That night I went with my friend Robert safely through, though he had no proviJordan to an inn, near the place where his sion but what he carried with him, and met son Robert was a prisoner, who was a goodly youth, and had a very serviceable ministry. His father and I staid with him all the next day, and in the evening went to lodge at his house, his poor wife being alone; and although her husband was confined, she was cheerful. We had a meeting in the prison to good satisfaction, many people came to it and were orderly.

with about four or five houses or plantations in all that five hundred miles travel, which obliged him to lodge in the woods frequently; but having a small pocket compass, that was his guide, when the sun and stars were hid from him. I have since heard, that some others have travelled over this same ground, with less hardship, plantations and settlements being placed at proper distances, and a road marked out by the government; and now they may accomplish this journey without so frequently lying in the woods, as when this Friend came from thence. I was at the Quarterly Meeting, which held the seventh and firstday, and the weather being very hot, made it a little tedious to bear, there being a great crowd of people, but the meetings ended well, and were of good service.

Thence I went to Levy-neck, and visited all the meetings up to Curl's on the banks of James' river, and had an open good meeting there, though small, then to Gerard Ellison's, and had a large and open meeting; thence to

I then had a meeting at the western branch of Nansemond river, and was at the funeral of a young man who was very much lamented. I went that night towards Chuckatuck, where I had a fine, comfortable opportunity, and on the road I had some discourse with an ancient Friend, concerning the health of the country, we supposing people did not live so long in Virginia as in Europe. This Friend told me, the first man-child born in the province, of English parents, lived eighty years, and that many since had lived considerably longer; so that it is not the climate, but the intemperance of the people that shortens their days, for experience made it appear, Rappahannock Ferry, travelling sixty miles that temperate people lived much the same time as they do in Europe. This first-born son of the province was a remarkable man, it was said that he was disaffected to the then government, and had uttered some treasonable expressions against it, and for that cause was tried, and found guilty, being condemned to die for that crime: but when it was made appear, that he was the first male-child born in the province, of the English nation, it was resolved that he should be pardoned. Thus he was preserved from that untimely end, to run out nature's race, which was eighty years.

that day: I lodged at a poor widow's house, not a Friend by profession, but exceedingly kind. I had something to say in prayer before meat, with which she was greatly affected, and broken into tears, with some others of the family. When we left her in the morning, she would not take anything for our en tertainment, but desired that she might be favoured with such guests often. I gave her children something, and we left her in much love and tenderness. I travelled towards Maryland, about seventy miles, and had but one meeting on the way, where William Duff lived, I went after this meeting to visit Robert who was at that time a very tender and serJordan, jr., the prisoner, and the next day was viceable man. The Yearly Meeting in Maryat a funeral, the people being very humble, by land now came on, which held four days, viz: reason of a great mortality, so that preaching three for worship, and one for business. Many the Gospel had a very great reach upon them, people resort to it, and transact a deal of trade and several were convinced. Next day I one with another, so that it is a kind of marwent to Levy-neck, had a meeting, and went ket, or change, where the captains of ships and to Surrey meeting-house to a funeral, having the planters meet and settle their affairs; and been at four in about two weeks. After this this draws abundance of people of the best I took a turn round again to Levy-neck, other-rank to it; being in that called the Whitsunwise Pagan Creek, and had a meeting. Thence week.

to a meeting at Raskers-neck, and so round After this meeting I visited the province till the Quarterly Meeting was at hand; and on that side of the bay, and was at some then came to Robert Jordan's, to lodge. Next places where meetings had not been, missday at the meeting I met Joshua Fielding, a Friend of London, who had visited the islands and South Carolina, and had travelled by land to North Carolina, about five hundred miles, in about three weeks, mostly alone, which was a difficult and hazardous attempt. Some thought it too great an undertaking, and seemed to blame him for it, but he got

ing no place till I came up to the head of the bay. Then I ferried over the Susquehanna to Nottingham in Pennsylvania. Some Friends came from thence into Maryland to meet me, and conduct me over that large ferry, which was attended with much danger, it being a wide and very rough sea, and I seemed in more danger than I was upon the

