things of this world. We had a pretty large meeting here, considering the season, (for it was very cold), which was held in a large house of William Shipley's; but they are making provision for a meeting-house. From this town we went to Newark, and had a comfortable meeting at George Robinson's in the evening, and next morning set out for Philadelphia.

As it was now the winter season, and having been divers times at this season of the year in the warm climates, the cold was become harder for me to bear than usual, so that I stayed at and about home pretty much, being divers times at Philadelphia, Frankfort, Germantown, and Abington meetings.

The latter end of the tenth month, on a first day of the week, I was at a large, open meeting, at Darby, in Chester county. After meeting I rode home, about fourteen miles; but it was so cold, that my limbs were much benumbed, and were not fully recovered in more than a week. Coming home, between Schuylkill river and Philadelphia, we observed the largest meteor that ever I saw, though I had seen many by sea and land; this was in sight almost a minute, as near as I could guess; it was a mighty stream, like a flame of fire, leaving, as it were, sparks of fire behind it, as it went along, and then settled like a star, and disappeared. A few days after this me teor, there appeared in the sky an uncommon redness, with streams like fire.

About this time was buried at Frankfort, John Hur ford, who was about ninety years of age; at whose burial, the coldness of the season considered, were a pretty many friends, neighbours, and relations of the deceased; as also divers from Philadelphia. I was concerned to advise those present, to prepare for their final change; that being certain, though the time is uncertain; which, generally, none knows but the Almighty; therefore we ought always to be preparing for our dissolution, and al ways watching and praying, lest we enter into temptation; as said our dear Lord, "If the good man of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched." Luke xii. 39. And, we not knowing

whether death will come in our youth, our middle, or old age, therefore, were earnestly desired to prepare our hearts to meet death, so that we might dwell with God and Christ in his kingdom forever. It was also observed, that though this friend had lived to a great age, yet that few lived so long, no, not one in a thousand, and many die very young; therefore they were earnestly entreated, in the love of God through Christ, to prepare for their latter end, and not to set their hearts and affections on things below; for, by how much they set their - hearts and affections on natural or outward things and objects, by so much the harder it would be to part with them, when death should come. This meeting ended with prayer for reformation and preservation to the end of life; and praises, yea, high praises were given to him, who had given to all present our life, our breath, and our being.

It being exceeding severe weather, with much rain, wind, and snow, there were great floods, so that we could not get over Frankfort-creek to meeting; wherefore the friends on the west side met together at my house, and we had a satisfactory, good meeting, in which we were exhorted to build our religion on the sure foundation; that neither storms, rain, or winds, might be able to shake us from this foundation, which is Christ, the rock of ages.

This winter we were visited at Frankfort with the small-pox, of which many died at Philadelphia, and several in our neighbourhood.

The latter part of this winter staying much at home, I spent my time much in reading and writing, often being sensible of the love and goodness of God, my exceeding great reward; he, by the spirit of his Son, comforting me, and sometimes melting my heart into tenderness, in consideration of his many mercies, which caused me to praise his holy name, who is thereof worthy, beyond expression, forever.

In the first month, I went with my friend John Oxley, of Barbadoes, to Bristol, where we had a large meeting; thence went over the river Delaware to Burlington quar

terly meeting: we were obliged to get to the Jersey shore on the ice, laying boards thereon for about one hundred yards together; and being long on the ice, and poorly as to health, I took such a cold, that I could not get to meeting next day, but was at the youths' meeting third day following; fourth day I went to Ancocas meeting, thence to a large meeting at Mount-Holly, where was a marriage; afterwards to Evesham and Upper Spring. field, or Hanover, and then returned to Burlington, and next day was at the monthly meeting there, which, to me, was a good open meeting, wherein church discipline was somewhat treated of, and friends advised to wait for that spirit which leads into all truth, to guide them in their discipline.

In the second month, 1737, I went to Cohansey, in or der to negociate some affairs there, and while there, had three meetings at Greenwich, and one at Alloway's-creek; and on the 9th of said month, being first day, was at Salem meeting, which was large and open: and, in the evening, we had a heavenly meeting at Bartholomew Wyat's.

