England: London, Yorkshire and Lancashire

On the 23rd day of July, we were cheered with the sight of land; and on the 24th, we came to anchor off Falmouth, where most of the cabin passengers left us. On the evening of the 25th, we came safely into the London Docks: this was on a Saturday; and on the morning of the Lord’s-day, I first set my foot on British ground. As I proceeded along Ratcliff Highway, I was much surprised to see the shops open, and many kinds of business in the course of transaction, women crying fruits for sale, and the people intent on traffic and marketing. I was indeed astonished, that in the metropolis of the most Christian country in the world, such a want of respect should be indicated towards the day which Jesus signalised by His resurrection, and His apostles practically set apart for the commemoration of His eucharistic sacrament, and the ordinances of His religion. Whether the literal and exact requirements of the fourth commandment be, in the case of Christians, transferred from the Jewish Sabbath to the “Lord’s-day,” is a point upon which all the disciples of Christ are not agreed; but if Christians are not bound to observe an absolute quietude and rest thereon, they certainly are bound to pay it that respect which is due to the day on which our redemption was assured by the Lord’s resurrection—a day which was made sacred by the practice of His apostles, and by their inspired authority, called the “Lord’s-day.” Having taken apartments in Wellclose-square, in the evening I attended at the Countess of Huntingdon’s chapel, in Pell-street, and heard a discourse which afforded some encouragement to the heart of a female stranger in a foreign land. Some days elapsed ere I met with any of the Methodist family; but, going on the Wednesday evening again to Pell-street chapel, as I was passing a window, I caught sight of a lady, whose appearance powerfully arrested my attention; and it appeared that the feeling of surprise and interest was mutual. I turned back, and spoke to her, and inquired if she was acquainted with any section of the Methodist body? She said that her daughter should on the following evening conduct me to the Wesleyan chapel of St. George, which she did accordingly; and I found that several class meetings were held on that evening; on that occasion, I met with Mr. A——who introduced me to Mr. C——one of the local preachers; and I was admitted into the class led by him, and enjoyed a very sweet time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. I became acquainted also with Mrs. T.——a true sister in the Lord, who has since fallen asleep in Jesus: and was introduced to a gentleman who interested himself greatly on my behalf very considerably enlarged the circle of my acquaintance, and even ushered me before the committees of the peace and anti-slavery societies. I found my situation rather awkward in reference to the latter body. I was first received by a deputation of three gentlemen, and afterwards admitted before the board. It was really an august assembly; their dignity appeared so redundant, that they scarcely knew what to do with it all. Had I attended there on a matter of life and death, I think I could scarcely have been more closely interrogated or more rigidly examined; from the reception I met with, my impression was, that they imagined I wanted some pecuniary or other help from them; for they treated me as the proud do the needy. In this, however, they were mistaken. Among many other questions, they demanded to be informed, whether I had any new doctrine to advance, that the English Christians are not in possession of? To which I replied, no; but I was sent to preach Christ, and Him crucified: unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness: they also wished to be informed, how it came about that God should send me? to which I replied, that I could not tell; but I knew that God required me to come hither, and that I came in obedience to His sovereign will; but that the Almighty’s design therein was best known to Himself; but behold! said I, “I am here.” Pride and arrogancy are among the master sins of rational beings; an high look, a stately bearing, and a proud heart, are abominations in the sight of God, and insure a woeful reverse in a future life. Infidels will indulge in pomposity and arrogance; but Christians are and must be humble and lowly. As a servant of Jesus, I am required to bear testimony in his name, who was meek and lowly, against the lofty looks of man, and the assumptions of such lordly authority and self-importance. Ere this work meets the eye of the public, I shall have sojourned in England five years: and I am justified in saying, that my God hath made my ministry a blessing to hundreds of persons; and many who were living in sin and darkness before they saw my coloured face, have risen up to praise the Lord, for having sent me to preach His Gospel on the shores of Britain; numbers who had been reared to maturity, and were resident in localities plentifully furnished with places of worship and ministers of the gospel, and had scarcely heard a sermon in their lives, were attracted to hear the coloured female preacher, were inclosed in the gospel net, and are now walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. I have travelled in several parts of England, and I thank God He has given me some spiritual children in every place wherein I have laboured.

