several asked William about the visitation of the woman in 1814, which he answering they marvelled, and said, "You are a different kind of people to what we have heard reported of you."

On Tuesday, the 24th, they proceeded for Ilfracomb, on the packet, and met with much opposition from a Presbyterian minister.

On the 25th he preached in the open air, at Ilfracomb, and was much opposed; from thence he moved homewards..

CHAPTER V.

The progress of his Mission among the Believers in the Visitations of Joanna Southcott and George

Turner.

SOME time after John Wroe was first visited by visions, it was revealed to him that Joanna Southcott and George Turner were the real characters which their writings represented them to be, for he had her transfigured before him in the open firmament, in the day-time, with the child on her left arm. This he asserts he discerned as plainly as ever he saw any object, and yet he did not join in society with them, thinking he was to join the Jews.

On the 8th of August, 1820, he was invited to an interview with George Turner, then at Bradford. When George told him he ought not to speak of his visions in the presence of that society, the visitation to him (George Turner) exclusively being to lead and direct the Lord's children to his kingdom on earth; and added, "I would not hear you." John answered he knew that, and therefore did not wish the society to receive them, they being exclusively for the public, on which G. T. left the room, but afterwards returned and shook hands with him in a very friendly manner.

On going home it was revealed to John Wroe by the Spirit, that G. T. was not the man that would lead the Lord's children till the establishment of his kingdom; he would be taken away by death previous to that period, the believers having thought more of him than they ought. Yet he was not informed at that time that he was to be G. T's. successor.

Papers from Joseph Wroe, of Little Horton.

IN the following month, John Wroe attended a meeting of the society of George Turner, on a Wed

nesday evening, at Bradford, and the service being concluded, he requested permission to speak a few words among them, which after some opposition was granted him. The society was then awaiting the appearance of the promised Shiloh, on the 14th of the 10th month of that year.

John said, "You are looking for great things; you are expecting Shiloh to appear, and be amongst you on a certain day, but I tell you he will not, and many of the believers will fall off, not merely one or two in a society, but whole societies will fall away; yet I do not doubt that the visitation to George Turner is of God; and as a testimony of which I will give my name amongst you;" which he did, yet did not do it by way of joining the society.

Papers from Joseph Wroe, Samuel Muff, and William Muff.

ON Sunday evening, the 25th of 8th month, 1822, as John Wroe sat leaning against the wall, at a meeting of the aforesaid society, he was for some time, before and after the conclusion, apparently dead, but on recovering he said he had received words which would go to the ends of the earth. He had seen the angel who had attended him before, who said to him, "God will put his Spirit upon thee, to deliver his people, and will set thee as a stumblingblock before his people, where the serpent hath sown his seed, and will send thee to various places to try their faith."

Only two persons believed his visitation; and the rest, in general, greatly opposed him: he consequently did not enjoy the liberty of speaking in their meetings till shortly after, when the greater part of the committee became convinced of his mission. Paper from William Muff.

any

AFTER this John informed the meeting that individual who was not convinced that his mission was

from God, might ask in prayer for the accomplishment of anything they might have on their minds, which might be a sign to them, and to repeat their petitions for three successive evenings, on which Dennis Jardeen, a tailor, residing in Market-street, Bradford, asked the recovery of his daughter, who was about the age of fourteen, and far advanced in a decline. The first and second mornings she was something better, and on the third she appeared quite restored, and continued in good health for about two years, when her father, losing his faith,

she died.

On the 8th of the 9th month, 1822, John Wroe, in company with some friends, attended Martha, wife of Samuel Muff, of Wibsey Bank-foot, who had not enjoyed one day's health for the last ten years, during which period she endured great bodily affliction. John having offered up prayer for her recovery, declared that it would take place from that very hour, which was the case.

Papers from William Muff.

ABOUT the same time he visited the society at Idle, on the subject of his mission, and met with opposition; but shortly after, by the direction of the Spirit, he sent a person to them with a message, requiring that their committee should hold a private meeting, and conclude either to receive or reject him as the Lord's standard, to lead and direct them.

Samuel Walker, the bearer of the message, also received from John a sealed letter, which was directed not to be opened until they had formed their decision. It stated the conclusion to which they would come, which was that they would receive him.

When the committee had retired for consultation on the subject, the messenger, in conformity with his instructions, called a person into a separate apartment, to whom he committed the care of the aforesaid letter, and at the same time made him acquainted

with its contents. On the committee returning from the room to which they had retired, and before they gave their answer to John's message, the sealed letter was delivered to them; they read it, and were highly satisfied, and declared it to express their decision, which was to receive John, and acknowledge his mission.Samuel Walker.

About the same time he visited the society of George Turner, at Almondbury, near Huddersfield, where he also preached to the public.

William Midgeley, one of that society, gave him some abusive language on account of alleged inaccuracies in his speech. John, in reply, said, "William, thou ought not to behave to me in this manner, I have enough to bear without it." Midgeley nevertheless continued, and again abused him at William Farrand's, at Thorpe.

The next morning John was at Thomas Brook's, at Mold Green, where he met Thomas Mort, another of the society, to whom he made the following declaration: "Now Thomas, I give thee a sign from the Lord: Thou heard how this man abused me yesterday, for doing which he will suffer both in body and soul. And thou seest the state he is in in unbelief, yet he will join the visitation, and go to America."

Thomas soon after called on Midgeley, and told him John Wroe had given him a sign, that though he (Midgeley) was so full of unbelief and bitter opposition, yet he would come forth, and go to America, Midgeley answered, "I was going to say that is impossible, but with God all things are possible; but such a change must take place in me as does not at present appear possible.'

A few weeks after, Thomas, hearing that he was unwell, paid him another visit, and asked him how he was, in reply to which, he (Midgeley) said he was very poorly, and without a speedy change he could not long survive. He added, "Now, Thomas, thou