CHAPTER IV.

His visit to Great Britain, Ireland and Holland, from the year 1750 to 1754, with observations on the state of our religious Society in the course of his travels.

was therefore censured by some as singular and narrow.

At length I felt great enlargement of heart towards other societies, though my mouth was shut towards our own, and for a time, it seemed as if I must go and have meetings among those who did not profess with us. One day, as I was walking towards Ratcliff fields for the On the 4th day of the fourth month, 1750, air, the draught of affection flowed so strong being the second of the week, we left Phila- towards some in high stations in government, delphia, accompanied by several of our rela- that I concluded, I must declare the way of tions and friends to Chester, and went on life and salvation through Christ Jesus our board the ship Carolina, Stephen Mesnard, Lord among them, feeling a greater openness commander, bound for London, where my toward them than to Friends; but making a brother, William Brown, and myself, took stand, I secretly cried, ah Lord! what then leave of them. We went out to sea in the will become of the family whom thou drewest afternoon of the 6th of the same month, and me hither to visit. After a little while, that had a good passage, in which I was not sea- charge came into my mind very fresh, "Go sick, though my brother was most of the time. not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any We landed at Dover on the 6th of the fifth city of the Samaritans enter ye not; but go month, being just five weeks from the time I rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," left my own house, and we had to rejoice with which brought great sweetness, and an inhumble thankfulness, that during the passage, creasing heart-yearning for and love to the we were careful to keep our meetings in the household, and made me acknowledge, good great cabin twice a week, in which we felt art thou oh! Lord God, for thy mercies endure the presence of our great Lord and Master, forever and ever. I remembered that Nehemiah and therein were comforted. On the day we quietly viewed the state of Jerusalem by night; landed we had a meeting at Dover to good and I saw that if I had any service to do in satisfaction, then took passage in a stage London, the time for it was not yet come. I coach to Canterbury the same evening, rested also remembered what came into my mind at there on seventh-day, and on first-day sat the second meeting I was in after my landing, with Friends in their morning and afternoon in which I had but a few sentences to speak, meetings to some satisfaction; though I had and the motion of life ceased, and I sat down, little to say to them, I thought there was a as I have always found it safe to do, and felt tender people in that city, and William Brown inward poverty and weakness, yet a quiet and had an open time. Next morning taking our attentive mind. My brother, William Brown, passage in a stage coach, we reached Lon- had good service and an open time among the don the same evening, and continued in and people, at which I admired, and said in my about the city until the 21st of the sixth heart, he is fit to be sent abroad; but alas! I month, in which time I wrote letters to my am one of the meanest servants that was ever wife and particular friends in Pennsylvania, sent over the sea to preach the gospel; when and was several times at each of the meetings this gentle caution came before me, "Mind in the city. I sat mostly silent, under a great thy own business, and be faithful in thy gift, exercise of mind, from a sense of a too for-thou hast a great journey before thee and thy ward ministry, which rather disturbed the store is small; live therefore frugally and spend solemn quiet thereof than ministered instruction to the humble waiting children, of which number I thought there were many in that city; though it seemed delightful to those who loved to hear words eloquently delivered, and to have the itching ear pleased, yet in heart were libertines, and in practice, disorderly walkers. I sometimes thought, that my silent sitting was so ordered for an example to others for a more steady waiting in their own gifts, to know life to arise into dominion in meetings. My exercise increased so, that my sleep seemed to depart from me, and I remained as one sealed up as to ministry, nor had I freedom to go from house to house to dine, or to make many acquaintance, and I

carefully, and covet not another's, and thou shalt not want what is convenient for thyself, and something to spare to the needy." I desired with an humble heart, to be preserved in patience and meekness, becoming a disciple of my great Lord and Master, and therein to wait for renewed instruction and ability to labour without repining in mine own gift, however small.

In a few days I felt some openness towards the west of England, and informed my brother, William Brown, thereof, who, after a little pause, told me that his way opened eastward. On consideration of the matter, we concluded it was best for each of us to mind the pointings of truth, though in some cross to our own

wills; for this prospect seemed to part us; and if we should endeavour to go together for a time, and then part, some might judge there was a dislike, or want of unity between us, and on communing with some of our friends, they were of the same mind; so in much love and affection we took leave of each other.

