12m0.1807

1st of 12th month, we were at a meeting near the south fork of Ten Mile creek, held by indulgence; suffering was still my portion. Next day at a meeting at Muddy creek, where I had an open time of communication. 3rd. Rode to brother Robert Miller's at Redstone, and went to see my brother and sister Dillhorn-found them well. 4th. Went to Redstone monthly meeting held at Providence; it was a blessed and open time, and many hearts I believe were refreshed under the influence of Divine favour. 5th. I am going to the select Quarterly meeting-0 Lord let thy power prevail over all to the confirming and strengthening of our souls together. This was a time of very great confirmation, that he that putteth forth, goeth before all his dedicated and tried servants. May my soul ever bow before the God of my life in gratitude for his favours.

6th, and first of the week, went to Centre meeting; a small company and the spring of life low: may the Lord send more faithful labourers into his blessed work. Lodged at Robert Miller's, where I met with a number of friends; amongst the rest, Phebe Gibson, whom I was glad to see, remembering her kind attention to me when at her father's house. 7th. At the Quarterly meeting-a heavenly time of feasting on fat things with wine well refined on its lees. May my soul never forget thy loving kindness, O thou great Helper of thy people. Dined and lodged at George Dillhorn's, and next day visited some friends. in the neighbourhood; then attended Redstone meeting, where I took a solemn farewell of Friends, many of whom are near to my life in gospel fellowship. May the Shepherd of Israel be near them and keep them humble and obedient.

10th. At Sandy Hill meeting to a degree of satisfaction in the main. Next morning set forward over the mountains for Sandy creek, and had a meeting with the few Friends residing there, to which a number of others came, and we had a pretty solemn time. Then pursued our journey, and on the 16th had an appointed meeting near Robert Rogers' at Beargarden;—the current of life was very low and the garden of their hearts bare indeed: instead of the plant of renown the briers and thorns appeared. 17th. At a meeting at Back creek: here my spirit was deeply afflicted under a sense of the great declension which I apprehend there is at this place, as well as at Beargarden: so I sat in suffering silence. 18th. Had a meeting at Applepye Ridge, where Truth rose into dominion, and it was a heart-tendering time I believe to many, especially the dear youth, for whose everlasting welfare I at times feel my mind deeply exercised. Oh! that there might be more of them willing to bow their necks to the yoke of Christ, whereby they would be qualified to stand as judges on mount Zion, having their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel.

19th. A favoured time at Centre meeting. Dined at Goldsmith Chandler's at Winchester; then went to brother Joseph Wood's, and next day were at Hope- 20 well meeting, a large gathering of Friends and 14 others. But here, as in many other places, the expectation is too much outward, to hear declarations; which oft-times shuts up the current of life from them: yet on the whole this was an instructive time. Dined at Abel Walker's, and lodged at brother Joshua Wood's; next day went to see Lewis and Rachel Neal. 23d. At Berkely meeting, where silence VOL. XII.-31

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12mo. 1807

Imo 1.1808. home.

LIFE AND JOURNAL

was my lot; which sometimes I believe is in wisdom permitted, that we may feel our own insufficiency of ourselves to minister to the people: for without this we might run into words without life, which would not add to our own peace, nor edify the hearers.

24th. Crossed Shenandoah river and went to Waterford to see my step-son Eliakim Garretson, who was in a poor state of health-and I never saw him more, for he died of a consumption on the 5th of 3d month, 1808, at Sarah Caven's. Next day I crossed the Potomac river, and had a favoured time at Bush creek meeting on first-day, the 27th: then went on to York and was at meeting there with a few Friends, which to me was truly comforting and as a brook by the way. After dining at Jonathan Jessop's, we left there and crossed Susquehanna river, and on the 1st of 1st month, 1808, I arrived at home to my family to our mutual joy and comfort, and under an humbling sense of the Lord's protecting care in this arduous journey. May my soul bow before him who putteth forth and goeth before, and never will forsake those that put their trust in him.

I was from home sixteen weeks and two days, and rode near eighteen hundred miles.

Bee in. 344- left home quo 1001808

Some account of my travels in the state of New York and in New England.

In the latter part of the winter 1810, as I was employed about my outward business, with my mind inwardly drawn, contemplating the loving kindness of the Lord to me, an undeserving creature,-my mind was livingly impressed with a belief that it

would be required of me, if I stood faithful, to visit some of the meetings of New York and Rhode Island Yearly Meetings: under which humbling consideration, I retired from my work, to pour forth my cries to Him who sees in secret, for strength and ability, that I might be safely directed, if it should be his Divine requiring. Under this solemn impression, I was brought into covenant with the Lord my God, if he would only be with me in the undertaking, I would resign up my all to his Divine disposal. Thus the impression remained for some days on my mind. But Oh! frail man, how inconstant and short are thy resolutions-the enemy of man's happiness is so near to delude and deceive! I began to conclude the situation of my family and my circumstances in life were such, that by going I might bring a reproach upon the blessed Truth; and that I was mistaken in the opening I thought I had been favoured with. Thus time went on for months; sometimes resigned, and again drawing back-forgetting the covenant which I had made. My distress at times was great, but no mortal living knew of it. At length it became so great that I believed nothing short of unreserved obedience would give that peace which my poor afflicted soul longed for. Here I again renewed covenant with him who is a covenant-keeping God, and way was opened to my humbling admiration. May my trust ever be in thy almighty power, thou God of love and of mercy, whose ear remains to be open to the cries of the poor, and the sighing of the needy soul.

Feeling my way pretty clear to proceed, on the 8th of the 8th mo. 1810, I laid my concern before our monthly meeting for consideration, and obtained a certificate of concurrence from my friends in order

A mo 20.1810. leaves home

to lay before our Quarterly meeting for its concurrence and endorsement, which was done 22d of 8th month. My beloved friend John Pennock expressing a freedom to accompany me, received a certificate from the monthly meeting for that purpose.

On the 20th of 9th month, we set off from home. Now came the dregs of the bitter cup-the parting with my dear wife and children and beloved friends. The language of the dear Master was the companion of my mind for several days before,—“ I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened until it be accomplished." The fervent desire of my mind was, that the Lord might be pleased to grant them patience and resignation in my absence. After parting with my family, we went to Jacob Maule's at Radnor. Next day, Ann Smith from New England, having appointed a meeting at Haverford, I felt most easy to attend it: then rode to Jacob Albertson's at Plymouth. Thence to Watson Fell's at Solebury; and he and Jacob Albertson went with us to Kingwood meeting, which was a precious time to many. On the 25th, had an appointed meeting at Hardwich, a hard one it was-the life of religion in many appears to be low, and a lukewarm spirit prevails. After meeting we set out for Cornwall in New York state; and on the 27th, were at meeting there, it was a blessed tendering season, and confirming to my mind after a time of deep discouragement;-believing He that is with his own in six troubles will not forsake them in the seventh.Lodged at William Jackson's. Next day attended an appointed meeting at Smith's Clove, which was held to a degree of satisfaction. Then went to Upper Clove, and held a meeting at the house of James