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JOURNAL 
 
 Life, Travels and Gospel Labors 
 
 THOMAS ARNETT. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION OE FRIENDS, 
 1884. 
 
PRINTED BY 
 
 CowDREY, Clark & Co., 
 
 CHICAGO. 
 
PUBLISHER'S Preface 
 
 The following Journal of the Life and Labors of Thomas Arnett 
 was left by him at his death with instructions for its publication and 
 with i)rovision for the same. It was placed in our hands for the 
 press, and we have sought faithfully to follow these instructions. 
 It was his desire that it should appear without division into chaj)- 
 ters, leaving only the dates at the head of the pages to guide the 
 reader as to the course of the narrative. 
 
 Many of the proper names were so indistinctly written that it 
 was difficult to interpret them, and certainty of accuracy could not, 
 in some instances, be assured without much labor in correspondence, 
 which we could not perform without much delay. We hope, how- 
 ever, the volume is measurably free from mistakes. We hope the 
 book will be read with interest by the surviving friends of Thomas 
 
 Arnett. 
 
 Publishing Association of Friends. 
 
TESTIMONY CONCERNING THOMAS ARNETT. FROM 
 
 HIS WIFE. 
 
 It mil}- be truly said, my dear husband was "diligent in busi- 
 ness, fervent in spirit, serving the Lordl;" and though especially 
 bound to the Society of his choice, his heart being enlarged by 
 Divine Grace went out in love and sympathy to the whole human 
 family, particularly to the household of faith under whatever name 
 these might be found. He was faithful in the attendance ^f relig- 
 ious meetings, and when no longer able to do so, spent his time 
 much in reading the Scriptures, in meditation and prayer. He had 
 been eminently gifted for family visiting, to the truth of which 
 many could testify ; and his life and conversation corresponded with 
 his i^rofession, so that he being dead, yet speaketh. 
 
 His last illness was j)rotracted, and at times he suffered much, 
 but would remark that his sufferings were light when compared 
 with what his Saviour had suffered for him, with many similar ex- 
 pressions, setting forth his own feeling of unworthiness and his 
 implicit faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. 
 
 His mind and memory were remarkably bright to the last. He 
 enjoyed the company of his friends, who loved to come and see him, 
 and were truly kind in tendering their services. The day and night 
 previous to his close he appeared to suffer little, but confidingly 
 leaning his head on Jesus' breast, gently breathed his life out 
 sweetly there on the 26th of 11th month, 1877, aged 8G years, 4 
 months and 2(i days. Though I much miss his company and coun- 
 sel, yet I could not wish him back, knowing that he has gone to be 
 forever with the Lord.' Hannah Arnett. 
 
JOU RNAL 
 
 OF THE- 
 
 LIFE.TRMELS MD GOSPEL LIBORS 
 
 OF 
 
 THOMAS ARNETT. 
 
 I feel, and often liave felt, ti desire renewed in my mind to keep 
 a journal of my life and travels, believing the Lord requires me to 
 pen some account of his gracious dealings with my soul, whde 
 traveling through time to the awful confines of eternity. He has 
 hitherto led me through many and various afflicting and conllictnig 
 baptisms, as well as through some very comfortable enjoyments ; 
 giving me a large portion of afflictions, and bearing up my mind 
 through them ; teaching me the necessity, the indispensable neces- 
 sity, of abiding with ])atience and fortitude his dispensations ; filling 
 my soul at times with unspeakable joy, and at others ])roving me 
 with some very deep and j^erhajts somewhat unusual probations. 
 His providence has been with me from my youth, in llim I trust, 
 and to Him belongs all i)raise now and forever. 
 
 I was born, according to the best account I could obtain, on tlie^ 
 30tli day of the Gth month, 17!)1, in the County of Guilford and 
 State of North Carolina. My parents' names were Valentine andy 
 Sarah Arnett, who moved to tlie County of Stokes, a county join-/ 
 ing and lying west of Guilford, when I Avas about two or thrjiel 
 years of age, where I was brought up. I can say but little about 
 my fjither, for he went a journey to the North when I was about 
 eight or nine years old, where he died, many miles from home ; so 
 I never saw him afterwards. My mother was left in very limited 
 circumstances, with ten children — one daughter and nine sons. She 
 was a pious woman, having joined herself in connection with the 
 Methodist Society before I was born, and continued a member witli 
 
•) JOURNAL OI" •niO-MAS AliXKTT. 1791 
 
 them us long as she lived. She endeavored to train us up to piety 
 and virtue as much as she could ; but her circumstances were so 
 limited that she thought it best to hire us out for her's and our 
 sui)i»()rt, not being able to keep us together ; so that we were much 
 from under her control, and also much exposed to the vain customs 
 of the world. 
 
 /-^ was the seventh son, and was soon old. enough to be hired out 
 vfor my own and her su])port.) I Avas much exposed to the vain cus- 
 toms "of the w'orld, having .fe6 live with many sorts of people, many 
 of whom were vain and wicked, by whom I was often led into bad 
 company ; but the Lord was mindful of me, and often impressed 
 mv mind with desires to flee from the wrath to come. Serious 
 thoughts resi)ecting death, eternity and time often came upon 
 me. I often had desires to lead a new life when I was very young : 
 1 had many calls and visitations from him whose providence and 
 mercies are over all his works. 
 
 I had a very renuirkable and solemn dream when I was young, 
 which sealed a lasting impression upon my mind. It was a solemn 
 warning, I believe, from heaven, to show me the necessity of pre- 
 l)aring betimes for death. It was as follows : 
 
 I dreamed that I was called from this world to stand before the 
 l)ar of unbiassed justice, to give account of the deeds done in the 
 body. I thought I was not prepared for this awful time. I thought 
 I j-etrospected my past walks with i-emorse, and Avhen I looked for- 
 ward despair took hold of me. I thought everlasting pain and 
 misery would inevitably be my portion. I thought I was in the 
 <leepest agony and distress ; my situation seemed deplorable ; it was 
 indescril)ably painful. I thought I saw the Divine Being viewing 
 me Avith wrath and indignation, because I had spent my time in 
 vanity and sin. I thought I saw others standing ready to hear 
 their final destiny, some of whom appeared to be happy and some 
 miserable. It appeared to me if I had been in possession of ten 
 thousand perishing worlds I could have freely parted with them 
 for endless fruition in the heavens. My cry seemed to be : " If J 
 only had my time to live over again, I would not spend it as I had 
 done." All that I desired was opportunity to ])re23are for heaven. 
 I at length awoke and found it was a dream, the remembrance of 
 which clothed my mind with seriousness for many days. I at length, 
 however, became vain and forgetful, and received the following- 
 remarkable visitation : A traveling minister, in connection Avith 
 the Methodist Society, appointed a meeting in the vicinity Avhere I 
 lived, lie was a stranger in these parts — a man whom I never saAV 
 till I saw him at this meeting, for I attended it: and in his dis- 
 course he si)oke of some Avho Avere in this meetiiig who had been 
 called by judgments and by dreams, and I have no doubt but there 
 Avere several within tlie audience of his own voice who had thus 
 lieeii called. After addressing the assembly awhile in a very solemn 
 
1812 .TOIHXA!. ()!•• 'liloMAS A I." N iri'T. 3 
 
 mainior, ho looked at me witli a very [)eiietratiiig countenance, and 
 told nic I had been solemnly called hy a dream, and related to me 
 the above described dream with more accuracy than I could have 
 related it myself : and after he had related it to me he thus ad- 
 dressed me: "And thy conscience is now telling thee of it." So 
 the meeting closed. It was a solemn time with many. I had re- 
 vealed this dream to none, and a query arose in my mind how this 
 man, who was a stranger to me, could tell me of this dream. I 
 was soon constrained, however, to acknowledge that it was only by 
 divine revelation that he was enabled to tell it to me. 
 
