can say, I have fought the good fight; I have kept the faith; henceforth, there is a crown of righteousness laid up for me; and not for me only, but for all those who keep the faith and love the Lord Jesus." At another time, after waking out of a sound sleep, she said, "Oh! what a blessing for the afflicted to arrive in Heaven;" and some time after said, "All to come, appears so glorious, I am not worthy of it." After suffering very much from sickness and oppression, being a little revived, she expressed very sweetly, "The blessed Redeemer died, that we all might live;-live forever in his holy presence." She afterwards said, it was a great thing to die frequently; also mentioned the wise virgins, who had oil in their lamps, but none to spare; then said, "I have endeavoured, from early life, to live near the good hand: but in this trying moment, find I have indeed nothing to spare, only just enough to give me an admittance into the kingdom."

During great bodily weakness, her mind was often strengthened, and enlarged in gospel love, to speak to some who visited her. At one time, she said, "All that is high,-all that is lofty, must be laid low. Oh! how clearly I have seen, since lying here, the necessity of deep humility. It beautifies young women, more than all this vain world can bestow. There are many allurements, many temptations, to draw the mind from centring in the blessed Truth. Cleave to the good hand, I entreat it of you, for support in the hour of temptation. Desire not great things. What are all the treasures of this world, to an enjoyment of heavenly wisdom? Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all things necessary will be added. Cleave to the divine hand

for strength, that you may arise with holy zeal for the cause of truth. Oh! that you may keep humble, watch and pray, oftener than the morning. It is a blessed thing, that the Lord willeth not the death of any, but that all may live.”

Again, after suffering very much, she said to a person who sat by her, "I have been thinking of my dear Saviour's expressions, 'If it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.' I think I am resigned to live, but rather choose to die." Her mind seemed impressed with the necessity of humility, and she often said she had been concerned, from early years, to live near the truth, but she had no more right to expect an admittance into the kingdom, than the meanest creature in the world, who was concerned to walk in the right way. She often expressed a wish, that all might be impressed with the great necessity of endeavouring, day by day, to prepare for the final close; and frequently she would look affectionately at those around her, and say, "Oh! prepare for such a time as this;" adding, "I find, bodily infirmities are enough to bear." At another time said, "It is through much tribulation, that we must enter the kingdom of heaven. The innumerable company which John saw, were they that had come through much tribulation, and had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." With many more heavenly expressions, she gave evidence to those around her, that her mind was centred in divine love; and that she was fully prepared for an entrance into that city, where none of the inhabitants can say, I am sick: but where the redeemed forever sing praises.

FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

No. 2.]

FIRST MONTH, 1834.

[VOL. V.

SOME ACCOUNT

Of the religious exercises and travels of Elizabeth Twining, late wife of Stephen Twining, (formerly Elizabeth Baldwin) of Troy, in the State of New York.

Begun about the year 1811, in the nineteenth year of her age.

I have been deeply tried in my mind of late, and now feel a little grain of hope and faith revive, that the Lord will be graciously pleased to keep me alive, to believe in his name; and that he will enable me to go forward under his holy banner, putting my trust more and more under the shadow of his wings. I have been reduced, not only to deep poverty of spirit, but to the gates of death; and, at times, was almost ready to give up, and doubt every thing. My trials seemed more than I was able to bear, and I thought the enemy was endeavouring to lay waste the little good seed sown in me. Then I said, O Lord, take away every thing from me, only suffer me not to fall; yea, rather cut me down, than I should live to disbelieve in thy name: but it was thy power alone that did support me; thy holy arm was underneath, and bore me up, or the enemy would have prevailed over me. O Lord, continue to be with me, and lead me in the way thou wouldst have me to go; for I have none on the earth like unto VOL. V.-5

thee, nor in heaven beside thee. Thou indeed canst make bitter things sweet, and hard things easy. Oh! increase the little faith in me, and enable me to be more and more given up to do thy will-for thou alone, O Lord, art able to keep me alive, and to strengthen me to put on the armour of righteousness as a garment, and wear it day by day.

it

This was written a few months before I appeared in the public ministry. Previous to which, I passed through many deep baptisms, ordered, no doubt, in wisdom, to purify me for so great a work. Great indeed, and awful it appeared to me; so much so, that sometimes the distress of my mind was such, felt as if my life would be taken, if I did not give up. And I believe I could have resigned it cheerfully, had I thought it would be an acceptable sacrifice: but I abhorred the thoughts of dying in the bitterness of my soul. It was not that which the Lord required. But this he required, as I apprehended, for me to submit, as an obedient child, to do his will. And seeing no other way for me to get along, but that I must either give up, or go to destruction, I was made willing to yield as passive clay, if he should ever require any thing at my hand again. Accordingly, I went to meeting in a humble, bowed down frame of mind, and after sitting awhile, a few words arose with weight. But again feeling the greatness of the work, I kept putting it off, till the meeting unexpectedly broke up, without a word being said. I came home almost sunk into despair. But not having offended wilfully, only through a fear of engaging too soon, the Lord was pleased to be gracious; and I covenanted that if my life was spared, and he should call me again another

meeting day, I would yield. At the next meeting, I soon felt something to gather about me, and with it, the command; but as I was waiting for the right time to move, a friend stood up with this language, "when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren"-and bore a short testimony. During which time I found it necessary for me to wait patiently; and after the friend sat down, finding that I was not excused, I arose, and in the strength that was given me, spoke these few words, "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord;" and felt great peace in so doing, though very weak in body and mind.

About the 11th of 8th month, 1813, I was visited with sickness, which continued near six weeks: during which time, I passed through deep exercise of mind; the great Comforter being pleased to hide himself from me. Oh! with what ardency of spirit did I seek after him. But he who knows best how to deal with his dependant children, saw meet at this trying hour to strip me of all human dependance. Though I could not see any thing to stand in my way, yet I believed it was necessary for me to become more weaned from things here below, more fully devoted, and more perfectly resigned to the will of my great Master, than I had hitherto been. For, at times, my omissions lay as a great weight upon me, and I often thought it was enough to humble me, all my days: yet, as I trust they were not wilful omissions, but through diffidence and fear of going too fast, so I humbly hope the Lord in his matchless love, will pass them by. It is a great thing to go forward, as an ambassador for the Lord; yet there is danger of withholding more than is