THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 . 
 
 CtsC 
 
 Cwl^
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 LIFE 
 
 or 
 
 CATHERINE PHILLIPS 
 
 TO WHICH ARE ADDED SOME OF HER 
 
 EPISTLES. 
 
 L ON DON: 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY JAMES PHILLIPS AND SON, 
 GEORGE YARD, LOMBARD STREET. 
 
 1797.
 
 MEMOIRS, &c. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 AS the dealings of the Almighty with me from 
 my youth have been fmgular, and are worthy 
 to be retained in remembrance with thankfulnefs, I 
 have committed to writing fome remarkable cir- 
 cumflances of my life ; tending to awaken future 
 thankfgiving and watchfulnefs in myfelf ; and, con- 
 fidering how wonderfully the divine arm has been 
 manifefted for my help, to encourage me to a fteady 
 truft therein, and perfeverance in fubmiflion there* 
 to : and in order to leave to my furviving relations, 
 fome memorials of the various exercifes and dangers 
 which I have paffed through, and of the merciful 
 fupport and prefervation vouchfafed from the Lord 
 therein. 
 
 But firft it appears proper for me to leave a te 
 
 timony to my parents, who not only profefled the 
 
 truth, but had it in poffeffion. My father, Henry 
 
 A Payton,
 
 2 
 
 Payton, of Dudley in Worcefterftiire (foil of John 
 and Catherine Payton, refpe&able members in the 
 fociety of Friends), was called into the work of the 
 miniltry about the eighteenth year of his age; and, 
 xvhen young, travelled much in the fervice of truth , 
 in divers parts of this nation, Ireland, and Scotland, 
 as alfo in the American colonies : and from the 
 teflimonies of friends, I have good reafon to believe 
 that his fervice was truly acceptable and edifying 
 to the churches ; his miniftry being lively and clear, 
 and his care not to exceed the openings of truth 
 therein apparent. His deportment was grave, his 
 conduft clean and fteady, and his charity, in pro- 
 portion to his circumflances, diffufive. He was an 
 affectionate hufband, a tender father, and kind 
 mafter; ferviceable amongft his neighbours, and 
 beloved and refpecled by them. Many years before 
 his deceafe, he was difabled not only for public 
 fervice hi the miniftry, but for a&ing in the private 
 duties x>f life in providing for his family; being 
 afflicted with a paralytic diforder, under which his 
 faculties gradually gave way. I was much his com- 
 panion in his long weaknefs, reading to him and 
 attending upon him; and can give this teflimony 
 refpefting him, that he retained the favour of the 
 divine life to the laft ; and frequently manifefled a 
 religious concern for his children, and particularly 
 for me, his youngefl child and tenderly beloved 
 by him. He would often fay, * The Lord blefs 
 ' you my children,' when his fpeech faltered fo 
 
 that
 
 that he could articulate but little. In the feventy- 
 fifth year of his age he was releafed from his afflic- 
 tion, and I doubt not is entered into everlafting 
 blifs. 
 
 My mother was the daughter of Henry and Eliza- 
 beth Fowler, of Evefham in Worcefterfhire. She 
 was a religious woman, endued with a flrong and 
 fteady understanding, and many and fmgular virtues 
 whereby flie was fitted for the part fhe had to aft 
 in life. This was peculiarly exercifing in part, 
 through my father's incapacity for bufmefs, the 
 care of a pretty large and young family, and a 
 confiderable bufmefs (and that not of the kind the 
 mod fit for a woman) devolving upon her. When 
 my father was difabled from acting for his family, 
 being engaged in a parmerihip in one branch of 
 bufmefs which terminated in great lofs of property, 
 his affairs were in a very unfettled ftate ; all 
 which, with other very trying circumftances, my 
 mother patted through with admirable fteadinefs, 
 fortitude, and patience ; and through a long feries 
 of necelfary worldly engagements, me was favoured 
 to retain the beft life. The Lord greatly bleffed 
 her endeavours for her children, in temporals ; 
 and I doubt not heard her prayers that the 
 dew of heaven might reft upon them. She would 
 fay, fhe defired not great riches for her children, 
 but that they might dwell in the fear of God. Her 
 fteady and flrong conjugal affection was manifefted 
 in .my father's long indifpofition, by tender atten- 
 A 2
 
 tion ; and after his deceafe, by her frequent men- 
 tioning him in terms which evinced that their unioir 
 was founded in that love, which death cannot dif- 
 folve. She faid that when flic married him, (he was 
 fo far from being intimidated at the thought of his 
 leaving her, to travel in his minifterial office, that 
 {he entered the folemn covenant, with a refolution 
 to do her utmoft to fet him at liberty therein ; and 
 when it pleafed Divine Wifdom to deprive her of a 
 hufband whom {he might offer up to his fervice, 
 flie was defirous that fome one at leafl of her off- 
 fpring might be called to the miniftry : which was 
 fulfilled in me, whom (he bore rather late in life, 
 and tenderly loved j but, I believe flie as freely- 
 dedicated me to the Lord as Hannah did Samuel, 
 and was always ready to put me forward in his work ; 
 yet was weightily concerned that I might not run 
 before my true guide. And although, after I was 
 called to the miniftry, it was my lot to be much 
 abfent from her, flie never repined at it, but 
 frequently encouraged and excited me to faithful- 
 nefs : fo that among the many mercies beftowed by 
 bounteous Providence, I may juilly number as not 
 the lead, the having fuch a parent. 
 
 She was an affe&ionate mother to all her chil- 
 dren, yet very quick-fighted to their faults, ready to 
 reprove diem ; and not fubjeft to indulge them in 
 childhood ; but educated them in induftry. In fine, 
 (he was an example of fortitude, cheerfulnefs, gravity, 
 induftry, oeconomy, felf-denial, and refignation to 
 
 the'
 
 the divine will. She was generous to her friends ; 
 her houfe and heart always open to receive the 
 Lord's meffengers : for which Hie would fay {he 
 thought a bleffing was dropped upon her family. 
 She was charitable to the poor ; rather choofing to 
 fave from other expenfes, that flie might have to 
 difpenfe. She died in the ninety-firft year of her 
 age ; and retained a confiderable degree of found- 
 nefs of judgment until near the clofe of a ufeful, but 
 careful, life. 
 
 Thus defcended, it may be fuppofed I was in the 
 way to receive religious inftru&ion from my infancy ; 
 and indeed I cannot date the firfl dawn of divine 
 light upon my foul ; for with humble thankfulnefs 
 I may fay, that early in the morning of life I knew 
 the Lord to be a God nigh at hand ; convincing of 
 evil, and raifing breathings after the faving know- 
 ledge of his divine love and power. Friends who 
 travelled in the miniftry ufually lodged at my fa- 
 ther's houfe. I loved their company when but 
 very young, and their tender notice of me I com- 
 memorate with gratitude. And here I remark, that 
 if our youth prized the favour of the company 
 and converfe of fuch whofe " feet appear beautiful 
 " upon the mountains" of falvation, and who have 
 had large experience of the love of God, they 
 might profit much thereby. But, alas ! how 
 often do fome avoid their company, fcarcely giving 
 them an opportunity of manifefting to them that 
 tender affection, wherewith their fpirits are clothed ; 
 A 3 being
 
 being probably afraid of reproof, on account of 
 their indulging in liberties, contrary to the pure 
 liberty of truth ; which they think hard, although it 
 be given in that love which feeks the true happinefs 
 of their fouls. I could read well when very young, 
 and (as is before hinted) fpending much time with my 
 afflifted father, I read much to him; and the expe- 
 riences and fufferings of faithful martyrs, and of our 
 worthy friends, with the accounts of the glorious 
 exit of fuch as launched out of time in full affur- 
 ance of everlafling blifs, made profitable impreffions 
 upon my mind ; my fpirit being often tendered there- 
 by, and my love of virtue and piety ftrengthened ; fo 
 that I may truly fay that fuch holy perfons, " though 
 " they are dead, yet fpeak." May their language 
 be heard by the youth of the prefent and fucceeding 
 generations; and excite them to efchew the paths of 
 vanity, and to follow the footfteps of Chrift's com- 
 panions. So will the fong of his redeemed be theirs. 
 But, notwithstanding thefe promifing beginnings, 
 as I grew up, I yielded to divers temptations, and 
 was allured from the fimplicity of truth ; the evil 
 propenfities in nature getting the afcendency. But 
 even in my childhood I experienced many conflicts, 
 and my convi&ions for evil were ftrong ; fo that at 
 times my heart was forrowful, and my pillow 
 watered with my tears, although my countenance 
 and deportment were moftly cheerful. Once, having 
 yielded to temptation, my fenfe of guilt was fuch, 
 that I concluded I had finned againft the Holy 
 
 Ghoftj.
 
 Ghoft ; and that, agreeably to Chrift's testimony, I 
 " fliould never be forgiven." This fo affe&ed my ten- 
 der mind with forrow and unutterable diftrefs, that 
 it could not be entirely concealed from the family ; 
 although I was enabled, even in childhood, to keep 
 my exerci'fes of mind much to myfelf. I think I mult 
 have been about eight or nine years old when it was 
 thus with me ; and as in my childhood I was feveral 
 times vifited with fevers, which brought me very 
 low, I was led to confider how I was prepared for 
 the awful change wherewith I was threatened ; and 
 a weighty fenfe refted upon my fpirit, that my foul 
 was not pure enough for admittance into Chrift's 
 holy kingdom. Sometimes I would covenant with 
 the Lord to be more circumfpeft and watchful for 
 the future ; but the airy natural difpofition again 
 got the afcendency, whereby again an occafion for 
 repentance would arife. My natural difpofition was 
 very volatile, and my apprehenfion quick; and as my 
 faculties opened, I delighted much in books of a 
 very contrary nature and tendency to thofe which 
 had engaged my attention in my childhood. I had a 
 near relation, who, notwithftanding his having been 
 divinely favoured in his youth, had flighted his 
 foul's mercies, and purfued lying vanities. He kept 
 houfe in the town j and through him, myfelf, and 
 my fitters, had opportunities of obtaining plays and 
 romances, which I read with avidity. I alfo fpent fo 
 much time at his houfe as to be introduced into 
 amufements very inconfiftent with the fimplicity of 
 A 4 truth.
 
 8 
 
 truth, and my former religious impreflions ; fo that 
 my ftate was indeed dangerous, and but for the in- 
 terpofition of Divine Providence, I had been left 
 to purfue courfes which muft have terminated de- 
 plorably. I alfo read hiftory, was fond of poetry, 
 and had a tafte for philofophy ; fo that I was in the 
 way to embellifti my underftanding (as is the com- 
 mon phrafe), and become accomplifhed to fhine in 
 converfation j which might have tended to feed the 
 vain proud nature, render me pleafmg to thofe who 
 were in it, and make me confpicuous in the world. 
 But the Lord, in his wifdom, defigned to bring me 
 to public view in a line direftly oppofite to worldly 
 wifdom, pleafure, or honour ; and when he was 
 pleafed more fully to open to my underftanding 
 his great and glorious work of renovation of fpirit, 
 I faw that I mufl defifl from thefe amufmg publica- 
 tions and ftudies, and purfue the one neceffary 
 bufmefs, viz. working out the falvation of my im- 
 mortal foul : and I efteem it a great mercy that I 
 readily attended to this intimation. However lawful 
 it may be, in proper feafons, to look into the works 
 of nature, and become acquainted with the hiflory 
 of former or prefent times, my attention was now 
 powerfully attrafted to higher fubje&s ; and had I 
 purfued thofe lower things, I might have become as a 
 " veflel marred upon the wheel." This is, alas! 
 the cafe with many who have been divinely vifited, 
 but who, not deeply and fteadily attending to the 
 infiructions of pure wifdom, but feeking to be wife 
 
 and
 
 9 
 
 and learned ; in matters which merely relate to this 
 prefent (late, have not advanced in the fimplicity of 
 divine knowledge; and although it has remained 
 obvious that the Lord's hand has mercifully been 
 turned upon them to form them for his fervice, they 
 have not grown up to that degree of ufefulnefs in 
 Chrift's church, whereto they might have attained, 
 had they paffively abode the turnings of his pre- 
 paring hand. Were the fons and daughters of our 
 religious fociety, who are favoured with good natural 
 underftandings, clothed with heavenly wifdom, they 
 would become and appear truly great, in the dignified 
 fimplicity and humility of the fervice of the King of 
 kings. Human knowledge and acquirements too 
 often puff up the minds of youth ; and indeed fome 
 of more advanced age pride themfelves therein, 
 When, as examples to the rifing generation, they 
 fhould be clothed with humility. It was obferved 
 of a truly honourable member of our favoured 
 fociety, that ' he was a divine and a naturalift, 
 and all of the Almighty's making.' * I have read 
 very little on natural philofophy, and am not in a 
 difpofition to boaft of my acquired knowledge, of 
 cither human, natural, or divine things ; but I may 
 fay, that I have admired how by one gleam of 
 heavenly light the underflanding is opened into 
 natural things ; fo as in degree to behold, as at one 
 view, the general ceconomy of the divine Former of 
 
 * William Penn's Account of George Fox. 
 
 all
 
 10 
 
 all things, as it is difplayed in the outward creation. 
 This produces adoration to him under the humbling 
 fenfe of his power, mercy, and wifdom, as well as 
 admiration of his works ; and difcovers that they 
 are indeed marvellous, and in their full extent in- 
 comprehenfible ; and impoffible to be traced in 
 innumerable ages. Therefore, let not the faculties 
 of his adopted children be fo improperly occupied 
 in exploring them, as to prevent their advances in 
 their various ftations in his militant church : when 
 happily their fouls are fixed in the triumphant, they 
 will know fo much, as for ever to infpire the angelic 
 fong of " Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord 
 " God Almighty, in wifdom haft thou made them 
 " all!" 
 
 From thefe remarks I return to my education, 
 which, whilft I was at home, had not been entirely 
 negle&ed, as to ufeful and neceflary learning ; yet, as 
 through the afflifted circumftances of our family, I 
 had been kept pretty clofely there until I had 
 attained my fixteenth year, my mother concluded to 
 fend me to London, and put me for one year under 
 the care of Rachel Trafford, who, with her fifter, 
 kept a refpe&able boarding-fchool ; not doubting 
 her attention to me, as Ihe when young had fpent 
 a confiderable time in my father's family : and 
 indeed (he was affectionately kind to me ; and, as a 
 minifter as well as miflrefs, I believe her mind was 
 frequently exercifed for the religious improvement 
 of her fcholars, which at times was manifefted by 
 
 verbal
 
 11 
 
 verbal {application for them, as well as advice and 
 reproof. 
 
 I improved much for the time I flaid in the 
 fchool, in fome arts taught in it ; and my fchool- 
 fellows behaved well to me ; but being fo far 
 advanced toward maturity, tall, and proper tionably 
 grown for my age, I looked rather too much like a 
 woman for a fchool ; yet fome of my fchool-fellows 
 were older than myfelf, which I believe increafed 
 my miftrefs's anxious folicitude for our prefervation, 
 we being (to ufe her own expreflion) a fchool of 
 women. I foon conne&ed myfelf moil intimately with 
 my miftrefs's niece, who afted as a teacher, and 
 with one of the fcholars, a fenfible agreeable well- 
 behaved young woman, but not of our fociety, who 
 was admitted into the fchool ,to qualify herfelf in 
 needle-work, for a fchool-miflrefs. As neither of 
 them were much under the influence of religion, I 
 did not profit by their converfation, in the moft 
 effential refpeft. But after I had been a few months 
 in the fchool, I was favoured with a renewed vifita- 
 tion of divine love, and grew uneafy with my fitua- 
 tion. Home became defirable, although I knew it to 
 be a houfe of affliction ; and on my intimating it to 
 my dear mother, my brother James fetched me there, 
 fooner than fhe intended when I left her. 
 
 Thus far I have commemorated the dealings of 
 the Almighty with my foul, manifefled principally in 
 tender mercy ; but now the day was coming wherein 
 his righteous judgments were manifefled againfl all 
 
 that
 
 12 
 
 that was high, and oppofite to his pure fpirit ; in 
 which day my wanderings from him, the Shepherd 
 of Ifrael, were brought to my remembrance, and my 
 fins fet in order before me ; which wrought great 
 humiliation and brokennefs of heart, with ftrong 
 cries to him, that he would gracioufly pafs by my 
 tranfgreflions, and receive me into covenant with him- 
 felf. And although this difpenfation was not agree- 
 able to degenerated nature, which, like Adam when 
 he had tranfgreffed, feeks to evade the condemnation; 
 yet, becaufe of the glory which I was favoured to 
 difcover beyond it, and the divine love which I faw 
 therein, I faid, in the fecret of my foul, " It is good 
 " for me to be under it ;" and I was made willing 
 patiently to abide the judgments of the Lord for 
 fm, in order that I might witnefs remhTion thereof 
 through the baptifm of repentance, and the fan&ify- 
 ing life or fpirit of his Son Jefus Chrifl. And this 
 mercy, in the appointed feafon of infinite wifdom, I 
 experienced ; fo that my paft tranfgreflions were 
 blotted out of the book of remembrance, upon the 
 terms of my future fteady perfeverance in the fear 
 of God ; and in the fenfible exaltation of the attri- 
 bute of divine mercy over judgment, my foul rejoiced 
 with humble thankfulnefs. Yet as when the children 
 of Ifrael were delivered out of Egypt, and travelled 
 through the wildernefs, they had there new trials 
 of various kinds to encounter, infomuch that they 
 thought their fufferings rather increafed than dimi- 
 nilhed, and frequently feared perifhing in that defert 
 
 land j
 
 13 
 
 land; fo, being now relieved from the oppreffive 
 weight of pad aftual tranfgreffion, and travelling 
 after the faints promifed inheritance, which is a 
 ftate of eftablifhment in righteoufnefs, I had to pafs, 
 to the attainment thereof, through many deep bap- 
 tifms and exercifes of faith and patience. I was 
 now brought into my own heart, which, by reafon 
 of the irregularity of its paffions and inclinations, 
 might well be compared to an uncultivated wilder- 
 nefs ; through which I muft travel, and wherein 
 I muft receive the law for the ordering of my out- 
 Ward conduft : and O ! the feafons of hunger and 
 thirft, the toffings and perplexities, the " thunder- 
 " ings, lightnings, and tempefts," which feemed to 
 threaten deftru&ion, which I had to pafs through in 
 that day, are to be had in everlafting remembrance j 
 with thankfgiving to that divine hand which pre- 
 ferved me from being fo far difmayed at them as to 
 look back with a defire to return to that country, 
 or ftate, from which I had happily efcaped. The 
 adverfary here transformed himfelf as into an 
 angel of light, and, under the fpecious appearance 
 of righteoufnefs, reprefented the way fo ftrait, that 
 it was impoflible to walk therein and aft as a rational 
 being ; thereby endeavouring to difcourage me, or 
 prevent rny attaining to the true gofpel liberty, in the 
 ufe of the creatures, and the courfe of my conduft. 
 Indeed, in this feafon of deep diftrefs, both the 
 " earth and heavens Were fhaken ;" fome of thofe 
 religious principles, which I had received by educa- 
 tion,
 
 14 
 
 tion, were called in queftion; and I was left without 
 any foundation of certainty refpe&ing them ; nor 
 could I attain to it by the teftimony of others, or 
 the writings of fuch as had vindicated them to the 
 world ; being to receive my convincement of them, 
 from the deep ground of divine revelation. 
 
 All which I have feen was necefiary to fit me for 
 the fervice which was appointed me ; that the founda- 
 tions of my faith might be laid in certainty, and that 
 I might be able to teflify with boldnefs, that I had 
 experienced what I afferted to be the truth ; and be 
 alfo fuitably qualified to fympathize with, and minifler 
 to, fuch as were in the like dates. I faw early for 
 what flation I was defigned in Chrifl's church. 
 This manifeflation of the divine will, my foul received 
 with a good degree of resignation ; neverthelefs, 
 until the Lord's time for putting me forth to fervice 
 was come, I was frequently aflaulted with fears, left 
 it fhould be required of me at fuch times, and in 
 fuch manners, as would be doubly hard to flefh and 
 blood : and the adverfary was very bufy with his 
 prefentations, intending thereby either to difpirit 
 my mind from purfuing its proper duty, or, by 
 hurrying me into what had the appearance thereof, 
 to bring me into confufion. But, in all thefe " voices 
 " of the ftranger," there was a want of that cer- 
 tainty, which I had concluded fhould attend fuch a 
 difcovery of the divine will, and which I was happily 
 led to look for ; and I was at length ftrengthened 
 to covenant with the Almighty, that whenever 
 
 the
 
 15 
 
 the evidence was clear and flrong, I would fubm.it 
 thereto. 
 
 And here it may not be unprofitable to remark, 
 that fbme minds are more liable to be thus affefted 
 than others. Such as have a flrong and quick imagi- 
 nation, and whofe hearts have been deeply affe&ed 
 with the exceeding fmfulnefs of fin, and of the love 
 of God to mankind; whofe defires are flrong, that 
 the one might come to an end, and the other abound 
 in the earth ; it is difficult for thefe at all times 
 (efpecially when young in religious experience) 
 to keep the quiet habitation, wherein alone the 
 voice of the true Shepherd is to be heard, and di 
 tinguifhed from that of the flranger's. But as the 
 will becomes gradually refigned to that of God, and 
 the imagination in its natural working filenced, and 
 the foul comes more conflantly to worfhip in the 
 Lord's temple ; the adverfary in thefe falfe ap- 
 pearances is bound, or if fuffered to prefent them, 
 there is flrength acquired to fland Hill and try the 
 fpirits. This I have feen, in the light of truth, to 
 be abfolutely neceflary before we move in the Lord's 
 fervice ; the want of which has been produ&ive of 
 much confufion, and adminiftered caufe of reproach 
 on our high and holy profeflion, to fuch who are 
 feeking for an occafion to lay wafle the belief in 
 divine revelation. 
 
 But to return : Being come to the aforefaid 
 flate of refignation, I waited quietly to difcern the 
 puttings forth of the divine haud, in a flate of earnefl 
 
 prayer
 
 16 
 
 prayer that I might not be fuffered to move before 
 the proper time ; which I have good ground to 
 believe was heard and anfwered ; and that from the 
 motion of divine life I was conftrained to fupplicatc 
 the Almighty in our little meeting at Dudley, the 
 tenth day of the Second month, 1748, being then 
 newly entered the twenty-fecond year of my age. 
 May fuch of the Lord's children, whom he appoints 
 to the folemn important fervice of the miniftry, 
 humbly and patiently wait to know when to move 
 therein ; as through negleft of it fome have ftept 
 into it, before they have fully patted through the 
 difpenfation of preparation for it ; and, if ever they 
 have become ftrong in his fervice, they have con- 
 tinued long in a ftate of weaknefs. Yet let none de- 
 fpife " the day of fmall things." A few words fpoken 
 under divine dire&ion, are often bleffed to thofe to 
 whom the Matter of the folemn affemblies dire&s 
 them. 
 
 I continued to minifter, as the Lord was pleafed 
 to give me ability, in great brokennefs of heart, 
 and for a time in but a few words ; for great fear 
 \vas upon my fpirit left I fhould minifter in the 
 wifdom of the creature, which ever brings death, 
 and begets its like : and, in a fenfe of this danger, 
 ftrong were my cries to the Almighty, that what I 
 handed forth to the people might be unmixed, let 
 it appear ever fo fimple or defpifable in the view 
 of the worldly wife and learned. And as I 'then 
 continued to move in fear and trembling, the Lord 
 
 was*
 
 17 
 
 was with me, and enlarged my understanding, and 
 increafed my fervice in the openings of truth : at 
 which his people rejoiced, and, in obedience to his 
 requirings I felt fweet peace. Yet was my fpirit fre- 
 quently in heavinefs, being humbled with many deep 
 excrcifes, which I found profitable to eftablifh it in 
 righteoufnefs, although painful to nature. And I 
 leave it as an obfervation, that I have feldom, if ever, 
 feen any ftand, and arrive to any confiderable degree 
 of ufefulnefs in the church, whofe foundation have 
 not been deeply laid in afflictions and exercifes ; 
 whereby they are crucified with Chrift, and mall 
 therefore rife with him to glory and honour, in the 
 prefent as well as in a future ftate. But in all my afflic- 
 tions and deep baptifms, the Shepherd of Ifrael was 
 with me, and preferved and fupported my fpirit to the 
 honour of his own nature, to whom alone I could 
 attribute the praife : for in thofe allotted days and 
 years of tribulation, very little inflrumental help 
 was afforded me ; my lot being caft in a quarter, 
 where there were none near who were capable of 
 giving me much affiftance or wife counfel, not 
 having trodden the fame fleps. I fometimes thought 
 my cafe was hidden from feme of the Lord's fervants, 
 who were concerned to vifit his heritage; or elfe 
 that they were in part retrained from miniilerino- 
 to it ; and my tongue was much fealed in filence, 
 for my exercifes were incommunicable. 
 
 All this I faw to be of excellent ufe, as the 
 
 contrary might have led to a dependance on the 
 
 B fervants
 
 18 
 
 fcrvants (which ever brings wcaknefs); or have been 
 produ&ive of confufion, through ray imparting my 
 cafe to fuch as were not ikilful to miniftcr to % 
 and who neverthelefs might have advifed therein. 
 I have feen it to be profitable and neceffary for fuch 
 as are in a ftate of infancy in religion, to dwell 
 with their exercifes ; leaning fimply on that arm, 
 which alone is able to carry through them ; and, 
 until the mind has acquired a depth of judgment to 
 diflinguiih clearly who is on the Lord's fide, to be 
 very cautious to whom they communicate them; left 
 they be wounded, by difcovcring thofe, whom they 
 have chofen for their friends, to be enemies to the 
 crofs of Chrifl. Yet when the Lord dire&s, in times 
 of great ftrait, to advife with fome experienced fer- 
 vant, it will undoubtedly be advantageous ; and a 
 fteady fympathizing friend is a great ftrength and 
 bleffing, when it is afforded in divine wifdom. 
 
 I am inclined to dole this chapter with a little 
 poem, which I wrote in my nineteenth year ; as it 
 has been handed about in manufcript, and fuffered 
 much by copying. It is even in print, and one 
 whole verfe omitted. Between my eighteenth and 
 twenty-fecond year I penned feveral fmall trafts, aH 
 of a religious nature ; but fooa after I appeared in 
 the miniitry, 1 dropped my pen in regard to verfes. 
 I do not fay it was a facrifice required ; but the 
 continuing of the pra&ice might have proved a 
 (hare fome way: it might have engaged my attention 
 too much, or tended to make me popular, which 
 
 I have
 
 19 
 
 I have ever guarded .againfl, perhaps too much fa 
 in fome points ; but I was early afraid of my mind 
 and fervices being tarntOied with vanity. And here 
 I may add, thai .from the time I came from fchool, 
 I read but little, fave religious books ; and after I 
 appeared in the miniftry, until late in life, reading 
 even them was much taken from me, except the 
 fcriptures : all which I believe was in divine wifdora, 
 that I might not minifter from what I had gathered 
 from religious writings; but might receive the argu- 
 ments I was enabled to advance on behalf of the 
 truth, by the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit. 
 And I can with truth fay, that the Lord has been to 
 me, mouth and wifdom, tongue and utterance, to my 
 own humbling admiration. May all the praife be 
 given to him now and for ever j . 
 
 A PRAYER FOR WISDOM. 
 
 MAKER fupreme, of heav'n and earth, 
 
 Of fea, of air, and Iky ; 
 O ! thou who gav'fl to all things birth, 
 
 Lord, hear me when I cry. 
 
 To Thee, invifible, I'll pray, 
 
 Thou only righteous God ; 
 And Thee, omnipotent, obey, 
 
 And fear thy dreadful rod. 
 
 . B 2 Riches
 
 20 
 
 Riches or life, I do not crave, 
 Nor any tranfient things ; 
 
 The one has wings, and in the grave 
 Are laid the proudeft kings. 
 
 J Tis heav'nly wifdom I admire ; 
 
 'Tis this is my requeft : 
 Oh, grant, great God, this my defirc, 
 
 And I am fully bleft : 
 
 Wifdom to worfhip thee aright, 
 
 To underfland thy will, 
 To do my duty in thy fight, 
 
 And thy commands fulfil : 
 
 That when my fleeting fands are run, 
 And death (hall fet me free ; 
 
 When the fhort thread of life is fpun, 
 My foul may fly to thee : 
 
 Where I (hall live eternally, 
 And fear no end of time ; 
 
 But praife thy name, enthron'd on high, 
 Thou powerful God divine, 
 
 Not with a weak and mortal voice, 
 
 But in celeftial drains ; 
 In heav'n, the centre of my joys, 
 
 ,And end of all my pains. 
 
 CHAP. II.
 
 21 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 HAVING now entered the lift of publick com- 
 batants in the Lamb's army, I pretty foon be- 
 came concerned to travel for the promotion of truth 
 and righteoufnefs ; and for more than twenty years, 
 had but little intermuTion from gofpel labours. 
 
 In the Fifth month, 1 749 (old ftile) I left home, 
 in order to vifit fome part of Wales; in which 
 journey my dear friend -Lucy Bradley was made 
 willing to accompany me (although, as (he faid, flie 
 knew not that her call to ftrvice was much farther 
 than to ailift me) ; with whom I travelled in fweet 
 unity, (he being a true fympathizing friend, and deep 
 .travailler in fpirit, as well as rightly qualified pub- 
 lickly to minifter. We vifited the meetings of 
 Friends in Radnorfhire, Monmouthfliire, Glamor- 
 ganfliire, Pembrokefliire, and part of North Wales; 
 and in about feven weeks I returned home in peace 
 and thankfulnefs, to my dear mother and relations; 
 who had been made willing to give me up for 
 truth's fake, and gladly received me back. In this 
 iourney the principal {hare of the publick fervice fell 
 to my lot; wherein the Lord was evidently with me, 
 ftrengthening for the work of the day to the honour 
 of his own name ; and the teftimony of truth was 
 fometimes exalted, in its own authority, over the li- 
 bertin ande hypocritical profeflbrs of it. The youth, 
 B 3 and 
 
 *
 
 22 
 
 and tender honeft-mindcd, were vifited and rtfreflied 
 in divine love ; liberty and ftrength were afforded to 
 declare it to thofe not of our fociety; and I had 
 ground to hope that our labour was not entirely in 
 vain: fome perfons being powerfully affected, who, 
 I hope, long retained a fenfe of that vilVation ; par- 
 ticularly William Phillips from Corn w:. 11.. \\ho was 
 then upon a vifit to his relations at Swaufca. 
 
 In lefa than a week after my return from this 
 journey, I went to the circular yearly meeting for 
 the feven wefiern countries, which was held this 
 year at Coventry, and was very large, and, m 
 the main, fatisfaftory. It was attended by many 
 valuable experienced minifters, who were careful of 
 laying hands fuddenly upon me ; although I had 
 good reafon to believe that the moft weighty of them 
 loved me ; but were fearful of hurting me by dif- 
 covering too much of their approbation or afFeftion; 
 which fome minds, in the infancy of religious expe- 
 rience, have not been able to bear. After my return 
 from this meeting, I was ftripped of that ftrength 
 wherewith the Almighty had been pleaftd to clothe 
 me; which, with fome other difcouragement I met 
 with, funk me very low, infomuch that I was ready 
 to doubt of all I had known, and call in queftion my 
 commnTion to minifter : and my foul was attacked 
 by the adverfary in fome of his mod fubtil appear- 
 ances, and baptized into a cloud of dark::efs. This 
 difpenfation I afterwards faw to be ferviceable; the 
 more fo, as before rny return from my Wcl(h jour- 
 ney, I had a profpecl: of another into the weft of 
 
 England;
 
 23 
 
 Eagkod j for therein I forgot all my former ferviceJ, 
 was emptied of all felf-fufficiency, and became 
 weak and depending as when I firft engaged in the 
 Weighty fervice of the miniflry : and it lives in my 
 experience, that thus the Lord will deal with his 
 fervants, for their prefervation, that they may dwell 
 in a continual fenfe, that the excellency is of Him ; 
 from whom proceeds wifdom, power, light, utter- 
 ance, peace, and every good gift. 
 
 My concern for the weft continuing and in- 
 creafmg, I imparted it to my relations, who being 
 willing to give me up (though forry to part with 
 me), I fought for a companion, but could hear of 
 none fuitable. This added to my exercife ; for it 
 feemed very dangerous for fuch a child as I, to 
 travel alone ; but after waiting as long as I durft, 
 I laid my concern before Friends of our Monthly 
 meeting, and requefted their certificate,* but told 
 them that I knew of no companion; and if they had 
 not been free to let me go alone, I believe I fhould 
 have been eafy to have waited longer ; but they 
 gave me a certificate; and in the Eleventh month, 
 1749, I left home in great humility and fear, be. 
 
 Should any one not acquainted with Friends difcipline read 
 thefe Memoirs, it is not improper to obfervc, that, when a 
 minifter, approved amongft them, believes it his or her duty to 
 vifit a dlftant part of the nation, &c. a certificate is given of the 
 unity of Friends of the monthly meeting whereof fuch minifter 
 is a member, that Friends where they travel may be a/Tured that 
 they do not move in fo weighty a fervice without the concur- 
 rence of their Friends at home : alfo that the laying on of hands 
 mentioned in the preceding page, is only to be undeiftood as a 
 figurative expreffiow. 
 
 4 ing
 
 24 
 
 ing accompanied by my dear brother James Payton, 
 who went with me to feveral meetings in our own 
 county, and left me not without fome doubt on 
 account of the natural weaknefs of my conftitu- 
 tion, which he feared might fuffer in this win- 
 ter's journey. I proceeded to Briflol, and from 
 thence, through part of the counties of Wilts, 
 Somerfet, Dorfet, and Devon, to Penzance in Corn- 
 wall, and returned back to that city in the fpring. 
 
 And although I went from home alone, I was not 
 much without a fuitable companion, the Almighty 
 putting it into the heart of one or other of his fer- 
 vants to accompany me. Mary Fry, of Sutton in 
 Wiltihire, went with me through Dorfetftiire ; and 
 Mary Pole, of Milverton in Somerfetftiire, through 
 Devonfliire and Cornwall; who were both very 
 tender of me, and ferviceable to me. The latter 
 was not in the miniftry, but a folid fympathizing 
 friend, and true labourer in fpirit in meetings. 
 
 I vifited the meetings of Friends pretty generally 
 in Dorfetfhire, Devonftiire, and Cornwall; fome of 
 * which were attended by many people of other 
 focieties ; before whom the Lord gave me boldnefs- 
 to teftify of his truth with good authority, and to 
 lay open the falfe and dangerous opinions of fome 
 profeffed Chriftians, particularly that of uncon- 
 ditional election and reprobation ; which dark prin- 
 ciple was then likely to gain ground in thefe parts. 
 I was concerned to appoint meetings at feveral 
 places, where Friends had no meeting-houfes.j all 
 which I hope had their fervice. At Truro in 
 
 Cornwall,.
 
 25 
 
 Cornwall, I had a fatisfaftory meeting, although 
 the people at that town had heretofore manifefted 
 their diflike to Friends labouring among them ; but 
 they behaved pretty peaceably now, and I had caufe 
 to believe my fervice in this meeting tended to open 
 the way for the circular yearly meeting to be held 
 here; which it was in the year 1752, much to the 
 fatisfaftion of Friends. At Bath, in my return, I 
 was concerned to appoint a meeting for the ftrangers 
 in town (it being the feafon for drinking the waters); 
 to which fome of them came, and it was a memorable 
 opportunity, the power of truth being exalted to the 
 reducing of their light and airy fpirits, to fome degree 
 of folidity; for which my foul bowed in thankfulnefs 
 to Him who calls to and qualifies for his fervice. In 
 this meeting a man fat oppofite to me, who wrote 
 by intervals while I was fpeaking, and I appre- 
 hended was taking down what I faid ; but my fpirit 
 was borne above looking at that, being bound to 
 the teftimony of truth. 
 
 After flaying about a week at Briflol, I went for 
 the Welfh yearly meeting, wkieh which was held 
 this year at Brecknock, being accompanied by John 
 Curtis, a valuable minifter of Briftol, and divers 
 other Friends. In our way we appointed meetings 
 at Caerleon. Pontypool, and Abergavenny ; at the 
 firft of which places, I could not find that there had 
 ever been a meeting before; but the people behaved 
 well, and I hope it ended to the fatisfa&ion of the 
 fenfible friends prefent. It was held upon a Firft- 
 
 day
 
 26 
 
 day in the afternoon; and while we \vcre in it, a 
 number of peopk were going about the ilrcet with 
 a .fiddle ; it being the cuftpm in fome places in 
 Wales, after what they call divine fervice, to en- 
 pertain themfelves with mufick, or other diverfions. 
 What an inconfiftency 1 
 
 That at Abergavenny was large, and I hope of 
 fervice, in opening the way of the teftimony 
 ainoogft the people. Here a Preibyterian preacher 
 made fome difturbance in the clofe of it. I thought 
 his aim was to cloud the do&rine which had been 
 preached, and fo prevent the people from being 
 ihaken thereby from their old femiments; but he 
 was blamed by them, and I hope miffed his end. 
 I had not much publick fervice at Brecknock, yet 
 was glad I was there, for indeed it was a humbling 
 time to me. For although, in proportion to my gift 
 and experience, the Almighty had eminently fa- 
 voured me in this journey ; yet, on beholding the 
 fervice and conduct of fome other of his miniftere, 
 and comparing mine with them, I was led to look 
 upon myfelf but as a mean inftrument, and greatly 
 to eileem thefe my elders in the truth. O ! how 
 fecretly does the Lord work, to the purifying of the 
 hearts of fuch of his fervants who defire to be di- 
 veiled of every high thought, and humbly to cafl 
 down their crowns at his feet: which was the ar- 
 dent prayer of my foul, from thefcnfe of the mifer* 
 able lofs fome had fuilained. in being puffed up 
 with felf-conceit and the .eflcem of the people ; 
 
 which
 
 27 
 
 I have feen to be a very fallacious line to 
 meafure one's felf by: for fometicies that which is 
 highly applauded by them, is reproved by that 
 Spirit which fearcheth all things. 
 
 From Brecknock I returned to Briflol yearly- 
 meeting, from whence I thought of returning home; 
 but, to my great difapp ointment, a concern reded 
 upon me to proceed to the yearly meeting at Lon- 
 don> in company with Rachel Wilfon, who came 
 with me from Brecknock, and was without any 
 companion in the miniftry. This brought a great 
 txercife upon my mind, under the confideration of 
 the concern it would bring upon my relations; who 
 I knew were defirous that I might fteadily move in 
 the counfel of God ; and perhaps might fear my 
 tunning too faft, which I alfo dreaded ; but find- 
 ing I could not otherwiie be eafy, I advifcd with 
 ibme friends, and particularly with my ancient and 
 honourable friend, Benjamin Kidd, who encouraged 
 me therein. 
 
 The Briflol yearly meeting ended fatisfaclorily, 
 many valuable minifters attended it, and the tefti- 
 mony of Truth was meafurably exalted. It had 
 pleafed the Lord in the feveral times I had been in 
 this city, to favour me with confiderable liberty in 
 the exercife of my gift, whereby a door was opened 
 to me in the minds of Friends there ; which favour 
 I hope I received with due thankfulnefs: 
 
 Being clear of Briftol, I proceeded to London 
 attending feveral meetings in. the way appointed
 
 28 
 
 by Rachel Wilfon ; at one of which we met 
 with our valuable friend, Daniel Stanton from 
 America, with whom we went in company to Lon- 
 don ; where we were affe&ionately received by 
 many Friends, and I had good ground to believe 
 my coming to that city, was in the will and wifdom 
 of the Almighty, though greatly in a crofs to my 
 own. 
 
 After the yearly meeting, I returned dire&ly 
 home, through mercy in peace, and was there 
 gladly received by my dear mother, &c. 
 
 Upon a review of this journey, I found abundant 
 caufe to adore the wifdom, love, and care, of the 
 heavenly Shepherd; which was eminently mani- 
 fefted in his conducting, dealing with, and pre- 
 ferving, me, a poor weak inexperienced child. The 
 many dangers I had efcaped, the many deep exer- 
 cifes I had been fupported under, with the multi- 
 tude of favours conferred on fo unworthy an ob- 
 jeft, (truck me with admiration, and raifed this 
 acknowledgement, that He " had not dealt with 
 " me according to my defert, but according to the 
 " multitude of his mercies." 
 
 My return from this journey was in the Fourth 
 month (old ftile), 1750. I (laid about home until 
 the fall of the year, when I found my mind drawn 
 to Bath, principally on the account of fuch as re- 
 forted thither to drink the waters ; to which city 
 I went, and fpent a few weeks therein, and at 
 Briflol, &c. I hope profitably. I patted the winter 
 
 of
 
 29 
 
 of this year chiefly at and about home, and amongft 
 my relations. 
 
 In the fpring of the year 1751, I attended the 
 yearly meeting for Wales, held at Newport in 
 Shropfhire, which was large and divinely favoured. 
 My dear friend Samuel Fothergill attended it, to 
 whom I imparted a concern, which I had for fomc 
 time been under, of vifiting Ireland; in which he 
 encouraged me, and advifed that I would endeavour 
 to get to Dublin half-year's meeting; and I had 
 afterwards caufe to believe his advice was right ; 
 for, although I did not arrive timely to attend it, 
 yet, had I not come in time to have confulted Mary 
 Peifley before fhe left the city, I might not have 
 been favoured with her company. Accordingly 
 I very foon fet forward, my brother accom- 
 panying me to Liverpool, and feeing me on .board 
 a veffel bound for Dublin, in which he left me 
 to the protection of Providence. We failed down 
 the harbour, but the wind proving contrary, lay 
 that night at anchor, and the next day returned to 
 Liverpool; where I was content to wait, until He 
 who fent me forth was pleafed to afford the means 
 of my releafe from my native land ; which was in 
 a few days, when I was favoured with a good 
 paiTage, for which my fpirit was thankful. I took 
 up my lodgings in Dublin at John Barclay's, by 
 whom, though perfonally unknown, I was kindly 
 received. 
 
 Soon
 
 30 
 
 Soon after I landed I heard that ray dear friend 
 Mary Peifley was in town. I told her that, as I 
 was without a companion, I fliould he glad if flic 
 could find freedom to go with me a part of the 
 journey ; to which flic faid little then, but before flie 
 Jeft the city, fhe informed me that flie had for fome 
 time felt drawings to vifit the weftern and northern 
 provinces, and was -iree to join me in thefe parts; 
 with which I thankfully concurred. It is worthy 
 remark-ing, that the evening before I landed, ftie 
 being under the influence of heavenly goodnefs, 
 and in that ilate reiigned to go this journey, it 
 appeared to her that a companion would be fent 
 iicr from 'England. Thus does the Lord mercifully 
 provide all things neceffary for fuch as truft in him, 
 and are willing to follow whitherfoever he leads 
 them. 
 
 Mary Peifley returned home from Dublin, in or- 
 der to prepare for the journey. I ilaid a few 
 days, and then left it with an intention to vifit two 
 meetings in the county of Wicklow, and return 
 %ack to the city. Several Friends accompanied 
 me in a coach, which I mention as being fmgularly 
 providential, for the day we left town I was taken 
 ill; but as a meeting was appointed at Wicklow, 
 we went forward, and reached the place that night, 
 'Next day I was much worfe, yet attended the 
 meeting and had fome little fervice therein, though 
 under a heavy load of ficknefs ; which continuing, 
 1 returned the next day to Dublin (which I could 
 2 not
 
 31 
 
 not have done on horfeback), where I was laid up 
 for about two weeks; in all which time my mmd 
 tvas remarkably reiigned to this difpenfation of Pro- 
 vidence ; feeling iweet peace in giving up to come 
 the journey, even if it were the Lord's will I iliouid 
 lay down my natural life in that city, having a com* 
 fortable hope that it would have been in peace ; 
 but as he faw meet, in wifdom and mercy, to ra-ife 
 jne from this {late of weaknefs, my -earneft deftre 
 vas, that my longer continuance in mutability might 
 be to the honour of his ever worthy name. 
 
 In the time of my indifpofitioa, I lodged at Ro- 
 bert Clibborn's, whofe wife was exceedingly tender 
 of me. John Barclay and two more in his family 
 "Were ill, which rendered it improper for me to re- 
 turn to his houfe. I (laid fome little time ra DubHa 
 to recover my ilrength, and my friend John Bar- 
 Delay's indifpofition proving mortal, I attended the 
 meeting held on account of his funeral; which was 
 'very large, and attended wich a good degree of fo- 
 lemnity. After this, I left the city accompanied 
 by a folid young woman, named Elizabeth Carlton, 
 not in the miniftry, who was with me about three 
 weeks ; in which time I paiTed through the meetings 
 of Friends in the counties of Curlow andWexford, 
 to Waterford j where I w r as met by my dear friend 
 Mary Peifley, who was my companion through moft 
 of the remainder of this journey : and I had catrfe 
 thankfully to acknowledge - the mercy of Provi- 
 dence in aiTording me one fo fteady and expe- 
 
 rienced.
 
 32 
 
 rienced, from whofe conduct I might gather inftruo 
 tion. We travelled together in great unity and 
 affection, which rendered the trials we met with in 
 the journey the more eafy. Thefe were confider- 
 able, refuhing in part from the nature of our 
 -lervices ; which were moflly pointed to the flates 
 jof perfons or meetings, and expofed us to cenfurc 
 from fpirits unfubjecled to the power of truth ; 
 :but our good Matter fupported us through all, and 
 nearly united our fpirits to the living confcientious 
 profeffors of it, in that nation. It was fometimes 
 any lot in this journey to appoint meetings in places 
 where there were none of our Society, in which I 
 had the unity of my companion and friend j and 
 .they moflly ended to fatisfaftion, the Almighty 
 proportioning wifdom and flrength to the occafions. 
 .The 2yth of the Seventh month I returned to 
 Dublin, in hope that I might in a few days take 
 my paffagc . for my native land , but two women 
 friends from England, who had been vifiting Ire- 
 land, being expected in town foon, and to return 
 home, I was free to wait a little for their com- 
 pany ; . but therein was difappointed, for one of the 
 friends got a fall from her horfe in Dublin flreet, 
 by which fhe was difabled from purfuing her in,- 
 tention of going home. So I put to fea, but the 
 wind proving contrary, we were forced back, after 
 having been beating againfl it almofl four days^ 
 This funk my fpirits confiderably, but on my return 
 fervice opened for me, arid the wind being fli-11 
 
 contrary,
 
 33 
 
 contrary, I took a little turn in the country to 
 fatisfacHon, and attended the province meeting for 
 Leinfter, where I was met by my dear friend Mary 
 Peifley; with whom I went to her father's houfe, 
 and {laid about a week, and we went in company 
 to the half-year's meeting at Dublin ; in which fo- 
 lemnity I was favoured to minifler in the authority 
 of truth ; and after taking an affe&ionate leave of 
 my near friends, and efpecially of my companion, 
 who was iiill more near to me in the union of the 
 divine Spirit, I failed for England the 1 2th of the 
 Ninth month, 1751,* arrived at Parkgate i4th, 
 and reached home the i6th, to the mutual rejoicing 
 of myfelf and relations. 
 
 After my return my fpirit refted fome time in a 
 quiet fettlement, and great enjoyment in the truth j 
 which was an abundant compenfation for all my 
 labour and fufferings attending the journey. Be- 
 fore I left Ireland, I found my mind drawn to vifit 
 the quarterly meeting of minifters and elders in the 
 province of Uliler by an Epiftle ; and' foon after 
 my return home, I was alfo concerned to write a 
 
 * It feems worthy of noting, that although I did not mak 
 my paffage when I firft went to fea, my attempting it might 
 have been of ufe to the captain, who was a religious-minded 
 man, with whom I had converfation. He fuffered no profane 
 language aboard his veffel. He faid he had difficulty to pre- 
 vent it, but he made it a rule ; and that the failors might obey 
 his orders, fometimes afeed their advice, and when they con- 
 curred with him in judgment, they quietly fubroitted to orders. 
 
 c few
 
 34 
 
 Few lines to a people at Cardiff in Wales, -who 
 had in part relinquifhed their former profeffions of 
 religion, and fat together in filence, but were in an 
 unfettled ftate. 
 
 This winter I found my mind drawn in the love 
 of truth to vifit the meetings of Friends in London, 
 and experienced true peace in the difcharge of that 
 duty. My fervice was acceptable to Friends, and 
 I returned home in thankfulnefs of heart to the 
 Lord, unto whom is due the praife of all his works. 
 I lodged with my former fchoolmiftrefs, Rachel 
 Trafford, who now rejoiced in receiving me as a 
 minifler of Chrift. 
 
 Thus far have I wrote as things have been re- 
 vived in my remembrance, having made little or no 
 minutes, whilft on my journies, of my labours and 
 cxercifes j but in my next journey which was into 
 Scotland, my mind feerned dire&ed to make fome 
 remarks as I went along ; which, as they are ex- 
 preflive of the nature of my fervice, and the 
 manner wherein divine Wifdom led me in the va- 
 rious changes of fcafons, I infert almoft entire. 
 
 CHAP. III.
 
 35 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Some Minutes of my yourney into Scotland, in Com- 
 pany with Mary Abbot, of Northampton/hire. 
 
 ON the 3d of the Fourth month, 1752 (new 
 (tile), we went to Coalbrook Dale, and had 
 a meeting there the fame evening, in which we 
 had good fatisfaftion : the teflimony of truth flowed 
 to the youth, fome of whom were carried away 
 with the vanities of this world, and the tender feed 
 of life in them was opprefled. 
 
 The 4th, we went to Shrewsbury, and that 
 evening, accompanied by fome friends of the town, 
 vifited two friends who were imprifoned for tithes : 
 in which vifit we were favoured with the flowings 
 of the refrefhing dreams of divine love, wherein 
 the fpirits of fome of us were united and comforted. 
 
 The 5th, being the Firft of the week, we at- 
 tended two meetings in that town. In the morning, 
 the teflimony of truth was in a good degree fet 
 over the minds of the people of other focieties, as 
 well as of our own ; although there is in this place 
 a dark fpirit ; but the Lord was gracioufly pleafed 
 to bear our Ipirits above it. 
 
 In the afternoon, a pretty many people of other 
 
 focieties came in ; but it confifted with infinite wif- 
 
 c 2 dom
 
 36 
 
 dom to difappoint their expectations ; and as I 
 abode in filence, I had peace. I thought the caufc 
 of this trial might be an example to one of that 
 place, who was forward to minifter, but without 
 divine authority. 
 
 In the evening, we again vifited the prifoners ; 
 and the 6th, went towards Warrington, where we 
 came the yth, and fo proceeded the 8th and 9th 
 to the quarterly meeting at Lancafter ; wherein 
 I thought the expectation of the people was con- 
 iiderable towards me, who was a ftranger in the 
 country; under which I fuffered, but patiently bore 
 my teftimony in filence ; being deeply affe&ed 
 with a fenfe of the prevalency of that fpirit which 
 would exalt the creature. I was refreihed under 
 the miniftry of that deep and experienced fervant of 
 Jefus Chrift, John Churchman of America, whom, 
 with his companion John Pemberton, we met at 
 this place. 
 
 The i ith, we went to Kendal, where the quar- 
 terly meeting for Weftmoreland was held ; wherein 
 John Churchman had good fervicc, but I was flill 
 pretty much filent j in which difpenfation I felt the 
 refining power of the Almighty near, and was fenfibk 
 of its -fervice, in emptying "my foul of old things, 
 and preparing it for the frelh reception of the open- 
 ings of truth. 
 
 The 1 3th, in company with John Churchman, 
 and many other friends, we fet forward for the yearly 
 meeting for the four northern counties, which was 
 
 held-
 
 37 
 
 held this year at Carlifle. In our way thither my* 
 felf and companion (laid a meeting at Penrith, 
 which was previoufly appointed by Kendal friends, 
 and was attended by many people of other focieties ; 
 and I believe would have been of good fervice, had 
 it not been for fome, with whom difcerning Friends 
 had not unity, intruding into the fervice of the mi- 
 niftry. 
 
 At Carlifle, my fpirit was fet at liberty, and I 
 laboured weightily, and was much favoured in the 
 enlargement of truth. There feemed a great 
 ilruggle between the two powers of light and dark- 
 nefs, and what greatly added to the exercife of 
 fenfible Friends was, that the power of darknefs 
 difcovered itfelf in the appearance of miniflry, 
 through fome deluded fpirits; but, through divine 
 ivour, truth had the afcendency. 
 
 We ftaid at Carlifle over the next Firfl-day, in 
 which time we vifited feveral families of Friends to 
 fatisfaclion : the meetings on the Firft-day were at- 
 tended by many of the town's people, and we were 
 favoured with an evidence of being in our proper 
 place and fervice, which was renewed caufe of 
 thankfulnefs. 
 
 From the 2oth to the 23d, we vifited feveral 
 meetings in Cumberland, wherein the expe&ation 
 of the people was great ; but my fatisfa&ion and 
 rejoicing flood in abiding with the feed of God, 
 which being oppreiTed in the fouls of fome pro- 
 c 3 fefibrs
 
 38 
 
 fcffors of truth, the teftimony of it did not rife in 
 fuch authority, as at fome other times. 
 
 The 24th, we went a long day's journey to 
 Kelfo in Scotland, at which place my fpirit was 
 forely diftreffed on account of truth's being almoft 
 forfaken by its profefibrs, who were but few in that 
 town. We got fome comfort in vifiting a fick friend, 
 whofe fon and hufband we thought in a hopeful 
 way. 
 
 The syth, we went to Ormflon, and in the way 
 thither, my mind was drawn to the eaftward ; but 
 when we came to our quarters, I could fee but little 
 likelihood of getting any affiftance in vifiting the 
 people that way. 
 
 The 28th, we had a meeting at Ormfton, which 
 was exceedingly crowded, but fatisfaftory. Being 
 ftill thoughtful about the people to the eaflward, 
 John Chrifty (at whofe houfe we lodged) told me 
 that if I would ftay till the 3oth, he would accom- 
 pany me to any one place I fhould choofe; which 
 I was free to do, and we went to North Berwick, 
 where I knew not that any meeting of Friends had 
 been held before. We had a dark fpirit in fome 
 to encounter, before we could get a place to meet 
 in, but at laft we got a large granary. My fpirit 
 was inexpreflibly loaded before meeting, but in pa- 
 tience bent towards the centre of its flrength, in 
 which flate I went to the meeting. There came 
 many people, and I admired at the folidity of their 
 
 behaviour.
 
 39 
 
 behaviour. The Lord was with us, and exalted 
 the teftimony of his truth, and we left the town in 
 great fatisfa&iou, and I hope true thankfulnefs. 
 
 We returned that night to Ormfton, and the 
 next day, the ift of the Fifth month, went to Edin- 
 burgh, where we lodged at William Miller's. We 
 attended the meetings in that city on the next Firft- 
 day. That in the morning was pretty large, al- 
 though there are very few who profefs with us in 
 that city, and although cloudy in the beginning, 
 yet the Almighty was pleafed to favour in the con- 
 clufion, in exalting the teftimony of his truth. In 
 the afternoon the houfe was exceedingly crowded, 
 and the people very unfettled ; but after a long 
 time of exercife, life rofe meafurably, wherein the 
 fpring of gofpel miniftry was opened. 
 
 The 5th, we went to Linlithgow, where was no- 
 meeting of Friends. We got a fmall meeting in an 
 inn with the town's people, which was low, though 
 not quite dead ; and returned at night to Edin- 
 burgh, having travelled about twenty-eight Scotch 
 miles that day. In the morning before I fet out, I 
 found myfelf very poorly, and in the journey I got 
 worfe, and the next day ftill worfe; yet I attended 
 a meeting which was appointed for the profefTors of 
 truth only, whofe ftates were moftly diftrefling, a 
 libertine fpirit having carried away the youth, and 
 an eafy indifferent one prevailing amongft thofe far- 
 ther advanced in years j both which were fpoken 
 
 
 to. 
 
 C 4 My
 
 40 
 
 My illnefs flill increafedj and, proving a fever, re- 
 duced me to a ftate of great weaknefs, and I ex- 
 perienced much poverty of fpirit; but my frequent 
 petition to the Almighty was for patience, and he 
 was pleafed to favour me with quietnefs and re- 
 fignation. 
 
 The 25th, we went from Edinburgh towards the 
 north. I was ftill very weak, but gradually ga- 
 thered ilrength, and was encouraged to preis for- 
 ward ; which I did as far as there were any meetings 
 of Friends, and returned to England by way of 
 Perth and Glafgow. The number of Friends in 
 Scotland is final), and the life of truth low in fome 
 of them; but among the few, there are fome who 
 (land as monuments of the divine power, in this 
 barren and almoft defolate land ; wherein however 
 there is an open door in many places, to preach the 
 gofpel to thofe not profelling with us. 
 
 From Glafgow we went to Carliile without hold- 
 ing any meetings. The firll night we lodged at Stir- 
 ling, where my fpirit was exercifed refpe&ing the 
 holding of a meeting ; but having only one young 
 man with us, not the mod fteady as a Friend, and 
 it appearing to be a high profeffing place, I fuffered 
 cowardice to prevail, which occafioned future dif- 
 trefs : there was time enough for an evening meet- 
 ing after we came to our inn ; and I think the 
 landlord would have granted us his large dining- 
 room. In the morning we proceeded forward, a 
 long day's journey, and dangerous roads ; lodged 
 
 atv
 
 41 
 
 at a very poor lonely Scotch inn upon a chaiFbed ; 
 our bed-room a ground floor, and no fattening to 
 the door ; and there being men in the houfe drink- 
 ing, we were not quite eafy with our fituation, but 
 through divine favour, we went to fleep, and were 
 preferved from harm. We rode through much 
 heavy rain from Glafgow to this place, which had 
 fwelled the river Erfk fo much, that it was not 
 thought fafe to attempt to pafs it the night we 
 came there; but next morning we croiTed it in two 
 branches: it had a dreadful appearance, the water 
 looked very muddy, the dream wide, deep, and ra- 
 pid ; but we had careful guides, and through fa- 
 vour of Providence got fafe over the lyth of the 
 Sixth month, and came to Carlifle the fame day. 
 And here I may note to the honour of Scotland, 
 that in all the time I was in it, I do not recolleft 
 hearing an oath or a curfe uttered, except the word 
 faith might be accounted an oath, which was fpoken 
 by a foldier. Alas, for England ! the ftreets of 
 whofe towns echo with mofl profane language, to 
 the (ham e and condemnation of its magistrates, as 
 well as its wicked inhabitants. At Carliile I parted 
 from my companion, who was concerned to vifit 
 fome of the northern counties, and I, to attend 
 the quarterly meeting at York ; where I came the 
 22d, taking meetings in my way, at Penrith, Raby, 
 and Haby. The laft, being a monthly meeting, was 
 pretty large, and I belie/e many fouls were re- 
 frcfhed therein: the teftimony of truth role in con- 
 
 fiderabkt
 
 42 
 
 fiderable flrcngth and clearnefs; and the meeting 
 concluded in a fenfe of heavenly fweetnefs, which 
 was again renewed in the women's meeting. My 
 fpirit was humbly bowed in thankfulnefs, that my 
 lot was cad there that day. 
 
 At York I met with my dear friend Ann Fothcr- 
 gill from London, and many other friends whom I 
 dearly loved, who were glad to fee me returned to 
 my native land, the more fo from a report having 
 prevailed in England, that I was dead.* Here my 
 mind was turned to confider the wonderful loving- 
 kindnefs of Providence manifefted in this journey; 
 and, confidering my weak ftate of health through a 
 great part of it, I thought it miraculous that I 
 fhould fo foon accomplifli itj fuch a fatigue feem- 
 ing no way proportioned to my ftrength. But 
 with God all things are pofUble ; therefore have 
 his fervants caufe to trufl in his holy arm of powet. 
 
 The quarterly meeting at York was mercifully 
 attended with the prefence of the Matter of our 
 folemn affemblies ; the teftimony of truth was ex- 
 alted, and the fpirits of his people united in gofpel 
 fellowfliip. 
 
 The 25th, I went to Malton, accompanied by my 
 dear friend Sarah Taylor of Manchefter. We had a 
 
 * I think it worthy noting, that Samuel Fothergill, being at 
 London yearly-meeting, when this report was current, on a 
 friend's bringing him a fuppofed confirmation of the truth of 
 it, paufed awhile, and bid her tell the perfon who informed 
 her, from him, She is not dead ; which was foon confirmed by 
 aa account from Scotland. 
 
 meeting
 
 43 
 
 meeting there that evening, and the 26th went to 
 Scarborough, and that evening vifited a young 
 man, who I thought was near his end ; but we 
 had little to fay to him, his condition being lament- 
 ably ftupid. I thought intemperance was the caufe 
 of his indifpofition, and found afterwards I was not 
 miftaken. O ! the deplorable effe&s of this de- 
 grading vice on the body, foul, and temporal fub- 
 ftance, of numbers who unhappily indulge in it; 
 whofe faculties are debafed below thofe of the 
 brute animals ; and fo {lupified as not to be roufed 
 to the moft important work of their foul's falvation. 
 It lays men open to every temptation, and reduces 
 many from opulent circumilances to extreme po- 
 verty. It is deftru&ive of every delicate focial en- 
 joyment ; it often emaciates the body, deprives 
 the foul of its highefl good, the divine Prefence, 
 whilft in time; and if continued to the end of it, 
 finally excludes it from Chrifl's pure kingdom of 
 everlafting blifs. Alas! that men fliould indulge 
 in it to their fhame. Solomon faith truly, * " Wine 
 " is a mocker, flrong drink is raging, and whofo- 
 " ever is deceived thereby is not wife ;" again, 
 " f Who hath wo ? who hath forrow ? who hath 
 " contentions? who hath babbling? who hath 
 " wounds without caufe ? who hath rednefs of 
 " eyes ? They that tarry long at the wine, that go 
 *' to feek mixt wine. Look not thou upon the 
 " wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour 
 
 . * Pro. xx. i. f Ibid xxiii. 29, 30, 31, and 32. 
 
 "in
 
 44 
 
 *' in the cup, when it moveth itfelf aright. At the 
 " laft it hiteth like a fcrpcnt, and ftingeth like an 
 adder/' 
 
 The 27th, being Firft-day, we attended the 
 meetings. In the morning, we were much fa- 
 voured with the evidence of truth in our fervice : 
 feveral were there not of our Society who behaved 
 well, and I believe went away fatisiied. My con- 
 cern was to fliew them the difference betwixt true 
 and falfe faith, and the tendency of each ; with 
 fome other truths, which immediately opened in my 
 tinderftanding. In the afternoon, the meeting was 
 large, but the Lord faw meet to difappoint the ex- 
 pectations of the people, and manifeft both to them 
 and us, that without him we can do nothing in 
 his fervice; for neither of us had a word to fay to 
 them; but I was concerned in fupplication, and was 
 abundantly rewarded, in fubmitting quietly to this 
 difpenfation of divine wifdom. In the evening, we 
 vifited two friends who could not attend meetings, 
 by reafon of age or indifpofition ; and next morning, 
 another friend in a very low eftate of mind, with 
 whom we had a good opportunity, and left him 
 better than we found him; and I afterwards heard 
 that from that time, he was reflored. That afternoon 
 we departed in peace from Scarborough, and re- 
 turned to Malton, fo to York, Leeds, Rawden, 
 Bradford, and Halifax; in all which places I met 
 with a ihare of exercifes, and, I thought, was mofUj 
 very low in the miniftry; but had the confolation to 
 
 believe
 
 45 
 
 believe that- what I Hammered out was fuited to 
 the dates of the people ; which is a proof of true 
 minidry. 
 
 The yth of the Seventh month, we came to 
 Manchester, where I left Sarah Taylor; the loth, 
 I went to Warrington, and had a meeting there 
 that evening, wherein I was filent as to teflimony. 
 
 The i ith, I went to Liverpool, in my way flopped 
 to take fome refrefhment at Prefcot, and found my 
 mind exercifed for the people of that town, wherein- 
 there was no meeting of Friends ; but went on for 
 Liverpool, and next day was at two meetings there, 
 and vifited a friend in didrefs, in all which I had 
 good fatisfaclion. In the evening, finding a con- 
 cern for Prefcot dill to remain, I propofed to 
 Friends, the having of a meeting there the next 
 morning, in my way to Warrington; which, though 
 fome difficulty was darted, was accomplished, and a 
 bleiTed opportunity it was ; the Lord's power being 
 largely revealed, and the people behaving folidly, 
 although I fuppofe, a meeting of Friends had not 
 been held in the town for very many years. 
 
 In the evening, I had a meeting in Warrington. 
 The 1 4th, I went to Morley, my dear friend Samuel 
 Fothergill, and feveral other friends accompanying 
 me, and divers others meeting us fromMancheder: 
 and the Lord, in his wonderful mercy, was pleafed 
 to open the frefla fpring of his love, and favour us. 
 with a fweet opportunity together therein : in 3 
 thankful fenfe whereof we parted from each other; 
 
 and
 
 46 
 
 and I came, by way of Stafford and Atherfton, 
 home the 2oth, where I was gladly received by 
 my dear and worthy mother, &c. After fomc 
 little time of fettlement, my mind was dire&ed to 
 take a view of my late journey, in the courfe 
 whereof I difcovered the wonderful loving-kindnefs 
 of God largely manifefted; but was for a time- 
 much diflrefTed on account of not having had a 
 meeting at Stirling, as before hinted: under which 
 diflrefs my foul ardently delired that for the fu- 
 ture I might be careful to difcharge my duty ; for 
 I found it a heavy burden not to be clear from the 
 blood of the people. 
 
 In a few weeks after my return from this jour- 
 ney I went to our quarterly meeting at Shipfton ; 
 whih was eminently favoured with the prefence of 
 the Mod High. 
 
 In the fall of the year I was obliged to accom- 
 pany my fitter to Bath, for the benefit of her 
 health; in which city I was the moft affeftingly 
 dipped into a ftate of poverty, that ever I had 
 known myfelf to be, which, being joined by great 
 weakntfs of body, was hard to bear, yet I believe 
 not without its peculiar fervice. 
 
 I vifited Briftol meeting twice in this journey, 
 where I was made to tafte of the poverty and weab- 
 nefs, which appears in many there, through unfaith- 
 fulnefs. It was indeed a time of mourning to the 
 fervams of the Lord, while thofe who were the 
 caufe of it required of them a fong ; but they were 
 
 conflrained "
 
 47 
 
 eonftrained for the mod part to bear their burdens 
 in folemn filence. 
 
