PREFACE. THE following pages contain Extracts of Letters, &c., written by four sisters, the descendants of two ancient and honourable families, whose rank in life had placed them in the gay world, and furnished them with opportunities of participating in many of its more refined dissipations: but whilst young, and esteemed accomplished, they were strengthened to withdraw from these fascinating pleasures; the love of Christ having touched their hearts, the love of this world was thereby stained in their view: thus yielding obedience to Him who called them to glory and virtue, they had the eyes of their understandings enlightened to behold the superior excellency there is in the Truth, and were at seasons favoured to enjoy its enriching heavenly influence; and as they became further dedicated, could measurably say with the Psalmist, in the feeling language of the heart, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. For who is God, save the Lord; or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me on my high places." EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS, &c. ELIZABETH, the eldest sister, died of a consumption at Bristol Hot-Wells, in the summer of the year 1796, at about twenty-four years of age. She was educated in the communion of the Church of England; but not satisfied with it, she frequented some meetings of other christian societies, in the hope of finding that instruction and comfort her soul greatly desired. She was deprived of a very affectionate father at about the age of seventeen. A few years after, one of her sisters being ill in consequence of a hurt, was ordered to Bath, where her mother and three sisters accompanied her, and staid the winter. During this period Elizabeth went to Bristol Wells to visit an aunt, with whom she afterwards resided, who was a religious person and had withdrawn from gay life, and a conspicuous rank in which she was placed; as also from the established worship: she attended different Dissenting Meeting-houses; to one of these Eliza accompanied her, when these words reached the witness in her mind, "Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth," &c. At this time she wrote the first letter to her mother at Bath, and went thither herself after; when the sweetness of her countenance was remarkable; she seemed a changed creature, given up and united to Him, who in adorable mercy had not only convinced, but converted her. She was become, not through John's elementary Baptism of water, but by the one only effectual Baptism, that of the Holy Ghost and of fire; not in word but in truth, a child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven. When her family returned to Ireland, she desired she might remain at the Wells with her aunt, which seemed extraordinary, as a short separation was usually trying to her; but she expressed a fear of returning to her gay acquaintance, whilst in the infancy of religious experience, lest through weakness and instability she might be tried beyond her power of resistance, and so lose an immortal inheritance. As soon as her heart was convinced that her former dress was contrary to Gospel simplicity, she put away all the vain and superfluous parts of it, requesting she might never be pained by seeing them. She remained in England about two years, growing in grace and in favour with the Lord. A neglected cold fell on her lungs; her mother and sister Lucy hastened to her, and about two months after were witnesses to her close. A few days before |