ence to their own cases, medical advice, may be climes, it will be well. publishing these Memoirs will be answered-if some of these may but be encouraged and stimulated, by the example set before them, to seek to the Great Physician, and to confide in Him, who only can bless any means of restoration,-who can heal the maladies of the soul, as well as those of the body; who can be a light to the feet, and as a lamp to the path, and leads to that fountain which is set open for sin and for uncleanness; and who, in his own time, can purify the tribulated soul, in the laver of regeneration; and can clothe it in the white robe of Christ's righteousness. Being thus purified and clothed, whensoever the body shall return unto the dust from whence it was taken, and the spirit unto Him who gave it, there to appear in his presence, such shall witness the sting of death to be taken away, and the grave to be deprived of its victory.

especially such of them as, under led to seek a remedy in foreign But above all, the chief motive for

Newcastle-upon-Tyne,

Fourth Month 10th, 1841.

MEMOIR, &c.

ISAAC RICHARDSON, the subject of the following pages, was the son of George and Eleanor Richardson, of Newcastleupon-Tyne, and was born the 6th of the Second Month, 1811. When a child, he was of a docile, tractable disposition, innocently playful, but of a mild natural temper. His parents do not remember ever detecting him speaking an untruth and there is reason to believe that his mind was susceptible of the operations of Divine grace at a very early period. He has himself noticed being sensible of the voice of instruction, through the convictions of the Holy Spirit in the conscience, when first sent to school. As soon as he was capable of reading, he took pleasure in good books, and highly prized his Bible; even at this early period: and after he was put to business, for a considerable time, he read in little else, being often seen perusing its sacred pages in his leisure moments, morning, noon, and night. In him was verified the voice of wisdom, as in the book of Proverbs, “I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me."

In 1832, Isaac Richardson attended the Yearly Meeting in London, respecting which, in one of his letters, he expresses his thankfulness for the privilege, and hope of having derived benefit thereby.

To his parents he writes, "I feel grateful for the paternal interest you take in my proceedings and welfare: and trust that your fervent desires will be answered, as I really feel very weak, and greatly need a renewal of strength.”

But little more has been found from his own pen until the year 1835, when, in a letter to his sister E., who had just been attending the Yearly Meeting, he remarks, "I am glad that thou hast enjoyed attending the Yearly Meeting, of which I had not a doubt, for their certainly is something very delightful in meeting so many of the excellent of our Society; and although it is very true, that we cannot always participate in the good that is flowing,-sometimes, perhaps, for want of a right preparation, or from whatever other cause it may proceed, yet I think we could not well come away from such an engagement, without having received considerable benefit; and if we have found that what has been expressed has not been adapted to our state, may not this cause us to look yet more to our 'Teacher, who can no more be removed into a corner;' who will condescend to teach us himself, and that as never man taught; for if we ask in faith, we are assured that He will teach us all things, 'even the deep things of God.' Thus yielding obedience to the light already given; may we grow in grace, and in the knowledge of God; and increase in that faith which animated that 'great cloud of witnesses, who, through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.' Thus may we also be enabled to 'run with patience the race set before us; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.'

"I have gone on rather further than I intended, for I feel it to be a weighty thing, meddling with serious subjects; yet, as I would that religion were the governing principle of my life, knowing that what we most value, we are likely to dwell most upon; this must pass as my apology if I have gone too far, which I hope thou wilt excuse."

In a memorandum, penned in 1836, he expresses a desire to keep some record of his feelings, "with a view" (to use his own words)" of its being a help to me in observing the injunction of the Redeemer, 'What I say unto you, I say unto all, watch,' more particularly, as I have lately felt, what I believe to be the assaults of the enemy, from a quarter where he might be least expected; whilst engaged in a course of conduct which appears to be on the side of virtue; persuading that because we are engaged with others in benevolent enterprises, that therefore we are persons of importance-thus inflating the mind with spiritual pride, and overthrowing our humility, under the cloak of philanthropic exertion. Pride is one of the enemies of which it is said, 'That a man's greatest foes, are those of his own house.' And spiritual pride is of the worst kind, inasmuch as we are deceiving ourselves, thinking that we are serving God, when, in reality, self is the idol we worship.

"In beginning this engagement, I have been turning my mind to the days of my childhood, when I must gratefully acknowledge that the Lord has been with me ; teaching, as it were, with a voice behind me, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.' One instance of this kind, I remember when about eight years of age. I was sent to school, where there were a number of other boys, not of the Society of Friends, amongst whom the temptation was strong, to give up the use of the plain language. I did for a while adopt the common mode of discourse, but my conscience told me I was not doing right, (denying my religious profession), and at length I was strengthened to return to the language of Friends; and have often felt satisfied in having, at this early age, taken heed to the reproofs of instruction, regarding it as a mark of the care of my heavenly Father over me at that time.

"About the same period, I was impressed with the sin

fulness of broils and fightings, (too common amongst boys at school), and did sometimes fall into something of this kind; but I was conscious that it was unchristian, and against the principles of our Society, and that therefore I should not fight.

"About this time I was induced to begin a practice which I had understood had proved beneficial to others, that of thinking over the actions of the past day, on retiring to rest at night. This practice I continued for some time, and found it decidedly beneficial, in promoting a care to confine my actions to the dictates of my conscience.

"When about thirteen years of age, I was favoured with lively visitations of Divine grace, which led me into a strict path of self-denial, even in many things, which I have since seen to be non-essential, but which I believe were at the time right for me, as a trial of my faith and obedience.

"Taking the text as my watchword, 'For every idle word that men shall speak, they must give an account in the day of judgment,' I was careful to say very littletaking the text literally, led me to be very silent,-scarcely speaking any more than was indispensable.

"The desire after holiness of life was strengthened by the encouragement which I received from some spirituallyminded Friends, who perceived my condition of mind, from one of whom I received a letter dated.

This

reached the witness for Truth in my own mind; and I well remember how it melted my soul into a feeling of tenderness, and the tendency which it had to confirm my faith in the path I had chosen.

"Thus the Lord was leading me in the strait way, and I rejoice that I was made willing to take up my cross, and follow him. But whilst endeavouring to fulfil all the