In the advices issued by our several Yearly Meet- ings, the Scriptures are very frequently and earnestly recommended to the attention of our members. In tlie year 1851, Philadelphia Yearly iMeeting, after re- ferring to "those sublime truths which are recorded in th3 holy Scriptures," thus continues: " In these inval- uable writings we find the only authentic record of the early history of our race, the purest strains of devo- tional poetry, and the sublime discourses of the Son of God. Their frequent perusal was therefore especiall}' urged upon our younger members, who were encour- aged to seek for the guidance of divine grace, by which alone we realize in our experience the saving truths they contain."
In the year 1863, the following minute of Baltimore Yearly Meeting was sent down to its subordinate meetings, viz. : " We have been reminded that this Yearly Meeting has at various times issued advices to its members inciting them to the frequent reading of the holy Scriptures, the authenticity of which has always l)een acknowledged by the Society of Friends. AVe believe it is not the part of true wisdom to dwell upon defects, whether real or imaginary, in the sacred records, but rather to use them as they were intended, 'for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous- ness,' rememljering that it is only through the opera- tion of the Spirit of Truth upon our hearts that they can be made availing to us in the promotion of our sal- vation."
The following extract is taken from the Rules of Discipline of the Yearly Meeting of Friends held in
Philadelphia: "If any in membership with us shall blaspheme, or speak profanely of Almighty God, Christ Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, he or she ought early to be tenderly treated with for their instruction, and the convincement of their understanding, that they may experience repentance and forgiveness ; but should any, notwithstanding this brotherly labor, persist in their error, or deny the divinity of our Lord and Sav- iour Jesus Christ, the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit, or the authenticity of the Scriptures ; as it is manifest they are not one in faith with us, the month- ly meeting where the party belongs, having extended due care for the help and benefit of the individual with- out eftect, ought to declare the same, and issue their testimony accordingly."
Immecl'ate Revelution. — The highest privilege grant- ed to man is that of entering into communion with the Author of his being. "Ye are the temples of the liv- ing God," writes the apostle Paul ; " as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and ^^■alk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor. vi, 16). " The anointing which ye have received of him," says the beloved disciple, " abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you ; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (1 John ii, 27).
In the ordering of divine Providence, instrumental means are often emplo}'ed to convey religious truth, such as the reading of the Scriptures, the preaching of the Gospel, and the vicissitudes of life; but in all cases the good effected is from the immediate operations of divine grace upon the heart or conscience. In fact, there can be no saving knowledge of Christ but from immediate revelation. "No man can come to me," said Jesus, "except the Father which hath sent me draw him." This drawing of the Father is the opera- tion of his Spirit, for " the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Cor. xii, 7). To the wicked he comes as a reprover for sin, a " spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning," but to the pray- erful and obedient as a comforter in righteousness.
The Oiicjinnl and Present State of Man. — It is a scriptural doctrine that neither righteousness nor un- righteousness can be transmitted by inheritance, but every man shall be judged according to his deeds. The language of the prophet Ezekiel is very clear on this point. " As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel." . . " The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the chil- dren's teeth are set on edge." . . . "Behold, all souls ar"e mine ; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine : the soul that sinneth, it shall die." . . ' ' The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son : the right- eousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him" (Ezek. xviii, 2-25).
Man was created in the image of God ; he was pure, benevolent, and blissful, and he enjoyed the privilege of communion with God, that is, to partake of " the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. ii, 7). But, although he was made a free agent, he was not to be so independent of God as to know of himself good or evil without divine direction. And when he presumed to set up his own will, and to be governed by it in opposition to the divine will, he assumed theplace of God, and having thus turned away from the Holy Spirit, he ceased to partake of "the tree of life," and consequentl}' died a spiritual death. It was then he experienced the fulfilment of the divine prediction, " 7/i the diij thou eated thereof thow shalt surely die ;" for "to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."