slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.' Twelfth Month 7th.-Received a letter from our cousin John Kitching, communicating the mournful intelligence that my precious Jane had finished her course, and entered into rest. These tidings had truly flown apace, as it still wanted eight days to complete the fourth month since they were dispatched from Petersburg. Although this was sudden at last, and truly overwhelming for a time, yet the mercy and goodness of our heavenly Father soon changed the strain of sorrow, into that of adoration and thanksgiving,-binding up all the wounds of affliction in the healing virtue of His everlasting love: for her end had been truly peaceful; death was deprived of its sting, and the grave of its victory. Thus, the eldest and the youngest of my flock, have been gathered, since we left them, into the arms of everlasting mercy; whilst we are left a little longer in this vale of tears. May the Lord Most High be graciously pleased to prepare us also in like manner, for the heavenly kingdom. After calling upon all our friends and acquaintance for the last time, and desiring their welfare in the utmost signification of the word 'farewell,' we embarked on board the Lloyds late in the evening of the 9th; and early next morning, being First day, the 10th of Twelfth Month 1837, we began to glide gently down the Derwent towards Storm Bay. We should have been rejoiced if the First day could have been spent in harbour; but I believe the captain was desirous to get to sea, in order to keep his crew from getting intoxicated on shore, which often happens on such occasions, and causes serious delay to the shipping. In the course of our stay at Hobarton we paid several satisfactory visits to the Lieutenant-governor Sir John Frankland and his family. Although the sphere in which they are accustomed to move, is not one that comports with those who profess to be followers of the lowly Jesus; yet we were not satisfied to shrink from such exposure altogether, however the non-compliance on our parts with the usual practices at such times, might entitle us to the appellation of fools by some of the more gay and thoughtless part of the company; if however the watch was properly maintained, our conduct may prove beneficial to others, by leading them to inquire into the cause of our differing so widely in life and conversation from our fellow-men. [The voyage to London, by way of Cape Horn, was completed on the 1st of Fifth Month, 1838.] [The following are the closing extracts from the South Sea Journal:] After a voyage of four months and twenty days from Van Diemen's Land, and the changes from heat to cold twice experienced during that time, my own health seemed scarcely to have been impaired; but from the weakly state of my dear Charles, whose constitution had been much shaken by a lengthened illness previous to our leaving Europe, he was less able to bear the total want of vegetables for many weeks, to which we were exposed, and the small quantity of fresh water, and that of a quality scarcely wholesome, to which we were subjected the latter part of the passage. With these disadvantages, which there is reason to believe contributed to reduce his already diminished strength, he landed in a very feeble and languid condition; but I humbly trust, he is under the immediate and protecting care of the great Physician, who alone hath power to heal, and to bless every endeavour to restore. I should not be satisfied to conclude this unconnected and imperfect narrative, without saying, how greatly I have been aided in the course of this religious engagement by the missionaries from different societies in Europe and North America; who very kindly acted as interpreters on my behalf to the native congregations on the islands where my lot was cast, and opened their meeting-houses for our accommodation in the most brotherly manner; to whom, for this assistance and Christian kindness many ways exhibited, we feel gratefully and highly indebted. I may also be allowed to add at the same time, that having been encouraged by my dear friends at home to accept the company of my son Charles Wheeler, I have found him very useful and strengthening to me, during our long sojourn in foreign parts, in a variety of instances, and on many important occasions.* For the best welfare of the dear and interesting people, who inhabit those isles afar off, which in the love of the gospel, I have thus been drawn forth, and enabled to visit,—a petition however feeble, must ever dwell in my heart; and on whose behalf I would earnestly and affectionately crave the fervent aspirations of all my dear brethren and sisters, when it is well with them and may they unite with me in commemorating the mercy, loving-kindness and faithfulness of Him, who for His great name's sake, and for His beloved Son's sake, wrought the work, hath so marvellously sustained us through every season of trial and conflict, and delivered us out of every distress: that the thanksgiving of many may resound to His praise, to whom the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, belong for ever. *Notes respecting the South Sea Isles, &c., by Charles Wheeler, being extracts from letters to his family, will be found in the Appendix. CHAPTER XXXV. ATTENDS THE YEARLY MEETING IN LONDON OF 1838-HIS PROS PECT OF RELIGIOUS SERVICE IN AMERICA-VISITS HIS FAMILY IN SHORTLY after leaving England on my way to the islands of the Pacific, an unfading evidence was granted me that I should have to visit North America, after the service on which I was then entering should be accomplished. Such a marvellous unfolding of the Divine will as to the future, so condescendingly vouchsafed and permitted to make an impression on my mind at so great a length of time before-hand, could not fail to support, comfort, and strengthen me in every season of trial and conflict both inward and outward, which I had afterwards to pass through; and although at seasons my mind was put closely to the test, it was again and again renewed from the heavenly treasury of living faith, to strengthen my confidence in its holy Author and Finisher for the brightest gleam of that soul-sustaining loving-kindness which is better than life, soon loses its lustre, unless renewed from time to time by Him in whose presence only there is life. The statement which I felt called upon to render to the Yearly Meeting held soon after our return to England was very short, as my beloved friends were already in possession of the extracts from my Journal; and the time was not come for me to disclose how I had been favoured with such an evidence beforehand of a safe return to the land of my fathers. My exercise of mind during the Yearly Meeting may more easily be conceived than described and though my countenance might sparkle with joy at once more beholding my brethren and sisters in religious fellowship, my heart was full of a subject which nothing could relieve but disclosure; and that seemed denied, until the appointed days were fulfilled that the seal should be opened, and the thing proclaimed as on the house-top. At times I would gladly have taken counsel as to the right path of proceeding with my concern; but it seemed my place not to confer with flesh and blood, but to keep my eye steadily fixed on that Almighty power, which alone can qualify us like the left-handed sons of Benjamin, to throw a stone to a hair'sbreadth. Eventually my way opened with clearness to attend Balby Monthly Meeting, and York Quarterly Meeting in the Sixth Month; and having returned the certificates granted five years and a half ago, after a brief statement of my late journey, and mentioning the earnest of a return in safety, which the Lord had granted me, I had to inform Friends that I no longer stood before them as one returning, but as one requesting a certificate to enable me to visit various parts of North America. As regarded my children, for whom I think I felt more than for myself, I remember telling York Quarterly Meeting when my concern was laid before it, that though human nature keenly felt the separation from, and would gladly remain in possession of its greatest earthly treasure, yet I did believe I could not promote the welfare of my beloved family in any manner so much, as by my own faithfulness to what I apprehended to be the duty required of me. A certificate was granted, setting me at liberty to pursue the prospect then before the view of my mind. That I might not be chargeable in the sight of any, with neglecting to look after the affairs of my own household, it seemed best for me before embarking for America, to visit the residence of my family on the plains of Shoosharry; although if my own inclination only had been consulted, I should have preferred, on several accounts, proceeding immediately across the Atlantic, after having passed the Morning Meeting in London. [This visit to Russia was satisfactorily accomplished: setting out on the 1st of Eighth Month, Daniel Wheeler passed about as many weeks at his former abode as he had been years absent; returning through Finland and Stockholm, he reached London again on the 22nd of Tenth Month, and finally embarked from Liverpool on the 25th of Eleventh Month following. It was |