prevent many undue liberties, and reform customs that have got into our society.

Although my father was thus strict, he was no idolater of forms; but he wisely adopted Solomon's advice, to train up a child in the way he should walk, in hope that when he should be old, he would not depart from it.

It so fell out, and I have since thought, providentially, that I did not go to Philadelphia: for, a Latin !· school being opened at Wilmington, I went to it for a considerable time. ? 1750 about

When I was about twelve years old, my father took me with him to Concord meeting, at which was Mary Weston, from England. Thence we went to Chester; Mary rode in the chair with father, and I rode her horse. Being thus early and frequently in the company of valuable Friends, was a favour to me, as I was induced to love them and value their society, and they often noticed me.

In the year 1755, I attended the Yearly Meeting held in Philadelphia; and in the latter end of the 11th month, accompanied Comfort Hoag, from Hampton, and Elizabeth Dean, from Salem, New England, to ta Centre, Concord and Springfield. This was to me an instructive season.

On the 8th of the 1st month, 1756, Samuel Fothergill and John Churchman were at our monthly meeting, and Samuel was remarkably favoured to speak to the state of the meeting; there being some unhappy differences among Friends. He had also an encouraging exhortation to the youth; and the visitation of Divine love was renewedly extended, to the comfort of the honest hearted. Praised and mag

nified be the name of the Lord for his mercies and favours vouchsafed to his children and people.

After this, I attended the spring meeting in Philadelphia, the youth's meeting at Concord, and a meeting at Hockessin, where was Catherine Payton, from England, and divers other Friends. Dear Samuel Fothergill came with me to Wilmington; his kindly noticing me, had in it something encouraging to my mind. I was at a number of meetings with him and Catherine Payton and Mary Peisly, to my comfort and instruction; was also in Philadelphia, at the time of their taking leave of Friends in order to return to England, and it was an affecting memorable season, in which many tears were shed. Dear Samuel Fothergill said we could not part better than under such a Divine influence as was then felt. I came in company with them and divers other Friends to Chester; where, after a comfortable sitting at Jacob Hoskins', Samuel Fothergill, Catherine Payton, Mary Peisly, Abraham Farrington and Samuel Emlen, Jr. went on board the vessel, which fell down the river to New Castle, where the next day, being first-day, they had a large meeting in the court-house. Then embarked for England, on the 6th of 6th mo., 1756.

During the summer, I attended divers neighbouring meetings, and in the 11th month my father sent me to New England to transact some business for him. I went by way of Richard Hallet's, at Newtown, Long Island, and reached my uncle Benjamin Ferris's, on the 1st of the 12th month, where I was received with gladness, and my heart was humbly thankful to the Lord that I had been preserved in my journey. I spent about six weeks among my relations at Oblong, New Milford, Merryal and New

Preston, to my satisfaction; and then, having com: pleted my business, I returned home. On my way,

I stopped at an inn to lodge. It was late when I got there; but I found a company of young men, among whom were several Friends' children, drinking and t making a noise. This being very disagreeable to me, I obtained a private room and passed the remaining part of the evening alone, to my comfort; the Lord being pleased to overshadow me, in 'some degree, with his presence. During the most of this journey, I had no company except the good presence of the Lord; for which and his watchful care over me, I felt thankful and enjoyed peace.

In the 5th month, 1757, I was at a meeting in Philadelphia; in which "the glorious Lord" was unto me 66 as a place of broad rivers." 25th, was at the burial of Daniel Stanton's daughter, Abigail, who was a virtuous young woman.

9th month 17th. I went to the Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia: the various sittings of which, according to the sense of many Friends, were eminently favoured with the Divine presence and counsel. The " affairs of the church were conducted with much concord and harmony; and the youth were encouraged in the attendance of these meetings. Five European Friends attended this meeting, namely, Thomas Gawthrop, John Hunt, Christopher Wilson, Wm. Reckitt and Samuel Spavold.

In the 10th month, being in Philadelphia, I was at a meeting where Thomas Gawthrop attended, and it was a tendering time to me, under a renewed visitation of Divine love. Oh! that I may walk worthy of such favours. In the evening, I went to see T. Gawthrop, who was about departing for England.

78 mm 17 6 4

14th of 10th mo., being in company with Esther White and another Friend, on their way to attend Cecil and Choptank yearly meetings, in the evening I took a walk into the fields alone; and being humbled under a sense of inward want, I was enabled to cry to the Lord for preservation during this journey. I believe my tender cries were graciously regarded, and a degree of holy fear rested on my mind, with a feeling of thanksgiving and praise to Him from whom cometh all good.

Note. The author's account of his life from this time till 1764, has not been obtained by the Editors.

In the 7th mo., 1764, I was at a Quarterly meeting at Third Haven, in Maryland; went home with the clerk, and spent the evening in looking over the ancient records of Friends, and some epistles of George Fox, Josiah Coale and others, in their own hand-writing. Next day I was at their monthly meeting, from thence went to Little Creek, and was at a monthly meeting there. I thought the labour was pretty close, and the occasion painful, yet I got through the chief part of what came before me, with some ease to my own mind. I think true religion is much wanting among them. After attending Duck Creek meeting on first-day, I came home alone; and on the way was favoured with a degree of solid peace in that I had endeavoured faithfully, though in much weakness, to answer the little secret motions I felt, both in going and doing.

8th mo. 27th. I went with John Perry to Salem, and was at their monthly meeting. It was a poor time with me, as is frequently the case even when I think I have done the best I could. I am often ex

Pa 26t

11 and 1764 - left home & shot. 1765

BENJAMIN FERRIS.

ceedingly stript and tried, and ready to conclude I had better stay at home; yet upon a narrow examination, I could not find I was condemned for coming here, nor for what I had done. My earnest desire was that I might find acceptance with the Lord, whom I desire to serve all the days of my life in the way of his appointment, to whom I can with confidence appeal, as knowing I would rather not be engaged in the public espousal of his cause, if I could find peace and acceptance without it.

9th mo. 24th. I went to Philadelphia, to the Yearly Meeting. Several matters of moment were before this meeting;-one was a re-consideration of the present method of answering the queries; another, the case of divers Friends of Philadelphia bearing arms; and some other things of near concernment to the society and cause of Truth, which were deliberated upon, and resulted with becoming concord and unanimity; affording renewed experience to many, of the necessity there is for Divine counsel and aid, rightly to transact the weighty affairs of the church; and that neither the wisdom of the world, nor the endeavours of men in their own strength, can do the work of the Lord.

11th mo. 1st. I was at Darby monthly meeting, where I made divers remarks that afforded peace.- TE I went to William Horne's and spent the evening satisfactorily, he being just returned from England, where he had been some time on a religious account.

12th. At our Quarterly meeting was our friend William Reckitt, from England. His appearance in the ministry was very lively and acceptable. My mind became exercised about accompanying him to the southward, and it was a pinch to me on account