ever we may be proved and led in paths not heretofore known, yet if pure wisdom and strength be vouchsafed, there will be no lack. "Fourth-day, having yesterday laid before divers Friends in Cork, a concern that had for some days attended my mind, respecting a visit to the people of Kinsale, I set out this morning and had a very wet journey, my friend Edward Hatton, &c., accompanying me. Many came to the meeting, which was in measure owned, and counsel flowed to the people. "Seventh-day, rising early, set out for Waterford and arrived there in the evening, much wearied with a long ride, the ways hilly and bad. We passed through Dungannon, and saw the rock where our dear friend Susanna | Morris, was shipwrecked.* *This truly evangelical minister of Jesus Christ, as John Griffith calls her, suffered shipwreck three times; but the occurrence here alluded to, was about the year 1731, on her voyage to pay a religious visit to Friends in Great Britain and Ireland. Joseph Taylor, from Raby, in England, was returning in the same vessel from a similar service in America. The following is condensed from her own account of this memorable occasion: "Soon after I got out to sea, I dreamed that our ship would be lost, and there remained on my mind a solid weight, for fear it should be so. But at times, I thought it had been as some other dreams; and yet I thought it safe to dwell humble and low before the Lord. I again dreamed the same; and yet was weak as to being fixed in a belief of the truth of it, until the Lord was pleased to favour me with his goodness, and in one of our meetings to make it known to me, that we should surely suffer shipwreck. And then, for a season, I was in trouble; but, Oh! blessed forever be the name of our God; for I had soon a good answer returned into my bosom, of our preservation, and that if we would be faithful, we should have our lives for a prey. I hinted something of my mind to the captain, who seemed somewhat startled; and lest he should be too much discouraged, I had it given me to tell him, that I should see him safe on shore. It was some time before it came to pass; and when I hinted a little of what was made known to me, to Joseph Taylor, I found that it seemed like idle tales to him. So I forbore to go further in the relation of it to him; yet I was preserved so as not to stagger in my mind, or disregard the manifestations made known to me, from Him that is true. And as I endeavoured to dwell near Him who is faithful and true, my habitation was pleasant, until the sudden outcry was proclaimed, and nothing appeared but the destruction of all our lives. Then, for a time, my outward tabernacle greatly shook and trembled. But, blessed be the great Lord of all our mercies, the time of trembling was soon over, and what was made known to me was renewed, that the allwise God would command the proud waves, that they should not come at his servants to hurt them; as it was said: 'Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.' And so it was, the great "First-day, tenth month 26th; Was at three public meetings, at Waterford this day; that in the evening was attended by a large number of the inhabitants not professing with Friends. All these were exercising meetings, the professors of the truth being involved in the spirit of the world. It is to be feared, that through a desire of gain, some have not been free from joining with a spirit that upholds war; for notwithstanding there may not be a taking up gun or sword, yet contracting for provisions and other matters, in the way of trade, for fleets, &c., tends to sully and bring dimness and reproach on our profession. "Third-day, had a meeting at Ross, with the few Friends there, and some other inhabitants; and on sixth-day reached Dublin, where I met William Mathews. I attended the half God did preserve us, I believe, for his own name's sake. It was the time called Christmas-eve, and very cold; and we had, for two days, little sustenance for our bodies; and many times our heads were under the great waves, which rolled over us after the ship sunk, by reason of the strokes she got on the dreadful rocks. Afterwards she drove, until she settled on a sand bank. In that distress I had no help of man, or counsellor but the Lord alone, and thereby thought it best for me to get to the upper side of the vessel, and fix my seat by the shrouds, where I was favoured so that I kept my hold, when the waves rolled over us; and we remained in that wet condition about nine hours, in a cold time of frost and snow, before any of us got relief. And yet I was not hurt-the Lord is pleased to favour his heritage-though many of the ship's company lost their lives; some perishing with the cold, and others were drowned." John Griffith mentions the following additional particulars of this event, narrated to him by Joseph Taylor: 66 The ship was driven on her broadside, yet did not soon break; but the sea running high, broke over her, and several of the crew were washed overboard and drowned. The captain, Susanna Morris, Joseph Taylor, and perhaps one more, scrambled up to the upper side of