Fourth day. Attended Westbury monthly meeting, to my own, and I trust, my friends’ comfort and satisfaction. I believe it was a season of instruction and profit to many who were present; may it fasten as a nail in a sure place.
Fifth day. Attended our own monthly meeting. The meeting for worship, through close labour, proved a quickening tendering season to many present. In the meeting for discipline, I found it my duty to spread before my Friends, a concern which had for many months been, at times, very impressive on my mind, to pay a visit in gospel love, to Friends and others in some parts of the yearly meeting of Rhode Island. After due deliberation thereon, they united with it and gave me their certificate, leaving me at liberty to pursue the prospect, as truth might open the way. This brought me under serious reflections, in a view and consideration of the great responsibility which naturally attaches to those who thus go out on this solemn embassy, with the concurrence of their Friends. For not only their own reputation as ministers of the gospel, must rise or fall, according to their good or ill conduct, but likewise that of their Friends, and the society they profess to be ministers of; and also, the truth which they seem to espouse, instead of being advanced, may be retarded thereby. Lay prostrate, O my soul, at the throne of grace, and seek that wisdom which is only profitable to direct, that thou mayest be thereby strengthened to endure hardness, as a good soldier and servant of the Prince of Peace.
Sixth and seventh days. Busily employed in so arranging matters at home, as to leave it with a peaceful mind.
First day, the 24th. A profitable edifying meeting with my Friends at home. I was led to sound forth a gospel message among them, in an arousing searching testimony, by which many minds were humbled and contrited.
Second and third days. Employed in making preparation for my proposed journey.
Fourth day. Attended Friends’ meeting at Westbury, at which there were two marriages accomplished; which occasioned the meeting to be very large. Many of other societies came out of curiosity to see the manner of our marriages, amongst whom, I was largely opened in communication, to set forth many gospel truths necessary to be believed and witnessed in our own experience, in order to our salvation. It was a season of favour, and a very solemn time; may it be blessed and sanctified to the lasting benefit of all who were present, is the fervent desire and travail of my spirit.
Fifth day. Attended our meeting in silence. The two following days busily engaged in arranging my temporal concerns, and putting them in order, that I may leave home with a peaceful mind.
First day, the 31st. A solemn meeting to-day, in which my mind was led forth in humble supplication for support and preservation in my proposed journey; and that the Lord our gracious helper, in his guardian care, would be pleased to be near my dear family and friends at home, and be their comfort and strength in every needful time; and that all those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, might be redeemed therefrom, and translated into the kingdom of God, that so his truth might prosper and spread from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth; that his great and excellent name might be praised and magnified by all the nations of the earth, from the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof, world without end. Amen.
Second and third days. Still busily engaged preparatory to leaving home, with a prospect of setting out on fourth day morning, if way should open.