large field, and the bulk of the meetings in Pennsylvania are so nearly situated, (as my map shows,) as I seemed to view them, when at home, in my own mind, that it greatly confirms my prospects; but what I have felt at times has much more confirmed them. Suffering and rejoicing have both much abounded, and a good degree of evenness, (for me,) has been preserved under both, although the misery has sometimes been as much as could well be borne. But all is amply made up at seasons, blessed be our Helper.

I often wish thy lonesome hours may be sweetened by the incomes of that presence which lifts my poor soul over one trial after another, beyond my own expectation. I even marvel at myself, how I bear up under the trying dispensation, in the removal of dear Joseph, as well as I do. I have thought thy great fears that I might not return, might have some reference to his allotment, rather than mine. However, though I still hope to see thy face again, it may be otherwise. I have been much about this city, and into many houses, but am yet hearty; the small-pox not much in town, though some.

Do, my dear, exhort, command, and restrain our dear babes, as need may be. My spirit mourns in secret over the almost unbounded deviations which prevail here among many, who scarce wear any part of our mark; and I see it to be much owing to parents missing an early restraint and control. Alas! many have thus gone from the right way, till the slain of the daughter of my people, are a great number. It makes me wish ardently that my own, and my dear New England Friends' chil dren, may be early and constantly subjected, lest little else be left, ere long, but the name of plainness and moderation

among us.

Outward affairs, I commit to thee and Benedict; to whom is my endeared love, as also to his wife, mother, and children; and to all my dear friends, as thou sees them. I often feel many of them near me, with wishes for good. I much wish a line from thy own hand, and own heart; and tell my friends not to forget that a line at times is refreshing.

I feel great risings of affection towards thee, in which I must conclude, and remain, as ever, thy loving husband, and sympa

thising, unshaken friend, wishing thy advancement in the precious, ever-blessed truth,

JOB SCOTT.

Dear wife,

To his Wife.

Bristol, 18 miles from Philadelphia, 10th month 16th, 1786.

I wrote thee twice from Philadelphia, since which I have attended meetings every day, till to-day; and have been shut up in suffering silence in all of them, except a short sentence or two, (without much satisfaction,) just at the close of one meeting. A number of the last, I did not appoint, my way being quite shut up, but had freedom to attend them as they came in course, or were appointed by others. This day I have quite laid by; every door and gate being quite barred up, for several days, if not locked and bolted. It has been a most trying dispensation. Gladly would I have seen the way home; but that was covered as with Egyptian darkness. Patience and hope have been almost my only comfort. I have just now, at night, seen a little light spring up, as out of darkness; and a way seems open to go forward to a little number of meetings. I have lately had the very sympathising company of James Thornton, and divers other kind Friends. I lodged a few nights past at James's, and found him a nursing father indeed.

Up and down, my dear heart, is still my way, as heretofore; but I bear it rather more quietly; and in my downs, I hope for a joyful uplifting by and by; and when up, I remember what's likely soon to come, and so am kept lowly, or in a good degree of evenness. No doubt all will work for good. My dear love to all my dear friends. Tell my dear babes, I don't know when I shall see them, but want them to be good, and to obey their mother. Give my kind love to father, &c. In endeared affection, I am thy truly loving husband, in that which many waters cannot quench.

To his Wife.

My dearest,

Philadelphia, 11th month 2d, 1786.

I this day came again to this place, in order to attend the Quarterly Meeting; the select begins on seventh-day. I have been in the country to a considerable number of meetings, and the last three days before this, was at three Monthly Meetings. The eleven first meetings I was at, after I left this city, I was shut up. in profound silence, except a very few words at the close of the first. Trying was this dispensation; but in it I learned much patience. I thought I knew before what it was to suf fer, and want; and also something of true patience: but I find we have much to learn, even after we think we have learned much. "Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." I think I have seen the Lord's hand in the deeps, under this exercise; and in the event, in some respects, more than ever; and am beyond all doubt confirmed, that he hath his way in the whirlwind, as well as in the cloud and thick darkness. "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord." This language is made very familiar; for indeed, he hath an end, and an important end too, in all these provings. I now know, that when he shuts none can open. I read it, and believed it, and, in good degree, felt and experienced it before; but now I know it in the deeps, in a manner past all human penetration, or natural apprehension; and what is more than all that, I rejoice in it too; yea, I greatly rejoice that it is so, and that I have thus exercisingly found it so. For, by thus fully learning this part of the lesson, I have been led feelingly, and to my great admiration, to dip far deeper than ever, into a clear experience of the other part, that "when he opens none can shut." And, blessed be his holy name, after I gave all up, and, not daring to shrink back, concluded to go on, and be a fool, a spectacle, and a sign, in dumbness and silence, or whatever he pleased, I felt the word of his power, and the eternal influence of his divine life to arise in my soul, in majesty and mighty dominion :. and in the fresh openings of the