ocean in the greatest storm we met with, but plain, compared with some others; yet some through mercy we all got safe over, although thought this reason sufficient to refuse his with hard labour and great care and difficul- proposal of marriage among them, although ty. The first meeting I had in that province well recommended from the Monthly Meeting was at Nottingham, and I had two in that where he was a member. I showed them, township. Then visited the meetings as that as he was so well recommended by certithey came in course, at New-Garden, Lon- ficate, they could not reject his proposal acdon Grove, Kennet, Concord, Chester, Spring-cording to our discipline. The meeting, after field, and so to Philadelphia. A great number we had some further conference about it, let of Friends came out of Philadelphia to meet the young people proceed, and matters grew me, which gave me great uneasiness, fearing easy, and that cloud of difference dispersed I should never be enabled to answer the high which was likely to hurt both Monthly Meetexpectations raised by such conduct; and it ings. were better to forbear such doings, for it is I went about five miles to Joseph Russel's, rather a hurt than a help. Those meetings in order to take shipping for the island of were very large, several of them amounting Nantucket. We met with some difficulty in to fifteen hundred, and some more, and mostly of a young generation. Very few of the elders who twenty years before were serviceable, zealous men, were now living; and many of the rising youth came up in the form more than in the power and life, that their predecessors were in; nevertheless, there was a fine living people amongst them, and they were in a thriving good way, several young ministers being very hopeful, both men and

women.

the passage, and were obliged to put into the island called Martha's Vineyard, but had no meeting there. We landed at Nantucket on the sixth-day of the week, and notice being given, the next day we had a very large meeting in the forenoon, and on the first-day it was much greater, especially in the afternoon, the inhabitants generally inclining to Friends, and there was great love and unity amongst them. I desired a select meeting of the elders, to whom I had something in particular relating I was at three meetings in Philadelphia, to discipline and the ministry, which was of exceedingly large, more like Yearly Meetings good service and well accepted. I staid two than common first-day meetings; after which meetings more, and visited some families, I staid but two nights, being in haste to reach and then took shipping back again, was two a Yearly or Quarterly Meeting, near three nights on board, and being in an open boat, hundred miles further north, at Newport on and the weather very hot, it was tedious. Rhode Island. I travelled from thence to Bur- Several persons of the island came with us, lington, Crosswicks, Stonybrook and Wood- and we landed at John Russel's; and from bridge, and had meetings at all those places. thence, having Nathaniel Starbuck with me, I attended a Yearly Meeting, as they called it, went to a small meeting called Scepecan, and so at Newtown, Long Island, on the first-day of to Suckenaset. Here a man gave some uneasithe week; it was very large of both Friends ness, by raising objections about the Divine and other people. There I found several of light, as not being universal, rendering the my former friends, John Rodman, Hugh Cow-doctrine, as he would expound it, against reaperthwaite, Samuel Bowne, and others, who had been of great comfort and support to me in my imprisonment on the island, and we were truly glad to see and enjoy each other in the truth of the Gospel.

Thence I took my journey through Connecticut, nearly two hundred miles, to Rhode Island, and visited the meetings at Seconnet, Acoakset, Dartmouth, and back to the island, and so to the Quarterly Meeting at Newport, which was very large and continued three days. I was largely drawn forth to the elders and ministers, there being many of them, and had very good satisfaction in all their meetings. I went back to a Monthly Meeting at Dartmouth, which was very large; but a narrowness of spirit did hurt amongst them, and produced some uneasiness, which I endeavoured to remove. It was chiefly occasioned by a young man being too much in the fashion, although

son, urging that the natural consequence of it was to hold forth as many Christs as people who were enlightened by him. To which I answered, by alluding to the natural sun, which enlightens the earth and every dwelling, so that we frequently say, when the rays of light from the sun come into the room, the sun shines into it; yet the sun is not therefore divided, but it is the same sun that enlightens the house here, that does another elsewhere: Even so is the light of Christ: he is the true light that enlightens every man coming into the world. Thus expounding and illustrating the doctrine of the Divine light, the people, who were but a few, seemed much affected therewith. I had also in my doctrine that day shown the kingdom of God or of heaven to be within, and that it was equally universal with the light of Christ. At this he cavilled likewise, but made nothing of it, for

