:

animating, although the testimony in my own mind is, that bonds and afflictions await me there; yet these feelings are accompanied with the assurance, "I the Lord will be with thee:" He never yet deceived or disappointed any, whose reliance continues to be firmly established on Him for help and protection in every needful time. I sighed however, and cried for preservation amidst the dangers that I felt awaited me on the shores of North America. At the usual time this morning, we assembled in the round-house after all were seated, and a suitable pause had taken place, (which from our first commencement I had recommended, both previous to our reading and after it closed,) several chapters were read; during which, I thought the great Master fulfilled his gracious promise, of being in the midst of us: we separated under feelings of that holy solemnity, which nothing of the creaturely part can possibly effect. The weather was very fine; the great serenity that covered the wide expanse of ocean before us, to a mind capable of meditating on the wonderful works of an Almighty Power, cannot but occasion feelings of awful wonder and astonishment. A few days past we were riding on the proud waves, tossed to and fro, hither and thither, at their pleasure; today this boisterous unstable element appears comparatively almost without motion: we keep gliding along towards our port, almost imperceptibly. In the evening our reading took place, as usual, in the round-house; it proved a favoured meeting the day closed with feelings of reverent gratitude to the Author of all our mercies, who had been pleased to be with me from time to time, since traversing this watery element, and surrounded by such a variety of individuals, of different dispositions and religious professions; and who had strengthened me to support our various testimonies, I humbly hope I may say, in a good degree of faithfulness.

Second-day morning: going our right course: we began to feel something of the breezes of the land, whereby the painful sensations in my head and stomach abated; the weather was fine and serene, and our vessel going about six knots an hour, together with the prospect of our being likely soon to see New York, occasioned cheerfulness on all countenances. Although the prospect of our thus hastening to port proclaims relief to my poor, frail tabernacle, yet it also proclaims thraldom and captivity to my spirit; but an assurance attended, that Divine mercy and preservation will be near in the needful time, and be found all-sufficient to preserve to the end, if faithfully looked unto and depended upon.

Third-day morning; a brisk, fair wind, but on account of the great swell of the ocean, we find it hard work to keep upon our feet or on our seats. I have been enabled, (on looking towards the time of my landing on the American shore) to crave,

that obedience to every clear manifestation of duty may mark all my footsteps, and that the whole counsel of my great Master given me to communicate, whether in the assemblies of the people, or privately to individuals, be faithfully imparted; and also, that if opposition in any way be my lot, whilst travelling on the shores of North America, I may be favoured to live so near to the great Preserver of men, as to be kept from opposing again in my own spirit; but if a reply be warranted, that it may be done in the spirit of love and meekness; or if silence is to be observed, that my lips may be kept sealed by that Almighty Power, who best knows when we should speak, and when we should keep silence; to whom alone must the event be left. Made soundings again this afternoon in thirty-two fathoms; and the colour of the water is much changed in a very short time.

Fourth-day morning; when I went on deck, the wind was again a-head: how evident was the effect of this disappointment in the countenances of many of our company; but my mind, through the extension of Divine help, is preserved in quiet submission to our present detention; although my hopes were awakened last evening, that we should have seen Long Island before the sun-sct. This detention afforded me an opportunity of taking a retrospect of my conduct amongst my fellow-passengers and our ship's company; how far I had been endeavouring to keep my proper station amongst them; as a kind Providence had given me considerable place in the minds of most if not all on board. After some very heavy rain, with thunder and lightning, the wind towards noon became more fair for making way towards our port.

Fifth-day morning 7th of 9th mo.; the wind changed in our favour, and we sailed at about ten knots an hour; cheerfulness again resumed its place on cach countenance: expectations were now held out, we should be abreast of Long Island by the afternoon; and at noon one of our crew went aloft, and shouted out "land in sight," which we were not able yet to discern; but in a short time after, a small spot of land became visible to the naked eye on deck. Upon this cheering prospect, all hands began to be preparing to reach the shore, as it was now expected we should land at New York by night. At two o'clock a pilot came on board our packet, by which means we found that health prevailed in the city; but, to our great disappointment, (for I felt I had a share in it,) our pilot informed us, we should not be able to reach New York with this tide, but must wait the tide to-morrow morning. Some of our passengers proposed, when we threw out our anchor, to take to the pilot-boat, and go on shore in her to-night; but as the number was limited by law, and it was necessary also that the quarantine surgeon should attend on board the packet, to ascertain the health of our whole

