Reprinted and Published BY W. ALEXANDER AND SON, SOLD ALSO BY HArvey and DartON, AND W. PHILlips, London ; AND CHRISTOPHER BENTHAM, Dublin. 1823. AN AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL ADDRESS, &c. Dear Friends, BEING about to return to my native land, I believe it will contribute to my peace, if I salute you in this way, and express a little of those feelings with which I have been often seriously impressed, during my sojourning amongst you. Although I have travelled about five thousand miles, and attended a great many meetings in America, there are many settlements of friends, and probably thousands who are members of our religious society, where it has not been within the limits of my concern to go, and whose faces, of course, I have never seen. Notwithstanding these circumstances, I have known no bounds to my solicitude, and frequent earnest desire, that, however my dear Brethren may be outwardly scattered over this vast continent, they may be all built on the one only true foundation, and inwardly gathered to the one Shepherd, and into the one only true sheepfold; that so, as a people, we may continue to be one in discipline, in faith, and doctrine; harmoniously labouring together, that the pure testimonies of truth main A 2 tained by our worthy predecessors, may be handed down unsullied to posterity; that so, ages to come and generations yet unborn, may be encouraged to build on the same sure foundation, Christ Jesus the Eternal Rock of Ages ; who, by the inward revelation of his power, can and will, as we are obedient, and as far as is needful for us in the way and work of salvation, unfold, from time to time, the mysterious operation of his redeeming love and power. My mind hath been often deeply tried while my lot hath been cast in this land, under the painful consideration, that there are many in our day, who are soaring, with airy notions, far above the simplicity of the truth as it is in Jesus, and who are endeavouring to climb up some other way, than that in which, the way-faring men though fools (as to this world's wisdom) shall not err. But it remains a truth, "that he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." There is no way to the Father but by the Son nor is there any knowledge of the Father but through the Son, agreeably to our Lord's declaration: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." This can never be comprehended by the carnal mind, which is enmity against God and no marvel that those who are : |