CHAPERT XI.

His preparing to visit friends in England-His embarking at Chester, in company with Samuel Emlen, in a ship bound to London-His deep exercise, in observing the difficulties and hardships the common sailors are exposed to-Considerations on the dangers to which youth are exposed, in being trained to a sea-faring life; and its inconsistency with a pious educationHis thoughts in a storm at sea: with many instructive contemplations on the voyage-Ilis arrival at London.

HAVING been some time under a religious concern to prepare for crossing the seas, in order to visit friends in the northern parts of England, and more particularly in Yorkshire; after weighty consideration, I thought it expedient to inform friends, at our monthly-meeting at Burlington, of it; who, having unity with me therein, gave me a certificate; and I afterward communicated the same to our quarterly-meeting, and they likewise certified their concurrence therewith. Some time after which, at the general spring-meeting of ministers and elders, I thought it my duty to acquaint them of the religious exercise which attended my mind; with which they likewise signified their unity by a certificate,

dated the twenty-fourth day of the third month, 1772, directed to friends in Great-Britain.

In the fourth month following, I thought the time was come for me to make some enquiry for a suitable conveyance; being apprehensive that, as my concern was principally towards the northern parts of England, it would be most proper to go in a vessel bound to Liverpool or Whitehaven: and, while I was at Philadelphia, deliberating on this occasion, I was informed, that my beloved friend, Samuel Emlen jun. intended to go to London, and had taken a passage for himself in the cabin of the ship, called Mary and Elizabeth, of which James Sparks was master, and John Head, of the city of Philadelphia, one of the owners; and I feeling a draught in my mind towards the steerage of the same ship, went first and opened to Samuel the feeling I had concerning it.

My beloved friend wept when I spake to him, and appeared glad that I had thoughts of going in the vessel with him, though my prospect was toward the steerage; and he offering to go with me, we went on board, first into the cabin, a commodious room, and then into the steerage; where we sat down on a chest, the sailors being busy about us: then the owner of the ship came, and sat down with us.

Here my mind was turned toward Christ, the heavenly counsellor; and I feeling, at this time, my own will subjected, my heart was contrite before him.

A motion was made, by the owner, to go and sit in the cabin, as a place more retired; but I felt easy to leave the ship, and made no agreement as to a passage in her; but told the owner, if I took a passage in the ship, I believed it would be in the steerage; but did not say much as to my exercise in that case.

After I went to my lodgings, and the case was a little known in town, a friend laid before me the great inconvenience attending a passage in the steerage; which, for a time appeared very discouraging to me.

I soon after went to bed, and my mind was under a deep exercise before the Lord; whose helping hand was manifested to me as I slept that night, and his love strengthened my heart. In the morning I went with two friends on board the vessel again; and, after a short time spent therein, I went, with Samuel Emlen, to the house of the owner; to whom, in the hearing of Samuel only, I opened my exercise, in substance as follows, in relation to a scruple I felt with regard to a passage in the cabin.

I told the owner that on the outside of that part of the ship, where the cabin was, I observed sundry sorts of carved work and imagery; and that in the cabin-1 observed some superfluity of workmanship of several sorts; and that according to the ways of men's reckoning, the sum of money to be paid for a passage in that apartment, hath some relation to the expense in furnishing it to please the minds of

such as gave way to a conformity to this world; and that in this case, as in other cases, the monies received from the passengers are calculated to answer every expense relating to their passage, and amongst the rest, of the superfiuities; and that in that case, I felt a scruple with regard to paying my money to defray such expenses.

As my mind was now opened, I told the owner, that I had, at several times in my travels, seen great oppressions on this continent at which my heart had been much affected, and brought into a feeling of the state of the sufferers, and having many times been engaged, in the fear and love of God, to labour with those under whom the oppressed have been borne down and afflicted; I have often perceived, that a view to get riches, and provide estates for children, to live conformable to customs, which stand in that spirit wherein men have regard to the honours of this world-that in the pursuit of these things, I had seen many entangled in the spirit of oppression; and the exercise of my soul had been such, that I could not find peace, in joining in any thing which I saw was against that wisdom which is pure.

After this I agreed for a passage in the steerage; and, hearing in town that Joseph White had a desire to see me, I felt the reviving of a desire to see him, and went then to his house, and next day home; where I tarried two nights: and then, early in the morning, I parted with my family, under a sense of the humbling hand of God upon me; and,

going to Philadelphia, had opportunity with several of my beloved friends; who appeared to be concerned for me, on account of the unpleasant situation of that part of the vessel where I was likely to lodge.

In these opportunities, my mind through the mercies of the Lord, was kept low, in an inward waiting for his help, and friends having expressed their desire, that I might have a place more convenient than the steerage, did not urgé, but ap-peared disposed to leave me to the Lord.

Having stayed two nights in Philadelphia, I went the next day to Derby; monthly-meeting; where, through the strength of divine love, my heart was enlarged toward the youth then present; under which I was helped to labour in some tenderness of spirit. Then, lodging at William Horn's, 1, -with one friend, went to Chester; where, meeting with Samuel Emlen, weswent on board, the first -day of the fifth month, 1772; and, as I sat down alone on a seat on the deck, I felt a satisfactory evidence that my proceedings were not in my own will, but under the power of the cross of Christ.

Seventh day of the fifth month. We have had rough weather mostly since I came on board; and the passengers, James Reynolds, John Till Adains, Sarah Logan and her hired maid, and John Bispham, all sea sick, more or less, at times; from which sickness, through the tender mercies of my heavenly Father, I have been preserved; ny afflic tions now being of another kind. Dansifs oj

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