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present life having drawn the minds of many into death. I never more clearly saw the necessity there was for us who profess the truth, singly to attend to the gentle instructions of the holy Spirit, who only doth, and ever will, lead and guide into all truth, and preserveth from those errors and failings which are so abundantly evident among us, whereby our hands are weakened in respect to a careful exercise of the discipline of the church.

CHAPTER VIII.

His attendance of the western quarterly meeting in the second month, 1773-The spring meeting in Philadelphia, and the general meeting at Duck Creek-The quarterly meeting at Shrewsbury-With several other meetings in New-Jersey-The spring meeting in Philadelphia, in 1774.-His last visit to New-York and Long island.—His last attendance of the yearly meeting in Philadelphia.—His being at the spring meeting there in 1775, and his last journey to meetings on the Eastern shore of Maryland. His last illness with some weighty expressions in that time.-His death and burial.

day were at the monthly meeting, which was in the main satisfactory. On first-day the meeting was thought to be the largest ever held at this place, and the gospel being preached in the love of it, tendering the hearts of many, the meeting ended in humble thanksgiving to the holy Author of all good. Next day in company with several Friends of Fairfax, I attended a meeting at Monaquesy, where some came who did not make religious profession with us, which was an instructive tendering season, through the Lord's goodness. After a meeting at Bush creek, and another at Pipe creek, I travelled to Gunpowder, and attended the quarterly meeting for the Western shore of Maryland, likewise the general meeting for worship on first-day, at which were several not of our Society, whose hearts were reached by the love of Truth. Next day I had a meeting at the Little Falls, and from thence returned home, and after staying three days, I went to our quarterly meeting at London-grove, the two last days of which afforded some comfort and satisfaction. On the 14th of the twelfth month I went to Wilmington, on which day Margaret, the wife of John Perry, was buried, after a short illness. I spent part of the evening in his afflicted family to satisfaction; staying in the town two days, I attended their BEING somewhat recovered of my indispomonthly meeting, and thought there was a sition, I sat in our select meeting of ministers want of more members deeply baptized for and elders on the 1st of the second month, the work, which appears necessary in the 1773, in which I was comforted under a sense church at that place. Deborah, the daughter of our being owned in some degree by the of David Ferris, being in a declining consump- visitation of Divine love; and afterwards attive state, and wasting fast, I visited her to tended our quarterly meeting at London-grove, my satisfaction, she appearing to be in a re- each sitting whereof was favoured with the signed humble frame of spirit, was an exem- continuance of heavenly help, to the encouplary young woman whom I esteemed. Then ragement of the humble waiters. I returned going to Center and Hockesson meetings, I home with thankfulness to the Lord, who had was at New-Garden on first-day, which I furnished me with strength in my weak state thought through Divine favour, an instructive to sit with my friends, in which we ought to profitable meeting to myself, and perhaps to be good examples. I attended our own meetsome others; the subject which opened was ing on the fifth and first-days following, and the necessity of not leaning to, nor following in the same week went to Wilmington, to the any man, but of attending to the pure motion burial of Deborah Ferris, before mentioned; and secret influence of the Spirit of Truth after which a solid and profitable meeting was manifested in the heart, in the meekness and held. purity of the wisdom from above. It was by this the churches were gathered, and the members preserved in the unity of the one blessed Spirit, and perfect bond of peace and good order.

I next attended our preparative and monthly meetings, after which was confined mostly at home for about a month by a fever, during which time my mind was often much humbled under a sense of the prevalence of a dull, lukewarm spirit, as to the life and power of truth; earthly mindedness and the cares and cumbers concerning the things of this

On the 26th of the third month I set out from home in order to attend our general spring meeting at Philadelphia, but did not get there in time for the first sitting; such of them as I did attend, I thought were in the main, times of Divine favour. On my return homeward I was at a small meeting at Chester, also the general meeting at Wilmington, and soon after the general meeting at Duck creek, and their monthly meeting preceding it. The meeting there on first-day was large, and though a mixed multitude attended, it was solid, through the overshadowing of heavenly

ing that they would acquaint their members with my desire of seeing them, their children and families together. I therefore waited until fifth-day, when they generally met, which gave me an opportunity comfortably to clear myself towards Friends here, to the encouragement of the sincere; being led to show the active members the cause of dwarfishness, the love of the world and its friendships, choking the good seed, which should grow and bear rule.

