sojourn in this world; a state free from sin, about the twenty-third year of my age, the when Christ shall dwell in us, and we in him. Lord graciously re-visited my soul; and it was, The righteousness which he worketh in us indeed, as the dry and barren wilderness, remust be perfect; every will and working of freshed with dew. I think I cannot forget the the creature being laid low, God shall reign sweet incomes of divine favour. The whole over all, blessed for ever! In this state of free-creation seemed new to me; all things spoke dom from the dominion of sin, temptations and the love and mercies of a gracious God. trials may, and assuredly will come; but as Scarcely a day passed over without some sweet we keep close to the light of Christ, inwardly openings, some renewal of my great Master's manifested, I believe we shall be preserved condescension. I thought myself the happiest blameless; without spot or blemish, to the hon-of human creatures. Thus delectably did the our of our great and holy Teacher; to whom be ascribed power, majesty and praise, now and for ever. Amen! 22nd of Seventh month, 1784. God of all my mercies allure me into the wilderness! Every required sacrifice seemed ready prepared by his own hand, and I had only to wait his own time. Happy have I thought it, that he was pleased to stay my mind! When The ways of the Lord are wonderful and my dear, loved parents expressed their concern past finding out. O! let none be weary of at my change, it was suggested to me, that for waiting upon him, for he will be gracious to a time, it was my place to be subject in all all those who faithfully call upon him! My things lawful, and way would be made where I earnest cries have gone forth, and I believe the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer. My groans and my tears have not been hid from him. Glory, praise and honour be to his name! Let the creature lie low, that the Creator may be all in all for ever and ever. Amen! 14th of Twelfth month, 1784. O! how pure, how perfect is the Truth as it is in Jesus! Keep to it, O! my soul; turn neither to the right hand nor the left, but press forward, through all difficulties; for the light of Christ within thee will break forth into perfect day, if on thy part thou art steady, undaunted, and of a right faith!-O! my God, help me! leave me not to the delusions, the buffetings of my soul's enemy? Keep me in the patience, that I may watch thy coming, and be found of thee. Thou art worthy to be waited upon, O! Lord, my God! in thee is my hope, and my trust for ever! As rest to the weary traveller, so is true silence to the deeply exercised mind. me. M. C.-To W. B. 11th of Third month, 1785. DEAR FRIEND, With propriety I believe I may use the term, dear friend, as all in the Truth seem dear to Since our conversation this afternoon, I have had to remember, in a very lively manner, the Lord's dealings with my soul in early life. I was at times visited with a sweet sense of purity and truth; but from my situation and mode of education, I was at a loss how to come at that which my soul seemed to see at a distance. For several years the prospect was, as it were, closed, or very rarely opened. thought myself a useless being, and I believe sometimes almost repined that I was born; but I Then saw no way; and far beyond my expectation, With affectionate wishes for thy prosperity in the Truth, I am, sincerely, The following brief remark is among her memoranda :-On the 2nd of the fourth month, 1785, my dear father died without my seeing him! I heard that he enquired with affection for a pair of garters which I had knit for him, and that he spoke with tenderness of me. O! this was like precious balm! No special mention is made of a change in her mother's feelings towards her, but there is reason to believe that she gradually, from the time of her widowhood, became reconciled to her daughter's proceedings; being doubtless convinced of the rectitude of her motives; so that the way was at length made for Mary's returning to the parental dwelling. It appears that Mary Capper was received into membership with the Society of Friends about the year 1785, also that she spoke as a minister in their religious meetings soon after that event. With respect to the latter circumstance, she writes: "It sometimes arose in my mind, that possibly I might have to tell unto others how I had been taught, and kept from the broad way of destruction; and a few words arising, with something of unusual power, I think at the Peel meeting, I stood up and spoke them, and felt very quiet; nor did I anticipate that such a thing might ever be required again; and thus I was led on, from time to time, not knowing but each time might be the last. About 1788, I came to reside with my dear mother, at