when by much the greatest part of those who have been our contemporaries are numbered with the dead. In regard to health, I have no particular complaint, but I feel heavier, and incapable of much exertion; walking two or three miles is about the extent of my exercise, and even that is attended with some fatigue; but thou hast always been a stronger man, and I expect continuest so.

I need not tell thee I was not in London this year. I do not expect to see that great city any more. This much for the body; in respect to the ever-enduring part of the compound, I believe the Apostle's testimony, "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." though we have had to pass through a variety of seasons in the revolution of the Lord's year, though clouds, darkness, and sometimes sunshine, have been alternately our experience, yet I humbly trust that, when

And

the trials of time shall be over, we shall find a resting-place in the kingdom of our blessed Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Amen.

With strong desires that the great and true Shepherd, who laid down His life for us, may have us always in His keeping, I am thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Letter LXVII.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 2nd Mo. 20, 1816.

My dear Friend,

Thy kind letter of the 21st of 11th month last, I received duly. The account of the death of the dear young man, thy grandson, in the flower of his age, so suddenly and unexpectedly, and at such a distance from home, was truly affecting; and I felt sympathy with thee and his mother on the occasion. But what can we say?" will not the Judge of all the earth do right." Though it be your loss, I hope it is his great gain; he has escaped

many sorrows and mortifying disappointments, which inevitably attend those who have a longer stay in this probationary state.

It is pleasant to me to receive a letter from thee in thy eightieth year; thy years and ability have been lengthened out, in mercy to thyself and many others; "for the Lord God of recompences shall surely requite."

About three months since, I had a slight paralytic affection on my right side, which, though not severe, has affected me a little in several respects, and my right hand is so shaken, as thou mayst see by this writing, that I am ready to give up writing altogether; but my mind is preserved in comfortable tranquillity. I have many things to be thankful for to the Fountain of all Good, and to bless His holy name, who hath been with me from my childhood. I do not feel much pain, and can go about a mile or two; but th severe winter I have kept pretty much in doors. I do not know that I look much worse than usual, and hitherto I have been able to attend all our meetings here; though, through my present debility, I seem of little use; but we do not serve a hard Master. By

the time thou hast read this, thou wilt think, as I do, that it is time for me to conclude.

May the blessing of our Heavenly Father attend thy continuance here, and then crown thy solemn close, when, in his own time, thou mayst be summoned to a residence in His everlasting kingdom. And if this, through Divine mercy, may be my happy experience, through the merits and mercy of our dear Redeemer, I neither ask nor desire more.

Whilst we are both in mutability, it will afford me pleasure to hear from thee. I am, with dear love, thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Reflections on the allotments of Providence in the varied conditions of Mankind.

THE Lord is the All-wise Disposer of events; He maketh rich, and maketh poor! (it is God, saith Moses, that giveth men power to get wealth.) He exalteth and abaseth at His pleasure; and though I do most firmly believe, that God "doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men;" that he is a God of mercy, and knoweth all our wants, as well as our weaknesses, and will add all that His wisdom sees best, to those who first seek His kingdom, and the righteousness thereof; yet am I forced to confess, with regard to His respective outward, as well as inward administrations of prosperity and adversity, His judgments are unsearchable, "and His ways past finding out."

It is obvious, I own, that trouble is often the result of our own perverseness, and arises from the determination of an unsanctified