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waters in a way I have not fully known; and trials at hand I believe await me, and afterwards I trust God will bless my labours.

From Mountrath, I called upon Mr. Averell, on my way to Donoughmore.-With him I had some agreeable conversation. Said he, "I believe you are sincere, but lie under a powerful temptation in coming away from America." He gave me the liberty of his pulpit; from which I spoke to the people, and a refreshing time we had. In Donoughmore likewise, at two meetings. From hence to Durrow, where we had two meetings, and I received a kind reception, though a stranger. Thence I walked to Kilkenny; my feet being bad, I was detained here for several days, during which time, I had a number of meetings; the latter of which were very refreshing, and one soul I since hear has been brought to good. Here a stranger sent a horse with me twelve miles to Innisteague. Thence I walked to Ross. Here a quaker lived who had invited me from the yearly meeting; I spent near a week at his house, perusing some books which I found profitable.

I once went into a prayer meeting in the methodist chapel, and they gave me the hymn-book, which I took as providential; for I was imprest to speak concerning the dealings of God with me, though I sung not: thus God opens my door step by step. The next morning I set out on my way some distance; the further I went, the more deprest I felt, and the more imprest to return; and for peace of mind through necessity I went back, and requested permission in the preaching-house to call the people.

After they had considerable talk among themselves, and some with me, they opened the door; at first, the discipline seemed to hinder, and then they durst not deny.

The commanding officer of the town, with many of The quality and commonality, filled the meeting house full, to whom I spoke an hour or more; this was a freshing time, and not soon to be forgotten.

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Very early the next morning feeling my mind free of this place, I set out for Enniscorthy, and found an opportunity to ride on a car which greatly eased my feet.

I spoke a few words in the methodist meeting, and at night put up with a quaker, in whose house I spoke to a

uumber of his servants. Thence I walked to Carnew I here was received as a friend by a methodist supernumerary preacher, who gave me the right hand of fellowship; and in his house I had some meetings. Attempting to ride on a car from thence, I had not got far before I was overtaken with an express from the Widow Leonard, who wished to see me. Here I called another meeting, which was tender. Thence I walked to Gorey, where I spoke to a few hundreds, and a solemn time it

was.

From thence to Eicon, holding one meeting on the way, and two here, which were times not soon to be forgotten.

Thence to Rathdrum: here I spoke to a few, amongst whom was the preacher who had shut me out of the love-feast at Mount Mellick. Here he pretended some friendship with colour in his face.

Thence to Wicklow, where Cooper preached, and then a methodist: after which I was permitted. But some gentry being here, they could not bear the truth.

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From thence I came to Dublin about the 15th of July, Here I met Doctor Coke, who had just returned from America. By him I received a letter from my dear friend J. Mitchell, who was so unwilling that I should come away; and also another from R. Searle. These gave me some refreshment. About this time I receiv'ed a letter from my parents and sister; which gave me comfort, to hear my parents were well and my sister still endured.

Dr. Coke requested me to go a missionary to Halifax or Quebec; and upon conditions that I would promise obedience to what he should direct, for six years would bear my expenses; and I should want nothing of books, clothes, &c. Having twenty-four hours' consideration, I weighed the matter, and returned my answer in the neg→ ative; as in tender conscience I durst not leave the kingdom yet; believing it the will of God I should stay.! Af which time tears flowed plentifully, and it seemed as if my head was a fountain of waters. The doctor grasp ed me in his arms, gave me a hug, and went his way.

At the time he made me the proposal, (whilst we sat at breakfast,) one preacher came and sat down by my

side, and said, "what do you desire or request of the conference, that they should do for you?" I replied (supposing him to be my friend) nothing; only that the preachers should not speak against me, to blacken my character; whereby to prejudice people against me, to hedge up my way, and hurt my usefulness. He then removed to the opposite side of the table, and said, if he attempts to travel in the name of a methodist and preach in the streets, the mob will be upon him; and if they once begin, they will attack every preacher that comes along, and fall on our Irish missionaries next: and if they begin, it will be hard to stop them; and gov ernment will immediately conclude we are at the head of these disturbances, or the occasion of them; by which means they will deem us enemies, and take away some of our privileges. Whereas, said the doctor, there was never such a thing known, when in the midst of external and internal wars and commotions, that preachers were permitted to travel and hold meetings as oft as they pleased. He then added, I don't know but your travelling about, may do more harm than the conversion of five hundred souls may do good; take it upon all accounts, I can't say but I shall be under the necessity of writing to lord Castlereigh, to inform him who and what you are; that we disown you, &c. then you'll be arrested and committed to prison, and if you once get in jail it will be hard to get out.

