our objects, were previously deemed necessary, may be considered as no less imperiously called for at the present moment. "In this persuasion, the Committee would particularly recommend, that Associations should be formed in every part of the United Kingdom, for the purpose of co-operating to diffuse information, to procure the requisite funds, and to call forth the distinct expression of public opinion on the subject." We call upon our readers to join their exertions in this great work, and daily to unite in prayer to Almighty God for the relief of the captive, the enslaved, the oppressed, and those who have no helper. EXTRACT FROM THE FRIENDS' YEARLY MEETING EPISTLE, 1823. DEAR FRIENDS, WE have again been made thankful in the belief that the Lord is not unmindful of us; and we reverently trust, that this meeting has not been held in vain. We may inform you, that the current of Christian love has renewedly flowed amongst us; and it has extended to all our absent friends. Under this precious influence, we offer you our endeared salutation, desiring your advancement in the way which leadeth unto eternal life; and that you may ever bear in remembrance, that "other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Beloved friends, we have no new doctrine to communicate; no fresh precepts to enforce: it is a peculiar excellence of the Gospel, that its character is always the same. To those who desire to have their hearts cleansed from the defilements of sin, -yea, to all-the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ continues to be freely offered. The cross must be daily borne by all who would become his disciples. If we would attain unto that holiness without which no man can see the Lord, we must apply in faith unto Him who "taketh away the sin of the world"-who was "wounded for our transgressions," who was "bruised for our iniquities," and by whose "stripes we are healed;" who, being in glory with the Father" before the world was," condescended, in order to effect our redemption, to come down from heaven, and take upon him the nature of man. In contemplating the infinite importance of these solemn truths, and in publicly acknowledging our belief in the divinity of our blessed Saviour, we desire most clearly to convey the sentiment, that it is not the mere assent of the judgment to the truths of Holy Scripture, however desirable such an assent may be, that is sufficient to make us real Christians. It is only by the sanctifying operation of the Holy Spirit that we come fully to partake of the benefits of the mediation and propitiatory sacrifice of the Son of God. It is our earnest solicitude, that all whom we are addressing may be enough concerned for the salvation of their souls. Dear friends, we believe that, for the advancement of this most necessary work, it is good for us frequently to seek after re tirement in spirit before the Lord, and to wait in reverent silence for the secret intimations of his will. If this be not immediately manifested, let not any be discouraged, but let them persevere in faith. Then we believe, that in the Lord's time that evidence of his care will be granted, which will prove consoling to the mind. On such occasions, the precepts of holy writ will at times be brought instructively to our remembrance. With these invaluable writings, it becomes every one, who bears the name of a Christian, to endeavour to be well acquainted. In order to acquire this knowledge, we wish that all our members may observe the good practice of a daily serious reading of the Scriptures in their families, when collected; and also that they frequently read them in private in a pious disposition of mind. In the sacred writings no duty is more clearly set forth than that of prayer. Prayer is the aspiration of the heart unto God; it is one of the first engagements of the awakened soul; and we believe that it becomes the clothing of the minds of those whose lives are regulated by the fear and love of their Creator. If in moments of serious reflection, and when communing with our own hearts, we are sufficiently alive to our helpless condition, we shall often feel that we may pour forth our secret supplications unto the Lord. And as we believe that it is one of the greatest privileges a Christian can enjoy, thus to draw nigh in spirit unto the Father of Mercies, we earnestly desire that no one may deprive himself of so great a blessing. But let all on such occasions remember the awful majesty of Him who filleth heaven and earth, and their own unworthiness in His pure and holy sight. If these considerations ought to possess the mind in our secret aspirations unto the Almighty, how incumbent is it upon those who publicly approach the throne of grace, to cherish them in their hearts, and to move only under the influence of