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EXTRACTS 
 
 FROM tHE 
 
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 OF THE LATE 
 
 JOSEPH GURNEY SEVAN; 
 
 PRECEDED 
 
 ^Soct laemofc nfW 3life« 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY WILLIAM PHILLIPS, 
 
 George fard, Lombard Strut. 
 
 1821. 
 
The E XT n acts contalnedin this little volume 
 hare been principally selected from the papers of 
 Joseph Gurney Bevan^ or from his letters to 
 his friends, which they have Mndly furnished for 
 the purpose. They are published under a belief 
 that the writer himself would not have objected 
 to their being printed, if, in the judgment of his 
 surviving friends, (and to the inspection of some of 
 these they have been subynitted,) they were calcu- 
 lated to promote the religious welfare of a Society 
 which he loved, and whose prosperity was an object 
 of his earnest solicitude. 
 
 J.F. 
 
 South gate, 
 
 5 mo. 1821. 
 
 16424 4 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Page 
 Notice of the early Life of J. G. Bevan ; and of 
 
 some circumstances in his private and public 
 
 character * 1 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 Letters on various subjects, written between the 
 years 1783 and 1800 34 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Letters from the year 1800 to 1805 58 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Letters written in the years 1805, 1806, 1807 . . 84 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Letters written in the years 1808 and 1809 125 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Letters written in the years 1810 and 1811 150 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Page 
 Letters written from 1812 to 1814; with some 
 
 account of the last illness and death of 
 
 J. G. Bevan , 185 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 A short account of Mary Bevan 206 
 
 Detached Pieces, selected from some Manuscripts 
 which J. G. Bevan left at the time of his 
 decease, or extracted from some of his printed 
 works ...213 
 
 Poetical Essays by J. G. Bevan 253 
 
 A List of the principal Publications of J. G, Bevan . 269 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 Notice of the early Life of J, G, Bevan; and 
 of some circumstances in his private and 
 public character. 
 
 Joseph gurney bevan was the son 
 
 of Timothy and Hannah Bevan of London, 
 members of the religious Society of Friends ; 
 and was born in that City, the 18th of the 
 2d month, 1753. 
 
 In his youth he discovered a lively, affec- 
 tionate disposition, and by his kind and 
 sprightly behaviour, gained the love of those 
 under whose care he was placed to receive a 
 part of his education ; and being possessed of 
 
a quick, intelligent mind, he readily acquired 
 a knowledge of the different branches of useful 
 learning. He derived much information from 
 the society of an uncle, who was both a na- 
 turalist and an artist. His literary studies 
 were for some years pursued under a physician, 
 a classical scholar, who had a taste for poetry, 
 and under whose tuition he became familiarly 
 acquainted w ith some of the Latin poets. 
 
 A love of poetry contributed to impress on 
 the retentive memory of the subject of these 
 remarks, expressions and sentiments learned 
 from these writers : some of which, being of a 
 licentious kind, he would in his maturer years 
 gladly have forgotten. Nevertheless, he recom- 
 mended a knowledge of the Grreek and Roman 
 languages, under due restriction ; and from a 
 desire to read the New Testament in the 
 original, he applied diligently, when fifty years 
 of age, to the study of Greek, and was amply 
 rewarded by the pleasure which the success of 
 his application afforded him, 
 
 From his own account, and that of an inti- 
 mate friend in early life, it appears that as he 
 advanced towards manhood, his lively spirits, 
 
his cultivated mind, and delight in wit and 
 mirth, caused his company to be much sought 
 by many of his cotemporaries, and exposed 
 him to great temptation. He has acknow- 
 ledged that, on recurring to this period, he 
 believed that the kind and affectionate care of 
 his parents to render his home agreeable to 
 him, and by thus studying his comfort there 
 with a view to shield him from the snares of 
 vice, had, in no small degree, been a means of 
 his preservation. 
 
 Even then, however, though he at times 
 indulged in an undue levity of conduct, he was 
 a lover of good men ; and would extend a 
 friendly care over some of his companions with 
 whom he had influence, to guard them from 
 the extremes of levity and dissipation. His 
 desire at that time to put on gay apparel, or 
 rather to have his apparel made in conformity 
 to the fashion of the day, was so strong, that 
 he twice made an alteration in his dress; which, 
 however, he immediately laid aside, on per- 
 ceiving that it was an occasion of grief to his 
 mother. For her he had a truly filial regard, 
 founded on a sense of her tender, parental, 
 watchful care : this affection is expressively 
 b2 
 
conveyed by him in the following short memo- 
 randum : — *' 1784. 3 mo : 28. Hodie mater 
 mea optima^ Jlentem marilum^ Jlentem Jilium 
 reliquitJ''' — This day my excellent mother left 
 a weeping husband, and a weeping son. 
 
 In a book which belonged to him when a 
 boy, and in which he had written " J. G. B. 
 May 3, 1765/' the following memorandum, 
 immediately succeeding the above name and 
 date, has been discovered since his decease : — 
 
 " Then about twelve years old. About five 
 years afterwards, namely in 1770, having been 
 under serious impressions of mind, one of the 
 first things I thought it my duty to make a 
 change in, was the heathen names of months." 
 
 He was favoured with " the serious impres- 
 sions of mind" to which he alludes, during his 
 confinement to the house, in consequence of an 
 illness. It appears to have been a powerful 
 visitation of divine love, which produced a 
 gradual change of character, and probably laid 
 the foundation of that decided attachment to 
 religion and virtue, for which he was after- 
 wards so conspicuous. 
 
The resources, from which information can 
 be drawn respecting this interesting period of 
 liis life, are few. The intimate friend, to whom 
 allusion has already been made, remarks that 
 " many a low and solitary hour ev inced in him 
 a consciousness of the slippery path in which 
 he trod;" and there is ample reason to be- 
 lieve, that he was enabled so to walk in the 
 path of self-denial, as to shew that his love 
 and fidelity to Him who had mercifully called 
 liim into that path, were both stedfast and 
 sincere. 
 
 The following extracts from two of his 
 letters, afford specimens of his turn of thought 
 about that time : — 
 
 " 1774, 5 mo. 10. — I was pleased at receiv- 
 ing thy letter yesterday, and soon set about 
 answering it, which I readily did in one that co- 
 vered the whole sheet, and one page of another. 
 I folded it up and sealed it, but considering 
 further about it, I thought some parts of it 
 had the appearance of blameable levity, and 
 all that I could plead in the court of con- 
 science in its favour, was not sufficient to 
 save it. 
 
^' I find sometimes a mighty desire to be 
 witty; and when a thought strikes me that 
 I conceive to be so, I am too apt to utter it, 
 without considering whether it has any other 
 good quality, or whether it has not bad ones to 
 eclipse its brilliancy to a discerning eye. This 
 desire, if encouraged, often leads us into folly, 
 and sometimes what deserves a harsher name. 
 An intention to make thee laugh, brought my 
 poor letter of yesterday to an untimely end. 
 I was not however much disappointed at de- 
 stroying it, for while I was writing, I had the 
 pleasure of conversation with one I had a 
 regard foP; and I have the satisfaction of 
 thinking I did right to burn it. 
 
 " I thank thee for thy invitation. It seems 
 to come from thy heart; and if I could con- 
 veniently accept it, I would endeavour to con- 
 vince you, that the pleasure I should have at 
 being amongst you, came from mine. It is 
 certainly now a titne when the country has a 
 thousand charms. I enjoyed them ten days 
 ago in Hertfordshire. Indeed, I believe that 
 I, who in this city am immersed to the ears in 
 the works of art, enjoy rural scenes more than 
 those who are every day conversant with them. 
 
When I am in the country, when ' all things 
 smile/ when ^ with fragrance and with joy my 
 heart o'erflows,' I am ready to wish I might 
 always abide amid so much delight. But I 
 correct the wish ; it would soon grow familiar; 
 and when the novelty was no more, the cares 
 which the novelty had veiled, would appear 
 again, and tell me, what verbal and written 
 instruction has lold me twenty times before, 
 that happiness is not local." 
 
 ^' 1775y 2 mo. 23.— To begin with thy letter 
 at the end, I must take notice of thy compari- 
 son between a mind highly susceptible of 
 pleasure and of pain, and one almost callous to 
 either. Melancholy men, who love to suppose 
 that this life produces more evil than good, will 
 say that the man of sensibility will be the least 
 happy, because there is more distress than joy 
 for him to feel. I cannot quite be of this 
 opinion. The sensible soul, among all its 
 affliction, finds a kind of superiority and eleva- 
 tion of nature, that gratifies it. Perhaps pride 
 may be in part the cause, but the effect is 
 certain. 
 
 " It may also be questioned, if all the evils 
 
s 
 
 with which this vale of tears abounds, are the 
 natural and necessary productions of it. Are 
 not many of our bringing on, and conse- 
 quently in our own power to avoid ? And, as 
 good understanding and sensibility generally 
 go together, is not the man of feeling best 
 qualified to avert those ills that, not inter- 
 woven with human nature, are introduced by 
 human folly ? In short, the same argument 
 that prefers the unfeeling man to him who 
 feels every thing, would prefer a stone to both : 
 a notion most highly absurd, if not impious, 
 as it tends to degrade the highest work of the 
 creation beneath the lowest ; and thereby 
 change that subordination of creatures (by 
 which I mean any thing created), which Wis- 
 dom's self has appointed. 
 
 " As to feeling the prosperity of other?, 
 any joy is acceptable to the mind; and those 
 who have felt the misery of others, know that 
 in this there is a gratification not to be parted 
 with. If any earthly passion can bear a faint 
 resemblance to that superior nature, which we 
 ought to think of with reverence, and speak of 
 with trembling, surely it is Compassion. Of 
 this the insensible man knows nothino- ; and to 
 
feel it, is a joy worth purchasing, even at the 
 expense of our quiet. Insensibility, therefore, 
 must forego its claim to happiness. It is an 
 eloquent wish in the first transports of afflic- 
 tion ; but does not at all become the mouth of 
 reason." 
 
 In the year 177G, J. G. Bevan married 
 Mary Plumstead, a young woman of genuine 
 piety and circumspect conduct. About this 
 time, his Father gave him a share in his own 
 business, that of a Chemist and Druggist, in 
 Plough Court, Lombard Street. 
 
 In his dealings in trade, he endeavoured to 
 maintain an unblemished character for inte- 
 grity of conduct. He had an undeviating 
 regard for Truth, and an utter abhorrence of 
 deceit under any shape. The fear of violating, 
 in his intercourse with the world, any of the 
 precepts of the Gospel, or of acting contrary to 
 its spirit, either for the sake of gain, or to 
 procure outward enjoyment, early subjected 
 him to much thoughtfulness, and led him into 
 some practices which others, of uprightness ot 
 heart, did not see it necessary for them to 
 adopt. Tie exceeded most men in carrying 
 
10 
 
 into the daily habits of life, the sentiment 
 that he ought to avoid being in any way ac- 
 cessary to that in another, which he was not 
 satisfied to perform himself. These sentiments 
 did not, however, arise from ostentation : he 
 neither courted nor shunned the character of 
 singularity. He steadily kept in view, and 
 faithfully endeavoured to walk by the rule, 
 that a Christian ought to act upon principle, 
 and not to be deterred from doing right by any 
 apprehension of consequences. 
 
 The following memorandum was probably 
 occasioned by the conviction that, in his own 
 character, there were singularities which, to a 
 superficial observer, might appear objection- 
 able :-^ 
 
 •I 
 
 " If rightly to know one's self is so great 
 
 an acquisition, how difficult must it be truly to 
 know others ! How necessary, then, not rashly 
 to censure them ; or to reject a man for diffi- 
 culties in his character, which we, who yet, 
 perhaps, know not ourselves, are unable to 
 explain." 
 
 During his residence in London, he was 
 
11 
 
 chosen to act as Constable in the ward in which 
 he lived. As he felt restrained from hiring a 
 substitute, because, by so doing;, he would be 
 the means of another person's taking an oath, 
 he served the office himself; and, so far as his 
 religious principles would admit, fulfilled the 
 duties of it with scrupulous attention. During 
 the year of its continuance, he was in the 
 practice of attending every fifth night to take 
 his rounds, and see that order was preserved 
 in the streets ; and to preside in the watch- 
 house, as he was required to do, until four or 
 five o'clock in the morning. And he did not 
 flinch from the performance of other painful 
 and humiliating duties. 
 
 In the year 17M he retired from business, 
 Hot, as is often the case, with an increase of 
 property, but with some considerable diminu- 
 tion of it. This, in part, arose from his con- 
 scientious scruples, which operated in a variety 
 of ways against the acquisition of wealth : they 
 prevented him from supplying armed vessels 
 with drugs, and from employing any one to 
 take an oath for him, in order to the obtaining 
 of drawbacks : and when persons abroad be- 
 came considerably indebted to him, he scrupled 
 
12 
 
 to employ the usual means for doing himself 
 justice. His mind was fixed upon hig^her 
 objects ti an the things of time and sense, 
 even upon durable riches and righteousness. 
 When the circumstances just alluded to, the 
 habits of his early life, and the circle of friends 
 amongst whom he moved, are fully taken into 
 consideration, it may be said that his income 
 was not at that time, nor for many years after- 
 wards, an ample one. He was liberal to the 
 poor, and to those of limited pecuniar}' means ; 
 but he carefully avoided making any display of 
 benevolence. Although his associates in early 
 life had been amongst those who might be con- 
 sidered as above mediocrity in worldly posses- 
 sions, he was ready, perhaps it may be said that 
 he was peculiarly prompt, to acknowledge and 
 to encourage piety and virtue in persons in ob- 
 scure stations, or low circumstances in life. 
 
 In thus adverting to some parts of his pri- 
 vate conduct, the attempt has been rather to 
 delineate the character, than to hold them ail 
 up for imitation. Peculiar religious scruples 
 may sometimes be intended for individual 
 benefit, to promote the subjection of the will, 
 and the resignation of the heart. Here, how- 
 
13 
 
 ever, great care is necessary (and such care 
 often possessed the mind of our deceased 
 friend) to be well satisfied of the purity of 
 our motives, and in fear and diffidence to 
 examine whether the adoption of such scruples 
 is really a divine requiring. Where this cau- 
 tion prevails, we shall be careful not to 
 obtrude our views upon others, not to judge 
 them if they do not see it to be their place to 
 walk in the same path ; but by modesty and 
 humility to prove the uprightness of our own 
 conduct. 
 
 His outward demeanour was at times re- 
 served; nevertheless it may be said, that those 
 who knew him best, loved him most : to these 
 he was endeared, not only by the high sense 
 thej entertained of his uprightness and worth, 
 but by his kind and affectionate exercise of a 
 genuine Christian friendship. This reserve 
 may, in part, be attributed to that inward 
 conflict of mind, to which, from early life, he 
 was no stranger; in part, to a principle of 
 integrity, which led him to fear that he might 
 be improperly gratified by the approbation of 
 others; and, in part, to something of natural 
 hauteur : but if, in the occasional prevalence of 
 
u 
 
 this weakness, he apprehended that his conduct 
 towards others had not accorded with true 
 humility, he was ready, and even anxious, to 
 confess the error. 
 
 It is no disparagement to the worth of 
 great and good men, to acknowledge that they 
 have had their failings. Indeed, when it ap- 
 pears that they have themselves been sensible 
 of their existence, and have diligently sought 
 for strength from the Almighty to overcome 
 them, this becomes a fresh motive for our 
 esteem and love; and when, in addition to 
 this, we see that these efforts are attended 
 with the divine blessing, we may be instructed 
 and animated to pursue the same course, in 
 the hope that we also may be strengthened to 
 overcome that which most easily besets us. 
 
 He possessed a strong mind, and was a man 
 of quick perceptions ; his thoughts were rapid, 
 and the connexion and succession of ideas 
 unusually quick, so that his conclusions on 
 subjects that came before him sometimes ap- 
 peared to be almost intuitive. His time and 
 talents were for many years so devoted to the 
 service of the Society of which he was a mem- 
 
15 
 
 her, that he allowed hiraself but little relax- 
 ation in the literary pursuits of his early life. 
 It is, however, obvious, tliat his style in 
 writing was correct, concise, and energetic ; 
 qualities which, no doubt, were much improved 
 by an early acquaintance with good writers, 
 and by a natural relish for the beauties of 
 composition. 
 
 He kept a Journal for a short period, from 
 which the following extracts are made. They 
 are introduced as exhibiting a specimen of that 
 self-examination, so conducive to the advance- 
 ment of the Christian traveller. 
 
 " 1791. — 9 mo. 14. Disturbed bj hearing 
 of the death of a man by boxing, on account of 
 a fear that I saw the tumult in the morning, 
 and was unwilling to interfere. 
 
 13. Learned the man was not killed ; saw 
 him, to my great relief. 
 
 18. Morning meeting, roving thought: 
 afternoon, some of it appeared like rest to the 
 mind. 
 
 19. Much care in the mornings rather 
 abated at meeting. 
 
16 
 
 20. But a poor day : encumbered and 
 unresigned. 
 
 26. Awoke in a calmer frame of mind 
 than sometimes, and got through the day with 
 more satisfaction than some others. 
 
 28. Hoped the meeting was beginning to 
 grow better, when it was broken up. Con- 
 demned myself in the evening, for recurring to 
 a loose passage, for proof of the Latinity of 
 what I had w ritten on a sacred subject. 
 
 10 mo. 5. At the monthly meeting; pretty 
 calm, and mind close to the concerns of it. 
 Felt spiritual pride : still the first sitting 
 ended w ith tenderness of spirit, and the latter 
 with calmness. Went out, after I had gone up 
 for bed, to speak to a person about lying. 
 
 6. Let temper rise in the morning, which 
 occasioned repentance. 
 
 8. Nothing remarkable till evening, when 
 made work for repentance by speaking hastily 
 to a poor person. 
 
 9. Two very poor meetings : the circum- 
 stance above-mentioned seemed to becloud. 
 Acknowledged the matter to the said poor 
 person. 
 
10. The quarterly meeting". Felt uneasy 
 at refusing an appointment, for sinister reasons, 
 the business of which, the committee being 
 open, I may probably attend. 
 
 18. Something of the love towards our 
 neighbour seemed to operate this day. 
 
 14. A gleam of tenderness in the evening, 
 on considering the situation of a poor family. 
 
 16. Quickened in the street, at a consta- 
 ble's having overturned a poor woman's basket 
 of fruit, which occasioned in my mind some- 
 thing like an intercession for her; not only 
 that she might be cared for as poor, but brought 
 to saving knowledge. 
 
 19. From a gentle intimation, went rather 
 late to the Peel monthly meeting, yet could 
 scarcely be said to be gathered in the previous 
 sitting [or meeting for worship] . In the other, 
 the mind seemed attentive to its concerns, and 
 pretty quiet, 
 
 1791. 10 mo. 21. A day far from perfect 
 resignation, yet I hope not Christless. 
 
 22. Hurried in the morning with what 
 looked like Charity. 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 23. Meeting not very lively, yet thought 
 it right at the breaking up, to recommend 
 publicly a care against entering into unneces- 
 sary talk. 
 
 24. Kept up some watch against impa- 
 tience and anger. 
 
 f8. Some exercise, and some resignation. 
 
 11 mo. 1. Much troubled and cast down, 
 for fear of a difficult service, and want of 
 resignation. 
 
 2. The same in degree, attended with a 
 wish for an opportunity of discharging what 
 was duty. 
 
 3. More trouble on a different account, 
 which pushed aside the former. 
 
 4. A pretty even day; a slight degree of 
 unity with the spirit of Thomas EUwood, who 
 says, " I found no centre but the Lord," or 
 something like it, 
 
 5. Much occupied in the morning with 
 talking to a child about obedience ; previous 
 to which had been thinking about my own. 
 
 13, A favoured day. Relief at meeting, 
 and felt thankful for my youthful visitation. 
 
17. Much exercised, with some remission. 
 
 18. Exercise continued : relief towards 
 ning*. 
 
 20. A dull day, and some concern for it. 
 
 22. Exceeding* great exercise, with some 
 desire after resignation, producing even a 
 vocal cry for being kept from erring; after 
 which, an abatement of trouble. 
 
 12 mo. 1. A calm in the evening, under 
 this consideration, '^ And as ye stand, praying, 
 forgive, if ye have ought against any." On 
 which, examined; but found no hardness to 
 prevail against any : may I say, " The Lord be 
 thanked." 
 
 4. Tlie forenoon meeting to me low ; the 
 afternoon, better. 
 
 7. In the afternoon attended the close of 
 poor Hannah Birkbeck,* whereat, I apprehend 
 my nature bent more to affection than to 
 Grace. 
 
 8. In talking about Hannah's death, 
 this comfortably occurred, though not then 
 
 ♦ His wife's sister, who had been long in a very infirm 
 state of health. 
 
 e 2 
 
20 
 
 expressed — " Gathered to the just of all g^e- 
 nerations." 
 
 9. Impatient on provocation. 
 
 11. Particularly low at the afternoon 
 meeting ; but towards the close rather cleared 
 up. 
 
 14. Very low part of the meeting ; better 
 towards the close. ^ 
 
 16. To me, a comfortable meeting at the 
 burial, from reljpf through exercise in silence. 
 
 19. Increased needless trouble in the 
 eyening, by unwatchfulness. 
 
 24. Refreshed in mind, in the evening, in 
 consequence of attending to a poor person. 
 
 25. Wandering at meeting ; and troubled 
 in the evening, for having spoken w^ith too 
 little caution. 
 
 28. Better off than sometimes at meeting, 
 in which there appeared some united exercise. 
 The rest of the day very much tried and cast 
 down, with some cries in secret for help, and 
 some interval of hope. 
 
 1792.— 1 mo. 13. Went to Meeting for 
 
«1 
 
 Sufferings, and Committee on the Slave-trade : 
 felt unfit to say much, and, in degree, sub- 
 mitted to it. 
 
 15. Driven by mental trouble to look to 
 the Great Helper. A various day, with some 
 calm, but not much comfort. 
 
 17. More resignation, and more calm than 
 sometimes. 
 
 2 mo. 14, A day of fatigue, and some 
 hurry, body and mind : eagerness fof spirit to 
 be avoided more. Thomas Cash drank tea 
 here ; apparently a calm, sweet-spirited man, 
 shewing me some of what I want, 
 
 15. An exercised day in mind, on my own 
 account. 
 
 S mo. 12. Let warmth arise in conversa- 
 tion, apparently on the side of right ; which 
 gave occasion to repentance, 
 
 4 mo. 3. Affected on various accounts. 
 Prospect of, at least, a temporary continu- 
 ance of the ravages of the Slave-trade. 
 
 6. Uncomfortable for want of patience : 
 an expected storm averted hy condescension. 
 
J7. A day of some dejection, through 
 unwatchfulness and unworthiness. 
 
 27. At School-meeting, Meeting for Suf- 
 ferings, and a Committee. Deeply exercised, 
 with some submission ; which, though small, 
 was, I hope, not unacceptable. 
 
 5 mo. 26. The joint meeting of the Yearly 
 Meeting's Committee, and Meeting for Suffer- 
 ings, closed with sweetness.* 
 
 SO. An exercised mind at meeting ; but 
 comforted through some lively communica- 
 tions. 
 
 6 mo. 20. Suifered much, and did wrong, 
 through impatience. 
 
 7 mo. 11. Comforted in the morning, on 
 reading " None shall be able to pluck them 
 out of my hand." 
 
 17. Not apparently a very useful day. 
 
 8 mo. 8. At meeting, and Monthly Meet- 
 ing, with some calm impression of the saying — 
 
 * This Meeting had been for some days employed in 
 preparing an Appendix to the Book of Extracts ; or " Extracts 
 from the Minutes and Advices of the Yearly Meeting." 
 
23 
 
 '*' We are unprofitable servants ;'* yet, after- 
 wards, overshot my mark by saying too much 
 at a time. 
 
 24. Went to 's, shoemaker, who 
 
 reminded me of having reproved and reasoned 
 with him, when a boy, for swearing. Sent 
 him ^ Turford's Grounds.' 
 
 9 mo. 7. I heard very unexpectedly of the 
 death of Richard Shackleton, of Ballitore, 
 Ireland, who died at Mountmelick, the 27th 
 of 8th month, after five days illness of a fever. 
 He was, I believe, a man devoted to the cause 
 of Truth ; often, apparently, much exercised in 
 meetings for worship, and tendered into many- 
 tears ; and in meetings for discipline, an ex- 
 ample of few words, though well qualified for 
 judgment. He seemed remarkably qualified 
 for a share in the epistolary correspondence 
 which the Yearly Meeting of London keeps up 
 with others ; and frequently had a large share 
 in compiling the general Epistle. On these 
 occasions I have been, of late, several times 
 united with him, and have observed great 
 willingness in him to give up his essays to 
 correction. His style had something in it 
 which would bear retrenchment, and also some 
 
24 
 
 singularities, which, though they seemed ob- 
 noxious to criticism, were generally found to 
 carry a meaning which could not be spared. 
 
 Our last interview was, I think, the day he 
 left London, 1792. Our conversation was 
 about books. I read to him some verses I had 
 written, and he recited some of his own com- 
 posing. We parted in love and religious 
 fellowship, more than I recollect before. I 
 esteem his death, what is usually termed, a loss 
 to the Society, which probably, much as the 
 want of deeply-gifted ministers is sometimes 
 bewailed, has still fewer of those not called to 
 public service, who are willing to learn wisdom 
 by becoming fools. 
 
 11 mo. 9. Went in some degree of the 
 cross, to an evening meeting at the School : 
 refreshed there." 
 
 Being a representative in the district for 
 choosing the clerk of the Yearly Meeting in 
 1794, he was nominated in the committee, and 
 afterwards appointed by the meeting, to fill 
 that office. On this occasion he wrote the 
 following remarks : 
 
 ^' I believe I felt, and acknowledged my 
 
t25 
 
 fear, that I was not meet for the Master's 
 uork ; but did not deny, that T should rejoice 
 were I to be able to serve Him in this office ; 
 and my friends expressed an encouraging 
 unity. I have not been carried through it 
 with a high hand. Circumstances have con- 
 spired to damp my spirit, and restrain my 
 vivacity; and I am incli.ied to think this office 
 is to some a trying one. Yet 1 believe the 
 sackcloth was all covered by the upper gar- 
 ments : although cast down, I hope I was not 
 forsaken ; and an unexpected effusion of ten^ 
 derness of mind, even to tears, in reading a 
 short concluding minute, made in fear, occa- 
 sioned me to feel the truth of the saying, that 
 ' the end of a thing is better than the be- 
 ginning.' 
 
 10 mo. 24. Dined at home ; arriving safe, 
 after a long journey, [undertaken in conse- 
 quence of an appointment of the Yearly Meet- 
 ing, to visit the Meetings of Friends in Wales,] 
 performed in much weakness, wherein I men- 
 tally adopted as a motto — " Perplexed, but 
 not in despair." 
 
In the year 1796, J. G. Be van removed to 
 Stoke Nevvington. The remainder of his life 
 was much devoted to our Society. His pen 
 was often judiciously employed in support of 
 its religious principles, and in other ways in 
 its service. He felt a warm interest in its 
 concerns, and was much and usefully engaged 
 on its behalf, in and about London ; and occa- 
 sionally absent from home, under appointment 
 of the Yearly Meeting, on visits of a religious 
 nature, in more distant parts of the nation. 
 
 He manifested a lively and peculiar inte- 
 rest, as may be seen from many of his letters, 
 in the religious welfare of young persons. His 
 remarks in conversation were often replete 
 with counsel to such, conveying much instruc- 
 tion in a few words : and, notwithstanding his 
 humiliating views and fears respecting himself, 
 to which the present compilation bears testi- 
 mony, a cheerful manner, and natural vivacity, 
 so prevailed, when he unbent in their company, 
 that there was not any appearance of gloom 
 calculated to induce a distaste for religion. 
 
 His earnest solicitude for the welfare of 
 this class of his fellow members, is agreeably 
 
27 
 
 conveyed in the following lines, which are 
 extracted from the preface to one of his pub- 
 lications : 
 
 " I have not many warmer wishes than that 
 the young people connected with me in reli- 
 gious profession, may grow up in it, in a way 
 that will evince them to be Christians in deed. 
 I would recommend them to allow themselves 
 time to consider how often Christ is in their 
 thoughts, as their Redeemer, Instructor, and 
 Judge ; and how earnest they are in their en- 
 deavours to take up his cross, when duty and 
 inclination seem at variance. I say few things 
 with more sincerity, than when I say, I love 
 young people : and the more I love them, the 
 more I regret that we have so many indica- 
 tions that these considerations are too much 
 out of sight ; and the more I desire that 
 seriousness may supersede levity, — the Gospel 
 prevail over the worldly spirit. 
 
 " The worldly spirit is a very comprehensive 
 term, and applicable to the state of persons 
 whose modes of life appear to differ much one 
 from another. But it is the grand business of 
 all to experience due subjection to the power 
 of the Cross of Christ. A saying of a minister 
 
&8 
 
 of our Society has occurred to me whilst I 
 have been writino: : — ' When things are in their 
 place?,' said he, ' the best things will be upper- 
 most.' No one will dispute that heavenly 
 things are the best things ; but if earthly 
 things predominate in our thoughts, there 
 seems reason to think we are yet earthly- 
 minded and unsafe : for the words of the 
 Saviour of men, as they are spirit, and as they 
 are life, will always remain to be truth— 
 ' Where the treasure is, there will the heart 
 be also.'"* 
 
 He for many years filled the station of an 
 Elder, with acceptance to his friends. He 
 was not un frequent in offering counsel to 
 those v(ho, in consequence of this appointment, 
 became the immediate objects of it, which he 
 endeavoured faithfully to administer. His ac- 
 quaintance with the Scriptures, the daily read- 
 ing of which in his own family, to use his 
 words, in a letter written in 1806, " had been 
 a habit of nearly thirty years' standing:" his 
 meditation upon its contents, and the perusal, 
 in a pious disposition, of commentaries on the 
 
 * Preface to the Life of the Apostle Paul, page 0, 
 
Sacred Volume, furnished him with a rich 
 store of information. His views on passag^es 
 of Holy Writ were often striking and new ; 
 and both in those meetings, in which the ex- 
 pression of them was most appropriate, and in 
 his intercourse with his friends, he often in- 
 structively communicated them. 
 
 He had been early sensible that the labours 
 of Ministers had been blessed to him ; and his 
 house was open for their accommodation, and 
 his heart alive to their sense of conflict and 
 depression. Many can acknowledge that he 
 was to them a counsellor and a sympathizing 
 friend, when they apprehended themselves 
 called to appear first in the ministry ; at the 
 same time carefully turning them to the Lord 
 alone for strength and direction. 
 
 His remarks in our meetings for discipline 
 were often original, and tended to arouse his 
 friends to think for themselves, and not to 
 entertain views on religious subjects merely 
 because they were the opinions of others. In 
 the exercise of his mental powers, he was in- 
 fluenced by the love of righteousness, and by a 
 desire that the cause of his Redeemer miiiht 
 
so 
 
 be upheld and exalted among his fellow pro- 
 fessors ; and as he had learned in the school of 
 Christ, that those talents must be sanctified in 
 order to become meet for the Master's use, his 
 services in the Society were eminently valuable. 
 But he saw that it would be inconsistent with 
 that reference which ought constantly to be 
 had to Him by whom these talents were in- 
 trusted, to attempt to exert an undue influence 
 over others ; and this sometimes led him to 
 fear that he was in danger of seeking to esta- 
 blish his own opinions, rather than to promote 
 the Lord's cause. If, however, in an upright 
 zeal, in support of what he deemed right, he at 
 any time manifested too great a degree of 
 earnestness, he was ready to acknowledge the 
 same, with much religious sensibility and ten- 
 derness of spirit. 
 
 It seems due to his memory, not to pass by 
 a circumstance which occupied much of his 
 attention in the course of the years 1800 and 
 1801, when his mental faculties were in their 
 full vigour. This remark applies to the case 
 of a friend who had arrived as a minister, on a 
 religious visit in this country. Her ^' disbelief 
 of some parts of the Scriptures of the Old Testa-» 
 
31 
 
 ment,'' and her " not being one with friends in 
 her belief respecting various parts of the New 
 Testament," having- first come to the know. 
 ledge of her friends, during her travels on this 
 side the Atlantic, excited no small uneasiness in 
 their minds. Endeavours were used, in kind- 
 ness, to convince her that the opinions which 
 she had adopted were erroneous ; but, as there 
 appeared no prospect of a change in her sen- 
 timents, she was advised to return home. This 
 advice not being followed, the case became 
 generally known, and the grounds of the dis- 
 approbation of her friends, occupied the atten- 
 tion of the Society more publicly, particularly 
 in and about London. On this occasion, 
 J. G. Eevan was found as a faithful watchman 
 at his post, and with his wonted firmness and 
 intrepidity^, was diligent in the defence of the 
 faith of his predecessors. 
 
 In the progress of this affair, it was brought 
 before the Yearly Meeting, and he appeared 
 on behalf of those appointed to advocate the 
 principles of the Society. The prospect of this 
 service was to him awful and humbling; and 
 he has acknowledged to one of his intimate 
 friends, that in the morning of the day on 
 
32 
 
 which the business was to be thus brought for- 
 ward, after his mind had been deeply exercised 
 before the Almighty, that he might be endued 
 with strength rightly to discharge his trust, he 
 felt the consoling assurance, that the Lord 
 would uphold his own cause. 
 
 The satisfactory issue of this case will be 
 fresh in the recollection of many now living ; 
 and it may be said that he was, on this occa- 
 sion, rendered an instrument of signal service 
 to the Society. 
 
 In this, as well as in some other cases of a 
 controversial nature, in which he wrote in sup- 
 port of his religious principles, his concern was 
 great, that whilst endeavouring to correct er- 
 roneous statements, and to prevent the spread- 
 ing of unsound doctrine, his own mind might 
 be influenced by Christian love for those who 
 entertained contrary sentiments. It was evi- 
 dent as he advanced in years, that this virtue 
 more and more predominated in his heart, pro- 
 ducing, as its natural effect, a desire that it 
 might spread and prevail among his friends. 
 Hence, when opportunity occurred, he was 
 earnest in enforcing its excellency, and in cau- 
 
35 
 
 tioning others against harbouring those feelings 
 which obstruct its growth. 
 
 He was at times employed in patiently 
 endeavouring to settle differences ; and, on one 
 occasion of this kind, when some of his friends 
 had expressed their belief, that his labours in 
 the case had been attended with the Divine 
 blessing, he feelingly acknowledged, " that 
 neither merit nor applause belonged to him ; 
 and that there was more pleasure in casting 
 down the crown, than in wearing it." 
 
3i 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Inciters on various subjects , written between the 
 7/ears 1783 and 1800. 
 
