SUPPLEMENT TO THE JOURNAL.

THUS far my deceased brother proceeded | thereof, at sundry periods, and commenced in the narrative of the transactions of his own life. I find by the papers in my hands, that, as noted in the preface, he drew up a review

tion, the succeeding occurrences of his life, to near the present time; but he proceeded only a little way in the last review; and the former in his fifty-fourth year, terminates here. I regret the want of this continuation by that hand, which only could give it with those interesting reflections, resulting from a recollection of the feelings attending the successive occurrences of his life. This is an advantage that no other hand can supply; but as I have in my hands the abstracts of succeeding journeys, and sundry other papers, I shall endeavour to supply the deficiency to the best of my ability.

in general, exceeding his age. In his entrance on the stage of life, a propriety and steadiness of deportment, that might adorn advanced years, attracted the notice and respectful regard of the best friends, who had the opportunity of observing, or being acquainted with him. By a conscientious discharge of every social and religious duty, as a dutiful son, as an affectionate brother, as an exemplary pattern of plainness, sobriety and circumspection of life, he gave evident indications, that he was early acquainted with the grace and truth, which came by Jesus Christ. I apprehend he was for a season, an assistAfter his settling in Bristol, he seems to ant to his father in his school; but the weight have been pretty much engaged in his out-of care and embarrassment of this occupation, ward, confining occupation, for the support not suiting the present temper of his mind, of himself and a large family, so as to tra- discouraged him from continuing in that line vel little abroad in the service of truth, ex- of life; and therefore, meeting with an cept in short excursions to the neighbouring offer from a friend in London, to assist him meetings, and other services in the vicinage in his business in the capacity of a clerk, he of that city; and to the yearly meeting in removed thither; and there he laid down the London, which he attended constantly for body in or about the twenty-first year of his several years, and where his service was, I age, as I recollect, having in this station, as believe, generally acceptable. It was here well as every other, conducted himself with for the first time after his removal to Bristol, fidelity, reputation and honour in testimony and several years separation, I had the satis- whereof I have an extract of a letter from faction to meet with him, which was no incon- his employer to his father, communicated in siderable addition to the comfort and edifica- one from the latter, of tenth month 26th, tion I was favoured with, in the attendance of 1769, as follows, viz: that meeting in 1771. And being mostly with him at meetings and elsewhere, I had the agreeable opportunity of observing, that the spirit of universal love, which characterized him in a peculiar manner, procured him the like open reception there, as formerly amongst his friends in Ireland; and that the liveliness which still accompanied his public ministry, procured him also an open door for the reception of his labour and service therein.

"I now doubt of my eldest son John's being any longer in this world; he was seized with a violent fever last first-day week. B. R., in last seventh-day's letter, writes, "For my own part, I do not much expect his recovery, which is a great affliction to me on divers accounts; yet I hope to be resigned to the will of Providence, being well assured, if he be removed, it will be to his eternal gain, although my very great loss as well as thine, and many others, by whom he is dearly beloved. Oh! that my life, and that of all that know him, may be like his, that at our death we may say as he did to my wife; I have done all that I had to do, and must now go home."

During this interval, in the year 1769, he met with a close trial in the death of his deservedly beloved son John; a young man of amiable manners, and valuable qualities beyond most of his years, being blessed with a good natural disposition and capacity, well improved in his minority, by a diligent ap- Soon after he died; and in my brother's plication to useful learning, under the tuition next letter he writes me the following account of his father and preceptor; to whom the easy of his funeral. "My son John's funeral was task of instructing him, his assiduity and uncommonly remarkable. It was taken to ready proficiency conveyed secret joy, and the new meeting-house at Park, in Southwark. pleasing hopes of future satisfaction in a son, The meeting was excessively crowded, and who gave such promising tokens of making many without doors. It was attended by a useful and honourable member of religious several public friends, many friends from and civil society. Nor were these hopes several meetings in the city, and many out of frustrated in the advancing stages of his short the country, from the love they bore him; the life. For as he grew up, being favoured opportunity by all accounts was eminently with solid religious impressions, he sought favoured, the service thereof, falling to the after, and attained best wisdom to a degree, lot of our worthy, well qualified friend, Sa

muel Fothergill, to the tendering of the hearts of many present.

him been; but O, how very widely different his condition in his immortal state!

