waiting upon God, appeared to George Fox essential to the performance of true worship, as well as for the exercise of gospel ministry, which requires a renewed qualification from Him, and fresh anointing of the Holy Ghost, to preach the word of life to the people. Worship being a communication between the soul of man and that divine Being who is a spirit, words are not essential for the performance of this important duty: according to the dotrine of our blessed Redeemer, "God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" the Psalmist says, "Truly, my soul waiteth upon God; from him cometh my salvation." And it is obvious, that a state of silence is in perfect accordance with that reverential awe; that humble waiting upon God, and that dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ, which are main characteristics of true and living worship. The meetings of Friends have, therefore, always been held as they now are, either wholly, or partly in silence; and it is an unmerited favour, that we are still permitted at seasons to experience

the divine presence to cover our assemblies with a holy solemnity-to revive the spirits of the humble, and to revive the hearts of the contrite ones.

FA. Many instances have occurred of the powerful influence of Truth on the mind. in silent meetings, one of which I will relate. Whilst Richard Jordan, who deceased within a few years, and was an eminent minister of the gospel of Christ, lived in North Carolina, a neighbour of his, a man of note, felt a great inclination to hear him, and for this purpose attended several first-day meetings, but without attaining his object; supposing he might have his wish gratified by attending the week-day meetings, he went several times, but still, Richard Jordan was silent. This continued for several weeks, when he found the anxiety to hear his ministry subside. During these silent meetings, another work wrought by the spirit of Truth in his heart, had been secretly going on, for he became gradually but feelingly convinced of the efficacy of silent worship, and in process of time united himself in membership

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with Friends. Afterwards when his desire for outward preaching had yielded to a willingness to hear the still small voice in the secret of his soul, then the seal was removed from the lips of that dedicated servant, and he was permitted again, vocally to minister. This is an instructive lesson, teaching us that God works as well without, as with instruments, and that to Him alone, belongs all the glory of turning the sinner from the error of his way.

Lu. I think I have heard that our early Friends were often disturbed in their meetings, and punished for assembling to worship God.

FA. This was the case to a very considerable extent, as you will see when we come to read Sewel's and Gough's histories of the people called Quakers; those works come next in order in our course of ecclesiastical history: the Puritans, of whom we are now reading, preceded Friends a little. In London and its suburbs, in 1662, there were not less than five hundred Friends imprisoned, either for frequenting meetings, or for re

fusing to swear: some in such narrow holes that there was scarcely room for every per son to lie down at the same time; and many who were not imprisoned, suffered for attending religious meetings; especially at one meeting-house in London, where the soldiers frequently came, by order of the city magistrates, armed with warlike weapons; and rushing in, beat them so violently, that many were grievously wounded, and some so seriously injured that they lived not long after; and their meeting-houses were not unfrequently closed by the public authorities.

AN. Did they then assemble at each other's houses?

FA. The usual practice of those faithful servants of Jesus Christ, was to gather near their meeting-houses, by which means their assemblies were much more numerous. They felt it an imperative duty to acknowledge thus publicly, when deprived of their places of worship, their allegiance to the King of kings, remembering that "God who made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not

in temples made with hands;" they assembled in humility and holy fear, to feel after, as the apostle expresses it, if haply they might find him, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. His blessed presence crowned their assemblies, and so precious were some of these meetings, that the ground was watered with tears of tenderness, gratitude, and devotion. Does my dear Anna remember what David says are the sacrifices acceptable to God?

AN. Yes, father; "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt nor despise."

ED. Were the meetings of Friends discontinued, father, in consequence of so many being imprisoned?

FA. No-wonderful to relate, the children having seen the firmness and faithfulness of their older friends, and having their hearts imbued with the same love to God, forsook not the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is, but suffered imprisonment and unkindness rather than forego the privilege of public worship. Can