After the latter meeting we proceeded to Salem, intending to be at Friends’ meeting there the next day, which was first day, the 19th of 9th month. We attended the meeting in the forenoon, but not feeling myself clear, I was led to appoint an afternoon meeting; which was accordingly held at the third hour, and was largely attended by Friends and others; among whom way opened fully to discharge and clear myself, and I found peace in my labour of love among them.
On second and third days, I attended meetings by appointment at Springfield and Goshen, two neighbouring villages. These were likewise very solemn instructive seasons, wherein I was largely led forth in ministerial labour, apparently to the comfort and edification of most present. From Goshen we returned back to Salem, intending to be at their monthly meeting to be held the next day, which we accordingly attended. I had good service among my Friends, both in the meeting for worship and that for discipline.
After this we took a final leave of them, in the fresh feelings of mutual love and Christian fellowship, and proceeded on our journey that afternoon to Fairfield, where we had a meeting the next day. On sixth day, was at Columbiana. On seventh day, at Middleton. And on first day, the 26th, had two meetings; one in the morning at Elk Run, and the other at the third hour in the afternoon at Carmel. These meetings were all well attended; wherein I was led forth largely in testimony, apparently to the general satisfaction and edification of the people, and to the comfort and peace of my own mind.
On second day we proceeded to New Lisbon, and attended a meeting in their court-house at the eleventh hour. It was a large collection, mostly made up of other societies, there being but few Friends residing in that place. I was led to open several doctrinal points of our profession, and to show the great difference between profession and possession; and that no profession of religion was worth esteeming as any thing, unless it was the effect of the real possession of the thing professed; as no profession of a thing, could of itself give any a possession thereof; but a real possession, will manifest itself by its fruits. It was a day of great favour, in which truth reigned over all.
On third day, we proceeded to Beaver Falls. Had a meeting there the next day to good satisfaction. After this we travelled on our way to Pittsburg, where we arrived the next day about noon, and had an appointed meeting there in the evening in their court-house. It was a large spacious building, but more collected than the house could contain. I had much service among them, and the Lord’s power was felt to preside, quieting and solemnizing the assembly; and many hearts were humbled and contrited, and truth raised into dominion over all.
On sixth day afternoon, we left Pittsburg on our way to Brownsville, where we arrived in the afternoon of the next day. On first day we attended Friends’ meeting there; and notice being spread among the people at large that we were there, it was a very crowded assembly, more than the house could well contain. Through the condescending goodness of the Shepherd of Israel, I was helped to discharge myself faithfully among them, in an effective testimony to the truths of the gospel; proving from clear scripture testimony, accompanied with the demonstration of the spirit, in harmony with right reason, that nothing short of a full belief in, and obedience to, the revelation of the spirit of truth, (a manifestation of which is given to every man and woman to profit withal,) as the only rule of faith and practice, can make a real Christian, and produce redemption and salvation to an immortal soul. It was a very solemn instructive season, worthy of grateful remembrance.
On second day we had an appointed meeting at Sandy Hill, at the tenth hour; and another in the evening at Uniontown, held in their court-house. These were both seasons of favour, producing solid peace to my own mind, and, I trust, instructive and edifying to the people in general who attended. These meetings closed my labours among Friends and others, in the compass of the yearly meeting of Ohio.
On third day we set out on our journey over the mountains, towards Winchester in Virginia; in order to attend the meetings of Friends in that neighbourhood, on our way to Baltimore. The distance was about one hundred and sixteen miles. It took three days to accomplish the journey, with hard travelling; a considerable part of the way being very rocky, as well as mountainous. We arrived among Friends at Pughtown, on fifth day evening; and had a meeting appointed there the next day, at two o’clock in the afternoon, which we attended accordingly. On seventh day had a meeting at the Ridge. On first day at Centre, near Winchester; and the two following days had meetings at Hopewell and Berkley. I was largely led forth in these meetings, to show to the people the inconsistency and unrighteousness of holding our fellow creatures in bondage, and the evil tendency of bringing up our children and families on the fruits of their labour, wrested from them by violence, without paying them an adequate reward for the same. I likewise opened to them the folly and deception of all their profession of worshipping that Being, who is perfect in justice, purity and holiness, while their hands are full of violence and oppression, and they living in luxury and idleness on their unrighteous gain. The Lord’s power was exalted in these meetings, and truth reigned.
After the latter meeting we proceeded on our way towards Baltimore, where we arrived on seventh day evening; attending meetings at Fredericktown and New Market, on our way thither. On first day, the 17th of 10th month, I attended Friends’ meetings in that city; the Western District in the morning, and the Eastern District in the afternoon. I was silent in the former, but in the latter, I was largely led forth in gospel communication. As notice had been spread among the citizens of other professions, the meeting was large, and the divine power was felt to preside, which brought a precious solemnity over the meeting, and truth was raised into dominion.
Here we met with our friend Elizabeth Coggeshall from New-York, with her companion Judith Coffin, from Nantucket; also our ancient friend William Rickman, from England. We were mutually glad in seeing each other. Elizabeth felt a concern to see the members of our society, select from those of other societies in each meeting, accordingly a Friend, at her request, in the morning meeting when the service of the first meeting was over, proposed the same to the assembly; when those who were not members quietly withdrew, and our dear friend had good service among them. This also opened an opportunity for me to throw in my mite, and set a seal to the service. A similar opportunity was likewise had with Friends at the close of the afternoon meeting in the Eastern District, which was also a favoured time.