 The remembrance of the remarkable visitation which I received 
 at this meeting seriousl}^ clothed my mind for many years, and 
 often renewed desires in me to seek the salvation of my soul ; but 
 I being young and much exposed to the vain customs of the world, 
 I ;it length became forgetful, and these desires measurably left me ; 
 and I went on procrastinating the improvement of my mind for 
 some years, loving vanity more than virtue, delighting in the pleas- 
 nres of this vvorld more than in the path of moral rectitude ; pre- 
 ferring the companies of the mirthful to those of gravity and piety. 
 I fre(juented ])laces for diversion, and was led by bad company to 
 do many evil things. I spent my time as though I had never been 
 called • choosing darkness rather than light, because my deeds were 
 evi]/^I thus i)rocrastinated the improvement of my mind till I ar- 
 i-ived at the twentieth year of my age, when I began to reflect 
 seriously u])on my misspent time, and I felt sensible conviction for 
 my sins and folly ; having lived to this age in ignorance and vanit}^ 
 my education having been neglected, for I could neither read nor 
 write at this age, my mother m^t being able to send me to school, 
 and I having been hired to many peo])le, for whom I worked very 
 hard and diligently on tlieir farms, and in whose service I found 
 but little respite, therefore my opportunity for improvement was 
 very limited. I now became renewedly desirous to attain a portion 
 of school learning, feeling sensible of tlie loss I should sustain with- 
 out it. I therefore, with the jjermission of my mother, went to 
 school about this time, at my own expense, till 1 could read and 
 write ; and not being able to continue at school any longer (for I 
 had nothing of this world exce})t a few clothes, my mother having 
 received most of my wages), I resumed my former occupation, that 
 of hard labor on the farms of those to whom I was hired. I now 
 began to take some delight in reading and reflection, and spent 
 most of my leisure hours in perusing religious books. I also led a 
 more thoughtful life than I formerly had done, though I was still 
 addicted to many thjngs which met the disaj)probation of divine 
 wisdonij/' 
 
 In tile twenty-first year of my age the Ijord renewed his visita- 
 tions with my soul. He brought to my remembrance the monitions 
 of his divine love with my soul when I was a child, and showed me 
 
4 .lorHXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 181S 
 
 that I had very inucli departed from the path of rectitude. I con- 
 ceived myself to be very sinful and wicked ; I very much regretted 
 my misspent time, and it grieved me much because I had sligbted 
 the visitation of divine love. I often experienced the melting 
 •power of Christ Jesus inwardly revealed, convicting me of my sins 
 and transgressions, and pointing out to me the way of regeneration. 
 Much concern at times came upon me to lead a new life, and I often 
 felt deep distress on account of my past disobedience. I was fre- 
 quently met in solitary places with deep compunction of soul. I 
 paused, I reflected, my tears flowed, my spirit bowed in awful rever- 
 ence, and I often stood still and wept bitterly. When I first expe- 
 riem^ed such seasons as these (for I experienced a measure of them 
 when I was very young) I scarcely knew the cause of them ; but I 
 now know from ceitain experience that it was the power, the in- 
 vincible power of the eternal God which met me and warned my 
 soul to flee from sin as from a land devoted to destruction, and 
 seek the Avay which leads to endless fruition. Dear reader, when- 
 ever thou feelest thy spirit broken Avith com})unction, stand still 
 and abide the operation of divine love ; distrust not the inworking 
 of divine goodness, but believe in it and heed its motions, and it 
 will lead thee to the well-sprinf/ of eternal life. 
 
 I now feeling much concerned to lead a new life, would often 
 promise that, after going a certain length in sin and sensuality, I 
 would reform and heed the monitions of divine wisdom ; but this 
 afforded me no peace. The following language often saluted the 
 ear of my spirit: "To-day is the day of salvation, and now is the 
 acceptable time ; harden not thy heart as in the provocation, in the 
 day of temptation in the wildeimess, but accept the offers of mercy 
 and walk in the newness of life." I saw many restless hours, both 
 day and night, on account of my disobedience and sins, and I be- 
 gan to accustom myself to serious retirement, finding but little 
 satisfaction in company. 
 
 I had a very remarkable call to flee from the wrath to come, and 
 to repent and live, in the twenty-second year of my age. which was as 
 follows : One day I was working in a barn by myself, in a serious 
 frame of mind. At length a cloud gathered in the south, the ap- 
 ])earance of which seemed awful to me ; it raised admiration in me. 
 While 1 was viewing it an awful thunder rumbled through it, the 
 sound of which solemnized my mind and brought it into ])r()found 
 stillness. While thus composed, the following language was intel- 
 ligently spoken in the ear of my spirit, witli an audible voice — 
 "Jie//ent! Repent! Ji'epent! Oh, repent!" This language sunk deej) 
 in the ear of my spirit, and sealed there a lasting and solemn im- 
 pression. I reverently bowed under sensible conviction of the neces- 
 sity of repentance unto life. ( )li, how I desired to be cleansed from 
 iniquity, to experience the new birtli. iiml to stand approved bcfore- 
 tlie Majesty on high. 
 
isD jornxAL OF tiiomas aijxktt. 5 
 
 This Avas, 1 believe, a solemn call from heaven to me. to repent 
 and seek the salvation of my son!. 'JMie elond. I believe, was gath- 
 • ored to raise gnitefnl emotions in me ; the thnnder which rnmbled 
 throngh it was to solemnize my mind, and to pre})are it to hear the 
 inspeaking word of the Lord ; for the burning busJi which Moses 
 •snv. I believe was presented to him to draw him from worldly con- 
 siderations, and to prepare him to hear the voice of the Most High. 
 It raised admiration in him. and induced him to turn aside from 
 the avocation of life to view it. and while he wtjs viewing it, God 
 spoke to him and said. "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for 
 the place whei'eon thou standest is holy ground." liy this divine 
 command we are to understand the necessity of putting oft' tlu' 
 cares, concerns and considerations of this world when we approach 
 the Divine Majesty; for where the Lord presents himself, there is 
 holiness ; and he ever prepares the mind of man to receive his 
 injunctions and instructions l)efore he gives them. 
 P^/Jhi this year I began again to go to school, and continued at 
 school several months, having by my own industry enabled myself 
 to defray the expenses thereof. I became very desirous to procure 
 ji pretty good portion of scliool learning. I therefore used every ex- 
 ertion to improve in literature, but I too much neglected the re- 
 finement of my S011T77' I became forgetful of my former visitations, 
 iind began to deligTiT in the way that leads to the chamber of dark- 
 ness and despair. I frequented places for diversion, and spent 
 many of my precious hours in bad company, but the Lord often re- 
 proved me ; a measure of his divine light often came upon me, and 
 smote me with deep conviction, and oh ! the distress which I felt 
 on account of my disobedience. My spirit bowed ; my tears flowed. 
 AVhile thus influenced I would often resolve to forsake the vain 
 customs of the world, and lead a new life ; but these resolutions 
 being formed in my own will and strength, they were feeble, and 
 could not staiul the test of approaching temptations. They were 
 formed in time of com]>unction and broken in the day of tempta- 
 tion. I frequently spent the fore part of nights in bad company, 
 gratifying myself with sensuality and mirth, and the latter i)art in 
 tears and compunction, often feeling such weight of conscious 
 guilt that I could neither sleep nor find any rest. I frequently 
 withdrew into some solitary place, after times of merriment, and 
 walked t(» and fro, or sat down, and wept bitterly till near the dawn ; 
 and when day came I Avonld often be so borne down under grief 
 and conviction that I» could take but little delight in the company 
 of my fellow students at school. I would often have to lay aside 
 my studies, and withdraw into some solitai'y jflace, to give vent to 
 the grief of my soul. And oh I the sorrow and dee]) distress which 
 clotlied me in these seasons. I sometimes walked to and fro, at 
 others sat down and wrung my hands ; my soul seemed to be 
 melted with grief, my tears ])rofusely flowed, but my guilt and ex- 
 
G .(OIKXAL Ol' THOMAS ARXETT, I8H 
 
 ereises were not mitigiited, l)ut rather increased, because I would 
 not yield an entire surrender to the yoke and cross of Christ. J. 
 however, at length measurably forsook l)ad company, and addicted 
 myself more and more to serious retirement and reflection. Thi;s 
 my exercises and trials continued, with unremitting abatement, 
 while at school. The Lord followed me up, and often turned my 
 mirth into sorrow, reproving me whenever I committed evil, and 
 Avooing my soul to yield an entire surrender and dedication to him, 
 
 -""Til the twenty-third year of my age I taught school a few months 
 
 ' myself, in the vicinity where I was brought up, having acquired a 
 pretty good portion of school learning. After this school expired 
 
 - I again went to school s(t\'eral months to improve my own educa- 
 tion, being resolved to attain a good portion of literatui'c, being 
 sensible of its value, if it be kept under the control and guidance 
 of divine wisdom, and being also sensible of the loss that those 
 sustain who travel through time without it. It is a worthy ])ui-suit 
 for youth, if virtue and piety keep pace with it^ 
 
 In this year I had aiiother call l)y a di'eam, which was as folhnvs : 
 I dreamed"^ that I was walking through a field alone, in a very seri- 
 ous frame of mind, pondering my past walks ; and I thought I 
 stopped and turiied to the right, and paused. AVhile thus standing, 
 I thought that Jesus Christ presented himself before me, and with 
 a very penetrating countenance thus spoke to me, " Rej)cnt ! " and 
 then vanished. 1 thought, when he spoke, my heart was smitten 
 with an awful sense of the approaching danger, if I slionld con- 
 tinue in disobedience and transgression until death. I thought, 
 after pausing aAvhile, I walked along till I came to a house, Avhere 
 I saw a very pious man, one with Avhom I was acquainted, to Avhom 
 I revealed my past exercises aiul trials, and he exhorted me to sur- 
 render to the monitions of divine love ; and Avhile he Avas address- 
 ing me I awoke. This dream Avas often brought to my remem- 
 brance for many days, impressing my mind with a sense of the ne- 
 
 * cessity to repent and labor for redemption of sins. My concern to 
 seek the salvation of my soul increased, I sought peace, but I 
 found it not. My distress Avas deep ; my heart often broke fortli 
 Avith the folloAviiig language, "What shall I do to be saved?"' 
 "How. shall I be relieved from this deep distress ? " "Oh ! that 
 I had heeded the monitions of heaven in early life, and stood firm 
 against temptation ;" and wlien I thus broke forth, this ansAver Avas 
 spoken in tlie ear of my spirit, "Take up thy cross daily, make 
 straight the Avay of the Lord, seek for rei)entance unto salvation, 
 pray Avithout ceasing, and keep thy body in sul)jcction and thy own 
 Avill in subjugation, and walk in self-denial." 
 
