And as I had felt my mind somewhat similarly engaged in coming into the city, it opened the way to spread my exercise before Friends; which was that of the more select service of seeing the active members and heads of families of both sexes together. I had an opportunity with those of this description in the Western District, and afterwards with those of the Eastern; and was glad in believing that divine love was near, favouring with His enlivening, reconciling presence; which raised a hope, that through the divine blessing, the opportunities would not prove altogether unfruitful, for some disunity and jealousies had prevailed among the members of society in this city.
The next day being Friends’ meeting day, I felt most easy to stay and attend it. I also found my mind led to some further service among the citizens at large: for although I had had a public opportunity on first day evening, which seemed for the present to ease my mind, yet a renewed exercise on that account induced a belief it would be right to give the citizens generally another invitation; which Friends readily agreed to, and spread the notice accordingly. It was a very large meeting, and through gracious condescension a highly favoured season; the Lord’s power was felt to preside, and a precious solemnity spread over the assembly, and I took my leave of them in much peace of mind.
This closed my service among them. The two following days we rode to Wilmington, where we arrived on sixth day evening. On seventh day evening we had a large meeting by appointment, with Friends and the inhabitants of the town. This was a solemn instructive season, worthy of grateful remembrance. We also attended the morning meeting of Friends the next day, and then proceeded to Chester, parting with my Friends in much sweet peace and unity. Here we had a large solemn meeting in the evening, among the few Friends of that place and the inhabitants of the town. I trust, through heavenly goodness, it proved an instructive edifying season to many.
The two following days, I attended the monthly meetings of Providence and Darby. On fourth day morning we proceeded to Philadelphia. We staid in the city until the following third day, and attended all the meetings of Friends there; some by appointment, and the others as they came in course. We were at two of their monthly meetings, and their quarterly meeting. The meetings were generally crowded, and at several many of the people were obliged to stand outside of the doors, for want of room. Through unmerited mercy the Lord’s power was felt to preside, producing a precious solemnity over those large promiscuous gatherings, and by which truth was raised into dominion. Surely it was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in mine eyes. It was, I trust, a time of renewed visitation to many, especially to the beloved youth.
We left the city on third day morning, and proceeded to Germantown, where by previous appointment we had a large meeting at the eleventh hour. The two following days we attended Friends’ quarterly meeting at Horsham; and on sixth day, had a large public meeting at Byberry. These were all favoured instructive seasons, in which the Lord’s presence was manifested for our help, and were worthy of grateful remembrance.
On seventh day we attended a meeting at Bristol; and at evening crossed the river Delaware to Burlington, and attended Friends’ forenoon and afternoon meetings on first day. These were large favoured meetings, in which truth reigned.
On second day, the 8th of 11th month we proceeded to Trenton and had a large meeting there in the evening, with the few Friends of that place, and the inhabitants of the town, in which divers essential doctrines of the gospel were opened to the consideration of the assembly. It was a solemn meeting, and I parted with them in true peace of mind, which is the certain and consolatory result of disinterested obedience, and faithfulness to manifested duty.
We proceeded on third day, on our way to New-York, where we arrived the next day in season to attend Friends’ meeting in Pearl-street; it being their usual meeting day. The meeting was generally gathered when I got in, having had some distance to travel to reach there, which occasioned my being a few minutes after the time. My mind, soon after taking my seat, was brought under a renewed exercise, on account of the members of our society mixing in with the associations of other people, in their governments and politics, their Bible and Missionary societies, and pretended charity associations; which had a very hurtful tendency, by leavening the minds of Friends, and leading them to assimilate with the spirit of the world; and turning them away from the simplicity, of our profession, thereby neglecting to support our Christian testimonies, as it regards plainness of speech, deportment, and apparel. Such conduct is particularly wounding to some of the beloved youth, for they seeing their elder brethren, and especially some who were sometimes active in our meetings for discipline, join with such associations, it leads them into a free familiarity and friendship with such as are light and vain in their conversation and deportment, by which their tender minds are greatly wounded; and they led off from the cross, and a strict regard to that sobriety of conduct, which truth requires of all its professors. I was led to communicate largely on those subjects, in a close searching testimony; and the Lord’s power was felt to prevail, and the meeting generally brought under a solemn covering. It proved a season of favour, and the right-minded were made to rejoice.
Feeling my mind impressed with a concern to appoint a meeting for the citizens at large, the appointment was accordingly made at seven o’clock the ensuing evening. It was a very large collection, more than the house could contain; and was a highly favoured season. A very precious solemnity was spread over the assembly in general; and when I sat down, after standing nearly two hours, I turned my eyes over the congregation, and all was quiet and still, and every countenance seemed expressive of the solemnity felt, which united us together and clothed us as with a mantle of love. Surely it was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes.