After the last mentioned meeting we proceeded on our journey, attending meetings at Stanford, Milan, and on first day the 26th of 7th month, the forenoon and afternoon meetings at Hudson. On second day we rested, on third day attended a meeting at Athens, on fourth day at Ghent, on fifth day at Chatham, on sixth day at Nassau, and on seventh day evening we had a large meeting in Albany, held in their state-house, generally composed of people of other professions and inhabitants of the town, who behaved themselves very soberly, becoming the occasion. It was a solemn, and, I trust, a profitable opportunity, in which truth was raised into dominion; and which in like manner was witnessed in all the foregoing meetings, the people coming together very freely and in great numbers, and a general solemnity prevailed over the assemblies from meeting to meeting. Surely it was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvellous in our eyes; witnessing that he had not left himself without an evidence of the truth in each mind, by which their understandings were opened to receive, and many of them to bear testimony to the doctrines delivered in those large solemn meetings.
From Albany we proceeded on first day morning, the 2d of 8th month, to Troy, and attended their forenoon and afternoon meetings. These were very large meetings. The first was held in Friends’ meeting-house, but great numbers collected more than the house could contain: this induced Friends to accept the offer of a house belonging to the Episcopalians, which was not occupied, for the accommodation of the afternoon meeting. They gave the citizens an invitation to attend; and although it was a very large building, yet it did not contain the people who assembled, many had to go away for want of room. This was likewise a highly favoured opportunity, in which truth reigned to the comfort and edification of the upright in heart, and to the general satisfaction of the assembled multitude. It was, in the estimation of Friends, the largest meeting which had ever been assembled on any occasion before in that city.
On second day we had an appointed meeting at Greenbush, a village on the east side of the river, opposite Albany. After this we proceeded on our journey about eleven miles to the town of Bethlehem, southwesterly from Albany. Here we lodged with our kind friend Thomas Rushmore, and attended a meeting in his house by appointment, on third day; the few Friends of that place were privileged with holding a meeting for worship in this Friend’s house. On fourth day we attended Friends’ meeting at Stanton Hill; and the three following days attended meetings at New Baltimore, Rensselaerville, and Oak Hill. These were all large satisfactory meetings.
On first day we were at Bern meeting in the morning; and at the fourth hour in the afternoon had an appointed meeting at a village called Rensselaerville City, which was held in a large meeting-house belonging to the Methodist society. These were very large favoured meetings, in which the truths of the gospel went forth freely to the people, and appeared to be gladly and satisfactorily received by them; and I took leave of them with true peace of mind. On second day we had an appointed meeting at Middleburgh, much to our satisfaction. It was a very solemn instructive opportunity, and the people appeared to receive the word preached with much readiness of mind, and we left them with thankful hearts.
We proceeded on third day to Duanesburgh, in order to attend their quarterly meeting, which opened there the next day with a meeting of Ministers and Elders, and was a favoured opportunity. The meeting for discipline was large, and the business conducted in much harmony and condescension; and the public meeting the next day was very large; hundreds had to stand out of doors for want of room; and it was a highly favoured season, worthy of grateful remembrance.
From thence we proceeded to Charleston, and attended Friends’ meeting there on first day, the 16th of 8th month. This was likewise a very large meeting, the largest, Friends said, that had ever been known there before. It was judged, that as many stood without for want of room, as the house contained; and it was a very solemn time, both within and without the doors. The divine canopy was felt to spread over the whole assembly, and we took leave of them with true peace of mind and thankfulness of heart, under a grateful sense of the unmerited favour.
On second day we rode to Utica; and the next day had an appointed meeting there at the eleventh hour. After this we proceeded to Bridgewater, and attended their fourth day meeting. These were not so large as in some other places, neither was there as much openness to receive our testimony as had generally been the case elsewhere. Our opposing Friends had filled their heads with so many strange reports, to which they had given credit without examination, by which their minds were so strongly prejudiced against me, that many in the compass of these two last meetings, were not willing to see me, nor hear any reasons given to show them their mistakes, and that the reports they had heard were altogether unfounded: however, I was favoured to communicate the truth to those who attended, so that they generally went away fully satisfied, and I left them with peace of mind.
From this place we proceeded to Deruyter, having a meeting at Smyrna, on sixth day, in our way. On first day we attended Friends’ meeting at Deruyter in the morning, and at the fifth hour in the afternoon had an appointed meeting in Deruyter village for the inhabitants generally, which was held in the Baptist meeting-house. These two meetings were very large, and they were highly favoured opportunities, in which truth was raised into dominion over all opposition; and we parted from them with true peace of mind, a rich reward for a faithful discharge of duty.
The next day, the 24th of 8th month, we proceeded to Sempronius, having a meeting by previous appointment on our way, in the town of Homer, at the eleventh hour. It was held in a large meeting-house belonging to the Methodist society, which they freely offered for the accommodation of the people, there being no Friends in the place. A very considerable number of the inhabitants attended, and behaved soberly, giving good attention to what was communicated, and went away apparently satisfied; and we parted with them under an humbling sense that the appointment, and our labour and service in this meeting, were owned by the Head of the Church. We arrived at Sempronius about sunset, and had an appointed meeting there the next day, held in Friends’ meeting-house at the third hour in the afternoon. This was likewise a favoured opportunity, in which the power of truth went forth freely, humbling and contriting many minds.
After this we proceeded to Skeneateles, and put up with our kind friend William Willets, and rested here the next day. On fifth day we attended Friends’ meeting at this place, as it came in course; and notice being given of our intention of attending it, the meeting was large. This was a very comforting satisfactory opportunity, apparently so to all present, although composed of many of the members of the varied societies of professed Christians common in our land, and divers of their ministers.