to the power of God, and may preserve you through the various dispensations of his providence to his praise, and to the comfort and peace of your own souls. I exhort you, therefore, to love one another as brethren, and endeavour to be helpful one unto another, both in things that appertain to this life, as also to that which is to come; and this I recommend with great earnestness, if I am never to see you any more, and so remember it.

The weather is hot and sultry, and somewhat hard to bear; I have sometimes been out of order, with feverish complaints, &c. but my trust is in Him who is the Physician of body and soul; I will trust in Him still, who has hitherto preserved me, and delivered my soul from trouble. I am just now returned to Boston, and pretty much overcome with heat; many have within this week fallen down dead; the heat of the weather causing great drought and some imprudently drink largely of cold water, and to divers it has proved almost immediate death.

The first opportunity I intend to write to my dear brother, who is often in my thoughts; my love to him, and all our nearest and next kindred, relations and friends everywhere, from, my dear, thy affectionate husband, and dear children, your affectionate Father, JOSEPH OXLEY.

We came from Boston to Lancaster, Leicester, Uxbridge, and Brickhouse, where we had a large meeting and silent, but I hope profitable to such as waited not for words, but on the Word itself! [Passing on through New England] came the 18th of 8th month to our dear, worthy, aged and honourable Friend Peter Davis's, of whom I have already made mention. Third day had a meeting at Westerly, which was long in gathering, but after some time of solid waiting, Truth favoured, and I believe it was a good meeting. This night we lodged at Thomas Wilbur's: our Friend P. Davis was at this time with us, also Amy Thurs

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ton and Mary Rodman, two valuable women Friends from Newport. Fourth day had a meeting at Hopkinton, which was large both of our own and other societies, but so long and tedious in gathering as I have scarcely known; suitable advice was given, and I hope with a proper degree of authority, and the latter end was better than the beginning. This seems to finish my visit with New England, wherein I have laboured faithfully according to the ability and strength which was afforded me, and much more to my own satisfaction than to the south of this continent. This country, called New England, is much more cleared, and thickly inhabited than Maryland, Virginia, or the Carolinas; the chief produce is Indian corn, some oats and rye, but very little wheat.

CHAPTER XI.

WE reached New York on the 6th of 9th month, and were at both their meetings the First day following; our Friend Samuel Nottingham, a ministering Friend well known in that capacity both in England and America, was there; the service in the morning fell on me, and on him in the afternoon, and I hope to some edification. Second day we passed into Jersey, attended by Samuel Bowne. At Mount Holly lodged at a widow woman's, who with another Friend of that town was at some difference; and both being present and desirous that the cause of the difference might be opened, and themselves again reconciled one to another, left the affair for my companion Joshua Thompson and myself to judge thereon and determine, according to the best of our understanding; this we did, in that wisdom which was given us, and two other Friends present as witnesses; we experienced the Truth to cover our minds, and the parties were brought to acquiesce in our judgment, and were thoroughly reconciled to each other, for which our hearts were made thankful. Fourth day rode to Philadelphia, where I received many letters from Old England. This same evening also, came into the city my dear companion, Samuel Neale; we were much pleased to see each other, and the next day, with divers

other Friends went to Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting; it was large and to pretty good satisfaction. The Seventh day following, the 21st of 9th month, began the Yearly Meeting of ministers and elders for Pennsylvania and the West Jerseys, held at Philadelphia, which we attended throughout. At this meeting were presented certificates for and on behalf of our Friends Sarah Morris of Philadelphia, an elderly Friend of about sixtyeight years of age, weak and infirm, but an able minister of the gospel, and Elizabeth Smith of Burlington, one that is much afflicted with many bodily infirmities, but an excellent minister, both single women, and who for many years past have had it on their minds to pay a religious visit to Friends in Old England; and producing their certificates from their monthly and quarterly meetings for the Yearly Meeting's approbation, after many weighty sittings and solid deliberations, the meeting having a near sympathy with them in their religious concern, recommended them to the Lord for protection and to the guidance of his Holy Spirit, and granted them certificates to proceed as their way might more fully open to their satisfaction. These, and the preceding meetings for worship and discipline, continued till late on the Fifth day following, and were very large, many weighty matters were brought before them, and spoken to according to gospel order; so that it may be said that the meetings both for worship and discipline were to the glory of God, the praise of his great name, and to the comfort and edification of his church and people. Great is his power and goodness, and worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance, even for ever and ever!

Second day went to Abingdon monthly meeting; the meeting for discipline not satisfactory, many running out in marriage, contrary to the good order established amongst us; some recent instances appearing at this time, brought sorrowful exercise upon well concerned Friends; many also showed themselves very disorderly in going frequently out of meeting during the time of worship, and very much so in time of transacting the service of the discipline, which was painful to bear. Fourth day was at Byberry; lodged at James Thornton's, who came from Old England some years since and settled in this country: he is a worthy minister and elder. Sixth day rode to Philadelphia, where I received a melancholy letter from my dear brother John Oxley, giving me an account of his being attacked with a paralytic stroke, and though he was getting better, I was much concerned and affected with the news, lest another attack of the same kind should soon follow, and be of still worse consequence. Third day, in company with Samuel Emlen, senior and junior, went to Woodbury and had a meeting there; it was a time of laborious exercise, but I hope not without some advantage; went home with our Friend and elder David Cooper, in whose family we had a comfortable meeting: he has some promising children, inclined to sobriety and virtue; such I think are an honour to parents, and also such parents an honour to children. Fourth day, rode to a meeting at Upper Greenwich which was much crowded. I was led to speak of the variety of dispensations that were the lot and portion of the righteous to pass through in order for their purification: it was an open good meeting, and the name of the Lord was praised for it, who