My Dear Son, — ^I received thine, which was a comfort
to me, and I have esteemed it a great blessing that thou
art one amongst the number who are made willing to
stand for the testimony of truth, and my desires are that
thou mayst be more and more established, and that thou
mayst not run too fast, nor loiter behind thy true guide :
for what we are is by mercy and not any merit of our
own. I believe it is good for us often to examine our-



LETTERS. 13

selves, and I can truly say that thy preservation, with
that of thy brothers and sisters, is more near and dear to
me, than all other earthly blessings; and that it is a
great comfort to thy father and me, that thy mind has
been thus early touched with that, that if strictly abided
in, will lead out of great trouble and conflict in this pre-
sent world, and when time here shall be no more, crown
with that which neither this fading world, nor the enjoy-
ments thereof, can ever give. And I may further say
that I hope from thy example thy brothers and sisters
may be willing to take up the cross. * * *
From thy mother,

Hannah Price.
Tb Philip Price, Jr.
Philadelphia, 2 mo. 5th, 1783.
Esteemed Friend, — Since I last saw thee at thy
father's house, thou hast been the object of near care and
sympathy, being confirmed in the persuasion that He
whose mercy is over all His works, hath in infinite loving
kindness cast the mantle of redeeming love over thee.
