Memoirs of the life and travels...of Sarah Stephenson

Preface

THE editor of the following memoirs had nearly concluded to present them to the reader without any preface ; but two reasons operate to induce him to prefix one» One is the v/ish of a dear and very intimate friend of the deceased^ who knew her better than most persons when she was here ; and who feels a few hints, respecting her and her memoirs, somewhat incumbent on her to give, now Sarah Stephenson is removed, and the memoirs about to be made public. The other motive is to give also a few hints of the editor's share in the compilation. To begin with the first, and chiefly in the words of the friend.

It seems desirable tliat the following accounts, left by Sarah Stephenson, of her life and religious engagements, by showing the sufficiency of that grace, by which she was what she was, may tend to the encouragement of others to walk by the same rule, and to mind the same thing [namely the inward revelation of the divine will.] Conducive to this is that waiting on the Most High, to which be-

4 PREFACE.

longs the promise of a renewal of strength, of running without weariness, of walking without being faint ; which was much the experience of this beloved friend. And though many and deep were the baptisms, on her own, and others' account, in order that Truth might be exalted in the earth ; yet the sweet, and frequent enjoyment of divine peace was her abundant reward.

May the perusal of these memoirs so affect the youth, into whose hands they may fall, with the love and admiration of virtue, heavenly virtue, Christian virtue, as to raise a heart-felt petition, similar to that w^hich Sarah herself, when a child, was engaged to put up, when she was reading the lives, and happy conclusions of the faithful. ' Often,' said she, ' have I been led to make a pause, and crave of my heavenly Father, Be thou pleased to make me like unto these thy servants, whatever my sufferings in this life may be. If thou wilt be with me in the way that I go, give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, thou shalt be my God, and I will serve thee.' Thus making and keeping covenant in early life, she witnessed the declaration to be fulfilled, " Godliness is profitable to all things, ^' having the promise of the life that now is, and of ^^ that which is to come." Frequently in the decline of life, when engaged to speak of the goodness of Israel's ShepTierd, she had encouragingly to testify that he had not only, graciously fed and

FREFAGE* 5

clad her ; but had been with her, all her life ; and she earnestly desired that others, for themselves, might taste and see that the Lord is good.

As many of those to whom she has expressed this desire, will, probably, peruse her fragments, and thereby afresh recollect her labours of gospel love towards them, it may be profitable for such to examine whether, and how far, the designed purpose has been answered, as it respects each of them, individually ; — whether, unhappily, the visitation of heavenly kindness, extended through her, hath been only as a morning cloud, and as the early dew, that goeth away; — or whether it has been abode under so duly, as that an account of it, and of other favours, may be finally given up with joj^ and thankfulness to the Giver of every good, and perfect gift.

As to the other part, these memoirs were left in detached pieces ^ and consequently, though each might be lively, and therefore valuable, they did not form a satisfactory whole. This deficiency is attempted to be supplied by private information, by searching the records of meetings, and by other means, and the editor has sometimes taken the liberty of a little varying the phrase of the parts, where the narration runs in the first person ; and now and then of supplying a few Avords. The names of the place of abode of persons incidently mentioned arc

6 PREFACE.

of this sort, as every where are the words inserted between brackets. These few hints the editor has thought due to simple literal truth, sometimes too much overlooked ; he desires to join his fellowprefacer in her wishes for the religious usefulness of the book ; and he inclines to acknowledge the pleasantness of the task of transcribing and revising ; which though an inferior, seem a necessarypart of the promotion of the cause of Truth, by means of books.

8th of the First Month, 180r.

CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS.

CHAP. I. Events iji 1738 — 1767

Her birth — early preservation and visitation — removed to Worcester— visit of E. Ashbridge and S. Worral — removed to the Isle of Man — ^her exercises there — returns to England — decease of her father — settles a while at Lancaster — first appears in the ministry at Worcester — Welch yearly meeting — settles in Wiltshire.

