to the suggestions of her soul's enemy, she ered her out of all her afflictions, it is hoped did not resign herself to this apprehension that warning, instruction, and encouragement of duty, and thus incurred the displeasure of may be derived by the reader; at the same her heavenly Father, causing herself after- time we feel it like rearing a little altar of wards, as she has been heard to say with praise to him whose compassions fail not, but tears, a long wilderness travel of many who enables the upright to hold on their way, years, in which troubles and trials outward-fixing their hearts in humble trust on him İy, as well as desertion and distress inwardly alone.]

were her sorrowful portion. Her husband's My brother, William Knight died the 17th outward circumstances were greatly reduced, of second month, 1814, in his 58th year. and though she exerted herself to the utmost "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upin assisting to support the family, all her at-right; for the end of that man is peace." He tempts appeared unsuccessful, and there were was buried at Chelmsford; a very large and times when they were greatly distressed. The enemy of her soul did not fail to make use of these trials, to plunge her discouraged mind still lower, and she resigned her seat in the meeting of ministers and elders in the year 1807.

quiet meeting was held on the occasion, which was graciously owned by the presence of him who visited this my dear brother, and inclined his heart to seek and serve him during a life of affliction, and through whose mercy he has no doubt entered the kingdom of everlasting rest.

Eighth month 4th.-Dear A. S. was buried at Tottenham: S. G. was at the interment, it was a memorable time, he was much favoured in testimony, and the meeting also with a sweet calm.

In the year 1809, she lost a very promising child; and in 1810, she attended the death bed of her husband, who after much conflict of mind, was favoured to make a peaceful close. But he who waits long to be gracious, and will have mercy on his afflicted children, was pleased in due time to say, it is enough, Second month 26th, 1815.—Returned from and to favour her again, both with the lifting the funeral of Mary Prior. She might justly up of the light of his blessed countenance, be termed "a mother in Israel," evidently and with a gradual increase of outward sub- feeling true love to clothe her heart, and in it stance; whereby she was enabled to discharge endeavouring to cherish the least appearance all her debts, and many of her husband's of good in all. Her life and conversation also. Yet, although thus favoured, and again were edifying and reaching; her reverent awpermitted to feel the influence of the divine ful waiting in silent meetings was often an inSpirit, constraining her to testify to others of citement to diligence; her ministry, deep and the Lord's goodness, many were her discour-powerful, has often roused a longing of soul, agements, and frequent work was made for in some who were favoured to be intimately fresh repentance, in the withholding of more acquainted with her, for ability to follow her than was meet; retracing her steps requiring as she followed Christ, the captain of the saint's more faith than a simple acting at first had victory. done. She thus expresses herself in after life, in reverting to this time of trial-"I have abundant cause to admire and reverence the Great Name, that his preserving arm has been round about me, and his tender mercies are lengthened out still. When I have been mourn- After about a month's confinement by ining over my own infirmities, I have fully be- flammation of my eyes, they are now restored. lieved, that had I been more resigned, the Oh! that this afflicting circumstance may grand enemy could not have caused so long a awaken my mind to more diligence, that the wilderness travel; but he knows I am one of awful sound may never be heard in mine ears, a sad heart, and very apt to take discourage-"The summer is ended, the harvest is past, ment, and never more so than of late. Were and thou art not saved!" it not for the sweet feeling of peace mercifully

10th.-Poor and low, but not forsaken. When a little feasting has been permitted, O my soul, be thou willing to fill up thy part of suffering, for his sake who died to purchase everlasting life for thee.

28th. My sister and myself left home to granted, when ability is afforded to give up to visit our relations in Essex, and were at requirings of duty, as I apprehend, my little Chelmsford meeting on fourth-day. I felt very faith, like poor Peter's, would fail, and I should poor and forsaken, lamenting my backwardsink under the weight of my frequent un-ness to duty, and longed for more strength and watchfulness and want of more firm resolution."

In reviving these circumstances, which she would often speak of to her intimate friends, with tears of gratitude to him who had deliv

faith. May I endeavour more and more for ability to adopt the language, "Let others do as they may, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." We were out about three weeks, and I returned home better satisfied

than I had reason to expect, having renewed my confidence again renewed in that everlastcause to admire the tender dealings of a faithful Creator.

