But alas, when I came thither eighteen years after this, I found little sign left of that fervency toward God which then seemed impressed on their minds. The enemy had got entrance, and much stolen it away.

Next day I got to John Goodwin's, and he told me he believed I was come in the right time, there having been but few at his house the day before, by reason of the snow that had fallen thereabout. He accompanied me from his house to a meeting in the edge of Shropshire.

John told me that his father and mother were both convinced of Truth about the same time, and received it in the love of it. At that time his father was clerk of the parish, and master of the free school thereof; but upon his joining with Friends, and giving up faithfully to divine conviction, he was turned out of both these places, and obliged to have recourse to hard labor, wherein his mother heartily joined; but that himself, their eldest child, then well grown toward the state of a youth, not understanding their case, thought them fools to turn Quakers, and resolved he would not be like them in that nor did they offer any compulsion to him therein; but their prayers, put up to the Lord for him, were manifestly answered, and they had in their son the comfort they desired. At this time Friends were grown numerous in Wales; but soon after, upon the encouragement given by William Penn, most of the Friends in some parts of this principality, removed and settled in Pennsylvania, and amongst the rest John's father and mother, with most of their children. From inclination he would have removed with them; but a higher power directed his stay in his native land, and to that he gave up father and mother and everything. This good man recounted the great favors of the Lord to him all along to that day, to the following purport:

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"When the Lord pointed out poor Wales as a field of labor for me, He promised, that if I was faithful to Him in it, He would be with me and favor me therein; and now I have in my heart a testimony for Him in my old age, that He hath abundantly made good his promise to me, both outwardly and inwardly, far beyond what at that day I could have expected." Which favors, in divers respects he related to me in a very edifying, thankful frame of mind. And speaking of his wife in particular, he related the steps by which the Lord, whom they loved and served, conducted and joined them together; adding, “I think I may say, if any man in the world got his right wife, I got mine." He further told me, that he lived and maintained his family on a farm of four pounds a year but at length had purchased it and improved it, so that at that time he reckoned it worth six pounds a year. The first journey he travelled in the ministry, being to visit Friends through Wales, he had then got of clear money, above forty shillings in all; and he was free to spend it, if there was occasion, in the Lord's service, knowing that He could give him, or enable him to get more; that the first time he began to entertain travelling Friends, most of the meeting being then gone to Pennsylvania, he had but one bed, which he left to them, he and his wife taking up their lodging in the stable. Divers have been convinced by his ministry; and one of the principal worthies of our age I have esteemed him.

The foregoing narrative of this worthy elder, was edifying and profitable to me, not only at the time, but frequently since, in the review and recollection thereof; and I thought it worthy of recital, as conveying profitable instruction to every class of readers, whether of high or low degree to the former a lesson of instruction, how humbly

thankful they ought to be to the gracious Giver of all good things, for His extensive bounty to them. When we consider this truly good man, in circumstances we should reckon mean indeed, and a manner of living suitable to his circumstances, bearing a lively and grateful testimony to the goodness, mercy and truth of the Lord in His gracious dealings with him; also, when he dedicates his little all, in faith, to his Lord's service, doth he not in the silent and reaching language of example, convey this intelligence to thy soul, who art blessed with abundance? "Go thou and do likewise; honor the Lord with thy substance and the first fruits of all thy increase; love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God;" deeply pondering in thy heart, "How much owest thou to the Lord!"

Those of low circumstances from hence may learn, that happiness is confined to no station in this life; but is the result of observing the law of God in the inward parts, being, as it prescribes, content with the things which we have, not minding high things; but reducing our desires to the level of our station in life, that so we may fill it with propriety and act our parts well. If we thus walk by the unerring rule of truth, though we be esteemed poor in this world, we shall be rich in faith, and with this worthy man, enjoy in the obscurity of the humble cottage, what palaces too seldom afford, solid content, the consolation of a conscience void of offence, and the reward of well-doing, "the peace of God that passeth the understandings of men." The most splendid and extensive earthly possessions, when laid in the balance against durable possessions like these, are indeed as nothing, and lighter than vanity.

Having parted with John Goodwin, I went to Shrews

bury, Colebrookdale, Bewdley, Worcester, Birmingham, Coventry, Warwick, Evesham; then back by Worcester, to Bromyard, Hereford, Amely, and into Radnorshire in Wales, to Brinfloyd and Talcot. To this last place came Mary Rickerby, of Yorkshire, from Llandewy-brevy much tired; but after a little rest and refreshment, she had an edifying opportunity in the family; and from hence she, with Miriam Bowen, and her uncle Edward Jones, accompanied me to the Welsh Yearly Meeting, as did also John Young, from Leominster, who met me at Hereford for that purpose, and was an acceptable companion.

Next morning we set out from Talcot about five o'clock, and got to Nathaniel Anthony's a little after meeting time, a meeting having been appointed beforehand there, to begin at five in the evening. After meeting, John Young and I went to lodge with that couple who had before invited me near Llangeithow, where we met with a kind and cordial reception, and found them fervent in desire after godliness. Next morning we met Mary Rickerby, and sundry other Friends at John Bowen's. Thence went to an evening meeting at Carmarthen, which was large. Next day being Seventh-day, we went to John Lewis's house in the country. On First-day we went with him to the meeting at Redstone, and in the afternoon were at a large meeting at Haverford-west; and from hence, on Third-day, we went to the Yearly Meeting at Tenby.

After the Yearly Meeting, I went by Swanzey and Trevereeg to Pontypool, being accompanied by good old Evan Evans. Thence by Shernuton and Ross to Gloucester, and from thence round by Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire to Bristol Yearly Meeting; and from thence by Bath, Bradford, Shaftsbury, Poole, Ringwood and Southampton, and the Isle of Wight, to that of London.

At Shaftsbury, the meeting had been pretty much dropped for several years, there being none of our profession left, but an old Friend, a tanner, and his two sis ters; but at this time several were in part convinced, and thereupon the meeting revived. I was there on a Firstday, and had three meetings, which were large. The Second-day I spent in visiting families, and in the evening had a concluding meeting with Friends and those newly convinced. It was a satisfactory time; and one man's wife who had been in great grief, passion and bitterness, on account of her husband's joining in our profession, was herself gained, and joined him and Friends; and another woman likewise joined us at the same time; yet the fervency which was then felt, proved but of short duration with several of them. However, the meeting has continued, a new meeting-house has been built there since that time, and the Quarterly Meeting of the county of Dorset is sometimes held there.

On my return from the Isle of Wight, Thomas Whitehead and Philip Elliott met me at Portsmouth, and accompanied me thence to London, with young Abel Hollis, of the Isle of Wight, who was then hopeful. Next day being the fourth of the week, we came to Alton; after meeting there on Fifth-day, we came to an evening meeting at Godalming. Sixth-day morning, were at a meeting at Guilford; after which, being joined by Samuel Bownas and Jeremiah Waring, we came to Esher, and next morning to London to the Yearly Meeting.

In this journey, Samuel Bownas was particularly kind and fatherly to me. We were together at Gracious street meeting on First-day morning, which was a good meeting, and wherein I was favored in a good degree.

Thomas Whitehead and Philip Elliott accompanied me