Visit to families of Friends in New-York, and engagements at and
about home, 1815.
First day, the 15th of 1st month, 1815. I attended Friends’ meetings
in New-York. Was at Pearl-street in the morning, and the other in
the afternoon. My mind was opened to communicate largely in both
meetings; and was led, in the course of the testimonies, to open divers
particular doctrines of the gospel; and to distinguish between the
law state, and that of the gospel; and to show to the people, that as
all the shadows of the law stood in, and consisted of, outward and
elementary things, they must end in the gospel, which is the substance
of all shadows; and of course supercedes them all. It was a day of
favour, in which the Lord’s power was exalted; and his name and truth
set above all errour and untruth.
On second day evening I attended the meeting for sufferings, which was
adjourned to that time on a particular occasion. We sat again the next
day, when we finished the business before us. In the evening I attended
a meeting I had appointed for the labouring class of the community,
and for those in low circumstances. The weather was very inclement; it
being a snow storm; which prevented most of the women from attending:
but there was a considerable number of men, who behaved with great
order and solemnity. They received, with much attention, the truths
delivered: which inspired a hope, that the opportunity would be blest,
and a real benefit experienced by many of them.
Fourth day. I attended Friends’ meeting in Pearl-street, which proved
a comfortable, and, I believe, instructive season to some, especially
among the youth. After this, I returned home with peace of mind, and a
thankful sense of the continued mercy of a gracious God to his creature
man, amidst all his backslidings and transgressions.
Fifth day. Attended our own monthly meeting; in which I had to lay
before Friends the great advantage that would result, not only to us
as individuals, but also to society, by individual faithfulness, and
a full belief and trust in the divine providence; and a strict and
undeviating adherence to the order and discipline of the Church, for
which labour I had peace.
Sixth day. I attended the funeral of Charles Valentine, son of David
Valentine, at Moscheto Cove. It was very largely attended by Friends
and others. I had an open time among them; which was introduced with
this scripture exhortation: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with
the yoke of bondage.” The subject was largely opened, showing that
all the works of the flesh did in a lesser or greater degree bring
the mind under a yoke of bondage; and that the fear of death was a
principal one, out of which many others originated; such as every
means of self defence, that consisted in war and warlike preparations.
Every ceremonial performance in matters of a religious nature; such
as water baptism, and what is called the ordinance of the supper, in
the use of outward bread and wine, not being essential bring a yoke
and burden on the believer in Christ; as _he_ came purposely to set
his followers free from all signs and shadows, and bring them into the
possession and enjoyment of the substance; whereby we come to know all
the shadows to flee away and come to an end; as _Christ manifested_,
is the _substance_ and end of all shadows. It was a highly favoured
season. The truth was raised into dominion and ran freely, humbling
and contriting many hearts. May the praise, the honour, and the glory
be all ascribed to Him, who opens and none can shut, and who shuts and
none can open; and who remains to be “God over all, blessed for ever.”
Seventh day. Attended to some necessary repairs about my farm and
tenements. For as I am much from home attending to my religious
engagements, when I feel a liberty to be at home, I find it needful to
be industriously employed, to keep my temporal concerns in order; so
that when I leave home on truth’s account, my mind may be at liberty,
without thinking much about them.
First day. Attended our own meeting, mostly in silence. The rest of
this week was principally taken up in preparing for and attending
our quarterly meeting, which was held at Westbury. It was pretty
largely attended, both the meeting for discipline, and that for public
worship; the latter was somewhat hurt by an unskilful appearance in
the ministry, in the forepart, but ended well. In the meeting of
Ministers and Elders, as also in that for discipline, a living exercise
and concern were prevalent with divers Friends, not only in searching
out the causes of the numerous weaknesses and deficiencies that were
manifest in society, but also endeavouring for their removal, by much
tender and pressing advice and counsel, suited to the states of those
who were delinquent. Many minds were brought under an humbling exercise
and travail of spirit in those solemn opportunities; and divers young
Friends, who were under the forming hand, preparing for usefulness in
the Church, came forth at this time, and publicly espoused the cause
of truth and righteousness, uniting with their elder brethren in the
exercise and travail which were felt to prevail in those favoured
meetings. My spirit was led into near sympathy with these, and fervent
was the desire and prayer of my mind for their preservation in the path
of duty; that so they might grow up and become useful in society, and
faithful labourers and pillars in the Lord’s house, that should go no
more out.
First day, the 29th. We had a comfortable meeting to-day, mostly in
quiet silent retirement; except towards the close my mind was quickened
and opened to a short communication, in the remembrance of the case
of Joseph and his brethren; wherein I was led to recapitulate their
envy and hatred towards him, and to show that their wicked intentions
in selling him, to prevent his rising to the power and dignity which
his dreams appeared to forbode, were the very means in the ordering of
divine providence of accomplishing their fulfilment; and of course made
their bowing and making their obeisance to him much more humiliating
than it would have been had they conducted themselves towards him in
the line of true brotherhood, and had he been raised to the dignity
and power he was, by some other way. But herein was the true proverb
verified: Let envy alone, and it will punish itself. I was led further
to open the malignity and baneful effects of those hateful, and very
evil propensities. A solemn weight covered the meeting; and we parted
under a thankful sense of the favour.
