AMERICAN YEARLY MEETINGS.-The delay which has occurred in the receipt of our usual sources of information from America, has prevented us from giving, at an earlier date, the following abridged account of the proceedings of the different bodies noted below: OHIO Yearly Meeting took place at Mount Pleasant, on the 3d of 9th Month, 1849, and was as large as usual. Benjamin Seebohm and Robert Lindsey, from England, and several other ministers, and their companions, from different Yearly Meetings on this Continent, were in attendance. When about to proceed with reading the epistles, the clerk informed the meeting that there were on the table, epistles from all the Yearly Meetings with which we have of late corresponded except North Carolina-also one from each of those bodies in New England claiming to be the Yearly Meeting. He proceeded and read all but the two last mentioned, and taking the usual notice of them on minute, he queried of the meeting whether it would then appoint a Committee to prepare essays in reply to those epistles which had been read, and one to North Carolina. Upon this the subject of correspondence with New England was taken up, and after some time spent in discussing it, a proposition was made to leave the subject, and accede to the suggestion of the clerk, to appoint a Committee to prepare the essays as above, which was united with, and a Com mittee was accordingly appointed, and through Divine mercy, the meeting was enabled to proceed in its usual business. On Third-day, Benjamin Hoyle and William S. Bates were appointed clerks. A Committee on an appeal from Salem Quarter, reported in favour of confirming the judgment of the subordinate meetings, and the Report was adopted. On entering upon the state of the Society as represented by the Reports from the Quarters, the meeting was brought into exercise on account of the deficiencies in the support of some of our christian testimonies. The reported neglect of some in the steady attendance of our religious meetings, and the lack of a lively engagement of mind when assembled, being an evidence of worldly-mindedness, much concern was felt that this earthly, lukewarm spirit, might be removed from among us, and that we might more and more realize that pure, spiritual worship, which is the blessed portion of those who are gathered unto Christ, and to his Spirit in their hearts. A suitable minute embracing the travail of the meeting for the welfare of the members, and the exaltation of the Truth among us, was prepared and read by the clerk. A preparative meeting has been established at St. Clairsville, and called by the name of its location. Two elders and one minister were reported as having deceased since last account,-one of them was in his 98th year, another in his 90th. Reports from the Quarterly Meetings on the state of education, showed that forty-four schools were under the care of Monthly or Preparative Meetings. There were 2279 children of a suitable age to go to school; 841 of whom were at district or public schools-135 receiving instruction at home-one not receiving school learning-and the remainder going to various other schools. The guarded, religious and literary education of our youth, was felt to be a subject of deep interest, both as regards their early training in the admonition of the Lord, combining suitable restraint with wholesome precept and consistent example, which may so co-operate with the Divine gift in them, that they may be brought unto Christ; and also as much as i us lies, shielding them from the contaminations of the schools under the care of the Society, as much as may world, by placing them to receive their education in be. The minutes of the Meeting for Sufferings were read, and the proceedings of that body approved. That meeting believed it to be its duty to address a memorial to Congress against the introduction of slavery into the territories of these United States where it does not exist, which was forwarded during the last session. The subject of slavery was particularly referred to the notice of that meeting, and it was also encouraged to give due attention to other matters which may rightly claim its deliberation. A satisfactory report of the Boarding-school was made by the Committee, and although the number of pupils has been small the past year, it has sustained itself; a hope is entertained that our dear Friends will more generally patronize it, that more of our beloved youth may partake of the benefits which it offers. A change was suggested in the duration of the sessions, making the winter one commence about the 1st of 10th Month, and continue twenty-six weeks-the summer term to be twenty weeks-and fixing the price of the winter session at 37 dols., and that for the summer session at 23 dols., which were adopted by the meeting. Under a concern for the preservation of the children in attire and deportment conformable to our testimonies, the Committee had issued a circular on these points. A report of the Indian Committee in connection with that of Baltimore and Indiana, was received, which informs that a school has been regularly sustained at Friends' establishment among the Shawnees, having had an average attendance during the year of about thirty-six children; rather more girls attending than boys. They are represented as making satisfactory progress in spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, and improvement in some of the mechanic arts. The First-day school had been well attended; the Indian children reading the Scriptures, the writings of early Friends, Youthful Piety, &c. The surplus products of the farm last year, were above 600 dols.; and there had been expended about 460 dols. for groceries, labour, clothing, &c. In consequence of the failure of the wheat crop, it does not appear that the balance will be more than the demands of the family will call for. The general concern presents as prosperous a condition as at any former period. hundred dollars were directed to be raised in aid thereof. Four The subjects of slavery and the slave trade were feelingly brought before the meeting, and an exercise felt, that as our religious Society has been led by the Head of the Church, to uphold a testimony against the system of cruelty to our fellow-men, we might be kept near unto Him, and favoured to continue to feel its weight, as well as to see and understand his putting forth to service therein in a society capacity, that we may be preserved in our proper sphere. It is to be feared, that in some instances by mingling with other people in their associations, even in a cause so good as that of freedom, there has been a loss sustained, and the language formerly uttered respecting Ephraim, may be applicable, Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knew it not." 66 Epistles to the Yearly Meetings with which they correspond, were read and approved, and the Meeting concluded on Sixth-day afternoon, under a thankful feeling for seasons of Divine favour graciously vouchsafed in the course of their sessions. A beloved Friend of that meeting writes, Our Yearly Meeting was a season in which, at times, the wing of Ancient Goodness was spread over us. Though there was much to lament and mourn over, yet I trust the hearts of not a few were made to rejoice together at these tokens of heavenly regard. All the splendid and plausible appearances of crea turely activity, only add to the burthen of the rightly exercised; but when the Bridegroom is pleased to appear among the children of the bride-chamber, then they cannot but rejoice." INDIANA Yearly Meeting was held at White Water, in Wayne County, the 2nd of Tenth Month, 1849. From the printed minutes we derive the following: One minister and twelve elders are reported as having died since last year. A memorial against Slavery, prepared by the Meeting for Sufferings, was adopted, and signed; and that meeting desired to have it presented to Congress. The Committee respecting a division of the Yearly Meeting reported—“ That way does not appear with clearness to propose any measures for a division of the Yearly Meeting at this time.' The substance of the report on Indian concerns we have already given in our account of Ohio Yearly Meeting. From the report of the Boarding School Committee it appears, that on the 28th of Eighth Month, there was a balance in favour of the School of 299 dols., 57 cents. The Committee say, "We have received acceptable donations in aid of the concern from several sources, which have not been heretofore acknowledged in our reports, viz. From our dear Friends in England, to assist in procuring furniture at the opening of the Institution, 897 dollars, 76 cents. And to aid in the purchase of books for a library, and scientific apparatus for the School, 1000 dollars; from a member of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, about 100 dollars, to aid in supplying the parlour and teachers' rooms with furniture; from another member of the same meeting, several valuable books for the library; from the Meeting for Sufferings of that Yearly Meeting, about 30 volumes, for the same; from a Friend in Cincinnati, about 70 volumes, for the same; and from two Friends of the same place, sundry needful articles of furniture for the teachers' rooms; and the Bible Association of Friends in America has made several considerable donations of Bibles, for the use of the teachers and scholars. From the report of the Committee on Education, it appears there are 8199 children of a suitable age to go to school; 3379 of these attend Friends' schools; 3977 attend other schools; and 12 are growing up without instruction. A memorial of Mill Creek Monthly Meeting, concerning John Jay, deceased, was read. BALTIMORE.—We take the following from the printed minutes: tinued neglect of many of our members, in the performance of the important duty, of duly attending all our meetings for worship and discipline, and for the prevalence and increase of that love which becomes our Christian profession. On which account counsel was feelingly imparted, to the end that our members might be awakened to renewed concern and care in these important particulars. "The committee on Indian concerns produced a report. [The substance of this report we gave in our account of Ohio Yearly Meeting.] "The minutes of the Meeting for Sufferings for the past year were produced, read, and approved. "The committee appointed at a former sitting, produced Essays of Epistles of correspondence to the Yearly Meetings of London and Dublin, and to those on this continent, which were read and approved, and the Clerk directed to transcribe, sign, and forward them. NORTH CAROLINA. -The North Carolina Yearly Meeting convened at New Garden, on Second-day, the 5th of Eleventh month, and closed on Sixth-day, the 9th. The Select Meeting met at Deep River, on the preceding Seventh-day. There were several ministers in attendance from other Yearly Meetings with certificates. A Committee was appointed to prepare an epistle of advice to the preparative meetings of Ministers and Elders. The meetings for worship on First-day were largely attended, both at New Garden and Deep River, by many not in membership On Second-day, epistles from most of the Yearly Meetings were read, and a large Committee appointed to essay replies. Certificates for a number of Friends from other Yearly Meetings on this continent, were read, and a Committee appointed to prepare endorsements. A proposition was made to appoint a Committee to consider the propriety of changing the place for holding the Yearly Meeting, which was deferred for another year. The state of Society, as brought up through the Reports from the different Quarterly Meetings, occupied most of the sitting on Third-day. They portrayed great lukewarmness, on the part of many, in the attendance of week day meetings, both for worship and discipline. Some pertinent counsel was administered to those in the neglect of this important duty. The select meeting convened at New Garden, on Fourth-day morning after the adjournment of which, the meeting for worship was held as usual, and largely attended. The Committee appointed to attend the conference at Baltimore, produced a report, which was read and considered jointly by men and women Friends It was "At a Yearly Meeting of Friends, held in Balti-adopted by the meeting, and the committee continued. more, for the Western Shore of Maryland, Virginia, and the adjacent parts of Pennsylvania, by adjournments from the 22nd of the Tenth Month, to the 25th of the same, inclusive, 1849. Epistles of correspondence were received and read from the Yearly Meetings of London and Dublin, and one from each of those held on this Continent. The reading of these testimonials of brotherly regard and unity, has been comforting and satisfactory to us. The Queries were read and the answers brought up in the reports from our subordinate meetings, from which summary answers were collected as nearly representing our present state. Whilst thus engaged in the consideration of the state of the Society within our limits, the meeting was introduced into exercise and concern on account of the deficiencies still apparent among us; particularly in regard to the con The minutes of the Meeting for Sufferings were read, also a memorial concerning Abel Barker, an elder, deceased. The Report on spirituous liquors, showed that in some of the quarters a considerable number use this pernicious article, while in others the number is much smaller. The Report of the two Committees having charge of the Boarding-school, came before the meeting; also a memorial to Congress against the extension of slavery, against war, and asking for the recognition of the government of Liberia. The Committee produced essays of replies to all the epistles that were received, which being read, the clerks with a few other Friends were directed to review them, and also to prepare one for Dublin, and forward them respectively-American Friend. FRIENDS' FIRST-DAY SCHOOL, BRISTOL. REPORT FOR 1849. THE average attendance of boys in this school, for the past year, has been nearly as follows:-In the morning (before Meeting), 147; at Meeting, 109; in the afternoon, 243; the number now in the School, 308; admitted since commencement in 1810, 4302. The number of younger boys, now attending the school, is not quite so large as in some previous years, and it will not be practicable to admit many more of this description, unless an additional supply of teachers can be obtained. We would earnestly solicit our young Friends who have not joined us, to consider whether this little sacrifice of time would not be more than compensated, by the knowledge of benefitting their fellow-creatures, and to remember that we are to employ not to hide the talents committed to our care. We believe it to be right for us to continue to bring to our morning Meeting, those boys who are not in the habit of attending any other place of worship, and it is our firm persuasion that this practice is of the highest importance in forming the character of the boys, as well as tending materially to the right observance of the first day of the week; and we hope, if the good effects are not now apparent, it will be like bread cast upon the waters, to be found after many days.' With a view to promote the circulation of the Scriptures amongst the families of the boys, we undertook last winter to visit them at their homes, offering to receive small weekly payments from them. It is very gratifying to us to report that only six families, out of two hundred and fifty visited, were found without a Bible or Testament in the house; which result we may attribute to a similar canvass some years ago, and to our practice since then of receiving weekly payments for the Scriptures. Many, who were provided with several copies, expressed a wish that each individual should possess one, and gladly availed themselves of this opportunity to subscribe. One hundred and twelve Bibles and ninety-six Testaments have been distributed by these means during the past year. One hundred and sixteen boys are now subscribing. The library is still an object of attraction to the boys: 3075 volumes have been circulated amongst 184 boys, in the course of the last twelve months. The rules of the savings' fund have, since our last report, undergone considerable alteration, with a view to render it more useful to those for whose benefit it was established. The annual treat was given to the boys in the 6th Month, on which occasion they assembled at twelve o'clock, and proceeded to Durdham Down; after amusing themselves for some time, they returned to the school room to tea (provided as usual by a special subscription), and were afterwards entertained with some interesting experiments, an air-pump, &c. ANECDOTES OF THOMAS SCATTERGOOD AND HIS TIMES. (Continued from page 305, Vol. VII.) In the 2nd Month, 1768, William Hunt, at a Monthly Meeting held at Flushing, Long Island, having spoken largely to the states of Friends assembled, felt his mind clothed with a concern that slavery should be abolished. Towards the close of his testimony, after expressing his desire that all the poor oppressed African bondmen and women should be set at liberty, he said, "I verily believe the jubilee year is at hand; aud I desire those that have slaves may not put it off for their children to set them at liberty; for we know not what our children may prove to be. I earnestly desire that none may put it off beyond the appointed time; for if they do, I am firmly of the mind they will be plagued as sure as ever Egypt was for retaining Israel.' At one of the meetings which William attended during his northern journey, he arose, and commenced speaking, but on looking over those assembled, and finding, from the drowsiness generally visible, that they were not giving lively heed to what he said, he stopped, and stamped three times with his foot. This effectually roused the congregation, and prepared people in danger of going to sleep, I feel myself justithem to understand him as he said, When I see fied in using any means to awaken them." 66 Our friend, James Simpson once in a meeting, having been under exercise, and prepared, as he thought, to deliver the Lord's message to the people, rose on his feet. His first words were, "The prophet said." Immediately he felt, from the listless fukewarm condition of those gathered, that though he might have the qualification to preach, they were not prepared to benefit by what might be said, he therefore, after a short pause, added,— Why, you have no ears to hear!" and sat down. This, perhaps, aroused some of them to consider the situation they were in, and led them to seek to the Lord Jesus for a livelier frame of spirit. Life soon after seemed to arise into some dominion in the meeting, and James once more arose, and was favoured to deliver a remarkable discourse to an attentive audience. delivered by our quick-witted friend, George Withy, These rebukes were not so severely pungent as that when in this land. The anecdote is told on the authority of a Friend, a member of the meeting where it took pl ce, and present at the time the incident occurred. It was in the afternoon, and some assembled were remarkably heavy and drowsy. After sitting sometime, George arose, and whilst his countenance was clothed with much seriousness, said, "It came into my mind to say, that if Friends would bring their pillows with them when they come to meeting, they could sleep more comfortably! During the time that William Hunt was on his journey to the north he wrote the following letter, addressed to James and Ann Mitchell. 66 Salem, near Boston, 13th of 12th Month, 1767. 'Dearly beloved Friends,— In our report last year, we alluded to the formation of the Friends' First-day School Association In accordance with its constitution, we appointed two of our teachers as representatives to its second annual meeting, held at Ackworth, during the last General Meeting We feel assured that this association will of his children, and sweet their remembrance one of Precious in the sight of the Lord is the fellowship not only increase the number and efficiency of Friends' another; because the odour of his ointment sends forth First-day schools, but be the means of exciting an interest amongst Friends generally in this very impor-brance of you, in that love which first gave birth to a fragrant smell. This my joy is full in every remem tant work. the covenant of life in our spirits, making them truly one, in the pure hope and feeling of gospel power. In this we have had a near union and sympathy, with full assurance that the Lord Almighty hath called us out of darkness into the true light of his dear Son; through whom we have seen wonderful things, and unutterable. We have likewise sorrowfully to behold the deluge of apostacy that covers our Sion as with a thick cloud. But, dear Friends, in Goshen, there is light; which makes the dwellings of Jacob beautiful, and the tents of Israel goodly. "This day, as I sat in meeting, a language passed through my mind,- Hasten, hasten to visit my seed through the land, that thou may go where I send thee.' Whether this be to the grave, or to a distant land, I leave;-only petition the great Name to preserve me worthy to do all that He hath allotted me, so that I may be fit to be gathered home in due season. "Dear youth, the affectionate feeling of my spirit towards you I shall never forget, but often fervently desire that you may come into the house of the Lord, to behold the beauty of true holiness for ever. clude, with mine and companion's dear love, your often very poor, but true Friend, I con "WILLIAM HUNT." Perhaps it was on his return from Boston that he visited, the second time, that poor afflicted saint, Clements Willets. She gives us the following as the substance of a testimony he bore in her chamber. "Samson's riddle was expounded by saying, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than the lion? The lion of the tribe of Judah is far stronger than Samson's lion; and 'honey out of that Rock,' on which the true church was and is to be built, is sweeter and better than Samson's honey was; by it the souls of the saints and weary travellers towards that city whose maker and builder is God are often refreshed. To encourage them from fainting the Spirit hath said, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' who hath not. In that time of deep trial, the hypocrites, formalists, and nominal Quakers will not only suffer, but many will perish and come to nought; whilst those who have built upon the sure Rock of ages will be preserved by Him in the midst of these trials, as it were, in the hollow of his hand. There are many grown, and now within the audience of my voice, that shall see these times come." Such prophetic presentiments have been felt at different times, and on different occasions, by many of the faithful servants of the Lord. Several years before the great troubles broke out in Ireland in 1690, William Edmunson had a weighty sense on his spirit that trials were approaching, and that the Lord would spread the carcases of men on the earth as dung. He says, "So, in the Spirit and power of the Lord, I faithfully and plainly warned Friends and others of it in many public meetings; and often, in the Lord's movings, advised Friends to lessen their concerns in the world, and be ready to receive the Lord in His judgments, which were at hand, and to flee unto him for succour, that they might have a place of safety in him. like doctrine, admonition, and exhortation, often, and in many places, I was moved of the Lord to publish. So I am a witness that His care is over His people, that they be not surprised, but make ready against the day of trial. And in a short time trouble came on apace." The In the testimony concerning Susanna Lightfoot, we are informed, that at "divers meetings," previous to the breaking out of the American revolution, she proclaimed, in an awful manner, that a stormy day was approaching. A day which would shake the foundations of men; and in which many of the formal professors in our Society would be blown away. William Hunt was again on a religious visit in the northern provinces in 1770. He attended the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia on the 26th of 4th Month in that year, and during the sitting for discipline, said, "The man's part, the creaturely part, has no right to meddle with the business of the Monthly Meeting; neither can it do any good." Perhaps the same forward unsanctified spirit was manifested therein, as in a Monthly Meeting held many years afterwards, in which James Simpson was led to make this close and startling remark:-" There are some members of this meeting who cannot touch the ark of the covenant, but they leave the mark of their dirty fingers upon it." After the intimation given him, as referred to in the above letter, it is not cause of wonder that William Hunt should have been diligent in labour to fill up his measure of service in America. It not unfrequently occurs that those whom the Lord is about taking from the church militant to the church triumphant, feel a pressure of spirit under which they are obliged to labour more frequently and more abundantly in matter than is pleasant to themselves. It has been stated that Sarah Grubb, wife of Robert, during the last few months of her life, was thus led. Her heart seemed to yearn towards all in the assemblies she attended, and she was wont to speak at considerable length to many states. Some of her friends, who, perhaps, loved short sermons, and did not know that the allotted period of the dear labourer was to be so brief on earth, felt some fear of her exceeding her commission. But it was not so. She was to see the faces of those amongst whom she laboured from place to place no more, and she was earnestly concerned to be clear from the blood of all men. She said to her sister Ann, "Oh! my dear, I think sometimes that I shall soon be gone; it seems as if my day's work was nearly done; and, on looking towards home, as if I might not be long there. Her prospect was realized; her toil was soon In comparative youth, her Master saw the work of grace in her was perfected, and in great mercy IIe gathered her from the infirmities of an afflicted earthly "In the continued feeling of true brotherly regard, tabernacle, and joined her to the church triumphant, in the heavenly relation of the inward man, accordclothed upon with that spiritual body which can knowing to the tender mercies of our God,-I salute thee, no weakness, sickness, or pain. and inform that we are in health. over. Some years before the revolution, William Hunt had, in common with many other Friends, a deep and settled conviction that a time of trial and suffering was coming on America. On the 18th of 2nd Month, 1770, being at a meeting at Centre, in South Carolina, he was earnestly engaged in exhorting those present to examine the foundation on which they were building before a time of trial came; adding, The Lord will visit this land with His judgments, and then it will be known who hath built upon the sure foundation and 66 On the 1st day of the 5th Month, 1771, William Hunt sailed from Philadelphia to perform a religious visit to Friends in Great Britain, having Thomas Thornburg for his companion. They reached London in twenty-eight days from the time of leaving port; and after attending a few meetings there, proceeded to the north of England; thence to Scotland and Ireland. After his return to England from the latter place, he wrote the following letter to Uriah Wool man: Colchester, 6th Month 21st, 1772. "Truly united cousin, "I received thy very acceptable letter of the 3rd Month, which ministered humbling satisfaction to my mind, in a sense of the abounding of that unity, which is peace. We parted with dear cousin, John Woolman, two days since. He was then as well as usual. He has great and acceptable service here. The singularity of his appearance is not only strange, but very exercising to many valuable Friends, who have had several opportunities of conference with him. Some are still dissatisfied; others are willing to leave it. The purity of his ministry gains universal approbation. I hope he stands on that Foundation which will bear him through all. He is now gone toward Yorkshire, and we are bending for Norwich, in company with Deborah and Sarah Morris. "Since I wrote thee from Liverpool, in the 10th Month, we have been through England, which was a laborious, exercising journey. But Divine help was near, to support and enable us to pass through many trying dispensations. Blessed be His holy name, who is worthy to have the first fruits of our labours. We now purpose, if the Lord open onr way according to present prospect, shortly to embark for Holland. "Thus I give thee a short hint of our stepping along. I always rejoice on hearing from thee, if well, and sympathize, if otherwise-as my life is much wrapped up in that harmonious sweetness which we so frequently partook of so that neither length of time nor separation of our little frames in the least abates its circulation; but with renewed satisfaction I remember the pleasant moments we enjoyed together. Thy loving cousin, "WILLIAM HUNT." The singularity of the appearance of John Woolman, above referred to, which caused so much trouble to some in England, was his undyed garments. Various opportunities were had with him to induce him to dress as Friends there usually did. This he could not do; and finding his way somewhat closed, he meekly intimated, that if Friends were uneasy with him he would return home. He then stated that as there was no immediate opportunity of sailing, and he did not wish to be burdensome, he would be willing to follow his trade, as a tailor, for his support whilst he remained, and would be glad if Friends would furnish him work. His meekness made a favourable impression on all, and those who were dissatisfied with his dress were not willing to take the responsibility of preventing the fulfilment of his gospel mission. They withdrew all objection, or, as he himself says, in a letter to his cousins, Reuben and Margaret Haines, "Way opens for my visit among Friends. times rejoicing in hope, and making inward melody to the Lord. Just before his close he triumphantly exclaimed, " Friends, Truth reigns over all!" Thus died William Hunt. He was of a meek and retiring spirit, yet was sharp in opposing error, and unbending in support of the Truth. He was an example of patient silent waiting in meeting for the arising of life, and a skilful divider of the word when the Lord called him to minister. To the babes in Christ his doctrine dropped as the rain on the tender grass; to the self-willed and unfaithful, the backsliding and rebellious, the word in his mouth was as a two-edged sword. Although but in his thirty-ninth year, he stood as an elder in experience and stability, even as a father in the church, worthy of double honour. THE CONFERENCE AT BALTIMORE. THE reader will no doubt remember, that we stated some months ago, that of the nine Yearly Meetings of Friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States of America, only five concurred in the propriety of the proposed Conference, by appointing representatives to unite in its deliberations. The Conference, it appears, was held at the time appointed; and resulted in the issuing of the following document, for a copy of which we are indebted to the Minutes of Baltimore Yearly Meeting: At a meeting of the Committees of the Yearly Meetings of Friends of New York, New England, Baltimore, North Carolina, and Indiana, nearly all the members being present, assembled in Conference at Baltimore, in the Seventh Month, 1849, agreeably to a proposition from the Yearly Meeting of New York, united with by the other Yearly Meetings above named, to take into consideration the present tried state of our Society, and to labour for its restoration to that unity and fellowship that formerly characterized it. On assembling for this important and solemn purpose, we were brought very humbly to crave the assistance of Him who alone can rightly direct us in the discharge of the service confided to us, and fervent are our petitions that we may be favoured to find access to the hearts of those for whom we are brought into deep and feeling exercise. William Hunt and Thomas Thornburg, about the close of 7th Month, 1772, went to Holland, accompanied by Samuel Emlen and Morris Birkbeck. After visiting the Friends there, he embarked for Searborough, but, by stress of contrary winds, not being able to reach that place, he was landed at Shields, on the 25th of the 8th Month. The next afternoon he went The promotion of the cause of our Holy Redeemer to the house of James King, uear Newcastle, where, should at all times be the paramount consideration on the 28th, he was taken ill. On the fourth day of with all his professed followers, and the advancement his sickness the disorder appeared to be the small-pox, of His Kingdom upon the earth should be our prayerand William, addressing his companion, said, "This ful, individual and collective concern. We have abunsickness is nigh unto death, if not quite.' On Thomas dant evidence, we cannot doubt, that it was in the Thornburg saying he hoped it might not be so, William ordering of the Holy Head of the Church, that our continued, My coming hither seems to me providen- forefathers, in religious profession, were separated tial, and when I wait I am enclosed, and see no far- from the world, and from the various sects of profesther." He said at one time, One would wonder all sing Christendom, and led to entertain those views of the world does not seek after a quiet mind, it is such a the purity and spirituality of the gospel dispensation treasure now." He was full of peace, and, notwith-by which they were distinguished. The preservation standing the distressing nature of his complaint, he manifested no impatience, nothing but resignation to the Lord's will. In the fulness of contented faith he exclaimed, "It is enough; my Master is here." A Friend saying we might find cause of thankfulness in all our afflictions, he said, "Great cause indeed. 1 never saw it clearer. Oh the wisdom!-the wisdom and goodness,—the mercy and kindness, has appeared to me wonderful, and the farther and deeper we go the more we wonder. I have admired, since I was cast on this bed, that all the world does not seek after the enjoyment of Truth, it so far transcends all other things. Thus patiently he endured the disease that lay heavily upon him; being always hopeful, and some with which our religious Society has been so eminently blessed, the spread in the world at large, in a greater or less degree, of the benign principles which we profess, notwithstanding individual unfaithfulness in the full support of them, are comforting evidences that the Lord has been pleased to be gracious to us, and call for earnest and abiding dedication to Him, and for watchfulness unto prayer that the enemy of the Church, and of man, be not suffered to come in and destroy our goodly heritage. It is only as we keep in a humble and dependent state, looking unto the one Shepherd whose voice may be heard and who will protect his flock, that we can know an abiding in the fold of safety. |