On fourth and fifth days, we attended the quarterly meeting of Abington; in which I was exercised in a line of close fervent labour, both in the meeting for Ministers and Elders, and the quarterly meeting at large. It was a season which gave hope of some improvement in many, but others appeared too much in a state of self-sufficiency, a most deplorable condition, sickly and wounded, and which refuses to be healed. For these, my mind felt pained. O, that they might, ere the day of their visitation pass over, witness their eyes anointed with the eyesalve of the gospel, that so they might be brought to see the precipice on which they stand, and be thereby reduced into the valley of humiliation; where alone true honour and right exaltation are known, and where they might experience a being washed from all their pollutions, and healed of all their wounds.
We attended a meeting at Byberry on sixth day, and, through the Lord’s presiding presence, it proved a day of signal favour. The doctrines of full and complete redemption from sin and death were clearly opened, and truth exalted over all the dark tenets, and carnal reasonings of men, which lead to unbelief and infidelity.
On seventh day we returned to Abington, where we had another large favoured meeting, wherein many things were opened in a plain way, tending to gather the minds of the people out of the spirit of the world, which leads to strife and contention, from whence party animosities arise, often a prelude to war; and calling their attention home to the great gospel privilege, the holy unction and anointing within: so that they need not that any man teach them, but as the same anointing teacheth; which, as they come to believe in and obey, would qualify them to judge of all ministry, and from whence it had its rise and spring; and thereby be delivered from all false glosses and mixtures in religion, and become established in that which never fell, the immoveable rock Christ Jesus, against which the gates of hell will never be able to prevail.
On first day, the 10th of 5th month, we attended Horsham meeting, and in the afternoon, the meeting at North Wales. It was a day of high favour, the Lord’s arm was graciously made bare for our help; and the meetings were very large, many not of our society attended. The gospel was freely preached among them, in the clear demonstration of the spirit. They were truly humbling seasons, especially the former, wherein a great number were much contrited, and wept freely. The rocks seemed to melt at the presence of the mighty God of Jacob, whose power was prevalently witnessed in that large assembly, to the praise and exaltation of his great and glorious name.
We attended the meeting at Plymouth on second day. Although there was an evident want, affectingly manifest, of that primitive zeal and integrity which distinguished our worthy predecessors, with too many of those, who fill up their places in outward profession; yet it was comforting to find, that the Shepherd of Israel was still graciously pleased to continue his merciful visitations, and renew his gracious calls to these, to return, and renew covenant with him. This was the substance of this day’s testimony and labour; may the Master of assemblies make it effectual, to all that were present of this description, is my sincere prayer. On third day we were at Providence meeting, which was small; nevertheless, through gracious regard, it proved an edifying, heart-tendering season. The states of the people were opened and spoken to, in the authority of truth, to their great humiliation; many hearts were much broken and reduced, and the Lord’s power exalted over all.
After this meeting, my mind was turned towards the quarterly meeting of Caln, to be held this time at Sadsbury, a newly established quarterly meeting, in the county of Chester. Finding it necessary to comply with the motion, believing my peace consisted in it, we set out immediately after dinner, having thirty miles, or upwards, to ride to it. The journey proved very wearisome to my infirm body, being much troubled at this time with a painful complaint, with which I was greatly afflicted during the time of this quarterly meeting, especially in the forepart of the public meeting, preceding the meeting for discipline. I was ready to conclude that I should be obliged to leave the meeting, my distress of body was so great; but feeling my mind drawn to the people, there being a large congregation present, I continued, and way opening, I was enlarged in clear, pertinent doctrine. Truth rose into dominion, in an eminent manner, and ran over all as oil, comforting and breaking many hearts, and reducing, and silencing every opposite spirit. A very precious solemnity was spread over the meeting, rejoicing the upright in heart, relieving to my own mind, and alleviating my bodily affliction. These are high favours; may an humbling and grateful sense thereof rest continually upon thee, O my soul, and mayest thou never forget how much thou owest to thy Lord, how deep and solemn are thy obligations to the God of thy salvation; how hath he often taken thee out of the horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set thee upon a rock, and put a new song into thy mouth, even praises, high praises to him.
From this meeting we returned to Caln, and attended their monthly meeting, held the sixth of the week. I was enabled to labour among them in much plainness, both in the meeting for worship, and for discipline; and left them with a peaceful mind. The three following days we attended meetings at Robinson, Exeter, and Reading. The number of members which constituted these meetings was small, but a considerable number of the neighbouring inhabitants attended. Ability was graciously afforded to preach the gospel freely in each, and the power attending broke and tendered many hearts, and an excellent savour and solemnity was felt to spread over the meetings, in an eminent manner; for which I was made humbly thankful to the bountiful Author of all our blessings. These favours were more than an adequate reward for all my toil and exercise; although I had been, for some days past, under the pressure of much bodily infirmity, accompanied with seasons of great uneasiness and pain; but the Lord’s power was over all, and kept my mind in patience, and sweet peace from day to day; blessed for ever, be his right worthy name.
