the blessed Truth; so that some might be ranked with the fearful and unbelieving, whose portion they were reminded of. Alice Needham, a New England friend, in a plain manner, reproved the people for their pride, and particularly the youth for launching into the fashions and customs of the world; so that they are not known from others. All the answers to the first query, complained of drowsiness and the neglect of attending week-day meetings; which brought a deep concern on the minds of Friends, and some weighty testimonies thereon were delivered to the meeting.

On third-day, the clerk proceeded to read the Epistles, and it was advised to keep a record of them, and copies of those sent and received, in a book for that purpose. For want of faithfulness, Oh! how dimness and weakness prevail amongst us! May I improve by the many opportunities allowed me, and learn to keep closer to that which first called me out of darkness and Egyptian bondage.

In the select meeting adjourned to fourth-day morning, Jane Watson proposed to Philadelphia Friends, a remedy for the complaints of small and heavy meetings on first-day afternoons,-instead of three in a day, to hold but two; which met with approbation. In the afternoon sitting, men Friends brought in a number of testimonies concerning deceased Friends, Thomas Ross, Hannah Churchman and many others; the reading of which put me in mind of our neglect concerning Joshua and Hannah Gibbs and Mary SteMany Friends were exercised on account of the deviations among us, and particularly the neglect of reading the scriptures.

venson.

Fifth-day, meetings for worship in the morning,

but I was so unwell I could not attend. In the afternoon, Rebecca Jones, Mary Ridgway, Jane Watson and others, opened divers weighty subjects for the consideration of Friends, towards a remedy for the weaknesses that prevail among us as a christian society;-which seemed to meet with universal approbation, and were directed to be handed down to the smaller meetings. Oh! that we were more faithful! How our lights would shine, and throw the lustre of the glorious gospel around our neighbourhoods! But the Lord is at work; may he support his cause through all opposition, and raise his Truth into dominion, high above the dark seat of the dragon and false prophet. I looked home at my own dear children: may they cleave to the Creator of the world, for their Rock and their Saviour.

Sixth-day. Attended select meeting in the morning, which concluded; also a sitting of the Yearly Meeting at eleven o'clock, in which three epistles, and the European Friends' certificates were read. In the afternoon, the remainder of the epistles and the minutes of last Yearly Meeting were read. A great deal of good advice was dropped, and much concern for the dear youth expressed, with moving counsel to them to seek first the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof. Oh! that they were wise, and would solidly consider their latter end, and what must follow if they will not make choice of the good. Oh! what a privilege it is to be a member of this society! and how desirable to be a real, solid Friend, attending these meetings from a desire to be benefitted ourselves and to promote the cause of truth and righteousness.

Seventh-day morning, met at eleven o'clock.

Divers solid testimonies were borne, and much exercise felt for the dear youth. One Friend queried, "what confidence can such have, whose dress is so inconsistent with plainness, ando follow the fashions so much that they cannot be distinguished from the world's people? What motive draws such to sit in our meetings for discipline? They have not the cause of Truth enough at heart, but walk contrary thereto, and appear as a blemish and reproach to our christian church." After a pathetic call to them to repent and amend their ways, followed by a time of fervent prayer and solemn silence, the meeting ended.

Letter to her son William.

Dear William,-Is there not a cloud of witnesses to convince man of the immutability of the overruling, all-creating and all-sustaining power of that Almighty Being who ought to be adored, sought unto and acknowledged by us in word and deed, and with all our heart, and whom to know is life eternal? And in order that we may know him in ourselves, he has placed a spark of his divinity, his own essence there. It is light, it is a gift, given for a guide to poor, fallen, earthly man. It is as a lamp in the dark, clearly discovering to us every thought, word and work, which moves and passes within us. It is a secret monitor,— the voice of wisdom,-Christ in us. But we too often turn a deaf ear, and will not hear the call of this son of God, that we may live;-live righteously and acceptably, according to the pure law written in the heart. The gracious Father designs that we should be happy; but we will not accept an eternal happiness in the way which his grace points out to us in order to attain it. No: we will rather enjoy this life with

its transitory gratifications and delights. But if thou choose these fleeting amusements, how long canst thou hold them? The flying moments that we have already numbered are gone from us forever, and we cannot command to-morrow. We are poor dependant beings whose breath is not our own, whose time is but lent. Should we not therefore devote every faculty we possess to the service of that Almighty Being who holds us and all immensity in his absolute power? And shall we, finite, perishable mortals, be ungrateful receivers of his abundant favours which are so bountifully dispensed, both around and within us; all as means to incite us to love and reverence him the gracious Creator, Preserver and Rewarder.

Alas! for our inattention and ingratitude. But what can be said or done to induce man to do as he ought, and thereby answer the design for which he was created! I may say as did the holy man of old: "Oh! that we were wise, that we understood this, that we would consider our latter end." It is for want of solid consideration that we mistake, and err from the right path of acceptance. We are not willing to settle into the child's teachable state; and while we are wise in our own estimation, refusing to be taught, we shall always be empty and void of the true, essential knowledge which makes wise unto salvation.

I was left motherless in my childhood;-but the universal Parent was merciful to an orphan, and often spoke by the voice of gentle persuasion. He illuminated my mind, and led me to seek and to fear him who is the Almighty Judge of quick and dead. He taught me what was right and what was wrong; 4**

he graciously attended me in my movements, and sometimes filled me with a dread of his majesty and power. Sometimes he gave me to taste and to feel of the sweet effusions of his love which the blessed enjoy in heaven, as a means to draw me into obedience to his holy laws and commandments, which were clearly made known by the word of Truth in myself. I found by communing in my own heart, and being still, that the inward ear of the soul could attend to its dictates there manifested; and as far as I was obedient, so far I was accepted, and rewarded with the certain evidences of God's approbation.Being faithful in the little light received, in that light I saw more light; and by it I was taught to trust in God in all my ways, and to consult him to direct my paths. It was in and by the principle of Truth that I was convinced, and enabled to own and embrace the profession thereof, and to enlist myself as a soldier under the banner of Christ, whose commands and injunctions are love and good-will to all

men.

Now, is it not reasonable, my son, that I should desire my dear children to seek after and find what I have sought and found;-even the right way to heaven, by living in obedience to the Lord. For it is a truth, that unless we lose our life in the things of this world for Christ's sake, we shall not receive the life which is eternal. But this is a mystery to those who barter away their true happiness for shadows, and by their own unwise choice sell their birthright for mere temporary gratifications. And let us bear in mind, that if we run for a prize, it will not do to begin the race and then stop, for if we do so, we cannot gain the reward; there must be a holding