them about three-quarters of an hour, to the relief of my own. mind, and the sitting ended well: there seemed something like an unwillingness on their part to break up: I was, I trust, thankful when it was over.

The forepart of the 18th and 19th instant, was employed in taking leave of my friends, and preparing for my homeward voyage. On the 20th, I went down to Cronstadt by steam-boat, and proceeded at once on board the Fortune, a fine ship, for Hull. I concluded to remain on board, although the ship was not quite ready for sea; and, as night came on, I began to be very uncomfortable, and was fearful I had been making more haste than I should have done, and that in my hurry I had not hit upon the right vessel. I walked the deck till late, and a willingness was wrought in my mind to quit the ship in the morning, if required. This exercise, being amongst entire strangers, made the pressure very heavy. I retired to my cabin, and got some rest, and when I awoke in the morning, I found my accusers were all gone, and tranquillity again restored; for which I was thankful. Going on shore in the course of the day, I found a long looked for letter from home, and thankfulness was raised in my heart to the Giver of every good and perfect gift, for the cheering account it contained.

Eighth Month 23rd.-We got out of the Mole this morning, and having been boarded by the guard-ship, by eleven o'clock all impediments were removed, and we proceeded down the Gulf, with a fair wind.

24th, First day.-When I awoke in the morning, I found the ship was rolling, which she would not have done if the wind. had not been fair, and the sea following us; so that I got up cheerfully. I went into my state room in the forenoon; but found I could not get into any settlement of mind. The thought of proceeding homeward with a fair wind was too much for me to be able to keep out of view; but I trust the Father of mercies saw my weakness with his eye of compassion.

31st, First day. Having no opportunity of sitting down in the cabin, I held my sitting upon deck; and though I met with many interruptions, yet I was favoured with settlement

of mind in a good degree. In the afternoon, rounded the Falsterbo Reef, on which lay the wreck of a large ship, and at five o'clock made a signal for a pilot to carry us through the grounds; but could not perceive one coming off to us. As I was walking the deck, it just passed my mind, how soon our prospects are blighted; and going to the quarter-deck, I heard the sailor who was heaving the lead cry, by the deep four, a quarter less four,-by the mark three, a quarter less three,—and immediately after I felt the ship strike on a rock; in a few seconds she struck a second time, and then stuck fast. The crew were of course all in a state of consternation, and the captain was almost speechless; and indeed it was a serious moment, for the ship was under full sail when she struck, and on a lee shore too. The first thing was to take the sails off her; then the boats were lowered, and two anchors carried out with strong hawsers. During this time several ships passed, to whom our captain waved his hat by way of signal to keep off; and very mortifying it certainly was, to see the different ships take in their pilots, and make sail. Soon after, a large boat full of men approached, with whom, the captain agreed, after hard bargaining, to carry out a large anchor for us: this took up some time, and as night came on, the wind rose, and things began to wear a gloomy aspect. I was favoured however to feel quietness cover my mind like a canopy; and a petition arose in my heart to the Father of mercies, to bless the endeavours of the toiling crew. Whilst the Danish boat was receiving the anchor and cable, finding I could be of no use, I went below, and stretched myself on the locker, with my arm supporting my head. I continued in this position till the sailors began to heave upon the cable; and, at length, I plainly felt her keel grate upon the rock. Being fully satisfied that she moved, I hastened on deck with the pleasing intelligence. Shortly after one in the morning the ship floated, and was soon in deep water again, which was cause of humble thankfulness. We anchored in Elsineur roads the same afternoon.

[The voyage to England was completed in safety.]

F

CHAPTER VI.

REMOVES

WITH HIS WIFE AND FAMILY ΤΟ RUSSIA-VOYAGE THITHER, 1818-settlemenT AT OCHTA NEAR PETERSBURG————

WILLIAM ALLEN AND STEPHEN GRELLET-AGRICULTURAL SUCCESS

-VISIT FROM THE EMPEROR, &c.

DURING the ensuing winter, D. W. was actively engaged in winding up his affairs preparatory to leaving England. Ample provision of agricultural implements, seeds and cattle, was also made; and, at length, all being in readiness, he embarked for Russia, with his wife, family and assistants, in all twenty souls, on the 22nd of Sixth Month, 1818.

