gentleness and humility; willing also to be taught, -submitting themselves one to another in the fear of the Lord,-without self-confidence, self-seeking, or self-complacency,-seeking only the honour of their Lord, and the prevalence of the Redeemer's kingdom.

"20th. A few evenings since, after having suffered, even in retirement, under a sense of the cloudy state at present experienced in our African concerns, and the different views of friends respecting them, it appeared to me to present as a door of hope, that if patience were abode in, on the part of some who deeply feel in this cause, the clouds would in time pass away, and many things which now seem to cause depression, give way to more encouraging scenes.

"Yesterday afternoon, before we went down to the conference, my mind was in so much conflict, that I could not account for the trying feeling that assailed me, otherwise than as the reiterated attack of a spiritual enemy, who once assaulted the disciples of our Redeemer, and would have sifted them as wheat.

"No further step was taken at the conference with respect to my prospect towards Africa, but in the night, and through the early part of the morning, until now, a degree of quiet has covered my mind, for which I desire to feel thankful. How sweet is a quiet, settled feeling! I trust in God, and hope in His guidance and willingness to go or stay, as may, in a nearer view, be considered right and seasonable.

66

7th mo. 27th. The time since I last wrote has been memorable by an unexpected change, or rather suspension of what appeared to have but

little remaining in the way of its accomplishment. I have endeavoured to look to an entire suspension without any definite view, and to consider whether the business may not fall under other care, and I trust I have been willing that it should be so, might that be best.

"The prospect of some delay in the visit to Africa, is likely to be among the things that work together for good. Although I feel satisfied in having been willing to go out at this time, yet under all circumstances, having done all, on my own part, to go, and the way not appearing open, I may now quietly and thankfully proceed with what duty calls for at home, both in concerns relative to Africa, and engagements more at large; above all, I feel cause of thankfulness, that within the last day or two, my mind has been favoured with great peace, notwithstanding some trial of faith in several directions. To feel resigned to the will of our Father which is in heaven, and to trust in Him, even where as to outward sight the view may be rather obscure before us, this has a sweetness which all worldly enjoyments, and honours, and riches would fail to procure. Alas! I have in the year past suffered more than was good from the want of that degree of faith and resignation, which infinite goodness claimed from me; and although I have been at seasons indulged, as the condescending Redeemer indulged His unbelieving disciples, with sensible evidence, yet again fearfulness and depression have come over me, and too much proneness to neglect that application to the fountain of life, in which life is sought and known, and thus become dejected, and have lain down at night and risen up in the morning in sad

ness of heart, or at least in the uneasy consciousness of the lack of that consolation, which has sometimes been experienced in the remembrance of an ever-present helper and Redeemer.

"What great need there is for us, who have entered into the serious business of considering what can be done for some of the most wretched and depraved of the population of this metropolis, and in other directions, acting as friends and instructors of others, to watch well the state of our own minds, that we do not go into confusion and weakness, by neglecting to repair to the fountain for ourselves. I feel at present thankful in believing that our esteemed and valued coadjutors in this work are actuated by principles of pure Christian love; love to God and feeling for the spiritual and temporal welfare of their fellow-creatures; and trust they will be directed to such measures as shall tend to real good, and that we shall be enabled to unite in the leading principles of procedure, although of different religious persuasions. How thankful may I feel in looking at present appearances and prospects, and remembering about a year ago how my heart secretly craved that Divine Goodness would open the way for what appeared as a duty to engage in, but how or with what companions I knew not. Some obstructions were in the way, which it was not easy to overcome; and sometimes a remark respecting the little that was done, or of the little that could be expected, seemed rather painful; still there was the kind sympathy of many whose judgment we valued, and who were willing to judge favourably of the design, and wait patiently the result.

"When our girls' school was opened in St. Giles's, and for a long time afterwards, the atmo

sphere was so bad, as to render it almost impossible to spend two hours there without suffering, and the children were very difficult for the mistress to govern. The atmosphere now is greatly improved, the children much more docile, and rewarding the care bestowed.

"8th mo. 4th. Oh! thou ever beneficent Father of the universe, look on thine unworthy subject, who, in the feeling of much deficiency, almost fears to take up the name of Thy servant, and be pleased to make the path plain before me, that it may be fully seen what shall be done, and what left undone; and let nothing be withheld in which Thy cause and the honour of Thy name shall be concerned.

“This morning, from a letter received from one in a girls' school, (not of our own society, or making strict religious profession in any other,) it seems very evident that in some of those seminaries the lack of religious feeling is awfully affecting. If we would seek to do good in the world, one of our first objects should be to promote Christian education, if possible, in the schools of the middle and higher ranks of society, as well as amongst the poor. Perhaps no way is so much open for this, as the introduction of good school-books, by sale, or occasionally by gift. Oh! that some well-qualified persons would turn their attention to this class of society, and write with that view.

"My own engagements seem much of the elementary class, and it is a favour to be employed by the lowest and most untaught of the poor and the depressed. Should health be given for a few years of active labour and application of mind, a more easy and quiet scene may be witnessed; yet

feeling the uncertainty of how long, or what the future may bring, I feel stimulated to earnest desire to work while it is to-day: and, oh! that a spirit of prayer may prevail, and watching thereunto with all thanksgiving.

Discouragement has at seasons much assailed me; but it is what I believe I ought to guard against. Feeling of this kind has at times led me wrong, I believe, both in judgment and action. Let faith and hope rather be the prevalent feeling, and the loins of the mind be girded, as those that wait for their Lord. I had lately an impressive lesson against discouragement, in omitting in that feeling to attend the Bible Society Meeting, when even an apprehension hovered over my mind that it might be to my satisfaction to attend. Afterwards I was informed a missionary was there, who had been engaged in the reduction of languages in the South Sea mission. May this omission, and some other experience I have had on the other hand of the advantage of breaking through discouraging feeling, and trusting for strength for a day of trial, may all prove to me that it is the merciful design of our Heavenly Father, that we should not give way to enervating depression, but rather seek to put our trust in His name.

"The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof,' and how has He mercifully raised up friends to unite with me in kind sympathy, and to promote every design which has been entered into from the feeling of apprehended duty, even some, which in the day had appeared very arduous and difficult. Assuredly I ought to regard Friends of this meeting with affectionate gratitude and love; and if some cloudy days have been witnessed,