may be permitted, doubtless in mercy, that might be removed from me, until they had the work may be fully accomplished, and a fully accomplished the design of him who af preparation known to enter the realms of undis- flicteth not willingly, but for the blessed purturbed rest and peace, when the afflictions and pose of the sanctification of the immortal temptations, incident to human nature, will spirit. Oh! that the sufferings dispensed in for ever terminate. During this long illness, pure, unerring wisdom, to one of the weakest I had much time for reflection and contem- and most unworthy of the Lord's children, plation; and though at times my dwelling may have the effect of preparing for a restingwas in a barren land, where the refreshing place amongst those "who have passed through influences of divine love are not sensibly felt, great tribulation, and have known their robes yet in this state I was often brought into near washed and made white, in the blood of the sympathy with the poor and needy, those immaculate Lamb!" In deep abasement of who know their faith tried by the withdraw-mind, I can truly say, I have not asked riches, ings of the feeling of his presence, whom honour, or length of days, but for an underthey love more than all earthly enjoyments, standing heart, to fulfil my religious and civil and desire more than any perishable object. duties with acceptance: and though I can Out of weakness, my Amighty Helper strength- very feelingly acknowledge myself an unproened me to crave for such as these, that not fitable servant, not worthy to bear testimony one of them, wherever scattered among the to the never-failing mercies and goodness of fallen sons of Adam, or gathered with those my heavenly Father, yet for the encouragewho fear the Lord, may be prevailed upon, ment of others, I feel bound, in a sense of by the enemy of their salvation, to let go their heart-felt gratitude, to acknowledge that there confidence in a winter season, or to make is a rich reward attached to an honest endeashipwreck of the precious gift of faith, when vour to employ our time and talents, in the the great and wise Pilot may seem to be ab- service of our great Creator, in that way and sent, who, I fully believe, will not suffer his manner, manifested to us, by the light of the tried, dependent children to sink below the Holy Spirit, which leadeth out of error, into mighty waves of discouragement, which seem "all truth." Oh! how often is my exercised ready to overwhelm at such a season. Oh! mind brought into tender feeling for my felhow needful for frail mortals to attend to the low mortals! I long, with earnest solicitude, caution given by our blessed Saviour, "Take that all the human race might come to emheed, that your flight be not in the winter, or brace the Truth, as it is in Jesus Christ, the on the sabbath day!" My mind was also Redeemer of degenerate man; that salvation brought to feel for the whole human race, and through him, might happily be experienced; desires were raised in my heart, that the day and the blessed result of believing and obeymight be hastened, when the glorious pro-ing, eternally enjoyed: then will the end of a phecy shall be fulfilled, "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Surely in that happy day, the cruelty of man will cease, and oppression towards fellow mortals, or the brute creation, will be known no more, but the harmonizing influence of divine love will be the main spring of every action, and works of righteousness will be in accordance with that angelic language, "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will to men."

probationary life be crowned with enduring peace and joy. How unspeakable are the advantages of unreserved faithfulness, and humble dedication of heart; sacrifices that are well pleasing to an Omniscient God, who does not fail to support the dependent mind, in all its tribulations, and at seasons graciously affords a lively hope, that the afflictions of the present time, if patiently borne, will work for us a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Above all things I desire to be kept in that state of perfect resignation, which breathes the language taught us by Christ, our great example, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt!"-not my will, but thine be done, Oh Father!

Since the last memorandums were penned, to the present date, eleventh month, 1822, it has pleased unerring wisdom, to dispense an increased portion of bodily suffering, which nothing short of divine aid could have enabled me to bear, with any degree of patience and Eleventh month, 1824.-I am fully aware resignation; but I may thankfully say, through that much has been written, and much spoken, the unmerited mercy of a gracious God, by experienced servants of the Lord Jesus, holy help has been so afforded in the needful in the demonstration of the Spirit, which giveth time, that I feel a consoling hope, that my understanding to such of his humble dependmind has been preserved from any degree of ent children as are truly desirous of receiving murmuring under the present, and various heavenly counsel; yet I am afraid of falling other dispensations of my tribulated life; nor short of that which I owe to a good and grahave I ever dared to ask that those bitter cupscious Creator, did I not endeavour, though