the ship, and held fast by the shrouds, the sea frequently breaking over them. Joseph Taylor told me, Susanna never discovered the least impatience, in word or countenance, all the time; but he confessed that he once, in a flutter, or impatience, did say to this effect; We might as well have gone at first, for we shall be drowned.' She looked upon him, and said nothing; but, he said, her looks were a sufficient rebuke for his impatience and distrust. After they had held a considerable time by the shrouds, this extraordinary woman had a sense given her, that they would not be safe on that side of the vessel much longer; and although it seemed very hazardous to move and fasten to the lower side of the ship, she urged them all to attempt it, believing it would be the means of their preservation. She at length prevailed, and they moved, in the best manner they could, to the lower side of the ship; and soon after they had fixed themselves, expect; I desire to be preserved from wounding the cause, if I cannot advance it. yearly meeting of ministers and elders for the sympathy of many brethren has been manination; also two public meetings; and second-fested, indeed more love shown than I could day was spent in transacting the affairs of the church; some former advices were agreed to be revived, to caution against too eager a pursuit of the world. There is a pretty large appearance of Friends now here; and although there is a general languor, many being involved in the world and its spirit, yet there is a concerned number who continue to have the cause of truth at heart. "Fourth-day was a public parting meeting, which was solemn; and then the meeting for ministers and elders, in which I opened a prospect which had attended me for some days, of visiting several places where no Friends reside, which was united with. Mary Ridgway spoke in a prophetic way, of a day approaching, that would try the foundations of the professors of truth. "First-day, at the meeting in the afternoon, our dear friend Samuel Neale, had to express in a lively, feeling manner, his sense of a day approaching, which would prove the faith and try the foundations of the professors of the truth. He had not only at that time, but at divers others, been made deeply sensible thereof; whether by pestilence, or other means, he could not tell; but he exhorted Friends to prepare for trials. In the evening we had a religious opportunity at our quarters, Mary Ridgway and Samuel Neale, and divers other Friends being there. Here also he had to speak to a state in danger, and mentioned the case of Jonah, whose gourd was taken away; which he believed might be the case with some present. May I, and may all watch and live in humility, in which is preservation. "My mind is engaged to visit Newry and some other places, the prospect of which is deeply humiliating; but I came for peace, and must pursue the line that leads to it. The "Our dear friend Mary Ridgway, in much feeling sympathy, accompanied me on thirdday to Drogheda, where the meeting was held in the session-house, and was attended by several hundred people. One person, after meeting, expressed his thankfulness that a renewed visitation had been extended to him, who through unfaithfulness to some former touches of good, had not made progress in religion. He was very tender; and if but one is brought forward, it is worth undergoing baptisms and trials for. The rain has prevented our going forward to Newry. My suffering is great, and the sense of my own weakness depresses me: however, I ought not to complain. Here our aged friend James Christy, met us. "Sixth-day, proceeded to Newry, and had a meeting in the Presbyterian meeting house; the minister having offered it. "First-day, attended the youths' meeting at Lurgan, where our friend John Gough had very acceptable service, in close and pertinent remarks to parents, and also to the youth. In the evening, divers Friends being present, we had a religious opportunity at our quarters. My mind was deeply proved, under the pros. pect of visiting places where there are no Friends; and our friend John Gough, was dipped into sympathy with me, as he afterwards told me, though he knew not what rested on my mind." After this he visited Moyallen, and then returned to Dublin. "Third-day, summoning the elders, overseers and ministering Friends, I laid before them the deep provings of my mind; and on solidly weighing the matter, they encouraged my return to the north. I was much stripped and proved, and remained so for many days: I have had many trials of faith since I came into this island, and when they may terminate I know not. I have been particularly led to visit places where there are no Friends; and knowing my own unfitness, and how much the reputation of truth is concerned in such movements, it bows my mind greatly; however, I have no right to dictate, or say, what doest thou? there came a great swell of the sea, and threw the vessel quite flat on the other side; so that if they had not moved, they would all have been drowned. A priest being informed that there were some persons alive in great