Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks

by Elias Hicks

Sixth day. I attended the funeral of Charles Valentine, son of David Valentine, at Moscheto Cove. It was very largely attended by Friends and others. I had an open time among them; which was introduced with this scripture exhortation: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” The subject was largely opened, showing that all the works of the flesh did in a lesser or greater degree bring the mind under a yoke of bondage; and that the fear of death was a principal one, out of which many others originated; such as every means of self defence, that consisted in war and warlike preparations. Every ceremonial performance in matters of a religious nature; such as water baptism, and what is called the ordinance of the supper, in the use of outward bread and wine, not being essential bring a yoke and burden on the believer in Christ; as he came purposely to set his followers free from all signs and shadows, and bring them into the possession and enjoyment of the substance; whereby we come to know all the shadows to flee away and come to an end; as Christ manifested, is the substance and end of all shadows. It was a highly favoured season. The truth was raised into dominion and ran freely, humbling and contriting many hearts. May the praise, the honour, and the glory be all ascribed to Him, who opens and none can shut, and who shuts and none can open; and who remains to be “God over all, blessed for ever.”

Seventh day. Attended to some necessary repairs about my farm and tenements. For as I am much from home attending to my religious engagements, when I feel a liberty to be at home, I find it needful to be industriously employed, to keep my temporal concerns in order; so that when I leave home on truth’s account, my mind may be at liberty, without thinking much about them.

First day. Attended our own meeting, mostly in silence. The rest of this week was principally taken up in preparing for and attending our quarterly meeting, which was held at Westbury. It was pretty largely attended, both the meeting for discipline, and that for public worship; the latter was somewhat hurt by an unskilful appearance in the ministry, in the forepart, but ended well. In the meeting of Ministers and Elders, as also in that for discipline, a living exercise and concern were prevalent with divers Friends, not only in searching out the causes of the numerous weaknesses and deficiencies that were manifest in society, but also endeavouring for their removal, by much tender and pressing advice and counsel, suited to the states of those who were delinquent. Many minds were brought under an humbling exercise and travail of spirit in those solemn opportunities; and divers young Friends, who were under the forming hand, preparing for usefulness in the Church, came forth at this time, and publicly espoused the cause of truth and righteousness, uniting with their elder brethren in the exercise and travail which were felt to prevail in those favoured meetings. My spirit was led into near sympathy with these, and fervent was the desire and prayer of my mind for their preservation in the path of duty; that so they might grow up and become useful in society, and faithful labourers and pillars in the Lord’s house, that should go no more out.

First day, the 29th. We had a comfortable meeting to-day, mostly in quiet silent retirement; except towards the close my mind was quickened and opened to a short communication, in the remembrance of the case of Joseph and his brethren; wherein I was led to recapitulate their envy and hatred towards him, and to show that their wicked intentions in selling him, to prevent his rising to the power and dignity which his dreams appeared to forbode, were the very means in the ordering of divine providence of accomplishing their fulfilment; and of course made their bowing and making their obeisance to him much more humiliating than it would have been had they conducted themselves towards him in the line of true brotherhood, and had he been raised to the dignity and power he was, by some other way. But herein was the true proverb verified: Let envy alone, and it will punish itself. I was led further to open the malignity and baneful effects of those hateful, and very evil propensities. A solemn weight covered the meeting; and we parted under a thankful sense of the favour.

The rest of this week I spent in my ordinary vocations, and in visiting some friends under bodily affliction.

First day, the 5th of 2d month. I left home in order to proceed again in the concern I had engaged in, to visit some of the inhabitants in some of our neighbouring towns, and some scattered families of Friends and others. I spent the week in this service, and attended nine meetings, all by appointment in places where no meetings are held except one; and visited eleven families of Friends, and persons not members. Although I left home under much depression of spirit, attended with great discouragement, insomuch that I was brought near to a conclusion that it would be safest to tarry at home, and wait for a more full manifestation; yet, as I brought the subject to the test in my own mind, and patiently waited for an answer in much abasedness and humiliation, a small degree of light sprang up, in which the voice said, go and trust in the Lord to open the way. My mind was then centered in a state of perfect acquiescence; and I proceeded accordingly, seeing nothing further when I left home, than to attend the meeting of Friends at Bethpage. This was the first I attended; but before the close of that meeting, light sprang up, and the way in which I should advance clearly opened; and as my trust and dependence were fixed in the arm of divine sufficiency, strength and ability were furnished from season to season, faithfully to espouse the cause of truth and righteousness, and to preach the gospel in the clear demonstration of the spirit, and with power; convincing and contriting many minds, and relieving and comforting my own. My heart was inspired with continual thankfulness and gratitude to the blessed Author of all our mercies. I returned home on seventh day evening, accompanied with true peace of mind.

First day, 12th. Attended our own meeting; and after a pretty long season of solemn silence, my mind was opened to communication, in the revival of the following declaration of the apostle James: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” The subject was largely and impressively opened, which brought a solemn covering over the meeting, and made it a season of comfort and edification. Surely such seasons administer cause for all the humble and contrite in heart to thank God and take courage; and press forward in the holy and heavenly way.

Second day. I found liberty to occupy this day in my temporal concerns.

Third day. I attended the funeral of a man, not a member, at Jerusalem. There was a very large collection of people, composed of the different classes of civil society; and although it was a time of extreme cold, and the means for rendering the rooms, wherein the people assembled, comfortable, very inadequate for that end, yet they were generally very quiet and orderly, and appeared to pay great attention to the doctrines delivered. My heart and mouth were opened among them, to speak of the things concerning the kingdom of heaven, and to set forth, in a clear and forcible manner, the way and means of man’s salvation; and that nothing short of a freedom from sin, and the experience of real righteousness, would be sufficient to effect that great and happy end.

Fourth day. I attended the monthly meeting at Westbury; and had some close searching exercise, both in the meeting for worship and that for discipline, tending to quicken Friends’ minds to a more lively concern for the arising of the divine life in their meetings; that so their faith might be productive of good works; and they qualified to serve the Lord in newness of life, and not in the oldness of the letter.