First day, the 3d of 8th month. My mind was brought under exercise in our meeting to-day, in a view of the great want of diligent attention to the light within, or that measure of the spirit given to every one of God’s rational creatures to profit withal; even those who were so far convinced as to acknowledge its excellence, yet were almost daily neglecting its reproofs, and turning aside from its teachings; by which their understandings became darkened, and they were left in a dwarfish unstable condition, without any solid ground of hope. The subject spread, and my mind was led into a large arousing testimony, setting forth the danger of such a state, and the fatal consequences that would naturally and certainly follow such delinquency if continued in. Truth prevailed, and many minds were sensibly bowed and affected by its power, and a very general solemnity spread over the meeting, to the praise of Him who is calling all his faithful and obedient children out of darkness into his marvellous light. The rest of the week spent as usual without occasion for any remark.
First day, the 10th. A peaceful quiet meeting to-day in silent waiting. The rest of the week, except attending our meeting for sufferings and preparative meeting on fifth day, was taken up in my outward business; with a steady view to my religious engagement, that with all readiness I might be prepared to embark therein when the full time arrived.
First day, the 17th. A silent meeting. This week was taken up preparatory to my journey. Attended our monthly meeting on fifth day, and feeling my mind drawn towards an opportunity with the people of colour before I left home, I mentioned it to the meeting; and with the unity of Friends, a meeting was appointed for them on the following first day at the fourth hour in the afternoon. I also gave Friends of Bethpage meeting information, that I felt my mind drawn to sit with them in their meeting the next first day, and left them at liberty to inform their neighbours thereof.
First day, the 24th. Agreeably to my prospect I attended Bethpage meeting in the forenoon. It was large, and I think, greatly favoured with the overshadowing wing of divine kindness. Truth rose into dominion, and bowed the assembly by the prevalence of its power, for which my spirit was made deeply thankful.
The meeting for the coloured people was held at the fourth hour, and I was enabled to clear my mind among them, although it was a season of hard labour. After this I felt my mind clear to set forward on my intended journey.
Fourth day, the 27th of 8th month. I left home in the afternoon in order to accomplish my contemplated visit to Friends and others, in some parts of the yearly meetings of Philadelphia and Baltimore. My son-in-law Valentine Hicks, accompanied me in the journey. Feeling my mind drawn to attend the meeting of Friends at Flushing the next day, we rode there and lodged. Notice being given in the neighbourhood of my intention to be there, the meeting was large, and the Lord graciously manifested himself to be near, and enabled me to discharge myself faithfully among them under the feeling influence of gospel love. Many hearts were contrited and truth appeared in dominion over all, for which favour I was made reverently thankful, not only on my own account and the account of those present, but especially so on account of my dear family and friends at home, who gave me up with great reluctance on account of my present bodily indisposition, being under the pressure of a heavy cold and very hard cough, which, in their apprehensions, rendered me unable to travel in so arduous a service until I might be recovered therefrom. But the time appearing to be come for my setting out, and the way appearing open, I considered it safest to cast my care wholly upon Him in faith, who, I believed, had called me to the work; and that as I continued to go forward, as he was graciously pleased to open the way and make it clear before me, all would be well, whether it terminated in life or in death.
The next day, being the sixth of the week, we had an appointed meeting in Friends’ meeting-house, at the Kilns, in Newtown. The meeting there, had been discontinued for a number of years, and now there was but one member of our society left in the neighbourhood. There was, however, a considerable number of people of other persuasions collected; and the Lord graciously condescended to enable me to preach the gospel among them, and to open divers doctrines of the Christian religion, suited to their several conditions, in the demonstration of truth, for their consideration and instruction. The people were very solemn and quiet; and, I hope, the labour will not prove in vain, but be to some of them, as bread cast upon the waters, gathered after many days. We rode, after this meeting, to New-York, and rested on seventh day.
First day, the 31st. We attended Pearl-street meeting in the morning, and that at Liberty-street, in the afternoon. They were both full meetings; and, although I was still under considerable bodily indisposition, yet, through condescending goodness, I was strengthened to discharge myself faithfully in both opportunities, and felt peace in my labours of love among them; being led in each meeting to declare largely of the things concerning the kingdom of God, and to point out to the people, in a clear manner, the way to peace and salvation.
On second day afternoon, we proceeded on our journey to Newark, a town in New Jersey, where we attended a meeting at the fourth hour, previous notice having been given in the town, of our coming. I had had several meetings there before; but this was larger than usual for the place. There is no member of our society residing in the town; the inhabitants being principally of the Presbyterian order. All was quiet, and a general solemnity spread over the meeting; and truth and its testimony were raised into dominion. Surely, it is the Lord’s doing, and my spirit was made gratefully thankful for the unmerited favour.
The next day we attended a meeting appointed for us in Elizabethtown. Here, likewise, there is no member of our society. The meeting was small, yet through condescending goodness it proved, I trust, a comfortable instructive season to some present; and I parted with them in peace of mind, the sure reward of faithfulness.