After I went, she said, “This day shall I be with him in paradise. Within four and twenty hours I shall be with my Beloved.”
*She continued all night in the labour of love, making powerful supplication for all men. About three on Sunday morning she said, “It is finished.” All suffering even for others ceased from that moment, and she began the new song, which shall never end. Her whole employment now was the same with theirs, to whom she was come, the innumerable company of angels, the church of the first-born. She sang to the harpers harps, without any intermission, till two in the afternoon; even while they were giving her cordials, she sang. Her hope was full of immortality, her looks of heaven, till with smiles of triumph she resigned her spirit into the hands of her dear Redeemer. Death wanted all its pomp and circumstances of horror. She went away without an agony, or sigh, or groan. She only rested; and sweetly fell asleep in the arms of Jesus.
A LETTER to the Rev. Mr. JOHN WESLEY. By a GENTLEWOMAN.
_Laton-Stone_, November 8, 1764.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I HAVE never yet had an opportunity of fully laying before you, the reasons of my coming to reside at this place, and the nature of my employment here, which I will now take the liberty to do.
During my former abode among this people, they were often laid on my mind in prayer, and I was often greatly comforted, by an hope, that they would one day hear and receive the gospel.
Removing from these parts in February, 1761, those thoughts were taken from me, for a season: but after a year and an half, being providentially called to return hither, the same thoughts returned into my mind. Yet I could not easily consent to leave _London_, till I had, with my friend, laid it before the Lord; being fully persuaded, that if it was of God, he would make plain paths for our feet.
Soon after, many outward providences confirmed us, in our belief, that it was God’s appointment. His Spirit also shone clearer upon our souls, and convinced us, it was a cross which he called us to take up. One day in particular, when my friend and I were laying it before him in prayer, he condescended to assure her, that he would _not send us a warfare at our own charges_. I thought, _let not my Lord be angry, and I will ask_ yet one sign more. This was the settling of an affair, which seemed to man impossible. And it was settled within a few days. O God, who can stay thy hand?
But no sooner was my design mentioned to others, than it was vehemently opposed, one in particular charged me not to go, saying, “It was all a scheme of the devil.” Either that night, or the next, I dreamed I was at _Laton-Stone_, and a great number of all sorts of people about me. I was prest in spirit to speak to them; but being pained at the appearance of many gay ones among them, I said, in the anguish of my soul, “Lord, what do I here among this people?” Immediately I thought Jesus came down, and stood just before me. The brightness of his presence so overcame me, that there was no strength left in me. He said, “I will send you to a people, that are not a people; and I will go with you: bring them unto me. I will lay my hand upon them, and heal them: fear not; only believe.” He then disappeared, leaving me quite penetrated with his presence and his words. After having wept some time, I thought I told the people what the Lord had said. About half seemed serious and attentive, and desirous of being separated from the rest. I thought I was to find them a place to meet in: in order to which, I was obliged to walk over a floor no thicker than a wafer: however, I went over, and not a splinter gave way under my feet. Soon after I awoke with these words, “The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
Our fears were now removed, and on March 24, 1763, we came to this house, in obedience to what we believed the will of our heavenly Father. We came, trusting in him; and, blessed be God, we have not trusted him in vain.
From the first hour we found his presence with us, but did not see, for what end we were come. We therefore _stood still to see_ his _salvation_. Mean time we determined, to live by rule in every thing: and in order to supply the want of the public means, from which we were in great measure cut off, we agreed to spend an hour every evening, part in reading to the family, and part in private prayers. The first book we read was, “The Rebuke to Backsliders, and Spur to Loiterers.” And glory be to God, our meeting has hitherto never been in vain.