CHAPTER VI.

Letters. The illness and decease of Richard Shackleton. Death of Elizabeth Shackleton.

R. S. TO HIS DAUGHTER G

"Ballitore, 21st of 1st Month, 1789.

"My mind is often humbled in deep thankfulness, on account of divers of you, my beloved children, who are not only preserved to walk in the truth, but called to bear testimony to it; and my earnest and affectionate desire is, that you may be faithful and obedient to the clear manifestations of duty, and of the divine requirings. This is what will render you comfortable and happy in yourselves, and be as a Goshen to you in the midst of Egyptian darkness: you will have light, cheering light, in your dwellings. But the contrary has a contrary effect: instead of the conscious answer of 'well done, good and faithful servant,' there will be a fearful looking for of judgment, divine favour will be withdrawn, and the spirit left solitary in a dry pit: nay, even the lawful gratifications of this life will lose their relish, the cup will be embittered; and the cross occurrences which fall out will cut with a keener edge, and the hurts and wounds made by them will be in danger of rankling and festering, instead of being presently healed. So may we all be mercifully preserved a family, a field, which the Lord hath blessed, and will graciously delight to

M

bless. A little time, and all will be over with us here: eternity and its prospects should be the object of our contemplation, and have all their due weight and influence with us. I sent thy message of love to our friend E. Pike. That wise lady's answer was: 'We accept thy daughter Grubb's love: she seems as a piece of myself.' Is not this multum in parvo?

"R. S."

R. S. TO HIS WIFE.

"Waterford, 19th of 5th Month, 1789.

"It is thirty-five years, this day, since a former beloved companion was translated from earth to heaven. The loss was grievous, and the outward prospect melancholy; but the great Controller of events, in the plenitude of his goodness, was pleased to make up that loss to me and mine, and to brighten that gloomy aspect of things, by adding thee, his precious gift, to my family. In thee we have found a wife, a mother, a daughter, a superintendant, a counsellor, helper, and friend; and I trust we are all thankfully sensible of the favour. I do seem at times as if home was not to be my constant place of residence, and as if the comforts of domestic life were folded up; so that I apprehend, at times, it is best for me to leave home, and be in the way of witnessing that some religious service goes forward. On these occasions I have ever found thee willing to encourage, release, expedite, and accommodate me to the best of thy power, which I gratefully acknowledge. * Thy children will, I doubt not, care for thee now in the decline of life; and I trust Almighty help and favour will be near for thy comfort and support. Remember me affectionately to our dear S. A petition was begot in my

heart for her this day in meeting, that she may be preserved in the training of Infinite Wisdom, and grow to be useful in the church of Christ, according to the extent of the designation of her gracious Master, whose she is, and whom I believe she serves acceptably. If she finds in her heart to write me a line, it will, doubtless, be acceptable; but I would not have her be uneasy if she does not, for I shall not be uneasy on that account. I wish her never to give to others that which is only for herself, nor to keep unprofitably and detrimentally to herself, what may be given to her for others. If it will be any encouragement or satisfaction to her, I can freely say I have near unity with her sweet effusions, and her deportment and conduct preaches loudly (I wish I could say effectually) to me.

"R. S."

FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.

"Hubberston, 23d of 5th Month, 1789.

"Now, my beloved companion and dearest friend, for thy satisfaction I may inform thee, that I have been quite satisfied in my mind with this excursion, which I have ventured to take, not rashly, but as seekingly and as feelingly as I well could; and I hope Divine Mercy has cleared the way for it, and will be near to preserve and support every

way.

"Along with innumerable favours heaped on my unworthy head, I am, I trust, thoroughly sensible of my own manifold weaknesses and insufficiency; and this sense, renewed and confirmed to me from time to time, is cause of deep thankfulness to me; for I love the low and tender and helpless state, in myself and others. This is what the eye of

blessed regard is graciously towards; this is the field which the Lord hath blessed and will bless. While I write thus, thou and our beloved S. are particularly in my thoughts, and I crave the help of your spirits, and your intercession on my behalf. I hope our beloved child is in sound health of body and mind; that she goes on, in public and private life, in simplicity and godly sincerity.

The believer, the true believer, whose hope and confidence is in the fresh supplies of everlasting strength, maketh not haste, but patiently waiteth for the former and the latter rain: the former to fructify, and bring to maturity the heavenly harvest; the latter to replenish and reward the fruitful soil, and prepare for another crop.

"R. S."

R. S. TO HIS DAUGHTER G

"Ballitore, 27th of 6th Month, 1789.

*** "I am glad thy honest Samuel was so well pleased with his excursion, [the Yearly Meeting in London.] He seemed to enjoy it. Thou mentionest his apparent increase of flesh, I trust he has also witnessed an increase of spirit in the course of his tour, by the opportunities of instruction and observation which he has had. We sometimes grow, I believe, and do not know that we grow; as we may decline, and not be immediately sensible of it. So it is said of Samson: 'He wist not that the Lord was departed from him.' Thy husband is possessed of that humility, simplicity, and integrity, which will not fail of making way for him; and as he diligently cultivates a renewal of inward strength, by frequent retirement, I doubt not his becoming, in time, a father in the church, as he is much a father in his own family. I am pleased to find he got well home. His bro

ther Robert and his suite getting home the same day, made it, as cousin S. said, like running a race. I wish you all to run legitimately, without emulation or justling, and all to receive the prize.

"This Clonmel is a wonderful place: it is an awful thing to live in it. There is such an assemblage of choice spirits, and such a necessity of each one being a good example to the others, lest any should improperly indulge themselves in another person's liberty. But, if it were even Paradise itself, so long as it is on earth, Satan will contrive to get into it, and, if possible, will defeat, deform, and defile; so let us watch and be sober.

"R. S."

R. S. TO S. R. G

"MY DEAR COUSIN,

66

Ballitore, 22d of 8th Month, 1789.

"I have been writing to some great folk, and dispatched my yearly epistle to thy mother. I now turn to one of the little ones, whom I am glad to be enabled to salute with renewed affection, and to whom I would, with all willingness, hand more than a cup of cold water, in the name of a disciple, if I had it to give. We are, very emphatically, called Friends; and friends we should be to one another, not sparing friendly advice and reproof, and taking a willing oversight of one another, as keepers of one another, and so profitably conjoined in harmonious labour. If then we should not withhold reproof and correction in proper season, why should we withhold encouragement, and the expression of strengthening unity? If I have any thing to write to thee at this time, my dear friend, it is in this line-the line of encouragement to hold on thy way.