not: for behold I will bring evil upon all flesh, be permitted, and the chain of the evil power saith the Lord; but thy life will I give unto be loosened for a time, this arm of flesh, which thee for a prey, in all places whither thou there is reason to fear many are depending goest.' Whilst then we are engaged to circu- upon for support in such perilous times, will late more generally, among mankind at large, become but as tow in the furnace! Happy will publications explanatory of our religious prin- it be in that day, for those who have made the ciples, and religious tracts, may we give proof, Lord alone their refuge, and placed their dein the first place, of their happy effects upon pendence on that Omnipotent and Omnipresent our minds; for example will do more than pre-Being, who will prove in such seasons a covert cept,-actions will speak louder than words; from the heat, a shelter from the storm, and as so shall we each one become a preacher of righteousness, that cannot fail to reach to the pure witness in the minds of others. Thus may we become as saviours on Mount Zion, 'For saviours shall come upon Mount Zion, to judge the Mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.'

be

the shadow of a great rock in a weary land; a day and time when the minds of all may clad with dismay as with a garment, for fear of what is coming upon this part of the Lord's foot-stool.

“And, Friends, let us not dare to meddle with political matters, but renewedly seek for holy "And let us all retire to our tents; for if I help to starve that disposition so prevalent in am not mistaken, such are the signs of the us to be meddling therewith. Endeavour to times, that they loudly call upon us so to do, keep that ear closed, which will be itching to and there closely to keep. The Lord is this hear the news of the day, and what is going tent, unto which the true Israel of God must forward in the political circles. We shall find flee to be safe; and as there is thus an abiding there is safety in so doing; it is the only way in him, who is the munition of rocks, should for us to experience our minds to be preserved the potsherds of the earth begin to smite one tranquil, amidst all the commotions, all the against another, such will be preserved from turnings and overturnings that may be persmiting with them, in word or deed, and es-mitted to take place, when the measure of inicape that danger which will more or less fol-quity may be filled up. I have found, that if low those who are found so meddling; and we suffer our minds to be agitated with politithat perturbation of mind, that instability of confidence and want of support, under the various probations that may, in unerring wisdom, be permitted to overtake, which ever was, and will be, the case of those who make flesh their

arm.

cal matters, our dependence becomes diverted, by little and little, from the true centre and place of safety, where perfect peace is experienced, though the world and all around us may speak trouble. Such as have this dependence, will know it to be a truth fulfilled in their own "I cannot forbear to express a fear, that individual experience, that 'They that trust in there are among us who are not sound in the the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which canfaith, as it respects an entire reliance on the not be removed; but abideth for ever;' and all-superintending care of Divine Goodness, that as 'the mountains are round about Jeruin times of danger and difficulty, but who are salem, so the Lord is round about his people making flesh their arm; and when at times from henceforth even for ever.' Now, Friends, their minds are awakened to behold the ap-be willing to take up this cross, for I have proach of danger, as respects national affairs, found it to be one of the many crosses I have are placing their confidence in, what they es- had to take up, and avoid reading political teem, the wise conducting of a well-disciplined publications, and, as much as possible, newsarmy, and a large store of weapons of de- papers; and I am persuaded, if a willingness fence; all which may effect the very destruc-is but manifest on our part so to do, sufficient tion of those who are thus relying upon them, help will be afforded from time to time, to instead of the living God, for preservation. withstand this and every other temptation of Such is the great uncertainty of all human the great adversary of our peace. I am well events! It must with reverence be acknow-aware that men in trade, and sometimes those ledged by every serious observer, that the Divine protection has long been over us as a nation; and for the sake of the few righteous amongst the different professors of the Christian name, is still, I believe mercifully continued. But how soon, or how suddenly, this may be withdrawn from us as a nation, because of our multiplied transgressions, is altogether unknown to us; but should this once

who are free from its incumbrances, have occasion to resort to those channels of general information; but when this is my case, I find it safest for me, after I have received information on the subject in question, then to put the paper away from me. I am aware that it requires firmness so to act, there being something in our nature so anxious to know what is going forward in the world; but, my friends,