The following memoranda are from the pen of a friend, and refer to this period.

On the 18th of Sixth Month, 1818, we were agreeably surprised by seeing our dear friend Daniel Wheeler, come into our meeting at Sheffield; for he had taken leave of us, not expecting to meet us again before embarking for Petersburg: towards the close of the meeting, he expressed himself nearly as follows:

'It has afforded me consolation once more to sit with my dear brethren and sisters, though in great weakness; and painful my feelings have been, when thinking that I may never have another opportunity of doing so; being with my dear family about to be removed from scenes like these, to a land of strangers, amongst a people whose language we know not. I do not wish to multiply words unnecessarily; but as there are perhaps few present who are acquainted with my motives for leaving, I have believed it would be right for me, near the close of this meeting to inform you, as ability may be afforded. Nearly four years ago, in the vision of that light in which I believe, it was clearly manifested that it would be right for me to remove with my

:

dear family to that land. Many were the conflicts and deep the baptisms I passed through, known only to Him who seeth in secret; but whilst abiding under these impressions, for he that believeth maketh not haste, I was brought into a willingness to give up thereto and thanks be to the Preserver of men, I can now say without boasting, I am willing to go whithersoever He may be pleased to send me. With these feelings, I went over last summer to see this strange land; and though I met with many trials, my faith was not shaken, but remained fixed on Him, "who walketh upon the wings of the wind."

'Painful as the separation is to me, I would not have my dear friends think that I consider my lot hard; for in sincerity I can adopt the language of,-" What shall I render unto the Lord for all his mercies?" Few have received greater benefits from His hand, few have experienced greater deliverances; and none more unworthy. I am weak and frail; yet in me you behold a monument of His everlasting mercy. He has kept me from the devouring sword; -He has preserved me from the raging pestilence, when thousands have fallen by my side;-He kept me alive in famine;-He saved me from shipwreck, when the deep was ready to overwhelm, and the briny waves to swallow me up-but, above all, He has showed me his marvellous Truth. To this Power, my dear friends, I commend you, which is able to do all things for you. When we are far separated, we may still pray for each other; and perhaps those prayers may prove more availing, than whilst we have been together. In the words of the Apostle,-to His grace, which is able to keep and preserve you alive in the most holy faith, I commend you, together with myself and my dear family,-all that go, and all that stay; and in the love of the everlasting gospel, I salute you, and affectionately bid you farewell."

The last visit our dear friend D. W. paid before leaving his native country for Russia, was at the house of Sarah Eglin of Hull, where he took his last meal on shore, the 22nd of Sixth Month. In a short opportunity, after dinner, he told us that his mind had been gratefully affected, in renewedly feeling the life

giving presence of Israel's Shepherd, accompanied with a belief, that he should not be deserted in the time of need; but, that He who had been with him in six troubles would graciously preserve him in the seventh: under which precious feeling he had been ready to adopt the language,-"Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

[He proceeded on his voyage; in the course of which he addressed the following letter to his friend the late Samuel Smith of Sheffield.]

MY DEAR Friend,

Sixth Month 26th, 1818.

According to my promise, I have the pleasure of informing thee, that we are now pushing for the roads of Elsineur, and expect to anchor in about two hours, having had a passage of four days and nights. It has been what the sailors call a fine run; yet some of my company have thought it rough enough. The supper-table was well attended the evening we left Hull, and sailing was talked of with the greatest enthusiasm: but a great alteration had taken place by next morning the land was out of sight, the wind had got up, and we found a tumbling sea upon the Dogger Bank. But little breakfast was wanted, and at dinnertime, I had not one guest to bear me company. The Arethusa has proved herself a noble vessel; and, although much weighted upon her decks with water-casks and cattle, she has borne her costly freight, (to me not only costly but precious indeed,) nearly seven hundred miles in this short time, without any leakage, though sorely buffeted by wind and sea. My dear wife has been very ill; yet through all has been favoured with calmness and resignation, and I fully believe has never once let in fear.

The sincerity and kindness of all our friends who have sheltered me and my family, serve to make us the more regret being thus torn away from them. But amidst these painful sensations, quietness has presided amongst us; and in our silent meeting in the cabin yesterday, some of our hearts were tendered, under a sense of the continued regard of the unslumbering Shepherd.