the contagion of that awful malady, while a number of others who attended that meeting, were removed by this pestilential disease.

In the early part of the 4th month following, he obtained a minute of the unity of his Friends to visit some meetings in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York States, as way might open. But in a few days after, he felt a release in his own mind, from this concern, and was shortly after attacked with the disease which terminated his labours and his existence, in this probationary state. A particular account of of his last illness, and of divers weighty expressions which he uttered, was preserved by his son James, and his daughter-in-law, Hannah Thornton, who were his affectionate and assiduous attendants to the close; being as follows:

Some account of James Thornton, in his last illness, and of divers weighty expressions, which he dropped.

The 8th of 4th month, 1794, as he was walking to and fro, across the room, he expressed that he had been under an exercise, some time back, respecting visiting some places; but now had found a release, and enjoyed a quiet peaceful mind, which he preferred to every thing else. Soon after which, he found himself somewhat poorly, but rested pretty well that night. Next morning, went to week day meeting. On his return, the disorder increased rapidly; he said he had much pain, particularly in his breast, and about his kidneys. It proved a complicated complaint, with much of a bilious nature. He retired to his room and bed, chiefly, until sixth day, about the 11th hour, when he seemed somewhat relieved,

and walked up the lane. On his return, he found his disorder increasing upon him again, and remained very poorly until the 5th hour, on seventh day morning, when he was seized with a violent shaking fit, which held half an hour: a profuse sweating followed; and when that abated, he somewhat revived. Being asked how he was, answered, "Very poorly;" and said, "I have been afflicted from my youth up, with bodily infirmities, and how it may issue now, whether in life or death, is not essential for me to know, as I have a peaceful mind; and all the world would be nothing without it." He further said, "Many times, in my younger years, as I have been walking to meeting, I have been forced to stop, and lean my head against a tree, to rest: And when I first stood up to speak therein, I have felt such a weakness and dizziness, that I was scarcely able to stand, occasioned by a very heavy pain, down one side of my head; but under the exercise of my gift, strength increased inwardly and outwardly. So that I have great cause to encourage to be diligent in the attendance of meetings, and duties therein."

On seventh day evening, Peter Yarnall came here. About the eleventh hour, same evening, after a very poorly day, he was seized with the second fit: at which time, he desired us not to be anxious about him, but learn contentment in our allotments. After a space, said, "Learn contentment." The latter part of the night herested pretty well. Next day, being first of the week, an oppression increasing upon his breast, made it hard work, although he expressed but little. But, on going to bed, rested pretty well until a little after two o'clock, when a third fit came on. Peter Yarnall being called up, he said, "It is well thee is here,

to help bear up my children in this trying time; but they must take up the cross, and they'll find, by experience, it must be done daily." Also said, "This is hard work, but there's a good foundation: that's best of all." Another of the family going up to the bedside, he repeated, "This is hard work but there's a good foundation; and we experience hard things to be made easy,—and bitter, sweet." At another time, being asked how he was, chose not to be disturbed, but said he was quiet and contented.

About the ninth hour in the morning, second day of the week, he seemed much revived, and said he was pretty clear of pain, and relieved from the oppression at his breast; which might be discovered by his freeness in conversation. In the afternoon he said, "I have seen that the honour and friendship of this world is a great hindrance to the progress of many ie: ligion; but it is what I have always shunned, or I should not have been able to have dealt so plainly, and spoke so impartially in meetings, and out, as I have done, and stood through it all, to this day."

The 15th of 4th month, and third of the week, in the evening, he repeated some of John Churchman's expressions, respecting the danger of some, sitting down the wrong side of the river, and singing: but said, "that would not do; there must be a labour kept up, and a persevering through Jordan. Sometime after said, the pleasant prospect of being nearly released, he could not set forth with words. It was answered; It seems not in our power to do much for thee. He replied, "It's a comfort that my dependance is not

on man."

A

Fourth of the week, he again revived a little. young woman taking her leave of him, to go to meet

ing, he said to her, "I always attended meetings when I could, and now I am easy;" which he had been heard to express divers times before, that he had been diligent in doing what he had found to be his duty. Storms, nor tempests, nor no other consideration, had hindered him from going on his master's errands, when he could. And further said, that a small complaint never had kept him back; but frequently he had gone, when he thought some would have gone to their beds, and that he mostly returned, better; and of latter time, when debarred from going out, he had enjoyed the fruits of his faithful labours. He further said, that he did not remember, he had attended a meeting, since he had arrived to the years of maturity, but what he had received some satisfaction, more or less. When people complained of poor meetings, he Wen say, he believed the fault often lay upon themselves. He had an aversion to people's complaining after that manner, and of their not being able to attain to such and such a state of mind; he would reply, that if they did their part, there was nothing to be doubted of. He was one, firm in the true faith, without wavering, and lived near the Fountain of living waters, and often had access thereto, and was frequently instrumental in watering the churches; which oft times was as the holy oil, or sweet ointment, which was spoken of formerly, descending upon the drooping spirits; but was attended with that which checked forward unruly ones. The savour whereof so sweetened his spirit, that his company was very desirable to all that had any love for the blessed cause of Truth; as his common conversation generally had a tendency to lead thereto. He was of a kind, affable disposition to all ranks of people, especially those that

truth had distinguished, let their outward circumstance be as it might.

Oh may we be engaged to gather up the fragments; which will be as a sweet savour to our minds, if we are diligently concerned to walk in his footsteps, according to the talents received; and may the remembrance thereof never diminish, while we are continued in this inconstant mode of being; that at the close, we may have to offer up our accounts as he did, with joy.

On fifth day, his disorder increasing upon him, in the afternoon he said, "This is close work; but I have a peaceful mind, that makes it up." Several different times, he expressed that his complaint was trying; but it must be remedied by patience. A lethargic condition had been coming on, several days, which then occasioned him to be less conversable.

Sixth day, about twelve o'clock, another violent fit seized him, and he expressed nearly as follows: "Be still; Be still. Turn in to the Lord. Cast your care upon him; and if there is a free giving up, he will be with you, and keep you through all." After a pause, said, "It's joyful. It's joyful. It's all light. But it's a loss; it's a loss that will be felt by these children. Lord, thou art able to support under every trial, and keep thine. There are many difficulties to encounter, through this inconstant world. All that appertains to it is transient and fading. The Lord hath begun a good work, and he is able to carry it on. Look to him for ability to go forward. But there must be a total surrender, and giving up to him. Keep to meetings. Keep us, we pray thee, O Lord! Fit and prepare us for thy glorious kingdom. Call in thousands, and tens of thousands more, to labour