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dence in the world, that such a period ever will arrive! The means are revealed, just as much as the end, in the scriptures of truth: and the opposers of missions to the heathen, of the operations of Bible societies, Sabbath-schools, and other evangelical instrumentalities of communicative goodness, however they may say or think themselves desirous of the result, are really its most formidable and guilty retarders. Meanwhile, the magistracy is not to be disarmed or divested of the thunders of God. Quakerism has had a trial of its plenipotentiary light, for nearly two centuries. What state has adopted it; or what promise does IT unfold of its own ultimate prevalence, or of its EVER pacifying the nations? It is an obscuration of the light of christianity and a delusion that supersedes its influence. Is. 2: 2-5. Matt. 28: 18-20. Rom. 16: 25-27. Dan. 7: 26, 27. 12:9-13. Rev. 20: 1-6. These passages show the reality of the millennium and the theory of its eventuation. Inward light can only retard and prevent it. "FOR OUT OF ZION SHALL GO FORTH THE LAW, AND THE WORD OF THE LORD FROM JERUSALEM. AND HE SHALL JUDGE AMONG THE NATIONS, AND SHALL REBUKE MANY PEOPLE AND THEY SHALL BEAT THEIR SWORDS INTO PLOUGH-SHARES, AND THEIR SPEARS INTO PRUNINGHOOKS NATION SHALL NOT LIFT UP SWORD AGAINST NATION, NEITHER SHALL THEY LEARN WAR ANY MORE. O HOUSE OF JACOB, COME YE, AND LET US WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD!"

My fathers and brethren; in what follows of this work, I shall address you really, but with still less

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directness and form. The volume, as it is now to go forth, is, I hope, destined in providence to do some good. Again, I say, with the matter I am comparatively contented. The manner is much more vulnerable. It has indeed very little of my own confidence. I entreat you, however, to reflect on the exceeding difficulty of doing such a service in a style felicitous and acceptable: especially for one so situated; so interrupted and hurried with other duties. You will defend the cause of truth, and the fortunes of my humble book, only as they appear to you congenial or identified. I can ask no more-unless it be your prayers for me and "my kinsmen according to the flesh!" The junior prophet exclaimed, while the patriarch sage ascended; "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof!" It was well and eloquently said. The genuine prophetic service, the christian ministry more eminently, the pious and the learned fathers of the church, are the defence of the country; the munition of the nation; the treasure of the state: nor will I wait the time to catch your falling mantle, or lament your departure, if permitted to survive, before I express my grateful conviction of the truth. The ministers of the gospel-that deserve the name-are "the messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ." Jesus Christ holds them as "stars" in his own right hand. He defends them too; "saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." The history of this country demonstrates the same

truth in every chapter: and so long as christianity, pure and free, shall continue to throw over us the mantle of celestial influence, we shall endure and flourish, the hope and the wonder of the world. This is the only inspiration we need. The institutions of our civil freedom are comparatively congenial with the principles of the gospel. "In comparison with the rest of the world," says Baxter, "I shall think that land happy which hath but bare liberty to be as good as the people are willing to be." How much more liberty do we enjoy or-pervert! Here we may think and act and worship without fear. There is no temptation-I had almost said not to be honest. It is the vantageground of evidence: and we are all willing to make this league even with infidelity and heresy-that we will on all sides freely examine, so that evidence only may lead us: and THAT SYSTEM shall alone prevail that can stand the shock of all rational discussion. Christianity, I venture nothing in saying it, is such a system; and just as evident is it that there is no other: consequently, Quakerism is not that system; and THEREFORE ONLY do I benevolently desire to see it universally superseded. "Prove all things: hold fast that which is good." It is strange that any one should so err respecting the nature of benevolence, as to question either its vital connexion with truth, or its fearless delight in evidence, or the vigor and the principle of all its proper demonstrations; since the predominance of selfishness alone can adequately account for the apathy or the antipathy of millions toward the gos

pel.

"AND THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION!"

"For

it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

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