under much bodily weakness, to exalt His ferings, she remarked, "The dispensations power, by bearing testimony with my pen to of inscrutable wisdom are all in love and his never-failing mercy and grace, to support mercy, and it is for us dependent beings to through a long protracted season of suffering, say in truth and sincerity, "Thy will be both of flesh and spirit. And although it done." In the course of the summer she so has pleased unerring wisdom thus to try my far recovered as to go a short distance from faith, I have abundant cause thankfully to ac- home, and attended two meetings, in which knowledge the efficacy of that word of power, she was enabled to exert her weak bodily which calmed the raging waves of affliction, powers in advocating the cause most dear to by the gracious language, "Peace, be still!" her. In the first month following, she was And now, the remembrance of the Lord's again confined to her bed, and suffered much dealings with his unworthy servant, bows my pain, which she endured with great patience; soul in gratitude and praise, and an earnest desiring that the divine will might be fully desire is felt to commemorate his love: and accomplished, and often said, she felt poor may the expression animate and encourage and needy, but her hope and trust in redeemfellow candidates for a crown immortal, to ing love and mercy were unshaken. She seek after, and implicitly trust in, that Holy continued to evince a lively interest in the Being who is Omnipotent and Omnipresent, concerns and best welfare of her friends, and ever manifesting a fatherly care over the in times of religious retirement with them, she workmanship of his hand. In a renewed sense imparted Christian instruction, when too weak of his never-failing mercies, my mind is led to be raised in her bed. On one occasion, to crave for thousands, and tens of thousands after having been much exhausted, and when of my fellow creatures, of every nation, kin-apparently sinking fast, she said, "My coundred, tongue and people, that they may come to the knowledge of the Lord our God, and Jesus Christ, our blessed Redeemer, and Mediator; that they may come to know the happy effects of believing in, and obeying, that Word of power, which is nigh in the heart, convincing of evil, and manifesting our religious and moral duties. How affectionately do I desire that those in early life, of every description, who are objects of my tender and earnest solicitude, may choose the Lord for their portion, and the God of Jacob for the lot of their inheritance; that by a strict attention to the Spirit of Christ, and obedience to the gradual un-salvation." foldings of divine counsel, they may become it were the Lord's blessed will to release qualified to show forth his praise: then will me, it would be cause of thankfulness;" and the many gracious promises left upon sacred she expressed an humble hope that a place of record for the instruction and encouragement rest was prepared for her. During the last of the humble and sincere Christian, be veri- few weeks of her life her breathing was so fied in their joyful experience: the Lord their much affected, as to make it difficult for her God will delight to bless them with the fre- to say much without producing spasms, which quent incomes of His light and life. He will were very distressing.-One day she said, be unto them a rock of defence in every sea-"Though I cannot express much, I feel holy son of conflict, a gracious preserver in the quiet." The day preceding her release was day of prosperity, and the everlasting source of effectual help and consolation, in times of adversity; so that "neither heights nor depths," nor any of the varied dispensations of unerring wisdom, "will ever be able to separate them from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

In the early part of the year 1825 this deeply tried servant of Christ was laid on a bed of sickness, with little expectation of being raised from it. Her complaints assumed a serious character, and were attended with very acute pain. When speaking of her suf

tenance appearing distressed, does not indicate distress of mind: pain of body will distress the countenance;" and then added, "Thy will be done! thy blessed will be done! O, my soul, praise the Lord! bless and magnify his Name!" On being asked if she was comfortable, she replied, "All is comfort;" and at another time said, that her great af fliction had been abundantly made up, and that help had been extended in the needful time. She also expressed a wish that the language might be accepted, "Now let thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy Some time after she said, "If

one of extreme suffering; and in the evening, a friend taking leave of her, she said, “If I am gone in the morning, there will be cause to rejoice." The fore part of the night she became easier, and on the following day, the 10th of the fourth month, 1826, she gradually sunk away in great quietness:—and her purified spirit, we may consolingly believe, was, through the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, received into a heavenly mansion, to joy unspeakable and full of glory.

