A few months, however, sufficed to bring on a return of delicacy, and
rendered it advisable that he should retire for a while from active duty;
but the following year, apparently with renovated powers, he again
resumed his post. For a while, he appeared to think that his health was
becoming confirmed; but about the commencement of another year, he was
rapidly brought low, and nearly disqualified for the performance of his
school duties. He was however retained in his office, with delicate
attention to his known wishes, until in the 4th month, 1850, he was
obliged to withdraw, and again make his uncle's house at Mountmelick his
home. The following extracts from letters and memoranda written previous
to his leaving Sidcot, show the state of his mind at that period.

2nd mo. 10th. "I often feel,--oftener than ever, that the thread of life
is in me weak,--very weak; and, oh! I am sometimes almost overwhelmed
with the retrospects, and prospects, this feeling opens to my view. I
feel that I have been pursuing false jewels, sometimes those which have
no appearance even of external brilliance, and the _Pearl_ has escaped my
notice. I have, I believe, earnestly desired that I may be enabled to
see the true and real beauty of the Pearl, and its inestimable value, in
such a light, that nothing may again warp my attention from it."

2nd mo. 23rd, 1850. "My weakness of body, and frequent illnesses, have
brought before my mind the great uncertainty of my continuing long in
this scene of probation. I feel that I have lived hitherto 'without God
in the world,' plunged in sin and darkness; that my sins are a greater
burden than I can bear; and unless my all merciful God and Father,
through his dear Son, forgive them, and relieve me from them, I fear they
will draw me with them to the lowest grave."

"I believe my heart's desire is, to walk in the narrow way,--to be the