help, be for the honour, and tend to the pro- the extent of that labour and daily exercise, motion of the great cause?

[In the tenth month of this year, he was married to Georgina Hill, daughter of Major Hill, of Kingsbridge, Devonshire:-she had joined the Society by convincement. To a much valued friend, he wrote:-]

which I feel needful for myself to be found in, lest my soul lose its hold! Farewell. J. B.

Fourth month 18th.-Quarterly meeting at Exeter. Oh! that my soul may be moved effectually to strive for further liberation from the borders and boundaries of sin; when shall I have a conscience void of offence toward my good Lord, who daily heaps favours upon me!

Paid a sweet and solemn visit at J. D.'s. Oh! that I may walk worthy of these renewed seasons of mercy and favour; may I double my diligence, fight the good fight of faith, and strive earnestly for the hope of the Gospel, whilst it is held out in unmerited goodness to me, a poor backslider.

Penzance, 13th of Third month, 1821. Often have I thought on thee and thy endearing friendship, as commenced in days that are past, and strengthened in hours that are over and gone, though not soon to be erased; for to those winter-evening opportunities of comfort and favour I enjoyed with thee and others, may I not refer much of the benefit and instructive growth my soul received in- 20th.-Reached Poole. Blessed be the Lord strumentally, at that period of my pilgrimage, who hath preserved my soul and body through when it seemed to be a time of espousals, and many tribulations and temptations and danwhen it might be said truly, "Thy time was gers, since I was last here. O! my hardness the time of love." In reverting to such sea- of heart, not to be overcome by hi abundant sons, I have often been sensible of many long-suffering and kindness, and constrained short-comings, many wanderings, and much to fall in with his designs respecting me, which unwatchfulness; and I am sometimes ready most assuredly are full of tenderness. to apply to myself the language respecting Tenth month 29th.-I set out from Poole, Israel, "Of old time, I have broken thy yoke, for London, with my beloved wife, who has and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will of late been a greater sufferer from illness, her not transgress;"-though some consoling hope complaint being thought inflammation of the attends, that the succeeding complaint of de- lungs. At one time she seemed brought near generacy does not altogether belong to me. to the gates of death; but she was not taken To be bowed down under a sense of our infir- from me, though I fear, I deserved it. The mities, is profitable to the best, and safe at Lord omnipotent preserve us in faith and paseasons for all; and whilst we may look upon tience, and content under all the provings He these dispensations, as some small proof that is pleased to permit. Oh! how much have we are not left without chastisement and fath- we to be thankful for! What great cause to erly correction; they turn out not unfrequently, live unto Him, who hath thus spared the rod to be the forerunners of further displays of in pity, and heard our cry. Many vicissitudes mercy, and wholesome preparatives for use- my poor soul has had; His dispensations tofulness and enlargement. We often mar the wards me have been wonderful, past all menbenefits that are in store for us, and the intend- tion! ed effects of our trials, by too great eagerness for deliverance.

We have great occasion to stay ourselves upon the holy Rock in the day of trial and affliction, having known favours beyond many; the high hand made bare, and extended renewedly to deliver and protect. That we may attend with vigilance to the fresh openings of duty in every respect, is my earnest desire, amidst a deep consciousness of much to deplore, as regards want of more steady adherence thereto.

I hear you are richly visited in the ministerial capacity. O! it is easy work to love them and their testimony from the very heart, and to be attracted by the sweet influence of that which they live in; but it is hard to labour in the desert for food and raiment, and to have no intermediate helping-hand, to cheer and to animate to constancy and endurance. Oh!

Twelfth month 25th.--Attended the London quarterly meeting, and was comforted. The Lord will yet help and redeem my poor spirit, if I earnestly look unto Him always. I was dealt with in mercy this day, both publicly and privately.

To S. A.

