Jesus; which may have a tendency to strength- serve only as memorials of past folly. Let en minds that are often drooping, and in their such be entreated by one who long hovered on own apprehension, no longer able to sustain destruction's brink, and who hath known the the seemingly unequal combat,-who know terrors of the Lord for sin and disobedience; what it is to be plunged into the depths of in- and under a sense thereof, is now most eardescribable distress;-for such I am persuaded nestly desirous that others may take warning, there are. "Fear not," was the gracious lan- and thereby shun the fatal snares which keep guage of the Most High to" worm Jacob;" the soul in bondage and in darkness. Let and it continues to be so, to all the Lord's such be persuaded to seek the Lord," while children, who are endeavouring faithfully to he may be found ;" and endeavour to redeem abide under, and patiently to endure the turn-the past and precious time,―to acquaint themings and overturnings of His holy hand upon selves with God and be at peace, to come to them and though for the present these trials the knowledge of Him in the secret of their are not joyous but grievous, yet afterwards the own souls,-who is "the way, the truth, and peaceful fruits of righteousness will be the bles- the life," whom to know is life eternal; who sed experience of all those who are exercised willeth not the death of a sinner, but that all thereby. It is indeed no other than the suffer- should repent, return and live. Then let me ing path that leads to blessedness, which the beseech you, in the love of him, who died for dear Master himself trod; and which all his us and rose again, for the peace of your never tribulated followers must tread; for the disciple dying souls, to accept the gracious invitation, cannot expect to be above his Master, nor the" be ye reconciled to God," before it be too servant above his lord. So that, my dearly beloved friends, there is no real cause to be discouraged or to marvel at these things; but rather to rejoice, in that you are counted worthy to suffer, and in that you are at times made sensible of pain: for truly, pain is a certain sign of life, as that which is dead can feel no more; and it brings with it a consoling evidence, that such are living members of one and the same mystical body, whose members suffer not alone; but whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it,-or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it, of which Jesus Christ our Lord is the holy head. "Fear not, therefore ;"-the kingdom is appointed unto you: it is those that endure to the end that shall be saved.

late, and the things that belong to your peace are hid for ever from your eyes.

There is another class to whom my attention is now turned, for whose best welfare I feel an affectionate and tender solicitude; in whose hearts the babe immortal hath been mercifully begotten, creating therein new desires and breathings after soul-sustaining food; whose spiritual eyes are in a good degree opened to behold the beauty and excellency that dwell in the everlasting and unchangeable truth. To you, my dear friends, many of whom are young in years, my heart and pen are now directed,-earnestly desiring your preservation in the alone path that most assuredly leads to peace in this world, and in that which is to come. May nothing be sufThe trumpet has often sounded amongst us, fered to turn you aside therefrom, but may my dear friends; but the alarming sound of you be strengthened stedfastly to contend for late waxeth stronger and stronger; sufficiently the like precious faith, which was once deso, I trust, to arouse those who have long re-livered to the saints, that inestimable gift of gardlessly heard it. I would fain dismiss this God-that life of the just-that substance of painful subject, but in attempting to do so, things hoped for and evidence of things not sadness covers my mind, and fear begins to seen, "without which it is impossible to please show itself, lest I should be found wanting in God, and of which Christ Jesus is not only the my duty to any; if such there are, who have holy author, but the blessed finisher. Here long been neglecting the great business of let us make a pause,-lest any should spend their lives, and instead thereof, pursuing with their precious time, that treasure of eternal avidity those things which perish with the consequence, in vain. This most necessary using. Alas! what will be the situation of these in a day that is fast approaching, when the heavens shall depart as a scroll when it is rolled together; when every false delight will appear in its true colours, and nothing will be left for the poor mind to rest upon, not so much as a small island in the midst of this sea of perplexity and trouble-not a single act of dedication to the Lord's righteous cause of Truth upon the earth to reflect upon; when those things that have occupied the heart, will

and heavenly gift cannot be obtained from man, nor from the doctrines of any set of men. What saith the great apostle?" Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Have not all heard? Yes, verily, the blessed sound hath gone forth from sea to sea, from shore to shore, and from the river to the uttermost ends of the earth. But let none be misguided by an imposing appellation given, I sometimes fear by design, to the Holy Scriptures, styling them the "word of God." Al

It was intended that the whole of the land I should be glad to have it in my power to which we drain and cultivate, should be farm-answer; but it is only known to Him who ed by us; but this is now in part set aside. seeth the end from the beginning, whether The land is now to be divided into small farms, again in this world or not. Let us look up of from thirty to forty-five acres, to be let at with humble confidence to Him, to enable us a moderate rent, but sufficient to pay interest through every dispensation yet to come, to on the outlay for draining, cultivating, and say "not my will, but thine be done;" at the building; the tenants to be under wholesome same time labouring with unremitting assirestrictions in the management of their land, duity to know, what His righteous will is conthat their farms may be taken proper care of. cerning us. Evening, morning, and noon, let On each piece of land where there are farms us pray, my much loved friend; and He, who established, a part will remain in my hands, will not break the bruised reed nor suffer it to as an example for the small farms, where a be broken, in his own time will not only recomplete establishment for agricultural purpo-veal it to us, but will enable us to perform it, ses will be built. I have been very busy con- to the praise of His great and excellent name, structing a model for a farm-house, suitable and to our unspeakable peace. Farewell in for the object in view; and it is expected that the Lord, my dear friend. several of these houses will be erected next

summer.

I had the happiness to see the land which has been drained, quite free from vapour, when all around it was covered as with a cloud; so that the surrounding neighbourhood cannot fail to become more healthy from its expulsion. This would be a pleasant pic-I ture for the mind to dwell upon, if there was not mourning and lamentation on other accounts: but the state of things, in a religious point of view, is very affecting and discouraging; and the query often arises, what can be done for these people ;-to which the answer at this time is, "vain is the help of man." And truly I am often fearful that the creaturely activity of man, instead of helping, is marring the good work already begun in the tender minds of many; causing them to stop very far short of that undefiled rest, which is prepared for the people of God; but it is my most firm belief, that their earthly wisdom will be confounded, and that the Most High will scatter them as chaff is scattered before the wind; and that He will magnify His own glorious power in the hearts of his children, who in simplicity are turning their faces towards his holy mountain,-taking of the things of Christ, and showing them to these his little ones.

For my own part I am a very poor creature, and sometimes fearful that I myself shall become a castaway; yet after times of deep suffering and self-abasement, love for the dear people here abounds more and more in my breast; and often is the desire breathed, that the cultivation in their hearts may not only keep pace with, but abundantly surpass and excel, that of the wastes, by which we are surrounded. Then would "the wilderness be as Eden, the desert as the garden of the Lord;" joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody would be heard therein.

The question-when shall we meet again?

To R. C.

21st of Second month, 1820.

My dear friend, Hearing by lettters lately received from England, that affliction had visited your abode, cannot help waiving all other considerations, however pressing at this time, and endeavouring to dip into sympathy and sweet feeling with my long loved friends; to whom my spirit is united in the binding influence of that love, which extends from the river to the uttermost parts of the habitable globe : humbly desiring that the God of all consolation may be with you, and comfort you together, with the riches of peaceful resignation to His righteous will; sustaining you in lowly patience, wrought by tribulation and suffering, in mysterious wisdom dispensed for sanctifying purposes, to His own glory, and the refinement of those who are precious in His Divine sight. "It is by these things men live;" they have led the righteous in all ages to blessed experience, being productive of that glorious hope which maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in their hearts; which in the true dignity of its character, animates the Christian travellers with innocent boldness, to persevere in the tribulated path cast up for them, to meet with unshaken firmness the yet remaining storms of time, and to behold with the placid eye of faith, the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" about to be revealed, and which awaits the ransomed and redeemed of the Lord in the kingdom of Christ Jesus, that will never have an end; where pain and sorrow cannot enter, and all tears are for ever wiped away.

I well remember the dear young woman, who has terminated at an early period her innocent career, and entered into everlasting rest; and fresh in my memory is every part of the family at whose hands I have so often had

TO BALBY MONTHLY MEETING.
First month, 1821.

