_His Journey to_ Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, _and_
North-Carolina: _Considerations on the State of Friends there; and
the Exercise he was under in travelling among those so generally
concerned in keeping Slaves: With some Observations in Conversation,
at several Times, on this Subject_--_His Epistle to Friends at_
New-Garden _and_ Cane-Creek--_His Thoughts on the Neglect of a
religious Care in the Education of the Negroes_
Feeling an Exercise in Relation to a Visit to the southern Provinces, I
acquainted our Monthly-meeting therewith, and obtained their
Certificate: Expecting to go alone, one of my Brothers, who lived in
_Philadelphia_, having some Business in _North-Carolina_, proposed going
with me Part of the Way; but, as he had a View of some outward Affairs,
to accept of him as a Companion seemed some Difficulty with me,
whereupon I had Conversation with him at sundry Times; and, at length,
feeling easy in my Mind, I had Conversation with several elderly Friends
of _Philadelphia_ on the Subject; and he obtaining a Certificate
suitable to the Occasion, we set off in the fifth Month of the Year
1757; and, coming to _Nottingham_ Week-day Meeting, lodged at JOHN
CHURCHMAN'S; and here I met with our Friend BENJAMIN BUFFINGTON, from
_New-England_, who was returning from a Visit to the southern Provinces.
Thence we crossed the River _Susquehannah_, and lodged at WILLIAM COX'S
in _Maryland_; and, soon after I entered this Province, a deep and
painful Exercise came upon me, which I often had some Feeling of since
my Mind was drawn towards these Parts, and with which I had acquainted
my Brother before we agreed to join as Companions.
As the People in this and the southern Provinces live much on the Labour
of Slaves, many of whom are used hardly, my Concern was, that I might
attend with Singleness of Heart to the Voice of the true Shepherd, and
be so supported as to remain unmoved at the Faces of Men.
The Prospect of so weighty a Work brought me very low; and such were the
Conflicts of my Soul, that I had a near Sympathy with the Prophet, in
the Time of his Weakness, when he said, "If thou deal thus with me, kill
me, I pray thee, if I have found Favour in thy Sight," Numb. xi. 15. But
I soon saw that this proceeded from the Want of a full Resignation to
the divine Will. Many were the Afflictions which attended me; and in
great Abasement, with many Tears, my Cries were to the Almighty, for his
gracious and Fatherly Assistance; and then, after a Time of deep Trial,
I was favoured to understand the State mentioned by the Psalmist, more
clearly than ever I had before; to wit: "My Soul is even as a weaned
Child." Psalm cxxxi. 2. Being thus helped to sink down into Resignation,
I felt a Deliverance from that Tempest in which I had been sorely
exercised, and in Calmness of Mind went forward, trusting that the Lord
Jesus Christ, as I faithfully attended to him, would be a Counsellor to
me in all Difficulties.
The seventh Day of the fifth Month, in the Year 1757, I lodged at a
Friend's House; and the next Day, being the first of the Week, was at
_Potapsco_ Meeting; then crossed _Patuxent_ River, and lodged at a
Public-house. On the ninth breakfasted at a Friend's House; who,
afterward, putting us a little on our Way, I had Conversation with him,
in the Fear of the Lord, concerning his Slaves; in which my Heart was
tender, and I used much Plainness of Speech with him, which he appeared
to take kindly. We pursued our Journey without appointing Meetings,
being pressed in Mind to be at the Yearly-meeting in _Virginia_; and, in
my travelling on the Road, I often felt a Cry rise from the Center of my
Mind, thus: O Lord, I am a Stranger on the Earth, hide not thy Face from
me.
On the eleventh Day of the fifth Month, we crossed the Rivers
_Patowmack_ and _Rapahannock_, and lodged at _Port-Royal_; and on the
Way we happening in Company with a Colonel of the Militia, who appeared
to be a thoughtful Man, I took Occasion to remark on the Difference in
general betwixt a People used to labour moderately for their Living,
training up their Children in Frugality and Business, and those who live
on the Labour of Slaves; the former, in my View, being the most happy
Life: With which he concurred, and mentioned the Trouble arising from
the untoward, slothful, Disposition of the Negroes; adding, that one of
our Labourers would do as much in a Day as two of their Slaves. I
replied, that free Men, whose Minds were properly on their Business,
found a Satisfaction in improving, cultivating, and providing for their
Families; but Negroes, labouring to support others who claim them as
their Property, and expecting nothing but Slavery during Life, had not
the like Inducement to be industrious.
After some farther Conversation, I said, that Men having Power too often
misapplied it; that though we made Slaves of the Negroes, and the
_Turks_ made Slaves of the _Christians_, I believed that Liberty was the
natural Right of all Men equally: Which he did not deny; but said, the
Lives of the Negroes were so wretched in their own Country, that many of
them lived better here than there: I only said, there are great odds, in
regard to us, on what Principle we act; and so the Conversation on that
Subject ended: And I may here add, that another Person, some Time
afterward, mentioned the Wretchedness of the Negroes, occasioned by
their intestine Wars, as an Argument in Favour of our fetching them away
for Slaves: To which I then replied, if Compassion on the _Africans_, in
Regard to their domestic Troubles, were the real Motive of our
purchasing them, that Spirit of Tenderness, being attended to, would
incite us to use them kindly; that, as Strangers brought out of
Affliction, their Lives might be happy among us; and as they are human
Creatures, whose Souls are as precious as ours, and who may receive the
same Help and Comfort from the holy Scriptures as we do, we could not
omit suitable Endeavours to instruct them therein: But while we
manifest, by our Conduct, that our Views in purchasing them are to
advance ourselves; and while our buying Captives taken in War animates
those Parties to push on that War, and increase Desolation amongst them,
to say they live unhappy in _Africa_, is far from being an Argument in
our Favour: And I farther said, the present Circumstances of these
Provinces to me appear difficult; that the Slaves look like a
burthensome Stone to such who burthen themselves with them; and that if
the white People retain a Resolution to prefer their outward Prospects
of Gain to all other Considerations, and do not act conscientiously
toward them as fellow Creatures, I believe that Burthen will grow
heavier and heavier, till Times change in a Way disagreeable to us: At
which the Person appeared very serious, and owned, that, in considering
their Condition, and the Manner of their Treatment in these Provinces,
he had sometimes thought it might be just in the Almighty so to order
it.
Having thus travelled through _Maryland_, we came amongst Friends at
_Cedar-Creek_ in _Virginia_, on the 12th Day of the fifth Month; and the
next Day rode, in Company with several Friends, a Day's Journey to
_Camp-Creek_. As I was riding along in the Morning, my Mind was deeply
affected in a Sense I had of the Want of divine Aid to support me in the
various Difficulties which attended me; and, in an uncommon Distress of
Mind, I cried in secret to the Most High, O Lord, be merciful, I beseech
thee, to thy poor afflicted Creature. After some Time, I felt inward
Relief; and, soon after, a Friend in Company began to talk in Support of
the Slave-Trade, and said, the Negroes were understood to be the
Offspring of _Cain_, their Blackness being the Mark God set upon him
after he murdered _Abel_ his Brother; that it was the Design of
Providence they should be Slaves, as a Condition proper to the Race of
so wicked a Man as _Cain_ was: Then another spake in Support of what had
been said. To all which, I replied in Substance as follows: That _Noah_
and his Family were all who survived the Flood, according to Scripture;
and, as _Noah_ was of _Seth's_ Race, the Family of _Cain_ was wholly
destroyed. One of them said, that after the Flood _Ham_ went to the Land
of _Nod_, and took a Wife; that _Nod_ was a Land far distant, inhabited
by _Cain's_ Race, and that the Flood did not reach it; and as _Ham_ was
sentenced to be a Servant of Servants to his Brethren, these two
Families, being thus joined, were undoubtedly fit only for Slaves. I
replied, the Flood was a Judgment upon the World for its Abominations;
and it was granted, that _Cain's_ Stock was the most wicked, and
therefore unreasonable to suppose they were spared: As to _Ham's_ going
to the Land of _Nod_ for a Wife, no Time being fixed, _Nod_ might be
inhabited by some of _Noah's_ Family, before _Ham_ married a second
Time; moreover the Text saith, "That all Flesh died that moved upon the
Earth." _Gen._ vii. 21. I farther reminded them, how the Prophets
repeatedly declare, "That the Son shall not suffer for the Iniquity of
the Father; but every one be answerable for his own Sins." I was
troubled to perceive the Darkness of their Imaginations; and in some
Pressure of Spirit said, the Love of Ease and Gain is the Motive in
general for keeping Slaves, and Men are wont to take hold of weak
Arguments to support a Cause which is unreasonable; and added, I have no
Interest on either Side, save only the Interest which I desire to have
in the Truth: And as I believe Liberty is their Right, and see they are
not only deprived of it, but treated in other Respects with Inhumanity
in many Places, I believe he, who is a Refuge for the Oppressed, will,
in his own Time, plead their Cause; and happy will it be for such as
walk in Uprightness before him: And thus our Conversation ended.
