ment of meetings, not wholly but in part; where we may have no desire, but to follow and I do not feel liberty to appoint them so Christ and be with him; that when he is unquickly one after another as I have heretofore. der suffering we may suffer with him; and The work of the ministry being a work of never desire to rise up in dominion, but as he Divine love, I feel that the openings thereof by the virtue of his own spirit may raise us. are to be waited for in all our appointments.

Oh how deep is Divine wisdom! Christ A few days after writing these consideraputs forth his ministers, and goeth before tions, our dear friend in the course of his rethem; and oh how great is the danger of de-ligious visit, came to the city of York, and parting from the pure feeling of that which leadeth safely!

Christ knoweth the state of the people, and in the pure feeling of the Gospel ministry, their states are opened to his servants.

Christ knoweth when the fruit-bearing branches themselves have need of purging.

Oh that these lessons may be remembered by me! and that all who appoint meetings, may proceed in the pure feeling of duty.

I have sometimes felt a necessity to stand up, but that spirit which is of the world hath so much prevailed in many, and the pure life of Truth has been so pressed down, that I have gone forward, not as one travelling in a road cast up and well prepared, but as a man walking through a miry place, in which are stones here and there, safe to step on; but so situated that one step being taken, time is necessary to see where to step next.

I find that in the pure obedience, the mind learns contentment in appearing weak and foolish to that wisdom which is of the world; and in these lowly labours, they who stand in a low place, rightly exercised under the cross, will find nourishment.

The gift is pure, and while the eye is single in attending thereto, the understanding is preserved clear; self is kept out; and we rejoice in filling up that which remains of the afflictions of Christ, for his body's sake, which is the church.

attended most of the sittings of the Quarterly Meeting there; but before it was over, was taken ill of the small-pox. Our friend Thomas Priestman and others who attended him, preserved the following minutes of his expressions in the time of his sickness, and of his decease.

First-day, the 27th of the ninth month, 1772. His disorder appeared to be the smallpox: being asked to have a doctor's advice, he signified he had not freedom or liberty in his mind so to do, standing wholly resigned to his will who gave him life, and whose power he had witnessed to raise and heal him in sickness before, when he seemed nigh unto death; and if he was to wind up now, he was perfectly resigned, having no will either to live or die, and did not choose any should be sent for to him. But a young man an apothecary coming of his own accord the next day, and desiring to do something for him, he said he found a freedom to confer with him and the other Friends about him, and if any thing should be proposed, as to medicine, that did not come through defiled channels or oppres sive hands, he should be willing to consider and take it, so far as he found freedom.

Second-day. He said he felt the disorder to affect his head, so that he could think little, and but as a child; and desired if his understanding should be more affected, to have nothing given him that those about him knew he had a testimony against.

The natural man loveth eloquence, and many love to hear eloquent orations; and if Third-day he uttered the following prayer. there is not a careful attention to the gift, "O Lord my God, the amazing horrors of men who have once laboured in the pure Gos- darkness were gathered around me and copel ministry, growing weary of suffering, and vered me all over, and I saw no way to go ashamed of appearing weak, may kindle a forth. I felt the depth and extent of the misefire, compass themselves about with sparks ry of my fellow creatures separated from the and walk in the light, not of Christ who is Divine harmony, and it was heavier than I under suffering, but of that fire, which they could bear, and I was crushed down under it. going from the gift have kindled. And that I lifted up my hand, I stretched out my arm, in hearers which is gone from the meek suf- but there was none to help me. I looked fering state into the worldly wisdom, may be round about and was amazed. In the depths warmed with this fire, and speak highly of of misery, O Lord! I remembered that thou these labours. That which is of God ga-art omnipotent, that I had called thee Father, thers to God; and that which is of the world is owned by the world.

