Her writings after this bereavement will show the depth of the wound, and the abundant mercy that enabled her to bear it with a Christian's feeling.

"2nd mo. 14th, 1802. I thank thee, my dear friend, for thy attention to my outward concerns; but much more I thank thee for the spirit of sincere sympathy which thy letter breathes. Should God ever suffer me to become the messenger of consolation to a fellow-sufferer, as thou hast been to me, I shall think my affliction has not been wholly vain.

"A few days before my child was called away, the doctors gave it as their opinion that the fever had quite left her, and that she would very soon be well. She had had a violent attack of scarletfever of a malignant character; but this complaint seemed nearly to have spent itself, yet was succeeded, and indeed some thought it had been accompanied, by water on the brain. Notwithstanding the opinion of the doctors, I could not but apprehend, both from what passed in my own mind, and from the very distressing look of my beloved child, that she would soon be called away. There was a season (though the previous conflict was great) in which I was carried above present things, and was favoured with power to resign myself and my precious infant to the disposal of the Divine will; and I felt from whom this power was given. Yet, at other seasons, my sufferings, and a feeling of the sufferings of my precious child, were almost more than I could well bear; and I could not but pray that, if it were possible, this cup might pass from me.

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I was holding her when death came over her

countenance; and when I saw she had departed, something in my mind seemed to say to her, 'It is well for thee,' for I felt as though I held a prison from which the precious spirit had but just escaped.

"Although, I have, through Divine favour, been generally enabled from that time to hold fast my hope in God, which is as an anchor sustaining my soul in the midst of a 'sea of distress,' yet there have been hours of heavy gloom, in which it seemed as though something was at work to rob me, even of this my only source of consolation, and which I think ever since I have known it, I have always felt to be the dearest to my heart. Gross as the suggestions may appear, I have been tempted to doubt concerning the providence, and even the existence of the great First Cause; and at another season, when thinking on my child, to doubt concerning the existence of her spirit. But the Lord soon brought me through these dreadful mists; for, though at the moment the temptation felt piercing as a sword, yet He has in much goodness made even this salutary.

"I have often acknowledged that it is of Divine favour, and not through any merit of my own, that I have received any blessing; and the consciousness of this has, I believe, contributed to prevent me from complaining under this bereavement, although the trial to nature has been exceedingly

severe.

"4th mo. 29th. In feeling the separation from my beloved child, it seemed as though my earthly prosperity was blighted, and my spirit felt for a season weighed down with a heaviness of heart which, though I saw it desirable to pray, kept me

back from the power. Afterwards, this prayer was breathed in my heart: 'O, that whatever is of myself may be destroyed; and let my dispositions, my pursuits, and even my sorrows, be cast behind, and let God live in me!'

"5th mo. 18th. I shut out of my room 'the bright moon,' which my dear Mary would with pleasure call on her mother to come and see. Its calm and silent beams do now remind me of those melancholy nights when my dear child was beginning to suffer under her last illness.

"23rd. It appears as though it would have been a thing in which I should have delighted to have had my child still on earth with me, to have beheld her growing spirit; and, as she increased in days, to have beheld her heart expanding in affectionate disposition; but it was the will of the Father that it should not be so. Since our dearest comforts are so closely allied to the keenest sorrows, ought we not to enjoy the present life as passing through it, and not as dwelling in it? It may be needful for me to feel this more sensibly than I should have done had my precious child been still with me."

In the beginning of the year 1803 the subject of this Memoir was received into membership with the religious society of Friends; and about the year 1805, or 1806, began a day and boardingschool in Sheffield, in which she was occupied till the year 1821. Many engagements appear to have obstructed her diary, as we find a blank till 1809.

"Matlock, 7th mo. 6th, 1809. Oh, might I feel in every place that thy Spirit subdues and organizes my mind, that I am preferring Thee

before and above all things, and never, by my conduct, denying Thee: for if I can serve Thee but feebly, oh yet enable me to serve Thee truly! And, gracious Father, strengthen, enlighten, and lead me, that I may act in Thy will, and promote Thy precious cause on earth. Make me willing to endure any deprivation, or to make any sacrifice to Thy divine pleasure. Let me not seek myself, but Thee; and in the hour of conflict, O Thou source of all goodness, direct my soul to Thee, and nothing will be too hard for me. Teach me to feel Thy light and life, and to move in that alone, for I have cause to distrust myself!

"In the evening of 10th mo. 22nd, 1809, I had some relief and comfort in my own family, and believed that it was required of me rather to seek the happiness, and much more the improvement of others than my own present gratification.

"11th mo. 9th. Our monthly-meeting was held in this place. The meeting for worship was a solemn, precious season. Under a feeling of the prevalence of Divine power that language was opened on my mind, In the day of His power His people shall be willing;' surely that power which can subject even the strongest will can 'subdue all things unto itself.'

"12th mo. 10th. I have sought the pleasures of friendship too much, and in so doing have sometimes found disappointment, vacancy, and lassitude of mind. I want to acquire the habit of patient, persevering attention to business and duty.

"1st mo. 1st, 1810. I am happy. My hope is in Him from whom every good and perfect gift proceeds, and with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning.

"8th. I feel the supplication, which I once believed it right to express in public, that the Lord would maintain His own cause. And, oh, that it might be effectually, availingly pleaded in my too variable heart! The thoughts and desires of my heart are known unto Thee, O Thou 'preserver of men,' and only Thy own works can praise Thee!

"2nd mo. 1st. This morning, when I awoke, this language was brought to my mind, Come and let us walk in the light of the Lord.' And to be brought to obey this call, felt to me an object most desirable. But, oh! the anxiety of my nature, the proneness to excessive solicitude, and the impatience of suspense. Yet to thee, O Father of mercies, is my heart often powerfully attracted; and, oh, that the tremulous sacrifice, which at times seems ready to be fully resigned, might be bound, even as with cords, to the horns of the altar!

"9th mo. 5th. It has appeared to me a most desirable thing that there should be seasons appointed in our Society for the children to assemble in the meeting-house for the purpose of religious instruction; not to supersede family or parental instruction, but to second it. I fear, in many cases, instruction at home is greatly neglected. I think it would be profitable if children had certain portions, as selections from Scripture, or from Friends' Epistles, to commit to memory, and repeat in these meetings. Their having to do this at home, might even lead to a greater extension of care, and an increase of solicitude, in their parents, on these interesting subjects. I am quite persuaded and satisfied that it is the design of the , great Shepherd of Israel that these lambs of the flock should be tenderly watched over and in