visits were more eminently owned than others, it appearing to us, the minds of some of the visited were more prepared than others to receive the Gospel message which we had to declare. May the tribute of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for his all-sustaining help and strength, thus mercifully vouchsafed to us, become more and more the offering of our minds day by day.

as the way for my so doing did not appear clear, I laboured to keep in the quiet until the Yearly Meeting came to a close. Most Friends were now at liberty to return home, but I was left in bonds, and none but my Maker knew the state of my mind. I was never more in need of a double portion of faith and patience, which feelings of gratitude constrain me to acknowledge was not withheld by my Divine Feeling my mind drawn to the accomplices, Master, otherwise I think I could not have who had not been brought to trial, but were borne up as I was enabled to do. After passdischarged on bail, I informed the Monthlying two exercising weeks since the close of the Meeting thereof, and was set at liberty to pur-Yearly Meeting, way opened for me to spread sue my prospect; but for want of keeping before the Morning-meeting a prospect of duty under the exercise my mind had been intro-I had, to obtain an interview with those in duced into for the service before me, and power who had the welfare of Ireland at heart, minding the pointings of Truth as it respected and to make a visit to the Prince Regent. Afthe proper time to move in it, and suffering ter the meeting had been exercised with the some temporal concerns to take the lead, my subject, a few Friends were selected to have a way for moving in this engagement afterwards further opportunity with me, but they not feelso closed up, that I could not with safety pro- ing themselves competent to give a judgment, ceed in it ;-an instance that the Lord's work again called together the select members, who is not to be entered upon in our time, and left me at liberty to pursue my religious prowhen it best suits our convenience. spects as Truth opened my way; and my kind 1813. At the Monthly Meeting in the fourth friend, William Allen, was proposed to endeamonth, I requested a minute, which was grant-vour to obtain for me an interview with the ed, to take meetings in my way to the Yearly Chancellor of the Exchequer. Seventh-day, Meeting, and to attend to some service I had 26th of sixth month, we proceeded to his resilong had in prospect in the neighbourhood of dence in Downing-street, according to appointLondon. Fifth-day, I left my own home, and ment: we were received in a courteous manreached Sheffield that evening. Second-day, ner; and I laid before him such observations got to Mansfield, and had a meeting with as I had made during my travelling in Ireland, Friends there in the evening, which was well on the intemperance that so generally pervaded attended. I left the meeting well satisfied I the lower class of society there, and what to had given up to the service. Fourth-day, sat me appeared most likely to effect a remedy. with Friends of Loughborough: although to After affording me a full opportunity, the me it was a very exercising meeting, yet I was Chancellor proposed my throwing the subject favoured to obtain relief to my own mind. In before the Secretary for Ireland, kindly giving the afternoon proceeded to Castle Donington: us an introductory letter for that purpose, upon had a meeting with Friends there this evening. whom we also waited. Fears were excited in my mind that some of Having accomplished this part of my enour company were at ease in Zion, trusting ingagement, I quietly waited the time of the a bare profession; on which account I left the Morning-meeting assembling again which was meeting sorrowful. Fifth-day, proceeded to near. As no Friend had been proposed to asKettering: attended a meeting in the evening sist me in accomplishing my remaining profor Friends and others; which was large, the spect of religious duty, I ventured to say in people behaved solidly, and we were led to this meeting, that if the Friend who had so far hope it was a profitable time to many. First- kindly assisted me, was easy to render me such day morning, attended meeting at Hertford, further assistance as he was able to do, it after which we bent our course to Tottenham, would be acceptable; his consenting to do so, and reached in time for the evening meeting appeared agreeable to the meeting, and afforded there I rejoiced in once more sitting with great relief to my mind. A private opportuFriends in this meeting. Second-day, pro-nity was what I had looked toward, and this, ceeded to London, to attend the Yearly Meet- when the attempt for it was first made, there ing; during the several sittings of which, my mind was so closely tried with the prospect in my view, I was scarcely able to take any part in the business, or any enjoyment in the company of my friends; believing the time was approaching when it would be proper for me to cast my concern before my brethren; but

appeared but little doubt, would be obtained. I considered it a great favour, whilst these efforts were going forward, that I had not given up my residence at Tottenham, which afforded me a quiet retreat; my garden finding me sufficient employment, and furnished an excuse against visiting, which I felt myself un

