reason of my being so particular in this account, is to show the Lord's kindness and gracious condescension to me, in so fully answering what I had often desired, viz., that in case I ever married and settled, I might be so circumstanced as to entertain the Lord's servants and messengers in an agreeable manner; on which account, as well as that he was pleased to give me an affectionate virtuous wife, I have great cause of humble thankfulness. We took each other in marriage the 30th of the tenth month, 1737, at a large and solemn meeting, held in the meeting-house before mentioned, under the precious overshadowing of the power of divine love, I think to a larger degree than I had often known before; which was no small confirmation of our being rightly joined together; it being that alone which can enable to make and keep covenant rightly with each other.

After my marriage I constantly attended our particular meeting, both on first and other days of the week; also the Quarterly and Yearly Meetings as they fell in course, and frequently visited adjacent meetings. I visited Friends in the county of Bucks twice, but have no account of the exact time. I signified to my wife some time after we were married, that I expected in a few years, I should find a concern to leave her for a longer time than I yet had done, and gave her a hint what time I thought it would be; which fell out accordingly; having then a distant view of visiting New-England.

for him. This was very acceptable to me.
William Brown and I had an opportunity of
conferring together the same day, and we
found our concerns and views so exactly to
agree, and our spirits so closely united for the
service, that our hearts bowed in thankfulness
to the Lord, for his care and providence over
us; believing what we were about to engage
in, was agreeable to his will and in his coun-
sel. It being the meeting for ministers and
elders that day, we laid our concern before
that meeting, where it appeared to be well
approved, which was no small strength to us.
I did then, and hope I ever shall, greatly love
and value the unity of the brethren; having
found it no small strength and encourage
ment to me, in low and trying times, which
are necessary and unavoidable in that solemn
engagement of visiting the churches; espe
cially now in their low declined state. It
is indisputably clear to my understanding
that it is altogether impossible to administer,
in a feeling effectual manner to people's se
veral states, unless we are baptized thereinto.
Well adapted words and sound doctrine, as to
the external appearance, may, without much
difficulty be attained; seeing we have the
holy Scriptures and many other good books,
containing the principles of Truth and the
Christian experience of the Lord's people;
yet all this delivered with the tongue of men
or angels, will prove an empty, fruitless
sound, without the power and demonstration
of the Spirit of Christ, who enables his up-
right-hearted ministers to search all things,
yea, the hidden mystery of iniquity, as well
as the deep things of God, even as he led his
prophet Ezekiel to look through the hole in
the wall, that the most secret abomination
may be brought to light and testified against.

When the time for undertaking that journey appeared clear to me, I gave up thereto, in humble resignation and faith in the sufficiency of the divine power of Him, who, I believed, required it of me; yet not without some intervals of discouragement and reasoning in myself, what would become of my family and I took leave of my dear wife, and set out outward concerns. Neither did I then know with my companion the 5th of the seventh of any companion to join me in this great month, 1741. Passing through New-Jersey, undertaking, but at times believed I should be we had a meeting at Chesterfield, crossed favoured with one, if I gave up thereto. I Staten Island and came to an arm of the sea, laid my concern before the Monthly Meeting called the Narrows, which separates the be to which I belonged, requesting their concur- fore mentioned island from Long Island. The rence and certificate, if upon a weighty con- wind blowing very strong and the sea running sideration thereof, they had unity with my exceedingly high, we were obliged to wait some concern. A certificate was prepared, whereby time; the ferrymen being afraid to run the I was left to my liberty to proceed; but I had hazard of carrying us and others who were not yet heard of a companion, and greatly there, also waiting, over. Towards evening feared going without. Our Quarterly Meet- the wind abating, they appeared willing to ing falling quickly after, I went to it, where venture, if we would; and we being desirous I made inquiry of my much esteemed friend, to proceed, agreed to go. I think we had John Churchman, whether he knew of any suitable companion for me. He readily told me that his brother-in-law, William Brown, had procured a certificate in order for the same journey, and did not then know of any companion, b 4 one would be provided

eight or nine horses, besides people, in the boat. They set the horses heads to the wind, which proved of singular service, in bearing up the boat against it; otherwise it did not seem altogether improbable that she would have been laid on her side. We ran over in

