:

good satisfaction. On seventh-day following, Cooper, in whose family we had a comfortable the 21st of ninth month, began the Yearly meeting: he has some promising children, inMeeting of ministers and elders for Pennsyl-clined to sobriety and virtue; such I think are vania and the Jerseys, held at Philadelphia, an honour to parents, and also such parents which we attended throughout. At this meet- an honour to children. Fourth-day, rode to a ing were presented certificates on behalf of meeting at Upper Greenwich which was much our friends Sarah Morris of Philadelphia, crowded. I was led to speak of the variety of an able minister of the Gospel, and Eliza- dispensations that were allotted to the righte beth Smith of Burlington, an excellent min- ous for their purification: it was an open ister, and who for many years past have had good meeting, and the name of the Lord was it on their minds to pay a religious visit praised for it, who is worthy of all praise. to Friends in Old England; and produced First-day, the 13th, was at Salem meeting, certificates from their Monthly and Quarter- which was very large, both of our own and ly Meetings for the Yearly Meeting's approba- other societies. I had to speak of the univertion. After many weighty sittings and solid sality of the love of God to all people of every deliberation, the meeting having a near sym-profession everywhere, and to exhort those pathy with them in their religious concern, who were more immediately called into relirecommended them to the Lord for protection gious services to be faithful therein the meetand to the guidance of his Holy Spirit, and ing ended in prayer and praising the Lord. granted them certificates to proceed as their Next day to Lower Alloways creek, and after way might more fully open to their satisfac-meeting went home with James Daniel, an tion. These, and the preceding meetings for able minister of the Gospel, who visited some worship and discipline, continued till late on part of Europe in the year 1752 in a religious the fifth-day following, and were very large, capacity, which was to his own peace and the many weighty matters were brought before satisfaction of Friends: had a meeting in his them, and spoken to according to Gospel order. family, which was mercifully owned to the reIt may be said that the meetings both for wor- freshing of our souls. He accompanied us ship and discipline were to the glory of God, the next day to Lower Greenwich meeting: the praise of his great name, and to the com- after dinner divers Friends coming in, we had fort and edification of his church and people. a short but profitable sitting, and some bread Great is his power and goodness, and worthy was cast upon the waters, which I believe to be had in everlasting remembrance, even will remain after many days. First-day, the for ever and ever! 20th, had a meeting at Middle Egg-harbour, which was low and small, but the Lord was with his ministers, helping them to divide the word rightly, blessed be his name for it!

Second-day went to Abington Monthly Meeting; the meeting for discipline not satisfactory many having gone out in marriage, contrary to the good order established amongst Seventh-day, the 26th, began their Yearly us; some recent instances appearing at this Meeting at Shrewsbury: amongst others who time, brought sorrowful exercise upon well attended were Robert Valentine from Pennconcerned Friends. Many also showed them-sylvania, Mark Reeve from West Jersey, selves very disorderly in going frequently out Isaac Andrews from Haddonfield, Richard of meeting during the time of worship, and Titus from Long Island, Sarah Morris, Benvery much so in time of transacting the ser-jamin Swett and wife, and some others. In vice of the discipline, which was painful to the meetings on first-day I was silent: the bear. Fourth-day was at Byberry; lodged at James Thornton's, who came from Old England some years since and settled in this country he is a worthy minister and elder. Sixth-day rode to Philadelphia, where I received a melancholy letter from my dear brother John Oxley, giving me an account of his being attacked with a paralytic stroke, and though he was getting better, I was much concerned and affected with the news, lest another attack of the same kind should soon follow, and be of still worse consequence. Thirdday, in company with Samuel Emlen, senior and junior, went to Woodbury and had a meeting there; it was a time of laborious exercise, but I hope not without some advantage. Went home with our friend and elder David

meeting for worship on second-day previous to that for business was very large, and though it gathered very badly, yet afterward it settled into solemn and profitable waiting, and it was a glorious good meeting, the Lord got himself the victory, and it ended in supplication and thanksgiving to him for all his mercies and benefits. The discipline of the church was carried on in the spirit of love and condescension; sundry necessary remarks were made and advices given for counsel and instruction, and were well received, all tending to edification. These meetings being over, went with many other Friends to Richard Lawrence's, who was formerly a member of parliament, but he became convinced of the Truth and took up the cross, so that he had not freedom

to continue his seat in that house; he, as also his wife, are steady valuable Friends, and he himself waited on his guests at table, as one being redeemed from all worldly pomps and honours.

