Visit to Baltimore to attend the yearly meeting in 1824.—Visit to the inhabitants of the eastern part of Long Island in 1825.—Visit to Scipio quarterly meeting in 1825.—Visit to Southern and Concord quarterly meetings in Pennsylvania in 1826.—Visit to the families of Friends in Jericho and Westbury monthly meetings in 1827.—Visit to Friends in some parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio in 1828.

In the summer of 1824, I had the concurrence of my friends to attend the quarterly meeting of Cornwall and Stanford, which I accomplished to my own peace and comfort. And in the fall of the same year, they also united with a concern which had impressed my mind, to attend the ensuing yearly meeting in Baltimore. This engagement, through the mercy of Him who has hitherto helped me, I was favoured to accomplish to the peace and satisfaction of my own mind. The yearly meeting for discipline opened on second day, and continued by adjournments until the following fifth day, in the afternoon of which it closed, under a comfortable evidence of divine favour attending. I think it was, in its several sittings, one of the most satisfactory yearly meetings I ever attended, and the business was conducted in much harmony and brotherly love.

In Philadelphia, on my return, I had a severe attack of bodily indisposition; so that, for some time, there seemed but little prospect of my recovery. I lodged at the house of my very kind friend Samuel R. Fisher, who, with his worthy children, extended to me the most affectionate care and attention; and I had also the kind sympathy of a large portion of Friends in that city.

In the summer of 1825, I obtained the concurrence of my friends to make a visit, in gospel love, to the inhabitants of the eastern part of Long Island, and I proceeded therein, with Samuel Willis as my companion. The people appeared open to receive us, and the meetings at the several places we visited, were pretty fully attended. Many minds were humbled and contrited, and truth’s testimonies exalted, and the people generally comforted, and, I trust, edified.

In the fall of 1825, being on an appointment of the yearly meeting to attend the opening of Scipio quarterly meeting, I obtained the unity of my friends to attend some meetings among Friends and others, on my way going and returning. The quarterly meeting in its several sittings, was conducted in much apparent harmony and condescension; the truth was so effectually raised into dominion over all, that if there were any discordant spirits present, they were all kept down and subdued by the prevalence of its power; and Friends were united in the bond of brotherly affection, and the faithful were made to rejoice for the unmerited favour. The meeting closed on the 30th of 9th month, with a very large solemn public meeting; the public service therein fell to the lot of Thankful Merritt and myself, and Thankful closed the meeting in sweet solemn supplication. In returning home, I attended several meetings which were large, and, through the condescending goodness of the Shepherd of Israel, were favoured satisfactory seasons, in which truth was raised into dominion, and a precious solemnity prevailed.

In the latter part of 1826, my friends united with a concern, which had been for a considerable time impressive on my mind, to make a visit in the love of the gospel, to Southern and Concord quarterly meetings, in the yearly meeting of Philadelphia. I accordingly set out in the 11th month, with Jesse Merritt as my companion. In passing through Philadelphia, we attended Mulberry-street meeting in the forenoon, and Green-street in the afternoon. They were both very large meetings, many more coming together than the houses could contain. Truth was powerfully raised into dominion, and at the close of each meeting, many Friends manifested, in an affectionate manner, their unity and satisfaction with my labours amongst them. We then proceeded on the further service on which we had set out, taking several meetings on the way, which were large and solemn opportunities, and favoured with the overshadowing wing of divine kindness; and having accomplished the prospects in view, we turned our faces homewards, having thankfully to acknowledge that best help had been near, enabling me to discharge myself faithfully in the various meetings, to the comfort and peace of my own mind.

In the early part of 1827, with the unity of my friends, I entered into the engagement of making a religious visit to the families of Friends within our own and Westbury monthly meeting, and I was favoured to go through this arduous service to the satisfaction and peace of my own mind.

