ing meeting, taking leave both of Friends and soul was nourished?-Thou didst taste of my dear children in the nearest affection, in eternal life, and then was that stony heart that love that will go beyond the grave. In melted, and thou hadst true feeling. And, oh! my return I had a companion from near Skip- that such times may not be quite over; nor ton, in Yorkshire, Margaret Hartley, who had thou, by repeating sin, harden thyself, and been at Norwich, and with whom I had visited thereby bring upon thyself destruction-the many meetings in Norfolk. We attended fault then will be thine own. Thou well about twenty meetings on our way to Not-knowest that thou hast been very often visited, tingham, some of which were satisfactory op- and great hath been, and is our concern for portunities, and owned of our heavenly Father. thee; we are very doubtful thou hast not had At that town my husband met me, and after the letters we sent, for they would have testistaying over first-day I took leave of my com-fied of our continued care, which I now have panion, she going towards her home, and I not words to express. As all is vain, except with my husband to ours, where we arrived thou take heed to the Witness, which I believe safe with the reward of peace, the 16th of hath not quite left thee, therefore to it I reninth month, 1776. commend thee, as the only sufficient help.Wherever thou art, and into what part of the

The following letters were addressed to her world soever thou mayest be driven, it will son, viz:

Nottingham, Tenth month, 1776.

"We received thine and were glad to hear of thy continued health: through mercy we also are enjoyers of that great blessing. Our concern for thee my dear son, is very great, who like others, art way-laid with temptations. Thy religious and pious father was so affected with the account I gave of thee, that he pressed upon me to mention it; that if possible, our united concern may in some measure prevail, and thy good desires increase, so that every hurtful thing may be watched against and firmly withstood; and that thou mayest witness an increase and advancement in pure wisdom, by which thou wouldst see the foolishness of the wisdom of this world. I would hope that a hint to remind thee will be rightly taken; for as our care for all our children is great, so are we desirous to do our duty, and not deprive them of any good, either spiritual or temporal."

64

'Donnington, Second month 8th, 1777.

"We received thine dated tenth month, and glad were we to hear of thy good health; and, oh! that thy conduct was such as would proclaim thee a Christian! I would willingly hope, that thou sometimes lookest back and weepest, like that people who had grievously revolted, and therefore were captive in a strange land, and could not sing a Hebrew song-they sat weeping by the rivers of Babylon, yet had Sion in their remembrance. Is this thy case, my son? Dost thou not sometimes think of the way of thy fathers, and of that pure spiritual worship performed by them, when thou wast often made to partake with them of that spiritual food, that bread which comes down from heaven, whereby thy poor

find thee out. Oh! our son, didst thou but feel our affectionate regard, and the many visits that our spirits pay thee, frequently flying as over the ocean to see what thou art about !-And be assured, here are many wish thee well, and would rejoice with us to see thee home in an agreeable condition of mind."

From the date before mentioned to the year 1782, a period of about six years, it does not appear that she travelled with a certificate, but was much engaged in attending general and other meetings near her own home.

In this time she wrote the following letters:

TO HER HUSBAND.

"London, Third month, 1777.

"I gladly received thy letter, and rejoiced to hear of thy welfare; and through mercy, I can now give an agreeable account of myself. I am still greatly favoured with health, and although I have had very deep and painful travail, yet I can say of a truth that the Lord hath been my helper, and my exceeding great reward. Some may very likely wonder at my long stay in this city, yet I believe there are many who can witness for me that I have waited the right time, and now seem near leaving my dear friends in this place; hoping to go on fourth-day to Chelmsford, to John Griffith's; thence to Colchester, Woodbridge, &c.

TO HER CHILDREN.

"London, Fifth month, 1782.

