CHAPTER XII.

[In the Eighth Month, 1826, he informed his Monthly Meeting (Alton) of a religious concern to visit the meetings of Friends in Scotland; also, some other meetings in his way thither and in returning: a certificate was granted, and he left home on the 19th of that month, taking the meetings of Newcastle and Edinburgh in his way; he then proceeded to Aberdeen, and there attended the half-year's meeting. The following are extracts from his letters written during this journey.]

25th of Eighth Month, 1826.

-[From Edinburgh he writes:]-How poor do I feel, and yet an engagement of heartin this line of duty -how humbling is it! What but the power of Truth, livingly and fresh communicated can preserve, much more enable to do any thing to the glory of God. Oh! I feel my own childish growth, as well as that inability we all share as men and creatures; and I long that the Lord would be pleased to endue me with more skill and capacity to advocate His cause, as well as with simplicity to lay aside every weight, and keep clear of every snare. Do often think of me for my good, and help me with thy most earnest fervent desires to the fountain thereof, that I may be thoroughly furnished for every needful time,-endued with wisdom and an understanding heart, with clearness also of spiritual sense, and with might in the inner man. The Lord

direct my way and prosper it, for He knows that in integrity I have sought His will only to do it.

Ury, near Stonehaven, 9th Month.

Our meetings (the General Meeting,) have been pretty large, and much favoured with the manifestation of the ancient arm of power; so that in the strength thereof a remnant could say," one generation shall praise thy works to another, and declare thy glorious name and goodness." I had, on First day morning, my time of silent admiration at this, which is the Lord's doing; but in the afternoon meeting, which was very largely attended by strangers, I was led to stand up and open that great mystery, but to us most true ordinance, of waiting on the Lord,-with the excellent benefits to be derived from this practice in respect to spiritual attainments. The people were very quiet and attentive, though still flocking in. There were many Friends in the ministry who confirmed these things, and further set forth the Christian life and doctrine. Second day, the General Meeting was held, when the Lord was pleased to appear amongst us to our great refreshment: much instrumental labour was bestowed, especially on the unfaithful, who were warned in a solemn manner again and again.

On Fifth day, I was at the Aberdeen meeting, in which I had under a sweet feeling to encourage the little flock to hold on their way. Oh! how preciously did the Lord work that day; I shall not easily forget it. This place (Ury) has for some years been surprisingly improved, especially of late, the walks and woods planted by the father of the present proprietor, are beautiful; a bold rushing stream winds not far from the house, through a bed of rocks; and the inequality of the ground is pleasing indeed. It is a

sweet spot. The proprietor, Robert Barclay, received me very kindly, and welcomed me. I am made very comfortable here, but must get through my business and be gone accordingly, I have this morning examined the library throughout, and found already several interesting things; but the correspondence is what I want, and hope to see.

On Second day, I completed my business here to my satisfaction, having brought with me what was valuable.

16th, 4th Day.

Was at Dunfermline, where a little solid company sit together: none of them are yet acknowledged members. The Lord was good to us, in bowing our hearts together low before him, and I trust it was a favoured time; pretty much counsel was handed. I thought there was evidently to be felt a good work upon some, and I trust it will stand, even in the face of a crooked and perverse generation of professors of the Christian name, among whom, living, powerful, operative religion is much wanted. On Fifth day, I attended the meeting at Edinburgh in course; I took my seat, hardly knowing any besides the family in which I was received; but the Lord gave me to labour abundantly, for their arising out of their present low state: I rose early in the meeting, going into things very particularly, laying before them the causes of weakness, under which I apprehended they laboured; with much more respecting the only sure foundation and resting place, and what a building on this would make them: The Lord was near to help,-blessed be his Name!

At Carlisle, I attended the meetings on First day; wherein the great heavenly Shepherd's crook was extended, and his care was over us. O! wonderful

is the help handed to me, to do whatsoever I find to do. Many hearts were I trust humbled that day; for the Lord was surely among us. I met with some young plants, and made a call on a precious family, and my heart was refreshed in the hope that they are bowing under the yoke of Christ. I sometimes feel a temporary disadvantage in my youthful appearance, until my Master makes way for me in the hearts of my friends. I went to the Monthly Meeting held at Pardshaw, a country meeting mentioned in George Fox's Journal as Pardshaw Cragg:' here, as I went, my friends pointed out the rock, where he preached among the mountains: they also showed where John Burnyeat, John Banks, James Dickinson, and others lived. At this meeting at Pardshaw the Lord was pleased this day to manifest his name, and glorify it, which is as ointment poured forth: O! he worked marvellously, giving His blessing and presence amongst us, who were a large company; so that the flow of exhortation was as a mighty stream. I felt the Lord to be very near, and my poor spirit was greatly refreshed; and my soul somewhat filled with their company: but I find day by day, that former things must be left, and not rested in, that the mind may be free and unshackled against the next service.

To E. H.

Edinburgh, 14th of Ninth Month, 1826.

MY BELOVED FRIEND,

On the receipt of thy account respecting our endeared companion, who is gone before to his rest and reward, my heart was wonderfully helped to a degree of quiet acquiescence in the blessed purposes of Divine wisdom and goodness; so that though few, very few were nearer to me than he among the flock of the

faithful in Christ Jesus, I could not hold him on this side the grave; but seemed entirely prepared and resigned to lose him, as to the outward; well knowing our oneness was not to be destroyed by death. Ah! dear when we can look with anointed eyes on these things, and are permitted to enter into the purposes and will of our heavenly Father, whose ways are higher than ours, who doeth all things well, nor anything in vain,—what a favour, what a mercy is it, that the message is given to the quickened soul, "Time to thee here is no longer,"-" Come up hither." O! what a release, what a dismissal, what an enlargement to the poor tribulated spirit, labouring amidst temptations and the assaults of the prince of darkness, yea amidst many infirmities, afflictions and doubtings: but how unutterably awful is the voice of warning conveyed in this dispensation to others, among whom that dear servant has gone testifying in his life-time of the powers of the world to come, and of the terms on which alone the gates of heaven are opened. Surely, my soul said, on first hearing of his illness, this was a seal to his testimony, and a crown to his labours of love, which the Lord hath set; and let his will be done. And now how is such a circumstance calculated to bind us who remain, one unto another, and above all, to the great Head of the church,-to stimulate us to an earnest heed to the things that make for such peace as our beloved Edmund had, and is centred in ;-for here is a fresh and indisputable evidence, that "these things are faithful and true," that "the Lord is at hand," and watches over us for good, that "verily there is a reward for the righteous," that "in due season even we shall reap, if we faint not." My heart flows in gratitude to the fountain of good, in remembering all that He wrought for our dear E.; for truly the Lord was with him, what