and this hath spread from less to more, till superfluity of some kinds is common amongst us.

.. In this declining state many look at the example one of another, and too much neglect the pure feeling of Truth. Of late years a deep exercise hath attended my mind, that Friends may dig deep, may carefully cast forth the loose matter and get down to the rock, the sure foundation, and there hearken to that Divine voice which gives a clear and certain sound.

I have felt in that which doth not deceive, that if Friends who have known the Truth, keep in that tenderness of heart where all views of outward gain are given up, and their trust is only on the Lord, he will graciously lead some to be patterns of deep self-denial, in things relating to trade and handicraft labour; and that some who have plenty of the treasures of this world, will example in a plain frugal life, and pay wages to those whom they may hire, more liberally than is now customary in some places.

The prophet speaking of the true church, said, “Thy people also shall be all righteous." Of the depth of this Divine work several have spoken.

John Gratton, in his Journal, page 45, said "The Lord is my portion, I shall not want. He hath wrought all my works in me. I am nothing but what I am in him."

Gilbert Latey, through the powerful operations of the Spirit of Christ in his soul, was brought to that depth of self-denial, that he could not join with that proud spirit in other people, which inclined them to want vanities and superfluities. This Friend was often amongst the chief rulers of the nation in times of persecution, and it appears by the testimony of Friends, that his dwelling was so evidently in the pure life of Truth, that in his

visits to those great men, he found a place in their minds;
and that King James the second, in the times of his
troubles, made particular mention in a very respectful
manner of what Gilbert once said to him.

The said Gilbert found a concern to write an epistle,
in which are these expressions;

"Fear the Lord, ye men of all sorts, trades and call-
ings, and leave off all the evil that is in them, for the
Lord is grieved with all the evils used in your employ-
ments which you are exercised in."

"It is even a grief to see how you are servants to sin,
and instruments of Satan." See his works, page 42, &c.
George Fox, in an epistle writes thus: "Friends,
stand in the eternal power of God, witnesses against the
pomps and vanities of this world.

"Such tradesmen who stand as witnesses in the power
of God, cannot fulfill the people's minds in these vanities,
and therefore they are offended at them.

"Let all trust in the Lord, and wait patiently on him;
for when Truth first broke forth in London, many trades-
men could not take so much money in their shops for
some time, as would buy them bread and water, because
they withstood the world's ways, fashions and customs;
yet by their patient waiting on the Lord in their good life
and conversation, they answered the Truth in people's
hearts, and thus their business increased." Book of
Doctrinals, page 824.

Christ our holy Leader graciously continueth to open
the understandings of his people, and as circumstances
alter from age to age, some who are deeply baptized into
a feeling of the state of things, are led by his holy Spirit
into exercises in some respects different from those which
attended the faithful in foregoing ages, and through the

constrainings of pure love, are engaged to open the feelings they have to others."

In faithfully following Christ, the heart is weaned from the desire of riches, and we are led into a life so plain and simple, that a little doth suffice, and thus the way openeth to deny ourselves, under all the tempting allurements of that gain, which we know is the gain of unrighteousness.

The apostle speaking on this subject, asketh this question; "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" And again saith, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Again, "Be not partaker of other men's sins, keep thyself pure."

Where people through the power of Christ are thoroughly settled in a right use of things, and freed from all unnecessary care and expense, the mind in this true resignation is at liberty from the bands of a narrow selfinterest, to attend from time to time on the movings of his Spirit upon us, though he leads into that through which our faith is closely tried.

The language of Christ is pure, and to the pure in heart this pure language is intelligible; but in the love of money, the mind being intent on gain, is too full of human contrivance to attend to it.

It appears evident that some channels of trade are defiled with unrighteousness, and that the minds of many are intent on getting treasures to support a life, in which there are many unnecessary expenses.

I feel a living concern attend my mind, that under these difficulties we may humbly follow our heavenly Shepherd, who graciously regardeth his flock, and is willing and able to supply us both inwardly and out

wardly with clean provender, that has been winnowed with the shovel and the fan, where we may "sow to ourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy," and not be defiled with the works of iniquity.

Where customs contrary to pure wisdom are transmitted to posterity, it appears to be an injury committed against them; and I often feel tender compassion toward a young generation, with desires that their difficulties may not be increased through unfaithfulness in us of the present age.

CHAPTER II.

On a Sailor's life.

In the trade to Africa for slaves, and in the management of ships going on these voyages, many of our lads and young men have a considerable part of their education.

What pious father beholding his son placed in one of these ships to learn the practice of a mariner, could forbear mourning over him?

Where youth are exampled in means of getting money so full of violence, and used to exercise such cruelties on their fellow-creatures, the disadvantage to them in their education is very great.

But I feel it in my mind to write concerning the seafaring life in general.

In the trade carried on from the West Indies, and from some parts of the continent, the produce of the labour of slaves is a considerable part.

Sailors are frequently at ports where slaves abound, and converse often with people who oppress them without the appearance of remorse, and often with other sailors

employed in the slave trade, and how powerfully do these evil examples spread amongst the sea-faring youth!

I have had many opportunities to feel and understand the general state of the sea-faring life amongst us, and my mind hath often been sad on account of so many lads and young men being trained up amidst so great corruption.

Under the humbling power of Christ I have seen, that if the leadings of his holy Spirit were faithfully attended to by his professed followers in general, the heathen nations would be exampled in righteousness, a less number of people would be employed on the seas, the channels of trade would be more free from defilement, and fewer people would be employed in vanities and superfluities.

The inhabitants of cities would also be less in number, and those who have much land would become fathers to

the poor.

More people would be engaged in the sweet employment of husbandry; and in the path of pure wisdom, labour would be an agreeable, healthful employment.

In the opening of these things in my mind, I feel a living concern that we who have felt Divine love in our hearts may faithfully abide in it, and like good soldiers endure hardness for Christ's sake.

He, our blessed Saviour, exhorting his followers to love one another, adds, "As I have loved you." He loved Lazarus, yet in his sickness he did not heal him, but left him to endure the pains of death, that in restoring him to life, the people might be confirmed in the true faith.

He loved his disciples, but sent them forth on a message attended with great difficulty, amongst hard-hearted