The next day we proceeded on our way to Long Plain, where we arrived the day following, about noon. Had a meeting there that evening. The day after had a meeting at the eleventh hour, at Accushnet. They were both favoured meetings.
We then proceeded to New Bedford; and the next day, the first of the week, and 25th of 2d month, we attended their forenoon and afternoon meetings. In these my mind was largely opened in gospel communication, tending to expose the man of sin and son of perdition, manifesting that he was nothing but self in man, and showing that, in his mysterious workings, in leading man to endeavour to imitate God, in doing good and performing acts under the show of religion and religious worship, but all done in his own will and time, the whole mystery of iniquity is comprehended. For in man’s thus turning away from God and the inspirings of his holy spirit, consists his fall, as he takes upon himself an independent state, and assumes the right of self-government, and becomes his own director; therefore, his salvation wholly consists in surrendering up this self-ability, letting it die on the cross, and returning into a state of full submission to the leading and sole guidance of the inspiring spirit of God. My mind was largely opened on these and other truths of the gospel in those meetings, whereby truth was raised into dominion over all, to the comfort and peace of my own mind, and to the apparent satisfaction, instruction, and edification of the rightly exercised and seeking minds present.
The three following days we attended meetings at Newtown, Centre, and the monthly meeting of Dartmouth, or Aponegansett. In each of these I was largely opened in gospel communication, particularly in the last. The truth was powerfully raised into dominion over all, spreading a precious solemnity over the meeting, and much contrition of spirit was manifested. It was the Lord’s doing, and to him belongs all the praise of his own work, nothing due to the creature but blushing and confusion of face.
Fifth and sixth days. We had meetings at Acoaksett, alias West Port, and Little Compton. In both the gospel was preached in truth’s authority; the latter especially was a powerful melting season to most present, inspiring the mind with deep thankfulness and gratitude to the bountiful Author of every blessing.
On seventh day we proceeded to Newport, on Rhode Island, and attended Friends’ forenoon and afternoon meetings on first day. On second day, had an appointed meeting at Portsmouth. After this, with peace of mind, we left the island that afternoon, and went to Tiverton, and lodged with our kind friend Joseph Barker. We had an appointed meeting there the next day, and the day following were at Swansey. Truth was eminently exalted in these meetings, especially the latter, which was a powerful baptizing season, in which the Lord’s presence was witnessed, and much brokenness and contrition of spirit was spread over the meeting. This was witnessed, not only by Friends, but by many others not in profession with us, encouraging and gladdening every sincere mind for the unmerited favour. After this solemn meeting, we took leave of our Friends, and rode that afternoon to Providence.
The next day we attended Friends’ meeting there, as it came in course, in which my mind was led to exemplify and set forth, the excellency and blessed effects of true and strict justice in all our dealings and commerce between man and man, as rational social beings; which was introduced into my mind by the remembrance of this saying of the wisest of men, viz. Solomon: “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” My mind was opened to show the great and essential difference there is, between the righteousness of man, as comprehended in, and tolerated by the laws, customs, edicts and traditions of men, and the righteousness of God, which is altogether comprehended in pure, equal, impartial and unchangeable justice: showing that every act of man, which is not in conformity to this pure and impartial justice, is sin; and that whatever we do that has a tendency, either directly or indirectly, to counteract this pure, simple, impartial justice, cannot be considered as any part of that righteousness which exalts a nation, as it cannot bring glory to God; for no righteousness, but God’s righteousness, wrought in man by this pure principle of justice, can possibly glorify him, as this must be the foundation of every virtue in man.
It was a season of close searching labour, by which the hidden things of Esau, or the first nature, in which the serpentine wisdom works, deceiving multitudes; was brought to light and exposed: especially that cunning sophistical reasoning in the wisdom of this world, which many people are making use of to justify themselves, and thereby stifle and put to silence the convictions of conscience, while acting in direct opposition to this pure principle of justice; by continuing a traffic in, and making themselves rich, by a commerce in the produce of the labour of the poor, afflicted and deeply oppressed Africans and their descendants, held in a state of slavery by the mere force of war, and which is wrested from them without their consent. Truth was exalted over all, and unrighteousness exposed, and its evil effects on societies and individuals manifested.
After this arduous meeting, not feeling myself clear of the town, I appointed another meeting in the evening. Public notice being given, it was large, not only of the white inhabitants, but a large number of the people of colour also attended. It was a season of favour, and much doctrine was communicated, suited to the states of those present; tending to the edification and instruction of the seeking minds of the varied sects, many of whom were collected in this solemn assembly. I closed with a peaceful mind, and the next day we proceeded to Scituate, and had a very edifying tendering meeting there.
The day following, being the first of the week, we were at Friends’ meeting at Foster. It was a small meeting of Friends, but a very considerable number of the neighbouring people came in of different persuasions. I was led to open and explain among them many essential doctrines of Christianity, which, crossing the carnal views of these outside professors, and striking at their creaturely activity in their religious services, I felt as I proceeded a strong spirit of opposition in some of this description, but truth favoured so that no outward opposition was manifested, and the meeting closed under a covering of solemn quiet.
On second day evening we attended an appointed meeting in Friends’ meeting-house at Plainfield. There are but few Friends belonging to this meeting, the whole consisting of but three families; but a considerable number of their neighbours came in and sat with us. We likewise appointed another meeting the next day at a Friend’s house in the northern part of this town, at the second hour in the afternoon, which was well attended by the neighbouring people. These two last meetings closed my visit to Friends and others, in the compass of Rhode Island yearly meeting. They were opportunities of favour, in which much gospel instruction was communicated, to the general edification, comfort and satisfaction of the people, and which was acknowledged by many of them. In parting with them I felt the incomes of sweet peace, as a crown to all my deep exercises and ardent gospel labours, in this visit to Friends and others in the compass of that yearly meeting: a sense of which humbles my mind in deep thankfulness and gratitude, to the bountiful Author of all our mercies and blessings, who is over all, God blessed for ever.