Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks

by Elias Hicks

First day, the 30th. The consideration of the great advantages which would result to the children of men, were they possessed of right ideas, and a right understanding of the divine character opened to an exercise and concern, from an impressive belief that there was a great shortness in that respect, even among professing Christians in a general way; and a great want of a right improvement of the talent or talents dispensed by our gracious Creator to his creature man, or that manifestation of the spirit given to every man to profit withal. For this, if rightly improved, would bring us to know and witness the true and saving knowledge of God, and give us right ideas of the divine character; and by which, if rightly adhered to, our salvation would be effected. I was led to communicate on the subject, which brought a very comfortable solemnity over the meeting.

Fifth day, the 3d of 9th month. A silent meeting to-day.

First day, the 6th. Having for some days past felt drawings on my mind to attend Friends’ meeting at Westbury, and way opening for it to-day, I went thither accompanied by my wife. It was rather a trying exercising season in the forepart, but towards the close my spirit was set at liberty, and an opening presented, attended with life; in which I was led to open and show to those present, the necessity of an entire renunciation of self, in order to come to a saving knowledge of God, and a qualification to worship him in spirit and in truth; and of an entire cessation from all our own willings and runnings, both in body and spirit and in thought. Although this is an attainment which man cannot arrive at by the dint of his own sufficiency, yet, nevertheless he may, by a right faith in God and in the sufficiency of his power. Therefore we ought not to let in discouragement from a sense of our own impotent state, but continue to strive to enter in at the straight gate of self-abasement and renunciation, and persevere therein, leaving the rest to the Lord; and then, no doubt, we may be brought to the experience of one formerly who exclaimed: “Thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.”

Fifth day. Attended our meeting as usual when at home. I was much cumbered in the forepart of the meeting with unprofitable thoughts, such as relate to our temporal concerns. For these produce poverty of spirit in religious meetings, and ought to be strove against in order to obtain a release from them: and, although it is what we cannot do in our own time and strength, yet as we continue to strive and do not give over the struggle, but persevere in faith and patience to obtain the blessing, as Jacob did when he wrestled with the angel, we shall witness an overcoming in the Lord’s time and strength, and know our light to rise out of obscurity, and our darkness to be as noonday. Then are we qualified to worship the Father in spirit and in truth, in the beauty of holiness, and nothing can hinder or let. Then can we do the Lord’s work with a willing heart agreeably to his will, without the fear or favour of mortals. We can then minister, if called thereto, in the demonstration of the spirit, accompanied with power, which causes it to be instructive and edifying to the hearers.

First day, the 13th. My mind, as I sat in our meeting to-day, was led under exercise from the remembrance of the following passage of Isaiah: “Look unto me and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.” I was largely opened on the subject, and as I communicated, truth was raised into dominion; whereby the minds of many were humbled and contrited, the meeting generally solemnized and edified, and sweet peace afforded me in the labour.

Fifth day. This was the time of our monthly meeting. We had the company of our friend William Rickman from England, now on a religious visit in this country. Having felt my mind drawn for some considerable time past, to make a visit in the love of the gospel, to Friends in the compass of our yearly meeting, with a view also to appoint some meetings among those of other persuasions, it appeared right to spread the concern before my Friends at this time; who, after due consideration, united with me therein, and directed the clerk to furnish me with a minute of concurrence with my prospect, leaving me at liberty to pursue it as truth might open the way.

Fifth day, the 24th. A quiet silent meeting. On seventh day I attended the funeral of a young Friend, a kinsman, who, for more than a year previous to his dissolution, had been in a declining state of health. There was a large collection of Friends and neighbours on the occasion. The corpse was taken into the meeting-house, and a meeting held before it was interred, which is mostly the case among Friends in this part of the society. It proved a very exercising season in the forepart, and although divers ministers were present, yet all seemed shut from any communication, until the meeting seemed drawing to a conclusion, when my mind was set at liberty from its bonds, and a degree of light arose and dispelled the darkness, in which I was led to open the cause and ground of the prevailing darkness which had been so generally spread over us; and to show that it was owing to the people’s living too much to self, and serving self, when they ought more faithfully to serve the Lord and live unto him. I was led, in a brief way, in a close, searching testimony, which I hope will have its use, at least with some present.

First day, the 27th. In our meeting to-day, my mind was largely opened into the substance of things referred to by the shadows and symbols of the law, or outward dispensation. As the prospect spread and enlarged, I found it necessary to spread it before the assembly, and to show the difference between the law state and that of the gospel, and that as the shadows and symbols of the outward law dispensation, stood and consisted in real essential and substantial things, suited to our outward nature and life; so likewise the substance of those shadows, as they were intended to point to spiritual things, must also consist in real, essential and substantial things, suited to our inward and spiritual nature and life, and therefore of course all the shadows of the law are at an end, where the gospel state is known and experienced. It was a season of favour, and renewedly strengthening to my mind, and I believe, instructive and edifying to many present. Thanks be given to Israel’s Shepherd, for his continued mercy.

Fifth day. Attended our preparative meeting, at which the queries were read, and answers given to the usual five, to go to the quarterly meeting; and I thought, from the tenour of the answers, if correct, we were a favoured people.

First day, the 11th. Our meeting was large, in which the gospel axe was laid close to the root of the corrupt tree; showing that every tree which did not bring forth good fruit must be hewn down, let it have ever so specious an outward appearance.