Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks

by Elias Hicks

We left them with peace of mind, and the next day attended a meeting at Easton, alias Third Haven, among the black people, which we had appointed some days before. It proved a favoured opportunity, and to the edification, comfort, and encouragement of this poor, injured, and too much despised people; many of whom, I believe, have good desires begotten in their minds after the knowledge of the truth.

The next day, the first of the week, and the 11th of 2d month, we attended Friends’ meeting at this place, and information of our intention of being here having been given before, the neighbouring inhabitants generally came in, so that the house was much crowded. The gospel was largely and freely preached among them, to the apparent satisfaction of all present. How marvellous is thy loving kindness, O Lord, to the workmanship of thy holy hand; how art thou graciously holding out, from season to season, offers of reconciliation to thy revolting and rebellious children, and art calling to them, by thy servants, now, as formerly, return, return, repent and live; for why will ye die, O house of Israel, saith your God. We continued here and attended their meeting of Ministers and Elders; and, on fifth day, their monthly meeting, which was in some degree favoured; divers things were opened for the improvement and encouragement of Friends in well ordering the affairs of truth.

The day following we rode to Chester, and the next day attended Friends’ monthly meeting at Cecil, which was small; but truth favoured me with ability to labour, to stir up Friends to more vigilance, and careful waiting for the arising of the spring of life; as nothing short of the divine power, and renewed quickenings of the holy spirit, can qualify for the promotion of good order and discipline in the Church. The next day, the first of the week, we attended the meeting here. Notice having been given to the neighbouring inhabitants, many came in, most of whom appeared very raw and light; nevertheless, as Friends kept down to their exercise, towards the close of the meeting, truth came into dominion; and all that opposed it was made to bow and acknowledge its power; for which my spirit was made thankful to the Author of every blessing. On second and third days following, we attended two meetings; the first, in Friends’ meeting-house at Chester, and the latter at Chestertown in their court-house; both pretty large meetings, and overshadowed with the wing of divine power; although, in the latter meeting, we had to arrive at it through deep baptism, and suffering with the seed; for those that reign with Christ, must be willing likewise to suffer. The people, in the forepart, were very light, often whispering one to the other; a spirit of licentiousness appeared to be prevalent with many of them; but as truth arose, they were gradually subjected, until a becoming solemnity appeared in almost every countenance. I trust some good was effected in some minds; but we must leave the event to the Lord, to whom alone belongs all the praise; nothing due to man, but blushing and confusion of face.

The next day we attended a meeting at the head of Chester; it was somewhat hurt, in the forepart, for want of room. The house was not sufficient to contain all who came, and the weather too cold to stand without; yet, as it settled into quiet, it proved a precious baptizing season, and many hearts were melted into deep contrition. I had cause to hope that if the few Friends in that place show forth a good example, there will be some gathered. The day following we attended the meeting at Sassafras, to pretty good satisfaction. The next day we rode to East Nottingham, and attended their monthly meeting the day after; it proved a very exercising meeting, things being much out of order among them. I was led forth in a line of close searching labour, both in testimony in the first part of the meeting, and likewise in that for discipline; but I got little relief, except from a consciousness, in myself, of having discharged my duty faithfully among them. The next day, the first of the week, and 25th of 2d month, we attended their particular meeting; in which I had to expose, in a close, arousing testimony, that spirit among Friends, which pleads for joining with those active in civil government, and taking part therein, and adopting the maxims and spirit of the world. Truth reigned triumphantly in this meeting over all opposition and disorderly spirits. The 26th we rested. The 27th we attended West Nottingham meeting to good satisfaction, and were made to rejoice in truth’s victory over death and darkness, for which the honest-hearted were made thankful. The 28th we attended a meeting, lately established, about five miles distant from the former, which I sat mostly in silence, feeling no clear commission for preaching the gospel among them.

