CHAPTER VII.

His visit, in company with Samuel Eastburn, ta Long Island, Rhode Island, Boston, &c. 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 nake 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 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 :'-a 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 the honest-hearted not only

delight in this, but in the effect of it upon them. He who 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 towards 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; 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 towards my fellow creatures. I recommend you to the Almighty, who I trust cares for you: and under a sense of his heavenly love I 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, 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 it.

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 appear 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 a 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 a way as He might be pleased to point out to me.

We took Swansea, Freetown, and Taunton, 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 humble dependence on that arm which drew us out; and though we had some hard labour with the disobedient, laying the 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 those who were meek, and are 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 was imported from Africa into that town, and then