Birmingham, and she did not object to my regularly attending Friends' meetings." The occasion of her leaving London, and going to reside with her mother, appears to have been the indisposition of the latter, and is briefly alluded to in the following extract of a letter to her from her brother William. London, 17th of February, 1788. MY VERY DEAR SISTER, I cannot delay writing to you, since you say that my silence adds to the painful sensations of your heart. Indeed, my dear Mary, if I could write anything that would alleviate one anxiety of thy dear breast, I would not let a post go without a letter. You will be glad to hear that all things in the family go on as though you were present. I called this afternoon in Berkley Square; uncle John has had a severe fit of the gout. I spent Friday evening with Jasper and Nancy; they are well and comfortable. How could I write so much, and not once mention our dear mother! I am much grieved at the account you give of her, and hope to have a better in your next. Comfort her, my dear girl! give her my sincere duty and affection, and tell her I am happy that I had such a sister as you, to send to her consolation. Remember me in affection to brother Samuel, to his wife, and to George. I am, dear Mary, Thy truly affectionate brother, Though very little allusion to the circumstance is found in any of Mary Capper's papers, it seems scarcely right wholly to omit the mention of a yet more costly sacrifice than any that she had previously made, which was called for at her hands, before she quitted London as her home. She had formed a strong attachment to a young man Friend, to whom she expected to be married, when she discovered that he did not set a high value on his membership in the Society of Friends, and that he was inclined for more liberty in practice than their principles allowed of. This was a most painful | discovery to her; and as farther communication with him proved to her, that he was one who could not fully enter into her religious feelings and views, she felt it to be her duty to break off the connexion, though it nearly cost her her life; and she could never afterwards entertain the prospect of matrimony. The following extract from a letter of her mother's, will show how changed were her feelings towards Mary, and towards Jasper and his wife. Birmingham, June 16th, 1788. MY DEAR MARY, In answer to your last, I feel truly concerned that poor *Smallwood has fresh appearances of his disorder; and sorry I am at the disappointment which his parents must suffer. If necessary I advise, by all means, that you should attend him; for whatever my own views may have been, I readily give them all up, for the good of this poor afflicted child, and the comfort of his father and mother, to whom give my most tender love. With respect to the other proposal that your brother and sister have signified to you, I believe the bent of your own mind must determine you; this I verily believe; that the goodness of your own heart will incline you to undertake that which is the most needful for your friends. I have only to add, that (wherever you may fix yourself for a time) whilst you remain single, I would have you to look upon my habitation, so long as I live, as your fixed and settled home. Thank your brother Jasper, in my name, for his attention to your aunt Chase. Tibbatts† was here on Sunday; he says Rebecca is well. Believe me, dear Mary, Your affectionate mother, REBECCA Capper. Mary Capper does not appear to have kept a journal regularly till after the death of her mother, but a few remarks were penned occasionally; and sometimes the petitions of an exercised soul. The following will, it is believed, be acceptable to the reader. 10th of Sixth month, 1789. My soul! wait thou upon God; although heaviness and insensibility may perplex and distress thee, yet be not dismayed, nor weary of well-doing; for assuredly they that wait upon the Lord; that patiently and quietly wait, shall renew their strength. They shall mount upwards, they shall rise as upon eagles' wings, they shall be raised above this grovelling earth; *The eldest son of J. and A. Capper. †The husband of her sister Rebecca. but it may be needful that they should feel how Capper appears to have been absent from Birnecessary it is to wait upon the Lord, and that, mingham, attending upon a sick friend; during with long patience and deep humility. O! Lord this period she received the following letters my God! if it be thy holy will, be pleased at from her mother: this time to increase my faith and my patience, that I may more perfectly know and wait upon thee! Eleventh month, 1790. Thou gracious Fountain of all our mercies, O! be pleased to look down upon us, and save us from our sins! Jesus, the Redeemer, has died