him.' Again, All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.'

"Thou art young in years, and young in experience in the work of grace, wherefore advise with solid, good men, if thou meets with inward or outward straits and difficulties, for the enemy will not easily let go the hold which he hath had of thee; therefore walk circumspectly, and shun evil company. As to praying in a form of words, without the spirit helps, in order to open them according to thy state and condition, that will not avail: a sigh or groan, through the help of the spirit, is much more acceptable to God, than any forms without it.

"That in the Lord's time thou mayest enjoy the reward of peace, is the desire of thy friend,

"THOMAS CHALKLEY."

The young man took this counsel well, and kept to meetings, and behaved soberly for a time, but afterwards ran out, kept bad company, took to drinking to excess, ran himself in debt, and at length into a jail, which hath been the unhappy case of many unstable youths, who, "when they knew God, glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

In this month I was at Byberry and Abington meetings, in which we were favoured with the immediate power and presence of Christ, to our great comfort and edification, the visitation of divine love to the youth, having a good effect on some of them, and the latter meeting ended with praise to the Almighty, after supplications for all men, from our king on the throne, to the meanest of his subjects.

In my travels I met with a person, who queried of me, how he should know which society had most of the holy Spirit, since most of the professors of Christ do believe in the Holy Ghost, or spirit? to whom I made the following answer.

wrought without a miracle, neither can we bring forth the fruits of the spirit without the miraculous power of Christ. Men by nature bring forth the works of nature, and that which is contrary to nature is miraculous. Sin is natural, but divine holiness, or the righteousness of Christ, wrought in man, is spiritual, supernatural, and miraculous. And as to natural men, who are in a state of nature, seeing outward miracles, if they will not, or do not believe what is written in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, neither will they believe, although one were to rise from the dead. Notwithstanding Christ wrought outward miracles, and did the works which none other could do; though he cured all manner of diseases, and fed many thousands with a few loaves, and a few small fishes; and what remained when all had eaten, was more than there was at first; though he raised the dead, and himself arose from the dead, yet few, but very few, believed in him, so as truly to follow him. His birth, his life, his doctrine, his death, his resurrection, are all miraculous; and since all this was done in the person of Christ, and at the first publication of his religion to men, there is now no absolute necessity of outward miracles, though his power is the same now as ever; but he said to his disciples, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do, shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do." Upon which, W. Dell says, "this must be understood in relation to sin; for Christ had no sin in himself to overcome, but we all have sinned," and to overcome sin is the greatest of miracles. This will try the notional or nominal Christian, who says we can never overcome sin in this world. Where then is our faith in the Son of God, who for this purpose was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Therefore let not Christians be slow of heart to believe in the glorious gospel of Christ; and if we truly believe therein, and live in the practice of his doctrine, we shall see miracles enough to satisfy us for ever.

Let the rule of Christ determine this question: he says, "By their fruits ye shall know them; do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs The 16th of the sixth month, I was at the of thistles?" The fruits then of the Spirit of weekly meeting at Frankford, which, though Christ are, love, faith, hope, patience, humility, small, was sweet, reviving, and comfortable temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and to some of us; so that we had a sufficient charity, with all manner of virtues. There- reward for leaving our business, it being the fore the society of Christians, which brings time of our harvest. Week-day meetings forth most of the fruits of the holy Spirit, consequently have most of Christ's grace and spirit. But some object and say, we will not believe that any society have the Holy Ghost now, or the immediate revelation or inspiration of the spirit, unless they work miracles. To which it is answered, that right reformation ner of some is." from sin, and true faith in Christ, cannot be f

are much neglected by many; more is the pity. The apostle's advice is necessary for men in our age, even of professed Christians, viz. "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the man

