The next day, the 22d of the month, we crossed early in the morning, and rode that day, to our friend Samuel Brown’s, at Black River. The day after, being the first of the week, we tarried there, and had two meetings with his family, and the neighbours; divers of whom were sober religious Baptists. They were both favoured seasons; may the Lord bless his own work, and seal it to the lasting advantage of those who attended.
The 24th and 25th, we rode eighty-five miles to Utica, on the upper part of the Mohawk river. The 26th, 27th and 28th, we rode about one hundred and eighteen miles to Palmyra, in Ontario county, to the house of our friend Abraham Lapham. The 29th we rested. The 30th, being the first of the week, we attended Friends’ meeting in that neighbourhood, and one in the evening, appointed at a man’s house whose wife was a member, about six miles distant from the former. They were both, I believe, profitable and edifying seasons. The 31st we attended a meeting in the town of Palmyra, appointed principally for those not of our society. It was a large solemn meeting, wherein the truths of the gospel were largely opened, affecting, solemnizing and comforting many hearts.
On the 1st of the 11th month, we rode to Bristol about eighteen miles, and attended a meeting at the third hour in the afternoon. It was held in a Baptist meeting-house, and was a hard exercising season. Those who attended appeared to be mostly, very insensible of any right religious concern and exercise; nevertheless, through ability received, after a considerable time of hard silent labour, the power of truth was exalted among them, and some hearts were reached and tendered thereby, and I left them with peace of mind.
We then rode back thirty-seven miles to Cayuga Lake, and lodged at an inn. On the 3d, we rode to a town called Scipio, where a few Friends resided, who were indulged with holding a meeting under the care of the monthly meeting of Farmington. Here we had a meeting at the eleventh hour, it being their usual meeting day. It was very small and low in the silent part, but as a right exercise in waiting, was patiently maintained, truth gradually rose into dominion, in a very instructive manner, refreshing and comforting our minds, in the sweet enjoyment of the divine presence, who manifested himself to be graciously near for our help in the needful time.
After dining with our friends we took leave, and turned our faces homeward; and in four days got to Galloway, to the house of our friend Philip Macomber. The next day we rested. The three following days we attended the meetings of Galloway, Ballstown, and Newtown; which were all comfortable edifying seasons. The 12th we rode to Troy. The 13th, and first of the week, we attended two meetings, the first, at the eleventh hour, at the house of Zachariah Garnrick, about four miles from Troy, where the few Friends of that place and the adjacent neighbourhood, hold a little meeting. It was enlarged at this time by others coming in, who were not of our society; and the Lord rewarded us bountifully, and gave us a heavenly season together, wherein his name was gloriously exalted over all; and we parted with thankful hearts. The latter meeting was held at Troy, in their court-house. It was a large gathering, but hard and heavy.
The 14th we rode to Pittstown, and attended a meeting at the second hour, which was a satisfactory season, and, I hope, profitable to some; although others appeared to be too much at ease. The 15th we rode to Easton, and attended the quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders; and the two following days we attended the quarterly meeting for discipline, and the parting meeting for worship. The latter was a heavenly baptizing season, wherein truth was raised into dominion in a very eminent manner, the hearts of many were much broken and contrited, and a general solemnity spread over the meeting; and the Lord’s name praised, and exalted over all, who is worthy for ever.
After this, we rode that afternoon to Saratoga, crossing the river Hudson in our way; and the next day went to South Greenfield, and attended a meeting at the second hour in the afternoon. The 19th we rode to Providence, and after a meeting there, went back again that afternoon to North Greenfield. The day following, being the first of the week, we attended a meeting there, which was large and favoured, as were the two former. The 21st, we had an appointed meeting at Saratoga Springs, amongst a people not very unlike those, whom the scribes, among the Jews, called publicans and sinners. It was a profitable edifying season, most of those present appearing to receive the word with readiness, and apparent good will; so that it might have been said of some of them, as our Lord said concerning some of this description in his day, that they were more likely to enter the kingdom, than many of the high professors of religion, who make a great outward show of godliness, but are void of the power.
The 23d and 24th, we attended the monthly meetings of Saratoga and Easton; and the day following had an appointed meeting at White Creek, and the next day we rode to East Hoosack. The 27th, and first of the week, we attended Friends’ meeting there. It was a very comfortable season; the Lord was with us, and by his power made way in the hearts of the people, for the reception of the testimony given us to bear among them. We left them with thankful hearts, and rode that evening to our friend David Lapham’s, in the township of Hancock; and the next day had a meeting at his house, at the second hour, for the neighbouring inhabitants, who were mostly professors among the Baptists, and who behaved very orderly; and the Lord, in his never failing mercy, favoured us together with a solemn instructive season.
The next day we passed on to New Britain, and rested the following day. The fifth of the week, and the 1st of 12th month, we attended the meeting there, at its usual time; which was very large, occasioned, in part, by our being there; and there was likewise a marriage accomplished thereat. I think, for the most part, it was a favoured, comfortable season. On sixth day we attended a meeting at Kline Kiln; and on first day were at Hudson, where we had, with Friends and others, at their meeting, a refreshing opportunity; the Lord was graciously near, furnishing with strength and utterance, and an evidence of the divine power attending, rejoicing the faithful, confirming the weak and wavering, and convicting the indolent, the disobedient, and gainsayers. On second day we rode to Little Nine Partners; and the four following days, we attended meetings at that place, Pine Plains, Stanford, and Creek; these were comfortable meetings, wherein, through the prevalence of truth, many were convicted, their hearts tendered, and the faithful few encouraged, and made to rejoice; and the Lord’s name praised and exalted over all. On seventh day evening we had an appointed meeting at the house of Thomas Wilbur, about four miles from the latter; and although hard and low, yet I trust in a good degree profitable and instructive.
On first day we went to Crum-elbow meeting, which was very much crowded, and the house not sufficient to hold the people. The season appeared somewhat to represent the time, when the miracle of the loaves and fishes was performed. For the people’s attention appeared to be generally outward, many having come together out of curiosity, to see and hear with their outward senses; which makes hard work for the travellers, who are faithfully engaged in Zion’s cause. I sat long in silence in great poverty and want, for the people appeared to be void of any spiritual food, and no offering prepared; but as I abode in patience, and in the faith, the query ran through my mind, is there not a lad present, who may have a few barley loaves and fishes. A young man soon after stood up, who, I believed, had for some time, something on his mind to offer; and by a short but pertinent communication opened my way. Soon after he sat down I stood up, and the Lord made way among the people, while I was led to open, in a very enlarged manner, what the young Friend had dropped; and the Lord’s power was extended in a marvellous manner over the whole assembly, so that it might be said indeed, that all did eat and were filled, and many fragments remained to be gathered up. It was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes.