After a passage of forty-eight hours, I landed in Dublin, and was glad to escape the sailors, who twice threw me across the cabin.

I went to my old lodgings at W. Thomas's, where I continued about twelve days, to let my feet grow a little better; but the same shyness still appeared among the Methodists.

During this stay was held the Quaker yearly meeting. Several meetings I attended and found it not altogether unprofitable.

Here I saw one, who when hearing I was sick in the north, sent something for my relief, and here gave me more to bear my expen

ses.

May 6th. I took the canal boat for Monastereven, where I tarried a few days, and the edge of prejudice seemed to be removed in general; and some refreshing meetings we had, though the meeting house was shut against me by strict orders from the preachers. The class leader said, I believe you mean well, but did wrong in coming away without liberty; for which reason, these afflictions in body, &c., pursue you; but if you are faithful, will at last work for your good.

A door being opened, I rode three miles and held four agreeable meetings.

A man carried me to Knightstown, near Mount Mellick, as my feet were so sore I could not walk; my hands likewise so swelled, that I could neither dress nor undress myself; so I tarried with T. Gill, for several days, holding meetings in the evenings; the fruit of which I expect to see in the day of eternity. Thence I rode to Maryborough, where I found kind friends, and held four meetings. Thence to Mount Mellick, where we had some refreshing times. Then I hobbled along about two miles, to T. Gill's, and spent a little time more. My trials concerning my singular state, and the exercise of faith God calls me to, and to see so little fruit of my labor, and the cause of God so wounded by ministers and professors of all denominations, that I wished to retire to some lonely part of the earth, and weep and mourn out my days. But I cannot feel myself released from the important duty of sounding the gospel trumpet; from which, if I had the riches of the Indies, I would I have given them for a release; but in vain were my thoughts. sometimes thought I knew the feelings of Moses, in some small degree, with Jonah and Jeremiah; but not long after I found the Lord

to breathe into my soul the spirit of my station; I felt resigned; my discouragement subsided, and I was filled with holy resolution: to go forward in the name of, and relying on God alone. O God! keep me as in the hollow of thy hand, meek and patient, strong in faith, and clean from the stain of sin.

Taking my farewell leave of the people, I set out for Hall, near Moat, as a Quaker had invited me during the yearly meeting.Here I tarried several days, and experienced much kindness, and I improved the time with reading their books, with the journal of GEORGE FOX,* which I long had a desire to see, but never had an opportunity until now. Oh! how are this dear people degenerated from the state of their forefathers. I spoke a few words in one of their meetings for which I got a gentle reproof. I rode to Athlone, and sent a man through the town to notify the people.

I soon had a considerable congregation collected in the session house, where many were melted to tenderness. I believe much good might be done here, if the gospel was faithfully preached; but I must go to another place: here the Methodists, looked upon me shy. In Moat I held two meetings, and had out, as I was told, some scores of Quakers.

Thence I rode on a car to Tullamore, where I found prejudice had been imbibed by the people. Hence I walked with much pain to Mount Mellick, and rested two days. Thence to Mountrath, where we had several comfortable meetings.

As I lay on the bed, a preacher came in and looked, and went out and enquired, and came in again, and calling me brother, shook me by the hand. I questioned him as to his mind about my leaving America, and having a meeting appointed in his preaching house; said he, it is hard to judge in a case where it comes down on a man's conscience; so he parted with me in love, saying,-"I cannot encourage you according to discipline; and so I will let you alone, &c. But brother AVERILL told me if I saw you to bid you call on IM." (He travelled at large by the consent of the Conference.)

About this time the following ideas came into my mind. 1st. About the plain language so called; first, grammar; second, bible; third, Christianity teaches us plainness and not superfluity. 2nd.

In meetings with the world's people he generally spoke, but was silent in settled meetings.

That no man has a right to preach except God call him to it by his Spirit: and though words be ever so good, in and of themselves, yet unless attended by the power of God to the heart, will not profit; therefore it must be delivered in the power and demonstration of the Spirit to be useful; and likeness will beget likeness: and a stream cannot rise higher than the fountain; therefore what is not done in the Spirit cannot please God: consequently we must be subject to the Spirit; passive and active: passive, having no will of our own, but what is conformed and swallowed up in the will of God; active, to do what God requireth of us, &c.

