To cover those who naked are,
The widow's wants supply,
And bow my heart with tenderness,
To hear the orphan's cry.

May I be able to perform

These, which acceptance find,
With him who judges the sincere,

According to their mind.

NICHOLAS WALN'S ADVICE.

In the Biographical Memoirs of Nicholas Waln, inserted in vol. 5th of this work, it is stated that he sometimes gave counsel very impressively at the close of public meetings for worship, of a character that might be considered as more in place, if given in meetings for discipline. We have lately been furnished with the following admonitory communication which was made by Nicholas Waln, near the close of a morning meeting, at Pine street, Philadelphia.

"A subject has impressed my mind, as well as the minds of many other Friends; that is, the many scandalous bankruptcies and failures, which have latterly taken place; and some, even with members of our society; whereby their creditors have been cheated and defrauded out of large sums, to the distress and ruin of many families.

I think it would be well for Friends and others to endeavour to live within the bounds of their circumstances, and not run into hazardous speculations and enterprises, beyond their ability to manage (there are generally two or three blanks to a prize) and

when they feel themselves beginning to totter, that, instead of having recourse to fictitious credit to support them a little longer in their hazardous pursuits, it would be better to call their creditors together.

Though it may sometimes happen, that persons in business may, by unforeseen accidents or events, get into difficulty and embarrassment-it would be better to call their creditors together, and take their advice and sympathy, before they go too far.

The time has been when it used to be said, "the word of a Friend is as good as his bond." Indeed, the first principle of religion is to do justly;-and then love mercy.

I wish to be tender; but I thought I had a freedom, at the close of this meeting, to mention these things, hoping none will be hurt by it."

SAMUEL FOTHERGILL'S LETTER To John C. Lettsom, M. D. on his marriage with N. M.

Dear friend, I was duly favoured with thine by my sister, at Lea Hall-and should have written sooner, had ability and leisure united;-for there hath lived in my mind a salutation to thee, the object of my tender solicitude, and to thy wife, thy companion in every tender sense, the joint object of affectionate well-wishing. I consider you as now entering the more arduous scenes of life, and filling more important stations, than in your single state, and I most earnestly desire you may, on your first entrance into the more arduous path, be wisely di

rected; for much depends on this important crisis. With a heart replenished with the warmest affection, I recommend the Psalmist's words, representing the wise in all ages: "In the Name of our God, we will set up our banners." This is a proper allusion to your state, who have associated together in the most delicate and tender bands of union, to be each other's helpmates;-to soften every care,-to enhance every comfort,-to divide every burden,reciprocally and mutually to help each other in every temporal respect; and not only so, but to go up hand in hand to the house of God, and to the mountain of his holiness. In order to obtain this permanent felicity of the conjugal state,-in the name of your God, -now set up your banners. Let nothing divert your minds from a humble attentive care, to put yourselves under his protection, and implore his guardianship and tuition. He alone can help you in times of probation, and defend you in the perilous hour, guard you from the dangers of unsanctified, seeming prosperity, and place his everlasting Arm underneath, in the time of adversity. Place here your confidence, that you may not be moved. The world, with a variety of blandishments, will present its schemes of happiness, and make large promises of a good, it hath not in its power to bestow;-but you may carefully remember, that "in the world," or under the prevalency of its spirit, you will find troubles and disappointments; but in the Name, and under the banner of God, peace flows as a river; and all the cross events, and painful allotments, are sanctified and sweetened. Beware therefore, my dear friends, of rushing into the world of dissipation, which often attends a cir

cumstance similar to yours. Beware of a vain confidence in the smiles and caresses of the men and women of this world's spirit. But seek the protection and guidance of Him "who placeth the solitary in families," and buildeth up a sure house to those, who in all their ways acknowledge Him, and cast themselves into his protection.

I trust an holy visitation hath given you an understanding, what it is which makes for true peace. Enter not into selfish deliberations how to avoid plain duty; protract not your stay in a land of jeopardy and danger, by taking counsel and not of God, and covering yourselves, but not with the covering of his spirit. The state of the Church in your city, requires of you to endeavour to "come up to the help of the Lord" against the mighty inundation of folly and forgetfulness, which prevails. There are no wages equal to those he gives his servants; for surely, the reward of the faithful labourer is exceeding great; peace, tranquillity, and glory are upon their heads forever.

Thus, my beloved friends, my soul travails for you, for your present and everlasting welfare, that the solemn engagements you have mutually entered into, may be truly fulfilled, and your happiness established upon the most permanent basis. The eye of passion, in the short-lived fever of the mind, sometimes improperly called love, flatters itself with objects of imagined amiableness and beauty. This is transcient and mutable, but affection founded on mutual esteem for an object which religion and virtue have rendered truly estimable, hath a permanency in it. It is not in my mind to descend into

every particular part of conduct, necessary for your happiness; these will be clearly opened as occasion requires, and help administered to come up in the discharge of every duty, to render you truly comfortable and helpful to each other, useful and honourable in the church and in the world, and objects of Divine favour and acceptance. But allow me to recommend a close attendance of meetings, both for worship and discipline. In the most reasonable duty, the soul has often been replenished with good, and its strength renewed to step forward in the holy path. Dare not to live without God in the world, lest he withdraw his blessings; and then, who can make up the deficiency?

My health continues precarious. I have been obliged to drop my pen several times, in this essay to salute you; which may account for several inaccuracies, besides those in writing; nevertheless, warm affection fills and strengthens my mind towards you; in which I wish your prosperity; your present and everlasting welfare, with a tenderness as nearly paternal as I am capable of.

SAMUEL FOTHERGILL.