Chapter XIV (2)

Fifth day, the 24th. A quiet silent meeting. On seventh day I attended the funeral of a young Friend, a kinsman, who, for more than a year previous to his dissolution, had been in a declining state of health. There was a large collection of Friends and neighbours on the occasion. The corpse was taken into the meeting-house, and a meeting held before it was interred, which is mostly the case among Friends in this part of the society. It proved a very exercising season in the forepart, and although divers ministers were present, yet all seemed shut from any communication, until the meeting seemed drawing to a conclusion, when my mind was set at liberty from its bonds, and a degree of light arose and dispelled the darkness, in which I was led to open the cause and ground of the prevailing darkness which had been so generally spread over us; and to show that it was owing to the people’s living too much to self, and serving self, when they ought more faithfully to serve the Lord and live unto him. I was led, in a brief way, in a close, searching testimony, which I hope will have its use, at least with some present.

First day, the 27th. In our meeting to-day, my mind was largely opened into the substance of things referred to by the shadows and symbols of the law, or outward dispensation. As the prospect spread and enlarged, I found it necessary to spread it before the assembly, and to show the difference between the law state and that of the gospel, and that as the shadows and symbols of the outward law dispensation, stood and consisted in real essential and substantial things, suited to our outward nature and life; so likewise the substance of those shadows, as they were intended to point to spiritual things, must also consist in real, essential and substantial things, suited to our inward and spiritual nature and life, and therefore of course all the shadows of the law are at an end, where the gospel state is known and experienced. It was a season of favour, and renewedly strengthening to my mind, and I believe, instructive and edifying to many present. Thanks be given to Israel’s Shepherd, for his continued mercy.

Fifth day. Attended our preparative meeting, at which the queries were read, and answers given to the usual five, to go to the quarterly meeting; and I thought, from the tenour of the answers, if correct, we were a favoured people.

First day, the 11th. Our meeting was large, in which the gospel axe was laid close to the root of the corrupt tree; showing that every tree which did not bring forth good fruit must be hewn down, let it have ever so specious an outward appearance.

Fifth day. Attended our monthly meeting, at which answers to the queries were produced from the preparative meetings. Although I feared the answers from our preparative meeting made us appear more correct than we really were, yet those from the other branch of the monthly meeting were still more perfect, and although I felt some doubting, yet a degree of gladness attended in a hope that we were improving.

After this meeting, nothing in particular transpired, until I proceeded on my intended journey, which was on the 21st of 10th month, 1818, and fourth day of the week. Samuel Willis, a member of our meeting, and an elder, joined me as a companion. We proceeded to Flushing, in order to attend our quarterly meeting, which opened with a meeting of Ministers and Elders at the tenth hour. The next day was the meeting for discipline, and the day following a public meeting for worship. Through the condescending goodness of the Shepherd of Israel, the several seasons were truly comfortable, instructive and edifying, in which the power of truth was exalted over all opposition, to the praise of Him who is calling us to glory and virtue.

From Flushing we proceeded to Newtown, on sixth day afternoon, and attended a public meeting in the evening, of those belonging to other societies.

The next day we had an appointed meeting in Friends’ meeting-house at the Kilns, and another in the evening at Brooklyn, generally composed of those not in membership with us, and many not in strict fellowship with any religious society. And we had thankfully to acknowledge, that He who opens and none can shut, was graciously near for our help, and opened doctrine suited to the states of those who attended in the several opportunities, to the peace and comfort of my own mind, and, I trust, to the instruction and edification of the people.

From thence we proceeded to New-York, and attended the meetings in the city, on first day. They were large: many not in profession with us came in, as previous information had been given of our intention to be there. The gospel was freely preached among them in both opportunities, particularly that at Pearl-street, wherein truth was raised into dominion over all.

