signation. If the tender sympathy, and I be- relieved, in mercy, from a distressing exercise, lieve I may add, the prayers, of dear affectionate which almost seemed to separate from the confriends are availing, surely I may be encour-solations of adoption through the Saviour. Now, aged. I am greatly surprised at the interest in a humble, lowly calm, with watchfulness unto manifested on my behalf; it excites the strong prayer, and that continually, a plain path in cry at the mercy-seat, that I may not be permitted to bring sorrow or dismay upon the Christian believers, nor dishonour upon the glorious cause of the Redeemer. MARY CAPPER. About this period Mary Capper had to pass through much distress of mind, in consequence of the departure of some whom she dearly loved, from that path of simplicity and selfdenial into which her own feet had been turned, in early life, and which she still considered "the more excellent way." Her sorrow on observing that some of these were counting light of those views and practices, which it had cost her much to adopt, was so deep that it materially affected her health and spirits for a time; but He who saw the integrity of her heart, and who watched over her with a Father's love, was pleased, after a season of proving, to remove the burden, and to grant her a renewal of faith and of confidence, enabling her again to go on her way rejoicing. She thus describes her state in a letter. To K. B. Birmingham, Third month 15th, 1837. the strait and narrow way seems set before me; turning neither to the right nor to the left, to hear what others may say, but keeping in view what first brought my wandering feet from the broad way. YE DEAR LABOURERS, AS ambassadors it may be, oft-times in bonds, it is in my heart once more to attempt to greet you, in a measure of that love which, I cherish the hope, is a badge of discipleship. I cannot say that none of the things, brought upon us at the present day, move me; in measure I think I participate in the clothing of sackcloth and mourning; perhaps it is a sign of life, to mourn with those who rightly mourn for the desolation spread among us. For my own part, I dare not step out of the strait and narrow way, which I believe is cast up as a safe path for me to walk in, by faith in the redeeming Power of a crucified, glorified Saviour, manifested in the humbled soul, as the true light and life, which opens the blind eye, and leads in the way of salvation. I am sensible that I HAVE abundant cause to take fresh courage vision may fail, in a long, dark and gloomy consoling evidences may be veiled; that bright and be thankful; for a consoling hope, and day; the cloud resting upon the tabernacle. Is lowly confidence in redeeming, sanctifying not this the trial and proving of our faith even Power, cheers the path-way before me. My general health gradually improves, and my dear husband and family, I look forward with at the present time? But with thee and thy cough is abated; and how shall I describe the favour of being permitted to lie down in peace, for those, who in faithfulness, hold fast their cheering hope that brighter days are in store and to take rest in safety, under a protecting confidence in the mercy and love of our HeaPower! Thus, my dear niece, I am tenderly venly Father, as a reconciled God. Divine dealt with. I go to our religious meetings once in the day; and though faith and patience be compassion can alone begin, carry on, and perfect his own glorious work; my impotence and tried, the hope of finally reaping the rich harvest of promise, urges my spirit to press onignorance keep me, as I think, at the Saviour's MARY CAPPER. ward, through all that may at times cloud the beatific vision. I walk out most mornings, rising about seven o'clock; my faithful, valued handmaiden reads portions of Scripture to me; the day is spent mostly in solitude, and closes with reading a chapter or two in the Bible, when I am early ready and thankful to retire. About the same date, she thus writes To A FRIEND. THOU wouldst no doubt hear, from time to time, of the state of my health as precarious; indeed I was much confined to my apartments, and yet remain very feeble. But my spirit is feet. To K. B. Fifth month 29th, 1837. ing my thoughts seem to bring to my view the MY BELOVED NIECE,-Morning by morndear exercised labourers of the present day. Solitary and useless as I apprehend myself to be, my best desires, in favoured seasons, are earnest, in the spirit of supplication, that heavenly mercy may be manifested to heal the wounded spirit, to strengthen the feeble-minded, and to confirm our faith in the one sacrifice for sin; that we may know the effect of