told there never was a Friend's meeting before. I came to Long Island about two weeks before the general meeting, and visited Friends in several places on this island, as at Hampstead, Jerusalem, Jericho and Bethphage, where there were large meetings, and much openness among the people, and some were convinced. We had a meeting at a place called Matinicock, where I met with somę of the people called Ranters, who disturbed our meeting. I may say as the apostle Paul (only altering Ephesus to Matinicock) that I fought with beasts there; and thence I travelled to New York, where we had two meetings; from thence we went to the Jerseys, and there we had several serviceable meetings that were large; and so to Pennsylvania, where there are many very large meetings of Friends, and the Lord is with his people there, and prospereth them spiritually and temporally. Here I met with my dear friend, William Ellis. From Philadelphia, Richard Gove (of that city) and I travelled to Maryland, and visited friends on the western shore, and from thence to Virginia. In Virginia, near James river, I met with an aged Friend whose name was William Porter. He was ninety-two years of age; and had then a daughter two years old*. We had * Some years after I saw him, and he was weeding Indian corn with a hoe. He was then about 106 years of age, and had upwards of seventy children, grand-children, and great grand-children. We went divers friends of us to see him, and he preached to us a short, but very affecting sermon, which was (as near as I remem several meetings there amongst friends and others, many being well satisfied concerning the truth, and spoke well of it. And after we had had several good and open meetings in Virginia, we found ourselves clear of America, and in order for our passage, we agreed with our Friend F. Johnson, on board the Elizabeth and Mary, to carry us for England. On the 11th of the first month 1698-9, we were accompanied on board by several Friends, who abode with us all night; and the next day, being the first day of the week, we had a little comfortable meeting, and then parted in much love, having the evidence of the power of the Almighty with us. We waited for a fair wind until the 20th of the aforesaid month, and left the Capes of Virginia that day, and at night we got our ship into a sailing posture; and I was glad in my spirit, that I was setting my face towards my native land; and more glad, that I was returning with peace in my bosom. Oh! the power and presence of Him who said, "Go, teach all nations," was sweet to my soul at that time, and now in some measure I enjoyed the fruits of my having laboured in that ability God had given me. Glory to God, through Christ, who is worthy for ever! ber) verbatim thus, " Friends, you are come to see me in the love of God. God is love, and those that dwell in God, dwell in love. I thank God, I feel his divine life every day and every night." He lived to see his above mentioned daughter married, and died, aged 107 years. the presence of God was with us on the great ocean, and we were strengthened through his goodness wonderfully. We had several good meetings on board our ship, and were opened in the love of God to the poor seamen very largely. When we launched forth into the deep, we were several ships in company; but we had been but a little time at sea, before we lost sight of them all. Several ships passed by us about a week after we sailed; and about this time we saw a very large whale, who lifted himself part out of the water with his mouth open, which looked like the entrance of a large cave. We likewise saw several other large sea-fish, such as grampusses, sharks, &c. All which shew forth the wondrous works of the Great Creator of all things. Elizabeth Webb and Elizabeth Lloyd went over with us in this vessel, both virtuous women. About two weeks the winds were mostly fair for us, in which time we got finely on our way; but for above a week afterwards the winds were mostly contrary, and the ship had a great motion, which caused some of us to be sea-sick, especially Elizabeth Lloyd*, who was but weakly. One night our sailors thought that an enemy or pirate was near *She was the daughter of Thomas Lloyd, late deputy governor of Pennsylvania, She lived and died a virtuous woman; and, I think, generally beloved by all who were acquainted with her. When she died she was the wife of Daniel Zachary, a merchant at Boston, New-England, well known, and much beloved there for his piety and virtue. us, who fired two guns, and so passed by us; but it being night, we could not certainly know what she was. I rather judged it might be some ship in distress, for we saw one of the ships that evening that came out with us, and the next morning we could see none at all, and there was hardly any wind that night, so I feared that our companions had sprung a leak and foundered; and when I told our master my opinion, he said, he feared the same likewise. Now for two weeks time, or thereabouts, we beat about the sea, and made little progress. Howbeit we had several good meetings, wherein we gave glory to God our Saviour; and for ever let it ascend, saith my soul, to him over all! After contrary winds about two weeks, the wind sprung up westerly, and was fair for several days; in which time we got finely on our way again, and left the Western Islands about two days sail behind us; and then the wind was contrary again. Contrary winds are commonly tedious at sea, (especially to those that know not where to stay their minds,) but we being several Friends of us on board that were passengers, had oftentimes good meetings several times a week; and if any of our ship's company came to meeting, they always were sober, and sometimes tender ; and truly, God's love was extended towards them. And when it was not our meeting days, we spent not our time idly, but for the most part in reading the holy Scriptures, and writing, &c. in which we were at sundry seasons greatly refreshed, strength ened, and comforted. O my soul! glorify God thy Maker, and Christ thy Saviour for ever, in the sense of his goodness and mercy, both by sea and land, by night and by day! After we had been almost seven weeks at sea, we thought that we were near the land, but we sounded several days, and found no bottom, although we let out abundance of line, I think above 300 yards. About this time our doctor dreamed a dream, which was to this effect, himself relating it to me: He said, he dreamed that he went on shore at a great and spacious town, the buildings whereof were high, and the streets broad; and as he went up the street he saw a large sign, on which was written in great golden letters SHAME. At the door of the house (to which the sign belonged) stood a woman with a can in her hand, who said unto him, "Doctor, will you drink?" he replied, "With all my heart, I have not drank any thing but water a great while," (our wine and cyder being all spent, having had a long passage,) and he drank a hearty draught, which he said, made him merry; so went up the street reeling to and fro, when a grim fellow coming behind him, clapped him on the shoulder, and told him, that he arrested him in the name of the governor of the place. He asked him for what, and said, "What have I done?" he answered, "For stealing the woman's can." The can he had indeed, and so he was had before the governor, which was a mighty black dog, the biggest and grimmest |