within and without; I pray thee be with me the remaining part of my life, and forsake me not, now health and strength fail: but enable me to live looser from the world, and closer unto thee, O thou Father and Fountain of every comfort and consolation. Permit me, O Lord, reverently to covet thy holy protection for myself, my children, and tender grandchildren, that they may be preserved strangers to the vanities of the world, pride, and superfluity of every kind. Keep them, I pray thee, from taking their flight as into the air, where the snares of the prince of the power thereof are laid to catch them-keep them from aspiring unto things too high for them-Oh! most merciful Father, keep us all, I humbly pray thee, little in our own estimation; for thou art God, with the dear Son of thy love blessed for ever!

I have known her to be a diligent labourer in the Lord's vineyard, and very serviceable in the church discipline. The intelligence brought to my mind a fresh call to arise and trim my lamp, that I might not be like the foolish virgins who were excluded from entering in to behold the Bridegroom of souls.

Oh! the necessity of not only receiving the seed of the kingdom, but with all readiness to allow its growth. The work of truth in the heart of man is described to be progressive; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear.

There are many publications in this day that have a tendency to corrupt the mind; if we read the Scriptures they will draw us nearer to God than any other volume. In the records of our dear Saviour's life and death, we shall perceive where the Master's feet have trod; and, in reading his sufferings with attention, the youthful mind is often moved and tendered, and in great humility brought nearer to his pure spirit in the heart.

11th. paid us a very agreeable visit. How instructive is a growth in grace; the path of the just shineth brighter and brighter as they diligently walk in the light; and by every act of obedience they grow stronger O thou that hast been pleased to lengthen and stronger, but negligence in performing out my days to old age, thou knowest Satan's our duty leaves us more in Satan's power. desire to have me, that he may sift me as How needful then is it, to be steadily pressing wheat. Oh! suffer me to know an increase after the Father's love, which is the spiritual of strength by thy power, which only is able light and life of men, and to be watchful unto to support the mind, when the waves of afflicprayer, to feel the mind secretly breathing tion run high, and threaten to overwhelm: it after it. If this is our engagement, and the is the voice of thy omnipotence only that can true hunger and thirst are experienced, we at such seasons effectually proclaim, Peace be shall be fed.

still!

26th.-Sitting up in bed, my mind was very Sixth month.-Sitting up in bed: I feel my unexpectedly comforted by these words, "The strength declining. Oh! for patience and firm Lord knoweth them that are his," which af-confidence in my dear Redeemer, is what I fected me. I said in my heart, what have I to return for such favours; surely nothing but shame and confusion of face!

have been striving for, and hope more fully to attain. But Oh! how poor and forsaken I am, comparable to the state of Mary of old, in her Eleventh month 21st.-What a favour mournful search; "They have taken away my would it be, if in our daily retirements we Lord, and I know not where they have laid were owned by that enriching peace, which him." Oh! grant a continued exercise of soul, the world can neither give nor take away. until I have found him whom my soul loveth, "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and because he first, in his adorable goodness and lean not to thy own understanding"- "Wait tender mercy, followed me by his heart-reachon the Lord; be of good courage and he shall ing calls in the days of my youth, saying, strengthen thine heart; wait I say on the Lord." "This is the way, walk in it." I desire more Oh! may it please Him to raise up judges as than ever to search closely the most secret at the first, and counsellors as at the begin- parts of my own heart. I have to mourn for sufning to hasten that day when truth and right-fering the fear of man to stay and hinder me, eousness shall cover the earth as the waters that I have held back when I should have come cover the sea! A participation of the love boldly forward in the Lord's blessed cause. of God by the members of the true church, Oh! my short comings, my many omissions teaches them to know the communion of saints, and the deep union of the one Spirit, which makes them as epistles written in one another's hearts, which neither time nor distance can

ever erase.

