Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks

by Elias Hicks

First day the 30th of 5th month. I attended our meeting as usual, when at home. Had a short communication, tending to excite Friends to faithfulness, and an inward labour, that the true end of our meeting together might be answered. I was busily employed in the course of this week, in my temporal concerns. Attended our fifth day meeting; and closed the week in quiet.

First day, the 6th of 6th month. I was led, in our meeting, to show Friends the fallacy of trusting in the outside appearance of things, without coming to possess the real substance, as the day is hastening when every foundation will be tried, and all will receive according as their works have been. I was considerably enlarged, and the power of truth was exalted over all.

I found it my place at this time, to keep close at home, both in an inward and outward sense, to arrange my temporal concerns, and set things in order; not knowing how soon I may be called to leave them all, and surrender them, with myself, to the guardian care and disposal of a gracious Providence, who doth not suffer a sparrow to fall to the ground, without his heavenly notice. I attended our preparative meeting on fifth day, and the meeting of the Charity Society, for educating the children of the poor black people, on seventh day; in both of which I felt satisfaction and peace of mind.

First day, the 13th of 6th month. Towards the close of our meeting to-day, I had to open to Friends the necessity of our individually coming to know what life we are living; whether it be a life after the flesh, which worketh death to the immortal soul; or a life of the spirit, by which we become spiritually-minded. For if we live after the flesh, it will prove in the world to come an eternal death to the soul; but if it be a life in the spirit, and in the things of heaven, it will prove an everlasting life to the soul, in the world to come; and will crown it with joy unspeakable, and full of glory, at God’s right hand for evermore.

From this time to our monthly meeting in 7th month, I was pretty steadily at home. Attended our meetings as they came in course; and was very busily and necessarily engaged in my temporal concerns, having a prospect before me of attending the ensuing yearly meeting of Ohio, and also some other meetings in that, and in the compass of Baltimore and Philadelphia yearly meeting. This concern I spread before my Friends, at our monthly meeting the 15th of 7th month; and obtained their unity and concurrence.

First day, the 18th of 7th month. Attended our meeting. We had the company of our ancient honest friend Thomas Titus. He communicated for our consideration, some plain truths, in order to stir up and encourage Friends to industry and faithfulness in those things which belong to their everlasting peace and welfare. I felt unity with him in his exercise, and found it my place and duty to make some addition, to bring the matter close home to the minds of Friends. It was a favoured solemn meeting, and most minds seemed well affected with the heavenly power which was felt to preside.

In the course of this week our quarterly meeting was held at Westbury. It was well attended by Friends; and the public meeting was very large. It was in the main a favoured meeting. I likewise opened to this meeting, my prospect of attending the yearly meeting of Ohio; and produced the minute of unity and concurrence from our monthly meeting. It was fully united with by the quarterly meeting, and an endorsement thereof made on my certificate.

First day the 25th. A silent meeting to-day. When such meetings are attended with full acquiescence, and entire peace of mind, how precious they are. Thus are the Lord’s dedicated children led and instructed; taught how to suffer want, and how to abound; being content in every dispensation of his divine will and pleasure: and in this condition, all things work together for good to these. Hence we are led to “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks.”

The rest of this week I was diligently employed in preparing for my intended journey; and in arranging my temporal concerns, that no occasion might be given to the adversaries of truth, to reproach the truth, or its cause, by any neglect or omission on my part; and endeavouring that all things might be left sweet and quiet at home, that so I might leave it with peace of mind, freed from every burden and care on that account; and be fully at liberty to devote myself wholly to the service of my great and good Master, until the allotted portion is accomplished, which he hath called me forth to fulfil. For to him belong obedience and worship, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.