ly, and especially where the mother is removed. I know a little by experience; for when I was ten years old, I felt, as 1 suppose some or all of you feel for the stroke of death rent from me a most tender and beloved mother, and I, with two sisters, one brother, and our poor disconsolate father, was left to mourn in sadness and sorrow, far beyond what I had ever known before. Indeed I remember it now (in great degree) as if it was yesterday; and I well know that I then verily thought I should feel as great distress while life remained as I felt then. But I was but a child, and was greatly mistaken. I found cause of joy in something else, after she was gone, and gradually became resigned to my lot: so that I can experimentally sympathize with you, dear children, and would not have you be too much cast down. The Lord can make up to you all the loss; yea, and much more, if you love him, and lean upon him. He has done it for me, and, blessed be his holy name, he followed me with visitation after visitation, till he drew me to close in therewith; and then he filled my heart with his goodness, and caused my cup to overflow with his love and divine presence to my unspeakable joy and consolation: that I verily believe her prayers were heard on my account, and the rest of her children; for after my giving up to Truth's requiring, my sisters soon followed my example. I was the eldest ; and believe my footsteps were really useful to them, as well as the advice I had often to give them from time to time. My dear little brother died, an innocent lad, at seven years old; and myself and sisters all became, I trust, truly religious, and by request, members of Friends' Society. And I have often thought, we have been as well provided for, both inwardly and outwardly, as if our dear mother had staid with us in this world of troubles. And she has escaped many afflictions by being removed; and went, I doubt not, well prepared to a mansion of unmixed joy; as has, I firmly believe, your dear mother, forever to sing praises to him, who graciously redeemed her precious soul from transgression. It is much to my satisfaction that she was with me at a few meetings. I felt as if I could not be easy without more of her dear company than I had had before; and when we last parted, I told her, I felt much easier to part, and take leave of her, than I ever could before but little did I think of what has taken place; though I now believe, my very unusual weight of darkness and distress, with some uncommon thoughts upon death, which I had, one evening, at your house, and in her company, might be laid upon me as a forerunner of what I felt on hearing the heavy news of her death. Indeed, I know not that the like account of any friend in Pennsylvania, would so nearly affect me. But she is gone, I trust to everlasting glory; let us all bless the name of the Lord, and prepare to follow her. Accept, dear Joshua, and all you dear children, my sincere love and affectionate sympathy; for I truly am your sympathetic friend, JOB SCOTT. To Joshua Sharpless. My dear friend, Uxbridge, 14th of 5th month, 1787. Thine of the 26th of 3d month I seasonably received, and felt much satisfaction in thy so full account of dear Edith's last days; but more in thy being so well borne up under thy trials in her removal; and what added still more to my joy was the account in regard to the dear children, of the good desires "begotten in most or all of their tender minds, to follow that which makes for peace." May this continue to be the fervent engagement of not only most but all of them; not only for a short time, but till they go hence to meet with their dear mother, and be seen of men here no more. I loved them dearly and travailed for their advancement in the right way. I felt deeply with them, though absent, in their great affliction; and not a little did I feel for thee. Well, may thou look beyond the unworthy instrument; for he wrote no cunningly devised fable, but what he felt too impressively on his mind, to enjoy satisfaction in the omission of; and doubts not that has been the case with others, whose hearts have been animated, and their bosoms warmed with living flowings of divine good, for communication, in deep sympathy with your exercised souls. Thus gracious and compas. VOL. II.-9 sionate is he who is at times felt to be the rock of our salvation and our only horn of divine strength. I have not at present that sensible feeling flow, as at some other times; and may I never counterfeit it: for I have found, that adds death to the soul. You must not expect much at this time; only this, I feel, I deeply feel that I love you, and I hope I may say it is "in the Lord." May he preserve you through all trials, temptations, and besetments, to the praise of his own excellent and eternal name, and to your unspeakable consolation and joy. Oh! I feel great need to dwell deep and keep near the living fountain of strength and preservation. Never perhaps was I more entirely stripped of all sense of his presence, than much of the time since I came home; though on getting home I had the unquestionable answer of solid peace; and for some days my peace flowed as a river. My discharge from your land was sealed on my soul with rejoicing that I had been among you, and felt some of your spirits. May I ever abide in that which only can preserve a right sense of those blessed seasons I had in some of your houses, and in some meetings. I suppose my late poverty is all for the best, and wish the dear children not to be discouraged at it; it is a path they must tread, if faithful. The land of God's people is spiritually, as outwardly of old, "a land of hills and vallies." I have ever found it so ; ups and downs have attended me through life; and I expect it will continue so, and am fully convinced it is best it should be so. Only let us be careful not to sink too low, nor give out and grow careless: of both these things there is great danger; I feel it so in myself. Oh! may you and I ever watch unto prayer, lest we take our flight, either in the winter of trial and desertion, when the divine beams of the spiritual sun, seem faintly to shine upon us; or in the sabbath of ease, when carelessness is apt to creep in. My dear love is to many dear friends, as P. S. and her husband; the dear Wistar children; (may they love and serve the Lord, and be sure not to put it off too long;) thy mother and sisters, with such other of my dear friends, as thou finds freedom to mention me to. Don't forget, dear Joshua, to write; and when thou feels it, don't omit it; then is the time. Thy feeling communication did my soul good; not so much because thou expressed a lively sense of mine, as because of that precious savour and evidence of divine support, which runs through the whole of it. Dear Edith, I doubt not, rests forever in Abraham's bosom, in the paradise of God. May we so follow on, as to meet her there, and rejoice with her forevermore, is, dear Joshua, the desire of thine and thy dear children's real friend, JOB SCOTT. Dear Joshua, To Joshua Sharpless. Uxbridge, 25th 7th month, 1788. I seasonably received thy very acceptable letter of 9th month 30th-87, and can assure thee my long silence is not the fruit of forgetfulness, or want of love, either to thee or thy dear children: nay, verily, you have a place of endeared record on my heart. I love you with unfeigned affection and endearment; and thy account of your "feeling near and dear to each other," &c. is sweet to my mind. Oh! may the everlasting unslumbering Shepherd of Israel watch over you, sustain, protect, and preserve you, through every trial, temptation, and besetment. O dear children! love the Lord, the God of your exercised father; and who was eminently the God of your dear mother, and serve him with perfect hearts, and willing minds and he will be your God also; he will hold you in his holy hand, and fill your souls with good things; and your real joy will be far beyond what a life of unprofitable amusements, company, and conversation ever can afford. Have a very special regard to the judgment and advice of your experienced father: consult him on all occasions of importance: consult him early, and do not go contrary to his advice, even though he advise against your inclinations. I trust he knows better than you do, what will be good for you, and I think he will be as indulgent as truth will allow; and I believe the Lord often blesses children who are obedient to their parents. And now, dear Joshua, I have not much to say to thee, only be thou strong and very courageous in the Lord, as was said to one of thy name formerly; and I have no doubt the Lord will be with thee, in every trouble; and through all, as thou looks to him, make thee more than conqueror. My dear love is to all them that love the blessed truth. Mention me to the Wistar children. I have breathings of spirit to the Helper of the helpless, on their accounts. Oh! that they may dedicate their time and talents to the service of the truth. I rest, in heart-felt affection, thy sure friend, JOB SCOTT. A Farewell Salutation on leaving Home. My dear and much beloved wife, No worldly glory, wealth, or joy, And may that God, who reigns on high, In every danger, still be nigh, Oh! may he hold thee in his hand, |