greatly the advantage, who are so wise as to submit thereto, in the early part of life. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth, before his evil propensities be so confirmed by indulgence as to become habitual; custom has a powerful influence over the human mind, and the cross to evil habits is hard to endure. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? "Then may ye also do good who are accustomed to do evil.” On the contrary, as custom also makes hard things easy, if instead of accustoming ourselves to do evil, and thereby strengthening our natural propensities thereto, we accustom our necks to the yoke of Christ, we shall much sooner feel his yoke become easy, and his burden light; and early piety is the surest ground of an easy and peaceful passage through this vale of tears, as well as laying a good foundation for futurity. "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come;" and those have in a general way proved most eminently serviceable, and the brightest lights in their generation, who have entered early into covenant with their Maker, and kept the covenant of their youth.

I sincerely desire the youth into whose hands this may fall, may deeply ponder these interesting reflections, so as seriously to consider their latter end, and make timely preparation for it; as not knowing at what hour the Master may come, at midnight, at cock-crowing, or the dawning of the day. And then I am well convinced they would be weaned, not only from the luxury, dissipation, and gross enormities of the world, but from an affectation of and conformity to the vain amusements, manners and fashions thereof, which many indulge themselves in, to their hurt.

Let them not satisfy themselves with an ap

prehension that they indulge only in things of an indifferent nature, and in which religion is not concerned; but instead of unwisely measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves amongst themselves, bring their deeds to the true criterion, the light of Christ, that it may be made manifest what source they originate from; and in the light many of the little things will be seen to draw the mind from its proper centre, and the seats of those that sell doves, occupying the temple of the heart, to unfit it for an house of prayer.

It is not sufficient that we are preserved from gross evils, although this is laudable; but if we are concerned to make our calling and election sure, and to secure an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified, we are to walk in obedience to the will of God, which is our sanctification, revealed by his grace in our hearts, which teaches to deny ourselves, not only of those things that are manifestly evil; but of those also, that, under the appearance of being indifferent, gratify our carnal desires, and draw the mind into folly and vanity, from that state of vigilance on which our safety depends. We are not only to abstain from those irregularities in conduct which injure our reputation with men; but to keep such a guard upon the avenues of the heart that we suffer no thief to find entertainment there, to steal away our affections from God, or defile this temple of the Holy Ghost. Man is created but a little lower than the angels, is designed for higher and nobler pursuits than the gratifications of sense; and not to rest satisfied in merely avoiding that conduct which exposes him to censure; but to follow that which merits praise and procures Divine approbation. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are

just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

My brother having now for several years been principally engaged in the necessary care and labor to provide for those of his own household, in the latter end of the year 1773, felt a religious concern on his mind to visit Friends in some of the counties of England, and also those of Ireland, in company with Thomas Melhuish, of Taunton, in Somersetshire; and in order to set himself at liberty to accomplish these visits, he resigned his school in Bristol.

He soon after entered on the service before him, in a visit to Friends in some of the western and southern counties of England, and the city of London and its environs; of which visit I received information from him, in the letters he wrote to me at that time; the following extracts whereof will best supply what is wanting here:

London, 18th of First Month, 1774.

"I have been now near four months closely employed in visiting Friends through the four counties of Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Hants; and sat with Friends at many of their Monthly Meetings, and the three Quarterly Meetings for Somersetshire, Dorsetshire, and Hampshire: all of which were large for the season of the year, and favored by the Master of our assemblies with that power of love which unites his true servants everywhere in a holy concern for the honor of his Name, and for the faithful support of that testimony he has called them to bear.

"I reached this city last First-day morning, having

ridden eleven miles before meeting. I was at Gracious street that morning, at which were Sarah Taylor and Tabitha Marriott, the former of whom was favored with a lively opportunity; it was a good meeting, and ended well. I was thankful for having reached it. In the afternoon I was at Devonshire house; the meeting was very large, and fresh ability was given to treat with the youth and others, in the merciful opening of the pure spring of the gospel. Yesterday I attended the select morning meeting, and in the afternoon the Two Weeks' Meeting. And in the evening, Thomas Corbyn, with his lodgers, the Friends above-mentioned, visited at my lodgings, where we had a consolatory time of retirement, in which our heavenly Father was graciously pleased to break the bread of life amongst us. I shall be likely to be three or four weeks in and about London, and when I am clear, I have the meetings of Berkshire and Wiltshire to visit in my way home. I desire to be every day where I ought and as I ought, that if I can do no good, I may be in the way of renewedly receiving some fresh supply from the living fountain, which refreshes and spiritually unites all the true travellers heavenward, in daily gratitude to the kind Author of all good."

"London, 5th of Second Month, 1774.

My dear companion, who has obtained his credentials from their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, writes to me, that he is hastened in his mind to move forward; but both he and I must submit to bear the curb, and exercise patience. I am at times assaulted with earnest longings to make haste home, to get a little time there, before my coming over to visit Friends in Ireland; still I am favored with the renewing of that gracious help which raises over

all things, and gives the single desire of being both where and what I should be. I entered on this service with an earnest desire, that I might be both guided and guarded aright; and hitherto with great thankfulness have to acknowledge, that my prayers have been answered; and that He who hath the key of David, hath been graciously pleased many times to open his storehouse, and from thence to unfold doctrine, counsel, consolation, and reproof, to the different states of the people."

"London, 1st of Third Month, 1774.

"I have now been in this city seven First-days' and seven Second-days' morning meetings, and through the other parts of those weeks have, besides those of London, Westminster and Southwark, labored in sundry meetings around them. To-morrow I expect to attend the last two meetings here: that for worship at Gracious street, in the morning, and the Monthly Meeting at Devonshire house, in the afternoon; next day to set off for Berkshire, Wiltshire and Bristol. So that it looks likely to be the Fourth Month before I can set out for Dublin.

"I have cause to be humbly thankful to the Author of all our mercies, who hath been kind to me through my winter's travels, favoring me with good health, through all winds and weathers, and with a kind reception everywhere. At this city, being entered into my proper labor and business, I have found that I could not retire hence any sooner than the stay above mentioned, and I think I shall not overstay my time, but rather otherwise, having found an enlargement of heart beyond expectation, and having contributed to increase the morning meeting of elders here, with a valuable addition thereto, though I found it hard to labor through the diffidence and reluct