Having felt an exercise and travail of spirit in the course of last year, to make a religious visit in the love of the gospel, to Friends and others in some parts of our own yearly meeting, and in the compass of the yearly meetings of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Ohio, Indiana, and a few meetings in Virginia; and apprehending the time had come to move therein, I spread the concern before my friends at Jericho monthly meeting, held the 20th of 3d month, 1828, and obtained their unity and concurrence therein. This concern, with the certificate from our monthly meeting, I laid before our quarterly meeting held at Westbury, the 24th of 4th month following; and obtained their unity and concurrence, with an endorsement thereof on my certificate from the monthly meeting.

I left home the 28th of 4th month, the week after our quarterly meeting, in order to accomplish the service above alluded to; and attended the three quarterly meetings of Purchase, Nine Partners, and Stanford, as they came in their usual course. On my way home, I attended Oblong monthly meeting, also four particular meetings, three of which were appointed at my request. In all these meetings the Lord, our gracious helper, manifested himself to be near for our support, making way for us at times where there seemed to be no way, to our humbling admiration. I was from home in the prosecution of this little tour of duty, two weeks and two days. After this I tarried at and about home until after our yearly meeting.

Soon after this I again left home, on the 14th of 6th month, and rode to New-York. The day following being the first of the week, we attended the morning and afternoon meetings of Friends in the city, which, through the gracious extendings of heavenly help, proved to be comfortable edifying seasons. My esteemed friend Jesse Merritt, an elder of our monthly meeting, accompanied me in this journey. We left New-York on second day, after taking a sympathetic farewell of our friends in the city, and proceeded on our journey to Rahway in New Jersey, and lodged with our kind friend William Shotwell, and the next day had an appointed meeting in that village. It was truly a comfortable edifying opportunity; many truths of the gospel were clearly opened to the audience, humbling and contriting many who were present; a sense of which inspired our minds with gratitude and thanksgiving to the blessed Author of all our mercies.

The next day being the fourth of the week, we attended Friends’ monthly meeting held at Plainfield, for Rahway and Plainfield. The meeting for worship was large, many of the neighbouring people of other societies coming in, to whom the gospel was freely preached in the demonstration of the spirit, solemnizing the assembly, and truth was raised into victory over all. My mind was also comforted in the meeting for discipline, in observing the harmony and brotherly condescension of Friends, in the orderly conducting the affairs of the Church.

The next day we proceeded on our journey to Kingwood, and put up with our kind friend Henry Clifton. We had an appointed meeting here the day after at the tenth hour, and although the number of Friends was small that constituted this meeting, yet Friends being careful to give their neighbours of other societies information thereof, we had a very full meeting; and it proved a very solemn impressive opportunity in which truth reigned, comforting and contriting many minds.

After this we passed on to Solebury in Pennsylvania, and lodged with our kind friend Watson Fell, who met us at Kingwood and kindly took us to his house. The next day we had an appointed meeting here at the fourth hour in the afternoon. It was a solemn opportunity, and I parted with them under a thankful sense of the unmerited favour. We then rode home with our kind friend Moses Eastburn; and the next day being first day, and the 22d of 6th month, we attended Buckingham meeting in the morning, and had an appointed meeting at Plumbstead at four o’clock in the afternoon. After this we rode home with our worthy friend Israel Lancaster, and on second day had a meeting at Wrightstown; on third day in the forenoon, we attended Newtown meeting; and at the fourth hour in the afternoon had an appointed meeting at Makefield. These were all large favoured meetings, in which the gospel was preached in the demonstration of the spirit, and many hearts were humbled and contrited, and a precious solemnity spread over the meetings, comforting and rejoicing the honest-hearted, and to the praise of Him, who is calling us to glory and virtue.

On fourth day, the 25th, we attended a meeting at the Falls; on fifth day were at Middletown; on sixth day at Byberry; and on seventh day at Abington. These meetings were all large and very solemn, and the canopy of love, in a very comforting manner, was felt to spread over the assemblies; and much kindness and friendly regard were manifested towards us, not only by our friends, but by the people in general of other societies, who attended the meetings.

