to come.

Under this dispensation of trial, his mind appeared calm and tranquil. Remote from his home, and the tenderest ties of life, the near sympathy of his friends was brought into lively exercise. After a few weeks, his strength was so far restored as to be able to travel slowly; and feeling easy to set out homeward with his son, he was favoured to reach his habitation, as mentioned in the annexed letter, which is introduced as a memento of him, his labours of love, and devotedness to the good of others, though subject to much bodily infirmity and privation of what are called, the good things of this world. We are informed that he left a journal of his life and religious labours, some parts of which, since his decease, have been published in the Western country.

Richmond, Indiana, 21st of 8th mo. 1818.

DEAR FRIEND,

I think proper to pen thee a few lines. In the beginning of which, I feel that love to be renewed, which first brought us acquainted, when we were in a strange land, and as to the outward, amongst strangers. But here is the consolation of the faithful labourers, through the uniting love of the everlasting Father, and Head of the family, when they meet together, no matter in what part of the harvest field, they become united in that bond of love, which gathers to God, and unites to his Church. In this love, dear M. did I find thee at first, and in this do I salute thee, and thy father's family, and all my dear friends, in your settlement. For, notwithstanding, I left you in weakness of body, (which still remains, so that I look toward the grave; but the Lord's will be done!) yet, I left you in tenderness, and in much

love; which have often been renewed by contemplating on the pleasant feelings that I was favoured with, while passing along through your parts. And after I came to see that I had permission to return home, as a vessel worn out, Oh! how my tender feelings were moved toward the church, and the cause of righteousness and truth? And when I looked around on thee, dear M. and such as thou art, that is, such as are young, and have laid their hands to the work; some coming forward as counsellers, and some as judges, in Israel, Oh! how my spirit did revive in the Lord, and in considering that the cause, in which I had spent the days of my strength, was undoubtedly prospering in the earth. May the dear advocates thereof be encouraged; for the Lord's secret arm is underneath, to carry on his work; and as he calls for the agency of man in this his work, so he will be with all those who are with him therein. Man is a rewardable creature, and he has many trials to pass through; but they that overcome all evil, and hold out to the end, shall receive the reward that is laid up for the faithful.

When I think what a favoured young woman thou art, having father and mother, and a large number of valuable Friends around thee, who are watching over thee, as I believe, for good, and willing to hold out a hand in the needful time, I feel comforted in a hope. that thou wilt hold on to occupy thy gift; for satisfied I am, that the Lord has committed to thee that which is precious, and which, if rightly improved, will in.

crease.

I am just now invited to the funeral of a Friend, who died last night, after a short sickness. How certain is death! This Friend was well a few days ago,

and at work in this town-now, I must lay by my writing, to attend his funeral.

Afternoon.—I have attended the solemn gathering; and, while there, I thought, that I did not know but the next solemn meeting at that place, would be round my poor tabernacle. But, alas, we see some poor weakly creatures that hold out beyond expectation, while others, stout and strong, are taken in a very short time. At our last Monthly meeting, the 25th of last month, a dear young woman declared her intention of marriage with a young man, both blooming in the prime of life and health. But now, alas! she, after two weeks sickness, is laid in the silent grave. So, from the consideration of these things, we see that Divine Wisdom hath treasured up the time of our departure in his own council, that all might stand ready to die, fitly prepared for the change; then should we be properly prepared to live. The brother of this dear young woman, married our daughter, and her sister our son; so that she was as a near connection, wherein we have felt ourselves dipped into sympathy and mourning with the dear young man, who appears to be very sensible of the loss of expected comfort; yet we all have cause to believe, that our loss is her everlasting gain. I was too weak to attend her funeral, but was informed, it was a very solemn time, as I think the very hearing thereof ought to be to the youth.

It is likely thou hast heard how we got pretty well home, the 18th of last month. From that time I felt to gather a little strength; and having all to buy for my family to live upon, and having some debts to pay, which took considerable of the money I had left when I got home, and seeing the little I had left, go

ing daily, and no incomes expected until corn gets hard, and then nothing but corn expected from my plantation; I thought I must go to work a little, and so I did; and on the 11th of this month, as I was in my shop at work, I had a return of my complaint, in which I did not lose much blood; but it was attended with a great deal of soreness and pain, so that we thought, for a while, that the time of my departure was come. But after awhile, the pain abated, and I got easy; and so I have been again reduced to weakness, of which I now feel a little recovered.

My little son talked of writing to thee. My dear wife, who is well in health, desires to be very affectionately remembered to thee, and all her kind Friends in your parts, with desires that the Lord may bless those that help the poor, with the blessings from above; so that those who give to the poor, may be sensible of lending to the Lord, and thus receive the dew of heaven."

Now, my dear M. I must bid thee a solemn farewell. Give my love to thy father's family, and as many as may inquire; for I believe the Lord knows that I love the faithful of every class. I am thy friend and brother, in the tribulated path that leads into the patience and kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS.

A Testimony from. Woodbury Monthly Meeting, concerning David Cooper.

David Cooper, son of John Cooper and Ann his wife, was born near Woodbury, in Gloucester county, New Jersey, the 13th of the 1st month, 1724; and when young in years, experienced the influence of divine love upon his mind, that gave him a prospect of the beauty and advantage of a truly religious life. As he grew in years, an increasing care arose that he might not disgrace the profession that he was educated in; which was now become the religion of his judgment: And through various baptisms and trials, he became more and more resigned to the cross of Christ.

And as he was a man endued with talents superior to many, and became conformable to the pure influence of the Holy Spirit, so he was a useful member in the community at large, and in the neighbourhood where he lived; being frequently applied to for advice in cases of difficulty, and employed as a peacemaker. In religious meetings, he was solid and weighty, sound in judgment, and clear in expression. He was enabled to bear a testimony to the power and influence of the gospel, in great simplicity of manners and circumspection. And the Lord was pleased to sanctify his endowments, and enlarge his heart in the Gospel, so that he became qualified to fill the station of an Elder in the church, not in name only, but in a degree of the true anointing; and bore testimony in many minds, both at home and abroad, that his heart was in a measure dedicated, and given up to serve the Lord; and he was as a stake and a cord in our Sion. He was favoured with wisdom, and a feeling mind, and became very useful in society; and we have