"DEBORAH BELL." A considerable time after, this young woman came to a meeting where I was, and when it ended, told me she was the person who had written me divers letters, and received my answers, desiring to have some conversation with me, which I readily agreed to, and we spent some hours together to our mutual comfort. She confessed to the Truth, and was much tendered through the visitation of the love of God to her; and some time after, finding my heart opened in the love of God, earnestly desiring her preservation and settlement in the Truth, I wrote and sent her the following letter. Lord, which has wrought a willingness in tell thee a little of my own experience in sevethem to follow and serve him, according to ral respects, but am more desirous to have a the ability he gives. And this agrees with little conversation with thee, if opportunity that saying, Thy people shall be willing in admits. So with sincere desires in my heart, the day of thy power.' And he has, by his for thy welfare and growth in the knowledge power, enabled a remnant to walk in his way, of God, and establishment in the blessed though a way of self-denial, step by step; and Truth, I conclude thy truly loving friend, these, whether men or women, have witnessed willing to satisfy thee in what I can. a learning in silence, as they have thus waited. and rightly come to learn of Christ Jesus, their heavenly husband; he has opened his everlasting way and Truth unto their souls, and even constrained them, by his overcoming love, to declare of it to others, which has been done at times in fear and trembling, and much self-denial. Such women are not of those the apostle had occasion to reprove. For we are far from usurping authority over the men, but remain in true subjection, depending upon the Lord our strength, and waiting for the authority of his holy power, which calls to this great work, and carries it on, both in sons and daughters, to the praise of his great name, and the comfort and encouragement of poor longing souls, that they may come also and enjoy for themselves, that which will nourish up unto everlasting life. Such women as these the law allowed of, and the apostle al-I dearly salute thee, earnestly desiring that lowed of, as might be more fully proved out peace, which passes the understandings of of the holy Scriptures. For they who allow men, which the world can neither give nor not women's prophesying, preaching or pray- take away, may plentifully abound in thy ing, must consequently conclude, that the heart, which no doubt will, as thou comes to Lord's regard to them is lessened, and his yield sincere obedience to that of God in thy love in measure withdrawn from them; for it own conscience, which thou art in some meais evident, by the texts I have mentioned, he sure acquainted with, as it hath manifested to made his mind known to women in ancient thee several things which are contrary to the days, and they spoke in his word to his peo- will of God; and not only so, but hath likeple; and as their counsel was taken, the Lord wise let thee see what thou shouldst do to obenabled his people to overcome their enemies. tain peace in thy soul; and that which is reBut blessed be the name of the Lord, there is quired of thee is, that thou obey, from the a remnant in this day, who have been made bottom of thy heart, the manifestations therepartakers of his mercy, and can say he is the of. Though at first it may seem to be but a same that ever he was, in regard and love to small light, shining in a dark place, discoverall his people, male and female; God un-ing those things that are evil to the soul; yet changeable, blessed in himself and in his Son Jesus Christ for ever. "Dear friend, "IN the love of my heavenly Father, as there is a diligent attention to it, it will shine brighter and brighter, and discover more and more, till every thing that is evil be manifested thereby; and in due time, thy soul will come to a perfect knowledge of the will of God, and experience that the path of the just is as a bright and shining light, which shines more and more until the perfect day. "I might enlarge on this subject beyond the bounds of a letter, should I observe, how Jesus Christ our Lord conversed with, and used the service of women before he was offered up; how his first appearing, after his resurrection, was unto a woman; and also how Paul commended divers women, and tells how helpful they were to him, and entreated "Dear heart, I know the love of God is his true yoke-fellow to help those women who largely extended to thee, and he has blessings laboured with him in the Gospel; which for in store for thee, if thou wilt but wait to be brevity I omit, and shall draw towards a con- so wrought upon by his heart-changing powclusion, earnestly desiring the Lord may opener, as to be made fit to receive them. I do thy understanding, both in this thing, and in earnestly entreat of thee, as thou desires peace all others which concern thy everlasting well of conscience, and a resting place in eternal being. If I had room, I