On the fourteenth Day of the fifth Month I was at _Camp-Creek_
Monthly-meeting, and then rode to the Mountains up _James-River_, and
had a Meeting at a Friend's House; in both which I felt Sorrow of Heart,
and my Tears were poured out before the Lord, who was pleased to afford
a Degree of Strength, by which Way was opened to clear my Mind amongst
Friends in those Places. From thence I went to _Fort-Creek_, and so to
_Cedar-Creek_ again; at which Place I had a Meeting; here I found a
tender Seed: And as I was preserved in the Ministry to keep low with the
Truth, the same Truth in their Hearts answered it, that it was a Time of
mutual Refreshment from the Presence of the Lord. I lodged at JAMES
STANDLEY'S, Father of WILLIAM STANDLEY, one of the young Men who
suffered Imprisonment at _Winchester_, last Summer, on Account of their
Testimony against Fighting; and I had some satisfactory Conversation
with him concerning it. Hence I went to the _Swamp_ Meeting, and to
_Wayanoke_ Meeting; and then crossed _James-River_, and lodged near
_Burleigh_. From the Time of my entering _Maryland_ I had been much
under Sorrow, which so increased upon me, that my Mind was almost
overwhelmed; and I may say with the Psalmist, "In my Distress I called
upon the Lord, and cried to my God;" who, in infinite Goodness, looked
upon my Affliction, and in my private Retirement sent the Comforter for
my Relief: For which I humbly bless his holy Name.
The Sense I had of the State of the Churches brought a Weight of
Distress upon me: The Gold to me appeared dim, and the fine Gold
changed; and though this is the Case too generally, yet the Sense of it
in these Parts hath, in a particular Manner, borne heavy upon me. It
appeared to me, that, through the prevailing of the Spirit of this
World, the Minds of many were brought to an inward Desolation; and,
instead of the Spirit of Meekness, Gentleness, and heavenly Wisdom,
which are the necessary Companions of the true Sheep of Christ, a Spirit
of Fierceness, and the Love of Dominion, too generally prevailed. From
small Beginnings in Errors, great Buildings, by degrees, are raised; and
from one Age to another are more and more strengthened by the general
Concurrence of the People; and, as Men obtain Reputation by their
Profession of the Truth, their Virtues are mentioned as Arguments in
Favour of general Error, and those of less Note, to justify themselves,
say, such and such good Men did the like. By what other Steps could the
People of _Judah_ arise to that Height in Wickedness, as to give just
Ground for the Prophet _Isaiah_ to declare, in the Name of the Lord,
"that none calleth for Justice, nor any pleadeth for Truth." _Isaiah_
lix. 4. Or for the Almighty to call upon the great City of _Jerusalem_,
just before the _Babylonish_ Captivity: "If ye can find a Man, if there
be any who executeth Judgment, that seeketh the Truth, and I will pardon
it." _Jer._ v. 1. The Prospect of a Road lying open to the same
Degeneracy, in some Parts of this newly-settled Land of _America_, in
Respect to our Conduct toward the Negroes, deeply bowed my Mind in this
Journey; and, though, to briefly relate how these People are treated is
no agreeable Work; yet, after often reading over the Notes I made as I
travelled, I find my Mind engaged to preserve them. Many of the white
People in those Provinces take little or no Care of Negro Marriages;
and, when Negroes marry after their own Way, some make so little Account
of those Marriages, that, with Views of outward Interest, they often
part Men from their Wives by selling them far asunder; which is common
when Estates are sold by Executors at Vendue. Many, whose Labour is
heavy, being followed, at their Business in the Field, by a Man with a
Whip, hired for that Purpose, have, in common, little else allowed but
one Peck of _Indian_ Corn and some Salt for one Week, with a few
Potatoes; the Potatoes they commonly raise by their Labour on the first
Day of the Week.
The Correction, ensuing on their Disobedience to Overseers, or
Slothfulness in Business, is often very severe, and sometimes desperate.
