of daylight have I been with thee, but thou hast also been the companion of my pillow, which I resolved not to seek this night without speaking to thee, though late be the hour. As the fountain of our existence is love, so all the little currents which set toward it must be of the same nature. With this precious stream, I trust my thoughts are this eve measurably imbued, and directed to thee-ward, believing that we are at times enabled to go up to the house of the Lord together, persuaded that "neither at this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem" is the exclusively acceptable place, and my dear friend, it is with me to say, greet them which be of the household of faith; not that faith which stands in worldly opinion, but which is built up of the testimony of the spirit, in which, I trust, we are in good unity. There is an elementary baptism, but may we not hope we are abilitated to see beyond it; and not only see, but at times also to feel the evidence of that which is of fire, and tendeth to the purification of the heart; and though it be with burning, may we endure it, until all that be inflammable be consumed, that so the gold may come forth in its purity. Let us then endeavor to strengthen, comfort and encourage one another "to every good word and work," commending ourselves and each other to Him, who is abundantly able to cause even our dry bones to live. Verily, I often feel as if in me "dwells no good thing;" yet I am consoled with the belief, if we look with confidence to One who is mighty to redeem and to save, we shall be wonderfully helped, and yet made to sing on the banks of deliverance. Think not I am about to teach, nay I desire no such service, except it might be in a life void

Let me now return to the

of offence and blameless. common topics of time, which, perhaps, better become me. First, charging thee, when directing the pen of intercourse toward me, to withold nothing, not even reproof; for how otherwise are we to be each other's helpers, or how bring one another on the way Zionward? The incumbent duties of a sister, aunt, &c., have occupied these hands almost entirely since my return to this home, where the heart may dwell; but truly methinks it matters little what our engagements are, so that we fill up the allotments of life, though I would sometimes like to give better proof to my friends how much and how sincerely I am theirs ; but on go the days -the year revolves, and we can hardly think the twelve months have really run their pleasant round-" so noiseless and so light the step of Time." Last First-day, we gathered our forces at uncle I.'s, who is at once a father and a friend. A train of cheery, perhaps I might say instructive conversation filled up the measure of daylight, and in the evening, wishing still to be undivided, all gathered to our hearth-side, and were, I trust, refreshed socially and spiritually; feeling that we had indeed taken sweet counsel together. "If bright in youth, sure grand in age, are holy friendship, love and truth." Here though in the sand, we could be content and happy as mortals often are, did we not oft think of some that are left behind us. Yes, a little more of that kind of society in which (as cousin H. says) we could feel a soul, is much to be desired, yet here are the footsteps of the Deity, and we may look on the ever verdant Pine or aspiring Cedar, and feel that we are indeed of the great family of Him, whose extending care is over all

his works. Dear aunt H.'s health is much improved, and we hope she will be long spared to us; she is truly one who is best beloved by those who know her best.

TO HER BROTHER AND SISTER.

Philadelphia, 4th mo., 1830.

DEAR ONES:-Think you, that because we continue in the enjoyment of precious privileges here, sisterly affection and remembrance are at all abated? Nay, verily; but as the dew descending from above attracts and mingles with the moisture from beneath, so is love increased two-fold. Could the tongue exercise its activity, I should, I expect, be very wordy; for some pleasant and edifying social assemblings have been ours, and the daily gathering of the people have been divinely owned; though stir and commotion have prevailed without the gates, within the temple there have been found the aboundings of life and settlement, and were it not, as dear R. B. said yesterday, for the internal evidence which proves all things, a forward and disturbing spirit, which is going to and fro up and down in the earth, could deceive the very elect. We are not left to the changes of the wind. The ark is found abiding with the Israelites, and the Philistines have no cause for rejoicing. Yesterday afternoon, I had a very pleasant seat near the door, and was instructed in seeing the people repair to the hydrant, and seeming thereby so much refreshed; and methought were we in like manner to gather to the Living Fountain, we should indeed drink of its flowings and endure thirst no more. My last visit to cousin C.'s will long be remembered. R. B. appeared in supplication most sweetly. D. Quinby

addressed us with "the Master is come, and calleth for thee." H. S. exhorted very tenderly, and Dr. Moore desired us to remember our responsibility for abundant favors. Your ANNA.

To M. S

Port Elizabeth, 4th mo. 16th.

MY DEAR COUSIN M.-We received some verbal tidings of you at the time of our annual gathering, where it was truly cheering and encouraging to see our dear P. I. M. again. She seems like the patriarch formerly, to worship leaning upon her staff-even the unchangeable Truth-a firm and never-failing support, and there were other stars from your galaxy, of smaller magnitude, yet perhaps of not less brightness. One, however, to whom I more especially allude, was R. H., in whose labors there was the savor of life, and a sweetness both of countenance and spirit, which adorns profession. The address from your Meeting to ours was late in its arrival, not reaching us till the middle of the week. R. H.'s company and encouragement was particularly grateful to the committee on essays, with whom she sat several times, and gave edifying counsel. These opportunities are not of a light character, but were, methinks, felt in full force by many if not all, desiring that if anything went forth, it might be what the spirit saith to the churches. No one seemed turned towards Ohio, but as there is attention to the leadings and pointings of Wisdom, how wonderful are the results? E. N. came, (though not on the committee,) and continued. through one of the sittings, bowed in heart, yet entirely quiet till near the close, when she remarked that had she

known how it would have been, she thought her strength would not have borne her out, but that since the reading of the Epistle from Ohio, she had been renewedly dipped into feeling with the dwellers there; all her exercises had returned, and she had again gone down as to the pool, with the blind, the halt, the lame, and the withered too, and had waited for the appearance of the angel; greatly hoped she might not be in the way of any other, but acknowledged she was drawn to address that meeting. It was, of course, fully united with, and she wrote very touchingly and beautifully. Was there not proof that the work fell on the right one? There were divers visitors, and the words of exhortation were plentiful as the vernal showers; but I recollect nothing that came with more force and greater appeal to my understanding than the brief utterance of a Southerner, (I. G.) wherein power prevailed over speech. A report on the abolition subject was adopted, containing excellent counsel. Philadelphia Friends also became interested for the Aborigines of our country, and a considerable number were set apart for investigating the situation and wants of the injured Indians. The business of this large assembly was very harmoniously conducted much instruction extended throughout its session. The absent were also remembered, and an address to them approved and directed to the subordinate meetings, so that it really seemed as if there was a general mingling together in spirit, and a witnessing, as in days gone, the oil that was poured upon the head of Aaron, to extend to the nethermost part of the garment. I mingled also several times in a number of interesting social circles.

ANNA.