CHAPTER XII.

1824. Journey to Worcester-Letter to a daughter-Serious illness— British Ladies' Society-Establishment of Manor Hall, Asylum and School of Discipline at Chelsea-Brighton-District Visiting Society there-Books for Preventive men, near Brighton-Letter from Dr. Steinkopff-Letter from Lieutenant C, and his men-Dagenham― Return to Plashet-Letter to her daughter-Visit to Brighton-Death of her aunt, Mrs. Gurney-Death of Samuel Hoare, Esq.-Letter from her sister, Mrs. Hoare-Marriage of her eldest son-Autumn at Dagenham-Journey into Cornwall and Devonshire.

Plashet, Second Month, 7th, 1824.-I have once more a few minutes to express my feelings, and present situation here. My mind and time are very much absorbed at home, where many things deeply occupy my heart and head. To do right in my many relative duties is very difficult; how deeply I feel my short comings in them! and yet I fervently desire to do my best.

has my prayers much more often than the day. Lord, help this dear child by Thy Spirit, guide him by Thy counsel, and save him by that salvation that cometh by Christ. And for my sweet dear William, so visit him, and influence him by Thy anointing, that he may become a vessel of honour, fully calculated and prepared to show forth Thy praise. Ah! dearest Lord, bless the lads; and above all things I ask of Thee, far above all temporal good, sanctify them and fit them to exalt and magnify Thy great and ever-excellent name. Although my prayers may now be raised, particularly for my two sons, feeling them more exposed to the world than many of the others, yet my fervent petitions are very often raised for all my children. My household also has my anxious solicitude; desiring amongst them all, to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly, and also to act the part of a really kind mistress, by not countenancing their faults, and by keeping up a proper authority. My public concerns are at this time very pressing, for I have to remove prejudices in the minds of many, which prevent ladies visiting

prisons; other things also press at times, almost too much upon me; so that my mind feels really worn. Indeed it is my faith, that were there not a principle that enlivens, strengthens, and calms my soul, I could not possibly attend to all that comes before me, without being really confused and brought down by it. I may truly say it is often astonishing to myself, how help is laid upon One who is mighty; who is willing to assist His dependent children, and enables them to get through that, which I believe to their natural powers alone would be impossible. remarkably do I at times know my spirit to be refreshed, and instead of being worn down, "my youth renewed like the eagles;" all fresh and lively again and ready to "go forward."

How

21st. My mind continues almost too full; at times I fear that it will be overstrained. Oh! for a quiet spirit and humble dependence; remembering that I am but a frail instrument, and however others may estimate my services, and therefore require them of me, yet I must recollect Him, who can equally well carry on His work with them, or without them. The burden and perplexity of the opposition to improvement in prisons, is almost too much for me; it is so much against my nature to take my own defence, or even that of the cause in which I am interested into my own hands. Oh! for a little of the best wisdom, and influence of the Holy Spirit to walk circumspectly amongst all men; wise as the serpent, harmless as the dove, and however I may be treated, to be myself full of charity.

Plashet, Third Month, 11th.-I am now, thanks be to my gracious Lord and Master, nearly recovered from a short, though severe, attack of illness. I have felt for some little time past very delicate, as if I were really overdone, and as if I could not go on much longer; these feelings increased so much, that it was with difficulty I rose, and came down to breakfast on Second day morning. I sat the reading, and a few minutes afterwards fainted quite away. I was completely laid low, and hardly able to keep awake half an hour all day, accompanied with other unpleasant symptoms. I could but feel how soon we are brought very low; it was I think the most sudden plunge into real illness that I ever experienced. It brought many things home to my mind. First, a desire that I might be more willing to suffer, and

to die; also more ready. Secondly, a fear lest my heart was too much occupied in doing, and with the things of this life. Thirdly, the want of more constant, more deep and living faith. As to the prospect before me, of paying a religious visit to Friends of Worcester and Birmingham, it did not harass me, although, with my sister Elizabeth, I had obtained a certificate from our Monthly Meeting for that purpose. I was enabled to commit this cause, and then leave it. It appeared that I had to make this sacrifice of my will, to be ready to leave all, for my dear Master's sake; and I am glad I was enabled to do it, whether the sacrifice be accepted or not. I have a very low estimate of our instrumentality, for I know that there is a Power that can equally work with or without His instruments. And even if He may be pleased to draw their hearts in love to some afar off, and try their willingness to attend to His call; yet he may fulfil all without them, equally visit His people, and equally as He may see meet, grant the reward of peace.