The Men and Women have many Times scarce Clothes enough to hide their
Nakedness, and Boys and Girls, ten and twelve Years old, are often quite
naked amongst their Master's Children: Some of our Society, and some of
the Society called New-Lights, use some Endeavours to instruct those
they have in reading; but, in common, this is not only neglected, but
disapproved. These are the People by whose Labour the other Inhabitants
are in a great Measure supported, and many of them in the Luxuries of
Life: These are the People who have made no Agreement to serve us, and
who have not forfeited their Liberty that we know of: These are Souls
for whom Christ died, and, for our Conduct toward them, we must answer
before him who is no Respecter of Persons.
They who know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent,
and are thus acquainted with the merciful, benevolent Gospel Spirit,
will therein perceive that the Indignation of God is kindled against
Oppression and Cruelty; and, in beholding the great Distress of so
numerous a People, will find Cause for Mourning.
From my Lodging I went to _Burleigh_ Meeting, where I felt my Mind drawn
into a quiet resigned State; and, after long Silence, I felt an
Engagement to stand up; and, through the powerful Operation of divine
Love, we were favoured with an edifying Meeting. The next Meeting we had
was at _Black-Water_; and so to the Yearly-meeting at the western
Branch: When Business began, some Queries were considered, by some of
their Members, to be now produced; and, if approved, to be answered
hereafter by their respective Monthly-meetings. They were the
_Pennsylvania_ Queries, which had been examined by a Committee of
_Virginia_ Yearly-meeting appointed the last Year, who made some
Alterations in them; one of which Alterations was made in Favour of a
Custom which troubled me. The Query was, "Are there any concerned in the
Importation of Negroes, or buying them after imported?" Which they
altered thus: "Are there any concerned in the Importation of Negroes, or
buying them to trade in?" As one Query admitted with Unanimity was, "Are
any concerned in buying or vending Goods unlawfully imported, or prize
Goods?" I found my Mind engaged to say, that as we professed the Truth,
and were there assembled to support the Testimony of it, it was
necessary for us to dwell deep, and act in that Wisdom which is pure, or
otherwise we could not prosper. I then mentioned their Alteration; and,
referring to the last-mentioned Query, added, as purchasing any
Merchandize, taken by the Sword, was always allowed to be inconsistent
with our Principles; Negroes being Captives of War, or taken by Stealth,
those Circumstances make it inconsistent with our Testimony to buy them;
and their being our Fellow-creatures, who are sold as Slaves, adds
greatly to the Iniquity. Friends appeared attentive to what was said;
some expressed a Care and Concern about their Negroes; none made any
Objection, by Way of Reply to what I said; but the Query was admitted as
they had altered it. As some of their Members have heretofore traded in
Negroes, as in other Merchandize, this Query being admitted, will be one
Step farther than they have hitherto gone: And I did not see it my Duty
to press for an Alteration; but felt easy to leave it all to him, who
alone is able to turn the Hearts of the Mighty, and make Way for the
spreading of Truth on the Earth, by Means agreeable to his infinite
Wisdom. But, in Regard to those they already had, I felt my Mind engaged
to labour with them; and said, that, as we believe the Scriptures were
given forth by holy Men, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and many
of us know by Experience that they are often helpful and comfortable,
and believe ourselves bound in Duty to teach our Children to read them,
I believe, that, if we were divested of all selfish Views, the same good
Spirit, that gave them forth, would engage us to teach the Negroes to
read, that they might have the Benefit of them: Some, amongst them, at
this Time, manifested a Concern in Regard to taking more Care in the
Education of their Negroes.
On the twenty-ninth Day of the fifth Month, at the House where I lodged,
was a Meeting of Ministers and Elders, at the ninth Hour in the Morning;
at which Time I found an Engagement to speak freely and plainly to them
concerning their Slaves; mentioning, how they, as the first Rank in the
Society, whose Conduct in that Case was much noticed by others, were
under the stronger Obligations to look carefully to themselves:
Expressing how needful it was for them, in that Situation, to be
thoroughly divested of all selfish Views; that living in the pure Truth,
and acting conscientiously toward those People in their Education and
otherwise, they might be instrumental in helping forward a Work so
necessary, and so much neglected amongst them. At the twelfth Hour the
Meeting of Worship began, which was a solid Meeting.
On the thirtieth Day, about the tenth Hour, Friends met to finish their
Business, and then the meeting for Worship ensued, which to me was a
laborious Time; but, through the Goodness of the Lord, Truth, I
believe, gained some Ground; and it was a strengthening Opportunity to
the Honest-hearted.