Visits Cumberland — Western counties — first engaged in a family visit — goes to the men's meeting at Lavington — exercises, and relief, with reflections — death of a young child, a relation — account of meetings in Wiltshire.

CHAP. III. 1772— irr9

Visit to Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, &c. — ^to Dorset, Hants, London, &c. — Dorset and- Somerset — Circular Meeting — London — family visit in Wilts — Devonshire and Cornwall — indisposition, and exercise — family visits in London— in Bristol^ — extract from a versified address.

Visits Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire — families at Sheffield — Ackworth School^ — ill at Leeds — visits families there, and at Lancaster — Thomas Gawthorp— ^Westmoreland, Cumberland and Scotland — families there — and at Newcastle, Shields and Sunderland — Mabel Wigham — visits Durham — families at Kendal — and a second time at Lancaster — Coalbrookdale and North Wales — a meeting in a grave-yard, Builth — ^three of her written memorandums.

Visits families at Worcester, and in her own Monthly Meeting— visits Ireland with Hannah Bevington — decease of Isaac Gray—meets with

CONTENTS.

Thomas Cash, John Pemberton, and Thomas Ross — various family visits, particularly at Cork.

Visits Hampshire, Kent, Surry, Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall — a written Soliloquy — ^visits the Northern and Midland counties — extract of a letter — visits families in Hants, Eastern, Northern, and Midland Counties — second family visit at Sheffield, and at Kendal — ^family visit at Birmingham.

Two memorandums — visits the North again — Ackworth School — Esther Tuke — Edmburgh —John Wigham — Glasgow, Cornwood, and Allandale — Meetings in Durham and Yorkshire — families at Whitby and Scarborough — York Quarterly Meeting — Deborah Townsend — families at Pickering and Hull, &c. — a third time at Lancaster — ^families at Liverpool — Esther Tuke near her close — families at Mansfield — Coalbrook-dale— Ann Summerland extract of a ktter — ^visits families in some Southern and Western counties — a visit to part of the

10 CONTENTS.

Eastern and southern counties — families at Norwich — at Lynn, and Yarmouth— -at Colchester.

Two experiences — -journey to Wales — extract of a letter — ^yearly meeting — three memorandums — visits Ireland again — her letter relative to that subject — short account of the journey — letter from Cork — from Castlebank — from Rathfriland — extracts from others — an experience — paper found without date.

CHAP. IXo

Visit to America — Letters — ^leaves home — embarks — the voyage — New York — family visit there — ^yellow fever — Long Island — various services — quits New York — journey to Philadelphia — family visit in Pine-Street Meeting — laid up — goes to Germantown — ^soon returns to the city — confined to the chamber — visit of Mehetabel Jenkins — state of mind, and expressions near the close — Her decease — abstract of a testimony, &:c. — conclusion.

An Abstract of the Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of Wiltshire.

Chap. I

Her birth — early preservation and visitation — removed to Worcester — visit of Eo Ashbridge and S. Worral — removed to the Isie of Man — her exercises there — returns to England — decease of her father — settles a while at Lancaster ^-^first appears in the ministry at Worcester. — - Welch yearly meeting — settles in Wiltshire.

SARAH STEPHENSON, some of the occurrences of whose life are related in the following pages, was born at Whitehaven, in Cumberland, in the year 1738. Her parents were Daniel and Sarah Stephenson, of whom she was the elder daughter. Her mother was the daughter of Joseph Storrs, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Of events which were her lot in her childhood and youth, of her conflicts and consolations, and her preservation from harm and evil, at those stages of life, the subsequent account is nearly in her own words.

^ The remembrance of the great love and tender care, of the Shepherd of Israel, who sleepeth not by day, nor slumbereth by night, over me, from my infant days to the present time, is cause of deep admiration, reverence, and abasement of soul.

