got better. What poor creatures we are! and such accidents befal us, which no precautions can prevent. An alarming call! In the 5th month, at our monthly meeting, we had the company and religious labours of Deborah Stewart and her sister Hannah Clement; also of Peter Andrews. We had likewise a visit from Ann Mifflin and Rachel Rowland, on their return from Shrewsbury Quarter. Rebekah Wright also attended our meeting, and had excellent and acceptable service. Not long after, Sarah Cresson was at our meeting, and Roger Dicks appointed a meeting at Moorestown-both had excellent service. Thus we are mercifully cared for, but where are the fruits? The 18th of the 10th mo. 1804, having the unity of our monthly meeting with my prospect of a visit to Redstone, &c. -I parted with my dear wife and children in brokenness and tenderness of spirit, and went to Evesham meeting; after which brother William Rogers and I set out for the Redstone country. We travelled in a wagon to Philadelphia, and lodged at Joseph Scattergood's. In the evening, went in to his father's, next door, to see William Crotch, a ministering friend just arrived from England. When we parted, William said, "May the Lord be with you, and I believe he will be with you. If I had not felt it as I sat by thee, I should not have said it." The remembrance of this was a help afterwards to bear up my poor baptized mind. We pursued our journey, and on the next first-day, were at their meeting at York-town, twelve miles beyond Susquehanna. In the afternoon we were joined by a young man who undertook to drive our wagon and take care of our horses; and he proved very agreeable and helpful to us; which I looked upon as a favour. After passing over several steep and dangerous mountains, we reached Connels-town by the next first-day, and were at a little indulged meeting there. We lodged at Thomas Gibson's, an ancient friend, whose family are almost the only Friends in the town. The next day, we reached Jonas Cattel's, who received us with great kindness and hospitality; and I needed something to bear up my drooping mind. 30th. We rested, and visited a few families. Next day were at Redstone preparative meeting, and the day following at Providence. 2nd of 11th month, attended Redstone monthly meeting, which was open and satisfactory. We then prepared to set off over the Ohio river, about a hundred miles, but must travel on horseback, which was a close trial to me. But of late I have often had to think of Addison's words: "My life, if thou preserv'st my life, Thy sacrifice shall be, And death, if death should be my doom, Yet I found it a great thing to be thus resigned and given up, when it came to trials; remembering divers narrow escapes and marvellous deliverances. 4th. We were at Pike Run meeting, and dined with David Grave; then pursued our journey thro' heavy rain and high wind, which is awful and dangerous in these countries, there being much dead timber. In some places we travelled for ten miles or more, and had nothing but a path to go by;-once we got lost, and had to procure a guide; but at length got well to the settlement of Friends at Middleton and Salem in Ohio. Here we attended their preparative, select, and monthly meetings, to good satisfaction, there being a number of lively, zealous Friends among them. We also visited my brother Robert Hunt's family and divers others, in which service we were joined by Horton Howard, a sweetspirited minister of that country. On our return, we came by a place called Beaver, on the side of the Ohio river, a new settlement, and had a meeting appointed there-being the first held at that place; we also visited most of the families in the village to sweet satisfaction, and hope we left seals of the ownings of Truth. There being snow on the ground, our horses balled very much, and on the way my mare fell and hurt my knee, but I was mercifully preserved from much injury; and there was no way but up and venture again-indeed fear and timidity seemed to be removed more than before. On the 15th, we reached Westland week-day meeting, and got back to Jonas Cattel's. Visited several families, and were at Sandy hill and Redstone meetings, also had an appointed meeting at Center. 22d. Jonas Cattel and I set out for Sewickly, about twenty-five miles, and got to Finley McGrew's to lodge. Next day had a meeting there, I hope to profit; and the day following, we reached Westland monthly meeting, which held till sunset; and I felt weary. Lodged at Thomas Farquhar's, who is a grandson of that worthy minister, Ann Moore, and his wife a descendant of that eminent servant of the Lord, William Edmundson. Next day, being firstday, were at Westland meeting again, and it was a favoured season beyond what I had known before, I believe to general satisfaction. Returned again to Jonas Cattel's,-much favoured every way,-fine weather, and we were kindly entertained. We visited divers families, and were again at meetings at Redstone and Providence, to good satisfaction-had also many family sittings that were lively and edifying. We also attended the Quarterly meeting at Redstone, which was a favoured, solid season; after which I felt clear of Friends in these parts. On the 5th of 12th month, we reached Connelstown, and had a meeting there in the evening. Next day set out homewards, and met many distressed looking travellers moving to the new countries; few of whom know what they have to undergo. By diligence in travelling early and late, we at length reached home in safety and peace, on the 15th of the 12th month, and found all well. Having been mercifully preserved and favoured in this journey, it is cause of thankfulness and gratitude to the great Preserver of men. At our Yearly Meeting in 1805, harmony prevailed, and we were favoured in a distinguished manner with something very precious, gathering, strengthening and uniting. During this summer, we had religious visits from Esther Griffin and her sister, Hannah Field, from New York state; also of Sarah Tolbert and Rachel Price, Mary Swett and John Reeve; John Simpson, Hannah Yarnall and Mary Witchel. Their labours of love were acceptable and edifying. ness and mercy follow us! Surely good In the 2nd mo. 1806, Nathan A. Smith joined me appointing a number of meetings along Delaware shore, among people not of our society. In some places, it seemed hard getting along, but in others we were favoured, and felt the reward of peace for this little dedication. I was also engaged in visiting a number of sick and afflicted people, and attended divers funerals; in most of which opportunities, I had some religious service. I also attended our Quarterly meeting at Haddonfield, and went to attend the Yearly Meeting, but was so unwell that I returned home on third-day. After being at select meeting in town on seventh-day, I went with John Parrish to Merion on first-day, where I had some hard labour in stemming the tide of formality. 66 6th mo. 15th. In reading an old papist book, I found these expressions, worthy of preservation: "Is my life any thing but a pilgrimage on earth towards the new Jerusalem? to which, he that sits down, or turns out of the way, can never arrive." “O Lord, give me grace to order my life with reference to my eternal welfare; heartily intending and wisely designing all the operations of my body and soul for obtaining the reward of thy infinite bliss and eternal happiness: for what else is this world, but a school to breed up souls and fit them for the other? And how are they to be fitted, but by an earnest desire of enjoying God, their only end. 0 Lord, let me frequently and attentively consider, that whatsoever I gain, if I lose thee, all is lost; and whatsoever I lose, if I gain thee, all is gained." A great truth indeed, come from where it may! 27th of 7th mo. With the unity of our monthly meeting, I had a meeting at Carpenter's landing, at a new meeting house built by the inhabitants, and free for all societies. Had an open time; as also at another opportunity in the afternoon at Nathan Lippincott's; Joseph Matlack of Westfield accompanied me in this service. |