that arm of power which had hitherto preserved

me.

22. My soul bowed under a sense of the Lord's goodness in permitting me still to approach his holy footstool, amidst my manifold infirmities.

26. Much affected this morning by my beloved father's finding something of a paralytic affection, looking on it as a gentle warning. O, that I may be truly resigned, and patiently submit to the Lord's will, without a repining thought.

27. Abundant cause of thankfulness to-day; my dear father better, and a more favourable account from Alton. May my gratitude bear some proportion thereto.

30. Our week-day meeting. A baptizing season. Methought my lamp was afresh trimmed, and replenished with heavenly oil.

TWELFTH MONTH, 1792.

1. A busy day; yet found time to visit the sick, and administer a little help. I am thankful that ability was given.

6. Have been led to look back a little and recount the Lord's mercies, and my heart hath overflowed with gratitude for all his blessings, both spiritual and temporal.

7.

Went to our monthly meeting, which

proved an instructive season, notwithstanding had something to war with, having too much given way to a wrong disposition. O, that I may ciently profit thereby.

suffi

II. My strength a little renewed this evening in my solitary sitting in my chamber. Precious to me are these seasons: yea more than the increase of corn, wine, or oil,

16. An instructive season at meeting: was desirous of sitting in poverty and dryness, rather than offer any thing polluted. O, to be preserved clean-handed.

18. A well spent morning. In the afternoon did something with a good intent, yet am not quite satisfied in my mind that it was right, which brought heaviness and a cloud.

19. More comfortable, yet the cloud not totally removed. O, that every motive as well as action may be brought to the measuring line.

21. A humbling season at meeting, and trust I felt something of the healing waters. O, to be washed clean, that no impurity might remain. This was the prayer of my heart.

29. These two days have passed quietly away, and I trust, have been spent profitably, yet in my retirement uncommonly poor and stripped; under which I felt in a good degree resigned. An affecting account of the increasing indisposition of my dear sister Lettice.

FIRST MONTH, 1793.

1. Another year begun, and I doubt but small advance in the heavenly race; yet it is cause of humble thankfulness, amidst my manifold weaknesses as a creature, that I am still preserved alive in the truth. Have retired twice to-day to feel after that blessing which alone can enrich the soul, but felt uncommonly stripped and poor; so that a sigh and a tear were all I could offer: yet preserved in a good degree of quietude.

4. Oh, my self-love! I have had cause to mourn on this account to-day. How many actions, which appear specious in the sight of men, spring from this corrupt root! Great are the advantages of a daily examination. What numberless foibles have I discovered in myself since I have been in the practice of it, which before passed unobserved.

9. Paid a visit to a relation, who shewed me much kindness; but, alas! my heart was pained at beholding the deviation from the simplicity of truth, and what a snare there is in riches: how few can withstand them, or are watchful enough to prevent their undue influence.

13. Went to Longford meeting, where, after waiting at Wisdom's gate, my soul was sweetly refreshed with the fresh flowings of Shiloh's treams: yet, poor unstable creature as I am! got

off my watch, and in a great measure lost the sweet savour thereof.

19. My time fully occupied in attending my dear sister and, though I have had no suitable time for retirement, yet have frequently felt the tendering influence of truth on my mind while thus engaged; which leads me to believe that the Lord prefers mercy to sacrifice.

24. These several days taken up (as heretofore) in a close attention to my dear sister; yet a fresh temptation hath presented, to which my mind has too much yielded at times, it being pleasant to look at; but at others, by retiring inward I have been favoured with ability to get from under it'; and the prayer of my heart has been, that I might feel every desire limited, and ask nothing but what the Lord saw meet in his infinite wisdom to dispense. O, that I could rest here, humbly thankful for the many blessings I enjoy beyond thousands, and how unworthy thereof I cannot but acknowledge with confusion of face.

SECOND MONTH, 1793

2. Came home, on hearing my dear father was confined with the gout: found him better than I expected, which calls aloud for gratitude.

Another week passed away, yet I hope not spent in vain. My time has been pretty fully occupied in attending my dear father and my

scholars, visiting the sick, and in family affairs: yet amidst these various occupations have not lost sight of that better part which Mary chose ; having my mind, at seasons, sweetly attracted to feel after that living spring, which can alone furnish with ability for every good word and work.

14. Felt the pure influence of truth on my mind this morning as soon as I awoke, for which I felt thankful, and was desirous of retaining this precious savour through the day; but the many encumbering things have too much prevailed, so that I feel poor and dry, yet quiet, and I hope humble: much need have I to be so.

21. Came to retire with a heart panting after the refreshing stream of Shiloh; but, alas! dryness and poverty is my portion. I desire to be humble and patient under this dispensation, and learn what it is to want as well as to abound.

22. After struggling awhile this morning at meeting, had to set up my Ebenezer, and say, "hitherto hath the Lord helped me," Blessed be his worthy name for ever.

26. Amidst all my weaknesses fresh aspirations after purity and perfect holiness arose in my retirement to-day, and I was favoured with a little access to the fountain of living waters.

THIRD MONTH, 1793,

3. A precious season at meeting this morning.