when I applied myself to do every thing| rightly. All friends and relations, with all kinds of enjoyments seemed to centre in him alone, for he alone amply supplied all, and having him was having every thing that was good. In his presence there could be no want. It was then no hard matter for me to deny every corrupt desire, for his sake; and to renounce the objects which had former-me existence, blessing his name for so reveally pleased me too well, and of which I had been foolishly fond; and yet for the rejection of these things, which had done me no good, but harm, I ever found him a rich rewarder. In his presence I could envy no man, how-how to spend every part of the day, most to ever rich, eminent or seemingly happy; but I loved all men as his workmanship, and wished that all would come to him, and in and with him be truly happy for ever.

disease, which gradually weakened him, till sons being under my tuition; and afterwards at last in a sweet frame of mind he departed boarded in a friend's family till I married. this life, generally regretted by friends and The meetings of friends in Ireland, and others, having been a man remarkably service- particularly in the province of Munster, not able, not only as a member of religious, but lying so contiguous as in many parts of Engalso of civil, society. His character for integ-land, could not so conveniently be joined rity being so universal that he was very much several together, to constitute monthly or employed in determining differences between men's meetings of discipline, for transacting his fellow citizens, either as arbitrator or um- the affairs of the church. In these parts pire. So that to the blessing of the peace- each particular meeting was a men's meetmaker, he might seem to have a title above ing in itself, and some of the meetings most. His funeral from the Friars meeting- being greatly reduced in number, it behouse was attended by a very great number came the concern of friends to recommend of friends and others. Four friends appeared to the larger meetings nearest to them, the publicly to a very crowded audience, viz. care of visiting these little meetings frequentJames Tylee, Daniel Badger, Isaac Sharpless ly, to inspect their state, and help them by and Thomas Gawthrop. The next day the advice and counsel, as occasion might require. men's meeting elected Jonathan Nelson, school- Two of these meetings, viz: those of Banmaster of Reading, to succeed him, and desired don and Youghal were under the care of me to keep up the school till it might be con- Cork men's meeting, which was constant venient for him to come, which I did, and at in appointing visits to them at the stated his coming resigned it to him. times.

Being now a member of Cork men's meeting, to which I was recommended by certi ficate from Bristol, it fell to my lot in company with other friends, to go upon a visit to the meeting of Youghal; where I met with Mary the daughter of John and Martha Dobbs, of said town, a plain and orderly young woman. I found my affections closely engaged towards her; and having proposed to her parents my desire to address her in order to marriage, and obtained their consent, after sometime we were married there, according to the good order used in our Society.

1737.-Being informed that friends at Cork in Ireland, wanted a schoolmaster, I agreed to go thither to serve them in that capacity; so calling to see and take leave of my brother, who lived with Thomas Bennett at Pickwick, in Wiltshire, in the station of usher to his school, I went from thence to Gloucester, and was at the two meetings there on firstday, which were poor small meetings. On second-day I rode to Worcester, and staid there at my kind friend William Beesley's over third-day. The week-day meeting there, was to me a tendering season, both in silence and under the lively ministry of old John Corbyn: towards the week's end I reached Kendal, where I stayed two or three weeks; dur-sity of Oxford, was for his fidelity to his reliing which stay, my father took a fever and died. A day or two after his funeral, I left Kendal and returned to Bristol, from whence, after waiting sometime for a wind, I took shipping for Cork, in company with doctor Rutty of Dublin, who had been at the yearly meeting in London, and amongst his relations in Wiltshire, and was also waiting for a passage to Cork.

I was affected with an awful impression on my first embarking; which put me on considering on what foundation I ventured my life upon the water. On that head I was soon favoured with inward satisfaction, and resignation to divine Providence.

The wind being unfavourable, we had a very tedious passage, being ten days on the water from Pill to the cove of Cork. It was late at night when we landed at the cove, and next morning went up in a boat to Cork, where I lodged about two weeks at Jonas Devonsher's, a friend of a large estate, his two

John Dobbs, her father, being convinced of the truth while he was a student at the univer

gious convictions, disinherited by his father, Richard Dobbs, Esq., of Castle-Dobbs near Carrickfergus, of an estate worth several hundred pounds per annum, he being his eldest son.

