risees. They were as zealous to make converts as the members of any society in the world. They encompassed sea and land to make a proselyte, and yet our Saviour told them that they made them two-fold more the children of hell than themselves. Their last state was worse. than their first. O that those who hear me may see their true state before it is too late!— before it is beyond the reach of the adorable attribute of mercy! There are those who believe, and who yet have been living on husks and shells. Hast thou cast a longing eye, like the prodigal, towards thy Father's house? If so, thy Father stands ready to meet thee, although thou mayest yet be afar off. To you who are slaves of evil habits-do you feel a wish to return to the mansion of your Father? Do you not feel a wish to escape from the tyrant you serye for he is in truth a hard master? Come then to Christ. Come with the prodigal. I will arise, said he, and go to my father, and will say unto him, father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants. Are there not many among you who are ready to adopt the same language, and say

-Make me a hired servant? Seekest thou

great things? Seek them not. O the beauty of meekness and humility! Here is thy brother who was dead, and is alive again; who was lost, and is found. That the aged, who have experienced tribulation-who have been cast down -who are ready to say that their hands have become weak, and their knees feeble-that these may come to Christ, and to his rest, is truly the desire of my soul. You that have passed the summer's ardent strength-you that have passed the sober autumn, and are now fading into the frost and gloom of winter--Remember that there is a Spring which shall bloom with perpetual verdure. Come unto the Lord of the seasons, who shall place underneath you his everlasting arms and sustain you. I may never address you again, and my parting words are-Come unto Christ.

You that are in the middle walk of life-you that have the youth of the rising generation under your especial charge-to you I say, Come unto him who is able to qualify and direct you. He can take care of the shepherds and shepherdesses. You can never be qualified in your own strength for the great and important undertaking. Come then to Christ. Parents often attempt to cast out evil from their 'children, whilst under the influence of an evil

spirit themselves. But they should remember that a vindictive spirit will never do any good in the correction of their children. Love and

This will preserve Take the example of

live in the spirit of God. order in your families. Christ as your guide. A great duty devolves upon the youth. Once more I invite them to come to Christ. Cease from that activity and vivacity which marks the thoughtless world. Come into a quiet and humble state. Seek the Lord in silence, and the Lord will keep you in happiness, and enable you to praise him, throughout the endless ages of eternity.

The precious time we have had, and the solemnity which is spread over this assembly may make it unnecessary to say more, but I cannot conclude without a few further remarks. I esteem it one of the greatest mercies and favours, that we have the opportunity of secret prayer; and I wish to hold forth a few words of encouragement. When we feel lost, in the wilderness of the world, our gracious Saviour finds us. He often speaks peace to our souls on the sleepless pillow. My peace, saith he, I leave unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Dear

brother or sister, art thou under discourage ment? Christ now sends thee an invitation to come unto him. He is graciously disposed to make bare his arm for thy deliverance. Whilst anxious for many things, be not unmindful of the one thing needful. If any are in the predicament of striving with their own strength, they must cease from their own works before God will interfere. When they have submitted to his will, he will pluck their feet from the horrible pit and from the miry clay. May they be willing to part with every thing for God! We are too apt to rely on ourselves for help; but if we give way to God he will interpose and sustain us. Mary hath chosen the good part which can never be taken from her. May we follow her example! O blessed state! Come to this and you will witness of the glory and mercy of God. Sweet will be his voice, and bright his countenance to find you in his Holy City: Be not discouraged. A state of suffering may be your best school; for it is a state of instruction: God will bring you into that state, where Christ you the Everlasting Shepherd shall lead into green pastures, and give you rest at noon-day— that state of spiritual repose, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are.

et rest.

SERMON V.*

DELIVERED BY ELIAS HICKS, IN FRIENDS' MEETINGHOUSE, HESTER-STREET, NEW-YORK, ON FIRST DAY AFTERNOON THE 22ND OF FIFTH MONTH, 1825; BEING THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEARLY MEETING.

THE HE testimony of Jehovah, to his servant Moses, in giving the law and covenant to Israel, has been brought very instructively to my remembrance in this short sitting. It comprehends a good deal in a few expressions. "And the Almighty spake unto Moses saying, speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me." Here it is evident, that the Almighty magnified his own power, which was coeval with time selfexistent, and above every thing but himself.' Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God!

* Taken in short hand by M. T. C. Gould.