* When I was about six years of age, I had a narrow escape of being burned to death, by falling on the fire when no one else was in the room. My throat was so much burned that the surgeon said, that if I had lain a little longer, the fire would have reached the wind-pipe. This preservation, a^ also another, by which my soul was signally rescued from the jaws of the devourer, in very early life, I attribute only to Him, who hath, in the course of my pilgrimage, succoured me in many deep and proving seasons ; and hath borne up my head hs above the mighty waters, even when the waves have risen so high as to appear likely to overwhelm me. O, my soul, may est thou never be unmindful of the Lord's unutterable goodness; but walk humbly and reverently before him ; who is abundant in mercy, and great loving kindness !

* It may not be improper to mention, that my father carried on a very considerable business in the mercantile way, and had gained much property. This, and living in what is called a genteel stile, and being introduced into company of high rank wlien very young, so pleased my natural disposition, that I began to take steps in the paths of .vanity. But, whilst I was thus pursuing with eagerness, what are called by some innocent diversions, the -Good Shepherd, who seeketh after those that are gone astray, looked down upon^ne in love, and so enamoured my soul with his beauty, that I loved to be alone with him. O, how sweet was his presence ! But this lasted not long ; for the enemy painted the glory of this delusive world in such pleasing colours, that 1 too much forsook the Prince of Peace, and proceeded still a little farther in the paths of vanity.

' My father, as I have mentioned, was trading largely ; and he so extended his bu-

B siness that he could not himself have the oversight of it. This was attended with losses, and many disappointments ; and at length occasioned the separation of the family. My uncle, William Storrs, of Chesterfield, took me to Worcester, to my mother's sister Hannah, who w^as married to Samuel Corbyn of that place : and there, being afrrsh favoured with a precious visitation, I was mercifully previled on to xylose in with it.

^ After I had been in that city a few months, those worthy servants of the Lord, Elizabeth Ashbridge and Sarah Worral, from America, came to my uncle's house, and, I think, staid some days. During this time, one evening, Elizabeth, in a very weighty manner, addressed me in the Iangliage of unspeakable love : remarking also> * What a pity that child should have a rib- ' bon on her head.' Her words were piercing, and deeply affected my mind. I do not know that I closed my eyes to sleep that night ; and in the morning, not daring to put on my ribbon, I came down without ito Yet 1 had many fears, expecting to be censured by one of the family, as having left it off to get the favour of the friends : and from this unjust ground, the enemy caused many seasons of sorrow. This was cona.- ing a little to the gate of stripping, which work went gradually forward ; but great were my trials, both from within and without. Indeed my conflicts were so great, that I might say, ^* I ate my bread with '^ mourning, and mingled my drink with ♦Vtears;'' — ^but then, O, what precious meetings I had at times ! my spirit was so broken j that Fcould scarcely contain myself. Here were also divers weighty valuable friends, whose near sympathy with me was great, and was a comfort to me. It likewise pleased divine wisdom, while I remained at Worcester, to permit me to be attacked with a slow fever,which reduced me to such ^ state of weakness, that it seemed not unlikely I might sink under it. But that did not prove to be the design of unerring wisdom ; but rather to make it preparatory to fresh exercise, and trial of faith. In this time of great weakness and reduction of will, my mind was sweetly supported, and, at seasons, favoured with the overshadowing of divine love : under which my soul did humbly and thankfully rejoice.

* When I was a little recovered from this illness, a trial of a close nature was my portion, I received a letter from my father, who, in a pressing manner, requested my going home to live with my dear parents, whom I had not seen for seven years. For in my absence, they had removed, together with my sister and my youngest brother, to Douglas, in the Isle of Man : at which place m ere no others of our society, and the inhabitants were much strangers to it. Great were the struggles and fears that attended my poor mind, and prayer was begotten that, by obeying my natural parent, I might not offend my heavenly Father, who had so richly visited my soul. But the Lord was pleased so to open my way, that it appeared right to go; yet O, the fears that covered my mind, lest I should bring a reproach on the truth. My humble cries were put up unto him for preservation ;

and he was mercifully pleased to hear, and measurably to ^mswer, my petitions. In this humbled state I left Worcester, being favoured with the love and sympathy of many worthy friends in it and in the neigh* bourhood^ Catherine Pay ton, who then lived at Dudley, was one, who wrote a sweet consolatory letter to a friend, which was given to me to peruse : in which she said, ^ If she must go, let her take some Friends' ^ books with her; and may she be preserv-

* ed, like Lot in Sodom, a preacher of

* righteousness.'

