My heart is warmed with affection for this generous people,-these children of truth. That letter deserves to be written in characters of gold. I would pray that the Spirit that inspired it might inspire the hearts of all mankind with the same noble, the same divine principles. There is an energy, a dig nity in simple truth which makes it manifest to all, except lovers of darkness, that it comes from God. But are the Quakers now what Robert Barclay was when he wrote this epistle? Alas! with what pain would those who are spiritual among them have heard the remarks I have heard :- Quakers are becoming very much like other people, and soon there will be no difference between them and the rest of the world!' God forbid this should ever be the case! I thank God for permitting me to read what I have read this morning. In the hottest times of persecution, and the most violent prosecution of those laws made against meetings, they have boldly stood to their testimony for God, without going into corners, or once hiding themselves, as all other dissenters have done; but they have daily met according to their custom in the public places appointed for that end, so that none of the officers can say of them that they have surprised or overtaken them in a private conventicle, or caught them lurking in their secret chambers; nor, indeed, have they occasion to send out spies to seek them, whom they were sure to find in their open assemblies, testifying for God and the truth.' My soul unites with this people! Oh! that God may revive His work among them, and cause the glory of His power to be made known through their means to the ends of the earth!

37. "To every soul in whom the love of God dwells, the most precious object of desire is the prosperity and extension of the church-the body of Christ. These will not be satisfied in the thought of the church being a secluded, happy people, but will breathe the spirit of Him who had compassion on

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the multitudes, because they were as sheep having no shepherd.'

38. "Order, like every other good thing, must be the result of principle, and no plans or rules, however excellent, will effect its attainment without a principle which is sufficiently powerful to produce the desired effect of order, and to cause us to abide in it.

39.

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Union with the God of truth is the object,— not any union with particular sects of Christians. In proportion as that object is attained, it will truly regulate all the rest.

40. "Happiness implies in its attributes liveliness in our affections, order in our conduct, and energy in our pursuits.

41. How readily will many persons acknowledge truth, even truth which reproves them when left unapplied to themselves; yet of what use is such an acknowledgment, while at the same time they will resist, sophisticate and evade, the moment any truth is applied to the reproof of their own spirits and conduct. It is as though a man would acknowledge (because he cannot deny it) that the shining of the sun gives light, whilst at the same time he either shuts his eyes against it, or encloses himself in the darkest part of his house, there to pursue his work.

42. "Our wants are claims for mutual kindness. 43. " Corporal punishment may be needful sometimes for the slothful, for by this disease of slothfulness the mind may be brought into a state so torpid and insensible as to receive no impressions but those of which the body is the medium.

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44. Important duties should not make us inattentive to lesser things. We should discharge every duty with all the energy our mind is capable of, and we shall gain greater vigour and peace in our souls by thus fulfilling the will of God. If we act otherwise we heap up food for sorrow to mingle with our joy.

45. "If my spirit were more fully Thine, O God! I know from what I now feel that I should feel more for the desolations of Zion.

46. "It appears to me that the greatest obstruction to the welfare and advancement of society is the want of that combination of feeling that seeks the good of every part of society; and that comprehensiveness of view that will not overlook the nearest, or disregard the most distant object that claims its care.

47. "Is it not almost time that some testimony should be published and freely circulated among professing Christians, tending to counteract the mistaken views that are at times evinced on the awful subject of pure and undefiled religion. Alas! with how little of reverential feeling are subjects of this kind often mentioned by some who would be thought religious, and who on some occasions are making great professions! Pure religion originates in the influence of the Spirit of Christ on the heart, and induces that feeling which desires 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men !' It feels for all,desires the good of all; yet knowing the limited nature of human power, it seeks the guidance and direction of Him in whom there is light and life,—a light which is the life of man, an influence which dispels the darkness,—an animating power which strengthens the weakness of our nature, and under the influence of which the mind is imbued with love, joy, peace, gentleness and goodness.

48. "In family meetings the Scriptures and other religious writings are used as mediums of religious instruction; nor is there any prohibition in our principles against such a practice on a larger scale. Yet in those which are avowedly meetings for worship, no outward act as inciting to devotional feeling, or as conveying religious instruction is considered a requisite for the performance of this solemn duty. The object of worship is spiritual, and if we obey the injunction, Be still, and know that I am God!' we

shall be brought into a feeling which acknowledges His sovereignty, and which is subjected to His will.

49. "It is religious feeling, and religious conduct,— not forced talk about religion,—that are to be desired in the world.

50. "True religion is productive of real benevolence, and the lowest of a good man's servants is regarded with kind oversight, while his comfort and respectability are considered.

51. "How much are the enjoyments of the mind superior to all animal pleasures! and how much more earnestly should they be desired and sought after !

52. "It is not, as some profess, the love of our own country, but rather the want of love towards other countries, that is the excitement to war.

53. "I feel much on the subject of a loud profession of faith, and clear views, and the neglect at the same time of the fruits of true faith. Some of the good works of Roman Catholics, although not in themselves of merit, would be a healthful ingredient in the composition of the theories of some professors of the present day, who lean too much to antinomianism.

54. "To teach our children that they are not to live to themselves should be a lesson taught them from their earliest infancy.

55. " Meeting-days ought to be seasons of deep feeling. Are we not in danger of too much taking up a passive rest from worldly cares, without earnestly seeking that rest which remains for the people of God?

56. "Some persons appear almost awe-struck in the presence of those who possess great affluence. Riches undoubtedly give power; and where that power is well employed we may see more completely the bent of a man's character, and can judge of his worth more clearly than in some other circumstances; but where these evidences of goodness are lacking, and people merely bend and bow before the power alone,—acquired, perhaps, without any effort of their own,—is not this servility inconsistent with Christian princi

ples? We must honour all men as men and immortal beings, of whatever nation or tongue they may be. 57. " Particular attention should be given to the best system of early instruction for little children in the principles of Christianity, as far as they are capable of receiving them.

58. "The nearer we come to real simplicity in meetings for religious instruction, doubtless, the better. Let none be led into insincere expressions. People should be willing to obey if they profess to sacrifice, and the mind should bow if we profess to bend the knee. It is yet not a negation in these things that will serve; we may forbear to use forms, and at the same time forbear to seek the power, and rest in something far short of the prevalence of the life. Where, then, shall we find the path in which even the most untaught may be best guarded from right and left-hand errors? Is it not in the sincere, use of such outward aids to devotional feeling as will not lead to a violation of truth, and in a watchful direction of the mind towards the Fountain of life?

59. "Without a deeply devoted mind, how fearful are the consequences of living at ease, and in outward enjoyment! The afflictions of Joseph are thus too much forgotten.

60. To worship God in spirit is, we are told, the alone true and acceptable worship, and is, doubtless, the highest engagement of the human mind. How, then, can any imagine that it is to be just entered upon at will, whatever be the habit of mind, or its general state. Let us plainly avow this, that true worship is an engagement that requires a preparation of mind, that must be sought from Him who is the source of goodness. Still, aids to devotional feeling may be adopted, such aids as do not profess to be more than they are, and therefore not inconsistent with the truth,-that truth which in all circumstances is required before the Searcher of hearts; and, above all, in this most awful and high engagement of sacred worship.