closely,

day, to be attended only by some friends to be named in their monthly meetings. Many present appeared to unite with the proposal. One said, he had often wondered that they, being our fellow-creatures, and capable of religious understanding, had been so exceedingly neglected: another expressed the like concern, and appeared zealous that, in future, it might be more easily considered. At length a minute was made; and the further consideration of it referred to their next monthly meeting. The friend who made this proposal hath negroes: he told me, that he was at New Garden, about two hundred and fifty miles from home, and came back alone; that in this solitary journey, this exercise, in regard to the education of their negroes, was from time to time renewed in his mind. A friend of some note in Virginia, who hath slaves, told me, that he being far from home on a lonesome journey, had many serious thoughts about them; and his mind was so impressed therewith, that he believed he saw a time coming, when Divine Providence would alter the circumstance of these people, respecting their condition as slaves.

From hence I went to a meeting at Newbegun Creek, and sat a considerable time in much weakness; then I felt truth open the way to speak a little in much plainness and simplicity, till, at length, through the increase of divine love amongst us, we had a seasoning opportunity. This was also the case at the head of Little River, where we had a crowded meeting on a first day. I went thence to the Old Neck; where I was led into a careful searching out of the secret workings of the mystery of iniquity, which, under a cover of religion, exalts itself against that pure spirit, which leads in the way of meekness and self-denial. Píneywoods was the last meeting I was at in Carolina; it was large; and my heart being deeply engaged, I was drawn forth into a fervent labour amongst them.

When I was at Newbegun Creek, a friend was there who laboured for his living, having no negroes, and who had been a minister many years. He came to me the next day; and as we rode together, he signified that he wanted to talk with me concerning a difficulty he had been under, which he related nearly as follows. That as monies had of late years been raised by a tax to carry on the wars, he had a scruple in his mind in regard to paying it; and chose rather to suffer distraint of his goods; but as he was the only person who refused it in those parts, and knew not that any one else was in the like circumstances, he signified that it had been a heavy trial to him; especially as some of his brethren had been uneasy with his conduct in that case. He added, that from a sympathy he felt with me yesterday in meeting, he found freedom thus to open the matter, in the way of querying concerning friends in our parts: I told him the state of friends amongst us, as well as I was able; and also that I had, for some time, been under the like scruple. I believed him to be one who was concerned to walk uprightly before the Lord; and esteemed it my duty to preserve this note concerning him, Samuel Newby.

From hence I went back into Virginia, and had a meeting near James Cowpland's; it was a time of inward suffering; but through the goodness of the Lord, I was made content; at another meeting, through the renewings of pure love, we had a very comfortable season.

Travelling up and down of late, I have had renewed evidences, that to be faithful to the Lord, and content with his will concerning me, is a most necessary and useful lesson for me to be learning; looking less at the effects of my labour, than at the pure motion and reality of the concern, as it arises from heavenly love. In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength; and as the mind, by humble resignation, is united

to Him, and we utter words from an inward knowledge that they arise from the heavenly spring, though our way may be difficult, and it may require close attention to keep in it; and though the manner in which we may be led, may tend to our own abasement; yet, if we continue in patience and meekness, heavenly peace will be the reward of our labours.

I attended Curles meeting; which, though small, was reviving to the honest hearted. Afterwards I went to Black Creek and Caroline meetings; from whence, accompanied by Wm. Standley before mentioned, I rode to Goose Creek, being much through the woods, and about one hundred miles. We lodged the first night at a public-house; the second in the woods; and the next day we reached a friend's house at Goose Creek. In the woods we were under some disadvantage, having no fire-works nor bells for our horses; but we stopped a little before night, and let them feed on the wild grass which was plentiful; in the mean time cutting with our knives a store against night. We then secured our horses, and gathering some bushes under an oak,we lay down; but the musquetoes being numerous and the ground damp, I slept but little. Thus lying in the wilderness, and looking at the stars, I was led to contemplate on the condition of our first parents, when they were sent forth from the garden; how the Almighty, though they had been disobedient, continued to be a father to them; and showed them what tended to their felicity as intelligent creatures, and was acceptable to Him. To provide things relative to our outward living, in the way of true wisdom, is good; and the gift of improving in things useful, is a good gift, and comes from the Father of lights. Many have had this gift; and from age to age, there have been improvements of this kind made in the world. But some not keeping to the pure gift, have, in the creaturely cunning and self-exaltation, sought out many inventions. As

the first motive to these inventions of men, as distinct from that uprightness in which man was created, was evil, so the effects have been and are evil. It is therefore as necessary for us at this day constantly to attend on the heavenly gift, to be qualified to use rightly the good things in this life amidst great improvements, as it was for our first parents, when they were without any improvements, without any friend or father but God only.

I was at a meeting at Goose Creek; and next at a monthly meeting at Fairfax; where, through the gracious dealing of the Almighty with us, his power prevailed over many hearts. From thence I went to Monoquacy and Pipe Creek, in Maryland; at both places I had cause humbly to adore. Him, who had supported me through many exercises, and by whose help I was enabled to reach the true witness in the hearts of others. There were some hopeful young people in those parts. I had meetings afterwards at John Everit's in Monalen, and at Huntingdon; and I was made humbly thankful to the Lord, who opened my heart amongst the people in these new settlements, so that it was a time of encouragement to the honest-minded.

At Monalen, a friend gave me some account of a religious society among the Dutch, called Mennonists; and amongst other things, related a passage in substance as follows:—One of the Mennonists having acquaintance with a man of another society at a considerable distance, and being with his waggon on business near the house of his said acquaintance, and night coming on, he had thoughts of putting up with him; but passing by his fields, and observing the distressed appearance of his slaves, he kindled a fire in the woods hard by, and lay there that night. His said acquaintance hearing where he lodged, and afterwards meeting the Mennonist, told him of it; adding, he should have been heartily welcome

at his house; and from their acquaintance in former time, wondered at his conduct in that case. The Mennonist replied, "ever since I lodged by thy field, I have wanted an opportunity to speak with thee. I had intended to come to thy house for entertainment; but seeing thy slaves at their work, and observing the manner of their dress, I had no liking to come to partake with thee." Hethen admonished him to use them with more humanity; and added, "as I lay by the fire that night, I thought that as I was a man of substance, thou wouldst have received me freely; but if I had been as poor as one of thy slaves, and had no power to help myself, I should have received from thy hand no kinder usage than they."

In this journey, I was out about two months, and travelled about eleven hundred and fifty miles. I returned home under a humbling sense of the gracious dealings of the Lord with me, in preserving me through many trials and afflictions.

CHAP. V.

1757-1758.

Considerations on the payment of a tax, laid for carrying on the war against the Indians.-Meetings of the committee of the ycarly meeting at Philadelphia.-Some notes on Thomas à Kempis and John Huss,―The present circumstances of friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey very different from those of our predecessors.-The draughting of the militia in New Jersey to serve in the army; with some observations on the state of the members of our society at that time.-Visit to friends in Pennsylvania, accompanied by Benjamin Jones.-Proceedings at the monthly, quarterly, and yearly meetings in Philadelphia, respecting those who keep slaves.

A few years past, money being made current in our province for carrying on wars, and to be called in again by taxes laid on the inhabitants, my mind was often affected with the