One morning, when she came to talk with my father's children, she said to the eldest of them, "Aby, you must be a good boy, pray to God, and repent of your fins." He answered, "But how muft I repent of my fins, Nancy?" She faid, "You must be forry for what you have done, and do so no more; but however good you might be, if Jesus Christ had not come into the world, and died for you, you could not go to heaven." She would frequently ask her mother and me fuch questions, about the Fall of man, his recovery, through the Redeemer ; death, judgment, heaven, and hell; as were truly astonishing. Indeed, she was wife far above her years.

Last New-year's-day, at the renewing of the Covenant, in Hull, the glory of the Lord filled the Chapel. In reading the Covenant, I was obliged frequently to ftop, and the whole congregation (confifting of at least a thousand perfons) were absorbed in tears. I believe that season will not foon be forgotten. After the meeting was over, my dear child came to me weeping; I asked her, " Nancy, why do you weep?" She then raised her hand gently to her heart, and faid, "It is what I feel there, father, it is there." She had been renewing her Covenant with the Lord, in the best manner fhe could; and he had increased his holy fear, and heavenly love in her heart.

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For many months we obferved an inexpreffible sweetness, and ferenity about her. In the latter end of Auguft, and the beginning of September, she began to be poorly in her stomach, which foon terminated in a fever. Whilft fhe was ill, I asked her, "Nancy, whether would you rather die, and go to heaven, or stay with your father and mother ?" She answered, "Juft as God pleafes." Another time, when her mother faid, my dear your head is very bad; fhe replied, "Yes, mother, but you know my sufferings are nothing when compared with the fufferings of Jefus Chrift; whofe hands and feet were nailed to the cross, and he was fcourged for me."

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One day, when her mother was weeping by her bed-side, she faid, "Do not weep for me, mother, for if I die, I shall go to heaven, and you will follow me."

She fpake but feldom, the complaint having brought her very low. But I obferved her frequently lifting up her little hands and eyes to heaven, and her lips moving in earnest prayer. She had a fevere conflict with death, for a confiderable time. The Doctor came when she was in fore agonies, and faid, fhe might remain in that fituation for feveral hours. When we heard that, it was too much for our feelings; we faw her fufferings were inexpreffible, therefore we applied to the throne of grace, befeeching the Lord (if it pleafed him) to release her from her mifery, and to take her to himself; we had no fooner prayed, but he heard and answered us, and her happy spirit took its flight to Jefus, whom her foul loved! The laft words fhe was heard to utter, were, "Gracious Lord! Gracious Lord!"

My wife and I feel the ftroke very feverely, efpecially as fhe was our only child, having buried a lovely boy, fomewhat more than a year ago. But however nature may mourn, we dare not, we will not repine, because it is the will of our infinitely wife and loving Father.

It is certainly a fevere trial, to refign two lovely blooming creatures, fprung from our loins, to the gloomy recesses of corruption: after having been dandled upon our knees, and united to our affections by a thoufand ties of tendernefs. To have thefe torn from our bofoms, and configned to the tomb, muft doubtlefs be like a dagger in our hearts. I prefume, religion was never defigned to deftroy our feelings: Jefus wept for his friend Lazarus. But I have no doubt, that genuine chriflianity will refine, and regulate our paffions. When I think of my precious children, I fuppofe the Supreme difpofer of all events forefaw fome inevitable fnare of temptation forming, or fome dreadful ftorm of adverfity impending; therefore we will not be diflatisfied with that kind hand, which houfed

housed our pleasant plants, and moved into fhelter our tender flowers, before the lightenings flew; before the tempeft poured its rage. They are now fafely lodged, where ftorms fhall beat, and winter pierce no more, but one unbounded fpring for ever, ever bloom: even in his prefence, where there is fulness of joy, and at whofe right-hand there are pleasures for evermore. I am, honoured and dear Sir, your most affectionate, and obedient fon and fervant,

December 1, 1790.

WILLIAM SIMPSON.

An Account of the Revival at BLIDWORTH near No TTINGHAM, in a Letter to the Rev. J. WESLEY.

