ther, I shall be very thankful. My heavenly Parent, do thou give wisdom, to point out to him the source of unfailing happiness. I have yet another request to offer: be pleased to give thy angels a charge concerning thy helpless creatures; let them be our guard while travelling; grant journeying mercies; and bring us safely to our intended habitation; and our song shall be of goodness and mercy." While residing with her brother at Sedbergh, being for some months visited with illness, she wrote as follows: "April 4. Sometimes I think this illness will hasten me to the house appointed for all living; but it has been a blessed affiction, and I sincerely thank my God for it. My soul never made such rapid progress in religion, the religion of the cross, as it has done under this rod. I feel as a weaned child; as though I had done with the world: I see all its happiness transitory and unsubstantial; and have not the least reluctance to give it up. I think, too, I can say that pain and sickness, with adversity, and its almost constant companions, indifferency and contempt from fellow-mortals, are all welcome. Infinite Wisdom can make no mistake in using these measures; and Infinite Goodness will not, cannot, do any thing, to injure a helpless creature, depending on, and willing to be taught of God. I have proved his love, and found it immovable as the Rock of Ages, though often veiled in dark dispensations. Indeed, those means which seemed only calculated to overturn and confound, have frequently the most effectually accomplished my fervent desires, and earnest prayers. In the first part of my pilgrimage, I did not understand the ways of the Almighty, in his dealings with me. I was apt to murmur, and imagine his thoughts were not thoughts of peace towards me; and that he caused me to pass through unnecessary sufferings. These views originated in ignorance, and a want of faith. But I do not greatly wonder at the perplexity they occasioned; for while I was not conscious of the benefit arising from affliction, I started from the discipline. I felt that it was grievous,' but when, afterwards,' I experienced its 'peaceable fruits,' I became sensible of the advantages of tribulation, and rejoiced over brighter and increased treasures of grace. In some degree I am now enabled to kiss the rod, and bless the hand that appoints it. In general, I am enabled to say, every complaining thought is silenced; every propensity to murmur taken away; and taken away by the very means which my undiscerning fears appredended would give birth and action to them. Incomprehensible art thou, in all thy ways, O God, my King and my Saviour! • Thou mov'st in a mysterious way, Thy wonders to perform; Thou plant'st thy footsteps in the sea, "Oct. 2, 1808 A few months since I had almost given up all expectations of meeting again, in this life, with my dear relations at. Stapleford; but blessed be my indulgent Parent, after an absence of eleven months, part of which time a severe illness was, to all haman appearance, swiftly removing me from earth, he has raised me up from the gates of death, and restored me to my affectionate friends. I praise him for my added life, though, during my illness, I felt an ardent desire to be at my home above; and often, when apparently on the verge of eternity, have been enabled, with solemn delight, to contemplate that boundless, overwhelming bliss, I seemed hastening to the possession of. O what must be the feelings of a soul just loosed from the chains of mortality! What ideas can we now form of that new unusterable state! Wonders will surround us! Objects, unknown to thought, will crowd upon every faculty of the soul, raising sensations in the expanding mind totally different to what it ever felt before; and which are altogether inconceivable to an enabodied spirit; though I cannot help thinking that a spirit on the borders of eternity may sometimes be favoured with a small experimental knowledge of this nature. It is impossible for me to describe the views that were given me when my recovery was pronounced doubtful. The ruins of the earthly tabernacle did not cruse its immortal inhabitant to languish. Frequently, a more than vivid glow of health thrilled through its imperishable system. It seemed to be all ardour, all penetration, and activity. Indeed the painful consciousness of its imprisoned state, would sometimes, for a moment, damp its fervour, till the cheering recollection that the time of its confinement seemed hastening to a period, breathed fresh courage and animation, and it again took wing-again, exulting in the anticipation of the beatific vision, the shoreless ocean of bliss, which lay just before it. Whilst meditating on an untried state, and unknown futurity, its thick darkness cast no dread upon bold aspirer; nay, the impenetrable vail that shades its awful secret from the eye of mortals, served but to augment the curiosity of the exploring spirit. The very novelty of the state had powerful attractions, and raised an ardent desire to behold the new and the wonderful. I often compared myself to a child, pleased with the thought of a long journey. I felt solemn joy while meditating on the hour that should usher me into an unexperienced state of mystery and rapture." the "How manifestly does this evince the immortal nature of the soul! At this period, how would it have dreaded the idea of annihilation; and shrunk appalled at the suggestion, that; it was now going to drop again into it original non-existance? Ye grovelling Materialists, strike out of the system of man "this pleasing hope, this fond desire, this longing after immortality," before you un generously attempt to persuade him that this ever active and aspiring principle will perish with corruptible matter. Soon Having brought forward these memoirs so far, it may not be improper to observe here, that our acquaintance commenced in the second year of my itinerancy, when she resided with her brother in Yorkshire. Nothing existed then between us but Christian friendship, for finding her pious and intelligent, her company was particularly profitable to me. I did not write to her on the subject of marriage, till when travelling in my fifth year. afterwards, a misunderstanding taking place, the correspondence was broken off for some years, (a circumstance which was painfully felt on both sides,) and then, in a way purely providential, it was renewed, and we were married at Jarvin, in Cheshire, May 28, 1814.