have refused, and put it to George Keith, but | must water it, the earth must nourish it; they he refused it likewise. When she had done can command none of these.-Bunyan. helping us and herself, she began to catechise.

me in the following manner.

After enquiring about her relations at Ury in Scotland, and her Uncle Miller, she then desired to know my business in Scotland, pretending to suppose me a merchant that dealt in linen to sell

in England; but I saw her design was to lead me to some unwary answer, for Keith and the rest to find matter of objection to. This put me upon my guard, to make reply cautiously; I freely owned I had no concern in buying or selling of any sort of goods. Pray then, sir, what was your call there? I replied, that I thought it my place sometimes to advise my friends and others, to endeavor so to live, that death, when it comes, might not be a terror to them; and doubt not but thou wilt count this a good work, and needful to be done. She readily allowed, that it was very needful, and the more so, for that the age was now very wicked. Then she proceeded to query the reason of my coming into those parts, pretending to suppose it was on account of trade, as being a supercargo, with sundry trifling and impertinent questions, as when I was in such and such places? To all which I gave her answers to the same effect as before, that my designed business was the same in this country as in Scotland. Then she proceeded to more trifling questions, as when I landed? and where? and which way I was going? All the company at the table gave ear to our dialogue, which appeared to me very weak in such a learned company as they thought themselves to be, and none so much as put in a word between | us. Dinner being ended, I desired to be excused, for that time called me away, and my friends would wait for me at the ferry, which we had to pass that evening. Thus Keith and I met and parted.

(To be continued.)

WORKING WITH GOD.

"Work, for it is God that worketh in you." This beautiful union of holy fear, and yet holy courage, of entire dependence upon God, and yet unabated and jealous " diligence to make our calling and election sure." is attainable only, nay, I might say intelligible only, to a spiritual mind. Not that there is any inexplicable mystery in their connection; men are continually acting in the affairs of life in the same way. They clear the ground, sow their crops, go through all the toils of husbandry with unremitting diligence, and show they can do no more; they watch for the increase, they think of it, they talk of it with the deepest interest, while yet it is undeniable that they cannot make a single blade of wheat to spring up, or bear produce. The sun must shine upon it; the rain

For Friends' Intelligencer.

From an ancient manuscript we extract the following account of the last illness of Esther Lewis. Many of the Friends mentioned therein have long since been removed, but the light reare associated with pleasant memories. They flected from their faithfulness in the path of duty, shines with undiminished lustre, and we point to it as an encouragement for others to that their days may also be marked with usefulpress forward in the same heavenward journey, ness and their end crowned with peace. SOME ACCOUNT OF ESTHER LEWIS, FORMERLY FISHER, THE ELDEST SISTER OF THOMAS,

SAMUEL R. AND MIERS FISHER. Esther Lewis's last illness commenced in the latter part of the year 1794, and continued for several months. She was sustained in exemplary patience and resignation, and evinced unshaken confidence in the mercy of her heavenly Father, and often exhorted her near relatives to be faithful to what they felt to be required of them. The following is the conclusion of a detailed account of the last two months of her life.

12th mo. 28, 1794.-This evening in the presence of her friend Cadwalader Jones and her sister Lydia Gilpin, she requested her brother Samuel to take down from her own mouth a few lines relative to her steppings along through life, for the information and benefit of her near connections. She began as follows:

"I was visited at an early period of my life, about the twelfth or thirteenth year, with the dayspring from on high. Its powerful operation at that time often drew me to retirement, at which seasons I was frequently favored with a degree of the spirit of prayer, and was contrited, having the mantle of love as my covering-and this language often prevailed: Oh that thou would be mercifully pleased to suffer neither heights nor depths, principalities nor powers, things present or to come, to separate me from thy love and heart-tendering goodness. In this happy, innocent, tender state of mind, I continued, and used to long for meeting day to come, that I might go, and there be favored with the enjoyment of the divine presence with His ple. And oh! then the bedewing seasons of heavenly regard were such that my spirit was often humbled under the consideration of his merciful condescension in thus visiting me. this state, I was like a child dandled on the knees, having the breast of consolation frequently offered to me. This continued for several years, till I grew up to be a young woman. My disposition was volatile, and my company was much courted, and believing that the work was measurably done, and that I might indulge my

