Cheshire-and returned to London to attend the Yearly Meeting. In this journey, I travelled near fifteen hundred miles in about seven weeks, and attended forty-nine meetings. Though low and poorly in setting out, and having to travel through much rain and snow, so that my clothes were wet for many days successively,—yet, through the gracious continuance of Divine regard, I was enabled to get along to my own admiration, being helped to labour in a faithful discharge of duty, so as to return much released in spirit, and mended in my bodily health: for which, with manifold other mercies and favours, I desire to dedicate my heart to his service who is a strength to the needy, and a present help in every proving season,-God over all,-blessed forever.

On the 3rd of the 6th month, the Yearly Meeting of ministers and elders began, and ended the 12th. This Yearly Meeting was the largest and most solid of any I have attended in the nation before. My heart was often humbled under a sense of the continuation of gracious kindness to us as a people; notwithstanding there has been such a revolt from the law and testimony. I had many precious opportunities in meetings for worship, wherein I was largely opened in communication, both for the instruction of inquirers, encouragement of the true travailers, and reproof of those who, notwithstanding the abundant labour bestowed on them, were unwisely preferring temporals to spirituals, and a little sensual gratification to eternal felicity. I had also some close labour in the meeting of ministers and elders; in which I was led to point out the snares that are laid to catch the unwary, even after they

have been called to the work of the ministry. I also informed them of the deep sufferings I had passed through, in part occasioned by some in that station not keeping down to the spring of true gospel ministry. It was a baptizing season to many minds; in which I had also to rejoice in the evidence I had, that from my first arrival in this land, I had laboured to keep in the patience, and under a feeling sense of the state of things amongst them.

I also had a very open, heart-tendering season, in a visit to the Women's Meeting; in which I reminded them of the establishment of that meeting, and that it was not brought about by human contrivance, nor fleshly wisdom, but through the power of Truth: showing the necessity there was for them to know the gospel authority of pure love, in all their movements towards forwarding the reformation, and returning to primitive purity. Apprehending my service in this land was near a close, I took leave of Friends at the Yearly Meeting, as never expecting to see them again. Thus the Lord, my gracious Helper, was pleased to favour me, recompensing me for all my varied trials, labours, and sufferings, with the overflowing of his love, to my great joy and consolation.

I tarried in and about London till the 18th of 7th month, when, accompanied by divers dear friends, I went to Bristol, and took my passage in a ship bound for New-York. While the vessel was lading and waiting for a fair wind, I went through great distress of mind, which, as it increased on me, induced me to believe that the right time had not come for my returning. After advising with several Friends, who all encouraged me to mind my own

feelings, I went to the captain and informed him thereof, and got my things out of the ship on shore again; after which they soon sailed. This was a very proving season; but as I laboured after patience and resignation, I found an opening toward some meetings in Somersetshire; where I met with Rebecca Jones and companion, who were surprised to see me, expecting I was on the ocean. But the Lord raised sympathy in their hearts, so that we all sat down. and wept together. After being at several meetings, we again met at Gloucester, where the circular Yearly Meeting for seven counties was held. It began the 9th of 9th month, and continued until the 12th, the several sittings were large, but Truth did not seem to be in dominion. The continuation of these meetings having been under consideration in the last Yearly Meeting at London, a large committee was appointed to attend this, and confer with Friends of the counties composing it, as also weightily to consider whether Truth was likely to be advanced by the continuation of it. After the service of the meeting was over, the committee met, with many other Friends from the counties, and it was with much unanimity agreed to report, that those meetings have had their service, and to propose to the Yearly Meeting their discontinuance.

conclusion I rejoiced; having been at several of these Yearly or general meetings, and being fully persuaded that if Friends would turn their minds towards their families, and making a reformation where things are out of order amongst us, it would be more likely to reach and convince the judgment of others of the purity of our principles. At those large mixed gatherings, it too frequently happens that not only

the conduct and appearance of many of the youth and others, greatly contradict our profession of a self-denying life;-but the forward, light, and unsavoury appearances of some in the ministry, being without life and power, bring our profession of feeling a Divine influence into disrepute. For many are quick-sighted, and have a sense of what is delivered under right influence, and what is not.

Feeling an engagement to unite with a committee appointed at the last Yearly Meeting to visit the Quarterly and monthly meetings, in some parts of this nation, I accompanied them to seven Quarterly meetings, and a number of monthly meetings. We travelled in near unity and fellowship, and laboured for the restoration of order, and the revival of concern for the support of the discipline, which is placed as a hedge about us.

In the 11th month, I was at Nottingham and Sheffield, at the latter, had a meeting with the apprentices and servants, and another with the heads of families. They were large and satisfactory opportunities; my dear friend Rebecca Jones attended them, and was much favoured in communication. Thence to Ackworth, and sat with the committee who have the care of the school, to some satisfaction, Thence to Kendal, Lancaster, and divers other places, and reached London in the 2nd month, 1787. After staying about a month in the city, I went to several Quarterly meetings, and tarried in and about Norwich nearly five weeks, attending meetings; many of which were large, and graciously owned to my humble consolation. I was also at many other meetings, as well as the Yearly Meeting in London, which was a large, solid, good meeting.

In the 7th month, 1787, I left London, and embarked on board the ship Pigou, for my native land. There were five of us in company, returning from a religious visit; Zachariah Dicks, Ann Jessop, Rebekah Wright, Patience Brayton and myself. About fifty Friends accompanied us to Gravesend, where we had a comfortable refreshing time together, in the sense of which we took leave of our dear friends, and the next day put to sea. Through the mercies of the Lord, we had a safe, good passage, and arrived at Philadelphia in the 9th month, to the joy of our friends and our own comfort. I concluded to tarry the Yearly Meeting which began shortly after, and was a solid, good meeting. Here I met with many dear friends whom I rejoiced to see, as also my wife who came to town a few days before the meeting. After its conclusion, we went directly home; when my heart was filled with Divine consolation, and overflowed with the love of him who called me forth and was graciously pleased to be my support through many trials and difficulties; enabling me to labour for the promotion of the cause of Truth and righteousness. My soul bows before him in reverent humility, and my desire is, that the few remaining moments I may stay in this probationary state, may be spent to his glory and honour, who is worthy now and forever.

WILLIAM MATTHEWS.

Letter to Peter Yarnall.

York, 11th mo. 29th, 1789.

Beloved friend,-Although it has been a very sickly time in general, and many elderly people have