The fourth of the week, and the 20th of 5th month, we attended the meeting at Maiden Creek. The same afternoon, and the next day, we crossed the Blue Mountains to Roaring Creek; and the day after, attended a meeting there. Both of these meetings were crowned with the Lord’s presence, and were edifying and instructive seasons. The morning following we rode to Catawissa, and attended their monthly meeting; and continued there until after their first day meeting. I was enabled, through the Lord’s good presence attending, to labour among them, both in the meeting for discipline, and those for worship, in much plainness; divers matters relative to the well-ordering of the affairs of truth were opened, which proved instructive and edifying.
After the latter meeting, we passed on that afternoon fifteen miles to Berwick, crossing the river Susquehannah in our way. The day following, the 25th of 5th month, although my bodily indisposition still continued, we had a meeting there, among the town’s people, and the few Friends of that place. It was a comfortable season, edifying and strengthening to Friends; and confirming to a number who were looking towards us with desires for further information. After this meeting, we rode to Fishing Creek, about eighteen miles; and the day following had a very satisfactory meeting at that place. Although in this journey, for a considerable time past, I have experienced much bodily infirmity; yet the Lord, in his abundant mercy, hath been graciously pleased to keep my mind stayed upon him. My trust and confidence have not at any time failed, not even when I have been reduced into a state of great distress and suffering; and my poor soul plunged into the mighty abyss of surrounding darkness, and sunk, as it were, to the bottom of the mountains: for as I patiently abode under those trying baptisms, and was made willing to endure my portion thereof, my spirit was raised out of this horrible pit; wherein I had been a partaker with the suffering seed in the hearts of those, who, through supineness, ease, forgetfulness, unbelief and a worldly spirit, had become like a bottomless abyss of corruption, darkness and errour: and I was enabled, through a real feeling of their deplorable states, to administer to their several wants, and open to them their condition. Many were reached in heart, and convinced of the errour of their ways, and were led to give God the glory of his own work. And, O, saith my soul, may all those who are sent out on this solemn embassy and most important service, dwell low in their minds, and keep a single eye to the Lord’s honour, that so self may be thoroughly abased: otherwise, there is great danger, in those trying and most afflictive dispensations, of the mind getting into a state of impatience, and therein be led to judge the people of hardness, and a spirit of opposition. This will not fail, if given way to, of centering the minds of such, either into a state of silent sadness and discouragement, that, like the disciples formerly, they will be for sending the people away fasting, and empty; or else raise in them a hot fiery zeal, in which they will throw out some hard censures, or harsh reproof, untempered with that charity, requisite and necessary always to attend every gospel communication: for want of which, both speaker and hearers will be wounded, much hurt done, and many opportunities, I believe, have been entirely lost by these means, which might have been crowned with the Lord’s presence, and his truth exalted. Nay I have no doubt, but some meetings have been held to the dishonour of truth, and wounding many tender minds. And I have sometimes been afraid, that some, who are rightly called, and sent on this greatest of errands, have so far missed their way, while under some of those excruciating baptisms, which they have been led into, in order to qualify them rightly to administer to the states of the people, as to suffer an impatient spirit to rise up; and have thus brought a gloom of darkness over their minds, which has continued with them from day to day, greatly to their distress. Although they have continued to attend meetings, they have been so shut up in total darkness, as not to see any way of relief, except in uttering their complaints, similar to the murmurings of Israel in the wilderness. Where I have found such things left on record, I have thought they always tended to discouragement and dismay, when coming from the leaders of the people. Although the Lord was graciously pleased to condescend to the weakness of Israel, and deliver them out of the distress which their impatience had brought upon them; yet he very clearly manifested his displeasure thereat. And if only one instance of impatience and improper zeal in Moses drew upon him such severe censure, as we read it did, how ought all those, who are now called forth as leaders of the people, to stand always on their guard against every motion of impatience, and impure zeal, lest they also fall under the displeasure of the Captain of their salvation.
Although, after those gloomy dispensations, we may be again favoured, in renewed mercy, and helped out of this horrible pit, and witness the lifting up of the light of the Lord’s glorious countenance upon us; yet this is no proof of the rectitude of our conduct, any more than his showing mercy to Israel, after their murmurings, was a justification thereof. Yet I have been afraid, that some have considered those renewed favours, as a consequence of their own sufferings; which, to me, carries too much of selfishness, and savours of a desire of clothing ourselves with the Lord’s jewels, instead of rendering to him, with heart-felt gratitude, the glory of all his works; and receiving this act of unmerited redemption from the gloom, our own impatience, and the want of a thorough reduction of self, had cast us into, as flowing purely from his forbearing mercy, condescending goodness and free love.