About this Time I wrote an Epistle to Friends in the Back-settlements of
_North-Carolina_, as follows:
To Friends at their Monthly-meeting at _New-Garden_ and
_Cane-Creek_, in _North-Carolina_.
Dear Friends,--It having pleased the Lord to draw me forth on a
Visit to some Parts of _Virginia_ and _Carolina_, you have often
been in my Mind; and though my Way is not clear to come in Person
to visit you, yet I feel it in my Heart to communicate a few
Things, as they arise in the Love of Truth. First, my dear Friends,
dwell in Humility, and take Heed that no Views of outward Gain get
too deep hold of you, that so your Eyes being single to the Lord,
you may be preserved in the Way of Safety. Where People let loose
their Minds after the Love of outward Things, and are more engaged
in pursuing the Profits, and seeking the Friendships, of this
World, than to be inwardly acquainted with the Way of true Peace;
such walk in a vain Shadow, while the true Comfort of Life is
wanting: Their Examples are often hurtful to others; and their
Treasures, thus collected, do many Times prove dangerous Snares to
their Children.
But where People are sincerely devoted to follow Christ, and dwell
under the Influence of his holy Spirit, their Stability and
Firmness, through a divine Blessing, is at Times like Dew on the
tender Plants round about them, and the Weightiness of their
Spirits secretly works on the Minds of others; and in this
Condition, through the spreading Influence of divine Love, they
feel a Care over the Flock; and Way is opened for maintaining good
Order in the Society: And though we meet with Opposition from
another Spirit, yet, as there is a dwelling in Meekness, feeling
our Spirits subject, and moving only in the gentle peaceable
Wisdom, the inward Reward of Quietness will be greater than all our
Difficulties. Where the pure Life is kept to, and Meetings of
Discipline are held in the Authority of it, we find by Experience
that they are comfortable, and tend to the Health of the Body.
While I write, the Youth come fresh in my Way:--Dear young People,
choose God for your Portion; love his Truth, and be not ashamed of
it: Choose for your Company such as serve him in Uprightness; and
shun, as most dangerous, the Conversation of those whose Lives are
of an ill Savour; for, by frequenting such Company, some hopeful
young People have come to great Loss, and have been drawn from less
Evils to greater, to their utter Ruin. In the Bloom of Youth no
Ornament is so lovely as that of Virtue, nor any Enjoyments equal
to those which we partake of, in fully resigning ourselves to the
divine Will: These Enjoyments add Sweetness to all other Comforts,
and give true Satisfaction in Company and Conversation, where
People are mutually acquainted with it; and, as your Minds are thus
seasoned with the Truth, you will find Strength to abide stedfast
to the Testimony of it, and be prepared for Services in the Church.
And now, dear Friends and Brethren, as you are improving a
Wilderness, and may be numbered amongst the first Planters in one
Part of a Province, I beseech you, in the Love of Jesus Christ, to
wisely consider the Force of your Examples, and think how much your
Successors may be thereby affected: It is a Help in a Country, yea,
and a great Favour and a Blessing, when Customs, first settled, are
agreeable to sound Wisdom; so, when they are otherwise, the Effect
of them is grievous; and Children feel themselves encompassed with
Difficulties prepared for them by their Predecessors.
As moderate Care and Exercise, under the Direction of true Wisdom,
are useful both to Mind and Body; so by this Means in general, the
real Wants of Life are easily supplied: Our gracious Father having
so proportioned one to the other, that keeping in the true Medium
we may pass on quietly. Where Slaves are purchased to do our
Labour, numerous Difficulties attend it. To rational Creatures
Bondage is uneasy, and frequently occasions Sourness and Discontent
in them; which affects the Family, and such as claim the Mastery
over them: And thus People and their Children are many Times
encompassed with Vexations, which arise from their applying to
wrong Methods to get a Living.
I have been informed that there is a large Number of Friends in
your Parts, who have no Slaves; and in tender and most affectionate
Love, I beseech you to keep clear from purchasing any. Look, my
dear Friends, to divine Providence; and follow in Simplicity that
Exercise of Body, that Plainness and Frugality, which true Wisdom
leads to; so will you be preserved from those Dangers which attend
such as are aiming at outward Ease and Greatness.