After my return from Salem, on the first of the third month, I took a journey to the eastward, having a desire to see friends in those parts, whom I had divers times visited, in the service of the gospel, in my young years; and though now upwards of threescore years of age, was willing to visit them once more before I died, who, in some places where I had formerly travelled, were now grown very numerous. I set out with Joseph Gilbert, and several other friends, and we travelled together to Long-Island, where we parted, and I went to Newtown, where I met with John Fothergill and Samuel Bowne; at which place we had a meeting, which was appointed on John's account, and his service therein was to the satis faction and edification of friends. From thence John went to West-Chester, on the Main, and I went to Flushing, where we had a large, open meeting: it was a solid, good time, and the sacred name of Him who lives forever was praised.

From Flushing I went with my old friend and schoolfellow, Joseph Latham, to his house. Our conversation was pleasant and comfortable to each other, wherein we remembered our walking to and from school, in the suburbs of that great and populous city, London; when we were beaten, stoned, and abused, only for being the children of those called quakers: the priests, who had money for preaching, had preached and printed so many lies against our friends, that the common people were almost ready to make a sacrifice of us; they telling us (when we pleaded our innocency, by telling them, we went quietly along the streets to school) that "It was no more sin to kill us, than to kill a dog :" but now, through the grace and favour of the Almighty, we enjoy the exercise of our religion, according to our consciences, free from jails and prisons, in which our primitive friends suffered much; for which we ought to be truly thankful to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

From Joseph Latham's we went to Westbury and Matinicock (after a meeting at Cowneck) and afterward to New-York, where I had also religious service and a meeting; and from New-York I took my passage in Robert Bowne's sloop for Newport, on Rhode-Island, was two days and nights on the water, and on my arrival at Rhode-Island, the brethren lovingly received me, and we were joyful to see each other.

After having had divers good meetings on RhodeIsland, I went to Dartmouth, where we had a large, serviceable meeting at a place called Ponyganset, many hundreds being added to the church since I first visited those parts. From this place I went to Holder Slocum's, and he lent us his shallop to go over to Nantucket; but the wind not favouring, we had a satisfactory meeting at a large farm of his on an island bearing his own name, and after meeting set sail for Nantucket, had several large meetings there, and I rejoiced to see the growth and increase of friends on this island; where God hath greatly multiplied his people, and made them honourable; glory to his name forever.

The priests, who have money for preaching; the law. yers, who have it for pleading; and the physicians, who have money for giving receipts for health; are poor trades on this island.

At Nantucket I had been about thirty-nine years before, at which time there were only two men and one woman who joined with our friends in profession, and now it was computed there were above a thousand who went to our meetings, they being a sober, religious peo ple; and there is a great increase of friends in divers other places in New-England; and whereas formerly we were greatly persecuted for our religion, now we are treated with more civility and respect in those parts.

From Nantucket, Nathaniel Starbuck and Elijah Collins went with me, with several other friends, to the yearly meeting at Rhode-Island; which was so very large, that it was difficult to speak so as to be heard all over the meeting; but the last day of the meeting, our friend John Fothergill, who had a high voice, being at tended with the divine power, gave good satisfaction to the meeting, and it ended well. After this meeting was over, I went with Benjamin Bagnal, to Boston, and from thence to Lynn and Salem, had several satisfactory meetings, which tended to the uniting our hearts together in the love of Christ, and the fellowship of his gospel. From Salem I went with Zaccheus Collins and his wife to their house, and lodged there three nights, and was lovingly entertained, as I was also at many other friends houses. From Lynn, Zaccheus Collins accompanied me to Boston, where we had a meeting on a fourth day of the week, and the next day there was a very large meeting, (the greatest gathering of people which had been seen there at friends' meeting-house for a long time), occasioned by the marriage of John Mifflin, of Philadelphia, to Benjamin Bagnal's eldest daughter.

From Boston I returned to Rhode-Island, and had divers meetings at Newport and Portsmouth, wherein our hearts were made glad in Christ, and we were strengthened in our faith in him; blessed be his holy name for

ever.