at an end; for I apprehended from the first feeling about coming here, that the line of my duty would be as much towards others, as the members of our own Society; and my view respecting families is rather confined to those lately married, new settlers, and young people in large families.

granted vocally to pray for the deliverance of such as are oppressed by the darkness which is so prevalent in that meeting, and afterwards to express a few words of encouragement to an exercised, and tried remnant. Second day evening a portion of comfort was administered, in a solemn opportunity with a large company at the house of my beloved friend George Fisher; and "The meeting this day was exercising but solon third day I was enabled by close exercise to emn; several who attended yesterday were there; gain some relief in the meeting at Bristol. It a late fashionable but now thoughtfully concerned was a season laborious both to body and mind, person, and her daughter like minded, who are but one that affords satisfaction in the retrospect; rich in this world, were at both meetings, and and indeed this little visit altogether has been called at my lodgings after. For those who may particularly satisfactory; with some it has felt be termed other sheep,' I feel deeply, and am like a final parting, and the recollection of hav- sensible of life being raised by the addition of ing once more met will, I believe, afford mutual such panting souls to our assemblies: these, comfort." whether of us, or under whatever name, will be cared for, they will be led to rivers of refreshing water, and nourished up unto everlasting life.

The apprehension just mentioned proved correct, this being the last visit my dear mother paid to her native city, and several of her dear and long known friends were pretty soon afterwards removed by death.

From Bristol she crossed the New-passage into Wales, and attended meetings in the way to Milford, whence she sailed for Ireland; and was favored to reach her own abode in safety near the end of the 11th mo. though in a very broken state of health, and under considerable depression of mind, from a settled belief that some heavy trials were impending. This view soon became painfully realized, and her affectionate feelings were keenly wounded by the death of several near relatives occurring in quick succession, so that the few first months of 1803 were signally marked by sorrow and bereavements.

"This has been like the others a laborious week; but I desire to take every step manifested as the line of duty; and though run down in strength, am wonderfully supported: memorable is the Lord's goodness to my exercised mind. I never remember a more proving season to me in this line of service, nor is the labor attended with much hope, save that an increase of peace is humbly hoped for, and perhaps a little addition of strength to sustain future trials may be mercifully bestowed.”

(To be continued.)

PRACTICAL RELIGION.

Practical religion confers upon its possessor a The summer was chiefly passed under the glorious triumph amidst the sorrows of life. pressure of bodily suffering, which was at times Suppose poverty comes with its train of calamso severe as to induce the apprehension that the ities; or suppose detraction points its barbed season of full deliverance was at hand; while at arrows against a blameless character; or suppose others her mind was still so exercised for the bereavement casts a withering shade upon the advancement of truth and righteousness, that it best earthly hopes and joys; or suppose disease, felt as though further labor would be allotted which mocks the highest efforts both of friendber; and in the depths of affliction she was given ship and of skill, impresses itself upon the not only to beholdfields white unto harvest,' countenance and makes its lodgment in the very but afresh to surrender herself, when the Lord seat of life;-or suppose, if you please, that this might utter His command, to enter into these and whole tribe of evils come marching in fearful work; being favored with resignation to the array to assail an individual at once, I am sure will of her divine Master whether as to life or that I do not say too much for practical religion, death. when I deelare to you that it will enable its posIn the second month, 1804, she went to Water-sessor to meet them all in serenity and triumph. ford, in order to perform some religious service, which she had long had a prospect of, both among Friends and others within those borders: the following extracts from her letters contain an account of this visit.

"I have cause to be humbly thankful for the meeting yesterday; the covering of solemnity was sensibly prevalent over the assembly, and there were many serious seeking minds present, who I trust were not discouraged; while relief was afforded to my exercised spirit, though I believe its struggles respecting this service are not

To do this must require a high effert of faith, I acknowledge; but only such an effort as has been exemplified in the experience of thousands: Oh! when I have stood amidst such scenes, and witnessed the sweet aspirations of hope, and seen the bright beams of joy irridate the countenance over which sorrow had thrown her deepest shades, just as the bow casts its brilliant hues upon the dark cloud in the going down of the sun, I have looked upon religion as a bright angel come down from heaven to exercise a sovereign influence over human calamity; and

if I have formed a wish or offered a prayer in | were regularly collected; a short prayer was utrespect to you at such a moment, is has been that this good angel may be your constant attendant through this vale of tears.-Sprague.