should be willing to joy for thy soul, that thou beware of doing or overcome. Nothing is too strong for him, though all the powers of hell combine together against him, to hinder his work from being carried on in the soul. If the soul dwells but under the government of his holy power, and waits for his heavenly teachings, from whence Divine wisdom cometh, which wisdom the Devil with all his subtlety can never beguile; such from experience shall have cause to say, the power of God is above all powers whatsoever. O cleave close to the Lord, and he will never forsake thee, nor be wanting for thy help in the most needful time of trouble. But let me say once more, take heed of slight joining with any thing that brings trouble he is all-sufficient to support and enable to upon thee, and breaks thy peace with the Lord. Be sure to mind what makes for thy peace, and that do; though it may be through hard exercise, and under the cross. This is the right way that all God's faithful children and people have trodden in all ages; and truly, it seems to me, that thou must have a great share of the cross to bear; but be not discouraged at this, for it is but a cross to that part which never can inherit the kingdom of heaven. So that it is for the benefit of our souls, to have that part crucified and slain which is an enemy to us, and would hinder us from entering into eternal felicity; and I have further to say for thy encourage-ing this the day of God's love, or delaying; ment, that those who have the greatest share of exercises and tribulations, shall, if they abide stedfast, receive a more exceeding recompense of joy and consolation of soul from the Lord. for thy soul is at stake, and thou mayst never "DEBORAH BELL." "Dear child, keep true in heart unto God, and eye him above all, who hath been so large in his love, as to work upon thy heart by his power, in thy young and tender years. It is in order that thou mayst be made a fit instrument in his hand, for the glory of his holy name; and I believe he will carry on his work gloriously in thy soul, as thou art truly obedient, and subject to his workings there, even to the filling of thy heart, not only with admiration of his dealings with thee, but also with great reverence and thankfulness to him, for his mercy and goodness. My pen is not able to set forth one half of the comfort those enjoy, who are given up in heart to follow the Lord fully, and turn their backs on all the glory of this perishing world; but thou shalt be a witness thereof thyself in Having felt drawings in my mind for some the Lord's time, if thou truly loves him above time, to visit meetings in the southern counties all, and denies all for his sake. Therefore, I of England, and the city of London, the spring beseech thee, take care of resisting the good following, I acquainted Friends with it, and Spirit of God, whilst it is striving with thee; had a certificate. Rebecca Cowell offered to for this is the day of thy visitation, wherein be my companion, and on the last day of the life and death are set before thee; and the first month, 1712, we set forwards, and had Lord will not compel any, but he offers his meetings at Balby, Blyth, Collingham, Swinelove freely to all; and for ever happy wilt head, Spalden, Gedney, Wisbich, Upwell, thou be, if thou joins in with it. But on the Lynn, Fakenham, Wells, Holt, Lammas, and contrary, if thou looks out at the glory of the Norwich; where I was kindly received, parworld, and prefers it before peace with the ticularly by our worthy friend John Gurney, Lord, or looks at the exercise and difficulties senior, who was an intimate acquaintance of thou mayst have to encounter withal, and art my dear father's, and he related to me many thereby prevailed upon to let thy spiritual affecting passages of his labours and service concern drop, it had been better for thee thou in that city and county in early times. Durhadst never known the mind of the Lord, nor ing our stay there, his fatherly care over me had his will manifested unto thee. I can tell was very engaging, and I believe will never thee by experience, that God is no hard Mas-be forgot whilst my memory is strong enough ter; and though many things appear to us, to retain it. that may seem impossible to be overcome, yet We had a meeting in that city on a weekas our eye is to the Lord, with sincere desires day; then went to Yarmouth, and had a meetin our hearts to answer his will, we shall finding with the few Friends there; but not being fully clear in my mind, I parted with my com- God, I saw the way clearly, and had a cer panion and came back to Norwich, and staid tain evidence that the Lord would be with us, the first-day meetings, which were very large and own us in that undertaking. This removI had a good time amongst them, and we were ed all doubts, and I freely consented. We comforted together. Next morning we part-then acquainted Friends with our intention; ed in a sense of the love of Truth, and I came upon which they were much concerned, for to Taisbrough meeting, where joining my com- we