account, though my health and constitution a little grain of faith, of hope, of qualification seem more than usually affected, so as for a to struggle on, administered in the hour of long time entirely to prevent my getting out need, and in such a way, as utterly to hide to meetings; but in my best moments, I have pride, and take away all occasion of boasting the comfortable persuasion and trust, that He, on the one hand, or repining on the other. If who is no hard master, and lays no more than we did enough cultivate our intercourse with is meet on any of his exercised children, has heaven and heavenly ones and heavenly things, an equal right to call in as to put forth;-to and avail of our privileges, remember our heirbring out his own purposes in his own ways, ship and calling!-Why need we tarry here; which are higher than ours; and none of us why should we grovel below? instead of lifting should demur against his good pleasure, or up the soul, and resting in the beloved! say "what doest thou?" and the wonder and the mercy is, that any are made use of.

Farewell! onward, onward,—the time is short, my brother and my sister; we linger for one another:-let us press forward;—and in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. J. B.

Dear friend,

To

1st of Fourth month, 1838.

In conclusion, it seems with me, my dear friends, to express to you my belief, that we have from time to time ample encouragement, as a meeting, in patience to possess our souls, to hold on our way steadily, and to lift up the head in hope. Although occasions of discouragement and deep conflict have attended, and Thy letter of the 13th seems, in conjuncmay yet await the faithful and the honest tion with my own feelings in reading it, to hearted, these keeping the daily watch unto encourage me to salute thee in Christian freeprayer, will be preserved and sustained, abid-dom. It was animating in this wilderness to ing in Christ, and being under his peculiar read such lines from one unknown, trusting notice: after they have suffered awhile, he that we have but one object in view, and are will stablish, strengthen, and settle them more endeavouring to be found running the same and more; and will give them to reap in due race; though occupying possibly very differseason the fruit of their often hidden exercises, ent posts, according to what has seemed to be both on their own account, and on account of committed to each, respecting the things of the others. Thus, those that hold the beginning blessed gospel and spiritual kingdom of our of their confidence stedfast unto the end, are Lord and Saviour. My dear friend, thou made indeed partakers of Christ; and the knowest not what a poor thing thy corresremnant who escape the tempter's crooked pondent is every way, enfeebled in powers Leviathan, again take root downward, and and constitution, though but forty years old; a bear fruit upward. Isaiah xxxvii. 31. cripple on crutches these three or four years, by a disease of the knee joint, and still longer disabled by the same disorder, at times threatening amputation, and always bearing about a most delicate shattered frame in other respects. May I not say in every sense, 'By Thee have I been upholden from my birth,'" My times are in thy hand!"-therefore while I live will I praise the Lord, and by his help keep my heart and order my conversation; and all my bones shall say, who is like unto thee, who hast abundantly, and art yet, restoring, renewing, and redeeming my life, my best life, from destruction.

Desiring we may truly cease from man, and lean wholly on the Beloved of souls, with the salutation of love in our Lord Jesus Christ, I remain your friend,

Second month 19th, 1838.

J. B.

P. S. Should this concern return upon me, with weight and clearness, Friends may believe, I shall not hesitate to cast myself upon them again.

To

First or Second month, 1838, It is little we can do for one another; yet let us be willing to do that little which offers. I often think how short may be the season, wherein we may be permitted, or may have occasion for, the comfort, aid, and support, one of another. Many opportunities for giving a hand of help or a cup of cold water, we do not embrace; but we suffer them to go by unimproved, or fritter them away in our intercourse one with another, even with those nearest and dearest to us in an outward or inward sense. Everything indeed proves what poor creatures we are, and what a low, mixed, imperfect state the present is; at times favoured with a few drops of comfort, of strength,

If we do but hold fast the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end, cleaving to the Lord, who first loved, and quickened, and had mercy upon us; He will never leave nor forsake us; but will perfect all that which concerns us: and He will enable us to hold out to the end, in faith, patience, and well-doing. I have had for a long season a strong persua sion, that our dear Lord has a precious people in your country; and though many may be the impediments and snares and discouragements, how do I long that there, and in every place, "a pure offering" may be rendered, with as little of creaturely policy or worldly wisdom intermixed as may be.

