order to give directions to the workmen, and one of the trees fell, contrary to the kerf, and also to the wind, which was then at north-west, and when I saw it falling towards me, I ran from it, but before I could get out of the way, it fell upon me, across my back, from my shoulder to my hips, and struck me down to the earth, where for some time I lay speechless, and in all likelihood I should have been immediately killed, if I had not been providentially preserved by the body of the falling tree lying on a stump, which prevented its crushing me as I lay on the ground. A friend that was near me with a horse, desired the woodcutters, when they were recovered from the surprise, and F to the use of my speech, to help me on his horse, and I rode home, but in extreme misery, and I was under great concern lest I should surprise my wife and children suddenly. We sent to Philadelphia for Dr. Griffith Owen, who came in about two hours, and let me blood, and ordered several things to be applied and taken, which through Divine favour proved very serviceable to me; notwithstanding which I was in great pain many days, and long and tedious nights, not being able either to feed myself, nor turn in my bed, for a great while. In this confinement I was at times favoured with a very comfortable sense of the presence of God, whose Providence is over all his works; and as his love to me was great, so the love of his people was also, many of whom, and of my neighbours came to see me, sympathi

zing with me in my distress; but among them I had one of Job's comforters, who wickedly abused me in this low state. I can scarce forbear mentioning his name, having example for it in holy writ, but through the Lord's help 1 will put on charity.

The 9th of the Twelfth month, I got abroad the first time to our meeting at Frankfort, with which divers expressed their gladness, to see me there again. In this meeting I exhorted them to think on eternity, and to prepare for it, by living to-day as though they were to die to-morrow; for I found it by experience to be needful, and then if sudden death comes, it will not surprise

us.

CHAP. VIII.

1728-1734.

Makes, now as Master of a Vessel, many voyages between Philadelphia and the West-IndiesVarious occurrences and remarks during these voyages, and in the intervals between them. Death of his son George.

AS I now found it continue my business to go to sea for a livelihood, I undertook the charge of the ship New Bristol Hope, as master, though it was a way of living to which I did not incline; I took care in our vessel that there should be no swearing in my hearing, nor drunkenness to my knowledge, without reproof, and if I could not be instrumental that way to break them from swearing and drinking to excess, my manner was to put them away, so that we generally had a pretty quiet ship. We left Philadelphia the L3th of the Twelfth month, but storms and contrary winds detained us in the river and bay, so that we did not get out to sea till the 21st of the said month, when the pilot left us, by whom I wrote to my wife and family; and now I thought I felt the benefit of the good wishes of my beloved and dear

friends I left behind, which did me a great deal of good, as it often hath done on the like occasion; for faithful friends, and good Christians, are as epistles written in one another's hearts. In our passage we took several dolphins, which were very welcome to us, we having a long passage, and our fresh provisions near spent. The 19th of the First month we saw the island of Barbadoes, having had several meetings on board the ship on this voyage, the good effects I could see but little of, only for that day they would be a little more sober, and some of them addicted to swearing, did not swear so often as they did before. The day following we safely arrived at Speight's Town, where we had the next day a very comfortable meeting for the divine worship of God. The fifth-day following I was at Bridge-Town, at their week-day meeting; and next First-day, being the 30th of the month, I was at a meeting at Pumpkin-Hill, where I was enlarged in the doctrine of faith.

After this I went to the Bridge, with a Friend from New-England; we had two good meetings, it being the general-meeting for the Friends of the island, and afterwards I with several Friends went again to Speight's Town, and on the 12th of the second month I was at the Thicket's Meeting, at which were counsellor Weeks, colonel Charnock, and justice Sims; I dined with them at judge Weeks's, and they discoursed of what was said in the meeting about dancing, I quoting

Luther's words, "That as many paces as the person takes in the dance, so many paces or steps they take towards hell:" and I told them, that I had heard several had used that vain exercise in our meeting-house, which was appointed for the worship of God, and I said, I hoped for the future it would be so no more; two of those persons who danced in our meeting-house, were then in the meeting, though I did not know it. This testimony so wrought on the colonel, that he said, He could scarcely feel his legs since I spoke it; and the justice said, If these words be true, he had taken many steps towards hell; and the counsellor and judge said, It was home doctrine to some that were there. Divers of them seemed to be touched with the testimony of truth, though not so solidly as I desired, Soon after I went with Joshua Byrch to visit the governor of the island, colonel Worsley, who treated us with much freedom and civility; he desired me to sit down by him, and then called for a decanter of wine, of which he kindly offered me a glass, but I told him I chiefly drank water; he said, water is certainly the best drink in the world, and told me I was a credit to my drink, as I looked as well, or better, than most who drank wine.

In the Second month I was at a meeting on a First-day at Bridge-Town, which was somewhat larger than usual; it was a good open time in the morning, but more so in the afternoon. At this meeting there was a merchant of the town, who