CHAP. VII.

His vifit, in company with Samuel Eaftburn, to Long-Iland, Rhode Island, Bofton, &c. in New-England-Remarks on the flavetrade at Newport, and his exercife on that account; alfo on lotteries-Some obfervations on the island of Nantucket.

H

AVING, for fome time paft, felt a fympathy in my mind with friends Eastward, I opened my concern in our monthly meeting; and, obtaining a certificate, fet forward on the feventeenth day of the fourth month, in the year 1760, joining in company, by a previous agreement, with my be loved friend, Samuel Eaftburn. We had meetings at Woodbridge, Rahaway, and Plainfield; and were at their monthly-meeting of ministers and elders in Rahaway. We laboured under fome difcouragement; but, through the invifible power of truth, our vifit was made reviving to the lowly-minded, with whom I felt a near unity of spirit, being much reduced in my mind. We paffed on and visited chief of the meetings on Long-Ifland. It was my concern, from day to day, to say no more nor less than what the spirit of truth opened in me, being jealous over myself, left I fhould fpeak any thing to make my teftimony look agreeable

to that mind in people, which is not in pure obedience to the crofs of Chrift.

;

The spring of the miniftry was often low and, through the fubjecting power of truth, we were kept low with it; and from place to place, fuch, whofe hearts were truly concerned for the cause of Chrift, appeared to be comforted in our labours; and though it was in general a time of abafement of the creature, yet, through his goodness, who is a helper of the poor, we had fome truly edifying feafons both in meetings, and in families where we tarried; and fometimes found ftrength to labour earnestly with the unfaithful, efpecially with thofe, whose station in families, or in the fociety was fuch, that their example had a powerful tendency to open the way for others to go afide from the purity and foundness of the bleffed truth. At Jericho, on Long-Ifland, I wrote home as follows:

24th

24th of the 4th month, 1760.

Dearly beloved wife,

WR

E are favoured with health; have been at fundry meetings in EaftJerfey, and on this ifland my mind hath been much in an inward watchful frame fince I left thée, greatly defiring that our proceedings may be fingly in the will of our heavenly Father.

As the prefent appearance of things is not joyous, I have been much shut up from outward chearfulness, remembering that promife," Then fhalt thou delight thyself in "the Lord:"-As this, from day to day, has been revived in my memory, I have confidered that his internal prefence on our minds is a delight, of all others, the most pure; and that the honeft-hearted not only delight in this, but in the effect of it upon them. He regards the helpless and diftreffed, and reveals his love to his children under affliction; they delight in beholding his benevolence and feeling divine charity moving upon them of this I may fpeak a little; for though, fince I left you, I have often found an engaging love and affection toward thee and my daughter, and friends about home, that going out at this time, when fickness is fo great amongst you, is a trial upon me;

:

yet

yet I often remember there are many widows and fatherlefs, many who have poor tutors, many who have evil examples before them, and many whofe minds are in captivity, for whofe fake my heart is, at times, moved with compaffion, that I feel my mind refigned to leave you for a season, to exercise that gift which the Lord hath bestowed on me; which though fmall, compared with fome, yet in this I rejoice, that I feel love unfeigned toward my fellow-creatures. I recommend you to the Almighty, who, I trust, cares for you; and, under a fense of his heavenly love, remain

"Thy loving husband,

J. W."

We croffed from the caft end of LongIfland to New-London, about thirty miles, in a large open boat; while we were out, the wind rifing high, the waves feveral times beat over us, that to me it appeared dangerous; but my mind was, at that time, turned to him, who made and governs the deep, and my life was refigned to him: and, as he was mercifully pleased to preserve us, I had fresh occafion to confider every day as a day lent to me; and felt a renewed engagement to devote my time, and all I had, to him who gave them.

We had five meetings in Narraganfet; and went thence to Newport on Rhode-Ifland.

Our

Our gracious Father preferved us in an humble dependence on him through deep exercifes, that were mortifying to the creaturely will. In feveral families in the country, where we lodged, I felt an engagement on my mind to have a conference with them in private concerning their flaves; and, through divine aid, I was favoured to give up thereto though, in this concern, I appeared fingular from many, whofe fervice in travelling, I believe, is greater than mine; I do not think hard of them for omitting it; I do not repine at having fo unpleasant a task affigned me, but look with awfulness to him, who appoints to his fervants their respective employments, and is good to all who ferve him fincerely.

We got to Newport in the evening, and on the next day vifited two fick perfons, and had comfortable fittings with them; and in the afternoon attended the burial of a friend.

;

The next day we were at meetings at Newport, in the forenoon and afternoon where the fpring of the miniftry was opened, and ftrength given to declare the word of life to the people.

The next day we went on our journey; but the great number of flaves in these parts, and the continuance of that trade from thence to Guinea, made deep impreffion on me; and my cries were often put up to my heavenly Father in fecret, that he would enable me to discharge my duty faithfully, in fuch way as he might be pleased to point out to me.

We