From thence, on second day, we proceeded to Woodbury, and put up at the house of a person of the Methodist society, where we had a large meeting the next evening with the neighbouring inhabitants, composed of Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and some others, not in strict fellowship with any religious society. It was a very solemn, favoured meeting, in which the Lord’s presence and power were felt eminently to preside; and many hearts were broken and contrited, and manifested much satisfaction with the opportunity, especially the man at whose house we were, who in much brokenness of spirit, and with gratitude and thankfulness of heart, acknowledged the favour.
The next morning, after a tendering opportunity in the family, we took leave of them in mutual affection, and rode to Middlesex, upwards of forty miles. Here we lodged with our kind friend Samuel Whiting, who, with his affectionate wife and children, received us with marks of true friendship, which is a brook by the way to the weary traveller; and which was our case at this time. What added further to our comfort, was the readiness of mind and concern they manifested, in giving their neighbours information of our intention to attend their meeting the next day, which we accordingly did. The Lord graciously condescended to open my mouth among them, in a living, powerful testimony to the truths of the gospel. It was a season of great favour. May the word preached not return void, but accomplish that to which it was sent, is the fervent desire of my spirit.
After this solemn meeting we proceeded on our journey, and rode that afternoon to our friend Charles Field’s, at a place called the Saw Pits. Here we had a meeting the next day at the eleventh hour. There is but one family of Friends in this village, the Friend and his family above named, and one other member. The inhabitants consist of the various professions common among us, and some others not in communion with any religious society. A considerable number assembled, with whom we had a very solemn instructive opportunity, to the comfort and peace of my own mind.
The evening of the next day, we had a precious favoured meeting at Manhattanville on New-York Island, with Friends of that place. It was attended by a considerable number of the neighbouring inhabitants, who conducted themselves very soberly, suiting the occasion. Many hearts were broken and contrited, and we parted with them under an humbling sense of the Lord’s goodness, and with grateful hearts for the unmerited favour.
First day, the 6th of 12th month. We rode to the city. As Friends of the monthly meeting there had recently opened a new meeting in the eastern part of the town, we attended it both forenoon and afternoon. And as notice was given at the close of the forenoon meeting of our intention to attend in the afternoon, it was a full meeting, more than the house could well contain. These were both memorable meetings, in which the Lord’s presence and power were manifested in an eminent degree, breaking and contriting many hearts, and truth reigned over all. It was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes, that he should thus condescend, in matchless mercy, to notice us poor unworthy creatures.
At evening, we had a very large meeting by appointment, in Friends’ meeting-house in Pearl-street. Although I was much worn down by arduous labour in the three foregoing meetings, yet I was strengthened to communicate in this, in a full plain testimony, opening to the people the danger and disadvantage of resting in the forms and empty shadows of the law state; and continuing in the traditions and ceremonies introduced into the professed Christian Churches, in the time of the apostacy from primitive simplicity; and the hurtful tendency of observing days and times, like the carnally-minded in the Galatian Church; for which they were sharply reprehended by the apostle Paul, in his epistle to that Church. The people were very quiet and attentive, and a precious solemnity was spread over the meeting, which closed in a solemn manner. Thanks be given to Israel’s unslumbering Shepherd for the unmerited favour.
We tarried in town until third day, in order to attend the meeting for sufferings which came in the course at that time. We also had an appointed meeting in Liberty-street, on second day evening. It was pretty well attended, in which I was led to open to the people the way of redemption by Christ, the only Mediator between God and man; and the way of his working in man, in the accomplishment of his salvation. I also opened to them the emptiness of all shadows and outward ordinances, under the Christian dispensation; such as water baptism, and the ordinance called the supper or communion; also the hurtful tendency of observing days and times, such as a seventh day sabbath, days of thanksgiving, and fast days of man’s appointing. They were shown that all these were of Jewish or Heathenish original, being a part of the law dispensation, and of course ended with it, and therefore the continuance of them under the gospel dispensation was irrational, non-essential, and contrary to truth; tending to keep the minds of Christian professors under the veil of carnal ordinances, and greatly retarded the progress of reformation, and the advancement of real Christianity. I was led to use great plainness of speech, and the people sat very quiet and attentive, and the word preached appeared to have free course. It was a highly favoured season, and the honest-hearted were made to rejoice, under an humbling sense of the Lord’s mercy, and I parted with them in true peace of mind. The next day, after attending the meeting for sufferings, we rode home and found our families well, which I considered as an additional favour from my heavenly Father, whose mercy is over all his works.
I was from home at this time about forty-nine days, and attended forty-nine meetings, and travelled about four hundred and fifty miles.