Garden week-day meeting; at the close of which, I requested parents and heads of families to stop; which they did; and we had a highly favoured season, that tended to promote a mutual love and nearness among us; in which we parted. Some not of our society signified their unity with my service, in writing; notwithstanding I had to point out the inconsistency of many things which prevail in the land. - 15th. I parted with my kind friends where I had lodged, Timothy Russel, his wife and little daughter, in much nearness. Several dear young women came to take leave of me; and as I have to live and travel in a way very different from my brethren whom I love, they brought with them such things to supply me with, as they thought I was free to make use of; having to travel nearly a hundred miles through a country where no Friends dwell. So I set out from New Garden, and in two days, reached a place called Banister, in Virginia, where, on first-day, I was at a large meeting. The people seemed to come from all quarters, perhaps some from curiosity, and the house did not appear to contain more than one third of those who assembled. It was a favoured season, and the solid deportment of the people induced me to believe it had a good effect on many minds. Let the praise be given to our holy Helper, for nothing belongs to man;-the best of us being but as the saw in the hand of him that shaketh it. A black man proposing my having a meeting with the black people; after weighing it, I was easy to have notice spread for one to be held that afternoon; which was accordingly, and a large number of blacks with some white people came together. It proved to be a favoured time to these poor creatures, and I could say I was thankful that my way opened to be among these people, both black and white. It At The following circumstance relating to Friends' meeting at Banister, I think worthy of notice. had been dropped for many years, and the house was much decayed: but a religious-minded young woman, named Elizabeth Hendrick, rather more than eighteen years of age, believing it her duty to go to the old meeting house and sit down by herself, went regularly on meeting days for that purpose; none knowing where she went for a time. length, she informed her sister and one of her friends, that she could not be easy any other way, tho' she sat there alone. When the matter came to be known, some people laughed, and others mocked, and even her parents thought it strange. But as she kept steady, and maintained her integrity, at length her sister and one more came and sat with her. From this small beginning, the numbers increased, till a respectable meeting was gathered, and is now held and kept up to good satisfaction. The said young woman appears to be a worthy member, and is now at a school kept in Friends' meeting house at Hill's Creek, which I visited to my comfort and satisfaction. 20th. We had a large and satisfactory meeting at Hill's Creek, and a smaller one next day, at Seneca. 22nd. At South River; to which many black people came; it was a favoured season; after which, some of the poor blacks came to take leave of me with tears trickling down their cheeks. After this, I was at Upper Grove meeting, to which also many black people came. 26th. Had a meeting about ten miles up the creek, at James Jackson's, in the mountains. He and his family profess with us; but the people of the neighbourhood appear to be very much of strangers to Friends and their principles. I had my certificate read among them to satisfaction; and was glad I went to see them. Some of them wished the Lord might bless my labours. Some considerations on the subject of raising such large quantities of tobacco, have been exercising to my mind. As tobacco will not make clothing, nor bread for their families, I suggested that it might be well for the planters to think of spending their time and labour to a better purpose, or towards raising what would feed and clothe their families; without encouraging the extensive trade in tobacco, and the importation of foreign goods, on which a duty is laid, and much of it applied to purposes inconsistent with our holy profession. I was concerned to treat on this subject at Goose Creek preparative meeting, and told Friends I thought raising tobacco and distilling spirituous liquors, with the free use of them, were much alike. I also advised them to be content with the products of our country, and to refrain, as much as may be, from the use of imported, foreign goods, and the encouragement of foreign trade. 30th. I was at Upper Goose Creek preparative meeting. The careful manner which Friends manifested in reading and answering the queries, afforded me satisfaction. Next day I attended a conference of the select members in the morning; and after it the monthly meeting of Goose Creek; where under a measure of Truth's authority, I had some close VOL. X.-15 labour, among both men and women Friends; but all ended well. 7th month 2d. General notice having been given, I was at Goose Creek meeting on first-day. It was said to be the largest gathering of people ever seen there; but it was my lot to sit in quiet silence among them, which some wondered at. Not feeling clear, I proposed another opportunity at four o'clock. This was also a large meeting, composed chiefly of those not of our society. It was a season highly favoured, with which a number expressed their satisfaction. Next day I went again to Hill's Creek, and visited Susanna Davis's school. She had nine scholars; and from the great improvement they were making, I was convinced of the advantage of small schools, well managed. I write this for the encouragement of parents and young Friends, male and female, who may incline to that occupation. I next attended the preparative meetings of Seneca and South river; and also a conference on the state of things among the select members; then the monthly meeting at South river. In these meetings I had some close labour, but through favour, had good satisfaction. 9th. Attended the first-day meeting there, and had a meeting with the black people in the afternoon, as also another with the slave-holders. They were all large, and it was a solemn day to many minds. Blessed and magnified be the holy name of the Lord, who from time to time is pleased to renew the bow in my hand, and to give victory in the Lamb's warfare. After this, I spent two days in visiting the black people, there being about twenty families in this place. I found great tenderness in some of them, though they seem to be in a neglected, degraded condition. Custom has a powerful influence. The black children were half naked and dirty, for want of proper care in their education; while the children of the white people were arrayed in gay and costly clothing. On this account I treated closely with some of my fellow-professors, who had blacks about them, and under their care. On the 12th, I had a meeting with the black people in the morning, at Lynchburg, a small town on James' river; and a large public meeting there at eleven o'clock. This was attended by many gay people who seemed to be of high life, but not much acquainted with our way of worship. It was a favoured season, and ended, I believe, with no dishonor to the cause of Truth. Next day, I was at the weekday meeting at South river, which I thought a solid time. I then visited a sick woman, the wife of one called an overseer, or slave-driver. Here I was afresh tried, on seeing a number of naked black children, boys and girls, come out of their mean houses, some of them nearly half grown. The same day, as I rode on the way, my heart was affected on observing the appearance and usage of the poor slaves, by hard-hearted slave-holders. 15th. I attended the select Quarterly meeting at South river, and laboured among my friends for the advancement of the cause of Truth; next day, was at their first-day meeting, said to be the largest ever seen there: it was composed of black and white people; many of the latter appeared to be persons in high life. But it was a season highly favoured. Truth was in dominion over all; and many hearts were tendered. Blessed be the name of Israel's God who never fails |