I, that the way may be unpassable across the deep, if the movement be of my conjecturing, and not of my Heavenly Father's, whom I have laid aside all natural ties to serve with obedience, the few fleeting moments I reside below. Nothing more is necessary to shew my willingness to resign my present prospect in case I am deceived; which time alone can evince to us both by the consequences it will display, which we must wait for till demonstrated. Before I conclude, I just would remark, that it might be ordered in wisdom, that I am thus free to go where He shall prepare my way: for there are many, up and down, who are no professors, yet are seeking a people to whom they wish to be united, which may be stimulated to follow after the Living Shepherd, who will at length draw all from every profession to worship under their own Vine, even Christ within, who shall teach righteously all His followers. Recommending us each to Divine Protection (while the distance of the seas widely divide) I pray that we may fill up our different spheres to the benefit of such, who shall be the crown of our rejoicing when time is swallowed up in a boundless Eternity, where every righteous work shall have its full compensate from Him, who takes cognizance of all our actions in life. If I see thee no more here, I bid thee adieu with a resigned mind to fulfil my work after His own pleasure; in full assurance of meeting thee at the Father's Right Hand. DOROTHY RIPLEY. Te Phoebe Pemberton, in Philadelphia, America. MUCH ESTEEMED FRIEND, Whitby, 14th of 12th mo. 1804. A FEW days since, a letter was brought me from thee, dated 10th mo. 31st, 1804, wherein is testified, that, "In remembrance, sympathy, and good desires for my preservation, I have largely partook of." With thankfulness, those lines I have often read, knowing thou didst not love in word only, but in deed. An apology for not writing to me while in New York, shews that an obligation on thy part is the reason, why I thought myself entitled to a long silence, which I have kept till thou dost stimulate me to break by answering thy instructive sentences. I have not forgot how desirous thou wast of my release, in the humiliating line of dependence on others, while moving to and fro, in search of happiness by that means, which I believe to be appointed by Him, who has severed me from all that was dear to my natural part, to answer His own purposes, which seem trivial to those who know not, the important end of disobedience. England is the place where I long to find quietude, and a "Settlement" (so called by thee) I should prefer there, to wandering up and down, the scorn of some in thy country, and the derision of others in my own. More I should say, respecting this part of thy letter, but find it useless to endeavour to shew the propriety of my following the leadings of God's Holy Spirit in my heart. In love I always received thy opinion, if thy judgment was opposite to mine: therefore I do not feel dissatisfied because thou dost still think different, and advise me according to thy light, not to be so communicating. If I labour under a disadvantage here, it is because my words are wrested by such who attend not to their own vineyard, but mind that which concerns all others. It is pleasant to hear that Martha Routh (my countrywoman) spent part of last winter in the peaceable dwelling of my precious friends J. and P. Pemberton, who receive strangers of all sorts, and I presume, sometimes such who are messengers from God; of which number, I trust my endeared M. R. was considered for her works have made her honourable in my eyes; even her labour of love to the people of thy land. A. Mifflin and S. Harrison, being still continued with you in Philadelphia, should excite thankfulness to the Father of all mercies, who indulges that city with many of His prepared instruments, to occupy their talents when He shall see proper to make them a mouth. for Himself to speak through. The expression of love from A. M. thy son-in-law, is gratefully accepted, knowing he felt tenderness to me when in America: and I often covet he was among the outward fold of Christ's sheep, or in other words, had membership with Friends, for his lovely children's sake, who will be carried away with the foolish fashions of time, unless guarded with the preventing influence of the Spirit, who strives with young and old. To hear by thee of M. Mifflin's health, in Baltimore, and D. Madison's, in Washington City, produce those pleasant effects on my mind, which their kindness yielded when passing through these cities a lonely pilgrim. The salutation of love from J. P. Pemberton, is as precious oil poured into my heart, which is wounded afresh, because I am not at liberty to comply with the request of my best friends, who entertained me not only with hospitality, but affection that flows from generous friendship, founded upon long experience of an upright mind. Wm. Jackson from your quarter, came hither 23d of 2d mo. and admonished