practical observations and facts, tending in any degree to illustrate the subject, will find as ready acceptance dressed in the plainest language of simplicity, as the more polished sentences of the philosopher or scholar." A further address, from the pen of another member, William H. Dillingham, will also be found in the columns of the "Village Record," of the same year, enforcing concert of action for the common interest, the diffusion of useful intelligence, and to raise the profession of agriculture in the public estimation. Much of this address would have been forcibly pertinent in favour of the formation of a State Agricultural Society, as lately consummated, at a central point for exhibition, the receipt and diffusion of information, seeds, &c. And reference is made to another great branch of human industry to enforce the argument and afford encouragement to a like vigilance and concentration of power. "In no part of the world are the merchants without their Chamber of Commerce, and to this means, in a great measure, is to be ascribed, not only their high respectability as a body, but their great unanimity in public measures, and their weight in almost every government. The moment their interests are touched in any one point, the whole body sympathizes, and all their influence is exerted through the common organ." Chester county has now her Horticultural Hall, and though a later architectural ornament to West Chester than the Chester County Cabinet, the liberal scope of the purposes

of the Agricultural Society probably suggested the formation of the Cabinet, Horticultural Society, &c. Certain, however, it is, that such naturalists as Dr. Darlington, David Townsend, Joshua Hoopes, and many others, were active in all, and by their industry and zeal, have added to the scientific character of the county, and one of them by his publications has acquired a reputation among European savans. In giving his own learning, and the remains of other naturalists of a Baldwin, Marshall, Collinson, and Bartram-to the public, he has acted in the benevolent spirit, and not in that of those whom Buckminster reproaches as the misers of learning, who hoard for themselves alone: "That learning, whatever it may be, which lives and dies with the possessor, is more worthless than his wealth, which descends to posterity." If all capable of teaching would thus earnestly devote themselves in some way and to some extent, to instruct mankind, the progress of improvement would be vastly accelerated.

During the years of their superintendence of WestTown, and afterwards of their school at West Chester, the duties there devolved upon them, relieved Philip and Rachel Price from the service of distant travel. Their sphere of influence was, however, hardly more circumscribed. Children came to them from far and near, to experience from them the care and concern of earthly parents, and to sit under the teaching of a spiritual mo

ther. The communion of feeling was promotive of the mutual happiness; for they loved the innocence and purity of youth, untainted by a knowledge of the evils of the world, and drew them unto them in the spirit of the Holy one, who said "suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." Meetings of worship were regularly held in the house at West-Town; and besides an attendance at the places of worship, frequent family sittings, and readings of the Scriptures of Truth, took place in the school, at West Chester. On such occasions, and to her latest age of over eighty years, Rachel Price spoke under emotions of deep humility and exercise of religious feeling, as in the discharge of a duty she could not disobey and obtain the peace of mind her soul coveted. Her power of voice was not great, but gentle and pathetic in its tones, and sweetly in unison with the affectionate appeals made to her hearers. She ever dwelt upon the Divine precepts of our Saviour,-His love, His sufferings, and sacrifice, with an intense sympathy and love, inducing a like feeling of love and appreciation of His merits in others. She ever held in view His promise to return as the Comforter and spiritual visiter to the souls of men; admonishing the young to heed His gentle knockings at the door of the heart, and the whisperings of the still small voice of love, offering its divine counsels for safe guidance through a world beset with temptations. Though it

should demand continual watchfulness, and the road be straight and narrow, yet it was with the promise that all His ways were ways of peace, and all His paths paths of pleasantness. With more than the yearning of a mother's affection, she would gather them beneath the enfolding wings of Gospel love. It is believed that she was seldom visited with the sorrowful regret of Him who wept over the people of Jerusalem, whom He would thus have gathered, "but they would not;" but it is remembered with contrition by one of her sons, who had absented himself from her on an occasion of religious worship, that the solemn language came sorrowfully to her mind in reference to him,-" Couldst not thou watch one hour" with me? The keenest of reproaches, communicated in love, was followed, as in the Divine example, by a benign forgiveness. With the stricken and disconsolate she was deeply sympathetic, and most affectionate in her appeals that they should turn to the true and everlasting source of comfort; and often did she repeat to such the invitation of the Divine Master, with the sanction of her own heartfelt experience,-" Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

At no period of life, and under no circumstances, did

the children of these affectionate parents cease to be the objects of their Christian care and deep parental solicitude. Those who adopted professions, did so not under a prohibition, yet without their "cordial approbation." In the legal profession, it was apprehended, there could be little quiet peace of mind to be enjoyed, in the midst of strife and contention; that temptation would arise to make causes appear difficult to enhance the fees; and that while "sensible there is no profession by which a man may raise himself in the public estimation more conspicuously, it might lead away from that true Christian dignity which is so much superior to all this world can confer. Though the happiness and comfort of my beloved children has always been an object of my most ardent desire, and I have endeavoured to promote it as far as was in my power, and have wished to leave them very much to choose for themselves such occupations as would accord with their own views, yet I have always desired they might be content with the humble walks of life, in which there is much less temptation to depart from those principles which we must practise, if ever we expect to secure that peace and felicity which can only be attained thereby." * "Notwithstanding we have been much comforted in a belief that thou hast intended to regulate thy conduct by the strictest integrity and morality, fears will be excited from thy continual exposure" to adverse influences. This is an instance of repeated expressions

*