The next day I attended Friends’ meeting near the Bowery, as it came in course; and some notice being given of my intending to be there, we had the company of a number of their neighbours of other societies. This was also a very instructive favoured season.
The ensuing evening I had another appointed meeting for the citizens at large, in Friends’ meeting-house at Liberty-street. This was rather a trying meeting; as many who attended were such as had settled down in a form, and were difficult to reach, which makes hard labour for the truly exercised ministers. However I had a hope the season would prove profitable to some, and I left them with peace of mind.
This meeting closed my labours in this journey, and the next morning we rode home, the 12th of the 11th month, 1819. I found my family and friends in usual health, and glad to see me, which rendered it a cause of mutual joy, and filled my heart with gratitude and thanksgiving to the God and Father of all our sure mercies, who had led about, instructed and preserved me, through all, to the praise of his great and excellent name.
I was from home in this journey about three months, and travelled nearly twelve hundred miles, and attended eighty-seven meetings.
First day, 14th. I sat with my Friends in our own meeting, in which I was largely led forth in ministry, setting forth, as it opened on my mind, the cause why so little progress was made in reformation, and the true spiritual or real Christian life; and showing that it was principally, as it then appeared in the openings of truth, occasioned by the visited children of our heavenly Father, not keeping close to that which first visited them, and opened their understanding; but letting their minds out to worldly things, and that by opening the way to a free and familiar converse with the people of the world, many were led and induced thereby to join with them in their manners, maxims, interests and worldly policies, by which means they were so yoked together in a free and open friendship, as thereby to become weakened and brought into bondage to them; so as to be ashamed and afraid to stand upright, and bear a faithful testimony against this worldly spirit and its fruits; by which the testimonies of truth were in a great measure let fall, for fear of offending these their worldly-minded associates, by which the promotion of the cause of truth was greatly obstructed, and its faithful testimony-bearers grieved, and made to go mourning on their way.
Fifth day. Attended our monthly meeting, in which I also had some close searching labour to stir up Friends to more diligence and faithfulness in the support of our Christian testimonies; and cautioning them against a worldly spirit, which would lead to extortion and grinding the faces of the poor; for this is very reproachful for any Christian professor, and more so for us, who are making a more exalted profession than any others who go under the Christian name.
First day, the 21st. My mind to-day was led into a near feeling sympathy with such as had been visited with the day-spring from on high, but who had not so fully given up to the pointing of truth, in what are generally termed little things, as they ought; the natural tendency of which is to lead the mind into a doubting state. For when the creature, in his own will, takes the liberty of judging for himself, of what is little, or what is great, he departs from the true standard, and has no certain evidence to walk by; for if he has a right to judge for himself in one case, why not in every other. Here doubting will arise in his mind, of what is, or is not, agreeable to the divine will; as nothing can give the mind certain evidence, but faithfully complying with the evident sensations which the light of truth opens upon it, let them be what the creature may judge to be small or great; for we have no more reason or right to refuse complying with a small requisition, than we have a great one, if the requisition proceeds from the same source. The subject was so opened as to affect many minds with tenderness and contrition; and had an humbling, solemnizing effect on the meeting in general, and was, I believe, gladdening to many minds.
Fifth day. Attended our meeting in silence, which was very acceptable to me.
First day, the 28th. Mostly silent in meeting to-day.