distress, came down to the beach and charged his people not to hurt them, but use all means to save their lives, threatening that if they refused to comply, they should never have their sins forgiven. And through the assistance of a merciful Providence, they brought them safe to land, and treated them with great hospitality." "And now," says Susanna Morris, in concluding her account of this wonderful preservation, "I Fourth-day, I went to Lisburn, to my write not this relation because I would have any dear friend John Gough's, where I had a to think the better of me; no, that is not what I kind reception, and conferred with him about aim at; but that the poor in spirit, or weak in their the prospect I had of visiting some remote own eyes, if willing to serve the Lord, may take a little courage to trust in the Lord, and be truly places; he was dipped into sympathy with willing to serve him in all that he may require of me. At the close of the meeting next day, our friend opened his mind respecting joining them." 66 me in my prospect, if way opened for his leaving home. "First-day, twelfth month 7th; Attended a large meeting at Lurgan, and paid religious visits to three families. "Second-day, being joined by William Pike, I left Lurgan, and on the road met with our friend John Gough, and two others; and we proceeded on our journey northward." He held meetings at Ballinacree and Coleraine, and thence went to Newtown Limavady; where, he says, no meeting of Friends to his knowledge, had been held since William Edmundson visited it. The people, he adds, behaved well, and the meeting was favoured. lic meeting was over, I had an opportunity with about twelve felons, men and women. exercising the small portion of faith given. I take no step, but with the solid sense, sympa. thy and unity of the most feeling and judicious members; and, as a man, glad should I have been, had they put a negative on my concern. It is indeed strange that I should be thus exercised; but those who have accompanied me have been much favoured; and I am willing, if good is done, that others may not only have the greatest share of peace, but of praise; though truly there is no praise "Third-day, reached Dungannon, and the province meeting coming on, my companions left me, departing to their several homes. I went forth, in this journey, with scarcely any faith, and was kept low, yet was favoured with encouraging company, and got on better than I expected. May I be enabled to praise the Lord, though unworthy of the least of his mercies. My dear friend John Gough, was wonderfully opened and enlarged in doctrine, and if I am exercised in order for others to be in the way of doing good, I desire to be content. I believe the testimony of truth was exalted, and an openness left for others to follow. I now wait, not knowing how I may be "Sixth-day, rising early, we reached Stra- led after the province meeting; though, as bane, and strove for a meeting; but the pro- more labour of like sort opens to my view, it vost, to whom we were recommended, being is uncertain when I may get away from these from home, the burgesses, on conferring, re- parts. But as dear John Woolman remarked, fused us the town-hall. So in the afternoon we have no just cause to murmur at the difwe went to Lifford, about three quarters of a ferent paths which Infinite Wisdom sees meet mile from Strabane, and readily obtained lib-to lead into. I think my trials are great, but erty of the court house: we had a pretty I know I have increased them for want of large meeting, but in general they were a light company; yet counsel opened, and we were satisfied with having laboured to do our duty. We returned to Strabane, and two of our friends waiting upon the provost, he excused himself from letting us have the townhall. So in the morning John Gough wrote a letter to the provost, burgesses, &c., which he and I signed, informing them that it was the only instance in the course of a long journey, that we had been refused being accommodated with a place for a religious meet-due to man.' ing. However, having liberty of the court house at Lifford, the inhabitants of Strabane were invited, and some came; and the people behaved better than at the meeting yesterday. "First-day, went to Newtown Stewart, and at the inn had a large room offered us. Α "I was anxious to hear how you fared at large meeting it was, and very satisfactory. the yearly meeting. So agreeable an account There never had been, as I know of, a meet-is cause of thankfulness; and I was pleased ing of Friends held here before, except that with the step taken, to lay before congress as our friend John Alderson, upwards of the afflicted state of the injured Africans. twenty years ago, passed through the town, They have said much about liberty, and I he had an opportunity with a few of the wish, in this affair, they may manifest their people. regard thereto. It is pleasing to find that the "Second-day, we reached Omagh, and ap-case of this people becomes more and more plied for a place to hold a religious meeting, seriously considered, as this gives hope that which was