690 FRIENDS’

and they were indeed favored meetings, gra-
ciously owned by our Great Master, and were
well spoken of by those who were not mem-
bers.”

A pleasing indication is here presented of
Christian vitality. It appears that, from a
proper concern, a committee had been appointed
to extend labor upon several subjects of vital im-
portance to the true well being of man. <A com-
mittee thus constituted, included among its
laborers solid Friends who were not called
to the general work of the ministry. In addi-
tion to the individual and strictly private
admonition which they found appropriate,
they would call together in conference a whole
congregation, including those who, though not
in membership, were frequenters of Friends’
meetings, where the strong religious sense of
persons not in the ministry (as well as of those
who were,) was allowed free scope, for the “in-
crease of the body, to the edifying of itself in
love.”

“On the 14th of 8th mo.” he continues, ‘I
went to Upper Greenwich and joined Friends in
a visit to the youth, and to those who were defi-
cient in attending meetings, &c. I entered on
this service in great weakness and fear, but we
were favored to get through with satisfaction,
much beyond my expectation, and I returned
home with peace of mind, believing I had been
in the discharge of my duty.”

— D. €., to Wm. Rotch.
9th Mo. 15th, 1782.

BrLovepD Frienp.—I received thy accepta-
ble favor of 5th mo. about a month after the date.
It renewed that near fellowship I felt when in
thy family, the remembrance whereof is pleasant.
I very often think of you, not only from the af-
fection I feel for many in your place, but on ac-
count of your critical situation in these perilous
times: times which try the foundation whereon
we have been building. And very many by
their instability discover that they are not es-
tablished upon that Rock which no storm or
tempest can disturb: ‘The Sabbath day we have
heretofore enjoyed hath produced many super-
ficial builders. It is the Master’s pleasure, I be-
lieve, that these should be shaken and taught
the difference between profession and possession.
Weas a Society profess to trust in Him who com-
manded not to resist evil. But when trials come,
what a proneness to apply to the god of Ekron,
to our own policy and wisdom, instead of leaning
to theGod of Israel. The disappointments many
have met with from hence, in these convulsed
seasons, have caused some to examine more
deeply into their faith than they had before
done, and have sorrowfully found it insufficient
to center the mind in that quiet habitation where
there is full confidence in God’s protecting power,
in which the prophet could silence the fears of
his servant, with—“Fear not,—they that be

 

REVIEW.

with us are more than they that be with them.’”
Oh, the sweetness, the strength, some of us have
experienced, when, under extreme difficulties
and dangers, we have been enabled to decline
flattering means to help ourselves, and way has
been made where there appeared no way: the
sea standing as walls on each side to guide in
safety; the sense whereof has caused all within
us to admire and magnify the great preserver of
them who have no dependence in heaven norin
all the earth, but in Him alone. This I believe
to be the place of safety for all Friends,—and
singularly so for you, who, if you attempt to flee
from the bear, the lion is likely to be met with.
Therefore, to stand still, and trust singly in
Him who can deliver from the paw of both lion
and bear, is what I much desire and hope man
among you are strengthened to do.

Some hints in thy letter renewed the feelings
I had when on your island of the weight of
outward affairs resting on thy shoulders. And
although I believe thou hast therein been a
blessing to that people, and may’st have been in
thy proper allotment, nevertheless, my dear
friend, it is aland of bondage. There is another
land to be travelled towards, which flows with
milk and honey, wherein the soul is raised above
the honors and friendships of this world, which
indeed appear but as dross and refuse, compared
to the recompense of reward that a mind wholly
weaned from them, and devoted to God’s service,
hath often to share. Something of this, experi-
ence hath taught me. I have tasted of what
men call honor, which is attended with much
shew of friendship, and in giving an opportunity
of being useful to others, affords a satisfaction to
a noble mind. But I have also seen that to
suffer affliction with the people of God, is abun-
dantly more desirable than to be called the son
of Pharaoh’s daughter. And I have often to ad-
mire the gracious dealing of a tender father, in
shewing me the emptiness and danger of these
things, giving me strength to withstand the ca-
resses of an empty world. So that, at times,
when I behold some of my dear friends a little
entangled here, I feel a breathing desire that
they may come to witness the inconceivable dif-
ference between dwelling in the camp of Israel,
where heavenly food isshowered about their tents,
and in the court of princes.

When I was with you, mention was made of
a number of disowned Quakers in Philadelphia
having formed themselves into a body. They
have since claimed an interest in all the property
which Friends, in a Society capacity, hold in
that city. They have made a formal demand to
each Monthly Meeting, to the Quarterly and to
the Yearly Meeting, and also have applied to the
Legislature to apportion their share. Not meet-
ing with the reception they expected, they have
lately renewed their application, accompanied
with a number of invidious charges against
Friends. A Committee of Assembly was ap-