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I have mentioned, and many others, I got the better of my foolish passion, though I could not blot his memory from my mind. I then had a young man come a courting in Honiton A market town in East Devon, known for its lace making., whose name was John Thomas; and though he was a man of fortune, the thoughts of the other drew my heart from love; but by strong persuasions of my friends I indulged his company for a little time, and faithfully told him, he might think, as my Father was a farmer he would give me a fortune, but I would not deceive him, for he could give me none. His answer was—"money, my dear, I do not want; I have money enough for you and myself too: I have fifty pounds a year, which my Uncle left me; I have money out at use, which my Father gave me, which I will call in, if you will be married, and place you in a shop before my time is out; for I had rather have you without a farthing, than any other woman with five hundred pounds." His generous offer made me indulge his company a little while, though I could not feel in my heart to love him; and I reasoned with him the folly of his wishing to be married till his time was out, as he was an apprentice to a serge maker a person who makes serge, a durable and heavy wool fabric. After that my Mother died, which made me dead to the world: and the Sunday, I went in to hear the minister; (Mr. Brown had asked me to go and hear Mr. Stevens of Axminster A town in Devon famous for its carpets..) His text was—Blessed are they that weep, for they shall be comforted. I thought he preached his sermon all to me; but the hymn struck deep upon me—

I ask'd them how they thither came?
They with united breath
Ascribed the Conquest to the Lamb;
Their Victory to his death.
They mark'd the footsteps that he trod,
His zeal inspired their breasts;
And following their incarnate God,
Possess'd the promised rest.

With these hymns, and the sermon, my heart was filled with nothing but heaven, or a strong desire