CHAPTER XV.
General visit to Friends of the yearly meeting of New-York, 1819.
I continued at and about home, until the commencement of the year 1819, attending our meetings as they came in course. I also attended two funerals, at which I had good service; and the meeting at Westbury, on a first day, in which I was led to open to Friends the three principal requisites to the being, and well-being, of a Christian. The first being a real belief in God and Christ, as one undivided essence, known and believed in, inwardly and spiritually. The second, a complete passive obedience and submission to the divine will and power inwardly and spiritually manifested; which, when known, brings to the Christian state, through a crucifixion of the old man, with all his ungodly deeds. The third, in order for the preservation and well-being of a Christian, it is necessary that they often meet and assemble together, for the promotion of love and good works, and as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. For this purpose the Lord’s people and children have been led by his spirit to appoint times and seasons in which to present themselves before him. Of these times, all being apprized, and living within a reasonable distance of the place so appointed, it becomes their bounden duty to attend, in order to wait upon, and thereby become qualified to worship God, in spirit and in truth; and no temporal concern of the greatest magnitude ought be considered as a sufficient excuse for omitting this great and necessary duty. For the experience of many ages has shown, that those who suffer their temporal business to divert them from a steady attendance on their religious meetings, never make any real proficiency in religion, or the true spiritual life. The communication was impressive, and reached the witness in many minds, and truth was exalted, and the honest-hearted comforted, and I was made glad in believing that my labour had not been in vain. Such seasons are truly worthy of grateful remembrance.
As, on my return home, I did not feel myself released from a further prosecution of my concern, and visit to Friends of our yearly meeting, with the concurrence of my friends, I retained the minute I had received for that purpose, and on the 2d of 1st month, 1819, I again left home, and proceeded in the engagement. My son-in-law Valentine Hicks joined me as companion in the journey. We proceeded to New-York; and, the next day being the first of the week, we attended Friends’ meeting at Pearl-street in the morning. After this, in the afternoon, we proceeded on our journey as far as our friend Thomas Walker’s, at West Farms, near West Chester, where we had a meeting, at the sixth hour in the evening. On second day, we had an appointed meeting at Mamaroneck. These meetings were in a good degree favoured, in which the presence and love of our heavenly Father were felt to preside.
On third day we had another opportunity, by appointment, at White Plains, in the court-house. It was rather a season of hard labour, as the truths communicated did not appear to have free course, in any general way; but, I trust, some were instructed and edified. On fourth and fifth days, we attended Friends’ meetings at Purchase, and Shapaqua. As notice was given of our intention to attend them, they were large; and through divine condescension, they proved seasons of favour, in which the truths of the gospel were largely declared in the demonstration of the spirit, to the edification of the assemblies, and peace of my own mind.
The two following days we attended meetings at Croton Valley, and Amawalk. They were well attended by Friends, and some others. I was led to open among them many essential doctrines of the Christian religion; and to show to the people, in the openings of truth, the way and means by which, and by which only, our redemption and salvation can be effected. The testimonies had a very reaching effect upon the auditories: many present were much broken and contrited, and truth was raised into victory, and a precious solemnity was spread over the meetings, to the comfort and edification of the honest-hearted, which was cause of thankfulness and gratitude to the beneficent Author of all our mercies.
First day the 10th. We attended Friends’ meeting at Croton in the morning, and at Peekskill in the evening. Both were full meetings, in which the power of the gospel was felt to preside, furnishing with wisdom and strength to divide the word, to the several states present, in a way which seemed to give each his due portion, and none sent empty away, but those who refused to take their own part. Many hearts were broken and contrited, and the honest-hearted comforted; and the Lord’s name and power praised and exalted over all, who is worthy for ever.
On second day we rode to Nine Partners; and on third day evening had an appointed meeting at Dover. It was held in a pretty large school-house, there being no other place so convenient in the neighbourhood; but it was too small to contain the people who assembled, some being obliged to stand without, for want of room. It was a very solemn, instructive meeting.
On fourth day we attended Pleasant Valley meeting; and notice being given of our expectation to attend it, the meeting was large. A considerable number of other societies were present who behaved soberly, consistent with the occasion. It was a season of great favour, under a sense of which the honest-hearted were made to rejoice.
After this, we proceeded to Poughkeepsie, and attended an appointed meeting in the evening, at the sixth hour. It was held in their court-house, a large convenient room, but not sufficient to contain the people who assembled; many were obliged to withdraw for want of room. It proved, through the condescending goodness of our heavenly Father, a blessed meeting to myself, and, we had cause to believe, to the assembly in general. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift: yet we have reason to believe there were some present watching for evil, as carpers and opposers, if we may judge from the conduct of the hireling priests, since I was there a few weeks before, as I was informed at this time, that they had joined together to calumniate me, an endeavour to lay waste the testimony I then had to bear. We tarried here most of the next day, visiting some of our friends.