Soon after my arrival, I met with a gentleman, who advised my immediate return to my own country; adding that if he had been in America before my departure and had known my intention, he would have advised me better: I replied, that I had no will of my own in the matter; but my heavenly Father commanded, and I durst not confer with flesh and blood, but obeyed and came: but like other men destitute of faith in God, he did not comprehend this kind of argument; and persisted in his worldly reasonings, saying that people did not give away their gold here, and I had much better return. It is to be deplored that there are so many Christians of this person’s cast: who are of the world; speak in accordance with its principles and sentiments, and walk according to its course. Instead of having little faith, they discover none at all: ignorant of the Scriptures and of the power of God, the love of the Father is not in them. Having parted with this Laodicean gentleman, I called upon Mrs. H., in Princes-square: and my mind being somewhat damped, I sat a few minutes in silence, which Mrs. H. broke by an affectionate inquiry into my circumstances; at the same time, presenting me with a handsome donation; telling me not to be discouraged, for the Lord, would open my way and sustain me: my mind was cheered and my faith strengthened by this opportune proof of the power of God to furnish succours and raise up friends for His people even in a land of strangers.

In a few days after, Mrs. T. introduced me to some of the Bible Christians, or Bryanites, as they are called; who are, I believe, a secession from the Weslayan Methodists: our reception from them was very cool; but one of the brethren was about to preach in the street; and he invited me to preach in his stead. Accordingly at the time appointed, we repaired to the street and commenced the meeting; a very great crowd assembled, and I preached to them; but the meeting was broken up by two policemen, who came and tapped me on the shoulder, and desired me to desist; they demanded what authority I had for preaching? a gentleman present said, “she has her authority in her hand,” that is, “the Word of God:” we then departed.

On the following Lord’s-day morning, I attended with Mrs. T., at Salem chapel; and, in the afternoon, I preached in Stepney-fields, to a very numerous auditory. A very heavy thunder shower fell during the service, yet very few persons retired in consequence of it. When the service was terminated, a gentleman and lady came, and inquired of me where I resided? and desired me to call and visit them; which, in the course of a few days, I did, and was very affectionately received: the lady, Mrs. T. then invited me to spend a day with them, to which I consented, and enjoyed a heavenly day in their company. She then engaged me to spend a week with them; I did so, and a delightful week it was. The house was a little Bethel to us, and in the stated morning and evening worship of the family, the Lord manifested Himself in very rich displays of grace. Before my week expired, Mrs. T. sent to my apartments for my trunk, and bade me account her house my home during my sojourn in England. Their second daughter, who has since fallen asleep in Jesus, a most interesting and excellent young lady, was then greatly afflicted with a disease of the heart: our communion in the Spirit was exceedingly choice and precious; I richly enjoyed and highly prized her society.

I visited a number of small chapels in this vast metropolis, and endeavoured to advance my heavenly Father’s cause by attending many religious tea meetings; some of which I found very edifying and profitable to the soul. I also partook of a breakfast with a number of ministers and friends at Mr. B. T——rs., by his special invitation; and after this, I was sent for to Ramsgate, and travelled through the county of Kent, preaching the word in many of the towns and villages as I passed through them. When in Canterbury, my mind was much struck with the mutations of time upon the works of man. I beheld there some stately edifices which were venerable with age; I ascended the eminence of the Dane John, from which I had a full view of the town; the spot where some of the martyrs of Jesus sealed the truth with their blood, was pointed out to me; and as I gazed upon the memorable place, I thought of those faithful servants of God with much sympathy and yearning of heart.

Having received an invitation from some of the Primitive Methodists in Yorkshire, to go down and labour among them, I went thither by railway, and reached Pontefract about eight o’clock on the evening of the 30th of December, 1840; the distance was great, being about 170 miles; and I was very much fatigued with the journey. The hireling will make the best bargain he can; but they who bear the commissions of Jesus will find no sinecures involved in them, but frequently hard labour and harder fare. On my arrival, I was very kindly received by Mrs. Clift; and after a good night’s repose, I was on the next morning much invigorated. On the following day, December 31, Mr. Colson the superintendent minister, and Mr. Crompton his assistant, called to see me, and explained the objects they had in view in sending for me. In the evening we attended a tea meeting of the Sunday School; on which occasion the children sang some beautiful anthems, and repeated some pieces with much correctness; the meeting was afterwards addressed by some of the brethren, and also by myself. At the conclusion of the meeting, we observed a watch night, as is customary with the Methodist societies, which was attended with much of the presence of God, the gracious manifestation of His Spirit, and with spiritual benefit to the souls of many. The weather was very inclement and rigorous; and an abundance of labour was presented before me, which I entered into with much delight and vigour, though with considerable weariness and distress to the body.