Understanding there was a yearly meeting to be held in Somersetshire for several of the western counties, and having drawings to attend it, I left London on the 21st of the sixth month, in company with my friend John Hunt, at whose house I lodged, and John Pemberton, who came over sea with us on account of his health, and had a meeting that day at Staines, which was pretty good and open, next at Basingstoke, and so on to Salisbury and Shaftsbury. The last two were dull meetings, which is often the case where Friends are not careful to live near to truth. We reached Ivelchester, the place where the yearly meeting began, on seventh-day in the evening, the 25th of the month; on first-day we had two meetings in the town-hall, and many people being there, meetings were held at the market cross in the street, at the same time. I sat silent that day; on the next there was a meeting of ministers and elders in the morning, in which I had some remarks to make respecting ministry; there were also two public meetings, one of which was dull, the other more open, and on third-day two meetings rather better, when the yearly meeting ended. Some meetings being laid out for me, John Hunt returned to London, but John Pemberton concluded to go with me a few days, and his company was kindly accepted of by me, he being a sober, well inclined young man.

In

want of weighty solid Friends in this place, which is much frequented on account of the waters. From thence we went to Bradford and Pickwick meetings; but not being clear at the first, I returned, and had an evening meeting there, to which many came, and it ended to satisfaction. Having a desire to see Friends by themselves, and something on my mind in a close manner to the Society; when I stood up and began to speak, the house was soon almost filled by others, who would wait without, setting some one to watch when there was any thing spoken. Upon their coming in, the subject in my view closed, and an opening in a doctrinal way presented, and my mind turned to it, and I believe it was to the satisfaction of some seeking people present. After I sat down, finding no ease respecting my concern towards Friends, I informed the people that the public service of that meeting was now over, but I had a desire that the members of the meeting would stay a little while; on which a Friend went to the door, and when the others had gone out, shut it, and the Friends mostly kept their seats. a little time, the state of the meeting came freshly before me again, and I had an opportunity to clear myself in a very plain manner, showing that the greatest enemies to the truth were the professors of it, who did not observe the instructions of the grace of God in their own hearts. For although the doctrine thereof when declared by qualified instruments, was clear and powerfully convincing, having the love and sweetening evidence of truth with it, reaching the witness in their hearts; yet when the eyes of such were turned to behold the steps and conduct of the libertine professors We went to Ilminster, in which the good among us, they were stumbled by their exampresence was witnessed much to my comfort, ple, and such were an offence to the little ones, for I saw that the Lord was near, and helped and their portion is hinted at by our Lord, me in my gift by opening the state of the when he says, "But whoso shall offend one meeting; blessed be his name for ever. I also of these little ones who believe in me, it were had an evening meeting at Chard, and next better for him that a millstone were hanged day at Yeovil, which was large and open for about his neck, and that he were drowned in doctrine; then at Sherborne, on the edge of the depth of the sea." From thence we went Dorsetshire; from thence we went to visit the to Westbury and Lavington meetings, and to wife and children of Jonah Thompson, at the quarterly meeting for Wiltshire, held at Compton, he being in Pennsylvania on a re- Devizes, which began on the first-day of the ligious visit; I had good satisfaction in the week, by two meetings for public worship, family, and tarried there a day. Then went and one in the evening for ministers and elto the meetings at Long Sutton, Puddimore, ders, and next day for worship and business. Grinton, Glastonbury, Shipton-mallet, and I could see no time or room to clear myself Frome, in which I had mostly close and to advantage for want of more stillness; the plain service; yet not without a degree of service of meetings may be hurt for want of the sweetness and power of truth, in a sense silence, and the minds of people become too whereof I was often made humbly thankful unsettled to understand and hear to profit; in to the Lord. Proceeding to Bath, was at the a sense whereof, I left this place with a heavy forenoon and afternoon meetings there, and heart, and went to Chippenham, Corsham, had an evening meeting at Caleb Tyley's, Charlcot and Melksham meetings. Besides which were owned by truth; but there is a these I had three evening meetings, one at

ebb in that city. When the children of the Lord know him, their Redeemer, to live in them by his heavenly power, they also live thereby, and feelingly know his truth and precious testimony, and by this knowledge are influenced with a holy, humble zeal, in love and meekness to work in his vineyard,