equal to, independent of a persuasion it would be spared without hurting the whole. After not be to my profit. But after efforts had a time passed in solemn silence, a general debeen made, it was found a private interview | sire was manifested to render me every assistcould not be obtained; which placed me in a try-ance; but the difficulty appeared great if I ing situation. As the time of my being liber-attempted to present it myself; and as I could ated now seemed uncertain, it appeared my see no suitable opportunity but when the prince only safety was in endeavouring to aim at a was out on his morning ride, Friends took in resigned state of mind as to any further open-charge the needful arrangements. ings respecting the Prince Regent. I had va- Fifth-day, attended the usual week-day rious temporal matters to attend to before my meeting; I kept pretty close to my quarters, return to the north, but these I saw it would and passed a tranquil afternoon. After a be unsafe for me to encumber my mind with sleepless night, it appeared that it would be at the present. I found I must keep in the proper for me to hold myself in readiness this quiet, and labour after a willingness, if not day to get relieved from my burden. During fully discharged from apprehended duty, to the time of breakfast, our minds were much be further instructed and to pursue the path disposed for silence, and after it was over a which Truth should point out. After patient-precious pause ensued. My kind friend Mary ly waiting on my Divine Master, to become Rickman was engaged to supplicate, in a way acquainted with the further knowledge of his that afforded strength to my feeble, emptied, will, he was pleased to lay it upon me to tried mind. I felt it laid upon me, to request take up my pen, and as matter presented to my friends to obtain information if the prince my mind, commit it to paper; this mode of rode out this morning; and if so, the time and procedure appeared the only way to obtain an road he would be likely to take: the road not acquittal. I felt myself placed in a tried and being ascertained, and he mostly taking his responsible situation, from a belief that nothing ride over the Downs, we proceeded towards short of imparting the whole counsel commu- the palace. After waiting some time, the nicated to my mind would find acceptance gates were thrown open; and the prince, with with God, whom I thought I could in truth a great attendance of nobles, made his appearsay, I was desirous of serving with a perfect ance; but, to my great disappointment, they heart and willing mind. As I was about to took the opposite road. I paused, and found address the first person in power and the head it would be unsafe to neglect the present opof the nation, should offence be given by any portunity; and therefore proceeded up the hill thing I communicated, the Society might be with speed, being favoured to feel the best of implicated in it. Although these considera- supporters with me. The hill being very tions were proper, yet I saw that without great steep, and the exertion great, my breath was watchfulness the reasoner would gain ground so affected when I came abreast of the prince upon me, and weaken my hands for the work. that I was unequal to utter a word, I therefore I accordingly sat down, emptied and stripped pushed on some way before him in order to as to matter, endeavouring to abide in a hum-recover my breath, and then halted, until the ble dependent state, seeking for that help prince came up to me, when I addressed him which alone qualifies for every good word nearly as follows:and work. My Divine Master, in his wonted "Will the prince be pleased to permit me condescension, sent help in this time of need; to express a few words to him;" on which he matter flowed faster than my pen was well checked his horse, and stooping forward, reable to commit it to paper; and having closed plied, "Sir, you must excuse me, I am in what I believed was given me to communi- haste:" to which I answered, "I have a letter cate to the prince, the load was removed off for the prince, will he be pleased to permit me my shoulders. Aware that it would require to present him with it," taking it out of my grammatical corrections, I submitted the es- breast-pocket. He replied, "You will please say to suitable Friends for that purpose; and give it to Colonel Bloomfield;" who accordbelieved that nothing would give me clearness, ingly took charge of it. I found that my but presenting it in my own person. work was not complete until I had requested On the 7th of the eighth month, I proceeded | [of the colonel] that care should be taken the to Brighton, where the Prince Regent then After opening my views to Friends there, I gave for their perusal the address to the prince, and claimed their assistance.

was.

The paper was read over: some apprehensions were expressed that the length of it might prevent its being read; but on reading it again, it was concluded that no part could

prince had the letter, and that it was read: being assured this should be the case, this exercise of faith and patience peacefully ended. The countenances of my friends wore a dif ferent aspect now from what they did when we turned out in the morning. How shall I be able to describe my feelings! the safest spot for me, is to see and feel myself an unprofita

ble servant; having done what was required employed in concealing that horrid precipice of me, not of myself, but through the aid of from view. Such are real enemies, as, by Divine grace.