On second day we attended a meeting by appointment at West Chester, which was also a precious edifying opportunity. After this we proceeded to Purchase, in order to attend the quarterly meeting at that place, which opened the next day at the eleventh hour, and continued three days. The meeting for discipline was well conducted, in which I was led to call upon Friends, to rally to our standard, the _light within_, which is a principle of perfect rectitude and justice, and if rightly attended to, will lead us to withdraw from all kind of conduct and commerce, which is in the least degree tinged with injustice and oppression. And in a particular manner from a commerce in, and the use of, articles which are the product of the labour of slaves; the injustice of which was clearly opened and brought home to Friends’ minds, showing them that nothing short of a principle of immutable justice, which may so pervade the minds of mankind, as not to have any intercourse with the oppressor, in the produce of the labour of the oppressed, will ever be sufficient fully to suppress that monstrous evil, and put a final end thereto. It was a very solemn season. The meeting for worship was likewise favoured, in which the divine presence was witnessed for our help and comfort.

The four following days we attended meetings at North Castle, Salem, Oblong and the Branch. These were all large for the places, and favoured with the overshadowing of heavenly regard, in which ability was received to preach the gospel, in the demonstration of the spirit, and wisdom afforded to divide the word to the different states of those present. Each meeting was composed of a variety of professions and conditions; and such was the gracious condescension of the Shepherd of Israel, as not to send any away empty, if they were willing to receive the portion justly allotted them; and if they refuse, because it is not agreeable to their own inclinations, the Lord will be clear, and his faithful servants will be clear; and if they are not saved, their blood will be upon their own heads. These several seasons were comfortable and encouraging to the honest-hearted, and strengthening to my exercised mind; a sense of which filled my heart with gratitude and thanksgiving to the blessed Author of all our mercies.

After these meetings we proceeded to Nine Partners. On third day, the 3d of 11th month, their quarterly meeting came on. The meeting of Ministers and Elders opened at the tenth hour, and the meeting for discipline the next day. These were both profitable instructive meetings to many present, in which way opened fully to relieve my own mind; and I felt sweet peace in my labours of love among them.

The three following days we attended the quarterly meeting at Stanford. I had but little active service in the meeting of Ministers and Elders, yet I found it my place to remind Friends of the danger and bad effects of covering or hiding, and of the advantage of laying ourselves open to the just witness, and of entering into an individual investigation, when answering the queries, lest we overlook some things even in ourselves, and so make our answers more clear than truth and equity will warrant. And when the answers to the queries came to be read, I thought there was occasion for the caution, as their answers were generally full and clear.

In the meeting for discipline, I was led to call Friends’ attention to the fundamental principle of our profession; and to show the drift and design of those precious testimonies, as good fruit naturally emanated from a good tree; especially those two, the most noble and dignified, viz: against war and slavery. And whether while we were actively paying taxes to civil government for the purpose of promoting war or warlike purposes in any degree, we were not balking our testimony in that respect; and pulling down with one hand, what we are pretending to build with the other. And in like manner with regard to slavery. For although we had freed our own hands from holding, by active force, any of this oppressed people, the Africans and their descendants, in unconditional slavery; yet, whether so long as we voluntarily and of choice, are engaged in a commerce in, and the free use of the fruits of their labour, wrested from them by the iron hand of oppression, through the medium of their cruel and unjust masters, we are not accessary thereto, and are partakers in the unrighteous traffic of dealing in our fellow creatures, and in a great measure lay waste our testimony against slavery and oppression. These subjects were largely opened, and the inconsistency of such conduct placed before the minds of Friends; accompanied with strong desires, that they might have their proper effect, in convincing them of the unrighteousness of such conduct.

The meeting for worship, or closing meeting, was mostly made up of such as were not members. It was a favoured, solemn meeting, and, I trust, instructive and comfortable to many present; as it was to the satisfaction and peace of my own mind.

First day, the 8th of 11th month. We returned and attended the meeting at Nine Partners. As notice was given of our intention of attending it, it was very large; the house was filled with a mixed company of various professions, besides Friends. I was largely led forth among them, to declare of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Truth was raised into dominion, and a precious solemnity spread over the assembly. May all the praise be ascribed to the Shepherd of Israel, for the unmerited favour.