The time for holding our Monthly Meeting at Hitchin drawing nigh, fifth-day, 23d of second month, after attending the week-day meeting here, I parted from my children and friends of Sheffield in much affection; and on seventh-day, was favoured to reach Welling-which I left home. I walked upwards of borough.

the following fourth-day, the Quarterly Meeting for discipline commenced. Divine goodness condescended to rest on the members through its several sittings; whereby a pre

tended the adjournment of the Monthly Meeting, where my certificate was signed, and given me. Fourth-day, the 21st of third month. At the Quarterly Meeting held at Hertford, Iciously uniting feeling was manifest in transagain opened my prospects of duty to visit the continent of Europe; and an endorsement was made on my certificate, expressing the unity of the meeting with my proceeding.

acting the concerns that came before it, to the humbling of many of our hearts, and awakening in us the language of high praises to our God.

CHAPTER XIV.

First-day, fifth month. Attended a funeral at Ware; a crowd of people assembling, and some of a rough cast, made me fearful we should not be able to come at quiet by the FIRST-DAY morning, I went on board the grave-side what was offered however ap- York packet, at Hull, Captain Husband, for peared to find entrance in some minds. The Rotterdam. We reached the Spurn about people came into the meeting-house, and con- noon, when the wind coming a-head, we cast ducted themselves quietly, the minds of many anchor: our captain with the passengers went appearing to be seriously affected. I had in-on shore to spend the remainder of the day; tended walking to Tottenham evening meet- but my place appeared to be to keep quiet on ing; but feeling drawings in my mind to the board, which afforded me an opportunity of burial guests, we had a mixed company, which taking a retrospect of my movements, in doing makes it difficult to come at that outward quiet, which, no condemnation attaching, I endeaso desirable when brought under exercise. For voured after resignation to this detention. Sea short space conversation ceased, and the si-cond-day morning, we weighed anchor again, lence of all flesh seemed to predominate; but and proceeded on our passage: my sufferings for want of improving this opportunity, I made increased through sickness and total loss of suffering work for myself, and at last was appetite, until fourth-day morning, when we obliged to request silence should take place. came abreast of that part of the Dutch coast Some of our company being on the move to called the Brill. The wind not being favoura go, I was made thankful on my own account, ble for our getting up the river to Rotterdam, that I had been preserved from wholly smo-in company with an Englishman, a passenger thering the birth of the Divine word, which I humbly hope at this time was rightly begotten

acquainted with the Dutch language, I went on shore, travelled about twenty English miles in me. by land and by canal, and reached Rotterdam Second-day, attended the first sitting of the in the evening. At the boat my companion select Yearly Meeting. Strength being mer-left me; I was not aware of the difficulty I cifully dispensed by the Great Head of the should have to find the residence of the merchurch, I spread before the meeting my pros-chant I was to apply to for a suitable lodging; pect of religious duty to visit the continent of Europe; which for the present relieved me from this weighty subject, a certificate being ordered.

The Yearly Meeting being over, I took leave of my dear wife, now in the seventy-fifth year of her age, which was the most trying parting we ever experienced. I left her under the care of one of our daughters, and then proceeded to my cottage at Highbury near Hitchin.

Sixth-day, 15th of sixth month, I proceeded by coach to Sheffield, and on second-day reached Hull. On inquiry, no vessel was to sail for Rotterdam before first-day week. This detention appeared trying, as I had no object to pursue in the meantime; and I feared lest my mind should in any way be diverted from the spot where I was led to hope it was safely centered. Fourth-day, attended meeting here, and wrote to my dear wife. The Quarterly Meeting to be held at York falling in the following week, I left Hull on fifth-day, and on

and when this was accomplished, my difficul ties were not at an end, he being unacquainted with the English language. But as I had aforetime found patience and perseverance enable me to get through great difficulties, I endeavoured to maintain my hold on hope; we proceeded to a hotel, where I was left, understanding the master of the house spoke English. My supper-time came, and the master of the house was from home: by signs I procured some fruit and bread, and my wants being supplied, I retired to rest. Next morning, the partner of the merchant to whom I was addressed, came to my hotel, and offered his services as my guide and interpreter for the day, which I gladly accepted. I had my bill cashed, cleared my luggage, and forwarded it to my hotel. Feeling pressed in my mind to make my way to Amsterdam, we proceeded to secure a place in the day-boat, but were too late for it. On inquiry, the cabin of the night-boat was secured by a man and his son, who would not allow me a place with

them, although I offered to share in the expense feeling most easy to proceed by the night-boat, I concluded to make the best of the accommodation the deck afforded; with a tarpaulin for a covering, and my luggage for cushions, I made my bed, and passed the night comfortably; reached Amsterdam in the morning early. I felt thankful to reach the house of my kind friend, J. S. Mollet.