 One day as I Avas going from meeting, in a vei'y serious frame of 
 mind, pondering my ])ast exercises and trials, the following lan- 
 guage was spoken in the eai' of my soul, with a still, small voice, 
 '• If thon wilt seels the F/oi-d. and serve him with a perfect heart,. 
 
1S15 .i(»ii;\AL oi' THOMAS Ai{Ni;rr. , 
 
 und with a willing- mind, he will be fonnd of thee, and yivc tlice 
 everything neeessary for thee to enjoy in tiiis Avorld. and in the 
 world to come life everlasting; bnt if thon forsake him he will 
 east thee oft' forever." I was renewedly l)r()ken in mnch tenderness 
 and contrition ; sincere desires were renewed in me to ])ass from 
 death nnto life, to he born of the Holy Spirit, and to walk in new- 
 ness of life. While I continued in sin and transgression the divine 
 hand Avas against me. and it would have been against me all my life 
 long had-T continued in disobedience, and after death it would have 
 cast me oft' forever; but since I yielded i)erfect obedience to the 
 Avill of heaven it has been with me, and has bestowed on nu' many 
 blessings and comforts. 
 
 In the twenty-fourth year of my age I again became rather foi'- 
 getful. and began to procrastinate the improvement of my mind, 
 and was aroused by the following remarkable warning : One even- 
 ing I went to meeting (among the ^Methodists), and after meeting 
 got into bad company, by whom I Avas persuaded to accompany tiiem 
 to a frolic not far distant (this was the last frolic I ever attended). 
 Soon after I got there I was smitten with deep conviction, my pleas- 
 ure was turned into sorrow. I felt sensible that the Lord's wrath 
 wai^kindled against me ; I felt condemned and distressed. Oh I the 
 grief which came upon me on account of my sins and transgressions ; 
 the weight of guilt which I felt bore me down under deep compunc- 
 tion, i soon Avithdrew into the solitary woods. Avhere I Avept bitter- 
 ly. I sat down and wrung my hands ; the power, the invincible 
 ])ower of the cA'crlasting (lod was upon me, and it smote me. as it 
 were, to the ground, for my sins and disobedience. My tears at 
 length flowed freely, and gave some vent to my grief. This was 
 an awful night Avith me. Towards day I Avent home. and. being- 
 weary. I Avent to bed. and soon fell into a sound sleeji. and had the 
 following dream : T thought I attended a place for diversion, and 
 Avas soon so convicted that my mirtli was turnetl into sorrow. I 
 thought I soon left the place with grief and started homeward ; and 
 as I Avas Avalking along aloiu\ in an awful frame of mind. Avith a 
 fence on my right and a large portion of Avoods on my left, I looked 
 forAvard and saw tAvo men riding abreast towards me. They Avere 
 riding Avliite horses, and eAcry part of their dress Avas also Avhite ; 
 their countenances Avere as pale as death ; in line, their apjiearance 
 Avas indescribably aAvful. Tiiey approached near me and rode around 
 me. looking at me with the keenest penetration. Their appearance 
 struck me with dread and solemnity. I used every exertion to flee 
 from them, but could not. T turned to the left, into a thicket of 
 Avoods, thinking they could not ride there, and by that means escape 
 them; but there Avas nothing there which obstructed their riding. 
 T next turned to the right, and got upon the fence, supposing they 
 could not ride through it ; but it Avas no obstruction to them ; they 
 passed through it as though they had been some vapoi'ish substance. 
 
8 .lUUKN'AL Ul' THOMAS AUXKTT. 1S15 
 
 I-'iiulinii; J could not flee from them, I walked along some distance, 
 till I ('ame to a bush, where I stopped. After pausing awhile I 
 climbed it. as the only means I could think of to get away from 
 them. \\'hen I arrived at the top of it. they looked at me with 
 renewed wishfulness and penetration, and then vanished. 
 
 This dream awfully impressed my mind for many days, manifest- 
 ing to me the necessity, the indispensable necessity, of turning from 
 darkness to light in the day of my heavenly visitation ; showing 
 also to me the danger, the awful danger, of trying to flee from the 
 reproof of instruction. It brought afresh to my remembrance the 
 Lord's gracious dealings with my soul from early youth ; that he 
 liad followed me up from place to place and from time to time, 
 ^\'ooing me to flee from the wrath to come, and to seek the salvation 
 of my soul — 0, Avondrous mercy I — and I had been procrastinating 
 the improvement of my time. It also bronght afresh to my remem- 
 l)rance tliat it was stated in the scriptures of Truth, "My spirit 
 shall not always strive with man ;" and a fear awfully pervaded my 
 mind that this good spirit would take its flight from me, and leave 
 me in darkness and despair forever, if I should continue to grieve 
 it from day to day, and slight its tender invitations and monitions 
 as I long iuid done. The remembrmice of the sufferings of Jesus 
 Christ, the beloved of souls, came npon me, that he suffered many 
 things for the sons and daughters of men while he was in the pre- 
 ])ared l)ody. and that he tasted death for every man ; and therefore 
 lie had suffered for me, and tasted death for me. These considera- 
 tions raised in me a strong desire to walk in the path of regenera- 
 tion, and to become redeemed by the blood of Christ from the 
 pollutions of sin and iniquity. I often felt a perfect willingness to 
 be something or nothing for Christ's sake ; but the devil, who is 
 going to aiid fro in the earth (in the earthly inclined part of man), 
 and walking up and down in it, militated against me. and often 
 brought these good desires to naught, — I being often, very often, 
 forgetful and umnindful of the goodness and providence of the 
 great Creator. 
 •-^^^rii this year I taught school some months in the northern ])art of 
 (iuilford county, among the Presbyterians, having learned most of 
 the branches and sciences taught in common country schools. I 
 ])ro;'ured my education by my own unwearied industry and assidu- 
 ity. I know my op])ortunity for attaining school leartiing was very 
 limited, but by the blessing oT Providence I was enabled to make 
 much proficiency therein. 1 have known some young men and 
 young women Avho appeaivd to have great opportunity for attaining 
 a good ])ortion of literature, but they procrastinated the improve- 
 ment of their time till the flower of youth Inid ])assed away, and 
 tln-u lived in ignorance and ])ride the remainder of their days. I 
 have ku )\v!i others who ap])eared to have but very limited o])]K)r- 
 t'liiity i'o:- i;ttaining school learning, yet they gradually advanci'd in 
 
.lorUXAl. ()!• THOMAS AKNKTT. 
 
