the week previous, which depressed my spirits He landed at New York, soon proceeded much. O Philadelphia Philadelphia! thou towards Philadelphia, and finding his wife and whom the Lord has known and favoured family had retired a few miles out of the city, above all the cities I have ever seen, is there on account of the awful prevalence of the pesnot a cause why thou shouldst so repeatedly tilential discase which then had become very be made to read the roll written within and mortal, he got to them as early as practicable. without, with mourning, lamentation and woe? Doubtless there is, or thy God would still have disinterested and faithful ministers of Christ. On preserved the walls of salvation around thee, page 393, under date of tenth month 30th, 1796, he alludes to a letter which they received at Pyrand thy gates would have resounded with an-mont, written by this person, expressive of his satthems of praise. isfaction with their visit to Berlin. Since the

"My companions in the ship seemed un-Journal was in type the Editors have obtained a usually happy all day after our escape, but the situation of my dear and tender connexions and friends at home now in distress, lay so near my heart, that I retired to my room very heavy.

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First-day, 30th. Held meeting as usual, and was sensible of the necessity of rendering praise unto God for the favours received, and endeavouring to walk more worthy of them, lest he should withdraw them from us; his mercies are indeed new every morning.

"Tenth month 1st. High wind and rain, the cabin close shut up, and the passengers in the steerage were kept down all day.

"4th. Being on the banks of Newfoundland, we took plenty of fine fish to the joy of the ship's company.

copy of this letter, and apprehending it will be acceptable to their readers, they have inserted it below. It furnishes evidence of a mind, in which the work of regeneration was carrying on, struggling under religious concern, and longing for a more full participation of that glorious liberty which is the privilege of the sons of God. It is delightful to observe how congenial minds, under the forming power of Divine grace, harmonize with each other in the unity of the one spirit wherever they meet, or however previously unknown. Outward distinctions, whether of station, country, or the aboundings of that love which flows in their profession, seem to melt away and become lost, in hearts as children of one heavenly Father, and objects of the compassion and mercy of the same Redeemer and Saviour. It is no less remarkable, that in proportion as the heart-changing power of the Spirit of Truth is submitted to, and the blessed realities of religion experienced, the soul becomes increasingly sensible of the emptiness and unsatisfying nature of outward forms and ceremonies, and longs to partake more largely of the living substance. The letter also serves to show the

"First-day, 7th. The wind being high, the ship rolling and tossing so much, and several of the passengers not well, it did not appear practicable to hold a meeting, but we got the children and lads to read each a chap-feelings of affection and fellowship, excited in the ter in the Bible.

"First-day, 14th. Held our meeting, and being now in sight of land, the people on board were not so settled as could be wished, but it ended better than I expected. Our leak, which was the cause of so much serious uneasiness, was not so now, and the consideration of again beholding my native land, frequently filled my heart with gratitude, gladness and thankfulness to the Author of every mercy. But alas! how short lived are our times of rejoicing in this ever changing scene. A pilot came on board and informed that the yellow fever was raging in New York, and with still greater violence in my endeared Philadelphia, which struck me with sadness. It being almost a perfect calm, we made very little way for several days-found that several vessels of the fleet that sailed when we did, had arrived at New York about a week since.

"18th. Were near the desired port." Note.-On p. 391, William Savery mentions, that while he and his companions were at Berlin, they were visited several times by a major Marconnay, who had been an officer of some distinction under the king of Prussia; and appeared to be convinced of the truths of the Gospel, promulgated by those

minds of some they met with, in the course of their laborious and painful journey; and that though words which man's wisdom teacheth, yet under their speech and their preaching was not in the the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit which accompanied, it was instrumental in awakening not a few to a serious consideration of the things which belong to their soul's peace.

A translated copy of a letter from Major Marconnay to William Savery, David Sands, &c.

"My last words to you, dear brethren, were "God be with you"-words that came from the fulness of my heart. I love you with my soul. I was never so soon inclined to unite with any men as I was to unite with you; and never felt so soon a constraint to open my mind to any as I did to you. I have opened this heart of mine into your with my tried situation; for there are feelings loving souls; but yet you are not wholly acquainted which cannot be expressed in words-I seem as if I was forsaken of God, and yet I abhor this thought. I have no desire to live or to die-for the pleasures of the world, let them be what they may, I have neither taste, sense, nor feeling; but who will believe, that notwithstanding this disgust of the world, my heart remains shut up from higher and heavenly enjoyments. The precious sense of the sonship with God; the assurance of faith, and the consolations of the word; of all that I formerly enjoyed, tasted and felt of these gracious gifts, I

which some of his friends believed tended to weaken his frame, and rendered the system more accessible to other disorders.

When the sickness and mortality had subsided sphere of its virulence, he thought it most he returned to Philadelphia, and as usual was prudent to be very sparing in the use of aniindustriously engaged in his mechanical busi-mal food, and almost totally abstained from it, ness, as well as in visiting the sick and infirm, and in the diligent attendance of religious meetings. His tender, sympathising mind, not being easy without endeavouring as far as in his power, to alleviate the afflictions of his fellow citizens, occasioned him to be frequently in the abodes of suffering and misery. As the yellow fever had for several years visited the city, and he was much within the

have now scarcely a remembrance. My prayers are weak and powerless, as if I cried unto God from afar, so that he cannot hear me. This is also

From an apprehension of religious duty, he attended the Yearly Meeting of New York in the year 1800, having the full concurrence of his Monthly Meeting in the service, and on his return home produced a minute expressive of the satisfaction of Friends with his company and Gospel services among them. In the ninth month, 1801, under similar feelings and with the unity of his brethren, he attended the Yearly Meeting in Baltimore, where his labours of love appear to have been cordial and encouraging to Friends.

Excepting these engagements, it does not appear that he travelled much after his return from Europe, but was diligent in the discharge of his weighty trust as a minister of the Gospel of Christ.

a thought I abhor. Such, my dear brethren, is nearly the circumstances of my soul: let your hearts now feel with painful compassion, how it is with me; and fall down on your faces before the throne of the great and merciful Being, and pray for your poor weak and wounded brother, that Jesus Christ may again be formed in my heart, and that I may again rightly fix my eyes upon him;-then shall I be able to stand in this heavy exercise.-I shall then take from his hand the bitter cup and His constitution having become much imnot murmur, but wait for his help-then I shall be paired, indications of dropsical disease apenabled in the end to exclaim, 'Lord, Lord God, peared; he however continued to attend meetgracious and merciful, thou art great in thy kind-ings, and to visit the sick and afflicted. ness and faithfulness;-who was ever confounded that put his trust and hope in thee?'

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In the third month, 1804, he was confined to the house, except occasionally riding for Yesterday, the minister, Howick, sent for me, and said he had just received a letter from the the benefit of exercise and change of air. king, who was very willing and ready to give you During the course of his sickness he was an audience; and oh! how gladly could I have supported in resignation to the Divine will, called you back, as I wished most heartily an in- and notwithstanding his abundant labours in terview between you and our good king. I told the service of his Lord and Master, was led the minister, it was possible you might have staid to take a very humbling view of himself, as over yesterday, the 21st, at Potsdam; on which he an unprofitable servant, having nothing to deimmediately despatched a chasseur to the General

Bishosswerd, notifying him that you might proba-pend on but the long suffering and goodness bly still be there; whether the chasseur has met of God-observing, "I thought I was once with you, I know not; but if it be according to my strong for the work, but now I am a child wishes, you will have an audience with the king to-morrow morning at nine o'clock. And in this case, I desire you to give me as soon as possible, a circumstantial information of your conference; for be persuaded, I shall not make any bad use of what you may intrust me with. Your letter to the king, the minister sent to him yesterday; but the books, which the messenger could not take, were sent to the monarch to-day.

"Now for the conclusion: God be with you his light be your guide; his love and grace, in and through Jesus Christ, your protection and defence in all danger: be of good comfort, and filled with joyful hope.-He that is with you, is stronger than he that is against you.

"Never shall your memory be effaced from my soul, I shall not cease to love you; it will be a comfort to my weary soul, if sometimes you will make me joyful by imparting a few lines of love, and nothing but death will be able to prevent my answering your letters. In love I embrace you in my heart, as your ever loving brother,

"MARCONNAY.

"Berlin, 22nd October, 1796."

brought back to my hornbook, and have nothing to trust to but the mercy of God through Christ my Saviour." He had been remarkable for his firm and unshaken belief in the divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in his propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the world, and in all his glorious offices for the salvation of mankind, being often fervently engaged in setting forth these blessed Gospel doctrines and enforcing them on his hearers; and in the solemn moments of disease and death, his reverent dependence and hope in his Saviour did not fail him, but proved as an anchor to his soul. And a short time before his death, under a sense and feeling immediately imparted, he expressed "glory to God," and continued in great composure of mind, until the 19th day of the sixth month, 1804, when he calmly resigned his spirit into the hands of Him who gave it.

