is deep and weighty, but I mean in particular this: "In God alone, it can rejoice, though none else regard it, or can own its life." Ah! dear James, the Lord thy God taught thee this through many tribulations: and there is a little remnant, a very small number, who have nothing at all to boast of, who are, in some little degree, learning the same lesson. And Oh! my dear wife, thy poor husband is fully convinced, through many overturnings, that until we get to this state, our happiness will be liable to interruptions. Indeed, it is wisely ordained that it should be so, by him in whom alone is any permanent unshaken bliss. And as we find it so, day after day; every thing wherein we promised ourselves delight, more or less failing and disappointing us; this has a tendency, if we are well-disposed, to drive us nearer to God, by weaning us, little by little, from other things. Thus came the wonder of his age, the blessed John Woolman, to witness his works go so fully beforehand to judgment, that he was dead, whilst yet alive in the body. Oh! the strippings and mortifications through which this is attained; so that it was said of him, "Redeem'd from earth, and earth's perplexing cares, Thy mind was tutor'd, fitted and prepar'd, A near communion with eternal good." Oh! this work of redemption. Few know what it is; and fewer still are willing to dwell in the furnace long enough to have it fully effected: for he who only can effect it, baptizeth with fire. This is very distressing to that in man, that loveth ease and pleasure. But this refiner has his fan in his hand, and surely will, if submitted to, not in part only, but thoroughly purge his floor; and, by burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire, will gather the wheat into his garner. May thou and I, dear heart, and all that have known the beginnings of this work, so endure it, love it, and keep to it, that it may be finished; even though we witness, before we can say with Christ," it is finished," as he witnessed, the mingling of wormwood, or vinegar and gall. My soul knows that this is the way; and had it been strictly walked in, I might ere this, have known my calling and election made sure forever. Well, my deepest and sincerest desire for myself is, that I may henceforward cleave incessantly to that which burns up the dross, tin, and reprobate silver. I wish none of it to remain; for each dreg of it retards our growth in the divine life. Oh! what an excellency my soul sees in the life and spirit of such as have been truly faithful; as John Woolman, &c.; and as William Penn said of some, so say I, with living desires that I may realize it in a happier world: "Oh! blessed men! Oh! blessed spirits; let my soul, or may my soul dwell forever with yours:" or to this import. I have no clear prospect of seeing home before next spring, though my dippings are so in the deeps, that I often feel as if I could not go on much further. But as I never went down (till now) so low as not to rise again, I cannot doubt of being carried through all, if my life continues to be freely offered up as a sacrifice to him, to whose goodness I owe it; as indeed it has in great degree been, most of the time since I saw thy face, though I assure thee, no otherwise than through "burning and fuel of fire." But be it longer or shorter that we are separated, I hope and believe our meeting again, will be with fulness of love, endearment, and joy; and that our hearts will, as it were, live in one another meanwhile. The work is too weighty and pressing on me, to think of fleeing from it. I know it is of the Lord, and many are the witnesses of it. My dear companion leaves me to-morrow, or next day; but I dare not doubt of having suitable company. My love to my dear old father. I wish his happiness in time, and forever. May he know a preparation for death, before he goes hence. Do, my dear, do all thou can for his comfort. It will tend to the weightiness of thy own crown, in the end. My love is also to dear father and mother Anthony, and all my dear brothers and sisters, both mine and thine. And with many good wishes, it is also to my own dear children, which the Lord has given us. Oh! may they be preserved in the innocency, till life divine. may open in their souls. My prayers are oft to Heaven, for them and thee,-when none around me know, but that sleep proVOL. II.-18 found my eye-lids close. As usual, I mention my love also to other relations, my neighbours and friends; and I can scarcely close without expressing my wishes for the preservation and consolation of our dear sister Remember. I oft think of her trials and afflictions of body and mind. May they all work good to her soul; and they will, if she faints not, but holds out to the end. Oh! may she not be suffered to let in discouragements. He that has been with her, is God over all. He never can fail her, if she rightly trusteth in him; even though he slay her, may she still trust in him. This is the desire of my soul for her, and for you all. I rest thy ever affectionate husband, JOB SCOTT. To Moses Brown and Wife, Providence. Dear friends, M. B. and wife, Leesburg, 12th month 10th, 1789. I just now received, (on my arrival at this little town, or village, in Virginia, about 188 miles from Philadelphia,) your kind letters, the one from the wife, dated 11th of 10th month, the other from you both, of 