who graciously heard me, and gave me a heart resigned to his holy will. Then I lessened my outward business; and as I had opportunity, told my customers of my intentions, that they might consider what shop to turn to; and in a while I wholly laid down merchandize, and followed my trade as a tailor by myself, having no apprentice. I also had a nursery of apple-trees; in which I employed some of my time in hoeing, grafting, trimming, and inoculating. In merchandize it is the custom, where I lived, to sell chiefly on credit, and poor people often get in debt; when payment is expected, not having wherewith to pay, their creditors often sue for it at law. Having frequently observed occurrences of this kind, I found it good for me to advise poor people to take such goods as were most useful, and not costly.

In the time of trading, I had an opportunity of seeing that the too liberal use of spirituous liquors, and the custom of wearing too costly apparel, led some people into great inconveniences; and that these two things appear to be often connected with each other. By not attending to that use of things, which is consistent with universal righteousness, there is an increase of labour which extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends for us. And by great labour, and often by much sweating, there is even among such as are not drunkards, a craving of liquors to revive the spirits; that partly by the luxurious drinking of some, and partly by the drinking of others, (led to it through immoderate labour) very great quantities of rum are every year expended in our colonies; the greater part of which we should have no need of, did we steadily attend to pure wisdom.

When men take pleasure in feeling their minds elevated with strong drink, and so indulge their appetite as to disorder their understandings, neglect their duty as members of a family or civil society, and cast off all regard to religion, their

case is much to be pitied. And where those whose lives are for the most part regular, and whose examples have a strong influence on the minds of others, adhere to some customs which powerfully draw to the use of more strong liquor than pure wisdom allows; it hinders the spreading of the spirit of meekness, and strengthens the hands of the more excessive drinkers. This is a case to be lamented.

Every degree of luxury hath some connexion with evil; and if those who profess to be disciples of Christ, and are looked upon as leaders of the people, have that mind in them which was also in Christ, and so stand separate from every wrong way, it is a means of help to the weaker. As I have sometimes been much spent in the heat, and have taken spirits to revive me, I have found by experience, that in such circumstances the mind is not so calm, nor so fitly disposed for divine meditation, as when all such extremes are avoided. I have felt an increasing care to attend to that holy Spirit which sets right bounds to our desires; and leads those who faithfully follow it, to apply all the gifts of Divine Providence to the purposes for which they were intended. Did those who have the care of great estates, attend with singleness of heart to this heavenly Instructor, which so opens and enlarges the mind, as to cause men to love their neighbours as themselves, they would have wisdom given them to manage their concerns, without employing some people in providing the luxuries of life, or others in labouring too hard; but for want of steadily regarding this principle of divine love, a selfish spirit takes place in the minds of people, which is attended with darkness, and manifold confusions in the world.

Though trading in things useful is an honest employ ; yet through the great number of superfluities which are bought and sold, and through the corruption of the times, they who apply to merchandize for a living, have great need to be well

experienced in that precept which the prophet Jeremiah laid down for his scribe; "Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not."

In the winter this year, I was engaged with friends in visiting families; and through the goodness of the Lord, we often times experienced his heart-tendering presence amongst

us.

A Copy of a Letter written to a friend.

"In this thy late affliction I have found a deep fellowfeeling with thee; and have had a secret hope throughout, that it might please the Father of mercies to raise thee up, and sanctify thy troubles to thee; that thou being more fully acquainted with that way which the world esteems foolish, mayst feel the clothing of divine fortitude, and be strengthened to resist that spirit, which leads from the simplicity of the everlasting truth.

We may see ourselves crippled and halting, and from a strong bias to things pleasant and easy, find an impossibility to advance forward; but things impossible with men are possible with God; and our wills being made subject to his, all temptations are surmountable.

This work of subjecting the will, is compared to the mineral in the furnace; which, through fervent heat, is reduced from its first principle; "He refines them as silver is refined—he shall sit as a refiner, and purifier of silver." By these comparisons, we are instructed in the necessity of the melting operation of the hand of God upon us, to prepare our hearts truly to adore Him, and manifest that adoration, by

inwardly turning away from that spirit, in all its workings, which is not of Him. To forward this work, the all-wise God is sometimes pleased, through outward distress, to bring us near the gates of death; that life being painful and afflicting, and the prospect of eternity open before us, all earthly bonds may be loosened, and the mind prepared for that deep and sacred instruction, which otherwise would not be received. If kind parents love their children, and delight in their happiness, then he who is perfect goodness, in sending abroad mortal contagions, doth assuredly direct their useAre the righteous removed by it? their change is happy. Are the wicked taken away. in their wickedness? the Almighty is clear. Do we pass through with anguish and gret bitterness, and yet recover? He intends that we should be purged from dross, and our ear opened to discipline.

And now, as thou art again restored, after thy sore affliction and doubts of recovery, forget not Him who hath helped thee; but in humble gratitude hold fast his instructions, and thereby shun those bye-paths which lead from the firm foundation. I am sensible of that variety of company, to which one in thy business must be exposed; I have painfully felt the force of conversation proceeding from men deeply rooted in an earthly mind, and can sympathize with others in such conflicts, because much weakness still attends me.

I find that to be a fool as to worldly wisdom, and to commit my cause to God, not fearing to offend men, who take offence at the simplicity of truth, is the only way to remain unmoved at the sentiments of others.

The fear of man brings a snare. By halting in our duty, and giving back in the time of trial, our hands grow weaker, our spirits get mingled with the people, our ears grow dull as to hearing the language of the true Shepherd; so that when we look at the way of the righteous, it seems as though it was not for us to follow them.

A love clothes my mind while I write, which is superior to all expression; and I find my heart open to encourage to a holy emulation, to advance forward in Christian firmness. Deep humility is a strong bulwark; and as we enter into it, we find safety and true exaltation. The foolishness of God is wiser than man, and the weakness of God is stronger than man. Being unclothed of our own wisdom, and knowing the abasement of the creature, we find that power to arise which gives health and vigour to us."

CHAP. IV.

1757-1758.

Visit to the families of friends at Burlington-Journey to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina-Considerations on the state of friends there; and the exercise ke was under in travelling among those so generally concerned in keeping slaves; with some observations on this subject.—Epistle to friends at New Garden and Crane Creek.-Thoughts on the neglect of a religious care in the education of the negroes.

Thirteenth fifth month, 1757. Being in good health, and abroad with friends visiting families, I lodged at a friend's house in Burlington. Going to bed about the time usual with me, I awoke in the night, and my meditations, as I lay, were on the goodness and mercy of the Lord; in a sense whereof my heart was contrited. After this I went to sleep again; in a short time I awoke, it was yet dark, and no appearance of day or moonshine; and as I opened mine eyes, I saw a light in my chamber, at the apparent distance of five feet, about nine inches diameter, of a clear easy brightness, and near its centre the most radiant. As I lay still looking upon it