ings at Newtown, Acushnet, Cushnet, Long Plain, Rochester and Dartmouth. From thence we sailed for Nantucket, in company with Ann Gaunt and Mercy Redman, and several other Friends: the wind being slack, we only reached Tarpawling Cove the first day; where, going on shore, we found room in a public house, and beds for a few of us, the rest sleeping on the floor. We went on board again about break of day; and though the wind was small, we were favoured to come within about four miles of Nantucket; and about ten of us getting into our boat, we rowed to the harbour before dark; whereupon a large boat going off, brought in the rest of the passengers about midnight. The next day but one was their Yearly Meeting, which held four days; the last of which was the Monthly Meeting for business. We had a laborious time amongst them; our minds were closely exercised, and

ber, and the last mentioned country friend, also my companion and John Storer, with us; when, after a short time of retirement, I acquainted them with the steps I had taken in procuring that meeting, opened the concern I was under, and we proceeded to a free conference upon the subject. My exercise was heavy, and I was deeply bowed in spirit before the Lord, who was pleased to favour with the seasoning virtue of Truth, which wrought a tenderness amongst us; and the subject was mutually handled in a calm and peaceable spirit. At length feeling my mind released from the burthen which I had been under, I took my leave of them in a good degree of satisfaction; and by the tenderness they manifested in regard to the practice, and the concern several of them expressed in relation to the manner of disposing of their negroes after their decease, I believed that a good exercise was spreading amongst them; and I am hum-I believe it was a time of great searching of bly thankful to God, who supported my mind, and preserved me in a good degree of resignation through these trials.

Thou, who sometimes travels in the work of the ministry, and art made very welcome by thy friends, and seest many tokens of their satisfaction, in having thee for their guest; it is good for thee to dwell deep, that thou mayest feel and understand the spirits of people. If we believe Truth points towards a conference on some subjects, in a private way, it is needful for us to take heed that their kindness, their freedom and affability, do not hinder us from the Lord's work. I have seen, that in the midst of kindness and smooth conduct, to speak close and home to them who entertain us, on points that relate to their outward interest, is hard labour; and sometimes when I have felt Truth lead toward it, I have found myself disqualified by a superficial friendship. As the sense thereof hath abased me, and my cries have been to the Lord, I have been humbled and made content to appear weak, or as a fool for his sake; and thus a door hath opened to enter upon it. To attempt to do the Lord's work in our own way, and to speak of that which is the burthen of the word, in a way easy to the natural part, doth not reach the bottom of the disorder. To see the failings of our friends, and think hard of them, without opening that which we ought to open, and still carry a face of friendship, this tends to undermine the foundation of true unity.

heart: the longer I was on the island, the more I became sensible that there was a considerable number of valuable Friends there, though an evil spirit tending to strife, had been at work amongst them. I was cautious of making any visits, but as my mind was particularly drawn to them; and in that way we had some sittings in Friends' houses, where the heavenly wing was at times spread over us, to our mutual comfort.

My beloved companion had very acceptable service on this island.

When meeting was over, we all agreed to sail the next day, if the weather was suitable and we well; and being called up the latter part of the night, we went on board a vessel, being in all about fifty; but the wind changing, the seamen thought best to stay in the harbour till it altered; so we returned on shore. Feeling clear as to any further visits, I spent my time in our chamber chiefly alone; and after some hours, my heart being filled with the spirit of supplication, my prayers and tears were poured out before my heavenly Father, for his help and instruction in the manifold difficulties which attended me in life. While I was waiting upon the Lord, there came a messenger from the women Friends, who lodged at another house, desiring to confer with us about appointing a meeting, which to me appeared weighty, as we had been at so many before; but after a short conference, and advising with some elderly Friends, a meeting was appointed, in which the Friend The office of a minister of Christ is weighty; who first moved it, and who had been much and they who now go forth as watchmen, had shut up before, was largely opened in the love need to be steadily on their guard against the of the Gospel. The next morning about snares of prosperity and an outside friend-break of day, going again on board the vesship. sel, we reached Falmouth on the main before After the Yearly Meeting we were at meet-night; where our horses being brought, we

proceeded toward Sandwich Quarterly Meeting.

As I observed they had few or no slaves amongst them, I had to encourage them to be content without them; making mention of the numerous troubles and vexations, which frequently attend the minds of people, who depend on slaves to do their labour.

