plexed, I hope it would not have made me shrink from duty.

FA. I wonder thy mind has not been arrested before with it, as we have read that book in the family; it is a proof how often we may hear, without comprehending the meaning of our author.

AN. I think conversation about what we read, impresses it on the mind as well as adds to its interest.

Lu. In the Ecclesiastical History, we have been reading, it is stated that Christians did not bear arms during the two first centuries after the Christian era.

Mo. Dost thou remember any of the authorities?

Lu. Ireneus, who lived in the latter part of the second century, says that the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah had been fulfilled; for Christians, in his time, had changed their swords and lances into instruments of peace, and knew not how to fight.

ED. Here is another passage in Bates' Doctrines I should like to read.

Mo. We shall all like to hear it, I expect.

6

ED. "Within about forty years after the crucifixion of our Lord, the city of Jerusalem and the whole nation of the Jews, were broken up in a manner that has no parallel in history. At that time the number of Jews who had embraced Christianity was very considerable. About ten years before this, it was that Paul attended the meeting of Elders, &c. at Jerusalem, when they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe.' We may fairly conclude, that the number had increased in the course of time which had elapsed, between this period and that at which Jerusalem was besieged by the Romans. But, however numerous they might be, it appears that they took no part in the wars of that eventful period. Relying on divine protection, and guided by divine revelation, they left the city of Jerusalem, and all the land of Judea, and resorted to a village beyond Jordan, called Pella. And here they were so effectually preserved, that it does not appear that one single Christian perished."

Mo. A beautiful and encouraging illustration of the power and willingness of the Omnipotent, to preserve those who put their trust in him. "Trust in the Lord, for in the Lord Jehovah there is everlasting strength."

FA. Connected with ourselves, as a religious society, and nearer to our own times, is the remarkable preservation of William Penn and his friends, who, for 70 years, while they administered the affairs of government, lived in peace with the Indians and with the more dangerous Europeans; whilst in almost all the other colonies the tomahawk and the hatchet, the rifle and the sword were resorted to, to maintain even the semblance of peace: and when at last this state assumed a warlike character, it was assailed like the rest, and experienced the calamities of war. Thomas Chalkley, a Friend, who was travelling in New England, in the year 1704, says, "The Indians were very barbarous in the destruction of the English inhabitants, by which the country was greatly alarmed, both night and day: but the great Lord of all was pleased won

derfully to preserve our Friends, especially those who kept faithful to their peaceable principles, according to the doctrine of Christ. Among the many hundreds who were slain, he heard but of three Friends; and their destruction was very remarkable. The two men used to go to labour without any weapon, depending on the Almighty for protection: but a spirit of distrust taking place in their minds, they took weapons of war to defend themselves; and the Indians, who had seen them several times without them, and let them alone, saying they were peaceable men, and hurt nobody, therefore they would not hurt them,' now seeing them with guns, and supposing they designed to kill the Indians, shot them dead. The woman left her habitation, and went to a neighbouring fort, but becoming uneasy with her situation, she concluded to leave it; as she was moving, the Indians lay by the way and killed her. The daughter of this individual remained quietly in their dwelling, telling her husband he must not ask her to move, as she durst not do it: she, with her family, escaped the

fearful death of her mother, and witnessed the mighty power of the Lord in keeping and preserving them, when the Indians were at their doors and windows, and at other times."

ED. Those are remarkable accounts, and speak a language of encouragement to faithfulness, if we look only to self-preservation.

Mo. But I hope my son thou art aware that it ought to be a sense of religious duty; no motive merely selfish, can be acceptable in the sight of that holy being, who requireth truth in the inward parts.

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FA. The extraordinary preservation of Friends during the awful scenes which occurred in the rebellion of 1798, in Ireland, is thus noticed in an authentic document issued by the Yearly meeting in Dublin:"It is worthy of commemoration, and cause of humble thankfulness to the Preserver of men, that amidst the carnage and destruction, which frequently prevailed in some parts, and notwithstanding the jeopardy in which some Friends stood every hour, and that they had frequently to pass through