that we might be perfected through his atoning sacrifice; let us not then make his sufferings of none effect to us ward, by an evil heart of unbelief! My soul feels a weight of sorrow for my own in. sensibility; and many, very many, are my imperfections, particularly, O! my God! (may I call Thee my gracious Father!) I have to lament at this day, a proneness to impatience and frowardness of spirit. Gracious Father! I would confess my sins that I may be healed; but Thou knowest all my thoughts, and the devices of my heart; therefore with all my burden of infirmities, weakness and folly, I bow at the footstool of thy mercy, and hope to be kept in patient humility, waiting thy time to deliver me from my soul's enemies; for the power is thine! 1791. At this period of my life, my faith is, that there is one God, who is supremely good, and doeth good continually; that at sundry times and in divers manners throughout all ages of the world, He has been pleased to manifest Himself to the sons and daughters of men; that in this our day, He shows Himself in the glorious dispensation of the gospel; having sent his own Son to be made flesh, and dwell among men for a time, in an earthly body. Though mysterious his death and sufferings, I believe that Christ died to redeem us from sin; and that, in and through Him, believers have access to the Throne of Grace. Eighth month, 1791. My faith being renewed in Christ Jesus, the Son and express image of the living God, I bow in humility and hope at the footstool of mercy, looking for redemption and remission of sin. O! the malady of the soul! how foul it is! There is not, in nature, an antidote to so great evil; but the Lord of life and glory came down from heaven, from the bosom of his Father, to recover lost mankind, and throw consolatory hope into the cup of human woe; made a bitter cup by man's disobedience and pride. Birmingham, 18th September, 1793. MY DEAR MARY,-I hope they will not remove the young woman till the doctor thinks be done with safety. Don't be uneasy on my account. I continue tolerably well, when in my power to be so! I am quiet; and what a blessing it is that I have in my power to be so! it it it may I am not so much alone as you may think, for my neighbours are kind in calling on me. Your brother George dines with me most days, comes home in good time at night, and often looks in, during the day. Farewell, my dear Mary! I shall be truly glad to receive you, when it is proper for you to come home; but I am not impatient. Believe me, your sincerely affectionate moREBECCA CApper. ther, Colmore Row, 23rd September, 1793. MY DEAR MARY,-I am well pleased that you may leave Park Gate, with safety to your patient. W. Shorthouse tells me he intends setting out to-morrow to conduct you. He did intimate, some time ago, a thought of taking you to Liverpool; now if circumstances coincide, I wish you to embrace the opportunity, as another may not offer. Don't hasten home at all on my account; I seem at this moment quite well. I was out only once yesterday, for the weather was rainy, and the wind very cold. I was very much gratified, and I hope edified, by a discourse on the words of St. James, “Let patience have her perfect work." I am, dear Mary, your truly affectionate mother, REBECCA CAPPER." Rebecca Capper died in the twelfth month, 1793; but no particulars are known of the illness that terminated her life, or of her closing moments. CHAPTER V. Travels during the years 1794 to 1801.- Visits at Stoke Newington, &c. MARY CAPPER appears, from the time of her mother's decease, to have devoted herself to the service of her Divine Master; being a diligent attender of religious meetings, and travelling much to promote the spread of Truth and righteousness in various parts of this country. She was acknowledged as a minister in the early part of the year 1794. Her ministry was sound and of a spiritual character; having herTowards the end of the year 1793, Mary self largely partaken of the conflict between Gracious, holy Father! open the blind eye! unstop the deaf ear! that we may see and acknowledge the mystery of thy condescending love! flesh and spirit, she was often concerned to encourage the sincere hearted, patiently to submit to proving seasons, looking for effectual help to the light and power of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1794. Third month, 8th. I set out with a minute expressive of the concurrence of my own monthly meeting, to meet Mary Beesley at Bromsgrove, in order to unite with a committee of men Friends appointed by the quarterly meeting, to visit our monthly and preparative meetings. 10th. After attending various meetings, returned to Birmingham, where the meeting for ministers and elders was held in the evening. Ruth Fallows and Sarah Stephenson were present. blies, we should wait for that which burns as a fire that will hardly be restrained. 