famishing and starving for want of that food which only nourisheth to eternal life. Farewell, says thy true friend and cousin, JOB SCOTT.

To A. S.

My young friend,

Providence, 7th of 11th month, 1781.

My view in writing, is to inform thee, that in the conversation I had with thee on the subject of thy going to dancing school, I aimed at nothing but thy good, and to discharge my duty to thee in the sight of God, as to one whose welfare I desired, and thought I ought to endeavour to promote.

Think not hard of me, my friend, for the Lord knows I had no hardness in my heart toward thee, but sought thy good. I would not have thee shut thy heart against the gentle movings of that holy principle, in thy own mind, which manifests what is right, and what is wrong, and which justifies for doing the one, and reproves for the other; but stand open to its teachings and influence. And as thou findest this light to produce uneasiness in thee for dancing, and such like diversions, and mispent time, Oh! yield to its operation; that so, by believing in the light, thou may become a child of the light, and of the everlasting day of God's salvation.

I can tell thee, it was no small cross to me to deny myself the gratification of dancing, and some other vain amusements of like nature. But when I did give them up, Oh! the peace which flowed in my soul, as I travelled on in the way of self-denial! It was like the flowings of a gentle stream of joy unspeakable and full of glory. And the wish I have for thee, dear child, is that thou may witness in the secret of thy own soul, the flowings of the same celestial joy and consolation; which, if ever thou dost witness, thou wilt find it is in the way of the cross to thy natural inclinations; for the cross of Christ is the alone way to the crown of glory.

I know what I write, and therein have the sanction of the

f

word of truth in my own experience, and also in the scriptures. I am not speaking against dancing only. I wish thy redemption from all things that are contrary to the law of God, and his unerring witness in thy own soul. And I am the more encouraged to this communication of counsel, from a belief I had, whilst thou wast with me, that thy heart was far from that state of hardness and insensibility, which I have discovered in some of thy age. I thought I perceived something tender in thee, that gave me to hope thou might come to know the Lord for thyself, and to thy own comfort, if nothing was suffered to divert thy mind from a due attention to that grace of God which brings salvation, and which has appeared to thee, and will if thou hearkens to it, teach thee to deny all ungodliness, and to live soberly and godly in thy day and generation. With desires that this may be thy happy experience, and that thou mayst receive these few lines as a token of unfeigned good-will, I bid thee farewell, and am thy friend,

JOB SCOTT.

To his Wife, Eunice Scott.

Dearly beloved wife,

Smithfield, 11th month 10th, 1782.

I am now at Elisha Thornton's. It would seem pleasant to return to thee, and the lambs I left with thee; but, as my mind is disposed at present, I must desire thee patiently to endure my absence, and the toil of taking care of the babes, a little longer. Think it not hard to render so small a sacrifice, as to give me up to visit and sympathise with the many children from house to house, who are at times, as it were, crying for bread, and have none to break it to them. Farewell, says thy truly loving husband,

JOB SCOTT.

VOL. II.-4

My dear wife,

To Eunice Scott.

Providence, 19th of 6th month, 1783. '

Let it not grieve thee, that a tender concern for the good of society, and a due regard to the appointment of my brethren, prevent my seeing thee so soon as my inclination would dictate. I expect to go to Ackoacset, Dartmouth, Nantucket, and Sandwich, should nothing occur to prevent. It is my earnest wish that thou may be preserved in patience, with the children. I hope I shall be enabled to give you all up rightly, though warm affection rushes in upon me at the thoughts of so long absence; and the prospect of an exercising, laborious time in this visit, weighs heavy on my mind: yet something overbalances it all, and inspires a firm dependance on the Lord that reigneth. If we are faithful, he will provide for us, as we feel a disposition to be willing to live upon a little. May his holy hand hold you, and preserve you, till I come again, to enjoy your company. Farewell, dear heart, says thy affectionate husband,

JOB SCOTT.

