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Under the pressure of these feelings I have poured out my soul before the Lord, beseeching him to preserve me on the right hand and on the left.

8. Ventured with fear to send the letter I had written; so must leave the event.

23. Much discouraged at the prospect of the approaching visit to the monthly meetings; and the more so as my companion Sarah Birkbeck is likely to be prevented, by illness, from going with me. This is no small trial of my faith. O, that it were as a grain of mustard seed, pure and unmixed; then doubtless it would lessen, if not remove, this mountain. Had a visit from a kind sympathizing friend: and dear Elizabeth Moline, seeing my extreme weakness, voluntarily offered to accompany me. Oh, what a poor creature am I, how unworthy such unmerited favour! Awoke in the night, and felt my mind sweetly bounded by the fear of the Lord; yet methought something like a gentle reproof for giving way so much to my fears.

26. Went to Dorking to join the committee, I hope our going was not altogether in vain.

30. A refreshing season at meeting this morn ing, though not unattended with labour : the afternoon was the preparative meeting. Some weighty counsel dropt; yet I thought the queries answered too fully. In the evening spoke detractingly of an absent person; to my shame I mention it. O my soul, when wilt thou learn wisdom?

31. Low, and I trust humble, under a sense of my failing yesterday; with renewed desires after more stability.

FOURTH MONTH, 1794.

II. A renewal of strength at our silent weekday meeting. How do I love these seasons!

15. Company, &c. again to-day: something is certainly due to our friends; yet I should gladly have retired awhile to feel after that meat which the world knows not of.

16. Renewed desires after divine preservation; yet but little time for religious retirement. Am thankful to feel, when this is sometimes the case, the limiting power of truth near me; preserving me in a watchful frame of mind.

17. It was opened to my understanding, in my silent sitting, how offensive a lukewarm state is in the sight of God; and the prayer of my heart was, that I might be preserved from it; and I was led a little to number my blessings.

18. Renewed encouragement to follow the Lord in the way of his leadings, at our week-day meeting. What a loss do those sustain who miss these opportunities !

20. Beset with vain thoughts, to which I too much yielded; so that, when I went to meeting, I thought myself unworthy to approach Perfect Purity: yet such was his gracious condescension,

that he stretched forth his sceptre, and drew me near to him; and blessed me with his life-giving presence. Unmerited mercy!

24. Was truly desirous that the work (which I believe the Lord hath graciously begun in my heart) might not be marred on the wheel; but there is surely no safety but in unceasing watchful

ness.

FIFTH MONTH, 1794.

3. This morning rose early; and spent some hours in my chamber, profitably and pleasantly, in reading, writing, and communing with my own heart: favoured with the fresh descendings of heavenly rain. Precious privilege, and delightful employment! O, that the votaries of pleasure could but taste these refined and superior enjoy. ments; surely they would be willing to part with their perishable and sin-pleasing gratifications for this pearl of great price.

14. Sat up part of last night with my beloved parent; and my feelings much tried with an ap❤ prehension of his disorder settling in childishness. I have endeavoured to labour after an entire resignation to the divine will, under this trying allotment; and though I cannot say I have attained to it perfectly, yet methinks I feel the sustaining arm of divine power underneath, as an anchor to my wearied soul. May I be thankful enough.

15. My dear father something better to-day, having in a great measure recovered the use of his faculties. O, may I be thankful enough; but it is the Lord alone who can enable me so to be.

16. My dear father gradually recovering; so ventured to meeting to-day, where my poor exhausted mind was led as into fresh and green pastures. What can I render unto the Lord for all his blessings?

26. A sweet contriting season in my chamber. 30. Though I travelled for awhile as in a wilderness; yet at length was favoured with the springing up of the well of life, to my great refreshment this morning at meeting.

SIXTH MONTH, 1794.

3. Felt sweetly peaceful when I awoke this morning; methought the good Shepherd was near; notwithstanding which favour was too unguarded in my conversation in the evening: to my shame I record it.

5. Went to Guildford to meet Phebe Blakes and Elizabeth Copeland, two friends travelling in the work of the ministry: was made renewedly sensible of my own insufficiency for every good work.

6. The above mentioned friends at our monthly meeting to-day: Phebe Blakes led in a close line; yet believe was much favoured: as for poor

me, to struggle with my own weakness, seemed all I could attain to: perhaps my mind was too outward; yet endeavoured to set a double watch on that hand.

7. Have been desirous this morning of arising and shaking myself from the dust of the earth: for surely we are often clogged with it in our passing along. How does it retard our progress Zion-ward!

10. My close attention to my dear father these several days, with other family engagements, have left me but little leisure for retirement; yet trust I have endeavoured to keep near my good guide, who hath graciously stayed my mind under some inquietudes which have occurred.

12. Our dear friends Mary Ridgway and Jane Watson came; an unpleasant evening owing to an illumination: the people very noisy and riotous. Was favoured with much quietness and calmness on the occasion, though they broke many of our windows.

13. Our week-day meeting, which the aforesaid friends attended, and a precious season it proved to my mind, and I hope to many others: Mary and Jane appeared excellently, especially dear Mary, who laboured in much gospel love amongst us, inviting those who stood idle in the market-place, to enter into the vineyard of their own hearts and work.

15. Went to Guildford to meet our dear friends Mary Ridgway and Jane Watson, yet

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