.bership while there are two of your grand tenets which I in a measure 66 depart from?"

Now, what added to the grief of this exercise of soul, and, perhaps, as an obstacle in the way of unity with your Society, I have, for nine years out of ten, and upwards, (the time of my convincement of the consistency and purity of Friends' principles) not only thought, but have reason to believe (which is more than thought) and have declared to all people (when occasion hath offered) that I admired and believed (and I may say, reduced to practice) the principles and doctrines of Quakerism; but, at the same time added, I disliked their practices. I not only admired, but I believed I had met with the true visible Church of Christ-Christ in his holy temple and sanctuary (the heart), where he only can be worshipped in spirit and in truth! Yet I say, at the same time declared (and joined with your adversaries), condemning you all (one poor less favoured man or two excepted) as bloated with pride, guilty of partiality and respect of persons, rejecting me with contempt, keeping me at an awful distance, as though I was an "Hebrew spy, who came to see the land!" or an outcast of Israel; one less holy, unclean, unsanctified than yourselves. Yea, and at one time (for more than a twelvemonth) so greatly did this conduct affect me, that I assigned it as a reason, that I could not (and did not) sit with you. And to sum up this (not auricular but) public confession, for this last twelvemonth (though attended very regularly) so fleshly, so worldly-minded do I consider your Society (in the main) that I have declared, "henceforward know I no man after the flesh, but afte

the spirit:" yea, rather, that you should say unto me, "Come in thou blessed, why standest thou without?"*

*This may, perhaps, appear strange to some of you, as I now attend so regularly to the means of grace; it cannot be rightly said I am "without." The reason for this close attendance you may not be aware of. I will explain it a little to you. This "twelve months absenting myself," (about the ninth year of my pilgrimage) during which time I was very actively engaged (particularly on first days) in selecting from a rude mass, or confused bundles (of many years' gathering) of extracts and quotations, free thoughts, &c. of my life and experience; and having been permitted to come to a resolution to compile a work for publication, I found it in my heart (though heavy on my mind) to consult the Lord !---to implore his blessing---the divine assistance and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that I might execute it right. But where could I (according to my measure of faith, and ---) go to do this agreeable to the directions and promise of the Great Spirit? namely, "where two or three are met together in my name, there am I in the midst" (in the hearts)" of them!" No where could I go but to your assembly---. Oh, I think, I never shall forget the return! Like the return of "the prodigal son? Yea, more! "The Father," my God and your God! not only "saw me afar off, and had compassion on me, and ran and fell on my neck and kissed me and brought forth the best robe "---(the wedding garment, the righteousness of Jesus Christ;) but, it was like

It was like companions-- (perhaps you may know something of it among yourselves, after the natural affections)---but it was like as the inspired psalmist most beautifully expresseth it of the / faithful; unto those who patiently wait on him---“ to hear what God the Lord will speak"---I chose the following lines.

To all that fear his holy name

His sure salvation's near;
And in its former happy state,
Our nation shall appear:
For mercy now with truth is join'd,

However, I desire to give your Society their due meed of praise; yes, in Christian love, I am bound so to do. I do not say that I never received any mark、 ed attention or favour from them; I have, but it was not without much solicitation, or rather, prompt demand. I did receive some small pecuniary assistance: but then it was an extreme case-suffering for conscience sake, purely religious: for having refused the vain customs, honour and riches of this world, I could not any longer be servant thereunto; though the daily support of myself and family might be depending on it. I must observe here, that this assistance was not rendered in that liberal and Christian manner, in which it should have been. If in the former service I might have been made what they call a gentleman," (though of small degree) they ought to have made me a man of moderate degree.

And

although I desire to acknowledge the all-ruling hand

And righteousness with peace,

Like kind companion, absent long,

With friendly arms embrace.

Truth from the earth shall spring, whilst heav'n

Shall streams of justice pour;

And God, from whom all goodness flows,

Shall endless plenty show'r.

Before him righteousness shall march,

And his just paths prepare;

Whilst we his holy steps pursue,

With constant zeal and care."

Psalm xxxv. N. V.

Oh, the overflowing joy and satisfaction of soul; when thus met together. And O, the joy of my heart, though mingled with tears, while I now pen this: The joys which the eagleeyed---the wise and learned disputers of this world, and the convivial souls, can have no knowledge of!

and goodness of God, in this, as well as his kind protection and deliverance, in all my straits and difficulties; for he hath been mighty to save; yet I must say, as it respects your Society, I do not experience any of those admirable virtues of kindness, courtesy, affability and brotherly love, by which you are so characterised; neither that plain and generous hospitality, as becoming the primitive professors of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Again; when I wanted a more liberal assistance, which in all human appearance would have been, not only the means, perhaps, of making me a more useful member of society, but would have given full satisfaction to my creditors; I applied to one of your esteemed and wealthy members (as alluded to, at p. 79-81), and after making my business known to him, in a sort of insolent disdain, he attended to my tale of woe, and turning himself from me, round and again, addressed me (in accents, by the way, not very greeting to the tender-hearted and distressed), "how could I think such a thing?" as I was 66 a stranger" to him! I should not wonder if this friend found himself a little discomposed, if he recollected that I had sat, not under, but with him, at the same table, for seven years past!

But, if this friend, this "worthy and respectable friend (in the eyes of the world) had but gave (there was no need to lend) me one half the amount which he (and others of your Society) gave to those "canker worms and caterpillars," those locusts of the poor man's labour, those usurpers of the temple of

God-"the ARTS and SCIENCES!"

I see no reason why I should not bring as much glory to God, as any image-painter, sculptor, mathematician, or metaphysician, or the whole tribe of the arts and the "sciences, falsely so called."

Reader, don't be startled! I say these canker worms and caterpillars of the earth, these glowworms and imaginary beings; these foxes of "the arts and the sciences;" what hath a plain and simple Christian to do with these? How inconsistent must the conduct of such a one be, who believes and teaches that little more than the common implements of husbandry, gardening, and the loom, is necessary, and at the same time contributes, say "£ 100," to "the arts and the sciences!" What hath such a one to do with these "worthless concerns of life?"-the fine touches of the pencil, the chissel of the sculptor, fine ornaments, and fine furniture? In a word, what hath such a one to do with "the pride of life, and the lust of the eye?" Doth not he believe that the "swords shall be beaten into plow-shares, and the spears into pruning hooks ?" And are not many of these things swords and spears (as well as the carnal sword, or weapon of war), inflicting many deep wounds, with sorrow and trouble, even unto death? Truly said the wise preacher, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." (Eccl. i. 2.) Well did a certain poet, religiously burlesque the vanities of the world, in the following lines;

"Who wish to know the world, wish but to know

The enemy of God, religion's bane,

The devil's engine, and the soul's great foe,

Who hath in ev'ry age his thousands slain !"