was then sweetly comforted, and, being favoured with the unity of the Lord's faithful servants, it was very strengthening to my poor doubting mind.

After staying a week or two at Worcester, my dear mother gradually getting better, we set out for Wilts, and after remaining a few weeks there, I left my mother finely re. covered at my uncle John Fry's, and went to see my relations in Bristol. Here, as well as when in Wiltshire, I was at times engaged to appear in a short testimony, which seemed acceptable to Friends, and the solid part took a kind notice of me. Dear William Fry (of Bristol) was an encouraging father in the truth. While at Bristol, my mind was deeply engaged under a sense of duty, to attend the Welch Yearly Meeting, to be held at Builth (in Brecknockshire, the 5th of the 5th month, 1767.) Being young, and knowing of no friends going thither, I was much sunk; but on making my state of mind known to one or two friends, my way, as to the outward, was made easy. Catherine Payton, Rachel Wilson, and divers

others who were there, were as nursing mothers to me; but what was above all, was the presence of my dear Redeemer, enabling me to do what little service he was pleased to require: with which, I had cause to believe Friends had good unity. This was cause of humble thankfulness to the God of my life, who remains to regard the dust of Zion, and to satisfy her poor with bread. O my soul, mayst thou ever fear, and walk reverently before Him who is the dread of nations.

' I returned pretty directly from this meeting to Bristol, with the reward of sweet peace for this little service. After staying there some months, I had a letter from my uncle John Fry, requesting I would come to Sutten where he resided, my cousin Katherine (his daughter) being likely to be married. I did so; and she was married a little time after (viz. the 2d of the 10th month, 1767) to Edward Jefferys, of Whitley, near Melksham, a steady valuable friend; and I went. with my cousin to her new habitation.'

CHAP. IF

Visits Cumberland-Western counties-first engaged in a family visit-goes to the men's meeting at Lavington-exercises, and relief, with reflections-death of a young child, a relation-account of meetings in Wiltshire.

IT appears by the foregoing relation, that Sarah Stephenson first appeared as a public minister in Worcester in the year 1767, and, by a comparison of dates, in the 29th year of her age. She was then a member of the Monthly Meeting of Hardshaw, in Lancashire, of which Liverpool meeting forms a part; but she was recommended the same year, by a certificate of removal, with her mother, to the Monthly Meeting of Chippingham in Wiltshire, in the compass of which was Sutton Benger, the residence, as has been said, of her uncle John Fry. Of this Monthly Meeting she had not been long a member, before she applied for its concurrence in a service which lay before her. This was doubtless her first applica

tion of the kind, and the Meeting, adverting to what may be called the infancy of her ministry, certified that she had lately appeared in a short but lively testimony; that she was in good unity with it; and that her life and conversation corresponded with her appearance and profession. The certificate, which was granted in the third Month, 1768, was addressed to Friends of Worcester, or elsewhere, yet she has not left an account of her visit to them; but only thus relates the other part of her errand, nearly in the following words:

In the spring, 1768,' says she, my mind was strongly impressed with a sense of duty, to visit the meetings in Cumberland, my native county. Accordingly I set forward and got safe to Lancaster. Thence to Carlisle, where the Yearly Meeting (for the Northern counties) was held, I had the company of my dear cousin William Dillworth, Sarah Taylor of Manchester, and Esther Tuke of York. The latter had intended after the Yearly Meeting was over, to visit the meetings in the county; and,

being informed of my prospect, kindly took me under her wing, and was indeed a tender mother in the truth. After her return home, she wrote me an instructive and affectionate letter, signifying she felt the want of my company after I had left her. This tended to strengthen my poor mind in humble hope, that my moving was in His counsel, who leaveth not his little striplings, as they confide, in him alone, and keep under his holy government. I returned pretty directly home, with sweet peace of mind.'

In the year 1769, she attended the Yearly Meeting, as it should probably seem for the first time, and, by her own account, she visited meetings in Essex. She met there with tender sympathizing friends; but says she, the greatest of all favours was that of having the company of the Ancient of Days who was mercifully near to help, and afforded strength to answer his own requirings.

In 1770, I visited, she continues, the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. One night I slept in a damp bed, which much affected my health. When we got to