PREFACE.

THE following pages contain Extracts of Letters written by three 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 hind's feet, and setteth me on high places."

Some lines concerning a younger sister are added at the conclusion of this volume.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS,

&c.

ELIZABETH, the eldest sister died of a consumption at Bristol Hot-Wells, in the early part 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, the 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Elizabeth went to Bristol Wells to visit an aunt, with whom she afterwards resided, who was a religious person and had withdrawn from gay life, and a conspicuous rank in which she was placed; as also from the established worship: she attended different Dissenting Meeting-Houses; to one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 those 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 words but in truth, a child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of God. When her family returned to, she desired she might remain at