eral meetings, as at Rockstead and Manningtree, and then back again to Colchester, where, on the first day, I had a large meeting in the afternoon, and after meeting, divers of the friends came to see me, and were for appointing meetings for me to be at, in the ensuing week, and desired to know my mind therein; after a little pause I told them, I found a full stop in my mind from going to any more meetings at present, and that I would wait some days with them in the city, till I saw further; while we were sitting together, a letter came to me from London, that a friend, Stephen Payton, had set up my name on the Exchange in London, as master of the Barbadoes Packet, which was the vessel bought of me by John Agar, who sold her to said Stephen Payton, who intended her for Philadelphia, and next morning a messenger was sent for me from London: thus having such a favourable opportunity of returning home, I embraced it, and went on second day to Witham, where I again met with Joshua Toft and Joseph Hobson, at meeting; from thence we went to Plaistow, where we had a meeting, and then went to Bromley, near Bow, and were at Joseph Olive's, had a meeting with his people and servants, which were many; I thought it was a good meeting, a divine hand of love was reached out to the young people, and they were advised to give up their hearts to their Creator in their youthful days; several scores of people belong to his family; after this meeting I went to London, and prepared for the voyage. When our vessel was loaded, which was chiefly by Israel Pemberton, the younger, who went with us, as did our owner, Stephen Payton, and Isaac Brown, and four of my kinsfolks, whose names are Freeman, with divers others passengers: in the latter end of the twelfth month, my brother and his eldest daughter, Rebecca, with her husband, Samuel Thornton, accompanied me to Gravesend, where our parting with them was, as at Edmonton, very solemn and sorrowful, we never expecting to see one another more. From Gravesend we sailed the 3d of the first month to the Downs, and from thence down the British channel to the sea, and were at sea about nine weeks, which we

thought long, having many contrary winds; but, after 'we came on shore, we understood, that there were divers vessels that were much longer. At sea we had divers meetings, which were some of them to my satisfaction. I came very unwell on board; but, when at sea, I mended; for which favour I am truly thankful. We landed all well and in health at Philadelphia, in the third month, 1736, where we were received with joy by our relations, friends, and acquaintance; it was much the more so, because they had heard I was like to die; I having, at London, had a sore fit of the asthma or phthisic, three persons sitting up with me for three nights, who I thought would see my end; but the time was not yet come that I must die, though indeed death was no terror to me, hoping my change would be much for the better; for then, I hoped, I should be forever with him whom I lov ed better than life.

After I had been at home some time, I went to Salem, and from thence to Cohansey, and, in my return, was at Woodberry-creek, and had meetings at each place: and, soon after, I visited the meetings of friends at Bristol, Burlington, Trenton, and Bordentown, and, in my return home, at Middletown; by the way called, to see my an cient friends, Joseph Kirkbride, and the widow Warder; she was ninety-two years of age, and perfect in her understanding; she said, she did not know for what end the Almighty should prolong her days to that age; she was satisfied in his will.

but

In the fifth month, I visited the meetings of friends at Haddonfield, in West-Jersey, and at Newton, Hartford, Germantown, Abington, North-Wales, and Plymouth, and was divers times at Philadelphia and Frankfort.

After many exercises, and large travels by sea and land, my brethren, and divers others, not of our society, expressed their gladness to see me, rejoicing that I was like to spend my time more on the land, hoping that I would go no more to sea; the which, God willing, I determined, having so settled my affairs, that I could stay on shore and am truly and humbly thankful to the Al

mighty, that he, by his good hand of providence, in his due time, had favoured and helped me so to do.

In the sixth and seventh months, I again visited the meetings of friends at Bristol, Burlington, Bybury, Abington, Horsham, Germantown, Fairhill, and divers times at Frankfort and Philadelphia.

In the eighth month I went to Cohansey and Salem, and was at two meetings at Cohansey, and one at Alloway's-creek, where I met with Edward Tyler, a friend on a religious visit from Europe, and John Sykes, a friend living near Crosswicks, in the Jersey's; here we had an open satisfactory meeting; from whence I went to Salem, it being their week day meeting, which was large, and to the edification of many. I was also at Pilesgrove fifth day, and at Woodberry-creek sixth day in which last meeting the obedient son was encouraged, and the disobedient earnestly called home to his heavenly Father's house. In this journey I had John Bringhurst, the younger, for my fellow traveller; his father being unwilling that I should go the journey alone.

