you love God with all your heart, and your neighbour as yourself, doing unto others as you would have them do unto you? Does the Spirit of God bear witness with your Spirit that you are a child of God? Is there anything scriptural in the manner, so very common, of estimating the spiritual state of people merely by their feelings, or by their professions? I should not have asked this question, but should have thought that, as religion always produces happiness, we might rest upon the assertion of those who professed themselves happy; but painful experience has convinced me that many can quiet themselves with what they call being happy, and feeling very comfortable, while yet they are in some things evidently walking after the flesh, and not after the Spirit. When once I mentioned an instance of this to a professor of religion, who I thought could not justify himself, he answered (after acknowledging he was in the wrong,) Well, the Lord knows my frame; He remembers that I am but dust!' my soul was truly pained to hear Scripture so perverted. And, oh! how many are there who satisfy themselves with saying, They are unworthy creatures! they know they come very far short!' and so on, while yet they will not make an effort to gird up the loins of their minds, and, in the strength of the Lord, to fight against the evils which have overcome them. What encouragement does the word of God give to such to believe they are in a state free from condemnation ? My acquaintance with professors of religion has not, indeed, been of very long standing; but, from what I have observed, I am constrained to own that many of us have given way to a very er

roneous method of judging, and thus yielded to an evil which opens the way to more and more delusion and misery. Is it right to estimate the state of any one by the loudness with which he says Amen? or should it be from his attention to the weightier matters of the law-judgment, mercy, and faith?' Fervour in prayer is truly desirable, but the strength of sound is surely a very insufficient mark by which to judge of spirituality in the worshippers of that God who requireth the heart. When I hear persons dwell so much upon this and upon other things merely outward, it makes me think religion is very superficial amongst us. The spirit and conduct of some have distressed and confused me; yet this is my comfort, 'the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,-The Lord knoweth them that are His.' Oh, that God may lead us to act in all things as having no desire, no object in view but the general welfare of the Redeemer's kingdom. O that He would remove every hinderance which prevents the power of that kingdom from prevailing on the earth.

"I now became painfully sensible of a want of spirituality, and indeed of truth, in much of the worship in which I had been accustomed to join. I was pained excessively to observe that the preaching of some seemed only calculated to please, without reaching the heart, or leading to a true reformation in the life; and, in general, I felt persuaded that the custom of filling up a certain time in outward worship, preaching, singing, and prayer,was contrary to the real nature of sincerity, of true worship, and of effectual teaching.

It appeared to me that a want of submission and obedience to the Divine power and teaching in

the heart caused much confusion and distress in the soul. People are anxiously enquiring for help from men; they want something to satisfy and employ their minds, and are too ready in this restless state to accept unwholesome food, instead of the living bread which comes down from heaven.

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My mind had been much led to think on the people called Quakers. The idea of these Friends, and of sincerity, consistency, and faithfulness had been always connected together. I knew but little of them; but, from what I did know, believed them to be in a measure influenced by the Spirit of truth, and, indeed, beyond what I conceived any other people to be, as it regards their system; but, when I considered the Friends themselves, they appeared for the most part, from what I could judge, to come far short of what might be expected were the principle by which they profess to be governed suffered to have its full influence.

"The Methodists had been kind to me; they had been instrumental in promoting my best interests, and I love that affectionate zeal which had led them (E. M., in particular, I shall, I trust, remember with grateful affection for ever) to speak to me, and to endeavour to direct me to the true and living way to Zion, when I was wandering, as it were, lost and solitary, though by the wayside.

"The first time I went to the Friends' meetinghouse at Nottingham, I was sensibly affected with a consciousness that the spirit of worship was with the assembly, and the awful silence which prevailed seemed favourable to that deep recollection of spirit which I believe it must be the delight of those who have been brought into much experience in Divine things to cherish and to enjoy."

"June 11th, 1800. I never, I think, felt my mind so broken off from human dependence as about this time. I could not receive light or assistance in my present circumstances through the medium of friends with whom I conversed, either through those whose views were similar or different to my own. I wished to be fully free from human influence of every kind, and was, I believe, sincerely desirous to be taught of God. To Him I looked up for help, hoping that I should receive that light and direction of which I felt the need.

"With regard to the state of my mind, and the different views I had from Methodists, there are three things which conduce to persuade me I am not in these things led by a delusive influence ;— at least not in general, though it is possible I may have mistaken views in some respects :-I feel a deeper reverence towards God than I was ever sensible of before. I find, also, a more earnest and affectionate desire for the welfare of my fellowcreatures, both as it regards the spreading of truth among them, and their happiness in every respect, which I know can only be promoted effectually by the power of Christ prevailing in the hearts of the people. The love I feel towards mankind makes me desirous-more desirous than ever-to be, in any way the providence of God may assign me, an instrument of good to them; but more especially to the poor, the weak, the ignorant, and the young. I find, thirdly, a more clear confidence, a deeper faith in that truth which forms my present, and on which depends my eternal happiness. These things I consider with thankfulness to the great Source of every good, and find no cause to fear on account of the opinions of any.

"There is one thing among the Methodists which I cannot but name, and which appears to me to be a distinguishing excellency in the spirits of this people; I mean the affectionate concern which is manifested by many of this church towards the 'lost,'-towards the most wretched, the most ignorant, the poorest, and the worst part of mankind. This spirit of benevolence and compassion which many Methodists have shown,-going out into the highways and hedges to compel them to come in, traversing the wilderness to find and save, if possible, the wandering sheep, is so consistent with the spirit and life of Jesus, that my heart is impressed by the most grateful and interesting affections when I think of it. These show, by their life and conversation, that they are the disciples of Him who poured out His soul unto death for the salvation of mankind. But surely the day is hastening forward, when all who are animated by the Spirit will be willing more fully to unite their influence in promoting the glory of their heavenly Master, and the happiness of mankind. The Spirit of Christ will be found to be the strongest bond of union, and, while each sincere member of the universal church will unite with those whose views are most coincident with his own, we shall all rejoice in joining occasionally in the worship of God, giving thanks to the Author of our being for His unbounded love towards us, and towards all men; and shall also be ready to join in every labour of love, in every affectionate endeavour to promote the interest of our Redeemer's kingdom, by the spread of happiness and truth among mankind.

"Many times has the plea of usefulness been