The three following days, we were at Concord, Birmingham, and Bradford, all favoured meetings, through fervent labour, and the prevalence of truth; may the Lord make it effectual, and fasten it as a nail in a sure place. The 21st we were at East Caln, mostly silent. The 22d, and first of the week, we were at Uwchlan; the meeting was large, wherein I had to expose the danger of self-righteousness, or a trust in natural religion, or mere morality; showing that it was no more than the religion of Atheists, and was generally the product of pride and self-will; and, however good it may appear to the natural unregenerate man, is as offensive in the divine sight, as those more open evils, which appear so very reproachful to the eyes of men. I was favoured by the spirit of truth, in a large searching testimony, to the convicting and humbling many hearts, and comfort of the faithful.
The 23d we attended the meeting at Nantmill, mostly in silence. The three following days, we were at Pikeland, Valley, and Willistown meetings; all in a good degree favoured. The 27th we were at Goshen; the meeting was large. I had to caution Friends against mixing with the people in their human policies, and outward forms of government; showing that, in all ages, those, who were called to be the Lord’s people, had been ruined, or suffered great loss, by such associations; and manifesting clearly by scripture testimony, and other records, that our strength and preservation consisted in standing alone, and not to be counted among the people or nations; who were setting up party, and partial interests, one against another, which is the ground of war and bloodshed: these are actuated by the spirit of pride, and wrath, which is always opposed to the true Christian spirit, which breathes “peace on earth, and goodwill to all men.” Those, therefore, who are in the true Christian spirit, cannot use any coercive force or compulsion by any means whatever; not being overcome with evil, but overcoming evil with good. Although there were many opposing spirits present, who, in their creaturely wisdom and human policy, are pleading for those kinds of associations, and taking part in those political governments, yet truth favoured, and came into a good degree of dominion over all, strengthening and encouraging the true travellers for Zion’s prosperity.
The 29th, and first of the week, we attended Middletown meeting; and at the fourth hour in the afternoon, were at Providence; both large crowded meetings, more than the houses could contain. I was favoured by the power of truth, in an eminent manner, especially in the former meeting; where many hearts were deeply bowed, from the sensible evidence of the prevalence of divine power, which was in dominion over all, tendering the hearts of most present. It was a precious season, worthy of thankful remembrance, and humble gratitude to the blessed Author of all our rich mercies and blessings, “who is over all, God blessed for ever.”
The 30th we attended the monthly meeting at Providence, consisting of the particular meetings of Providence, Middletown, Springfield, and Chester. Things in this meeting appeared in a low state, as to the right ordering of the affairs of the Church. Numerous, and great, were the apparent deviations among them; many of their youth were gone out into the foolish fashions and vain customs of the world to such a degree, as not to retain any marks of true primitive plainness. “O how is the gold become dim; how is the most fine gold changed!” Many parents, who retain a good degree of outward plainness themselves, for want of dwelling enough in the pure spring of divine life, have suffered the eye of their minds to be so far blinded by the god of this world, as not only to suffer these improper indulgences in their families, and among their children, but, in some instances, are ready to plead for them. The sense of this much affected my mind, and under this exercise I was led forth in a line of close searching labour among them, to stir up Friends to more diligence, and honest care in those respects; which, I trust, afforded a degree of comfort and strength to the honest-hearted, and procured peace to my own mind, which is a treasure I prefer to all this world’s glory and honour.
The 1st of 5th month we attended the meetings of Springfield, and Haverford; both favoured, profitable seasons. The 2d we were at Newtown, where, in a line of close searching labour, I was led to show the danger of trusting the salvation of our souls to any thing short of a full surrender of our wills, and an entire dedication of our hearts to the Lord, in an humble circumspect walking before Him; and separating ourselves from the world, its spirit, manners, maxims, governments, honours and customs; all of which are polluted, and arising from the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye and the pride of life. Truth rose into victory, softening many hearts, and comforting and strengthening the faithful. Surely God is good to Israel, although in a state of great revolting; yet he delighteth in showing himself merciful; praised and magnified be his great and adorable name, over all for ever.
The 3d and 4th we attended meetings at Radnor and Merion; and then passed on to Philadelphia, to attend their quarterly meeting, which opened on the 5th, with a meeting for Ministers and Elders, and closed on third day the 8th of the month, with a meeting for the youth, and one for the black people, in the afternoon. I think, in general, it was a time of favour, through much hard labour in the several sittings. Indeed we have no reason to expect to come at the spring any other way, than by faithfully digging, as with our staves, while there remains so much rubbish on the well’s mouth.
The 9th we attended the select quarterly meeting at Abington; and the day following the quarterly meeting for discipline. I was engaged among them, in each meeting, and the favour extended was cause of thankfulness to the honest-hearted. The 11th we returned to Philadelphia; and, in the afternoon, passed over the river Delaware to Haddonfield in West Jersey. The 12th we attended a monthly meeting at Upper Evesham; it was a low time, with not much of that divine life and power, which only can qualify for the right conducting of discipline, to be felt among them; and left them without much relief of mind.
The 13th of the month, and first of the week, we attended meetings at Evesham, and Cropwell; in the former, I was helped to labour pretty largely in testimony, to the comfort of a few honest-hearted, and a number of youth with tender minds; but the greater part of the meeting appeared to be in a state of great insensibility and ease; a situation which is generally callous to all the tender invitations, and entreaty of their friends, who are in travail for their redemption and salvation; and too much like the deaf adder, which will not listen to the voice of the charmer, although he charm ever so wisely. In the latter meeting, I was silent as to ministry.
The 14th we attended the monthly meeting at Haddonfield, in which I laboured, in the ability received, for their help and improvement. But alas, some meetings are so lost to the life of true religion, and so many, who go under our profession, are sunk into such a state of indifference and lukewarmness, that the affairs of the Church are too much conducted in a kind of rotation, and creaturely wisdom, void of that true weight, and feeling sensibility, which only gives right qualification for service in the Church; hence great weakness ensues, and the way of right reformation is closed, and truth prevented from arising in its primitive splendour and beauty.
The 15th we were at Moore’s Town and Rancocas; in the former meeting, the power that “cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon,” manifestly prevailed to the tendering many hearts. Truth came into victory over all; praised for ever be the right worthy name of Israel’s King, who, in holy condescending love, was pleased to make bare his arm for our help; and once more redeemed my poor soul out of adversity, and the deep depressing baptisms, which for some days past it had been plunged into, by suffering with the seed, which lies pressed down in the hearts of many lukewarm worldly minded professors, as a cart with sheaves. From thence we passed on, having meetings at Mansfield Neck, Burlington, Mansfield, and Bordentown; which were all favoured meetings, truth being near for our help.