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INTRODUCTION.

WHEN the Christian example of those we love is withdrawn, and we are no longer cheered by their conversation, or instructed by their admonitions, we recur with satisfaction to those instances of faithfulness which memory furnishes; but when assisted by written records of their devout and exercised minds, they become enhanced in value, and we esteem them as precious memorials of departed worth.

Such we believe will be the feelings of many who have known and loved the subject of this short memoir, the reader will find for his instruction and encouragement, that in the simplicity and sincerity of her heart, she has unfolded some of her mental exercises; and as they breathe throughout the language of piety and resignation under deep and complicated trials, they will, it is hoped, afford conIsolation to those in similar circumstances, seeing it was by the grace of God she was what she was, and to the sustaining power of his grace, she bore testimony during a long

protracted life.

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hand of encouragement to those who had wandered from the true Shepherd-endeavouring to comfort those who were in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith she herself was comforted of God.

Deeply impressed with gratitude for the blessings with which the evening of her day was crowned, and with a mind reconciled to the dispensations of Providence in earlier life, she often dwelt in feeling remembrance upon the mercies she had experienced, and to almost the latest period, her conversation and manners partook of the cheerfulness and pleasantness of her meridian life. When the awful time arrived in which she was permitted to enter her eternal rest, she passed away in sweet serenity, full of days and full of peace, and we humbly believe her redeemed spirit is numbered with those who came out of great tribulations, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Ashford, Eighth month, 1841.

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She was the daughter of our friends, Wil- ened to "lift up the banner on the high liam and Lettice Knight, and was born at mountain." Her offerings in the ministry Stone-hall, near Wanstead, Essex, the 4th of being expressed in few words, and in great first month, 1758. diffidence and fear, were impressive, evincing that she sought not honour from man, but that which comes from the Lord alone.

the monthly meetings in the county of Nottingham, and in 1835, to those composing the quarterly meeting of Essex: these services proved acceptable to her friends, and afforded peace to her own mind.

The following selections from her memoranda, show the early pious concern of her parents. "I was blessed with tender parents, In 1831, she visited by certificate the meetthat watched over themselves and their family ings in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, as with a religious care, taking us to meetings; also the families of Friends in Hertford. In and were very diligent attenders themselves, the following year, she paid a similar visit to though residing at a distance of several miles, the weather or business seldom if ever preventing." She thus adverts to her religious feelings in early life; "I well remember being in a garden by myself, and knew not what it was that so sweetened and tendered my heart, that for a considerable time I felt as though I could not leave the spot, and several times afterwards I took opportunities to retire, and had similar feelings." "As I grew, I often felt the prevalence of my natural disposition, giving way to indifference in things relating to my best interest, so that I often desired something might befall me, to arouse me from such a spirit of ease and unconcernedness; and after awhile, kind Providence, whose peculiar care is extended over us while passing the slippery paths of youth, inclined my heart to love him, and permitted me to have an illness which continued some weeks, and in degree awakened me."

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She felt much interested in objects of Christian philanthropy: the poor and afflicted, more especially, obtained her commiseration. She cherished a deep solicitude for the religious welfare of her near connexions in life; desiring that they, as well as herself, might experience a growth in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. She thus expresses her feelings on this all-important subject; "I pray for myself and my dear children, that we may be strengthened in an unshaken belief in the efficacy of the blood of the beloved Son of God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; who came down from heaven, and took not upon him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham; was born of She had to pass through many painful con- the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Piflicts, often lamenting the want of an entire late, the cruel and shameful death of the cross, surrender of heart to the refining hand of to be a propitiation and atonement for the sins him who was preparing her as a vessel for of the whole world, rose again the third day his service. She was impressed with a belief from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and that it would be required of her to bear pub-is the Advocate and Mediator between God lic testimony to the goodness of the Lord; but from this sacrifice, she earnestly desired she might be spared; and the language of her heart was, "Send by whom thou wilt send, but not by me." She yielded however, to this religious conviction, by giving up to speak a few words in meetings for discipline when she apprehended it required of her. On the subject of these meetings, she re-health, until the close of the following year; marks, "I believe that if the discipline is rightly supported, it must be by the influence of the same power that moves to every duty." Whilst struggling with severe outward trials, she sought to cherish a tender conscience, and by adhering to Christian principle, her conduct became remarkable for strict integrity; and after being brought through her temporal difficulties, by the power of divine grace, she was raised up an instrument of usefulness in the church. Abiding in deep watchfulness and humble dependence on the Lord, to know his putting forth to the solemn work, she became qualified to speak a word in season to the weary in Zion, and at times was strength

and man, the King, High Priest, and Prophet of his church, and the author of salvation to all that obey him;-true God and perfect man."