Treasures, though small, attained on a true Principle of Virtue,
are sweet in the Possession, and, while we walk in the Light of the
Lord, there is true Comfort and Satisfaction. Here, neither the
Murmurs of an oppressed People, nor an uneasy Conscience, nor
anxious Thoughts about the Events of Things, hinder the Enjoyment
of it.
When we look toward the End of Life, and think on the Division of
our Substance among our Successors; if we know that it was
collected in the Fear of the Lord, in Honesty, in Equity, and in
Uprightness of Heart before him, we may consider it as his Gift to
us; and with a single Eye to his Blessing, bestow it on those we
leave behind us. Such is the Happiness of the plain Ways of true
Virtue. "The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect
of Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever." Isa. xxxii.
17.
Dwell here, my dear Friends; and then, in remote and solitary
Desarts, you may find true Peace and Satisfaction. If the Lord be
our God, in Truth and Reality, there is Safety for us; for he is a
Stronghold in the Day of Trouble, and knoweth them that trust in
him.
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, IN VIRGINIA,
_29th of the 5th Month, 1757_.
From the Yearly-meeting in _Virginia_, I went to _Carolina_; and, on the
first Day of the sixth Month, was at _Wells_ Monthly-meeting, where the
Spring of the Gospel Ministry was opened, and the Love of Jesus Christ
experienced amongst us: To his Name be the Praise!
Here my Brother joined with some Friends from _New-Garden_, who were
going homeward; and I went next to _Simond's_ Creek Monthly-meeting,
where I was silent during the Meeting for Worship: When Business came
on, my Mind was exercised concerning the poor Slaves; but did not feel
my Way clear to speak: In this Condition I was bowed in Spirit before
the Lord; and with Tears and inward Supplication besought him so to open
my Understanding, that I might know his Will concerning me; and, at
length, my mind was settled in Silence: Near the End of their Business,
a Member of their Meeting expressed a Concern, that had some Time lain
upon him, on Account of Friends so much neglecting their Duty in the
Education of their Slaves; and proposed having Meetings sometimes
appointed for them on a Week-day, to be only attended by some Friends to
be named in their Monthly-meetings: Many present appeared to unite with
the Proposal: One said, he had often wondered that they, being our
Fellow-creatures, and capable of religious Understanding, had been so
exceedingly neglected: Another expressed the like Concern, and appeared
zealous, that Friends, in future, might more closely consider it: At
length a Minute was made; and the farther Consideration of it referred
to their next Monthly-meeting. The Friend who made this Proposal had
Negroes: He told me, that he was at _New-Garden_, about two hundred and
fifty Miles from Home, and came back alone; and that in this solitary
Journey, this Exercise, in Regard to the Education of their Negroes,
was, from Time to Time, renewed in his Mind. A Friend of some Note in
_Virginia_, who had Slaves, told me, that he being far from Home on a
lonesome Journey, had many serious Thoughts about them; and that his
Mind was so impressed therewith, that he believed that he saw a Time
coming, when divine Providence would alter the Circumstances of these
People, respecting their Condition as Slaves.
From hence I went to _Newbegun Creek_, and sat a considerable Time in
much Weakness; then I felt Truth open the Way to speak a little in much
Plainness and Simplicity, till, at length, through the Increase of
divine Love amongst us, we had a seasoning Opportunity. From thence to
the Head of _Little-River_, on a First-day, where was a crowded Meeting;
and, I believe, it was, through divine Goodness, made profitable to
some. Thence to the _Old-Neck_; where I was led into a careful searching
out the secret Workings of the Mystery of Iniquity, which, under a Cover
of Religion, exalts itself against that pure Spirit, which leads in the
Way of Meekness and Self-denial. From thence to _Pineywoods_: This was
the last Meeting I was at in _Carolina_, and was large; and, my Heart
being deeply engaged, I was drawn forth into a fervent Labour amongst
them.
From hence I went back into _Virginia_, and had a Meeting near JAMES
COWPLAND'S; it was a Time of inward Suffering; but, through the Goodness
of the Lord, I was made content: Then to another Meeting; where, through
the Renewings of pure Love, we had a very comfortable Season.
Travelling up and down of late, I have had renewed Evidences, that to be
faithful to the Lord, and content with his Will concerning me, is a most
necessary and useful Lesson for me to be learning; looking less at the
Effects of my Labour, than at the pure Motion and Reality of the
Concern, as it arises from heavenly Love. In the Lord Jehovah is
everlasting Strength; and as the Mind, by a humble Resignation, is
united to him; and we utter Words from an inward Knowledge that they
arise from the heavenly Spring, though our Way may be difficult, and
require close Attention to keep in it; and though the Manner in which we
may be led may tend to our own Abasement; yet, if we continue in
Patience and Meekness, heavenly Peace is the Reward of our Labours.
