By the pestilence, people have died so fast in a city, that through fear, grief and confusion, those in health have found great difficulty in burying the dead, even without coffins.

By famine, great numbers of people, in some places, have been brought to the utmost distress, and pined away for want of the necessaries of life. Thus, where the kind invitations and gentle chastisements of a gracious God have not been attended to, his sore judgments have at times, been poured out upon people.

While some rules approved in civil society, and conformable to human policy, so called, are distinguishable from the purity of Truth and righteousness; while many, professing Truth, are declining from that ardent love and heavenly-mindedness, which were amongst the primitive followers of Jesus Christ, it is a time for us to attend diligently to the intent of every chastisement, and consider the most deep and inward design of them.

The Most High doth not often speak with an outward voice to our outward ears; but if we humbly meditate on his perfections, consider that he is perfect wisdom and goodness, and that to afflict his creatures to no purpose, would be utterly averse to his nature, we shall hear and understand his language, both in his gentle and more heavy chastisements; and take heed that we do not, in the wisdom of this world, endeavour to escape his hand by means too powerful for us.

Had he endowed men with understanding to hinder the force of this disease by innocent means, which had never proved mortal nor hurtful to our bodies, such discovery might be considered as the period of chastisement by this distemper, where that knowledge extended. But as life and health are his gifts, and not to be dis

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posed of in our own wills, to take upon us, when in health, a distemper of which some die, requires great clearness of knowledge, that it is our duty to do so.

CHAPTER VII.

His visit in company with Samuel Eastburn, to Long Island, Rhode Island, Boston, &c., in New England-Remarks on the slave trade at Newport, and his exercise on that account; also on lotteries-Some observations on the island of Nantucket.

HAVING for some time past felt a sympathy in my mind with Friends eastward, I opened my concern in our Monthly Meeting; and obtaining a certificate, set forward on the 17th day of the fourth month, in the year 1760, joining in company, by a previous agreement, with my beloved friend Samuel Eastburn. We had meetings at Woodbridge, Rahway and Plainfield; and were at their Monthly Meeting of ministers and elders in Rahway. We laboured under some discouragement; but through the invisible power of Truth, our visit was made reviving to the lowly-minded, with whom I felt a near unity of spirit, being much reduced in my mind. We passed on and visited most of the meetings on Long Island. It was my concern from day to day, to say no more nor less than what the Spirit of Truth opened in me, being jealous over myself, lest I should speak any thing to make my testimony look agreeable to that mind in people, which is not in pure obedience to the cross of Christ.

The spring of the ministry was often low; and through

the subjecting power of Truth, we were kept low with it; and from place to place, such whose hearts were truly concerned for the cause of Christ, appeared to be comforted in our labours; and though it was in general a time of abasement of the creature, yet through His goodness, who is a helper of the poor, we had some truly edifying seasons both in meetings and in families where we tarried; and sometimes found strength to labour earnestly with the unfaithful, especially with those whose station in families, or in the Society was such, that their example had a powerful tendency to open the way for others to go aside from the purity and soundness of the blessed Truth. At Jericho, on Long Island, I wrote home as follows:

"24th of the Fourth month, 1760.

"Dearly beloved wife,

"WE are favoured with health; have been at sundry meetings in East Jersey, and on this island: my mind hath been much in an inward watchful frame since I left thee, greatly desiring that our proceedings may be singly in the will of our heavenly Father.

"As the present appearance of things is not joyous, I have been much shut up from outward cheerfulness, remembering that promise, Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.' As this, from day to day, has been revived in my memory, I have considered that his internal presence on our minds, is a delight of all others the most pure; and that the honest-hearted not only delight in this, but in the effect of it upon them. He who regards the helpless and distressed, reveals his love to his children under affliction, and they delight in beholding his benevolence, and feeling Divine charity moving upon

them. Of this I may speak a little; for though, since I left you, I have often found an engaging love and affection toward thee and my daughter, and friends about home, that going out at this time, when sickness is so great amongst you, is a trial upon me; yet I often remember there are many widows and fatherless, many who have poor tutors, many who have evil examples before them, and many whose minds are in captivity; for whose sake my heart is at times moved with compassion, that I feel my mind resigned to leave you for a season, to exercise that gift which the Lord hath bestowed on me; which, though small, compared with some, yet in this I rejoice, that I feel love unfeigned toward my fellow-creatures. I recommend you to the Almighty, who, I trust, cares for you; and under a sense of his heavenly love, remain

"Thy loving husband,

"J. W."

We crossed from the east end of Long Island to New London, about thirty miles, in a large open boat; while we were out, the wind rising high, the waves several times beat over us, and to me it appeared dangerous; but my mind was at that time, turned to Him who made and governs the deep, and my life was resigned to him: and as he was mercifully pleased to preserve us, I had fresh occasion to consider every day as a day lent to me; and felt a renewed engagement to devote my time and all I had to Him who gave it.

We had five meetings in Narraganset; and went thence to Newport on Rhode Island. Our gracious Father preserved us in an humble dependence on him through deep exercises, that were mortifying to the creaturely will. In

several families in the country where we lodged, I felt an engagement on my mind to have a conference with them in private concerning their slaves; and through Divine aid, I was favoured to give up thereto. Though, in this concern, I appear singular from many whose service in travelling I believe is greater than mine, I do not think hard of them for omitting it; nor do I repine at having so unpleasant a task assigned me, but look with awfulness to Him, who appoints to his servants their respective employments, and is good to all who serve him sincerely.

We got to Newport in the evening, and on the next day visited two sick persons, and had comfortable sittings with them; and in the afternoon attended the burial of a Friend.

The next day we were at meetings at Newport, in the forenoon and afternoon; where the spring of the ministry was opened, and strength given to declare the word of life to the people.

The next day we went on our journey; but the great number of slaves in these parts, and the continuance of that trade from thence to Guinea, made a deep impression on me; and my cries were often put up to my heavenly Father in secret, that he would enable me to discharge my duty faithfully, in such way as he might be pleased to point out to me.

We took Swansea, Freetown and Taunton, in our way to Boston; where also we had a meeting; our exercise was deep, and the love of Truth prevailed, for which I bless the Lord. We went eastward about eighty miles beyond Boston, taking meetings, and were in a good degree preserved in an humble dependence on that arm which drew us out; and though we had some hard