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to that state of humble contrition, and hungering and thirsting after righteousness, which can alone truly profit the soul. The hearing with pleasure moral truths, may rather contribute to make them more satisfied with their own state, without seeking an entrance into the holy of holies, where the Minister of the sanctuary would speak convincingly to their souls.

16th, 12th Mo.-We can hardly pass a day without meeting with some occurrence which convinces us of the necessity of keeping a constant guard over our words and actions. A calm command over ourselves in every scene, is exceedingly desirable; it should be our constant endeavour to acquire it: but we are too apt to let a warmth of temper arise at the misconduct of others, or even at their entertaining opinions different from ourselves; hence arise argument and contradiction; which are but seldom accompanied with that meekness which leads to the discovery of truth.

We may sometimes hear it pleaded in favour of warm and hasty people, that we see the worst of them, and that their passion having vented itself, is entirely over. This, I believe, may be the case; but how badly is

it over! By making themselves appear ridiculous, and by showing their want of command over themselves, convincing beholders how little they are able to instruct others. Besides, every indulgence of improper tempers, does but increase the propensity to them. Those who appear more calm, have, I believe, sometimes an equal war within themselves, and it may be longer before the conflict is over. But as we shall readily acknowledge the propriety, and even necessity, of having our passions under subjection, we should endeavour to use those means most likely to accomplish it. This, we shall find, will not be by the least indulgence; the first motives to anger must be checked, if we would root it from our breasts. And for this purpose, the most effectual way is to lay a great restraint on the tongue, and not suffer it to plead those reasons which are urged by passion. If we allow our passions to disturb nobody but ourselves, we shall be more solicitous to get the better of them, than if we sometimes use them as weapons against others; and those who take a frequent and serious review of their conduct, will have deeply to regret any circumstance in which they have suffered their minds to be inflamed, or been led to expressions which were contrary to the

meekness and quietness of spirit becoming all those who profess themselves Christians, and essentially necessary for such as wish to possess their souls in peace.

Every disturbance of the kind greatly unfits us for religious duties. The mind cannot readily compose itself, after being much ruffled, and we seldom regain tranquillity but by the door of repentance. In our intercourse with others, a degree of conscious shame must fill every mind not lost to sensibility, from the consideration of errors it has committed; and these are feelings that can never be experienced without pain. In short, every thing seems to urge us to acquire entire command over ourselves; every view, both for time and eternity, warns us of the necessity of attaining this calm tranquillity. We must guard against committing faults, if we would avoid the sorrow of repentance; and by keeping a constant watch over every suggestion of our own minds, we shall not only receive strength to resist temptations to impropriety of outward conduct, but in due time be enabled to overcome every secret sin. But if, because we find we cannot at present command our minds, we neglect to pay a strict attention to our outward conduct, we shall be daily losing ground,

and omitting many little conquests, which were within our power; the strength of our enemy will increase as our own diminishes, and we shall be in danger of being vanquished instead of becoming conquerors.

25th, 12th Mo.-Suffer us to beseech thee, O Lord, more and more to enlighten us with divine knowledge, and having made us sensible of thy will, enable us to obey it.

Increase our faith, O Lord, that we may firmly rely on thy goodness and thy power, and rest in full assurance that a sincere endeavour to please thee will not be in vain. Bring down every proud thought and lofty imagination, and effectually convince us, that all our powers and faculties are thy gift, and must be devoted to thy service. Lead us to true humility and self-abasement, that we may approach the throne of thy infinite Majesty with awful reverence and fear; and wholly depending on thee, implore thy compassionate regard, and that thou wouldst be pleased to afford us strength to come up in the discharge of those duties which thou requirest. Thus, O Lord, may we, to the best of our abilities, glorify thee whilst here on earth, and receive such evidences of acceptance with thee, as will give a well

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grounded hope of being admitted into thy presence hereafter.

1776.

8th, 1st Mo.-We are sometimes tempted to complain of the shortness of time, whilst yet we feel various portions of it hang heavy on our hands. When oppressed with languor or sickness, or our minds discomposed by any occurrences, we wish hastily to pass over that period, or even strike it from our allotted time of existence. These sensations will gain great strength in the minds of those who are ardently engaged in the pursuit of terrestrial happiness; they are disposed to repine at every thing that gives a check to their present enjoyments, and murmur at the dispensations of that Being, who has seen meet, in his infinite wisdom, so to order things here, as may convince us that this is not the place of our rest, and engage us to look forward to a station of more durable happiness.

Every temporal pursuit is liable to disappointment; and if we gain the object of our wishes, we frequently find that it adds nothing to our real felicity.

The endeavour to acquire a great fund of

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