The following letters, one while in New England, on this visit of love, and the other soon after his return, are thought proper to be presented to the reader, as characteristic of the author's feelings and views at the time. MY DEAR, To Mary Thornton. Providence, 16th of 5th month, 1781. I feel my mind disposed to inform thee, that I am well in health, as usual; and am desirous to attend to my present concern, that I may be clear of what may be laid upon me. I find great openness among the people; and believe the present trying dispensation will produce some good effects in many. My mind is often turned towards thee, in near sympathy with thee, in thy lot, and I hope thou wilt be preserved in a steady dependance upon the Lord for help; who will be found of all those, that seek him. I trust thou hast experienced him to be near in the needful time, to thy encouragement to look forward; nothing doubting, but all will be well, as we keep a single eye to him in all our engagements through life. I am now about to take some meetings in this and next week, in our way to Rhode Island; and so back again to the Yearly meeting, which will be held at Smithfield, not far from this place, to begin about two weeks hence. After the Yearly meeting, propose for that at Nantucket, which will be held there, in two weeks following. From Nantucket, we propose to take the meetings to the eastward; how many, or how far we may go eastward, is unknown. I have no de sire to be from home, longer than may be best for me. I thought it right to embrace this opportunity, to let thee know we are on our way; and are satisfied we are in the discharge of our duty; having, as far as we To Moses Brown, Providence, New England. DEAR FRIEND, I got home on the 6th of 9th month, found my family well, and was gladly received by them, which was very acceptable to me. I have thought thou would be pleased to hear of my safety home. I am poor in spirit-of no thought about my service in your country; it seems as though I was of no use among you. However, I feel calm, and easy in spirit, given up to the Lord's disposal. I have wished to remember Friends in your parts, in the line of Gospel love; but am much shut up. I trust the Lord will show mercy to my poor soul; as I have had a desire from my youth up, to be found faithful to him; and at times, have experienced the flowings in of Divine peace. Many deep baptisms, I have passed through in my way homewards; and was ready to think I had laboured in vain. I hope to stand still, I see nothing. It is until the Lord open my way. with me as though I never had been acquainted with the springs of life. May thou, my dear friend, live near the Lord, and know a persevering in the light, which has sprung up in thee, that thou mayest see more light; whereby thou mayest be instrumental of good amongst the people, and more and more abound, in a real enjoyment of Divine peace. May the Lord bless thee in the way, he in mercy has turned thy mind into, and increase thy experience of his ever blessed Truth; that it may be abundantly the best treasure to thee in this world, and enlarge thy heart, so as to run the ways of his commandments, with alacrity. The condition of the Society, in your parts, requires care. May the eye of thy mind be kept steady to the great Master. May thou behold the "fields already white to harvest." May thou be favoured to pray to " the Lord of the harvest, that he may send forth more labourers.” May thou join with those, who are now engaged to labour in the great work before you, in your country. Stand fast in the faith. Quit thyself like one who has arrived to the state of a workman, in the great cause of truth and righteousness, that thy crown may be sure. Oh! the Crown of immortality and eternal life! My much valued friend, give way to the gentle movings of the Holy Spirit. Press forward, in the meekness of the Lamb, that thou mayest obtain the victory. Look to the end of the race, to the heavenly prize. What gain is there!-what a glorious reward for all the labours, exercises, deep baptisms, in passing from this unstable, inconstant world, with all its glories and honours,-to the world to come, to an uninterrupted felicity with the Lord's people, ranged with the heavenly host, to praise God, who lives forever. I am thy respectful friend, JAMES THORNTON. In the 8th month, 1782, Abington monthly meeting was divided into two, by reason of the members having become very numerous, and much business arising. James Thornton was actively engaged in making the arrangements for the establishment of Horsham Monthly meeting, to be composed of that branch and Byberry, and to be held alternately at each place. In the 5th month, 1783, a minute of approbation was issued by Horsham Monthly meeting, for James Thornton to make a religious visit to the meetings of Friends in Maryland and Virginia. After his return from this journey, it doth not appear that he travelled farther than to neighbouring meetings, till the 4th month, 1785, when he opened to his Friends a concern to visit Long Island Yearly meeting, and some others. On this occasion a certificate was granted him, stating that he was a Friend "whose ministry is sound, and truly edifying to the living,—his life and conversation corresponding therewith." The following interesting letter from his friend, George Dillwyn, was received by him during this year, and we give it a place in these memoirs, because it manifests the near unity that subsisted between them-as well as exhibits the character and views of that truly excellent and honourable Friend. To James Thornton, Byberry, Pennsylvania. DEAR FRIEND, London, 2d mo. 8th, 1785. Thine of 7th mo. 26th last, reached me the latter end of the 10th month; in the perusal of which, it was comfortable to believe, I was favoured with a place in thy kind remembrance and good wishes. This satisfaction had, indeed, often before attended my mind in looking towards thee, and particularly in some low seasons, which I have not been without a share of, since I landed in England, my prospects of service being much confined to this great city and its neighbourhood: and here, if I have a right apprehension, things are but low in our society, and the restoration of true Gospel order discouragingly difficult; owing, as I think, in a great measure to the meetings being exceedingly loaded with members in indigent circumstances, whose concerns being blended with the other business, and their relief and support depending principally upon those in greatest affluence, occasions such to be looked to, and to assume more sway in the management of the discipline than, (generally speaking,) they have right qualifica on for: while some of those who are low in the world, and able to contribute but little to such occasions, are on the other hand, too backward. And thus the guidance of a wisdom superior to human, appears to be but little waited for or attended to, as the rule of action; which makes such meetings rather to resemble courts of civil justice, than of religious society. Some are continued in membership, whose conduct is exceptionable, because they are poor, and that to the eye of reason, it would look hard to deal strictly with them, and expel them in that condition; and others are borne with, whose conduct militates against the testimony, because their pecuniary contributions can hardly be dispensed with, in the present state of things; which has been such for so long a time back, that, with some, who have been disowned for marrying out, &c. the exertions of a well concerned few, in support of the testimony, take the names of bigo |