as 1 found them, so I left them; and next day was again at Petersburg, having a large and solid meeting in the court house. Though none of our society live in this town, yet I was thankful that I was there, under a belief that the opportunity tended to the honour of the good cause.

18th. The monthly meeting at White Oak Swamp having been adjourned on my account, I attended it; when the queries and answers were read: I was also at a conferènce of the ministers and elders. There appeared too much form, and too little of the substance of religion among them. Next day I had a meeting at Black Creek, which ended well. I have many satisfactory opportunities in families as I pass along; there being a few hopeful youth among Friends.

20th. Being first-day, I had a meeting in Richmond, held in the morning in a small house that Friends had prepared. It was a solid, favoured time. In the afternoon, had another in a large room in the state house, to which I believe the greater part of the inhabitants came; and many I thought, were measurably tender. Next day, I had a third meeting in Richmond, not so large, but many attended, and it ended well.

But

I have many baptizing seasons as I pass along from place to place, by reason of the abounding of sin and hardness of heart among the people. I have a hope that some of my close labours to promote the cause of Truth, in these parts, will be as bread cast on the waters,-found after many days; and to some, perhaps, it may be as a nail in a sure place.

23d. I was at the preparative meeting at Genito;

and next day at that of Cedar Creek, where I had close labour, under an apprehension that many wrong things have got in among Friends, and too few to gainsay them by life and practice. I also visited their school at Cedar Creek, in company with a committee appointed by the monthly meeting to extend care respecting the scholars' improvement in learning. On beholding the state of things here among Friends, I had some serious considerations on the subject of an education, suitable for the children of Friends. I believe it to be the duty of parents and guardians, according to our profession and discipline, to guard the young people and children against the corruptions that are frequently imbibed at schools that are not suitably regulated, or that are kept by tutors unacquainted with the discipline of the cross of Christ.

I

On viewing the books in use among the children of this school, hearing some of them read, and observing their lessons, with what they were taught, and also on conversing with the teacher,-my mind was brought under close exercise and concern. feel a freedom to make this general remark, that I believe such books are not fit to be used in the instruction of Friends' children in their tender years, nor even to be commonly read by Friends,-which contain instructions or directions how to carry on arguments like lawyers, priests, or legislators; nor such as relate to the exploits of warriors; with many other pernicious things that are published in print. I think, above all other matters, our children should be instructed early that it is their duty daily to live in the fear of the Lord, and to press after purity of life and manners; and that they should be guarded

against the corruptions that are brought on by connexion with the spirit of the world. Yet I think it very right to have them properly instructed in true spelling, reading and writing the English language; so that, if otherwise qualified through the operation of Truth on their minds, they may be fitted for clerks, and other services among their fellow-members, when necessary: also, that they be taught the knowledge of figures in arithmetic, so as to enable them to keep, and cast up accounts.

Thus much in a general way, may be enough of school-learning for our children, according to my view of things; and especially to accustom them early to a steady course of industry,―teaching them to wait on themselves, and to depend on their own care and labour to supply their necessities: also, for the sons of Friends, when grown up towards the state of young men, to learn husbandry, or some of the useful trades, and common handicraft employments;-without leading them on in the expectation of inheriting large estates, or indulgence in high, luxurious living,-extensive trading at foreign places, or markets, or living at the expense of the toil and sweat of the poor of the land, or other degraded and oppressed fellow-creatures.

It is indeed hurtful to the welfare of our precious youth, that wrong impressions and desires be allowed to take early place in their tender minds, or that they be suffered to grow up in habits of idleness and vain amusements,-or, in the expectation of an easy, idle way of living, without labour or industry. Such is my sense and judgment; and I feel most easy to leave the substance of my views in writing, in order that my testimony to the necessity of an early, re

ligious care to prevent hurtful impressions on the minds of dear little children, or those advancing to riper age,—may be seen and read when I am dead and gone. How important is it, that our offspring be wisely instructed and brought forward, so to walk in the way of holiness that their latter end may be peace with the Lord!

After attending a select meeting, and the monthly meeting at Cedar Creek, in which I had close labour, I was at their first-day meeting, where the largest concourse of people came together that were ever seen at the place before. It seemed like a kind of fair, where they had strong drink and watermelons for sale, (which is said to be common at this season of the year.) Here, great rudeness and unbecoming behaviour appeared,-to a degree that I thought I had never before observed at any place of public worship; and yet there were a few who seemed to behave solidly. I told the people it was by no means becoming the occasion we met upon to show such rude and light behaviour; and that I was desirous to have another meeting in the afternoon, hoping for better conduct among them. also told them I was afraid the sin which was committed out of doors was more than all the good done by coming together. What I thus said in the hearing of the people, appeared to have a good effect, for, in the afternoon, we had a solid, and in a good degree, satisfactory meeting.

I

28th. I had a solid opportunity with ministers and elders, in which I had much close labour for promoting the cause of Truth among Friends in this part of Virginia. I thought the love of the world, and liberty in wrong things, were rather prevailing,

even among those of the foremost rank. This I had, in an honest and plain way, to lay before them, and to invite them to consider what would be the consequence if such as these should give way: for preaching one thing, and practising in a different way, would be hurting the cause, and rendering such as the salt which had lost its savour, henceforth good for nothing.

9th month 1st. After a meeting at Caroline, I had a solid and satisfactory one at Stafford; and went on to the upper part of Virginia, where I had a good meeting at Southland. The day following was at Culpepper, where I had another favoured meeting; in which I told the people that perhaps they had tried all things, except that of being right good, and I would have them come and try that; which, no doubt, would bring comfort to their souls. A person who was there, afterward expressing his satisfaction, said it was the plainest doctrine he ever heard preached. He wished me well, saying, it was the main thing to be right good, and not by halves; for he believed that would not do.

My mind has been seriously affected on considering the widely scattered situation of Friends, with this belief that they are too much so for the honour of Truth, and the good of their children. For, if Friends had been contented with less of the riches and honours of this world, seeking truly the honour of God, and the good of their own souls,-less land would have sufficed; and we might have lived more like one family.

I am often seriously affected with the oppressions and wrongs done to the poor Indians and negroes; many of whom have been destroyed. If the blood VOL. X.-16