others; not to expect too much from them, but consider that their temptations may be very different from ours; and that so far from daring to say, that in this, or the other case, we ourselves should stand, we should rather, from a feeling of our own weakness and insufficiency, be led humbly and fervently to pray, "Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."

5th, 6th Mo.-Oh, saith my soul, that we may more and more watch over our own spirits, and keep them in subjection. Words are of little avail; we may say we prefer others before ourselves, and look upon ourselves as the least of the flock; but if we are truly humble, we shall be content that others should think so too, and not wish to receive honour from men: praying that he who sees the inmost recesses of the heart, would preserve us from spiritual, as well as all other pride; and that, even when we can look back with a self-approving consciousness that we have performed our duty both to God and man, by pursuing those things which we have believed acceptable in the sight of our great Creator, we may not be lifted up in our minds, nor think more highly

of ourselves than we ought to think; remembering that what we are, we are by the grace of God.

1788.

24th, 1st Mo.-It has often been the earnest, fervent prayer of my mind, that patience might have its perfect work, that I might not flinch in the day of discipline, but submit to that fire which would thoroughly purify, and make me perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I often feel my mind impressed with a fear, that though I may have made some progress towards the spiritual Canaan, there should yet remain so much of the old leaven, as might occasion me to fall short of the promised land. Oh, that I may not perish in the wilderness, or in the day of battle; but feel a renewal of that faith which will enable me to follow the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, and in due time overcome every opposition!

10th, 4th Mo.-Good humour is, I think, that habit of mind, which is disposed to please, and to be pleased with the surrounding objects; perhaps, not so essentially necessary as a good temper, its influence being

chiefly in the trivial concerns of life; but the want of it will embitter the most pleasing scenes, cause fear to be substituted in the room of freedom and confidence, and throw a gloom over every enjoyment. It is a quality as beneficial to the possessor as to the rest of mankind; we should, therefore, endeavour to cultivate it, for the sake of our own happiness, as well as that of others; and I am firmly of the opinion that much depends upon ourselves, though we may be sometimes disposed to conclude that it is chiefly influenced by things foreign.

From the little regard for each other's happiness expressed by the general conduct of mankind, one would be almost ready to query, whether they thought it a spontaneous production, natural to the soil of humanity, and flourishing on every branch. But if we hear them speak, it will be in very different language; vexation and disappointment, they will say, is the lot of mortals, and each individual will be apt to forget how many unnecessary grains he adds to the weight of human misery. That benevolence and goodness of heart which delights in making others happy, will return, fraught with additional happiness to the breast of the possessor; and if we consider good humour

as a fruit almost necessarily produced by good dispositions, we shall endeavour to cultivate it as much as we can, and see the propriety of guarding against that sourness or pettishness, which would inevitably counteract the most serious purposes and best wishes of our souls.

17th, 5th Mo.-Sentiments expressive of a lively zeal for the benefit and welfare of the Church have often afforded me subject for meditation.

How far individuals ought to go, in the giving up their own private duties to fulfil those of a public nature, I would wish to leave each one to determine for himself. But it has often occurred to me, that as the whole body is made up of individuals, or distinct members, if each of those members performed its proper functions, and kept in a sound, healthy state, there would be very little for the Church, as a body, to regulate. And though the love of God, diffusing itself over the soul, naturally begets a zeal for his service, and for the welfare of others, yet I have ever had the idea, that it must begin with ourselves, and spread gradually; and I have sometimes thought, that the expressing too strongly an approbation of those

who devote themselves to what is termed church service, may stimulate others of whom it is not required to follow their example, by which they may be led to neglect those duties which were more properly within their sphere, and thus make work for their brethren, whom they intended to help.

6th, 7th Mo. - Yesterday afternoon, we walked from home to my mother Woods" at Winchmore-hill, to spend a little time with her. This morning, R. Jones and C. Hustler visited the meeting here, and we were called to the awful consideration that we are but dust; to the necessity of being humble under the power of God; and of seeking a safe place of refuge when all temporal things must come to an end. Under that solemn covering of spirit which we sometimes feel to animate our minds, we are not unfrequently led to renew our covenant with the Father of spirits, to pray for an increase of faith, and for his preserving power. Under this sacred influence, we are ready to conclude that we can do all things; and feeling our minds comfortably affected, acknowledge his favour to be the one thing needful; that pearl of value which it is worth while to give up all to attain. But temptations again