seen that wicked act of putting to death the four Friends as above hinted, viz. that he could well remember fine wheat growing about and near Boston, and never knew or heard of any wheat blasted, or peas eaten by bugs, until they put the Quakers to death; and that they never could raise either wheat or peas near that town since, perhaps not within fifteen or twenty miles. I suppose the inhabitants were so often disappointed formerly, that they have not attempted to raise any lately, the land being generally turned to grazing, and for raising Indian corn. They seem sensible of the extraordinary alteration; but I suppose few of them are willing to attribute it to that cause. I had some discourse with one of the inhabitants, as we were riding together near Boston, concerning the above mentioned event. He pretended to argue a natural cause for it; but I endeavoured to

about ten minutes, the distance being accounted England Judged," written by George Bishop, at least two miles and an half. We were and in "Sewel's History of the people called thankful for preservation; as I believe most, Quakers." Happening to walk into the prior all of us, when we were on the water, ap- son yard, I observed a very ancient building, prehended considerable danger. We made which I judged by its appearance, might have but little stay on Long Island, only taking been the same in which our Friends had forNewtown meeting in our way, and crossing merly suffered very great hardships. Upon the water to the main land in New-York go- which I asked some present, if that was the vernment, had meetings at Mamaroneck, Long-prison their forefathers put our Friends into? reach and the Purchase. From thence, having A woman answered, Yes; and added, "It a guide provided for us, we set out for our was a very wicked thing of the rulers of that journey, about two hundred miles through the time, and the land has suffered for it ever colony of Connecticut, to Rhode Island. We since;" or to that import. A Friend of Bosmet with a kind reception and entertainment ton related to me, what he said he had from for our money, at a very low rate, amongst an ancient inhabitant of the town, who had the Presbyterians of this colony: the case was very different formerly, when our Friends were banished from thence by a law. I remarked as I passed along, that very good order was observed in their inns; and as far as could be discovered, the people in general appeared to be sober and religious in their way; far from being so vitiated and corrupt as I found those in the mother country, as they call it. We were several times attacked by some of them on religious subjects, but through divine favour, were enabled to answer them in such a manner, that I hope neither we nor the Truth professed by us, suffered thereby. I can say with thankfulness, I never was at a loss in giving answers to those who asked a reason of the hope that was in me, when my chief dependence was on the Lord, to be furnished immediately by him, without leaning to my own understanding. We were kindly received by Friends at New-show him, that according to my apprehension, port, on Rhode Island, where there is a large body; some of whom we found much hurt by differences and parties about government affairs; which caused hard close work for us, in their meetings. From Rhode Island we went to the island of Nantucket, where is also a large body of Friends, amongst whom we had good satisfaction. We then returned to the main land, visiting meetings at Sandwich, Yarmouth, Suckanesset, and a Quarterly Meeting at Pembroke, where we met our friend Samuel Hopwood, who had arrived at We passed on and had meetings at Lynn, Boston, from England, a few days before, in Salem, Cachechy, Dover, Hampton, Havercompany with Moses Aldrich, on a religious hill, Amesbury, Newbury, Taunton, Acoakvisit. We went to Boston, where we had a set, and to Dartmouth Yearly Meeting, which meeting, there being a small number of was held there and at Acushnet, four days: it Friends in the town, but Truth never pros- was large. After which we had meetings at pered much there: it seemed to me that some- Rochester, Freetown, Swanzey, Leicester, thing of the same spirit was yet alive and to Smithfield, Providence Woods, at one Harbe felt, that formerly would have wholly ex- ris's, Greenwich, South Kingston, Conanitirpated our Friends, and Truth as held by cut Island, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compthem, from the face of the earth, and prevailed ton, and so to Newport again: several of to inflict cruel sufferings on many of the Lord's which were large. The Lord was graciously servants, four of whom they put to death, as pleased to furnish us according to the occais related at large in a book entitled, "New-sion, to labour amongst the professors of

those very reasons which he advanced to prove a natural cause for the change, if they proved any thing, proved directly the contrary of what he intended, for he urged, that clearing away the woods might so change the nature of the air, as to produce a blasting quality therein. But if the air any wise resembles water, the freer its course and the less the obstruction it meets with, the more it purifies itself, and is therefore less capable of producing hurtful consequences either to vegetables or animals.