“My shrinking flesh complains,
And murmurs to contend so long;
My mind superior is to pains:
When I am weak, then am I strong.”

On the 3rd of January, 1841, I went to Brotherton, and preached in the chapel belonging to the brethren; it was completely crowded, and the Lord was in the midst of us to bless His people with the manifestations of His grace and love. After service, I returned the same evening to Pontefract, very much exhausted with fatigue. On the following day Mr. T— came to conduct me to Thorp, where I preach in the evening, from “Enter ye at the strait gate,” Matt. vii. 13, with considerable energy of spirit; but, throughout my labours in England, I have found a far less favourable soil for the seed of the kingdom in the British mind than in the American. Human nature must be in every country radically the same; God is the same; yet the word preached is generally attended in America with far more powerful and converting results than in Britain. The population of the United States have not been so extensively vitiated by the infidelity and sedition of the press; and being more thinly spread over an immense territorial space, there is less of contamination than in the more condensed masses of English society; and they perhaps possess more honest simplicity of character, and less of the self-sufficiency of a licentious intellectuality and worldly wisdom. It is not for me, however, to account for the cause; the fact is but too apparent. I had many seals to my ministry in Yorkshire, notwithstanding the general barrenness of the mental soil; and found, in many of its towns, and especially in Leeds, a very loving, lively and benevolent Christian people; not only in the Methodist, but in other denominations also; and amongst the society of Friends. I attended one of the meetings of the Friends there, and whilst sitting among them, was moved by the Spirit to address them, and the dear friends received the message which came through the medium of their coloured sister with patience and delight.

I went to Leeds on the 4th of February; a place rendered memorable to the Methodist societies by the labours of Mrs. Fletcher, whose ministry the Lord so signally blest with the communications of His Spirit: the first place I preached at in Leeds was a chapel in Leylands, which had been in the occupation of the late Anne Carr, who had recently departed this life in the faith of Jesus; the place was then in the occupation of her companion in labours, Miss Martha Williams, and the Lord graciously gave me some seals to my ministry in that chapel. From thence, I went, on the 7th, to Mr. R—ds, and laboured with the Primitive Methodists on Quarry Hill. I attended several missionary meetings in their connexion, which were held in various circuits; taking up my abode chiefly at Miss P—e, and Mr. A—s; under the hospitable roof of the latter friend, I spent many weeks, in peace and happiness, blessed with abundance of blessings spiritual and temporal. I also preached in Stanningley, for the primitive brethren; and for the Wesleyans, in their chapel; on which occasion, a very remarkable solemnity pervaded the assembly; and the Lord was pleased to direct my utterance, and give it such a pointedness, as made it apparent that it was a message from Himself. While I abode in that town, I lodged at Mr. G. W—s, with whose lady I went, by invitation, to breakfast with the minister, Mr. H. who was stationed there; we enjoyed a sweet and refreshing season in the family devotions of the morning; and I felt a strong attachment in the Spirit to Mrs. H—, who, though young in life, was blessed with the possession of deep piety or devotion; and a very sweet unction of the Holy Ghost abode on her spirit. From Stanningly I departed to Pontefract; and, in a few days afterwards, received a letter from a brother at the former place, informing me that one of the brethren there had died suddenly, on the day of my departure; but they sorrowed, at the loss of a dear brother on whose behalf they possessed a well grounded hope. Among others of the towns I visited in Yorkshire, was Bradford. I also preached an anniversary sermon at Shelf; being, while I sojourned there, the guest of Mr. B—y. On my return to Leeds, I met with a gentleman from Hull, who came to conduct me to that place. I accordingly went thither; and abode a few days, preaching in different parts of the town. On one evening there were ten persons who professed to find peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. On another occasion a female who had left her first love, and lost the vitality as well as the name of spiritual life, was recovered from her lapsed condition and obtained peace to her soul. On my departure I engaged to come to them again, and preach to them on the opening of their new chapel; and this poor woman had desired to open her mind to me, and relate what great things God had done for her by my ministry; but ere that day came, her spirit had taken flight from this region of sin and grief; but she left a message for me on her death-bed, to assure me that she died in the faith of Christ, confiding in the God of her salvation.

