How alarming is the prospect, when danger forces us from our residences, to seek a shelter, where the pestilence is prohibited, by the Voice of our Terrible God, to wait His time or season; and yet even many of those must be cut down as "Grass!" and wither as the flower before the burning sun, by this disease they have fled from, as well as a poor worm whom thou knowest was warned thereof, by the Spirit of my Fearful God; Fearful in Justice, and Terrible in Might, when once His Mercy and Love are overcome therewith! for He will not always strive with His Mercy and Love, to conquer the rebellious; no, when those Attributes harden their impenitent hearts, His dreadful Scourge will come. But, saith the bold blasphemer, who dares His Justice, to bring it yet the sooner, "Why! the wicked, and the righteous die alike: one common fate befalls each!" but I deny this assertion that he makes: for the filthy, unjust, unholy, remain so still if they die in their sins, according to the testimony of Scripture. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still and he that is holy, let him be holy still: and behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be: I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last: blessed are they that do His Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the Gates into the City: for without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the Churches. I am the Root and Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star." : Five weeks ago, many whom I left behind in health, whose bones were full of marrow and strength, are now a feast for worms; and their spirits are no longer strangers to the important concerns of Eternity! How dare I tread the ground which I fled from so lately, when dangers prohibit the return of thousands? My sympathizing sister, I fear not the fatal shafts of death, when my Master Jesus bids me enter the baleful plains; for I know He can preserve my feeble body, though the texture of it is of the most delicate kind; made so by hardship, night watches; visiting every loathsome diseased person, that I have faith given for, to be an instrument of snatching them from the burning gulf; and yet I look as well, as if I never knew what sickness was. At the Command of my God I fled! by His Voice wooing I return again with solemnity, when the greatest part still remain behind! But, should my coming back, bring me to the grave? I ask, shall I be free for making sorrow of this nature to thee? to one, who would lay my bones in quietness; and mingle ashes with mine if possible, should it prove, that my request is not granted, of safe conveying over sea my little bark, that I might once more see my native soil, and on that land, proclaim the loving kindness of my God, who Has honoured me to preserve my life for the purpose of warning sinners there, I hope, as well as here. O my friend! resignation presides over all my roving imaginations, so that I possess a tranquil mind, while the blowing winds whistle, and the surging billows are ready to throw my pen and book from me. My knee is my table, and the bed my seat, while I ride up and down on the waves. After I retired last evening, I thought I feared not the burning fever, or the shivering ague: neither death, in any shape; but my resolution failed me before morning, being on a sudden taken with a closing in my head; want of breath, and scarcely able to swallow my spittle, with a considerable heat in my blood, which made me calculate upon speedy dissolution. Oh my sister! what are we, if left but one moment to satan, to afflict with his baleful hand, who smote righteous " Job with sore boils, from the sole of his foot unto his crown ?" well! I yielded up myself to my Gracious Father, saying "Thy Will be done;" but, O my struggling for a little breath! let me remember, and be preserved from it, if it be the pleasure of my God. who has made me feel the diseases of many who are fied from earth to Heaven. During the whole night my patience was fully exercised, and now I feel much indisposed, yet resignedly submissive to be, or not to be; to die, or live, which shall glorify Him most! Acquiescence to the Father in all things is a fruit of His Spirit that I desire above health, friends, reputation, riches, or any other thing the earth produces. In this lowliness of mind, may we be adepts, then come what will, we are clothed with a suitable disposition, to bear the vicissitudes with fortitude, while our virtues grow more firm, and we are nearer the stamp of His Divine Mould. I expect my pen will be now laid aside, till we go on shore, where I hope to be indulged with the company of my precious A. E. whose watchful care, I trust ever to experience when my lot is cast nigh her habitation, and also render back according to my ability of spiritual things. I do not intend staying with you long in the city, so I have a prospect of giving little trouble, and likewise reaching another place, where my soul may be refreshed with the reviving Presence of Him, who has made plain my way hitherto, by giving me favour in the eyes of such, whom He thought best qualified to aid in my important work. While I close those lines, my prayer is fervent to God, that should we be indulged to see each other again, it might prove to our unspeakable advantage, and a fresh excitement to walk before Him, with a perfect heart. My captain is one of those, who is anxiously careful, having the charge of a Packet that has the most beautiful cabin I ever saw. There is the American ensigns upon the door of the stores, an eagle inlaid in sixty two pieces. The owner shewed me the work, and I made this reply unto him, "If thou dost beautify thy mind also, it will attract the eyes of every beholder: for, the soul of man is an image of God." May we dwell in peace; and faithfully warn on all occasions, when our Gracious Master requires us to confess His Name among the children of men. The small measure of comfort, that I have received for paying ten dollars for my passage, will prepare me better to receive thy generous treatment: and being despised for an imposter, will make me value thee the more; because thou hast eyes to see, that I am sent by God to confound the "Wise and prudent;" and to gather the souls He has prepared me for. How glad am I that our passage is over, and I have patiently bore the scorn of the unbelieving infidels who mock at the righteous, as well as despise the instruction of an All-wise Father of Infinite Power, and Love. Farewell in the Lord, our Righteous and Compassionate God. DOROTHY RIPLEY. New York, 14th 10th mo. 1805. A desire hath arose in my soul this week, that I might clear myself of this city; accordingly it was proposed by a friend, to gather me the inhabitants together near the Manhattan well, where El. Sands was cruelly drowned by the man, whom she had fixed her hopes on, expecting that night to be his bride, and lawful wife, as she was dressed for the purpose, and went out with him, to marry him; not knowing his treacherous design towards her, until she fell a sacrifice to his indignity, which has marked his life with infamy, although he (by bribery) escaped the vengeance due to his crime, by an earthly Barrister, who entailed the innocent blood upon himself and family. A beloved friend of mine, and relative to the blooming child, told me that she testified to this lawyer thus, "Inasmuch as thou hast let the guilty go free, the blood of the innocent shall be upon thy head," which was a testimony delivered in open court, in this city. On first day an appointment was made for me by J. E. who acquainted the public, that D. Ripley, from England, a Gospel minister, would preach at three in the afternoon, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I did not approve of the word preach; because I never prepared any thing for the purpose, as I have seen Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and some other ministers, which I have been much astonished at: for I pray, and give my heart and tongue for God to inspire and speak by. It was of a solemn awful time, which made me almost desire death before the hour: for I was so sensible of the presence the spirit of the murdered young woman, that I knew not how to support myself, for three hours previous to my opening my mouth! which was occasioned by an oppressive sickness, that I could not have sustained under, unless the Lord had mercifully aided me in proclaiming, the man who had been the murderer of this dear blooming creature, should be as Cain, "A fugitive and a vagabond" on the earth; and marked with God's vengeance. My text was, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted ? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door," which was the language of the Father to Cain before he slew his righteous brother Abel. My mouth was as a trumpet, for the Voice of my Master Jesus to speak through in this my day; there being present many of the spirit of Cain, who persecute the nature of righteous Abel, who was a Type of Jesus, the Son of the Living God, who excites all to holiness, by His Obedience to the Righteous Laws, that were broken, not only by Cain, but also this hypocritical deceiver, who had pretended to take this innocent woman to marry; but prepared a watery grave; where she was concealed for twelve days, before her death was clearly brought to light. This affecting circumstance, being revived, awakened the minds of some present, whom I expect will remember a poor pilgrim as long as they continue on earth. A solemn season it was to many, while the multitude stood on the green, gazing on one who was willing to be made as a spectacle to men, and angels, if only some might from that day, fall in love with the Religion of our Lord Jesus Christ. I suppose there were present eighteen hundred people, notwithstanding all the thousands who were absent on account of the fever. I stood and preached for my Master two hours; and then the meeting broke up, when I felt my soul clear of the burthen, that I had carried from the first of my coming into the country from England. |