had a place amongst them, they thinking panion again, we visited the meetings at Tiv- us of service; and also being cautious lest we etshall, Diss, Thetford, and Ixor. Then leav- should miss our way, were very loth to part ing Norfolk, we went to Bury, and were at with us; however, after divers consultations, the meetings there on the first-day, where they left us to our liberty. We prepared for many people came in. We had a good op- our removal, and about the middle of the sevportunity amongst them, for Truth owned us enth month set forward for London, brought in our service; for which my soul is humbly my dear mother along with us, and settled in thankful unto our great Lord and Master. the city. From thence we went to Mildenhall, Bayton, Mendlesham, Needham, Woodbridge, and Layson, visiting those meetings; and at the last place had a good and comfortable season amongst a tender inquiring people. We also found a sober tender people at Branston, and had a good time amongst them. We then proceeded to Walton, and Ipswich, visiting their meetings. Then leaving Suffolk, we visited Friends at Colchester, Birch, Kelvedon, and Chelmsford. On the 16th day of the third month we reached London, and went through all the meetings in that city, where we had many precious seasons. Being afterwards drawn in my mind to visit Friends in Kent, the 31st of the tenth month 1715, and having my dear friend Margaret Ollive for my companion, we visited the meetings, and finding ourselves easy, came safe home, after a difficult journey though but short; for the weather was extremely cold, being a hard frost and a deep snow, during the whole time. Upon coming home, our hearts were filled with thankfulness to the Lord, who had accompanied us in our service, and preserved us from any harm. A concern having rested upon my mind for a considerable time, to visit some of the meet The Yearly Meeting drawing on, my hus-ings of Friends in the north of England and band came up and met me there, where I saw many of my worthy friends, and had comfortable meetings with them. After which, my mind being clear and fully easy, I parted with my companion; and my husband and divers friends accompanying me, we left that city, and taking a meeting at Albans, we proceeded homewards, where we arrived safe, and found my dear mother and all well. I enjoyed great peace in giving myself freely up to the service of Truth, and humble thankfulness remained on my mind to the Lord for his mercy, in granting a sense of his living presence and power to the support and comfort of my exercised soul, in all my travels for promoting the Gospel. Ireland, which growing weighty upon me, I acquainted my husband and mother with it, who readily consented to give me up to that service. My former companion, Margaret Ollive, agreed to accompany me; and having the consent of Friends, and certificates of their unity with us, the 16th day of the twelfth month 1716, we set forward, being accompanied to Albans by my husband and divers other Friends, where we had a meeting that day; after which, my husband took his leave of us and returned home. We then proceeded to Market street, Newport-pagnel, Northampton, Braybrook, Leicester and Nottingham, where we had meetings. Thence we travelled directly to Bradford, in Yorkshire, and had at very good open meeting amongst my dear friends and former neighbours, who rejoiced to see me once more at the place of my nativity. A very comfortable opportunity it was to many; for which I was truly thankful unto our great Lord and Master, and more and more confirmed that he is worthy to be follow My husband having been inclined for a long time to remove to London, the place of his former residence, had proposed it to me, and left it under my consideration, where it remained for some years; he leaving it with me without the least importunity. It was a serious thing to me, and I often besought the Lord to know his will therein; for I considered and obeyed in all his requirings. ed I was the only branch of the family left to From thence we went to Satterforth and had come up in my dear father and mother's pla- a meeting; then to Settle Monthly Meeting, ces, in their divers services in the church, where we had an opportunity of seeing many greatly desiring I might not miss my way; of our friends from several meetings, and had and great fear was upon my mind. My heart a comfortable time with them. From thence was sincere before the Lord; and in process we came to Kendal, where we had two comof time, patiently waiting for the counsel of fortable meetings, which strengthened us in VOL. V.-No. 1. 