_His Visit, in Company with_ SAMUEL EASTBURN, _to_ Long-Island,
Rhode-Island, Boston, _etc. in_ New-England--_Remarks on the
Slave-Trade at_ Newport, _and his Exercise on that Account; also on
Lotteries_--_Some Observations on the Island of_ Nantucket
Having, for some Time past, felt a Sympathy in my Mind with Friends
Eastward, I opened my Concern in our Monthly-meeting; and, obtaining a
Certificate, set forward on the seventeenth Day of the fourth Month, in
the Year 1760, joining in Company, by a previous Agreement, with my
beloved Friend, SAMUEL EASTBURN. We had Meetings at _Woodbridge_,
_Rahaway_, and _Plainfield_; and were at their Monthly-meeting of
Ministers and Elders in _Rahaway_. We laboured under some
Discouragement; but, through the invisible Power of Truth, our Visit was
made reviving to the Lowly-minded, with whom I felt a near Unity of
Spirit, being much reduced in my Mind. We passed on and visited the
chief of the Meetings on _Long-Island_. It was my Concern, from Day to
Day, to say no more nor less than what the Spirit of Truth opened in me;
being jealous over myself, lest I should speak any Thing to make my
Testimony look agreeable to that Mind in People, which is not in pure
Obedience to the Cross of Christ.
The Spring of the Ministry was often low; and, through the subjecting
Power of Truth, we were kept low with it; and from Place to Place, such
whose Hearts were truly concerned for the Cause of Christ, appeared to
be comforted in our Labours; and though it was in general a Time of
Abasement of the Creature, yet, through his Goodness, who is a Helper of
the Poor, we had some truly edifying Seasons, both in Meetings, and in
Families where we tarried; and sometimes found Strength to labour
earnestly with the Unfaithful, especially with those whose Station in
Families, or in the Society, was such, that their Example had a powerful
Tendency to open the Way for others to go aside from the Purity and
Soundness of the blessed Truth. At _Jericho_, on _Long-Island_, I wrote
Home as follows:
_24th of the 4th Month, 1760._
"Dearly beloved Wife,--We are favoured with Health; have been at
sundry Meetings in _East-Jersey_, and on this Island: My Mind hath
been much in an inward watchful Frame since I left thee, greatly
desiring that our Proceedings may be singly in the Will of our
heavenly Father.
"As the present Appearance of Things is not joyous, I have been
much shut up from outward Cheerfulness, remembering that Promise,
'Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord:'--As this, from Day
to Day, has been revived in my Memory, I have considered that his
internal Presence on our Minds is a Delight, of all others, the
most pure; and that the Honest-hearted not only delight in this,
but in the Effect of it upon them. He regards the Helpless and
Distressed, and reveals his Love to his Children under Affliction;
they delight in beholding his Benevolence, and feeling divine
Charity moving upon them: Of this I may speak a little; for though,
since I left you, I have often found an engaging Love and Affection
toward thee and my Daughter, and Friends about Home, that going out
at this Time, when Sickness is so great amongst you, is a Trial
upon me; yet I often remember there are many Widows and Fatherless,
many who have poor Tutors, many who have evil Examples before them,
and many whose Minds are in Captivity, for whose Sake my Heart is,
at Times, moved with Compassion; so that I feel my Mind resigned to
leave you for a Season, to exercise that Gift which the Lord hath
bestowed on me; which though small, compared with some, yet in this
I rejoice, that I feel Love unfeigned toward my Fellow-creatures. I
recommend you to the Almighty, who, I trust, cares for you; and,
under a Sense of his heavenly Love, remain,--Thy loving Husband,
"J. W."
We crossed from the East End of _Long-Island_ to _New-London_, about
thirty Miles, in a large open Boat; while we were out, the Wind rising
high, the Waves several Times beat over us, so that to me it appeared
dangerous; but my Mind was, at that Time, turned to him, who made and
governs the Deep, and my Life was resigned to him: And, as he was
mercifully pleased to preserve us, I had fresh Occasion to consider
every Day as a Day lent to me; and felt a renewed Engagement to devote
my Time, and all I had, to him who gave them.
