enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you." They believe that this truly noble and happy state of mind is not attainable in our own will and time; but that, as mankind yield to the secret influences of that divine principle of light and grace in the heart, alluded to, they are favoured, more and more, to gain an ascendency over self-love, and to witness an enlargement of heart, so as to desire the good of all, and that all may be brought to partake of that happiness which results from the favour and blessing of Almighty God.

3rd. They believe, that as this divine love has full place in the minds of any people, the understanding be. comes enlightened, so as clearly to see that all contention is out of the Truth, and out of the way of substan tial happiness. And a desire accompanies these, that no part of their conduct may contribute to discord in any shape, either between families, between neighbours, or between nations; but being made sensible that all contention is evil, and that the continuance thereof interrupts the comfort of mankind, they desire to be preserved from doing any thing to keep it alive; and, consequently, to manifest by their conduct, that they believe it more consistent for the professed followers of Christ to take no active part in war; because war brings grievous calamity upon the earth, destroys the lives of our fellow-creatures, and tends to cherish that spirit of animosity and confusion which is inconsistent with the gospel of peace.

4th. They believe that passage of the Sacred Writings to be particularly encouraging to those who profess faith in God, and in his divine providence and protection: "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth even for ever;" and that the strongest bulwark to any nation, is the favour and protection of Him, who can save with equal ease in times of great perplexity, as in seasons of less outward difficulty.

5th. They believe that the way to obtain this favour and protection, is to walk faithfully before Him; reverently depending upon Him, and in all things desiring that his will may be the rule and government of our lives. And they believe that, for a nation so walking and so depending, there is greater safety in this trust in the divine arm of power, than in the strength of armies; and that it is beautifully consistent for those in any nation who are thus convinced and thus believing, to endeavour, in humility and reverence, to cast their care upon Him, desiring to be resigned to every dispensation of his providence; and that, whatever happens, they may be found clear in his sight of having contributed to the distress, the unspeakable distress and bloodshed of their fellow-creatures.

Extracts from Letters, &c.

1815.-12 mo. 29. I am not aware that Friends, as a Society, rate too highly the ground on which they are called to stand; although unhappily, too many of us do not maintain our standing. And I think we may safely believe this, without ascribing any thing to the creature, or magnifying the people; but reverently acquiescing with and acknowledging the Power whence the gifts and ability proceed.

If, by a mighty hand, and by a stretched-out arm, our predecessors were brought forth from amidst the different denominations of professors, and enabled to bear faithful and undeviating testimony to the spirituality of the gospel-to the necessity of following the Captain of salvation, whithersoever He is pleased to lead by his light and truth manifested in the secret of the soul; in other words, in the path of self-denial and the daily cross-to the necessity of avoiding all conformity with formality, all unrighteous conformity to the

maxims, policy, fashions, and friendships of the world -to hold up a standard against wars and against oaths, and a testimony to the freedom of gospel-ministry, and to that worship which, laying aside all rites and ceremonies, as constituted and proper appendages to the gospel dispensation, is performed in spirit and in truth: -If they have been brought to the blessed and glorious avowal, "That in pure, silent worship, we dwell under the holy Anointing, and feel Christ to be our Shepherd; that here the best of Teachers ministers to the several conditions of his flock, and the soul receives, immediately from the divine Fountain, that with which it is nourished:"-If this people have been brought thus far, surely it becomes the living among them, in the depth of humility, reverence, and fear, to say, as a collective body, "He that is mighty hath done for us great things, and holy is his name;"-has placed us in the midst of many mercies, in a state of awful responsibility. Are we not brought to the acknowledgment, that "the opening of an inward, silent worship in this nation, is a precious opening ;" and that it is our duty to walk answerably to the nature of an inward communion with God, that so no stumbling-block, through us, may be laid in the way of others? The awfulness of the responsibility does not annul the truth of it; and I believe it is unsafe to flinch from or deny it.

I rejoice greatly in the spread of the Holy Scriptures, and in the institution of the British and Foreign Bible Society, as a present, highly favoured means of this spread. I am concerned, by word and example, to encourage Bible-meetings; and I think am never so comfortable, if I am prevented attending those to which, as appertaining to our district, I may be said to belong; I mean, our quarterly committees and our anniversary at Saffron Walden. But I see great cause, indeed, for Friends to be very watchful on such occa. sions. How conspicuous seems to be the fondness to give applause, if not to receive it; to say nothing of so

liberally ascribing to the Bible, that which can rightly be ascribed only to the Divine Spirit. How humble, how deep in travail, then, had Friends need be, that they may be enabled to keep their ground-to support, yea, exalt their testimony to the necessity of help and strength from the Lord, for the advancement of his own cause. I believe they may be greatly useful in such assemblies, and, by the savour of their spirits, tend at times, more or less, to season others. But how great is the danger, lest, instead of communicating strength to others, we lose, in degree, our hold of the steadfastness and beauty of the pure and unchangeable Truth.

I believe, in a meeting for discipline, rightly gathered and rightly preserved, the united exercise of living members is, that Truth may prevail over all. To a meeting thus circumstanced, I believe at times, a very precious sensibility is vouchsafed, and Friends travel on in the simplicity of filial fear and reverence; and when a nomination is depending, Friends become, at times, constrained, at other times feel a tender, brotherly, sensible freedom, to mention a name, without daring to stamp it high; but, in resignation, leaving it to make its way, or otherwise, as the Master pleases; and leaving it with the meeting, whether the right savour attends the expression, and whether there may be a right capacity in the nominee, to accept or decline. Thus Friends feel one for another, and the bond of tender gospel affection is preserved; and the travail for the cause maintained, and its prosperity sought, beyond all other considerations. Oh! one can seem to conceive what a precious thing it is, when Friends, in their meetings for discipline, can rightly bow under the solemnizing influence; not stamping any thing they do, high; but fearing, in the least degree, to wound the precious cause, or contribute to disperse the precious solemnity, either by speaking or by withholding.

D*

I speak not, very, very far from it, as one that has attained, but as a believer in the validity of these things: and in the favoured condition of rightly-gathered, and rightly-preserved meetings for discipline.

1817.-6 mo. Whether we be ministers, elders, overseers, or of whatever class, I believe we should mind where we are; and rather bear a burden, perhaps rightly brought upon us, from sympathy, or the operation and influence of the Spirit, than venture to relieve ourselves, when circumstances and the want of opportunity forbid. I believe, in a large meeting, a diversity of exercise may be excited in lively-spirited Friends, which it would be very inexpedient to bring forth in words. But I suppose that the weighty, deeply-attentive, patient mind, is permitted to discover the right time for moving; and then, the baptizing influence being dwelt under in the exercise of the gift, the meeting feels the precious effect. But I rather think, that some who have a gift in the ministry, miss it at times, in the exercise of it, for want of understanding, at the time, the state of the meeting; perhaps, partly, from being involved in their own exercise. When a meeting is baptized under a living ministry, and the minister sits down, it is a nice thing indeed to make an addition; at least, before a suitable space has been allowed. As the end of all true ministry is to bring the hearers to an abiding under the influence of the Spirit of Christ, we should rejoice when this is in any considerable degree produced by the ministry of any Friend; and be very careful not to step in, in a way to dissipate the solemnity, or remove the sense which has thus profitably been begotten. At the same time, it is very desirable that no rightly appointed offering should be prevented; and the diversity of states and conditions is to be remembered. So that it is indeed a mystery; and a very weighty thing is living, baptizing, ministry.