to raise them from the abject situations which many of them are in.

"10th mo. 5th. Conversing with a friend this evening on the uninstructed state of young women employed in manufactories, as to the business of domestic life, our attention was turned to the care taken of them about Matlock, by their worthy pastor, P. Gell, in Sunday-schools, &c.; and I wished that some of us should make a tour of observation in that direction, at a suitable time. When alone, the thought occurred to me, that if such tours of observation on the state of the younger parts of society, and others, were often to be made, instead of mere journeys of pleasure without an object, how interesting they would become, by witnessing an improved state of things, and hearing of the probable causes which had led to such improvement. Health and pleasure would be more effectually obtained by the animating nature of the object in pursuit, unless, indeed, in some cases (which are possible) the interest excited might stimulate the spirits beyond the natural strength. And in such tours the remarks of visitors might be minuted, and conveyed to a central point for publication, in order to more extensive usefulness.

"24th. Oh, may it be the constant and anxious bent of my mind to attain to a full experience of the one thing needful!'

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"1 mo. 28. 1816. Temptations may be permitted for our subjection and refinement. We might in some circumstances be peculiarly liable to forget ourselves, if we had no outward or inward combats. Oh! that my mind may be rightly led this day, and kept from every improper tendency.

2

"3rd mo. I have for the last ten months been so circumstanced, by having an additional teacher, that my time has been more at liberty, and less engaged in my own concerns than before. I have been prospered, and my school has been fuller than in any previous year; and is not this of the goodness of Him who can direct all things as He sees fit, and can give prosperity in any circumstances, if we seek, in the first place, to know and to fulfil His will? I name this in fear, and in a feeling of insufficiency of myself to direct my steps aright, and in a consciousness of imperfection cleaving to all my ways; but if I may but, by the devotion of my time and strength, whether mental or natural, be instrumental in promoting the cause of truth and happiness in the world, I do not fear the consequences of giving myself up to it. Yet I believe it to be a duty for me to have my eye so far over the concerns of my family and school as to know that those engaged are attending to their several employments, and endeavouring to take care that things are well done. I believe it will be a duty for me, especially during the next few years, to devote the strength of my days to the cause of the poor, the school, and libraries of moral and religious. tracts for lending.

“It is a great claim for gratitude in me that the Lord has given me favour in the eyes of my friends of various classes, so that they have been remarkably willing to hear proposals which at different times I have wished to make respecting the poor, libraries, &c.; and this involves me in a very serious responsibility that I may do right, and desire nothing but what is right in these concerns.

"I wish the tracts published by Friends had more of narrative in them. I do hope in awhile they will see it well to adapt them to a class of readers who do not enter much into what is abstract."

In the year 1803 the mind of my dear mother was deeply affected with the horrors of slavery, and the cruelties practised upon the poor negroes; and, in order that she might have no part in the guilt, she abandoned in her dress and food, whatever was of negro cultivation in the slave districts. After some years of self-denial in these particulars, her attention was gradually turned to means for their relief and instruction. She read much on the subject of slavery, education, and Christian civilization, and her heart became more and more desirous to be employed as an instrument for the good of this oppressed and degraded people.

We have no further accounts than her private journal supplies of the development of this feeling, or of the steps which led her to embrace a missionary life.

"4th mo. 20th. This morning, in thinking and reading of the horrors of slavery, I cannot but wish that a mission for schools, or for bettering the condition of the poor, or both together, might be sent to the still suffering slaves of the West India Islands, supported by the contributions of a general fund, from which also might be relieved the distresses of the poor negroes. Who that had health and strength, and felt for this cruelly abused class would not be willing to embark their lives in such a cause? The school mission might extend

its influence to other classes in the islands who are not poor. Possibly the time may not be fully come for such a measure; yet let not any proneness to delay lead me to the supposition that such a measure is further distant than it really is. This prospect which has opened before me is beautiful and interesting, though surrounded with some clouds that give an awfulness to the view. I have been ready to say, I will offer myself to this service; and what if even my life were the sacrifice ? Death must come at some time, and life would be here resigned in a worthy cause; but we are not our own. May I be led clearly to see what is and what is not required of me, and to pursue it, whatever it be ! He who has all in His divine power can preserve in all circumstances, and restore at His pleasure. And what I consider as of chief moment, is to know in what way the devotion of my time, and my attention to the welfare of others -to the promotion of their best interests-may best effect the intended purpose. If this be really my heart's desire, what daily vigilance is required! what serious application to duty!

"6th mo. 15th. Teachers should be to their children examples of kindness, patience, and attention, and should not imperiously require what the children have not had sufficient opportunity of learning; but should call with firm decision for their attention, whilst they explain what is to be learned. Children may drag on a long time to little purpose, not knowing what they are about, if the teacher does not enter into sympathy with their want of knowledge, and try to assist them in acquiring it.

8th mo. 20th. I have still to guard against

hasty anger; and in the last few weeks have often felt the necessity of this; yet to-day have been off my guard, in looking over the writing which some of the children were doing: and, though hasty anger is wrong and prejudicial, and unfits the mind for its best duties, there is yet an opposite extreme, into which I desire not to come-that of listless, indolent carelessness, as to whether those about me do their best, in their several departments or not. But the matter is, to try to remedy what is defective by proper means; for to attempt a cure by becoming ourselves disordered is like making the rent of an old garment worse, instead of mending it.

'Oh! for a closer walk with God,

A calm and heav'nly frame!'

In this, authority is gained with more decision. and clearness than in any other disposition.

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My family is large, and, whatever concern I have for the poor, the daily care of home must have its place. May I seek a right disposal of time, and, what is still more important, a watchfulness as to the disposition of the mind.

"9th mo. 7th. The times look very serious, and the state of the poor is such as to call for much time. It is unknown how much business may be gone through if the mind only be collected, and one thing attended to at a time; and closely and diligently attended to, in subjection to the feeling of duty, and a desire to conform in all things to our heavenly Father's will. The cry of drunkenness and of want is grievously heard in this town. Oh! that people could be more fully aroused to a sense of their true interests.