Letter to Moses Brown, 1773-11

              Eternal Friend 
Moses Brown 
Phila. 11th mo 1773
My dear friend William Wilson having 
since his return from you made a respectful & 
affectionate mention of thee a desire prevailed 
in my mind to salute thee with the best love I am 
capable of as a fellow traveller whom I trust has 
or at least is earnest in seeking to have an interest 
in the love of Christ. Others those good impressions which 
I trust truth has much on the mind of some both with 
us & yo, may grow and be established in him who 
is permanent. Indeed we stand in need of the 
best help for many, very many, are the difficulties 
and snares which attend from the world and the flesh
but yet I have thought more from the grand grand adversary 
working by and thro that greatest of Idols self that 
desolation of abomination setting where it ought not 
thro our weakness & a self complacency often un-
perceived and even sometimes mistaken for the workings 
of the spirit. I fear of being thro my natural activity 
seduced thro like these transfromations, causes me of 
fate to chase silenc, even from what may be [timed?] 
good things and to look to him in whom strength 
is to be found: in as much stillness as I am capable 
of with earnest prayer for help. I much desire for 
myself and those and those I love indeed for all 
mankind, that we may, in true submission of will, 
and simplicity of heart be enabled to use those talents 
and abilities we may be favoured with in meekness 
and humility to the praise of him, the great & good 
given and the help and comfort of our fellow man 
but this is no small work more [?] because of 
the opposition we meet with from our own corrupt 
nuture so liable to seek its ease and comfort here. 
Particularly is it difficult [?] the rich as the 
[seripln?] [?] "how hardly shall those that have