power; the Lord was pleased to open the mysteries of the kingdom, influencing my heart to preach the gospel in the love thereof to my humble admiration, and many were tendered; for which renewed visitation and favour, a sacrifice of thanksgiving ascended from the hearts of his children, to the all powerful and merciful God who is worthy for ever. The meeting on second-day was a time of consolation to the heavy hearted, instruction to the humble seekers, and a season of strengthen-I was thankful for this opportunity, and left ing to the weak; blessed be the name of the Lord, for his mercies endure for ever. I was next at George's creek meeting, in which Friends were encouraged and in some degree refreshed, divers not of our Society attending; the doctrine of personal election and reprobation as held by some, was refuted, and it was clearly pointed out wherein the election stood, viz: in Christ, the seed, which being cleaved unto, and chosen by man for his true instructer and leader, by his light and witness in the heart as a reprover for sin, and so followed and obeyed, man comes to know himself elected in him. I went home with George Ford, at Back creek, and had an opportunity in his family I hope to some profit.

them with the enjoyment of a quiet mind. From thence we passed to Rahway, had a meeting at Woodbridge, and another at Plainfield, in both which Truth owned my service. I thought there was a tender visitation renewed to Friends in those parts, in the sense whereof I was thankful, and that I had been favoured with strength to pay them a visit in the love of my great and good Master; may I ever walk answerably to his manifold favours, who is worthy of all praise for ever! We were next at Stonybrook meeting, which was made precious in the renewing of Divine favour; and then at Trenton with a people who have much lost the life and savour of truth. From thence going to Byberry and Philadelphia, I reached Towards the fall of the year I had a draught the quarterly meeting at Concord, which bein my mind to attend some meetings in the gan on the 6th of the eleventh month. Next Jerseys, particularly the quarterly meeting at day I went to Chichester, where I was enabled Shrewsbury; of which having acquainted my to speak to the states of the people in the love brethren at home and had there concurrence, of Truth, which may be useful if remembered after attending our yearly meeting in Phila- in a right manner; and returned to the quardelphia and returning from thence, I set out terly meeting on second-day, which was comin company with my friend Samuel England, fortable, the Divine presence being felt. Our on the 12th of the tenth month, but was de- friend Elizabeth Robinson was there, and had tained at Philadelphia by a fever, which held good service. On third-day I attended the me several days. I so far recovered as to general meeting at Chester, which was poor proceed on our journey, taking on our way and dull; the expectations of the people being meetings at Mountholly, at a school house too much outward, they were disappointed; near Shreve's mount, in Upper Springfield, in then attending the monthly meeting at Wilwhich I had a concern to warn the youth to mington, tarried their meeting the next day, beware of deism, and to show the ground and and proceeded to our quarterly meeting at cause of falling into that error; also at Upper London-grove, at which we had the company Freehold, and in a Friend's house near that of our friends Robert Walker, Elizabeth Rocalled Robbins's meeting. There seems to be binson and Mary Leaver, from Great Britain; a visitation to the youth in that place, to which it was a season of refreshment and comfort to if they are faithful, that meeting may again many Friends; then went home, having tra increase. We reached the meeting of minis-velled in this journey about three hundred and ters and elders at Shrewsbury, in which Truth | sixty miles.

divers sittings whereof were divinely favoured; and after it, the general meeting at Wilmington, which was held chiefly in silence, and on that account remarkable.

owned the lovers thereof; the public meetings In the third month, 1774, I attended our on the three following days were large, and general spring meeting in Philadelphia, the thought to be the most quiet and satisfactory which had been known of late years there; the affairs of the discipline were, as I thought, pretty well conducted. Finding myself not clear of the members of our Society at this place, I proposed to several Friends that they would favour me so much as to meet on their week-day meeting day, which I understood they usually had omitted in this week, request