In

self in freely going into companies, with my as- | strong barrier against the arising and spreading sociates, (which though accounted innocent, was a of perfect peace, may be done away, that the snare to me,) those precious tender impressions tribulated path, which in divine wisdom has been were much dissipated. Many precious seasons allotted for my refinement, may bring me into a of heavenly visitations are frequently revived in state of full union with Thee, who hast often my remembrance, and under a clear retrospec- thus broke in upon me, a poor unworthy creative view of my steppings, I have a thankful and ture, after I have been much tossed, stripped and firm persuasion that I have been mercifully fol- deserted, without any power or strength in hands lowed and cared for in a very singular and un- or even fingers remaining, to fight this warfare merited manner, through the tried and varied of the soul." allotments of my life, even to this day. This often appears marvellous indeed, and has been a support and comfort in my low, stripped seasons." Here some of her friends coming into the room prevented further expression at that time. The following was taken down by S. Osborne, who attended her in her sickness-being spoken while she was confined to her bed.

"Oh Lord, do thou strengthen me to look at no other object but thee, and grant that I may bear my sufferings with patience."

She appeared several times to be in supplication, but her voice was so low, I could not understand her. At one time she said, "Oh how sweet it is to feel some little suspension of pain, but all we suffer here is nothing, if we do but find a resting place for that part that never dies. How necessary it is to improve our time, that we may find an admittance where there is joy for evermore." She very frequently addressed me in a very affectionate manner, and hoped that her sufferings might be a lesson of instruction to me.

1st mo. 20. She was engaged in prayer nearly in the following words. "Oh most gracious and heavenly Father, do thou support and strengthen me through all my weakness, for weak I am, unless thou art pleased at times to bless me with thy life-giving presence; and ena< ble me, Oh Lord, to offer at this time, as a sacrifice, a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Accept, most gracious Father, this my small offering, and sanctify it, if it be but as a turtle dove or a young pigeon.

In the evening she addressed one of her young connections by name, and spoke to her as follows:

"I have often by day and by night been engaged in earnest solicitude that thou might make choice of, and prefer above all things for thy counsellor and director, the God of thy father, grandfather and predecessors in the truth. the beauty and the excellency there is in a religious course of life, and I have now to acknowledge in my own experience the tender mercies and goodness of my heavenly Father in every time of deep conflict. I have often lamented over the prodigal state, seeking to feed upon husks, when there was bread enough and to spare in the Father's house. Life is very uncertain-youth is the time, the most acceptable time to dedicate thy talents so liberally bestowed, even when prosperity smiles upon thee and the world courts thy friendship. This surrender would yield thee the peaceable fruits of a well spent life, and would be a treasure laid up in store against a day of trial, similar to what I now experience. It would make thee a shining example, singularly useful in the family, and render thee dear to thy connections and cotemporaries, when the customs, fashions and maxims of the world will prove as a treacherous, yea, a very treacherous lover."

1st mo. 24. After appearing in prayer, some of her relations being present, she requested them to put up their prayers with her and for her-and mentioning her poor weak state, she said, "I have often thought of what my dear father remarked, that when his weakness grew greater, his conflicts grew lighter."

This evening she asked for her two neices S. G. and H. L. F., and thus addressed them :

"Oh Lord I offer the tribute of praise unto thee and thee only. Grant that I may be sometimes with thy servants, who are visiting from house to house the precious seed of life, and Oh "I am glad to have you with me; I should Father, enable them to render honor, praise and rejoice in your coming up in greater obedience thanksgiving unto thee. And, Father, I thank than I have done then would you have great thee that thou art pleased to visit me sometimes peace. My mind has been exercised on your acwith thy presence, and to enable me to offer at this time the tribute of glory, honor and praise unto thee, who art worthy to be praised, worshipped and obeyed."

