was not yet clear of the activity of self. His views are deep, weighty and instructive, while his sympathetic feelings and tenderness manifest that he was actuated by pure gospel love.

The impress of a deeply exercised mind.
Israel's gracious Shepherd, hear me,
Listen to my plaintive moan,
Draw my suff'ring spirit near thee,
Let it bow before thy throne.
In thy presence there is pleasure,
Joy and gladness fills the heart;
Peace beyond the richest treasure
Ophir's gold could e'er impart.
In thy absence closely proved,
Wrap my mantle round my face,
In the cave sit down secluded,
Hid amidst the human race.

Here's the creature low and humble,
Faith and patience prov'd and tried;
But the Christian must not stumble,
See, our holy pattern died!

Crucified by high professors,

Such there still appears to be;
Blind with zeal, and not possessors
Of true faith or charity.

But be not cast down, Oh my soul!
Seek for wisdom from above;
Though the billows o'er thee roll,
Trust in his redeeming love.

Drink his cup,-fill up thy measure
Of the suff'ring left behind;
Affliction, rightly borne, is treasure

To the humble, patient mind.

H.

FRIENDS' MISCELLANY.

No. 5.]

TWELFTH MONTH, 1836.

[VOL. IX.

REFLECTIONS

On the operation of the Divine Principle. Experience and observation give ample proof to the reflecting mind that it is in the power of Divine grace, when yielded to, to modify and regulate the various dispositions of human nature so as to produce that excellence of character which constitutes the humble christian, and the practically useful member of society. By this regulating and qualifying influence, the brightest natural talents or endowments become sanctified, and directed to the most useful and benevolent purposes-promotive of the highest enjoyment of the individual, and of extensive benefits to the human family. By the same powerful influence operating on minds possessed of the "one talent," an elevation of character is produced, a sphere of happiness and utility is filled up, that goes to promote the general good, and to unite society in the bonds of mutual interests, and peaceful harmony and love.

This view of the operation of Divine grace, or that "light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," appears to be in accordance with that instructive parable of Jesus Christ, where the talents were dispensed "to every man according to his several ability." Through diligent attention to the gift, improvement was made with the two, as VOL. IX.-17

well as with the five; and we see not why the one, by the same industrious occupancy, might not have gained other one-and the answer of approbation been the same; but negligence, inattention, and unfaithfulness, produced a different result, -and so would have done in case of the five, and the two, had the receivers adopted the conclusion of the slothful servant.

It may be that among the twelve disciples of Jesus, the natural temperaments, dispositions, or "abilities," were as various as their faces, or as generally occurs among mankind—and yet the power of Divine grace being attended to, and the gifts or talents committed to them improved, they all might have filled their respective stations and places with utility in the christian family-and with the result of harmony and peace among themselves, and the answer of "well done, good and faithful servant.” Only a few of their characters are given in the history, but all go to this conclusion, except that of Judas, who lost his condition through unfaithfulness.

Amongst mankind, at this day, we have instances of the result of faithful attention to the talents committed to the occupancy of some of large ability to do good, some of less extensive powers of usefulness in society, and some whose mental capacity appears by comparison to be small. Yet all these, filling up their respective measures of duty, move in perfect harmony; and their services go to illustrate the metaphor used by the apostle, where he compared the members of the true church of Christ to the different members of the human body,-in which one cannot say to another, I have no need of thee, and in which every one is taught to be con

MEMOIRS AND JOURNAL OF H. YARNALL.

195

tent with faithfully occupying the part assigned it. And the result of this harmony in the body is, that "the members should have the same care one for another."-See 1 Cor. 12th chap.

If this is a correct view of the power and influence of the Divine principle, when suffered to operate in the human soul, how encouraging is the prospect! and how beneficial the result to every individual thus governed, and to society at large! However different the temperaments, even as the wolf and the lamb-however various the natural dispositions, as the leopard and the kid-or the cow and the bear-yet all these lie down together in perfect harmony, under the blessed influence of Divine love, and simplicity and truth shine forth conspicuously through all, manifesting that one spirit governs them all.

MEMOIRS AND JOURNAL

Of the life, travels, and religious exercises, of Hannah Yarnall, widow of Peter Yarnall, late of Byberry, Philadelphia Co. Pennsylvania.

HANNAH YARNALL, the subject of the following memoir, was the daughter of Edmund and Elizabeth Haines, and was born at Evesham, New Jersey, on the 26th of the 2nd month, 1765. Her mother was a daughter of Henry Warrington, and their marriage certificate bears date the 2d day of the 4th month, 1762. Edmund died in the beginning of the year 1766, leaving two daughters, Sarah and Hannah, the latter about a year old. By his will, all his personal estate, amounting to

between one

and two thousand dollars, was left to his widow, and also the income of his real estate, which was considerable, during her widowhood. This latter provision embraced the education of his two daughtersthe eldest of whom did not long survive her father. About the time of her husband's decease, the following instructive and consolatory epistle was addressed to Elizabeth Haines by her friend S. Borton.

"Dear friend,-Wait for the light of Christ, and commend all thy endeavours to him, who will be to thee as a husband, and will preserve thee through all thy exercises and trials. Oh! seek to press forward, with thine eyes fixed on him, and he will beautify thee with heavenly glory; and reward thy soul with eternal gain. Oh! mind not the troubles nor the trials for his glorious name's sake; but throw thyself as in his bosom, where there is joy, and peace, and comfort forevermore;—even that joy and peace which this world cannot take away. Oh! cast not thyself down at these trials and troubles; for the same hand that permitted them, can carry thee safe through them. He can direct thee in all his ways, and fill thine heart with his blessed truth, which is the desire of thy friend,

1st month, 1766.

S. BORTON.”

Not long after this event, Elizabeth Haines and her daughter Hannah, became members of Chesterfield or Crosswicks monthly meeting, where they remained some time, and thence removed to Burling ton in the year 1774, where they resided in a smallhouse near the river, of eight pounds a year rent. By a certificate from Chesterfield she is represented to be of "orderly life and conversation,-a diligent