one of them the monthly meeting held yester- Upon conferring with some friends, he conday, and the other held to day, and have been cluded to move on, and prepared to cross the silent in both. Toward the close of that held mountain, but after riding some distance into this morning, my mind was clothed with the woods, all seemed to close up, and it apthankfulness in a full belief in the truth of peared most pleasant and easy to him to return those expressions; To obey is better than back to the friend's house from which they sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams :' started; where he says, "I feel easy under I am desirous that I may be favoured to con- this roof, and remember with instruction, that duct myself through the course of this jour- when the cloud rested upon the tabernacle, ney, so as to return to you again in peace. Israel was to abide in their tents. Laboured My friends feel near to me, and I desire the patiently to content ourselves here this night." help of their spirits, having frequently had The next day he says, "no way opens and to remember you, and thy kind desire for the pain of my heart is not easily described; me when parting. I had not a prospect of but in all these laborious seasons how good it staying so long when I set out, but find it is to sink down into that which endureth the good for me to labour from time to time after raging of the sea of affliction. O! how am I a state of resignation, having experienced tried with jealousy and fear that it was not right in past journeyings, being favoured to return to come across this mountain, and no sufficihome in peace, and this is my aim now, whe-ent clearness can I find-wait in patience, O ther my absence be lengthened or not."

On the 13th, he says, "exercised in mind this morning, but was favoured with a good degree of resignation to my allotment, nothing opening with clearness, and was content to abide this day at our friend Reese Cadwalader's. O! my weakness and blindness."

The next day he thus writes: "a poor creature this morning, compassed with weakness; I set off to a week-day meeting, about seven or eight miles distant, on the other side of the river, called Dixon's meeting, and a miry road to travel. We got to it however in time, where we found about fifteen or sixteen friends, men, women and children, collected in a little log cabin:-I sat the meeting through in silence, and was favoured to drop a tear in resignation, not daring to put forth a hand to steal.

"Attended Westland meeting, which came next in course: I was closely exercised in humble silent waiting to know my Master's will concerning me; and was favoured to drop my silent tears in resignation to my allotment; the way appearing closed up as to any public communication amongst this people, whom I have taken so much pains to come and see."

A striking trait in the character of this dear friend, was the great care he manifested not to move in any religious engagement, without satisfactory evidence of its being the will of the great Master in whose service he was engaged. This may account for the following remarks which he makes about this time:“19th.—At a stand which way to move: feel a willingness to go toward home if my divine Master pleases, having I trust been concerned to act, so far, measurably in his counsel and will, as made known to me a poor creature."

my soul, and reverently hope, though it may be against hope, that thy Saviour is not far from thee; believe him to be as in the sides of the ship.""

"ano

Towards the close of the evening of this day he was favoured with so much "calm as to cause thankfulness to arise, in that the bitter cup was a little sweetened, so retired to rest.” In the morning " felt rather easier," and after breakfast sat down with the family, amongst whom there appeared tenderness, and it being their week-day meeting at Redstone, he attended it;-respecting which he says, ther silent meeting, in which my mind was deeply exercised; and I was wrought into a willingness to leave this settlement, and move on towards Hopewell; and whilst thus looking and thinking, not knowing but that I should be clear-having endeavoured to be found in the way of my duty, as far as I could find it, this thought presented to my mind; suppose I should have to return back from thence or further, how then? But even to this proving prospect I was resigned, for the sake of my dear Master's owning presence, and was ready to conclude it might be a sacrifice called for at my hands to humble the instrument, and for a sign to the people. Whilst these thoughts possessed my mind, I was brought into a state wherein I could conclude on nothing, and so was fain to become a blank; nevertheless, at intervals under these provings of soul, the states of my fellow professors seemed to be opening before me-so broke up the meeting and lagged behind my companions, and breathed forth my complaint unto God, desiring to be preserved in patience.

"22nd.-Awoke this morning with fervent desires, if the cause of this detention was in myself, that it might be searched out: my youthful days, and days of vanity were brought

up into remembrance, and I found a willingness amongst the Friends present, and told them, to look over the past days of my life, from my very youth to this day.