The rest of this week I spent in my ordinary vocations, and in visiting
some friends under bodily affliction.
First day, the 5th of 2d month. I left home in order to proceed again
in the concern I had engaged in, to visit some of the inhabitants
in some of our neighbouring towns, and some scattered families of
Friends and others. I spent the week in this service, and attended
nine meetings, all by appointment in places where no meetings are
held except one; and visited eleven families of Friends, and persons
not members. Although I left home under much depression of spirit,
attended with great discouragement, insomuch that I was brought near
to a conclusion that it would be safest to tarry at home, and wait for
a more full manifestation; yet, as I brought the subject to the test
in my own mind, and patiently waited for an answer in much abasedness
and humiliation, a small degree of light sprang up, in which the
voice said, go and trust in the Lord to open the way. My mind was
then centered in a state of perfect acquiescence; and I proceeded
accordingly, seeing nothing further when I left home, than to attend
the meeting of Friends at Bethpage. This was the first I attended;
but before the close of that meeting, light sprang up, and the way in
which I should advance clearly opened; and as my trust and dependence
were fixed in the arm of divine sufficiency, strength and ability
were furnished from season to season, faithfully to espouse the cause
of truth and righteousness, and to preach the gospel in the clear
demonstration of the spirit, and with power; convincing and contriting
many minds, and relieving and comforting my own. My heart was inspired
with continual thankfulness and gratitude to the blessed Author of all
our mercies. I returned home on seventh day evening, accompanied with
true peace of mind.
First day, 12th. Attended our own meeting; and after a pretty long
season of solemn silence, my mind was opened to communication, in the
revival of the following declaration of the apostle James: “For as
the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also.” The subject was largely and impressively opened, which brought a
solemn covering over the meeting, and made it a season of comfort and
edification. Surely such seasons administer cause for all the humble
and contrite in heart to thank God and take courage; and press forward
in the holy and heavenly way.
Second day. I found liberty to occupy this day in my temporal concerns.
Third day. I attended the funeral of a man, not a member, at Jerusalem.
There was a very large collection of people, composed of the different
classes of civil society; and although it was a time of extreme cold,
and the means for rendering the rooms, wherein the people assembled,
comfortable, very inadequate for that end, yet they were generally very
quiet and orderly, and appeared to pay great attention to the doctrines
delivered. My heart and mouth were opened among them, to speak of
the things concerning the kingdom of heaven, and to set forth, in a
clear and forcible manner, the way and means of man’s salvation; and
that nothing short of a freedom from sin, and the experience of real
righteousness, would be sufficient to effect that great and happy end.
Fourth day. I attended the monthly meeting at Westbury; and had some
close searching exercise, both in the meeting for worship and that for
discipline, tending to quicken Friends’ minds to a more lively concern
for the arising of the divine life in their meetings; that so their
faith might be productive of good works; and they qualified to serve
the Lord in newness of life, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Fifth day. I attended our own monthly meeting. We had but little
business to attend to at this time. I found it incumbent, before the
meeting closed, to submit a prospect that attended my mind to the
consideration of the meeting, to visit the families of Friends of the
monthly meeting of New-York; and received Friends’ united concurrence
therein.
Sixth day. I spent with my family, and in my family concerns; and in
the evening attended a meeting I had appointed at Woolver Hollow, a
neighbourhood consisting mostly of Dutch people. It was a very solemn
quiet meeting, and I had good service among them, to the mutual comfort
and edification of most present.
Seventh day. I left home again on my former concern in visiting some
more of the scattered families of Friends and others, in the suburbs
of our quarterly meeting; having not fully accomplished that service.
Our first meeting was the next day at Rockaway, among my relatives
and acquaintance, this having been the place of my former residence.
Although the meeting at this time was small, partly occasioned by the
inclemency of the weather, yet, through the gracious extendings of
divine love, it proved a favoured season.
After this, we proceeded eastward on the southern part of the island,
and had five more meetings among those not in membership with us,
except here and there a scattered family, or part of a family; yet
numbers of them appear to be convinced of the truth of the doctrines
and principles of Friends; and many of them, I believe, if they
continue faithful to their convincement, will in time become members
with us. We also had some edifying seasons in the few scattered
families of Friends in this quarter, and in a number of families of
those inclining to Friends. We returned home on fifth day evening; and
I found sweet peace in thus dedicating myself to the promotion of the
cause of truth and righteousness in the earth.
Sixth and seventh days. Devoted to the care of my family and household
concerns; which I find to be my incumbent duty, when at liberty from my
religious engagements and gospel services.
First day, the 26th. Attended our own meeting to-day.
Second day. Attended the funeral of a woman not a member; and the
family being inclined to Friends, a meeting was held on the occasion,
which proved a profitable edifying opportunity.
