usual practice to read the Scriptures after breakfast, and, if he did not object, we wished to continue to do so. He freely consented, and the other passengers remained with us. We came next morning opposite Deal. While we remained at anchor there the wind arose and blew strong, yet it being favourable, we again set sail. For two days the gale increased. During the night of the 31st the wind rose higher and higher, and, in the morning, a truly awful scene presented, but which I could only know by report, being too weak to go on deck. The waves broke over the vessel, and it seemed every moment ready to go to the bottom. I had, during the awful suspense of the preceding day, been led into close searchings of heart; yet, through all the consciousness of human imperfection, and, though very humblingly sensible of my own, I could not find ground to conclude, that I had been misled in this concern, either as to the cause itself or the step I had now taken in it, although fear as to the possibility of too prompt conclusions on what I had felt, would still at times present itself. I cannot say that hope of our eventual deliverance from this storm was ever quite withdrawn, and I could not but believe that should we even be taken away at this time, the cause itself in which we had embarked would still be carried on by other agents.

"This day, the 1st of 11th mo. was indeed awful; the vessel pitching so much that the pumps could not be used; the gales of wind tremendous and unremitting; the waves dashing so over the deck that many of the live stock were killed, and no hope remaining that the ship could continue very long afloat, unless we might be favoured with some

intermission or variation of wind. I was led to breathe the language of supplication; that, if consistent with the Divine will, some abatement of this distress might be known, and a degree of balmy feeling came over my spirit, with desire that submission might be felt in all things. Life appeared to hang on a slender thread, and the continuance of it very uncertain; yet still hope seemed to live, and a secret belief to be given that the present dispensation was tending to deepen a feeling which it was necessary to my best nature should be deepened. Yet was my spirit deeply humbled before the Most High, and sensible of much unworthiness in His sight.

"On the 2nd of 11th mo. the wind changed about half-past two o'clock a. M., and before daylight it was discovered we were near the French coast, and within view of the bay of Harfleur. Had the wind not changed, there was every probability of our being drifted upon the rocks of that coast. Let thankfulness ever dwell in our hearts for this seasonable and merciful deliverance. In the course of the day the appearance became altogether more favourable, and much relief was felt. Our little company did not meet together for worship till evening, when I was still confined to my berth. J. T. read the Bible to us, and we had a season of silence that felt grateful and refreshing. The Scriptures that evening and on other seasons since our embarking, have felt remarkably sweet and precious, and I have felt sensibly that the subjects of which they speak are not cunningly devised fables, but solid and consoling realities.

"On the 5th we were permitted to arrive safely in the Isle of Wight, and it was indeed grateful to

us to have this little season for rest and refreshment.

"10th. Our little company met this morning, and through unmerited mercy were favoured to feel the weight of a solemn covering, evidencing, beyond a doubt, the gracious care of Divine goodness to be humblingly yet consolingly near, and something like the heart-appeasing language imparted, Fear not, I am with thee.' And, in this hope and sustaining assurance, may we not again freely commit ourselves to our floating abode on the great deep, and look forward to the coast of Africa, not trusting in ourselves, but in Him who gave himself for the lost, and in and through whom life and immortality are brought to light.'

“We have, indeed, cause humbly and thankfully to adore that goodness which has mercifully preserved us to the present moment, yet, may we dwell in fear and reverence before Him, feeling awfully how very near we have appeared to be to the verge of departure from this world, and how little we can justly depend on the time of our continuance in it, or with respect to its concerns, over which no human being can obtain for himself anything that can be called an unconditional controul. Oh! may the feeling of our dependence on the Most High, and of our responsibility before Him be deepened, by whatever means He may be pleased to appoint, and all shall eventually be found to have worked together, through His appointment, for good.

"The wind is now fair, and it is concluded to depart. The sky is cloudy, and the mate expects a windy night.

"17th. When at Cowes, and yet more since, I

have been impressed with a sense of the importance of endeavouring diligently to promote the best welfare of seamen, and of what importance is it, that the influence they carry with them to distant parts should be of the right kind, and how great has been the lack of this influence among those in this way of life!

"This voyage has introduced me into a view of a state of society of which I could hardly otherwise have formed an idea, and has given me deeply to feel how much we are in need of home missions. I have not yet seen Africa; but assuredly there is, in professing Christendom, a melancholy lack of that subjection to the controul of Christian principle and feeling, which forms the beauty of society, where that controul is known and yielded to, and with all the errors that are seen in some of high profession, and much adherence to the outward forms of worship and peculiar creeds, there is yet a foundation in many of these, from which there is much to hope, and to which I cannot but turn, in solicitous expectation, in looking forward to the advancement of good both in England and Ireland, for both countries are much in my thoughts. How desirable that wherever we are, in one country or another, the first object of our care should be to keep watch over the state of our own minds!

"In addition to the work of uniting with my friends in forming town and village libraries, there is another object near my heart; the increase of good schools for the middle classes, particularly female schools. I want to propose to my friends to form an establishment for training female teachers, and forming Friends' day-schools to be open to all classes, in every part of England, where such schools

can be formed, and to have a central model-school near London, for promoting this interesting object. I am well assured that good day-schools conducted by conscientious Friends, and open to all classes, would be both acceptable to the public, and greatly useful to the rising generation.

I long to see a colony in Ireland for the improvement of the peasantry; and do trust that some Friends, who unite in principle and feeling, will form such a colony, and show what may be done for the people by generous and judicious measures, by a free advance of capital to return itself in due time, or to pay suitable interest; and by mild regulations, for the instruction and government of the colony, and the education of their children. I trust we shall be permitted to see this before long.

"30th. Obedience, obedience, entire dedication, this is what I desire may be the pursuit of my life, without choosing my own path, or seeking to avoid what is difficult and opposed to my nature.

"12th mo. 7th. What I feel most desirable is the habit of daily mental self-denial, and the prevalence of that inward and outward order which must be the result of a constant attention to duty.

"I am now, through Divine favour, making a peaceful approach to the shores of Africa. I have been seldom quite free from sea-sickness, so far as to be able to sit up long together, but hope soon to recruit.

"8th. Early this morning we were permitted to anchor off Bathurst. The captain and all the passengers except our company, went on shore before breakfast. A precious sense of Divine favour and goodness covered my mind, and a consoling belief that our coming here would, through