ven thousand be found in Israel, that have not bowed the knee to Baal:-yet it is to be feared, that in these days, vital religion is at a very low ebb in many places: as an eminent minister said the other day, "How dry we are!" And, may I not add, how dwarfish we are! when compared to our worthy predecessors. I have often thought of the many worthy men and women, that have been raised up in Pennsylvania: yea, and in almost every corner of our country; but what is the prospect of a succession of such worthies, in our day, when there is such, or so much conformity to the spirit, ways, customs, and fashions of this world, in almost every respect; especially in that of carriages, and the enormous expense and superfluity in the equipage of them? Has there not been a great increase in these things within a very few years, as John Churchman says, "Oh how is the ancient plainness and simplicity of truth departed from, and pomp and splendid appearances, taken their places; and if this great and unnecessary expense was applied to better purposes,to the relief of many a worthy person in distress, it would be an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord, and help to turn away the judgments that hang over us, in part, occasioned by these things." And John Woolman observes, that "there has been a giving way, by little and little, until superfluities of some kinds have become common amongst us. Can it be expected that judges will be raised up, as at the first, and counsellors as at the beginning, whilst we trample upon the Testimonies, our worthy ancestors so deeply suffered for?

I often look toward the young generation, with tender sympathy, and think what an unspeakable advantage it would be to them, if there should be a revival

of primitive Christianity, in its ancient beauty, so as to outshine all the pomp and splendour of this transitory world. And, on the other hand, if we should suffer religion to go to decay, what an unspeakable loss it would be to the rising generation. Our Friends, in one of their Epistles, say, there surely will be a degenerating, if there is not a looking back to our first principles. They say, "That society of people who do not look back to their first principles, will surely go to decay." And they say, "If we look back to the beginning, we shall find things were not so then; "Again," great concerns were a great trouble; and great trade, a great burden. Our eye being single to the Lord, and the inshining of his light, it so stained the glory of all earthly things, that they bore no mastery with us. All needless things, such as fine houses, rich furniture, and gaudy apparel, these things were an eye-sore. Our chief concern was to live near to the Lord, and enjoy his favour."

And now I have one wish for myself, and one for thee. For myself, I adopt the words of the poet, viz. "If I am right, thy grace impart,

Still in the right to stay:

If I am wrong, Oh teach my heart,
To find the better way."

And my desires are for thee and thine, that you may be favoured with the blessing of preservation. May it be your portion, and blessed and happy experience, is the desire of

Thy well-wishing Friend,
JOHN HUNT.

Near Moorestown, New Jersey, 9th of 5th mo. 1820.

John Pemberton's Account of Thomas Ross, of Buck's County, when on a religious visit in England, 1st mo. 21st, 1786.

Dear, aged Thomas Ross has, indeed, been eminently owned, and favoured; but, for four months past, he has been very poorly, and now lies at Lindley Murray's, near York, afflicted with some inward obstruction, which occasions a great difficulty, at times, in his breathing. It rather increases upon him, and may gradually wear him away; though, at times, he is cheerful, and is in a resigned state of mind. He sometimes has prospects of further labour, which gives some hope or expectation, that he may get up again; but it seems very doubtful. It would have been acceptable to me, to be constantly with him, but it has been ordered otherwise. He is in a sweet disposition of mind. No care is wanting, respecting him; he is waited on, both day and night; that with respect to suitable accommodation, and tender attendance, he is full as well off, as though he had been at home. Many have dropped off, in this land; and he was desirous to get to York, so that if he was removed, his remains might lay near dear John Wool

man's.

Friends' Miscellany is proposed to be published once a month-9 numbers to make a volume-price $1 00. Subscribers may for ward their names to John Townsend, agent, in PhiladelphiaEdward Townsend, corner of 10th and Chesnut streets--Lippincott & Parry, No. 57 North Second street, or to the Editors in Byberry. J. & I. COMLY.

WILLIAM SHARPLESS, Printer,
No. 2 Decatur street, Philadelphia.

FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

The memory of the just is blessed.—Prov. x. 7.
Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

John, vi. 12.

VOL. I.

WILLIAM SAVERY'S NARRATIVE Of the early part of his life, and Religious Exercises.

FEELING, at this time, the continued extension of the Lord's exceeding great mercy to me, I am engaged, for my own satisfaction and encouragement, in the future steps of my life, through this scene of close probation and trial, to minute some of the most remarkable of his dealings with me; being sensible that the day of my espousals ought ever to be gratefully, and with humble reverence of heart, had in remembrance, to the praise of Him, for whom I have this testimony, that he is a God of infinite mercy, longforbearance, and much loving-kindness, even to rebellious sons and haughty daughters.

I may acknowledge, that, notwithstanding my revolt, and turning aside from the paths of purity and peace, the Lord has been graciously near me all my life long, and has watched over me, as a tender Father, for good; and smitten me by his spirit, when I have been rebelling against his holy law, written in my heart, and making merry over the Witness; and has reached to me, and tendered me, in the midst of mirth and jollity. He has followed me to my

chamber, and upon my pillow, and drawn tears of sorrow and contrition from me, when no eye has been privy to it, but his all-sceing eye; so that my days of joy and laughter, have often produced nights of sorrow and weeping. Yet still I continued sinning and repenting, and turning the grace of God into wantonness, for a number of years; though favoured to see, at times, and in part, the beauty there is in holiness; but fearful of incurring the scoff and scorn of the world's deluded votaries, should I turn my back upon it.

Activity of spirits, loose discourse, and noisy mirth, were my sad refuge, to drown serious reflections; yet the "worm that never dieth," a wounded conscience, often embittered my sweetest draughts of pleasure. In this state, I was inclined, sometimes, in a serious hour, to read Young's Night Thoughts; which, I think, by the assistance of the gracious Helper, was made serviceable to me. Friends' writings, and even the holy scriptures, were irksome to me; but the energy, depth, and solemn subject of that book, roused me to more serious thought, than ever before; and here I date my gradual progress from the brink of that precipice, which must otherwise inevitably have proved my ruin.

I now saw the iniquity of mispending my precious time; and refrained from frequenting taverns, cardplaying, and places of diversion, all of which I was fond of, and indulged myself in. Yet I found means to hide much of my conduct from my dear parents, who, I believe, saw but little out of order in me, except my dress, which I could not bear so plain as becomes our holy profession; and this grieved them. But, alas! he that knows the secrets of all hearts, and