In the course of this week, after resting on second and third days, in which time I visited some of my relatives, we attended meetings at Chestnut Ridge, Apoquague, Beekman, and Oswego. These meetings were generally well attended, and were, I trust, profitable and instructive to many who attended them.

First day, the 15th. I attended West Branch meeting in the morning, and that at Pleasant Valley in the evening. They were both very crowded gatherings. At the latter meeting, there were many more than the house could contain, composed, principally of such as were not in membership with Friends, being of the varied religious professions common among us; and many who were not in strict fellowship with any. At such seasons, where, of course, there must be a great variety of states and conditions, I have found it necessary to dwell deep, and wait patiently for the arising of the pure spring of gospel ministry, which alone can enable and qualify to divide the word aright, so that each may have his due portion, and be spoken to in his own language; a language which sets home the truth to every mind, as was the case on the day of Pentecost.

On second day evening, we had a very large meeting in Poughkeepsie. It was held in their court-house, which was a very commodious room for the purpose, being well seated, and was thought sufficient to hold nearly a thousand people. It was much crowded, and proved a very solemn, quiet opportunity, in which truth had the dominion.

The five succeeding days, we attended a large meeting by appointment at Crum-elbow, the monthly meetings of Oswego, Nine Partners, Creek, and Stanford. In all these meetings I had good service; the several opportunities being favoured with the overshadowings of heavenly regard.

First day, the 22d. We had a very crowded meeting at Little Nine Partners. The next day we were at an appointed meeting, in Friends’ meeting-house, in the town of Northeast, which was likewise a very full meeting. In both of these the gospel was freely preached, and its doctrines largely opened, and set home to the minds of the people; and the fallacy and and emptiness of all formal and ceremonial religion exposed, and the people pressingly invited to gather inward, to the immutable principle of _light_ and _truth_ in their own souls, as the _sure rock of ages_, and the _only means_ whereby we can be enabled to work out our salvation. The Lord’s power was felt eminently to preside in those solemn assemblies, to the praise of his great and excellent name, who is over all worthy for ever; and I parted with them in true peace of mind, the sure result of faithfulness.

On third day we rode to Canaan, a town in Connecticut, and the next day had an appointed meeting there, with the few Friends at that place, and some of their neighbours. It was a comfortable, instructive season. The following day we had another meeting by appointment, in an adjacent neighbourhood which was held in a school-house. This was also a favoured meeting. Divers present were much broken and contrited, and truth reigned over all.

On sixth day we proceeded to Hartford, and on seventh day evening had an appointed meeting in the city. It was held in a meeting-house, belonging to the Presbyterians; as there were only two or three members of our society in the place. The meeting was small, occasioned, as I supposed, by the inclemency of the weather, and want of proper notice; nevertheless the divine presence was felt to preside, and truth was declared among them in the demonstration of the spirit; and I parted with them, under a thankful sense of the Lord’s mercy.

The next day, being the first of the week, we attended Friends’ meeting at West Hartford. This was likewise very small, Friends being but few in number in that place, and those mostly appeared in a lukewarm state; and I apprehended they had taken but little care to inform their neighbours of our intention to be there, although we had seasonably requested them so to do. Such conduct manifests great insensibility, and want of regard for their friends who have left all their outward enjoyments, for the promotion of the gospel, and the religious improvement of the people; and are going up and down in travail and labour, as with their lives in their hands, as truth leads the way; and yet, Friends whom they visit in some places, either think it too much trouble, or are so unconcerned as to take little or no care to give their neighbours notice; a sense of which caused me to take leave of my Friends at this place with a heavy heart.

From thence, on second day, we proceeded to Woodbury, and put up at the house of a person of the Methodist society, where we had a large meeting the next evening with the neighbouring inhabitants, composed of Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and some others, not in strict fellowship with any religious society. It was a very solemn, favoured meeting, in which the Lord’s presence and power were felt eminently to preside; and many hearts were broken and contrited, and manifested much satisfaction with the opportunity, especially the man at whose house we were, who in much brokenness of spirit, and with gratitude and thankfulness of heart, acknowledged the favour.

