which I have feen to be a very fallacious line to measure one's felf by: for fometimes that which is highly applauded by them, is reproved by that Spirit which fearcheth all things.

From Brecknock I returned to Bristol yearlymeeting, from whence I thought of returning home; but, to my great difappointment, a concern refted upon me to proceed to the yearly meeting at London, in company with Rachel Wilfon, who came with me from Brecknock, and was without any companion in the ministry. This brought a great exercife upon my mind, under the confideration of the concern it would bring upon my relations; who I knew were defirous that I might steadily move in the counsel of God; and perhaps might fear my running too fast, which I alfo dreaded; but find. ing I could not otherwise be eafy, I advised with fome friends, and particularly with my ancient and honourable friend, Benjamin Kidd, who encouraged me therein.

The Briftol yearly meeting ended fatisfactorily, many valuable minifters attended it, and the testimony 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 exercise of my gift, whereby a door was opened to me in the minds of Friends there; which favour I hope I received with due thankfulness.

Being clear of Bristol, I proceeded to London attending several meetings in the way appointed

by

by Rachel Wilson; at one of which we met with our valuable friend, Daniel Stanton from America, with whom we went in company to London; where we were affectionately 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 cross to my

own.

After the yearly meeting, I returned directly 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 manifested in his conducting, dealing with, and preserving, me, a poor weak inexperienced child. The many dangers I had escaped, the many deep exercifes I had been fupported under, with the multitude of favours conferred on fo unworthy an object, ftruck me with admiration, and raised 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 ftaid about home until the fall of the year, when I found my mind drawn to Bath, principally on the account of fuch as reforted thither to drink the waters; to which city I went, and fpent a few weeks therein, and at Bristol, &c. I hope profitably. I paffed the winter

of

of this year chiefly at and about home, and amongst my relations.

In the fpring of the year 1751, I attended the yearly meeting for Wales, held at Newport in Shropshire, which was large and divinely favoured. My dear friend Samuel Fothergill attended it, to whom I imparted a concern, which I had for fome time been under, of visiting Ireland; in which he encouraged me, and advised 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 Peisley before the left the city, I might not have been favoured with her company. Accordingly I very foon set forward, my brother accompanying 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 pleased to afford the means of my release from my native land; which was in a few days, when I was favoured with a good paffage, 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

Soon after I landed I heard that my dear friend Mary Peifley was in town. I told her that, as I was without a companion, I fhould be glad if the could find freedom to go with me a part of the journey; to which the faid little then, but before fhe left the city, fhe informed me that she had for fome time felt drawings to vifit the western and northern provinces, and was free to join me in these parts; with which I thankfully concurred. It is worthy remarking, that the evening before I landed, fhe being under the influence of heavenly goodness, and in that state refigned to go this journey, it appeared to her that a companion would be fent her from England. Thus does the Lord mercifully provide all things neceffary for fuch as trust in him, and are willing to follow whitherfoever he leadsthem.

Mary Peifley returned home from Dublin, in order to prepare for the journey. I ftaid a few days, and then left it with an intention to visit two meetings in the county of Wicklow, and return back to the city. Several Friends accompanied me in a coach, which I mention as being fingularly 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 service therein, though under a heavy load of fickness; which continuing," I returned the next day to Dublin (which I could

1

not

not have done on horseback), where I was laid up for about two weeks; in all which time my mind was remarkably refigned to this difpenfation of Providence; feeling fweet peace in giving up to come the journey, even if it were the Lord's will I should lay down my natural life in that city; having a comfortable hope that it would have been in peace; but as he saw meet, in wisdom and mercy, to raise me from this state of weakness, my earnest defire was, that my longer continuance in mutability might be to the honour of his ever worthy name.

In the time of my indifpofition, I lodged at Robert 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 return to his houfe. I ftaid fome little time in Dublin to recover my strength, and my friend John Barclay's indifpofition proving mortal, I attended the meeting held on account of his funeral; which was very large, and attended with a good degree of solemnity. After this, I left the city accompanied. by a folid young woman, named Elizabeth Carlton, not in the ministry, who was with me about three weeks; in which time I paffed through the meetings of Friends in the counties of Carlow and Wexford, to Waterford; where I was met by my dear friend Mary Peisley, who was my companion through most of the remainder of this journey and I had cause thankfully to acknowledge the mercy of Providence in affording me one fo fteady and expe

rienced,