John Antrim, Andrew Longacre, John Brock, John Fossitt, George Read, and John Fossitt jun'r. 23d. We visited the families of Jonathan Lupton, Richard Fossitt and Richard Fossitt jun'r; then attended a public meeting we had appointed, at Mount Pleasant meeting-house. After which, we went home with Nathan Pusey and had a sitting in his family: thence to John Lupton's, within the limits of Centre meeting, and had an exercising opportunity in his family. The next day, being first-day, in the morning we sat with the families of Joshua Woodrow and Isaac Steer; then attended Centre meeting which was held in silence.

A consideration of leaving my companion and returning home in order to attend our ensuing monthly meeting at Concord, having been divers times for several days past weightily before me, I now found it best for me to give up thereto, though much in the cross to my own inclination. After the meeting at Centre, being at a Friend's house, I laid my prospect before Hugh Judge, for his advice and sympathy.And although it was a matter very unexpected to him, yet he submitted thereto; and that evening we parted in great nearness of affection, which had been our daily experience from the time we left home.

A solitary condition seemed now to be my lot, with a long and tiresome journey before me; and as I went on I had often to ruminate upon what had passed, and also to examine whether my conduct generally had been consistent with the profession and appearance I had made. I returned by way of Fairfax, Pipe Creek and Warrington, and reached Concord monthly meeting in good season. I found that the visiting committee whom we had left there,

had made considerable progress in the family visits during my absence; having visited the families of Birmingham preparative meeting generally and some part of those of Concord. The remainder, it was concluded to leave until Hugh Judge's return, which was near the middle of the 3rd month. Then we finished the remaining families of Concord monthly meeting; and in a general conference of the committee on the subject, it appeared safe to report to the meeting, that the visit was performed to general satisfaction."

In a memorandum found among Hugh Judge's papers, immediately following a reference to his visit to the families of Hopewell monthly meeting, he says, "I also, in company with Isaac Jacobs, visited Friends in Bucks county. We were at their Quarterly and monthly meetings; and also at Crosswicks Quarter in New Jersey; being out from home better than two weeks."

"After this, in company with divers other Friends, I attended a general meeting at Cecil, in Maryland; and the week following was at the monthly meeting held at Little Creek, in Delaware. I also was at divers meetings round that neighbourhood, not needful to be mentioned; as my main end in writing is to let my children and others see a little how I have got along in my religious concerns. This, I think I have felt it right for me to do, whether I shall ever put it in better order to be read, or not."

By the minutes of Wilmington monthly meeting it appears that on the 13th of the Sth month, 1783, Hugh Judge attended with a certificate of removal

from Concord monthly meeting, recommending him as a minister well approved, with Susanna his wife and their four minor children. Hugh had previously rented a mill on the Brandywine creek, near which he resided with his family, and diligently attended Wilmington meeting. But his health was on the decline, so that in the 6th month, 1784, he informed. the monthly meeting he had a prospect of going to Nantucket on account of his weak state of health, and that if he should recover and gain strength, he had a prospect of visiting some meetings thereaway. Joseph Tatnall proposed to accompany him, and they were set at liberty by their friends to pursue the prospect. Of this journey he wrote the following narrative:

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Having been in but a poor state of health for some months past, it was thought best, with the advice and consent of my friends, to try what a little relaxation from business would do towards restoring me again. For this purpose, a voyage to Nantucket was proposed, and Friends gave me a certificate of concurrence, in case I should feel my mind drawn to visit some meetings; though I desire not to put forth a hand to so great a work until the full time of ripeness comes. My wife gave me up cheerfully, and we left home the 23rd of the 6th month, 1784. We went on board the brig Manilla, bound for Boston, captain Starbuck, commander, and my health soon began to improve; so that instead of wanting a nurse, I had to be nurse to the friend who went as my companion; he being very poorly most of the way, with something like an ague.

On the 29th, in the evening, I landed on Nantucket, leaving Joseph on board the brig till next day.

The water was very rough, but I was tired of the ship; so with the captain and several of the passengers I went on shore, though not without getting wet with the spray occasioned by the dashing of the water against the boat. On landing, I met with Samuel Hopkins and Phineas Buckley, and we were truly glad to see each other. We were very kindly entertained at the house of William Rotch, and on the 30th, attended their meeting to satisfaction. We stayed about two weeks on the island, and were at a number of meetings; then crossed over to New Bedford, and spent six days about that neighbourhood. Thence to Newport, on Rhode Island, where we made a short stay and attended two meetings. stage boat being ready to sail, bound for New York, we agreed to go on board, and had a pleasant passage of about thirty-four hours sail. We landed in New York on seventh-day, and on third-day morning following, took the land stage from Rahway, and reached our homes on fifth-day morning in time for attending meeting. I was five weeks from home, and travelled by land and water about one thousand miles, and my health appeared much improved by the journey. After my return, we moved into our own house to live. It was but a small, yet convenient and good habitation; not grand, but plain and becoming my station."

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During the voyage to Nantucket, Hugh Judge wrote several letters, from which the following is extracted:

On board the Manilla, 6th mo. 1784. Dearly beloved brother, Edward Hatton,-I left my family well, except our youngest child, which has been poorly for some time; so that I have been

thoughtful whether I shall ever see it again. But let that be as it pleases Divine Providence, I feel perfectly easy in mind, fully believing that if it should please Him who gives life to take it from us, it cannot go in a better time than infancy. I am therefore at times made willing to resign all into his holy hand, in the renewals of whose love, I salute thee, with desires that we may so walk in true obedience to him, as to be counted worthy of his protection and acceptance when this mortal must put on immortality, and death be swallowed up of life. Surely they only are wise, who are found watching when their Lord cometh, and in faithfulness are discharging the duty of wise stewards, according to the measure of grace received. It is these that will be entitled to the invitation, “Come, ye blessed of my Father,-ye have been faithful in a few things, I will make you rulers over more." Here is encouragement, diligently to observe his pointings and faithfully to obey his commands; and not like some of old who were pleading excuses when bidden to the wedding. Yet I know it is sometimes hard getting over this kind of fleshly reasoning; but those who give way thereto and get into a doubtful or unbelieving state, will not grow in the Truth, nor arrive at a full stature in Christ.

In the spiritual voyage, there are so many shoals and bars and rocks, lying so far out from the shore and so hidden, that it requires great judgment and watchful care to steer clear of them all. Again, sometimes by crowding too much sail, there is damage sustained; and at other times, by reefing sail, there is time lost. Yet, notwithstanding doubts and fears and dangers surround, there is that felt and known. at seasons which is over all, even the power of God,