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The Moral Sense.'

A few months ago we published the journal of Ephraim Tomlinson. The perusal of it revived the recollections of several aged friends, who knew the old man in the days of their youth, and the following story was related:-Ephraim Tomlinson, on walking through the woods, discovered a young apple-tree growing wild. It occurred to him, that, as it had the appearance of thrift about it, it might become of use were it transplanted to his own farm. He marked the spot, went for his grubbing hoe, and having carefully dug up the tree, shouldered it, and walked homewards. On the way, a thought took hold of his mind:-this tree is not mine-I have taken it from ground that does not belong to me. He felt uneasy with the transaction—and returning to the spot, he replaced it as well as he could, in the position it stood in before.

Such scruples as this may seem to some people like being more nice than it is necessary to be; but it is frequently owing to such discriminations between right and wrong, as relate to small concerns, that the mind of man is preserved lively in the practical knowledge of moral obligation. All the deviations that present, in the history of human crimes and corruptions, however wide and extensive, and involving in their consequences the utmost misery, devastation, and wretchedness, have resulted from small beginnings. Little departures, in little things, prepare the mind for greater, till at length the moral sense is overpowered-the mind is familiarized to acts of encroachment and aggression, adopting selfishness for the governing principle; the

light that once shone becomes obscure-and great is the darkness that ensues.

Ephraim Tomlinson was attentive to little intimations of duty, and thereby attained to a state of great perfection. True, why did he not discover the tree was not his before he took it up? This circumstance shows that the mind of a good man may sometimes be occupied with other objects, and, for a short time, be off its guard. But when it returns to its reflections, it makes all the atonement in its power for its past wanderings and deviations. The man mentioned in Scripture, who was brought to a just sense of the corruption of his heart, in his departure from the path of rectitude and peace, says, If I have wronged any man, I will restore him fourfold.

Samuel Neal's account of John Pemberton's visit in Ireland, 1785.

Dear John Pemberton is a most dedicated vessel in the Master's house. He seems to leave no stone unturned, to perform what he believes to be his duty, and has remarkable openness amongst the Catholics, who are, in general, the most ignorant of our inhabitants, not having the advantage of a literary education, and not so much enlightened as those who are better educated. There is great difference between a well-bred people, and a low, illiterate people, in the goings forth of gospel labour; and especially such as shut themselves against the reception of gospel truths, being dark themselves, and their teachers equally so. Amongst this class of people, our dear friend labours much, and, I believe, his service is successful.

FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

No. 2.]

FIFTH MONTH, 1833.

ACCOUNT

[VOL. IV.

Of the last sickness and death of Robert Mott, son of James Mott, of New York.

ROBERT MOTT, being in poor health, went on a tour to the northern parts of New York state, and attended the Quarterly meeting at Easton, in: the 8th month, 1804. While sitting in meeting, he was seized with an unusual sensation in hisbreast; and stepping out, soon discovered a flow of blood from his lungs; the discharge he supposed was about a pint. He soon after returned home, but from this time his health gradually declined: and several turns of bleeding afterwards taking place, tended to increase his weakness, and hasten his dissolution; which took place about six o'clock in the morning, the 21st of the 3d month, 1805, in the thirty-third year of his age.

During his illness, he manifested great resignation to the divine disposal, and was preserved in much patience and composure, even under excruciating pain, and bodily distress: and his close was in great sweetness, without sigh, groan, or struggle, in full assurance of a blessed immortality. During his confinement, he made many interesting remarks and observations, some of which were penned, for the benefit of others.

Soon after his return from Easton, feeling sympVOL. IV.-5

toms of bleeding, a physician was called in, whơ opened a vein; and observing Robert's countenance to be very solemn, he said to him, "don't be alarmed, Mr. Mott." He looked at the doctor, and with a smile replied, "I am not alarmed; but I thought, at such an awful time as this, it was right to endeavour to have my mind composed;" (apprehending danger of immediate suffocation.) A few days after, a friend remarking to him the danger of his complaint, and precariousness of his situation, he calmly said, "I know it to be so; but I have not a wish that it should be otherwise."

The latter part of the 11th month, his brother's wife was sitting by him, and remarked, that it was an excellent thing to have a vine and fig-tree of our own, to sit under in times of trial, which she believed was his case. He replied, "It is indeed an excellent thing, and I have at this time desired for us, and often in time past, that all of our family might get down to that which will never deceive. Although some may have to pass through the waters, they shall not overflow them; or through the fire, it shall not kindle upon them, if their confidence is where it ought to be."

9th of the 12th month being first-day, and feeling himself rather better when he awoke in the morning, he told his wife that he did not wish to see any person not of the family; and soon appeared to be under exercise of mind, which continued through most of the day. In the afternoon, on his wife's telling him she thought some suitable company, to have a little innocent cheerful conversation, would do him good, he said, "A little is good, no doubt; but we ought to be very sparing of it

when a person's situation is as critical as mine is. The prospect of the change, that is perhaps near at hand, makes me tremble, and ought to make all tremble. I have no dependance on any thing I have known, or experienced, but on the mercy of that Almighty Power, who rules all things." He having frequently expressed his concern about the deviations of too many of our society, and desire that greater devotedness to the cause and testimony of truth and righteousness, might take place, one day added, "And oh! that my brothers and sisters, may live so near the precious Truth, as to be 'indeed lights in the world, and instructive examples in their neighbourhoods, and to their dependants;" adding a little after, "at such a time as this, to look over past life is indeed solemn.”

2d mo. 23d, 1805. In the evening he seemed very feeble; and being apprehensive that his disorder was making a more rapid progress upon him, he said to his father, "I think thou had better write home, and let them know how I am; I want to see as many of them as I can, once more;" (meaning his brothers and sisters.) And after sitting quiet a short space, added, "The separation of soul and body is an awful subject to contemplate; especially when we take into view, that nothing impure can have admittance into the kingdom of Heaven." On his brothers and sisters coming from the country to see him, he was much affected, and said, "I rejoice in seeing you, and in our being once more together, if it is only to feel that we love each other. Whether I shall be continued with you, or not, is very uncertain. He that raised Lazarus from the dead, and bade the dry bones live, is as able as ever

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