From Hull I returned to Leeds; and, during my temporary abode there, the church sustained a loss in the sudden death of our dear brother, William Dawson, who had been a zealous champion in the work of the Lord. Several thousands of persons were congregated together on the day of his interment, to witness the procession, and manifest their respect to the memory of our departed brother. The corpse was brought out into the open air, and one of the ministers offered prayer to God; after which, Mr. Garland delivered an address, the local preachers and leaders then formed in order of procession, six abreast in the front of the hearse, and the cavalcade solemnly proceeded to the place of interment, which was several miles distant from Leeds; the whole distance being thronged by multitudes who anxiously witnessed the scene. From Leeds I took a tour of that part of the country, travelling from town to town, and village to village, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and testifying to thousands of persons, repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. At the appointed time, I fulfilled my engagement at Hull, leaving on the 3rd of July; and on the day following, I preached at Brewery Fields, and had the pleasure to witness the conversion of four souls from darkness to light: at Keithly, I met with a gentleman and his wife, who were from Liverpool on a visit, and who gave me a very pressing invitation to come over to Liverpool and see them, which I promised to do. I preached on an anniversary occasion at Leylands, when seven souls entered into the liberty of the gospel. On the 23rd, I went to Wirksworth, accompanied by sister W—ms, and we were kindly received by Mr. S. E. and the friends there; I preached on the afternoon and evening of the day following in the chapel; when four persons received very manifest spiritual benefit. I also preached in the Wesleyan chapel in that town, and much enjoyed the interviews with its minister with which I was privileged.

Having written to the family in Liverpool who had so pressingly invited me to visit them, to apprise them of my coming, on the 2nd of August, I took leave of sister W. and the kind friends at Wirksworth, and travelled thither by way of Manchester, and arrived in Liverpool about six o’clock in the evening. On going to the residence of the parties who had invited me, I found that the lady and her daughter were absent from home; and the gentleman’s memory was so reluctant, that he very distantly recognised me. I was greatly fatigued with my journey, and somewhat disappointed after such a journey, to find my reception so different from the invitation. I soon took my leave of one whom I found not at all careful to entertain strangers, or practice the Christian duty of hospitality, and went in search of lodgings, which I had great difficulty in procuring: but after wandering from place to place, and making many fruitless applications, I at length succeeded. It was of the Lord’s goodness that I was at that inauspicious time possessed of sufficient money for my exigencies. My visit to this town was replete with discouragements. I attended several meetings of the association, who were holding their annual conference there at that time. I also made inquiries for the Wesleyans, and attended at Brunswick Chapel; and afterwards called upon the Rev. Mr. H., who received me with kindness, and referred me to Mr. D. the Wesleyan superintendent minister at that station. On my visit to Mr. D., he left directly on my introduction, to attend a funeral; but Mrs. D. entered into conversation with me, and assuming the theologian, reprobated female preaching as unscriptural; adding, that Mr. D. was greatly opposed to it, and always put it down if possible: she further said, that Paul ordained that a woman should not be suffered to speak in the church; but to sit in silence, and ask information of her husband at home. I was, however, too blind to discern, that for a female to warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come; to preach Christ to them, invite them to come to Him, and exhort them to be saved, was equally disorderly and improper with the interruptions of a church in its meetings and services, by the inquisitive questions of the females present; nor could I possibly understand how my ministry, which is directed to bring sinners to repentance, and employed in humble and affectionate attempts to stir up the pure minds of the saints, by way of remembrance and exhortation, involved any dictation or assumption of authority over the male sex. The apostle directed that a woman, when praying or prophecying, should have her head covered; from which it may be inferred, that the praying and prophecying of a woman is allowable; but Mrs. D. was differently minded, and thought that a preaching female ought to depart from the Methodist body, and unite with the Quakers; but the Lord, who raised up Deborah to be a prophetess, and to judge His people, and inspired Hulda to deliver the counsels of God, sent me forth not as a Quakeress but as a Methodist, and chiefly employed me to labour amongst the Methodists. I mentioned to her, some of the methods, by which the Lord made known to me His will, that I should go and preach the gospel; and these she met, by supposing, that it was possible I might have been misled. By this time, Mr. D. returned, and his Christian charity seemed put to some little expense on finding that I had not decamped; I presented him my testimonials and certificates; as he returned them, he said, “But do you not know that we do not allow women to preach; and that there is nothing in the Scriptures that will allow of it at all?” Addressing me with much assumed authority and severity. “We do not allow,” sounded very uncouthly in my ears in a matter in which the commission of the Almighty is assumed. I again related some of the manifestations made to me by the Holy Ghost in reference to this matter; to which he replied, that he could not see how God could, consistently with Himself, give me such directions. Doubtless he said the truth; for the line of worldly wisdom, self-sufficient reason and opinionated faith, can never gauge the operations of the Spirit of God; and always either rejects them at once, or meets them with, “How can these things be?” He then complimented me by adducing some instances, in which female preachers had misconducted themselves; and wound up his vituperations by saying, that the success of my labours in the ministry proved nothing in my favour; for that God would ever bless His word by whomsoever preached. Perhaps, had I taken upon myself to have investigated this gentleman’s call to the ministry, I might have written Tekel upon it, for his spiritual condition falls far short of the standard I have received: but Paul says, “Who art thou that judgeth another man’s servant; to his own master he standeth or falleth,” and, “Why dost thou judge thy brother.” I then departed from this iron-hearted abode, somewhat distressed and wounded in spirit and at a loss what step I should take next.