 tlK' puth of Sfieiu'i" and useful knowk'do-e, patu'utly ivuioviu- ilic 
 Minorities that obstructed their way; by tlieir industry and assiduity 
 tiiev improved their minds and became euabled to do some g-ood in 
 the worhl. and wlien the flower of their youth liad passed avyay 
 thev retaiiuHl tliat sensibility which soothes tlie pious and the 
 
 virtuon s7\ ,, ^. ,. t ■ vr ■ 
 
 I had not vet fullv given up to the motions of divine liie in in\ 
 ^oul I spent much time in reasoning and hesitating whether i 
 "had 'best give up Avith full purpose of heart to lead a noAV life. A 
 fear pervaded me if I should resolve to lead a religions life 1 should 
 not perform having so often resolved and so often so lightly broken 
 such resolutions that I was ready to think that it was useless to try 
 any further to lead a new life. At length, however, I gave up and 
 once more entered into solemn covenant to serve (lod and walk in 
 ^elf-denial • and almost as soon as I had formed this good resolution 
 the grand adversary presented me with the doctrine of predestina- 
 tion powerfully insinuating that a certain number were infallibly 
 ordained to eternal life and the rest to inevitalde destruction and 
 that not all mv religious exertions could possibly inake any altera- 
 tion in my final destiny. This doctrine blundered and distressed 
 my mind very much for many days. I at times measurably embraced 
 it"^ and was ready to flatter' myself that I was a chosen vessel, and 
 ^h'ould tinallv be crowned with peac« and glory, let me lead ever so 
 l)ad a life ; but the Lord reproved me in time of serious thought, 
 •md bid me flee from such erroneous persuasion, for it proceeded 
 irom tlie prince of darkness, and it would lead me to utter ruin it 
 I departed from genuine principles and embraced and cherished it 
 in mv heart during life. After I became pretty well reconciled 
 re-;pe"ctino- the erroneousness of this doctrine, the devil presented 
 me with despair, powerfully persuading me that I was lost and un- 
 done forever, that nothing' that I could do could redeem me, that 
 the Lord had taken his flight from me forever on account ot my 
 past sins and disobedience ; and oh ! the trouble which this often 
 renewed in mv mind for many days. I truly lamented my case, and 
 was ready at times to wish that I had never been brought into ex- 
 istence, or had died in my infancy, so as to have been saved through 
 the meritorious suffering and righteousness of Christ ; but the 
 Lord who is full of mercy and goodness, wonderfully confuted the 
 enemy and imt to naught all his insinuations, evincing to me that 
 all who seek him ariglit shall find him, and that he willeth not the 
 death of a sinner, but willeth that all may look unto him and be 
 saved with an everlasting salvation. The unwearied adversary, not 
 beino- willing to let me alone, but seeking from day to day to ob- 
 struct my religious growth, again i)resented me with the doctrine 
 <,f uuconilitional election and reprobation, and stirred up the minds 
 of the peoiile of the vicinity where 1 taught school to hold contro- 
 versy with me on this subject. [They were Presbyterians, as before 
 
10 ^ JOritXAL OF THOMAS AltXKTT. 1815 
 
 ol)servo(l. many of wlioni were groinuled in tlie doctrine of predes- 
 tiiuitioii. J They used every exertion in their power to convert me 
 to their l)elief. often presenting me Avith the writings of their di- 
 vines (so called), and advancing the strongest verbal arguments of 
 whicli tliey were possessed, defying me to confute them. This was 
 truly trying to me. I, liowever, defended the cause of truth before 
 them as well as I could, till my heart seemed ready to burst with 
 grief and distress, the enemy Avorking in me trying to ruin me for- 
 ever. I would then Avithdraw into some solitary place, and giA'e 
 vent to my sorrow l)y pouring out my soul in prayer and supplica- 
 tion before the Lord. I cried for mercy and redemption, but my 
 soul appeared to be wrapt up in hardness and unbelief : my under- 
 standing Avas clouded Avith darkness ; the heaven above me became 
 as brass, and the earth beneath me as iron : the very elements 
 seemed to militate against me ; the distress of my soul Avas truly 
 indescribable. Thus my probation continued for many days. I 
 saw no peace neither day nor night. I had no one in this world to 
 symi)athize Avith me. My case Avas hid from the wise and prudent. 
 I had revealed my religious exercises to no person on earth, having 
 felt no freedom to reveal them to man ; for I kncAv that man Avas a 
 weak and fallible creature, a creature Avho could administer me no 
 help in liis own strength and Avill. I kncAV thev were knoAvn to 
 liim witli Avliom tliere is everlasting strength, and I often enter- 
 tained a liope tliat he would deliver me from the poAA'er of the enemy 
 in his own will and time if I sliould cleave to him Avith the Avhole 
 heart always. lie at length again repelled tlie enemy, quenched 
 all his fiery darts, dispelled tlie clouds of darkness, and established 
 me in tlie belief that the doctrine of predestination Avas false, and 
 that it has its origin in darkness and not in light. 
 
 I know of no doctrine that more shockingly reflects on the char- 
 acter of the Divine Being than that of predestination ; it makes 
 him a respecter of persons, and those avIio embrace it must enter- 
 tain a slender idea of his mercy, loving kindness and compassion. 
 He is a loving and tender Father, and he invites all to come and 
 taste and sec that he is good ; a broken and contrite heart he Avill 
 never despise. 
 
 In these days I had tAvo very solemn dreams ; the tirst was as fol- 
 lows : I dreamed that I was riding to and from a large field of oats, 
 upon a white, flying horse. I tliought the oats had pretty Avell 
 grown up. but had not begun to ripen. I thought the horse was 
 enabled to convey me to and fro over the oats by an imperceptible 
 power, flying in the air, his feet just touching the heads of the 
 oats. I thought, as he thus conveyed me, I was viewing the oats 
 with uns])eakable concern in my heart. 1 thought iny spirit Avas 
 clothed with solemn awe. I at length awoke. This dream was a 
 convincing evidence to me that I Avould some day have to declare 
 the glad tidings of the gospel to my fellow creatures, if I should 
 ])rove raithrul to the drawings of diviiic lovi'. 
 
1816 .lon^NAI, OK 'I'llOMAS AKXH'!"!'. If 
 
 The st'coiul Avtis : 1 droiinied that I was called to preach the gos- 
 pel ; tlierefore I thought I a})])ointed a meeting. When the i)eople 
 gathered 1 thought most of them were young men and young women. 
 I thought we went into a house and sat a while in profound silence. 
 [ at length arose in testimony with these A\'ords : " JIow shall we 
 escape if we neglect so great salvation ? " After sj^eaking a while 
 I sat down in ])rofound silence, and while thus composed it Mas 
 spoken in the ear of my spirit that I was called to preach the gos- 
 pel, but had begun too soon. 
 
 This dream was also a confirming evidence to me that I would 
 some day be called to preacli the gospel of Jesus Christ to the sons 
 and daughters of men if 1 should yield perfect obedience to the 
 will of heaven. It also manifested to me the necessity, the indis- 
 pensable necessity, of patiently abiding the operation of the Lord's 
 refining power, till all the dross and every impure thing should be 
 purged out of me, and I made a new creature, before I could min- 
 ister the divine word with life and power to my fellow creatures : 
 and this word I must minister, not in my own will and time, but 
 in the Avill and time of him who by his own power and might fits 
 and sanctifies vessels for use in his house. He puts down the mighty 
 from their seats, and raises them of low degree to shine in the church 
 as stars of the first magnitude. He calls sons and daughters from 
 far, and refines them as gold is refined that has passed several times 
 through the refiner's fire, and he fits them for service in his house. 
 BJpssed forever be his name! 
 ,.-^ In the twenty-fifth year of my age I opened a school in the A\'est- 
 ernpartof (ruilford county, where I taught for a number of months. 
 mostly among those of the Society of Friends. 
 
 The Lord in these days often renewed his tender and gracious 
 invitations with my soul, often making me sensible of my awful 
 aiul dangerous situation Avithout true obedience to him. I truly 
 began to see my lost and undone condition without a Savior : and 
 while in retrospect and compunction the language of my heart 
 would be, "Without a Savior I perish; Avithout divine protection 
 utter ruin Avill be my portion." And Avhile thus influeiu-ed, desires 
 Avere raised in me to experience the effusions of the redeeming love 
 of Jesus Christ, and to ingratiate myself into the favor of heaven ; 
 but trials still abounded with me. I sought him whom my soul 
 loved ; I sought him, but I found him ]iot. I often pcnvred out my 
 soul in prayer and supplication before him, but it seemed as though 
 my cries fell to the ground ; my heart at times was so full that it 
 seemed almost ready to burst with grief ; my tears at length would 
 give some vent to the deep and unspeakable pain and distress whicli 
 clothed me. 
 
 A desire Avas often renewed in me to peruse the sci'i[)tures of 
 truth and become conversant with them. I had too much neg- 
 lected the reading of them, not feeling that interest in them which 
 
!•) ,I()LKN-AL OK THOMAS AUNKTr. ixlfi 
 
 1 ought to have felt; but now I began to feel tlie utmost interest 
 in them, and took great delight in perusing them. I read a por- 
 tion of them every day, and since have given them a very diligent 
 perusal, receiving that edification and instruction from them whicli 
 no other book ccmtains. The Bible is certainly the l)est book in 
 the world : it should be prized as an inestimable treasure. It is 
 replete with the best of instruction, and coutains a salutary portion 
 for every state and condition among the sons and daughters of men. 
 The more 1 read the Holy Scriptures the more I delight in them ; 
 thev appear, as it were, to be new every time I i)eruse them. May 
 the Lord make them a blessing to the the nations of the earth, and 
 may all who have it in their power to read them l)ecome well acquaint- 
 ed with them I 
 
 One evening, as I was sitting in a Friend's house in a very serious 
 frame of mind, retrospecting my past walks, and while I Avas mus- 
 ing, I thought the following language was spoken in the ear of my 
 spirit witli a still, small voice : " Thou hast a Friend in heaven who 
 Avill befriend thee and give thee a crown of life if thou be faithful 
 until death."" My heart was full. I soon withdrew into a solitary 
 place and poured "out my soul in prayer and supplication before the 
 everlasting (Jod. and he had compassion on me ; he turned my sor- 
 row into joy, and filled my soul with a measure of that love which 
 ])ervades the minds of his "devoted disciples and which is the source 
 of all consolation. My joy was unspeakalde. My spirit thankfully 
 bowed and worshi})ed him who liveth forever and ever. I felt as 
 though the Lord was viewing me as a well-}deased Father. I felt 
 as tliough he had blotted out my sins and iniquities from the book 
 of his remembrance. This evening was to me truly a happy and 
 heavenly season. 
 
