CHAPTER XI.
General visit to Friends in New England, 1816.
Fourth day, the 3d of 1st month, 1816. After taking a solemn and affecting opportunity with my dear wife and children, I took leave of them under a sense of the Lord’s goodness and gracious regard, and proceeded on my intended journey. Called on my kind kinsman Isaac Hicks, of Westbury, who had previously concluded to go with me as a companion. We proceeded that afternoon to New-York, where we tarried over the next day. On sixth day morning we left the city, and arrived at Bridgeport, in Connecticut, on seventh day evening, where we had a small though comfortable meeting, the next day, at the house of Thomas Woodward, whose wife was a member of our society. After this we proceeded to New Haven, and lodged. On second day we rode to Hartford, and lodged.
On third and fourth days, rode to Leicester, and lodged with our friend Pliny Earle. On fifth day had an appointed meeting there, at the eleventh hour. A number of the neighbouring people, not of our society, attended with Friends, among whom was their priest. It was, I think, a season of favour, in which my heart and mouth were opened, under, I trust, the influence of gospel love, to declare the way of life and salvation to the people; proving from the scriptures, and clear rational demonstration, that nothing short of the inspiring spirit of truth, could enable any rational creature to make the least progress in a real Christian life, or qualify to worship the Father of spirits, in spirit and in truth; and that a confession to all, or any creeds or forms of religion, however specious in their appearance, without the immediate aid of this inspiring spirit, would, in the end, leave the soul in utter disappointment. I was also led to show the unreasonableness and inconsistency of the doctrine of unconditional election and reprobation, and that it was impossible to be drawn from a right and enlightened view of the divine character.
There occurred one circumstance in the meeting, which, as it was in itself improper, and gave some interruption to my mind, I am willing to mention as a caution. When the meeting had got pretty quietly settled, and my mind opened with a prospect to stand up, just before I was about to rise, there came in a stranger, in appearance; and a Friend who sat near me spoke to him to come forward, and called him parson, meaning a priest, which I was very sorry to be informed of: for I think that Friends ought to be exceedingly careful, never to inform travelling ministers the state or condition of those who attend their meetings, as it not only has a tendency to close up the way very much, of real gospel ministers, but when close and plain things are delivered, they often are judged of having outward information of the condition of those to whom it applies; which, if it be the case, it would most likely be the means of rendering their labour useless; but if from inquiry such find that the speaker was utterly ignorant of them, from any outward discovery, it is then much more likely to fix on their minds and become useful.
After dining with our friends, we proceeded on our journey about thirteen miles that evening, with a view of endeavouring to get an opportunity with Friends at Bolton, the next day; but the morning opened with a pretty severe snow storm, which rendered it impracticable. However, we proceeded in the morning through the snow, and with much difficulty reached that place, where we tarried until first day. We had then a very comfortable edifying meeting with Friends; and continued there, at the house of our kind friend John Fry, until second day morning, and then proceeded to Lynn.
On third day, the 16th, we proceeded to Seabrook, in order to attend the quarterly meeting, which opened the next day with a meeting of Ministers and Elders. On fifth day was the quarterly meeting for discipline, preceded by a meeting for worship. It was a season of favour, especially the meeting for worship, wherein my mind was largely opened to preach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit, to the comfort and edification of the upright in heart; many being reduced into a state of humble contrition and thankfulness for the unmerited mercy.
On sixth day we proceeded to Epping, where, by previous notice, we had a meeting in the evening, in which the Lord’s power and presence presided in a very eminent manner; and his truth raised into victory over all, and ran as oil, quieting and solemnizing every thing that stood in opposition to its pure holy influence. I scarcely ever was at a meeting, wherein all were so swallowed up in a profound solemnity, that when the meeting closed, it was sometime before any removed from their seats. Surely it was the Lord’s doing.
From thence we went the next day to Lee, and had a small comfortable meeting at the eleventh hour, and then proceeded to Dover. On first day attended Friends’ meeting there at the eleventh hour, at the close of which, feeling a draft of love towards the inhabitants of the town at large, with the unity of Friends, there was a meeting appointed in the evening, and general invitation given; at which there was a very large collection of the various sects, amongst whom my mind was largely opened, and my tongue loosed, I trust, by Him who opens, and none can shut, and shuts and none can open, to declare of the things concerning the kingdom of God, and to point out to the people, in a very clear manner, the way of life and salvation, unfolding many important doctrines of the gospel, in the clear demonstration of the spirit, bowing and humbling many minds present, and rejoicing the hearts of the faithful; under a sense whereof my mind was bowed in deep abasedness for the favour.