"The hearing so good an account of the welfare of you all, is great satisfaction and comfort to my mind; and had it been right for me to be at home, I think I should have been glad once more to see two of my dear sons together. I am not at my own disposal; but under the care and direction of Him who is a Father unto us all, and as I commit myself to Him, so do I commit to his care dear children, with all other concerns of my this life, well knowing that we cannot provide for ourselves, neither can we preserve ourselves. Therefore, as we know that it is the Lord alone who has hitherto been our best help-oh! that I and mine may still endeavour to live in pure obedience to his Divine will; that so our peace may flow as a river, and our righteousness as a mighty stream. It hath been so with me in this journey; and by such great favours, yea, merciful kindnesses, have many bitter cups been sweetened. O, my dears, feel with me, and rejoice: learn also, to bear a part with me in my sufferings; that so we may go hand in hand, and now and then ascend to the holy mount, where we can sing the Lord's praise."

TO THE SAME.

tion in paying you a visit, and having seen us all to his comfort. As he is still in a weak state, though better, he says if it be the Divine will to remove him, his peace will be much greater, having the favour of being reconciled to us, by the renewings of that love which we know to be of eternal duration. Oh! what a blessing to my dear offspring, that they are so visited and favoured with a true sense of the Divine will."

SECTION VII.

Her second visit to Ireland.

IN the seventh month, 1782, I requested a certificate for going into Ireland, which was granted; and had the company of Mary Ridgway and Jane Watson, who were about to return to that country, after visiting most of the meetings in England. I left home on the 13th, with my dear husband, and proceeded to my kind friend Richard Reynolds', of Colebrook-dale. On the 16th, with Mary Ridgway and Jane Watson, we were at their meeting, much to our satisfaction; on the 17th I parted with my dear husband, which was a sore trial. I then went with many Friends to the Monthly Meeting at Salop, and from thence back to Colebrook-dale, where I remained until first-day, and was at the meeting at Newdale. We afterwards procceded to Holyhead, and on sixth-day, the 26th, sailed in a packet, and were landed at Dunleary, on seventh-day, where we lodged. We got safe to Dublin on first-day forenoon, and were all kindly received by our friends. On second-day were at a funeral; a large meeting was held on the occasion at Meath street, which was satisfactory.

"Norwich, Sixth month 22nd, 1782. Strong are my desires for you all, as for myself, that we may abide in the Truth and witness a growth therein, in order that a few living stones may be supporters of an holy building. O, my dears, look to it, and remember what station you are in. In the love of the Gospel I beseech you to take heed how you walk, and that you so demean yourselves On third-day, at the week-day meeting, we as to be ensamples to the flock of Christ, and were again owned by our dear Lord, and his feeders of his lambs-way-marks unto all, name was praised. On sixth-day at Sycaboth within and without. We are watched, more-alley meeting, which was also satisfacand we must watch also, even against every tory. On first-day attended the meeting in appearance of evil; and not suffer our own Meath street in the forenoon, and were fawills to prevail, but let our dispositions be voured with gracious help; in the afternoon brought into true subjection, that we may ex- at Sycamore-alley, where some light appeared. perience the truth of the lion and the lamb On third-day we attended a marriage in Meath lying down together, and of the weaned child street, but it was a dull, heavy and painful playing at the hole of the asp, and the suck-time. On sixth-day we had a very satisfacing child laying its hand upon the cockatrice's tory meeting; my great Lord was pleased to den, and that nothing can hurt or destroy upon enable me to bear testimony to the blessed God's holy mountain. I had no thought of penning these things when I sat down, but merely to give you an account of my welfare, as through mercy I am bravely, and our children here are the same. I had much comfort in son's company at Woodbridge, and had a few agreeable lines from him the other day, wherein he expresses his great satisfac

Truth, in the power whereof his holy name was magnified, and the souls of his living children were comforted. On first-day, the 11th, in the forenoon my dear friend Mary Ridgway was much favoured both in testimony and supplication; the afternoon meeting was very dull; after which we went to James Forbes', where were many Friends, and a

humbling season it was to me, and I think, to of our heavenly Father's countenance, and some others. O that such favours were not having his holy help to discharge my duty in so soon forgotten, but that a right improve- every place, have enabled me to rejoice in ment might be made and good fruits brought forth, to the praise of the Great Husbandman, who still waits to be gracious to the children of men!