Through divine favour and assistance I freely gave him up, thankful for having such a son, who hath left behind him too few like him in pure, unmixed goodness, which diligently exerted itself to do well. He was a most affectionate, dutiful son, both to me and his present mother; so complete a pattern in every virtue, that I have heard many in Lon-vantage, who are so wise as to submit thereto, don and Bristol say, that they never saw one of his years like him. He is happily gone before, safely landed in the port of rest; and that we may land there is all that we have to desire and be concerned for."

"If any man will come after me," said our blessed Lord, "let him take up his cross daily, deny himself, and follow me:" since then, these are the prescribed terms of discipleship, and if we would be eternally happy, are to be submitted to, at one period of our lives or other; they have greatly the ad

easy, and his burden light; and early piety is the surest ground of an easy and peaceful passage through this vale of tears, as well as laying a good foundation for futurity. "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come;" and those have in a gen eral way proved most eminently serviceable, and the brightest lights in their generation, who have entered early into covenant with their Maker, and kept the covenant of their youth.

in the early part of life. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth, before his evil propensities be so confirmed by indulgence as to become habitual: custom has a powerful influence over the human These short testimonies to the memory of mind, and the cross to evil habits is hard to my deceased nephew, I thought proper to in- endure. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, sert here; first, because I am of opinion, had or the leopard his spots? "Then may ye his father lived to continue his own account also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.” of the occurrences of his life so far, he would On the contrary, as custom also makes hard not have omitted one so nearly affecting him; things easy, if instead of accustoming ourand it was my purpose to notice what I ap- selves to do evil, and thereby strengthening prehend he would have done, for edification, our natural propensities thereto, we accusas far as I have materials. Secondly, I tom our necks to the yoke of Christ, we thought the delineation of such a character, shall much sooner feel his yoke become might be of service, to some of the youth of this generation, as an example for them to imitate; as an evidence that early piety may, through divine assistance, be attained, and that if we seek it in sincerity, and with full purpose of heart, our search will not be in vain. "I love them," saith wisdom, "that love me, and they that seek me early, shall find me." As an awakening instance of the uncertain tenure of all things in this transitory life; that all flesh is grass, and the goodliness of man as the flower of the field; and as a powerful incentive, in consideration I sincerely desire the youth, into whose thereof, to extend our views beyond the short-hands this may fall, may deeply ponder these lived glory, and fading enjoyments of this interesting reflections, so as seriously to conuncertain world, to the durable riches of sider their latter end, and make timely preparighteousness, and everlasting rewards thereof. May the rising youth hereby be incited so to number their days, as that they may apply their hearts to wisdom, in order to make timely preparation for their final change; and not suffer themselves to be so far deluded, as to put off this necessary work, to some future stage of life, which they can have no assurance of attaining to, reasoning with themselves, through the suggestions of the enemy, that gayety, festivity, and fleshly liberties, being agreeable to their present age, may be safely indulged for a season, as they have much time to repent and grow sober in; and that at some more advanced period, when gravity and seriousness will be more suitable to their years, they will then apply to those things that belong to peace. Had this virtuous young man so reasoned, and so acted, how different had the savour he left behind

ration for it; as not knowing at what hour the Master may come, at midnight, at cockcrowing, or the dawning of the day. And then I am well covinced they would be weaned, not only from the luxury, dissipation, and gross enormities of the world, but from an affectation of, and conformity to the vain amusements, manners and fashions thereof, which many indulge themselves in, to their hurt. Let them not satisfy themselves with an apprehension, that they indulge only in things of an indifferent nature, and in which religion is not concerned; but instead of unwisely measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves amongst themselves, bring their deeds to the true crite rion, the light of Christ, that it may be made manifest, what source they originate from; and in the light many of the little things will be seen to draw the mind from its proper cen

