by the good Remembrancer, and reached the hearts of some present, to their comfort and satisfaction. It is good to be faithful to the pointings of the Divine finger, in childlike simplicity, not knowing what is the Lord's design, and the consequences. that may grow out of it.

21st. We have had some very cold weather, and so many people being out of employment, there is reason to apprehend there will be great suffering; but I hope those who have the means to spare, will be alive to their wants, and strive to provide for them. Owing in part to the wars in Europe, the price of provisions is much above the usual standard; which increases the difficulties of the poor, and the laboring man, and lessens the ability of others to aid them. But if there is a heart to give, in those of moderate means, they will economize, and find portions to bestow on the poor.

This day, I attended the Arch Street Meeting, in much destitution, and was furnished, I thought, with strength and authority to encourage others to endure temptation, and to strive to keep the faith. The dear children were also invited to yield to their Saviour's requirings, that they may be prepared, in his time, to be made instrumental in turning many to righteousness. They who do so, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever.

31st. The last day of the year, and the weather now remarkably fine. Our meeting this morning, at Orange Street, was pretty large for us; and a time of favor and gracious condescension to our low estate, it proved to be. The breathing of my spirit was, that the Lord would visit our Society, and pour out afresh of his Spirit upon sons and daughters, and prepare many to sound his praise, and to tell to others his wondrous works in their souls.

1855, Second month 8th. The weather has been extremely cold for several days, the mercury in some parts of the city, being below zero; and notwithstanding the severe cold, snow and hail have fallen. The sufferings of the poor are great, and much money has been raised and applied for their relief. I have not heard of any being frozen to death; but some are reported to have suffered starvation, being unwilling to let their condition be known.

Went to Abington Quarterly Meeting. I was enabled to open the great importance of partaking of the Divine life, which

Christ declared He came that his sheep might have, and more abundantly than under the preceding dispensation. Those who are united to Him as members of his body, are kept alive unto God by the life of Christ, that flows from Him into them; and as they submit to his humbling dispensations and baptisms, they are prepared to hear his voice, and to distinguish it from all other voices.

In the second meeting, the beauty and excellency of our discipline and order, were upheld; conforming as they do, to the doctrines of Christ and his apostles; and which all among us, who are alive in the Truth, will feel bound to support, as a trust and duty given to us, which is sacred.

26th. Rode out to Springfield, and attended their Monthly Meeting. I was drawn forth in sympathy with those who love the Lord Jesus Christ, but are in danger of turning aside, from the discouragements of the day; as though their forefathers had not drunk as bitter cups, and it was easier then than now to do the Divine will. But I was led to declare, that He who called to any duty, was as compassionate and tender to his children as ever; and would always make way for them, and give strength to perform it, as a single eye was kept directed unto Him.

Third month 12th. This day being Haddonfield Monthly Meeting, I rose early, crossed the Delaware, and by the cars, reached the village about eight o'clock. We had a good meeting; in which the call to greater dedication was extended, and prayer offered for the young people, and the discouraged burden-bearers, whose hands were ready to hang down.

20th. Went to the Northern District Meeting; where the necessity of the inward work of religion was opened; in which the axe is laid to the root of the trees, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is to be hewn down and cast into the fire. Sound doctrine, held in the head, and on the tongue, will avail but little. We must submit to Him who baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire; who gathers the wheat into the garner and burns up the chaff with unquenchable fire. In this way only, shall we know the possibility of being made free from sin in this life, and true witnesses of the Lord's saving power, and of the truth of the doctrines of the everlasting gospel. I expressed the belief, that our religious Society would not be permitted to be laid waste; but from among the pots, and as from

the stones of the streets, the Lord would continue to raise up those whom He would make living ministers, and discerning elders in the church. Fifth month 12th. Went out to Springfield, and spent a short time very cheeringly with our beloved brother and sister, Joseph and Grace Evans. We find a little intercourse between town and country relations, revives and animates each other to hold on in the good pathway, and imparts comfort and strength, in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

14th. Went with them to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, at Concord. We sat a long time in silence; and after the Queries were read and answered, and the business got through, I ventured to speak on the responsibility of the stations of ministers and elders. If I know anything of the nature of gospel ministry, it is that only which is opened in the soul by the great Minister of the sanctuary, and which He authorizes to be given to the people, as it is given to us; and the design of it is to gather souls to Christ. Elders are to receive the gift of spiritual discernment, and to aid and counsel ministers, under the Lord's direction.

