Seventh day. Spent in my usual vocation as a farmer or husbandman, in which I need incessantly to watch against the intrusions of worldly cares.
First day. Had close exercise, through the greatest part of our meeting to-day in opposing a dull drowsy spirit, which, through unmerited mercy and help, I vanquished towards the close: soon after which, I was unexpectedly called upon to sound an alarm to the youth, and to show them the danger of suffering the intruding vanities and follies of the world to steal away their affections from their supreme good, and blessed Author of their being and well-being, in and on whom they ought to fix their only best hope and trust, who is the true and only source of all felicity and blessedness in time and in eternity.
Second day. My temporal concerns necessarily engaged my attention to-day; in pursuing of which, nothing transpired to interrupt or turn the mind from its proper centre.
The four following days were principally occupied in attending our quarterly meeting, held, at this time, in New-York. I think it was, on the whole, a favoured season. The canopy of the heavenly Father’s care was sensibly felt to overshadow the meeting in its several sittings. I spread before the meeting for discipline my prospect of a religious visit to Friends and others in some of the southern states, with the certificate of concurrence from our last monthly meeting. The meeting fully united therewith, and I was left at liberty to pursue the journey as way should open therefor. What deep obligations devolve upon us, when thus liberated by our friends, and separated to travel in the service of the gospel, that we are careful, in no case, to make the gospel chargeable to any, nor abuse our power in it; but that, in deep humility and reverential fear, we wait for the putting forth of the Shepherd of Israel, and know him to go before: then will the Lord’s cause prosper in our hands, and his people be edified and instructed, and we comforted in our labours of love, to the glory and praise of his right excellent name, who is over all, God blessed for ever.
Seventh day. Was busied to-day in my farming business, endeavouring to get all my temporal concerns properly arranged, expecting soon to proceed on the visit already mentioned; as I consider it my especial duty, as much as in me lies, to leave all in a state of order and quiet, so that nothing may remain on the mind that would tend to interrupt or disturb it, while travelling in this weighty service, nor that any should have cause to complain, whom I leave behind.
First day. Having felt my mind inclined to see Friends in their meeting at Bethpage before I left home, I went there to day, accompanied by my wife, our two youngest daughters, and a sober young woman of our neighbourhood. Their company was pleasant, and, after a time of deep inward travail and suffering, I trust the season was profitable and edifying to a number present. How often are the living baptized for the dead, in order for their arising; for if the dead are not raised, preaching is vain.
Second and third days. Spent in preparing my business, looking for the time of setting out on my intended journey. May I be ready and willing when the time comes, without murmuring or complaining; for, as I trust and believe a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me, wo is unto me if I preach not the gospel.
Fourth day. Alas, how the cares of the world intrude on the mind and engross its attention, if they are not carefully watched against with fervent prayer!
Fifth day. Attended our usual meeting. Found it necessary to engage against a dull heavy spirit, that seemed very prevalent in the meeting: but, as I maintained the struggle, I was favoured with a good degree of victory towards the close, when a ray of light broke forth, attended with peace and quietude of mind, an ample reward for all my toil.