tre, and the seats of those that sell doves, Hants; and sat with friends at many of their occupying the temple of the heart, to unfit it monthly meetings, and the three quarterly for an house of prayer. It is not sufficient meetings for Somersetshire, Dorsetshire, and that we are preserved from gross evils, al- Hampshire, all which were large for the season though this is laudable, but if we are con- of the year, and favoured by the Master of our cerned to make our calling and election sure, assemblies with that power of love, which and to secure an inheritance amongst them unites his true servants every where in a holy that are sanctified, we are to walk in obe- concern for the honour of his Name, and for dience to the will of God, which is our sanc-the faithful support of that testimony he has tification, revealed by his grace in our hearts, called them to bear. which teaches to deny ourselves, not only of "I reached this city last first-day morning, those things that are manifestly evil; but of having ridden eleven miles before meeting. those also, that, under the appearance of being I was at Gracious street that morning, at indifferent, gratify our carnal desires, and draw which were Sarah Taylor and Tabitha Marrithe mind into folly and vanity, from that state ott, the former of whom was favoured with a of vigilance on which our safety depends. We lively opportunity, it was a good meeting, are not only to abstain from those irregularities and ended well. I was thankful for having in conduct, which injure our reputation with reached it. In the afternoon I was at Devonmen; but to keep such a guard upon the ave-shire house; the meeting was very large, and nues of the heart, that we suffer no thief to fresh ability was given to treat with the youth find entertainment there, to steal away our and others, in the merciful opening of the affections from God, or defile this temple of pure spring of the gospel. Yesterday I atthe Holy Ghost. Man is created but a little tended the select morning meeting, and in the lower than the angels, is designed for higher afternoon the two weeks' meeting. And in and nobler pursuits than the gratifications of the evening, Thomas Corbyn with his lodgers, sense; and not to rest satisfied in merely the friends above-mentioned, visited at my avoiding that conduct which exposes him to lodgings, where we had a consolatory time of censure; but to follow that which merits retirement, in which our heavenly Father was praise, and procures divine approbation. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

My brother having, now for several years, been principally engaged in the necessary care and labour to provide for those of his own household; in the latter end of the year 1773, felt a religious concern on his mind to visit friends in some of the counties of England; and also those of Ireland, in company with Thomas Melhuish, of Taunton, in Somersetshire; and in order to set himself at liberty to accomplish these visits, he resigned his school in Bristol.

He soon after entered on the service before him, in a visit to friends in some of the western and southern counties of England, and the city of London and its environs; of which visit I received information from him, in the letters he wrote to me at that time; the following extracts whereof will best supply what is wanting here.

"London, 18th of First month, 1774.

"I have been now near four months closely employed in visiting friends, through the four counties of Somerset, Devon, Dorset and VOL. IX.-No. 1.

graciously pleased to break the bread of life amongst us. I shall be likely to be three or four weeks in and about London, and when 1 am clear, I have the meetings of Berkshire and Wiltshire to visit in my way home. I desire to be every day where I ought and as I ought, that if I can do no good, I may be in the way of renewedly receiving some fresh supply from the living fountain, which refreshes and spiritually unites all the true travellers heavenward, in daily gratitude to the kind Author of all good."

"London, 5th of Second month, 1774. "My dear companion, who has obtained his credentials from their monthly and quarterly meetings, writes to me, that he is hastened in his mind to move forward; but both he and I must submit to bear the curb, and exercise patience. I am at times assaulted with earnest longings to make haste home, to get a little time there, before my coming over to visit friends in Ireland; still I am favoured with the renewing of that gracious help, which raises over all things, and gives the single desire of being both where and what I should be. I entered on this service with an earnest desire, that I might be both guided and guarded aright; and hitherto with great thankfulness have to acknowledge, that my prayers have been answered; and that he who hath the key of David, hath been graciously pleased many times to open his store

5

house, and from thence to unfold doctrine, counsel, consolation and reproof, to the differing states of the people."

"London, 1st of Third month, 1774.