But as to the chief occasion of thy letter, I all its genuine accompaniments and fruits in am able to give thee scarcely any information practice may be maintained inviolate, and that as to the Jaffray family, beyond what my nothing be foreborne, or let fall, or slighted, book with its notes sets forth. I have from through our degeneracy, and dimsightedness circumstances, and perhaps by providential of that which our worthy ancients upheld ordering, got into a channel which I often in- through suffering. What has our refinement, dulge in, to search out primitive zeal,-primi-religious or civil, done for us? and what has tive faithfulness unto death,--the path of the an approach or a condescending affinity therejust, of whom the world was not worthy. I to done for us?-weakness has inevitably fol do not love old things because they are old,lowed, and even the strongest and the wisest but because they are often more intrinsic, less have been utterly laid waste. Some are not superficial. I delight to restore the ancient sufficiently warned and humbled by these way-marks, the foundations of many genera- things; and if they are, they should openly tions,-to hold up the scattered and obsolete acknowledge their error, and forsake the very testimonies to ancient purity under every appearance of this track. name; many of which are purposely put into the background, slurred over, distorted, and destroyed by historians and the theologians of these degenerate days. I have a commonplace book for my collections, but my bodily and mental ability is growing less and less, and my opportunities are few indeed. O! that Christendom might return to that state she once knew, might recur to first principles; then would her reformation and salvation go forth with brightness, she would be fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners; and all iniquity and infidelity should stop their many mouths.

I am cheerfully confident, that if those, to whom we somewhat look, as watchers, as seers, as standard-bearers, as counsellors, are removed, (and they are removing,) to their rest,-or, if any of these that remain, should not keep their habitations firm and undeviating, but turn aside in any respect from the ancient testimony,-that He who raised up such a people as we were at the first, will never cease to raise up others, and put forth some into the foreground-into the very seats of the unfaithful. I have seen it wonderfully in my short day, I have read it of those that have gone before: and therefore, let none ever throw away their shield, and weakly compro

J. B.

Whether we ever meet, or write again, or are as epistles in one another's hearts in cer-mise the trust devolving on them. tain respects and to a certain extent,-may Farewell, my beloved friend; may the Lord we, "whereto we have already attained, walk preserve us purely to his praise. With love by the same rule, and mind the same thing," from thy affectionate friend, and follow the things that make for peace; and if any thing be further needful, I believe God will reveal even this to us, supplying all our needs by Jesus Christ; who is with his faithful followers, delighting to reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth, but in his own way, and time, and as we bow to his yoke and deny ourselves. I remain sincerely thy friend, J. B.

Το

Stoke Newington, 10th of Fourth month, 1838. My dear friend,

I am on the eve of leaving home for Brighton, if able; for I am very poorly, "feeble, and sore broken" outwardly; though I trust alive in my spirit as ever, and resigned to all that may be in store for me. The enclosed packet came to my hand; so I take this opportunity of conveying my dear love to thee, in that which changeth not-the everlasting_Truth. Though unable to mingle with my Friends in person, when they come together for the sake of this blessed cause, to endeavour to strengthen one another's hands in God, and to build up one another in that holy faith once and still delivered to the saints, my poor mind is as deeply, as strongly concerned as ever, that every part and parcel thereof, with

He left home on the 11th of fourth month, reached Brighton without much difficulty, and seemed revived by the change. Soon after his arrival, he consulted a physician, who gave a somewhat encouraging opinion of his state, thinking that with the returning spring his bodily strength would increase.

During his residence at Brighton, he occasionally appeared to rally; and at times seem ed so animated and cheerful about himself, that his near relatives, long accustomed to the sight of his crippled condition, were little prepared to suspect that deceptive disease, consumption, (as it afterwards appeared,) was making its sure and rapid inroads upon his delicate constitution.

Our beloved friend, Daniel P. Hack, of that place, who evinced to the last the kindest and most tender solicitude and care respecting him, thus wrote at a subsequent period concerning him:

When our beloved friend came to Brigh ton, it was evident to his friends, who had not seen him for a considerable time, that his general health was much impaired; and it soon became so much so, as to excite apprehensions

in their minds, that the life and labours of this devoted servant were fast drawing to a close. His mind, however, still retained its vigour; and the precious savour which was to be felt in his company was instructive and sweet, to those who had the privilege of sharing in it.

At another time he said,-You all know my desire to be preserved near the Lord,-to be strengthened and upheld by the Lord,-to be found in Him;-this is the way of peace.'