After I had been at home some time, I, with some others, went to the yearly meeting at Shrewsbury, in East-Jersey, which was on the 23d of the eighth month: it was exceeding large, and the quietest and the most settled meeting that ever I was at there; and many divine truths were delivered therein. From thence I went to Manesquan, and had a meeting, and then back to Shrewsbury, and so to Middletown, where we had a meeting in the baptist meeting-house, divers of whom were there, and glad of the meeting; thence came back to Shrewsbury, and had a meeting on the first day, being the 30th of the month: from whence, on my return home, had meetings at Moses Robin's, Allen's-town, at Crosswicks, (where I met with divers of my old friends), Bordentown, and Mansfield; some of which were large, open, and satisfactory meetings. After the last meeting, we went to Burlington, and next day came home, accompanied by Richard Smith, Jun. After being a few days at home, I was sent for to Chester, to the marriage of John Lee, (who had sailed several voyages with me),

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next day I went to the week day meeting at Providence, and on first day was at Springfield; from whence I returned home.

The 23d of the ninth month, I left home again, and went to Philadelphia, and from thence with Daniel Stanton, John Easton, and John Proud, Jun. (the two latter of Rhode-Island), to Radnor meeting, and from thence to Goshen meeting, and by the coldness of the weather, and crossing several creeks, I got a cold, which settled on my lungs, so that, in conversation, I was hoarse; but I was helped in meetings to admiration; for which I was truly thankful to the Almighty, the great helper of his servants and children. We had a meeting with an ancient friend, who said she had above two hundred who called her mother, being her children by blood and marriage to the fourth generation: we took our leave of her, as never expecting to see each other more, and parted in tenderness of heart. One of this friend's grandsons went with us to Concord, where, on a first day, we had a very large meet. ing, and an evening meeting at Moses Mendenhall's; and the remainder of the week we had meetings at Birming ham, Kennet, New-Garden, Marlborough, and the monthly meeting at Center, on the seventh day following, at which were many young people; for whose sakes I was drawn and moved, in my exercise of the ministry, to shew the rise and design of our meetings of discipline.

1st. That the same power that gathered us to be a people, inclined our elders to establish those meetings, and settle them in most parts where we were gathered, and had meetings for the worship of God.

2d. They were advised to do their business, and speak to their affairs, in the sense of the same power, spirit, and wisdom of Christ, which, as it had raised us, would, as we kept to it, preserve us to be a people to the praise of God's holy name.

3d. They were advised, in doing their business, not to run out into many unnecessary words, which might lead to contention, and spending much time to little purpose; religious affairs being done best in a meek and quiet spirit, that being of great price with the Lord; great evils

having been known in many ages, through hot and long contentions about religion. It is also good to avoid, in matters of difference, respect of persons, on account of being acquainted or related, so as to be swayed thereby from justice.

4th. They were advised to be very careful of giving any just occasion of offence to any, to Jew or gentile, to indian or negro; for, "Wo to them," says our Saviour, "by whom offences come;" and if any will take offence when none is justly given, it is the best way to be patient, and take our Saviour for our example, who got the victory through suffering; a safe way, and glorious in the end. And, as to few words, the apostle says, "Let your words be few and savoury, seasoned with grace, that they may administer grace to the hearers."

5th. I was engaged, for the sakes of the youth of both sexes, to shew them, that a material part of the service of these meetings, is, that care be taken therein, to see that persons are clear of prior engagements or entanglements, in relation to marriage, and that they have the consent of parents, or parties concerned, as guardians, &c. and also, that they, and all that belong to our society, walk orderly in conversation; otherwise they could not be in unity with us, or owned by us, as a society of religious people: we do not own scandalous persons, nor admit them to be married amongst us, without acknowledging their faults, and promising amendment for the future, through divine grace and assistance. Also, in those meetings, the widows and fatherless are taken care of, that they may be supported and visited, and youths put out apprentices to learn trades, &c.

This meeting concluded with supplication for the rising generation, and for the king, and all his subjects, and with thanksgiving and praises to the sacred name of Him who lives forever.

After the abovesaid meeting, we went to Wilmington, a newly settled town on Christiana-creek, which I believe will be a flourishing place, if the inhabitants take care to live in the fear of God, and seek his glory, and the riches of his kingdom, preferring it to any thing or