To Thomas and Mary Hanson.

DEAR CHILDREN,-

It is in my mind to write a few lines to you. As a renewed remembrance of the many mercies of God is fresh in my heart, I feel a concern, in the love of God, that you may ever keep these things in remembrance. And, dear children, my earnest desire is that you may unite together as true help-meets to the great work of the soul's salvation; then you will be supported under all your trials. And, may you often be concerned to search, and see how you are coming up in your duty to the great Lord and Master, from whom we have received many and great favours. O my dear children, that you and I may often search, and see how we are coming up in faithfulness to him, who is not only a great and powerful One,—but he is a tender Father to all them that love him more than any thing in this world. But he is looking for obedience at our hands, even as we look for obedience from our servants. If they should go and do their own business, and neglect ours, or take to their own ways to their hurt,-Oh! let us consider that it offends us. But if they submit and turn again, are we not ready to forgive, and pass by their offences? Now it is with me to say, how much more is our heavenly Father in compassion to his children, who, upon a narrow search, do find they have fallen short. If they are willing to double diligence, he is a tender father, and ready to pass by many weaknesses, as they are willing to submit under his hand. Of this my soul. is a witness: blessed and praised, be his holy name forever.

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My dear children, it is with me yet to press it home to your minds, that you may be earnest to know your duty to God; and that your cries may be to him for strength to come up therein. Be not dismayed at the tumults and noises amongst men; but trust in the living God, who in all ages hath been a support to the righteous in their deepest trials.

I now conclude, with dear love to you and your dear child. Give my love to my companion S. N. and her husband, and to all my friends, as if named; also to any who may ask after me, whether black or white. I remain your loving mother,

ELIZABETH LEVIS.

Kennet, Chester county, 17th of 11th mo. 1772.

A Letter to her daughter, exhorting to patience and resignation, under affliction.

DEAR CHILD,—

It is my desire that we may be given up to the will of God in all things, for that is well pleasing to him. As it is he that gives, so it is his right to take away when he pleases; and our duty is to resign all up to him that is his own. I expect thou hast heard of the death of thy dear sister, Lydia; and, dear child, it is in my mind to give thee some account of my satisfaction in her departure. It seemed to me that the Lord received her into his fold of rest among his lambs: which was a great comfort, and bore me up in that great trial.

I will give thee some account of what thy dear sister had to say on her death-bed. Being from home, I was not present, but had it from one of her near friends. I should have been glad to have had an VOL. VII.-32

opportunity with her, while she was capable of speaking her mind to me. But, while I was closely engaged in this sort, it came under my consideration that the Lord works as he pleases, and that we ought to submit to him in all his dealings with us. Thy dear sister, when near her departure, said it would be hard for her dear sisters when they heard of it; but added, "We must part." And again she said, "It is hard for near and dear friends to part; but we must part; yet we shall meet again, where we shall never part." Having a desire to be helped up on her feet, and being weak, she was held up while she said, "The Lord will raise up some to preach the gospel of glad tidings to the people." At another time she said, "Why don't you let me go? I want to be gone."

Her sickness was short, and her body not much wasted by it, and therefore it was not convenient to keep it long; so that we could not have the opportunity of your company, which would have been very acceptable. Though the time was short, there was a large gathering; but, being late, we had not the opportunity of gathering into the meeting house. We, nevertheless, had a solid time at the grave, and the people were warned to prepare for such a change.

I conclude, with affectionate love to thee and all relations and friends, as if named;-and remain thy loving mother,

ELIZABETH LEVIS.

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A SHORT ACCOUNT

Of the life, character and last illness of Mary Lundy, late of Burlington county, State of New Jersey.

It is a tribute due to the memory of the righteous, and may be a means to stimulate survivors to follow their footsteps,-to preserve some account of their lives and conversation, desiring that others, and especially their children, may be encouraged to walk by the same rule, and mind the same things. It is thus that "the memory of the just is blessed."

Mary Lundy was born at Westbury on Long Island the 24th of 10th month, 1779. Her parents, Richard and Abigail Titus, were concerned to give their children a guarded education, and to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and their labours appear to have been blest. From manuscripts which are left, written when she was young in years, it is evident that her mind was seriously impressed with an idea of the necessity of making a right use of the time allotted her for her own improvement and the good of others. She was particularly concerned to bear a faithful testimony against the changeable fashions of the age, and endeavoured by example and precept to influence the minds of her acquaintance to a willingness to walk in the same way; often expressing the regret she felt, in observing the departure of many from the principles and practice of that plainness and simplicity, into which Truth leads its dedicated followers.

In the twenty-fourth year of her age, she was married at Westbury meeting, agreeably to the or

der established amongst Friends, to Joseph Lundy of Sussex county, New Jersey, to which place she removed shortly after to reside.

In the important station of one of the heads of a family, her example was worthy of imitation. She was deeply concerned to train up the children under her care in the right way, from which they would not need to depart when they were old; often gathering them around her and reading to them in the scriptures, or other books written by pious authors; and endeavoured to impress their minds with a love for truth. Being herself of a grave and serious deportment, she often endeavoured to draw her family into silence, knowing in her own experience that to watch unto prayer was the only way to be preserved from temptation, and to receive strength to overcome our evil propensities. She was diligent in the attendance of our religious meetings, and careful to take all her family with her that she could, saying if she left more at home engaged in the concerns of the family than there was need of, she felt little or no satisfaction in going herself: when there, her deportment was solemn becoming the occasion, and her countenance evinced that her mind was centred on God. Calm and patient under trials, she was instrumental in consoling the minds of others under affliction, often repeating an expression that she found safe to practice, namely: "Do thy best, and leave the rest to Providence."

In the year 1810, they removed to Burlington county, and became members of Burlington monthly meeting.

When her children arrived to years of understanding, she explained to them the necessity of attending