Truth in those parts, many of whom appeared to us ignorant in a sorrowful degree, of the life and nature of true religion. Our spirits were often very deeply baptized on their account, in great travail, that Christ might be formed in them. It was a very exercising laborious journey, but the Lord mercifully made all up to us, by the comfortable enjoyment of his love and peace flowing into our hearts. Glory to his name for ever!

and seemed affected, being quite silenced as to that subject. We invited her to our meet ing; she told us she intended to go, and if she could, to prevail with her husband to go too, but doubted being successful therein. She and her husband were both at the meeting, and the Lord was graciously pleased to give us a precious opportunity together, wherein I am persuaded she was made in some degree sensible of that baptizing power, which in a comfortable degree, accompanied the ministry that day. She was tendered, and at parting, with tears desired us to remember her and pray for her.

After this meeting we proceeded homewards, taking meetings in the Jerseys as they fell in our way, at Elizabethtown, Wood bridge, and Stonybrook. I got home the 7th of the tenth month, and found my dear wife and family well, which was cause of mutual thankfulness; having performed nearly as much, in about three months, as was usually done in about four. It is very necessary to avoid both extremes in travelling on Truth's account, neither to be over hasty, nor too dilatory; yet I have always found great satisfac tion and peace in being as diligent and expeditious therein, as sits easy on the mind, and the constitution of body will bear; that all may have cause to be fully convinced we travel not for outward pleasure, but from a necessity laid upon us; which will certainly add considerable weight to our service, and greatly tend, in the eyes of mankind, to maintain the credit of that truly disinterested Gospel ministry, which the Lord has been pleased to raise up amongst us as a people.

From Newport we set our faces homeward, taking Westerly meeting in our way, and proceeded through the colony of Connecticut to Long Island; upon which we had meetings at Cowneck, Joseph Leatham's, Jericho, Westbury, Matinicock, and were at the Quarterly Meeting at Flushing. From thence we crossed the water to Westchester on the main; got thither some time before the hour appointed for the meeting, and staid a while at an inn in the town. The landlady coming into our room in a pleasant manner, said, "I suppose you are travelling Friends?" My answer was, "We are travellers and we are Friends; therefore we are travelling Friends;" "But I suppose," said she, "you are preachers;" and added, "I like your way very well, as you come up to the command of Christ, in travelling about as you do, more fully than our ministers but there is something lacking with you.' "What is that, said I?" "Why, said she, you should baptize as well as preach." I then asked her what we should baptize withal. She replied, "With water to be sure; for it is not in the power of man to baptize with any thing else." Upon which, I showed her from the holy Scriptures, that the primitive ministers of Christ were so gifted, Having staid at home some time, to make as to be able to baptize believers into the name necessary provision for an increasing family, or power, of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; I found a concern upon my mind to visit instancing, in particular, that passage of Peter at the house of Cornelius; "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost." It is evident from this account, that by the effectual preaching of Peter, the gentiles were baptized with the Holy Ghost; and as the dispensation of God to man is the same now as it was then, and he has graciously promised to be with his ministers always to the end of the world, and man, by nature in a fallen degenerate estate, is as much involved in sin and a stranger to God as he was then; no good reason can be given, why the same powerful efficacious means are not as necessary for his recovery, by a reconciliation with his Maker, as they were at that time. The woman was very attentive to what was said on the occasion,

Friends a second time on Long-Island and the main land in New-York government, and set out the 27th of the eighth month, 1743; being accompanied by my well esteemed friend, John Sykes. The first meeting we attended on the island, was a Yearly Meeting, which was held on a first-day at Matinicock. It was a large precious meeting; many not of our Society being there, and the Lord was pleased to open the doctrine of his kingdom largely, and his glorious Truth was over all; to whom alone be the praise for ever! Notice was given at this meeting, of our intending to be on the next first-day at Westbury, not far from this place; and that week we had meetings at Brook-haven, Islip, Bethpage, Rockaway, Henry Willis's, and so to the before-mentioned meeting on first-day. Friends came to it from divers parts of the island, and also many people of other societies, so that it was very large. Their expectation

to many.

