middle-aged; and I often thought, that had I neglected my duty in that case, it would have given me great trouble; and I was humbly thankful to my gracious Father, who had supported me

herein.

My employer having a negro woman, sold her, and desired me to write a bill of sale, the man being waiting who bought her. The thing was sudden; and though the thoughts of writing an instrument of slavery for one of my fellow-creatures felt uneasy, yet I remembered I was hired by the year, that it was my master who directed me to do it, and that it was an elderly man, a member of our society, who bought her; so, through weakness, I gave way, and wrote it; but, at the executing it, I was so afflicted in my mind, that I said, before my master and the friend, that I believed slave-keeping to be a practice inconsistent with the Christian religion. This, in some degree, abated. my uneasiness; yet as often as I reflected seriously upon it, I thought I should have been clearer, if I had desired to be excused from it, as a thing against my conscience; for such it was. some time after this, a young man of our society, spoke to me to write a conveyance of a slave to him; he having lately taken a negro into his house, I told him, I was not easy to write it; for, though many of our meeting and in other places kept slaves, I still believed the practice was not right; and desired to be excuesed from the writing. I spoke to him in good will; and he told me, that

And

keeping slaves was not altogether agreeable to his mind; but that the slave being a gift made to his wife, he had accepted her.

CHAPTER II.

His first journey, on a religious visit, into East Jersey, in company with Abraham Farrington.His thoughts on merchandizing, and his learning a trade-His second journey with Isaac Andrews into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. His third journey with Peter Andrews, through part of the West and East Jersey. Some account of his sister Elizabeth, and her death.-His fourth journey with Peter Andrews, through New York and Long Island, to New England. And his fifth journey, with John Sykes, to the Eastern shore of Maryland, and the lower Counties on Delaware.

My esteemed friend Abraham Farrington, being about to make a visit to friends on the eastern side of this province, and having no companion, he proposed to me to go with him; and after a conference with some elderly friends, I agreed to go. So we set out the fifth day of the ninth month, in the year 1743; had an evening meeting at a tavern in Brunswick, a town in which none of our society dwelt; the room was full, and the people quiet. Thence to Amboy, and had an evening meeting in the court-house; to which came many people, amongst whom were several members of assembly, they being in town on the public affairs of the province. In both these meetings my ancient com

panion was enlarged to preach, in the love of the gospel. Thence we went to Woodbridge, Raway, and Plainfield; and had six or seven meetings in places where friends meetings are not usually held, being made up chiefly of Presbyterians, and my beloved companion was frequently strengthened to publish the word of life amongst them. As for me, I was often silent through the meetings; and when I spake, it was with much care, that I might speak only what truth opened; my mind was often tender, and I learned some profitable lessons. were out about two weeks.

We

Near this time, being on some outward business in which several families were concerned, and which was attended with difficulties, some things relating thereto not being clearly stated, nor rightly understood by all, there arose some heat in the minds of the parties, and one valuable friend got off his watch. I had a great regard for him, and felt a strong inclination, after matters were settled, to speak to him concerning his conduct in that case; but I being a youth, and he far advanced in age and experience, my way appeared difficult; but after some days deliberation, and inward seeking to the Lord for assistance, I was made subject; so that I exprest what lay upon me, in a way which became my youth and his years; and though it was a hard task to me, it was well taken, and, I believe, was useful to us both.

Having now been several years with my employer, and he doing less at merchandize than hereto.

fore, I was thoughtful of some other way of business; perceiving merchandize to be attended with much cumber in the way of trading in these parts.

My mind through the power of truth, was in a good degree weaned from the desire of outward greatness, and I was learning to be content with real conveniences, that were not costly; so that a way of life, free from much entanglement, appear ed best for me, though the income might be small. I had several offers of business that appeared profitable, but did not see may 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 satisfy 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