Third day. I proceeded to New-York, in order to attend the monthly
meeting the next day; in which I opened my prospect of visiting the
families belonging thereto, with which the meeting united. But feeling
a concern to attend the monthly meeting to be held at Flushing the
following day, before entering on the family visit, I accordingly
went. The meeting for worship, which preceded that for discipline,
was a favoured season, in which truth reigned. I likewise had a large
favoured meeting with the inhabitants of the town in the evening; and
the next day returned to New-York.
Seventh day, the 4th of 3d month. I began the family visit. Sat with
twelve families, in some of which I felt the renewed visitation of
the heavenly Father’s love, in which the visited and visiters were
united in the bond of Christian fellowship; which tended to inspire
with strength to persevere and trust in the Lord, who hath graciously
promised, that they who trust in him shall not be confounded: but in
others, things were much out of order, and darkness spread over us at
times as a curtain, when we found it needful to be clothed with faith
and patience; and as these were abode in, after a time of suffering
with the seed, way was mostly made to set the testimony of truth over
darkness and errour. Many were convicted and instructed; and peace
afforded to my own mind. Samuel Parsons kindly accompanied me in the
greater part of the visit; and cordially united and sympathized with me
therein.
First day. I attended the meetings at Liberty-street, both forenoon and
afternoon, and sat with four families; and, in the course of the week,
seventy more. In these we met with a variety of states and conditions,
which renders such services truly arduous and exercising, requiring
great inward attention to the divine gift; as nothing else can open
to the diverse states of the people, and qualify to speak suitably to
their several conditions, to their improvement and help; and give the
answer of peace to those under such exercises. I also attended Friends’
meetings, held in the middle of the week, at Pearl and Liberty streets.
At the former was a marriage. It was a time of unusual favour, in
which the descendings of the heavenly Father’s love were felt to cover
the very large assembly, in an eminent manner. My mouth was opened in
a large impressive testimony, in which, in a clear instructive manner,
I had to set forth the great difference between a believer and an
unbeliever; showing that the former was, by faithfulness and obedience
to the inward divine gift of grace, daily improving and advancing in
divine wisdom and knowledge, and in the enjoyments and consolations
always attendant thereon; while the latter was sinking deeper and
deeper into a state of darkness and errour, and the distresses and
vexations, which naturally result from unbelief. It was a day of high
favour, in which the truth was exalted over all opposition and errour,
rejoicing many minds; and bowing my heart in deep thankfulness and
gratitude to the Author of every blessing. Surely it was the Lord’s
doing; therefore let all the praise be ascribed to Him who is over all,
blessed for ever.
First day, the 12th. Attended Pearl-street meeting in the forenoon
and afternoon. Both meetings were much hurt by a long, tedious and
lifeless communication in each, by a Friend, not a resident here, who
attended those meetings at this time. It very much shut up my way,
and was, I apprehend, a great loss to the meetings; as it very much
hurt the solemnity. In the course of this week I sat with twenty-nine
families; and attended Pearl-street meeting on fourth day. After this I
rode home, in order to attend our own monthly meeting, and returned on
seventh day to New-York. On first day, I attended Pearl-street meeting
in the forenoon, and Liberty-street in the afternoon, both comfortable
seasons. In the course of this week, I sat with seventy-seven families.
First day, the 26th. Attended Pearl-street meeting in the forenoon and
afternoon, and an appointed meeting at Liberty-street in the evening.
They were large full meetings; and through the condescending goodness
of Israel’s Shepherd, they were eminently favoured. My mouth was opened
in each, to preach the gospel in the demonstration of truth, to the
comfort, edification and instruction of many who attended, as appeared
by their solemn and satisfactory deportment; and I was truly thankful
that I had been enabled to get through this day’s exercise, to the
peace of my own mind, which I esteem the best treasure.
Second day. Sat with five families in the city, and in the afternoon
crossed the ferry to Brooklyn, and visited three families of Friends
in that neighbourhood, they being members of Liberty-street meeting.
I also had an appointed meeting in the evening, for the inhabitants
of Brooklyn. It was well attended, and proved an instructive favoured
season, gratefully to be remembered.
Third day. Rode to Manhattanville, and visited the families of Friends
in that place, and three families on the way; and returned to the
city next morning, and attended Friends’ preparative meeting in
Pearl-street. It was the time for answering the queries; and it proved
an exercising meeting, Friends having too generally got in the habit
of making use of words which rendered their answers evasive, and not
giving a direct one to the question; by which the deficient members
were very much covered; and which tended rather to set them at ease,
than to stir them up to more diligence and care. My mind was deeply
exercised, things appearing very much out of order with many in this
city; and the number of the faithful very small. I endeavoured to
discharge myself faithfully among them, and found peace in my labour.
