On fourth and fifth days we had meetings with Friends at Kline Kiln, and New Britain; and on sixth day we had an opportunity with those not in profession with us, at a place called Philipstown. The meeting was held in a meeting-house belonging to the Presbyterians, and a precious season it proved, tendering the hearts of most present; truth prevailing over all, to the praise and glory of His grace, who hath called us to labour in his vineyard.
We went from this place to Troy and attended Friends’ meeting on first day; and had a large public meeting in the evening with the inhabitants of the town. On second and third day evenings, we had meetings in the towns of Waterford and Lansingburgh; the former was held in a meeting-house belonging to the Methodist society; and the latter, by their voluntary permission, in the Episcopal meeting-house. These were all seasons of favour, especially the last, in which truth was powerfully manifest, solemnizing the assembly, tendering and melting many hearts into contrition, and raising an acknowledgment to its divine power.
On fourth day we attended Friends’ preparative meeting at Troy, and also an appointed meeting for the inhabitants of the town in the evening. The next morning previous to our leaving there, we had a precious opportunity with three or four families of Friends, the heads of which were all brethren and sisters of each other, by blood, or marriage. It was a season wherein the Lord was pleased to magnify his power, and cause every heart to bow and acknowledge to its blessed and mollifying influence, which prevailed over all to our mutual rejoicing.
The visit being over we took leave of our friends, and rode that afternoon to Albany, and attended a pretty large meeting, held that evening in their court-house. It was, I believe, to many, a profitable edifying season. On sixth day morning feeling my mind drawn to have a select opportunity, with the few members of our society resident in this city, they were notified thereof, and came together early in the forenoon. We had a satisfactory season with them, in which I was favoured to clear myself of a burden I felt on their account, in a plain tender manner, comforting the sincere-hearted, and stirring up the careless and lukewarm. After this we took our leave in brotherly affection, with quiet and peaceful minds, and with an evidence of having faithfully discharged our duty, which made our journeying forward pleasant, as we passed on to Duanesburgh, where we arrived that evening. On seventh day we rested. On first day the 4th of 1st month, 1807, we attended the meeting there, and notice being given of our attendance, it was a very large meeting, wherein truth reigned. Many doctrinal truths were opened to the people, and the gospel preached in the clear demonstration of the spirit; to the Lord only wise, gracious and merciful, be the praise, who is the blessed author thereof; nothing due to man.
The next day we had a meeting in our way to Otego, near a village called Charlestown, at the house of a man inclining to Friends, in which I was enabled to communicate, in gospel authority, to the tendering and contriting of many hearts.
We reached Otego on fourth day, a little before meeting time, it being Friends’ usual meeting day, which, therefore, afforded but little opportunity of notifying their neighbours; but some hearing thereof, attended. It was a glorious meeting, which richly paid us for all our toil in getting there, yea an hundred fold; magnified for ever be the name of the Lord, who graciously manifested his power for our help, comforting many hearts, and causing the faithful to rejoice together, in the sweet incomes of his love and life. On fifth day, we attended Friends’ meeting held at Burlington in the middle of the week. The neighbouring inhabitants having notice of our coming, generally attended, and although the life did not appear to rise so high as in the foregoing meeting, yet, for the most part, I believe, it was a profitable edifying season. We rode to Deruyter on sixth day, and on seventh day rested, and mended our carriage, which was much injured and broken by our journey to this place. On first day, we attended Friends’ meeting there, which was much crowded, the house being but small. The Lord was with us, and magnified his power, reaching and tendering many hearts; the gospel was freely preached, and appeared to be freely received by the auditory in general.
On second day, we had a meeting at a town called Woodstock, at the eleventh hour, and one in the evening at Cazenovia. There were no Friends living in either of these places, and the people in general appeared dark and ignorant, yet, they were attentive to what was communicated; and many of them appeared thankful for the opportunities, and desired our longer continuance among them; but we took our leave, and left them with our minds clothed with peace. We then turned our faces homeward, being desirous of getting back in time to attend the ensuing quarterly meeting of Nine Partners, to be held in the forepart of 2d month. We felt our minds drawn to return by Burlington, and had meetings in our way there, at Hamilton, Brookfield, Bridgewater, and one in the evening between Bridgewater and Burlington, held in a school-house, at a village in the township of Brookfield. These were all favoured meetings, comfortable and instructive, many hearts were reached and affected with the power of truth, which was prevalently manifest for our help.
We were at Burlington on first day, and notice being generally spread that we were there, it proved the largest meeting ever held in that place; and through the Lord’s goodness and mercy to us, it was made a season gratefully to be remembered, by, I believe, the greater part of the meeting.
This being over, we had another meeting in the evening, in a neighbouring town called Pittsfield, which was held in a large school-house, there being no member of our society there; this was likewise an edifying opportunity. The next day we proceeded to Otego, and attended a meeting there at the eleventh hour, appointed previously by our request. It was a large meeting, and graciously favoured with the overshadowing wing of divine kindness. On third day we had an appointed meeting in the township of Heartwick.