At the latter end of 1835, our dear friend was visited with severe illness, from which her recovery then appeared very doubtful; but she was favoured to be restored to usual

when she was seized with another alarming attack which greatly reduced her strength; yet she so far recovered, as to be able to assemble with her friends at religious meetings, though often under great bodily infirmity.

During the illness above alluded to, her mind was much clothed with love, and her expressions were often weighty and instructive. After passing a low and deeply depressing season, she said, "Should I be taken now, all will be well; I have a full assurance there is a mansion prepared for me, and that crowns all." At another time, "It is an awful thing to appear before the Judge of the whole earth; and I am sure I have not a rag,

or anything, to cover myself with; but my have a hope that casteth out fear. I have whole and entire dependence is on my holy a hope both sure and steadfast." Saviour, who I humbly hope will plead my A few days before the final close, when alcause. I do believe love will cover the judg.luding to the death of our blessed Saviour, ment seat. If there are any that slight the she observed, "I must die the death: mine is offers of a merciful Saviour, how deplorable a natural death, but his was for the whole must be their condition!" "I have felt the world. He gave up his life freely, and sufferComforter at the threshold of the door, wait- ed on the cross: He gave his life a willing ing to do his own office." sacrifice, and we must give up our whole hearts. No Cross no Crown,' is a sure testimony, and will be answered in a future day; if we will not bear the cross, we cannot have the crown." Then addressing her children

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At different times, she expressed as follows, "I feel very low: I want to feel more of my heavenly Father's presence. O! I do most fervently hope, if there are any sins yet remaining, they may be blotted out. O! how present, said, "O, my dear children, from my unworthy! I feel that I have not a good act dying bed I beg of you, that it may be the of my own that I can plead; but my dear constant breathing of your souls, to be reSaviour died for me; and I have a hope, that deemed from the perishing things of time, and he will receive me, not of works, but of his that your affections may be fixed on eternity. free grace." To one of her family whom she What would it avail now, or at any other had not seen for several days, she said, "I time, to have the world, or as much as might want to tell thee the bands are broken, and I be equal to our extravagant desires, to posfeel great liberty in the Truth, and can some-sess? I would freely give it up for a happy times sing high praises." At another time, possession [in heaven.] Oh press after it, do "O! that it may please my heavenly Father not be satisfied in any thing that is sensual or to say, it is enough, and take his poor, I am carnal, but oh, that we may press after an inalmost afraid to say servant to so high a pow-heritance in that which will endure for ever!" er, to himself."

Our beloved friend for many years suffered from a violent nervous affection of the head, accompanied with a distressing cough, which greatly exhausted her enfeebled frame, so that from the spring of 1839 to the ensuing autumn, she was almost wholly confined to the house. In the ninth month of that year, she received a visit from her only surviving brother, who, after a few days' illness, died at her house. After this sudden and unexpected event, her health rapidly declined, and she suffered much at times from mental depression, yet was favoured to know her heart stayed on the Lord. At one time she said, "O that I may die the death of the righteous, and that my last end may be like theirs! I

Nearly her last expressions were, "Oh eternity!-Oh the length of eternity!—Oh that it may be impressed on every heart, the length of eternity! there is no end."

She peacefully expired on the 25th day of the 1st month, 1840, aged about 82 years, and is, we have no doubt, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, gathered to the just of all generations, to unite in ascribing salvation to him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb for ever more.

Her remains were interred in Friends' burial ground at Ashford, on the 2nd day of second month, 1840.

Given forth by Folkstone monthly meeting, held at Canterbury, the 12th of the third month, 1840.

EXTRACTS, &c.