His father left it to a younger son, who was to pay my father-in-law ten pounds per annum out of it, which during the lifetime of that son was but indifferently paid, and by his prodigality the estate was involved. But his son Arthur Dobbs, late governor of North Carolina, succeeding to the inheritance thereof, voluntarily doubled the said annual sum, and paid it punctually. My father-in-law having studied physic at the college, practiced it with good success, and great Christian charity to the poor, so as to save little from his income that way.

He had been the favourite of the family, but upon his joining in society with friends, and giving up his whole heart to follow the discoveries of the light of Christ in his conscience, he was treated by his father with

ness.

great severity as a rebel, and then cast out It may perhaps appear to some, that the as an alien. So that he might well be said recording of such transactions, is of little imto have forsaken father and brethren, and sis-portance or edification to uninterested readers; ters, and houses, and lands for Christ's sake; but it hath not appeared so to me. The acand like faithful Abraham, to have offered up count of these difficulties, which for want of to the Lord whatever was dearest to him in due care and forethought, and a constant, this world, and to have trusted in God, which and deep attention to the unerring guide, we was doubtless counted to him for righteous- fall into, though more humiliating, may perhaps be no less useful for caution, than those Being beloved by friends, he was urged by experiences, which we can review with more some to have recourse to the law, for the reco-heart-felt satisfaction, are for encouragement very of the family estate as his birthright, and imitation. Truth hath ever led to integwhich he had done nothing to forfeit, and rity, punctuality and upright dealing in our assistance offered him for doing it. Where- outward affairs, and to limit ourselves to upon he was prevailed with at length to make a beginning; but not having that inward peace with Christ which he preferred before all the world, in the first step of contention, he put a stop to all further proceedings, and rather chose to confide in God without it.

For a more particular account of him, see the Collection of Friends' Sufferings, vol. ii. and doctor Rutty's History of the Rise and Progress of Truth in Ireland. Of him I have only to add, that he made a joyful and happy exit out of this world, in an exceedingly thankful and triumphant state, with a full assurance of going to live for ever in a better. He died about seven or eight months after our marriage.

His wife Martha Dobbs, was convinced of the truth before their marriage, by the dying expressions of that handmaid of the Lord, Deborah Sandham. She had a few words of public testimony in meeting, survived her husband some years, and died in a good old age, having been a heavenly minded woman.

Previous to my marriage, a small lot of ground offering for building on, which was very convenient to my school, and the carpenter reckoning he could run up a neat small house for a sum I could then spare, having in my employment in Bristol and here saved so much, I adventured in conjunction with a friend, to take the ground and build upon it, and the house was finished a few weeks af ter our marriage; but the cost of it came to double the sum the carpenter had proposed it might be built for. This and some other things filled me with gloomy apprehensions, and I became very dejected in my mind in consideration of my circumstances, finding I had gone too far, and owed what I was not able to pay. However, as my intentions were honest, and my anxiety great that I might not by any misconduct blemish the truth, which I had been instructed so highly to prize, by industry and frugality, and through divine assistance, in some time I got over this difficulty, and paid every farthing.

few wants, and an humble condition in life, rather than invade or risk the property of other men. We cannot all get a deal of the treasures of this world, nor is it necessary to our well being. "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things he possesseth," but we may all live on a little, if our minds be kept humble, and the sensual appetites be subjected to the cross of Christ. My view in relating how I was, undesignedly indeed, involved in embarrassed circumstances, is for a caution to inexperienced young persons, to be very considerate and careful in their expences, that they be neither lavish on things needless or superfluous, nor in things otherwise convenient and lawful, in a measure disproportionate to their ability to support clearly out of their own, with honour, reputation and a good conscience; for in this circumstance things lawful in themselves are not lawful or expedient for them, that so the profession of truth may not suffer reproach by their miscarriage, as it hath done by that of too many others, to the great regret of the honest and right-minded of our religious Society. Furthermore, the narrative of these difficulties and anxieties, that attended my first setting out in the married state, seems to me to convey this instructive lessons to all single young persons, who have not good patrimonies, or are not yet well settled in some business, proper to maintain a family, that if they would do well in the world, they should not be hasty in this weighty affair; but consider wisely before they proceed toward it. While single they have only themselves to care for, and if they keep their hearts staid upon the Lord, which is far easier for them to do, than when weighed down under a load of care and encumbrances, and come up faithfully in the way of their duty, they will be happy. And by all means let them beware of entering into this most interesting engagement, which is for life, on which the happiness or unhappiness of this life very principally depends, and by which that of the next may be very materially promoted or retarded, till

