Page images
PDF
EPUB

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 com

pany 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.

In the 8th Month, 1802, he left home for London. Whilst there, he sat with Friends in all the meetings in the metropolis, and was at several of those in the neighbourhood. He returned home by Coventry, Warwick and Birmingham. This journey he mentions in a letter to Richard Reynolds, dated 12th Month 3d.

In the summer of 1806, he wholly declined business, having, through the good providence of God, a sufficiency for his future support. In the 8th Month of this year, he lost, in the sixty-first year of her age, his faithful and affectionate companion, to whom he had been united thirty-one years; she had been in a declining state of health for some months. This loss he very sensibly felt, and has feelingly described in a letter to Richard Reynolds, dated 8th Month 21, 1806.

In the year 1808, after attending the Year

ly Meeting, he visited all the meetings in the metropolis, and several of those in the vicinity. He left London the 17th of 6th Month, arrived at Bristol the following day, and continued there until the 1st of 7th Month, attending meetings as they came in course. From Bristol he went to Worcester, where he was at the meetings on First day; and on the Third day following he went to Coalbrookdale; after attending several meetings at this place, he returned home, taking, in his way, the Monthly Meeting at Shrewsbury. In many of the meetings, on this journey, he was silent; but in others he was enabled, by his Lord and Master, to preach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit, and with power, greatly to the comfort and rejoicing of many.

In the year 1812, he found his mind drawn, in gospel love, to unite with Priscilla Hannah Gurney and Susanna Naish, in a religious visit to the families of his own meeting. They had one hundred and nineteen sittings, and accomplished the work in twennine days. At the conclusion of this visit, he accompanied the same friends in a simi

lar one to the Friends of Morley Monthly Meeting. The last service, of this kind, in which he was engaged, was with John Bottomly and Elizabeth Bludwick, in the year 1813, when he accompanied them to most of the families of his own meeting. He was then in his seventy-first year. Whilst ability of body was afforded, he continued in the practice of visiting the neighbouring meetings, as he felt himself drawn thereto by his Divine Master.

He was frequently invited to attend marriages and burials at a distance. At such times, he was careful to seek for Divine counsel, that he might be preserved from complying with, or declining such invitations in his own will. He has sometimes mentioned, to his intimate friends, his regret at what appeared to him an over earnestness, manifested by some, for the company of ministers on such occasions.

His powers of expression were strong and persuasive, and these being made subservient to his great Master's cause, he became, through the power of Divine love, eminently qualified affectionately to entreat others to

« PreviousContinue »