The 1st of 3d month, we attended Little Britain meeting, wherein I was opened and led into a large doctrinal communication, suited to the states of many present. The meeting was large and solid, and, I trust, edifying and instructive to a number present. But too many, who have ears to hear, and are led to acknowledge the truth of testimonies delivered, neglect the practical part, which is the most essential; and are, therefore, in a situation like those, who, seeing their natural faces in a glass, turn away, and forget what manner of persons they are. The 2d, we passed over the river Susquehannah, and lodged at Richard Webb’s, at Fawn, and attended their meeting next day. It was a solid, and, I believe to many, a profitable season. The 4th, and first of the week, we attended Deer Creek meeting, which was large, and favoured with the overshadowing wing of heavenly regard. The condescending goodness and mercy of a gracious God to his sinful creatures were marvellously displayed. The meeting was composed, in part, of a number of dark undisciplined spirits, many of whom, it was thought, had not been at any meeting for several years, and some of them never at any of ours before. The meeting appeared to be generally brought under a becoming solemnity, and concluded to our solid comfort. The 5th, we attended Bush River meeting, and although it was composed generally of a loose careless-minded people, yet truth favoured me; and, through divine help, the gospel was preached in the demonstration of the spirit, and with power. Many present were made sensible of its baptizing influence; and all contrary spirits appeared subjected, and brought down, and truth reigned triumphant.

The 6th and 7th of 3d month, we attended the meetings at Little Falls, and Gunpowder, both seasons of favour. The 8th we attended Friends’ monthly meeting at Baltimore. It was, I trust, a profitable season, both in the meeting for worship, and that for the discipline of the Church. In the meeting for worship, I was led, in a close searching testimony, to set forth the great danger, and hurtful effects, of Friends joining in with the spirit of the world, and taking any part in the fluctuating governments, customs, and manners thereof. Things opened clearly to show, that, in days past, the apostacy took place through that medium, both among the primitive Christians, and also in our own society; and that the only way, for us as a people to regain the primitive state, was to return back into ancient simplicity, to separate from the world, its spirit, governments, manners, and maxims; and to make no league with those actuated thereby. Truth rose into dominion, and the faithful among them were strengthened. May praises for ever be ascribed to the Shepherd of Israel, who is indeed a God near at hand, and a present helper in every needful time.

The 9th we rested, and I wrote to my family and friends at home. The 10th, we visited several families in the morning, and in the afternoon, at the third hour, attended a meeting among the poor, at the alms-house belonging to this city. It proved a comfortable season, and I was glad I gave up to the service. The 11th being the first of the week, we attended Friends’ meeting in the forenoon, and some notice being given among the town’s people of our being there, it was large; and after sitting a considerable time in silent labour, wherein my mind was baptized into the states of those present, I stood up with a prospect of the hurtful tendency of pride, both in religious and civil society. Truth opened the way, and gradually rose into a good degree of dominion, and, I trust, it was a profitable season to many present. In the afternoon, at the third hour, we had a meeting with the black people; and, except the hurt received by their long and untimely gathering, I think it was, in general, a comfortable season; and many among them appeared to be brought into a becoming solemnity, and we parted under the savour of truth.

On the 12th, we attended a meeting at Elk Ridge; it proved, in general, a heavy season, yet, I trust, a time of profit and favour to some. We rode that afternoon thirteen miles towards Indian Spring meeting, which we attended the next day. In this meeting, I was led, in a plain and full manner, to expose the enormous sin of oppression, and of holding our fellow creatures in bondage, with the pernicious fruits and effects of it, to those who are guilty thereof, especially to their children; who, being supported by the labour and toil of those held in slavery, and thereby brought up in idleness, were led into pride, and a very false, and dark idea respecting God, and his superintending providence, and into many other evils, fatal to their present and eternal well being, and tending to disqualify them from being useful in almost any respect, either to themselves or society, and thereby rendering them unworthy of the respect of wise and good men. Truth rose into dominion, and some present, who were slave holders, were made sensible of their conditions, and were much affected. I felt a hope to arise that the opportunity would prove profitable to some, and I left them with peace of mind. Since then, I have been informed, that a woman, present at that season, who possessed a number of slaves, was so fully convinced, as to set them free, and, not long after, joined in membership with Friends: which is indeed cause of gratitude and thankfulness of heart, to the great and blessed Author of every mercy vouchsafed to the children of men.