grace seasoned with salt," endeavouring to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and awakening earnest desires in the minds of many of his audience to be partakers of a Saviour's love.

In the 2nd month, 1829, he writes to his brother-in-law, E. Corder, on the sudden death of a Friend and relation :

"I have affectionately desired that the present trial, mournful and affecting as it is, may prove a golden opportunity to survivors. It will, if it shows us the utter instability of all things connected with this present state of being,-that health, competence, sensible enjoyment, peace of mind, even life itself, are but as a vapour that vanish away: 'He bloweth upon them, and they are gone.' It will, if it teach us to fix our affections on that durable riches and righteousness which cannot be taken from us; if amidst our mourning for transgression, and our deep sense of innate depravity, we are enabled with full purpose of heart to look towards 'the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.' My dear E., if I have any commission amongst you (at times, in the languor of faith and the feeling of natural feebleness, I am ready to doubt it), it is to proclaim that truth of most important interest, 'That while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' May we be found looking unto Jesus, both as the Author and the Finisher of our faith; not waiting till we are fit to go to Him, but going to Him just as we are, on the ground of His own gracious assurance, so truly worthy of all acceptation, 'That those who come unto Him, He will in no wise cast out.' I can truly tell thee that when upon the lingering couch of sickness 'faith was depressed' at seasons, and hope but just alive,' this assurance was as an anchor to my soul, when all others failed."

Owing to J. T. Shewell's sermons ever being, according to the

custom of the Society of Friends, delivered extempore, and only at such times as he believed that it was his duty to warn, counsel, and comfort his friends, none have been preserved as spoken; and though fragments still remain, yet there is little by which any complete idea can be given to the reader of the earnestness, the persuasive love, and affectionate yearning his soul experienced towards his fellow men, and with what gentle eloquence he ever sought to win souls to Christ. Having himself tasted and seen. how "good the Lord is," he was unwearied in pointing the sinner to the cross, or recalling to the cast down and tried child of God, such sweet words as these: "Cast thy burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." Sympathizing with "those who mourn in Zion, and are in heaviness through many temptations," quoting the text, "I come to bind up the broken-hearted, and to comfort all that mourn," as expressed by our compassionate Lord and Saviour, exhorting them to cast all their cares upon Him who careth for them, and has given Himself as a Ransom for all; whilst to those who might be at times willing to rest in the remembrance of the past, sleeping as it were on the watch-tower, he would raise the word of warning.

"If we say we have no sin,' said the beloved disciple, 'we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' And who can limit the boundless compassion of God our Saviour, even to the chief of sinners? But beloved friends of every age and class, although we may thankfully acknowledge that this or that is not our prevalent temptation, have we no weights hanging about us, no easily besetting sins that impede our progress in the Divine life, nothing that hinders us from running with patience the race which is set before us, or prevents our looking to Jesus, who not only died for

G

our sins.according to the Scriptures, but came to redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works? Have we here no brands plucked from the burning, no monuments of Divine mercy? And oh, that we may solemnly look at it! Where would any of us have been, but for sustaining and restraining grace?"

Whilst attending the yearly meeting in London, 5th mo., 22, 1863, he preached a striking sermon, a few brief notes of which have been preserved.

"And I looked, and lo! a Lamb stood in the Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000, having His Father's name written in their foreheads.' By this precious portion of Holy Writ, in which I apprehend a large definite number is to be taken for an indefinite one, we are mercifully permitted to catch a glimpse within the veil of that great multitude which no man can number, who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God continually, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the midst. of the throne shall feed them, shall lead them unto living fountains of water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.' A desire has been raised in my heart at this time for the whole of this gathered company, and especially for those who like myself, have seen many years, and appear ready to take flight, that we may be found in meetness for the heavenly inheritance, giving thanks to the Father, who alone can make us meet,-can deliver us from the power of darkness, and translate us into the kingdom of His dear Son, in Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of our sins."

Joseph Shewell, in speaking of his brother's ministry, records

that "J. T. S. was much occupied at home, and in the compass of the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting to which he belonged, as well as in the Yearly Meetings, at which he was for many years a constant attender, as ability was afforded, in earnestly and affectionately delivering the Gospel message committed to his trust, by inviting others to come and taste and see the unmerited grace of His Lord and Saviour, to which he freely and in humility acknowledged himself so deeply indebted; and we believe his religious communications were acceptable wherever his lot was cast. He was a tender sympathizer with his connections and friends in their trials, and many could testify that the expressions he uttered by word or epistolary correspondence, in which he excelled, were consolatory to their minds in seasons of sorrow." And J. S. speaks with affectionate earnestness of "the influence for good he ever exerted in his own immediate family."

J. T. Shewell was a diligent attender of meetings for discipline, saying that he made his arrangements in business subservient to, and so as not to prevent his dedication to his Lord's service; and the same feeling made him very constantly to be seen in his seat at the Week-day Morning Meetings. He was one of several Friends appointed by the Yearly Meeting at different times on Committees to visit various parts of England. He often attended distant Quarterly Meetings, and his presence was very acceptable at several, both in Ireland and Scotland; but of these frequent journeys for the good of others we have little or no

account.

The close affection with which J. T. S. was regarded by his numerous friends may be in some degree gathered from entries made in the journal of J. J. Gurney, written at this time, and kindly supplied by E. P. Gurney:—

"Time in its rapid flight has almost brought us to the close of another week. How silent, how imperceptible, yet how awful is the approach of death and eternity!

"God grant that I may be ready when my change cometh ; that all my pollutions may then have been cleansed away, and all my doubts and fears scattered before the Sun of Right

eousness.

"Yesterday was one of uncommon lowness. The accounts of my dear friend, J. T. Shewell, most alarming and discouraging and altogether a sense of prevalent affliction. Oh, that my heart may be elevated above the sphere of this present world!

"2nd mo., 3rd. The accounts of dear J. T. Shewell very alarming, and as it would seem nearly hopeless, and yet hope lives, that the Lord may, in His infinite compassion, condescend to accept and answer our prayers for his restoration to the Church. I pray God to be with us in all our ways and all our works. Oh, that I may be enabled by Divine grace to use the things of this world as not abusing them!

"3rd mo., 7th. I have just been enjoying a time of deep quietness and solemnity in my own room. Death and judgment were awfully brought before us at Meeting yesterday. Oh, that my faith may be strengthened, and that in due season I may be filled with joy as well as peace in believing! Renewed alarms about J. T. Shewell again in some measure relieved. May he be preserved awhile to labour in the Church Militant; and may it please our Heavenly Father to look down with compassion on that little body, of which there continue to be some deeply exercised members!"