Second day. Attended the funeral of a pious young Friend of our meeting who departed this life by a consumption, after lingering a few months. His corpse was carried into our meeting-house at Jericho. There was a large meeting on the occasion, and through the prevalence of the divine power that presided over the assembly, it proved a very solemn time. Many hearts were broken and contrited by the force of the testimony, which went forth powerfully clothed with the demonstration of the spirit, and the Lord’s name was exalted over all.
Seventh day. This being the time of our quarterly meeting, I was mostly employed through the week in attention thereto. It was, I think, through the several sittings a solemn searching time. My mind was closely engaged on several subjects appertaining to our Christian testimonies; but more particularly that against war, which was now in the land. Friends, with others, were called upon for supplies by way of taxes to carry it on, which were levied various ways on the inhabitants. I felt my mind deeply engaged to lay before Friends the inconsistency of our actively complying with any such military requisitions, believing that if we did, we should not only become accessaries in the war, but should have to bear a part of the guilt of shedding the blood of our fellow creatures. The Lord’s power was felt to preside, and the testimonies borne on the occasion were evidently clothed with divine authority, keeping down all opposition. The minds of the faithful were inspired with humble gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord our gracious helper, under a renewed sense of his continued mercy to us as a people; and to all the workmanship of his holy hand.
First day, the 30th of 1st month, 1814. As I was sitting in our meeting my mind became exercised in contemplating the danger that some of my fellow professors of the Christian name are exposed to, by placing their dependence for justification and salvation on the imputative righteousness of Christ which he performed without them, without coming to know a complete remission of their sins, and living a life of righteousness through faith in the operation of God, and a submission to the work of his spirit in their minds; by which, according to the apostle’s exhortation, they can only be enabled to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God that worketh in the willing and obedient soul, both to will and to do of his own good pleasure; but this can only be witnessed by such as experience their own wills to be mortified and slain by the power of the cross inwardly revealed, whereby the true spiritual atonement is made. I was largely opened to communicate on some of these subjects; and to show to the people wherein the true harmony between the law dispensation, and that of the gospel consisted. It was a season worthy of grateful remembrance; the meeting closed with thanksgiving and prayer, under a renewed sense of the continued mercy of our gracious God, who is over all, blessed for ever.
Second day. Being unwell with a cold I kept house and read.
Third day. Having the evening before received an invitation to attend the funeral of a deceased neighbour about four miles distant from my dwelling, and understanding it was the desire of the deceased on her death-bed that I would attend; I felt inclined to go, although still unwell. I was glad I gave up thereto, as it proved, through heavenly help, a solemn instructive season, wherein my heart and mouth were opened to declare largely of the way of life and salvation to the people in the clear demonstration of truth. The assembly in general were bowed and humbled, and many hearts contrited; to the Lord alone be the praise, for to him only it is due.
Fourth day. Still unwell: mostly kept house.
Fifth day. Ventured out to our meeting, but was considerably afflicted with my cold and cough. The meeting was held in silence.
The two following days, and the forepart of the next week, I employed, mostly, in preparing for the press a small treatise on slavery; and on the use of the produce of the labour of slaves. I laid it before our meeting for sufferings which met this week; and obtained their concurrence for printing it. As I was in the city, I attended Friends’ meetings as they came in course on fourth and fifth days, and returned home on sixth day. Nothing particular transpired on seventh day.
First day, the 13th of 2d month. Was largely opened in communication on divers subjects in a very searching testimony, which brought a covering of great solemnity over the meeting. The honest-hearted were comforted: but it was a season of sharp reproof to the unfaithful and lukewarm.