 A measure of this pure love was frequently renewed in my heart 
 for a few days ; but it soon left me, and doubts and darkness came 
 upon me, aiid my probations were very deep for many days. I was 
 ahnost ready to doubt everything respecting the terms and ways of 
 s;dvation, too much forgetting the goodness and long forbearance 
 of the Lord, and giving"' way too much to the reasoning of tlie hu- 
 man will and imagination. "^I called all my past religious exercises 
 in question, and was ready to believe that I had been deceived : 
 that the Divine Being had never called me. that all my serious im- 
 ]iressions liad been nothing more than the workings of tlie human 
 imagination. A mist of darkness clouded my understanding. 1 
 ])ecame an object of deep sorrow. I became as one wandering in 
 darkness without a ray of light to guide him in the right way. My 
 distress was deej). The Lord at length had pity on me, and re- 
 newed a measure of his divine light in me, and showed me my folly 
 by giving way to the workings of human imagination and to the 
 insinuations of Satan instead of patiently alnding in him. the true 
 Vine, till he had j)urged me and enabled me to hear fruit to the 
 
ISK! .lorUXAI, OF THOMAS AUXKTT. 15 
 
 praise aiul <>lorv of his yivat uaine. He also again and again gave 
 me to taste and to see that he is good. He wonderfully erased all 
 doubts from my mind, and gave me eonvineing evidenees tluit he 
 luid ealled me to repentance and to salvation ; that his good spirit 
 had wooed my soul from early life, acceptal^ly to walk with him, 
 and that if I performed liis will it would be required of me some 
 day to tell otliers of his gracious dealings with my soul. Blessed 
 be his holy name now and forever! 
 
 After this my soul was replete with a measure of divine love for 
 some days. I found access to the throne of grace, where I poured 
 out my soul in prayer and supplication. I sang ])raises to the God 
 of my salvation, and gave him thanks for what he had done for me. 
 
 While I was tlnis feasting on divine things, a spark of spiritual 
 pride crept in and mixed itself with the j)ure love which clothed 
 me. I began to glory in this love, as though it had been under my 
 control. This divine love then left me, and mists of deep darkness- 
 came upon me. Every light appeared to withdraw from me ; my 
 understanding became clouded and bewildered with gross imagina- 
 tion while these mists of deep darkness surrounded me. The devil 
 began to exert his power to delude me and to obstruct my advance 
 in the Christian warfare. He persuaded me there was no God ; that 
 all things came by chance, by nature, by the fortuitous jumble and 
 concourse of atoms, without any creating or controlling power : 
 that it was chimerical and delusive to think of serving or fearing a 
 being who had no existence but in imaginatioii. I became deluded^ 
 and drank down these poisonous principles as {hough they had been 
 an excellent medicine for my sin-sick soul. I denied the existence 
 of the eternal God. and bid defiance to every power Avhatever. I 
 gloried in the thought that there was no controlling power over 
 me, and began to rejoice in the idea of unbounded and unrestrained 
 carnality and gratification, and that I was not amenable for my 
 conduct, not considering that on my atheistical scheme I was un- 
 protected aiul had no more to hope for than to fear. But oh I the 
 horror and indescrilmble distress which soon came upon me, and 
 Avhich continued torturing my soul for many days I I am persuaded 
 that the human soul can suffer more, neither in time nor in 
 eternity, than my soul did at times in these days. My spirit was 
 so tortured l^oth day and night tliat my rest was broken, sleep often 
 fled from me, and tiiei-e was nothing which delighted nie or afforded 
 me the least degree of comfort. Every visible ol)ject liad a horrilde 
 and gloomy aspect. It was tlie immediate power of God, 1 believe^ 
 tluit thus terrified my guilty soul, and that in the most fatherly 
 goodness and mercy, in order to prevent my going on to endles& 
 perdition, to whicli I appeared to be sAviftly approaching. 
 
 I was at length brought to query Avith myself Avhether T should 
 exist beyond the grave, and there Avas a witness for truth Avithin me 
 the evidence of whicli I could not deny. Aftei- pondering a while 
 
14: .lol |;NAI. of THOMAS AltNKlT. isic 
 
 1 WHS constrained to acknowledge the existence of the Imman soul, 
 that tiiere was a living soul inhabiting this clay tenement that 
 would exist somewhere when the body was mouldering into dust, 
 that Avould either be compk'tely happy or miserable beyond descrij)- 
 tion in never-ending eternity. I was again brought to query how 
 I thought this soul was created and made alive and the witness for 
 truth Avithin me. being touched and quickened l)y that power which 
 has regulated the heavens ami the earth upwards of five thousand 
 years. I was constrained to acknowledge that it must have I)een 
 created and spoken into existence by a 2)ower superior to that of 
 man — by a supreme, eternal and all-wise power ; and here I was 
 completely convinced of my inconceivably awful situation. The 
 Lord, Avho has ever preserved me and often wrought deliverance for 
 me, cast his penetrating eye upon me, and his power chained down 
 the evil in me and reached to the good seed in me. I boAved in 
 self-abhorrence and we})t bitterly, and under a sensible conviction 
 of my guilt and sin I humbly cried out. " I have sinned I 'Uigainst 
 tliee^ thee onh/. J/avc I .sinned.''' I betook myself to prayer and se- 
 rious retirement before the Lord. I sought him with many bitter 
 tears for many days. I experienced dee]) tribulation and i)roba- 
 tions in these days, feeling the just rel)ukes aiul chastisement of 
 heaven for my impi-udence and transgression. I became truly sen- 
 .■<ible of my OAvn weakness. I conceived that of myself I could do 
 no good' tiling; tiierefore. iu)t in my own will, but in the abilitv 
 and strength of the Most ILgh. I formed the good resolution that 
 I would cry to my God all the days of my life, aiul endeavor to 
 serve him alwavs with a perfect heart and with a Avilling mind, 
 whether he ever accepted of me or not. anticipating a hope tliat he 
 would accept of me in the hour of dissolution, if not before, if I 
 should cleave to him all my life long with sincerity, sensible if I 
 should even never find acceptance with him till that solemn time, 
 and then should be received into the mansions of bliss, all would 
 be well with me ; and this good resolution I have never broken, but 
 have endeavored to l)e obedient to the will of heaven ever since 1 
 formed it. Oh ! tliecominmcfion and self-abhoi'i'cncc wliidi clothiMl 
 my miml for some months! 
 
 After the Lord had for many days set my sins in order before 
 me, and proved my sincerity by rebukes ami chastisements, and 
 after I had repented of them with numy bitter tears and deep sor- 
 rows, he returned to me with healing in his wings, and gave me 
 again to taste a measure of his divine love. O wondrous goodness, 
 condescension and mercy ! He opened my undci'standiiig to con- 
 sider the immensity of Ids Avork, and 1 s;nv the glory of creation 
 and the beauty of holiness; and uiider a scnsibU' conviction of bis 
 ])OAver, goodness and mercy I could not foi-bcar ci'ving out with 
 King David. "When T consider tiiy iieavcns. the work of tliy tin- 
 kers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained, what is 
 
iSKi JoriJNAL OF 'I'll O.MAS AliNK'lT. 15 
 
 man that tlioii art iiiiiulful (if liiiii. and the son of iiuiii lliat llioii 
 visitest liiiu ? " 
 
 Kvery visil)k» ohject most fouviiieiiigly coiihnncd the existence 
 of Hod to me. I saw liini, as it were, in every bush, and even in 
 every particle of created matter. I was sliocked l)eyond description 
 to think my tinderstandin<i- could have ever been so imposed upon 
 or so deluded as to deny the existence of the Author of my hein^'. 
 iind to conceive myself to he under no controlling ])OAver. 
 