I set forth what the kingdom in this place clear these things up, I should be pleased with meant, and how it ought to be understood; an opportunity to hear him do it in as public plainly showing, that by the kingdom of hea- a way as he had defamed us, either to make ven was meant the Divine Seed in the heart, proof of his charges, or retract them; but he otherwise called the grace of God, which, as would not permit any such things. He had every one makes it the rule of their actions, charged Friends with denying the Scriptures, in both moral and religious conduct, teaches Christ, the resurrection of the body, and that us our duty to God and one another, by which we pretended to revelation now, although, as we are brought under the government of he said, it was ceased some generations since. Christ, and thereby made partakers of that He being a hot, weak man, just set up in his peace which may be justly termed the king-trade, endeavoured to ingratiate himself in this dom of heaven within. The objections made way into the minds of the people, but he lost by this forward man, though weak and im- ground by it, so that he could make nothing pertinent, gave opportunity to explain the doc- but noise and tumult; and I was told that some trine of the Gospel more clearly, and although of his own people blamed him much for the such objectors seldom end in any good to interruption he gave me, and for endeavouring themselves, yet good often comes out of their to hinder the people from coming to hear for objections. themselves.

From thence I went to Amesbury, &c., and to Hampton Monthly Meeting, which held but one day. I was concerned to stir up Friends

to be made use of as occasion might require, the priests' hearers making spoil of Friends' goods to support their false ministry, with which some people were so uneasy and oppressed, that complaints in almost every township appeared against them.

From thence I came to Dover Monthly Meeting: they were very raw, and managed their affairs but indifferently, chiefly occasioned by the want of some better hands to write and keep their books in order. I was likewise concerned here to put them upon recording their sufferings, and in a way to do

From thence I travelled to Sandwich, Yarmouth, Scituate, and then to a meeting where Michael Wanton lived, and so for Boston, visiting the meetings to Lynn, Marblehead to keep a faithful record of all their sufferings, and Salem. I came to Newbury, the town which I mentioned in my first journey, but there were very few Friends here now, not above nine or ten in all. The people had notice, but the room was very small, and the priest came, and did all he could to hinder the people from coming in, and made a very great noise concerning the danger of our principles and doctrines. I endeavoured to press him to show wherein; but he evaded that as much as he could, and charged in general; but being closely pressed, at last he pitched upon our denying the Scriptures, baptism and the supper, and the resurrection of the body. Iit; for they were sufferers not only on acbid him hold, and first prove that we denied count of the hireling preachers, to maintain the Scriptures, and so the rest in order, as them in their pride and idleness, but also for they came in course. I asserted that we not bearing arms, which was likewise pretty owned the Scripture; and he said we did not heavy upon them in some towns; in others and I demanded proof of him, otherwise he their neighbours were moderate, and made must be concluded a false accuser. He went not much ado about them. Some complied about it, but could make nothing of it. When so far as to pay their quota about bearing he had said what he could, I told him, his ac- arms, who would not pay a doit to the parson, cusation relating to the Scriptures must be they seeing very clearly that they were wrong false, for it was publicly known, that both in and preached themselves and for themselves. our preaching, and also in our writings, fre- We had an agreeable time in conference, quent recourse was had to the text, to prove and there was great sincerity and innocency our doctrine, and this must be a plain demon-amongst them. I was at their first-day meetstration and proof, that we owned the Scrip-ing, which was very large, and to great sattures. The people allowed this to be right: isfaction. After meeting, finding that some and he coming off so lame at first, would pro- misunderstanding was amongst them about the ceed no further in that public manner, but building of a meeting-house, we persuaded would have me go to his house, and talk these them to peace and love, in which we were matters over in his closet. I told him his successful. We appointed a meeting to be meeting-house was more proper for such a held there, which was attended by all, or the conference than his closet, and there I would greatest part, of Friends of that Monthly meet him when he pleased. I had heard Meeting, and a comfortable opportunity we he treated the doctrines held by us, very had, and they seemed all very easy and reunhandsomely in his pulpit, where he knew conciled one to another. none dare to oppose him, and if he would

