First day, the 2d of 2d month, 1817. I was largely led forth in our meeting to-day, on the different dispensations communicated to man by his gracious Creator, in order for his recovery out of the fall, and pointing out to the people the difference between the law state and that of the gospel: showing that the former was a mere figure or prelude to the latter, and that the first, with all its elementary rituals, ceased where the latter begun; the first only affecting the body, the latter principally the soul; the first only the shadow of good things, the latter the substance of all good to man; by which he is altogether redeemed from sin and death, as he submits willingly and fully to the power of the gospel, and is thereby prepared for an inheritance in eternal life.

In the course of this week, besides giving the necessary attention to my temporal affairs, I made several friendly visits to the families of some particular friends, in company with my wife and daughter Elizabeth. Although I met with some occurrences, one in particular, which produced considerable exercise on my mind, yet I had satisfaction in the visits; believing that when they are properly made, they often prove mutually comfortable and encouraging. Sat our meeting on fifth day in silence.

First day, the 9th. Had a silent meeting to-day. This week afforded occasion of deep inward exercise, and seasons of heart-searching, in a view of the manifest declension of many among us from that honest simplicity and faithfulness which so eminently characterized our worthy predecessors, as also the increase of vanity and immorality among the people without; and which I fear may have been increased by the want of faithfulness among us, in the right and full support of our Christian testimonies.

First day, the 16th. Soon after I took my seat in our meeting to-day, my mind was quickened and led into a sympathetic feeling with the state of Elijah, when he fled from the wrath and persecution of Ahab and Jezebel, and when under great discouragement and dismay he bemoaned his condition; saying, that they had pulled down the Lord’s altars, slain his servants, and he only was left and they sought his life; but the Lord told him for his encouragement, that there were seven thousand yet left in Israel, who had not bowed their knee to the image of Baal. But these no doubt were so scattered and dispersed among the people, that Elijah could scarcely find one to whom he might open his mind, and therefore felt himself as one alone. This no doubt is the lot of some of the Lord’s most faithful servants in the present day, and was it not for the same divine help and succour that Elijah experienced, some of these at times would be altogether cast down and discouraged.

The subject spread and enlarged, and opened to a field of doctrine; wherein I was led to show to the people that the mystery of iniquity had wrought in and under every dispensation of God to the Church through its varied transformations, and always resembling as much as may be, an angel of light; by which it lies in wait to deceive, and has generally deceived, and still deceives, the greater part of the people of all the nations under heaven; setting up its post by God’s post, and leading its votaries to perform their worship and works just like the Lord’s servants, with only this difference, that it is done in a way and time of their own heart’s devising. But the Lord’s children are all taught of the Lord, and they are made to know it; for in righteousness they are established, and great is the peace of these children; and there is no peace to the wicked, to such as walk in their own wills, and in the way of their own heart’s devising.

On fifth day of this week, was our monthly meeting, at which we had the company of a Friend in the ministry from one of our upper quarterly meetings. He preached the truth to us in a pretty correct manner; but I thought I never saw, with greater clearness than at this time, that ministers might preach the literal truth, and yet not preach the real gospel: and herein is witnessed the truth of that saying of the apostle, that “the letter,” however true, “killeth;” “but the spirit,” and the spirit only, “giveth life.” And it is a great thing when ministers keep in remembrance that necessary caution of the divine Master, not to premeditate what they shall say; but carefully to wait in the nothingness and emptiness of self, that what they speak may be only what the Holy Spirit speaketh in them; then will they not only speak the truth, but the truth, accompanied with power, and thereby profit the hearers.

First day, 23d. A silent meeting to-day. Nothing transpired in the course of this week, which required particular notice. Sat our meeting on fifth day in silence.

First day, the 2d of 3d month. Having felt my mind for several weeks past drawn to visit Bethpage meeting, I rode thither to-day in company with my wife. It was rather a low dull time, but as I continued in the patience, a small prospect opened on the excellency of justice, and the right bringing up of children. It led to a communication instructive and edifying, for which I was made thankful.

First day, the 9th. This day as I sat in our meeting, my mind was led to view the exalted and precious state those enjoyed, who were brought by their faithfulness to witness in themselves the fulfilment of the first and great commandment, that of loving God above all; as they would thereby likewise know the fulfilment of the second, that of loving their neighbour as themselves. As the subject spread on my mind I believed it right to express it to the assembly, which brought a precious solemnity over the meeting, and, I trust, it was an instructive season to some present.

This week principally spent in the care of my temporal concerns and in lending assistance to the needy, and in the course of which my mind was often attended with comforting ejaculations after this manner. “The Lord is my strength and my song, the lifter up of mine head and my salvation; therefore I will not fear what man can do unto me. He leadeth me about and instructeth me, and preserveth me from the snare of the fowler, and from the strife of tongues.”