“12th mo. 6th. In retracing my own deficiencies in that which is good, I feel sensibly that I can have no hope before the Most High, but the hope of acceptance as a sinner whose redemption and reconciliation are wrought out by the atonement and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the refuge and rest of a perishing world. O, that the remembrance of this may keep me humble in all circumstances, and that Divine grace may so soften and subdue my mind as to lead me to treat with those who do wrong in the spirit of Christian gentleness, and with the disposition that strives to restore and to save rather than to reproach and condemn; seeking at the same time to convince those who do wrong, and not merely to direct them to avoid such and such things without seeing why they are so directed. This course I know calls for much patience, and often for that unconquerable forbearance which to some minds, having a keen sense of right and wrong, is very difficult to attain; yet such a forbearance can only be gained by the influence of Christian principle, and by the feeling which acknowledges having had much forgiven, and sees the necessity of being willing to forgive; still, however, keeping in mind that we are to seek to lead their minds, and direct their habits to the best of our power.[…]”