* I went on horseback to Liverpool, where I was kindPf received by an agent of my father, to whom he had written to procure me a passage; and his wife, being a tender spirited religious woman, was like a mother to me. She was not of our society. I staid at Liverpool about two weeks before I could get a conveyance, in which time many friends took kind notice of me, and I contracted a near affection for some of them. I believe their minds were drawn in true love -to me ; and, being grounded, I trust, B 2 on that foundation that is not to be shaken, it has stood many years, and, I hope, will remain. But this favour was the great Master's kindness, for which, with multiplied mercies, vouchsafed to me, a poor worm, may my soul reverently and devotedly follow him.

* I went on board one of the packets, with my mind humbly turned to the great Preserver of men, whose ways are in the deep, and beheld in the mighty waters ; but, though it was quiet, I was soon sick and went to bed, the sea being rough and the vessel leaky ; and in the night there was such a storm, that it seemed likely we should be lost. The poor seamen were in great confusion, and I in the cabin alone, not expecting to see the light of another day. But O, the unutterable love of Christ, who, in this time of great danger was pleased to be near, and he kept my mind in a sweet calm, so that had he been pleased to permit the sea to be my grave, that night, I believe my spirit would have been mercifully received into everlasting rest. O my soul, mayst thou never be anmindful of his manifold mercies and deliverances, and walk in fear and humble obedience all the remainder of thy days^ that when the close approaches, thou may St be ready to enter, with the glorious bridegroom, into the marriage chamber.

' The storm abating, we w^ere favoured to arrive, the next day, at our intended port ; where I was received by my near relations with affection ; but my new situation opened new trials. Here I was as one alone, and viewed myself like a sparrow upon the house-top, a pelican in the wilderness, or an owl in the desart. O, the many exercises that I passed through ! the Lord only know^s them; but my prayers being strong to him for preservation, he was pleased to hear my cry, and at seasons to feed and comfort my needy soul. I found my safety to depend on keeping much inward, and not mixing with the people ; though some of the gcnteeler sort showed me marks of respect, and invited me to their houses ; but I dedined going, for their company was burthensome to lire. I used to walk in the fields alone, save my dog, who was my* constant companion. O, I can feelingly sympathize with honest minds, who are remotely siiiiated and placed as alone : and I wish also to encourage them singly and steadily to lean upon, and trust in, the God of Israel, who will not leave or forsake his poor wrestling seed ; but will work deliverance for them, in the way that is best.

* Hearing that two women were come to the island, who were said to be Quakers, I went to see them, in hopes of having in them companions in the right way ; but, to my painful disappointment, I found them playing at cards : so I visited them no more*

' Though many were the trials, yet I had^ and have, cause to believe that my going to the island was right. One of these trials, which came very near to me, was this. My dear father, whom I tenderly loved, and who loved me much, requested me to do something which I felt was opposite to the cross of Christ; and there were present at the time one or two of those called gentlemen ; but, not daring to offend the precious Witness, I declined the compliance, though it was a great trial to offend my dear father. None but those alike circumstanced can tell how great is the trial in such a case. My dear parent was so displeased that I should disobey him, that it was a considerable time before he was reconciled. I endeavoured by watchful attention and obedience, to evince from what the refusal arose; and after a time his love not only returned, but I think was greater than before ; sa what abundant cause there is to trust in the Lord Jehovah, who has a right to be loved, honoured, and obeyed above alL

