struggled back into the narrow path again, and thus been enabled to keep a steady eye to the recompense of reward, promised to the faithful. There is much dross to be removed, before we can attain to the possession of all the christian virtues, and have a wellgrounded hope of resting from all our labours. We all know the way; and if we are obedient to walk in it, our stony, inflexible dispositions become changed into softness and love.

My mind is often drawn to visit thee and thy little family; desiring that the precious unity and peace may rest on your habitation: and may the light of all-preserving Truth be a safeguard around you always. So wishes thy affectionate mother.

4th month 23rd, 1810. The Yearly Meeting has been large and favoured: I hope there were many who prized the favour as they ought. Yet what a little number are Friends, compared with the bulk of mankind! and how few are those who may be called "the salt of the earth," and are like a city set on a hill that cannot be hid! If we were more faithful, we should be a means in the Lord's hand, of spreading the gospel; and the nations would be shaken from the formal ceremonies and shadowy performances of a worship which frail man in his fallen. state is too much contented with. It is a favour to see and feel our insufficiency to help ourselves; and if, under a sense of our nothingness, we earnestly apply for Divine help and strength, we shall, through faithful perseverance, at last receive the happy invitation, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Then the time of our probation here will appear but as a

speck, compared with the never-ending, peaceful abode, where there will be no more sorrow, nor crying; but a permanent rejoicing in the victory obtained. Therefore let us not be discouraged, but cheerfully look forward to the end.

We have lost James Simpson and Rebekah Wright, two pillars in the church, but their removal is gain to them, though loss to us.

6th month 21st, 1812. My dear S., within my remembrance, I don't recollect a year like this 1812; so many remarkable and even calamitous events having occurred! The day thou mentions, with us was awful. Around us repeated showers and heavy thunder in places, but not so much redness, indicating wind and hail, as some days after, when the windows were broken and the grain destroyed by those fierce elements. How many lives have been lost that we have heard of within these six months past! And how many more that we know not of! And what may yet be in six months to come? Ah! it is a melancholy reflection, that men who have had so much done for them without, and the Divine light within them, should yet live as though there was no Godno judgment to come, and so be driven into the field of battle to shorten their days, and thus rush into the world of spirits, to meet their awful doom where there is no reprieve. How many solemn calls in different visitations of latter time, have been extended to South and North America! Surely there is a voice that loudly crieth to the city and to the country, and men of wisdom see the Divine power and mercy in these awful calls.

Among other things, has been the alarm spread by Hughes's prophecy. Though I did not put much

*

*The prophecy alluded to and signed "Nimrod Hughes," was published in an octavo pamphlet of 32 pages, in the early part of the year 1812. The prominent and alarming subject of it was, that one-third of all the inhabitants of the earth were to be destroyed by a terrible storm and hurricane on the 4th day of June in that year. This awful destruction was portrayed in language calculated to excite the passions, and to work on the feelings and imaginations of the timid and credulous; and such were the effects of reading this pretended revelation of the impending judgments of the Almighty, that the minds of men, women and children were wrought up to a state of terror and dreadful apprehension; insomuch that not a few became insane or melancholy, from which a number never recovered. In addition to the horror and consternation previously excited by the promulgation of this arrogant prophecy, on the day preceding the supposed fatal day, though it commenced with a clear and calm morning, yet in the afternoon a cloud passed over some parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which was thought to be of a singular appearance, with considerable wind, and by the credulous was viewed as the messenger to fulfill the absurd though dreadful prediction. The cloud, however, did no harm; and the "4th of June" being a fine clear day, the falsehood of the prophecy was apparent to every one but those in whom the balance of the reasoning powers was lost, in consequence of the alarm and horror previously and causelessly excited.

We would willingly have permitted this afflictive circumstance to pass into oblivion: but when we consider, notwithstanding the light of revelation, science and literature, so widely diffused in the community, that a spirit of speculative curiosity and credulity, continues to captivate many (otherwise sensible and intelligent minds)— it seems needful to hold up to view some of those things which are past, as a beacon of admonition for future occasions of deceptive pretensions and specious appearances. For, it should not be forgotten, that cases of imposition have occurred, and are still occurring; and, though supposed to be less injurious to the comfort and happiness of the human family than the publication of Hughes's prophecy,— yet how many, even scientific and enlightened minds, have been caught by such pretended discoveries as Redheffer's perpetual motion, Symes's hole, or northern basin,-John Herschell's telescopic view of the flowers and of people with wings inhabiting the moon, &c. &c. &c.—EDS,

confidence in it, being easy in my mind about it, yet I could not help being thankful when the time was past, because so many were under such dreadful apprehensions that their lives seemed a burden. What sort of a man must that Hughes be! and will he not have a great weight of evil to answer for in the day when actions are weighed; because of the misery and wretchedness he has occasioned in the minds of many people!

This life is a scene of trials and changes; insomuch that the weary, tried traveller is sometimes almost borne down under their pressure. I speak from some experience: but when the body decays under the weight of afflictions, what can uphold the mind, if there is not a Rock of shelter to flee to. I desire that all my troubles may be sanctified to my furtherance in humility and purification of heart. The creaturely reasoner is sometimes ready to say, why is it thus? But I dare not complain, believing I am under the eye of Him who ruleth all things in his wisdom. Our varied afflictions, if rightly improved, are a means to drive us to the house of prayer. Oh! may I more and more dwell there, and know it to be a sanctuary of safety!

How many virtues spring from the precious root, charity! I have feared that many who appear to have made considerable progress in their religious travel, have not yet been baptized deep enough.I wish for myself that I was further advanced into the depth of experience of the baptism of fire, as the introduction to that happy state wherein charity abounds, and "never faileth." Oh! that this were universal among mankind: what a change would it

make in the human family! I see its balmy peaceful effects, but am not capable of describing the beautiful portrait.

The way to be filled is to be stripped and made poor. Blessed are the poor in spirit, and they that mourn under a sense of their own nothingness. I can congratulate such, and salute them as fellowtravellers toward the city that hath a permanent foundation, whose builder and maker the Lord is.We should rejoice, and not be cast down under the pressure and sight of our infirmities. Let us rather rejoice that we are counted worthy to be of the number of the little ones; for such he graciously carries in his arms, as a tender father.

12th month 25th, 1812. How busy is thought!With feelings of renewed affection, my dear distant relatives are brought fresh to my remembrance this evening; while many are conforming to a traditional custom of commemorating the appearance of the Saviour of sinful mortals. But how apt are poor darkened creatures to rest in outside performances, neglecting or going from the real object they think they adore; and while professing a saviour in outward show, they overlook the substance, the pearl that is in them, and that might be found in retirement and inward silence!

I trust there is a righteous remnant who hold up in truth the peaceable standard of love and good-will to men. Oh! may this peaceable principle more and more prevail, that so the cruel devouring sword may be sheathed, and all destroying weapons be buried deep in the earth. I sometimes feel a hope that light is spreading, and the people coming to see the pre