 Oh ! the goodness and long forbearance of Almighty God, thus 
 to follow me up and thus to cleliver me from time to time from ap- 
 proaching inevitable ruin and destrtictioni His love is unbounded. 
 His mercy is over all his works. Let me ever Avorship him in spirit 
 and iir truth while traveling throngh tiniel Let me fear him and 
 give glory to him always; and when my pilgrimage in this tribu- 
 lated world shall l)e completed, let me be received into his holy 
 habitation, where there is joy forever and ever! 
 
 In these days a desire was often renewed in me to l)e joined in 
 connection with a religious society, having hitherto lived without 
 ever joining myself to any religious denomination, knowing tliat my 
 l)reservation consisted not in names and forms, but in the power of 
 godliness and in pure religion. I had, however, frequently attended 
 meetings for worshi}) among different religious denoniijuitions. and 
 at some of these meetings I believe my soul was editied by a living 
 g()S])el ministry: at others I thought I saw more formality than 
 anything else. I believe there is a living birth aiul a good seed 
 in every evangelical denomination ; but many professors of Chris- 
 tianity, I fear, dwell more upon the outward i)erformances of relig- 
 ious dtities than to the one thing needful, that of yielding i)erfect 
 obedience to the inworking of the good spirit, the power, the invin- 
 cible power, of an endless life — the spirit of the evei'lasting Uod — 
 which is the only true an.d infallible guide for tlie followers of the 
 Lamb eveiywhere. as revealed in the scriptures of truth and in the 
 hearts of the children of men. This good spirit convicts and brings 
 its followers to the living and new birth; and as obedience is yielded 
 to its divine motions it Avorks in the garden of the heart and sows 
 the good seed there, and Avaters it, and it grows and springs up into 
 everlasting life. 
 
 I believe tiie Lord, who is no respecter of 2)ersons, has a i)recious 
 people in every nation and in every Christian denomination — a peo- 
 2)le Avho worshi]) in spirit and in truth — a people with whom he 
 makes his abode, and to Avhom he often speaks in the ear of the 
 spirit, Avith a still, small voice, Avriting his laAv also in their hearts, 
 teaching them of his Avays and guiding them in judgment. 
 
 I had hitherto lived in the vain fashions and customs of the 
 Avorld ; and the Lord, Avho loves truth and simplicity, numifested 
 to me that he had a controversy Avith these things, and that I must 
 depart from them, and become crucified to the Avorld, and it to me. 
 
K! JOIRXAL OF TIKJ.MAS ARXKTT. isir, 
 
 l)efore I could wiilk acceptably before him. He instructed me that 
 my manner of dress and address was offensive in liis sight, and that 
 it was his will that I should conform to simplicity of dress and ad- 
 dress, using the jjlain scripture language, thou to one and you to 
 more than one : and oh I it was truly a great cross to my natural 
 will to yield ol)edience to tliis requisition, to conform to that sim- 
 ])h'city of dress and address so much despised ])y the Avorld. I liad 
 much deep exercise on account of this duty for many days. I also 
 had many bitter tears and cries before my natural will became sub- 
 jected so as to yield to it. I wished to shun tiie cross and substi- 
 tute some other sacrifice instead thereof; but he who had called me 
 into the performance of this duty showed me with convincing clear- 
 ness that he would choose his own sacrifice ; that neither a right 
 hand nor a right eye, neither thousands of rains nor ten thousands 
 of rivers of oil would by any means answer instead of his requir- 
 ing. I found that liotli scripture and grammar warranted the pro- 
 priety of using tliou and thee to a single person instead of ijou. I 
 therefore at length gave up in faithfulness to this requisition, being* 
 willing to be something or nothing for the Lord's sake, and have 
 ever since used the ^^lain scripture language, tliott to one and you to 
 more than one ; having since also avoided giving flattering titles to 
 men, but called them by their own pro})er names. And as it lu^came 
 from time to time necessary to procure new clothing, I eiuleavored 
 to conform my outward appearance in this respect to tlie dictates 
 of divine wisdom, observing a decent, plain dress ; also observing- 
 simplicity, plainness and honesty in every part of my conduct, en- 
 deavoring to walk a blameless life before my fellow-creatures, daily 
 entering into solemn scrutiny before the court of conscience, and 
 there brought every word, thought and every part of my conduct 
 to the test ; and in the observance of these things I have found 
 much peace of mind. 
 
 I now began to have scruples rencAved in nic from tinu' to time 
 respecting war. wishiiig to know whether it was right for Christians 
 to stand in arms for their own defense ; and the Lord, who is ever 
 ready to instruct the sincere, soon convinced me, I believe, of the 
 unhiwfulness of war under the gospel dispensation. lie taught me 
 that neither offensive nor defensive war can be hnvful for his dis- 
 ciples who live under the influence of his love; for this love teaches 
 us to pray for and love our ciiomies, to return good for evil, and as 
 much as in us lies to have peace with all men. lie is the defense 
 of his people, and needs not the help of any man to protect them ; 
 and if all tlie children of men would yield perfect obedience to the 
 gentle motions of his love, wars and fightings would cease. I found 
 that the Holy Scriptures ])redicted that the day was a])pr()aching 
 when ■■ luition shall not lift up sword against nation, neither siutll 
 they learn war any more : " niul I believed that this day had ahvady 
 come to every one who had embraced the })rin('iples of j)eace, ami 
 
1816 .JOURNAL OF THOMAS A K N ICTT. 17 
 
 had attained perfection in the ivlii>n»n of him whose reign is a 
 peacefnl one, and whose kingdom is an cverhisting one : whose dis- 
 ciples must serve him and not the world, and whose love hath no 
 bounds. I also found that the apostles and their immediate fol- 
 lowers refrained from military exercises. Under a sensible convic- 
 tion I refrained from military duties, l)elieving that heaven had 
 required it of nie to bear a faithful testimony against the custom 
 of training up men to stand in arms foi- tlu' purpose of luitional 
 defense. 
 
 I had ever thought from early life that it was not right foi' man 
 to hold his fellow-creature in al)ject bondage from general ion to gen- 
 eration, and I now became fully convinced of the rejjngnancy of 
 slavery to the Christian religion, knowing that no man, according 
 to the divine precept (^f doing unto others as lie would wish others 
 to do unto him, could hold his fellow traveler in abject slavery; for 
 freedom is the natural right of all men, and none Avisli to he de- 
 jn'ivedof their own freedom and live in abject servitude under their 
 fellow creatures; but all" love freedom, and none should l)e deprived 
 of that freedom which heaven bestows on them. 
 
 I now began to see into the nature of true and acce})table wor- 
 ship unto the P'ather of Spirits ; that it consisted not merely iu the 
 hearing or uttering of words, but in spirit and in truth; for (Jod is 
 a spirit, and those who worship him aright must worshi}) him in 
 spirit and in truth, and he seeketh sucli to worship him by the 
 gentle and persuasive movings of his spirit in the soul ; and as the 
 soul co-works and co-operates with the inworkings and ojierations 
 of this good spirit it becomes redeemed from the pollutions of sin 
 and iniquity, and attains to an establislnnent in the everlasting 
 truth. It often hears, in the cool of the day, a still, small voice di- 
 recting in the way of life and peace, and when it attains purity it 
 often abides in perfect silence. The activity of thought being put 
 to rest, it centers in God, the eternal substance, and reverently 
 bows and Avorships him. It becomes fully acquainted with him ; it 
 understands his language and knows his will, for he dwells in it 
 and gives it the divine law ; it distinguishes his movings from the 
 movings and actings of the human imagination ; he preserves it in 
 the path of duty while it inhabits its clay tenement ; and when it 
 is liberated from its earthly house he receives it in the mansions of 
 bliss, where it enjoys his glorious presence for evermore. 
 
 I was made sensible that the true worshipers could assemble and 
 gather down into profound silence, and worship the Father inspirit 
 and in truth without the hearing or uttering of words ; he being 
 in the midst with them, raising their souls in devotion and thanks- 
 giving to his great and holy name ; teaching them, also, how to 
 pray and what to pray for. Prayer is the language of the heart ; 
 it is mental aspiration of soul to him who livetli forever and ever. 
 
 I Avas also made sensible that all gospel ministry was nothing 
 
IS JOUHN'AL OF THOMAS AliNKTT. iSir, 
 
 sliort of divine revelation to nnm ; that (iocl tauglit lii.s peojjle liiiii- 
 self. and raised up, instructed and brought forth his own ministers 
 to minister his word to the people ; that no man conld preach the 
 gospel when he pleased, but a minister of Christ must abide iu 
 ]iim — the true vine — till he receives divine ability to i)reach the 
 word, and when he preaches the gospel his ministry carries with it 
 the seal of the living God, sealing instructions on those who have 
 an ear to hear wliat the spirit saith, and reaching to the witness for 
 truth iu the children of men. 
 
