obtain a complete victory over it. Even the lawful things appertaining to this life, if suffered to gain an undue ascendency, bring the mind into captivity; and thus "the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, entering in (through unwatchfulness) choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." Thus also, the work of reformation is kept back, both in individuals and in the community. The pleasing prospect of accumulating wealth, and obtaining estates for posterity, has carried away many, even of our society, from the principles of our holy profession. Hence, the departures from moderation, plainness and simplicity among us. The children of such, must have an education answerable to their expected fortunes (so called;) and in acquiring it, many are grievously exposed to temptations which, it is to be feared, produce ruin and destruction to their immortal souls. For, not content with what they can acquire at home, they must be sent abroad to become more learned, to gain information and a knowledge of the world, and to become more polished in their manners.— Since my acquaintance with Friends, I have known plain and goodly lads or young men, sent over sea for this purpose; who, on their return, have very much, and in some cases altogether, banished the very appearance and plain language of Friends.

From these and other causes, on looking over society, I have observed the withering and declension that have taken place in some families, whose forefathers were renowned for their worth in our religious community. I could name many in city and country, where whole families are almost extinct, as to any prospect of being useful in the church. Sure

ly, the defect is not in the principles of Truth we make profession of. Surely, our christian discipline, if duly and properly exercised by faithful Friends, under the influence of meekness and wisdom, would go to prevent such departures from the plainness and simplicity and moderation of Truth.

27th. A few days ago, I went to Philadelphia to try to get my rent lowered, and this day I received a letter to that import, which has been some relief to my mind. Since I have lived at Brandywine, I have been oppressed with high rents, and in the difficulties consequent thereon, I have often remembered. these expressions of the prophet, "What mean ye, that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor?" I believe renters are too generally oppressed by their landlords in many places, and that it is an evil in the land, arising from covetousness. My heart feels for the poor, the widows and the fatherless; and the distresses of the oppressed are at times heavy upon my spirit.

8th mo. 29th. My beloved friends, Norris Jones, Sarah Harrison, and Lydia Hoskins, came to Wilmington. They have been from home nearly twelve months in Truth's service, southward to Carolina and Georgia. They attended our meeting on first-day, in which Norris appeared in a few words to my comfort and rejoicing. Sarah Harrison not feeling easy to return home, but having her mind drawn towards. Friends on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, they all set out to travel that way on the 2nd of 9th month, 1788. I accompanied them as far as Chester river, and was at five meetings with them. The seed of life lies low in many places, and they that are baptized into a feeling sense thereof, must go down into

a state of deep suffering. Such appeared to be the case with dear Sarah Harrison. Oh! that all those who are rightly called abroad in the work of the ministry may be strengthened and supported by the right arm of Divine power, so that they may stand valiantly for the testimony of Truth, and be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

9th mo. 22nd. I am sometimes alarmed with an apprehension, that there are many amongst us who are trusting too much in a lifeless form, and whose religion consists only in moral rectitude, or outside appearances. Oh! how weak and vain, for any to suppose that He who created the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, will be diverted with a fair outward appearance. He hath declared, saying, "I the Lord search the heart, and I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Now, can it be possible that any person, on serious reflection, will suppose that a form, even of godliness, will do any thing without the substance? I sometimes fear that there are some among the many names to religion, that are so far deceived as to think the observance of rules and orders, as held forth by the society of which they are members, will stand in their account as sufficient for their salvation; while yet the strong man armed keepeth the house of their hearts, and their goods are at a supposed peace. But what can these rationally promise to themselves? Surely the day will come when they will find that they have been crying peace, peace; when in reality it was not so. How hard it is to persuade such superficial minds of the necessity of looking into their own hearts, and examining into the bottom of their conditions; al

though their eternal salvation is concerned in it.— Oh! the deceivableness of unrighteousness, and a state of false security, that induce people to flatter themselves that all will be well with them, if they keep out of gross enormities, although they take their pleasure in the things of time and sense; they eat, drink, clothe and adorn themselves as they like,-go, come, and do as they please, and say their money and their time are their own: and what will they do in the end thereof, when weighed in the awful balance, and are found wanting? These are aptly described by a late author who says, "The greatest part in our age and place, have stopped short of the Truth and substance, by resting in the outside of things: and therefore Paul, that great preacher of inward, spiritual religion, has taken much pains both with Jew and Gentile, to convince them of their gross ignorance in this particular. For if the latter were, in general, ignorant of the true God, the former worshipped him not in spirit and in truth. If the latter bowed down to stocks and stones, the former idolized their forms of worship, instead of worshipping God through their forms; and so all had sinned, and come short of the glory of God. The Jews esteemed themselves the chosen, the temple of the Lord, and the seed of the covenant; and they pleaded their circumcision, their priesthood, their temple-services, and their ordinances of Divine institution, as marks of their election. And a peculiar people they certainly were, but no otherwise elected to salvation, than as they continued in the grace, and walked in the light and love of God. For he was not a Jew who was one outwardly; neither was that circumcision which was outward in the flesh: but he was a Jew

6

who was one inwardly, and circumcision was that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter." "

These solid remarks, it would be well for all to observe, who make profession of the pure, holy Truth; for, it is to be feared that many are valuing themselves, or resting merely on having a birth-right in society, or on the uprightness and integrity of some of their ancestors. But it is clear that nothing short of inward purity of heart will do for any of us. Oh! may we more and more press after it.

10th mo. 1st. Our Yearly Meeting closed. Some matters of great concern were considered and resulted in much brotherly harmony. The injurious practice of trading in, and using distilled spirituous liquors, was solidly before the meeting. Friends' sentiments were freely expressed, and great unanimity appeared to use endeavours to have this mighty evil. done away from among us. It was directed that committees be appointed by Quarterly and monthly meetings, to treat with such who are importers and retailers of an article so injurious to our country. The eyes of the people are getting open on this subject, as well as on the slave trade, and to see that both are monstrous evils. Oh! the streams of iniquity which flow from them!

Another matter of weight and importance that came before the Meeting was, that our brethren of Maryland had appointed a large committee to attend our Yearly Meeting, with a proposal for an arrangement to be made between the two Meetings. A large committee was appointed on the subject, who very unanimously agreed that a benefit would arise to society, for Friends on the west side of Susquehanna to be united to Maryland Yearly Meeting. This pro