re so excessively hurried, that
the people they employ'd were often oblig'd to work on the
_Sabbath-day_; but this my wife would never do, and it was matter of
uneasiness to us that we could not get our living in a regular manner,
though we were both diligent, industrious, and willing to work. I was
far from being happy in my Master, he did not use me well. I could
scarcely ever get my money from him; but I continued patient 'till it
pleased GOD to alter my situation.

My worthy friend Mr. Gurdney advised me to follow the employ of chopping
chaff, and bought me an instrument for that purpose. There were but few
people in the town that made this their business beside myself; so that
I did very well indeed and we became easy and happy.--But we did not
continue long in this comfortable state: Many of the inferior people
were envious and ill-natur'd and set up the same employ and work'd under
price on purpose to get my business from me, and they succeeded so well
that I could hardly get any thing to do, and became again unfortunate:
Nor did this misfortune come alone, for just at this time we lost one of
our little girls who died of a fever; this circumstance occasion'd us
new troubles, for the Baptist Minister refused to bury her because we
were not their members. The Parson of the parish denied us because she
had never been baptized. I applied to the Quakers, but met with no
success; this was one of the greatest trials I ever met with, as we did
not know what to do with our poor baby.--At length I resolv'd to dig a
grave in the garden behind the house, and bury her there; when the
Parson of the parish sent for me to tell me he would bury the child, but
did not chuse to read the burial service over her. I told him I did not
mind whether he would or not, as the child could not hear it.

We met with a great deal of ill treatment after this, and found it very
difficult to live.--We could scarcely get work to do, and were obliged
to pawn our cloaths. We were ready to sink under our troubles.--When I
purposed to my wife to go to _Kidderminster_ and try if we could do
there. I had always an inclination for that place, and now more than
ever as I had heard _Mr. Fawcet_ mentioned in the most respectful
manner, as a pious worthy Gentleman; and I had seen his name in a
favourite book of mine, Baxter's _Saints everlasting rest_, and as the
Manufactory of _Kidderminster_ seemed to promise my wife some
employment, she readily came int