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 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 for ever.

After the abovesaid meeting, we went to Wilmington, a new 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 things of this world. We had a pretty large meeting here, considering the season (for it was very cold) which was held in a large house of William Shipley's; but they are making provision for a meeting-house. From this town we went to Newark, and had a comfortable meeting at George Robinson's in the evening, and next morning set out for Philadelphia.

As it was now the winter season, and having

been divers times at this season of the year in the warm climates, the cold was become harder for me to bear than usual, so that I staid in and about home pretty much, being divers times at Philadelphia, Frankfort, German-Town, and Abington meetings.

The latter end of the Tenth month, on a Firstday of the week, I was at a large open meeting at Derby, in Chester county. After meeting I rode home about fourteen miles; but it was so cold, that my limbs were much benumbed, and were not fully recovered in more than a week. Coming home between Schuylkill river and Philadelphia, we saw the largest meteor that I ever saw, though I had seen many by sea and land; this was in sight almost a minute, as near as I could guess; it was a mighty stream, like a flame of fire, leaving, as it were, sparks of fire behind it, as it went along, and then settled like a star, and disappeared. A few days after this meteor, there appeared in the sky an uncommon redness, with streams like fire.

About this time was buried at Frankfort, John Hurford, who was about ninety years of age; at whose burial, the coldness of the season consider. ed, were a pretty many friends, neighbours, and relations, of the deceased; as also divers from Philadelphia. I was concerned to advise those present, to prepare for their final change, that being certain, though the time is uncertain, which generally none know but the Almighty; therefore

we ought always to be preparing for our dissolution, and always watching and praying, lest we enter into temptation; as said our dear Lord, "If the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched," Luke xii. 39. And we not knowing whether death would come in our youth, or middle, or old age, therefore, were earnestly desired to prepare our hearts to meet death, so that we might dwell with God and Christ in his kingdom for ever. It was also observed, that though this friend had lived to a great age, yet that few lived so long, no, not one in a thousand, and many die very young; therefore they were earnestly entreated, in the love of God, through Christ, to prepare for their latter end, and not to set their hearts and affections on things below; for, by how much they set their hearts and affections on natural or outward things and objects, by so much the harder it would be to part with them, when death should come. This meeting ended with prayer for reformation, and preservation to the end of life; and praises, yea, high praises, were given to Him, who had given to all present our life, our breath, and our being.

It being exceeding severe weather, with much rain, wind, and snow, there were great floods, so that we could not get over Frankfort-Creek to meeting; wherefore the Friends on the west side met together at my house, and we had a satisfactory, good meeting, in which we were exhorted

to build our religion on the sure foundation, that storms, rain, or winds, might not be able to shak us from this foundation, which is Christ, the Rock of ages.

This winter we were visited at Frankfort wit the small-pox, of which many died at Philadelphia, and several in our neighbourhood.

The latter part of this winter, staying much at home, I spent my time much in reading and writing, often being sensible of the love and goodness of God, my exceeding great reward; he, by the Spirit of his Son, comforting me, and sometimes melting my heart into tenderness, in consideration of his many mercies, which caused me to praise his holy name, who is thereof worthy, beyond expression, for ever.

In the First month, I went with my friend John Oxley, of Barbadoes, to Bristol, where we had a large meeting; thence went over the river Delaware to Burlington quarterly-meeting; we were obliged to get to the Jersey shore on the ice, laying boards thereon for about 100 yards together, and being long on the ice, and poorly as to health, I took such a cold that I could not get to meeting next day; but was at the youth's meeting thirdday following. Fourth-day I went to Ancocas meeting, thence to a large meeting at Mount Holly, where was a marriage; afterwards at Evesham and Upper Springfield, or Hanover, and then returned to Burlington, and next day was at the monthly-meeting there, which, to me, was a

good, open meeting; wherein church discipline was somewhat treated of, and Friends advised to wait for that Spirit which leads into all truth, to guide them in their discipline.

In the Second month, 1737, 1 went to Cohansey, in order to negotiate some affairs there, and, while there, had three meetings at Greenwich, and one at Alloway's Creek; and on the ninth of the said month, being First-day, was at Salem meeting, which was large and open; and in the evening, we had a heavenly meeting at Bartholomew Wyat's.

After my return from Salem, on the 1st of the Third month, I took a journey to the eastward, having a desire to see Friends in those parts, whom I had divers times visited, in the service of the gospel, in my young years; and though now upwards of three-score years of age, was willing to visit them once more before I died: who, in some places, where I had formerly travelled, were now grown very numerous. I set out with Joseph Gilbert, and several other Friends, and we travelled together to Long Island, where we parted, and I went to Newtown, where I met with John Fothergill and Samuel Browne; at which place we had a meeting, which was appointed on John's account, and his service therein was to the satisfaction and edification of Friends. From thence John went to West Chester, on the Main, and I went to Flushing, where we had a large open