sanctifying Power, while passing through this time of probation. My heart seems to press after the To THE SAME. Birmingham, Twelfth month 14th, 1837. COUGH and debility keep me much confined, though I am favoured to attend most of our religious meetings; and with the ability given, I think my heart has united with those who are exercised in desire that we may experience a revival of spirituality, with that faith which produces a right preparation to worship in spirit and truth. O! for a more powerful sense of this in all our religious assemblies. Lowly, persevering waiting at the Redeemer's feet, seems to me the watchword for the present time. My dear niece, may Israel's Shepherd keep thee, and all who are dear to thee, with my own soul, nigh to the mercy-seat, and finally complete his own glorious work of salvation! Thy aunt, MARY CAPPER. To B. AND C. C. Second month 22nd, 1838. MUCH LOVED FRIENDS,-There never was a day in which I so fully entered into sympathy with my fellow believers in the sure mercies of God in Christ Jesus. Though these may have received, in favoured seasons past, sweet evidences of walking acceptably in the Divine presence, yet at the present time (it may be for the accomplishment of the Lord's purposes,for the completion of his own work) the poor, disconsolate traveller may seem to be forsaken. I do know something of this continued warfare; but in adorable mercy, the wrestling soul can hear the cheering language, "All is not lost that is out of sight." It is recorded in Scripture, from the Highest authority, "A man must be born again, or he cannot see, or enter, the kingdom of heaven." This new birth, or new creation, is a blessed change of heart; all things become new; new thoughts, new desires, and new views of ourselves. I may venture to say, that it appears to me, that thy present humiliating sense of gross commissions, with thy mournful retrospect thereof, and thy turning from thy unrighteous ways, are tokens of mercy, that thou art not forsaken, or given up to hardness of heart, so long as a secret spirit of prayer, or good desire, is raised, and kept alive in thee. Although, as yet, thou art tossed and not comforted, remember, there must be a time of trial, ere the soul can come to rest on the Rock of salvation. We are assured, that "To know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, is life eternal." This is a knowledge too high for the natural comprehension; but we are also assured, that the grace of God, or the Holy Spirit, is given unto us to profit withal, as testified by holy men of old, and by faithful Christians, from generation to generation. The Holy Spirit, the Saviour's gift, is to this day my Comforter, carrying on, as I humbly hope, the great work of sanctification throughout, in body, soul and spirit. From my early years, I had a secret belief that religion was pure and holy, and that it led to purity and holiness of life; and I was induced to consider that the Society of Friends manifested more consistency of manners and conduct, than was discoverable among others. The fundamental faith of the Society in a crucified Saviour, as a Redeemer, and a reconciler to God the Father, I have never doubted; and had there been more faithful obedience to that Spirit which leads out of error, I am inclined to believe we had not been so scattered a people as we are at this day. My enfeebled state of body and mind disqualifies me from entering into argument. My peace seems to be in quietness, and in holding fast my confidence; taking a retrospective view of the way in which I have been kept and led hitherto. With an earnest desire for the welfare of souls, for thee and thy dear family, I remain affectionately thy friend, MY FELLOW-PROBATIONER, -For whom I To JOHN AND SARAH GRubb. continue to feel an affectionate Christian interBirmingham, Fifth month 19th, 1838. est. I think thy letter would not have lain so long unacknowledged, had I anything to offer MY PRECIOUS FRIENDS,-Although my powthat could minister availing instruction. Myers of communication are at a low ebb, I would limited experience however, leads me to cherish most willingly, with unfeigned, uniting love, tender sympathy with every one who is con- again greet you. Your dear children also vinced of the sinfulness of sin, and of our de- seem to have place in my best desires, that pravity by nature. they may be safely kept in the lowly valley, and patiently abide the siftings and provings of are very near and dear one unto another, this day. I think I do enter into tender sym- wherever they are, and however circumstanced; pathy with a rising generation, and with my among such is thyself; kept, through Divine