mity, being now such as to render it unsuitable for her to undertake the voyage, together with the difficulty and uncertainty of the passage. It is thought proper to take in the said certificate, hoping the dedication of her mind to this important service, may prove an acceptable offering."

In the winter of 1790, 2d month, Mary Berry accompanied Job Scott to a number of meetings, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and in Delaware State, of whom Job writes thus:- Dear Mary Berry is one of the most skilful labourers I have ever known. She bows to the root, keeps down to the life, thereby works through wonderfully; and mostly, in the end, reigns triumphantly."

At a meeting at Motherkill, he says, "Dear Mary Berry lifted up her voice like one of the sweetest singers of Israel. She is not only advanced in years, but I think, as thoroughly 'redeemed from the earth, and from amongst men,' and her affections as much set on things above, as any one I ever saw, without exception, and she shines accordingly. May every such illustrious example animate the minds of all that behold their beauty, and engage them to press forward through all the crowds of opposition, to the mark, for the prize of the high calling. I think she is the most bowed in prayer; lies the lowest, and rises the most in the purity, with the least of creaturely animation, and most of divine life, of almost any I have known. Oh! that this may become more and more the case in our Society, as well as throughout the earth. Great is the need of amendment herein, not only among others, but mournfully so among us."

For several of the last years of her life, Mary

Berry was mostly confined to her own room, except going to meeting. Such was her bodily infirmity, that when apparently unable to stand alone, she would frequently rise in meeting, and speak with life and power for a considerable time, without appearing to be fatigued; evidently supported by supernatural strength, and verifying the apostles assertion, "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his spirit that dwelleth in you.'

She was diligent in the attendance of meetings, although residing about three miles distant, even when her bodily strength had so far failed, that she had to be carried from her carriage, to her seat in the gallery, and back. Thus, supported by the Divine life, her zeal for truth, and love to her friends, continued to the close of her useful and exemplary life, and she departed in peace.

Testimony concerning Richard Cooper.

On the third day of the Tenth month, 1820, our esteemed friend Richard Cooper departed this life, at about the age of one hundred years. He was a descendant of the greatly oppressed Africans, a native of the Island of Barbadoes, and by birth a slave. At the age of twelve or fourteen years, he was brought to this country and sold; having frequently changed owners, he at length became the property of a member of the society of Friends; and at the time of the total emancipation, by the society, of its slaves, he was liberated from an unmerited and unjust bondage. About this time he became convinced of the efficacy of the religious principles of Friends, which he ascribed to the tender care and frequent admonitions

of his mistress, in directing his mind to the principle of Divine Grace and truth in the heart. He was a frequent attender of Friends' meetings, and in advanced life, requested to be admitted a member of the society, and was received. His conduct and conversation corresponding in good degree, with his profession, he became generally respected and beloved.

By the people of colour in his neighbourhood, he was consulted in most matters of controversy in which they were interested, and his good counsel always tended to, and often effected, an amicable adjustment of differences. He appeared generally concerned to promote friendship and brotherly love; and in his friendly visits, he mostly had a word of religious exhortation. Having no school learning, and being desirous for advancement in the knowledge of best things, he would, when opportunities offered, request the scriptures of truth and other good books to be read for him; esteeming them valuable in directing the mind to that source from whence all true wisdom comes. In his last sickness he expressed a thankfulness that Friends had received him into membership, and that he had been so favoured as not to have been burdensome, and hoped that his conduct had brought no reproach upon the society. It was truly comfortable to visit him; not murmuring nor complaining, he appeared thankful and resigned, numbering the many mercies and blessings which had been bestowed upon him, having a word of consolation or encouragement to all. He expressed a desire for the prosperity of the society, and particularly for the rising generation, that they might be willing to take the yoke of Christ upon them, and so become strengtheners to their elder brethren, and fitted to stand firm

in the cause of truth, of which he said they never would have cause to repent.

he

Upon taking leave of those who visited him, generally expressed something to them by way of blessing. His last advice to his children was, that they should not fall out about the little stuff he had to leave behind him. Through the gradual decay of nature, his long and useful life was brought to a close, and the belief is entertained, that he has entered into the rest prepared for the righteous.

To record the christian virtues of the deceased, that we may imitate their example, is sanctioned by that voice which spake from heavan, saying, "write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

Signed by order of Little Creek Preparative meeting, in Delaware, held 4th month 5th, 1821, by

SAMUEL PRICE,

Clerk to the meeting this time.
REBECCA HANSON,

Clerk to the meeting this time.

Letter from Edward Stabler.

Alexandria, 9th month 24th, 1829.

Thy father's letter, my dear E. giving me intelligence of the peaceful close of our dear Ann, came duly to hand.

The information was not unexpected, for when I was last with you, the probability that she would before long, be released from the pains and troubles of time, seemed very apparent. I am fully persuaded

that there is no cause to mourn for her, as I am satisfied that the gracious Being who created and preserved her innocent, has translated her gentle spirit to a state of being, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." That thy affectionate feelings should be deeply distressed by the event, is neither strange nor improper. On the contrary, our blessed Example pronounced a blessing upon those that mourn: and I think I am qualified by experience to say, that there is in the tendering influences of mourning upon the human mind, a preparation wrought to receive more abundantly, the impressions which produce present and everlasting comfort. There are no earthly events which have so powerful a tendency to "remove the earth out of her place" in the soul's affections, as the loss of an intimate and beloved friend: for as they are the dearest of all earthly treasures, so they are precisely like ourselves And we see, that which has occurred to them, we also are liable to; and the love we have for them, brings the impressions home to the feelings, and fixes it there. And as long as our love for their memory remains, so long is our attention turned with proportionate correctness, to the seat of endeared recollections within ourselves. And though like Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre, we may go there to weep, yet that is the place where we find the blessed Saviour, the source and bestower of all consolation and comfort.

Well, my precious child, is not mourning crowned with comfort, when it leads to a discovery so blessed? I am not willing to doubt that it will have that desirable effect upon thy gentle spirit; and that thou wilt yet see that it has been expedient" for thee