She said a good deal which so struck home to my feelings, that I have not been so deeply reached in the same manner since dear Sarah Lamley visited families at Barnsley. (Letter to his brother.)

In the Third Month he found it to be his duty to attend some meetings of Friends in going and returning from the Quarterly Meeting at Leeds.  In his diary of the 14th of the Third Month he speaks of making the necessary application to the Monthly Meeting for its sanction, and, in that and some succeeding entries, records his feelings on the occasion, and the help which he received by the way.

This was new work to me; how I was humbled before I could be made willing to mention my concern to my friends! which was done in such a faltering manner that I believe many sympathized with me.  When I had received the meeting’s approbation, I was thoughtful how I should get most conveniently on my way.  After our meeting I received a letter from dear S.S., saying that he had felt a prayer raised in his heart, that I might be helped in my undertaking by Him from whom best help comes, and that he was most easy to propose accompanying me on my way in his gig.  A very agreeable companion he proved to be, and for this little act of dedication he shall not lose his reward.

I left home on First day, the 25th, for Newton, over the Fells.  There fell much rain the day before, which swelled the waters so that my wife and I became very thoughtful how I should get over the river to Newton, over which there is no bridge.  I thought that should I be favored to get over safe and dry I would take it as a sign for good in the journey; and so it was in mercy granted; for when I came to the water-side, I met a man on horseback who let me ride his horse over.  This was in a wild part of the country, with not a house near.  Simple as this may appear to some, I could not but acknowledge in it a providence for which I was thankful.

At Newton, where I expected to meet only three or four, more assembled than the larger end of the house would hold.  I was met by dear D.W. from Stockton; I could not but think we looked like two poor striplings before a great army.  I should have sunk under my fears, had I not been enabled to get down to that Power which can bear up above the fear of man.

In the afternoon I went to Thornton, and sat down with the family.  This was a precious season, and it felt doubly so from our having been on the barren mountains, both literally and spiritually.

I went next morning, accompanied by D.W., to Lothersdale.  This was also a good meeting:  I had reason to believe the God whom I was endeavoring to serve had answered my prayer in sending his angel before to prepare the way; I seemed almost borne off my feet by the power of Divine love.