in other parts of our Yearly Meeting, the revival of their memory and names can hardly fail to be interesting. When these valuable pillars of the church are called up into view by the perusal of these memorials, the often-repeated exclamation of the prophet, "your fathers, where are they, and the prophets, do they live forever?" very naturally arises; and may be, perhaps, profitably followed by the enquiry, in what manner, and by whom are the places left vacant by their removal, now supplied? Can we exclaim, instead of the fathers behold the sons, and instead of the mothers behold the daughters? When we review, among the often-named correspondents in labour and objects of Christian attachment of R. Jones, the lives, characters and services of George Dillwyn, William Savery, Samuel Smith, William Jackson, Thomas Scattergood, Ruth A. Lindley, Martha Allinson, Sarah Cresson, &c., &c., well may we ask, where has their mantle fallen, and by whom has it been taken up? If the perusal of these memorials should excite attention to such reflections as these, particularly among the younger classes of our members, their publication will not have been made in vain. We must indeed admit that faithful and skilful labourers are needful now as well as in the age which witnessed the exercises of R. Jones and her cotemporaries; and we cannot doubt that the good Shepherd and Leader of his people is as ready to bestow his gifts upon the sons and daughters of the present day as on those who have gone before us. That our ranks are not now filled with such characters as adorned the latter part of the eighteenth century, must be acknowledged; and the enquiry is a momentous one, why is it so? JAMES TRUEBLOOD, of Old Blue River, to JANE in New Castle, West Chester Co., N. Y., SOPHIA, THE YEARLY MEETING OF LONDON. At the meeting of ministers and elders, held on the 21st and 22d of 5th mo., certificates were read for Thomas Arnett, of Indiana Yearly Meeting, Anna A. Jenkins, of Rhode Island, and Susan Howland, of New Bedford, together with a minute on behalf of George Howland, liberating him to accompany his wife in the whole or part of her for A. A. Jenkins, for presentation to her own travels. A certificate was ordered to be prepared meetings on her return to America, as she does not expect to remain much longer in this country, The Friends above named, were all present; and they also attended the general Yearly Meeting. 23D, FOURTH DAY.-We thought the meeting was smaller than on many former occasions. After a pause, and the offering of solemn and earnest supplication, the business of the meeting commenced in its customary order. Amongst the epistles from other Yearly Meetings, we may mention particularly a very instructive one from Ireland. The assimilation to the world of too Notwithstanding the notice in preceding num- many of our members, was feelingly dwelt upon bers of the Yearly Meetings of London and Dublin, in it; and it was observed, that since the Christian we find the accounts of these meetings, particularly structure which the Society has ever maintained, of the former, so much more full and satisfactory those who reject any part of it, however small the was, as we believe, erected in the Divine wisdom, in the London Friend, which has just come to hand, deviation may appear to be, are in danger of that we have copied the whole of the latter, and defacing the edifice, and destroying the harmony the principal part of the former, into the present of the whole. The subject of slavery was alluded one. This, of course, occasions a little repetition, to, and a greater degree of activity recommended but it has the advantage of presenting the proceed-in the employment of means to bring this great ings in a connected order. evil to a termination. Nearly all the American epistles mentioned a numerous attendance of young MARRIED,-At Friends' Meeting House, Vermil-persons at their several Yearly Meetings. The lion, Vermillion Co., Illinois, on Fifth day, the 8th of Third month last, WILLIAM LAWRENCE to MARY, daughter of Thomas Hester, all of the above-named county. epistle from New York, spoke of the remonstrance which, on more than one occasion, was made by that meeting against the war with Mexico; and also informed us that they have published an address on the inconsistency of war with the Christian religion, which has been well received by many of their fellow-countrymen, and of which 300,000 copies have been disseminated. In the At Friends' Meeting House, Milford, Wayne epistle from Baltimore, which now includes VirCo., Indiana, on the 27th of Third month last,ginia, the great extent of their boundaries, the At Friends' Meeting, Marlborough, Randolph Co., N. C., on the 25th of Fourth month last, NATHAN F. SPENCER, of that vicinity, to MARY, daughter of Joseph Newlin, of New Market. Thatcham, who died at the advanced age of ninetythree. A testimony was also read for Samuel Rundell, of Liskeard, a well-known minister of our Society, aged eighty-five, and who had been a minister fifty-eight years. long distances between their meetings, and the reduced size of many of them, were referred to, as bringing upon the body a large portion of oversight and labour. Their epistle described the gradual decline of slavery in the State of Maryland, where escape, emancipation, and the removal of the slaves southward, every year diminish their number. In this State, also, the free-coloured people are, perhaps, in more comfortable circumstances than in any other part of the union, and some of them are in a