The meeting for worship, or closing meeting, was mostly made up of such as were not members. It was a favoured, solemn meeting, and, I trust, instructive and comfortable to many present; as it was to the satisfaction and peace of my own mind.
First day, the 8th of 11th month. We returned and attended the meeting at Nine Partners. As notice was given of our intention of attending it, it was very large; the house was filled with a mixed company of various professions, besides Friends. I was largely led forth among them, to declare of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Truth was raised into dominion, and a precious solemnity spread over the assembly. May all the praise be ascribed to the Shepherd of Israel, for the unmerited favour.
In the course of this week, after resting on second and third days, in which time I visited some of my relatives, we attended meetings at Chestnut Ridge, Apoquague, Beekman, and Oswego. These meetings were generally well attended, and were, I trust, profitable and instructive to many who attended them.
First day, the 15th. I attended West Branch meeting in the morning, and that at Pleasant Valley in the evening. They were both very crowded gatherings. At the latter meeting, there were many more than the house could contain, composed, principally of such as were not in membership with Friends, being of the varied religious professions common among us; and many who were not in strict fellowship with any. At such seasons, where, of course, there must be a great variety of states and conditions, I have found it necessary to dwell deep, and wait patiently for the arising of the pure spring of gospel ministry, which alone can enable and qualify to divide the word aright, so that each may have his due portion, and be spoken to in his own language; a language which sets home the truth to every mind, as was the case on the day of Pentecost.
On second day evening, we had a very large meeting in Poughkeepsie. It was held in their court-house, which was a very commodious room for the purpose, being well seated, and was thought sufficient to hold nearly a thousand people. It was much crowded, and proved a very solemn, quiet opportunity, in which truth had the dominion.
The five succeeding days, we attended a large meeting by appointment at Crum-elbow, the monthly meetings of Oswego, Nine Partners, Creek, and Stanford. In all these meetings I had good service; the several opportunities being favoured with the overshadowings of heavenly regard.
First day, the 22d. We had a very crowded meeting at Little Nine Partners. The next day we were at an appointed meeting, in Friends’ meeting-house, in the town of Northeast, which was likewise a very full meeting. In both of these the gospel was freely preached, and its doctrines largely opened, and set home to the minds of the people; and the fallacy and and emptiness of all formal and ceremonial religion exposed, and the people pressingly invited to gather inward, to the immutable principle of light and truth in their own souls, as the sure rock of ages, and the only means whereby we can be enabled to work out our salvation. The Lord’s power was felt eminently to preside in those solemn assemblies, to the praise of his great and excellent name, who is over all worthy for ever; and I parted with them in true peace of mind, the sure result of faithfulness.
On third day we rode to Canaan, a town in Connecticut, and the next day had an appointed meeting there, with the few Friends at that place, and some of their neighbours. It was a comfortable, instructive season. The following day we had another meeting by appointment, in an adjacent neighbourhood which was held in a school-house. This was also a favoured meeting. Divers present were much broken and contrited, and truth reigned over all.
On sixth day we proceeded to Hartford, and on seventh day evening had an appointed meeting in the city. It was held in a meeting-house, belonging to the Presbyterians; as there were only two or three members of our society in the place. The meeting was small, occasioned, as I supposed, by the inclemency of the weather, and want of proper notice; nevertheless the divine presence was felt to preside, and truth was declared among them in the demonstration of the spirit; and I parted with them, under a thankful sense of the Lord’s mercy.
The next day, being the first of the week, we attended Friends’ meeting at West Hartford. This was likewise very small, Friends being but few in number in that place, and those mostly appeared in a lukewarm state; and I apprehended they had taken but little care to inform their neighbours of our intention to be there, although we had seasonably requested them so to do. Such conduct manifests great insensibility, and want of regard for their friends who have left all their outward enjoyments, for the promotion of the gospel, and the religious improvement of the people; and are going up and down in travail and labour, as with their lives in their hands, as truth leads the way; and yet, Friends whom they visit in some places, either think it too much trouble, or are so unconcerned as to take little or no care to give their neighbours notice; a sense of which caused me to take leave of my Friends at this place with a heavy heart.