 At Bath I fuffered much under a libertine fpirit, 
 which was very apparent both amongfl thofe who 
 profeffed truth, and others in that place. I had fe- 
 veral teftimonies of clofe reproof to bear to friends, 
 and fome pretty open fervice with Grangers in town, 
 and upon the whole had caufe of thankfulnefs ad- 
 miniflered; the Lord rewarding my faithfulnefs and 
 fufferings with peace in the end ; and I returned 
 home in a much better ftate of health than I left it; 
 the ufe of the waters having been of fervice to me, 
 though of little to my fifter. But now another trial 
 of faith came upon me, which was the near ap- 
 proach of a vifit to Friends in America, which had 
 appeared in profpeft for about a year j with an ap- 
 prehenfion that I muft go with my dear friend 
 Mary Peifley, who I believed was preparing for 
 that fervice : yet I never gave her any hint of ac- 
 companying her, being defirous that if it muft be 
 my lot, it might be evidently pointed by the finger 
 of Providence. 
 
 On my return home I received a letter from her, 
 wherein (lie defired to be informed, whether I 
 knew of any woman friend going to America from 
 England, and hinted her concern for that quarter 
 of the world. This ftuck clofe to my mind, -yet I 
 kept it to myfelf for feveral weeks, and then com- 
 municated it to my dear mother, who heard it with 
 
 a becoming
 
 48 
 
 a becoming refignation, telling me it was not en- 
 tirely unexpe&ed to her. 
 
 And although it was exceeding hard, to the na- 
 tural part in her, thus to part with me in her de- 
 clining years; efpecially as (lie fo tenderly loved 
 me as a child, as well as in the truth ; (he freely 
 gave me up to the divine requiring, earneftly de- 
 firing that the Lord might be my dire&er and pre- 
 ferver. 
 
 Upon this, I wrote to my dear friend Mary 
 Peifley. Some extracts of my letter to her, with 
 her anfwer, follow. 
 
 Catherine Payton to Mary Peijley. 
 
 My dear friend, 
 
 It is not becaufe I forgot thy affe&ionate requdl 
 of hearing from me foon, that I have fo long poft> 
 poned a reply to thy lail acceptable favour ; but 
 when it came here I was from home (as I hope 
 fhou art already advifed by a few lines I wrote 
 from Bath), and the fequel of this will difcover my 
 reafon for not writing thee immediately on my re- 
 turn. 
 
 With pleafure I obferved that thy health was 
 tetter than heretofore, and hope the bleiling is 
 ftill continued, fo that by the affiftance. of heavenly 
 oodnefs, thou haft been and flill maycfl be capa- 
 ble to perform the duty required, with a degree of 
 .eafe and cheerfulnefs, to which a good fhare of 
 
 health
 
 49 
 
 health greatly contributes; although it muft becon- 
 feffed with humble gratitude, that the Lord is to 
 his fervants ftrength in weaknefs, of body as well 
 mind. 
 
 What we have feen of the exaltation of his 
 arm of power in this refpect, may encourage us to 
 perfeverance, and a fteady dependency thereon; 
 and filence the voice of nature, which fometimes 
 infmuates that we are not able to perform what 
 is required; for we have good caufe to believe no- 
 thing is impoffible with Him who has called us; but, 
 through his power communicated, we may perfectly 
 perform his will. And fuppofe our race to be at- 
 tended with weaknefs, pain, anxious concern, tra- 
 vail of foul, and inconveniency to the body; can it 
 ever equal the incomparable fufferings of the Cap- 
 tain of our falvation ? Oh ! how does the con- 
 fideration of the tribulating path he invariably 
 trod, ftifle the pleadings for eafe and pleafure ? For 
 fhall we, who dare to afpire to no higher title than 
 fervants, expect to be better accommodated than 
 was our Lord ? Shall we fupinely fettle in the out- 
 ward poifeflions afforded us, when he laborioufly 
 trod the wine-prefs alone, and that for our fakes? He 
 was deftitute of a place of refidence, and had not 
 where to lay his head, though Lord of all ; and 
 although he could limit the power of Satan, yea, 
 totally bind him, yet fuffered the contradiction of 
 fmners againfl himfelf, as well as a feries of deep 
 temptations. Let us be united to the fufFerings in- 
 D - finite
 
 50 
 
 finite Wifdom allots, remembering the bleffuig dropt 
 on fuch as endure affli&ions. 
 
 I know to whom I am writing, and believe that 
 thou art much farther advanced than myfelf in this 
 glorious refignation to the divine will ; but thus 
 much I may fay, that, as I have feen, in a degree, 
 into this happy flate of conflant devotion, I ardently 
 tlefire to be made a partaker therein. 
 
 I rejoice to find that unity, and fympathy of fpirit, 
 which fo reimarkably attended us when prefenr, 
 fubfifts now abfent; and thought my wifh in my 
 laft was anfwered in the fenfe thou hadft of my 
 ftate. Oh ! may we both be preferved near to the 
 fountain of life, and then we mud be near each 
 other in the fellowfhip of the gofpel, which diftance 
 of fpace cannot hinder, nor time efface; but it will 
 centre with our fpirits in that unchangeable ftate of 
 felicity we humbly hope for. 
 
 I now come to anfwer thy laft requeft, which 
 will fhew the caufe of my filence, viz. Whether 
 I know of any woman friend who was going from 
 England to America. I told thee I had a him 
 
 of 's inclination, the fame I had of , but 
 
 knpw not that either is more than fuppofition, for 
 I do not hear that either are preparing to fet for- 
 ward, and have heard of no one elfe. 
 
 But my dear friend, I am almoft at a lofs to find 
 terms to exprefs the laborious thought which has 
 poflefled my foul ; for it feems to me, that Provi- 
 dence de%ns I ibould accompany theej unto which, 
 
 * if
 
 51 
 
 if way may be made for me, and an unqueftionable 
 evidence given that it is right, I am at laft re- 
 iigned ; although it be but to be a fervant of fcr- 
 vants ; but he only knows w r ho*difc overs the in- 
 ward ftruggle betwixt flefli and fpirit, with what 
 rt-Iuftance I (hall, if it muft be fo, part from my 
 dear relations, efpecially my dear and honoured 
 mother, unto whom I have communicated the pain-* 
 ful thought. She heard it with becoming refigna- 
 tion, being determined to give me up to the di- 
 vine requiring ; only defires to be convinced it is 
 fuch, which I hope is but an allowable requeft. 
 I hive waited to have the thing a little fettled on 
 her mind, and ihe yefterday gave me leave to in- 
 form thee of it. 
 
 And now my dear friend, I intreat thee to weigh 
 it well, and as diiintereftedly as poflible, and give me 
 thy thoughts thereupon with all the freedom which 
 our friendihip, and the nature of the cafe, requires, 
 not concealing one doubt; for I am exceedingly 
 afraid of being deceived, and would willingly be 
 convinced, if this appearance is but for the proving 
 of my fubmiiTion. But however it may be, I find 
 peace in (landing refigned, and trull my good Matter 
 will rightly condu& me. 
 
 Notwithftanding what I have before faid, if any 
 companion offers with whom thou haft freedom to 
 join, pursue thy journey, and leave me to Provi- 
 dence, who, I believe will take care of me. 
 
 D 2 Stw
 
 52 
 
 Some Extrafts of Mary Pel/ley's Letter to Catherine 
 Phillips, in Anfwtr to the foregoing. 
 
 & 
 
 My dearly beloved in the Lord, 
 THIS goes with the falutation of my belt love, 
 and may inform thee, that I received thy two very 
 -acceptable favours of the Tenth and Twelfth 
 -month. The lad came firft to hand, for I did not 
 get that from Bath till laft week ; yet was it very 
 acceptable to me, and a ftronger confirmation of 
 what thou mentions in the latter part of thy laft 
 being right, if my concern is fo. For the baptifm 
 thou there defcribes as into a cloud of darknefs, 
 bears a juft refemblance to what my fpirit paffed 
 through, before I had a diftinft difcerning of the 
 near approach of the journey which is now before 
 me : and agrees with the experience of that great 
 inftrument John Churchman, as he wrote to me 
 before he had any knowledge of my concern, but 
 what he received by fympathy; which was fome 
 (Irength to me, and what I greatly defired. Thy 
 laft came to hand about two \veeks after its date, 
 which I (hould have anfwered fooner, but that I 
 waited for his anfwer, being willing to comply 
 with thy requeft* in confulting him, which I had 
 not done before : and notwithftanding his writing 
 . as he did, his reply was, ' That he had thoughts 
 
 * That part of my letter to Mary Peifley I omitted to tran- 
 fcribe ift the before- written abftraft, 
 
 of
 
 53 
 
 of my being under fuch an exercife, and therc- 
 ' fore my letter was not furprifmg to him ; but that 
 4 he had little to fay to it, well knowing that it is 
 ' fafe for us all to attend to that divine inftru&ion 
 ' which can alone make truly knowing in our leaft 
 * acceptable fervices at home, as well as the mod 
 ' weighty we may be called to abroad ;' but 
 what he did fay was very edifying, and although 
 the concurrence of fuch as him is what we muft 
 naturally defire ; yet to our own Mafter we. muft 
 {land or fall. 
 
 I find it a great trial to my poor father to part 
 with me, but the thoughts of thy going with me 
 has made it much eafier to him; and for my part 
 I may acknowledge it is a favour, neither looked for, 
 nor expe&ed ; it being like forbid me to take any 
 thought about a companion, as well indeed it 
 might, when my kind, good Matter was providing 
 fo agreeably for me. To my kind and good Maf- 
 ter I owe firfl and chief my hearty thanks, for all 
 the benefit received from fecondary caufes. 
 
 But thou mayeft remember, my dear, though I 
 wrote to thee to know if any friend from your 
 nation was likely to go, it was not by way of 
 querying for a companion ; but it fprings on my 
 heart to fay, Thou art the woman, and I really be- 
 lieve the thing is of the Lord; and as we abide 
 in his counfel, I firmly hope that he will blefs us 
 together, and make his work to profper in our 
 hands, if our eye be but fingle to his glory, feeking, 
 D 3 hoping,
 
 54 
 
 hoping, nor defiring, any thing but the advance- 
 ment thereof: and I can affaire thce my dear friend, 
 notwithstanding the love I have for thee in the 
 truth, and the affc&ion which I bear to thy per- 
 fon, with the likenefs of fouls I had difcovered ; 
 yet, did I feel any obftruftion or doubt in my mind 
 of the thing's being right, I dare not conceal it 
 from thee, nor take one ftep knowingly, out of 
 the light and counfel of truth, in fo important an 
 affair; and it is with me juft to fay, " Tempt not 
 " the Lord thy God," in feeking more ftrong and 
 convincing manifestations than he may fee meet to 
 give thee : but be willing to go in faith, leaning OH 
 thy flaff; for I muft tell thee, I think I have 
 brought fufierings on myfelf for fo doing ; for, 
 fmce the time that it was clearly manifefted unto me 
 as a duty, till within thefe few weeks, I have been 
 peaceably refigned ; in which ftate was favoured 
 with great tranquillity of foul, which made me 
 look- on the difficulties and dangers of the journey, 
 with fuch eyes, that I began to fear that I had a 
 will to go, and fo fet my face againfl it, till I had 
 a further manifestation of its being right. And here 
 nature began to pleafe itfelf with many pleafmg 
 profpefts in my ftay; and the enemy was at hand 
 to fugged that the former manifeftation was but 
 to try my love and obedience ; and here I lofl 
 faith, and without it could no more think of going 
 than of removing mountains. Thus did the enemy 
 work as in a myftery, till my fpirit was brought 
 
 into
 
 55 
 
 into fuch darknefs and diftrefs, as is better felt 
 than expreffed. I am now again, by the mercy of 
 God, and by that faith which is his gift, fully re- 
 figned without any further manifeftation ; than in 
 looking that way wherein I fee a little light, 
 peace and comfort to my poor foul ; and in turning 
 any other, fear, pain, and darknefs, meet me. 
 
 Thus, my friend, have I given thee a fliort but 
 true account of the dealings of the Lord with my 
 foul ; which has been the caufe of my filence till 
 this day, for the forepart of this letter was wrote 
 more . than three weeks ago, but could not find 
 flrength to finifh it till now; yet in all that trying 
 feafon had no doubt of thy concern being right. 
 Ah ! what ftates and difpenfations muft we pafs 
 through, who are fitting to fpeak of the Lord's 
 wonders which are feen in the^ deeps! 
 
 If it be my lot to go, the way which now feems 
 pointed to me is, to fpend fome time in Dublin; to 
 go from thence with Friends to the yearly meeting 
 at London ; and, when clear of that city, to take 
 ihipping from thence : this I hope will be accept- 
 able to thee, but if .thou haft any call to Ireland 
 before thou goes, let not this prevent thee. 
 
 After the receipt of this letter I continued to 
 make preparation for the journey, my way being 
 open both in the minds of my relations and friends ; 
 though it was a trial to both to part with me. 
 
 > 4 CHAP.
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Some Minutes of Travels, Labours, and Sufferings 
 in America, &c. 
 
 ON the 4th of the Sixth month, 1753, I took 
 an affe&ing and affectionate farewel of my 
 dear mother and relations, leaving her and them 
 to the protection of Providence; and went, accom- 
 panied with my fitter Ann, to Worcefter. I was 
 at a monthly meeting there the next day, which 
 was laborious and exercifmg, fome Friends being 
 funk into a ftate of indolence, and, though fome- 
 times favoured with a feeling fenfe of divine good, 
 not quickened thereby to aftion in the affairs 
 of the church : and fo the vifitation of heaven is 
 rendered fruitlefs, while the things of this world 
 are purfued with induftry and ardency. Againft this 
 fpirit, I, with fome others, had to teflify, in clofe 
 do&rine and advice; and, although the meeting was 
 dull and painful in the beginning, it ended in a 
 fweet living ftream of fupplication and praife : in 
 which the living prefent, committed each other 
 into the hands of the Almighty for prefervation.
 
 57 
 
 In the women's meeting, I endeavoured for a 
 regulation, that our Chriflian difcipline might be 
 revived, for which a concern had refled upon my 
 mind for fome years : and fome women Friends of 
 this city being under a like exercife, it afforded a 
 comfortable hope, that the Lord would qualify 
 inflruments for this fervice. In the evening, the vi- 
 fitation of infinite goodnefs was renewed to us, and 
 to a few friends who came to vifit us at my dear 
 friend Afhby's, in the fenfe of which we parted. 
 The 6th we went to Evefliam, where we were 
 met by my brother James, and feveral friends from 
 Ireland, who were going to the yearly meeting at 
 London. We ftaid over the monthly meeting there 
 the next day, and fo proceeding on our journey 
 (Ann Aihby going forward with us), reached 
 London the 9th ; where I met with my dear 
 friend and companion, Mary Peifley. 
 
 The yearly meeting was large, and attended by 
 many weighty Friends ; who were divinely aflifted 
 to labour for the promotion of Truth, and the 
 ordering of the afrairs of the church. 
 
 My brother and fitter left me in London ; and, 
 my companion Mary Peifley having a concern to 
 attend the meetings at Colchefter, Woodbridge, 
 and Norwich, I fpent a little time at Chelmsford, 
 at the houfe of John Griffith (the flate of my 
 health and fpirits being fuch as feemed to call for 
 reft and quiet), and returned to London in about 
 two weeks j but being ftill poorly in health, I 
 
 went
 
 58 
 
 went to the country-houfe of my worthy friend 
 John Hayward, accompanied by Ann Fothergill; 
 where I was indifpofed, and confined to my bed 
 and the houfe, for about a week. Recover- 
 ing a little ftrength, I returned to London; where 
 the diforder returned, and continued for nine or 
 ten days; and, being fucceeded by the jaundice, 
 it brought me very low ; but through the kindnefs 
 of Providence, I was preferved patient and re- 
 figned under this difpenfation. In this time my 
 companion returned to London, but did not find 
 her way open to leave England ; fo that my trials 
 were increafed with the profpecl: of being longer 
 detained, and at a diflance from my dear relations. 
 But infinite Wifdom knows beft how to plan out 
 the way for his people, the fecret workings of 
 whofe Providence I thought I clearly difcovered, in 
 this fucceffion of probations being permitted to 
 attend me where they did. Had it been at home 
 it would have been much more afflicting both to 
 my relations and myfelf; as it would have rendered 
 their parting with me in iuch a weak ftate of health 
 the more painful, and my leaving home the more 
 difficult : nay, I have queftioned, if J had not left 
 it as I did, whether, confidering the difcourage- 
 mcnt, I ftiould have gone the journey. Nor was 
 my indifpofition without a fingular fervice : for 
 my health had languifhed under the oppreflion of 
 the remains of the fever which I had at Edin- 
 "frurgh j which by this diforder were, in a good 
 
 meafurcv
 
 59 
 
 meafure, carried off, and my body the better pre- 
 pared to fuftain the fatigues and trials of the 
 cnfuing journey, ariimg from the difference of cli- 
 mate, rc. So that in this painful allotment, I had 
 renewed caufe to blefs and praife the name of my 
 God, and to acknowledge, that whatever he doe? 
 is bed. 
 
 Almofl as foon as I recovered flrength to get 
 abroad, the cloud difperfed ; and we found our 
 fpirits at liberty to take our pafTage on board the 
 Alexander, Captain Curling, bound from London 
 to Charleflown, in South Carolina; which failed in 
 about a week after we agreed to go in her. The 
 I aft Firft-day we were in London, we were favoured 
 to take a comfortable farewel of many of our 
 friends, in the feeling fenfe of divine goodnefs ; 
 wherein alfo, we were enabled to refign and com- 
 mit each other into the hands of the Almighty for 
 prefervation. 
 
 We left London the 21 ft of the Eighth month, 
 1753; and, as our veiTel was to ftop at Portfmouth 
 to take in fome of her paffengers, our friends 
 thought it beft for us to go thither by land : which 
 We did, and feveral of them freely accompanied us. 
 
 We came to Portfmouth the 24th, and went on 
 board our veffel the 25th, where we took leave of 
 our friends with affection. 
 
 Being fettled in our veffel, a fweet compofure 
 came over my fpirit ; which ftrengthened my faith 
 that I was moving by divine direction. 
 
 The
 
 60 
 
 The next day the wind turned agairtft us, and 
 we came to an anchor in Yarmouth Road, Ifle 
 of Wight. .Being Firfl day, we were a little 
 thoughtful about having a meeting with the paf- 
 fengers; but one of our company being a clergy- 
 man, and the fliip's crew bufy in fettling the veffel, 
 we concluded it would not be very eafily ob- 
 tained, and were content in fitting together in our 
 own apartment ; during which time the parfon got 
 fome of our people together in the great cabin, and 
 read prayers to them. 
 
 I had purpofely left our room door open, in 
 order that, if any duty prefented, I might have an 
 opportunity of performing it ; and after they had 
 done, I found a concern to call upon the Lord in 
 humble fupplication, to which I gave up ; but a 
 part of the company went on deck, being I fup- 
 pofed exampled by their teacher j however I was 
 favoured with a pretty farisfa&ory opportunity, and 
 the ftrengthening evidence of peace in the con 
 clufion. 
 
 The 27th, we fet fail, and pafTed the Needles 
 the 2 8th. The 29th, the wind came againfl us, 
 and blowing hard we anchored in the evening in 
 Portland Bay, where we lay till the 3d of the 
 Ninth month ; when we fet fail, and got clear of 
 the land the 5th; from which time we were moflly 
 favoured with gentle favourable winds, till we 
 came near the coafl of South Carolina. 
 
 The
 
 61 
 
 The 1 8th of the Tenth month, we got into 
 foundings ; but the wind blowing very hard, and 
 the fea running high, our captain durfl not attempt 
 to go over Charleflown bar, fo flood off, in hopes 
 the wind might fall; .but inflead of that it turned 
 againfl us, and continued to blow very hard till 
 the 22d : all \vhich time we lay with our helm 
 lafhed, driving with the wind. The 22d, the fea 
 and wind fell very much, the weather (which in 
 this time had been very foul) cleared up, and the 
 wind became favourable, and we got within fight 
 of the land; but it being to the fouthward of our 
 defigned port, the captain tacked about to the 
 northward, hoping thereby to gain fo much in the 
 night as to be able to run in with the tide in the 
 morning; but we were again beat back to fea by 
 a contrary flormy wind. 
 
 Thus were we tofied to and fro, almofl within 
 fight of our harbour; but through prevailing grace 
 our minds were wonderfully preferved above either 
 fear or complaint, enjoying a calm within, in the 
 midft of a florin without ; being happily refigaed 
 to fuffer in this way, if it were the Lord's will fo 
 to appoint : which bleffed difpofition, attending us 
 through the voyage, helped to alleviate our bodily 
 hardfhips, which would otherwife have, appeared 
 confiderable. 
 
 We were fea-fick, though not fo extremely 
 as we expe&ed; and we fullered much from the 
 cxceflive heat of the weather, fleering within one 
 
 degree,
 
 62 
 
 degree, as far fouth as the tropic of Cancer ; in 
 which latitude I believe we continued near three 
 "Weeks, bein<- becalmed ; and, neither I nor my com- 
 panion bein<y very ftrong, nature had a coniiderable 
 ftrnggle, to furmount the expence of fpirits ihe 
 fuftained. 
 
 But we had canfe to be thankful that we efcaped 
 a viole-nt fever, which frequently feizcs thofe who 
 pafs through this climate, and have been ufed to 
 one much colder. 
 
 During the ftorm, the feams of our veffel, being 
 opened on the fide where we lay, let in the wet, 
 and our apartment was in a manner flooded. My 
 bed was fo wet that I could not lie therein, fo I threw 
 myfelf down for feveral nights upon forne blankets 
 in a birth in the -great cabin, and ilept better than 
 I could have expected ; but the fpray of the fea 
 drove fo upon it, even there, that my linen was 
 fo damp, that I cfteemcd it a fmgular mercy I was 
 not exceeding ill. 
 
 Indeed we were both of us brought very low, 
 but recruited again as the weather cleared up; 
 which it did the 24th, and we fet fail in the even- 
 ing, and the 25th got our pilot on board, who in- 
 tended that night to run as near the bar as prudent, 
 and wait for another tide to carry us into port. But 
 here we apprehended ourfelves to be in Imminent 
 danger; for, the man who founded miilaking the 
 length of the line vhich he let go, the veiTel ran 
 too far before they dropped anchor ; fo that we
 
 63 
 
 lay all night in very (hallow water, fo near, if not 
 upon the breakers, that had the wind fprung up 
 frcm, it feemed queftionable our having room to 
 turn the veffel from them, when the anchors were 
 weighed : but the Lord preferred us, and we landed 
 at Charleftown the 26th in the morning, under a 
 grateful fenfe of his merciful Providence having 
 attended us through the voyage. We were up- 
 wards of nine weeks on (hip-board. 
 
 We had feveral meetings while on (hip-board 
 with the failors and paffengers, who were of dif- 
 ferent countries. There was a South Carolina wo- 
 man and her negro maid;, a man and his wife, the 
 one a German and the other a Swifs ; a Scotch 
 fchoolmafter, our captain and his brother of French 
 extraction, if not born in France. 
 
 Our firft meeting was with the failors and fteer- 
 age paffengers, on the afternoon of the Firft-day, 
 wherein we lay at anchor in Portland Bay. The 
 prieft in the morning, read prayers to the cabin pak 
 fengers, but took no care for the others on board. 
 The captain offered us the cabin to meet in, but 
 we rather chofe to go to them in the fteerage; 
 from which the pried would have difluaded us, by 
 telling us, they would be likely to infult us; but, on 
 ur fending a meffage to the failors that we in- 
 tended them a viiit, they returned for anfwer, that 
 chough they had not had college education, they 
 (hould be glad to hear the word of God, and would 
 readily admit us. The meeting was attended. with 
 
 a good
 
 64 
 
 a good degree of folemuity, and afforded fatisfac- 
 tion to ourfelves. My companion was favoured in 
 teftimony fuited to the ftates of the people, and 
 I was graciouily admitted to fupplicate the Lord for 
 them. 
 
 Our other meetings were held in the cabin, 
 which we had the life of for that purpofe on the 
 afternoons of the Firfl-days, as the parfon had, 
 in the mornings. They were generally attended 
 by mofl of the paiTengers and fome of the failors ; 
 but there being but little entrance for the word, 
 made it hard labouring among them. We were, 
 however, favoured with peace, in endeavouring 
 to promote their good ; and bleffed with the in- 
 comes of divine life in our own fouls, not only 
 on thofe occafions, but at many other times : fo 
 that it was a feafon to be had in lafting re- 
 membrance, with thankfgiving to the Lord, whofe 
 good prefence accompanied us when on the mighty 
 ocean, and rendered our feparation from our dear 
 relations and friends eafy. 
 
 The parfon, obferving that in our miniftry, we 
 fpoke extempore, told me that he could preach ex- 
 tempore, and we fliould hear him if we pleafed the 
 next Sunday. Accordingly when the day came, 
 we were all feated in the great cabin, and he 
 preached without notes. His fubjeft was the tranf- 
 figuration of Chrift, which he found a wonder, 
 expatiated upon it as a wonder, and left it a 
 
 wonder ;
 
 65 
 
 wonder ; without entering into the fpirituality of 
 the text : indeed I doubt he did not underftand it. 
 
 From this time he read prayers and preached 
 on the Firft-day mornings, when the weather per- 
 mitted, and fometimes we fat in the cabin with 
 them ; and although the inconfiftency of their 
 prayers and profeflions with their own ftates, as 
 well as of the manner of their offering them with 
 the nature of the folemn duty of calling upon the 
 Lord, joined to the priefi's laboured, dry di 
 courfes, could not but painfully affeft us; yet in 
 the time of their worlhip, the Almighty by his 
 power broke in upon our fpirits, and bowed them 
 in contrition before himfelf : fo that, in the enjoy- 
 ment of his goodnefs, we had a fiient teftimony to 
 bear to that living worfhip which he infpires, and 
 accepts. 
 
 And although both by word and conduft we 
 differed from the pried, we heard that when he 
 came on more he fpoke well of us, acknowledging 
 that we had been inflruments of good to him; 
 and particularly that my companion had convinced 
 him of the evil of gaming; which he appeared to 
 like whilft on the voyage, but which we alfo 
 heard he afterwards preached zealoufly againft, as 
 well as other vanities. Indeed he became much 
 changed, and whilft in Carolina appeared con* 
 fcientioufly concerned for the people's welfare. 
 Some time after we left America he returned to 
 England,
 
 66 
 
 England, and I think I heard that the people did 
 not like his clofe doftrine. 
 
 We lodged in Charleftown at John Sinclair's, 
 who was educated amongft Friends, but had mar- 
 ried one not of our Society. Both he and his wife 
 received us kindly, and treated us while with them 
 with great hofpitality and generofity. 
 
 The meeting of Friends here was very fmall ; 
 and moft of thofe who attended it were rather 
 flumbling-blocks, than way-marks, to other pro- 
 fefTors of religion ; yet we found a few to whom 
 we were meafurably united, and who I believe 
 were thankful for our yifit. During our (lay in this 
 place, we were treated with great civility and kind- 
 nefs, by the inhabitants thereof who did not pro- 
 fcfs with us ; but we faw it necefTary to be ftriftly 
 guarded in our converfation with them ; left their 
 very refpe&ful behaviour fliould betray us into a 
 familiarity injurious to ourfelves. Many of them 
 are ready to hear the teftimony of Truth, but there 
 is a certain lightnefs of difpofition which greatly 
 obftru&s its progrefs amongft them; and if not 
 carefully watched againft, will infecT: the minds of 
 perfons who converfe with them. 
 
 Many of them attended our meetings, and moftly 
 behaved foberly in them ; but what with ignorance 
 of the fpirituality of religion, a high profeiTmg 
 fpirit in fome, and libertinifm both in principle and 
 practice in others, it was very hard to labour 
 
 amongft
 
 67 
 
 amongft them : however, the Almighty was pleafed 
 fo to favour us, that we were not without hope, 
 that the teftimony given us to bear affected fomc 
 minds, and, in the general, commanded their affent. 
 
 We had two felect meetings for Friends, and 
 paid a religious vifit to moil of their families ; in 
 which fcrvice we were owned by the power of 
 Truth, though in fome places w r e were very clofely 
 cxercifed; infomuch, that one man abfented himfelf 
 from meeting, not liking any longer to fit under 
 our doctrine j but we found we had rather caufe to 
 rejoice than to be uneafy, in being inflrumental of 
 feparating him from the Society (if fo it fhould 
 prove), his conduct being a fcandal to his profef- 
 fion, though he pretended to join it by convince* 
 nient. 
 
 We took a little turn to the fouth of Charlef- 
 town, and had meetings at James's Ifland, John's 
 Ifland, and Stones. The firft was the moft Satis- 
 factory. 
 
 At Stones, we had a clofe exercifmg time in the 
 family of a young man, whofe father had formerly 
 made profeffion of Truth ; but he was quite gone 
 from Friends, and I fear was tinctured with liber- 
 tine principles; but he entertained us freely, and did 
 not feem to take offence at what we had to deliver. 
 I heard he died foon after. We had alfo a fatisfac- 
 tory opportunity with a family not profeffing with 
 us, in Charlefbwn, but whofe anceftors by the 
 father's fide were Friends. 
 
 *3, It
 
 68 
 
 It fccmed as though the Almighty had fent us 
 peculiarly to feek the loft fheep of the houfe of 
 Ifrael: that his merciful viiitation may be accepted 
 by them, is the fincere defire of my foul. 
 
 I was engaged to return to James's liland, but, 
 my companion having no concern to accompany 
 me, I went alone, and had a much larger meeting 
 than when there before : and I hope it was well that 
 I went back, as, through Divine favour, many gof- 
 pel truths were opened to the people, in a degree 
 of life and authority. 
 
 My friend John Witter, of the Ifland, fent 
 with me over the Sound a negro man, who was to 
 attend me to my lodgings. He was well-dreffed, 
 and looked well-fed. I entered a little into con- 
 verfation with him refped~ting his fituation as a flave. 
 He appeared eafy in it, and faid that he had a good 
 mailer, but that many negroes were treated no 
 better than dogs. Indeed we could not but la- 
 ment over thofe poor people, as we patted through 
 the colonies. Divers of our friends were then in 
 poffeffion of fome negroes, either by inheritance 
 or purchafe ; and the negroes who had them for 
 matters rejoiced in their lot. But about this time 
 concern arofe amongft Friends, to abolifh flave- 
 keeping in our Society ; which concern has fince 
 prevailed in the American Colonies j and many 
 friends have given up large poflHTions in negroes, 
 but employed many of them as hired fervants after 
 they had given them their liberty. 
 
 We
 
 69 
 
 We left Charleftown the 26th of the Eleventh 
 month, accompanied by James Verree, a young 
 man, a friend, refiding there; and went towards 
 a fmall fettlement of Friends on the Waterec 
 River, which is on the north fide of the Province. 
 They were lately come over from Ireland. 
 
 In our way we had meetings in the families of 
 Ifaac Perinoes, and John Lloyd where we lodged, 
 who were neither of them of our Society, but 
 they readily gave us an opportunity with them, 
 and Truth favoured us. 
 
 Several difficulties attended us in this journey. 
 We had appointed a friend to meet us with horfes, 
 about a hundred and twenty miles from Charlef- 
 town ; and being fet to a time, we durft not flay 
 to difcharge our minds of that duty of love, which 
 feemed to point towards the people, as we went 
 along. Secondly, we had poor accommodation, 
 cfpecially as to lodging; fome of the houfes being 
 fo open to the air, that I could attribute our pre- 
 fervation from great indifpofition, to nothing fliort 
 of the mediate interpofition of Providence ; but as 
 the people behaved very civilly toward us, and 
 we enjoyed fome liberty of fpirit among them, it 
 was rendered the more eafy. When we came to 
 the place where we had appointed to be met, 
 we found neither the friend nor the horfes ; and 
 thofe which we brought from Charleftown, being 
 borrowed, and the friend who came with us 
 t- 3 being
 
 70 
 
 being carncft to return, we difcharged him from 
 any further care of us, fait the horfes back with 
 him, and concluded to flay at the houfe of the 
 before -mentioned John Lloyd; who was a fub- 
 ftantial planter, and very freely gave us an invita- 
 tion thereto, till our friends from the Wateree, 
 could meet us with horfes; unto whom we had 
 an opportunity of fending an account of the flrait 
 We were in, by a neighbour of theirs, whom we met 
 at the houfe of this planter, and who was then go- 
 ing home. 
 
 However, kind Providence foon opened a way 
 for our releafe. A poor friend who lived between 
 this place and the Wateree, and was going to 
 Charleftown with goods for the market, flopped at 
 John Lloyd's; and, feeing the circumflances we 
 were in, left his load in John Lloyd's warehoufe, 
 and returned back with us to his own houfe; 
 where we got a very poor lodging, but received it 
 thankfully, as the beft he could provide us with ; 
 and the next day he accompanied us to the Wa- 
 teree, through a wildernefs country, wherein it was 
 dangerous for women to travel, by reafon of the 
 fwamps and deep creeks, which are difficult and 
 very frightful to pafs : but we were mercifully 
 preferved from hurt. 
 
 We croffed one creek upon the trunk of a tree 
 laid from bank to bank, and the water was fo 
 deep, that if the trunk had broken, we had pro- 
 bably been drowned. When we got on the other 
 
 fide
 
 71 
 
 fide we fa\v it was decayed ; and when our friends 
 came over it with our faddles upon their backs, 
 we obferved it bend with their weight. Our horfes 
 were driven through a part of the creek where the 
 water was mallowcr, yet perhaps there it was out 
 of their depths. Providentially, before we croffed 
 this creek, we were met by our friend Robert 
 Millhoufe : had it not been fo, I know not how 
 the poor friend would have got us over. 
 
 Robert Millhoufe had brought horfes for us, 
 and -gladly took us to his houfc with him. My 
 companion's former acquaintance with him in Ire- 
 land, rendered their meeting very agreeable. We 
 found his not meeting us according to appoint- 
 ment, was occafioned by our letters not reaching 
 him timely; which had we known, our^fpirits 
 might have been more at liberty to have attended 
 the before mentioned pointings of love towards the 
 people; but inafmuch as we had not wilfully omit- 
 ted our duty, Divine mercy was extended, and our 
 minds foon became eafy on that account. 
 
 We came to the Wateree River the id of the 
 Twelfth month, and (laid there till the i2th; in 
 which time we attended Friends* meetings as they 
 came in courfe, both on the Firft, and other days 
 of the week, and paid a religious vifit to every fa- 
 mily of Friends in the fettlement ; in which fervice 
 we were evidently owned by our Mailer; or at 
 Icaft my companion was fo, who had mod of the 
 fcrvice in this place. The ftate of the friends 
 4 fettled
 
 72 
 
 fettled here was moilly low, as to religious ex^ 
 perience ; but fome of the youth were under a 
 divine vifitation, which afforded us fome comfort. 
 Some people not profeffing with us attended our 
 meetings, and behaved foberly ; but in general, the 
 people in this part of the country were lament- 
 ably ignorant and wicked : indeed, they had very 
 few opportunities of religious inftru&ion, no place 
 of worfhip being near ; perhaps not nearer than 
 twenty miles. Seldom, if ever, any clergyman 
 came amongft them oftener than once a year, to 
 fprinkle their children. Alas ! what will thefe 
 pretended and hireling fhepherds have to anfwer 
 for ? of whom it may well be faid, " they feed 
 " themfelves but not the flock." 
 
 Indeed, none can feed the flock, who have not 
 themfelves been fed by the heavenly Shepherd. 
 
 Part of the time we fpent here, was to me a 
 feafon of deep inward trials} the enemy being 
 fuffered fo to befet me, that my foul was diftreffed 
 both night and day; and though fometimes a ray 
 of hope of deliverance and prefervation would 
 break in upon it, and I was favoured with a tafle 
 of divine love ; yet when that was withdrawn, I 
 was left as weak and unable to refifl him as before , 
 fo that my fpirit was in inexpreflible bitternefs. 
 
 I had very little fhare in the minifterial fervice ; 
 fometimes perhaps a few fimple expreffions. But 
 before we left the Wateree, the load was in 
 part removed, and my fpirit brought into a greater 
 
 calm/
 
 73 
 
 calm, in which I defircd to wait the Lord's time, t 
 be put forth to fervice. He had clothed me, and 
 he had a right to ftrip me at his pleafure ; and 
 I could fay with Job, " The Lord gave, and taketh 
 " away, bleffed be his name.*' The incomes of 
 his love and peace in my heart, were more to me 
 than to be honoured before the people. And 
 here I cannot but again obferve the various bap- 
 tifms which the minifters of Chrift have to pafs 
 through, in order to their being renewedly fitted 
 to minifter to the different ftates of the people. 
 What deep poverty and diflrefs, doubis, fears, and 
 temptations ! I was fometimes however in mercy 
 admitted to tafte of the cup of heavenly confola- 
 tion. All is confident with the wifdom of God, 
 and tends to bend the mind more effe&ually to- 
 wards Him, and to mortify the fieih with its cor- 
 rupt affections: fo that the fpiritual life is often 
 flrengthened by thefe affli cling difpenfations. 
 
 We bought horfes at the Wateree, and, ac- 
 companied by Robert Millhoufe and Samuel Kelly, 
 fet forwards towards the River Peedee, where we 
 had heard there was a fettlement of Friends. We 
 travelled through a wildernefs country for feveral 
 days, carrying provifions for ourfelves and horfes. 
 In the day we took our repaft in the woods, and at 
 night got lodging at fome planters'; who, though 
 not of our Society, readily gave us admittance into 
 their houfes, and freely entertained us according 
 to their manner of living : and although it was 
 
 very
 
 74 
 
 very different from what we had been accuftomed 
 to, and the lodging in fome places very cold and 
 poor; we were content, and thankful to the Al- 
 mighty for it, as well as for his providential care, 
 varionfly manifefted in preferving us from the 
 dangers which attended us, in palling fwamps, 
 deep creeks, &c. And although we lived low, 
 our fpirits were preferred pretty cheerful, and our 
 health tolerable. 
 
 One particular inftance of Divine protection, I 
 think worthy of commemoration. The i4th in 
 the evening we came to a fwamp, which appeared 
 very dangerous to crofs; but a friendly man on 
 the other fide dire&ed us where to turn our horfes 
 over, and came himfelf and alTiited us over fomc 
 trees which lay acrofs it. Having got over, we 
 afked him how far it was to the place where we 
 intended to lodge, and whether the way was eafy 
 to find. He told us it was twelve miles, and that 
 the hitter part of the way was intricate j and, after 
 walking by our fide a little time, he offered to 
 conduft us, which offer we readily accepted. If he 
 had not accompanied us, I know not but that we 
 mud have been all night in the woods ; for the way 
 being fo difficult to find* and night coming upon 
 us, we fhould probably have miffed it ; and the 
 weather being froily, and we unprovided either 
 with materials to flrike fire, or blankets to cover 
 us, we fhould have fuffered much, if we had 
 cfcaped with our lives. 
 
 Our'
 
 75 
 
 Our kind guide brought us to the houfe of 
 James Gillefpy, upon Peedee River ; who was a 
 fubftantial planter, and a hofpitable man, I- think. 
 by profeflion a Prefbyterian. His heart feeraed 
 opened towards us. Of him we inquired after the 
 fettlement of Friends which we had heard of, but 
 could get no intelligence of it ; yet were our 
 minds mercifully preferved pretty eafy and quiet, 
 although we knew not which way we fhould (leer 
 our courfe from this place, being all of us ftrangers 
 in the country. In a (hort time, I found freedom 
 to propofe to my companion, our having- a meet- 
 ing in the neighbourhood ; with which {he con- 
 curring, we a/ked our kind hoft, before we went to 
 bed, whether he thought we might have a religious 
 opportunity with fome of his neighbours. He 
 made but little reply then, but in the morning 
 told Robert Millhoule, that if we would flay till 
 Firfl-day, we fliould be welcome both to what en- 
 tertainment he could give us and our horfes, and 
 alfo to have a meeting in his houfe ; and he would 
 fend his fervant to acquaint his neighbours. To 
 tlii s we affented, and fpent the next day peaceably 
 there. On the Firfl-day we had a meeting, which 
 was not large, and, by reafon of the ignorance of 
 the people in divine truths, was exercifing to our 
 minds. A young man, who came from the fettle- 
 ment of Friends which we were in queft of, being 
 ja this neighbourhood on bufinefs, and hearing of 
 
 the
 
 
 6 
 
 the meeting, (laid to attend it. After it was over, 
 he informed Robert Millhoufe, that feveral families 
 of Friends were fettled about twenty miles up the 
 river, to whom he was going the next day, and 
 fhould be glad of our company. To this we 
 readily aflented, and, being thus providentially 
 indrufted in our way, we next morning took leave 
 of our kind friend James Gillefpy, who had gene- 
 roufly entertained us while at his houfe. We called 
 at the houfe where we had appointed to meet our 
 expe&ed guide ; but it being a very wet morning, 
 he concluded we (hould not move, and was gone ; 
 however, we had got fuch intelligence from him 
 of the way, that, with a little more which we 
 obtained as we went along, we found the friend's 
 houfe to which we intended to go. He was a poor 
 man lately convinced, but he gladly received us, and 
 freely gave us fuch entertainment as his circum- 
 ftances would afford ; which though very mean, 
 was made eafy and pleafant to us, being fweetened 
 by the gentle Sowings of divine peace in our 
 hearts. 
 
 We found here a few newly convinced friends, 
 and fome others under convincement ; with whom 
 we had two meetings to good fatisfaftion, many 
 things fuitable to their dates being opened both by 
 way of do&rine and encouragement ; and we were 
 glad that we were thus direfted to find them in this 
 defolate fpot ; which was very diftant from any 
 Friends j but they were under the Divine regard v 
 
 They
 
 77 
 
 They had not fettled a meeting; but as our guides 
 from the Wateree were returning home, they 
 found them bufy in building a meeting-houfe , and 
 we afterwards heard that a meeting was fettled 
 amongfl them. 
 
 The 2oth, we left Peedee River, accompanied 
 by John and Charles Moreman, and the two 
 friends 'who came with us from the Wateree, and 
 fet our faces towards a fettlemcnt of Friends on 
 the Waters of Haw River. The morning was wet 
 when we fet out, and I was very poorly j but in 
 a little time the weather cleared up, and I grew 
 better. We rode that day about forty miles 
 through the woods, without feeing any houfe ; 
 and at night took up our lodging in the woods, 
 by the fide of a branch or fwamp, which afforded 
 plenty 'of canes for our horfes. Our friends made 
 us a little flied of the branches of pine-trees, on a 
 rifing fandy ground, which abounded with lofty 
 pines. We made a large fire, and it being a calm, 
 fair, moon-light night, we fpent it cheerfully, 
 though we flept but little. Our faddles were our 
 pillows ; and we had in company a man, wlio came 
 from Peedee and was going a part of our next 
 day*s journey, whofe wife had fent a blanket ; 
 which, wirh one our friends had brought, being 
 thrown at our backs upon our fried flickered us 
 much ; fo that we ilill faw kind Providence cared 
 for us. In the morning we purfued our journey, 
 and went that day about forty-five miles j and at 
 
 night
 
 78 
 
 Eight took up our lodging again in the woods, 
 l?ut did not meet with fo advantageous a Ipot as 
 the night before, for the ground was wet, and the 
 flicker bad, and poor wood for firing. The weather 
 alfo being very cold, and my companion ill with a 
 pain in her face, and myfelf but poorly, we fpent 
 the night very uncomfortably as to the body, but 
 through divine favour were preferved quiet, and 
 refigned in fpirit. 
 
 We fet out next morning in hopes of reaching 
 a fettlemcnt of Friends at New Garden that 
 day; but the pain in my companion's face con- 
 tinuing, \vc thought it bell to Hop at William 
 Rinalds's at Polecat, who was under the profeilion 
 of Truth; and the next day, being the Firft of the 
 week, we had a. meeting there with a few friends, 
 and fome of the neighbours ; which was exercifing, 
 yet ended in a fenfe of Divine fweetnefs. 
 
 The 24th, we went to New Garden, and ftaid 
 amongft friends in that fettlement till the 28th. 
 This was a new fettlemcnt of Friends, and we were 
 the firft from Europe that had vifited them, or tra- 
 velled in thefe parts in the fervice of Truth. 
 
 We had pretty clofe fervice among them, and 
 laboured for the eihiblifhment of a metiing for 
 minifters and elders in their monthly meetings j 
 which we found was much wanting : and we had 
 reafon to hope that the proportion would be 
 adopted; divers Friends being convinced of its ufe- 
 fulnefs, and feemed lad that it became our concern 
 
 to*
 
 79 
 
 to recommend it. We found a fmcere- hearted 
 remnant in this meeting, unto whom the Lord 
 united us ; but there was alfo a dead, formal, pro- 
 feffing fpirit, under which the living were forely 
 opprefTed j as well as under a flalhy wordy miniftry. 
 
 The 29th, we got to Cane Creek, another new 
 fettlement of Friends ; with whom we had a meet- 
 ing the 3oth, wherein we were rather low, yet 
 favoured with peace in our fpirits. 
 
 The 3ift, we went about 30 miles to a very 
 fmall meeting on the river Eno, which \vas very 
 exercifing ; for though their number was fmal! 
 their ftates were various, and fome of them widely 
 diflant from that pure, humble, living, fenfiblc 
 difpofition which Truth produces. And as it was 
 the will of the Almighty, meafurably to baptife us 
 into the dates of the people, we could not but 
 fuifer in fpirit with his pure feed ; and it feemed 
 as though a drawn fword was delivered to us in 
 this the beginning of our journey, which we were 
 to ufe againft fpiritual wickednefs; and not to fpare, 
 though it were exalted in high places. Here we la- 
 boured for the eftabliihment of a Week-day meeting. 
 
 The 2d of the Firil month, 1754, my companion 
 returned to Cane Creek, in order to be at their 
 Week-day meeting ; and I went about fix miles up 
 the River, being engaged to have a meeting 
 amongfl a people not profeiTing with us. Many 
 came to it, and behaved foberly, but moft of 
 them feeraed very ignorant of fpiritual things ; and 
 
 fome
 
 80 
 
 Jbme were heavy hden with divers fins ; but kinJ 
 Providence fo favoured me, that I left them pretty 
 eafy, and returned to my companion at Cane 
 Creek, the 4ih. The fame day we had a meeting 
 2t Rocky River, which was fatisfaftory, and we 
 returned to Cane Creek, and were at the Firfl-day 
 meeting there. 
 
 The yth, we fet out for Carver's Creek, a jour- 
 ney of about 1 60 miles, through an almoft unin- 
 habited country. We were accompanied by John 
 Wright and J. Pigot, friends. The accommo- 
 dation we met with was very mean, but rendered 
 eafy, under a fenfe of our being in the way of 
 our duty. At one place where we lodged, the 
 room wherein we lay was expofed to the weather 
 on almofl every fide, and it being a wet night, the 
 rain beat in upon us in bed ; but my mind was 
 prcferved in fweet peace, and under fome degree 
 of a fenfe of Divine favour. The woman of the 
 houfe was of a tender fpirit, and appeared to be 
 fccking after fubflantial good. I had confiderable 
 freedom to fpeak to her on religious fubjefts ; 
 which flic took well, and I was thankful that our 
 lots were caft under that roof. 
 
 Another night, we lay in the woods, with 
 tolerable comfort, though the weather was cold, 
 and the ground damp. About two hours before 
 we flopped, as I was attempting to crofs a fwamp 
 on fome loofe pieces of wood, one of them rolled) 
 and threw me backward into it. One of our friends 
 
 was"
 
 81 
 
 was leading me, and the other, feeing me in danger 
 of falling, flepped behind me into the fwamp, and 
 caught me, fo that I was wet but on one fide, 
 except my feet: and, although I mounted my horfe 
 immediately after putting on a dry pair of ftock- 
 ings, rode in my wet clothes, and lay down in 
 them, I was preferved from taking cold. In the 
 night two of our horfes* ftrayed away from us, 
 and our guides were obliged to leave us and go in 
 queft of them; fo that we were feveral hours 
 ourfelves in this wildernefs, furrounded, for aught 
 we knew, by bears, wolves, and panthers. Before 
 we pitched our tent, I had been intimidated by an 
 account which had been given me refpe&ing the 
 panthers infefting that quarter ; one of which it 
 was faid had killed a perfon not very far diflant 
 from this fpot; but when we were thus left, all fear 
 was removed, and we fpent the time of our friend's 
 abfence cheerfully. I went without the {heher of 
 our flied, and renewed our fire with fome wood 
 our friends had gathered. The fire, under Provi- 
 dence, was probably our prefervation from thofe 
 ferocious animals. 
 
 It was a fine moon -light night, our friends 
 tracked our horfes' footfteps in the fand for about 
 three miles in the way we had come, and found 
 
 * When travellers who lodge in the woods turn their horfes 
 to graze, they fatten a bell about each of their necks, and if 
 they mifs the found of any of them, they go to fee whether 
 they are not ftrayed far from the ftied, 
 
 * them
 
 82 
 
 them feeding on fome luxuriant canes. The fa- 
 gacious animals probably obferved them as they 
 came to the fpot where we pitched our tent, and 
 having but poor feeding there, went back to fill 
 their bellies. As we proceeded on our journey, 
 fome of our company difcovered the track of a wild 
 bead in the fand, which gave room to fufpect that 
 they had been near our tents in the night; but we 
 were preferved both from their fury, and from 
 being affrighted by their hideous howl. H6wever, 
 as we rode through the woods in the morning, we 
 heard the barking of wolves at a fmall diflance from 
 us, but a rifmg ground prevented us from feeing 
 them. 
 
 We breakfafted at a miferable inn, about eight 
 or ten miles on our way; where we met fuch a 
 wicked fet of company, who had fpent the night 
 there, that we concluded it providential that we 
 did not prefs forward to lodge there ; refpefting 
 which we were confidering before we pitched our 
 tent. It appeared much more comfortable to be 
 under the open canopy of heaven, and the protec- 
 tion of Providence, though among the wild beads, 
 than among thofe of the human race, whofe natures 
 were fo depraved as to render them more terrible 
 and dangerous: the firftonly (or at leaft generally), 
 aflauhing mankind of neceflity, or by provocation ; 
 but the lafl from the incitements of their depraved 
 paffions. 
 
 We
 
 83 
 
 We went forward to Dunn's Creek, and had a 
 fmall meeting, with a few under the profeffion of 
 Truth; and from thence to Carver's Creek the 
 fame night, being the I2th. The i3th, we had a 
 meeting there, and the i/j-th, went to Wilmington, 
 on Cape Fear River, where we had two meetings 
 the 1 5th. There are none in this place who can 
 properly be called members of our fociety, but 
 many people came to the meetings, and behaved 
 civilly; and the teftimony of Truth ran pretty freely 
 towards them in do&rine, reproof, and counfel j 
 though I believe many of them were of very loofe 
 converfatiori. The i6th, we returned to Carver's 
 Creek, fo to Brompton, Dunn's Creek, and Cape 
 Fear. 
 
 The 2oth, we proceeded towards Perquimons 
 River, being accompanied by our friends William 
 Hall and B. Cooper. We calculated our journey 
 to Perquimons at 273 miles; going acrofs the 
 country to vifit feveral fmall meetings of Friends j 
 amongft whom, and the people of other focieties, 
 we had fome fatisfaftory fervice. No women- 
 minifters had vilited part of this country before 
 us, fo that the people were probably excited by 
 curiofity to attend fome of the meetings we ap- 
 pointed. We found a few feeking people in thefe 
 back fettlements, who had very little, even of what 
 they efteem, inftrumental help, in this wildernefs 
 country; which appears too poor for prieftcraft to 
 thrive inj but I hoped the Lord would gather 
 * 2 fome
 
 84 
 
 ibme of them to faith in his own immediate in- 
 ftruftion. In this journey we met with confiderable 
 hardfliips, the people amongft whom we were be- 
 ing very poor, their houfes cold, and provifions 
 mean. One night we lodged in a void houfe on 
 the River Neice. A man who kept a (lore on the 
 other fide of the river, gave us the liberty of it, 
 fent his negroes to make us a fire, and lent us a 
 bed, and coverings for it. We were content, al- 
 though our provifions were fo near fpent that we 
 had very, little to refrefli ourfelves with, after a 
 hard day's journey; and we could get neither 
 bread for ourfelves, nor corn for our horfes, for 
 our money ; as the man who lent us the houfc 
 and bed, would Jet us have none, though we fent 
 to requeft it. Our friends William Hall and B. 
 Cooper accompanied us more than 100 miles in 
 this journey. 
 
 On the 6th of the Second month, we reached 
 Perquimons River, on which, and the River Pafqua- 
 tank, the main body of Friends in the province of 
 North Carolina was fettled. 
 
 Our firft meeting among them was at the Piney 
 Woods meeting-houfe, which was pretty large con- 
 fidering the (hortnefs of the time allowed to give 
 notice of it; and the Lord was pleafed to favour 
 us with a good opportunity: the fpirits of fenfible 
 friends prefent were in a good degree fettled, and 
 I hope refreihed. We vifited two other meetings 
 in this quarter, in one of which neither of us had 
 
 rnuch
 
 85 
 
 much publick fervlce. There is a number of va- 
 luable friends in this county, who were under fuf- 
 fering from the prevalence of a fpirit of carnal eafe, 
 and alfo from the miniflry of fome who will not be 
 reftrained by wholefome counfel; wherewith a num- 
 ber are amufed rather than profitably fed ; and 
 inftead of being folidly fettled in a filent exercife 
 of fpirit, they are in continual expe&ation of 
 words, and remain in forrowful ignorance of the 
 operation of Truth in themfelves. 
 
 Here it feems neceflary to go back a little, and 
 give fome account of an exercife which attended 
 my mind, when about Carver's Creek. It was, 
 to part from my companion, and go the lower way 
 through Bath Town, to the county ofPerquimons; 
 but the difficulty of getting guides fuitable for us 
 both, and an unwillingnefs to part from my com- 
 panion, confidering the defolate journey (he would 
 have to go, and not being quite well in her health, 
 determined me to accompany her ; neverthelefs, I 
 flood open to be turned back when I had a fuitable 
 evidence of its being required. Here, an exercife 
 refpefting thofe places being again revived, and 
 being fearful of omitting my duty, I mentioned the 
 going back to them to my companion, who, al- 
 though file was not free to accompany me, was ear/ 
 with my going, and rather difpofed to encourage 
 me. Her health feemed to require a little reft, which 
 flie purpofed to take at the houfe of our friend 
 Thomas Nicholfon of Little River, who had not long 
 F 3 fmce
 
 86 
 
 fince paid a religious vifit to Friends in England. I 
 then propofed it to Friends to fet forward the i ith, 
 and, if Providence permitted, to return to their 
 quarterly meeting in Pafquatank county ; to which 
 they only obje&ed, that they feared the notice was 
 fo fliort, that they could not procure fuitable com- 
 panions for me. However, they refolved to men- 
 tion it after the meeting on the loth, and fee if 
 any friend would offer to go with me, to which I 
 agreed ; but told one of the mofl fenfible amongfl 
 them, that if the way did not pretty readily open, 
 I duril not pulh much for it j which, confidering 
 the event, I was glad I had faid. 
 
 After meeting, I was informed that two young 
 men, and Rebecca Tombs, a valuable friend, and an 
 acceptable miniiler, were willing to accompany me. 
 I did not find any objeftion in my mind to accepting 
 her company, though I had not requefted it ; but 
 an uncommon fenfe of forrow feized my fpirit ; 
 though I did not fee that I ought to omit the 
 journey, nor yet comprehend the caufe of the 
 exercife. Next morning I took leave of my com- 
 panion Mary Peifley, in pretty much the fame flate 
 of mind ; and, after crofting Perquimons River, we 
 rode that day to Eden Town. On the road my mind 
 became quiet, yet was low. The names of the 
 young men who accompanied us were Nathaniel 
 Newley and John White. 
 
 The 1 2th we had a meeting at EdenTown, which 
 on account of the exceflive coldnefs of the weather, 
 
 was
 
 87 
 
 was not large, and it was much difturbed by a 
 wicked drunken man, while I was fpeaking; with 
 whom, being a litigious lawyer, the town's people 
 were afraid to meddle, left he (hould have an 
 a&ion againft them : fo I was obliged to bear it, 
 and the meeting concluded with lefs folemnity than 
 I could have wiftied. I obferved a ferbus looking 
 woman in the meeting, and thought if ftie afked 
 me to her houfe I fhould go; which ftie did, and 
 in the evening I went, accompanied by my com- 
 panion. We found both herfelf and her hufband 
 under a religious exercife; and feveral things were 
 opened in me to fpeak to them, which were well 
 received, and I left them in a good degree of 
 peace ; believing that the feafoning virtue of Truth 
 had been felt in our converfation. There was 
 no meeting of Friends in this town, and we lodged 
 at an inn. 
 
 The 1 3th, in the morning, we croffed a ferry, 
 eight miles over. The weather was extremely cold, 
 which affefted Rebecca Tombs much. The froft 
 was fo hard, that the water in the found we had 
 croffed was frozen fome diftance from the ftiore on 
 each fide, but we got through it fafe. We rode 
 about twenty-five miles, lodged at a mean inn ; 
 and next morning early we fet out for Bath Town. 
 When we had rode about feven miles, I had a fall 
 from my horfe, occafioned by the horfe's ftarting 
 at a bird flying out of a tree. I fell over the faddle, 
 on my right arm, and the ground being very hard 
 F 4 from
 
 88 
 
 from the froft, it was much hurt; but I efteemed it 
 a great favour that the bone was not broken. 
 When we came to the next inn, my companion 
 procured fome wormwood with vinegar, and bound 
 it round my arm ; and we proceeded to Bath 
 Town, though my arm gave me much pain. 
 
 I had fome thoughts of eroding the ferry here, 
 which is four miles over, and fo proceeding to 
 Ncwbcrn ; but having received this hurt, and the 
 wind being contrary, I became inclined to have a 
 meeting here the next day. Jufl as we alighted at 
 the inn, a refpe&able looking man, who I after- 
 \vards found was an attorney, and lived about two 
 miles out of town, came in; to whom I found 
 freedom to impart our defire of having a meeting, 
 and to confult him about a proper place to hold 
 it in. He appeared well pleafed with the propo- 
 fhion, and we concluded to hold it in the morning 
 in the court-houfe, if the weather were warm 
 enough to admit of the people's fitting there ; if 
 not, our landlord gave us the liberty of a room in 
 his houfe. I had much pain from my arm this 
 afternoon ; but fomenting it as before, it became 
 eafier towards evening. Our meeting was attended 
 next day by a pretty many people, mofl of whom 
 behaved with fobriety ; but the life of religion was 
 fcarcely fo much as known by many of them ; yet 
 the Lord was pleafed to open many gofpel truths to 
 them; which were delivered under a feeling fenfe of 
 their low ignorant ftate, and I trufl had their fer- 
 
 viee.
 
 89 
 
 vice. After this meeting, as I Was returning to my 
 inn, my mind feemed drawn to return back to my 
 companion Mary Peifleyj and when I came to the 
 inn, I found Rebecca Tombs, who had got thither 
 before me, feized with an aguej which brought a 
 heavy weight of exercife on my fpint, and I foon 
 became apprehenfive of her being removed by 
 death. The fame evening alfo one of the young 
 men who came with us, was taken ill in the fame 
 way, and I was myfelf very poorly with a cold* 
 which affected my head and throat. Next day 
 ftebecca Tombs's indifpofition increafed, and I be- 
 came very thoughtful whether I had bed endeavour 
 to remove her homewards, or continue her at Bath 
 Town. There appeared to me danger of my incur- 
 ring cenfure from her relations, in acting either way. 
 I therefore concluded it bed to refer it to Provi- 
 dence, and fee what turn it would take in her own 
 mind. In the afternoon fhe difcovered a deiire to 
 be removed, and I found mod eafe of mind in 
 acting accordingly. 
 
 I met in this town, to my furprife, with a young 
 woman who was daughter to a principal tradefman 
 of the neighbourhood of Dudley. She had been 
 my fchool-fellow. Her hufband, whom (he married 
 in England, kept a ftore in this place. They feeing 
 our afflicted fituation, readily furniflied us with a 
 chaife for our return ; fo we prepared for going, and 
 the attorney before-mentioned generoufly lent us 
 a horfe, and a negro-man to bring it back. He 
 
 was
 
 90 
 
 was at our inn in the evening. I went to him, and 
 acknowledged his civility and kindnefs to us j and 
 before we parted, we fell into a religious converfa- 
 tion, which I hoped might have its fervice. Several 
 perfons were prefent, one of them the fheriff of the 
 county, who had fome (hare in the difcourfe and 
 offered his houfe to have a meeting in. The attor- 
 ney fpoke with great moderation, and made con- 
 fiderable conceffions refpefting the ceremonial part 
 of religion, and feemed pleafed with the informa- 
 tion I gave him of the principles and difcipline 
 of Friends ; which I was remarkably opened to 
 give fome account of, and we parted friendly. 
 
 After he got home, he fent me fome wine to 
 afiift the friend in our journey (which neceffity 
 made an acceptable prefent, as we could buy none 
 that was good in town), with a letter to requeft 
 that, if I {laid longer in the country than I ex- 
 pe&ed, I would come to his houfe; which I took 
 kindly, and fuitably acknowledged his civility. I 
 jufl add refpe&ing Bath Town, that the man of the 
 inn, though he behaved civilly to us, appeared to 
 be of a dark ferocious difpofition. One night a 
 poor negro girl fell afleep at the top of the flairs, 
 near our chamber door, and he feeing her there 
 kicked her down them. The poor girl cried out, 
 but I did not hear that ftie was wounded by the 
 fall. Indeed darknefs feemed to furround us in this 
 Jioufe. 
 
 The
 
 '91 
 
 The 1 7th, being the Firft-day of the week, we 
 fet forward in the chaife, and got eighteen miles on 
 our way and lodged at the fame houfe of entertain- 
 ment as we did when we came down ; where we 
 had very poor accommodation. My friend was 
 greatly fatigued, ihe grew much worfe that night, 
 and next morning the young man that was unwell 
 went to acquaint her hufband with her indifpofi- 
 tion ; but the Almighty did not fee fit to continue 
 her in pain till her hufband came to her. Her pain 
 was indeed extreme, and foon effected the end for 
 which it was defigned ; for the 2oth in the morn- 
 ing, (he quietly expired. From near the firft of 
 her being taken ill, (he had a fenfe that it would 
 end in death, and was enabled to refign herfelf and 
 her near connexions into the hands of Providence. 
 She defired me to pen fome memorandums of love 
 and advice, to her hufband, children, and rela- 
 tions; and then faid, ftie had nothing to do but 
 to die. She feveral times expreffed her fatisfa&ion 
 in having a clear confcience, and I was convinced 
 of her fpirit's centering in everlafling blefiednefs. 
 About twenty-four hours before (he departed, I 
 was concerned to fupplicate the Almighty on her 
 behalf, that he might be pleafed to mitigate her 
 pain, and grant her fpirit an eafy paiTage out of its 
 afflifted tabernacle: for which (he expreffed thank- 
 fulnefs ; and in a fhort time her pain gradually 
 abated, and her death was remarkably eafy. Her 
 diforder appeared to be pleuretic. We got her 
 
 bled,
 
 92 
 
 bled, and made ufe of fuch other means as our 
 circumftances admitted; but flic was averfe to hav- 
 ing a doftor, nor do I think that one would have 
 been of any fervice to her. 
 
 Through this uncommon trial, my fpirit was fin- 
 gularly preferved in patience and liability, though 
 fometimes inexpreffibly. loaded. My health being 
 but poorly, the fatigue I fuftained bore hard upon 
 me ; but I was enabled to difcharge my duty to 
 my friend, and in the end witnefled the return of 
 peace. My lodging was in the fame room with 
 her. I lay down in my clothes upon a bench by 
 the fire-fide, whereon the landlady laid fomething 
 to render it the more eafy. The young man who 
 continued with us behaved with remarkable com- 
 pofure, patience, and affection to the friend, who 
 was his aunt, and I had reafon to hope that the 
 journey would be of lafting fervice to him. 
 
 The day Ihe departed we got a coffin made, 
 and put the corps into it. Whilft it was making, 
 my neighbour Turton (brother to the young woman 
 who kindly furnifhed us with the chaife at Bath 
 Town) came in, and was furprifed to meet me 
 here. As we had not fent back the chaife, and he 
 was going to his lifter's, he took charge of it. In 
 the evening, I got a religious opportunity with 
 the family at the inn ; and the next morning fet off 
 with the corps of my deceafed friend. We had 
 procured the wheels of a cart to carry it on, and 
 a man to drive it. 
 
 We
 
 93 
 
 We got well to the Sound, over which we were 
 to crofs to Eden Town; but before we got into the 
 boat, we met the hufband of our deceafed friend, 
 who bore the (hock full as well as I expected; 
 and it muft have been great, to meet in fo unex- 
 pefted a manner the corps of an endeared, af- 
 fe&ionate wife. The fame evening we crofled the 
 ferry, and proceeded to the houfe of a planter, 
 who had brought home the corps of his * mother 
 about two hours before we came into it. 
 
 The 22d, we crofted Perquimons River, and got 
 the corps home ; but the affecting forrowful fcene 
 of meeting the poor motherlefs children (of which 
 there were feven), and other near relations and 
 friends of the deceafed, is difficult to defcribe ; 
 nor mall I attempt it, as the ideas it mufl raife in 
 a fenfible mind, will fufficiemly reprefent it. 
 
 That night I went to my companion Mary 
 Peifley, and through mercy found her well at 
 Thomas Nichoifon's ; iand next day we went to 
 the quarterly meeting of Friends for the province 
 
 * In this country the change! of the weather are fo fudden, 
 and fo extreme from hot to cold, that when a hard froft lafts for 
 a pretty many days, the people frequently drop off fuddenly, 
 with pleuretic diforders. I thought their manner of living 
 might in many inftances contribute to their fudden death. 
 They eat pork, or other flefh, at almoft every meal, not ex- 
 cepting breakfalt, and fuch as can get it (too generally) drink 
 neat rum. Frequently, they rather choofe to drink water alone, 
 and take their drams, than mix them together, 
 
 Of
 
 94 
 
 of North Carolina, held at Old Neck in Pafqua- 
 tank county. The meeting was large but exer- 
 cifmg, weaknefs being feniibly felt. I was favoured 
 with a good opportunity araongft Friends, where- 
 with I had reafon to believe the fenfible part of 
 them had unity, and were thankful for it. 
 
 The 25th, we attended the meeting for mini- 
 flers and elders, and a large publick meeting, 
 which, though very exerciiing in the beginning, 
 ended well; for which favour we had renewed 
 caufe to blefs the Almighty, who baptizes his 
 minifters into the ftates of the people, and enables 
 them to minifter thereto. 
 
 The 25th, we attended the funeral of Rebecca 
 Tombs; and the meeting was large and crowned 
 with folemnity. After the meeting, a young man 
 who kept the ferry at Pertjuimons River, defired to 
 fpeak with me. When I came over the ferry with 
 the corps of Rebecca Tombs, he was with us in 
 the boat, and while we were upon the water, my 
 mind was affe&ed on his behalf, fo much, that 
 when we landed I took him afide and fpoke clofely 
 to him. What I faid had fuch an effeft, that he 
 told me, he could do no lefs than acknowledge 
 the truth of it ; and withal, that his mind was fo 
 awakened thereby, that he could take no reft fince. 
 I faid what then arofe in my heart to encourage 
 him to endure the chaftifmg hand of the Lord, 
 until his judgments had wrought their .proper 
 ; and left him with thankfulnefs that I had 
 
 been
 
 95 
 
 been made inftrumental to awaken a poor prodigal 
 to a fenfe of his outgoings: for fuch I afterwards 
 heard he was, though the fon of a friend in good 
 efteem. 
 
 Although I had been almoft miraculoufly fup- 
 ported through the before recited trials, and had 
 been enabled to minifter to many people as I patted 
 along in my journey to Bath Town, and my re- 
 turn ; yet considering all the circumftances at- 
 tending it, much caufe for painful rumination was 
 adminiftered. I might naturally query whether 
 it were right for me to turn back, as the ends I 
 had in view, viz. the vifiting a few Friends in a 
 defolate fituation, as well as having meetings at 
 Eden Town and Bath Town, were in part fruf- 
 trated j and the affli&ed cafe of the deceafed 
 friend's numerous family, who, perhaps might 
 have been fpared a little longer with them, had 
 flie not gone with me, bore fo hard upon my mind, 
 that, like Jonah, I wilhed to die; but I quickly 
 faw, that in fo doing I erred greatly j for in that 
 impatient ftate of mind I was not fit to enter into 
 the faint's reft. After fome time my mind fettled 
 in a good degree of quiet, and it appeared that 
 perhaps the dellgn of Infinite Wifdom, in engaging 
 me to move, as before mentioned, might, in a good 
 degree, be anfwered. And as to Rebecca Tombs, 
 fiie appeared to be in fo weak a ftate when flie 
 left home, that had flie . ftaid there, her furviving 
 
 that
 
 96 
 
 tliat pinching feafon of weather might well be 
 doubted. 
 
 The 26th we left the province of North Carolina, 
 and came into Virginia, and the Lord was pleafed 
 to caufe his peace fo to reft upon our fpirits, that 
 we were renewedly convinced, that we were moving 
 in his counfel. We had travelled upwards of a 
 thoufand miles in North Carolina, and been pre- 
 ferved through various jeopardies and trials, to the 
 praife of his adorable name. 
 
 The syth we had our firft meeting in Virginia, 
 wherein the teftimony of truth was borne in a clofc 
 manner by both of us, againft a dull inactive fpirit, 
 and appeared to have fome prefent effecl:. 
 
 The 28th we went to Nancemond River, and 
 vifited feveral meetings on it, and adjacent to 
 it ; wherein we were ftill exercifed to fpeak clofely 
 to the members of them ; which I believe tended 
 to the relief of the fenfible part of Friends. In 
 one of thefe meetings, having been clofely en- 
 gaged in teftimony, I cautioned friends to beware 
 of judging me for the liberty which I took amongft 
 them, in laying open the Mate of the fociety, 
 although fome of other focieties were prefent ; 
 remarking, that it was more likely to convince 
 confiderate people of the truth, than to hear them 
 falved over in their fins. I concluded with fome 
 fhort remarks and hints of advice to fuch as were 
 not under our name, which I fuppofe had its effecl 
 on a pretty high profeifor of the church of England, 
 
 who
 
 97 
 
 who accidentally came into the meeting ; for the 
 next day he followed us feven miles to a meeting, 
 wherein I was told he was much broken into tears ; 
 and the day following he came about twelve miles 
 to another meeting j I therefore hoped that the 
 Truth had been at work in his heart. I record this 
 paiTage as an incitement to a faithful difcharge of 
 duty in the line the All-wife Dire&or of true 
 miniflers points out. He can make efFehial a few 
 fimple expreffions to the gathering of thofe who 
 are without; or even fanftify to them the do&rine 
 which may be loft on the unfaithful profeffors of 
 his truth. 
 
 The i yth of the Third month, we had a meeting 
 at Surry Black Water, which was large ; Friends 
 from the neighbouring meetings, and many per- 
 fons of other focieties, collecting at it. After the 
 meeting, a pretty high profeffor of the church of 
 England (his name Peter Worrel), but who for 
 fome years had been diiTatisfied therewith, and had 
 been feeking the way of Truth, fought an oppor- 
 tunity of converfation with us. He had followed 
 us to feveral meetings, and being ferious in his 
 inquiries, and free in expreffing his fentiments, he 
 told my companion (who had had moft of the fer- 
 vice in the meetings he had attended), that he 
 could not difcover much difference between the 
 ground of the do&rine he had heard from her, 
 and the fundamental principles of the church of 
 England. I faw his flate, that he heard with 
 c his
 
 98 
 
 his bodily cars, and judged by his natural under- 
 ftanding, of which he had a good (hare, and had 
 read much. I therefore told him, that if he would 
 attain the knowledge of the Truth, he muft not 
 only underitand the words which were fpoken, but 
 the power whereby they were given forth ; for 
 that, according to the Apoftle's teftimony, " The 
 " kingdom of God {lands not in word, but in 
 " power," which, with fomething elfe I faid, 
 adapted to his cafe, was carried home beyond my 
 expe&ation. He followed us to another meeting, 
 .and then fought an opportunity with me alone; 
 when he told me, that what I had dropped in con- 
 verfation, and that day in my miniftry, had fo 
 affe&ed him, that he was now convinced that 
 a Divine power accompanied true gofpel minii- 
 try, and that he thought he fhould join with us in 
 fociety ; but that he was under fome difcouragement 
 on account of the degeneracy of many of our mem- 
 bers. I faid what then arofe in my heart, by 
 way of exciting him to faithfulnefs ; and he parted 
 from us in much love: indeed he was remarkably 
 changed from the time we firft faw him ; his very 
 countenance befpoke him to have been with Jefus. 
 He was filent, folid, and weighty in fpirit, though 
 before talkative and full of head-knowledge in re- 
 ligion. I afterwards heard well of him, and I 
 think he fettled amongfl Friends. 
 
 I could not but remark on this occafion, how 
 fecretly, and almoft unknown to ourfelves, the 
 
 Almighty
 
 99 
 
 Almighty fometimes makes ufe of us to the effecting 
 of his gracious purpofes : for in the meetings this 
 man had attended, previoufly to our converfation 
 with him, I was much fhut up as to miniftry ; and 
 my companion was favoured in the exercife of her 
 gift ; in one of them remarkably fo ; and yet it 
 appeared that I was made the principal inftrument 
 of good to this poor feekihg foul. 
 
 We then vifited feveral meetings upon Appo- 
 niatox River ; and. the Lord was with us, bleiTed 
 be his name ; thence to the South-weft Moun- 
 tains, where we were led in a very low track, 
 myfelf efpecially. Thence we proceeded through 
 many meetings to James River, and fo to the 
 quarterly meeting at Wyanoak Swamp. By the 
 time I came to James River, I was funk exceed- 
 ingly low in mind ; but as I abode in the patience, 
 the Lord, in his time, was plea fed to raife me 
 again to his own honour. From James River, we 
 went through many meetings in Carolina County, 
 ,up Sherrando River, and by Opeekan Creek to 
 Fairfax, which was the laft meeting we had in 
 Virginia. 
 
 In this Colony we had much fuffering of fpirit, 
 for, although in many inftances we were favoured 
 with a good degree of flrength and wifdom, to 
 fpeak to the flates of the people ; yet could we not 
 but fympathize with the feed of life, which in many 
 of their fouls was opprelTed by a dark carnal fpirit: 
 wherein the difcipline is too much conduced, or 
 o * rather
 
 100 
 
 rather in fome places fo perverted, that this de- 
 figned wall of defence, is rather a ftumbling block 
 to fober inquirers. There are a number of truly 
 valuable friends among them ; but in fome parti- 
 culars, who, had they kept to the fimplicity of 
 Truth, might have been ferviceable in the miniftry; 
 found and flight are grievoufly mixed therein, which 
 will never convince the judgment, or fettle the mind 
 in the (lability of Truth, although they may pleafc 
 the ear, and affeft the paffions. After leaving the 
 province, we fent them an epiflle, which was prin- 
 cipally penned by my companion. 
 
 I think a providential prefervation which we ex- 
 perienced in this province worthy recording, but, 
 not having retained it in the memorandums I 
 have preferved, I cannot afcertain the name of the 
 river at which it happened. After a long day's 
 journey, wherein we had dined in the woods on a 
 fcanty meal, we came in the evening to the ford 
 of a broad, rapid river, which, from the appearance 
 of the waves, we might fuppofe had a ftony bottom. 
 Neither of our guides were acquainted with the 
 ford, and we were afraid to attempt to crofs it 
 until it was tried by one of them : fo the youngeft 
 of them, about 1 9, went rather beyond the middle 
 of the ftream ; and not finding it very deep, called 
 to us to follow, which we with the other guide 
 did, when each of them took charge of one of us. 
 
 My companion followed him who went firft, 
 and they kept a pretty ftraight courfe acrofs the 
 
 fiver ;
 
 101 
 
 river ; but my horfe, and that of the other friend, 
 bended down the ftream, which I concluded was 
 occafioned by its force and rapidity. When we 
 got over, we learned that the bed of the river, 
 which was of large pebbles, was fo uneven as to 
 render it dangerous. To ford it fafely, the 
 horfes fliould have gone a little way down the 
 flream, and turned up again to the landing place ; 
 for by going ftraight acrofs, the edge of a pit in 
 the bottom mud be gone over, which was accounted 
 thirty feet deep, fo that my companion was in 
 confiderable danger. Surely much caution is ne- 
 ceflary for travellers in crofting unknown waters. 
 
 The 25th of the Fourth month we had a meet- 
 ing at Monoccafy in Maryland, wherein Truth 
 meafurably favoured; from which we proceeded 
 to Weft River, taking the meetings in our way. 
 We came to Weft River the 29th, and could not 
 get a releafe from thence till the 8th of the Fifth 
 month. The profeflbrs of Truth in this fettle- 
 ment are principally of the offspring of faithful 
 anceftors ; but divers of them have taken their 
 flight on the wings of vanity and earthly riches, 
 and flighted the truly valuable eternal inheritance ; 
 and, I fear, fome even defpife that precious faith 
 which was once delivered to the faints. We had 
 fix meetings with them, in four of which I was filent ; 
 and my companion had not much liberty of fpirit 
 until the lafl meeting ; wherein the teftimony of 
 Truth -was raifed in its own dominion. The yearly 
 o 3 meeting
 
 102 
 
 meeting for this part of Maryland was held during 
 our flay ; which, as ufual, was attended by people 
 of other focieties, and, I heard there was a great 
 defire to hear me fpeak in this place j but the Lord 
 was pleafed very much to difappoint their expec- 
 tation, 
 
 The 8th we went to Gerrard Hopkins's, upon 
 South River : in the way I had a dangerous fall 
 from my horfe, whereby my left arm was much 
 hurt, but, through Divine favour, no bone was 
 Broken or diflocated. 
 
 The gth, we proceeded on our journey, aU 
 though my arm was fo weak and painful that 
 I was obliged to carry it in a fling. We patted 
 through feveral meetings in Baltimore county, to 
 Duck Creek and Bufh River, and in many places 
 my companion had good fervice ; but great were 
 my trials of fpirit about this time, under which 
 the Divine arm fecretly fuftained me. Oh ! what 
 need is there to ftand Hill in thefe dripping, dip- 
 ping feafons, and wait low to difcern the way 
 whereby we may efcape the temptations of the 
 fubtil enemy. As I was favoured to abide here, 
 a little light and flrength was afforded ; whereby 
 I was encouraged to truft in that arm of Al- 
 mighty fufficiency which had hitherto preferved 
 me ; and was refigned to travel forward, although 
 I might be led in a low defpifed track. 
 
 The 1 8th, we came to Sufquehannah River, and 
 the iQth, to Eaft Nottingham in Pennfylvania x to 
 
 the
 
 103 
 
 the houfe of my dear and worthy friend John 
 Churchman, who was not yet returned from a vifit 
 to Friends in England ; but his wife and fon gladly 
 received us. The 22d we reached Philadelphia, 
 and took up our lodging with our worthy and 
 ancient friend Rachel Pemberton. 
 
 Here my dear companion met with a trial very 
 affe&ing to nature, an account of the death of 
 her father; which however ftie was the better pre- 
 pared to receive, from a remarkable fenfe having 
 for fome time refted upon her mind that it was 
 fo : and (he was affiiled to bear it with Chrifliaii 
 refignation and fortitude, being favoured with the 
 cheering hope that he went well. 
 
 We (laid in Philadelphia till the zgth, attend- 
 ing the meetings of Friends as they came in courfe, 
 wherein I had fome fervice, and was favoured 
 with peace in the difcharge of my duty, though 
 led in a low track, very contrary to the expe&a- 
 tions of the people, which were to be difappointed. 
 My companion was moftly filent during our flay 
 in this city. 
 
 The 29th we left Philadelphia, and fet our 
 faces towards the eaftern colonies. We appointed 
 but one meeting between Philadelphia and New 
 York ; where we had two large publick meetings, 
 which were attended by many people of other fo- 
 cieties ; who behaved well, and the teftimony of 
 Truth was borne to them by us both. In the 
 ; evening my companion had an inclination to have 
 G 4 a feleft
 
 104 
 
 a feleft opportunity with Friends in that city; 
 which, I believe, was memorable to fome prefent, 
 for fhe was much favoured amongft them, 
 
 On the 3d of the Sixth month, we croffed the 
 river to Long Ifland ; and the 5th, had a fmall 
 meeting with a few who profeffed the truth at 
 Setoket, and fo proceeded to the eaft end of the 
 ifland, intending to go from thence to the yearly 
 meeting in Rhode Ifland, We were accompanied 
 by two Friends from Philadelphia, John Aimil 
 and Thomas Lightfoot, and one from Setoket. 
 Here we were detained near two days by contrary 
 winds, and lodged at the houfe of a friendly 
 man, a Prefbyterian, but more generous in his 
 way of thinking than are many of that profef- 
 fion in this Ifland. I had a concern to have a 
 meeting with the neighbours, and a young man 
 kindly offered his houfe ; which we accepted, and a 
 pretty many people came, and behaved well while 
 I was fpeaking ; but very foon after I had done, 
 moft of them went away, although the meeting 
 was not yet concluded. The Almighty was pleafed 
 to caufe many gofpel truths to be opened to them, 
 and although it feemed to take too little effe&, I 
 had peace in the difcharge of my duty. 
 
 On the 8th, we fet fail in a floop, but the wind 
 not favouring, we dropt anchor that night, and 
 next day, being the Firfl of the week, went on 
 ftiore at a place about two miles diftant from 
 Whence we embarked. Here we were received by 
 
 another
 
 105 
 
 another Prefbyterian, and that day were favoured 
 with a comfortable religious opportunity together. 
 The wind continued contrary to the 1 2th, in which 
 interval we had a meeting with fome of the neigh- 
 bours ; which, although exercifmg by reafon of 
 the hardnefs of their hearts, Was favoured by 
 Divine condefcenfion ; many gofpel truths being 
 teftified to therein, which I hope had admittance 
 in fome minds. 
 
 The 1 2th, early in the morning we failed, ac- 
 companied by the before-mentioned friends, and 
 landed on Rhode Ifland in the afternoon. 
 
 The 1 3th, we attended a large meeting at 
 Portfmouth. The i4th, the yearly meeting be- 
 gan, which was held at Newport, and continued 
 till the 1 7th. It was attended by a large number 
 of Friends and others ; and the Lord was pleafed 
 to manifefl his ancient love and power among us, 
 whereby our fpirits were fet at liberty in the ex- 
 ercife of our gifts. I had particularly, at divers 
 times, to oppofe that dark principle of uncondi- 
 tional ele&ion and reprobation, and had caufe 
 to hope the teftimony againft it had weight with 
 fome of its profeiTors. We were exercifed for the 
 reftoration of difcipline, which had been much 
 neMe&ed in this quarter; and our endeavours for 
 its eftablifhment were meafurably crowned with 
 fuccefs ; fo that, upon the whole, at this yearly 
 meeting abundant caufe was adminiftered for 
 thankfulnefs to the bounteous Author of all good. 
 
 We
 
 106 
 
 We vifited the prifon ; we alfo vifited feveral 
 friends who -were confined through indifpofidon ; 
 in which charitable fervice we had peace and com- 
 fort. 
 
 The ipth, we went to Tiverton, and fo, through 
 feveral meetings in that quarter, to the monthly 
 meeting at Poniganfet, wherein we were exceed- 
 ing clofely exercifed j the teftimony principally di- 
 rected to Friends. 
 
 After we left Newport, my mind was much 
 diftreffed, and drawn back to that place, but my 
 companion not encouraging me, and I being fear- 
 ful, did not return, which I had afterwards reafon 
 to believe I ought to have done ; for after our 
 leaving it, a young man whom we had vifited in his 
 illnefs died. He was of confiderable account in 
 the world, and jufl upon the point of marriage 
 with an agreeable young woman of the fame 
 meeting. Had I moved in faith, I might have got 
 to his funeral. 
 
 It is worthy "remarking, that while I was under 
 the exercife for returning back, two friends came 
 to vifit us, and my companion being engaged 
 above flairs, I was with them alone a fhort time. 
 We fat a few minutes in filence, when one of them 
 faid, " Go down to the camp and fee," without 
 any comment upon the expreffion. I had doubtlefs 
 been ruminating why .my mind fhould be drawn 
 back ; and had I attended to this intimation, and 
 fet off immediately, I might, with clofe riding, 
 
 have*
 
 107 
 
 have reached the before-mentioned funeral, and 
 have returned in feafon to the monthly meeting 
 at Poniganfet ; whereto, as Friends of the parti- 
 cular meetings reforted, all the fervice required of 
 me might have been anfwered. 
 
 The 28th, we went on board a floop, and 
 failed for the Ifland of Nantucket. We intended, 
 by Divine permiffion, to have attended the yearly 
 meeting there, but the wind proving contrary, we 
 did not get there till the 3oth, when the meeting 
 was in part over. We went on fhore for a few 
 hours on Elizabeth Ifland, where we faw no inha- 
 bitant; but it being a fine fun-mine day, and the 
 ground rifing from the fea, we laid ourfelves down 
 upon the turf, and got a little fleep ; for the floop 
 was fo crouded, being fmall, that we could get 
 very little on board. At Nantucket we met our 
 friends .Daniel Stanton, Ifrael Pemberton, &c. 
 from Philadelphia, who, had all been with us at 
 the yearly meeting at Rhode Ifland. We were mu- 
 tually refrefhed together, and the Lord favoured 
 us in his fervice, both in the work of the miniftry 
 and in difcipline ; to the fatisfa&ion and relief of 
 the fenfible body of Friends, and I hope to the 
 edification of fome others. 
 
 The inhabitants of this Ifland were favoured 
 with wonderful vifitations from on high, at the 
 time when our valuable friends John Richardfon 
 and others vifited America ; by whofe labours as 
 miniilers, a large meeting was gathered to the 
 
 praife
 
 108 
 
 praifc of the Lord's name ; which wrought power- 
 fully to the turning the people from " darknefs 
 " to light:" and many worthy profdTors of Truth 
 then belonged to it, men and women zealous 
 for the honour of it, who walked in that true 
 light wherein they had believed. But moft of 
 thefe being removed to their eternal manfions, and 
 their offspring not generally walking by the fame 
 rule, our fociety was in a flate of weaknefs, 
 although the meeting was yet large, and there 
 remained a living remnant in it. Some of the 
 youth, efpecially of our own fex, appeared hope- 
 ful ; but having been left much to themfelves, and 
 the work of the difcipline having been neglefted, 
 they were unprepared for it, and ignorant of its 
 weight and necefiity ; fo that the meeting feemed 
 in a dwindling condition, as to the life of Truth. 
 We laboured for an amendment in thefe refpe&s ; 
 and in order thereto, recommended their bringing 
 the young people of orderly conventions to their 
 meetings for bufmefs (which had been too much 
 negle&ed); with which Friends concurred, and alfo 
 with the proportion for their holding two meet- 
 ings for worfhip on the Firft-day; whereby the 
 time, which was too frequently fquandered away 
 unprofitably, by at leaft many of the younger 
 fort, might be better employed. Some of the 
 members of the meeting living diftant from it, had 
 probably prevented their holding two meetings 
 
 'heretofore
 
 109 
 
 heretofore on the Firft-day ; but that was no ex- 
 cufe for thofe who dwelt in the town. 
 
 We left the Ifland in peace, in the afternoon of 
 the i ft of the Seventh month, in company with 
 our aforefaid friends from Philadelphia, and 
 landed at Woodfhold the fame evening; whence 
 Daniel Stanton and Ifrael Pemberton returned 
 homewards, but the other friend, not being quite 
 eafy to leave us, concluded, with our permif- 
 fion, to accompany us a little further. He was 
 one of thofe who came with us from Philadelphia 
 as guide, and had accompanied us to Rhode 
 Ifland, and while with us, had been remarkably 
 under the baptizing power of Truth j which raifed 
 a tender regard in our minds towards him, and we 
 were not eafy to refufe his company, although 
 he was in a fmgle ftation. Our Friends alfo of 
 Philadelphia, who left us here, concurred in his 
 flay, and that the more freely, as fome afliftance 
 might be wanted in fome places we were about to 
 pafs through. 
 
 Here I fuggeft fome cautions neceiTary to be 
 obferved by young women in a tingle ftate, who 
 travel in the fervice of the miniflry, towards thofe 
 of the other fex, who are alfo unmarried. 
 
 Firft, to guard their own minds, left they admit 
 of any pleafing imagination, and ftamp it with the 
 awful name of revelation ; and fo Hide into a fa- 
 miliarity and freedom of converfation and beha? 
 viour, which might tend to engage the afFe&ions 
 
 of
 
 110 
 
 of young men. Secondly, to endeavour to retain 
 a feeling fenfe of the flate of the fpirits of thofe 
 with whom they are intimate, and ftriftly to ob- 
 ferve their condiift and behaviour towards them : 
 fo will they be the better able to judge of 
 their motives for accompanying them, or of any 
 other aft of kindnefs ; and may wifely check any 
 forward thought which looks beyond friendship; 
 which may eafily be done by fome prudent re- 
 marks (yet obliquely) in converfation. Thirdly, 
 to beware of hurting any of thefe tender plants 
 by an auftere conduct. When we are fmgularly 
 made inflruments of good, in the hand of Provi- 
 dence, to any foul, there is a natural aptitude to 
 lean a little to the inftrument, and to prefer it above 
 others, which for a time may be allowable. The 
 Lord, leading the mind by gradual fleps from the 
 love of other objects to the entire love of himfelf, 
 the one only pure, eternal, Excellency, may per- 
 mit it for a feafon to lean to an inflrument ; in 
 which cafe a prudent referve is neceffary, as well 
 as a tender regard to the growth of the party thus 
 vifited. I confefs, it is fometimes a nice point, to 
 be ready to be of fervice to fuch, and prefer ve 
 the unity of the fpirit, free from a mixture of na- 
 tural affe&ion ; a diflin&ion which I fear has been 
 overlooked by fome to their great hurt, but 
 which Truth, if adhered to, will make ; and will 
 alfo direft to fleer fafely betwixt thefe dangerous 
 extremes. 
 
 Fronfr
 
 Ill 
 
 From Woodfliold we went to Falmouth, and 
 fo to the quarterly meeting at Sandwich, which 
 began the 5th of the Seventh month. It was 
 fmall and exercifmg, but we were favoured with 
 Divine affiftance, through which the teftimony of 
 Truth was fet over the heads of the gainfayers. 
 
 From hence we went to Yarmouth, where we 
 had a good meeting with a few Friends, and a 
 pretty many of the neighbours, and returned back 
 to Sandwich. 
 
 The icth, we had a meeting at Pembroke, 
 which was attended by many people of other fo- 
 cities, who were much difpleafed becaufe we were 
 filent. In the evening we had a meeting with a 
 few friends ; the principal fervice whereof \vas to 
 flrengthen their hands in the difcipline. 
 
 The i ith, we went to Boflon, and had a meeting 
 there with Friends and fome others the fame 
 evening, which ended comfortably. 
 
 The 1 2th, our friend of Philadelphia left us to 
 return home, and we purfued our journey towards 
 the quarterly meeting, to be held at Hampton the 
 13th and i4th, and. with hard travelling we 
 reached it in due time. But fuch a fcene of con- 
 fufion and diffraction I never was in before ; occa- 
 fioned by a company of Ranters, who had gone 
 out from Friends in a fpirit of feparation ; but 
 who, in reality, were never properly of us, having 
 been injudiciouily taken into membermip, before 
 Friends knew on what foundation they werej and 
 
 being
 
 112 
 
 being high-minded, heady, and exceedingly wild 
 in their imaginations (which they accounted revela- 
 tions), would not fubmit to the fenfe of Friends in 
 the difcipline, and were therefore difowned. Thefc 
 frequently made it their pra&ice to difturb the 
 meetings of Friends, with their wild diforderly 
 appearances; and many of them came to this 
 quarterly meeting, againfl whom we had to tef- 
 tify, being in the courfe of the meetings exceed- 
 ingly burdened with their fpirits and publick ap- 
 pearances under pretence of preaching; but we 
 were obliged to fuffer under their fpirits, until 
 our concluding meeting, whereto many of them 
 came. After a time of filence therein, my com- 
 panion flood up, and one of their company began 
 haranguing the people in the grave-yard, and 
 others were diflurbing Friends in the meeting 
 houfe; wherein I think a form broke down, where- 
 by the diflurbance became fo great, that fhe fat 
 down in difcouragement, and the meeting conti- 
 nued in diforder. In a fliort time I flood up 
 with a view to inform the people prefent who did 
 not profefs with us (who were numerous), of the 
 reafon of our conduft towards thefe Ranters. I had 
 faid but little before I was fenfible of the fpring 
 of Divine life being opened ; from whence I was 
 enabled to minifter, though I had no view of what 
 was given me to fpeak before I flood up ; but I 
 was immediately and mercifully clothed with fuch a 
 degree of authority, that it might indeed be faid, 
 
 the
 
 113 
 
 the Truth was over all, and the meeting ended in 
 awful folemnity : for which my foul was humbly 
 thankful to the Lord, who gave us viftory over 
 thefe deluded fpirits. 
 
 The i6th, we went to Dover, and had two meet- 
 ings with Friends in that quarter, in both of which I 
 was (hut up. We attended the funeral of a friend 
 whofe relations were Prelbyterians, and had a fea- 
 fonable opportunity among the people, wherein the 
 teftimony of Truth was exalted. 
 
 The 2oth, we had a meeting with Friends at 
 Thomas Henfon's ; and thence went to Berwick 
 and Winter Harbour, whence we crofled part 
 of Cafco Bay in a canoe, to vifit a few 
 friends on fome iflands therein. Several friends 
 from Dover, &c. accompanied us in this journey; 
 wherein had human fears prevailed, we might 
 have apprehended ourfelves in danger from the 
 Indians, who fometimes annoy the inhabitants, 
 killing fome, and carrying "others captive to 
 Canada : but our fpirits were mercifully pre- 
 ferved above fear, and comforted with the 
 hope of Truth's profperity among the few 
 friends in that quarter ; feveral of whom were 
 under its humbling vifitation, and therefore were 
 near to our fpirits ; from whom we departed in 
 gofpel love, and returned to Dover the 3oth. 
 
 The i ft of the Eighth month, we went to New 
 
 Town, had a meeting at Nathan Hoeg's, wherein 
 
 much inftru&ive do&rine flowed to feveral dates, 
 
 H particularly
 
 114 
 
 particularly to that of the before mentioned Ran- 
 ters; and we found that there were prefent two young 
 women who fometimes went among them, with 
 whom, after meeting, we had forne difcourfe. They 
 behaved civilly to us, and told us they had heard 
 many lies of us ; and one of them was confiderably 
 tendered in fpirit, but the other was high in ima- 
 gination. 
 
 From hence we proceeded to Almfbury and 
 Newbury, where a concern retted upon my dear 
 companion to go back, and pay a vifit in the love of 
 the gofpel to thefe Ranters, for whom fhe had for 
 fome time been exercifed, and particularly for their 
 leader James Bean ; a man of great cunning and a. 
 ftrong will, who had heretofore been fuffered to mi- 
 nifter amongfl Friends. She laid this concern before 
 Friends, wherewith they concurring, we went on 
 the 5th to Brintwood, the place where they held 
 their meeting. Many friends accompanied us, 
 who I believe were earneflly defirous that we 
 might be rightly conduced among thefe dark, 
 crafty fpirits ; who readily gave us an oppor- 
 tunity with them at their own meeting -houfe. In 
 the forepart of the meeting feveral of them fpokc 
 fomething, but at length my companion got li- 
 berty, and was favoured with the openings and 
 power of Truth, dire&ly pointed to the confufed 
 deluded flate wherein they were. I was alfo 
 exercifed in the like manner, and we had good 
 tidings for fome of them, viz. that there was 
 
 a way
 
 115 
 
 a way open for them to returfi , if they would fuffer 
 their wills and works to be tried, judged, and con- 
 demned ; which I believe a few of them received 
 well ; for there appeared to be fome fimple- 
 hearted deluded fouls among them; who, being 
 taken with the more than ordinary fhew of righ- 
 teoufnefs, and high pretenfions to enjoyments, vi* 
 fions, and revelations j and not having their fpi- 
 ritual faculties fufficiently ftrong to difcern betwixt 
 the reality and the image of Truth ; had been in- 
 advertently catched by them. We had reafon to 
 hope that our labours and fufferings among thefe 
 ranting fpirits had its fervice ; for after we left 
 them, we heard that from that time they had been 
 lefs troublefome to Friends in their meetings. 
 
 The yth, we had meetings at Lynn and Salem. 
 The firft was large, and greatly mixed with people 
 of other focieties, wherein the Lord was pleafed 
 to favour me in the exercife of my gift : the laft 
 was of Friends feleft, and the fervice principally 
 fell upon my companion, whofe concern chiefly 
 pointed to Friends. 
 
 The 8th, we went to Bofton, and attended the 
 
 monthly meeting there the fame day, to which canie 
 
 many people of other focieties, but we were wholly 
 
 filent. We flaid over the Firft-day meetings, 
 
 which were attended by abundance of people not 
 
 profeffing with us j but neither of us had much 
 
 to impart to them, which was matter of wonder 
 
 , both to them and to fome who profefTed with us j 
 
 H 2 there
 
 v 116 
 
 there being now a willingnefs in the people of this 
 city, to hear the tefliraony of Truth. We were 
 engaged to pay a religious vifit to mod of the fa- 
 milies of Friends there, wherein we were favoured 
 with the fatisfa&ory evidence of being in the way 
 of our duty; and from which we hoped fome good 
 would enfue, for it feemed to have confiderable 
 effeft upon fome, efpecially of the youth. 
 
 The 1 4th, we went to Mendon, and after hav- 
 ing vifited a few little meetings to the north-weft ; 
 we paffed, through feveral, to Rhode\ Ifland. 
 We were painfully exercifed in this quarter, 
 being engaged for .the eftablifliing of a right 
 difcipline ; and in the difcouragement of a mi- 
 niftry in words, which was not accompanied with 
 the power of Truth ; wherewith fome of the people 
 were amufed, but not profitably fed, and the truly 
 fenfible were diftreffed. In divers places we 
 were moftly or wholly filent, in large mixed 
 meetings, perhaps for examples to thefe forward 
 fpirits. It raifed the difpleafure of fome againfl 
 us ; but we were mercifully preferved patient and 
 refigned, and I hope ready to do good for evil. 
 
 The ayth, we came to Newport on Rhode 
 Ifland, and were affe&ionately received by our 
 friends Thomas and Mary Richardfon and their 
 children, with whom we lodged both now and 
 when there before. 
 
 . The 28th, we were at their week-day meeting, 
 which was pretty much mixed with people of other 
 
 focietie's j
 
 117 
 
 focieties ; but our concern at this time being prin- 
 cipally to Friends, their coming rendered it diffi- 
 cult for us to difcharge our duties. We therefore 
 requefted a meeting of Friends felect, which we 
 obtained, and I believe it ended to the general fa- 
 tisfaftion of the fenfible minds prefent ; the Lord's 
 power being exalted therein, under the tendering 
 effects whereof fome of the youth were bowed. 
 
 From Newport we went through fevcral meet- 
 ings on the ifland of Poniganfet to Greenwich, 
 wherein I had but little ihare in the miniftry ; 
 but my companion had good fervice in this quar- 
 ter. Here we parted from many Friends who had 
 been made near to us in the Truth ; and on the 
 8th of the Ninth month, fet our faces towards 
 New York government ; but my companion, not 
 finding her fpirit releafed from Greenwich, we re- 
 turned back the next morning, and had a meeting 
 with Friends there the fame day ; and the i oth, 
 had one at Machanticut. We had fome painful 
 labour in both thefe meetings, the caufe of which 
 I forbear to mention, but in the end had to point 
 out one of the parties that had occafioned it. 
 
 The i ith, we proceeded on our journey through 
 ConneHcut Province, to Oblong in New York 
 government, about 150 miles, having no meetings 
 by the way but at New Milford, where there i$ 
 a few under the profeffion of Truth. 
 
 From thence we went to Salifbury, and the Nina 
 
 Partners ; where my companion was confined by 
 
 jndifpofition, afld I was obliged to attend the 
 
 H 3 meetings
 
 meetings in this quarter alone; \vlie.rem I was fa- 
 voured with a degree of Divine help. 
 
 The 2$d, we returned to Oblong, and were at 
 the meetings there on the Firft-day, which were 
 large, and I hope ferviceable. 
 
 From hence we had thoughts of pailing through 
 the other meetings of Friends on the main land in 
 this quarter, and fo of proceeding to Long Illand j 
 but foon after we left Oblong, a cloud came over 
 our fpirits ; and being diveiled of a capacity for 
 fervice, we concluded to go direftly to Long 
 Ifland, and there to reft until the caufe or end of 
 this difpenfation iliould be manifefled to us ; which 
 proved to be a feparation from each other. I had 
 long feen it would be fo, and fome of our friends 
 before we left Europe expe&ed, and rather prefTecJ. 
 it ; fearing that ._ our fervice would be lefs tQ 
 the church by our keeping together, than if we 
 feparated. We had now travelled together a$ 
 companions in the mod difficult parts of the coun- 
 try ; had lhared fo many trials, fufterings, and 
 dangers, and had been favoured with great unity of 
 fpirit therein, that it appeared hard for us to 
 part j but when we were convinced of the pro- 
 priety of it, we fubmitted, in hope that it might 
 tend to the benefit of that glorious caufe, for 
 which we left our native land. After patiently, 
 waiting fome days, my companion's way opened to 
 Philadelphia ; but I not being quite clear that the 
 time for my leaving this quarter was fully come, 
 
 concluded
 
 119, 
 
 concluded to flay behind her ; which flie, gs wcM 
 as myfelf, being moft eafy with, we imparted our 
 exercife to Friends at their monthly meeting, and 
 had their approbation in our reparation. 
 
 The 3d of the Tenth month,, we took an affec- 
 tionate leave of each other at the honfe of our 
 friend John Bowne of Flufhing ; and (he, accom- 
 panied by fome men fri'ends, proceeded towards 
 Philadelphia. My view was to turn back to the 
 few meetings we had not vifited on the main land, 
 and J. Bowne's wife being willing to accompany 
 me, we, with two men friends, left her houfe the 
 fame afternoon. We had a pretty broad ferry to 
 crofs, and the tide not ferving until evening, it was 
 near night when we got over. We did not go in 
 the fame boat with the horfes, but one of the 
 men friends ftaid with them, and we could not expe& 
 them over for a confiderable time. The ferry houfe 
 feemed a poor place to lodge at, and it appeared 
 proper we fhould that night get to the houfe of a 
 friend, who was member of the meeting I wifhed 
 to attend next day, that notice might be given of 
 it ; and if we ftaid for our horfes the family might 
 probably be gone to bed. We therefore inquired 
 for horfes to proceed forward, but could procure 
 only one, upon which I determined to go with a 
 man to ride before me, who was to bring the horfe ' 
 back. My friends who were with me knew the 
 people of the ferry, fo I fet out without fear, aU 
 . though I had no pillion. We had but about two 
 n 4 or
 
 120 
 
 or three miles to ride, and it was a -fine, clear, 
 moon-light night, and mod of the way on an even 
 fand. I foon found the horfe was a ftumbler (in- 
 deed the poor bead had no fhoes on, a common 
 cafe on Long Ifland, and other even, fandy, parts 
 of the country), and when we had gone perhaps 
 half way, down he came, and threw us both ; but 
 we were thrown far enough from the horfe to re- 
 ceive no hurt from him. The horfe rolled upon 
 his back, and when he arofe I found the faddle 
 had no girth to it, and I knew before that it had 
 no crupper, fo it was unlikely that its rider 
 fhould have any command of him when he fell. 
 We had a kind of a wafli-way to pafs before we 
 got to the friend's houfe, fo I could not well walk 
 it j therefore I mounted again at fome high rails, 
 and we reached the houfe before the family was in 
 bed ; and my friends came fafe the fame night. I 
 vifited -the meetings on the Main, which I had a 
 view of, and returned to Fluihing the 5th, 
 
 I wi&ed to vifit the meetings on Long Ifland, 
 that I might be excufed from returning back 
 thereto ; but not having eafe of mind in the 
 profpeft, I concluded to follow my companion to 
 Philadelphia ; in which I believe I was right, as it 
 tended to convince Friends in general that our fe- 
 paration was not occafioned by any difference be- 
 twixt us, or other improper caufe or motive : fo I 
 proceeded accordingly, accompanied by one man 
 friend, 
 
 On
 
 121 
 
 On the yth, we Hopped to refrefh ourfelves at 
 New York, and my affe&ionate friend Margaret 
 Bowne, at \vhofe houfe we had lodged before, 
 concluded to take me in her chaife to Philadel- 
 phia: a feafonable relief from riding on horfeback. 
 We crofled the Sound that afternoon, and 
 reached Philadelphia the loth, a journey of about 
 100 miles from New York. My companion had 
 gone a little round, in her way from Long 
 Ifland to vifit a general meeting, and came to 
 Philadelphia the fame day ; and after having 
 converfed with each other, we were mutually fa- 
 tisfied with meeting, although we could not fee 
 that we fhould unite again in the fervice through 
 the provinces of Pennfylvania and the Jerfeys. 
 
 We (laid in Philadelphia more than a week, 
 and our Friends were unanimous that it was beft 
 for us to feparate. My way opened to go to the 
 yearly meeting to be held at Shrewfbury. In the 
 way thereto, I fell in with feveral week-day 
 meetings, and with one appointed by Jofliua Dixon, 
 a friend on a religious vifit from England. I had 
 alfo fome fervice in the families of Friends, for 
 which I had my reward. The meeting at Shrewf- 
 bury began the 28th, and was attended by diver 
 valuable minifters ; and indeed I thought there was 
 need of weight to counteract the light frothy 
 fpirit which appeared in the people, both in fome 
 of thofe who made profeilion of Truth, as well as 
 many of other focieties j whofe motive in attend- 
 ing
 
 122 
 
 ing that meeting being more to plcafe the natural 
 mind, by getting into the company and converfation 
 of each other, than for the honour of Truth, 
 they added no weight to it. However, the Lord 
 was pleafed fo to favour, that the teilimony of 
 Truth was ievenil times fet over them in good au- 
 thority. I was particularly engaged for the wel- 
 fare of my fellow members in fociety, and defired 
 an opportunity with the heads of families ; which 
 was procured, and I had good fatisfa&ion in it. 
 
 The 3oth, I left Shrewsbury, and the ifl of the 
 Eleventh month, returned to Philadelphia, a jour- 
 ney of near 90 miles. I met my companion here" 
 well, and alfo my clear friends John Churchman, 
 who was returned from his vifit to Friends in 
 England, and Samuel Fothergill, who was enter- 
 ing upon one to Friends in America. We were 
 mutually refreflied in beholding the faces one 
 of another, our union in the Truth being 
 ftrong, which was now renewed in the freih fpring- 
 ing up of its life. We all attended the quar- 
 terly meeting at Philadelphia, which was large, 
 and eminently crowned with the Divine prefence ; 
 wherein my companion and felf rejoiced, though 
 we had but little fhare in the public fervice. 
 
 As we found it right to part, for the gofpePs fake, 
 on the 8th, we took leave of each other in a degree 
 of cheerfulnefs, and in the unity of the fpirit j com* 
 mining each other to the Divine prote&ion, under 
 a feeling fenfe of his humbling geodnefs. Mjr 
 
 views
 
 123 
 
 views pointed to Weft Jerfey, fo I crofled the 
 River Delaware at Philadelphia, being accompa- 
 nied by Sarah Barney, a religious young woman 
 of the Ifland of Nantucket, who had come to 
 Philadelphia to fpend fome time amongft Friends 
 there, and found freedom to go with me for a 
 while, as I did to accept of her company. She was 
 not in the miniftry. 
 
 I patted through a train of meetings to the 
 quarterly meeting at Salem, and my concern prin- 
 cipally bending to the members of our own fo- 
 ciety in that quarter, I was pleafed that the meet- 
 ings were not mixed with others ; and was fome- 
 times favoured with a degree of enlargement in 
 the heavenly gift, though at others poor and low. 
 
 The quarterly meeting at Salem began the i6th 
 and ended the igth, wherein I had cbfe hard ex- 
 ercife in fpirit, as well as in minifterial fervice, in 
 which I was not much enlarged. 
 
 The 2oth, I had a meeting at Greenwich, 
 where there is a promifmg profpe& among the 
 youth, on feveral of whom the folidity of Truth 
 is deeply impreffed. My fpirit was clofely united 
 to them, but could minifter but little. It appeared 
 to me, that the Almighty would more perfeft his 
 work in them, by the immediate operation of his 
 own Spirit, than by the help of instruments. 
 
 The 2 1 ft, we rode between 50 and 60 miles to 
 Cape May, vifited the few Friends there, and fo 
 proceeded to Great Egg Harbour, vifited the fe- 
 veral
 
 124 
 
 veral meetings there, and the 28th, went to Little 
 Egg Harbour. We went a confiderable way be- 
 twixt thefe two harbours in a canoe juft wide 
 enough for one perfon to fit in : there was ice in 
 the bottom of it, which being broken, fome 
 ftraw was laid for me to fit on. 
 
 Hence we proceeded, through Upper Spring- 
 field, to New York. In our way we lodged 
 at Amboy, at the houfe of a widow, who was 
 under the profeffion of Truth. Here we met 
 with a young woman, to whofe perfon and cha- 
 ra&er I was an entire flranger, on whofe account 
 I became concerned, fufpefting that all was not 
 right with her: and in the morning after breakfaft, 
 I fpokc to her in a very clofe manner, and gave 
 her fuch advice, as in the openings of Truth 
 arofe in my heart. I thought I could partly have 
 pointed out her crime, had not delicacy and fear 
 kept me back. She wept much, and haftily re- 
 tired in great confufion and agitation of mind ; and 
 I afterwards heard that fhe had had a child by 
 her fitter's hufband, and was come here to be 
 flickered from publick notice ; but the Lord fol- 
 lowed her, and I had reafon to hope that the ex- 
 tendings of his grace were towards her, although 
 flie had been fo great an offender. After fome 
 more clofe and very particular fervice with the 
 woman of the houfe, I left it in peace and thank- 
 fulnefs to the Almighty, who had enabled me to 
 difcharge this hard piece of fervice j'for fo indeed 
 
 It
 
 125 
 
 it was, to fpeak thus to individuals and ftrangers : 
 but in the day of his power his people are made 
 willing to execute his commands. 
 
 I went to Raway and Rywood's meetings, and 
 got to New York the 5th of the Twelfth month \ 
 and after a meeting there went on Long liland, 
 where I vifited all the fettled meetings of Friends, 
 fave one, which I had been at before. My con- 
 cern here at this time principally bended to- 
 wards the members of our own fociety ; and 
 fometimes when meetings were much mixed with 
 others, I had nothing to fay to them j which gave 
 offence,- not only to them, but to fome carnal pro- 
 feflbrs of Truth ; but I endeavoured to reft fatisfied 
 in the Divine will, well knowing, Infinite Wifdom 
 knew bed what to adminifter for their good. At 
 Flufhing, the people not profeiTing with us, had a 
 great curiofity to hear me preach. Many of them 
 had been with me at two meetings when I was be- 
 fore on the Ifland, at both of which I was filent, 
 and now came again, and were a third time difap- 
 pointed, I believe in wifdom \ for they being ftill 
 duTatisfied, a number of young people came in the 
 evening to my lodgings, I fuppofe with an intent 
 to know whether I had any private meeting in the 
 family, with whom I fat down in retirement ; and 
 others of the neighbourhood hearing of it (by 
 means of fome of the family whom they had de- 
 fired to give them intelligence if there were fuch 
 an oppprtunity), came in, and I had a remarkable 
 
 teftimony
 
 126 
 
 teftimony amongft them, directed to their dates j 
 the force of which fome of them could not evade, 
 as the opportunity was fo felecl. I found after- 
 \tards that divers of them were Dcifts, againfl 
 whofe principles I had to ftrike with much flrength 
 and clcamefs. Friends prefent were comforted in 
 the feeling of Divine goodnefs ; for the power of 
 Truth was exalted, bleiTed for ever be the name of 
 the Lord ; who in his own time, will honour fuch 
 as honour him by manifefting that they are no- 
 thing, nor can do any thing, but through his Di- 
 vine afliftance. 
 
 The 1 8th of the Twelfth month, we left Lon 
 Ifland, in a thankful fenfe of the providential care 
 of our heavenly Father, in preferving and fuftain- 
 ing us through the many dangers and difficulties 
 attendant on this journey in the winter feafon ; 
 when the roads in many places were bad, and we 
 had many broad, wild ferries to crofs, which are 
 fometimcs rendered very dangerous through the 
 froft and ftrong gales of wind ; but the weather Was 
 always favourable when we croffed them. 
 
 The i gth, I attended a monthly meeting at 
 Woodbridge, which was fmall and exercifing, 
 wherein I had little fervice, except to ftrengthen 
 the hands of Friends in the difcipline, the line 
 whereof (hould have been farther flretchcd over 
 fome tranfgreffors. We refted a day or two at 
 Raway, at the houfe of our kind friends Jof. and 
 Sarah Shotwell, and the 22d, went to Plainfield, 
 
 and
 
 127 
 
 and thence, through feveral finall meetings, to 
 a number of meetings about Burlington, which 
 were moftly large, and fome of them fatisfa&ory, 
 being attended by the power of Truth ; but 
 the doctrine was moftly clofe, for which there was 
 forrowfully a caufe. The i3th of the Firfl month, 
 1755, we croffed the River Delaware, and were 
 at a meeting at Briftol, in Bucks County, Penn- 
 fylvania ; which was not large, but attended with 
 a degree of the Divine prefence. The 1 5th, we 
 were at the Falls meeting, in which I was filent, 
 and which was a comfortable feafon to me. 
 The 1 6th, I parted from my companion Sarah 
 Barney, who having received a hurt upon her 
 arm by a fall from her horfe, was prevented from 
 accompanying me further. She was a tender af- 
 fectionate companion, and very exemplary in her 
 converfation ; which, together with that fmcere 
 love to Truth which dwelt in her, united her to 
 my fpirit. 
 
 Grace Fimer, a friend in the miniftry from 
 Philadelphia, accompanied me through the reft of 
 the meetings in Bucks County, which were five. 
 In fome fcafons of filence the people appeared to 
 be too generally in a dull, fluggifli ftate. In fome 
 of thefe meetings the Almighty was pleafed to 
 open the fpring of the miniflry, which I believe 
 flowed in a manner not quite agreeable to fome, 
 who wanted fmooth things, although they were 
 sot their portion : and may I never minifler fo de<* 
 
 ceitfully,
 
 128 
 
 ceitfully, as to cry Peace, when his holy fpirit is 
 grieved. There is in this county a weighty, liv- 
 ing number of friends, unto whom my fpirit was 
 clofely united in the covenant of life, but there 
 are many dwellers at eafe. Some of the youth 
 appear promifmg, and the Divine viiltation was 
 largely extended to many. Oh ! that they may 
 embrace and dwell under it, fo as to become par- 
 takers of the glorious privileges of the gofpel 
 difpenfation. 
 
 The 2 1 ft, I again croffed the River Delaware, 
 accompanied by Grace Crofdale, a Friend of 
 Bucks County, who had a gift in the minifhy, 
 and went to Bethlem, and thence to vifit a few 
 families about twenty miles back in the woods ; 
 with fome of whom we had a meeting which was 
 attended by feveral of their neighbours; to whom 
 I was drawn to miniiler freely in the love of the 
 gofpel, and believe it had its eiFeft amongfl them. 
 
 The 23d, we again croffed the River Delaware, 
 which was pretty full of ice, and our men friends 
 were a little doubtful that if they went over with 
 us they could not return the next day, fliould the 
 froft continue ; as the ice might be united, though 
 not ftrong enough to bear them ; and I being un- 
 willing they fliould be detained, concluded to go 
 with two men (ftrangers to me, but one of them 
 known to friends in general) who were waiting for 
 a paffage over the river; they accompanied us to a 
 friend's houfe about five miles on the other fide ; 
 
 where
 
 129 
 
 where the next day we had a fmall meeting with 
 a few Dutch people, and then proceeded to the 
 upper part of Philadelphia County and Berks 
 County, in which part the meetings are moftly 
 fmall. I had fome painful labour of fpirit in this 
 quarter, and alfo a comfortable profpeft ; for the 
 Lord has amongft Friends here, a remnant of the 
 ancient ftock, who have, in a good degree, kept 
 their habitations in the Truth; and a few of the 
 youth are brought under its humbling baptifm ; 
 and I thought the extendings of his Divine vi- 
 iitation were to the carelefs. 
 
 The 3 ill, we crolTed the River Schuylkill in 
 a canoe, and our horfes were fwum over. We 
 attended a meeting at Nantmill in Chefler County, 
 the ift of the Second month ; and paiTed through 
 feveral meetings to the quarterly meeting for Chef-, 
 ter County, held at Concord. 
 
 About this time I was under a very heavy exer- 
 cife of fpirit, being environed with darknefs, and 
 made to (land as in the ilate of fuch as defpife 
 religion, and call in queflion Divine juftice and 
 mercy. Under this painful baptifm I continued 
 many days, whereby all the bieiiings of kind Pro- 
 vidence were imbittered, and my life feemed a 
 burthen ; yet fometimes a glimpfe of light would 
 dart through the cloud, and I conceived a hope 
 of deliverance thereby, and that this difpenfation 
 was allotted renewedly to fit me to minifter to 
 fbrae in this Hate, as well as to fympathize with the 
 I afflifted
 
 130 
 
 affli&ed and tempted. It appeared to me remark- 
 able that although I was thus exercifed when out 
 of meetings, both by day and by night, and per- 
 haps for a confiderable part of the time I was in 
 them; yet was I not entirely difabled for fervice; 
 the cloud would break as in an inflant, and I had 
 juft light and flrength afforded to fee and difchargc 
 iny duty; and after a while it would clofe up 
 again as before. My foul hath abundant caufe 
 to bleis the name of my God in this and fuch like 
 painful feafons, which I defire to retain in lafling 
 remembrance ; for had it not been for the fupport 
 of his powerful merciful hand, I had been as one 
 who goes down into the pit; being as it were en- 
 tered, in thought, into the dark avenues which 
 lead to definition ; yet faintly (as I thought) ad- 
 hering to that faith which was once delivered to 
 the faints. Thefe are the feafons of the " trial 
 " of our faith, which is more precious than that 
 " of gold which perifheth." 
 
 The quarterly meeting at Concord began the 
 7th of the Second month, where I met my dear 
 companion Mary Peifley. Our meeting was at- 
 tended with Divine confolation, under a fenfe of 
 the prote&ion of Providence having been over us in 
 our abfence from each other ; and our union in the 
 Truth was renewed and flrengthened. The quar- 
 terly meeting was large, and Divinely favoured, 
 and the teftimony of Truth therein .exalted in 
 flrength and clearnefs. 
 
 - The
 
 131 
 
 The minds of fome members of our fociety 
 were at this time much unfettled through govern- 
 ment affairs. A war with the French feemed likely 
 to break out ; and fome were for deviating from 
 our Chrillian teflimony, which is againft defenfive, 
 as well as offenfive war; confidently with that pure 
 charity which " beareth all things, and feeketh 
 " not its own" by means contrary to the tendency 
 of the peaceable gofpel difpenfation. Againft 
 tliis fpirit we had to teftify, I hope to good pnrpofe, 
 for the power of Truth was over the meetings in 
 an eminent degree, whereby the do&rinc preached 
 was enforced : glory be to the Lord for ever ! He 
 bringeth down and raifeth up, for the honour of 
 his own name, and the eftablifhment of his fer- 
 vants in righteoufnefs and truth. The fcripture 
 given me to comment upon in this meeting was 
 Joel 2d, verfe the 151!!, and fome following, 
 whereon I was opened to my own humbling admi- 
 ration and that of fome of my friends. Here we 
 met our friends John Churchman, Jomua Dixon, 
 and many more, with whom our fpirits were com- 
 forted in the Divine prefence. 
 
 The 1 2th, we came to Philadelphia, where we 
 fpent a few days, and were principally engaged in 
 vifiting fome friends' families, and the girls' fchopi 
 for Friends' children. We alfo vifited the prifpn, 
 wherein were confined feveral who had made 
 Tome profefiion of Truth, viz. one for debt, and 
 three boys for theft, who, with the fourth, their 
 I 2 accomplice,
 
 132 
 
 accomplice, were much broken in fpirit. This was 
 to me one of the mod affecting fervices I had 
 ever been engaged in, from the confideration of 
 their deplorable circumflances ; for although their 
 lives might be fpared, a lading {lain might remain 
 upon their reputation j but we were comforted in 
 the hope of their being brought to repentance, 
 as Divine mercy was extended unto them. Oh! 
 how careful ought young people to be of the 
 company they keep ; for if they arc familiar with 
 the children of darknefs, they too often, by almoft 
 imperceptible degrees, contract their vicious in- 
 clinations, and are led into acts of wickednefs, 
 from which they would once, perhaps, have fhrunk 
 back with horror. 
 
 The iStli, we went in company to Frankfort, 
 where we had a good meeting, and parted in the 
 comfortable fenfe of the Divine prefencej my 
 companion going to fome meetings in Bucks 
 County, and myfelf to Abington, Horfliam, and 
 Plymouth, accompanied by Sarah Morris of Phi- 
 ladelphia, and Anna Logan. 
 
 The 22d, I again met m,y companion at Bur- 
 lington, where we attended the quarterly meeting 
 
 for the upper part of Weft Jcrfey ; which was a 
 
 Jblemn feafon, and the fpring of the mini/try was 
 
 opened to edification and comfort. 
 
 The 26th and 27th, we attended the quarterly 
 
 meeting in Bucks County, Pennfylvania; which 
 
 was large and fatisfactory, Divine help being ex- 
 
 , . 
 
 tended
 
 133 
 
 tended to the encouragement of us and of the 
 faithful prefent. Here my companion and I again 
 feparated in a fenfe of our heavenly Father's love ; 
 and myfelf with Sarah Morris proceeded to vifit 
 fome meetings in Bucks and Philadelphia Counties, 
 and came to Philadelphia the 8th of the Third 
 month. I fhiid in and about the city till the 
 24th, vifiiing fome of the families of friends, 
 as my ftrength, which was now but low, would 
 permit ; but I had folid peace in fpending a few 
 days in this fervice. 
 
 On the 24th, I went to Newtown in Weft 
 Jerfey, fo to Evemam and Haddonfield to the 
 quarterly meeting for that province ; wherein I 
 was low both in body and mind, and had not 
 much public fervice. 
 
 The 28th, the half-year's meeting at Philadel- 
 phia began. Here I again met my dear companion 
 Mary Peiiley. The meeting was large and folemn, 
 there was much filence in it, which was perhaps 
 not lefs profitable to many, though lefs pleafing, 
 than preaching. 
 
 The 3d of the Fourth month we again fepa- 
 rated, and I went towards the eaftern more of 
 Mary land j having for a companion Hannah Fofter 
 of Weft Jerfey, alfo Jolhua Fiflier of Philadel- 
 phia, who went to a flirt us, it being a quarter 
 wherein it might have been difficult always to 
 procure guides. We were obliged to travel hard, 
 , jnd I. having alfo hard fervke amon^ft a few 
 i I unfaithful
 
 134 
 
 unfaithful profefibrs of Truth who were Icattcrcd 
 about in this quarter, and ray health being poor, 
 it was painful for me to purfue the journey; but 
 Divine goodnefs fecretly fuflained my foul, and 
 aflifted to difcharge my duty according to know- 
 ledge ; and in the end afforded a comfortable 
 hope that my labour was not entirely fruitlefs. 
 We attended a half-year's meeting at Chefler in 
 Maryland, and another at Duck Creek : at the 
 Lift we met John Churchman. We had labo- 
 rious travail of fpirit, the life of Truth being 
 low in that quarter, but through Infinite good- 
 nefs, the teftimony of it was raifed in a good 
 degree of authority. We had comfortable hope 
 refpecting fome young people hereaway, and 
 parted from the living amongil them under a 
 fenfe of Divine favour. We proceeded through 
 feveral fmall meetings of Friends (wherein I had 
 painful labour of fpirit, yet I hope fome folid fer- 
 vice) to Lewifton. There is no meeting of Friends 
 eftabliflied here, but we had a large one in the 
 court-houfe, wherein the power and teftimony of 
 Truth was raifed in dominion to the praife of 
 the great Name. 
 
 The 29th, we returned to Duck Creek, my- 
 felf in a very low ftate both of body and mind ; 
 but as I endeavoured to keep my mind to the 
 Lord, he was pleafed as in an inftant to difpel the 
 thick cloud of darknefs which for fome days had 
 pncompafled me; and fo to lift up the light of his 
 
 countenance
 
 135 
 
 countenance upon me, that I rejoiced exceedingly 
 in the hope of his falvation. 
 
 The 4th of the Fifth month my companion 
 Hannah Fofter left me at Eaft Nottingham, and 
 my valuable friend Margaret Churchman (wife of 
 John Churchman) accompanied me to fome meet- 
 ings in Lancafter and York Counties ; and fo to the 
 yearly meeting held at Weft River, for the weftern 
 {hore of Maryland, at which I had been with my 
 companion M. Pcifley, in 1754, but had then but 
 little public fervice amongft the people. I met 
 with fome oppofition in my endeavours for the re- 
 vival of difcipline, from apoftate aad libertine fpi- 
 rits ; but the Lord fupported me above it. 
 
 The yearly meeting was large, and Divinely 
 favoured. Several friends came over the bay 
 to it, and I was favoured to fee a little fruit 
 of my painful labour when on the other fide, by 
 the change which was apparently wrought in a 
 young perfon, who was then of a light converfa- 
 tion. William Brown, from Philadelphia, at- 
 tended this meeting, and had good fervice therein. 
 Love feemed to fpread amongft Friends at this time, 
 and we left them in peace, and returned the 26th 
 to Eaft Nottingham ; where I met Sarah Morris, 
 from Philadelphia, who propofed to accompany 
 me through Chefter and Lancafter Counties, &c. 
 She was a truly exemplary woman, and fometimes 
 highly favoured in the miniftry. 
 
 We left Nottingham the 2Qth, and pafied 
 i 4 through
 
 136 
 
 through the reft of the meetings in Lancafter 
 County, wherein I had much dole fervicc. We 
 viiited Chefter County pretty thoroughly, wherein 
 is a very large body of profcffors of Truth, but 
 many of them are deficient in regard to its fan ft i- 
 fying operation upon the fpirit. Many noble pillars 
 have been removed from amongft them, and fome 
 of the ciders who then remained had unhappily 
 loil their ftations in the Truth, and yet nominally 
 retained their offices in the church. Thefe were 
 tumbling blocks to the youth, who were too apt 
 to look at the example of fuch, and to plead their 
 kiconfiflent practices as an excufe for their own tak- 
 ing liberties in other refpefts. Againft thefe, and 
 fuch like decdtful watchers and pretended labour- 
 ers, who had not kept the vineyard of their own 
 hearts, and yet dared to flretch forth their hands 
 to the Lord's fervice, I had iharply to tcflify : and 
 I fometimes was made an example of filence in the 
 folernn aiTemblies. There was alfo in this county 
 a folid living number of friends, who were 
 preachers of righteoufnefs in their refpcctive fta- 
 tions, both by example and precept ; with whofe 
 unity the Lord was pleafed to favour me, and 
 who I trufb will ever be near to my life m that 
 holy bond, which neither time nor death can dif- 
 folve, 
 
 After vifiting Chefter County, I became much 
 indifpofed, and retired to the houfe of my kind 
 friend John Morris, in Philadelphia County ; where
 
 137 
 
 (as "at" feveral times before had been the cafe) I 
 was affectionately received, and the neceiiary en- 
 deavours were uf-d for my recovery ; which the 
 Lord was plcafed fo to blefs, that I was enabled 
 in about two weeks, to purfue my journey, though 
 in confiderable weaknefs of body. In this feafon 
 of confinement and releafe from public labour, 
 the 'good phyfician fo favoured, that although my 
 body fuftamed confiderable pain and weaknefs, 
 my mind rather gathered ftrength, and was greatly 
 encouraged in the hope of future prefervation. 
 My dear companion M. Peifley came to me from 
 Philadelphia, who having viiited almoft all the 
 meetings of Friends on the continent of America, 
 entertained hope of our foon embarking for our 
 native lands ; but we had much more both to do 
 and to fuffer, before that hour came. We met in 
 wonted affeftion, and therein again parted the 2d 
 of the Seventh month ; when I proceeded to vifit 
 fome meetings in Philadelphia and Berks County, 
 where there feemed a promifing profpeft amongft 
 the youth, fome of whom appeared to be advan- 
 cing in reftitude of fpirit and conduct; at which my 
 foul rejoiced ; it being part of the fruits of that 
 labour of love, the Lord of the harveft had caufed 
 us to beftow upon them. I had confiderable free- 
 dom in the exercife of my gift in this renewed vilit 
 to thefe places, and again met my companion the 
 1 6th, at Stenton near Philadelphia ; from which 
 place we went in company to Philadelphia the 
 
 1 7th,
 
 i7th, and thence to the quarterly meeting at 
 Concord, in Chefter County ; after which I pro- 
 ceeded to fome other meetings in that county, and 
 returned to my companion at Philadelphia the 
 ipth of the Eighth month. 
 
 From this time we were moflly together while 
 in the country, which was much longer than was 
 agreeable to our natural inclinations ; for we were 
 detained the winter ; being engaged in vifiting the 
 families of Friends in Philadelphia, in conjunction 
 with the Friends who were under appointment for 
 that fervice ; in which important work, we were fre- 
 quently favoured by the Wife Head of the church, 
 who direfts, that even " Jerufalem (hall be fearched 
 " with lighted candles ;" and for that purpofe illu- 
 minates the fpirits of his fervants, and furniihes 
 with doctrine fuited to the flates of thofe vifited. 
 We took divers turns in the country, to vifit quar- 
 terly, monthly, and particular meetings, and had 
 good fervice for the Lord therein ; but in the 
 meetings in Philadelphia were frequently bound in 
 ipirit, being made to preach filence by example j 
 which I believe had its ufe, by inftru&ing the 
 people not to depend on inftrumental miniftry. 
 
 Towards the latter end of the winter, my dear 
 companion became very much indifpofed, and con- 
 tinued fo for fever al months ; in which time fhe 
 was frequently prevented from attending meetings, 
 and fometimes confined to her room. I gave 
 her the drifted attendance I was capable, info- 
 much
 
 139 
 
 much-, that with other exercifes attending, my 
 health was greatly affefted, and my fpirits funk to 
 a degree of deje&ion I had never before known : 
 iievcrthelefs I was fo favoured as to be alive, and 
 to be at times ftrong, in my miniilerial fervicc, to 
 the very couclufion of our flay in the country. 
 
 And now, as it was our lots in the wife direc- 
 tion of Providence, to be in the province of 
 Pennfylvania, at a time when the minds of Friends 
 were more than commonly exercifed, on account 
 of publick or political affairs j by reafon of the 
 French making incroachments on fome of the 
 Britifli colonies ; and fome of the Indian tribes 
 having committed great outrages on their frontiers, 
 and murdered many of the back inhabitants ; the 
 conduft of us who were concerned to labour for the 
 fupport of our peaceable Chriftian teilimony, was 
 harfhly cenfured by the unthinking multitude; and 
 by fuch of our own fociety as were one with them 
 in fpirit ; who infmnated that we intruded into mat- 
 ters foreign to our proper bufmefs, and were in 
 part the caufe of the continuation of the calamities 
 which attended the provinces, through our teflify- 
 ing againfl the fpirit of war, and advifmg Friends 
 to fupport our Chriilian teflimony faithfully, J 
 think it not improper briefly to give fome account 
 of the {hare I had in concerns of this nature. 
 
