do all to the glory of God;" that "God in all things may be glorified by us, through Jesus Christ our Lord."-1853.

OATHS.

ADVISED, that our Christian testimony be faithfully maintained against the burthen and imposition of oaths, according to the express command of Christ, and the injunction of the Apostle James, viz.: "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 footstool; 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." Matt. v. 33-37.

:

"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." James v. 12.

Friends in all places are exhorted carefully to avoid electing or promoting their brethren to such stations in civil government as may subject them to the temptation of violating this testimony; and in the execution of instruments of writing requiring witnesses, it is recommended that Friends endeavour to procure such persons for this purpose, as will attest the same by affir

mation.

8

PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

Ir behoves all parents and heads of families to be good examples themselves, watching over their youth for good, and early guarding them against those deviations from simplicity in speech, behaviour and apparel, by which many have been betrayed into injurious company and unsuitable connections, and some into an entire renunciation of the religious principles and profession of their fathers. That faithfulness in the discharge of this important trust is well pleasing to the Lord, remarkably appears in that gracious testimony given concerning his servant Abraham: "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do: for I know him that he will command his children and his household after him; and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him :" which was indeed to bless both

him and his offspring, and make of him a great nation.

But contrarywise was it with Eli, who, though he reproved his disorderly sons, yet not restraining them when he might have done it, they became "sons of Belial," and signal examples of Divine displeasure.

Wherefore, dear Friends, seeing the Lord hath been pleased in his infinite goodness to raise us up as a people to bear testimony to his Truth, and against the corrupt customs and fashions of the world, let us be mindful of our calling, watchful over ourselves, and daily seeking to Him for wisdom rightly to govern the inexperienced youth entrusted to our care; habituating them from their infancy to the safe and pleasant paths of simplicity and innocence, piety and virtue; and nipping in the bud every ap pearance of an inclination to the contrary; endeavouring, as their understandings unfold, to inform and convince them of the ground of our religious testimonies; and often reminding them that it was by a faithful submission to the manifestations and restrictions of Truth, that our honourable predecessors were enabled to endure with patience the many persecutions and crosses

they underwent, and were freed from a slavery to the evils we have mentioned - - evils, which even those who are bound to them by custom, have often confessed, are inconsistent with the nature and design of the Christian religion, and connect with other improprieties of pernicious consequence. Thus may these tenderly beloved objects of our solicitude be engaged to walk in the footsteps of the righteous who are gone before; and preferring the Lord's cause to all things else, finally partake of that rest and joy, into which we surely believe those dignified sons of the morning are now forever entered.

It is advised that Friends, as they prize the real welfare of their children, choose such occupations for them as are consistent with our religious principles and testimonies; and that they be placed for instruction with sober and exemplary members of the Society, that, as far as in us lies, they may be preserved in a consistency of conduct and demeanour.

Our members are reminded of the propriety of keeping their families, as much as conveniently may be, unmixed; that an exemplary consistency may be maintained therein, and a corruption of manners avoided.