14th.—If I should go, I think I never left home for such a service in a state of greater, if so great reduction. Still I believe I must go in faith, trusting in Him, who I humbly hope has put me forth, and will go before us, if this offering be required at our hands, which I cannot help believing that it is through all our discouragements, and the many clouds that have obscured the prospect.

LETTER TO ONE OF HER DAUGHTERS.

My Dearest Katharine,

Warwick, Third Month, 19th, 1824.

Here we are so far on our way; it is wonderful to me how we have gone on. On Third day evening, when we arrived at Worcester, I was faint, but still went to the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, where I felt help very near, but I was in a delicate state of health. We went to Dr. D's, where we were most kindly cared for. On Fourth day, I passed through deep and great exercise of mind, and weakness of body, but that Power that has so often helped me and strengthened me, enabled me to go through all, to the great relief of my mind; but in the evening I felt very unwell, so much so, that I thought if better

in the morning it would be surprising; however, I was rather better, but there was such a party to meet us at breakfast, clergy, methodists, &c., &c. We had after breakfast a solemn reading, my brother Samuel read, he has been a comfort indeed to me. We then proceeded to the prison; I should think thirty or forty with us, magistrates, and others. After going over the prison, it was proposed we should have all the prisoners, men and women, and the company, collected in the chapel, which we dared not refuse. Picture us in a large chapel, full of almost all descriptions of people. Samuel, Elizabeth, and I, besides two clergymen and magistrates at the upper end. Samuel read the fifteenth chapter of Luke. Then I spoke to them, afterwards my dear sister. It finished in prayer, and was a very solemn time; much satisfaction was expressed by all parties. I think I am really better, but far from my usual health. We have had two Meetings to-day. I am sorry to say I find the post is gone; but I must say farewell, in much very near and dear love. I long to tell you much more.

I am thy nearly attached mother,

ELIZABETH FRY.

Plashet, Third Month, 29th.-We returned home last Fifth day, having accomplished the duty we had in prospect, to our own peace, and I trust to the edification of those amongst whom our lot has been cast. I continued very unwell the whole journey, and what with exercise of mind, and real illness of body, I think I have seldom known such a time; nor do I ever remember being so helped through the different services that I was brought into. Visiting gaols, attending two Quarterly Meetings, and many not Friends; one occasion in Worcester gaol; one large Public Meeting, the first I ever had of that description; and many other Meetings: but the way I was raised up, as from the dust, was wonderful to myself, enabled to speak with power, and in the Quarterly Meetings to go from service to service. It was indeed a remarkable evidence, that there is in man something beyond the natural part, that when that is in its lowest, weakest state, helps and strengthens; none can tell what its power is but those who submit to it. I now

feel fully called to rest. I gratefully remember the abundant kindness shown me upon my journey. Greater enlargement of my heart in love do I never remember, or to have met more from others. I have been permitted to feel throughout this illness, at times, very sweet consolation. A state of rest, as if the sense of pain and sorrow was taken away from body and mind, and now and then almost like a peep into the joys of the Kingdom.

Plashet, Fourth Month, 10th.-I feel remarkably unable to enter any active service. I know that power spiritually and naturally are not at my command, and if in mercy it should be again granted me, may I in humility, simplicity, and faithfulness, let my day's work keep pace with my day.

Blackheath, Fifth Month.-I have a dear son and daughter willing and ready to take me in, and do every thing they can for me, and who so well accommodate me.

How tender mercy is shown to me spiritually, strength sufficient given to bear the burden of my illness, although at times heavy. How my pains have been mitigated, when at times they have felt too much for me, and my secret prayers answered, by relief coming in the needful time.

First day, 15th.-Yesterday, after a very weak and faint morning, I attended our Ladies' British Society Meeting;* it was surprising, even to myself, to find what had been accomplished! How many prisons are now visited by ladies, and how much is done for the inhabitants of the prison-house, and what a way is made for their return from evil. It is marvellous in my eyes, that a poor instrument should have been the apparent cause of setting forward such a work. Deep as my interest has certainly been in the destitute and forlorn; yet how much more, both in time and heart, have I been occupied with my own family. I fancy that my natural affections are very acute, and that if it had not pleased a kind Providence to lead me into some other services, and in His tender mercy to bless me in them, I think there would at times have been great danger of my being pressed down out of measure by home cares.

Ladies' British Society for Promoting the Reformation of Female Prisoners.