Here follows a copy of the letter.

TO THE PRINCE REGENT.

6th of Eighth month, 1813. "Under a feeling of religious love, which for many years has prevailed in my heart towards thee, and a full conviction that in the great and awful day of righteous retribution, I shall be found guilty of a breach of my duty to God, if I do not attempt faithfully to communicate what I have apprehended to be his word in mercy to thee, I have endeavoured to procure a private personal interview; but this having failed, I am obliged to avail myself of the only means left of soliciting thy attention to a subject, in which thy present and eternal interest are deeply concerned.

"The conduct of those in exalted stations will naturally attract general observation; and I am well aware that from different causes, not only are the virtues of such extolled beyond what they will bear, but their vices or failings are frequently exaggerated: their situation is really a pitiable one; for though the propensities of human nature to sensual gratification are common to all, yet the temptation is greater to those who have the most ample means of gratifying them to the fullest extent. I have endeavoured, as far as possible, to place myself mentally in thy exposed situation, and it is with real sympathy that I entreat thee to suffer the word of exhortation.

"Our being prone to sin by nature will not be charged against us in the great day when our future eternal situation shall be decided, if in good earnest we have been endeavouring, through Divine assistance, to overcome the evil propensities of our fallen nature: the sin is not in being tempted, but in yielding to temptation and suffer me to say, that if thou hadst occupied and co-operated with the offers of Divine grace, and the all-sufficient help inwardly manifested, there would have been no grounds for those remarks upon thy intemperance, which of late years have been so generally made, but, which I earnestly hope, have been greatly exaggerated. Flattery is so often resorted to by those who make their court to princes, that few are to be found who will dare to represent to them their danger, however widely they may deviate from the path of duty to their Creator, however obviously they may be walking in that path which leads to certain destruction. Many of those who hang about princes, for their own interested purposes, are strewing with flowers the path which leads to the edge of a precipice, and are sedulously

flattery and deceit, are endeavouring, if possi ble, to gain an undue ascendency over the object of their adulation: some will promote and partake of the table, and the dissipation of the nightly revel; while others, less depraved, and not without some sense of the dangerous situa tion of their patron, yet, for fear of incurring his displeasure, and losing their place, pension, promotion, or seat at the banquet, forbear to remonstrate, and are even guilty of countenancing and encouraging what in another place they would not fail to condemn. This, if my feeling be right, is somewhat descriptive of thy situation: few have been the faithful, disinterested friends thou hast yet met withreal friends, who have been conscientiously concerned to cherish every appearance of a virtuous disposition, and to discourage every thing of an opposite tendency. But, notwithstanding this may have been the case, I may appeal to thy own feelings-thou hast not been left friendless nor forgotten by the Lord, who still sustains the character of the Friend of sinners, who is still graciously waiting to manifest his mercy to such as turn to him with full purpose of heart: these he will never desert in the needful time; and to him I am concerned that thy whole heart and mind may be directed; that by a co-operation with his Divine grace inwardly revealed, and which I assuredly believe even now awaits thee for thy enlargement, thou mayst experience deliverance from those bonds and fetters which have prevented thy virtuous exertions,-from those false friends who hitherto have fostered, and, if permitted, will continue to foster, every disposition thou mayst manifest to gratify the sensual tendencies of our fallen nature and this same Divine Power will, I firmly believe, raise up for thee companions, who shall become instrumental to thy emancipation from a state of spiritual bondage and captivity. I believe thou hast at times in mercy been awakened to see that a continuance in this state would bring on spiritual death, and cause the Most High to withdraw from thee his protecting grace and good presence in this world, and finally separate thee from him in the world to come.

"Words fail me to set forth the conflict of mind, which at times I have passed through for many years, on account of thy precious immortal soul. O prince! He who sees the secrets of all hearts, knows how repeatedly my prayers with my tears have been spread before him in secret for thee, that when thou mayst be called upon to resign an earthly crown, thou mayst not be found among the number of those who have forfeited their hea

spect: the awful determination will surely be accomplished, According to thy works so shall thy reward be.'

