a regular line, according to their excellent discipline; but the Lord will provide for me, there being others, whom He can influence to aid me, what manner He knows is suitable. But how can I think of being separated from this people, whom I have given up every thing to go amongst ? well, if I please God, who sees it the right time to put me forth, I must not consult my ease, nor the dividing asunder my soul from every darling thing. In righteousness may my days be spent, if tribulations await, and the whole Body of Friends for a season forsake me. Faithful to the requirings of Truth in my heart, I hope ever to continue, for I know He hath done great things in me; and will do unto the uttermost, when I resist not the Spirit that has gained measurably the conquest over one, who does not run before she is sent, though many charge me after this manner. Tedious days and nights, my resistance has occasioned, so that I am verily persuaded of my duty; and dare no longer refuse the cup that is offered in love and mercy, knowing that it is the Father who presents it; the Father who has prepared it for me, since I first made my appearance in this state of mutability.

In affection I conclude, being persuaded thou wilt remember me with the continuance of thy sympathetic desire for my growth in the spiritual Life, which alone can consume every thing that does not beautify His Kingdom of Grace, the substance of the eternal Kingdom of Glory, where I verily believe we shall dwell together in peace and righteousness, when our labour is finished below, which the Lord, the righteous God, hath prepared us for, through the aid of the Holy Ghost.

DOROTHY RIPLEY.

To P. H. Gurney.

York, 29th of 12th mo. 1804,

AS I was leaving this city, an affectionate letter came after me from Whitby to York, which had been sent from Plymouth, dated 22d of 12th mo. 1804, written by my pre

cious friend P. H. Gurney, to whom I feel a renewed obligation to acknowledge it to be of the Lord, thou hast not. forgotten me, nor witnessed, "An abatement of cordial interest in my true Welfare," notwithstanding thy engagements have been numerous, and of "Deep concernment, which have tended to the peace of thy mind, mostly since the Yearly Meeting," during which period, many have been the cups of suffering that I have drank; occasioned by resisting the Spirit, who hath again put me forth to do His Will, as well as evidence His Power will not forsake any who trust in Him. I hope thy delicate fabric may be strengthened to proceed with thy valuable companions, John Kirkham and Ann Dymond; who are concerned with my beloved friend for Cornwall's barren soil. The earnest prayer of my soul is, that your united efforts may be attended with great success; so that there may be a gathering to the Fold of our Heavenly Shepherd, whom I trust hath qualified you each by His Spirit's might.

When I look at thy situation, being able to support thyself with the independence God has blessed thee with, then I let fall a tear, because I am burthensome to many, who perhaps would receive my little services of love much better, in case they had not to aid me along from one place to another: but I consider it a necessary mortification to humble the mind; and also a means to teach me to trust Him who sent forth His disciples, in their ministry, without purse, to eye Him in all their ways, not having where to lay His Head, when He ministered to them, though all things were His own.

Thine is a very different path to what is cast up for me: but, I suppose, we are suited according to our capacities, therefore I ought to be content with my lot, though it is in a line of self-abasemet, such as thou dost not require. What thou dost wisely express, respecting "Its being a delicate matter of saying what thou feelest towards me," I think is the result of a sound mind, that will always lead from creature, to centre deep in the hidden Life.

Thy fear of having me diverted by any means, de

monstrates thy love sufficiently, which must naturally work upon my soul to wean from all but Him, who does at seasons quietly subject my will, lest any thing obstruct the precious work He is carrying on by acquiescence to the withdrawing of His Power, which thou dost call "His sensible operations."

I speak the truth when I say, "The humbling turnings of His holy Hand," is what I now submit to, though few can view it in the light I see it; no, they rather term it my "Own activity," or "Going in my own will, where the Lord doth not send me." But, surely I must know what concerns myself better than another, and His Interposing Hand in every difficulty (when I apply to Him for succour) clearly shews He orders my way, or He would not relieve when obstructions occur so frequently, from those, who are called the household of faith. I often feel humbled by His Fatherly Love, or gentle dealings, which creatures would not dare to manifest, fearing it might tend to exalt, and lead me to high-mindedness.