they see that the Lord opens their way, [imperfectly, I should be exposed to much and conducts them in it. Then the mar- speculation, and become the immediate subriage will be honourable, the married will be ject of conversation among such as love to like minded, standing in the counsel of best catch and propagate matter of amusement; wisdom, will be truly helpmeets to each other that perhaps the like duty might never be both in their temporal and spiritual concerns; required of me again, and in that case joining together with united and prepared I should be likely to be talked of for many hearts in religious and family duties, and years, as one who had begun and not gone strengthening each other's hands for every on. Instances occurred of such as had good word and work; minding the inspeaking preached amongst us for a time, and had Word, more than the attention or opinions, the either dropped it and fallen away, or had on approbation or censures of the world. Such one account or another, incurred a public and if they have but little of earthly treasure are general dislike or disgrace, and that therefore happily married. But on any other terms, it might be safer and better for me to rest whether married or unmarried, people are not quiet with good wishes for the people, and to in a good way; and it is infinitely better to exhort in a more private way, as I might have be married to Christ, than to be married ever opportunity, and a fresh concern on my so grandly in the world, out of the divine mind. These grounds of hesitation detained counsel and covenant. me till a friend kneeled down to conclude the meeting in prayer.

As I had a religious desire in my choice, and that I might be rightly directed therein, I had reason on the whole, notwithstanding these outward discouragements aforementioned, to hope that I was so. For my wife was the child of good parents, from whom she had received a religious education, of orderly conversation, innocent and well inclined, and we were in a good degree favoured together of the Lord, she being free to give me up to every service I thought it my duty to engage in.Upon my first visit to her, the sense of truth and the solid edifying conversation of her worthy parents, deeply fixed the best impressions on my spirit, so that in my return home to Cork, twenty computed miles, my thankful heart was like a cup filled, the tears of divine joy overflowed, and ran down my cheeks the greatest part of the way. In this thankful frame I reached Cork, and my friends there, who generally had a love for me, were pleased to see me, and to hear such account as I had to give. But then this good went off, and the instability of nature succeeded in a great degree, though still mixed with a reverent view to the better part.

1739.-About four months after our marriage, being at a meeting at Youghal, my heart was bowed in reverent fear, and filled with the sweet influence of God's universal love. It then appeared to be my duty, in the clearness of that light and the strength of that love, to call to, and invite those present to come to Christ, and yield grateful obedience to his laws. I had been for several years before, fully persuaded that this would be required of me as a duty, and had desired never to dare to venture upon it until it should be so required.

I then saw clearly, that if the meeting should break up without my uttering the exhortation, which was fixed with so much weight upon my mind, I should unavoidably incur the stings of conscious guilt, and the crime of disobedience.

Therefore not attending to the friend's public prayer, my mind was earnestly and closely exercised in mental supplication to the Almighty, that he would abilitate me to be faithful. I had a hard struggle and conflict on this occasion; but at length the power of divine faith prevailed, to the shutting out and putting to silence all manner of discouraging apprehensions. And when the prayer was ended I durst not sit down, fearing 1 should not have power to rise again in time; but turning about to the meeting, and seeing some of the people staring me in the face, such was my weakness, that I raised up my hat, and holding it before my face, I spoke the words, which had lain with weight on my mind, and sat down. A flood of divine joy poured into my heart, and filled it all the day; I went in this frame of mind into several friends' families, and my heart being still melted with divine love, the tears of joy and thankfulness flowed down my cheeks, which some ignorantly mistook for trouble of mind, saying one to another, they pitied me.

It was indeed a memorable day to me; for I seemed to myself to be raised above the sordid and sinful inhabitants of this world, and to be admitted a partner of the blessed society of saints and angels, and spirits of just men made perfect, through entire obedience rendered to their God.

