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Truly these have no outward shepherd who cares much for their spiritual
interests. I felt my heart much warmed in gospel love towards them, and we
invited them to give us their company again next day, which most of them
did. In this meeting there was something expressed so remarkably suited to
the states of some present, that after it was over a woman confessed it
had been as was declared, that she herself was one to whom it belonged;
and she gave us a short relation how it had been with her in former days.

The love which these simple, honest-hearted creatures manifest towards us
does away with all distinctions and the difference of language. O, that He
who teaches as never man taught may be pleased to guide them and bring
them to himself that there may be one shepherd and one sheep-fold. All our
toils in this weary land will not be too much if we can he made the
instruments of helping only one poor soul on its way Zionwards.

10 mo. 8.--I returned yesterday evening from Minden, with a
thankful heart, to come again to my quiet and romantic habitation in
Peacedale. The strong fortifications which are made, and now making,
around Minden, give it an appearance of gloom and oppression which is
scarcely to be borne. O, how uncomfortable do I feel when within its
walls; but in its neighborhood there are a few friends to whom I am
tenderly united in spirit.


He concludes this entry with an allusion to the homely and even hard
manner of life to which many of these were accustomed.


To some of our Friends in England who are dissatisfied with their outward
situation, I would say, Come and see how these live on the Continent.


The 29th of the Tenth Month was the anniversary of his wife's death. His
diary for this day is an affecting transcript of his feelings on the
occasion.


The shock which my earthly happiness received this day twelvemonths has
been, this evening, piercingly renewed in the recollection of almost every
minute transaction which accompanied the awful event of the closing
moments of my precious lamb. For truly like a lamb she lived, and was well
prepared to become an angel-spirit. O, happy spirit, thou art at rest;
then why should I mourn thy loss? Surely He who knows the weakness of our
frame will forgive, for he himself gave us the example in weeping over
those he loved. The Almighty has been very good to me; he has put it in
the hearts of those with whom I reside to care for me with an affectionate
interest. O, for greater diligence, that the day's work may keep pace with
the day. What shall I do, but pray for more strength to be made able to do
all that may be required of me. I never saw the advice of our dear Saviour
more necessary for myself than at the present time, "Be ye wise as
serpents and harmless as doves."


Soon after this he had a return, of his complaint in the stomach, which
caused him to exclaim--


We are indeed but dust and ashes; how quickly the slender thread may be
cut, and reduce this frail tabernacle to that state of earthly composition
from which it was formed. But the spiritual part in us must have an
abiding somewhere for ever; this is the awful consideration which
ought continually to affect our hearts. Is it not a strange infatuation to
rank the moments of affliction among the evil events of our lives, when
these may prove the very means of bringing back our wandering feet to the
path which leads to everlasting life?


He then reviews his own situation, his calling and his work.


It is often the consideration of my heart, What has brought me into this
country? what have I done? what am I doing? and what have I to do? The
enemy is not wanting to distress my poor mind on the point of these four
important queries. But to the first I can answer, An humble submission to
what I believe to be the leadings of Divine Wisdom. To the second, through
the assistance of never-failing love, I have done what I could and have
found peace. To the third, I am desirous through divine aid to do what I
can; and to the fourth, which refers to the future, I must commit it into
the hands of the Judge of the whole earth, who alone is able to guide my
feet in the sure path. I feel in the present moment desirous to keep
eternity continually before my view, and to let outward things hang more
fully on the dependence of Him who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the
ground without his notice. (11 mo. 30.)

12 mo, 1.--The reading meeting this evening has been a precious
time. Our spirits have been much tendered in reading some account of the
lives and deaths of our worthy Friends recorded in Sewel's History. Tears
so overpowered the reader and the hearers, that the reading was at times
obliged to be suspended until we had given relief to our feelings.

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