Letter to Sarah Harrison, a minister of the gospel, on a religious visit to the churches in the south.

Brandywine Mills, 10th of 3rd mo. 1788. I suppose by this time almost any body or any thing, however rough, coming from these parts, would be acceptable to my dear friend, who has had many baptisms and plungings into Jordan; not only for those who have never been availingly quickened, but also for such who have, by their disregard to the holy command, fallen asleep. Well, however trying the path may be, I wish thou may be faithful to thy Lord and Master, who has called and sent thee forth to labour in that distant part of his vineyard. Do not let in discouragements, nor give way to them when they arise, so as to hinder thee from complying with the clear openings of duty. Put on strength in the name of the Most High; and fear not men nor devils, let as many of them as may, combine together. Be thou valiant in thy Master's cause; and whatsoever he bids thee do, that observe and do; and then, I doubt not, he will gird thee with strength upon the right hand and on the left;-he will be mouth and wisdom, tongue and utterance; and, in the midst of all thy trials, he will stay thee with flagons and comfort thee with his love; so that with one of old thou wilt have to sing this song, and say, "God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song: he also is become my salvation."

I know I am writing to one whose experience far exceeds mine; yet believe thou wilt be willing to receive this as the effect of true regard. Please re

member my dear love to thy companions,―to Charity Cook who has left a sweet savour behind her,— also to Ann Jessop, Zachariah Dicks and others, in thy freedom, who may inquire after me. With the salutation of near and dear love, in which my wife joins, I remain thy true friend,

HUGH JUDGE.

3d mo. 15th. Notwithstanding there is great occasion for mourning and lamentation, in viewing the state of society, yet there are seasons in which we have cause humbly to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord our righteousness, in that things are not worse with us than they are; especially when we consider what a mixed multitude we are, many holding their rights in society, as they do their estates, only by birth, and knowing little or nothing about the principle. I have often thought, there is great omission and neglect in Friends' families with regard to the discipline and instruction of their youth. Hence, many are brought up in great ignorance and rawness, in relation to our religious principles and testimonies. But though weakness is ours, yet the Source of strength remains open to them that seek it in humility. I think sometimes, that there are more observing eyes upon us who have come into the society on the ground of convincement, than upon others, and that a small fault or failing is more seen and noticed in us. My soul is at times bowed in travail on behalf of such, in a particular manner, that they may keep their ground in the Truth; they are (if it is possible to distinguish any difference of feeling) nearer to my heart than any class in the church; I mean such as have been gathered by the outstretch

ed arm of the Most High, and brought from the sinks of corruption, or the barren mountains of empty profession, into a nearer union with the everlasting Bridegroom of souls.

4th mo. 14th. To a young man who had gone to reside in a populous, mercantile city, I wrote thus: Let not the pleasing things of this fading world divert thee from thy duty, thy indispensable duty, to Him to whom we are indebted for all the good things we enjoy. I am ready to say in the language and feelings of a father to thee, O my son, be watchful. It would greatly wound my heart to hear of any breach made by thee. Do not suffer thyself to be drawn aside by the lovers of pleasure. Go not with the licentious and the vain. Their unrestrained, loose, presumptuous ways, avoid as thou wouldst deadly poison; for their steps lead down to the chambers of death. Thou art now grown to years of maturity, and capable of considering the end for which thou art placed here in this world, to glorify that God who giveth thee life, breath and being; before whom we must all stand sooner or later, to give a just and true account of the deeds done in the body, and to receive a reward according thereunto. Therefore, my dear young friend, do not risk the salvation of thy immortal soul for the sake of a few short-lived pleasures. Thou knowest we cannot conceal the most secret fault from the penetrating eye of Him with whom we have to do.

Letter to Peter Yarnall, dated,

Brandywine Mills, 6th mo. 4th, 1788. Dear friend,-Love, duty and gratitude bind me to acknowledge the receipt of thy truly acceptable letter of 4th mo. 28th, last; in the reading of which,

I felt my hope and faith revived in the belief that I was not, as I had been ready to conclude I was, wholly forsaken: blessed for ever be the name of the Most High. He has stood by me in the midst of my tossings, which have been many and various, and supported me by his own right arm, or I should have sunk, never more to have arisen again. Oh! saith my soul, may I be found in some degree worthy of his continued love and favour. Having no prospect of being exempt from burdens, exercises and trials whilst I inhabit this mortal tabernacle, I am often engaged to beg for patience that I may bear with some degree of resignation whatever may befal me. The present day is a trying one, in various respects. It is, as thou observes in regard to changing habitations; some say, come here, and others, there: and when I have given way to their opinions, I have almost got lost; for as yet I have never seen my way from this place. The love and travail that I feel for the people in and about this place, are beyond expression. Stillness is indeed the ground of safety. But I sometimes think I am both blind and deaf with respect to moving; while yet the nature and state of outward things seem to call for it; rents being high, and little or no business to be done. But whenever I look that way, the people, and the youth in particular, are brought into view, with this language, Canst thou leave them?

Dear Peter, when thou art favoured to approach the throne of God, the Father of all our sure mercies, mayst thou remember me. I sometimes think that if I am saved and kept in my proper place, it must be through the intercession of my friends; for

I believe the effectual, fervent prayer of those that are in favour with the great I AM, availeth much.

I was truly glad to hear thou hadst thoughts of being at the Yearly Meeting in Maryland; for I rejoice at others moving forward in their day's work, however behindhand I may be with mine. I hope thou wilt be encouraged to do whatever thy hands find to do. Remembering at this time, one omission of mine when at Bay-side, on the Eastern Shore, I am free to mention the circumstance. We went there in the morning to meeting, and returned in the afternoon before we got dinner, so that we were not in any Friend's house belonging to Bay-side meeting; being cramped for time as meetings were laid out. I mention this, that if thou hast not been there, thou may think twice before thou deprives thyself of an opportunity of seeing some of those Friends in their families. They live remote, and have very little of Friends' company; and I have understood others have done as I did, which has not felt so pleasant to me at times when I have thought of their situation. It is possible to make more haste than good speed. With the salutation of dear love to thyself and companion, I conclude, and am thy sincere friend, HUGH JUDGE.

11th. At our monthly meeting, Zachariah Ferris was recommended as a minister. May he be kept in a steady dependance upon that Arm of power which can preserve in every trial.

16th. I feel at no time more suitably qualified for the work of the ministry, than when the most humbled under a sense of my own nothingness, and the awfulness of the work. In this state there is an entire dependance upon holy help. It is a great thing, and