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John Simpson's Letter to Nathaniel Sisson.

Respected friend,—I received thy very acceptable letter of the 30th of the 5th month, 1809: and it was joyful to my dear wife and myself to hear of thy recovery; and as to thy trials, think it not strange; for from the days of righteous Abel until now, the faithful have trod one path, even a tribulated one. "He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved." I fully believe that the enemy of our souls' happiness is, in this day of ease, striving to deceive poor christendom, and make them believe a lie, that is, that they may become christians without baptism; and sickness and affliction are often the way by which poor mortals are led into it. I have often thought, there seemed a providential hand in thy coming into our company; and the longer we were together, the more near thou felt to us. It seems a great part of my service, when abroad, to have solemn sittings in families, which was a common thing among Friends some years ago; and as Truth revives, this will also revive among us again. I was often made glad in believing thou hadst a sense thereof; and was, at times, helpful in promoting this great and good work.

As it was my lot in the morning of my day, to get into Friends' company some months in a religious travel, it seemed to me like a door opened into heaven, and afforded me a more clear sight of things, and especially of my own state and condition, than ever I had had before:-so much so, that I entered into solemn covenant to devote my life to the Lord's service: which I hope may be thy case also. And notwithstanding we are not all called to one particular service, we are all called to watchfulness and pray

er, and to bring up our families in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: so that I hope thou and thy beloved helpmate will daily seek to the Lord for wisdom to fit and qualify you for this so great work. And although it may be lawful to seek for settlements for ourselves and our children; yet most assuredly, daily experience teaches us that food and raiment is all man can use in this world: and Jacob prayed for no more. Agur also prayed to have neither riches nor poverty, but for food convenient.

My belief is that as man was put into the garden to dress it and to keep it,-to be industrious and frugal, he never can have a better situation in this life, than in being in some suitable business;-for which he is marvellously made,-and his hands are a most valuable portion. It is the duty of parents to direct the little hands of their children, in an early period of life, to suitable business;-like the virtuous woman that arose early, and gave meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens, and looked well to the ways of her household, so as not to eat the bread of idleness. For the apostle certifies that those who provide not for their own household, are worse than infidels. Those who have great riches may see the truth of our blessed Lord's words,-"How hardly shall a rich man enter the kingdom of heaven!”"For, the kingdom of heaven is within you;" a certain heavenly, quiet habitation, where true prayer is to be made in humility of heart;-and where the riches of this world make a hard work to press through. For it often happens that the riches of gold and silver exalt the mind;—as well as the riches of many talents, and also of much letter learning:without deep humility, all have the same tendency,

and yet men having those riches, might be truly useful in the world, if they would keep humble. Behold how soon little children that are improperly indulged feel the hardness of this work! their little minds are so early set up, that it is hard to learn submission, which ought to be their first lesson;also how hard it is for them to put their hands to labour, which is beneficial for their health; for idle undisciplined young people often do not enjoy the common comforts of life and health, neither do we see them so useful in the church: we need not therefore marvel at Solomon's choice, or his advice to train up a child in the way he should go.

Now may thy dear children remember their Creator in the days of their youth, and honour their father and mother; so that their days may be long in the land which the Lord their God giveth them.For as the land of promise produced milk and honey, so obedience in dear children nourishes and sweetens their minds; so that as they grow in years, they grow in grace and the saving knowledge of the Lord.

Dear friend, carefully attend to this holy command, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Be diligent in the attendance of religious meetings, both on first-days and week-days; therein to wait on the Lord, remembering that he knows the secret thoughts of the heart. And as the first-day of the week is set apart by the laws of our land for the rest of our bodies, and the worship of Almighty God, so Friends have ever been willing to yield obedience to this law. The sorrowful fruit of straggling abroad on first-days, caused me to labour without fainting with my children; and their obedience was truly joyful: for there is no greater joy than VOL. XI.-32

to see the children walking in the Truth. Although for a time I seemed to be much alone in this matter, yet now it is closely recommended by our Yearly Meeting; and I mention it to thee and thine in faith and hope that it may strengthen your hands also.Thus I close this letter in love, and remain thy sure friend,

20th of 6th month, 1809.

JOHN SIMPSON.

A FEW WORDS

Of Counsel and Advice sent to the Yearly Meeting in 1793, by Huson Langstroth, who then lay sick of the yellow fever, of which he died shortly after. To the Yearly Meeting now sitting in Philadelphia.

Dear friends,-As times and seasons are in the Lord's hand, and the time present is only ours, it becomes needful that we improve it to his honour and the making of our own peace. Under these considerations, I have felt my mind clothed with fervent desires that you may be preserved on the sure foundation, in that stability and firmness which dignifies such a Meeting;-and that you may humbly wait for the openings of Divine counsel in all your deliberations on the important concerns that will necessarily come before you; guarding against impatience and haste that may frustrate the great work which many of you as with your lives in your hands have assembled here to promote. Remembering that the few who went with Gideon by right direction, accomplished the Lord's purpose; so have I seen that if you are preserved under the power which evident

ly manifested itself in the gathering of this present Meeting, you will be enabled to make an advancement in that noble testimony against the destructive use of spirituous liquors, by adopting the proposal that was made two years ago, of not employing in the affairs of Truth such as are engaged in importing, distilling, or retailing those liquors, neither to receive any of their money as subscriptions to society purposes. By this course they would be suspended, till Friends were furnished with a right sense of the next step. I believe this is a testimony that the Lord will carry through and over all the haughty spirits that seem to be as it were defying the authority of the Yearly Meeting, as manifested by their conduct.

I feel near sympathy with you; and notwithstanding I am unexpectedly confined by sickness, yet I can say for your encouragement, that the Lord hath made my bed for me in quietness and stillness; and hath removed from me all those anxious fears with which the minds of so large a number seem to be tossed at this time; yea, tossed and not comforted. So that I seem to want nothing but a heart more deeply sensible of the great love and condescension of Him who (I have sometimes believed) hath called me out of darkness into his marvellous light.

I also feel some anxious desires that you may be enabled to seek after that which will qualify you to hand down something to our absent brethren and sisters, that may tend, through the Divine blessing, to settle their minds, and engage them in a deep searching of heart, that so they may discover the hidden things of dishonesty and be purged from all their secret faults. The Lord is on his way to carry