Tenth month 29th.-Our quarterly meeting was large and satisfactory, many little seasonable offerings in the fore part; and towards the end, dear B. W. sweetly addressed a hidden, afflicted state, and several times expressed encouragement to such, to hold on their way. After which S. H. concluded the meeting in supplication, which I consider the most so

[Extract from a letter written to a friend at lemn worship attainable. this time.]

I spent a few days pleasantly with my kind my satisfaction, and three weeks at Folkstone, friend E. H. at Hertford: we went to see a part of the time in illness, which though painfriend in declining health, sat a little time to-ful was not unprofitable. I had to admire the gether, and were refreshed. We dined with tender dealings of the Most High; and have a relation, where a few words solemnly im- no reason to regret my visit to this place. I pressed me, and though to give up, felt as was by myself, which is what I have long wishnear as parting with a right hand or a righted to be, and was favoured with some sweet eye, it was sealed on my mind, that if I did refreshing seasons in my secret retirements. not bear the cross, I should not obtain the First month 26th, 1827.-O thou who hast crown. On my return, I seemed as though in abundant mercy condescended to be the sitting under my own vine and under my own guide of my early age, when under the care fig-tree, where none shall make afraid. After of tender parents, I have abundant cause to meeting, I returned home. In a little retire- commemorate thy loving-kindness and fatherment this morning, I was owned with the pre-ly care over me. If I had been in all things cious feeling of good, which I covet above all faithful to thy commands, how would my things. O Lord, preserve me in the decline of peace have flowed as a river. Although I life from a state of gloom and insensibility, have painfully to reflect on many omissions and grant a lively hope in thy mercy. and commissions, I have many times experi enced that there is mercy with thee that thou mayest be feared. And now I pray thee to be the support of my old age. Oh! cause my mind to be fixed on thee, thou everlasting rock of ages.

First month 23rd, 1825. -'s child was buried at Tottenham. After meeting, my poor unwatchful mind fell into deep distress, through neglect of attending to the still small voice, or an intimation to be with them at the grave side. Oh! the heart-felt pain that followed me. "If thy own heart condemn thee, God is greater." I begged for mercy and strength to rise above the fear of my fellowcreatures.

24th. I was favoured with a little more calm, and opened the Bible on the 42nd Psalm, 11th verse, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance and my God." Towards morning my stubborn will gave way a little, and I had a sweet sleep. It is a mercy to know our sins to go before hand to judgment, and to feel the poor tossed mind to be stayed on a faithful Creator.

Second month 5th.-Standing by the grave of J. M., I felt a necessity to expose myself. I returned home with the reward of peace, which humbled my mind under a sense of forgiveness for my former withholding.

Tenth month 11th.-Returned from Kent, where I spent about nine weeks pleasantly, and I hope not grown worse in best things.

11th month 2nd.-I have had for about a week past a violent attack of nervous headache; and my outward prospects on account of health are dull and gloomy. Oh! may my soul be more firmly established on that Rock that is both sure and steadfast.

13th. After feeling a pressing necessity I kneeled down by poor afflicted J. M.'s bedside, and I hope rightly petitioned for him and myself, that we might not be forsaken in old age and affliction. The recollection of this opportunity afforded me much satisfaction.

1826, ninth month 18th.-Returned from Ashford where I had spent six weeks much to

Fourth month 4th.-Thou who hast all power in thy hand, in heaven and on earth, oh! that it would please thee so to humble my heart, that I might have no will of my own, but feel perfect resignation to thy holy will in all things. Thou hast promised a blessing to the poor in spirit, forget not one who is as a worm and no man before thee. The distress. ing pain in my head is very trying to bear; grant patience, and cause it to prove as the refiner's fire and as the fuller's soap.

Seventh month 16th.-This morning the pain in my head was very distressing; I was low, thinking the awful summons was at hand, yet was favoured to feel calm and quiet, and endeavoured to pray for perfect resignation, and " that I might die the death of the righteous, and that my last end might be like his."