"I have now been in this city seven firstdays' and seven second-days' morning meetings, and through the other parts of those weeks, have besides those of London, Westminster and Southwark, laboured in sundry meetings around them. To-morrow I expect to attend the last two meetings here; that for worship at Gracious street, in the morning, and the monthly meeting at Devonshire house, in the afternoon; next day to set off for Berkshire, Wiltshire and Bristol. So that it looks likely to be the fourth month before I can set

out for Dublin.

age, and had a meeting there, and from thence he went by Llaneedless to the Welsh yearly meeting at Brecknock, which began on the 26th of fourth month. The meeting of ministers and elders, began at nine o'clock in the morning, and at three in the afternoon, a meeting of friends only; and after it the men's meeting, which held till it was almost dark, and then adjourned to the seventh hour next morning, when friends met again, and the meeting held till about nine. At ten the pub lic meeting began in the town-hall, which was excessively crowded and satisfactory. This yearly meeting ended the 27th of fourth month, and the half year's meeting in Dublin was to begin the 1st of fifth month. So he writes; "William Howell and I came fortyone miles after dinner, to Llaneedless, where, "I have cause to be humbly thankful to town-hall or session room, beginning at eight on the 28th, we had a large meeting in the the author of all our mercies, who hath been o'clock, which was much favoured. Margakind to me through my winter's travels, fa- ret Jarman and Mary Hunt, accompanied us vouring me with good health, through all from thence to Escargoch, where we also had a winds and weathers, and with a kind recep; memorable opportunity, our hearts being much tion every where. At this city, being entered tendered together." On the 29th, being sixthinto my proper labour and business, I have day of the week, he set off from Llewindee, found that I could not retire hence, any accompanied by Owen Owen, son of Humsooner than the stay above mentioned, and I think I shall not overstay my time, but rather John Goodwin, for Holyhead, and that day, phrey Owen aforementioned, and grandson to otherwise, having found an enlargement of although they were detained some hours for heart beyond expectation, and having contri- the tide to fall, till they could cross a river in buted to increase the morning meeting of the way, and in crossing which, they were elders here, with a valuable addition thereto, for a good while up to the saddle skirts, they though I found it hard labour through the reached Carnarvan, being fifty miles, that diffidence and reluctance of some; yet the night, and Holyhead about eleven o'clock in power and love of truth at length prevailed, the forenoon of seventh-day; went aboard to the satisfaction and comfort of many good the packet boat about two o'clock on first-day morning; but having little wind, did not get to Dublin till second-day evening, being the 2nd day of the fifth month, and of the national meeting.

friends."

He got home on the 8th of third month, and in about a week afterward took a turn to the quarterly meeting of Somersetshire, at Glastonbury, and that for Wiltshire, at Devizes, and was at some other meetings in his way from one to the other.

The beginning of fourth month he left home on his intended visit to Ireland; he came to the quarterly meeting at Worcester, and thence by Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley and Stourbridge, to Colebrookdale, where he was at meetings at the New-dale and Olddale, and visited sundry families, accompanied by Daniel Rose.

From Colebrookdale, he went by Shrewsbury, to Dolobran, where the meeting-house was nearly full, the meeting began at eight o'clock in the morning, and was very comfortable. The next day he got to Llewindee, to William Howell's, son-in-law to the late worthy friend, John Goodwin, with whom John's widow was then living, being eighty-three years of

Of his journey in Ireland, he kept a brief diary; but not so particular, as of the former through Wales, being only a summary account of the meetings and places he was at each day, without any remarks on meetings or occurrences to diversify the narration, and therefore I shall be obliged to comprise the relation thereof in a narrow compass.

He visited the meetings in course; first, by Edenderry, Rathangan and Ballitore, to the six weeks' meeting at Carlow, and thence I westward, to Ballimurry, and returned to the quarterly meeting at Edenderry, in concert with his companion, Thomas Melhuish. From thence they directed their course towards the province of Munster, by Tullamore, Birr and Kilconnermore, to Limerick, and from thence through Munster, finishing their visit to that province, at the province meeting at Waterford; thence through the county of Wexford, and so