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signed,) we are engaged to notice some of the remarkable changes through which he passed previously to the close of his valuable life.

He was born a member of the Society of Friends, but his situation in life was such as gave latitude to deceptive prospects of earthly happiness, and in the pursuit thereof he forfeited his birth-right, which circumstance he has been heard feelingly to lament, comparing himself to a vessel launched upon the ocean, driven farther and farther from shore, until in imminent danger of being swallowed up by the tempestuous waves of instability. In this awful crisis the visitation of Divine love was renewedly extended to his soul, and, becoming obedient to the heavenly vision, he was favoured with a gift in the ministry, and largely instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom: and in the exercise thereof he was sound in doctrine, weighty and impressive in matter, to the edification of those among whom he dwelt. We believe he was sincerely concerned to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God. He often feelingly expressed, with acknowledgments to the power that had mercifully been with him, a lively hope that, notwithstanding all his wanderings from the pure principle of light and grace, he might so wind up his course as to be found in a state of acceptance in the Divine sight.

Having had deeply to lament his deviations from holy simplicity and circumspection, in life and conduct, very clear and comprehensive were his views, fervent and diligent were his efforts to overcome in himself, and persuade others to avoid the consequent dangers, so desolating in their effects in religious society.

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In the early part of his last illness he sent for several of the family into his room. On their entering it he was much affected, and after becoming composed, told them he wanted to say something to them, which he expressed nearly as follows :—" I have been considering the fallacy of human reason, how liable it is to be mistaken in its calculations: I have been thinking a great deal about my dear wife; and though some may be pleased to say, if she were fit to fill her station in this school, why was she removed but to make way for another more worthy? Yet I have seen differently. I believe, when the day's work is done, that nothing can hold us-neither husbands nor wives, parents nor children, houses nor lands, public institutions, nor any other thing; and I believe her day's work was done."

He then recurred to the days of Divine visitation, when his mind was solemnly engaged to enter into covenant with his Maker, and enlarged upon the extraordinary benefit which he believed he had derived, about that time, from reading Samuel Fothergill's sermons and death-bed expressions, repeating the words he had used, as contained in that account, and concluded with saying he read them in faith, and had realized in his own experience that which triumphs over death, hell, and the grave. A few days after, when some of the family were about to take leave of him, he desired his love to a friend, repeating it :-"My dear love to him in the everlasting gospel of peace: they may talk of fine-spun works, and fine-spun doctrines, but this is the only thing to depend upon. This is a trying dispensation, but if it be the means of landing me in heaven to-day or to-morrow, it will be a glo

rious thing." On another occasion he said:-"This is a trying time, but the language is, I will be with thee and carry thee through." And on a friend remarking, that he had been favoured with patient resignation under his suffering, he replied:-"It has been so; it is the Lord's work; his work is going on."

To these testimonials of his comfortable state, we may add that the general tenor of his mind throughout his illness, bespoke an abounding of love to those about him, and frequently, when no words were uttered, it was evident that he was fervently engaged in devotional exercise, and was fayoured to enjoy sweet communion of spirit with the Father of spirits.

He departed this life on the 30th day of the 9th month, 1820, aged about fifty-five years, and was interred on the following day in Friends grave-yard at Sandy Spring meeting-house, on which occasion much solemnity prevailed over a large number of Friends, and others who attended.

JOHN LOCKE'S LETTER.

The following letter was sent to Rebecca Collier, after a meeting in London, with a paper of sweet meats, and another for her companion, Rachel Brachon. The great John Locke was at meeting, and took particular notice of them. 'Tis also said that King William the 3d was there, incognito.

MY SWEET FRIENDS,

A paper of sweet meats by the bearer, to attend your journey, comes to testify the sweetness

I found in your society. I admire no converse like that of christian freedom, and fear no bondage like that of pride and prejudice. I now see that acquaintance by sight cannot reach that height of enjoyment, which acquaintance by knowledge arrives unto.Outward hearing may misguide us, but internal knowledge cannot err: we have something here, of what we shall have hereafter, to know as we are known; And this we, with other Friends, were even at first view partakers of; and the more there is of this in the life, the less we need inquire of what nation, country, party or persuasion our friends are; for our knowledge is more sure than another's is to us. Thus we know when we have believed. Now the God of all grace grant that you may hold fast that rare grace of love and charity, that unbiassed and unbounded love, which, if it decays not, will spring up mightily as the waters of the sanctuary, higher and higher, till you, with the universal church, swim together in the ocean of Divine love. Women, indeed, had the honour first to publish the resurrection of the spirit of love, and let all the disciples of Christ rejoice herein, as doth your partner, JOHN LOCKE.

Gray's Inn, Nov. 21st, 1696.

Letter from Samuel Fothergill to his Niece, Mary Watson.

Oft, very often since we parted, hath my heart expanded in the tenderest affection towards thee, my beloved Mary, and all the affectionate feelings of a mind solicitous for thy happiness, from the

united ties of nature and Divine love, have been strong within me. Thou hast been the daily companion of my mind. Often have I wished to write thee, and as often hitherto been prevented by intervening avocations, and indeed an incapacity of expressing what I feel, and what I want to say. My experience hath led me to believe, that the higher sensations of the mind flow from the pen or tongue with ease but there are known to delicate minds certain seasons, when all the powers of language are baffled, and the most copious expressions are very imperfect. For thee, my beloved relation, this is much the state of my mind. Fervent beyond the force of mere nature, are my desires for thy happiness in the most extensive sense of the word, and a hope accompanies my wish that it may be granted thee. Let the language of thy experienced progenitor prevail; let the language of Truth in thy own mind in the cool of the day confirm it-that religion and happiness are synonymous terms. In the name of the God of heaven, set up thy banners on thy entrance into the public walks of life. Seek carefully after the durable riches of righteousness; after the blessing of that hand which builds up families on the solid foundation of unshaken peace, and sanctifies every dispensation, whether joyous or painful. For great is the necessity of having our prosperity sanctified, lest we grow full and forget the giver, and prostitute his favours to purposes repugnant to his design, and our essential peace. Happy the cabin of penury and sorrow, in compari son of the palace of unsanctified affluence. Thy mind happily established in the pursuit of the Divine blessings, will not be unmindful of thy duty as

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