 I78S. 9 mo. 8. [Written after attending 
 the Western Yearly Meeting, at Frome.] 
 '' I may confess that some of these opportuni- 
 ties have been permitted to afford times of 
 refreshment to me. I mention it, because thou 
 wilt naturally be pleased with it ; not without 
 recollecting, that it is easier to confess such 
 favours, than truly to be thankful for them : 
 such is the un worthiness of the creature. To 
 be truly thankful, seems to include a continu- 
 ance in that humility of mind, throuijh the 
 
want of wljich, seasons of favour are sparingly 
 dispensed to some ; but let them not too much 
 repine, but learn, in poverty, that disposition 
 that fits for the possession of greater spiritual 
 riches." 
 
 J 789. 6 mo. 11. "I observe, and have 
 long observed, thy mournful state of mind; 
 and am not much disposed to intermeddle in 
 matters which immediately lie between a man 
 and his Redeemer. However, as thy condition 
 appears truly like a wilderness, I may venture 
 to say, negatively, Do not look back to Egypt; 
 much less wish after it. When we cannot ffo 
 the right way, let us keep looking, if, per- 
 adventure, the prospect may at length open, 
 with so much clearness, as to afford strength, 
 were it but for one step. One step places the 
 next within our reach ; and, in this respect, 
 the day of small things is not to be despised." 
 
 1789. 11 mo. 23. " I was wishing, the 
 other day, that thou mightest be endued with 
 increasing humility. As thou keepest to thy al- 
 D 2 
 
S6 
 
 lotted station and duty in every respect, it will 
 naturally engage the affection and regard of 
 friends. And here, without care, may be an 
 opening for the tempter to induce us to value 
 ourselves; whereas we have nothing in any 
 good sense, but particularly in a religious one, 
 that we have not received. I am sure I do 
 not accuse thee, but just tell thee what oc- 
 curred to me, at a time when thy welfare 
 seemed, as it often does, an object in which I 
 feel interested." 
 
 1790. 1 mo. 21. " As to thy state of 
 mind, I can fully believe, from some little ex- 
 perience, that it is trying; but, also, from that 
 experience, I am not over discouraged on thy 
 account. If thou labourest to receive it as the 
 allotment of Wisdom (who remains at times ' to 
 torment with her discipline,' — Eccles. iv. 17), 
 and in that view endeavourest at resignation, I 
 think there is reason to hope that the flood will 
 not overwhelm." 
 
57 
 
 1794. 9 mo. 9. " Thy letter was quite ac- 
 ceptable to me, as thine always have been. 
 My heart has long been interested for the 
 welfare, in general, of those with whom I have 
 contracted an acquaintance in their childhood, 
 at Clerkenwell. I am not unfrequently grati- 
 fied with their attention to me in future life ; 
 but it is a crown to my wishes for them, if I 
 can see them increase in tenderness of spirit, as 
 they ripen in age ; which I hope is, and will be 
 thy case : for although the human mind, like 
 the body, rather grows harder or firmer, in the 
 course of nature, by increasing years ; yet 
 grace keeps it still pliable and docile ; and pre- 
 serves, even with addition, the dew of its 
 youth. 
 
 " I am glad, in my measure, when I can 
 perceive this ; and as it sometimes comes by 
 tiffliction and exercise, it tends to make these 
 tolerable, if not welcome. I doubt not that 
 thou, favourably as I know thou art circum- 
 stanced, hast trials adapted to thy exigencies : 
 sometimes probably thou mayst have looked at 
 them as such as do not fall to the lot of others, 
 thy fellow-servants ; but I hope, by the tenour 
 of thy last letter, that thou wast endeavouring 
 
to advance in the best of lessons (in which I 
 sometimes feel my great deficiency), content 
 and resignation : and I think I may encourage 
 thee to persevere, both from the advantage I 
 have in degree gained, by the small dedication 
 I have made ; and from the difficulties I feel, 
 in that I have made no greater proficiency." 
 
 1795. 10 mo. 15. '' Now, respecting the 
 whole matter viewed in a religious light, I 
 am scarce able to say much ; although, I must 
 confess, I do believe peaceful feelings, on good 
 grounds, are the most desirable accompani- 
 ments of even outward undertakings ; which, 
 therefore, should be well examined, or rather, 
 our own views examined concerning them. 
 
 " It is good to nourish a disposition of so 
 much resignation as can look up to that Pro- 
 vidence which, we are sometimes favoured to 
 believe, superintends the individual as well as 
 the general ; beseeching, that if our designs 
 are wrong in his sight he would frustrate 
 them. Then, if we can step along gently, with- 
 out condemnation and doubt, we may, with 
 some reason, trust we are proceeding with 
 
safety ; and that our enterprise will not be the 
 means of our losing- the little savour of good, 
 which we have already obtained." 
 
 1796. 12 mo. 31. " If I do not alter my 
 mind before this goes to the post, I intend to 
 send thee some verses on Patience and the 
 Effects of Time, which I could not get finished 
 to my mind in time for James Phillips' Alma- 
 nack ; so I may now have the advantage of thy 
 criticism. The Scripture motto was an after- 
 thought. 
 
 " Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit 
 of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he 
 receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also 
 patient; stablish your hearts." — James v. 7,8, 
 
 Time in the fertile earth dissolves the grain. 
 And with its waving verdure robes the plain ; 
 Thick spreads the yellow plenty o'er the land, 
 And gives it to the joyful reaper's hand : 
 And Time instructs the purple vine to shoot, 
 To twine her tendrils, and perfect her fruit ; 
 And Winter's cold, and Summer's gentle heat, 
 Combine to render Time's effect complete. 
 
 Thus the small seed of good, which Heaven imparts 
 For bounteous purpose to our earthly hearts, 
 
40 
 
 Can germinate and spring in prosp'rous days, 
 And show forth its Great Cultivator's praise ; 
 And when Adversity's chill blasts may blow, 
 Safe on His aid, through every storm, can grow, 
 Till ripe, in time, it yield its glad increase— 
 A plenteous harvest of the Saviour's peace. 
 
 1797. 8 mo. 16. " In answer to tlij ques- 
 tion after my health, I have reason to fear the 
 body is the best. As to children, it is well you 
 patriarchs will allow us to think about them. 
 For my part, I have long thouo^ht it a duty on 
 parents, to restrain them from such practices 
 as they think hurtful ; and probably, when 
 begun early, and seconded bj a plain manifesta- 
 tion of love, it is not difficult. The fear of 
 fettering their minds by early prejudice, if suf- 
 fered to operate to its full extent, would lead 
 to the omission of not only all restraint, but 
 all attempt to instil Christian principles into 
 them •, but all this while, who can hinder the 
 world from infusing its own leaven ? bj which 
 means, probably, at what is termed the age of 
 discretion, instead of being prepared to receive 
 right principles, they are likely to wish them to 
 be wrong. So that I think we must give them 
 
the best we have : and when we consider that 
 a wise parent will always have it understood 
 in his family, that the restraints which he im« 
 poses are really ibr the benefit of the child, 
 the child who is brought to believe this, and 
 loves his parent, really obeys upon the most 
 rational grounds; even, as in more mature 
 life, a reliance on the wisdom and goodness of 
 the Heavenly Parent, makes those inward re- 
 straints which, we are persuaded, coincide 
 with his will, a most reasonable duty. Thus, 
 as I have long thought, the path of the Christ- 
 ian may be prepared and smoothed in the 
 education of the child. 
 
 ^' We both know this is an age of scep- 
 ticism, under the name of ' free inquiry ;' and 
 I do not wonder, that sincere miuds are appre- 
 hensive of their standing, amidst such a tem- 
 pest of opposition. But what can we do, but 
 keep striving not to let go our confidence hi 
 the Power that can preserve us ? and, may be, 
 it will sometimes increase so as to enable us to 
 send forth at least one prevalent sigh to His 
 throne : — prevalent, because arising in that 
 faith which we feel we cannot command." 
 
49 
 
 1798. 4 mo. 11. " I have received thy 
 letter, and the inclosed paper, to which I can at 
 present say but little, though the consideration 
 of the subject has been often upon my mind; 
 and I have had, at times, to think that the pros- 
 pect of suffering merely, would not prevent me 
 from fully uniting with thee in thy view of it. 
 As to the reproaches of those w ho, not having 
 thought it expedient to go the lengths which 
 Friends have been led, upbraid them for not 
 going further, these, in all cases, must be 
 borne. For I am apt to think, that it will no 
 more avail to the real building of the Church, 
 to make this further stand, because of their 
 cavils ; or from reasoning upon the practice, 
 either of our early friends, or our present 
 brethren in America ; than it does, to admit 
 reasonings against testimonies, which the mind 
 has, by a better evidence, been clearly con- 
 vinced of. 
 
 'f The grand matter is, whether the great 
 Head of the Church, who has planted such a 
 genuine branch of it in this island, doth really 
 require us to forbear compliance with this re- 
 quisition. If any believe He hath, as to them, 
 1 am inclined to think, they will do well to rest 
 
43 
 
 tlieir practice wholly on His revealed will ; and 
 not on the kind of argument which thou hast 
 adduced ; at least, if they have any desire to 
 silence our own delinquent gainsayers, who are 
 not likely to be more content for seeing them- 
 selves the further surpassed. 
 
 " The meeting for sufferings has certainly 
 not adverted to the subject so far as to give 
 advice. This may have been, in degree, from 
 their not esteeming it a new case ; but, also, 
 because it is apprehended, that right scruples 
 must originate in the minds of individuals; and 
 when these ripen, they tend to leaven others ; 
 and in time, the body getting generally im- 
 bued, can adopt them, as a body, without fear 
 of schism. But if the body first undertake to 
 determine what practice shall be deemed the 
 right one, before the members have generally 
 passed through that previous time of individual 
 trial, which would enable them to keep their 
 ground, there is more reason to fear either 
 schism, or that many would go forth in the 
 borrowed strength of meeting-advice, rather 
 than in the purchased strength of patient ex- 
 ercise. As to me, I feel the subject too weighty 
 to determine much about thy essay myself. 
 
IIow I shall act I know not ; but I think 1 can 
 yet suppose myself in either case, and still find 
 no diminution of love for such upright friends 
 as may act differently. 
 
 — " Although thou hast been with 
 
 me but in the station of a servant, and that in 
 no high capacity, I have found, and do find, a 
 regard for thee, and a wish for thy welfare, 
 above what commonly arises from connexions 
 such as what lately subsisted between us. And 
 1 am glad that thy conduct, so far as I have 
 observed or known it, has not tended to impair 
 the good opinion I had before conceived of 
 thee at school. 
 
 " To endeavour to shelter thee from hurt, 
 and that until I should find a good place for 
 thee, thou mightstnot be where thou mightst in 
 any degree, and by any means, become unfit 
 for one, were among the motives which in- 
 duced me to take thee into my house. Now 
 thou art gone, the same affection for thee, and 
 the same desire that thou mayst be preserved 
 from evil, still remain ; and I seem to have a 
 confidence in thee, that thou wilt be watchful. 
 
45 
 
 Watchfulness, my dear , is a word of 
 
 great meaning. He who only determines to 
 guard against those things which the generality 
 of mankind call evil, is but watchful in part, 
 and has little probability of attaining that 
 happy state of freedom from sin, to which 
 true watchfulness leads. Tender young minds, 
 such as I hope thine is, are not always tempted 
 with things strikingly evil. But the enemy is 
 too vigilant to let any escape; these are 
 tempted ; it therefore behoves them to be on 
 the watch, in matters that appear trifling, and 
 against the first appearance of these small 
 matters. I do not know whether I have ever 
 advised thee to read Hugh Turford's ' Grounds 
 of a Holy Life ;' if I have not, I do recommend 
 it ; and I may observe that, as he wrote for the 
 world at large, he speaks of temptations to 
 immoralities, and of their rise in the mind ; but 
 the same reasoning holds good, with respect to 
 temptations, to those called lesser things : they 
 arise in suggestions of the mind, which may be 
 strengthened by encouraging them, and grow 
 weaker by turning from them. 
 
 " To do the latter, is, indeed, to nip evil in 
 the bud, and by fulfilling the celestial injunc- 
 
46 
 
 tion, ^ Watch,' must recommend to that divine 
 favour which can infallibly preserve from the 
 dans^ers to which thy time of life is incident ; 
 fit thee to fill the future allotments, be they 
 many or few, with propriety, usefulness, and 
 comfort, though not without the cross ; and 
 crown the end of thy life with the animating 
 hope of a better and an enduring one. 
 
 '' A mind bent on well-doing, from motives 
 of religion, wants no other incitement; and 
 when one has hinted, as I have, at these 
 motives, all others must appear inferior. But, 
 as I hope thou lovest me, let me say how much 
 I expect to be gratified, if 1 see thee turn out 
 well, and hear of thy steady and friendly con- 
 duct. The anxiety I have had about • 
 
 has been ill repaid ; it may be in thy power to 
 make up for the disappointment I have had in 
 him. I have not, for some years, been an un- 
 interested superintendent of the young people 
 at Clerkenwell, in general. Some of them have 
 attracted my particular attention and regard, 
 and none more than thyself. Thou canst re- 
 compense me in no way like conducting thyself 
 so as to be added to the number of those who 
 have the cause of Truth at heart; a number 
 
m 
 
 which thou must have observed to be small. 
 Although a boy may consider, and he tliinks 
 rightly, that he is of small importance in so- 
 ciety; yet the time may come when his influ- 
 ence may increase : he should, therefore, 
 consider the tendency of his ways, and whether, 
 when his youthful desires are grown into the 
 habits of a man, they w ill tend, or not, to the 
 advancement of the good cause. Youth is 
 generally the time of preparation ; some have 
 indeed in manhood, and even in age, been 
 turned from darkness to light ; but this is a 
 favour equally uncertain as is the attaining those 
 stages of life. This is therefore thy time for 
 laying a good foundation against the time 
 to come : and, Oh ! prize the privilege, that 
 thy mind is yet, as I trust it is, preserved in a 
 good degree of innocence ; for it is easier, 
 much easier, to avoid, than to forsake evil.'' 
 
 " When a set of men are clear in 
 
 their judgment, that the present Dispensation 
 neither wants nor admits the learning of men 
 as a necessary part in the performance of Divine 
 Worship ; and further believe, that a principal 
 
48 
 
 end for which the Society was raised up, was 
 to bear witness for the Light, and against the 
 dark notion that fallible men were necessari/ to 
 forward people in the way to Heaven ; it was 
 a natural consec^uence, that men so convinced, 
 should feel a repugnance in surrendering their 
 property to support that which they w ished to 
 see done away. They would also be likely to 
 think, that a ready compliance with these 
 unreasonable demands, did not evince to the 
 public those principles which they had found 
 salutary to themselves ; and which they believed 
 to be connected with the general happiness of 
 mankind ; namely — that Christ himself, by his 
 Spirit in the heart, is the only needful Teacher 
 of his people ; and that a reliance on the priest 
 is an obstruction to a full dependence on him. 
 So that it must be recollected, that Friends 
 profess two things about Tithes : one is, that 
 they are inadmissible under the Gospel ; the 
 other, that by surrendering them, they should 
 hide the testimony which they believe it right 
 to make public. 
 
 " I do not speak in confidence, of my own 
 uprightness, or as being certain that I am 
 equal to support Friends' testimony in this case 
 
49 
 
 ao^alnst all opposers. On the contrary, I feel 
 myself, at times, scarcely worthy to be enlisted 
 on the side of Truth. One thino^ more, how- 
 ever, I will notice to thee. Thou admittest that 
 Truth leads into unity of practice; but justly 
 observest, men may not always follow its guid" 
 ance. This remark, so far as it relates to the 
 present question, must, I think, either be ap- 
 plied to our early friends ; or to the ' tithe- 
 surrenderers ' of the past and present time. 
 That, therefore, which I would recommend to 
 thee, is, to consider on which side lies the 
 greatest probability of right judgment. They 
 appear to have been people devoted to do the 
 Divine Will. ' Such,' it is said, ' shall know 
 of the doctrine, whether it be of God.' The 
 world seems to have hated them, and persecuted 
 them. They were, therefore, not under that 
 temptation to please the world that we are, on 
 whom it smiles, and who, without great watch- 
 fulness, are too apt, in difficult cases, to try in 
 the first place to make our judgment bend to 
 the public one." 
 
50 
 
 1800. 12 mo. 20. " I have several times 
 thought of the subject of thy last letter; and 
 one evening lately, I put down a few hints in 
 reply to the two charges which thoumentionest 
 to have lately heard against Christianity. The 
 first of them, namely, that it has been the cause 
 of more bloodshed and ill-will in the world, 
 than any other passion or principle, I propose 
 to consider in this letter; but I shall begin by 
 denying it utterly, as a malicious falsehood. 
 It is probable that, were I now talking with an 
 advocate of this false position, I should be 
 quickly reminded of the Crusades ; the wars 
 against the Albigenses in France and Pied- 
 mont ; and those between Protestants and 
 Papists in Germany and other places ; to say 
 nothing of fire, faggot, and persecution in 
 general. And our opponent might ransack his- 
 tory, and swell the catalogue as much as he 
 w^as pleased ; still I would assert that the posi- 
 tion was utterly false, and for this simple 
 reason, (for Christianity doth not want complex 
 ones,) that all these things are antichristian, 
 and have arisen from the rejection, and not 
 the adoption, of Christianity. Yes, my dear 
 friend, they arise from that for which Christ- 
 
51 
 
 ianity Is the only antidote, the genuine cure: 
 they arise from human pride. 
 
 " It may here be said, that if this be al- 
 lowed as sound doctrine, we shall unchristian 
 three-fourths of Christendom. Be it so, if it 
 must. ' Let God be true, and every man a 
 liar.' This reduction of the number of true 
 Christians is only a sad comment on Christ's 
 own prophetic words — ' Few there be that find 
 it.' And how plain the reason ! because they 
 will have a Christianity, without true Christ- 
 ianity's inseparable adjunct — the Cross ; and 
 their faith (if such it may be called) being 
 without works, is dead, and, being dead, can- 
 not overpower and slay those lusts from which 
 wars naturally spring. The heart will be 
 where the treasure is ; and if this be on earth, 
 there will be contentions about it ; and botli 
 these things are contrary to Christ's commands, 
 — 'Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.' 
 ' If a man shall smite thee on the rio-ht cheek, 
 turn to him the other also.' Now let common 
 sense, assisted by common observation, declare 
 where the treasure of most people is : on earth, 
 no doubt, though in various ways. Some, in 
 property; some, in honours and fame; some, 
 e2 
 
52 
 
 in power ; and even the poor are not wliolly 
 exempt from the charge of having their minds 
 ' set on things that are on earth.' Now against 
 these very affections, these affections which, 
 when they are disturbed by the fear of losing 
 their object, lead men naturally to violent 
 means, when such promise to secure it ; — against 
 these affections, Christ cautioned his followers 
 in the words above quoted — * Lay not up for 
 yourselves treasures ou earth,' &c. And hii 
 single injunction, in three words, ' Love your 
 enemies,' is, alone, a perpetual monument of 
 the abhorrence of his religion from wars : 
 whilst it must be allowed, that it needs no 
 more than a universal obedience to it, to 
 banish war from the earth for ever, and to 
 turn enemies into friends. It is in vain to urge 
 against us the difficulty of this injunction to 
 human nature, for the Christian doth not look 
 for strength from that quarter ; and I believe 
 that even infidels must allow, that instances 
 are not wanting to show that this seeming im- 
 possibility has been overcome. Indeed, seeing 
 it lies in self-love, self-denial, neglected self- 
 denial, is its natural solution ; so that turn 
 which way we will, I believe we shall find in 
 Christianity, a remedy for every moral evil. 
 
53 
 
 And I am apt to think, the gainsayers tliem- 
 selves know this, if they would be ingenuous 
 enough to confess it; and that, thus rightly 
 distinguishing that religion which was ushered 
 in with the song of ' peace and good-will,' 
 from the sophistications which usurp its place, 
 they will not dare to assert that it is the cause 
 of bloodshed and ill-will. Let us turn away 
 from the incongruous connexion of Christ- 
 ianity and ill-will, even in a sentence, and 
 hear the heavenly messenger proclaiming'— 
 'Behold! I bring you good tidings of great 
 joy which shall be to all people'; and let us 
 mark the often quoted, but never trite responses 
 — ' Glory to God in the highest; and on 
 «arth, peace ; good-will towards men.' " 
 
 Motto for the writer — * Not as having already attained.* 
 
 Paul. 
 
 '• 1801. 1 mo. 16. I have been in expec- 
 tation of having a few lines from thee, to say 
 whether my last lucubrations were acceptable, 
 in which I am yet disappointed. Therefore, 
 without the encouragement which thy appro- 
 bation of my essay would have given, I shall 
 
M 
 
 attempt to reply to the other subject of thj 
 letter of 28th of 11 mo. last. 
 
 " When a man has once determined to do 
 as he pleases, nothing is likely to be more irk- 
 some to him than contradiction, especially if 
 he have thrown off his allegiance to ' Him that 
 endured such contradiction' even ' of sinners 
 against himself.' He will therefore vilify the 
 practice of admonition, and those who adopt it; 
 and will be very likely to say, That to desire 
 and endeavour after the convincement or con- 
 version of another, is all the love of pow er : — 
 that religion is a work between a man and his 
 Maker : — that no other has any business with 
 it — that it is wrong, if not wicked to interfere. 
 
 " Now, religion certainly is a thing be- 
 tween a man and his Maker, but not wholly 
 so ; for we have the second table as well as the 
 first:—-' Thou shalt love thy neighbour as 
 thyself,' as well as ' Thou shalt love God 
 above all.' 
 
 " If religion consisted in the first relation 
 alone, then man, in all other respects a social 
 creature, would be unsocial in that wherein 
 stands his chief pre-eminence above the brute 
 
55 
 
 creation. If several servants in a large, well- 
 ordered, plentiful household, had a master who 
 had endeared himself to them by his benevo- 
 lence ; who, moreover, promoted their little 
 interests, and attended to their difficulties ; 
 whose work, though constant, was easy ; and 
 whose wages were abundant ; such servants 
 could scarcely refrain from often speaking to 
 each other of their master, as of their common 
 source of comfort. It would doubly sweeten 
 their labour. If any one were remiss, the rest 
 would be grieved for him, and would stir him 
 up to amend, lest he should lose the master's 
 favour, be degraded, or be turned away. How 
 much more, in a spiritual sense, when the 
 servants are once convinced that their Master's 
 yoke is easy, his burthen light, and his wages 
 infinite. 
 
 " On this question, however, in like man- 
 ner as on that treated of in ray last letter, the 
 argument of the infidel is from the abuse, not 
 from the use. The true motive of a Christian 
 instructor is two-fold : — love to the object of 
 his instruction ; and fear of foiling short in duty 
 by withholding it. Without one of these, it 
 
56 
 
 may be termed impertinent meddling, and is 
 not likely to be profitable to either party. 
 
 '' It may be added, with respect to the as- 
 sertion that the love of power is the prevailing 
 motive ; that the most diligent Christian in- 
 structors have been such as, so far from having 
 an increase of power to expect, have expected, 
 and have received, ill treatment, persecutions, 
 imprisonments, stripes, and death. 
 
 '^ Now, if these independent people, the 
 objectors, would permit us, in our turn, to 
 insinuate motives for them, as they are so 
 ready to do for us, it might not be much amiss 
 to put them upon considering whether pride be 
 not at the bottom of their objections. Another 
 man's advice can do me no harm if I think it 
 wrong ; but, unless I think myself as wise as I 
 can be, it is possible he may tell me something 
 which I either did not know, or to which I did 
 not advert. The minds of men seem to be of 
 various casts. Men vary too in experience. 
 Communication makes the acquirements of 
 each serviceable to the whole ; without it we 
 should be like Selkirk on his island. 
 
 '^ I will just add two reasons why, at this 
 
57 
 
 time, Christians may be allowed to be a little 
 communicative. One is, that the infidels are 
 pretty busy in teaching their ne^tive system ; 
 the other, that every view of future happiness, 
 shewn to us in the Scriptures, is social. Let 
 us, therefore, not omit to practice, and to re- 
 commend, social religion and virtue, by way of 
 a preparation for it.*' 
 
 " London, 19th. — I wrote the foregoing at 
 home, according to its date. To-day I have 
 thine, dated 13th. As to the word malice,* put 
 it out. I have been long willing to hope with 
 thee, that there is yet an ignorance that is 
 winked at; but we must, at last, where we 
 cannot unriddle, learn to trust." 
 
 * This has reference to the word " malicious," page 50, 
 line 10. 
 
68 
 
 CHAPTER III, 
 
 Letters from the year 1800 to 1805. 
 
 1800. 7 mo. 5. ^^ I have often thought 
 on thy case, which I believe is a very common 
 one with well-disposed minds. I rather in- 
 cline to think that, if during the intervals of 
 meetings, thou endeavour to avoid all which 
 thou clearly knowest to be wrong for thee^ and 
 at meeting try without too much anxiety to 
 have thy expectation of profit, comfort, and 
 peace, gently turned, and kept, towards the 
 great Object of worship (whom it is best not 
 lightly to name), thou wilt, by degrees, to use 
 a Scripture phrase, be fed with food convenient 
 
59 
 
 for thee. It inay not always be sensible com- 
 fort ; but, when we consider how little we 
 deserve, it may sometimes help to reconcile us 
 when we receive little. I do not call thy diffi- 
 culties small. Things relating to religion are 
 of great consequence."* 
 
 10 mo. 3. " I suppose thou mayst think I 
 have kept thy letter a long while unanswered. 
 It is true, I have ; but I have not all this while 
 been unmindful of it, nor inconsiderate of what 
 may be a proper reply. I apprehend thy tem* 
 per may be described in fewer words than 
 thou hast employed; fuid probably, in one 
 little word, hot. As to our different tempers, 
 they are very good things, under proper re- 
 straint ; and serve, very pleasantly, to diversify 
 society : but there is a certain quality which 
 too many people have, called pride, which is 
 apt to set our tempers in a ferment; especially 
 
 * This letter, as well as the 2d, 4th, 5th, and 9th in this 
 chapter, were written to a young person who was only twelve 
 years old, when this was written; and the 6th, 7th, 13th., 
 and 17th, were addressed to one who was not much beyond 
 nine years of age at the date of the first. 
 
60 
 
 that branch of it which may be named self- 
 estimation. For when we once settle it in our 
 minds that we are something clever, it is diffi- 
 cult when other people do not seem to think the 
 same, to bear it without being displeased, or 
 what, in thy case, would be called, in a pet. 
 So that the best way to preserve ourselves, or 
 rather more properly, to be preserved in even- 
 ness of temper, is to endeavour to keep down a 
 disposition to suppose ourselves anything very 
 extraordinary. There is also another thing 
 which I can recommend; and that is, when we 
 are sensible we have let our tempers rise to 
 a blamable excess towards others, that we 
 should take opportunities of confessing our 
 faults to the person whom we have ill-treated ; 
 for as this is mortifying work, if we accustom 
 ourselves to consider it as needful after ill- 
 behaviour, it will give us the habit of caution 
 in our conduct. 
 
 " I have mentioned pride. It subsists in 
 our minds in more shapes than we are always 
 aware of; and the overcoming it in all of them 
 is much of the business of a Christian. Though 
 I have not read it lately, I think William Penn 
 has treated this subject well in the Tth, 8thj 
 
61 
 
 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12tli chapters of his ^ No 
 Cross, No Crown;* which, therefore, at thy 
 leisure, I recommend to thy attentive perusal." 
 
 ISO I. 1 mo. 24. " The means of thy 
 studies becoming truly useful, are, f think, the 
 accustoming of thyself to consider even tlie 
 capacity for learning- to be a providential gift ; 
 and a frequent endeavour to dedicate any and 
 every acquirement to the service of the Giver. 
 
 " I remember to have felt, in earlier life, 
 something like a prayer, that my talent might 
 be this way disposed ; and though it is not for 
 me to say how far this petition has been 
 granted; yet, sometimes, I cannot well avoid 
 so far putting together some of the aspirations 
 of my mind then, and the tender state into which 
 it is not unfrequently introduced now, as to hope 
 I have been hitherto preserved beyond what 
 might have been expected in my juvenile days. 
 
 ^' There is scarcely any acquirement or 
 talent that may not, when used in reference to 
 the cause of Truth, and in submission to its 
 gentle leadings and secret intimations, tend to 
 
62 
 
 promote that cause in ourselves and others : 
 and it is probable, that while we go on ac- 
 quirino;, we have need to be additionally 
 earnest in spirit, that our increase may be laid 
 on the altar. This seems the only way to 
 make it a blessing ; for it is not alone with 
 respect to wealth, that it may be right to re- 
 member the exhortation of the wise man : 
 * Honour the Lord with thy substance, and 
 with the first fruit o^ all thy increase.' 
 
 " So what was warm on my mind (and may 
 it be so on thine), as I rode along, was, that 
 thou mightst thus attempt to lift up thy views 
 more and more to the Power that can bless, 
 sanctify, and preserve thee in all thy goings 
 out and comings in : and be assured, that thou 
 canst never find equal advantage and equal 
 reward, as when thou mayst have reason to 
 think thou hast been promoting in thy sphere 
 of action, whether limited or otherwise, the 
 cause which, by profession, thou art seeming 
 to espouse. 
 
 '• The main matter for all of us is, to know 
 our own minds kept right. Then, although we 
 shall probably desire to be serviceable to 
 others, we need not be anxious to know in 
 
63 
 
 what way we are so. The tree being good, 
 such will be the fruit. *' 
 
 1801. 2 mo. 18. ^' I am more desirous than 
 able to help thee out of thy difficulties respect- 
 ing the employment of thy time at meeting, 
 and elsewhere also ; and I much approve thy 
 conclusion, that thou art not too young to set 
 about the great business of life ; which is, 
 experiencing redemption from evil of every 
 kind.. 
 
 " I would not have thee indulge a doubt, 
 that it is indeed right for us to endeavour to 
 collect our thoughts, when we present our- 
 selves for the purpose of worship ; and although 
 thou mayst often fail of success, after some 
 upright endeavours, yet I would encourage 
 thee still to continue to do thy best ; and to 
 believe that even when thou art sensible of 
 little or no advantage, thy willing mind, and 
 honest, though feeble struggles, are, in them- 
 selves, an acceptable sacrifice. 
 
 " I do not speak to thee as having attained, 
 but I would also recommend thee to cherish 
 
64 
 
 rather a calm desire, than an over anxious 
 solicitude, for the attainment of what thou hast 
 in view. This, none of us can command ; but 
 remember that there is a blessing annexed to 
 watchfulness ; so that nearly as much as one 
 weak creature can say to another in these cases, 
 seems to be — Persevere in simplicity; and 
 when a train of thought comes in, that is ma- 
 nifestly wrong for the occasion, try to turn 
 away from it. 
 
 ''As to what thou mentionedst in thy former 
 letter, of the difficulty of stopping when one 
 has begun to speak without thinking ; it is, to 
 be sure, difficult and mortifying, but far from 
 impossible. And if, when the swift inward 
 monitor informs us that we should stop, we ac- 
 custom ourselves to obey it, we shall, in time, 
 acquire the habit of thinking more before we do 
 speak. I may add, though 1 hope thou know- 
 est it, that in all our endeavours to do right, the 
 main thing is to look to the All-sufficient 
 Helper. 
 
 " Thou must expect doubts and difficulties 
 
 if thou adopt as (1 heartily desire, dear , 
 
 that thou mayst) a religious life ; but I believe 
 thou wilt now and then be favoured to feel 
 
66 
 
 times of encouragement J which are comparable 
 to the brook bj the way : and He, with whom 
 thou hast to do, knows better than thou dost, 
 when to grant, and when to withhold it.'* 
 
 1801. 10 mo. 31. *' I consider it a privi- 
 It^ge, in the younger parts of a family, to have 
 good examples in the elder ones; but all will 
 not do without we join in with what is right 
 in ourselves. In this attempt we often fail, 
 through various means, the natural levity of 
 youth for one ; but then it is best that these 
 failures should not make us despair of better 
 success in future ; though they may well serve 
 to keep us humble. I once lay awake a whole 
 night with what may be called exercise ; but 
 these two words seemed to help me a little — 
 ' Try again.* 
 
 1802. 2 mo. 14. " I am not at all tired 
 
 with thy notes, but continue to like them 
 
 much. I find thou and I are tried somewhat 
 
 alike; for I alpo, too often, hnve to repent of 
 
 r 
 
66 
 
 things that I have said in too much warmth of 
 temper. I hope thou art able, at other times, 
 to be comfortable, and to lift up thy mind in 
 praise to thy Maker ; and in secret prayer, 
 that He may continue to be thy Preserver. 
 When we are thus favoured, we sometimes 
 remember our friends, and can breathe forth 
 good wishes for them too. So I desire I may 
 have a part in thy remembrance, in thy best 
 moments ; for I am far, very far, from despising 
 the sympathy of the spirits of little children. 
 It IS a fine thing to be such little children as the 
 beloved disciple John addresses, in the latter 
 part of the 13th verse of the second chapter of 
 the first epistle. Farewell ! That thou mayst 
 grow in that which is good, is the unfeigned 
 wish of thy affectionate friend." 
 
 1802. 4 mo. 28. ^' I have been wishing 
 to return thy pocket-book with something 
 pleasing to thee, and worthy the regard which 
 we have for each other. But, as I was riding 
 along to-day, it occurred to me, very plea- 
 santly, that love does not want many words to 
 express it. If thou wilt look into the Testa- 
 
67 
 
 raent, in one of the Epistles, I forget which, 
 thou wilt find the Apostle speaks of being 
 epistles written in one another's hearts. I 
 believe thou canst understand this. Indeed, 
 those who love (I wish to write it with re- 
 verence) the Lord Jesus Christ, are often per- 
 mitted to love one another for his sake. If I 
 had written this when it occurred, I could 
 almost have written it in tears of tenderness." 
 
 1802. 7 mo. 27. « Though I have felt 
 
 this evening- very incapable of exertion of 
 
 mind, and have, on that account, omitted to 
 
 reply to several unanswered letters which lie 
 
 before me, yet I seemed desirous of writing a 
 
 few lines, to encourage thee to persevere in 
 
 cherishing that tenderness, with which thou 
 
 thought thyself renewedly favoured. To give 
 
 way to it, is like opening the door to him that 
 
 knocks : the consequence may be a sensible 
 
 partaking of nourishment and communion, and 
 
 must be beneficial. I do not wonder that thy 
 
 anxiety about some other things should abate ; 
 
 and I trust that, if thou art but closely enough 
 
 f2 
 
68 
 
 united to the Source of good, thou wilt surely 
 be cared for, and well provided with such 
 other things as may be useful to thee." 
 
