ceforth we may be "together though
apart"!

The responsibility of having so important an office
to fulfil towards any fellow-being as that of sharing
in, influencing, and being influenced by all his wishes,
actions, and tendencies, has felt very serious. * *
* * Never before had I so strong a sense of the
identity of our highest duty towards ourselves and
towards each other; and that _to live_, and _to be as_ and
_what_ we ought, in the best sense, is the chief requisite
for influencing one another for good.

_6th Mo. 24th_. Though I have this morning been
helped and comforted, I must confess much unsubdued
evil has manifested itself even within these few
days. The bitter waters within, the tendency to what
is evil, the corrupt root, have sadly appeared.--Oh,
there is the one cause, not minding enough the good
part which shall not be taken away, and so disquieted
at the loss or disturbance of lower things. "How
shall we escape if we _neglect_ (not only _reject_) such
great salvation?" I was made mercifully sensible,
last night and this morning, that such is our Father's
love, that His aim is chiefly to bestow, our duty to
receive, that He calls and invites; but it is not that
we may work a performance of our own, but receive
His own good things. Oh, the folly, the ingratitude,
of being inattentive to such a blessing! Oh, the rebellious
pride of choosing our own self-will, and our
own way, when the privilege may be ours of becoming
the obedient and loving children of God--of receiving
from Him the willing and the obedient heart
which we may offer up to Him again, and which He
will accept!

_6th Mo. 30th_. Letter to M.B. [Alluding to
various engagements.]

* * * These "fill the past, present, and future"
of these last months at home with many and various
occupations and meditations. It is a blessing not to be
more disturbed within, if it be but a safe calmness. Oh,
that is a large condition; but how unsafe is all calmness
resulting from shutting our eyes from the truth of our
worst side! Yet I think when we can really be glad at
the thought that our worst side is seen and known, there
is some hope of remedy and of peace, and (may I not
say?) _alliance_ with the Physician who has all power and
skill. Then only can we welcome any thing, however
trying, which we can believe comes from His hand, or
may tend to make us a