PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. AFTER the publication of the former editions of this work, which chiefly contained letters addressed by Richard Shackleton to his family, many other valuable letters came to hand, which induced the editor, Mary Leadbeater, to think they might suitably form a second volume; she accordingly prepared them for the purpose, but was prevented by death from carrying her design into execution. The family, however, feeling a regret that these instructive letters should be lost to the public, and considering that the last edition of the work was nearly out of print, have since concluded on issuing a new edition, which should embrace most, or a considerable number, of the above new letters. This, therefore, has now been done, and as some of the letters of the former edition were of a private and familiar character, adapted more for his own family than for the public, it has been thought best to omit such of these as contain the least of instructive matter, in order to keep the work within the compass of one volume. There have been also considerable additions made to the brief sketch of Abraham Shackleton, so as to embody almost the whole of the Testimony of Carlow Monthly Meeting concerning him, from which it was originally taken. May the example here depicted of a true elder lead many, both those who are young in years, and such as are further advanced in life, not only to see and admire, but also to seek after, the excellency of the simplicity of the Truth and that estate into which the Power thereof gradually brings a man, who, in a total denial of self, fully gives up to be formed by it; especially where they see the example and exercise of so faithful a father blessed to his son, as it was in the case of Richard Shackleton, who was enabled to follow the footsteps of his worthy parent, of both of whom it may be said, “How firm to Truth's life as well as to Truth's principles !" these dear friends being remarkable examples of a continual patient waiting for, and humble yielding to, the pure life of Christ in the soul. Eleventh Month 15th, 1848. PREFACE. THAT feeling inherent in our nature, which loves to remember and to be remembered, having, in many instances, tended to the improvement as well as entertainment of those who prefer the narrative dictated by truth to works of imagination; and the taste of the present day, more than of some of former ages, seeming to favour this judicious choice; the compiler has been encouraged in a persuasion, that, instead of confining to their own descendants these memoirs and sentiments of an exemplary couple, they may be usefully introduced into more public view, and the memory thus preserved, of those virtues which graced the sphere allotted to them. A considerable number of letters, or extracts from letters, addressed by the late Richard Shackleton to some of his numerous friends, have already been submitted to the public eye, principally collected by his worthy, much-valued contemporary, John Kendall; by which his talents for epistolary converse have been evinced, in a way that it is hoped, will favourably dispose many readers to receive the present volume. The few letters of Elizabeth Shackleton here offered, are fraught with virtuous sentiments and just distinctions, which seemed sufficient to warrant their publication. Nor can it be doubted that the development of the character of their revered father, the elder Abraham Shackleton, will prove equally interesting and instructive. Various anecdotes and allusions, respecting other individuals, amongst relations, family connexions, and friends, are also interspersed, as being too immediately connected with the principal subjects to admit of exclusion. The circumstances of the prominent characters in this little work, being closely interwoven, the editor has generally adopted a chronological order, considering that the advantage resulting from this, will be paramount to any inconvenience which may arise from a broken narrative. 1822. M. L. CONTENTS. Birth of Richard Shackleton-Some account of his parents-Circum- stances attendant on Richard Shackleton's youth-His marriage Memoirs of Elizabeth Carleton's early life-Extracts from letters- R. Shackleton's second marriage-Some account of the establish- A further account of Abraham Shackleton-Some letters of Roger Shackleton-Death of Abraham Shackleton's wife-Various letters PAGE. |