22nd. Certificates were read, in the select meeting, expressive of concurrence with the concern of the Friends for visiting America. Some weighty counsel was given, recommending that they who speak in these meetings should be careful only to speak from necessity. The meeting broke up under a covering of solemnity; and my heart's desire is that we may study to dwell in the stillness, wherein self is abased, and the Power of Truth exalted. I believe that some of us are tempted to think, that unless we appear to take some active part in Truth's service, we may be looked upon by others, and perhaps by ourselves, as useless, lifeless members; but far otherwise is my judg ment at this time. The humble patient traveller, who bears the burden of the word, until the right time comes for deliverance, (when the message will be accompanied by a measure of power and authority,) assuredly works essentially for the general good. 23rd. At Horslydown, gospel ministry was dispensed through Mary Ridgway, a devoted servant. In the afternoon, several testimonies 22nd. The friends of the committee met, and had a solemn opportunity of conference with us, children in the work; to our edification and encouragement. It was judged best to proceed in the engagement, previous to the yearly meeting. 24th. Monthly meeting at Shipstone; the gathering was large, and measurably favoured with solemnity; to the comfort and encouragement of rightly exercised minds. We called concerning deceased ministers were read, to the upon some families, after which we sat awhile together, under humbling feelings; then separated to return to our several allotments, having finished the engagement; through which we had been favoured with tender unity of spirit, and we now part desiring each others welfare and growth in the Truth. tendering and humbling of some minds; raising desires to run with patience, the race set before them. One was from Wales, respecting Dorothy Owen; and one from Ireland, relative to Job Scott. 24th. Our esteemed friend Samuel Emlen, accompanied by another Friend, made us a very acceptable visit. The men's meeting sent Yearly Meeting, 1794. us for perusal, a very interesting communicaFifth month, 19th. Martha Routh spread tion from Friends in America; some of whom, before the meeting of ministers and elders, a in considering the late awful visitation of some concern to pay a religious visit to Friends and parts of that Continent, were so deeply concernothers in America; also John Wigham, a simi-ed for the general good, that they had believed lar concern; these came under weighty consideration. In the afternoon there was a meeting for discipline, at the new meeting-house, for women Friends; the gathering, very large. Patience Chester is clerk, and Sarah Hustler assistant. 20th. An affecting epistle from women Friends in Philadelphia was read; it set forth their deep suffering and humiliation, when that city was awfully visited by the yellow fever. 21st. Attended the meeting for worship in White Hart Court, to my refreshment and comfort. Mary Ridgway was particularly favoured, on the words, "Be still, and know that I am God!" I was inwardly made sensible of the great need there is to keep on the watch, in these large meetings. O! saith my soul, that we little ones may be preserved in the quiet, humble, silent, resigned state! Aware of the great importance of speaking in these assem it required from them, to represent to the Rulers and persons in power, the necessity for their exerting their authority, to endeavour to suppress all public amusements, gaming, stage entertainments, and dram shops, as being sources of much immorality and profaneness, widely estranging the mind from God and godliness. 27th. A caution was given to be especially careful that our conversation savour not of the spirit of this world; that at a time like the present, when nation seems rising against nation, and the rumour of war sounds in our ears, we may get every one to our tent, and there wait to be rightly prepared to meet the overturnings which may come; not presuming to offer our own conjectures upon events, but rather studying to be quiet, and to mind our own business; the important business of knowing a preparation to meet our God. 28th. Answers to some of the epistles were read. A sentiment ran through my mind, that a day may come when we shall feel some restrictions in our correspondence; at least in the length of our communications; refraining even from good words. We had a very acceptable visit from Thomas Shillitoe and others, who exhorted us to keep to the power in which our meetings were first established; that no mouth should utter