ter-in-law against the mother-in-law; and happy will it be for those who endeavour to stand ready for the approach of such a dispensation."

CHAPTER VII.

ties and worldly pleasures; ministering reproof to hypocrites and formal professors, yet comforting his children and humble dependent followers, to the praise of his own eternal name. The meeting of ministers and elders sat again by adjournment, when we had an uniting parting season; I returned to my friend Joshua Thompson's, next day to a meeting at Wilmington, and in the evening home, being thankful that I had been enabled to perform this small journey.

His visit to the quarterly meeting at Salem and the general meetings at Uwchland and Goshen, in 1764. His attendance of the yearly meeting in Philadelphia, 1767, and the general meeting at Cecil in Maryland.—The death of his wife. His visit in Chester and Bucks counties-To the yearly meeting in Maryland.-Also to several meetings in New-Jersey, and some others in York county, Pennsylvania.—Also to Fair-attending me every day. We attended Uwchfax, &c., in Virginia.

Having a strong desire to attend the general meetings at Goshen and Uwchland, on the 8th of the sixth month, my dear wife and I left home, though I was very unwell with a cold taken in my return from Salem, and a fever

land meeting on first-day, also one in the evening at the house of our brother Daniel In the spring of the year 1764, I informed Brown, which was dull and exercising, from my friends that I had a desire to attend the a sense of the prevalence of a spirit which quarterly meeting at Salem, in New-Jersey, leads many into forgetfulness of God, pursuand having their concurrence, on the 17th of ing the vanities and pleasures of this perishing the fifth month I left home and went to Wil-world. Next day the general meeting at Gomington, and next day in company with seve- shen was very large, and much disturbed by ral Friends, from thence by water to our friend the going out and coming in of many; but Joshua Thompson's, at the mouth of Salem creek. At the meeting of ministers and elders we were comforted together through the goodness of the Lord. On first-day there was a large gathering of a mixed multitude, and quiet, the Divine power being felt and gospel truths preached, by the influence whereof, many hearts were tendered; though I thought the beauty and solemnity of the meeting were a little marred by one Friend speaking too long; to begin in the life and conclude in the power and life, is becoming a minister of the gospel.

through Divine goodness it came to a better settlement before it concluded, when solid Friends in the renewing of the Lord's comforting love, were refreshed in him and one another; a visitation being continued to the youth, the praise whereof belongs to the great Author of all good!

The general meeting at Uwchland on the day following was large, and measurably attended with the ownings of truth, under the influence of which, admonition and counsel flowed freely to the youth, the Divine witness in several of whom was reached, and the name of the Lord praised, who is for ever worthy!

On second-day morning the meeting of ministers and elders was again held, it was a precious instructive season in the love of Christ In these large meetings, as on all other our holy Head, by which the humble were such occasions, it is necessary in order for a united; afterwards we had a large meeting proper qualification to minister to the people, for public worship, wherein the testimony of humbly to wait to know the inward life and truth flowed freely; the call to the ministry baptizing virtue of the Spirit and power of and qualification necessary to preach the gos- Jesus Christ, our all in all, without whose pel being clearly set forth. In humble admi- help we can never do his work to his praise, ration I could renewedly acknowledge, Thou but instead of gathering the flock, we shall art, Oh Lord! strength in our weakness, minister to their scattering from the true place mouth and wisdom, yea all things to thy of feeding. After being at the preparative humble depending servants whose trust is on meeting at East Caln and a meeting at Uwchthee, waiting for thy putting forth in the way, land, we returned home thankful to the Lord, and gently going before them; blessed be thy who had mercifully supported us in this small holy name for ever. In transacting the af-journey; both of us being weakly and indisfairs of the discipline, a spirit of brotherly posed in health. love prevailed. The youths' meeting at Pilesgrove was also large and edifying, the great Shepherd of Israel being pleased to stretch forth the crook of his love, for gathering the straying youth from pursuing after lying vani

In the ninth month, 1767, I attended our yearly meeting in Philadelphia, which held at week; all the sittings whereof both for worship and discipline, were through the overshadowing of Divine favour, instructive to the

humble waiters; and the testimony of truth, hearts to the Lord, whose mercies through particularly against the unjust and unrighte- Christ Jesus, are to his people yea and amen ous practice of slave-keeping, greatly pre- for ever. vailed. Friends were fully cautioned against bequeathing by will, as slaves to their posterity, the poor Negroes, their fellow-creatures; it being an unlawful act in the sight of the great and righteous Parent of all mankind. This meeting concluded with a degree of awe and reverence, under the sweetening influence of the Father's love. I returned home to our general meeting at Nottingham, which was held on the 4th and 5th days of the tenth month.