the people by a weighty testimony; declaring against the spirit of the world, which they demonstrate, by not submitting to the cross of Jesus Christ. He opened his ministry with this language, "Be still, and commune with thy own heart." I was much affected with the lively sentences, that flowed freely from the fountain, which I felt to nourish my drooping spirit, bowed down with the expectation of returning back to America, contrary to the inclination of some of my dear friends in England. My clothes are now prepared, and one trunk already packed for the purpose of coming again across the wide fathomless ocean, even without membership, though I made an early request, and have been sixteen months in my native place, never omitting once assembling with the Friends of my own meeting: neither have I ever rose to offer any thing there, since I first changed my language with my opinion. Nothing is my support at this critical juncture, but the assurance of my Heavenly Father's love, which I possess according to the measure of acquiescence His divine Will. If I resist His Power I am overwhelmed with grief, so that nothing can delight me from it for any length of time: therefore a fixed determination is now grounded in my mind, to take joyfully the spoiling of my goods, when I am unjustly censured by the multitude, who have learnt my name, but not my Master's nature. He that helped before, can again shew mercy to my depending soul, and at last sow my flesh and bones in hope of a celestial body, which shall arise at the voice of Him who shall call the dead forth to judgment, that the soul may inherit the spiritual clothing of light, which the Resurrective Power of Jesus Christ shall manifest, preparing such for eternal life whose works were wrought by faith and others for everlasting death, their deeds being evil. Having hinted to thee my intention, I hope thy door will not be shut against me, as I fear some others will in the city. Thy conversation was frequently edifying, and I conceived thee to act as a mother towards me; therefore, indulge the idea of my being still profited by thy wise counsel, and faithful admonitions in the Lord, before "The silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern:" "And the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." In the unity of gospel love, I bid thee dearly farewell, having a lively sense of thy past favours before me, until I conclude. DOROTHY RIPLEY. My mind is weighed down with great suffering this day, on account of disobedience to my Heavenly Father, who bid me "Rise in Friends' quarterly meeting, and occupy my talent for His glory." The struggle was so great between His Spirit and mine, that I expected nothing but death for the space of three hours after I went from meeting, and I do not murmur that I was severely chastened by the Lord, whom I requested to restore me for His Name's sake, that I might do His Will in future: I left York on seventh day, and got to Leeds that night; I staid at an Inn, and went to Friends' meeting at ten, where my mind was again deeply exercised to rise in the Fear of the Lord, but I reasoned with flesh and blood, saying, If I only were in the gallery where the ministers sit, then I would be faithful: so my Master Jesus indulged me thus far, by disposing an aged minister to ask me in the afternoon to follow her into the gallery, saying, as we went along, "Dost thou ever preach ?" I answered thus, Phoebe I shall preach to day: for I dared do no other, as I was left without an excuse. As I sat between two precious ministers, the powerful influence of the Holy Ghost moved me to rise and offer this language; " Happy is the man who findeth Wisdom, and the man who getteth understanding, for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold." In much calmness I arose, and felt a degree of life while standing, and also supplicated the throne of God's mercy with faith, and a degree of power: but when I had finished my labour, and taken my seat, satan suggested that I had brought trouble on Phoebe Blakes, whom I followed at her request. I walked out of the meeting greatly abashed, not daring to lift up my head, or expose my face to any but my Gracious Master quenched the fiery darts of the accuser by His Power, and disposed several to invite me home with them, having never been in Leeds before. I felt a double obligation to P. Blakes, for she assured Friends, that I should go no where but to her house, desiring any to follow me there, who wished for my company; thus my Lord and Master rewarded me for moving at His pleasure out of the regular proceeding among men. If I ever spent one evening of my life in happiness, it was at J. P. B's, among a number of precious, solid Quakers, whom I feel sweetly cemented unto by the Dying Love of Jesus Christ, our Living Head. : I intended leaving my friends this night for Sheffield, but Richard Hotham from there, being one of our party, kindly proposed to take me thither in his chaise if I |