Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks

by Elias Hicks

First day, the 26th. A silent meeting to-day. Passed this week in much poverty of spirit, accompanied with a peaceful mind. Sat our fifth day meeting in solemn silence.

First day, the 2d of 8th month. Feeling my mind disposed to sit with Friends in their meeting at Bethpage, I went thither to-day accompanied by my wife. Although my mind felt rather depressed from a sense of the low state of things among them, yet I was led to communicate some plain things; showing that true religion did not consist in going to meetings and making a profession of it, but in works of real righteousness, and in a strict and daily conformity and submission to the cross, and a steady obedience to the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, which only can set free from the law of sin and death.

Fifth day. A silent meeting on my part. The rest of the week I was taken up in temporal matters, having workmen of various kinds to overlook and assist, even at times to a degree of wearisomeness; insomuch that was it not from the calls of necessity and duty, I should endeavour to quit them all and be free from their cumber and interruption; as they do often interfere with better concerns, and those of a higher and more excellent nature.

First day, the 9th. A silent meeting.

Fifth day. Was our preparative meeting. Silence was my lot in the meeting for worship.

First day, the 16th. Our meeting was larger than usual by the attendance of strangers, who did not usually attend. Very soon after taking my seat, my mind was impressed with a view of the baneful tendency of pride, and its hurtful effects on the children of men universally. The prospect led to communication, and opened into a pretty full testimony, tendering and humbling many minds. May it fasten as a nail in a sure place, that so it may continue in remembrance for many days and bring forth fruit, is my fervent prayer.

Fifth day. Attended our monthly meeting. In the meeting for worship I renewed the example to silence.

First day, the 23d. In the course of our meeting, my mind was led into a view of the necessity of the cross, consistent with that saying of the lip of truth: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” The subject spread and led to the necessity of communication, in which the way and work, and its effect upon the man of sin or self, was opened; showing that when the cross is submitted to and borne, the transgressing nature in us is reduced and subjected by the operation of its power, through which true liberty is known, and the captive soul set free, and made to rejoice on the banks of deliverance.

Fifth day. Attended our meeting in silence. In the afternoon attended the funeral of a man inclined to Friends, at which there was a large collection of people of various professions. My mouth was opened to testify among them of the things concerning the kingdom of heaven, and to open the way of life and salvation to the people, and the only means by which it ever was or can be effected, viz: by the grace of God or light of truth, revealed in the hearts and consciences of men and women, as a swift witness against all manner of sin and iniquity. Life sprang up and the gospel was preached in the demonstration of the spirit, wherewith many were affected and edified.