 On my coming to Philadelphia in the Third 
 month, 1755, 1 underftood the aflembly was about 
 to lit ; and the major part of its members being 
 
 then
 
 HO 
 
 then under the profrfTion of Truth, on confidering 
 how difficult it would be for fuch, to maintain our 
 Chriflian teflimony, and to aft confidently with 
 what the people at large thought was for the good 
 of the province ; I was induced to propofe, a few 
 weighty friends having a religious opportunity 
 with fuch members of the aflembly, as made pro- 
 feffion with us ; wherein, perhaps, Truth might 
 open counfels fuitable to the occafion, and our 
 fympathy with fuch as were concerned to maintain 
 its teftirnony might be manifefted. 
 
 This meeting with the concurrence of Friends, 
 fuch an opportunity was obtained, and I had the pri- 
 vilege of being at it ; and therein was concerned to 
 teftify, againft that fpirit, which from human confe- 
 derations was for war, and to ftrengthen the minds 
 of Friends againft leaning thereto. Divers times 
 during thofe troubles, I was concerned publickly 
 to aflert the confiftency of our peaceable principle 
 with the gofpel difpenfation ; and once, if not of* 
 tener, to point out the confequence of Friends 
 deviating therefrom, which was remarkably ful- 
 filled before I left the country. This was no more 
 than confident with my office as a minifler, and my 
 commiffion to that country, which was to preach 
 Truth and Righteoufnefs, and to flrengthen the 
 hands of my brethren, againfl their oppofers. Both 
 myfelf and companion were fo clear of improperly 
 intermeddling with the affairs of government, that 
 we fometimes checked the torrent of converfation 
 
 ' on
 
 141 
 
 on that fubjeft, either by filent or verbal reproof; 
 and but feldom fo much as read their newfpapers. 
 
 During the time of the people's being in fo 
 great confufion and diftrefs, on account of the 
 Indian war, my mind was much exercifed ; but for 
 feveral months, I know not that I could at all, 
 even fecretly, petition the Almighty for their relief, 
 with any evidence of fuch a petition arifing from 
 the fpring of Divine life. But a little before a Hop 
 was put to their depredations, my fpirit was almoft 
 continually clothed with interceflion,, that the Lord 
 might be pleafed to (lay the fword ; and in two 
 publick meetings I was concerned in like manner; 
 and I did not hear that any mifchief was done 
 after that time, by any Indians who had occafioned 
 that didurbance, and a ceflation of arms enfued. 
 I record this as an inflance of Divine wifdom in- 
 ftrufting his fervants to afk what it is pleafmg to 
 him to grant; as well as retraining them from 
 petitioning for what might be exceeding defirable 
 to themfelves, before the proper time : and I be- 
 lieve that if miniilers thus kept under the govern- 
 ment of thaf fpirit of wifdom, which giveth liberty 
 in the appointed feafon acceptably to approach the 
 throne of divine Grace, it would be more felf- 
 cvident that they afked in the name and fpirit of 
 Jefus, by their prayer being anfwered. 
 
 I think it worth remarking^ that the termina- 
 tion of this Indian war, was at lafl efFefted by the 
 peaceable interpofitioa of Friends* An Indian 
 
 chief,
 
 142 
 
 chief, with other Indians in friendmip with Pcnn- 
 fylvania, being occafionally in Philadelphia, Friends 
 obtained leave of the governor to have a con- 
 ference with them; in order to endeavour, through 
 their interference, to bring about an accommoda- 
 tion with the Indians now at war with the Britifh 
 colonies. As we were admitted to attend this con- 
 ference, I mention it. It evinces the veneration the 
 Indians retained for the memory of William Penn, 
 and for his pacific principles; and their great regard 
 to Friends, whom they ftiled his children. Several 
 of their women fat in this conference, who, for 
 fixed folidity, appeared to me like Roman matrons. 
 They fcarcely moved, much lefs fpoke, during the 
 time it was held ; and there was a dignity in the 
 behaviour and countenance of one of them, that 
 I cannot forget. I was informed that they admit 
 their mod refpe&ed women into their counfels. 
 
 And here I remark, that we were in Philadelphia 
 at the time when the firft foldiers that had come 
 there commiilioned from the Englifh government, 
 arrived at that city ; under the command of Ge- 
 neral Braddock. I faid a cloud of darknefs 
 came with them. The Lord had fettled this co- 
 lony by peaceable means, he had hitherto pro- 
 te&ed it by his own Almighty arm and it prof- 
 pered greatly ; but henceforward difunion and dif- 
 turbance prevailed and increafed in it. Our friend 
 Sumuel Fothergill, as well as we, was ftrongly and 
 affe&ionately engaged to promote peace, and guard 
 
 them
 
 143 
 
 them againft the event, which he feared would 
 enfue, and which in time followed. 
 
 Our (lay in this country was confiderably longer 
 than ufual for friends who vifit it from Europe ; 
 which was much in the crofs to our natural inclin- 
 ation, but quite in the unity of the fenfible body of 
 Friends ; who faw that we were induftrioufly en- 
 gaged in the fervice to which Truth had called us : 
 and whatever fome loofe fpirits might fuggeft re- 
 fpe&ing our long abfence from home, I have this 
 teftimony in my conference, that fmce I have been 
 engaged in the folemn fervice of the miniilry, I 
 have ever endeavoured to accomplifh the duties 
 affigned me, in as ihort time as I could; being 
 defirous that I might not afford occafion of cen- 
 fure to fuch, as being unacquainted with the 
 humbling weight of this fervice, may conclude that 
 we travel for pleafure, ^or to gratify a roving or 
 curious difpofition ; as well as that I might fpend 
 the fpare time afforded me in the exercife of my 
 duty in my own family ; and examining the ftate of 
 my mind; which, after returning from journies of 
 this kind, as well as in going along, fhould be ne- 
 ceffarily attended to : and may I never be a fervant 
 whom Divine wifdom has made a keeper of his 
 vineyard, but who negle&s the culture of his own 
 heart. 
 
 v-My companion's fervice through the continent 
 principally bended towards Friends, yet was {he at 
 limes clearly and livingly opened to others j bu: 
 
 my
 
 144 
 
 my concern was moflly more general ; although in 
 the provinces of Pennfylvania and the Jcrfeys, 
 : In our Chriftian principles were pretty much 
 .5,. -it w.as moit particularly directed to my 
 fellow members in focietyj who had perhaps been 
 the kfs laboured with by minifters yifiting them, 
 oa account of meetings often being much mixed 
 with other profeiTors. As we fpent fo much time 
 in Philadelphia before we left the continent, I had 
 many times been much enlarged in the fervice ap- 
 pointed me, both to Friends and others j and my 
 companion, whom as a minifter I preferred to my- 
 felf, had extraordinary fervice j but as is before 
 hinted, . her bodily weaknefs prevented her attend- 
 ing meetings fome of the latter part of the time 
 we fpent in it. I may fay without boafting, that 
 we were endeared to the weighty body of Friends 
 in that city, as well as in the other parts of the con- 
 tinent, and they were fo to us. And after having 
 laboured among them more than two years and 
 feven months, we took a folemn leave in the love 
 of the gofpel, of thofe prefent in a large quarterly 
 meeting held at Philadelphia, and left the city on 
 the 5th of the Sixth month, 1756. We were ac- 
 companied by many Friends to Chefrer, and were 
 there Divinely favoured together the next day,. 
 when we went on board a fnow bound for Dublin, 
 in company with our dear friend Samuel Fothergill, 
 \rho was returning from his religious vifit to Friends. 
 
 iu
 
 H5 
 
 in America, and Abraham Farrlngton, who was 
 going on one to Friends in Europe. 
 
 There were paffengers in the fame veffel with us, 
 Samuel Emlen, a friend of Philadelphia, and two 
 other young men friends, who were going to 
 England by way of Ireland. We had a very 
 quick but ftormy paflage; being on board only 
 thirty-four days, and but twenty-fix of them out of 
 light of land. The failors accounted it a very fine 
 pafTage, but we fuffered very much in it, through 
 the boifterous winds, and their confequences. The 
 wind being right aft, the water frequently daflied 
 over into our cabin, although our * dead -lights 
 were moftly kept up ; and it run much under my 
 bed, fo as render my lodging very uncomfortable j 
 and, being fea-fick and otherwife indifpofed, I was 
 at times funk very low, yet the hand of the Lord 
 was near to fuftain and comfort me. Notwith- 
 flanding the ftormy weather, we had feveral bLelTed 
 meetings on the voyage, at fome of which the 
 mailer and failors were prefent, unto whom Divine 
 goodnefs was pleafed to open fuitable inftru&ion. 
 England was now at war with France, and by the 
 account of fome fifliermen who came on board us 
 in the Irifli Channel, we narrowly efcaped being 
 taken prifoners, as two privateers were feen in the 
 Channel, at the very time we Ihould probably have 
 met them, had we not for fome hours been forced 
 
 * Boards put to defend the cabin-windows in ftorms. 
 
 K back
 
 146 
 
 back by a ftrong contrary wind, the only one \vc 
 had during the voyage, which appeared fignally 
 providential for us. 
 
 We lodged in Dublin at the houfe of our friend 
 Samuel Judd (who was uncle to my companion J, 
 which was formerly the habitation of my very 
 worthy aunt, Sarah Baker, whofe fervices in the 
 miniftry, when refident in this city, had endeared 
 her to Friends, and her name was precious to 
 thofe of the prefent day. 
 
 The loth of the Seventh month, we landed at 
 Dublin ; and the 25th, after taking an affectionate 
 leave of my dear companion and friends, Samuel 
 Fothergill and I took {hipping for England, and 
 landed at Holyhead in Wales the 27th. Here we 
 bought horfes, and reached Chefter the 29th, 
 where my friend Samuel Fothergill left me, and 
 whence, accompanied by a young man, a friend, 
 I got home the 31(1. I was affectionately re- 
 ceived by my dear mother, brother, and fifter, who 
 united in thankful acknowledgments of the Lord's 
 mercy, in reftoring me to them and my native land. 
 I travelled 155 miles from Holyhead in four days ; 
 and had been abfent from my mother's houfe three 
 years, and upwards of one month. 
 
 I had noted having travelled upon the continent 
 and iflands, upwards of 8750 miles (my companion 
 not fo much). When I compare the fatigues, and 
 the various inconveniences and hardfliips I fuftained, 
 my natural conftitution, I cannot but admire, 
 
 -that
 
 147 
 
 that I did not entirely fink under them: and, on con- 
 fidering the dangers attending the journey, which 
 were too numerous for me to particularize in the 
 foregoing account of it, I mufl thankfully acknow- 
 ledge that the preferving fuftaining hand of my 
 heavenly Father, was fignally extended for my 
 help and falvation. May the humbling fenfe of his 
 mercies and tender care, by me unmerited, reft 
 weightily and laftingly upon my fpirit. 
 
 
 CHAP. V,
 
 148 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 THROUGH my late long and great bodily 
 fatigues, my conftimtion was fo fliaken, that 
 a feafon of reft appeared defirable, and I rather 
 expefted it fome time before I returned home ; but 
 the Lord was pleafed to order it otherwife, I hope 
 to his own honour and my prefervation : for be- 
 fore and quickly after my arrival in England, di- 
 vers profpefts of duty opened, which appeared 
 likely to engage me for more than a year ; and 
 which I was favoured to accomplifh in the follow- 
 ing order. 
 
 In about two weeks after my return, I attended 
 our quarterly meeting, where I was met by many 
 of my dear friends, who rejoiced to fee me, and 
 we were meafurably favoured together in the Di- 
 vine prefence v Quickly after this I went to the 
 circular yearly meeting for the feven weftern coun- 
 ties, which was held this year at Warwick : it was 
 large, and attended with holy folemnity. My dear 
 friend Samuel Fothergill and myfelf, had the prin- 
 cipal {hare in the publick fervice, wherein the 
 Lord favoured us j to whom be the praife of all 
 
 -his
 
 149 
 
 his works now and for ever. This being the ufual 
 time of harveft, with a profpeft of the plentiful 
 crops of grain being much injured by the heavy 
 rains, Samuel Fothergill in one of his teftimonies 
 noted it, as a threatened judgment from Him who 
 openeth the flood-gates of heaven or ftayeth them, 
 to the effefting of his own righteous purpofes. 
 The rains continuing long, fo much grain was 
 fpoiled or damaged, as to occafion an extreme 
 fcarcity before the next harveft. 
 
 A few weeks after my return from this meet- 
 ing, I went into Herefordmire, to vifit my fifter 
 Young and her family. I there found my mind en- 
 gaged to vifit the meetings of Friends in that county, 
 which I did, except one of them,, and returned 
 home by way of Worcefter. Here it appeared 
 right for me to get an opportunity with fome of 
 $ie moft experienced friends of that city; that we 
 might together confider about fetting forward the 
 good work of vifiting the families of Friends in 
 this county: of which I had a view before I reached 
 home, from Ireland ; and when I came there, I 
 found that a general vifit to Friends' families 
 throughout the nation had been recommended by 
 the laft yearly meeting at London. I therefore 
 found freedom to offer myfelf to ajlift in thar 
 fervice, provided the fame could be accompliihed 
 fo as not to interfere with my other profpe&s of 
 duty. I alfo recommended to the friends prefent, 
 the eftabli&ment of a meeting for miniflers and 
 K 3 elders
 
 150 
 
 elders in the quarterly meeting of this county. We 
 were eminently favoured in this opportunity, andT 
 I left the city in peace, and with a hope of fome 
 conclufion being come to at our next quarterly 
 meeting, 
 
 I ftaid at home a few weeks, being clofely en- 
 gaged in writing. The 22d of the Eleventh 
 month, I went to Worcefter to attend our quar- 
 terly meeting, under a weighty exercife of fpirit, 
 having an intention, if Friends fhould accede to 
 the afore faid proportion of vifittng families, to flay 
 and join them therein. Our quarterly meeting 
 was attended, in a good degree, with the Divine 
 prefence, yet the fervice of it was hard and labo- 
 rious. Friends were backward in regard to giving 
 in their names to enter upon the vifit to families, 
 concluding themfelves unfit for fo weighty a work ; 
 however fome were nominated, with whom I 
 united, and concluded to flay, and fee how Pro- 
 vidence might favour the undertaking. I had 
 fome flruggle betwixt affeftion to my natural pa- 
 rent, and the purfuit of the fervice before me ; my 
 dear and aged mother being likely to be left with- 
 out either of her daughters ; my fifler Ann being 
 with my fifler Young, whofe children had the fmalN 
 pox ; but I was enabled to purfue my duty, and 
 to commit her to the care of gracious Providence ; 
 xvhofe regard I found by account from herfelf, fhe 
 fignally experienced in my abfence, and encouraged 
 me to continue in the fervice. I began in great 
 
 felf.
 
 151 
 
 felf-diffidence, and went through the families of 
 Friends in the city ; but the Lord was with me, 
 and frequently clothed me with ilrength and wif- 
 dom fuited to the occafion. I was confiderably 
 favoured whilft in the city in the exercife of my 
 gift in the publick meetings of Friends, took leave 
 of them in much love, and left it in peace and 
 thankfulnefs. 
 
 The i pth of the Twelfth month, being accom- 
 panied by Mary Oldbury, a young woman of 
 Worcefter, who had an acceptable gift in the 
 miniftry, I went to Perfhore, a town wherein no 
 member of our fociety refided ; but Friends, hav- 
 ing a meeting-houfe there, held a meeting quar- 
 terly, which was this day. It was large, but 
 moftly compofed of people of other focieties. I 
 fat about an hour and an half filent, in which fea- 
 fon my fpirit was fweetly compofed, and refigned 
 to wait the Lord's time to be put forth in fervice; 
 wherein I was afterwards much favoured, the 
 teflimony of Truth being exalted in its own autho- 
 rity. The people were very folid and attentive, and 
 I left the town in peace, accompanied by the be- 
 fore-mentioned friend Mary Oldbury, to vifit the 
 families of Friends in Evefliam and Shipfton, 
 which we were favoured to accomplifli to a good 
 degree of fatisfa&ion. We fat with Friends in a 
 few of the meetings in Warwickfliire, and fo 
 came to my own monthly meeting of Chadwick, 
 paving vifited almofl all the families of Friends 
 K 4 ia
 
 152 
 
 in the feveral towns which conflitute it, which 
 were four. I returned home in peace and thank*, 
 fulnefs for the gracious affiflance vouchsafed by 
 Divine goodnefs, through this laborious fervice, 
 the 24th of the Firft month 1757. 
 I (laid about home until the latter end of the 
 Third month, in which interval I was ciofely en-, 
 gaged in attending to fervices as they opened in that 
 quarter, and preparing for thofe diftant ones, which 
 had been impreffed upon my mind to be executed 
 this fummer; viz. the attending the yearly meeting 
 for the four northern counties, and from that to 
 the national meeting at Dublin; fo to the yearly 
 meeting at London, and the fucceeding quarterly 
 meetings in ErTex, Suffolk, and Norfolk; which 
 are {tiled yewly meetings, becaufe at that quarter 
 in the year, there are fome additional meetings 
 for worfhip held, which are generally large both 
 of Friends and others ; and after thefe meetings 
 to vifit the few friends remaining in Holland, 
 
 My dear friend Lucy Bradley, being engaged 
 to vifit Friends in Ireland, concluded to accompany 
 me to Dublin. I met her at Stourbridge on the 
 23d of the Third month, and left her there for a 
 few days with her relations, with an expe&ation 
 that {he would meet me the 27th. I took an 
 affectionate leave of my dear mother and brother, 
 and went, accompanied by my filler Ann, -to Wed- 
 ncfburyj a town at winch a meeting was held 
 
 quarterly,
 
 153 
 
 quarterly, which happened to be on that day. 
 Here I expcckd Lucy Bradley to meet me, and 
 that we mould from thence have purfued our jour- 
 ney together, but, being prevented from coming, 
 through indifpofition, fhe informed me that me 
 hoped to be able to meet me in a few days. The 
 meeting was large both of Friends and others, and 
 divinely favoured ; and after it I took leave of 
 my fifter and divers friends, and went that night to 
 Jlugeley in Staffcrdfliire, and as I had for fome 
 time had a view of vifiting the families of Friends 
 in that county, who are not numerous, I entered 
 upon that fervice the 23th, and vifited fuel; as 
 were in that place with fome fatisfa&ion. 
 
 The agth, I went to Stafford, at which plg.ce 
 the quarterly meeting for the county was that 
 day held, and I laid before Friends my concern for 
 vifiting the families, and had their concurrence 
 therewith. 
 
 Here I met with my friend Samuel Emlen, who 
 came paffenger with me in the fame {hip from 
 America to Ireland; in which nation he had tra- 
 velled as companion to his aged countryman 
 Abraham Farriugton, and had himfelf appeared in 
 the miniftry in that nation, to the fatisfa&ion of 
 Friends. As he was in a weak, low flate of mind, 
 I was inclined to take him with me for a. few days. 
 Accordingly we left Stafford in company, and, 
 having vifited feveral Friends' families in the 
 country, went to Uttoxeterj where we proceeded 
 
 in
 
 154 
 
 in the fame fervice. My companion Lucy Bradley 
 came to me here, to our mutual comfort. We 
 were favoured together with a bleffed opportunity 
 in the friend's family where we lodged ; and after 
 committing each other to the prote&ion of Provi- 
 dence, we parted from Samuel Emlen and went to 
 Leek ; where we alfo viiited the families of Friends, 
 which we were favoured to finifli the 8th of the 
 Fourth month, I hope to the mutual fatisfaftion 
 of ourfelves, and of the friends of the county who 
 accompanied us in that fervice. 
 
 During my engagement in this weighty work, I 
 was furprifed with the intelligence that my endeared 
 friend and companion Mary Pehley was removed 
 from mutability. She had been married but three 
 days to Samuel Neale, a Friend of Ireland, and 
 went off with a few hours indifpofition ; being 
 doubtlefs removed from the profpeft of a fettle- 
 ment on earth, to a glorious eternal inheritance; 
 for which flie appeared more vifibly prepared than 
 many others of the Lord's fervants. We had 
 been companions together in many probations, and 
 our union in the Truth was flrong, fo that her 
 death affected me deeply, the more fo from being 
 attended with fo fmgular a circumftance ; yet was 
 my fpirit thankful that ihe was taken at an hour 
 when her crown {hone brightly. She had been 
 a great example to me in divers refpe&s, and I 
 begged to be affifled to follow her, as fhe had 
 followed Chrifl, 
 
 The
 
 155 
 
 The 9th, we went to Warrington, where a re- 
 newed oecafion of thankfulnefs to gracious Pro- 
 vidence was adminiflered, by the probability of the 
 recovery of our dear friend Samuel Fothergill, 
 from an indifpofition wherein his life had been 
 defpaired of. This had much affected my mind, 
 from the confideration of the great lofs the church 
 would fuftain by his removal, and myfelf as an in- 
 dividual member thereof ; yet durft I not afk his 
 longer continuance, in this ftate of trials and dan* 
 gers, knowing that if Divine wifdom called him 
 out of it now, it would certainly be in the beft 
 time. 
 
 From Warrington we went, through divers 
 meetings in Lancafhire, to the quarterly meeting 
 at Lancafter, which was fignally favoured with 
 the manifeftation of Divine regard through the 
 miniflry. I remember, before the publick meeting, 
 I was funk fo low, that I fcarcely expected ever 
 more to be fet at liberty in the exercife of my 
 gift as heretofore ; yet could not fee what I had 
 done to oecafion a lofs therein ; but in the meeting 
 I was as remarkably raifed. Thus are the poor in- 
 flruments abafed and honoured for their own pre- 
 fervation, and the good of the church; the one 
 difpenfation being as a ballaft for. the other. 
 
 The 26th, we went, in company with feveral 
 friends, towards Penrith, where the yearly meet- 
 ing for the four northern counties was to be held. 
 In our way we called upon that truly honourable 
 
 mother
 
 156 
 
 mother in Ifrael, Grace Chambers, who was very- 
 ancient and had been long indifpofed, with whom 
 \ve were favoured with a refreshing opportunity. 
 How encouraging is it to young travellers to be- 
 hold and confider fuch examples of perfeverance ! 
 It baffles the efforts of the adverfary to perfuade 
 that it is impoffible to hold out to the end; and 
 raifes this language in the foul, Lord, let my 
 life and latter end be like theirs. At Penrith we 
 met my beloved friend Abraham Farrington, ano- 
 ther of thefe ancient worthies, and we mutually 
 rejoiced to fee each other. 
 
 The yearly meeting was large both of Friends 
 and people of other focieties. My fpirit was bowed 
 before the Almighty, that I might be preferved 
 a&ing in my proper place in the courfe of my fer- 
 vice therein, and that my conduft might be un- 
 blamable ; and, through mercy, I had humbling 
 caufe of thankfulnefs adminiftered in the clofe 
 thereof, to Him who had exalted his own name and 
 teftimony through fo weak an inftrument, unto 
 \vhom be the praife now and for ever, faith my 
 foul ! Although this meeting was attended by fe- 
 veral able minifters of the male fex, it pleafed the 
 wife Mailer of the foiemnky to employ them but 
 little, and to lay the weight of the fervice upon 
 the females; who, though the weaker veffels by 
 nature, are at times rendered ftrong through his 
 pivine power : and our brethren rejoiced that H 
 
 was
 
 157 
 
 was apparently fo, through the courfe of thefe 
 meetings. 
 
 The exercife of my mind while at Penrith, was 
 added to by the profpect of my concern for vifit- 
 ing fome parts of Holland ; for although before 
 I left home I was refigned thereto, and had im- 
 parted it to my relati9ii3, as well as to Friends of 
 the monthly meeting, that they might confider re- 
 fpefting granting me a certificate ; yet now on its 
 near approach, my want of the language, the va- 
 rious notions in religion which I knew prevailed 
 amongft that people, my fex, and, for ought I 
 knew, the being expofed to much hardfhip, re- 
 volved in my mind ; and, being oppofed to my 
 little ftrength, depreffed my ipirits, yet not fo as 
 to caufe me to turn from the profpect, or prevent 
 Hiy wreftling with the Almighty for wifdom and 
 ilrength, to know and do his will. 
 
 After the yearly meeting at Penrith, we went to 
 Cockermouth, and there attended a large general 
 meeting. My concern for Holland continuing, and 
 not expe&ing to be at home in time to attend our 
 monthly meeting, I wrote to my brother to pro- 
 cure a certificate for the accomplifhment thereof. 
 
 The 3d, we went on board a veflel bound from 
 Whitetyaven to Dublin, and arrived at that city 
 the 5th, having been favoured with fine weather 
 on our paflage; but my fpirit was much flripped 
 of a fenfe of divine good, and as I drew near the 
 city it became deprdTed ; in which (late I landed, 
 
 and
 
 158 
 
 and proceeded to my lodgings, which was at Sa* 
 fnuel Judd's. At my entering his houfe, the re- 
 membrance of dear Mary Peifley affeftingly oc- 
 cured. It was in this houfe that we feparated in 
 our return from America; and therein we had 
 fpent many precious hours, in fweet union of 
 fpirit. The national meeting began the 7th and 
 continued till the 1 2th. It was a feafon of clofe 
 engagement and hard labour, both in the meet- 
 ings for worfhip and difcipline ; but I was fa- 
 voured in it with the unity of the living members 
 of the Society, and the helping hand of the Al- 
 mighty ; and in the clofe, was humbly bowed be- 
 fore him under a fenfe of his goodnefs, variouily 
 manifefted in fuftaining my weak body under fuch 
 laborious exercifes, and ftrengthening me fpiritu- 
 ally to teflify boldly againft the fins of the people : 
 which, although it might expofe me to their cen- 
 fure, yielded to my foul the peaceable fruits of 
 righteoufnefs. 
 
 After the conclufion of the national meeting, 
 I requefted a friend to go and take my paiTage, 
 faying, I muft get to our quarterly meeting ; on 
 which a friend prefent faid, I fpoke as if I had the 
 wind at command. I replied, that, if the Lord 
 appointed my being there, he would difpofe the 
 wind to favour it, which happened accordingly. 
 
 The 1 4th, I parted from my dear companion L. 
 Bradley in much affe&ion, and quietly .went on 
 board a veflel bound for Parkgate, accompanied 
 
 -by
 
 159 
 
 by my friends Abraham Shackelton, Thomas 
 Greer, and Jofeph Inman, who were going to the 
 yearly meeting at London. We landed at our de- 
 figned port the I5th, and reached Stourbridge on 
 the i yth, where the quarterly meeting for Wor- 
 ceftermire was to be held ; and the meeting for 
 miniilers and elders began foon after we came 
 there. 
 
 Here I was met by my dear mother and brother, 
 to our mutual rejoicing ; and my heart was deeply 
 affe&ed with love and gratitude, under the con- 
 ficleration of the many mercies extended to me; and 
 ftrong defires were raifed to be enabled fo to per- 
 fevere, as to be favoured with the continuance 
 thereof. 
 
 We had a good meeting, and many Friends who 
 attended it rejoiced to fee me returned in fafety, 
 and, after taking an affectionate leave of them, 
 I went home. 
 
 CHAP. VI.
 
 160 
 
 C H A P. VI. 
 
 I STAID but a few days with my relations, but 
 fet forward, with my dear brother and the be- 
 fore-mentioned Friends from Ireland, for the yearly 
 meeting at London. In our way thereto we met 
 our friends Samuel Fothergill and Abraham Far- 
 rington, unto whom I imparted my view of vifiting 
 Friends in Holland, wherein they fympathized 
 with me. At London I laid my concern before 
 the meeting for miniflers and elders ; and it met 
 the approbation of my friends, and a fuitable com- 
 panion was prepared for me by my good Mailer, 
 namely, Sophia Hume, of London. 
 
 It is worthy remarking, that when this journey 
 was firft prefented to my mind, this friend was 
 pointed out as a companion therein ; yet had I not 
 freedom to write, or fay any thing to her there- 
 upon until I had thus propofed it, for the con- 
 fideration of Friends ; when, I found that kind Pro- 
 vidence had cared for me, as fhe had for fome 
 time found her mind engaged to hold herfelf in 
 readinefs to accompany fome friend on a journey, 
 
 though
 
 161 
 
 though flie knew not whom nor whereto, but on' 
 my mentioning my concern, faw both. John Ken- 
 dal, a Friend of Colchefter, who could fpeak 
 Dutch, was engaged in love to accompany us. 
 Thus does the Lord mercifully provide all things 
 neceffary, for fuch of his fervants as are freely 
 given up to run on his errands, and move firoply 
 by his directions. 
 
 The yearly meeting at London was oveHha- 
 dowed with the wing of Divine love. I had foms 
 fatisfactory fervice therein ; and on the 7th of the 
 Sixth month, I went to Plaiftow to vifit my dear 
 and ancient friend John Hayward ; and here I 
 parted in much affection with my dear brother, 
 and with Samuel and Ann Fothergill. 
 
 The pth, I went to Chelmsford, where I ftaid 
 until the 1 2th, being in want of a little reft. Here 
 my companion Sophia Hume came to me, and we 
 went together, with Abraham Farrington, to the 
 before-mentioned quarterly meetings held at Col- 
 chefter, Woodbridge, and Norwich j in all of which 
 I was laborioufly exercifed, and the hand of my 
 heavenly Father was with me; through which I 
 was made ftrong in his caufe, and I hope the meet- 
 ings ended to the honour of his worthy name. 
 Under a fenfe thereof, my fpirit bowed in thank- 
 fulnefs to him who clothes with ftrength for the 
 battle, and by his own right arm gets himfelf the 
 viftory : unto whofe fervice may my foul be bound 
 for ever ! 
 
 l We
 
 162 
 
 We (laid about three weeks in Norwich, in 
 which city there is a large body of Friends, unto 
 whom a powerful vifitation of Divine love had 
 latterly been extended ; through the prevalence 
 whereof divers natural members, or branches of 
 our own fociety, had in a good degree fubmitted 
 to the fimplicity of the crofs ; and others had been 
 gathered to the immediate teachings of the Shep- 
 herd of Ifrael from other religious focieties. Seve- 
 ral had appeared in publick teftimony, for whom in 
 an efpecial manner our fpirits were exercifed, that 
 they might honour God in their refpe&ive callings, 
 by an exemplary converfation and a living miniftry. 
 I had much fervice amongft them in the openings 
 of Divine wifdom and love, wherein fome of the 
 dangers which attended them were pointed out. I 
 was alfo concerned clofely to reprove fuch as had 
 fuftained lofs in the Truth, by letting out their 
 minds after terreftrial enjoyments, and were feek- 
 ing great things to themfelves, whereby the Lord's 
 work in them was marred. 
 
 From Norwich we went to Harwich, and on 
 the 2ift of the Seventh month, 1757, accompanied 
 by John Kendal, went on board the packet bound 
 for Helvoetfluys, where we landed the next day. 
 There we took a carriage and went to the Briel, 
 a pretty large town ; but I did not find that ever 
 any of our fociety refided therein, and the people 
 Teemed very ignorant refpefting us: for as we 
 walked the flreets, offence was taken at our 
 
 friend
 
 163 
 
 friend John Kendal for not returning the cuftom- 
 ary falutation of putting off the hat in the fame 
 manner. 
 
 My fpirit was very low on my arrival in this 
 country, on account of the difficulty I laboured 
 under for want of knowing the language. Could 
 cither myfelf or my companion have fpoken Dutch, 
 we might have explained to the man, who was an 
 officer in the army, our reafons for not returning 
 his civility, for fuch it appeared to be ; and he was 
 very much irritated at John KendaPs not noting it 
 as fuch. 
 
 From the Briel we went in a boat to Rotter- 
 dam, which is a large city, wherein there was 
 formerly a meeting of Friends, and where flill 
 remains a meeting-houfe, and there are a few 
 who were educated among us ; but they had fo 
 little regard to the teftimony of Truth and the 
 welfare of their fouls, as entirely to negle& af- 
 fembling to worfhip the Almighty; yet were not 
 content to profefs with any other people. We 
 had no inclination to call upon any of thefe ; 
 but having information that the meeting-houfe 
 was under the care of perfons who were the de- 
 fcendents of friends, we called at their houfe, 
 and defired that the meeting-houfe might be got 
 in readinefs for us to have a meeting there at 
 our return, which one of them promifed it fhould 
 be. He behaved civilly, but appeared very diflant 
 from the prgfeffion of his anceflors. Thefe per- 
 L 2 fons
 
 164 
 
 ions were great tradefmen, had become rich, and 
 much in the grandeur of this world, and were 
 now of the fociety of the Menifts or Baptifls. 
 
 The next day we went in the trackfcuyts, by 
 Way of Delft and Leyden (in neither of which 
 cities are any under our name), to Harlem, where 
 lived the perfon who ufed to interpret for Friends 
 from England : upon whom we called, but found 
 him fo enfeebled, as to be entirely unfit for that 
 fervice. Here we were met by Sophia Vander 
 Werf and her fon John, from Amfterdam. She 
 was a woman of a fweet natural difpofition, carnc 
 amongft Friends by convincement, and had receive'd 
 3 gift in the miniftry, in the exercife of which I be- 
 lieve flie was acceptable to Friends. The young 
 man had refided a confiderable time in England 5 
 he fpoke Englifh well for a Dutchman, and I 
 looked towards him for an interpreter ; but al- 
 though he appeared to have a fenfe of Truth, I 
 feared his being deep enough in the experimental 
 work of it for that fervice: fo I faid nothing to him, 
 and proceeded to Amfterdam under fome difcourage- 
 ment. In this city a lodging was provided for us 
 by Friends, at the houfe of Abraham Herman, 
 which appeared the moft fuitable place for our 
 reception of any belonging to them. He with his 
 wife received us kindly, and treated us fo whilfl 
 we ftaid with them. It was Seventh-day even- 
 ing when we came to Amfterdam, and before 
 John Vander Werf left us, I aiked him whether he 
 
 " was
 
 165 
 
 was willing to aflift us as an interpreter; but he 
 modeftly declined, pleading his unfitnefs for the 
 fervice. John Kcndal alfo refufed, on account of 
 his deficiency in the language to interpret in a 
 publick meeting, although he could fpeak Dutch in 
 the common courfe of converfation. Under thefe 
 difcouraging circumftances I went to bed, befeech- 
 ing the Almighty to lay a concern upon fome one 
 to affift me. When I rofe in the morning, my fpi- 
 rit was low, yet not doubtful of my being right 
 in coming into this country. In this (late I went 
 to meeting without any expe&ation of an interpre- 
 ter being provided for me at that meeting; and 
 therefore rather expe&ed to be filent therein. 
 The meeting was pretty large, but we were told, 
 lefs than at fome other times : for although there 
 are but few profeffing the Truth in this city, it is 
 cuftomary for people of all religious focieties, 
 nations, and qualities, who come there on ac- 
 count of bufmefs or pleafure, to go to our meet- 
 ings, mofl of them doubtlefs from the motive of 
 curiofity ; but the folidity of the countenance and 
 demeanour of fome now prefent, and the know- 
 ledge I afterwards had of them, convinced me 
 that they were a&uated by a better motive. 
 
 In the fore part of the meeting, my fpirit was 
 much exercifed and broken under the confidera- 
 tion of having no interpreter; yet fupported in 
 hope of the provifion of Providence : for it ap- 
 peared to me inconfiftent with Divine wifdom and 
 L 3 mercy
 
 166 
 
 mercy to bring me hither, and not to open the way 
 for me to convey his will to the people. After 
 fome time a Dutch friend bore a fliort teftimony ; 
 and foon after he fat down, fomething arofe in my 
 mind, by way of information to the people re- 
 fpefting our motives for coming amongft them ; 
 and I was quickly favoured with flrength to (land 
 up, intending to fay that I had fomething to com- 
 municate to them, which if any one prefent would 
 interpret, I would impart, but I was not obliged 
 to proceed thus far, for upon feeing me rife, John 
 Vander Werf rofe alfo, came and flood by me in 
 the gallery, and interpreted what I faid to the 
 prefent relief of my fpirjt, and the fatisfa&ion of 
 fuch friends prefent as underflood both Dutch 
 and Englifh. 
 
 I found it fo difficult to convey the doftrines of 
 Truth in this way to the people, that it appeared 
 almofl impofuble to get relief of mind, or liberty 
 of expreiTion, to that degree I had fometimes been 
 favoured in my own tongue. I fpoke a fentence, 
 and flopped for the interpreter to fpeak it after 
 me 5 and I was thankful that kind Providence had 
 fo far anfwered my belief of his providing for me ; 
 and was comforted in the hope that his blelTmg, 
 which alone maketh fruitful, might be dropt upon 
 my weak endeavours for the exaltation of his 
 Truth. The meeting ended in folemn fupplication, 
 in which exercife I had no interpreter, J-ohn Van- 
 4er Werf being unwilling to undertake that awful 
 
 fervke,
 
 167 
 
 fervice. Some prefent might underftand Englifh 
 well enough to comprehend what I faid ; and 
 others, I believe, were fenfible of the Divine 
 power which overfhadowed the meeting. 
 
 The afternoon meeting was neither fo large, 
 nor yet fo fatisfa&ory, as that of the morning; 
 which I thought might be occafioned by a fellow- 
 minifter withholding what Divine wifdom required 
 to diflribute ; whereby my fervice to the people 
 appeared to be impeded, and, the life of Truth 
 being low, I faid but little. I left the meeting 
 under fome difcouragement, yet not without hope 
 of being more at liberty before I left the city. 
 
 We ftaid in and about Amfterdam till the 5th 
 of the Eighth month, in all which time we had 
 no meeting but in the city ; nor did it appear 
 likely we fhould have many elfewhere in the 
 country, by reafon of my interpreter being clerk 
 to a merchant, whofe bufmefs did not admit 
 of his being much abfent, fave on Firft-days. In 
 this time we had feveral pretty good opportunities 
 with Friends and the people; yet I feemed as an 
 ambaffador in bonds, but laboured to be content 
 in the prefent difpenfation. We were vifited by 
 feveral religious people, with fome of whom I felt 
 a degree of union in the Truth ; but faw their lofs 
 in running after notions, and not fettling in the 
 ground of true filence, wherein the mind becomes 
 eftablifhed in reftitude : and it appeared proper 
 to fet them an example therein j and to be cau- 
 L 4 tious
 
 168 
 
 tious of running into religious difcourfe (to which 
 they are much addicted), without feeling liberty 
 for it in the Truth. We vifited a religious Me- 
 nift, and had fome fatisfaftory fervice in his fa- 
 mily. There are a number among that people 
 who are near to Chrift's kingdom, though not 
 fully redeemed from inefficacious ceremonies, and 
 a dependance on inflruraeutal miniflry, or at lead 
 a fondnefs for it. 
 
 The 5th of the Eighth month, we went in the 
 trackfcuyts, as far as Horn, towards Twilk, our 
 friend Sophia Vander Werf accompanying us. At 
 Horn we called on two religious Menifts ; the one 
 a preacher amongft them, who feemed more ga- 
 thered into ftillnefs than moft of that perfuafion, 
 and his wife near the Truth; the other much in* 
 clined to difcourfe on religious matters, in whofe 
 family I found an engagement to leave a fliort tef- 
 timony to the benefit of filence, which they ap 
 peared to receive well. As we paffed through the 
 towns, we fcattered fome books fetting forth our 
 principles. A friend from Twiik met us here 
 with a waggon, wherein we went home with him 
 that evening. 
 
 At Twifk there is a fmall meeting of profefibrs 
 of Truth, but we found them much in the mixture, 
 and fome of them fo exalted in notion, that it was 
 hard fattening any folid doctrine upon them. We 
 were at two meetings with them, and feveral of the 
 Menifts j both of which were exercifing, that in 
 
 the
 
 169 
 
 the morning particularly fo ; but I was comforted 
 with an evidence that my fervice, weak and ira- 
 perfeft as it appeared to me, was accepted of Him 
 who employed me. The afternoon-meeting was 
 more fatisfa&ory, although laborious. The Menift 
 preacher before-mentioned, with his wife and fon, 
 were with us, in whofe company we had a degree 
 of fatisfa&ion. The next morning we procured a 
 feleft opportunity with moft of the friends belong- 
 ing to the meeting, at the houfe of a valuable wo- 
 man friend, whofe circumflances demanded our 
 fympathy ; fhe dwelling folitarily, and having been 
 many years confined through extreme weaknefs. 
 She was fuch a pattern of refignation and cheerful 
 innocence, as I had rarely feen. Her very coun- 
 tenance befpoke acquiefcence with the allotment 
 of Providence, and not one complaining word dropt 
 from her. This meeting tended to the relief of 
 our fpirits, and we took leave of the faid friend 
 and others in love, and returned to Amfterdam, 
 again difperling fome books in our way; which 
 was all we could do, as our interpreter could not 
 flay with us to have meetings in the towns. 
 
 On our return to Amfterdam, we vifited almoft 
 all who could be accounted members of our fo- 
 ciety, in their families, and attended the meetings 
 on Firft and week-days, as they came in courfe, 
 until the 2ift: in which time I had feveral good 
 opportunities with the people of that city, and 
 
 the
 
 170 
 
 the ftrangers who attended the meetings, and left 
 it in peace. 
 
 One vifit we paid in Amfterdam was fo remark- 
 able in its confequence, that I note it, viz. A man 
 \vho was convinced of Truth, had a turbulent-fpi- 
 rited wife ; who had violently oppofed his going 
 amongft Friends ; and after one meeting which he 
 attended with us, railed much ; neverthelefs, Ihe 
 fent us an invitation to fup with her, and it ap- 
 peared befl for us to accept it. She provided 
 handfomely for us, but feemed to be in a wrang- 
 ling fpirit. She talked about drefs being an in- 
 different matter ; upon which I told her, that the 
 adorning of Chriflian women, fiiould be that, of 
 a * meek and quiet fpirit, which in the fight of 
 * God was of preat price.* This flruck and fi- 
 lenced her, and me afterwards behaved obligingly 
 to us. After we had paid this vifit, her hulband 
 told us, that fome time before, as they were going 
 to bed, fhe, being in a very bad temper, would 
 not let him reft j and, although he was in bed be- 
 fore her, I think he arofe again. She took up the 
 Bible, I fuppofe, to convince him of his errors, 
 and opened it upon this very text ; which then fo 
 affe&ed her, that {he condemned herfelf, kneeled 
 down to .pray for forgivenefs, and promifed that 
 fhe would never more treat him fo improperly; 
 but fhe had not kept her promife, and the text 
 being now revived in her remembrance, it again 
 
 affeaed
 
 171 
 
 affe&ed her. We were quite ignorant of the cir- 
 cumftance. 
 
 The 2 1 ft, we had a meeting at Harlem to good 
 fatisfa&ion. We lodged at Ifaac Van Weftercap- 
 pel's, who furniihed us with a room to hold a 
 meeting in, and gave notice of it to the people. 
 He was defcended from friends by the mother's 
 fide, but he himfelf never made profeffion with 
 us. He was exceedingly kind to us, and, with 
 his family, appeared to be feeking after the bed 
 things. In the evening we had the company of 
 fome feeking people, mod of them of the offspring 
 of friends, with whom we had converfation upon 
 religious fubje&s. 
 
 In our publick meeting at this place, I was 
 more at liberty in the exercife of my gift, than 
 had been ufual with me in Holland; at which I 
 afterwards admired, being told that my interpre- 
 ter was uncommonly defe&ive in rendering what 
 I faid into Dutch. This circumflance fometimes 
 revolved in my remembrance, accompanied with 
 fome kind of doubt refpefting my being fo much 
 at liberty to fpeak, when what I delivered was not 
 well interpreted to the people ; but after fome years, 
 a friend of Norwich told me, that there was at 
 that meeting a fenfible man, a Jew, who underftood 
 the Englifh tongue well, who told him that he had 
 attended the meeting, and that my interpreter 
 did not do me juftice ; but, continued he, ' It was 
 * no matter, as all ihe faid was direfted to me :' and 
 
 my
 
 172 
 
 my friend added, that it fo affefted him, that he 
 believed he would freely interpret for me, fliould 
 I ever want his afiiftance. This relation removed 
 my before-mentioned doubt, for the word preached 
 found its way to one mind, for which in Divine wif- 
 dom it was appointed. 
 
 The 22d, we parted with my interpreter John 
 ' Vander Werf, for whom I was concerned, and fym- 
 pathifed with him, as he was left almoft alone (in 
 regard to Friends), and much expofed in the courfc 
 of his bufmefs ; and from the affability and fpright- 
 linefs of his difpofition, he appeared to be in much 
 danger: but I conceived hope in the fenfe of the 
 cxtendings of divine goodnefs being fingularly to- 
 wards him. We alfo took leave of our kind hoft 
 J. Van Weftercappel and feveral of his family 
 and friends in love and tendernefs, and went to 
 Rotterdam, whither his daughter Sufanna Van 
 Weflercappel, a ferious agreeable young woman, 
 and our friend Sophia Vander Werf accompanied 
 us. In our way, we diftributed books to fomc 
 people in the trackfcuyts, and the fame evening 
 had a meeting at Rotterdam with fome people who 
 underftood Englifh, of which there are many in 
 that place* 
 
 The 23d, our kind friends Sophia Vander Werf 
 and Sufanna Van Weftercappel left us, and we 
 went to the Briel, and thence, the 24th, to Helvoet- 
 fluys. In our way from Rotterdam to this place 
 we met with feveral perfons who were going to 
 
 England,
 
 173 
 
 England, with whom we had much difcourfe con- 
 cerning our religious principles, I believe meafura- 
 bly to our mutual fatisfa&ion. One of them was 
 a Swede, a Lutheran by profeffion ; he was fa- 
 voured with a good underftanding, and had a mind 
 fufceptible of religious impreffions 5 although his 
 converfation was not fo uniformly exemplary as 
 could have been defired. 
 
 On coming to Helvoetfluys, we found that the 
 wind was againft our failing for England, and 
 that the inn was full of company, many of whom 
 were waiting for their paflage to England : fo the 
 landlord put us in a houfe which was ready fur- 
 nifhed, and we became a family to ourfelves, being 
 furnifhed with provifions from the inn. The wind 
 continuing contrary until the Firft-day of the week, 
 and there being in the place many people of divers 
 nations and ftations who could fpeak Englifh; 
 with the concurrence and affiftance of our land- 
 lord and company, we got our dining-room well 
 feated; and on the Firft-day morning held a meet- 
 ing in it, whereto the flrangers pretty generally 
 came. I was favoured to declare the Truth 
 amongft them, to the relief of my own fpirit, and 
 I believe to the comfort and fatisfaction of my 
 companions ; but the labour was hard, through the 
 unpreparednefs of the hearts of fome to receive, 
 and perhaps the want of a fufficient knowledge of 
 the language in others, to underftand, the do&rmes 
 delivered. 
 
 The
 
 174 
 
 The 29th in the evening, the wind turned in our 
 favour, and continued fo, until about the middle 
 of the next day ; but our captain would not put to 
 fea without a pretty fteady wind, becaufe of the 
 French privateers: however, we went on board that 
 day and fet fail, and the wind being very boifter- 
 ous our jib-fail was foon rent; and another packet 
 boat going out with us, flruck upon the Pales, 
 broke a hole in her fide, and, as the paffengers 
 faid, was in danger of being loft. The wind con- 
 tinuing to blow hard and contrary, we foon came 
 to an anchor, and the next morning returned back 
 to Helvoetfluys; and the following day, the ift of 
 the Ninth month, we were favoured with a fair 
 wind, and arrived at Harwich the ad, in peace 
 and thankfulnefs to the Almighty. I had to ad- 
 mire his goodnefs, in thus preferving and fupport- 
 ing my body and mind by fea and land, and 
 through all the exercifes attendant on this journey, 
 amongft a people of a ftrange language. 
 
 Even our detention at Helvoetfluys appeared to 
 be in the ordering of Divine wifdom and mercy to 
 the people there vifited ; and in our fele& com- 
 pany we had frequent opportunities of converfmg 
 upon edifying fubje&s ; fome of our companions 
 feeming willing to gain information refpefting 
 Friends and their principles. Once the fubjeft of 
 felf-defence was darted, which they might pro- 
 bably think we could not invalidate ; but we were 
 enabled to give a reafon for duTenting from them 
 
 in
 
 175 
 
 in fentiment, and on its being queried what we 
 would do if attacked, and muft either be killedj or 
 kill. I faid I could not fay how I fhould aft at fuch 
 a jun&ure, wherein nature might be improperly 
 raifed ; but that now being favoured with the 
 hope of my immortal fpirit's centering fafe, and 
 knowing that a perfon who fought my life muft be 
 in an unfit (late to enter Chrift's holy kingdom, I 
 fhould rather choofe to die, than plunge that foul 
 into everlafting mifery; and fhould have greatly the 
 advantage in being releafed from this ftate of trials. 
 They heard with attention, and the Swede with 
 tears in his eyes, replied, ' Thefe are indeed fub- 
 * lime fentiments.' 
 
 We had been fo long detained at Helvoetfluys, 
 that our money grew fhort, but the captain faid we 
 fhould have what we wanted from him ; however, 
 we had enough to pay our pafTage, and bear our 
 cxpenfes (excepting the hire of our chaife) to Col- 
 chefter: which we reached almoft pennylefs the 
 3d, and were affe&ionately received by John Ken- 
 dal's mother, and other friends. Here I drew a 
 bill, and obtained money, and my companion, 
 Sophia Hume, got enough to carry her to Lon- 
 don. 
 
 After a {hort ftay at Colchefter, I went with my 
 companion Sophia Hume to Kelvedon, where, we 
 were favoured with a comfortable meeting with 
 Friends, and parting in much love, flie went for 
 London. She had been to me a fteady, affection- 
 ate,
 
 176 
 
 ate, fympathifing companion ; and although in this 
 journey, not much engaged in publick miniftry, 
 fhe was very helpful in meetings, through a deep 
 fpiritual exercifej and being endowed with a good 
 undemanding, both naturally and fpiritually, flic 
 was qualified to give an anfwer of " her faith and 
 " the hope that was in her :" and I was often 
 thankful to the bounteous Author of all my mer- 
 cies, for furnifhing me with fo fuitable a companion. 
 
 From Kelvedon, I went without any companion, 
 through feveral meetings, to Norwich, where I was 
 favoured in the fervice appointed me, but ftaid 
 there only a few days j proceeding thence, through 
 fome meetings in Lincolnfhire, to the quarterly 
 meeting at York ; where I again met with Abra- 
 ham Farrington, who, with many more of my 
 friends, rejoiced at my being returned to my na- 
 tive land in peace and fafety. 
 
 From York, I paffed through feveral meetings 
 in that county, wherein the Lord was pleafed to 
 vary the difpenfations of his wifdom, by dipping 
 me into a (late of great fuffering ; which I could 
 not get above, but which I faw to be good, near 
 the clofe of a journey wherein I had been fo emi- 
 nently favoured ; as it tended to preferve me from 
 clothing myfelf with the Lord's jewels, and hum- 
 bled my fpirit to the very duft. From Yorkfliirc 
 I went to Manchefter and Warrington, where I 
 regained a little liberty in the Truth, and fo pro- 
 ceeded to fome meetings in Cheftiirej in one of 
 
 which
 
 177 
 
 which I thought I was raifed higher, in the Divine 
 life, in the exercife of my gift, than I had been 
 throughout the journey. Thus does Divine wif- 
 dom abafe and exalt at his pleafure, unto whom 
 be glory, honour, and praife afcribed, now and 
 for ever. 
 
 The 1 5th of the Tenth month, I got home, to 
 the mutual fatisfa&ion of myfelf and relations j and, 
 notwithstanding my great fatigue, in a rather better 
 ftate of health than when I left it ; and found my 
 dear and aged mother well : and here I alfo met 
 my dear friend Lucy Bradley, who was returning 
 home from her vifit to Friends in Ireland, and our 
 rejoicing one in another was mutual. 
 
 The 1 7th, we went together to our monthly 
 meeting, wherein I gave to Friends feme account 
 of my fervice and fatisfa&ion in this journey ; and 
 my fpirit was much humbled in a fenfe of the pro- 
 vidential care and abundant loving-kindnefs of a 
 merciful God, varioufly difplayed to this period of 
 my life. 
 
 This winter I fpent much about home, and 
 among/I my relations : not in idlenefs, for I was 
 very clofely engaged either in attending monthly 
 or quarterly meetings, or other fervices. 
 
 M CHAP. VII.
 
 178 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 THE 6th of. the Fourth month, 1758, I left 
 home, to attend the yearly meetings of 
 Wales, Briflol, and London ; in all which, efpe- 
 cially the two firft, I was Divinely favoured ; and 
 returned home, in peace and thankfulnefs, in the 
 Fifth month. 
 
 Towards the fall of the year, I attended our cir- 
 cular yearly meeting held at Kidderminfter, which 
 was large and very fatisfaftory. After this meeting, 
 being inclined to vifit fome provincial meetings, &c. 
 in Ireland, I went with my dear friend Samuel 
 Fothergill to Warrington, and thence proceeded 
 to Liverpool, in order to take {hipping for Dublin; 
 but finding no vefTel there ready to fail, I fent to 
 inquire whether any one was going from Parkgate ; 
 and the mefTenger returning, faid there was one, 
 but that fhe would foil the next tide, and that it 
 was then too late to reach her. I was pretty ear- 
 ned to try, but fome friends, who I thought were 
 acquainted with the time of the tide's turning, 
 diffuaded me from attempting it. So I gave it 
 
 up
 
 179 
 
 up relu&antly, fearing I fliould lofe the opportu- 
 nity of getting my paffage in time for the meetings ; 
 and I afterwards heard that the tide did not mm 
 till an hour after the time they faid it would ; fo 
 had I gone, I might probably have reached the 
 veffel in time. 
 
 I waited at Liverpool more than a week, mofl 
 of that time in almoft conftant expe&ation of fail- 
 ing, a veffel being foon ready to fail, but the wind 
 was contrary. At length I went on board, and w 
 fet fail with a fair wind, but it quickly turned 
 againft us, and we lay all night at anchor in a 
 fmall harbour called Hoylake. The wind blew 
 hard, and I efteemed it a fingular favour that our 
 captain was perfuaded to lay at anchor ; for we 
 might have been in imminent danger of perilling 
 among the fand-banks, had he flood out to fea j 
 which I had fome reafon to believe he would have 
 done, had I not been on board ; for I being fet to 
 a day in getting to Dublin, in order to attend the 
 province-meetings, had requefted him, if there were 
 not a probability of our making our paffage in time, 
 to fet me on ftiore fomewhere in Great Britain; 
 which he promifed to do if he could. The veffel 
 being fmall and very full of paffengers, who in the 
 night crowded into the cabin, it was fo extremely 
 clofe, that I was much afflicled both in body 
 and mind : under which I fought for Divine di- 
 re&ion refpefting proceeding forward in the veffel 
 fhould the wind prove favourable in the morning. 
 M 2 I thought
 
 180 
 
 I thought I felt my mind turned to the fnore, 
 and releafed from the weight of the journey, at 
 lead for the pfefent ; therefore when it was light, 
 I defired the captain to endeavour to put me on 
 fhore, and he accordingly hung out a flag for a 
 boat to come and take me ; but none came, and as 
 the wind was again fhiftcd in their favour, and it 
 appeared hazardous to fend the {hip's boat with 
 me, left flie fhould not return time enough for her 
 failing, I feared I muft flay with them ; but unex- 
 pectedly the captain offered the boat and men, pro- 
 vided I would be left on the beach with my faddle 
 and clothes, and let the men return to the vefTel 
 immediately ; to which I agreed, and left the vef- 
 fel, under the probability of her making her paf- 
 fage. A poor woman of Ireland who had no 
 mind to proceed in her, went on fliore with me, 
 who, with her little girl, carried my faddle, &c. 
 about half a mile, to a publick houfe, where I 
 breakfafted, and got a man and horfes to take 
 me to Liverpool. I proceeded penfively, left I 
 fliould have miffed my way in leaving the veffel ; 
 yet I could commit my cafe to the Lord, who knew 
 I had a&ed in fimplicity. In our way we faw the 
 veffel under fail, juft turning out of the harbour 
 on her courfe. When we reached Liverpool I 
 was much fatigued, and low both in body and 
 mind, having flept little in the night ; but after 
 feme reft I attended the funeral of a child the 
 fame evening, and in the meeting the Lord fo fa- 
 voured.
 
 181 
 
 voured, that my fears about leaving the veflfel in 
 a great degree vaniftied. After meeting I found 
 that the wind was turned againft her, and conti- 
 nued to blow very hard all that night ; and the 
 next morning the veflel came back to Liverpool. 
 I (laid there the next day, and then returned to 
 Warrington, and was at the meetings at Penketh 
 and Warrington, the next day, and fo proceeded 
 home, taking in my way thither a meeting at Nant- 
 wich. Although I had been thus difappointed, I 
 had reafon to hope that my leaving home was 
 not without fome fruit to others as well as to my- 
 felf ; fo that my foul had caufe to blefs the facred 
 name of Him, who fanftifies every trial to his 
 children. 
 
 The day I flaid at Liverpool, I penned the 
 rough draught of an Epiftle to Friends in Ireland, 
 and after my return home tranfcribed and fent it. 
 
 My mind fettled in quiet after this difappoint- 
 ment, but my body had fuffered fo much, that a 
 little reft feemed neceffary to repair my health j 
 and I entertained a hope of being at and about 
 home this winter ; but Divine wifdom pointed out 
 work for me elfewhere, and my mind was refigned 
 to follow his directions. I left home in the Twelfth 
 month, and went to the quarterly meeting at War- 
 wick, where, through much painful labour of fpi- 
 rit, I was favoured to difcharge the duty required 
 of me, to the relief of my own fpirit and the fa 
 tisfa&ion of experienced friends. From that place I 
 . M 3 went,
 
 182 
 
 went, through feveral meetings in Oxfordfliire and 
 Northamptonfhire, to the quarterly meeting at 
 Northampton ; and, turning back to the monthly 
 meeting at Banbury, vifited fome other meetings 
 in Oxfordfhire, and attended the quarterly meet- 
 ing held at Oxford. In all thefe fervices the 
 fupporting prote&ing arm of Divine goodnefs was 
 near, whereby I was conducted in fafety j though 
 not without confiderable danger, from the badnefs 
 of the roads. I had one very dangerous fall from 
 my horfe, but was mercifully preferved from any 
 fra&ure. 
 
 The quarterly meeting at Oxford was attended 
 by many of the ftudents, who moflly behaved well, 
 although the do&rine of Truth ran very clofe and 
 pointed to them. That Divine power with which 
 they were too much unacquainted, bound down 
 their fpirits. May it be praifed for ever. 
 
 From Oxford, I pafled, through feveral meet- 
 ings wherein Truth favoured, pretty direftly for 
 London ; where I ftaid about five weeks vifiting 
 the meetings of Friends, and attending other fer- 
 vices as I was favoured with flrength. Sometimes, 
 through a fear of exceeding, I apprehended I fell 
 fhort of my commiffion, and a degree of fuffering 
 followed ; which was however lefs painful to me, 
 than what \yould have arifen from errors on the 
 other hand. I laboured and fufFered much in this 
 city, and the (late of my health was poor during 
 my flay in it j but through infinite mercy I left it in 
 
 the
 
 183 
 
 the enjoyment of a good degree of peace, and re- 
 turned home in the Second month, 1759, to the 
 mutual rejoicing of iflyfelf and friends. My friend 
 Ann Fothergill and feveral others accompanied me 
 to fome meetings in my way home, and took me 
 in their carriages ; whofe affe&ionate care in my 
 weak flate of health, I commemorate with thank- 
 fulnefs to the ever-bounteous Author of all my 
 mercies. 
 
 The day after I got home, my dear mother was 
 taken ill, as was my brother a few days after, and 
 the ftate of my own health was weak, and fome 
 peculiar exercifes attended me. Some libertine 
 fpirits endeavoured to invalidate my chara&er and 
 fervice, for no other caufe than what appeared to 
 me to be my duty. This was an extremely try- 
 ing feafon, but I hope in the end it was profit- 
 able, and tended to eftablifti my mind in a pa- 
 tient fuffering of reproach, and to guard me with 
 caution that I might not adminifler occafion for it 
 to the adverfaries of Truth. 
 
 I attended to fervices about home, as liberty 
 and ftrength were afforded, and became better in 
 my health : my mother alfo recovered bravely, but 
 my brother continued in a very weak flate. In 
 the Fourth month I was obliged to leave him, and 
 my dear mother, being drawn to attend the circular 
 yearly meeting for the four northern counties, which 
 was this year held at Stockport in Chefhire. It 
 Vas very large, and fignally attended with the hum- 
 M 4 bling
 
 184 
 
 bling power of Truth ; and the Lord was pleafed 
 to make ufe of me and fcveral other of his fer- 
 vants : for which my foul worshipped before Him 
 who humbleth and exalteth, and, in his unfearch- 
 able wifdom, doth all things well. I returned home, 
 and found my dear mother and brother much in 
 the fame ftate as I left them. 
 
 In the Fifth month I again left home, intending 
 to attend our quarterly meeting at Evefham, and 
 fo proceed to the yearly meeting at London. My 
 brother was fo much recovered as to accompany 
 me to the quarterly meeting, from whence he in- 
 tended to return home j but on our firfl day's 
 journey he was taken very ill. This brought a 
 frefh exercife upon me, under which I petitioned 
 the Aloighty that he would be pleafed to direft 
 me how to- a& for the relief of my own mind, and 
 the difcliarge of that duty which I owed to an af- 
 fe&ionate brother ; on whofe account I intreated, 
 that if he might be relieved, the way for it might 
 be pointed out. Under this exercife I proceeded 
 to Evefham, my brother ftill accompanying me, 
 though very weak. After the fervice of the 
 quarterly meeting was over, my way opened to 
 Worcefter ; whereto my brother was perfuaded 
 to accompany me, and to take the advice of a 
 phyfician, who ilrongly preffed his going to Bath. 
 Upon confidering the urgency of his cafe, fome of 
 my friends with myfelf judged it beft for him to pro- 
 ceed there direftly, as returning home firfl would 
 
 but
 
 185 
 
 but weaken him the more : fo I wrote an account 
 of our determination to my dear mother and fifter, 
 who acquiefced therein. I alfo informed my bro- 
 ther and fifter Young of my afflicting fnuation, 
 and requeued that one of them would accompany 
 him; and Providence fo ordered it s that my fifler 
 came prepared for the journey the day after I fent 
 for her. The next day, being the Firft of the 
 week, we were favoured together by Divine good- 
 nefs ; and the following morning we parted In 
 much affection, and they proceeded to Bath, and I 
 was at liberty to purfue my journey. This had 
 been to me an extremely exercifmg feafon, from 
 the great fear I was under of erring on either 
 hand ; but I record it to the praife of Infinite 
 goodncfs, who, in this critical juncture, directed 
 me to act for the help of my dear brother ; unto 
 whom my endeavours were fignally bleffed with 
 fuccefs, the Bath waters being rendered fervice- 
 able to him. 
 
 From Worcefter I went to Coventry j and in the 
 way had a meeting at Henly in Arden, Warwick- 
 (hire, in which place Friends have a meeting-houfe, 
 but none of our fociety remained. At Coventry, I 
 met my friend Samuel Fothergill, who having been 
 long indifpofed, I was rejoiced to fee that it ap- 
 peared likely he would be again reflored to the 
 fervice of Truth. We went, together with many 
 friends from the North of England, direct to Lon- 
 don : where I was favoured with ftrength to at- 
 tend
 
 186 
 
 tend pretty elofely to the fervice of the yearly- 
 meeting, and had full fatisfa&ion that I was there 
 in the direction of Divine wifdom. 
 
 From London I went to the quarterly meeting 
 at Colchefter, and in my way there attended the 
 Firft-day meeting at Coggefhall, which was large, 
 and favoured with tjie Divine prefence. 
 
 I left Colchefter before the concluding meeting, 
 being prefled in my mind to reach the quarterly 
 meeting at Banbury in Oxfordfhire, which, with 
 very hard travelling, I accomplimed. I had fome 
 meetings in the way, and was comforted in admi- 
 niflering a little relief to fome poor fouls who ap- 
 peared ready to faint under their exercifes. After 
 the quarterly meeting at Banbury, I went to that 
 at Northampton, much in the crofs to my own will, 
 being very defirous. to get home, confidering the 
 flate of our family, and that my own health was 
 affefted with very hard travelling, miniflerial la- 
 bour, and exercife of mind. But I did not lofe my 
 reward, for I was favoured with ftrength fufficient 
 for the fervice required, went from Northamp- 
 ton in much peace and thankfulnefs, and reached 
 home in two days after : where I was gladly re- 
 ceived by my dear aged mother and my fitter, 
 but my brother was not yet returned from Bath. 
 In the laft fifteen days before I got home, I at- 
 tended twenty-three meetings, befide other fer- 
 vices, and travelled on horfeback. 
 
 The concern I had for Ireland reviving, I left 
 
 home
 
 187 
 
 home in the Eighth month, and with very hard 
 travelling was favoured to vifit moft of the meet- 
 ings in that nation this fall, and returned to Eng- 
 land foon after the half-year's meeting in the 
 Eleventh month. A religious young woman, Sarah 
 ChrifKe, not in the miniftry, accompanied me 
 through the greateft part of the journey in Ire- 
 land. I landed from Ireland at Whitehaven, and 
 went through the meetings in fome part of Cum- 
 berland, the Biilioprick of Durham, and the eaft 
 fide of Yorkfnirej and turned to the quarterly 
 meeting for Weftmoreland . in the Firfl month 
 1760. The weather being extremely (harp this 
 winter, and my health but poor through hard 
 travelling, and taking cold, I fuffered much in 
 body ; but gracious Providence fupported and car- 
 ried me through the fervice required, to the admi- 
 ration of myfelf and others. The weaknefs of 
 my constitution appeared inadequate to fo great a 
 fatigue ; but I experienced that hand which em- 
 ployed me, to be ftrength in weaknefs : falvatioa 
 and power be afcribed thereto for eyer!* 
 
 In the beginning of the Fourth month my fifler 
 Ann was married to Thomas Summerfield, of Blox- 
 ham, Oxford {hire ; and my brother, who accom- 
 panied her to her new habitation, returned home 
 very ill j yet I could not be eafy to omit the at- 
 tendance of the Welch yearly meeting held this 
 year at Ofweftry, and my fifler Young kindly {laid 
 with him and my mother ia my abfence. The 
 
 meeting
 
 188 
 
 meeting was very large ; and I had good reafon 
 to believe I was there in the counfel of the Al- 
 mighty. I returned home in little more than a 
 week, where I found my brother yet unwell ; 
 neverthelefs I thought it right to leave him again 
 in a few days, being engaged to attend the yearly 
 meetings of Briflol and London: which I did, 
 taking fome meetings in my way. 
 
