sionate is he who is at times felt to be the rock of our salvation and our only horn of divine strength. I have not at present that sensible feeling flow, as at some other times; and may I never counterfeit it: for I have found, that adds death to the soul. You must not expect much at this time; only this, I feel, I deeply feel that I love you, and I hope I may say it is "in the Lord." May he preserve you through all trials, temptations, and besetments, to the praise of his own excellent and eternal name, and to your unspeakable consolation and joy. Oh! I feel great need to dwell deep and keep near the living fountain of strength and preservation. Never perhaps was I more entirely stripped of all sense of his presence, than much of the time since I came home; though on getting home I had the unquestionable answer of solid peace; and for some days my peace flowed as a river. My discharge from your land was sealed on my soul with rejoicing that I had been among you, and felt some of your spirits. May I ever abide in that which only can preserve a right sense of those blessed seasons I had in some of your houses, and in some meetings. I suppose my late poverty is all for the best, and wish the dear children not to be discouraged at it; it is a path they must tread, if faithful. The land of God's people is spiritually, as outwardly of old, "a land of hills and vallies." I have ever found it so; ups and downs have attended me through life; and I expect it will continue so, and am fully convinced it is best it should be so. Only let us be careful not to sink too low, nor give out and grow careless: of both these things there is great danger; I feel it so in myself. Oh! may you and I ever watch unto prayer, lest we take our flight, either in the winter of trial and desertion, when the divine beams of the spiritual sun, seem faintly to shine upon us; or in the sabbath of ease, when carelessness is apt to creep in. My dear love is to many dear friends, as P. S. and her husband; the dear Wistar children; (may they love and serve the Lord, and be sure not to put it off too long;) thy mother and sisters, with such other of my dear friends, as thou finds freedom to mention me to. Don't forget, dear Joshua, to write; and when thou feels it, don't omit it; then is the time. Thy feeling communication did my soul good; not so much because thou expressed a lively sense of mine, as because of that precious savour and evidence of divine support, which runs through the whole of it. Dear Edith, I doubt not, rests forever in Abraham's bosom, in the paradise of God. May we so follow on, as to meet her there, and rejoice with her forevermore, is, dear Joshua, the desire of thine and thy dear children's real friend, JOB SCOTT. Dear Joshua, To Joshua Sharpless. Uxbridge, 25th 7th month, 1788. I seasonably received thy very acceptable letter of 9th month 30th-87, and can assure thee my long silence is not the fruit of forgetfulness, or want of love, either to thee or thy dear children: nay, verily, you have a place of endeared record 'on my heart. I love you with unfeigned affection and endearment; and thy account of your "feeling near and dear to each other," &c. is sweet to my mind. Oh! may the everlasting unslumbering Shepherd of Israel watch over you, sustain, protect, and preserve you, through every trial, temptation, and besetment. O dear children! love the Lord, the God of your exercised father; and who was eminently the God of your dear mother, and serve him with perfect hearts, and willing minds and he will be your God also; he will hold you in his holy hand, and fill your souls with good things; and your real joy will be far beyond what a life of unprofitable amusements, company, and conversation ever can afford. Have a very special regard to the judgment and advice of your experienced father: consult him on all occasions of importance: consult him early, and do not go contrary to his advice, even though he advise against your inclinations. I trust he knows better than you do, what will be good for you, and I think he will be as indulgent as truth will allow; and I believe the Lord, often blesses children who are obedient to their parents. And now, dear Joshua, I have not much to say to thee, only be thou strong and very courageous in the Lord, as was said to one of thy name formerly; and I have no doubt the Lord will be with thee, in every trouble; and through all, as thou looks to him, make thee more than conqueror. My dear love is to all them that love the blessed truth. Mention me to the Wistar children. I have breathings of spirit to the Helper of the helpless, on their accounts. Oh! that they may dedicate their time and talents to the service of the truth, I rest, in heart-felt affection, thy sure friend, JOB SCOTT. A Farewell Salutation on leaving Home. My dear and much beloved wife, No worldly glory, wealth, or joy, And may that God, who reigns on high, In every danger, still be nigh, Oh! may he hold thee in his hand, While I may toil from land to land, Be he thy husband, portion, peace, If I thy face should see no more, (Which yet I think I may,) That hand that wounds to heal, adore, Thy will be done, still say. He knows why he commands me hence, I trust he'll be thy sure defence, His son has died for thy offence, To one another, that his will, The cords of best affection, draw Yet may they bow to his commands, I love thee more than pearls or gold, My heart on thee quits not its hold, My affectionate love salutes thee, in that which I trust neither sea nor land will ever be able to erase from my soul. Oh! how my heart is affected, when I think of thee, and the little flock I left with thee, to watch, and feed, and guide. Oh! how my heart heaves, when I look back at the parting, solemn scene. Never was I from you before, when it was so hard to put aside |