have I been induced to believe, that sacrifices will be called for at my hand; and that I shall be constrained to take up my daily cross in a peculiar manner, not only as to things which are wrong in themselves, but as to those which have a tendency to evil, and even in many things which religious people account innocent and allowable. O! when I read in the Scriptures the very excellent precepts and instructions given for us to follow; and when I examine closely the conformity of the lives of those by whom the precepts are delivered; my admiration at the coincidence in every minute particular, is, as it were, swallowed up in mourning, at the declension of the present professors of the same religious duties. By such considerations and reflections, my soul is stimulated very fervently and frequently to petition Him, who is the fountain of all good, that He would, in his own time and way, aid his own cause;-that He would be pleased to regard the sighs, the cries, and the tears of His exercised people-" His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him," for the advancement, extension, and prosperity of every thing that is good. 1817, March. The subject of dress has very frequently come under my serious consideration,-it has of late been still more often and more deeply impressed on my mind; and as I have kept quiet and calm, singly desirous to know and to do whatever might be required, the matter has opened more and more clearly before my view; and some things with regard to it, which had been hitherto hid from me, whilst in a disposition to follow my own reasonings and fleshly wisdom, or concerning which I seemed then to be uncertain and undecided, now brighten up into clearness, so as to make me conclude that they are indisputably right for me to adopt. And surely, I may add, no sooner is a truth clearly manifested,-a duty distinctly marked out, than it should without hesitation be obeyed. With regard to my present dress, and outward appearance, it is evident there is much to alter. That dress, from which my forefathers have, without good reason and from improper motives departed, to that dress I must return that simple appearance, now become singular, which occasioned and still continues to occasion the professor of the Truth suffering and contempt, the same must I also take up, and submit to the consequences thereof. Some may object to this, as if it were improperly "taking thought;" but I differ from them, not in the rule itself about the anxiety bestowed on clothing, but about the application of that rule. It is right, if the vain customs, folly and fashion of this world, have insinuated themselves into any branch of our daily conduct, to eradicate them, with every one of their useless innovations, whatever trouble, anxiety, or persecution it may cost us. But after we have once broken our bonds, we shall find a freedom from anxiety, trouble, or thought about our apparel, far surpassing the unconcern and forgetfulness, which seems to deaden the spiritual eye and apprehension of the slave of custom. CHAPTER IV. 1817, March 13th. - I think it right at this time to set down my opinions, or rather such opinions as I conceive to be sound and good, relative to the subject of business: I fear many of my near and dear friends, have much mistaken my ideas on this matter; and perhaps I myself have not entirely acted up in every respect to that standard, into which the Truth leads those who follow its dictates. I believe that it is good for man to earn his livelihood by the sweat of his brow. If any one has, or ever comes to have sufficient for the support of himself or family,-(by a sufficiency, I do not mean that which will satisfy all his desires, nor that which may raise his family above the sphere in which they were born, neither that which will furnish his children with large capitals to enter lucrative or extensive concerns,) -but if he has wherewith to support himself and family in a moderate way of living, and to afford his children. an useful education, the knowledge of some honest employ, and a little to begin with,-it is enough. I am inclined to think, that such an one should consider, whether it be not right for him to give up his business to his children, to faithful dependents, or to relations that want it; unless he be of a disposition that can hardly find occupation for his mind out of business, and in this case, let him continue to employ himself in it, taking only a small share of the profits. With respect to charity, let not any in trade nicely glean their vine of the fruit with which the Lord hath so abundantly blessed them; but let them gather sufficient, and the rest let them leave for the portion of the poor. For my own part, if way open for my going into business, I believe it will be safest for me to engage in such an one as is moderately profitable, yielding regular returns, and tending to the general and substantial welfare of mankind, to the injury of none, and which will not take up much attention or anxiety. But especially I desire, that I may never sell to others any article which has an evil tendency, or which evidently and often is misapplied. With respect to this particular, I have lamented to see that Friends, who are fearful lest they should give way to the spirit of vanity, pride, and extravagance, and who on that account neither decorate their persons nor houses, nor even allow their servants to dress gaily,-that these should yet feel easy to deal to others, things which they disapprove of for themselves;-that they should not hesitate to buy and sell such articles, as they well know are inconsistent and incompatible with the pure teachings of that principle, by which they profess to be led. This matter has impressed me much. I know that by adopting this sentiment, I show my disapprobation of the conduct of many sincere-hearted friends, and I am also aware how few descriptions of occupation in life are entirely free from this objection. Nevertheless, I do believe that the sincere-hearted amongst us will not hesitate to give up that in their outward concerns, which they see and know to be an encouragement to evil in any shape. That these may come to see this matter, as clearly as I do at this present time, is the warm desire of my soul! But the ground upon which I think it best for me to be not much engrossed in the things of this life, is this:— having experienced no small share of the forbearance and mercy of the Lord, having been rescued and delivered from the pit of destruction, having sincere and fervent desires for my own preservation and salvation, as well as for that of my poor fellow-creatures every where,—I have inclined towards the belief, that the Lord will make use of me, if I am faithful to his requirings, in the way and time, and for the purposes, which He sees best. Under this impression it is, that I believe it right for me to sit loose to this world and its anxieties, and not to be too much entangled in them; lest I should be incapacitated for performing that service which may be shewn to be my duty, or unable from my situation in business to undertake it. Though I scarcely think it my place to be out of business; yet I believe that it is good for some to be entirely released from it; and also, that well disposed persons should devote a considerable portion of their talents, time, and money, to visiting and relieving the poor, and advancing and promoting the good of mankind in various other ways, according to their several gifts. 1817, April 4th. - Last Tuesday week, the 25th of March, was our Quarterly Meeting; at which precious opportunity I was much favoured to feel refreshment and instruction the business of the meeting was conducted pretty much to satisfaction, and the conclusion of the last sitting, I have reason to remember. During the interval of ten days which has since elapsed, I have frequently had on my mind an inclination to record the awful and weighty posture, into which my soul was brought on that occasion, by the merciful visitation of a tender Father. Towards the latter part of the concluding sitting, after the business of the meeting was transacted, and a suitable pause had ensued, a minister got up with this most impressive language of the apostle,-" Other |