He said he would contribute as much as any, although he had heard me only that one time; but he was informed that we received no money or pay for our preaching; yet his good will I acknowledged.

spent. The 19th of the first month we saw bution for me, in consideration of my losses. the island of Barbadoes, having had several meetings on board the ship in this voyage: of the good effects I could see but little, only for that day they would be a little more sober, and some of them, addicted to swearing, did not swear so often as they did before. The The 4th of the third month I was at meetday following we safely arrived at Speight's- ing at the Spring, where I met with Joseph town, where we had the next day a very com- Gamble, and John Oxley and his wife, and fortable meeting for the worship of God. The several others not belonging to this particular fifth-day following I was at Bridgetown, at meeting, and we were edified together in the their week-day meeting; and next first-day, love and life of Christ. I was concerned to being the 30th of the month, I was at a meet-speak of the divers visitations and speakings ing at Pumpkin-hill, where I was enlarged on of God to the people since the world began; the doctrine of faith. quoting the words of holy Writ, that "God, After this I went to the Bridge with a Friend who at sundry times, and in divers manners, from New England; we had two good meet-spoke to the fathers by the prophets, hath in ings, it being the general meeting for the these last days spoken unto us by his Son, Friends of the island; and afterwards with whom he hath appointed heir of all things :" several Friends, I went again to Speight's- and that this dispensation is the last and town, and on the 12th of the second month I brightest dispensation of all, and is the greatwas at the Thicket meeting, at which were est and most glorious manifestation of God's Counsellor Weeks, Colonel Charnock, and love to mankind; and that beside this vocal Justice Sims. I dined with them at Judge speaking of Christ, when in the body on Weeks', and they discoursed of what was earth, he now speaks spiritually: which spisaid in the meeting about dancing, I quoting ritual speaking of Christ, in and to the true Luther's words, "that as many paces as the church and true believers, will outlast time, person takes in the dance, so many paces or and endure to all eternity; the great Lord of steps they take towards hell." I told them I all, for his unspeakable benefit therein, was had heard that several had used that vain ex-praised and glorified, as being alone worthy. ercise in our meeting house, which was ap- I had other meetings on the island, which I pointed for the worship of God; and said I pass by, not being willing to be prolix. After hoped for the future it would be so no more; a stay of about nine weeks, we proposed sailtwo of those persons who danced in our meeting. Judge Gray, a very noted man, and ing house, were then in the meeting, though much esteemed among the people, took pasI did not know it. This testimony so wrought sage with us; also Joshua Birch, of Bridgeon the colonel, that he said he could scarcely town, for his health, and William Callender, feel his legs since I spoke it; and the justice and several others, as merchants. Though I said if these words were true, he had taken came on account of trade, our friends gave many steps towards hell; and the counsellor me a certificate that I had good service among and judge said it was home doctrine to some them, and in my outward affairs had gained who were there: divers of them seemed to be esteem among the people, as well as in my touched with the testimony of truth, though service in preaching Christ; all which I acnot so solidly as I desired. Soon after, I went knowledge to be the effects of divine grace. with Joshua Birch to visit the governor of the Several friends and acquaintance came to the island, Colonel Worsley, who treated us with sea-shore at Speight's-town, and in a great much freedom and civility; he desired me to deal of tender Christian love and good desit down by him, and then called for a decan-sires, we took leave, and committed one anter of wine, of which he kindly offered me a glass, but I told him I chiefly drank water; he said water is certainly the best drink in the world, and told me I was a credit to my drink, as I looked as well, or better, than most who drank wine.

other to the protection of the Almighty. We had a comfortable passage, and arrived at Philadelphia, where I was lovingly received by my wife and friends.