Pickwick, in a school house belonging to Thomas Bennet, with his scholars and others; one at John Fry's, of Sutton Benjar, and the other at Samuel Rutty's; some of which were good meetings. Leaving Wiltshire, we passed through Bradford and Bath, and came to Bristol on the 22nd of the month, where I tarried until first-day, the 7th of the eighth month, the church, to the honour of God and the ediconstantly attending their meetings as they fication and restoration one of another. came in course, and visiting several families Leaving Exeter, we went to Topsham and as truth opened my way. My spirit was had a dark dull meeting, and at a Friend's bowed very low in this city, under a sense of house, one who, as I understood, could not a declension and falling away from truth, into spare time to attend the meeting, asked me if pride, high mindedness, and the spirit of the I was ever in New-England, and whether I world, and a conformity to the vain customs could inform him what sort of a country it and fashions thereof, of which I frequently was, adding, I have heard people say that the made mention amongst them. I was at their corn, that is wheat, will not ripen there, but two weeks' meeting for business, and the quar- is smitten with a rotting mildew, which blasts terly meeting for inspecting the affairs of truth, the wheat in the ear. I suddenly felt that I and laboured much to encourage them to hold had need of being careful in answering, but weekly meetings for ministers and elders, in knew not why. I answered with caution, that order to inquire how meetings for worship I had seen wheat in that country which looked were attended by public Friends, and whether to be well grown, but in the ear where grain their ministry was acceptable, and the lives should be, there was little else but a black and conversations of ministers and elders cor- smut in form of a grain. I have heard, said respondent with their doctrine and profession, he, that it would bear full, good wheat formwhich care they had dropped for sometime. Ierly, and what can now be the cause why it was at sixteen meetings in this city, and one is blasted, didst thou ever hear? I related to at Frenchay, and visited Anthony Purver's him a passage I had heard, viz: Two persons boarding school at that place, and being easy had a curiosity to see the old prison, from to leave Bristol for the present, we went to whence those Friends who were hanged at Chewmagna, in Somersetshire, and had a re- Boston for their religious testimony and prinligious opportunity in John Hipsley's family, ciples, were led to execution, and an inhabitand the next day a meeting at Portishead, an ant of the town going with them, brought evening meeting at James Players', then to them to the prison. One of the men said to Claverham, Sidcot and Mark, some of which their guide, is this the old jail where the were good meetings. A few elderly Friends Friends lay who were hanged? An old wohere live near truth, and there was a visita- man who sat knitting at the door, though not tion to the youth, several of whom appeared spoken to, answered, yes it is, and we feeltender and growing in religion; though many ingly know it, for a curse has been on the professors are seeking after the gain, love and land ever since, so that it will not bear wheat friendship of the world, not enough consider- without a blasting, and we are beholden to ing that godliness with contentment, is the other colonies for bread. He replied with an best gain. Our next meeting was at Bridge- air of jesting, I have heard so, but I believe water, then at Taunton, and we were com- nothing of it. I told him we might observe, forted together with Friends in their morning that the Almighty sometimes manifested his and afternoon meetings; in the divine presence displeasure on a people or nation, by famine, there is life, and the living are made able to the sword, or pestilence, for their transgrespraise the Lord, who is worthy. From thence sions, if we had a belief in the Sacred Writpassing to Minehead, Milverton, Wellington, ings of the Old Testament. He said it could Spiceland, Columpton, having a meeting at not be, that the Almighty who is love in pereach place, we came to Exeter, in Devonshire, fection, and in himself infinitely happy for and attended three meetings there on first-day, ever, should delight in severity, and take venin each of which I had something to offer; but geance on man the workmanship of his hand; was much depressed under an apprehension some who are narrow in their way of thinkof the prevalence of a deistical spirit over ing might believe such things, but for his some, which, with the indifference of others part, he had ideas more noble of the Deity, about religion, and a light forward zeal in than to believe such notions. I perceived he some others, without the deep, inward, bap- was a Deist, and did not regard the Scriptizing knowledge of truth, occasioned the pure tures, and that it would be vain to say much and ever blessed power thereof to be at a low to him; having often thought it was very

difficult to say any thing to reach those low freethinkers, who exercise themselves in the wisdom which is from beneath, and dwell safely in their own imaginations and conceits, whose communication is often infectious to others, and to be perceived in the meetings and neighbourhoods where they reside.