MEMOIR OF JAMES COCKBURN.

In recurring to the known origin of my family, there is nothing presenting claims of particular distinction; but much in the practice and example of my immediate predecessors to inspire renewed respect and filial gratitude. The most ancient of my known ancestors was an officer in Cromwell's army, who appears to have come from England and settled in Scotland, after the return of the Parliamentary forces from over-running that country. He married a brother officer's daughter, a native of the Highlands, of the name of Melville. Among their descendants of the third or fourth generation, was William Cockburn, my father. He was born in the year 1735, in the parish of Wymes, in Fifeshire, about twenty miles north-east from Edinburgh. Having formed a predilection for a sea-faring life, he served his apprenticeship to that profession; and when of age, married Mary, daughter of Alexander Grigg, a respectable freeholder in the parish of Kennoway. Soon after his marriage, he was impressed and conveyed on board a king's ship, during what is called in history "the Seven Years' War;" where he remained three years without ever being permitted to touch land. Upon being discharged at the close of the war, he settled with his wife and one daughter in the village of Kennoway, where he purchased some real estate; and, turning his attention to agriculture, rented some lands in the vicinity. His wife Mary, having had six children, died; and after a suitable time he entered again into the married state with Jenat Heard, my mother. She was the daughter of George Heard, an old residenter and freeholder in the same village.

tered, extempore; then eight lines of the psalms of David in metre were sung, going regularly through; a chapter of scripture was next read in the same regular manner, every one having a Bible in hand in order to follow the reading; concluding with extempore prayer, according to the feelings of the heart. This exercise was of great advantage to the youth, in keeping alive on their minds what they had learned, and making them acquainted with the scriptures, besides impressing them with a solemn gravity. Also before and after meat, a short prayer was offered up to the Giver of all good. On first-days, after attending public worship twice, and sometimes three times, the family had to read in a class, and then be catechised; first from the Shorter Catechism, and such questions as naturally arose from them to which much weighty counsel was often added, to the tendering of the heart, and evidently reaching the Divine witness in us.

This religious observance may seem formal; but it certainly tended to induce habits of attention and discipline in the minds of the children, and familiarized their memory with scripture history and testimony. The influence of family devotion operating insensibly on the minds of the children, did also inspire great respect and affection for their parents.

I mention these things, not to recommend a a dry, barren form, but because I believe they were the means of my instruction and improvement; and because I believe sincere obedience to what we are fully convinced to be duty, is the most acceptable sacrifice before the Searcher of hearts. I have often been thankful that I was under the care of sober parents, who labored for the instruction and welfare of their children, I believe with a single eye to their good, and in accordance with what they thought right: though I now see that the brightness of the gospel day was not then fully revealed in them.

My parents were married in 1772; and I, Thus situated as it were in a garden inclosed, being their second son, was born in the 9th my infantile days were spent in a good degree of month, 1776, in the aforesaid village of Kenno- innocence, compared with many others. There way; where I received the common education of was a native tenderness in my heart, by which reading, writing and arithmetic, as then taught I was preserved from the company of rude chilin the parish school. The manner of my edu- dren. My nature shrunk from the exercise of cation was calculated to make a deep-and fixed cruelty towards animals of every kind; and when impression on my mind. My parents were pas-I could not prevail on my companions to desist sing the middle stage of life; and, being in limited circumstances, were industrious and sober, requiring the aid of their children in the application of their agricultural labors. Being members of that religious denomination who had seceded from the church of Scotland, under the name of Burghers, they were strict in their morals, regular in their deportment, and exemplary in the observance of public and family worship, according to the Westminster confession of faith.

Morning and evening the family and children

from it, I had to flee from the scene of distress. Rough or profane words so shocked the gravity and sensibility of my mind that I was preserved from swearing or obscene language.