We attended the Quarterly Meeting at Sandwich, in company with Ann Gaunt and Mercy Redman, which was preceded by a Monthly Meeting, and in the whole held three days. We were, in various ways exercised amongst them in Gospel love, according to the several gifts bestowed on us; and were at times, overshadowed with the virtue of Truth, to the comfort of the sincere and the stirring up of the negligent. Here we parted with Ann and Mercy, and went to Rhode Island, taking one meeting in our way, which was a

Being two days in going to Nantucket, and having been there once before, I observed many shoals in their bay, which make sailing more dangerous, especially in stormy nights; also, that a great shoal, which encloses their harbour, prevents their going in with sloops, except when the tide is up. Waiting without this shoal for the rising of the tide, is sometimes hazardous in storms: waiting within, they sometimes miss a fair wind. I took notice that on this small island was a great number of inhabitants, and the soil not very fertile; the timber so gone, that for vessels, fences and firewood, they depend chiefly on the buying from the main; to answer the cost whereof, with most of their other expences, they depend principally upon the whale fish-satisfactory time; and reaching Newport the ery. I considered that as towns grew larger, evening before their Quarterly Meeting, we and lands near navigable waters were more attended it; and after that had a meeting with cleared, it would require more labour to get our young people, separated from those of timber and wood. I understood that the other societies. We went through much lawhales being much hunted, and sometimes bour in this town; and now in taking leave wounded and not killed, grew more shy and of it, though I felt close inward exercise to difficult to come at: I considered that the the last, I found peace; and was in some deformation of the earth, the seas, the islands, gree comforted in a belief, that a good numbays and rivers, the motion of the winds and ber remain in that place, who retain a sense great waters, which cause bars and shoals in of Truth; and that there are some young particular places, were all the works of Him people attentive to the voice of the heavenly who is perfect wisdom and goodness; and as Shepherd. The last meeting in which Friends people attend to his heavenly instruction, and from the several parts of the quarter came toput their trust in him, he provides for them in gether, was select; and through the renewed all parts, where he gives them a being. In manifestation of the Father's love, the hearts this visit to these people, I felt a strong desire of the sincere were united together. for their firm establishment on the sure foun- That poverty of spirit and inward weakdation; and besides what was said more pub-ness, with which I was much tried during the licly, I was concerned to speak with the wo- fore part of this journey, has of late appeared men Friends, in their Monthly Meeting of to me to be a dispensation of kindness. Apbusiness, many being present; and in the pointing meetings never appeared more weighty fresh spring of pure love, to open before to me. I was led into a deep search, whether them the advantage, both inward and outward, of attending singly to the pure guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therein to educate their children in true humility, and the disuse of all superfluities, reminding them of the difficulties their husbands and sons were frequently exposed to at sea; and that the more plain and simple their way of living was, the less need there would be of running great hazards to support them in it. I encouraged the young women in their neat decent way of attending themselves on the affairs of the house; showing, as the way opened, that where people were truly humble, used themselves to business, and were content with a plain way of life, it had ever been attended with more true peace and calmness of mind, than they have had who, aspiring to greatness and outward show, have grasped hard for an income to support themselves in it.

in all things my mind was resigned to the will of God; often querying with myself, what should be the cause of such inward poverty; and greatly desired that no secret reserve in my heart might hinder my access to the Divine fountain. In these humbling times I was made watchful, and excited to attend to the secret movings of the heavenly principle in my mind which prepared the way to some duties, that in more easy and prosperous times as to the outward, I believe I should have been in danger of omitting.

From Newport we went to Greenwich, Shanticut and Warwick; and were helped to labour amongst Friends in the love of our gracious Redeemer; and then, accompanied by our friend John Casey from Newport, we rode through Connecticut to Oblong, visited the meetings of Friends in those parts, and thence proceeded to the Quarterly Meeting at

Ryewoods; and through the gracious extendings of Divine help, had some seasoning opportunities in those places. We visited Friends at New York and Flushing; and thence to Rahway; and here our roads parting, I took leave of my beloved companion and true yoke-mate Samuel Eastburn; and reached home on the 10th day of the eighth month, 1760, where I found my family well and for the favours and protection of the Lord, both inward and outward, extended to me in this journey, my heart is humbled in grateful acknowledgements; and I find renewed desires to dwell and walk in resignedness before him.