Thence I went to Strawberry-bank, other

Newbury, and had a meeting; to which the priest was again invited, but he did not come near us. Next day I was at their Monthly Meeting, which was but dull, and then went up in the woods, to a new place, where there were many people, and we had a good meeting. Next day I was at a marriage, which was held in a Presbyterian meeting place, a very commodious, handsome house, and would contain nearly two thousand people, as some said. It was as full as it could well contain, and the meeting was very easy and quiet: several teachers from the neighbouring towns were there, and I was doubtful of some jang. ling and dispute, but all went off very well. I was largely opened to set forth the service

Meeting, and by this popular title abundance and had meetings at both places; thence to more people come together, in expectation of something extraordinary to be met with; it held two days, and was to very good content. Next day I had a meeting at Kitteryside, in an old meeting-house that the Presbyterians had erected, but not being in a convenient place for them, had left it. Many people, both Friends and others came, and before it was quite gathered, the priest with a large company came in, and immediately began to pray, continuing a long time: but as soon as he had done, I spoke to the people with some authority, which seemed to daunt the priest, who it was thought intended to have taken up all the time himself, and to have put us by; if he had succeeded, they would have gloried and triumphed much, but they were disap- of our Monthly Meetings, with respect to takpointed. In the course of my ministry, I insisted on the danger of neglecting the work of our salvation, speaking cautiously, that such an omission might be irreparable. The priest replying, said, "that should be expressed will be irreparable. I desired him not to disturb us, for we did not him; and repeating my words over again, with this addition, I dare not speak conclusively of the mercy of God, who is able by Christ to save us at the hour of death. After this he was silent, only writing when he thought he had any room to cavil, but he was soon weary, for I was very strong both in power and doctrine, and great tenderness was among the people, which was strange to him, and Scripture came very aptly to confirm my doctrine. The priest growing weary would stay no longer, but walked off, inviting the people to go with him, but very few went. We had a very good, serviceable opportunity, and the meeting ended very quietly and well.

ing care of the poor, deciding differences, and taking cognizance of marriages; at which the people seemed pleased, wondering that they had no such order amongst them; this was a high day, and ended well. Next day I went to Lynn, had meetings at fresh places about Lynn, Marblehead, Salem, and in several little villages towards Boston, and taking my leave of Friends in that part of the country, I came to Boston, and had two meetings there. Then I went to Mendam, Providence and Swansey, or Wickapinsett, and had meetings; and then to Scituate Yearly Meeting, which held two days, but nothing happened uncommon, save that the parting meeting at Pembroke was very large, open, and to good satisfaction. I had a small meeting at Hanover and Freetown, and so back to Wickapinsett again, and then to Rhode Island Quarterly Mccting. On the first day I had something to say to the ministers and elders about the discipline of the church, warning them to look diligently to the flock; Next day I went to Portsmouth, having and letting them know, that the apostacy was been there before at an improper time, but partly occasioned through the ministers and now we had an excellent meeting. I was elders neglecting their duty, &c. Next day at the new meeting-house, about which they was the meeting of ministers and elders, and had had some uneasiness; we had a meeting I was very much drawn forth to both. Then to very good satisfaction, and Friends appeared I had a mecting at Providence middle meetingwell reconciled. I went once more to visit house, which was small, but pretty well. the widow Hanson at Knox-marsh, and from Then I went to Leicester, and had a sweet thence to Stratham, having had a meeting good time with a few seeking people, and there two or three weeks before, and the peo-in the evening I had a long conference ple were then very much affected. But the with a young woman about the sabbath, priest hearing of it, was very uneasy, and the sacraments, so called, and some other went amongst his hearers, begging and pray- points; in all which she seemed very tender, ing them not to converse with the Quakers, if they could avoid it, so that but few came. Amongst them was a man in drink, who cavilled and would pretend to a disputation, but he was so much in liquor that he rambled in his discourse, and knew not what he said; he went away in a rage, cursing as he went From thence I went to Oxford, where was along. I came to Hampton and Amesbury no meeting settled, nor any Friend in that

and in a good frame. I told her, I would not treat her as a disputant, in an adverse temper, but as a sister and friend in the same faith in degree; but she complained much of the bondage of her education, and lamented her case.