I trust the few temporal disappointments I have met with of late have been
conducive to my best interest, having had a tendency to turn my views from
a too anxious pursuit after the things of time to a serious consideration
of the very great importance of a more strict reliance on the
never-failing arm of divine support, for the want of which I believe I
have suffered unspeakable loss.


About this time he had frequently to mourn over the difficulty of fixing
his mind in meetings for worship. He often complains of "wandering in the
unprofitable fields of vain imagination;" but sometimes also he bears a
joyful testimony to the Lord's power in enabling him to unite in spirit
with the living worshippers.

The fear of man is one of the most universal of the besetments which try
the faith of the Christian; and it may be encouraging to some to see on
this point the confession of one whose natural character was that of a
strong and independent mind.


2 _mo_. 6.--I am too apt to let in that slavish fear about men and
things which render me unable to cope with the world, and even unfits me
for properly seeking after the assistance of my Maker. O, may He who sees
my weakness enable me to overcome it!


During the summer of this year, several parties of Friends travelling in
the work of the ministry came to Burton; Sarah Lamley of Tredington, with
Ann Fairbank of Sheffield; Ann Burgess (afterwards Ann Jones); Elizabeth