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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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g&ffS its condition at the time prayer is ^ fered ^ wp / «< % Itt ^ tibfat / replied the Emperor , I fully agree with yo u * I believe I can tiuly say there is not a < tay passes In wliich I do not pray , but it is not in any
Set form af words ; far I soon found my mind would not be satisfied without using guch language as at the moment is applicable to its condition ; but , you know , Jesus Christ gave a set farm of words to his disciples . '
** * He did ; yet we conceive it was only to instruct them in what it was most essential they should petition for , without meaning to confine them to those very words on all occasions . ' *< * 1 think you are right , * said the
Emperor . He then put many judicious Questions to us , in order to be made acquainted -with the leading features of the doctrine , discipline and practice of the Society , and appeared well satisfied with the answers he received . With
l-e-gard to the operation of the Divine Spirit un the mind , he expressed himself in such a manner , as one cannot conceive any thing short of his being an humble and faithful follower of its holy and secret guidance . After making many inquiries about the Society , he said , hi the most affectionate manner , < How is it
that none of your people have been into Russia ? If any of them conae into my country on a religious account , don't let them wait for an introduction , but let them come immediately to me ; I shall he glad to see them ; ' repeating , ' I shall he glad to see them . '
« Towards the conclusion of the audience , S . Grellett , in a respectful and affectionate manner , expressed the strong desire he felt for the Emperor ' s preservation , under the heavy burthens and xsomplicated duties which , in his exalted station , must necessarily be allotted him . Whilst S . Greliett was speaking , the
Iwnperor took him by the hand , and , with a countenance full of nobility , mingled with Christian tenderness , replied , * What you have said is & cordial to mjr mind , and will long continue to be strengthening to me ; and when we parted with him , he shook hands Witfei each of us , ' after saying * * I part' with you as a friend and a brother /
" I cannot but feel myself very unworthy to have been present on such an itt * teresting and important occasion , more especiall y having been one of only three ; but , perhaps , if there had been maYiy , the Emperor would not have felt the same unreserved freedom . For many days I seemed as though 1 had been exposed to a blaze of light , so powerfully Wis I impressed with the dignified , yet
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unaffected , htrmble * and -pious counte - nance , manners and expressions of that truly great Prince , who seems indeed to be walking in the light , and to be filled with the love of truth and goodness .. In him the power and awe of the Almighty are eminently displayed ; for how can one see a frail mortal , who , in the midst of
Worldly glory , and almost adored by surrounding multitudes , instead of being puffed up with it , is , with the spirit of a humble Christian , triumphing over pride and vanity ? How can one see an humble creature who has been nursed up in the land of despotism , and that in the midst of dark superstition , and yet filled
with liberality and light ? How can one See this without at the same time being sensible of the beauty and truth of our Saviour ' s assurance—* With God all things are possible * ? It has indeed been a lesson which I earnestly desire may not be thrown away upon me , and which 1 hope will have a beneficial effect upon many *
" I must not omit just mentioning , that upon being spoken to tm the subject of the slave trade , the Emperor-unequivocally declared his senjseof the enormity of it , saying of the Africans , * They are our brethren , and are like ourselves . ' He also expressed himself in a vejy satisfactory manner as to the part he had taken to get it abolished entirely . " * The following account was communicated to —— — ~ by Stephen
Grellett , personally : . . - iC Stephen Grellett remarking to the Emperor the satisfaction of his haying such a sister , ( as the duchess of Oldenburgh , ) the Emperor replied , * It is , indeed . * She is the gift of Heaven ; it is a
great pleasure to speak to her , for she is sensible of the influence -of the IMvine Spirit on her own heart ; w £ < sa * i < open our minds to each other ; it is of no juse to speak to those who have uot felt . it . t ) n hearing S . G . relate some particulars
of his own life , the * Emperor observed , * 1 consider you as safely landed , whilst I have to combat with troubles wad difficulties , and ^ m . surrouiided witfe many temptations . Why don ' t some of your people visit my country ? If any do , don't make applications to © tirefrs , but
coine immediately to toe ; 1 promise you protection , and every assistance ia my power . ' He made many inquiries respecting the principles of Friends , add fcaid , * I am one with y i ^ u } a sen timent respecting the spirituality of yqux , worship ; I wish to pray , not in tbn ^ J ) u % as I am assisted t > v the cfivine jpfflK ^ f fe ' tti rii > oiVn heart ;* inquired few ihpf jpafcsetl their' tiltofe . —« wliether * thtiy ^ e rer db riiitefe ^ and happy in domestic life . On befog
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3 ) S' Conference iftheMmper&r dt&vander v $ Hh th + ee ^' Qmtoieri
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1821, page 702, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2507/page/6/
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