fellow pilgrims, who may be, at seasons, tossed mercy, in the holy oneness, maintaining the and not comforted. Nothing less than enduring unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace; and mercy and goodness can keep alive an avail- although some of thy steps, now late in the race, ing faith in the Rock of ages, the Light, the may be painful, I do believe thou wilt find the Life, the Power that leads to a life of holiness. end to be crowned with peace and satisfaction My soul presses after this in my present weak for ever. estate. Ye dear labourers and faithful servants, My dear husband let me come alone this may the hope set before you be clear and stead-time, he not being vigorous enough to make his fast. To be willing to bear one another's bur- coming prudent. My children feel the tender dens, to suffer with those who are tempted, regard expressed for them in thy letters to buffeted and grievously tried, is the work of the me. We seek not great things for them, any good Spirit, that clothes the Christian believer more than for ourselves, either as to temporals with the mind that was in Christ, so far as or spirituals, but true Wisdom, whose ways seems meet to perfect wisdom: so that my are pleasantness, and her paths peace. Many endeared S. G., I notice, with a measure of are the baptisms, even in youth, known by grateful admiration, thy willing submission to such as yield to the preparing power, which a restoration of health, and renewed power to brings to a holy settlement, on the sure founbe helpful in thy own dear family and to others, dation. by encouragement and example, that they faint not by the way, though it seems rough and thorny. Thy affectionate communications are very welcome and cheering to me. I was favoured to pass through the protracted winter with as little ailment as the generality of my aged fellow pilgrims, and have been privileged to get to our meetings for worship, almost constantly, having the free use of my limbs at the lengthened period of eighty-three revolving years! But a recent attack of erysipelas has much reduced my mental and bodily powers. With all my infirmities, the good Spirit is not wholly withdrawn, and I wrestle in prayer for resignation, faith and patience. Accept my imperfect offering, in the love I bear to thee and those most dear to thee. Affectionately, MARY CAPPer. SARAH GRUBB TO MARY CAPPER. Clapham, Fifth month, 1838. It is very sweet, and confirming to some of us, to see Daniel Wheeler return safe and sound, in every sense; and to hear him tell, in a few sentences, of what he has seen of the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deeps, and testify to the sufficiency of Divine Grace, as he has witnessed it in himself and others. He says that if he had entertained any doubts before (which was not the case) concerning a measure and manifestation of the Spirit being granted to all men, they would have been removed by what he has seen among those whose situation in the world left them in ignorance as to the outward, yet who acknowledged to being sensible of the reproofs of the great and good Spirit in their own hearts. Daniel is as tender and as humble as a child, after all that the Lord has wrought by him, as well as for him. I may now take leave of thee, my very dear friend, and remain, I humbly trust, in the fellowship of the gospel, and also a partaker with thee in tribulation. Thy affectionate friend, SARAH GRUbb. MARY CAPPER TO K. B. Birmingham, Fifth month 22nd, 1838. DEARLY BELOVED FRIEND,-Thy sweet and precious letter has done me good. O! how delightful it is to see that some hold on their way, in this day of backsliding. This yearly meeting convinces us that we are still, too generally, a revolting people, and my portion of labour My spirit does hunger and thirst for an inhas been much in the line of laying open our crease of holiness,-for complete sanctification. condition, and calling back the wanderers; for We seem very much stripped in our religious it seems to me to be a day of renewed visi-gatherings; may we cherish the hope that spitation. The heavenly Wing is extended to ritual strength and confidence may be renewed! gather into safety; while yet many are not pre- This is not a day with us as a Society, to propared to come under it, for want of being sen-claim that our cup runneth over with heavenly sible of their danger and of their own helpless-consolation; nevertheless my earnest prayer is, There is nevertheless a little band of that I may be kept from turning aside, and that humble, simple ones, who feel their entire de- mercy may crown all with the everlasting anpendence upon the Almighty Helper, and these them of thanksgiving. ness. VOL. XII.