Perusing the writings of our worthy predecessors often proves instructive. My heart was affected this day in reading the life of John Crook, where I found this striking passage, copied from the margin of an old Bible, printed about the year 1599: "When the mind thinks nothing, when the soul covets nothing, and the body acteth nothing, that is contrary to the will of God, this is perfect sanctification."

the effect of a small instrument formerly, when
the command was given to sound the rams'
horns, and the people joined in the shout. I
believe little offerings are as humiliating to
give up to as longer testimonies, and if they
are all that is required, the reward is sure.
[Speaking of her apprehension of duty to
appear in meetings, she says,] The awful en-
gagement has been an exercise to me from
early life. None knew the pantings of my
heart; I could not let him go, and my stub-
born, disobedient will would not give up to
serve him freely; if my life had been required,
it would have been an easier sacrifice. I have
for many months and years gone bowed under
these humiliating feelings, begging that the
impression might be taken from me, and laid
on some one more fit. I have abundant cause
to admire and reverence the great Name, that
his preserving arm has been round about, and
his tender mercies are lengthened out still. I
much desire, my dear friend, to be preserved
from a wish to live on the labour of others,
but to be resigned to do the work assigned
me, and to be strengthened, now in my de-
clining age, when I am made sensible of for-
giveness for many omissions that are passed;
in future to make strait steps to the land of
rest. I should like thee to mention the sub-
ject of my leaving Tottenham to ; I
have a good opinion of her judgment, and love
her much; she will I hope, as well as thyself,
weigh the matter for me: it seems no light
thing; and if she or thyself have a few words
for me, it will be acceptable: if it is reproof,
I can bear it, and if encouragement, I hope it
will do me good. When thou art favoured
with ability for prayer, or panting for preser-
vation, remember thy poor unworthy friend,
MARY HAGGER.

[This year, 1827, she removed to Ashford, within the compass of Folkstone monthly meeting, and was re-acknowledged a member of the Select meeting in fifth month 1830.]

Third month 19th.-I arrived safely at Newington, and found my dear children well. Not having been at Tottenham for a considerable time, I felt a renewed regard for many friends whom I had known and loved, many years before I left. I called and took leave of several, and in two families a few words arose as a sacrifice called for, and obedience procured the reward.

may the great Husbandman be pleased, in the riches of his love to raise up, qualify, and send many faithful labourers into his harvest. Oh! for a deeper sense of gratitude than I have yet known. Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord! past finding out by thy poor creatures!

After my return home, I fell into much poverty of spirit. I seemed to have no strength to feel after what I had so often coveted; and striving to wait in the quiet, these words presented, "I am a stranger in the earth, hide not thy commandments from me." "Will the Lord cast off for ever? will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Doth his promise fail for ever more? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?" These expressions of the Psalmist raised in me similar pantings of heart. Mayest thou, O Lord! be my shield, and the lifter up of my head.

Eighth month 1st.-We were favoured with a visit from J. H—— of Lancashire, who is visiting the county. Our little company met on sixth-day evening, and we were favoured with a heart-tendering season. His appearance and exemplary conduct afforded a striking example of humility and self-denial. The company of dedicated servants thus sent, I consider, as a renewed visitation of Divine love.

After this visit, distress and woe again became my bitter cup. I looked back on many circumstances of my chequered life with doubting and fear. Thick darkness covered me. I sought him whom, in the days of my youth, I loved above all other enjoyments; but he hid his face from me. I sought him by night and by day, but found him not. The God and Father of the faithful is not dealing with me according to my deserts, but according to his own loving-kindness and tender mercy. “I will (saith the Lord) bring the blind by a way that they know not, and lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked paths straight; these things will I do unto them, and will not forsake them." "I will go before thee and break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron asunder, and will give thee the treasures of darkness, and the hidden riches of secret places." How precious are the Scriptures when opened by their Divine Original! they are as honey from the rock, yea, sweeter than the honey comb.

18th. I have been tried much, for the last Looking towards our little meeting at Ash- two weeks, by indisposition, which brought ford, my mind is affected with weighty reflec- me very low; my bodily strength failed, and tions. How shall so poor a creature as I go my little stock of faith was tried to an hair's in and out, so as to give no occasion of stum- breadth. The volume of the book within and bling to the honest inquirer. Truly the fields without seemed sealed as with seven seals, appear white unto harvest in many places; that none could open but the Lion of the tribe

of Judah, who can quicken the dead, and call the things which are not as though they were. Oh! that I could come into his presence, and plead with him, as a man pleadeth with his friend. But though I see him not, yet judgment is with him; therefore, O my soul, trust thou in him.