But thanks be unto God; He knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear. On the following morning I awoke, with these words passing though my mind,

“Angels are now hovering round us;
Unperceived, they mix the throng;
Wondering at the love which crowned us;
Glad to join the holy song.
Hallelujah!
Love and praise to Christ belong.”

I then felt the assurance of the Holy Spirit that the dark cloud which had so thickly and heavily pressed upon me was breaking; and a way soon after opened for me to visit Manchester, which in a few days after I did; and took lodgings on Chetham-hill, of Mrs. H——who conducted me to Mr. R——’s, a local preacher, at whose house I was invited to spend the day: in the evening the class met there, and I assisted to lead it; the people were in a healthy, spiritual condition; and we enjoyed a sweet fellowship of the Spirit and communion with each other. On the 28th, I preached in Stanly Street; and on the 31st, in the association chapel in Stork Street, to a numerous audience. In a few days afterwards, I was sent for to visit a lady who was in great distress of mind. On entering the apartment where she was sitting, I shall never forget the expression of despair which sat on her countenance: she informed me that on the previous Lord’s day, she came in the afternoon from motives of curiosity to hear me, and that the discourse had cut her to the heart, and portrayed her character as one self-destroyed by suicidal sin: the Bible was lying by her side; I took it up, opened at, and read from Isaiah lxi. 1—3, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison unto them that are bound: to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion; to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness, &c.” She then broke out in rapturous exclamations, praising God for sending me as a messenger of salvation to her; declaring herself filled with joy, and wondering at the change which had taken place within her soul; she confessed her unworthiness to receive such unexampled mercy and grace; having gone to hear me as she acknowledged, without any thought of good, but of mere curiosity; and she glorified God in me. This dear lady was one of many of the earliest seals to my ministry in Manchester. On one occasion, I accompanied my friend, Mrs. H——, to visit a family of her acquaintance; they made no pretensions whatever to religion; but our visit proved a blessing indeed to them: several of their neighbours were present; and among them, a private in the police force and his wife; and, as I inquired of their prospect, relative to a future state of existence, his wife informed me that he had been a religious man, but had fallen from grace; and with much earnestness intreated me to discourse with him in particular. I did so; and the Lord gave me a message to him, which went to his heart; he burst into tears; lamented that his calling was of such a description, that the class of persons to whom he belonged were regarded as the offscouring of the human race, and that few cared for their souls; adding, that the hardships of their situation were peculiarly distressing; and expressed great gratitude to God and acknowledgments to me for the sympathy I had evinced for him. We then bowed down before the Lord in fervent prayer, and all present were greatly moved, and deeply affected. A great door and effectual was opened to me of the Lord, in Manchester; and many there became the crown of my rejoicing in Christ Jesus. I again became fully occupied in the service of my heavenly Master, going from chapel to chapel, and from town to town.