 1802. 10 mo. 5. " As 1 conceive that thy 
 journey will probably contribute to thy pleasure, 
 enlarge thy ideas, and I hope no way tend to thy 
 hurt, I am pleased that thou art out. But be 
 watchful over thyself; and at the same time that 
 thou art courteous and obliging to every one, 
 do not hastily rush into intimacy with any 
 person that may, at first sight, seem agreeable. 
 Take, rather, time to judge maturely; and 
 endeavour to be, from time to time, so retired 
 in thyself, as to know whether what thou un- 
 dertakest has the savour of peace. This I 
 particularly recommend as to subjects of con- 
 versation to be indulged in ; and as it may be 
 thy lot to go visiting from house to house, in 
 all of which there may not be an equal care to 
 guard against the intrusion of hurtful books, as 
 
 I believe there is at — , do not catch up 
 
 every thing that lies about without considera- 
 tion." 
 
69 
 
 1802. 12 mo. 4. " The evenness of stay- 
 ing at home, furnishes less intelligence to an 
 absent friend than the variety of travelling. 
 This variety, however, is, I hope, on thy part, 
 accompanied with an experience of the same 
 gracious help, which is alike wanted, and 
 which comes alike to the devoted, conflicting 
 mind, unaffected by the succession of scenes : 
 even the mercies which are ancient, and ever 
 new. So be it to thee, saith my soul most 
 cordially. Very cordially, however, for it is 
 difficult to say what is most ; and, therefore, I 
 am often afraid of dealing in superlatives. I 
 think to send off this to night, and am rather 
 less vacant in mind from other things than I 
 like to be, when writing to thee, my dear friend; 
 but among the mass of things with which my 
 mind is furnished, there are always, I trust, at 
 bottom, genuine good desires for thee ; and, 
 now, that thou mayst be preserved during the 
 remaining part of thy journey, in fear, in 
 humility, and in confidence in the Power that 
 has hitherto supported. I feel something of 
 the importance of endeavouring to meddle 
 with thee. Receive none of my words further 
 than they answer to Truth; and when thou 
 
70 
 
 hast leisure and freedom, let me hear where 
 thou art, and how it fares w ith thee." 
 
 1803. 1 mo. 17. " As I was riding along 
 to-day upon my old horse (on whose back, by 
 the way, I have often been allowed to have 
 what I call precious feelings of mind,) I was 
 ruminating on thy letter, and I found myself 
 ready to exclaim, ' Oh ! I have great unity 
 with this trembling of heart.' If thou recollect 
 thy letter, thou wilt probably perceive, that I 
 refer to what thou sayest about the prospect of 
 the public meeting in ; or rather men- 
 tioning that, abouf such meetings in general. 
 May the fear continue, say I ; not forgetting, 
 however, in its due place, the concomitant pro- 
 mise — ' Unto this man will I look, even to him 
 that is poor, and of a contrite spirit ; and who 
 trembleth at ray word.' I am sure, according 
 to my measure, (which I am sensible might be 
 greater, if I lived more constantly near the 
 preserving virtue of Truth,) I earnestly desire 
 thou mayst be supported and kept near ; and, 
 in very trying times, it may be both encouraging 
 
n 
 
 iind instructive to remember, that although 
 when Peter said, ' Although all shall be of- 
 fended, yet will not I,' his confidence was a 
 prelude to his temporary lapse; yet, that when 
 he cried out in dismay upon the sea (on which 
 with some faith, he had ventured to meet his 
 beloved Master,) ' Lord, save me !' he was then 
 near to unfailing protection. 
 
 ^- I have just opened thy letter, to look 
 again at the part where thou mentionest, ' pre- 
 servation from doing harm,' as the summit of 
 thy expectation. It is consonant with what 
 thou toldest me in a former letter, that thou 
 seemedst rather sent for thy own refinement 
 than otherwise. On which I have a mind to 
 remark, that I hope thou wilt be so steered, 
 that, at the end of this journey (may it be so at 
 the end of ^/ze journey) it may be said of thee — 
 ' She hath done what she could.' 
 
 " I am pleased to understand thou foundest 
 — tender. May be he will yet live to 
 
 escape the snare. Oh ! if people did but feel 
 themselves, as even I sometimes fancy at least 
 that I do, they would not wish one attribute of 
 life, power, and glory, to be removed from 
 Christ ; and would be more forward to accept 
 
72 
 
 his salvation, than to comprehend it in their 
 understandings. Surely, there is something 
 e\ren in me, that desires to commit thee to 
 His holy keepin , that thou mayst learn of 
 Him, and serve Him through time, and be 
 His for ever. In this feeling, though un- 
 worthy myself, I salute thee dearly, and am 
 thy affectionate friend." 
 
 1803. 3 mo. 5. " It is pleasant to reflect 
 thou hast thus far got safely through ; and it 
 strengthens the hope that thou wilt be able to 
 fulfil the portion of suffering that remains. 
 Well ! let all the praise be ascribed to the 
 Master ; and as while thou art endeavouring 
 to exalt his name, thou wilt surely be a com- 
 fort to his faithful few, do not too much feed 
 on their approbation. I think I have myself 
 felt danger in it; yet I doubt not that the 
 pleasure arising from unity expressed, as well 
 as felt, is at times allowable. O ! how I con- 
 tinue to desire thou mayst keep on, straight 
 forward; without a turn, or, if it might be, 
 ^ look, to the right or left," 
 
73 
 
 1803. 7 mo. 17. " I have often thought 
 of thy former note, and should have been very 
 glad to contribute to thy comfort ; but I have 
 myself been in apparent want of that consola- 
 tion I sometimes feel. However, I am not 
 alarmed for thee, nor should I have been if 
 thou hadst not told me (as thou hast in the 
 few lines I received to-day) that thou hadst 
 experienced a little more encouragement. 
 I esteem it a very precious thing to be 
 able to turn the mind now and then, in a 
 lively manner, towards the great Object of 
 prayer. Let us try to be thankful for such 
 opportunities, and be the less ready to com- 
 plain, if we are again left awhile to feel how 
 poor and needy we are." 
 
 The tAvo following letters were written at a 
 time when there was a great apprehension of 
 invasion by the French. An act of parliament 
 was passed to enforce the general arming of the 
 inhabitants of this island; but, in consequence 
 of the well-known scruple of Friends against 
 
74 
 
 war, they were, by a special clause, exempted 
 from the operation of the act. 
 
 1803. 8 mo. 3. " I have also been ap- 
 plied to on the same accoant with thyself. It 
 seems a difficult case. For my part, I can see 
 yet no very clear way to come forward; that 
 is, none that skall not seem to be like a sub- 
 stitute for doing what we feel restrained from ; 
 and which shall not have for its motive a fear 
 of abiding simply as we are, till some occasion 
 of benevolence offer, which we can seize with- 
 out difficulty. If the troubles continue, such 
 will probably occur. Our neighbours, in some 
 instances, are somewhat clamorous about it, 
 and the late signal lenity of the legislature, 
 probably makes them not less so. 
 
 ^' I have thought of the notion of providing 
 a fund for some consistent kind of benevolence, 
 whatever that may be, in case we, involved in 
 a common ruin, should be unable to relieve 
 distress, by feeling it ourselves. But, in such 
 case, where would the fund be ? 
 
 ^^ If the present state of things continue, we 
 must expect conflict of mind, various ways. I 
 endea^vour to be prepared for it ; and though 
 
75 
 
 I cannot boast, I think I have now and then 
 found something of an anchor. It is probable 
 that support will not be lavished on us at every 
 moment. It is enough, if we feel enough to 
 encourage us to trust on, though we are suf- 
 fered in general to feel our weakness, and to 
 be beset with fears. What we ought most to 
 be afraid of, is our own infirmity, and desire 
 of trusting for relief to other things besides 
 the countenance of the Master. 
 
 *' The state of our Society will however also 
 be a source of anxiety. Several of our young 
 men have entered * ; and some others are wa- 
 vering. But I think the greatest difficulty will 
 not be w ith those who take such decided parts. 
 I hope a few will truly unite together under 
 the spirit of the gospel, and that, of such, thou 
 mayst be one. 
 
 " I have been some weeks projecting a jour- 
 ney to Bristol, but have not been quite easy to 
 quit my post, if such it be. Various things 
 claim friends' attention. You will have had 
 the clause of the Arming Act. I need not add 
 much to tell the sense Friends here have of the 
 
 * Here the writer alludes to voluntary armed associations, 
 formed to resist the expected invasion of the enemy. 
 
76 
 
 favour granted ; nor to enforce the consequent 
 duty of being well affected, .or rather continu- 
 ing to be so. O ! the innocence of the Christian 
 spirit. It truly breathes peace to all. In some- 
 thing of it now, I think I can bid thee fare- 
 well, and be of good cheer." 
 
 1803. 8 mo. 4. " I partake of the anxiety 
 which must at times pervade feeling minds on 
 account of the peculiar situation we are in as 
 a Society, and the relation we stand in to the 
 country at large. Few people readily conceive 
 the nature of a religious scruple. They speak 
 of it as a thing, rather assumed by reason, 
 than imposed by authority. No wonder there- 
 fore that they think that in very trying times it 
 should give way, and that some of them envy 
 our Society the kindness of government. It 
 may sometimes be well to remind such object- 
 ors, that it would be impossible for us to be 
 on the same terms with them, for if we had 
 been forced to enroll, we should then not only 
 have lost some time, and incurred some diffi- 
 culties, but lost also our peace of mind, a thing 
 
77 
 
 Mliich they who are settled in the opinion of 
 the lawfulness of arms do not. 
 
 " But if we pretend thus ' to instruct those 
 that oppose themselves/ it is particularly ne- 
 cessary thiit it should be with meekness. And 
 I believe one of the safest coverings for the 
 mind will be found to be a willingness to sifjfer, 
 I can I think see a state that can stoop so low 
 as to be secure from every blast ; but to see it, 
 though some comfort, is one thing ; to be in it, 
 quite another. 
 
 '' I was glad at the news of the dedication 
 
 of . I am sure the young men of the 
 
 present day can choose nothing better for their 
 
 portion than :* thou knowest how to 
 
 fill up the blank ; and I think, sad as I some- 
 times am for my own weakness, I should 
 rejoice to see them come up in troops to His 
 help against the mighty. 
 
 " Our verdant plains have lost the fra- 
 grance of the new-made hay; but are in the 
 full beauty of summer. The eye is regaled ; 
 
 * In this, and some other letters that are to be met with 
 in this collection, the reader may remark a care to avoid the 
 use of the Sacred Name This arose from a feeling of re- 
 verence, and a fear on the part of the writer, lest he should 
 use it too lightly, even when writing on religious subjects. 
 
78 
 
 but the ear assailed with the report of guns far 
 and near. Thy walks at had, I sup- 
 pose, more sincere delight. Let us, raore and 
 more, endeavour to remember, that the highest 
 relish for rural scenery arises from the convic- 
 tion of its relation to a Power that can console 
 us for ever ; and from a humble hope that He 
 will not forsake us. Thus, emphatically, 
 farewell!" 
 
 1803. 12 mo. 2 3. I have, from time to 
 time, heard of your late trial and of its issue, 
 and have for several days thought of writing 
 to thee ; not because I felt as if I could offer 
 thee any consolation ; but as a debt due to our 
 consanguinity and friendship. 
 
 " I do not doubt that the late scene has 
 been an affecting one, both to parents and sis- 
 ters. The elder ones, probably, who are ca- 
 pable of reflecting on the instance brought so 
 near to them, of the truth of the Scriptural 
 remark — ' As a flower of the field, so he 
 flourishethj' have been proportion ably affected, 
 if not alarmed. I am not myself overflowing 
 
79 
 
 with anything good; but I have at least a 
 feeble wish that the circumstance may tend to 
 their profit. 
 
 " I understand your late dear - 
 
 was about eleven ; an engaging age, when the 
 faculties are unfolding themselves apace ; and 
 the more is perceived in a child that engages 
 approbation and love, the more, often is felt 
 the loss. And yet there is some consolation 
 in hoping and believing, that vvhat we love 
 is removed from the temptations of time.*' 
 
 The following lines were written hy J, G. Bevan^ 
 when about Jifti/ years of age. 
 
 Protecting Power of Heaven, who oft hast blest, 
 While fifty years have pass'd, in silent train — 
 Ah ! may thy goodness ne'er be own'd in vain— 
 
 With nights of ease, and undisturbed rest; 
 
 If now, at length, it be thy wise behest, 
 
 To mar the couch with watchfulness and pain, 
 Let me not of thy Providence complain ; . 
 
 But s:ill esteem what thou ordain'st the best. 
 
 But if thy boundless mercy deign to grant 
 That balm, that sure supply for ev'ry want, 
 
 Thy blissful presence in the watchful hour 
 (Though pain the watchful hour may prolong) ; 
 
 ConsoI'd, supported by the Heav'nly Pow'r, 
 InuTianuers praise shall form my nigiuly song. 
 
80 
 
 1804. 9 mo. 10. " I do not know whether 
 thou recollectest the note which I referred to, 
 at the beginning of this letter, but thou proba- 
 bly wilt, when I say it was thy last to me ; a 
 note which contributed to strengthen the bond 
 of my regard for thee, (which, I believe, I ac- 
 knowledged slightly in words,) but to which 1 
 had no specific answer to give. But now I 
 have some wish to tell thee what I at least 
 feebly desire for thee — that thou mayst seek 
 after resignation in seeming desertion, and be 
 early patient in suffering the want of positive 
 enjoyment. If the disposition, or dispensation, 
 be it which it may, which thou describedst to 
 me in that note, has no other effect, it seems to 
 have had that of humiliation ; of making thee 
 seem defective in thy own eyes ; and this is a 
 good effect. Be therefore patient, and hope to 
 the end. Relief comes often unexpectedly, 
 both in time and manner. I think I am as- 
 sured of this. It is also sweetest after close 
 trials; and, if it be but by a temporary removal 
 of the stony for the fleshly heart, so that we are 
 a little sure, that we believe by the things that 
 we have resignedly suffered, it is enough, and 
 like a brook by the way ; the support of w hich 
 
81 
 
 we may hope will be sufficient (if it be not our 
 own fault) until fresh dispensations of want 
 lead us again to that genuine hunger and 
 thirst, which worldly food cannot assuage, and 
 to which belongs the gracious promise, that 
 those who have such a mark of spiritual health 
 < shall be filled.'" 
 
 1804. 9 mo. 21. " I feel the delicacy of 
 advising a man against what promises (but 
 promises are not always realised) to fill his 
 pocket; yet, I think, I, even at this time, see 
 the infinite inferiority of that consideration, to 
 a more humble supply of that convenience in 
 the station which, having entered on after our 
 best endeavour to be rightly directed, we may 
 consider as a providential one. 
 
 '^ In the progress of life, there will always 
 be arising turns when we want a help superior 
 to our own understanding ; and probably we 
 shall then best be enabled with confidence to 
 apply for it, when we can make our appeal in 
 sincerity, and say, that in our outset we have 
 endeavoured to take it for our guide, before 
 
 G 
 
82 
 
 all outward and lucrative considerations. 
 Therefore, do not be afraid of giving way to 
 the doubts thou mayst have on this occasion, 
 provided they remain." 
 
 1804. 10 mo. SO. " Our dear 
 
 was married last fourth day, the 24;th. I hope 
 and believe the meeting was an encouraging 
 one to her, as it was in degree to me, not 
 wholly by means of preaching. I do not 
 forget to wish her well on her way, shall I 
 say, in the tribulation and patience of Jesus; 
 remembering that she is about to enter on a 
 new path, in which, though I hope she will be 
 exempt from much of what is commonly called 
 temptation, yet ihe cares of managing a family, 
 and I suppose a general knowledge of her 
 husband's concerns (a thing I much recommend 
 to well-qualified wives), will probably want 
 the addition of the dew of heaven, to make all 
 contribute to her furtherance in the career on 
 which, through grace, she has been made wil- 
 ling to enter. 
 
83 
 
 "lam often, and generally, myself much 
 depressed in mind ; jet I seem as if I could 
 renewedly, thouo-h feebly, salute thee in gospel 
 affinity ; and when I speak of depressions, I 
 desire not to be understood as at all uttering- 
 the voice of complaint, except of myself." 
 
 g2 
 
84 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Letters zcritten in the years 1805, 1806, and 
 1807. 
 
 1805. 1 mo. 5. " I did not get to sleep 
 so soon as usual, and ruminating a little on the 
 number of my years that had passed away, I 
 
 found some desire that dear and 
 
 thyself might set out, and pursue your journey, 
 so that if you reach my age, you may look 
 back without condemnation, and forward with- 
 out dismay. It seemed rather to do me good 
 thus to care for you; for though I believe 
 (and I do believe some things I am almost 
 afraid to name) that the soul only reposes com- 
 
85 
 
 pletely upon the love of God ; yet I think it 
 is often allowed to partake of no despicable re- 
 freshment, when it can rest itself for a while in 
 feeling- love for the children. The endearment 
 of husband and w ife I have always looked upon 
 to be the greatest of temporal felicities; but 
 how much is it enhanced by being also, to 
 speak in plain Scripture-language, fellow-ser- 
 vants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not be 
 alarmed at the magnitude of such pretensions. 
 By keeping great attainments in view, we are 
 sometimes enabled more easily to reach the less 
 and antecedent ones." 
 
 1805. 2 mo. 16. " xls people advance in 
 life, they get, without great care, selfish pos- 
 sessions ; but seeing every thing is to be pos- 
 sessed only at the will of the Master, it seems 
 to me truly desirable, that young persons 
 should cultivate a willingness to have, or to 
 be, nothing but as He wills. In this state, I 
 do believe thou mayst cast thy care on Him 
 for the subduing of thy souVs enemies, not 
 without co-operation on thy part, in the way 
 that clearly opens for thee. And, amidst all 
 
S6 
 
 thy trouble, be glad that thou art favoured 
 with some sense of thy wants, and dread 
 nothing so much as indiiFerency and hardness 
 of heart. Then, I trust, thou wilt, from time 
 to time, have an infinitely better counsellor 
 than thy dear sister, or thy very affectionate 
 friend." 
 
 ]805. 8 mo. 28. " When thy letter 
 reached me, which was on second day, however 
 it might, or might not be, ' deep unto deep,' 
 it was one poor creature to another; for I 
 seemed that day as far from able to help any 
 body else as well could be, except so far as 
 sympathy might go. I know what it is to feel 
 great conflict of mind, and can therefore, and 
 often do, pity those who are, as it were, in 
 inward bonds. 
 
 " 1 think it is not far from thirty years 
 since that saying of Christ, which thou men- 
 tionest, ' My sheep know my voice' (it is, how- 
 ever, in the third person in John x. 4) came 
 into my mind as a kind of test ; and I feared, 
 as thou hast done, from the same cause. 
 
 '^ Thy uncertain state of mind must be a 
 
87 
 
 great trial of both thy faith and patience ; but 
 what can be done ? like other trials, it must 
 have its due season, to work its due effect ; 
 and I think thou needest not permit thyself to 
 doubt, that if thou remainest, as thou desirest 
 to be, purely passive (but I am sure I find it a 
 great, a very great thing to be so), that thou 
 wilt finally be privileged, one way or the 
 other, possiblj/ with greater clearness, but 
 surely with the reward of dedication. I have 
 sometimes endeavoured to console myself with 
 considering, that if the clouds of conflict should 
 even be permitted to continue the whole day 
 (and who can tell that he is fit or worthy to 
 live in the sun-shine ?), a ray of light, at the 
 close, would compensate for a life of suffering. 
 And yet, neither thou nor I can say, ours has 
 been wholly such. When we look back, we 
 find we cannot easily count the sources of com- 
 fort that have, from time to time, opened on our 
 way: and, sometimes, I have endeavoured, 
 when the future has seemed almost impenetra- 
 bly dark and difficult, to strive at resignation, 
 by remembering how large a portion of life 
 has been prosperous." 
 
88 
 
 1805. 10 mo. 3. "As to thee, I wish thee 
 well on thy way, and that thou mayst be ena* 
 bled to bear, with due patience, all the inward 
 conflicts which thou must endure, if ever thou 
 art fitted for much service in the great family, 
 of which the Lord Jesus Christ is the holy 
 Head. It is good to be often sensible of our 
 deficiencies. It is good also to feel the mind 
 turned to the ever-enduring Source of help." 
 
 1805. 11 mo. 14. " The account of the 
 
 spirit of prayer which prevailed at , 
 
 put me in mind of what I had not long before 
 met with in some book, viz. —that the Gospel 
 spirit was a spirit of supplication, according 
 to Zechariah xii. 10. Probably the ability 
 truly to pray, is one of the greatest gifts. It is 
 the appendage of the Son-state ; and one of its 
 characteristics is to cry ' Abba,' For my part, 
 I should say but little ; but I think I can say, 
 that an approach to the state of prayer, in 
 simply feeling that none but a Christ can save, 
 and turning the mind that way, is a refresh- 
 ment." 
 
1806. 3 mo. 11. " I am glad that thou 
 art preserved alive, even if it be only the sense 
 of pain that tells thee so : but this is not all ; 
 the knowledge and clearness bought by suffer- 
 ing, are generally worth what they cost. This 
 knowledge may be thrown away, but if used in 
 its place it will prove its value. I enjoy 
 myself as much as is good for me in my closet. 
 It is often a resting-place more ways than one. 
 Rest I often seem to want, and, for thy comfort 
 I may tell thee, that no rest is sweeter than 
 that after conflict. It is not a rest of inac- 
 tivity alone, but sometimes has a portion of the 
 gentle exercise of gratitude. I much wish thee 
 to persevere in the path of Christian innocence 
 and wisdom, that humility may always spread 
 around thee its safe protection, and that as 
 much of the spirit of peace, prayer, and 
 praise, as thou needest, may be thy brook by 
 the way." 
 
 1806. 4 mo. 5. " For my part, I some- 
 times seem to have nobody to look to ; and at 
 
90 
 
 the same time, the sense of my own deficiency 
 seems to prevent my looking to the Lord. 
 Yet, in real extremity, no one else can help ; 
 and if I can encourage thee to nothing else, I 
 would encourage thee to look to Him with all 
 thy heart, and to walk softly before Him. As 
 to this prospect, I would not have thee expect 
 an escape, merely by the want of a companion ; 
 because, I have little doubt, that one will turn 
 up at each place ; but seeing thou hast been 
 favoured to attain to a good degree of willing- 
 ness to enter on the work, if the concern opens 
 clearly at the proper time, I would recommend 
 thee to attend to thy present engagements, 
 and pray to be preserved from undue anxiety 
 about the future. 
 
 " I hope thy return will be attended with 
 peace ; though it may not with as high a sense 
 of reward as the soul may crave. He who 
 gives the wages, knows how to apportion the 
 quantity ; and it is the nature of it that con- 
 stitutes its value : so, in going along. I am 
 afraid I shall write too much. I may add, that 
 though I need not desire thy remembrance, 
 because I know I have it, 1 wish to be remem- 
 
91 
 
 bered when thou canst livingly aspire for the 
 good of others." 
 
 1806. 6 mo. 18. "I took a solitary walk 
 last seventh day evening, and felt myself very 
 low in mind. I thought I could almost go on 
 my knees in the field where 1 was, if the spirit 
 of prayer had been sufficiently with me ; and 
 as I walked on, I thought that probably a 
 desire to pray was really prayer. Soon after 
 this I thought of thee. Thou hast told me 
 lately, that thou feelest but little, scarcely any 
 good ; only the desire after it. Well ! praise 
 the Lord for preserving alive the desire, and 
 be not afraid to think, it may be the sort of 
 hunger and thirst to which appertains the 
 blessini 
 
 'o* 
 
 1806. 7 mo. 17. " I too have been much 
 encumbered in my mind with various things. 
 I sometimes comfort myself with thinking I can 
 trace most of my perplexities to the fear of not 
 coming up sufficiently in my place, as a Christ- 
 ian ; and so taking them as a sort of appendage 
 
92 
 
 to that degree of belief which I am permitted 
 to retain, I try to hope I may rub through, 
 though I am conscious still of the state which 
 even the Apostle knew, not as having attained, 
 I have often thought of my last trip. I gave 
 it up until about four days before I set out, 
 and then felt little doubt, or fear, or encum- 
 brance. I was glad when I was out, and satis- 
 fied after I came home. Now I have been 
 weeks with my determination formed, and 
 have been, within a few days, tried in mind lo 
 a considerable stretch." 
 
 1806. 8 mo. 9. " I did believe it was 
 best for me to go ; and though I had some suf- 
 fering, owing to my own weakness of mind, I 
 am not sorry I went, and I endeavour to keep 
 alive a disposition ready again to undertake 
 similar errands, on behalf of our too much 
 deserted cause, though with the prospect of 
 equal or greater suffering. However, I had 
 pleasant feelings, both when the quarterly 
 meeting closed, and after I parted from your 
 pleasant society, in which I seemed able a little 
 
93 
 
 to Tift up my mind, in sometliing like spiritn.il 
 prayer to our Great Preserver (I would add, but 
 really I do not feign when I say, I feel myself 
 scarcely worthy to mention His name) the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, Nevertheless, whether 
 His name pass thy lips, or be retained in thy 
 diffident heart, do thou, my dear child, daily 
 endeavour to look to Him, and think it an 
 inestimable privilege, when thy soul, though 
 prostrate, can yet rise in living, even if but 
 feeble, aspirations, for His favour and support. 
 And though thou must have thy share of trials, 
 and wilt, as thou endeavourest to hold on thy 
 way, sometimes find inclination and duty not 
 to coincide, let this be thy motto^ — Persevere.'* 
 
 1806. 8 mo. 21. " I expect you will have 
 not only to mourn together at times, for the 
 loss he [thy brother] has sustained ; but as I 
 believe you are both desirous of being really 
 disciples, you may be the means of encouraging 
 each other in dedication and faithfulness: 
 while the quietness of his little family, the 
 recollection of the dear departed, and, may 
 be, the approaching, lengthening, autumnal 
 
94 
 
 evenings, may be favourable for the exercise of 
 that kind of meditation which carries beyond 
 earthly things. A walk by the harvest-moon 
 may also be employed to the same purpose. 
 A mind that does not stop at Creation, without 
 being led by it to the Creator, often finds 
 cause of reverence in his works ; and it is good 
 to lay hold on every occasion that tends to 
 awaken our love for Him, whom there is no 
 danger of loving too much, and much of not 
 loving enough." 
 
 1806. 10 mo. 19. " I note what thou 
 sayst of remembering the wormwood and the 
 gall. They are things good at times to be re- 
 membered ; but, my dear friend, thou hast mercy 
 to sing of as well as judgment. I do not feel 
 much to say on these important subjects. I am 
 sometimes almost at my wits* end ; but I try to 
 try (if thou canst tell what I mean) to look up 
 to the Power, without which, neither thou nor 
 I expect we can be preserved. I wish I could 
 commend thee and thy husband to it more fer- 
 vently than I seem able to do ; though I seem 
 not to doubt, that in it, in the redeeming 
 
99 
 
 might of our Lord Jesus Christ, dwelleth sal- 
 vation." 
 
 Memorandttm, 1806. 11 mo. 4. " There 
 are many precious passages of Holy Writ, 
 which can only be received in their full force 
 and beauty, by the soul that has experienced 
 conflict ; and has believed assuredly that none 
 but the Lord can relieve it. One of these has 
 occurred to me this evening: ' He restoreth 
 my soul.' Who can fully enter into the deep 
 import of these words, but he that has learned, 
 through trouble, to believe that all the crea- 
 ture's power, how extensive soever its abilities 
 or accomplishments, can never becalm one 
 wave of the sea, in which it seems almost ready 
 to sink. But here, when, as in Peter of old, 
 the cry is raised, ' Save, Lord, or I perish 1' 
 and faith is given in the Saving Power, how is 
 the soul anchored in hope, and feels the en- 
 livening import of the Psalmist's words, < He 
 restoreth my soul.' This might well make the 
 Apostle say, ' Therefore I take pleasure in 
 infirmities, for when I am weak, then am I 
 strong.' " 
 
m 
 
 1806. 11 mo. 25. " It is indeed no small 
 charffe to undertake the direction of the infant 
 mind ; but then I believe there will be no 
 small reward for those who faithfully, sedu- 
 lously, and early, endeavour to form it for the 
 reception of the Gospel. The Gospel, as the 
 word imports, is a system of glad tidings ; and 
 doubtless, the less the youthful mind is conta- 
 minated with those things which are opposite to 
 the gospel spirit, the gladder will its tidings 
 be, when it unfolds its treasures, as reason ad- 
 vances. I have no cause to blame any one but 
 myself, for any of my failures ; yet, I think, had 
 I always been in very early life (for I was not 
 under my mother's eye,) with such as them- 
 selves lived in the love, and under the power, 
 of the Gospel, they might have restrained some 
 propensities which have caused me much con- 
 flict. Anger and impatience are very early 
 discoverable in children. Love and calmness 
 are their natural antidotes; and these may 
 consist, if needful, with sufficient firmness; 
 and firmness, when children see, as they soon 
 can, that it it is used in love, tends to increase 
 it in them ; whereas, foolish indulgence is the 
 parent of vexation on both sides. The grand 
 
thing is, to dwell (ah ! I do not speak as 
 having attained,) in the Gospel spirit one's self, 
 and to feel its incalculable benefit ; and then, 
 strong will be the motive to cherish it in the 
 lambs under one's care, and fervent the breath- 
 ing to its Divine Author for assistance to train 
 up minds in which He will delight to dwell. 
 Lines 4 to 8 of page 129, Book of Extracts, 
 express something of the matter. [They are, 
 ' There were of old, those who brought chil- 
 dren to Christ, in the days of his flesh; and 
 now the religious parent can breathe no 
 warmer aspiration for them, than when he 
 spiritually commends his tender offspring to 
 the protection of his Lord.'] The whole head 
 is fraught with matter that deserves frequent 
 perusal and close attention. Farewell! go 
 on; hold on; continue to love Truth above 
 all things. Press after that state wherein a 
 man may say (even if he slips) with the be- 
 loved disciple, ' We have an Advocate with the 
 Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.' The first 
 epistle of John is a sweet book" 
 
 II 
 
98 
 
 1806. 12 mo. 13. ^^ Supper is on the 
 table ; but the value of having the Lord for an 
 immediate friend, joined with a desire that it 
 may be thy case, was so much in my mind, that 
 I am putting down and securing the otherwise 
 probably fugacious impression. In the vicis- 
 situdes of life, we cannot always have a friend 
 at hand ; if we had, he may not be furnished 
 with more oil than he wants ; but if we can 
 but learn the way of direct application to the 
 Source of help, we shall not find Him either 
 wanting, or unable to help us. Oh! then, 
 learn the lesson ; do not be dismayed at 
 failure. Try again, and again, and again; 
 and remember the promise, " Ye shall reap, if 
 ye faint not.'* I assure thee, nobody has 
 cause to repent early diligence ; — many have, 
 early remissness ; with which, however, I do 
 not charge thee, though I know thy fears, and 
 I had almost said, rejoice at them." 
 
 1807. 1 mo. 1. " Dwelling, as I do, in 
 copying them, over Sarah Stephenson's me- 
 moirs, and observing how her mind turned on 
 
99 
 
 all occasions towards the Lord for support ; I 
 have again wished that thine may be more and 
 more bent the same way. I have little doubt 
 that it will in thy approaching trial, and if 
 thou shouldst be favoured to get well through 
 it, and settle again with thy dear husband and 
 infants, round the parlour fire; let thy eye be 
 often to Him, with breathing desire that He who 
 knows, may supply all your wants — may exalt 
 the low, and depress the exalted — make the 
 rough smooth, and the crooked straight. We 
 may talk of fainting, and feel faint too, but 
 when we are sure there is no other help, what 
 can be the watch- word but ' Persevere!' It 
 seems uppermost with me just now, that thou 
 mayst often in thy secret aspirations commend 
 thy husband to Divine regard. Whom we 
 pray for, we probably love the more; and 
 though we profess not to do things when we 
 please, we must not think ability will be 
 always withheld for what is, in itself, good 
 and acceptable. 
 
 1807. 1 mo. 19. " Give my sincere love 
 to ■ I think of you with some com- 
 
 II 2 
 
100 
 
 fort, as I believe you. are both in earnest to 
 approve yourselves servants of the best of 
 Lords. At this time of day (almost fifty-four) 
 I am almost afraid to say our Lord, because I 
 feel so often how very little I can lay claim to 
 the character of an unreservedly dedicated 
 servant ; yet, I love to encourage others, even to 
 outstrip me, and please myself, or am permitted 
 to be pleased, with hoping that as I love to see 
 His cause prosper, I surely must believe, and 
 love Him a little ; though this has been rather 
 a low winter with me. I have been employed in 
 the evenings, in preparing for the press, Sarah 
 Stephenson's memoirs — one of the indefatiga- 
 ble and devoted. 
 
 1807. 1 mo. 20. " Looking into a parcel of 
 old letters, for another purpose, I found one of 
 thine ; a mournful one it was, and it excited my 
 sympathy so much as to make it seem pleasant 
 to me to salute thee with a small written 
 testimonial of it. Not that I have any parti- 
 cular thing to say, nor that I feel myself 
 abound in good, that is, in enjoyment; but, 
 possibly, good may be, and I believe often is, 
 
101 
 
 at the bottom of exercises and conflicts that 
 have an overwhelming- appearance. I have 
 been looking for something I did not find in a 
 bundle of George Dillwyn's letters ; but my 
 attention was arrested by four words, which 
 seemed to contain a good deal of encourage- 
 ment for such as can rightly apply them — ' No 
 Cloud, No Rain.' 
 
 " Having told thee in a little space, the 
 little that turned up, it may be best not to 
 attempt to enlarge (if I could), much more than 
 to say, that I wish thy preservation every way, 
 in the various relations of life. I seem not a 
 little persuaded of the integrity of thy desires 
 to be what thou oughtest ; and I hope that as 
 thou, more and more, art enabled in calmness 
 to cast thy burthen upon the Lord, that He 
 will sustain thee. What more should mortal 
 wish ? 
 
 ^' I want to impress thee with the know- 
 ledge that I write fully, or, at least, much 
 understanding the words of Paul — ' Not as 
 having attained;' but simply as one friend- 
 may, I hope, allowably, though in much weakr*. 
 ness, take another by the hand." 
 
lOS 
 
 1807. S mo. 10. " After seeina: 
 
 breathe her last, and settling a little, it occurs 
 to me again to give thee a few lines, by way 
 of farewell, on thy approaching journey. I 
 have not much to say, but believe, as 1 was a 
 little impressed with the importance of the 
 closing scene, and somewhat endeavouring to 
 settle in attention to the Power that supplies 
 all our w^ants, I felt the value of youthful 
 endeavours to become worthy of His notice and 
 support; and saw a little, how desirable a 
 thing it is to be among the number of His 
 servants. If this should be any thing like a 
 small cordial to thee on thy first stage, when 
 thou art ' going forth,' as it were, ' weeping,' 
 and strengthen thy resolution (a resolution of 
 which I have little enough) to trust in the 
 Lord for ever, thou art welcome to it. Never 
 mind being low. Thou hast learned by this 
 time it is a safe state — a soil for good to grow 
 in, and as thou abidest in it with acquiescing 
 patience, for the needful time, I much trust 
 thou wilt reap the benefit." 
 
