May we ever have in view the example of him who said, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." And again, for our encouragement, he said, "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." Seeing then that these things are so, and that the Divine promises to his wrestling seed are yea and amen forever, let us endeavour to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering,-not letting go our hold, nor giving back in times of trial;-but, warring a good warfare, let us press forward toward the mark set before us, always bearing in mind that the crown is at the end of the race.

It seems sometimes, when looking at the state of society, as if they were best off who pass through life most quietly, without being much known: for, the greater degree of eminence any are raised to, the more they are known and observed, and the more they seem to be envied. It is so in church and state. Envy begets jealousy, and "jealousy is cruel as the grave." Cain envied Abel, because to him and to his offering the Lord had respect. Aaron and Miriam envied Moses: and many other instances may be seen in the records of the descendants of Abraham, showing the baneful effects of envy and jealousy. What discords and distractions have been worked up in the family of mankind, by these selfish passions! Oh! sweet retreat from the world, how desirable! where the mind, regardless of its smiles or its frowns, may pass through life in quietness and peace. But all men cannot thus retire and live unseen, unknown. There are stations to be filled, and duties to be performed, which call some into notice, and to be publicly exposed; yet surely there is a safe

path for these, as to the peace of their own minds: surely a state is attainable in which these can pass through good report without being puffed up thereby, and evil report without being hurt or cast down thereby. This marks the christian: and such often enjoy solitude, with inward quietude and peace, amidst all their labours and exposures. How sweetly the mind at intervals drops into that precious silence, in which every thought and every anxiety is brought into subjection to the Divine will, through the obedience of Christ!

At the latter end of the 3rd month, 1807, Hugh Judge in writing to a friend, says, "I have parted with the place; farming is too hard for me; and my son talks of going to Ohio. We are about to remove to Baltimore." In prospect of this, he thus writes concerning his family: 4th month, 2nd. I embrace the present opportunity to express the fervent and ardent desire that attends my mind, that our family may keep as much as may be to themselves. There is too much of a party spirit in some places; and this, wherever it gets place in the mind, is very hurtful. May we be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves, swift to hear, and slow to speak. May my dear children meddle as little as possible with other people's matters, and keep out of the seat of judging. Let us turn away from all tale-bearers, and those who speak evil one of another; and let us bear in mind. this important precept, "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." There is enough for us all to do at home, in our own particulars; we need not go roving abroad for business. If we think we see a mote in another's eye, let us re

member a greater beam may be in our own. Why need we make ourselves enemies; we shall have enough of them, let us do as well as we can. The more quiet and still we keep, being humble and low, the better it will be for us.

There is a great fuss and to do about these lower matters, which are of little consequence when put in comparison with the business of becoming prepared for another world; but this is too much neglected. Oh! time, time! the greatest of treasures, but few seem to consider its worth. How swiftly and silently it passes from us! What would a dying sinner give, or rather, what would he not give, had he it in his power, even for a month, or a week (not daring to ask for years) that he might repent and retrieve the loss and abuse of the time that is forever gone! Awful thought! Oh! may we endeavour to improve every day, and every hour, yet allotted us in this probationary state.

O Lord Almighty, my greatest and only good,my cries are unto thee, and to thee I lift up my voice. Grant, I pray thee, that thy preserving power may keep me, and enable me to walk before thee in awful fear and love; that so when the time arrives that this tabernacle must return to its mother dust, the soul may ascend and be admitted into thy glorious habitation. O God, I have loved thee from my youth, I sought thee in my early years; and, thro' thy unmerited goodness and mercy, thou hast opened to me the way of life, and guided my feet in the paths thereof. Glory, honour and praise to thy adorable majesty: my soul, with all its quickened faculties, shall praise thee. Oh! grant holy and living

Father, that my children may know the God of their father and mother, and of their grandmother who walked before thee in fear, to be their God. Oh! give them hearts to reverence thee, and to obey thee in all thy requirings; guide them by thy wisdom, instruct them in thy law; preserve them from the snares of the fowler, and the deceitful tongues of men. Oh! bring down every thing in them that is lofty or lifted up; lay thy hand upon that which is high, and by the fire of thy eternal Word let it be consumed; that so, in deep humility, their hearts may become fit receptacles for thee, the Lord of life and glory to dwell in, and that they may thus be enabled to show forth thy praise.

Baltimore, 7th mo. 2nd, 1807. As I am hard of hearing, I share but little in common conversation, unless when I sometimes ask what is passing. Last evening, I was in company with a number of such as were esteemed sober people, who were not only pleasant and cheerful, but quite merry. They told me the subject of their conversation; but their merriment brought heaviness over my mind, and I soon withdrew. Reflecting on the circumstance, I thought with regret, how much precious time is spent, even in what is esteemed sober and respectable company, with mere trifling subjects and insignificant anecdotes, even such as are in reality too low and light for a christian! Are there not many now, like those in Solomon's days, whose laughter is like the crackling of thorns under a pot? Did ancient christians, when met together in a social capacity, use so to spend their time? I apprehend not. I am far from wishing to deprive people of innocent, social con

verse; but that which at every turn produces mirth and laughter, is unprofitable, and often loathsome to a serious mind. "Let your conversation," said the apostle," be coupled with fear."

To be reserved in the circle of what may be called pretty good company, may be viewed by some people as stiff and unsociable; and, to avoid incurring this coarse reflection, we sometimes converse beyond proper freedom, to the injury of our better feelings; and, in consequence of this indulgence, we are not only impoverished, but are condemned in ourselves, so as to have frequently to come to the "weeping cross," or to come weeping to the cross. Were we more attentive to the "watch" over the state of our own minds, what plunges and baptisms we might avoid! But for want of humility and watchful circumspection, so as to know a bridle to the tongue, we often make our way through life more thorny than it would otherwise be. After being in company wherein cheerful conversation has been indulged till it introduced levity and mirth, how confused, ashamed and condemned have I felt on leaving them, and as wretchedly poor in mind as it seemed possible to endure! How have I then, as it were, hated myself, and wept bitterly! But as my foolishness has been brought to judgment, and my soul deeply humbled under a sense thereof, through adorable mercy my wounds have been healed.

5th. The apostle exhorts to "pray without ceasing." Prayer is one of the most enriching exercises to the soul that it can be engaged in. While in a state of prayer, it is in a strong castle, secure from the rage and power of its enemies. The Lord is its strong tower; and Oh! what precious communion