Dear friends,

I now enclose the answers to the usual Queries from our little company, and at the same time acknowledge the receipt of your certificate on behalf of S. K.

kindness shown me in simplicity and godly mind is at this moment humbled as in the dust, sincerity. These circumstances may not have in taking a retrospective view of the things been thought of by you; but in my memory that have been, and of our present peculiar they will long retain a lively and sweet fra- situation. I think I never knew a time, when grance. This acknowledgment will apply to watchfulness and prayer felt so needful, in many of my beloved friends, and I would order not only "to strengthen," but even to gladly make it to all of them: very pleasantly retain "the things that remain, that are ready can I reflect on the intervals which I was per- to die." It is like contending for every inch mitted to enjoy, when a sojourner amongst of ground in a well contested field, and being you, when my mind has been refreshed with unable at night to discover whether the mornthe countenances of my friends, as "iron ing's position has been maintained; so that sharpeneth iron;" with some of whom, though we stand in need of the prayers of our bretha weak and feeble helper, I have been engaged ren in old England, that we may be preserved in endeavouring to turn "the battle to the watchful, humble and faithful, amidst the vagate;" whilst united together in love, and har-rious snares and temptations by which we are monizing in sentiment, as "our bows abode surrounded. Believe me thy truly affectionin strength, the arms of our hands were made ate friend, D. W. strong" by the mighty God of Jacob. But as a dream vanishes when the sleeper awakes, so are these seasons departed; leaving me to gaze in abasedness of self, to adore and tremble at the gracious dealings of that Almighty power, which has been with me all my life. Though few and evil have been the days of my pilgrimage, yet few lives have been more chequered with vicissitude and variety, since I trust that none of my dearly beloved cast upon the wide world an orphan boy; then friends will attribute the brevity of this letter eradled on a boisterous element and nursed in to any thing short of the true cause; neither the free-school of iniquity, with sinners my absence, nor.distance, have in any degree lescompanions, but myself the chief! Oh! sened my love or diminished my regard for wondrous mercy, signally displayed!-in sav- you. "Can the children of the bride chaming from the fire a burning brand, and follow- ber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? ing up from time to time with judgment's rod, As long as they have the bridegroom with the far-fled wanderer!-flying still; and still them they cannot fast. But the days will pursued! until overtaken, and in matchless come, when the bridegroom shall be taken love obliged to yield, and reluctantly to re-away from them, and then shall they fast in trace step by step destruction's mazy track,- those days." To you who have experimentand to stop at many a place; and, I hope in ally witnessed the truth of this saying of the sincere repentance, made to dwell on scenes Saviour of men, it is unnecessary to say more, of mispent time and sinful deeds innumerable, than that these days are my days;-the days "gone beforehand" (I humbly pray) to judg- are indeed come, when strippedness and weakment; not to "follow after," or where would ness are all that I seem to possess. Should be now my hope at this late hour, if forsaken there be any of my dear brethren and sisters by that gracious Lord;-who in so great com-alike circumstanced, it is with me to say, for passion, wrought the miracle, and in the great- the encouragement of such, (although destitute ness of his love and strength, has led my myself of any claim, and totally unworthy straying feet beside the still waters, and made of partaking thereof,) that if this humiliating, me to lie down in the green pastures of life: though purifying dispensation be patiently who brought me amongst the assemblies of abode under, the result will be unspeakhis people, with whom I now feel precious ably glorious. Mourning will be turned into unity of spirit in the bond of sweet consoling joy; the painful and perhaps protracted fast, peace; and though far separated from them, will become a precious and delightful feast,— I am at this day, I trust, "sitting and clothed even "a feast of fat things, of wine on the and in my right mind," under a sense of my lees well refined:"-" know ye what I have own unworthiness, and of such great and un-done to you," will be sensibly understood; merited mercy. and a language will be excited by gratitude When I began this letter, I had not the and love, similar in kind to that of Simon most distant thought of saying what I have Peter, when the dear Master silenced his obdone; but on looking it over, I believe they jections by explaining the terms of apostleship, are words of truth and soberness, and I do" Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands not feel at liberty to alter them. Truly my and my head."