In the afternoon, I had a select opportunity with the Ministers, Elders
and Overseers. In this opportunity, I, in a good measure, relieved my
mind from a burden I had been under for some time, respecting Friends
in those stations. In the evening I had an appointed meeting in the
east part of the town, principally among those not in membership
with us. It was held in a large, commodious building, erected for
the purpose of educating the children of such poor people as did not
belong to any society of professed Christians. There was at this time
a school held in it, consisting of nearly four hundred such children.
The expenses were defrayed by the charitable donations of the citizens
at large. It is a benevolent institution, and well conducted. The
meeting was large, consisting, as was supposed, of a thousand people;
to whom the truths of the gospel were largely opened, comforting and
instructing many minds, and administering reproof to the lukewarm, the
licentious, and immoral. A general solemnity spread over the meeting;
and we parted under a deep and humbling sense of the unmerited favour.
Fifth day. Attended the preparative meeting at Liberty-street, which
was a comfortable meeting. The queries appeared to be answered with
much more consistency than at the other. The afternoon and evening
spent in the family visit; as also the two following days.
First day, the 2d of 4th month. I attended Pearl-street meeting in
the morning, and that at Liberty-street in the afternoon; and public
notice being given of my intention of attending the latter, it was
large. I also had an appointed meeting in the evening at Pearl-street,
which was also very large. They were all seasons of favour, especially
those at Pearl-street, wherein truth reigned, and the people’s minds
were solemnized, and the faithful comforted and made glad together,
under a grateful sense of the continued mercy, and longsuffering loving
kindness of Israel’s Shepherd to the workmanship of his holy hand.
Second day. Sat with four families in the forenoon; and, in the
afternoon, had an appointed meeting at Flatbush, near the west end of
Long Island, where no Friends live. The inhabitants were mostly Dutch
people, the descendants of the ancient Hollanders: they had but little
acquaintance with us or our principles. The meeting was held in their
court-house. A respectable number collected, and behaved quietly,
becoming the occasion. Our gracious Helper was near, furnishing
doctrine suited to their states and conditions; which had a reaching
and salutary effect upon many minds; and through the prevalence of the
power of truth, which rose into dominion, divers hearts were broken and
contrited. We parted from them with thankful hearts, and returned to
the city that evening.
Third day. Attended the meeting of Ministers and Elders, composed of
the select members of the monthly meetings of New-York and Flushing. It
was a solemn, and, I hope, a profitable time. The next day the monthly
meeting of New-York was held, in which I was favoured to close my
visit to Friends there, in an opportunity with the members generally
together, both male and female, select from others. At this meeting
I discharged myself fully to the peace of my own mind, and, I trust,
to the comfort and encouragement of the faithful; and at the same
time administered reproof and correction to the lukewarm, and unsound
members, and strength to the weak and feeble-minded. The Lord was
supplicated in behalf of his people, that he would still strive with
them, both in mercy and judgment, as he may see meet, in his matchless
wisdom and loving kindness, and not give his heritage to reproach, lest
the people without be led to inquire, where is their God.
Fifth day. I turned my face homeward, having a meeting at Newtown
Kilns, at the eleventh hour, and another in the town at evening. They
were favoured seasons; although the latter was somewhat interrupted
at the close, by a hireling minister, of the Presbyterian persuasion,
who took some exceptions to the doctrines delivered respecting water
baptism, imputative righteousness, and the hire of ministers. The
arguments he advanced in support of these appeared very weak, being
unfounded and fallacious; and the scripture passages which he quoted to
prove his positions, were in direct opposition thereto. For his proof
of water baptism, he made use of the doctrine of the apostle Paul; and
especially that part wherein he thanks God that he had baptized but a
very small number, positively asserting, that Christ sent him not to
baptize; therefore, if so great a minister as Paul had no commission or
authority to baptize, that is with water, who had converted so many to
the Christian faith, and set up and established many churches, in parts
where no other of the primitive ministers had yet travelled, surely he
could not think it needful, or otherwise he must have fallen very far
short of fulfilling his ministry; but if we conclude, as I apprehend
we are all bound to do, that Paul, as he himself asserts, was not a
whit behind the chiefest of the primitive apostles, we may then safely
conclude that water baptism has no part in the commission of a gospel
minister, and consequently is no part of the gospel dispensation, but
was only made use of in condescension to the weak state of the Jewish
believers, in the same way as circumcision was made use of by Paul.
Indeed it is abundantly evident, that the rituals of the law were
continued for many years by many of the Jewish Christians. It is clear,
however, that it was all in condescension to the weak state that the
believers were in, through the force of tradition and custom. Having
been long in the use of outward shadows and types, the way did not
open to shake them all off at once; but as the light of the glorious
gospel should arise, they would gradually recede and give place to
the substance, just as when the sun rises above the horizon, all the
shadows of the night flee away.
And with regard to imputative righteousness, some Christians affirm
that the righteousness of Christ, wrought without us, being imputed
to believers, they are thereby justified, without any works of
righteousness carried on in us, by and through the operation of the
grace of God, we yielding thereunto, and co-operating therewith.
