gious feeling within me is bowed in humble gratitude to the Author of every good and perfect gift, for that he mercifully granted the blessing of preservation, and enabled us to set up our Ebenezers, and say, "hitherto has the Lord helped us." Oh! that this unmerited mark of his fatherly care and preserving power, may have the tendency of animating our minds to a perfect surrender of our wills unto his, who has an undoubted right to form and fashion the vessel according to his own good pleasure, and to make use of it when and where he seeth it will redound to his honour, and the edification of his church.

According to the capacity received, my spirit was dipped into fellow-feeling with thine, on hearing of the weighty and arduous engagement which appeared likely soon to be entered upon. Ah! my friend, has it not been the frequent language of thy heart, on the openings of fresh duty, "who is sufficient for these things?" not finite man, in an unregenerate state! But by the operative, purifying power of God's eternal word in and upon the heart, we are enabled to magnify his name, and stir up the pure mind in others to a more effectual remembrance of those things which are hid from the wise and prudent of this world, but mercifully revealed unto babes and sucklings in Christ.

It will be cause of rejoicing to hear that thou art getting on safely in thy journey; and though it may be a very rugged one, in which thou may find it requires strict watchfulness to keep thy feet on the safe stepping-stones, yet as the eye of thy mind is preserved single to the all-wise Director of his people, I believe he that hath, in unsearchable wisdom,

put thee forth, will condescend to go before, prepare the way, and preserve thee in the midst of all danger, so that no stratagem of the enemy will be able to prevail. Thus, through the renewed ability of almighty power, from time to time manifested to be thy strength in weakness, riches in poverty, and a present help in the needful time, thou wilt be enabled faithfully to discharge thy duty toward those amongst whom thou art sent to labour;-and, having finished the work assigned, in the wisdom and power of Truth, thou wilt feel the blessed reward of humble dedication, even sheaves of enriching peace. In dear love, I bid thee affectionately farewell.

ANN CROWLEY.

My en

Fearing-hill, the 1st of 10th mo. 1802. deared friend, P. S.-When I remember thy kind and tender sympathy towards me, while thou wast in this land, and how nearly united we felt to each other, notwithstanding the great disparity between us in regard to religious growth and experience, I would willingly entertain a hope that this unity will never be broken. Thy cordial letter, dated the 26th of 10th month, 1800, was truly consoling to me, as it contained an account of all I should have asked on thy behalf, except the poor woman's being able, whilst thou wast at sea, to render thee that assistance which thy poor state of bodily health required. But as thy mind was so divinely favoured as to have thy trust, during the stormy seasons that were per-mittéd, firmly fixed on Him whose power, in the needful time, thou knew was stronger than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea,—it was enough. Even the remembrance of thy VOL. VI.-23

being thus strengthened, in a time of outward storm, has proved a little stay to my poor mind, when tried with inward buffetings and storms, when one wave of sorrow has succeeded another, so that the spiritual life could not have been sustained, if the everlasting arm of mercy had not been underneath, I remain thy affectionate friend,

་

ELIZA TOWNSEND.

U. Darby, 8th month, 1805. My dear friend, Last night on my bed, the remembrance of that strength of life witnessed in thy religious communication yesterday, so revived with me that I thought I could, in sisterly freedom, drop a word of encouragement to faithfulness; that thou may be instant in season and out of season, as the apostle counsels, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all long-suffering and diligence. This "out of season," I take to be when we may have seemed to pass over the right time for offering, and yet not feel fully clear of required duty therein. I do not take up my pen, supposing I can instruct a sister, or mother, elder and much more experienced than myself; but I felt a freedom or opening to give thee a little jog of encouragement, remembering the saying, "to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

I hope this may not appear officious or forward; but I feel a wish thee may be encouraged to put the best foot foremost (as the saying is,) by which, and using exertions amidst discouragements, thou wast yesterday made instrumental in strengthening others, and myself for one.

BRIEF ACCOUNT

Of the last illness, expressions, and death of John B. Barker, and Reflections thereon..

John B. Barker, son of Slocum and Hannah Barker, of the state of New York, was born the 24th of the 3d month, 1816. He was much inclined to sobriety from his early childhood, and was possessed of an amiable and affectionate disposition; in addition to which, as his years increased, his manners and conduct rendered him still more agreeable and engaging. Having a turn of mind to be diligent and industrious in attending to the domestic concerns of the family, he became the object of parental and fraternal affection and endearment, in the relations of a dutiful son, and a brother beloved. Thus, becoming increasingly useful, not only as an assistant in the business of the family, but as a virtuous example to others, the separation that was occasioned by his removal, was the more afflicting and poignant.

He was taken sick with an inflammation of the bowels, but was not considered to be dangerously ill, until two or three days before his death. He bore his pain, (which at times was very severe) with great patience and fortitude; and while the utmost efforts were made by his physicians and friends to relieve him, he manifested all the candour and discretion that might have been expected from maturer years; and showed a readiness and quiet submission to whatever was thought necessary to be administered. But notwithstanding all was done that could be, it became evident that all means of restoring him to health were unavailing, and that his

death was apparently very near. When his physicians could do no more, his father, feeling concerned to let him know what they thought of his condition, did, in a suitable and solemn manner, inform him that the awful progress of his disorder indicated that he had but a very short time to stay with them. At first he seemed a little surprised, as though he had not expected his end to be so near, or his situation so dangerous; and said, "Is not father too much alarmed? The doctor said I should get well."

The afflicted father, feeling concerned to impress the mind of his beloved child with the solemn realities of his situation, was again enabled to tell him that notwithstanding the near and dear affection they all had for him, yet they must part with him; and that he would fall into the hands of a merciful God. He then appeared to be centred in solemn medita*tion, for a little time, as if in a state of deep inquiry within himself: after which he said, "I fear I am not good enough to die.". His father told him that he had ever been a good child, and that it had always appeared uppermost in his mind to do right. He replied it had been so, and that wherein he had ever done wrong, he was sorry for it. After a short space, in which he seemed to be in a slumber, he revived again, and thus expressed the concern of his mind for his friends around him: "I suppose I must die. May you all take warning by me. Do as well as you know how." There being many present, he cast his eyes around the room, and said, “You all know what is right; and all that is required of you is, to do as well as you know. I have always known what was right."

Amidst the heart-rending lamentations of his af