210 FRIENDS’

REVIEW.

 

of our own, but all swallowed up in the Divine
Will, is indeed a great thing. It is easily said,
but very few, I fear, experience it. I am often-
times sensible. of my shortness, and therefore
much desire that my dear daughter may expe-
ience a greater devotion of soul to the service
of her father’s God; that so she may be a more
plentiful sharer of the smiles of His gracious
countenance, and the peace which He alone can
ive.

Dear Patty, as I cannot see thee, my pen
seems unexpectedly to supply the want, by en-
larging on a subject I had no thought of, when
I began to write.

We have had frequent accounts that thy dear
Samuel was mending, though very slowly. The
warm days of last week affected me exceedingly,
and make the approaching season look formida-
ble. May the God of my life mercifully
strengthen my faith and patience to bear what
he sees meet to suffer me to be tried with, that
so I may not, in thought, word or deed, offend
Him, is the most fervent breathing of my soul.

I have a hope that after the Quarterly Meet-
ing I may get up to see you. With my dear
love to Samuel, thyself, nurse and children,

I am, thy affectionate father,

CA, Maral

_ In aletter to his daughter on the first of
Third month he says: ‘I have written a letter
to Elizabeth Collins, intending to enclose it to
thy care, but saw her brother at meeting, who
informed me she was ill and not likely to con-
tinue long; I have therefore omitted sending
shor ;
[Diary.] ‘‘My state of health giving reason
to believe that my religious services are nearly

over, I feel disposed to record a recent one, and}

it may be the last of that kind, if it may encour-
age you, my dear children, to faithfulness in
religious duties.

“‘T had for several years felt a draft of love
towards Friends of Egg Harbor Monthly Meet-
ing, and a desire to unite in a visit to their
families. Last winter, when confined to my
room by illness, I felt a pressure on my mind
to propose in a letter to Elizabeth Collins,
should my health be restored and should she
feel a freedom, to unite with her in such a visit.
She was also ill at the same time, and not ex-
pected to live. In the Third month I received

_ aletter from her that she rejoiced at the pro-
~ posal, and that, if health would permit, she had
nang of being at that Monthly Meeting in
the Fifth month. Although, at the reception of
her letter, I was ve i and hardly able to
ride, I proposed to John Tatum to accompany
us, and after some time he concluded to go. A
few days before we were to set off, he hurt him-
self so that he could scarcely rise from a chair,
and my health was such that I could but occa-

a ae
quest to be released from being a representative _

 

sionally attend meetings; yet I dare not draw
back..

“We met Elizabeth Collins and Rebecca
Cowperthwaite at Cropwell Meeting, on, the
29th of Fourth month, proceeded akout four-
teen miles that afternoon, reached the shore
next day, and lodged at the Widow Sculls.
On First-day we attended their meeting, and on
Second-day, both their Select. and Monthly
Meeting, and rode to the upper end of the shore.
On third-day, 5th month 3d, we entered on our
service. We visited sixteen families of this
meeting, and fourteen at the Middle Meeting.
Second-day we crossed to the Cape, where we
visited fifteen families, making a total of forty-
five ; in six of which none were in membership.
On Fifth-day we left for Salem, to be at the
Yearly and Quarterly Meetings. We were at
Select Meeting on Seventh-day, and attended
the succeeding meetings, but of the last, at
Pilesgrove, I sat but a part. I reached home
the evening of Fifth month 18th, havin
been twenty days from home. I was. niet
to get through to my own reverent iration
and deep thankfulness to the God of all our
sure mercies, who never requires a service but
he enables to perform, if the trust is singly in
Him. Under a sense of which, my soul magni-

Amen. res
never expecting |
to be able to attend that or another, I sent a re

   

fies his holy Name at this time.
‘“‘At last Quarterly Meeting,

     
   
  
 
  
  
 

in the Meeting for Sufferings. John Robarts
was now appointed in my stead. I was firstap- ,
pointed in the Eleventh month, 1776 , one of
the first four for our Quarter. The ne
after my return I became very poorly, a1
tinue so, and at this time (Fifth mo
is with difficulty that I sit up to write.” =
The decease of D. C.’s son-in-law, Samuel —
Allinson, two days after the above date, involy-
ed his relatives in a depth of sorrow, for which
the consolations of the gospel afforded the only
alleviation. His life and his correspondence
with persons of eminent worth, might properly
form the subject of aseparate memoir. By suc-
cessful practice at the bar, he had amassed a
considerable estate, but on retiring into the
country, the change of currency and the avarice
of others, caused him great loss. The real
estate sold in Burlington, was paid for in funds
which proved unavailable, whilst the farm for
which he had contracted must be paid for with
hard money. He left a well deserved reputa-
tion for undeviating integrity, and an estate per-
fectly solvent, but greatly diminished.
[Diary of D. C.] “My son-in-law, Samuel
Allinson, having been in a very weak state of
health for some months, was thought better.
He had frequently rode out; had been to Bur-
lington, and returned but a few days ago. On
the second of Sixth month he arose and dressed
himself, proposing to take a ride; but looking

«

ye