Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks

by Elias Hicks

Fourth day. I was occupied as a carpenter, in making some conveniences for my stock. I felt wearied at evening with the labour of the day, but was comforted with a peaceful mind, feeling myself at peace with all men. A blessed privilege; it is the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in mine eyes.

Seventh day. Attended the funeral of an ancient Friend. A meeting was held on the occasion, wherein I was exercised in a large arousing testimony suited to the occasion. May it be to the honest inquirers, as a nail fastened in a sure place; and to those who yet remain unwilling to surrender, as bread cast upon the waters, found after many days.

First day, the 9th of 1st month. At our meeting to-day I was led to reflect on my frequent appearances in the ministry at home, and ready to wonder why I was led so often to communicate to almost the same assembly. But these meditations were soon superseded by a renewed living concern, which opened again to communication, in a deep searching testimony; wherein I was led to show the fallacy and weakness of all man’s creaturely and carnal reasoning, that it was all estranged from God, and stood in the ignorance and corruption of his fallen nature; and that man never had, nor could have, consistent with his nature as a dependent being, a right to assume a power to use his reason at his own discretion and will; but only in submission and subservience to the dictates of the light and spirit of his Creator, as paramount both to his reason and animal senses. For his reason is given him as an agent under his Creator, to govern and keep in due order the animal senses; not according to his own discretion and will, but agreeable to the manifestations of the divine spirit, or inward law and will, of his heavenly Father. It was an humbling season, and many hearts with mine own were bowed in reverence, under the sensible impress of the divine power.

The rest of the week I passed in my usual engagements, and in visiting some of my friends.

First day, the 16th of 1st month. Sat our meeting in silence to-day. The three following days I spent in attending to my usual avocations, and in visiting two of my sick neighbours. One of them was a young man, who was convinced of the truth, as held by us, in his young years. He spoke very sensibly of the work of truth on his mind in the early part of his convincement, and of the awe that covered his spirit, through the sensible impressions of the divine power; and recapitulated the precious seasons he had witnessed in the fields, sitting on rocks, and stumps of trees; and that he now felt his love to reach forth and embrace the whole human family. He appeared to be in a sweet and quiet frame of mind, though so weak, as not to be able to speak louder than a whisper. What a precious thing it is when the youth submit willingly to the visitations of divine love in their tender years; how amiable they appear, and how peaceful their close; a pearl to be valued above all temporal enjoyments.

Fifth day. This being the time of our monthly meeting, we had the company of two Friends on a visit to us. One of them appeared largely in the line of the ministry, but a fear attended my mind, lest he had not sufficiently attended to that command, which forbids sowing our ground with mingled seed; or suffering a garment of linen and woollen to come upon us: Oh how necessary it is for all those who apprehend they are called to the work of the ministry, to know self fully reduced; otherwise they may be in danger of endeavouring to cover the harlot, with the Lord’s jewels; and with fair words, and fine speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple.

Sixth day. Attended our preparative meeting of Ministers and Elders. I had to drop a caution, founded on the failure of Moses and Aaron at the rock; when instead of speaking to it, as commanded, Moses smote it with his rod, with the addition of, “hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” This act, being the effect of mere creaturely zeal and warmth of natural passions, lost them much; as it prevented their entering into the promised land. Oh how needful it is for those who are called to stand as a medium between God and the people, to be deeply attentive to the word of command, and not add thereto, nor diminish therefrom, under the penalty of his displeasure. For if he spared not Moses who was only guilty of this one fault in his administration, how much less can we expect that he will spare us, if we should add to, or diminish from, the word of prophecy.

Seventh day. Assisted a sick neighbour to settle his outward business by writing his will and seeing it executed. I then endeavoured to stimulate his mind with a concern rightly to improve the few remaining moments which might be permitted him on this side the grave; that so he might be prepared to meet death with a peaceful and tranquil mind.

First day, the 23d of 1st month, 1814. Attended Westbury meeting, at which there was a funeral of a deceased ancient woman Friend. It was a large meeting. Many Friends and neighbours came from a distance to attend the funeral. I had good service among them in the line of the ministry, by way of caution, encouragement and reproof; and was led to press upon the auditory the necessity of a submission of our wills to the divine will, as the only medium through which we could become qualified to answer the great end of our creation; which is to glorify God and enjoy him.