more so, because they had heard I was like to die, having, at London, had a sore fit of the asthma or phthisic, three persons sitting up with me for three nights, who, I thought, would see my end: but the time was not yet come that I must die; though indeed death was no terror to me, hoping my change would be much for the better; for then I hoped I should be for ever with Him whom I love better than life.

CHAPTER X.

1736-1738.

After some shorter Journeys, he enters on a Visit to Friends in New England-On returning, is engaged in a Family Visit in Philadelphia, and in other religious serviceJourney into the Southern Provinces.

AFTER I had been at home some time, I went to Salem, and from thence to Cohansey, and, in my return, was at Woodberry-Creek, and had meetings at each place: and, soon after, I visit ed the meetings of Friends at Bristol, Burlington, Trenton, and Borden's-Town, and, in my return home, at Middle-Town; by the way, calling to see my ancient Friend, Joseph Kirkbridge, and the widow Warder; she was ninety-two years of age, and perfect in her understanding; she said, she did not know for what end the Almighty should prolong her days to that age; but she was satisfied in his will.

In the fifth month, I visited the meetings of Friends at Haddonfield in West-Jersey, and at Newton, Hartford, German-Town, Abington, North-Wales, and Plymouth, and was divers times at Philadelphia and Frankfort.

After many exercises and large travels by sea and land, my brethren, and divers others, not of our society, expressed their gladness to see me, rejoicing that I was like to spend my time more on the land, hoping that I would go no more to sea; the which (God willing) I determined, having so settled my affairs, that I could stay on shore; and am truly and humbly thankful to the Almighty, that He, by His good hand of Providence, in His due time, had favoured and helped me so to do.

In the sixth and seventh months, I again visited the meetings of Friends at Bristol, Burlington, Byberry, Abington, Horsham, GermanTown, Fairhill, and at divers times at Frankfort and Philadelphia.

In the eighth month, I went to Cohansey and Salem, and was at two meetings at Cohansey, and at one at Alloway's-Creek, where I met with Edward Tyler, a friend on a religious visit from Europe, and John Sykes, a friend living near Croswicks, in the Jerseys; here we had an open, satisfactory meeting: from whence I went to Salem, it being their week-day meeting, which was large, and to the edification of many. I was also at Piles-Grove on fifth-day, and at Woodberry-Creek sixth-day; in which last meeting the obedient son was encouraged, and the disobedient earnestly called home to his heavenly father's house. In this Journey I had

John Bringhurst, the younger, for my fellowtraveller; his father being unwilling that I should go the journey alone.

After I had been at home some time, I, with some others, went to the yearly-meeting at Shrewsbury, in East Jersey, which was on the 23rd of the eighth month: it was exceeding large, and the quietest and most settled meeting Divine that ever I was at there; and many truths were delivered therein. From thence I went to Manesquan, and had a meeting, and then back to Shrewsbury, and so to MiddleTown, where we had a meeting in the Baptist meeting-house, divers of whom were there, and glad of the meeting; thence came back to Shrewsbury, and had a meeting on the firstday, being the 30th of the month: from whence, on my return home, had meetings at Moses Robin's, Allen's-Town, at Croswicks, (where I met with divers of my old friends) BordenTown, and Mansfield: some of which large, open, and satisfactory meetings. After the last meeting, we went to Burlington, and next day came home, accompanied by Richard Smith, jun. After being a few days at home, I was sent for to Chester, to the marriage of John Lee, who had sailed several voyages with me. Next day I went to the week-day meeting at Providence, and on first-day was at Springfield,

were

from whence I returned home. The 23rd of the ninth month, I left home again, and went to Philadelphia, and from thence with Daniel Stanton, John Easton, and John Proud, jun. (the two latter of Rhode-Island) to Radnor meeting, and from thence to Goshen meeting; and by the coldness of the weather, and crossing several creeks, I got a cold, which settled on my lungs, so that, in conversation, I was hoarse; but I was helped in meetings to admiration, for which I was truly thankful to the Almighty, the great helper of his servants and children. We had an evening-meeting with an ancient Friend, who said she had above two hundred who called her mother, being her children by blood and marriage to the fourth generation : we took our leave of her, as never expecting to see each other more, and parted in tenderness of heart. One of this Friend's grandsons went with us to Concord, where, on a first-day, we had a very large meeting, and an evening-meeting at Moses Mendenhall's; and the remainder of the week we had meetings at Birmingham, Kennet, New-Garden, Marlborough, and the monthly meeting at Center, on the seventh-day following, at which were many young people, for whose sakes I was drawn and moved, in my exercise of ministry, to shew the rise and design of our meetings of discipline :