danger, yet I cannot conceal the pleasure my soul feels in knowing I am in my Saviour's hands to do what he will with me.-If we but meditate on future joys, all which flow from the infinite fulness of Jesus filling the soul, and encreasing it every moment with delight, such as we cannot fully know till we are in the enjoyment of it, who would wish to stay? "May we have patience here to wait, Till Jesus us to bliss translate." I own I would wish you to come here if you would not be distressed by it: surely it is a selfish wish to see her who lies nearest my heart of all earthly attachments, but I now give up the hope, preferring your comfort to every thing in this world.-My dear mother, mind, we are all in his hands, who will make us more than conquerors through him that loved us. EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, &c. LUCY, the second sister was taken ill of a consumption and died the latter part of the year 1797, aged about twenty-one years. She was very pleasing in her person, of a meek spirit, and religiously thoughtful, yet partook of what she, at that time, deemed innocent recreations, and in the way she was educated, what were esteemed polite accomplishments, such as music, dancing, painting, &c.; but as she became convinced, that to purchase the pearl of great price we must sell all that is vain and superfluous, all that divides and separates the heart from the one great and only good; she relinquished these inferior pur suits, which faded as shadows at the rising of the Sun of Righteousness in her soul. She was dissatisfied with the forms and repetitions of the established worship, and longed for right direction to worship God in spirit and in truth. About this time she became acquainted with some of the Society of Friends, and with her mother, accompanied them to their meeting: when in silence, that is, outward silence, she was convinced that Friends were united in the one precious principle; and these words were intelligibly sounded in her spiritual ear, “Join thyself to these people," which divine intimation she readily obeyed, and submitting to the yoke of Christ, she cheerfully endured the refining power that was to judge every thing her dear Lord's controversy was with, and nail it to the cross. At this time these words were frequently impressed on her mind, "The valley of Achor shall be the door of hope;" not remembering such words, she took her bible and opened it at that passage, and found it was there the Babylonish garment was to be burned: she consulted not with flesh and blood, but set fire to all her fine clothes, a great part of which were her own work, and beautiful, besides others that had been bought; she left none of gold, or silver, or costly array, making of them a fire sufficient to warm water to wash her hands. The peace of her countenance afterwards evinced, that the sacrifice required was accepted, and the outward purification seemed emblematical of the purity of her mind. She had strong and lively feelings, and though young in years was deeply taught by uncommon baptisms, tending to her further refinement. Her sister Judith took notes concerning her after she had taken to her bed, of the illness of which she died, from which the following is extracted : "She had been for some time deeply exercised, but at this season her mind seemed to be sweetly relieved, and covered with divine love, which flowed to all around her. She called me to her, and said, the way before her was dark, and she knew not whether to look for life or death, but was resigned to the event, saying, she believed if it was the Lord's will to take her, it would be to himself; expressing in much tenderness of spirit, that if her life was prolonged, she hoped it would be entirely dedicated to His service, for what else was worth living for? and with great earnestness expressed her desires that I should be faithful unto the Lord, and not withhold any thing be may require; likewise that she had often felt much interested for me, and had received this comfortable impression, that the Lord would give me change of raiment. evening being so ill as to think she could not hold out long, and getting me to sit by the side of her bed, she gave some directions about the disposal of her property, and with her love given to her sister Susan and her dear brother John, she desired (as near as I can recollect) they would keep much inward to the Lord, who would direct them. I cannot remember all she said at that time, being much tendered and enlarged by the overflowings of divine love. She expressed great resignation One |