We proceeded from thence on fourth day, directly to the city of Hartford; and on fifth day evening had a large meeting there, held in a meeting-house belonging to the Baptists. I was led forth among them in a large doctrinal testimony, showing that Christ’s coming in the flesh, was designed to supersede the dispensation of Moses, which stood in mere legal righteousness, consisting of carnal ordinances, and relating only to the outward or animal body, made up of circumcision, outward sacrifices, elementary washings and cleansings, and the blood of slain beasts, &c.: all which were only outward, and therefore could not effect the soul, nor make the comers thereunto perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.
I was likewise led to open the nature of the true Christian Sabbath, which is the antitype of the typical one, and does not consist in a rest to the body merely for a day, but in a perpetual rest to the soul by its coming into Christ, and submitting to the government of his spirit, and entirely ceasing from its own willings and runnings, by which reconciliation is witnessed, and peace made with our heavenly Father. These things and much more, I had to open to the people, in the fresh feelings of the love and life of truth, which was exalted over all. The next day we rode to Woodbury, with a prospect of obtaining a religious opportunity with the people; but way not opening for it, we proceeded the day after to New Milford, and the next day being the first of the week, we had a comfortable edifying meeting with Friends, and a large collection of their neighbours with them.
After this, we rode that afternoon to Oblong, and the next day attended the monthly meeting there. In the meeting for worship, the Lord’s power was eminently exalted, and truth was raised into dominion; the season was deeply instructive and edifying. The day after we had an appointed meeting in the town of Patterson, where no Friend resides. It was held in a school-house, and proved, through divine favour, an instructive baptizing season. From thence we proceeded to the Valley, and the following day had a precious strengthening opportunity with Friends and others, in Friends’ meeting-house there.
We then rode to North Salem, and the next day being their meeting day in the middle of the week, we attended it: and notice being given that we were there, it was considerably enlarged by a number of the neighbouring inhabitants coming in. The forepart of the meeting was exercising: my mind, in silent waiting, was dipped into a deep sense of poverty and darkness, and as I sat patiently under the impression, I was led gradually into a view of the cause, which appeared to be too much creaturely activity and a froward will. As light began to arise and expel the darkness, there was brought to remembrance these expressions of Solomon: “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil:” and also, “But the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” These were opened in a way that led to communication, in which I had to show the very hurtful tendency of creaturely activity in matters of religion and religious worship, and the absolute necessity of a complete redemption from self, and all self motives, in the great work of our salvation. As I proceeded, the life rose, and truth prevailed and spread over the meeting in an eminent manner. After this favoured meeting, I found there was sufficient cause for my exercise; and I was glad that I was altogether ignorant of it from any outward information.
The next day we had an appointed meeting at Amawalk. It was favoured with the Lord’s presence and power; and many hearts were contrited and made thankful, under a sense of his continued mercy.
We proceeded from thence to Peekskill, where, by previous appointment, we had a meeting the following day, which was crowned with the Lord’s blessing. Surely the Lord is good and gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever; for did he deal with us according to our deserts, surely we might ere now all have been consumed: for as I passed along from place to place, I discovered great unfaithfulness, and want of right submission to the divine will, with many Friends as well as others; under a feeling sense whereof, I was often led in a line of close searching doctrine, by which the hidden things of Esau, or the works of the first birth or fallen nature were brought to light and exposed, in a way that showed it was the Lord’s doing: and my heart, with the hearts of the faithful few were made glad in his power, and his everlasting loving kindness to the children of men.
The next day being the first of the week, we attended Croton meeting. The number of Friends there is small, but the meeting was large for that place, for many of other societies came in. The doctrines of the gospel were freely and largely preached among them, to the instruction and edification, I believe, of most present, and to the peace and comfort of my own mind.
Our next meeting was at Shapaqua, which was large, and a favoured season. The two following days we had meetings at Croton Valley and North Castle, in both of which I was helped to clear myself among the people in a line of plain doctrine. The next day and the fifth of the week, we had an appointed meeting at Purchase, which was a large satisfactory meeting. The two following days we attended meetings at Mamaroneck and Westchester; in both of which, the Lord’s power was manifested for our help, and the gospel preached in the demonstration thereof, and its divine influence tendered and contrited many hearts; especially in the latter, which being the last meeting I had in this journey, it proved a crowning season, in which truth was raised into victory over all, and the Lord’s name praised and magnified for his goodness and marvellous loving kindness to the children of men. After this solemn meeting I felt myself at liberty to return home, where I arrived safe that evening, and found most of my family in usual health.
I was from home nearly three months in this journey, travelled upwards of one thousand miles, and attended fifty-nine particular, three monthly, and two quarterly meetings.
First day, the 31st of 3d month, 1816. Having returned from my aforesaid journey last evening, sat with Friends in our own meeting to-day. I felt things to be very low in a religious sense, and my mind clothed with much poverty, which appeared to me in the openings of truth, to be occasioned by Friends suffering their minds to be too much overwhelmed with the surfeiting cares of this life, which I was led to open to them in a plain though tender manner. It had a reaching effect on the meeting, and contrited many hearts; may it fasten as a nail in a sure place, is the fervent desire of my mind.