306 FRIENDS’

REVIEW.

 

-
The tongue, like a race horse, runs the faster the
less weight it carries.

The power of Parliament is to make law; but the
jurisdiction of Parliament is circumscribed by law.

D.C. appears to have realized deeply the respon-
sibility of existence, and to have devoted much
thought to the consideration of duty. In emer-
gencies as they arose he sought for Divine
counsel and guidance. He also laid for himself,
beforehand, rules of life. Of this we have seen
an example on his being chosen to the Legisla-
tive Assembly, The following, penned 6th mo.
3d; 1759, have lately come to our notice.

SOME MAXIMS TO REGULATE MY CONDUCT.

‘“‘ Before I engage in. any affair, let_ me con-
sider well whether, if obtained, it is likely to meet
with Divine approbation. If I believe not, my
pursuing it will bea sin. If I decide on the
other hand, let me examine the most secret re-
cesses of my heart, pursue the motive to its
origin, in order to discover whether my judg-
ment is not bribed by some unhallowed passion.
If in such a serutiny no traces of this kind ap-
pear, I may safely pursue my object, and reason-
ably expect it to be crowned with success. But
then let me awfully remember who rules in the
kingdoms of men, and act with that submission
and resignation which becomes a servant in the
presence of his Master. If I meet with disap-
pointments and cross occurrences, let me rever-
ently say: ‘Thy will, oh God, not mine, be
done. Though 1 believed it to be for the best,
. thy unsearchable wisdom. may perhaps know
otherwise.” Such reflections will not suffer my
temper and passions to fight for that which the
uprightness and justice of my cause cannot ac-
complish: which would be like a defiant servant,

 
 
   

resulying tovhave his own way, irrespective of
- the. interest. tie Master, Could we have a
lear. idea of way of acting, how should we

er at the thought of our own guilt... Poor
p rtHO |, who has: not the government
of the minutest gases but is dependent
for each moment he enjoys and each blessing he
ignorantly calls his own ; (the consideration of
which should command the utmost humility and
the greatest. cireumspection, lest he should for-
get such unmerited mercies;) that this depen-
dent mortal should so frequently. affront so
gracious a benefactor, and instead of receiving
with thankfulness the dispensations he is pleased
to: allow, should presume to contend with his
Maker, and in lieu of submissive obedience fly
insthe face of Omnipotence ! With this I think
every al is chargeable who suffers his pas-
e for what they desire to obtain,

pos, ae wide from that humble submission in
which we ought. to perform every duty. For.
surely this awful humility and reverent: ‘submis-
sion, ait a thorough sense of our dependence
and inability produces, should be diffused
through every action..of life, Then would our

being of his fellow men, : le-
sire, and out of the fulness of his heart. he ras

to maintain

 

hurtful passions be destroyed in the oni:
then, when we could not unite in sentiment, con-
tention would subside, calm reasoning would Ne
our only weapon; our understanding would |
open to conyincement, and our reason sus

ble of the best impressions. Oh

  
  
  
  

ment! Could I but realize it in myse nd s

acquaintances, how would my moments ste
away as a watch of the night, or as the flood
which the winds dare not approach !””

Happy for David Cooper that he made “ the
obedience of Christ” his rule of life.
his descendants, whose life had not’ been thus
wisely regulated, being upon his death-bed a
century after the above maxims were penned, and
being favored with astrength not his own to re-
sist, and the shield of faith to quench the i
darts of the adversary, quoted from them wi
memorable emphasis. How. forcible are sight
words: and how may a.valuable thought, =
ten for private personal benefit, arise with p:
as in this instance, after the solemnity of oath
has passed upon all who inhabited the. earth
when the words were penned. f spageiele

The subject of our memoir was one’ who

“Deemed not his principles as robes.to. wear
On Sabbath days, at church, and only there :”

he carried his religion with him in his daily
walk ; he applied it to the ordinary affairs of
common life, and.thus, as the church testified
concerning him after his death, he “ becan

conformable to the pure influence of. on [
Spirit. ” As he was often, drawn
visit meetings and families, and was an dar
his labors by the. appointment of the Soeic ty,
cannot be doubted that in meetings for dis
pline, in conferences and p ren interviews, ar a
even at times on more p ice

  
   
  
  
  

 
   

was heard in Christian ee ¥ Tu his own ,

family he often kneeled in prayer on bel

the lambs committed to ‘his charge. hough

not called to the work of the pul us ‘minis
his heart. was too much embue d wit ae
to admit of his walking |

  
 
   
   

prosperity of truth, the read of his R aie os
Rito the - omveiaee and peated

constrained often to speak to edification a a

faith. ees

His physical infirmities in ibs later days. ‘were
of'so painful a character, that he became appre-
hensive lest his reagon ‘might give way; and

 

  
    
  

great was his solicitude lest in any w he should.
bring the least bade oe pon the

of reproach 1 'p
10US e h

   

blessed cause which was pi
His. fear was not ad. elle as
clear and. bright | to nee hile was enabled,
he watch whilst. os i we the
coming of his Lord. "6 tipo’.

One of

‘making mention of the coe ie |

the building up of others in “the most holy |