Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks

by Elias Hicks

On second day, the 5th of 4th month, we proceeded to Cornwall, and attended a meeting by previous appointment, at the eleventh hour. The next day, had an appointed meeting at Smith’s Clove, and the day following were at a place called the Upper Clove, alias Blooming Grove. In these several meetings I was led largely to open to the people the law state, or dispensation of figure, as comprehensively set forth in the Old Testament, and to show the difference between that and the gospel, and that the first ends where the latter begins, and are as distinct from each other, as the body is from the soul. The first comprehends the salvation of bodies from outward servitude, the latter the salvation of the soul from sin, and the death consequent on it. I also set forth the use and necessity of the rituals, or shadows of that dispensation, during its continuance; and that they were all abolished under the gospel, and have no part nor lot under that dispensation. I had much service in these meetings, and great cause of gratitude and thankfulness to the bountiful Author of all our multiplied favours.

The next day, we attended Friends’ meeting at Kakiat, alias Hempstead. We had a tedious time in getting there, the road, part of the way, being deep with mud and wet, and much cut up. But the Lord richly rewarded us for all our toil, in giving us a precious meeting with our friends, and a considerable number of the neighbouring inhabitants. It was truly a season of grateful remembrance, both by us and our friends; we were made to rejoice together for the unmerited favour.

After this we proceeded to Tappan, to the house of our friend John Lawrence. Here is not any meeting of Friends; but feeling the way open, we appointed a meeting there at two o’clock next day. Although it was not large, yet, I trust, it was a comfortable instructive season to some present.

This meeting closed our visit, and the next morning we proceeded to New-York, where we heard of the decease of my kinsman Benjamin Hicks, with information that he was to be interred the next day.

This induced us to proceed home that afternoon, where we arrived between eight and nine at night, much wearied, having travelled in the course of the day upwards of fifty miles, and some of the way but indifferent travelling. Finding, however, our dear families well, accompanied with sweet peace of mind, it made rich amends for all our toil, and my heart was inspired with gratitude and thankfulness to the great and gracious Author of all our blessings.

I was from home in this journey fourteen weeks, attended seventy-three meetings, three quarterly meetings, four monthly meetings, and travelled one thousand and eighty-four miles.

The next day I attended the funeral of the aforesaid Friend, which was on first day the 11th of 4th month, 1819. It was largely attended by Friends and others, he being a man much esteemed by his friends and neighbours, and a useful member of society, both in a religious and moral relation, and his memory will be blessed. It was a very solemn time, in which my heart and mouth were largely opened to declare to the people of the things concerning the kingdom of God; and to point out to them in a full and clear manner, the only way and means by which an entrance therein is attainable by the children of men. It was a season of favour, and many hearts were made to rejoice under an humbling sense of the gracious extending of heavenly regard to the workmanship of His holy hand.

After this my lot seemed similar to Mordecai’s of old, when sitting at the king’s gate; I had but little public service when at and about home. This brought to my remembrance, the saying of our Lord to his disciples, on their return from the service he had sent them out to perform in the land of Israel. When they had given him an account how well they had succeeded, he invited them to retire awhile and rest. I was mostly silent in our meetings at home, and was not from home, except to attend a funeral in a neighbouring town, and our quarterly meeting at New-York, until our yearly meeting.

This opened on seventh day, the 22d of 5th month, with a meeting of Ministers and Elders. The yearly meeting for discipline opened on the following second day, and closed near evening, on the fifth day following. It was, I think, in general, a favoured meeting, although the weaknesses and deficiencies still among us, as manifested by the accounts from our quarterly meetings, were cause of exercise and travail to the honest-hearted who are engaged for the promotion of the cause of righteousness and peace in the earth; yet the condescending goodness of the Shepherd of Israel, in manifesting his life-giving presence for our encouragement and support, inspired the hearts of the living with thanksgiving and gratitude for his unmerited mercies. We returned home the next day.

I now found it my duty to pay some attention to my temporal concerns, and to see that all accounts between myself and others were truly adjusted and settled, as is my general rule from year to year. A rule which every honest man will be led to pursue, to prevent trouble and preserve harmony; as a contrary course often leads to vexation and litigation, by which both parties are often hurt and wounded.