In the third month, 1838, I heard of the decease of dear Ann Ransome, of Hitchin. I have not heard the particulars of her close, but

and commissions have caused me many hours of sorrow, and bitter cries to the Creator of the ends of the earth for forgiveness. And I trust in the days of humiliation, I was strengthened again to renew my covenant similar to Jacob, "If thou wilt be with me in the way I go, give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on; thou shalt be my God, and I will serve

SOME ACCOUNT

OF

THE RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

OF

ANN CROWLEY.

I HAVE no expectation of leaving any thing ligious character. This carnal reasoning that will bear the appellation of a journal, brought death and darkness over my awakenbut apprehending I should fail of manifesting ed understanding, and I much lost the sense that gratitude which is due the Author of all of those tendering impressions, which had good, did I not transmit some account of the been mercifully experienced in the day of Lord's gracious dealings with me, I am induced early visitation. But thanks be to a gracious to make a few memorandums. The remem- God, who kept me, in this season of revolt, brance of the multiplied mercies and abun- from all gross evil, and often followed with dant loving-kindness vouchsafed, has often close conviction, when indulging the vain deeply prostrated my soul, and raised the lan- mind, in adorning the frail body with apparel guage, What shall I render unto thee, O God, inconsistent with the simplicity of the truth. for the benefits and favours bestowed on thy A fondness for dress and music were some of unworthy servant? When very young in my greatest foibles; and I am bound in grati years my mind was visited with the gentle re- tude to acknowledge, that had it not been for proofs of instruction, and I felt, what I now parental care, advice, and prudent restraint, I believe was divine approbation, when I acted might have gone great lengths in these gratiagreeably to the religious precepts with which fications. Then, in the love of the gospel, I I was favoured, before I knew it was the pre- would most earnestly, and most affectionately cious gift of grace thus operating on my heart. recommend all religious parents, to be faithful I well remember some seasons of humiliation, in the discharge of their important duties, rewhen, in the depth of contrition, I have kneel-membering they are delegated as care-takers ed down in my chamber, feeling the spirit of over a very important trust: and happy will sweet supplication, though, like Samuel of old, it be for those parents, who, in the day of ignorant of the voice of the Lord which influenced to this act of duty and, on rising from my knees, I felt so happy that it led me to consider what should occasion such sweet, peaceful feelings. Through the teachings About the 16th year of my age, I was reof the holy Spirit, I soon became sensible, it newedly favoured with a powerful visitation was the influence of heavenly love on my of heavenly love, by which, through the tenheart; and had I wisely kept near the all-suf- der mercy of a compassionate Father, I saw ficient gift of grace, I might, in early years, there was no other way to obtain present peace have magnified the Lord's power, by becoming and everlasting happiness, but, believing in, a preacher of righteousness in life and con- and yielding obedience to, the dictates of the versation. But, for want of dwelling with this Spirit of Truth revealed in the heart. And as blessed gift, and maintaining a constant watch, I gave up to follow the gradual unfoldings of the enemy of all good gained ascendency over the Lord's will, I felt my strength increase to my convinced judgment, and I was miserably bear the cross and despise the shame, and beguiled into an apprehension, that I might thus I began to understand, in my measure, indulge myself for a few years in the gratifi- the truth of that saying, they that are cation of some worldly pleasures, and after- faithful in the little, shall be made rulers over wards submit to the cross and become a re- more. I saw with indubitable clearness,

righteous inquisition, may stand acquitted in the divine sight, having done all they could to preserve their offspring in true simplicity, and in the fear of the Lord.

that Christ is the only "way, the truth, and the life," and that our words and our actions must be governed by his Spirit. In this awakened state, my prayers were frequently put up in secret, to the God and Father of all our sure mercies, that his almighty presence might be as walls and bulwarks around my fearful and trembling spirit, to keep me steadfast in the faith, and watchful unto prayer: that the enemy of my soul's salvation might not again draw me aside from the simplicity of the truth, as it is in Jesus, our only Redeemer and hope of glory. As I was mercifully favoured to experience a change of heart, and knew something of the new birth unto righteousness, I found him, who was a liar from the beginning, very busy, with insinuations suited to beguile into a disbelief of what I had now experienced, of the blessed effects of religion on the heart. Many were my conflicts, known only to an all-seeing God, who compassionated my tried state, and often caused the calming influence of his living presence, to bring into a holy quiet, and bumble trust, in which I felt sweet, solacing peace to clothe my panting mind.