28th of the same month; both were truly acceptable. The account of my dear wife's being in a mending way is peculiarly so, and I felt great thankfulness that care has been taken that she should not want for medical assistance. I have written to her and dear father Anthony several times, especially desiring she might not be neglected in that, or any necessary accommodation or assistance. I expect, from your accounts, she has had a pretty low time, though you do not exactly say so. I suppose you thought it best to be sparing; however, I wish all necessary care may be extended according to her state. I am long detained from her, but I hope she will be preserved in patience. I am almost certain if she could feel the necessity that is laid upon me, powerfully so, indispensably constraining me to go on from place to place, she could not even wish me to draw away the shoulder, or turn my back on the fields of labour which have been and are opened before me, with a clearness truly admirable, at least to myself. Though I am long from her and my friends, I am very diligently moving on; stay no longer at a place than just to take a meeting, in scarce any instance; and have travelled till about 10 at night, several nights within a week, to avoid delay; though I fear to do the like again; my health but ill allows it, though as well as usual. I still hope to be at liberty to return pretty directly after spring meeting; but if I do, must rather drive or leave some places where my first prospect extended, and leaving them feels like bringing their weight on my shoulders, or rather my heart, to New England. As to my own will, I remain abundantly given up; but if I knew my dear wife, or solid friends, were uneasy, or fearful of my staying too long, I believe I should labour to stifle my lively exercises in regard to some places. If I may be allowed to say it, I am helped along beyond all expectation, to my great admiration, thankfulness, and humiliation. I find as I have no ability of my own, and strive not to have, I am supplied with that wherein there is no lack. But, to keep the balance, am frequently tried with the loss of all, and with lowness and depression, which, were I to tell you of, you would conceive but a faint idea, were it not for something of a like experience. But all is in wisdom and in goodness; it is my Master's will that a cargo of considerable weight, whatever its worth may be, should be transported from place to place on board my little bark: this requires necessarily the spreading of a considerable sail; and this, it is evident, could not be safely done without ballast, or a balance of weight proportional to the spreading of a considerable sail; this weight must, as is purposely designed, bear down. Here is the only safe sailing, and even so, a reef or two in the sails is often necessary, and sometimes no sails at all can safely be spread. It is pleasant to the mariner to spread sail largely, and in a pretty full gale; but the safest sailing is not always when the sails are most extended. But blessed be the Helper of Israel, he knows when to take or order down our topsails, and will, when he pleases, make us know our dependance. I rejoice that it is so. I desire that his hand may turn, and overturn in me, till I rest wholly from my own works, as he did from his, and move only as he may move me. I am not sensible of much else since I left my own land, yet see clearly that frequent aboundings require a balance of proportional abasement. I am glad dear New England has been visited; may it not be in vain. My love is feelingly to you and your friends. I have had the epidemic; divers have died with it; it spreads, I hear, to Georgia. If I had been at home, should have thought a bed best for me, but have kept travelling; am much mended, but cough daily, and much of the time. I sweat still in meetings, and so can scarce avoid taking cold. Beside, my line of exercise affects the lungs considerably; but holy oil often flows over and atop of all, and oil, you know is healing. I have no cause to complain. Friends are very kind, and the best Friend abundantly the kindest. Don't be backward in writing; I am glad of your letters; and do let me know if Friends are fearful I shall stay too long; it would pain me; I am straitened lest they should, and yet almost under a compulsion to proceed a little further; but all according to first and lively prospects. I have scarce ever been twice at a place, unless on account of Yearly or Quarterly Meetings, and have omitted going to some remote places. How it will feel when I get home, I must leave, but I hope not very painful. Do be plain with me. I have no view of detention much longer than spring meeting, but begin after all my diligence to doubt if I can get along directly after, without leaving the wages of solid peace behind me. Do encourage my dearly beloved to trust in the Lord, and give me up freely, till I can return with that clearness which may allow of love, cheerfulness, and mutual consolation, without alloy. I believe some have staid too long. May it never be my case. Nor yet the other hand error. There is a right line of duty; peace is in it. I think I am sure we may know it, and that solid May all I love observe it. I find many solid Friends from place to place, also many outward-court worshippers. But it is a day of blessed, yea, exten |