but yielded obedience rather than extorted it,5 and were more willing to give than to receive.* Content with the provision which God had made for you, and carefully attending to His words, ye were inwardly filled ^ with His doctrine, and His sufferings were before your eyes. Thus a pro- found and abundant peace was given to you all, and ye had an insatiable desire for doing good, while a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all. Full of holy designs, ye did, with true earnestness of mind and a godly confidence, stretch forth your hands to God Almighty, be- seeching Him to be merciful unto you, if ye had been guilty of any involuntary transgression. Day and night ye were anxious for the whole brotherhood,** that the number of God's elect might be saved with mercy and a good con- science.^ Ye were sincere and uncorrupted, and forgetful of injuries between one another. Every kind of faction and schism was abominable in your sight. Ye mourned over the transgressions of your neighbours : their deficiencies you deemed your own. Ye never grudged any act of kindness, being " ready to every good work." '° Adorned by a thoroughly virtuous and religious life, ye did all things in the fear of God. The commandments and ordinances of the Lord were written upon the tablets of your hearts."