HARASSED BY THE SOVEREIGN.

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in the Baptist Chapel to a crowded meeting. After I closed my address, a person came into the vestry, and invited me to abide with him, at the same time promising to send me forward the next day to East Dereham. I was soon seated with others in his four-wheeled chaise ; and, after a journey of two or three miles, arrived at his residence, where I received all necessary refreshment, and retired.

Next morning, as was usual, I thought of the sovereign, and had much exercise of mind concerning the propriety of receiving it; feeling, on the one hand, too much tenderness for my brethren to return it, whilst, on the other, the thought of keeping it, aided by the recollection of my very limited means, (£4 15s.) had such an alluring effect upon my inclination, that I felt as if dissevered from that unbending principle of truth, which the mind's eye sees with admiration, whilst the heart, acknowledging its insufficiency to adopt, shrinks behind the veil of Christ, and cries for help. Such was the subject of my meditation; but my supplication was for right direction.

I attended at breakfast, where amongst others, I met a Baptist minister. He had been at my lecture in Foulsham, and was thoroughly convinced that all war offensive or defensive was anti-christian ;-he and his congregation had built a chapel in Essex, where he preached without any remuneration; and he was now travelling in order to solicit subscriptions toward the liquidation of the debt. Whilst my soul admired the energy of this individual, and pitied the poor disciples who were unable to pay for their place of worship, where their conscientious scruples, however nonessential, could be punctiliously observed, I remembered the sovereign-the slave without an owner now in my possession. I cannot find words to explain how sensibly I felt

86 DISPENSES WITH THE SERVICE OF THE SOVEREIGN.

the voice in my heart, “Give him the money, and thus can faith be testified, and the possibility of offending the donor avoided." I accordingly did so, after having explained the whole circumstance, lest he should consider the gift as from me, instead of from the Lord of Hosts, who saith, "the silver is mine, and the gold is mine." I thankfully complied with this requisition, and with a conscience liberated from a heavy burden, I felt freedom in writing an answer to my friend the Independent minister of Fakenham, acquainting him with the state of my mind, as regarded the receipt of the sovereign which he was deputed to send me, and the step I had taken to relieve it.

The chaise now at the door, I took leave; and, although my purse was very light, I was thankful to find my heart was light also. I left my friend, who thus, according to arrangement, sent me on to East Dereham, where a public conveyance passed daily; and when, on reflecting on the details of my journey, I remembered how I had been provided with horses and vehicles all the way from Lynn, although I had not so much money in my pocket, as would have hired them, I could not help feeling triumphant in Christ, whilst, with melody in my heart, I exclaimed, “Surely the cattle on a thousand hills are mine, and I have made use of as many as I required for my labour."

I was received very kindly by the Independent minister of East Dereham, and after the lecture, abode with one of his congregation. Next day, I received, from the Independent and Baptist ministers, very satisfactory approvals of the principle advocated, and proceeded once more by a public conveyance to Norwich. On my arrival, I called on my dear friend, J. A, the Independent minister, who kindly invited me to take up my abode at his house, whilst I re

THE AUTHOR'S INHERITANCE.

87

mained in this city. over, and we were a little composed, he remarked, that when he last saw me, I had detailed many interesting occurrences of my life,* in which the Lord's hand had so graciously been extended to help me, and in continuation said:

After the first salutations were

"As we all know that, at that period, you had nothing in this world to depend on, but your agency to the Labourers' Friend Society; and as by your bills, we learn, that you are not now the agent of any society, nevertheless observe that " no collection" is in large letters stamped upon them, may I ask, how your expenses are paid?"

'Do you not know that I have received an inheritance?' "Is it in heaven or on earth" (with great amazement). "In both.'

"I am thankful:-I know you will make a good use of it:-instead of 'no collection,' I only wonder that, under such circumstances, you do not pay the people for their attendance."

I remained in this city over the Sabbath, and received very great attention from many of my former acquaintances; one of whom, J. B, being as he said deputed by others, asked me :

"How are your expenses paid?"

'Dear friend, you know that if I did not consider silence on this subject, as likely to be beneficial hereafter to the minds of my brethren, I would not withhold the information; and, as this persuasion prevents the explanation of my

* "The Doctrine of Particular Providence" was not published until after this date, otherwise he would not have been ignorant of my situation.

88

ARRIVED AT HOME WITH A SUFFICIENCY.

reasons for thinking so, I trust you will kindly refrain from pressing the question.'

"I am rather perplexed, as to what answer I shall give our friends [after pausing a little :] I shall say that you are well provided for."

Indeed I am, dear friend! my heavenly Father will never let me want, as long as I am found in the path of duty.'

Thus did I get away from Norwich without suffering any account of the apparent scanty state of my finances (£4. 10s. being now the whole amount of my earthly possession) to escape my lips, not only for the reason above given, but that I might be sure, that such supplies as I should receive, came not merely from the sympathies of men, but from the unerring Father of Spirits.

I had still 100 miles to travel, and, on the way, to lecture at Bury, Saffron Walden, Bishops Stortford, and Epping. All this I performed with the usual providential care attending my path; and having received a gift of £5 at Saffron Walden, I arrived in London, on seventh month, 4th, with only £8 in my pocket. I had indeed enough for my own wants, for I was thankfully impressed with the conviction, that when more should be required, the Lord would provide. "Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof."

Edwin confined as if a Maniac, 89;-Discovered in Papa Stour, 90;-His earnest entreaty to be Rescued, 91;-He becomes a Consistent Disciple, 92;-Author's exercise of Mind when called to aid him, 93;-Determines to release him, 94;-Declines all human authority, 95;-Cause of Edwin's banishment to Papa, 96 ;-His journey to Papa, 97;-The impracticability of his Escape, 98;-His Imprisonment instrumental to his Conversion, 99;—Righteous Judgment, 100.

I RETURNED home on sixth day, the 3rd of seventh month, with but £8 in my pocket, and, shortly after, was invited to dine with a friend in London. On this occasion, he informed me that the Hon. Edwin had been confined as a maniac, in one of the remote islands of the Shetlands for 25 years; nevertheless it had been discovered by a female traveller who lately visited the island, that he was then perfectly sane. I replied, that my wife had informed me of the circumstance, about three days ago, but I concluded that some person had imposed upon her; and, being still incredulous that such an outrage should be so long unredressed within the limits of the British empire. I earnestly asked him "Do you also believe it ?" He assured me that he did; then taking me to another room, introduced me to M. W- the very female referred to. She was habited like a quaker, but professed to be of the methodist denomination. On being requested to give me the par