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nuns. That we were too rigid and exact to our own rules. Some objected, It is all carnal wisdom; you cannot change their hearts, and education will only make them more guilty before God. Others, that we were idle, and buried ourselves alive, because we did not live at London. But the reproach that came the nearest to me was thisShe talks of the poverty of the holy Jesus; (alluding to a little book I had printed,) let us see her work at a trade as he did, and that would make her fortune go further. Would any one with such a capital live only on the interest, when by trade they might double it every year ? Several came and talked with me on the subject; saying, If you do not go into some business, you will be brought to the parish in your old age. I replied, I understand no business; and I fear to lose what I have, instead of increasing it. They replied again, Then ask light of them who do understand it. Take some partner, let such have the care, and you find the money. I was wearied with letters and disputes on this head. However, I laid it before the Lord; and felt I was willing, if it would glorify him, to sweep the kennels. It may seem strange why any thus interfered in our affairs; but our undertaking was new, and quite out of the common way. This drew all sorts of company, of various sects and denominations. Some loved me, and wished to bring me over to what they thought the better way. Others were moved by curiosity; some by the love of dispute, others by interest, offering their assistance; and some, perhaps, by that spirit which the seed of the serpent will always manifest. But another, and perhaps the chief reason was, I believe, the order of a wise and gracious Providence. I was called to walk wholly by faith; indeed it appeared a strange call, and humanly speaking, could end no way but in a prison. I was therefore permitted to have every kind of discouragement, and to be brought into many and deep perplexities, that the faithfulness of God might shine more conspicuous, as will be seen in the sequel,

But to return to the children. When actual sin was committed at any time, (minor faults were generally overlooked,) it was set down on paper by sister Tripp, and presented in a meeting held every Friday at twelve o'clock. The whole family were called together at that time, and after praying for the light and presence of the Lord, we entered into a consultation how to prevent a relapse into the same crime; and that the displeasure of the Almighty might be removed, we always endeavoured to make our reasons appear clear before we either acquitted or condemned. Very frequently there appeared a spirit of repentance, so that the exhortation was followed by forgiveness. We then spent some time together in a family meeting, of which I will speak more particularly in another place.

One day a sweet little child about seven years old (who I hope at this time both fears and loves God,) had stolen something. We consulted what must be done to prevent a repetition of her sin. At these times we always adapted our conversation to the capacity of the little criminal. One said, I have read in the Bible, that the offending member ought to be cut off, and cast away. This gave rise to several useful reflections; after which we agreed there were but three ways, either to cut off the offender from the family, or to pray to God to bring her to repentance, or leave her in her sins. After some conversation with her, the second was agreed on; and we joined in prayer that the Lord would graciously interpose, and save her. The meeting being that day in the evening. instead of the usual time, as soon as it was over, they were sent up to be washed, in order to go to bed. (This was on June the seventh, 1764.) Betty Lawrence, about eleven years old, had been much affected while we were talking to H. O. the child above-mentioned. She had shown some concern a few days before, when I was speaking of the spirituality of the commandments. The children being alone, and not knowing they were

overheard, Betty said, "Let us pray for Hannah's soul” !— She then prayed in a very affecting manner. Afterward one, about eight years old, pleaded much for the forgiveness of Hannah's sin; but added, Lord, do not let us think so much about her sin, as to forget our own. Lord, do not let us laugh and trifle, and talk of foolish things as soon as we rise off our knees; but make us Christians. Another then thanked God for their good corrections and teachings, and said, If we are not Christians, we shall be more punished than others. After some time sister Tripp went in to see them to bed; but first went to prayer with them for a few minutes. The spirit of conviction now fell on Betty Lawrence in an extraordinary manner. We came up, and found her in a great agony; she was the very picture of terror. The veins of her neck were as if they would burst. She wrung her hands, and cried with a bitter cry, O my sins! O my sins! I believe more than an hundred times. She then broke out into such a confession of her original corruption and actual sins as quite amazed us; adding, Oh! I have never done any thing to please thee in all my life. I have broken all thy laws; I have not kept thy commandments; Lord, I have kept the devil's commandments! May such a wretch come to thee, Lord? Wilt thou receive me, Lord? Wilt thou pardon me? Wilt thou make me a Christian? Tell me, Lord, shall I go to heaven or hell? Tell me, Lord, shall I go to heaven or hell? Wilt thou make me a Christian? Wilt thou pardon all my sins? She then paused awhile, her eyes fixed upwards, and her face as in a flame; then added, but with a softer voice, Yes, he will, he will! But wilt thou, Lord? Yes, thou wilt, thou wilt! Mr. Dornford being that night with us, gave out a hymn; she now seemed quite calm. The horror which before appeared on her countenance was gone, and had left a sweet smile. After remaining some time in this posture, she said, Jesus is smiling upon me! She afterward told us, she had a view as of Christ on the cross, smiling upon her