In this journey a labour hath attended my mind, that the ministers amongst us may be preserved in the meek, feeling life of Truth, VOL. IV.-No. 10.

and I felt that I loved thee, and I was made quiet in thy will, and I waited for deliverance from thee. Thou hadst pity upon me when no man could help me. I saw that meekness under suffering was showed to us in the most

50

affecting example of thy Son, and thou taught me to follow him, and I said, thy will O Father be done."

the people, as clearly as he had ever seen flowers in a garden; but in his going along he was suddenly stopped, though he could not see for what end; but looking towards home, fell into a flood of tears which wakened him. At another time he said, "my draught seem

ed in my own Monthly Meeting, that attending the Quarterly Meeting at York, and being there looked like home to me."

Fourth-day morning, being asked how he felt himself, he meekly answered, I don't know that I have slept this night. I feel the disorder making its progress, but my mind is mer-ed strongest towards the North, and I mentioncifully preserved in stillness and peace. Sometime after he said he was sensible the pains of death must be hard to bear, but if he escaped them now, he must sometime pass through them, and he did not know that he could be better prepared, but had no will in it. He said he had settled his outward affairs to his mind, and had taken leave of his wife and family as never to return, leaving them to the Divine protection; adding, "and though I feel them near to me at this time, yet I freely give them up, having a hope that they will be provided for." A little after he said, "This trial is made easier than I could have thought, my will being wholly taken away; for if I was anxious for the event it would have been harder, but I am not, and my mind enjoys a perfect calm."

Fifth-day night, having repeatedly consented to take medicine with a view to settle his stomach, but without effect; the Friend then waiting on him, said through distress, What shall I do now? He answered with great composure, "Rejoice ever more, and in every thing give thanks; but added a little after, this is sometimes hard to come at."

Sixth-day morning early, he broke forth in supplication on this wise, "O Lord, it was thy power that enabled me to forsake sin in my youth, and I have felt thy bruises for disobedience, but as I bowed under them thou healed me, continuing a father and a friend. I feel thy power now, and I beg that in the approaching trying moment thou wilt keep my heart steadfast unto thee." Upon his giving directions to a friend concerning some little things, she said I will take care, but hope

plied, "my hope is in Christ, and though I may seem a little better, a change in the disorder may soon happen, and my little strength be dissolved, and if it so happens, I shall be

ga.

she did not doubt that, but could not help mourning to see so many faithful servants removed at so low a time; he said, "all good cometh from the Lord, whose power is the same, and can work as he sees best." The same day he had given directions about wrap. ping his corpse; and perceiving a Friend to weep, he said "I would rather thou wouldst guard against weeping for me, my sister; I sorrow not, though I have had some painful conflicts, but now they seem over and matters well settled, and I look at the face of my dear Redeemer, for sweet is his voice and his countenance is comely."

In the night a young woman having given him something to drink, he said, "My child thou seems very kind to me a poor creature, the Lord will reward thee for it." Awhile after he cried out with great earnestness of spi-thou wilt live to order them thyself; he rerit, "Oh my Father! my Father!" and soon after he said, "Oh my Father! my Father! how comfortable art thou to my soul in this trying season." Being asked if he could take a little nourishment, after some pause he re-thered to my everlasting rest." On her saying plied, "My child I cannot tell what to say to it; I seem nearly arrived where my soul shall have rest from all its troubles." After giving in something to be inserted in his Journal, he said, "I believe the Lord will now excuse me from exercises of this kind. I see no work but one, which is to be the last wrought by me in this world; the messenger will come that will release me from all these troubles; but it must be in the Lord's time, which I am waiting for." He said he had laboured to do whatever was required, according to the ability received, in the remembrance of which he had peace; and though the disorder was strong at times, and would like a whirlwind First-day, 4th of the tenth month, being come over his mind, yet it had hitherto been very weak and in general difficult to be unkept steady and centred in everlasting love; derstood, he uttered a few words in commemadding, "and if that be mercifully continued, I oration of the Lord's goodness; and added, ask or desire no more." Another time he said, "how tenderly have I been waited on in this he had long had a view of visiting this nation, time of affliction, in which I may say in Job's and sometime before he came had a dream, words, 'Tedious days and wearisome nights in which he saw himself in the northern parts are appointed unto me;' and how many are of it, and that the spring of the Gospel was spending their time and money in vanity and opened in him much as in the beginning of superfluities, while thousands and tens of Friends, such as George Fox and William thousands want the necessaries of life, who Dewsbury; and he saw the different states of might be relieved by them, and their dis

