THE SINGLE SISTERS’ DIARY BOOK AT BEDFORD JANUARY 1st 1780

Our morning Blessing which was at 9 was owned with a melted feeling of our Saviour in our midst, and in particular during an earnest prayer of Sr Hendringen’s who presented both hers and our poor hearts’ petition before him and his dear Heavenly Father and the holy spirit, for fresh supplies of grace and Blessing in the ensuing Year, afterwards we had a lively and chearful Breakfast. At 5 in the Evening we enjoyed a very Blessed meeting with the rest of the Sisters in the Congregation and our Saviour drew very near our hearts whilst we prostrated ourselves before him.

[29] 2d. Sr Hendringen and Ellen Breakfasted in Mary Collins Room to celebrate Elizabeth Emerson’s Birthday. After Dinner Sr Hendringen kept the Overseers Class previous to the Sacrament. At 8 we enjoyed a very Blessed Communion. Frances Grigg a Sister was Candidate for the First time.

3d. At 3 in the afternoon Elizabeth Stone’s remains were interred in the Burying-Ground, a little before time the Sisters assembled in our Hall and sang the Hymn O Jerusalem above - City of the Blessed etc. and then we all followed her Corpse into the Chapel.

4th. Sr Hendringen and Ellen Breakfasted in S. Blagebrough’s Room, being Anna King’s Birthday, in the Afternoon our late Sr E. Stone’s class had a Lovefeast in remembrance of her. In the Evening Elizabeth Symonds came to live Servant to Mr Barham’s Family from Bristol.

6th We had our Liturgy in the Evening.

7th. Br Molter kept the Girls Choir-meeting in the Evening On the Text, Christ Jesus came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Eph: 2. 17. representing to them what a matter of Joy our Saviour’s condescension was to all them that believed in him. At the same time put the Question to them, whether it was so with them, and very cordially wished it might be more particularly [30] their case in this Year, to conclude he recommended them in a fervent prayer to our Saviour’s further Love and blessing, being their first opportunity in the Year.

8th. Sr Hendringen and Ellen Breakfasted in Sally White’s Room, those in the Room having provided a Litle lovefeast for Polly Tyson’s Birthday.