103 
 
 1807. 3 mo. 12. <' I think the more in 
 private thou keepest thy ears shut, the more 
 efFectuallj, in public, thou mayst open thy 
 mouth. O, for the full tide of Divine love, 
 that can drown all rancour and mutual accusa- 
 tion in its own unfathomable depths ; and 
 would, if self-abasement took the place of 
 pride, and the pure genuine Gospel of Christ, 
 the Charity ' that seeketh not her own,' pre- 
 vailed over all. I sometimes have thought we 
 shall do but little good, unless we get clothed 
 with a good portion of this Spirit, but its 
 spring lies sometimes deep, and patience as 
 well as labour is necessary to get at it. 
 
 " It is time for me to notice thy welcome 
 letter, and, probably, no topic of it is more 
 interesting to thee than thy child. Often, I 
 dare say, thy mind turns to this little darling ; 
 and the tender emotions of a young mother are 
 often felt. Nor would I have thee check them 
 unduly, any more than indulge them unduly ; 
 for whilst thou canst believe that thou still 
 prefers thy Redeemer, I consider thy maternal 
 feelings in a manner sanctified, and I view 
 thee, and, in degree, rejoice in thee, as an 
 object of Divine compassion and approbation. 
 
104 
 
 O, ! I think I feel now the precious- 
 
 ness of being the Lord's loving servant or 
 handmaid, who thinks nothing so delightful as 
 to be helped bj Him in His own business ; and 
 I desire for thee, that thou mayst, from time 
 to time, as he sees meet, have such renewals of 
 attraction to Him, as may bind thee closer and 
 closer in His covenant of love and life. So be 
 it for you both ; for in going along with my 
 pen, I wish thy husband to partake of any 
 encouragement to perseverance, if any I can 
 give." 
 
 1807. 4 mo. 21. " The weather is evi^ 
 dently changed, and spring-like. I hope the 
 beneficial influence will relieve thee; and if 
 some of thy former spring-languor should in-, 
 tervene, seeing it attended thy machine in its 
 youth, thou needest not set it down as a mark 
 of decay. And why bewail even decay ? The 
 offering of acquiescence, in the decline, may 
 be as acceptable as the offer of our strength, in 
 the advance of our corporeal powers ; and 
 deficient as I may be in aught besides, I think 
 I can testify that the mind can, when so per- 
 
105 
 
 mitted, still grasp the anchor with unimpaired, 
 if not with increasing, vigour. Wherefore, 
 
 5 hold up thy head ; get, if thou canst, 
 
 at times, above the sense of thy many infirmi- 
 ties of every kind ; exert thy confidence, and 
 believe thou art tenderly cared for." 
 
 1807. 6 mo. 23. " It is a week to-day 
 since I received thy letter from Spalding. I 
 was much refreshed when I came to that part 
 of it which tells of the dispersion of thy doubts 
 
 upon kneeling down in the meeting at . 
 
 It seems to indicate that the more immediate 
 presence of the Great Object of prayer, is not 
 the region of distressing perplexity; and 
 happy are those to whom is granted occasional 
 access. However, it may suffice to tell thee, 
 that I suspended my reading, in order to dwell 
 awhile under the grateful sensations which it 
 had been the means of exciting. 
 
 '^ I believe thou and I both consider the 
 permission of another interview as a desirable 
 thing ; but if, in the ordering of Providence, it 
 ghould ever take place, various are, probably. 
 
106 
 
 the exercises which we must expect in this in- 
 terval. For my part, I cannot say I love con- 
 flict ; but I have somewhat learned to fear being 
 at ease, and try to consider preservation in it 
 better than total exemption. It is probable, 
 however, there may be a time when conflicts are 
 less necessary than at other times; and this 
 time, possibly, has arrived with dear old John 
 Kendall, whose company was so pleasant to 
 thee, and from whom I have this day received 
 an affectionate letter." 
 
 1807. 7 mo. 6. '^ Many years (in propor- 
 tion to the shortness of human life) have 
 elapsed since we met. In this interval we have 
 each, I cannot doubt, passed through many 
 trials and some conflicts. Whether we have 
 often remembered each otlier I cannot say; but 
 I can say that I have often remembered thee, 
 and, when opportunity occurred, not seldom 
 inquired after thee, 
 
 *' It is now, also, some years since the dif- 
 ferences of opinion, or of judgment, or of faith, 
 call it which we may, occasioned the separation 
 
107 
 
 of many from outward communication with the 
 body. For some of those who have been thus 
 separated, I have felt more regret than for 
 others. I must allow this may not seem a 
 catholic spirit, but I believe it is a natural one ; 
 and from the infirmities of nature, I dare not say 
 I seem near being exempt. Take me, therefore, 
 with my weaknesses, and if it be no mark of 
 my wisdom, receive it as one of my affection, 
 when I say, I have felt for the separation of no 
 one more than for thine. And now seeing- in 
 the nature of things, which is often the order- 
 ing of that Providence which formed the human 
 niind, time tends to blunt the edge of contro- 
 versy, and gives us coolly to revise what we 
 have embraced in the fervour (may be even the 
 honest fervour) of upholding what at the time 
 seemed sound, I thought I inclined to put 
 thee upon considering what thou hast gained, 
 and what facilities thou hast acquired, which 
 thou mightst not have had with us, and in our 
 creed (if I may use the word), of advancing in 
 the road to the heavenly kingdom, and of 
 serving, in singleness of heart, as thou wentest 
 along, that Lord whom I believe thou hast 
 loved, and whose service is said to be perfect 
 freedom. 
 
108 
 
 " I am not inclined to dispute; for, though 
 I can be sufficiently strenuous, and may be, as 
 some think, too strenuous for what I adopt as 
 orthodox, yet, when I sink, as it were, into 
 myself, and feel how much easier it is to lay 
 claim to soundness of opinion, than to attain to 
 simple dedication of heart, I am inclined to 
 prefer the love which melts away what seems 
 to oppose it, to the spirit of argumentation that 
 strives to bear it down. I desire thee, there- 
 fore, to consider this letter as the eifect of that 
 love, which having been excited by means of 
 observing thee when in London, still conti- 
 nues ; though, at the same time, I have not 
 only no objection to make it the medium of 
 informing thee that I wish thy complete return 
 into the bosom of our Society ; but I should 
 be alad, if it should even induce thee to look 
 that way with desire. I know it is relaxed ; 
 nevertheless, its foundation, I think, is stead- 
 fast ; and the failure of thousands need not 
 prevent the honest and the upright from build- 
 ing on it, or keeping their habitations, if pri- 
 vileged to have obtained them. 
 
 *' I want to conclude, but I seem to in- 
 crease in fervour of good desire for thee as I go 
 
109 
 
 along. I am cautious of using expressions, yet 
 my wishes would not be inaptly conveyed if I 
 were to venture to say — * May Christ the Re- 
 deemer, by his all-conquering love, draw thee 
 to himself, and unite thee to his Church;' — with- 
 out pretending to assert or assume that he is 
 sufficiently united to it, and sufficiently one of 
 His humble followers, who now with truth 
 subscribes himself thy affectionate friend." 
 
 1807. 7 mo. 14. ^^Thou art, if I am not 
 mistaken, much exempt from some of the more 
 painful infirmities which sometimes attend old 
 age. Thy decay seems to advance with gentle 
 gradation, and, amidst the failure of the out- 
 ward man, I trust that ' the inward man is 
 renewed day by day.' Similar to this are the 
 lines of a modern poet, who, though not him- 
 self a strict, religious person, seems to have 
 known what was good, and what was to be de- 
 sired in the evening of the day of a Christian. 
 
 ' Sinks to the grave with unperceiv'd decay. 
 Whilst resignation gently slopes the way ; 
 And all his prospects brightening to the last, 
 His lieaven commences ere the world be past.* 
 
110 
 
 " I think I speak the truth when I say, that 
 I am at times so sensible of my unworthineSvS^ 
 that I am almost afraid to assume the language 
 of benediction towards my friends; but I 
 would add on thy behalf, what has occurred to 
 me as I have been writing-*-' May He who has 
 been with thee all thy life long, be with thee ta 
 the end,' according to that we read in John xiii, 
 ' Having loved his own which were in the 
 world, he loved them unto the end.' I remem- 
 ber these words once occurred to me in one of 
 my later calls on thy friend Susanna Row, of 
 innocent memory/" 
 
 1807. 8 mo. 25. '' I think I can, satisfac- 
 torily to myself at least, understand the state 
 in which thou deseribest thyself to be ; and I 
 am apt to believe it is a very suitable and pro- 
 per one. As thou knowest the ox and the 
 ass are adduced in Isaiah as comparisons, in 
 some respects for men ; so I may explain one 
 part of my notion, by observing, that a horse 
 has generally more com given him on a jour- 
 ney, when he is expected to exert himself, 
 than when he is at home, doing nothing in the 
 
Ill 
 
 istable. And as to the sensible enjoyment of 
 the pouring forth of the spirit of gratitude and 
 praise, when thou wast recapitulating the 
 Lord's dealing's with thee during thy journey, 
 I must drop my simile, and say, in plain 
 English, that I esteem such seasons as great 
 consolations ; and, as such recitals will not at 
 all times, or when we will, produce such sen- 
 sations, I desire more and more to be able to 
 esteem them (and in my measure receive them) 
 as the bounty of Him whom we profess, and 
 sometimes endeavour, to serve. Thou ques- 
 tionestthyself having the power of description. 
 I see only one sign of it, and that is thy calling 
 thy state a desert, I would rather consider it 
 like our present land of this highly privileged 
 island, or this county of Middlesex, from which 
 an abundant harvest is just taken off; and the 
 land, though still fertile, lies apparently fruit- 
 less, but soon to receive the plough and the 
 seed for another crop. This is neither desert 
 nor desertion." 
 
 1807. 8 mo. 27. " This is the anniver- 
 sary of our marriage, thirty-one years ago. 
 
112 
 
 Many have not the privilege of continuing 
 together so long. How desirable is it that, on 
 retrospect, we may find we have endeavoured 
 to be help-meets in the best sense. I do not 
 feel powerful in that which is good ; but I seem 
 to wish that good may more prevail in the 
 earth, in our favoured Society, in my beloved 
 
 friends, and in thee, my dear : that 
 
 as thy station in life increases in importance, 
 thy union may be closer with the Source of 
 good." 
 
 The two following letters (the latter is not, 
 however, introduced in the order of time,) were 
 addressed to one who is not now living, whom 
 the writer had treated with much kindness, 
 and in whose religious welfare he had for many 
 years manifested a kind and friendly interest ; 
 
 1807. 8 mo. 27. " Thy long letter (though 
 I am not partial to prolixity) did not tire me 
 to read, nor puzzle me to understand. May 
 be thou wilt not think me the less thy friend 
 for saying, I am glad of thy distress ; and as I 
 do believe there is but one right way of 
 
lis 
 
 escaping from it, I heartily wish thou may^t be 
 endued with sufficient patience until that is 
 opened, and not seek an escape until this bap- 
 tism of repentance prove itself indeed to be 
 for the remission of sins. Keen sensibility of 
 transgression on this side the grave, I esteem 
 a mark of life ; and the proverb says, ^ where 
 there is life there is hope;' but thou must 
 not build much on my mere opinion, because I 
 think with respect to others, my mind is apt to 
 rush into hope eagerly. If thou art indeed 
 now trembling under the powerful pleadings of 
 the Lord, it is needless, and may be imperti- 
 nent, for me to interfere; but I have not much 
 to say : I chiefly incline to let thee knovv I 
 am not insensible to thy condition, though, as 
 to commiseration, it was probably more due, 
 when thou thyself wast resolutely endeavour- 
 ing to quench sensibility. Now, if indeed 
 thou art cherishing it, I would chiefly wish 
 that, as it were, with the pen of a diamond, 
 might be engraven on thy heart, the indis- 
 pensable lesson — Perseierey 
 
J 14 
 
 " I am much afraid that the 
 
 same spirit of impatience and of intolerance of 
 controul, which I think has been thy bane all 
 thy life, is still at work, and if not curbed by 
 something stronger than thou canst command, 
 will prove too much for thee yet. If I under- 
 stand thy case, it is this : — Thou hast believed 
 it right, and that under circumstances not the 
 most unlikely to contribute towards giving 
 thee a right estimate of thyself — thou hast, I 
 say, thought it right to take one step, or to 
 seek after one means of peace ; namely, recon- 
 ciliation and re-union with our Society. Now, 
 I believe it will be best for thee not to be 
 airainff at two thinsfs at once. If this first 
 object be not obtained as soon as thy ardent 
 mind would like, and thou canst but (Ah ! how 
 hard I know and feel this to be) remain in true 
 patience, it will be no fault of thine. And 
 suppose the days of thy probation should be 
 many, consider how many have been the days 
 in which thou hast been (I was going to say, 
 greedily) accumulating evil, which, possibly, 
 nothing but some mortifying, and not transient 
 baptism, can suffice to wash away; and I am 
 mistaken, after so many years of acquaintance 
 
J15 
 
 with thee, if suffering, and apparent insignifi- 
 cance, (which, may be, in one sense, is the real 
 state of many besides thee and me,) is not 
 more likely to be a mortifying baptism to thee, 
 than if thou hadst a prospect of being led to 
 the stake. 
 
 " I believe the ordinary and salutary 
 course of the discipline in honest, though 
 ordinary hands, will always be found sufficient, 
 through the blessing, without which nothing can 
 prosper, to restore and reinstate the truly re- 
 penting, humble, and patient prodigal; and if 
 thou apply to us, or consider thyself, in any 
 other view, I am clear it is beyond my ability 
 to help forward the cause. 
 
 " I suppose thou wilt call this too a mur- 
 muring letter. I am sure J do not want to 
 wound thee, and if, without any primary in- 
 tention (for I see I can hardly help it as I go 
 along) I should do so, thou mayst recollect, 
 that ' faithful are the wounds of a friend;' and 
 1 want thee sometimes to recollect also, that 
 the wisdom thou art to seek, if ever thou seek 
 aright, is, among other things, said to be gentle 
 and easy to be entreated. 
 
 '' I intend to let ^ee thy letter, Ȥ 
 
 i 2 
 
116 
 
 1 did the last ; and, in the meantime, I am 
 bold to say, that whether mine tends to wound 
 or to assuag:e, I am thy friend." 
 
 1807. 9 mo. 15. " I am glad, according 
 to my measure, which to me seems small, that 
 thou art so far given up to follow where thou 
 apprehendest the Lord condescends to lead; 
 and I think I may say I have unity with thy con- 
 cern, according to thy ability, to make known 
 His invitation. His power, and His love, to 
 thy fellow-creatures. I am particularly pleased 
 with thy care not to trust to past experiences 
 and openings, and hope thou wilt be furnished 
 with sufficient intelligence and direction to 
 bring thee calmly in due time to the end of thy 
 present undertaking." 
 
 1807. 12 mo. 8. " This has been th« 
 coldest day this winter. The thermometer has 
 descended to 21°, and snow has been falling 
 much of the day. I have been thinking whether 
 
 is warmer than our parts, for I have 
 
 hot this way seen a laurustinus nearly in full 
 
117 
 
 blow ; whereas, six weeks ago, I admired the 
 
 beauty of that shrub at — ^, I do not 
 
 know whether these remarks are to thy taste; 
 but I am rather fond of comparing the natural 
 differences of temperature, in different situa- 
 tions; and I think that when better things are 
 not excluded by it, the mind is not unusefully 
 employed in such observations. Our conversa^ 
 tion in society generally turns on the subjects 
 which generally occupy our thoughts ; and I 
 have often believed, that if the conversation of 
 Friends more frequently turned on thingSy Sind 
 seldomer on persons^ there would be less dan- 
 ger of slipping unawares into what pur query 
 guards against. 
 
 " I do not say this with reference to thy 
 practice, for I never heard an ill-natured ex- 
 pression, or a satirical remark, escape thy lips ; 
 and, I am persuaded^ thou hast that near thee, 
 which will continue to keep thee from tempta- 
 tion to this wasting evil. 
 
 " I received dear -'s letter to-day. 
 
 1 hope 1 shall write to him. I am pleased he 
 accomplished his journey so much to his satis- 
 faction, and very much so that he went also to 
 
 , whither, by his brethren, he was not 
 
 sent. Free-will ofl'erings are valuable. I wish. 
 
118 
 
 according to my measure, that he may continue 
 to cleave to the precious cause which he has 
 embraced. I am sure helpers do not abound. 
 It may truly be said, ^ The ways of Zion 
 mourn.' How few are there that deeply lay 
 these things to heart. I cannot but be per- 
 suaded, that when the mind is on the watch, 
 occasions will, from time to time, occur to the 
 honest-hearted, and strength with them, to ad- 
 vocate in some way or other, in little or in 
 much, in public or in private, by doing, re- 
 fraining, or suffering, (it matters little how,) — 
 to be advocates and promoters of the cause of 
 Truth. And this, among all the discourage- 
 ments, which, as things are, they must meet 
 with, ought to cheer them up, and induce them 
 to persevere. Having got on this subject, I 
 seem willing to go on so far as to encourage 
 you, my dear friends, to believe and keep in 
 mind, that the cause is worthy suffering for ; 
 and that, at the winding up, no one will ever 
 be likely to complain that he has suffered too 
 much," 
 
 1807. 12 mo. SO. " The part thou ha^.i 
 had in the little tour^ of which thou hast given 
 
119 
 
 nie an account, is a cause of comfort. I trust 
 such services will tend to tliy own edification, 
 Rn well as to the good of society. Thou wilt 
 find much, very much, to lament ; but I hope 
 thou wilt also find what has sometimes occurred 
 io me with pleasure ; thou wilt also generally 
 find every where, something to unite with and 
 to love, if it be but an innocent youth, or a 
 solitary individual. Where we find good we 
 must unite with it, and try to encourage it. 
 The spirit of a child has seemed to help mine. 
 So I would have young men not doubt that 
 their standing firm tends to encourage their 
 elders; and I have no doubt that younger ones 
 still are sometimes most forcibly influenced by 
 their example and advice; because they cannot 
 think that such have passed the season when 
 youthful vanities naturally cease to tempt. I 
 long have thought that with my own youth, I 
 have for ever lost one personal argument to 
 induce or allure others to be serious. Do 
 
 thou, therefore, dear , employ the 
 
 vigour of thy days, so as that thy example shall 
 recommend the way of Christian simplicity. 
 It will do good as thou goest along, and be a 
 consolation to thee if thy life be lengthened. 
 
 '' With regard to thy late appointment to 
 
120 
 
 the station of Elder, it may be supereminently 
 said of that, as in degree it may be said of any 
 appointment in the Church, that it ought to 
 lead into deep consideration of our own states, 
 in order that we may not walk inconsistently 
 with it. I trust, as thou hast not accepted it 
 without fear, thou wilt not, if watchful, be 
 allowed to hold it up, as I fear some have 
 done, to reproach," 
 
 1807. 12 mo. SO. " If thou hast nothing 
 worse than poverty, never fear. Remember 
 who has said, ' Blessed are the poor in spirit.* 
 I could say much, may be, too much for me to 
 say, on the advantages of this sanctified and 
 sanctifying poverty; but thou knowest all these 
 things already. So I go on to tell thee that 
 we accomplished our journey, in most respects 
 as I had planned it. 
 
 "The wide departure of the young people 
 
 in, and in the influence of, meeting, 
 
 into worldly conformity, is truly lamentable, 
 and, I doubt not, occasions many a secret sigh 
 to the upright observer. As to me, I do not 
 know whether I did not feel a little satisfied 
 
121 
 
 that I was at all able and willing to suffer about 
 it. I think my dear wife had a lively little 
 opportunity [in the character of a minister] at 
 the first-day meeting, and she was also able 
 to stand forth again at the week-day meeting. 
 These opportunities, together with that in 
 prayer, she had in your meeting, when 1 
 thought she was a means of doing it good, 
 make me hope she was not out of her place in 
 bearing me company." 
 
 " As to what appears to us an 
 
 extreme of distress, and a conflict hardly to be 
 borne, I believe it is the secret lot of many, 
 who, nevertheless, being helped at times 'with 
 a little help,' just contrive to keep their heads 
 above water ; and when, in any strait we know 
 that if it were not for our attachment to the 
 law of the Lord, we should not be in it, then, 
 I say, although relief seems far off, and how it 
 may ever come we cannot devise, we may reap 
 some consolation from the knowledge on whose 
 account we suffer. For the inattentive, the 
 worldly spirit, absorbed in the love of other 
 things, escapes these straits, conflicts, and this 
 being at the wits' end, which the humble dis- 
 
122 
 
 ciple soinelimes gets into. And, maybe, it is 
 a safer state for some of us, of the more active 
 sort (in which I include myself), to dwell in 
 conflict, than always to be let into the whj/ and 
 the wherefore.'^ 
 
 . — ^' I cannot but feel for her, and 
 
 with her, so far as she feels she has any thing 
 which she knows to be precious, and which she 
 is afraid it will be hard for her to retain. And 
 precious, above value, is the practice of obedi- 
 ence in the case of any known duty. I wish thou 
 niaNst be able, by every means that presents, to 
 strengthen her in her well-founded fears ; and 
 to encourage her to believe that the attempt, 
 though arduous and requiring fortitude, is 
 yet practicable. We sometimes, thou knowest, 
 in looking at what is difficult, estimate the dif- 
 ficulty only by comparing it with our own 
 strength. We forget that every truly religious 
 conflict is really a part of the warfare of the 
 Lamb's army, and therefore we do not always 
 implore, so early and so earnestly as we might, 
 the assistance of the unconquered and uncon- 
 querable Captain. 
 
 " Let none, let not , think she 
 
123 
 
 cannot be entitled to the privilege of acce)?Q. 
 Whoever has a few duties impressed on the 
 mind, has, I think, as ^ood reason to look 
 for Divine help in performing them, as one 
 who has more. To be faithful in the little, is 
 the way to be made ruler over more; and as in 
 the outward, so in the inward, people increase 
 in strength hy exercise. O ! if we were more 
 or less Quakers (so called) indeed, we should 
 use our Quakerism. We should turn our 
 minds to their centre, in as much quietness as 
 we could, and pray, or try to pray, for support ; 
 and sincere prayer must imply some willing- 
 ness to co-operate with the help implored. 
 W^hen I talk of Quakerism, I mean Christian- 
 ity; and I sometimes think, that if those who 
 profess it would really use it, they would soon 
 know the value of it, and prize it too much to 
 barter it for trifles. Now even (this I was 
 going to say after the word access above), now 
 even, if we feel that we are not wholly what 
 we should be, and that we have in a greater or 
 less degree, limited the power ; if then we feel 
 sorrow for it, let us cherish the sorrow, and 
 still try to recollect, that even our wills may be 
 changed, if we desire it, by the very Power 
 which we once desired to limit. Every one 
 
124 
 
 knows that the froward temper of the child is 
 bent by parental discipline ; so we have war- 
 rant for believing that, when the mind is 
 deeply and duly impressed with a belief that it 
 is above all things desirable to obey the Hea- 
 venly Parent, though in a cross to our own 
 wills, He will permit such portions of the 
 chastisements of His unutterable love, as will 
 if abode under, bend the soul to Himself, and 
 finally make it meet to enjoy Him for ever. And, 
 for His fatherly chastisements, the quickened 
 mind will rather pray than deprecate them. 
 But young people, setting out in life, are too 
 much induced to think that the way before 
 them is a way of roses. But do thou hold 
 on thy way, as Paul once said to Timothy 
 or Titus, I forget which, ' In so doing thou 
 shalt not only save thyself, but them that 
 hear thee ;' so do thou rest assured, that thus 
 thou wilt not only find the inestimable benefit 
 of it thyself, but wilt be able to be a leaven to 
 others with whom thou art connected ; having 
 at times to rejoice in the Lord, whom, in 
 degree, thou hast loved ; and to give Him who 
 died for thee, the praise of His own work." 
 
125 
 
 CHAPTER y. 
 
 Letters written in the years 1808 and 1809, 
 
 1808. 2 mo. 18. « Thou must think it 
 some comfort, if thou dost not go back, and 
 get less earnest about the one thing needful. 
 For my part, I not seldom fear, I do not keep 
 my ground, particularly in the article of pa- 
 tience. I saw my want of this and of true 
 humility, years ago; and if I may call a sin- 
 cere wish with reference to * every good and 
 every perfect gift,' prayer, I prayed for an 
 increase of each ; and once I thought I had in 
 
 degree received what I asked : but well^ it 
 
 is good to remember sometimes the sackcloth is 
 
126 
 
 best underneath ; and that grumbling; does 
 one's self no good, and does not much encou- 
 
 rajje others. 
 
 1S08. 3 mo. 9. " It really has been a 
 time of want (deserved I am willing to think) 
 with me; yet I can, in my measure, rejoice 
 that thou art a little able to lift up thy head in 
 hope ; and I trust thou wilt, in due time, be 
 permitted, livingly, to remember, and feel that 
 there is a song- (mind, a song) of judgment as 
 well as of mercy. Indeed, I desire more and 
 more, to believe, that the Lord's judgments to 
 us, in this probationary state, however they 
 seem to arise, are sometimes some of his real 
 mercies. I allude to the 101st Psalm — ' I will 
 sing of mercy and of judgment, unto thee, O 
 Lord, will I sing.' " 
 
 1808. 3 mo. 15. " and 
 
 appear to me to be two choice young women, 
 who have, in degree, chosen the better part. 
 There are many such up and down, and it is a 
 comfort to observe it ; bat what 1, at present, 
 
m 
 
 wish is, that such may keep their eye forward, 
 and advance in true dedication. Many of them, 
 I cannot doubt, see the transcendent excellency 
 of that state described in the end of the 7th 
 verse of the 84th Psahn ; but let them instruc- 
 tively remember that, previously, there is the 
 ' going on from strength to strength.' Let ns 
 examine how far this is our experience. I can 
 almost say I long for more of our much-loved 
 young people to stand forth in their ranks, and 
 show themselves in their various providential 
 allotments, zealous in the good cause. They 
 are much to be sympathized with. There are 
 few to take them by the hand ; but may be, 
 even thou, inspecting thy own little experience, 
 canst now say, that sufficient help has never 
 been wanting for any purpose of clear duty ; 
 and probably in proportion as thou keepest pa- 
 tiently under the exercises which attend thee, 
 thou wilt, in future, if thy life be prolonged, 
 however strange they may sometimes appear, 
 thou wilt, I say, have to acknowledge that none 
 
 of them have been in vain, O, dear — ! 
 
 that state appears to me very precious, that 
 can endure conflict and abide temptation, and 
 yet keep steadily, though in suftcriiig, on the 
 Lord's side. 
 
V2S 
 
 '^ Having mentioned the 84th Psalui, I may 
 say that it seems to have been a difficult one 
 for our translators, and it appears to have 
 been particularly so at the 6th verse, which 
 I confess I do not understand. However, 
 I think, for I have looked at it since I wrote 
 the foregoing, it is a portion of Scripture re- 
 plete with instruction to the Christian tra- 
 veller." 
 
 1808. 3 mo. 18. " I suppose by this time 
 you have concluded as to the choice of the 
 house; and there is nothing I so much wish 
 you may experience in whichever you pitch 
 upon, as an increase in dedication to the cause 
 of Truth. I know thou thinkest lowly and dis- 
 couragingly of thyself, and so do J, of myself, 
 though, may be, not enough so. Well, then, 
 in proportion as we feel the want of more of 
 the true treasure in our earthen vessels, we 
 may learn to estimate its worth, and should 
 be more excited to keep our eye to the Dis- 
 penser of it. I do not seem well to know 
 what expressions to choose ; but what I want 
 to remind thee of is, the advantage, the apti- 
 tude, the preciousness of the season of youth; 
 and thou, my dear , art yet in youth, 
 
129 
 
 scarcely out of its bloom. How consoling*, 
 if thy days are lengthened out, if thou mayst 
 be permitted also to be instrumental in lead- 
 ing thy dear infants in the way they should go, 
 that this language may be applicable to thee, 
 ' I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, 
 the love of thine espousals,' and so on, as in 
 Jer. ii. 2. And even if a long-protracted age 
 be not attained, who can believe that so far 
 as our feeble efforts can contribute to make us 
 acceptable, the ' kindness of youth ' will 
 ever be blotted out of the ' book of remem- 
 brance ' for those who ' follow on to know 
 the Lord'? See Hosea, vi. 3. &c. So that 
 the watchword is Persevere,^'' 
 
 180S. 4 mo. 15. ^' My very nature seems to 
 rejoice in the vernal gales that are now afloat. 
 
 But dear ■, we have that in ns that even 
 
 vernal delights cannot satisfy, though vernal 
 delights are doubly delightful, when felt and 
 viewed with reference to the Author of creation, 
 and Fountain of grace ; and I do not choose to 
 despise the small glow of adoration which may 
 Bometimes steal over the mind, on the view 
 
ISO 
 
 of a fruit-bud : nor is, I believe, the spirit of 
 our religion abhorrent from the indulgence of 
 such a feeling ; since even the care taken for 
 the lilies and the grass of the field, is held up to 
 us as an encouragement to believe we are 
 still cared for. And I suppose it may be with 
 
 dear and with thee, as with me, that I am 
 
 glad to catch any little consolation when I can." 
 
 1808. 6 mo. 10. " The fear thou hast expres- 
 sed respecting thy new appointment, reminds 
 nie of a manuscript, which we now have before 
 the morning meeting. It is a kind of diary of 
 a friend, deceased about four years ago, named 
 Mary Waring, in which there is frequent men- 
 tion of her fears, as to her due qualifications 
 for being Clerk, as she was, of her quarterly 
 meeting. I am apt to think that humble- 
 minded young people make rather too much of 
 a mountain of this, and some other things ; 
 yet some portion of fear is, I believe, a good 
 ingredient in the disposition fit to enter upon 
 any service in the church. It tends to keep 
 the mind and attention close to the ultimate 
 object : which is (however we may now and 
 
131 
 
 then, or often, forget it) the promotion of a 
 cause more than human. As to the book or 
 manuscript to which I have referred, I hope 
 in due time thou wilt see it published. There 
 is a class of readers in our Society, to which I 
 believe it will be encouraging and delightful ; 
 such as have made some progress in the way 
 of Truth, and are desirous of making more ; 
 yea, even of going on, and increasing to the 
 end in well-doing. Mary Waring was not a 
 minister, but a very diligent attender of a 
 meeting which was commonly but small, and I 
 suppose particularly on a week-day ; but seems 
 seldom to have attended those little gatherings 
 without some reward ; and the frequent testi- 
 mony to the good which often arose in the little, 
 silent, week-day meetings, has felt to me parti- 
 cularly pleasant. And I think, though we cannot 
 compare ourselves with those whose experien- 
 ces we sometimes read, and cannot but feel our 
 own great deficiency in attainments which they 
 seem to possess, yet their good example is a 
 kind of cordial; it seems to strengthen the 
 things which seem ready to die in us, and I 
 would not have us despise even the ability to 
 rejoice that they were faithful. It may have 
 been prompted by love to a Master whom we 
 K 2 
 
133 
 
 are conscious we do not ourselves serve enough. 
 
 I much wish that thou and dear — , may 
 
 be preserved to hold on your way wherever 
 you are. I lament, in my measure, because I 
 see so few advanced to that stability in which, 
 as it were, the weight of the work may safely 
 devolve upon their shoulders. In short, our 
 spring seems more abundant in blossom, than 
 our summer proves to be in fruit." 
 
 1808. 7 mo. 2, " I sometimes feel as if 
 I should come almost to a full stop, and scarcely 
 get forward at all in the important journey to 
 the heavenly city, whose walls are salvation, 
 and whose gates are praise. It now occurs to 
 me, the import, or I should speak more mo- 
 destly by saying, an import of these latter words, 
 * whose gates are praise.* It seems as if a 
 state in which, by a submission to His judg- 
 ments, and a consequent taste of His mercy, 
 the Lord can truly and livingly be praised, 
 were the very preliminary of salvation. It is 
 pleasant in degree to be enabled to offer it by the 
 way, and we are encouraged to it by that of 
 Psalm 1. ' Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth 
 
133 
 
 me,' but then to turn into the world, and 
 there ' to order the conversation aright,' so 
 as that that too shall own Him and praise Him, 
 there is the strait, there is seen the deep neces- 
 sity for redeeming power and love. There we 
 may feelingly echo back his language, ' Lord, 
 indeed, separate from thee, we can do no- 
 thin^.' " 
 
 It was in the course of the summer of this 
 year, whilst absent from home on a visit to 
 friends in Scotland, by appointment of the 
 Yearly Meeting, that the writer of these letters 
 first became sensible of a failure of sight in 
 his left eye, occasioned by a cataract, to which 
 circumstance allusion is made in the following 
 letter. It did not much affect his spirits : he 
 seemed to think more of the trouble he should 
 occasion to others, if he became totally blind, 
 than of his own deprivation ; often remarking 
 that he thought the loss of sight a less trial 
 than that of hearing. 
 
 1808. 9 mo. 17. " I love the disposition 
 that can freely abase itself; and as I esteem it 
 a state generally safe, it is gratifying to oh- 
 
serve it in such as are dear to us. I have no 
 doubt that thou hast set out well ; so have 
 many : — but in this journey, in contemplating 
 how few from place to place, and even in 
 places where the advocates of Truth were once 
 numerous, are now really accoutered for the 
 Christian warfare, I have felt something of 
 renewed desire that the present generation of 
 the visited youth may be continually watchful, 
 and stand firm ; and then I cannot but think, 
 by degrees, they will advance to that state of 
 usefulness in the church, which is sadly wanted. 
 Thou knowest that I allot a large latitude to 
 the term, usefulness in the church ; and that 
 I am of the mind, and so art thou, that every 
 one who is really formed into that which the 
 Head of the church designs, whatever else he 
 or she may be, is useful in it. Oh ! how I 
 desire to encourage thee to persevere, and 
 however low and prostrate it may be thy lot 
 at times to lie, that still thy eye may be di- 
 rected upwards. 
 
 '' My poor left eye has been almost all this 
 journey some trouble, having much lost the fa- 
 culty of distinguishing objects. But, let us turn 
 away from our infirmities and wants, and re- 
 
135 
 
 collect how much is still granted to us of that 
 Avhich renders life pleasant ; and I am apt to 
 believe that had we less, one true ray of real 
 divine consolation would compensate for the 
 diflference : and in the mean time the little 
 drawbacks on our outward comforts are gentle 
 checks to our trusting in them." 
 