that Spirit which enables us to pray aright. Whilst he, who would be a real and not a nominal Christian, is duly impressed with the necessity of striving to become a meek and humble disciple of Jesus,-whilst he bears in mind that he is constantly liable to fall, and that he must therefore be waiting for the renewal of his spiritual strength, and at all times be placing his dependence upon divine aid-there is safety. But we fear, with respect to some who have run well for a time, that either through the friendship of men, or outward prosperity, or through unwatchfulness, they have gradually fallen away from that to which they had once attained; and that others, from similar causes, are not advancing to that state of purity and simplicity in which they would become useful members of the church of Christ. Dear friends, permit us, in Christian love, to remind you of the ever-important injunction of our Lord; "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." If you endeavour to prove by your actions the sincerity of your profession, if in your intercourse with others you show that you have an honest and upright heart, if your lives are ordered in the fear of the Lord; you may, by your daily walk through life, commend and adorn your own religious principles. But, if there be a want of consistency of conduct, it may lead those around you, lightly to esteem those very principles which their judgment has at one time approved; nay, it may cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of. There are many ways by which our attachment to religion and virtue may be made manifest to others. One of these is, the due observance of that day which is publicly set apart for the performance of divine worship. Our care for the due attendance on our religious meetings, both on first-days and on other days of the week, has been repeatedly expressed, nor have we at this time been unmindful of this primary obligation. We earnestly entreat every one, when thus met, to consider the worship of the Almighty as a solemn act. Under this impression, his demeanour will bespeak a serious thoughtfulness; and let all remember, that at such times an indolent state of mind is offensive in the sight of Him whom we are met to serve. But the duties of the day to which we have adverted, are not confined to the time allotted to assembling with our brethren. Our spiritual growth may be advanced by habits of quietness and retirement, and by suitable reading in the course of the day. On the other hand, great care is necessary that we do not, by unprofitable visiting or conversation, by travelling on our outward avocations, or by otherwise engaging in them, dissipate those good impressions with which we have been mercifully favoured. We rejoice, with gratitude, that this country has continued to be favoured with the blessing of peace, whilst we lament that other nations, no great distance from us, have been involved in contention and bloodshed. We desire that we may all so live under the influence of that Spirit which breathes peace on earth and good will towards men, that, whenever occasions occur, we may be prepared, by our conversation and conduct, in meekness and wisdom to show forth our precious testimony to the peaceable nature of the Gospel dispensation. This meeting has again felt deeply interested on behalf of the natives of Africa, who continue to be torn from their homes, and consigned to cruel bondage, as well as for those who are held in slavery in the colonies of this country. And we desire, that friends every where may not fail to remember all who are thus deprived of their liberty, with feelings of sorrow, and to pity them in their degraded condition; and also, that they would embrace every favourable opportunity that may present itself for pleading the cause of these our oppressed fellow-men. "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."Jude, 24, 25. INSTANCE OF PIOUS GRATITUDE. The following strict observance of the direction, "Vow, and pay unto the Lord thy vows," is stated in the newspapers to have occurred recently at Marseilles. The master of a Greek vessel and his crew astonished the inhabitants of Marseilles, a short time since, by carrying the cargo of their small vessel, consisting of rice, to the market-place, and distributing it gratis to the poor. It may easily be supposed, that their customers increased hourly when the circumstances were made known; and several other cargoes might have been speedily disposed of on the same terms. These poor men, it seems, were caught in a dreadful storm in the Mediterranean; and having betaken themselves to prayers, according to the forms of the Greek Church, they made a vow to give their cargo to the poor, if Providence should be pleased to spare their vessel and their lives, for the sake of their wives and families. The storm abated, and they gained Marseilles in safety, where they rigidly performed their vow. It is to be observed, that the master and crew of a Greek vessel are all joint owners, in certain proportion, of ship and cargo. UNITED BRETHREN. The CIst Number of the Accounts of the London Society of the United Brethren contains, in addition to many interesting accounts of the extension of Christian knowledge, the following statement of the settlements of the Institution : Begun. In 1782. In the Danish WEST INDIA ISLANDS. In St. Thomas.