I was blessed with tender parents, [William | dear mother filled the station of elder: she and Lettice Knight] who watched over them- was an upright-hearted woman, remarkable selves and their families with religious care, for her integrity. My father was a minister, endeavouring to keep us out of unsuitable a man of an humble and contrite spirit, who company and to protect us from harm, taking feared God and hated covetousness; he was us frequently to meetings; and were them- a good example to those about him, and much selves very constant attenders, though resid- beloved by his friends. ing at a distance of several miles, the weather or business seldom, if ever, preventing. My

In my early age, I was sensible of the tendering impressions of divine love. I well re

member being in the garden by myself, and knew not what it was that so sweetened and affected my heart, that for a considerable time I felt as though I could not leave the spot; and several times afterwards I took opportunities to retire, and had similar feelings.

As I grew older, I often felt the prevalence of an easy natural disposition, giving way to indifference in things relating to my best interest, so that I often desired something might befall me to arouse me from such a spirit of ease and unconcernedness; and after a while kind Providence, whose peculiar care is extended over us whilst passing the slippery path of youth, inclined my heart to love him, and permitted me to have an illness which continued some weeks, and in degree awakened me. About the fifteenth year of my age, I was sent to school, to Martha Winter, (afterwards Routh) of Nottingham, whom I much esteemed. She was concerned to example her family in humility, and carefully watched over herself, lest any thing like passion should arise when cross occurrences happened. This striving against natural disposition and temper was a striking example in her, truly worthy of imitation, and caused those under her care to serve her from love rather than fear.

While at school I was beset with temptations to evil. The envier of my comfort, often drew my mind into carelessness and forgetfulness of that precious influence [of the holy Spirit] I had been favoured with, which would have gathered and kept me within the fold, had it been attended to. Tenderness of heart was, in mercy, sometimes granted; and I often repented in the night of the commissions of the day. Many hours I have been awake, pressed with painful feelings, whilst my companion has been asleep. Dear Martha, who always manifested a Christian care over us, one evening, after reading, was particularly led to supplicate for the preservation of the children of believing parents, in which these words were uttered, "Oh! prepare them to appear before thee, clothed in white, that their parents may have to say, Here are we with those that thou hast given us""—which words sunk deep into my heart, knowing that I had religious parents. I often got alone, and begged for preservation. One day, hearing a boy in the street uttering wicked expressions and making use of the Sacred Name, I trembled, and breathed to my gracious Protector to preserve me from such hardness of heart.

The prospect of leaving school, which occurred about two years after, was a trial to me, believing that I should be exposed in various ways. Some time after, I went to reside with my uncle, John Stanley, at a farm of my father's about three miles distant. He was a VOL. VII.-No. 11.

solid conscientious man, much given to retirement, often walking alone in solitary places, and justly merited the testimony borne of him at his funeral, " An Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile." He died the 22nd of second month, 1782. During my residence with him, I was much tossed with tempest and not comforted, and tried with temptations which were permitted almost to overwhelm me; yet being much alone, my heart was often poured out in secret to a compassionate Saviour for preservation, and I was at times favoured to partake, in some degree, of those joys with which a stranger cannot intermeddle. My parents frequently came and spent a while with us. One day my father was sitting looking into the garden, and called me to him to show me the bough of an apple tree which was bent down by the weight of fruit that was upon it, very instructively remarking, that fruit bearing branches must bow to the root of life in themselves.

About this time, it pleased unerring wisdom to take to himself my dear uncle, who had had a tender care over me. We often walked about four miles to meeting together, and he would sometimes enter into serious conversation by the way; and I believe would have loved me sincerely if I, like himself, had submitted to a self-denying life; but my spirit wanted much bringing down and humbling. In the day I was much employed; in the night I often felt sad, and watered my pillow with my tears. A belief fixed on my mind that it would be required of me to tell to others that "the Lord is good," for indeed I felt him so. I had many comforts as well as hidden exercises, which none knew but the Lord alone. The cry of my heart was, "Send by whom thou wilt send; send not by me.'

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In the year 1782, I married Stephen Hagger of Hertford. I saw difficulty and trouble in my way, and so did my affectionate father for me, yet he with myself believed, if I kept near the Fountain of life I should be preserved. I can truly say, that my heart was much humbled by the consideration that I did what I believed was my duty; and as I was about to leave my father's house outwardly, strong cries were raised, that my heavenly Father might be near, which in adorable mercy I experienced in proportion to my attention to the "still small voice."

