table in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the Truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator, between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all."

What saith the scripture concerning anger?-" Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of fools." But "he that is slow to wrath is of great understanding."

Then ought not Christians to put away anger?-Yes: "Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work. From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence," saith the apostle "even of your lusts, which war in your members?" Christ commands, not to resist evil; but "Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Will God's people tell lies?-No; " Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.-Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another."

Who is the father of a lie ?-The devil: "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it."

Is sobriety and temperance always necessary to be practised in our eating and drinking?-Yes: the apostle says, "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." And, "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess."

Is it not commanded that we should abstain from fleshly lusts, and possess our vessels in holiness and sanctification ?-Yes: the apostle thus enjoins the believers, "But fornication and all uncleanness, let it not be once named among you. For this ye know, that no whoremonger nor unclean person, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God."

Are the entertainments of the stage, with balls and assemblies, which are now so much in vogue, in this and other lands, consistent with the religion of Jesus Christ?-No; neither our blessed Lord, nor his apostles, nor Christians in the primitive times, ever countenanced such things, by their example or doctrine, but were distinguished by their self-denial and seriousness; avoiding places of public diversion, as the nurseries of vice and immorality; and so will true Christians in the present time. "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

Is it proper for Christians to read romances and novels, or plays; which are written for the purpose of entertainment; or to have them in their houses, for their own use, or the use of their children ?-No; for it is known by experience, that such writings have a tendency to draw the mind into the love of pleasure, and from the fear of God, which is our preservation from evil; as these books are written to suit the depraved inclination of men and women, they are not suitable for Christians to read, or make use of. It is related of the Christians in early times, that “ many brought

their books and burned them ;" no doubt they were such as had a hurtful tendency.

Is it not best for Christians to keep to a simplicity and plainness of speech, in speaking and writing to each other?-Yes; and the words Thou and Thee are the only proper address to a single person, and always made use of in the Holy Scriptures; the words You and Ye, were first applied to worldly great men, to gratify their pride and vain glory.

Should we not avoid using the names by which the Heathens distinguished their days and months?—Yes; as the names were given by such who worshipped idols, in honour of their pretended deities, we ought to decline the use of these names, and distinguish the days and months only by their numerical order. It was commanded to the children of Israel, that they should not only abstain from the idolatrous practices of the nation, but "make no mention of the names of other gods, neither let it be heard out of their mouths."

Is it allowed for Christians to swear, now in this gospel dispensation ?— No: our blessed Lord saith," Swear not all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool." And the apostle James saith, "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."

Are not Christ's ministers to preach the gospel without any views of outward gain?-Yes; he said to his disciples, "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand; freely ye have received, freely give." The apostle saith, "I have coveted no man's silver or gold, or apparel;" but "these hands have ministered to my necessities."

What is the true and saving baptism of a Christian?—The washing, or cleansing of the soul from the corruptions and pollutions of sin. "Even baptism doth also now save us," says Peter, "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

What is the Lord's Supper?—The soul's partaking of the bread which comes down from heaven, and the wine of the kingdom, which Christ our Lord gives to those souls, who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

What are the effects of this heavenly supper?-The strengthening and refreshing of our souls by the body and blood of Christ, spiritually received. "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

What followeth after death?" It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

Is the death of the body a loss or terror to a good Christian ?—No: for to such "To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. The righteous hath hope in his death." What shall they receive who are sanctified through faith?-A crown of glory incorruptible, which fadeth not away. An inheritance among the saints in light, with fulness of joy, in the presence of God, angels, and spirits of just men made perfect.

What shall be the portion of the wicked?-Christ said to such who should die in their sins, "Whither I go, ye cannot come."

(To be continued as to the Subject.)

ART. IV. Extract from a Memoir of Dr. Carey' on the subject of his refusal of Oaths, &c.

"In principle my father [it is his son Jonathan who writes,] was resolute and firm; never shrinking from avowing and maintaining his sentiments. He had conscientious scruples against taking an oath; and condemned severely the manner in which oaths were administered, and urged vehemently the propriety of altogether dispensing with them. I remember three instances in which he took a conspicuous part in regard to oaths:" [The first was, in fact, a result of the scruple of a Hindoo servant, attached to his department in the college of Fort William. This man, being a respectable person, and never having taken an oath, refused to swear upon a case before a Coroner's inquest, in which he was accidentally concerned as witness, was imprisoned and refused nourishment for a day and a half in the prison. Dr. Carey by persevering applications on his behalf obtained his liberty.]

"Another instance relates to him personally. On the occasion of his last marriage, the day was fixed on which the ceremony was to take place— friends were invited--and all necessary arrangements made. But, three or four days prior to the day fixed, he was informed it would be necessary for him to obtain a license; in doing which he must take an oath, or have banns published. To take an oath he at once objected, and applied to the senior judge, who informed him that, as he was not a quaker, his oath was indispensable: but, rather than take an oath, he applied to have the banns published, and postponed the arrangements for his marriage for another three weeks.

