In the evening I had a precious interesting opportunity with the coloured people, in Friends’ meeting-house in the Western District. It was said by Friends to be much the largest known in that place. It was a very quiet, solemn meeting; and the minds of all, both white and coloured, seemed animated with gladness and joy for the favour dispensed, and gave manifestations of their thankfulness and gratitude for the opportunity.
We then proceeded towards Philadelphia, attending several meetings on our way, which were greatly favoured, and crowned with the divine presence and power, in such a manner as to be marvellous in our eyes.
We arrived in Philadelphia in the early part of 12th month; and I immediately entered on the arduous concern which I had had in prospect, and which I was favoured soon comfortably to accomplish. We visited the families composing Green-street monthly meeting, being in number about one hundred and forty; and we also attended that monthly meeting, and the monthly meeting for the Northern District. This closed my visit there, and set me at liberty to turn my face homeward. We left Philadelphia on the 25th of 12th month, and attended several meetings in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, on our way home, which were large and solemn opportunities. We were favoured to reach our homes with feelings of thanksgiving to our gracious Preserver, and with the enjoyment of that precious peace, which is experienced by those whose minds are stayed on God; as the prophet declared in his appeal to Jehovah: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” And he subjoins, for our encouragement: “Trust in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” May we all dwell here; then nothing can hurt or harm us; for the Lord our Preserver will turn all the designs and cunning devices of those that rise up against us upon their own heads, and cause them to fall into their own pit.
In the latter part of 1823, I felt myself engaged to make a religious visit to Friends and others in several of the lower quarterly meetings; and having obtained the unity of my friends, I set out in the 10th month, with Samuel Willis as my companion. After having meetings at Westchester and Mamaroneck, we attended the select quarterly meeting at Purchase, which was small, many of the members being absent. They appeared to be clothed with much weakness: I was led into a feeling sympathy with them, and way was opened to communicate to their states, in a way that was comforting and encouraging to the honest-hearted. The next day was the quarterly meeting of discipline. It was large; and, I think, in the main it was a favoured instructive season, although considerably hurt by a long tedious communication from a Friend, not sufficiently clothed with life to make it useful. But the society is in such a mixed and unstable state, and many who presume to be teachers in it are so far from keeping on the original foundation, the light and spirit of truth, and are so built up in mere tradition, that I fear a great portion of the ministry amongst us is doing more harm than good, and is leading back to the weak and beggarly elements to which some seem desirous to be again in bondage.
After leaving Purchase, we had a pretty large and favoured meeting at North Castle; and next day we went to Oblong, and attended their meeting on first day. It was large, and I had an open time among them, through the prevalence of that power which opens and none can shut, and when he shuts none can open. Truth reigned, and the people generally, I believe, were instructed, comforted, and edified. I parted with them in true peace of mind, which leads my heart into deep humility, and inspires it with gratitude and thanksgiving to the great and blessed Author of all our mercies. We had a meeting at the Branch, and then proceeded to Nine Partners, and attended the select quarterly meeting. It was much like some other meetings of this kind, hard and not very fruitful. The members of those meetings are too generally falling more short of coming up faithfully, according to their stations, than most of the other departments of our society. We attended the quarterly meeting for discipline, also that at Stanford, and soon after turned our faces homeward; where we arrived, accompanied with the fresh feelings of that love that many waters cannot quench; even that powerful love that is stronger than death, and binds together in an indissoluble bond, all the new-born children of the heavenly Father. May we all seek for it, and dwell in it. It will cast out all fear, and clothe with that innocent boldness, which will enable us to withstand all the dark powers of antichrist and his agents, and all their deceivableness of unrighteousness; and will raise above the fear of death, with all his mis-shapen and ugly forms, and clothe with the joys of God’s salvation here and for ever, as we continue steadfast in the faith that overcomes the world.
CHAPTER XVII.
Visit to Baltimore to attend the yearly meeting in 1824.—Visit to the inhabitants of the eastern part of Long Island in 1825.—Visit to Scipio quarterly meeting in 1825.—Visit to Southern and Concord quarterly meetings in Pennsylvania in 1826.—Visit to the families of Friends in Jericho and Westbury monthly meetings in 1827.—Visit to Friends in some parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio in 1828.