preserve unsold one of the freehold cottages, the asses might graze on the common, and I could follow them with something to sell. There were but few trades which my conscience would suffer me to follow; and my abilities were equal to still fewer. But to any thing in the whole world would I turn, that was not sinful, rather than remain in debt. I do not mean that I decided to act thus ; but so conformed was my mind to poverty at this time, that the thought of even that employment, as it now glanced through it, gave me real pleasure. However open I had been with my relations concerning my affairs hitherto, I determined to conceal all personal wants; for if I voluntarily gave up my income for the payment of my debts, I did not see it to be just to live on theirs; and this would not have been difficult, as I had no relation that lived within two hundred miles.

Sometimes it appeared to me quite clear, that Mr. Fletcher was the friend God would raise up for me. He was now much recovered, and about to return to England. However, I feared to lay any stress on that; but while thinking on it, I received a letter from a friend, informing me that Mr. Fletcher had settled abroad, and proposed to see England no more. This was a false report; he never had such a thought: but as it came from an intimate friend, I had reason to believe it. Thus was I cut off from the prospect of any human help! but I kept to my old word, "My soul, wait thou upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”

I had not advertised

My heart was much oppressed. the place, because some advised me not, saying it was the way rather to hurt the sale; nor did any one so much as inquire after it, though my mind was well known. I could now only stand still, for I knew not which way to go. During this suspense, conversing one day with my friend, Mr. ***, he said, "Indeed I am at a loss what to do for you. I thought to have helped you greatly by the continuance of the farm; but, alas! I wish I had suffered you to advertise and sell it for any thing six years ago; and you then could have done it. It is now too late. The nation is engaged in wars: you would now sell it for a trifle. I consulted some friends the other day, who all agreed that, separate from the stock, you must not expect

You are

My

above six hundred pounds for the whole place. ruined, madam! You withstand the order of God. fortune is enough for you and me. But you cannot see in my light. May the Lord stand by you! But I cannot think of a partnership any longer; the blame would fall on me!"

It was now the summer of 1781. The seventh of June in that year, I entered into my fourteenth year in Yorkshire. I had all along an impression, that about that season something would open. One day, as I was walking up a narrow lane which had a stile at the top, I saw a flock of sheep before me. The shepherd had hard work to drive them on; they seemed determined to turn again. I thought, well they may, for there is no gate, no way through; what can he wish them to do? He forced them along, however, with dogs and sticks. I said in my mind, "These sheep are like me, drove on in a narrow path, without any way to get out." I followed at a distance, expecting every moment they would turn back upon me— when all at once they began to run, and I discovered a. new made gate in a spacious field of turnips. In a minute they were dispersed, and fell to their full pasture with great delight. Faith whispered to my heart-So shall a door open before you in the appointed time.

That passage of the psalmist was much impressed on my mind at this time: "The rod of the wicked shall not always remain in the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth his hand to iniquity." And frequently those words also came with power, The days shall be shortened ; by which I rather thought some change would take place in the beginning of the last year of my two apprenticeships in Yorkshire. And now the seventh of June came; and I was almost constrained to say, Thou hast not delivered thy people at all. There was no appearance of any such thing; all was dark.

"All was with sable terror hung."

I have continued the narrative unbroken through this cloudy and dark day. All was conflict respecting the creatures; but the Lord tempered the evil with occa sional intimations that

"Behind a frowning providence

He hid a smiling face."

Mrs. Fletcher was thus kept from "growing weary in well doing," and enabled to "believe in the faithfulness of Him who knoweth the way of the righteous; and who "in every temptation maketh a way for their escape." The pious reader will wish to know her walk with the Lord, during this evil day. An extract from her journal will give a clear view of this; and it will be seen, that although this blessed woman was thus cast down, she was not forsaken; though perplexed, she was not, for a moment, in despair; she still "looked, not at the things that are seen, and which are temporal, but at the things which are not seen, and eternal." She felt her weakness; yea, her utter helplessness; yet she was still confident." She stood still to see the salvation of God."-ED.

Sunday, December, 1772.-My health is yet far from good. My head is much affected, and it is often presented to my mind that I shall have an apoplexy. It is a painful sensation. Sudden death does not appear to me as pleasant. I seem not to have my evidence clear for heaven. "Lord, spare me a little, that I may recover my strength before I go hence, and am no more seen." My nerves are very weak, and I feel a lowness which I thinks affects my mind as to spiritual things; but 1 feel a determination, whether weak or strong, to rise early, and to visit the sick. Lord, give me to make the most of my short time! and, O Jesus! give me power to keep my mind always fixed on thyself!

January 16, 1773.-Waked early, and was going to rise, but unprofitable thoughts crowded into my mind. My distressing situation, as to outward things, seemed an intolerable burden, and I was betrayed into thinking of useless plans and schemes, how to avoid this (as I think) approaching ruin. Alas! with all my anxiety and care, I can do nothing. All I strive for seems overturned. O Lord, give me the power to keep every thought stayed on thee! This day I have been a good deal hindered by company from walking by my rules, and I see I ought to receive every thing that occurs more immediately from the hand of God.

January 17.-Being very poorly, and the weather bad, I thought I would spend this day quietly at home, and set

apart three hours for solemn examination, and fresh dedication of myself to God; and I found it good so to do. At night I felt much recollection, and had freedom in meeting the people.

January 21, Friday. For a few days past I have been enabled to keep in mind, That the cross is my chosen portion. Much taken up to-day in domestic affairs, in which I found my mind recollected. A good deal also with the poor and sick, who came for advice. I seemed to be in my own element. But when in a more public way, I do not seem as much in my place. Company does not agree with my soul.

January 25.-Rose early, but not having much time for prayer, I was off my guard, and spoke very unkindly to A. T. I have not been with God much to-day; yet I seem to have had a cry in my heart to him. At night I again gave way to a hasty spirit. Alas! I seem to love to find fault, and to oblige others to see in my light, and so justify me. O how unlike that holy simplicity I felt for a little while when at Hoxton!

February 2.-Since I wrote last, I trust I have been in a growing frame. I went this day to AHad a good time in speaking from those words, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

February 17.-This day, in reading Mr. Fletcher's Fourth Check, I found my soul much stirred up. O for the close walk with God which he describes!

February 28.-It was this week laid on my mind to go with Richard Taylor to A—. I set out with prayer. When we had rode a few miles, the horse grew very ill. We stopped at a public inn just out of the town. In a few minutes a woman came in, who had observed us; she said, "Here are two or three of us who are seeking the Lord, just going to meet together at a house hard by,pray will you come in?" I answered, "If you will let a few of the neighbours know, that some strangers are going to have a meeting, we will come in for half an hour." In a short time several were gathered, and we had a comfortable season with them. When the meeting was concluded, R. Taylor said, “If any of you who have a larger house, will open the door, we will spend half an hour with you in the morning before we set off." Several

offered. The largest house was fixed on, and in the morning we had a good meeting, and much of the presence of God. About ten we set out for the coal pit at R. Here I saw a little of what the Methodist preachers see much, viz., deep poverty, dirt, and cold; but the Lord gave me freedom of speech, and some seemed to have an ear to hear. Lord! let me not be a delicate disciple!

July 24.-For a long time I have been ill, from the cold I caught at R, and my eyes being bad from riding so many miles in a strong east wind, I have been unfit for writing since. On the 29th of May I set out for Harrowgate, where I was advised to go to drink the waters. We got in on Saturday night. The next day we were afflicted with hearing the Sabbath greatly profaned both in the house and in the street. Under my window were a company of men playing at horseshoe. It seemed a heathen country indeed. We reproved them, and never observed the Sabbath so broke again while we stayed. On Monday I began the waters, and thought, If it does not please the Lord that I should get good for my body, I will strive to get good for my soul. I will give myself up to prayer and reading. I have no opportunity here to act for the souls of others. I had nearness to God; but a great weight rested on my mind. There were no lodgings but at the great inns, and ours was full of ungodly company. They all ate at one table; but this I could not bear; therefore I got a bit in my own room when they had done. However, their talking, swearing, laughing, and music, I was forced to hear all day long. Sometimes a strange impression came on my mind, that I should be called to bear my testimony for God to all the company that were there; but the pain that it brought with it was exquisite.

After a few days, I was asked to go to Pannel, (about a mile from Harrowgate,) in order to hold a meeting at the house of a poor woman, who had taken the preachers in once or twice; at which I found many had been offended, and threatened much, so that I did not know what sort of treatment 1 was likely to meet with. Nevertheless I did not dare to refuse. We had a profitable time, and all was quiet. Two days after, I heard that some of the chief opposers were much affected. Glory