We attended Horsham meeting in the morning, on first day, the 29th, and had an appointed meeting at Upper Dublin at the fourth hour in the afternoon. They were very large; more attended than the houses could contain. As the last meeting was assembling there came on a heavy shower of rain, accompanied with an uncommon time of lightning, and very heavy peals of thunder: many flashes of the lightning appeared to strike down to the earth within a very small distance of the meeting-house, which brought a great solemnity over the meeting, and I was thankful in observing the stillness and quiet which prevailed generally among the people. These meetings were very solemn seasons, in which truth reigned, and I parted with them in peace of mind, and the fresh feelings of gospel love.

Our kind friend Joseph Foulke met us at Horsham; and after the latter meeting conducted us to his house, where we met a very cordial welcome, and were favoured with the company and conversation of his ancient and very worthy father Hugh Foulke. The two following days we attended meetings at North Wales and Plymouth. These were large favoured meetings, in which many truths of the gospel were largely opened to the edification, comfort, and apparent satisfaction, of those large assemblies, and to the peace of my own mind. It was the Lord’s doing, and to him belongs all the praise, nothing due to man.

From thence we proceeded to Charlestown, and lodged with our kind friend James Wood; and the next day, being the fourth day of the week, we attended their meeting. After this we rode to Pikeland, where we were very kindly entertained by our friends Emmor Kimber and wife, and had an appointed meeting there the next day. We tarried here until the next morning; and then proceeded on to Uwchlan, where we had a meeting, by previous appointment, at the eleventh hour; and although it was in the midst of their harvest, and the care necessary for getting it in, very urgent, as many of their fields of grain appeared to be over-ripe, yet to our own and our friends’ admiration, the meetings were unusually large, frequently many more assembled than the houses could contain. The people were generally very solid and quiet, and very attentive to hear what was communicated; and many minds were humbled and contrited, and truth’s testimonies exalted, to the mutual comfort and encouragement of the honest-hearted, and to the general satisfaction of the assembled multitudes; and my mind was deeply humbled and made thankful for the continuance of those unmerited favours.

On seventh day, the 5th of 7th month, we attended a meeting at Downing’s Town, held in an orchard, under the shade of the apple trees; which was a large, solemn, satisfactory meeting. A division having taken place in the Society of Friends, and the meeting-house in this place being in possession of the party termed Orthodox, they refused to permit Friends to occupy it on this occasion. There were, however, more attended the meeting, than could have got into the house, if we had been permitted to use it. The next day we attended Friends’ meeting at East Caln; and notice having been given of our intention of attending it, the house, although very large, did not contain more than three quarters of the people that assembled. It was a season to be remembered with gratitude, in which the Lord’s presence was felt to preside, humbling and contriting many hearts, and truth was raised into victory over all.

On second day we attended a meeting, by appointment, at Sadsbury; and on third day their monthly meeting. On fourth day we had an appointed meeting at Lampeter. These were all favoured opportunities, wherein the Lord’s power was manifested for our help, rejoicing and encouraging the honest-hearted, and settling and confirming the wavering, who were halting between two opinions, but were now satisfied, and openly declared themselves on the side of Friends, some of whom had previously gone with our opposers, but were now convinced of the impropriety of their conduct, and cheerfully united with Friends.

After the latter meeting, we dined with our friend Thomas Peart. We then took leave of our friends in near unity, and proceeded on our journey to Columbia, and lodged with our kind friend William Wright, who, with his worthy and affectionate wife, entertained us with great hospitality. We had an appointed meeting at this place the next day. The two following days we attended meetings at Little York and Newbury. All of these were favoured opportunities, in which truth was raised into dominion, and many hearts were humbled and contrited, and the faithful comforted and made to rejoice together in the unity of the one spirit, Christ, the only sure foundation, on which the true Church has been built in all the varied ages of mankind, from the beginning down to the present time; and on which all future generations must build, or their building must and will fall.

