_His visiting the Quarterly-meetings in_ Chester _County; and
afterwards joining with_ DANIEL STANTON _and_ JOHN SCARBOROUGH _in a
Visit to such as kept Slaves there_--_Some Observations on the
Conduct such should maintain as are concerned to speak in Meetings
for Discipline_--_Several more Visits to such as kept Slaves; and to
Friends near_ Salem--_Some Account of the Yearly-meeting in the Year
1759; and of the increasing Concern, in divers Provinces, to labour
against buying and keeping Slaves_--_The Yearly-meeting Epistle_
On the eleventh Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1758, I set out
for _Concord_; the Quarterly-meeting, heretofore held there, was now, by
reason of a great Increase of Members, divided into two by the Agreement
of Friends, at our last Yearly-meeting. Here I met with our beloved
Friends, SAMUEL SPAVOLD and MARY KIRBY, from _England_, and with JOSEPH
WHITE, from _Bucks_ County, who had taken Leave of his Family in order
to go on a religious Visit to Friends in _England_; and, through divine
Goodness, we were favoured with a strengthening Opportunity together.
After this Meeting I joined with my Friends, DANIEL STANTON and JOHN
SCARBOROUGH, in visiting Friends who had Slaves; and at Night we had a
Family-meeting at WILLIAM TRIMBLE'S, many young People being there; and
it was a precious reviving Opportunity. Next Morning we had a
comfortable Sitting with a sick Neighbour; and thence to the Burial of
the Corpse of a Friend at _Uwchland_ Meeting, at which were many People,
and it was a Time of divine Favour; after which, we visited some who had
Slaves; and, at Night, had a Family-meeting at a Friend's House, where
the Channel of Gospel-love was opened, and my Mind was comforted after a
hard Day's Labour. The next Day we were at _Goshen_ Monthly-meeting; and
thence, on the eighteenth Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1758,
attended the Quarterly-meeting at _London-Grove_, it being the first
held at that Place. Here we met again with all the before-mentioned
Friends, and had some edifying Meetings: And, near the Conclusion of the
Meeting for Business, Friends were incited to Constancy in supporting
the Testimony of Truth, and reminded of the Necessity which the
Disciples of Christ are under to attend principally to his Business, as
he is pleased to open it to us: And to be particularly careful to have
our Minds redeemed from the Love of Wealth; to have our outward Affairs
in as little Room as may be; that no temporal Concerns may entangle our
Affections, or hinder us from diligently following the Dictates of
Truth, in labouring to promote the pure Spirit of Meekness and
Heavenly-mindedness amongst the Children of Men in these Days of
Calamity and Distress, wherein God is visiting our Land with his just
Judgments.
Each of these Quarterly-meetings was large, and sat near eight Hours.
Here I had Occasion to consider, that it was a weighty Thing to speak
much in large Meetings for Business: First, except our Minds are rightly
prepared, and we clearly understand the Case we speak to, instead of
forwarding, we hinder, Business, and make more Labour for those on whom
the Burthen of the Work is laid.
If selfish Views, or a partial Spirit, have any Room in our Minds, we
are unfit for the Lord's Work; if we have a clear Prospect of the
Business, and proper Weight on our Minds to speak, it behoves us to
avoid useless Apologies and Repetitions: Where People are gathered from
far, and adjourning a Meeting of Business is attended with great
Difficulty, it behoves all to be cautious how they detain a Meeting;
especially when they have sat six or seven Hours, and have a great
Distance to ride Home. After this Meeting I rode Home.
In the Beginning of the twelfth Month of the Year 1758 I joined in
Company with my Friends, JOHN SYKES and DANIEL STANTON, in visiting such
as had Slaves: Some, whose Hearts were rightly exercised about them,
appeared to be glad of our Visit; but in some Places our Way was more
difficult; and I often saw the Necessity of keeping down to that Root
from whence our Concern proceeded; and have Cause, in reverent
Thankfulness, humbly to bow down before the Lord, who was near to me,
and preserved my Mind in Calmness under some sharp Conflicts, and begat
a Spirit of Sympathy and Tenderness in me toward some who were
grievously entangled by the Spirit of this World.
In the first Month of the Year 1759, having found my Mind drawn to visit
some of the more active Members, in our Society at _Philadelphia_, who
had Slaves, I met my Friend JOHN CHURCHMAN there, by an Agreement: And
we continued about a Week in the City. We visited some that were sick,
and some Widows and their Families; and the other Part of our Time was
mostly employed in visiting such as had Slaves.--It was a Time of deep
Exercise, looking often to the Lord for his Assistance; who, in
unspeakable Kindness, favoured us with the Influence of that Spirit,
which crucifies to the Greatness and Splendour of this World, and
enabled us to go through some heavy Labours, in which we found Peace.
On the twenty-fourth Day of the third Month of this Year, I was at our
general Spring-meeting at _Philadelphia_: After which, I again joined
with JOHN CHURCHMAN on a Visit to some more who had Slaves in
_Philadelphia_; and, with Thankfulness to our heavenly Father, I may
say, that divine Love and a true sympathising Tenderness of Heart
prevailed at Times in this Service.
Having, at Times, perceived a Shyness in some Friends, of considerable
Note, towards me, I found an Engagement in Gospel Love to pay a Visit to
one of them; and, as I dwelt under the Exercise, I felt a Resignedness
in my Mind to go; So I went, and told him, in private, I had a Desire to
have an Opportunity with him alone; to which he readily agreed: And
then, in the Fear of the Lord, Things relating to that Shyness were
searched to the Bottom; and we had a large Conference, which, I believe,
was of Use to both of us, and am thankful that Way was opened for it.
On the fourteenth Day of the sixth Month, in the same Year, having felt
Drawings in my Mind to visit Friends about _Salem_, and having the
Approbation of our Monthly-meeting therein, I attended their
Quarterly-meeting, and was out seven Days, and at seven Meetings; in
some of which I was chiefly silent, and in others, through the baptizing
Power of Truth, my Heart was enlarged in heavenly Love, and found a near
Fellowship with the Brethren and Sisters, in the manifold Trials
attending their _Christian_ Progress through this World.
In the seventh Month, I found an increasing Concern on my Mind to visit
some active Members in our Society who had Slaves; and, having no
Opportunity of the Company of such as were named on the Minutes of the
Yearly-meeting, I went alone to their Houses, and, in the Fear of the
Lord, acquainted them with the Exercise I was under: And thus,
sometimes, by a few Words, I found myself discharged from a heavy
Burthen.
After this, our Friend JOHN CHURCHMAN, coming into our Province with a
View to be at some Meetings, and to join again in the Visit to those who
had Slaves, I bore him Company in the said Visit to some active Members,
and found inward Satisfaction.
At our Yearly-meeting, in the Year 1759, we had some weighty Seasons;
where the Power of Truth was largely extended, to the strengthening of
the Honest-minded. As Friends read over the Epistles, to be sent to the
Yearly-meetings along this Continent, I observed in most of them, both
this Year and last, it was recommended to Friends to labour against
buying and keeping Slaves; and in some of them closely treated upon.
This Practice had long been a heavy Exercise to me, and I have often
waded through mortifying Labours on that Account; and, at Times, in some
Meetings been almost alone therein. Now, observing the increasing
Concern in our religious Society, and seeing how the Lord was raising up
and qualifying Servants for his Work, not only in this Respect, but for
promoting the Cause of Truth in general, I was humbly bowed in
Thankfulness before him.
This Meeting continued near a Week; and, for several Days, in the fore
Part of it, my Mind was drawn into a deep inward Stillness; and being,
at Times, covered with the Spirit of Supplication, my Heart was secretly
poured out before the Lord: And, near the Conclusion of the Meeting for
Business, Way opened, that, in the pure Flowings of divine Love, I
expressed what lay upon me; which, as it then arose in my Mind, was
"first to shew how Deep answers to Deep in the Hearts of the Sincere and
Upright; though, in their different Growths, they may not all have
attained to the same Clearness in some Points relating to our Testimony:
And I was led to mention the Integrity and Constancy of many Martyrs,
who gave their Lives for the Testimony of Jesus; and yet, in some
Points, held Doctrines distinguishable from some which we hold: And
that, in all Ages, where People were faithful to the Light and
Understanding which the Most High afforded them, they found Acceptance
with him; and that now, though there are different Ways of Thinking
amongst us in some Particulars, yet, if we mutually kept to that Spirit
and Power which crucifies to the World, which teaches us to be content
with Things really needful, and to avoid all Superfluities, giving up
our Hearts to fear and serve the Lord, true Unity may still be preserved
amongst us: And that if such, as were, at Times, under Sufferings on
Account of some Scruples of Conscience, kept low and humble, and in
their Conduct in Life manifested a Spirit of true Charity, it would be
more likely to reach the Witness in others, and be of more Service in
the Church, than if their Sufferings were attended with a contrary
Spirit and Conduct." In which Exercise I was drawn into a sympathizing
Tenderness with the Sheep of Christ, however distinguished one from
another in this World; and the like Disposition appeared to spread over
others in the Meeting. Great is the Goodness of the Lord toward his poor
Creatures!
An Epistle went forth from this Yearly-meeting, which I think good to
give a Place in this Journal; being as follows:
From the Yearly-meeting held at _Philadelphia_, for _Pennsylvania_
and _New-Jersey_, from the twenty-second Day of the ninth Month, to
the twenty-eighth Day of the same, inclusive, 1759.
To the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings of Friends belonging to the
said Yearly-meeting.
"Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren,--In an awful Sense of the
Wisdom and Goodness of the Lord our God, whose tender Mercies have
long been continued to us in this Land, we affectionately salute
you, with sincere and fervent Desires, that we may reverently
regard the Dispensations of his Providence, and improve under them.
The Empires and Kingdoms of the Earth are subject to his almighty
Power: He is the God of the Spirits of all Flesh, and deals with
his People agreeable to that Wisdom, the Depth whereof is to us
unsearchable: We, in these Provinces, may say, he hath, as a
gracious and tender Parent, dealt bountifully with us, even from
the Days of our Fathers: It was he who strengthened them to labour
through the Difficulties attending the Improvement of a Wilderness,
and made Way for them in the Hearts of the Natives; so that by them
they were comforted in Times of Want and Distress: It was by the
gracious Influences of his holy Spirit, that they were disposed to
work Righteousness, and walk uprightly one towards another, and
towards the Natives, and in Life and Conversation to manifest the
Excellency of the Principles and Doctrines of the _Christian_
Religion; and thereby they retain their Esteem and Friendship:
Whilst they were labouring for the Necessaries of Life, many of
them were fervently engaged to promote Piety and Virtue in the
Earth, and educate their Children in the Fear of the Lord.
If we carefully consider the peaceable Measures pursued in the
first Settlement of the Land, and that Freedom from the Desolations
of Wars which for a long Time we enjoyed, we shall find ourselves
under strong Obligations to the Almighty, who, when the Earth is
so generally polluted with Wickedness, gave us a Being in a Part so
signally favoured with Tranquility and Plenty, and in which the
Glad-tidings of the Gospel of Christ are so freely published, that
we may justly say with the Psalmist, "What shall we render unto the
Lord for all his Benefits?"
