of the auditory, or silence then is much preferable; for what can any one be edified, if they are not intelligibly informed, or rightly hear what is spoken? And further, I think that all God's flock and family upon earth constitute (if I may be allowed the comparison) a building; and are like polished, or dressed stones, every one intended for a place in that building, and are fit for no other than the intended place.

Now, madam, as I have given you a short history of my opinions, and the reasons of my embracing them, I must beg leave to mention one thing further, concerning yourself; and that is, your preaching: which I naturally conclude is good. sense, because your writings indisputably are. But whether it is or not, I think neither I, nor any one else (particularly in Grace-church street) can tell; for we are not hearing one fourth part of what you say. And therefore (pardon my boldness) I think your silence would be much preferable, and more satisfactory. Permit me to say, that I sincerely believe you to be an Israelite indeed, in whose heart there is no guile. But I think you never was a stone, intended for so eminent and visible a place in the building; and therefore cannot help thinking that when you appear in Grace-church street meeting, you are out of your place. Your services, madam, I doubt not, are many, in a private capacity, and may be equally so, in a small auditory, where you are capable of being heard;—not disputing what you say may be just, and to the purpose; though,. from those hints or scraps, which I have been capable of hearing, there has appeared too much tautology, and has been too long and tedious,

Madam, excuse my boldness, and pardon me for troubling you with this letter; and assure yourself that it is the value I have for your Society, and the pain I am under for you, and your friends, when I hear your half-heard discourses, which makes me give you the trouble of perusing this.

Excuse imperfections; and if I have been too prolix, tautological, bold, or severe,-attribute it to the abundance of my heart, which wishes well to you, and all mankind.

I am, madam, a friend to religion, virtue, and good order.

ROBERT BUTCHER.

A FAREWELL TO RACHEL WILSON, A minister of the Gospel amongst the people called Quakers. After having visited most, if not all, the widely extended colonies in North America, in the space of about one year, with such persevering constancy, and unwearied industry as is scarcely credible for a woman, she embarked on her return to her husband and family, residing at Kendal in England, in the beginning of the 11th month, 1769.

Happy the humble soul that lives to God,

Refin'd from sensual dross, pursues the way, The only blessed way,-true pleasure's roadLeading thro' time's thick night, to endless day. In humble hope, let honest hearts unite,

That the great harvest's Lord may yet endow More faithful lab'rers, with immortal might, And willing minds the Master's work to do.

Rachel, the field is wide, the harvest great,
Noble the purpose of thy embassy:
Stupid the mind that does not feel the weight,
Of potent love which operates in thee.
Wean'd from the love of life and earthly things,
Obedient to the soul-redeeming power,

Borne o'er the deep on evangelic wings,
A welcome envoy to this western shore.
The straying mind descends from barren heights,
Soft melody vibrating in the ear,

And in the lowly verdant vale delights
The gospel music of thy voice to hear.

Thus the good Shepherd tunes his rural reed,
The stragglers of his flock are gather'd near;
Charm'd with his voice they in his presence feed,
Safe from the beast of prey, and void of fear.
Cloth'd with the love that makes the lily white,
Thy fervent labours, Wilson, have been bless'd,
Or this FAREWELL had never seen the light,

Nor thus a fellow worm had thee address'd.·
And is thy task fulfill'd? Must thou depart?
Go, then; and may angelic peace be thine:
Absence cannot erase thee from my heart,

For time to come, if time to come be mine. Divinely fitted for a sacred use,

As such, 'tis sure no flattery to commend, A vessel honor'd in thy master's house, As such I but salute thee, as a friend. Favor'd of God, Farewell! and to thy shore, (Bless'd with celestial calm, tho' billows foam) May gales propitious waft thee safely o'er, Endeared Rachel, to thy native home.

JOHN DRINKER.

FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

No. 6.]

NINTH MONTH, 1833,

SOME ACCOUNT

[VOL. IV.

Of the religious people called "Nicholites," This people commenced about the middle of the eighteenth century, and were mostly confined to the state of Maryland. Joseph Nichols, the person most conspicuous as an instrument, in the convincement and gathering of this society,-was a person of strong powers of mind, and a remarkable flow of spirits, but of a limited education. He followed the occupation of husbandry, in Kent County, in the state of Delaware.

His vivacity of character, and talent to afford amusement, made his company very much sought, by many of his cotemporaries, in his particular neighbourhood. On first-days, and at other times of leisure, it is reported that those thus collected would be entertained with anecdotes of his relation, with songs, and on some occasions they would indulge in dancing and other amusements for pastime.

At length, Joseph Nichols became seriously impressed with the necessity of more sobriety and thoughtfulness; and when his neighbours would meet, with a view to indulge in their former practices of mirth and jollity, Joseph would assume an air of more seriousness, and propose that they should endeavour to amuse themselves more rationally than they had done,—and that a portion of the Scriptures should be read: to which proposals, from the respect VOL. IV.-21

they had previously contracted for him, they were willing to yield.

Thus, for some time, the scene gradually changed from one of mirth, jollity and pastime, to one of serious thoughtfulness;—until at length, Joseph felt his mind engaged to appear in public testimony among them. The first impressions having been produced by the operation of the light within, or the spirit of Truth, opening and convincing his understanding of what was evil and what was right for him; and by forsaking the one, and pursuing obediently the other, Joseph found that peace and happiness was the sure result. He therefore concluded that he saw with clearness his line of duty marked out for him; and that in the pursuit thereof, it would be necessary to pay but little heed to the customs, notions, and opinions of other men; but to be faithful only to the pointings and leadings of that director, which had, so far as he had yielded himself unreservedly thereto, always led him safely;and whenever he had departed therefrom, conviction, remorse, and uneasiness had invariably followed.

A stand of this kind, founded on a firm conviction that it was the only safe and true course for him to pursue, very soon made him appear with great singularity, especially when contrasted with his former habits and manner of life. Add to this, the power and heart-searching tendency which appeared to accompany his ministry, as well as the repute in which he had formerly been held as an agreeable and entertaining companion, occasioned his meetings to be very largely attended; and many were so reached, that they embraced his views, and endeavoured af