was greatly after words, which the master of ond month, 1746, when I went in company our assemblies did not see meet to gratify; with our worthy friend before-mentioned to for we were almost wholly shut up as to min- the Yearly Meeting at Salem, in West-Jersey; istry; which I hope proved a profitable lesson and visited Cohansey, and Pilesgrove meetAfter this meeting we crossed the ings. In the third month of the same year, water, and had meetings at Westchester, Ma- I went to Chesterfield Quarterly-Meeting in maroneck, Longreach, and Ryewoods; we Jersey, and had meetings at Stony-Brook, then returned to the island, and had meetings Burlington, and Haddonfield. at Flushing, Oyster-bay, Cowneck, Flushing again, and Newtown. Having finished our service we travelled homewards, taking meetings as we passed along in East-Jersey, at Rahway, Plainfield, and Woodbridge, and in West-Jersey at Upper Springfield, and attended the Quarterly Meeting at Crosswicks; after which I returned home, and have to say with thankfulness, that in this little journey, the Lord was to me strength in weakness and riches in the time of poverty; and was pleased to conduct me safely to my dear wife and family in peace.

About the latter end of the year 1744, I found my mind drawn to visit Friends in the western part of our county; and had meetings at East and West Nottingham, DeerCreek, New-Garden, London-Grove, Hockesson, Kennet, and Concord. The Lord enabled me, both to do and suffer, in this little journey, as the same appeared to be my duty. At Hockesson I was quite shut up as to words, yet had peace, believing it was my business, as it hath been many times since, in order as I apprehend to lead others into silence by example; as being the most profitable state they or I can possibly arrive at in mutability, in order to attain a right understanding of our religious duties.

In the fifth month of the same year I visited the county of Bucks, and had meetings at Middletown, Bristol, the Falls, Wrightstown, Buckingham, and Plumstead; taking North-Wales meeting in my return home. The Lord was my sure helper and sufficiency in all these journeys, affording the comfortable enjoyment of sweet peace in my return; to whom the praise, if any service was done, I hope ever will be freely offered up; for he alone is worthy thereof for ever.

Soon after my return home, great and inexpressible afflictions were permitted to befall me and my afflicted family, most of whom were seized with the dysentery; of which distemper I buried a daughter between four and five years old, and was taken very ill myself of the same disorder. In this time, my dear wife was confined, and for a week or ten days after appeared hopeful to do well and recover; but being taken with the beforementioned disease, was in a short time removed by death, leaving me three small children, the youngest about two weeks and three days old. I found the Lord near to support my drooping spirit under this great affliction. I well remember, when my dear wife lay with symptoms of death upon her, having also sometimes, as I thought, intervals of being Soon after my return home, I went into better, my mind was in a painful suspense West-Jersey, to visit the following meetings between hope and fear. It seemed to me then as I found my mind drawn thereto, viz. impossible to give her up, and to be wholly Haddonfield, Chester, Evesham, Mount-Hol-separated from so valuable a companion; but ly, Ancocas, Old-Springfield, Trenton, and the Lord, who formerly rebuked the winds Burlington Quarterly Meeting, in which I had good satisfaction.

and allayed the raging of the sea, was pleased, as in an instant, to bring a holy calmness over I think it was about this time, I went in my mind, in which there was an entire resig company with my well-beloved friend Michael nation to his divine will; so that I could say, Lightfoot, to the Yearly Meetings at Cecil, with Job of old, "The Lord giveth, and the and Thirdhaven in Maryland, wherein we Lord taketh away, blessed be his name." I were greatly favoured. He returned home- did not, from that time, look upon her as any wards from Maryland, but I went to some more mine, but gave her up into his hands meetings in the lower counties of Kent and who had kindly bestowed her upon me. I New-Castle, had a meeting at Duck-Creek, write this by way of encouragement to others, and went to the Yearly Meeting at Little- that they may live in the fear of God, and Creek, which was a very precious season, give up in steady obedience to his requirings; Divine goodness greatly overshadowing the and then, I am well assured, they may lean same, to the tendering of many hearts. From upon him in all their afflictions, and will find thence I went to George's-Creek, and New-to their comfort, that those things which apCastle, and returned home. pear impossible with man, are possible with

I have no account by me, of any other God; who will make hard things easy and journey in the service of Truth, until the sec-bitter things sweet to his humble followers.

