ings, during thy long protracted sickness, with what would have been thy condition, hadst thou nurtured and cultivated the reprobated principles of evil. If thou hadst gratified the hunger of infidelity,-vice, ignorance,

intemperance,-impatience,-ungodliness, enmity, and hatred; how awful and distressing, beyond all the powers of description, would' have been the state of thy mind, when associated with the sorrows of bodily disease!

Ah! my dear child, "by their fruits, thou mayest know them," more infallibly than by any, or all human teaching. And these will demonstrate, and they have always demonstrated, that the flames of hell are the powers of evil;-and that nothing will extinguish, or prevent their burning, but the principles of righteousness,-the "good and perfect gifts which come from above, from the Father of lights," who is also our heavenly Father: and these are infallible, for the gracious purpose. The heavenly life,-the "Christ within,"-"the well of water, springing up" within us, "unto everlasting life," is the eternal fountain, from which all the streams of righteousness forever flow. And it would be more possible for a building on fire, to continue burning, when immersed in the ocean,— or to be kindled there,-than for the flames of wickedness to burn in the soul that is immersed in "the river of the water of life," and washed by its pure and crystalline streams.

All my family remember thee with great affection, and send thee their cordial salutations; but from no heart among them does such a salutation issue, with more fervour and sincerity, than from thy affectionate friend, EDWARD STABLER,

THE MEETING.

As silent with my friends I sat,
To watch the casting of the net,
That I might some refreshment get,

That would my strength renew;

I felt the gospel spring arise,,
And view'd its motion with surprise,
My longing soul found fresh supplies,
From Him that's just and true.

Such overflowing streams of love,
All clouds and darkness would remove,
And raise the mind to God above,

With peace,-good will to all;
When in these heavenly places sweet,
His children in his presence meet,
It forms a paradise complete,-
Redemption from the fall.

For in His presence is delight,
It is a lamp that burneth bright,
To guide our steps by day and night,
A new and living way;

Profoundly silent we adore,

His matchless grace and aid implore, T'instruct His people more and more, And teach us how to pray.

But oh! the wandering, earthly mind,
To patient waiting, not inclin'd,
Some other god will quickly find,

And soon become amus'd,

In building castles with their gain,
While worldly spots their garments stain,
Until the precious life is slain,

And Love Divine refus'd.

If we its healing streams oppose,
And every avenue will close,
Back to its fountain then it goes,

And leaves us to our choice.

The suffering seed is then oppress'd, And sorrow fills the tender breast, many dwell at ease, and rest,

So

Deaf to the Shepherd's voice.

May Zion's mourners, who now weep,
The everlasting patience keep,
While some poor creatures fall asleep,
And take a short repose;

With earthly mind and drowsy head,
And much indifference overspread,
They hunger not for heavenly bread,
Until the meeting's close.

Yet those who wait upon the Lord,
And are attentive to his word,

Shall always have a full reward,

And never meet in vain:

Their souls shall feed on heavenly food, By which their strength shall be renew'd, To travel in the way that's good,

Without fatigue or pain.

How sweet the union of such minds

In solemn silence known!

Where each its proper centre finds,

And bows before the throne.

ELIZABETH LEVIS.

Ar a time when the subject of temperance has become a popular theme-perhaps much more so than the practice of that Christian virtue, it cannot be uninteresting to the sincere friends of reformation, to trace the operation of the unchangeable principles of Truth, as developed in the exercises and concern of dedicated and enlightened minds. Such a mind must have been that of the writer of the following "Friendly Advice and Caution." For, in the year 1761, the period of its date, the cause of temperance, as respects the use of spirituous liquors, had but few such advocates. On this subject it might indeed be said, "darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people."

Although among Friends, who had taken the lead in many of the subjects of reformation and the improvement of society, a few characters, here and there, had considered the customary u: òf spirituof ous liquors as an evil, and therefore set an example of abstinence in their own conduct,-yet, as a society, the testimony of Truth on this subject must have been "at a low ebb." Hence, at the period alluded to, the discipline of the Yearly Meeting of Friends, held at Philadelphia, does not appear to have gone further to discountenance the use of ardent spirits, than is contained in the query then in use, "Are Friends careful to avoid the excessive use of spirituous liquors?" Not a word about handing it out freely to others, who might abuse themselves with it;-not a word about the gain of mer

chandize, by importing, trading in, or retailing rum, and other strong liquors;-not a word about distilling, or converting grain and fruit into ardent spirits.

It is by individual faithfulness to the discoveries of divine light in the mind, that the work of reformation is begun and carried on. Hence the importance of attention and obedience to those manifestations, even when, as respects general custom, the scrupulous mind may seem to be almost wholly alone, as to its knowledge of the state and feelings of others. It might be an interesting and encouraging view, could it now be presented to the diffident advocate of the work of reformation, if the exercises, labours, and examples of the faithful few who opposed the strong current of popular opinion, and generally prevailing custom, could be properly portrayed.

Among these might be mentioned Joseph Gilbert, one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania, whose drink was water only, and that mostly taken from a brook, or running stream. John Woolman, Anthony Benezet, Doctor Rush, Elizabeth Levis, Susanna Blundel, and many others, subsequently contributed to the spreading of this righteous concern. Although, at the time Elizabeth Levis appears to have been under deep exercise, on the subject of Christian temperance and moderation, it does not appear that the body of Friends, or other professors, had much lively interest in promoting the work of reform; yet, it must even then have been secretly working its way, and the number of its advocates increasing, insomuch, that about twenty years after, the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting beVOL. IV. -16