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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Intelligence . — -QuoJeer > s Yearly Epistle * . 521
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vol . ; iu , 3 %
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associating with other wealthy persons , Bmong trie people at large , with whom the cross of Christ is often in too little esteem . You may be leavened by their conversation and example ; and it may operate still more sensibly and rapidly upon your children . Therefore we tenderly entreat you , for your own sake , for that of your offspring whom you are bound to protect , and for the sake of the cause of Truth—we entreat you ,
dear friends , we beseech ycu ' * by the mercies of god , " " Be not conformed to this world , " ¦ but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind , that ye may prove what is that good , and acceptable , and perfect 'will of God . For / ' continues the Apostle , ' * I say , tiirough the grace given unto' me , to every man that is among you , not to think more highly than he ought to think ; but to think soberly , according as God hath dealt to every nian the measure of fa'th "
But , how shall we address a state lamentably to be found in every condition of life ; and from which few places are wholly free—that state which despises counsel , and places itself almost out of the reach of advice ? Dear , but mistaken friends , it is difficult to speak to your state , but we may pray to the Father of mercies , that he would in mercy plead with you . And we beseech
you , take time to be serious . Be solicitous about your eternal well-being . The restraint of the spirit of truth is the armour that protects the soul ; and if you * viil not be invested with it , you are open to the repeated and increasing assaults of the destroyer ; and how will you at length be prcpajed and found worthy « to stand before the Son of man ?"
In this Meeting we have received epistles from our American brethren in most of the States , showing ; the continuance of their zeal in the cause of righteousness , and encouraging us to perseverance ; the particulars of any of "which it does not seehi needful now to detail . The amount of the sufferings
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of friends this year , in Great Britain and Ireland , chie&y for tithes , those called church-rates , and fnilitary demands , is upwards of eleven thousand seven hundred and seventy pounds *; and two friends have been imprisoned for not having found substitutes in the
militia . Jout we are by no means inclined to complain of the conduct of magistrates ; on the contrary , we believe in ma'riy plates there is a disposition in the hearts of magistrates , which induces them to protect us from suffering to the utmost limit of the latw : and we desire that Frrends may , oil their part ,
by a meek and peaceable conduct , always insure , and never forfeit their good opinion . In so conducting- ourselves , we adorn our profession , and suffer our li ^ ht to shine .
Now dear friends , of every rank , state and condition , let us endeavour to be one in the Lord : that he may shower down of his mercies , gifts and grace upon all . This will keep each in his proper p lace . The young will be miJd , submissive and teachable ; and will become early acquainted with that power which is their only safe conductor
through life , and their hope in death . These are near to our hearts . The very remembrance of them awakens our tenderest feeling , and prompts ] our prayer to the Lord for their preservation . The middle-aged will stand firm in their day , as watchmen upon the wall , and
as valiants , having on the armour of light , to withstand the attacks of the enemy . And the aged will have to rejoice both in retrospective , and prospective view . The past will recall to their gladdened remembrance the numberless mercies of the Lord ; and the future , through the power of an
endless life , and the redeeming virtute of Christ Jesus , our Lord , will open to them the prospect , and satisfy them with the assurance , of being his for ever . Amen . Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting * by J OHN WILKINSON , Clerk to the Meeting this Year .
* An opinion being sometimes entertained with regard to these sufferings , that individuals are reimbursed by the Society , it is desired , if occasion should occur , that friends would refute it ; as no such practice exists .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1808, page 521, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2396/page/65/
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