readily obtained. There was a good will arise, and deliverance come in large gathering of people in the jail and court time." house, who behaved well, and some were very solid: the meeting was open and satisfactory; the curate of the parish was there. No meeting of Friends, that I can learn, was ever held here before; and though things looked at first dark and discouraging, yet light and favour prevailed when we met. After the pub In a letter written about this time to his brother, James Pemberton, he thus speaks respecting the interesting subject of the wrongs of the African race: After this John Pemberton returned to Lurgan, taking meetings in his way; and John Gough and James Christy again joining him, they visited a number of places where no Friends resided. His short account of this tour, contained in the following extract from a letter to his wife, shows the earnest exercise of an humble mind, to be found in the path of duty. "Lisburn, First month 3d, 1784. "My dearly beloved wife, "Desirous that thou mightest hear from me as frequently as possible, I now again sit down to salute thee in unabated love, desiring that the Divine Arm of strength that wrought a willingness in us to be separated, for the discharge of duty to Him and the promotion of piety and godliness, may continue to be mercifully near to preserve and sustain, inwardly and outwardly. I believe we may appeal to the great Searcher of hearts, that our eyes were truly single; and blessed be his name, we can testify to his goodness, that hard things have, through his gracious help, been made in measure easy, and bitter portions have been sweetened by his love. May we be still helped to trust in him, and by waiting upon him, receive strength to journey forward in the high and holy way cast up for the redeemed to walk in; that through his mercy, we may receive the white stone and the new name;' and in the solemn close, be admitted to join the heavenly host in the triumphant song. He continued for some time in the northern parts of Ireland, visiting many places where no Friends resided, and having meetings at several towns, where no Friends' meeting had been before held. John Gough and James Christy were his constant and sympathizing companions. Ballymena, Ballinderry, Moira, Stramore, Moyallen, Lisburn, Shane castle, Castle Dawson, Toberhead, Bellackey, Portlanon, Ballamoney and Ballinacree, were among the places visited during the first month, and a part of the second. At Lisburn he attended the quarterly meeting for Ulster, and after this was over, remarks: "I had an opportunity with the ministers and elders, who manifested much brotherly sympathy with me in the exercised path I have trodden, and yet am likely to tread; in which they were careful to avoid discou raging me. I also opened to them a desire prevailing in my mind to have another opportunity with the inhabitants of Lisburn; in which they acquiescing, in the evening we had a large meeting, solid, and I hope profitable. "Second-day, second month 16th; This morning we set out for Londonderry; my mind never having been easy since I was last there. "Since my last, I have been another tour, accompanied by my dear friend John Gough, and other kind friends; had seven meetings in seven days, and rode one hundred and thirty miles, notwithstanding the days were short and the weather unusually cold. In these journeys we were often on horseback nearly two hours before sun-rise, yet were preserved in health. Three of these last meetings were held in Presbyterian meeting houses, two in a methodist meeting house, and one in a large chamber of a market house, all large, solid and quiet; and our friend John Gough, in this, as in the former "Third-day, endeavours were used last journey, much favoured. I consider these evening, to meet with the mayor of London. journies as making way for other servants. derry, in order to obtain the town-hall to hold I was called to surrender all, in a time of a meeting in; but he being gone to a play, difficulty and danger, and am now engaged which did not break up till midnight, it was in a trying path, to prepare the way, as I about one o'clock this day, before we obtained conceive, for others better fitted. When I may leave. Notice being then given, the principal be released, I know not; I see no end at inhabitants attended; and the meeting issued present. I find it very difficult to preserve full as well as could be expected, among a peace to my mind; fears, doubts and diffi- people much void of true religion; the pursuit dence, and too readily giving up my own of worldly gain and false pleasures, taking feeling and judgment, bring stripes. Many up the attention of the people of the upper drooping moments have I had in this land; rank. My spirit has been much burdened in though I believe few have met with more this place, and is yet more particularly bound sympathy from truly concerned Friends. "By a letter received yesterday from Cork, I find William Mathews was there. He attempted to go twice for England, but was to it. "Fourth-day; the sins of the people in this city lay so heavy upon