 1808. 10 mo. 23. " Thou mayst possibly 
 incline to know how I fared in my late pro- 
 tracted journey. I answer, Very well ; for on 
 standing a few seconds in our parlour, on 
 coming home, I thought there was cause for 
 gratitude, not only for preservation from bodily 
 injury, but from any thing that seemed to occa- 
 sion remorse. If my endeavours might, in any 
 degree, be dignified with the designation of 
 serving the Lord, I have thought there is 
 ample encouragement to attempt so to serve 
 Him again. 
 
 " I hardly recollect in what part of my 
 travels it was that I first heard of a consider- 
 able change for the better (I trust and believe) 
 in dear . I think 1 did rfrjoice at it, 
 
136 
 
 and though I now feel at this present writing, 
 far from being replenished with good and with 
 consolation, I do wish that the leaven which 
 if I am rightly informed has begun to work, 
 may continue to operate, not only to the form- 
 ing of her into that for which holj Wisdom 
 designs her, but that through her (as is some- 
 times the case when one visited mind in a 
 family stands its ground) the precious influ- 
 ence of truth may pass to her sisters and bro- 
 thers, and be felt as a dew to the whole family. 
 I do not know that it is desirable to tell her 
 this as from me. I desire to be much on my 
 guard against activity in meddling v. ith those 
 on whom the Master-workman's hand is turn- 
 ing for good ; but I think I love to see it, and 
 I had a mind to tell thee how I feel about it. 
 I say, I think I love to see it, because I am 
 reminded that we, who seem to have arrived at 
 some certain degree of advancement in what 
 we call the right way, are now and then apt to 
 question the zeal of those who set out after 
 us ; because if their dedication exceeds ours, 
 we feel lessened by the comparison. This is 
 a sort of general remark which I make to ex- 
 plain my own cautious way of talking ; and 
 possibly a needless one, so far as it may relate 
 
137 
 
 to thee. This I know, that since I have been 
 a little (ah ! how little) bound to the testimo- 
 nies of Truth, I have seen some, if not several 
 of my relations, bend the same way, and al- 
 ways with gladness of heart, so far as the sense 
 of my own wants permits me to be glad." 
 
 1808. 10 mo. 26. " I do not forget thy 
 dear little niece. I should like to see her. 
 Do give my love to her. How bright will be 
 the retrospect for thee, if thou shalt be the first 
 instrument of implanting in her mind, as well 
 
 as in that of , sentiments of genuine piety; 
 
 and of awakening that love to the Author of 
 their being, which will make them dread to 
 offend Him. Whoever duly reflects how much 
 our Society mourns for want of baptized mem- 
 bers, will not despise the earliest cultivation 
 of the infant mind. No one can ensure the 
 blessing on the endeavour as it relates to the 
 pupil, but I think we may say, that it is 
 scarcely sooner rightly exerted than blessed, 
 as it relates to the tutoress." 
 
138 
 
 1808. 12 mo. 26. " I inclined to add 
 
 my mite of encouragement, if I might be so 
 permitted, and meet thee with a few lines at 
 Oxford. And now, what have I to give ? I 
 want consolation myself, and seem little able 
 to help others. I am often made to feel (not I 
 desire, if right, to think too often) my own 
 great want ; but through, as I trust, long-suf- 
 fering mercy, am seldom so low as not to wish 
 that the Lord's cause may prosper, though I 
 seem hardly able to promote it. So I desire 
 that thy head may still be held above the 
 billows ; and, probably ere this, thou mayst 
 have received as thou hast gone along, such 
 portions of daily bread, as have satisfied thy 
 soul for the time, if not enabled thy tongue to 
 exult in praise. Farewell ! May the Lord be 
 with thee, and preserve thee from all harm." 
 
 1808. 12 mo. SI. Sexenth day erening, 
 ^'' I had allotted some other employ for this 
 period (which, indeed, I seldom much want, 
 when I have memory enough to recollect, and 
 spirits enough to set about it), but the answer- 
 
139 
 
 ing thy welcome letter of the 21st ult. seemed 
 to turn up as a job claiming priority. Not- 
 withstanding this, I do not seem disposed to 
 read it over again ; and I may inform thee of 
 the state of my only reading eye, when 1 tell 
 thee that by this candle-light, though with my 
 spectacles, I do not much incline to attempt a 
 fresh perusal. But I pretty well have the sub- 
 jects in my mind, and I will tell thee which of 
 them gave me the greatest pleasure ; namely, 
 that part where thou expressest thy desire that 
 thou mayst always consider the Lord's service 
 the principal business of thy life. Were this 
 the concern of all, how sweetly, what we call 
 our occupations would go forward ! I do not 
 write thus because of abounding (unless, as I 
 sometimes think, there may be an invisible 
 store in what we call poverty; for instance, 
 why should it not be as proper to say, ' When 
 I am poor, then am I rich ;' as what Paul said, 
 ' When I am weak, then am I strong '), not, I 
 say, from abounding ; for, if I were to ave- 
 rage my consolations, during the days that 
 have elapsed, since, returning from the North 
 I re-entered this house in peace, they would be 
 far below most equal periods of later time, and 
 may be this last week the lowest ; though we 
 
140 
 
 have had here some of those who possess much, 
 very much, of my sincere regard. Ere this, if 
 consistent with that holy will, which works 
 the good of us feeble creatures, sometimes by 
 
 unpleasant means, I hope dear is 
 
 restored to usual health. My love to him, 
 also to his sister, whom thou seemest to want 
 to make me believe is ailing with a mental 
 lameness, which thy medical knowledge cannot 
 cure. If so, and she still keeps in view the 
 desirableness of alacrity for the great Master's 
 errands, little as well as great, I think she is 
 much to be pitied ; and I would have those 
 pray for her, who can. I sometimes think it is 
 good to believe that, as of old, so now, there 
 is but one Physician for all sorts of ailments, 
 whose ' I will,' attracted by sincere faith, can 
 equally make the halt to leap, as the leper to 
 be clean." 
 
 1809. 3 mo. 11. "I remember it once 
 occurred to me, pretty early in my pilgrimage, 
 that it was a pity to make the first use of the 
 light one has, in spying out the failings of 
 others ; or what we think such. If we rather 
 
141 
 
 use it to descry our own, and feel how much 
 we stand in need of help and forgiveness, we 
 shall be slow in complaints of the degeneration 
 of society, but shall be really contributing to 
 improve it. It seems as if true humility was 
 almost the only impregnable fortress ; but even 
 that wants the Commander in Chief to be 
 always resident, to prevent a surprise." 
 
 1809. 3 mo. 15. '^ I have reason to hope 
 that thy attachment to the cause of Truth may 
 have been increased by having it for so many 
 weeks almost the sole object of thy attention. 
 For though thy province seems to have been 
 
 more in the outward way than 's, yet every 
 
 service of every kind, done in integrity to the 
 cause, contributes to one and the same end. 
 What that end is, cannot, probably, be better 
 expressed than the angels expressed it at the 
 birth of the immortal Son. 
 
 " I am sometimes so beset with fear as to 
 my own standing, that I cannot promise that I 
 shall be able to rejoice at good in any future day ; 
 but I believe that if I am preserved in the path 
 
142 
 
 in which I should go, I shall rejoice to see 
 
 Quarterly Meeting again flourish, by an 
 
 increase of members, who do prefer the pros- 
 perity of the Christian religion to outward 
 prosperity ; who consider, in what they under- 
 take, the probable influence it may have on 
 them, as to weaning from the world, or attach- 
 ing them to it ; and who are always aware that 
 some of their time may be better employed 
 than in caring for that which must have an 
 end." 
 
 1809. 3 mo. 17. " I am pleased I did not 
 write to thee a day or two sooner, for then I 
 should not have known how much thou hast 
 been a fellow-sufferer with me in conflict this 
 winter. Having been a couple of nights in 
 town, I did not get thy last till yesterday, too 
 late for the post. I am sure it excited emo- 
 tions of compassion, because several of thy 
 remarks respecting thyself, so much tally with 
 what I have felt, and do at times feel, particu- 
 larly that sense of a want of full resignation ; 
 that knowledge that our dedication is not com- 
 plete ; and, I may add, I hope, not without 
 
us 
 
 some fear and humility of mind, those little 
 seasons of calmness and encouragement, which 
 are permitted to be the means of our entering 
 the cloud again without utter dismay. 
 
 ^' When we are thus tried and look around 
 us, we seldom see many that we think can feel 
 with us and for us, and who are able to ad- 
 minister help ; and, if it were not so, we 
 should not be so completely driven to look for 
 it, and breathe after it, to Him who is called 
 ' the Restorer of paths to dwell in.' 
 
 " There are, I think, no two Christian qua- 
 lifications for which, in time past, I have more 
 truly prayed, than humility and patience. Hu- 
 mility is a safe state ; and those troubles which 
 pervade even that retreat from the dangerous 
 region of self-love, patience can enable the 
 soul to endure. Well, do thou trust on to the 
 end of thy race ; and though thy trials may 
 seem peculiar, be assured that, in general 
 nature and effect, they are such as are common 
 to man ; to a man, that is, that wants to press 
 after the mark for the prize of our high calling, 
 I am afraid to add, and afraid to omit — of 
 God in Christ Jesus." 
 
144 
 
 1809. 4 mo. 13. " Parental fondness 
 is providential provision for the helpless- 
 ness of infancy. How strange it is (as we 
 who are not parents think) that seeing fond 
 parents are always prompt to impart to their 
 little ones, every good and pleasant thing of 
 this life within their reach, they should not, as 
 they themselves grow in that best of good, sub- 
 mission to the law of the Lord, be equally 
 forward to implant the seeds of His holy fear, 
 and carefully to weed out in time what seems 
 to obstruct its growth. Yet tlms we sometimes 
 find it seems to be with religious parents, and 
 even those whose religion has cost them some- 
 thing. I view (according to my ability, from 
 time to time), with emotions of genuine com- 
 fort, the parent who is always keeping in view 
 this only availing portion, and who, one can 
 believe, is employing a portion of that love 
 with which the Almighty Parent has loved him 
 or her, in endeavouring to train a child for His 
 service. I do not mean any particular service, 
 for wherever the hateful and the mischievous 
 propensities are checked, and the lovely tem- 
 pers produced in the heart, through the belief 
 and the love of Christ (which children are 
 
145 
 
 sooner capable of knowing something of than 
 people are aware) there, at least, the way of 
 
 tlie Lord is prepared, and the Lord is served. 
 
 Weil, my dear , as I trust His blessing 
 
 has attended thee through every stage of thy 
 life, may it richly endow thy mind in this latter 
 and important charge; and mayst thou at all 
 times have Him for a sure refuge in every 
 trouble." 
 
 1809. 4 mo. 23. " Ah ! Redemption ! I 
 am apt to think that in proportion as we feel 
 the wants of our nature, yea even of that state 
 of attainment which others may look at as con- 
 siderable, we shall value it as that on which we 
 can only depend. I feel satisfied for thee, who 
 art favoured to be employed in the way thou 
 art. My hope for thee is, that thou mayst go 
 on in simplicity, and in the fear which pre- 
 serves, not that which discourages. I some- 
 times fear that I did not early enough learn to 
 keep, or even to get, close enough to best 
 direction, (I do not mean as to what is called 
 public ministry, for that never opened to me as 
 a duty), otherwise I should scarcely have been 
 
146 
 
 subject to some coiitiicts which at times exer- 
 cise me now; and, therefore, I would encou- 
 rage those who, at an an^e which I have long^ 
 passed, are pressing towards the mark for the 
 prize of the high calling, to keep in the cool 
 and quiet valley, where they may be most out 
 of the reach of the various noises which tend to 
 alarm, and to divert their attention. Our 
 various tempers seem to make this not equally 
 easy to all ; but I try to believe that He who 
 framed us, has means for supplying every want 
 of every kind." 
 
 1809. 9 mo. 18. " I have nearly finished 
 my volume of ' Piety Promoted ;' and nearly 
 all that I have written has passed the Morning 
 Meeting. Thou mayst be sure I have not 
 omitted Job Thomas ; but really, in consider- 
 ing, if one may so say, the sacredness of the 
 views which he had, I can scarcely think of 
 throwing them before our public without fear ; 
 considering his experience as a pearl almost 
 loo pure and precious to be exposed. Ah ! 
 luy dear friend, it is easy to think we could 
 bubmit to trials which we know do not await 
 
147 
 
 us ; but really I have sometimes thought I 
 could abide, if I could not welcome, his pain, 
 to be sure of his end. But, dear man, proba- 
 bly amidst his helplessness and pain, he had 
 his stripping times, bitterness which only his 
 own heart knew. And as for us, for in this 
 case, I suppose I am not a sparrow alone on 
 the house-top, who may be at times induced to 
 think we could bear the conflicts of others, how 
 do we shrink from our own, though, may be, 
 they are the very right thing for us. I shall 
 draw to a conclusion with saying that thy last 
 letter was very acceptable to me. Thou mayst 
 be sure I can say 'Amen' to thy concluding 
 good wish. Sometimes I hope the same myself, 
 even a continuance of holy preservation, which 
 is all I can comfortably trust to." 
 
 1809. 12 mo. 18. " I apprehend our let- 
 ters have crossed, and I should probably have 
 waited for something like a reply to my last, 
 lest we should cross again, but for thy pro- 
 posal of chronicling my name in that of thy 
 infant. I feel pleased with it as an instance of 
 thy attachment and good opinion ; nor is, I 
 l2 
 
148 
 
 dare say, my \anity, still too much alive, un- 
 gratified. But I think this gratification is 
 something of the kind of that which arises to 
 many poor mortals, in the expectation of their 
 names surviving them on marble, or in the page 
 of history. Just at this moment, too, I feel 
 something of the greater privilege of having 
 the name written in the book of remem- 
 brance, spoken of for them that fear the Lord, 
 and speak often one to another ; with which 
 approved exercise, I hope this our epistolary 
 conversation is not inconsistent. 
 
 " I have ruminated a little on thy late re- 
 vision of past scenes and past mercies ; and I 
 have doubted that I could bear the retrospect 
 of my own steppings : surely not; — unless the 
 Power that only availingly gives the faculty of 
 seeing, supJ)orts in the view. Yet, I am apt 
 sometimes, in times of dismay, to look bacK, 
 and to hope, that as I have been permitted to 
 get through some sore trials, and yet preserved 
 in some degree of that sensibility which be- 
 tokens life, I may yet be preserved, however 
 unseen is at times the arm of support. 
 
 ^' In my present proposed publication, I am 
 most comforted with those accounts in which 
 
149 
 
 the departing pilgrim builds all his hope on 
 the mercy of his triumphant Captain, ascribing 
 M to Him, and closing in humility and abase- 
 ment of self," 
 
 1809. 12 mo. 24. " To have been merci- 
 fully cared for, preserved, directed almost to 
 a hair's breadth, as thou hast been, in so long 
 a journey, truly demands the continuance of 
 dedication, and is likely to give rise to an 
 anxious degree of caution. But as at not any 
 period of thy journey thou hadst any thing to 
 trust to but the omniscient mind, and the al- 
 mighty power of thy Lord ; so in the winding 
 up, according to my present small measure of 
 ability, I much desire thou mayst be strength- 
 ened to pour forth, as it were, thy soul in 
 secret supplication for this crowning favour : 
 for, probably, in more views than one, the end 
 crowns all. And if peace, thanksgiving, and 
 the choice blessing of a humble spirit, (I hope, 
 
 dear , I do not speak wholly without 
 
 feeling,) are the attendants of thy return, what 
 greater crown can the Christian soldier desire ! 
 Much further enjoyment, though sometimes 
 allowed, may not always be beneficial." 
 
130 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Letters written in the years 1810 and 1811, 
 
 1810. 1 mo. 29. " I have several things 
 which seem to claim attention , but I most incline 
 to write a few lines to thee, chiefly because 
 I heard again mentioned to-day, what thy 
 nephew told me last week— that thou still con- 
 tinuest very low, deeply feeling thy late loss of 
 a sister, a neighbour, and a friend. I do not 
 wonder at it ; but yet, I have been thinking, 
 why shouldst thou be dejected ? Why should 
 we over-much lament when a dear friend, pre- 
 pared through suffering for peace, is trans- 
 ferred from conflict to reward ? 1 know our 
 
151 
 
 nature has a ready answer to some of these 
 questions; if, therefore, they should fail to 
 afford thee much solace, I wish thee to receive 
 them as a token of my love, if thou canst not of 
 my wisdom. I am sure I am not arrived at 
 that state of equanimity, sometimes so desira- 
 ble in prospect. I sometimes remind myself of 
 that state which is crying, ' why go I mourning 
 because of the oppression of the enemy ?' for 
 surely did the rightful Lord reign without a 
 competitor, peace would be more within our 
 walls, and prosperity within our palaces. I 
 am reminded, I say, of that trying state ; and 
 what I desire for thee is, that thou mayst, from 
 time to time, as may be permitted for the 
 renewal of thy faith and strength, feel the sub- 
 joined cordial to arise in thy heart, with life 
 and animating power : ' Hope thou in God, 
 for I shall yet praise Him, the health of my 
 countenance, and my God.* " 
 
 1810. 1 mo. 30. " Ready recollection is 
 on the wane with me, and I am longer in doing 
 things than I used to be. Thou dost not re- 
 member me a youth, but I was reckoned a 
 
152 
 
 forward one, in more senses than one ; so I am 
 apt to look for something of premature decay. 
 But I am nearly sure that my love for my 
 friends doth not decay, especially for those 
 humble, tender minds, who are evidencing their 
 love to the Lord, by their dedication ; and I 
 sometimes crave that 1 may increase in love 
 myself to Him, without whose upholding sup- 
 port, I unabatingly see I cannot preserve 
 myself from falling, either on the left hand or 
 the right. May thou, and thy dear husband, 
 ever retain your interest, and keep your hold 
 in Him ! so that in every subsequent baptism, 
 conflict, or tempest, you may still have Him to 
 recur to, as an immovable rock of confidence. 
 
 '' Our much esteemed and valued friend 
 lately gave us some alarm, by symp- 
 toms of inflammation in the bowels; but he is 
 now considered out of danger, and free from 
 disease. 1 believe he is, in a good degree of 
 uprightness, anxiously concerned for the good 
 of his rising family, and much aware of the 
 dangers to which they may be exposed. To 
 human view, therefore, it seems highly desira- 
 ble that his life should be spared ; but 1 con- 
 clude, in wishing this, we should have respect 
 
153 
 
 to the Providence that does all things well ; 
 and who, it is good to believe, firmly to 
 believe, effects His own purpose of the sanctifi- 
 cation of His creatures by ways which their 
 limited wisdom would not have chosen. Even 
 a faint belief of this is something of a cordial, 
 and a support, under trials through which the 
 eye cannot penetrate, — shows the importance 
 of having preserved in us a humble trust in the 
 Lord, — and explains the cause why so many 
 blessings are so often ascribed to it in Scrip- 
 ture. I am not seldom much cast down, some- 
 times a little inwardly refreshed, and now and 
 then inclined to hope I am really able to lift 
 up my soul in something like mental prayer, 
 with faith, to that Power, of whose holy and 
 merciful assistance, I seem to stand, I was 
 going to say, and may be it would not be an 
 abuse of the word, in infinite need." 
 
 1810. 2 mo. 20. I was pleased with one 
 of thy remarks, and shall quote it, in order 
 m,ore clearly to express my approbation and 
 unity. Thou sayest, ' I do not like to see truly 
 religious minds wear much of gloom, for then 
 
154 
 
 I mostly suspect something of unsubdued self.' 
 And with good reason, say I, for though this 
 said self reigning often makes a man appear 
 inerry; yet, when suffering, especially in pro- 
 spect of a cross, it naturally makes him really 
 sad ; and I assure thee that my frequent conflict 
 and suffering tend to convince me, almost 
 daily, that the victory is not yet complete in 
 me. Well, if thou canst, pray ; pray fervently 
 for the due reduction of this domestic enemy 
 in all thy friends, where thou espiest him. 
 
 " I have found that the news of our friendly 
 occurrences do not always reach thy retreat so 
 soon as might be thought, therefore another 
 inducement for me to write soon was to tell 
 thee of another event, by many thought melan- 
 choly, but, probably, to the individual, joyous; 
 — the escape of that diligent handmaid of the 
 Lord, Deborah Darby. A week's increased 
 illness succeeded to a long decline, and she 
 laid down her building of clay the 14th instant, 
 at her home in Colebrook-dale. She was 
 much loved, and will be much lamented, for 
 the work's sake, especially by tender young 
 people, to whose hearts, it is probable, she had 
 an access as ready as most have. 
 
155 
 
 ^' I have not yet adverted to thy painful 
 illness, which must have been particularly 
 trying to thee who hast an infant to nurse, 
 especially if thy arms were affected. I sup- 
 pose it was one of those afflictions which for 
 the present are not joyous, but grievous. 
 Happ3' are they who have a resource to flee io^ 
 when both flesh and heart fail. 1 have some- 
 times dared to hope, almost to believe, that the 
 sickness of those who desire to trust in God, is 
 remembered before Him with peculiar pity; and 
 that as they accept and use the patience which 
 He is pleased to grant them, their ailments 
 cannot fail of being sanctified. I would speak 
 cautiously, for I have seldom been tried with 
 acute disease; but, however unworthy, I know 
 [so much] of the comfort of being at times al- 
 lowed to turn the mind strongly (though, may 
 be, gently,) to His name for succour, that I 
 ivish all my dear friends to be proficients in 
 the same recurrence of soul. This, I suppose, 
 in well-esteemed and experienced minds, is the 
 very strong tower spoken of in Scripture, and 
 which I recollect, now I am writing, 1 saw 
 
 sweetly spoken of in a letter of dear 's, 
 
 who expressed his hope that it would, in the 
 end, become the abiding place of those who 
 
156 
 
 nere accustomed, during their journey, to 
 make it their refuge." 
 
 1810. 6 mo. 9. " I held out prettj well 
 during the yearly meeting, which ended the 
 1st instant ; but have been rather flagging this 
 week, so as to move heavily along. I am 
 inclined to think some bodily weakness has its 
 share in the matter; but anxiety of mind, lest 
 I should either fall short in my own allotted 
 portion of suffering, for the sake of that great 
 cause of universal righteousness which to our 
 day, and in our day, is so much trampled 
 upon ; or lest I should sink in endeavouring to 
 bear it ; — this anxiety often seems to unfit me 
 for various occupations in which I have to 
 engage. However, I try at times to keep my 
 hope of support and final preservation fixed, as 
 far as I can fix them, upon God ; and try to be- 
 lieve, as I do, that the nature, the depth, or the 
 complexity of trials, cannot be any impediment 
 to his working ; and that, indeed, if we are 
 favoured to be preserved sound in our Christian 
 benses, additional conflict is only an additional 
 cause to cry mightily to Him. ^ In every 
 
thing/ not now and then in a few — ' In every 
 tiling,' says the experienced apostle, (he who 
 had been buffeted with the very messenger of 
 Satan,) ' with thanksgiving, let your requests 
 be made known.' " 
 
 1 810. 7 mo. 5. " I must at present con- 
 tent myself with w ishing thee w ell, and re- 
 joicing (as in my measure I do) at knowing of 
 thy prosperity ; and that thou art preserved in 
 the state of humble and calm dependence, in 
 which wisdom and strength adequate to the 
 service of each day are afforded. This is truly 
 a cause for that humble gratitude which I am 
 persuaded, at times, pervades and replenishes 
 thy soul-: and as even modes of expression 
 have their respective influences, when one sees 
 and feels them arising from life ; so I was par- 
 ticularly comforted with thy saying, ' O ! that 
 I could praise,' &c. In fact, it was praise ; but 
 the holy fear of inability, and, may be, of un- 
 worthiness too, appearing to invest it, seemed 
 to salt it to my perception, and to remind me 
 of the kind of praise, wliich I also, at times, 
 seem as if I should be glad to offer." 
 
158 
 
 1810. 7 mo. SO. ''I think 1 may say 1 was 
 glad you were enabled to resign your little 
 infant with such reference to the Lord who 
 had given him, as I think, even I (who also 
 understand how it is, not to be always ready to 
 say Amen to trying dispensations) am sure is a 
 sovereign mean both of alleviating affliction, 
 and of giving a hope that through adorable 
 mercy, it may be sanclified, to the rendering 
 of us more conformable to what I think is 
 somewhere called in Scripture, the image or 
 likeness of his death. 
 
 " I have not been without my share of out- 
 ward trial. About six weeks ago, I became 
 suddenly, as far as I know, weak in the left 
 knee, and have been under medical treatment 
 almost ever since. But this seems trifling com- 
 pared with a closer exercise, which befel me 
 last week in the sudden seizure of my dear 
 wife, whilst on her knees in prayer, with so 
 great a want of recollection as to oblige her to 
 rise. It was at Joseph Fry's. She was soon 
 cupped, and afterwards, by degrees, received 
 by Dr. Willan's direction much of the medical 
 treatment usual in cases of injury from fulness 
 
159 
 
 of blood in the head, and preternatural pres- 
 sure on the brain. I too, my dear friend, en- 
 deavoured to stay my mind upon the Lord, 
 and if I can say no more, I think I may say 
 that a murmuring thought has not found an 
 entrance into my mind. I sometimes fear I 
 am not thankful enough. How we do want 
 the High Priest, or I should rather say What 
 great need is there of Him !" 
 
 1810. 9 mo. 12. " There does not turn 
 up any thing in my mind, to which I seem just 
 now more inclined than to answer thy letter. 
 I have been as usual gratified ; and I felt an 
 emotion particularly grateful on thy telling 
 me thou hadst remembered me in thy retire- 
 ment. The good account of thou 
 
 mayst be sure is pleasing ; so was thy account 
 of the Fifth-day meeting ; and I am not sorry 
 for thy excursion on the following day. The 
 wilder view of nature, to be seen in some parts 
 even of South Wales, and especially the cata- 
 racts, are novelties to us, children of the plain ; 
 and I believe thy mind may have been suitably 
 unbent by beholding them, not also without 
 
160 
 
 thoughts that, pursued to their length, might 
 lead to the sense, if not the words, of Cowper's 
 well known lines : 
 
 * His are the mountains, and the vallies his, 
 And the resplendent rivers : his t' enjoy. 
 With a propriety that none can feel. 
 But who, with filial confidence inspired. 
 Can lift to Heaven an unpresumptuous eye. 
 And smiling say, * My Father made them all.' * 
 
 1810. 9 mo. 20. " I know it sometimes 
 seems a very desirable thing to be favoured to 
 return from long journies in peace ; but T 
 would not have thee over anxious for the mor- 
 row, even in this respect ; but try to keep thy 
 mind as trusting and dependent as thou canst, 
 as thou goest along, from day to day ; and 
 then as I am apt to think thou hast not done 
 wrong in going out, the state of mind that is 
 best for thee may be allowed thee on thy re- 
 turn. I pity thy trouble at , but am 
 
 willing to believe it will not be allowed (as 
 thou usest it, and other similar failures, as in- 
 citements to closer application of heart to the 
 
 ♦ Cowper's Poems. ' The Winter 'mar u'tng JValk^' line 712—747. 
 
161 
 
 Power which alone can keep thee simply in 
 thy allotted path) to tend to thy ultimate pre- 
 judice : and I still hope thoU raayst return 
 from this journey instructed in his fear. 
 Though thou hast been favoured to be taught 
 much, and that even immediately, know assu- 
 redly that if thy life be prolonged, and thou 
 art permitted to be truly a servant (admirable 
 privilege ! better, infinitely better, than worldly 
 empire!) thou hast still much to learn; much 
 probably which nothing but heartfelt experi- 
 ence can be the means of teaching." 
 
 1810. 9 mo. 27. ^' As to mind I feel va- 
 rious, not often as it were sailing in smooth 
 v/ater, with fair wind and tide. I am how- 
 ever willing and even desirous to own, that 
 on the trying occasion of my dear companion's 
 seizure, I was allowed to feel in good degree 
 capable to exclude the least murmuring 
 thought : indeed not a shadow of one was sug- 
 gested. Thy few remarks were grateful, par- 
 ticularly those which pointed to Christ, as the 
 sure helper of those who love Him ; for I trust 
 and believe there are yet times when with thee, 
 
162 
 
 my dear ancient friend, I love to hear and see 
 praise ascribed to Him, as the only and the 
 unfailing Redeemer and Saviour." 
 
 1810. 9 mo. 28. " From thy letters as 
 well as from some other information, it appears 
 
 that suffers from what may be called 
 
 morbid dejection, and that loss of rest is or 
 has been, an aggravating concomitant. It is a 
 trying dispensation, harder to bear I believe 
 than most ailments, and harder to be helped 
 by friendly counsel ; at least I have no specific 
 to announce. One may talk of patience, and 
 talk of resignation ; but the soul is so much 
 more apt to feel its own bitterness, than to 
 receive the sage reasoning of those whom it 
 considers rather as theoretical declaimers, that 
 we often attempt to exercise sympathy in vain. 
 And yet I think it is good to recollect, at 
 times, (and such times are now and then al- 
 lowed,) that there can be no kind of distress to 
 which our feeble frames are liable, of which the 
 Holy Former of these frames is not aware, and 
 which he cannot alleviate. And even when wfr 
 are convinced of this, and consequently try to 
 
163 
 
 look to Him through all, in our distresses, and 
 seem either to look in vain, or can scarcely look 
 at all, still it is «;ood to try to persevere ; remem- 
 bering that probably by more means than one, 
 and on more occasions than one, we may be 
 brought to say feelingly, * To vrhom shall we 
 go ? ' These are somewhat like approaches to 
 a single reliance, which, let us hope, will not 
 always be disappointed." 
 
 1810. 10 mo. 1. " We had of course 
 heard of the sudden removal of Richard Jacob. 
 I never knew him till last year, and I then 
 thought him a tender-spirited friend. I find 
 one of his last acts was public prayer. If the 
 true Abba-crying spirit is granted to a man, 
 he seems to me as if he were then just fitted 
 to continue a song of praise for ever. I have 
 also seen a letter from R. J's son, by which it 
 appears that the day before, after the usual 
 opportunity of reading a chapter, he had been 
 engaged in fervent supplication with, and for 
 his family. So, to our apprehensions, his sun 
 set in brightness," 
 
 m2 
 
164 
 
 1810. 12 mo. 10. " My very dear M. B. 
 is very poorly. I am pretty full loaded, and 
 much under par; but not so far gone as to 
 forget I ought to say, ' Thy will be done,' let 
 me be as low as I may. I tried on rising this 
 morning to be glad in believing that there is 
 an Eye that sees all ; to it belongs a Power 
 that can help all. Trust thou only to that»" 
 
 1811. 3 mo. 21. '• Yesterday, on my 
 going to Wm. Allen's, after meeting, I found 
 and read thy brotherly and sympathizing let- 
 ter; and if I were to adopt thy expression, 
 and say that it was the means of tendering my 
 spirit before Him whom I often fear to name, 
 I should not possibly say much amiss. I have 
 indeed in various respects had a trying allot- 
 ment since last Yearly Meeting ; but though 
 I am aware of great want of true, humble re- 
 signation in myself, I may say that I have en- 
 deavoured after it, in those things which being 
 manifestly brought on me, not by my own 
 choice, are evidently permitted in the course 
 
165 
 
 of that Providence on which I sometimes desjire 
 to rely. 
 
 " Though not a father myself, but yet pos- 
 sessing an endeared wife, I can feel for thy dis- 
 appointed expectations by the decease of thy 
 daughter, by thinking what a chasm I should 
 feel, were my dear partner removed from me. 
 But as we cannot foresee the future, we had 
 best not anticipate evil in it. I conceive He, 
 whom we sometimes venture to call our Lord, 
 did not speak in vain, or speak only for what 
 are commonly called worldly men, when he 
 said, ' Be not anxious for the morrow,' for so 
 I am clear the words should be translated. I 
 lately received a little encouragement from 
 these words to trust on ; but I am often ready 
 to fear, or rather convinced, that by my own 
 strength, I shall never get safely to the desired 
 haven to which thou hast alluded, and that I 
 want a Redeemer, who is, as saith the writer to 
 the Hebrews, ' able to save to the uttermost/ 
 This sense of want may have made me desi- 
 rous that His name should remain great in our 
 Society ; and corresponding feelings in thy 
 mind have probably occasioned the sensations 
 which thou hast described in the beginning of 
 
166 
 
 thy letter ; and which I believe accordiug to 
 my growth are reciprocal." 
 
 1811. 4 mo. 18. " I entirely acquit thee 
 of any neglect in not having sooner written to 
 me. I have heard of thy arrival on the Isle 
 of Man; from which probably, if not already 
 escaped, thou art now retreating with a peace- 
 ful mind. And as we are told generally, that 
 salvation comes not ' by works of righteous- 
 ness which we have done, but of his mercy,' 
 so in each particular service, it is profitable, 
 and I verily believe pleasant to feel that, even 
 in doing the duty, the servant is unprofitable. 
 Hence purer thanksgivings arise to the Lord, 
 and purer joy must abound in the deeply- 
 humbled mind of the creature. Therefore, 
 my dear friend, accept the sense of unworthi- 
 ness as an inestimable gift, qualifying thee to 
 look back with safety on thy past labours, and 
 tending to fit thee for such, as in a wisdom 
 which thou canst not fathom, may remain for 
 thee to undergo in the cause which is nearest 
 to thy heart. I am afraid to lay claim to an 
 interest in Him, though I think I desire it for 
 
J 67 
 
 others, or I should say, as it turns up in wri- 
 ting the foregoing, the cause of our Lord and 
 Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 " I have been, probably for want of full 
 resignation, at times a man of conflict from 
 my youth, and much so of later years. It 
 would seem desirable, at least to that part 
 which loves ease, now this trial of my wife's 
 illness has been allowed to befal me, to 
 experience some relief from more generally 
 felt exercises; but this is not always the case ; 
 and I have often the fears of my own heart 
 assailing when I should like to have my atten^ 
 tion at liberty to sooth and assist her; but 
 may be this is what is best. I think I do not 
 complain, and sometimes am permitted to hope 
 that succour may be near when not perceived ; 
 and that 1 may venture in abasement of self, 
 and in consciousness of my own weakness, to 
 lay hold on the comfort contained in the re- 
 newed application of these words, ' I will 
 never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' " 
 
 1811. 5 mo. 16. " I have hardly known 
 which to advert to first, thy troubles or my 
 
168 
 
 own. I do not know which may be the greater; 
 I think mine : but if we can but believe 
 that both are under the most wise allotment, 
 and blessed superintendence of Him who does 
 all things well, and in whom 1 think I desire 
 increasingly to believe and confide, as I have 
 no doubt thou dost, they may in lime lose the 
 name of trouble, and be remembered only by 
 that of preparations for praise. Yet now, 
 certainly for a season, I am at times in heavi- 
 ness, and that I think through manifold temp- 
 tations, as well as by means of the continued 
 affliction of my dear wife. I have a mind, as I 
 write, to add, that I have nothing to com- 
 plain of as touching the dealings of infinite 
 Wisdom. There is no room for any murmur, 
 and I think I do desire to be preserved in pa- 
 tience. Patience and humility are two articles 
 of the Christianas dwelling-place, for which I 
 have long and often breathed a sincere peti- 
 tion. I trust I have received replenishment 
 from time to time ; but I feel 1 still want more 
 of each." 
 
