finished our visit in these parts, we crossed the sound from New London to Long Island; and, taking some meetings on the island, proceeded homeward; where we reached the thirteenth day of the seventh month, in the year 1747, having rode about fifteen hundred miles, and sailed about one hundred and fifty.

In this journey, I may say, in general, we were sometimes in much weakness, and laboured under discouragements; and at other times, through the renewed manifestations of divine love, we had seasons of refreshment, wherein the power of truth prevailed.

We were taught, by renewed experience, to labour for an inward stillness at no time to seek for words, but to live in the spirit of truth, and utter that to the people which truth opened in us. My beloved companion and I belonged both to one meeting, came forth in the ministry near the same time, and were inwardly united in the work. He was about thirteen years older than I, bore the heaviest burthen, and was an instrument of the greatest use.

Finding a concern to visit friends in the lower counties of Delaware, and on the eastern shore of Maryland, and having an opportunity to join with my well-beloved ancient friend John Sykes, we obtained certificates, and set off the seventh day of the eighth month, in the year 1748, were at the meetings of friends in the lower counties, attended the yearly meeting at Little Creek, and made a

visit to most of the meetings on the eastern shore; and so home by the way of Nottingham: were abroad about six weeks; and rode, by computation, about five hundred and fifty miles.

Our exercise at times was heavy; but through the goodness of the Lord, we were often refreshed: and I may say, by experience, "He is a strong hold in the day of trouble." Though our society, in these parts, appeared to me to be in a declining condition; yet I believe, the Lord hath a people amongst them, who labour to serve him uprightly, but have many difficulties to encounter.

CHAPTER 411.

His marriage. The death of his father.- His journies into the upper part of New Jersey, and afterwards into Pennsylvania.-Considerations on keeping slaves, and his visits to the families of friends at several times and places.—An epistle from the general meeting. His journey to Long Island. Considerations on trading and on the use of spirituous liquors and costly apparel. his letter to a friend.

And

ABOUT this time believing it good for me to settle, and thinking seriously about a companion, my heart was turned to the Lord with desires that he would give me wisdom to proceed therein agreeable to his will; and he was pleased to give me a well-inclined damsel, Sarah Ellis; to whom I was married the eighteenth day of the eighth mouth, in the year 1749.

In the fall of the year 1750 died my father, Samuel Woolman, with a fever, aged about sixty years.

In his life time he manifested much care for us his children, that in our youth we might learn to fear the Lord; often endeavouring to imprint in our minds the true principles of virtue, and particularly to cherish in us a spirit of tenderness, not only towards poor people, but also towards all creatures of which we had the command.

After my return from Carolina, in the year 1746, I made some observations on keeping slaves, which some time before his decease I shewed him; and he perused the manuscript, proposed a few alterations, and appeared well satisfied that I found a concern on that account in his last sickness, as I was watching with him one night, he being so far spent that there was no expectation of his recovery, but had the perfect use of his understanding, he asked me concerning the manuscript, whether I expected soon to proceed to take the advice of friends in publishing it? and, after some conversation thereon, said, I have all along been deeply affected with the oppression of the poor negroes; and now, at last, my concern for them is as great as ever.

By his direction, I had written his will in a time of health, and that night he desired me to read it to him, which I did; and he said it was agreeable to his mind. He then made mention of his end, which he believed was now near; and signified, that, though he was sensible of many imperfections in the course of his life, yet his experience of the power of truth, and of the love and goodness of God from time to time, even till now, was such, that he had no doubt but that, in leaving this life, he should enter into one more happy.

The next day, his sister Elizabeth came to see him, and told him of the decease of their sister Anne, who died a few days before; he then said, I reckon sister Anne was free to leave this world?

Elizabeth said she was.

He then said, I also am

He

free to leave it and being in great weakness of body said, I hope I shall shortly go to rest. continued in a weighty frame of mind, and was sensible till near the last.

On the second day of the ninth month, in the year 1751, feeling drawings in my mind to visit friends at the great Meadows, in the upper part of West Jersey, with the unity of our monthly meeting, I went there; and had some searching laborious exercise amongst friends in those parts, and found inward peace therein.

In the ninth month of the year 1753, in company with my well esteemed friend, John Sykes, and with the unity of friends, we travelled about two weeks, visiting friends in Bucks County. We laboured in the love of the gospel, according to the measure received; and, through the mercies of him, who is strength to the poor who trust in him, we found satisfaction in our visit. In the next winter, way opening to visit friends families within the compass of our monthly meeting, partly by the labours of two friends from Pennsylvania, I joined in some part of the work, having had a desire some time that it might go forward amongst us.

About this time, a person at some distance lying sick, his brother came to me to write his will. I knew he had slaves; and, asking his brother, was told he intended to leave them as slaves to his children. As writing is a profitable employ, and as offending sober people was disagreeable to