renew their strength: and also, that a dispensation, like famine, may at times be of service to others. The business of the Yearly Meeting began on the 21st, and continued by adjournments for three days. It was thought to be a favoured season, and the business was transacted in much love and harmony.

26th. I had a solid and favoured meeting at Curles; after which, many, both black and white people, in a tender frame of mind, came to take leave of me. A woman, not in membership with Friends, being desirous of a further opportunity of my company, came to dine with us. She was gay in her dress, suited as she supposed to the fashions of the times. I thought there was something given me to impart to her, touching her appearance; which she seemed to cast off with a light air, offering to give the bobs in her ears to another woman who was sitting by. I told her if she gave them, she must also give her gown and cap, for they were much of a piece. This she also put by in a pleasant way, allowing they ought to go together. We were now called to dinner; and as I left the table before others, I returned to the room, and sat down alone, but felt as though I had not finished all that my Master required of me towards this poor, though beautiful woman (for she seemed to have valued herself too much on account of her beauty, to her own disadvantage.) I therefore requested a further opportunity with her. She came in and sat down by me: and after a solid pause, I told her that as we had had some conversation touching on outward things, it remained with me to mention to her some thoughts respecting a

suitable preparation for a time that might be nigh at hand, when the messenger of death would be sent; and proposed to her to think how it would be with her, and whether she was likely to be ready. She then confessed, she thought she was not. I told her I thought so too; and that if she should be called away, unprepared, what must be the state of her poor soul! She still strove to turn off these hints with a kind of pleasantness; but as I thought the Lord had good in store for her, and fearing that she was in danger of putting it off till it might be too late, I thought I was commissioned to point out that danger to her in a clear and striking manner. This had a reaching effect; and though she had endeavoured to show a cheerful countenance and was loth to submit, yet she could now no longer refrain, but broke forth in tears of lamentation; and, in a very affecting manner, opened her condition, as she said she never had done to any one before. She said that altho' she had endeavoured to conceal it from every mortal, yet she had passed a life of bitterness, and but seldom had any comfort; having to endure many trials, unknown to any one. She had been the mother of six children, two of whom died in their infancy, and she hoped they were in heaven, but on account of the other four, and the good of her own soul, was all that she wished to live longer for. I desired her not to delay, nor put by things that were serious till it was too late.

This opportunity proved to be a heart-tendering season to all present. Next day, after a meeting at Richmond, this woman came to me, and, in an uncommonly tender manner, took leave of me, saying,

she was thankful that I had so far interested myself in the welfare of her soul. I told her I believed the Lord had good things in store for her if she was faithful.

ness.

Taking meetings at Caroline and Alexandria, I reached East Nottingham on the 3d of 6th month, under an humbling sense of Divine mercy and goodAfter which I was at a number of meetings in Lancaster and Chester counties; some of them large and highly favoured seasons, but others laborious, in which I had very close work; as also much private labour in families, some of which was to the comfort of myself and of the visited.

After having about twenty meetings in these parts, I came to Frankford, where I was under exercise on account of the people's being so much engaged in the traffic of this world. I am apprehensive that too many of the elderly rank among the people are too much attached to earth and earthly things, while the young are delighting in airy pastimes. However it may be, that poor land and hard work in procuring outward necessaries, may be best for the people called Quakers, yet I think so it is, that leanness and spiritual poverty are often found among Friends who live on a rich soil, and in outward prosperity, where the temptation may be greater to lay up treasures here on earth. In divers places where I have travelled, I have observed the people build large barns, but have small meeting houses, and little meetings, and too many are slack in attending them, though the lands are thickly settled with many good farmers who have fine things about them.

6th month 22d. I was at a small meeting at Germantown. When people are too much taken up

with caring for the things of this life, they seem to have little time to provide for the next. If honest labourers in the cause of Truth often have hard work, let them remember that the reward is good and that it is enough: therefore let no man's heart fail him, but let us labour faithfully, and leave the effect to the great Author of all good, who is able to prosper his own cause, when and where he pleaseth. Next day I had a small meeting at Providence, but it was favoured with the ownings of the Father's love, to the refreshing of my weary soul.

24th. Being first-day, I was at Plymouth meeting, which was very large and a favoured season.— Here I thought the young people seemed to be the most lively in spirit, which was comfortable; tho' riches I believe have been hurtful to some of them. Next day I attended Abington monthly meeting, where at first it seemed as though Friends were likely to do business pretty well; but some long speeches and flowery expressions tended to flatten the life. I have met with Friends in some places, who seem to value themselves on their eloquence. In the right management of discipline, the fewer the words, so that our ideas and sentiments be clearly conveyed to the meeting, the better is business conducted. — The 26th, I was at Gwynedd monthly meeting, where I had some close labour, and one Friend could hardly bear the remarks that appeared to touch his case. But others approved of my exercise and freedom among them, and wished I might not be discouraged. I also attended Horsham monthly meeting next day, which ended well, being a favoured sea

son.

Then had a meeting at Byberry, where my

gracious Master gave me ability to labour fervently in his cause.

29th. Had a large meeting at Bristol, in Bucks county, in which there was openness, and a liberty earnestly to plead the cause of Truth.

This seemed to close my visit, and crossing the Delaware river, I went to my son-in-law, Abraham Warrington's, where I met my dear wife to my great comfort; being humbled in thankfulness to my heavenly Father who has indeed, in a manner very marvellous to me, opened my way from time to time, provided for my necessities, and granted his life-giving presence to sustain me under trials and difficulties of various kinds. He has also encouraged, strengthened, and qualified me to accomplish the work and service which his wisdom allotted to me, a poor creature, so that I have now visited Friends in all the meetings I have heard of on the continent of North America, except four small ones, in some remote places.

In some highly favoured parts of the country, where the good things of this life abound in plenty, nor hath the dew of heaven been withheld from the inhabitants, I think the love of the world, and the cares and concerns of it, have mournfully choked the good seed, and the Lord Almighty, the bountiful dispenser of every good gift, is too much forgotten, or dishonoured; so that there is a dull prospect among Friends, of a growth in the Truth. Many of the elder rank appear to be too eagerly grasping after earthly treasure, which occasions hard work to the honest-hearted and faithful labourers in the Lord's cause. But in divers places, I have thought that some of the young people are the best of the