My endeared friend, the more I am oppressed by man, the greater is my consolation from the Adorable Fountain, and methinks those judging me unrighteously, will one day be made to confess (by my stability) that I have only had the Kingdom of Christ in view, and the Glory of my Maker. To walk uprightly is what I am labouring for, even when encompassed with darkness, where the Face of my Beloved is concealed for a moment, to prove if I can walk by Faith, as well as by sight, which lesson I learned twenty years ago; and, therefore, I have not to learn it now; no, I only have to practice that my Master taught me when He forsook me for a season, to try how far my grace was perfected, by keeping "The word of His patience" through a dependence upon His fulfilling all His Gracious Promises, which have been faithfully accomplished on His part, when near "The hour of temptation," that He delivered me from, by exerting His Arm to shield my unguarded heart, overwhelmed with grief, because I knew not where my Lord was gone.

The propriety of depending on Him alone, I fully admit; and have witnessed of late a rejoicing in the Lord; which "Joy no man can take from us" and O! how pleasant is it to see the smiling Face of" Him who weans us from all visible things to communicate His Mysterious Providence," for "The secrets of the Lord are with them that fear Him."

The information of Wm. Jackson being more satisfied in our last interview, than at any time before, renews my obligations to Him, who alone can make the blind to see. I am greatly rejoiced that he was favoured with an opportunity of conversing with my dear P. H. G. who says, "I shall be pleased to hear, in due season, how far thy way seems to open in regard to thy being joined in religious fellowship with our Society." My answer is, I suppose when my race is finished below, an admission will be given me into the Kingdom of Glory, where the pure of thy people enter, to fill up Zion's number; then it is likely I shall make one of your Society, or more properly speaking, one of the Church Triumphant, where all the different Sects shall lose sight of every profession to worship the "Lamb that was slain,” “Who has redeemed us to God by His blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." Freedom of sentiment to thee is indulged, by one whom thou lovest, who often has been discouraged when contemplating how dubiously I have been dealt with by Friends, owing to the want of skilful judges in that part of the vineyard where my lot was wisely cast by the Lord, who will cause this, with every other trying dispensation, to act as purifiers upon the remaining dross.

The close of thy letter I admire much; because it furnishes me with fresh consolation, rising from that source where comfort can alone be experienced, to renew the mind in righteousness, when pressured by mortality. One of Christ's depending children, I feel myself, who has no claim upon any people; nor any expectation to belong to any now, but that Fold which thou dost covet we may dwell in, where are numbers who bear no name, but "The

D

seal of God in their foreheads." Those follow the holy leadings of His Unerring Spirit, and are not turned aside by threatening dangers, neither are they left by the Great Shepherd, for any wolf to devour, which is in search of

prey.

Having in part answered thy last, I now wish to signify, how anxiously I desired, that I might unfold to thee (before I left Whitby) my great undertaking, which I know thou wouldst have advised me in, notwithstanding my moving is contrary to thy expectation, though I gave thee a hint that it was my intention to follow faithfully those requirings in my heart, which I believed to spring from Truth. Thy tender love being not diminished, may lead thee into that sympathy my solitary life calls for, from all Jerusalem's well wishers in every place. Hitherto God hath directed my steps in righteousness; therefore, it is my humble trust, that I shall not be left to prepare my own way: for if this should be the case, the consequence would be lamentable.

With due consideration, my concern was ripened, and at length manifested to some of our most weighty friends, whose sympathizing spirits felt for me, leaving my native place, and dearest relatives, without membership, to undergo the dangers of the deep; and the censures of such, who call "Good evil: and bitter sweet." If a rest could have been found for the soles of my feet in England, I should not pursue it across the briny ocean, where difficulties await me, when I arrive, owing to my debilitated state and singularity of proceedings, carried forward contrary to many who cannot withhold their wise counsel.

There is no one to blame for encouraging me thus far, and I suppose if any can prevent my being forwarded, their exertions will prove, the Lord only was the Promoter, whose Power baffles every opposer, when He puts His sheep forth. The fervent breathings of my mind are, that I may be brought to see His Will in all things, and at this juncture, learn what may tend to my everlasting peace, if ever so arduous to flesh and blood. O! how solicitous am