The next day, being first day and 17th of 8th month, we attended Marlborough meeting. It was very large, notice having been previously given of our intention to be there, so that hundreds assembled who could not get into the house. I had an open opportunity among them, to proclaim the everlasting gospel in the demonstration of the spirit, to the comfort and satisfaction of this large assembly, except those called Orthodox, who, when I sat down, made great opposition, which greatly offended the people.
We then proceeded to Canton, a pretty large country town, and attended a meeting at the fourth hour in the afternoon, and notice was publicly given that we were to be there. As there were no members of our society in the town, the meeting was held in their court-house. Many of the respectable inhabitants attended, and information being given to Friends of Kendal, a small meeting about seven miles distant, most of them attended, and many other inhabitants of that place came also to the meeting. We had a favoured opportunity with them, and left them with peace.
After this we returned to New Garden, and put up with our kind friend Nathan Galbreath. The next day being the fourth of the week, we rode to Salem, and attended Friends’ monthly meeting, in which I was led to stir up Friends to faithfulness, in support of our religious testimonies, as the eyes of the people were upon us, watching our movements in this time of trial, Friends separating from each other, and setting up separate meetings, which caused a great breach of unity and confusion in most of our meetings, which a few years previous thereto had been united together in the bonds of Christian fellowship; but a few individuals who had gained some influence in society, letting in the spirit of jealousy, began to accuse some of their friends of promulgating unsound doctrines, without any just cause for so doing, by which they greatly disturbed the peace and quiet of society; and being encouraged therein by several Friends from England, who as ministers, had obtained liberty from their friends at home, to come over on a visit to Friends in this country, they blew up the fire of discord, until they brought about a division in our once peaceful society; a small minority of which, in many places, separated themselves from the body, and set up separate meetings, assuming the names of the yearly, quarterly, and monthly meetings; and these, in their presumption, have taken upon them to deal with and disown the great body of the society.
The next day we returned to New Garden and attended Friends’ monthly meeting there; and the neighbouring inhabitants being apprized of our return, a great number came in, and greatly enlarged the meeting; and He that openeth, and none can shut, graciously condescended to open my mouth among them, in a large effective testimony to the truths of the gospel; and many hearts were humbled and contrited. It appeared as a renewed visitation of the heavenly Father’s love to Friends and others; and it was a season gratefully to be remembered by all present; for surely it was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes.
The day following we had an appointed meeting at Sandy Spring, at the fourth hour in the afternoon. The meeting was very large, and favoured with the overshadowing wing of divine kindness; and a precious solemnity pervaded the assembly, and my mind was opened to declare the truth to them, to the apparent satisfaction and comfort of the assembled multitude; and I took leave of them with thankfulness and peace of mind. We remained here until the next morning, and then proceeded on our journey to Richmond, about thirty-five miles, where we took up our lodging at an inn. The next day being first day, and 24th of 8th month, we had an appointed meeting in the town. The inhabitants were mostly Presbyterians and Methodists. It was held in their school-house, a large convenient room. The people came in freely, and behaved with great propriety and order, and appeared to go away satisfied; and I felt true peace in having faithfully, in gospel love, discharged myself among them.
After this we proceeded about five miles on our way to Smithfield, and the next morning rode to that place; but being somewhat unwell, we rested there through the day, and the next day had an appointed meeting there, at the fourth hour in the afternoon. Those called Orthodox, shut the meeting-house against us; but Friends provided seats under the shade of trees, in an adjacent wood, where we had a very solemn, favoured meeting, in which the Lord’s power prevailed over all in an eminent degree, and broke down all opposition, and many hearts were broken and contrited; and we parted with them under a grateful sense of the Lord’s mercy for the unmerited favour.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Continuation of his visit to Friends in some parts of Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1828.—Decease of his wife in 1829.—Visit to Friends in the yearly meeting of New-York in 1829.—Letter to Hugh Judge in 1830.—His decease in 1830.—Memorial of the monthly meeting of Jericho in 1830.