 The yearly meeting at London was large and 
 very fatisfaftory, except from fome difturbance 
 which was given to Friends meetings by fome dif- 
 orderly perfons not in unity with them. My 
 flrength in the difcharge of my duty was merci- 
 fully renewed, and an enlargednefs of heart ex- 
 perienced towards my brethren. I had left home 
 through much difficulty, but was thankful that I 
 had prefled through it ; and on my return I had 
 reafon to believe that kind Providence had made 
 up the lofs of my company to my mother and bro- 
 ther ; for I found her cheerful, and him in better 
 health. 
 
 I came home in the Sixth month, and flaid at or 
 near it until the latter end of the Eighth, labouring 
 as I found ability in the fervice of Truth, and en- 
 deavouring to difcharge my duty in domeftick cares : 
 a greater weight whereof than heretofore retted 
 upon me fmce my filler's marriage ; through which, 
 and my brother's continued indifpofition, my way 
 in leaving home was ftraitened; yet I know not 
 that any clear manifeflation of duty was omitted ; 
 
 although
 
 189 
 
 although fometimes it was difcharged with dif- 
 ficulty. 
 
 My brother being fomewhat better, I left home 
 in order to viiit Friends meetings in Derbyfhire, 
 fome of the dales of Yorkfhire, and part of Lan- 
 caflaire. I was favoured to accomplifli this jour- 
 ney in forty-eight days, travelling in that time 
 about 700 miles, and attending fifty-two meetings, 
 befides other fervices, often in friends families; 
 by which hard labour my fpirits were much ex- 
 haufted, yet was not my health fo impaired, but 
 that I hoped with reft it might be reftored. 
 
 In this journey I had fome fatisfaftory fervice 
 among people not profefTmg with us ; and fome in 
 towns where no meetings were held. At Bradford 
 in Lancalhire, fome unthinking people and children 
 difturbed our meeting almoft through the whole 
 time of our holding it j but fome fober inquiring 
 people attended it, with whom we had reafou to 
 hope the teflimony of Truth had place. After the 
 meeting we had a fatisfa&ory opportunity with 
 fome of them at the houfe of one that had lately 
 joined Friends in that place. Some friends ac- 
 companied me in this fervice, viz. Jonathan Rainc 
 and his wife, of Crawfhay Booth meeting, Matthew 
 Meller of Manchefter, and feveral others ; from 
 whom I parted in gofpel love. 
 
 On my return home the i6~th of the Tenth 
 month, I had the fatisfa&ion to find my dear mo- 
 ther well, and my brother better than he had 
 
 been.
 
 190 
 
 been. The night before I came there, I had a 
 fall from my horfe, but through mercy received 
 no hurt. 
 
 The 1 7th of the Eleventh month, I fet out to 
 attend our quarterly meeting at Worcefler, which 
 was large and mercifully favoured with the Divine 
 prefence. From thence I went to Leominfter to 
 vifit my fitter Young and her family ; and fpent a 
 few days with them and friends there profitably. 
 In my way home, accompanied with fevcral friends 
 from Leominfter, I had a large meeting at Lud- 
 low, in which town there was only one that pro- 
 fefled with us. Several fober people were a- 
 mongft thofe who attended this meeting j and 
 Divine goodnefs was pleafed to favour with open- 
 ing the Truths of the gofpel unto them. I left 
 the town that night, at which I was not quite 
 eafy, not knowing but if I had (laid, fome in- 
 quiring people might have fought an opportunity 
 of converfation. I returned home the 27th, and 
 found my mother tolerably w r ell, on whofe ac- 
 count, in this abfence from her, I had been con- 
 cerned, confidering her advanced age. 
 
 In the Twelfth month, I went to the quarterly 
 meeting at Warwick, and thence to vifit my fifter 
 in Oxfordshire ; with whom I fpent a few days, 
 vifited fome meetings in the neighbourhood, and 
 proceeded to Oxford. Many of the (Indents and 
 others not profeffing with us, came to the meet- 
 ing j towards whom Divine Wifdom was pleafed 
 
 to
 
 191 
 
 to manifeft his regard, and fome of them behaved 
 foberly. It was the time of the quarterly meeting. - 
 In my return home, I attended at Long Compton 
 the funeral of a religious young woman, with 
 whom I had been acquainted. It proved a ftrength- 
 ening feafon in Divine love, which freely flowed 
 towards the people. 
 
 From Long Compton I went to Cftpping-Nor- 
 ton, Evefham, and Worcefler, ftaid a few days 
 amongft Friends there, and returned home through 
 Evefham and Alcefter. 
 
 I ftaid about home until the 2ift of the Third 
 month, 1761, when I went to the quarterly meet- 
 ing at Birmingham ; which was comfortable in a 
 fenfe of the continued regard of heaven ; but for- 
 rowful in the apparent declenfion of fome profef- 
 fmg with us from the life of Truth. 
 
 From Birmingham I proceeded to the quarterly 
 meeting for Nottinghamfhire, held at Mansfield, 
 which was fmall, few friends refiding in that 
 county. I laboured among them in love, and with 
 ftrong defires for their -help ; and left them in a 
 degree of peace, though not without a doubt of 
 having been rather fhort in difcharging my duty. 
 
 From Mansfield, I went to Chefterfield, and 
 had a meeting there, to which came feveral from 
 other meetings, and we were favoured together 
 in the Divine prefence. I then proceeded through 
 fome meetings in Yorkfhire, wherein I was ftrength- 
 ensd to minifter, I hope to the fatisfa&ion and com- 
 fort
 
 192 
 
 fort of honeft- hearted friends, and to the relief of 
 my own fpirit. I came to Lancafter the gth of the 
 Fourth month, in order to attend the quarterly 
 meeting there. Thus far on the journey I had tra- 
 velled very hard, and the day before I came to 
 Lancafter, having met with a very dangerous fall 
 from my horfe, whereby I hurt one of my arms, fo 
 that I was Enable to help myfelf, and was other- 
 wife hurt, it was hard for me to travel j yet I was 
 enabled to proceed forward the next afternoon in 
 a chaife to Kendal j and, having attended the quar- 
 terly meeting there, proceeded to Appleby, to the 
 yearly meeting for the four northern counties, 
 \vhich began the i2th. I carried my arm in a 
 fling, but in this time ofweaknefs kind Providence 
 furnilhed me with a fuitable companion to aiTifl 
 me, viz. Chrifliana Hird of Yorldhire, of whofe 
 tender care, and affectionate fervices, I retain a 
 grateful fenfe. 
 
 The yearly meeting at Appleby was attended by 
 many fober people from the adjacent country, as 
 \vtil us by a large number of the inhabitants of 
 the IQWJI ', and many of them were confiderably 
 affected by the teftimony of Truth ; whereto 
 they had been flrangers, and many of them had 
 imbibed difagreeablc fentiments refpefting Friends 
 a.n<J their principles; but the Lord was pleafed 
 ib to manifcil his power amongft them, that 
 -their prejudices were removed, and a confef- 
 fion obtained, to, the truths which were, freely 
 
 preached
 
 193 
 
 preached among them ; and Friends left the town 
 rejoicing in the heavenly Father's love and good- 
 nefs, in thus favouring us, and exalting the tefli- 
 mony of Truth, in a place wherein fome of our 
 worthy friends in the beginning of our being a 
 people had fuffered fo deeply. [See Friends Suf- 
 ferings, by Jofeph BefTe.] The i5th, Samuel Fo- 
 thergill and myfelf had a meeting at Kiry Steven, 
 which was large and folid, many feeking people 
 around the country attending it; and the Lord 
 was pleafed to caufe the gofpel trumpet to be 
 founded clearly and powerfully . among them : 
 glory be to his Name for ever 1 
 
 I went, accompanied by Chrifliana Hird, with 
 the friends from Wenflydale into that quarter; had 
 a meeting at Haws, and the enfuing Firft-day at- 
 tended the general meeting at Ayfgarth, which was 
 very large. A light fet of people frequently attend- 
 ing on that time of the year: but the power of Truth 
 was meafurably over their fpirits, and I left the 
 place in a good degree of peace. I proceeded in 
 vifiting the meetings in this part of Yorkfhire, and 
 having a view of going almofl dire&ly from that 
 county, to the yearly meeting at London, and 
 being defirous of getting clear of as many meet- 
 ings therein as I could ; I continued to travel 
 hard among the dales. But, my ftrength being 
 much exhaufiied, and fome painful effe&s of my 
 late fall continuing, when I came to the houfe of 
 N my
 
 194 
 
 my friend William Hird, at Woodhoufe (father to 
 my kind companion), I refted for a few days, and 
 Was treated with that tendernefs which the {late of 
 my health required. From hence, I went to Gil- 
 derfome meeting, where I parted from Chriftiana 
 rfird, in love and fympathy; and went, through fe- 
 veral meetings in Yorkfliire, to Nottingham. I 
 ftaid at Nottingham over Firft-day, and attended 
 two meetings there. I was weak and much affected 
 with a hoarfenefs, yet had fome fervice amongft 
 Friends there, though not fully to the relief of my 
 mind. 
 
 I left Nottingham on the 2d day, and reached 
 London the 7th of the Fifth month. I was fa- 
 voured with a good degree of peace, and thank- 
 fulnefs to that good Hand, which had hitherto 
 conducted, and fupported me in wcaknefs. 
 
 The yearly meeting was large, and I hope pro- 
 fitable ; although I did not think, in the general, 
 that inftrumental miniftry rofe fo high, as it had 
 done in fome of thofe annual folemnities : but 
 friends were comforted in the immediate fenfe of 
 the continuance of Divine favour, under which 
 they feparated ; fome perhaps, to meet no more in 
 time. Our friend Jofeph White, from America, 
 having paid a religious vifit to Friends in this na- 
 tion, and being about to return home, had a 
 certificate from Friends at this meeting of their 
 unity with his fervices 'whilfl: here; and John 
 Stephenfon and Robert Proud being under an en- 
 gagement
 
 195 
 
 gagement of mind to vifit Friends on the continent 
 of America, had certificates for that end. 
 
 My fpirit rejoiced that I was enabled to attend 
 this meeting; and indeed I have feldom or ever at- 
 tended the yearly meetings in London, without 
 peculiar edification, although fometimes fufferings 
 from various caufes have fallen to my lot: and I 
 am perfuaded that if Friends more generally gave 
 themfelves up to attend that folemnity; and when 
 there, abode under the feafoning virtue of Truth, 
 they would be better qualified to labour in their 
 feveral ftations and places of refidence : the weight 
 of fervice devolving upon them there, would be 
 brought home with them, and a more fervent 
 care would remain for maintaining our Chriftian 
 teftimony in its various branches, and ftretching 
 the line of difcipline over fuch among us who 
 walk diforderly. 
 
 The week after the yearly meeting I went to 
 Plaiftow, and refled a few days with my friend 
 John Hayward; and, being a little recruited, I pro- 
 ceeded, though in diffidence and fear (being often 
 low in body, as well as preiTed with the weight of 
 the fervice appointed me), to the yearly meetings 
 of Colchefter, Woodbridge, and Norwich : in all 
 of which, through the ftrengthening hand of Di- 
 vine mercy, I had good fervice. 
 
 From Norwich I paifed, through fome meetings 
 
 in Lincolnshire and Yorkfhire, to the quarterly 
 
 meeting at York, which was at this time attended 
 
 N 2 by
 
 196 
 
 by many friends from the feveral quarters of it ; and 
 fome friends under appointment from the yearly 
 meeting at London, to vifit the monthly and quar- 
 terly meetings of Friends, were there ; and, I hope, 
 were ferviceable, in inquiring into the general ftate 
 of Friends, exciting them to various duties, and en- 
 deavouring to ftrengthen the hedge of difcipline. 
 
 From this meeting I proceeded, accompanied 
 by Rachel Wilfon and Margaret Raine, to Leeds 
 and Bradford, and fo to a large general meeting 
 held annually in a barn at Bingley. It was in 
 a good degree fatisfa&ory, many gofpel Truths be- 
 ing opened to the people ; who behaved foberly, 
 and many of them feemed well affefted towards 
 Friends. After this meeting I proceeded towards 
 the quarterly meeting at Lancafter, and from that 
 place, accompanied by my friends Jonathan Raine 
 and wife and Alexander Parkinfon, I went to 
 Turton near Bolton, where feveral young men 
 and others were under convincement. Several 
 friends met us here, and we had a favoured meet- 
 ing with them and many of their neighbours j re- 
 joicing in the hope, that the Shepherd of Ifrael 
 would gather to himfelf a people in that country. 
 There are none under our name near them, which 
 rendered the breaking forth of Truth amongft 
 them a more fignal inftance of the immediate effi- 
 cacy of its Divine power. May they be preferved 
 humble, and dependent on that Hand, which alone 
 
 can
 
 197 
 
 can build up, and " eftablifli on the mod holy 
 " faith." 
 
 From Turton I, went with my friend Jpnathan 
 Raine and wife to their houfe near Roffendale, and 
 attended a large general meeting there the next 
 day ; and proceeded to Manchefter on Second-day, 
 and had a meeting there that evening. On Third- 
 day, accompanied by two men friends, I travelled 
 hard ; and in the evening we miffed our way over a 
 moor, which rendered it late in the night when we 
 came to John Draycoat's in Derbyfhire. I had a 
 fall from my mare, through^ her miffing her flep 
 upon a narrow caufeway, but through mercy was 
 preferved from hurt. Next day I had a meeting 
 at Furnace, and afterwards rode to Burton upon 
 Trent, and the enfuing day to Polefworth, in order 
 to attend the marriage of my coufins John Wilkins 
 and Elizabeth Lythall, which was folemnized at 
 Badfley the next day, and we were favoured to- 
 gether with the Lord's prefence : bleffed be his 
 holy name ! The next day, being the aoth of the 
 Seventh month I reached home, where I found my 
 dear mother as well as could be expe&ed for her 
 age, but my brother yet poorly. I had now at 
 feveral times vifited Friends in Yorkfhire pretty 
 generally; and had confiderable fervice amongft 
 people not profeifing with them. After this jour- 
 ney my mind fettled in peace and thankfulnefs, 
 having to look back upon it with deep gratitude 
 to the Divine hand, whereby I had been conduced,. 
 N 3 fupportecl,
 
 198 
 
 fupported, and encouraged to prefs forward, al- 
 though under confidcrable bodily weaknefs, and 
 fome fears on account of the fituation of my dear 
 mother, &c. But as my eye was prcferved fmgle to 
 the Lord's fcrvice, he cared for thofe I had left 
 for his name's fake, and brought me home in a 
 better ftate of health than I had left it, notwith- 
 ftanding I had travelled and laboured exceedingly 
 hard ; having in fifteen weeks attended 117 meet- 
 ings, and travelled about 1230 miles j nearly the 
 whole on horfeback. 
 
 The beginning of the Eighth month, I attended 
 the Circular yearly meeting, which was held at 
 Bromyard in Herefordfhire. It was not fo large, 
 cither of Friends or people of other focieties, as of 
 late years had been ufual, nor did the life of Truth 
 in the miniflry rife to the height I have known it ; 
 yet, upon the whole, Friends had caufe to be 
 thankful for the opportunity. 
 
 From this meeting I went to fpend a day or two 
 with my dear fifter Young at Leominfler, which I 
 efleemed a great favour, as it was the laft time we 
 fpent together, except near her Inft moments. She 
 was feized in the Tenth month following with an 
 indifpofuion, which terminated in a violent inflam- 
 matory fever. Her hufband was then in the weft of 
 England, in company with fome friends, on a re- 
 ligious vifit to tfce monthly and quarterly meetings 
 of Friends in that part of the nation. A meiTen- 
 ger being fent to inform us of her illnefs, I went to 
 
 her;
 
 199 
 
 her; and was favoured to find her fo fenfible as 
 to inform me that (he was very eafy in mind : 
 foon after which (he grew delirious, and her fenfcs 
 were never more quite clear ; yet flie once inti- 
 mated that flie was quiet, and hoped fhe had a 
 quiet habitation. 
 
 She was a truly valuable woman, and doubtlefs 
 her fpirit entered into reft. She died at the age of 
 forty-five, after a life attended with various trials. 
 The lofs to her family, her other relations, friends, 
 and neighbours, was great ; and the forrow for it 
 amongft all who were acquainted with her was ge- 
 neral : yet under a fenfe that our lofs was her 
 great gain, it was mixed with joy in the hearts of 
 her neareft relations and friends. 
 
 She left three children, and her forrowful and very 
 affeftionate hufband; who, after he had information 
 of her dangerous ftate, travelled hard to get home, 
 but did not reach it until after her corps was 
 interred. My brother ftaid at Leominfter until he 
 came thither, and I returned home to my dear mo- 
 ther, and my fitter's eldeft daughter, who was then 
 at Dudley, a thoughtful child of about eleveq 
 years of age, who had a very great afle&ion for 
 her mother. I found them full as well as I ex- 
 pefted, confidering my mother's great love for 
 my fitter, who had been an extraordinary child to 
 her; fleadily fympathizing with, ^nd aiEtting her 
 in her afili&ions, when fhe had no other child 
 that was fo capable of doing it. But flie was fa- 
 N 4 vourecj
 
 200 
 
 voured with fignal rcfignation to the Divine will, 
 which is doubtlefs right in taking away, as well as 
 in giving. 
 
 My fpirits had been fupported beyond my ex- 
 pectation through this trial, although my health 
 appeared fliaken by the fatigue attending it ; yet 
 in lefs than two weeks, I fet out for Bloxham to 
 attend my filler Summerfield, who was now my 
 only furviving filler. I attended Warwick meet- 
 ing in my way ; and in the evening appointed one 
 for the neighbours, which was large, and crowned 
 with Divine Jife and power, for which I was truly 
 thankful. After about two weeks flay I went for 
 London, having before I left home a certificate to 
 yifit Friends in that city. I had feveral meetings 
 in my way thither amongfl people not profefTing 
 with us, to fatisfaclion. 
 
 I flaid rather more than a month in London, 
 and through diligent labour, and confiderable tra- 
 vail of fpirit, left it eafy in mind, and returned 
 home by my fitter's. 
 
 TJie day I left her houfe the wind was very high. 
 I rode double, and when we came to the high un- 
 inclofed field -lands, nearly upon a level with the 
 fummit of Edge hill, it was fo extremely boifterous, 
 that myfelf and the man who rode before me, con- 
 cluded it fafeft to alight; which we did, under 
 (helter of a fh<*t thorn -hedge, probably planted 
 to afford fhelter to fheep. We faw a village, but 
 had to crofs the field to it. The man held the 
 
 horfe
 
 201 
 
 horfe by one hand, and I held by his other arm ; but 
 the wind was fo violently ftrong, that he rather 
 dragged than led me, for I (looped very low, being 
 unable to ftand againft it. I think it rained alfo 
 while we crofled the field. We got to a poor 
 houfe of entertainment, the covering of a building 
 belonging to which was ftripped off a little before 
 we came; and we (laid in it, not without fear, until 
 the violence of the wind abated ; which it did in 
 the afternoon, and we reached Eatington the fame 
 night. I think this was the wind of which it was 
 faid, that none had been fo' high lince Eddyflone 
 light - houfe was blown down ; and our getting 
 through it without hurt appeared providential. It 
 was a hurricane in the morning, yet it was tolera- 
 bly calm in the evening. 
 
 I got home the i5th of the Firft month, 1762, 
 in a better (late of health than I left it, and was 
 comforted to find our family tolerably well j and I 
 had great caufe for thankfulnefs, for the many mer- 
 cies and prefervations vouchfafed in this journey. 
 
 In the fpring of this year I attended the northern 
 and Welch yearly meetings ; the firil held at 
 Bolton in Lancashire, and that for Wales at Bala 
 in Merionethfhire. That at Bolton was very large, 
 and attended by many valuable minifters and friends, 
 and a great number of fober inquiring people of 
 other focieties ; amongft whom the gofpel-trumpet 
 was founded in Divine authority, to the comfort 
 of faithful friends, and, I hope, to the inftruftion 
 
 and
 
 202 
 
 and awakening of many fouls. In my way from 
 Bolton to Bala, in company with my friend oa- 
 muel Fothergill, I attended the meeting at Chefler 
 on the Firfl-day mprning ; whereto many foberly 
 behaved people of the town came, and we were 
 favoured with a comfortable tendering opportunity 
 together. From Chefter we proceeded to Bala, 
 in company with Ifabella Middleton, a miniftering 
 friend from Ireland, and overtook Rachel Wil- 
 fon and Chrifliana Hird, before we got thither. 
 
 The meeting at Bala was large, confidering the 
 part of the country it was held in : the people be- 
 haved foberly, and many of them were affe&cd by 
 the heart-tendering power of Truth. We had a 
 comfortable opportunity with a few that came in 
 love to bid us farewel ; and left the place, in full 
 aflurance of the extendings of Divine love to the 
 inhabitants of this poor part of the nation, and 
 thankfulnefs that we were accounted worthy to 
 preach the gofpel to them. I returned home by 
 Coalbrookdale, and on the Firfl-day was at a very 
 large meeting at the New Dale, wherein the Lord's 
 power was exalted : bleffed be his name for ever! 
 
 I reached home the 4th of the Fifth month, and 
 found my mother and brother well as ufual, but 
 my brother Henry (my father's fon by a former 
 wife) unwell, with a diforder in his right leg; 
 which terminated in a mortification, and in fome- 
 thing more than eight weeks his leg was taken off. 
 Our affii&ion through this circumflance was confi- 
 
 derable ;
 
 203 
 
 derable; for befides the care for his natural life, 
 which was imminently in danger, our concern for 
 his immortal foul was great. For having addi&ed 
 hiinfelf to pleafure and to the gratification of his na- 
 tural appetites, he had loft the fimplicity of his edu- 
 cation ; and, becaufe he would indulge himfelf in li- 
 berties which he knew were inconfiftent with the 
 profeffion of Truth, he threw it off; faying, he 
 would not retain the name and be a reproach to 
 the people. He fometimes went to the church of 
 England, not, as he faid, from principle, but be- 
 caufe he would go fomewhere. When a youth, he 
 was much humbled under the vifitation of Divine 
 love ; but when he arrived to mature age, he was 
 drawn afide by vain company. 
 
 In this affii&ion he was favoured with a renewed 
 vifitation of heavenly favour ; under which he la- 
 mented his lofs and fall, and remarked f that it 
 had been through keeping company, and not 
 e that which is accounted the worft of company 
 c neither/ He had a long time allowed him 
 to repent, and in the fore part of his illnefs was pe- 
 nitent and much exercifed in mind j but being 
 flattered with the hopes of life after his leg was 
 cut off, his thoughts appeared then to be too much 
 occupied with its profpe&s, although not without 
 fome propofition of a reformation of conduft, if 
 his health fhould be reflored. 
 
 In this fituation I was obliged to leave him, 
 being engaged to attend the Circular yearly meet- 
 ing*
 
 204 
 
 ing, which was held this year at Exeter. My fifter 
 fupplied my place in the family, and I went pretty 
 dire&ly to it, attending the quarterly meeting at 
 Gloucefter, and two other meetings, in my way, 
 the Lord's power accompanying me. 
 
 The meeting at Exeter was much lefs than fome 
 of the like kind had been; but was attended by 
 fome fober people, and by fome high profeiTors of 
 religion, whofe foundations were ft ruck at in the 
 power of Truth, the teftimony whereof was mea- 
 furably exalted. The (late of the members of 
 our own fociety was miniftered to ; in fome in- 
 ftances it was lamentable, and tended greatly to 
 leiTen the weight of the teftimony of Truth, which 
 had been at this time borne in the demonflration 
 of its own fpirit. + 
 
 I proceeded from Exeter to the quarterly meet- 
 ing in Somerfetfhire, which was eminently crowned 
 with Divine favour ; and I parted from Friends 
 there in the comfortable fenfe of gofpel fellow- 
 flaip, and returned to Briftol, having feveral large 
 and fatisfa&ory meetings in the way thither. 
 
 I fpent a few days in Briftol, I hope profitably, 
 having a renewed caufe to believe that the Divine 
 life was revived in fome in that city, although too 
 many had fallen afleep as in the lap of this world. 
 
 From Briftol I, went to the quarterly meeting 
 for Herefordfliire, held at Rofs, and fo to Leo- 
 minfter; where I fpent more than a week in my 
 brother Young's family, not idly, but caring for
 
 205 
 
 it ; and returned home to the mutual fatisfaction of 
 myfelf and my relations there. 
 
 I found my dear mother and brother tolerably 
 well, and my poor brother Henry appeared in 
 fome refpe&s better, yet at times fo languid, that 
 I doubted his continuing long in time. My fears 
 proved well founded, for his deplorable diforder 
 feized his other foot, and on the 1 5th of the 
 Twelfth month, 1762, he died; having endured 
 a long fcene of inexpreffible pain and affli&ion. 
 Agreeably to his own defire, his corps was interred 
 in Friends' burying ground. He was endowed 
 with a good understanding and an engaging natu- 
 ral difpofition, and his perfon and manners were 
 fuperior to many. He was in his fifty-feventh 
 year. 
 
 I think it worthy commemoration, that fome 
 time before he was feized with the diforder which 
 terminated his life, I had been earneftly felicitous 
 that the Lord would bring him to a fenfe of his 
 apoftatized ilate before he was taken out of time ; 
 and conftrain him to condemn that libertine fpirit 
 wherein he had fo long indulged ; that his aflbciates 
 might not have caufe fo to triumph as to invalidate 
 the Chriftian testimonies. Thefe my defires were 
 fignally anfwered. 
 
 CHAP. VIII.
 
 206 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 FROM the occurrences related in the clofe of 
 the foregoing Chapter, until after I entered 
 into a marriage ftate, I made no minutes of my 
 religious labours, although I was as conftantly 
 engaged as heretofore, in attending yearly and 
 quarterly meetings, &c. in divers parts of the 
 nation, vifiting particular meetings of Friends, as 
 well as appoiming foiae fur people of other focie- 
 ties ; and in the winters, I moilly fpent fome time 
 in London. Yet fo few remarkable incidents oc- 
 curred, that, my movements appeared fcarcely 
 worth noting j except that the Lord's hand was 
 revealed for my help and prefervation, through 
 which I was enabled to fuflain almofl uninter- 
 rupted, though varied, fatigue and exercife, both 
 of body and mind. After my fifter Ann's mar- 
 riage, a load of domeflick concerns devolved upon 
 me. Through my mother's very great age, and 
 my brother's frequent indifpofition, my times of 
 refpite from travelling and gofpel-labours were far 
 from being feafons of reft. A fhort time before 
 I married, my left elbow was diflocated by a fall 
 
 down
 
 207 
 
 down flairs, and reduced with confiderable dif- 
 ficulty. As that joint from my infancy had been 
 weak, and had feveral times been hurt by falls 
 from my horfe, as is before related, it became 
 from this time fo weak, as to render my riding 
 fmgle improper, and riding double was rather 
 dangerous, as I could not help myfelf on horfe- 
 back without my arm ; I had therefore caufe to 
 be thankful that my expe&ed new flation would 
 furnifh me with a chaife. 
 
 For the fulfilling of every purpofe of Divine wif- 
 dom there is a particular feafon ; and although I 
 married rather late in life, the connexion from its 
 beginning was attended with fuch fmgular circum- 
 fiances, as marked its being fuperior to nature, 
 although nature had its fliarc in it j and the re- 
 flri&ions laid upon my mind, and that of my be- 
 loved hufband, were too remarkable to be omitted 
 in the memoirs of the fignally providential occur- 
 wrrences of my life. 
 
 I have already noted the meeting with William 
 Phillips in 1749, at Swanfea, (fee page 22). Be- 
 fore that time we were entire flrangers to each other, 
 I do not recolleft that I had ever heard of him. My 
 mind had been, and was under ftrong reftri&ions in 
 regard to entering into the marriage flate, fliould 
 I be folicited thereto ; for as it appeared that for 
 a feries of years I fhould be much engaged in tra- 
 velling for the fcrvice of Truth, I feared to indulge 
 thoughts of forming a connexion, which, from its 
 
 incumbrances.
 
 208 
 
 incumbrances, migljt tend to fruftrate the intention 
 of Divine wifdom refpefting me. This caution 
 tended to keep me referved in my conduft, towards 
 fuch as might be likely to entertain views be- 
 yond friendlhip, in their acquaintance with me ; 
 and my mind, to the time of our meeting, had been 
 fo prefer ved, as never to admit the leaft impref- 
 fion of affection beyond that line, with any one. 
 
 William Phillips was then a widower, and had 
 two young children. His worldly circumilances I was 
 unacquainted with, further than that I then learned 
 the place of his refidence, and fomewhat of his bu- 
 fmefs, which was, in part, that of an agent to a 
 copper-company. He was confiderably older than 
 myfelf. So that none of thefe circumftances could 
 of themfelvcs make a connection with him de- 
 firable. For as to his employ, which might feem 
 the lead exceptionable, it was lefs pleafmg to me 
 than would have been his being his own free man. 
 It was therefore improbable . that temporal conn- 
 derations fhould bias my mind in his favour; and 
 as to his religious experience, it appeared to be 
 but in its infancy. He had indeed, a frank and 
 open difpofition, which, joined to a good under- 
 ftanding, rendered his converfation agreeable ; 
 but Ihad but little opportunity to judge of this, 
 before it appeared that perhaps we might one day 
 unite in the marriage covenant. 
 
 Upon obferving him flriftly, I had the fatisfac- 
 tion to fee that his mind was fufceptible .of the 
 
 bed
 
 209 
 
 beft impreffions, and bending out of the world, 
 wherein, in fome parts of his conduct, he had 
 taken too great a part. His behaviour to me was 
 prudently reftrifted, though he afterwards confeffed 
 that his mind was affectionately difpofed towards 
 me. We were favoured together, efpecially in 
 one meeting, with the uniting influence of Divine 
 love, but parted merely as common friends. Very 
 foon after, a circumftance happened, which, with- 
 out the lead defign on either fide, neceffarily in- 
 troduced a correfpondence by letters between us ; 
 and we exchanged feveral in reftricled terms, fuited 
 to our fit nations. 
 
 In my next journey to the weflern counties, I 
 had meetings in fome towns where none were efta- 
 blifhed, particularly at Redruth and Truro in 
 Cornwall, at both of which William Phillips was 
 very ferviceable ; and his fpirit being dipped into 
 fympathy with me in my fervice, and mine, with 
 him under his religious exercifes, it tended to 
 ftrengthen the regard we had for each other ; yet 
 fuch was the reftriftion we were preferved under, 
 that no fentiment tranfpired, nor was there any, 
 the leaft part of his conduct, more than was con- 
 fident with a diftinguifhed friendship : and thus we 
 again parted, and continued our religious cor- 
 refpondence. But my mind becoming doubtful 
 whether I had fuch an evidence that our intimacy 
 would ever rife higher than friendfhip, as to war- 
 rant my retaining the profpecl of it; and ruminating 
 o upon
 
 210 
 
 upon the injurious confequences which might enfue 
 to us both, fhould our affections be engaged con- 
 trary to the Divine will ; and that, perhaps, the 
 continuing an intimacy with me might prevent his 
 mind from fettling upon fomc other perfon, who 
 might be a fuitable companion for him through 
 life; and feeing clearly, that my religious profpedts 
 would not for a long time admit of my changing 
 my fituation ; I concluded it fafefl to relinquish 
 our correfpondence, and to leave the event of the 
 foundation of affection which \vas laid, to future 
 time : hoping, that if Divine wifdom defigned a 
 nearer union betwixt us, he would prepare my 
 friend to be a fuitable helpmate for me. My fear 
 of erring on this occafion was proportioned to that 
 fuperior love, which bound me to the fervice ap- 
 pointed me ; in the purfuit whereof, I was defirous 
 to relinquifti every profpect and connection which 
 might retard my fulfilling it: and I continued 
 clofely engaged in it for many years, and kept an 
 entire diflance from my friend. 
 
 In this time our minds became fo releafed from 
 each other, as to be at liberty to entertain other pro- 
 fpects of marriage j and, but for the interpofition of 
 a watchful Providence, we might each of us have 
 been engaged to our hurt. But however promifing 
 the profpect might be to my mind, I never was fa- 
 voured with true peace, in looking to a marriage 
 connection with any other ; and as to my friend, 
 although he had entirely loft the hope of a nearer 
 
 union
 
 211 
 
 union with me, however thoughtful he might be 
 refpe&ing its being convenient for him to change 
 his fituation, he did not find freedom to propofe it 
 to any other woman. Thus we continued fepa- 
 rated, and feparately exercifed ; I in clofe applica- 
 tion to publick fervice ; and he in his worldly en- 
 gagements, and under various temptations and con- 
 flicts, inwardly and outwardly, which called for the 
 fympathy of a friend ; when none was afforded, 
 fave that of the never-failing Helper, by whofe 
 hand his head was fuftvuned, and he witnefled 
 prefervation even as from the " paw of the lion 
 6i and bear." 
 
 In the year 1766, I attended the Circular meet- 
 ing, and vifited moil of the meetings of Friends in 
 Cornwall. Previously to my taking that journey, 
 I had an intimation in my mind, which feemed to 
 point towards a revival of our intimacy. This 
 happened at a time when I was quite free from 
 impreffions of natural affeftion towards W. Phil- 
 lips ; for I was deeply engaged in thoughtfulnefs 
 refpe&ing another friend, and humbly and earneftly 
 defirous to be informed whether I might fafely 
 remove to the place of his refidence. 
 
 Under this exercife, my mind was turned with 
 uncommon force to Cornwall ; and the name of 
 the place where W. Phillips refided was revived 
 with fuch iirength, that it was as if vocally fpoken 
 in my foul. At the fame time I was favoured with 
 the fweet fenfation of Divine love and life. And 
 . . 02 although
 
 212 
 
 although the removing to this poor county afforded 
 no pleafmg view, I was willing to fubmit, if Divine 
 wifdom appointed it ; but as to W. Phillips, 1 
 doubted his having advanced in religion, fo as to 
 render a nearer union with him fafe ; but I could 
 only judge fuperficially, the exercifed ftate of his 
 mind being hid from me. 
 
 Hannah Shipley, of Uttoxeter in Staffordfliire. 
 was my companion in this journey, whofe affec- 
 tionate attention to me, I remember with grati- 
 tude: her fervice alfo in the miniftry was accept- 
 able to friends. 
 
 When we came into Cornwall, I was cautious 
 of giving heed to the before-mentioned intimation ; 
 and when I met W. Phillips, was defirous to be 
 favoured with a fenfe of the ftate of his fpirit ; and 
 was thankful to find it bending towards the fpring 
 of Divine life, beyond my expe&ation. We were 
 frequently together while I was in the county ; 
 but never alone, fo as at all to enter into conver- 
 fation on the fubjecT: of our former correfpond- 
 ence, except when riding on the high road j 
 when, one day, he mentioned the trial it was 
 to him that I mould fo abruptly drop it ; and faid 
 he had cautioufly avoided a condu& which might 
 give me umbrage ; and added, that he had never 
 admitted fentiment of difpleafure at me on the 
 occafion, as he concluded that I had fome reafon 
 for fo doing, which was of fufEcient weight to my- 
 felf j but if my being in a fingle ftation were the 
 
 caufe,
 
 213 
 
 caufe, I needed not to have feared him, for al- 
 though he loved me, hitherto his mind had been 
 under a reftri&ion from endeavouring to pafs the 
 bounds of friendfliip. This was faying more than 
 he had ever done before ; but during his being 
 with me in this journey, his behaviour was ftrictly 
 confident with friendfhip only. 
 
 One circumftance I think worthy of relating, as 
 it difcovered both his fympathy with my religious 
 engagements, and how Divine wifdom works to 
 the effecting his own purpofes. After I left Ply- 
 mouth, in my way into Cornwall, it appeared that 
 I fhould have a meeting at Plymouth Dock in 
 my return. This I intimated to a friend of Ply- 
 mouth then with me, and defired him to inquire 
 whether a proper place could be procured. This 
 friend, and another from Plymouih, met me at 
 the Circular yearly meeting, which was held at 
 Bodmin, at which alfo was W. Phillips. 
 
 They gave me no encouragement of getting a 
 meeting at Dock ; indeed it was looked upon im- 
 probable that a place large enough for the people 
 could be procured there ; fo they propofed that a 
 meeting fhould be appointed at Friends meeting- 
 houfe at Plymouth, and that the people of Dock 
 fliould be invited thereto. This did not feem to 
 promife relief to my mind j for befides the Dock's 
 being three miles diflant, the houfe might probably 
 have been tpo fmall for the Plymouth people and 
 them. My concern for the Dock continued, but I 
 . o 3 . faid
 
 214 
 
 faid little about it, except hinting it to my brother, 
 who, with divers friends out of Worcefterfhire was 
 at Bodmin. In the night before I left that place it 
 prefled weightily upon my mind ; but I could fee- 
 no way to obtain a meeting, unlefs W. Phillips 
 would accompany me ; who I knew had refolution 
 enough to affift in the undertaking. He defigned 
 going homeward the next day, and I was reluch:. T 
 to propofe his going with us to Plymouth ; but de- 
 fired, if my exercife for Dock was from the Lord, 
 and it w r as right for him to affiil me therein, rliat 
 it might be impreffed on his mind to go. After 
 this, my fpirit was relieved, and in the morning I 
 heard W. Phillips fay to the friends, I muft go to 
 Plymouth, giving aa a reafon, that he had an uncle 
 there who was unwell. He afterwards told me, thi< 
 was the only reafon he could ailign for his mind 
 being forcibly drawn to Plymouth, which it was 
 before he arofe ; and when at breakfafl he heard 
 me inquiring whether a place could be procured at 
 Dock to hold a meeting, he faw the caufe of his 
 being drawn to Plymouth ; and immediately re- 
 plied, There is no doubt of it. In our way to 
 Plymouth, we had a large fatisfaftory meeting in 
 the market-houfe at Lifkeard. At Dock, my bro- 
 ther, friends from Worcefterfhire, and W. Phil- 
 lips, obtained a large fchool-ropm ; which opened 
 into a fquare, A window was taken out, and I 
 flood in that, fo as to fpeak to the people with- 
 out > and the houfe being full within,"! believe 
 
 all
 
 215 
 
 all might hear, though there was a great concourfe 
 of people. It was a favoured opportunity, at which 
 the friends who accompanied me for the promoting 
 of it were very ferviceable ; but had not W. Phil- 
 lips aflifted them, it did not appear probable that 
 fo large a meeting would have been procured, and 
 held fo quietly : he was peculiarly fitted for fuch 
 fervices. 
 
 After my return home, our correfpondence by 
 letter revived ; but although it foon patted the 
 bounds of mere friendmip, our minds were clothed 
 with awful caution of ftepping forward without 
 Divine direction. For fome years we faw each 
 other but feldom, and that only as we met in 
 the courfe of my fervice ; and notwithftanding a 
 nearer union was from time to time pointed out, 
 yet our way not opening clearly to the accom- 
 plimment of ir, we did not marry until the i5th 
 of Seventh month, 1772 ; when, in a large and 
 folemn meeting held at Bewdley, we took each 
 other in the real fear of the Lord, and therein 
 had a flrong evidence of his favour. Many of my 
 friends from the adjacent meetings met us upon 
 theoccafion; unto whom my fpirit was drawn forth 
 in the beft love; wherein, after we had taken each 
 other in marriage, I was led to advife, camion, 
 and encourage them. 
 
 The parting from my dear mother had been an 
 
 affefting circumftance, but it was a great fatisfa&ion 
 
 to me, that, although her faculties were breaking, 
 
 04 (be
 
 216 
 
 file was fenfible I was removed from her in Divine 
 \vifdom. The morning I left her, flie took a quiet 
 (leady farewel of me, and told me (he was fatisiicd 
 Providence had provided for me, unto whole will 
 fhe was refigned. As my brother propofed accom- 
 panying me home, my filter Sommerfield (laid with 
 our mother in his abience. 
 
 After our marriage at Bewdley, we proceeded 
 on our way to my brother Young's at Leominfter, 
 \vhere we (laid fome days, and then went to 
 Swanfea, my brother, and niece A. Young, ac- 
 companying us. In our way to Swanfea, we 
 had a meeting at Hereford, and another near 
 Talgarth in Wales, where the Countefs of Hun* 
 tingdon had eftablilhed a college for the educa- 
 tion of young men for the miniflry. Some of 
 them came to the meeting, and feveral behaved 
 rather lightly ; but one fought an opportunity with 
 us afterwards, and freely expreffed his uneafmefs 
 in his prefent fituation, and defired to get amongfl 
 Friends. He rcqucfted my hufband's ailiflance to 
 procure him -a fuitable place ; but though one 
 pretty foon offered, and he was informed of it, 
 he declined accepting it. Many are fhaken by the 
 power of Truth, but few are fleadily concerned to 
 build upon its foundation : and therefore it may 
 with forrow be faid, " Many are called, but few 
 " chofen." We had alfo a meeting at Llandilo, 
 which, though not very large, was fatisfa&ory. 
 
 We (laid at Swanfea^ fome weeks, the wind ber
 
 217 
 
 ing. contrary for our going down the "Channel. 
 During our flay there, the Firft and week-day 
 meetings were moftly large and favoured. A par- 
 ticular vifitation of Truth was extended to fomc 
 who had gone out from Friends by marriage and 
 otherwife, who were affectionately entreated, and 
 warned of their danger in trifling with the day 
 of their vifitation, which was haftening fafl to a 
 conclufion. Several of thefe were much affected, 
 and two of them foon finimed their courfe. I 
 have admired the mercy of God, even to the 
 backfliders and revolters from us ; from few of 
 whom the witnefs of Truth is fo withdrawn, 
 but that they will confefs to it ; and many to 
 the latter ftage of life are followed with clofe 
 convictions, and tender calls to return to the 
 heavenly Father's houfe, and yet continue in a 
 country far remote from it : having fo connected 
 themielves with thofe who are in the fpirit of this 
 world, as to conclude it impofnble to break loofe 
 from them. But, although through inattention to 
 the holy principle of light and grace, they may 
 have rendered their way very difficult, and mingled 
 for themfelves a bitter cup ; yet if they would at- 
 tend to that Divine love which draws them, they 
 would experience its power to releafe their rpirits 
 from the power of Satan, and bring into " the 
 " glorious liberty of the children of God." 
 
 I vifited the families of thofe profefllng Truth 
 in Swanfea ; but the time for holding the Circular
 
 218 
 
 meeting for the weflern counties approaching, and 
 it being to be held this year in Cornwall, my 
 hufband was earned to get home. Another meet- 
 ing, alfo, which was ufually very large, held an- 
 nually near his habitation, engaged our attention; 
 therefore, the wind not ferving for us to go to 
 Cornwall, we croffed the Channel to Ilfracomb in 
 Devonfhire, and through Divine favour landed 
 fafe, though not without fome danger ; and pro- 
 ceeded directly home to Redruth. The Firft-day 
 after we reached it, we attended the before-men- 
 tioned meeting at Key, at which it was fuppofed 
 there were 1500 people : it was held without 
 doors, and was a favoured opportunity. The next 
 week came on the Circular yearly meeting, which 
 was held at Helfton, was extremely large, and well 
 attended by friends ; and in divers meetings the 
 teftimony of Truth was exalted through feveral 
 of the Lord's chofen fervants. I was largely and 
 livingly opened in his fervice, by him who alone 
 can qualify for it : to whom I ever defire to afcribe 
 the praife. 
 
 For fome time after I came home, a pretty many 
 ferious people attended our meetings, and doctrine 
 fuitable to their dates was opened ; but moft of 
 them were too much under the influence of human 
 teachers to receive the Truth in its fimplicity, and 
 walk by its light. I quickly found a concern to 
 appoint a meeting at the place called St. Agnes, a 
 town on the north fea coaft. Near this place the 
 
 people
 
 people were addi&ed to the barbarous cuflom of 
 plundering veffels wrecked upon the coaft. Abun- 
 dance of people collected, fo that we were obliged 
 to hold the meeting in the ftreet, which was a 
 remarkably quiet folemn opportunity. Many of 
 the wreckers were fuppofed to be prefent, and I 
 had to reprove the practice very clofely ; which 
 might be fuppofed to have prefent effecl, for the 
 people exerted themfelves to fave the cargo of the 
 next veflcl that was wrecked. 
 
 In a few weeks after the Circular meeting, I 
 went to the quarterly meeting for Devonfhire, 
 held at Kingfbridge, and thence took a turn into 
 the north of the county, accompanied by Wil- 
 liam Cookworthy and feveral other friends. We 
 appointed meetings in feveral places where none 
 were fettled, in all of which, except at Great Tor- 
 rington, we had good fatisfaftion ; and there we had 
 reafon to conclude that we appointed the meeting 
 at too late an hour, through condefcenfion to fome 
 who exprefTed a defire to attend it, and could not 
 come fooner. It was Firft-day, and the evening 
 coming on, a crowd of diforderly people impeded 
 the fervice ; and my mind was the more pained, 
 becaufe an earlier hour had been pointed to me 
 for holding the meeting. We had a good meeting in 
 the town-hall at Launcefton, after which William 
 Cookworthy went homewards, and I to Wade- 
 bridge, I had a meeting there to fatisfaction, and 
 returned home, under the perfuafion of having 
 
 been
 
 220 
 
 been engaged in the difcharge of my duty, and 
 affifted by Divine grace in the performance there- 
 of. 
 
 I ftaid at and about home until near the time 
 of the yearly meeting ar Briftol, 1773, which I 
 attended ; and thence, accompanied by my dear 
 friend Lydia Hawkfworth, went to that in London. 
 We vifited the meeting of Friends in Hampfhire 
 in- our way, and I returned into Cornwall to our 
 quarterly meeting held at Looe in the Seventh 
 month ; where my huiband met rne, and we 
 went together to that for Devonfliire, held at Ply- 
 mouth. 
 
 The annual meeting at Key was this year large 
 and fatisfaftory ; after which I went to vifit my 
 aged parent and other relations, and attend the 
 Circular yearly meeting at Gloucefter. I vifited 
 the meetings of Friends, as I went along, who were 
 truly glad to fee me, and we were favoured to- 
 gether \vith the rweet influence of Divine love and 
 life. The Circular yearly meeting was very large 
 both of Friends and other profeffors of religion, 
 and was much favoured through the miniftry. The 
 Tefeci: meeting for Friends was a memorable oppor- 
 tunity. Plentiful are the fhowers of gofpel rain 
 which often fall upon thefe occafions ; but in re- 
 gard to many minds vifited, it is like water fpilled 
 upon a ftone, which, though it wet its fin-face, dotn 
 not change its nature ; but in others, I hope it is 
 like " Bread caft upon the waters," a very uri- 
 
 ftable
 
 221 
 
 liable -element, yet it " may return after many 
 " days 1" 
 
 From this "meeting -I returned home with my 
 friend Sarah Tregelles. In my way I had two 
 large meetings at South Molton to good fatisfac- 
 tion. There are none profefTmg with us in that 
 town ; but fome friends from Exeter accompanied 
 us, and others under convincement from the north 
 of Devonfhire met us here. I returned home to 
 our quarterly meeting at Penzance, and was thank- 
 fully received by my dear hufband, whofe great 
 affeftion rendered it hard for him to be fo fre- 
 quently feparated from me, but in refignation to 
 the Divine will he was favoured with peace. 
 
 In the Firft month 1774, I had a fatisfaftory 
 -meeting at Hellion, in the town-hall. The weather 
 was wet, and the feat whereon I fat was very 
 damp, but on the evening after the meeting I did 
 not find I had taken any cold. Next morning I 
 was well as ufual, but fuddenly, I found myfelf 
 much indifpofed, and was feized with convulfions 
 in my head. This alarmed my hufband, who 
 called upon an apothecary, and I quickly got 
 better, and we went home, where the diforder 
 returned. In a. few days however I appeared to 
 be much better, but I quickly relapfed ; and 
 in a few weeks was reduced to a ftate of ex- 
 treme weaknefs. My affli&ion in this time of 
 indifpofition was very great, but I was pre- 
 
 ferved
 
 222 
 
 fcrved in patience, and when I revived a little, 
 wrote as follows. 
 
 ' I am now reviving from bodily weaknefs. 
 O! that it may be with renewed ilrength to ferve 
 the bounteous Author of my being find bleffings, 
 who bringeth low and raifeth up in his wifdom and 
 mercy. He knows when afflictions are needful to 
 his fcrvants; and in this feafon of weaknefs, my 
 foul has thankfully acknowledged his tender care, 
 to prevent my fpirit's fettling with too great atten- 
 tion on " the things which are feen, and which are 
 " temporal.'* We often want to be awakened to 
 feek with greater earneftnefs thofe tc things which 
 " are eternal," viz. Righteoufnefs, and its confe- 
 quence, Divine favour ; by being put in remem- 
 brance, that the time of our departure hence may be 
 at hand. " Bleffed" indeed " is that fervantwho, 
 " when his Lord cometh" and calleth from works to 
 rewards " he {hall find watching :" and what great 
 need is there to watch againft the encroaching fpi- 
 ,rit of this world ; whereby many quickened, en- 
 lightened minds have been benumbed and darkened ; 
 and their defires after the food which nourifheth 
 up the foul unto everlafling life, weakened j until 
 .at length they have left the Lord's table, and fed 
 with pleafure at the table of idols ! The friendfhips 
 of this world, which are enmity with God, have 
 been delighted and gloried in, and its interefls 
 principally fought. 
 
 Thefe, though they may appear orderly in the 
 
 view
 
 223 
 
 view of mett, are in danger of becoming as " trees 
 " twice dead ;" they having been dead in a Hate of 
 nature, and quickened by Divine grace. If thefe 
 totally fall away from their fpiritual exercife, how 
 (hall they be again renewed ? Alas ! the judgment 
 is determined ; they inuft be plucked out of the 
 Lord's plantation, wherein only living fruit-bearing 
 trees can remain with acceptance.' 
 
 * In this time of weaknefs my fpirit hath been 
 renewedly vifited, and my underflanding opened 
 in Divine love and light : and therefore it refts 
 with me to commemorate it, as a frefli inilance of 
 the love of my heavenly Father ; who, in all the 
 difpenfations of his wifdom to his children, feeks 
 their being perfected in righteoufnefs ; that he may 
 more and more blels them with his favour whilfl 
 here, and finally receive them into everlafling man- 
 fions of blifs.' 
 
 But although I grew fo much better as to get 
 about in the fpring, my conftitution ftill laboured 
 under a heavy load, without hope of being en- 
 tirely relieved ; and I was therefore frequently led 
 to pray for patience and refignation to fuffer in 
 the way Divine wifdom might permit ; and, under 
 great weaknefs, was enabled in a degree to come 
 up in the fervice appointed me, in our little meet- 
 ing and about home. I was reduced fo extremely 
 low by this indifpofition, as to be doubtful, whe- 
 ther I could have furvived it, had I not been re- 
 moved from my mother's family ; as in that, 
 
 confidering
 
 224 
 
 confklering her fituation, and my brother's, it 
 Was unlikely I fhould have been fo releafed from 
 care, and fo tenderly and affectionately attended 
 to, as by my dear hufband, and the afliflance he 
 procured for me. 
 
 In the Seventh month I left' home in order to 
 attend the Circular yearly meeting, and once more 
 vifit my aged and honourable parent, who had 
 feveral times expreffed a defire to fee me. My 
 hufband accompanied me to Torrington, where 
 we had a meeting of friends fcattered round in 
 that neighbourhood. From Torrington he went to 
 Appledore, and crolfed the Channel into Wales, 
 and I proceeded to Briftol ; where, and in its 
 neighbourhood, I Maid until my hufband's bnfmefs 
 admitted his coming to me ; and thence we pro- 
 ceeded to Dudley, vifiting the meetings of Stour 
 bridge and Worceftcr in our way. I found my 
 dear mother extremely weak, and her faculties fo 
 impaired that {he did not know me ; yet I thought 
 {he was fenfible I was one for whom (he had a 
 great affection ; and after feeing me feveral times 
 (lie recollected me, and was much pleafed with 
 my company. After I had taken my leave of her, 
 Hie faid, * Now I ihall not be here long ;' and fo it 
 proved, for {he died in the following winter. [See 
 a more particular account of her in the former 
 part of thefe memoirs.] 
 
 From Dudley we proceeded to the Circular 
 yearly meeting held at Kington, Herefurdfhire, 
 
 which
 
 225 
 
 which, confidering the country not being fo popu- 
 lous as fome others, and but few friends in the 
 neighbourhood, was large, and for the moft part 
 fatisfaftory. I flill continued in a weak ftate, yet 
 was enabled to take a (hare in the fervice, Di- 
 vine mercy {lengthening beyond my expe&ation. 
 After this meeting we went to Bath, Dr. Fother- 
 gill having advifed me to drink the waters. 
 
 In the fpring of 1775 I vifited fome meetings in 
 Devonftiire, Somerfetfhire, and Dorfetfliire, in my 
 way to the yearly meeting at London. Lydia 
 Hawkfworth accompanied me in fome part of the 
 journey. Such was my (late of bodily weaknefs, 
 that my getting along, and being enabled to go 
 through with the fervice affigned, claimed my 
 admiration and thankfulnefs. I attended the meet- 
 ings in London with confiderable diligence, though 
 very* unwell, got out of town as foon as I could, 
 and, accompanied by Lydia Hawkfworth, went to 
 her mother's, Deborah Waring, at Alton ; where 
 I refted a few days, and then proceeded to the 
 quarterly meetings for Hampfliire and Dorfetfliire 
 held at Ringwood and Poole; and fo to our quar- 
 terly meeting at Looe. Here I met my dear huf- 
 band, to our mutual rejoicing, although my languid 
 ftate affefted him painfully. From Looe we returned 
 home, and through Divine favour I fo gathered 
 ftrength, as that in the Eighth Month I again left 
 home, accompanied by my hufband, intending to 
 go through Wales to the Circular yearly meeting. 
 P I had
 
 226 
 
 1 had feveral meetings in our own county and De- 
 vonfhire to good fatibfa&ion, and we crofied the 
 Channel from Appledore to Swanfea. 
 
 A circumflance happened at Appledore worthy 
 of obferyation. Some fober people of that place 
 were defirous of a meeting j but I was reilrained 
 from having one fo publick as was wiihed, yet was 
 quite free to fit down iu a friendly woman's houfe, 
 with fuch as (he might think proper to invite. The 
 meeting was held in an upper room the window 
 of which fronted the river. A number of ferious 
 people came, and I had a favoured opportunity 
 amongil them. Immediately as I fat down, one of 
 the perfons prefent flepped to me, and told me, 
 the veiTel we had wifhed to go in was getting under 
 fail. This was unexpe&ed intelligence, as we were 
 informed flic would not fail that tide, and had not 
 taken our paffage in her. Had we held our meet- 
 ing in another place, fhe had probably flipped 
 away without our knowledge ; as her failing was 
 perceived by the before-mentioned perfon in the 
 meeting from the window. As I was now free 
 to go, I took a glafs of wine, and immediately 
 went out at the back-door, into a boat, and on 
 board. My hufband went to the inn, and reached 
 the Ihip, with our clothes, in a boat, before flie 
 got over the bar. We had a good paiTage ; but 
 had we miffed this opportunity, we ihould have fuf- 
 fered much in coming in a Hoop the next day, as 
 the weather changed to wet and flormy. Thjs is 
 
 one
 
 227 
 
 one of the many inflances of providential direction 
 I have experienced. 
 
 We {laid at and about Swanfea about two 
 weeks; and thence proceeded to Leominfter, Wor- 
 ccfter, and Dudley. From Dudley, after fpend- 
 ing a fhort time with my brother, we went to the 
 Circular yearly meeting held at Colefliill, War- 
 wickfhire ; which was large and Divinely favoured. 
 From Coleftiill we went through Coventry to 
 Warwick, fpent a little time with my fitter, 
 who, with her hufband and fon, were now 
 fettled there ; and thence we went through Eve- 
 fliam, Painfwick, &c. home, where we arrived in 
 fafety. 
 
 In this winter a concern refted upon my mind 
 once more to vifit Friends in Ireland ; and, in my 
 way to that kingdom, to attend the quarterly meet- 
 ings at York, Lancafler, and Weflmoreland, and 
 the yearly meeting for the four northern counties 
 to be held at Kefwick. My beloved friend Lydia 
 Hawkfworth was given up to accompany me, and 
 \ve accordingly prepared for the journey ; and in 
 Firft month 1776 my hufband accompanied me to 
 Briftol. The weather was extremely cold, and the 
 mow fo deep that the roads in Devonfhire, and 
 thence to Briftol, had been impaffable, and were 
 then dangerous ; but through Divine favour we got 
 along fafe, although the cold was fo extreme that 
 it was hard to bear. The road in fome places was 
 cut through the (how, fo that it looked like paffing 
 p 2 through
 
 228 
 
 through a deep hollow way, which had a very 
 linking appearance. At Briiiol, my dear hufband 
 left me, to go to Swanfea, where he arrived fafe, 
 although the Severn at the New PafTage, where it 
 is three miles over, was fo full of ice as to render 
 crofting dangerous. 
 
 Juft at this juncture, my companion's mother 
 died, and (he went to attend her funeral. I (laid 
 over Firft-day at Briftol meetings, and proceeded, 
 through fome meetings in Gloucefterfhire, &c. to 
 Dudley, where my fifter met me. We fpent fome 
 time together with my brother, and I \vent to Bir- 
 mingham, where I was met by my companion, and 
 we proceeded on our journey. Our firft meeting was 
 held in the town hall at Stafford, which was large, 
 folemn, and fatisfa&ory. From thence we went 
 to Leek, and pafled, through feveral meetings 
 in Chefhire and Lancafhire, to Sheffield, and fo, 
 through many meetings in Yorkfhire, to the quar- 
 terly meeting at York. After the meeting at 
 York I was concerned to have one at Tadcafter, 
 where there was no Friend's meeting-houfe ; and 
 another near Harwood, which was very fatisfac- 
 tory ; and another, on the Firfl-day, at Otley, 
 which was large, and I hope ferviceable. Thence 
 we went, through feveral meetings, to Lancafter, 
 attended the quarterly meeting there, afterwards to 
 Weftmoreland quarterly meeting held at Kendal, 
 thence to the yearly meeting at Kefwick, and fo 
 to Cockermouth and Whitehaven. We had tra- 
 velled
 
 229 
 
 veiled from Birmingham in fixty-two days, 500 
 miles, and attended fixty-fix meetings ; and as 
 much of the fervice of meetings lay upon me, my 
 natural ftrength was greatly exhaufted before I 
 embarked for Ireland : but I had abundant caufe 
 to acknowledge that Divine aid was from time to 
 time difpenfed ; by which I was enabled to prefs 
 forward, though under very painful feelings. 
 
 We went on board a large veflel at Whitehaven 
 on the 2 1 ft of the Fourth month, and landed at 
 Dublin the 25th. Our paflage was not without 
 danger. One night a veflel run fo near ours, that 
 they became entangled in their rigging. The cap- 
 tain and failors were much alarmed, but we got 
 clear. How imprudent it is for veflels not to hang 
 out their lights. As our prefervation was great, 
 it claimed our deep thankfulnefs : a very little 
 more, and probably one of the veflels had funk, 
 and the other might have been much damaged. 
 Another night we lay at anchor near the Ifle of 
 Man, and had reafon to conclude ourfelves in {hal- 
 low water upon a fand-bank. Had the wind blown 
 up frefh, it might probably have been of bad con- 
 fequence. 
 
 Our captain had not been accuflomed to navi- 
 gate the Iriih Channel ; and when we drew near 
 Dublin Bar, appeared regardlefs of the danger of 
 croffing it, \vifliing to get into port without a pilot, 
 although the wind was rough. A pilot, however, 
 efpying us, came on board, and took the veiTel fafe 
 P 3 in ;
 
 230 
 
 in ; but the tide was fo far fpent, that (he threw 
 up the mud with her keel, as we patted the bank 
 called the Great Bull. 
 
 We arrived at Dublin a few days before the 
 national half-year's meeting began. This allowed 
 us time to attend feveral meetings with the friends 
 of that city ; wherein the fpring of miniftry was liv- 
 ingly opened to the dates of many profeffors 
 amongi! us : and although I had to lament the 
 flript ilatc of that city, through the removal of 
 ufeful members, and the weaknefs of many who 
 remained in the fociety ; yet was there caufe for 
 thankfulnefs, in feeling the frefh extending of the 
 Divine villta.tion to them. The half-year's meeting 
 was large, and fignally favoured with an awaken-r 
 ing fearching vifitation ; and I was fo helped 
 therein, that many of my friends, who had been 
 with me in former fervices in that nation, rejoiced 
 that the heavenly Mailer had again fcnt me to fee 
 how they fared. 
 
 I write tliefe remarks in reverence and thank- 
 fulnefs to the Great putter forth, and qualifier for 
 the fervices he appoints j who, to keep the minds 
 of tliofe whom he favours humble, permits them 
 to be tried with hidden cxercifcs. This was my 
 cafe through the courfe of this journey, wherein 
 the fpring of gofpel-miiiiftry was largely opened; 
 and I often appeared to my friends as well 
 Jollied with a royal robe, though, underneath, 1 
 was girded as with fackcloth. 
 
 From
 
 231 
 
 From Dublin, we proceeded to vifit the meetings 
 through the main body of Friends in Leinfter pro- 
 vince, to that of Ulfter j wherein we vifited all the 
 meetings, except two or three very fmall ones, the 
 friends belonging to which we defired to meet 
 us at another meeting. 
 
 We attended the quarterly meetings in both 
 provinces, and returned back to Dublin the 2d of 
 the Seventh month, where we ftaid until the i2th : 
 in which time we attended meetings either for 
 worfhip or difcipline almoft every day; and Di- 
 vine condefcenfion in opening frefli matter, fuitcd 
 to the feveral occafions, was fo admirable, that it 
 appeared as if every flate and office in the fociety 
 were miniilered to. 
 
 By this time my natural ftrength was much ex- 
 haufled; yet we preffed on through the counties 
 of Wicklow and Wexford, and were at a province 
 meeting at Ennifcorthy, which was very large and 
 crowned with folemnity. Here we took leave of 
 friends of that province, and proceeded to that of 
 Munfter, wherein there are but few meetings, but 
 the diflances moftly long. My reduced ftate ren- 
 dered it hard getting along; yet I was enabled 
 to vifit all the meetings, except a fmall one at 
 Bandon, and favoured to difcharge my duty 
 therein ; although my voice was fometimes fo 
 weak, that it was with extreme difficulty I ex- 
 rrted it to fpeak fo as to be underftood. When 
 we came to Clonraell, and had attended the meet- 
 P 4. ing
 
 232 
 
 ing there, it feemed proper for us to retire to the 
 houfe of our friend John Grubb about two miles 
 out of the town ; whither I went the 8th of the 
 Eighth month, and (laid until the i4th, being 
 much indifpofed. Here I was afFe&ionately received 
 and attended, and the quarterly meeting for the pro- 
 vince being held at Clonmell during my flay there, 
 many friends came to fee me, and we were fa- 
 voured together. I was enabled to fpeak beyond 
 my expeftation, to the comfort and encouragement 
 of fome, and caution of others, and took a folemn 
 farewel of them in the love of Truth, 
 
 The 1 4th, we went to Waterford, but I con- 
 tinued fo much indifpofed, that it appeared bell: 
 to go into the country; fo we retired to a village 
 called Tramore, by the fea-fide. Here we (laid 
 from the 151!! of the Eighth month, till the 9th of 
 the Ninth month. My indifpofition continued and 
 reduced me very low; but, blelTed be the Lord, his 
 hand fuftained me, and through all, my fpirit was 
 at times fet at liberty in Jiis fervice to the admira* 
 don of myfelf and friends ; many of whom from 
 Waterford came to us there, and we had divers 
 feafonable opportunities with diem, as well as with 
 fome who were at the place to bathe in the fea. 
 My nerves being extremely weak, I was alfo advifed 
 to bathe, by the do&or who attended me, but 
 I believe it had rather a bad effeft. We had 
 not ilaid at Tramore fo long, had there been a 
 fuitable veffel at Waterford, ready to fail for 
 
 England,
 
 233 
 
 England." On our return thither, we had two 
 meetings with Friends in a large parlour, at the 
 houfe of our friend Ifaac Jacobs, my voice not 
 being equal to a meeting in the meeting-houfe. 
 Thus we vifited Friends in that city pretty gene- 
 rally, and the i2th embarked on board a veffel 
 bound for Minehead. Our friend Robert Grubb, 
 of Clonmell, accompanied us, being, in fympathy 
 with us, inclined thereto ; which we accepted as 
 a favour from Providence. 
 
 Our paflage was eafy as to wind ; but my great 
 indifpofition, and my companion's extreme fea-fick- 
 nefs feemed to render fuch an afliftant necelTary, 
 and he was very attentive and Serviceable to us. 
 When we came near our defired port, the wind 
 turned againft us and the weather became rough. 
 However, the captain got over the bar jufl in time, 
 for had we been but one hour later, we muft have 
 been driven back to fea, if not to Waterford : we 
 landed at Minehead the i4th. There is only Ro- 
 bert Davies's family of our fociety in that town. 
 He was from home, but one of his children met us 
 upon the beach, from whence it was a long walk 
 to his houfe. When we came into the ftreet, we 
 faw an empty cart going up it, and aiked the carter 
 to carry us to our friend's, which he readily did. 
 My dear hufband met us here, to our mutual fatis- 
 faftion ; though to receive me back in fo weak a 
 (late was affecting to him. The 1 5th was Firft- 
 day, but I did not attend the meeting at the meet- 
 ing-
 
 234 
 
 5ng-houfe, but had &n opportunity ift the after, 
 noon with the friends belonging to it, in out- 
 friend's parlour. 
 
 The 1 6th, we left Minehead, and travelled 
 homewards by eafy ftages, my dear companion 
 accompanying me to the verge of our county, 
 whence flie turned to the Circular yearly meet- 
 ing held at Bridgewater. She was indeed a mod 
 tender affectionate companion, and a deep tra- 
 vailer in fpirit, both in meetings and private op- 
 portunities : and although her publick fervice in 
 this journey was not large, it was very acceptable; 
 and her private labours in many families were fig- 
 nally under that heavenly anointing, from which 
 Jhe was concerned to minifter. I hoped to have 
 been able ro attend the Circular yearly meeting, 
 and.prefled forward in Ireland, in the fore part of 
 this journey, in order to get to England in time ; 
 but afier our return from the" north to Dublin, it 
 was much impreffed upon my mind, that I fhould 
 tiave but jufl ftrength to accomplifh the fervice 
 in that nation, and fo it proved. 
 