In this voyage a great and weighty concern came on my mind, on account of the young In the second month I was at meeting on and rising generation, desiring that they might a first-day at Bridgetown, which was some- be happy in this world, and in that which is what larger than usual; it was a good open to come. And first, as to this world, I have time in the morning, but more so in the after-taken notice that divers of the youth are too At this meeting there was a merchant apt to waste their outward substance, which of the town, not of our profession, who sent is given to them, for when they get it themto know if our friends would make a contri-selves, they are for the most part more saving

noon.

of it, and this wasting and spending, they call generosity, liberality, good nature, gentility, fine breeding, and abundance of other fine names; not considering the labour and industry, frugality, care and watchings, of their parents or ancestors, to get what they have. May parents note this well, and not be anxiously concerned to get much wealth, which may be a means to ruin their posterity; and truly most of these spending, drinking, company-keeping, gaming, chatting, tippling youngsters, take a great deal more care how they may get money from others, that they may spend it, than how to earn it, or faithfully labour for it themselves. They will beg, or borrow, or run in debt, but take little or no solid thought to pay; by which means divers of those topping, beggarly beaus and spenders, have brought both themselves and relations, parents and friends, to shame and disgrace, and sometimes to poverty, where their relations and parents have been too liberal. Let all indulgent parents note this

also.

And if any concerned person should advise those inconsiderate youths of their evils, it is much if they gain not their lasting ill will, and the epithets of niggards and covetous, ill natured, censorious, sour, morose, &c. However, I shall venture to stand the shock of their displeasure, and in as moving terms as I can, consistently with the matter on my mind, entreat them to consider the end of their spending, slothful life, which if continued in, must needs end in their ruin, and they may repent when it is too late, crying out, Oh! that I had hearkened to the advice of my father and my indulgent mother! Oh! that I had taken the counsel of my good friends in time, then I had not been in this condition, nor in those straits I am now in. This, or worse, must at last inevitably be the condition of those unthinking, time wasting, money spending, and evil company-keeping, young people of both sexes. Some of whom, if they can get it, will spend more in a few hours, than their parents can get in so many days, which is very unreasonable, as well as unthinking; for if the indulgent parents do not hold their hands, truly they must all sink together; and where the parents have been what these youths call liberal, whole families have by such liberality been undone, which is a case to be lamented.

died too soon, much sooner than might be expected, according to the course of nature. Wherefore, I would advise them to regard what the wise king Solomon said, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise; she gathereth her food in the sum mer;" i. e., she prepares against the winter. Though this may be despicable in the eyes of our fine gentlemen and wits, yet there appears more wisdom in these little industrious animals, than in those great spenders, who in the spring and summer of their years, take so little thought of saving what hath been with so much care gotten for them, or of getting more against their winter or old age; which, if they live, will certainly overtake them, when their youth or summer is gone.

But many youths object against this advice, crying out, as I have often heard, "The aged give this advice when they are old, but did as we do, when they were young as we are." Although this may be true in some, yet it will not hold good in the general; and if it does in some, is not that maxim good, “Let others harms learn us to beware, before it be too late, that we fall not into the same snare, which hath entangled or caught thousands, to their great shame and reproach?" Again, those who have been so overtaken in their youth, and are escaped out of the snare, are more fit to caution or advise how to escape it, or to show those paths which lead them into that labyrinth of woe and misery.

The author of all evil useth his utmost skill and power to promote the practice of excessive drinking, &c., among mankind, it being a mighty support to his kingdom; for when the nobility of the understanding is clouded thereby, then, Oh! how many wicked oaths, what corrupt language, what unhandsome, unbecoming words and actions, are brought forth! How is the sober, chaste soul, offended, and above all other considerations, how is God dishonoured, and the end of our creation frustrated, and man condemned!

When people are in those excesses, how do they take the sacred name in vain, and so bring themselves in guilty before God and man; for he has positively said he will not hold those guiltless who take his name in vain; so that let him plead ever so many excuses, he is pronounced guilty by the Judge of heaven and earth: therefore, let me persuade the youth to remember what the Lord I pray our spending youths to consider, by his servants said concerning drinking to how many brave, fine young men and women, excess: "Woe to the drunkards ;" and that whose parents have left them estates and hand-"no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom." some incomes, have by such extravagances, Again, "Woe to them that are mighty to soon spent all, and sometimes more than all, drink wine, and men of strength to mingle and disgrace and a jail have been their por-strong drink," &c. If it be objected, as it tion; and how many, by living too fast, have often is, when such poor souls are reproved, VOL. VI.-No. 3.