At page 472 there is a notice of Rebecca Crowley, sister of Ann Crowley, who was,

for ten years, mostly an invalid. Her disor- On the 13th of twelfth month, she became der occasioned great pain, which she bore more alarmingly ill, which excited apprehenwith Christian patience. On the 5th of tenth sions that her final change was approaching. month, 1814, it assumed an alarming appear- On again reviving a little, she sweetly broke ance, and it was thought by her medical at- forth, "I humbly thank thee, Oh, dearest Fatendants, that she could not survive many ther! for this great favour, in granting me the days; but, beyond all human probability, she opportunity of taking leave of my dear siscontinued, often in a state of indescribable suf- ters, and giving them the satisfaction of knowfering, for ten weeks. During this time, her ing that I now feel an evidence of entering great composure of mind evinced that her into rest. Now I may tell you, my beloved hope and trust were firmly fixed on the Lord: sisters, for your consolation, that I have a and though it pleased him, often to permit her prospect of entering into glory." This was utto be tried with poverty of spirit, yet she said, tered with a melodious and audible voice; the "It is a great favour to feel a precious quiet." sweetness of her countenance bespeaking the She manifested much love and tender concern heavenly frame of her mind, and the precious for her relations and friends, to several of feeling that attended was inexpressible. She whom she gave suitable advice, particularly also said, "Though I have thus expressed myto her nephews and nieces, and some young self, I would not have you think, that I do friends, who called to see her, impressing not feel it an awful thing to die;-an awful them with the necessity of preparing for such thing to appear before the Judge of the whole an afflictive dispensation, saying, it was dan-earth, who doeth all things right." She exgerous to put off, for, at such a trying time, pressed to a brother, that although she had the pains of the body seemed enough to bear. led what might be termed an innocent life, yet She very tenderly advised a young friend to she had found much to repent of, but expresbe faithful in giving up to little things that sed her belief that she had been forgiven.* were made manifest, saying, "None of the Her dissolution drawing near, after a short pleasures or gratifications of this world are wor-pause, she said, "Now I should like to bid thy to be compared with true peace of mind at my sisters affectionately farewell;" which she such a time as this, when little things appear did in a very moving manner, encircling them great things." She several times expressed a in her arms; suitably addressing them sepadesire to be preserved from speaking what she rately; and saying, what a consolation it had did not feel, saying, it was not the shadow, been, to have them all with her in this illness; but the substance of religion, that would and also, what a comfort it was, that they had prove availing. At times, when her pain was lived together in love and peace. After this, she a little alleviated, she requested her sister to took an affectionate and grateful leave of her read some portion of Scripture, which, she medical attendant and the servant who had said, had a calming influence on her mind. waited upon her. Soon after, enquiring who One morning, on being asked how she had were in the room, and being told, her sisters, she passed the night, she replied, "I have been requested, if not imposing too much on their in much pain, and felt poor and low in spirit; feelings, that they would not leave her, asked but after a few minutes sleep, towards morn- what time it was; and finding some hours had ing, I awoke with these expressions, 'A bruised elapsed while watching round her bed, desired reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax they would take refreshment, saying, she beshall he not quench, till he send forth judg-lieved the time was nearly come for her rement unto victory.' This afforded a little lease, and she did not know how soon it might comfort to my tried mind." After one of her sisters had been reading on first-day evening, she expressed the great comfort she had felt in their being together; and affectionately embracing each, she expressed her desire that they might so live, as to afford the consoling hope of meeting again in the mansions of rest and peace. At another time, when under great bodily suffering, she said, "This is pain indeed ;" and requested her sisters to pray for her, that her patience might hold out to the end. To one of them she said, "I have been thinking much of poor Job; and can adopt the language of Samuel Fothergill, Tedious days and wearisome nights are appointed unto me.""