vision of light, my trumpet was prepared to sound; and the openings being indisputably clear, great was my confirmation; yea, and consolation also; for it was like a resurrection from the dead. And indeed, a good, honest old woman said to me after meeting, "I am glad I was at thy resurrection to-day."

Many, my dear love, were the kind Friends that sympathised with me in my baptism into death: and how could they but rejoice with me in the aboundings of that which was evidently felt to be "the resurrection and the life?" My way has been opened, and good ability given, in every meeting since, save one.

And now I feel much more like suffering in this city, than 1 did any time whilst here before. I then very clearly saw the great deviations; but now I not only see but feel them too. I was then commanded not to judge after the sight of the eye, nor reprove after the hearing of the ear; so I felt in good degree quiet and easy but I now feel burdened to the life; and what I may find to do, or whether any thing, I know not on the Lord alone, is my reliance. May his help be so waited for, as to be witnessed, preserving in the patience and quiet, and in silence or otherwise, as his will may be; for I wish to have none of my own.

After this Quarterly Meeting come several more, which I think of attending; so that I expect to be here but a few days, and away again. I don't hear much of the small-pox in the city at this time. When here before, I rambled almost all over it, and got many new, and some choice acquaintance.

I can see nothing like home yet; not even in the deepest dippings; for though ardency of affection would make me rejoice to be able to say as G. Dillwyn, in a letter to a friend this way, said respecting himself as to Ireland, that "the spirit of the Lord had sealed his discharge;" yet, my beloved, when I look home, the road is covered with a gloom of thick darkness, from end to end. May my God, and thy God, 'give thee faith and patience to endure my absence, and every trial, like a woman, with fortitude and resignation. My endeared love salutes thee, and the dear babes I left in thy bosom. To the Lord I commit and commend thee; and to him and to thee, I commit them. Pray watch over them; tutor and restrain them in his fear, and in his counsel: and though I can give little encouragement of a sudden

return, I wish thee not to think I shall be held here, as David Sands in the east. I expect no such detention; but wish so to clear my mind in this land, as that I may enjoy my family and friends, when I return, and not suffer a number of month's torment, like a dear friend of mine tells me he did, after his return from New England. I wish, ardently wish, to be with thee once more; but believe, beyond all hesitation, were I now to come to thee, in the strength of that feeling affection which abounds towards thee, I should have little, or no satisfaction in thy company.

I heed very little, any man's pointings out for me; some would hold me longer in one place; others would be willing I went to this or that place. But I mind my own business; for I find they are, in this respect, mostly, if not all, physicians of no value; and I have but one to look to, to open and show me my way, and him I find all-sufficient on every occasion, and in every trial. Oh! may thy acquaintance with him, and reliance on him, be more and more increased, as indeed, mine has been, in my pilgrimage through this land.

I almost fear my dear friend Benedict's patience will be pinched, but wish it may not fail. My love is affectionately to him, and all his ; wishing his care continued over my family and affairs.

My love to father, Phebe, sister and brother Lapham, their children; father and mother Anthony; brothers and sisters all, and all my dear friends. A line from them I much desire, and above all, from thee, my beloved; do try to favour me in this respect, for I am now, as ever, but now especially, thy feelingly affectionate husband,

JOB SCOTT.

Dear wife,

To his Wife.

Kennet, in Pennsylvania, 1st of 12th month, 1786.

About eight days past, I received thy very acceptable letter of the 28th of 10th month, with one from J. Smith of the same