On first day, the 13th of 7th month, we attended Friends’ meeting at Warrington, and the two following days the meetings of Huntington and Menallen. These were all favoured opportunities, in which ability was vouchsafed, by the blessed Author of all our sure mercies, to preach the gospel to the people in the simplicity, plainness, and demonstration of the spirit, which brought a precious solemnity over the assemblies; and I parted with them with the satisfactory evidence of having faithfully discharged myself among them, feeling that true peace of mind, which the world, with all its fading enjoyments, cannot give nor take away. The next day, the 16th, we proceeded on our journey through the mountains to Redstone, about one hundred and sixty-one miles; and arrived there on first day, the 20th, about eight o’clock in the morning, at the house of our kind friend Jesse Townsend. We attended their meeting at the eleventh hour, which was large and favoured. We lodged with our aforesaid friend, during the time we spent in this place.

On second day we rested. On third and fourth days we attended meetings at Providence and Centre. On fifth day we attended Westland monthly meeting; and the neighbourhood being informed of our coming, there were more people assembled than the house could contain; and I had a full opportunity to discharge myself among them in a large effective testimony, which brought a precious solemnity over the meeting, and many minds were humbled and contrited.

A Friend from abroad attended this meeting, and after I sat down he rose and made opposition, which greatly disturbed the meeting.

On sixth day we attended an appointed meeting at Pike Run. It was held in the side of a wood, the meeting-house having been burnt. There being but few Friends in this place, they met in a small private room: this induced them to make seats out of doors, as the house would not have held half the people that met. It was an unusually favoured season. In the silent part of the meeting, the divine presence was felt to spread over the assembly, producing such a sweet and precious solemnity, as I scarcely ever before witnessed in the same fullness, and which continued through the course of my communication. Surely it was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvellous in our eyes.

After this meeting we dined with our kind friend John Grave, and then proceeded on our way about three miles towards Brownsville, and lodged with our friend Isaac Walker. On seventh day night we lodged at the house of our friend Solomon Philips, near Brownsville; and the next morning crossed the river Monongahela into the town. Here we put up again with our kind friends Jesse and Edith Townsend, where we had the company of many Friends, and many of the inhabitants of the town not members of our society, also came in to see us; as the unfounded reports of those who style themselves Orthodox, having been generally spread over the country, it created such a great excitement in the minds of the people at large, that multitudes flocked to the meetings where we were, to hear for themselves; and many came to see us, and acknowledged their satisfaction.

At this place we again fell in with the Friend from abroad, who attended the meeting with us; he rose in the early part of the meeting, and continued his communication so long, that a number left the meeting, by which it became very much unsettled: however, when he sat down I felt an opening to stand up; and the people returned and crowded into the house, and those that could not get in stood about the doors and windows, and a precious solemnity soon spread over the meeting, which has been the case in every meeting, where our opposers did not make disturbance by their disorderly conduct. The meeting closed in a quiet and orderly manner, and I was very thankful for the favour.

On second day we rested and wrote to our friends. On third day we attended their preparative meeting for Ministers and Elders, and on fourth day their monthly meeting. Here the Friend who had before made opposition opposed me publicly and personally in the meeting for worship; but I nevertheless had a favoured opportunity, to the general satisfaction of the meeting, and to the peace of my own mind.

We attended Westland meeting again on fifth day as it came in course. It was pretty large, many of the neighbouring inhabitants coming in. We had a very favoured meeting; Friends were comforted together, and the people went away satisfied; and my mind was fully relieved, and inspired with thankfulness and gratitude.

On sixth day we attended the quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders held at Westland, where we met with but little opposition; and the next day we attended the quarterly meeting of discipline. I had good service in the meeting for worship, which preceded that for discipline. It was very large, a great number of those not in membership with Friends came in, and behaved very orderly. Here we met with some opposition, more particularly in the meeting for discipline from the Friend above mentioned. And Friends were so disturbed with the conduct of this Friend and his companion, that they proposed that the Elders and Overseers should take an opportunity with them, and see if they could not put a stop to such disorderly conduct; accordingly they had an interview with them, in which Friends relieved their minds pretty fully; but the few termed Orthodox, used their influence in their favour, which greatly prevented their being benefited by the opportunity.