"Third month 2nd.-A refreshing night's "The next day attended the first-day meet-sleep. The meeting for children is coming ing at Westland-went to it with my usual on, and what am I? O for the washing of poverty; so stripping a time with me in the water by the word. Went to the meeting forepart, that I thought it likely we should at the time appointed, under exercising dishave another silent meeting; but feeling some couraging thoughts, and continued silently little reviving of religious concern, I laboured shut up until it appeared near time to break honestly in a close searching manner. Found up, when a concern arose in my mind but little ease after this meeting, and my way to tell such of the elders or parents as were being again much shut up, conversation was present, what had been my employment in as much so. After dinner opened my mouth the meeting. This was, to have my own

heart searched, and my desire remained that they might be found engaged in the same work. After which I was turned toward the children, and also in a particular manner toward a seeking state present, not of our Society, unto whom I found considerable openness, and was informed after meeting, that there were several of that number present; some who had left the Church of England, and were now looking toward, or had joined the Methodists; and one seeking man, who heard of this meeting, rather chose to come to it than go to a marriage he was invited to. With this day's labour I found peace, though trying in the beginning.

"On the 3rd, attended another meeting for the children at Redstone, in which I had an open time, which was cause of thankful rejoicing." The next day after attending the regular meeting at Redstone, which he describes as a laborious painful time, he returned to Reese Cadwalader's, where he had the company of several Friends, amongst whom and the family, he remarks: "I was once more favoured to feel the spring of gospel ministry arise in such a manner, as to water others and be refreshed myself.

language was uttered, Awake, arise thou sleeper, call upon thy God, if happily he may save us.' I had some prospect in the morning of appointing a meeting in the little town this evening; but now it is gone. There must be faith, love and desire, in hearers as well as preacher, to labour to profit. This has been a dark and heavy day to my spirit.”

On the 8th he visited the preparative meeting of Westland, and had an opportunity with the children of a Friend in the neighbourhood, and during the two next days was principally engaged in visiting families.

"On the 11th, went to meeting, which, after some struggling and conflict, was pretty open. The people were exhorted to labour in all their religious meetings to know the true place of waiting, and to beg for their daily bread. Whilst speaking I met with a sudden stop in my mind as to the expression of more words, and found it safest to sit down, and experienced peace in doing so. After some time, the situation of Abraham and Lot, with their being so mercifully delivered out of Sodom, very suddenly impressed my mind; with which I stood up again and expressed, that I dare not doubt that the good and great Remembrancer, or quick and powerful Word, which is sharp and sharper than a two edged sword, to the dividing between a man and his lovers, flesh and spirit,

"5th.-Favoured with a good degree of serenity and peace of mind this morning, under a sense that I have so far laboured to be found in the way of religious duty." Charles Williams feeling released from fur-influenced my heart to warn some to be conther duty, left him; respecting which he says: tent with such things as they were favoured "This morning I took an affectionate farewell with; reminding them of the annexed blessof my tender hearted companion, who has ing: I will never leave thee nor forsake gone toward home; after which I laboured thee;'-and not indulge a roving disposition, in retirement of mind to feel after my divine and leave their friends with whom they were Master's will concerning me. O that I may so favoured as to be embodied into a little Sobe preserved under a solemn sense of the im-ciety; and as they kept their places they would portance of the business I am engaged in, and that the good hand may accompany this dear youth to his parents and friends. After dinner we went to C. G.'s, and with him and family had a solid time. I thought it was solemnly so, and these expressions arose with weight and were delivered amongst them; 'I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.' From thence went to P. G.'s, where we had another searching religious opportunity. My mind is often depressed under a sense of the low state of things amongst the professors in our Society, and I meet with various provings, in the manner in which I am led when abroad.

"On the 7th attended their week-day and preparative meeting at Redstone; a painful suffering time. In the fore part thereof this VOL. VIII.-No. 1.

yet be favoured. But if any should break through, and go contrary to the mind of concerned brethren, and get several hundred miles off-if any unforeseen distress should come upon them, how would it fare with them? This little testimony appeared close and searching, and I did not find my peace disturbed in delivering it. Some Friends after meeting expressed their satisfaction therewith, believing it would have a tendency to strengthen the hands of the honest labourers. No way opens with clearness to leave this place; and this evening felt so impressed with a sense of my own weakness and unworthiness, that it led me into the fields to seek counsel of the Lord, where I experienced a little quiet and calm, in a solitary situation.

