Some account of the life and religious experience of Mary Alexander, late of Needham Market

Front matter

Some account of the life ar religious experience of

SOME 7

ACCOUNT ^^^"^

Preface

IN publishing this account of a dearly beloved sister, there is not a great deal, as Editor, to perform, more than to write a fair transcript of her own remarks ; till the last few months of her life. This period does not appear to be recorded by herself; and the omission is easily accounted for. She died whilst from home on a religious visit; and, having a retentive memory, it seems to have been her practice, sometimes, to commit to writing the events of a journey, after her return home.

The Editor has thought he could not better supply tire defect in her own narrative, than by A 2 iy PREFACE.

giving some information respecting her last exercising labours, and by adding an account of the closing scene.

In making an additioii to the valuablx!- Journals which already exist, it may not he improper to say, that a peculiar interest is naturally felt, in the biographical narrations of those with -whom we have been acquainted. Where the writer has held forth, by uniform conduct, the impressive language of, '^ follow me as I have followed Christ," this interest is doubly excited; and has also a powerful tendency to animate survivors, in the work of righteousnes and salvation.

W. A\

Digitized by the Internet Arclnive in 2015

CHAPTER I. From lier birth to the 8th Month, 1789

Remarks by tlie Editor, including a Testimony concern' ing her motlier. — Her inducement for writing these Memoirs. — A remarkable occurrence at 10 years of age. — Her first impression respecting a gift in the ministry.— On reading the scriptures, plays, and romances.— The death of her father — sister in law — and a near friend. — Further exercise respecting the minis- ^'^y— Page 11—23

CHAPTER H,

Sicr situation after appearing in the ministry. — Visit lo a friend. — Acknowledged as a minister— Visit to families at Woodbridge and Ipswich. — Norwich quarter] v meeting.— Deep exercises of mind. — Becclcs monthly meeting.— Bury monthly meeting. — Woodbridge- monthly meeting— ^ , , p<,„e 30— S9

CONTENTS,

CHAPTER III. 1st Month, 1794, to the 10th Month, 1795

Visits Norwich, &c.— Decease of an individunl at Needham. — Wilham Bleckley's decease. — Burial of Mary Crowley. — Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire — Lincolnshire, and York quarterly meeting —

CHAPTER IV. 22d of 11th Month, 1795, to the 8th of 2d Month, 17-96. -A meeting at Walton. — Debenham.-— Writes to a friend imprisoned on account of tithes — . . Page. 5 1 — 55

CHAPTER V. gth Month, 1796, to the 3d Month, 1798; Her brother William's marriage, &c.— Visits some meetings in company with Sarah Harrison and Sarah Birkbeck. — Deep cuutiict of mind — Visit to the Principality of Wales, 6cc. — Yearly meeting at Welchpool.~ Coalbrook Dale. — Left her sister Ann at London yearly meeting — Joined her again at Pluistow. — Visits Her*- fordsliire, &c. — Macclestield quarterly meeting. — Wrexham in Wales. — Actoi.ni of their visit to the Princip ility. — Meiksham— is ill tiiere. — (ioes to Ciren- €es;er, and returns home.— A dream. — Settles in her new habitation—. Pagt 56—74

Contents.

vji

CHAPTER VI.

5th Month, 1798, to the 11th Month, 1800.

Xondon yearly rnceting.— Sundry meetings in Suffolk.— Endures a very trying dispensation.— Visits Tivetsliall monthly meeting, &c. — Joins Elizabeth Coggeshall in visiting sundry places in Norfolk, Suffolk, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottidghamahire, and Yorkshire.— Returns home— . ...... Page 16—97

CHAPTER Vir. 12th Month, 1800, to the 9th Month, 1802. Concern for the youth, &c. — Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire.— Religious prospects. — Visit to Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire quarterly meetings, &c. — Returns home. — Visits sundry villages in her own county. — Burial of Isaac Brigbtwen. — Decease of .

CHAPTER Vni. 12th Month, 1802, to the 7th Month, 1804. A season of withdrawing and trial. — Hitchen.— Visit to friends' families, &c. in Suffolk. — London yearly meeting.— Her sister Ann's visit to America. — Refleciions. — Renewal of a religious prospect alluded to in 1801 — - Cast before the monthly meeting. — Remark on her feeluigs upon such occasions— . . Page 116 — 132

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

Sd of Sth Monti), 1804, to the 1st of 1st Month, 1805.

Sets out on the visit to Scotland, &c. — Bury. — Littleport, — Chntteiis. — Derby. — Cockermouth. — Parton. — Isle of Man. — Whitehaven. — Dissington. — Cockermoutli. Maryport. — Cockermouth quarterly meeting. — Grey- » Soutlien. — Edinburgh— Dundee — Kinmuck — Baihalgardy — Old Meldrum— Aberdeen — Stontliaveii — Montrose— Dundee — Perth — Glasgow — Edinburgh monthly meeting. — Newcastle — Shields — Darlington, &c. — York. — Welbourn. — Northampton quarterly meeting. Chatteris. — Returns home — . . Fage 133 — iOS-

CHAPTER X.

1st Month, 1805, to the 9th Month, 180G.

E. Gibson's burial, and that of another individual.— Her sister Ann "returns her ces-tificates — Quarterly meeting.— Accompanies William Forster, jijn. — Quarterly meeting — Earith — . . . j . Page 167 — 173.

CHAPTER XI.

3d of 12th Month, 1806, to tlit Btli of 4th Month, 1807.

Reflections on a prospect of visiting London and Middlesex quarterly meeting. — T()tte)iliam. — Plaistow. — Tottenham. — Southgate. — Grace-Church-Street monthly meeting. — Colchester — .... Fagc 174 — ISr

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII.

^Ist of rth Month, 1808, to the 27th of 8th Month, 1809.

Parts with her nephews W. II. and J. Alexander — with her sister Ann and brother WilHam. — Visit lo heads of families in lier own monthly meeting.— York. — Returns home through Lincohisliire —

Supplement by the Editor, CJontaiuing some account of her last journey, also of her illness and decease — J'")?e 191 — 208

Account nf books published by Wm. Alexander —

SOME ACCOUNT

OF THE

UFE AND RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

OF

MJRY ALEXANDER.