when engagements so untried as those of our African concerns have worn a discouraging aspect, let me still hope to the end, and all will, I believe, through Infinite Mercy, be finally well.

66

Long awake in the night through a storm of thunder and lightning. I remembered what was heard of a young person in the Kent East Indiaman when on fire, who, on being told the vessel was likely soon to be blown up, kneeled down and said, 'Even so, come Lord Jesus.' How desirable to be ever ready for His summons, whenever, or however it shall be given. How is such a state of preparation to be desired, more than all the treasures and enjoyments of this fading world.

"5th. Although the way be not open in the minds of my friends for me this season to proceed to Africa, I trust the delay will be productive of good, in enabling me to prepare more fully the lessons, &c., I would introduce there, as well as to enter further with my friends upon some very serious and interesting concerns in London. Yet I cannot feel divested of the idea of Africa, or at liberty to look to anything more than a suspension of the prospect of visiting the coast until next year; and with this prospect, and the hope of then pursuing to its accomplishment what was so long before me as my duty, I do feel as though I might look up for further protection in this cause to our Father who is in heaven,' and from the feeling in my heart say, I thank Thee for what Thou hast given me to feel in this cause.— -I thank Thee for the love which has supported through many difficulties accompanying it.-I thank Thee that Thou hast not suffered me to feel at home in any other circumstances, short of the accomplish

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ment of the charge committed to me, so far as my imperfections and deficiencies would allow.-I thank Thee for giving me to feel that my home is either in Africa or England, provided only that my mind be prepared for the final change.-I thank Thee for this delay in my going out, although I could not feel at liberty to be myself the agent of this delay.—I thank Thee that there is a prospect of this intervening time being appropriated to concerns that my heart has long been bound to; and I trust if it be Thy will, that some concerns of deep interest may be in a degree entered upon in this time, and then I might more freely go out, whether there was much prospect of life being prolonged or not. Let, O Lord! Thy will be done in all things, and Thy time be ever felt to be the best, and the ordering of Thy providence in fidelity and simplicity pursued. This is not a season for taking rest, but for effecting what is called for, and regarding the things without as for the sake of that which is more enduring.

"9th mo. 1st. The time since writing last has been memorable as one of peculiar interest, in which the mind has been introduced into close exercise on some subjects connected with the important concerns of early education and Christian instruction. The Infant School in St. Giles's has been opened, and in the considerations which were involved in the system of conducting these schools, some of our coadjutors and ourselves (as Friends) have been led to close inquiry as to what means will be most consonant with our general views of Christian instruction, and with the principles we each profess, and what can be adopted for good without violating any of our principles. The sub

ject of the best means to be pursued in school and family instruction, to incite to devotional feelings without a compromise of truth, has been seriously brought into view, and oh! that we may be directed to a right decision. How much cause of thankfulness have we, that the leadings of Divine Providence are so evident in the engagement now entered upon, in one of the most wretched and degraded districts of our great metropolis. How has the goodness of our Heavenly Father brought together, by unexpected means, several anxiously concerned for the promotion of the same object, and desirous to see, what, in His will, should be done for the recovery and improvement of the people. May strength be given for the patient pursuit of our duty, and light be afforded to see what are the next steps to be taken.

"1827. 1st mo. 3rd. It now seems time for me to renew the memento of my thoughts, and to commemorate the mercy of my God in having brought me to the commencement of another year, and my heart is bent in desire, that I may, in this renewed season of probation, be taught so to number my days, as to apply from season to season at the throne of Heavenly Grace, for that wisdom which will, I feel, be needful to enable me to steer a right course throughout this important year, should life be spared so long. It does not appear that the time is yet come to enter into any other station than that of a stranger and pilgrim, wandering at seasons from place to place, because from an apprehension of duty I am a little employed at times in various places, in calling on those I love, to see what can be done in the cause of humanity and Christian instruction in their different neighbourhoods.

"In what way can the great work of Scripture translation be most effectually promoted? Should not our hearts be directed in prayer to God, that He would lead and direct in this cause? Can there be any one, two, or three stations in the world, in which, by a concentration of care and labour, the work may be carried forward, or must it yet remain the work of individual missionaries, with only occasional communication and correspondence on these important concerns? I long to see at least one station, in which the work may be carried on, under a concentrated or combined care, and subject to strict revision.

"Much good might result, if those who feel at seasons the spirit of worship were to assemble in each other's houses, and to read or communicate, or sing, or wait in silence, or pray, as the right feeling should lead much good might result from such assemblies. And would it not be well if we had among ourselves some minor meetings as a preparation for the larger? Would it not be more easy by this means to repress too forward appearances in the ministry, than when these appearances are so public as at present? We do at seasons seem to need aid in the direction of the mind in devotional feelings. This should be sought from the source itself; and I do trust there will ever be preserved devotional assemblies, in which there shall be no interference in the direction of the mind, but that which is apprehended to be of Divine direction. Still are we not authorized from the Scriptures of truth, and from the example of our Lord, to read on some occasions the Scriptures in our assemblies ?

"4th mo. 3rd.

Much as there is to interest me

in England, my heart is strongly attracted to Africa. Reason may plead that the same objects might be pursued here with far less risk of life, but a bond more powerful than mere human reason, seems to bind me to labour for a season with and among that people. Awful indeed is the remembrance, that one after another on that coast is still visited by trying sickness, and that much mortality prevails; nevertheless the will of God must govern every where, and our day in any place will be according to Divine determination. It is sweet to look forward to that scene, to which my heart is bound, and I trust way will be made in the minds of my friends, so that I may go with their concurrence.

"What we have to do individually, is to labour in sincerity of heart in great or in little things, as each in its season may be appointed, seeking only to have the heart rightly engaged. It is in the aggregate of little things that a greater amount of good is seen, and in this beneficent arrangement our Heavenly Master is pleased to permit that even the last and least of His flock should take a part, and not that the whole field of duty should be occupied by a few. I was much struck last evening with the thought, that although the distribution of small tracts by weekly loan, is, even among the lowest order of society, an excellent means of inducing the mind to turn toward that which is good, and of bringing the general state of poor families into view, so as to lead to other measures for their improvement, yet that the advantages of this distribution are not by any means confined to a low or untaught condition of the people, but greatly applicable to one of considerable advancement. It will always be a likely instrument of good to lend