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 other-wise 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 use-Are 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 great bitterness, and yet recover, he intends that we should be purged from dross, and our ear opened to discipline.

And now, on thy part, after thy sore affliction and doubts of recovery, thou art again restored, forget not Him who hath helped thee; but in humble gratitude hold fast his instructions, thereby to 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, in that much weakness still attends me.

I find that to be a fool as to worldly wisdom, and 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 bands grow weaker, our spirits get mingled with the people, our ears grow dull as to hearing the language of the true Shepherd: that when we look at the way of the righteous, it seems as though it was not for us to follow them.

There is a love clothes my mind while I write, which is superior to all expressions; and I find my heart open to encourage 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, therein we find that power to arise, which gives health and vigour to us."

CHAPTER IV.

His visiting the families of friends at Burlington.— His journey to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.-Considerations on the state of friends there; and the exercise he was under in travelling among those so generally concerned in keeping slaves: with some observations in conversation, at several times, on this subject. His epistle to friends at New Garden and Crane Creek.-His thoughts on the neglect of a religious care in the education of

negroes.

The thirteenth day of the second month, in the year 1757, being then in good health, and abroad with friends visiting families, I lodged at a friend's house in Burlington; and 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 contrite. After this, I went to sleep again; and sleeping a short time, I awoke; it was yet dark, and no appearance of day nor 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, without any surprize looking upon it, words were

spoken to my inward ear, which filled my whole inward man. They were not the effect of thought, nor any conclusion in relation to the appearance, but as the language of the Holy One, spoken in my mind. The words were, CERTAIN EVIDENCE of DIVINE TRUTH: and were again repeated exactly in the same manner, whereupon the light disappeared.

Feeling the exercise in relation to a visit to the southern provinces, to increase upon me, I acquainted our monthly meeting therewith, and obtained their certificate: expecting to go alone, one of my brothers, who lived in Philadelphia, having some business in North Carolina, proposed going with me part of the way; but, as he had a view of some outward affairs, to accept of him as a companion seemed some difficulty with me, whereupon I had conversation with him at sundry times; and, at length, feeling easy in my mind, I had conversation with several elderly friends of Philadelphia on the subject; and he obtaining a certificate suitable to the occasion, we set off in the fifth month of the year 1757; and, coming to Nottingham week-day meeting, lodged at John Churchman's; and here I met with our friend Benjamin Buffington, from New England, who was returning from a visit to the southern provinces. Thence we crossed the river Susquehannah, and lodged at William Cox's in Maryland; and, soon after I entered this province, a deep and painful exercise came upon me which I often had some feeling of since my mind was

drawn toward these parts, and with which I had acquainted my brother before we agreed to join as companions.

As the people in this and the southern provinces live much on the labour of slaves, many of whom are used hardly, my concern was, that I might attend with singleness of heart to the voice of the true Shepherd, and be so supported as to remain unmoved at the faces of men.

As it is common for friends on such a visit to have entertainment free of cost, a difficulty arose in my mind with respect to saving my money by kindness received, which to me appeared to be the gain of oppression.

Receiving a gift, considered as a gift, brings the receiver under obligation to the benefactor, and has a natural tendency to draw the obliged into a party with the giver. To prevent difficulties of this kind, and to preserve the minds of judges from any bias, was that divine prohibition: "Thou shall not receive any gift; for a gift blindeth the wise and perverteth the words of the righteous." Exod. xxiii 8. As the disciples were sent forth without any provision for their journey, and our Lord said the workman is worthy of his meat, their labour in the gospel was considered as a reward for their entertainment, and therefore not received as a gift; yet, in regard to my present journey, I could not see my way clear in that respect. The difference appeared thus: the entertainment the disciples met with, was from such whose hearts