ses.

and I was largely opened in the line of the ministry, which produced such prostration of soul, that at our parting, they acknowledged they believed the remembrance of it never would be wholly lost sight of. We took our tea with a family who spoke my native language, and passed the afternoon in deliberately conversing on serious subjects. I endeavoured to satisfy their inquiries respecting the princiAs my prospect was to remain here for a ples which we hold, giving them our reasons short time only, it was needful I should make for dissenting from other religious professors the best use of my time. Having a letter for on some points,-the nature of our meetings the person who occupies the property belong- for discipline, our care over our members, the ing to the Society, accompanied by my kind manner in which the Society treats delinquent friend, J. S. Mollet, we proceeded to him. members, its care over the poor, and over its Whilst J. S. Mollet, this person, and her ministers. A general assent was manifested family were in conversation in the Dutch lan- to the propriety of these various proceedguage, my mind became charged with some-ings, and their tendency to produce harmony thing for communication. I requested J. S. amongst us. Time passed swiftly over, and Mollet would translate for me; and we believed it being late, I proposed moving home; but it obtained their solid attention; after which, being importuned to take supper, which we I took a view of the meeting-house and premi- could not well refuse, on our being seated at The meeting-house made a desolate ap- the table, a solemn pause was made, and the pearance; the forms mostly gone to decay, like took place before the servant removed the and the few that were left were taken into an things from the table, which I concluded was upper story of the dwelling-house. The meet-out of respect to us, the family knowing ing-house appeared well calculated for accom- Friends were in this practice. After the supmodating about two hundred persons, and very per things were cleared away, I was conquietly situated in the upper story of the strained to inform our kind friends, how much dwelling-house were several large chests, in I found I daily stood in need of help from the which were a quantity of Barclay's Apology, Divine Power; and that many would be the and Sewel's History, in sheets, with pamphlets opportunities afforded us during each day, if in the Dutch language; a few of the Apology we were but willing to embrace them, wherein and Sewel's History we had bound, and dis- this help would be dispensed; that a pause at tributed where they were likly to be useful. the commencement and close of our meals, if Offer was made to have the meeting-house made in a proper disposition of mind, as unto seated with chairs to hold a meeting on first- God, and not to be seen of men, would prove day, and to give notice. After endeavouring a season, in which suitable portions of spiritual to give this kind offer all the consideration I food would be received: to the truth of which was capable of, it felt to me safest to decline they feelingly subscribed. I felt it further laid having the meeting-house opened on my ac- upon me to advert to the practice of collecting the family together each day, for the purpose Leaving the meeting-house, I requested J. of reading the Scriptures, and the advantage S. Mollet to take me to the habitations of such of making a pause previous to and after the seeking-minded individuals as he had know- reading. This I was informed was their pracledge of. Our first visit was to a pious book-tice, and that they hoped they could say it had seller and his sister; and although we were not able ourselves to exchange a sentiment on religious subjects, that nearness of affection and union of spirit, which the true disciples of the great Master experience, differ as they may in profession or language the world over, was felt by me with my new acquaintance, and it was as if our friendship had been maintained from youth. They requested I might be told, our thus meeting was a great treat to their minds, saying, " Although we cannot by words converse, I find we can converse here,' the man putting his hand to his breast. I desired my companion to convey to our little company what arose in my mind for them,

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been beneficial to them; they also stated that the various remarks given me to make, were very salutary, adding at our parting, it had been a truly interesting evening to them all; and that they regretted our acquaintance was likely to be of such short duration.