Shrewsbury, 7th of Tenth month, 1771.

My dearly-beloved wife,

which was large, but gathered in so much disorder as to make it quite burdensome; and as it met so dishonourably, the Great Master would not condescend to honour as at other times. I faithfully spake what was given me, which I believe will be long had in remembrance. Second-day was at their Monthly Meeting at Buckingham, which I think was Thy kind and affectionate epistle of 23d Grace Fisher, a ministering Friend from Philthe largest I have yet seen in Pennsylvania: of seventh month, I have received with the adelphia, also Susanna Lightfoot were there, usual marks of the loving and faithful wife; and we were much pleased to see each other. and in return please to accept these lines from The meeting for worship was to good satisfacthy dear and affectionate husband, though tion, but that for discipline not so, many of separated so long and at so great a distance. other societies crowding themselves in, on acThis I think nothing temporal should have count of seeing some young couples present occasioned, but He on whose account it is, is their intentions of marriage, which when over still worthy to be served and obeyed; and here they generally withdraw, and many of our I trust we consider ourselves as being married in the Lord, and so he is become our husband disturbance of the meeting, and it is to be Friends young go out after them, to the great and head. It is our incumbent duty to be feared many times it has a hurtful tendency subject to him however nearly we are united to our young people. Much was said in order as husband and wife, yet his commandment is to put a stop to this unbecoming and disagreeabove all to rule us and to be attended to; and able custom, which is painful to many Friends, in this matter, I trust, we are of one heart and and it is to be hoped the advice that was given one mind, and are one another's in the Lord. would have a happy effect. Third-day went I am through Divine favour in good health to Wright's Town Monthly Meeting, after and spirits, and at times made strong to de- which went to our friend Joseph White's, an clare the goodness of the Lord, and to invite able minister of the Gospel, well known by to him, whose ways are ways of pleasantness and whose paths are peace; and sometimes Ivice there. Sixth-day, had a meeting at Bormany in Old England for his acceptable serhave a hope that my labour is not altogether in vain in the Lord, though my all be only as

the two mites.

dentown, in the afternoon visited Joanna Sykes, who had buried her husband but a few days before, who was in the ninetieth year of his

age,

had lived together in a married state sixtyand his widow almost eighty-eight; they ministers of the Gospel. I felt some good in seven years, and both of them acceptable my heart, whilst sitting in retirement, of which I communicated, and we were comforted to

This letter, and indeed all that I have received from thee, are proofs not only of thy integrity as a loving wife and an affectionate mother, but also as valiant and bold in the cause of Israel's God: if it should please Him for whose cause we are separated, to bring us together again, I trust it will be a joyful meet-gether thereby. About this time, there came ing. I have now travelled over great part of the continent, so far as even to think, at least

if health is preserved and nothing unforeseen prevent, I may finish what remains with the year; but if it should be so, there is great probability that the frost and other impediments may prevent, that I shall not say more at present on that head, nor draw hasty conclusions.

I am now at Shrewsbury attending this Yearly Meeting, at which there are many Friends of higher degree, but none so little and mean as I am. We have been favoured

this day with a large and good meeting, Truth rose into dominion, and the Lord's great name became glorious, his own arm wrought salvation: the meeting ended in prayer and praising him, who is worthy for ever!

Seventh-day, 2nd of tenth month, had a meeting at Hardwich or the Great Meadows,

down out of the wilderness into Pennsylvania many bears, which did considerable damage; we heard that a child was killed by one of them, and a man and woman much hurt by another. The coming down of bears so near Philadelphia has not been known for many years past. Seventh-day, had a meeting at a place called Robins; this meeting and meeting-house was fallen much into decay; scarcely any Friends left to uphold the meeting with any degree of reputation; yet it was to us a time of Divine favour, and strength was given to speak well of the name of the Lord, whose presence is near, and able to preafterwards set forward for Philadelphia; and serve those who put their trust in him. We ferrying over Rancocas and Delware rivers to the city, was made thankful in that I witnessed the protection of the Lord to preserve my body in health, and my mind from sinking into un

profitable lowness: blessed be his name for ever and ever!

