y
to propose accompanying me on my way in his gig. A very agreeable
companion he proved to be, and for this little act of dedication he shall
not lose his reward.
I left home on First day, the 25th, for Newton, over the Fells. There fell
much rain the day before, which swelled the waters so that my wife and I
became very thoughtful how I should get over the river to Newton, over
which there is no bridge. I thought that should I be favored to get over
safe and dry I would take it as a sign for good in the journey; and so it
was in mercy granted; for when I came to the water-side, I met a man on
horseback who let me ride his horse over. This was in a wild part of the
country, with not a house near. Simple as this may appear to some, I could
not but acknowledge in it a providence for which I was thankful.
At Newton, where I expected to meet only three or four, more assembled
than the larger end of the house would hold. I was met by dear D.W. from
Stockton; I could not but think we looked like two poor striplings before
a great army. I should have sunk under my fears, had I not been enabled to
get down to that Power which can bear up above the fear of man.
In the afternoon I went to Thornton, and sat down with the family. This
was a precious season, and it felt doubly so from our having been on the
barren mountains, both literally and spiritually.
I went next morning, accompanied by D.W., to Lothersdale. This was also a
good meeting: I had reason to believe the God whom I was endeavoring to
serve had answered my prayer in sending his angel before to prepare the
way; I seemed almost borne off my feet by the power of Divine love.
We dined at S.S.'s; and after dinner I could not quit the room without
expressing what I felt towards him, which melted us all into tears. S.S.
joined me, and we went to Skipton to be at the meeting at five o'clock.
Before we came there I felt such a sense of poverty that it seemed as if
my spiritual life was going to be taken from me; and even when I got to
meeting, the same feeling remained, which introduced my spirit into a
state of suffering not easily to be conceived. On our sitting down I felt
there was something on the mind of S.S., and I feared lest, by suffering
the reasoner to prevail, he should be unfaithful; but he expressed a few
words which seemed as the key to the treasury.
I went that evening to Addingham, and had a meeting next morning, where I
sensibly found a little stre
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