me, that I had little rest after a day of great exercise. In the morning I arose and wrote to the mayor, and so left the place. In crossing the water, and on the road, my mind was taken up with thoughts respecting Strabane; but hoping it would wear off, I proceeded about nine miles. I then told the Friends with me, my situation; who kindly agreed to accompany me. So we turned towards Strabane, and arriving there between the fourth and fifth hours, we ventured to apply to the provost for the townhall, though it had been denied us when here before. He, consulting some others, informed us that we might make use of it. "Fifth-day, the place being prepared, and notice given by the activity and diligence of my worthy, aged friend, James Christy, the meeting began soon after one o'clock, and was large; many, or most of the principal inhabitants, and many of the poorer sort also, being there. The Lord was graciously near, to uphold me and open my way, so that I left the place pretty easy, and came to Claude. "Sixth-day, the wind being high, and a sleet falling, it was with difficulty we could get along, or sit on horseback; and it blew so hard, that in riding a few miles we were very wet, and I feared we might be lost, as the roads were so filled that we could scarcely find the path; and were obliged to stop at a poor man's house, to dry ourselves and get some refreshment. We reached Dungiven, where we were obliged to stay the remainder of the day, which was as blustering and snowy, as I have known, and I fear many people and cattle will be lost. "Seventh-day, I thought it best to turn my face towards Londonderry again; having, through weakness and hurrying away, omitted to visit the prisoners in that place; and reaching it soon after three o'clock, we had a religious opportunity in the jail, and the prisoners took our visit kindly. Greatly affecting was it to see so many fellow beings in such a situation, most of them having brought distress upon themselves through disregard of the Divine fear. I left a small sum with the jailer, to hand to the most necessitous. We then visited three families of sober people; and this making it late, we found some difficulty in procuring lodging; but after trying several inns, were at length admitted. Having eaten but little, and been much exercised all day, I was faint; yet after taking refreshment, had some sleep. 66 who sought the favour of God; and yet a fear attended me, lest they might rest too much upon outward performances, in hearing preaching, praying, and singing of psalms; and that it was my belief they would make as great advances in the Christian path and life of religion, were they to study and practice silence more. As I expressed myself in soft language and much tenderness, I hope I did not hurt any; and one afterwards told me he believed none would take my observations amiss, being delivered in love. Now I thought I might leave this city, which had been a place of deep exercise to me. We crossed the ferry, and there I found some desire to have a meeting at the town on that side the water, and the people appeared satisfied with the opportunity. "Second-day, reached Newtown Limavady, after a small meeting at Ballycally. In our way we called at a free-school for the education of the children of such Roman parents, as choose to send them to be brought up in the Protestant religion. My expectations were disappointed, finding the house very dirty, and a strict care respecting the poor children wanting. Our visit was received kindly by the master. "Fourth-day to second-day, at Coleraine, and had two meetings. I also found some stop respecting proceeding; and a renewed exercise attended my mind respecting Londonderry, which remained with me, at times very heavy, while at Coleraine. I opened a little of my exercise to my worthy, aged friend James Christy, who was solidly impressed with it, but hoped it was only a trial of faith." This concern, which was of a peculiarly trying nature, remained with him for several weeks, until his mind became at length resigned to it, under a conviction that peace was to be obtained only through faithfulness to the pointings of duty, however contrary to the natural feelings. In the mean time he continued for the most part, visiting many places in that part of Ireland, which he had previously had in prospect, having a number of meetings in places where there were no At Ballycastle, he settlements of Friends. says: "We had a large and favoured meeting in the chamber over the market-place, the people First-day, 22nd; Awaking early, my generally coming. Several Episcopal minismind was renewedly exercised, and I found ters attended it, as also one Ezekiel Boyd, it most easy to go to the meeting of the Me- with his wife and children, the proprietor of thodists; and after their service' was over, I the town and lands about it, who pressed us requested liberty to speak a few words; which to take dinner with him; but after some I did tenderly, expressing my persuasion that friendly discourse, we excused ourselves and there were some tender people among them, proceeded to Clough. |