spiritual father the instrument of arresting an erring son, a friendship, that made them in after life affectionate colabourers in the services of the Church, and in the cause of humanity.

The following fragments of correspondence indicate the exercised state of mind which followed this event,of a youth yet considerably in his minority.

Kingsess. 23d 9 mo. 1782.

DEAR FRIEND, I received thy letter this afternoon, and shall endeavour to answer according to ability,-feeling much love towards thee at this time, and should have been glad to see thee at the meeting. As thee seems anxious to hear how we come on, I shall let thee know a little how it is with me in that respect. As I feel my mind much drawn from the follies and vanities of this world, which I have too much given way to, to my hurt, I find at this time that I cannot keep company with any one on the account that thee mentions. This is very much in the cross of the natural will, but I find I cannot witness true peace without yielding obedience to that forming Hand which has drawn me much from the world and worldly things, so that all prospects of entering into business or settling as thee mentions, have vanished at this time. But if way should open more clearly to enter into that business, I will let thee know, as I would as soon enter into partnership with thee as any one

else. * * * I do not expect to come down to the meeting. I desire thy welfare, and that thou wouldst give up thy time more and more to serve Him for whose glory we are all created; so that when these fading things shall be no more, we shall receive an admittance into the Arms of Everlasting Peace and Rest. What will all the world be to us if we end not well at last? I believe there is no time like giving up in our youth, whilst health and strength of body are afforded us; that so we may be as lights to the world, that others seeing our good works, may glorify God, who is worthy for ever. Though I meet with discouragements sometimes, and believe myself to be as it were the hindermost of the flock, yet I feel a desire that all my companions, as well as myself, may come to see ourselves as we truly are. I remain thy loving friend,

PHILIP PRICE.

Kingsess. the 16th of 1 mo. 1783. MY DEAR SON,—I received thine, which was a comfort to me, and I have esteemed it a great blessing that thou art one amongst the number who are made willing to stand for the testimony of truth, and my desires are that thou mayst be more and more established, and that thou mayst not run too fast, nor loiter behind thy true guide: for what we are is by mercy and not any merit of our I believe it is good for us often to examine our

own.

selves, and I can truly say that thy preservation, with that of thy brothers and sisters, is more near and dear to me, than all other earthly blessings; and that it is a great comfort to thy father and me, that thy mind has been thus early touched with that, that if strictly abided in, will lead out of great trouble and conflict in this present world, and when time here shall be no more, crown with that which neither this fading world, nor the enjoyments thereof, can ever give. And I may further say that I hope from thy example thy brothers and sisters may be willing to take up the cross.

* * *

From thy mother,

TO PHILIP PRICE, Jr.

HANNAH PRICE.

Philadelphia, 2 mo. 5th, 1783.

ESTEEMED FRIEND, Since I last saw thee at thy father's house, thou hast been the object of near care and sympathy, being confirmed in the persuasion that He whose mercy is over all His works, hath in infinite loving kindness cast the mantle of redeeming love over thee. And oh, saith my spirit, that neither heights nor depths, things present nor those that yet await thee, may ever be able to separate from this enjoyment of the love of Christ and the sweet incomes of His life-giving presence. It is only by bowing to the blessed Root and abiding in the Living Vine, that we are fitted to receive Divine

instruction, bearing with patience and resignation the truly necessary preparation, even the pruning Hand. Thus is the mind enlightened, and an enlargement experienced into the mysteries of the Heavenly Kingdom, and we not only discover clearly His gracious will concerning us, but as we keep a single eye to Him, neither attempting to go forward, nor in the moments of proving and desertion, when the winter season is wisely permitted, seeking succour and nourishment short of the living eternal substance. We shall be favoured with the further discoveries of light and truth, and be enabled to withstand the unwearied enemy, however various his transformations, and mysterious his workings. That thou and I may fervently and diligently labour after this necessary and right experience, is the ardent desire of Thy real friend,

TO PHILIP PRICE, Jr.

HANNAH CATHRALL.

Kingsess. 5 mo. 1783.

DEAR FRIEND,—I have been at home about a week; since which I attended Concord quarterly meeting, greatly to my satisfaction and peace of mind. I feel a near sympathy with thee, my dear friend, under thy present trying dispensation, which I have wished might be sanctified to thy further refinement, and that we may endeavour for contentment under every allotment, which the Lord in

Infinite Wisdom is pleased to place us in. His Holy Hand is underneath His dependent children, to preserve them and lead them in paths they have not seen, and will not suffer them to be tried beyond what they can bear; but He will arise in his own good time for their deliverance. I write from a small degree of experience, being as it were left alone; but He who knows the sincerity of my heart has been pleased again to favour me at times with a glimpse of His living presence; which is a cause of humble thankfulness. In Him, therefore, let us put our trust, who is able to deliver; and unto whose Divine Protection I recommend thee, with desires for thine as well as my own establishment in the ever blessed Truth. With that love which united us in the paths of self-denial, I remain thy assured friend,

Our mother has left her own account of her early religious impressions. "I believe children are often visited with the endearing influence of Divine Love in their hearts even in early years. When I look back to the many precious feelings that I was favoured to witness in early life, my mind is clothed with gratitude to the Author of my existence for his care of me. Often, when my pious parents were concerned to collect their numerous offspring together and read the Scriptures or some good book, the sweet im