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occasioned some deep travail in my mind; as I in all probability should have gone in a vessel which sailed two or three days before we did, for the same port. But a great mercy it was for me that it was otherwise ordered, for we were given to understand, when we got on the coast of Liverpool, that the said vessel was lost, and all the people perished. So I had to behold the preserving hand of the Lord in guiding me by his providence, and making way for deliverance and escape from the most imminent dangers, which I hope to bear often in remembrance in reverence and fear. I have only now to add, that I found my wife and family well, and my business was well conducted in my absence. I gratefully acknowledge and own the goodness of that Divine hand, that was with me in all this journey, and preserved me without fainting. May the continuance of heavenly wisdom guide me in all things, that I may walk in those paths, and practise those rules, I have so earnestly recommended to others!

The work of true gospel ministry is a very great mystery, which they that are exercised therein can testify by experience. Its source and spring is everlasting goodness, diffusing itself into the soul, by which the soul is enlivened and quickened and strengthened, to call and invite mankind to come to a state of repentance and amendment of life, that thereby they may live in the love and favour of God, and at length die in acceptance with him. Many of these godly messengers, (for so I will venture to call them,) that are thus taught, instructed, and qualified, many times meet with great exercises and trials, such as leaving wife or husband, children, business, and every

thing else, to go whithersoever they apprehend to be their duty, far or near, without fee or reward from men. And this continues to be a great mystery, to divers amongst the many professors of Christianity unto this day. I write not these things, because I am dissatisfied with any lot or portion I have in the work, though I have met with many close trials and proving seasons, and have found myself hitherto upheld and supported to yield in submission and in obedience to God in every requirement of this kind; and if more should be required, I hope my will may be brought into subjection to the Divine will, and at length say, as I am taught by the great Master, I am an unprofitable servant. He said unto his servants formerly, "Go into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right ye shall receive;" and he that thus promised is faithful to perform; and herein, and on all occasions, I have witnessed him to be a rich rewarder, a God nigh at hand, and a present help in the needful time. Praised for ever be his great and worthy name, who has not only blessed me with the knowledge of his precious Truth, and by it hath to this time in a good degree preserved me; but a measure of the same good Spirit he has been graciously pleased to bestow on my dear children, by which they not only believe in the Truth, but also are concerned to walk in it; and this I esteem far greater riches than the increase of worldly inheritance.

CHAPTER VI.

BEING free from any religious restraint of travelling abroad in the service and work of the gospel, I remained at home, continuing in my business, and living peaceful and comfortable with my family and amongst my friends, with great nearness and unity, harmony and love; that I have not anything worthy remark till entering into the year 1766. In the first month of which year, my wife, with the approbation of her Monthly Meeting, visited Friends in and about London, to good satisfaction, and to the comfort and peace of her own mind, and returned home the 22d of 2nd mo., to the rejoicing of her family. On the 29th of 4th mo. in this year, was married my eldest daughter Sarah to John Cooke.

Having been exercised for some time past in a godly concern to visit Friends, in a religious capacity, in the north of Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland, and Scotland, I got in readiness, and acquainted my friends with my concern, requesting their approbation and certificate, which was granted me. John Roper, a Friend of our city, who had been some years before convinced, and come forth in public ministry, also found it on his mind to accompany me in the said service, which I well approved. My eldest son Joseph, by this time, was well grown up; and being steady and sober, I committed the management of my business to his

care, under the assistance of my brother John Oxley; and the time being come, I took a solemn farewell of my family and friends, and set forward on the 2nd of the 8th mo. 1766.

[After passing through Lincolnshire, where at Wainfleet they lodged at William Reckitt's, who had not long been returned from a religious visit to America, they went on to Hull, where they] had a meeting to which came abundance of other Societies, and we were made partakers of that Divine power and presence, by which our hearts were renewedly comforted, and enabled to praise the Lord, in deep reverence of soul, for his goodness to us, which was beyond what our tongues could utter!

[They visited the north of Yorkshire and Durham, which it is not necessary to particularize, except that he mentions meeting with Philip Hasleton, at Moorsum, in Yorkshire, a very ancient Friend and minister who had formerly travelled in the service of Truth with Luke Cock; also at Raby, in Durham, with Joshua Dickson,] who has been a valiant in the cause of righteousness in our Israel, having travelled through most parts of England, Ireland, and America, and bis labours of love very acceptable. But, at this time, we found him very low in his mind, and sorely tossed and distressed, and almost ready to distrust in the goodness and mercy of God.

The meetings at Sunderland were large, and enlivened through the goodness of our great and good Master. The 8th, we were at Newcastle, being their Monthly Meeting, which was large; there were divers ministering Friends, besides ourselves, that were strangers, and much was said in the springings of Truth, to edification. We passed on through

the county of Northumberland: here are but few Friends in these parts, and meeting-houses very few, and much coolness and indifferency towards religion. We went to Cornwood, and lodged at Cuthbert Wigham's, a worthy elder and minister, who has four daughters in that religious capacity. We were at this meeting on First day the 14th,which was large; abundance of the people called Methodists came in, so that the house was pretty well filled, and though things did not seem to rise high, yet a good, still, quiet meeting. Had a meeting at our quarters in the evening, wherein was experienced a flow of that Divine life and power, by which we were made alive, and the Lord alone praised, who is worthy for ever and ever! On the 16th we went to Jedburgh, in Scotland, and next day lodged at Kelso, at Charles Armstrong's, an ancient Friend and minister; he was much weakened in his faculties through age, &c.; his children married out of the Society, but, through the precious visitation of the Almighty, his daughter so offending had taken a sober religious turn, and sometimes appears in a few words in meetings: we had a meeting with them, to which came pretty many of the town's people, and heard with attention the preaching we had to declare, and through Divine favour it was an opportunity to mutual comfort. Here is a hopeful family in this town, James Anderson, his wife, son, and daughter, with whom we were renewedly strengthened, and they with us we rested a day here, and then directed our course to Edinburgh, accompanied by J. Anderson the younger.

We were at both their meetings on the First day, which were made large by the coming in of other

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