 I had travelled in this journey in England and 
 Ireland, abo'ut 2000 Englifh miles, and attended 
 .192 meetings, befides family opportunities, and vi- 
 fiting the fick. Sometimes we had feveral private 
 meetings of this kind in one day, and feldom were 
 without one, at leaft. 
 
 After my return home, I continued much in- 
 ,' and- my nerves fo irritable that I had 
 
 continual
 
 235 
 
 continual fpafms fora confiderable time; and -ray 
 dear brother James Payton came to vifit me, and, 
 becoming very unwell, was detained the winter. 
 As I gathered ftrength, I was enabled to attend 
 upon little fervices about home ; and my friend 
 Lydia Hav/kfworth coming to ice me, we vihred 
 the families of friends in Falmouth and Marazion 
 monthly meetings, except one or two of each, 
 whom I afterwards faw : in this fervice the Lord 
 was with us of a truth. Soon after Lydia Hawkf- 
 worth left me, Sarah Stevenfon came to viilt 
 Friends in this county ; in company with whom, I 
 vifited mofl of the families belonging to Auftle 
 monthly meeting, to our mutual fatisfadYion ; my 
 dear hufband accompanying us in this fervice. 
 
 Until the Seventh month in this year 1777, I 
 had not been out of Cornwall fmce my return from 
 Ireland in the Ninth month 1776, which was the 
 longefl period I remember to have been confined 
 within the limits of one county, fmce my firil jour- 
 ney in the fervice of Truth into Wales, in the year 
 1749. I do not mention this as thinking much of 
 my fervices ; for although it has been my lot to be 
 more conftantly employed than many others of my 
 fellow-labourers, I can truly fay, I frequently look 
 upon myfelf as an unprofitable fervant ; and when 
 laid by a little, have to ruminate upon my many 
 weakneffes ; under a fenfe whereof I feelingly ac- 
 knowledge that what I am, that is acceptable to 
 the Lord, or honourable in his houfe, I am through 
 
 his
 
 236 
 
 his grace ; and I often admire at his making choice 
 of, and employing me fo much in his fervice. 
 
 In the Seventh month this year, in company 
 with my dear hufband, I went to Swanfea, his bufi- 
 nefs, and to vifit his mother, calling him thither. 
 In our way we had a meeting with Friends in the 
 north of Devonfhire ; but being yet very weak, I 
 was eafy to pafs along without engaging much in 
 publick fervice. We had a good meeting at Apple- 
 dore with fome ferious people, and croffed the 
 Channel to Swanfea, where we {laid about two 
 weeks, and proceeded to Briftol. 
 
 In our way between Newport and the New Paf- 
 fage (which we intended to crofs), we received in- 
 formation that the Paffage-houfe was fo full of 
 people that there was no probability of our getting 
 a lodging there; fo my hufband intended going 
 forward to Chepflow, though neither of us liked 
 the profpeft of croffing at the OldPaflage; but our 
 minds, efpecially mine, not being eafy to proceed 
 thither, we flopped at a fmall inn about two miles 
 from the New Paflage, and got a comfortable lodg- 
 ing, and next morning proceeded to the NewPafTage. 
 We got fafe over the Channel, although the wind 
 was fqually j but the fame tide, the boat from the 
 Old PaiTage was loll, even while we were on the 
 water, and feveral men, with many oxen, drowned. 
 Had we gone to Chepflow we ihould mod pro- 
 bably have been in her. Thus kind Providence 
 fignal-ly preferved us. 
 
 After
 
 237 
 
 After about a week's flay at Briftol, and viiiting 
 Frenchay meeting, we went to Worcefler, fo to 
 Bromfgrove and Dudley. I was ftill in a very 
 weak ftate, yet enabled to attend meetings, and 
 labour in them to the comfort of my friends and my 
 own peace ; although at times in great bodily pain. 
 My lifter met me at Dudley, and we were glad 
 to fee each other. From Dudley we proceeded 
 to the Circular yearly meeting held this year at 
 Bew r dley ; and in our way we had a meeting with 
 Friends at Stourbridge, wherein my weaknefs was 
 fuch, that I could hardly impart what prefled upon 
 my mind fo as to be heard. I was difcouraged from 
 looking towards the folemnity at Bewdley, with ex- 
 peftation of being able to take much part in the pub- 
 lick fervice ; but was defirous to be aflifted to labour 
 in fpirit for the help of my brethren and fitters en- 
 gaged therein. On the Seventh-day evening, the 
 meeting for minifters and elders was held, wherein 
 I had fomething to impart, but in fo low a voice as 
 painfully to affeft my friends ; who might reafon- 
 ably conclude it probable that my ftrength was fo 
 exhaufled, as that I fliould not long be capable of 
 publick labour in. the church ; and indeed my own 
 feelings of general weaknefs coincided with that 
 appreheniion ; but in the courfe of the publick 
 meetings the Lord's power was wonderfully mani- 
 fefted, in ftrength ening me for fervice, to the ad- 
 miration of all who faw my extreme weaknefs, and 
 my own alfo. Indeed with humble gratitude I may 
 
 acknow-
 
 238 
 
 acknowledge that it appeared miraculous ; for I do 
 not know whether I was ever able to fpeak with 
 greater flrength of voice and fentiment, than in the 
 laft meeting j fo that although the booth was very 
 large and crowded, I believe all might hear : and 
 to the praife of the Great Name be it commemo- 
 rated that his power was fignally over the meeting. 
 This extraordinary manifeftation of favour 
 tended to flrengthen my mind, which for a long 
 time had been forely exercifed with many fears, 
 infomuch that my fpirit was weary in the conflict, 
 and ready to hope for death rather than life. Yet 
 was I fecretly fufhiined fo as to prefs forward, and 
 moftly to prefer ve a cheerful countenance, fo that 
 ray friends could not perceive how my fpirit was ex- 
 ercifed and abafed iu the fenfe of infirmities, even 
 when I was evidently clothed for fervice. Thus it 
 hath pleafed Divine wifdom to permit me to be 
 tried in my paffing along from youth to advanced 
 age : doubtlefs for fome good end, and I defire 
 thankfully to commemorate his gracious and wife 
 dealings with me, in humble hope that finally all 
 will work together for good ; when, having filled 
 up my meafure of fufferings, I may be accepted in 
 and through his beloved Son. It is not for us to 
 query why thefe ajflicting difpenfations are ap- 
 pointed, but patiently to endeavour to wade 
 through them. We may be certain they will tend 
 to humble our fpirits and prepare for fervice, as 
 my foul hath many times experienced ; and "there- 
 
 fore
 
 239 
 
 fore can pray, that I may be paffive in regard to the 
 dealings of the Lord with me, who befl knows 
 what is neceiTary to effect the glorious purpofe he 
 has in view, viz. the thorough fanctification of my 
 fpirit, and reducing it into " the obedience of 
 **Chrifl:" concerning whom it is written "Although 
 4i he was a ion, yet learned he obedience by the 
 fci things which he fuffered j" and if fo, his fervants 
 can expect no other. 
 
 I have fometimes confidered what that fuffering 
 of Chrifl was, whereby he learned obedience ; 
 feeing that l)e could not fuffer for difobedience, 
 being in all things fubject to the will of his Father. 
 But as man he was made like unto us, and had 
 the fame feelings as have the members of his 
 myitical body; and although he was never over- 
 come of the enemy, was liable to be afiaulted by 
 him. He had to bear the contradiction of fmners 
 againft himfelf ; and, no doubt, in the courfe of 
 his miniflry felt the oppreflive weight of contrary 
 and wicked fpirits, as the members of his church 
 now do in their meafure. 
 
 As man, we may fuppofe that he had the fame 
 reluctance to pain and infult as \ve have ; but in 
 fubmiffion to his Father's will, did and fufFered what 
 Jhe in wifdom and mercy to mankind appointed 
 him. His followers alfo muft thus " be made con- 
 " formable to his death,'* if they have part with 
 him in his refurreclion unto glory. And although 
 fume of them may be left in feafons of extreme con- 
 flict,
 
 240 
 
 fiift, as he was, the mod extreme, without the fenfible 
 feeling of the Divine prefence; yet that power which 
 appoints their fuffering, fecretly fuftains under it; 
 and when they have filled up their " meafure of fuf- 
 " fering for his body's fake, which is his Church," 
 with all other afflictions attendant on this proba- 
 tionary ftate, they will with him be able to fay, 
 " It is finiihed;" and as " good and faithful fer- 
 " vants enter into the joy of their Lord." 
 
 After the before-mentioned memorable meeting 
 at Bewdley, I recruited in health, though yet at- 
 tended with very painful feelings. We returned 
 home pretty direftly, taking the quarterly meeting 
 for Somerfetihire, and fome other meetings in our 
 way; and the remainder of this year I fpent at 
 home, and attending fervices in our own county 
 as they opened. 
 
 The soth of the Fourth month 1778, I again 
 left it in company with my dear hufband intending 
 for Wales, he having bufmefs there, and I had an 
 engagement to attend the yearly meeting for that 
 principality. We proceeded to Ilfracomb, and, in 
 our way, had a meeting with Friends in the north 
 of Devon at Newtown. At Ilfracomb we had a 
 large fatisfa&ory meeting, amongft a people very 
 ignorant of our principles. We were detained 
 here by contrary win4s until Firft-day, and as we 
 fat together in the morning, I earneftly defired to 
 know whether any further fervice was required ; 
 as it did not appear probable we fhould be releafed 
 
 that
 
 241 
 
 that day ; and afterwards as I fat quietly in mjr 
 chamber, our Lord's words to his difciples arofe 
 in my mind, c< Arife, let us go hence," and footi 
 after, the captain of the veflel ciime and told us 
 he intended to fail. We went on board in the 
 afternoon, and before midnight landed at the 
 Mumbles, arid the next niorning proceeded to 
 Swanfea. My hufband's mother was lately dead ; 
 concerning whom I may fay, that fhe was an ex- 
 ercifed woman, and I believe fmimed her courfe 
 with joy, about the niriety-feventh year of her 
 age ; and except her hearing, flie retained her fa- 
 culties to admiration. As her furniture, with her 
 fervants, remained in her houfe, we fettled there* 
 
 The 2d of the Fifth month we went for the 
 Welch yearly meeting, and were at a meeting by 
 the way at New Inn meeting-houfe, which was 
 large and very fatisfaftory. Samuel Spavold of 
 Hitchin in Hertfordihire, John Lewis of HaVer- 
 fordweflj and Thomas Carrington, from North 
 America, were there alfo j and we went in company 
 that afternoon to a meeting which was appointed 
 by John Lewis, at a friend's houfe, not far out of 
 the way to Llandovery, and to Llandovery the fame 
 night. Here the yearly meeting was held, and be- 
 gan the next day ; and through the various fittings, 
 was a favoured feafon both to Friends and others. 
 The weather being very wet, it was not fo large as 
 was expected, but many fober people attended, un- 
 to whom the gofpel flowed freely. In the courfe of 
 Q~ my
 
 242 
 
 my travels before my marriage, I had two very 
 fat is factory meetings at this place, where none live 
 who profefs with us. 
 
 My fpirit, in the courfe of the yearly meeting, 
 was dipped into fympathy with the few friends 
 fcattered about Wales ; and unto thofe who were 
 there aflembled, encouragement and inflru&ion 
 were afforded. In our return to Swanfea, we had 
 a large and much favoured meeting at Llandilo ; 
 the before-mentioned Friends and John Townfend 
 of London attending it. They went back to a meet- 
 ing at the New Inn meeting-houfe, and next day 
 we all met again at Swanfea. The afternoon 
 meeting there was large, folemn, and inftruclive. 
 
 We ftaid at Swanfea until the i4th, then went 
 to Cardiff, and on the next morning had a fmall 
 meeting there with a few who met together on the 
 Firfl-day ; feveral of whom were not in memberfhip 
 with us. I was very unwell, but was helped to fpeak 
 to their ftates, and was well fatisfied with the op- 
 portunity. We reached the New Paflage that 
 night, and next day we got to Briftol to attend the 
 yearly meeting there, which was large and divinely 
 favoured. Samuel Spavold, John Townfend, Tho- 
 mas Carrington, and other friends in the miniury 
 attended it. 
 
 On the 2ift I was at a meeting at Frenchay, 
 with Thomas Waring of Leominfter ; and after the 
 meeting, my friend Lydia Hawkfworth and I had a 
 good opportunity with a young woman, who was 
 
 likely
 
 243 
 
 likely to marry out of the fociety. She was much 
 affefted, yet held her refolution to engage in the 
 connection. Her intended hufband was a man of 
 property, and had long refided in America, where- 
 to he took her, and there flie died. Her death was 
 occafioned through a fingular circumflance. Iri 
 the time of the American war, her hufband's eftate 
 was taken from him, but was recovered after its 
 termination. When intelligence was brought her of 
 its being reftored, fhe lay in, I think of her fecond 
 child ; and the pleafmg news fo affe&ed her then 
 weak fpirits, that (he died. 
 
 In the afternoon we had a much favoured fea- 
 fon at Jofeph Beck's, with many young people, 
 and returned that night to Briflol. The 24th 
 (Firfl>day), we were at ClaVerham meeting, the 
 2 5th and 26th at Briflol ; myfelf unwell. 
 
 The 2;th, I was at Bath meeting, which was 
 not large but favoured, returned to Briftol, and 
 the 3oth, we went to Pont-y-pool. The 31(1 (Firft- 
 day), we attended two meetings at Friend's meet- 
 ing-houfe at Pont-y-moil, near Pont-y-pool. That 
 in the morning was principally for Friends, that 
 in the afternoon was large, and both opportunities 
 were crowned with the Divine prefence. 
 
 Sixth month ift, we had a meeting at Cardiff 
 with a few fober people. In our way back to 
 Swanfea w T e called upon a convinced woman, who 
 lived alone near Cowbridge, who was comforted by 
 our vifit. We (laid at Swanfea until the i2rh, ar- 
 Q_2 tending
 
 244 
 
 tending the meetings there in their courfe, fome of 
 which were feafons of Divine favour. My mind 
 being drawn to vifit the few Friends at Haverford- 
 weft, my hufband accompanied me there. The 
 way was long, and my flrength much exhaufted 
 by the before-mentioned fervices ; but I was fa- 
 voured with ability to difcharge my duty. We 
 had a large meeting at Carmarthen the evening 
 we left Swanfea, and next day got to Haverford- 
 weft, attended two publick meetings there on the 
 I4th, it being Firft-day, and in the evening had a 
 private opportunity with Friends. We had con- 
 fiderable fatisfaclion in this journey, and returned 
 to Swanfea, accompanied by our friend John 
 Lewis, the i6th. 
 
 The 1 8th was the quarterly meeting at Swanfea, 
 which although very fmall was a folemn opportunity; 
 Divine mercy favouring the few affembled from the 
 feveral meetings, with counfel and encouragement. 
 The ipth, J. Lewis and myfelf had a meeting in the 
 town-hall at Neath, which was not fo large as we 
 expected, but, I believe it was a profitable feafon 
 unto fome prefent. The 2oth, we went to Llan- 
 trhTent, and the 21 ft attended two large meetings 
 at Tref-y-Ryhg, a meeting-houfe in the country. 
 
 The morning-meeting was much favoured. The 
 few from Cardiff, and the poor lonely woman near 
 Cowbridge, met us, and we had an opportunity 
 with them and a few other friends at a friend 's 
 houfe. In our return to Swanfea, we had a meet- 
 
 ing
 
 245 
 
 ing at Bridgend, in a bowling-green, wherein was 
 an arbour, under which I ftood. The people were 
 very dill, and, I hope fome were benefited. I was 
 extremely fatigued with this journey, having per- 
 formed it moftly on horfeback, double ; which ap- 
 peared the bed method of travelling in fome part 
 of the journey, but I found my flrength was not 
 equal to that exercife in fuch long ftages. 
 
 The s8th (Firft-day) I attended a fmall meeting 
 held at Neath, in a friend's houfe, in the morning; 
 and in the evening had a very large meeting at 
 White Rock, amongft the workmen of the Copper 
 Houfe and others. This was the laft meeting I 
 appointed in Wales, and left Swanfea with peace 
 and thankfulnefs the 2yth of the Sixth month, 
 and returned to it no more. We reached Briftol 
 the 29th, and got to Wellington the ift of the 
 Seventh month, attending the Firft-day meetings 
 there: that in the afternoon was very large, and 
 both were good meetings. The 5th, we had a liv- 
 ing meeting at Camelford in Cornwall, amongft a 
 people not profeifing with us ; but fome of whom 
 appeared to me to be near the kingdom. The 
 6th, \ve got home. 
 
 The 3ift of this month I had a meeting at the 
 houfe of a man lately convinced, in the parifli of 
 Breague; where fome hundreds of people gathered, 
 that we were obliged to hold it without doors. 
 They generally behaved well, and fome were much 
 affefted. It was a favoured opportunity, and I was 
 <L3 truly
 
 246 
 
 truly thankful for Divine aid to difcharge my duty 
 therein. 
 
 The 1 3th of the Ninth month, the Circular yearly 
 meeting for the weftern counties began. It was held 
 at Launceflon, and was a large and favoured folem- 
 nity; and, although I did not think the miniflry 
 rofe fo high as I have known it in fome of thofe 
 general meetings, it appeared to be a ferviceable 
 opportunity, and the people feemed well fatisfied 
 therewith. I fpent the remaining part of this 
 year about home, and was favoured in occafional 
 fcrvices there amongft Friends and others. Upon 
 confidering the fervice wherein I have been en- 
 gaged fince I fettled in Cornwall, I fee caufe for 
 true thankfulnefs, having therein been owned by 
 the heavenly Matter : and although in regard to 
 uniting with us as a people, much fruit has not 
 appeared ; the teflimony of Truth feems to gain 
 ground amongft the inhabitants, and fome of our 
 own fociety and others, are awakened and flrength- 
 ened thereby ; fo that I truft I have not run nor 
 laboured in vain, altogether. May the Lord pre- 
 ferve me humble and dependent upon himfclf, that 
 whatfoever I am or do, it may be by his grace. 
 
 In the Firft month, 1779, our quarterly meet- 
 ing at Auftle was a memorable feafon of Divine 
 love, wherein many ftates were miniftered to, and 
 many hearts tendered. The rebellious were warned, 
 and I believe fome of them faw the imminent dan- 
 ger of their dates; but alas! the prophet's com- 
 plaint
 
 247 
 
 plaint refpe&ing Ephraim, &c. too well befits many 
 vifited minds. " Their righteoufnefs is as a morn- 
 " ing cloud, and as the early dew which foon 
 cc paffeth away ;" yet I truft the favour of love 
 and life witnefled in this meeting retted fweetly 
 upon fome minds. 
 
 For fome time after this meeting, my exercife 
 for fome of the members of our own fociety was 
 heavy, and I was livingly opened in feveral meet- 
 ings, and private opportunities, agreeably to their 
 ftates; fo that whether the labour bellowed hath 
 its defired effeft, or be as water fpilt upon a ftone, 
 I hope to be clear refpefting them : and great is 
 the mercy of God in vifiting and revifiting them. 
 
 The i ft of the Third month, I had a large 
 good meeting at Helfton, which many ferious and 
 religious people attended, and I believe were in- 
 flrufted and refrefhcd. 
 
 CHAP. IX.
 
 248 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 FO R fome time I had entertained a profpeft of 
 yifiting fome meetings in Somerfetfliire an<3 
 Gloucefterfhire, and paying a particular viflt to 
 the families of friends in Herefordftiire. I left 
 home to accomplifh this fervice, accompanied by 
 my dear huiband ; and on the i3th of the Third 
 month 1779, we met our friend Lydia Hawkf- 
 xvonh, who was concerned to accompany me 
 therein, at Wellington. The i4th, being the 
 firfl of the week, we attended Friends' meeting at 
 Spice-land ; and in the evenipg had a felect op r 
 portunity with Friends at Wellington. My huf- 
 band then proceeding to Briftol on bufmefs, we 
 induftrioufly purfued our concern, vifiting many 
 meetings in that week; and on the 21 ft (Firft- 
 day) were met by my hufband, and my brother 
 James Payton, at Puddimore meeting. We went 
 the fame evening to Compton in Dorfetmire, to 
 vifit our valuable friends Jonah Thompfon and 
 his ion ; fpent the next day with them ; and in 
 the evening had a meeting with thei? fcholars and 
 
 others
 
 249 
 
 Others of the family, and many of the neighbours, 
 in the fchool-room, which was a favoured feafon ; 
 and we proceeded to Sherborn meeting on the 
 24th. Here my hufband and brother left us, 
 and next morning we proceeded to Hollowtrow, 
 had a meeting there in the afternoon, went the 
 fame night to Pensford, next day to a meeting at 
 Bolton, thence to Chew Magna, and were at the 
 Firft-day meeting held there on the 28th. 
 
 The 3oth we had a meeting at Portfliead, and 
 croffing the Avon at Pill, were at King's Wefton 
 meeting on the 3 1 ft ; thence went to thofe at 
 Olveftonand Thornbury, and thenee to Worcefter. 
 In thefe meetings in the counties of Somerfet and 
 Gloucefter, I was enabled to difcharge my duty to 
 my own humbling admiration, and the edification 
 of many who attended them. 
 
 The quarterly meeting for the county of Wor. 
 cefter being held at Worcefter, we attended it, 
 and alfo two meetings with friends of that city 5 
 and on the yth of the Fourth month, went to 
 Bramyard in Herefordfhire, where we were met 
 by my brother Young and Thomas Waring of 
 Leominfter ; who united with us in the intended 
 vifit to the families of friends in that county, 
 which we began at this place. In this laborious 
 and important fervice we were Divinely affifted. 
 My dear companion had a coniiderable and very ac- 
 ceptable lhare therein; which was generally the cafe 
 in family vifits, and private opportunities, although 
 
 ihe
 
 250 
 
 fhe was frequently filent in publick meetings. She 
 was peculiarly gifted for thefe private fervices, and 
 when fhe did appear in publick miniflry, her fer- 
 vice therein was very edifying, , and acceptable 
 to Friends. Having an intention to return to 
 Briftol before the yearly meeting was held there, 
 we purfued this fervice with diligence, and on 
 the 24th of the Fourth month, we paid our lafl 
 vifit. 
 
 My brother Young had accompanied us through 
 the vifit, but Thomas Waring left us at Almelly 
 on the 1 8th, their company was acceptable and 
 flrengthening to us. 
 
 On the 25th (being Firit-day) we had a meet- 
 ing at Shire Newton in Monmouthfhire, which 
 was attended by many of the Welch people, and 
 the few friends in the. neighbourhood, and, I be- 
 lieve was an acceptable opportunity to them. In 
 the evening we had a meeting with Mary Powel 
 of Chepftow and fome others. She was the only 
 member of our fociety refiding in that town j where 
 a meeting of Friends was never fettled. Next 
 morning, we proceeded to the New PaiTage, but 
 the boat being gone a few minutes before we 
 reached it, we were detained until the evening tide ; 
 but, through Divine mercy, we got fafe over, and 
 reached BrHtol about ten o'clock the fame night. 
 
 My hufband (laid with me at Briflol until the 
 yearly meeting there was ended, which was large 
 and attended by many miniflering friends of this 
 
 nation
 
 251 
 
 nation and America ; yet a large fliare of the pub- 
 lick labour in the miniftry fell to my lot, at which 
 I believe my brethren and fitters rejoiced ; for I 
 was affifted to niiniiler in the demonftration of the 
 fpirit and with power ; and returned the praifes 
 due to Him who exaks and abafes his fervants, 
 as he knows is mod conducive to his honour, and 
 to their prefervation. I (laid at Briftol to attend 
 the marriage of two friends with whom I was 
 acquainted; and then, accompanied by myhufband, 
 fet out for London. We attended a few meetings 
 in our way, and reached London about a week be- 
 fore the yearly meeting, myfelf much fpent with 
 hard labour and exercife. I was enabled to attend 
 the meetings in courfe, during the fitting of the 
 yearly meeting ; and after its conclulion, with my 
 hufband and friend Lydia Hawkfworth, proceeded 
 to Came in Wiltfhire, attended the meeting of 
 Friends there in the morning of the Firfl-day, and 
 had a publick meeting at Chippenham, appointed 
 to begin at fix in the evening. The meeting was 
 large, and was a favoured opportunity ; the 
 people not profeiling with us behaved with becom- 
 ing ferioufnefs, and fome of them were vifibly 
 .affe&ed. It was long in gathering, which might 
 occafion its being late before it concluded; yet my 
 inclination being flrong to go to Melkfham that 
 night, we proceeded thither. Before we reached 
 it, the family where we were to lodge were in bed, 
 but the matter of it, my relation Thomas Fowler, 
 
 came
 
 252 
 
 came down and received us with great kindnefs. 
 Next day my dear hufband left us and went to Brif- 
 tol and Swanfea. I had a view of vifiting fome places 
 in the neighbourhood ; but my flrength was ex- 
 haufted too much to fuffer me to engage immediately 
 upon fervice. In the next night I was much indif- 
 pofed, and in the morning fent for an apothecary, 
 who thought my diforder was the effects of a cold ; 
 but it proved a fever, which, with the weaknefs 
 attendant thereon, confined me for fome weeks with 
 thefe my affectionate relations ; whofe tender care 
 and generous treatment of me, both now and at all 
 times, when my lot was caft under their hofpitable 
 roof, demands my grateful acknowledgement, both 
 of their kindnefs, and that of my heavenly Father : 
 whofe mercy was at this time figmilly difcovered 
 in upholding my enfeebled frame until I came to 
 friends by whom I was fo well nurfed, and with 
 xvliom my mind was fo eafy. My affectionate com- 
 panion continued alfo with me, and tenderly afiifled 
 me until my fever went off. My hufband returned 
 to me ; but, his bufinefs calling him home, and my 
 flrength not being equal to fo long a journey, he 
 left me to the care of my friends. As my ftrength 
 returned, my profpect of forae fervice in the neigh- 
 bourhood returned alfo, and I ventured to the meet- 
 ing at Bradford upon a Firft-day ; but my principal 
 concern was to hold a publick meeting at Trow- 
 bridge, in which town no one refided who pro- 
 fcilcd with Friends. I went, in \veaknefs, accom- 
 panied
 
 253 
 
 panied by feveral friends, and appeared to a 
 friend of London who cafually met me there fo ema- 
 ciated, that when (lie returned home, (he reported 
 amongft friends there, that it appeared to her my 
 labours were near accompliflied. We held a 
 meeting in a large dining-room at the inn, which 
 was attended by many attentive well-behaved 
 people; and the teflimony of Truth was exalted 
 amongft them, to the praife of Him who ftrengthens 
 for every fervice in which he engages his fervants. 
 I was that day made ftrong to declare of his wif- 
 dom and mercy, and preach the do&rines of his Son 
 Jefus Chrift ; and returned to Melkftiam in peace, 
 and with thankfulnefs for the affiftance afforded 
 in that memorable day's labour. After this meet- 
 ing, I was eafy to return home ; fo, accompanied 
 by my companion and a friend of Melkmam, I left 
 that place ; and with her got to a country meeting 
 held at Grenton in Somerfetfhire on the Firft-day, 
 which was attended by many of the country people, 
 both of that place and its neighbourhood, and was 
 a favoured opportunity. There being a funeral 
 at the publick burying-gronnd on the preceding 
 evening, our friends Beaven, with whom we lodged, 
 gave notice (at my requeft) of the meeting to the 
 people who attended it, which occafioned it to be 
 the larger. 
 
 In the afternoon, we had a private opportunity 
 with the Friends, and next day proceeded to Wel- 
 lington, and from thence towards Oakhampton; 
 
 where
 
 254 
 
 where we met my dear huiband, to our mutual re- 
 joicing and thank fulnefs, with whom we proceeded 
 to our quarterly meeting held at Looe, and thence 
 home, where we came in the early part of the 
 Seventh month. As I had not preferved any mi- 
 nutes of my movements fince the yearly meeting at 
 London, I could not infert dates. 
 
 The (late of my health required reft, and I was 
 favoured with it ; and having the company of my 
 dear friend Hawkfworth, her attention was turned 
 to affift in refloring my ftrength ; and as (lie alfo was 
 in need of reft, I hope flie gained fome advantage 
 by accompanying me home ; although our quiet 
 was difturbed in the Eighth month, by an alarm 
 of the French and Spanifli Fleets being off Fal- 
 mouth Harbour. What their defign was could 
 not be known, but there they lay for fome days, 
 the wind not permitting them to go up the Chan- 
 nel ; and as they did not attempt to land, it was 
 conje&ured that their' hoftile views were toward 
 Plymouth, and the King's dock near that place. 
 Soon after they had failed up the Channel, being 
 in our week-day meeting, withjny mind retired 
 to the Lord, under an exercife on account of the 
 intended mifchief, it run through it, " He fent 
 " forth lightnings and fcattered them." I think, 
 as we returned home from meeting, the wind was 
 rifing; the ffcy foon loured, and a terrible ftorm 
 gathered and difchargecl itfelf, with fierce lightning, 
 tremendous thunder, and violent rain ; which con- 
 
 tinued
 
 255 
 
 tinued more or lefs through great part of the 
 night, and indeed the thunder until the next even- 
 ing. The fleets were, by the time the dorm began, 
 got near Plymouth; and we heard that the com- 
 manders had deliberated about the bufmefs they 
 had in view; but the Lord, who holdeth " the 
 " winds in his fids," difcharged againfl them his 
 terrible artillery fo powerfully, as to prevent their 
 defigns, and obliged them to flieer off from our 
 coafts in a ftiattered flate. O ! what frequent 
 occafions have Britons to " praife the Lord for his 
 " mercy," and wonderful interference in their fa- 
 vour! but alas ! though in words they acknowledge 
 it, the generality of them are not concerned to 
 make thofe returns which he is calling for; but con- 
 tinue in a courfe of conduct, and difpofition of mind, 
 which dares his righteous judgments : which will 
 one day be poured forth upon the inhabitants of 
 this highly favoured but ungrateful nation, unlefs 
 they repent and turn from their manifold iniquity. 
 
 I choofe here to mention a remark of a fenfible 
 inhabitant of the town of Helilon, upon this fignaJ 
 and memorable dorm, fo favourable to this nation. 
 He told me, that feeing it gathering, and having 
 people at work on his harveft, he haftened to di- 
 re& their labours. As he went, he made his obfer- 
 vation on the wind, &c. and I think he faid that fuch 
 was the confufion of the elements, that he could not 
 fay from what point the wind blew ; and he faid 
 in his mind, * This is np natural dorm :' and indeed 
 
 it
 
 256 
 
 it proved to be fignally providential, and as fuch 
 Worthy of commemoration ; as is alfo a circum* 
 fiance which happened in the town of Falmouth. 
 As foon as government had intelligence of the 
 enemies lying in great force off that port, ammu- 
 nition was haflened, for the garrifon there. The 
 waggons halted in the market place, to which the 
 fea comes up, whence the inhabitants fetch fea-watef 
 for fome ufes. A woman coming up with a bucket 
 of water at the inflant the ammunition waggons 
 flopped, obferved that the axletree of one of 
 them was on fire, and dallied her water upon it. 
 As the fire was on the fide next the fea, if fhe 
 had not difcovered it, it might have increafed 
 until it had blown up its dangerous loading ; and 
 there being alfo a quantity of gun-powder in 
 that part of the town, the houfes might have been 
 much damaged, and fome lives loft. 
 
 My dear friend Hawkfworth left me in the latter 
 end of this month, or early in the next ; and I was 
 allowed to flay at and about home for the remainder 
 of this year. 
 
 In the early part of the year 1780, I attended 
 feveral large meetings in Cornwall, held on ac- 
 count of marriages or funerals, which were fig- 
 nally honoured with the Divine prefence. I alfo 
 was at our quarterly meeting at Falmouth ; and 
 on the 3d of the Fifth month my hufbund and I left 
 home to attend our annual folemnity in London. 
 In our way we had meetings at feveral places, and 
 
 called
 
 257 
 
 called at Compton to pay eur lail vifit to our 
 beloved friend Jonah Thomfon, who was near the 
 clofe of an honourable life. We found his mind 
 awfully colle&ed, and waiting for his releafe from 
 a pained body, in certain hope of his fpirit's 
 being admitted into the faints reft, after having 
 laboured many years in the work of the miniftry. 
 In the younger part of my life, he had conduced 
 himfetf towards me as a tender father; and in my 
 more advanced years, as an affectionate friend. He 
 had alfo a fmcere regard to my hufband, and as 
 our affection was mutual, our interview and fare- 
 wel was affecting.. 
 
 The yearly meeting at London was large and 
 favoured by the heavenly Mailer of the affemblies 
 of his fervants. From London, we went, accom- 
 panied by our friend. L. Hawkfworth, to a general 
 meeting held annually at Wefton in Buckingham- 
 fhire, and fo to High Wy combe. My hufband re- 
 turned to London, and Lydia Hawkfworth and 
 myfelf proceeded to Reading, where we met a 
 committee, who, by appointment of the yearly 
 meeting, were going to vifit the meeting for dif- 
 cipline in Briftol. We attended feveral meetings 
 with them in our way to that city, where we ar- 
 rived on the i ft of the Sixth month. 
 
 Before I left Cornwall, I had informed friends 
 of our monthly meeting, that I was under an en- 
 gagement of duty to attend the quarterly meeting 
 for Oxfordfhire to be held at Banbury, and to vifit 
 B, forac
 
 258 
 
 fome meetings in Warwickfliire, Worccflerfhire, 
 Shropfhire, and Gloucefterfhire, alfo to attend the 
 Circular yearly meeting to be held at Hereford ; 
 wherewith they concurred. And my friend Lydia 
 Hawkfworth being given up to accompany me, I 
 (laid at and in the neighbourhood of Briflol, until 
 the Seventh month, to afford her time to prepare 
 for the journey* We went to Worcefter, and at- 
 tended the meetings held there on the ift and 3d 
 days : and thence proceeded to Eveiham and Al- 
 cefter. Several of the town's people, came to the 
 meetings at Alcefter, and I was favoured to preach 
 the everlafting gofpel to them. The fame even* 
 ing, we reached Eatington, were at the meeting 
 there on the Firft-day, whereto many friends from 
 an adjacent meeting came, at my requeft, and I 
 hope it was a profitable opportunity : we proceeded 
 that evening to Banbury, and to the houfe of Ed- 
 ward Stone, whofe wife was nearly related to me, 
 and with her hufband received and entertained us 
 with affectionate kindnefs. 
 
 The quarterly meeting held at this place was a 
 large and favoured folemnity ; and many people 
 not profefling with us attended the meetings, unto 
 whom the gofpel of life and falvation was preached 
 in the demonftration of the Divine fpirit. In the 
 courfe of the meetings,, a dangerous accident be- 
 fel me. In the womens' meeting-room was a gal- 
 lery for miniftering friends, wherein my compa- 
 nion, myfelf, and other friends were feated. Upon 
 
 my
 
 259 
 
 my riling to ftep further, to make room for more, 
 the floor gave way,- and I funk with it ; but I re- 
 ceived but little hurt, which might be efleemed a 
 fingular mercy, confidering how I was fituated in 
 the fall. Friends ought to be careful in examining 
 thefe elevated feats in old meeting-houfes. This 
 was not the only time I have been in danger 
 through the neglect of it. 
 
 From Banbury we went to a meeting at Red- 
 way, and to Warwick the 2 8th. We (laid here 
 with my dear filter Summerfield, until the 4th 
 of the Eighth month, when we went to Shipfton, 
 where the quarterly meeting for Worcefterftiire 
 was held the next day, at which were many friends 
 of that county, who. rejoiced to fee me, and we 
 were favoured together in the Divine prefence. 
 On the 6th, we had a meeting at Long Compton, 
 which, although -fmall, was a favoured feafon. 
 The fame evening we had a meeting at Treding- 
 ton at the houfe of our friend William Lambly, 
 whofe family was the only one of friends refiding 
 in that village. His neighbours attended, but ap- 
 peared fo low in the knowledge of Divine Truths, 
 that it was difficult to minifler to them fo as to be 
 underftood. 
 
 On the 7th, we returned to Warwick, and the 
 9th, being the firft of the week (accompanied by 
 my fitter), attended a large meeting of friends and 
 other profeflbrs of religion, held annually at Birkf- 
 wellj and on the fame evening went to Coventry. 
 R 2 We
 
 260 
 
 \Ve had a meeting there the nth, and in the 
 remainder of the week had meetings at feveral 
 places amongfl friends of Warwickfhire ; and on 
 Firft-day, the i6th, were at a large meeting 
 .which is held annually at Atherfton. There 
 I met many friends from divers counties, amongft 
 whom I had laboured and been converfant before 
 my fettling in Cornwall ; and we were favoured 
 together with the merciful vifitation of Divine love 
 and life. The i yth, we attended a monthly meet- 
 ing for difcipline held at Hartfhill. Here I left 
 my fifter, who was fo much indifpofed as not to be 
 able to accompany us to die before - mentioned 
 meeting at Atherflon. 
 
 On the 1 8th, we went to the neighbourhood of 
 Birmingham. We attended the week-day meetings 
 there in this week, and alfo thofe on the Firft-day, 
 I hope to the edification of many.prefent, and vi- 
 fited feveral of our friends j and on the 24th, 
 were at a monthly meeting for difcipline at Dudley. 
 The 25th, we had a large and good meeting at 
 Wolverhampton ; and thence we went to Coal- 
 brookdale, had a meeting there, and proceeding 
 to the meetings of Shrewfbury, and the Bank, 
 came back to Coalbrookdale meeting, Firft-day, 
 the 29th. The Lord's power and prefence were 
 evidently with us in our fervices in this quarter ; 
 and after a folemn opportunity in our friend Abiah 
 Darby's family, at which fome other friends were 
 prefent, we left it and returned to Dudley j and I 
 
 vifitcd
 
 261 
 
 vifited friends in that quarter no more. We {laid 
 with my dear brother until after the enfuing Firfl- 
 day, when the meetings were large ; as has been 
 ufual, when I have vifited that place, fmce iny re- 
 moval from it ; my old neighbours prefling to the 
 meetings, more generally thaa when I refided 
 amongfl them : and many times has the Divine 
 power, and the teftimony of Truth, been exalted ; 
 to the praife thereof, and the convincement of 
 many of the truth of the do&rine preached, al- 
 though but few have fo " believed unto righteouf- 
 " nefs," as to make a publick profeilion thereof. 
 Leaving Dudley, we had meetings at Stourbridge, 
 Bewdley, and Bromfgrove : that at Bewdley did 
 not tend to relieve my mind, being attended by 
 very few of the town's people, unto whom we fup- 
 pofe proper notice had not been given. On the 
 next Firft-day we attended a large meeting which 
 is held annually at Redditch ; and thence we went 
 to Worcefler, ftaid over the Third-day's meeting 
 there, and proceeded to Camden to the fune- 
 ral of a friend ; then to a meeting at Stow in 
 the Would and to Cirencefter, and attended the 
 meetings there on the Firft-day, which was a 
 day of memorable favour to fome fouls. We 
 vifited the meetings of Nailfworth, and paid a viflt 
 to my coufm M. Fowler, at Minchin Hampton ; 
 whence we went to Sddbury, had a meeting there, 
 and proceeded to Briftol, where my dear huf- 
 band was engaged in bufmefs : and although I faw 
 R i I rauft
 
 262 
 
 1 mud return into Gloucefterfliire, I was pleafed 
 to be permitted to fee him before his return into 
 Cornwall. From Briftol we went to the meetings 
 at Frenchay and Thornbury on the Firft-day, and 
 fo to the quarterly meeting for Glouccftedhire, 
 held at Cheltenham. As it was the feafon for 
 drinking the water of this place, many who were 
 in it on that account, attended the publick meeting, 
 imto whom the teftimony of Truth was declared. 
 From Cheltenham we proceeded to Painfwick, at- 
 tended a large meeting, held on account of the fu- 
 neral of a friend, which was a favoured opportu- 
 nity, 'and had alfo a meeting fele& with the friends 
 of that place, I had a defire to have a meeting 
 at Gloucefter with the people not profeiiing with 
 us, of which notice was given ; and although it 
 was not fo large as I wifhed, I had fome open 
 fervice amongft thofe who attended and behaved 
 ferioufly. We vifited friends at Tewkfbury, and on 
 the Firft-day, had an appointed meeting at Stoke 
 Orchard, where formerly there had been an eftab- 
 liflied meeting of friends, returned to Tewkfbury, 
 and next day went to Worcefler. Thence my 
 companion returned to Briftol, being defirous 
 to fpend a little time at home before the yearly 
 meeting at Hereford. On the next Firft-day, being 
 the loth of the Ninth month, I attended a large, 
 and I hope a ferviceablc, meeting at Stourport j 
 which was appointed and attended by John 
 To\vnfend of London, and Thomas Waring of 
 
 Lcominfter j
 
 263 
 
 Leominfter; and was the firft meeting which had 
 been held by Friends in that place. 
 
 My mincl not being eafy refpefting Bewdley, I 
 propofed to the before-mentioned friends, to ac- 
 company me in a meeting there ; which they 
 being willing to do, one was appointed to be held 
 die next morning ; and although it was not fb 
 large as I expefted, it was a favoured feafon, and 
 tended to the relief of my mind. The I2th, John 
 Townfend accompanied me to Droinvich, where 
 I defired to have a meeting with the town's people, 
 which proved a memorable feafon of Divine fa- 
 vour. The 1 3th, I went to Bramyard, and the 
 1 4th attended the monthly meeting at Leominfter, 
 and ftaid with my relations there until the 23d. 
 On the 2 1 ft, the marriage of my niece Catharine 
 Young, with George C. Fox of Falmouth, was 
 folemnized ; and the meeting held upon the occa- 
 fion was large, and the teftimony of Truth was 
 exalted therein, to the Lord's praife. 
 
 From Leominfter I proceeded to Hereford, 
 where I was met by my companion L. Hawkf- 
 worth, and many other miniftering friends and 
 others, aflembled to attend the Circular yearly 
 meeting, which was a large, folemn, and (to my- 
 felf, and many other friends) humbling feafon, un* 
 der the fenfe of the frefh extendings of Divine love 
 and power towards Friends, and the people of other 
 religious focieties. How frequently is the affent 
 of the judgment given to the truths preached in. 
 R 4 QUr
 
 264 
 
 our meetings, by many who attend them, who do 
 not profcfs with us ! But how few of thefe walk 
 anfwerably to what they have been convinced is 
 confiflent with the holy difpenfation of Chrifl ! 
 Alas ! the crofs appears too great to be taken up, 
 even to gain an immortal crown. But be it con- 
 fidered who it was that faid, " He that taketh not 
 " up his crofs, and followeth after me, is not wor- 
 " thy of me j" and alfo, " He that is afhamed 
 " of me, and of my dolrine, of him will I be 
 *' alhamed before my Father and his holy angels." 
 It is not only the unfaithfulnefs of many who have 
 been bora and educated amongft us, but that of 
 very many, who have been convinced of the truth 
 of our religious principles, which prevents the 
 increafe of our numbers. There was a time 
 \vhen many people were weary of worihipping in 
 the outward courts of religion, and could not 
 content themfelves with fhadows of it, ' and were 
 "willing to embrace the crofs, that they might ob- 
 tain the fubflance; when many great and diftin- 
 guiflied perfons and characters, bore teftimony to 
 the Truth as it is profefled by us, as they were 
 thereto called of God ; whofe light fhone brightly, 
 and very confpicuoufly through their great and 
 numerous fufferings, for their " teftimony of a 
 e6 good confcience towards Him and men." The 
 prefent time is a feafon of eafe, and greater liberty 
 to worfliip the Lord agreeably to the inflruftion of 
 his pure Spirit j but wherein many of the people 
 
 are
 
 265 
 
 are willing to hear, but few are awfully inquiring 
 " What is Truth," with an earned defire to know, 
 and fmcere intention to follow it. Pontius Pilate 
 inquired, " What is Truth," but did not wait for 
 an anfwer from the Light of Truth. He was in 
 part convinced of his power and purity, yet he 
 delivered him up to the Jews to be crucified, left 
 his temporal interefts fliould fuffer, if he refcued 
 him from their malice. And we read, " That the 
 " fame day Pilate and Herod were made friends," 
 who had before been at variance with each other. 
 Thus it has been, and is, with many who have 
 been partly convinced what is Truth. Temporal 
 interefts and pleafures have been preferred to a 
 poffeffion in the Truth ; and the joining with the 
 world in perfecuting Chrift, to the confefling of him 
 before men. The teftimony of his fervant is ful- 
 filled in fuch ; " Whofoever will be a friend of 
 " the world, is the enemy of God." Thefe will 
 one day fee and lament their great lofs. May the 
 Lord in his mercy roufe many of them to con- 
 fider the things which will make for their peace 
 with him, before they are for ever hid froia 
 their eyes. I believe there will come a fhaking 
 time in thefe favoured nations, wherein the falfe 
 reft of many will be difturbed, and the judgments 
 of the Lord being in the earth, the inhabitants 
 thereof will learn righteoufnefs ; and many will 
 be gathered from the barren mountains of an 
 empty profeffion of religion, and the defolate 
 
 hills
 
 266 
 
 hills of formality, to fit under the teaching of 
 Chrift, manifefted by his Spirit in their fouls, and 
 delight in the extcndings of the wing of his love 
 and power ; whereby they will be folaced, and 
 flickered in this ftate of probation, and therefore 
 fmg falvation and ftrength thereto. O ! that thofc 
 remaining under our name may be concerned to 
 keep their lamps burning ; that they may attract 
 the notice of thofe who in that day will iincerely 
 feck the way to Zion, faying, " Let us. be joined 
 ' unto the Lord in an everlafting covenant ;*' that 
 fuch may behold us, as a chofen people of 
 God, abiding in our tents, under the direction of 
 bur holy Captain, Chrift Jefus : who raifed us 
 up to be a people, that fhould bear an uniform 
 teftimony to his pure everlafting Truth. He 
 cleanfed us from all the chaff and drofs, which 
 under a religious fhew, remained amongft the 
 profeflbrs of faith in him ; as well as from all the 
 fragments of the legal difpenfation, which with its 
 ordinances and ceremonies were appointed to pafs 
 away, when his pure fpiritual difpenfation of grace 
 and truth mould be introduced and eftabliftied. 
 He flripped us of that fragment of fuperftition 
 \vherewith the nominal Chriftian church was, and 
 yet is in degree, clothed. He abolifhed the falfe 
 faiths and falfe trufts whereon many had de* 
 pended ; and he clothed us with that true faith, 
 which overcometh the world, and is productive of 
 fruits meet for his holy kingdom. And will he 
 
 fuffcr
 
 267 
 
 fuffer us to become extinft as a peculiar family to 
 himfelf ? Nay, verily. Although many of us arc 
 as " degenerate plants of a ftrange vine unto 
 ^* him ;" he will return and vifit them, and fome 
 of thefe will be ingrafted into him j and others 
 will be brought from far, to feek an inheritance 
 amongft them ; and the Moft High will ac- 
 knowledge them, as " the branches of his plant- 
 " ing, the work of his hands, in whom he will be 
 " glorified." 
 
 After taking an affe&ionate farewel of my friends 
 at Hereford, my companion and I went to Rofs, 
 had a meeting there, and to Briftol, where I left 
 her ; and Ann Byrd accompanied me to Welling- 
 ton. We (laid the morning meeting there on the 
 Firft-day, and went in the afternoon to Collump- 
 ton ; had a religious opportunity with the friends 
 living there in the evening, and early next morning 
 went fqr Exeter; in hope of getting there in time 
 to go forward with the Friends from that place 
 to the quarterly meeting at Kingibridge; but they 
 were gone, and we had to travel a lonely and long 
 day's journey, which was not accomplifhed with- 
 out difficulty, and fome danger, it being late at 
 night ere we got to Kingibridge. And had not a 
 young woman whom we met at Totnefs, taken us 
 into the chaife which (he had hired, there was 
 little probability of getting there that night ; as 
 no other chaife was to be had in the town, and 
 tfre fleet lying in Torbay, the officers were revel- 
 ling
 
 268 
 
 ling at the inn ; fo that we fliould have had but 
 an uncomfortable time amongft them. 
 
 From Kingfbridge, I went to Plymouth, where 
 I met my dear hufband ; and after a meeting 
 there, we proceeded home, where we arrived the 
 9th of the Tenth month. 
 
 I have the more particularly noted my pro- 
 ceedings in this journey, becaufe it was araongft 
 my friends and others who had heretofore fo 
 largely fhared my labours ; and this being the 
 laft vifit which I paid them fo generally, it ap- 
 peared to me fingular, that I fhould fall in with 
 fo many quarterly and annual meetings ; which 
 afforded us an opportunity of feeing each other 
 more generally and repeatedly than we fhould 
 have done, had it not fo happened : and be it 
 commemorated with humble thankfulnefs to the 
 merciful Fountain of bleflings, that it was a feafon 
 of fignal favour to many of our fpirits. 
 
 I had been laborioufly exercifed for more than 
 five months in this journey, and except in at- 
 tending our monthly and quarterly meeting, and 
 occafional fervices about home, I was excufed 
 from travelling more in this year. Indeed, I 
 had for fome time, found my nature finking under 
 the load of exercifes it had long fuftained ; fo 
 that I did not go through fervices affigned me 
 without many painful feelings, but He who em- 
 ployed, fupported me, to the praife of his ever 
 worthy Name. 
 
 In-
 
 269 
 
 In the fpring of the year 178.1, I wrote my 
 brother Young to the following import : 6 My 
 mind is fo clofed in regard to future profpe&s of 
 duty, that I am ready to conclude, that fome fa- 
 mily affliction may prevent my moving far from 
 home foon.' 
 
 In this I was not miflaken j for foon after I 
 wrote that letter I was feized with a cold, the ef- 
 fe&s whereof became alarming ; and after its load 
 was removed from my lungs, it fell upon my joints, 
 which have gradually fliffened, and baffled all me- 
 dical application ; fo that I am become an entire 
 cripple, and my ringers are fo contra&ed that my 
 being able to ufe my pen is admirable to my 
 friends. But although this is ultimately the con- 
 fequence, yet I have been enabled to flruggle on 
 for feveral years. 
 
 I was not fo recovered as to appear equal to the 
 fatigue of attending the yearly meeting at London 
 this year ; and my hufband alfo was eafy to abide 
 at home, where he was fo dangeroufly attacked 
 with a quinfey, that it appeared he very nar- 
 rowly efcaped death. His fon was from home, and 
 the weight of his critical fituation, together with the 
 attention which was due to him, bore heavily upon 
 my weak body and fpirits, and but that our coufin 
 Frances James, now Fox, was then with us, I know 
 not how I mould have fuftained my fatigues. She 
 very tenderly and afliduoufly attended upon my 
 huiband, and aflifted me in this feafon of aifli&ion ; 
 
 which
 
 270 
 
 which I note with thankfulnefs to that good Hand 
 which furnifhed us with her help. My hufband's 
 firft wife was her mother's liilcr, and flie being 
 left an infant orphan, ray hufband, with other re- 
 lations, had cared for her, and a mutual affc&ion 
 fubiifted ; fo that her fervices were the more will- 
 ingly lent, and pleafingly accepted. 
 
 When my huibaud's diforder was turned, lie re- 
 covered ftrength but flowly, and I continued weak j 
 yet I could not be eafy to omit attending the Cir- 
 cular yearly meeting, which was this year held at 
 South Molton in Devonfliire. My hufband's health 
 not admitting of his accompanying me, my niece 
 Fox was my only companion ; but being in our 
 own chaife we got along the more eafily and in 
 fafety to South Molton, where we hoped to have 
 met my brothers Payton and Young ; but in this 
 we were affli&ingly difappointed. My brother's 
 fervant brought us intelligence, that his matter and 
 my brother Young had come within one Mage of 
 Briflol, where my brother Young was laid up ex- 
 tremely ill j and of confequence my brother Payton 
 was detained with him. This was afflifting intelli- 
 gence to us both j my niece his daughter was funk 
 too low to proceed forward alone j and until the 
 meeting clofed, no friend could be expeftcd to ac- 
 company her, when my friend Hawkfworth took her 
 under her care. She found her father extremely 
 ill, and his cafe appeared for fome time very dan- 
 gerous, yet it pleafed Providence to reftore- him ; 
 
 but
 
 271 
 
 but he was confined fome weeks at the inn, be- 
 fore it appeared fafe for him to move forwards. 
 
 The people of South Molton very kindly wel- 
 comed friends amongft them, and freely opened 
 their houfes to receive fuch as could not be ac- 
 commodated with lodgings at the inns. My friend 
 Hawkfworth and myfelf prefered lodging at a 
 private houfe, as our inn was likely to be very 
 full of company ; and as we went to fee a room at 
 a confiderable diftance, a young clergyman joined 
 us, and appeared to intereft himfelf in our being 
 well accommodated. He told us the people of 
 the town were generally moderate and civil, and 
 feemed pleafed that the meeting was appointed 
 there. We were kindly lodged near the inn. 
 
 The meeting was very large, and the people 
 behaved foberly : indeed many of them feemed 
 prepared to receive, or at lead hear, the teftimony 
 of Truth ; and the power of it fo prevailed in the 
 meeting as to bind down the fpirits of others, who 
 might attend from no better motive than curiofity. . 
 The fpring of gofpel miniftry ran freely, and I,, 
 though fo weak, was enabled to take a large (hare 
 in the labour. Friends were comforted together, 
 and the faithful amongft them rejoiced in per- 
 ceiving the extendings of the love of God, both to- 
 wards the members of our own fociety, and thofe 
 of other religious profeffions ; many of whofe 
 hearts were affe&ed under the teftimonies deli- 
 vered in the meetings. 
 
 I returned
 
 272 
 
 I returned direftly home, my friend A. Price 
 accompanying me. Here, and in the county, 
 I continued for the winter, in a weak (late of 
 health, and my dear huiband tender, but moftly 
 cheerful, which was his natural difpofition. I do 
 not know that I have enjoyed one day's health 
 fmce the fpring of this year, which, as I forefaw, 
 Was a year attended with much family affliction, 
 wherein our fon Richard Phillips had a (hare be- 
 fore it terminated. 
 
 In the year 1782, I attended the Welch yearly 
 meeting, which was held at Bridgenorth. My 
 hufband accompanied me to Briflol, and Lydia 
 Hawkfworth went with me to Bridgenorth. We 
 went direft, only called and ftaid a ihort time with 
 my brother, and returned to the yearly meeting at 
 Briftol, and thence to London. 
 
 When I went from Briilol to Bridgenorth, my 
 hufband went to Swanfea, and met me in London, 
 to attend the yearly meeting there. A general epi- 
 demic cold reigned during the fitting of the yearly 
 meeting. Many friends were feized with it, but we 
 were favoured to 'efcape it, until much of the fer- 
 vice of the meetings was over. We were both 
 rnuch indifpofed, which detained us fome time in 
 London j and when we were able to travel, we 
 returned with our friend Lydia Hawkfworth to 
 Briftol, and thence home. We recovered ftrength 
 to attend the Circular yearly meeting, wljich was 
 held at Tamworth in the Ninth month. My weak- 
 
 nefs
 
 273 
 
 nefs and contraction in my joints increafing, my 
 hufband confulted Dr. Ludtow, a phyfician of note 
 of Briftol, upon the cafe, who ordered me medi- 
 cine to take on the journey, which, being of an' 
 invigorating quality, I thought helped to ftrengthenf 
 me to get through the fatigue of the journey, and 
 the exercife of the meeting; although the principal 
 help in the courfe of the labour afligned me therein 
 muft be attributed to the Lord's power, which is 
 manifefled in the weaknefs of his fervants. The 
 meeting was large, both of Friends and thofe of 
 other focieties, and crowned with the Divine pre- 
 fence. The teftimony of Truth was exalted, and 
 faithful friends were comforted, in the fenfe of 
 the continued extendings of the heavenly Father's 
 love to the various Mates of the members of our 
 own fociety, as well as to other profeflbrs of 
 religion. Before the meeting was opened I had 
 diflocated my left elbow, by a fall down a fleep 
 and long flight of flairs, and was obliged to carry 
 my arm in a fling ; although I had to take fo con- 
 fiderable a {hare of a&ive labour through the 
 courfe of the meetings. After their conclufion, 
 we attended a meeting at Birmingham, then fpent 
 a mort time at Dudley with my brother, and re- 
 turned to Briftol, where we again confulted Dr. 
 Ludlow ; who advifed me to try the efFel of 
 eleftricity on my contracted joints. After I had 
 continued feme time under that operation, he or- 
 dered me to Bath, to try the effeft of pumping 
 s upon
 
 274 
 
 upon them, at the fame time continuing the medi- 
 cines he had prefcribed. But all was without the 
 defired effect ; and indeed I believe the Doctor had 
 but little hope in my cafe, for he intimated that I 
 might probably become an entire cripple, and live 
 many years in that (late : which has been my cafe. 
 
 1783. My hufband accompanied me to the 
 yearly meeting at London. Before I left home, I 
 had informed my friends that I was engaged to at- 
 tend the yearly meetings of Colchefler, Wood- 
 bridge, and Norwich, which fucceeded that at 
 London; and had obtained a certificate of their 
 unity with me therein ; and my friend Lydia 
 Hawkfworth being under the like concern, we left 
 Briflol on the 28th of the Fifth month, accompa- 
 nied by our friend Mary Were of Wellington. 
 We proceeded to Melkfham and Salifbury, where 
 we left Mary Were, and went to Poole, attended 
 the meetings there on Firft-day, id of Sixth month, 
 and the 2d, met Mary Were at Ringwood, at- 
 tended the monthly meeting there, and proceeded 
 to Rumfey, thence to Alton, attended the week- 
 day meeting there on the 4th, and went to Godal- 
 ming, and the 5th to London. On this day we 
 intended to have fallen in with the week-day 
 meeting at Efher; but there being a funeral of 
 a friend at Kingfton, mod of the friends of 
 Eflier were gone to attend it ; fo we prefled on, 
 and got to the meeting a little after the time ap- 
 pointed j and I hope it was well we were there. 
 
 We
 
 275 
 
 We attended ilie quarterly meeting, and proceeded 
 On our journey, taking meetings in our way to the 
 before-mentioned yearly meetings. We alfo vifited 
 almoft all the meetings in Norfolk, then pafled into 
 Cambridgefliirc and the Ifle of Ely, vifuing the 
 meetings therein, thence into Effex, and, vifiting di- 
 vers meetings which I had not before attended in 
 that county, turned back through Cambridgeshire 
 to Huntingdon. In this journey I fuftained much 
 labour' both in body and fpirit, which was the more 
 painful from my increafed and increafing weak- 
 nefs ; which rendered it probable, as indeed it 
 proved, that this would be the lad vifit I (hould 
 pay to friends of thofe parts ; as it was alfo the 
 firft I had paid to many of the meetings which 
 we attended. I was however thankful that the 
 good Shepherd influenced our minds to vifit fo 
 many of his fheep in thofe counties, unto whom 
 our fpirits were united in gofpel fympathy ; 
 and we had alfo to bear the burden of the fpi- 
 rits of formal profeflbrs, unto whom the alarm 
 was founded, to awake out of fleep. I had fome 
 publick meetings in this journey to my fatisfac- 
 tion, and I hope to the edification of many people 
 attending them. One of them was held at Cam- 
 bridge ; which I hope was ferviceable, although I 
 was not favoured to rife in the exercife of the Di- 
 vine gift beftowed upon me, to that height I did 
 when in that town many years ago. 
 
 That was indeed a iinguhr time, and anfwered 
 s 2 a fmgular
 
 276 
 
 a fmgular end, viz. to convince a man who had 
 contemned women's miniftry in Chrift's church, of 
 its weight, efficacy, and confiftency with the gofpel 
 tfifpenfation. The fame man. who did not live in 
 the town, was invited to attend this meeting, and 
 he might therein hear gofpel truths publi(hed r 
 and treated upon in a more argumentative way, 
 than it was common for me to be engaged in. 
 The All-wife employer of true gofpel minifters 
 knows how to direft his fervants, both as to the 
 matter, and the manner wherein he intends it 
 fliould be communicated to the people. And I 
 have admired his wifdom and condefcenfion there- 
 in, when without forethought my fpeech has been 
 accommodated to the capacities of thofe unto 
 whom it was directed. To fuch as were illiterate 
 and ignorant, I have fpoken in very low terms ; 
 and to thofe of more under/landing, in fuch as 
 anfwered its level; while to the learned, and thofe 
 of fuperior natural abilities, I might fay with the 
 prophet, " The Lord God hath given me the 
 " tongue of the learned j" although I had it not 
 by education. I have not wanted eloquence of 
 fpeech, or flrength of argument, wherein to con- 
 vey and enforce the doctrines given me to preach ; 
 of which I could fay, as my Lord and Mafler did, 
 " My do&rines are not mine, but his who fent 
 me:" and his love, life, and power, hath ac- 
 companied them, to the flopping of the mouths 
 of gainfayers, and convincing of the underfland- 
 
 ings
 
 . 
 
 277 
 
 ings of many, of the reftttude and efficacy of 
 " the Truth as It is in Chrift Jefus." 
 
 O the depth and excellency of. true gofpel mi- 
 niftry ! The Lord's prophet in the profpeft of it 
 might well exclaim, " How beautiful upon the 
 " mountains are the feet of thofe who bring good 
 <e tidings, who publifli peace, who publifti falvation, 
 " who fay unto Zion, Thy God reigneth !" Thefe 
 are not made fo by human or literary acquirements ; 
 but " the Spirit from on high being poured upon 
 * e them," under its holy humbling influence they 
 are enabled to minifter, and fc compare fpiritua! 
 " things with fpiritual," or elucidate them by 
 natural things, as occafion may require, without 
 forecaft or premeditation ; for they fpeak extern- 
 pore, as the Spirit giveth utterance. When the 
 miniftry in the general thus returns to its ori- 
 ginal dignity and fimplicity, an education at col- 
 leges will not be fought to qualify for it. No, 
 thofe who are accoutred for the fervice of him 
 w who fpoke as never man fpake," mutt be edu- 
 cated in his fchool, and difciplined by his wifdom; 
 xvhereby they are made able minifters of the 
 new teftament, not of the letter but of the fpi- 
 rit; for the letter killeth but the fpirit giveth 
 life. 
 
 Thus have I, with many of my fellow-labourers, 
 been affifled to minifter in the gofpel of Chrifl ; 
 and now in the clofe of a laborious day's work, I 
 may commemorate the mercy, power, and wifdom 
 5 3 of
 
 278 
 
 of Him who chufeth whom he pleafeth lor the 
 various offices in his church. He appoints, of 
 both male and female, " Come apoftles, fome pro- 
 " phets, fome evangelifts, and fome paftors and 
 " teachers ; for the perfecting of the faints, for 
 " the work of the miniftry, for the edifying of 
 " the body of Chrifl ; until his members come in 
 " the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of 
 " the Son of God^iito the meafure of the fla- 
 " ture of the fullnefs of Chrifl ; and may grow 
 * c up into him in all things who is the Head, 
 " from whom the whole body fitly joined toge- 
 " ther and compared by that which every joint 
 ** fupplieth, according to its cffcftual working in 
 " the meafure of every part, makcth increafe of 
 " the body, unto the edifying of itfelf in love." 
 Then, tjiere is the higheft rejoicing in him the 
 heavenly Teacher, who fufils his gracious promifc, 
 both to thofe who minifler under him, and to 
 ihofe who are not called to this awful fervice, 
 " Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of 
 the world !" 
 
 Unto him all true gofpel miniflers direcl: the 
 people, and endeavour to fettle them under the 
 teaching of his pure Spirit. Thefe difclaim the 
 lead degree of ability to labour availingly in his 
 fervice, except what flows from him, the fountain 
 of Divine power, love, and life ; and, after they 
 have done and fuffered what he affigns them, fit 
 down in the acknowledgment, that " what they 
 
 ar-e,
 
 279 
 
 " are, they are through his grace." And thank- 
 ing him that they have not received his grace in 
 vain, humbly confefs they have done but their 
 duty. Thus from early youth, have I travelled 
 and laboured, that the faving knowledge of God 
 may increafe, through experience of the preva- 
 lence of the power of his Son ; whereby the 
 true believers in him become crucified to the 
 world and the world unto them ; and being thus 
 dead, are raifed by him in newnefs of life, to the 
 praife and glory of God. Freely I have received 
 the knowledge of falvation through the fanclify- 
 ing operation of the fpirit of Chrift ; and freely 
 I have teftified thereof, and of God's univerfal 
 love through his Son to mankind : for he would 
 have none' to pcrifh, but that all fliould be faved, 
 and attain to the knowledge of his Truth. 
 
 My views, with thofe of others my fellow-la- 
 bourers in the miniftry, have, in regard to our- 
 felves, been fimply to obtain peace with God 
 through an honed difcharge of our duty ; and in 
 refpeft to thofe unto whom we have freely minif- 
 tered, that they might be turned from darknefs to 
 light, and from the power of Satan unto God ; 
 and be favoured with the experience of the re- 
 miilion of fins, and obtaining a fixed inheritance 
 amongfl: all thofe who are fanftifiecl. And we are 
 not afraid to fay, that the love of Chrift hath con- 
 ftrained. us to minifter, unmixed with any tempo- 
 ral interdict! motive, or view of reward. Through 
 R 4 that
 
 280 
 
 that love, we have been made willing to fpend our 
 femporal fubftance, as well as our ftrength of body 
 and of faculties, and to fuffer many hardfhips; yea, 
 to leave what was deareft to us in nature, and 
 be accounted fools by the wife and prudent of 
 this world ; fome of whom have poured upon us 
 contempt, but who profeffing themfelves to be 
 wife, have manifefled their foolifhnefs ; and by 
 fpeaking evil of what they knew not, have evi- 
 dently been wife in their own conceits. 
 
 As to us, however we may have been favoured 
 by the Lord, who has accounted us worthy to 
 have part in this miniftry, and has at feafons 
 clothed us as with a royal robe, to the aftonifh- 
 ment of even thofe who have had us in derifion ; 
 all boailing is excluded, by the pure humbling 
 law of faith in Chrift, " the wifdom and power of 
 cc God," and we confefs with his primitive minif- 
 ters, that we have nothing of our own to boaft 
 of but infirmities, nor have we ought to glory 
 in but his grace to help us ; through which we 
 have been rendered equal to the arduous talks af- 
 figned us; and willing to turn from profpects the 
 moil pleafing to the natural mind, and to endure 
 crofies, tribulations, and the contempt of men, for 
 his fake, who fo loved us as to die for us ; and 
 hath mercifully, called us by his grace, to become 
 heirs with him in the kingdom of his Father : and 
 having done all, we have nothing to truft in. but the 
 mercy of God, manifciled in and through him; and, 
 
 under.
 