From thence we went to Caln, in Wiltshire, and were at their meeting on first-day the 16th of the tenth month, where we met our friend and countryman, Daniel Stanton, from Phila

water, and I hope some of those opportunities were through divine favour profitable to some of them; and not being easy in my mind to leave this county without being at the quar terly meeting for business to be held at Glas tonbury, I returned thither, and was concerned to lay before Friends the declining From thence we went to Bovy, Newton- state of the Society in that county, and to bushel, Totness and Kingsbridge. At the exhort them to put the discipline in practice, last, after the morning and afternoon meet-that the church might be cleared from disor ings, we had one in the evening with Friends ders which caused reproach. It was thought selected, which was to satisfaction. Hearing by Friends to be the most solid quarterly of one family that lived many miles from any meeting which had been held in that county meeting, I had a desire to see them, and went for many years. thither. I let the Friend know, that I came there on purpose to see him and his family, and should be glad to have them come together and be still a little while, desiring it might be soon, for we intended to go that night to Ply-delphia, in the course of his religious visit, mouth. He said it would not answer them at and were glad in each other's company, that time, his children being employed in though the meetings both forenoon and afterpressing out cider. I let him know, that I noon were but dull; the people looking for hoped I should not detain them long, and if words, were disappointed. The next day we they lightened the press, the cider would not went together to a monthly meeting at Chip. run over; but could not prevail with him, penham; the meeting for worship was held though I informed him, that I had left all my in the meeting house; at the conclusion of business, and had come some thousand miles which Friends rose and went out. I asked to see my friends in this nation, and hearing them where they were going, for I felt very how remote he lived from meeting, had a par- uneasy, they said to do the business of the ticular mind to see him. He replied that he meeting, and feeling a strong engagement to should be glad it had suited them, but could be with them while they transacted the affairs not put his business by at that time. With a of the church, I followed them, though it heavy heart I left his house and went to Ply-rained very fast. They went into a spacious mouth, where we had a meeting next day; house where a room was prepared for the then to Germains, Liscard, Loe, Austil and Denny's, in Cornwall, at which last place the people are mostly employed in the tin mines, and we had a pretty good meeting, a visit from a Friend being acceptable to them, and they willing to leave their business, though poor people. From thence we proceeded to the Land's-end, intending to take the meetings on our return, and were at Penzance meeting on sixth-day. At this meeting my companion, John Pemberton, spoke a few words in way of testimony, tender and broken, being the first time, and I thought had a good degree of the savour of truth attending. On seventh-day we went to visit an ancient Friend, sick and bed ridden, near the Land'send, where formerly there had been a meeting; returned in the evening to Penzance; on first-day had a meeting at Marazion in the morning, and at Penzance in the evening. We then turned eastward, and attended a meeting at Falmouth, and five others in this county of Cornwall; then passed through Devonshire, taking a meeting at Oakhampton, and twelve others in Somersetshire, some of which were large and open. Many seeking people came to the meetings at Bridge

purpose, and a good fire. I sat down with them, though sorely distressed; they seemed to do the business in a formal ready way; I endeavoured to press them to weightiness of spirit, that they might feel the state of the Society, and the need there was to put the discipline in practice, for religion was at a low ebb in that county. They seemed not to understand me, and indeed I found but little room or openness to say much to them; they soon finished their business. When I rose up and moved for going away, they informed me that Friends staid to dine where the business was transacted, and that the Friends of the house would think it very strange if I went away. They told the woman that the Friend was going away; she met me in the hall, and said I must not go before I took dinner; I told her I should, for that I had not freedom to stay to eat or drink in the house; she asked me why? I pressingly desired her to inquire of the truth in her own heart, and she might find the cause, so I went away, and a Friend followed me out, and showed me the way to his house where I left my horse, and there I found Daniel Stanton and my companion, who went not to the meeting for business. Daniel

