may have the effect to turn the attention of those who peruse it, from the more than worthless systems of human theology, to "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face (or living presence) of Jesus Christ," who "is the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

It is much to be lamented, that the human mind should be so generally shackled by erroneous impressions, as to be incapable of admitting the simple fact, so plainly stated in the scriptures, and confirmed by experience, that "Christ, the wisdom of God, and the power of God," is omnipresent and eternal; -that he is a pure and holy spirit;-for the reception of whom, all human nature is a prepared body; —that the religion, of which he is the author, is entirely a spiritual thing, consisting in the operations of the Divine life upon the human soul, to fill it with perpetually increasing measures of "righteousness, goodness, and truth;”—and divesting it thereby of every temper and propensity, which can hurt or destroy. In this way it is, that "the kingdoms of this world can become the kingdoms of God, and his Christ." And by these holy influences and operations, he demonstrates that "he dwells with us, and is in us."

But, alas! how many millions of money are expended in the world, to persuade the children of men to place their confidence in systems, which are the reverse of these heavenly powers; and are made up of the weakness and folly of men. For truly, it cannot be justly deemed any thing better than weakness and folly, to teach that any thing which men can say or do, can in any degree answer as a substitute for the power and wisdom of God, or

contrive a better way to make men good and happy, than by their operations. The works that human systems have always done, have been to distract the attention by a multiplicity of doctrines and opinions; so that the living realities which are continually springing up in the mind, and are the real agents by which good and evil are generated there, are neglected and overlooked; thus fulfilling the declaration, "they made me keeper of the vineyards, but mine own vineyard I have not kept."

In this state, a multitude of causeless fears and delusive hopes are alternately excited,-which place the mind in a condition, resembling a ship on a stormy ocean, always agitated, and successively elevated or depressed, according to the rise and fall of the waves upon which it floats. What a precious and merciful privilege it is, my dear friend, that in the midst of this tumult and confusion, we all have access to that blessed Being who created the islands, and has the same power to make us like them, firm and immoveable, though surrounded on all sides by fluctuation. To this state, the admonition is addressed, "Keep silence before me, O islands, and let the people renew their strength." The sweet endearment which my spirit feels towards thee, makes me rejoice in the persuasion, that thy precious mind has long been familiar with the pure influences of the holy Spirit, which alone performs the miracles of healing and preservation. And if it be asked, who is it that "hath wrought and done. this" for thee, as well as in "all generations from the beginning"? the answer must be given in the language of the prophet, "I the Lord, the first, and with the last, I am he." And it is of the greatest

consequence, my precious child, that thou shouldst know that it is he alone, whose light has shone upon thee, and enabled thee to discriminate clearly between the nature and tendency of those principles, which being infusions of the Divine nature, are "the sons of God,"-and that class of adverse powers, which constitute the being and nature of satan. I do not hesitate for one moment, to believe, that, like Job, thou hast seen these "sons of God" presenting themselves before the Lord, in thy own mind, and "satan presenting himself" with them. Possibly, thou mayst not have noticed the identity of thy experience with Job's; but that does not alter the similarity of the fact. For, if it be true, that every thing which is "pure, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy," be of "the wisdom that cometh from above,”—then it must also be true, that every thing which is "earthly, sensual, and devilish," must be from "the wisdom that is from beneath. I suppose thou hast never had a doubt as to the origin and tendencies of either class, nor as to the reality of their presentation before the view of thy mind. I am, therefore, fully warranted in asserting, and thou in believing, that it is thy heavenly Father, who hath of the former, "built a hedge about thee, and about all that is truly thine;"-by which the latter has been fenced off from thee,-and a host of destructive enemies, the least of which would have changed thy Eden into a wilderness, have been prevented from hurting or destroying thee.

I feel a strong attraction towards your next Yearly Meeting;-and after its close, to some of the

northern and western parts of your State; and if nothing should occur to obscure my present prospect, I shall probably ask permission of our ensuing monthly and Quarterly meeting, for the purpose.But it will be best to say nothing about it, except to thy father and mother. The subject is not yet fully ascertained, even by my own mind.

All my dear family join me in an affectionate salutation to thy beloved father and mother, and, as usual, a full tide of love flows to thyself from every one of us, emphatically including thy very affectionEDWARD STABLER. ate friend,

Thoughts in time of Sickness and Affliction.

How shall my muse retire to rest,
With this load of pensive strains?
The feelings of a mother's breast
For the afflicted still remains.

I have often felt the trouble,

Mourn'd and sympathiz'd with thee,

Put up my petitions double,

When no human eye could see.

While reclining on my pillow,
In the night to take my rest,
Mind as drooping as the willow,

Heart with sorrow much depress'd:

Wave on wave of deep affliction,-
How my anxious thoughts were toss'd!
Matchless mercy-with restriction
Sav'd the soul from being lost.

Stay'd the mind in resignation
To the heavenly Father's will:
Oh! this was my consolation,

And remains my comfort still.
Oft he prais'd his dear Redeemer,
With a weak and feeble voice,
And as death approached nearer,
Seem'd to glory and rejoice.
Now those scenes are past and over,
And the Lord was pleas'd to bless;
May his tender mercy cover

And console thee in distress.

Through this state of deep probation,
Furnish strength to rise above
Every trying dispensation,

On the wings of heavenly love.
For he loves the humble hearted,
Succours them by night and day,
Never from his children parted,
Always is their staff and stay.

In the world we shall have trouble;
In Him, peace and harmony;-
Is not this life like a bubble

On the fluctuating sea?

Youth and aged have diseases,

Some in health are call'd away;

He can summons whom he pleases,
All, his mandates must obey.

May our lamps be trimm'd and burning,
And our souls redeem'd from sin;
When we find the bridegroom coming,
Meet him-joyful enter in