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reconcile such an indifferency in our solemn meetings. I hope the concerned part of Friends will persevere in a faithful admonition of such as give way to this unseemly indulgence, till the evil is conquered and abandoned.

21st. A proposal was made for the millers to get together and fix the price of wheat; but I felt a reluctance lest something should appear that might be unsavoury, or that would hurt my testimony; therefore excused myself. But they would not take a denial; so I went in fear, and just before I entered the room, I cried to the Holy One for help and preservation. When men get to conversing about worldly matters, there is seldom much edification to be had. I feel a prohibition in my mind against being in public throngs, unless there is a real occasion; for a good state of mind is sooner lost than found.

22nd. Rather poorly; spent most of the day in retirement and reading. A time of renewed favour. Well might the highly favoured Paul say, he delighted in the law of God after the inward man; having happily experienced that by it he was set free from the law of sin and death. What an advantage arises by retreating a little from the many noises of the world, endeavouring to have the mind gathered into stillness, waiting to hear the gracious words that proceed from the Saviour's lips! Here Christ converses with the soul; here, he strengthens and confirms it in the way of life and peace, and gives it courage to go on boldly; here, he whets and sharpens our love and zeal. What a favour it is, O my soul, that thy greatest good calls thee aside, as the disciples were taken aside when the deep mysteries of the gospel were explained to them. Oh! that thou mayst

endeavour to hold thyself in readiness, so that when he calls for thee, thou mayst arise and go with him, though it may be as into the desert.

12th mo. 8th. After meeting, I went to see Mary Ferris who was not expected to continue long. I found her very low, but quite sensible, though a good deal uneasy. After sitting awhile in the room, I felt my mind drawn forth to supplicate the holy Name on her behalf: and on parting with her she expressed thankfulness for the opportunity. It seems to go hard with some to submit to the final stroke. What an awful sight it is to behold the agonies of death upon the human frame! O thou greatest Good, prepare me for my latter end. Enable me, I pray thee, through the various trials of this life, to walk in thy holy fear. My mind is often deeply concerned to know the victory over the frailties of human nature, and thus to have the sting of death removed; that so, when the solemn, awful hour arrives that dust must return to dust, I may look with steadfastness unto God my saviour.

Sixth-day. Rose this morning rather hastily after I awoke; for which I did not feel so pleasant for some time: yet through the course of the day heavenly regard was near. My heart was often filled with Divine love, and strong cries were raised in me for preservation. I felt deeply engaged for Friends of our meeting, and in a particular manner for the beloved youth, who are made near to my life, in which I feel a travail for their eternal good.

Seventh-day. The affairs of this life had too much. place in my mind this morning. I endeavoured to keep them down, but for some time found it difficult; yet through holy help the victory was at length ob

tained. How much easier it is to go through the business of the day when the mind is kept above it, than when it is suffered to crowd in! and when this is the case, how it unfits for Divine meditation and heavenly contemplation. My cries are to thee, O Father, for help, that I may be kept in a frame of mind fit to receive Divine impressions.

This afternoon I had to take one of our children in hand for disobedience, and the rod had to be used pretty smartly before submission was effected; but I trust it was done in coolness, for I never think it right to lift the hand in chastisement without feeling quite calm, because then it is that we are best capable of correcting, and best know when to begin and when to stop. There were tears dropped from both parties, and my heart breathed to God for wisdom to know how to act in the station of a father. It is undoubtedly a great mistake in parents to put off correcting their own children, or others under their care, till they feel the warmth of their tempers to get up.More hurt than good is often done by such chastisements; and we are told the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. How careful, then, ought we to be, lest, instead of convincing their judgments and softening their tempers, we harden them! It is a great thing to know how to go in and out before our families; but it is a greater thing wisely and prudently to do it: too few, I fear, lay it enough to heart. The great I AM bore this testimony to the character of Abraham: “ Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? for I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him." Oh! that we had more Abrahams amongst us, and fewer Elis; surely the reformation would go on more

prosperously than it seems to do at present. But whilst I am penning these remarks, I feel concerned for myself lest I should be found wanting in these respects. Lord, grant that I may come up in faithfulness before thee.

Our beloved friend Mary Ferris departed this life about nine o'clock this morning.

First-day. Very wet, and has been so for a day or two past, with pretty smart frosts in the creek, more like the breaking up of winter than the beginning of it. Some unwell this morning, but got to meeting, which was large on the men's side,—the women rather thin; the fire of their zeal too much put out by the rain. By an over-hasty move to read the London epistle, the solemnity of the meeting, I thought, was hurt; as it held but a little more than one hour. It is a more weighty thing than many seem aware of, to move in a solemn meeting.

At two o'clock a large number of Friends and others met at the house to attend the funeral of Mary Ferris, and we were favoured with a solemn, good meeting. The living presence and power of the Lord were felt amongst us to the tendering of many hearts. The subject of repentance was largely treated on; as also the necessity of having oil in our vessels; the glorious and blessed state of those who were thus provided, was largely spoken of, and also the lamentable situation of such who lacked that living virtue, in the solemn, awful time when the voice is heard, "Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him." The people were earnestly pressed to examine their stock now whilst the compassion of the King immortal and everlastingly glorious, was extended. In this communication, I stood

longer than I had lately done in public testimony, and felt an increase of matter flow toward the people; yet with awful dread and fear lest I should exceed the bounds of true gospel liberty; and the meeting ended with supplication and thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty. The evening was spent in much stillness, the young people and my wife in reading their books, and when nearly time to retire, I desired them to give attention while I read the London general epistle; which I believe was seasonably done.

Second-day, the 12th. Felt rather poor in spirit, which I have before found to be the case after favoured meetings; yet I was therewith content, and my mind felt quiet and easy. In the afternoon, I went into Wilmington on business, and stayed longer in the evening than was pleasant to myself. After my return I retired to bed early without much conversation. I very unexpectedly felt a solemn quiet in my mind, such as I had not lately experienced. My breathing was free and easy, and I was clear of any sensible pain of the body. In this state, the prospect of eternity was opened before me, and the blessed state of the redeemed was brought into my view.— My mind was carried above these lower regions, and led to view the holy city where God is exalted in majesty, and Christ reigns with him in glory,—where the angels stand before his throne praising him, and, the elders fall down and worship before him. Here I lay for some time, ravished and swallowed up, as it were, with the living presence and brightness of his excellency. But I remembered I was in the body, and had the painful separation to undergo; yet thought, if it should please Providence to take me

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