"I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till she please."-Cant. ii. 7. AR be it from me to give an opinion as to what FAR may be thy future path; the great Head of the church chooses his own instruments as it pleaseth Him; but even if it should be his purpose that thou shouldst thus testify thy love to Him, He may show it thee, as He has done to many others, for years before He calls to the public acknowledgment of it. I believe, also, that young converts-those who are newly awakened to the value and importance of religion -are very apt, in the ardor of their feelings, to imagine they are called to great things, and in the overflowings of that love to their Saviour which may be raised in their heart, to believe they must, as thou expressest it, “speak his praise" to those around them; but it does appear to me to be one of the very successful stratagems of our ever-watchful enemy, to persuade the young, as soon as they begin to walk in the right way themselves, that they are called upon to teach others, rather than abide under the blessed teaching which would, if they had patience to endure its secret reproofs, and wait upon its salutary though silent monitions, in due time, make them more capable to do so, in their daily life and conversation.— Maria Fix, 1837. No strength have we to do thy will, -Jane Crewdson. "And he saith unto me, marriage supper of the Lamb. ings of God."-Rev. xix. 9. Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the HE door is open, THE I see an innumerable company of saints, of angels, and the spirits of just men, which I long to be unbodied to be with; but not my will, but thine be done, Oh, Lord! I cannot utter, nor my tongue express, what I feel of that light, life, and love that attends me, which the world can neither give, nor take away from me. My sins are washed away by the blood of the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world; all rags and filthiness are taken away, and in room thereof love and good will for all mankind. Oh, that we may become more united in the church militant, and nearer resemble the church triumphant! Oh, that we all might make such an end as I have in prospect for it is all light, all life, all love, and all peace. The light that I see is more glorious than the sun in the firmament! Come, Lord Jesus Christ! come when thou pleasest; thy servant is ready and willing; into thy hands I commit my spirit. Not my will, but thine be done, Oh Lord! I am near to enter that harmony with Moses and the Lamb, where they cry, "Holy! holy! holy!" I cannot express the joy I feel. If any inquire after me, after my end, let them know all is well with me.-Joseph White, 1777. And wilt thou be mine for ever? Shall I live with thee and reign? Come, these mouldering chains to sever? Come, for death to me is gain. -J. J. GURNEY. "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."-John ix. 4. A CERTAIN sentence has been presented to the 'view of my mind, which seemed to contain a gentle engaging caution, and matter of instruction to me, attended with sweetness; which was, "Work while it is day." Friends, this is our day, wherein we ought to be diligent and industrious. In the light of the day we may see and understand how to work, and what to do, that at the conclusion we may obtain from the Master of the day, who dwelleth in light, the answer of well done; for the night will come, wherein no man can work. We are favored with liberty in this day, to assemble together for worship unmolested; and my hearty desire is, that we may properly improve this mercy; for the time to some of us may come, before our day in this life is closed wherein this privilege may in some measure be taken from us. Something in me would be ready to say, The Lord forbid that it should be the case; but by reason of the great declension which has overspread the church, I hardly dare to expect any other. Oh! may we therefore be careful to prize the mercy of God, and endeavor to gain an inheritance in the light, that when night overtakes, and darkness as to the outward, may hang over us, we may be favored to withdraw into the sure hiding-place, and know a quiet habitation.-John Churchman. No bark hath ever foundered, With such a Friend on board, -JANE CREWDSON. "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”_ Psalm cxli. 3. E that easily credits an ill report, is almost as faulty as the first inventor of it; for though you do not make, yet you commonly propagate a lie. Therefore never speak evil of any upon common fame, which for the most part is false; but almost always uncertain whether it be true or not. * Let us accustom ourselves to pity the faults of men, and to be truly sorry for them, and then we shall take no pleasure in publishing them. This, common humanity requires of us, considering the great infirmities of human nature, and that we ourselves also are liable to be tempted. Whenever we hear any man evilly spoken of, if we know any good of him, let us say that. It is always the more humane and the more honorable part, to stand up in the defense and vindication of others, than to accuse and injure them. That you may not speak ill of any, do not delight to hear ill of them. Give no countenance to busy-bodies, and those that love to talk of other men's faults. And lastly, let us set a watch before the door of our lips, and not speak but upon consideration; I do not mean to speak finely, but fitly; especially when thou speakest of others, consider of whom, and what thou art going to speak; before thy words slip from thee, which, when they are once out of thy lips, are for ever out of thy power.- Wm. Crouch to his children. "The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne."-Rev. iv. 10. THER HERE is a spirit which I feel, that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things, in hope to enjoy its own in the end. Its hope is to outlive all wrath and contention, and to weary out all exaltation and cruelty, or whatever is of a nature contrary to itself. It sees to the end of all temptations; as it bears no evil in itself, so it conceives none in thoughts to any other: if it be betrayed it bears it; for its ground and spring is the mercies and forgiveness of God. Its crown is meekness, its life is everlasting love unfeigned, and takes its kingdom with entreaty, and not with contention, and keeps it by lowliness of mind. In God alone it can rejoice, though none else regard it, or can own its life. It's conceived in sorrow, and brought forth without any to pity it; nor doth it murmur at grief and oppression. It never rejoiceth but through sufferings; for with the world's joy it is murdered. I found it alone, being forsaken; I have fellowship therein with them who lived in dens and desolate places in the earth, who through death obtained this resurrection and eternal holy life.-James Nayler. 1660. His last testimony, said to be delivered before his departure out of this life; several Friends being present. So died James Naylor. He was buried in "Thomas Parnell's burying ground, at King's Rippon," in a green nook of rural England. 27 |