Public notice was given at the close of the meeting on seventh day, that my companion and myself intended to be at their meeting the next day. A great number more assembled than the house could contain; and although the Friend above alluded to, had so fully discovered that not only Friends, but the people generally, had no unity with him, yet soon after the meeting was settled, he rose and stood a considerable time. After he sat down, I was favoured to clear myself among them in a large impressive testimony, that soon brought a precious solemnity over the meeting; and many hearts were broken and contrited, and I took an affectionate farewell of the assembly in the fresh feelings of gospel love. As I was about to close the meeting, the same individual again rose, and began to oppose what had been said by me; this so offended the people, Friends and others, that they rose up and went out in great numbers, he at the same time begging them to stay; but they refused and continued going out until he was discouraged and sat down. Soon after I closed the meeting, feeling very sorry for the people to see them so imposed upon.

After this meeting we proceeded that afternoon about seven miles, on our way to Pittsburg. On second day we rode to Pittsburg, and lodged with Robert Townsend; who, although not in membership with Friends, entertained us with much kindness and hospitality. The day following at evening, we had a large satisfactory meeting in their court-house, Friends having no meeting in that town. On fourth day we proceeded on our journey, crossing the Alleghany river at Pittsburg, and arrived that evening at a village, at the great falls of the river Beaver. The next day we had an appointed meeting there, held in a field under some trees, which made a comfortable shade, the weather being very warm, and Friends meeting-house much too small to contain the people who assembled. It was a very solemn opportunity, in which truth was raised into victory over all, and the people appeared thankful for the favour; and I witnessed the consoling evidence of true peace, in faithfully discharging my duty among them.

After this favoured meeting, we went forward that afternoon towards Salem, in order to attend the quarterly meeting at that place, which opened the next day at the eleventh hour, with a meeting of Ministers and Elders. Friends met in a school-house which one of them had built on his own premises, with which, and a temporary shed that Friends put up adjoining to it, the meeting was pretty well accommodated. They conducted the business of the quarterly meeting in much unity and concord, and the Lord’s presence was evidently felt to cover the assembly. The next day being first day, and as notice was spread of our being there, the meeting was very large. It was judged by Friends that upwards of two thousand people attended. It was a highly favoured season, in which I was enabled by Him, who when he opens none can shut, and when he shuts none can open, to declare the truth to the people in the demonstration of the spirit, and with a power attending which brought a precious solemnity over the meeting, and many hearts were humbled and contrited.

The next day we had a meeting by appointment at Fairfield. This was also a very large meeting, many more assembled than the house could contain. I had a favoured time among them, and was made thankful for the opportunity, and had cause to believe my labour was not in vain.

The day following we attended New Garden quarterly meeting. Here Friends had a trying time, as those called Orthodox, although they were but a small part of the meeting, had undertaken to disown a number of Friends; but Friends did not acknowledge their authority, nor consider their disownments of any effect, and they all came together as usual in the quarterly meeting. The Orthodox strove hard to get Friends to withdraw, but they refused, and proceeded with the business of the meeting, which those called Orthodox interrupted for a time; but finding that Friends would not give way, they finally left the meeting, and retired to a school-house, and Friends had a comfortable season together, and conducted their business in much harmony and condescension, and were evidently owned by the Head of the Church.

I appointed a meeting on fourth day for the public at large, Friends, and others. A large number assembled; many more than the house could contain. We had a precious meeting: the Lord’s power prevailed in an eminent manner. It was a season thankfully to be remembered, and was truly an humbling time among the people.

After this we proceeded to New Lisbon, to attend a meeting there the next day, which we had previously appointed. It was held out of doors, there being no house in the town sufficient to hold the people that Friends apprehended would assemble. Being aware of this, they erected a booth or shed, by setting up posts, on which they laid long poles, and covered them with branches of trees to make a shade, as the weather was very warm. Under this we had a very large favoured meeting, to the general satisfaction of the people, and peace of my own mind.

