Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks

by Elias Hicks

The rest of the week I was at and about home, attending to my usual occupations. Sat our fifth day meeting in silence.

First day, the 29th. I attended Friends’ meeting at Cowneck; and previous notice having been sent of my intention to be there, the meeting was large, and favoured in a good degree with the overshadowing of the divine presence, enabling to preach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit, and with power; breaking and contriting many hearts. At the third hour in the afternoon, by previous appointment, had a meeting at Hempstead Harbour, at the house of Daniel Robbins. This was rather a hard exercising meeting, yet, I trust, in the main a profitable season.

The following part of the week I spent mostly in the oversight of my farming business. Sat our fifth day meeting again in silence, at which we had the company of our Friends Isaac Martin and Henry Shotwell, from Jersey.

First day, the 6th of 10th month. Attended our meeting in silence. It was in the main, I think, a weighty, solemn season. At three o’clock in the afternoon, I had an appointed meeting in the neighbourhood for the people of colour. It was held in one of their houses, and was a season of favour. I hope it may prove profitable to them. For this portion of dedication to duty in the cause of righteousness, I felt peace in my own mind.

Second day. A Friend from the western part of this state, being on a religious visit among us, had an appointed meeting at our place at the eleventh hour. It proved a comfortable edifying season. After this I rode to New-York in order to attend our meeting for sufferings, held the next day at the ninth hour. In the course of the business that came before us, the meeting was led into an exercise, on behalf of that portion of the descendants of the Africans who are still held in bondage in our state. A proposition was made for addressing our state legislature on their account, in order, if possible, to obtain a law for their emancipation; apprehending, that as the greater part of these long-oppressed people had now obtained their freedom, those who were still held, felt their condition much more aggravating, and their bondage more intolerable; insomuch, that it appeared to us altogether just and consistent with the duty of the legislature, to restore to them the just right of freedom. After due consideration, the proposition was acceded to, and a committee named to draft an essay of an address accordingly.

Fifth day. This being our preparative meeting, in which our queries were read, and answers prepared to go to the quarterly meeting. I felt my mind exercised on account of the many deficiencies apparent, particularly in the non-attendance of our religious meetings, as a failure in that often leads to greater deficiencies in other respects.

First day, the 13th. My mind was pretty largely opened in testimony to the sufficiency of the divine light. The season was solemn, and I hope instructive and profitable to many present.

At three o’clock in the afternoon, I attended an appointed meeting in Woolver Hollow, a neighbourhood composed mostly of the descendants of the Dutch. The season was instructive, and tending to edification; and I parted with them under an humbling sense of the favour.

Fifth day. Our monthly meeting being held at this time, answers were received from our preparative meetings, to the five queries usually answered, in which divers deficiencies were stated; but this being frequently the case, it produced little or no concern to the greater portion of the members; and I have been afraid at times, that the queries would become a snare to us, and prove rather hurtful than helpful.

First day, the 20th. Had a conflicting season in the forepart of our meeting to-day with a worldly spirit, and the benumbing consequences of a desire after riches. And while labouring under a feeling of these states, with their stupifying effects, which were even intolerable to bear, it often ran through my mind, that “the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust of other things, like briars and thorns, choke the good seed and prevent its growth. And as I continued patiently under the labour, towards the close of the meeting light sprang up and dispelled the darkness; in which strength and ability were dispensed to communicate in a lively and clear manner, showing the pernicious effects of those things, wherever they obtained the ascendency in the minds of men and women; elucidating the subject by the parable of our Lord, concerning the rich man and Lazarus the beggar. It was, I believe, a season of real instruction to some present, which I hope may not be soon forgotten.