by those who have little or nothing of consequence to attend to.

ADVICES OF LONDON YEARLY MEETING. (Continued from page 808.)

Our Christian principles teach us to live in the world aright, but not to live unto the world. If we indeed seek to be redeemed from its spirit; if it be our daily concern that our garments may be kept unspotted by its defilements; that we may be clothed with the meekness and gentleness of Christ; we shall be enabled to discharge our civil and religious duties with holy propriety, and to adorn the Gospel in our lives and conversation. In times, in which the public feeling may be agitated by civil or political questions of general interest, or by such as involve the vital principles of our faith, the humble Christian, thus prepared, will retire to the place of true inward prayer. He will see the necessity of carefully suppressing in his own mind the first emotions of party zeal; but he will feel the advantage of cherishing a willingness to suffer, whether little or much, whether in secret exercise of mind, or in outward trials, to promote the cause of his Lord. He will not view with indifference any open, or less direct attacks upon those blessed truths on which his hope of salvation is founded. He will not be improperly solicitous for his own ease and security, when he sees difficulties or trouble threatening those around him: his great concern will be that he may in no way bring reproach on his high profession, but that by acknowledging the Lord in all his ways, He may direct his paths. 1820. P. E.

A scrupulous care of any thing we have borrowed, and more especially of books, should never be forgotten. It is very discouraging to those who are obliging enough to let us have the benefit and pleasure of reading what we might not otherwise be able to procure, to have their books kept longer than necessary, injured, soiled, or lost. Let their consideration for our entertainment make us considerate of their property. Much consideration is necessary when we are called to the often difficult task of comforting the afflicted. To "know how to speak a word in season " to the sorrowing heart must indeed be taught us by drinking in the spirit of our compassionate Saviour. His sympathising tenderness caused him to weep with the friends whose sorrow he was at the moment about to turn into joy. Let us say to ourselves on such mournful occasions, "Behold how He loved!" Here was no singing of songs to a heavy heart-no calling on reason and good sense to act while all within is in the confusion of anguish-no attempt to reconcile the afflicted to their state by pointing to others who have still more cause to be miserable, as if it could lessen the poignancy of distress to be reminded that another was suffering more acutely. The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and He who knew the heart and was "acquainted with grief," did not call upon the afflicted sisters not to sorrow, but invited them to hope. Grief may be silenced when it is not reIf we are really concerned to look into our moved; and it is less difficult to offer consola- own hearts, if we do but enough bear in rememtion than to receive it. Does the impatience to brance that our inmost thoughts are beheld by the be successful partly proceed from the want in all-penetrating eye of God, we shall be sensible ourselves of untiring sympathy? If we are that there ought to be no relaxation in the great "considerate," we shall bear with the unreason- duty of watchfulness unto prayer. The frequent ableness and even petulance of grief, and not ex- recurrence of this conviction will lead us to look pect our short oar at once to come to the bottom to a higher power than our own faculties, to of these deep waters. Pity may be welcome enable us to work out our salvation, or to aid in and soothing when the mind refuses to be com- promoting the Lord's work on the earth. At forted, and when the very effort to administer the same time, an increase of gratitude, from a consolation is felt to be anything but an alleviation. continued sense of the Lord's unmerited goodThe trials connected with religious truths and ness, will animate us to serve Him in the perfeeling, demand, if possible, a still more con- formance of our allotted duties in civil and residerate treatment. Archbishop Leighton beauti-ligious society; in doing good to our neighbours, fully remarks, that "the least difficulties and scruples in a tender conscience should not be roughly encountered; they are as a knot in a silken thread, and require a gentle and wary hand to loose them."

Oh, for a spirit of wisdom in guiding the distressed soul out of bondage, into the glorious liberty of the Gospel of Christ!--for a spirit of meekness, in reproving and restoring the fallen! "considering thyself lest thou also be tempted." The same author says again-"This tenderness, and inclination to pity all, and especially Christians in their peculiar pressure, is not weak and womanish, but is a prime lineament of the image of God."

