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A LANDLORD AND HIS TENANTS.

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men and gentlemen, visited him at the cottage, and expressed their interest in his plans. Mr. Allen himself always regarded the experiment at Lindfield as being, in an economical view, a successful one. Many of his most judicious friends considered it to be, in that respect, a failure. The true state of things may probably be gathered from two very significant lines in his journal, under date of October 29, 1834. I leave Lindfield,' he says, this time with a pleasing conviction that all the tenants are in a way to pay their rents.' Whether they did actually pay them is not recorded. We doubt not that, under any circumstances, their slumbers were undisturbed by dread of ejection or distress warrant. When told that he was too sanguine and too enthusiastic, his reply was, 'It is very possible that I am too sanguine. I remember what Charles James Fox said in the House of Commons, when the friends of the slave-merchants within those walls charged the abolitionists with enthusiasm-turning to the Speaker, he exclaimed, Enthusiasm, sir! why, there never was any good done in the world without enthusiasm.' We must feel warm upon our projects, otherwise, from the discouragements we are sure to meet with here, they will drop through.'

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On this principle he acted through life.

CHAP. IV.

MINISTRY.- -PRISONS AND PALACES.

AT what precise period William Allen first began to speak in ministry' does not appear. It would seem, however, not to have been before the year 1818. But, although at first unemployed officially, his attention to the claims of the religious society with which he was connected had from his earliest years, and during his busiest seasons, been most exemplary. In 1799, we find him appointed a corresponding member of the Meeting for Sufferings,' for Derby and Nottinghamshire.

In 1811, he is set apart to the station of 'overseer.'+ I am afraid to refuse,' he

*The Yearly Meeting of London, in 1675, appointed a meeting to be held in that city, for the purpose of advising and assisting Friends in cases of suffering for conscience' sake. It is composed of men Friends, under the name of correspondents, chosen by the several Quarterly Meetings. Approved ministers are also members. It was called the Meeting for Sufferings, in consequence of its original purpose. It is considered as a standing committee of the Yearly Meeting, and to its care is entrusted whatever may arise during the intervals of that meeting, affecting the Society, or requiring immediate attention.

The discipline of the Society of Friends directs that, if practicable, some of their members, whose con

THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER.

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says, 'lest I should shrink from a duty, and thereby bring greater spiritual poverty upon myself. My prayer is, to be preserved from doing any harm, if I can do no good.' In 1813, he is chosen an elder;' and the year following, he is 'constrained to utter' a few words, which humbled' him exceedingly.'"

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In 1814, the general peace brought the allied sovereigns on a visit to London, when the Society of Friends hastened to present addresses to the Emperor of Russia and to the King of Prussia. That for the Emperor of Russia was left with Count Lieven, on the 18th of June, and the next day William Allen called to arrange for its reception. To his surprise, however, instead of obtaining a formal interview, he found the Count in his carriage, who bade him get in, and, driving off immediately, informed him that the Emperor wished to attend a Friends' meeting, and that there was no time for it but the present.

Calling at Count Nesselrode's for the Emperor, the Grand Duchess of Oldenburgh, the Duke of Oldenburgh, and the Duke of Wurtemburg, the whole party drove off, with

duct and conversation manifest the fruits of the Spirit,' be appontied to exercise a general care and oversight of all the individuals who constitute the particular meeting to which they belong. The persons thus appointed are denominated Overseers.

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GOES TO MEETING.

out the slightest previous intimation, to the nearest meeting-house then open. No commotion was excited by their arrival. They were quietly shown to the seats usually ccupied by men and women respectively. The meeting remained in silence about a quarter of an hour, in which time,' says Mr. Allen, 'my mind was sweetly calmed and refreshed, in the firm belief that the Great Master had the work in his own hands.' Richard Phillips then stood up, with a short but acceptable address to the meeting; and soon after, John Wilkinson was engaged in explaining the effects of vital religion, and the nature of true worship. After he sat down, John Bell uttered a few sentences, and John Wilkinson concluded in supplication. The Emperor and the whole party conducted themselves with great seriousness; and after meeting' they kindly shook hands with the Friends, and departed.

Two days after this, the Emperor received Mr. Allen and the deputation, with the 'Friends' address. The number was very limited, in accordance with Count Lieven's instructions. Alexander received them alone, and conversed freely with them in English; asking questions, which evidently showed that he was acquainted with the operations of the Holy Spirit in the soul.' He said he 'agreed entirely with Friends on the subject

AGREES WITH FRIENDS' VIEWS, 111

of worship.' He told them that he was himself in the habit of daily prayer, that at first he employed a form of words, but at length grew uneasy in so doing, as the words were not aways applicable to the present state of his mind, and that now the subject of his prayer was according to the impression he felt of his wants at the time.' He stated how the Lord had made him acquainted with spiritual religion,' after which he had much sought it, and that herein he found strength and consolation;' adding, that he, and all of us, were only placed in this life to glorify God, and to be useful to one another.' During the interview, he repeatedly pressed their hands, expressed a wish to know more of them, said he should like to see a Friend's house, and concluded by observing, that if any Friends should visit Petersburg on a religious account, they were not to wait for any introduction, but to come direct to him, and he would do everything to promote their views.

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The wish to see a Friend's house' was not forgotten. When at Portsmouth he again reverted to it, and arrangements were made for John Glaisyer, of Brighton, to receive him. But when he reached that town, the crowd was so great, that he was obliged to proceed without fulfilling his intentions. Passing a farm-house, a few miles from Lewes, however, he observed two persons standing at

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