in all its forms, as inconsistent with the Christian principle of love, forget in their private life, the law of meekness and long-suffering, and yield themselves a prey to wrath, malice, envy, and bitterness; when those who speak of worshipping the Father in a preeminently spiritual manner, are really living in the neglect of devotional duty; when those who sedulously shun the idle vanities of general society are seduced into that covetousness which is idolatry, or are found indulging their gross and sinful appetites; when those who, in professed adherence to the law of truth, refuse to substitute even the You for the Thou, are found defective in common sincerity of language, or integrity of conduct;-then, indeed, the cause of truth is fearfully laid waste, and all that is distinguishing in our religious system is thrown, to the eyes of an inquiring world, into a deep and almost impenetrable shade. Although we may reasonably entertain the hope, that the character of but few of our members will correspond, in any great degree, to the description now given, that description may, nevertheless, be partially and slightly applicable to many; and all of us, indeed, who are attached by the force of long-continued habit to the practices of Friends, have great need of watchfulness, lest we fall into this snare of our enemy;-lest, while he leaves us in quiet possession of the figure or shell, he rob us of the substance and kernel of our religion. In conclusion, I would remark, that the true preservative from any such dereliction of the virtue, honor, and love, which become our religious profession, as well as from the neglect of those duties, which are, in some degree, confined to ourselves, will ever be found in the fear of God, and in a steady, abiding, reliance upon our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If Christ be made unto us, of the Father, "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption," we shall not fail to live as "obedient children." Reconciled unto God through faith in our Redeemer, and subjected to the government of the Holy Spirit, we shall order our steps aright, imitate the goodness of our heavenly Pattern, grow in grace and holiness, and experience a happy deliverance from the power and dominion of the prince of darkness. Let us ever remember that there is no use or security in the superstructure except it be erected upon a sure foundation: and that, in religious matters, "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus."5 Solicitous as I am that our peculiar testimonies should be maintained by us with 5 When our blessed Lord was conversing with the Jews on the subject of the Holy Scriptures, he said, "They are they which testify of me," John v. 39; and in exact conformity with this declaration, the apostle Paul has taught us, that these inspired writings are able to make us "wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus:" 2 Tim. iii, 15. The Scriptures may, indeed, be justly considered as the principal outward means appointed by an all-wise and merciful Deity, to promote the maintenance of his children on that one foundation, of which we are now speaking. I venture to avail myself of the present opportunity, in order to remark, that, as a sedulous attention to the Bible is a duty incumbent upon Christians in general, so it is of especial importance to the members of the Society of Friends, who are not accustomed to hear the Scriptures read in their places of worship, and whose prin all that faithfulness and vigor which their practical importance demands, I am perfectly aware that they are no sooner separated from vital Christianity than they become vain and unprofitable-deprived at once of all their efficacy and of all their stability. May it, then, be our humble and diligent endeavour to draw nigh unto the Father of mercies, through "the blood of the everlasting covenant," and to live "by faith in the Son of God." Thus, and thus only, shall we be enabled to bear with acceptance the goodly fruits of righteousness, to glorify the name of our God, and to fulfil the particular purposes for which he has seen meet to raise us up from among the children of men, to be, during his own good pleasure, a distinct and separate religious people. ciples have led them to the disuse of some other outward means in religion, to which their fellow-Christians are generally habituated. That the performance of this duty is strongly enjoined by our Society on its members, those who are acquainted with the course of our discipline are well aware. May our attention be more and more directed to so important a subject; and may we be found diligent not only in the daily reading of Scripture with our families, but in that private perusal of it, in seasons of solitude and retirement—not without secret prayer for divine illumination-by means of which its sacred and edifying contents may be yet more clearly opened to our understandings, and yet more deeply impressed upon our hearts! |