informed me, that he followed us to the door, but could not go in, for he thought he felt the life of truth struck at, or trampled upon in that house, and therefore returned to the other where we had left our horses, and John Pemberton with him. I was glad that he had such a sense, and he expressed satisfaction that I did not stay to dine, so we dined together, after which Daniel went westward, and we towards London, taking several meetings in our way, and arrived there the 31st of the tenth month, and staid in the city until the 25th of the eleventh month. I carefully visited all the meetings, in great awfulness, being bowed in spirit under a sense of a forward ministry, and sat chiefly in silence among them. I also attended their meetings for discipline; namely, one quarterly meeting, the monthly, two-weeks, second-day morning meetings, and meeting for sufferings, and was in much heaviness of mind, having a sense of a great neglect in some who were active members, in not waiting for a true qualification to act for the honour of God and edification of the church; nevertheless there is a remnant who are concerned to seek his honour, and to wait for the influence of his divine spirit and power, to whom I was, at times, concerned to speak by way of encouragement. To transact the weighty affairs of the church in as light and easy a manner as men commonly buy and sell in a market, will always rather bring death over a meeting than life.

satisfactory one the same evening, many of the people of the town coming to it; then going to Norwich, we tarried with Friends there about a week, in which time I had four meetings in that city, and one at Lammas, near it; and also visited divers indisposed Friends, and had satisfaction therein. Intending to visit all the meetings in Norfolk county, a Friend undertook to lay them out for me, and made a list of them, of which he gave me a copy, and told me it was the way to take the meetings with the least travelling. I felt a strait in my mind, which I had always found safe for me to attend to until I saw a way open, and being thoughtful about it, I desired him to inform me, what meeting bore most to the north-east from that place; he told me it was North Walsham. I desired him to begin there, and name the meetings most regular afterwards, and I would tell him if the list felt pleasant as he went on; he then proceeded, and we readily finished one which was easy to me. I desired him to set down the distances as he had done in the other, and on comparing them, we found the last to be at least three miles less riding; he seemed to be pleased, and said it was not the usual way of taking those meetings. I was willing to lay out nine, but told him, I was not easy to venture the giving public notice further, that perhaps the weather might be difficult. He said there would be a general meeting in a few days, when Friends from many meetings would be together, and likely to have full notice very easily given for a few meetings further, which he thought I had best leave to him; so we went forward to North Walsham and had a satisfactory meeting, and taking

We left London on the 26th of the eleventh month, and went to Chelmsford, in Essex, and the next day sat with Friends in their forenoon and afternoon meetings, to pretty good satisfaction, through the goodness and power of the Lord, whose presence was measurably the meetings in course, came to the quarterly felt among us to the praise of his ever worthy name. Taking meetings as regularly as we could, we visited that county in twenty-four days, and had twenty-three public meetings and some family sittings. My service for truth in this county was in a close plain way, mostly with but few words; for it often appeared to me, that there was a greater desire to hear, than to put in practice those things they were exhorted to, for which I often mourned, and had a strong sympathy with the few sensible, baptized Friends amongst them.

meeting of ministers and elders at Norwich. The Friend who laid out the meetings informed me, that if I had taken them according to his first list, I should have interfered with a public Friend at several, who was then on a visit, and he thought there was a hand of Providence in turning me; for as we were both strangers, we should have been straitened through a tender regard to each other's service; he likewise let me know, that he did not remember that their quarterly meeting began the next day after the meeting beyond which I told him I was not free to appoint We then passed to Ipswich, in Suffolk, and any, and that having sent the list to a Friend had a meeting with Friends there to some to publish at the general meeting before mensatisfaction, there being a tender sincere rem-tioned, he had been obliged to attend that nant among them; and taking the east part of the county, we had ten meetings, and visited several indisposed Friends to good satisfaction. Then went to Yarmouth, in Norfolk, and after attending their meetings in the morning and afternoon on first-day, had a large VOL. VI.-No. 6.

meeting to stop the notice respecting the few meetings he talked of, otherwise I should have missed the quarterly meeting, and he thought it would teach him to be more cautious in future. I mention this occurrence with a degree of reverent thankfulness and humility, with

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