12 mo. 5, 1835.

During our long sojourn last spring, in and about my native city, my
spirit was deeply oppressed, nor did the conflicts endured appear to
produce much benefit either to myself or others. Here the way is more
open, and, although we also deeply feel the effects of the storm which has
been permitted to assail our little Society, we are more able to endure
it; and desire to abide in our tents, except when called upon to defend
that immediate teaching of the blessed Saviour, upon which we depend for
our little portion of daily bread. I can truly sympathise with thee, my
beloved Betsy, an having to bear more of the burden and heat of the day,
and I do fervently believe with thee, that the more, as individuals, we
commit and confide the cause to the Great Master, in humble prayer, the
sooner it will be extricated from the perplexities which now harass and
distress those who are truly devoted to it.

We have deeply to mourn for our endeared and highly valued E. Rowntree,
suddenly taken from us about ten days since. She and her sister R.S., from
Whitby, had spent the preceding evening with us; she was in usual health,
and sweetly cheerful, rejoicing that she had been enabled to assist dear
Sarah Squire in a family visit to Friends of this meeting, though she did
not sit with her in the families. I heard of her illness and hastened to
her; she appeared sensible but for a very few moments after having been
got to bed; yet was heard begging for patience under extreme agony; then
added, We had need live the life of the righteous, for it is an awful
thing to die. Then she suddenly sank into a slumber, and lay till a little
after nine at night, when her purified spirit was peacefully liberated.

We have got through Pontefract and some meetings in the neighborhood to
our comfort, and on the journey had an opportunity of sitting beside the
dying bed of dear Sarah Dent, which was indeed a peaceful scene. She was
perfectly sensible, and so animated that I could hardly give up hope of
her restoration. But she had not herself the least prospect of life, and
said that, although she had found it a hard struggle to give up her
husband and children, she had, through the mercy of her gracious Redeemer,
attained to perfect resignation. This was about a week before her death,
and we have heard since, that a little before the close, she said, The
Lord Jesus is near, I want you all to know that He is near indeed!

Dear Ann Priestm