those who have long made profession of it; and that the love of the things of this perishing world did not so much prevail; for the people having so much love for the world, there is not room for the love of the Father to dwell richly in them. O that all my Fa

suffering. I am humbly thankful that my great Lord condescends to employ me in his service, not only for my own improvement, but sometimes for the help of others. Now From Dublin, accompanied by a young wo- and then we find one or two whose souls are man named Rachel Jenkinson, we proceeded thirsting after God-perhaps one may be to Rathfriland, and were at their meeting on found as in a tribe, but not always one in a fifth-day. But few profess with us in that place, family; yet what favours are still extended, and still fewer have the Truth in possession; and how are the distant ones laboured with to so that those who visit them in the love of the come near, and that those who are near would everlasting Gospel, have hard and dull meet-truly acknowledge his might. Oh! how earnings; yet a call is extended, and when the mes-est are my desires that the love of Truth sengers have done their duty, peace is their might more and more abound in the hearts of reward. Several Friends from Moyallen met us, and thither we went, to our ancient friend Thomas Christy's. On first-day, the 18th, we were at both the meetings at Lurgan, to some degree of satisfaction-a large number, but the want of weight is sorrowful. On second-day we had a trying meeting at Moy- ther's children were truly obedient to his law, allen, but I was favoured with best help to willing to be such as he would have them! discharge my duty. On third-day to Bally-What a beautiful family should we be, and hagen; then to Lisburn, Hillsborough and how would the house of our God be adorned Newtown. We returned to Lisburn, and with clean vessels, on whom his own image were at William Rogers's in the forenoon, would be engraven, and holiness would be and at John Gough's in the afternoon. On proclaimed to his name. Now, my friend, first-day, the 25th, at a large meeting at thou knowest my travail, labour and deep exBallinderry. Then to Antrim, Ballymena, ercise is, that I may witness an increase of Grange, Ballinacree and near Toberhead; those things that belong to my peace, in which arriving on seventh-day at our friend Thomas I rejoice more than in the increase of corn, Greer's. On first-day were at a large meet- wine and oil." ing at Grange, near Charlemount; and here parted with our kind friends James Christy On first-day, the 8th of ninth month, were and John Conran, who had accompanied us at Lurgan, at their men and women's meeting, round the lough, and by their care and ten-which was very large, and measurably owned derness made our journey much pleasanter. by the Divine presence. We staid their weekWe staid at Dungannon until fourth-day, and day meeting; on fifth-day were at Lisburn; were at their men and women's meetings at then returned to the Quarterly Meeting for Grange; and although the life of true reli- the province of Ulster, which was concluded gion is very low in this as in other places, on first-day, by a very large meeting for woryet Divine favour was witnessed, and I was mercifully helped to discharge my duty, and came away with peace. Our dear friend James Christy, senior, meeting us, we went with him to his daughter-in-law's, the worthy Deborah Christy, with whom he dwells; and were at their meeting at Moyallen, on fifthday, much to our satisfaction.

ship. At these meetings were Robert Valentine and his companion, John Hall; and much labour was bestowed upon a revolting people, amongst whom the Lord did manifest his power and magnify his own name-it is still precious to a few, and such as truly gather thereto find a place of safety. From Lurgan we proceeded to several places, attended seventeen meetings, and on the 15th of tenth

From Stranmore near Lisburn, she wrote month, with Samuel Neale and his wife, were to a friend as follows:

at a meeting at Cork, and had a satisfactory season. Indeed, we had many favoured opportunities, both in meetings and in families; and I think I may say, that I was owned by my great Master, and favoured with his Divine presence in most places; though it was often my lot to travail very deep before the spring arose: our labour, too, is often hard,

because we find few true helpers. We left Cork on fourth-day morning; next day, the 17th, had a meeting at Garry roan, and an affecting opportunity at Joshua Fennell's. To Clonmel on the 18th, where we had a meeting, and lodged at the widow Grubb's. On the 19th, rode to Waterford-were at both their meetings on first-day, also, at the Select Meeting, and that for discipline. On fourth and fifth-days we visited several families, which was very satisfactory to myself, and, I believe, to my friends also. Returning to Clonmel, we attended the Select Meeting on the 26th, and the Quarterly Meeting on the two following days:-best help was granted us, and several opportunities afforded, wherein some were nearly united in the one Spirit, which is the bond of peace.

After attending the meetings of Carlow and Ballitore, we arrived in Dublin on the 1st of the eleventh month, in time for the Half-year's meeting. It commenced the next day, and ended on the 6th, and was attended by Robert Valentine, and many worthy Friends; but our meetings were heavy and cloudy, though some Divine help was witnessed. On my return to this city, I met with my dear companion, Ann Byrd, who ought to have come over with me, but delayed, yet not finding peace at home, came afterwards. It seems now an acceptable time, and we have had many remarkable opportunities amongst our friends here.

From this city she addresses her husband and children with these lines.

TO HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN.

"Dublin, 1782.

keep in remembrance the remarkable deliverances he hath known, so that he may well say, as was said formerly, What hath the Lord wrought!'

"The kindness of Friends is great, and a very cordial reception I have had in most places, and am afresh united to those whom I knew before. Let my dear friends know, that they are often in my remembrance, and that I send them an affectionate salutation in my heavenly Father's love, in which I wish they may be nearly united one unto another, and that grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied. This is the desire of their well-wishing friend, and sympathizing companion with the true mourners in Sion."

On the 12th of eleventh month we left Dublin, got to Wicklow that evening, and had a meeting on the 13th; at Ballahan the next day, and in the evening got to Ballinclay, at which place we were at the marriage of William Knott and Abigail Wright; a solid, satisfactory meeting it was, there being also many present who did not profess with us. Thence to Joshua Smithson's, and had a meeting on sixth-day; after which to Cooladine; then to Jacob Goff's, and lodged there two nights :he had a very large family, and some comfortable opportunities we had with them. On the 19th to Ross, and had a meeting there much to our comfort. Our great Lord owned us in all these meetings, and employed us in his service. But, how hard was our labour in most places! the people being so leavened with the spirit of this world, and so in love with its vanities, that the life of religion is lost in many. On fourth-day we were favoured with the company of Jacob Goff and the widow Elly, and had a meeting at Kilconner. On sixth-day at the Select Meeting at Carlow, where were Robert Valentine, John Hall, and John Conran; the Quarterly Meeting was held the next day, and a very large meeting for worship on first-day, in which the everlasting Gospel was preached; many hearts were made to rejoice and joy in the God of our salvation.

"I salute you all in the love of the Gospel, in which I wish you health and salvation; and although far absent in body, I am often with you in spirit, and sometimes you are with me in my near approaches to the throne of Divine grace. Oh! may we ever be preserved in a holy dependance upon, and in pure obedience unto, the Divine will! considering that these fleeting moments will soon be over. If we patiently bear the cross, we shall undoubtedly On the 25th, we had a very dull meeting at wear the crown. Oh! how many foretastes Castle Dermot. We then proceeded to the have I had of that endless felicity, since I house of our kind friend, Richard Shackleton, came into this land. Yea, I think I may say, who with his wife are of great use in our So. that in most places where I have been, myciety. This was a very agreeable place for good and great Lord hath enabled me to speak poor travellers to rest at; and I being very well of his name. Although I have many, unwell, we staid above a week. On fifth-day, many deep plunges, I find they are times of the 28th, were at their meeting, where through refinement, and when I am helped from thence much exercise and deep travail, we were at I can sing the song of praise. And thankful length favoured with best help to do our duty. is my soul that you are not strangers to these On first-day attended their meetings, but were things, but are sharers with me in the common-silent in both. On second-day went to Joshua wealth of our Israel. Be sure to hold on your Pim's, near Rathangan, and had a meeting way-slack not your pace-and let my dear next day; and on fifth-day one at Timahoe;