gons, in which we travelled several hundred miles, so that Jacob Claus, our companion and interpreter, though he had travelled much, said he never had observed the like before; which observation I thought good to make, with thanks to the Almighty.

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From the city of Leuwarden, we came by water to Herlingen, where friends were glad to see us, and we them. We had a meeting in friends' meeting-house, and a good comfortable one it was, blessed be the Lord for it! From hence we crossed the South Sea, and had a contrary wind, which made our passage long and tedious. We were two days and two nights on this water before we got to Amsterdam, in all which, and the next day, I tasted no food, being three days fasting. I was willing to keep my body under, and found it for my health, neither had I any desire for food in those three days, in which time we had two meetings. We arrived at Amsterdam about the sixth hour, on the first day morning, and had two meetings at Amsterdam that day, which were quiet, and many people came to one of them but we could not be clear without going again to NorthHolland; so from Amsterdam we went to Horn, where we had a meeting in the collegian's meeting-house, and it was to satisfaction: the people were very loving, and divers very tender, even more than we have usually seen. They desired another meeting, but our time would not admit of it, we having appointed a meeting at Twisk the next day, which we had in the meeting-place, as also another at a friend's house. The next day we returned to Amsterdam, and had a meeting, which began about the fifth hour, which was the last meeting we had in this city, and I hope it will not easily be forgotten by some. After it we solemnly took our leave of friends, and departed for Harlem, where we were well refreshed in the love and life of Christ Jesus, our dear Lord, and good Master. From Harlem we went with several friends to Rotterdam, where we had two meetings, and in the evening we went to visit a friend that was not well, with whom we had a meeting, and affecting time, and the sick friend was com

forted and refreshed, and said, she was much better than before; and we were edified, and the Lord our God praised and magnified over all, who is blessed for ever.

In those parts, viz. Holland, Friesland, Germany, &c. we travelled 972 English miles, all in waggons and vessels. We came not on a horse's back all the time. It was about nine weeks that we stayed in those countries, travelling therein, and getting meetings where we could, which were to the number of forty-five, thus accounted: at Rotterdam 10; Harlem 3; Amsterdam 10; Twisk 4; Herlingen 3; Horn 1; Hamburgh 1; Embden 2; Frederickstadt 10; Goradick 1.

All these are large cities, except Twisk and Gora dick.

From Rotterdam we took ship for London, and on the 30th of the 3d month, 1709, we sailed down the river Meuse to the Briel, in the ship Ann, John Duck, master, but he missing the convoy, we took our passage in the packet; and so from Helvoetsluys we sailed over to Harwich, and thus safely arrived in our native land, blessing Almighty God for his many preservations and deliverances by sea and land.

About this time (after a long continuance of war) there was great talking of peace; but the old enemy to peace, truth, and righteousness, broke it off by his evil working in man: neither can there be any lasting peace, until the nations come to the witnessing of the peaceable government and spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be set up and established in themselves. The Lord bring it to pass, if it be his blessed will, with speed, for his holy name's sake! Amen.

As I have had great peace and satisfaction in my trav. els in Holland and Germany, so, for exciting others under the like exercise, I may truly say, that there is en. couragement for faithful ministers to labour in the work of the gospel: for I know not that I ever met with more tenderness and openness in people, than in those parts of the world. There is a great people which they call menonists, who are very near to truth, and the fields are white unto harvest among divers of that people, spirit

ually speaking. Oh! that faithful labourers, not a few, might be sent of God Almighty into the great vineyard of the world, is what my soul and spirit breathes to him for.

After lodging one night at Harwich, we came to Ipswich, and from thence to Colchester, and stayed there the first day, and had two meetings; and had a meeting at Birch and Coggsheal, and then back to Colchester, where we took coach for London, to the yearly meeting of friends, which was very large. I gave some short account" of my travels to the said meeting, with which friends were satisfied, and made a minute thereof. I had been about twenty months from my habitation, and from my dear and affectionate wife, and from any manner of trade and business, either directly or indirectly, being all that time wholly given up in my mind to preach the glorious gospel of God our Saviour, without any outward consideration whatever, taking my great Master's counsel, As I had freely received from him, so I freely gave: and had that solid peace in my labours that is of more value than gold, yea, than all the world.