CHAPTER VIII.

His visits to Pennsylvania, Shrewsbury and Squan-publishes the second part of his Considerations on keeping negroes-The grounds of his appearing in some respects singular in his dress-visits the families of Friends of Ancocas and Mount Holly meetings-visit to the Indians at Wehaloosing on the river Susquehanna.

HAVING felt my mind drawn toward a visit to a few meetings in Pennsylvania, I was very desirous to be rightly instructed as to the time of setting off. On the 10th day of the fifth month, 1761, being the first-day of the week, I went to Haddonfield meeting, concluding to seek for heavenly instruction, and to come home or go on, as I might then believe best for me; and there, through the springing up of pure love, I felt encouragement, and so crossed the river. In this visit I was at two Quarterly and three Monthly Meetings; and in the love of Truth, felt my way open to labour with some noted Friends who kept negroes; and as I was favoured to keep to the root, and endeavoured to discharge what I believed was required of me, I found inward peace therein from time to time; and thankfulness of heart to the Lord, who was graciously pleased to be a guide to me.

offered to get a number printed, to be paid for out of the Yearly Meeting stock, and to be given away; but I being most easy to publish them at my own expense, and offering my reasons they appeared satisfied.

This stock is the contribution of the members of our religious Society in general; amongst whom are some who keep negroes, and being inclined to continue them in slavery, are not likely to be satisfied with those books being spread amongst a people where many of the slaves are taught to read, and especially at their expense; and such receiving them as a gift, often conceal them. But as they who make a purchase, generally buy that which they have a mind for, I believed it best to sell them; expecting, by that means, they would more generally be read with attention. Advertisements being signed by order of the overseers of the press, directed to be read in Monthly Meetings of business within our own Yearly Meeting, informing where the books were, and that the price was no more than the cost of printing and binding them; many were taken off in our parts; some I sent to Virginia, some to New York, and some to Newport, to my ac quaintance there; and some I kept, expecting to give part of them away, where there appeared a prospect of service.

In my youth I was used to hard labour; and though I was middling healthy, yet my nature was not fitted to endure so much as many others. Being often weary, I was prepared to sympathize with those whose circumstances in life, as free men, required constant labour to answer the demands of their creditors; and with others under oppression. In the uneasiness of body, which I have many times felt by too much labour, not as a forced but a voluntary oppression, I have often been excited to think on the original cause of that oppression which is imposed on many in the world. During the latter part of the time wherein I laboured on our plantation, my heart through the fresh visitations of hea venly love, being often tender; and my leiIn the eighth month, 1761, having felt sure time frequently spent in reading the life drawings in my mind to visit Friends in and and doctrines of our blessed Redeemer, the about Shrewsbury, I went there, and was at account of the sufferings of martyrs, and the their Monthly Meeting, and the meeting on history of the first rise of our Society; a befirst-day; had a meeting at Squan, and an- lief was gradually settled in my mind, that if other at Squankum; and as way opened, had such who have great estates, generally lived conversation with some noted Friends con- in that humility and plainness which belongs cerning their slaves: and I returned home in to a Christian life, and laid much easier rents a thankful sense of the goodness of the Lord. and interests on their lands and monies, and From the care I had felt growing in me for thus led the way to a right use of things, so some years, I wrote Considerations on keep-great a number of people might be employed ing Negroes, part the second; which was in things useful, that labour both for men and printed during this year 1762. When the other creatures would need to be no more overseers of the press had done with it, they than an agreeable employ; and divers branches

Though I was thus settled in mind in relation to hurtful dyes, I felt easy to wear my garments heretofore made; and so continued about nine months. Then I thought of getting a hat the natural colour of the fur; but the apprehension of being looked upon as one As he is the perfection of power, of wisdom affecting singularity, felt uneasy to me. Here and of goodness, so I believe he hath provided I had occasion to consider, that things though that so much labour shall be necessary for small in themselves, being clearly enjoined men's support in this world, as would, being by Divine authority, became great things to rightly divided, be a suitable employment of us; and I trusted that the Lord would support their time; and that we cannot go into super-me in the trials that might attend singularity, fluities, or grasp after wealth in a way contrary to his wisdom, without having connexion with some degree of oppression, and with that spirit which leads to self-exaltation and strife, and which frequently brings calamities on

while that singularity was only for his sake. On this account I was under close exercise of mind in the time of our General Spring Meeting in 1762, greatly desiring to be rightly directed; and being deeply bowed in spirit be

fore the Lord, I was made willing to submit to what I apprehended was required of me; and when I returned home, got a hat of the natural colour of the fur.

love, to attend to that which would settle them on the sure foundation.