 1811. 7 mo. 6. " I neither desire nor dare 
 to deny, that a hope sometimes attends me that 
 
J 69 
 
 I am a little helped amidst much, very much, 
 fear and mental suffering ; but I am afi-aid of 
 trusting' to the views of my various friends who 
 think they see ever so clearly, that there are 
 good things in store for me, believing it a surer 
 way to aim at the state in which the Psalmist 
 said what thou mayst read in Psalm Ixii. 5. 
 
 " First-day, 7th. We have very pleasant 
 
 accounts from dear . He has had, as 
 
 thou canst believe, various plunges ; but I have 
 reason to think that underneath have been the 
 everlasting arms of help in the time of need. 
 He has met with very civil treatment, and 
 has given away many books which appeared to 
 be gratefully received. In various places the peo- 
 ple were very much strangers to our principles, 
 and in some hardly knew there was such a peo- 
 ple. He describes those of Arran to be far 
 behind us in luxury, and displays their sim- 
 plicity of manners, piety, and knowledge of 
 Scripture, so as to make one almost wish to 
 dwell among them : but our lot is cast among 
 a far different set. But let us not distrust Him, 
 whom we desire to believe, and sometimes ven- 
 ture to call our holy Captain and Redeemer. 
 Increased, and increasing dangers are no bar- 
 
170 
 
 riers to His power, and I think they ought to 
 be, when felt, only increasing incitements to 
 cry mightily to Him. Thou mayst see I can 
 talk. Well for me if I know what I talk about. 
 In the mean time, I seem to have this source of 
 hope; that I believe I have learned the doc- 
 trine in the school of trouble ; (and He was, 
 as saith Isaiah, a man of sorrows) and that I am 
 yet glad in remembering not only His power, 
 but His omniscience ; and thinking that abject 
 as I am, He sees me and knows my thoughts 
 afar off." 
 
 1811. 7 mo. 25. " If I am at all pursuing 
 the path of Christian rectitude, I hope I do not 
 slacken, or feel desirous to forsake it, for the 
 clouds which now hang over my path. And I 
 feel, (I was thinking to say I humbly feel,) at 
 times, something like light upon it; some 
 cheering, if but transient, gleam; which occa- 
 sions an increasing earnestness of application 
 or supplication to the only source of consola- 
 tion. But I cannot say much to purpose ; only 
 this I would say, that I sometimes had rather 
 retain my sorrows, and my little comforts, than 
 
171 
 
 exchange them for insensibility, and be like 
 those of whom it is said in Psalm Iv. 19, ' Be- 
 cause they have no changes, therefore they fear 
 not God.' 
 
 *' I would not have thee dismayed at the 
 prospect of having now to look down upon all 
 thy relations. Only pray to be enabled to set 
 them a good example ; and then, depend upon 
 it, elderly people will find as much support 
 from younger ones, as the latter have done 
 from them. It is the order of nature and of 
 Providence ; and, I am clear, it is especially sq» 
 in the Truth." 
 
 Memorandum. 1811. 8 mo. 22. '' May 
 be there are few states so desirable for the 
 Christian, as that in which every thing adverse 
 drives the soul to [the Lord] for help ; and 
 every thing prosperous leads it to Him in 
 thanksgiving and praise," 
 
 1811. 9 mo. 2. " Oh that I were more con- 
 stantly attentive to the law, and more united 
 
J 72 
 
 to the spirit, of Him who discouraged anxiety 
 for the future. I thought I was a little cheer- 
 ed, by means of our forenoon meeting yester- 
 day ; but this has been for the most part, a day 
 of depression of mind ; and I see no hope of 
 permanent help, but in the redeeming mercy 
 of the Lord, to an unworthy (may I say) ser- 
 vant. I wish that thou raayst continue to look 
 stedfastly to Him. Discouragements, grievous 
 discouragements, will occur. ' In the world 
 ye shall have trouble :' (will hare would be 
 nearer to «|»Te) but one may sometimes be al- 
 lowed to rally by saying with Peter, ' Lord 
 to whom shall we go?' " 
 
 ISIL 9 mo. 10. " I really seem to my- 
 self to want comfort; not on account of the 
 manifest outward trials, which appear to fall 
 to my lot, in the course of that providential 
 w isdom which I desire to be enabled to adore ; 
 but from the often renewed sense that I am 
 deficient in full resignation and dedication of 
 heart. I can yet say with the Psalmist, ' Mine 
 enemies are lively, and they are strong.' My 
 passions are not wholly subdued, therefore, I 
 
173 
 
 more than fear, they actuate "otherwise than 
 according to the will of Him who saw it meet 
 that man, His creature, should have passions. 
 Is it that I do not yet sufficiently believe 
 that without a Redeemer I can do nothing ? 
 I thought, long ago, I could set my seal 
 to this truth. I hope this exposure of my 
 cogitations is not improperly putting that sack- 
 cloth without, which should be worn within ; 
 but as thou seemest so satisfied in thy belief 
 concerning me, I had a mind to let thee know 
 more fully than I fear thou dost, on what kind 
 of creature thy hopes so securely rest ; surely, 
 on a conflicting one. I sometimes wish, may 
 be it is a vain wish ; for if this be what thou 
 termest suffering, with a suffering Redeemer, 
 relief in due time must come ; I say, I some- 
 times wish, when ' pressed,' as it were, in the 
 Apostle's language, ' beyond measure,' I wish 
 for relief; but 1 have not yet wished for a 
 relief which will make me forget my total de- 
 pendence on Him, to whose holy assertion I 
 have alluded — ' Without Me ye can do no- 
 thing.' " 
 
J 74 
 
 1811. 10 mo. 1. " Thou leftest me under 
 par, and I have generally remained so, only en 
 seventh-day morning the clouds cleared away, 
 and something like thankfulness broke forth, 
 mentally I mean, and in that little lighter 
 interval, I thought I could write to thee, and 
 eticourage thee to hold on thy way, and id 
 strive to keep near to the Good Shepherd, on 
 whom, had I more early and simply and atten- 
 tively waited, I might possibly have been 
 spared some of the conflicts which have been 
 mine in advancing and advanced life. But ' to 
 whom shall we go ?' I began this in a feeling 
 of deep depression ; but I hope I would not 
 yet wish to exchange the tribulations atten- 
 dant on the Gospel, would, I might say, 
 unreproved and unreprovable, the Gospel 
 of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the 
 peace which the world for a time gives, or 
 seems to give. I do not wonder that the wor- 
 thies whose exits I undertook to record, cried 
 out so much for patience. Tribulation, we 
 read, worketh patience. It probably does this 
 by showing its value ; and by exciting the cry 
 which, when arising from sincere hearts, does 
 not arise in vain : — but what a great w ord is 
 
175 
 
 ^ sincerity.' In considering the promises of the 
 Gospel, and many of those congenial ones with 
 which the Psalms abound, I am sometimes 
 afraid to lay hold of them, lest the temper of 
 my grasp should not l)e pure enough to hold 
 them fast. It was very kind to write so soon. 
 Steady determined kindness is no mean ac- 
 quirement. If we could cultivate it with all, 
 we should approach the confines of the state 
 William Savery spoke of [when every coun- 
 try shall be our country ; and every man, our 
 brother] * ; and if all were reciprocally kind 
 to us, and that in the holy, heart-preserving 
 fear, we should be reminded of that still better 
 country, the native region of eternal love. 
 
 '' I called on first-day on purpose to see the 
 children. I desire thou mayst be enabled to 
 retain all these dear lambs in innocence ; and 
 in due season, that innocence may be ripened 
 into piety, holiness, and, if I finish my climax, 
 I must say, the habitual fear "of the Lord ; 
 though that is called ' a beginning;' which 
 made me add, hahituaL^^ 
 
 * See " Piety Promoted," part x. page 191. 
 
176 
 
 1811. 11 mo. 5. " O! for patience to 
 abide the due portion of that suifering 
 which tends to destroy the part which is 
 unfit for the heavenly kingdom ; and is a 
 portion of the tribulation out of which those 
 finally come who are allowed, (and who may 
 not be?) to wash their robes, and make them 
 white, in the blood of the Lamb. Thus 
 ventures to hint, not as a thing new to thee, 
 but just as it comes up, as the natural language 
 of, I hope. Christian affection, a poor, very 
 poor, yet sympathizing, brother, who still 
 wishes to say to thee, ' Hold on thy way,' 
 
 9. " I was pleased, according to my mea- 
 sure, to hear the assertion of thy persuasion, 
 that there are divers of the youth under thy 
 notice, who show signs of preparation to be 
 useful in the Christian cause. When I can 
 at all hope that I am a servant in this great 
 household, I am pleased with few things so 
 much. Several such are also scattered here- 
 about. How have I wished, in time past, that 
 more of our young men could be brought into 
 the school, where they would be trained for 
 judges and for counsellors. Self, probably, at- 
 
177 
 
 tends even this wish; for now, in declining 
 life, I feel willing to accept the assistance of 
 my juniors ; and I have long held it to be as 
 natural (and there is a nature in religious, yea, 
 in heavenly things,) for the children to assist 
 the aged, as for the fathers to nurse the 
 children.'* 
 
 1811. 12 mo. 14. " It certainly is through 
 the effect of a mental conflict, beyond most 
 with which I have been hitherto tried, that I 
 have omitted to reply to thy last very kind 
 letter. Thy second letter has tendered my 
 heart, just affected the same way a little be- 
 fore, and prompts me no longer lo delay satis- 
 fying thy kind inquiries. I think thy fears for 
 me may not be ill-founded ; and I think I do 
 sometimes exert the little strength I have, to 
 keep myself from sinking; but, alas! (or why 
 should I say ^ alas I' it is a knowledge we can- 
 not have too much of,) I know I cannot, with- 
 out the Holy Aid to which thou hast so well 
 adverted. This aid has not of late been much 
 in sight, and then the poor mind is a prey to 
 
 N 
 
178 
 
 dibtiessing cogitations. But I try, I think, as 
 much as I can, to keep my sackcloth out of 
 sight ; and to hope that He who permits the 
 trial will, in due time, remove it; and, in the 
 mean time, support and preserve me, on the 
 right hand and on the left.'* 
 
 1811. 12 mo. 16. " I am pleased with thy 
 account of my unknown friend. I still retain 
 a desire that the public advocates of the cause 
 may grow in it. I esteem a true call to the 
 njinistry an unspeakable favour, which none 
 need be ashamed of; and, though feeling very 
 unworthy, would wish again to salute her and 
 her brother, as one not careless of their well- 
 being. I think if this be a transcript of my 
 mind, it must convey some portion of love ; 
 for I humbly hope I have yet, in no trifling 
 degree, that mark of the Christian, and that it 
 will not be taken from me ; but, as I know its 
 nature is to spread, increase, and propagate, 
 may in due time leaven me further into some 
 true fellowship with that to which it is good to 
 look as the enduring substance. Receive my 
 salutation, though in weakness; and when 
 
J 79 
 
 thou canst feel the sweet and gentle spirit of 
 supplication poured over thy mind, mayst tliou 
 be at liberty to breathe forth an aspiration for 
 thy, I may say without violence of terms, thy 
 old and feeble friend." 
 
 1811. 12 mo. 2 1 . " Very dear ancient friend, 
 1 took out thy last letter, and attempted to read 
 it, but — I was going to say, alas ! yet why should 
 we say alas ! of that which comes not by our 
 own fault, but by the permission of that Provi- 
 dence who formed the body as he saw best, and 
 liable to disease ? — but I could not for want of 
 sight ; my best eye now fast becoming dim with 
 the disease called a Cataract. I resigned thy 
 letter into the hand of a kind young woman, 
 who finished the reading for me ; and tried to 
 remember, that though most of my occupation 
 of late time has been by means of my sight, I 
 ought not to murmur : and I also hope that 
 with the good blessing on an operation which I 
 am recommended to undergo, I may be allowed 
 some restoration of sight. In the mean time, 
 thy letter awakened so much pleasant emotion 
 in my mind, that I concluded I would set about 
 x\ 2 
 
180 
 
 attemptinir to reply to it; which I can jet do 
 with my own pen. 
 
 " I have not very pleasant news to give 
 thee of my dear wife. Her faculties are so 
 much declined since the yearly meeting, that 
 her understanding and counsel are much lost 
 to me, and that at a time when I do not seem 
 to abound in that inward support which is more 
 than a balance for every trouble. On the 
 whole, therefore, it may be said, that we are in 
 affliction. May it eventually be sanctified to 
 us, though unworthy ! And how can this be, 
 unless by Redeeming Love : a power, which the 
 more we feel the want of, the more we shall 
 probably esteem precious ? As to my dear wife, 
 I can perceive that a trust in her God lies un- 
 derneath the cloud which envelops her facul- 
 ties, and I believe that she might for herself 
 adopt the words of the Psalmist : ' All this is 
 come upon us, yet have we not forgotten thee.' 
 Psalm xliv. 17." 
 
181 
 
 The following reflections, left unfinished, 
 >vere, from the date attached to them, written 
 in the year 1811. 
 
 *' Though the writer of this little collection 
 of Scripture texts has passed among- his friends 
 for a man of some intrepidity, in what we rightly 
 name the cause of Truth; yet numerous have 
 been the occasions in which he has been left to 
 feel his own utter incapacity to walk steadily 
 on his course ; to avoid turning aside from the 
 path, to the right hand or the left. Since he 
 endeavoured to enlist in the Christian warfare,, 
 he has been a man of conflict. Sometimes the 
 conflict has seemed almost overwhelming ; at 
 others, relief has been felt which has excited 
 gratitude mixed with fear ; and he has been now 
 and then enabled to hope on, by intervals of 
 ease, amidst painful seasons of dismay. 
 
 " In a late occurrence of this latter kind, it 
 struck him that it would be pleasant to himself 
 to commit to writing, and possibly helpful to 
 some disconsolate traveller who may happen 
 to cast an eye over what may be here penned, 
 if he noted down a few of such texts of Holy 
 Writ, as have, from time to time, been allowed 
 to be means of encouragement to him to hold 
 
182 
 
 on his way. And although he most readily 
 allows that nothing: but the fresh touches of 
 the Lord's love and goodness can supply the 
 daily wants of the soul, he writes not without a 
 hope, a wish, at least, if consistent with best 
 wisdom, that the recollection may be allowed 
 to occasion a little revival of hope to himself. 
 And, indeed, some of these passages derive 
 their comfort from the excitement of hope; 
 for, in some cases, a blessing appertains to 
 those who hope, as well as to those who arrive 
 at the more firm stay, those w^ho trust in the 
 Lord. 
 
 ' Be of good courage, and he shall 
 strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the 
 Lord.'—- Psalm xxxi. 24. 
 
 ' Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them 
 that fear Him : upon them that hope in his 
 mercy,' and for what gracious purpose, the 
 Psalmist instantly subjoins, ^ to deliver their 
 soul from death, and to keep them alive in 
 famine.' — Psalm xxxiii. 18, 19. 
 
 **And again, ' The Lord taketh pleasure in 
 them that fear Him, in those that hope in His 
 mercy.' — Psalm cxlvii. 11. 
 
 *' The Psalms indeed teem with consolation 
 
183 
 
 to the afflicted; and seeing ' whatsoever things 
 were written aforetime, were written for our 
 learning, that we through patience and com- 
 fort of the Scriptures might have hope,' I 
 would recommend them to the frequent perusal 
 of the beloved youth ; but with secret prayer 
 to the Giver of every good gift, that He would 
 be pleased to make it conducive to an increase 
 of hope and trusf ; and, in his own time, of 
 complete assurance in the Redemption of 
 Christ. 
 
 ^*In great straits, it is natural, seeing every 
 soul knows its own bitterness, to believe its 
 trials peculiar. Were they not beyond the 
 relief of human assistance, they would not 
 answer the purpose of impelling the tried mind 
 to its Maker alone for help. But hear the 
 great Apostle — ' There hath no temptation 
 taken you but such as is common to man ; but 
 God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be 
 tempted above that ye are able; but will with 
 the temptation, also make a way to escape, 
 that ye may be able to bear it.' 
 
 " I write in fear, lest I should speak of a 
 superficial experience ; but I think I have found 
 comfort and cause of hope, in deep affliction, 
 
184 
 
 by the recurrence of this passage of the evan- 
 gelical prophet; — and J have also been per- 
 mitted to hear it livingly declared by a modern 
 Barnabas, in a meeting — ' Who is among 
 you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the 
 voice of his servant , that walketh in darkness, 
 and hath no light ? Let him trust in the name 
 of the Lord, and stay upon his God.' Ah ! 
 hath my mind rejoined, Let him ; even him." 
 
 Verses written hy J. G, Bevan, in his pocket' 
 book, about the year ISll, 
 
 How sweet is the prospect of rest, 
 
 When the trials of time are no more : 
 
 Oh ! the peace that must flow in the breast, 
 When we land on the heavenly shore. 
 
 And e'en on the tempest-toss'd way, 
 
 Secure in His powerful word. 
 Whom the winds and the billows obey. 
 
 Our praise may ascend to the Lord. 
 
 Then fear not, ye sorrowing throng. 
 
 But rejoice in your deep tribulation ; 
 
 for the Lord is your strength and your song; 
 And the Lord will become your salvation. 
 
185 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 Letters written from 1812 to 1814, mlh some 
 account of the last illness and death of 
 J, G. Bevan. 
 
 In a letter, dated the SOth of 7 mo. 1810,* 
 an allusion, bespeaking the pious feelings of the 
 writer's mind, is made to a serious attack of 
 illness which had awaited his beloved and 
 affectionate wife. The distress occasioned by 
 watching the gradual progress of this disorder 
 very much undermined his own strength. His 
 sight was now become so impaired as to 
 prevent his employing himself either in read- 
 ins: or writino'. The inconvenience thus sus- 
 tained continuing gradually to increase, he 
 
 * See page 158. 
 
186 
 
 submitted to three operations on the left eye in 
 the course of the year 1812, by which, and a 
 fourth in the year 1813, he recovered sufficient 
 sight to read with the help of glasses ; but his 
 bodily strength was now declining, so that he 
 did not reap that advantage from the opera- 
 tions which had been anxiously hoped for by 
 Lis friends. 
 
 These remarks are confirmed by some of 
 the following extracts. 
 
 1812. 1 mo. 14. " I take very kind thy 
 suggestions of comfort; and fully felt the force 
 of thy remark, that it is only the Sun of righte- 
 ousness itself that can dispel the mists of night ; 
 though the voice of the harbingers of morning 
 is chearing to the ear, when they proclaim 
 his approach. Many such voices have I heard, 
 and at least I think they serve to strengthen 
 patience, a virtue in which I have long thought 
 I felt myself deficient, and for which for many 
 a year I trust I have sincerely prayed. My 
 patience naturally, seems less than that of many 
 other men ; and my conflicts, at times, seem to 
 require it beyond most. But I desire to learn 
 in time, that part of the holy song ' Just and 
 true are thy ways.' " 
 
187 
 
 1812. 3 mo. 17. " As to mj eyes, I have 
 applied to an oculist, and am not without a 
 thought of undergoing an operation, which ge- 
 nerally succeeds in cases of cataract ; but even 
 in the use of outward means, we should bear in 
 mind that success awaits the will of that Pro- 
 vidence which, I think, is the most magnified 
 when we consider it as reaching to the wants 
 of all his infinite variety of creatures. Philo- 
 sophers talk of general laws ; and general law s 
 no doubt there are ; but a deeply tried mind is 
 apt to feel the want of an Immanuel nearer 
 than this ; and how shall ever individual praise 
 rise to its due and highest pitch so well as 
 when it can feel the blessing brought home, as 
 it were, to its door? This swelled the song of 
 that eminent thanksgiver, the Psalmist. He, 
 to be sure, well knew that ' the heavens de- 
 clare the glory of God,' and that ' the firma- 
 ment sheweth his handy-work;' but I question 
 if his praise was ever more pure and fervent, 
 than when he could say ' I was brought low, 
 and He helped me.' " 
 
 1812. 4 mo. 2. " I hoped to find here a 
 spare copy of Henry Tuke's book, but have 
 
J88 
 
 failed; but as I walked home here, after hav- 
 ing been at Tottenham, I thought so much 
 respecting thy letter that I inclined to say to 
 thee that thou mightest in addition to what 
 confession of doctrine H. T. may help thee to, 
 observe that our Society must not be charged 
 with slighting any Christian doctrine, because 
 it is not always in the mouth. The leaven 
 which the woman took, in the parable, was 
 hidden in the meal ; and the effect proclaimed 
 it. So I hope, as a body, it may be hoped of 
 lis. The criterion given by the best authority 
 is ' By their fruits ye shall know them.' Some 
 of those brought forth in us (I do not want to 
 say bi/ us) look like those of a good seed and 
 husbandman. May we not hope they are the 
 peaceable fruits of righteousness, that is of true 
 justice ? I need not enumerate those in which 
 all religious men are almost ready to applaud 
 us ; and I believe those, in which they do not 
 yet agree with us, may be referred to a desire 
 to adhere to the precepts of Jesus. So, while 
 the lump in general is found to bespeak the 
 leaven, I think we should have credit for more 
 than we always show, especially for that which 
 ive never deny. For my part, I desire, when 
 enabled to desire with hope, that not one tittle 
 
189 
 
 of the infinite mercy of the Redeemer may be 
 overlooked. To what else can I look as a 
 solid foundation for hope ? I sometimes think 
 I enter more and more into the understanding 
 of that injunction, ' Say, we are unprofitable 
 servants,' but I do not want to say much, 
 I cannot ; but these thoughts having' arisen 
 in a walk which was enlivened by means of 
 their occurrence, I thought I would let thee 
 have them, which thou hast here pretty much 
 as they occurred.*' 
 
 1812. 4 mo. 9. " I have many things which 
 often remind me what a poor helpless creature 
 I am. My beloved wife's ailments have at 
 length and for some time, generally deprived 
 her of the faculty of knowing her friends; and 
 I am not sure that she has known me a minute 
 together for the last quarter of a year. Thus 
 my home is become solitary, or rather would 
 be so, but that my kind friends Jasper and 
 Anne Capper often spare me a daughter, who 
 supplies some of my want of sight. But still 
 I find it almost needful to sojourn a good deal 
 from home, and I am much of my time at the 
 
190 
 
 house of rti}^ cousin Paul Bevan at Totten- 
 ham, whose wife, may be, thou knowest is 
 J. C.'s eldest daughter, and than whom I 
 scarcely think a daughter of my own, if I had 
 one, would be more kind and sedulously atten- 
 tive to me. Thus thou mayst see that with all 
 my trouble I have privileges which seem as if 
 they ought to induce thankfulness. How many 
 in th^s vale of tears are the afflicted who have 
 none availingly to pity them ! '* 
 
 1812. 5 mo. 6. " Thy letter was and is 
 very acceptable ; and the more so as in hear- 
 ing of the deep discouragement which is at 
 times permitted to assail thy soul, I see some 
 resemblance of that which often preys upon my 
 own ; and there is some comfort in knowing that 
 other servants (if indeed I am yet in the ser- 
 vice of the great Lord) have their provings 
 almost to dismay. So many things have oc- 
 curred to me since we last met, that, with a 
 recollection long since on the wane, I do not 
 clearly remember particulars respecting thy last 
 visit to London, but I have a general impres- 
 ision that thou wast here as a tried disciple. It is 
 
191 
 
 pleasant to me to observe that my verj^ dear 
 wife was some strength to thy exercised mind : 
 Ah! now she is no longer able to sympathize 
 with any body, and has long not known her 
 husband, it seems additionally pleasing to be 
 reminded of her former virtues. To deliver 
 thy message of love Avould be wholly useless. 
 
 ^' I have been enabled to bear the various 
 gradations of her afflicting disease, now of one 
 year and three quarters standing, with mode- 
 rate resignation ; but some of my friends think 
 that my mind has been enfeebled by it; and it 
 is certain that, from whatever cause, I have 
 passed a winter of greater depression than I 
 recollect to have done before. If it be intended 
 as the means of that further refinement of 
 which I am sensible I stand in need, and I be 
 enabled to endure the furnace, there will be 
 no cause for complaint. In the mean time, we 
 have even an apostle's company in finding, that 
 no chastisement for the present is joyous, but 
 grievous,'* 
 
 1812. 7 mo. 6. " To my own apprehrn- 
 sion, I get but poorly on; but I know thou 
 
192 
 
 wilt not approve of my complaining; and I 
 think I am sure I had much rather be praising, 
 were my harp (if harp I have,) attuned to that 
 delightful employ. I have read somewhere of 
 ' praise waiting ;' it may be well if the desire 
 of thanksgiving is felt to remain, though the 
 fresh ability to be exercised in it seems not at 
 our command ; and, seeing we conceive it to be 
 the blessed employment of the redeemed in 
 their disembodied state, not an employment 
 commensurate with our deserts, be therefore 
 humbly glad that it was thine at Uxbridge; 
 and I trust it was as a seal of the Lord's appro- 
 bation of thy endeavours to serve Him in and 
 about London." 
 
 1812. 10 mo. 3. " I was affected at hear- 
 ing thy letter; and soon conceived a wish to 
 attempt a few lines in reply to testify my sym- 
 pathy and love. But I have no barn-floor or 
 wine-press to help thee from. I cannot help 
 myself, yet I trust I am not without a belief 
 that there is a store whence the wants of all 
 may be supplied, when He who has the key 
 sees that his conflicting ones have had enough 
 of fasting. The thing is to be really His j but 
 
I9S 
 
 t-his in times of great depression, is sometimes 
 hard to believe firmly, and for n\y part (though 
 it may not be altogether so with thee) a fre- 
 quent sense of my own unworthiness stands in 
 my way of consoling myself with sueh a per- 
 
 1812. 11 mo. 23. " I still hope thyyester- 
 day has been passed without condemnation ; 
 and I am inclined to believe with pity from 
 Him, who is touched with a feeling of our in- 
 firmities I Alaa ! without this, what should any 
 of us do ? or on what good ground should we 
 hope ? 
 
 " But there is one thing I want thee to re- 
 member for thy comfort. Thou needest not 
 be too much afraid of asking for silence. Ac- 
 cording to our principles, silence is not neces- 
 sarily a signal for speaking. Use it therefore 
 boldly, when needful ; and may. the blessing of 
 the Lord, before whom thou desirest to ap- 
 prove thyself, attend thee, with such portions 
 of His reward as may best promote thy being- 
 kept close to Him iu all thy movements iu His 
 
19\ 
 
 iSia 12 mo. 11. As to myseir, the eye 
 that has been operated on is, probably, re- 
 ceiving some increase of lijolit, but the other 
 grows dimmer in a much quicker ratio, so that 
 the balance is yet against me* Against me, 
 did I say : I wish to believe, if it be in the 
 ordering of that Wisdom that cannot err, and 
 which is said to care for the sparrows, it may 
 ultimately tend to the benefit of one who seems 
 increasingly to feel his own weakness, and the 
 great need he has of the arm of divine support, 
 to enable him truly in any degree, to bring 
 forth fruits to his praise." 
 
 Memorandum. 1812. 12 mo. 2S. " Went 
 to the quarterly meeting of ministers and 
 elders, had an exercising time there, and 
 came away under considerable depression. Re- 
 flecting a little before supper on the various 
 species of iniquity and oppression which abound 
 in the world, 1 was somewhat cheered by the 
 further recollection, that there was a Power to 
 which the mind might apply under such distres- 
 sing feelings ; and though I witnessed no great 
 ability to pour forth a petition to this Power, 
 yet the thought seemed to be the ushering in cf 
 
195 
 
 an evening that ended with, more calm tliaii 
 some others. I desire to add, though I am 
 afraid of doing it in the oldness of the letter, 
 * Praised be the Lord.' " 
 
 1813. 3 mo. 24. " I tliink I am some- 
 times further tried than by the mere negative 
 sense of not being apparently useful. I cannot 
 easily persuade myself that my general habits 
 of resignation are such as ought to be those of 
 so long a professing Christian ; and fear will 
 sometimes slip in, that they are not sufficient 
 to entitle me to that permanent union with the 
 great Head of the Church, the hope of which 
 is the. Christian's anchor in time, and the 
 fruition of which must form his sustenance and 
 life for ever. On these accounts, when my 
 consoling friends appeal to my experience in 
 divine things, they sometimes defeat their own 
 purpose by using a standard, by which I am 
 afraid to measure myself. 1 am sometimes 
 reminded of the late Elizabeth Rathbone, who, 
 as appears from the account,* had had many 
 
 * ::cL " Piety Promoted," part x. page 97. 
 
 o2 
 
r96 
 
 encouraging expressions dealt to her, by va- 
 rious friends ; yet seemed not to dare to rely 
 much on them ; and could not be satisfied 
 without immediate relief; as it were, without 
 help from the sanctuary, and strength out ot 
 Zion itself." 
 
 1814. 1 mo. 4. " As to the more import- 
 ant part, I am afraid it would be presumption 
 to boast of much advancement ; and ingratitude 
 to deny, that I hope I am still under the pro- 
 tection of that mercy, which, as our late friend 
 John Eliot said, I want» Between these two 
 sides of the question, it may be best to say but 
 little ; but this I hope I may say without pre- 
 sumption, that I think I never more loved ray 
 intimate friends in the Truth." 
 
 1814. 3 mo. 8. " As to thy mental feel- 
 ings, it is probable that the transition from 
 much active and useful employment to the 
 comparative solitude of thy sofa, will be likely 
 rather to cherish dejection ; but I hope it will 
 not be nllou'ed to prevail ^o ^.^ to do thee any 
 
197 
 
 jiijiiry, for *'who," or one may venture to say 
 what, is there that shall " harm you, if ye be 
 followers of that which is good ?" And I have 
 no doubt that thou art sometimes enabled to 
 look to the Power that has hitherto been thy 
 refuge in greater or less troubles. 
 
 " I have been much pleased in reading 's 
 
 account of her concern on behalf of those who 
 use bad language, because in my younger time 
 it was often a burden to me, from which I fre- 
 quently could not feel myself delivered without 
 being willing* plainly, yet 1 hope tenderly, to 
 bear my testimony against it ; and with regard 
 
 to , before I heard that part whicli 
 
 relates to her intended written admonition, I 
 felt desirous that she might be attentive, as 
 occasions arise, to discover whether verbal ad- 
 vice be required. I am afraid that there is a 
 danger of our liking better to give a little tract, 
 than to demonstrate the weakness that some- 
 times seems to attend verbal communication. 
 Not that I am at all desirous that she should 
 suppress any right motion towards it ; which 
 will, in all probability, be more forcible, if it 
 refer the transgressing party to the inward con- 
 sciousness which such persons possess, of sin- 
 ning against knowledge." 
 
198 
 
 1814. 4 mo. II. ''I apprehend a peace- 
 ful retreat, in abasedness of spirit, from an 
 arduous scene of labour, such as I think a 
 Yisit to this great quarterly-meeting must be 
 allowed to be, is all which an experienced 
 minister is likely to expect ; and with regard 
 to thy anticipating the feelings which may be 
 thine, when thou art allowed to retreat from 
 the general and constant concerns of the Christ- 
 ian warfare, which thy occasional infirmities 
 warn thee to expect at no very distant period, 
 they have been sweet to my taste, as a com- 
 ment on those memorable words, ' Say we 
 are unprofitable servants.' 
 
 '' As to me too, I think I am not without 
 my warnings, for in addition to the degree of 
 blindness, which has long much unfitted me 
 for active employment, I am now not a little 
 troubled (as the word on these occasions gene- 
 rally is) with considerable shortness of breath, 
 which renders much motion very inconvenient. 
 1 have put some words above in a parenthesis, 
 because I do not yet feel these asthmatic symp- 
 toms as a genuine trouble for a Christian, and 
 I hope if I could perceive the inward man to 
 be renewed, day by day, while the outward 
 
199 
 
 man v/as decaying, I should be inclined to 
 think them a blessing, a cause of thankful- 
 ness.'* 
 
 The health of J. G. Bevan had for some 
 months previous to the writing of the foregoing 
 letter, become increasingly enfeebled, and the 
 dropsical symptoms, which were now appa- 
 rent, confirmed the apprehensions of his kind 
 attendants, that the solemn close of life was 
 not very far distant* 
 
 On the 9th of the 7th month, he remarked 
 that it was very awful to think of leaving pro- 
 bation for a fixed state ; and added, " I do not 
 know how it is, I am sure I have nothing to 
 trust to of my own, yet I do not feel dismay." 
 This day he mentioned with much humility, 
 that the idea of Christ was precious to him. 
 He received a short visit from a young man 
 with whom he had been long acquainted, and 
 for whose spiritual welfare he had felt much 
 concern. He mentioned with great calmness, 
 the iniprbbability of their ever seeing each 
 other again, and after the visitor was gone, ex- 
 
200 
 
 pressed a hope, that he had been supported 
 in so much cheerfulness as to show, " that in 
 Christianity there is an anchor." 
 
 On the 11th he dictated the following to 
 his ancient friend John Kendall.* 
 
 " My dear friend^ Thy letter of the 9th is 
 very pleasant to me, though I apprehend thou 
 hast not been informed of the rapid declension 
 of my health since yearly meeting. I was 
 then able to attend most of the sittings, though 
 many of them only in part, and scarcely ever 
 any of the committees. Since that time my 
 disorders, which are of the asthmatic kind, 
 have come on to a degree that I think has been 
 the means of enfeebling: me more than ever I 
 was reduced in the course of my life; and I 
 have often been induced to question whether 
 they may not prove the means of removing me 
 from this state of probation. I feel it a serious 
 thing to remain under this humiliating view, 
 and do not find that I have any thing to trust 
 in but Divine mercy, the hope of which is an 
 anchor, which I am not wholly deprived of, 
 
 * To whom the letters inserted at pages lOD, IGI, 179, 189, 
 were also >\ritten. 
 
£01 
 
 iliough I am made renewedly to ieel my own 
 un worthiness." 
 
 On the 17th, he remarked that now he was 
 taught to believe that his continuance in this 
 tabernacle would not be long, it was hi3 
 greatest comfort to have a hope of admission 
 into " a house not made with hands." 
 
 On the 19th, on hearing a portion of Mary 
 Waring's diary, he said in a very impressive 
 manner, " I am sure there is no service like the 
 Lord's service, however little I may have been 
 able to be his servant." And in the evening 
 remarked, " that the prospect of the final 
 change was awful, but he could not say he had 
 yet been allowed to feel dismay." 
 
