either into the woods or to some place where they could not find me; and there I have sat and read for hours together. At these seasons I was often deeply affected, and particularly so on reading in the New Testament; especially concerning the sufferings of Jesus Christ;-severely condemning in my own. mind the conduct of the Jews towards him, and saying at times within myself, that had I lived in those days, I would have been his follower: not knowing that it was his holy Spirit that was then offering to ⚫ be my leader, director and support in the way of life and salvation.

O blessed Shepherd of Israel, how tenderly thou didst deal with me in those days of my childhood! Thou tookest me by the hand as a most tender father, to lead me out of the vanities and follies and sinpleasing pleasures to which I was prone by nature. Thou corrected me in mercy, and in great lovingkindness thou reproved me. In the riches of thy adorable goodness, thou revealedst thy son Jesus Christ in me, and caused me clearly to understand that thou wast speaking to me by and through the spirit of thy son in my heart. Here I saw that it was this which had been and was still smiting me for my evil ways, and bringing sorrow over the mind for speaking and doing amiss;-and that this was and is the only means offered by God for our reconciliation to him. I saw that there was power in that which smote for sin, to deliver from it, and I understood what I read of Christ that all power was given unto him of the Father.

Oh! this was indeed a glorious day, never to be forgotten by me while I retain my memory. Oh! what rejoicings of soul I felt! What ravishings of

love swallowed me up, as it were, in the embraces of heavenly goodness! Many blessed and glorious seasons I had both by night and by day; for the goodness of God was great towards me, a poor ignorant lad. He was my comfort, my rejoicing, and my song all the day. He made hard things become easy to me, and reconciled me to my outward condition. I went through my work cheerfully, and with integrity of heart; for he taught me to be honest and just to all men, and to observe the injunction, to do as I would be done by. Thus, having the Lord, my greatest good, before mine eyes always, when I turned to the right hand or to the left, behold I saw him, and his presence was with me in an admirable manner,'insomuch that the time of my servitude went on without my thinking much about it, and I served it out with honour and reputation.

But I did not stay one day after I was free from my apprenticeship; for, having some time before fixed in my mind that I would go and get insight or acquaintance with the milling business, I accordingly went to Samuel Levis, a miller, at Springfield, and agreed to stay with him for one year. I was to find myself in clothes, and when I worked out of the mill, he was to give me wages. The milling business seemed to come naturally to me, and I improved fast in a knowledge of it; so that when my year was up, I went and hired for chief miller at a mill on Wessahickon creek, about eight miles from Philadelphia.

During the last two years, I had attended Friends' meetings constantly on first-days. I was often deeply thoughtful, and cried to the Most High for preservation. I had not much thought about joining Friends, and knew nothing of the order of society;

but was fully satisfied with their manner of worship. I remembered what was said by the son and sent of the Father, that God was a Spirit, and they that worshipped him aright, must do it in spirit and in truth;also that he was seeking such worshippers, and where they were thus met and gathered into his name, he was in the midst of them. Oh! what an excellency appeared in the order, to be waiting on God in the silence of all flesh,-truly and humbly waiting upon the alone Object of adoration and worship! Oh! what refreshing seasons I have witnessed, when there has not been a word spoken. Here, I was clearly shown that many had come to the experience of the apostle, when he said, "We are of the circumcision that worship God in the spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." O glorious day indeed! having the Lord, most high, for their teacher, as he had spoken by the mouth of his inspired prophet, that he would teach his people himself, and that they need not say, one to another, Know the Lord; "for," said he, " they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them." This..

I saw clearly to be the case, and my soul rejoiced greatly and thanked the God of heaven for so great a favour, bestowed on me a poor, unworthy creature.

Not intending to write a minute history of my life, I only mean to give a touch here and there of my coming along in a religious line, for my own satisfaction. If my dear children should outlive me and take good ways, it may also be satisfactory to them to look over these minutes of their father's journey through life.

It was in the 11th month, in the year 1772, that I first appeared in the work of the ministry, whilst I

lived at the last mentioned place on Wessahickon. I was in Philadelphia on a first-day, but had neglected going to meeting in the morning. Having received a letter from an intimate acquaintance, I took the morning to answer it, and intended going out of town in the afternoon. But being detained longer than I expected or intended, by reason of a very heavy gust and shower, I did not leave.the city till afternoon meeting broke up, and felt dissatisfied with. myself for missing both meetings; a thing that I had not lately done before. However, in company with a young man, I set out, and walked smartly on the way homewards, until I felt a stop in my mind, and great weight came over my spirit: but I kept going on, and said nothing to my companion for a good while. By the time we got out of town, I believe the young man perceived that something was the matter with me, for I was shut up from conversation; and, being under great exercise and perturbation of mind, this language arose in me, Return to the city. I could not tell for what; but the more I strove to put it by and go forward, the heavier it grew. At last, seeing no other way to have peace, I said, I believe I must go back to the city: which the young man soon agreed to, as he lived there. Accordingly, we turned back, and when we got into town, being in Second street, I found Friends were going to evening meeting; which I had not thought of till then. So I concluded I would also go to the meeting, and did so; but had not the least thought of having any thing to say, till the meeting was gathered. Then I felt the power of God to be upon me in such a manner as I had never felt it before. I trembled exceedingly, though I strove against it; but

all to no purpose. Now was the time of proving,now the full time was come. I thought, if I had been at a little meeting in the country, it would not have been so hard to deliver what appeared to be my duty at that time, which was on this wise: Obedience is required of thee, O man,-obedience to the law of thy God. This arose with great clearness, and some more which I do not distinctly remember. But alas! for me:, I could not think of speaking in so great a gathering of people; and then it occurred to my mind that I was not a proper member. So that I did absolutely refuse, and was going to get up and go out of meeting; but I'durst not, there was such a great dread over me. I therefore kept my seat; though I could see no way to have peace but by expressing what was on my mind, and this was like death to me at that time. Through my strugglings and strivings against it, I was thrown into great disorder and distress of mind. Horror and darkness came over me, accompanied with this language: The fountain shall be sealed, and thou shall draw no more living waters therefrom. This was spoken as clear and as plain to my spiritual senses, as it could have been to my outward ear; and it was alarming to me. I had not met with any thing more awakening. I then, and not before, gave up, and resigned all up, saying, Here am I, Lord, do with me what thou pleasest. Give me strength, I pray thee, to do the thing thou requirest of me. My will being thus given up, I felt the returns of his presence and power, and with great clearness and an audible voice, I delivered what was before me, as already mentioned. But Oh! my pen is not able to set forth the awful, solemn quiet,—the calm, serene, sweet state of mind that I enjoyed for