inclined to ease and indifference.

But now surely

there is cause to feel and mourn for our desolation. This Quarterly Meeting has its trials, and feels its weakness, that we had need to put on strength, and wait on Him who is alone able to renew it, and by our example and precept exalt his ever adorable Name. He can speak peace when trouble surrounds us on the right hand and on the left-the promise is to the mourners that they shall be comforted.

Thy affectionate friend,

M. H.

10th mo. 16th. Our valued friend, W. Rickman attended our Particular Meeting, and revived the inquiry, "Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no Physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" and very instructively mentioned the visitations of his youth, which from an experienced Friend, who had attained the eighty-eighth year of his age, seemed like a cup of cold water to one who was ready to faint.

10th mo. 27th. How busy was the tempter this morning, besetting my mind with many wandering thoughts, to draw from the true Source of adoration and worship, surely if the Lord were the chiefest of ten thousand and altogether lovely, my distress would not be so great; but a death-like insensibility too much prevails over me. Oh! that in my old age, might know more than ever the cleansing operation of the Spirit, to purify, not only from the drossa nd the tin, but also from the reprobate silver; and that

I

thus I might know his rod and his staff to comfort

me.

30th. I long to be more deeply humbled under a sense of my own unworthiness. The valley is sweet to dwell in, but my poor mind is often comparable to the mountains of Gilboa, where there is neither rain, nor dew, nor fields of offering.

11th mo. 10th. We had the excellent advices of· the Yearly Meeting read, I was ready to say in my heart, what can be done that is not done? Our little Society has been from the beginning as a garden enclosed by our wholesome discipline; but how have we slept whilst the enemy has made great encroachments, and broken down our wall in many instances, and caused the living to go heavily on their way. The Spirit of a suffering Lord in the hearts of his people leads to an inward exercise for the salvation of mankind. Thus when we behold a visited people, entangled by the things of this world, and thereby rendered incapable of being faithful examples to others, sorrow and heaviness, is often experienced; and so, in measure, is filled up that which remains of the sufferings of Christ. Can our hearts endure or our hands be strong, if we desert a cause so precious, if we turn away from a work in which so many have patiently laboured.

20th. Our week-day meeting was better attended than usual. My bodily infirmities had a powerful effect on my mind, and I had to lament the insensible state I sat in, having little strength to labour. I remembered in the afternoon the dear Redeemer's deep

suffering, when he prayed thus, Oh! my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;" but in this he centred, "Not my will, but Thine be done." When he returned from prayer, he found his disciples sleeping, and said, "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" The consideration affected and humbled my mind. I do not expect it will be long before the narrow confines of the silent grave will enclose me. Oh! happy moment, if I may, in unutterable mercy, when freed from the many struggles and conflicts of time, soar above, where nothing can annoy. Remember then, Oh! my soul, the necessity of living in the fear and dread of thy Creator, and that thou must be washed, cleansed, and sanctified.

12th mo. 3rd. I believed duty required me to pay a visit to a young man sinking to the grave in a decline. However simple these requirings appear to those not of our Society, I went much in the cross, but had the evidence of peace in the engagement, and I believe the presence of Zion's King was felt.

18th. Heard of the death of Mary Alexander of Kelvedon. She had been many years a devoted labourer in the Lord's vineyard. He hath made the depths of the sea, a way for his ransomed to pass over. Her Master whom she served was with her, whereby she was enabled to draw water from the well of salvation, and to partake of those refreshing streams of divine consolation that make glad the whole city of God, and no doubt has triumphantly entered into his courts with praise.

22nd. Indisposition this day prevented my meeting

in social worship with my friends. I hope I was not altogether unmindful of my duty, and the various testimonies we are called upon to bear.

My mind was

tenderly affected by remembering, that our holy and merciful High Priest is touched with a feeling of our infirmities. May He incline my heart more firmly to lean upon, and to trust in him.

1st mo. 1st, 1834. Every year and every day brings me nearer the awful time, when a separation must be made from every near and dear connexion, and the silent grave will enclose this earthly tabernacle. Oh! for an increase in humility, faithfulness, and obedience to the revealed will. This is what I pray for, for myself and for my dear children, that we may be strengthened in an unshaken belief in the efficacy of the blood of the beloved Son of God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who came down from heaven, and took not on him the nature of Angels, but the seed of Abraham, was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, the cruel and shameful death of the cross, to be a propitiation for the sins of the whole world; rose again the third day from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and is the advocate and mediator between God and man, the King, High Priest, and Prophet of his Church, the only author of salvation unto all them that obey him, true God and perfect man.

1st mo. 9th. I attended Monthly Meeting at Folkstone, towards the close, a the close, a few words impressed my mind; but I was desirous, Gideon like, to try the fleece both wet and dry, and begged to be preserved from [yielding to] a false opening, lest I

might bring reproach on the best cause, and distress on my own mind. The second sitting was more relieving. The next day, I called on a few friends, and came home with a thankful heart. I long to become as passive clay in my heavenly Father's hand, moulded and operated upon as he pleaseth; he only knoweth what is convenient for me. Keep me, O Lord, near to thyself, be with me in that awful moment that is approaching, that Death may never be a King of terrors, but a welcome messenger, that thus he may be swallowed up of victory. Thou art, O my God, in truth worthy, worthy of adoration and worship!

1st mo. 12th. We were favoured at meeting this morning with a humbling, quiet waiting, and felt the shadow of the Divine wing sweetly hovering over us. I felt my own weakness, and that I had nothing to return but a fervent breathing in secret to Him who alone can prepare my heart for any impression He may be pleased to stamp upon it; and may it be that of humility and his fear, during my stay in mutability, and afterwards may I be permitted to join the triumphant church in praising the Lord God and the Lamb for ever and ever!

15th. Ill health prevented my joining my Friends in social worship. The work of the enemy is to prevent our frequent resorting to prayer as being presumptuous in us; but have we not the greatest encouragement to approach the footstool of divine mercy? yet let us ever remember that if we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us.

20th. On sitting down in meeting this morning,