His wife being under many years' affliction with a cancer on her head, which was now so greatly increased as to require his daily affectionate attendance, confined him mostly at home until after her decease, which was in the seventh month, 1770. She was a steady exemplary Friend; concerning whom the monthly meeting of Nottingham, gives the fol

"Our friend, Margaret Churchman, was born of believing parents, William and Esther Brown, who lived at Chichester, in the county of Chester, in Pennsylvania; on the 13th of the first month, 1706-7, her father removing with his family into Maryland, near

Having a strong desire to attend the gene-lowing testimony: ral meeting at Cecil, in Maryland, I sat out in company with several other Friends, and reached the first sitting of the meeting, which was small and dull; the public meeting next day was very large and attended with some satisfaction; those of other societies who were there were mostly pretty quiet. At the meeting of ministers and elders, the want of solid Susquehanna, died before she was ten years elders being evident, the consideration thereof was proposed to the quarterly meeting, which was held in the afternoon of the same day, when it was recommended to the monthly meetings to observe the directions of the yearly meeting, to choose well qualified solid Friends, for that weighty station.

The meeting for public worship was again large, being attended by many of other societies, and my brother, William Brown, was largely opened in doctrine to the edification of the auditory; after which I had a short testimony tending to close the foregoing. In the meeting for discipline I had occasion to lament that there were too few who feelingly understood the weight of such meetings, or were clean handed to move therein, either to their own profit or the help of their brethren; yet there are a few who seem to be under a preparation for the work, and I hope will grow in their gifts. On third-day morning business began again, and ended as well as I expected. I thought the Lord was mercifully pleased to open considerable instruction to such among them, who had ears to hear and hearts disposed to receive it. The meeting for worship held that afternoon, was not so large as on the other two days; the service thereof lay weightily on me, and I had a full opportunity to relieve my mind towards the people, in opening to them the nature and ground of spiritual worship and true prayer, also the true call and qualification for gospel ministry, declaring what it was to live of the gospel, in opposition to a forced maintenance. Truth favoured and the people were solid, several being much reached; the meeting ending to satisfaction, with humble thanksgiving in many

old. In the twenty-third year of her age, she entered into the marriage state with John Churchman, of Nottingham, and being religiously inclined from her childhood, became a diligent seeker after that bread which nourishes the inward man, and thereby grew in religion. About the thirty-fourth year of her age, it pleased the Lord to put her forth in the ministry, in which she was frequently exercised to the comfort and edification of the churches where she visited, in this and the Southern provinces, being delivered in a degree of life and gospel sweetness in pertinent expressions. She was an example in plainness, a diligent attender of meetings, and a humble waiter therein; serviceable in meetings of business, having a good sense of discipline, with a becoming zeal to support the testimony of truth in its various branches, and useful in the weighty service of visiting families.

"In the latter part of her life she was for many years afflicted with a cancer on her head, which she bore with remarkable patience, resignation and innocent cheerfulness, attending meetings to the admiration of many who knew her disease. Notwithstanding va rious applications, her malady so increased that she became too weak to attend meetings sometime before her decease, yet she retained her love to truth and Friends to the last, and in the sixty-fourth year of her age, being a minister about thirty years, departed this life, on the 28th of the seventh month, 1770, and was buried on the 30th in Friends' buryingground, at East Nottingham, attended by many Friends and neighbours, at which time we had a solid satisfactory meeting.