We had five Meetings in _Narraganset_; and went thence to _Newport_ on
_Rhode-Island_. Our gracious Father preserved us in an humble Dependence
on him through deep Exercises, that were mortifying to the creaturely
Will. In several Families in the Country, where we lodged, I felt an
Engagement on my Mind to have a Conference with them in private
concerning their Slaves; and, through divine Aid, I was favoured to give
up thereto: Though, in this Concern, I appeared singular from many,
whose Service in Travelling, I believe, is greater than mine; I do not
think hard of them for omitting it; I do not repine at having so
unpleasant a Task assigned me, but look with Awfulness to him, who
appoints to his Servants their respective Employments, and is good to
all who serve him sincerely.
We got to _Newport_ in the Evening, and on the next Day visited two sick
Persons, and had comfortable Sittings with them; and in the Afternoon
attended the Burial of a Friend.
The next Day we were at Meetings at _Newport_, in the Forenoon and
Afternoon; where the Spring of the Ministry was opened, and Strength
given to declare the Word of Life to the People.
The next Day we went on our Journey; but the great Number of Slaves in
these Parts, and the Continuance of that Trade from thence to _Guinea_,
made deep Impression on me; and my Cries were often put up to my
heavenly Father in secret, that he would enable me to discharge my Duty
faithfully, in such Way as he might be pleased to point out to me.
We took _Swansea_, _Freetown_, and _Tanton_, in our Way to _Boston_;
where also we had a Meeting; our Exercise was deep, and the Love of
Truth prevailed, for which I bless the Lord. We went Eastward about
eighty Miles beyond _Boston_, taking Meetings, and were in a good Degree
preserved in an humble Dependance on that Arm which drew us out; and,
though we had some hard Labour with the Disobedient, laying Things home
and close to such as were stout against the Truth; yet, through the
Goodness of God, we had, at Times, to partake of heavenly Comfort with
them who were meek, and were often favoured to part with Friends in the
Nearness of true Gospel-fellowship. We returned to _Boston_, and had
another comfortable Opportunity with Friends there; and thence rode back
a Day's Journey Eastward of _Boston_: Our Guide being a heavy Man, and
the Weather hot, and my Companion and I considering it, expressed our
Freedom to go on without him, to which he consented, and we respectfully
took our Leave of him; this we did, as believing the Journey would have
been hard to him and his Horse.
We visited the Meetings in those Parts, and were measurably baptized
into a feeling of the State of the Society: And in Bowedness of Spirit
went to the Yearly-meeting at _Newport_; where I understood that a large
Number of Slaves were imported from _Africa_ into that Town, and then on
Sale by a Member of our Society. At this Meeting we met with JOHN STORER
from _England_, ELIZABETH SHIPLEY, ANN GAUNT, HANNAH FOSTER, and MERCY
REDMAN, from our Parts, all Ministers of the Gospel, of whose Company I
was glad.
At this Time my Appetite failed, and I grew outwardly weak, and had a
Feeling of the Condition of _Habakkuk_ as there expressed: "When I
heard, my Belly trembled, my Lips quivered, I trembled in myself that I
might rest in the Day of Trouble;" I had many Cogitations, and was
sorely distressed: And was desirous that Friends might petition the
Legislature, to use their Endeavours to discourage the future
Importation of Slaves; for I saw that this Trade was a great Evil, and
tended to multiply Troubles, and bring Distresses on the People in
those parts, for whose Welfare my Heart was deeply concerned.