As past experience is like past food, the present enjoyment of the love of God, is what makes the soul happy; therefore there is a necessity of momentary watching and constant prayer; to have our minds uplifted, drawn out after and solely stayed on God; and to have one fixed resolution in all things, to please, and know, and enjoy God; and accordingly begin, spend, and close every day with him: and in order to this, we must have the agency of the Spirit; its strivings and assistance; but can we have this at all times at our disposal? To command the Spirit we cannot; this is the free unmerited gift of God! yet as he gives it freely, and as the Spirit is never found wanting to convince considerate minds and make them serious and solemn: and as the scriptures command a steady acting, walking and striving; and saith, "eth," the present tense, (and yet requires no impossibilities) I therefore conclude we may sensibly feel the spirit continually; and the fault must be on the creature's side, if we do not, &c.

But can a man have the Spirit to preach and pray when and where he will? It appears the apostles could not work miracles when and where they pleased; and in order that souls may be quickened, the word must be attended by the same power and Spirit, though in a different calling, consequently we must be under its influence, direction, and impression. But how shall we know the light and Spirit of God from that of the devil?

1st. There is no true solid lasting peace, but in the knowing and enjoyment of God: and the calls of the Spirit of God bring tenderness and solemnity, and in following them there is great peace and content in the mind, which affords a joy and happiness that is very sweet and full of love: it draws them more after God, and

they have greater affection for the future happiness of God's creatures; and to resist the Spirit of God's calls, brings, 1st, depression and burden; and (if persisted in) darkness and condemnation will come and overshadow the mind, and the tender place will become hard, and great bitterness and unhappiness will fill the mind: and as it is God's will and delight to make us happy, it is our duty to follow the leadings which give true content and solid joy to the inquiring mind; and they that do not, sin against God and wrong themselves. As for a person's having the discerning power positively to know the state of the people, I know not; but God knoweth the state and hearts of all, and his spirit may influence and impress a person's mind to such and such discourses, or to speak to such and such states and cases of men, though we may not know the particular object; and as there is no particular form of church worship or government pointed out in the Scriptures, I therefore have no right to stick down a stake, and tie all preachers to that particular form, mode or rule, in public meetings; for what is one's meat is another's poison. In some cases amongst men, there is no general rule without an exception to it; what will be suitable at one time, will not always do at another; therefore we are daily to inquire the will of God, and follow the leading of God's Spirit.

When God is about to make use of an instrument to some work, a little previous he frequently permits them to pass through great buffetings of Satan, and deep trials of mind. Trials denote good days; and good denotes trials at hand; but the darkest hour is just before the break of day.

With regard to asking a blessing, either vocal or in silence, or rather giving of thanks, previous to eating is scriptural; but after, appears to be the addition of men; except it be inferred from the writings of Moses.

Water baptism I have seen God acknowledge, by displaying his power, whilst the ceremony was administered by sprinkling, plunging, and pouring; but as Paul said, God has blessed my soul in the use of them, when I looked through the means to the end. But ceremonies others contend enough about; and all I have to do is to save souls. If I could feel my mind released, oh! how soon would I retire to my father's house, or to some retired place and spend

my days; but I feel woe is me if I preach not the gospel. Some can go or stop, as man directs, and preach, and have no seals of their ministry from year to year; and yet feel contented, and think all is well, but how they get along with it is unknown to me. But some I believe God accepts as christians, not as preachers.

My mind is pained to see so many resting in means short of the power; and others so closely attached to particular forms. Oh! my bowels yearn over the different denominations; my soul mourns before God on Zion's account. I am willing to spend and be spent in the vineyard of the Lord: but I know in vain I labor except God's Spirit attend the word and work.

I believe God intends and will lead me by the still waters, in a way I have not fully known; and trials at hand I believe await me, and afterwards I trust God will bless my labors.

From Mountrath, I called upon Mr. AVERILL on my way to Donoughmore. With him I had an agreeable conversation. Said he, "I believe you are sincere, but lie under a powerful temptation in coming away from America." He gave me the liberty of his pulpit; from which I spoke to the people, and a refreshing time we had. In Donoughmore likewise, at two meetings. From hence to Durrow, where we had two meetings, and I received a kind reception, though a stranger.-Thence I walked to Kilkenny; my feet being bad I was detained here for several days, during which time, I had a number of meetings; the latter of which were very refreshing, and one soul I since hear has been brought to good. At this place a stranger sent a horse with me twelve miles to Innisteague.Thence I walked to Ross. Here a Quaker lived who had invited me from the yearly meeting; I spent near a week at his house, perusing some books which I found profitable.

I

I once went into a prayer meeting in the Methodist chapel, and they gave me the hymn-book, which I took as providential; for I was imprest to speak concerning the dealings of God with me, though sang not; thus God opens my door step by step. The next morning I set out on my way some distance: the further I went the more deprest I felt, and the more impressed to return; and for peace of mind through necessity I went back, and requested permission in the preaching house to call the people.