succeeding seasons, how encouraging it is to remember that there is this precious state to be at times known. How does it furnish occasion still to trust on, and not cast away our confidence; but to believe that although our lot may be in poverty of spirit, yet that the gra cious Shepherd, whose goodness and mercy are unbounded, will never leave nor forsake us, as we endeavour to trust in Him. So that however tossed, or however beset with trying things, let us often, very often, center down in humble quietness, and calm dependence on the Lord; and then, I believe, he will sustain and preserve us.

1823.-10 mo. 18. It has been a subject of very considerable anxiety, that we might be comfortably supplied with a companion gifted with the requisites to contribute to soothe and solace our declining days, which I consider of very great consequence; that the mind may be sweetly at liberty to husband and improve the supplies of good mercifully vouchsafed day after day, so that there may be a little verdure, even in advanced age. In adverting to the changes we have experienced within the last year or two, how apt is the mind to dwell on the privations, when we might more profitably be clothed with gratitude and humility, in a sense of the many privileges vouchsafed, and continued, and renewed.

May Friends of every class be encouraged to come up to the mark assigned them, in firmness and humility, two very requisite companions to each other in the Christian character; I might have added, and wisdom. 1 do believe that the want of these, and of more quietness and inward attention, has tended to lay waste the minds of very many in our favoured society; intended in divine wisdom and mercy, as I sometimes think, to have been a compact, separated body, endowed with

very precious gifts and favours. If there is too little of a capacity for inviting others, to be seen in many places, there are many amongst us who desire the prosperity of Truth. And oh! that none of us may shrink from baptism: for may this not be called the only way for truly dignified and useful members to be produced in the church?

CHAP. VIII.

EXTRACTS OF LETTERS WRITTEN IN THE YEARS 1824 AND 1825.

1824.-1 mo. 1. Thy allusion to the experience of a winter season, might meet a similar statement from us, and I doubt not, from many more; and seeing this feeling and allotment are in the permission of a wisdom which cannot err, I desire we may accept them with thankfulness, and be enabled wisely to improve from them, quickening our diligence in the great and highly important engagement of watchfulness, and deep inward retirement of mind, before Him who knows exactly all our wants, and how and when to relieve them to our lasting advantage. Under a feeling of inward poverty and want, of late known and felt, I have thought it exceedingly desirable to labour after inward quiet and attention, that the strength may be rightly felt to be renewed, and our religious experience, in the goodness and mercy of Israel's Shepherd, to be enlarged. Hereby the ground-work of true patience would be laid, and the way prepared for that which is so much wanted among us; namely, for our becoming more a weighty, humble, watchful, self-denying people, spiritually intelligent, and diligent in submitting to divine requirings, advancing from step to step on the ladder which reaches from earth to heaven. May greenness adorn our evening, and divine love and mercy be our eternal crown of rejoicing.

1824.-3 mo. 15. Oh the simplicity that I think there is in the Truth! Oh the simplicity of the Gospel, and of an inward, attentive, lowly waiting, for the renewed revelations of it! How can this departure

from it [in America] have been occasioned? What a favour, if those who have been in any degree jostled off the foundation, may be in mercy brought back, and have to declare to others, that, in a cloudy time, they had missed their way, but are now, in humility and meekness, brought back to the quiet habitation, the place of rest and safety, where I believe the filial fear thou mentionest, is happily known and lived in. I hope our dear friends now among them will be graciously protected; furnished with the needful supply of wisdom and strength, and often have to lie down sweetly beside the still waters. Oh! what a favour we can conceive this to be, to the poor, exercised, and oft-tribulated servants. Recurring again to the occasions of sorrow, I seem to want to add, how strange it is that any who love the Truth in sincerity, should not dread the baneful consequences of breaking the unity-the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace.

us.

If I have any good desires, I think one of them is, that the ministry may be increasingly weighty among Our dear friends in that station are much to be felt for, and I wish that we may be favoured with increased qualification to contribute to their help and comfort. How does the desire arise, that there may be quite as much in weight as measure. It is a very interesting time we live in; and I think we are a singularly-appointed people. How desirable is it, that we may know our place, and keep it—a waiting, solid, selfdenying people. Greatly favoured we have been; and we have reason to believe, shall be, if we keep to our principles--I might say, to our principle; the divine light, life, and power, revealed in the soul. Believing in this with steadfastness, I believe we should often have to be very poor, and sit very low. But I fear to say much on this important and weighty subject. Before I quite quit it, perhaps I may as well say, that I have (of late particularly) thought on the benefit and

excellence of quietness and retiredness of mind; and the want of it in our religious and favoured Society, as well as in the world at large. If it were possible to make Friends sufficiently in love with it, what blessed effects might be hoped for from it.

1824.--4 mo. 13. I am a believer in that representation of George Dillwyn's, respecting important deliberations and discussions in meetings for discipline, somewhat on this wise: that, when Friends are honestly, sincerely, and piously, engaged in delivering their re spective views, with becoming condescension and feeling for each other, and the subject is drawing to a point, there is sometimes known a seal on the top of it, which bespeaks the conclusion to be owned. What a favour and encouragement is it, when Friends can perceive this!

1824.-7 mo. 30. I notice thy information respect ing our dear friend's improvement in her health. It is indeed a favour, when humility clothes the poor instruments, as a garment from head to foot: indeed, what virtue is like it for value? It becomes the man with one talent, and it is quite as needful for him that has the two or the five. What are the most gifted without it, but poor, mistaken creatures, forgetful that in a moment all qualification for profit or service may be withheld and suspended, if not entirely withdrawn?

1824-11 mo. 12. It is not likely that the expres sion of my poverty should make thee rich. I would rather endeavour to profit by every dispensation, that I may be favoured to know my attention quickened, and my feet more and more established in the faith, and hope, and patience of the Lord's children.

I am obliged for the various items of interesting intelligence contained in thy letter. May we who move in comparatively narrow spheres, be enabled to pray