words without life; but that in humble waiting upon God, we might know a being baptized into the one Spirit, wherein all are brought into true harmony. mote situation in a valley at Lanelly, in Brecknockshire. Rough and fatiguing roads; we walked part of the way, though heavy rain made it difficult. Sixth-day. Set out in the morning to visit Richard Harford and his wife, five miles off; the road is here esteemed good, and indeed so the main road is; but to us the rocks and precipices were alarming, though to be admired as awfully grand. It is a railroad for the use of a coal company: meeting with their wagons and loaded horses was to me frightful; however we were favoured to get safely along. Friends Ann Tuke and other women friends men- receive us with much cordiality, making plentitioned a concern to visit the men's meeting; ful provision for refreshing the body; but ah! they had the sympathy and concurrence of a few crumbs from our Master's table are still feeling minds. Susanna Row accompanied more desirable to us, for we are poor and stripthem, and on their return, she expressed her satisfaction in having been with them. The meeting concluded in awful, reverent silence, and we separated under humbling impressions. JOURNEY IN WALES. 1794. Eighth month, 3rd. Mary Beesley having long felt a deep concern of mind, to pay a visit to Friends in Wales, and in the county of Hereford, my mind was, after serious consideration, engaged to accompany her; for this purpose we obtained certificates. On first-day, after attending a favoured meeting at Worcester, we dined at Wick, with the parents of my friend, and parted from them in much tenderness of spirit, and in a humbling sense of our own inability for what we had in prospect. Through the care and kindness of Friends we were suitably provided. Thomas Goode, of Birmingham, was sent to accompany us through the journey, and Robert Newman went with us to Ross. Our first stage was to Ledbury, where we lodged. One lonely woman Friend, a widow, lives in the town, and received a visit from us very kindly. Second-day. From Ledbury to Ross; at Thomas Pritchard's. Went on to Troy; we had to travel through a beautiful.country, but the best life was low with us. Third-day. Before we left William Dew's, had a little glimpse of the Heavenly Father's love, on which a few words were spoken, and we separated in tenderness. Fourth-day. Monthly meeting at Pontymoyle; to which place we walked about a mile. Though but few in number, there was something of divine power to be felt, wherein we seemed to be owned as members of the living Catholic Church, which is of one spirit, and is united to the Head, Christ Jesus. My beloved friend Mary Beesley was strengthened to open, in a weighty manner, a concern to sit in the families. Fifth-day. We came to James Lewis's, a ped of inward consolation; yet favoured quietly to hope for a brighter season. After dinner we sat with the family. If we are preserved from hurting others, or wounding ourselves, it is no small favour. O! Father, preserve us, and leave us not! for we cannot direct ourselves. In the evening, sat with James Lewis's family. Second-day. Were favoured to leave Pontipool in peace, and came to Penhow Castle, a good old farm house, where we were very hospitably received. The mistress is a plain, agreeable person, not born in our Society, but convinced by the secret power of Truth in her own breast: we did not see her husband, who was engaged in harvest work. In this family lives a poor old man; blind, and with locks as white as wool; we spoke to him, and his remarks seemed to do us good, evincing that his mind was brought into childlike simplicity, as he, in a few words, described his own weakness, and entire dependence on Divine Goodness. The mistress of the house said he had lived with them for many years, and that she had seen him, at times, in the fields, apparently in a retired state of mind, with tears trickling down his cheeks. She accompanied us to Shire Newton, where was a small meeting. We sat with one Friend's family, and some neighbours, who seemed disposed to receive the Truth in the love of it, as ministered by very feeble instruments, who sought not their own exaltation. Returned to Penhow by a beautiful road, with a fine view of the Bristol channel. Third-day. The master of the house made way for his men and boys, with the maid servants, quite a large number, to come and sit down with us; and I think we may in humility confess that our Heavenly Father favoured us, in ministering, according to the ability given, and we trust to their edification. Staid all night at Newport. I note down, as a watchword for myself, that I am this day made sensible that there is need to re-watch; and most especially in times of favour, |