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On first-day, I attended two meetings; in the morning at Fourth s treet with Rebekah Wright; and
the same in the afternoon with Elizabeth Kerlin, who had a little to communicate at a Friend's
house previously, in weakness and fear. A Friend from Evesham bore a solid, affecting testimony;
putting us in mind of the rod of the Almighty in time past, in order to humble us; as also his
threatening voice in spreading an unknown disorder so universally over the land: so that if it had
increased, and his judgments had not been mixed with mercy, where had we been ere now! And
even at this time the voice of mortality calleth loudly in demonstrative language, to turn unto
God, lest heavier judgments fall upon us. John Simpson rose with these words: "In the latter
days, saith the Lord, there will arise false christs and false prophets, who will deceive many;"
which he saw had come to pass and been verified in these days. It was a solemn meeting.
After an affectionate testimony form Ann Gaunt, business opened at ten o'clock on second-day
morning. The representatives were called, to whom Rebecca Jones gave a suitable and striking
caution. In the afternoon the clerk proceeded to read the queries and answers. Lydia Starr rose,
and said, "How is the gold become dim,and the fine gold changed, till it has become like the
potter's earthen vessels!" - Jane Watson continued on the same subject; and Rebecca Jones
remarked that for want of faithfulness, what dwarfishness appeared among the professors of the
blessed Truth; so that some might be ranked with the fearful and unbelieving, whose portion
they were reminded of. Alice Needham, a New England friend, in a plain manner, reproved the
people for their pride, and particularly the youth for launching into the fashions and customs of
the world; so that they are not known form others. All the answers to the first query, complained
of drowsiness and the neglect of attending week-day meetings; which brought a deep concern on
the minds of Friends, and some weighty testimonies were delivered to the meeting.
On third-day, the clerk proceeded to read the Epistles, and it was advised to keep a record of
them, and copies of those sent and received, in a book for that purpose. For want of faithfulness,
Oh! how dimness and weakness prevail among us! May I improve by the many opportunities
allowed me, and learn to keep closer that which first called me out of darkness and Egyptian
bondage.
In the select meeting adjourned to fourth-day morning, Jane Watson proposed to Philadelphia
Friends, a remedy for the complaints of small and heavy meetings on first-day afternoons, -
instead of three in a day, to hold but two; which met with approbation. In the afternoon sitting,
men Friends brought in a number of testimonies concerning deceased Friends, Thomas Ross,
Hannah Churchman, and many others; the reading of which put me in mind of our neglect
concerning Joshua and Hannah Gibbs and Mary Stevenson. Many Friends were exercised on
account of the deviations among us, and particularly the neglect of reading scripture.
Fifth-day, meetings for worship in the morning, but I was so unwell I could not attend. In the
afternoon, Rebecca Jones, Mary Ridgway, Jane Watson and others, opened divers weighty
subjects for the considerations of Friends, towards a remedy for the weaknesses that prevail
among us as a christian society; - which seemed to meet with universal approbation, and were
direct to be handed down to the smaller meetings. Oh! that we were more faithful! How our
lights would shine, and throw the lustre of the glorious gospel around our neighborhoods! But
the Lord is at work; may he support his cause through all opposition, and raise his Truth into
dominion, high above the dark seat of the dragon and false prophet. I looked home at my own
dear children; may the cleave to the Creator of the world for their Rock and their Saviour.
Sixth-day. Attended select meeting in the morning, which concluded; also a sitting of the Yearly
Meeting at eleven o'clock, in which three epistles, and the European Friends' certificates were
read. A great deal of good advice was dropped, and much concern for the dear youth expressed,
with moving counsel to them to seek first the kingdom of heaven, and the righteousness thereof.
Oh! that they were wise, and would solidly consider their latter end, and what must follow if
they will not make choice of the good. Oh! what a privilege it is to be a member of this society!
and how desirable to be a real, solid Friend, attending these meetings from a desire to be
benefited ourselves and to promote the cause of truth and righteousness.
Seventh-day morning, met at eleven o'clock. - Divers solid testimonies were born, and much exercise felt for the dear youth. One Friend queried, "what confidence can such have, whose dress is so inconsistent with plainness, and who follow the fashions so much that they cannot be distinguished from the world's people? What motive draws such to sit in our meetings for discipline? They have not the cause of Truth enough at heart, but walk contrary thereto, and appear as a blemish and reproach to our christian church." After a pathetic call to them to repent and amend their ways, followed by at time of fervent prayer and solemn silence, the meeting ended.