day, were at Providence monthly meeting; fifth-day and sixth-day, at the monthly meetings of Smithfield and Uxbridge. In these meetings I had to bear testimony against the practice which Friends follow in relation to burials. It is customary in many places hereaway to hold meetings on account of the interment both of Friends and others. Ministering Friends are sent for, sometimes at a considerable distance, to attend these funerals; the corpse is taken into the meeting-house, and after meeting exposed to view to all present that choose to look at it. On these accounts my mind was closely exercised; but when people get, as it were, rivetted to customs, its hard to break them off. There is danger of these things becoming flat, lifeless and formal.

The parts of New England where we have been, are generally a very rough, stony country. We ride day after day, and see very little but stone fences.But notwithstanding they have stones in such abundance, they build almost altogether frame houses and barns: it is very rare to see a stone house in town or country places. The land appears to be strong, and yet they raise little or no wheat; and about Providence town, very little rye is raised. The corn, barley and oats look well, and there is abundance of good flax. They say they cannot raise wheat, because it blasts; and of latter years, the rye also is often subject to blight. The country is much overrun with barberry bushes, which are thought to be injurious to the raising of grain. Moses Brown, near Providence, told me, that when he first settled where he now lives, he raised abundance of good rye; but of latter years, he has quite given out trying to raise it; and he imputes the failure to the great increase of

barberry bushes. Rye and corn flour mixed together is their common bread; and there is very little wheat flour bread to be seen. Rhode Island is a rich, fertile spot of land; and yet they cannot raise wheat; and very little rye. Newport was formerly a brisk place for business, but is now fast going to decay, and the trade carried on at Providence, a flourishing town at the head of Narraganset bay.

8th mo. 1st, being first-day, I was at Lower Smithfield meeting the second time, and had a little to say among them. In the afternoon, at Providence, where I met with John Elliott and William Wilson of Philadelphia who were there on a religious visit. At Swanzey monthly meeting, next day, I had to bear my testimony against the formal way of conducting funerals, and also to hold up to view the ancient religious concern and practice of visiting Friends' families; which is very much lost sight of in this land. I believe Friends have sustained great loss for want of keeping this concern alive; a sense of this has frequently covered my mind as I have travelled along visiting meetings. The discipline also appears to be at a low ebb in many of the monthly meetings we have attended. A kind of formal acknowledgment for outgoing in marriage is very generally accepted; and seldom that any are disowned for that breach of our good order. Thus, weakness ensues; and Friends making the way so easy for this class of offenders to be retained, opens a door for more outgoings than otherwise would be.

We then were at meetings at Long Plain, Accushnet, Newtown, Aponeganset, New Bedford and Centre; the last so large that many could not get into the house, and it held near four hours; during which the

people were very quiet, considering how warm the weather was. It was a season of favour, furnishing renewed cause of gratitude and praise to the name of our God. Next day, we had a favoured meeting at Accoaksett; then attended the Quarterly meeting held on Rhode Island; in relation to which and other meetings for discipline, I would say, I love to feel weight in transacting the business; and that when Friends speak to subjects under consideration, they do it from feeling more than from sense. When the wisdom

from beneath rules in any of our meetings, the true life is hurt. There are some men and women of natural parts who love to have their way in meetings of business; and it goes very much against the grain for such to be crossed, and to have to submit their judgment to such as have grown up under them. I do not know that I ever met with so much of this disposition as in these parts. Some of them treat meeting business as they would law matters.

On looking over the state of society in this land, it may truly be said, "the harvest is great, and the faithful labourers few." There is great need to intercede with the Lord of the harvest to send forth

more well qualified labourers.

Such who are skilful

and weighty in the exercise of the discipline, would be of great use. Oh! that there was more of a living zeal amongst this people. But, alas! the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the unlawful love of other things, have greatly prevailed, like a torrent bearing down all before it, in places, to the great damage and wounding of individuals, and the weakness and injury of society. Oh! how hath the gold become dim, and the fine gold changed! The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how

have they fallen as in the streets of mystery Babylon, of whose golden cup many have taken deep draughts! But notwithstanding this is sorrowfully the case, yet the Most High hath a seed preserved who have not bowed the knee to Baal, nor kissed his image. The and tears of these ascend before him as sweet prayers incense, and he regards their intercession on behalf of his heritage. I have felt with and for these, and they are near to me in the seed and covenant of love and life.

After attending the monthly meeting of Accoaksett, and the first-day meeting at Aponeganset, on third-day, the 10th of the 8th month, we went on board a packet bound for Nantucket; but the wind and tide being against us, at Wood's Hole we came to an anchor, and went on shore at Nonemesset Island, twenty miles from Bedford. Lodged at Paul Robinson's, the only house upon the island; and next day went on board, having a favourable time to get through the Hole: but the captain having to turn in to Wood's Harbour, we were detained so that we had to go on shore on Martha's Vineyard, and lodged at William Coffin's, the only Friend living on the island. Next morning, the wind was high and the sea rough, so that the packet could not come to us. Several proposals were made for a meeting on this island, but I could neither see nor feel any thing about it. The example of other Friends who had appointed meetings here was advanced, but that did not move me. What may be right for one in such eases, does not make it so for another. On sixth-day, the 20th, our packet came and took us from our prison; the sea was rough, but through the kindness of Providence we landed safely on Nantucket in the

afternoon. We made our home at Thomas Rotch's, who married a daughter of the widow Rodman, of Newport, Rhode Island. They are a kind, tenderspirited young couple. We were at eight meetings on Nantucket, besides the monthly and preparative meetings, also visited many families there. Several of the public meetings were held in solemn silence; a lesson too little learned even by those professing to have come to "that within the vail." When silence becomes offensive or irksome to a people professing the spirituality of the gospel, it is an evidence that vital religion is wanting. This is mournfully the case in some parts of New England. There is scarcely any thing more injurious, poisonous and destructive to us as a people, than the undue attachment to things in themselves lawful and proper when received with gratitude and used to the honour of the great Giver. But when we make idols of them, they lead our minds to bow down and worship them. It has become so very laudable to be rich in the things of this world, that with many every nerve and sinew and all the faculties of body and mind, are enlisted in the pursuit of wealth. He that hath not riches is the world's poor and despised man: and yet it is a solid truth that a little is enough for a true christian.

9th mo. 1st. We left our kind friends with the evidence of peace, and sailed for Wood's Hole, which we reached about noon. In the evening we reached Richard Lake's at Falmouth, where we lodged. Next day, we spent in visiting some sick and aged people, to good satisfaction;-one man and his wife, in their ninety-fourth year each; both of them had their understanding quite well. man said with much brokenness, "One thing I have

When we parted, the old