day had a meeting at Center, to which many were gathered, wherein was preached the tesThe soil of the Jerseys towards the east is timony of Truth in a good degree of heavenly very barren, but abounds with cedar-swamps life and power; thanksgiving and praise be and pine-trees, much made use of for building. given to Him who gives strength and power The timber in the northern part, which is to do it. Fifth-day attended a very large mountainous, is oak of various kinds, some of meeting at Wilmington: the chief part of the which are three, four, five and six feet over; inhabitants of this town, which is a very imblack walnut, commonly called in Old Eng-proving one, are under our denomination. In land Virginia walnut, much used by joiners this meeting I gave way to fear, and disfor desks, drawers, tables, coffins, &c.; pop-couragement prevailing, I let go that faith lar, hickory, chesnut, ash, beech, sassafras, which before I had known to be my support, with swamp bushes of various kinds, as the and without which we are not able to please bay, magnolia, white and black alder, sumach God. At this place live Elizabeth Shipley of divers kinds; one of which, called the and Esther White, both eminent in the minisswamp sumach, is of so poisonous a nature try, particularly the former: they visited that even handling it will so poison a person's Friends in Great Britain, &c. in company, in flesh as to blind them. Peaches they have the year 1745, to great satisfaction: they are in great abundance, also quinces, pompions, now far advanced in years. I visited them to squashes, melons, &c. Their horses in a com- my spiritual comfort and refreshment. mon way are not handsome, but travel much First-day, the 1st of twelfth month, attended easier and are much more hardy than ours in a meeting at Marshey creek, where were some England. Of wild beasts there are bears, of the people called Nicholites and also of other wolves, panthers and deer, which decrease as professions. After taking some refreshment the inhabitants increase: also foxes, raccoons, at William Edmundson's, at whose house we otters, musk-rats, opossums, &c. On the had lodged the night before, we bent our course sea-coast and bay are numerous quantities of toward Little Choptank. The wind blew very flies and mosquitoes, which extremely annoy hard, and we had to pass over a bad and danboth man and beast by their biting and in-gerous causeway about half a mile long; it jecting a poisonous quality, which is painful

to bear.

was with great difficulty we got our horses through without being mired: at the end of Fourth-day, 13th of eleventh month, was this causeway was a ferry over Choptank held a meeting for the Negroes; the service river. When we came to the river-side, we that day fell on Sarah Morris, Samuel Emlen, were all afraid; the ferrymen said, the wind and John Pemberton; there were few at this was so boisterous, it was not possible for us to meeting but Negroes, they generally sat so- get over but with the greatest danger. We berly, and conducted themselves well; these overtook three Negroes who were also going meetings for the benefit of the poor Africans over; one of them said he had been used to are held quarterly. Fifth-day, left the city in that sort of work, and he did not fear but that company with John Pemberton. My late com- we should get over very well. For my own panion Joshua Thompson returned home, hav-part, I was very much discouraged, and exing travelled with me upwards of two thou-ceedingly loath to come away from our friend sand miles, whose company was very agreeable William Edmundson's house; but my companand useful, he being an elder worthy of double ion was very much for it, so, in condescension honour. We passed over the river Schuylkill to him I complied and set forward. We all to Derby, where there was a marriage of a son of us got into the boat, being nine in number of William Horne, a ministering Friend well besides three horses. The wind being exceedknown in England for his services there in the ing strong, it was with great difficulty we year 1762. Sarah Morris was at this meeting; could put off from the shore, which at length and it was an opportunity of Divine favour we did, and soon got driven far beyond the to many, which our souls were made thank- usual place of landing; the wind being ahead fully to acknowledge. The same evening to of us, we could make very little way across Springfield, and lodged at Mordecai Yarnall's, the river, and it increasing, blew the water an excellent minister of the Gospel, who visited out of the river like rain; also at the same Old England in the year 1757, and whose ser-time it froze very severely, so that we became vices are remembered by many. Seventh-day quite benumbed with cold. The men rowed to Providence, then to Chester, and lodged at with all their might, and sometimes got a little Joshua Hoskins's, who was husband to Jane forward, at other times lost what they had Hoskins, an able and well approved minister, gained, and night coming on, there was very who visited Europe in company with Elizabeth little better prospect than our being cast upon Hudson in the years 1749 and 1750. Third- a wide swampy marsh, where was no landing,

wonderfully preserved me in this great and arduous engagement, through this long wilderness, with a measure of that peace, which he the Lord only can give, and it pleaseth him to bestow it upon those who in faithfulness follow him, in the way of his requirings.