But I perceived several Difficulties in Regard to petitioning; and such
was the Exercise of my Mind, that I had Thought of endeavouring to get
an Opportunity to speak a few Words in the House of Assembly, then
sitting in Town. This Exercise came upon me in the Afternoon, on the
second Day of the Yearly-meeting, and, going to Bed, I got no Sleep till
my Mind was wholly resigned therein; and in the Morning I enquired of a
Friend how long the Assembly were likely to continue sitting; who told
me, they were expected to be prorogued that Day or the next.
As I was desirous to attend the Business of the Meeting, and perceived
the Assembly were likely to depart before the Business was over; after
considerable Exercise, humbly seeking to the Lord for Instruction, my
Mind settled to attend on the Business of the Meeting; on the last Day
of which, I had prepared a short Essay of a Petition to be presented to
the Legislature, if Way opened: And being informed that there were some
appointed, by that Yearly-meeting, to speak with those in Authority, in
Cases relating to the Society, I opened my Mind to several of them, and
shewed them the Essay I had made; and afterward opened the Case in the
Meeting for Business, in Substance as follows:
"I have been under a Concern for some Time, on Account of the great
Number of Slaves which are imported in this Colony; I am aware that it
is a tender Point to speak to, but apprehend I am not clear in the Sight
of Heaven without speaking to it. I have prepared an Essay of a
Petition, if Way open, to be presented to the Legislature; and what I
have to propose to this Meeting is, that some Friends may be named to
withdraw and look over it, and report whether they believe it suitable
to be read in the Meeting; if they should think well of reading it, it
will remain for the Meeting, after hearing it, to consider, whether to
take any farther Notice of it at a Meeting or not." After a short
Conference some Friends went out, and, looking over it, expressed their
Willingness to have it read; which being done, many expressed their
Unity with the Proposal; and some signified, that to have the Subjects
of the Petition enlarged upon, and to be signed out of Meeting by such
as were free, would be more suitable than to do it there: Though I
expected, at first, that if it was done it would be in that Way; yet,
such was the Exercise of my Mind, that to move it in the hearing of
Friends, when assembled, appeared to me as a Duty; for my Heart yearned
toward the Inhabitants of these Parts; believing that by this Trade
there had been an Increase of Inquietude amongst them, and a Way made
easy for the spreading of a Spirit opposite to that Meekness and
Humility, which is a sure Resting-place for the Soul: And that the
Continuance of this Trade would not only render their Healing more
difficult, but increase their Malady.
Having thus far proceeded, I felt easy to leave the Essay among Friends,
for them to proceed in it as they believed best. And now an Exercise
revived on my Mind in Relation to Lotteries, which were common in those
Parts: I had once moved it in a former Sitting of this Meeting, when
Arguments were used in Favour of Friends being held excused who were
only concerned in such Lotteries as were agreeable to Law: And now, on
moving it again, it was opposed as before; but the Hearts of some solid
Friends appeared to be united to discourage the Practice amongst their
Members; and the Matter was zealously handled by some on both Sides. In
this Debate it appeared very clear to me, that the Spirit of Lotteries
was a Spirit of Selfishness, which tended to Confusion and Darkness of
Understanding; and that pleading for it in our Meetings, set apart for
the Lord's Work, was not right: And, in the Heat of Zeal, I once made
Reply to what an ancient Friend said, though when I sat down, I saw that
my Words were not enough seasoned with Charity; and, after this, I spake
no more on the Subject. At length a Minute was made; a Copy of which was
agreed to be sent to their several Quarterly-meetings, inciting Friends
to labour to discourage the Practice amongst all professing with us.
Some Time after this Minute was made, I, remaining uneasy with the
Manner of my speaking to the ancient Friend, could not see my Way clear
to conceal my Uneasiness, but was concerned that I might say nothing to
weaken the Cause in which I had laboured; and then, after some close
Exercise and hearty Repentance, for that I had not attended closely to
the safe Guide, I stood up, and reciting the Passage, acquainted
Friends, that, though I durst not go from what I had said as to the
Matter, yet I was uneasy with the Manner of my speaking, as believing
milder Language would have been better. As this was uttered in some
Degree of creaturely Abasement, it appeared to have a good Savour
amongst us, after a warm Debate.
