once within the sacred enclosure, the sweet air that breathes humility hushes all stormy passions to rest.  I read and read again of all those holy folks being divested of self, and anxiously do I desire to be so too, but by the marks they lay down I am very far from that attainment.  However, He who said, Let there be light, and there was light, can add this to the rest of his inestimable blessings showered on my unworthy head.

4 mo. 14, 1820.—­We are sometimes led to expect pity from people where we think we have a sort of claim, and here we often feel disappointed.  Persons at ease cannot feel for the sensations of pain in others, any more than prosperity can feel the seasons of adversity.  Couldst thou have a look into the houses and bosoms of the inmates of most in B. or other places, thou wouldst find a something sorrowful, a burden the possessor would be glad to be quit of.  Let us, then, go forward with hope, and endeavor to be truly thankful for the many mercies showered on our heads, who have not rendered as we ought that gratitude so greatly His due.  O look at the bulk of the population in England, whose children are looking up to them for a meal, and they have it not for them; and then let the tear of thankfulness fall.  To be thankful is to feel a spark of heavenly flame; to be thankful is to increase the blessing already poured forth.  O that I possessed more of this blessed spirit; for truly it is angelic!

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A Testimony of Pontefract Monthly Meeting concerning JOSEPH WOOD, deceased.

This our esteemed friend was born at Newhouse, near Highflatts, within the compass of this Monthly Meeting, on the 26th of the Fourth Month, 1750.  His parents, Samuel and Susanna Wood, members of our Society, were concerned for the best interest of their children.  In his youth he gave way to some of the vanities incident to that period of life, but when approaching manhood he was happily brought under the restraining power of Truth, and often humbled in deep inward exercise.  Once being in the fields in the night season, he exclaimed, Lord what shall I do, or whither shall I go?  The answer in the secret of his own heart was as intelligible as if spoken to his outward ear,—­Whither wilt thou go, Have not I the words of eternal life?  Soon after this he attended a neighboring meeting, when a ministering Friend, who was a stranger, stood up with the words which he had received as an answer to his inquiry, and enlarged upon the subject in a manner suited to his tried state of mind.

In the year 1779, in the twenty-ninth year of his age, was his first appearance in the ministry, in great fear and broken-ness of spirit:  but being obedient to the manifestations of truth, he experienced an advancement therein, and was a good example, adorning his profession by a circumspect life.  His testimony was not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.