* When we contemplate the high standard set before us by our blessed Saviour, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven is perfect," Matt. v. 48; and on the other hand, to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin;” and the declaration of the apostle, "He that knoweth when we consider that, under an entire submission to the renovating power of the Holy Spirit, "every thought is to be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," 2 Cor. x. 5; are we not, in deep humiliation, prepared to acknowledge, that however innocent, in the view of men, we have much need of forgiveness, and that we have God in Christ Jesus? This was known to be the no ground of safe confidence but in the mercy of case with our dear friend, and accords with her dying expressions, "Come, dear Jesus! I am ready."

be, or that she might express much more; but presently after said, “Come, dear Jesus! I am ready;" and desired those present, to unite in supplicating for a speedy release; yet she soon added, that she wished to wait in patience and resignation the appointed time. She requested her interment might be in a plain simple way; that her sisters might be at liberty to feel after that quietude and retirement of mind, so desirable at such a time; adding, "I hope it will prove a solemn day to you."

and requested her sisters would pray that she might have an easy passage, which she be lieved would be granted her. During the night she had some quiet sleep, and appeared considerably relieved from pain, for which she feelingly acknowledged her sense of gratitude. About seven in the morning, signs of dissolution appeared, and on being lifted up, she gently reclined her head on one side, and ceased to breathe. Thus was her humble prayer mercifully granted, and the prepared spirit, leaving its afflicted tabernacle, took its flight, there is no doubt, to a habitation among the saints in light, forever to enjoy that glori

A time of great suffering ensued, under which, with uplifted hands, she petitioned to be spared another such attack, if consistent with his will who designed her sanctification, ous rest of which she had so clear a prospect.

A SHORT ACCOUNT OF

WILLIAM LEDDRA,

WHO SUFFERED MARTYRDOM THE 14TH OF FIRST MONTH, 1660-1.

WILLIAM LEDDRA, an inhabitant of the Island of Barbadoes, being convinced of the principles of Truth as held by the religious Society of Friends, and believing himself divinely called to travel in New England, came to Newbury in the year 1658, where he was taken up, and with his companion William Brend, carried to Salem in Massachusetts. The magistrates of this place asked them if they were Quakers; and being told they were so called in scorn, they charged them with denying that Christ who died at Jerusalem, and also the Holy Scriptures. These false accusations they boldly contradicted, declaring they owned no other Lord Jesus Christ but he who suffered at Jerusalem, and that they owned the Holy Scriptures. They were, however, sent to the House of Correction, and at length removed to Boston and again imprisoned, with orders that they should work. Unwilling thus to recognise the power of their persecutors, they were kept five days without food, and then whipped with a three corded lash.

his persecutors designed to destroy him; but he was supported through them all, and on the 9th of first month 1660-1, was brought before the Court of Assistants with his chain and log at his feet. On being told that he had incurred the penalty of death, he meekly asked what evil he had done? Being answered, that he owned the Quakers who had been hung, and refused to put off his hat in court, and said "thee" and "thou;" he replied, "Then you put me to death for speaking English and for not putting off my clothes."

Finding that his persecutors were resolved if possible to shed his blood, he appealed to the laws of England for his trial, saying, that if found guilty by those laws, he refused not to die. But the court overruled his appeal, and endeavoured to persuade him to renounce his religion and embrace that established by law. But he felt conscientiously bound to testi. fy against a religion which would countenance men in cruelly persecuting and putting persons to death, because they dare not embrace After the infliction of this unmerited pun- it; and looking upon those who were thus ishment, William Leddra was banished from seeking his life, he boldly exclaimed, "What! Boston on pain of death; but believing it his join with such murderers as you are? Then duty to return thither, he was apprehended let every man that meets me, say, Lo, this and thrust into an open jail, where he was is the man that hath forsaken the God of kept during an extremely cold winter, chained his salvation."" Sentence of death was passed to a log of wood. Here his hardships and upon him, and the 14th of the same month fixed sufferings were so great, that it seemed as if for its execution.