She departed this life the 22nd of the seventh now the weight of it much increased; the month, 1746; we having lived together nearly time also of entering thereupon, appeare nine years. pretty clear to me; having found it my in cumbent duty, not only to wait for a full co firmation of a right call to travel abroad in the work of the ministry, but also to know the acceptable time for engaging therein; al which will be fully discovered by those who, with a single eye to God's glory, desire above all things to be found faithful.

I have this short testimony to give concerning her; that she made it her early care to lead a sober and virtuous life; and a godly concern remained upon her mind, to keep a conscience void of offence, both towards God and man; being engaged, according to the ability received, for the promotion of the blessed Truth, and gladly entertained the Lord's faithful labourers; esteeming it a blessing to be favoured with their company. When I found a concern to travel abroad in the service of Truth, she freely gave me up thereto; having, with great satisfaction, to acknowledge the Lord's goodness, in favouring her with true peace and contentment in my absence; and also in a steady trust and dependence on his providence, for our support every way in a faithful discharge of duty.

In her last illness, she was favoured with great calmness and resignation to the Divine will, either to live or die; signifying, that she did not find any thing in the way; and that, if it pleased the Lord to remove her out of this world, she hoped it would be a glorious change, and that she should go to her innocent babes, who were gone before her; often confessing the Lord's goodness in giving her so much ease both of body and mind. She was very loving to those who visited her in her illness, and said, she had nothing but love and good-will to all. She took leave of our children in a very tender and affectionate manner, committing them to divine Providence, and expressing her belief that his watchful care would be over them when she was gone. The apprentice and servant boys were called at her request; she took them by the hand, and in a loving tender manner, gave them good advice; an heavenly sweetness accompanying her words, which much af fected those present. She discovered great nearness of affection to me, almost to the last, and departed this life in sweet peace, of which I was favoured, after her removal, with a certain evidence, to my unspeakable satisfaction; whereby I plainly saw my great loss was her everlasting gain, and was enabled to bow in humble acquiescence to the Divine will, who knows what is best, and orders all things in perfect wisdom.

Being apprehensive that I should be concerned to travel pretty much abroad in the service of Truth, for some years; I thought it my duty to go out of business, and as soon as I conveniently could, to place my children where they might be trained up in the way of Truth. This view had been gradually coming upon my mind for a considerable time; but

CHAPTER III.

His second visit to New-England-interview with collegians at New-Haven-religious com cern to visit the churches of Great Britainembarks for Europe-captured by a privateer and carried into Spain, and then to Franceis liberated-lands in England and proceeds to London.

THE first journey I entered upon, was a second visit to Friends in New-England. I set out the 23d of the third month, 1747, and was at two meetings in Burlington next day. From thence I went to a Quarterly Meeting at Chesterfield, and got to Flushing, on Long Island, the 27th. Next day I attended their week-day meeting. The Yearly Meeting for that province then came on, which held four days. It was large, and the Divine presence appeared therein to our mutual comfort and strength.

The 2nd of the fourth month, being four in number, we set out for Rhode Island: passing through the colony of Connecticut, we met with civil, courteous usage, as before, when I travelled through that country. I felt great love in my heart toward the people, in which I had a strong persuasion, if not some thing of a foresight, that Truth, in the Lord's time, will break forth and spread in that co lony. For though I believe superstition and bigotry are very predominant amongst them, yet they appeared to me in general, a cleaner people in their morals, than in many other places where I have travelled. At NewHaven in that colony, they have a college in order to train up their ministers, &c. I found an inclination to go amongst the collegians, who gathered about me, carrying themselves civilly and respectfully. I had much dis course and reasoning with them concerning our principles: they appearing desirous of information, I answered their questions in a concise manner; referring them to Robert Barclay's Apology, which I supposed they had in their library, for a further explanation thereof. I could not help remarking, with pleasure, the becoming order they observed in their questions and answers: one at once,