 281 
 
 under a fenfe that all we can do to promote his 
 honour is but little, and that little communicated 
 by his ftrength, this is ultimately the language of 
 our fpirits. Not unto us, O Lord ! not unto us, 
 but unto thy ever worthy name, or power, be 
 glory for ever ! Amer. 
 
 From Cambridge, one of the feats of learning, I 
 wi(h I could fay of piety, we proceeded to vifit 
 fomc other meetings in this quarter, and coming tp 
 Ives, attended the funeral of Samuel Abbot, an 
 elder of good report. The meeting held upon the 
 occafion was extremely crowded, and many of the 
 principal inhabitants of the town and neighbour- 
 hood attended it. It was a feafon of awful folem- 
 nity, wherein the tide of gofpel miniftry rofe high, 
 even to the overflowing the mounds. of oppofition ; 
 and I believe the people were fo humbled, that 
 many of them could join us in fupplication and 
 praife to the Lord, who " is glorious in holinef$, 
 " fearful in praifes, working wonders." Hence 
 we went (as before hinted) to Huntingdon, our 
 frien4 John Abbot (fon to the friend whofe fun$- 
 ral we had attended) accompanying us. From Hun- 
 tingdon we proceeded to Ampthill in Bedford;- 
 fhire ; and in our way pafled through Potton, in- 
 tending, if it was convenient, to lodge in that 
 town, with one profeffing with us. But, alas!, when 
 we came there, we found the town, which the day 
 before, had been, it was faid, one of the pretdcft 
 in the county, in ruins, A terrible fire had raged 
 
 all
 
 282 
 
 all night, and was not then in forac places quite 
 extinguiflied. Almofl the whole of a principal flreet, 
 through which we walked (not without fear left 
 the chimuies, or fomc other parts of the brick or 
 ftone-work left {landing, fhould fall upon us), and 
 mod of the houfes in the market-place were con- 
 fumed. The fire flopped at the next houfe to 
 that which our friend had inhabited. He had time 
 to get his goods out, but had left them, and with 
 his wife was gone to another town where they had 
 relations, and through which we had to pafs, ancl 
 where, at an inn, we lodged at night, our friend 
 Abbot accompanying us. The view of Potton 
 and its inhabitants was truly pitiable: the goods of 
 the fufferers were fcattered about round the town 
 in the fields, and fome were watching them. The 
 countenances of fome whom we faw in the flreets 
 were deeply. marked with grief ; and the principal 
 .ovens being deftroyed, bread was to be fetched from 
 a town fome miles diflant. Our friend John Abbot 
 was fo touched with the countenance of one poor 
 woman, that after pafling her, he turned back, and 
 gave her fomething handfome ; but (lie probably 
 knew not -where to buy victuals if fhe wanted it. 
 The principal inns being burned down or greatly 
 injured, we flopped at the houfe of an acquaint- 
 ance of his, in a part of the town which had ef- 
 caped the fire, < who readily gave us fome refrefn- 
 ment ; and in return, we left with him, towards the 
 prefent relief of the fufferers, fo much as excited his 
 
 thankfumdfs.
 
 283 
 
 thankfulnefs. The next morning we vifited our 
 friends who had fled from Potton, at their rela- 
 tion's j and had a folemn religious opportunity 
 with them and others prefent; and proceeding 
 to Ampthill, attended the Firft-day's meetings 
 there. From Ampthill, John Abbot returned 
 home, and we went pretty direftly to Melk- 
 fliam, appointing fome meetings in our way thither. 
 Before I came there my flrength was extremely 
 exhaufted, and having a concern to attend the 
 Circular yearly meeting to be held at Frome in 
 Somerfetfliire, it appeared neceflary for me pre- 
 vioufly to take a little reft. We therefore (laid at 
 Melkfliam with my affectionate relations Elizabeth 
 Fowler and her fon and daughter, her hufband 
 being now dead. At Frome, I met with my dear 
 brother James Pay ton, and many of my relations 
 and friends, and the Lord favoured us together with 
 his prefence. The meetings were large, folemn, 
 and eminently crowned with divine life and power, 
 wherein the gofpel was preached by feveral mi- 
 nifters. Nicholas Wain, from Pennfylvania, at- 
 tended this meeting, and had acceptable fervice 
 therein. I went directly home ; and in my way had 
 a favoured meeting with friends, and many others 
 of the inhabitants of Exeter. My niece Fox ac- 
 companied me from Frome to Truro, where my 
 dear hufband met me, to our mutual thankfulnefs. 
 I do not recoiled any thing more worth remarking 
 in the remainder of this year, wherein I continued 
 
 weak,
 
 284 
 
 weak, yet attended fervices about home as they 
 occurred. 
 
 In the fpring of the year 1784, my dear huf- 
 band was much indifpofed, and from that time was 
 frequently afflicted with a giddinefs in his head ; 
 yet he recovered fo far as 1 to attend the yearly 
 meeting at London, and I accompanied him in 
 much/ weaknefs ; yet I had caufe to be humbly 
 thankful for the Divine aid vouchfafed to labour, 
 although I was unable to attend all the meetings 
 which were held in the courfe of that folemnity. 
 
 From London we went to Briftol, where my huf- 
 band had bufmefs; and as I had no inclination to 
 flay in that city, proceeded in company with M. 
 and A. Moon, to Wellington. Thence I was ac- 
 companied by my dear friend M. Were to Wil- 
 liam Byrd's at Uffculm ; at whofe houfe we had a 
 favoured meeting with the town's people, and re- 
 turned to Wellington ; where I waited, until my 
 hufband came to me. I was ftrongly impreffed 
 with a concern to pay a vifit once more to the 
 few profeffing Truth in the north fide of Devon- 
 fhire, as well as to hold fome publick meetings in 
 fome of the towns which I had heretofore vifited. 
 My hufband knew of my having this profpeft, but 
 when he came to me at Wellington, and faw how 
 poorly I was, he ahnoil feared for me, and would 
 have been pleafed if I had been eafy to have ac- 
 companied him directly home. This however not 
 being the cafe, we went on the Firft-day to Friends 
 
 meeting
 
 285 
 
 meeting at Spice-land, which was attended by a 
 pretty many fober people, not profeffing with us ; 
 and the Matter of our affemblies, favoured with 
 fuitable do&rine and counfel, fo that the truly 
 righteous rejoiced together ; and, under the fenfe 
 of the arm of the Lord being extended to help 
 in the feafons of weaknefs, we proceeded from 
 this meeting to South Molton ; and our friend? 
 Nicholas and Mary Were, and William and Ann 
 Byrd, accompanied us ; as did alfo Thomas Mel- 
 huifh of Taunton. We appointed a meeting to be 
 held there the next morning ; but the weather 
 proving very wet, there was fome doubt how it 
 would be attended ; however it was pretty large, 
 and a folemn innruHve feafonv No one profeffing 
 with us lived in this town, nor had any meeting 
 been appointed there fmce the Circular meeting 
 was held there in 1781. But the remembrance 
 and favour of that folemnity might continue long 
 upon the minds of religious perfons. 
 
 We went that evening to Barnflaple (except T. 
 Melhuifh, who returned home), and next day hacT 
 a meeting there in the Afiembly-room, which was 
 large, folemn, and highly favoured with the Di- 
 vine power and prefence. I was wonderfully af- 
 fifted to publifh gofpel truths, " in the demon- 
 " ftration of the fpirit, and with power;" and it 
 appeared that many who heard, underftood and 
 were affe&ed, amongft whom were fome of the 
 higher rank. O ! that fuch heavenly vifitations 
 
 might
 
 286 
 
 might produce fruits of righteoufncfs anfwerable 
 to the labour beftowed ; but alas ! they are too 
 frequently like water fpilled upon a flone, which 
 although it wets the furface, does not change the 
 obdurate unfruitful nature of the ftone ; and the 
 rain which has clefcended upon it, is fo quickly 
 dried up, that there remains no evidence of its 
 having been watered. 
 
 Indeed the flone is, agreeable to its nature, un- 
 fruitful, and mufl remain fo. But what faid the 
 apoftle unto thofe whofe hearts were like ground, 
 which, although it was often watered, brought forth 
 nothing more profitable than briers and thorns. " It 
 <c is nigh unto curfing, whofe end is to be burned." 
 It is extremely dangerous trifling with the Lord's 
 merciful vifitation to the foul, as time is uncertain : 
 therefore thofe who hear, have need to be con- 
 cerned to obey the call of God to a renovation of 
 mind and manners, that their fouls may live. 
 
 From Barnftaple, we went to .Great Torrington, 
 and had a large and I hope ferviceable meeting 
 there, although not fo diftinguifhedly favoured as 
 that of Barnftaple had been. My dear friends A. 
 Byrd and M. Were had acceptable fervice in the 
 before-mentioned meetings ; as well as in miniftering 
 to the few friends who were fcattered about the 
 country, who met us at one place or other ; and- 
 we had private religious opportunities with them, fo 
 that they were generally vifited. I was favoured 
 \vith much freedom to fpeak to them in the love 
 
 of
 
 287 
 
 q Chriftj and .therein to take my farewel of 
 them j for this proved to be my laft vifit. There 
 were never many friends fettled on the north fide 
 of Devonshire.. I know not of a meeting-houfe 
 having been built in any town I have vifited there; 
 yet a few, fome of them having been gathered from 
 other profeilions of religion, were fcattered about 
 in this quarter, and held meetings. at their houfes. 
 
 W. Byrd and his wife left us at Torrington ; 
 but Nicholas Were and his wife concluded to ac- 
 company us to Hatherly, twelve miles farther, 
 where I had a defire to have a meeting; and their 
 being fo difpofed proved very ferviceable to us. 
 
 There having been a large fair for cattle the day 
 before we came to Hatherly, and the farmers 
 fcarcely all gone from the place, we found the inn 
 in fuch diforder as to render it doubtful how we 
 fhould lodge. However, the landlady got clean 
 linen, and our friends Were and ourfelves got 
 lodging ; but fome men friends who met us from 
 Exon, were obliged to fhift for themfelves as well as 
 they could ; and a young woman who accompanied 
 them was provided for with us. The town was 
 fmall, and in fuch a hurry, that it appeared a poor 
 time to get a meeting. The weather was alfo very 
 wet on this and the next day ; but fome of the 
 town's people being informed of our view in com- 
 ing, interefled themfelves in procuring us a meet- 
 ing place, and we were furniftied with one as com- 
 modious as we could expeft. Many aflifled 
 
 to
 
 288 
 
 to feat a part of it ; and the weather continuing 
 wet, prevented fome of the inhabitants from going 
 to their labour, fo that I know not but our meet- 
 ing was the larger through that circumftarice. The 
 people behaved well, many were content to ftand, 
 and we were favoured with a folenin meeting 
 among!! them. No meeting had been held in this 
 place for very many years ; fo that" moil of our 
 auditors appeared ignorant of our religious prin- 
 ciples and manner of worihip ; but our vifit was 
 received with expreffions of pleafure and gratitude 
 by fome, and we left the place with thankful 
 hearts, each of us fetting our faces homeward the 
 fame evening. My health continued declining, 
 and my hufband's complaint of giddinefs returned 
 pretty frequently. We did not go far from home 
 for the remainder of this year. 
 
 In 1785 my hufband was inclined to attend the 
 yearly meeting at London, arid defirbus of my ac- 
 companying him. I was fo weighed down with 
 painful fenfations, and my joints fo much contract- 
 ed, and he fo fubjeft to the giddinefs In his head, 
 that I fuggefted to him the propriety of our confi- 
 dering whether it was fafe for us to venture upon 
 fnch a journey : to which he replied, that his mind 
 was ftrongly drawn to the yearly meeting, and faid, 
 that it would be the laft he ftiould attend. In our 
 way thereto we were at the meeting of Bridport 
 on the Firft-day ; and I appointed a meeting at 
 Andover, which was large, and eminently favoured 
 
 with
 
 289 
 
 with the Divine power and prefence. Samuel Em- 
 len and George Dillwyn, both of Philadelphia, at- 
 tended this meeting ; but the principal {hare of 
 of the miniftry refled upon me : indeed I had long 
 had a view to a meeting in this town, and this 
 proved to be the laft time I pafled through it. 
 When we reached London, I was in a very weak 
 ftate, but was enabled to attend the meetings in 
 their courfe* At the yearly meeting in the preced- 
 ing' year, our men-friends had weightily confidered 
 the ftatc of our women's yearly meeting ; and it 
 appearing that it might become of more general 
 fervice, if the queries for women-friends, which 
 are anfwered from their monthly to their quarterly 
 meetings, were alfo anfwered from the quarterly 
 to the yearly meeting of women, they fent a 
 minute to the quarterly and monthly meetings to 
 that import ; and this year anfwers were fent from 
 fome quarterly meetings, and women -friends at- 
 tended as reprcfentatives. But it being a new 
 thing, and the propriety or necefiity of it not fully 
 underflood by ail our women -friends, an epiftle 
 was written, fetting forth the rife and ufe of the 
 difcipline eftabliflied amongft us, and encouraging 
 women-friends to attend to their (hare of it. As 
 mothers of children and miftrefles of families, 
 they have an extenfive fervice to attend to, and 
 ought to be concerned fo to difcipline their fami- 
 lies, as to be able to anfwer the feveral queries re 
 lative to their fituation. 
 
 T My
 
 290 
 
 My mind being drawn to vifit the quarterly 
 meeting of Hertfordfliire, I intimated it to my 
 friend Eliiabeth Talwyn of Bromley, who kindly 
 took me and my dear companion Lydia Hawkf- 
 worth thereto in her coach ; and this was my fare- 
 wel vifit to Friends there. As I knew that my 
 hufband as well as myfelf wiihed to leave London 
 as foon as we could with eafe of mind, I requefted 
 that notice might be fent to the feveral meetings 
 near to that of Chorley Wood, that I hoped to 
 be there on the next Firft-day, and ftiould be 
 pleafed to fee as many as could meet me there. 
 The meeting-houfe was pretty full, it was a fa- 
 voured feafon, and the laft meeting I had in that 
 part of the kingdom. That night we lodged with 
 our friend Robert Eeles near Amerfliam, by whom 
 and his kind wife I had feveral times been affec- 
 tionately entertained. Next day we reached Ban- 
 bury, had a meeting with friends there, on the 
 next morning, and after taking an affe&ionate 
 leave of my near relation S. Stone, we pro- 
 ceeded that night to Warwick. My fifter re- 
 ceived us affectionately, though not without con- 
 cern to fee me fo much enfeebled. My joints 
 were fo contra&ed that it was become difficult 
 for me to walk ; and throughout this journey I 
 was affifted in dreffing ; and my inward weaknefs 
 was alfo very apparent, fo that it appeared probable 
 that this might be our laft interview. I attended 
 one meeting with friends at Warwick, wherein 
 
 -the
 
 291 
 
 the Divine fpring of gofpel miniftry was opened 
 to the refrefhment of religious minds ; and, after 
 taking my lad perfonal farewel of my dear filter, 
 we went to Coventry, had an evening meeting 
 there, which was pretty generally attended by 
 friends and fome intelligent people not profenmg 
 with us ; and the Lord favoured us together in 
 a memorable degree. The fubjedh given me to 
 fpeak upon, were the awfulnefs and importance of 
 paffing through time, confidering the confequences 
 depending thereupon, and the folemnity of paffing 
 out of it, even to the bed of men. For although 
 fuch might be favoured with a well-grounded hope 
 of participating in " the inheritance which is unde- 
 " filed and fadeth not away;" and might rejoice at 
 the approach of the hour of releafe from the pains 
 and folicitudes attendant in this probationary ftate ; 
 it was a feafon, wherein, from the confideration of 
 the purity of ChrHVs kingdom, they might think it 
 needful to examine whether their fpirits were fo 
 clean, as to be meet for admittance thereinto. But 
 to the wicked it was a terrible hour. Many ftrik- 
 ing remarks, directed to divers ftates, were given 
 me to make ; and I was favoured to deliver them 
 hi concife, yet flrong terms, to the affe&ing the 
 minds of many prefent : and thus, taking leave of 
 that city, we proceeded next day to Birmingham, 
 attended the Firft-day meeting there, and thence to 
 Dudley. We ftaid a few days with my brother, 
 attended one meeting there, and another at Stour- 
 T 2 bridge,
 
 292 
 
 bridge, afterwards went to Worcefter, and were at 
 the Firft-day meetings' there.. 
 
 As -my. cafe appeared alarming, and fome of my 
 friends advifed my making, trial of Buxton water, 
 my hufband, when we were at Birmingham, took 
 the advife of a phyfician of note, who did not 
 choofe to prefcribe for me, nor encourage my going 
 to Buxton j but advifed our calling at Bath, but 
 cautioned me againft drinking the waters, or bath- 
 ing, without taking further advice there : fo taking 
 leave of our brother James Payton and friends at 
 Worcefter, we proceeded dire&ly to Bath. The 
 advice I there had was to return home, drink the 
 Bath water there, and purfue the courfe of medicine 
 prefcribed. The .weather was then too hot for 
 me either to bathe, or. drink the water there, but 
 it was left to further confideration whether I {hould 
 return there in the fall. 
 
 Weak as I was, I had two meetings at Bath; in 
 one of which I had a ftrong and clear teftimony 
 directed to a flate which in youth had been Di- 
 vinely vifited, and made fome advances in the path 
 of felf-denial; but in more advanced age, had 
 fought after worldly wifdom and knowledge, and 
 the friendftiip of thofe in that fpirit, and had loft 
 the heavenly dew of youth. 
 
 There was a perfon in the flate defcribed, in the 
 meeting, who was much affected, and died in a 
 (hort time. How does Divine mercy foUow the 
 
 backfiiders
 
 293 
 
 backfliders from his holy commandment, with the 
 gracious call of " Turn ye, why will you die ?" 
 
 From Bath, we went to Briflol, where my huf- 
 band had bufmefs, and where I left him, and 
 went to John Hipfley's at Congerfbury, was at 
 the meeting of Claverham on the Firft-day, and 
 returning to Congerfbury, (laid there until my 
 hufband's bufmefs permitted him to return home : 
 to which we went directly, myfelf in a feeble ftate, 
 but my hufband appeared to be as well as when 
 we left it. 
 
 After our return from London my hufband's 
 time and attention were very much engroiTed by 
 bufmefs relative to the mining interefts in this 
 county. Some alteration in the courfe of the trade 
 appeared neceflary, and as he had from his youth 
 been engaged in the copper trade, and was well 
 acquainted with the ftate of it, both in the paft 
 and prefent times, much regard was paid to his 
 judgment, by many who attended at the meetings 
 held on the occafion: and his folicitude for its 
 fettlement to the advantage of the labouring miners, 
 as well as for allowing the adventurers, and others 
 engaged in the trade, a profpeft of a reafonable 
 profit, was fuch, that under the continued exertion 
 of his faculties for feveral weeks, his flrength evi* 
 dently declined. 
 
 The Circular yearly meeting falling this year in 
 
 Cornwall, had been at our fpring quarterly meeting 
 
 appointed to be held at Truro, the ;th, 8th, and 
 
 T 3 9'h
 
 294 
 
 9th of the Eighth month, which was feveral weeks 
 earlier than it was cuftomary to hold that meeting. 
 This had occafioned fome demur in the minds of 
 fome friends, who doubted whether thofe of the 
 diflant counties might be fo generally at liberty to 
 attend it, as if it mould be held in its ufual courfe ; 
 and fome friends gave a preference to another 
 town for the meeting. But my hufband having 
 attentively confidered when and where to fix this 
 important folemnity, under a concern that the All- 
 wife direftor would deign to influence the minds of 
 Friends therein, was fteady in his judgment that 
 both the time and place propofcd were right : and 
 the event fhewed that he was not miftaken. He 
 with other friends were engaged in preparing ac- 
 commodation for this meeting, and the town's 
 people were very ready to affiil. A large booth 
 was erected to hold it in, and other places were 
 procured, if that Ihould not be fufficient to contain 
 the people. 
 
 I was yet in a feeble ftate, and as it appeared to 
 me improbable that the meeting would be attended 
 by fo many min'fters and friends of religious 
 weight, from the diftant counties conftitutmg it, 
 and other parts of the nation, as Jn fome pafl 
 years, my fpirit was weighed down under a fenfc 
 of the great importance of the fervice, and the 
 difproportion of my natural ftrength to the labour 
 of fo large meetings. My faith was indeed ready 
 to fail; but I cried unto the Lord, in the language 
 
 -of
 
 295 
 
 of Samfon, If the teftimony of his Truth might 
 but be exalted through me as an inflrument, " let 
 " me die," if it be thy will, in this great effort to 
 overcome the Philiftine nature in the people : and 
 this proved to be the laft of thofe general meet- 
 ings which I attended. In the night before we 
 went to Truro, my dear hufband was fo much 
 indifpofed with the giddiuefs in his head, that he 
 propofed to me to go to Truro, and leave him to 
 take an emetic, which he hoped might eafe his 
 head, and to come to me the next morning. I was 
 reiuftant to leave him behind me, and it was well 
 I did not, as the {training to v^mit would probably 
 have produced inftant death. Ji<_ i^rev/ better to- 
 wards mid-day, and accompanied me to Truro, 
 where we met with many of our fr. ;.us, and he 
 regained his wonted chcerfulnefs and activity, and 
 was very ferviceable duri - tne courfe of the 
 meetings, in regulating the holding of them, 
 fettling the people, and taking {hare in the care 
 that nothing might happen amongft our young 
 people at the feveral inns, which might tend to 
 fliade the teftimony of that pure Truth, which we 
 met to propagate, from very diftant parts of the 
 nation. The concourfe of people, efpecially of thofe 
 not profeffing with us, was very great, and not a 
 few of them of the higher rank. Many came f\r to 
 attend the meetings, and behaved with becoming 
 decency, confidently with fo folemn an occafion. 
 The booth, though as large as a good voice could 
 T 4 well
 
 296 
 
 well extend over to be diftin&ly heard, would not 
 near contain the people ; fo that friends were ob- 
 liged to hold a meeting in the afternoons of the yth 
 and 8th in another place. 
 
 This confequently tended to divide the miniflers 
 to the feveral meetings, and, as I had forefeen, much 
 of the fervice of the meetings in the booth devolved 
 upon me; yet not fo, but that fome other minifters 
 had an acceptable {hare therein. The teitimony of 
 Truth was largely and freely declared, and arofe in 
 its 'native dignity, and ckarnefs; fo that very 
 many not profcifing with us affented to the truths 
 preached. The publick meetings concluded on the 
 9th before dinner, under the ovcrfhadowing wing 
 of Divine love, life, and power. The minds of 
 many friends were comfortably imprefled with a 
 fenfe of the continued extendings of the heavenly 
 Shepherd's care over us as a religious Society; as 
 well as of his condefcenfion in caufing his gofpel 
 call to go forth amongft others, and they turned 
 their faces homeward in the afternoon, in humble 
 thankfulnefs. 
 
 Here I may obferve, as it hath occurred to me 
 when attending thofe large general meetings, how 
 different in their nature and tendency thefe meet- 
 ings are, to thofe which are appointed by profef- 
 fing Chriftians for amufement, wherein there is 
 much noify mirth, and unchriftian jollity : and if in 
 fome of them, the entertainments, in one -part of 
 the day, have an outward and pompous ihew of 
 
 religion,
 
 297 
 
 religion, under the vain and falfe pretence of 
 praifing God with the voice, accompanied wiih 
 inftruments of mufick, in the repetition of fome of 
 the moft fubJime and inftruftive parts of Scripture; 
 in another part of it, the Chriftian name is fhame- 
 fully dishonoured, by the amufements, which fuc- 
 ceed what they call their facred oratorios. I have 
 been (hocked in the confideration, of the expref- 
 fions of holy men of God, "who penned them 
 as the Holy Spirit dictated them, and fome aw- 
 ful inftruftive hiftorical parts of Scripture, be- 
 coming proftituted to the purpofe of amufement; 
 and furnifhiiig occafion for many nominal Chrif- 
 tians to aiTemble, to gratify their inclinations to 
 pride, vanity, and pompous appearances, as well 
 as in fome inftances, the praftifing of grofs wicked- 
 nefs : infomuch, that it may be faid with truth, the 
 Lord of Purity abhors their religious mockery, 
 and their feemingly folemn meetings are iniquity; 
 and, as fuch, an abomination in his holy eyes, who 
 cannot be impofed upon by fpecious pretences, 
 nor bribed by donations given for diftreffed ob- 
 jecls, to withhold his righteous judgments ; which 
 will affuredly be executed, in their appointed feafon, 
 on " all the proud, and thofe who work wicked- 
 ** nef$." How different to thefe (I fay again and 
 without oftentation), are the meetings, of which in 
 the courfe of thefe rcemoirs 1 have fo frequently 
 given an account! whereto many friends refort, from 
 veryidiftant places and at a very considerable ex- 
 
 penfe,
 
 298 
 
 , with a view to the edifying of others by 
 the pure do&rines which may be freely preach- 
 ed in their publick affemblies, and by a con- 
 duel confident with Chriftian morality and re&i- 
 tude j and with defires to be edified together in 
 the prefence of the Lord, in whofe prefence 
 there is life, and at whofe right hand there are 
 pleafures, fublime, and everlaftingly durable. 
 My fpirit worfhips in the fenfe of the foretafle of 
 them, which I have experienced in the prefent 
 ilate; and in the hope, which cheers in the pain- 
 ful feafons and afflictive occurrences attendant 
 thereon, that finally, the immortal fpirit will be 
 folaced in the inefljmable, and, by it unmerited, 
 reward which is appointed for the righteous, and 
 is unmixed with forrow. 
 
 From this, I hope not ill-timed, digreffion, I re* 
 turn to the i pth of the Eighth month ; when feve- 
 ral of the miniflers who had attended the meetings 
 at Truro were at ours at Redruth : amongft whom 
 was my friend Hawkfworth, who came with intent 
 to fpend fome time with us, in hope that we 
 might be favoured together with a little reft both 
 of body and mind, which might tend to the re- 
 cruiting our flrength. But alas ! although this im- 
 portant folemnity was fo well over, and my dear 
 hufband's engagements in temporal concerns now 
 fat comparatively light, and we were cheered for 
 two days, the third evinced the inftability of all hu 
 roan comforts. On the i ith, our friend T. Beving- 
 
 toa
 
 299 
 
 ton of Worcefter, came to pay us a ftiort vifit. 
 He exprefled an inclination to have a meeting 
 with the to\vn's people ; and my huiband going, 
 as he was accuftomed upon fuch occafions, to in- 
 form fome of them that a meeting would be held 
 that evening, was obferved to do it with rather 
 more than common folemnity and tendernefs of 
 fpirit. I hope the meeting was ferviceable, and 
 we fpent the evening agreeably with our friends. 
 
 In the morning of the 1 2th, T. Bevingion left 
 his place pretty early, and my dear hufband arofe 
 before me in feemingly ufual health, and ate fome 
 breakfaft, but was fuddenly feized with an acute 
 pain in his breaft. He came and found me dreiTmg, 
 and told me that the pain was extreme, but faid 
 that he conceived it was only on the mufcles, and 
 might be rheum atick, but that he could cover the 
 fpot affefted with his finger. He chofe to undrefs 
 and go into bed, and complained of cold. I fent 
 for an apothecary who apprehended no danger in 
 his cafe, and gave him a fmall dofe of paregoric 
 elixir, which operated to quiet him and ftupify his 
 pain. I left a fcrvant with him, and got fome break- 
 fad, and returning found him rather inclined to 
 fleep, fo, having fome family concerns to attend 
 to, I left him again. The maid who was left with 
 him faid he complained of a return of his pain and 
 {he foon perceived fuch an alteration as occafioned 
 her to ring the bell violently, on which my friend 
 Lydia Hawkfworth and I haftcned to the cham- 
 ber.
 
 300 
 
 bcr. She came foon enough to fee him draw his 
 lafl breath ; but my lamenefs not permitting me to 
 make fo much fpeed, and the maid preventing 
 me from immediately approaching his bed-fide, I 
 faw only a breathlefs corpfe. 
 
 Thus ended the valuable life of my dearly be- 
 loved William Phillips, in the manner he had re- 
 peatedly expreffed a defire it might end, that is fud- 
 denly ; though not altogether unexpectedly by him- 
 felf, as may have been noticed by what I have noted 
 before we fet out on our late journey. He intimated 
 to me, that his profpefts in regard to fervice in the 
 prefent ftate were much clofed ; and that in refpeft 
 to the future he had no cloud before him; and 
 he would fpeak of the folemn clofe with that eafe 
 that difcovered he expefted no fling of confciencc 
 in his death : but the reafon he gave for wiming 
 (in fubmiflion to the Divine will) that it might be 
 fudden, was, that he had felt fo little pain in paff- 
 ing through time, until he had attained the com- 
 mon age of man, that he doubted whether if tried 
 with it in the awful feafon of death, he fliould fup- 
 port it with that calm, patient dignity, which graces 
 the clofe of a Chriftian life. 
 
 By appearances upon his body when it was cold, 
 it was evident that a large blood veffel had broken 
 in his bread; although not the lead indication of 
 fuch ?.n event appeared by any difcharge from the 
 mouth, whilft he was alive. His defire of attend- 
 ing the meeting at Truro was gratified, which had 
 
 not -
 
 301 
 
 not been the cafe had it been held in its ufual 
 courfe. Neither is it probable that I could have 
 attended and laboured therein with that ftrength 
 of mind I was favoured to do, had this important 
 flroke been executed before that meeting : for al- 
 though I was preferved from finking into a ftate of 
 condemnable forrow ; the Ihock attending it could 
 not be fuflained without my already much enfeebled 
 nature differing by it. We had lived in the ten- 
 der endearing connection of marriage fomewhat 
 more than thirteen years, after a friendfhip of 
 about three-and-twenty. The tie of natural affec- 
 tion betwixt us was ftrong, arifing from a fimilarity 
 of fentiments, which was ftrertgthened by an infi- 
 nitely higher connection. Indeed he was a man 
 who commanded love, efteem > and refpeft, from his 
 numerous relations, friends, and acquaintance, in 
 their different ranks and ftations. He' was exten- 
 fively ufeful without priding himfelf with it, and he 
 commanded the affent of the judgment of thofe, 
 amongft whom he might be looked upon as a prin- 
 cipal, in the tranfactions of builnefs, by found 
 reafoning rather than by overbearing. Such 
 was his publick character, drawn, as far as it goes, 
 not beyond the life, though by his affli&ed affec- 
 tionate widow. 
 
 She alfo beft knew his private virtues, and en- 
 gaging manners, exemplified in his family connec- 
 tions, friendihips, and the general tenor of his 
 condu&j and therefore may fay, that he was a kind 
 
 mailer,
 
 302 
 
 mailer, an affe&ionate father, and a warm and 
 fteady friend ; always ready to ferve his relations, 
 friends, and neighbours, by advice, or as an exe- 
 cutor, or referee in difputed cafes. An affec- 
 tionately tender hufband Ah, me ! how (hall I 
 delineate this part of his character I Bound to me 
 by the endearing ties of love and friendmip, height- 
 ened by religious fympathy, his refpeft as well 
 as afTe&ion, was apparent to our friends and ac- 
 quaintance. His abilities to aifift me in my reli- 
 gious engagements were confpicuous ; for although 
 he had no fhare in the minifterial labour, he was 
 ready to promote it. His natural temper, though 
 quick, was foft and complaifant ; a man of exa& 
 order in his bufmefs, and ftrift ceconomy, even to 
 minute circumftances; yet prudently liberal in his 
 cxpenfes, and charitable to the poor. 
 
 In his religious chara&er, he was firmly fixed in 
 his principles agreeably to his profeffion, and con- 
 cerned to aft confiflently with them ; but, clothed 
 with charity towards all men, he rejoiced if a 
 reformation of mind and manners was wrought 
 amongft mankind, whoever were the inftruments 
 of it. His experience in the fpirituality of religion 
 was deeper than even fome of his friends might 
 conceive ; as it was fometimes concealed under the 
 veil of cheerfulnefs, which predominated in his 
 conftitution ; or fecreted, through his averfion to 
 make any oftentatious fhew of it ; but when called 
 up to fome fervices in Chrift's church, it was evi- 
 dent
 
 303 
 
 dent that he had been inftru&ed in his fchool. His 
 faith and truft in the Divine power, wifdom, and 
 providence, were ftrong ; which enabled him to 
 fuftain (Jifappointment and worldly loffes with firm- 
 nfs. In this he was tried in fome inftances, to a 
 degree which would have fliaken many minds; 
 but he would fay, If a part is gone, I have many 
 mercies left to be thankful for ; and he therefore 
 endeavoured to preferve his wonted calmnefs and 
 cheerfulnefs. 
 
 And when Death's folemn fliaft with fwiftnefs flew, 
 Prepar'd he ftood, and no confufion knew ; 
 Sudden the (Iroke, but peaceful was his end ; 
 Angels his contorts, and his Lord his friend. 
 Belov'd and honour'd, fee, his fpirit foars 
 To heavenly manfions, and his God adores. 
 
 If any perufe what I have written, who had but 
 partial knowledge of him, they may perhaps con- 
 clude me too abundant in encomiums upon him. 
 But there are who can fubfcribe to their truth, and 
 \vho might add their teftimony to his worth and 
 abilities as a man, and a ufeful member of the 
 community $t large, as well as an honourable one 
 of the religious fociety of Friends : and if his de- 
 fcendants in the natural line, fucceed him in that 
 of virtue and piety, they will value this attempt to 
 delineate his character. 
 
 My dear brother was faft declining in his health. 
 He had lately received an alarm, by a ftroke of the 
 Palfy, to trim his lamp, unto which I hope he at- 
 tended.
 
 304 
 
 tended. He was now in part recovered, but in 
 the fucceeding fpring was revifited by that diftreft- 
 ing diforder, which quickly terminated his life ; 
 in the clofe whereof he was favoured with the 
 cheering profpeft of his immortal fpirit's centering 
 in everlafting bleffednefs. He was endowed with 
 a very good natural underftanding, which in the 
 latter part of his life was fo much employed for the 
 affiftance of his friends and neighbours, both of 
 the town and country wherein he refided, that he 
 had as much bufmefs in accommodating difputes 
 about property, and other a&s of kind aid as his 
 ftrength would well bear. He died beloved, and 
 his lofs was regretted by both the rich and poor.
 
 305 
 
 A TESTIMONY from the monthly meeting of 
 
 friends for the Weftern divi/ion of Corn- 
 
 wal/ 9 held at Falmoutb the 6th of the 
 
 Fourth Month) I795> concerning our late 
 
 valued friend \ CATHERINE PHILLIPS^ 
 
 formerly 
 
 IT appears, from accounts received, that fhe was 
 born at Dudley in Worceflermire, the i6th 
 of the Firft month, 1726-7, Old Stile* Her 
 parents, Henry and Ann Payton were honour- 
 able friends ; and he an approved minifler, who, 
 when in health, was much from home in the 
 difcharge of his religious duties ; but for many 
 of the latter years of his life was confined to his 
 chamber by a paralytic difordev : fo that the care 
 of a large young family devolved moftly upon his 
 wife, a woman of eminent piety and prudence^ 
 whofe anxious folicitude for, and watchful atten- 
 tion to, her children, they have often commemo- 
 rated with filial tendernefs. Thus inftru&ed by 
 example and precept, our beloved friend was early 
 engaged " to feek the Lord for her portion, and 
 u " to
 
 306 
 
 " to know the God of her fathers to be the lot 
 *' of her inheritance." And being much the com- 
 panion of her affli&ed father, fhe was probably there- 
 by preferved from many levities incident to youth, 
 as well as edified by his innocent converfation and 
 virtues. In this allotment (he had alfo opportunity 
 to cultivate a difpofition for retirement, fo favour- 
 able to the growth of that good feed which the 
 heavenly hufbandman had fown in her heart. Ne- 
 verthelefs, as fhe advanced in years, Ihe found the 
 propenfities of natural inclination and wifdom 
 ftrongly oppofed to the manifestation of Divine 
 grace ; and through the converfation of fome whofe 
 minds were not fufficiently guarded by that fear 
 " which preferveth from the fnares of death ;'* 
 together with the introdu&ion of books inconfiften? 
 with the fimplicity of Truth, her beft interefl was 
 greatly endangered. But it pleafed Him whofe 
 gracious purpofe it was to feparate her to his fer- 
 vice, about the feventeenth year of her age, to 
 renew the powerful vifitation of his love j and, 
 being favoured to fee the ftation defigned for her 
 in the church militant, fhe was made willing to 
 endure the baptifms neceflary to that end. Under 
 this trying difpenfation {he experienced the enemy 
 of her foul to be a fubtil as well as an open enemy ; 
 and earneft were her petitions, that fhe might be 
 enabled to centre fo deep in the refignation of her 
 own will, as clearly to diflinguifli his deceptive 
 voice from that of the true Shepherd ; and thus
 
 307 
 
 be prderved from fiepping forth in her fervice, 
 before the appointed time. And this petition was 
 no doubt granted by Him who fa\v the integrity 
 and dedication of her mind : for having, as we be- 
 lieve, palled through this work of preparation, the 
 fruit produced was correfpondemly mature ; and 
 her progrefs in religious experience and ufefulneis 
 diitinguifliably eminent. Her firft publick appear- 
 ance was in fupplication at Dudley meeting, on the 
 i oth of the Second month, 1 748, being then in 
 the twenty-fecond year of her age ; and in the fol- 
 lowing year {he entered upon her travels in the 
 imniilry, which continued with little intermiflion 
 until within about nine years of her deceafe ; 
 during which latter fpace {lie was moftly confined 
 at home by indifpoiition of body. Befides re- 
 peatedly viliting moft of the counties in England 
 and Wales, her travels extended to Ireland, Scot- 
 land, Holland, and the continent of America : in 
 the courfe of which, according to accounts re- 
 ceived, her labours amongft friends and others 
 were bleffed, to the convincement, edification, and 
 comfort of many. In the year 1772, {lie entered 
 upon the marriage ftate with our late valued friend 
 William Phillips, and removed into Cornwall; 
 where (he was much engaged in religious labour, 
 as well for the fp reading of the teftimcfflies of 
 Truth among ftrangers, as in repairing the wafle 
 places in the Society : being often zealoufly con- 
 cerned for the fupport of our Chriflian difcipline, 
 u 2 that
 
 308 
 
 that Irremediable cafes which have been too much 
 negle&ed, and were as (tumbling-blocks, might 
 be removed out of the way of fober inquirers ; and 
 particularly for the right eftablifliment of women's 
 meetings, in which her fervice was confiderable. 
 
 During her long confinement and illneis, a little 
 before which time her tenderly affeftionate huf- 
 band was fuddenly removed from her by death, 
 fhe was often deeply tried ; yet had to teftify that 
 the Lord's hand was ftill at times revealed for her 
 fupport and prefervation, and that his " wifdom 
 <c is ftamped on every difpenfation of his Provi- 
 " dence." And although it was not permitted her 
 to behold much fruits of her many arduous labours 
 and fecret baptifms amongft us, we believe they 
 have been bleffed to fome of us ; and with regard 
 to others, we have a hope, as the Lord often fees 
 meet ror wife ends, to veil from the view of his 
 faithful labourers the extent of their ufefulnefs, that 
 the good feed fown through the inftrumentality of 
 this highly favoured fervant will not be loft ; but 
 in due feafon produce the defired increafe to the 
 praife of his own ever worthy Name. 
 
 Some time before her deceafe, fhe thus expreffed 
 herfelf ; ' I am going where the wicked ceafe from 
 
 * troubling, and the weary are at reft. Oh, thefe 
 4 fouls of curs! that we fhould be willing to run the 
 rifk of iofmg them for any of the enjoyments of 
 
 * this life. I may fay to you, Follow me as I have 
 c followed Chrift. Beware of pride, and of the very 
 
 c ground
 
 309 
 
 5 ground of pride.' When under preffure of great 
 bodily fufFering, (he faid, 'This is a trial; Lord 
 ' God Almighty fan&ify it to my foul.' To one pre- 
 fent fhe faid, My dear child, the Lord God Al- 
 ' mighty blefs thee in every refpeft; all things may 
 ' be done, and all things may be borne, through 
 4 faith and faithfulnefs to the Author of all good.' 
 A few days before her removal, being at dinner, one 
 remarked how little me ate. She replied, * it will 
 
 * do its office as long as neceflary; and I am 
 
 * thankful that I feel no cloud ;' and, making a 
 ihort paufe, added, ' I have received a recompence 
 
 * at the Lord's hand for fin :' foon after which, 
 the fits which attended her in this illnefs returned, 
 and continued till about half an hour before flie 
 expired, during which fpace fhe lay very quiet, and 
 drew her breath fliorter and fliorter to the lad. 
 She died the i6th of the Eighth month, 1794, in 
 the fixty-eighth year of her age, and forty-fixth of 
 her miniflry ; and, after a meeting of friends and 
 others of the neighbourhood held on the occafion, 
 was decently interred at Kea. 
 
 Read and approved in faid Meeting, andfigned by 
 
 Thomas W. Fox William Jenkin 
 
 Benjamin Wilkey Richard Fox 
 
 Richard Scantlebury George Fox 
 
 William James Samuel Tregelles, jun. 
 
 James Hamilton John Hamilton 
 
 v 3 Samuel
 
 310 
 
 Samuel Trcgelles 
 David Richards 
 Silvanus James 
 Jofeph Honeychurch 
 Robert W. Fox 
 Tabitha Fox 
 Sarah Trcgelles 
 Eleanor Richards 
 Catherine Fox 
 Frances Fox 
 Mary Fox, jim. 
 Grace Dennis 
 Eliza C. Jennings 
 
 Elizabeth Hingfton 
 
 Hannah Fox 
 
 Anna Fox 
 
 Anna Price 
 
 Sarah James 
 
 Rebecca Tregelics 
 ~ Eliza R. Fox 
 
 Mary Hingfton, jun, 
 
 Mary J. Fox 
 "Catherine Richards 
 
 Catharine Hamilton 
 
 Cath. Phillips Tregelles 
 
 Elizabeth Philp. 
 
 Read and approved in our Quarterly Meeting for 
 Cornwall, held at Falmouth the 7th of the 
 Fourth month, 1795, and figned in and ou 
 behalf thereof, by 
 
 GEORGE Fox, Clerk. 
 
 ANNA Fox, Clerk. 
 
 APPENDIX.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 EPISTLE L 
 
 Copy of a Letter to that truly great mlnifler^ my 
 ancient friend^ Abigail Watfon of Ireland. 
 
 Dudley, i8th of Eleventh Month, 1751, 
 My Dear Friend, 
 
 IT was not becaufe I had not a due efteem for 
 thy letter, that I did not anfwer it from Dublin ; 
 for indeed I read it with pleafure, and am thankful 
 thou counts me in any degree worthy of thy friend- 
 jfhip ; but being pretty much hurried, could hardly 
 get a quiet hour to write. I now make ufe of the 
 firft convenient opportunity to inform thee, that, 
 through Divine favour, I have fafely reached my 
 outward habitation, and was gladly received by 
 my dear mother, &c. whom I found in as good a 
 itate of health as I expelled. My mind, for the 
 u 4 mod
 
 312 
 
 mod part fmce I came home, has been quiet and 
 eafy, refling under the enjoyment of peace in dif- 
 charging my duty to your nation ; which fervice 
 as thpu hinted, was not undertaken in my own 
 will, nor performed in my own ftrength j but He 
 who fent me forth ? vouchfafed fo accompany me : 
 and though he many times fkw meet that I fhould 
 be deeply tried, he was with me in the deeps, as 
 well as in the heights, preferving in danger and 
 diftrefs. Unfeen he helped me, becaufe he knew 
 my foul looked to him for affiftance, defiring to be 
 guided by his unerring counfel. I write not this 
 boaftingly, for my fpirit is humbled, under a fenfe 
 of his gopdnefs and unmerited love. What am J, 
 that the Majefty pf heaven {hould thus condefcend 
 to vilit me ? A poor, weak, unprofitable fervant, 
 unto whom belongs fear and confufion of face. 
 Ah! my dear friend, what are the beft of us all, 
 without the Divine prefence or aiMance ? It is 
 that is our ftrength, our crown, and rejoicing ; 
 by that are we made beautiful ; and, diverted 
 of that, become as nothing : O! may I ever 
 live in a juft fenfe of the neceffity of feeking after 
 it. O ! my God, fooner cut the thread of my life, 
 than fuffer me to fall from tailing thy goodnefs : 
 let me not bring diflionour on thy great Name, 
 which I now reverence and adore. Thefe, my 
 dear friend, are the fecret defires of my foul, in 
 joy and affiiftion ; which in freedom and tendernefs 
 of fpirit, I at this time communicate. Whenever 
 
 tllOH
 
 313 
 
 thou or thy hufband findeft freedom to write me a 
 few lines, I hope, if health permit, you will not for- 
 bear. My lot is caft in a barren land, and I want 
 all the help that can be afforded me : I am per- 
 fuaded I need not requeft you to remember me, 
 fince I have good reafon to believe our fpirits arc 
 united in gofpel-fellowihip ; in which I at this time 
 both falute and bid you farewel, and am thy 
 
 affe&ionate friend, 
 
 CATHERINE PAYTON. 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 
 EPISTLE II. 
 
 /i? the few > .who have been convinced of the reftitude 
 of waiting Upon the Lord in Silence, and accujlomcd 
 to meet for that good end* in Cardiff. 
 
 Friends, 
 
 IN the love of my heavenly Father, joined with 
 a fenfe of duty, am I engaged thus to falute 
 you ; defiring your fledfaflnefs in the unchange- 
 able Truth : that being grounded in right faith, 
 you may not be carried away with every wind of 
 doftrine, but, in {lability of mind, may be able to 
 diftinguifli betwixt what proceeds pure from the 
 Fountain of wifdom, and what is mixed with hu- 
 man policy, and the traditions of men ; which tend 
 to alienate the mind from the fimplicity of gofpel 
 worihip, and fix it in outward" performances, 
 amufing it with bodily exercifes which profit but 
 little. By this means, many times, that tender 
 fpiritual fenfation, with which the foul in the in- 
 fancy of religion is bleffcd, in meafure is loft, and 
 the understanding clouded ; the mind being either 
 ' plunged in a labyrinth of thought, or exalted above 
 that diffident childlike ftate, in which the humble 
 followers of the Lamb delight to abide : becaufe 
 
 therein
 
 315 
 
 thereia they sire capable of knowing his voice from 
 that of a ftranger ; and receive ftrength to follow 
 him through the feveral difpenfations of probation, 
 he is plcafed to allot them. 
 
 Many times fmce I faw your faces have I looked 
 towards you, and 1 \vifh I could fay I have beheld 
 all keeping their habitation-, "j the Lord. But, 
 alas ! inftead of that, ha- r' not been a fwerving 
 aiide, and building ;K i that which you had 
 taken fome good ftqr :-: wards abolishing; which, 
 whofoever does, m^es himfelf a tranfgrefibr ? 
 May I not query, Why halt ye between two opi- 
 nions ? I believe this to be one caufe of your 
 weakncfs, and, I fear, if perfifted in, will prove 
 your deftru&ion. I believe it was the merciful 
 deiign of the Almighty to redeem you from a 
 dependency on mortals, and to bring you to wait 
 for the immediate teachings of his Spirit, and to 
 confide in his power, from a lively fenfe of its fuf- 
 ficiency: and had you limply followed him, his 
 Almighty arm had been exalted to the bringing 
 down of your enemies, and the enlarging of your 
 underflandings ; fo that you would not only have 
 feen that there was light, but the miraculous cure of 
 blindnefs had been perfe&ed, and in the light you 
 would have difcerned objects clearly. Here you 
 would have grown in Chriftian experience, and 
 having received the holy unction, you would have 
 found as you abode under it, that you needed not 
 that any man fhould teach you, for that this an- 
 
 noiming
 
 316 
 
 nointing was fufficient to indraft in all things. 
 And here you would have been able to diftinguilh 
 betwixt words accompanied with, and thofe with- 
 out, the power of God, by the different effe&s 
 each had in the foul : the one tending to quicken 
 unto God, and the other to bring death over the 
 fpiritual life. According to the nature of things, 
 a miniftry out of the life of the gofpel can only 
 beget its likenefs : it may fill the head with notions, 
 but can never replenifli the foul with grace. But, 
 as it is the bufmefs of the enemy to delude the 
 judgment with falfe appearances, he will endea- 
 vour, by puffing up the mind with vain conceits, 
 to make a likenefs of the effe&s of the Truth. 
 . The head being ftored with knowledge, and 
 Chriftianity in part underftood in theory, by work- 
 ing upon the imagination, the poor deluded crea- 
 ture may boaft of vifions and enjoyments, and, 
 foaring on the wings of deception, may abound in 
 rapturous exprefiions ; but though he may talk of 
 God and Chrift from morning 'till evening, it is 
 but warming himfelf at a fire of his own kind* 
 ling, being deftitute of the efficacy of grace. 
 
 Truth has a natural tendency to humble all the 
 faculties of the foul, to make it <f rejoice with 
 * c trembling," and to clothe it with meeknefs, re- 
 iignation, and contrition ; in which (late it feeks 
 to repofe itfelf in the bread of the Beloved ; or in 
 filent adoration to bend before his throne, and. in 
 tendernefs pour forth itfelf in mental prayer, or 
 
 praifes j.
 
 31? 
 
 praifes ; but to addrefs him verbally with awful 
 reverence and felf-diffidence, knowing it is pre- 
 fumption fo to do but from the movings of his 
 fpirit. If it be long deprived of his prefence, it 
 feeks him forrowing ; but as it advances in ex- 
 perience, is cautious of difclofing its condition (as 
 in the night) to the various reputed watchmen ; 
 left they, either through uncharitablenefs or un- 
 fkilfulnefs, wound inflead of heal ; by unveiling to 
 the unregenerated the fecret conflifts it endures ; or 
 direct it to other objefts, inftead of informing it 
 where to find him whom it feeks. 
 
 Thefe obfervations occurring to my mind, I 
 hope you will receive them in gofpel love, in 
 which I think they are communicated. I now 
 conclude, with defiring that if any inftability has 
 appeared in your conduft, you may for the future 
 keep more clofe to the Divine Guide ; that you 
 may be clothed with wifdom and ftrength, and wit- 
 nefs falvation and peace to attend you. 
 
 I am your real friend, 
 
 CATH. PAYTON. 
 
 Dudley, 1 6th Third Month, 7 
 (called March), 1752. J 
 
 / note upon this epiftle, that, although for a time 
 there appeared a degree of confinement of the Truth 
 amongst thefe people, they ivere fo fcattered, that 
 fcarcely one of themfteadily and uniformly abode upon 
 its foundation to the end. 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 318 
 
 EPISTLE in. 
 
 T'o my brother Henry Pay ton, written on board tbr 
 Alexander i 6th of the 'Tenth month , 1753, at 
 Ssay Lai. 25 North. 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 HERETOFORE when abfent, I have been 
 cafy in remembering thce with fincere deflres for 
 thy welfare ; but now a defire of writing thee 
 taking place, I am unwilling to ftifle it, were it 
 only -for this reafon, that I would do all that is 
 juftly in my power, to flrengthen that affeftion 
 which ought to fubiift betwixt perfons fo nearly 
 allied in nature. But, alas ! when I confider the dif- 
 ference of our aiFe&ions, purfuits, and fentiments, 
 in right and wrong, I am fearful to fct pen to 
 paper, left 1 ihould not be read with candour and 
 underftanding ; yet am again encouraged to this 
 
 conclufion,
 
 319 
 
 ronclufion, that thou wilt at leaft receive it as the 
 effeft of my regard for thee. Regard, did I fay ? 
 ! will alter the term to affe&ion; which I have feh 
 gently to fpring in my foul towards thee; not only 
 as to a creature formed by the fame Almighty 
 hand as myfelf, and for the fame noble end, viz. 
 to glorify him who gave us being, and who has 
 loaded us with a multitude of his favours (which 
 loudly call for a grateful return) ; but, as to a bro- 
 ther who has ft rayed from the path of peace artd 
 fafety, and is feeking fatisfa'&ion in the grafp of 
 empty bubbles ; which have aiTumed the form, in 
 his fight, of fomething fubftantial. But thy own 
 experience, if impartially traced, will tell thee, they 
 have broken when touched, and difperfed in air ; 
 leaving nothing real behind them, but keen re- 
 morfe, and the painful remembrance that they are 
 loft, with all the time, pains, and anxiety, be- 
 llowed in the purfuit of them. Yet in this idle 
 foliciuide (O ! affe&ing but too juft charge !), has 
 a great part of thy life been fpent ; ardently mi- 
 veriing the deftru&ive mazes of delufire pieaiure, 
 and induftriouily avoiding the One only Good, in 
 the poileffion of which thy foul might hare found 
 fubftantial happinefs: a happinefs which would 
 have afforded true contentment, in which is con- 
 veyed that fulnefs of joy, which only can fatisfy the 
 immortal part, being itfelf immortal in its nature. 
 
 Thou wilt perhaps fay that thefe are my fenri- 
 ments. But fuffer me to a/k thee, why they are not 
 
 ihine ?
 
 320 
 
 thine? Why do we differ in opinion and practice, 
 but becaufe the defire and purfuit of fenfual gratifi- 
 cations have blinded thy judgment, and biafied thy 
 a&ions ? I will venture to alfert that it was the 
 kingdom or poffelfions of this world, its friend- 
 fliips, vanities, and fenfual pleafures, fpread in the 
 view of thy mind, that drew it from its early love 
 and allegiance to Him who is truly worthy of 
 love and obedience. Nature joined with the well 
 adapted temptation (being fond of prefent enjoy- 
 ment, though it be forbidden fruit), and renounced 
 fubmiffion to the pure law of grace written in the 
 heart; which, had it been obferved, would have 
 rectified her impure and irregular appetites, and 
 have placed thee in the true ftate of manhood j as 
 lord of, not Have to, the creation ; and governor 
 of thyfelf, in happy fubje&ion to the Divine will : 
 a will which invariably points out the everlafling 
 felicity of mankind. But, rebel to her own intereft, 
 nature, blinded by falfe affe&ion, and fraught 
 with pride, like our firft parents, does not like a 
 fuperior that fhall controul her perverfenefs, and 
 prefcribe laws for her dire&ion ; but rather chufes 
 to take the reins of government into her own hand, 
 and plan out a way for herfelf. 
 
 Here reafon, blind fallen reafon, enthroned by 
 the power of Satan, ufurps the fovereign feat, as 
 fitting in the temple of God, being honoured as 
 God ; power, wifdom, and difcretion to dire&, 
 being afcribed unto it. This falfe king (who, had 
 
 he
 
 321 
 
 he occupied his proper place, had made a good 
 iubject), joins in flricT: league with the paffions, 
 and prefcribes rules dire&ed by thefe his allies. 
 
 * Shall man (fays he) be confined within the nar- 
 < row rules of virtue and religion ? No, I proclaim 
 f him liberty. Let him indulge himfelf in what is 
 ' defirable to him ; let him gratify the fight of 
 ' his eye, and the pride of his heart, in endeavour- 
 
 * ing to make himfelf agreeable to and admired by 
 6 mankind ; with whom let him join in full fociety, 
 
 * and free communion, entertaining and being en- 
 
 * tertained. Why may he not partake of the plea- 
 
 * fures of fenfe, feeing he has appetites for them j 
 
 * and fatisfy his curiofity in knowing evil as well as 
 good ?* 
 
 Thefe are the genuine fuggeflions of the reafon- 
 ing faculty guided by the paiiions (though I confefs 
 that I believe the fubtle deceiver of mankind, 
 fometimes teaches this reafon to fpeak in a lan- 
 guage more concealed than I have here fet down)$ 
 but I think it will be no hard matter to prove, 
 that this boafted liberty is real bondage, and that 
 this acquifition of knowledge is no more than a 
 fenfe of guilt, refuking from the lofs of that inno- 
 cence which gave man boldnefs to appear before 
 the face of Almighty juflice and purity, void of 
 diftra&ing fear. 
 
 Let us examine the extent of virtue and reli- 
 gion, and mark every paflion implanted by Provi- 
 dence in the nature of man ; and we mail find that 
 x in
 
 322 
 
 in them alone it is poflible thefe fhould be rightly 
 .gratified, and that whenever man breaks from 
 their bounds, he flies from the mark of his hap- 
 pinefs. 
 
 I have looked upon love to be the governing 
 pailion in the foul, which, as it moves, draws the 
 reft in its train, and, being ftrongly fixed on a 
 worthy or unworthy object, is the caufe of our joy 
 or mifery. This being granted, it is next to be 
 confidered what objeft is worthy of our entire af- 
 fe&ion in which fcarch let it be remembered, that 
 this principle of love, or defire of enjoyment, is fo 
 feated in the foul, as never to be ftruck from it ; 
 and it will prefently be allowed, that the object 
 that is worthy of its fpending its force upon, or 
 being united to without limitation, muft not be de- 
 pendent on time, for that death deprives it of ; but 
 durable as its own exiftence, and fo perfect as fully 
 to fatisfy an everlafting defire of poffeffion. This can 
 be nothing elfe but the Eternal Excellency, from 
 whom this fpark of affe&ion was flruck ; and if Di- 
 vine order were not inverted, it would as naturally 
 bend towards its original as a ftone to the centre, 
 where only it can find a happy fettlement. In this 
 love of God, ftands virtue ; it is this infpires it. If 
 \ve truly love God, who is infinite in purity and wif- 
 dom, we lhall naturally hate their contraries, impu- 
 rity, and folly j and fliall hate ourfelves becaufe of 
 them : becaufe whatever defiles the foul, deftroys 
 its likeuefs to the Divine Being, and renders it un- 
 acceptable
 
 323 
 
 acceptable in his fight. Hence, as it is the nature 
 <5f a true affection to endeavour after the love of 
 the beloved object, proceeds an ardent defire of pu- 
 rification, and a filial fear of offending God; a fear, 
 rhe moft rationally founded, viz. in a deep fenfe of 
 gratitude, confidering him as the Author of all the 
 good we poffefs, or can rightly hope for, i. e. 
 everlading felicity; joined to the knowledge of his 
 power and juftice, in punifhing tranfgrejflions, which 
 felf-prefervation would teach us to ihun: therefore, 
 whatever would amufe the fenfes, fo as to draw the 
 affection from this Fountain of goodnefs, is dreaded 
 and renounced as forbidden fruit. 
 
 In religion, the foul is enlarged, and fet at li- 
 berty to exercife its mod noble faculty, in actions, 
 ur on an object, worthy the dignity of its nature ; 
 when on the contrary, without it, it is in bondage, 
 and debafed in the purfuit of what fcarcely de- 
 ferves the name of pleafure, being of no real 
 \vorph or lading duration. Religion teaches us 
 that we do not live for ourfelves only ; but that 
 in order to obtain the great end of our being, we 
 mnft feek the good of mankind and endeavour to be 
 ferviceable in fociety ; yet mix in familiar converfe 
 with caution, left indead of rectifying the errors 
 of others, we tranfplant them into our own conduct. 
 It inilrudts us to beware of vain glory, or of feeking 
 the applaufe of men ; clothing the mind with hu- 
 mility, under a fenfe that we have no good thing 
 but what we have received from the bpunteouar 
 X 2 hand
 
 324 
 
 hand of our Creator ; and raifing a defire that all his 
 gifts may be devoted to his fervice. In fliort, re- 
 ligion places man in the fphere the wife Author of 
 nature defigned him ; directing his affections to af- 
 cend towards the Creator, and to defcend towards 
 the creation. If the afcent be but fufHcient, the 
 defcent will be juft. The creatures will be loved as 
 the work and gifts of the Creator ; yet poffeffed 
 with due caution from this confideration, that they 
 are allotted us but for an uncertain feafon ; and that 
 it is therefore our interefl to be able to furrender 
 them when called for, with as little pain or anxiety 
 as is confident with our ftate. On the reverfe, the 
 immoderate defcent of the affections ties us down 
 to the earth and earthly poffeffions, {hackles us in 
 fenfual gratifications, effectually prevents the foul's 
 afcending towards God, and deflroys its deputed 
 fovereignty over the creation, to which it is in 
 bondage : fo true is that affertion of the apoftle, 
 that while fome boafted of their liberty, or pro- 
 mifed it to others, themfelvcs were the fervants 
 of corruption. I have fometimes confidered how 
 the excufe of thefe boafled libertines befpeaks 
 their flavery. We cannot help fuch and fuch con- 
 duct, fay they, or had not power to refift fuch 
 temptations. If this were true, it were acknowledg- 
 ing that they had loft that valuable bleffing, the 
 freedom of the will j and are utterly deflitute of 
 power to withftand evil; and of confequence are 
 ' the devil's captives. Such indeed they are, though 
 
 not
 
 325 
 
 not neceflarily, but voluntarily : for wifdom and 
 power, through the grace of God, is given unto 
 man, to difcover and refiil the temptations of his 
 enemy ; and if he will renounce both, his blind- 
 nefs and fubje&ion to the power of delufion is 
 procured by himfelf, as is its miferable confe- 
 quence, viz. an everlafting feparation from the 
 Fountain of all good. 
 
 Thou wilt eafily perceive, that the intent of the 
 foregoing hints is to influence thy mind in favour 
 of a more (trier, courfe of virtue than thou haft 
 formerly purfued. I will add my earneft wifh that 
 it may be anfwered. What {hail I fay to perfuade 
 thee to turn, and coolly and impartially look into 
 thyfelf ? Shall I plead thy advance in years ? Thou 
 art now I conclude rather in the decline of life, 
 * haftening towards the gate of the garden. O ! 
 liften to the dictates of virtue, ere fhe withdraw her 
 
 * An allufion to a dream which the party had, wherein 
 (amongft other remarkable circumftances) he was met in a 
 beautiful garden by two women, reprefenting (according to the 
 interpretation which opened in his mind when he awoke) Vir- 
 tue and Vanity, who each folicited his company for a walk: and 
 though he flrongly inclined to the latter, the former infifted on 
 his accompanying her, not only for a walk but for life ; which 
 rather than comply with, he endeavoured to efcape out of the 
 garden (which he called the world); but coming to the gate, 
 found it locked, and the key in her pofTeffion. So being forced 
 to a compliance, he accompanied her, and became gradually 
 charmed with her converfation, by which, he was won to a 
 love of religion, and in the end much delighted with the pro- 
 . fpeft of -fuch a companion for life. 
 x 3
 
 326 
 
 kind invitations and profitable instructions. Shall 
 I befeech thee by the mercies of God (a prevail- 
 ing argument with a truly generous and grateful 
 mind, and which may with great juftice be parti- 
 cularly advanced to thyfelf), to return unto Him 
 from whom thou haft deeply revolted, and feek 
 reconciliation by unfeigned repentance, if thou can 
 find room fo to do ; which I have a lively hope 
 thou mayeft, though thou haft fo long, and dif- 
 tantly, ftrayed from the fold of Chrift. 
 
 I {hall plead no excufe for the freedom with 
 which I have here treated thee, further than to 
 fay, that I think a true freedom in communicating 
 our fentiments, with a defign for each other's eter^ 
 rial well-being, is a part of that charity which 
 fhould clothe the fpirits of the followers of Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 The copioufnefs of my fubject may apologize 
 for my prolixity. Upon a review of what I have 
 written it will readily be obferved, that the hints 
 given are but like heads of chapters, which, if fully 
 expatiated upon, might 'fill a volume inftcad of a 
 letter: and, that the everlafting minifter of the 
 fancluary may enlarge them in the view of thy un- 
 derftanding, to lading benefit, is the fincere and 
 ardent dcfire of thy afieftionate filler, 
 
 CATHERINE PAYTON 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 327 
 
 EPISTLE IV. 
 
 To a young man hi Ireland, 'who had been long under 
 religious imprejjions. 
 
 Amfterdam, ift of Eighth Month, 1757. 
 
 THINE of the 5th ult. I received yefterday, and 
 With a degree of fatisfa&ion have obferved its con- 
 tents ; although it feems to breathe the language of 
 complaint," or at lead fear of falling fhort of the 
 mark thou haft had in view, and I hope art pi-effing 
 after. Although this is a ftate painful to nature, 
 it is fometimes a ftate of greater fafety, and more 
 dire&Iy pointing to perfe&ion, than is that of eafe, 
 or even of the aboundings of fenfible confolations : 
 whereby fome have been induced to conclude them- 
 felves in a better and fafer ftate than they really 
 were, and fo have grown lefs watchful and diffi- 
 dent of their own judgment ; and fpiritual pride 
 and vain-glory have entered, wherein they have 
 boafted above their meafure of experience j and 
 at laft <c turned the grace of God into wanton- 
 " nefs," and their latter end has been far worfe 
 than their beginning. But in the feafons of the 
 with drawings of Divine .goodnefs the foul that is 
 x 4 earneftly
 
 328 
 
 earneftly bent to obtain the kingdom of God, 
 \vhich Hands "in righteoufnefs" as well as "in 
 66 peace and joy in the Holy Ghoft," is fet upon 
 fearching what is the caufe of its being thus de- 
 ferted; and fo " digs deep'* through the corruption 
 of fallen nature, and f lays its foundation fure" in 
 the experience of the purifying operation of the 
 Spirit of Truth ; and againft fuch it is that " The 
 " gates of hell fhall not prevail :" and that thou 
 and I may be of this happy number, is the travail 
 of my fpirit. 
 
