This Document is on The Quaker Writings Home Page.
Dear and worthy friend - since thy kind favour, I have had a letter from my friend James
Backhouse, giving account of thy being pretty well in health, but very lame; also of thy dear
wife's happy change from a state of painful affliction to the undoubted enjoyment of everlasting
joy and perfect felicity with the pure angelic host, to which she certainly did belong, being truly
prepared to join that number in endless praises to the Sanctifier. Her clothing was dear and
white; her soul meade perfect through manifold sufferings without and without, still following the
Lamb, her light and leader, in patience and resignation, through all the tribulations attending her
pilgrimage. My soul hath always had true unity and fellowship with her, and now is my joy full on
her account. I am thankful to hear (?) that both thou and Ann were enabled to bear the separation
in such a cheerful and Christian manner, as indeed well you might, not only from the sense of her
advantage, but also of your own cleanness in doing your utmost duty to her with great affection
even all your life long, which will doubtless remain to be your peace; and yet for all that, there
may be some low and lonesome sinking times witnessed, which is often my case respecting the
unalterable removal of some that were near and dear to me. But, dear James, let us endeavour to
hold on in patience and contentment, without weariness, to our end, for we cannot expect it to
be long till their case will be also ours as to this world,and I hope in eternity, where my eye is
daily looking. Though this may in some sense be both proper and profitable, yet I sometimes fear
it is too much my case, as having too great a desire to be there, not being content to wait the
appointed time as I should be; but looking out at being left behind most of my near and dear
friends and former intimates, am ready to wonder I should be so long in fitting to join them in
that undefiled rest they are entered into, and not seeing much service I am of in in staying, unless
on my own account. Yet I can say I am as much devoted to do everything that I think my Master
bids me as ever. I felt the strong cords of his drawing to Penrith (?) Yearly Meeting, else I
should not have gone, I do believe; and He that drew me was with me in strength every way, and
brought me safe home in peace. I am comforted to remember the near love that there abounded
amongst us one to another, that though the public service did not lay much upon the brethren at
that time, they did not seem to envy us at all; but to encourage. I believe they were very sensible
the stream of the gospel went in the channel truth ordered it; for we heart afterwards that the
great objection of the people there and thereabouts was against women's preaching, which after
that meeting seemed quite removed. I note thy kind amen to the advance of the women, but it is
the advance of truth, by male and female, that both thou and poor me chiefly desire. Oh! may the
sweet comforts of the Holy Spirit be thy companion day and night, and strengthen thee with
might in the inward man, that thy last days may be thy best, is the sincere desire of thy assured
steady friend,
L.L.