Having an engagement on my mind for some time to visit Friends on Long island, with some adjacent meetings, I laid it before my brethren, who gave me their certificate for that purpose; and on the 3d of the fifth

month, I set out in order to attend the yearly meeting at Philadelphia, which was very large in the several sittings, continued a full week, and I thought it the most solid and weighty in transacting the affairs of truth that I ever knew. The testimony thereof against slavekeeping was wonderfully exalted, through the power and love of God, who is worthy of all praise for ever. In my way home I was at Providence meeting, in which the testimony of truth went forth by way of warning to the lukewarm and declining professors, and of encouragement to the youth.

month I set out on the journey, having the of this summer, and on the 21st of the ninth company of a Friend from Wilmington. Taking a meeting at Philadelphia, we reached New-York, attended their morning and afternoon meetings on first-day, and had an opportunity with divers Friends in the evening, which was to me instructive, and I believe through Divine goodness profitable to some others. We then had meetings at Westchester, Mamaroneck and the Purchase; the last being a monthly meeting. These opportunities were close and searching; the testimony of truth was encouraging to the well-minded, but very sharp to the formalists, and my mind was made thankful for the blessing of peace in Our general meeting at Nottingham next the discharge of my duty. We next attended day was large, and I hope profitable to some; meetings at Flushing, on Long island, Cow- after which having a desire to be at the geneneck, Westbury, Matinicock, Sequitogue and ral meeting at Cecil, in Maryland, I left home Bethpage, then at Newtown, the monthly on the 7th of the tenth month, was at the meeting at Westbury, and the quarterly meet- quarterly meeting of ministers and elders ing at Flushing, where the yearly meeting there on first-day morning, which was probegan the next day, which held four days; fitably instructive through Divine goodness. and on the whole I believe it may be said, Two public meetings for worship were held that the authority of Truth was in some good on first and second-days, both large and solid, degree felt to keep down forward spirits, both several other Friends from Pennsylvania were in the ministry and discipline, which was cause there; the business of the quarterly meeting of thankfulness to the Lord who rules among ended on third-day morning; on the same day his children, and is worthy of all praise for we had a comfortable public meeting, from ever. Here I had the company of our dear which we parted with Friends in much love friends, Robert Walker, Elizabeth Robinson and nearness. On the following day was and Susanna Lightfoot, who intending for their monthly meeting, to attend which seveRhode Island, I parted with them, and went ral of us staid; then having a desire to see to the monthly meeting at New-York, which Friends at Chester river, I went to their weekthrough merciful regard was comfortable. day meeting, Nicholas Waln bearing me comFrom thence going to Rahway, had a meet-pany; the meeting was large, and through the ing at Plainfield, which was satisfactory, Lord's goodness, it was, I believe, made prothrough the extendings of Divine favour; fitable to many. Taking meetings at Sassa. then at Kingwood on first-day, from whence fras, Duck creek, Motherkill and Little creek, crossing Delaware, we were at Buckingham the two last being their preparative meeting monthly meeting, where I thought the true spirit of discipline appeared to be much wanting in many; here my companion returned homewards. The next day I was at Wright'stown monthly meeting, which through the Lord's blessing, was edifying to many; and we parted in peace and sweetness of spirit. The day following I attended the meeting at Pine street, in Philadelphia; also that at High street, on fifth-day, which was a precious opportunity to such who loved to live near the Spirit of Truth. From thence I went to visit my brother-in-law, Daniel Brown, near Chester; was at Newtown meeting on first-day, Weakness and infirmity of body gradually and at an afternoon meeting near Amos Yar-increasing upon our beloved friend, he fre nall's; then went to the general meetings at quently mentioned, that many years past, it Goshen and Uwchland; after which taking was unexpected to him to live to his seventi London-grove meeting, I came home, having eth year, and to be favoured with health and rode in this journey about six hundred miles, and felt a degree of thankfulness that the Lord was pleased to give me ability to perform it. I tarried much at home the remaining part

at each place; the next day was their select meeting of ministers and elders, and their monthly meeting the day following, which, with divers other Friends from Pennsylvania, we attended, and on the first and second-days of the next week, the general meeting at Little creek. I believe there is a renewed visitation to Friends and some others hereaway; but formal professors appear to be as stumbling blocks, by joining with the spirit of the world. I returned home with an easy mind.

strength sufficient to travel so much as he lately had, saying, that now he scarcely thought much more would be required of him. He however attended the western quar

terly meeting in the eleventh month, this year, and in the second month, 1775, in both which he was favoured with strength and clearness to speak to the state of the church, as well in some of the select, as the more public meetings, tending to the edification and comfort of many.

