FRIENDS’

the funeral of a young man who fell from a
horse in running a race. A meeting was
held on the occasion, which was, I think, a
solemn time, and seemed to release poor Thomas
from his confinement, as after it he felt a liberty
to proceed forwards, which he did next day.
And thus it is the poor travellers are tried;
sometimes to walk by The Light, but often to wait

sin faith : and it’s a great favor when we can add,
in patience.

Thou hast been for a few days past frequently
in my remembrance with nearness of affection,
and I seemed to wish to hear how it fares with
thee: what part of the house thou occupiest,
whether the upper or lower rooms; for notwith-
standing we are sometimes high, I am persuaded
we are often very low: and oftentimes the small
portion of faith I am permitted to possess is
almost exhausted. Such is my present experi-
ence. I have had toruminate much on the gen-
eral state of things in this city, which, together
with an humbling sense of my own shortness in
the improvement of my time, and the want of
that full dedication to which I have sometimes
encouraged others, has produced some awful
reflections, which I hope may never be marred.
Though the view is humbling, I desire it may
not prove unprofitable, and a degree of hope
springs in my mind that it will not. As to the
general state of things, they are not only low
with us here, but this has mournfully spread
over society, insomuch that the lamentation of
the prophet seems applicable to us: ‘‘ how is the
gold become dim, how is the fine gold changed!”
Many who appear to have been graciously de-
signed to adorn the fore ranks of Israel, have de-
clined in their zeal, and many have become dim
through the subtil stratagems of an unwearied
adversary. My soul has often mourned in fear,
and trembled at the prospect of the punishment
awaiting a people so highly favored, when He
who has all power shall arise to judge. Who
will be able to stand, in that day when his right
hand shall take hold on vengeance, when he
shall come to his vineyard to look for fruits, and
behold wild grapes: the fruits of the first na-
ture not only suffered to grow, but, it is to be
feared, carefully cherished, by which means it
has spread its baneful influence in many places,
to the wounding of many tender minds, if not
the stumbling of many serious inquirers. Oh
dear David, if a day of sifting should come, what
a separation will it make, when all the sophistry
of reasoning will not be able to elude it. YetI
believe there are a few names, who have in a
good degree endeavored to keep their habita-
tions in the truth. To these I feel my soul
united; earnestly desiring to be of their num-
ber who tread the path in fear, and through
many tribulations, secret as well as open con-
flicts, labor for ability to say, ‘‘ by the of
God I am what I am.” These will no doubt be
hid as under the hollow of his hand, until his

 

REVIEW. 165

indignation pass over, and will, after all the
storms, be finally arranged amongst his friends.
Oh precious prospect! Animating indeed it is
to reflect upon the approach of that season, when
we shall be admitted into the glorious rest where
all trouble shall cease, sorrow shall flee away, and
all tears be wiped from the eye. There are
some who, according to the course of nature, are
not far from the full fruition of that joy.
Though I am not insensible that near the shore
there lie many dangers, yet when we are
favored to keep to our Guide, and willing, as the
day is gently closing, to fill the remainder of our
duty, though discouragements may sometimes be
permitted to prove our love, they will all work
together for good, and for our further refine-
ment, with the comforting evidence of an admit-.
tance into the joy of our Lord, and into our
heavenly Father’s rest.

John Parrish and I intended, if not prevented
by any thing unforeseen, to attend Evesham
Monthly Meeting next Sixth-day, to beat Samuel
Allinson’s on Fifth-day evening.

It is now near twelve o’clock at night, the
family all, I suppose, in quiet repose. Nature
seems now to put one in mind that it is time to
retire. T must for the present bid thee fare-
well, and am affectionately thy poor but loving
friend, DANIEL OFFLEY, JR.

D. C., was one of a large committee appointed
by the Yearly Meeting in 1788, “ to attend the
Quarterly Meetings of Chester and London:
Grove, and the Monthly Meetings of Uwchlan,
Kennet and Caln (or Bradford,) these three
having requested to be constituted a separate
Quarterly Meeting.” On Sixth-day, 5th mo. 8th,
1759, he writes, “I left home, lodged at Eli-
Yarnall’s, in Middletown, attending next day
Concord Select Meeting, and lodging at the
widow Sharpless’. First-day, Middletown Meet-
ing; Second-day, Concord Quarterly Meeting—
lodged at Micajah Speakman’s. On Third-day,
after attending the Youth’s Meeting, rode to
John Yarnall’s at Wilmington. Next day was
at Monthly Meeting and abode at Thomas Carl-
ton’s; Fifth-day, Kennet Monthly Meeting—
lodged at Caln with Isaac Coates, where I at-
tended their Monthly Meeting next day, and.
tarried for the night at Wm. Mode’s. On
Seventh-day was the Select Meeting at London:
Grove. I lodged three nights at Joseph Cham-
bers’. First-day I drove Hannah Cathrall to
Okesson Meeting. The Quarterly Meeting was
followed on Third-day by the Youth’s Meeting —
at the Grove, after which I rested at James
Miller’s. On Fourth-day I was at Sadsbury
Monthly Meeting, and spent the night at Moses
Coates’. I was at twelve meetings, most of
them low and trying ones, even to my admira-
tion. Much of the public service was very close
and searching. That things should now be so
low among those who some years past were so