"If my feelings respecting thee are correct, thou art at times made sorrowful on these accounts: thou art mercifully met with, in some of these seasons of revelling; something like the hand-writing upon the wall, which astonished king Belshazzer formerly, has appeared against thee. Has not that same Almighty Power which smote that great king amidst his impious guests, in mercy met with thee? so that thou hast at times found it difficult to conceal thy conviction; and thou hast seen that this awful awakening charge has been descriptive of thy own situation, Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.' Thy ways are not right before God, for he cannot behold iniquity in princes, any more than in their people, with approbation or any degree of allowance; and be assured, if there is not

the Lord and the eyes of the people, (that great family over whom thou art placed,) the evil of thy doings,-if there is not a ceasing to do evil, and learning to do well,—the eternal crown designed for thee to wear in Christ's kingdom, will be irrecoverably lost.

venly one, through an unwillingness to take up their daily cross, through a disinclination to deny themselves of those things which the light of Christ Jesus, in the secret of the heart, and the precepts of the Gospel, manifest to be evil, and which unfit for the kingdom of God. For although, as an earthly prince, thou art invested with great power, and art made ruler and head of a mighty nation, thou rankest no higher in the Divine estimation than the lowest of thy subjects, further than as thou art found walking with God in obedience to his revealed will, and righteously filling up the very awful and important station, which by Divine permission thou art standing in, according to his Divine purposes respecting thee. So great has been the anguish and affliction of soul which I have experienced on thy account, and so strong the desires which I have felt for thy everlasting welfare, that I have thought, if the offering up of my natural life as a sacrifice would have effected it, I could have felt wil-a timely putting away from before the eyes of ling but I am deeply and consolingly convinced, that, though no man can save his brother, or give to God a ransom for the soul of his friend, yet through infinite mercy a ransom has been paid by the one propitiatory sacrifice for sin. But to obtain an evidence of our interest in this sacrifice, we must be willing to "When I have been thus mentally with thee receive Christ in his inward and spiritual ap- amongst thy companions, and beheld, as I appearance in the heart, where he would put an prehended, the charge or complaint of the end to sin, finish transgression, and bring in High and Mighty One against thee, and that everlasting righteousness. For the great and which he has also decreed, if the causes of awful work of salvation, if it is ever known complaint are not removed; there has always to be accomplished, must become an individual appeared to me an unoccupied space between work and that this important business may the charge or complaint, and the going forth no longer be deferred by thee, all that is within of the irrevocable decree: and, on my being me capable of feeling, craves at this time; un- desirous to know the meaning of this unoccuder an awful sense which has long accompa- pied space, it has been consoling to my deeply. nied my mind, of the extreme danger thou art tried mind to be assured, it implied, that the in from further procrastination, and refusing mercy of God was still lengthened out to to join in with the day of lengthened-out mer- thee-space still allowed thee, in mercy, to ciful visitation to thy precious, immortal soul. repent this happy space, this mercy of "I believe, never has the report gone abroad God,—may it not be suffered to close unacand reached my ear of thy grand entertain- cepted of! for how have I viewed it, as conments being about to take place, but my poor tracting, from year to year-the charge and mind has felt sorrow on thy account; and in the decree nearer and nearer approaching spirit I have been with thee as a mournful each other, indicating clearly that the day of spectator at the banquet. I have contemplated thy visitation, through the offers of Divine thee as surrounded by those whom thou callest help, was hastening to an awful close! And thy friends but what, if they should prove in what is the greatest among men, when left to the end thy greatest enemies! for, prince as himself, and bereft of the assistance of his thou art, thou must appear before the tribunal Maker? When laid upon a death-bed, what of Divine justice and judgment; how wilt thou can the prayers of others avail thee, if He then give an account of these scenes of dissi- who alone can save-He, whose offers of help pation? Remember, the decrees of the Great in time of health have been slighted, then reJudge are unalterable; and against them there fuses to hear? Just and equal are the ways of lies no appeal: it will not avail thee then to the Lord: if we suffer the day of our visitaplead, that thou wast countenanced in these tion to pass over unimproved, the determinathings by those for whose age and experience, tion will stand, 'When they call, I will not and even religious knowledge, thou hadst re-answer.'

