“feeling increasingly my deep unfitness and lack of qualification for so very responsible an undertaking as sharing in and influencing and being influenced by all that concerns another.  May I be permitted the privilege of which thou hast spoken, that the Lord’s presence may go with us, and give us rest, and be to us a little sanctuary wheresoever we may come. Then all will be right. * * * So thou seest just where I am,—­in need of faith and hope, and sometimes wanting all things, even amid circumstances which I can find no fault with.  Farewell, dear M.; and if thou nearest that I get on well, or am in any way made happy or useful, one conclusion will be very safe, respecting thy unworthy friend,—­that it is not in me.”

This closes a correspondence which appears to have been attended with much comfort and profit to the two friends.

8th Mo. 11th.  The time flies, and then the place that has known me will know me no more, except as a sojourner and pilgrim to my father’s hearth; and yet I cannot realize it:  could I, how should I bear it?  This day, much as before, weak in body, death-like in mind; but this evening had such a desire for retirement—­so undesired before—­and such precious feelings then.  Oh, I could go through much with this to sustain me, but I cannot command it for one instant; and, oh, how I felt that He alone can keep my soul alive, whose is every breath, natural and spiritual!  Oh, what a joy to feel His Spirit near, the thick, heavy wall of separation melted away.  Would that the way could, be kept thus clear to God—­my life, my strength, my joy, my all!

Much that is very interesting has passed,—­chiefly a visit from T.E. and his wife, of Philadelphia.  The day they left us, we sat in silence round the dinner-table, till he said that words seemed hardly needful to express the precious feeling of union that prevailed. * * * It was very sad to lose them; and yet I never felt before so strongly how the individual blessing to each soul is not a merely being present, and recognizing, and rejoicing in such times as these.  How the words of one that hath a heavenly spirit and a pleasant voice may be heard in vain!

8th Mo. 20th.  How can I describe these eventful days?  One lesson may they teach me, that God is love, and that whatever good thing I am blessed with is not in me.  He has been so kind, so gracious, and I so very perverse, frequently so distrustful, so easily wounded; but He, as if He will not take offence, again and again has pity on me.  How was I met and saluted with the words, “By Myself have I sworn,” as part of some promise!  Then I felt and rejoiced in His faithfulness to all in me and in all the universe that is His. By Himself, then He will never fail; and I hope I shall be preserved by Him.

8th Mo. 21st.  I was so grievously stupid last week, so unable to realize any thing—­feared