"The third instance was as follows: It was necessary, in a certain case, to prove a will in Court, in which the name of Dr. Carey was mentioned, in connexion with the Serampore Missionaries' as executors. An application was made by one of his colleagues, which was refused by the Court on account of the vagueness of the terms: they would grant the application if made by him. But when he was informed that an oath was necessary, he shrunk with abhorrence from the idea: but after much persuasion he consented to make the application, if taking an oath would be dispensed with. He did attend and stated his objections to the then chief judge, which being allowed, his affirmation was received and recorded by the Court."

I have read the work through in my family, and can recommend it to my Friends.-Ed.

THE

YORKSHIREMAN,

A

RELIGIOUS AND LITERARY JOURNAL

BY A FRIEND.

No. CIV.

ART. I.

A Chronological Summary of events and circumstances connected with the origin and progress of the doctrine and practices of the Quakers.

A. D. 1812.

The Yearly Meeting passes an Address to the Prince Regent, on the subject of the War: which is presented the 19th of 6th month, at Carlton House, by ten Friends.

YEARLY MEETING, 5th mo. 26, 1812.-"The expediency of this Yearly Meeting bearing its testimony against war, by addressing the Prince Regent on the subject, has been solidly considered at this time; and as in the course of deliberating thereon, there has been much feeling expressed in favour of such a measure, the following Friends are appointed to prepare the draft of an address, and produce it at a future sitting; viz. Joseph Gurney Bevan, Henry Tuke, Morris Birkbeck, William Grover, Samuel Alexander, Robert Fowler, Joseph Gurney, Richard Phillips, George Harrison, and George Stacey.

5th mo. 29. "The Friends appointed at a former sitting of this meeting brought in the draft of an address to the Prince Regent; which being twice read in this meeting is agreed to, and the presentation of it is referred to the Meeting for Sufferings."

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS, 8th Mo. 7, 1812. "The address and answer are as follows:-'To George Augustus, Prince Regent of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

"May it please the Prince,

"Seeing that in consequence of the lamented affliction of our beloved Sovereign thy father, thou art called to the high office of administering the

VOL. V.

I

Regal Government of this country, we, his dutiful subjects, the Religious Society of Friends, are desirous of representing to thee a subject, in which we believe the welfare of our country is deeply concerned.

"It is now many years since war has been spreading its desolations over great part of the civilized world; and as we believe it to be an evil from which the Spirit of the Gospel of Christ would wholly deliver the nations of the earth, we humbly petition thee to use the Royal Prerogative, now placed in thy hands, to take such early measures for putting a period to this dreadful state of devastation, as we trust the wisdom of thy Councils, as they seek for Divine direction, will be enabled to discover.

66 6

Impressed with a grateful sense of the religious privileges we enjoy under the present Government we submit this highly important cause of suffering humanity, which is peculiarly near to our hearts, to thy most serious consideration-that thus thou mayest become an honoured instrument in the hand of the Almighty in promoting his gracious designs respecting the inhabitants of the earth.

666

Signed in, by order, and on behalf of the Yearly Meeting of the said People, held in London this 29th day of 5th month 1812, by JOHN WILKINSON,

"Clerk to the Meeting this Year.'"

The Answer, by the Prince Regent.- -"I am deeply sensible of the calamities which necessarily attend a state of war. It would therefore be most grateful to my feelings, to observe such a change in the views and conduct of the enemy as would admit of the cessation of hostilities, consistently with a just regard to the important interests which have been committed to my charge; and which it is my indispensable duty to maintain.

I reflect with great satisfaction on the religious privileges secured to you, by the wisdom and benevolence of the laws, and you may rest assured of my constant protection.'"

1812.

Government having in contemplation some measures for a General Registering of Births, Marriages and Burials, in England, the Society of Friends agrees to furnish accounts of those of its own members; and directions are given to the Quarterly Meetings accordingly,

MEETING FOR SUFFERINGS, 5 Mo. 4, 1812. "At a Meeting called by some of the Members of the Committee appointed to attend to Bills in Parliament. "The subject of the Bill now before Parliament, for the better regulating and preserving the Registers of Births, Marriages, and Burials in England, being considered, [the Friends on] a Sub-committee reported that they have had a Conference with the Patron of the Bill in question, in which it appeared that he was not inclined to introduce a clause exempting the Society, without first consulting the Attorney General; he stated that the object of the Bill was, in the first place, the Security of Property, and in the second, to obtain an accurate account of the Population, &c. This Meeting requests the said Friends to assure the Patron of the Bill, that the Society will cheerfully co-operate, by giving an account of the number of Marriages, Births, and Burials, registered by them, when required. The further care of the business is left to the Committee; and they are requested to present the Patron of the Bill with the Book of Extracts, Barclay's Apology, Sewel's History and the Summary.

5 Mo. 8. This Meeting being engaged to furnish to a member of the Administration an Account of the Marriages, Births and Burials, registered in our Society for the years undermentioned, desires the several Quarterly