The 23d of the sixth month, my cart-wheel,

being iron bound, ran over me, and my horse kicked me on my head; the wheel put my shoulder out, and the horse wounded my head so that the scull was bare, and my leg was sorely bruised. The same day Dr. Owen and Dr. Graham, with the help of two of our neighbours, set my shoulder and dressed my wounds; and the Lord was so merciful to me, that the next day I was enabled to write this memorandum of this wonderful deliverance and speedy cure, for which, added to many others I have received from his gracious hand, I have occasion to be truly thankful. I was obliged to keep at home some time, and I thought it long, because I could not go to meetings as usual; but many Friends came to see me, which was a comfort to me. One day upwards of thirty persons came from several parts of the country to see how I did, and were glad I was likely to recover. The day before I was so hurt, being the first of the week, I was at meeting at Philadelphia, and was concerned to speak of the uncertainty of life, and the many accidents we are incident to in these frail bodies, and exhorted Friends to live so, that they might have a conscience serene and clear of offence towards God and man, and then they might expect the comforts of the Holy Ghost, which in such seasons of difficulty, would be a great help and benefit to them. Of this I had sweet experience the next day, under great extremity of pain; and though the pain of my body was such that I could not for several nights take my natural rest, yet I had comfort, through the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit, which Christ promised his followers.

conversation. On the following day we travelled nearly twenty miles to the general meeting in Cecil county, in Maryland; where we met with two Friends from Rhode Island, and two from Pennsylvania, who were there on the like occasion. The meeting was large and quiet, many people being there not of our Society, who were very sober. It held several days, and the gospel dispensation was set forth, and the love of God in Christ, exalted. From Cecil we went to Chester river, and had a meeting there, at which the people were exhorted to come to Christ, the eternal rock and true foundation, and to build their religion on him, against whom the gates of hell can never prevail; and they were so much affected, that they did not seem forward to leave the house after the meeting was over. From Chester river we went to Third-haven to the general meeting of Friends for Maryland, which was very large, some Friends from Pennsylvania and Virginia being there, and many people of other societies. Many testimonies were borne to the work of Christ by his spirit in the soul, and Friends were earnestly desired to be diligent in reading the holy Scriptures, and to keep up the practice of our wholesome discipline; by the neglect of which, a door would be open to loose living and undue liberties. From Third-haven we travelled into the Great Forest, between the bays of Chesapeak and Delaware, and had a satisfactory meeting. There was no public meeting house in this place, wherefore I told the people of the house, I was obliged to them for the use of it; but they tenderly answered, they were more obliged to me for my kind visiting of them; and truly we had a solid, good meeting there; the people being generally poor, they had but little notice taken of them by the money loving teachers, who preach for hire. From the Forest I went to Little creek, in the territories of Pennsylvania; where was a general meeting for the counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex. The meeting was large, and Friends parted in great love and tenderness. I went forward to Duck creek, where we had a meeting, divers persons of note being there, and The beginning of the eighth month, being all were quiet and heard with attention. From a little recovered from my hurt, I had a de- Duck creek I went to George's creek, and had sire once more to see my friends on the east- a meeting; where a man of a sober converern shore of Maryland, at their general meet-sation said he had never heard things so ing at Choptank. The first day I set out, I spoken to before but that he could witness travelled about thirty miles, and at night was to the truth of all that was said. It was a very weary, being weak in body, and I was almost ready to faint in my mind about proceeding further. Next day George Robinson, at whose house I lodged, offering to accompany me, we travelled about forty miles to Sassafras river, and though much tired, we were comforted in each other's company and VOL. VI.-No. 2.

On the 18th of the seventh month began our yearly meeting at Philadelphia, which was large, and our friends John Wanton and William Anthony, from Rhode Island, and Abigail Bowles, from Ireland, had good service therein. From this meeting an address was sent to king George, acknowledging his favour to us as a people, in giving his assent to a law made in this province, prescribing the forms of declaration, affirmation, &c., instead of those heretofore used.

good meeting before the conclusion; but I was very low and poor in my spirit in the beginning of it. From this place we set forward to Newcastle, where we had a meeting; it was the time of the sitting of the general assembly, and several members of the house were at meeting. The governor, who had

8

to my remembrance, afforded me some relief, "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth; if ye be without chastisement, ye are bastards, and not sons." "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." So that I patiently bore my affliction and praised God under it.

