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a more general attention to religious instruction in schools; and if I were soon to meet them in their own land, it would, I believe, be one very interesting object of my engagements there to seek to propose a system of school-instruction on the broad basis of Christianity, so that all might unite, of whatsoever denomination they might be.

"27th. In the preparative meeting, a fresh feeling arose of the value of our Christian testimonies, and the desirableness of their being faithfully and in Christian feeling supported by us as a society; and a belief was renewedly raised that many would come to the acknowledgment of these testimonies, in various parts of the world, if we, as instruments, be faithful in their support, and in spreading the knowledge of those principles on which they are grounded.

"3rd mo. 1st. Spent the evening with a dear friend. We conversed on the different directions of benevolence, and agreed in the belief that there was great deficiency in the result of measures in which only the outward condition of the people was the subject of sympathy and care, and their minds left unattended to. I renewed the remembrance of Dr. Chalmers's suggestions on the necessity for the localizing system, to bring the lowest and most neglected of the people into view.

"I have believed, within these few days, that it will not be sufficient to seek occasional opportunities only of retirement; but that I must not omit to devote a short season to silent feeling, wherever I am, before retiring to rest, and also before leaving my room to engage in the concerns of the day. I have been sometimes ready to conclude that the last moments of our evenings were

not the best for such an engagement; but it does not feel right for me to retire without directing some of my latest thoughts to Him on whom we depend for life, and breath, and being, and for every blessing.

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5th. With regard to infant-schools it will be very important, if the dear little children can be instructed how to teach and how to learn, since in all situations in society I think there must be something for each individual to do, both in teaching and learning; and if these children can, from their early infancy, be led to cherish the right feeling in these engagements, to instruct with gentleness, and to learn with docility and diligence, how valuable, both to their own peace and improvement, and to their connexions, and all with whom they are concerned, would be this habit of feeling and these acquisitions or attainments!

"17th. If we would have the prevalence of Divine power in our religious meetings we must be concerned also out of meeting to bow in spirit before Him who made heaven and earth.

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My path is encompassed with some trials of faith and patience; yet these must, I believe, be for the present silently submitted to, without any attempt to avoid them by efforts of my own.

"If the heart be engaged to seek after good, let not feelings of depression sink the mind too low. Never despair! He who has power to sustain will often restore consolation, and at seasons even joy after sorrow, and after a time of trial introduce to unexpected deliverance. It seems now desirable to keep, as it were, in my tent as much as may be, for a season, and wait for guidance. How greatly do I need the renovating power from day to day!

There is an awfulness in the path before me, and I feel the critical nature of several concerns that cannot fail deeply to engage me at present; and I feel too that, unless Divine power shall be mercifully extended for my help and support, I must sink under a sense of weakness and insufficiency; yet let me hope and trust in Him whoever liveth and changeth not.'

"There is need to guard, in our intercourse with each other, lest the eye be too much outward, and we lose that sense of the Divine presence, which should chasten all our thoughts, and keep our actions and our words simple and direct, as they would be if the heart were imbued with the feeling of His presence.

London, 6th mo. 26th. After returning from meeting, a dear friend sat down with us (Dr. S.) and read the 40th chapter of Taiah, which he said bad been much before his mind on the day before. He with much sweetness and feeling expressed to us some subjects which he said often engaged his attention on the evening of the Sabbath-day :-the remembrance of the many Christian congregations assembled for the worship of their Heavenly Father, the number of pious persons in different parts of the world, who were feeling for each other, and desiring the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom. His expressions I have not, perhaps, exactly written; but they conveyed this feeling, and my mind was humbled, and enlarged in desire that the sincere in heart, of every name, might be led more and more openly to engage in the labours of love which are directed to the hearts and minds of the people, and for which I cannot doubt but a qualification would be given, if the prevalence of

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the power of Christ in our own minds were sought for before and above all things.

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27th. On the way between Tottenham and London the impressive language of the 40th of Isaiah (particularly the five first verses) was brought powerfully before me. The great sacrifice by which comfort is brought to the Lord's people, and through which the warfare must be accomplished, and the iniquity forgiven,-and through the influence of which every valley shall be exalted, and the mountains and the hills made low, the depressed spirit raised in Him,-the lofty reduced and brought down by his all-conquering power,--and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh see it together.'

"Our African concerns are in a very critical state at present, although the interest has greatly spread; but with all this spreading of the interest, there are serious difficulties to contend with, and the cry of my heart is, 'If the Lord help us not, vain is the help of man.' Oh! that the hearts of those engaged in this cause may be imbued with a feeling of their dependence on him for right guidance, both in regard to how and when we may move, and in what disposition of mind. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.'

"30th. Awoke in the night in some feeling of peace and satisfaction, in having opened my views on the subject of our African concerns to the friends more immediately engaged in the cause ; yet still my mind dwelt under a sense of suffering, whilst I sought to trace the cause of some depressed feelings, which have much accompanied

me of late. A feeling of the claims of Christianity, and a view of the purity and excellency that a full submission to its influence would yield, accompanied with the sense of the short-comings of myself and others professing its sacred doctrines, is painfully alive. Still I may acknowledge much that is very beautiful and excellent in many characters, who even have not attained to that perfection, which is the Christian standard. I have been, and am so circumstanced, as to be within the sphere of engagements of deep interest, and of very extensive concern; and having to take a part in some such engagements involves me in deep responsibility, and often great thoughtfulness. I am led also to the consideration of the state of things in society, both at home and abroad. The miseries and sins in some parts of the British metropolis, the conflicting feeling and various difficulties in Ireland, the slavery and degradation of poor Africa,—and the affecting state of things in the New World, both as regards the coloured population, and those who should ere this have been, to a wide extent, their instructors in Christian truth: a state of things altogether, which cannot be contemplated without feeling that there is much out of the Divine harmony. In past days I have rejoiced in the arising and spreading of light, but I knew not then the extent of the darkness.

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'Whether my time be longer or shorter in this present scene, it appears my duty and calling to seek after a spirit of watchfulness unto prayer.

"A little hope was raised in meeting to-day, in the remembrance dwelling on my mind of that language of the Psalmist, Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of

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