Having many years felt love in my heart toward the natives of this land, who dwell far In attending meetings this singularity was back in the wilderness, whose ancestors were a trial upon me, and more especially at this the owners and possessors of the land where time, white hats being used by some who were we dwell; and who for a very small considefond of following the changeable modes of ration, assigned their inheritance to us; and dress; and as some Friends who knew not being at Philadelphia in the eighth month, on what motives I wore it, carried shy of me, 1761, on a visit to some Friends who had I felt my way for a time shut up in the exer- slaves, I fell in company with some of those cise of the ministry. In this condition, my natives who lived on the east branch of the mind being turned toward my heavenly Fa- river Susquehanna, at an Indian town called ther, with fervent cries that I might be pre- Wehaloosing, two hundred miles from Philaserved to walk before him in the meekness of delphia. In conversation with them by an wisdom, my heart was often tender in meet-interpreter, as also by observations on their ings; and I felt inward consolation, which to countenances and conduct, I believed some of me was very precious under those difficulties. them were measurably acquainted with that I had several dyed garments fit for use, Divine power which subjects the rough and which I believed it best to wear till I had oc- froward will of the creature; and at times I casion for new ones. Some Friends were ap- felt inward drawings toward a visit to that prehensive that my wearing such a hat sa- place of which I told none except my dear voured of an affected singularity; and such wife, until it came to some ripeness. In the who spoke with me in a friendly way, I gene- winter of 1762, I laid it before Friends at our rally informed in a few words, that I believed Monthly and Quarterly, and afterwards at our my wearing it was not in my own will. I had General Spring Meeting; and having the unity at times been sensible that a superficial friend- of Friends, and being thoughtful about an Inship had been dangerous to me; and many dian pilot, there came a man and three woFriends being now uneasy with me, I had an men from a little beyond that town to Philainclination to acquaint some with the manner delphia on business. Being informed thereof of my being led into these things; yet upon by letter, I met them in town in the fifth a deeper thought I was for a time most easy month, 1763; and after some conversation, to omit it, believing the present dispensation finding they were sober people, with the conwas profitable; and trusting that if I kept my currence of Friends in that place, I agreed to place, the Lord in his own time would open | join them as companions in their return. On the hearts of Friends toward me: since which the 7th day of the sixth month following, we I have had cause to admire his goodness and appointed to meet at Samuel Foulk's, at Řichloving-kindness, in leading about and instruct-land, in Bucks county. As this visit felt ing, and opening and enlarging my heart in some of our meetings.

weighty, and was performed at a time when travelling appeared perilous, so the dispensations of Divine Providence in preparing my mind for it, have been memorable; and I believe it good for me to give some hints thereof.

quently turned to the Lord with inward breathings for his heavenly support, that I might not fail to follow him wheresoever he might lead me. Being at our Youths' meeting at Chesterfield, about a week before the time I expected to set off, I was there led to speak

In the eleventh month of the year 1762, feeling an engagement of mind to visit some families in Mansfield, I joined my beloved friend Benjamin Jones, and we spent a few After I had given up to go, the thoughts of days together in that service. In the second the journey were often attended with unusual month, 1763, I joined in company with Eliza-sadness; in which times my heart was frebeth Smith and Mary Noble, on a visit to the families of Friends at Ancocas; in both which visits, through the baptizing power of Truth, the sincere labourers were often comforted, and the hearts of Friends opened to receive us. In the fourth month following, I accompanied some Friends in a visit to the families on that prayer of our Redeemer to his Father; of Friends in Mount Holly; in which my mind "I pray not that thou shouldst take them out was often drawn into an inward awfulness, of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them wherein strong desires were raised for the from the evil." In attending to the pure everlasting welfare of my fellow-creatures; openings of Truth, I had to mention what he and through the kindness of our heavenly elsewhere said to his Father; "I know that Father, our hearts were at times enlarged, thou hearest me at all times:" so that as and Friends invited in the flowings of Divine some of his followers kept their places, and