On sixth day we had an appointed meeting in the town of Auburn, at the third hour in the afternoon; and on seventh day, an appointed meeting at North-street, in Scipio. These meetings were largely attended, and, I trust, instructive profitable opportunities to many who were there. After the latter meeting, we visited several families of Friends, and took lodgings with our kind friend John Merritt.
The next day being the first of the week, and 30th of 8th month, we attended the meeting at South-street. The three following days we had meetings, by appointment, at Salmon Creek, Aurora, and Union Springs. These were all very large favoured meetings, in which the power of truth went forth freely, and appeared to have a ready entrance into the minds of the people in a very general manner, bringing a very comfortable solemnity over these large assemblies; and we took leave of them with thankful hearts and in true peace of mind.
We then proceeded on our journey to Junius, crossing Cayuga lake on the way. Here we had a meeting the next day, the fifth of the week, and 3d of 9th month; and the day following had an appointed meeting at Galen. These were highly favoured opportunities, in which the Lord’s presence was felt to preside, reducing the assemblies into a very solemn state, and truth was raised into dominion over all, to the comfort and establishment of Friends on the ancient foundation, the light within; by the power and efficacy of which, our primitive worthies were gathered to be a people, from among the varied societies of professed Christians. For they were settled on that unshaken rock, which Jesus told his disciples he would build his Church upon, viz: the revelation of his heavenly Father, against which the gates of hell should never be able to prevail; and although the powers of the earth rose up against them, and used all their power and policy, both priests and people, to overthrow them, yet they were never permitted to prevail; for the Lord Jehovah, on whose almighty arm they had placed their entire trust and confidence for support and defence, delivered them from all their tribulations, and set them above their persecutors, and caused them to rejoice on the banks of deliverance. And he is the same God of power that he ever was, and a present helper in every needful time; and although many in the present day, who have left their first love, are rising up, and charging their fellow-professors with holding unsound doctrines, and are endeavouring, by unfounded and reproachful epithets, to destroy and undermine their religious and moral character among men, and have separated from their brethren, and set up separate meetings, giving them the names of the meetings of Friends; and in their usurped authority undertake to disown their fellow-members, who could not submit to their usurpation: yet all their formal disownments being altogether out of the order of the gospel, our meetings consider them of no effect.
From Galen we proceeded to South Farmington, and attended a meeting there on seventh day, at the third hour in the afternoon; and the next day being first day, we attended North Farmington meeting. The three following days we had meetings at Macedon, Palmyra, and Williamson. These were likewise large favoured meetings, in which truth was exalted over all, and we parted with them in true peace of mind, and proceeded on our journey to Rochester, and had a meeting on sixth day, by appointment: we also staid and attended their meeting on first day.
After this we proceeded to Wheatland, and had an appointed meeting there on second day, the 14th of 9th month; on third day we were at Henrietta, and on fourth day at Mendon. These were all favoured opportunities; the people’s minds seemed to be open to receive us and our testimony with gladness. From this place we turned back through Farmington and Scipio, to Skeneateles, and attended a meeting by our appointment at a village about five miles from the village of Skeneateles, on the east side of the lake. On first day we attended Friends’ meeting at Skeneateles; on second day we proceeded to Verona; and the next day had a meeting there, held in a meeting-house occupied by the Baptists, Friends’ meeting-house being too small to contain the people who assembled.
The next day being fourth day, we proceeded to Utica, and had an appointed meeting in the evening. Here we remained over the next day, and attended Friends’ meeting as it came in course. From this place we proceeded to Charleston, and attended their meeting on first day. These meetings, in like manner, were all solemn seasons; and, I trust, profitable and comfortable to many; and I left them with peace of mind. After the last meeting, we rode about thirteen miles, and lodged with our kind friend Zacheus Mead. The following day we proceeded on our journey to Newtown; and the next day attended Friends’ meeting there. After this we proceeded to Saratoga, and attended Friends’ preparative meeting at that place; and not feeling clear to leave it, we had an appointed meeting there the day after, of which public notice was given. It was very large; and it proved a highly favoured season; the Lord’s presence was manifested for our help, and truth was raised into dominion, and ran like oil over the assembly. Many hearts were broken and contrited, and the upright in heart were made to rejoice for the unmerited favour.
The following day we had an appointed meeting at Milton. After this we proceeded to Galway, and lodged with our ancient friend Philip Macomber, who was in the ninety-first year of his age. Here we had a meeting on seventh day. The next day, the 4th of 10th month, we attended Providence meeting, which was very large. On second day we had an appointed meeting at Mayfield. These were all seasons of favour, particularly that at Providence, in which truth was exalted over all opposition, and many hearts were contrited; from a sense of which, our minds were bowed in reverence and humiliation before Him, who is the author of all our sure mercies.
We proceeded from Mayfield to Greenfield, and on fourth day attended Friends’ monthly meeting at that place, which was composed of that and Milton preparative meetings. We had good satisfaction in sitting with our Friends, and in observing their commendable order, and the harmony and condescension manifest in conducting the affairs of the Church.