Fifth day. Rode to Stanford, and attended the quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders, which through condescending goodness proved a comfortable edifying opportunity, as was that for discipline. The following day the quarterly meeting closed, with a meeting for worship on seventh day. It was a season thankfully to be remembered by every sensible mind present; for he that opens and none can shut, and shuts and none can open, was graciously near, and condescended to open many deep doctrines of the gospel, in a full and clear manner, in the demonstration of the spirit, attended with power; humbling and solemnizing the minds of most present, and exalting the truth, which was raised into dominion, and ran sweetly over all.
We returned that evening to Nine Partners, intending to sit with Friends there the next day; and some public notice being given that we were there, the meeting was large. Although it proved rather an exercising season, and the labour hard, yet, I trust, it was a season of profit and instruction to many.
After this meeting, feeling myself released from any further service, the committee having fulfilled their appointment, and my wife feeling anxious to return home, we took leave of our friends on second day afternoon and rode to our friend Enoch Dorland’s at Beekman. The next day we rode to Croton, and lodged with our friend James Jordan. On fourth day we proceeded on our journey to Manhattanville, and lodged with our friend Joseph Byrd; and the following day, attended the little meeting of our friends at that place. After this we rode down to New-York, and took up our quarters at the house of our friend and kinsman Whitehead Hicks. We tarried in town until seventh day morning, and then took leave of our friends and rode home, where we arrived just before evening.
We were from home about four weeks, in which time I travelled four hundred and eighty-four miles, and attended two quarterly meetings which held five days; seven monthly meetings, and five particular meetings. We had especial cause of gratitude and thankfulness of heart, to the great and beneficent Author of every blessing, in that our journey was prosperous, and ourselves preserved in a comfortable degree of bodily health during the time, although a season of very general indisposition with those among whom we travelled.
First day, the 19th of 11th month. I sat with our friends again in our own meeting, and found it my place to set them an example of silence, feeling my situation like Mordecai’s when sitting at the king’s gate: a state as grateful to an humble mind as riding the king’s horse, and more safe, as there is less danger of falling.
Fifth day. Another silent meeting.
Seventh day. Attended the funeral of a deceased neighbour. My mind was largely opened, to set forth to a large auditory assembled on this solemn occasion, the great and blessed effects of a firm belief and faith in the living God; as it has proved an antidote to all evil in every age of the world, and to every individual who has had this true and living faith. For it is that by which the just live, and this the apostle saith, is our victory, even our faith; and without it, it is impossible to please God. The Lord’s power accompanied the communication, and many hearts were broken and contrited by its heavenly influence; may it not pass away as the morning dew, but fasten as a nail in a sure place, driven by the Master of our assemblies, is the fervent desire and prayer of my mind.
First day, the 26th. I passed our meeting to-day mostly in silence, except just before the close, I found it my place to remind the meeting of the complaint of the apostle Paul in his epistle to his beloved Timothy, concerning some in that day, who were ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. The occasion of this was, as it opened on my mind, their neglect of practical duty, and unfaithfulness in what they styled little things; and thereby rendered themselves unfit and unworthy of being made rulers over more; and yet were continually seeking after knowledge in greater things, through the medium of the outward ear, and creaturely comprehension; loving to hear the truth declared and doctrines communicated, but unwilling and neglectful of putting them in practice; and therefore made no advancement in true learning. I had to warn my friends to be careful not to render themselves liable to the same reprehension, and found sweet peace in this small portion of duty.
The rest of the week I spent about home, being somewhat indisposed. Sat our fifth day meeting in silence, quietly waiting, as at the king’s gate, for renewed instruction.
First day, the 3d of 12th month. My mind has been much shut up since I returned home. Sat our meeting again to-day in silence; but felt a daily exercise and concern relative to a religious visit in New England, which has for months past, been ripening on my mind; but have a prospect of some services about home, ere I engage therein. Lay low, oh my soul! that thou mayest be rightly and wisely directed therein; for thou well knowest the greatness, and vast importance of the work thou art called to; and that of thyself, thou art utterly destitute of any right ability to perform it to thy own good, or to the glory and honour of thy chiefest good, who is the Lord alone, thy gracious and all-sufficient helper.