Next morning we proceeded to Berwick, and had an instructive edifying meeting there in the evening, wherein many hearts, with mine own, were made thankful. The next day we proceeded to Portland, a town on Casco Bay. The following day, being the fourth of the week, we rode to Falmouth, and attended their select meeting, constituted of the Ministers and Elders belonging to Falmouth meeting. It was small, and the business conducted in a very weak, and, in my view, a very improper manner; for, previous to the meeting, it appeared that the clerk had, at his leisure, entered the business of the meeting, as though at meeting, and made answers to all the queries; so that when the meeting collected, they had nothing to do, but to hear him read over what he had before written, and which, without any alteration, was approved; some representatives to the quarterly meeting appointed, and the meeting closed. On taking a view of the subject, I was led to believe that meetings, held in such a way, brought no honour to the cause, nor strength nor profit, to those who attend them.
At the close of the meeting, we rode to our friend John Winslow’s, and lodged; and the next day attended Falmouth monthly meeting. The two following days we attended the select meeting at Windham, and their monthly meeting. First day attended Windham meeting; and on second day, an appointed meeting at Gorham. On third day we rested, and wrote. On fourth day their quarterly meeting opened at Windham, which closed on fifth day. Sixth day, had an appointed meeting at Falmouth. On seventh day rode to Durham; and on first day attended their meeting, which was large, notice having been given to the neighbouring inhabitants of our coming. Second day, rode back to Portland, and had an appointed meeting with Friends and others that evening. On third day attended an appointed meeting at Cape Elizabeth, and then returned to Portland, and had a large public meeting in the evening. On fourth day we were at Scarborough.
I then felt my mind released from any further service in this quarter; but before I proceed, am led in humble gratitude and thankfulness of heart, to acknowledge the goodness and mercy of Israel’s Shepherd, who, in his never-failing love, was graciously near from place to place, and clothed the assemblies with his presence and power, opening my mind in every meeting for worship, to preach the gospel, humbling and contriting many minds, and comforting and edifying the willing and upright in heart. Surely it is the Lord that worketh in us and for us; magnified and adored be his right worthy name, both now and for ever, to whom all the praise belongs: nothing due to man.
After the meeting at Scarborough, I went with my kind friend William Cobb to his house at Gorham, he having taken me in his chaise from Portland to Scarborough; for our way of travelling was with a sled: but the snow on the seacoast was so wasted as to render it difficult getting along with it. It was therefore concluded that my companion should go back into the country to Gorham, where the snow was more abundant; and William accompanied me as aforesaid. We met again in the evening at his house, and the next day returned to Berwick, and the day following to Dover.
On seventh day I proceeded to Rochester, accompanied by Thomas Stackpole. My companion being unwell, it was thought best for him to rest until our return. We attended the upper meeting in that town in the evening; and the next day, at the eleventh hour, were at the lower meeting. After this we returned to Dover, to attend a meeting in the evening, which had been concluded to be appointed previous to my going out; and general notice having been given, it was very large. They were all seasons of favour, in which the Lord’s presence was felt to preside, and truth raised into dominion; particularly the last, wherein my heart and mouth were largely opened, and the gospel preached in the demonstration of the spirit, attended with power, solemnizing this large assembly. Truth reigned, and the meeting closed with humble supplication and prayer to the Lord.
Second day, the 12th of 2d month. We returned to Seabrook, to the house of our kind friend Joseph Phillbrick, and had an appointed meeting there that evening. The next day proceeded to Almsbury and Newbury, and had a meeting at each place, the latter in the evening. They were open favoured seasons, particularly the meeting at Almsbury, in which truth prevailed, and ran as oil over all. A ministering friend observed, after the meeting, that he believed the witness was raised in every mind present. It was indeed a precious strengthening opportunity to my own mind: may the honour and praise be all ascribed to Israel’s Shepherd, to whom it is altogether due. How deeply humbling are such continued mercies, dispensed to us poor unworthy creatures. Lay low, O my soul! for thou well knowest that it is the Lord’s power only, clothed in righteous judgment and never-failing mercy, that has raised thee from the dunghill, where thou hadst plunged thyself by thy own follies; yea, it is he who has plucked thy feet out of the mire and clay of sin, and set them on a rock, and strengthened thee in faith to believe, that as thou dwellest in deep humiliation before him, resting on his mercy, until self is fully mortified, and the old man with his deeds is utterly crucified, he will establish thy going, and put a new song into thy mouth, even eternal praises to thy God. Even so be it. Amen.
We left Newbury on fourth day morning, and returned to Salem, and attended their meeting, the next day, as it came in course, at which there was a marriage accomplished between two worthy Friends, elders in society. It was a comfortable edifying season, in which I was led to set forth the deep and solemn obligations which mutually attach to the parties entering into the marriage covenant—obligations that can never be rightly and harmoniously fulfilled, so as to render the parties truly happy together, unless they are of one mind and one heart, in all matters of importance, but more especially in regard to their principles of religion and faith; for if these are diverse, it will most likely imbitter their enjoyments, and produce discord in their family, and tend to wound and distract the minds of their children, should they be favoured with any. It therefore bespeaks great presumption and folly in young people to risk the attempt, especially on such slender reasons as are commonly brought forward as a plea, that one of the parties may change their opinion, and come to unite with the other. This, however, is very fallacious, as such change is uncertain; and no man of reason will trust thereto in the most trivial matters, for each generally suppose themselves in the right, and look for the other to condescend and conform; and therefore the breach often becomes greater.
On sixth day evening, we had an appointed meeting for the inhabitants of the town in general. It was very large, consisting of the various religious sects, and some of almost every description of people, who commonly reside in such populous towns. I was largely opened among them in the line of the ministry, in which I was led to set forth the excellency of man’s primitive state, before the fall, in which he was placed by the wisdom and goodness of his all-wise and gracious Creator, and furnished with sufficient light and understanding to know that he was altogether the work of his almighty power, and that he derived his life and existence, with every other blessing he had, or could have, from his bountiful hand; under a just sense whereof, while he stood in this happy state, every desire of his soul flowed with a continual ascent to him, as his only comforter and preserver. In this state he realized the condition the apostle reminds us of in this exhortation: “Rejoice evermore; pray without ceasing; and in every thing give thanks:” this being the only true delineation of a faithful servant of God. But from this happy state man fell, by a wrong use and abuse of those powers and capacities conferred on him as a free agent, and without which he neither could have known nor served his God: therefore, man’s fall was altogether an act of his own choice, contrary to known duty; and had it not been so, he could not possibly have felt guilt and condemnation for what he had done.
I was also led to open to the people that the great end of Christ’s coming was to introduce the gospel, which is the last and most blessed dispensation of God to the children of men, as by it only can man be restored to this primitive state, and without which restoration he cannot effectually serve God in spirit. This gospel our Lord told his disciples his Father would send them in his name, and which is the Holy Ghost or power of God sent down from heaven, which well agrees with the doctrine of the apostle Paul, where he tells us, that the gospel of Christ “is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth.” This therefore supposes, that those who do not obey the spirit of truth, or Holy Ghost, which convinces them of sin, do not believe the gospel, and therefore are not benefitted by it: of course they remain under the power and dominion of sin.
After this favoured meeting, I felt myself much indisposed with a very severe cold and fever, and had to keep house until the next third day, when we proceeded to Lynn. The following day we attended their meeting held in the middle of the week; and notice being given of our intention of being there, it was large. The power of truth went forth freely, tendering many minds, and comforting the faithful and upright in heart.