condition of affluence. A committee of Friends in the State of Virginia, continues to watch over the rights of persons illegally held in bondage, and their care is re-made and published at intervals of several years. warded by the successive liberation of individuals of this class, who would, otherwise, have been consigned to perpetual slavery. Afternoon. The representatives presented the names of George Stacey, as clerk, and Robert Forster and John Dymond, as assistants, which were acceptable to the meeting. In the Accounts of Sufferings, which were next entered upon, a few questions arose, which engaged the attention of the meeting. One of these was the practice, in many instances, of receiving back in money the overplus of the demand and expenses, a practice against which Friends are advised in our Rules of Discipline. See page 264. In explanation of large items of such returns from some meetings, it was observed, that the surplus money is frequently left by the officers at the houses of Friends without their connivance, and that in other instances, the knowledge that the officers would appropriate the money, and mis-spend it, induces the parties to receive it when offered to them. In reply, it was argued, that if the magistrates are put upon their guard, they will not suffer such practices, and one or more instances were referred to, where this result has taken place. The illegal practice of an officer, employed to levy both the rent charge and the church rate, paying the latter out of the surplus effects distrained without warrant for the satisfaction of the former, engaged the attention of the meeting; and Friends were advised not to suffer such a violation of the law to pass unnoticed. It will be observed that the bare items which are annually read amongst us, under the title of "Accounts of Sufferings," afford no indication of the hardships which sometimes befall our members in the enforcement of the laws relating to ecclesiastical demands; and the meeting was informed that the Meeting for Sufferings has had under consideration the propriety of bringing one or more extreme cases into public notice. The subject was concluded with a minute, referring the whole matter to the care of the Meeting for Sufferings. The Queries were commenced at this sitting; and in the course of them, two minutes, (both of which should have been issued in the form of testimonies,) were read; one for Francis Gregg, of Whitney, a journeyman, who entered the Society by convincement; the other for John Withers, of 24TH, FIFTH DAY.-At this sitting, the answers to the Queries were continued as far as Durham; and testimonies were read respecting Isaac Harris, of Greysouthen, Lydia Sutton, of Scotby, and Daniel Oliver, of Newcastle. The disposal of documents of this kind, engaged our attention. It was proposed that in future, they should not be printed annually, but that a selection should be No alteration, however, will take place at this time. We received a visit from a woman Friend, under a religious concern. The subject of Friends purchasing shares in Joint Stock Companies, engaged the deep attention of the meeting, being brought before it by one of the answers to the sixth Query. Friends were strongly advised against becoming involved in engagements of this nature, and also against subscribing to any undertaking, without making themselves fully acquainted with the extent to which they make themselves liable. The sympathy of the meeting was claimed for some of our members in the northern counties, who, having become parties to commercial undertakings, without any act or consent of their own, (as in the case of legacies or executorships,) had been made responsible beyond their ability, and had stripped themselves of their personal effects, to meet, as far as possible, the demands upon them. Afternoon Proceeded with the answers as far as Yorkshire. Testimonies were read concerning John Bell, of Wandsworth, Jane Harris, of London, and Frances Page, of Norwich. 25TH, SIXTH DAY.-Afternoon.-The answers to the Queries were finished at this sitting, and a summary, read by way of report, from the meeting of Ministers and Elders; after which the particular state of the Society at the present time, was taken into consideration, with ultimate reference to the issue of a general epistle. As on some former occasions, we have thankfully to record, that much solemnity and lively exercise of spirit characterised the deliberations throughout this sitting. Grateful and animating testimony was borne to the continuance of the divine favour towards our little church; her history, present position, and high and extensive duties were described in impressive language; and that view of individual responsibility which is to be found in every part of the New Testament, and of our religious polity, was clearly and variously defined. A considerable portion of the Christian exhortation which the Ministers and Elders were at this time enabled to impart, will be found embodied in the general epistle; and for this reason, as well as from a feeling, both that we are unable to do justice to the subject, and also that a report in extenso of religious exercises of this nature cannot properly be made the subject of print, we shall refrain from a more particular relation. 26TH, SEVENTH DAY.-Morning.