look well to its conduct in all respects on this subject.' My fears have been, that many are in danger of departing from the true ground of this testimony. Those only will stand, in a time of trial, who have placed their confidence in the all-sufficient arm of the Almighty ; and who liave no dependence upon the arm of flesh; who know that the kingdom of their divine Master is not of this world': 'and who thenselves are redeemed from the love of it, and prefer his cause to all other considerations." Such will be kept free from all the measures of war,

and endeavour to lead quiet and peaceable lives among men, in all godliness and honesty. Išeither will tliey be tossed about by any

of the changes that are going on in thie world. But being satisfied with the peace of God in their own souls, they will lean upon him, not daring to mix with any thing but what they know proceeds from the light and spirit of truth. But when the affections of men fasten upon worldly possessions, they are in danger of mixing with the policy and spirit of the times, and often the steps they take to promote their own selfish ends, are contrary to the benign purpose of Him, who regards with an equal eye all the nations of the earth. Hence, such

become instrumental in hastening the very troubles they meant to guard against. As we have professed to own the Spirit of Truth for our guide, and by its influence to be led out of everything which is not conformable to it, I have seen that the day calls for great watchfulness, and that without it, though we profess to have a testimony against war, we may give our strength and countenance in favour of measures, the remote tendency whereof may be to shed. the blood of our sons in the field of battle: Under these considerations my mind has often been exercised, and I have been desirous that some way might open to call the attention of my fellow professors, and invite them to stand separate from every thing which has not its life in the life of truth. Until this is the case, we shall feel weak in maintaining the dignified testimony to the peaceable spirit of the Gospel of Christ; in whose Gospel and power, the prophet Daniel saw the saints of the Most High standing, saying one to another, how long shall these things be. They were not mixed with the multitude, but were trusting in the Lord. Under these considerations, I have felt desires that all may come out of the wisdom of the creaturely will, bellering that

though there may be many things admitted by this wisdom, which may appear founded in equity, and due from man to man, yet that the government of men, both in a national and individual capacity, is the ultimate and sovereign right of the Almighty, and that the establishment of peace on earth can never be expected, until the rule and dominion is surrendered up to him. Then will that kingdom be set up, both individually and in the world which the same enlightened prophet saw. 16 And in the days of these kings, shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shad never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces, and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Dan. ii. 44. While the pride of man continues to usurp the government, and his will and wisdom dictate the measures to be adopted, the effect will be what this fallen wisdom ever has produced. But when that kingdom shall be set up, which is already begun in the souls of many people, it shall remove the spirit of war, and establish in the room thereof, the peaceful reign of the Messiah. As members of this kingdom, which the Lord designs to exalt, what have such to do with

any other, but to be examples of the peaceable government of Christ? Therefore, let all those who profess to be his subjects, and who believe in his lamb-like, suffering nature, beware how they mar his work in their own souls, and retard its progress in the earth, lest they stumble and fall, and lose that inheritance in his light and truth, to which they are called.

But sorne will say, that if this be the profession of Friends, they are against all civil government, and look for the kingdom and government of Christ to do all things, to answer all ends and purposes. To such I would observe, that the foundation of Christian

gos vernment stands upon the ground of conviction, convincement, and good-will to men: and that I know of no constitution or government in the world that at this day, agrees with Christianity: they all make provision for war, they all complete their ends by force. And therefore, it becomes a people who cannot act upon opposite principles, to be on their guard how they connect themselves with the measures of government. The Christian may live in the world, he may comply with all the commands of government, either actively or passively, and

there is nothing to fear from him, if he be a Christian. And if all men were Christians, the principles of civil government would be changed from compulsion to consent, the subjects from force to submission without it. But I may be told, all men are not Christians, therefore force is necessary to protect Christi

This consequence will not follow;, for a Christian is like a plant in the earth, he stands till he is cut down; or in other words, his stay on earth is wholly submitted to the will of his Creator; and because his Creator has forbidden the exercise of force, he knows that it is not the will of his Lord that he should resort to it, even when he cannot stand without it. He is removed from the world, he has made no resistance, he dies in peace; therefore, by the power of non-resistance, he is made victorious; and this is our victory, even our faith. And thus it is, that the Lamb and his followers are unconquerable, because they never strive. All, therefore, who take this ground, are members of the kingdom of the Prince of Peace; they are redeemed from war, and the occasions that lead to it, and stand in that spirit which is of God, and which is willing, like him, that blessings should flow upon the evil'and the good..