 To a friend who called upon him, he 
 observed, that he had many things to be. 
 thankful for ; and not the least the kindness of 
 those who waited on him. When he was about 
 to leave him, he said, " I feel that I love thee, 
 and I hope it is in the truth, and desire 
 thy prosperity in it, and that thou mayst 
 work while it is called day, and continue to be 
 useful, now thou art in thy vigour in some 
 respects, to a Society that wants all the help 
 it can have. The more reference we have, in 
 
whatever we do, to that Power that can do all 
 for us, the better we shall get on : and after 
 all, there is no crown we can thi k of as- 
 suming ; we must give all the praise to Him. 
 Farewell, my dear friend." 
 
 In a letter dictated to a much loved relative, 
 on the 1st of the 9th mo. 1814, after alluding 
 to his health, he adds, " I hope what I have said 
 will not be set down as the language of re- 
 pining, for I believe I may say that in a retro- 
 spect of my complaints, I have scarcely, if ever 
 dared to desire that things had been ordered for 
 me otherwise than they have been. I am ready 
 to be surprised that so unworthy a creature has 
 hitherto been preserved in the degree of com- 
 posure which I have been permitted to ex- 
 perience ; and well will it be, if self-love, or 
 some other hidden cause, does not make me 
 think more favourably of the state of my ov/n 
 mind than I ought." 
 
 -On the 11th of the 9th month, being First- 
 day, he spent the morning pleasantly. In the 
 evening he desired to have a little stillness, in 
 which his mind was comforted and refreshed. 
 He sat in the parlour with the family, during 
 the usual reading of the Scriptures, ending then 
 
203 
 
 with the I03d Psalm, which he remarked, with 
 pleasure, having lately mentioned it as a very 
 sweet Psalm. This, with the chapter read in the 
 morning, namely, 2 Cor. v., were the last por- 
 tions of Scripture which he heard, and they 
 seem to have been peculiarly adapted to one 
 just about to put off mortality. 
 
 Reappeared as well as usual on Second-day 
 the 12th. On retiring to the sofa for his custo- 
 mary repose in the afternoon, he entered into 
 conversation on the state of things in our 
 Society, which he considered as calling for 
 increased diligence, especially among its more 
 conspicuous members; after which he fell 
 asleep. In a few minutes he was heard to 
 cougli, and without any indication of pain, soon 
 passed quietly away. 
 
 In reviewing the life of this dear, departed 
 friend, it appears to present a striking and in- 
 structive instance of the power of Religion on 
 the mind. 
 
 In his early years, he heard the inspeaking 
 Word of Divine Grace. At a period of life, 
 when the pleasures and allurements of the 
 world present strong and powerful attractions. 
 
204 
 
 {dud to these attractions he was no stranger,) 
 with a mind naturally inclined to pride, — sur- 
 rounded by those who admired his talents and 
 sought his society, — placed in a situation in 
 lifcj in which outward enjoyment and the means 
 of gratifying himself in the things of time were 
 abundant, — he obeyed the heavenly call. He 
 took up the Cross ; and endeavoured faithfully 
 to w alk in the path of self-denial. 
 
 When engaged in the active scenes of life, 
 and in the support of those religious truths 
 ■which he had embraced from conviction, he 
 'Still found that the Christian's course is a con- 
 tinual warfare. His own experience taught 
 him that the propensities of nature were not 
 subdued ; that the enemies of his own house 
 were strong and lively. But he did not relin- 
 quish the contest ; he did not allow himself 
 to be overcome by indulgence or indifference ; 
 his perseverance was steadfast. His exalted 
 views of the purity of life and conduct which 
 ought to mark the genuine disciple, his sense 
 of that holiness, without which no man can see 
 the Lord, added to the conflict. Here was his 
 safeguard : — Being driven to look frequently 
 V, ith fervent desires unto the Almighty for 
 
205 
 
 help, humility, patience, and love increased ; 
 the cause of his Redeemer became more and 
 more precious in his sight; he was enabled to 
 look in faith unto Him as his Saviour; and 
 there is abundant cause to believe, that he has 
 joined the blessed company of those who, 
 through faith and patience inheriting the pro- 
 mises, have entered into everlasting rest. 
 
CHAPTER Vlli. 
 
 A short account of Mary Beva 
 
 AS it is probable that to some of the 
 readers of the foregoing pages, a short account 
 of Mary Bevan niaj form an acceptable addi- 
 tion, the following particulars, chiefly written 
 by those who were well acquainted with her 
 worth, are subjoined. 
 
 She was the daughter of Robert and 
 Hannah Plumsted, and born in London, the 
 26th of the 6 rao. 1751. Her father, who had 
 been for some time an acknowledged ministei , 
 died when she was about nine years old. 
 
207 
 
 The care of her education, as well as that of 
 the younger sister, of course devolved on her 
 surviving parent, who devoted her time and 
 attention to her children in a manner seldom 
 surpassed, and not often equalled. The effects 
 of this care were very early visible in the sub- 
 ject of these remarks, and she was recognised 
 as one of the most exemplary and consistent 
 young women in her station in life. Her mother 
 lived to an advanced age, and this parental 
 care was afterwards repaid by a full share of 
 filial love and attention. 
 
 In the more immediate circle of her friends 
 she was much and deservedly beloved. She 
 was a humble, self-denying woman, one who 
 was concerned to live in the fear of the Lord, 
 vei'y watchful over her words and actions, care- 
 ful not to over-rate her own religious impres- 
 sions, but sincerely desirous of being found in 
 the way of her duty. She manifested much 
 interest in the spiritual advancement and com- 
 fort of those who were uprightly pursuing the 
 same course ; and she often extended a friendly 
 care to some of these, who from their secluded 
 situation in life might not obtain much of the 
 notice of their friends. At the same time, she 
 
endeared herself hy her kind and affectionate 
 behaviour to many who had not so fully sub- 
 mitted to the yoke of Christ. 
 
 The friends of her own monthly meeting. 
 Ml their testimony concerning her, observe, 
 
 " In the year 1784, she yielded to a con- 
 viction of duty which had long been on her 
 mind, and appeared as a minister in our meet- 
 ings for worship, in which service she was^ 
 acceptably engaged, while ability remained. 
 She was seldom engaged to utter many words : 
 and was particularly careful not to exceed what 
 she apprehended to be her commission, being 
 of a very diffident mind. 
 
 " To us who have been witnesses of her 
 exemplary deportment, kindness, and compas- 
 sionate attention to those who stood in need 
 of assistance, it seems pleasant to add, that she 
 was particularly solicitous for the welfare of 
 the youth among us; by some of whom her 
 affectionate sympathy and tender care will, 
 doubtless, long be remembered. 
 
 " Her bodily and mental faculties gradually 
 declined, in the latter years of her life ; but in 
 
209 
 
 that time, the sweetness and innocence of her 
 spirit were to be sensibly felt, and the general 
 covering of her mind seemed to be that of sup- 
 plication." 
 
 The commencement of her last illness was 
 on the 25th of the 7 mo. 1810, when she was 
 seized with a fit of an apoplectic nature ; but 
 she recovered so much in the course of a few 
 weeks, as to encourage some hopes that its 
 effects would wear off. These hopes were how- 
 ever quite destroyed by a second attack, and sei- 
 zures of this kind afterwards became frequent. 
 During the course of this afflicting illness, 
 she appeared to derive much consolation from 
 continuing a practice which she had long ob- 
 served, that of allotting a portion of each day 
 to wait in silence upon the Almighty. 
 
 The following memorandums, made by one 
 of her kind attendants, instructively exemplify 
 that under very sore trial, her soul was confi- 
 ding in the only Source of effectual help: — 
 
 " 1811. 1 mo. S. Having herself an ap- 
 prehension of approaching death, and feeling- 
 much solicitude to be prepared for it, and to 
 p 
 
210 
 
 obtain forgiveness for past oflfences, she sweetly 
 expressed it in these words — ' Be pleased, O 
 Lord, to forgive all my sins, to pardon all my 
 faults, and receive me into glory.' 
 
 " 1 mo. 20. First day : having passed the 
 day more comfortably than usual, and being 
 retired up-stairs, silence prevailed, which was 
 ended by the following expression of thanks- 
 giving—' I thank thee, O Lord ! for the little 
 help thou hast been pleased this day to grant.' 
 
 " 2 mo. 2. She supplicated in the follow- 
 ing manner : — ' Enable us, O Lord, to be still, 
 and know that Thou art God. Preserve us 
 from endeavouring to offer prayer merely in 
 words of our own ; but grant us a degree of 
 living faith that we are thine, and that thou 
 wilt not forsake us.' — After a short pause, she 
 said — ' And though our states may vary, let us 
 endeavour to believe in what is made manifest 
 for us to do ; and, if more is required of us, 
 seek for strength to perform it, for it is of 
 great importance in an hour like this, to feel, 
 in some degree, that we are safe with God.' 
 
 " 2 mo. 4. She was much depressed in 
 mind, but when about going to bed, she seemed 
 to be raised a little above it, and said — ' When 
 
211 
 
 we are very low, it is some cause of comfort to 
 remember that we are not below the notice of 
 Him who knoweth all things, and Ijnows us as 
 we are/ 
 
 '' 6 mo. 17. She had an attack, which for 
 a time deprived her of recollection. About 
 twelve hours afterwards she uttered the fol- 
 lowing words : — ' Oh Lord ! be pleased to 
 help me; be pleased not to lay on me more 
 than I can bear.' " 
 
 In the 7th month a more trying seizure 
 than any of the preceding took place ; and 
 though considerable amendment followed, ma- 
 ny distressing hours were her portion, from 
 that time to the end of the year 1811; but 
 amidst all these, the spirit of prayer and 
 gratitude was at times felt and acknowledged. 
 
 With fluctuations of bodily health, fre- 
 quent returns of spasm, and convulsion fits, 
 this dear friend continued in this scene of 
 trial until the 23d of the 5 mo. 1813, when 
 apparently without any consciousness of pain 
 she was released from the conflicts of time ; 
 
 pS 
 
212 
 
 and her surviving friends had the consolation 
 to believe that her purified spirit ascended to 
 the realms gf everlasting peace. 
 
213 
 
 DETACHED PIECES, 
 
 Selected from some Manuscripts which J, G. 
 Be-can left at the time of his decease^ or ex- 
 tracted from some of his printed works. 
 
 I. On the nature of Punishment, 
 
 " The Law seems to go on the principle of 
 lex talionis: 'eye for eye: tooth for tooth,' &c. 
 ' Life for life' seems to be only consistent with 
 this. 
 
 " The Gospel (as said John the Baptist) lays 
 the axe to the root of corruption. 
 
 " Its spirit leads not to injure, much less to 
 kill, the body, but to mend the mind ; therefore 
 punishments, on a Christian plan, must have 
 the latter in view always ; the former never, 
 except in subserviency to the latter. This, I 
 think, will utterly abolish all capital punish- 
 ments, stripes, and public stigmas. 
 
2U 
 
 ^^ Restraint, labour, and solitude, are cIiieHy 
 admissible, because they tend to make the cul* 
 prit better, and may therefore be proved not 
 only consonant in their nature to the Gospel, 
 but really so to the golden gospel-rule, ' Do 
 unto others, ' &c. : for every enlightened, 
 upright man (and such only are fit to judge) 
 must wish, that should he ever slip from the 
 right way, and be obnoxious to his country's 
 laws, those laws may rather operate to bring 
 him back, than either to destroy him in a sinful 
 state, or stigmatize him to such a degree that 
 honest men will shun him. As to the wish 
 that some have had to suffer death, lest they 
 should be again tempted, it seems to prove 
 them in some degree penitent and humble j and 
 such are fit to live." 
 
 II. On Christian Admonition. 
 
 *•' It seems assuming, on a slight view, for 
 one man to take upon him to advise another 
 on subjects which respect Religion; because 
 it implies that he thinks himself at least wiser 
 in that point whereon he gives advice ; and 
 
215 
 
 this is uneasy for a mind, unaccustomed to self- 
 abasement, to bear. But as there are more 
 views of most subjects than one, it may be well 
 to consider that when the mind is thoroughly 
 convinced of any position, and believes that 
 the eternal interests of the soul are concerned 
 in the observance or rejection of any practice ; 
 if that mind is filled with that love to our 
 neighbour, which is the natural consequence 
 of loving the Creator above all, grief will en- 
 sue, if it behold a brother holding principles 
 or pursuing practices, contrary to those which 
 it most assuredly believes to make for peace. 
 
 " What then can be more consistent with 
 that love, or prove it more, than endeavour- 
 ing to show the neighbour his apprehended 
 error? This is so far from arising from a desire 
 of superiority, that it tends to elevate the 
 neighbour to the same step in the scale of 
 Christian attainment, which the admonisher 
 verily believes himself to possess. It says not, 
 ^ Be thou below me' ; but, ' Partake with me'." 
 
216 
 
 III. On immediate Retelalion. 
 
 " It appears to me a great inconsistency, 
 if not a great absurdity, to reject immediate 
 Revelation, and yet hold (what no Christian 
 can fail to hold) the duty of prayer. The 
 latter supposes a direct or open communica- 
 tion or channel, from man's heart to the Deity; 
 the former, a direct and open communication 
 from the Deity to man's heart. 
 
 ^' The inconsistency is this, that the commu- 
 nication should be open one way, and shut or 
 impervious, the other. The absurdity is, that 
 as the Deitj knows the want of the heart with- 
 out being informed, and, as in many particular 
 cases the heart cannot know the will of the 
 Deity, unless His will be revealed, the presump- 
 tion would be, that the communication from 
 the Deity to the heart is the more wanted of 
 the two." 
 
 IV. On Meekness in religious Controversy,* 
 
 " Such is the impatience of our minds, that 
 we find it easier to cry down an opinion which 
 
 * Refutation, &c. page 94. 
 
217 
 
 clashes with our own, than to examine it with 
 coolness ; and to inveigh against its author, 
 than to desire his instruction. While this is 
 the case, debate is not likely to sift out truth ; 
 but when the time shall come that such as 
 profess the name of Christ, shall infuse into 
 their controversies all the gentleness, forbear- 
 ance, and love, which His religion enjoins, it 
 is probable that Christianity will be advanced 
 by the superior conviction which will attend 
 the discussion of its votaries. May the mind 
 that is convinced of these truths, suffer them 
 to operate as a rule of its conduct; and thus be 
 one to carry on the work which it desires to 
 tiee accomplished ! " 
 
 V. On the Benefits of Eeligious Restraint.''^ 
 
 " The mind, especially when not much ac- 
 customed to dwell on religious consideration>., 
 is not always disposed to advert to serious sub- 
 jects. Sometimes, however, and particularly 
 in youth, there are seasons when anxiety re- 
 specting the concerns of a future life will pre- 
 
 ^ Account of the Life and Writings of Robert Barclar, p. 125. 
 
'2iS 
 
 vail ; and disturb the joy, which the pursuit 
 and the acquirement of the pleasant things of 
 time are wont to afford. 
 
 " Happy is it, that these interruptions are 
 experienced: for they bring into view greater 
 and more permanent pleasures. On such oc- 
 casions, religion comes for the purpose of 
 bringing balm to the soul, and of alleviating 
 its burthens ; not to increase its oppressions. 
 
 '^ The restraints of a religious life are in- 
 deed sometimes irksome ; though principally 
 at the entrance, and less so as we proceed ; 
 but in proportion as the mind is willing to 
 suffer a sense of its weaknesses and wants to 
 remain upon it, without seeking relief from 
 dissipation, (taking the word in its least offen- 
 sive meaning,) it will the less feel those re- 
 straints to be irksome, because it will know 
 them to be the harbingers of more perfect free- 
 dom. 
 
 ^' In this state of mind a review of the ex- 
 perience of those who have more largely tasted 
 both of the bitterness and the sweetness of a 
 religious life, who have borne the cross, and 
 felt the consolation of Christianity, will, at 
 times, be a delightful recreation. 
 
219 
 
 <^ The writings of Robert Barclay contain 
 much encouragement to sincere-hearted per- 
 sons, travelling through the temptations of 
 time, to the rewards of eternity. They bear 
 strong and ample testimony to Christ, the 
 sure refuge of the weary soul. The most 
 feeble, persevering Christian may be animated 
 with the hope of reaching that sure refuge, 
 when he reflects, that his Lord hath declared to 
 the least, as well as to the greatest servant in 
 his family, ' Him that cometh to me I will in 
 no wise cast out.' " 
 
 VI. Remarks on some Passages of Scripture. 
 
 1. "I am meek and lowly in heart." 
 Matth. xi. 29. 
 
 "I have been thinking as I rode homeward 
 this evening, that one may be low, that is de- 
 pressed in mind or spirits, and yet not be thus 
 lowly in heart, that is, humble. Now it is 
 worth considering, whether by means of at- 
 tempting to receive every disposition of mind, 
 not brought on by our own folly, as a dispcn- 
 
220 
 
 sation of Providence, we may not receive the 
 state of mind called lowness, flatness, and de- 
 jection, with an acquiescence and content, that 
 will convert what was simply lowness into this 
 blessed lowliness, to which, as being the dis- 
 position of Jesus, the promise appertains, ' Ye 
 shall find rest to your souls.' " 1 mo. 1. 1803. 
 
 2. On the spiritual application of the expres- 
 sions of Christ, " The life is more than 
 meat." Luke xii. 23. 
 
 " The soul in conflict, and in seeming de- 
 sertion, longs for relief. It would be glad 
 that almost any thing were made bread, so that 
 it could but eat and be satisfied ; forgetting 
 that there is a time to fast, and that at such 
 times, fasting is more conducive to health, and 
 consequently to life, than feeding would be. 
 But let such an one thus learn the force of the 
 assertion, < The life is more than meat.' He 
 knows that he is alive by the sense of hunger, 
 and by the feeling of pain ; and, if he can live 
 contentedly the appointed time in this needy 
 state, he doubtless lives acceptably, because he 
 
221 
 
 then eminently lives by faith, not by enjoy- 
 ment. Herein the gracious declaration, ' The 
 life is more than meat,' will be understood and 
 prove consoling, similar to that consonant say- 
 ing of the Psalmist, ' Behold the eye of the 
 Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them 
 that hope in His mercy : to deliver their soul 
 from death, and to keep them alive in famine.' 
 Psalm xxxiii. 18, 19,''' 
 
 3. " In his humiliation his judgment was taken 
 away." Acts viii. 33. 
 
 " In the place of Isaiah, which the eunuch 
 was reading when Philip joined him, was this 
 clause, 'In his humiliation his judgment was 
 taken away.' This is [sometimes] quoted to 
 show, that, although during the conflicts of 
 the new birth, even the reason and judgment 
 suffer in the view of the Christian traveller, 
 and possibly of those who observe him, a tem- 
 porary suspension, it is no more than has be- 
 fore befallen the great Exemplar. But the 
 passage, I think, means no such thing. Let us 
 read the place in Isaiah himself, as far as our 
 translators can guide us. li stands thus, ' He 
 
was taken from prison, and from judgment.' 
 The margin ' He was taken away by distress 
 and judgment.' Tindall says, ' He shal be had 
 away, his cause not herd, and wythout any 
 judgement.' The old folio black letter, ' He 
 was had awaye from prison, his cause not 
 liearde, and without any judgemente.' Lowth, 
 ' By an oppressive judgment, he was taken off.' 
 The supposition that the discernment of Jesus 
 is here said to have been taken away, seems to 
 arise from the ambiguous meaning of the 
 English word ^judgment.* When this suppo- 
 sition had thus once arisen, the Eloi^ Eloiy 
 lama sabachthani, on the cross, seemed to give 
 it probability; but as ^judgment' means not 
 only ^understanding' but ' j ustice,' (legal deci- 
 sion,) the best sense seems to be, ' In his hu- 
 miliation, justice was denied him.' Besides the 
 injustice of condemning the innocent, Lowth, 
 in his note on Isaiah liii. 8, hints at the 
 peculiar injustice which took place on the con- 
 demnation of Jesus Christ." 
 
923 
 
 4. " Let us run with patience the race that 
 is set before us, looking' unto Jesus, the 
 author and finisher of our faith, who, for 
 the joy that was set before Him, endured 
 the cross," &c. Heb. xii. 12, 
 
 " In this passage, the sense in which we 
 understand the small word for, much affects 
 the meaning. It should be considered that 
 the word for, also means i?istead of and is 
 so used in various parts of the Bible : as, ' for 
 your shame, you shall have double,' and, ' for 
 confusion, they shall rejoice in their portion/ 
 Our translators, therefore, may also have had 
 this meaning in this place ; but, probably, the 
 words ' set before him ' may have misled those 
 who think that ' for' here means ^ for the sake 
 of.' Two French translations, Martin's and 
 that of Mons, an Italian version, and the Latin 
 one of Beza, all use words equivalent to 
 ' instead of\ The following note is affixed to 
 the Latin word pro, in Beza's version, which 
 w ord exactly corresponds to our English for, 
 even in its ambiguity. ' Who,' says the anno- 
 tator, ' although He had in His hand, and in 
 His power, all manner of bleesedness, yet. He 
 
22i 
 
 spontaneously underwent the sljame of the 
 cross.' According- to this sense, an English 
 reading would be somewhat thus — ' Who, in- 
 stead of the joy that lay before Him — ' &c. 
 Now, I w^ould here ask, whether it be not 
 more agreeable to our sense of that Redeem- 
 ing Love, which is the foundation of the hope 
 and faith of a Christian, to view the Saviour, 
 as it were, laying aside his glories, to come 
 and partake with man in the infirmities of 
 the flesh, than to suppose Him undertaking 
 the w ork of the redemption of man for the 
 sake of reward ? I am inclined to believe that 
 most will answer, ' It is' : agreeably to the fol- 
 low ing passage of the apostle Paul, ' For ye 
 know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that 
 though He was rich, yet for your sakes He 
 became poor; that ye, through His poverty, 
 might be rich.' 2 Cor. viii. 9. 
 
 " Thus often doth one Scripture passage 
 elucidate another; and the harmony of these 
 precious writings is observed, and will often 
 be observed, by those who read them in single- 
 ness of heart : furnishing the best defence 
 against the cavils of modern sceptics, who pre- 
 tend to find in them contradictions which thev 
 
225 
 
 pertinaciously dwell on, in order to depreciate 
 and vilify a book which they are sensible is 
 replete with censures on their own disposition 
 of mind.'* 
 
 5. " Blessed are they that do his command- 
 ments, that they may have right to the tree 
 of life." Rev. xxii. 14. 
 
 *' I believe the word here translated right is 
 no where else so turned, except inHeb. xiii. 10. 
 ^ We have an altar whereof they have no right 
 to eat,' &c. In other places our translators 
 generally use the simple word power, particu- 
 larly in John i. 12. — ' To them gave he power 
 to become,' &c. and this w ord, ' power,' would 
 suit the place in Hebrews, and I believe most 
 of the places where the corresponding word is 
 used in the original language : and would not 
 convey any thing like an idea that the reward 
 in any case, is, as it were, of debt, and not 
 merely of grace. 
 
 " I do not feel myself qualified or disposed 
 to enter deeply into the discussion of the ques- 
 tion, but I am apt to think there are many 
 tender minds among us (and some whom I ap- 
 Q 
 
226 
 
 prehend to be striving.to enter in at the strait 
 gate) who would be likely to fear that Re- 
 'emption was at a greater distance from them 
 cijan they sometimes hope it is, if they had to 
 view final acceptance as an attainment to 
 which they should ever be able to lay claim, 
 otherwise than. as a free gift of Mercy, sur- 
 passing all their finite endeavours; and who 
 seem to comprehend tlie command to say they 
 are unprofitable servants, better than the pro- 
 bability that they can ever claim the kingdom 
 of right." 
 
 6. " We have a more sure word of prophecy. *' 
 2 Peter i. 19.* 
 
 *• This passage has given rise to some 
 controversy ; and standing as it does in our 
 common translation, it is not surprising that 
 it should; but there is great reason to sup- 
 pose that it is wrongly translated, and that 
 no comparison between the voice on the mount 
 and any thing else, was intended by the 
 Apostle. Much of the arguments, however, of 
 
 * Memoir of the Life of Isaac Penington, page 224. 
 
227 
 
 Isaac Penington, and several others of our 
 early friends, in favour of the superiority of 
 the Spirit to the letter, may still stand good. 
 In fact, the professors of those times used this 
 text to prove the all-sufficiency of the Scrip- 
 tures. Our friends, who had learned the pre- 
 excellence of the cause before the effect, 
 opposed them on their own ground ; and while 
 both parties allowed that something was sup- 
 posed to be preferred to the voice on the mount, 
 they had reason on their side in asserting that 
 it could not be the Scripture. It is with diffi- 
 dence and fear, I presume to conclude, that 
 such eminent men were not fully aware of the 
 true meaning of the passage ; but if the words, 
 rightly translated, are literally these, ' And we 
 have more sure the prophetic word,' the com- 
 parison ' more sure,' (which probably means 
 ' more confirmed,') will relate to the increased 
 confirmation which the primitive Christians 
 had of prophecy, by having seen its accomplish- 
 ment. I think the subsequent verses are also 
 clearer by this means, and accord better with 
 the scope of the whole passage," 
 
 q2 
 
VII. On the character of the Apostle PauL* 
 
 ^' It is not necessary to inform the Christian 
 who has attentively read the things recorded in 
 Scripture of the Apostle Paul, that he was a 
 very remarkable person ; but he was remark- 
 able for some things which may not, at first 
 sight, strike the reader; and, setting aside the 
 miraculous part of his history, for nothing 
 more than for carrying his Christian warfare, 
 at once, into the heart of countries clouded 
 with superstition, and deluged with immorality. 
 Without descending to every particular, we 
 may find him planting, or confirming, churches 
 at Antioch, contaminated by the infamous 
 manners of Daphne ; in Phrygia, celebrated for 
 the lewd and impious orgies of Bacchus and 
 Cybele ; at Ephesus, proud in the possession 
 of what was thought a gift of Jupiter, their 
 great Diana ; and at Corinth, where religion 
 was made a cloak for abominable impurity. 
 This list may be closed with the addition of 
 imperial Rome, the sink of every vice which 
 the abuse of riches and power introducers 
 among men. The success of the Gospel iu 
 
 • Life of the Apostle Paul, 2nd edition, p. 423. 
 
229 
 
 such places is striking, and evinces at the same 
 time its own Divine power, and the skilfulness 
 of the hands to whom its propagation was 
 committed. 
 
 " The progress of the Gospel was emi- 
 nentlj? promoted by the miracles which its 
 messengers were enabled to perform : which 
 though I have just waved, I by no means pro- 
 pose to doubt or to slight. In the case of our 
 Apostle, besides the miracles attendant on his 
 conversion, we have the instances of Elymas at 
 Paphos, of the cripple at Lystra, of PauFs 
 recovery at the same city, of the divining maid 
 of Philippi, of the earthquake there, of the gift 
 of tongues at Ephesus, together with many 
 other special ones related in Acts xix. 11, 12, 
 and of the restoration to life of Eutychus at 
 Troas. Nor are these all ; yet we read of no 
 miracle at Athens, nor of many converts. 
 Athens was too full to be hungry, too wise to 
 be taught. She was the great university of the 
 day, and numbered among her scholars, the 
 senatorial youth of Rome. Thus the pride of 
 knowledge seems to have opposed the Gospel 
 more than the defilement of vice. So it was ia 
 Judea with the scribes and pharisees, who axe 
 
^^0 
 
 desciibed as being more tardy in their prog-ress 
 to the kingdom of heaven, than the publicany 
 and harlots. The Apostle accommodated him- 
 self to the Athenian taste. He reasoned, and, 
 as we think, reasoned forcibly ; but the general 
 result was, mockery and procrastination; and 
 the messenger of salvation quitted this city of 
 lettered superstition. Knowledge has nothing 
 necessarily evil in itself; but to be unexcep- 
 tionable, it must be attended with diffidence 
 and humility, and not be like that of our first 
 parents, a forbidden knowledge. 
 
 *' There is another very observable thing 
 in the ministry of our Apostle, namely, his en- 
 deavour that it should be without charge to hi^ 
 converts. It is not probable that in every 
 place where he came, he could effect this ; but 
 as it falls out that we have a plain intimation 
 of it, with respect to three places, it is very 
 fair to believe that he had the same care in 
 others, where his residence was long pro- 
 tracted. The first hint of this kind is in his 
 first letter to the Thessalonians, where he tells 
 them, 'Ye remember, brethren, our labour and 
 travail : for labouring night and day because 
 we would not be chargeable unto any of you, 
 
251 
 
 we preached unto you the Gospel of God.' 
 Not long after this he visited the opulent city 
 of Corinth, and here he set himself to manual 
 labour. He lodged with a tent-maker, and 
 fellow-believer, the virtuous Aquila* ^nd, 
 * because,' says the text, ' he was of the same 
 craft, he abode with them,' that is, Aquila and 
 Priscilla, ' and wrought.' After this residence 
 at Corinth, which was of more than eighteen 
 months' duration, he took a long circuit, and 
 some time afterwards came to Ephesus. In all 
 this time we have reason to think his indus- 
 trious disposition was not changed ; for, when 
 he took his leave of the Ephesian elders, who 
 met him at the neighbouring city, Miletus, 
 after reminding them of his three years' di- 
 ligent and affectionate warnings, he says, 
 emphatically, in the consciousness of disin- 
 terested love, ' I have coveted no man's silver, 
 or gold, or apparel ; yea, ye yourselves know 
 that these hands have ministered unto my 
 necessities; and them that were with me:' 
 And he seems not only to have used industry 
 in his own person, but to have recommended 
 it to the elders from Ephesus, in the num- 
 ber of whom we may reckon the bishops and 
 deacons:—' I have showed you all thingS;^ 
 
232 
 
 how that so labouring ye ought to support the 
 weak; and to remember the words of the 
 Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to 
 give than to receive.' 
 
 '^ Thus, on a slight review of the character 
 of the Apostle, we may pronounce him to have 
 been intrepid in his zeal to build the church, 
 and eminently disinterested in his conduct 
 towards his converts. Intrepidity and zeal are, 
 it is certain, often exerted in causes which do 
 not mark those who possess them for religious 
 or virtuous men; but when they are exerted 
 where not only no emolument is the reward of 
 the exertion; but, on the contrary, 'tribula- 
 tion, or persecution, or famine, or peril, or the 
 sword;' then it is that we may venture to 
 believe a man, at the least, sincere : and when, 
 as in the present instance, the cause which he 
 undertakes is unquestionably good, great, and 
 glorious; when the zeal is tempered with 
 knowledge, and when fervent love throws its 
 lustre over the other Christian virtues ; we 
 need not be backward in acknowledging that 
 we discover the noblest of characters, the sin^ 
 cere and intrepid Christian. 
 
 " It may be improper, however, to turn 
 
233 
 
 away from this subject without remindint; the 
 reader (if indeed by this time he want the mo- 
 nition) that in contemplating the virtues, espe- 
 cially the Christian virtues, of excellent men, 
 we must be careful to ascribe all merit to the 
 Light and Grace of God, freely bestowed, and 
 implicitly obeyed. We are indeed commanded 
 to let our light shine, but it is to shine to the 
 glory of the Heavenly Father. This was con- 
 spicuously our Apostle's care ; and the epistles 
 are fraught with testimonials of it." 
 
 VIII. Extracts from a Replj/ to a Roman 
 Catholic^ who had objected to some of the 
 principles of Friends. 
 
 " The apostle Peter confessed that the true 
 church is formed of the sincerely pious of all 
 churches, when he said, ' Of a truth, I perceive 
 that God is no respecter of persons ; but in 
 every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh 
 righteousness is accepted of Him.' As the Al- 
 mighty is unchangeable, it is the same now as 
 in the days of Peter : and surely either those 
 whom God accepts must be in the true church, 
 pr saved without it. 
 
2S4 
 
 " This being granted it seems to follow j 
 that from the true church we are not dissen- 
 ters ; consequently not from the body of Christ, 
 w hich we allow this church to be ; and although 
 her existence hath often been in secret, and 
 her chief habitation may yet be in the wilder- 
 ness, yet will she exist to the end of the world. 
 
 " Keening in view this enlarged, and truly 
 catholic idea, we may easily believe that minis- 
 ters of the true church may arise, out of the 
 Romish limits. The proof of their call, which 
 our early ministers gave, was the correspond- 
 ence of their doctrines with the feelings in 
 ^he consciences of those to whom they preach- 
 ed. This seems to be tlie kind of prophecy 
 mentioned by Paul, as excelling even the gift 
 of tongues ; by which the secrets of the heart 
 being made manifest, the hearers could not but 
 confess that God was in these ministers of a 
 truth. Thus was faith produced, which will 
 be confessed to be the clearest ground on which 
 to receive doctrine : and firm faith it must 
 have been, to enable those who received it tq 
 withstand the opposition which their profession 
 of it at that time occasioned. 
 
 " Reaching thus to the inmost recesses of 
 
the heart, a lliing which human ingenuity can 
 never do, this ministry was properly distin- 
 guished from the teachings of men. It ws.s 
 teaching by the means of man; but its origin 
 was confessed to be divine We therefore do 
 not lie under the imputation of any inconsis- 
 tency, in having said that the teachings of men 
 are to be neglected ; and yet still w^riting and 
 preaching our own tenets. And we desire no 
 better than that all who hear our preachers, or 
 read our books, will try our doctrine by the 
 test of their own unbiassed feelings, accepting 
 nothing on trust from us, and at the same time 
 not estimating us by their own preconceptions. 
 Neither must mere antiquity be considered as 
 the test of truth. Sin and error were very an- 
 cient, when the outward profession of Christi- 
 anity itself was a novelty. Antiquity hath 
 been a common cry with such as have disliked 
 the notion of any being wiser than themselves: 
 whereas were the doctrines of Christ suffered 
 to operate freely and fully on the mind, it i^ 
 not only probable, but can hardly be conceived 
 otherwise, that the world would every day be- 
 come more enlightened with dicoveries of the 
 divine will; and it would be the evening song 
 of one generation, that the succeeding one 
 
236 
 
 would make the glory of the Lord more con- 
 spicuous, by the further effusions of gospel^ 
 light which they would receive. 
 
