After this meeting we rode to Vergennes, and attended an appointed meeting at six in the evening. It was pretty well attended by the inhabitants of the town, who generally behaved soberly. I was led to open divers important doctrines of the gospel for their consideration, and to caution them against having any fellowship with, or affording any support to the dark, and what I esteem, pernicious system of Free Masonry. They were generally attentive, and withdrew quietly.
The two following days, we attended the quarterly meeting for discipline; and the parting meeting for worship. These, I trust, were profitable opportunities. The latter was a highly favoured meeting, in which truth reigned over all; and I took leave of my friends in the sensible feeling of true gospel fellowship.
We rode, that afternoon and evening, to Shoram, and lodged with our kind friends Zebulon and Elizabeth Frost. The next day at evening, had an appointed meeting there, which many of the neighbouring inhabitants attended. It was a solemn time, in which many doctrines of the Christian religion were opened for their instruction and consideration; and I parted with them with a peaceful mind.
The next day we rode to Granville; and the following day had an appointed meeting there, at one o’clock in the afternoon. This was a greatly favoured opportunity, the power of truth breaking down and dispelling every opposite spirit, humbling and contriting many hearts, and comforting and strengthening the honest-hearted. Surely it was the Lord’s doing; a sense of which inspires gratitude and thankfulness of heart, for the unmerited favour.
On third day we rode to Easton. On fourth and fifth days we attended their quarterly meeting for discipline, and public meeting for worship. Their meeting of Ministers and Elders was held on third day previous to our arrival. On sixth day we had an appointed meeting at Cambridge. These meetings were all comfortable instructive seasons, in which the doctrines of truth were largely opened, for the information and edification of the people.
We rested on seventh day, feeling myself pretty much worn out with such continual and almost incessant labour in travelling and in meetings. On first day I again attended Easton meeting which was also a large favoured meeting, in which the power of truth was exalted.
On second day we proceeded on our way to Queensbury, and attended a meeting in our way, which I had previously appointed at a large village called Whipple City. It was largely attended by the neighbouring inhabitants. There were no members of our society in the place. It was, I think, a favoured opportunity, in which I was enabled to declare the truth among them, in a large, effective testimony. Many present were humbled and contrited, and I parted with them in true peace of mind.
After this we proceeded to Queensbury, where we arrived in the evening. The three following days we attended the quarterly meeting held there at this time for Saratoga and Queensbury. I also attended two evening meetings in two neighbouring villages, which I had appointed for the benefit of those of other societies, who pretty generally attended. I think the quarterly meeting in general was an instructive favoured time. The two other meetings were exercising seasons; the minds of the people appeared to be very much veiled, and in a state of much ignorance; being generally too much swallowed up in worldly pursuits, and self-gratifications. This makes hard work for the devoted traveller, who is engaged for the advancement of the cause of truth and righteousness in the earth. But as I waited, and patiently endured the baptisms necessary to be brought into a feeling of their real conditions, way opened to communicate doctrine suitable for their instruction and help; and, although there did not appear much effect wrought for the present, yet I had reason to hope, that the labour would not be all lost; nor the word return void, but would, in the end, accomplish the thing whereunto it was sent, and be as bread cast upon the waters to return after many days. My hope in this respect was strengthened from the satisfaction and true peace I felt in the ardent labour I passed through, in these seasons of exercise.
The quarterly meeting being over, we proceeded to Saratoga, and on sixth day had an appointed meeting there at two o’clock in the afternoon. This was a large favoured meeting, in which truth was raised into victory over all, and under its precious influence the gospel was preached in the clear demonstration of the spirit. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
From thence we proceeded to Milton, and on first day, the 28th of 2d month, we attended Friends’ meeting there. It was largely attended by Friends and others, and through the condescending goodness of Israel’s unslumbering Shepherd it proved an instructive edifying season.