The two following days we attended meetings, by appointment, at Springfield and Goshen. Those called Orthodox had possession of the meeting-houses at those places, and refused to admit us; but although they could shut us out of the meeting-houses, yet they could not shut us out from the divine presence, for this was felt eminently to preside in both these highly favoured meetings.

The next day, being first day and 17th of 8th month, we attended Marlborough meeting. It was very large, notice having been previously given of our intention to be there, so that hundreds assembled who could not get into the house. I had an open opportunity among them, to proclaim the everlasting gospel in the demonstration of the spirit, to the comfort and satisfaction of this large assembly, except those called Orthodox, who, when I sat down, made great opposition, which greatly offended the people.

We then proceeded to Canton, a pretty large country town, and attended a meeting at the fourth hour in the afternoon, and notice was publicly given that we were to be there. As there were no members of our society in the town, the meeting was held in their court-house. Many of the respectable inhabitants attended, and information being given to Friends of Kendal, a small meeting about seven miles distant, most of them attended, and many other inhabitants of that place came also to the meeting. We had a favoured opportunity with them, and left them with peace.

After this we returned to New Garden, and put up with our kind friend Nathan Galbreath. The next day being the fourth of the week, we rode to Salem, and attended Friends’ monthly meeting, in which I was led to stir up Friends to faithfulness, in support of our religious testimonies, as the eyes of the people were upon us, watching our movements in this time of trial, Friends separating from each other, and setting up separate meetings, which caused a great breach of unity and confusion in most of our meetings, which a few years previous thereto had been united together in the bonds of Christian fellowship; but a few individuals who had gained some influence in society, letting in the spirit of jealousy, began to accuse some of their friends of promulgating unsound doctrines, without any just cause for so doing, by which they greatly disturbed the peace and quiet of society; and being encouraged therein by several Friends from England, who as ministers, had obtained liberty from their friends at home, to come over on a visit to Friends in this country, they blew up the fire of discord, until they brought about a division in our once peaceful society; a small minority of which, in many places, separated themselves from the body, and set up separate meetings, assuming the names of the yearly, quarterly, and monthly meetings; and these, in their presumption, have taken upon them to deal with and disown the great body of the society.

The next day we returned to New Garden and attended Friends’ monthly meeting there; and the neighbouring inhabitants being apprized of our return, a great number came in, and greatly enlarged the meeting; and He that openeth, and none can shut, graciously condescended to open my mouth among them, in a large effective testimony to the truths of the gospel; and many hearts were humbled and contrited. It appeared as a renewed visitation of the heavenly Father’s love to Friends and others; and it was a season gratefully to be remembered by all present; for surely it was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes.

The day following we had an appointed meeting at Sandy Spring, at the fourth hour in the afternoon. The meeting was very large, and favoured with the overshadowing wing of divine kindness; and a precious solemnity pervaded the assembly, and my mind was opened to declare the truth to them, to the apparent satisfaction and comfort of the assembled multitude; and I took leave of them with thankfulness and peace of mind. We remained here until the next morning, and then proceeded on our journey to Richmond, about thirty-five miles, where we took up our lodging at an inn. The next day being first day, and 24th of 8th month, we had an appointed meeting in the town. The inhabitants were mostly Presbyterians and Methodists. It was held in their school-house, a large convenient room. The people came in freely, and behaved with great propriety and order, and appeared to go away satisfied; and I felt true peace in having faithfully, in gospel love, discharged myself among them.

After this we proceeded about five miles on our way to Smithfield, and the next morning rode to that place; but being somewhat unwell, we rested there through the day, and the next day had an appointed meeting there, at the fourth hour in the afternoon. Those called Orthodox, shut the meeting-house against us; but Friends provided seats under the shade of trees, in an adjacent wood, where we had a very solemn, favoured meeting, in which the Lord’s power prevailed over all in an eminent degree, and broke down all opposition, and many hearts were broken and contrited; and we parted with them under a grateful sense of the Lord’s mercy for the unmerited favour.