Visit to Baltimore to attend the yearly meeting in 1824.--Visit to
the inhabitants of the eastern part of Long Island in 1825.--Visit
to Scipio quarterly meeting in 1825.--Visit to Southern and Concord
quarterly meetings in Pennsylvania in 1826.--Visit to the families
of Friends in Jericho and Westbury monthly meetings in 1827.--Visit
to Friends in some parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio in
1828.
In the summer of 1824, I had the concurrence of my friends to attend
the quarterly meeting of Cornwall and Stanford, which I accomplished
to my own peace and comfort. And in the fall of the same year, they
also united with a concern which had impressed my mind, to attend the
ensuing yearly meeting in Baltimore. This engagement, through the
mercy of Him who has hitherto helped me, I was favoured to accomplish
to the peace and satisfaction of my own mind. The yearly meeting for
discipline opened on second day, and continued by adjournments until
the following fifth day, in the afternoon of which it closed, under a
comfortable evidence of divine favour attending. I think it was, in its
several sittings, one of the most satisfactory yearly meetings I ever
attended, and the business was conducted in much harmony and brotherly
love.
In Philadelphia, on my return, I had a severe attack of bodily
indisposition; so that, for some time, there seemed but little prospect
of my recovery. I lodged at the house of my very kind friend Samuel
R. Fisher, who, with his worthy children, extended to me the most
affectionate care and attention; and I had also the kind sympathy of a
large portion of Friends in that city.
In the summer of 1825, I obtained the concurrence of my friends to
make a visit, in gospel love, to the inhabitants of the eastern part
of Long Island, and I proceeded therein, with Samuel Willis as my
companion. The people appeared open to receive us, and the meetings at
the several places we visited, were pretty fully attended. Many minds
were humbled and contrited, and truth’s testimonies exalted, and the
people generally comforted, and, I trust, edified.
In the fall of 1825, being on an appointment of the yearly meeting to
attend the opening of Scipio quarterly meeting, I obtained the unity
of my friends to attend some meetings among Friends and others, on my
way going and returning. The quarterly meeting in its several sittings,
was conducted in much apparent harmony and condescension; the truth
was so effectually raised into dominion over all, that if there were
any discordant spirits present, they were all kept down and subdued
by the prevalence of its power; and Friends were united in the bond
of brotherly affection, and the faithful were made to rejoice for the
unmerited favour. The meeting closed on the 30th of 9th month, with a
very large solemn public meeting; the public service therein fell to
the lot of Thankful Merritt and myself, and Thankful closed the meeting
in sweet solemn supplication. In returning home, I attended several
meetings which were large, and, through the condescending goodness of
the Shepherd of Israel, were favoured satisfactory seasons, in which
truth was raised into dominion, and a precious solemnity prevailed.
In the latter part of 1826, my friends united with a concern, which had
been for a considerable time impressive on my mind, to make a visit in
the love of the gospel, to Southern and Concord quarterly meetings,
in the yearly meeting of Philadelphia. I accordingly set out in the
11th month, with Jesse Merritt as my companion. In passing through
Philadelphia, we attended Mulberry-street meeting in the forenoon, and
Green-street in the afternoon. They were both very large meetings,
many more coming together than the houses could contain. Truth was
powerfully raised into dominion, and at the close of each meeting,
many Friends manifested, in an affectionate manner, their unity and
satisfaction with my labours amongst them. We then proceeded on the
further service on which we had set out, taking several meetings on
the way, which were large and solemn opportunities, and favoured with
the overshadowing wing of divine kindness; and having accomplished the
prospects in view, we turned our faces homewards, having thankfully
to acknowledge that best help had been near, enabling me to discharge
myself faithfully in the various meetings, to the comfort and peace of
my own mind.
In the early part of 1827, with the unity of my friends, I entered into
the engagement of making a religious visit to the families of Friends
within our own and Westbury monthly meeting, and I was favoured to go
through this arduous service to the satisfaction and peace of my own
mind.
