Where the righteous live for ever, In the happy realms of peace; To be separated never From the joys that never cease. H. A SHORT ACCOUNT Of some of the last expressions and decease of John Lewis, son of John and Grace Lewis, late of West Vincent township, Chester county. About the 26th of the 1st month, 1824, he was taken ill of bilious intermittent fever; from the effect of which he appeared to be, at times, somewhat delirious, particularly in the afternoons and evenings; but at intervals, in the absence of fever, he dropped many weighty expressions, of which the following are a part. In times of great weakness of body, he sometimes delivered broken sentences which could not be fully gathered, but they appeared indicative of the comfortable state of his mind. Soon after being confined to his room, he was heard to say, apparently in allusion to his sickness, "It matters not, whether long or short, in comparison of spending an eternity in the bosom of a dear Saviour." At several times, speaking of the happy state of his mind, he said, "All is peace and serenity." And at one time, "Oh! the joys! the joys! the joys, of which I have some foretaste.” He frequently mentioned a foresight he had of a great work that would be accomplished in the earth, by Almighty power; saying at one time, "The Lord, in his marvellous goodness, hath made it appear clear to my spiritual eye, that there will be a revival of religion amongst Friends, and they will see better times; but there will be a sifting, winnowing time first, and the chaff will be separated from the wheat." He appeared to be under much exercise respecting the state of society, and said, "There is a great work for some to do." In relation to himself, he mentioned, that it had not been many months since he gave up entirely to a manifested duty in a small matter; for he found a part of a sacrifice would not do,—the whole heart was required; and added, "I have made a narrow escape, but have found the safe stepping stones."At another time he said, "Dear sister Mary said it was an awful thing to die; and truly it is an awful thing to die." Being under much suffering, he said with great humility, "One touch of the hem of the blessed garment will cure all." At another time he said, “The truth is strong in my inner man." In the forepart of his illness he expressed his having a choice in continuing longer, for the sake of his dear wife and infant children, one of whom was but three weeks old when he departed; but towards the close, when his sufferings of body increased, he queried, "Who can desire my continuance here?" And afterward, on being raised up in bed, he said, "Relief is near at hand, through Divine grace. I have waited for thy salvation, O God; and hope my prayers have been heard." Then added, "But his time is not yet." He appeared to be very sensible of the kindness of his relatives and friends, in their attention to him through his illness, and frequently acknowledged it as a favour; and on one occasion he remarked, "He that administereth a drop of cold water to a disciple, how great is his reward! When the body is struggling with disease, to administer one drop of consolation to an individual, is a service done." Though he endured much pain through the greater part of his illness, which continued eleven days, yet, at the final close, there was not the least apparent suffering, and he passed easily and quietly away, as one falling into a sweet sleep, on the 5th of 2d mo., 1824, in the forty-third year of his age. While Friends were kept truly humble, and walked according to the purity of our principles, the Divine witness in many hearts was reached. But when a worldly spirit got entrance, therewith came in luxuries and superfluities, and spread by little and little, even among the foremost rank in society, and from thence others took liberty in that way more abundantly. In the continuation of these things, there were many wants to supply, even wants unknown to Friends, while they faithfully followed Christ. And in striving to supply these wants, many have exacted on the poor, many have entered on employments, in which they often labour in upholding pride and luxury. Many have looked on one another, been strengthened in these things, one by the example of another, and as to the pure divine seeing, dimness hath come over many, and the channels of true brotherly love have been obstructed. JOHN WOOLMAN. FRIENDS' MISCELLANY. No. 4.] SEVENTH MONTH, 1835. [VOL. VII. Extracts and Contemplations, taken from John Baldwin's Journal of Time. In volume 5th of this work, selections from the Diary of John Baldwin were published, with preliminary remarks, and a short account of the writer. The following Extracts and Contemplations are copied from a continuation of the author's memorandums, or Journal of Time. 1799. 1st mo. 14th. Felt the passion of anger agitated towards a stubborn scholar, and said too much to him in that disordered state of mind.Every care should be taken to quench that devouring flame. A devouring flame, it may be justly called; for it not only consumes every tender feeling of humanity in the breast of him who suffers it to rage, but is also in danger of kindling the same flame in him towards whom it is vented. 2d mo. 4th. In the evening when retired, I was favoured to see that exercises and self-abasing seasons are good for me. Lord, let not thine hand spare, nor thine eye pity, till thou hast made of me what thou wouldst have me to be. I feel that I love thee; and that thy chastisements are in love. to me. 21st. I was favoured in meeting with a little light to see the necessity of endeavouring to be patient in those seasons when I am weak, and as it were, VOL. VII.-13 left to myself; also, that every trial of my faith, if properly endured, will tend to a furtherance in the way of righteousness. The Lord has sometimes condescended to favour me, and I believe, yet stands graciously disposed to do so; but I must learn to wait in patience for his blessings, and have my will subjected to his will. I find the truth of this saying verified, "Of yourselves ye can do nothing." Lord, teach me subjection, that I may be obedient: teach me patience, that I may wait for thee. The best Beloved of my soul, Has now withdrawn his face, And other loves from somewhere else, Shall I accept of these, as guests, That I may not be destitute, Nor lonesome spend the day? Will they be willing to withdraw, Can I keep them in such command, If they should thus subservient be, I could with joy embrace, |