-A proposition was presented from Berkshire and Oxfordshire, to the effect that the rules* which allow the the payment, in certain cases, out of the national stock, of the expenses of ministering Friends, should be enlarged, so as to include the expenses of public meetings generally, in places where no Friends reside, and distant from the meetings of Friends, or in districts beyond the recognized limits of any Monthly Meeting. The subject was referred to the Committee on Epistles, where it was considered the same afternoon, and after much expression of sentiment, pro and con., it was agreed to recommend the Yearly Meeting to refer the subject to the Meeting for Sufferings. Another proposition was read, and also referred to the Committee on Epistles. It was from Essex Quarterly Meeting; and after stating that the Tithe Commutation Act has introduced Friends into new and varied positions with regard to our testimony against ecclesiastical demands, proceeded to request the Meeting to advise, first, That a Friend, in taking a lease of land, should, in no case, covenant to pay the rent-charge; and secondly, that no Friend should let land on a lease containing a covenant from his tenant to pay the rent charge. A very full deliberation respecting the first point, took place in the Committee, and also at a subsequent sitting. The Yearly Meeting agreed to recommend the Meeting for Sufferings, after duly digesting the case, to summon a special meeting, and invite the several Quarterly Meetings to appoint representatives to such a Conference. The subject was resumed at a later sitting of the committee. 28TH, SECOND DAY.-Morning.-The attendance was much larger than in the previous week. A religious visit from a woman Friend, occupied a portion of this sitting. Afternoon. A short sitting was occupied with hearing some minutes of the Meeting for Sufferings, descriptive of their usual transactions on behalf the Yearly Meeting. With regard to Friends in foreign parts, it appeared that two or three small meetings have been settled in Norway, and that a Friend has been imprisoned there for refusing to pay a military demand. He remained in confinement ten weeks, on bread and water allowance. The Meeting for Sufferings exerted itself on his behalf with the Swedish minister, and he was subsequently released. Epistles to and from the Friends in that part were read. For further information regarding them, the reader may be referred to a narrative of a religious visit paid to them by three Friends in 1846, an account of which may be found in vol. iv. p. 181, of The London Friend, and also to a valuable narrative of the rise and progress of Friends in See Rules of Discipline, pp. 176, 177. . Norway, recently published by George Richardson. An epistle was read from the Yearly Meeting of Friends in Hobart Town. 29TH, THIRD DAY.-Morning.-The Address to the Queen on the Slave-Trade and Slavery, was read. The general address to the rulers and people of the nations professing Christianity, prepared for and adopted at a Special Meeting for Sufferings, was also twice read, and signed by the clerk. It is a document of much weight and power, and the reading of it was accompanied by feelings of lively sympathy for the slave, and of Christian love towards all mankind. On the question being propounded as to what means should be taken to present and circulate the address in a manner most conducive to its object, our dear friend, William Forster, very feelingly offered himself to be the messenger of the Society. on the Continent of Europe. A minute was made. expressive of the thankfulness and cordial unity of the meeting with this offer, and directing the Meeting for Sufferings to make the needful arrangements, and to see our friend is provided with suitable companions. In the evening, a meeting for worship for young Friends was held, having been appointed at the request of three Friends, all of them influenced by a similar religious concern. The large house was well filled, and the occasion was one of much solemnity, in which the gospel was freely and fully declared. 30TH, FOURTH DAY.-Afternoon.-A report was presented from the committee charged with the application of the Negro and Aborigines Fund. The present depressed condition of the West India peasantry, has been a subject of solicitude to the committee. The cause of the distress is to be found in the great expense incurred by the colonists in the importation of immigrant labourers, which has led to a system of heavy taxation, accompanied by other oppressive enactments; these, with low wages, have greatly deteriorated the outward condition, and consequently the mental energy of the black population, and the committee have expended a considerable portion of the grant in the support of schools in several of the islands. Some assistance has been granted to the tribes of South Africa, chiefly in mills, ploughs, and other agricultural implements. A number of these, to the value of £60 or £80, were sent for the benefit of the Caffers, to Sir H. Smith, the Governor, who has acknowledged them as a valuable aid to his efforts to introduce civilization amongst the native tribes. 31ST, FIFTH DAY.-Morning.