ather of spirits, that he would be
pleased to afford me strength to bear the change with Christian fortitude,
and resign all to the disposal of his divine will; and thankful I am to
relate, he so answered my request that I could leave the place to which I
had been so long attached without a sigh. I have no doubt my removal,
without consulting more of my friends, will appear strange to many. This I
could never feel liberty to do; nor could I make any person living
acquainted with my entire motive, but my precious wife. Whatever may be
the opinion of others, this is a matter which rests between me and my God;
and I often think it a favor that we are not accountable to man, who views
too much the outside appearance, while He with whom we have to do looks at
the heart.

After I had left Barnsley I went to Pontefract, to spend a few days with
my friends there, where my poor lass had been for a week. I don't know
that this time was unprofitably spent; but this I know--it never requires
more care and watchfulness to be preserved in a seasonable frame of spirit
than when the mind is set at ease to enjoy the company of a few intimate
friends. We are too apt to get our thoughts dissipated, and thus our
conversation becomes less seasoned with grace than it would be if the
girdle of truth were kept tightly bound.

The next entry notices a remarkable interview which, he had with a woman
Friend from America:--

15_th_.--This day a meeting has been held at the desire of Hannah
Field from North America. I stepped down to see her at J. Stordy's; and in
the few minutes we were together, before she took leave, she addressed
herself to me in a very feeling manner. Although she was an entire
stranger, she spoke so pointedly to my state of mind, and expressed the
reward of faithfulness in such encouraging terms, that my feelings were in
nowise able to resist the power which attended, but I was forced to
acknowledge it as a nail fastened in a sure place.

Amongst some letters addressed by Elizabeth Yeardley to Susanna Harvey of
Barnsley, is one in which mention is made of the visit of Hannah Field to
Bentham; and, although the passage does not relate to the private
interview described above, it is interesting as the reminiscence of a
remarkable woman.

Bentham, 2 _mo_. 2, 1818.

We have been favored lately with a visit, unexpected but highly
acceptable, from that great minister, Hannah Field, from America. She very
much resembles