conversation
among the sisters, but must have been also injurious to both parties in
several respects. One sister, now united to us in fellowship,
acknowledged that the being connected with the Dorcas Society, previous
to her conversion, had been, in a measure, the means of keeping her in
security; as she thought that, by helping on such like things, she might
gain heaven at last. O that the saints, in _faithful_ love, according to
the word of God (2 Cor. vi. 14-18), might be more separated in all
spiritual matters from unbelievers, and not be unequally yoked together
with them!

CHAPTER VI.

THE SCRIPTURAL KNOWLEDGE INSTITUTION.

1834-1835.

UNSCRIPTURAL CHARACTER OF THE EXISTING RELIGIOUS AND BENEVOLENT
SOCIETIES--A NEW INSTITUTION PROPOSED--GOD'S WORD THE ONLY RULE,
AND GOD'S PROMISE THE ONLY DEPENDENCE--"IN EVERYTHING, LET YOUR
REQUEST BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD"--EARNEST OF THE DIVINE BLESSING
ON THE INSTITUTION--BEREAVEMENT--HELPER SEASONABLY SENT--REWARD
OF SEEKING GOD'S FACE.

Feb. 21. I was led this morning to form a plan for establishing, upon
scriptural principles, an institution for the spread of the gospel at
home and abroad. I trust this matter is of God. Feb. 25. I was led again
this day to pray about the forming of a new Missionary Institution, and
felt still more confirmed that we should do so.

[Some readers may ask why we formed a _new_ Institution for the spread
of the gospel, and why we did not unite with some of the religious
societies, already in existence, seeing that there are several
missionary, Bible, tract, and school societies. I give, therefore, our
reasons, in order to show that nothing but the desire to maintain a good
conscience led us to act as we have done. For as, by the grace of God,
we acknowledged the word of God as the only rule of action for the
disciples of the Lord Jesus, we found, in comparing the then existing
religious societies with the word of God, that they departed so far
from it, that we could not be united with them, and yet maintain a good
conscience. I only mention here the following points.

1. The _end_ which these religious societies propose to themselves, and
which is constantly put before their members, is, that the world will
gradually become better and better, and that at last the whole world
will be converted. To this end, there is constantly reference made to
the passage in Habakkuk ii. 14: "For the earth shall be filled