But the apostle Paul asserts that “the grace of God, that bringeth
salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying
ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly in this present world.” Now will any be so inconsistent with
truth and righteousness, as to assert, that a man is justified merely
by the righteousness that Christ wrought in the outward manifestation,
without his coming to know in his own experience, those works of
righteousness wrought in him, as above expressed by the apostle; and
which he must be a party to and in, or they cannot be wrought. For
a mere belief in grace does not do the work of righteousness; but
faith in the sufficiency of the grace is the first previous work of
the mind of man; but if that belief is not carried into effect, such
faith cannot save him; for faith without works is dead, being alone,
as a body without the spirit. I think the conclusive arguments of the
apostle James are quite sufficient to prove these things to every
judicious mind. For although the harlot Rahab had, from what appears, a
full belief that Israel’s armies would conquer the land of Canaan, and
it is likely many thousands more of the Canaanites had the same belief;
yet as none of them added good works to their faith but her, none
others were saved. Abraham also believed he was required to sacrifice
his son, as the scripture assures us; but had he not gone forward to
put it in execution, his faith, instead of being imputed to him for
righteousness, would have greatly administered to his condemnation; and
instead of becoming the friend of God, he would have been cast out of
his favour; so that by his works only was his faith made perfect.
But the great errour, of the generality of professed Christians, lies
in not making a right distinction between the works that men do in
their own will, and by the leadings of their own carnal wisdom, and
those works that the true believer does, in the will and wisdom of
God. For although the former, let them consist in what they will,
whether in prayers, or preaching, or any other devotional exercises,
are altogether evil: so on the contrary, those of the latter, let them
consist in what they may, whether in ploughing, in reaping, or in any
handicraft labour, or in any other service, temporal or spiritual,
as they will in all be accompanied with the peace and presence of
their heavenly Father, so all they do, will be righteous, and will be
imputed to them as such. And these, and these only, will witness the
blessing pronounced by the royal psalmist, where he saith: “Blessed is
he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is
the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit
there is no guile.” And who are those whom the royal prophet here
designates; why none but such as have carefully and strictly adhered to
the teaching of the grace of God; and who by its teaching and aid have
denied themselves of all ungodliness, and worldly lusts; and have come
to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
And in order to prove the consistency of Christian ministers taking
pay, and making contracts with the people for their preaching, and
letting themselves out to the highest bidders, he brought forward
quotations from the same Paul, who is so very severe against hirelings;
showing, both by his example and precepts, that it is more blessed to
give than to receive; and that parents or leaders ought to care for the
children, and not the children for the parents.
The quotations he brought forward were founded principally on these
two passages from the epistle to the Corinthians: “Do ye not know that
they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple,
and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so
hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel should live
of the gospel.”
In order to understand correctly how far proof will arise from these
passages of scripture, it will be necessary to consider the ground upon
which the priesthood was established under the law; and likewise the
reason and ground, upon which their maintenance was instituted: for it
was all a work of perfect wisdom. And first, the dispensation of the
law was outward and local; so likewise was the priesthood: none being
eligible to that office but the family of Levi: and in consequence of
their being appointed to that office, they were deprived of having
their portion or allotment in the land; but the Lord was to be their
portion: except that they were to have room for residence, and some
suburbs about their dwellings, for their convenience. Their office
was to kill and prepare the sacrifices which the people brought of
their holy things, as offerings to the Lord; so that they were under
the necessity of doing a great deal of manual labour for the people.
Therefore, in order that they might have a livelihood among their
brethren, the Lord had let one-twelfth, that is Levi’s lot, to farm
among his brethren; and they were bound to return to their brethren,
the Levites, one-tenth of their increase; to reward them not only for
the abundant manual labour they were bound to do for them, but also in
consideration of their having the improvement and profits arising from
Levi’s portion of the promised land.
Now to make a right bearing between the shadow and substance, and
render it eligible under the gospel for its ministers to take pay, they
must be such as are immediately called, as was the house of Levi; and
be deprived of any allotment in the land, except room for residence,
and some small suburbs: they must likewise be under the unavoidable
obligation of doing a great deal of manual labour in outward things,
or otherwise they are not entitled to any outward pay: and all this
only as their duty to him, who hath called and appointed them, without
making any contract with the people at all for their service; for
this was not admissible under that dispensation: and all that did were
reproached by the Lord’s prophets as hirelings. An instance to the
point is the case of Micah, who had a house of idol gods; and he hired
a Levite to be his priest, and gave him for his service ten shekels of
silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and his victuals. Indeed we
have in this Levite a true specimen of a hireling; for when the Danites
proposed to his consideration, which would be best for him, whether
to be a priest to the house of one man, or to a tribe and family in
Israel, he soon solved the question; and it made his heart glad, and
he took Micah’s ephod, teraphim, and graven image, and added theft to
covetousness; and went with the Danites, and became their idol priest.