 '' The apostle Paul in his advice to the 
 Ephesians, forbids drunkenness, and advises 
 to be filled with the Spirit, ' Speaking,' says 
 he, ^ to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and 
 spiritual songs, making melody in your hearts 
 to the Lord.' To say nothing of the spiritual 
 cast of this verse, we shall not controvert the 
 actions of those who are filled with the Spirit. 
 That which we condemn is for men not so 
 filled, yea who mock at the pretence of being 
 so filled, to take into their mouths words spo- 
 ken or written by men under that holy influ- 
 ence, and to call their so doing worship. To 
 a man thus filled we should not object as a 
 fault, his using the very words of the Lord's 
 prayer, recorded by Luke. Matthew however 
 introduces the prayer with informing us, that 
 Jesus said, ' After this manner pray ye,' that 
 is, concisely, and not like the heathen, with 
 vain repetitions and much speaking. But as 
 prayer is one of the most solemn acts in which 
 man can be engaged, it is especially necessary 
 it should always be performed with sincerity. 
 How can the frequent abuser of the name o§ 
 
257 
 
 God say truly, ' hallowed be thy name ? ' 
 Mankind too generally oppose his reign by 
 pride, oppression, and violence ; how can they 
 then pray that his kingdom may come, and his 
 will be done on earth as in heaven ? Can the 
 man who daily rises to the contemplation of 
 his own self-sufficiency, pray for that daily 
 bread, of which he doth not perceive the want, 
 or for the forgiveness of those sins of which 
 he feels not the burden ; and can those pray in 
 earnest not to be led into temptation, who, in 
 their whole conduct, rather seek than avoid 
 it ? Surely, No. If even this form, however 
 divinely instituted, becomes in the mouths of 
 the multitude, a lie ; much less can we expect 
 forms of acknowledged human origin to profit 
 them, and to conduct them into the presence 
 of the Most High, who is, saith his beloved 
 Son, a Spirit." 
 
 IK. On Prater connected zoith Silent Waiting, 
 
 (From a Letter.) 
 
 " It is chiefly on the subject of Silent Wait- 
 ing, that I feel desirous of giving thee satisfac- 
 tion ; at least of endeavouring to obviate thy 
 objections. And I think there is one obvious 
 
2J8 
 
 remark which will almost intrude itself on us, 
 when we have first a little cleared the way, 
 by explaining a term or two. But previously 
 even to that, I will state what I conceive to 
 be the force of thy objection against Silent 
 Waiting- ; namely, ' that it supersedes and 
 prevents that which all Christians esteem a 
 duty* It prevents prayer, even prayer for the 
 influence of the Holy Spirit, although that is 
 what our Friends profess to be necessary and 
 indispensable.' 
 
 " Now let us define Prayer. Is it not the 
 application of the heart to God ? My mind, I 
 confess, acquiesces with this definition, and I 
 think there is in Scripture at least one exhor- 
 tation to prayer, which cannot comport with 
 any other. ' Pray,' says Paul, ' without ceasing.' 
 Words are rather the expression of that prayer 
 which first arises in the heart, than prayer 
 itself. Or, if it please thee better, we will 
 take Cruden's more ample definition. ' Prayer 
 is an offering up our desires to God, for things 
 lawful and needful, with an humble confidence 
 to obtain them through the alone mediation of 
 Christ, &c,' The latter part of this is not to 
 our purpose (and possibly it goes full far 
 
230 
 
 onougli. It seems to deny that Jews, and 
 Turks, and Pagans, can pray at all ; and I 
 question if it will not exclude the prayer of 
 Cornelius before the visit of Peter,) but he 
 goes on, ' Prayer is either mental or vocal.' 
 Of course mental prayer is prayer ; and may 
 be genuine prayer, acceptable and accepted 
 jirayer, prayer attracted and inspired by a 
 sense of the love of the Almighty. 
 
 " Now to me it is obvious, that he who sits 
 down sincerely to wait on the Source of wisdom 
 and strength, sits down in a spirit of mental 
 prayer. He has faith to believe that the Lord 
 can supply his wants, and he desires that He 
 should ; but as he knows not always what 
 to pray for as he ought, he waits, the spirit 
 of supplication still clothing him, for ability 
 to distinguish his present more prevailing 
 wants. Thus to me it is obvious that waiting; 
 does not obstruct genuine prayer, heaven-be- 
 gotten prayer, whether it be by the expression 
 of words, or the secret aspiration of the heart, 
 or the intercession of the Spirit with unutter- 
 able groans. 
 
 But I believe we need not rest this matter 
 solely, though 1 think it rests safely, on this 
 
240 
 
 reasoning, we can assert the negative of thy 
 proposition from experience. I do not at all 
 doubt that many can testify that their silent 
 waiting has often led them to prai/er ; but I am 
 aware that an appeal to the hidden feelings of 
 others is not a valid argument, unless every 
 one appealed to, were present to confirm the 
 appeal. But what wilt thou say to the un- 
 numbered instances of prayer in our public 
 meetings for worship ever since we became a 
 people ? Yet these meetings are also for the 
 express purpose of waiting on the Almighty. 
 We have also instances of persons who have 
 left behind them notes of their spiritual expe- 
 rience ; and we find as they feel their wants, 
 and their weakness without a present helper, 
 a Christ as it were at hand, they are led to 
 prayer, if it be but Lord^ help. 
 
 " Having now, I hope, shown that silent wait- 
 ing is not obstructive of the genuine prayer of 
 the quickened heart, but is a means of inspiring 
 it ; I shall readily allow that it is an obstruc- 
 tion of formal prayer, which a man may engage 
 in as soon as he opens the book where the let- 
 ter of the prayer is penned or printed for him. 
 And we are not desirous that it should be 
 
241 
 
 otherwise : for what will a life spent in such 
 prayer, without the other, avail a man at last ? 
 Do not people say and hear such prayers hun- 
 dreds of times, and yet remain, as to the fear 
 and love ofthe Almighty, just what they were ? 
 Why else at this day is the Christian world 
 filled with violence? Even priests in their 
 collects repeatedly pray for the guidance of 
 the Holy Spirit; and yet many of them almost 
 deny that it is now to be expected, and make 
 us heretics for asserting the contrary." 
 
 Xu Some Observations on searching into divine 
 Mysteries,* 
 
 " It is certain that in speaking, and even in 
 thinking, on the attributes and relations of the 
 Deity, the utmost caution and circumspection 
 are necessary ; and this caution and circum- 
 spection have, I think, in no writings been more 
 attended to than in those of Friends. It is very 
 possible that while people are disputing with 
 great warmth and zeal, about the rank of their 
 Master, they may be quite inattentive to his 
 obvious commands, and their own obvious 
 duty. 
 
 * An Examination, &c. p. 36. 
 R 
 
242 
 
 " This however seems to have been the gene- 
 ral rule of our friends with respect to doctrine : 
 what they have found in Scripture, they have 
 for that reason, admitted. If in any case, it 
 has proved incomprehensible to human under- 
 standing*, they have not, on one hand, attempt- 
 ed to fathom the depth by reasoning ; nor, on 
 the other, have they dared to reject what they 
 could not fathom. Both these are repugnant 
 to the idea of faith ; and faith is certainly held 
 out in Scripture to be a prime requisite of the 
 Christian religion. The wise mean seems to 
 be, to suffer the mind to remain in modest and 
 reverent indecision, till further discovery be 
 made, or till it can feel more disposition to be 
 satisfied, and unite with those sublime myste- 
 ries which the Scripture offers for its contem- 
 plation. I w ould add that in this case too the 
 example of the apostles is worthy of our imi- 
 tation. 'Lord,' said they, * increase our faith.' 
 If we believe that Christ is the Author of faith, 
 and that there is an inward and spiritual com- 
 munication between Him and His followers, 
 both of which I think we must believe, if we 
 are Quakers, so called ; such an application 
 seems but a reasonable use of the privilege, 
 
243 
 
 with wliicli we apprehend mankind are en- 
 dowed. 
 
 " As to the probability of adding to our 
 stature of knowledge in divine thino^s by much 
 toiling, I rather wish to discourage such an 
 expectation. It is good to be constantly aware 
 that there are truths, relating to heavenly and 
 infinite things, that are above the reach of our 
 finite faculties. It is probable that the Scrip- 
 tures, which treat largely of heavenly things, 
 should now and then hint at such truths. If 
 we receive them as they are there opened, and 
 no further, they will serve among other things 
 to convince us that we see but in part, and 
 know but in part ; and thus probably increase 
 our stock of humility, which is one of the bonds 
 of society. But if we determine to know how 
 every thing there spoken of exists, and its 
 positive relation to the whole; or failing in 
 this, to deny any thing to be as it is there re- 
 presented, we shall probably grow conceited 
 of our achievements; and a pride and self-ap- 
 probation will be nourished, which ill accord 
 with that state in which we are exhorted 
 ' to esteem others better than ourselves.' At 
 the same time, the head being employed in 
 R 2 
 
244 
 
 speculation, the heart is omitting its indispen- 
 sable work of subjection." 
 
 XL On Tithes* 
 
 The following piece is extracted from a short 
 reply to some printed animadversions upon the 
 conduct of Friends. It is hoped that the 
 reader will bear in mind, that the drift of the 
 argument applies to an ecclesiastical establish- 
 ment, set up and supported by the civil power, 
 and not to those who may act as ministers in a 
 church so established. 
 
 " There is one foundation and corner-stone 
 of the testimony of Friends against a hireling- 
 ministry, in which it immeasurably differs from 
 every other testimony and scruple which they 
 hold; namely, that such a ministry is the 
 effect of man's pretending to interfere between 
 the soul and its Creator ; an evil so much the 
 more destructive, as it is robed with the sem- 
 blance of religion; and to expose which, as it 
 was the first concern of the primitive Friends, 
 
 * Reply to Catholicus, p. 1 2. 
 
245 
 
 so it seems to have been the prominent purpose 
 of Providence in raising up the Society to be a 
 people. It is not, therefore, matter of sur- 
 prise, to a mind accustomed to search things to 
 the bottom, that this particular evil of forced 
 ecclesiastical demands, should have been sin- 
 gled out as the peculiar object of the Society's 
 aversion, because they are for the support of 
 an institution, namely, a worldly priesthood, 
 which has contributed more than any thing else 
 to the undermining of genuine Christianity; 
 which, in every country where reformation has 
 in some degree taken place, has obstructed its 
 progress ; and which is in perpetual opposition 
 to the truly catholic principles of the Society 
 of Friends ; from the knowledge that their 
 general prevalence must effect its overthrow. 
 
 " Religion is the province of Him alone 
 who is the object of it : in religion, therefore, 
 Friends are not only dissenters from the esta- 
 blished church, but from every government in 
 the world, whether republican, aristocratic, or 
 monarchical, that in the least assumes the 
 power of directing the conscience, and of en- 
 forcing, by positive or negative penalties, a 
 compliance with its own forms. Hence, how- 
 
246 
 
 ever proper or improper may be their general 
 compliance with those demands of government, 
 which are for its support in the administration 
 of the affairs of this world, it can be no plea 
 for their being also active in supporting it in 
 an assumed dominion over the consciences of 
 men ; and, if no plea, the charge of incon- 
 sistency for doing one and omitting the other 
 falls at once to the ground, and the Society is 
 happily delivered from either horn of the mon- 
 ster, Dilemma.'' 
 
 XII. So7ne Remarl's on the Account of the 
 Quakers y in Pinkerton's " Modern Geography. ^^ 
 
 " I am inclined to offer a few remarks on 
 the short notice of the religious Society of 
 Friends, commonly called Quakers, in Pinker- 
 ton's ' Modern Geography.' 
 
 '' It is a circumstance which demands ac- 
 knowledgment, that he has deviated from the 
 track of some of his predecessors, and has not 
 copied the calumnies respecting us, which 
 abound in books intended for general informa- 
 lion. But the Society is indebted to him for 
 more than negative justice ; he has represented 
 
217 
 
 it to his readers as a benevolent Christian 
 people. These are his words : 
 
 "^A philosopher may well envy the mild 
 creed and universal charity, or fraternal love, 
 of the Quakers; whilst he must allow, with a 
 sigh, that a nation of Quakers could not exist, 
 unless all nations were of the same persua- 
 sion.' 
 
 " The regret expressed in the latter part of 
 this account has touched me not a little. It 
 seems sorrowful that it should be an established 
 fact, that charity and fraternal love, and such 
 as practise them, cannot subsist in the world. 
 Alas, for the world, in that case ! His eiilo- 
 giura on the Friends is a severe satire on its 
 nations. 
 
 " I am afraid we have yet little need to 
 concern ourselves about the safety of a nation 
 of Quakers. Their countrymen are too little 
 disposed to submit to the restraints of conduct 
 necessary to be admitted of their number; and 
 many who enjoy, what I call, that privilege, by 
 birthright, seem too much disposed to shake off 
 those restraints, and to mingle gradually with 
 the crowd of such as forget the interests of a 
 
248 
 
 future life, in the cares or pleasures of the 
 present* 
 
 '' But it is necessary for our argument to 
 suppose the improbable supposition of a nation 
 of Quakers realized. Such a nation would, 
 indeed, form a new and singular phaenomenon ; 
 but I am far from sure that it would naturally 
 contain the seeds of its own destruction ; and 
 so long as it should last, it would be a standing 
 refutation of the conclusion of our geographer. 
 When, however, I speak of a nation of 
 Quakers, I do not simply mean a nation which 
 has laid aside the use of arms, and at the same 
 time is indulging itself in luxury, avarice, and 
 many other evils. If we are to portray a 
 nation of Quakers, we must suppose it com- 
 posed of true Quakers ; for so far as in any 
 respect, the people degenerate into vice and 
 immorality, so far they recede from true 
 Quakerism ; and then their sins, sooner or 
 later, contribute to their overthrow. But 
 this is not imputable to their piety, harmless- 
 ness, and charity. 
 
 *^ I shall require [the objector] to people our 
 ideal land with men steadfastly fearing and lov- 
 ing God, and believing in Christ and the Christ- 
 
249 
 
 iaii dispensation, as revealed in the New Testa- 
 ment ; and studious to approve themselves to 
 their Master, by conformity to His laws. Of 
 the more distinguishing tenet of our Society, 
 the immediate teachings of His Light in the 
 conscience, I need not here enlarge. It is 
 enough for my argument that they are, gene- 
 rally speaking, seeking to know, and diligent 
 to do, the will of Christ. 
 
 '^ Before I proceed, I must assume the 
 reason for supposing that a nation, like that I 
 have described, must be a prey to its neigh- 
 bours, Pinkerton has not himself announced 
 it ; but I think it can be no other than the 
 disuse of arms. It is no less lamentable than 
 true, that among mankind in general, at least, 
 among those who conduct governments, there 
 is a propensity to war. They seem to think 
 their character scarcely complete, unless it 
 have a portion of the military one ; and glory 
 in opportunities of displaying it in the field. 
 I am apt to think, that in the attempts to settle 
 and adjust the differences which naturally 
 arise about worldly interests, this national 
 spirit, as it is called, has prevented a friendly 
 issue to numerous negociations ^ and has thus, 
 
250 
 
 really occasioned many of the wars, which ren- 
 der the history of mankind a history of human 
 folly and distress. Now this lofty sense of 
 honour (as it is usually termed) has no place in 
 a true Christian people. They reject, as Christ 
 has taught them, the practice of receiving 
 honour from men ; because they find, according 
 to His doctrine, that it stands in the way of 
 their belief in Him. For this spirit of conten- 
 tion, they have adopted His meek and quiet 
 spirit, by which means half the occasions of 
 war are cut away at once. And even, sup- 
 posing that there was not (which, however, 
 will not, I think, be asserted) that fondness for 
 contest which so many nations have shown, 
 still, even upon the notion of what is some- 
 times called necessary war, there must be an 
 aggressing, and an aggrieved party. In the 
 former of these characters, our Iamb-like nation 
 could never appear. It only, therefore, remains 
 for us to inquire how it would act, so as to 
 be preserved from the danger of an unjust and 
 oppressive enemy. 
 
 " It is observable in the province of nature, 
 that such animals as are destitute of weapons 
 of offence, are generally furnished with some 
 
251 
 
 appropriate means of security. Thus I apprc^ 
 hend, it would be with our innocent citizens. 
 Knowing the difficulty they would find in quar- 
 rels, they would take more care than is com- 
 monly taken, to keep out of them. In their 
 dealings with other nations, they would act 
 less hy the narrow scale of enriching and ag- 
 grandizing their own, than nations commonly 
 do. They would transfuse, even into their 
 commerce, a portion of the spirit of Christ- 
 ianity; and think that the way to let their 
 light shine before men would be full as much 
 by doing works of justice, as by talking about 
 doctrine. And I think it is not over-rating 
 the value of such a conduct to suppose that, if 
 they could, by such means (and as they are the 
 means of Christ's appointment, they must be 
 efficacious), induce their neighbours to glority 
 their Father who is in heaven, they would be 
 so far from danger of harm, that they would 
 become the delight of mankind ; and probably 
 set the anvils of other countries to work in the 
 blessed transmutation of spears to pruning- 
 hooks. 
 
 " Thus far I have endeavoured to show 
 only from the natural deduction of effects from 
 
252 
 
 causes, that a nation of genuine, upright 
 Quakers might subsist in safety ; but as I am 
 not bound to rest my opinion wholly on such 
 arguments, I will proceed to another, which 
 cannot be rejected, when we are speaking of 
 religious matters. If we grant, as we must, 
 that our ideal people have for the spring of 
 their action, a true living faith that it is their 
 duty to the Almighty so to act, they will con- 
 sequently have an unshaken faith in His protec- 
 tion. This is no more than His commands 
 enjoin, and the example of His people in former 
 ages warrants. So that I should not strain an 
 expression, if 1 were to say, that such a nation 
 would be sure of the protection of Providence ; 
 and satisfied with the manner and the propor- 
 tion in which it should be extended." 
 
POETICAL ESSAYS, 
 written by J.G, Bevan, 
 
 1. Imitation of Psalm C^^h 
 
 To hills and mountains shall I look : 
 
 From them expecting aid ? 
 No. From the Lord assistance comes, 
 
 Who earth, who heaven, hath made. 
 
 He shall forbid thy foot to slide, 
 
 No slumbers seal his sight ; 
 For Israel's Guardian's watchful eye 
 
 Can chase the mist of night. 
 
 And Israel's Guardian too is thine ; 
 
 Seek his paternal shade ; 
 So neither shall the beaming sun, 
 
 Nor moon, thy health invade. 
 
254: 
 
 The Lord, from ills of ev'ry kind, 
 
 His servant will protect ; 
 Keeping thy soul for ever pure. 
 
 From vice's foul defect. 
 
 Thy goings forth and comings in 
 (Though fears thy steps attend) 
 
 Henceforward will the Lord preserve, 
 And endless succour send. 
 
 2. Imitation of Psalm CXXX. 
 
 Out of the depths, to thee, O Lord! 
 
 Thy prostrate servant cried ; 
 Lord, hear my voice, nor let my pray'r 
 
 For mercy, be denied. 
 
 If thou iniquities shouldst mark, 
 Who, then, O Lord! shall stand ? 
 
 But, that thou mayst be fear'd, Behold ! 
 Forgiveness in thy hand. 
 
 I wait, my soul awaits the Lord, 
 More than the morning ray ; 
 
 My hope is in His quick'ning word, 
 More than in orient day. 
 
255 
 
 Still in the I^rd let Israel hope, 
 For mercies crown His throne, 
 
 Aud plentiful redemption flows 
 From Him, and Him alone. 
 
 Enthrall'd by sins, his greatest foes, 
 To Israel thus redemption flows. 
 
 S. Imitatmi of Psalm CXL VI. 
 
 Praise ye the Lord : and thou my soul. 
 Whilst future years successive roll, 
 Existing thro' unnumber'd days, 
 Lift to thy God the voice of praise. 
 
 O sons of men ! repose no trust 
 In kings, your partners in the dust. 
 From man expect no certain aid ; 
 His breath goes forth, his eye-balls fade ; 
 To native clay his frame's consign'd : 
 Then cease the labours of his mind. 
 
 But, blest supremely shall thou be, 
 Who to the Lord for help shalt flee ; 
 AVhom Israel's watchful Shepherd guards ; 
 Whose faith His bounteous Hand rewards. 
 
25G 
 
 lie hcav'n, and earth, and ocean's spread, 
 And all their num'rous hosts hath made. 
 Eternal truth adorns His throne ; 
 He hears th' oppressed captive's groan. 
 From Him the hungry food obtain, 
 And pris'ners, liberty regain. 
 
 Jehovah gives the blind to see, 
 And turns to strength the tott'ring knee ; 
 His love His righteous servants share, 
 And strangers, His protecting care. 
 He sooths the sorrowing widow's grief. 
 And to her orphans sends relief j 
 But plants confusion in the way 
 Of such as from His counsel stray. 
 
 For ever shall Jehovah rule : 
 Ne'er Zion, may thy fervours cool ! 
 But still, responsive to His word. 
 Sing the glad strain, Praise ye the Lord. 
 
 4. Imitations of two Christian Sonnets written in 
 French^ hy Drelincourt, 
 
 Go^ mortal, range the world from pole to pole. 
 Still nought but vanity thy search shall find ', 
 
 Subject to disappoinment is the whole ; 
 
 Nought there can satisfy the famish'd mind. 
 
257 
 
 Of the mere worldling, see the heartfelt pain ; 
 
 See the crown's weight oppress the monarch's brow; 
 See the pale miser tremble o'er his gain ; 
 
 See bitter ends to sweetest joys below. 
 
 In vain, alas ! we seek with anxious eye, 
 For perfect happiness beneath the sky ; 
 
 In vain our minds to pleasure we resign ; 
 For, oh ! to satisfy th' immortal part, 
 And fill, with joy sincere, the craving heart. 
 
 No pow'f suffices, short of Love divine. 
 
 Proceed wise Gentiles, your rich presents bring ; 
 
 For this conducting star will guide your way. 
 To the low palace of an infant King, 
 
 Whom all mankind should honour and obey. 
 
 And, should low-thoughted cares arrest your speed, 
 What care, what object, should with Jesus vie ? 
 
 Tho' tears his tender cheek may overspread, 
 Paternal glories glisten in his eye. 
 
258 
 
 To Him, your King, be then your off'rings made, 
 To Him, your oriental wealth display'd, 
 
 Your gold, your myrrh, Arabia's balmy store : 
 And tho' your off'rings his acceptance find. 
 Yet, when his grace inspires the humbled mind, 
 
 Love, innocence, and faith still please him more. 
 
 6, Integer viice, scelerisque purus, Sfc, 
 
 Uoii. 
 How privileg'd, the pure in heart ! 
 The bow, and its envenom'd dart. 
 They seek not, in their life's defence, 
 Confiding in Omnipotence ; 
 
 Whether in Afric's gleams they glow, 
 Or shudder 'midst Canadian snow ; 
 Visit of Nile the secret source, 
 Or wind along Ohio's course. 
 
 Once, as I took my ev'ning way, 
 A panther mark'd me for his prey ; 
 And crept along the dewy ground. 
 Preparing the rapacious bound. 
 
 Thus do the lion's eye-balls glare. 
 Whom hunger, from his Lybian lair, 
 Impels to blood : on Ganges' plain, 
 Thus bounds the tyger on the swain. 
 
§59 
 
 The secret pray'r to heav'n I rais'd, 
 And steadfast on the monster gaz'd : 
 The monster's rage kind heaven represt, 
 And fiird with gratitude my breast. 
 
 Place me amidst those parched plains, 
 Where nought the Samiel's blast sustains 
 Or where the short'ning Arctic day 
 Deplores Hyperion's distant ray ; 
 
 Still shall my soul in Him confide, 
 Whose help in danger oft I've tried : 
 His cheering smiles and cheering word, 
 Salvation to my path afford. 
 
 7. Written for the Almanack published by 
 James Phillips^ 1794, 
 
 Another opening year we reach, 
 
 Let passing seasons wisdom teach. 
 
 In future, let us learn to fear 
 
 The snares that caught the former year : 
 
 And keep ah unremitting watch, 
 That fresh allurements do not catch. 
 Thus, if we reach its closing hours, 
 May peace and gratitude be ours. 
 
 s2 
 
260 
 
 8. For the same. 1795. 
 
 Again compose the moral lay, 
 
 Review the passing year ; 
 And, what successive seasons say. 
 
 Instructed let us hear. 
 
 Fair Spring receives the genial show'rs, 
 
 Within her fertile breast, 
 And, in her meadows fraught with flow'rs, 
 
 The bounty stands confest. 
 
 Fervent and fruitful Summer days 
 
 Succeed to flow'ry Spring : 
 And, next, those treasures claim our praise 
 
 Which sheafy Autumns bring. 
 
 Last, icy Winter, dark and grave, 
 
 Earth's beauty may destroy ; 
 But, what tlie former seasons gave, 
 
 'Tis Winter's to enjoy. 
 
 Thus, in the vernal hours of youth. 
 
 Let innocence proclaim 
 The mind impressed with sacred truth, 
 
 And holiness its aim. 
 
261 
 
 And let maturer days produce 
 The fruits of heav'nly love, 
 
 Meet for the bounteous Master's use, 
 And ev'ry day improve. 
 
 Then from celestial windows, He 
 His blessing down shall pour ; 
 
 That full, declining years shall be 
 Of soul-enriching store. 
 
 And hoary age^s winter days, 
 Of mercies past may sing ; 
 
 And, closing with the note of praise. 
 Set in eternal Spring. 
 
 9. For tue same, 1796. 
 Thoughts for a dosing Year, 
 
 Thus, with its silent lapse, again 
 
 Another year is past ; 
 But shall time pass along in vain, 
 
 Which glides away so fast ? 
 
 Let conscience hold her mirror true, 
 
 Our conduct to display ; 
 Then let our retrospective view 
 
 The traveird space survey. 
 
26^ 
 
 And, should we the sad prospect find 
 
 DeformM with folly's stain, 
 jMay sorrow, in the humbled mind. 
 
 And true repentance reign : 
 
 So self-abasement shall prevail. 
 And cries for saving strength ; 
 
 Thus, where our hearts were wont to fail, 
 We may o'ercome at length. 
 
 If adverse days our souls have known, 
 And conflicts dire have prov'd; 
 
 Our little faith just overthrown. 
 And our foundations mov'd ; 
 
 Who knows but all this conflict dire 
 
 May be our needful food ; 
 Deeper humility inspire, 
 
 And work transcendant good ? 
 
 But, if with holy sunshine crown'd, 
 In peace our months have sped j 
 
 Our secret aspirations own'd, 
 And our accuser fled ; 
 
 What gratitude should then be felt, 
 
 For this protecting grace ; 
 How our adoring hearts should melt 
 
 In reverence and praise I 
 
263 
 
 The mental, or the vocal, cry. 
 In faith, may now be pour'd, 
 
 " For all Thy bounties, what shall I 
 Return to Thee, O Lord I" 
 
 10. For the same. 1798.* 
 
 See how another fluctuating year 
 Hath nearly ebb'd his days out ; and reflect 
 IIow many myriads, in this tide of time. 
 Have burst their earthly bonds. Kow fare they notv ? 
 Ah ! nought avails them now, that they pursued, 
 Borne on the wings of wealth, their envied course, 
 Thro' the probationary days of life ; 
 Nor aught aff'ects them now, tho' the chill hand 
 Of abject penury repress'd their flight ; 
 Save as they learn'd to estimate the lot, 
 Which all-discerning Providence bestow'd. 
 As giv'n for their improvement, and His praise 
 Who will'd it : in each state alike content. 
 
 O ! ye who still exult in prosperous gales. 
 Untried by the adversities that press 
 Your ellow tenants of the gift of life, 
 
 * For 1797, see page 39. 
 
264^ 
 
 With trembling notes rejoice : and call to mind 
 
 Tliat sentence of the undeceiving Lip ; 
 
 ^' Where much is giv'n, much too will be requir'd :" 
 
 Much good example, much humility. 
 
 And due devotion to the Giver's cause. 
 
 So may your better stores be filled Avith plenty. 
 
 And with celestial wine your presses teem. 
 
 And, O, ye children of affliction ! know, 
 Yours is no despicable lot. Ev'n He 
 Who died that ye may live, that ye may reign, 
 Embraced affliction, and conversed with grief; 
 A servant's form assum'd, tho' Lord of all ; 
 And led to glory, thro' a sufif'ring path. 
 Oh ! if ye wish to share His kingdom's bliss, 
 See that a portion of His patient mind 
 Be yours. Let no repinings pass your lips, 
 Or even enter your well-guarded thoughts ; 
 But take the cup His sov'reign wisdom gives. 
 And say, or strive to say, " Thy will be done." 
 
 Each standing thus in his allotment true, 
 No matter whether, ere again the globe 
 Shall travel thro' her orbit, or, long hence, 
 He join the annual myriads which escape 
 From earthly bonds ; safe in His hand who gave 
 To all the vital breath ; and best can tell 
 When to revoke the temporary boon, 
 And the unfading treasure to bestow. 
 
265 
 
 11. On a pleasant Path^ through a pleasant 
 Counfri/y at a pleasant Season, 
 
 If, trav'ller, m dull apathy, thou stray. 
 Blind to the beauties of the rural way, 
 Rouse from thy lethargy, and leara to prize 
 The pleasures Provideuce for man supplies. 
 Shall nature's Author decorate the plain. 
 For thy delight, and decorate in vain ? 
 Forbid the thought ; enjoy the bounty giv'n, 
 And thus co-operate with bounteous Heav'n. 
 
 And thou, o'er whom affliction's ruthless hand 
 Hath shed the terrors of her ebon wand ; 
 Whose feeling mind, with sable grief opprest, 
 Cannot, ev'n in these calm retreats, find rest ; 
 Yet pause ; and, whilst thy languid eye surveys 
 The fair expanse, attempt the Maker's praise. 
 Behold the feather'd race : for, of them all. 
 None can, without the heavenly Father, fall. 
 How then art thou pro tected ? Quit thy care ; 
 Confide in Him who numbers ev'ry hair ; 
 And join the mute, and join the vocal, train, 
 To celebrate the glories of His reign. 
 
 And ye, whose youthful breasts, from sorrow free, 
 Prink rapture from the vernal charms ye see j 
 
'266 
 
 Rest not content the workmanship t' admire. 
 
 But to still greater, purer, joys aspire. 
 
 These beauteous forms, that deck our seats below, 
 
 Are, of His palace, but the portico. 
 
 Then "• knock," in faith, with filial duty bold, 
 
 And strive th' interior splendours to behold. 
 
 Enter His blissful courts, and, ent'ring, raise 
 
 The voice of adoration, love, and praise. 
 
 Thus, may the beauties of the rural shade 
 The dull enliven, and relieve the sad ; 
 And urge th' ingenuous mind of fervent youth 
 Early to purchase soul-enriching Truth. 
 May all, their wand'rings and their failings past. 
 Unite in rev'rence here, and bliss at last ! 
 
 And may this heart, with gratitude expand ; 
 Own the Creator in His forming hand ; 
 Repress the rising wish for empty praise, 
 And dedicate to usefulness its lays; 
 Content, if, by the lay's persuasive charm, 
 One kindred bosom Love Celestial warm ! 
 
26T 
 
 nescis'^ C discis 
 
 > nihil est si ccetera < 
 discis ^ (. nescis. 
 
 PARAPHRASED. 
 
 12. 5*/ Christum ^ > nihil est si ccetera -{ 
 
 'is\ 
 
 Let the bright beams of Science shed 
 Their choicest influence o'er thy head ; 
 And let the classic page impart 
 Its raptures (o thy glowing heart; 
 If Clirist, thy Lord, thou do not know, 
 Wretched and ignorant art thou. 
 
 'O' 
 
 But though, to thee, her beaming ray 
 Fair science deigns not to display ; 
 And, though thy heart has never glowed 
 With warmth, by classic page bestowed ; 
 Still, if thy Saviour, Christ, thou know, 
 Happy, and learned, and wise, art thou. 
 
 13, u4 Prayer in Distress, 
 
 Conflict and fear possess my soul, 
 
 Hope almost fails in me : 
 Let them not rage without restraint ; 
 
 But drive my soul to Thee. 
 
268 
 
 When Thy inspired servant pray'd 
 That Thou wouldst set him free, 
 
 From the sharp thorn that gall'd his side, 
 And urg'd his pray'r to Thee, 
 
 How strength'ning \ta5 Thy holy word. 
 
 In answer to his plea 
 For thy supporting pow'r ! — ^' My grace 
 
 Sufficient is for thee." 
 
 And sure Thy meaner suppliant now, 
 
 Abased though he be. 
 Hath thorns which goad his very soul. — 
 
 He begs relief from Thee. 
 
 Look down in pity ; from my fears, 
 
 In mercy, set me fiee ; 
 And let me prove Thy saving grace 
 
 Sufficient : ev'n for me I 
 
^9 
 
 A LIST 
 
 Of the principal Publications o/J^G.Befa n. 
 
 1. "A Refutation of some of the more modern 
 Misrepresentations of the Society of 
 Friends, commonly called Quakers ; 
 with a Life of James Nayler; also a 
 Summary of the History, Doctrine, and 
 Discipline of Friends." 8vo. J800. 
 124 pages. 
 
 The authors whose writings are here no- 
 ticed, are Mosheim, Formey, Hume, the Editors 
 of the Encyclopaedia Britannica who quoted 
 much from Lesley, and Wesley. 
 
 2. " An Examination of the first Part of a 
 Pamphlet, called, ' An Appeal to the 
 Society of Friends.' " Svo. 1802. 38 
 pages. 
 
 The design of this is, by an examination 
 of the quotations in the work to which it is an 
 answer, and of the writings of our early friends, 
 to show that they were not Unitarians in that 
 which is now a very general acceptation of tlie 
 term. 
 
270 
 
 3. " A Short Account of the liife and Writings 
 
 of Robert Barclay." ]8mo. 1802. 
 127 pages. 
 
 4. ^' Thoughts on Reason and Revelation, 
 
 particularly the Revelation of the Scrip- 
 tures." Svo. 1805. 23 pages. 
 
 This publication, small as it is, is di- 
 vided into sections on the following subjects : 
 Reason, Revelation in general. Infidelity, Scrip- 
 ture, Faith, and Experience. 
 
 5. " Memoirs of the Life of Isaac Penington, 
 
 to which is added a Review of his 
 Writings.'' 1807. Svo. 272 pages. 
 
 6. " Memoirs of the Life, and Travels in the 
 
 service of the Gospel, of Sarah Ste- 
 phenson," chiefly from her own papers. 
 1807. Svo. 204 pages. 
 
 7. " A Reply to so much of a Sermon pub- 
 
 lished in the course of last year, by 
 Philip Dodd, as relates to the well- 
 known scruple of the Society of Friends, 
 commonly called Quakers, against all 
 Swearing." 1808. Svo. 23 pages. 
 
 8. " Piety Promoted, in brief memorials and 
 
 dying expressions of some of the Society 
 
271 
 
 of Friends, commonly called Quakers : 
 the Tenth Part." 1811. 12mo. 320 
 pages. 2d edition. 
 
 " The Life of the apostle Paul, as related 
 in Scripture, but in which his Epistles 
 are inserted in that part of the History 
 to which they are supposed respectively 
 to belong; with select Notes, critical, 
 explanatory, and relating to Persons 
 and Places." The 2d edition, corrected 
 and enlarged. 1811. 8vo. 427 pages. 
 
 W^ Phillips, Printer, 
 Georgf Yard, Lombard Street, London, 
 
This book is due two weeks from the last date stamped 
 below, and if not returned at or before that time a fine of 
 five cents a day will be incurred. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 
 
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