[By Mr. John Moon.]

Rev. and very dear Sir,

HAV

AVING received an account of the revival of the work of God at Blidworth, from a friend there, I thought it proper to give you early intelligence of it.

"After the preaching on Sunday evening, September 13, 1790, fome friends ftayed to pray with two women, who were in great diftrefs. While they were engaged in prayer, a young man began to cry for mercy, as from the depth of hell, and foon after, his younger brother. The cries of the diftreffed were very affecting. The two women fainted beneath their load. A few friends continued in the chapel with them till ten o'clock, and then accompanied them home. One of the young men was fet at liberty about half paft eleven, and the other at a quarter past twelve o'clock. We believe their conviction began partly, on hearing of their brother's converfion at Nottingham. We had fuch an out-pouring of the fpirit, that there was fcarce a foul unaffected. Some of the believers were so happy in God, that they could fca ely contain themfelves.

"On Monday night, September 14, a few friends met at a houfe to praise God for the bleffing beftowed upon them the night before. While one was at prayer, a woman was uncommonly affected, and remained in the greateft diftrefs imaginable, till between one and two o'clock; when the Lord fet her foul at liberty. Another received the bleffing as she went home and another the fame night.

"On Tuesday night we had a prayer-meeting: and it was a bleffed time indeed. Many believers were fo overwhelmed with the love of God, that they had fcarce the ufe of their bodily powers. Wednesday, a boy, fifteen years of age, was brought into the liberty of the fons of God.

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On Sunday morning, September 20, one of the Local Preachers preached on, He became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich; when one man roared out for the difquiétude of his foul. In the evening Mr. A. preached an alarming difcourfe, on They made light of it. When the preaching was ended, fome friends stayed in the Chapel to pray with two or three that were greatly distressed: in a short time fix more cried out from a feeling sense of their having finnedagainst God. They continued in prayer with them for fome hours; during which time, one young man found peace. On Monday a young woman could praife God, having found redemption in the blood of Chrift; and was happy beyond expression and on Wednesday, another man could testify that God, for Chrift's fake, had forgiven him all his fins. At the fame time also another young man found reft to his soul, who had been in great distress four days. He cried out in the most dreadful manner: fometimes he thought he faw hell, and the devil ready to drag him into it; while his groans were enough to pierce the hardeft heart. But he can now rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

"On Friday, a boy could praife God and fing redeeming love. He came at firft, to mock; but was foon ftruck to the heart; and found no reft, till he found peace through believing. Sun

day

day 27, was a blessed day to many fouls. On Monday morning, a woman found Chrift, to the joy of her foul and at night a man was fet at liberty, with the application of thefe words, Thy fins which were many, are all forgiven thee. He ftood amazed, and wondered; when that text was applied to his mind, The wind bloweth where it lifteth, and thou heareft the found thereof, but canft not tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth: fo is every one who is born of the fpirit. But he is now more happy than can be expreft.

"On Monday October 11, at a prayer-meeting, a woman was in deep diftrefs; but in a little time the Lord fet her foul at liberty; when the got up and publickly declared what God had done for her. Two women and two or three boys now began to cry out for the difquietude of their fouls. The cries of the diftreft became fo great, that the voice of those who prayed could no longer be heard. It was a moft awful place. Two of the boys appeared as in the agonies of death; and a woman in as great a ftruggle for fanctification. We continued in prayer with them till between eleven and twelve o'clock, when one of the boys appeared as dead for fome time; but foon after the Lord fet his foul at liberty, and he could praise God for redemption in Jefus Chrift. The next morning another lad was made a partaker of the same blessing. During the time of the people's distress, one young man went out to mock; but soon asked to be admitted again. After he entered the Chapel he was fo ftruck, that he was conftrained to cry out, and acknowledge before God and the people his wicked intention, and how the Lord had convinced him of his error."

This, Sir, is a brief account of the late work of God amongst us. I trust it will go on, and that we shall have an intereft in your prayers. I am, Rev. Sir, your dutiful fon and fervant in the gospel,