In the third month, 1775, he also attended the general spring meeting at Philadelphia, and in some of the sittings thereof was much favoured; and on his return home from thence he was at Wilmington general meeting, in company with our friends Robert Walker and Elizabeth Robinson, from Great Britain.

making timely preparation for their awful and solemn change. On the 28th we were at Tuckahoe meeting, and on second-day at the bay-side, where were but few of our Society, but several others attended who behaved soberly, and some of the younger sort were reached and tendered by truth's testimony, to whom he was led instructively to show, that they need not give their money for that which is not bread, nor their labour for that which satisfieth not, and opened to them the way of life and salvation which is attained through the Spirit, or free gift of grace that is come upon all men for justification, so that if they His last journey was on a visit to most of attended to the dictates thereof in their own the meetings on the Eastern shore of Mary-hearts, it was sufficient to instruct them in land, and to attend the yearly meeting at the way of godliness; but when people go Third-haven, in Talbot county; for which from, and neglect this inward teacher, seekpurpose he set out from his own habitation ing to, or depending on learned men, they on the 22nd of the fifth month, having, ac- err. cording to his usual care, obtained the concurrence of his brethren, and was accompanied by a young man, William Jackson, a member of New-garden monthly meeting, who has given the following account of this journey:

"Next day we had a religious opportunity in the family of John Bartlett, and on fourthday went to Tuckahoe meeting again, where he had to speak of the sufficiency of the grace of God, and the inconsistency of people's living in a profession thereof without being found in the faith, or fully believing in this principle "Our first day's ride was to George Ford's, as sufficient for salvation. We next attended near Back creek; the next morning being damp the meetings at Third-haven and Marshy and foggy, was very trying to his weak con- creek. The yearly meeting began on sestitution, yet we rode forty-five miles that day venth-day, and continued until the fourth of to Hannah Turner's, in Queen Ann's county, the following week, and although he was which was thought to be a means of bringing feeble and unwell, he attended the several on him a disorder which proved painful and sittings thereof, being nine in the five days, afflicting, and increased till near his end. and the last held seven hours. He was enBeing advanced in age, his bodily infirmities abled to appear for the cause and testimony appeared great, but the fervency of his mind of truth, both in the meetings for worship and for the promotion of truth and righteousness, discipline; and like the good scribe well inand his care as a father in Israel, were truly structed in the things of the kingdom, had to as prevalent as ever. On the 24th of the bring forth out of the treasury, things new month he went to the preparative meeting at and old, profitable and instructive, being seaTuckahoe, wherein he was concerned to ex-soned with the love and virtue of truth. After hort some to faithfulness in times of tempta- the meeting on fourth-day, we went to the tion and trial, that they might experience an house of Joseph Berry, where next morning overcoming, and be enabled to strengthen their we had a religious opportunity in the family, brethren. Next day we attended Third-haven and the day following a meeting in Queen monthly meeting, in which he was qualified to Ann's forest, from whence we went to Joshua speak instructively to the members thereof, Vansant's. Here he was very poorly, having particularly to such who were encumbered taken some cold; the next day being very with much care about the things of this life; warm, he was much spent with riding, and things, which although lawful in themselves, said, as he had at several times before on this yet when suffered to engross the minds and journey, 'that he believed it would be his last, affections of people, obstruct a progress in if he lived to reach home, which at times he religion. On the 26th, a meeting at Chop- thought seemed unlikely.' On first-day, the tank was a time of heavy exercise on account 11th of the sixth month, he had a meeting in of a lifeless, lukewarm, indifferent situation of a school house at Back creek, among a peomind, which seemed to attend divers there ple who behaved with much sobriety, which assembled. The next day we attended a was a satisfactory time, very instructive and burial at Third-haven, on which occasion a open for doctrine; and that evening reached meeting was held, and he laboured honestly home, having travelled in this journey about to arouse those who lived in the neglect of two hundred and ninety miles."

