NINTH MONTH, 1793.

11. Spent too much time to-day in unprofit able reading. Was made renewedly desirous this evening, in my little solitary sitting, of having my will made subservient in all things to the divine will. Oh! this is a great attainment; but am thankful at times to feel my soul pressing after it as the first of blessings.

14. Met with a circumstance which tried my poor weak mind; yet laboured after a state of true resignation and quiet, which was in some degree attained to.

15. I trust truly abased in my sittings at meeting this day, under a renewed humbling sense of my weaknesses; yet, in the evening meeting, my poor vessel seemed for a season the sport of wind and waves; but was at length favoured with a calm, which led me to believe that the good pilot was still near in order to preserve from wreck.

26. The greater part of this day spent in company; so that I was glad when the evening came to go to meeting, where my thirsty panting soul was replenished with celestial rain.

29. Rather poorly in the morning: felt relieved after I got to meeting, which I hope I was truly thankful for; as well as for renewed assist ance to approach the alone Physician of value..

12.

:

TENTH MONTH, 1793.

Reached London after a fatiguing journey all night; yet favoured to get along without accident and the fore-part of the journey rendered pleasant, by my mind being profitably engaged in a retrospection of the Lord's gracious dealings with me; and in a renewed belief that he was still caring for me, and watching over me for good.

24. Was at Devonshire-house meeting; which, though nearly silent, was an instructive season to my poor soul. I was made thankful in believing that my will was in some degree conforming to the divine will. O, that I was wholly conformed. What encouragement have I to trust in the Lord, who is dealing thus graciously with me!

25. Was afresh enamoured with the beauty of holiness, in our little silent gathering to-day;, so that I thought it was good to be there..

31. These last few days have afforded but little time for religious retirement; but though I fear some part of them has not been spent so profitably as it might have been; yet at times I have found my mind secretly attracted by divine love to its proper centre; and can thankfully acknowledge, I have been preserved in a good degree of quiet dependance on Him, who can alone preserve from the various snares which hourly await us; and who best knows how to dispense suitably to his

dependant creatures. He is indeed an inexhaustible fountain; and in his hand are the hidden treasures of wisdom.

ELEVENTH MONTH, 1793.

7. This last week confined by illness; which I fear I did not bear with that full resignation and meekness of spirit which I should have done; though it was often the concern of my mind to press after it, even in the silent watches of the night. During this time of my confinement I met with a trial which none knew of but the Lord, whose compassionate eye is over all his works (yea, the very meanest of them, or else I had perished long ago). He sustained my poor feeble soul and enabled me in some degree to adopt the language of "Thy will be done." Gracious condescension of myself I was wholly unequal to this attainment. It is thou alone, O Lord, who canst set bounds to the ocean that it cannot pass; and say hitherto 'thou shalt come and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed. Hadst thou not graciously superintended the vessel, how often would it have been wrecked.

9. Got out again to our week-day meeting; in which my poor mind was sweetly replenished with celestial rain. At the close of it, a committee was held to nominate women overseers, at which I was proposed as one. Oh! it brought a

great weight over me; and I ventured to object to it, but do not know whether my objection will be accepted. If I am chosen, I desire, with much sincerity, that I may be enabled to set a double watch over my conduct, while watching over others; that I may so walk as to preserve my garments free from spot or any such thing.

15. Went to Staines to see my dear relations there, an opportunity offering; yet it being our week-day meeting, was not quite easy about it: but feeling that my mind was sweetly centered and contrited on my return, I hope I do not presume too far in believing that I did not offend Him, whom I desire to love above all.

21. A refreshing time this afternoon in my chamber; in which I was led to view the excellency of truth and its peaceable fruits.

24. Gave way to-day to anger, about a trifle in itself; as I have several times of late; yet was thankful to feel myself corrected. O, for more sweetness of disposition, and strength of mind to bear the cross occurrences of life. This I often labour after; and sometimes, when I keep on the watch, am enabled to bear trials of patience without quitting my quiet habitation: would I could always dwell there!

26. Much affected with the sorrowful tidings that Job Scott had taken the small-pox in Ireland; and it is supposed that he is by this time removed. He was a valiant in Israel; one whose bow abode in strength. I cannot but mourn the church's loss,

and his dear children's, though unknown to me: yet we must not call in question the dispensations of Providence, though, to us finite creatures, they may be past finding out.

TWELFTH MONTH, 1793.

6. Oh, the crucifying power of Jesus, how hard to flesh and blood! But remember, O, my soul, that is the part which can never inherit the kingdom. Yet I can truly say, with a servant of the Lord formerly (to wit, Mary Peisley), that so frequent and necessary are the operations of the sword of the Spirit, to separate betwixt the precious and the vile, that at times it makes me weary of this embodied state. The Lord alone knows my secret probations; no mortal is acquainted therewith and it is he alone that can sustain through every conflict and give victory. Praised be his name! a degree of living faith at this time arises, that as I keep my eye single to him, he will be near, and preserve me from the fury of the de

vourer.

10. My mind sweetly refreshed, and animated to press forward, by reading an account of dear Job Scott's triumphant exit.

15. A precious season at meeting this morning. Was led to believe that the work of the new creation was carrying on, even new heavens and new earth; and that the old were passing away.