and in a dark, frosty night in an open boat: excellent name for ever more, who has so we concluded we must be all dead by morning. At length it pleased Divine Providence to cause the wind to lull, as the sailors term it, and we got a little forward, but it soon increased again, and we were in great distress, and it was now almost dark; our horses also began to be very unruly, which increased our difficulty. Some of the men would have us endeavour to go back again to the place where we entered into the boat; others said it was impossible, and advised our using our utmost strength to get forward, which we did, and with long and hard labour we at length got happily over to the other side, but far wide from the landing-place, and reached a Friend's house not far distant. I hope to be thankful for this merciful deliverance, and in future to be more attentive to my inward feelings, which when duly attended to are many times preservatives both from spiritual and temporal dangers.

[John Pemberton about this time writes thus to Mary Oxley:] "Thy dear husband has stepped along wisely, and has gained the love of Friends, and, indeed, it is a great blessing and mercy to be so preserved, and I expect he will leave us much united to him. Visiting the churches in our time is attended with much suffering: frequent baptisms into death, in sympathy with the suffering seed, is the allotment of the Gospel labourers; but where faith and strength are vouchsafed to discharge duty, there is a satisfaction; and the sweet evidence which at times through adorable condescension is granted to the sincere in heart, who have nothing in view but the glory of God, and the good of souls, and that they may be found faithful, tends to support in seasons of secret mourning."

[The following is an extract of a letter from Joseph Oxley to his wife:]

Philadelphia, 1st of First month, 1772.

First-day, the 15th, rode to Goshen, where we lodged at our worthy friend Thomas Goodwin's, a minister of the Gospel, who paid a religious visit to England in the year 1762. Second-day was at their meeting, and went home with Aaron Ashbridge, an elder in good esteem, who was husband to Elizabeth Ashbridge, a minister well approved; she visited Since my last to thee I have been visiting some parts of England and Ireland in company Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, and about two with Sarah Worrall, who was also well ap- days since was met by my kind friend John proved of in the same religious capacity. Yet Pemberton, who gave account of the Pennsylit pleased the Lord to visit them with sickness, vania packet, Captain Osborne, being arrived, under which affliction they long lingered, and and brought me thine of 2nd of ninth month, with hard travel, and inward and spiritual ex- which is truly acceptable, with the comercise grew weaker and weaker, and at length fortable tidings of thine and our family's welquietly departed this life, and I doubt not are fare. My last would acquaint thee with my at rest and peace with the Lord. Fourth-day, intention of returning by Osborne. The time was at Concord Meeting, which was a day of of her sailing is settled to be the middle of great power, wherein the Gospel of Christ was next month, if nothing unforeseen prevent. preached in good authority, and the great Having finished what I apprehend to be my Name praised, who is worthy for ever and duty, I am waiting in the city, visiting Friends. ever. From hence to Nathan Lewis's, who is I think I may say I find much freedom and a minister, as is also his wife; she visited some openness in their hearts, as well as in their parts of Europe about the year 1753. Seventh- houses to receive me, and am shown much day at the Valley meeting; I thought it like respect by Friends in general, though undeunto Rephidim, a place where there was no servedly. I am, through the favour of a kind water: I was altogether silent, but my compan- | Providence, in good health and tolerable spirits, ion, Thomas Carleton, communicated a little content with my wages, and murmur not. matter. After meeting to Edward Jones's, Dear Elizabeth Smith continues in great where I was met by my kind friend and land-bodily weakness, and more likely to die than lord John Pemberton, who brought me let- to live. Samuel Emlen, at our last Monthly ters from my dear wife and children, with Meeting at Philadelphia, laid before the meetgood accounts respecting their welfare, for ing a concern he had on his mind, to pay a which my mind was made humbly thankful. First-day, 22nd, was at Radnor meeting. Second-day to Haverford, and so to Philadelphia; through Divine favour, in very good health: blessed and praised be his great and

VOL. II.--No. 12.

religious visit to Friends in some parts of Great Britain; also another Friend, John Woolman, a wise sensible man, having a good gift in the ministry and well approved of, has a concern of the like kind, more particularly

60

to Yorkshire. I suppose the latter will hardly leave the continent till the summer.

satisfaction; I found him solid and weighty, and since that time have heard well concerning him.

