sented to us by others, to prevent our engaging in the instruction of natives in this country; still I see no other way so likely to do effectual good, although previous attempts have had much to discourage, as well as, in some respects, to animate. How can we help the people here or there, and at the same time guard them against undue dependence? I would not shrink from Friends going out to Sierra-Leone, but only let it be with agents ready to help them, and have their system in right organization: until that can be done, I see not any thing there but preparatory measures.

Let it be

done, then, boldly and freely; and let those who devote themselves to the work here, be willing, if required, to go out with them when ready, or if the lot fall on others, let us hope that agents will be found when needed.

"The measures hitherto adopted in Sierra-Leone have not succeeded to much extent; the station has been difficult, and patience is still called for. We do not say to those who have laboured, labour no more: rather let the work go on both there and here on right grounds, and a hope arises that Truth will yet finally prevail. I fear there is something more in that colony than has yet been fully seen, that has not been on the true foundation. The Africans have not been advanced in the scale of Christian society as could be desired, and there has been in some things a state of depression not fully accounted for.

"13th. How great is the mercy and goodness of God to an unworthy servant! My mind has been too much turned to caring for the morrow, when all I have to do is to seek to pursue my

Heavenly Master's will, and leave what concerns myself, or my future provision, in his Divine hands, only careful in thus committing myself into the hands of a faithful Creator, that it be in well doing. "My mind is so clearly satisfied that translation is its work, that I should keep myself prepared for a return to Africa whenever the way shall open for it, should that appear the best means of pursuing this object.

"14th. Peace flows in my mind as a quiet stream; and a sweet sense of Divine acceptance, in the dedication to African engagements, is truly strengthening and consoling. Desponding as many have been in that cause, and ready to regard the district to which my mind has been directed as at most a forlorn hope, my heart is still strongly turned towards it; and even the difficulties which exist there sound a louder call to this line of duty. Translations must be pursued, female education, and some more consonant system as to religious meetings, to take off, in some measure, from the dependence on foreign aid, should both, I believe, be regarded as among the duties owing to this interesting but suffering people. Had they no sins to be redeemed from, no follies to overcome, no exceptionable features in their present habits and character, where would be the necessity for the deep solicitude which is now felt for them? All these deficiences we see, and they claim our anxious care as Christians and as brethren.

"7th mo. 5th. Through the great and preserving mercy of our Lord, I have now been permitted to meet again my friend George Bennet, who has lately returned from a missionary tour round the

world, and has seen, during eight years travel, much of the work of the Lord in the hearts and habits of the people in far distant nations.

"Among other duties, visits to little schools, and to the children in workhouses, appears to claim early care; and yet nothing should, I believe, prevent me from going out to a more distant station, whenever the way may be fully open to it. I long to see the true missionary feeling, both here and in Sierra-Leone-piety, the grateful sense of redeeming goodness, and the sabbath of rest in the will of our Lord. Let me fully attain to this, and dwell in it. And, oh! teach me to go in Thine own time to the work appointed to me; and then, O my Redeemer! be pleased in Thine abounding mercy to inspire the language in thine unworthy subject, 'Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.' May I be taught to keep in perpetual view my calling, and ever to feel and act as one appointed to missionary labour in the blessed Redeemer's cause. How great is Thy mercy, my God! in permitting this appointment: lead me and guide me in it, to do Thy will faithfully from this day, and, oh! be pleased, through Thy beloved Son, our heavenly Mediator and Intercessor, to forgive all the past, and to draw me nearer to Thyself, in Him.

Again let me acknowledge the claim to thankfulness for so great a divestment of worldly cares as I have been permitted to know, and for favour in the sight of my friends, so that many things have been made easy to me. But the living by faith has been needed. Divine providential mercy has been unremitting.

"7th mo. 17th. I went to Newington to meet

the African Instruction Committee. I felt it right, at the closing of this committee, to unfold the prospect before me of returning to the coast, at such times as my friends could see to be most eligible, either on the approaching or the following season. No obstruction, that I am aware of, exists in their minds, or at least was conveyed, excepting the reluctance to take responsibility in a concern so critical as to health and life. Even these appear to me secondary considerations, where duty is concerned, and that I fully believe is in this instance. It appeared, from what was expressed, that next year was regarded as a more favourable time to look to than the present; and to this I must turn, believing it will be right for me at that time to remove for a season to Africa, and not depend on any responsibility of others as to risk.

"23rd. In retracing my journal for the last two years, I feel that there has been too much anxiety of mind, so consonant with my constitutional temperament, but which should have been more fully overcome by the calming influence of Divine light and love. May I learn, from retracing the past, and henceforward be enabled to move on with quietness and decision, as openings present; and diligently pursuing present duty, forbear much speculation about the future, further than as quite clear openings seem to call for. It will be desirable to keep retired, to speak little of my own purposes, but to act on what is evidently seen to be duty.

"30th. How precious is time! I have not felt at home lately in the easy intercourse with dear friends, unless there be an object in it worthy the present pressure on my mind. How great, in such circumstances, is the value of my present degree of

detachment. Oh! may it be rightly employed and improved, and heavenly help be daily sought!

"8th mo. 6th. Never may I forget the precious quiet of this day. Prepare me, O my Father! to do Thy holy will. Give me to see my path, both on behalf of the lowest ranks of little children here, and the poor Africans. Preserve me in the sweetness of love and peace with all. Let me be taught to seek Thy praise in all things, and to acknowledge Thee in all. Bear up our friends. Let Thy life be raised into more full dominion.

"11th. In the meeting to-day there were some intimations of the low state of things among us as a Society, in which I could not but silently unite, although I felt sad. There is that which lives, and yet there is much of death amongst us. We assemble on great occasions, and there seems a glow and accumulation of strength, yet let us not deceive ourselves. See what the meetings are, detached, and where are the strong meetings?—where the assemblies of the Fathers, as in days past? Oh! that the work of heavenly renovation might commence here! Oh! that the solid feeling may be abode in, and none desire to take false comfort, or to hope and think things are better with us than they really are! What we want is the flame of heavenly refining love, not a mere outward exemption from reproach, a mere passive blamelessness, that rests in the avoidance of evil, but is not zealous to do good, and to promote that which is good.

"I believe, if the mind be quite in right tune, there will be a pleasure in all engagements of duty, known only to those who are prepared by Divine love to be gratefully obedient, and thankful to be