Again he said,Simple texts of Scripture contain a great deal: "Walk before Me, and 'His concern for the cause of his dear Lord be thou perfect;"-beautiful language! Such and Master, which had so long showed itself texts involve much,-comprehend the whole in fruits of self-denying dedication, continued of a religious walk,-the whole of what we unabated. It was evident to those who had are in the habit of referring to in a religious the most frequent opportunity of observing, life. We must be faithful to what is made under the pressure of rapidly increasing bodily known,-to the smallest discoveries of the ailments, that the object nearest to our dear light of Truth. I trust we shall be animated friend's heart was, the spread of the kingdom and strengthened to go through our day's of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ;-even work; then we shall find mercy at the hands of that kingdom which is not meat and drink, of the Lord.'-'Let us then look to the Lord but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the for strength at all times, and under all cirHoly Ghost, and which stands not in word, cumstances.'-The Lord will be your Lord, but in power.'-(1839.) and a sure refuge and hiding place.'-'Cleave unto the Lord, O! cleave unto Him; love Him with all your heart.'

He continued to decline, and very rapidly so during the latter part of his stay at Brighton; and on the 8th of the fifth month at his own urgent request, and with the approval of his physician, he was removed to Tunbridge Wells; where he survived but three days. The day after his arrival, in the course of some conversation with his kind friend, D. P. Hack, it was evident that he believed his day's work was nearly accomplished; and in the evening, on retiring to rest, his wife only being with him, under a precious sense of the overshadowing of the Divine presence, he supplicated thus: "O gracious Father! if it please Thee, spare us to each other a little longer, and make us more entirely devoted to Thee and to thy precious cause of Truth in the earth: nevertheless not our will, O Lord! but thine be done.'

To his sister, who was seated beside his couch, he remarked,―The quiet habitation! dear Lydia, thou looks as if thou loved the quiet habitation: O! how desirable!' with an allusion also to faithfulness and greater dedication.

His difficulty of articulation was great; he often spoke of the great thickness he felt upon him, that he could not express himself clearly: and once he was heard to say, 'This shackled state!' and-ready to be offered!'

The latter part of this day his voice was lifted up in a constant melody, and for many hours together, like a song of praise; during which these words were clearly distinguished, and often repeated;-O Lord! dear Lord! come;' I bless the Lord,'-'I am the Lord's for ever.' The name of Jesus' was often to be heard; and the word 'Hallelluiah!' was for a long time uttered.

He many times said, 'Let us all be still and quiet. Let us be retired in our minds.' And again, after some little attention to his comfort,-Now, shall we have the Lord with us? if not, we shall have him by and by;' and again sunk into the same sweet melody.

He continued to sink, but apparently without much bodily suffering. On the 10th, he repeated these passages,-"I am the light of the world;"-"That was the true light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;"-and then remarked, it does not say, that we shall all at once know all things, but as we can bear. O! it is because they want to know all at once, not as children On sixth-day, about an hour before his delearn, that the light is taken away! And parture, he roused a little from dozing: on reagain, They say there is no revelation; ceiving some nourishment from his affectionbut that which is made manifest to us as our ate wife, he took the cup; and she asked him, duty, as the Lord's will, is revelation:-this if he knew her?-he replied with a sweet is my belief,-I am sure of it.'-They slight smile, 'Yes, my Mary'. She then asked him; revelation; but it shall prevail; and the Spirit had he any pain?—No, not any:'—was he of the Lord shall reign over all;' (often re- happy?-Yes; very!' He then lay down peated, with) the Truth shall prevail,-the again, and gently drew his breath shorter and Truth shall reign over all.' 'None that trust shorter, till he quietly and peacefully breathed in the Lord, shall be confounded; but they his last, about four o'clock in the afternoon of shall be as Mount Zion, which can never be the 11th of fifth month, 1838; and we revermoved,―for the mouth of the Lord hath spo-ently believe, is, through redeeming love and ken it.-Praise, where it is due, and thanks- mercy, entered into the everlasting joy of his giving, and melody!' Lord.

