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prayer, necessary. And, ah! that this might be my daily habit. However, I may appear in the eyes of others, let me study to be quiet and to mind my own business: affectionate to all, yet not absorbed by any human being or human love. My heavenly Father has crowned with abundant peace, even the disposition that seeks for dedication; for, as yet, what sacrifices have been made? But, oh! I want to live in the spirit of sacrifice-the spirit that denies itself to follow Christ. Let me watch against my nearest besetments, and live in true lowliness of mind. It does not appear to me needful to renounce the pleasures of friendship; yet it is needful to guard against their undue bias on my mind. Let my eye be taken off myself, and directed to my Redeemer, the source of my consolation and my hope. It is not by anything we are in ourselves, that we can be instruments of good to others, in the way most desirable; it is by that watchful disposition that opens the heart to receive from Jesus, and to be led by Him, that we shall grow ourselves, and teach others in the right way.

"23rd. Ah! my God, thou art Thyself all-sufficient to form our happiness, and to impart it to us also in the way that seems good to Thee. With what peace has my mind been filled this morning, in retiring from our family reading. Ah! give me more and more of singleness of heart toward Thee. I must not turn from the view of visiting the dear little ones, and the people of Sierra-Leone, but prepare to go, by endeavouring to pursue with fidelity my previous duties here, and then resign myself to go there for life or for death. I never find peace in turning from it; and as far as I can see at present, nothing can be substituted for this

one act of duty. Then, let me reason no more, nor listen to the discouragements of others. Are we not Thine, our heavenly Father, to direct where Thou wilt? Above all the other hinderances to this act of duty, let me beware of the insinuating reasonings of such as can seldom see any real call to exertion, for the spiritual good of distant countries. Let kindness reign in my heart towards these; but let me not be biased by their reasonings.

10th mo. Since our autumn quarterly meeting, E. F. and J. J. G. have been engaged in visiting the prisons in Sheffield, York, and Wakefield, as well as in other places. Being in company with these dear friends at Sheffield, my heart was softened and consoled, in the view of great good arising from their being thus led to explore the receptacles of sorrow out of sight. My secret desire and prayer for them was, that the disposition might ever be kept alive within them, in which they should be enabled to make this solemn appeal to the Searcher of hearts, 'We did it unto Thee.'

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Through Divine assistance, which has been eminently near, I have, with fresh ardour and fidelity, been led to devote myself to Him who is wonderful in counsel, and infinite in His compassions to the children of men, and has often in pity regarded my low estate-forgiven my wanderings, and will, I humbly trust, lead me yet more and more evidently, to the Rock that is higher than I, and establish my goings,' and put a new song into my mouth, even of praise and thanksgiving to my God.

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"10th mo. 12th. How great is the sweetness and beauty of pure Christianity in the heart, where the love of God ever reigns, and the love of

man as its natural and necessary fruit; that love which never indulges a disposition to exalt itself by making others a subject of ridicule, and laughing at that for which it should rather mourn. There are many kinds of Pharisaism in the world— many who, trusting in their own comparative correctness, despise others-there are Pharisees of learning-of taste-of worldly polish-of worldly wealth; how many in each of these classes, as well as among the professors of religion, are too prone to trust in themselves, and to despise others. Oh! that a genuine humility might lead people to more watchfulness against those false estimates of things which lead to conclusions so erroneous and pernicious. May the disposition abundantly increase. In the professors of Christianity I trust the disposition is increasing, which rejoices in each other's welfare, and yields to the precious influence of the Spirit of Him, "who sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world, through Him, might be saved." If His Spirit governs in us, we shall speak of one another, not with hardness or harshness, but in that love which desires the redemption of all, and grieves on account of evil, wherever and in whatever form it is Assuredly it must be a vitiated state of mind a disposition of the flesh, and not of the Spirit, that is amused with things that are wrong in themselves, or pleased in pointing out the errors of others.

seen.

"1st mo. 9th, 1818. The subject of language, and the acquisition of a new language, whether previously written or not, has often been before my mind of late; and I have become increasingly convinced, that to begin with a very limited vocabu

lary, would be best in the first instance. How has my heart been affected in hearing of the conversations of the interesting Garnon with the children, or rather her attempt to communicate what they would willingly have replied to, but for the affecting reason given, "Me no sabby (understand) English." Could not a very small vocabulary be formed, by which these children, though coming from various places, might learn to convey their leading thoughts, and feelings, and desires?

"24th. Early this morning my mind was impressed with a conviction, that great watchfulness is necessary, that I may attain and abide in that sense of the Divine presence and guidance, which I believe is mercifully designed for me to walk in. It is an awful thing to act on any occasion as a public ambassador for Christ,—to call on my dear friends to come to the light, and to see and feel where they are.

"3rd mo. 6th. It is, indeed, delightful to see that a disposition to regard the welfare of the poor is so increasing in the world, that plans which would, some years ago, have been renounced as visionary and impracticable, on account of their extensiveness, may now be received with lively interest, and entered upon with the zeal which their importance demands. I will not despair of my native town being yet brought fully into the view of its benevolent inhabitants, both male and female, and the residents of every street and lane and court made known to disinterested committees of both sexes; and measures for their welfare and improvement pursued with zealous perseverance.

"Father of mercies! give us resignation to Thee -to Thy Divine leadings-a watchfulness to find

our refuge and dwelling-place in Thee. Then shall we know the blessedness of sweetly pursuing the path directed by Thee, and tending to promote the real welfare of Thy creatures.

"15th. How has Divine Providence favoured me and my family, with such a supply of all that is needful, as to be able to meet the charges of the day both for ourselves and others! Ought I not to go on without fear, just acting in simplicity for the present best ?—minding that there is enough to discharge every debt as it becomes due, and then freely devoting what is wanted for others, with quite as much willingness as though it were for myself or my own family. The earth is the Lord's, and all we possess should be considered as lent, in order that we may be stewards of our heavenly Father's bounty.

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4th mo. 2d. What religious man cannot spare an hour or two, and more than that occasionally, for the sacred duty of attending devotional assemblies? and what man, in easy circumstances, cannot spare an hour or two any week, or every week, for associating with his friends? Let an hour be spared for visiting the poor, and the interest excited will give energy in the pursuit of the engagements of business. It is not time lost even to the pursuit of business, which is spent in caring for the poor. The poor must be cared for, if people would advance the general prosperity. That healthful state of society, in which the lower ranks can provide the means of decent and comfortable support to their families, must afford the most general stimulus to trade at large. Where the most numerous class of the people are too low to consume articles of common manufacture, trade must stagnate. The first

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