AND THOSE IN POWER.

"Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come. Rev. xiv. 7.

meeting closed, Friends said it was larger than AN ADDRESS TO THE RULERS OF THIS NATION, had been known for a considerable time, and of a description of people who had not been seen at a meeting of Friends here. The time appointed being well observed, the meeting was early settled, and it proved a solid time, the people departing much in the quiet. There is great need for those who are travelling in the work of the ministry, and those who are consulted, relative to their movements, to keep their eye single to the one alone unerring Guide. Third-day morning I left Derby, a few of the Friends accompanying me a little on my way, walked thirty miles to Leicester under a thankful sense of the loving-kindness and fatherly care of the Most High, in being with me under my various exercises and help-in the earth, and because of these things it ing me along from day to day.

The following sixth-day brought me safe to my own home, where after an absence of six months I was favoured to find all well.

CHAPTER V.

"The awful import of this Divine injunc tion is fully applicable in a national capacity. It is righteousness only that can exalt a nation, raise it in the Divine estimation, and draw down upon it the blessing of the Lord. I cannot but believe that this awful language must have frequently arrested the attention of the more serious amongst you, and the nation in general, and in a particular manner of later times. It must be obvious, that in this day in which we live, the judgments of the Lord are

may be said, men's hearts are ready to faint within them. But as the true fear of God predominates in our hearts, it delivers from that fear, which must at times more or less assail the minds of all those, who are not willing to have God in all their thoughts, namely, the fear of what man may do unto them. And thereby it is, that we are enabled to give glory to God by bringing forth fruits of righteousness. A Christian's dependence should be firmly fixed on Him, who is all-powerful, and who can cause dismay to overtake the most intrepid. He has various ways and secret means to overturn all the purposes of those, who have respect only to the obtaining their own ambitious ends. But before we can ex

1808. My mind, at times for some years past, had been impressed with a belief, it would be required of me to make a visit to Friends in Ireland, and apprehending the time was come to lay the prospect before my friends, in the second month this year I requested a certificate of the Monthly Meeting to engage in this service, which was granted me in the third month. I made the necessary prepara-perience this confidence as a nation, a previous tion to return with such Friends as came from step must be taken, we must cease to do evil, that nation to attend our Yearly Meeting; but Isa. i. 16. Put away,' saith the Lord,' the when this time arrived, my way was so shut evil of your doings from before mine eyes: up, I durst not proceed. On endeavouring to cease to do evil. May we individually be find out the cause, I was given to see that my concerned, and in an especial manner you in not having been faithful to the Divine requir-whom the power is so much vested, to endeaing by freeing myself from my leasehold pro- vour that the causes of evil may be removed, perty, was one cause. Being made willing to that so the baneful effects may cease. This yield in the disposal of this property, I became is that which will find acceptance with God, freed from any future encumbrance that might and is the fast which he hath chosen, ‘to loose occur, which I esteemed a very great favour. the bands of wickedness;' in other words, My mind had been frequently affected with that ye exert yourselves, labouring under that sorrow on account of the increased abuse of Divine aid, which awaits every sincere seekthe first-day of the week; and as matter pre-ing soul in the prosecution of its duty. By sented to view, I prepared an essay, which in these means you may be made a blessing to the early part of this year I submitted to the this nation, and possibly a means of our morning meeting. After being read by that meeting, as it did not contain doctrinal matter, it was returned to me, and I laid it by without making further use of it. My not publishing this essay appeared to me to be the other thing which stood in the way of my pro-exerting ourselves to suppress it, we make ceeding to Ireland. I therefore had a suitable number of copies printed and forwarded to the king, bishops, and each of the members of both houses of parliament, &c. The essay was as follows:

preservation from long-threatened calamities. Much rests with you towards checking the torrent of evil. No longer wink thereat; for whether we are active in the evil ourselves, or acquiesce by not timely and in good earnest

ourselves parties to the guilt, and may stand accused in the sight of God. O! that by increasingly following after righteousness, ye may become instrumental to promote the design of heaven, in suffering judgment so aw

