First day, the 11th. Being invited to attend the funeral of a woman attached to Friends, though not a member; a widow of my acquaintance in our neighbouring town of Hempstead; and feeling an inclination thereto, I attended accordingly. There was a considerable collection, mostly made up of Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and Methodists; among whom my mind was enlarged in gospel love, and led to sound forth the glad tidings of life and salvation, through Jesus Christ the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, a quickening spirit; showing that by a full submission to the inward operation of this spirit, a manifestation of which is given to every man to profit withal, we experience the truth of that remarkable saying of the apostle Paul: For as in Adam, or the first fallen nature, all die; so in Christ, the second Adam, or the renewed and quickened state, all are made alive; and therefore born again, not of corruptible seed, but of the incorruptible seed and word of God, that liveth and abideth for ever. It was a highly favoured season, in which the Lord’s power was exalted, and the truth reigned over all, bowing the assembly generally; and many hearts were broken and contrited. It was evidently the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in mine eyes; and engaged renewed gratitude and thankfulness of heart for the unmerited mercy.
Second and third days. Spent in attending our meeting for sufferings in New-York, in which an opportunity opened to relieve my mind of a concern I had been for some time exercised under, on account of some recent laws enacted by the general government of this country, and the legislature of the state of New-York; which, in their tendency, were opposite to our testimony against war and injustice; and were likely to produce much suffering to the faithful in our society, who saw they could not yield to the requisition of those laws, without balking their Christian testimonies in these respects. I was led to excite Friends to unity in this concern; as the want of uniformity would very much tend to lay waste those precious testimonies, and increase the sufferings of the society.
Fourth day. Attended our neighbouring monthly meeting of Westbury. My mind was engaged to call Friends’ attention to a more close adherence to discipline; the right management of which could not be profitably effected, without keeping to a right and sound form. I felt satisfaction in my labour, in a belief that the honest-hearted were strengthened and encouraged.
Fifth day. Attended our own monthly meeting, at which we had the company of our friend John Winslow, from the district of Maine, in New England. His gospel labours, in the line of the ministry, were acceptable and edifying. At this meeting, I opened to my friends a prospect, which had for some time attended my mind to make a visit to some scattered families of our society, who resided in the outskirts of our quarterly meeting; some of whom, being distant from meeting, but seldom attended. I had also a view of visiting some families who were not members, and of appointing some meetings, among some of the neighbouring inhabitants of other societies. The meeting united with the prospect, and left me at liberty to pursue it, as way might open.
On sixth and seventh days, I accompanied our friend John Winslow to Bethpage and Jerusalem; attending a meeting in each place. The Lord our gracious helper was near, strengthening and qualifying to preach the gospel of life and salvation in the clear demonstration of the spirit, and with power; humbling and contriting many present, and rejoicing the minds of the honest-hearted.
First day, the 18th. I attended our own meeting; and was favoured therein with a lively impressive testimony which produced a very comfortable solemnity over the meeting, and rendered it an instructive edifying season.
On second day, by appointment, I met our friend John Winslow at a meeting in the town of Oysterbay; where we again witnessed the Shepherd of Israel to be near, enabling us to discharge ourselves faithfully to the people; setting the truth above errour, and left it upon them, whether they will hear, or forbear.
On third day evening, had an appointed meeting for the black people in our meeting-house at Jericho. It appeared to be owned in a very especial manner by the Master of our assemblies, who furnished doctrine suited to their states and conditions; and the truth reigned over all, fully evidencing that the Lord our God is no respecter of persons, but is gracious and merciful unto all; and that in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, those that fear him, and work righteousness, are accepted of him.
Fourth day. Attended an appointed meeting, about four miles easterly from Jericho. It was a highly favoured season; most present were affected by the prevalence of truth, that ran as oil. Surely it was the Lord’s doing, and worthy of grateful acknowledgments and thanksgiving, for the unmerited favour.
In the evening we attended another meeting at Cold Spring; and although not so open as the former, yet we were favoured to clear ourselves among them; and left them with the reward of peace in our labour.