"12th.-A restless night, under the painful thought that the flesh prevailed too much over me in one instance. O what small things grieve a tender conscience! May I be favoured to labour after more perfect victory,

3

and at present rest humbled under this peti- liarly so this afternoon, was the fresh feeling tion; Lord forgive what is past, and conde- and sense of the love of Christ my Lord and scend to be near to help in future."" Master, shed abroad in my heart, making it Although he was for some time consider-like spring time in a spiritual sense. The reably exercised as to what step to take, he membrance of the poverty of spirit in which finally concluded to go homewards; and had I crossed this mountain about one month ago, parting religious opportunities with several of my close exercises on the other side, of the families and Friends; in relation to one of preservation vouchsafed under them, and how which he thus writes, under date of 13th of the way and time to return homewards, were the month. set open so clearly before me, brought feel"Had a parting opportunity with this fami-ings over my mind, in which that saying was ly, which I hope will not be easily forgotten measurably fulfilled; He that goeth forth and by us or them; after which I found consider: weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall return able ease of mind, and rode to Beesontown, again bringing his sheaves with him.' My twelve miles, where we dined; and then col-mind was bowed in reverent thankfulness, and lected this large family together, with some many passages of Scripture were opened to others, and were favoured with a baptizing season. My soul was bowed in supplication, and also in reverent thanksgiving, to the gracious Author of my life and well being, who led me here, and has preserved and fed me, and now is opening a door out, to my solid peace and comfort. Parted with dear R. C. at this place; and I thought the ancient language was measurably experienced by my thankful mind: The wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.""

my understanding, wherein I was measurably favoured with a taste of the same experience which holy men of old spoke of. This made it feel like a spring time indeed, the wintry season of trials and close provings being for a moment past and hid, and the singing of birds heard, as also the voice of the turtle spiritually. My dear family and some of my friends were brought feelingly into remembrance, and as I had been engaged for the good of the children of others, so now my desires and my prayers have been put up to my gracious Redeemer, In crossing the mountain they met with the that he would look down and remember mine. usual difficulties experienced by travellers at May I still be engaged to give up in the littlethat period, in consequence of the rugged ness and weakness, but in the faith, to follow character of the road, and the poor accom-my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is modations both for man and horse, which abundantly able out of weakness to make they were obliged to submit to. At the taverns, strong."

as well as on the road, when he believed it! On the 17th, after having been kindly ento be his duty, he did not fail to exhort per-tertained at a Friend's house, who since they sons with whom he met, to flee from the error passed that way before, had experienced conof their ways. With respect to the scenery siderable affliction, he says: "I remembered of the mountain, with which he was much when about to leave this house on our outset, interested and gratified, he says: "Heard the I ventured, on my bended knees, to supplicate sound of the frogs, denoting the approach of my dear Lord to go with us, as he did with spring. What harmony in the outward crea- his poor prophet formerly, whom he caused tion! nothing, however minute, was made in the ravens to feed; and now considering how vain. Even these creatures seem to be utter- he had preserved and brought me back again ing thanks to the great Creator, for the open-in peace, and had so eminently visited this ing of a new season. I was delighted with seeing the birds sporting themselves in the woods: the voice of the turtle-dove was also to be heard, and the husbandman was seen at the plough. All this perhaps not more than fifteen miles from ice and snow. It has been After attending Centre meeting, in which a day of solid thoughtfulness, in meditation he had to set an example of silence, for which on the wonderful works of Providence. When he remarks, he thought there was cause, he viewing the beautiful springs gushing from the felt a drawing to visit an individual and her sides of the hills, amongst the rocks and stones, father, who were Methodists, where it appears I had to remember that springs were to be found even in the desert, and fountains in high places.' Various landscapes opened one after another, in viewing which I frequently found profitable employment on the road. But over and above all, this day, and pecu

family, my mouth was again unexpectedly opened to express the grateful sense received, and to pray for further preservation; which proved a tendering time I believe to most present."

