divers of the Friends came to see me, and were for appointing meetings for me to be at, in the ensuing week, and desired to know my mind therein. After a little pause I told them, I found a full stop in my mind from going to any more meetings at present, and that I would wait some days with them in the city [town], till I saw further. While we were sitting togther, a letter came to me from London, that a Friend, Stephen Payton, had set up my name on the Ex-. change in London, as master of the Barbadoes Packet, which was the vessel bought of me by John Agar, who sold her to the said Stephen Payton, who intended her for Philadelphia, and next morning a messenger was sent for me from London. Thus having such a favourable opportunity of returning home, I embraced it, and went on second-day to Witham, where I again met with Joshua Toft, and Joshua Hobson, at a meeting; from thence we went to Plaistow, where we had a meeting; and then [1] went to Bromley, near Bow, and was at Joseph Ollive's; had a meeting with his people and servants, which were many; several scores of people belonging to his family, I thought it was a good meeting, a Divine hand of love was reached out to the young people, and they were advised to give up their hearts to their Creator in their youthful days; after this meeting I went to London, and prepared for the voyage. When our vessel was loaded, which was chiefly by Israel Pemberton the younger, who

went with us, as did our owner, Stephen Payton, and Isaac Brown, and four of my kinsfolks, whose names are Freeman, with divers other passengers; in the latter end of the Twelfth month, my brother, and his eldest daughter, Rebecca, with her husband, Samuel Thornton, accompanied me to Gravesend, where our parting with them was, as at Edmonton, very solemn and sorrowful, we never expecting to see one another more. From Gravesend we sailed the third of the First month to the Downs, and from thence down the British channel to the sea, and were at sea above nine weeks, which we thought long, having many contrary winds; but, after we came on shore, we understood, that there were divers vessels that were much longer. At sea we had divers meetings, which were some of them to my satisfaction. I came very unwell on board, but, when at sea I mended; for which favour I am truly thankful. We landed all well and in health at Philadelphia, in the Third month, 1736, where we were received with joy by our relations, friends, and acquaintance; it was much more so, because they had heard I was like to die, having, at London, had a sore fit of the asthma or phthisic, three persons sitting up with me for three nights, who, I thought, would see my end: but the time was not yet come that I must die; though indeed death was no terror to me, hoping my change would be much for the better; for then I hoped I should be for ever with Him whom I love better than life.

CHAP. X.

1736-1738.

After some shorter Journeys, he enters on a Visit to Friends in New England-On returning, is engaged in a Family Visit in Philadelphia, and in other religious service-Journey into the Southern Provinces.

AFTER I had been at home some time, I went to Salem, and from thence to Cohansey, and, in my return, was at Woodberry-Creek, and had meetings at each place: and, soon after, I visited the meetings of Friends at Bristol, Burlington, Trenton, and Borden's-Town, and, in my return home, at Middle-Town; by the way, calling to see my ancient Friend, Joseph Kirkbride, and the widow Warder; she was ninety-two years of age, and perfect in her understanding; she said, she did not know for what end the Almighty should prolong her days to that age; but she was satisfied in his will.

In the Fifth month, I visited the meetings of Friends at Haddonfield, in West-Jersey, and at Newton, Hartford, German-Town, Abington, North-Wales, and Plymouth, and was divers times at Philadelphia and Frankfort.

R

After many exercises and large travels by sea and land, my brethren, and divers others, not of our society, expressed their gladness to see me, rejoicing that I was like to spend my time more on the land, hoping that I would go no more to sea; the which (God willing) I determined, having so settled my affairs, that I could stay on shore; and am truly and humbly thankful to the Almighty, that He, by His good hand of Providence, in His due time, had favoured and helped me so to do.

In the Sixth and Seventh months, I again visited the meetings of Friends at Bristol, Burlington, Byberry, Abington, Horsham, German-Town, Fairhill, and divers times at Frankfort and Philadelphia.

In the Eighth month, I went to Cohansey and Salem, and was at two meetings at Cohansey, and one at Alloway's-Creek, where I met with Edward Tyler, a friend on a religious visit from Europe, and John Sykes, a friend living near Croswicks, in the Jerseys; here we had an open, satisfactory meeting: from whence I went to Salem, it being their week-day meeting, which was large, and to the edification of many. I was also at PilesGrove on fifth-day, and at Woodberry-Creek sixth-day; in which last meeting the obedient son was encouraged, and the disobedient earnestly called home to his heavenly Father's house. In this journey I had John Bringhurst, the younger, for my fellow-traveller; his father being unwilling that I should go the journey alone.

After I had been at home some time, I, with some others, went to the yearly-meeting at Shrewsbury, in East-Jersey, which was on the 23d of the Eighth month: it was exceeding large, and the quietest and most settled meeting that ever I was at there; and many Divine truths were delivered therein. From thence I went to Manesquan, and had a meeting, and then back to Shrewsbury, and so to Middle-Town, where we had a meeting in the Baptist meeting-house, divers of whom were there, and glad of the meeting; thence came back to Shrewsbury, and had a meeting on the First-day, being the 30th of the month from whence, on my return home, had meetings at Moses Robin's, Allen's-Town, at Croswicks (where I met with divers of my old friends) Borden-Town, and Mansfield; some of which were large, open, and satisfactory meetings. After the last meeting, we went to Burlington, and next day came home, accompanied by Richard Smith, jun. After being a few days at home, I was sent for to Chester, to the marriage of John Lee, who had sailed several voyages with me. Next day I went to the week-day meeting at Providence, and on First-day was at Springfield, from whence I returned home. The 23d of the Ninth month, I left home again, and went to Philadelphia, and from thence with Daniel Stanton, John Easton, and John Proud, jun. (the two latter of Rhode Island) to Radnor meeting, and from thence to Goshen meeting; and by the