In gloomy scenes, her smile was more than light,-
Is'bella's smile gave love, and peace, and joy.
Reversion press'd her closer to my breast,
And at her smile stern fortune seem'd serene.

On Schuylkill's verdant banks, in rural ease, The sadd'ning glooms of other years were lost; Prosperity's enliv'ning, cheering ray,

With her shed lustre round domestic joys,
And wing'd on hope my distant, fleeting view.
Ah! transient radiance on a cloud so dark-
In which I saw her last, her closing scene.
In vain the bleating flocks and herds increas'd,
The fruitful fields with plenty smil'd in vain;—
I saw her wither in meridian bloom,-

Death call'd her hence, the solemn stroke laid waste
With me the rising germ of every joy.

The sad presage she felt, and o'er me sigh'd,
With mingling resignation,-pious love;
Her silent, peaceful look deep pierc'd my heart,
And wak'd each thought to deeper, hidden grief.
With tender care she calmly strove to soothe,
And lead my mind to resignation's peace.
Oh! sacred relic of her mind refin'd,

Spread thy calm mantle on my troubled breast,
Nor longer let me sighing mourn in vain.

In awful death's embrace she smil'd in peace,
Then wing'd her flight to scenes of lasting bliss.
Lo! on yon azure cloud she seems to write,
"Grieve not for me-be pure as I am pure,

And follow me. Fear not the vale of

yearsNothing is dark beyond the silent grave.Death is the opening of eternal day.

Time has its joys,-tho' mix'd with bitter woes

Eternity is lost in bliss supreme."

O God, transcribe this lesson to my heart, And raise my drooping mind to stand erect Upon its proper base, the Rock of ages. Why should I sigh alone, nor cease to grieve? This leafless grove, when spring returns, will smile, And nature's varying seasons as they roll Bid cheering hope speak comfort to my soul. As nature changes so does human life. So Isabella chang'd. In early youth, She like the lily of the vale arose, By virtue's sun matur'd in riper years; But withering with disease, she fell ere noon, And gave her charms to mingle with the dust. Her pure, unchanging mind-above all change, Now wings all space,―reads all creation o'er, And hymns eternal praise in endless love. On me the mundane elements still shed Their varying lunar beam,—and various, still, The keen emotions of my throbbing breast. O thou, who organiz'd my every sense, And bade the moving universe arise, Beam on my mournful heart the genial ray Of thy eternal Truth,—that through all change I may forever gravitate to Thee.

JAMES COCKBURN.

The letters of James Cockburn, published in the preceeding Memoirs, have been taken from the original essays, or rough drafts, found among his papers. This, with some verbal corrections in transcribing, may account for any variations that may be noticed when compared with such as have been preserved by the persons to whom they were addressed.

MEMOIRS OF ELIZABETH DRINKER.

As part of the object of this miscellaneous Work is to preserve in remembrance the characters and labours of such individuals, who, through obedience to the light of Christ inwardly manifested, have endeavoured to promote the cause of Truth and righteousness in the earth,—so, in gathering up the fragments, our attention has been directed to the life and character of Elizabeth Drinker, wife of Daniel Drinker, late of the city of Philadelphia. But of so limited a nature are the materials that have transiently fallen into our hands, that we can give but a faint and imperfect sketch of her example, her usefulness in society, and the virtues which rendered her acceptable to her friends and acquaintances, as well as were the means of producing peace to her own mind.

It appears that she was born in Philadelphia, in the year 1737, being a grand-daughter of John Hart.— How far the education and instructions she received from her parents contributed to the formation of her habits in early life, may be in some degree estimated by the piety and exemplary circumspection which marked her youthful days. It may be an encouraging circumstance when held up to the view of parents who, though surrounded with the temptations abounding in large cities, are anxiously solicitous for the preservation of their tender offspring from the snares and dangers to which they are exposed. For, if in one instance, the blessing of heaven has been witnessed to attend the godly care of concerned parents, in the discipline and tuition of a daughter, or of a family of children, so as to make it a hedge of safety around the tender plants, the like care and

concern, under the influence of heavenly wisdom, may redound to the benefit of many others.

Through her continued submission to the refining operations of the spirit of Truth, she experienced a gradual growth in the work of religion, by which she became disciplined and prepared for usefulness to others. About the thirty-ninth year of her age, she appeared in the ministry, in public meetings, to the satisfaction of Friends; and, being faithful in occupying this important gift committed to her for the edification of the church, she experiened an enlargement therein. It is thus that the parable of the talents is illustrated; and an increase of conscious peace, as well as usefulness attends the labours of devoted minds; for she that is faithful in a little, is made ruler over more.

It is a wonderful privilege conferred on the society of Friends, to be delivered from the influence of priestcraft so far as to be fully persuaded that the gift of gospel ministry is as freely conferred on daughters as on sons. To those who are educated within the pale of membership, and who may have little opportunity of knowing the opinions, and observing the trammels and prejudices of most other christian professors on this subject, it may seem strange that the above remark should be made. But such is the fact, even at the present professedly enlightened period, that thousands and tens of thousands of those who have the scriptures in their hands, and are called christians, through the tradition of education, or clerical influence, consider it highly improper and wrong for a woman to speak in the assemblies of the people, by way of preaching the gospel. Oh! that Friends may walk humbly, and duly prize

and rightly use their privileges, so as to continue worthy of this and many other special favours conferred on them.

In a testimony given by Philadelphia Friends, Elizabeth Drinker is represented as being peculiarly qualified" to speak with precision to the states of individuals, both in families and more public opportunities." This characteristic of gospel ministry, has often proved a demonstrative evidence, even to outward and superficial minds, that Divine revelation has not ceased; as falsely insinuated by some professors of the christian name. How much it is to be desired that all who are called to the work of the ministry, would so keep to the openings of Truth, as to mind their particular gifts and callings, and therein move only as the Divine anointing opens and qualifies for service. There are diversities of gifts and of operations, in the economy of Divine wisdom, but all for the edification and comfort of the body, and the gathering of souls unto God. So to the discerning mind, it appears there are gifts in the ministry conferred on some, the operation of which is very much limited within the pale of our own religious society. Others have gifts that appear like some of old, to be peculiarly adapted to the gathering or directing of the minds of others to the foundation principle of all Divine knowledge and salvation. To distinguish the different gifts dispensed for usefulness in society, and aid in keeping them properly occupied and rightly directed,—may be a part of the work of experienced and spiritually minded elders in the church.

Elizabeth Drinker was deeply concerned on behalf of the members of our religious society, as stated in