Cheltenham, 18th of Seventh month, 1822. We have had an account of the decease of our beloved and valued friend, Charles Parker; my fellow-traveller, as I may call him, truly in more senses than one; having had, as thou mayst remember, the privilege of his company through Hampshire last autumn: it affected us considerably. Past events connected with him, dear and faithful man, were much revived in my own mind; and I thought much of him on the day of the burial. I bless the Giver

of all good that I have sat under his ministry; (She died at Marazion, in Cornwall, and her and I remember that the tenor of it often was, remains were interred in Friends' burying the shortness and vanity of earthly enjoyments ground, at that place.) At the grave's mouth, and trials, the certainty and speed of death, I was strengthened to utter these words in and the goodness and grace that visits and public, on bended knees;-Blessing, glory, would gather all unto God, the eternal excel- honour, thanksgiving, and praise, be given lency. My soul is profitably instructed whilst unto thee, O! Father of mercies, and God of I write; and that may be the best use of my all consolation! both for that thou hast given, writing to thee, my dear, valued, and now an- and for that thou hast taken into thy resting cient friend and brother, who hast so often place; Amen, O! Father, for so it seemed good helped me to think of these things; and who, in thy sight:-thy holy will be done!' The I fully trust and believe, art looking for, and Lord did marvellously regard and strengthen desiring at times, the winding up of all things me: He will be my guide and refuge, even to that are transitory and perishable. O! that the end: surely he will, saith my soul. The we who are young, may so tread in the path Lord doth daily help and comfort me; he is of the just, that we may be prepared to fill up with me a poor creature, and his strength is the vacated seats in the militant church, of manifested in my abundant weakness: He is those who are gone before, and who have my portion even for ever! filled up their measure of enduring. As to my poor self, if any thing may be said, it should be but a middling account,—as hitherto, for a long season past; often surrounded with fears and failings, sensible of short com. ings, and a pensioner on that forbearance and pity, which is not enough (I fear) regarded and remembered. Watchfulness unto that which is good, seems to me the great thing in the work; I am sensible we can thus only walk worthy of our vocation and privileges.

To

Penzance, Ninth month, 1822.

CHAPTER X.

NINTH month 18th, 1823.-The sweet incomes of Divine love this day, were such as made me very contemplative, so as unusually to absorb my mind, especially whilst engaged in working in my garden. I betook myself to a retired walk on the sea-shore to enjoy the goodness of the Lord more quietly: the outward beauty of the creation, and the calmness and harmony of all things around, seemed in sweet unison with the state of my soul. Oh! how I longed to be fully prepared for, and wholly made partaker of, the joys of the blessed,-of them who live to the Lord, and die in the Lord! I have a hope that I am journeying forward to this state.

My beloved partner's present state is comparatively very free from suffering, or from symptoms that cause uneasiness. After eight months of vicissitude in London, she was removed to Cheltenham, where she had some Tenth month 9th.-My poor mind has been drawbacks from the climate, which was cold much under exercise since I left home, and and changeable, also at Clifton, where we more particularly on one account; apprehendrested. But, through a merciful hand, by ing some pretty strong drawings to stand up which she seemed directed to a religious phy-in a meeting and express a few words. This sician, she was soon so much relieved, that was the case first at Truro, then at Falmouth we could set forward on our journey into Corn-monthly meeting, and then in degree at the wall, being very anxious to do so; though quarterly meeting. But I trust it was not in from the severity of the attack, it seemed as disobedience that I forbore; many things if we should hardly be able to winter here. seemed to stand in my way. I desire not to I trust we are both holding on our way, and be expecting great things, but I long for clearpartaking at times of the brook by the way;ness; and I believe I shall be favoured with it. blessed be the great Name, the Giver of life, The consideration of many infirmities, and in and of all our many blessings! We seem remarkably resigned and prepared for whatever may be meted out; though we have our trials, and besetments, and infirmities.