The tree of the field sustains no injury by sent occasion; and if not applicable to others, the wintry season's rest, on the contrary, it is I am well satisfied it is to myself. For the invigorated, if sap remains in the root: so the older I grow, the more needful I find the foregoing dispensation, if the precious life re-watch: there is no other safe dwelling place; mains, however low and hidden it may be, there is no cessation of arms; the warfare is tends only to strengthen and establish the continual, and must be continually maintainhumble Christian more firmly in the heavenly ed, or there is no standing fast in the faith. vine; and when the spring of life and love is But to such as endeavour, through watchfulpermitted to return, buds and blossoms will ness and prayer, to quit themselves like men, again appear, and new fruit will be brought strength will be administered in due time, not forth by these chosen ones, which will lasting-only to stand fast in the faith, but to become ly remain, to the praise and glory of the great strong; yea, they will be "strong in the Lord and good husbandman, and their own eternal and in the power of his might." So that I very much desire, that the minds of all may

peace.

Let me remind my dear friends of every be clothed with the invincible armour, whereage and class, that another year hath passed with they will be "able to stand in the evil swiftly over our heads; this intimation is ac-day, and, having done all, to stand." companied by an earnest desire, that as days The winter with us is considered a mild are multiplied and years increase, an increase of heavenly treasure may be ours, through an increasing knowledge of the only true God, and his Son Jesus Christ. I remain your affectionate friend,

To J. H.

D. W.

Second month 7th, 1821.

To S. S.

one. I do not know that we have at any time had more than twenty-five degrees of Reaumur's scale, (24° below zero, of Faht.;) but there have been frequent changes, and I think we have all suffered more from the cold than heretofore, owing partly, we suppose, to the high winds which have prevailed with little intermission all the season. The roof of our My dear friend, house has been much damaged, and at this The prospect of approaching intercourse time at least thirty square yards of it are unonce more with our beloved friends in Eng- covered; and we are told it cannot be repairland, through the medium of the shipping, ad-ed until warm weather comes again, as being ministered comfort to my mind, as I was about made of sheet iron, the workmen cannot well to take up my pen to address thee, and brings handle it during the frost. to my recollection, that this letter will probably reach thee about the time of our quarterly meeting held at Leeds. This circumstance Third month 12th, 1821. awakens a feeling, which humbles my heart, Having now dwelt among these dear peoand afresh revives in my view, days that will ple nearly three years, I think I can say with never return, and precious seasons, in which truth, that my love for them has not diminishI was permitted to assemble with my dear ed, but on the contrary greatly increased, parbrethren and sisters, and even to partake of ticularly for those who are of least account the same food, though unworthy to gather up among men; their simplicity and sufferings, the crumbs that fell from the table. But from which I often witness, render them dearer scenes like these I am now set apart, and can than ever to my heart; though I have often no longer behold the venerable towers of Zion, to turn aside, and lament in heaviness and nor mark her bulwarks, nor consider her pa- mourning. My heavenly Father has been laces, except from the reports of others. The pleased of late in retirement, to clothe me accounts that have reached us in the course of more and more with ability to pray, not only the summer, have excited painful sensations; on account of the many evils that are in the lest any thing should tend to "divide in Jacob world, but for His little ones wherever scatteror scatter in Israel," and cause a shyness ed; and for ever blessed be His great and adoramongst those who have been valiants in sup-able name, to pray for one who seemeth to need port of the law and the testimony, or embitter the latter moments of any, who have laboured through a long life with uprightness and integrity of heart, for the welfare of Zion and the enlargement of her borders. I cannot contemplate these things, and divest myself of fear, lest a root of bitterness should spring up, and many be defiled. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong;"is the language that presents itself on the pre-stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young,

help more than they all-even for myself; whose backslidings cannot be numbered for multitude, and whose sins and transgressions are more than the hairs of my head, twice told; whose day's work is drawing fast towards a close,-yea, the shadows of the evening are beginning to appear. Can it be any thing but Almighty love, that thus awakens and makes sensible a poor frail mortal? "As an eagle