my heart with humble thankfulness, as I travelled along the road.

Soon after I left town, we were overtaken by one Bowen, a Methodist minister, who had, the evening before, expressed his desire of having some conversation with me. We had much discourse on religious subjects, which, toward the conclusion was somewhat to my satisfaction. Lodged at Bentleyforty-five miles.

*

11th. As we rode along this morning, between day-break and sun-rise, through a beautiful valley,the hills on each side, being clothed with verdure, and the little birds in performing the task allotted them by the wise Disposer of all things, warbling their notes to their Maker's praise, a sweet sense of being in the way to perform the duty allotted me by Him, attended my mind, and these things. melted my heart into tenderness, as I rode along. May I never forget the love and mercies of a gra cious God!

This afternoon, my companion proposed my going with him to Fairfax, with an expectation that the Friends I wanted to overtake might be there. I had nearly concluded to do so; but when we came almost to the fork of the road, I suddenly felt a strong impression on my mind to keep forward; which I did, and took leave of my kind friend Ezekiel Cleaver. I, soon after, heard they had gone on some days before. This, though a small matter, was a renewed confirmation to me, of the existence and presence of a Divine intelligence, who knew all things. It afterwards appeared, that I had but just time to reach the Yearly Meeting at Black-water.

After parting with Ezekiel, I rode on, mostly alone, and lodged the first night at Robert Painter's, at Stafford. On seventh-day, stopped awhile at doctor Thompson's, in Petersburg. I believe they do not profess to be Friends; but I felt much sweetness in the family, and took particular notice of a sweetspirited little girl, about seven or eight years old,remarkable for her parts and learning. The doctor told me in a pleasant way, that they were nearly half-quakers. I thought they were the best half, and wish some of our formal professors were as near the kingdom of heaven, as I take them to be. This evening, I was kindly entertained at the widow Hunnicutt's, by her son, and a little daughter about eleven or twelve years old-the mother and older sister being gone to Yearly Meeting.

First-day morning, the 16th, I rode to Anselm Bailey's, at Black-water-having travelled about two hundred and twenty miles, since I parted with E. Cleaver. Here I found James Iddings, and the other friends, and we lodged here during the time of the Yearly Meeting, which held till third-day evening.

This meeting was attended by our friends, Arthur Howell, Daniel Offley, Mary Stephenson, Hannah Cathrall, and Jonathan Evans, besides the forementioned friends, from our parts; also by Joseph Henley, from North Carolina. Most of the sittings were poor, and dull, to me; but I was enabled to relieve myself a little, in the meeting for discipline. I believe they dwell too much on the outside, and husk of things; and that there is much rubbish and loose matter, got between them and the Rock of

revelation, where they should hearken for a certain sound, both in ministry and discipline.

At this Yearly Meeting, Friends agreed upon a rule of discipline, to disown such as held slaves, and were not likely to be benefited by further labour.

On fourth-day, the 19th, James Iddings and my-. self set forward on our journey, and lodged that night at the house of Thomas Newby. Next day, attended a meeting that had been appointed for us, at Western Branch. It was nearly a silent one, being poor and dull, as to the life of religion, I thought what little life I had hitherto been favoured with, seemed now nearly all spent, and I felt very poor, empty, and dry. We dined and lodged at the house of Joseph Scott; where we met with our kind friend, Joseph Henley, on his return from the Yearly Meeting.

Sixth-day. We rode to an appointed meeting at Sommerton, calling a little while at John Porter's, to refresh ourselves. This morning I felt myself as being alone, in a state of great inward weakness. and poverty; nearly ready, at times, to doubt of all that I had ever felt. Yet when I looked back at the manner of my leaving home, a remembrance of the loving kindness of the gracious Giver of holy certainty, was some stay to my mind. We, at length, arrived at the meeting; which was pretty full for that place. The negroes which attended had been accustomed to sit under the shade of the trees, until a Friend began to speak, and then to rush into the house. But we, feeling uneasy with their being out, had them called into the meeting; which was a somewhat favoured one, my companion appearing

in a lively testimony among them. After meeting, I observed some young people on foot, and immediately felt a draft to follow them. Being soon after invited by a friend to dine, I asked him which course he lived. He pointed the way the young people had gone. I told my companion I felt very easy to go with him; which we accordingly did, John Porter and his wife accompanying us. Soon after alighting,-there being a considerable number of the neighbouring friends and young people present, I felt an exercise, to have an opportunity with them; which I waited under till dinner was over; I had, however, but very little appetite. After which, I proposed our sitting down together, and had to address them in the language of Christ to Nathaniel, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" It was a season, I hope, not soon to be forgotten by some, nor ever by me. During the remaining part of the afternoon and evening, I was in a state of feeling, which I believe to be a foretaste of the sweetness and peace of the paradise of God. As we rode along to John Porter's, in the evening, I had often to remember a portion of scripture, in the Book of Isaiah, "The mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands for joy."

I remember to have enjoyed nearly the same condition, once or twice before, when about nineteen or twenty years of age; wherein I apprehended I sensibly felt and saw all nature singing forth its Maker's praise. I write these things in commemoration of the Lord's condescending love and mercy VOL. VI.-3

to me, a poor worm: may I never forget his many favours!

We lodged that night at John Porter's. Next morning, my horse being foundered, John lent me his and took care of mine. He also accompanied us on our journey till about noon-then returned. In the evening, we reached the house of our friend, Thomas Newby, in North Carolina.

On first-day, the 23d, we attended Piney-woods meeting, which was in some degree favoured. Next day being rainy, we rode about six miles to Wells' meeting-which was pretty large and a good degree of tenderness felt, more especially among the young women. Though I could not feel any great depth of root among them, yet the Lord is merciful to the youth, and if there was an entire giving up to his calls, there would be a taking root downward, and in time bringing forth fruit upward; which indeed is very necessary, and night be very useful in this part of the world. After meeting, being invited by her daughter, we rode about six miles to Kezia Pritlow's, where we dined and lodged. Next day, we attended an appointed meeting at Old Neck, which was large, and pretty open. Thence, in company with several friends, we rode to Benjamin Albertson's, and lodged. During this day, divers friends manifested some satisfaction in being in our company; but I felt some degree of care, and a necessity to endeavour to get down through the rubbish, and feel after the Rock of safety.

On fourth-day, we attended a meeting at Little River, which was large and in good degree favoured. In the afternoon, went to see the widow Nicholson's family, where we had a religious oppor