To P.-H. Gurney, London.

Whitby, Yorkshire, 19th 11th mo. 1803.

My dear friend will excuse an early reply to her last letter, which brought fresh encouragement to a drooping sister, who felt disposed to believe thy long delay was permitted to wean me from an object when danger ap peared; for I have thought, perhaps, more of thee than I ought; therefore, my hopes were blasted by thy suspense: yet I can assure thee, it was my daily practice to put the best construction, believing this method produces peace, which leads to depend upon no flesh; but the preserving, powerful Arm of Him" Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His Hand, and meted out Heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance." The account of thy numerous engagements pleased me much, expecting many would deriveadvantage from thy labour of love; and some be incited to bear the easy yoke of Christ in the morning, which will richly compensate for the toil of preparing the Gospel net in the bloom of thy life. I observe with thankfulness, thy ardent solicitude for my "Building on the immoveable Rock, without those materials that will not endure the fire" and also thy continued affection leads me gratefully to acknowledge the whole to be of the Lord, who certainly stimulates His children to alleviate the burthen of such who are depressed beyond the limits of nature. There is no doubt with me, but "He is sufficient to sustain in drought, and keep alive in famine, the souls who patiently depend upon Him;" therefore, I humbly trust after all the storms are over, we shall each testify a quiet Habitation is the lot of those, who can say, in the Fine of their experience, "Thy will be done."

Since my return to Whitby, I have lived reclusely, except diligent attendance on our meetings, which are means whereby my love knows no diminution, but a gradual increase to the Mystical Body of our Lord, which (by Faith) we are feeble members of. May we be strengthened to administer consolation to each other, according to the ability that arises from Him, our Heavenly Shepherd, who excites us to esteem another more highly than self, which is necessary to be thoroughly subdued, and kept in a state of reducement, that we may be qualified to receive the divine emanations that flow from God, to satiate the humble thirsty soul. I very much wish that thy affectionate desire may prevail over me: for my patience hath been ready to fail respecting Friends being so dubious in admitting me as a member of their society; although I know it is for the trial of my faith, and increasing union with the Living Head, who sees meet to dry up every stream, that application may be made alone to the Eternal Source, whence all my mercies spring: therefore, my beloved friend, it is not for me to appoint the Lord a time to evince my stability; but simply follow Him, who can, and no doubt will, manifest that my views were the Glory of God, and to be within the Fold where preservation is witnessed from the carnal opposers of Christ's Lowly Kingdom.

There is nothing in this probational state I request, but a wise and understanding heart, to "Choose the good, and refuse the evil :" and I verily believe our Indulgent Parent waits to fulfil the desire of the least of His children.

It is for me to intimate to an endeared sister, that my return to America will probably produce me favour of Him who took me thither, out of the line of order; and set my feet again on my native ground, where I am a stranger, appointed to renew my spiritual nets, that at an hour's warning, I may move about my "Father's business," and also give thee to understand, that an exemption from dedicating my time, with the feeble efforts, toward the

good of the poor Africans, I dare not seek notwithstanding the inconvenience that may accrue from a second voyage. If I cannot possibly escape this work, without incurring the displeasure of my never-failing Friend, methinks thou wilt assent thereunto, though as yet, comparatively speaking, my moving to and fro hath answered not the desired end.

If freedom of communication, and an affectionate concern for the preservation of thy unworthy correspondent, still is felt by thee, I may expect this answered sooner than the former; unless thou art occupied in concerns of greater importance. It may be, my speedy acknowledgment of thy last, will quicken those dying hopes which withered through thy cessation. My health and strength are renewed, since I came here; which tend to revive my spirits, and create a willingness to follow my Great Master whithersoever He shall call me. In much affection, I conclude with the language of the Apostle Peter, "The God of all Grace, who hath called us unto His Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus, after we have suffered awhile, make us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us," that we may ascribe "To Him, Glory and Dominion forever.” DOROTHY RIPLEY,

To David Sands, at Pontypool, Glamorganshire, in South Wales.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Whitby, 8th 1st mo. 1804.

HAVING for some time past been present with thee in spirit, I am thereby encouraged to hope, that amongst thy children, there will be reserved a small portion of affectionate desire for my establishment on the immoveable Rock. Since my return to Whitby, I have again requested membership, and am pleased that a quiet habitation is my present enjoyment, with a measure of resignation, that leads me to say "Thy will be done." The prospect of preparing the Gospel net, I frequently am

led to conclude, will be my lot, though there are many impediments in the way, which chiefly arise from unfaithfulness in early life, when the brightness of the Lord did shine with lustre on my dark mind. It is of His unbounded Love, and Mercy, that a disobedient child is continued here, to magnify His Name, by acknowledging that His gathering Arm hath been ready to lead me to the true. Fold ever since I was possessed of a degree of His holy Fear. In much weakness, and poverty of spirit, my pen presumes thus far to address one whom I see advanced in the order of God's servants, or as to a place in the Spiritual Body which may be deemed the "Eye," that discerneth the "Wheat from the tares." Mayst thou be preserved in thy dignified station, adhering to thy Great Master's command, though it may be by painful steps to accomplish His revealed Will, for the good of His Mystical Body which is the glorious appearance of Christ in the hearts of many, who shall be in Him complete, by the baptism of one Spirit. I feel more for thee than I am willing to communicate, having received intelligence from P. H. Gurney, in London, of thy indisposition since thou wast in Wales. If my father in Israel, still resides among us mutable creatures, I hope a little testimony of his love and care will be evidenced through the medium whereby our thoughts can be revealed, notwithstanding we are widely separated from each other. I am much interested for thy health, because I know thou wilt at seasons think of a poor pilgrim, who sincerely covets to walk "Soberly, righteously, and godlily," in the way cast up for me by the Providential Goodness of Him, who giveth man his limitation. An exemption from suffering respecting the oppressed Africans, I never look for; yet am sensible, there remains no help in me further than what is already manifested, being willing to lay aside my own ease and happiness, to encourage "Ethiopia to stretch out her hand unto God." Perhaps I have erred in anxious care for them: solicitously enquiring for their peace above my own, not considering enough that they are under the care of the High

est, who can in His time, even cause their oppression to end in the humiliation of their souls before His Almighty Power. A long series of exercises have unavoidably fallen out for me: some for my own peculiar benefit, and others that I might offer alleviation, having drank the bitter cup for many individuals who are now numbered with the dead. While I am thus employed, a willingness is wrought in me to comply with the Spirit's operation, not daring to shrink from duty, be it ever so fatiguing to the poor creature, who can say in the language of the great Apostle, "I die daily." I hope it will not be deemed an error imparting the situation of my mind to one, who drew me more closely after the flock of Christ, being a prepared vessel to minister for Him, according to the ability given thee from above. With gratitude, I testify with my pen, that I thank God, the Father of us each, for thy being sent into this land to signify, " The fiery baptism I should be baptized with," which was the substance that reached me when first I came under the sound of thy voice, though in my former experience I had witnessed the watery dispensation of "John.” It is a satisfaction to me, that I seem at liberty to write to the fathers in Israel; and am privileged with the correspondence of some of the choice mothers also; there being a necessity for the same, as I am frequently like an helpless babe, who cannot live but by the sustentation of those yet, methinks, Wisdom will in due time, not only cause me to dwell under the shadow of her wing safely; but devise means whereby a babe may prove a nourisher of others, to the Glory of Him, who chooseth "The foolish things of this world to confound the wise." In much affection, I subscribe myself thy daughter in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

DOROTHY RIPLEY.