To the Youth among Friends, at Richmond, New Hampshire.

Dear young friends,

It is nothing but a desire for your immortal souls' eternal welfare, that induces us to acquaint you with the deep anxiety of mind that we felt, when closed up in silence, we went from house to house, among you.* Perhaps you may think lightly of the deep travail and distress of soul, that the mourners in Sion pass through, on account of the careless, libertine, and unsubjected disposition of too many of the youth and others; but be assured, dear young people, that some have known and felt the day of the Lord to burn as an oven, against such a disposition;

* See Journal, page 134.

have known his terrors for sin, and his judgments and deep condemnation for transgression; and therefore cannot but mourn over the giddy, wandering, incautious youth, that are running headlong into that liberty, which is bondage to the true seed; and which, even in the height of enjoyment, never did, and never can satisfy the soul. For our Maker has so fashioned the immortal soul, that nothing short of the enjoyment of his divine presence can satisfy it. Earthly riches, honours, and pleasures, can no more satisfy the soul, even here on earth, than the warmth of a candle can thaw the frozen mountains: for this is not our home; and unless we live so in this world as to feel the presence of Him, without whom we must be eternally miserable, we shall as certainly be miserable here on earth also, as the mountains will remain frozen, when once they are so, till thawed by the rays of the sun. For what can a little gold or silver, a little ease, or honour, or a little short-lived carnal pleasure do toward the happiness of an immortal, never-dying soul? What can the company of the merry, and the gay, add to the real comfort of a spirit, that is swiftly bound to the regions of endless eternity? For God will bring every work into judgment; and render a reward according to our works; according to the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or evil.

So that however the young man, and young woman, may think to rejoice in their youth, and let their hearts cheer them in the days of their youth, and walk in the ways of their own hearts, and in the sight of their own eyes; yet let them know and remember, that for all these things God will bring them into judgment. Therefore, dear youth, be persuaded to turn your backs upon all the allurements and temptations of this wicked world, now in season; for now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation; now, the spirit of God is striving with you, for your reformation and salvation. But if you go on in those gratifications and delights which grieve his holy spirit, that thus strives with you, he may be disposed to give you up, and leave you to your own corrupt inclinations; for he has said that his spirit shall not always strive with man. And Oh! how deplorable will be the case of those whom he forsakes! The consideration of these things, ought seriously to impress all your

minds, now in your young years; for the longer you stand out, the harder it will be to give up to the requirings of truth. The cross is never easier borne, nor to better advantage, than in early youth; and he that goes on in rebellion against all the precious visitations which God bestows upon him in his youth, most commonly grows hard and insensible in old age, and dies either in deep condemnation, or gross insensibility. Oh! may not this be your doleful end! but may you improve the present moments; serve God with all your hearts; live soberly; love serious company; keep close to Friends' meetings, on first-days, and other days. Keep to strict plainness, both in language and dress. "Tis the way of the cross, and that is the way to the crown. Christ himself loved plainness, and lived in it; and so do all his nearest followers. Despise it not, dear friends, nor fear them that do despise it; but in all things obey the dictates of the light, that you may rest forever in a mansion of never-ending bliss. "Children obey your parents in the Lord." This is an absolute duty and well pleasing to your Maker. Therefore be obedient. We are your real friends,

JOB SCOTT.

JAAZANIAH BARRETT.

Uxbridge, 9th month 17th, 1783.

To the Heads of Families, both men and women Friends, at Richmond, New Hampshire.

Dear friends,

Having been for a considerable time under some degree of mournful exercise, on the account of our so seldom having the company of any Friends from your particular meeting, at our meetings for discipline, we have of late had it under serious consideration, especially since our late exercising visit among you, to write to you in brotherly love, in order, if it may be, a little to stir up the pure mind amongst you and living desires for your everlasting welfare being felt at this time, we hereby salute you, and in christian affection beseech you, to stand open in