a good degree weaned from the desire of outward greatness, and I was learning to be content with real conveniences, that were not so costly; so that a way of life free from much entanglement appeared best for me, though the income might be small. I had several offers of business that appeared profitable, but did not see my way clear to accept of them; as believing the business proposed would be attended with more outward care and cumber than was required of me to engage in.

I saw that an humble man, with the blessing of the Lord, might live on a little; and that where the heart was set on greatness, success in business did not satisfying the craving; but that commonly with an increase of wealth, the desire of wealth increased. There was a care on my mind so to pass my time, that nothing might hinder me from the most steady attention to the voice of the true Shepherd.

My employer, though now a retailer of goods, was by trade a tailor, and kept a servant man at that business, and I began to think about learning the trade, expecting, that if I should settle, I might by this trade, and a little retailing of goods, get a living in a plain way, without the load of great business. I mentioned it to my employer, and we soon agreed on terms; and then when I had leisure from the affairs of merchandise, I worked with his man. I believe the hand of Providence pointed out this business for me; and was taught to be content with it, though. I felt at times, a disposition that would have sought for something greater; but,

through the revelation of Jesus Christ, I had seen the happiness of humility, and there was an earnest desire in me to enter deep into it; and at times this desire arose to a degree of of fervent supplication, wherein my soul was so environed with heavenly light and consolation, that things were made easy to me which had been otherwise.

After some time my employer's wife died; she was a virtuous woman, and generally beloved of her neighbours; and soon after this, he left shop-keeping, and we parted. I then wrought at my trade as a tailor, carefully attended meetings for worship and discipline, and found an enlargement of gospel love in my mind, and therein a concern to visit Friends in some of the back settlements in Pennsylvania and Virginia; and being thoughtful about a companion, I expressed it to my beloved friend Isaac Andrews, who told me that he had drawings to the same places, and also to go through Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina. After considerable time past, and several conferences with him I felt easy to accompany him throughout, if way opened for it. I opened the case in our monthly meeting, and Friends expressing their unity therewith, we obtained certificates. to travel as companions, his from Haddonfield, and mine from Burlington.

We left our province on the twelfth day of the third month, in the year 1746, and had several meetings in the upper part of Chester County, and near Lancaster; in some of which the love of Christ prevailed, uniting us together in

his service. Then we crossed the river Susquehannah, and bad several meetings in a new settlement, called the Red Lands, the oldest of which, as I was informed, did not exceed ten years. It is the poorer sort of people that commonly begin to improve remote deserts; with a small stock, they have houses to build, lands to clear and fence, corn to raise, clothes to provide, and children to educate; that friends, who visit such, may well sympathise with them in their hardships in the wilderness; and though the best entertainment that such can give, may seem coarse to some who are used to cities, or old settled places, it becomes the disciples of Christ to be content with it. Our hearts were sometimes enlarged in the love of our Heavenly Father amongst these people; and the sweet influence of his spirit supported us through some difficulties: to Him be the praise.

We passed on to Manequacy, Fairfax, HopeWell, and Shanando, and had meetings; some of which were comfortable and edifying. From Shanando we set off in the afternoon for the old settlement of Friends in Virginia; and the first night, we, with our guide, lodged in the woods, our horses feeding near us; but he being poorly provided with a horse, and we young, and having good horses, were free the next day to part with him; and did so. In two days after, we reached our friend John Cheagle's, in Virginia; so we took the meetings in our way through Virginia; were in some degree baptized into a feeling sense of the condition of the people, and our exercise in general was more pain

ful in these old settlements than it had been amongst the back inhabitants; but through the goodness of our heavenly Father, the well of living waters was, at times, opened to our encouragement, and the refreshment of the sincere hearted. We went on to Perquimons, in North Carolina, had several meetings, which were large, and found some openness in those parts, and a hopeful appearance amongst the young people. So we turned again to Virginia, and attended most of the meetings which we had not been at before, labouring amongst Friends in the love of Jesus Christ, as ability was given: and thence went to the mountains, up James's river to a new settlement; and had several meetings amongst the people, some of whom had lately joined in membership with our society.

In our journeying to and fro, we found some honest hearted Friends, who appeared to be concerned for the cause of truth among a backsliding people.

From Virginia, we crossed over Patomac, at Hoe's ferry, and made a general visit to the meetings of Friends on the western shore of Maryland; and were at their quarterly meeting. We had some hard labour amongst them, endeavouring to discharge our duty honestly as way opened, in the love of truth; and thence taking sundry meetings in our way, we passed homewards; where, through the favour of Divine Providence, we reached the sixteenth day of the sixth month, in the year 1746; and I may say, that through the assistance of the Holy Spirit,

which mortifies selfish desires, my companion and I travelled in harmony, and parted in the nearness of true brotherly love.

Two things were remarkable to me in this journey; first, in regard to my entertainment; when I ate, drank, and lodged free cost with people, who lived in ease on the hard labour of their slaves, I felt uneasy; and as my mind was inward to the Lord, I found, from place to place, this uneasiness return upon me, at times, through the whole visit. Where the masters bore a good share of the burthen, and lived frugally, so that their servants were well provided for, and their labour moderate, I felt more easy; but where they lived in a costly way, and laid heavy burthens on their slaves, my exercise was often great, and I frequently had conversation with them, in private, concerning it. Secondly; this trade of importing slaves from their native country being much encouraged amongst them, and the white people and their children so generally living without, was frequently the subject of my serious thoughts. And I saw in these southern provinces so many vices and corruptions, increased by this trade and way of life, that it appeared to me as a dark gloominess hanging over the land; and though now many willingly run into it, yet in future the consequence will be grievous to posterity; I express it as it hath appeared to me, not at once nor twice, but as a matter fixed on my mind.

Soon after my return home, I felt an increasing concern for Friends on our sea coast; and on the eighth day of the eighth month, in the year