and contrited before the Lord Almighty, and, I hope, strengthened in living experience. On our return we called at Christians-town, and stayed a few nights there, where I met with a remarkable occurrence; I had been used in former times to walk out with my gun and dog; it was a retired way of amusing myself, in which I thought there was no harm: and reasoning after this manner, though I was very thoughtful about leading a new life, yet I now went out as formerly. I remember I shot a brace of woodcocks, and on my return home it rained, and I went to shelter myself by a stack of corn; when it struck my mind as an impropriety, thus to waste my time in this way of amusement, so I returned rather heavy-hearted. Dear Garratt and I lodged together; and next morning he asked me if I was awake, I told him I was; 'I have something to say to thee,' said he; I bid him say on. 'It has been,' said he, as if an angel had spoken to me, to bid thee put away thy gun; I believe it is proper that thou shouldst put away that amusement.' To this purport he spoke; and that same night I dreamed that it was said to me, intelligibly in my sleep, that if I would be a son of righteousness, I must put away my gun, and such amusements: it made a deep impression on my mind, and I concluded to give up everything of the kind, and take up my daily cross, and follow the leadings of the Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world.

We returned to Dublin soon after; and I stayed there, attending meetings, and keeping as much as I

well could in solitude; until dear Joseph Tomey, feeling a concern to visit a few meetings in the country, I was made willing to accompany him. In this journey, I was under a deep exercise of mind, and great strugglings between flesh and spirit, which none fully knew but the good Spirit that searcheth all things, and comprehendeth all states and conditions. We went to Ballitore, and into the county of Carlow. Joseph was clothed with great authority in his ministry; and was made a nursing father to me in this little journey by day and by night, for we lay much awake, in great tenderness and contrition of spirit; so that I may indeed say, I watered my pillow with my tears. I felt something like a fire in my breast that glowed with uncommon heat: it gradually increased, and was shut up there, till we came to Mountrath meeting; where, as I sat, I felt a great concern to say a few words, which deeply affected my whole frame, and made me tremble exceedingly. After much reasoning I yielded obedience, which gave me great ease; my peace flowed abundantly, and I seemed quite in another state. My companion had an excellent opportunity to preach the gospel to the people, and the meeting ended in a very solemn frame. This was the 16th of the Twelfth Month, 1751. My beloved friend Mary Peisley was present at this awful dedication of the temple of my heart, and I believe had great sympathy with me, being deeply experienced in the way and working of Truth, and an eminent instrument in the Lord's hand for promoting truth and righteousness amongst men.

After this I kept very still and quiet, was much inward with the Spirit in my own heart, and delighted in reading and meditation.

We went from Mountrath to Edenderry, and were there at a marriage: there were several people at it besides Friends. I went in much fear to this meeting, but I was helped to bear my testimony, and my companion had an excellent open season amongst them. We went from Edenderry to Dublin, where I had much reasoning with flesh and blood, such as, what would the people think or say of such an one as I, who had been a gay young man, a libertine and a persecutor of the holy Jesus in his spiritual appearance, to appear now as a preacher of righteousness. When the meeting day came, my fears increased, and in this state I went to meeting; it was on a First-day, there was a very large gathering, amongst whom were divers of my associates and old companions. I was concerned to bear my testimony, which I did in great fear and trembling the subject was Paul's conversion; "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" It was spoken in great brokenness, —I did not say much, but it had an extraordinary reach over the meeting; many present wept aloud, and for a considerable space of time. After meeting I endeavoured to get away unperceived, though one man (not of our Society) caught me in his arms and embraced me. Thus was I sustained and strengthened in my setting out in the work of the ministry; and had an evidence that the people were much reached, and powerfully affected that day.

Afterwards I waded through divers exercises, and felt deep baptisms attend me for my further purification, and on account of the people, whose states I must feel, if I ministered aright.

CHAPTER II.

Joins William Brown from America, in a visit to some parts of England, Holland, and Germany - Visits the West of England - Attends the Yearly Meeting in London.

[Twelfth Month, 1751.]-ABOUT this time dear William Brown arrived from America, a faithful minister, and an experienced elder, who wanted a companion. I was spoken to on the subject; and after receiving the advice of my friends, and feeling my way open, I agreed to go with him; this I hope proved a blessing to me.

[During his stay in Dublin, preparing for his journey, he laboured faithfully in the vineyard.] He remarks:

There seemed an open door: the change in me awakened the minds of several of the youth, who were greatly struck with it; and indeed it was a day of visitation to many.

We left Dublin in the First Month, 1752, and visited the several meetings of Friends through this nation, both in the particular and province meetings, as they occurred in our way; holding meetings also in divers

places, where there were none of our Society resident. We had to experience that the God of our forefathers manifests himself to be near those, whom He commissions and sends forth as sheep among wolves; and that it is not the wise of this world by whom he speaks, but those who are anointed with the holy unction. The Divine power was over the spirits of many of the people, which confirmed me in the belief, that the Lord will send his servants, to invite those that are as in the highways and hedges to the supper of the Lamb. At the last meeting we attended in this journey, we were made partakers of the healing, sweetening virtue of Truth; and we were mercifully sustained throughout, by the invisible omnipotent Arm, that never fails those who trust in it.

SAMUEL NEALE TO A FRIEND.

Dated near Widelow, 13th Third Month, 1752.

MY DEAR FRIEND,―Though I am at times borne up by the renewings of Divine assistance, yet am I at seasons as empty and as a mere nothing, as though I never knew any good; and it is rare that I meet such refreshing showers of celestial sweets, as I did when in thy company with those favourites of heaven; which makes me ready to conclude it was only an earnest for me to enter into service, and that I must now work for my bread. Well, I verily believe, but for a little faith that I find as a stay to my mind in these moments, I should almost faint; and then the words of the prophet