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Morris was also an attendant on her aunt, whose respect and kindness to me was not a little, I loved her much for the Truth's sake. We had two good comfortable meetings, being owned by the Master, to the increasing of our love to him and one unto another. Fourth day had a meeting at Mountholly; Fifth day was at Burlington week-day meeting; also their select meeting of ministers and elders, which in some part was well, but not throughout; I thought there wanted something of that love and unity which should harmonize and cement Friends together in those religious stations. Rode to Philadelphia, and Seventh day attended their Quarterly Meeting of ministers and elders, which was large. William Hunt, an able minister of the gospel from North Carolina, was here, and said much in this meeting. This Friend had it long on his mind to pay a religious visit to Friends in different parts of Europe, and all things being in readiness for his embarkation, I accompanied him a part of the way to Chester, where he was to go on board, and returned in the evening. First day, 5th of 5th mo. attended all the three meetings in the city. Second day came on the Quarterly Meeting for business, which was entered upon after a solid meeting for worship, and conducted with becoming condescension and brotherly affection.

CHAPTER X.;

My companion and myself having travelled all this while in much love and unity, through a long desolate wilderness, now finding our minds drawn to different parts of the continent, for our own peace and (we hoped) for the more general service, we in much love agreed to part, and requested the company of divers Friends on the occasion, to commune with them thereon: and after a solid time of waiting, Friends expressed their approbation and unity therewith, believing, according to their feelings, that it was the pointing of Truth, and they were well pleased and satisfied with our conduct in calling them together, and hoped others would follow our example under the like circumstances.

[The following is an extract of a letter from William Brown to Mary Oxley.]

Philadelphia, 6th 5th mo. 1771.

DEAR FRIEND, MARY OXLEY,

It is in my mind to visit thee with a few lines, to give thee an account of thy dear husband, who with his companion is now with us at our Quarterly Meeting, they being returned from the southern parts of this continent, which we think the most difficult part of their work as to travelling and entertainment for man and horse.

It was with me at their meeting in this city, to give a caution about joining as companions through their religious labours in this country; but to that they both seemed to lend a deaf ear; for I feared they might give more time and place to each other, than the nature of

their gifts and the necessity of their labour would admit of: for their Master fails not to furnish them with his hidden treasures to deal out to the churches, and though thy honourable companion thinks himself a little man every way, yet it is the pleasure of Him that called him to the work of the ministry, and separated him to this part of the service, to give him part with the great, and a name with His princes in Israel. I affectionately salute thee, who am thy loving friend, WILLIAM BROWN.

Third day attended their youth's meeting; the public service fell on Sarah Morris, Samuel Nottingham, Isaac Andrews, and my companion: I thought it a favoured meeting. Sixth day had a meeting at Plainfield, where the Lord was pleased to own his people with his life-giving power and presence, to his praise and our rejoicing. Seventh day at Woodbridge, Elizabeth Morris and myself had each opportunities, to the stirring up those that were careless and indifferent about the attendance of religious meetings, and of that worship which is to be performed in spirit and in truth. First day 12th was at two meetings at Rahway, both which were large, open, and satisfactory: E. Morris had good service; the gospel was preached with life and power, blessed be His name, who is still continuing such gifts to his churches. Second day rode to New York; Fourth day crossed over to Long Island; Fifth day had a meeting at Newtown; in the evening rode to Matthew Franklin's, a ministering Friend who attended us to most of the meetings on the Island. At Bethphage we visited a poor woman Friend, whose name was Clement Willis, who was taken ill when she was about nineteen years of age, with the rheumatism, soon

after which she was confined to her bed, even from that time to the time I saw her, which she then told me, in the presence of many other Friends, was thirty-eight years. She is so emaciated and reduced as to become a mere spectacle, an object of wonder to those that see her; she is so decrepid as scarce to be able to move one joint, or any part about her, and has not seen her hands for very many years. She has almost outlived all her pains, which are now centered in weakness; that she continues to live, and abides in the body is marvellous, and through all her sore afflictions and trials praises the Lord for his blessings to her soul, lies in great composure of mind, and wholly resigned to his pure will and pleasure. The time we sat by her bedside was a time of renewal of heavenly favour to her and many present, which was acknowledged in humble supplication, with thanksgiving and praise to Him that makes hard things easy, and bitter things sweet to the afflicted soul. Thus we parted in much love and sympathy, and went to our lodgings at Samuel Willis's. At Flushing attended their Yearly Meeting, where were also Elizabeth Morris and William Horn from Pennsylvania, Timothy Davis and Patience Brayton from New England; these meetings were resorted to by many besides those of our Society; I hope all was well, yet not so open as I have known some smaller gatherings. In the meeting for discipline there appeared a considerable defection, from one quarter in particular, refusing to answer the queries in form as recommended by the Yearly Meeting of London this was a matter very exercising to the right-minded, and a committee of weighty and judicious Friends were appointed on that service to

visit them, which I hope may tend to the honour of Truth, and strengthening the weak and feeble of the flock. Second day the meeting for discipline sat again, which was large, solemn, and awful, far excelling any of the former. Sundry affairs were spoken to in that authority which Truth gives, and Israel prevailed that day. A number of Friends were chosen to visit those that kept Negroes in slavery and bondage, in order that they might be set at liberty. Our friend Israel Pemberton from Philadelphia attended this meeting, and was particularly instrumental in forwarding this good work of visiting the masters of these poor enslaved Africans, which in the end will I hope prove successful. These meetings being over, finished my visit to the Island, which, however it might prove to my Friends, was very much to my satisfaction and peace.

BENJAMIN SWETT TO MARY OXLEY.

DEAR FRIEND,

Burlington, 5th of 7th mo. 1771.

As every instance of attention to thee, though from a distant juvenile brother, during the absence of the partner of thy life, may have a tendency to strengthen thy mind, under so trying a circumstance as such a separation from the nearest connexion in this state of being, I have, pursuant to some expectation which I gave him, now engaged to inform thee, that early in the 5th month I accompanied him through a part of this government, to New York and Long Island, and we were at several meetings in this journey, particularly the Yearly Meeting at Flushing; and I think I may say his service was attended with evident demonstration that it proceeded from and under the influence of the Minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle which God has pitched and not man.

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