vine Providence, for important and desirable purposes, may be severed by the lapse of its smallest, as well as by that of its largest link.

It is worthy of remark, that although an alteration in dress, and the substitution of "thee and thou" for the plural pronoun, when addressed to an individual, appear to be sacrifices of little cost, there are few things which, in many tender minds, occasion a greater struggle. As is the smallness of the required sacrifice, so appears to be the greatness of their fear to offer it. But is it not Satan, the father of lies, who makes the path of duty, even in very little things, appear distressing and difficult? And would not the constraining love of Christ render every cross to our own wills, which we might undergo for his sake, both easy and pleasant?

Opportunities have been afforded me, during the last few years, of conversing, on the present subject, with many persons in different parts of the kingdom, who have not been educated in our Society, but have become convinced of the truth of our Christian principles. With very little exception, I have observed that they are made sensible of the duty of plainness -especially of using the plain language; and in some instances, this has happened before there was any acquaintance with Friends, or with their writings.

In the course of their religious experience, and mostly in an early stage of it, these persons are brought to a pass on their journey, which may well be compared to a narrow bridge over a deep river. If they have faith to take up their cross, and to walk over it, they are generally enabled to go on and pros

per; but if they give way to reasoning, and conclude that this passage is either useless or impracticable, the consequences are often lamentable. After looking at it for a long season, until they are weary of the sight, they turn back, and fall by degrees into a state of religious dwarfishness. Not daring to be Christians according to that particular line of duty which the Lord had cast up for them, they appear almost to cease from being Christians at all.

That this statement is neither untrue nor exaggerated, many can testify, from what they have known in themselves, and seen in others. Now, for such a uniformity of experience, in connexion with our views of the spirituality of the Gospel, I cannot conceive that any thing can account, but truth. It appears to afford a substantial evidence, that these little sacrifices of self are consistent with the will of our Heavenly Father; and that they are required of us, in the order of his grace and providence, for some wise and sufficient purpose. Whatsoever is the duty assigned to us of the Lord, “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft;" behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams!"

Let it never be forgotten, however, that a compliance with the dictates of the Spirit, in these minor matters, must never be rested in as a sufficient mark of allegiance to our Lord, or as indicating any high attainment in the religious life. Such a compliance is rather to be regarded as in its nature introductory -a confession of principle, leading to a course of duty. It is the privilege of the Christian, through the influence of divine grace, to go forward from one

act of faith and obedience to another, and thus to make advances towards the heavenly Zion. "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

CONCLUSION.

OUR discussion of the distinguishing religious sentiments and practices of the Society of Friends being now brought to its conclusion, the reader is invited to take a short and general review of that train of reflection which has been pursued in the present volume. For this purpose, his recollection will be assisted by the following summary.

However the members of any particular religious community may rejoice in those privileges which, in consequence of the adoption of certain principles, attach in a preeminent manner to themselves, they ought never to lay aside a just and candid view of the spiritual blessings which are offered to all mankind; and of those, more particularly, which appertain to all the true members of the visible church of Christ. All men are the children of God by creation, and over all he extends his lovingkindness and tender mercy. Christ died for all men; and all, as we may conclude from certain passages of Scripture, are endued with a measure of the moral light and purifying power of the Spirit of Truth. With respect to the true members of the visible church of Christ,

these, to whatever name, sect, or country, they may belong, are the common partakers of the especial favors of their Lord. It is their happiness to love and serve an incarnate, crucified, risen, and glorified, Redeemer. They enjoy an abundant light; an exceeding grace; a revealed and established hope; and a preeminent degree of the influence of the Holy Spirit.

United, as all real Christians are, on the basis of fundamental truth, they are found to differ from one another in their view and estimate of various particulars in religion. Thus (for the present) do those principles which are essential to the salvation of souls pass to the various classes of true Christians, through as various mediums; and although some of these mediums are, evidently, purer and more spiritual than others, it may be acknowledged, (with gratitude to that Being whose mercies are manifold and whose resources are infinite,) that this consequence of human infirmity is overruled for good, and that there is permitted to exist, in the Christian church, a real and even useful variety of administration, under one Head.

Christians, however, while they abstain from judg ing one another on such matters, and rejoice in their great and common salvation, ought, nevertheless to endeavour after a full persuasion respecting their peculiar religious views;-to examine the foundation on which they rest; to leave hold of them, and suffer them to pass away, if their foundation is a bad one; but, if they are grounded, according to the decision of their deliberate judgment, on the unchangeable truth of God, to cleave to them with integrity, patience, and perseverance. Let us, who belong to the