The next morning, after a tendering opportunity in the family, we took leave of them in mutual affection, and rode to Middlesex, upwards of forty miles. Here we lodged with our kind friend Samuel Whiting, who, with his affectionate wife and children, received us with marks of true friendship, which is a brook by the way to the weary traveller; and which was our case at this time. What added further to our comfort, was the readiness of mind and concern they manifested, in giving their neighbours information of our intention to attend their meeting the next day, which we accordingly did. The Lord graciously condescended to open my mouth among them, in a living, powerful testimony to the truths of the gospel. It was a season of great favour. May the word preached not return void, but accomplish that to which it was sent, is the fervent desire of my spirit.

After this solemn meeting we proceeded on our journey, and rode that afternoon to our friend Charles Field’s, at a place called the Saw Pits. Here we had a meeting the next day at the eleventh hour. There is but one family of Friends in this village, the Friend and his family above named, and one other member. The inhabitants consist of the various professions common among us, and some others not in communion with any religious society. A considerable number assembled, with whom we had a very solemn instructive opportunity, to the comfort and peace of my own mind.

The evening of the next day, we had a precious favoured meeting at Manhattanville on New-York Island, with Friends of that place. It was attended by a considerable number of the neighbouring inhabitants, who conducted themselves very soberly, suiting the occasion. Many hearts were broken and contrited, and we parted with them under an humbling sense of the Lord’s goodness, and with grateful hearts for the unmerited favour.

First day, the 6th of 12th month. We rode to the city. As Friends of the monthly meeting there had recently opened a new meeting in the eastern part of the town, we attended it both forenoon and afternoon. And as notice was given at the close of the forenoon meeting of our intention to attend in the afternoon, it was a full meeting, more than the house could well contain. These were both memorable meetings, in which the Lord’s presence and power were manifested in an eminent degree, breaking and contriting many hearts, and truth reigned over all. It was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes, that he should thus condescend, in matchless mercy, to notice us poor unworthy creatures.

At evening, we had a very large meeting by appointment, in Friends’ meeting-house in Pearl-street. Although I was much worn down by arduous labour in the three foregoing meetings, yet I was strengthened to communicate in this, in a full plain testimony, opening to the people the danger and disadvantage of resting in the forms and empty shadows of the law state; and continuing in the traditions and ceremonies introduced into the professed Christian Churches, in the time of the apostacy from primitive simplicity; and the hurtful tendency of observing days and times, like the carnally-minded in the Galatian Church; for which they were sharply reprehended by the apostle Paul, in his epistle to that Church. The people were very quiet and attentive, and a precious solemnity was spread over the meeting, which closed in a solemn manner. Thanks be given to Israel’s unslumbering Shepherd for the unmerited favour.

We tarried in town until third day, in order to attend the meeting for sufferings which came in the course at that time. We also had an appointed meeting in Liberty-street, on second day evening. It was pretty well attended, in which I was led to open to the people the way of redemption by Christ, the only Mediator between God and man; and the way of his working in man, in the accomplishment of his salvation. I also opened to them the emptiness of all shadows and outward ordinances, under the Christian dispensation; such as water baptism, and the ordinance called the supper or communion; also the hurtful tendency of observing days and times, such as a seventh day sabbath, days of thanksgiving, and fast days of man’s appointing. They were shown that all these were of Jewish or Heathenish original, being a part of the law dispensation, and of course ended with it, and therefore the continuance of them under the gospel dispensation was irrational, non-essential, and contrary to truth; tending to keep the minds of Christian professors under the veil of carnal ordinances, and greatly retarded the progress of reformation, and the advancement of real Christianity. I was led to use great plainness of speech, and the people sat very quiet and attentive, and the word preached appeared to have free course. It was a highly favoured season, and the honest-hearted were made to rejoice, under an humbling sense of the Lord’s mercy, and I parted with them in true peace of mind. The next day, after attending the meeting for sufferings, we rode home and found our families well, which I considered as an additional favour from my heavenly Father, whose mercy is over all his works.

I was from home at this time about forty-nine days, and attended forty-nine meetings, and travelled about four hundred and fifty miles.