ed with them in near love and fellowship. Afterwards, we visited two other families, and went on to our friend Horton Howard's, whose wife lay ill with the consumption; but she appeared in a quiet frame of mind, and much in the innocency.

18th. We were at Clubfoot meeting, where nearly half the people who attended were blacks, and many could not get into the house, it was so full. They behaved soberly in the house, and the meeting ended well. We visited nearly all the families belonging to this meeting, and then had a satisfactory meeting with the members, parting with them in near fellowship. We again called to see Horton Howard's wife who appeared to be near her end. Thence we rode about thirty-eight miles to Lower Trent. My spirit was dipped into a state of poverty; but the Lord is the helper of all his humble children; he opens their way, and goes before them. May my dependence be on his Divine arm for aid. Blessed be his holy name. On the next day, we had a large meeting at that place, which was an humbling, tendering season, in which the hearts of some were contrited. At the close of the meeting, I laid before Friends a prospect I had of visiting families; which was united with, and that afternoon we began the visit. In the two following days we visited twelve families. Some of them lay remote. The visit was 10 our comfort and their satisfaction.

23d. I met with a trial in the death of one of my horses; having had two good horses to my simple carriage, because I found the travelling too heavy for one without oppressing him. Next day, we visited two families and went about twenty miles to Upper Trent; where we attended a large meeting.

I thought the life and power of religion were much wanting in these parts. In the afternoon we visited four families; and I had close labour among them.

This looks like a barren country outwardly; and whether the oppression of the black people has not in some measure brought on a blast, I leave to the consideration of those who deal unrighteously by them. I was afraid some of my friends were not clean-handed enough firmly to advocate the cause of these poor people. It is well to consider, where Friends have blacks in their houses, after they are set free, whether full justice is done them in regard to wages, clothing, &c.

27th. We rode about forty miles to Bear creek. I was much reduced in mind; but remembered that my heavenly Master had never left me in the most trying seasons. Next day we had a pretty large and favoured meeting there; so that my strength was in measure revived, and I was encouraged to endeavour to press foward. 29th. Attended their weekday meeting at Turner's Swamp; where we found. a few old Friends and not many others. Next day I tarried at Benjamin Arnold's; not having laid by for want of health, nor taken a day's rest since I left home, I felt thankful to the God and father of mercies for his favours thus continued.

On first-day, the 1st of the 1st month, 1797, I was at a very large and exercising meeting at Contentney. I had some close labour among them, and obtained but little relief; for I thought the state of the people in too general a way, resembled the barrenness of the country. It was a day of mourning and heaviness to me: yet I believed there were a few tender-spirited little ones, suffering with the seed in this place.

2d. I had a large meeting, wherein Divine favour was extended, and many hearts were tendered.Next day was cold and stormy, and the trees laden with ice in North Carolina. I have been made thankful to the Lord for his supporting arm, that aids me in my pilgrimage through difficulties. The day following I was at a preparative meeting at Great Contentney; where I thought things were in a low state, but I endeavoured to discharge my duty among them.

5th. At Neuse preparative meeting. If I had a true sense, there was danger of supposing things better than they were. Next day, intending to go towards Holly Spring, I waited the forenoon for company who had proposed going with me; but as none came, a stranger offered to conduct me to a friend's house on the road. After we set out, he proved to be a disagreeable person, and I doubted his honesty; and though I was a stranger, I thought I would get forward while I had day-light, without regard to this man as a guide. I did so, and reached my friend Joshua Hastings' before dark; which was comfortable to me.

This evening, I met with a woman that appeared like a Friend, having with her two little children, going out (with others) to settle in a new country about one hundred and fifty miles distant. They appeared to be poor, and the weather was cold, with snow. My heart was affected with sorrow at their situation, thus exposed to difficulties. I write this to warn those who can obtain food and raiment by their industry, in places where they are acquainted, not to venturo on unadvised removals to new countries, exposing weak and innocent persons to unlooked for sufferings. I have also observed other

instances of this kind, to my sorrow; and lately I saw a number of poor travellers on their way towards distant places; perhaps not better, and it may be worse, than those from whence they came.

I waited again for my company; but as they did not come, another man offered to be my guide, who was a stranger. But, when we had gone about three miles, he wanted to stop to warm himself, it being a cold, snowy day. Again, about the same distance, he inclined to stop, but I was unwilling to be detained; and being near a Baptist meeting house where the people were gathering for their worship, some of them desired me to stop and preach to them. But I did not incline to stop; so sat in my carriage, cold as it was, till my guide came out. I then perceived he was disordered with strong drink, and we did not proceed far, until I saw he was not able to pilot me. We then returned to the place we last left; when a friendly man told me if I would stay the meeting, he would go with me. So I concluded to tarry; and they gave me the preference of preaching to them if I chose. I told them I had nothing to say, and advised them to go on in their own way; which they did while I sat and warmed myself, with a composed mind. I thought these people used me better than I should have done them in a like condition. After their meeting, two of the men went with me to the place I inclined to go, and behaved respectfully.

8th. I was at Holly Spring meeting; cold and snowy weather; yet we had a favoured season, tho' but a small company. Next day I travelled about twenty-four miles to Tar river; it was uncommonly cold for North Carolina, and very icy; but I knew I did not leave my home to seek for outward pleasure.

The day following had a solid, comfortable meeting with the few of our profession, and others who are settled here. I found Friends had let their meeting drop; tho' there had once been a preparative meeting here. I had an opportunity with the members select, and closely advised them to keep up their meetings, with humble, attentive minds. I told them that to be deprived of such a liberty would be a loss to their children and others.

12th. Had a large meeting at Joseph Hall's. His house was large, but we had to hold the meeting out of doors, because it would not contain the people by far. It was an exercising season; the people's minds being outward, waiting to hear words. After meeting, I had conversation with some of them concerning the oppressed black people, who in some places appear to suffer much, with nakedness and want,hard labour, mean lodging, whipping and other oppressions. Their taskmasters generally have them in little houses round them, which are called quarters, while themselves are often faring sumptuously on the fruits of the poor slaves' labour. A sight and sense of such oppressions, at that time, seemed almost more than I could bear.

Next day, I was at a meeting of ministers and elders at the large house at Contentney; and the day following at their monthly meeting; in both which I had profitable labour, and I believe it tended to the promotion of the cause of Truth. Blessed be the great name of the Lord forever. 15th. Being firstday, I was at their meeting, which they said was the largest ever seen there. The people sat in a solid manner, tho' it was silent for nearly two hours. At length, perceiving a small opening, I stood up,