These things were mentioned for my consideration, during the above-mentioned twenty-four hours.

But the impression upon my mind was so strong to tarry, that if government had threatened to send me to prison in irons, as yet I durst not consent to go.

After this, it was talked over in conference, and agreedthat the connexion should shew me no countenance, but disapprobation, which they requested the doctor to tell me, though he never did his errand; but Tobias, upon finding out his mission, took upon himself to do it, without being appointed; and forbid me coming to Waterford (where he was stationed) among the methodists, or to the meeting house, and if I did, he would preachTMTM against me in public and in private. Upon this, several

of the preachers who were friendly in their hearts, durst not shew it outwardly, &c.

Now, according to appearance, my way was hedged up all around. My trials were keen; but God was my support, in whom I put my trust, believing he would pave my way step by step.

About this time I had a short sketch of the general run of my experience committed to the press, in order to give away for the benefit of mankind-it contained about twenty small pages, the edition was near three thousand-none of which I sold; but sent some of them to different parts of the country.

CHAP. VI.

SMALL-POX CONFINEMENT.

TOOK a walk out of town, in order to preach to a

I garrison; but could not get them together; so I gave

them some pamphlets, and set out to return; and on my way from the Pigeon-house I was suddenly taken unwell, and thought I should have died on the spot; and staggering along, I got into Ringsend; when after some. little refreshment in a grocer's shop, I gained some strength, and visited a couple of prisons, and got to my lodgings. This was the first Lord's day in August. I took tea with the family, and retired to my chamber, where I was confined about thirty-two days, without the sight of the sun.

In the beginning of this confinement, it was thought I had the measles, but an apothecary being called in, on examining closely, he said the eruption was too prominent for this, and therefore it must be something else, perhaps the small-pox so my friends halted between two opinions; scarcely knowing what to do-I being unwilling to have any physician who had not the fear of God before his eyes; knowing I had suffered so much from them, with very little good...

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But a quaker woman, who heard of me, came to see me, and said, I wish he was in the care of doctor Johnson, and I should feel my mind easy." I upon hear ing the words, made some inquiry concerning the man,

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and consented he should come; and being sent for, he came without delay, as he had heard of me just before, and was considering in his mind whether he should come of his own accord and offer me his assistance.

My eyes, at this time, were entirely closed, and continued so about a fortnight; and for about ten days nothing passed through my bowels.

Here I despaired of life, and expected to die: but the Lord was precious to my soul as ever. Three things F desired to live for, which were :

1st. I wanted to attain higher degrees of holiness,' that I might be happier hereafter.

2nd. I felt the worth of souls, and an anxious desire to be useful to them.

ee once more in this

3rd. My parents I wished to world, lest when they heard of my death, it would bring them to the grave with sorrow. But at length I was enabled to give them up, and leave them in the hand of God to protect and support.

What I wished to die for was, to get out of this troublesome world and to be at rest, with saints above: yet I felt resigned to go or stay, as God should see fit: sensibly feeling the presence of God, and reading my title clear to the mansions of glory. The very sting of death was gone; so that it appeared no more to me to die, than to fall asleep and take a nap.

During this time, there was something whispering in my mind, as though this sickness, by the will and wisdom of God, came, and would turn to his glory in this world, and yet I must travel other countries to preach the gospel; but the possibility of it seemed so contrary to human appearance, that I did not give much heed to the whispering voice: but my soul was happy all the time.

Some thought it strange that I did not speak more than I did about religion: but I feeling my mind weak, and my thoughts sometimes to wander, was fearful lest I should speak amiss, and thereby perhaps hurt tender minds, as some had already said that I was better in my heart than in my head. After twenty-two days thus passing away, hope began to spring up, in my mind that I should recover, and yet labour in the vineyard of the Lord.

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