The Yearly-meeting being now over, there yet remained on my Mind a
secret, though heavy, Exercise in regard to some leading active Members
about _Newport_, being in the Practice of Slave-keeping. This I
mentioned to two ancient Friends, who came out of the Country, and
proposed to them, if Way opened, to have some Conversation with those
Friends: And, thereupon, one of those Country Friends and I consulted
one of the most noted Elders who had Slaves; and he, in a respectful
Manner, encouraged me to proceed to clear myself of what lay upon me.
Now I had, near the Beginning of the Yearly-meeting, a private
Conference with this said Elder and his Wife concerning theirs; so that
the Way seemed clear to me to advise with him about the Manner of
proceeding: I told him, I was free to have a Conference with them all
together in a private House; or, if he thought they would take it unkind
to be asked to come together, and to be spoke with one in the hearing of
another, I was free to spend some Time among them, and visit them all in
their own Houses: He expressed his Liking to the first Proposal, not
doubting their Willingness to come together: And, as I proposed a Visit
to only Ministers, Elders, and Overseers, he named some others, who he
desired might be present also: And, as a careful Messenger was wanted
to acquaint them in a proper Manner, he offered to go to all their
Houses to open the Matter to them; and did so. About the eighth Hour,
the next Morning, we met in the Meeting-house Chamber, and the
last-mentioned Country Friend, also my Companion, and JOHN STORER, with
us; when, after a short Time of Retirement, I acquainted them with the
Steps I had taken in procuring that Meeting, and opened the Concern I
was under; and so we proceeded to a free Conference upon the Subject. My
Exercise was heavy, and I was deeply bowed in Spirit before the Lord,
who was pleased to favour us with the seasoning Virtue of Truth, which
wrought a Tenderness amongst us; and the Subject was mutually handled in
a calm and peaceable Spirit: And, at length, feeling my Mind released
from that Burthen which I had been under, I took my Leave of them, in a
good Degree of Satisfaction; and, by the Tenderness they manifested in
Regard to the Practice, and the Concern several of them expressed in
Relation to the Manner of disposing of their Negroes after their
Decease, I believed that a good Exercise was spreading amongst them; and
I am humbly thankful to God, who supported my Mind, and preserved me in
a good Degree of Resignation through these Trials.
Thou, who sometimes travellest in the Work of the Ministry, art made
very welcome by thy Friends, and seest many Tokens of their
Satisfaction, in having thee for their Guest, it is good for thee to
dwell deep, that thou mayst feel and understand the Spirits of People:
If we believe Truth points towards a Conference on some Subjects, in a
private Way, it is needful for us to take heed that their Kindness,
their Freedom, and Affability, do not hinder us from the Lord's Work. I
have seen that, in the midst of Kindness and smooth Conduct, to speak
close and home to them who entertain us, on Points that relate to their
outward Interest, is hard Labour; and sometimes, when I have felt Truth
lead toward it, I have found myself disqualified by a superficial
Friendship; and as the Sense thereof hath abased me, and my Cries have
been to the Lord, so I have been humbled and made content to appear
weak, or as a Fool for his Sake; and thus a Door hath opened to enter
upon it. To attempt to do the Lord's Work in our own Way, and to speak
of that which is the Burthen of the Word in a Way easy to the natural
Part, doth not reach the Bottom of the Disorder. To see the Failings of
our Friends and think hard of them, without opening that which we ought
to open, and still carry a Face of Friendship; this tends to undermine
the Foundation of true Unity.
The Office of a Minister of Christ is weighty; and they, who go forth as
Watchmen, had need to be steadily on their Guard against the Snares of
Prosperity and an outside Friendship.