Secondly, we are next to consider the perfect analogy between the
service of the priesthood under the law, and their wages, agreeable
to Paul’s expressions: “Do ye not know that they which minister about
holy things, live of the things of the temple, and they which wait
at the altar, are partakers with the altar?” Now the things of the
temple and of the altar were all the Lord’s things; and as the priests
and ministers were also the Lord’s, he rewarded them out of his own
holy things, and justice required that it should be so. Therefore
the priests under the law had no right to call on the people for any
pay, because there was no contract between them: so likewise under
the gospel, the Lord’s true ministers must be such as are immediately
called of God, as was Aaron: but as there is no outward holy land
under the gospel, so neither is there any outward holy offerings or
sacrifices, nor any outward holy temple or altar of man’s building;
so likewise no outward victims to be slain or consecrated, hence no
outward reward: but the Lord’s ministers under the gospel are all
called and commissioned by his spirit, and clothed with his power and
authority to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the
cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of
the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto such as are
saved it is the power of God. Hence those who preach the gospel live
of the gospel; that is, as the gospel is the power of God, which is
communicated to the people by gospel ministry, by which they are fed
and comforted spiritually, as the Israelites were outwardly, by their
outward sacrifices, of which the priests who ministered took their
share with the people: so likewise the ministers of the gospel, who
minister to the people spiritually in holy things; they also take their
share, and are made to rejoice together spiritually and mutually. And
herein consists the true analogy between the shadow and substance;
the first being the type, which consisted in outward things, and the
latter the antitype, consisting in spiritual things. For if the reward
of the Lord’s ministers under the gospel for their gospel labours is
to consist in outward temporal things, and likewise the reward of the
Lord’s ministers under the law was of the same kind, then it would no
longer hold as is generally agreed by Christians, that the first is
type, and the latter its antitype: but it will be only type for type,
and shadow for shadow; of course we must look for another dispensation
in order to do away the shadow, and make way for the substance. “But
thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus
Christ.” He is the end of the law to all those who believe, and are
witnesses of his spiritual appearance in their hearts, to take away sin
and finish transgression, and fulfil all righteousness, in those who
willingly deny themselves, and take up their cross daily, and follow
him in the way of regeneration. Even so let it be, saith my spirit,
with the spirits of the faithful. Amen for ever.
Sixth day. I had an appointed meeting in the town of Jamaica, at the
third hour in the afternoon. It was for the most part a favoured
meeting, although long in gathering. The truths delivered had an
affecting reach on many minds, and I was made thankful for the precious
solemnity which prevailed over the meeting, and we parted under a
comfortable sense thereof. After this I returned home, and found my
family well; and my mind was clothed with peace, which favour inspires
grateful acknowledgments to the bountiful Author of every blessing.
Seventh day. Rested with my family.
First day. Attended our meeting to good satisfaction. The three
following days spent with my family, and in my family concerns.
Fifth day. Attended our preparative meeting, previous to the sitting of
which, I attended a funeral of one of our neighbours. The corpse was
laid in our burial-ground, and the people, after the interment, came
into the meeting. It was a large collection, to whom the truths of the
gospel were largely opened, and the humbling power of truth spread over
the assembly, contriting many hearts.
Sixth and seventh days. Spent in my family concerns.
First day, the 16th. Attended our own meeting, sat it through in
silence. It was exercising in the forepart, in which I felt reduced
into a state of baptism, with and for the dead: but as I abode in the
patience, toward the close light sprang up and I was relieved from the
burden.
Second day. I spent in my temporal concerns. What a strict and
continual guard and watch it requires, when engaged in any worldly
business, to keep the mind free and loose from every thing of a
terrestrial nature; so that, at the first beck or motion of the divine
intelligence, we may be ready to obey, and submit willingly to its holy
requiring, without consulting with flesh and blood.
Third day. I attended the funeral of a deceased Friend. A meeting was
held on the occasion at the place of her residence. The neighbourhood
were mostly of the Presbyterian order, many of whom attended. I had
an open time among them, to declare of the things pertaining to the
kingdom of heaven; and many gospel truths were plainly set forth and
exalted over all untruth and errour. It was indeed a season thankfully
to be remembered, and my heart was bowed in grateful acknowledgments to
the great and blessed Author of all our mercies.
Fourth day. At the funeral yesterday, I was requested by several of my
friends to attend the funeral of an individual who had been a professor
among the Methodists, but whom I had for some time believed was pretty
fully convinced of the principles of our profession; but the trial of
parting with his fellow professors, and making a full surrender, had
kept him back, until being brought on a bed of languishing, he yielded
and acknowledged to the truth, and desired that in future his family
would attend Friends’ meetings: and towards his close, in order to
give full testimony to his belief, requested in a solemn manner that
after his decease his body might be taken into Friends’ meeting-house
at Bethpage, which was not far from his dwelling, and a meeting held
there at his funeral, and desired that I might be requested to attend.
On consideration of the subject, Friends were easy to comply with his
request, and a meeting was held accordingly. It proved a very solemn
affecting time; many hearts were tendered, and much brokenness and
contrition were manifest in the meeting, through the prevalence of
the divine power which accompanied the word preached. Surely it was
the Lord’s doing, and truly marvellous in the eyes of his people. And
oh! saith my spirit, what shall we render unto the Lord for all his
benefits, for his mercies are new every morning.