THE END.

THE LIFE

OF

THAT FAITHFUL SERVANT OF CHRIST,

JANE HOSKENS,

A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, AMONG THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS.

experienced, was, because I sought the living among the dead, as too many do; and the enemy of all good, was still unwearied in his attempts against me. Having learned in my native country to sing, he stirred up those with whom I now lived, to draw me into that vain amusement, which, as I plainly saw it was a snare of his, it brought trouble and uneasiness over my mind.

"I told them that it seemed as a duty laid upon heavenly Master and Father, and much in the me, and that I thought it might be for my good cross, so now I felt his good presence near to to go, for that by being among strangers, I me; and an eye being opened in me toward might with more freedom serve God, accord- him, I became weaned from the gaities, pleaing to their frequent precepts to me." I re-sures and delights of this fading world; they member the remark my father made on these were all stained in my view, and an ardent arguments, was, "the girl has a mind to turn thirst to partake of the waters of life and salQuaker." I said, "I hope I shall never re-vation of God took place in my mind. I loved nounce my baptism." solitude-sought retirement-and embraced all He charged me never to speak any more opportunities of attending Divine service, so about it, for he would never consent to my called, having free liberty from those among going; his will was as a law to me, and there- whom I lived so to do, they being very kind fore I concluded to obey him, making myself to me; but still I found not that solid peace for the present easy, with having so far and satisfaction to my seeking soul, which I endeavoured to comply with the heavenly wanted. The reason hereof, as I have since requiring. But it did not last long, Pennsylvania was still in my mind, the thought continued, that if I was among strangers, I could better serve God, though I had no thought of leaving the profession I was brought up in, nor had I any acquaintance with Friends or knowledge of their principles. But my friends were all averse to my going, and my mother took occasion to lay before me the danger and difficulties one of my years and circumstances might be subjected to, in such an undertaking, which had such weight with me, that I was again diverted from it. After some time I grew very uneasy, insomuch that sleep departed from me, and the weight of the exercise was so great, that I was made willing to forego everything else, to pursue what I believed to be my duty, and concluded, that whatever I suffered, I would not delay any longer, but embrace the first opportunity of going to Pennsylvania, provided the Almighty would go with me, and direct my steps, which like a little child I humbly begged he might be gra-quence be what it would; whereupon he had ciously pleased to do. In a little time the way opened. One Robert Davis, a Welchman, with his wife and two daughters, were going to settle in Philadelphia; a friend told me of their going, and went with me to them; we soon agreed, that he should pay for my passage, and wait until I could earn the money on the other side of the water, for which he accepted of my promise without note or bond, or my being bound by indenture in the usual

manner.

Under these circumstances I came into this land, and have great cause, with reverence and fear, to bless the name of the Lord, whose good hand did, I believe, direct in this weighty undertaking. We arrived in Philadelphia the 16th day of the third month, 1712, in the nineteenth year of my age. As soon as I was landed I was provided with a place, among people of repute, of my own society.

As I had not gone into this undertaking in my own will, or to fly from the cross, but in a degree of obedience to the will of my

After I had been in Philadelphia somewhat more than a quarter of a year, Robert Davis insisted I should sign indentures, binding myself a servant for four years, to a person who was an utter stranger to me, by which means he would have made considerable advantage to himself. But as this was contrary to our agreement before-mentioned, which I was willing to comply with to the utmost of my power, and as a remarkable uneasiness and deep exercise attended my mind, when I endeavoured to comply with his mercenary will, I thought it best to withstand him in it, let the conse

recourse to the law, and by process laid me under confinement. This was a trying circumstance. I was a poor young creature among strangers, and being far separated from my natural friends, they could not redress my grievances nor hear my complaints.