About the 17th year of my age, I met with a very close trial, which involved my mind in deep affliction. My tenderly beloved and honoured father, who had been in a declining state of health for some years, was suddenly removed from works to rewards, by an apoplectic fit. At this time I was from home, and had been so for several months, which increased my sorrow, from the reflection, that I had thereby been deprived of the satisfaction of fulfilling the last offices of filial duty, and prevented the consolation of witnessing the peaceful close of an affectionate, indulgent parent. How unspeakably great is the loss which children sustain from the departure of those who have tenderly cared for them, as it relates to the preservation of the youthful mind and the comfortable accommodation of the body. How wise would it be, and acceptable to the great and good Parent of all living, were those thus privileged, daily engaged to seek after a right disposition to appreciate such blessings, letting their deportment in all things, and at all times, evince their sense of obligation for such unmerited favours.

chasm in our nearly united family,* so I may safely express myself, having been favoured to live together in great harmony and tender affection, the remembrance of which now yields solid satisfaction. Many and various were the exercises of my mind about this time. I often found the necessity of seeking, with earnestness of soul, for wisdom and strength to conduct myself in all respects agreeably to the profession I was making; and many were the fears which assailed me, lest I should, through any degree of unwatchfulness, mar the work which, in unutterable mercy, was begun in my heart. But in a sense of gratitude, I may acknowledge the everlasting Counsellor did not fail to warn, instruct, and grant the blessing of preservation, so that faithfulness measurably kept pace with knowledge, and my love to God was manifested by an endeavour to walk humbly in his fear, which I found to be as a fountain of life, preserving from the snares of death.

In the second month, 1791, my much-loved sister Mary was, in the prime of life, taken from the many comforts enjoyed by the humble, even in this probationary state, I trust, to a far more happy and glorious inheritance, where joys unalloyed are the blessed portion of the righteous for ever. She had been married only about a year and nine months, and had many promising prospects to make her new sphere of life desirable. But it pleased Infinite Wisdom to cast a shade over these pleasant pictures: her health became delicate, and very soon little hope could be entertained of her recovery, which was a solemn consideration to me. Truly "The judgments of the Lord are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out;" but all his ways are perfect: and thence we are instructed, that we have nothing to depend upon, but his boundless mercy in Christ Jesus, our consolation and only hope of glory. I can acknowledge, in a deep sense of manifold weaknesses, that though this cup of sorrow was as the wormwood and the gall, difficult to be drunk with becoming resignation, yet, through the strengthening influence of all-sufficient Grace, I could feelingly utter the submissive language of Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken After the death of my beloved father, I was away; blessed be the name of the Lord." much at home with my bereaved mother, and Though this was a season of severe trial, yet such of my dear sisters as were then unmar- upon a serious retrospect, I can enrol it among ried; endeavouring to comfort them, as far as those afflictions which have proved to me my small experience in the precious gift of blessings in disguise, and which have given true sympathy would admit: we frequently occasion for the tribute of gratitude to be ofmingled our tears together, and I have reason fered unto him, who only knows what will to believe, it was a season of lasting profit to tend to our sanctification, and bring into the divers of us, for which I now feel reverently paths of enduring peace. My soul can now thankful. In the course of a few years, three in tracing the wonderful dealings of an allof my sisters married, which made a great

*Of seven sisters.

wise Providence, lean upon the staff of faith, and worship him whose compassions fail not, but are new every morning. May it please him to continue his righteous judgments mixed with mercy, all the days of my pilgrimage, that a preparation may be known, to offer, in time and in eternity, adoration and praise, to his worthy name.