 After T l)ecame fully convinced of these things, the Lord, I be- 
 lieve, impressed my mind with a desire to join myself in connection 
 with the Society of Friends. My natural will had an aversion to 
 this requisition, because of the simplicity and self-denial conspicu- 
 ous iu the genuine members of this Society : but I found that every- 
 thing in me must be subject to heaven, and that I must attain to a 
 th(n-ough establishment in the everlasting truth before I could be a 
 disciple of him who condescended to take on him the seed of Abra- 
 ham, and was tried Avith all the temptations and i)robations to which 
 I am exposed. I tiierefore, after spending some time in solemn 
 deliberation, and finding that my peace consisted in joining this 
 Society, fully acquainted myself Avith the religious principles and 
 profession of Friends ; and finding they met my ai)2)robation, believ- 
 ing they were grounded in the ever blessed truth, and were consist- 
 ent Avith the Holy Scriptures, and I being persuaded that I could 
 support them. I requested to be joined in connection Avith Friends 
 of Deep Iiiver Monthly Meeting, in Guilford county, and Union 
 Preparative Meeting, in Stokes county (the vicinity Avhere I was 
 brought up). I Avas received into membershiii on the 5th day of 
 the eighth month, 1810, having given Friends of this Monthly 
 Meeting ])roofs of my sincerity and thorough convincement of the 
 truth. 1 have since diligently attended Friends' meetings for disci- 
 ])line aiul Avorship, finding it to be my indispensal)le duty to assemble 
 Avith the Lord's people for the purpose of Avorshijiing liim in spirit 
 and in truth, and for the pur])ose of Availing on iiim to renew my 
 strength. 
 
 I have long conceived it to be an awful thing to present the body 
 as a living sacrifice before the Lord for the purpose of divine AA'or- 
 shi}). Nothing but deep humility, self-abasement and solemn retire- 
 ment, Avithdrawing the mind from the consideration of all visible 
 objects into ]n'ofound silence, abiding in him and he in us, and a 
 true sense of his majesty, power and divinity, can qualify us to per- 
 form this great and indispensable duty ; and those Avho thus ap- 
 proach his divine and awful majesty, do Avorshi]) him in the beauty 
 of holiness, — every intervening cloud of imagination vanishes from 
 before them, and he awfully jjcrvades their miiuls, opening theii- 
 understanding to conceive the glory of the immensity of his works 
 and the siiirituality of the gosi)el dispensation. Oh I the incalcula- 
 
ISK! JOIKNAL Ol-' THOMAS A K N JlT'l'. 19 
 
 1»l(' advantages of thus appi'oacliiiig the majesty of lifavcii for the 
 ]mi'|)(»se of worshiping that lieing in s|)ii-it and in trntli \vlH)ni the 
 the heaven of heavens eunnot contain I The spiritnal and living 
 branches that are joined to the true vine alone know these advanta- 
 ges, for they abide in hin) and he in them, ena1>ling them to dis- 
 tinguish the pure from tiie impure, ami to see things clearly just as 
 rlu'y are, and giving them to taste and see for themselves that he is 
 good. He is their sun and shield, and will give them grace and 
 trutii, and no good thing will he withhold from them. 
 
 Dear ivader. having imparted to thee some account of the Ijord's 
 gracious dealing with my soul while I was traveling through the 
 laml of sin and bond.ige. through the Avilderness. towards the land 
 of rest and peace, I now ^ish to pen a few more general remarks 
 res|)ecting my exercises in those days. I am fully convinced that 
 many of my deep probations and bitter sorrows Avere brought upon 
 me by my disobedience to (iod. llad I turned to him and rendered, 
 perfect obedience to him when he first visited me and Avooed my 
 soul to flee from the wrath to come. I should have shunned many 
 <'onflicting and afflicting l)a})tisms. I tried many ways to flee from 
 him. and to folloAV the vain ])ropensities of the human imagination, 
 but he followed me up as he did the children of Israel in their trav- 
 els from the land of bondage toAvard the land flowing Avith milk and 
 honey : for lie heard their cries and groaiiings in the land of oppres- 
 sion, and Avith a mighty hand he brought them out of that land, 
 and delivered them fi-om their enemies, and led them thi'ough the 
 wilderness toward the promised land. \\'onderful. A'ery Avonderful. 
 Avere his good providence and gracious dealings Avith that ])eople for 
 numy years, from generation to generation ! When they disobeyed 
 his voice and transgressed his hiAV, calamities came upon them ; and 
 Avhen they, from time to time, turned from their folly, repented and 
 cried nnto him, he lieard them and Avrought deliverance for them 
 and Avas very gracious unto them, granting them his love, guidance 
 and protection. He has thus, in some degree,, dealt Avith me. He 
 wooed and invited me to turn and live forever, Avhen I was procras- 
 tinating the improvement of my time in the land of darkness and 
 ignorance; he often, very often, bade me — "Flee from thy sins as" 
 from a land devoted to destruction ; repent, and Avalk in newness of 
 life"; he sent, as it Avere, the forerunner, the voice of one crying 
 in the Avilderness, teaching me the baptism of rej^entence, setting 
 my sins in order before me, and jireparing the Avay for the indAvell- 
 ing presence of his love and pui'ifying })ower. He, in his own will 
 and time, delivered me from under the bondage of sin and death, 
 and led me through the wilderness toward the land of rest and peace. 
 When I disobeyed his voice, afflictions of soul came upon me ; and 
 Avhen I repented and cried to him Avith sincerity, he had mercy on 
 me. I Avas tempted many days in the Avilderness, fasting and pray- 
 ing, seeking him whom my soul loved, and I sought him till I found 
 him. Blessed forever be his holv name I 
 
20 JOrUXAI, OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1816 
 
 In tlic (lays of my repontaneo I spent niuoli time in solem retire- 
 ment, often Avitlulrawing from tlie avocations of life into solitary 
 woods and fields, and tliere ponred out my soul in prayer and sup- 
 plication before him avIio awfully pervaded my sin-sick soul. Many 
 of tliese places were silent witnesses of my grief and groanings, and 
 of my sorrow and Intter tears. These places ever present my mind 
 with solemnity when tiiey are brought to my remembrance. After 
 I attained to an establisliment in the truth I spent many hours in 
 suffering silence, often turned inward and paused ; and at such 
 seasons I at times had much poverty, and suffered with the suffering- 
 seed. At others, my spirit Avas turned heavenward, and was fed 
 witli tlie bread of life and salvation. I often witlidrew into solitary 
 places for the purpose of waiting on him whom my soiil loved. F 
 approaclied Ins diviiu^ majesty in profound silence, withdrawing 
 from all worklly considerations, and entering into the closet, and 
 prayed to the (lod of my salvation according to the teachings and 
 dictates of his divine grace and holy spirit. I thus prayed to him 
 secretly, and he abundantly rewarded me openly ; filling my soul at 
 times with a measure of his divine consolation. I also endeavored 
 to approach his divine majesty witli fear and awe when I presented 
 mvself for the purpose of divine woi-ship ; laboring to preserve my 
 spirit in a right frame while sitting in meetings for worship ; dis- 
 l)osiug it for divine instruction ; abiding in awful stillness ; feeling 
 after the life and power of godliness : beseeching the Almighty to 
 enal)le me to wait acceptably ]_>efore him. and drawing nigh unto 
 him witli holy confidence and singleness of lieart. I at times felt 
 poor and needy while thus sitting in solemn assemblies ; at others, 
 my mind was pervaded with a measure of that pure love which none 
 can fathom saving he from whom it emanates. 
 
 Soon after I l)ecame a memljer of the Society of Friends I opened 
 a scliool at Union meeting-house, and within the limits of this 
 meeting. T afterwards taught school for some years. I also became 
 a constant attender of this meeting, endeavoring to wait on the 
 Jjord therein with a passively disposed and quiet spirit. 
 