11

ing our good works, might glorify our Father which is in heaven, according to the doctrine of Christ; and then we should do them good, and they would do us no hurt, but good also. But on the other hand, if we keep not our places, and do not live in the fear of God, nor according to our holy principles and profession, then it might be just with the Lord God, to make them a scourge to us. Many were comforted in this meeting, and God was praised, who is worthy.

and their sins set in order before them; we sations, might so shine, that those people seetrust in the mercy of God and the merits of Christ; I say this is a good trust and hope, if upon a good foundation; but the wicked must forsake their ways, and the unrighteous their evil thoughts; but what forsaking is that, when strong conviction is upon the soul, to make covenants, vows and promises, and break them from time to time? And though Christ hath satisfied the justice of the Almighty for sinners, it is for those who forsake their sins, not for those who plead for the practice of them, and endeavour, by many vain excuses, to justify themselves in them.

Since then the salvation of the soul is precious, and hath cost the precious blood of the Lamb of God, and is much more precious than health or wealth, why should any be so cruel and hard hearted to themselves, as, for a little vanity, mirth, toys, trifles, vain sports, and evil pastime, to plunge and sink themselves into the gulf of eternal woe and misery; pray, Oh! pray consider it, dear youth.

After my return from Barbadoes in the fourth month, I visited Friends' meetings at Burlington, the Falls of Delaware, Abington, Germantown, and was divers times at Philadelphia and Frankford; which meetings were much to my satisfaction; the Lord being pleased to manifest his goodness to many, as also to my poor exercised soul; for which I was truly thankful unto him.

On the 15th of the sixth month, having loaded the ship New Bristol Hope, a second time, I sailed in her from Philadelphia, and having a concern to visit the meeting of Friends at Salem, I left the ship at Glouces ter, under the care of the pilot, and went by land to the first-day meeting at Salem, and from thence to Elsenborough, and staid till the ship came down; and on the 20th of the month we got to sea, and had a fair wind for several days, and lived very lovingly on board, being respectfully treated by my sailors.

In this voyage we had several meetings on board, the first of which was at the request of my second mate, to call the sailors together in the cabin; I not being forward to propose it to them, lest they should suspect me of some vanity, in desiring to preach to them; they not knowing the cross of Christ in that exercise.

On the 24th day of the seventh month, at In the sixth month I was at the general noon, our ship by observation, being exactly meeting of Friends at Darby, in Chester in the latitude of Barbadoes, we steered away county, which was a large and good meet- west for the island, and on the 26th we saw ing, divers Friends appearing there in a lively it, five weeks and one day after leaving sight ministry. About this time, some thousands of Cape Henlopen; we having, after the first of people came from Ireland, and also many from Holland; among whom, it was reported, were Romans, or Papists, several of whom, it was said, gave out threatening speeches, which caused some consternation among the people.

few days, light winds, calms, and head winds, which made our passage long, and our sea stores almost spent; but now the sight of land made the people forget all uneasiness, and for this favour, my heart was thankful to the great Preserver of men.

At this large general meeting, I exhorted This time we came to a tolerable market them to trust in the Lord, and not to distrust with our provisions, which made our stay that hand which had hitherto preserved us by short; yet I was divers times at Bridge meethis providence without outward force; and ing of Friends, as also at Speight's-town, that though the people who came among us where my concerns chiefly lay; and once at were many in number, yet we having the Pumpkin-hill meeting, in which it was obLord on our side, were more than they, in a served to the people, that the salvation of the mystical sense; putting them in remembrance soul is precious, and that true religion is a of the prophet, who, when his servant was solid thing, a thing of the greatest moment to afraid, prayed to the Almighty to open his both body and soul, and that people ought to eyes, and when they were opened, he saw be very serious and solidly concerned about the mountain full of chariots of fire, and it, taking special care to lay, or build, their horses of fire, and that they were more than religion on a sure foundation. It was showed their enemies. I was also concerned to ex- them, that Christ Jesus is the sure rock and hort Friends to be good examples to those strangers who came among us in such great numbers; and that our lights in our conver

foundation of all the righteous, in all ages; that he was the Rock that followed Israel, which they drank of; and that any other

foundation than him, no man can lay; who

The 14th day, about eight o'clock at night, is, in the truly religious, and the true believ-John Plasket, one of the best of our sailors, ers, the hope of their glory. Many other through the violent pitching of the ship, fell precious truths were manifested to us in that into the sea from off the bowsprit; one of the meeting, for which we praised the Lord.

