An earnest solicitude was also prevalent that an increase of the cementing principle of love might be laboured after, and we come to be leavened into its nature; that evil speaking and evil thinking might be eradicated from amongst us;-that, instead of exposing the errors or weaknesses one of another, we should be disposed to cast the vail of charity, and solicitously inquire, "if there be any virtue, if there be any praise," recommending by precept and example, to "think on these things." Thus fulfilling the law of kindness of doing unto others as we would that they should do unto us.

And it is earnestly advised, that our members guard against the captivating influence of pernicious publications, which draw off the mind, and vitiate the taste, for the perusal of such writings as would assist in strengthening our desires after permanent riches, and an establishment in unfailing happiness.

On the subject of the religious education of the youth, this meeting was led earnestly to entreat mothers to consider the important consequences of an early attention to the circumscribing limits of truth, in the period of infancy, which might have a tendency to preserve their precious offspring in simplicity when more advanced in life, and be a means of shielding them from many of the delusive customs which prevail in the world.

Much interest was also felt on account of the school education of the children of Friends in straitened circumstances, with a recommendation that an increasing care may be given to this subject; and that we may unitedly labour for the maintenance of our testimonies as held forth in the remaining queries; that so we may shake ourselves

as from the dust of the earth, and Zion arise and shine in her ancient beauty.

Extracted from the minutes of the Yearly Meeting of Women Friends, held in Philadelphia, by adjournments from the 18th to the 22d of 4th month, inclusive, 1814.

Signed by

CATHARINE W. MORRIS, Clerk.

SOME ACCOUNT

Of the last Sickness and Death of William Hampton, of Rahway, East Jersey.

He was a man of a regular life and conversation, and careful to provide a subsistence for himself and family; but being brought very low by sickness, he appeared to be in great distress of mind, which his wife observing, asked him the cause. He replied, "there is no mercy for me." She desired him to look to Him that was alone able to help him. He said he could not look. After awhile, he said he was tossed, as one without hope.

In this distressed condition, he lay many days. At length, it pleased Him, who is all-sufficient to afford relief in the most trying dispensation,—to favour him with the spirit of prayer; and his cry was, "Lord, have mercy on me. Be pleased, for thy great name's sake, to blot out my sins, and pardon mine iniquities, and speak peace to my poor distressed soul. O holy Lord, grant that I may have peace, before I go hence. Prepare me for my change -my great change. O Lord, be pleased to grant, that my poor soul may be at peace with thee." Which he repeated several times over; then added, "Be

pleased to help me with a little help, in this needful time." A short time after, he said, "Oh! what a pinching time is this! Prepare me, O Lord, that when thou calls me, I may be ready.".

After laying still awhile, he expressed himself thus: "O Lord, I thank thee, that thou hast so far condescended to give me a little hope. I thank thee, O Father, that thou hast lengthened out my days, on this bed of affliction; for if I had been taken away in my sins, where should I have been?" After a pause, he said, "O holy Lord, grant that I may have a full assurance that thou hast blotted out my sins. O Lord, I beg that thou would be with me in the trying time,-the time of separating soul from body. Grant, I beseech thee, that I may have an easy passage. O Lord, since my mouth has been opened, I know not how to be silent, but supplicate that thou would give me an assurance of peace. If there is any thing yet remaining undone, do thou it, for of myself I am not able to do any thing. Oh! be pleased to withdraw the curtain, and shine upon me. Oh! that I may be ready when thou calls, that I may say, here, Lord: for I had rather be with

thee, than in the finest place in all the world."

He then prayed the Lord to bless his dear wife and little children; also to bless and comfort his mother-in-law, who was much indisposed. Seeing his friends about him, he said, "Oh! this is hard work. I entreat that none of you may put off your day's work, until such a time as this; for if you do, I can assure you, it will be the heaviest thing that ever you met with. It is enough to bear the pains of the body. Oh! do not put off till to-morrow, but set about it to-day." Then said, "Oh! that I

had been faithful in my younger years; then I had not had to suffer so much as I have done. The Lord called me in my younger days; but I put him off, saying, when I come to be older, then I will be more faithful. But the Lord has met with me, and has laid a heavy rod upon me, in bringing me to this bed of affliction. Oh! this is a bed of sore affliction." A number of friends of both sexes being present, and he looking on them, prayed fervently that they might be preserved and supported; and further said, there was a great backsliding among the youth.

A young man, who was a relation and a school master, coming in, he fixed his eyes on him, and said, "Dear cousin, we have lived together in this town for several years, and thou knowest that I have lived as regular a moral life as most: but this will not do any thing for us, at such a time as this. I have seen too much lightness in thy behaviour. The young people of this place are too light and airy. Oh! if they did but feel, for one quarter of an hour, what I have felt for several hours together, there would appear more marks of sobriety in their countenances. The pleasures of youth are vanity; which I have experienced. I entreat thee to shun light company. The company of one sober friend is more valuable than a thousand of a light, airy behaviour. Thou hast a great trust committed to thee; and if thou art faithful, it will be a blessing; and if not, it will be to the contrary. If thou art faithful, then wilt thou know how to conduct among the children." William then earnestly entreated him not to put off his day's work, because it was so uncertain when he might be brought on a sick bed; and said, "I am now called in the prime of life, and

have not been permitted to live out half the years of a man."

He then addressed himself to his brothers, sisters, and cousins, entreating them all to be industrious, and not put off their day's work until they were brought on a sick bed, for "that is not the time," said he; "remember these are the words of a dying man." Then being for some time silent, and seeing his wife weeping, he said, "My dear, I think it now draws near the time that we must part for a little while. I can say, of a truth, it was the Lord that brought us together; and it is his will now to separate us. Do not mourn for me, but give Be faithful to walk in the way that is cast up, and thou wilt be blessed. Be faithful to the trust committed to thee; and let nothing turn thee aside." At another time he said to her, "Thou hast got a good habitation, near meeting; be steady, and have a care over our poor children; keep them in plainness, and to meetings; and when they arrive to proper ages to be put to trades, place them with sober Friends."

me up.

Two nights before he departed, his father-in-law being about to take leave of him, he said, "Farewell, father. I hope we shall meet again, where we shall never part." During the night, being in much extremity, he inquired for his father; and being desirous of seeing him, he was sent for. When he came, William said, "Dear father, thou hast been a kind father to me, in my necessity, I hope the Lord will reward thee." He desired to be remembered to his friend, Robert Willis, saying, "He is a friend I always set much store by. I should have been glad if he could have been here at this time."