-No. 4. 18 TO THE SAME. preach the gospel to the poor, the wretched; yea! the most degraded of the human race. I Birmingham, Sixth month 15th, 1838. can scarcely credit the result of thy patience, I HAVE had satisfactory reports of the yearly in arranging the almost voluminous scribbling meeting, and Elizabeth Robson called upon me, consigned to thy care. If aught of interest or and confirmed the encouraging intelligence, usefulness can be found, I am most willing that that we are not a forsaken people. I believe thou thou shouldst have the selection, and conthat if there was more individual faithfulness, sider it very kind that thou art willing to we should be more conspicuously favoured with take the encumbrance. In concluding these light, life and power, as a spiritually-minded words, my dear niece, I am reverently conpeople, who having left the shadow, are press-scious that it would be ungrateful not to acing after the substance. knowledge the tender mercy of our Heavenly Second-day. I have now had the gratification Father, which has kept me, from my youth to of seeing my dear nephew and niece Mounsey, this day, from following on in the broad way and I hope we were mutually refreshed with that leads to destruction. For this, his resomething better than the wine of the best vealed power, and redeeming love, be rendered grapes of Canaan. MARY CAPPer. glory and praise! MARY CAPper. To S. L. Birmingham, Sixth month 22nd, 1838. DEAR S. L.,-Although a considerable lapse of time may occur between our communications, I am satisfied it enters not our thoughts, that we are forgotten by each other. Many a sweet and uniting recollection arises in the retrospect of days past, when we were favoured to participate in that refreshment, which renews our faith and our confidence in redeeming love and power, which is unalterable, though we may witness so many changes, that we may seem comparable to the solitary in a family. I am not a stranger to a feeling something like this; but the spirit of prayer earnestly breathes in secret for patient submission to the preparing hand of our Lord; and while thus enduring the separation of the precious from the vile, we may truly, and very tenderly, feel with and for one another; and when so favoured, rejoice together in a grateful sense of continued mercies. I understand that at the yearly meeting, condescending goodness and mercy were measurably experienced; so I was informed by a dear aged friend, Alexander Cruikshank, of Scotland, humble and tender in spirit. O! that there were more, of such consistency of life, and circumspect conversation, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; then I do believe the genuine foundation of our faith and hope of salvation would be more manifest. The savour of this dear friend's spirit seems to remain as precious odour spread around. I understand that dear, aged William Rickman was a faithful testimony bearer, in London this year, being upwards of ninety-two. MARY CAPPer. To K. B. Most likely thou hast been informed that thy dear brother is in London, in obedience to his religious duty. O! what a favour that there are those yet to be found among us, to In explanation of the foregoing remark, it may be proper to observe, that Mary Capper entrusted her journals, &c. to the editor, some years before her decease; and then supplied it is to be regretted that her memory could not some of the earlier pages of this memoir; but have been desirable and useful. It is hoped, then furnish some connecting links which would minded hand-maiden of the Lord, is sufficiently however, that the pious walk of this lowly. manifest in these pages, to add one more to the follow in the footsteps of the flock of Christ,— many inducements which are held forth, to even of those who obey the voice of the good Shepherd, and walk in his paths. To K. B. Birmingham, Tenth month 25th, 1838. In my eighty-fourth year, I seem but as a child; the sustaining arm of mercy is still underneath, or faith and hope would fail, as I am in some measure alive to the exercises brought upon us, as a religious body, at this day. Surely there must be a backsliding from our genuine principles,—a departure from the faith, that Jesus Christ, the Son and Sent of the Father, died for sinners; that his atoning sacrifice, with all its wonder-working effects, too high for human comprehension, brought light and life, or grace into the dark heart of our fallen race, and most mercifully put us into a capacity to experience salvation. O! how superior is this dispensation to the Mosaic, with its types and figurative ceremonies. How is it, my dear niece, that I