After the Yearly-meeting, we were at Meetings at _New-Town_, _Cushnet_,
_Long-Plain_, _Rochester_, and _Dartmouth_: From thence we sailed for
_Nantucket_, in Company with ANN GAUNT and MERCY REDMAN, and several
other Friends: The Wind being slack, we only reached _Tarpawling-Cove_
the first Day; where, going on Shore, we found Room in a Publick-house,
and Beds for a few of us, the rest sleeping on the Floor: We went on
board again about Break of Day; and, though the Wind was small, we were
favoured to come within about four Miles of _Nantucket_; and then, about
ten of us getting into our Boat, we rowed to the Harbour before dark;
whereupon a large Boat, going off, brought in the rest of the Passengers
about Midnight: The next Day but one was their Yearly-meeting, which
held four Days; the last of which was their Monthly-meeting for
Business. We had a laborious Time amongst them: Our Minds were closely
exercised, and I believe it was a Time of great Searching of Heart: The
longer I was on the Island, the more I became sensible that there was a
considerable Number of valuable Friends there, though an evil Spirit,
tending to Strife, had been at Work amongst them: I was cautious of
making any Visits, but as my Mind was particularly drawn to them; and in
that Way we had some Sittings in Friends Houses, where the heavenly Wing
was, at Times, spread over us, to our mutual Comfort.
My beloved Companion had very acceptable Service on this Island.
When Meeting was over, we all agreed to sail the next Day, if the
Weather was suitable and we well; and, being called up the latter Part
of the Night, we went on board a Vessel, being in all about fifty; but,
the Wind changing, the Seamen thought best to stay in the Harbour till
it altered; so we returned on Shore; and, feeling clear as to any
farther Visits, I spent my Time in our Chamber chiefly alone; and, after
some Hours, my Heart being filled with the Spirit of Supplication, my
Prayers and Tears were poured out, before my heavenly Father, for his
Help and Instruction in the manifold Difficulties which attended me in
Life: And, while I was waiting upon the Lord, there came a Messenger
from the Women Friends, who lodged at another House, desiring to confer
with us about appointing a Meeting, which to me appeared weighty, as we
had been at so many before; but, after a short Conference, and advising
with some elderly Friends, a Meeting was appointed, in which the Friend,
who first moved it, and who had been much shut up before, was largely
opened in the Love of the Gospel: And the next Morning, about Break of
Day, going again on board the Vessel, we reached _Falmouth_ on the Main
before Night; where our Horses being brought, we proceeded toward
_Sandwich_ Quarterly-meeting.
Being two Days in going to _Nantucket_, and having been there once
before, I observed many Shoals in their Bay, which make Sailing more
dangerous, especially in stormy Nights; also, that a great Shoal, which
encloses their Harbour, prevents their going in with Sloops, except when
the Tide is up; waiting without which, for the Rising of the Tide, is
sometimes hazardous in Storms; waiting within, they sometimes miss a
fair Wind. I took Notice, that on that small Island was a great Number
of Inhabitants, and the Soil not very fertile; the Timber so gone, that
for Vessels, Fences, and Firewood, they depend chiefly on the buying
from the Main; the Cost whereof, with most of their other Expences, they
depend principally upon the Whale-fishery to answer. I considered, that
as Towns grew larger, and Lands near navigable Waters more cleared,
Timber and Wood require more Labour to get it: I understood that the
Whales being much hunted, and sometimes wounded and not killed, grew
more shy and difficult to come at: I considered that the Formation of
the Earth, the Seas, the Islands, Bays, and Rivers, the Motions of the
Winds and great Waters, which cause Bars and Shoals in particular
Places, were all the Works of him who is perfect Wisdom and Goodness;
and, as People attend to his heavenly Instruction, and put their Trust
in him, he provides for them in all Parts where he gives them a Being.
