Minute of the Yearly Meeting of Women Friends, Philadelphia, 1814.

The following excellent advices are deemed worthy of renewed attention, and may be instructively read by those who have never had the opportunity of hearing them, as officially communicated to the Quarterly meetings.

Believing it may be of advantage to our smaller meetings to have some of the exercises of this meeting conveyed to them in writing, the clerk is desired to furnish the Quarterly meetings with transcripts of the following minute.

In weightily deliberating on the state of our religious society brought into view by the reports from the different Quarterly meetings, an exercise was felt in regard to the deficiency still acknowledged in the attendance of public worship; and a fervent solicitude prevailed, that the minds of our members might more generally be impressed with a grateful sense of the innumerable blessings, graciously bestowed upon us by our Heavenly Father, from whose bounty is derived all that we are, and all that we possess.

These considerations, if cherished, would not fail to induce a labour of spirit for the arising of life in ourselves, when met in order to wait upon Him who is a spirit, and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth.

A sympathy was also felt for those who dwell in solitary places, much bereft of outward aid, with desires that they may be incited to persevere in this incumbent duty; remembering that where two or three are gathered together in his name, he has graciously promised to be "in the midst of them,"

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. 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 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."

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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