Among the number of persons eminent for their usefulness and personal holiness, which the present generation has produced, he, a part of whose life is here related, may justly be considered as one; and his example is one, which in some respects may be said to have its peculiar excellencies. A circumstantial detail of such things as often find a place in this kind of writings, namely, family, childhood, education, stature, complexion, and a variety of common occurrences, is judged, as well tedious as foreign to the design of the work, which is to represent, principally what passed between God and his soul in the progress of his conversation and daily walking with God. And yet neither is intelligence of this sort wholly omitted; he has left a few particulars relative thereto, which will enable the reader to form some idea, as well of the former as latter part of his pilgrimage. His prayer was, ‘That this little book (meaning what is here called the _first part_, great part of which he wrote himself) may be made a blessing to all who shall read it; that the Lord Jesus may make it a means of kindling holy desire in their souls, and of stirring them up to the fear and love of God.’ PART the FIRST. CHAPTER I. _Of his birth and education._ THOMAS WALSH, was born in the year of our Lord 1730, at a place called _Bally Linn_, in the county, and within about ten miles of the city of _Limerick_ in _Ireland_. His father, _Edmund Walsh_, was by occupation a carpenter, a man of tolerable education, and strong natural understanding. His mother’s name was _Helena Nougham_, born of reputable parents. They were both members of, and entirely biggotted to the church of _Rome_. When about eight years old, he was put to school to learn English (his mother tongue was _Irish_.) Afterwards he went to school to one of his brothers (of whom he had several) by whom he was initiated into the _Latin_ tongue. Having acquired its rudiments in some tolerable degree, he went afterwards into the neighbouring county of _Clare_, with a design to be put apprentice, his friends intending him to be of his father’s trade. But God in his adorable providence and unsearchable wisdom, had, as the event shewed, other designs concerning him. Disappointed therefore in this he returned to school, and proceeded in his pursuit of learning; applying himself at present to the study of _Latin_, which he had but lately intermitted. After he had made some considerable progress in this, he applied himself to the study of some parts of the _mathematicks_, for which he thought he had a better genius than for languages. He soon acquired the knowledge of arithmetic, both vulgar and decimal, measuring superficies and solids, &c. And afterwards went to the city of _Limerick_ in order to perfect himself in writing.