have ventured thus to pen my views? My heart, in unison, with every humble believer, longs and presses after the knowledge of God our Saviour: whom truly to know is life eternal; and as a weaned child I am, at times, quieted. May I be thankful for countless favours daily be stowed! To THE SAME. Birmingham, Twelfth month 4th, 1838. ment of my grateful acceptance of a gift, so instructively interesting as the life of your truly valuable relative Thomas Shillitoe, with whom I was favoured to be somewhat familiarly acquainted, in the early days of my attachment to a religious Society, unto which, after upwards of fifty years experience, I am still As the end of my lengthened life draws nigh, my hope of salvation is still in the Saviour. Thy retrospect of the close of time to thy precious parents is very impressive; it is consoling to contemplate the mercy which we conscientiously bound; not as having attained, have good ground to believe, prepared, and has gathered their sanctified souls into the kingdom where sin, the root and germ of sorrow, can no more disturb, neither interrupt the undefiled rest of the ransomed of the Lord! I cherish it as a token for good, that we are brought to each other's particular remembrance in our most favoured times. May we not accept it as a sweet, encouraging evidence of the power that baptizes into one Spirit, by the "one baptism," which is beyond elementary washing or dipping, or any thing perishable?" 10th. Our quarterly meeting has appointed a committee, in concurrence with the advice of the yearly meeting, to visit friends in their families, and to offer affectionate counsel, in that wisdom and discernment which may be granted, that all may be induced to press after holiness and godly simplicity. It is well to be stirred up to enter into self-examination. I think my confidence was somewhat renewed by the visit of four friends to myself. MARY CAPPer. CHAPTER XIV. but as earnestly pressing after the mark, for the prize of our high calling. I am well aware that consistency with our profession leads to much self-humiliation, and may emphatically be designated the strait and narrow way; but my faith encourages me to believe that it will be crowned with enduring peace, when the redeemed spirit shall enter that undefiled rest which is prepared for the prepared soul. Accept, dear friends, my affectionate goodwill, with my best desires for your present and eternal blessedness, in the path of obedience to the sanctifying power of a Saviour. With a very grateful sense of your liberality towards me, I subscribe, MARY CAPPER. To K. B. Birmingham, Tenth month 4th, 1839. I HAVE just parted with my endeared niece. I cherish the hope that we have been favoured to encourage each other, in our desire to be submissive learners in the school of the Redeemer, and to possess an increase of that availing faith which is the root of holiness in all its branches, working by love, to the purifying of the heart. I hope I do not presumptuously Extracts from her last letters, and from some of those of her friends respecting her.- Last ill-express my thoughts on this important subject, ness.- -Death. To J. AND K. B. or on that of prayer. I have pondered it much, and this morning it has opened in my view, that to manifest by consistency of conduct, that we live in the spirit of prayer, may have an influence on those around us, which we are not conscious of, though our family and connexions may not see us on our knees, nor witbeing shut, we bow low, at the feet of the Reness our supplications in secret, when the door Birmingham, First month 21st, 1839. MY VERY DEAR RELATIVES,-From day to day I think of your kindness toward me, and my spirit is bowed before the Source from whence all our reciprocal Christian good-will must flow. Something like a glance of a pre-deemer. cious future union seems to enliven the present moment, as I pen this, though my body and mind are in a weak state; but I think it is ungrateful to intrude my infirmities on your tender sympathy; rather, with reverence, may I acknowledge a sustaining Power, that keeps the spirit of prayer alive through all. There is much to humble us, and to mourn over; yet there is encouragement for the faithful. Press forward! To T. AND M. S. Dale End, Third month 6th, 1839. MY VERY KIND FRIENDS,-I cannot rest satisfied without attempting some acknowledg With regard to thy last communication, I have thought, when manifested duties succeed each other, how unspeakably great is the mercy that gives the willing mind in the day of power! In this the subjugated heart has nothing to boast, but may persevere, in lowly obedience, whether secret conflict be the allot- |