3 our service, and the church was edified in the love of Christ. We went next to Windermere meeting, and so to Cockermouth, and it proving a very snowy day, and I being weakly, was hard set to bear it over the mountains; however, through the favour and protection of Providence, we got that night to our worthy friend Peter Fearon's. His wife, my particular friend and acquaintance from my childhood, received us kindly, and her motherly care was great over us. reached and much affected with the Truth. A glorious meeting it proved, and my soul was deeply bowed in humility before the Lord, who owns his poor weak ones that faithfully serve. him, in every needful time, who shall have the praise of his own work. When the meeting ended we took our solemn leave of Friends, being near to us in the unity of the one spirit, which makes the children of God truly one all the world over; and a worthy ancient Friend said, when I took my leave of him, Heaven had favoured them, in detaining us to attend that meeting; we now had staid till the right time, and they could freely part with us. So we came away in perfect peace, and were greatly comforted in a sense [of the love of God; for I never left that part of the country with so much ease of mind before. We travelled twenty miles that afternoon to Cockermouth, and early next morning, as the wind continued fair, we rode to Whitehaven, and finding the ship ready to sail, went on board immediately, being the seventh-day. We had a tedious passage by reason of contrary winds; and very mean accommodation; however, through the favour of Divine providence, we got safe to land on the fourth-day evening, and went to Dublin that night, where we were kindly received by our friend Joseph Gill. Next day we had a meeting in that city amongst the scholars in the school-room, and on sixth-day a large meeting with Friends and others, in their meeting-house. On first-day we had large meetings, where the testimony of Truth had free passage. We were comforted one in another, and blessed the Lord, who is making his people who abide in his own spirit, dear to one another, of whatsoever nation they are. Next day we went to Pardsay meeting, and had a good time amongst Friends there; after which we returned to our lodging, but the wind and snow were so very severe, we could scarcely sit on our horses. We staid there four nights, the snow being so deep and the weather boisterous, that it was judged very unsafe to travel. On the first-day we had two very good meetings at Cockermouth. Next morning leaving my companion with Friends there, I set forward towards Carlisle, to visit my husband's father, and some other relations in that part of the county, where I had divers comfortable meetings; and being much pressed in mind for Ireland, intended to return to my companion in order to proceed in our voyage; but the wind continuing contrary, and their Quarterly Meeting drawing on, Friends persuaded me earnestly to stay that meeting. On deliberate consideration, I found freedom in my mind to consent thereto, the wind still continuing contrary. The meeting being to be held at Carlisle, my companion met me there, and many Friends came. A large and good meeting it was, being overshadowed with the power of Truth in a good degree, though much disturbed by several who were possessed with a ranting unruly opposite spirit. But the governor of the city understanding how they disturbed the meeting, sent his officers to take We staid about ten days in Dublin, and them away. Next day they came again, and had seven meetings, wherein we had good began to disturb the meeting as before, but and comfortable opportunities; and leaving were soon carried away by the forementioned that city, we went to John Barcroft's on a seauthority, only one John Robinson, escaping venth-day; the day following to Edenderry, the officers' notice, continued in the meeting; and had two comfortable meetings; from while a Friend was declaring the Truth, he thence to a place about seven miles distant, sat still, but when he had done, began to re- where we had a meeting; thence to Mountflect upon Friends with railing accusations. Imelick, and visited that meeting, and had next being under a weighty concern stood up, and a very solid meeting at Mountrath. About in the dread and power of the Lord began to declare of the free grace and universal love of God to mankind. At which he cried out, Disorder; but a man of considerable note in that city, commanding him to be silent, or he would take him out of the meeting, he sat down, and I went on in the authority of the Lord's power, my heart being filled with the love of Christ, which flowed freely to that exercised people, and the Gospel of life and salvation was preached to them, and many hearts were four miles from thence we came to a widow woman's house, where we had a very sweet and comfortable meeting, and returned back again to Mountrath. We spent the seventhday in visiting Friends, divers of them sick. Then visiting Ballynakill, and Kilconner, we came to Newgarden, where the testimony of Truth went forth in a sharp and close manner, against public disorder and secret sins; things were opened so clearly in my mind, that I could safely have said, "Thou art the man;" for the his love, in which we parted. Being fully clear we left Dublin that afternoon, and had a number of good meetings amongst Friends. Many people came, and the Lord's power and good presence were with us in our service, and we were much comforted in his love, and