and saying, "I have pardoned all your sins, and if you pray, I will give you abundant love." She then broke out, Oh! what a sweet Saviour he is! He hath forgiven me all my sins! All, all, Lord! Thou hast, thou wilt forgive them. But, O Lord, let them be perfectly forgiven. But shall I ever sin again? Shall I ever sin again? Oh! do not let me sin again-O! what a sweet Saviour thou art! What sweet love is thine! Oh! more such love as thine! More such love as thine! But do not let me sin again! Fill me with love, that I may not sin again! We were the more surprised at all this, because she was a child of a remarkably dull apprehension, and had no liberty in expressing herself on any subject. But striking as the scene was (far more so than I can describe,) it was nothing to the change that followed. She was naturally of a very bad temper, but now, it might indeed be said,

"Love made her willing feet

In swift obedience move."

So great was the change in both understanding and will, as plainly declared the hand that had wrought it.

The Lord was pleased at this season to give his word success both among the people who attended the preaching, and in the family. But our house was too strait, and needed some enlargement, and a good deal of repairs. It therefore occurred to my mind, as we had so many visitants, to take another step, and put up a poor's box, like Professor Francke, in Germany. But I found some difficulty. I thought my relations will object to it; and, in short, I found it more easy to give than to receive. But I saw the order of God in the plan, and that was enough. Accordingly we put it up in the hall, with this inscription, "For the maintenance of a few poor orphans, that they may be brought up in the fear of the Lord." Difficulties now began to gather as clouds about us. Workmen must be paid; a family far too large for my income, to sup

port; with a variety of expenses in carrying on the work, assisting their poverty, &c. One day it was suggested, Surely I am wrong; God will not appear for me in this undertaking. I told my mind to some friends, who said, "This is the very thing we always saw; you will find in the end it is all a delusion. In two or three years, you will turn out all these people and children to the wide world; and in your old age, you will be without the necessaries of life." I heard them with attention, and only replied, "If it be a delusion, I meant well, believing it to be the will of God."

I carried it to the Lord in prayer, when the following thoughts were impressed on my mind. If Christ was now upon earth, and in want of food and raiment, should I be afraid to give him mine, for fear of wanting it myself? Should I not rather say, Let all I have be brought out as a sacrifice to my Lord; he is well able to repay me ; and ́ if he do not see it best so to do, then let us suffer together. I saw the case with the poor was the same, (as far as he had called me to help them,) and that my Lord had said, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto them, ye have done it unto me! Here a light broke into my mind, which quite satisfied me, and dispelled every cloud. I cried out, "Lord, thy will is enough! Thou hast bid me love my neighbour as myself, be it so. Their wants be mine; my substance theirs." Rising from my knees, I took up the Bible, when opening on Job, the xxii, v. 23, I found from that verse, to the end of the chapter, several parts come "If thou return to the Alas a message from Heaven.

Thou shalt put away
Then shalt thou lay

mighty, thou shalt be built up. iniquity far from thy tabernacles. up gold as the dust, and the gold of Ophir, as the stones of the brook. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. Thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; and the light shall shine on thy path." These words were wrote

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