^ When I had been on the island about a year and a half, nry dear mother one day asked me if I should like to go and see my friends in England that summer. I then made but little answer to her kind offer; but, being deeply humbled and very desirous to be rightly directed, a great fear came over my mind, lest, by being gratified in what was so very desirable, the company of valuable friends, I should be going away from that

22 MEMOIRS OP

sufFering, which possibly, was my proper allotment; and so, instead of being strengthened and comforted, should suffer loss. In this deeply tried state I remained several days ; for thus, in wisdom it pleased my heavenly Father to prove me, whether I would move without his counsel or not. I supplicated on the bended knees of my mind, and sometimes of my body also; and he, in his own time,, was pleased to break in upon my soul, and utter the language. Go, and I will be with thee. Then, O, the reverent thanksgiving that flowed from my poor suppliant spirit ! It may be best conceived by those who have trodden a like path. I believed with my w^hole heart, and can say that all the promises of Adorable Goodness are indeed Yea and Amen for ever !

' After being thus favoured, I informed my dear parents, that as they were so kind as to propose my having the pleasure of visiting my friends, I should be glad to accept of it. My dear father then went with me to a vessel which was ready to sail for Liverpool ; and putting me under the care of a captain of another ship who was a passenger, we parted, and I never saw my dear parent more : for he died before I returned. Had I gone without sensibly feeling the approbation of the Redeemer of mankind, I think the trial would have been much greater than it was, though it was indeed a close one.

' I arrived at Liverpool, and was kindly received by my friends, ami thence went to the Northern Yearly Meeting held that year, (namely, 1762) at Bolton, in company with William Rathbone, and his sister.

* There was Catherine Pay ton, also Samuel Fothergill, and others of the Lord's faithful servants, many of whom were affectionately kind to me. From Bolton I went to Chesterfield and to Worcester, and into Wiltshire. After having visited my relations in these places, I returned into the North, to Lancaster, where I had a letter informing me that my dear father was ill, and I set off in hopes of seeing him, but he was dead and buried before I could reach home : which was not a small trial ; but in this I have had to trace deep and hidden wisdom.

24 MEMOIRS Olf

' Now, to return a little to my first goinghome, I had cause to beHeve it was in right ordering, and that it was of some use to my dear sister, who was quite in the gaiety of the voild ; though there was no evident effect till after my father's decease. The winter coming on, we concluded to remain on the island till spring, and ♦'hen we all removed to Liverpool. My youngest brother, who was, I think abor.t ten or eleven years old, was sent to school ; my srister, after a fevr months, went to Birmingham ; and my mother and I were left. After a while, my mother inclined to give up housekeeping, and to have an apartment in the house of a valuable friend. When she was settled there, much to her own satisfaction, I went to Lancaster, to my cousin William Dillworth, who had written to request that I would come to be as one of his own children. Indeed he was a most tender father, and his daughters as my own sisters. The families also of my cousins Thomas Dillworth and John Bradford, were such families of love, that they also seemed like so many fathers and mothers to me.

* I may now mention that while I was at Liverpool 1 had a prospect of the awful service of the ministry ; and after being a while at Lancaster, my cousin John Bradford had a sense of it, and mentioned it in a private opportunity. But, oh, I saw myself such a poor creature, and the work so awfully great, that I did not give up to it during the two years I was there, nor until sore trials made me willing ; though I was once so near obeying the heavenly call, that my hand was put x)n the seat before me, to help myself up upon my feet. But O, the fears which kept me back, and the bitter cups which they occasioned. I believe they would never have been my portion, had I simply followed Hii!h who had been my support in many seasons of deep distress, and my sweet comforter in the day of trouble.

