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ing we had an opportunity with the select members, before the meeting for business came on; in which the committee laid before them the conduct of the Friend abovementioned; and he was desired to be silent in the ministry and discipline, till things were better with him than at present. He was also told that he had meddled in matters where he had no proper business, to the grief and wounding of many Friends, and that his conduct at Hailes-town ought to be condemned. When the monthly meeting for discipline came on, it was conducted to good satisfaction, and they got through with much business in good season. Some Friends afterwards remarked, that had the Friend who was so plainly dealt with in the morning been at liberty to go on as he used to do, they should not have got through in less than two days. In the evening, an opportunity was had with said Friend and the elders; in which it was observed to them how convincing it must be that he was wrong, in that when he was still and quiet, the meeting had got along without difficulty; but that his meddling in the manner he had heretofore done, was the cause of disorder and confusion. This may truly and humbly be said to be a good day, in which Truth came into dominion over all, and was exalted above all: glory everlasting, and high praises be given unto the Lord our God, who was near to help in this the day of close engagement, in which those two great champions, J. D. and J. N. were put down.They had been a great exercise and burden to the living for years past, taking part in wrong things, pleading for fleshly liberty, and striking at the foundation of order and discipline in society, tending to lay it all waste: but now they were brought down as

with the sling and smooth stone of the power of Truth, placing judgment upon them in its own authority.

On first-day, the 20th, I was at Dover meeting, silent; thence to Portland on third-day, and Falmouth monthly meeting on fourth-day; in which I had close, laborious service. I was also silent at Durham monthly and first-day meetings; at the latter of which, there was a Friend from some distance (not recommended) who spoke and gave uneasiness. After bearing with him some time, I thought it right to request him to sit down; which he did very soon. At the close of the meeting, I stopped him and the elders, in order that if they thought I had gone too far, they might say so: but so far from that, they were fully united with what I had done. They further said, the Friend had been laboured with in order to induce him to be still: and he was now desired to let the ministry alone, as having no lot nor part in it at present. Some very close and trying labours have fallen to since I have been in this land, but I have been marvellously helped and preserved. Blessed be the name of Israel's Rock, who has been near to assist in the time of trial.

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3d mo. 1st. Had a meeting at a place called Little River, and one next day at Freeport; then back to Durham where was a marriage consummated. 4th. Had a meeting at the house of a man measurably convinced of the Truth. But there are many such up and down who come not forward in the work of renovation. The seed springs up, but for want of depth, it grows not to maturity. Many are like Nicodemus of old who came to Jesus by night; many are willing to partake of Divine favours, who are not

willing to endure the cross. They turn from the baptism of the cross and self-denial; and the first na ́ture tries many ways to save itself and its own life: it wants to retain its beloveds and to keep its possessions; though such are willing to pass for religious men and women, and yet truckle and cringe to many of the ways and customs of the world.

In company with Micajah Dudley of Durham, and Richard Holder of Lynn, I had five meetings in and about the town of Greene, in which we were favoured with the living presence and power of God, and Truth reigned over all. The openness and attention of the people to hear the doctrines of Truth, are great indeed. Many of them are very much of strangers to Friends and their principles; having heard them spoken against, as they have confessed to us. Hence we have found it a duty at the close of some of our meetings, to open to the people the views and doctrines of our religious society on divers points; with which they have appeared well satisfied. At one of those meetings in Greene, we had the company of the priest, his wife and a deacon, together with a large number of his hearers. At the close of this meeting, it was mentioned to the people, that the society, called Quakers, had been charged with denying the scriptures; but the truth was, that so far from that, there was no people valued them more highly than we did. Yet we did not give them the appellation which other societies did, by calling them the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice; because there was that which was before the scriptures were, and which we valued above them, as it was that by which we come to a right understanding of the scriptures, even that quick and powerful Word which was in

the beginning, and by which the worlds were made. Many other views opened with great clearness, and were laid down to the general satisfaction of the people. But the priest being touched in a tender spot, entered into some conversation, striving to support the doctrine he had been endeavouring to propagate, and to hold the people in blindness and ignorance, telling them that the scriptures are the only infallible rule, and that we could have no knowledge of God but by them. The people gathered round us and were very quiet and attentive. The priest even went so far as to assert that there was no salvation but by the scriptures. He was asked what had those to direct them, who lived before the scriptures were written? and what must become of thousands now on the earth, who were never likely to be benefited by them, or to see them? But he seemed at a loss for an answer, and several times contradicted himself, which he was reminded of. He was also asked what scripture the apostle could have turned to (when the Spirit forbid him going to a certain place) in order to know whether he should go or not. It was further remarked, that before the scriptures, the patriarchs had something to direct them, as the apostle had, which was the Spirit of God; and by that the holy men were moved who wrote the scriptures, and without the Spirit we could not come to a right understanding of them. In conclusion, the priest was advised to give over preaching for hire, and reminded that the ministers of Christ did not study their sermons, that the gospel was a free gift, and that no man had a right to preach, but such as were called of God, as was Aaron. Thus things were laid close

home to him, before his hearers; and his deacon urged him to go: so we parted friendly.

While in this neighbourhood, we made our home with dear Cyrus and Mary Deane, who from being gay Presbyterians have become solid Friends, having received the Truth in the love of it. They live entirely from among Friends, and I felt much for them. When we took leave of them it was an affecting time, in which prayer and supplication was offered on their behalf. From Greene we went on to Winthrop and had a meeting; and thence to John Tabor's near Vassalborough. In this neighbourhood we spent eight days, and were at seven meetings, using great industry. On sixth-day, the 18th, after a heart-tendering timé at Remington Hobby's, several dear friends being present, we again set out for Winthrop, where we had a meeting in the evening; but not feeling clear of the place, we stayed over first-day, and had another large and favoured meeting with the people. Thence to Jeremiah Hacker's at Lewistown, and after a meeting there, we went on to Durham, where we stayed their monthly and first-day meetings; in both which, I found it my place to set an example of silence. After visiting some families, and all the select members, we set out for Falmouth, and were at meeting there, in which I was silent. Then to Portland on the 1st of the 4th month, 1791, and had a meeting in the Presbyterian meeting-house; but it was a low time, the people appeared raw, and were going out and in most of the time. After visiting the few families of Friends in Portland, we attended Windham meeting on first-day;-at the close of which, it was proposed to have another meeting there next day; but the town having the grant of the house

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