail not" We earnest.
Iy entreat every one to improve this awful vista
ton; and not to fosget hoS rapidly many in this.
as well as in neighboring countries have been re-
moved BY it from time to eternity.
We feel a warm and aff1c tionate concern that
all may he fully awakened to the necessity Of hav-
Ing an interest in Christ; Of knowing him'to be
their Redeemer. Dear friends, may the Holy
Spirit enighten your understandings to sense OF
the need Of Saviour; and may we all, with pc.
ni,en, hearts, look in simple faith unto the Lord
Jesus, - who his own self bare our sins in his
own body On the tree, that we, being dead To sins.
should live unto righteousness IN boundess
love He tasted death for every man: all that inhe-
rit eternal life, Of every age and Of every nation
under heaven. partake Of the blesslngsof thatre-
dcmvtion which comes through his sufferings and
death; he gave himself for US, that he might re-
deem us from all iniquty, and purify US unto him.
self How essential, then. L. 1t to each OF us,
that we seek to he cIea nsed from every sin, aud
nceforward to live in all righteousness and no
illness. This change of heart can only be brought
about bv the power of the grace OF God: the Com
forter the Spir Of truth, is TO guide us into all
TRUTH Christ has declared himself to be the bread
Of life H. is not only the light Of the world,
but the life Of men.
Dear friends, What do we individually know of
that life which is hid with Christ /. God? Is lie
the rock on which our foundation is laid! sio
we feel FIN to be our shepherd to lead us; our
teacher to instruct US; the bishop OF our souls to
watch over US! Do we know Him, ia our own
experience, to be the High Priest Ut our profess
sim, who is touched with feeling OF our mir
mites, and through whom We come unto Godr--
Are we enrralted into Him, the true vine; deriv.
inc nour,sh,pent Immediately from Him? Call
10 mind the history Of his sufferings and death,
for our sakes, AZ described by the Evanselists 1t
was the San of God himself whose asonIes are
therein set forth: it was he g. in whom are hid all
the treasures Of wisdom and knowledge" Let
this excite in your hearts sense OF the enormity
of sin, seeing thu, in the perfect cunnse's OF the
Fa,her, such sacrifice was deemed needful for
our salvation, These considerations, il justly
entertained. will lead you to press after that pu'
ritv Of heart, without which we cannot see
God. Endeavour, in private retirement, to
pour out your souls III secret suppl'cation unto
Him. II is recorded for our example, that
Christ l.u,self, in the days Of his flesh withdrew
at times from his disciples. and offered up pray
or unto God Remember also, for yout comfort
that ",he Lord ,s nigh unto them that are Of
broken heart, and save'li such as be OF contrite
spirit" Accept our blessed Lord IN those OIL
css which 'ye is gracously willing to perform, to
all who truly believe in Him. THIN from deep
sense Of temptation to evil and "f the corruption
Of the human heart, you Will feel the necessity
of bearing the cross Of Christ, OF living IN true
self-deuial, and Of walking in the narrow way
which leadeth unto life.
In addition - the prac,ice'of the tamiiyiead..
ing Of the Holy Scriptures. the Importance OF
which We deeply feel. be encouraged often 70
read them in private: cherish humble and SIN
cere desire to receive them in their genuine im.
port; and at the same time, dear friends, avoid
all vain speculations upon unfu!6lleG prophecy
Forbear from presumptuously endeavourlny 10
determine the mode OF the future government OF
the world, or of the church of Christ. Seek an
enlightened sense Of the various decisions OF our
common enemy. to which we are all liable; ask