Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-08-14
THE FRIENDS.
The EDistle From the Yearly Meeting

the 9ond ofths Fifth M,ntifo the Isl
: Of the S;rth Month. inclusire. 1850:
to the Quarferly and Monthly Meet
inss of Friends in Great Britain,
Ireland. and else,chere.
DEAR FRIExps-ln offering you this
our renewed salutation. we do it not as a
mere customary act but in a measure Of
the love Of God in Christ Jesus: that love
which flows from him. the exhaustless
fountain Of all our mercies. and VIII ich we
reverently believe has again enabled Us to
enter into a united travail Of spirit for the
prosperity OF the cause OF truth. In the
same love we now address you. and in
vite YOU to thank God and take courage.
Since we last met. an awful visitation
has been permitted TO fall upon this and
other lands MultituIes were called from
time 10 eternity at an unexpoctei mo
ment We desire reverently and with
gratitude to God to acknowledge that, in
his mercy. the peslilence was stayed.
May the solemn warning not have passed
unheede by any one Of US!
Our hearts turn in the feeling of Chris
tian sympathy and warm remembrance. to
some of our dear friends in the evening
of life. who have long manifested their at
exercise Of mind for the spiritual welfare
Of the Church is. we believe, undated
We desire that thew may be encouraged
TO maintain this exercise; in the humble
trust that lie who has been their morning
light will. amid the infirmities Of declining
years. be their evening song: and they
continue faithful unto death. grant them
an inheritance with the saints in light
Va f,ol hat tha nF ri 10
still extended to us as a Church; that He
is willing to do us good. and to help us
to act for the honor of his name. lie
siren gthened our predecessors to bear an
open testimony to pure. spiritual religion.
and against those corruptions which had
so long overspread the Church. and so
greatly dimmed the bright shining Of the
truth as it is in Jesus. Looking unto Him
as their sole and rightful Lord. they sought
to live under the government Of his Spirit
to renounce the world. and in life and
conversation, to confess Him in all things
before men. Is it 50 with US of the pre-
sent dav! Under this consideration. and
in the feeling Of our many shortcomings
we are brought low
The requirements Of the Gospel are
unchanged. 1t is blessed proof Of its
been found adapted to the circumstances
and wants of man in every age. in every
station. and at all periods OF life. Striking
at the root of the evil propcnsities of the
corrupt heart, it condemns sin in the flash
il brings man out of that state Of alena
lion from God in which he is BY nature;
ard enables him to resist. and fin ally to
overcome. all his easily besettng sins
- g
jov to the pentent >inner.-and "all have
sinned. and come short of the glory of
God. 1t brings him, as it is received in
faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. who died
for the sins Of the whole world. and il,
gives him a blessed hope of salvation
through Him, and OF life, peace, and Joy
with Him forever more.
Dear Fricnds--W What do we individually
know of having passed from death unto
life! May this solemn inquiry bo brought
home to every one of US. In the great
mercy of God. the Holy Spiri, visits all. to
bring about thorough change: to begin.
to carry forward, and to complete the
publication of the soul. the entire sub
iec,ing Of the natural will. and the e.t,
blshment Of all in a conformity to the
divine will This work of the spirit is an
inward work, often gradual in its progress
but powerful in its operations. 1t is to be
waited for, 10 be sought in prayer and in
humble prostra,ion of the soul before the
Most High. In the progress of this work.
humiliation. conflicts. and self denial are
to be endured: but in the Lords time the
blessed fruits of love. peace. and iov are
brought forth. TO this work of the Spirit
in the heart, our early Friends were
brought in a remarkable manner; their
souls painted for the bread Of life. and for
that water which Christ declared to be "a
we'll of water springing up into everlast
ing lite lie gave them 10 partake ofthlS
bread. and Of this water; and. blessed be
his name. lie hath bestowed this same
spiritual food and refreshment upon his
faithful followers who have waited for it
down to the present hour.
You know beloved brethren and sisters
that in order 10 partale OF this spiritual
sustenance. and as a public testimony of
our dependence upon God. and of our
allegiance unto him. we assemble together
Tor the worship of our Creator. We en-
treat you to avail yourselves of al the pri-
vileges thus placed within your reach.
Some Of our meetings held tor this pur-
pose are. we know. very small: We SYM
pathze with those who attend them. and
desire their encouragement and held and
that it NAV be given them TO experience
the fulfilment of the blessed assurance of
our Lord. often referred to amongst US
and ever retaining its undiminished force
and authority. .where two or three are
gathered together in my name, there am
in the midst of them We again re-
mind our brethran of the great ADVANTAGE
of attending those meetings which are
held in the middle of the week. In feel
ing of love we call upon our friends to
Withdraw for a time from the cares of the
world. unitedly to feel after God. to look
ing unto him for the renewal of their spri-
tual strength We invite them also. on