minister, and that by speaking, I should darken counsel by words without knowledge, that I suffered the meeting to break up. Though this brought my poor mind under renewed conflict, yet I could appeal to my merciful Master, who knew it was not wilful disobedience, but a fear of running before my spiritual guide; so that I did not feel much condemnation in trying the fleece both wet and dry. I spent an instructive evening with my companions, who I believe were dipped into a sense of my condition. The next morn ing we attended a meeting appointed by them at 11 o'clock, in which much exercise was renewed. I was still fearful of believing my. self called to so great and important a work, as to become a minister of the everlasting gospel of peace and reconciliation; and so struggled with doubt and fear till the meeting broke up. This withholding more than was meet, appeared to shut up the way of my dear companions, for public labour. Indeed, I have believed, since

On the 6th of the fifth month, we were visited by our truly valued friends Samuel Smith from America, Hannah Wigham from Essex, Deborah Darby and Rebecca Young from Colebrook Dale, Louis Majolier from France, Adey Bellamy from Wycomb, and John Hull from Uxbridge. On the 9th they had a meeting at Warborough, which, according to my infant state for judging, was a season of renewed favour, in which I was divinely instructed. In the afternoon they all left us, except D. Darby and R. Young, who staid another night under my dear mother's roof. They drank tea at my brother Saunders', our family accompanying them, after which a solemn silence pre-gaining a little more experience in the mysvailed, in which some of our minds were deeply centred on God, the fountain of all good; and after a season of reverent waiting, these dedicated messengers of the Gospel were enabled to divide the word aright. To my humbling admiration, much counsel and encourage. ment were handed in life and power, reaching the witness in divers hearts, and raising the secret acknowledgment, This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Oh! may I ever profitably remember his gracious dealings with me, a poor worm, in the days of deep humiliation. A proposal was made by one of these valuable friends, that I should go with them to Farringdon. The thought of having more of their profitable company seemed pleasant, yet the prospect brought great awfulness over my mind, insomuch that I was afraid to refuse, though there were feelings raised, which were contrary to a quiet acquiescence, because I apprehended the time was drawing near, when my Divine Master would require a fresh proof of my love and obedience to him. Yet I concluded it safest to go in simplicity; and being favoured to feel a grain of that faith which removes mountains, I ventured to accompany them to Abington, where they had a meeting among the few friends of that place. It proved a memorable season to me: my mind was deeply prostrated during the whole time of our sitting together, and I felt the love of God abundantly shed abroad in my heart, insomuch that I could experimentally adopt the language of the Psalmist, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power." Yet so great was the fear that attended my mind, lest I had not passed through the needful preparation to qualify rightly to

terious ways and work of an Omnipotent Being, that, in order to know the life and power to arise in our religious assemblies, it is highly needful, for all the living members of the body, to keep their ranks in righteousness, whether it be in doing or suffering for the sake of the precious cause. We all went to the house of our friend Robert Reynolds to dinner, but my mind was too deeply exercised to take much nourishment for the body; for truly I desired, above all other considerations, that it might be my meat and my drink, to do the will of my Heavenly Father. After dinner many Friends came in, nearly all we had sat with at meeting: a solemn silence soon prevailed, the mighty power of Truth seemed eminently to overshadow our little gathering, and many minds were much humbled; in which precious feeling I was made sensible, that was the accepted time for the offering to be made. I ventured to stammer forth a few expressions; which arose in that degree of life and power, that no doubt remained, it was the operation of Divine love which influenced me to yield to the fresh manifestation of revealed duty and Oh! the blessed reward of peace that flowed into my humbled heart! Language is inadequate to describe this heavenly enjoyment! but it will be fully comprehended by those, who have tasted the sweet fruits of obeying the commands of our Heavenly Father, in small as well as greater requisitions. I now believed it best for me to return home, which I did under solemn impressions and serious considerations: for although my mind was favoured with a rich reward, yet I began to consider, that I had now put my hand to the plough. I remembered what was declared