loss. Many said, We have lost a father; for, such he was to the meeting he belonged to. Alas, who is there likely to fill the vacant seats of the worthies removed! May the Lord of the harvest be pleased to raise up some; for surely the state of things in this quarter is lamentable!

6. Have dwelt much in the valley these last three days; though I met with some interruptions, from company, yet it hath seemed a weaning time. O for a more perfect dedication of heart to the Lord and his service.

9. Went to Alton, to the funeral of my beloved uncle; the company much smaller than it would otherwise have been, owing to the very wet weather. The fore-part of the meeting. I thought much favoured; feeling that which is beyond words. A solemn pause at the grave, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather..

12. Was at Alton week-day meeting; at which though I found enough to do to keep my mind upon the watch, yet I think on the whole it: was a favoured season. Returned home in the afternoon; found all well: fresh cause for thankfulness and lowliness!

14. "Stand in awe, and sin not," was sweetly impressed on my mind soon after my first sitting down in meeting; and a refreshing season it proved, my soul being led as into fresh and green pastures; yea, I was made to lie down and rest as at noon-day. Oh, that one so unworthy should be favoured with this blessed experience! Not

withstanding, before the meeting closed, I got off my watch: such is the instability of human nature. when left to itself.

16. A time of close exercise this morning at meeting, in which I had to believe, that my feet would be turned into a narrower path than I had hitherto walked in, and that the day of the Lord must come upon all pleasant pictures. O, may I be enabled to dwell with the consuming fire, and freely give up to the sword that which is appointed for destruction.

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22. My strength a little renewed this morning my retirement. How sweet and profitable are

these seasons!

23. A refreshing season at meeting this morning: yea, I thought the stone was rolled from the well's mouth, so that my soul, with some others present, was favoured to drink freely of the waters of life. O, that all were gathered to this fountain ; then would there not be so many barren ones amongst us, as is now sorrowfully the

case.

26.

Received the affecting account of the death of a relation, who hath left a wife with four small children. It hath shown to my mind the necessity of digging deep; that when afflictions like these are permitted to come, we may know a safe hiding place from the storm.

29. Surely my mind resembles the dove after making excursions from the ark (that place of safety); but, finding no rest for the sole of her

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foot, returns wearied, yet with delight, to it. And Oh, the adorable goodness of God! How is he, as it were, putting forth his hand and receiving me into this quiet habitation! O, that I may never stray from it.

31. My mind a little animated to press forward in the heavenly race, by reading a sweet account of a youth but sixteen years of age; yet who had far outstripped me. O, may it excite to encreasing vigilance and circumspect walking; that I also may at the conclusion of time, have an inheritance among the saints, and spirits of just men made perfect.

ELEVENTH MONTH, 1791.

2. Company and visiting have taken up much. of my time to-day: yet could not go comfortably to bed without feeling after the divine healing virtue, and taking a solemn review of the day, in which I felt no condemnation : so went to bed in peace.

4. Strengthened in my solitary sitting to-day; being favoured to partake of the water which is freely offered to those that seek it. Oh, that so many should slight so great a blessing!

7. Have spent my time to-day in good and profitable company, and my mind much occupied in an affair of some importance; yet upon a review, think I might have stolen a little time for retirement, that I might have had the more full enjoy

ment of his presence which I ought to prefer to every consideration, and which I, sometimes, hope Ido: but through the instability of nature, ofttimes miss my way,

II. A precious season at meeting this morning, though a silent one, and but very few there; yet surely we were favoured to feel that gracious promise verified, that where two or three are gathered in the name of Christ, there will he be in the midst of them.

13. Another favoured meeting;, and notwithstanding, as Benjamin Kidd had to express, many, considering our small number, are sick and weakly, and some asleep; yet the Lord is still graciouslyremembering Zion, and satisfying her poor with bread.

20. Confined these two last days by indisposition. It was some trial to be kept from meeting; but knowing whence all good cometh, and waiting in my solitary sitting to feel him, who is omnipresent, near to sustain my feeble mind, he was graciously pleased to revisit my soul with his life-giving presence. In the afternoon had a little conference with a dear niece, in which I imparted some spiritual advice; being anxiously concerned that she may seek the God of her Fathers, now in her youthful days.

21. Poor, weak, and low, both as to my outward and inward state. How do I long, like the poor woman formerly, to touch but the hem of bis garment, that I might be made whole.

23. A little revived and comforted to-day, in the belief that I am still preferring Jerusalem to my chief joy. O, may "my right hand forget " her cunning," and "my tongue cleave to the "roof of my mouth," rather than I should desert a cause so precious.

25. In my silent sitting at meeting this morning, some clear openings. How is the Lord hiding the mysteries of his kingdom now, as formerly, from the wise and prudent of this world, and revealing them to babes and sucklings! For ever blessed be his holy name!

27. When I brought my gift to the altar today, I saw that I had done something which was to be removed before it could be accepted; yet, endeavoured to reason it away, thinking it was too trifling to be required; but it was clearly shown me, that I was not to look at the smallness of the sacrifice, if the Lord saw meet to require it. at my hands, who "seeth not as man seeth." I am thankful that I was enabled to take up the cross and yield obedience; in which I found peace. May I ever thus attend to the pure dis

coveries of this divine teacher.

29. Spent the fore-part of the day profitably; but walking out in the evening met with several acquaintances, with whom I conversed; and my mind got too much into the spirit of the world which separates from the spirit of Christ. Feeling this to be my situation, endeavoured to turn inward and feel after that which crucifies to the

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