Oh! that myself and my beloved children may be permitted to go down again and again to the very bottom of Jordan, the river of God's judgment, that we may be cleansed from every defilement, and the precious part in us be prepared to unite with those, who are already centred in happiness, in a song of praise. Ninth month 7th.-Attended a preparative meeting, the fore part of which was deeply exercising; but before we separated, light broke forth and dispersed the cloud, and enabled us in effect to adopt the language of the woman formerly, "Rejoice with me for I have found the piece that was lost."

Tenth month 21st.-I can say, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely Jehovah is good to Israel, graciously regarding the low state of those that seek him, and that think upon his name. He knoweth our frame and remembereth that we are dust. Through every trying exercise, may the seed sown in much debility, grow, till mortality be swallowed up of life!

Fifth month 18th.-1 left home for Maidstone, and next day reached Tottenham, intending to be at the yearly meeting; but was so unwell that most of the time was spent there. Thou, who doest all things well, canst bring near to the grave, and raise up at thy pleasure. Under every permission of thy providence, strengthen my heart with increasing faith to trust and not be afraid. I have nothing that I can return unto thee for thy abundant and adorable mercies, nor have I any hope of admission into thy kingdom of rest and peace, but through the intercession of thy dear and beloved Son; who taketh away the sins of the world, who was wounded for our transgressions, who was bruised for our iniquities, and by whose stripes we are healed.

23rd. Our quarterly meeting was held about this time at Maidstone. A solemn quiet prevailed, and I believe the meeting was preciously owned, particularly in the fore part. I came home in the evening poorly in health, and stripped and low in mind, though I felt no condemnation. Surely the tendering love I was favoured to attend three of the sitof Him who dwelt in the bush, is present tings of the yearly meeting, staid from home every where if sought after. It is so preva-till the 10th of seventh month, and was then lent in our little meetings, where only six or so far recovered as to be able to return to seven assemble, that I sometimes long for a Ashford. meeting day. Oh! may we, in deep humility, number our blessings, and prize our inestimable privilege of sitting together without interruption from any form of words.

29th. My health in the course of this week has been improved; but where has been the return of gratitude to the Preserver of men, who bringeth down to the grave and lifteth up? Like the unstable element whose billows run very high, and wave succeeds to wave, so rest and quiet seem to take their leave of us; but man did not make himself, neither can he deliver or preserve himself; yet I believe in those seasons of deep distress, poor mortals are under the immediate and particular care of the Most High; and in the language of one of his favoured servants we may say, "There are none so near fainting but he putteth his arm under their head." "He marketh our wanderings and knoweth the path we take."

Seventh month 15th.-Lying on the bed, very low and poorly, I was favoured to look towards the God of patience and consolation; my heart was tenderly affected with love for the whole creation, for whom our dear Redeemer suffered, and for my own affectionate children, with their near connections, in particular. Oh! may they be blessed with the dew of heaven, may the blessing of the everlasting hills rest upon them! My mind returned to its own exercise, in which a sweet calm was felt, and I rejoiced, with many tears, in the God of my salvation.

Ninth month 2nd.-Sitting in our little meeting to-day, I thought I never felt my mind more replenished with love to our holy Helper, from whom are all our well-springs; and also to the few with whom I was gathered. Coming home and speaking to a friend, I got off my guard, which caused leanness and poverty, though not much distress. This will be the case till every obstruction be removed, and infinite goodness is pleased to take full possession of the heart, and to bind the strong man,

First month 4th, 1828.-Still poorly, hardly able to sit meeting, or do my share of labour therein. Oh! that a faithful Creator would see fit to release me from this poor diseased taber-spoiling all his goods. nacle, that through the merits of a dear Redeemer the precious part might ascend to him who gave it! How hast thou broken in and tendered my heart!

Two very dull meetings; some desire was felt to wait on the holy Helper, in absolute dependence, in nothingness of self; but something seemed like a bar in the way: much