FRIENDS’

see dnd be among Friends, and proposes staying
till spring, and should things continue as satis-
factory as heretofore, has thoughts of settling
here. She appeared to mean innocent, well
meaning woman, not of a large capacity, and to
have more of a superficial, active spirit, than of
the deep, feeling experience of a gospel minister;
and I apprehend Friends have brought them-
selves into a difficulty with regard to her, from
which they may not easily extricate themselves.
She has been much caressed, and by the fore-
most Friends of that city, and liberty given by
the Select Meeting to sit in meetings for busi-
ness, without waiting to feel sufficiently after
her spirit, or her experience in religion. This
may perhaps serve to teach the propriety of the
Apostles’ injunction: ‘Lay hands suddenly on
no man.’” "

~ Allusion is here made to the labors in Tortola
of that dedicated disciple Thomas Chalkley.
We do not find this island’ specified in his in-
structive autobiography, but he visited the
West Indies fifteen times, the first being in
1701, eighty-four years prior to the period now re-
ferred to, and the last visit being in 1734, or
_ fifty-one years before the visit to Philadelphia

of his convert, who whether she was really called
to the work of the ministry or not, appears to
have been a recipient of the truth, sincerely
pursuing the way of life and salvation.

D. C. to D. O.

My dear Friend,—I have often remembered
thee since I was last at thy house. The pros-
pect before thee with regard to thy bosom friend
is a dispensation I have had to pass through.
The feelings of that day I frequently have to
commemorate. Many times when alone I fell
on my knees to implore the continuance of a life
so precious, but dare offer no more than, “ Oh
God! thy will be done!” When sitting by her
bed, all hope extinguished, the responsible care
of six little innocents all to devolve upon me,
much more desirable it appeared to be taken in
her stead. Alas, how weak and presumptuous
is the will of man! How prone are we to pre-
scribe for ourselves, instead of resigning all our
cares to Omnipotent wisdom! How chequered
hath been my life. Not long after, having five
of my children with me at meeting, whilst Isaac
Andrews was in prayer, the door was opened,
and a man called out, “ David Cooper’s house is
on fire!” I hastened back and found all my
buildings, except a small part, consumed. My
six little ones were soon gathered, weeping,
around me: [ had no shelter for them,—no
change of clothing nor mouthful of food. But,
in this, my advanced age, I have to encourage
' others to trust in Him who clothes the lilies and
regards the sparrows. He provided for us. We
have known no want. Hitherto hath he helped
us. I have seen His wonders and live to praise
His name. Therefore be not dismayed.. That

REVIEW: 803

God who took Israel by the hand and led him
through the wilderness, cannot forget those who
love Him; though he is pleased to prove their
love, faith and obedience, in due time their
souls shall be satisfied with marrow and fat-
ness, and they shall praise Him with joyful
lips. :
This day, feeling a near sympathy with thee
in such trial, wherein at times the mind is tossed
with tempests and not comforted, a desire pre-
vails that thy faith and trust may be steadfast.
Then shall thou receive beauty for ashes, the
oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness. That these
favors may be experienced by thee, and an in-
crease of strength and wisdom witnessed,so as
to become a pillar in the Lord’s house, and
live to exalt Hisexcellent name among the child-
ren of men, is the breathing desire of thy assured

friend, i

Correctiors.—In the fast number (No. 21) of “ No-
tices of David Cooper,” third line on page 787, for
‘current duty,’ read “present duty”—and in the
following line, for ‘‘ present volume” read ‘ current
volume.”

8th mo. 1785.

 

ISAAC SHARP’S VISIT TO THE FAROE ISLANDS.
(Continued from page 789.)

Fourth month 29th—It blew hard in the
night, and the storm of wind and rain continues
unabated this morning, entirely precluding our
departure hence until the swell of the surging
waves becomes less. At nine, the hour appoint-
ed, more than 100 assembled—the countenances
of many evinced their serious attention. The
people of this place are much cut off from the
pastor within whose parish they reside, as the
distance precludes his being with them more
than six times a year. In the afternoon, al-
though it continued to rain, there was a change
for the better, and a little before five we left for
Qualirg, and in about two hours landed in safe-
ty, and found lodgings at the house of a person
who is accustomed to entertain merchants and
others who may be passing by this way. The
weather is far more winter-like than anything
we met with in Iceland—the sheep have a very
bare pasture, there being scarcely a trace of
vegetation on the hillsides, except the sere and
withered tufts, and the moss which grows among
them—the little lambs are small and thin, and
some of them may be seen on the margin of the
fiords, with their mothers, learning their first
lessons in the selection of the sea-weed growing
on the rocks, most suitable to eke out their
scanty sustenance. The butter is well made—
clean and sweet, but about as pale as milk.

Fourth month 30th.—The weather this morn-

 

ing is exceedingly dull, much rain has fallen in
the night, and it continues dark and dreary, wet