-The annexation of Cambridge and Huntingdon to Norfolk Quarterly Meeting, proposed by the committee last year, and agreed to by the latter body, was deferred, at the request of the Friends belonging to the former counties. The subject gave rise to many remarks on the decline of the Society in some parts of the country, and on the extremely small augmentation which it derives from the admission of persons convinced of our views of Christian truth. There was a general expression of opinion that the true remedy is to be found in an individual faithfulness in every branch of our religious profession. In the afternoon, two papers were read from Indiana Yearly Meeting, namely, a report from the committee on Indian affairs, and one on the progress of Friends' exertions for the benefit of the people of colour. In addition to information contained in the former, Thomas Arnett gave the meeting some account of a visit made by him to the Shawnee settlement, accompanied by another Friend. be sent to the New York Yearly Meeting, was brought in at a future sitting, acknowledging the brotherly spirit in which the communication had been made, and informing that body of the conclusion arrived at by the meeting. THIRD DAY.-Morning. The answers to the queries were read, and the state of society as developed by them considered. Much excellent counsel was handed to us; indeed, I harldly ever remember a more favoured opportunity. Not only the strangers, but many of the members were led to speak in a very pertinent and solid manner to the state of things amongst them. Much was said on the subject of the fourth query, SIXTH MONTH 1ST, SIXTH DAY.-Two sittings the training up of children, &c. It was observed were held, in which the remainder of the foreign that Friends were at the beginning a despised epistles and the General Epistle were passed. A people; but that now the habits of thinking in minute of advice was also adopted, which had been the community were changed, and there was no prepared by the committee, against Friends hindrance to association with others; and a fear engaging in hazardous commercial undertakings, was expressed that more assimilation to the world for the purpose of obtaining high rates of interest, and its spirit had been the consequence of this, and also against taking part in such adventures, without making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the extent of the responsibility which they thus take upon themselves. The reading of the General Epistle and the conclusion of the Meeting, were marked by solemnity, and we believe we may add that Friends separated under feelings of encouragement and thankfulness. DUBLIN YEARLY MEETING. We subjoin from the pen of an esteemed correspondent, a sketch of the proceedings of Dublin Yearly Meeting, which, it is comforting to observe, was conducted with great harmony, and under a refreshing sense of heavenly regard. The afternoon sitting was occupied with the consideration of the document from New York Yearly Meeting, relative to the proposed conference at Baltimore, the reading of which brought the meeting under a deep exercise; the way did not, however, seem to open for uniting so far in the concern as to appoint a deputation, unless any individual Friend should offer himself for the service.* No such offer being made, a minute to It was understood that if any Friends had felt a concern of sufficient clearness to authorise them to offer their services, the Meeting would have willingly sanctioned the proceeding-the minute adopted on the subject was in the following words. "This Meeting has solidly and deliberately considered the proposition thus made to us, and we have, according to our measure, been introduced into sympathy with our brethren in America; and an earnest desire has been felt that they may be helped to pursue that course, which, under the blessing of the great Head of the Church, may tend to the settlement of every portion of the body in harmony and peace, and in an united and living concern for the advancement of the cause of the ever-blessed Truth. We are sensible also of the brotherly spirit in which this communication has been made to us; but it not appearing to us that we have at present any part to take in the proposed conference, it is concluded not to appoint a deputation from this and that more care is needed; much advice to parents was given. The subject of books occupied some attention, in reference especially to the deluge of periodical reading, which embraces much that is not only frivolous but frequently noxious and immoral. Friends were earnestly exhorted to beware how they suffer such prints to creep into their families, as well as another class, under a more specious form, which have a tendency imperceptibly to leaven the mind into a sceptical spirit. The youth were affectionately ashamed to acknowledge themselves as Friends, urged to take up their daily cross, and not be even in what are called minor things, and they were encouraged to more diligence in the private perusal of the Holy Scriptures. The afternoon the Meeting for Sufferings, which were read at the sitting was occupied with reading the minutes of London Yearly Meeting of 1848. These were followed by the school reports. a FOURTH DAY.-Morning-Was occupied by meeting for worship. In the afternoon, further minutes from the London Meeting for Sufferings were read. The remainder of the sitting was occupied with the subject of slavery, and Friends were earnestly exhorted to more activity in that cause, and many statements, showing the extent and enormity of the continuance of this evil were made. ON FIFTH DAY.-Morning.