he lodged and was hospitably entertained. "In the morning," he says, "family duty was performed before we were out of bed. When we were about setting down to breakfast, grace was said by the master, as was last evening; and my heart being exercised in a thoughtful

concern for them, I kept my standing, and after a season kneeled down in supplication; after which I found peace to flow as to my own particular. Breakfast being ended, the daughter expressed something in a low voice, like giving thanks for benefits received; and being about to leave them, I requested a silent opportunity, when I was favoured I trust, to declare my exercise faithfully: some tenderness appeared, and the religiously minded woman on parting, desired the Lord might bless me."

factory opportunity; on the 7th the monthly meeting of Warrington, which he sat almost through in silence, but near the close these expressions impressed his mind to deliver; "it is a precious thing to be found a learner in that school, wherein Jesus Christ presides as the heavenly teacher; and where this lesson is to be learnt, not my will, O Father, but thine be done;' it is a lesson I found necessary for me to learn, and I had peace in dropping the same."

Soon after he was permitted to turn his face homeward again, and arrived in York, Pennsylvania, on the 10th, where he writes:

From the 20th to the 30th of the third month, he was detained in the neighbourhood of Fairfax, visiting meetings, and also many "It has been a proving dispensation since of the families composing them. On the 29th 1 left this place; somewhat resembling my he says, "he went to M. J.'s, in order to get outward journey over the mountains, where ready to leave this settlement in the morning; a place called the shades of death,' is to be the way and time seem to be opening. I passed through on the way to a beautiful prostrust all my debts here are nearly paid, and pect, from the mountain over the good land! may I not stay one hour longer than the pre-O, that I may be favoured with renewed faith cious oil which is due to others, is experienced and patience; and experience a returning to run." home in peace, when this religious pilgrimage On the 31st, he proceeded some distance is fully over, to the honour of the great Mastoward home, which he says, "looked plea-ter; who knows best how to break the spirits sant, but at the same time I felt a care of in- of his servants, and fit them for the reception dulging the prospect of reaching it in a few of himself in his blessed appearance of sweetdays." A concern arose in the evening to ening encouraging love." visit Pipe and Bush creek meetings, which had been hid for some days previous. This, he remarks, would be work enough for six or eight weeks more, and having no steady companion, his beast lame, and "the instrument poor and empty," he was introduced into much exercise. The next day he attended two meetings, in which he was favoured to labour to the ease of his own mind and to the encouragement and comfort of some others; yet he thus writes: "What a poor creature I am this evening: my enemy is very near, and has been labouring to cause me to break rank. How careful should gospel ministers be-those who make use of such exalted language as is at times put into their mouths-to keep their bodies in subjection, lest they be caught in the snares of the wicked one, and after such high favour, become cast-aways. Went to bed under exercise; my way closed up."

Having been considerably indisposed, he staid a day or two at York to recover his health; and Peter Yarnall having offered to accompany him to Lancaster, where he understood John Townsend, a ministering friend from England expected to be, they started for that place on the 13th. But on the 14th, he believed it to be his duty to return and visit Monallen meeting and some others in the neighbourhood, though he says, "with very little prospect of any good resulting, unless for his own mortification."

He visited these meetings, and found in one at least there was cause for his returning. He had the company of his elder brother John Townsend, who proved to be a sympathizing father and encourager to him, and he remarks, "it was a peculiar satisfaction to find we have been led so much alike in religious communication."

On the 19th after attending Monallen meeting, he says: "I find much relief, and it appeared as though my release from more religious service was near; my mind being turned toward my own residence."

For some time his way continued hedged up, and under deep exercise he thus writes: "Dearest Lord, have I not given up to be thy servant? lead, O lead and guide me in the way I should go. If there be any thing more for me to do, baptize and fit me for the ser- On the 20th he set off, and at the ferry vice, and if there is no more, be pleased to over the Susquehannah, he says he felt his preserve thy servant, and bring him in safety mind religiously concerned to caution and adto his outward habitation; for thou canst abun-vise the inn-keeper, which he accepted kindly, dantly bless all them that love thee."

On the 5th, he attended the meeting at Bush Creek, in which he had an open satis

and he was also engaged to reprove the ferry men for their vanity and swearing, to which they seemed to listen with attention. O! how