"Given forth by our monthly meeting held at East Nottingham, the 27th of the seventh month, 1771, and signed on behalf thereof, by "SAMUEL ENGLAND, Clerks." "REBECCA TRIMBLE,

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meeting was to me very comfortable in a sense of the living presence of the holy Head of the church, in which his true children were edified, strengthened and mutually comforted one in another; blessed be his name for ever!

sumption. I also attended the monthly meeting, which though a searching time, was I believe to the comfort and edification of many, the uniting love of Truth being experienced to rest on Friends in the time of the business; after which I went to the monthly meetings Having an inclination to attend Chester at Center and Bradford, and from thence to quarterly meeting, also some meetings within our quarterly meeting at London-grove. Then the verge thereof, with the concurrence of returned home, having great peace in performFriends I sat out on the 1st of the second ing this journey, and in being favoured with month, 1771. Attended New Garden monthly ability, felt a degree of reverent thankfulness meeting next day, in which the love of our to the Lord, who is all things to his servants, merciful Father was measurably felt, to the who truly abide in nothingness of self; he is comfort of the humble in heart, and on first- worthy of all obedience and honour for ever. day was at Birmingham; next day had a meet- On the 21st of the third month, I left my ing in the house of Richard Downing, at Mill-habitation in order to attend our general spring town, with people of various sorts, and the meeting at Philadelphia; in my way called at Lord was pleased to assist with wisdom and Wilmington, and was at the burial of Benjaability, in measure, to divide his word in re-min Ferris, before mentioned. Our spring proof, counsel, admonition and caution, to the praise of his own name. On third-day at Pikeland was a pretty full meeting, though a very cold day, Truth was felt to be near us; a profitable opportunity was had also in the family of the widow Meredith, who being weakly, did not get out to their meeting. At this meeting, the brethren, both ministers Next day had a cold ride to Nantmell, where and elders, apprehend it their duty in the love was a large full meeting, and I believe bene- of Christ, to appoint such who are willing to ficial to many present, by the tendering good-give up their names to attend the several large ness of the blessed Shepherd of spiritual Is- or general meetings, which come in course in rael, the crook of whose heavenly love is still stretched forth to his sheep, who are not yet acquainted with the true fold of rest and safe feeding place; his own works praise him. Uwchland monthly meeting on the day following was a laborious season, yet through Divine favour made comfortable to the weary On my return from Philadelphia I sat with travellers, who had to rejoice together in a Friends at their week-day meeting in Wilparticipation of the consolation of Israel, and mington; which through the continued goodtherein to worship His name who is worthy ness of the Lord, was in some measure a for ever. Goshen monthly meeting was also profitable season, I hope to many. Here I laborious; when former experience is fed upon, felt a strong desire to see the Friends togeor the love or honour of the world and fleshly ther, who are owners of the grist-mills lately ease takes place, a spirit grows up in the built at and near Brandywine; and upon nochurch, which cannot judge for God and his tice thereof, they met the same afternoon at truth; for the judgment is his, in whose fear the house of Daniel Byrnes, when I had an his children are made to rejoice, when his opportunity to discharge my mind in an affecpresence is known, and his humbling good- tionate manner, of what had impressed it toness manifested to his people. On first-day I wards them, which they appeared to receive was at Middletown meeting, in which there in a degree of the same love; and as I believe seemed to be a tender visitation and call to it came from the Author of all good, who is the youth, to acquaint themselves with the alone worthy of praise, a blessing may attend God of their fathers, his love being measur- that opportunity if rightly remembered. ably witnessed among us. The quarterly On the 26th of the fourth month, being acmeeting for Chester, held at Concord, was companied by a Friend and neighbour, I went solid and edifying, through the extending of to Duck creek, and was at the monthly meetthe heavenly Father's love to the children of ing there the next day, which was heavy, his family. From thence I went to Wilming- occasioned by the prevalence of a formal, ton, visited some of my acquaintance, and had lukewarm, worldly spirit, over many of the a comfortable sitting in the family of David professors belonging thereto, but through the Ferris, his son Benjamin being ill in a con-long suffering and continued mercy of God, VOL. VI.-No. 7.

the ensuing summer before our yearly meeting, to which they are expected to give some account of the meetings so attended by them, and feeling a draught in my mind to be at that at Duck creek, I gave in my name to attend it.