[To be continued.]

or in the concerns of the church. Then will there be a constant reference to Him who has qualified for the work: we shall, in reality, seek no honour one from another; but, by our lives as well as by our words, ascribe all to Him to whom it is due. It is equally the duty of all our members, to endeavour, in their daily walk through life, to act consistently with their Christian profession. It is a serious reflection for us to make, that our conduct may, in the eyes of our associates, either adorn or dishonour the principles which we profess. Our views on silent waiting upon God in religious meetings, our belief that pure gospel ministry ought to be exercised from the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit, our testimony to the meek and

peaceable nature of the religion of Jesus, and our | therefore tenderly intreat all to wait in humble non-observance of outward ordinances, originate faith for its quickening influence; and to seek in a conviction that the dispensation of the Gos- to have their hearts contrited before the Lord. pel is a spiritual dispensation. This our re- Then we believe that they will know for themligious profession is a loud call upon us for selves of His great goodness; and as they congreat circumspection of conduct, and deep, in- tinue, from time to time, profiting by what they ward retirement before the Lord. And, whilst learn in the way of life and salvation, but not we are persuaded that these precious testimonies trusting to it, they will partake of that living are founded upon the precepts and spirit of the bread which cometh down from heaven; they Gospel, we believe, and we desire especially to will drink of those living waters which nourish press this sentiment upon our younger friends the soul unto eternal life. This course of Chrisjust setting out in life, that we are at no time tian experience we earnestly desire for every one more qualified to bear them, than when we have amongst us. It is an individual work; but it is the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, and are indispensable for all. It may often be slow in willing to suffer for the name of Christ. 1821. its progress, but it is certain in its effects; and P. E. amongst the blessed consequences which it produces, we come to have an establishment in Christ, resulting not from any speculative system of belief, but from a heart-felt acquaintance with His power inwardly revealed to the soul. When assailed by false doctrines, or when in the support of our views of Christian practice, trials are our portion, knowing in whom we have believed, we can look, in humble but firm reliance, unto Him. Resignation under the varied trials incident to human life, is often the happy attainment of the patient, Christian traveller: these may arise to him from outward afflictions, or from the privation of the society of faithful Christian friends: he may be cast down from not feeling those evidences of the love of God, or of the clear guidance of the Spirit of Truth, which his soul would desire. But a frequent recurrence to past mercies, and to numberless blessings still bestowed upon us, should warm the heart with gratitude, and animate it with the belief, that all these things will be blessed, as means by which we may become of the pure in heart who shall see God. Wait then, dear friends, upon Him: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your hearts.* 1827. P. E.

In the sacred writings no duty is more clearly set forth than that of prayer. Prayer is the aspiration of the heart unto God; it is one of the first engagements of the awakened soul, and we believe that it becomes the clothing of the minds of those whose lives are regulated by the fear and love of their Creator. If in moments of serious reflection, and when communing with our own hearts, we are sufficiently alive to our helpless condition, we shall often feel that we may pour forth our secret supplications unto the Lord. And as we believe that it is one of the greatest privileges a Christian can enjoy, thus to draw nigh in spirit unto the Father of mercies, we earnestly desire that no one may deprive himself of so great a blessing. But let all on such occasions remember the awful majesty of Him who filleth heaven and earth, and their own unworthiness in his pure and holy sight. If these considerations ought to possess the mind in our secret aspirations unto the Almighty, how incumbent is it upon those who publicly approach the throne of grace, to cherish them in their hearts, and to move only under the influence of that Spirit_which enables us to pray aright! 1823. P. E.

The consistent Christian will make no compromise of principle. When persecution does not await him, it will be his earnest prayer that, whilst he thankfully enjoys the temporal blessings dispensed by the all-bounteous Giver, he may not so fix his heart upon these fading treasures, as to be unprepared, should the day of trouble overtake him, to stand with uprightness, and to adorn his profession by patiently enduring affliction. Whilst, upon a well-grounded conviction, he is satisfied that he ought to be aiming at a perfect standard, he will be solicitous that no part of his demeanour, that none of his transactions among men, may tend to diminish the excellence of that standard in the view of those with whom he associates. 1825. P. E.

Vital Christianity consisteth not in words but in power; and however important it is that we have a right apprehension of the doctrines of the Gospel, this availeth not, unless we are regenerated by the power of the Holy Ghost. We

We continue to believe that our disuse of set forms of prayer is founded on a correct view of the spiritual nature of the Gospel dispensation. At the same time we are persuaded, that all who have a just sense of the value of their immortal souls, and of their own great need of help from above, must rejoice with thankfulness, in knowing and in feeling that they may pray unto our Father who is in heaven. Oh! then, that every one may, with a sincere and believing heart, and with reverential awe, approach the throne of grace; trusting in the mediation of Him through whom we "have access by one Spirit unto the Father." But having thus asked in faith and submission, may we all be concerned so to walk before the Lord, that our prayers may be heard with acceptance. Let none, however, be discouraged from the performance of this duty by a sense of their transgressions; but in humility and sincere repentance, let them implore the for† Ephes. i. 16.