some sense unfaithfulness, and want of fitness for the work affects me often; but I long that it may not hinder the setting of my hand to what is laid upon me to do. I believe there is nothing to be done, unless through a simple On the 23rd of sixth month, 1823, my surrender and submission. I can fully bedearly beloved partner passed away to her lieve that the Lord may call to some, who blessed eternal rest in the Lord Jesus Christ, may have had no previous expectation of such the beloved of her soul and her Redeemer. a call to service; which indeed is by no means On the 29th, the poor body was committed my case. One thing is worthy of commemoto the earth, to return to the dust as it was.ration,-that whereas I besought the Lord to

be assured that such a thing was required at my hands, he gave me evidently some strong signs, in the frequent testimonies of his ministers from meeting to meeting; even very closely urging to faithfulness, so as almost literally to say,-"Thou art the man." But though I could not gainsay, yet I did not feel as though I had any very strong sense as to that being the right time: for this I am now thankful; for, when the constraint was laid upon me afterwards, not by man nor of man, I knew it to be of God, and beyond any man's appointment, but a great cross to my own nature, and under a sense of the Divine authority and presence. May the Lord God of salvation and of mercy, be pleased to show me the path of peace and of joy; and may He lift up His countenance and light upon me, that I may see and do His will!

Friend, who had been long an invalid,—“ Behold we count them happy which endure;" take, my sister, the prophets, who have spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and patience : thou hast heard of the patience of Job, and hast seen the end of the Lord, that he is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. Behold, we count them happy which endure. It is a blessed thing indeed, when flesh and heart fail, to know God to be the strength of our heart and our portion for ever. God shall redeem thy soul from the power of the grave, for he shall receive thee! Thus my Master, my tender Father and Teacher dealt with me; and now, what should I wait for, but the continuance of his mercy and his light to preserve and sustain me henceforth, even for ever.

I may add, that it was evident to me, that he who in simplicity surrenders any thing to the Lord, which in any wise seems called for, will not lose his reward; but will find his way to open and enlarge, his peace extend, and he will know more and more of the requirings and business of the Lord consigned to him; and the evidence and motions will often increase after the will is resigned. Wonderful is the Lord's goodness to me from time to time, beyond words! He filleth me "with the finest of the wheat;" and he revealeth unto me "the abundance of peace and truth." How precious a season was our quarterly meeting (14th of first month, 1824,) held at Austle. Is there any thing too hard for the Lord? "Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.'

At several opportunities, in company with two dear Friends in the ministry, who were visiting this meeting, I had a distinct sense of what was to be the service, and what were the wants of the parties visited; especially was this the case, in the public meeting held at Redruth. At one family visit in this neighbourhood, I was sensible of the evident call and requiring of the Lord to utter a few words, in addition to what dropped from others, to the young people present, on this wise:-and then you will find fulfilled in your own experience this language, as it hath abundantly been mine;"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me; though I walk in darkness, Thou, O! Lord, will be a light unto me;-though I pass through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." The weight and sweetness that dwelt on my mind, after this surrender, cannot be set forth. It rested on my spirit all the day, in an unutterable manner; I felt so comfortable, and at ease in my mind; it was a heavenly feeling, and nothing short of Him who is in heaven, could give it! At Wadebridge, in the 23rd. Found the overshadowing sweetness public meeting, I had to speak to the people, of Divine mercy renewed to me this morning, and in a way remarkable to myself. In this in a large degree; so that my soul seemed to and other service hereafter mentioned, I had, receive it, as a token and foretaste of a more (praise be to the Lord! who turns the hearts, full fruition in a better state of being. Blessed and influences his own simple ones,) the coun- be the Lord, who can raise out of the dust! tenance and encouragement of those, who, I 27th. I thought I saw very clearly, that it believe, know the voice of the true Shepherd is through obedience even in small matters, from that of the stranger. This often hum-that our Society, in some respects, has attainbles me greatly; for next to the answer of ed a standing beyond most: obedience is inpeace from God in my own bosom, what I deed, a striking feature in the Christian dishave desired has often been, the unity of the pensation. church and the love of the brethren.

First month 22nd 1824.-Under a feeling of great discouragement at both meetings today, I trust my mind was sensible where allsufficient help lies; though so little of this seemed manifested, or my soul so little capable of enjoying it.

