doing as they would that others should do to them, as thus entirely to disregard the plain principles of justice.

It is difficult to account for such tortuous proceedings on any ground, except that of the opposition of some principles of the Society to the unrestricted study of the Holy Scriptures; and that whilst a high regard is professed for the Sacred Writings, they hold only a very subordinate place, both as a guide and as an authority.*

A. Z.

In conclusion, I would say, it is painful to me to make statements which cast a shade upon any of my friends; but I believe the truth of the Gospel demands it: yet whilst contending for the faith once delivered to the Saints, I unfeignedly desire and pray that I, and all with whom I am united in Gospel fellowship, may act in a Christian spirit towards those from whom we differ. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit;" and may "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,”—the blessed fruits of the Spirit, increase, and abound among us. Let us often ask for that grace which will enable us to forgive, to love, and in truth to pray, for those who in any way act injuriously towards us: and may the supplicating language of every heart, both their's and ours, be, "That which I see not teach thoume."-And "the God of peace which brought again from the dead our Lord

* I have not the means of asserting from my own observation the entire accuracy of this and the foregoing report, of the proceedings in the Monthly Meeting, but after much enquiry, I have been assured that the accounts may be relied on as substantially correct.

Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make" us "perfect in every good work to do His will, working in" us all "that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.— Amen."

WILLIAM SIMPSON, PRINTER, BROWN-STREET, MANCHESTER.

APPENDIX.

The Quarterly Meeting of Westmoreland having sent a proposition to the Yearly Meeting, in London, to request that Meeting clearly to define what, in its estimation, are the authority, place, and office, of the Holy Scriptures as the rule of faith and practice. The Yearly Meeting in consequence thereof, gave forth the following declarations in the Yearly Epistle, they are now extracted as forming a link in the present controversy, and more particularly as much use is made of them in the foregoing defence: ;- -The words in Italics are not so marked in the Epistle.

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Extracts from the Yearly Epistle, 1836.

"Often as our religious Society has declared its belief in the Divine authority of the Holy Scriptures, and upheld the sacred volume as the only Divinely authorised record of the doctrines of true religion, we believe it right at this time to revive some important declarations of Scripture itself on the subject. It is expressly declared by the Apostle Peter, that the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.'-2 Pet. i. 21. The Apostle John declares respecting the Gospel which he wrote, These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye might have life through his name.'-John xx. 31. Very pertinent and comprehensive is the language which the Apostle Paul addressed to Timothy; 'From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.'-2 Tim. iii. 15—17. Again the Apostle says, 'Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the

Scriptures might have hope.'-Rom. xv. 4. Finally, our blessed Lord, in reference to those divine writings of which the grand object, in accordance with his own declaration, was to testify of himself, emphatically declares the Scripture cannot be broken.'-John x. 35.

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Although most of these passages relate to the Old Testament, our Society has always freely acknowledged that the principles developed in them, are equally applicable to the writings of the Evangelists and Apostles. In conformity with these principles it has ever been, and still is, the belief of the Society of Friends, that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God; that therefore the declarations contained in them rest on the authority of God himself; and there can be no appeal from them to any other authority whatsoever: that they are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus; being THE appointed means of making known to us the blessed truths of Christianity: that they are the only Divinely authorised record of the doctrines which we are bound as Christians to believe, and of the moral principles which are to regulate our actions that no doctrine which is not contained in them can be required of any one to be believed as an article of faith that whatsoever any man says or does which is contrary to the Scriptures, though under profession of the immediate guidance of the Spirit, must be reckoned and accounted a mere delusion.

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We trust, however, that none of our members will content themselves with merely entertaining a sound view on this subject; but that they will remember that the Holy Scriptures are given to us that they may be diligently used, and that we may obtain a right understanding of them in the fear of the Lord. Let us never forget that their main purpose is, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, to bring us to our Lord Jesus Christ, that by a living operative faith in Him, we may obtain reconciliation with the Father, and be made partakers of everlasting life."

The Reader will observe, that the following Reviews refer to the 1st Edition of the Beacon. and that the pages in the 1st and 2nd Editions do not correspond. They vary from ten to thirteen pages; for instance, where the reference in the Review at page 11, is to pp. 84, 85, 1st Edition, the subject matter will be found in the 2nd Edition, pp. 72, 73, and so throughout.

Many of the headings to the different subjects are also altered in the second Edition.