If we use our

sustain and strengthen us? best endeavours to maintain this watchfulness, and have but faith to pray for an increase of strength, in due time we shall feel its efficacy. And though, upon application to be cleansed from our spiritual leprosy, we may not immediately receive the answer of, "I will, be thou clean,"* yet, I believe, as we patiently wait in faith, we shall experience the purification to go forward, and those evil tempers and inclinations to be subdued, which would be a hindrance to our admission into the realms of everlasting light and peace. But, "we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing" is not unfrequently the discouraging language of our souls. We have struggled much with temptation, we have taken up the cross to many of our natural propensities, and endeavoured, at times, to subdue those evil tempers, which we have seen have proceeded from a corrupt root, and after all, feel so much of the old leaven remaining, that we are almost ready to conclude we are but where we first began. Yet, I believe there is room to hope, that our labour and conflicts have not been wholly in vain: we may feel ourselves far short of what we might have expected, + Luke, v. 5.

* Luke, v. 13.

and therefore be almost ready to despair of conquering the enemies of our souls; but if we take a review, we shall perhaps, be obliged to acknowledge that we have sometimes given way, instead of endeavouring to stand our ground. We have neglected the silent, gentle admonition, that has sometimes warned us to flee from danger, at other times, to collect all our forces, and stand against it, in the confidence of His strength, who is all-sufficient: we have given way to a perverse temper, or a hasty ill. humour, a disposition to retaliate, or render evil for evil, instead of patiently bearing those allotments which have fallen to our share. Thus have our souls' enemies gained strength to renew the conflict after many battles, and to excite the painful suggestion that we have fought but in vain. But let not our faith fail. Though we have toiled for a long season with so little benefit, yet let us renew our diligence at the command of the Master, not doubting, that as we are obedient in faith, and watchful over our own spirits, we shall in due time experience his strength to enable us to overcome, and receive an abundant recompence for all our labours.

16th, 10th Mo.-My mother Woods quietly departed this life, in the ninety-third year of her age. She was down stairs, as usual, the evening before. Such an event must, at the time when it happens, be an affecting stroke to near relations, and we must feel the loss of a kind and affectionate parent, which she has ever been to all her family; but we scarcely ought to regret her release from a state of suffering, which seemed likely to increase at her advanced age; and I believe she has for some time back rather wished than feared a change. To those who have lived well, death loses much of its terror, and they look forward with a comfortable persuasion of entering upon a state of more permanent happiness than this world can bestow.

5th, 11th Mo.-Yesterday morning, Thomas Scattergood sat about an hour with us, in the course of a family visit to the members of our meeting. An extraordinary man in the line of spiritual communications, and his mind evidently covered with that love, whose attractive influence powerfully operates on the minds of his hearers.

11th Mo.-Observation will lead us to

conclude, that many people practise religion as a task, without any idea of receiving pleasure from the exercise of devotion. They are willing sometimes to go to a place of worship, and perform some religious duties, because they think it reputable in the eyes of the world, or believe that something is necessary to be done, to enable them to get to heaven; but any steps beyond this, they are unwilling to take.

It is not very likely that we shall make any progress in religion, while we consider it in this light, or that we are only serving a hard master. Love must be the prevailing motive that can render even temporal services acceptable, and certainly is not less necessary in our endeavours to please that Being who is continually calling for the whole heart, and who rejects even those offerings which are not accompanied with the affections of the soul.

If we believe in the goodness of God, we must consider his calling for our hearts as a proof that such a surrender is conducive to our happiness; and I believe, if we are but disposed to turn our hearts to him, and cherish the desire to feel the animating influence of divine love, we shall no longer consider it as a task to worship and serve

the Lord, but rather seek after a union with him as our highest felicity.

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."*"Love is the fulfilling of the law."+ While divine love prevails, and we can say, under its sacred influence, I desire to do thy will, O Lord, we experience its supporting power to sustain us in all our difficulties, and through all the probations we may meet with in this state of existence, and have a degree of confidence, that though we may pass through the water, the billows will not overwhelm us; though we may pass through the fire, the flame shall not kindle upon us.

1795.

On the 25th of the 1st Mo. the thermometer was only 2° out of doors, and on the 27th of the same, 43° out of doors. A rapid thaw had taken place in the preceding night; and the difference of climate within and without doors was so remarkable, that the rain and melted snow, which overflowed the gutters, and ran through the ceilings, froze as it ran * Deut. vi. 5.

+ Rom. xiii. 10.