heads, seemed to have little good effect on the people. Now the armies of all sorts being gone away to the eastward, market opened again, and people fell on to trading, and struggling after the treasures of the earth.

11th mo. 18th. Now as to the wars and commotion hereaway, we have enjoyed much quiet a considerable time. But there was an alarm of another kind as much, if not more awful to some, and that was an uncommon kind of a worm which bred in the grain of the wheat, which eat out and turned to a fly; and they were so far multiplied about Salem, that their bread was generally much hurt with it.

Reflections by a young Female, at the age of seventeen, found amongst her papers, at her de

cease.

About a twelvemonth ago, I remember feeling a great resignation and sweetness. I think I then knew what is meant by the "silence of all flesh;" a feeling very difficult to attain, but which, I am convinced, every true Christian must strive for, till it is attained. For many months past, I have believed it my duty to do so; to endeavour to feel a mental stillness, or a total resignation of feeling and cessation from thinking; and in this state to wait for the influences and teachngs of Divine Grace and Truth on the heart. When we attain this stillness, the Holy Spirit directs us what o do, what to pray for, and how to pray, and shows us when vocal supplication is required of us, and when secret, mental prayer, is most acceptable to the Father of Spirits.

I have often felt anxious to know what is real religion; I have entreated my Heavenly Guide to lead me into it, however painful, a surrender of heart and life may be; for, without that, there is no true and lasting peace to be found, and no preparation for the enjoyment of the Divine presence, in a state of perfect holiness, hereafter.

I have, at different times, been desirous to know whether that profession in which I have been educated, is the right one for me to retain, or whether any other form of worship would be more acceptable to God, from me. I never made use of vocal supplication on the subject; but I believe my secret prayers were accepted by Him who knew the sincerity in which they were addressed.

After waiting to be instructed, my desires are at length fully answered; for inward revelation assures me, that mine must be a religion of stillness, and total resignation of self; that whether the feeling of devotion excited, be that of prayer, praise, gratitude, or adoration, I must be immediately influenced by the Spirit of Christ, before I can feel union and communion with my Heavenly Father, which, (whether in words or not,) constitutes alone the essence of worship. I feel convinced that whatever the outward form of worship may be, the only true and acceptable offering, is a sacrifice of the heart; and the more I feel of a devotional spirit, the more I am led to be still, and not to look for instrumental aid; for I feel that Christ, the inward Teacher and Comforter, is all-sufficient, and that He is waiting to do me good. In these precious moments, I feel any ministry a burden, that is not prompted by the immediate inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for any but such ministry must break

that inward stillness, in which the Divine will is shown to us, and heavenly consolations are administered. I often keep silence, (mentally,) that I may renew my strength; then I mount, as on "eagle's wings." Till within the last year I knew but little, if any thing, of this stillness, and my devotions consisted chiefly of supplication and praise, and sometimes of gratitude to the Supreme Being. Now on a bed of sickness, perhaps of death, (being in a very precarious state,) I feel confirmed in the assurance, that in mental stillness only, is to be felt that peace, and joy, and union with our Maker, which is, and ever will be, the Christian's only hope and confidence in the solemn and certain hour of dissolution.

Memoir of Mary Berry.

It is more for the sake of obtaining further information respecting this dedicated handmaid, than to present the reader with a regular biographical sketch of her life and character, that the following brief notice is inserted. Should any of the friends or relations of Mary Berry, be possessed of any manuscripts, or further account of her public labours or private character, that might be profitable to survivors, the pages of the Miscellany will be open for their reception.

In the year 1788, Mary Berry visited Friends in the counties of Philadelphia and Chester, in the exercise of her gift as a minister of the gospel. She was then a member of Third Haven Monthly meeting, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And in the year following, she opened to her Friends a religious concern to visit those not professing with Friends, in Dorchester and Caroline counties, with an openness in her mind, to visit some of the people called Nicholites. This visit of love having been performed, she was fur

nished with a Minute of the concurrence of the Monthly meeting, in order to attend the Yearly meetings of Maryland and Virginia; and in the 8th month, 1792, a like Minute was granted her to attend Carolina Yearly meeting, and to travel in Truth's service, in the Southern States. She returned from this visit in the 4th month, and informed her Friends of the continuance of her concern to labour further in those parts; in unity therewith, a new certificate was furnished by Friends, at the next Monthly meeting.

On her return from these arduous labours, she informed her Friends, that agreeable to prospect, she had visited some of the meetings of Friends on the Western Shore of Maryland and Virginia, most of those in North Carolina, and all in South Carolina and Georgia, which afforded peace and satisfaction of mind, on her return home; "and," said she, "demands acknowledgements of gratitude to the arm of Divine sufficiency, who has strengthened and sustained in the various difficulties attending."

In the year following, she made a visit to the families of Friends at Motherkill and Three Runs; and in the 12th month, spread before the Monthly meeting, "in a lively and affecting manner, that she had, for a considerable time, felt a concern, under a prospect of some religious service in the City of Annapolis." This concern was united with, and a minute of the concurrence of her Friends, furnished on the occasion.

In the 3d month, 1795, she opened a concern to visit some of the West India Islands. This subject called forth the feeling sympathy and unity of her Friends, and in the 8th month, they gave her the following certificate:

"The bearer hereof, our dear and ancient Friend,

Mary Berry, a minister of the Gospel, well esteemed amongst the brethren, and of an exemplary and pious life and conversation, having, in a weighty manner, spread before a former sitting of this meeting, a concern which had for some years rested on her mind, to pay a visit in Gospel love, to some of the West India Islands, particularly to Barbadoes; and the subject having, several times, been under our solid deliberation, and much sympathy being felt, with desires for her preservation and support, under the trials and difficulties which may fall to her lot,—a general freedom was felt, and expressed, to yield her up to the service, to proceed therein as Truth may open and direct her way, under the guidance of the great Shepherd who, when he putteth forth his own, graciously condescends to go before them. We commend her to his disposal and holy care, and to the sympathy and attention of all Christian people, where her lot may be cast, desiring that in this dedication of heart to her Master's service, she may experience that peace which is the reward of obedience.

Given forth from a Monthly meeting of men and women Friends, held for conducting the affairs of the Church at Third Haven, in Talbot county, State of Maryland, in North America, the 13th day of the 8th month, 1795.”

The above certificate and concern, "having obtained the concurrence of the Quarterly meeting, as also the meeting of Ministers and Elders in Philadelphia, as expressed by their endorsements made on said certificate, the same was returned to Third Haven Monthly meeting; it appearing that a suitable passage had not occurred for her going to those places, (it being a time of war,) and her advanced age and bodily infir