My father possessed considerable information, with clearness of understanding and firmness of judgment, to which was added great natural and acquired moral fortitude. My mother was constitutionally amiable. Her meek, retiring disposition was well adapted for the fulfilment of domestic duties and the enjoyment of domestic happiness. If her understanding was not

extensively enlightened, her piety was practical, unobtrusive, and sincere. She had six chil. dren; making twelve to my father by both wives. The conversational maxims and habitual example of such parents, naturally tended to impress the minds of their children with a feeling of conscious moral strictness and integrity, while it produced habits of great reverence for religious dogmas and observances, liable however to slide into superstitious fastidiousness.

When about seven or eight years old, I was put to tend the cattle in the fields; and used to take religious books with me to read, and was often much affected in reading the accounts of the sufferings of Christ, and the final rewards of the righteous and the wicked. These often made me weep, sometimes with fear, and at others with joy; which worked together for my good, by preserving me from the evils that are in the world, and keeping me in the path of religious awe and care, whereby I increased in the knowledge of good.

How profitable would it be for children and young people to watch the emotions of their hearts, and shut their thoughts against the indulgence of vain imaginations, even though they may be supposed to be innocent. By parleying with idle, romantic, or visionary wanderings of the mind, in early life, many have been so wounded as to go halting all the rest of their days.

The local position of my pastoral service, was eminently calculated to awaken those emotions and romantic feelings which are supposed to be the evidences of a poetic temperament. It is probable that my rural solitude, in connexion with the extensive and varied scenery around me, gave an impulse to the powers of imagination which almost through life has maintained an influence over my mind. Hence, my little inclination for what is termed the sociabilities of life; hence, the retiredness and seclusion of my habits; and hence, my deficiency in conversational intercourse, especially in mixed company. Although though my poetic temperament never

of exciting and cherishing a high tone of mental sensibility which "grew with my growth and strengthened with my strength," absorbing as aliment whatever awakened pity, or induced tenderness.

(To be continued.)

In the winters, I was put to school under the care of an attentive master, who taught me writ-produced much in writing, it proved the means ing and the first principles of arithmetic; in which I never made much proficiency; for the inclination and powers of my mind seemed to flow in another channel. Reflection and internal exercise of the mental faculties were more congenial to my disposition; and I suppose were heightened by my being so early and so much confined to a solitary situation in the fields. My mind became fond of romantic ideas, which soon awakened the powers of imagination. I would suppose such and such things would take place, and then raise a visionary fabric of illusive consequences. But this indulgence of fancy retarded my progress in the Divine life, and kept me under the dominion of selfish propensities.

This arrangement, in connexion with the domestic circumstances to which I have already alluded, probably formed the basis of my individual character, which has cost me so much solicitude to meliorate under the progress of long experience.

For Friends' Intelligencer.
FOR THE CHILDREN.

The History of Moses.

[Continued from page 598.]

The Israelites grew weary of the manna which continued to fall as dew upon their camp at night, and the mixed multitude wept at the remembrance of the "fish, the cucumbers, melons, onions and garlic," of which they ate freely in Egypt. Moses heard their cry and was sorely distressed, and he said, Lord wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant, and wherefore have I not Alas! how deceitful is the human heart ren- found favor in thy sight, that thou layest the dered by the transforming influences of darkness. burden of all this people upon me? Why should Though remote from the world and the gross I carry them in my bosom as a father carrieth a evils that are in it, my heart slid into the paths child, unto the land which thou hast promised? of deception not supposing that I could sin in Whence should I have flesh to give so many, for thought, I gave a free reception to every illusive they weep and say give us flesh that we may eat. imagination that would amuse the time. This I am not able to bear all this people alone, bedoubtless tended to wean me from purity of feel-cause it is too heavy for me. If thou deal thus ing, and to strengthen the natural propensities with me, kill me at once, if I have found favor which live in the regions of darkness. in thy sight, that I may be relieved of my wretchThis has been one of the most powerful ene-edness. And the Lord told Moses to gather sevmies of my mind, and had well nigh carried me enty men, whom he knew to be the elders of the away in bondage to Babylon. But Divine Good-people, and he would take of the spirit which ness interposed in the ministrations of his providence, and recalled me in measure from the path of destruction, to return to that from which I had so widely deviated.

