By the breaking in of enraged merciless armies, flourishing countries have been laid waste, great numbers of people have perished in a short time, and many more have been pressed with poverty and grief.

Through the humbling dispensations of Divine Providence, men are sometimes fitted for his service.

Now I find that in a state of pure obedience the mind learns contentment in appearing weak and foolish to that wisdom which is of the world and in these lowly labors, they who stand in a low place and are rightly exercised under the cross will find nourishment.

I believe that where the love of God is perfected and the true spirit of government watchfully attended to, a tenderness toward all creatures will be experienced, and a care felt in us that we do not lessen that sweetness of life in the animal creation which the Great Creator intends for them under our government.

To say we love God as unseen and at the same time exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by His life or by life derived from Him, was a contradiction in itself.

Be careful that the love of gain draw us not into any business which may weaken our love of our Heavenly Father, or bring unnecessary trouble to any of His creatures.

Conduct is more convincing than language.

I then wrought at my trade as a tailor carefully attended meetings for worship and discipline and found an enlargement of gospel love in my mind, and therein a concern to visit Friends in some of the back settlements of Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The care of a wise and good man for his only son is inferior to the regard of the great Parent of the universe for his creatures.

I saw that a humble man, with the blessing of the Lord, might live on a little and that where the heart is set on greatness, success in business did not satisfy the craving, but that commonly with an increase of wealth, the desire of wealth increased.

Thus He whose tender mercies are over all His works hath placed a principle in the human mind, which incites to exercise goodness towards every living creature and this being singly attended to, people become tender-hearted and sympathizing but when frequently and totally rejected, the mind becomes shut up in a contrary disposition.

To consider mankind other than brethren...plainly supposes a darkness of understanding.

While I meditate on the gulf towards which I travelled, and reflect on my youthful disobedience, for these things I weep, mine eye runneth down with water.

May we look upon our treasure, the furniture of our houses, and our garments, and try to discover whether the seeds of war have nourishment in these our possessions.

Wealth is attended with power, by which bargains and proceedings, contrary to universal righteousness, are supported and hence oppression, carried on with worldly policy and order, clothes itself with the name of justice and becomes like a seed of discord in the soul.