First day, the 14th. Having so far recovered from my indisposition as to get to our meeting to-day, my mind was opened in a living powerful testimony to the excellency of the gospel dispensation, in which Christ by his light and spirit was come to teach his people himself; a Teacher not to be removed into a corner, a Shepherd ever present to lead and feed all his sheep that hear his voice and follow him; and do not follow the stranger, nor listen to the voice of any outward hireling teachers, although they charm ever so wisely. It was a season of favour, and many hearts were warmed and contrited by the prevalence of truth, and the Lord’s name was praised, who is over all worthy for ever.
Fifth day. Attended our monthly meeting, at which the queries were read and answers prepared to go to the quarterly meeting. To judge from these, it would appear that we were generally an upright people; but I fear our answers are becoming too much like many of us, more in show and outside appearance, than in spirit and substance. For by this formal way of answering them, unless great care is taken, our queries may do us much more harm than good; and this fear often attends my mind, and induces me to call the attention of my friends from the letter of discipline, to the spirit and substance; without which all letter and outward order, however beautiful in the outward appearance, is but as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, and will in the end only deceive and disappoint us, and unveil our nakedness.
Sixth day. Was our preparative meeting of Ministers and Elders, in which our answers made a similar appearance; insomuch, that there was but little to find fault with. I hope it may stand the test in the day of trial; this we ought carefully to consider, otherwise, in the end, we may fall short when it may be too late to retrieve the loss.
The rest of the week I attended to my temporal business as far as my bodily infirmity would permit, although at times my exercise produced very acute pains. I find it needful however, to keep up a continual watch, that I do nothing to promote or encourage idleness, that bane to every Christian virtue; and especially at such a time as this, when most of our capable well-looking young men are running into cities and populous towns to engage in merchandise, or some other calling by which they may live by their wits, being unwilling to labour with their hands: although it is the most sure way marked out by divine wisdom for our truest comfort and peace here, and a right preparation for eternal joy hereafter. And, although many fatal consequences have befallen many of those who have thus run out in trade and mercantile business, apparently to the ruin of both body and soul, and the great injury and distress of their families: yet, because some few have made themselves rich in temporal things by those pursuits, it has so blinded the minds of many that they will not take warning, but go on in their wilful way to their own utter ruin.
First day, the 21st. This day at our meeting, my mouth was opened in a full testimony introduced by this scripture passage: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” I was led in my communication to show to the people, that in this word was comprehended the great gospel privilege, the word nigh in the heart and in the mouth; and that it was not a literal or outward word, nor any created thing, but the uncreated word, Christ, by whom all things were created, or at first spoke into existence and order. For nothing else could enable us to cleanse our way, or live a righteous holy life; and that it was only by a living faith in this inward, operative, powerful word, that any could please God or be acceptable to him, and was the only means by which we could be saved: and that it was offered to the acceptance of all, and therefore all were encouraged to lay hold of the offered mercy, and not slight the day of their visitation.
Second and third days. I was busied in overseeing my temporal business, attended, at times, by much bodily pain; and which, I trust and hope, I endured without improperly complaining or murmuring. The three following days, I attended our quarterly meeting, held this time at Westbury. I think, in the main, it was a favoured season. The meeting was large and solemn: the divine presence and power were evidently felt to preside, humbling many minds and producing contrition of spirit, and the gospel labours were instructive and edifying.
First day, the 28th. A quiet day. Sat our meeting in silence.
Fifth day. A silent meeting. The rest of the week, as to bodily exercise, mostly occupied in my temporal affairs.
First day, the 4th of 8th month. My mind settled in quiet with the exercise of this day. Besides the usual care and industry necessary in my temporal concerns, that all things might be rightly arranged, I attended, in the course of this week, our preparative meeting on fifth day, and the funeral of a deceased neighbour on sixth day. At the funeral was a large promiscuous assembly, amongst whom my mouth was opened in a large searching testimony, suiting the occasion; whereby many hearts were tendered, and much brokenness appeared in the meeting. The truth delivered being brought home to the consciences of many, by the prevalence of the divine power, which was eminently in dominion over all.