 It is mod certain that our journey through life 
 is as through a vale of tears, wherein various will 
 be our conflicts, and numerous our trials, both 
 inwardly and outwardly j but we have this en- 
 couraging promife left us, that " All {hall work 
 & -together for the good of fuch as truly love and 
 <{ fear God." And as our hopes and defires are 
 fixed on an infinitely better country, the joys 
 whereof are pure and eternally permanent, let us 
 not repine at the means ufed to fecure them to us ; 
 but with all poffible cheerfulnefs take the cup 
 which Divine. Providence hands forth to us, as 
 *' The cup of his falvation j" and fleadily endeavour 
 for that mind, wherewith the bleffed Jefus was 
 clothed* which fays . continually, "Thy will be 
 " done j" even in the bitter baptifm of crucifixion, 
 which every true-born child of God muft be par- 
 taker of ; and under the bitter pangs of death to, 
 the fallen nature, will have to cry out, " My God,
 
 329 
 
 " my God, why haft thou forfaken me." O ! if 
 this was the language of the Mafter, the imma- 
 culate Lamb of God, who knew no fin ; no won- 
 der that it is the language of the fervant, who has 
 been defiled therewith ; and from which he muft 
 be warned ere he can have part with the Son la 
 his inheritance. I have looked upon it as an in- 
 finite mercy to be led deep enough in humiliation, 
 to be ftripped of all that has any appearance of 
 what is good and excellent, and to have this the 
 fecret language of the foul to him who fees in 
 fecret, " I am a worm, and no man :" and although 
 the confolatory portion of fuch as thefe may be 
 fometimes hid, or withheld for a feafon ; yet they 
 are fure, being in the hands of infinite Wifdom, 
 Truth, and Mercy ; who, in the wife appointment 
 of his providence, will give to his own what they 
 ftand in need of ; and when the days of failing and 
 humilation are accomplifhed, will afluredly " blefs 
 " the provifion of Zion, and fatisfy her poor with 
 " bread." 
 
 I thought when I laft left Dublin, if I were in 
 debt to any one in it, it was to thyfelf. Perhaps 
 thy letter may open a way for me to pay it ; al- 
 though I do not remember that any thing of the 
 above was upon my mind for thee ; but a hint of 
 advice feemed to bend toward thee, to beware 
 with whom thou entered into the covenant of 
 friendfliip, left in the end thou fhouldeft be wounded 
 by their backilidings : and let me alfo add, beware 
 ' ' ' of
 
 330 
 
 of looking out at the mifconducl: of others, with a 
 difcouraging eye ; for although " thoufands may 
 " fall as by thy fide, and tens of thoufands as at 
 " thy right hand,'* yet if thou " make the Mod 
 ".High thy refuge,'* by a fteady and faithful obe 
 dience to his will, he will preferve thee. 
 
 Through mercy I am favoured with a good de-r 
 gree of health and peace in my going forward, 
 although the prefent concern wherein I am engaged 
 is attended with fome difcouraging circumflances, 
 yet I have faith that I am here in the appointment 
 of heaven. 
 
 If Lucy Bradley and companion have not left 
 Dublin before this comes to hand, pleafe to' prefent 
 my dear. love to them; and tell Lucy that I wrote 
 her -mice I came to this city, wherein I hinted my 
 expectation of feeing York in my return home. 
 
 My love in that which is unchangeable ftrongly 
 attends thee, and the tried remnant of fpiritual 
 Ifrael in your city and nation, who, although they 
 are few, are too numerous for me to particularife j 
 fliall therefore give thee a general commiHion to 
 prefent my love' to fuch as thou haft freedom ; and 
 conclude myfelf 
 
 Thy truly well-wifliing friend, 
 
 CATHERINE PAYTON, 
 
 E P I S T L*F/
 
 331 
 
 EPISTLE V. 
 
 Extraft of a letter to another young man^ under 
 religious exercifes* 
 
 Efteemed Friend, 
 
 THINE of yeflerday I juil now received ; and 
 am concerned to find by its contents, that indif- 
 pofition prevents thy meeting us as propofed ; but 
 as through faith and patience every affliction may 
 be fanctified, I cannot but hope the prefent may 
 tend further to refine thy fpirit and enlarge thy 
 underftanding in Divine truths; which are not 
 always manifefted in the hours of confolatioH, but 
 mud be painfully felt in the depths of experience. 
 
 That beautifully ftrong expreflion in facred writ, 
 that " The Lord makes the clouds his chariots," 
 has of late often been revived in my remembrance 5 
 with this illuftration, that when a cloud is over us, 
 v/ho have known and rejoiced in the light, it is 
 good to ft and ftilj, and hearken for that " fmall 
 " Hill voice" proceeding from it, which alone can 
 compofe and fettle the foul. 
 
 To
 
 332 
 
 To be fure it is a neceffary duty to fearch our 
 hearts, and not in fo doing to evade the judgment 
 of Truth ; but it is alfo well to guard againft too 
 hafty conclufions of the caufes and ends of exer- 
 cifes ; efpecially in an hour of weaknefs, wherein 
 the old accufer is not wanting on his part, to 
 fuggeft the mod- painful apprehenfions, thereby to 
 difpirit the mind that feeks to be freed from his 
 infupportable yoke. 
 
 The new difcovery thou makeR of the delufive- 
 nefs of thy thoughts, affords me much fatisfaftion, 
 as it gives good ground to hope, that the Lord 
 defigns to lead thee to a (late of perfection, which 
 few, very few, have feen into ; viz. an entire ab- 
 dication of felf, even in its mod pleafmg and 
 feeming lawful appearances. That of an ideal 
 latisfa&ion in fomething feemingly good, yet fliort 
 of the Divine perfection, is an exercife which at- 
 tends many, and has prevailed againft fome, at 
 lead to the diminution of that luftre which would 
 have {hone around them. It is a favour fo quickly 
 to fee into it, and, having feen, I hope thou wilt 
 endeavour to avoid it, and the Lord will help thee. 
 There is no happinefs here equal to perfect 
 fedemption from the world, its fpirir, and our- 
 felves. To have no hopes, no defrres, but in the 
 will of God, is fully giving ourfelves into his holy 
 hand, and to be fwallowecl up of him (though of 
 this, for want of Divine fenfation, we may fome- 
 times be ignorant). Here methinks I almoft hear 
 
 thee"
 
 33? 
 
 thee fay, * This is the date I long for, but it is 
 4 diftant, very diftant, from me.' But is it not as 
 of yefterday thou faweil into it, and wouldft thou 
 be perfeft at once, and enjoy a vi&ory without a 
 fight? This my friend is the fummit of the mount of 
 perfe&ion, which thou had lately begun to afcend, 
 and in thy journey I fmcerely wifh thee good 
 fpeed ; and from the quietude which I at prefent 
 feel about thee, I cannot but hope thou art in the 
 bed of hands: may a fenfe thereof be commu- 
 nicated in the mod needful time. 
 
 CATHERINE PAYTON. 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 334 
 
 EPISTLE VI. 
 
 To Friends hi Ireland. 
 
 Dear Friends, 
 
 AS I am prevented by contrary winds from pay- 
 ing a viiit this fall, to fome of your Province meet- 
 ings; &c. (for which end I proceeded as far as 
 Liverpool) in the ilrength of that unfeigned love 
 of the brethren which drew me from my home, am 
 I endeavouring to falute you by a few lines : in 
 hope the Divine wifdom and mercy may direft my 
 pen, to the prefent relief of my own fpirit, and 
 your help. 
 
 And firft, dear friends, permit me to inform you, 
 that the lamentable (late of our church, is almofl 
 continually before me. This in your's as well as 
 other countries, has fuffered greatly by the baneful 
 prevalence of the fpirit of this world ; infomuch, 
 that too few have their hands clean and flrong for 
 the Lord's fervice ; or can fee to extract the motes 
 from the eyes of their brethren, becaufe of the 
 beams which are in their own. May not fome of 
 the inftruftors, and feemingly zealous in our -So- 
 ciety, be juftly taxed with hypocrify j feeing while 
 
 they
 
 335 
 
 they cry againft the reigning fins of others, they 
 are inattentive to their own ? unto whom I would 
 direft the advice of Chrifl:, viz. Pluck firft the 
 beams out of your own eyes, and then {hall ye 
 fee clearly to take the motes out of thofe of 
 your brethren. 
 
 It is a forrowful truth, that even the garments 
 of ibihe of the prieithood are fpotted with the 
 world and the Hem ; and they are therefore rendered 
 unfit to minifter before the Lord in that facred 
 office. : For whatever may have been their former 
 experience of the fancYifying operation of his fpirit; 
 or however clear may have been their call into 
 his fervice ; yet if, like Judas, they have betrayed 
 their Mailer for the pieces of filver, or, like 
 Demas, may in fpirit have forfaken his family for 
 the love of the world in fome of its alluring (hapes, 
 theirs juftly is the judgment patted upon Judas; 
 who, being fallen from his ilation in the holy body 
 of Chrift, was to lofe his bifhoprick or part in the 
 apoflleiliip : fuch being rendered unfit to give tefti- 
 mony to the life, fuftcriags, death, and . refurrec- 
 tion of the holy Jeius, who do not retain it in 
 their own experience. 
 
 Obferve, brethren, the word retain. It is not 
 enough that we have once known the Lord, but we 
 muft retain him in our knowledge, by the renewed 
 baptifms of his holy Spirit : and of fome who did 
 not chufe to do fo, it is recorded that " God 
 " gave them up to a reprobate mind, to work 
 
 " thofe
 
 336 
 
 <c thofe things which are not convenient." And 
 I believe there are in our day, who, having deviated 
 from the funplicity of Truth for fmifter ends, have 
 gone wider and wider therefrom ; until their hearts 
 are become fo darkened that they call evil good, 
 and good evil; put darknefs for light, and light 
 for darknefs j and, in their purfuits after worldly 
 interefts, are obvioufly worfhipping and ferving the 
 creature more than the Creator : and yet thefe 
 very perfons would keep thofe feats, and difcharge 
 thofe offices in the church, which were affigned 
 them, when in the days of childhood they were 
 willing to follow the Lamb whitherfoever he led 
 them. 
 
 O ! for thefe blind guides, is my foul pained ; 
 and that not only on their own accounts but that 
 of others, who, apprehending the law to proceed 
 from their mouths (though they have in reality 
 no right to take the word of the Lord there- 
 into) and obferving their conduft, may be influ- 
 enced by their example, and follow them as they 
 follow the world. Is it needful, my beloved, to 
 warn you, as our Lord did the people refpe&ing 
 the Scribes and Pharifees, who, notwithstanding 
 they fat in Mofes' feat, and admiuiftered the law, 
 were not to be regarded as examples j left, being 
 led by the blind, ye perifli with them in the ditch 
 of error and perdition ? 
 
 When I fat down to write you, I had no .view 
 of beginning with thefe difagreeable remarks, but 
 
 fimply*
 
 337 
 
 (Imply gave myfelf up to the dire&ion of that Wif- 
 dom which beft di&ates what to fay, and when to 
 fay it: and, although fome may objeft to their being 
 inferted in an Epiftle which points to a general 
 exhortation, I am convinced by undoubted expe- 
 rience, and the example of foiiie of the mofl 
 Eminently ferviceable in the Lord's hand, that Di- 
 vine wifdom fometimes commands to reprove thofe 
 that offend, let them be of what clafs they may, 
 before all, that others may learn to fear. In the 
 authority of Truth I dare aflert that the time is 
 Come in our church, when it is neceflary that judg- 
 ment fhould begin as at the houfe of God, in the 
 very higheft claffes of the fociety ; and till that is 
 laid to the line, and fome therein are either re- 
 formed thereby or removed from thofe dignified 
 flations, there is little probability of the Lord's 
 work, being carried on to his own honour (in the 
 general) and the comfort of the faithful. O ! 
 faith my foul, that all who are concerned, or con- 
 cern themfelves, therein, would ftudy to be quiet 
 and mind their own bufinefs, which is to take heed 
 to themfelves ; for although the Holy Ghoft may 
 have once made fome of them overfeers of the 
 flock, they cannot properly take heed thereto, un- 
 lefs this is the cafe ; for being themfelves loaded 
 with a fecret confcioufnefs of guilt, for worfhip- 
 ping of idols, fome obvioufly, and fome having 
 them concealed under a precife, formal, outfide 
 appearance and deportment, as in the fkirts of their 
 v garments.
 
 338 
 
 garments, they dare not, nay they cannot, fearch 
 out the hidden things of Efau among the people, 
 nor adminifler judgment in righteoufnefs, where it 
 is obvioufly due. 
 
 Let me therefore, in the fpirit of gofpel meek- 
 nefs and charity, which breathes for your falva- 
 tion and enlargement in all the gifts and fruits of 
 the Holy Ghoft, exhort you who are of the fore- 
 mod ranks, whether minifters, elders, overfeers, or 
 heads of families, that you would folemnly look 
 into yourfelves; and with an impartiality, which 
 ever accompanies thofe who are really concerned 
 for the eftablifhment of the kingdom of Chrift in 
 themfelves, ajfk yourfelves individually, In what am 
 I lacking ? O ! my friends, was this the cafe with 
 us all, and did we patiently wait for the anfwer of 
 Truth, we fhould individually be humbled into a 
 fenfe of our fhortnefs of that perfection , where- 
 unto we have been called, and wherein many of us 
 have believed ; and fome would be fo flruck with 
 the view of their idolatrous revolting from the 
 fimple worfhip of the true and living God, that 
 they would go mourning many days in the bitter- 
 nefs of their fouls ; and all would be animated to 
 prefs after the mark for the prize of their high 
 calling in Chrifl, which is redemption from the 
 world, the flefh, and the devil. And the nearer 
 we approach to this bleffed and happy experience, 
 the more our hands will be ftrengthened in the 
 Lord's work, and the more we fhall be enabled 
 
 both
 
 339 
 
 both by precept and example to build one an- 
 other up in the mod holy faith, and in thofe 
 things which edify; and our confidence in God 
 who is the Perfe&er of his faints wiH increafe, 
 ihat, as he hath mercifully begun a good work in 
 us, he will fmifh it to the praife of his own name. 
 
 It is impoflible that felf-examination by the light 
 of Truth fliould hurt any of us, and it may help 
 all. I therefore once more earneflly recommend it, 
 as a means of our fulfilling this precept, " Purge 
 " out the old leaven," and enabling us to keep 
 the feaft " not with the leaven of malice *4 
 " and wickednefs, but wkh the unleavened bread 
 " of fincerity and truth." I (hall conclude my 
 exhortation to you of thefe claffes, with faying, 
 Be faithful, and then will you be comforted and of 
 one mind, and the God of Peace will prefide 
 amongft you. Amen. 
 
 Now to you who, not being in any of the before 
 mentioned flations, may therefore think yourfelves 
 more at liberty to gratify the defire of the carnal 
 mind, is my concern directed ; with fecret breath- 
 ings to the Father of mercies, that he may enable 
 me fo to point the word to your hearts, that 
 being made fenfible of your own danger, you may 
 flee for your lives, from thofe bewitching vanities, 
 and falfe pleafures which have held your fouls in 
 bondage to the God of this world ; who, by 
 many fecret mares, and more obvious allurements, 
 feeks to entangle the minds of poor mortals, and : 
 y 2 lead
 
 340 
 
 lead ailray their .affections from that ineflimable 
 Fountain of light, life, and happinefs, wherein is 
 centered all true joy, both in time and in eternity. 
 Dearly beloved ! for fo in the bowels of gofpel 
 compailkm I call you ; have you ever fericufly con- 
 fidered that you have no continuing city here j 
 and that as your fouls are immortal, it is the pro- 
 per, and ought to be the principal, bufmefs of your 
 lives, to feck for them a habitation, fuitable to their 
 being and nature, wherein they may have a happy 
 refidence for ever : which is alone to be found in 
 God, who is the fource and refource of his people ? 
 Now in order that your fouls may at laft centre 
 with God, it is neceflary that they fhould be made 
 habitations for Him through the fan&ifying opera- 
 tion of the Spirit of his Son, which alone can ren- 
 der us who have been defiled with fin (and there- 
 fore unfitted for a refidence with Him), fit objects 
 of his favour. Allow me therefore to aik you 
 (and O ! that you would afk yourfelves), what 
 you have known of this work, in your experience ? 
 Has the fpirit of judgment and of burning done its 
 office in your hearts ? Have you pafled through the 
 firfl part of the work of fan&ification ? I mean the 
 adminiftration of condemnation for fin. Have you 
 been bowed under the teflimony of the righteous 
 Witnefs of God in your confcience ? Or have you 
 not rather depreffed and contemned this, heavenly 
 meffenger j not fuffering it to tell you the truth, 
 or at lead, disbelieving the doctrine it preached, 
 
 beeaufe
 
 341 
 
 becaufe it did not countenance fome of yonr 
 actions ? Nay, have not fome gone fo far as to flay 
 the " two witnefles for God," the internal evidence 
 of his Spirit, and the external teftimony of his fcr- 
 vants ; and are perhaps at this hour exulting in 
 their viftory, and proclaiming to themfelves peace ; 
 when alas ! a day of fearfulnefs, amazement, and 
 unutterable anguifli, awaits them, and is near; 
 when, if not fooner, the curtains of mortality {hall 
 be drawn, and they {hall fee the Judge, tremen- 
 dous in majefly, and that righteous witnefs, which 
 in time they flew, raifed in power, to teftify againft 
 them for their rebellion, and aflert the juflice of 
 their exclufion from the realms of light and blefled- 
 nefs. 
 
 What effeft this faint defcription of the day of 
 judgment to the wicked, and thofe who forget 
 God, may have upon the minds of fuch, I know 
 not ; but my heart being impreffed with an awful 
 fenfe of its certainty, is animated to endeavour to 
 wreft them from its eternal confequences ; by per- 
 fuading them to bow in the day of God's merciful 
 vifitation to their fouls, and to kifs the Son left 
 he be angry, and they perifh from the way of 
 life and falvation, ere his wrath be kindled but 
 a little. 
 
 Do not vainly and proudly imagine, that you are 
 
 able to ftem the force of Omnipotence. He is, and 
 
 will be King, whether you are willing to allow him 
 
 the ri-ght of fovereignty or not : and his facred 
 
 V 3 laws
 
 342 
 
 Jaws of unchangeable truth, are as manifeft in the 
 punifhment of tranfgreflbrs, as in the reward of 
 .thofe that do well : and O ! if it were pofTible to 
 convey to you a fenfe of that fweet peace, glory, 
 and joy, which are, and fliall be revealed to thofe 
 who love and ferve God, you would be convinced 
 that no punifhment could be too great for fuch as, 
 by a contrary conduct, flight and cafl away fo great 
 falvation and^ happinefs. But as no eye can fee, 
 nor heart conceive, the exceeding grace of God 
 in Chrift Jefus, but fuch as have .happily witneiTed 
 its fancfcifying operation ; I cannot but invite you 
 to " Come, tafte, and fee, that the Lord is good, 
 <( and that his mercy e-ndureth for ever." 
 
 It is true, that in the way to this attainment you 
 muft pals through judgment ; for Zion mull be 
 redeemed through judgment, and all the con- 
 verts with righteoufnefs, and a portion of in- 
 dignation and wrath, tribulation and anguifh, 
 muft (confidently with the law of Divine juftice), 
 be adminiftered to every foul that fmneth. 
 But this judgment when received in the day of 
 God's merciful vifitation, is fucceeded by fuch in- 
 expreffible peace and aflurance of Divine favour, as 
 abundantly compenfates for the pains it may have 
 occafioned : for of a truth the carnal 4f eye hath 
 < c not feen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived," 
 \hat good is in ilore for thofe who manifeft their 
 love to God by their obedience. Believe me, my 
 belpved friends, when 1 tell you that my heart is 
 
 ilrongljr
 
 343 
 
 ftrongly engaged for your welfare, as you (hind in 
 your various claffes. I feel much more for you 
 than I can write, and would befeech you by the 
 mercies of God, as well as by his judgments, that 
 you would prefent the whole bodies of your af- 
 fections unto him, which is no more than your 
 reafonable ferviee. 
 
 Has he not dealt exceeding bountifully to fome 
 of you of the things of this life ? For what caufe 
 think you has he entrufted you with fuch abun- 
 dance ? Is it to gratify the luft of the eye^ and the 
 pride of life ? Is it to make you haughty, and af- 
 fume a fuperiority over fuch as, in this refpecl 
 may be below yourfelves, but who perhaps may 
 fome of them be higher in the Divine favour ? 
 Nay, furely : but in order that you may improve 
 this gift to his honour, the good of others, and 
 your own eternal advantage ; and may be humbled 
 in a fenfe of the difproportion of your deferts to 
 his mercies. Has he not favoured fome of you 
 with fupcrior natural abilities ? And for what end, 
 but that you might be in a fuperior degree fervice- 
 able in his hand ? Has he not afforded to all a day 
 of merciful vifitation, wherein he has by various 
 means endeavoured to bring you into that fold of 
 immortal reft, wherein he caufes his " Flocks to 
 u feed and lie down befide the clear ftreams of 
 "* falvation ?" 
 
 O faith my foul! that you may confider his 
 
 merries, and make a fui table return for them; 
 
 Y 4 that
 
 344 
 
 that the Mpft High may delight in the prefent ge- 
 neration, and dwell among the people as in days 
 paflr 0! you of the riling generation, Open the 
 doors of your$ hearts to that Divine Vifitant, who 
 has long flood thereat, and knocked for entrance. 
 Let him prepare them, and he will affuredly fpread 
 his table, and admit you to be the happy com- 
 municants thereat. Think not that it is too early in 
 life for you to look fteadily towards a future flate of 
 exiftence ; but conilder, that the folemn meffage to 
 fummon you from works to rewards, may be fent 
 tq you at an early and unexpe&ed hour : and that 
 it therefore behoves you, to be prepared to meet 
 the great Judge. My heart is particularly en- 
 gaged for your welfare, and pained in the con- 
 fideration how widely fome of you have deviated 
 from that path of primitive fimplicity, wherein 
 your worthy predeceffors trod. Let me therefore 
 befeech you to feek for the " Good old way" of 
 holjnefs, and walk therein ; that you may experi- 
 mentally know the " God of your fathers, and 
 " ferve him with a perfect heart and willing 
 f c mind;" fo will his bidding for ever reft upon 
 you, which maketh truly rich, and adds no forrow 
 therewith. 
 
 Let the cloud of witneffes to the power and un- 
 utterable riches of pure religion, prevail with you 
 to fubmit to its holy influence ; that you may 
 pghtly underfland, and diligently purfue, the things 
 that belong to your peace here and hereafter. Let 
 
 tjie"
 
 345 
 
 the examples of the righteous in all generations, 
 let their peaceful lives, let their happy conclufion, 
 .triumphing over death, hell, and the grave, in a 
 lively and full affurance of faith ; Jet the folemn 
 importance of time and eternity, excite you while 
 it is yet day, and light is upon your tabernacles, 
 to improve it: that you may be numbered amongft 
 the wife, who fhall fhine as the brightnefs of 
 the firmament, and may be instrumental to turn 
 many to righteoumefs, and be as ftars for ever 
 and ever. 
 
 The negligent and carelefs, the (tout-hearted, 
 and they that are far from righteoufnefs, may re- 
 ceive inftru&ion from the event of - the like- 
 minded in all generations. Such have not efcaped 
 the righteous judgments of the Almighty ; who 
 has fealed it as a certain truth : " Verily there is a 
 " reward for the righteous; verily, he is a God 
 " who judgeth the earth." 
 
 And now, dear Friends, as in plainnefs T have 
 endeavoured to communicate what has freely opened 
 to the feveral clafTes among you, I would warn all 
 to beware of putting their proper portion far from 
 them ; but let each examine, "Is it I ; Is it I?" 
 And let not the iniquities of others, which fome may 
 obferve to be flruck at, tend to fix any in a (late of 
 felf-fecurity ; for ailuredly every one muft fuller for 
 his own tranfgrcfiion. Nor let thofe clofe hints 
 which are pointed to fome of the foremoft rank, 
 be. made ufe of to invalidate the tcitimony of fuch, 
 
 whom
 
 346 
 
 whom the Lord has preferved as " watchmen up- 
 " on your walls.*' I know and am thankful that 
 he has a remnant amongft you, of all ranks, whom 
 he has preferved near unto himfelf ; unto whom 
 my foul is united in the tribulations and rejoicings 
 of the gofpel; and unto whom a falutation reaches 
 forth, and feems exprefTed in my heart thus, Bre- 
 thren and fifters, be of good cheer, " be patient, 
 " and hope to the end :" for the hand of that 
 God whom you ferve, is ftretched out for your 
 helpj and if you abide faithful to him, in his own 
 time he will crown your fufferings with rejoicing. 
 
 Finally, dearly beloved, farewel ; and may the 
 grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, the love of God, 
 and the fellowfhip of the Holy Ghoft, be with 
 you all, Amen. 
 
 I am your friend and fitter in the Truth a 
 
 Pudley, Joth of Tenth CATHERINE PAYTON, 
 
 Month, 1758. 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 ;ffl 01 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 347 
 
 EPISTLE VII. 
 
 Copy of an Eplftle to the Quarterly Men's Meeting of 
 Friends of 
 
 Dear Friends, 
 
 IT having lately been my lot to pafs through 
 your quarter, and with forrow to obferve the de- 
 clining (late of the church therein, I find my mind 
 engaged to write a few lines to you who may be 
 accounted its ruling members ; to advife, that you 
 be careful to fill up the flation of governors in all 
 humility and honefty, acquitting yourfelves like 
 men concerned for the caufe of God. And in 
 order that each may find his hands made ftrong for 
 the work, let firft a ftrift fcrutiny be made into 
 your own conduft, to fee how far you are purged 
 from the abominations which are committed : for, 
 except thofe who are rulers in Ifrael, fupport their 
 teflimony by a circumfpeft converfation j it feems 
 to me impoilible they fhould rule well. For, not 
 preferving a ferife of the neceflity of an entire 
 purity fubfifling in the church, they will be apt 
 to admit of things inconfiftent with the nature of 
 that holy principle we profefs ; and wiak at, in- 
 
 flead
 
 ftead of reproving, the conduft of backflidcrs. 
 And, indeed, I fee no right that a man who breaks 
 the law himfelf, has to fit in the feat of judgment. 
 He may plead the example of the Scribes and Phari- 
 fees, but no Chriftian precept countenances fuch 
 a praftice : for " except our righteoufnefs exceeds 
 " theirs, we fliall in no wife enter the kingdom." 
 And I think it may not be amifs, in order to evince 
 whether there be any refemblance betwixt us and 
 them, to examine what their righteoufnefs^ was. 
 It was only a bare external righteoufnefs, put or 
 kept on with a bafe hypocritical defign, to impofe 
 upon the people. Spiritual pride was cloked 
 under it. They loved the places of chief prefidency 
 in the fyriagogiies, &c. and to be called of men, 
 " Rabbi ;" oppreffed the diftreffed, and negleftcd 
 the weightiefl matters of the law, viz. juftice, 
 mercy, and truth (without which no right go- 
 vernment can ever be adminiftercd). They were not 
 pofTefled of 'hpfinefs, though they made "broad 
 6C their philacteries, and enlarged the borders of* 
 " their garments." How different to this is the 
 character of a bifhop * given by the apoftle, viz. 
 " He mud be blamelefs as the fteward of God, 
 C not felf-willed, not foon angry, not given to 
 " wine, no flrikcr, not given to filthy lucre ; 
 " but a lover of hofpitality, a lover of good men, 
 " fober, juft, holy, temperate, holding forth the 
 
 * Or, as it may be tranflated, o-verfeer. 
 
 " faithful
 
 349 
 
 " faithful word as he has been taught; that he 
 
 O 7 
 
 " may be able by found doctrine both to exhort 
 " and convince the gainfayers." An excellent 
 catalogue of neceflary qualifications ! May both 
 you and I covet to obtain them. 
 
 It feems to me that a great regulation is wanting 
 amongfl us, and judgment mud begin as at the 
 fiin&uary, before it can go on right. The camp is 
 fhamefully defiled, and few fit to adminifter judg- 
 ment in wifdom, to the tranfgreffors ; which is 
 very much wanting, for " weaknefs has reached 
 " to the head and the heart," and infenfibility 
 feized many of the members. Arife and {hake 
 yourfelves, left you perifh with the multitude ; and 
 being partakers of the fins of Babylon, ye be 
 alfo partakers in her plagues : for I verily be- 
 lieve, the Lord is on his way to try the founda- 
 tions of the profeflbrs of his Truth, that their deeds 
 may be made manifeft, whether they are wrought 
 in God or not ; and the caufe of his fuffering feed 
 will be efpoufed and pleaded, and their wrongs 
 redreffed. 
 
 Alas ! my friends, it will not do for us to have 
 been once called and animated of God. Except we 
 dwell under the teachings of that anointing, and 
 wait for renewed baptifm to fit us for further fer- 
 vice, we (hall become dwarfifh, dry, and formal ; 
 and though to an injudicious eye, we may appear 
 as flourifhing trees ; upon examination by a wife 
 obferver, good fruit will -not- be found upon us,. % 
 
 fuch
 
 350 
 
 fuch as that its flavour will demonflrate, that the 
 tree has its nourifliment from the Eternal Fountain 
 of life and wtfdom. 
 
 Have a care, left the world caft a mift before 
 your eyes, and hinder your keeping a fight of 
 that tranfcendent excellency which is in the Truth ; 
 which once engaged fome of you to follow it, with 
 fincere defires to know your fpirits leavened into 
 its pure nature. Remember the day of your 
 efpoufals, and alfo, that, as faith the apoftle, " If 
 " any man draw back, my foul fllall have no plea- 
 " fure in him.*' 
 
 Let none judge that thefe lines proceed from a 
 felf-finTiciency in me ; for I think that I retain a 
 jiifl fenfe of my weaknefs, and unfitnefs as a wo- 
 man for fuch a fervice ; but I truft fome of you 
 know that the wind bloweth when and where it 
 lifteth. 
 
 I am, with the falutation of unfeigned love to 
 the true feed of God amongft you, fmcerely de- 
 firing their prefervation, and that the unfaithful 
 may be warned in time, and turn to the Lord irf 
 the day of his mercy, your friend and fifler in the 
 Truth, 
 
 27th of 8th Month, CATHERINE PAYTON. 
 
 1761. 
 
 N. B. This Epiftle may appear ckfe an 
 confidering. unto whom it ivas dir-etted ; but there wets- 
 forroivful caufe for it, in fome individuals. 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 351 
 
 EPISTLE VIII. 
 
 To a Friend of Ireland, written ajhort Time before 
 ' Heft it, in the Tear 1776. 
 
 Efteemed Friend, 
 
 AS I have had fome caufe to doubt the re<- 
 tude of our determination of not fpending a night 
 at thy houfe, I am inclined to efTay a few lines, as 
 a friendly fahuation, as well as to intimate what 
 appeared to me proper to recommend to thy con- 
 fideration and practice. As a member of fociety, 
 difengaged from the neceflity of being much em- 
 ployed in worldly bufmefs, it behoves thee to attend 
 (leadily to the filling up that ftation in the church, 
 for which Divine Wifdom defigned thee ; that, 
 glorifying him with thy body, fpirit, and fubftance, 
 thou mayeft, in the conclufion of time, receive the 
 anfwer of " Well done good and faithful fervantj" 
 which thofe are not likely to be favoured with, 
 who " dwell in their cieled houfes," and fettle 
 down in the enjoyment of their temporal pofleffions, 
 while the Lord's houfe lies wafte. 
 
 There
 
 352- 
 
 There are fo few who are of clean hands, and 
 are therefore fit to take part in the aftive fervices 
 in the church ; that I cannot but regret the lofs of 
 fome who are feeking concealment, contenting 
 themfelves with preferving a fair character amongft 
 men, and attending on the external duties of reli- 
 gion ; but who, had they devoted their faculties 
 to the Lord's fervice, might have been girded for 
 it, and flood as in the front of the battle. Thus, 
 clothed with concern for the welfare of their fel- 
 low members in fociety, their zeal for the promo- 
 tion of Truth would, in an efpecial manner, be 
 manifefted by an engagement to cleanfe the camp 
 from thofe who bring a reproach on our holy pro- 
 fdlion ; and for the prefervation of our youth front 
 the fnares of the enemy. Well, my friend, it ii> 
 with me to query whether thou haft taken thy 
 proper (hare in this work, or haft been excufing 
 thyfelf, and leaving it to others. 
 
 I know nothing by outward information, but as 
 fomething like a jealoufy refted on my mind re- 
 fpcfting thee, I am willing to intimate it ; at the 
 fame time alluring thee of my efteem for thee, as 
 one of the Lord's vifited children ; who, I hope, 
 haft been in a good degree preferved " from the 
 " corruptions that are in the world through luft;" 
 arid haft received a portion of that precious faith, 
 which in all ages has been delivered to the 
 faints, through which fome in the prefent" day 
 have obtained a good report, and been ren- 
 dered"
 
 353 
 
 dered very fervlceable : whether thou mightefl 
 not have flood amongft thofe chofeh, and (jhall I 
 fay) dignified fervants, it behoves thee to inquire. 
 Mufl the poor and the illiterate, who are " rich 
 " in faith" and good works, be brought to con- 
 demn thofe amongft us who have received much 
 fpiritually, naturally, and temporally ? Yea, verily : 
 fome of thefe have done fo little that the fins of 
 omiiiion muft be chargeable upon them ; whilft 
 others who have had to ftruggle under difficulties 
 in regard to temporal things, and appeared com- 
 paratively to be of but low understandings, have 
 come up nobly in the Lord's caufe, and ihone as 
 flars in the firmament of his power. Well, my 
 friend, look to thy part of the work, and folemnly 
 attend to the filling up thy meafure in rlghteouf- 
 nefs. " Let no man take thy crown." 
 
 Something of this fort feemed to point towards 
 thee j and in that love which feeketh thy in- 
 creafmg in the increafes of God, do I communi- 
 cate it ; and now add a few words in regard to 
 thy wife, for whom thou art doubtlefs tenderly 
 concerned, and, confidering her delicate conftitu- 
 tion, mayefl juftly fear the confequences of her 
 nurfmg unavailing" forrow. I wiili fhe would imi- 
 tate David, who, when the child was dead, 
 arofe and wafhed himfelf and ate : for it is no 
 doubt acceptable to kind Providence, that when 
 we are deprived of one temporal bldfing, we fliould 
 humbly rejoice in thofe which remain, and fay 
 7. with
 
 354 
 
 with Job, The Lord gave and hath taken away, 
 and blefled be his name. Hath he not a right 
 to recal what he hath lent us ? But unpro- 
 fitably to fink under fuch flrokes of his hand, 
 appears to me to favour of the forrow of the 
 world, which worketh death, fometimes both to 
 body and fpirit, if perfifted in. I therefore beg 
 (he will look from the beloved obje&, now no 
 more her's ; and confider how gracioufly the 
 Father of mercies hath dealt with him, in re- 
 moving him thus early from this ftate of confli&s. 
 When our attention is rightly turned to confider 
 what is lacking in ourfelves, we are not fo fub- 
 ject unprofitably to ruminate on circumstances like 
 ihefe ; but, being principally concerned to be pre- 
 pared to participate in the happinefs of thofe 
 61 who die in the Lord,*' (hall defire that all 
 may finally " work together for our good." 
 I now conclude -in true love, 
 
 Your Friend, 
 CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 
 
 N. B. Thefe Friends bad lately loft a young fin. 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 355 
 
 EPISTLE IX, 
 
 To a young man Can American}. 
 
 Refpe&ed Friend, 
 
 I CONCLUDE this will meet thee preparing 
 to return to thy native country ; and I wifh thy mind 
 may be irapreffed with a due fenfe of the mercies 
 of God vouchfafed to thee in this land, and with 
 an awful inquiry whether thou haft fo profited 
 therein, as to return to thy own, wifer and better 
 than thou left it. I am allured that thou haft 
 been favoured with a Divine vifitation, intended 
 to fubdue thy natural will, regulate thy affe&ions, 
 and bound thy purfuits after the acquifition of ci- 
 ther intereft, pleafures, or knowledge, merely ter- 
 reilrial ; and fo to reduce the whole man, that thy 
 mind, being bent upon higher attainments than 
 what would only gratify the natural will and de- 
 fires, might become capable of enjoying the one 
 only unmixed fupreme good ; arid, being devoted 
 to the fervice of its bounteous Creator and Bene- 
 faftor through time, might participate with him 
 in unchangeable happinefs when it terminates. I 
 z a intrea:
 
 356 
 
 intreat thec to inquire how far this glorious end 
 has been accompliflied and do not flight that great 
 falvation, which in infinite mercy has been offered 
 thee. I fear thy views have been after that ho- 
 nour which is of men, and that the wifdom which 
 will one day be manifefled to be foolifhncfs, has 
 been preferred to that which is pure, and which 
 therefore fo recommends to the Lord's favour, as 
 to make men his friends. He has favoured thee 
 with natural gifts, which, if fanclified by his re- 
 fining Spirit, might render thee ufeful in time. 
 Confider how they have been employed, for be 
 afTured, thou wilt one day fee that, where much 
 is given, much will be required, and that, " mighty 
 *' men," if they counteract the defign of their cre- 
 ation, will be " mightily tormented" with pun- 
 gent and unavailing remorfe. Therefore prize the 
 day of the Lord's vifitation to thy foul, and fo- 
 lemnly attend to the " reproofs of inftruclion," as 
 the alone way to true happinefs, both in time and 
 eternity. 
 
 As I intended configning the enclofed to thy 
 care, an unexpected inclination arofe thus to ad- 
 drefs thee, and exprefs my defire for thy preferva- 
 tion and welfare every \vay. If thou fhould be fa- 
 voured to attain thy native fhore, thou mayeft per- 
 haps have to remember my labour of love for thee: 
 and O! faith my foul, may it, with that of others 
 my fellow-labourers, not be beftowed in vain. 
 
 My
 
 357 
 
 My love to the feveral branches of thy family 
 with whom I am acquainted. Thy father's kindnefs, 
 in accompanying me and my dear companion Mary 
 Peifley when travelling in America, is frefli in my 
 remembrance. Remember me alfo to fuch other 
 friends of my acquaintance, as may inquire for me, 
 who am 
 
 Thy real Friend, 
 
 CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 358 
 
 EPISTLE X. 
 
 To B. II. Torkjhire, 
 
 Dear Friend, 
 
 THY affectionate falutation of the 7th ult. I 
 received and read with a degree of fatisfaftion, 
 as it evinced J lived in the remembrance of an 
 abfent friend. When fpiritual fympathy is felt 
 with each other, it ftrengthens the hope of our 
 being continued in the holy memberfhip of the 
 living body of Chrifl. 
 
 Sometime before the receipt of thine, I had 
 been clofely tried, and, although I am favoured to 
 know on whom to depend for fuccour and fup- 
 port, encouragement from my fellow-travellers 
 Sion-ward, is truly acceptable. There are feafons, 
 wherein I doubt not but it is a cordial to the mod 
 advanced ; but as for me, I many times fear I am 
 behind fame, who have not been called to (land 
 forth fo confpicuoufly in the front of the battle ; but 
 whofe hidden life may be with Chrifl, in a greater 
 degree than mine, or fome others who have moved 
 in an active fphere. Certainly tq be called up 
 
 into*
 
 359 
 
 into a&ive fervice, is a token of Divine appro- 
 bation ; but if any fervants who have thus been 
 frequently diftinguifhed, fhould meafure themfelves 
 by the fervices they have been aflifted to perform, 
 they may and will centre in deception, refpe&ing 
 their real fpiritual flate ; and may clothe them- 
 felves with the Lord's jewels, when they are not 
 adorned with the truly beautiful covering of hu- 
 mility, and a fear of endeavouring to appear to be 
 any thing but what they are through his grace. 
 Thus felf-confequence may get up, and if fuch are 
 not watchful, it will get up, and occafion pain to the 
 truly feeling, though lefs active, members of the 
 church. My fmcere and earned defire is, and in- 
 deed for a feries of years has been, for prefervation 
 from it, and that I may conftantly centre in my 
 own littlenefs, yea nothingnefs : for indeed in 
 my fiefli dwelleth no good thing. All good, and 
 the power of {hewing it forth, is of and from its 
 own Divine fource. Who are great, but thofe 
 whom the Lord fees meet to dignify ? All is the 
 efeft of his wifdom, power, and mercy : therefore 
 to him be the praife, faith my foul ; and may I ever 
 humbly confefs before him, that I am nothing, nor 
 can do any thing, but as he puts me forth. 
 
 Dear Friend, the work of purification is a great 
 and deep work. May we attend to it, and not feek 
 great things to ourfelves, either fpiritually, natu- 
 rally, or temporally, that we may be diftinguimed 
 among men j but be concerned, that the infide- 
 Z 4 work
 
 360 
 
 work of the temple may be completed ; and the out- 
 fide will not want the ornaments Divine wifdom de- 
 figned it ; but we fhall move and aft in the churcli 
 in pure gofpel fimplicity, which will ever tend to 
 its edification. 
 
 I was glad to receive a Jate account that T. Colley 
 and his companion were returned from their peri- 
 lous voyage. I alfo hope that there may be fome oc- 
 cafion to rejoice, that the Lord is vifiting his people 
 in your county (once diftingnifhed for its worthies 
 in Ifrael), becaufe I hear there are divers late 
 appearances in the miniftry among you. May the 
 fpirit of the departed Elijahs, fo reft upon fome of 
 the prefent generation, that they may go forth in 
 the fame fpirit and power wherein they acted ; and 
 become inilrumental to turn the " hearts of the 
 " difobedient to the wifdom of thejnft." A truly 
 living baptizing miniftry, is much wanted amongft 
 us ; but except the Lord in mercy favour us with 
 fuch a miniftry, filence in our folemn meetings is 
 far preferable. Alas ! few, very few indeed, of 
 the prefent warriors appear to be thoroughly ac- 
 coutered for the battle of the day. Some are 
 effaying to go forth as in Saul's armour, the wif- 
 dom of men decorated with literature ; but it will 
 not do the Lord's work. Weapons defpifed by 
 the worldly wife, are far more efficacious; and 
 although the ufers of them may be defpifed alfo, 
 they are chofen to confound the human wifdom 
 
 of
 
 361 
 
 of fuch, and, if they keep within the bounds of his 
 appointment, will glorify his name. 
 
 I doubt not but that many of my friends in 
 Yorkfhire, will be pleafed to know that I am 
 better in health than when laft in London. I had 
 a long feafon of weaknefs after that journey, and 
 am yet weak, compared to what I have been. 
 Remember me affectionately to fuch of them, as 
 thou knoweft will be pleafed to receive that falu- 
 tation ; particularly to thy brother and fitter, and 
 my couiln S. B. Thy wife and felf will receive the 
 
 fame 
 
 From thy affe&ionate Friend, 
 
 CATHERINE PHILLIPS, 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 362 
 
 EPISTLE XL 
 
 o , who had been long in a diftrejfed 
 
 flate of mind, from feme tenets efteemed religions. 
 
 Efteemed Friend, 
 
 THE fympathy I have repeatedly felt with thy 
 exercifed mind hath raifed earnefl defires in mine, 
 that Divine goodnefs may vouchfafe more fully to 
 open thy underftanding into the <c work of righ- 
 " teoufnefs," and fo enlarge thy experience therein, 
 that thou mayeft witnefs it to be " peace,'* and the 
 effects of it " quietnefs and affurance for ever." 
 
 Many are the ftratagems of the fubtil adverfary 
 of our happinefs to prevent our attaining to this 
 defirable ftate, which are only manifefted by the 
 light of Truth ; whereumo I have wiihed thy 
 mind might be effectually turned, and thy depend- 
 ance fixed folcly upon the one fure everlafling 
 Helper. For while thou art feeking after men for 
 inftruftion, and a fettlement in the true faith, thou 
 wilt be liable to be tofTed to and fro by the various 
 
 anl
 
 363 
 
 and oppofite doctrines preached ; and though ever 
 hearing, mayeft never come to the knowledge of the 
 Truth in its native fimplicity. Permit me, there- 
 fore, in true love, to intreat thee to ceafe from 
 them, and humbly to wait upon the unerring 
 Teacher, who can and will " guide thee into all 
 " Truth," if thou art difpofed implicitly to follow 
 him. 
 
 It appears to me more neceffary now for thee 
 to feek after refignation to the Divine will, than to 
 fearch into comments upon points of doctrine : for 
 until we attain to that (late, we are not likely to 
 *' receive the kingdom of God as little children ;" 
 who, knowing nothing, are to be inftructed from 
 one point of knowledge and duty to another, and 
 are paflive to the direction of their tutors. Thofe 
 who are refigned to the Father's will, are to 
 know of the doctrines of the fon : unto thefc 
 they are marvellouily opened and fealed, fo that 
 they can fay they believe, not becaufe of the tef- 
 tjmony of others, but have " the witnefs in them- 
 " felves" that they are the doctrines of Truth ; and 
 thus believing they enter into reft, being cer- 
 tain that they have acquired the knowledge of the 
 Truth ; and prefling forward under its influence, 
 they experience a gradual advancing to the " fhi- 
 " ture of manhood in Chrift." 
 
 It is this holy certainty I dcfire thou mayefl be 
 partaker of, with thofe who are building upon the 
 ancient <e foundation of the apoftles and prophets ;*' 
 
 for
 
 . 
 
 364 
 
 for fucli there are in the prefcnt time as furely as 
 there were in the primitive ages of the church $ 
 who know Jefus Chrift to be the " Chief Corner 
 " ftone," and build upon him, and rejoice in him, 
 as their leader, feeder, and inftru&or ; through 
 whom they worfhip the Father in fpirit and in 
 truth; and look up to Him in all afflictions and 
 exercifes, in humble confidence, that as a tender 
 Father, he careth for them and will fupply all their 
 wants. 
 
 Thus it was, in the morning of our day as a 
 people, that many fmcere fouls who had long wan- 
 dered upon the mountains of profeffion, and been 
 exercifed in various forms of godlinefs, feeking reft, 
 but not finding it therein, obtained a fettlement in 
 the Truth as it is now profeffed amongft us, which 
 they pofTefTed, and rejoiced therein. For although 
 the publick profeffion of it expofed them to many 
 and grievous fufferings both in perfon and eflate ; 
 as well as to the general contempt of the world, 
 whofe cufloms and manners they were conftrained 
 to contradift, by a conduct and behaviour dire&Iy 
 oppofite thereto ; they being devoted to fufFering 
 for the teftimony of a good confcience, were fa- 
 voured with that true peace which the world can- 
 not give ; and in noifome prifons livingly praifed 
 Him who had called them, not only to believe 
 in Chrift and his do&rines, but to fuffer for 
 him. Many of thefe have left faithful records 
 of their fufferings,' exercifes, and experiences of 
 
 the
 
 365 
 
 the merciful dealings of the. Lord with their fouls"; 
 which may be as marks in the way to thofe who 
 are fmcerely feeking the fame city which was pre- 
 pared for them, and tend to ftrengthen their refo- 
 lution to walk as they did ; in holy felf-denial, in 
 contempt of the world, and in reverence and fear 
 of offending Him, who had gracioufty manifefted 
 himfelf to them as a God of infinite loving-kindnefs. 
 His compailion, my friend, faileth not, but all who 
 will come may come, and upon the terms of fub- 
 miffion to his will, experience Him to blot out their 
 tranfgreflions, and be a Father unto them. In 
 Him is no variablenefs, neither fhadow of turn- 
 ing : and if we of the prefent generation cleave 
 fleadily to Him, and are willing to die that we 
 may live, we may be witneffes in our day to his 
 power and mercy, and have to tell unto others, 
 what he has done for our fouls. 
 
 I herewith fend thee a collection of memoirs ,,&c. 
 of one who had been under various forms and pro- 
 feffions of religion ; and was in no mean ilation in 
 the feveral religious focieties, which in queft of 
 real peace he left ; whereof I requeft thy candid 
 perufal. I was induced to this freedom by fre- 
 quently remembering thee, as I lately read fome 
 of them, which feemed adapted to an exercifed 
 mind ; and hope thou wilt conftrue it as in- 
 tended for a help to Settle thine in a right en- 
 gagement before the Lord $ unto whofe wifdom 
 I commend thee, only ddiring thou mayeft be 
 
 baptized
 
 366 
 
 baptized into that ftate, wherein, with the Cap. 
 tain of our falvation, thou mayeft be able to fay, 
 " Father, glorify thy Name," by my entire fub- 
 miiTion to thy will. 
 
 I hope thou wilt not fuppofe from any of the 
 foregoing obfervations, that I confine the peculiar 
 favour of God, to the members of our fociety, to 
 the exclufion of others. No, I believe that amongft 
 all forts of people, " thofe who fear God and 
 i work righteoufnefs are accepted of Him :" but, 
 as faithfulnefs agreeable to knowledge is the terms 
 of our acceptance, it behoves us to feek earneflly 
 for flrength to do, as well as to be defirous to 
 know, the heavenly Father's will ; and whoever is 
 thus fmcercly exercifed is likely to attain to his fal- 
 vation. I am forrowfully fenfible of the great de- 
 clenfion there is amongft us as a religious fociety, 
 from primitive purity and love to God ; neverthe- 
 lefs, the principle of light and life we profefs, is 
 unchangeably the fame ; and there are yet with us, 
 who, moving under its influence, rejoice in the ma- 
 nifeftation thereof to their fouls. That others 
 under the fame profeflion fhould run counter there- 
 to, is no more than may be expected, though 
 much to be lamented j for as now many hold the 
 profeffion from education, and are born with paf- 
 fions like other men, until thofe pafllons come un- 
 der Divine rcflriftion, they will produce their 
 natural fruits. 
 
 I conclude
 
 367 
 
 I conclude with defiring, that " the God of all 
 * s confolation, who raifed from the dead our Lord 
 " Jefus Chrift, the great and true Shepherd of his 
 " own iheep," may fo mani&ft him as fuch to thy 
 foul, that " hearing his voice thou mayeft follow 
 fc Him," and arrive to fuch an eftablifhment in 
 righteoufnefs as to be favoured with true peace, 
 and ilncerely fubfcribe myfelf thy friend, 
 
 CATHERIVE PHILLIPS. 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 368 
 
 EPISTLE XII. 
 
 Extraft of a letter to a Member of our Society, who 
 had f pent much of his time very inconjiftently with 
 his prof effion of religion , and was favoured with 
 Divine vifitation when far advanced in life. 
 
 Svvanfea, 6th of the Seventh Month, 1778- 
 Efleemed Friend, 
 
 I HAVE feveral times thought of writing thee 
 fince our return from Briflol, but till now have ne- 
 gle&ed it ; and as I know not but we may pretty 
 foon turn homewards, it may appear the lefs need- 
 ful for me to do it j but as my mind flill bends 
 towards thee, in an affectionate concern for thy 
 more firm eftablimment in the Truth, I aun willing 
 to tell thee fo, and earneflly requeft thy conftant 
 attention to its dictates j that thereby thou mayefl 
 be led out of corrupt felf, in all its appearances, 
 and, confequently, into that holy fimplicity of mind 
 and manners, which chara&erifes a difciple -of 
 Chrift. 
 
 T have
 
 369 
 
 I have been much afraid left thou fhould fettle 
 down in a partially converted flate, and, after having 
 deeply tafted of the terrors of the Lord for paft 
 fins, which indeed were flagrant, fhouldft content 
 thyfelf with forfaking them, and neglecl: to prefs 
 after inward righteoufnefs* 
 
 I hope thou wilt excufe me for being thus plain 
 "with thee, and that I fhall explain my meaning in 
 fome degree to thy fatisfa&ion, when I tell thee, 
 that the obfervations I have made at thy aiming 
 after grandeur or (hew, in thy appearance and fur- 
 niture, has given me pain, as I know it to be the 
 fruit of a mind not truly or fully humbled. 
 
 In the general, in the infancy of religion, when 
 conviction for paft offences has gone deep enough, 
 the mind is very fcrupulous and fearful of receiving 
 a frefh wound by the indulgence of the natural 
 inclination j and frequently is led into fo flrait a 
 path, that when it has been well difciplined by the 
 crofs, a little more liberty is allowed in the ufe of 
 fome things, which in that (late it was reftrained 
 from. This has appeared to me as paffing under 
 the difpenfation of John the Baptift, -which was 
 preparatory to that of Chrift, and muft be ex- 
 perienced in our religions progrefs. For, although 
 the neceffity of the outward fhadowy baptifm 
 ceafe, we muft be plunged in Jordan, the river of 
 judgment : and as John appeared in great aufterity 
 and mortification, having " a garment of earners 
 " hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and 
 2 A his
 
 370 
 
 44 his meat was locufb and wild honey ;" jfo re- 
 newed minds muft know that life to be flain^ 
 which delights itfelf in grand appearances and de- 
 licacies, and be content with mean things ; fo as to 
 walk in contrariety to the world, and be fequef* 
 tered from it, as John was in the wildernefs* 
 And under this difpenfation of mortification, the 
 mountains and hills are brought down, and the 
 vallies are exalted^ and the way of the Lord 
 is prepared ; unto which, as the foul is recon' 
 ciled, rough ways are rendered fmooth, and 
 crooked paths ftraight j and the falvation of 
 God is revealed ; and there is an entering into 
 the innocent liberty of the Lord's children, in the 
 ufe of his creatures. For although " John came 
 * e neither eating nor drinking,*' the Lord Jefus 
 came " eating and drinking," yet in reverence and 
 fear ; and though he was " Lord of all, he became 
 " of no reputation," and took upon him the 
 appearance of a fervant. 
 
 Well, my friend, thefe things are written for 
 our inftru&ion, and are worthy our attentive con- 
 iideration, that we may fee whether we are en- 
 deavouring to enter " through the gate into the 
 " city" of the faints folemnities. We read, " Strait 
 " is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads 
 to life ;" and alas ! " few find it." The indul- 
 gence of the fleflily mind and natural inclination, 
 prevents many from feeing it ; and though fame 
 have feen it, they have not fteadily perfevered in 
 
 driving
 
 371 
 
 driving to enter in ; and therefore have reftecl 
 fiiort of that perfe&ed righteoufnefs they had once 
 a profpeft of. Let not this be thy cafe, but ear- 
 neftly defire that thy nnderflanding may be fully 
 opened into this holy highway which leads to the 
 kingdom, and thine eye be preferved fingle to 
 God's honour, that thou mayefl be enabled fo to 
 run as to obtain the glorious crown of immortality. 
 
 Confider thou haft fet out late in this important 
 race, and therefore it behoves thee to ufe great 
 diligence in endeavouring to overcome thy fpiritual 
 enemies ; all of which will be manifefled, as thine 
 eye is fingle, for then thy " whole body will 
 " be full of light :" fo that thou will be preferved 
 from entering into a league with fuch of the old 
 inhabitants of thine heart, as are appointed to 
 utter deftruftion. 
 
 The Ifraelites were deceived by the appearance 
 of the wily Gibeonites, thinking them to have 
 come from a far country, when they were near 
 neighbours ; as many, for want of cautious watch* 
 ing in the light, which maketh manifeft what is 
 hurtful in its tendency, have been deceived, and 
 united with thofe difpofitions, in one fliape or ano- 
 ther, which were for judgment. 
 
 And it juft prefents further to fay, Beware of 
 
 that which is without the facred limits of divine 
 
 prefcription. So wilt thou be preferved from all 
 
 the fnares of a fubtil enemy, who, fo long as he 
 
 a A 2 is
 
 372 
 
 is permitted to tempt us, can fuit his baits to every 
 ilation and fituation of life, and to every flage of 
 our religious experience: which manifefls the pro- 
 priety of our Saviour's precept, not only to one 
 but to all of his difciples, " Watch and pray that 
 " ye enter not into temptation." 
 
 EPISTLE
 
 373 
 
 EPISTLE XIII. 
 
 To a Relation, 
 
 Redruth, 29th of Seventh Month, 1793. 
 ALTHOUGH I have not written to thee fmce 
 the commencement of thy prefent forrowful (late, 
 thou canft not be ignorant of my fympathy with 
 thee; and confidering my increafed debility for writ- 
 ing (of which I advifed thy mother), I might have 
 hoped that thou wouldft not have waited for my 
 doing it before thou hadft addrefled me : if but with 
 a few lines, they would have been very acceptable ; 
 efpecially fo, if they had breathed a fpirit of ac- 
 quiefcence with the will of the All-wife difpofer of 
 events. He knows beft on what to lay his hand, 
 in order to facilitate his merciful defigns refpe&ing 
 us ; and if he deprives us of what is moft dear, 
 and which alfo may appear to be the mod valuable 
 and beneficial to us of all his temporal gifts j does 
 he not therein fpeak this inftru&ive language, Set 
 your affeftions on things which are in heaven, 
 and not on things which are upon the earth, 
 which muil all pafs away in their appointed feafon ? 
 2 A 3 They
 
 374 
 
 They are only lent us as temporary afliftants or 
 accommodations in our paffage through time ; and 
 although they may be rejoiced in and valued as his 
 gifts, they are not to be depended upon or loved be- 
 yond the appointed ftandard of his wifdom. It is our 
 intcreft as well as duty, to hold them by the tenure 
 wherewith he has intruded us with them, viz. to be 
 returned at his call ; which always ultimately com- 
 ports with our real happinefs, if " we look not at 
 * e the things which are feen," which, however 
 Jiigh we may prize them, are but temporal ; but 
 fteadily behold, with ardent defire of pofTeiling, 
 " thofe which are not feen" (fave with the eye 
 of faith), " which are eternal." My principal con- 
 cern for thee is, that this eye may be opened 
 widely in thy foul ; that thou mayeft fee and rightly 
 eflimate all poUeilions which are attainable by man ; 
 and, beholding and contemplating the tranfcendent 
 excellency of fpiritual gifts, mayeft covet them 
 carneflly. This is the only allowable covetoumefs, 
 and the mind being thus engaged, becomes tranf- 
 formed from a (late of nature to that of grace: 
 agreeably to the apoftle's teilimony and experi- 
 ence, viz. " And we all beholding as in a glafs 
 " with open face, the glory of the Lord, are 
 " changed into the fame image, from glory to 
 *' glory, even by the Spirit of the Lord.'* 
 
 In this renewed ftate the will of the creature is 
 fo abforbed in the will of the Creator, that its 
 life is fwallowed up in it ;-and it does not wifli to 
 
 enjoy
 
 375 
 
 enjoy any thing, which is not " freely given to it 
 " of God;" whofe infcrutable wifdom bounds its 
 defires, and under a fenfe that it knows not what 
 is bed, it refers all thereto, and thus it conies to 
 experience " new heavens and a new earth" to be 
 created unto it, " wherein dwelleth righteoufnefs ;" 
 and it abundantly rejoiceth in that which God 
 creates, as it is fenfible that " he creates Jeru- 
 <e falem (the city of the folemnities of his faints), 
 46 a rejoicing, and her people a joy." 
 
 Dear , be not deje&ed at the prefent dif- 
 
 penfation of affliction, nor indulge reafoning upon 
 caufes or events, of which thy natural underftand- 
 ing is incompetent to judge. Remember that " the 
 <e Lord hath a way in the clouds, and a path in 
 " the thick darknefs, and his footfteps are not 
 " known;" they cannot be fully comprehended 
 by mortals. How vain therefore is the query, 
 Why haft thou fuffered this or that? Yea, is 
 it not worfe than vain, if our temporal interefls, 
 pleafure, or convenience, are put in competition 
 with his will and wifdom ? He can reftore what he 
 deprives of, or compenfate for it ; and 'often does 
 fo abundantly to thofe who fincerely defire that 
 the light and momentary afflictions may work 
 for them a far more exceeding and eternal 
 weight of glory, and tend to their increaling 
 in the prefent ftate in that fuperlative bleffing 
 which makcth truly rich, and is unmixed with 
 forrow. 
 
 a A 4 I am
 
 376 
 
 I am perfuaded thou haft feen this bleflingj 
 yea, haft tafted of it; but remember, this is not 
 enough j thou muft attentively behold and con- 
 fider its worth, and thy defire to attain it muft 
 be ftrong and fteady. If thou poflefs it and 
 hold it faft, then wilt thou be enabled to fay, 
 "I will not be afraid of evil tidings,'- nor of 
 the confequence of the lofs of temporal goods 
 of any kind, " My heart is fixed, trufting in the 
 " Lord," who upholdeth his children, and pro- 
 videth from one ft age of life to another, what is 
 meet for their accommodations, and moft condu- 
 cive to their acquiring that inheritance which is 
 incorruptible and undefiled : whereon I earneftly 
 defire thy attention and affe&ion may henceforward 
 be fo fixed, that thou niayeft experience that what 
 has happened, however affli&ing to nature, has 
 worked together for thy real permanent good. 
 
 I was alnioft afraid to write to thee, as it ap- 
 peared like touching a fore which might be a little 
 healed ; but I hope my pen has been directed to 
 fleer clear of adding to thy pain. I faw nothing 
 of what I have communicated when I began to 
 write. Receive it as a kind intimation from the 
 Father of mercies, as well as the cordial advice, 
 and afte&ionate defire for thy experiencing thy 
 mind to be fo flayed upon the Lord, as to be- 
 come fettled in true peace, of thy fympathizing 
 
 CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 
 I could
 
 377 
 
 / could have wi/hed that the following Letters from 
 tny Mother had been inferted In the foregoing 
 Memoirs. They are 'very exprejfive of her religious 
 care for me. 
 
 *Fhejirft was fent me at Dublin, (fee page 31^; the 
 two others to Philadelphia. 
 
 I. 
 
 Dudley, 8th of Fourth Month, 1751. 
 My dear and tender Child, 
 
 THINE, with the agreeable account of thy ar- 
 rival at Dublin, thy brother hath wrote thee we re- 
 ceived. Thy other dated the 28th ult. which 
 brings the news of thy illnefs, alfo came fafe; 
 which thou mayeft fuppofe was a great trouble to 
 me to hear ; but although at prefent it is a hard 
 trial to have thee ill fo far feparate from us, yet I 
 efteem it a favour that thy lot is cad among fuch 
 careful and good friends, which I defire to be 
 thankful for. It is no fmall fatisfa&ion to me that 
 thou hail been fo eafy in thyfelf, and I would have 
 thee labour againft every thing which the enemy in 
 the time of weaknefs may prefent, and I doubt 
 not but the fame peace will be continued to thee. 
 
 Do
 
 378 
 
 Do not think, my dear child, of my affli&ion 
 on thy account j for as thou waft fatisfied it was 
 thy duty to go, and I thought it my duty to give 
 thee up ; I truft thou wilt be reflored to me, and 
 to thy health, and anfwer the fervice the Almighty 
 Jiath fent thee upon to the honour of his great 
 Name : then whenever we meet again it will be fo 
 much to our comfort and thy fatisfa&ion, that with 
 hearts filled with gratitude, we (hall, I hope (for 
 we (hall have caufe), return thanks to Him who is 
 alone worthy. 
 
 Although thou knoweft that I am very ftiort in 
 cxpreffing myfelf, yet, my dear child, when I find 
 my mind rightly exercifed, my prayers are night 
 and day for thy prefervation, as I believe thine arc 
 for me. I defire, when thou getteft well enough 
 to go on thy journey, thou wilt confider thy weak 
 conflitution, and not overdo thyfelf. 
 
 My very dear love is to the friends with whom 
 thou k>dgeft, not forgetting their care of thee. 
 I (Kali now conclude with my dear and tender love, 
 thy afflifted (but not without hope) affectionate 
 Wuher, 
 
 ANN FAVTON. 
 
 II.
 
 379 
 
 .11. 
 
 Dudley, 2;thof Fifth Month, 1754,. 
 
 My near and dear Child, 
 
 AS I believe that a line from my hand will be 
 very acceptable to thee, I fend this, by which thou 
 mayeft have the agreeable account, that through 
 Divine goodnefs I am as well, both in body and 
 mind, confidering what I have gone through fmce 
 I faw thee, as, I could have expefted, and beyond 
 what I fear I have deferved. And, dear child, I 
 am ready to fay in my heart at times, * Lord, what 
 am I, that thou art thus favouring me with thy 
 goodnefs ? O ! that me and mine may ever dwell 
 in nothingnefs of felf, that thou alone mayefl have 
 the praife, who art for ever worthy, faith my 
 foul !' 
 
 And, my dear child, although I count the time, 
 and want thy company at home, and in our poor 
 little meeting, I dare not defire it before thou 
 fmdeft thyfelf clear of thy fervice, which I defire 
 thou mayefl truly obferve. The reading of thine, 
 notwithstanding it brought an account of the hard- 
 Chip thop haft gone through, although it affe&ed 
 
 me
 
 380 
 
 me greatly, I was not call down ; but on the con- 
 trary rather comforted, that thou haft been fo truly 
 given up and fupported in fpirit, to anfwer the 
 requirings of the Almighty ; who, if thou continues 
 faithful to the end, will be thy exceeding great 
 reward. Then thou wilt receive that peace which 
 the world can neither give nor take away, and a 
 crown of righteoufnefs. 
 
 Dear child, I believe in the reading of this 
 thou wilt find me near to thee, as thou art to me, 
 in that love, diftance of place cannot feparate ; in 
 which love I dearly falute thee, and when my 
 fpirit is bowed before the Almighty, I believe I 
 (hall have thee in remembrance, and now remain 
 
 The near and dear mother, 
 
 ANN PAYTON, 
 
 III.
 
 381 
 
 HI, 
 
 Dudley, 9th of Second Month, 
 Dear Child, 
 
 HAVING this opportunity, I am willing to fend 
 thee a few lines, by which thou mayefl: know that 
 through Divine favour I am as well in health as I 
 can expeft; and at times witnefs a renewing of 
 ftrength in the inward man; but, dear child, it is 
 through a daily \vatch. I can find no fafer way 
 than a watchful ftate, that many times prepares the 
 heart for prayer, and helps to pray aright. This is 
 what I defire we may be found in, and then I be- 
 lieve the Almighty will hear our prayers for each 
 other ; as I am fenfible he hath done mine, and an- 
 fwered them in his own time, for which my foul 
 defires to dwell in true thankfulnefs to Him. 
 
 Dear child, I have little more to caution thee of, 
 than what I have done heretofore. Be careful to 
 difcharge thyfelf faithfully in the requirings of the 
 Lord, and be fure take care of thy health, and 
 
 then
 
 382 
 
 then I am not without hope but \ve fliall fee each 
 other again in his time. 
 
 My very dear love and thy fitter's to friend 
 Pemberton and fons. I am much obliged to them 
 for their affectionate care towards thee, though 
 have not wrote to acknowledge it. As thou know- 
 eft my deficiency in that refpecl, would have thee 
 excufe k to them in the beft manner thou canft. 
 Our dear love is to Samuel Fothergill, John 
 Churchman, William Brown, Jonah Thofflpion, 
 and all inquiring friends that know us. 
 
 Now, dear child, with the falutation of endeared 
 love to thee, 
 
 I remain thy tender and affectionate 
 Mother, 
 
 ANN PAYTOIS. 
 
 P. S. Our dear love to M. Peifley when thou 
 writes her. Thy brother's dear love to thee. 
 
 THE END.