_EAST, WEST, AND SOUTH._
"I have always been thinking of the different ways in which
Christianity is taught, and whenever I find any way that makes it
a wider blessing than any other, I cling to that: I mean to that
which takes in the most good of all kinds, and brings in the most
people as sharers."
After their return from this last visit they passed a few years in
quiet work at home, often attending the different quarterly meetings
in New England, and generally taking an annual trip to Newport to be
present at the yearly meeting, which was occasionally attended by
Friends from the West and from Great Britain, bringing thither
knowledge of far-off lands where the whitening fields called for more
laborers.
In 1845 they felt called to go over the meetings of Friends in nearly
all parts of the United States, and this and the next year were mostly
taken up with that work.
Eli Jones has since travelled over this ground many times, and has
often visited the different yearly meetings of America, but always
with quite different feelings from those which were in their hearts at
the first extensive visit. John Wilber had been "disowned" by the
Friends only two years before, and his upholders who had separated
from the Society were in many of the meetings which they visited.
There was a general feeling of sorrow that a second unhappy division
should appear in the midst of peaceful neighborhoods and the animosity
arising from fruitless argument had weakened the loving spirit and
dampened the zealous ardor of many who should have been the unbiased
spokesmen of the gospel of Christ.
Eli and Sybil Jones endeavored to draw the two parties together into
the house of faith and true belief. It is almost impossible in the
midst of church differences for any one who is interested to be
unprejudiced in his judgment. Bitterness shows itself in the hearts of
the most loving. Differences are exaggerated and words are
misunderstood for things. The main body are over-eager to win back
those they are losing, while they are inflicting deeper wounds by
their too hasty blows at what seems the heresy of their opponents, and
the latter cherish a feeling of glory in the size of the rent they are
making. These two Friends tried sweetly and gently to persuade those
differing with them that the ancient Rock was the only foundation for
their building. They visited the families of nearly all the meetings
and impressed their thoughts on the individual members. If perhaps
they accomplished little in cementing the two bodies, they did much to
strengthen the weak and to point the unsheltered to a Tower of safety
and defence. It may be interesting to follow them in a few extracts
from Sybil Jones's journal:
"Left home 9th mo., 1845, with a certificate to visit in the love of
the gospel the yearly meetings of Ohio, Indiana, Baltimore, and North
Carolina. We took passage on the steamer John Marshall from Augusta
to Boston, and from there by cars to Lynn, where we attended their
quarterly meeting. Friends in this meeting are brought under deep
exercise on account of the attendance of a committee from the
Separatists and John Wilbur in person. They took full liberty to throw
out their sentiments and bore very hard on Friends, all of which
Friends were mercifully favored to bear with true Christian patience.
After being detained seven hours the meeting adjourned until nine the
next morning, at which time they convened without interruption and
were greatly refreshed together.
"From Lynn we went to New Bedford, where a small meeting of the
Wilburites is held, some of whom we called to see and were treated
kindly, but were painfully afflicted in spirit under a sense of their
alienation from the unity of the Spirit by which we are called.
Friends here are not numerous, but upright standard-bearers. In the
morning attended Newtown meeting, which was also attended by the
Separatists (a few being here). After a time of solemn retirement
before the Lord truth rose into dominion and a contriting time it
was."
They went on by boat to New York, and from there to Philadelphia and
Baltimore, where John Meader, Thomas Willis, Richard Carpenter, and
others met them to go in their company farther west: "We reached Mount
Pleasant the day previous to select meeting, which began the 8th of
9th mo. The spirit of bitterness has made sad havoc here. The four
visiting Friends were duly proved in suffering with the suffering. No
notice was taken of any certificates on their minutes. The servants
of the Lord in attendance were of one heart and one mind, and there
were times amid the conflict that the gracious ear, I doubt not,
inclined to the fervent petition, 'Lord, save us or we perish.' A calm
stole over the troubled waves, and ability was vouchsafed to proclaim
the unsearchable riches of Christ.
"The meeting closed on the 12th of the month, and the next morning we
proceeded on our way to Cincinnati. We took the steamer New Hampshire,
and were more than five days on the Ohio River. The water was low, so
that we were often aground some hours. We had a meeting on board with
the passengers, and it was crowned by the presence of Him who holds
the waters in the hollow of his hand and causeth the mountains to flow
down at His presence. We were treated with great kindness and respect.
The first part of our passage I noticed some playing cards, which
brought me under great exercise, and after carefully examining the
subject I thought it my duty before retiring to rest to walk to the
table and express my feelings. Asking leave of them, I proceeded to
relieve my mind, which was received kindly, and I saw no more
card-playing afterward. I felt great peace in taking up this cross.
May I always be willing to do His will who leadeth safely and
sustaineth the soul amid every conflict!
"We arrived in Cincinnati on the 18th. After our arrival I informed a
Friend that the subject of visiting families had rested with great
weight upon my mind; which he communicated to some of the select
members, and it resulted in an opportunity with all of them. I opened
the subject before them, and a sweet cementing season of divine
approval was graciously afforded. They fully and feelingly united with
us and encouraged us to proceed therein."
They visited nearly all the families in that region, and felt
encouraged in the labor. She writes:
"I believe it is the design of the Head of the Church to pour out a
rich blessing on this part of His inheritance; indeed, He seems
turning His hand upon the little ones, and will, I believe, raise up
valiants among the youth, who will publish with the voice of
thanksgiving and tell of all His wondrous works."
Having done much work in Ohio and Indiana, they came over the
Alleghany Mountains, and revisited Baltimore, forming many pleasant
acquaintances with the Friends in that city, and holding meeting for
public worship, as well as visiting the families for more quiet work.
They next turned toward the South, and reached North Carolina in time
for the yearly meeting. There was much feeling here in regard to the
separation, and an epistle from the Separatists was rejected at this
yearly meeting.
In regard to the slaves, she writes:
"Vital religion is very low. Truth has fallen in the streets, and
Equity cannot enter in some places. Here is a suffering seed in many
portions of this land of slavery. Friends have borne in meekness a
noble testimony against its iniquity, and, though they often feel
disheartened at the shadowy prospect, I believe their upright example
has had, and will still have, salutary influence. The Lord has
inclined His gracious ear to the multiplied cries of the oppressed,
and those who suffer for them as being bound with them, and will
hasten the blessed day when Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hand unto
God and the oppressor shall no more oppress.
"There are so many rents and divisions throughout Christendom that
many are crying, Who shall show us any good? I earnestly desire that
these overturnings and siftings may tend to draw the people to the
living eternal Substance, to build on the ancient Foundation of all
the holy prophets and apostles. There is great need of more dedication
and a stirring up to greater diligence in this land."
The work and service in Carolina were carried on in great bodily
weakness, and often Sybil Jones was compelled to remain at home while
Eli Jones and the Friends with them attended the meetings. At the
beginning of the new year they returned to their Maine home to pass a
few quiet years before undertaking a still more extensive journey.