all things." It is the mark of discipleship; the saint's cement among themselves; and their conquest over the very spirit of oppression. A word to the wise is enough. I rejoice that this great lesson is in good degree learned by several of you, whom I dearly love; but we need often to learn it over, and get deeper in it; for nature is revolting back to its old bias and feelings. I very sincerely wish you the enjoyment of Heaven's best and richest blessings, and commending you all to God, with fulness of unabated affection, remain yours, &c., JOB SCOTT. To Daniel Anthony, and Family. Dear father, &c., Boston, 4th of 12th month, 1792. Yesterday I returned from Lynn, where I went on sixth-day last. Friends there and here are mostly well; so am I, and more cheerful than I expected, though I feel like "a worm and no man." My mouth was not opened in their large meeting at Lynn. I don't find that my will ordered it, but believe it was ordered well. Mark and captain Glover say, the ship will sail to-morrow, wind and weather favouring. Its name is the Mercury. I have no doubt of comfortable accommodations on the passage. No great things are needful for me. Give my love to father Scott, and tell him I have thought much of him, since I left home, and wish him comfort in his old age, and a mind truly resigned. May the Lord be with him. And dear parents, I feel desirous to express a willingness that you should avail yourselves of every advantage on the place, which you think will not injure the estate. I don't know that mentioning this can be of any use, but it rested with me. Live all in love; speak kindly and tenderly to each other. Soft expressions turn away wrath, and endear friendship. Trust in God. It is not formality, or words of course, to say, he is a never-failing helper. Have recourse to his all-sufficiency, and readiness to assist, on every trying occasion. I would trust in him, even though he were to slay me; even if my own imprudence were to plunge me into sorrow and difficulty. I have none in heaven or earth to rely upon besides him. Men are almost ever changing. The man most attached to us to-day, to-morrow may set up a cry against us; may undermine and forsake us; may speak us fair, and retain our confidence, yet treacherously and slily insinuate something against us. On the other hand, one that even seems to persecute us, and delight to oppress, may pluck us out of difficulty; may soften, relent, and kindly embrace us. Let then our eye be to him, who turns hearts "as streams in the south." Let us not be too much pleased with the smile of mortals, nor let their sourest frowns depress, or in any degree perplex or vex us. Let us not think them much the better for favouring, nor much the worse for opposing us. God teacheth us, if we are docile, in all these things, to see him, the only ground and source of stability, goodness, and consolation, and to despair of it from every other quarter. Here he becomes our all in all. Here, we become complete in him. Here we repose secure, above the fear of contingencies, (except as influenced by our own deviations,) and rest satisfied in ourselves, through the aid of Omnipotence, beyond the noise and strife of archers. Don't forget me in any of my painful peregrinations. I trust you will not be forgotten by me. I feel you near, in endeared relationship, and that not confined to the outward connexion; the best of it is invisible. Many waters cannot quench, nor floods drown, nor time, I trust, nor distance, erase it. I don't feel as if I was straining points, or trying to exceed reality, and living sensation. It is but the effusions of the heart I am expressing; and these need no decoration. From the heart they flow sincerely; and therefore I rely upon it, they will find their counterpart in yours; and that we shall live in each other's remembrance. And may the arms of Omnipotence sustain us. Let me hear from you as soon and as often as you well can, and inform me your state, and material occurrences; and how it is with all my dear little motherless, and now, as it were, fatherless children. But have they not fathers and mothers provided? Yea: blessed forever be the name of the Lord. He is rich in mercy, and plenteous in provision for his servants. My very soul is humbled in me; mine heart affects mine eyes, in contemplation of his goodness. I feel no worthiness in me, of the many favours vouchsafed. “With my staff, (said Jacob,) I passed over this Jordan," &c. Oh! the passage at Jordan! Oh! the probation, at the river of judgment! God only knows the provings and perils of his people. They are judged of very superficially by thousands, who assume the seat of judgment; who think they know; and who even can with the left hand, fling stones to an hair's breadth, and not miss. And yet, alas ! they know not how he proveth his at Massah, nor after what sort he striveth with them at the waters of Meribah. What ye know of these things, my dear relatives, under that roof, in your own experience and provings, know for yourselves; and God also knowing them, be therewith content. He sees every