:

"Let me, therefore, entreat thee to lay these had them printed two days previous. Some things to heart: the subject is of infinite im- were posted, and others I delivered myself at portance to the interests of thy immortal soul: the houses of the inhabitants; and felt a relief and though, through an humble instrument, abundantly compensating me for my labour. remember that thou hast been solemnly warn- As I expected opposition, so I met with it; but ed! With fervent desires for thy real happi- chiefly from the players themselves, by circuness, both here and hereafter, I remain, duti-lating hand-bills on the lawfulness and benefit fully, and very respectfully, thy sincere friend,

"THOMAS SHILLITOE."

I remained at Brighton until the third day, to be forthcoming, and answer for myself, should any unpleasantness have arisen in consequence of the letter.

Third-day, left Brighton, and felt like a vessel that wanted vent-gratitude so flowed in my heart. I do not know I ever before experienced such a flow of heavenly good, or more of a capacity to magnify the Lord, and to rejoice in the God of my salvation, in that he had again brought about my enlargement. Walked thirty miles this day to Reigate, then took a circuitous route to Tottenham: and after attending to some outward concerns there and in London, on the 30th of eighth month, I proceeded to Barnsley, where, after an absence of nearly five months, I was favoured to find my family well.

In the ninth month, I attended the Monthly Meeting held at Ackworth, and gave in a report of my proceedings, with which my friends appeared satisfied.

of theatrical performances; writing me insulting letters on the occasion; procuring apparel corresponding with my own, and taking me off on the stage; which I found it safest for me to pass over in silence, and count it all joy, under an assurance, this labour in the Lord, through his holy help, would not be in vain; which proved to be the case. Their prospects were so defeated, they were obliged to leave the town, it was said, much worse than they came to it; and they made several attempts after this to obtain supporters, but in vain. The theatre was afterwards converted into a dissenting meeting-house. I mention these merciful interferences of Providence, (for without He work with us, and we with Him, we labour but in vain,) that others may hereby be encouraged to do what their hands find to do with a ready mind.

In the spring of the year 1817, I laid before the Monthly Meeting a concern to visit the ale-houses in Barnsley. My friend Joseph Wood, of Highflats, proposing to accompany me, we were liberated for the service. We were generally well received, and many of those we visited acknowledged their thankfulness for the visit.

my mind, to engage in some service amongst persons not of our religious community, in Sheffield. After the subject had been deliberated on, a minute was given me; and on the 4th of twelfth month, I proceeded to Sheffield. I attended the week-day meeting there; at the close of which I spread before Friends of that meeting a prospect of visiting the clergy of the Establishment, and dissenting congregations; also the proprietors of the theatre in this town, and the subscribers to the news-room.

In the summer of 1816, my mind was brought under exercise, in consequence of a theatre being about to be built at Barnsley. 1817. At the Monthly Meeting, 17th of Having witnessed the sad effects of the players eleventh month, I informed Friends of a conoccasionally coming to the town, and perform-cern that had, for a considerable time, attended ing in a barn, especially on the conduct of the poor people, I remonstrated with the person who was about to erect the house for them, but in vain. The nearer it was brought to a finish, the more my exercise increased, without the prospect of any way opening for me to move which was likely to prove availing; it only remained for me to abide under my exercise, being earnestly desirous to stand open to such discoveries of duty, as the Almighty should see meet to make known to me herein. A hand-bill that had been given me long before this, was brought before the view of my mind, on the subject of theatrical performances, entitled, "Why don't you go to the play?" After searching for it, and carefully perusing it, my mind was impressed with apprehensions of duty to have a sufficient number printed for distribution, and posted in the most conspicuous situations in the town. Aware that such a step would be likely to subject me to opposition, I endeavoured to consider the subject well; and the day being announced when the theatre was to be opened, I

Sixth-day, 5th of twelfth month, accompanied by my kind friend David Mallison, we began with the clergy of the Establishment, calling at their houses. My mission to them appeared to be to stir them up to consider how far they were acting agreeably to the declaration they made when entering upon their office, of believing themselves called to take charge of the souls of people, where their lot was cast; and whether they were using their influence to discourage, all in their power, the attendance of the theatre recently opened again in Sheffield, an evil likely to prove great to the