my countenance, and my God:' yet of late little of consolation has been known, as in days past, whether in or out of meetings. My own want of fidelity and attention to duty is yet more to be mourned than even this, and is probably the greatest cause of what has been suffered. I minute these things I know against myself, but shall not be satisfied if I act otherwise. If I live, I may compare this with some future day, and more fully see how it has been with me.

"7th mo. 2nd. We, as a society, have to guard against assimilating with what is not consistent with our principles, and especially where, in a state of affluence, people of different societies may almost insensibly be led to depart from real simplicity in their manner of living, when answering what they conceive to be the claims of hospitality and kind intercourse with each other. How much need is there to guard in this quarter, or rather, seek to be guarded by a higher influence; and to watch, lest the love of popularity, or of the praise of men, mix itself so with the feelings of Christian sympathy, as to prevent the good, to its full extent, that might be done, were the mind kept in its true direction. But danger does not preclude duty. Friends and others of different professions, unite in civil concerns, in trade and commerce. They have dangers to encounter here, but they go on. And shall not the claims of benevolence induce them also to venture on the course in which there may be unavoidably attendant danger, but not unconquerable difficulties? Persons of different professions may yet be united in the bonds of Christian love, and may help and strengthen one another. Let us propose such a union: let us seek

to do good to the bodies and minds of our fellowcreatures, if so it may be permitted us: let us follow our Redeemer whithersoever He will lead us, and influenced by His heavenly power, go about doing good. Let us form plans of benevolence and of social care, and of brotherly intercourse for good, that shall engage the attention of various classes in larger or more limited spheres, each according to their ability and inclination; as minor instructors in voluntary schools,-as visitors of districts for the loan of approved tracts,-as visitors of the sick, of hospitals, or in whatever way social duties shall call their attention; whilst others guide the helm in the various local institutions connected with the concern. The present is a season of close exercise and conflict in various institutions, but truth and love will spread, and eventually prevail; conciliation, without compromise, should be the order of the day.

"I feel that as Friends, we have a part to take in Christian love towards society at large, beyond what we have yet done in the promotion of truth and righteousness on the earth, by the spreading of those principles which are professed by us as a society.

"16th. Again I am compelled to acknowledge that gratitude and praise ought to be the clothing of my mind, for the abundant goodness of God in directing my path so as to permit the occupation of time and thought for engagements that may conduce to the relief of suffering, and the real happiness of society. There may have been various causes for the feeling of depression which so much accompanied my mind of late, such indeed at seasons as I can scarcely remember to

have ever felt before. I have myself to blame I doubt not for much of this depression, apprehending that such an extreme would not have been felt, had I not given way to a relaxed manner of appropriating my time, and thus being behind with my purposes and employments, and giving way also to a backwardness to engage in the retirements which are, I believe, greatly conducive, through Infinite Goodness, to the renewal of spiritual strength; and thus I have awoke morning after morning under the power of anxiety and depression, and felt almost unfit to encounter any engagement requiring clearness of view and close thought. I have been ready to enquire, Is there no way for me here? Is all, as it were, fading before my view, because it is right to leave all, and again to visit Africa? This I thought I could willingly do for peace, could it be clearly seen by myself and by others, that it is really required. And it seemed as though the mere application to languages, or the deprivations, and even dangers of the sea, might be willingly encountered, rather than the feeling of depression and unfitness for mental engagements, under which I suffered. I felt not only prone to indolence from this state of mind, but also at times to an irritability of temper that distressed me: but Infinite Goodness can enable us to overcome all things, if He direct and strengthen for the warfare. My mind is now much relieved, and I have had, even amidst the recent suffering, repeated proofs that He mercifully cared for me, although unworthy; and such has been the feeling of humiliation in my mind, that I thought I could gladly engage in even very difficult and laborious offices, either in

England or in Africa, if I might but be permitted mercifully to witness, as I apprehended had been witnessed sensibly in days past, a state of reconciliation, reliance, and peace.

"How great is the privilege which I have enjoyed, and hope still to enjoy, of leisure to attend to suggestions for the good of others, whether arising in my own mind, or by the conversations of friends; and it is a duty to take care, whatever my outward situation may be, to retain, if possible, this great privilege, and to use it rightly.

"How thankful ought I to be, in not only being permitted to act as an agent in the reduction of languages, but allowed also to extend the desire and the effort for improvement in other directions, as the way may open for it; and that kind, judicious, and feeling friends are led to desire that I should enjoy this liberty and exercise it. How difficult in prospect did my path appear, when, three years ago, my mind was led towards a visit to Ireland, and yet how wonderfully was the way laid open for that visit, and how mercifully was I borne through the deep conflicts that awaited me there, feeble as I was, and unworthy of the favour extended to me! Have I not now of late been permitted to experience a state, like that described to have been poor Peter's lot in the time of trial; 'Satan hath desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat.' Ah! how great the mercy interposing; 'I have prayed (the Father) that thy faith fail not.' Let me then not shrink from any remaining suffering, but be thankful for recent preservation through what has been felt; and may I be enabled to trust in the Lord for ever,' feeling that however limited may be our own powers by

nature, in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.' I have felt constrained to confess the low degree of the exercise of faith, though never, I am disposed to hope, quite out of exercise; but I have felt compelled to confess how unworthily mine has been limited in its views in this respect, and confessing my desert of suffering, have been led to petition for forgiveness in and through an ever-compassionate Saviour, who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,' and by whose 'stripes' His unworthy disciples are mercifully brought to know themselves' healed.' Never may this day of humiliation be lost to my remembrance, but ever in its recollection excite the feeling of gratitude and praise for every dispensation, whatever it be, which shall bring to a deeper sense of infinite and unmerited mercy. Should trials yet await me, may I be enabled humbly to feel that I have received many and unmerited favours, and ought to submit without complaining, to what may be against my natural will, or even greatly opposed to it. And, if favours should still be conferred, though undeserved, may all lead my heart to humble adoration of the giver of every good; feeling that He is good in his gifts-supremely good-nor less so when He denies.' Even crosses in His sovereign hand are blessings in disguise. "At the funeral of a friend my mind was under weighty impression of the necessity of cherishing a deeply reverential feeling before the Most High, who made heaven and earth, the seas, and the fountains of water, and who, infinite in holiness, can only be worshipped in spirit and in truth.

"7th mo. 12th. I have felt an apprehension lately, that some attempts to do good amongst the very