and prayers in several of us, that the youth might be preserved from the evils prevalent at such times of liberty and profaneness.

from our first acquaintance been very respectful to me, hearing that I was in town, sent to desire me to tarry all night in Newcastle; but being engaged to a meeting over the rivers Christiana and Brandywine, and it being near night, I could not stay, but went away that evening and sent my love to him, desiring to be excused. That night I lodged at John In this month I was at the funeral of our Richardson's, and next day went to George worthy, ancient Friend, Thomas Lightfoot. Robinson's, at Newark, where we had a meet-He was buried at Darby; the meeting was ing on first-day, and on second-day another the largest that I had ever seen at that place. at Providence; and went from thence to Dar- Our dear friend was greatly beloved for his by, to visit our worthy, aged friend, Thomas piety and virtue, his sweet disposition and Lightfoot, who lay very weak in body, none lively ministry: the Lord was with him in expecting his recovery. I had called as I his life and death, and with us at his burial. went from home, and then he was very ill, I was also about this time at Germantown, and told me, "He thought that illness would and at a general meeting at Plymouth, to my conclude his time in this world, but said great satisfaction, being accompanied by my that all was well; and that he had a great ancient friend Rowland Ellis; and at the concern upon his mind for the growth and third-day meeting in Philadelphia, at the time prosperity of truth in the earth, and desired of our fall fair; there were fervent desires with tenderness of spirit, that I would give his dear love to all Friends;" and he now said, "I thought never to see thee more, but am glad to see thee." I staid there all night, and in the morning we had a comfortable, heart-melting time together, in which was revived the remembrance of the many favour-likewise having some business to transact. able seasons of God's love we had enjoyed in our travels in the work of the ministry of the gospel of Christ, and we tenderly prayed, if we never met more in this world, we might meet in that which is to come, never more to part, but forever live to sing with all the saints and holy angels, hallelujah to God and the Lamb. From Darby I went to Philadelphia third-day meeting, and from thence to my house, where my dear wife and children with open hearts and arms received me, and I them with joy; at which time I had a gracious reward of peace for my labour of love, which far exceeded silver or gold. In this journey I travelled above three hundred miles, had nineteen meetings, and was from home above three weeks, in which time I recovered of my lameness to admiration, so that I had with satisfaction to remember the apostle's saying; that "All things work together for good to them that love God."

About the 20th of the month I went for Long island, being drawn in true love to make a general visit to Friends there; and

On the fifth-day of the week, Thomas Masters and I set out from Frankford, and in the evening we got to a Friend's house, near the falls of Delaware, where we were kindly entertained, and our horses taken good care of: to take due care of traveller's horses, is a commendable thing, and more grateful to some travellers than to take care of themselves. From the falls of Delaware, we travelled next day to Piscataway, and lodged at an inn; and on the next day we went to Woodbridge, to John Kinsey's, where on the first-day we had a satisfactory meeting with Friends and others. On the following day John Kinsey went with us to Long island, and that night got to John Rodman's, and next day we rested, being weary with travelling so far in the cold. Our dear friends in that island, very lovingly received my visit to them; so that I had occasion to remember that saying of the holy Scripture, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend!"

After my return I was at the general meeting at Frankford; and in the beginning of the The fifth-day of the week we had a large ninth month, I was at meetings at Abington, meeting at Flushing, and another in the eveGermantown, and divers times at Philadel- ning at Obadiah Lawrence's, which was an phia, particularly at the youths' meeting, open, tender time. From Flushing we went wherein several testimonies were borne, and to Cow-neck, to Joseph Latham's, who went the youth exhorted to piety and humility. with me to Westbury meeting, which, consiOn the 5th day of this month in the morn-dering the cold, was much larger than I exing, being under a consideration of the many pected. From Westbury, Nathaniel Simmons, sore exercises and trials I had met with from Samuel Underhill and Phebe Willet, went with my childhood, I was much affected; but the us to Bethpage, where we had a comfortable following portions of Scripture being brought evening meeting at the house of Thomas

