pation of the bread and wine that perisheth ; but lo my strength hath failed! have I not been too inattentive to the spirit that quickeneth, and the law written within? whilst I have with solicitude pursued religious improvement, by the things which have been written by faithful and true witnesses; and behold, where are they? If all knowledge fails as a brook, and as the stream of a brook, passeth away; may I never forget the Lord, and his loving-kindness which remains for

ever.

6, 7, and 8. I was much indisposed with dizziness of sight and sense, my heart and my flesh failing; but I frequently remembered with a degree of consolation, the declaration of Jehovah to his former people, viz. "O Israel! thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help."

26. I was much depressed by being suddenly informed of the decease of our dear and worthy friend Samuel Nottingham; whose lively labours in the ministry of the gospel, and exemplary conversation, made strong and lasting impressions on myself and wife, when with us at Hartford, above three years ago.

27. My bodily health and strength in the course of this week has been rather increased; but where has been my grateful returns to the Preserver of men, who "bringeth down to the grave and lifteth up." How unnecessarily are we often alarmed in respect to the casualties which may befal

a body, which soon must perish; but too inattentive are we to the diseases which attend a soul, which was formed for an eternal existence !

28. The fore part of the day was rather luminous, both in respect to body and mind: I remembered the Lord that made me; the God and giver of every good gift, who " will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil:" in some degree I also sought after that peace which passeth knowledge.

30. The day was passed more luminously than some in the evening divers friends were with us; but little conversation passed which tended to edification or a forwarding one another in the faith of Christ," that faith which works by love." When we are together, outward and verbal opposition may be measurably avoided, but tumults and swellings may be felt within, which ought to be suppressed. We may esteem some of our fellow-men, and fellow-members, over-zealous, and others too lax and indifferent; yet both parties may in degree be actuated by the same spirit and love of truth; although by natural complexions and prejudices, they may in some respects be perverted from a perfect rectitude of judgment: in those cases we ought to forgive, as we desire to be forgiven, and to bear with the errors of those we may esteem mistaken; at the same time desiring all may be preserved from that

mammon of unrighteousness which leadeth men to justify themselves, and to despise others.

31. This day was passed pretty peaceably as to the outward, and without much cause for condemnation in that respect; but ought not the inside of the cup and platter also to be made clean? for" out of the heart proceed evil thoughts."

4.

SECOND MONTH, 1787.

I. With God all things are possible, "He bringeth down to the grave, and he lifteth up;" His is the power and the glory for ever. Amen. After having been absent from our reli gious meetings ever since the first of the Twelfth month at Hartford, I once more attended the forenoon meeting, which, although small, was in a good degree satisfactory; I had cause of thankfulness to Him, who hath the key of David, and openeth when, where, and to whom he pleaseth; that notwithstanding my unworthiness, he did not. appear to be wholly withdrawn; matter being freely and plentifully opened with an application to myself and those present: but, alas! I have been a man of unclean lips, and have dwelt among a people of unclean lips; and what remaineth for me now, but that I wait for the salvation of God; and in much bowedness and nothingness of self, receive what may be graciously imparted

by Him, who "giveth liberally, and upbraideth

not?"

10. This week has not been passed without some aspirations after a divine life, and that forgiveness of the past evil, which is only from God, through Christ, "whom he hath set forth to be a propitiation."

II. Although prevented from attending a public meeting for worship, or reading in the Holy Scriptures, by reason of my want of sight; at intervals I experienced some attraction of spirit towards the great "Minister of the Sanctuary,' who is full of grace and truth, and fairer than the sons of men.

14. In the preceding evenings, I have been in some degree edified, by hearing my wife read William Law's answer to Dr. Travel; an excellent performance, replete with those pious and Catholic sentiments which are dictated by the gospel of Christ: the wise in that wisdom which is from above, who labour to turn many to righteousness, shall shine; their work shall remain in the generations which are yet to come; when the memory, of those who have excelled in that wisdom which this world teaches, shall be forgotten.

17. After so long an absence, I was desirous of once more visiting Hartford and its environs ; but found great feebleness in the attempt: for behold, the day is now come in which the pillars of the house tremble, "and those that look out of the windows are darkened;" and the hour is at

hand in which, "the silver cord shall be loosed, and the golden bowl broken."

18. After a long absence, I went with great feebleness of flesh and spirit, in a chaise, to the forenoon meeting at Hartford: early in the meeting a short testimony was delivered to the divine light and word which is near in the heart and in the mouth; according to that which is written, "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)." Our friend, M. P. was afterwards much enlarged in a living and evangelical ministry. ́

19. Be ye always ready, for ye know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man cometh, was often revived in my remembrance during the course of the day. I was not sensible of much cause for condemnation.

21. Great weakness and heaviness attended me in the week day meeting, I strove against the latter; not without some desires towards Him, who "quickeneth the dead.”

24. How wonderful are the ways of the Preserver of men, both in respect to our immortal spirits and those material forms with which they are clothed!" He bringeth low, and he lifteth up: " adorable are all his ways; in consummate wisdom are they formed. During the last week I have experienced some increase in bodily strength; but has there been any increase attained in that spiritual strength which is by faith in the Son of