fully to overspread the earth. For if we are been confined to the poor and middle classes favoured still to procure for our friend Him, of life; for neither royalty, dignity, nor prowho yet remains to be mightier than the noise perty have been any protection. Kings have of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves been dethroned, distinctions levelled, property of the sea,' and who can availingly say unto distributed and destroyed, without the means the greatest potentate that ever trod this globe, on the part of the sufferers to help themselves. 'Hitherto thou shalt go, and no further,' what No doubt, as these things have reached the have we to fear, or of what need we to be ears of many in this nation, astonishment has afraid? If we are followers of that which is filled the heart, and this conclusion has fregood, 1 Pet. iii. 13, followers after righteous- quently been the result of such information, ness, purity and holiness, and concerned to be that the instrument of these turnings and overfound persevering therein, what shall ever be turnings in nations and kingdoms, has been able to harm us, either as a nation or individu- suffered to be a scourge by Him who cannot ally? If the Lord continue to be on our side, err. We must not conclude, that because we and plead our cause for us with our enemies, have hitherto escaped drinking the bitter cup no weapon formed against us can eventually which other nations have had to drink, that prosper. But if we continue to persist, as a they were sinners above ourselves. No, for nation, not to take warning at other's harms, except we are found timely bringing forth are not concerned in good earnest to seek to fruits of repentance, we may be sharers in God for help, each one to do our part towards such sufferings; and should Almighty God having the causes of the evil removed, what see meet to suffer an overflowing scourge to may we not expect will be the consequences enter our borders, where shall we be able to thereof? May you be found the leaders in this shelter ourselves with safety? It must be acwork of reformation, you in whom the ex- knowledged, that we are a nation highly faecutive power is vested. If it prosper in your voured of God, but that there is also cause hands, the complaint, that some of the law- for us to smite our hands upon our breast, makers, and some of those who are entrusted and acknowledge, we are a sinful nation. Yet to enforce them, are violaters of them, will notwithstanding this, I have been led at times then cease. Many of you are instrumental humbly to hope, we are not amongst the last in inflicting the punishment which the law al- in the Divine estimation: I desire to be prelots to crimes. And who art thou,-O man, served from presuming or flattering, and yet, that art saying to another, Thou shalt not notwithstanding the afflictive consideration of steal?' for if thou art covetous; living in the slaughter of so many thousands of our adultery, wantonly wasting the good things countrymen during the present war, and the of God, openly and profanely swearing and sufferings of the widows and fatherless as the taking the name of the Lord in vain, art thou consequences thereof, I cannot help querying, not equally guilty before Him? If thou think- what nation excels this in humanity? A virest otherwise, thou mayest be deceiving thy- tue, and a precious virtue it is, and in which, self, but God cannot be deceived. He is not I believe, we have as a nation of late been inlike poor frail man. How can laws, if they creasing. In what has it more conspicuously are ever so well framed, prosper in the things manifested itself, than by the successful exerthey are designed for, except they are enforced tions used to abolish that iniquitous traffic in by example on the part of those who give human blood, the slave-trade? When the fathem forth, and are entrusted with their exe-voured event reached mine ear, my very heart cution? Oh that I had words to enforce these things, equal to the concern that I feel! from a firm belief, that they would do more for us as a nation, and more effectually secure us from the calamities which other nations of late years have been witnesses of, than all your contrivances for defending the nation, all your exertions used to increase the number of watch-towers, or any other means of defence. And I am firmly persuaded, that every one who is preserved in the faith of one God over all, who is good unto all, will at all times feel in himself the force of this sacred truth, that 'except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain.'

"The dreadful calamities that have been felt by other nations, we well know, have not

seemed to leap within me for joy. It felt to me like moving from off the shoulders of this nation a great load of iniquity; and at times I am led humbly to hope, it was a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour unto God. By what nation are we excelled in liberality and acts of benevolence? arising I doubt not in the general way from a pure motive, a desire to alleviate the sufferings of those in distress. Oh! may we not stop here, my dear countrymen of every description; but may we in good earnest become concerned as with one accord to put shoulder to shoulder in this work, that in an individual and national capacity we may excel in every other Christian virtue. O! that the great and good work, which I cannot doubt is begun in the minds of some of those who

stand foremost in the national concerns, may tributing thereto, are the needless increase not be retarded by any temporal consideration and great abuse of houses of public entertainof consequences, that so they may by their ment, stage-coaches unnecessarily travelling, faithfulness lead on others therein. So, by and pleasure-horses and carriages let out to our example as a nation, we may become in- hire on that day of the week, which must construmental through Divine aid to further the tribute to such dissipation, to which has of coming of that glorious Gospel-day, when late been added a new device, newspapers 'nation shall not lift up sword against nation, sold on this day, usually called Sunday Paneither shall they learn war any more,' and pers, which must more or less have a tendency cause the language yet to arise in the hearts to dissipate the mind, and disqualify it for of neighbouring nations, "Happy is that peo- offering acceptable worship to God. Suffer ple whose God is the Lord.' So that his therefore the word of exhortation from one, praise through our faithfulness may yet spread who humbly hopes his love is sincere to all as 'from sea even to sea, and from the river men; and although there may be among the even to the ends of the earth.' Neither have counsellors of this nation, those who may say, I been dismayed, when endeavouring to view there is but little in these things that are how matters stand with us, as a nation, as to pointed at, yet let such remember the Scripreligion. My mind has not been able to be- tures declare, He that contemneth small lieve we are behindhand with other nations in things shall fall by little and little.' But they religion, true religion. Although we are di- are not little things, if they obstruct our being vided and subdivided into so many denomina- found in the discharge of our duty to our tions, each one more or less differing from Maker, and will no doubt, if pursued, ultianother, as to the mode of worshipping the mately tend to greater evils. O! lay these Creator, yet all being firmly persuaded in their things to heart, ye in whom the executive own minds in this respect, and acting in all power is more immediately vested, before it things consistent, doing their duty in all things faithfully and uprightly in the presence of God, whether vocally or mentally, engaged to seek the continuance of his help, such are accepted of him. That there are of this blessed number amongst the different professors of the Christian name in this land, I doubt not; and yet, as a nation collectively, the language to a church formerly is but too applicable to us, 'I have not found thy works perfect before God.' Oh! may we feel a lively concern, that we may profit by the command which succeeded this reproof, Remember therefore how thou hast received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent.' If this be not the case, let us bear in mind what may follow, If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.' May it not be said, O England, England! thy salt hath hitherto preserved thee, and not thy long-boasted fleets and armies; for had it not been for the sake of the few righteous under various names that are yet to be found in thee, and had not the Lord continued to be unto thee for walls and for bulwarks, mightest not thou have been as Sodom and like unto Gomorrah long ago?

"Is it not a proof that degeneracy and irreligion are increasing in this land, that the day set apart for religious purposes should be made by so many a day of the greatest dissipation, extravagance, riot and drunkenness; and that what are even called the higher ranks are bad examples to the lower orders in this respect? It appears to me, that some of the causes con

be too late, by these and other evils being suffered to go on and the baneful consequences thereof spread; lest our salt should more and more lose its savour, irreligion and infidelity increase, and we be found henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.' The Almighty may then take from around us his hedge of defence, and suffer us to be laid open as other nations have been to the robbers and spoilers, contrary I believe to his gracious designs.

"Every good work must have a beginning; yet be it ever so small, as it is suffered to go on progressively, in due time its completion will be effected. That these things may claim due attention on the part of those who should take the lead therein, is what I fervently

crave.

"THOMAS SHILLITOE.

"Tottenham, Middlesex, 23d of

Sixth month, 1808."

Seventh-day, 9th of seventh month, I took my leave of my dear wife and family. On first-day morning attended meeting at Hertford, and in the afternoon at Hitchin, where I was favoured to receive a morsel of that bread which alone can sustain the immortal part. Second-day rode to Ampthill in Bedfordshire. Third-day walked thirty miles to Lower Heaford. Fourth-day morning proceeded on foot towards Hinkley in Leicestershire.

About nine o'clock the sun shone out very hot, exceeding anything I had before experienced. I made but little progress, although by stripping off most of my apparel, I relieved

myself all in my power. By twelve o'clock in the evening, where I took up my abode for the air became so hot that I felt as if I was the night, for I scarcely can say I slept, the surrounded by heat from a fire. I had not house being full of noisy company, who conpassed an habitation of any description, and tinued until a very late hour. I felt poorly was some miles from the house of entertain- next morning, and unequal to pursue the jourment; I became very thirsty. The weather ney of thirty-five miles before me; but after having been long dry, no water was to be met taking breakfast, I proceeded, and reached my with; but after awhile I found a small body destined port in the evening. Fourth-day of stagnant water, in which a cow was stamp- walked about thirty-three miles to Llangefric; ing her feet to cool herself, but my thirst was the heavy rain that fell during the course of such, I felt thankful for this supply. I pro- the day added much to the beauty of the surposed to remain under the shade of some trees rounding scenery, by the rapid falls of water until the sun set; but as they were at a dis- which in many places poured down the cavitance from the road, I considered I might lie ties of the stupendous mountains, yet it rendown and perish. I therefore concluded it dered walking difficult: but as I apprehended most prudent to keep on the road, and do my I was moving in accordance with the requirbest, in hopes I should be able to reach some ing of my Divine Master, I was cheered by a cottage to take shelter in. After travelling hope I should be cared for by him to the end about two miles I espied a boy driving some of my journey. Fifth-day morning I procows, and offered to reward him if he would ceeded, and reached Holyhead about noon; carry my bundle of clothes, and conduct me and about seven o'clock in the evening I went to the nearest house. I procured a drink of on board a packet for Dublin. Considering water at this house, and the people conveyed the danger of the great deep, and the suffering me to the inn. After tea I proceeded and was from sickness which those who are unaccusfavoured to reach Hinkley late in the evening. tomed to traverse it mostly have to endure, I Nearly fifty horses, it was reported, dropped felt thankful I had objected to any Friend acdown dead on the North Road, and many peo-companying me merely across the water. ple who were working in the fields. It was We had a crowded vessel: some of the supposed to be the hottest day known in this nation. Notwithstanding all I had endured, I considered it a great mercy I had been so cared for and brought safe through at last, to be under the care of my friends again.

passengers, at my first going on board, manifested a disposition to pass their jokes upon me; but by endeavouring to keep near to that Divine principle which can preserve in every situation, and to refrain from retaliating or resenting, I was enabled to express my disapprobation of their treatment, in language that appeared to be well received, they generally carrying themselves respectfully towards me afterwards. On sixth-day morning we were favoured to land safely, and I walked to the house of my kind friends Jonas and Ann Stott. First-day morning attended Meath street meet

Fifth-day morning attended meeting here, and at Colebrook Dale on first-day. If my feelings were correct, it appeared to me many were contenting themselves with living on the labours of others, and not labouring to know the Lord for themselves: at the close of the meeting for worship the preparative meeting was held, and my unfaithfulness therein caused me to leave the Dale with a sorrowful heart.ing: my service in this meeting, was to labour In the afternoon I rode to Shrewsbury and attended a small evening meeting. The fathers in the church are removed from this part of our religious Society, and the prospect of their vacant seats being filled from amongst the present members of the meeting, appeared discouraging. Fourth-day being their Monthly Meeting, Friends importuned me to stay. I found watchfulness necessary on my part, lest I should be tempted to make a halt beyond my proper time, not apprehending I had any thing to do with their Monthly Meeting.

with those who had acted disorderly, not only to their own hurt, but also that of the meeting, by remaining in the meeting-house yard in conversation after the meeting should have been fully gathered, and then coming into the house in a large body, which I understood had long been a practice. In the afternoon attended Sycamore-alley meeting, which was a large and favoured meeting. At the close of it was held what is called their stop meeting, allowing Friends of the city an opportunity of inquiry if any circumstance has occurred since On second-day morning I took to my feet the last meeting that requires notice. I preagain. The day being fine, the winding sented my certificate, and in much weakness river Severn frequently making its appearance and fear informed Friends of my apprehension among the hills clothed with wood, and the of duty to pay a visit to the families of memsimple manners of the people I met with, ren-bers and attenders of meetings; which being dered this day's journey less trying than united with, on second-day morning accompa sometimes is the case. I reached Chirk early nied by John Smithson I proceeded in this

awfully important engagement. Third-day to many, after which the Monthly Meeting attended Meath street meeting, a time of Di-occupied two long sittings: it was pleasant to vine favour, which I believe will not soon observe the care manifested on the part of the wholly pass away from the remembrance of active members of this large Monthly Meeting, some of us. not superficially to hurry through the business that came before the meeting.