^ During this exercise, a further trial attended me. I received information from Liverpool that my dear mother was so very poorly, that it was needful for me to come

C speedily to her, I hastened thither accordingly, though it was pinching to me to leave my dear relations at .Lancaster, and, finding her very unwell, I istaid with her a considerable time ; and as her complaints rather increased, my mind was deeply exercised beyond what I can well express. About this time we received a letter from our relations in Wiltshire, inviting iis to go there, and hoping a journey might be of service. As my mother was willing to try, we set out and got to Worcester, where we made a little stay. Here my gracious Lord and lawgiver was pleased to lay a concern weightily upon me, to enter on that great work of the ministry ;. and in one of the meetings, in which were two valuable ministers, who had something very weighty to drop, and who had a sense of my state, the power of Truth was such, that I dared no longer to delay ; and in awful fear stood up, having these expressions given to me, " Cry aloud, Spare ^' not. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, *' and show my people their transgressions, ^^and the house of Jacob their sins.'' I

^\^s then sweetly comforted, and, being favoured with the unity of the Lord's faithful servants, it was very strengthening to my poor doubting mind.

* After staying a week or two at Worcester, my dear mother gradually getting better, we set out for Wilts, and after remaining a few weeks there, I left my mother finely recovered at my uncle John Fry's, and went to see my relations in Bri^itol. Here, as well as when in Wiltshire, I was at times en-^ gaged to appear in a short testimony, which seemed acceptable to Friends, and the solid part took a kind notice of mc. Dear William Fry (of Bristol) was an encouraging father in the truth. While at Bristol, my mind was deeply engaged under a sense of duty, to attend the Welch Yearly Meeting, to be held at Builth (in Brecknockshire, the 5th of the 5th month, 1767.) Being young, and knowing of no friends going thither, I was much sunk ; but on making my state of mind known to one or two friends, my way, as to the outw. rd, was made easy. Catherine Pay ton, Rachel Wilson, and divers

Others who were there, were as nursing mothers to me ; but what was above all, was the presence of my dear Redeemer, enabling me to do what little service he was pleased to require: with which, I had cause to believe Friends had good unity. This was cause of humble thankfulness to the God of my life, who remains to regard the dust of Zion, and to satisfy her poor with bread, O my soul, mayst thou ever fear, and walk reverently before Him who is the dread of nations.

' I returned pretty directly from this meeting to Bristol, with the reward of sweet peace for this little service. After staying there some months, I had a letter from my uncle John Fry, requesting I would come to Sutten where he resided, my cousin Kathcrine (his daughter) being likely to be married. I did so ; and she was married a little time after (viz. the 2d of the lOth month, 1767) to Edward JefFerys, of Whitley, near Melksham, a steady valuable friend ; and I went with my cousin to her new habitation.'

SARAH STEPHENSOK. 2&

CHAP. 11.

Visits Cumberland — Western counties — first engaged in a family visit — goes to the men's meeting at Lavington — exercises, and relief, with reflections — death- of a young child, a relation — account of meetings in Wiltshire..

IT appears by the foregoing relation^ that Sarah Stephenson first appeared as a public minister in Worcester in the year 1767, and, by a comparison of dates^ in the 29th year of her age. She was then a member of the Monthly Meeting of Hardshaw, in Lancashire, of which Liverpool meeting forms a part ; but she was recommended the same year, by a certificate of removal, with her mother, to the Monthly Meeting of Chippingham in Wiltshire, in the compass of which was Sutton Benger, the residence, as has been said, of her uncle John Fry. Gf this Monthly Meeting she had nat been long a member, before she applied for its concurrence in a service which lay before her. This was doubtless her first applica^ tion of the kind, and the Meeting, adverting to what may be called the infancy of her mini^^try, certified that she had lately appeared in a short but lively testimony ; that she was in good unity with it ; and that her life and conversation corresponded with her appearance and profession. The cer- ^ tificate, which was granted in the third Month, 1768, was addressed to Friends of Worcester, or elsewhere, yet she has not left an account of her visit to them ; but only thus relates the other part of her errand, nearly in the following words :