FROM THE TWENTY-SIXTH OF THE FIFTH MONTH, TO THE SECOND OF THE SIXTH MONTH, INCLUSIVE, 1828. New-York: PRINTED BY MAHLON DAY, no. 376, pearL-STREET. 1828. C 8324.130 ་་ ། HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY GIFT OF FRIENDS HISTORICAL LIBRARY AN EPISTLE, &c. To the Quarterly, Monthly, and Preparative Meetings of Friends, constituting the Yearly Meeting of New-York, and to their members generally,— DEAR FRIENDS, In taking a view of the present peculiar situation of our religious Society, within the limits of this Yearly Meeting, and of the many deep exercises and afflictions, which await the faithful and dedicated followers of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our minds have been brought into a feeling of tender sympathy, with our beloved brethren and sisters, accompanied with a fervent solicitude for their preserva. tion, on the ancient and immutable foundation, Christ Jesus, the Rock of Ages. It is under the influence of these feelings, that we believe it right to salute you at this season, in the love of the Gospel; desiring that grace, mercy, and peace, may be with you, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. The day in which we live is one of great interest and importance to our religious Society. It is a day in which the followers of the Lamb, have largely to experience, that unto them it is given, on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on his name, but also to suffer for him; to realize the truth of that Scripture declaration: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” [2 Tim iii. 12, 13.] It is therefore our incumbent duty, to be fre quently engaged in inward retirement and waiting before the Lord, that we may whness our own wills to be brought into subjection to the Divine Will, and be qualified to resign ourselves and all that we have, to his disposal; knowing that if we suffer with him, we shall also, in due time, reign with him. Wherefore, brethren, re member the apostolic injunction: "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against |