self-investigation from submitting all to the unerring touchstone!  It is, indeed, very instructive to observe that our Saviour’s rejoicing in spirit was not over the subjects of some wondrous apocalypse, or over those endowed with miraculous power, but over “babes;” and that in the same way His lamentation was not that the Jews had refused His offers of any thing of this kind, but that they “would not” be “gathered” by Him as “chickens under their mother’s wing.”

It was the fault of my obscure expression, that when I spoke of my “painful reason” I did not make it apparent that I meant it of the faculty of reason, which has been a very unquiet occupant of my mind for some years past, and which has led me to the conclusion that our mental atmosphere, the whole system of feelings, affections, hopes, doubts, fears, perplexities, etc., is one which it is dangerous needlessly and wilfully to disturb.  When once we have carelessly wrought up a storm it is not in our own power so quickly to lay it, and the poor mind is almost compelled to endure passively the disturbance till these unruly elements spontaneously subside, or something better interferes for its help.  Surely, if there has been any resting-place given us, if our eyes have ever seen the “quiet habitation,” we ought to fear the excitement of any thing which, naturally breaks the equilibrium.  I believe some people think imagination the unruly member among the mental parts; but with me it is the aforesaid offender decidedly.  I hope I do not tease thee about teetotalism:  it lies near my heart, and has done so for a long time; and though I too find it an effort sometimes to give up an evening to a meeting of that sort, it is such a comfort to be able to do any thing to show on which side I am, that I think I ought not to mind that.

1st Mo. 4th, 1847.  Yesterday, and the day before, gently blest in spirit with having things placed more in their right position in my heart than for some time before.  One evening I had toiled long in vain, could not overcome a sad sense of spiritual deficiency.  It occurred to me that this might be the very best thing for me:  then I opened my heart and welcomed it; and, oh, how did a smile of compassion beam upon me, and the grace that would not be purchased came in full and free!  But it is infinitely important to watch for more.

Thus experiencing both “how to be abased” and “how to abound,” she learned to be satisfied with poverty, and recognized in barrenness, as well as in richness of joy and love, a guiding and purifying grace, leading on to the perfect life in Christ.

  1st Mo. 10th.  Letter to M.B.