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March 2, 1796.

NEXT Tuesday I trust I shall be restored to friends rendered dearer than ever by a long and painful absence, and unspeakably precious by ties superior to those by which nature has united us: yes, my ever valued parent, if that God who superintends the goings of all mortals will now favour.

Yet think not I shall leave this place without a sigh-pity strengthened by love for those with whom I have so long lived, has stationed itself in my heart: what words, when present could not do, may, if aided by divine grace, be effected in a few lines. There are many here whose blindness I pity, while I despise the baneful pleasures they pursue.

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SINCE I received your letter, my dearly be loved Eliza, I have often felt an inclination to salute you with my pen, and I have as many times deferred it. Ah! is not this too often the case, even in circumstances of far more weighty consideration, which being from time to time delayed help to weaken the poor mind, and at last lies dormant? when, on the contrary, if the inward monitor was immediately and implicitly obeyed, though to try our faith it may sometimes lead us through the dark valley, where there is nothing to be seen on either side, yet at the end, what sweet peace, even that which passeth natural understanding, would the tried, but obedient mind, be favoured to enjoy! Excuse any past deficiency, and receive

this from a sister who sincerely loves you, and who I think sensibly feels for you, during the complicated trials with which your heavenly Father sees meet temporally to afflict you. Remember, my dear sister, that though no affliction may for the present appear to be joyous but grievous, yet at the end it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, unto them who are exercised thereby! many are the trials and the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord in whom is their whole trust and dependance, will, in His own time, deliver them out of all. May my Eliza feel under the chastening rod of her tender Father, which is sent in love, the great I Am's supporting staff secretly strengthening and comforting her precious soul, is the ardent but feeble breathing of my soul for you; for He is the staff of living bread with which I believe He will feed you himself, and give you of the living waters of the hea venly fountain to drink, in great measure, and will never leave you nor forsake you. I trust that seeing my beloved mother and Lucy, and their dwelling with you for a time, will be

made a means of comfort to you, for truly I find their company salutary and delightful unto my poor mind, which has of late been much tossed on many hidden as well as visible things, the prospect of a separation from such truly valuable friends, has for some time been very painful to me, and unless a portion of inward strength is secretly handed unto my soul, I fear I shall not part with them with that resignation unto the divine will (by whose immediate appointment,'I believe we are thus to be separated) with which I desire to be supported, through all the appointed or permitted trials which may fall to my share, while passing through this tribulatory life; and may we under every dispensation be enabled to say, "Father, not my will, but thine alone be done." I do not wish to tire my beloved Eliza, therefore I will abridge this letter: give my dear love to my aunt; may you both feel that He who is the pure light of the spiritual soul, your secret supporter and never-failing help in every time of need; your trials may be great, but I believe they never will exceed the strength administered to

bear them with christian patience. My pen would run on, but I must retard its progress with committing you to the care of Him who careth for you from your unworthy sister, who loves you more than in an affectionate manner,

P. S. I have, by writing you these few lines, eased my mind of a burden with which I have been long depressed.

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