I preached one day at the house of Mr. W——, under the bank, from Luke xiii. 7. “Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground.” Many persons were deeply affected under that sermon; and among them, one poor man who came in a few days afterwards to Mrs. W——, and asked permission to meet in the class, stating that he had been wholly deprived of sleep ever since he heard that sermon. On the class-night, I preached a short discourse, which was followed by a prayer-meeting, and this man and four others experienced the pardoning love of God.

On the 15th of September I went by appointment to preach at the house of Mr. L. under the Bank; and just before the meeting commenced, the powers of darkness suddenly assailed my spirit, and so burdened and obscured me, that in a short time I had no light or spirit within me; and I commenced the service with a weight upon my mind as if all the people were hanging upon me. A hungry people exhausts a spiritual ministry, a carnal people paralyses it, an unbelieving people drags it down, a rebellious and resisting people grieves it, an erroneous people inflames it—the cause of my darkness, however, was not in the people; nor was I able to ascertain the reason, which has hitherto been hidden from me. In my first prayer the cloud was dispelled, and I proceeded with my work in the light of the Lord; but as I returned home to my lodging, the darkness returned upon my soul. In the morning the Lord smiled upon my soul again; and I arose with a light and cheerful heart, rejoicing in God with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

On the 23rd of October, I preached in the afternoon and evening to numerous audiences at Hayfield, with much freedom; and the people were very attentive and much edified.

On the 27th, Mr. Ellery, the superintendent of the Tonnon Street circuit, with his wife, called and took me home with them; I preached for him in the evening; and seven persons were under that sermon brought into the liberty of the children of God. On the 1st of November, I attended a Wesleyan Missionary meeting at Chetham; and enjoyed it as a time of refreshing from the Lord. On the 7th, I preached morning and afternoon at Tonnon Street Chapel; and preached a charity sermon in the evening, in Berry Street Chapel Salford. While in Manchester, I took an opportunity of going with several of the brethren and sisters to visit the deaf, dumb, and blind school, where we witnessed the substitutes for tongues, ears and eyes in successful operation. Truly marvellous is the immense variety of resources, which the bountiful God of nature has placed within the reach of, and at the service of man.

On the 27th, I went to Glossop to preach three anniversary sermons; on my arrival in the town, Mr. H. came to the coach to meet me, conducted me to his house, and very kindly entertained me: the anniversary was a delightful day; and numbers found it good to be in attendance. I preached again on the following evening, and the place was excessively crowded: on the day after, I returned to Manchester. On the 5th of December I went to Stockport to preach some charity sermons; and the croud was so great, that it was with great difficulty I reached the pulpit; many hundreds of persons were forced to retire who could not gain admittance. I preached again on the 8th, and spent a very happy week there in visiting the brethren and sisters, and returned again to Manchester. On the 10th, I went to Hollingsworth; on the Lord’s day morning I led the class, and preached in the afternoon and evening in the chapel. On the Monday a great many of the friends brought their provisions together and spent the afternoon in singing, prayer and spiritual conversation: in the evening they all repaired to the chapel, and I preached again to a great congregation. Two gentlemen were present who were utter strangers to all the friends; and, as they placed themselves just before me, laughing and tapping each other, their design was apparently not the edification of their souls. I preached on that evening from Proverbs iii. 5, 6, and, under the sermons, their laughter was checked, and they hung down their heads and strove to conceal their dejection. After service the congregation was detained some time by a very heavy shower of rain; and I sang one of the American hymns; many shed a profusion of tears: and these gentlemen seemed rivetted to the spot, and were the last to retire from the chapel. On the next day, I was about to return to Manchester; and on my way to the coach office, I called at Mr. H—’s, to bid him and his family farewell, when Mrs. H. exclaimed, “Oh! are you going? I am very much disappointed; for I wished you and some other friends to spend the afternoon with us, and I have been making preparations for it; and I was in hopes it would do me good: for I feel that I am a poor and a lost sinner; I am very much burdened”; her tears and sobs suppressed her further utterance; and I needed no further persuasive to stay that day at their house; and on that evening, she obtained peace with God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and on the next Lord’s day, she came forth and gave evidence of having become a new creature in Christ Jesus. On the 11th, I returned to Manchester, and removed my lodgings to St James’ street; in the evening, I attended a tea meeting in Beetle-street, at which Mr. F presided. On the 25th I went to Stalybridge, where I received a message from the friends at Hollingsworth, desiring me to attend a tea meeting there that evening. I accordingly went thither, and found Mrs. H. still rejoicing in the love of God; we had a very comfortable tea meeting. On the Lord’s day I preached in the afternoon and evening at Staleybridge; and also on the Monday evening. On the 31th. Mrs. F—d. of Salford, the lady of the superintendent sent for me to come and spend the day with them; which I did, and it being the last of the year, at nine o’clock in the evening we went to the chapel to commence the watch meeting: several of us were speakers on the occasion, and it was a season of much solemnity and godly comfort. Thus we witnessed the expiration of the year, with thanksgivings for the divine kindness which had been vouchsafed to us therein; and hailed the new year with prayer for and earnests of sustaining grace and prospective mercies. I tarried in Manchester about nine months; visiting and preaching in very many towns and villages in its vicinity and within ten or twenty miles around it: the Lord being with me to direct and sustain my willing exertions in His holy cause. I preached about two hundred times during my continuance here; and ultimately by His direction, took my leave of the dear friends to see them no more in the flesh, till the trumpet of God shall sound the muster of the blood-bought congregation to the throne of Jesus.