MEMOIR OF SARAH MORRIS,

A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

SHE was born in Philadelphia, about the sited with sickness, and had so near a prosyear 1704. Her parents, Anthony and Eli-pect of eternity, that I seemed just entering zabeth Morris, being worthy Friends, were into it. O then, the emptiness and vanity of concerned to educate her in the fear of the the world, and all the pleasures and friendLord, in the diligent attendance of religious ships of it, appeared in a clear and strong meetings, and in an early acquaintance with light: nothing but the hope of an entrance the Holy Scriptures; and she often in after into the kingdom of heaven seemed of any life acknowledged the benefit of their pious value, and that hope the Lord was pleased in care in these respects. Through the Lord's some degree to afford me. Yet I thought I blessing on these means, and the preserving saw a great deficiency, [in my past conduct] power of Divine grace, she was kept from and desired of the Lord, that if it was his many of the follies to which youth is inci- will to restore me, he would enable me to dent; and her father, when near his end, re- live more closely attentive to his teachings, marked respecting her, that she had never and to follow him more fully than I had hithdisobeyed him, but been a comfort to him; erto done. But in order to this, I saw that a an example worthy of imitation. work of greater mortification than I had ever Being endued with a superior understand- experienced, was necessary. Great distress ing and an affable disposition, her company of soul and affliction of body was I brought was much sought by such as were esteemed the wise and great; but her mind was religiously inclined to prefer the society of those who exceeded her in age and experience; and through the merciful regard of her heavenly Father, she experienced preservation from the levity and vanity by which many young persons are captivated.

into; and such temptations and buffetings of satan, as I had until now been a stranger to, were suffered to beset me, in the absence of spiritual comfort and refreshment. But in all this the Lord was very merciful, and let me see that his dealings with my soul were in order to qualify me for his service. O then, I was willing to enter into the solemn engageIn a short account which she left of her ment, if thou Lord wilt be with me in the early visitation, she gratefully acknowledges way that I go, and give me bread to eat and the advantages she enjoyed from the pious raiment to put on, in a spiritual sense, and and watchful concern of her parents, and bring me to my heavenly Father's house in adds; "but what was far beyond all outward peace, Thou shalt be my God, and I will blessings, the Lord in his mercy was pleased serve thee. And the Lord, who knew the tento make very early impressions of religion derness of my heart, for it was his own work, on my soul, by his immediate grace and was graciously pleased to shower down the good Spirit, and made me sensible of the heavenly rain of his kingdom, by which my touches of his love when very young; by soul was greatly comforted and refreshed, and which I was in a good degree preserved from in a true sense of my own nothingness and the evils of the world, and not only so, but inability to do any thing that was acceptable comforted and supported in every time of dif- in his sight, without his assistance, my spirit ficulty, as there was a regard to that good was greatly humbled before him, and a resighand, which will ever be the help of all those nation wrought to be given up in all things to who trust in it. Him, who had thus enabled me to praise his "It pleased God, by the death of a sister name, for deliverance from great and sore whom I entirely loved, to give me a fresh in- conflicts and troubles, unknown to any but stance of the uncertainty and unsatisfatori- himself. Then was the Lord my refuge and ness of all temporal blessings, and to strength- hiding place, and under the shadow of his en my desires after the enjoyment of that wing was I kept; and in the sweet enjoyment which is eternal, and fadeth not away; and of divine love, light and life, was at times made strong cries were raised in my soul, that I to say, surely nothing shall ever be able to might be brought to a nearer acquaintance, separate me from the love of God in Christ and a more constant abiding with the beloved Jesus. But alas! this lasted not long; for when of souls, who had raised in me such a hun- it was clearly shown me what was required at ger and thirst after righteousness, that my my hand, which was to bear a public testisoul could not be satisfied short of it. After mony for God, and to declare unto others it had pleased God thus to incline me to seek a more full enjoyment of that inward life and virtue, which is conveyed to the soul through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, I was vi

what he had done for my soul, then consultations with flesh and blood began; doubts, fears, and reasonings increased, so that great darkness and distress came upon me. I could

Her labours in the work of the ministry were chiefly confined to her native city; yet At another time, being in great pain, she under the constraining power of divine love, said, "O sweet Lord Jesus, that thou wouldst and the putting forth of the heavenly Shep- be pleased to give me a little ease, who am herd, she visited many of the meetings of an unworthy creature, undeserving of thy Friends in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mary-sweet presence; but thou art merciful, and land, &c.; and when near seventy years old, thou, O Lord, knowest that nothing else can she yielded to an apprehension of duty, which ease and comfort me; thy living presence had long rested on her mind, and paid a reli- is all I want." Her fervent petition being gious visit to Friends in Great Britain. In granted, she broke forth after this manner; the ninth month, 1773, she returned from this "O how good is my God, thus to hear my engagement, much reduced in her bodily feeble cry,-how sweet is this ease. health and strength; but during the following pains are eased by one look from thee! O winter, united with Mary Leaver and Eliza- that I could be thankful enough for this fabeth Robinson, (two ministering Friends from vour, this sweet though short quiet, which we England,) in a visit to the families of Friends cannot get at but when thou, O Father, pleasest. in Philadelphia, in which service she was emi-O that the people would but believe, that in nently favoured with divine help.