Dear

То

Marazion, 12th of Eleventh month, 1824.

I have heard scarce a word respecting thee for a long time, but nevertheless I hold thee

which we cannot doubt or fear but that as we continue the diligent and patient followers of our crucified Master, we shall reign with him in a glorious eternity of peace and joy. My mind has been of late more or less, since the decease or release of my beloved G., set on its treasure in the heavens, which will never pass away; and I have been assured, that if I continue in faith to the end of my day, a place will be prepared for me; it seemed almost as if permitted by foretaste, to lay hold of eternal life. Such views are very awful, yet very sweet to me; so that whether they are premonitory, or only admonitory, they have the effect of quickening me in the duties of life, and of increasing my true enjoyment therein.-"Work while it is day;" for "this is not your rest." Believe me, with warmth of affection, thy friend, J. B.

very preciously before my view; and thy and whilst there are seasons when we are not humble waiting and walking is often encou-so sensible of them, others are vouchsafed, in raging. I should be much pleased wast thou inclined, in the freedom of old friendship, to salute me by letter at any time. Thou knowest not of what service it might prove to me, and be made instrumental to build me up in the most holy faith, as heretofore used to be the case, when we were nearer in the outward one to another, and at times blessed in each other's society. I have a full persuasion, however varied our habits and however distance as to space may have operated, together with other circumstances, that we are under the special keeping of the heavenly Shepherd; who can feed, and lead, and cause to lie down, and will permit nothing to make afraid, or to scatter from his pasture of life and fold of eternal rest. "My Father is greater than all," and none shall pluck out of his hand those who keep near Him, and lean upon Him. For he restoreth the soul, and leadeth in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. So that though we may have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death we need fear no evil,-He is with us, his rod and staff they comfort us. And when he is pleased to anoint the head as with oil, does not our cup flow over; and are we not ready to cry out, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in thy house for ever?" This is, I believe, at times thy experience, as it is my own. Then for us the feeble ones, who may, under discouraging apprehensions of our own state, be walking fearfully along, as with our heads often hanging down very low, and who may be said, in some sense, to have answered the call of the Lord, as in Joel, "Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning,"-even to such the language will go forth," be glad and rejoice, for the Lord will do great things," "for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength; and ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed."

Truly in respect to these things that have happened unto me, they have turned to the furtherance of the work of His glory and grace, who doeth all things well; and up to this day, through heights and depths, my experience is consistent with the language, "The right hand of the Lord is exalted, the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly;" for though he cause grief, yet hath he compassion, such as will carry through all. The manifestations of Divine goodness and wisdom, are indeed very great to the willing and attentive soul;

-

Third month 22nd, 1824.—I desire, when the hour of my departure draws nigh, to be clothed with faith towards God, and with resignation to commit my dear and only little one into His hand, who gave him to me: "leave thy fatherless children unto me;" "let their widows also trust in me," "the Father of the fatherless."

Fourth month 2nd.-I was this day inclined to believe, as I have been often of late, that the bereavement I have sustained in the loss of my tender partner, was intended in a peculiar manner for my good. I have been led to think, that as my dear wife was given to me at a time when I greatly wanted a helpmeet; and as she was one of a noble and capacious mind, inured to trouble and difficulty, able to counsel and to assist me; so when the time was come, for her to show me how to pass through the dark valley, she fulfilled the Divine will in a wonderful degree, as I believe, by setting me an excellent example, through Him who strengthened her, and who bore up her afflicted spirit through all that was permitted to assail. Oh! it is often wonderful to me, to think how suddenly at the last, she was summoned to take her leave of all that was near and dear in this life, and how this was accomplished; so that there seemed no agitation or disquietude, but a holy magnanimity, a deep and solemn reflecting on her condition, and a reverting to her only hope of glory. And now I am left, with the image [example] of a dear devoted child of God, my soul's fellow, often brought before me; to show me how to lay down these shackles, how to put off this outward man, and yield up my spirit to my God and her God!-How strongly has the uncertainty of my continuance in life been before