falling tear; and every sigh his holy ear will hear; and our safety in tribulation may be much greater, in hidden obscurity, vailed from the penetration of mortals, than in exposure to their notice and caressings. I have much exceeded the length of my expectations; and in near and affectionate remembrance, I here may close, wishing you the blessings of Heaven, and an hearty and fervent farewell. Yours, &c. JOB SCOTT. My love to Friends. I expect to sail in a day or two. The Lord on high is mightier than the sound of many waters. To Remember Anthony, Providence. Boston, 12th month 4th, 1792. Beloved sister, Though I feel thee included in the address of my heart this day to our dear parents, and also the rest of my dear sisters. and brothers, yet I may express my desires for thy firm unshaken reliance on All-sufficient Goodness. Rich in mercy towards thee, has been the infinite Jehovah, and if he yet lead thee through straits, perils, sinkings, and deep probations, Oh! trust in him forever, nor suffer his wonders e'er to be forgot. His arm has been made bare for thy deliverance. The sea has been divided for thy passage; thou hast trod on dry ground through the midst thereof. "Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams," &c. Hold fast, therefore, the beginning of thy faith and reliance steadfast to the end, and then I trust he will be with thee through all. Be good to Ruthy and James; but not too good. Indulgence may ruin them. Don't cast away thy little James in adopting his little sister. Thou accepted her at last with open and broken heart. Have her therefore as thy own, till I return, if I ever do so, if not, keep her. If I return, keep her, or return her, according to thy good pleasure. Have an eye to all her brothers and sisters. Watch over and advise them for their good. Write to them, and desire father, Joseph, Richard, and Alice, to write to them. Keep up the acquaintance and affection. Encourage them to learn, and when they can write, encourage them to write to thee and the family, and to tuck a line in for me when some of you are writing one. And let me hear from thee by a line, and tell my dear brothers and sisters a line from them will be truly acceptable. Tell dear sister Alice I crave her kind care and attention to the dear children. Don't forget my dear old father; be good to him, be kind to him, thou and all of you, and make him comfortable. I trust you will be faithful in this, and I rejoice in the confidence of it. May his old age be happy! May his knowledge of God be increased, and the blessing of Heaven be on you for your kindness to him. Teach the children to love and respect him. Teach them civility to all persons, and tenderness to all creatures. I enclose a little piece called the " Birds' Nest," in substance, from a book entitled "The Children's Friend." If thou think'st it will inspire compassion into their hearts, let them hear it, or have a copy of it. The verses "On a Child in the Cradle," I took from the same book. My simplicity may excite a smile, but truly my heart was touched in reading them; so I copied them for thee. They may be better for the children to learn, than some that children do learn. I desire thee to do a little at teaching them to read. I hope thou may not be a loser by any care bestowed on them. But above all bring them along in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. My dear love to all my children, and to my two little sisters. Bid them be good girls. Dwell deep in the holy root, and therein thou wilt, as is thy brother's ardent wish for thee, dear sister, fare well. Thy affectionate brother and friend in the travail of the gospel, JOB SCOTT. To Daniel Anthony and Family, Providence. Dear father, mother, &c. Dunkirk, 7th of 1st month, 1793. Having, through the kind providence of a gracious God, arrived safe here, the day before yesterday, I now give you an account of my voyage. We sailed from Boston 5th of last month, and I got here 5th of this. The ship had not, till just now, got into harbour. The very first night from Boston, the cry was, "All hands ahoy." They were soon all on deck, and the ship put about to return to the harbour; for she proved very leaky; and the leak rapidly increasing, that is, from 100 to 600 strokes an hour, in the course of a few hours. The captain, mates, and crew, were alarmed. But she soon leaked less on this tack; and they put about again, and stood out to sea. She still leaked much when put about; next day the captain and several men searched on the outside, but could not find the leak. After awhile it moderated, when returning cheerfulness glowed in the countenances of captain, mates, and men. Sixth-day, 7th of the month, the leak greatly increased, to near 1000 strokes an hour. Sadness again resumed its empire over the countenances of the crew. The captain knew not what to do. At length, he put about again, and sailed homeward. The weather was pretty rugged all the time of this increasing leak, and part of the time stormy. After a while the captain had a hole cut through the second deck, and searched inside for the |