Thus he bestowed on them a gift in the ministry, and charged them not to receive a recompense for exercising it. Friends believe that Jesus Christ is the high-priest of the true sanctuary, and that he alone can call and qualify his servants to declare unto others the glad tidings of redemption through him, in demonstration of the spirit and of power. He is the dispenser of all spiritual gifts, and neither natural talents, nor human acquirements can give any claim to the office of a minister of the Gospel of Christ, or qualify any one to fill that important station in the church. Tell me, Edward, what the apostle Paul says of himself in the third chapter of Ephesians, on this subject.

ED. I will look for it, father: here it is; "I was made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God, given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

Mo. I hope you now understand, my chil

dren, why Friends cannot receive money for preaching the Gospel of Christ. Before leaving this subject, I will relate what George Fox says of the growth of this true ministry, by the reception of the Lord Jesus, in his spiritual appearance at that day :

"The plants of the Lord grew and flourished, the heavenly rain descending, and God's glory shining upon them; many mouths were opened by the Lord to his praise; yea, to babes and sucklings he ordained strength."

ED. Thou saidst, father, that Friends were imprisoned for refusing to swear; why cannot they swear?

FA. I expect all my children can repeat from the thirty-third to the thirty-seventh verse of the fifth chapter of Matthew, part of our Saviour's beautiful sermon on the mount; I should like Anna to recite the pas

sage.

AN. "Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths; but I say unto you, Swear not at all: neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is his foot

stool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black; but let your communication be, yea, yea; nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil.”

FA. Now, my dear children, do you think it is possible to take an oath of any kind without violating this commandment?

ALL THE CHILDREN. No, father.

Mo. Desiring to conform their practice in this respect, to the injunction of him, who is Lord over all, blessed for ever, Friends could not take an oath, even to attest their loyalty, although they believed it right strictly to adhere to the rules left in holy writ, respecting obedience to their rulers. If Anna will look for it, Tit. iii. 1, I should like to hear it read.

AN. I have found it, mother. "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.”

FA. A belief in the bad tendency of oaths, prevailed to some extent even among the

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heathen the Phrygians, Scythians, and Arabs disapproved of oaths; an Arab proverb says, "Never swear but let thy word be yes, or no." The sacred Scriptures were not used for the unholy purpose of sanctioning oaths, until the year 528, when the corruption in the Christian world had greatly obscured that Gospel which brought life and immortality to light. Now Lucy turn to the epistle of James-he was one of the companions, and apostles of his divine master, and must have understood his meaning.

Lu. It is the 12th verse of the 5th chapter, "But above all things, my brethren swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation."

Mo. Now, Anne, as we have concluded our remarks respecting oaths, thou mayest ask thy father for further information on the subject we touched upon this afternoon; I could not then, enter upon it.

AN. I was enquiring, father, why that man came yesterday and took uncle to jail; Mo

ther says it was because he could not pay a militia fine. I had rather have paid ten dollars, than go to jail for it must be a dismal place, and the man he went with looked so unkind-I wonder he did not pay the money.

FA. I hope thy wonder will cease when I explain the reasons, why Friends would rather suffer imprisonment, than pay the fine which is exacted of them for not being willing to learn, or practice the art of war.

We have often told you when we have been reading the Bible, that the religion of Jesus Christ was a religion of peace: Lucy may find the account of the Angel announcing the birth of the Redeemer to the shepherds.

Lu. It is in Luke, 2d CH, " And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid, and the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you