Seventh-day morning, feeling something further stirring in my mind towards my dear friend, the bookseller, accompanied by J. S. Mollet, we made him another call. On our way, a young man, an Englishman, pressed us to turn into his shop, recommending me to see the palace and gallery of fine paintings, to which he told me I might have easy access. Finding he was a high professor, I gave him

to understand what had been my motives for panion, I was led to believe she was endealeaving my home to visit the continent; add-vouring to live near the Divine Witness in her ing, that spending my time in such a way as own soul. Being told that her husband was he advised, would ill become me, who pro- to be at home in the afternoon, my companion fessed to be sent on such an embassy. He and I took tea with them: we were kindly remanifested great surprise, that I should object ceived, and had a religious opportunity. Unto gratify myself in what he called an inno- derstanding our kind friend, the bookseller, cent way; and attempted by strength of ar- and his sister were to spend first-day evening gument to persuade me there could not possi- with this couple, I proposed our joining them, bly be any impropriety in my indulging my and we took leave of each other in much afcuriosity in such things: but being strength- fection. First-day morning, my companion ened to support the reasons I had advanced, and I held our meeting; after which, we had and to point out the vanity and folly of all the company of a young man, who had newly such things, he quietly yielded. A relation of taken orders as a preacher in what is called the young man, standing by, in a few perti- the Reformed church. Feeling something in nent expressions confirmed the truth of what my mind towards him, and a suitable opportuI had advanced, and after my making a few nity offering, I endeavoured to lay before his more observations, he parted from us affec- view the awfully responsible situation he had tionately, giving me a pressing invitation to placed himself in, by taking upon himself the take a meal with him; but hoping things were charge he had; and how essential it was, that left well, I felt most easy to decline accepting the vessel through which the mind and will or his kind entreaties. These remarks, to the the Most High was conveyed to the people, wise and prudent of this world, may appear should be pure, by the minister endeavouring foolishness; but such as are really concerned to be found walking in the footsteps of his Dito know their eye kept on their holy Head, vine Master. Being helped through this unChrist Jesus, can read and understand them. sought-for opportunity, and enabled to pass My mind has frequently recurred to some re- along as I do, in a strange land and amongst marks of William Hunt from North Ameri-a people of a strange language, is fresh cause ca, when in England on a religious visit to Friends, viz: the desire he felt to be preserved so entirely devoted to his great Master's cause, as not to spend one moment of his time in pleasing himself: to be preserved in this devoted state of mind, great watchfulness is necessary. Our kind friend the bookseller received us with such marks of affection in his countenance, as bespoke we were welcome guests. After we had sat down quietly together, I felt it required of me to lay before him the necessity there was for him to be careful, whilst so anxiously concerned to witness the kingdom of Christ set up and established in his own heart, that he did not become instrumental in the line of his employ, in building up the kingdom of satan in the hearts of others, by publications which he printed or sold; encouraging him to be willing to sacrifice the profit of such works, rather than load his conscience with the consequences that must follow such sales, if seriously reflected upon; the bad effects produced by reading unsuitable books being deeply rooted in the mind. These remarks led to an interesting conversation, and we again parted under feelings of near fellowship, he with his sister uniting in expressions of gratitude, that our feet had been turned towards their dwelling.

frequently to adopt the query, What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? Obedience and praise being the offering he will accept, may it continue to be my daily care to be found offering them out of a pure heart, is the fervent prayer of my soul. In the evening we fulfilled our engagement: in addition to the company we expected to meet, we had two religiously disposed young men. We passed some of our time in conversation on subjects of a serious nature, I believe, profitably to us all; and feeling something in my mind in the line of the ministry, I informed my companion, which he communicating, conversation ceased. I began to be sensible of the need of endeavouring to manage my mode of expression so as to make it easy to my interpreter, who, I was well assured, endeavoured to do justice to what I had to offer; although I found this care to be embarrassing to the mind. We separated with feelings of near affection; and the day closed under a grateful sense of the help I had been favoured to experience, so that I could acknowledge, it is the Lord who has done such great things for me :-to him be the praise.

Second-day, our first visit was to a preacher of a congregation, who understood my native language, a man possessed of great natural We next proceeded to the house of - -talents, very animated, and abounding with he not being at home, we spent a short time fine expressions calculated to please the itchwith his amiable wife. Although we could ing ear of man. On entering his residence, not exchange sentiments but through my com- the injunction on sacred record rushed into