Fifth day. Attended our monthly meeting, and on sixth day our
preparative meeting of Ministers and Elders. In both of these, my mind
was engaged to stir up Friends to more watchfulness and circumspection,
for the right ordering of the concerns of the society, and maintenance
of our Christian discipline.
Seventh day. Spent in my family concerns, and ended the week with a
quiet mind.
First day, the 23d. Attended our meeting in silence. It was rather an
exercising dull time; but we ought not to murmur, for if we had had our
deserts, it might have been more so.
The rest of this week principally taken up in attending our quarterly
meeting in New-York. It was in general rather an exercising time; for
not only the answers to the queries from the several monthly meetings,
manifested many deficiencies as to the right support of our Christian
testimonies and discipline, but the diversity of sentiment among the
active members respecting the full support of our testimony against
war, also produced much exercise to the faithful; especially with
regard to the active compliance in the payment of a tax, levied by the
general government of the United States, for carrying on war, and other
purposes of the government, which many Friends believed could not be
actively complied with, consistently with our testimony on that head.
For refusing the payment of this tax, a number of Friends had suffered
in their property by distraint, to a considerable amount more than the
tax demanded, some even three or four fold; whilst some others actively
complied and paid the tax, and justified themselves in so doing,
which caused considerable altercation in the meeting: nevertheless, I
believe, Friends were generally preserved in a good degree of harmony
with each other.
My mind was deeply baptized into the weak state of society, and I
laboured in the ability received to stimulate and encourage Friends to
faithfulness and perseverance, that so all our precious testimonies for
the Prince of Peace might be held up and exalted as a standard to the
nations.
First day, the 30th. A silent meeting. The rest of this week spent in
my family cares, except attending our fifth day meeting, which I sat in
silence.
First day, the 7th of 5th month. I sat our meeting again in silence.
The repeated seasons of rest that I have witnessed, since returning
from my arduous labour in New-York, have brought to my remembrance the
saying of the dear Master to his disciples, when they returned from the
service they had been sent about, in visiting and preaching repentance
to the Israelites, and healing their sick, &c.: “Come ye yourselves
apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.” I accounted it a favour,
for which I was thankful to the bountiful Author of all our blessings.
No particular call to any religious service during this week, except in
attention to our preparative meeting. Silent in the meeting for worship.
First day, the 14th. Indisposition of body prevented my attending
meeting. I therefore spent the day quietly at home; and in reading a
portion of Moshiem’s Ecclesiastical History of the Fifth Century, and
which is indeed enough to astonish any sensible, considerate man, to
think how the professors of that day could be hardy enough to call
themselves Christians, while using every artifice that their human
wisdom could invent to raise themselves to power and opulence, and
endeavouring to crush down their opposers by almost every cruelty
that power, envy and malice could inflict, to the entire scandal
of the Christian name; and changing the pure, meek, merciful, and
undefiled religion of Jesus, into an impure, unmerciful, cruel,
bloody, and persecuting religion. For each of those varied sects of
professed Christians, in their turn, as they got the power of the
civil magistrate on their side, would endeavour, by the sword, and
severe edicts, followed by banishment, to reduce and destroy all those
who dissented from them, although their opinions were not a whit
more friendly to real genuine Christianity, than the tenets of their
opposers; for all were, in great measure, if not entirely, adulterated
and apostatized from the true spirit of Christianity, which breathes
peace on earth, and good will to man.
The rest of the week I spent in my family cares, except fifth day,
which was the time of our monthly meeting; in which the women’s meeting
brought forward, for our consideration and concurrence, requests to be
joined in membership for eight individuals. Six of these were children,
at the request of their father; another, a minor of about ten years of
age, who appeared very desirous of membership: she sent forward her
request, joined by her parents. The other was an adult of a promising
aspect, the mother of several children. She had been brought up and
educated in the Episcopal profession; but being favoured with an
opportunity of attending Friends’ meetings, she was convinced of the
truth as held by us; and cheerfully submitted to the cross, accounting
the reproaches of Christ a greater treasure, than all the comfort and
delights that could be found among her former associates in an outside
pompous profession. Their requests were all admitted by the meeting;
and it was, I think, a comfortable instructive season.