tresses at such a time as this, in some degree his throat was so much affected, that it was softened by the administering suitable things." very difficult for him to speak so as to be unSecond-day morning, the apothecary who derstood, and he frequently wrote when he appeared very anxious to assist him, being wanted any thing. About the second hour present, he queried about the probability of on fourth-day morning he asked for pen and such a load of matter being thrown off his ink, and at several times with much difficulty weak body, and the apothecary making some wrote thus, "I believe my being here is in the remarks implying that he thought it might; wisdom of Christ, I know not as to life or he spoke with an audible voice on this wise, death." "My dependence is on the Lord Jesus, who I trust will forgive my sins, which is all I hope for, and if it be his will to raise up this body again, I am content; and if to die, I am resigned; and if thou canst not be easy without trying to assist nature, I submit:" after which

About a quarter before six o'clock the same morning he seemed to fall into an easy sleep, which continued about half an hour, when seeming to awake, he breathed a few times with more difficulty, and expired without sigh, groan, or struggle.

END OF THE JOURNAL.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE KEEPING OF NEGROES;

RECOMMENDED TO THE PROFESSORS OF CHRISTIANITY OF EVERY DENOMINATION.

FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1754.

INTRODUCTION.

CUSTOMS generally approved, and opinions received by youth from their superiors, become like the natural produce of a soil, especially when they are suited to favourite inclinations: but as the judgments of God are without partiality, by which the state of the soul must be tried, it would be the highest wisdom to forego customs and popular opinions, and try the treasures of the soul by the infallible standard, Truth.

same time, a precedent for us: "Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?" thereby intimating that the earthly ties of relationship are comparatively inconsiderable to such, who through a steady course of obedience, have come to the happy experience of the spirit of God bearing witness with their spirits that they are his children :-"And he stretched forth his hands towards his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren: For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, (arrives at the more noble part of true relationship) the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Natural affection needs a careful examination operating upon us in a soft manner, it kindles desires of love and tenderness, and This doctrine agrees well with a state truly there is danger of taking it for something complete, where love necessarily operates achigher. To me it appears an instinct like cording to the agreeableness of things, on that which inferior creatures have; each of principles unalterable and in themselves perthem, we see, by the ties of nature, love self, fect.

best; that which is a part of self, they love If endeavouring to have my children emiby the same tie or instinct. In them it in nent amongst men after my death, be that some measure does the offices of reason, by which no reasons grounded on those princiwhich, among other things, they watchfully ples can be brought to support; then to be keep and regularly feed their helpless off- temperate in my pursuit after gain, and to spring. Thus natural affection appears to be keep always within the bounds of those prina branch of self-love, good in the animal race, ciples, is an indispensable duty, and to depart and in us likewise, with proper limitations; from it, a dark unfruitful toil. but otherwise it is productive of evil, by ex- In our present condition, to love our chilciting desires to promote some by means pre-dren is needful; but except this love proceeds judicial to others. from the true heavenly principle which sees

Our blessed Saviour seems to give a check beyond earthly treasures, it will rather be into this irregular fondness in nature, and at the jurious than of any real advantage to them:

where the fountain is corrupt, the streams ance, and the hints given are in as general must necessarily be impure.

That important injunction of our Saviour, Matt. vi. 33, with the promise annexed, contains a short but comprehensive view of our duty and happiness :-If then the business of mankind in this life, is first to seek another; if this cannot be done but by attending to the means; if a summary of the means is, not to do that to another which, in like circumstances, we would not have done unto us, then these are points of moment, and worthy of our most serious consideration.