Upon this duty being clearly presented to I had a full assurance in myself, that if me in this meeting, discouragements and ob- then sudden death should seize me, I should stacles poured into my mind in abundance, immediately go to that blessed society, to live such as, that if I should deliver the words in a holy and happy communion with them

for ever, to adore that God and Sovereign, serve from falling, to build up, and to give who had so infinitely favoured us. And this an inheritance among the sanctified. is the very nature of that truly excellent religion, with which our dear Redeemer came to bless mankind.

I remember that the above considerations made me earnestly pray, that since I had given up, and put my hand to the plough, I might never look back to Sodom again, like Lot's wife; but rather suffer any thing in this world, than disgrace the cause of truth and righteousness.

I might give some account of my services and of good effects arising from my obeying the divine manifestation; but accounts of that kind I leave to those who have steered more steadily than I have done, and think it more Encouraged as above, I proceeded to minproper for me to look to the other side of ister in public meetings, when I had somemy case, and that with shame and confusion thing given for that end, through which exerof heart, mixed with humble admiration of cise my gift became gradually enlarged. But divine goodness, which has hitherto been alas! I too often made false steps in my pubgreat, and blest me with a few heavenly and lic ministry, as well as in my thoughts, words good days, wherein I should not have been and actions in private conduct, for want of afraid of death, or of the awful and tremen- self-love being more mortified and subjected dous judgment which is to follow it. Oh! to the spirit of Christ, which teaches divine that I may, through faithfulness on my part, attain the like again, and that my last day may be my best day. But alas, a consciousness of unfaithfulness in divers respects is my present companion, though not with my will, or by design; but through want of maintaining a proper vigilance and devotion, and thereby losing the fortitude which I have sometimes others, who I thought, preached finely. Thus been invested with.

wisdom.

Being of an active natural disposition, it became a cross to me to be silent, when it was best to be so. And sometimes after I stood up I continued too long, till the testimony as to the life of it, flattened and grew tedious to the hearers. I wanted too, to imitate some

the enemy of man's happiness continually seeks to tempt every class in the church militant. As the eye is kept single to the holy Head, and the body full of light, in the light he is discovered in all his approaches and transformations; but I was not constantly enough on my guard against his stratagems, and therefore was sometimes seduced even to think I did well, when I was zealous, though not according to true knowledge, nor to the honour of the great name of Christ our Lord; for he is most honoured by the subjec tion of self; and by divine love, coupled with humility and patience.

Many of our dear, honourable friends of the first generation in our Society, appear, from the time they were drawn to the pure fountain of light, life and love, to have adhered thereto with immovable steadfastness to their last moments; and a few I have known in my time who have arisen, and steadily persevered, considering the degeneracy of the age, in a faithful attachment of soul to that grace and truth, which is come by Jesus Christ; and that have washed their robes white in his blood, and have kept their garments unspotted. But very few have come up to this height, and so continued Among the many good institutions which as with their feet fixed upon Mount Sion; the discoveries of celestial wisdom have estavery few have got over the opposing moun-blished in our Society, is that of faithful elders tains of human respect, selfish regards, sensual appetites, desires of the ease, honours, or profits of this world; all which tend to debase the soul, darken the judgment, eclipse the brightness of heavenly light; blunt the edge of godly resolutions, and contract the corrupting leaven and spirit of the world.

It is lamentable to reflect how many in our age, even of the anointed sons and servants of the Lord, have by these means gradually declined and dwindled, and at length totally fallen off, as Judas did from Christ, and Demas from his faithful apostle, and made shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience, and brought lasting disgrace on themselves and that good cause in which they had been humbly and honestly engaged. Yet truth changes not; it is the same still, and still able to pre

appointed to watch over the flock, and over the ministry, which has been found to be very useful. And though the love of self-honour made me sometimes bear hardly the reproof of a friend; yet I have afterwards, as in the cool of the day, discerned the expediency of it, and been induced to desire to be more careful in future, and to be willing to receive advice, as well as to give it.

O ye, whom Christ calls into the work of the ministry, or any other office, give up your lives to him and it, both to do and to suffer what he may order or permit; for the vessels of the Lord's house are to be of beaten gold. Every son whom he loves he rebukes and chastens. Then ever receive with a good mind, the counsel or the reproof of a friend. If others revile and taunt in bitterness and