The five following days, we attended meetings at Greenfield, Galloway, Providence, Mayfield, and Northampton. Although things in most places, as it regards the life of religion, appeared rather low, and considerable rawness was apparent in many in that respect, yet such is the unmerited kindness of the heavenly Father, that he graciously condescended to break the bread, and caused it to be distributed to the people, in these several opportunities, so that none were sent empty away, except those who either neglected or refused to take the portion allotted them; and my spirit was comforted, under an evident sense that I had faithfully discharged my duty among them.
From Northampton we proceeded to Newtown, and on first day the 7th of 3d month, we attended Friends’ meeting at that place; and, information being given that we were there, it was large. A very considerable number more assembled, than the house could contain, who were obliged to stand without. For these I felt much sympathy and concern, as the weather was very cold, and those without, not willing to lose the opportunity, continued until the meeting ended, which held nearly three hours. But I had cause to hope they did not go away unrewarded, as the season proved a very favoured one, in which the divine presence was felt to preside, enabling to preach the gospel of the grace of God to the people, in the demonstration of truth, and to the comfort and peace of my own mind.
On the evenings of the two following days, I attended meetings by appointment, at Waterford and Troy. Both were largely attended by those not in membership with us. On fourth day, attended Friends’ monthly meeting at Troy. On fifth day evening, had a very large meeting in Albany, which was held in the state-house, a large, commodious room for the purpose. In these several meetings truth was felt to arise into dominion, and ability afforded to discharge myself faithfully in communication to the people who assembled, I trust, to their general satisfaction and edification; may it instructively fasten on their minds, as a nail in a sure place, driven by the Master of assemblies, that so the word preached may tend to real profit, and not return void, but accomplish the end to which it was sent.
From thence we proceeded to Bern, within the compass of Duanesburgh quarterly meeting, where we arrived on sixth day evening, and lodged with our kind friend Samuel Cary, who, with his affectionate wife and children, treated us with great hospitality. The next evening we had an appointed meeting at a village about four miles distant, where no member of our society resides. We intended to return and attend Friends’ meeting at Bern, on first day; but a snow storm coming on seventh day, and increasing towards evening and all next day with such violence, that, although we got to the evening meeting, which was small, by reason of the storm, we were not able to return until the following second day, and then it was with great difficulty that we got along, the snow was so deep, and the roads drifted full. We however made the attempt to return on first day morning, and got on our way about half a mile, but could proceed no farther. We then called at a house on the way, a good looking mansion belonging to a professor among the Presbyterians. Here we tarried over first day, not being able to proceed. We held a little meeting there with this family, and three of their friends, who were with them on a visit, in which my mind was opened to communicate to them the grounds of our profession, and the doctrines of the Christian religion, as held by us. This had a very considerable effect on the man’s wife, so that she openly acknowledged to the truths, delivered, and assured all present that she should vindicate them, as certain undeniable truths, which she felt to be so, in her own experience.
On the following fifth day, we attended Friends’ meeting at Bern. The weather being again stormy and inclement, it was small. The roads were blocked up, so as to prevent many from attending. The next day we proceeded to Duanesburgh, and had a meeting there on seventh day, which was a large favoured season. On first day we attended meetings at Charlestown in the morning, and at Carlisle in the evening. On second day we proceeded to Middleburgh, and the next day had a meeting there. The day following, had meetings at Oakhill in the morning, and at Rensselaerville in the afternoon. After this we returned with our friend Samuel Cary to his house, who had kindly accompanied us in this little tour. I felt true peace of mind, from a consciousness that I had faithfully discharged myself in the service allotted me, in those several meetings, void of any influence from the fear or favour of man.
On fifth day, we attended Friends’ monthly meeting at Bern. The meeting for worship was attended by a very considerable number of the neighbouring inhabitants, not in membership with us, who behaved themselves soberly, and were very attentive to what was communicated. Many were broken and contrited by the prevalence of truth, which was raised into dominion in this favoured meeting. Not only the meeting for worship, but likewise that for discipline was a comfortable instructive season.
The two following days, we had meetings at New Baltimore, and a village where several families of Friends reside, by the name of Dickenson, from whom they call the meeting “Dickenson’s meeting;” and at Coeman’s, alias, Stanton Hill. I had good service in those several meetings, in which Friends appeared to be brought near together, in the feeling influence of the truth, and in the oneness of the spirit. In a sense of this, we had gratefully to acknowledge that the Lord is still mindful of his people, fulfilling all his promises to those who seek him with sincerity of heart; and they that seek him early will find him to be near at hand, a present helper in every needful time.
After the latter meeting, we proceeded to Athens; and, the next day being the first of the week, and the 28th of 3d month, we attended Friends’ meeting there in the morning, and had another meeting by appointment in the afternoon. These were exercising meetings, particularly so in the forepart of the latter. A great power of darkness seemed so to prevail, as entirely for a considerable time, to close up the way to any public service; but as I patiently submitted to the baptism and willingly became baptized, with and for the dead, for it is only through death, that the resurrection from death can be witnessed, a little glimmering of light appeared, in which I felt the necessity of standing up; and as I proceeded, keeping my eye single to the light that led the way, the light more and more arose, and the darkness vanished; and He that opens and none can shut, and shuts and none but himself can open, made way for the promotion of his own righteous cause, and the exaltation of truth’s testimonies. It was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in mine eyes.
We left here on second day morning, and proceeded to Alexander Young’s at the east part of Esopus, about forty miles. This was a day of very hard travel, both for man and horse, the roads being bad, as the winter was just breaking up; but we arrived safe in the evening, and were kindly received by our friends, which made up in part for the toil of the day.
At this place we had an appointed meeting the next day. The five following days we had meetings at Rosendale Plains, Paltz, Plattekill, Newburgh Valley and Marlborough. Attending these meetings, with the exercise of travelling on the heavy, rough roads, produced a large portion of exercise, both to body and mind. But the Lord’s strengthening and consoling presence, vouchsafed from season to season for our help, carried us through and over all, to the praise of his grace, and to the comfort and peace of our own minds.