From the yearly meeting I travelled through some parts of most of the counties in England, and also in Wales: in which service, I laboured fervently, and often travelled hard, in body and mind, until the next yearly meeting, 1710, having travelled that year about two thousand five hundred miles, and had near three hundred public meetings, in many of which there were much people, and oftentimes great openness. I being at so many friends houses, and at so many meetings, if I was to be particular in the same, it would be too voluminous, for which, and some reason beside, I only give a general account thereof here.

In this year (1710) my dear friend and fellow-traveller, Richard Gove, departed this life, at Uxbridge about fifteen miles from London, at our friend Richard Richardson's house. He died of a consumption. We travelled together in great love and unity, and the Lord blessed his work in our hands. We were in company in the WestIndia islands, Ireland, and North-Britain, till we came to

Berwick on Tweed. We met together again at London, and he visited some other parts of Britain, in the time I was in Holland and Germany. He was an inoffensive, loving friend, and had a sound testimony, which was serviceable and convincing, and was well beloved in Philadelphia, where he lived. He left a good savour and report behind him (I think) wherever he travelled in the world.

Now at this general meeting in London, I had a good opportunity to take my leave of my dear friends and brethren in my native land, not expecting to see it, or them, any more in this world. Oh! I may truly say, it was a solemn parting! it was a sclemn time to me indeed. After the yearly meeting was over, I took my passage in the Mary-Hope, John Annis, master, bound for Philadelphia; and on the 29th of the fourth month, 1710, at Gravesend, after having taken a solemn leave of our relations, and several of my dear friends, we set sail, and overtook the Russia fleet at Harwich, and so joined them, and sailed with them as far as Shetland, which is northward of the isles of Orkney. We were with the fleet about two weeks, and then left them, and sailed to the westward for America. In this time we had rough seas, which made divers of us sea-sick. Af ter we left Shetland, we were seven weeks and four days at sea before we saw the land of America, and glad we were when we got sight thereof. In this time we had divers sweet and solemn meetings, on first days and fifth days, wherein we worshipped and praised the great Jehovah, and many things were opened in the spirit of love and truth, to our comfort and edification. We had one meeting with the Germans or Palatines on the ship's deck, and one who understood both languages interpret ed for me. The people were tender and wrought upon, behaved sober, and were well satisfied: and I can truly say, I was well satisfied also.

In this voyage we had our health to admiration; and I shall observe one thing worthy of my notice. Some of my loving and good friends in London, fearing a sickness in the ship, as she was but small considering there

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were so many souls on board her, being ninety-four in number, they, for that and other reasons, advised me not to go in her; for they loved me well, and I took it kindly of them: but I could not be easy to take their advice, because I had been long from my habitation and business, and which was yet more, from my dear and loving wife; and notwithstanding the vessel was so full and crowded, and also several of the people taken into the ship in the river Thames, yet they mended on board the vessel apace, and were soon all brave and hearty, being perfectly recovered at sea, and the ship, through the providence of the Almighty, brought them all well to Philadelphia, in the seventh month, 1710. I think I never was in a more healthy vessel in all my time, and I thought this peculiar favour worthy to be recorded by me. We had a very pleasant passage up the river Delaware, to our great satisfaction, the Palatines being wonderfully pleased with the country, mightily admiring the pleasantness and the fertility of it. Divers of our people went on shore, and brought fruit on board, which was the largest and finest they had ever seen, as they said, such as, apples, peaches, &c.

I was from my family and habitation, in this journey and travel, for the space of three years, within a few weeks; in which time, and in my return, I had sweet peace to my soul; glory to God for ever more! I had meetings every day when on land, except second and seventh days, (when in health, and nothing extraordinary hindered), and had travelled by sea and land fourteen thousand three hundred miles, according to our English account. I was kindly and tenderly received by my friends, who longed to see me, as I did them, and our meeting was comfortable and pleasant.

After this long travel and voyage, I staid at home, and looked after the little family which God had given me, and kept duly to meetings, except something extraordinary hindered. Divers people, when I came home, raised a false report of me, and said, I had brought home a great deal of money and goods, that I got by preaching; which was utterly false and base; for I