He was religiously inclined from his youth, and after his marriage, was industriously engaged in providing for the support of his family;-yet not to the neglect of his religious duties. About the meridian of his life he met with a close trial, in the loss of his beloved wife; and being surrounded by a very numerous family of children, for whose welfare he was anxiously solicitous,-he was, through the extendings and communications of divine favour, renewedly drawn to a more close engagement and dedication of heart, to the service of truth: and in his conduct, he exhibited a continued care to example well, especially in the timely attendance of our religious meetings, on week-days, as well as on firstdays; wherein his deportment was grave, solid, and reverent; often manifesting by the tenderness of his spirit, the evident descendings of heavenly regard; whereby some of us have been comforted and instructed.

He was an example of moderation in his family, and was deeply exercised, in the loss of many of his children within a short space of time; whose plainness and sobriety gave proofs of his religious care in their education, and that his concern for their welfare was accompanied with the divine blessing.

In his conversation he was cheerful, attended with a peculiar sweetness of disposition, which rendered his company both agreeable and instructive.

A religious concern clothed his mind for the well ordering of the discipline of the church in its various branches, and in promoting peace, harmony, and love amongst his friends and neighbours.

Being of an hospitable disposition, and possessed of a large share of temporal riches, his house was open to the entertainment of his friends and others; and his benevolence manifested, in his attention and contributions to the poor.

He was appointed an elder in 1761, which station he filled to the time of his decease, with a good degree of faithfulness. He was an affectionate husband, a tender parent, and a good neighbour; much beloved by friends and others. His illness continued upwards of three weeks, during which he underwent much bodily pain. He departed this life on the 11th of the 8th month, 1793, and was buried the 14th of the same in friends burying ground in Abington aforesaid. Aged upwards of eighty-two years.

Signed on behalf of the meeting, by

GEORGE WILLIAMS, Clerk.

LONDON YEARLY MEETING EPISTLE.

From our Yearly Meeting held at London, by adjournments, from the 19th of the 5th month, 1777, to the 24th of the same, inclusive,

To Friends, at their Yearly Meeting, at Newport, on Rhode Island, for New England:

DEAR FRIENDS,-We received the Epistle from your Yearly Meeting, held at Newport, Rhode Island, in the 6th month, also that from your Meeting for Sufferings, held at Providence, in the 8th

month, last year. comfort to us, to be informed, that notwithstanding some of your members are declined from faithfully maintaining the various branches of our Christian testimony, yet there is a living remnant preserved amongst you, who are concerned to support our religious Discipline, upon that foundation, on which the holy Apostles laboured to build the churches,— which was, Christ Jesus. This is the foundation, on which the faithful have been preserved, in all ages,against which the gates of hell shall not prevail; for other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid. Keep your eye single to this, beloved Friends, and it will be your preservation under every suffering, which it may please divine wisdom to permit for the trial of your faith, and your love, in these perilous times of confusion and distress;-remembering, whom the Almighty loveth, he chasteneth: but if ye be without chastisements, then are ye bastards, and not sons. If ye suffer with Christ, ye shall also reign with him.

It affords much satisfaction and

We find an engagement upon our minds at this time, that you may recommend to your monthly meetings, to exert themselves in advising the negligent among them, to a diligent attendance of your meetings for worship, both on first and other days of the week; and also your meetings of Discipline; that all may be engaged, when gathered, in silent, awful waiting before the Lord, for the renewal of inward strength and ability; then will you be qualified to come up in the performance of every duty, civil and religious,-in your families, in the church, and in the world;-that ye may keep a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men.

Then will your opposers, and such as may be watching for your halting, find no occasion against you, except concerning the law of your God. So will you be enabled to be a strength to those, who have lately been joined with you, in religious fellowship, through convincement,-when they behold your godly zeal for maintaining good order in your meetings; and your care to deal with all such as do not conduct themselves consistent with the principles we profess, agreeable to gospel order and authority, which is for edification, not destruction.

Your endeavours towards freeing the oppressed Africans amongst you, from under bondage, in order that they may enjoy the common privileges of mankind, is very acceptable to us; and we wish you may continue a Christian care in this important branch of our testimony. Let all your deliberations hereon be under the influence of that wisdom which is profitable to direct. Then will your conduct herein be well-pleasing to the Almighty, who hath created all nations of one blood.

We salute you, in the fellowship of the gospel, and therein remain your friends and brethren.

Signed in and on behalf of our aforesaid meeting, by

SAMPSON LLOɣd, Jr.

Clerk to the Meeting this year.

FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

No. 6.]

FIRST MONTH, 1833.

[VOL. III.

MEMOIRS, LETTERS, AND OTHER WRITINGS OF SARAH WATSON,

Late of Buckingham, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Although no record of the pious example and virtuous actions of those who have been removed from works to rewards, and who now enjoy the "crown of righteousness," among the spirits of the just made perfect, -can at all increase or diminish their enjoyment of that happy state; yet, on the part of survivors, such memorials have often been blessed, as the means of stirring up the pure mind, and exciting to watchfulness and diligence in the great work of the soul's salvation. The weary and disconsolate traveller is sometimes animated and encouraged to press forward, by finding way-marks set up by others, who have trod the same path. The recital of the exercises of those faithful labourers in the "harvest that is plenteous," who now "rest from their labours," having received their wages, may prove an encouraging excitement to others to "go and do likewise."

Impressed with these views, some of the relatives and survivors of Sarah Watson, have been induced to "gather up the fragments that remain," as penned by herself, and to preserve some account of her VOL. III.-22