FRIENDS’

REVIEW.

SB Aeligions, Literary and Fliscellancous Journal,

 

Vous KV;

 

EDITED BY SAMUEL RHOADS,
To whom all Communications may be addressed.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY,
At No. 109 N. Tenth street, Philadelphia.

Price, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, Two dollars per annum, or six copier
for Ten dollars.

Postage on this paper, when paid quarterly or yearly in advance,
13 cents per annum in Pennsylvania, and 26 cents per annum in
other States.

 

For Friends’ Review.
NOTICES OF DAVID COOPER.

: NO. XX.
D. Cooper to Elizabeth Collins. [32 years of age.]

My Dear Friend,—Thou art often in my re-
membrance, accompanied with feeling love.
This was the casein an unusual manner lately
when I was far from home, and now on my re-
turn I feel the power of constraining love to
visit thee in this way, if haply it may tend to
strengthen thy mind to take courage in pressing
after a higher degree of perfect devotion of soul
to His service whose will is our sanctification,
thereby experiencing a growth from stature to
stature, to that of a skilful mother in Israel,
standing in the congregations, clothed with au-
thority and Divine power, showing to the people
their transgressions and to the house of Jacob
their sins, but saying unto Zion, “thy King
reigneth.” Oh, my friend, what strength, what
fortitude, what firmness accompanies perfect
obedience! But, on the other hand, what weak-
ness, dwarfishness, poverty and leanness succeed
slavish fears, reasoning and disobedience. I am
not about to charge thee, neither can I, but I
have believed E. Collins does not shine with that
lustre and extensive usefulness her Master de-
signs for her. Iam well acquainted with the
weakness of human nature; how apt we are to
make our weakness and failings an excuse for
future omissions, but this is only adding grief to
our sorrow. Let us leave the things that are
behind, and press forward to perfection. I am
not disposed to say much, but am persuaded the
body often partakes with the soul of the fruits
of obedience. Joy and gladness,—that peace which

PHILADELPHIA, EIGHTH MONTH 9, 1862.

 

 

Wo! 40,

 

flows as a river,—tend nota little to strengthen
and invigorate the body, and establish health
like a medicine.

Thus my friend, I have spoiled some paper to
show I remember thee with great good will. If
it meet with as much as it conveys, I am sure
it will be welcome. With love to thy husband
and self, I am thy, affectionate friend,’ D.C.

6 mo. 24th, 1787.

The same to the same...

Dear Friend,—Although I fail seeing thee
as often as I wish, yet on frequent inquiries
after thy health I receive accounts which seem
to include thee in the feeling description of the
prophet: “Oh thou afflicted, tossed with tem-
pests and not comforted!” But, dear friend, let
us call to mind that though He may suffer us to
be afflicted for a moment, yet will He remember
with everlasting loving kindness, will give the |
oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness, if our love,
faith, and obedience do but keep pace with
knowledge. What cause then is there to
take courage, leaving the things that are behind,
and to press forward, with redoubled strength
and firmness of mind, in the Master’s service,
who suffers no one to shut a door in his house
for nought. He is a rich rewarder indeed. He
is strength in weakness, riches in poverty, mouth
and wisdom, tongue and utterance, to them that
have none in heaven nor in all the earth but
Him to lean upon or look unto. oe

‘“‘ Why were ye fearful, oh ye of little faith?”
Know we not that the Lord Jehovah is on the
side of the righteous; that he puts forth his
own and goes before them? None of these can
say he ever failed or forsook them, unless they
first forsook him, what then have we to fear 4
The enemy may indeed present our weaknesses
and misses, and magnify them as mountains in —
our way, but our strength consists in looking
and pressing forward ; whilst dwelling upon and
poring over our failures and defects, when we
ought to be engaged in labor, produces feeble-
ness and death. Oh, my friend, when the har-
vest truly is so great, and faithful laborers so
much wanting, how canst thou be easy in eating: