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"Doubtless there are peculiar seasons and times, when the visitations of Divine Grace are more powerfully and universally acknowledged; may we not presume, from the signs of the times, that this is at least the commencement of such a period? A general bond of fraternity seems to prevail throughout the followers of Christ; and we already take by the right hand of fellowship, the converted Hindoo, the African, or the friendly Catholic, of which last there are many thousands on the continent. No one can so fully appreciate these signs as the christian who has proved the efficacy of divine truth in his own soul.

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Amongst those who have bid adieu to the debasing pleasures of sensuality, and have taken up their lot with the self-denying few, there are still many obstacles in the way to christian perfection. The refinement of literary pleasures, or the abstractions of mathematical research, will too often lower the standard of zeal, or cool the ardour of devotional feelings. Some are carried away with poetry, to others a metaphysical chain of reasoning offers a strong temptation. All, however, whose peculiar occupations compel them to lay in stores of scientific knowledge, experience the necessity of keeping humble, and employing the weapons of watchfulness and prayer. To the intelligent christian there is yet another source of disquiet-the doubts which his invaluable, but finite reasoning powers are ready enough to create, are too often confirmed by the many secret or open attacks constantly made on the blessed doctrine of revelation; they are to be met with in one shape or other in innumerable books. Oh! that I could here declare what my soul feels for thee; my anxious desire that thou mayest enjoy the peculiar care of

the great Head of the Church, Jesus Christ thy Redeemer. Cherish His precious name; let it lay near thy heart, and may the period never arrive, when, deluded by the false light of scepticism, thou art no longer anxious to be reckoned an integral part of his self-denying followers.

"With regard to the trying profession thou hast adopted, I can only venture to recomiend to thy notice, with a reference to that sublime 'reason which is at all times subservient to reli gion, the precept of an eminent heathen philosopher: Si vis tibi omnia subjicere, te subjice rationis. Multos reges, si ratio te rexerit: ab illá disces quid et quemadodum aggredi debeas! "W. T."

To J. A..

"Penketh, 7th mo. 14th, 1816.

"However negligent I may have seemed, I do assure thee thou hast often been foremost in my thoughts, and my soul hath felt a degree of union with thee, in the overflowings of that love which is unspeakable. Though no advocate for the doctrine of final perseverance, yet I begin to think, that a soul which God hath once visited, will not easily be suffered to perish in its blood; my own private experience has furnished me with abundant proofs of the exceeding forbearance of our common Saviour, Nay, the mere restraint of punishment is not all; for frequently in the very height of ingratitude and disobedience, we are loaded with the most inestimable gifts of heaven, and, as it were, compelled to come in,' and taste of the marriage supper of the Lamb.

The last winter and succeeding spring has

been with me a time of closer searching than I remember to have experienced at any former period, not excepting even my first convincement. I went to Liverpool during the vacation, expecting to have derived much pleasure from visiting libraries and other public buildings. But Oh!on the second evening of my arrival in that town, such a solemn, weighty sense of the Divine Presence came over me, accompanied with such a humiliating view of my own nothingness, that I was made willing to sit, as at the feet of the great Master and Teacher of souls. I returned home full of strength and faith, and was mercifully favoured with the enjoyment of a peaceful and grateful heart. I set out in the performance of the duties of the new year, with new resolutions, and with a strong reliance on my Saviour and Preserver.

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Though the above is not wholly applicable to my present state, yet I bless the Lord, I feel a daily sense of his care and love. Not having heard from thee for so long, I can only trust, that thou art preserved the same example of patience, meekness, humility, and brotherly love. "W. T."

Thus was he gradually refined and withdrawn from this world, and prepared for that change which he was now so soon to experience.

During the eight years that have passed in review, he was a diligent attender of the meetings of Friends; and although not yet an acknowledged member of the Society, he was in a great measure convinced of the truth of its doctrines, and in almost all things conformed to its practice; he had not yet applied for admission, and his most intimate friends forbore to urge it,

from a firm persuasion, that whenever he made the application, it would be the result of a clear conviction of the truth of the principles of the Society. This conviction appears to have been completed about this time. It will be seen by the next letter that the subject had dwelt closely upon his mind, and that he had become convinced of the propriety of the practice of the Society, in the only remaining particular upon which he hesitated, or in which he differed from them.

To G. C.

"Penketh, 7th mo. 23rd, 1816.

I have been much exercised in mind since I saw thee; and have been led deeply to consider the propriety of a very important step, that of offering myself as a member of the Society. In this subject I hope I have not been engaged from any lesser influence than a desire to conform to the Divine manifestations which have been opened in my mind in much clearness through abundant condescension. Before the desire abovementioned came before me, 1 had been often inwardly engaged before the Lord, with strong desires that I might both know and perform His will in what concerned me.

"On returning home from Liverpool to re-open the school, I felt strengthened; and I believe it was about this time that I felt a total delivery from certain sceptical notions which had floated in my mind, not of my own, but the sentiments of wicked or misguided authors which I had chanced to see. One thing has long stood in my way to a nearer union with Friends, and had it not been graciously removed, might still have served as a stumbling block; this is nothing more than the

cross 1 found in the use of the numeral appellations of days and months. I now see, that to tamper in the performance of small duties, is a very dangerous thing. When about the age of fifteen, the beauty and propriety of the scripture thou and thee, were clearly opened to my understanding, and I was enabled to bear a consistent testimony to it. With regard to using the heathen names of days and months, I also felt a secret scruple; but not judging this sufficient to induce a mode of expression, from which I apprehended much ridicule, I gradually eased myself of the concern, till I began really to believe it a very unimportant matter. I had even collected many arguments to prove this, but alas! what are arguments when viewed in the irradiating light of God's Holy Spirit; when brought to the test of an unerring touch-stone of truth?

"In the course of this spring, some papers were sent to Penketh, being advice from Lancashire Quarterly Meeting, on days, &c., and D. II. sent me a copy;* and a full conviction appeared to my understanding, that even this was a part of that holy testimony which we are called to bear; and the desire I felt to be found faithful in it, was accompanied with a thankful contented frame of mind. The effect was complete, all doubts being removed: and small as this might appear to some, I rejoice in having been helped one step nearer to a state of stability. About this time I had some very affecting recollections (chiefly in meetings) of the Lord's early dealings with me, and these seemed, together with present feelings,

*See Extracts from the Minutes and Advices of the Yearly Meeting, page 33. Reprinted for distribution by Lanca shire Quarterly Meeting.

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