On the 14th of the sixth month he went to purifying from the dregs of nature; saying, the week-day meeting at London-grove, to he was at times afraid to discover that melody meet a committee of our quarterly meeting, in the hearing of some who visited him, lest and returned to our meeting at Nottingham they could not comprehend its meaning, and the next day. On the first-day of the week might therefore misconstrue it. following, was there also; and in the same week he attended our preparative and monthly meetings; but a fever daily increasing upon him, he was afterwards chiefly confined at home.

On second-day morning the 17th of the seventh month, being asked by a Friend how he was, he replied, "I am in the body yet, and when I go out of it I hope there is nothing but peace;" and soon after said, "I have On the 4th of the seventh month he ex-seen that all the bustles and noises that are pressed himself thus; "I am glad that I am now in the world, will end in confusion, and at home, I have ever found it best when my our young men who know not an establishservice abroad was over, to get home as quick ment in the truth and the Lord's fear for a as might be; and though I have felt great in- ballast, will be caught in a trying moment." ward poverty and weakness since my last At another time he said, "I feel nothing but journey, so that I can neither see my begin-peace, having endeavoured honestly to disning, nor ending, but seem as if all were hid-charge myself in public, and privately to indiden, yet I hope if Providence shall see meet viduals, as I apprehended was required; and to remove me at this time, some light will if it be the Lord's will that I should go now, appear again, and that it will be otherwise I shall be released from a great deal of troubefore I go.' ble and exercise, which I believe Friends who are left behind will have to pass through."

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At another time he spoke to this purpose; "I have found myself much stripped as to a sense of good, and tried with poverty many days. I suppose I have been accounted by some, as one of the better sort of people, but have seen great occasion to beware of a disposition that would feed upon the praise or commendations of others; a carnal selfish spirit is very apt to present and creep in here if possible, and I have seen it hurt many who have had right beginnings; it always introduceth dimness and oppression, to the pure, precious, innocent life of truth, which only groweth up into dominion, through deep abasement of soul and the entire death of self."

At several other times he signified to this effect; "My present baptism of affliction hath tended to the further refinement of my nature, and to bring me more perfectly into the image of my Master.”

He frequently expressed his full submission to the Divine will, either respecting life or death; several times saying, "I now experience my life and my will to be slain, and I have no will left."

On the 20th of the same month he thus expressed himself; "I love Friends who abide in the truth, as much as ever I did, and I feel earnest breathings to the Lord, that there may be those raised up in the church who may go forth in humility, sweetness and life, clear of all superfluity in expressions and otherwise, standing for the testimony, that they may be useful to the church in these difficult times."

About three days before his death, several Friends being in his room, he spoke as fol lows; "Friends in the beginning, if they had health and liberty, were not easily diverted from paying their tribute of worship to the Almighty on week-days as well as first-days, but after a while when outward sufferings ceased, life and zeal decaying, ease and the spirit of the world took place with many, and thus it became customary for one or two out of a family to attend meetings, and to leave their children much at home. Parents also, if worldly concerns were in the way, could neglect their week-day meetings sometimes; yet be willing to hold the name, and plead excuse because of a busy time, or the like; but I be lieve that such a departure from primitive integrity ever did, and ever will, occasion a withering from the life of true religion."

In the two last weeks of his time it appeared that his desire and hope, mentioned in the fore part of his illness, for light again to appear, was fully answered by the fresh influence thereof, so that although his pain was often To a Friend who came to visit him on the great, he would, many times in a day, break 21st of the seventh month, he said, "I feel forth into a kind of melody with his voice, that which lives beyond death and the grave, without uttering words, which as he some- which is now an inexpressible comfort to me times intimated, was an involuntary aspiration after a time of deep baptism that I have of his soul in praise to the Lord, who had passed through; I believe my being continued again been pleased to shine forth in bright-here is in the will of Providence, and I am ness after many days of poverty and deep fully resigned."

baptism, which though painful, had proved His illness increasing, he said but little on beneficial to him, being a means of further seventh-day, the 22nd; in the afternoon he

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