they formerly made a law imposing a fine of five pounds on those who should entertain any of our Society, which law I was informed, was repealed in Great Britain. From thence we travelled into New-York government, and had a meeting at Rye, and another at Mamaroneck; then to West Chester, and had a meeting there on a sixth-day of the week, intending to go over the ferry next day to Long island; but the wind being high and boisterous, so that we could not get over, we tarried three nights at the house of John Stephenson, where we were lovingly and generously entertained. On first-day we were again at West Chester ineeting, which ended comfortably, though I was in a low state both of body and mind in the beginning of it. On second-day we all got well over the ferry to Long island, parting with our friends at the ferry in much love and good will. Joseph Latham having been my fellow traveller on the main, I went to his house; then to Westbury to a large meeting, and next to Bethpage, and had a meeting there, and in the evening accompanied by Samuel Bowne and Joseph Latham, I went to Jerusalem, and had a large and satisfactory meeting: many of the people of the town who were there, came the next day to our meeting at Hempstead, which was large. The great Lord of all was good to us that day, which I hope many who were there will not forget; and some convincement was wrought on some who were of account in the world, at these last mentioned meetings, one who lived at Jerusalem, with tenderness of spirit, desired my remembrance, whom I pray God to preserve to the end, with all those who love and fear him, and believe in his Son.

Powell, who went with us next morning to a town called Setawket; it was as cold a day's travel as ever I went through in all my life; the wind was in our faces, and northerly. I do not remember, though I had been a traveller above thirty years, that ever I endured so much hardship by cold in one day; my chin and jaws were much affected with the frost for several days; but we had a good meeting that made up for all. After which we went ten miles to Amos Willet's house, where we had a serviceable meeting; he invited his neighbours, who came and received us with hearts full of good will; and those not of our Society were well satisfied with the meeting; so that we went on our way rejoicing, that we were favoured with the good presence of God in our journey. Amos Willet and his wife went with us to Huntington, where we had a quiet, peaceable meeting, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ was with us, as many can witness that were there. From hence we went to Samuel Underhill's, and visited his weak brother; in which visit the Lord mightily refreshed us together, and we blessed his holy name, for "he is good to all them who put their trust in him." Next day we had a large meeting at Matinicock, and had an evening meeting at Thomas Pearsall's. The next day being a snowy, stormy day, and one of the shortest in the year, we went, being eighteen in company, to Cowneck, where we had a good meeting, and much larger than could be expected. After meeting we went to Joseph Latham's, and had a tender, open evening meeting, in which we were edified and refreshed in Christ Jesus. From Cow-neck I went to Flushing, had a large meeting on the first-day of the week, and on second-day went over the sound which From Hempstead I went to Matinicock, divides Long island from the main continent, where, on a first-day of the week, we had a to Horse-neck, and had a meeting where I large and good meeting; then to Thomas understood there never had been one before; Townsend's, on the Plains, at whose house the people were sober and attentive, and some we had an evening meeting. Next morning expressed their satisfaction. That evening many Friends from the Plains went with us we had a meeting at an inn near Byram to the south side of the island, to a place river, where divers people came, and were called Rockaway, where we had a meeting attentive; the inn-keeper, his father, brother, at Hicks', the neighbours coming to it pretty wife, and several others, took our visit very generally; there was great openness to rekindly; though there was one restless man, ceive the doctrine of truth in those not of our who seemed to be out of order with drink Society, and they were very kind to us in before he came into the house. When we those parts. This was the second meeting I were sitting in silence, waiting for the gift of had been at in this place, Benjamin Holme Christ, and worshipping in spirit, as Christ having the first there, since which they had instituted, he sitting by me, jogged me, and not been visited by any Friend in the minissaid, "It is time to begin, for there are as try except myself. From Rockaway we went many come, as will come to-night;" he was to Foster's meadow, where was a large gathmistaken in that; but not having patience to ering of people, and Christ filled our hearts watch and pray, he went away; after which with divine love. I then went to Peter Titus's, we had a good meeting. These two meetings and had a meeting at his house, to which were in the government of Connecticut, where came the neighbours, and were well affected;