meeting; where, through the renewings of pure love, we had a very comfortab'e season.

Travelling up and down of late, I have had renewed evidences, that to be faithful to the Lord, and content with his will concerning me, is a most necessary and useful lesson for me to be learning ; looking less at the effects of my labour, than at the pure motion and reality of the concern, as it arises from heavenly love. In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength; and as the mind, by a humble resignation, is united to him; and we utter words from an inward knowledge that they arise from the heavenly spring, though our way may be difficult, and require close attention to keep in it; and though the manner in which we may be led, may tend to our own abasement; yet, if we continue in patience and meekness, heavenly peace is the reward of our labours.

From thence I went to Curles meeting; which, though small, was reviving to the honest-hearted. Thence to Black Creek and Caroline meetings; from whence, accompanied by William Standley, before mentioned, we rode to Goose Creek, being much through the woods, and about one hundred miles. We lodged the first night, at a publichouse; the second, in the woods; and the next day, we reached a friend's house, at Goose Creek. In the woods we lay under some disadvantage, having no fire-works nor bells for our horses; but we stopped a little before night, and let them feed on the wild grass which was plentiful; in the mean

time cutting with our knives a store against night, and then tied them; and gathering some bushes under an oak, we lay down but the musquetoes being numerous and the ground damp, I slept but little. Thus lying in the wilderness, and looking at the stars, I was led to contemplate on the condition of our first parents, when they were sent forth from the garden; but the Almighty, though they had been disobedient, continued to be a father to them; and showed them what tended to their felicity as intelligent creatures, and was acceptable to Him. To provide things relative to our outward living, in the way of true wisdom, is good; and the gift of improving in things useful, is a good gift, and comes from the Father of lights. Many have had this gift; and, from age to age, there have been improvements of this kind made in the world. But some not keeping to the pure gift, have, in the creaturely cunning and selfexaltation, sought out many inventions; which inventions of men, as distinct from that uprightness in which man was created, as the first motion to them was evil, so the effects have been and are evil. At this day, it is as necessary for us constantly to attend on the heavenly gift, to be qualified to use rightly the good things in this life amidst great improvements, as it was for our first parents, when they were without any improvements, without any friend or father but God only.

I was at a meeting at Goose Creek; and next at a monthly meeting at Fairfax; where, through the

gracious dealing of the Almighty with us, his power prevailed over many hearts. Thence to Monoquacy and Pipe Creek, in Maryland; at both which places I had cause humbly to adore Him, who supported me through many exercises, and by whose help I was enabled to reach the true witness in the hearts of others. There were some hopeful young people in those parts. Thence I had meetings at John Everit's in Monalen, and at Huntingdon ; and I was made humbly thankful to the Lord, who opened my heart amongst the people in these new settlements, so that it was a time of encouragement to the honest-minded.

At Monalen, a friend gave me some account of a religious society among the Dutch, called Mennonists; and, amongst other things, related a passage in substance as follows:-One of the Mennonists having acquaintance with a man of another society at a considerable distance, and being with his waggon on business near the house of his said acquaintance, and night coming on, he had thoughts of putting up with him; but passing by his fields, and observing the distressed appearance of his slaves, he kindled a fire in the woods hard by, and lay there that night. His said acquaintance hearing where he lodged, and, afterwards meeting the Mennonist, told him of it; adding, he should have been heartily welcome at his house; and from their acquaintance in former time, wondered at his conduct in that case: the Mennonist replied, ever since I lodged by thy field, I have wanted an

opportunity to speak with thee. The matter was; I intended to have come to thy house for entertainment, but seeing thy slaves at their work, and observing the manner of their dress, I had no likeing to come to partake with thee; then admonished him to use them with more humanity; and added, as I lay by the fire that night, I thought that as I was a man of substance, thou wouldst have received me freely; but if I had been as poor as one of thy slaves, and had no power to help myself, I should have received from thy hand no kinder usage than they.

Hence I was at three meetings in my way; and so I went home, under a humbling sense of the gracious dealings of the Lord with me, in preserving me through many trials and afflictions in my journey. I was out about two months, and travelled about eleven hundred and fifty miles.

CHAPTER V.

Considerations on the payment of a tax, laid for carrying on the war against the Indians.-Some notes on Thomas à Kempis and John Huss.Meetings of the committee of the yearly meeting at Philadelphia.-The present circumstances of friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey very different from those of our predecessors-The draughting of the militia in New Jersey to serve in the army; with some observations on the state of the members of our society at that time.-His visit to friends in Pennsylvania, accompanied by Benjamin Jones.-Proceedings at the monthly, quarterly, and yearly meetings, in Philadelphia, respecting those who keep slaves.

A FEW years past, money being made current in our province for carrying on wars, and to be called in again by taxes laid on the inhabitants, my mind was often affected with the thoughts of paying such taxes; and I believe it right for me to preserve a memorandum concerning it. I was told, that friends in England frequently paid taxes, when the money was applied to such purposes. I had conversation with several noted friends on the subject, who all favoured the payment of such taxes; some of whom I preferred before myself, and this made me easier for a time, yet there was in the deeps