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little, after an illness of nearly a week, as severe, I. think, as I almost ever experienced. But when my poor body seemed nearly exhausted, by the violence of the disorder, my mind was preserved in calmness; and if it had then been the divine will to release me, I know not that I had a wish to stay.

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7th month 3rd. This evening, there seems prospect of my health being restored a little longer. May I duly appreciate the blessing, and consider it as one lent; may my time be occupied, not in gratifying myself, in doing my own works, but may it be dedicated to my heavenly Father; and may I endeavour, at all times, and in all places, to serve him with the ability he may be pleased to afford. This is a covenant that I have repeatedly made; and may no desire after ease,-no shrinking from suffering,ever prevent my endeavouring to fulfil it. In the hour of negligence or thoughtlessness, may the divine Spirit warn me; in the hour of forgetfulness, may it bring this covenant to my remembrance;-and in the hour of weakness, may it strengthen me; for it is all-sufficient, and omnipresent; it is God in the soul of man, revealing himself to us, as we are able to bear it.

1st month 19th, 1830. O dearest Father, thou knowest that I have desired not to shrink from what may be for the promotion of thy work. Wilt not thou continue to be with me, and in the way in which I can most acceptably do thy will, in the way of thy leading. I desire to give glory and honour to thee. I have experienced the happiness of thy government; in poverty, I have learned that thy favour is wealth; in adversity, I have proved that thy love is prosperity. Unto thee, O dearest

Father, I desire to surrender myself, and my concerns. I delight in the promotion of thy work; it is joy to me to do thy will. May this privilege bo granted me; and in all things, may it be my endeavour to give glory to thee."

Her last illness commenced about the 1st of 8th month, 1830; and continued, with but little intermission, until the close of her life. Her sufferings, during the latter part of her sickness, were at times very great; but she bore them, not only with resignation, but with cheerfulness.

The following are a few extracts from the memorandums written by her, during her indisposition.

"9th month 26th, 1830. The times, O dearest Father, are in thy hands. Thou knowest when it is best to sever the thread of life,-when our work is finished, Oh! then to be admitted to the mansions of rest and peace,-to ascend unto God, the Father of spirits, is it not the summit of the Christian's hope?

"12th month, 28th. Precious are those moments, when the heart enjoys intercourse with its God,holy communion with the Father of spirits, the God of consolation, from whom proceeds every blessing. Thine are we, O Lord; thee, thy servant desires to serve, in gratitude and integrity of heart.

1st month 19th, 1831. It is delightful to pour forth my heart to thee, O thou, who seest in secret, who hears the petitions, the aspirations of thy children. Thy servant, O Father, thou knowest, has not asked for an abundance of the treasures of this life; but I have desired wisdom, and ability to do

thy will, O Lord, and the guidance of thy Holy Spirit.

2nd month 15th. My grateful acknowledgments are rendered unto thee, O dearest Father, for the favour of contentment. Surely this also is thy gift. Oh! may I reverently bow before thee, under å grateful sense of thy manifold mercies. Thou, O Lord, seest the future; thou knowest what is best for us,-best for the promotion of thy work through us; and in whatever way thou seest meet that thy servant should be an example to others, may thy will be done.

3rd month 28th. Be it, O Father, according to thy word. This has been the aspiration of my heart this day. In sickness, or in health, may good be done, the Lord be glorified. The pure in heart, the redeemed in spirit, are permitted to see thee, O Lord,-glorious in holiness, doing wonders. Thy ways are not as man's, neither are thy dispensations like unto the bread which perisheth,—the enjoyments of time; but in thee the righteous rejoice, and find safety. Thou art the refuge of thy people every where, a present helper in times of trial. And though thy devoted children may be beheld as smitten and afflicted, yet through their sufferings, shall there not be revealed important truths?"

Her illness gradually increased; but that humble confidence, and placid tranquillity, which had mercifully been her experience through life, continued in undiminished strength and sweetness until her death, which took place on the 9th of the 5th month, 1831, in the thirty-third year of her age.

Thus has been early taken away our beloved sister: but her example will remain with us, in precious remembrance. Her life was adorned with meekness and innocency; and we believe she was graciously permitted to enjoy the fulfilment of the animating appeal of the prophet; "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee."

Letter from Robert Butcher, steward to the duke of Bedford,-to Sophia Hume.

DEAR MADAM,

Whether it was by curiosity or chance, which first brought me to attend, pretty frequently, your meetings, I cannot pretend to say; however, I have now frequented them three or four years: in which time, I have contracted a value and esteem for your Society. I cannot say there has been that striking convincement, in the secret of my own mind, or rather, that strength or power of conviction, that would carry me through the many tribulations, which many of your histories (I believe very justly) inform, your predecessors went through, for the sake of their God, and their religion: yet, I think I have had the happiness of reaping some benefit from my attendance; and that, more than from the attendance of any other sect, denomination, or society of people, whatever, that has fallen within the verge of my notice; or that I have had the opportunity of seeing, hearing, or sitting down with. That is, the advantage I have acquired by it, is, I have got the sense of true religion; which,

I confess, I believe rests upon, and remains with the minds of your faithful sect, more than any other society whatever. And I have been so far convinced of the just foundation of your principles, and the rectitude of your religion, when compared with scripture and reason, that its basis seems to me, firmly and solidly grounded upon them, and entirely agreeable to that instructive text of St. John; "God is a Spirit; and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth." I say, these are the advantages I have gained; and I neither wish, nor expect, to go any further. In a word, I love and esteem you,— give you my frequent attendance, and believe you to be upon a right foundation, and have got a little sense of what the right foundation is.

As I have had time, and opportunity of reading the several apologies and writings, of the many different denominations, in this Island, curiosity at last led me to read those of yours. I have therefore read several of your journals and apologies; particularly the worthy Mr. Fox's, the amiable Mr. Penn's, and the incomparable, and ever admirable Mr. Barclay's Apology; which contains the very basis of all that can be said of religion; with books of less notice; among which, I assure you, madam, yours are not the least of my favourites. And I confess, I must conclude of your Friends' writings, as our great English poet, Mr. Pope, does of Homer's; of which, when he had compared him with all the celebrated poets that have appeared in the world, he has nearly this saying; that true poetical fire burns every where clearly, and every where irresistably in Homer, and in Homer only. Even so, though Truth may, as it were, appear in interrupted flashes amongst

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