It pleased the Lord to take my dear father, on the 30th of eleventh month 1787, from a state of much bodily suffering to that of neverending joy. I spent about six weeks with him during his last illness, which has afforded me many comfortable reflections. He had his servants called in as he found his strength would bear, and gave them advice suitable

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to their stations, pressing upon them to persevere in a steady care to act honestly, &c. For us, his children, he also felt an earnest solicitude, that we might be careful to live in the fear of the Lord, and be a help and comfort one to another and to our aged mother. He was favoured with a calm and peaceful mind, and had full assurance of eternal happiness, which he expressed in much tenderness to several friends who came to see him. At one time, he said, he could adopt the language of the apostle, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

I felt the loss of my father much; few loved a parent better, and few were blessed with one more worthy. Soon after this, my dear mother began to decline, and died in about two years. She enjoyed a resigned mind, and there was every reason to believe made a happy close.

I was now bereaved of both my parents, my family increased, and my trials also: I felt that I had none to look to but the Lord alone, no helper like him in times of trouble. The weighty prospect before mentioned overwhelmed all other concerns; although I had given up to speak a few words in meetings of discipline when Truth required it of me. I believe if the discipline is rightly supported, it must be by the influence of the same Power that moves to every duty; and I have been sorry to observe in some, a disposition to be active therein, without waiting long enough at wisdom's gate: these have misled the weak, and hurt the pure cause. In this time of deep exercise, I cried to my gracious Redeemer that the weight might be taken from me, and laid on some one more worthy. I knew myself entirely unfit, and I longed to find an easier way to the kingdom than by the cross, and by appearing and feeling so much as a fool before men. Oh! it is indeed a strait gate and a narrow path, to that part in us that is unmortified, and will not bear the cross; but the resigned mind finds a precious liberty in the truth, and that there is no joy like the joy of God's salvation. One time when taking a solitary walk, a contriting impression covered me, with a sense of duty; after some time of resistance, hearing the intelligible voice," Wilt thou neither be faithful in sight nor out of sight?" I kneeled down in the path, and though I uttered no words, the weight I felt was such, that I believe I should not have risen had any one passed me. For many days after this, my mind enjoyed sweet peace.

Thus I went on a long time, passing through many hidden baptisms. My dear friend, Mary Prior, of Hertford, was a tender mother to me; she resided near, and was my constant attendant in many difficulties. One time when my father was present, she addressed him very encouragingly, and supplicated that a double portion of his spirit might rest upon his daughter. But oh my remissness and falling off from duty many ways! I was one of a sad heart, and very apt to be cast down, and the envier of my peace did not fail to use all his limited power to keep me so, and presented many discouragements to my view, such as that I had many times been unfaithful, and they who were rightly called were made willing. This I knew to be a truth, but I did not consider that I was to be made willing by the power of the cross. Oh! he is a liar, and ever was! Mayest thou, my gracious Helper, never suffer my poor tossed soul to become a prey to his cruel malice! About seven years from the first time that the belief had been sealed on my mind, that it would be required of me to expose myself in public; one morning before I rose from my pillow, the impression fixed with me that next first-day morning would be the time to make a total surrender. The burden was so heavy upon me, I could hardly set one foot before another in my family, and I craved for strength to stand in my proper allotment. After the meeting had been gathered awhile, the words presented, Lord, take away my stony heart and give me a heart of flesh, a heart sincerely devoted to serve thee. The impression was accompanied by a belief, that if I did not give up, the temptations I had been so long at times tried with, would be permit ted to come upon me with double force. I gave up, and after the meeting my mind was favoured with a covering of quietness and love that I cannot express. That day two weeks my soul was humbled in prayer. I felt as if something drew me on my knees: these acts of dedication, small compared to many, caused peace and love to flow in my heart to my family and friends. I thought within myself, if I could but continue in this state, and par take no more of the bitter cup, the wormwood and the gall, I should then have something like a heaven upon earth: but this is not the place of our rest.

[It appears that she was acknowledged a minister by Hertford monthly meeting, in the fourth month, 1794. In the year 1797, she removed with her husband and family to En. field highway, within the compass of Tottenham monthly meeting. About this time she felt drawings in her mind to pay a religious visit to Friends in Essex, but lending an ear

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