Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-09-03
THURSDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 3, 1888.

The distraints made on our mem.
bers. during the past year, fortithes and
other ecclesiastical demands, amour,
TO upwards OF twelve thousand eight
hundred pounds; and one Friend i.
now suffering imprisonment in the Jail
at Carlow IN Ireland, in consequence oil
has conscientious refusal. to pay tithes.
In communicating this information,
We wish to remind you. that one i'm
portant result OF the immediate influ-
ence Of the Spirit, is the distribution Of
gifts in the church for the edification
OF the body. The testimony which, as
a Society. We have long borne TO the
freedom and spirituality of the Chris
tian ministry, is, We trust. increasingly
understood in the world. aud never
was the steadfast maintenance of i,
more necessary than at present. Let us
never forget that there can be no right
appointment to the sacred office. ex-
cept by the call Of our Lord Jesus Christ,
nor any true qualification for the ex.
ercise of the gin, except by the renew
ed influences Of the Holy Spirit. Let
US not fail to bear in mind that these in
huences are not at our command. and
that unless they are distinctly bestowed
Tor the purpose, no offerings, either in
preaching or prayer, can ever be right
ly made in our assemblies for divine
worship.
We entreat our dear friends not to be
weary or ashamed Of their public si-
lent waiting upon God. II is a noble
testimony TO the spirituality of true wor-
ship-to our sense of the weakness and
Ignorance of man, and OF the goodness
and power of the Almighty. May our
dependence on these occasions, be
placed on that gracious Saviour who
promised TO be with his disciples when
gathered together in his name Nav
We be found reverently sitting at his
ieet--and in the silence Of all flesh,
may we yet know Him, to teach us
who teacheth us as never man taught
In order to experience his great blessing,
1t Is absolutely necessary that we should
guard against careless and INDECENT
state OF mind, and should maintain that
patient and dihgent exercise of soul
before the Lord, without which our
meetings cannot be held in the life and
power of truth.
We would remind our young friends
who have received a guarded and re-
hgious education amongst US, that they
can never be living members of the
church Of Christ without baptism
And what is the baptism which can
thus unite them in fellowship with the
body' mot the putting away Of the
filth, or the performance of any exter-
nal rite;-it is ''the washing of regen-
Grafton and renewing of the Holy
Ghost" Never forget, We beseech you,
that the advantages which you have de-
rived from the teaching OF your fellow
men, will profit you but little unless
you are truly born of the Spirit, and be-
come new creatures in Christ Jesus.
While we confess our continued con-
viction that all the ceremonies of the
Jewish laws were fulfilled and finish
ed by the death of Christ, and that no
shadows in the worship Of God were
instituted by our Lord. or have any
place in the Christian dispensation, we
feel an earnest desire that we may all
be partakers Of the true supper of the
Lord, let US ever hold in solemn and
thankful remembrance, the one great
sacrifice for sin. Let us seek for that
living faith, by which we may be ena-
bled to eat the flesh Of the Son of Man.
and drink his blood. For, said our
blessed Lord, Except We cat the
flesh Of the Son Of Man, and drink his
blood, We have no life in YOU" Thus
will our souls be replenished and sa-
tisfied, and our strength renewed in the
Lord.
We arc solicitous that Friends every
where, may be encouraged to cultivate
a greater depth Of religious experience:
that they may avoid all evil surmisings,
all party spirit, all unhOlv zeal; that
they may be clothed in the meekness
and gentleness Of Christ, and be album
dainty enducd with that precious chari-
~ which is the bond Of perfectness.
The unity which, as a Society, we
have long enjoyed, is indeed attended
with many advantages, both civil and
religious. II is a means Of strength, and
a source Of much happiness; and We
would exhort all our members TO watch
unto prayer, that they may be enabled.
by the grace Of our Holy Head, 10 pre-
serve 1t inyiOlate.
May the God Of ID grace who hath
called Us unto bis eternal glory BY
Chna Jesus, after the. sc have suffer
cd awhile, make you perfect, establish,
strengthen, settle you. To him be- glo-
~ and dominion Tor ever and ever.
Amen"
Signed, IN and on behalf of the meet
ing. by SAMUEL TuKE,
Clerk 10 the Meeting THIS year.
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