First day, the 21st. While sitting in our meeting my mind was led
into a consideration of the testimony of the apostle John, where he
assures us, agreeably to truth and right reason, that God is love, and
that they who dwell in love, dwell in God, and God in them. My mind
was opened to set forth to the people the excellency of this state
and the certainty of its attainment, by all such as sincerely desire
salvation; and in order therefor, are willing, through and by the
leading and teaching of divine grace, which the apostle Paul assures
us, agreeably to our own sensible experience, has appeared to all men,
to forego all our selfish and creaturely inclinations, and to deny
self; and by bearing our cross daily, come to a full crucifixion of
the old man, with all his corrupt and ungodly deeds. We thereby come
to know a putting on the new man, even Christ, or a salvation state,
agreeably to another declaration of the same apostle, where he asserts:
“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things
are passed away, behold all things are become new, and all things are
of God.” I was likewise led to show the good fruits that would be the
natural result of such a state, as certain as good fruit is produced
by a good tree; for we should no longer love as man loves in his
fallen state, from a selfish motive, self being slain; but we should
love as God loves, with a disinterested love, and then we should love,
not our friends and neighbours only, but our greatest enemies also;
and we should become qualified sincerely to pray to God for them. We
should then be brought to discover, that all such among Christians
as pray for the downfall, or overcoming of their enemies by force of
war, or by any other means than pure disinterested love, pray not in
a Christian spirit, nor by the leading and influence of the spirit of
God; but in their own spirit, and by the leading and influence of the
spirit of antichrist. Therefore, such prayers are not heard, but are
an abomination in the sight of a pure and holy God, who cannot behold
iniquity with approbation. My mind was largely and impressively opened
on the subject; and with solemn weight I left it upon the auditory,
which was larger than usual: may it have its desired effect, is the
sincere desire of my spirit.
Second day. I attended the funerals of two elderly men of Bethpage
meeting. They were neighbours; and were both interred in the meeting’s
burial-ground at the same time. One of them was a member; and the other
was educated among Friends, but had lost his right. A meeting was held
on the occasion, and there was a large collection of people. It proved
a solemn, and, I trust, an instructive time to some present: may it
fasten as a nail in a sure place.
The rest of this week, except the usual weekly attendance of our
meeting, was spent in family cares, and in preparation for the
attendance of our approaching yearly meeting. Indisposition in a
branch of my family, prevented my attending the meeting for Ministers
and Elders; but got to the city in time to attend the first day
meetings. In the morning I was at Pearl-street, and in the afternoon at
Liberty-street; and although the latter was pretty large, and in a good
degree solemn, yet it was an exercising season to the living sensible
members.
In those large meetings, where Friends are collected from various
parts, the weak and the strong together, and especially in those
for worship, it is essentially necessary that Friends get inward,
and wait in their proper gifts, keeping in view their standing and
place in society, especially those in the ministry. For otherwise
there is danger, even from a desire to do good, of being caught
with the enemies’ transformations, particularly with those that are
young, and inexperienced; for we seldom sit in meetings but some
prospect presents, which has a likeness, in its first impression, to
the right thing; and as these feel naturally fearful of speaking in
large meetings, and in the presence of their elderly friends, and
apprehending they are likely to have something to offer, they are
suddenly struck with the fear of man, and thereby prevented from
centering down to their gifts, so as to discover whether it is a right
motion or not; and the accuser of the brethren, who is always ready
with his transformations to deceive, charges with unfaithfulness
and disobedience, by which they are driven to act without any clear
prospect, and find little to say, except making an apology for their
thus standing; by which they often disturb the meeting, and prevent
others, who are rightly called to the work, and thereby wound the minds
of the living baptized members.
On second day the meeting for discipline opened, and continued by
adjournments until sixth day. Although divers weaknesses were manifest,
in transacting the business, for want of a deep indwelling with the
pure spring of life, and each patiently abiding in his own proper gift,
without envying others, yet, I think, in the main it was a favoured
meeting. Divers brethren were largely opened to speak to subjects
of concern, which came before us, in the life, and in the clear
demonstration of the spirit, as scribes well instructed, bringing out
of the heavenly treasury things new and old.
First day, the 4th of 6th month. Being invited to the funeral of a
young woman within the compass of Westbury meeting, I attended that
meeting, which was very large, much more so than usual, occasioned in
part by the funeral. Although the forepart of the meeting was dull
and exercising, yet, as my mind centered under a patient exercise and
travail, way gradually opened to communication, in which I was enabled,
through adorable condescension, largely and livingly to declare to
the people of the things concerning the kingdom of heaven, and their
own present and everlasting peace. It was a season of great favour,
thankfully to be remembered.
The rest of this week I spent at home, in peace of mind.
First day, the 11th. My mind was brought under exercise, as I sat in
our meeting, in remembrance of Paul’s declaration, where he says,
“For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” As
I continued under the exercise, way opened to communication, which
brought a comfortable solemnity over the meeting.
Second and third days. I spent in attending our meeting for sufferings
in New-York; an appointment which I have been under for nearly forty
years.
Fourth day. Most of this day spent in some necessary repairs about my
house. Much is saved by timely and prudent care.
Fifth day. Was our monthly meeting, at which we had the acceptable
company of our friend John Comly, a fellow-labourer in the gospel, with
whom I felt near sympathy and unity in travail. I accompanied him the
next day to a meeting he had appointed at Martinicock; in which he was
favoured with a pretty large testimony, in the plainness and simplicity
of the gospel. I took my leave of him and his companion Stephen Comfort
that afternoon, and returned home.
Seventh day. Spent in my common avocations, and the week closed with a
peaceful mind.