On fifth day our monthly meeting was held. It was a season of exercise, occasioned by a case of difficulty being improperly introduced into the meeting.
I saw clearly the meeting could not get along with it in its present form, as it had taken ground which was not tenable. It was therefore agreed to dismiss the subject for the present, and let it be taken up anew, unless on a further investigation by the overseers, it should be settled.
How necessary it is for those who take an active part in the discipline of the Church, to wait for a right qualification, and not to put a hand to the work until they are rightly called and furnished, with that wisdom which is profitable to direct; for otherwise, instead of advancing the cause of righteousness, they may retard its progress, and do harm to themselves, like Uzza of old, when he put forth an unsanctified hand to steady the ark.
I opened in this meeting to my friends, a prospect I had of paying a religious visit to some of the neighbouring inhabitants not in membership with us, within the borders of our quarterly meeting; with which the meeting united, and left me at liberty to pursue the prospect as way might open for it.
The rest of this week was spent in the care of my necessary temporal concerns, and the week ended with peace of mind and a thankful heart, for the continued blessings of a gracious Providence.
First day, the 18th. Our meeting to-day was favoured, and the power of truth exalted, and the gospel preached in its own authority, and a precious solemnity spread over the meeting, which ended in thanksgiving for the mercy, and solemn supplication for the continuance of divine regard.
In the course of this week our quarterly meeting was held at Westbury. It was a favoured season, particularly the last day or closing meeting for public worship, in which the Lord’s presence and power were manifested in an eminent degree, and truth was exalted and a precious solemnity spread over the assembly, convicting, contriting, and comforting many hearts; to the praise of Him who is calling us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
First day, the 25th. A silent meeting on my part to-day. How comfortable it is to sit silently under the shadow of our own vine and our own fig-tree, where none can make afraid.
Second day. I attended the funeral of my eldest and last surviving brother. I am now the last and only survivor of six brethren, and am myself arrived nearly to the age of three score and ten; therefore cannot expect many more days, as I continually feel time making its ravages on the animal system, and which, as a faithful herald, exclaims repeatedly to the inward ear, “prepare to die.” There was a large promiscuous collection of people of different societies attended the funeral. I was largely led forth among them to declare the way of life and salvation, and to open many very important doctrines of the Christian religion. The assembly were generally very quiet and attentive, and, I believe, to many, it was a season of solid instruction and edification. I left them with peace of mind and a thankful heart.
I attended our fifth day meeting as usual, and mostly in silence. On sixth day I attended the funeral of a person not in membership. It was principally made up of the poorer kind of people, who made little or no profession of religion, except a few Friends and some of the Methodist society. I was deeply baptized into a feeling of their weak state, in which I was led to communicate according to their capacity to receive; which brought a comfortable solemnity over the assembly to their general satisfaction, and I felt peace in my labour of love among them.