FRIENDS’

REVIEW.

A Beligions, Literary and Miscellaneous Journal.

 

Vou. <Y.

 

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 copies
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Postage on this paper, When paid quarterly oryearly in advance,
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NOTICES OF DAVID COOPER.
NO. XV.

D. Cooper to W. M., [supposed to be Warner
Miffiin. |
12th Mo., 1781.

Dear Frienp,—Thou faults me for not
writing. The time has been I could gird my-
self and go’ whither I would. I then was fond
of letter writing, but now find formality even in
this is to be avoided; though thou hast often
been in my mind, with a feeling after something
to communicate, I am far from living in a land
flowing with milk and honey,—rather one of
poverty and want, having little to spare worth
giving: have thought it otherwise with W. M.,
who appears to live in a flowing land, and whose
bounty ought to be in proportion. My situation
to myself appears uncommon. I would willingly
do something towards earning my bread, both in
an outward and spiritual sense: but in both
respects my state of health renders me feeble in
labor. Yet, whatever cause I have to mourn on
my own account, it does not prevent my believ-
ing there’s great cause to weep for others. Mul-
titudes among us, many who are forward in So-
ciety, appear to eat their own bread and wear
their own apparel, yet desiring to be esteemed
disciples. Others show great zeal for their mas-
ter’s cause, like those who were reproved
with the language, ‘Ye know not what spirit
ye are of.” This zeal has hurried many to
build without a foundation, and many of these
buildings are falling. Some have been pushed
on by their brethren, beyond their growth, and
shew like cloth with warp and woof of differing
waterial. And notwithstanding there are many

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PHILADELPHIA, SEVENTH MONTH 5, 1862.

 

 

No. 44.

 

who are deepened, and who live nearer the
source of true wisdom and strength than in
years back, yet I am persuaded this intemperate
zeal hath much retarded that work, which, in
too much of the will of the creature, it hath de-
sired to promote, particularly that precious testi-
mony against war. How many have refused to
pay their taxes from the very spirit of party, in-
stead of the meek, forgiving spirit which only can
support a testimony against all violence. And
now outward prospects are different from what
they expected, numbers are wheeling about,
whereby this testimony will be much wounded.
True wisdom leads into stability of conduct, to
be all of a piece,—to dig deep for a foundation
before we build, that so it may stand. And a
true sense of our own inability to do anything
without CHRIST, preserves from impatience, in a
belief of his words: “They who are not for me

are against me;” and, reversing them by infer-

ence, they who are not against us are for us.
Thouw’lt say there’s a want of zeal. True, indeed.
So Elijah thought when he concluded he was
left alone, and yet found it necessary to wait for
the small voice to instruct in duty. May that
be ever our experience in every religious duty,
which will preserve from being either too hot or
too cold. And thus being clothed with wisdom
and the spirit of true discerning, to serve Him
will be as our meat and drink, and in the might
which He alone gives we may be valiant in His
cause. Here we shall be one another’s joy in
the Lord, building one another up in the most
holy faith which works by love.
I am thy affectionate friend,
D. CoopEr.

“In the 2d mo., 1782, I attended three meet-
ings of conference within our own Monthl
Meeting, and in the beginning of 3d mo. three
within the limits of Evesham. They were ap-
pointed in pursuance of the advice sent down in
the extracts from the minutes of last Yearly
Meeting to labor with our members on the fol-
lowing subjects: A faithful testimony against
war; the education of youth; attendance of
meetings, and drowsiness therein; the unneces-
sary use of spirituous liquors, &e. To these
meetings all who professed with us were invited,