Many more weighty and instructive expressionswere uttered by her during her illness, evidencing her continued concern for the good of souls, and patient submission to the Lord's will with respect to her bodily afflictions, (which were great beyond many.)

A short time before her departure she spoke in a low melodious voice, which by what could be understood, appeared to be in praising and magnifying the Lord her Redeemer, for all his favours bestowed upon her. Then lay still for some hours, and passed quietly away as one falling into a sleep, on the 18th of the 6th month, 1798, in the forty-seventh year of her age; a minister about twenty-three years: and we believe is entered into the mansions of everlasting rest. She was interred on the 20th of the same month in Friends' burial ground at Byberry, accompanied by a large number of friends and others, after which a solemn meeting was held.

May the example of those who are removed from works to rewards, having served God in their generation, and finished their days in peace, prove an encouraging incitement to survivers, to go and do likewise.

Signed in and on behalf of the meeting held the 1st of the 8th month, 1798, by

EZRA TOWNSEND, Clerks.
SARAH LLOYD,

REFLECTIONS.

5th month, 1834.

The shortness of time, the duration of eternity,

a consideration replete with interest, though it en

gages but a small portion of the attention of the rational intelligent mind. Whence this inconsistency? How is it, that the things of time, which are but for a moment, and which perish with the using, occupy the foremost place in the affections, even to the exclusion of those treasures, which are eternal in duration; which can support the mind under trials, deep and poignant, and console in the hour of adversity-eyen the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God. Life is but a vapour, quickly past. We are here to-day, we know not what to-morrow may bring forth. We have daily proofs of the uncertainty of time. We see our associates removed from this state of being. We see in those we love, the thread of life suddenly snapped asunder, and yet how strange, though true, we give repeated evidence of remaining unawakened to the undeniable truth, that we also are mortal. A lethargy. from which it is to be feared, nothing will arouse, save the solemn call, "steward give up thy stewardship, for thou mayst be no longer steward."

When we call to mind the near connexion between mind and body, we cannot but be sensible of the impropriety of delaying, till laid on a sick bed, those considerations, which should daily be brought into view, influencing our conduct through life, that so the end of our creation be answered;-for should our time be lengthened out, should we even have one single day granted, after the solemn call has been extended, will not bodily anguish often be found to be as much as feeble nature can sustain?Let then these considerations arrest the attention of the young, of the thoughtless, of any age. And by witnessing judgment to be daily passed upon all

transgression, the desirable end will be attained, of having our accounts in readiness for a final settlement-then will the messenger of death be, to every mind, the harbinger of peace, the passport to everlasting rest.

"If any lack wisdom, ask it of God, who giveth liberally and upbraideth none." Oh! this goodness. He giveth liberally to all who ask. He upbraideth none for having so long slighted his offers of mercy, but remains willing, yea, he stands graciously disposed to supply, even from his own, treasury, the wants of every hungry soul, who, under a sense of nothingness, under an experimental knowledge, that all man's boasted powers are lighter than vanity, yea, altogether insufficient for its preservation, becomes engaged in humble prostration to seek thereunto for help. Those who apply here, in sincerity, will find access-to these will be opened the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and no truly seeking, needy soul, will be sent empty away, but they will know a being filled with praise to ineffable Goodness: their souls will be replenished with heavenly bread, they will know a partaking of that stream of love and life, whereby the whole heritage of God is watered. Why then will any give their money for that which is not bread, or their labour for that which satisfieth not; when these treasures of enduring, soul sustaining, substance are offered to their acceptance? "If any lack wisdom, ask it of God, who giveth liberally, and upbraideth none.”

J.

Of John Merritt, deceased, late of the city of New York, with some account of his last illness and death.

John Merritt was born in Courtlandt Town, West Chester county, State of New York, on the 23d of 4th month, 1758. He was blessed with religiously disposed parents, who, though not members of the Society, attended the meetings of Friends; and he became a member a short time before his marriage, about the twenty-sixth year of his age. Some years after this, his health becoming too feeble to support the labours of a farm, he removed, with the approbation of his friends, to reside in the city of New York. Here, in a very moderate way, he commenced the business of a flour merchant, which he pursued for nearly thirty years, sustaining the character of an upright and honest man.

About ten years before his decease, his children being married and settled around him, and exertion on his part being no longer necessary, he relinquished business, and for the most of the remainder of his life, résided with a son-in-law. During this period, and indeed for many years before, much of his leisure time was spent in visiting and consoling the afflicted; and though unable to contribute much, VOL. VI.-9

himself, in a pecuniary way, to their relief, yet of ten has he caused the abode of poverty to be cheered, by making the more wealthy acquainted with the situation of its inmates.

From the time of his first becoming a member of the Society of Friends, so sensible was he of the importance of the attendance of religious meetings, that he rarely suffered any thing but real indisposition to prevent him from performing this duty; and he was often led, in his friendly visits to others, more particularly to those in the younger walks of life, to encourage them to the performance of this solemn service.

He was, for a long period, an overseer of the meeting in which he resided, and few of those to whom his labours in this capacity were extended, will soon forget the almost paternal kindness that marked his manner on such occasions.

He also for many years filled the important station of an elder. His meekness, simplicity, and circumspection of conduct, gave him much place in the minds of his friends, being conspicuous for loving kindness and charity.

For some weeks before his death, his disease, the dropsy, increased rapidly upon him, confining him most of the time to the house and occasioning him great distress.

Part of this time was permitted to be, to him, a season of severe trial. He, whose dispensations to his children are all in wisdom, was pleased to withdraw the light of his holy countenance from him, and suffer his mind to be overshadowed as with a thick cloud. In this state of deep affliction, he did not cast away his confidence, but kept a hope, that