The death of thy sister, in a good old age, and who, I doubt not, has passed from this world to a better, has left thee in a situation to which my own is nearly similar. My father left five children, one only is living besides myself, who is now in his 76th year. Thus generations pass away; but no matter, if at last we may be prepared to give, as thou hast said, an acceptable account of our stewardship. That this will be thy happy experience, thou must excuse me if I say again, I have no shadow of doubt; and with regard to myself, I am not destitute of hope, for though many have been better stewards of the manifold grace of God than I have been, I am not conscious, at any time in my religious labours, of having done the work of the Lord deceitfully. Yet I might have been more diligent; I might have waited more frequently at Wisdom's gate; I might have been more devoted, and like the holy prophet, more ready to say, "Here am I, send me." But I trust in Divine Mercy, knowing in "whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."

Of dear Priscilla we have had a véry poor account; I would willingly hope her case may not be so bad as some have apprehended; however that be, of this I am persuaded, she is under the care of the best Physician, who will finally heal all her diseases, and crown her with loving kindness and tender mercies. When thou hast opportunity, please to remember my dear love to her, and tell her to keep fast hold of faith and patience. Those who live to old age, whatever be their circumstances with regard to property, have often to experience their nearest connections dissolved, their contemporaries falling on every side, many sources, of their usual consolations failing, with increasing infirmities, sometimes to a degree of second childhood: yet none of these things ought to move us, who are seeking "a better country, that is a heavenly ;" and we have many unmerited mercies left, which call for daily thankfulness, and the greatest of all mercies is this, that He, who hath been with us all our life long, continueth to be with us, and will not forsake us in our grey hairs.

With the salutation of love, I now conclude, and am thy sincerely affectionate

friend,

JOHN THORP.

Letter LXIII.

To RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 1st Mo. 28, 1814,

My dear Friend,

I feel almost ashamed that I have not before this time acknowledged the receipt of thy good letter of 9th month last. When I read thy observations on schools for adults, I thought I saw accomplished, in one instance, that Scripture which says: "The liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand." We have three large schools erected here, two National and one Lancasterian, in which some old people have been taught to read; but an institution for that purpose, like your's, I do not expect to see here. It will be enough for Manchester, I think, to support the three already established.

W

That thy time is much employed, in a variety of engagements, I have no doubt; thy gifts and calling make this necessary; and it is a favour, both to thyself and many others, that, at so advanced an age, thou hast the ability to go through the exercise of it; and a much greater favour it is, to be made willing to do it with faithfulness. Oh! how happy will it be for all such, in the approaching day of reckoning.

With regard to myself, I am moving on, in my Christian pilgrimage, in a low way, yet not destitute of hope, that the dispensations I have, or may have, to pass through, may graciously be intended for my further refinement, of which I have great need; so that, in the solemn close, I may be numbered amongst all those, who, "through faith and patience, inherit the promises;" but if I should be thus happy to find acceptance with God, in the awful day of decision, I am sure it will be the effects of His unfailing mercy in Christ Jesus; for I have no claim from merits, to rewards.

We are now both advanced one year further into the vale of years; surely it calls for

gratitude, that we have been favoured with so long a time, and with such a degree of health; with the additional favour that, from early age, we have been apprized of the end for which all our time here was given us, and the blessed means by which we might make the necessary improvement of it. I humbly hope we have not received this grace of God in vain.

That the best of blessings may attend thee, my dear friend, in time and for ever, is the sincere desire of thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Letter LXIV.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 8th Mo. 10, 1814.

My dear Friend,

Thy letter, dated the 20th of 4th Mo. last, I received duly, and was pleased that thou rememberedst me, and at that time I purposed to acknowledge it before now; but,