supporting arm, which has in some measure preserved me, is still near to help, and that by a more firm dependance on all its leadings, I shall press forward in a progressive

state.

Great indeed are the advantages of true living faith. I often feel my heart deeply engaged in the desire to acknowledge, with proper thankfulness, the goodness of God, having had frequent cause to adore it in his various dispensations, whether of mercy or of judgment; and an ardent breathing of soul often accompanies my mind for an increase of this precious faith, which can indeed still all the boisterous waves, and conduct us through the ocean of life to an inheritance amongst those that are sanctified.

12th, 3d Mo.-Some sentiments dropped in conversation the other evening, seemed to imply an idea that pride might sometimes operate in our religious disownments. I was led to many serious reflections on the subject, and on the great difficulty of acting right in the exercise of discipline.

I think I feel a warm attachment to the Society, and sincere wishes for its welfare. I see many led astray into various deviations

from our professed principles, and from the truth itself: but I would not have these so blended together, as always to put the one for the other, lest, by too zealously attempting to support the former, the latter should sink to the ground.

That truth remains unchangeable, the same for ever, we cannot doubt: but perhaps its modifications may be different, and there may still be room to put the "What query, is truth?" Moral rectitude and obedience to God's commands, have gained his favour in all ages of the world. But very different things have been prescribed as tests of obedience, and different laws been enacted at different periods. A prohibition to taste of the fruit of the tree of knowledge was all the restraint we read of, as being laid upon our first parents. After their fall, as man increased, a variety of other laws became necessary; and when the Jews were selected for a peculiar people, it was by the observance of a multiplicity of laws, that they were to gain divine favour. These seem to have been designed but as the shadows of a more perfect dispensation yet to be revealed; under favour of which we now rejoice in the hope of immortality. Moral rectitude, and obedience

to the inward manifestations of light, as now revealed, remain essentially necessary duties, and what we may, with safety, press home upon all mankind. But much greater care is necessary in endeavouring to enforce upon others the opinions and doctrines of men, even though we may have the strongest evidence to believe that they were guided by divine counsel.

It does not appear to me, that even the reputation of our Society is likely to be increased, by a rigorous exertion of discipline. Many may be cast out, who are, as it were, halting between two opinions, and who, in time, might be turned into a safer path. Others might quit us with anger, though, probably, without reluctance; and some, under an hypocritical garb, would, by the obvious improprieties of their conduct, bring more dishonour upon the Society, than all the outgoings of others.

17th, 3d Mo.-I often love to take a review of my life, and traverse over its various scenes, from an early period to the present time. The more I contemplate it, the more forcibly I see the necessity of humility, and of guarding against all self-righteousness or exaltation.

There is nothing I more fervently pray for, than to be kept in an humble dependance on the Supreme Being; earnestly desiring to feel my mind covered with that charity, which sincerely wishes the welfare of all mankind, and that they may be gathered under the wing of Divine love. I think there is no part of my life to which I can look back, wherein I may not acknowledge that my mind was under religious impressions; yet, at some times they have been more powerful than at others; and, perhaps, at none stronger, than when I was led into the path of great selfdenial, and a more perfect acquiescence in our professed religious opinions.

The judgment we can form of others, is often superficial. Their inward purification may be going forward, whilst a concurrence of outward circumstances may rather lead us to an apprehension that they are losing that ground, which they had once conquered. Many deep probations are necessary for some minds, before they acquire a right view of things, and learn to estimate themselves as they really are: whatever tends to promote humility, and an entire resignation and submission of will to the Divine Being, is evidently for our benefit.

25th, 3d Mo.-I believe many people are hardly aware how much they are indebted, for what may be esteemed their virtue and prudence, to being placed in some degree out of temptation. Self-applause seems so natural to the human mind, that we can hardly be too careful in our endeavours to watch against it. If we consider that we only know how we should act in those stations in which we have been tried, and that respecting all others we can only form conjectures; at the same time remarking the many deficiencies in our own conduct, which, with all our selfflattery, must appear conspicuous; it will certainly lead us to greater charity and humility, and less severity in censuring the failings of others, who may have many allurements to vice or improprieties, with which we have been happily unacquainted. Indeed, with regard to ourselves, we dare not look forward to the future, and say that we shall act with as much propriety as even we have hitherto acted. The only ground of hope is not by a dependance on our own strength and abilities; but by humbly seeking that divine Power which alone can enable us to walk forward with safety. I think, I may say, the more I increase in years, the more ardently I pray to be kept in a meek and humble frame of