-The sitting was very short, in order to allow the sub-committee to meet; the minutes of the previous year, and of the standing committee were read. There appears to be still a few Friends who are engaged in the sale of ardent spirits, which occupied the attention of the meeting. It was proposed that a minute of advice should be made on the subject; but it was ultimately thought not needful, as, on the whole, those cases are diminishing, Meeting, of which we inform our Friends of New York Yearly Meeting, by transmitting thereto a copy of this minute." In the evening sitting, which was the final one, I to meet the stroke of death, or to hear the solemn and a very solemn time, the summary of the summons, "Come to judgment—stand before the answers to the queries was brought in and agreed Son of Man?" And now, my dear young friend, upon, and four representatives were appointed to answer these questions solemnly, honestly, as in London Yearly Meeting. Epistles to all the the sight of God, and then they will be answered American Yearly Meetings, and an epistle to Lon- honestly; and having answered them, say whether don, were brought in, read, and approved. After the pleasures and amusements of the world are the business was concluded, several Friends were innocent or not. In proportion as the heart is engaged in ministry, and bore testimony to the filled with them, there is no room for God. Ah! uniting harmonizing feeling in which the business my dear friend, we have no time to waste in had been permitted to be transacted; and the frivolous follies, nor do they suit our perilous meeting separated under a thankful sense of the condition here. Enemies are encamped against renewed mercy of our Heavenly Father. our souls enemies within and enemies without The meeting for worship on Sixth day morning, was also a very solemn time; testimony after testimony was borne, and Friends seemed hardly able to separate. A meeting on the subject of Irish distress was held the same evening. For Friends' Review. AMUSEMENTS. The following letter was addressed by a person since deceased, to a young man, on the subject of amusements: their power is great, and their name "Legion;" and beside this, yet a little while only is the light with us-death is near-eternity is at hand. Our business is not to trifle, but to prepare to meet our God-" to watch and pray"-to resist the "Evil One"-to be humbled before the Lord -to be trusting, loving and serving Christ-to be pressing forward toward the crown of life-to be secking to have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom. Oh, be not conformed to the world-it can furnish no solid and abiding joy-there is no Paradise below-God reconciled in and through Christ is the only happiness of the soul of man-His favour is better than life"Do not, my dear friend, as you value your His salvation is a diadem-a crown to the meanest soul, be excusing your acknowledged worldliness beggar that receives it-His sanctifying grace is by urging this or the other reasons, such as your precious-His presence is light in darkness, coun situation, your temptations, your connexions-fort in sorrow, the foretaste of Heaven. If you cut all reasoning short by these inquiries, What do the Scriptures of truth declare? what does the Holy Spirit dictate? by what rule will the Judge of All proceed, when He sitteth upon the throne of glory? Put these questions fairly and honestly, and you will be convinced that conformity to the world is but another name for ruin. Yield to conviction, and ask grace of the Lord, that you may be one of his separated people-otherwise, you may be separated from him forever. A Christian should be satisfied with nothing that will not satisfy God. You say that worldly pleasures are both innocent and necessary-try their innocence while I am asking you the following questions: Have you any authority for expecting that the grace and blessing of God will sanctify them to your soul? Do you actually find the cheering presence of the Lord with you while you are partaking of them? Can you in the society with which you then mingle speak of the glorious Gospel?-of a Saviour's love?—of the costly price of redemption ?-of a Christian's joys In a speech delivered by the Dean of Ripon at and sorrows?-of a believer's inheritance and a late soiree of the Mechanics' Institution, Leeds, crown?-Can you, and do you, my dear friend, a few passages occur worthy of being widely cirretire from these amusements with a spiritualculated :mind suited to prayer and praise?-disposed to hold fellowship with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ ?-Do they prepare the soul, by cherishing holy and heavenly affections, for the joy of the spirits of the just made perfect? If they do not, O how worthless! Would you have no objection, while joining in worldly pleasures, look for happiness in the Lord, disappointment can never reach you; for the Lord whom you seek will not only be the fountain of your joy, but will be the guardian of it forever and ever. Secret prayer is the strength of Christian life. Oh let every day be a day of supplication—a day of pressing forward-a day in which the Lord's salvation is either solidly enjoyed, or vigorously sought-a day of great things, if the Lord willor such a day of small things as He will not despise. Be careful to avoid in the day that which will hinder prayer in the evening; the common operations of depravity, if resisted, will not prevent your meeting God with confidence to ask His mercy and His grace; but any one sin, however small, heedlessly or wilfully ventured on, will raise up, perhaps for days, perhaps for weeks, a wall of separation between you and your God. RISE FROM A HUMBLE CONDITION. - "I like to think with pleasure, and satisfaction, and wonder, of the extraordinary advancements. which, in the providence of God, particular individuals have made, who have just been able to apply the operation of their minds according as they were able to exercise them, and thereby to place themselves in extraordinary positions both |