grace to nourish and strengthen the root, you will in due season be qualified to bring forth fruit to the LORD's praise, First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear,' ripening under holy influence, and by the maturing rays of the Sun of Righteousness prepared to be finally gathered into the garner. Oh! how my spirit longs for the safe advancement of the beloved youth among you. May the enriching showers of celestial rain descend to preserve and nourish them; and may the further advanced, those in the meridian and decline of life, wait in humble resignation to know their spirits renewedly seasoned with the salt of the kingdom; that this may produce its salutary effects, enabling to minister grace, suitable example, and precept, to the younger. Finally, beloved friends, farewell in the LORD! may He be sanctified in them who come nigh' Him, and the gracious purpose of His will be effected, by preparing for himself ' a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.' In the fresh feeling of undiminished love I am your cordial friend,

6

MARY DUDLEY."

CHAPTER VI.

Religious visit to Dunkirk and Guernsey, in the year 1792.

A

Service for which my dear mother had long been preparing, and which she contemplated with awfulness and many fears, now presented as the immediate requiring of her great Master, and early in the 6th mo. she laid before her Monthly Meeting a concern to visit Friends in Dunkirk, Guernsey, and some parts of the north of England and Scotland, having in prospect to hold Meetings also with those not in profession with our Society. The trial which it was to her affectionate feelings, and the conflicts she endured, when thus about to leave her husband and children, are somewhat described in the following extract from a letter, dated

"6th mo. 23rd, 1792. Thy sympathy in my present important prospect is truly consoling, and thy encouragement to follow apprehended duty is strengthening. Ah! my progress has indeed been slow, and my experience comparatively small; but how much has it cost my nature, yea, almost its destruction, to be in the degree I am, loosened from my precious domestic ties. When a gracious Master demands

the sacrifice of obedience, what struggles do I renewedly feel to give up all; at this moment I am even ready to question whether that faith to which all things are posible will be victorious, or rather that the small grain will so increase as to give the victory."

On the 1st of the 8th mo. she sailed from Waterford, being accompanied by her dear friends Elizabeth Pim and Edward Hatton, who both felt bound to the service; respecting the accomplishment of which, my dear mother writes as follows:

--"Through merciful preservation we arrived at Milford about seven o'clock this morning, after a tedious passage, very the wind turning quite against us about two hours after we got on board, and next day it was mostly calm, so that little but fishing went forward among the sailors: we were all distressingly sick, but it is a great favour we had no storm and have been so far preserved.

"5th. We proceeded from Haverfordwest to Carmarthen, where as there was a Meeting-house belonging to Friends, we ventured to invite the people to come and sit with us: a little solid company attended, and I think there was no reason to be dissatisfied with this step. We rode on to Llandovery to lodge, and reached Monmouth the next day, called on a family of Friends about a mile from the town, who are settled in a lonely situation far from Meeting, and separated from the Society of Friends; some communication in a sitting with them tended to

Our minds

relieve our minds, and I hope sealed some profitable instruction on theirs. We went from thence to Ross, and finding their Monthly Meeting was to be held the next day concluded to attend it. being drawn in gospel love to those not of our Society, notice was circulated and many came to the Meeting which proved a solemn one. E. H. was engaged with good authority, and the season ended in humble acknowledgment of divine mercy. We had a religious sitting in the family where we lodged, and proceeded that evening to Glocester, where we also felt bound to appoint a Meeting; and though but few attended it was an open relieving time, affording renewed cause to trust in the never failing arm of saving strength.

"We reached Burford the evening of the 9th, and were affectionately received at the hospitable dwelling of Thomas Huntley. In religious retirement after supper, we were refreshed together, and felt a little of that fellowship which is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. We had a season of religious worship next morning with the boys in their school-room, and afterwards proceeded to High Wycomb, where we arrived just as Friends were going to a Meeting held at seven in the evening on that day of the week; it was a solid time, the number attending not large. Here I met with my old companion Adey Bellamy, who took me to his house, and, with his wife, a valuable religious woman, lodged and entertained us most kindly.

6

"11th. After breakfast we went to see our friend Mary Green, and her three daughters, where we were favoured with an opportunity the most refreshing and strengthening to my poor mind, of any we have had since leaving Waterford. A. B. supplicated, and after some communications in the line of ministry, his wife revived the language of David, Surely mercy and goodness hath followed me all the days of my life,' &c. when our valuable friend M. G. with whom much sympathy was felt, made humble acknowledgment of the mercy renewedly extended to her; after which another return of prepared praise closed this memorable season, wherein it seemed to me such food was graciously handed, as might be gone in the strength of many days, and our spirits were bowed in thankfulness to the LORD. We left this place in peaceful serenity, and reached London to tea, being cordially received at my dear friend. J. Eliot's.

"12th. Attended Westminster Meeting, which was to my feelings a low season, though E. H. was wéll concerned in testimony. The Afternoon Meeting was wholly silent, but I thought inward travail was got to, which it is a favour to be willing to abide under, even a state where the seed can be profitably visited and interceded for; believing that in this situation groans which cannot be uttered, reach the sacred ear, My mind was instructed in these seasons, as well as in a time of retirement at our lodgings, in the evening, and though my lips were