sailors seeing him fall, nimbly threw a rope Soon after I went to Bridgetown to clear to him, which he caught hold of, and the peoout the vessel, and was at their week-day ple helped him into the ship; though in all meeting; the subject matter I had to treat of probability, he had perished in the sea, if he in that meeting, was that "the Lord bringeth had missed taking hold of the rope. I was low, and he raiseth up again;" and that in thankful to the Almighty for this young man's divers respects, as to kingdoms, families, and life, and took it as a great favour from heaparticular persons; and as to health, wealth, | ven. The next day it was dreadfully stormy, honour, &c., divers in that meeting were ap- the wind blew violently at south-west, with pealed to as witnesses of it. After this meet-lightning, thunder, and much rain; the seas ing I went to visit the governor, who was ran so high, and the ship had such a great courteous to me, and took my visit kindly, motion, that the goods, or casks, shifted in and desired to be remembered to our governor the hold, and we lay by till next day; our and several others, and wished me a pros- sails also were much torn, and in many perous voyage, and well back again, which he hoped would be in about three months; he said, "Whoever lived to see it, Pennsylvania would be the metropolis of America, in some hundreds of years." He said "he loved downright honest men, but he hated deceit and hypocrisy."

The 21st of the eighth month, 1729, we having done our business, weighed anchor and went to sea; and on the 26th we had a good meeting with the ship's company, for the service and worship of God; in which the gospel of Christ was declared without partiality, and the reigning sins of sailors openly exposed, according to the doctrine of the gospel, and the most high Lord entreated to carry on in the earth the great work of reformation. Hitherto we have had fine, pleasant weather.

The beginning of the ninth month we had a very blustering, stormy time, for many days, so that we could not carry sail, but sometimes lay by, and sometimes went with a reefed mainsail and foresail; the ship had such a violent motion, that it broke our glasses and about a dozen bottles of wine, and our earthen ware, and strained our hogsheads and casks, so that we pumped out molasses into the sea, and beat us back many leagues, and blew our sails out of the bolt ropes.

After those storms we had a calm, and the wind sprung up westerly; our course being north-west, or thereabout, we could barely lay it; yet it being moderate, we had cause to be thankful.

The 12th of the ninth month we found ourselves in the latitude of thirty-six degrees, seventeen minutes, north; but the wind was ahead, and our fresh stock of provisions almost expended, and winter coming on apace, the nights dark and long, made it seem tedious to our people; the which I was helped to bear with patience.

places, blown out of the bolt ropes, so that we were half a day mending them, and then proceeded on our voyage home, where we arrived the latter end of the month.

After I came home from this voyage, during the small stay I made on shore, I was divers times at meetings at Philadelphia and Frankford, and also at Germantown, at the burial of our ancient friend Dennis Conrad, who was one of the first settlers of this town, as I understood the first meeting of Friends, for worship, was kept at his house; he was a man of an inoffensive life, much given to hospitality, and left a good report behind him. The meeting was large, and many of the first settlers of the country were there. I was also at the burial of Catharine, the daughter of Thomas Lightfoot, and wife of James Miller, a worthy woman, who died soon after their arrival from Ireland, and was buried from our great meeting house in Philadelphia, in a decent and exemplary manner.

The latter end of the tenth month, Samuel Harrison, of New-York, and Obadiah Lawrence, of Long island, favoured me with their company all night at our house, where we called the family together, and had a seasonable time to take leave, they of me, and I of them, and my family also; and the next day divers very dear friends came with me to the boat, to the river side, to take leave, and we parted with hearts full of love and good will to each other.

I went on board at Wiccacoe, and had a cold passage down the river and bay, and left the Capes the 1st of the eleventh month, being the third voyage as master, and the 17th we passed the tropic of Cancer. Hitherto we had a comfortable passage, and though wẹ had a crowded ship, yet we had peace and quietness to a greater degree than I expected; for men that use the seas, are too generally inconstant as the winds and waters they pass

through. We had several meetings on board the vessel, and were at sea about four weeks before we arrived at Barbadoes, where the markets were dull, which occasioned our staying about twelve weeks.