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there seemed to be a renewed awakening vis-love of our heavenly Father was felt by his itation to some. The meeting on first-day truly depending children. Then taking meet. was very large, the Lord being mercifully ings at Gwynedd, Providence, Richland, Oley, pleased to open the states of many in a particular manner; and in a measure of his holy heart tendering power, which reached the witness, divers were humbled, and the meeting ended with thanksgiving, prayer and praises to the Lord who is worthy for ever.

On second-day the meeting was not so large, occasioned by a fair being near; nevertheless it was a season in which the doctrine and mysteries of the kingdom of Christ were largely set forth to the people, by the influence of the spirit, and in the love and wisdom | of the holy High Priest, who is all in all to his people.

We had also three select opportunities with the ministers and elders, among whom there was great apparent weakness; the reasons whereof were plainly made known to them, from the sense given in the love and fear of Him, who will not own and unite with such as are defiled; which plainness we had a hope would be profitable.

Next day several of us were at George's creek, which meeting is much declined. Where the love of the world and its alluring vanities prevail on the professors of truth, their affections are drawn from God, they grow slack in attending meetings, and are a bad example one to another. It was a hard meeting, but through the love of Christ, a measure of gospel anointing enabled to open to them their states in great love and plainness, which seemed to affect some; may it be remembered with reverence before Him who is the Author of all good, and worthy of all praise for ever! Soon after my return home, feeling my mind engaged to attend the quarterly meeting in Bucks county, with a few meetings in Philadelphia quarter, I set out on the 26th of the fifth month, accompanied by Samuel England, and on the third-day of the week following, was at the Bank meeting in Philadelphia, which was comfortable. On fifth-day at the quarterly meeting at Buckingham, and next day the general youths' meeting, which was large and divinely favoured. Then visiting several indisposed Friends, on first-day I attended Plumstead meeting; and in that week the several monthly meetings of Buckingham, Wrightstown, the Falls and Middletown, also a public meeting at Makefield; was on firstday at Bristol, from whence I went with my friend James Thornton, to their afternoon meeting at Byberry, had an appointed one at the same place next day; and in that week visited the several neighbouring meetings, one of which was a general youths' meeting at Horsham, large and instructive, wherein the

Exeter, Maiden creek, Reading, and on firstday at the Forest; I rode from thence to Uwchland, and on second-day had a meeting at Milltown, in the house of Robert Valentine. Then proceeded home, having rode about three hundred and seventy miles in this journey, in which I was favoured with health, and held travelling beyond my expectation. At the gentle drawings of Truth I left my habitation, having little prospect of much before me, but was preserved in a quiet resignation to the Divine will to do whatsoever should appear my duty, beseeching the Lord to enable me to watch against every appearance of self in the great and pure work of declaring the gospel to the people, and have great cause to be humbly thankful, that the Lord was pleased to own my service beyond expectation, to the exaltation of his own truth; blessed be his name for ever!

In the tenth month following, I went to the yearly meeting at Third-haven, in Maryland; the meetings for worship held three days, and each of them were very large, and many gospel truths were delivered in the love and power thereof, by which the witness of God was reached in the hearts of many of the people, and Friends comforted and made thankful to the Lord, that he was pleased to own us with the overshadowing of his heavenly love. On fourth-day morning the affairs of the discipline were finished, when we had a parting meeting, which through Divine favour was a precious time to many. I had never been at the yearly meeting when held at this place before, and now witnessed my heart enlarged in the love of the gospel, to declare the truth among the multitude of people who professed the Christian name, and to remind them of their conduct and dress, how different it was from that of those who formerly suffered martyrdom for their religion, as professed by the members of the church of England, so called, who own the reformers as their predecessors.

Feeling a draught of love in my mind towards some meetings in New-Jersey, particularly at Egg Harbour, and having the concur rence of my friends at home, I set out on second-day the 1st of the sixth month, 1772, and taking in my way a meeting at Haddonfield, and another at the house of my friend, Thomas Evans, which through the presence and power of the Searcher of hearts, was made profitable to some present; reached Little Egg Harbour on seventh-day. Next day attended the yearly meeting, in which the love of the gospel was felt to flow towards a loose,

cause of reverent thankfulness; they who were sensible being encouraged, and the conceited formalists rebuked.

