ways of God are ways of pleasantness, and all his paths are peace.

1782.

22d, 2d Mo.-There is a strange propensity in some minds to be continually building upon happiness here; and if they are disappointed in one situation, to look forward to another. But this is not the way to profit by the corrections we meet with. We should rather endeavour after a state of greater purity and abstraction from the world, that we may be fitted for more durable happiness. But some of us may acknowledge that it occasions many a hard struggle to get above the world, particularly to those who are too desirous of the praise and approbation of men. If they attain any degree of excellence, they will most likely meet with many obstacles, and many falls, before they learn to dwell in the valley of humility. The tall cedars of Lebanon, and the lofty oaks of Bashan, must all be bowed down. Every human excellence and perfection must become of no account in comparison of winning Christ, who, through meekness and suffering, will lead us to glory. It is in vain to endeavour to mix

the pride of man with Christian perfection. They are opposite in their nature, and must be so in their end. An eager pursuit after the applause of men may spur people on to some things laudable in themselves; but at the same time, it leads to such self-complacency, and high opinions of ourselves, as can but ill brook the mortifications we may meet with, and much less submit to that cross of Christ, which appears foolishness in the eyes of the world. Oh how gladly would we escape a suffering, mortified state! The terms seem so hard, that we are almost ready to turn away sorrowful. But let us think on the peace and tranquillity accompanying the patient, suffering soul, which is wholly dependant on God, and whose chief solicitude is to please him. Freed from all the turbulent passions of fallen man, it can pursue its path with sweet serenity of mind; it can look at every abasement and mortification it may meet with, as the kind chastisements of a heavenly Father, to draw to still greater purity and assimilation with himself: and thus supported with holy hope and faith in God, it can press forward from state to state, till, having filled up the measure of its existence in time, it can forget all its sorrows in a boundless futurity. Oh glorious, happy

state! May my mind be disposed to drink of the cup, and be baptized with the baptism so essentially necessary to salvation.

23d, 4th Mo.-If ever I undertook any thing in the fear of the Lord, I think I may say I have this day had my four children inoculated in that most holy fear. Yet it has been accompanied with trembling and ardent breathings of soul to the Most High, for their preservation. Though it has been done with a firm persuasion of its propriety, I feel deeply anxious for the event, beyond what I think I should feel from the apprehension of any ill in which I could have no hand.

15th, 5th Mo.-Yesterday we left our lodgings in London, and returned with much satisfaction to our own habitation. I may truly say I desire to have my mind covered with thankfulness for this last, as well as numberless other unmerited favours which it has pleased the Supreme Being, in the course of his Providence, to bestow. What shall I render unto thee for all thy mercies, is sometimes the language of my soul. And knowing, that when we do our best, we can be but unprofitable servants, I have been

solicitous to be kept in that meek and humble state, which is acceptable in the sight of the Most High, and to feel my heart entirely devoted to his service.

12th, 9th Mo.-When we meet with opposition to our own opinions, it is sometimes difficult to prevent being too tenacious in the support of them. But at the same time that we are advocates for what we are fully persuaded is right, we should consider that others have the same privilege of judging, and endeavour to prevent opposition of sentiment from breaking in upon true harmony. Men ever have differed, and most likely ever will (while the present constitution of the world remains) differ in their opinions on various subjects. If they are not productive of evil or inconvenience, it seems needless to controvert them; and if they are, the most effectual way of opposing them, is by carefully guarding against too much warmth or zeal in our opposition.

15th, 9th Mo.-An exertion of much discipline seems very little adapted for females. There is certainly too much truth in the observation, that they love power, and often make an improper use of it. Perhaps, if we

say that the human mind is prone to seek its own exaltation, and sometimes judges itself pursuing the glory of God, and the good of the Church, while the spark that actuates it is its own importance, we may include men as well as women; both are too apt to swerve from the path of meekness and humility, and estimate their own virtues by the crimes of others. In the present depraved state of human nature, a degree of discipline seems indispensably necessary to preserve order and harmony in any society. The less it is extended beyond the laws of morality, (in general) I should think the better. And seeing how difficult it is to sit in condemnation on others, without being lifted up with an idea of our own superior righteousness; we should rather derive satisfaction from the consideration that nature has, in some measure, excused us from the exercise of these duties, than covet to be employed in them. Let us exhort one another with all sisterly love, endeavouring to strengthen and edify the Church, but leave to those, deemed the stronger vessels, the office of chastising, or cutting off its members; never wishing to lend a helping hand in such business, unless present particular duty point the way.