What I write on this subject is with reluct

terms as my concern would allow. I know it is a point about which, in all its branches, men that appear to aim well are not generally agreed; and for that reason I chose to avoid being very particular. If I may happily let drop any thing that may excite such as are concerned in the practice to a close thinking on the subject treated of, the candid amongst them may easily do the subject such further justice, as on an impartial inquiry it may ap pear to deserve; and such an inquiry I would earnestly recommend.

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

"Forasmuch as ye did it to the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me." Matt. xxv. 40.

As many times there are different motives to the same action; and one does that from a generous heart, which another does for selfish ends; the like may be said in this case.

There are various circumstances among those that keep negroes, and different ways by which they fall under their care; and I doubt not, there are many well disposed persons amongst them who desire rather to manage wisely and justly in this difficult matter, than to make gain of it.

But the general disadvantage which these poor Africans lie under in an enlightened Christian country, having often filled me with real sadness, and been like undigested matter on my mind, I now think it my duty, through Divine aid, to offer some thoughts thereon to the consideration of others.

with fond notions of superiority, there is danger of erring in our conduct toward them.

We allow them to be of the same species with ourselves; the odds is, we are in a higher station, and enjoy greater favours than they. And when it is thus that our heavenly Father endoweth some of his children with distinguished gifts, they are intended for good ends; but if those thus gifted are thereby lifted up above their brethren, not considering themselves as debtors to the weak, nor behaving themselves as faithful stewards, none who judge impartially can suppose them free from ingratitude.

When a people dwell under the liberal distribution of favours from heaven, it behoves them carefully to inspect their ways, and consider the purposes for which those favours are bestowed, lest, through forgetfulness of God and misusing his gifts, they incur his heavy displeasure, whose judgments are just and equal, who exalteth and humbleth to the dust, as he seeth meet.

When we remember that all nations are of one blood, Gen. iii. 20, that in this world we are but sojourners, that we are subject to the like afflictions and infirmities of body, the like disorders and frailties in mind, the like temptations, the same death, and the same It appears, by Holy Record, that men under judgment, and that the all-wise Being is Judge high favours have been apt to err in their opinand Lord over us all, it seems to raise an idea ions concerning others. Thus Israel, accordof general brotherhood, and a disposition easying to the description of the prophet, Isa. Ixv. to be touched with a feeling of each other's afflictions: but when we forget those things, and look chiefly at our outward circumstances, in this and some ages past, constantly retain ing in our minds the distinction between us and them, with respect to our knowledge and improvement in things Divine, natural and artificial, our breasts being apt to be filled

5., when exceedingly corrupted and degene rated, yet remembered they were the chosen people of God; and could say, "Stand by thyself, come not near me, for I am holier than thou." That this was no chance language, but their common opinion of other people, more fully appears, by considering the circumstances which attended when God

was beginning to fulfil his precious promises ture; and being wholly at the command of concerning the gathering of the Gentiles.

To apply humbly to God for wisdom, that we may thereby be enabled to see things as they are, and as they ought to be, is very needful. Hereby the hidden things of darkness may be brought to light, and the judg To prevent such an error, let us calmly con- ment made clear: we shall then consider sider their circumstance: and the better to do mankind as brethren. Though different deit, make their case ours. Suppose then that grees and a variety of qualifications and abiliour ancestors and we had been exposed to ties, one dependent on another, be admitted, constant servitude, in the more servile and in- yet high thoughts will be laid aside, and all ferior employments of life; that we had been men treated as becometh the sons of one fadestitute of the help of reading and good com-ther, agreeably to the doctrine of Christ Jesus. pany; that amongst ourselves we had had but "He hath laid down the best criterion, by few wise and pious instructers; that the reli- which mankind ought to judge of their own gious amongst our superiors seldom took no-conduct, and others judge for them of theirs, tice of us; that while others in ease have plentifully heaped up the fruit of our labour, we had received barely enough to relieve na