Lord will again return, and show mercy to my disconsolate, imprisoned soul, which goes mourning all the day long, and cannot be comforted, because the blessed Comforter, He who alone can deliver my soul, seems yet afar of; and the cruel accuser almost continually at hand, to bear down and frustrate my utmost endeavours to draw near to the Fountain of help and strength, to be enabled to lay hold of hope and faith to resist the fiery darts of the wicked one. Oh! my dear friend, could I but hope that I am of the number thou mentionest of the Lord's chosen ones, whose names are written in the Book of Life, I should esteem no baptism too deep, nor any suffering too long, or too great to endure. But herein lies my great discouragement, that I seem, in my own painful apprehension, to suffer as an evil-doer, or one who, through inattention and want of due circumspection, has offended an all-gracious Being, and caused Him to withdraw His blessed presence, light, life, and holy Spirit; and oh! what in this stripped, desolate state has the poor soul to cleave to, or flee to for refuge and support, as the experienced Psalmist says, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" They have not another to go unto, nor can expect preservation, comfort, or help, but from Him whom they experimentally know hath the word of eternal life, and also the key of David, and alone can open their shut-up state, and by His powerful voice say, even to the spiritually dead, "Come forth;" then, and not till then, can we feel our spirits quickened by Him, who is of a truth the resurrection and the life of every truly living soul, that lives to and in Him.

Frances Dodshon lived to advanced age, and during the latter years of her life, she was, at seasons, by the power of Divine love and light, raised above the deep depression before described; and when of ability to attend meetings, was at

times enabled to preach the gospel with life and power.

There is abundant cause to believe that, in the earlier as well as the latter stages of religious experience, our heavenly Father, in His wisdom and mercy, is often pleased to suffer His most approved servants to be deeply tried with an abasing sense of their helplessness and unworthiness; to withdraw the light of His countenance, and to leave them sorrowful and forlorn, and all with the gracious design of furthering the work of their sanctification. In these seasons of tribulation, they may be strongly tempted to listen to the accusations of the enemy, and to distrust the Lord's faithfulness and love; but whether these trials originate in natural or spiritual causes, John Thorp's letters to Frances Dodshon will, there is no doubt, long continue to cheer and animate many a doubting and fearful pilgrim.

John Thorp did not believe himself to be called to travel so much in the work of the ministry as many others of his fellow-labourers have done, yet he was frequently concerned, under the influence of gospel love, to visit his Friends in the neighbouring meetings, both in Lancashire and Cheshire, and he took some longer journeys on the same account. In the year 1784, accom

panied by his friend Martha Routh, of Manchester, he paid a religious visit to the families of Friends of Penketh Meeting, and immediately after to the families of Friends in Warrington; Rebecca Wright, from America, joining them in the visit, and Sarah Reynolds, of Penketh, to part of the families. From Warrington he proceeded to visit the families of Langtree and Ashton Meetings, Martha Routh and Sarah Reynolds continuing with him. In the discharge of this service, it appears, from information received, that he was much favoured.

In 1787, in company with his antient and beloved friend Sarah Taylor, he visited the families of Friends belonging to Liverpool Meeting. In 1789, he united with Deborah Darby and Rebecca Young in a similar visit to the families of Friends of Manchester Meeting.

In the 8th Month of 1792, died his highly valued friend Richard Shackleton, of Ballitore, in Ireland, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, between whom, and the subject of this memoir, a near friendship and valuable correspondence had subsisted for several years, and to whom several letters in this volume are addressed.

RICHARD SHACKLETON was a man who possessed strong natural powers of understanding, improved by a liberal education, and these being sanctified and brought into subjection to the cross of Christ, he became qualified for distinguished

usefulness in the church. He filled, for many years, the station of an Elder with great propriety, being eminently furnished, by his Divine Master, with wisdom and ability to communicate encouragement and counsel to such as stood in need. The sense which John Thorp had of the church's and his own loss, from the decease of his friend, appears by a letter which he addressed soon after that event to Eliza Shackleton, and which, coming to the publisher's hands too late to be inserted in its proper place, may not unsuitably be introduced here:

8th Month, 1792.

In justice to thee and myself, I ought sooner to have acknowledged my gratitude for thy condescension, in writing to me the particulars of my dear friend thy father's decease. Looking at the church militant, his death is a loss to all but himself. I sympathize with you, I feel for the church, and regret my particular share in the general loss; his company was to me exceedingly pleasant and lovely. I felt, almost at all times when with him, a more than common union with him; but as a man and Christian, I loved him dearly.

I rejoice in that I was much favoured with his company. At our last Yearly Meeting, he condescended to go with me, or take me with him often, in the evenings. I prized the opportunities, and treasure up his remarks as the fruit of experience and mature judgment. I am thankful for the share he allowed me in his friendship; for the instructive opportunities I have had of his conversation, and for the valuable letters I have received from him, by all which I desire to improve.

Give my dear love to thy mother; it is likely her separation from him will be but of short duration. I have no doubt she will soon be with him in the kingdom of Divine joy. With regard to the deceased, doubtless, our loss is his gain. I feel something like congratulation with him, as having arrived safe at the desired port, and entered into the fruition of the glorious reward of good labours. May a double portion of that Spirit which made him bright and useful, rest on all his children, that they may not only walk worthy of such a father, but of that high and holy vocation wherewith we are called, by our heavenly Father, to glory and virtue. To the guidance and protection of Israel's Shepherd, I recommend thee, and all thy father's house, desiring He may have you always in his keeping.

I am, with the salutation of love to thyself, thy family, and sisters, thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

In the 8th Month of 1793, John Thorp attended the funeral of his friend Frances Dodshon, who died at Macclesfield, and was there interred. About the 11th Month of this year, he visited the families of Friends in Manchester Meeting, having Martha Routh, before-mentioned, and also his friend Mary Robinson, a minister of the same meeting, as companions in the service.

About the close of the year 1797, in company with Martha Routh, he again visited the families belonging to his own meeting; and soon after, they performed a similar visit to the families of Morley Monthly Meeting

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