Having felt an exercise and travail of spirit in the course of last
year, to make a religious visit in the love of the gospel, to Friends
and others in some parts of our own yearly meeting, and in the compass
of the yearly meetings of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Ohio, Indiana,
and a few meetings in Virginia; and apprehending the time had come
to move therein, I spread the concern before my friends at Jericho
monthly meeting, held the 20th of 3d month, 1828, and obtained their
unity and concurrence therein. This concern, with the certificate
from our monthly meeting, I laid before our quarterly meeting held at
Westbury, the 24th of 4th month following; and obtained their unity and
concurrence, with an endorsement thereof on my certificate from the
monthly meeting.
I left home the 28th of 4th month, the week after our quarterly
meeting, in order to accomplish the service above alluded to; and
attended the three quarterly meetings of Purchase, Nine Partners,
and Stanford, as they came in their usual course. On my way home, I
attended Oblong monthly meeting, also four particular meetings, three
of which were appointed at my request. In all these meetings the Lord,
our gracious helper, manifested himself to be near for our support,
making way for us at times where there seemed to be no way, to our
humbling admiration. I was from home in the prosecution of this little
tour of duty, two weeks and two days. After this I tarried at and about
home until after our yearly meeting.
Soon after this I again left home, on the 14th of 6th month, and
rode to New-York. The day following being the first of the week, we
attended the morning and afternoon meetings of Friends in the city,
which, through the gracious extendings of heavenly help, proved to
be comfortable edifying seasons. My esteemed friend Jesse Merritt,
an elder of our monthly meeting, accompanied me in this journey. We
left New-York on second day, after taking a sympathetic farewell of
our friends in the city, and proceeded on our journey to Rahway in
New Jersey, and lodged with our kind friend William Shotwell, and
the next day had an appointed meeting in that village. It was truly
a comfortable edifying opportunity; many truths of the gospel were
clearly opened to the audience, humbling and contriting many who
were present; a sense of which inspired our minds with gratitude and
thanksgiving to the blessed Author of all our mercies.
The next day being the fourth of the week, we attended Friends’ monthly
meeting held at Plainfield, for Rahway and Plainfield. The meeting for
worship was large, many of the neighbouring people of other societies
coming in, to whom the gospel was freely preached in the demonstration
of the spirit, solemnizing the assembly, and truth was raised into
victory over all. My mind was also comforted in the meeting for
discipline, in observing the harmony and brotherly condescension of
Friends, in the orderly conducting the affairs of the Church.
The next day we proceeded on our journey to Kingwood, and put up with
our kind friend Henry Clifton. We had an appointed meeting here the day
after at the tenth hour, and although the number of Friends was small
that constituted this meeting, yet Friends being careful to give their
neighbours of other societies information thereof, we had a very full
meeting; and it proved a very solemn impressive opportunity in which
truth reigned, comforting and contriting many minds.
After this we passed on to Solebury in Pennsylvania, and lodged with
our kind friend Watson Fell, who met us at Kingwood and kindly took
us to his house. The next day we had an appointed meeting here at
the fourth hour in the afternoon. It was a solemn opportunity, and
I parted with them under a thankful sense of the unmerited favour.
We then rode home with our kind friend Moses Eastburn; and the next
day being first day, and the 22d of 6th month, we attended Buckingham
meeting in the morning, and had an appointed meeting at Plumbstead
at four o’clock in the afternoon. After this we rode home with our
worthy friend Israel Lancaster, and on second day had a meeting at
Wrightstown; on third day in the forenoon, we attended Newtown meeting;
and at the fourth hour in the afternoon had an appointed meeting at
Makefield. These were all large favoured meetings, in which the gospel
was preached in the demonstration of the spirit, and many hearts
were humbled and contrited, and a precious solemnity spread over the
meetings, comforting and rejoicing the honest-hearted, and to the
praise of Him, who is calling us to glory and virtue.
On fourth day, the 25th, we attended a meeting at the Falls; on fifth
day were at Middletown; on sixth day at Byberry; and on seventh day
at Abington. These meetings were all large and very solemn, and the
canopy of love, in a very comforting manner, was felt to spread over
the assemblies; and much kindness and friendly regard were manifested
towards us, not only by our friends, but by the people in general of
other societies, who attended the meetings.
We attended Horsham meeting in the morning, on first day, the 29th,
and had an appointed meeting at Upper Dublin at the fourth hour in the
afternoon. They were very large; more attended than the houses could
contain. As the last meeting was assembling there came on a heavy
shower of rain, accompanied with an uncommon time of lightning, and
very heavy peals of thunder: many flashes of the lightning appeared
to strike down to the earth within a very small distance of the
meeting-house, which brought a great solemnity over the meeting, and
I was thankful in observing the stillness and quiet which prevailed
generally among the people. These meetings were very solemn seasons, in
which truth reigned, and I parted with them in peace of mind, and the
fresh feelings of gospel love.
Our kind friend Joseph Foulke met us at Horsham; and after the latter
meeting conducted us to his house, where we met a very cordial welcome,
and were favoured with the company and conversation of his ancient and
very worthy father Hugh Foulke. The two following days we attended
meetings at North Wales and Plymouth. These were large favoured
meetings, in which many truths of the gospel were largely opened to
the edification, comfort, and apparent satisfaction, of those large
assemblies, and to the peace of my own mind. It was the Lord’s doing,
and to him belongs all the praise, nothing due to man.
From thence we proceeded to Charlestown, and lodged with our kind
friend James Wood; and the next day, being the fourth day of the week,
we attended their meeting. After this we rode to Pikeland, where we
were very kindly entertained by our friends Emmor Kimber and wife, and
had an appointed meeting there the next day. We tarried here until the
next morning; and then proceeded on to Uwchlan, where we had a meeting,
by previous appointment, at the eleventh hour; and although it was in
the midst of their harvest, and the care necessary for getting it in,
very urgent, as many of their fields of grain appeared to be over-ripe,
yet to our own and our friends’ admiration, the meetings were unusually
large, frequently many more assembled than the houses could contain.
The people were generally very solid and quiet, and very attentive
to hear what was communicated; and many minds were humbled and
contrited, and truth’s testimonies exalted, to the mutual comfort and
encouragement of the honest-hearted, and to the general satisfaction
of the assembled multitudes; and my mind was deeply humbled and made
thankful for the continuance of those unmerited favours.
On seventh day, the 5th of 7th month, we attended a meeting at
Downing’s Town, held in an orchard, under the shade of the apple trees;
which was a large, solemn, satisfactory meeting. A division having
taken place in the Society of Friends, and the meeting-house in this
place being in possession of the party termed Orthodox, they refused to
permit Friends to occupy it on this occasion. There were, however, more
attended the meeting, than could have got into the house, if we had
been permitted to use it. The next day we attended Friends’ meeting at
East Caln; and notice having been given of our intention of attending
it, the house, although very large, did not contain more than three
quarters of the people that assembled. It was a season to be remembered
with gratitude, in which the Lord’s presence was felt to preside,
humbling and contriting many hearts, and truth was raised into victory
over all.
On second day we attended a meeting, by appointment, at Sadsbury; and
on third day their monthly meeting. On fourth day we had an appointed
meeting at Lampeter. These were all favoured opportunities, wherein the
Lord’s power was manifested for our help, rejoicing and encouraging
the honest-hearted, and settling and confirming the wavering, who
were halting between two opinions, but were now satisfied, and openly
declared themselves on the side of Friends, some of whom had previously
gone with our opposers, but were now convinced of the impropriety of
their conduct, and cheerfully united with Friends.
After the latter meeting, we dined with our friend Thomas Peart. We
then took leave of our friends in near unity, and proceeded on our
journey to Columbia, and lodged with our kind friend William Wright,
who, with his worthy and affectionate wife, entertained us with great
hospitality. We had an appointed meeting at this place the next day.
The two following days we attended meetings at Little York and Newbury.
All of these were favoured opportunities, in which truth was raised
into dominion, and many hearts were humbled and contrited, and the
faithful comforted and made to rejoice together in the unity of the one
spirit, _Christ_, the only sure foundation, on which the true Church
has been built in all the varied ages of mankind, from the beginning
down to the present time; and on which all future generations must
build, or their building must and will fall.
On first day, the 13th of 7th month, we attended Friends’ meeting at
Warrington, and the two following days the meetings of Huntington and
Menallen. These were all favoured opportunities, in which ability
was vouchsafed, by the blessed Author of all our sure mercies, to
preach the gospel to the people in the simplicity, plainness, and
demonstration of the spirit, which brought a precious solemnity over
the assemblies; and I parted with them with the satisfactory evidence
of having faithfully discharged myself among them, feeling that true
peace of mind, which the world, with all its fading enjoyments, cannot
give nor take away. The next day, the 16th, we proceeded on our journey
through the mountains to Redstone, about one hundred and sixty-one
miles; and arrived there on first day, the 20th, about eight o’clock
in the morning, at the house of our kind friend Jesse Townsend. We
attended their meeting at the eleventh hour, which was large and
favoured. We lodged with our aforesaid friend, during the time we spent
in this place.
On second day we rested. On third and fourth days we attended meetings
at Providence and Centre. On fifth day we attended Westland monthly
meeting; and the neighbourhood being informed of our coming, there
were more people assembled than the house could contain; and I had a
full opportunity to discharge myself among them in a large effective
testimony, which brought a precious solemnity over the meeting, and
many minds were humbled and contrited.
A Friend from abroad attended this meeting, and after I sat down he
rose and made opposition, which greatly disturbed the meeting.
On sixth day we attended an appointed meeting at Pike Run. It was held
in the side of a wood, the meeting-house having been burnt. There being
but few Friends in this place, they met in a small private room: this
induced them to make seats out of doors, as the house would not have
held half the people that met. It was an unusually favoured season. In
the silent part of the meeting, the divine presence was felt to spread
over the assembly, producing such a sweet and precious solemnity,
as I scarcely ever before witnessed in the same fullness, and which
continued through the course of my communication. Surely it was the
Lord’s doing, and it was marvellous in our eyes.
After this meeting we dined with our kind friend John Grave, and then
proceeded on our way about three miles towards Brownsville, and lodged
with our friend Isaac Walker. On seventh day night we lodged at the
house of our friend Solomon Philips, near Brownsville; and the next
morning crossed the river Monongahela into the town. Here we put up
again with our kind friends Jesse and Edith Townsend, where we had
the company of many Friends, and many of the inhabitants of the town
not members of our society, also came in to see us; as the unfounded
reports of those who style themselves Orthodox, having been generally
spread over the country, it created such a great excitement in the
minds of the people at large, that multitudes flocked to the meetings
where we were, to hear for themselves; and many came to see us, and
acknowledged their satisfaction.
At this place we again fell in with the Friend from abroad, who
attended the meeting with us; he rose in the early part of the meeting,
and continued his communication so long, that a number left the
meeting, by which it became very much unsettled: however, when he sat
down I felt an opening to stand up; and the people returned and crowded
into the house, and those that could not get in stood about the doors
and windows, and a precious solemnity soon spread over the meeting,
which has been the case in every meeting, where our opposers did not
make disturbance by their disorderly conduct. The meeting closed in a
quiet and orderly manner, and I was very thankful for the favour.
On second day we rested and wrote to our friends. On third day we
attended their preparative meeting for Ministers and Elders, and on
fourth day their monthly meeting. Here the Friend who had before made
opposition opposed me publicly and personally in the meeting for
worship; but I nevertheless had a favoured opportunity, to the general
satisfaction of the meeting, and to the peace of my own mind.
We attended Westland meeting again on fifth day as it came in course.
It was pretty large, many of the neighbouring inhabitants coming in.
We had a very favoured meeting; Friends were comforted together, and
the people went away satisfied; and my mind was fully relieved, and
inspired with thankfulness and gratitude.
On sixth day we attended the quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders
held at Westland, where we met with but little opposition; and the
next day we attended the quarterly meeting of discipline. I had good
service in the meeting for worship, which preceded that for discipline.
It was very large, a great number of those not in membership with
Friends came in, and behaved very orderly. Here we met with some
opposition, more particularly in the meeting for discipline from the
Friend above mentioned. And Friends were so disturbed with the conduct
of this Friend and his companion, that they proposed that the Elders
and Overseers should take an opportunity with them, and see if they
could not put a stop to such disorderly conduct; accordingly they
had an interview with them, in which Friends relieved their minds
pretty fully; but the few termed Orthodox, used their influence in
their favour, which greatly prevented their being benefited by the
opportunity.
Public notice was given at the close of the meeting on seventh day,
that my companion and myself intended to be at their meeting the next
day. A great number more assembled than the house could contain; and
although the Friend above alluded to, had so fully discovered that not
only Friends, but the people generally, had no unity with him, yet
soon after the meeting was settled, he rose and stood a considerable
time. After he sat down, I was favoured to clear myself among them in a
large impressive testimony, that soon brought a precious solemnity over
the meeting; and many hearts were broken and contrited, and I took an
affectionate farewell of the assembly in the fresh feelings of gospel
love. As I was about to close the meeting, the same individual again
rose, and began to oppose what had been said by me; this so offended
the people, Friends and others, that they rose up and went out in great
numbers, he at the same time begging them to stay; but they refused and
continued going out until he was discouraged and sat down. Soon after
I closed the meeting, feeling very sorry for the people to see them so
imposed upon.
After this meeting we proceeded that afternoon about seven miles, on
our way to Pittsburg. On second day we rode to Pittsburg, and lodged
with Robert Townsend; who, although not in membership with Friends,
entertained us with much kindness and hospitality. The day following
at evening, we had a large satisfactory meeting in their court-house,
Friends having no meeting in that town. On fourth day we proceeded on
our journey, crossing the Alleghany river at Pittsburg, and arrived
that evening at a village, at the great falls of the river Beaver. The
next day we had an appointed meeting there, held in a field under some
trees, which made a comfortable shade, the weather being very warm,
and Friends meeting-house much too small to contain the people who
assembled. It was a very solemn opportunity, in which truth was raised
into victory over all, and the people appeared thankful for the favour;
and I witnessed the consoling evidence of true peace, in faithfully
discharging my duty among them.
After this favoured meeting, we went forward that afternoon towards
Salem, in order to attend the quarterly meeting at that place, which
opened the next day at the eleventh hour, with a meeting of Ministers
and Elders. Friends met in a school-house which one of them had built
on his own premises, with which, and a temporary shed that Friends
put up adjoining to it, the meeting was pretty well accommodated.
They conducted the business of the quarterly meeting in much unity
and concord, and the Lord’s presence was evidently felt to cover the
assembly. The next day being first day, and as notice was spread of
our being there, the meeting was very large. It was judged by Friends
that upwards of two thousand people attended. It was a highly favoured
season, in which I was enabled by Him, who when he opens none can shut,
and when he shuts none can open, to declare the truth to the people
in the demonstration of the spirit, and with a power attending which
brought a precious solemnity over the meeting, and many hearts were
humbled and contrited.
The next day we had a meeting by appointment at Fairfield. This was
also a very large meeting, many more assembled than the house could
contain. I had a favoured time among them, and was made thankful for
the opportunity, and had cause to believe my labour was not in vain.
The day following we attended New Garden quarterly meeting. Here
Friends had a trying time, as those called Orthodox, although they were
but a small part of the meeting, had undertaken to disown a number
of Friends; but Friends did not acknowledge their authority, nor
consider their disownments of any effect, and they all came together
as usual in the quarterly meeting. The Orthodox strove hard to get
Friends to withdraw, but they refused, and proceeded with the business
of the meeting, which those called Orthodox interrupted for a time;
but finding that Friends would not give way, they finally left the
meeting, and retired to a school-house, and Friends had a comfortable
season together, and conducted their business in much harmony and
condescension, and were evidently owned by the Head of the Church.
I appointed a meeting on fourth day for the public at large, Friends,
and others. A large number assembled; many more than the house could
contain. We had a precious meeting: the Lord’s power prevailed in an
eminent manner. It was a season thankfully to be remembered, and was
truly an humbling time among the people.
After this we proceeded to New Lisbon, to attend a meeting there the
next day, which we had previously appointed. It was held out of doors,
there being no house in the town sufficient to hold the people that
Friends apprehended would assemble. Being aware of this, they erected
a booth or shed, by setting up posts, on which they laid long poles,
and covered them with branches of trees to make a shade, as the weather
was very warm. Under this we had a very large favoured meeting, to the
general satisfaction of the people, and peace of my own mind.
The two following days we attended meetings, by appointment, at
Springfield and Goshen. Those called Orthodox had possession of the
meeting-houses at those places, and refused to admit us; but although
they could shut us out of the meeting-houses, yet they could not shut
us out from the divine presence, for this was felt eminently to preside
in both these highly favoured meetings.
The next day, being first day and 17th of 8th month, we attended
Marlborough meeting. It was very large, notice having been previously
given of our intention to be there, so that hundreds assembled who
could not get into the house. I had an open opportunity among them, to
proclaim the everlasting gospel in the demonstration of the spirit,
to the comfort and satisfaction of this large assembly, except those
called Orthodox, who, when I sat down, made great opposition, which
greatly offended the people.
We then proceeded to Canton, a pretty large country town, and attended
a meeting at the fourth hour in the afternoon, and notice was publicly
given that we were to be there. As there were no members of our society
in the town, the meeting was held in their court-house. Many of the
respectable inhabitants attended, and information being given to
Friends of Kendal, a small meeting about seven miles distant, most of
them attended, and many other inhabitants of that place came also to
the meeting. We had a favoured opportunity with them, and left them
with peace.
After this we returned to New Garden, and put up with our kind friend
Nathan Galbreath. The next day being the fourth of the week, we rode
to Salem, and attended Friends’ monthly meeting, in which I was led
to stir up Friends to faithfulness, in support of our religious
testimonies, as the eyes of the people were upon us, watching our
movements in this time of trial, Friends separating from each other,
and setting up separate meetings, which caused a great breach of unity
and confusion in most of our meetings, which a few years previous
thereto had been united together in the bonds of Christian fellowship;
but a few individuals who had gained some influence in society, letting
in the spirit of jealousy, began to accuse some of their friends of
promulgating unsound doctrines, without any just cause for so doing, by
which they greatly disturbed the peace and quiet of society; and being
encouraged therein by several Friends from England, who as ministers,
had obtained liberty from their friends at home, to come over on a
visit to Friends in this country, they blew up the fire of discord,
until they brought about a division in our once peaceful society; a
small minority of which, in many places, separated themselves from the
body, and set up separate meetings, assuming the names of the yearly,
quarterly, and monthly meetings; and these, in their presumption, have
taken upon them to deal with and disown the great body of the society.
The next day we returned to New Garden and attended Friends’ monthly
meeting there; and the neighbouring inhabitants being apprized of our
return, a great number came in, and greatly enlarged the meeting; and
He that openeth, and none can shut, graciously condescended to open my
mouth among them, in a large effective testimony to the truths of the
gospel; and many hearts were humbled and contrited. It appeared as a
renewed visitation of the heavenly Father’s love to Friends and others;
and it was a season gratefully to be remembered by all present; for
surely it was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes.
The day following we had an appointed meeting at Sandy Spring, at
the fourth hour in the afternoon. The meeting was very large, and
favoured with the overshadowing wing of divine kindness; and a precious
solemnity pervaded the assembly, and my mind was opened to declare
the truth to them, to the apparent satisfaction and comfort of the
assembled multitude; and I took leave of them with thankfulness and
peace of mind. We remained here until the next morning, and then
proceeded on our journey to Richmond, about thirty-five miles, where
we took up our lodging at an inn. The next day being first day, and
24th of 8th month, we had an appointed meeting in the town. The
inhabitants were mostly Presbyterians and Methodists. It was held in
their school-house, a large convenient room. The people came in freely,
and behaved with great propriety and order, and appeared to go away
satisfied; and I felt true peace in having faithfully, in gospel love,
discharged myself among them.
After this we proceeded about five miles on our way to Smithfield, and
the next morning rode to that place; but being somewhat unwell, we
rested there through the day, and the next day had an appointed meeting
there, at the fourth hour in the afternoon. Those called Orthodox,
shut the meeting-house against us; but Friends provided seats under
the shade of trees, in an adjacent wood, where we had a very solemn,
favoured meeting, in which the Lord’s power prevailed over all in an
eminent degree, and broke down all opposition, and many hearts were
broken and contrited; and we parted with them under a grateful sense of
the Lord’s mercy for the unmerited favour.