On the 12th went with Benjamin Swett to Mount Holly meeting; and, in our way thither, about four miles from Burlington, we went into the woods to see a person of whom Samuel Smith in his history of the Jerseys writes thus:

May Divine Providence bless us, keep us, and preserve us temporally and spiritually, by sea and land, that we may once more meet together, rejoice in the mercy and goodness of God, and live to praise and adore his great and excellent name, who is worthy for ever! I again salute thee, my endeared wife and affectionate companion, and you, my beloved "Four miles from hence, a recluse person, children, with the blessing of a loving hus- who came a stranger, has lived alone near band and tender father: you still remain the twelve years, (now twenty,) in a thick wood, objects of my care, with strong cries to the through all the extremities of the seasons, Lord for preservation both for you and me. under cover of a few leaves, supported by the During this long separation, I have had many side of an old log, and put together in the trials, exercises, and besetments you know not form of a small oven, not high or long enough of, through all which the Almighty's power to stand upright or lie extended. He talks has wrought my deliverance, praised be his Dutch, but unintelligibly, either through degreat name for it; and you, though not in the sign, or from defect in his intellects: whence same way, have, I doubt not, had your trials, he came or what he is, nobody about him can even to the trial of your faith and patience; find out. He has no contrivance to keep fire, and it is as we endure these siftings and prov-nor uses any in very cold weather: he lies ings that our souls are purified, and our un-naked, stops the hole he creeps in and out at derstanding and judgment ripened; thus we are fitted for service, some in one way, and some in another: therefore, live and walk in him, in whom ye have believed.

JOSEPH OXLey.

with leaves: he mostly keeps in his hut, but sometimes walks before it; lies on the ground, and cannot be persuaded to work much, nor without violence, to forsake this habit, which he appears to delight in, and enjoy full health. When the woods and orchards afford him no nuts, apples, or other relief as to food, he applies now and then for bread to the neighbourhood, and with that is quite satisfied; he refuses money, but has been frequently clothed by charity he seems to be upwards of forty years of age (now sixty,) as to person rather under the middle size-calls himself Francis.”

:

The hard frost being now set in, stopped the navigation; I spent much of my leisure time in paying religious visits to Friends in their families, which being numerous, occupied my time till the first month, 1772. This service, I had cause to believe was in the will of the Lord, who gradually leadeth his servants forward into service, step by step, to their joy After meeting at Mount Holly, which was and his people's rejoicing. The 6th of second low, went to Evesham, and lodged at William month, I was at the Youths' Meeting in Phila- Foster's, a justice of the peace. After meetdelphia, which was attended by some Friends ing at Evesham, went to the house of our anfrom the country. At this meeting was Nich-cient friend and minister of the Gospel Thomas olas Waln, who had his education amongst Evans, and lodged; and from thence next day the Society, but was brought up to the law, to Philadelphia, where I met with my dear and became great in his profession as a coun- companion Samuel Neale: we greeted each sellor, and who had pleaded at court but a other in brotherly love and affection, and were very few days before. He sat under an awful pleased to see one another in the enjoyment of weighty exercise of mind from the early sitting health and peace. On the 18th was at Londown of the meeting, and removed his seat don Grove Quarterly Meeting, which was large, into the ministering Friends' gallery; he ap- and owned by the Master's presence to our peared to be agitated, and trembled very much: mutual comfort and strength: his works praise after sitting about half an hour, he kneeled his name! John Churchman, William Brown, down and prayed; but his behaviour and dress John Pemberton, and many other men who being so contrary to such an appearance, oc- were in the ministry, besides many women casioned Friends to be much divided, and made Friends in the like capacity, attended on this some disorder in the meeting, but afterwards occasion. The next day returned to Philait settled and ended to the edification of many.delphia, where I continued my friendly visits The said Nicholas Waln declined his practice to Friends' families, and prepared myself for as a counsellor, which it was said brought him embarking to Europe.

in from one thousand five hundred to two thou- All things being now got in readiness for sand pounds per annum. I went, at his re-my departure, Sarah Morris, of whom I have quest, to visit him, in which visit I had much several times made mention, having at length