Psal. xxvii. 14.

giveness of God, who, as they patiently wait, before Him, will in his own time supply all their need. And if there be any, who, if they deal honestly with their own hearts, must acknowledge that they do not pray, may these deeply reflect upon the danger of their situation, and be alarmed at the great loss which they sustain, and avail themselves of the high privilege of drawing nigh unto God, and partaking of the assurance that he will draw nigh unto them. 1828. P. E.

[To be continued.]

FRIENDS' REVIEW. PHILADELPHIA, NINTH MONTH 16, 1848.

fountains of the great deep, and closed the windows of heaven, still rules in the kingdoms of the earth, and controls the wild and wayward passions of men, to the final accomplishment of his own beneficent purposes.

In our own country, the accession of territory reawakened, into renewed and increased activity, an sulting from an unrighteous contest in arms, has

element of discord which has long disturbed the harmony of the Union. The encroachments and extraordinary claims of the slave power have aroused, in the non-slaveholding sections of our land, a spirit, as of a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. A disposition to fix a limit to the area of slavery, similar to that which the discussions of the revolutionary period called into life, has been recently awakened. The stale and hackneyed menace of dissolving the Union, if the demands of the slaveholding interest are not conceded, has lost its terrors. It is getting to be un

ance to the slaveholders, than the slaveholders are to the Union: and however willing they may be to gain their ends by the cry of dissolution, they would probably be the first to take the alarm, if the threat was likely to be carried into effect.

The present number completes the first volume of Friends' Review. Another year has been added to the catalogue of those that are past, since the commencement of this periodical. How many important events,-important to individuals and to communities-has the year that has passed dis-derstood, that the Union is of much greater importclosed to our view! How many, who, one year ago, were busily engaged in the active scenes of life, ruddy with health and vigorous with hope, have sunk to the house appointed for all living! How many who were then patiently waiting and quietly hoping for a peaceful release from the conflicts of time, have experienced the consummation of their wishes; and gone, we may humbly hope, to join the general assembly and church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven. Our obituary department includes a considerable number of the members of our own religious Society, who within that time have descended to the tomb; some in the morning of life, and others in the maturity of age; some after a tedious and protracted disease, and others without premonition of the awful event. A retrospect of these works of death very properly suggests the consideration, how fleeting and transient is the life of man; and that the year next to come, like the one which is past, will dismiss its thousands to the land from which no traveller returns. How emphatic the lesson which each passing year inculcates-"Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh:"

Since the commencement of the current year, the events of the political world may be compared to the convulsions in the natural, described by the sacred historian, when the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. It is not within the province of the Review to indulge in speculations relative to the issue of the commotions by which Europe is now shaken to its centre; but we may rest in the consolatory conviction, that the Power which caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters were assuaged; which restrained the rain, stopped the

Happy will it be for the people of this great and growing republic, if the agitation of this question should be so far leavened with the spirit of our mild and merciful religion, as to lead to a just recognition of the civil rights of all our fellow men, without regard to colour or race; and to the peaceful extinction of the forced and unnatural institution, which, as long as it is permitted to remain among us, cannot fail to stamp an indelible stigma upon the character of our nation, in the eyes of the civilized world.

Looking, however, a little more deeply into the subject, we readily perceive that the opinion, even of the civilized world, sinks into relative insignificance when compared with the great interests involved in the question of slavery. The impassioned reply of Jehu to a rival monarch, may well be applied to a people holding three millions of human beings in a state of slavery. What rational hope can we entertain of a settled and permanent peace, while a system so abhorrent to justice and humanity, and so inconsistent with the principles of the religion which we profess, is maintained among us.

We carry with us the elements of discord, the seeds of war. We have at best a slumbering volcano, with its fires unextinguished in the midst of our land. The evil was introduced by human agency stimulated by avarice, and human agency guided and supported by sound Christian principles, is unquestionably competent to its removal. To advocate and enforce such doctrines as are calculated

An index and title page to the first volume will lington, N. J., on Fifth day, the 7th inst., WILLIAM be delivered with the next number.