On sixth day we attended the quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders held at Westland, where we met with but little opposition; and the next day we attended the quarterly meeting of discipline. I had good service in the meeting for worship, which preceded that for discipline. It was very large, a great number of those not in membership with Friends came in, and behaved very orderly. Here we met with some opposition, more particularly in the meeting for discipline from the Friend above mentioned. And Friends were so disturbed with the conduct of this Friend and his companion, that they proposed that the Elders and Overseers should take an opportunity with them, and see if they could not put a stop to such disorderly conduct; accordingly they had an interview with them, in which Friends relieved their minds pretty fully; but the few termed Orthodox, used their influence in their favour, which greatly prevented their being benefited by the opportunity.
Public notice was given at the close of the meeting on seventh day, that my companion and myself intended to be at their meeting the next day. A great number more assembled than the house could contain; and although the Friend above alluded to, had so fully discovered that not only Friends, but the people generally, had no unity with him, yet soon after the meeting was settled, he rose and stood a considerable time. After he sat down, I was favoured to clear myself among them in a large impressive testimony, that soon brought a precious solemnity over the meeting; and many hearts were broken and contrited, and I took an affectionate farewell of the assembly in the fresh feelings of gospel love. As I was about to close the meeting, the same individual again rose, and began to oppose what had been said by me; this so offended the people, Friends and others, that they rose up and went out in great numbers, he at the same time begging them to stay; but they refused and continued going out until he was discouraged and sat down. Soon after I closed the meeting, feeling very sorry for the people to see them so imposed upon.
After this meeting we proceeded that afternoon about seven miles, on our way to Pittsburg. On second day we rode to Pittsburg, and lodged with Robert Townsend; who, although not in membership with Friends, entertained us with much kindness and hospitality. The day following at evening, we had a large satisfactory meeting in their court-house, Friends having no meeting in that town. On fourth day we proceeded on our journey, crossing the Alleghany river at Pittsburg, and arrived that evening at a village, at the great falls of the river Beaver. The next day we had an appointed meeting there, held in a field under some trees, which made a comfortable shade, the weather being very warm, and Friends meeting-house much too small to contain the people who assembled. It was a very solemn opportunity, in which truth was raised into victory over all, and the people appeared thankful for the favour; and I witnessed the consoling evidence of true peace, in faithfully discharging my duty among them.
After this favoured meeting, we went forward that afternoon towards Salem, in order to attend the quarterly meeting at that place, which opened the next day at the eleventh hour, with a meeting of Ministers and Elders. Friends met in a school-house which one of them had built on his own premises, with which, and a temporary shed that Friends put up adjoining to it, the meeting was pretty well accommodated. They conducted the business of the quarterly meeting in much unity and concord, and the Lord’s presence was evidently felt to cover the assembly. The next day being first day, and as notice was spread of our being there, the meeting was very large. It was judged by Friends that upwards of two thousand people attended. It was a highly favoured season, in which I was enabled by Him, who when he opens none can shut, and when he shuts none can open, to declare the truth to the people in the demonstration of the spirit, and with a power attending which brought a precious solemnity over the meeting, and many hearts were humbled and contrited.
The next day we had a meeting by appointment at Fairfield. This was also a very large meeting, many more assembled than the house could contain. I had a favoured time among them, and was made thankful for the opportunity, and had cause to believe my labour was not in vain.
The day following we attended New Garden quarterly meeting. Here Friends had a trying time, as those called Orthodox, although they were but a small part of the meeting, had undertaken to disown a number of Friends; but Friends did not acknowledge their authority, nor consider their disownments of any effect, and they all came together as usual in the quarterly meeting. The Orthodox strove hard to get Friends to withdraw, but they refused, and proceeded with the business of the meeting, which those called Orthodox interrupted for a time; but finding that Friends would not give way, they finally left the meeting, and retired to a school-house, and Friends had a comfortable season together, and conducted their business in much harmony and condescension, and were evidently owned by the Head of the Church.
I appointed a meeting on fourth day for the public at large, Friends, and others. A large number assembled; many more than the house could contain. We had a precious meeting: the Lord’s power prevailed in an eminent manner. It was a season thankfully to be remembered, and was truly an humbling time among the people.
After this we proceeded to New Lisbon, to attend a meeting there the next day, which we had previously appointed. It was held out of doors, there being no house in the town sufficient to hold the people that Friends apprehended would assemble. Being aware of this, they erected a booth or shed, by setting up posts, on which they laid long poles, and covered them with branches of trees to make a shade, as the weather was very warm. Under this we had a very large favoured meeting, to the general satisfaction of the people, and peace of my own mind.
The two following days we attended meetings, by appointment, at Springfield and Goshen. Those called Orthodox had possession of the meeting-houses at those places, and refused to admit us; but although they could shut us out of the meeting-houses, yet they could not shut us out from the divine presence, for this was felt eminently to preside in both these highly favoured meetings.