From thence I went to _Curles_ Meeting; which, though small, was
reviving to the Honest-hearted. Thence to _Black-Creek_ and _Caroline_
Meetings; from whence, accompanied by WILLIAM STANDLEY,
before-mentioned, we rode to _Goose-Creek_, being much through the
Woods, and about one hundred Miles.--We lodged the first Night at a
Publick-house; the second, in the Woods; and, the next Day, we reached a
Friend's House, at _Goose-Creek_. In the Woods we lay under some
Disadvantage, having no Fire-works nor Bells for our Horses; but we
stopped a little before Night, and let them feed on the wild Grass which
was in plenty; in the mean Time cutting with our Knives a Store against
Night, and then tying them, and gathering some Bushes under an Oak, we
lay down; but, the Musquettoes being plenty, and the Ground damp, I
slept but little: Thus, lying in the Wilderness, and looking at the
Stars, I was led to contemplate on the Condition of our first Parents,
when they were sent forth from the Garden; but the Almighty, though they
had been disobedient, continued to be a Father to them, and shewed them
what tended to their Felicity, as intelligent Creatures, and was
acceptable to him. To provide Things relative to our outward Living, in
the Way of true Wisdom, is good; and the Gift of improving in Things
useful is a good Gift, and comes from the Father of Lights. Many have
had this Gift; and, from Age to Age, there have been Improvements of
this Kind made in the World: But some, not keeping to the pure Gift,
have, in the creaturely Cunning and Self-Exaltation, sought out many
Inventions; which Inventions of Men are distinct from that Uprightness
in which Man was created; as the first Motion to them was evil, so the
Effects have been and are evil. At this Day, it is as necessary for us
constantly to attend on the heavenly Gift, to be qualified to use
rightly the good Things in this Life amidst great Improvements, as it
was for our first Parents, when they were without any Improvements,
without any Friend or Father but God only.
I was at a Meeting at _Goose-Creek_; and next at a Monthly-meeting at
_Fairfax_; where, through the gracious Dealing of the Almighty with us,
his Power prevailed over many Hearts. Thence to _Manoquacy_ and
_Pipe-Creek_, in _Maryland_; at both which Places I had Cause humbly to
adore him, who supported me through many Exercises, and by whose Help I
was enabled to reach the true Witness in the Hearts of others: There
were some hopeful young People in those Parts. Thence I had Meetings at
_John Everit's_ in _Monalen_, and at _Huntingdon_; and I was made humbly
thankful to the Lord, who opened my Heart amongst the People in these
new Settlements, so that it was a Time of Encouragement to the
Honest-minded.
At _Monalen_, a Friend gave me some Account of a religious Society among
the _Dutch_, called _Mennonists_; and, amongst other Things, related a
Passage in Substance as follows:--One of the _Mennonists_ having
Acquaintance with a Man of another Society at a considerable Distance,
and being with his Waggon on Business near the House of his said
Acquaintance, and Night coming on, he had Thoughts of putting up with
him; but passing by his Fields, and observing the distressed Appearance
of his Slaves, he kindled a Fire in the Woods hard by, and lay there
that Night: His said Acquaintance hearing where he lodged, and afterward
meeting the _Mennonist_, told him of it; adding, he should have been
heartily welcome at his House; and, from their Acquaintance in former
Time, wondered at his Conduct in that Case. The _Mennonist_ replied,
Ever since I lodged by thy Field, I have wanted an Opportunity to speak
with thee: The Matter was; I intended to have come to thy House for
Entertainment, but, seeing thy Slaves at their Work, and observing the
Manner of their Dress, I had no liking to come to partake with thee:
Then admonished him to use them with more Humanity; and added, As I lay
by the Fire that Night, I thought that, as I was a Man of Substance,
thou wouldst have received me freely; but, if I had been as poor as one
of thy Slaves, and had no Power to help myself, I should have received
from thy Hand no kinder Usage than they.
Hence I was at three Meetings in my Way; and so I went Home, under a
humbling Sense of the gracious Dealings of the Lord with me, in
preserving me through many Trials and Afflictions in my Journey. I was
out about two Months, and travelled about eleven hundred and fifty
Miles.