was upon him and put it upon them, and they should share the burden with him; and he also promised him that the people should have flesh to eat not only for one or two days, but for a

Aaron should speak unto the rock before them, and the water should flow out of it, and Moses should bring forth to them water out of the rock, so that they and their beasts should drink. Moses took the rod as he was commanded, and Aaron and he gathered the assembly; but upon this occasion it would seem that he lost his selfpossession and became impatient, for instead of speaking as he had been instructed, he lifted up his hand and smote the rock twice, saying, hear now, ye rebels, must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Although the water flowed abundantly, and the people and the cattle were satisfied, yet because Moses and Aaron did not believe, and did not according to the word of the Lord, they were told they should not bring the congregation into the promised land; and this water was called the water of Meribah, signifying the disobedience of the children of Israel. From Kadesh the Israelites would have gone through the country of Edom, but the king would not allow them to do so, so they turned aside and came to Mount Hor. Upon the top of this mount Aaron died, and all the house of Israel mourned for him thirty days. His age was one hundred and twenty-three years. Aaron had four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Johamar. Eleazar succeeded his father as priest

in Israel.

[To be continued.]

Communicated for Friends' Intelligencer.

Departed this life on the 16th of 11th month, in Baltimore, GILBERT CASSARD, Sr., in the 75th year of his age.

Catholic religion, soon after he became of age went to confession, according to the requirements of that society, but, as he told the writer, he never went to confession but once. He felt so much condemned and ashamed for having knelt to a man, that he could do so no more. He afterwards joined the Methodist society, of which he was a constant and sincere-hearted member for many years. But for about the last twenty-five years of his life he was a member of Friends' society, and although not prominently active among them, he always took a lively interest in their concerns, and for a number of years filled with propriety the station of overseer. He was of a generous and confiding disposition, his friendships not being at all confined to those of his own profession, but he was a well-wisher and friend to all with whom he had personal intercourse, and is no doubt gone "where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest."

THE COMPASS.

J. M.

As

The first man who made the discovery that there is an iron stone-the magnet-which attracts other iron, may have wondered not a little at this quality in an unsightly stone. the animal seizes the food, so the magnet seizes the iron, but it does not consume it, it converts it into its like; for if a steel needle (a common sewing needle,) remains for a space of time in union with the magnet, then after it is withdrawn, it is not only attracted more powerfully by the magnet, but it now also attracts other He went to his store in the morning of that needles or small particles of iron. With an day apparently in good health, and after pleas-iron needle, thus become magnetic, the experiantly discoursing with those present, he suddenly expired. He had had some symptoms that induced him to apprehend that his departure was approaching, under the influence of which he had requested that after his death his body should be placed in Friends' vault, and the burying conducted according to the custom of His request was strictly complied with by his family, which was numerous, but none of them in profession with Friends. The funeral was attended by a large company, among whom was a number of ministers not of our Society.

Friends.

The deceased was a native of the Island of St. Domingo. At the time of the revolution in that island he was about fifteen years old, and with all the whites had to flee from the country. He had a number of brothers and sisters, some of whom he never saw afterwards. Himself and a brother were brought up in Baltimore, serving an apprenticeship to the coopering trade, and sustaining excellent characters to the close of their lives.

ment was probably made in the first instance merely by way of amusement, by letting it float, like our little artificial magnetic fishes, in a dish of water on a little chip of wood or cork, or by suspending it by a thread, in order the more easily to observe the readiness with which it followed the magnet

In this case it must have been remarked that the magnetic needle with its two ends constantly stood when at rest in the same direction. In some way of this sort, the compass was invented, which, in its earliest form, was a simple magnetic needle, suspended by a thread or floating upon some light substance in water, which by its constant position, north and south, even under the cloudiest skies, pointed out the situation of countries, and thus, especially when a better and more convenient form was given to it, became a sure guide to travellers by land and sea.

VIRTUE.

Virtue is the daughter of Heaven; happy Gilbert having predilections favorable to the those who cultivate it from their infancy; they