Fifth day. Attended a meeting in the morning at the house of a man not a member, at Huntington West Neck; and in the evening one at the west end of the town of Huntington, at Peleg Woods’. The first was a very precious season to the visiters, and, I trust also, to most or all of the visited: the latter a stripping time in the forepart, but ended well.
Sixth day. Visited some families on our way home, which visits, I believe, were mutually comfortable.
Seventh day. Spent partly in repairing the travelling vehicle of our friend aforenamed, who had accompanied me in the above tour.
First day, the 25th. My mind, while sitting in our meeting, was opened on the subject of faith, in the revival of that Scripture passage, viz: “All men have not faith.” I was led, in a clear full testimony, to show to the auditory, why all men have not faith; although the means of obtaining it are freely offered to the acceptance of all; yet it is not to be obtained by man’s natural wisdom or acquirements, but only by and through the operation and inspiration of the grace and spirit of God, as man yields in obedience and submission thereunto: hence he comes to know God, by the inward experimental touches of his own life and power in his soul; and hence springs up in him, as he patiently submits thereunto, that living operative faith, that works by love to the purifying of the heart; but such as are exercising themselves in their own speculative wisdom, and refuse submission to the manifestations of divine grace, have not faith, because they reject the only means by which it can be obtained. The truth was raised into dominion, to the praise of him who is over all, God blessed for ever.
Second and third days. Busily employed in my husbandry and family affairs; each day closing with a peaceful mind.
Fourth and fifth days. I attended the meetings at Westbury and Cowneck; and previous notice being given of my intention of attending them, they were larger than usual at that time in the week. Through the gracious condescension of Israel’s never-failing Helper, my mind was opened to declare to the people of the things concerning the kingdom of God, in two large doctrinal testimonies, one at each place, suited to the states of the auditories. The doctrines delivered distilled as the dew on the minds of many who were present; causing tears of contrition to trickle down their cheeks. Surely such seasons are as a brook by the way to the honest exercised traveller Zion-ward; as they tend to an increase of faith, and inspire with fresh courage to persevere in the heavenly journey.
I also attended an appointed meeting in the intermediate evening at Hempstead Harbour. Although I was led in my communication to treat in a full clear manner divers particular doctrines of the gospel: yet it seemed to have but little entrance in the minds of those present, which made the exercise arduous, and afforded but little satisfaction in the end. This I have found mostly to be the case, in neighbourhoods where the minds of the people are led to adhere to outward, formal and ceremonial performances in religion; and especially where much self-activity and bodily exercise is superadded, which is very much the case with the principal part of this neighbourhood: and those not of this description are, except a few, in a state of lukewarmness and almost entire indifferency, respecting those things which belong to their soul’s salvation.
On sixth day, I attended the funeral of a person who died in a Friend’s family, wherein he had been a labourer for many years, in the neighbourhood last mentioned. Although but few collected, yet the opportunity was solemn; and the testimony borne had a reaching effect on the minds of divers present especially on several of the youth. May it be fastened by the Master of assemblies, as a nail in a sure place.
Seventh day. Occupied in my temporal concerns; and the week, and the year, ended with a peaceful mind.
First day, the 1st of 1st month, 1815. My mind, while silently waiting in our meeting, was opened to view in prospect the beauty and excellency of order. As it spread on my mind, I felt constrained to communicate on the subject; and to show, that all things, which continued in full subjection to the divine will, were preserved in the same beautiful order they were arranged in from the beginning; and that all disorder sprang from, and was the effect of, a will separate and distinct from the divine will. For as God is a God of order, and is also the creator of all things, of course there can be no order and right harmony in his creation, but what he is the sole author of: hence the necessity of every created being becoming wholly subject to his heavenly and divine will, as nothing else can possibly restore the creation to its primitive order and harmony: and when this is effected, there will be a perfect subjection of every distinct and separate will, to the will of our heavenly Father. Then the whole creation will stand in a state of subservience to the divine will; then will the morning stars again resume their song, and all the sons of God shout for joy. O! happy day, may the Lord hasten it in his own time.