1st mo. 22nd. About 4 o'clock this afternoon her brother Samuel called to see her, she having just passed through a hard spell of coughing, which left her very low. All present being silent, she broke forth in sweet supplication nearly in these words: "Oh that all my dross and everything that stands in opposition, or as a

count. May you consider a coming up in faithfulness as of greater consequence than any earthly enjoyment, and may every one of you now present have a hope when you come to this trying season, of a sure resting place."

She then requested her brother Samuel to write as follows:

"My mind is favored a little this evening with the incomes of heavenly love, which though often hidden from view, is, I humbly trust, at times near me. And when I am thus favored

with a ray of that divine light, in which there | divine intention. If we fully follow him in all
is life, and witness that soul-sustaining comfort his leadings, the Lord's way would to many of
and consolation which the world can neither give us be a plainer path than we find it. Great
nor take from me; then is my mind opened and is the advantage of faithful obedience; it sweetens
expanded toward the dear younger branches of every cup, and speaks peace to the soul.
Un-
my family, for whom I have long been travailing, mixed sincerity towards God, is an excellent sweet-
as with my hands on my loins, that it might ener of all the cups we drink of, from the foun-
please Infinite Mercy to visit them so effectually, tain of Marah; but where the secret conscious-
that the visitation might be as a nail fastened in ness of want of true resignation and humble fol-
a sure place. Were my head waters, and mine lowing on preys upon the mind, such cannot fly
eyes fountains of tears, then could I weep day with boldness to the altars of God, where even the
and night for the younger branches of my own swallows have a place allotted. May best wis-
family, and for the descendants of believing, re- dom and fortitude be the clothing of thy mind,
ligious parents in general, whose minds I believe and peace, and the answer of "well done," be
are often bowed before the throne of majesty and thy portion forever.-SAMUEL FOTHERGILL.
grace for the preservation of their children. May
these come under the operation of the holy pre-
paring Hand, which is about to work for them
great things, provided they will make a full sur- The security and happiness of the godly under
render, and be as clay in the hand of the potter,
and be formed by him into whatever vessel he
pleaseth. When all is thus left to Him, he will
dignify and make them vessels of honor in his
church and family, bearing the inscription of

holiness.

Oh, the earnest supplication and prayer
of my
heart for those of my father's family, who are
growing up or stepping forward into life, that
they may be favored to see the beauty and ex-
cellency of true religion-that it is a treasure
worthy of their endeavor to lay it up for them-
selves, and infinitely more desirable than an in-
crease of corn, wine, or oil, in the outward. My
mind is seriously impressed with deep anxiety
for their preservation, under consideration of my
own want of faithfulness in early life, whereby I
might have ranked among the more exemplary,
and been instrumental in leading the young in
the right way. And though it seems, on ac-
count of my unfaithfulness, as if the crown had
been taken off my head, I have at times been
comforted under the hope, that it will be placed
upon the heads of some of the children.

[To be continued ]

EXTRACT.

He in whose hands the winds are held, both the Southern gale and the Northern blast, hath caused the former to blow upon thee, in the sight of the many; and the northern gale of pinching and trial hath also blown upon thee, and demanded the sympathy of the few who, versed in the alternate revolutions of the Lord's year, praise Him for the summer's heat and winter's storms; for the stormy wind fulfilling his word was called upon, as well as the rolling stars of light, to declare his praise.

I have known times of sitting by the waters of Babylon, and weeping when I remembered Zion; but when I have looked into the holy sanctuary, I have seen afflictions and sorrow are often more the result of our own conduct, than the

PSALM XCI.

the Divine protection.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in him I will snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestitrust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the

lence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shall thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the

reward of the wicked, because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall dwelling, for he shall give his angels charge thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread-upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I dragon shalt thou trample under feet; because deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and shew him my salvation.

MISTAKES. As one observes more and more, he accounts it of less importance to correct mere intellectual misapprehensions. Mistakes that do not involve pernicious errors of doctrine, and that have not energy enough to keep themselves alive, it is best to let die of neglect,