ship's company, the proposal was obliged to be abandoned. We now had the land on both sides: these sweet and refreshing land-breezes cheered not only our spirits, but even our poor cow, (whose eyes had appeared dim during the passage, and whose voice I had never heard before,) put her head out of her crib and lowed in a most animating manner, with her ears forward, her eyes sparkling, and sniffing up the air of the land, as if rejoicing with us at the prospect of once more setting her foot on some green pasture. We reached the quarantine vessel about six in the evening, the surgeon stationed in her came on board our packet, and soon set us all at liberty to go on shore. A steam-boat, lying off Staten Island, was hailed, which soon reached us; the cabin-passengers with myself went on board her. Although I apprehended my friends in New York were apprised of my coming in the Pacific, yet as the packet could not get up this tide, they would not be likely to expect my arrival this night, which was fast coming on. Having no recollection of the name of the street where Elizabeth Bowns (the Friend with whom I intended to take up my abode) resided, I began to fear I had taken a wrong step, by not remaining on board the packet another night; but a person in the steam-boat, I supposed observing me to be a stranger, kindly inquired of me my place of destination, offering his services to assist me in finding out my quarters. On my informing him whose house I was bound for, I found he had no knowledge where the residence of Bowns was, but kindly proposed to take me to a friend of his, and a member of our own religious Society, who, he said, would conduct me safely to my quarters. I felt my mind relieved on this subject, and found fresh cause for thankfulness on my part, as it was dark when we landed. I was taken to the house of my ever afterwards kind friend William F. Mott, who proposed my taking up my abode with them; but as I was led to believe the pointings of best Wisdom, before I left my own home, had been to take up my abode under the roof of E. Bowns, I felt most easy, although late in the evening, to proceed to her residence, and see how far she was able to accommodate me without difficulty to herself: I however found a wide open door in her mind, and that of her very kind widowed daughter, for my accommodation. I had anticipated the pleasure of a night's rest on shore; but, alas! was disappointed, although every thing had been done to add to my comfort in this respect, not being able to come at any sleep the night through: like the miller who could not sleep unless the mill was at work, so I could not sleep, from missing the rocking and motion I had been accustomed to on ship-board: I had to pass such another trying night before I was able to recover my usual habit of sleep again on shore.

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CHAPTER XXXI.

SEVENTH-DAY, 9th of 9th mo., 1826. I feel quite at home in my quarters, and every possible attention appears to be shown me; nevertheless, sighing was almost the constant companion of my mind through this day. It appearing safest for me to remain as ignorant as possible relative to the state of things amongst Friends on this side the water, I therefore gave hints to callers on me to this effect, as suitable opportunities opened for it. This circumstance I afterwards found had excited alarm, and occasioned fears in the minds of some of my kind friends respecting me. The followers of Elias Hicks had circulated a report, that I was coming over to their help, and that therefore they should lay claim to me when I arrived.

First-day morning; after a refreshing night's rest, I arose from my bed with my whole soul turned to the Lord in secret supplication, that his preserving power might be known to encamp round about me through this day, the approach of which I had felt a dread of. Feeling drawings in my mind to attend the upper meeting-house in Hester-street in the morning, I proceeded thither, under close exercise of mind to be preserved, if called upon to advocate the Lord's cause, from exceeding my commission on the one hand, and on the other to be found faithful, by declaring that which appeared to me to be the whole counsel of my great Master, whom I desired fully to serve. During my silent waiting before the Lord, a feeling of reverential thankfulness sprang up in my mind, in that I had attended to what I believed was a Divine intimation, before I left my own home, and since my landing on this shore, to remain as clear as possible from conversing on the state of things amongst Friends on this side the water; being satisfied my bow would be thereby strengthened, and that suspicions of my speaking from information would be far less likely to attach to me. I found it hard work to rise upon my feet; yet believing the offer of the best of all help was made, I ventured, and was favoured to clear my mind faithfully, and in a manner that I apprehend would give such of the followers of Elias Hicks as were present, a pretty clear idea of the great mistake they had been under, of my being come over to help

their unchristian cause. A Friend closed the meeting in solemn supplication, and we separated under a humbling sense, that Divine Goodness had, in mercy, again condescended to own His honest-hearted little ones in this part of the heritage. Having drawings in my mind towards Rose-street meeting-house, I proceeded thither in fear and trembling; being aware of the danger of building our hopes for the future on any former experience,and of the need there was of a fresh supply of that Divine strength, which alone can be found sufficient for every good word and work. Feeling myself called upon to labour with the time-serving professors under our name, He who, I humbly hope I may say, saw meet to call to the work, gave ability for the faithful performance of it. In the evening I received visits from some of my countryfolks and other Friends; and being much exhausted I retired early to bed.

Second-day; my way seems closed up as respects any future movements, and yet I cannot see I am to spend much of my time in the city at present. May quietness as a canopy in mercy, be permitted to be the covering of my mind; that so I may be preserved from taking any premature step, to escape any suffering that may be designed for me to pass through in this city.

Third-day, having been informed that the monthly meeting of Purchase fell in due course to-morrow, it obtained considerable place in my mind; and my friends having knowledge hereof, kindly arranged matters for my proceeding this afternoon, it being a distance of about thirty miles from the city. Accompanied by my kind friends, J. R. Willis and wife, we set off, and reached the house of Hannah Field, who had been very acceptably engaged in a religious visit to the meetings of Friends in Great Britain, by whom and her husband we were kindly received.

Fourth-day morning, we rode about two miles to meeting; the number of Friends collected to attend the monthly meeting was considerable but I understood, on account of the season of the year, the meeting was smaller than usual, the members of this meeting being chiefly in the farming business. I felt well satisfied in giving up to attend this monthly meeting; at the close of which, I found I could not comfortably leave, without telling Friends I had experienced the great need there was for me to be especially upon my watch, that no opportunity was suffered to pass by unimproved, wherein ever so small a portion of Divine help was to be obtained; feeling as I did the need of a daily fresh supply, and the assurance that opportunities of this sort would frequently be found, if diligently sought after: thus the pause previous to and after we have been partaking of the bounties of Heaven at our tables, if rightly engaged in, would often prove a season, in which a renewal of strength would be known, by heayenly bread being dispensed to our minds; as will also be the