Letter to George Dillwyn, 1774-02-15

              2 mo. 15, 1774 Dear George, Thy kind & brotherly remembrance of me, by a few lines, afforded me much satisfaction; indeed they came opportunely, when my mind was depressed, by some of those exercising occurences, which will necessarily attend and endea-vour to be found in an honest exertion of that which appears to be right when offered in opposition ot the worldly or selfish spirit, more especially in high Professors & great in their and ye world's esteem. Nevertheless I am quite willing such providence should attend in so far as they send to my humiliation & to remove all selfishness from my heart, that so a truly humble, self denying state of mind may prevail in me. I earnestly wish for my self a& all those I love & indeed all mankind; that we may sensibly see & feel the benign influence, the true peace & happiness & indeed the nobility & strength of such a state; its here as Everard expresseth it "That God raiseth up the poor from the dust and lifteth up the needy from the dunghill, that he may set him amongst princes." This was particularly verified to me in the perusal of our dear Frd. Jo. Woolman's Journal, but how much is this, so absolutely necessary work overlooked in our society, indeed its little thought of or inforced in the Youth, if people keep their humours, their resentments &c under some degree of restraint this is thought sufficient. A Person educated in dissipation & pleasure, who thro' deep very deep & repeated trials has been brought to a sight of her self, & the nature of the Gospel, expressed herself to me to the following effect, "Oh! what a happiness is it to be favoured with an humble resigned state of mind; a happiness of such a nature & degree that she formerly could have no idea of. I herewith send a Pamphlet I not long since received from the translator, a Friend in England, which will I trust afford thee satisfaction; please to keep them to thy self & bring them when thou comes to Town. Remember me kindly to thy Neighbours Webb & his wife and tell them I lately received a letter from their Brother Nathaniel of Antigua. I enclosed send thee an extract of it which thou maystcommunicate to them if thou thinks proper, but would desire thou may'st keep it or a copy.