-I soon found in her a sincere and confidential friend, which made me value her greatly; for to her I could unfold my heart on any occasion. Our first station was Litchfield, in Staffordshire, where a scene, entirely new to her, was now presented, and the duties which devolved upon her so felt, as to excite the following observations: "The 24th of August I left all who are my friends by the binding ties of nature, and many who were made such by the ties of grace and Christian affection. When I reflect on the support given in the hour of separation, I wonder and adore. Though for many years, and by a long series of painful circumstances, my mind has been preparing for this event, yet I could not look forward to it without painful apprehensions. I know, too well, the effects of such important changes, not to dread them. But in this, as well as in former instances, I have to say of my Lord, "Better than my boding fears, to me he still does prove." Though I have felt a good deal of indisposition, in consequence of the agitation it has occasioned my mind, yet I have got thus far, in the new and interesting scene, with much less pain and distress than I feared. I cannot but admire the wisdom and goodness of my Divine Friend, in giving me, at this time, such strong impressions of past circumstances, as reconciles me to, nay produces grateful acquiescence with, his present dispensations. My soul cannot forget the wormwood and gall: O may it never forget the singular interposition of mercy. Since I came to this place, I have sensibly felt that the vows of the Lord are upon me. am also deeply conscious, that without his peculiar aid I am utterly without ability to discharge them. How perfectly and completely helpless do I find myself; and how great, how important are the duties which lie before me. Blessed, All-sufficient Source of Goodness, be thou my helper. Still may I walk as in thy sight, my strict observer see.' May none find occasion of stumbling in my conduct or spirit-May the gospel of Jesus be recomVOL. XLI. FEBRUARY, 1818. I mended by my life and conversation in this dark city-May the friend thou hast given unto me meet with all that thy mercy has taught him to expect from me-Give me the spirit of long-suffering, active humility-Keep me little in my own esteem, Only seeing in thy light, Only walking in thy might.'” Many were of opinion, that if the Divine Being had been pleased to favour my esteemed partner with a tolerable share of good health, neither talents nor a heart to promote the interests of Zion were wanting; and that she, through the Divine blessings would have been rendered very useful. The state of Litchfield deeply impressed her mind; and for the spiritual welfare of that city, fervent supplications were frequently the effusions of her pious soul. Until the month of November her health was very indifferent; but being then a little recovered, she wrote as follows: "Nov. 13. I have lately felt much pleasure in bringing every occurrence of life, however trifling it may seem, to my Divine and indulgent Friend; rejoicing in the persuasion, that as I cannot expect too largely from his power, so neither can I bring any thing to the mercy-seat too insignificant for his compassion to notice. I never before so evidently proved the sympathy of my High-Priest as I have lately done; those peculiar troubles, in which no human aid can avail, when brought to my merciful Saviour, have been immediately soothed and relieved. I feel that the many remarkable interpositions of this nature, which I have lately experienced, have tended to unite my heart and affections very closely to my blessed Lord. I feel an increasing confidence in his future assistance, and am frequently enabled to rejoice in the glorious assurance of eternal life. It is my desire to do all I do to the praise of him who hath done such great and wonderful things for me. My spirit cleaves to him, and cries, My soul shall live for thee alone, "The Lord hath in a degree restored my health, in a way unexpected both to myself and friends. I feel a desire to spend it in his service, and earnestly pray, that if he has any thing for me to do for him in this place he would be pleased to give me wisdom to discern, and strength to perform it. I believe the Friend of ruined souls has a work to accomplish in this place; but the glory of its performance will be evidently seen to be altogether his own; the instruments must be prepared; stripped of selfdependence and self-consequence; laid in the dust of humility; pride must be hid from their eyes; they must be brought to say, As less than nothing in thy sight, I own that Christ is all in all.'" From this period till the following Conference, her state was such as at one time to excite fear, and at another to encourage hope, concerning the establishment of her health; consequently' my friends and I thought it necessary to procure the advice of an eminent physician in the city. He frequently visited, and was evidently much interested in her recovery, and recommended a change of air. Some time before the Conference I accompanied her into Cheshire, and intended, when the stationing committee assembled, to request a removal into some very healthy part of the nation, that, if possible, a valuable life might be preserved. In the latter end of July we were favoured with another interview, and I was glad to find her better than I had reason to expect; and if she had not been prevailed on, much against her inclination, (being far advanced in a state of pregnancy,) to take an excursion, on foot, for a few miles, on a very hot day, she might have done well; but that circumstance, it was believed, brought on premature labour, and laid the foundation of a cough, and inflammation on the lungs, which continued till her spirit returned to God. Our next remove was to Otley in Wharfdale, a valley cele brated for its beauty, fertility, &c. Here we proved the friendship of one with whom I had travelled my first four years; and great kindness from several generous persons, both in and out of the society, whose Christian conduct deeply impressed our minds. But it was not the friendship of the friendly-the skill of physicians-nor the healthiness of the situation, that could prevent the stroke of death; for there the wheels of life stood still, and the immortal part took its flight to the "country which is heavenly." On the 28th of January, she (for the last time) wrote in her diary as follows:-"I recollect several times in my weary pilgrimage, entering upon a new year, with some expectations of never seeing the conclusion of it, but never with greater probability of this being so than now. My health has lately been growing worse; the complaint seems to be firmly rooted in my breast, my voice has almost entirely failed, and the fever rapidly gains ground. I often suffer much from a tightness in the chest, which, I think, prevents a free circulation of the blood, and causes great depression of spirit, with restlessness and anxiety. I sometimes think, that this obstruction will suddenly remove me from this scene of mortality! Oh that I may be found fully ready to enter into the joy of my Lord! Owing to the depression which I frequently labour under, I have not always bright views of my heavenly inheritance; and I feel that I am not perfectly loosened from creature ties, nor fully delivered from fear of suffering. But I know in whom I have believed, and have confidence in his promised aid, when my heart and flesh fail. Surely he will walk with me through the dark valley !-surely he will at last receive me to glory! At times I feel a cheering hope that my last moments |