But the Lord heard my cries and raised me up many friends, who visited me in this situation and offered me money to pay Davis for my passage, according to contract, but I could not accept even of this kindness, because I was well assured Philadelphia was not to be the place of my settlement, though where I was to go was yet hid from me; however, as I endeavoured to wait, the Lord provided for me after this manner. The principals of four families living at Plymouth, who had several children, agreed to procure a sober young woman, as a school-mistress to instruct them in reading, &c. And on their applying to their friends in town, I was recommended for that service. When we saw each other, I perceived it my place to go with them; where

these people; and if at any time Friends were concerned to speak against any evil habit of the mind, I did not put it from me, but was willing to take my part, and have sometimes thought it all belonged to me.

As I continued in this humble frame, and was diligent in attending meeting when I could, Infinite Goodness was graciously plea

fore, on their paying Davis twelve pounds currency, being the whole of his demand against me, I bound myself to them by indenture, for the term of three years, and went cheerfully with them to the aforesaid place. And I have thought how wonderful it was, that though various scenes attended me, yet I was enabled to perform the service they had for me. The children learned very fast, which afforded com-sed to favour me with a fresh and large visitafort to me and satisfaction to their parents; my tion of his heavenly love, and often tendered love to them was great, and theirs equally so my spirit and begot strong desires after true to me, so that all my commands were obeyed and saving knowledge, and that the way of with pleasure, and when we met could tell one life and salvation might be clearly demonstraanother of it with sincere regard and affection. ted; and blessed be his eternal name, he heard They proved sober, religious men and women. my cries and was pleased to send his servants I served my time faithfully, and never had both male and female, filled with life and powcause to repent it; the people with whom I er, who sounded forth the Gospel in Divine lived, were those called Quakers, and as I had authority, declaring the way to the Father not been among any of that denomination be- through the door of Christ, and opening the fore, I had desires in my mind to be acquaint-principles of these people, by turning our ed with their principles, and manner of wor-minds inward to the pure gift and manifestaship, and having liberty, was very ready to go tion of the spirit. to their meetings, though at first only as a This doctrine agreeing with what I had in spy; but after I had been some time among some measure been convinced of, I was made them, and took notice of their way and man- willing to join heartily with it, and was ready ner of performing Divine worship to God, I to say, these are true ministers of Christ, for was ready to conclude and say in my mind, they spoke with Divine power and authority, surely these are his people; and a brave, liv-and not as the scribes. Now I was mightily ing people they really were; there being divers reached unto, and stripped of all self-righte worthies among them, who I believe are now ousness, and my state was opened to me in in the fruition of joy unspeakable, and full of such a manner, that I was quite confounded, glory, the earnest of which, they through and concluded that though I could talk of remercy then at times partook of, to the satis-ligion, of being made a child of God, a memfaction of their hungry and thirsty souls. The solid, weighty and tender frame of spirit some of them were many times favoured with, in meetings, brought serious considerations over my mind, with this query: Why is it not so with me? And I said in my heart, these people are certainly better than I am, notwithstanding I have made a great deal more to do about religion than they.

As I was pondering on these things, the saying of the apostle, "that circumcision or uncircumcision avails nothing, but a new creature in Christ Jesus," was often brought to my mind. I saw this work must begin in the heart, and be carried on by a Divine power. This I was soon convinced of, and therefore could wait with patience, though in silence. But yet the whole work was not completed, it went on gradually, step by step, which demonstrates the paternal care of our heavenly Father, carrying the lambs in his arms, lest they should be weary and faint! Who can but admire his goodness, and celebrate his praise? His wisdom and power are great. Oh! that all would but dwell under his peaceable government, and learn of him, who is pure and holy. Through the operation of Divine Goodness, great love was begotten in my heart to

ber of his church, and an inheritor of his holy kingdom, there was as much need as ever to cry, Lord have mercy on me a poor sinner! not having yet witnessed the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, to set me free from the law of sin and death. Outward ceremonies availed nothing, the new birth was wanting, and must be witnessed, in order to prepare me for the work whereunto the Lord had called me, and was about to engage me in. The baptism of the spirit was to be known before I could be a member of Christ's church; this great work I saw by Divine favour, I must submit unto if ever I came to be a partaker of that bread which nourishes the soul unto eternal life.

But Oh, the weight and exercise I was under during this time of refinement; the days and nights of godly sorrow and penitential mourning I underwent, are far beyond my ability to set forth in words; and once being alone I wept exceedingly, and the desire of my soul was, that it might please the Almighty to show me his ways, to teach me his paths which lead to peace, and give me strength to walk therein according to his word; promising that I would endeavour to follow in the way which was most pleasing to him, for that was