Our own real Good, and the Good of our Posterity, in some Measure,
depend on the Part we act; and it nearly concerns us to try our
Foundations impartially. Such are the different Rewards of the Just
and Unjust in a future State, that, to attend diligently to the
Dictates of the Spirit of Christ, to devote ourselves to his
Service, and engage fervently in his Cause, during our short Stay
in this World, is a Choice well becoming a free intelligent
Creature; we shall thus clearly see and consider that the Dealings
of God with Mankind in a national Capacity, as recorded in Holy
Writ, do sufficiently evidence the Truth of that Saying, "It is
Righteousness which exalteth a Nation;" and though he doth not at
all Times suddenly execute his Judgments on a sinful People in this
Life, yet we see, by many Instances, that where "Men follow lying
Vanities, they forsake their own Mercies;" and as a proud selfish
Spirit prevails and spreads among a People, so partial Judgment,
Oppression, Discord, Envy, and Confusions, increase, and Provinces
and Kingdoms are made to drink the Cup of Adversity as a Reward of
their own Doings. Thus the inspired Prophet, reasoning with the
degenerated _Jews_, saith, "Thine own Wickedness shall correct
thee, and thy Backslidings shall reprove thee: Know, therefore,
that it is an evil Thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the
Lord thy God, and that my Fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God
of Hosts." _Jer._ ii. 19.
The God of our Fathers, who hath bestowed on us many Benefits,
furnished a Table for us in the Wilderness, and made the Desarts
and solitary Places to rejoice; he doth now mercifully call upon us
to serve him more faithfully.--We may truly say, with the Prophet,
"It is his Voice which crieth to the City, and Men of Wisdom see
his Name: They regard the Rod, and him who hath appointed
it."--People, who look chiefly at Things outward, too little
consider the original Cause of the present Troubles; but such as
fear the Lord, and think often upon his Name, see and feel that a
wrong Spirit is spreading among the Inhabitants of our Country;
that the Hearts of many are waxed fat, and their Ears dull of
hearing; that the Most High, in his Visitations to us, instead of
calling, lifteth up his Voice and crieth; he crieth to our Country,
and his Voice waxeth louder and louder. In former Wars between the
_English_ and other Nations, since the Settlement of our Provinces,
the Calamities attending them have fallen chiefly on other Places,
but now of late they have reached to our Borders; many of our
fellow Subjects have suffered on and near our Frontiers, some have
been slain in Battle, some killed in their Houses, and some in
their Fields, some wounded and left in great Misery, and others
separated from their Wives and little Children, who have been
carried Captives among the _Indians_: We have seen Men and Women,
who have been Witnesses of these Scenes of Sorrow, and been reduced
to Want, have come to our Houses asking Relief.--It is not long
since it was the Case of many young Men, in one of these Provinces,
to be draughted, in order to be taken as Soldiers; some were at
that Time in great Distress, and had Occasion to consider that
their Lives had been too little conformable to the Purity and
Spirituality of that Religion which we profess, and found
themselves too little acquainted with that inward Humility, in
which true Fortitude to endure Hardness for the Truth's Sake is
experienced.--Many Parents were concerned for their Children, and
in that Time of Trial were led to consider, that their Care, to get
outward Treasure for them, had been greater than their Care for
their Settlement in that Religion which crucifieth to the World,
and enableth to bear a clear Testimony to the peaceable Government
of the Messiah. These Troubles are removed, and for a Time we are
released from them.
Let us not forget that "The Most High hath his Way in the Deep, in
Clouds and in thick Darkness"--that it is his Voice which crieth to
the City and to the Country; and oh! that these loud and awakening
Cries may have a proper Effect upon us, that heavier Chastisement
may not become necessary! For though Things, as to the Outward,
may, for a short Time, afford a pleasing Prospect; yet, while a
selfish Spirit, that is not subject to the Cross of Christ,
continueth to spread and prevail, there can be no long Continuance
in outward Peace and Tranquility. If we desire an Inheritance
incorruptible, and to be at Rest in that State of Peace and
Happiness, which ever continues; if we desire, in this Life, to
dwell under the Favour and Protection of that almighty Being, whose
Habitation is in Holiness, whose Ways are all equal, and whose
Anger is now kindled because of our Backslidings; let us then
awfully regard these Beginnings of his fore Judgments, and, with
Abasement and Humiliation turn to him, whom we have offended.
Contending with one equal in Strength is an uneasy Exercise; but if
the Lord is become our Enemy, if we persist to contend with him who
is omnipotent, our Overthrow will be unavoidable.
Do we feel an affectionate Regard to Posterity; and are we employed
to promote their Happiness? Do our Minds, in Things outward, look
beyond our own Dissolution; and are we contriving for the
Prosperity of our Children after us? Let us then, like wise
Builders, lay the Foundation deep; and, by our constant uniform
Regard to an inward Piety and Virtue, let them see that we really
value it: Let us labour, in the Fear of the Lord, that their
innocent Minds, while young and tender, may be preserved from
Corruptions; that, as they advance in Age, they may rightly
understand their true Interest, may consider the Uncertainty of
temporal Things, and, above all, have their Hope and Confidence
firmly settled in the Blessing of that Almighty Being, who inhabits
Eternity, and preserves and supports the World.
In all our Cares, about worldly Treasures, let us steadily bear in
Mind, that Riches, possessed by Children who do not truly serve
God, are likely to prove Snares that may more grievously entangle
them in that Spirit of Selfishness and Exaltation, which stands in
Opposition to real Peace and Happiness; and renders them Enemies
to the Cross of Christ, who submit to the Influence of it.
To keep a watchful eye towards real Objects of Charity, to visit
the Poor in their lonesome Dwelling-places, to comfort them who,
through the Dispensations of divine Providence, are in strait and
painful Circumstances in this Life, and steadily to endeavour to
honour God with our Substance, from a real Sense of the Love of
Christ influencing our Minds thereto, is more likely to bring a
Blessing to our Children, and will afford more Satisfaction to a
_Christian_ favoured with Plenty, than an earnest Desire to collect
much Wealth to leave behind us; for "Here we have no continuing
City;" may we therefore diligently "seek one that is to come, whose
Builder and Maker is God."
"Finally, Brethren, whatsoever Things are true, whatsoever Things
are just, whatsoever Things are pure, whatsoever Things are lovely,
whatsoever Things are of good Report; if there be any Virtue, if
there be any Praise, think on these Things and do them, and the God
of Peace shall be with you."
Signed, by Appointment, and on Behalf of our said
Meeting, by seven Friends.
On the twenty-eighth Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1759, I was
at the Quarterly-meeting in _Bucks_ County: This Day being the Meeting
of Ministers and Elders, my Heart was enlarged in the Love of Jesus
Christ; and the Favour of the Most High was extended to us in that and
the ensuing Meeting.
I had Conversation, at my Lodging, with my beloved Friend, SAMUEL
EASTBURN; who expressed a Concern to join in a Visit to some Friends, in
that County, who had Negroes; and as I had felt a Draught in my Mind to
that Work in the said County, came Home and put Things in Order: On the
eleventh Day of the twelfth Month following, I went over the River; and
on the next Day was at _Buckingham_ Meeting; where, through the
Descendings of heavenly Dew, my Mind was comforted, and drawn into a
near Unity with the Flock of Jesus Christ.
Entering upon this Visit appeared weighty: And before I left Home my
Mind was often sad; under which Exercise I felt, at Times, the Holy
Spirit, which helps our Infirmities; through which, in private, my
Prayers were, at Times, put up to God, that he would be pleased to purge
me from all Selfishness, that I might be strengthened to discharge my
Duty faithfully, how hard soever to the natural Part. We proceeded on
the Visit in a weighty Frame of Spirit, and went to the Houses of the
most active Members, throughout the Country, who had Negroes; and,
through the Goodness of the Lord, my Mind was preserved in Resignation
in Times of Trial, and, though the Work was hard to Nature, yet through
the Strength of that Love which is stronger than Death, Tenderness of
Heart was often felt amongst us in our Visits, and we parted from
several Families with greater Satisfaction than we expected.
* * * * *
We visited JOSEPH WHITE'S Family, he being in _England_; and also a
Family-sitting at the House of an Elder who bore us Company, and was at
_Makefield_ on a First-day: At all which Times my Heart was truly
thankful to the Lord, who was graciously pleased to renew his
Loving-kindness to us, his poor Servants, uniting us together in his
Work.