On first day, the 21st of 9th month, we attended Horsham meeting, which was very large. Strength was afforded me to communicate to the people, and open many gospel truths, to the relief of my own mind, and, I trust, to the general satisfaction, comfort and instruction of the assembly, which was composed of various denominations of professed Christians, besides Friends.
Second and third days. We attended meetings at Upper Dublin and North Wales. In both of these meetings the heavenly Father’s power and presence were felt to preside, in an eminent degree, breaking down and reducing by its blessed influence all opposing and contrary spirits, and covering the assemblies with a precious solemnity, especially the latter, in which, truth reigned triumphantly over all.
On fourth day we had an appointed meeting in a village called Norristown. It was held in their court-house, there being only a few scattered members of our society living in the place. The meeting was pretty large, principally of people of other professions; among whom was the chief judge, and several lawyers and priests. All were quiet, and through the condescending goodness of the Shepherd of Israel, it was, I trust and believe, to most present, a very instructive and precious season.
Fifth and sixth days. We were at Friends’ meetings as they came in course, at Plymouth and Providence. Notice having been given of our coming, they were much enlarged by the attendance of the neighbours who were not members. These were precious opportunities, in which help was afforded to preach the gospel of life and salvation to the people, accompanied with a power which broke down and subjected all to its blessed influence; for which unmerited favour, the hearts of the faithful were made to rejoice, and in deep humiliation, to return thanksgiving and praise to the benevolent and gracious Author of all our blessings.
On seventh day we rested at Charlestown. On first day attended the meeting at that place, which was large, many more attending than the house could contain. The three following days we attended meetings at the Valley, Pikeland, and Nantmill. These were all precious meetings, in which the Lord’s presence and power were manifested for our help.
On fifth day we proceeded to Columbia, a town situated on the east side of the river Susquehannah. We had an appointed meeting there the next day, in which truth prevailed; nevertheless, a hireling priest who attended the meeting, afterwards made some objection to the doctrine delivered, as it counteracted his traditional belief concerning the atonement, the carnal ordinances of water baptism, and the outward bread and wine, and preaching for hire, and the scriptures being the only rule of faith and practice; the fallacy and inutility of all which had been laid open and exposed. This roused his opposition; and indeed, it is not to be wondered at, as it goes to overthrow all their craft, by which they have their wealth.
We proceeded from thence to Little York, and rested on seventh day. On first day, attended Friends’ meeting there. It was a pretty large, favoured meeting, but not feeling my mind fully clear, I proposed another meeting in the evening; and, notice being given accordingly, it was very large, more than the house could contain. It was a blessed meeting, in which the Lord’s presence and power were manifested, and truth raised into dominion over all.
The four following days, we had meetings at Newbury, Warrington, Huntington and Menallen. In these opportunities my mind was much engaged to turn the attention of the people from man, and from all dependance on any thing without them, to the inward principle of divine light and truth, the great gospel minister; which, as it is heeded and obeyed, leadeth into all truth, and out of all errour; and without whose teaching, the true and saving knowledge of God and Christ, which only brings eternal life to the soul, can never be obtained, although we may be favoured to sit under the most powerful gospel ministry, through the instrumentality of man, however divinely qualified to that end, from youth to old age. For all that the best outward instrumental help, either from reading the scriptures, or hearing the gospel preached in the clear demonstration of the spirit, can do for any man, is only to point to, and lead the minds of the children of men home to this divine inward principle, manifested in their own hearts and minds.