-New Herrnhut, Nisky. In St. Croix,-Friedensberg, Friedensthal, Friedensfeld. In St Jan.-Bethany, Emmaus. In 1733. In 1784. (Thirty-six Missionaries.)* In GREENLAND.-New Herrnhut, Lichtenfels, Lichtenau. (Eighteen Missionaries.) NORTH AMERICA. (Among the Native Indians.) New Fairfield, in Upper Canada; Spring Place, in the Cherokee country; Oochgelogy, Begun In 1738. In 1736. renewed in 1792. 1818. In 1754. In 1756. 1817. 1822. In 1764. In 1765. Begun In 1765. renewed In 1815. 1775. in ditto. (Seven Missionaries.) IN SOUTH AMERICA. (Among the Negro Slaves.) IN SOUTH AFRICA. Gaudenthal, (Bavianskloof,) Groenekloof. (Thirty-six Missionaries.) IN JAMAICA. New Eden, in St.Elizabeth's Parish Carmel, ditto Irvine, near Montego-bay. (Eight Missionaries.) Thirty-three Settlements; in the service of which 173 persons were employed at the beginning of the year 1823. These numbers always include the wives of Missionaries, who, in the Brethren's Settlements, take an important share in the spiritual concerns of the female converts. 400 REGISTER OF EVENTS. HOME. WE have still to lament the existence of a most dangerous spirit in Ireland, which has lately manifested itself in more than one instance of most sanguinary outrage. Partyexcitement has also been fomented by an attempt, on the part of a Romish priest, to introduce the idolatrous rites of his confession into the burial precinct of a Protestant Church. This was resisted, as a matter of course; and the consequence is, a great outcry against the Archbishop of Dublin, who happened at the time to be many hundred miles distant from the spot; as though the accustomed practice of a parish sexton were an act of bigoted aggression on the part of his Grace. FOREIGN. The career of the French in Spain has been more rapid within the last few weeks. It is apprehended, that treachery has been the cause of several of the misfortunes which have lately befallen the party of the Cortes. The Trocadero, a strong outwork of Cadiz, was forced, with a trifling loss, and the whole defending force was captured. Malaga was taken on the 4th of September; Pampeluna, the strongest fortress in Spain, on the 17th. Santona has since capitulated. A body of troops in Catalonia, nearly 2000 strong, has laid down its arms; and Riego, the originator and leader of the revolution, has been captured, after the dispersal of his troops. Scarcely any thing remains to be done, excepting the conquest of Cadiz, which is daily expecting an attack, and with little hope of successful resistance. While, however, the French subdue every thing before them, a new enemy rises in their rear, and greatly incommodes them. The Regency, which the Duc D'Angouleme established at Madrid, refuses to concur in his views, and seems inclined to push matters to the most terrible extremes. Much opposition and bickering has thus arisen between the French authorities at Madrid and their Spanish coadjutors. Notices and Acknowledgments. RECEIVED J. W. M.;-Aliquis; H. H.;-J. S.;-Chirurgus. We were somewhat surprized at R. T.'s long silence, especially as he had given hopes of our hearing from him again. We shall be happy to receive the sequel as soon as convenient, in order to determine when to insert the first part. A pressure of matter alone prevented our noticing the favor of A Member of the Society of Friends, in the way he would have wished. We shall always be happy to hear from him. is inadmissible. The irregular Ode is one of the most difficult species of Poetry ; and we should not, therefore, advise him at present to attempt it. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. Just published. A Plain Treatise on Edification. By the Rev. Charles Davy, Author of Cottage Sermons. The Entire Works of the Rev. Thomas Scott. Vols. I. and II. A new Edition of the Rev. E. Bickersteth's Companion to the Holy Communion. The Footman's Directory, and Butler's Remembrancer. Second Edition, enlarged. In the Press. A THIRD Volume of Sermons. By the Rev. Joseph Milner, late Vicar of the Holy Trinity Church, Hull. Secreta Monita; the Secret Instructions of the Jesuits. Practical Remarks on the Prophecies. By the Rev. E. Bickersteth. A second Volume of the Sermons of the Rev. W. Richardson, of York. |