After the latter meeting, we dined with our friend Thomas Peart. We then took leave of our friends in near unity, and proceeded on our journey to Columbia, and lodged with our kind friend William Wright, who, with his worthy and affectionate wife, entertained us with great hospitality. We had an appointed meeting at this place the next day. The two following days we attended meetings at Little York and Newbury. All of these were favoured opportunities, in which truth was raised into dominion, and many hearts were humbled and contrited, and the faithful comforted and made to rejoice together in the unity of the one spirit, Christ, the only sure foundation, on which the true Church has been built in all the varied ages of mankind, from the beginning down to the present time; and on which all future generations must build, or their building must and will fall.
On first day, the 13th of 7th month, we attended Friends’ meeting at Warrington, and the two following days the meetings of Huntington and Menallen. These were all favoured opportunities, in which ability was vouchsafed, by the blessed Author of all our sure mercies, to preach the gospel to the people in the simplicity, plainness, and demonstration of the spirit, which brought a precious solemnity over the assemblies; and I parted with them with the satisfactory evidence of having faithfully discharged myself among them, feeling that true peace of mind, which the world, with all its fading enjoyments, cannot give nor take away. The next day, the 16th, we proceeded on our journey through the mountains to Redstone, about one hundred and sixty-one miles; and arrived there on first day, the 20th, about eight o’clock in the morning, at the house of our kind friend Jesse Townsend. We attended their meeting at the eleventh hour, which was large and favoured. We lodged with our aforesaid friend, during the time we spent in this place.
On second day we rested. On third and fourth days we attended meetings at Providence and Centre. On fifth day we attended Westland monthly meeting; and the neighbourhood being informed of our coming, there were more people assembled than the house could contain; and I had a full opportunity to discharge myself among them in a large effective testimony, which brought a precious solemnity over the meeting, and many minds were humbled and contrited.
A Friend from abroad attended this meeting, and after I sat down he rose and made opposition, which greatly disturbed the meeting.
On sixth day we attended an appointed meeting at Pike Run. It was held in the side of a wood, the meeting-house having been burnt. There being but few Friends in this place, they met in a small private room: this induced them to make seats out of doors, as the house would not have held half the people that met. It was an unusually favoured season. In the silent part of the meeting, the divine presence was felt to spread over the assembly, producing such a sweet and precious solemnity, as I scarcely ever before witnessed in the same fullness, and which continued through the course of my communication. Surely it was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvellous in our eyes.
After this meeting we dined with our kind friend John Grave, and then proceeded on our way about three miles towards Brownsville, and lodged with our friend Isaac Walker. On seventh day night we lodged at the house of our friend Solomon Philips, near Brownsville; and the next morning crossed the river Monongahela into the town. Here we put up again with our kind friends Jesse and Edith Townsend, where we had the company of many Friends, and many of the inhabitants of the town not members of our society, also came in to see us; as the unfounded reports of those who style themselves Orthodox, having been generally spread over the country, it created such a great excitement in the minds of the people at large, that multitudes flocked to the meetings where we were, to hear for themselves; and many came to see us, and acknowledged their satisfaction.
At this place we again fell in with the Friend from abroad, who attended the meeting with us; he rose in the early part of the meeting, and continued his communication so long, that a number left the meeting, by which it became very much unsettled: however, when he sat down I felt an opening to stand up; and the people returned and crowded into the house, and those that could not get in stood about the doors and windows, and a precious solemnity soon spread over the meeting, which has been the case in every meeting, where our opposers did not make disturbance by their disorderly conduct. The meeting closed in a quiet and orderly manner, and I was very thankful for the favour.
On second day we rested and wrote to our friends. On third day we attended their preparative meeting for Ministers and Elders, and on fourth day their monthly meeting. Here the Friend who had before made opposition opposed me publicly and personally in the meeting for worship; but I nevertheless had a favoured opportunity, to the general satisfaction of the meeting, and to the peace of my own mind.
We attended Westland meeting again on fifth day as it came in course. It was pretty large, many of the neighbouring inhabitants coming in. We had a very favoured meeting; Friends were comforted together, and the people went away satisfied; and my mind was fully relieved, and inspired with thankfulness and gratitude.