During this time I had divers religious and good opportunities, with those of our own and other societies, I believe to general satisfaction; having the good wishes of people of all ranks, from the governor to the poor negroes; all of whom I profess to love for Christ's sake. In our return home we had a full ship and upwards of thirty passengers, and were on our passage about a month, and had good comfortable weather therein.

for their welfare, as I had often been when I was absent, and was glad I was with them that day.

After this meeting we proceeded on our voyage, and left the Capes the 15th of the aforesaid month; had small and contrary winds, and sometimes calms, until the 2nd of the sixth month, and first-day of the week, when the wind was at south, and a hard gale, the sea high, and the ship having a great motion, we had not a meeting as usual: many of the passengers were very sea sick. For my part, I thought if the Almighty was but with me, that would make up for all diffi culties; for in him was, and is, my life and Soon after I came home from Barbadoes in chiefest joy; and as an answer of peace in the third month, 1730, I went to a meeting at my tossed condition, I sometimes had comBurlington, at which Thomas Evans was mar-fortable times; being inwardly refreshed with ried; Margaret Preston was also there. It the love and presence of God; not only in was a good meeting. I crossed the river Delaware twice, visited a sick person, and rode thirty miles that day. I also went to the Falls meeting, and after it, appointed another at Neshaminy the same day. I went with Joseph Kirkbride to William Paxton's, and lodged, and next morning Joseph Kirkbride rode with me home, and thence to Philadelphia. I was divers times at Philadelphia, Frankford and Germantown, and at the general meeting at Frankford, where our friend John Cadwallader was married; Isaac Norris, Samuel Preston, and Margaret his wife, and John Oxley, were at this meeting, with many other Friends, a good share of whose company I had at my house, of which I was glad, ever loving and coveting the company of good men and women.

the day, but also in the night, in my sleep; out of which I was awakened one morning, with these comfortable words, "He took me to his banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love." These expressions were so fresh in my mind for some days, that I could not forbear but bless the holy name of the living Lord secretly in my soul.

The 16th of the sixth month we arrived at Barbadoes. The 17th there arose about midnight a hard gale of wind, which the Barbadians call a hurricane, or tornado, and blew more than ten vessels ashore, great and small, which were wholly lost; and our ship was very near the rocks, people looking every minute when she would come on shore: but through divine favour we escaped, with only the boat stove against the rocks. I would I was now preparing for the fourth voyage, have got on board, but that was impracticaas master of the New Bristol Hope, for Bar-ble; but I got on the highest place I could, badoes; but it grew harder and harder for me to leave my family, which, for many considerations, was very exercising; yet I was obliged to continue going to sea, upon an honourable account; i. e., that no person might suffer by me, if I could help it; and having got our vessel loaded, we sailed from Philadelphia the 9th of the fifth month. Next day came to anchor at Chester, and visited my old friend David Lloyd, who, with his good spouse Grace, treated me with tender, Christian love: the judge and I being old acquaintances, and both of us in years, and he not well, we took leave as if we were not to see one another any more, which happened accordingly, for he died before I returned.

from which I could see them in the ship, and they me on shore; but we could not, for the violence of the wind, hear one another; yet they were so near the fort where I stood, that I could discern them one from another, and they me from the multitude of people, many being in the fort with me. I seeing the chief mate look towards me, waved my hat towards him, and he in answer, his to me; then I made a signal to him to go to sea, which they immediately did, letting slip their cables and went to sea, without either boat, anchor, or cables, and came in the next day, and got their cables and anchors again, to the great joy of many of the inhabitants, whose hearty prayers were for our safety, as many We weighed anchor at Chester and got of them told me. This among many others, down to Elsenborough, and went to Salem I put in my calendar of deliverances and meeting, with some of our passengers and preservations from imminent dangers, by the sailors, it being the first-day of the week hand of divine Providence.

and 12th of the month. The meeting was We staid this time in Barbadoes about five pretty large, and I was earnestly concerned weeks, leaving the island the 27th of the