remained humbly thankful to him. From thence we went to Coothill, and had two large meetings on a first-day; many Friends living thereabouts, and divers sober neighbours coming in, we had very open and comfortable meetings. We travelled on to Ballyhagan, Old-Castle, and the Moate, and had satisfactory meetings. At the last place was the province-meeting for Leinster, where the testimony of Truth came up in dominion over all deceit and false shews, and we had Lord is opening secret things to his faithful servants, in this day as in days past; blessed be his name, saith my soul, for ever! for those that trust in him are helped by him, and need not lean on the arm of flesh; for nothing can do God's work but his own arm and power. From thence we went to Ballitore and had a meeting, and so to Castledermot to the province-meeting for Leinster, and were at the meeting of ministers and elders, where we were glad to see many of our dear friends and brethren, and were sweetly comforted and refreshed in the Lord, and one in another in the love of Christ. Next morning was held a very large public meeting for worship, wherein we had a good opportunity, and in the afternoon the meeting for business. On first-day we had a very large meeting, the power of opportunities to discharge ourselves, and came Truth was with us, and I had strength given to discharge myself faithfully. It was a satisfactory time, our elder brethren giving us the right hand of fellowship, and prayers were put up to the Lord, for our help and prosperity in his work, who is the giver of every good and perfect gift, for they were sensible of the weighty concern we were under. Indeed it is a very great thing to travel to promote and publish the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and loudly calls for the greatest humility, reverence and awe, ever to remain upon the minds of all those concerned therein. away with satisfaction and peace. From thence we went to Waterford and Birr, and visiting the meetings, came to John Ashton's, and had a meeting which was large, many people coming in; there was great openness in that place to receive the testimony of Truth, and some convincement. We then proceeded to Limerick, where we had three meetings, and the Lord was graciously pleased to give sufficient ability to go through with the service in that town; and having discharged ourselves faithfully, we came away in peace; for which we were humbly thankful to the Lord, upon whom our whole dependence was, and we were never disappointed. We came next to Charly-field, were at that meeting, and thence to Cork, where we staid some time, I being reduced very low in my bodily strength, through travel and close exercise, which was my lot in this journey, brought on such infirmities as rendered me unfit for much more travel at that time. We had divers large and good meetings in that city, there being a considerable body of sensible zealous Friends. After a few days we went to Youghal and Bandon, visiting the meetings, and returned to Cork again. After some stay there, my weakness increasing, I saw my way clear to return home, but waited some time for a passage; we had divers precious meetings, and often the company of our dear and worthy friend Joseph Pike, and other ancient Friends then living, who were pillars in the church, whose conversation was very comfortable, edifying and profitable to us. After meeting we returned in great peace towards Dublin, and the day following there was a marriage, and the greatest number of people together that I had ever seen on the like occasion; a brave opportunity it was to publish the Truth, and great openness I found upon my mind to that people, and the Gospel of salvation was freely preached to them. They were quiet and orderly, and many very attentive to the testimony of Truth, who had never been at any of our meetings before: others who had not heard a woman preach, went away well satisfied, and we were comforted. We staid in Dublin till the first-day following, having several meetings amongst Friends in the mean time, and on first-day had two very large meetings; for the Lord in his goodness and mercy, was pleased to open things to their states, and we found our minds clear and easy. On the third-day following began their Halfyear's Meeting, wherein many living testimonies were borne to the comforting of the faithful, and warning and stirring up the careless A ship being ready to sail, we took our to more diligence and circumspection. The leave of Friends there in a solemn manner, meeting held several days, and the Lord, and in a lively sense of the goodness of God who had been with us in our public services, to his people, came on board; we had a good was graciously pleased to own us in taking leave of one another, to our confirmation and comfort, which was in a select meeting of ministers and elders, seasoning our spirits with passage, and in two days landed safe at Swanzey, in South Wales. We then travelled to Bristol, where we met with our friend Joseph Ollive, whom we were glad to see, he being |