preserved by christian worshippers, they will often be permitted to hear the gentle and alluring accents of Israel's Shepherd; their Guide, Instructor, and Comforter; and in listening to those accents with reverent submission, they will in an eminent degree experience that renewal of strength without which they can make no advances in the "way everlasting." On recurring to the leading particulars of the present chapter, the reader will observe, that much of silence in the time appointed for public worship is the necessary consequence of our principle, that no verbal administrations, except those which arise directly out of divine impulse, are on such occasions to be admitted that so far from deprecating such a consequence, we consider that the maintenance of silence in our religious assemblies eminently accords with that divine law, that God, who is a Spirit, must be worshipped spiritually-that in this sentiment we are confirmed by a consideration of some of the principal constituents of true and spiritual worship, viz. humiliation before the divine Majesty, waiting upon God, and submissive attention to the immediate teaching of the Lord Jesus-that to these several duties the silent subjection of the soul is peculiarly suited and even absolutely indispensable, and that this frame is, in our judgment, most easily obtained and most effectually preserved through the medium of an outward silence. Such are the reasons for the value which Friends are accustomed to attach to silence in worship, and which will, I trust, be found more and more to recommend so salutary a practice, to christians of every name and profession. In conclusion, however, it ought to be remarked, that although silence is a natural attendant of this inward state of prostration, waiting, and attention to the divine teaching, the former may often be maintained when the latter has no existence. It is easy for any man to be outwardly silent, while he allows his mind to be occupied with a thousand passing reflexions which have no proper connexion with his religious duty; and when this is unhappily the case with persons who are met together for the professed purpose of rendering a public homage to the Almighty, it must be confessed that their worship is as inefficacious and nearly as much of a mockery, as it would be, did it consist in the use of words at total variance with the feelings of the heart. How clearly then is it the duty of Friends, of every age and station, to maintain a true watchfulness, and diligence of soul, that their silent worship may not be marred by the influence of worldly thoughts, and thus degenerate into a barren and lifeless form! It may indeed be freely allowed, that a condition of true internal silence, is one of no easy attainment. Great is our infirmity in this respect, and difficult do we sometimes find it to stay the rapid course of our own cogitations, and to present ourselves in real quietness, a living sacrifice to our God. But we do not expect to accomplish this object in our own strength. In our endeavours to worship God in spirit and in truth, we are taught to rely on him alone; and while such continues to be our reliance, experience will still enable us to testify, that he is often pleased to arise for our help-that he has the will as well as the power to bring our vain thoughts into silence-to raise our souls into holy communion with himself→→ and to say to the multitudinous imaginations of the natural man, Peace, be still, INDEX. Ah! when will that era so glorious arrive, Ah! why should we shrink at the terrors of death, 27 And have at length my wand'ring feet .... As musing I stood on the brow of that hill, .... .... 1 11 .104 102 65 80 Awake, thou that sleepest! and rise from the dead, 54 Behold, my righteousness is near, 83 ..... Be still, and know that I am God! 35 By Babylon's waters we sat ourselves down, 29 44 55 17 181 Come, blest Religion! heavenly guest! Come out from among them, and turn ye away, 42 Extinguish, Byron, thy false dazzling light!.... 180 PAGE. How great soe'er my trials are, 121 How sweet indeed that adoration, 110 113 How sweet it is to sit and weep, 48 96 176 19 71 168 I love the Lord, for He hath heard, In awful silence let me sit, Let infidel scoffers reject the Lord Jesus, Lo! unto us a Child is born, J. Lord, not unto us, but, O Lord, unto Thee, Lord, open thou my blinded eyes, Lord, teach us so. to count our days, ... 8 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place, ... My God through every woe, |