On the morning when this servant of the Lord Jesus sealed his testimony with his blood, the governor came to the prison with a military guard; William's irons were knocked off, and taking a solemn leave of his fellow prisoners, he cheerfully went forth to meet death. The guard surrounded him, in order to prevent any of his friends from speaking to him; and when they reached the appointed place, he took an affectionate leave of his friend Edward Wharton, saying, "All that will be Christ's disciples must take up his cross." Then taking his stand where the guard directed him, he addressed the people thus; "For bearing my testimony to the Lord against the deceivers and deceived, am I brought here to suffer." When the executioner was putting the halter about his neck, he calmly said, "I commend my righteous cause unto thee, O God;" and as he was turned off, he cried out, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit."

Thus did this innocent martyr lay down his life cheerfully, and patiently suffer for the name and testimony of his Lord and Saviour. The frame of his mind, at this solemn period was such as became a true Christian, and the divine enjoyments of which he was permitted to partake, seem to have been a larger foretaste of the blessedness of heaven, than often falls to the lot of men, as will be seen by the subjoined letter, written the day before his execution. It is addressed as follows, viz.

with fulness of his love, wherein my heart did rejoice, that I might in the love and life of God speak a few words to you, sealed with the spirit of promise, that the taste thereof might be a savour of life to your life, and a testimony in you of my innocent death. And if I had been altogether silent, and the Lord had not opened my mouth unto you, yet he would have opened your hearts, and there have sealed my innocency with the streams of life, by which we are all baptized into that body which is in God, in whom and in whose presence there is life; in which, as you abide, you stand upon the pillar and ground of truth: for, the life being the truth and the way, go not one step without it, lest you should compass a mountain in the wilderness; for unto every thing there is a season,

As the flowing of the ocean doth fill every creek and branch thereof, and then retires again towards its own being and fulness, and leaves a savour behind it, so doth the life and virtue of God flow into every one of your hearts, whom he hath made partakers of his divine nature. And when it withdraws but a little, it leaves a sweet savour behind it, so that many can say, they are made clean through the word that he hath spoken to them: in which innocent condition you may see what you are in the presence of God, and what you are without him.

Therefore, my dear hearts, let the enjoyment of life alone be your hope, your joy and

TO THE SOCIETY OF THE LITTLE FLOCK OF consolation; and let the man of God flee those

CHRIST, GRACE AND PEACE BE MULTIPLIED.

'Most dear and inwardly beloved, The sweet influences of the Morning Star, like a flood, distilling into my innocent habitation, have so filled me with the joy of the Lord in the beauty of holiness, that my spirit is as if it did not inhabit a tabernacle of clay, but is wholly swallowed up in the bosom of eternity, from whence it had its being.

things that would lead the mind out of the cross, for then the savour of life will be buried. And although some may speak of things that they received in the life, as experiences, yet the life being veiled, and the savour that is left behind washed away by the fresh floods of temptation, the condition that they did enjoy in the life, though boasted of by the airy spirit, will be like the manna that was gathered yesterday, without any good scent or savour. For, it was well with the man only while he was in the life of innocency; but being driven from the presence of the Lord into the earth, what can he boast of?

Alas, alas, what can the wrath and spirit of man, that lusteth to envy, aggravated by the heat and strength of the king of the locusts, which came out of the pit, do unto one who is hid in the secret places of the Almighty, or unto them that are gathered under the And although you know these things, and healing wings of the Prince of Peace? Under many of you, much more than I can say ; his armour of light they shall be able to yet, for the love and zeal I bear to the truth stand in the day of trial, having on the breast-and honour of God, and the tender desire of my plate of righteousness, and the sword of the spirit, which is their weapon of war against spiritual wickedness, principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, both within and without.

soul to those that are young, that they may read me in that from which I write, to strengthen them against the wiles of the subtle serpent that beguiled Eve; I say, stand in the watch within, in the fear of the Lord, which is the 'Oh, my beloved! I have waited as a dove very entrance of wisdom, and the state where at the windows of the ark, and have stood still you are ready to receive the secrets of the in that watch, which the Master, without whom Lord: hunger and thirst patiently, be not I could do nothing, did, at his coming, reward | weary, neither doubt. Stand still, and cease