As this term will sometimes occur in the ensuing pages, it may be necessary to state for the information of the general reader, that the Society of Friends is distributed into various “Yearly Meetings,” of which there are several on the Continent of North America.  Within the compass of each an annual assembly is held to regulate all the affairs and discipline of that section of the body.  There is also in each Yearly Meeting a permanent committee called the “Meeting for Sufferings” for administering the affairs of the Societies, in the intervals of its annual assemblies.  The technical name of this committee is an expressive memorial of those times of trial, when its chief employment was to record “sufferings” and persecutions, and to afford such succor and alleviation as circumstances admitted.

An address from the Yearly Meeting of London on slavery was also read,[A] which was followed by observations from several, which evinced great exercise of mind on the subject.  Three thousand copies of it were ordered to be printed for distribution among Friends of Pennsylvania, and the whole subject of slavery and the slave-trade was referred to their Meeting for Sufferings, with a recommendation that an account should be drawn up and printed of the former abolition of slavery within the limits of the Society of Friends.  I need hardly state how much these measures were in unison with my own feelings, and that I heartily rejoiced at signs of an awakening zeal in my American brethren.  Let them but ask for the ancient ways, and follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, whose memorials are their precious inheritance, and once more shall they be made a blessing to mankind, and messengers of mercy and deliverance to the oppressed.[B]

[Footnote A:  See Appendix A.]

[Footnote B:  See Appendix B.]

It will be interesting to some of my English readers to be informed, that both the sale and use of spirituous liquors come within the scope of discipline among “Friends” in America.  In this Yearly Meeting it is required that the subordinate meetings should report the number of their members, who continue to sell, use, or give ardent spirits.  If I remember rightly the number of cases reported was fifty-nine.  At present the moderate use of spirits subjects to admonition, but it was discussed at this time whether the rule of discipline should not be rendered more stringent, and this practice made a disownable offence.  Finally it was resolved to make no alteration at present, but to recommend the local meetings of Friends to use further labor in the line of reproof and persuasion.  I am informed that some of the American Yearly Meetings of Friends go still farther on this subject.  It will scarcely be questioned that public sentiment both in the United States, and in England, condemns even the moderate use of ardent spirits as a beverage, though some difference of opinion will exist as to the propriety of a religious society making it a cause