and industry, under the divine blessing, promote thy getting, in due time, comfortably established for thyself. But my principal object, at present, is thy preservation out of those things which hinder or retard an advancement in the Truth; and if we miss of that, how transitory, and of how little value, is every thing else. Thou hast much to be thankful for in the inestimable favour of a religious parent, who has solicitously cared for thy best welfare; and I think thy mind has been, through outward and inward means, so imbued with a sense of what is good and excellent, that, if thou art properly watchful, thou wilt be blest with an increase of spiritual knowledge and spiritual strength, and of capacity to overcome those propensities to which by nature we are prone. In order to this, I beseech thee in an especial manner, to be careful what company thou joinest with. I think thy own happiness much depends upon it. It was rather before thy time of life that my mind became seriously arrested, and a desire raised in me after the knowledge of substantial good. This good, dear is to be known, I believe, by submission to the cross of Christ, under which the divine light breaks in upon the mind with sweet instruction, to our edification and help. Though in this process our own wills are frequently opposed, yet it is here we are made acquainted with that which nothing else can give us. I believe the experience of many has proved this to be true. Suffer therefore, nobody to deceive thee, or tempt thee to believe that there is any other way to be happy. In submission to the refining discipline of the cross of Christ, the mind is prepared to receive good from the divine hand, both inward and outward good, and to receive it with true relish and with thankfulness; and I think we shall not become happy without it. As the mind, by this refining submission, is brought into a state of fitness to receive, I believe that divine mercy and goodness is ready to bestow; and here a precious state is known. And as thou seest things thus, thou * E wilt find that it must, indeed, be good company, to be better than no company; and thou wilt find that too many young men, as well as older ones, are too much unacquainted with the state I have mentioned, and are more in speculation and reasoning than in living experience. But I entreat thee to keep to thy own business, and the peace of thy own mind; that is more to thee than any thing else: keeping steadily to meetings, and to the practices and conduct of faithful Friends. This will, I believe, tend to keep thee in favour both with God and man; and I believe that thou hardly needest fear doing well also in outward things. And as thou art favoured, more and more, to know what inward peace and quiet are, thou wilt be more afraid of those who know not what the truth is by experience. The way of Truth, I believe, increases in brightness as we walk on faithfully in it, in humble submission to its discoveries. Here the creature is abased and kept in a teachable state, and those discoveries made, and that establishment known, which are no otherwise to be come at. Therefore mind, I beseech thee, the discoveries of Truth; and if, through unwatchfulness or infirmity, or natural propensity, thou at any time slippest aside, be diligent, by repentance and submission to the rod, to get thy peace restored. Oh! the danger of letting commissions and omissions gather one upon another, for want of coming under the washing, purifying dispensation of the Spirit of Truth. How many have wofully missed it herein, and incurred a hardened state of mind, unsusceptible of the tendering impressions of good. But I desire thy preservation, and that thou mayest know an establishment in the blessed, unchangeable Truth. In true love, Thy sincere Friend, W. G. Extract of a Letter to two young Men. 1815.—6 mo. 9. I think my sincere desire is, that the Father of mercies may take you and preserve you under his gracious care; and so renew, from time to time, his enlightening influence on your minds, as to enable you clearly to perceive the transcendant excellency that there is in the Truth; and to engage you to prefer it, and your advancement in it, to every other thing. It is cause of real satisfaction to me, that you are capable of business, and inclined to be industrious and persevering. I think your attention to these lawful and commendable pursuits, under due regulations and restrictions, may not only prevent your active minds from being drawn out after things less innocent, but furnish you with ability to be useful to others. Nevertheless, I wish to remind and warn you, that temptations will not be wanting: the enemies of your own house, the propensities of our nature, will closely beset you in one shape, or other, in one direction or other, adapting the bait to the circumstances, disposition, turn, and inclination. Under this persuasion, how solicitous I am that you may be circumspect, and maintain a daily watch; so that preservation may be experienced on every hand. Often bear in mind, I tenderly entreat you, that our great and bountiful Creator's view, in the formation of his creature man, was to make him completely happy, by the enjoyment of Himself, his own presence, his own love, light, and peace: so that our greatest wisdom is to aim continually at this point, which is the great end of our being. If we are thus preserved, we shall endeavour to bear the trials, afflictions, and disappointments of this life, in such a manner as may bring us, day by day, nearer, and nearer, and nearer to God, who is the perpetual fountain of happiness and of consolation. In like manner, we shall endeavour to enjoy prosperity and the comforts of this life, and the many blessings which surround us, in such a sweet, thankful, humble frame of spirit, as will be well pleasing in the divine sight. We may be benefited, I believe, even by prosperity as well as by adversity, if the mind be kept in a state suited to our dependent condition; for dependent indeed we are, every moment of our days. Thus we may be brought on our journey, whether longer or shorter; so as that, whenever the end comes, either in middle or more advanced age, we may enter, through the divine mercy, into the fruition of that state, where there is neither want, sickness, nor pain; and where all tears are for ever wiped away. We cannot too often look at things after this manner: we ought to do it daily, or oftener than the day. It does not unfit us for the concerns of time; but it leads us to give the preference where it is so justly due, and where our interest requires us. It leads us to desire, in sincerity of heart, that divine goodness will be near us, and help us in all states and conditions, and under all our temptations and trials; so that we may not lose our hold of good, but may continually advance, as our days spend and pass away, towards that which is the end and perfection of our being, CHAP. V. EXTRACTS OF LETTERS WRITTEN FROM THE 1800.-5th mo. 18. We are again come up to the yearly meeting; not, I trust, that we think, or thought before we set out, ourselves of much consequence here; but wish to think it a favour that we are once more permitted to mingle with Friends in their annual solemnity. Yet I remember that after all, we must, after partaking of the strength derived from the exercise and concern of the lovers of the cause, retire into our own littleness; live, if we do live, upon our own little morsel; and depend for daily help and daily supplies, as well as for final succour and acceptance, upon the mercy and favour of Him who knows all our infirmities; and who knows how far some of us are from that heavenly, redeemed state, which I believe many of us would gladly arrive at, however far we may yet be from a due willingness to submit to the terms. Well, my beloved friend, may the sweetness of divine consolation be thy experience, to enliven thy declining years, support thee amidst the varied conflicts allotted, and sweeten the bitter cups which the diversified stage admits of to the travellers who are passing over it. I remember at this time, a nice young man. Many dangers attend such as he is; a lively, pleasant activity for business; and no doubt many ready to associate with him. May he wisely remember how easy it is for the mind to be drawn into things, the enjoyment whereof is attended with no true sweetness, and which produce flatness and barrenness, if not bitterness in the end of |