And as, in this Visit to these People, I felt a strong Desire for their
firm Establishment on the sure Foundation, besides what was said more
publickly, I was concerned to speak with the Women Friends, in their
Monthly-meeting of Business, many being present; and, in the fresh
Spring of pure Love, to open before them the Advantage, both inward and
outward, of attending singly to the Guidance of the Holy Spirit, and
therein to educate their Children in true Humility, and the Disuse of
all Superfluities, reminding them of the Difficulties their Husbands and
Sons were frequently exposed to at Sea; and that, the more plain and
simple their Way of Living was, the less Need of running great Hazards
to support them in it; encouraging the young Women in their neat decent
Way of attending themselves on the Affairs of the House; shewing, as the
Way opened, that, where People were truly humble, used themselves to
Business, and were content with a plain Way of Life, it had ever been
attended with more true Peace and Calmness of Mind, than they have had
who, aspiring to Greatness and outward Shew, have grasped hard for an
Income to support themselves in it: And, as I observed they had few or
no Slaves amongst them, I had to encourage them to be content without
them; making mention of the numerous Troubles and Vexations which
frequently attend the Minds of People who depend on Slaves to do their
Labour.
We attended the Quarterly-meeting at _Sandwich_, in Company with ANN
GAUNT and MERCY REDMAN, which was preceded by a Monthly-meeting; and in
the whole held three Days: We were various Ways exercised amongst them,
in Gospel-love, according to the several Gifts bestowed on us; and were,
at Times, overshadowed with the Virtue of Truth, to the Comfort of the
Sincere, and stirring up of the Negligent. Here we parted with ANN and
MERCY, and went to _Rhode-Island_, taking one Meeting in our Way, which
was a satisfactory Time; and, reaching _Newport_ the Evening before
their Quarterly-meeting, we attended it; and, after that, had a Meeting
with our young People, separated from those of other Societies. We went
through much Labour in this Town; and now, in taking Leave of it, though
I felt close inward Exercise to the last, I found inward Peace; and was,
in some Degree, comforted, in a Belief, that a good Number remain in
that Place, who retain a Sense of Truth; and that there are some young
People attentive to the Voice of the heavenly Shepherd. The last
Meeting, in which Friends from the several Parts of the Quarter came
together, was a select Meeting; and, through the renewed Manifestation
of the Father's Love, the Hearts of the Sincere were united together.
That Poverty of Spirit, and inward Weakness, with which I was much tried
the fore Part of this Journey, have of late appeared to me as a
Dispensation of Kindness. Appointing Meetings never appeared more
weighty to me; and I was led into a deep Search, whether in all Things
my Mind was resigned to the Will of God; often querying with myself,
what should be the Cause of such inward Poverty; and greatly desired,
that no secret Reserve in my Heart might hinder my Access to the divine
Fountain. In these humbling Times I was made watchful, and excited to
attend the secret Movings of the heavenly Principle in my Mind, which
prepared the Way to some Duties, that in more easy and prosperous Times,
as to the Outward, I believe I should have been in danger of omitting.
From _Newport_ we went to _Greenwich_, _Shanticut_, and _Warwick_; and
were helped to labour amongst Friends in the Love of our gracious
Redeemer: And then, accompanied by our Friend, JOHN CASEY, from
_Newport_, we rode through _Connecticut_ to _Oblong_, visited the
Meetings of Friends in those Parts, and thence proceeded to the
Quarterly-meeting at _Ryewoods_; and, through the gracious Extendings of
divine Help, had some seasoning Opportunities in those Places: So we
visited Friends at _New York_ and _Flushing_; and thence to _Rahaway_:
And here, our Roads parting, I took Leave of my beloved Companion, and
true Yoke-mate, SAMUEL EASTBURN; and reached Home on the tenth Day of
the eighth Month, 1760, where I found my Family well: And, for the
Favours and Protection of the Lord, both inward and outward, extended to
me in this Journey, my Heart is humbled in grateful Acknowledgments; and
I find renewed Desires to dwell and walk in Resignedness before him.