From thence I went to John Davis's, had a comfortable opportunity with some indisposed Friends in his family; then taking meetings at Pilesgrove, Upper Greenwich and Woodbury, was on first-day morning at Haddonfield, and in the afternoon at Newtown, which last was laborious, though I believe being blessed to several present, was thereby made profitable. That evening I went over to Philadelphia weary in body, but cheerful in mind, being sensible of a degree of thankfulness for the continued favour of my Lord and Master, who had been to me a quiet habitation and secret support in this journey. After staying two days, and on each attending meetings in the city, I took Wilmington meeting in my way home, having travelled about three hundred and fifty miles, attended about twenty meetings, besides having several comfortable opportunities in families.

raw, uncivilized people, who appeared to attend there more out of curiosity, than from a reverent thoughtfulness of worshipping Almighty God. In the afternoon of the same day the continuance of Divine favour was remarkably evident towards the inhabitants, for which the Lord made the hearts of his sensible children thankful to himself, who is the Author of all good. The meeting on second-day was also very large, in which the true children of the family were comforted in Christ Jesus the Lord and holy Head of the church, by the anointing virtue of whose precious name and power, they were made to rejoice in the company one of another. Parting with many valuable beloved Friends, I went over the bay, to the upper meeting on Great Egg Harbour shore, which was large, considering the notice. I was comforted in knowing for whose name sake I was made willing to leave my company, and turn that way, the Lord being pleased to own my service by the inspiration of a degree of his heavenly wisdom and love, to speak to the states of those present; blessed be His name who is worthy for ever. I went home with my friend Joseph Mapes; next day attended the lower meeting, which through Divine favour was a precious season; then passed over to the cape, and next morning was at a meeting at the upper house, where many not of our Society attended, to whom the doctrine of the gospel flowed, in describing the nature of pure and undefiled religion, and wherein it consisted; the people were still and quiet. In the afternoon of the same day I had a meeting at the lower house, which is eight miles down the cape; this was an heart tendering time, for which Friends were made truly thankful; I thought it seemed like to be my last visit to these parts. From thence I went to Cohansey, After a seasonable opportunity with Friends forty-five miles, to Mark Reeve's, where I held in the house of Abel Janny at parting rested the next day, being very weary and with them, we returned to Fairfax meeting on almost overcome with hard travelling. On first-day, where under the influence of the first-day I was at Greenwich meeting, and in Divine presence, the testimony and doctrine the afternoon at Alloway's creek, which was of truth flowed freely to the people; in a very large, many of other societies attending; humble sense whereof, praises ascended to the doctrine of truth flowed to them in a mea- His holy name who is over all worthy for sure of the love thereof. Next day the meet-ever. ing at Salem was held in the court house, the Several of our company now returning meeting house being taken down, and a new homewards, three of us not being easy yet to one building. On third-day I was at the return, two of us went to visit a Friend who upper meeting near Alloway's creek; which lay in a languishing condition, which I be through Divine Goodness was an instructive lieve was serviceable, the love of our heavenly time to some seekers. The passage treated Father being in some degree felt among us. upon was our Lord's description of the phari- On third-day we had a meeting at the Gap, see and publican, who went up to the temple so called, among a raw people, where Divine to pray; the great difference in the form of Goodness measurably favoured the opportu their addresses was opened in a clear manner, nity; on the day following we attended Fairby the spirit of Him who gave forth that para- fax preparative meeting; the two next days ble, to my humble admiration, which was we visited some sick Friends, and on seventh

Being under an appointment with other Friends of our quarterly meeting, to visit Friends of the monthly meetings of Warrington and Fairfax, I set out on the 7th of the tenth month, and taking a meeting with Friends in Yorktown, we were at Warrington on first-day; then visited the several meetings of Newberry, Huntington and Monallen, in which Truth owned our service in a good degree; our labour of love appearing to be kindly received, I hope may be useful. On first-day following five of us were at Pipe creek meeting; then at Bush creek, Monaquesy, Fairfax, Goose creek and Southfork, wherein the Lord was pleased, in his wonted goodness and mercy, to magnify his own name, who is worthy of all praise for ever.