15th. Was held the meeting for business; in which I was engaged to address the younger members. I felt remarkably peaceful, in having labored for the encouragement of the young people who love their Lord, and to awaken the rebellious to their true conditions.

Seventh month 4th. This afternoon, I went to attend, from his late dwelling, at Westfield, the burial of our friend Samuel Leeds, a minister; who was taken sick before our Yearly Meeting. He is reported to have said little throughout his sickness, appearing to be abstracted from worldly things, and very much kept in a quiet frame of mind.

The removal of the servants of Christ from among us, one after another, was very affecting to me, as I stood by the grave, and saw his remains lowered into the earth. The spirit that often had been baptized for the dead, and for the living, tribulated seed, was now gathered unto God, and to his Christ, among the blessed of all generations. Will not the Lord have compassion upon his church and people, and give evidence that He has not forgotten their desolate condition, by pouring out of his Spirit on sons and daughters, and giving gifts for the work of the min

istry, and the edification of the body of Christ. Even so, O Lord!

Amen.

20th. For many days, little pleasant bread has been partaken of. Our religious meetings, now much reduced by many members having removed into the country, or travelling for pleasure and health, have often to me felt destitute of the sensible evidence of the Divine presence; so that fears have prevailed, of being deserted by the everlasting Shepherd. Then again, I have been afraid to abandon the watch and the struggle, lest indifference and the total loss of spiritual life may ensue. Of late, in the midst of many fears, I have thought the Lord's mercy and watchful care were not withdrawn, by feeling a little ability to look to Him, and to put up secret prayer, accompanied with contrition of spirit, that He would continue to regard an unworthy creature, and defend and keep from falling, one whom Satan seems constantly striving to cast down and destroy.

The trials of this day are hard to bear, but if they drive us more and more to the Master, and keep out a light spirit, and deepen us in the blessed Truth, so that our example will be effectual to draw others to the love of it, they will be great blessings to us, and fit us for greater service in the Lord's church and vineyard. We have depended much on one another, instead of relying upon the Lord alone for guidance, wisdom and strength; and He has been taking from us fathers and mothers, and permitting the spirit of separation to get in, by which many Friends have been alienated from each other. The unity of the Spirit being greatly lost, the strength which it gives is much withdrawn. There is no way by which the strength of the church can be restored, but by the members coming back to the first principle, of individually waiting upon the Lord, and seeking to receive from Him the spirit of prayer, that He would return to us, and show us our real condition; what He would have us to come out of, and the high and holy way He would have us to walk in. His mercies are the same from generation to generation; and when we are rightly humbled and brought back, He will condescend again to our low estate, and lift us up, and put songs of praise into our mouths; and the children will be enabled to join in thanksgiving and praise to his great and ever-adorable Name.

Eighth month 4th. Our Select Quarterly Meeting was held

in silence, and felt to me to be a low time, little evidence of Divine consolation stirring amongst us.

5th. First-day morning, at our own meeting, I felt drawn to revive the injunction, "Be still, and know that I am God;" also the gracious declaration, "I am God, and change not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." The indispensable need of this inward stillness and constant waiting upon the Lord, that we may know Him, through the operation of his own Spirit upon our hearts, was held up; by which, in prayer to Him, we shall be delivered from the power of the enemy, who would destroy us by his temptations, and lead us to cast away our confidence in the Lord's mercy and protecting power.

6th. I went to our Quarterly Meeting, under depression and fear. There was a season of solid quiet over the meeting; during which, I believe, souls were brought to hunger and struggle for a blessing. Communications were delivered which directed to the great work of salvation. Some were warned of the consequences of being ashamed of Christ before men, in denying the simplicity which He requires, though they might confess Him with the tongue. I rejoiced in the evidence furnished, that the Lord was still mindful of us, and extended his mercy towards us. How is this meeting changed by the removal of substantial and dignified ministers and elders by death; but I trust others are preparing for service in Christ's church.

16th. Having some pointings to Salem Quarterly Meeting, and feeling tender sympathy with discouraged ones there, I went to Woodbury. The meeting was about the usual size, and the Lord condescended to give the word, and authority to declare it. I felt engaged to press upon all, the need of being diligent in the work of their soul's salvation, which no man can do for us. The Lord's quickening power, I believe, was felt among us, and Friends appeared to be glad to have us with them.

21st. I was at the North Meeting; in which I was led to warn some of the danger of unwatchfulness, and taking flight in the winter season, or on the sabbath-day. Man is not to live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. We must endure patiently his appointed means for our refinement, that we may be prepared for his return to our souls, and be preserved from losing the little we had already gained.