Sixth-day attended Sycamore-alley meeting, in which an alarm was sounded to some, Fifth-day we were favoured to close our who had been prevailed upon to give in their visit to the families in this city and neighbournames to follow the Lamb of God who taketh hood, under, I humbly hope, a united feeling away sin, and had run well for a time, but of gratitude to the great Author of every from some cause had halted again, and taken blessing, who had thus mercifully carried us up a polluted rest, thus by their example be- through. Sixth-day attended Sycamore-alley coming like the evil spies. Seventh-day I was meeting, and made a visit to an establishment joined by Susannah Hill, a minister in good for the reception of the poor of all descrip esteem with her friends, whose company was tions, where every necessary of food, bedding cheering to my mind under this arduous and clothing is furnished to such who are disengagement. Third-day morning attended posed to avail themselves of the privilege; Meath street meeting, which to me was an doing great credit to this large populous city exercising time. My service was to labour of Dublin. My next visit was to the Foundwith some whose attendance of week-day ling Hospital, where nearly one thousand chilmeetings was only occasional, just sufficient dren are fed, clothed and educated: an ento keep their credit pretty fair with their graving on the front of a clock in one of the friends, yet in Monthly Meetings manifested wards engaged my attention, which was prezeal to assist in preserving good order in the sented to this institution by lady Arabella church; and I had to give it as my firm be- Denny, at a time when the infants were lief, the Lord's work never could prosper in brought up by hand, and is nearly as follows: the hands of such. Sixth-day attended Syca-"Children who are brought up with spoon more-alley meeting, which on our first sitting victuals require often and regular feeding. down was owned by the Master of all rightly This clock strikes every twenty minutes. It gathered churches. What a favour we should is desired that every child that is then awake esteem it, that he still condescends to dispense may be taken up and sufficiently fed." We his heavenly blessings, to give us bread in our were informed, that before the donor of this own houses and water in our own cisterns, clock undertook the oversight of this instituthat there may be no depending upon the in- tion, it was in a very neglected state: but her strument for help. The care manifested by zeal in devoting her time and fortune to its some Friends who were shopkeepers, to re- welfare had been a great means of producing ceive the family visit free from interruption, the regularity and humane care now so conby shutting up their shops, I thought was wor-spicuous, doing great credit to the present thy of notice. Second-day, a difference hav-managers: may her example availingly preach ing long existed between two Friends of this this language to those possessing the means, meeting, I did not see my way clear to proceed further in our visit, without making the attempt to bring these two individuals nearer together, which through holy help was accomplished, to the great comfort of the parties. Third-day attended Meath street meeting, which was large for a week-day meeting. I felt called upon to press on the minds of those assembled a sense of the need, if we were benefitted by our thus coming together, of some other Friends, proceeded to Wicklow. leaving our homes and outward concerns in faith and not in fear, looking to that Almighty power to oversee them in our absence, who is better able to do so than we are ourselves, and not to suffer the enemy of all our sure mercies to occupy our minds with slavish fears of our outward concerns suffering, when we are thus honestly endeavouring to be found in the faithful discharge of this duty towards Almighty God. Third-day attended Meath street meeting, a time of renewal of strength

"Go you and do likewise." The evening of their day would then afford them that peaceful reflection, which would be more salutary to the mind than anything this world can afford.

CHAPTER VI.

SEVENTH-DAY, Susannah Hill, myself and

The weather was fine, and the country picturesque, and I became somewhat recruited in mind and body. Here are a few families scattered that form a part of Dublin Monthly Meeting, whom we visited by second-day evening, and the retrospect affords a hope that an open door has been left, for such who may be called upon to move in the same line of duty, which was cause of thankfulness. Fifthday my companion Susannah Hill returned home. I walked to Ferns, and next day to