couple of my acquaintance in life. May the right love and unity increase amongst us.

"Remember us very kindly to your father, and believe me, dear cousins, your truly affectionate kinsman and sincere friend,

"R. S."

Thomas Carleton had married an amiable young woman. His father (Samuel Carleton) and his friends were much pleased with the connexion; but how often are we taught that we have nothing certain while in mutability? The hopes which S. C. had cherished for his declining years, were suddenly destroyed by the death of his son, who was taken off by a fever, in about a year after his marriage. The heart of the disconsolate father rested on the amiable young widow; but, in the course of another year, he had to resign her also to an early grave, she having fallen into a decline soon after the death of her husband.

Abraham Shackleton having gone to attend the yearly meeting in London, was there taken ill. The following letter is from

“Crewgate, five miles from Namptwich, "at the house of a kind friend, Thomas Mullenas,

"MY DEAR SON,

"27th of 6th Month, 1767.

"I was taken unwell in London, on first day week, in the evening; but, by the care of my kind friends, was so far recovered that I set out on the 17th, and got to Namptwich in Cheshire; but being attacked there with an intermitting fever, my dear friend, J. C. after watching and caring for me night and day for four days, removed me to this kind family, where I want no outward thing that I know of, for my recovery.

"According to my present sense I am mending; and may,

if Providence, kind Providence, who hath not I hope left me destitute, please, set forward in a few days.

As J. C. cannot be prevailed on to leave me, if I should be removed by death be sure let him not be at any expence from our coming to Namptwich. I wish his watching and caring for me, may not impair his health.

"If I get not home, I am sure thou wilt cherish all in thy power thy mother, my faithful wife and dear companion. And forget not her sister; and I should think she might be placed with cousin D. Carleton: there is enough to do justice to every one. I have no doubt of thy care in all things. For thy son, I hope thou wilt have comfort in him, and in the rest of thy children: that will be only as they attend to the inward saving principle of grace and truth. My dear love to thy mother, thyself, thy wife, and yours, and to enquiring friends; wherein my dear and over-careful companion joins, thy affectionate father,

"A. S."

Abraham Shackleton recovered, and returned to his family, who were thankful for being spared this threatened trial. His valuable wife, who was some years his senior, and debilitated by rheumatism, could seldom leave her fire-side, where she received her friends with a countenance innocently sweet, and engaged in cheerful conversation, denoting a truly humble mind. She at all times freely gave up her beloved husband, for the service of Him who had blessed them with his favour.

Margaret Shackleton was seized with a paralytic affection in her throat. She saw her end approach, not only with Christian fortitude, but with Christian joy, saying, she "was thankful to have passed through the wilderness of the world with so few scratches." She desired her son and his wife to take care of their aged father, and not let him work too hard, (for he loved to engage in agricultural

employments.) She only regretted parting from him. The last night of her life, while he watched by her bedside, she conversed with him on past occurrences, in a very interesting manner. The next afternoon, whilst he sat by the fire, he felt his mind so overshadowed with good, that he rose and went to the bed-side to communicate his feelings to his dear partner, but her sweet spirit had just fled: and the young heart of her grand-daughter Margaret, whò was present, was also sensible of the sweet and sacred sensation; and when some one wanted to soothe her, she said: "O no; it is not grief." She died the 4th of the 3d month, 1768, in her eightieth year: and Abraham Shackleton gave up housekeeping, and lived with Deborah Carleton, who took affectionate care of him to the last.

A. S. TO HIS CHILDREN.

66

Dungannon, 17th of 9th Month, 1768.

"MY VERY DEAR CHILDREN, R. AND E. S.

Though I am personally separated from you at present, I do not forget you, but am sincerely concerned that you may grow in grace, and the inward and saving knowledge of God and Jesus Christ; who, I have in some small degree, at times, since I left home, been made sensible, would be a tender father to his obedient children.

I should have been pleased with a more particular account of the health of relations and friends there, than in my son's two last letters; though, as to my own part, I oft find it safest to say and write little. At times I have been filled with fear for S. J.'s son and daughter: do you feel for them and for your own. The temple of the heart ought to be kept clean and disencumbered; the spirit of the world defiles and unfits it for the reception and abode of the heavenly guest.

"A. S."

A. S. TO A RELATION.

"Ballitore, 12th of 10th Month, 1768.

"It is certain, if we are not watchful and careful to step along in true fear, during our pilgrimage through the wilderness of this world of dangers, we shall suffer great loss, and let an enemy into our habitation, who will sow one kind or other of evil seed, and suffer the loss of the unity of the spirit, the inward guide, which is the bond of such peace, as far too many are quite strangers to, seeking only to gratify a carnal inclination. And sooner or later they that do so must needs 'reap corruption;' when they that sow to the spirit, taking good heed to that unerring guide, the experienced apostle tells us, are to "reap life everlasting.' And the fruits of the spirit are meekness and sweet peace and joy, even in this life. Such are preserved by the rod and staff, and are no strangers to the working out their salvation with fear and trembling; and if they hold out in true faithfulness to the end of the race, will not be surprised without the heavenly oil in their lamps, at the midnight cry, "The bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him;" they having been so wise as to keep their lamps burning, and their lights (to others, edifying lights) shining...

"I remember, my dear cousin, I felt good, inward good, in thy house, and this certainly is the saint's food; by this, the bread that descends from Heaven, their souls are nourished up to eternal life. The poor in spirit hunger for this, and he that tries and knows their poverty, and the sincerity of their honest heart, fails not to fill and feed them in due season, that they faint not; for his goodness and tender mercies endure for ever.

"Thou hast children; tell them where durable riches are to be found: watch over them that they may be fruitful vines growing by the sides of thy house; that so the Lord of life, who is continually watching over us for our good, may have babes to praise him from one generation to another. Oh! that I could see, whilst here, the sweetsmelling myrtle and fir-tree succeed the thistle and thorn, that only encumber the ground, and bring not fruit, like trees of righteousness, to the honour of the good husbandman, who is looking for fruit. Let us not, dear cousin, bė unmindful to watch always; and thus being preserved in our allotments, we may be of some service to our children and others, and have authority and true discerning to rebuke the stubborn, strengthen the weak, and comfort the feeble-minded, and be useful members of that spotless church whereof Christ Jesus is the holy head and high priest.

66

f

'My son and his are a comfort to me in my old age, and join me in true affection for thee and thine.

"A. S."

A gentleman, whose extravagance and dissipation had reduced him to a languishing state of health, was surrounded by those who had not courage to inform him that his life was in danger. Elizabeth Shackleton was greatly concerned to hear this, and imparted her feelings to him by letter, as follows:

E. S. to

to

"It will undoubtedly appear very strange to receive a letter of this kind from a simple woman, and perhaps be a subject of ridicule; but if thou knew what has passed in my mind within these three days about thee, I believe thou wouldst give some attention to it. I heard thou wast very ill; not likely to be long in this life. I felt