On the 13th of June, 1843, I travelled by railway to Huddersfield; met with a very kind reception from Mr. S. Routledge; and, in the afternoon, Mrs. R. accompanied me on a visit to Mr. Keys, a class leader in the Wesleyan connexion. I attended, and led his class in the evening, and enjoyed a happy season with the people. Several of Mr. R.’s work-people were members of his class; and they went and informed Mrs. R. that they had enjoyed a most blessed opportunity with me; the information sunk with great weight into her mind, for she was at the time in great concern about the salvation of her soul, and very much distressed on account of her sins. On my return to her house, she said to me, “I have earnestly endeavoured to find rest for my soul; but there is no rest for me, Mrs. Elaw.” We then kneeled down before the Lord in prayer for her, and He removed her burden and manifested His comforts to her spirit through faith in Christ Jesus. On the 17th, I went to Shelf, and visited my kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. B. I assisted in the anniversary sermons of the Primitive Methodists, visited a number of the friends, led several of their classes, and preached also in the Wesleyan chapel, where we enjoyed a very rich manifestation of the presence of God, and a delightful opportunity to our souls. I staid here a fortnight, passing the time very pleasantly in the family of Mr. B. I also visited frequently at Mr. G—ys; his wife is a very godly woman, whose adorning is not of the outward person, but of the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible; a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. This lady is one of the genuine daughters of Sarah; chaste in conversation, subdued in temper and reverent to her husband. Oh, that many flighty, petulant, high-minded and insubordinate wives, who profess the religion of Jesus, would pay more attention to the duties of Christian wives, and like this pious lady, adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour. Little Miss G, a child of ten years of age, had already savingly experienced that the Lord is gracious, and rejoiced in the God of her salvation, she manifested as grave and steady a deportment, as might have been expected from the years of a Christian matron.

I returned to Huddersfield on the 11th of July, where I remained a few weeks; it is delightfully situated; being entirely surrounded with majestic hills, with several streams of water running through it, which conduces much to the prosperity of its manufacturing enterprise. There are in this town four places of worship belonging to the Episcopalians; two very large Wesleyan chapels, and two others occupied by the Primitive Methodists. The houses are neat, and chiefly built of stone; there are several bridges watering places and baths. It has a large market; and appears to be situated in a fruitful soil, abounding with fruit trees; the gardens are extensive and many of them tastefully laid out; and the approaches to it are by railway and good high roads. On the 29th, I again visited Hull, when I preached morning and evening to immense congregations; and afterwards we held a prayer-meeting; and the Lord blessed the word that day; many were comforted, and many others inquired “what must we do to be saved.”