 I had hitherto had many clear openings that if I should stand 
 firm it would be required of me to tell uiy fellow creatures of the 
 Lord's gracious dealings with my soul, and to invite them to come 
 and taste and see for themselves tluit he is good aiul full of mercy ; 
 and now, in the openings of divine love, it Avas often rencAved in me 
 that the time Avas at hand for me to enter upon the Avork of the 
 ministry ; and oh I the aAvful and deep concern Avhich this l)rought 
 upon me I It renewed deep and unremitting exercise in my mind 
 for some time ; my natural disposition had a great aversion to be- 
 come a nunith for the Almighty : r thought 1 had rather immedi- 
 ate! v leave tliis tribulatiug world and enter the mansions of ever- 
 lasting rest than to I'cndcr obedience to tliis requisition. I pleaded 
 manv excuses, and desiivd. if consisteiit Avith divine Avisdom, that 
 
1817 JOLKXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 31 
 
 some other instrument might lie chosen instead of me. But lie who 
 knows all things knows best who to choose for the Avork of the min- 
 istry. I found but little rest day or night in these days, and shed 
 many sorrowful and bitter tears, my exercise being so deep respect- 
 ing the work of the ministry. The following language was from 
 time to time repeatedly sounded in the ear of my spirit : '* AVoe 
 is unto thee unless thou preach the gospel I If thou disobey me in 
 this respect, the sins and iiiirjuities of others will be required of thee 
 in the solemn day of account I" I at length liecame willing to 
 sound the gospel trumpet, and to be a fool for Christ's sake. My 
 s])irit humbly and reverently cried out. ''Lord, tiiy will, and not 
 mine be done," — being fully convinced that my peace consisted in 
 rendering obedience to this divine injunction. I now became truly 
 desirous to enter upon this great work in the right time, sensible of 
 the awful resjionsibility in which it would inevitably involve me. 
 (>h I how I prayed ever to keep pace witli my unerring guide, and 
 S])eak in religious meetings from a right concern, which would glo- 
 rify God and give peace to my own mind. It was now often im- 
 jiressed upon my mind, while sitting in meetings for worship, to 
 stand up and utter a few words ; but I had a fear of beginning this 
 great work too soon, or of sjieaking from too little concern. I there- 
 fore weighed my exercise from time to time, abiding in awful still- 
 ness before the Maje ty on high, endeavoring to subject everything 
 in me to the everlasting truth. 
 
 Thus it passed on from meeting to meeting for some time, till on 
 the oth day of the first month. 1<S17, and the First-day of the week. 
 Avhile sitting in our meeting for worship at Union, it was opened in 
 my mind with induliitable clearness that I should sustain loss in the 
 divine life if I i-efused to stand up and bear jniblic testimony in 
 that meeting. I therefore, in the pure opening and constraining 
 power of that love which erases doubt from tlie mind and gives it a 
 clear sense^ of its duty, stood up and uttered a few words in the 
 authority of Truth, to my own and, I lielieve, my friend's satisfac- 
 tion. I believe I might have publicly borne testimony in the name, 
 life and power of the Lord rather sooner than I did, but as I was 
 not obstinately but carefully backward. I seldom felt much condem- 
 nation for witiiholding. I did. however, a few times, feel real 
 uneasiness on account thereof; he who had called me to the work, 
 well knowing the integrity and sincerity of my heart, that I was 
 fully disposed to serve him acceptably and endeavor to keep pace 
 with the divine guidance of his Holy Spirit, dealt graciously with 
 me, bore with my infirmities, taught me the necessity of true pa- 
 tience, and fed me Avith the sustaining food of life and salvation. 
 This was my first public appearance in the ministry, and my soul 
 was afterwards replete for some days with a measure of that pure 
 love Avhich this world can neither give nor take away. My si:)irit 
 rejoiced in him who had led me through many conflicting and 
 
.(OIKXAL (»F THOMAS AnXKTT. 
 
 afflicting" l)aptisins for the purpose of iTtiiiiiiii' uw and prcpai'ing iiu- 
 for his service in the clmrcli. 
 
 My second pnl)lic api)earanee in the ministry was at ourPre[)ara- 
 tive Meeting', at I'nion. the "iOth day of the first month, 181T. Avhen 
 I fonnd a living exercise renewed in my S])ii'if to remind Friends of 
 the necessity of ])reparing for a future life in tlie mansions of ever- 
 histing- rest, and of ever standing ready to meet Ilim in judgment 
 Avho is of purer eyes than to liehold ini(|uity. I spoke a few words 
 very much in the cross. ))ut the life and power of godliness attendeil 
 me in this little testimony as well as the former. T afterwards, for 
 some time. ex|)erienced the renewings of divine love in my soul : 1 
 felt sensible that the Author of my being was viewing me as a well- 
 l)leased Father: my spirit rejoiced in bim and gave glory to bis 
 great name : he granted me bis b<»ly and glorious presence, and 
 nnule my joy full. Blessed forever be his adorable name I 
 
 After this I still continued my faithfulness and sincerity, often 
 seeking unto and waiting upon the (iod of my salvation for counsel 
 and direction in nil matters of weight and importance : beseeching 
 him to guide me in the counsel of his own wisdom, and ivsting 
 wholly on the arm of his preservation and i)rotection. knowing that 
 he makes all things subserve bis own Avise purposes and Avork together 
 for the good of those Avho serve him Avith integrity and u])rigbtness. 
 I was favored from time to time to reneAv ami increase a living 
 acquaintance with him. my spirit being clothed with humility ami 
 solemn reA"erence ; :ind in this frame of mind I often appr(»aclied 
 the throne of grace, and received a measure of that pure instruction 
 which conu's down from heaven ; and by this means 1 was t'uahled. 
 from time to tinu'. to work in his vineyard to the peace of my own 
 mind and to bis honor, glory and praise. 
 
 ^[y public appearances in the ministry were not vei'y fi'cMjiiciil . 
 and mostly in a few words at a tinu' : yet 1 have some few times 
 felt sensible conviction for saying too much, and for w liich I felt 
 more uneasiness of miml than I have often felt for withholding. I 
 have, however, through divine prCvSerA'ation and pi'otection. seldom 
 appeai'ed in])ul)lic test imony oftener. or said nioi'e than tended to 
 my own peace, and. I believe, to tlu' satisfaction of my friends. 
 
 On the Kiglit day of tlu' (ith month. iSJl.and the l^'irst-day of 
 the week, while 1 was sitting in our meeting for wurship at I'nion. 
 the spirit of pi-a\('i' was hi'cathed upon me. and the power of ever- 
 lasting strength awfully pervaded my mind, and in the fi'esh open- 
 nings of diviiu- lo\f I was constrained to kneel down and ])ublicly 
 a-ddress the thi-oni' of gi-ace. Solemnity pei'xaded t he int'eting. as 
 well as it did my own mind, while T ]>onred out my soul in prayer 
 and su])plicati(»n. This was the tii'st time I e\ ri' appeari'd in vocal 
 puhlic supplication: and it was very mndi in theci'oss. as also in 
 awful feai' and reverence. It was. indeed, a vei'v solemn thing to 
 me. publicly to call on the nanu' of the everlasting (b)d. and ])our 
 
1818 JOrUNAL OK THOMAS AliXKTT. 2'^ 
 
 out my soul in praj-er to him. ^Ey soul -was replete \\\\\\ sdleiim 
 reverence after this for some days, divine goodness at times raising 
 my spirit in thanksgiving to him who livetli forevei' and ever. It 
 has since ever been a very'awful thing for me to approach the Majesty 
 of lieaven. and address the throne of grace in vocal public su[)plie!-- 
 tion. Nothing but the interceding power aiul opening of the spirit 
 can qualify antl enal)le me acceptably to break forth in vocal pi'aycr. 
 and address that lieing whose presence jK-rvades tlie lieaven and 
 
 the earth. 
 
 Sometimes while I was sounding the gosj)el trumpet at l''riends" 
 meeting for worship, divine life was suddenly withdrawn. \\m\ the 
 way immediately closed. Darkness pervaded me so that 1 could 
 say nothing more availingly. This was, I believe, to show me 
 whence all" gospel ministry" emanates ; that it [jroceeds from him 
 who controls the revolutions of tinu'. and that it is he alone who 
 can give ability to preach it; that I should minister only while 
 he gives ability, and that when he withdraws. T should he still, and 
 quietly wait for the emanations of his divine light and life, fdi- he 
 as it were, comes and goes, according to the wise c(junsel of his 
 own will and purpose. Oh I the indispensability ()f patiently abid- 
 ing his gracious Avill, for he knows well when to visit and when t(» 
 widulraw the light of his countenance for the good and instruction 
 of his dependent children. Blessed be his holy name, now and 
 forever. 
 
 In the 11th month. LSIT. I attended our Yearly .Meeting at New 
 Garden, in (ruilford county. It held a number of days, the sev- 
 eral sittings thereof being times of divine favoi-. This was the first 
 Yearly Meeting of Frieiuls that ever I attended, and it was a n- 
 freshiiig season to my spirit. Several inipressive communications 
 were delivered and much very pertinent and suitable counsel ad- 
 ministered, tending to strengthen and comfort the ])ure in heart 
 and to admonish the forgetful and lukewarm. 
 
 On the 28th day of the first month. ISIS, a Monthly Meeting 
 was opened and established at Union, ami through divine goodiu'ss 
 the opening of this Monthly Meeting was made a lu'aveuly and 
 comfortable opportunity to Friends. 
 
 In these days I experienced nniny vicissitudes. 1 had many trials 
 and some comfortable seasons. I sat much alone, kept silence and 
 bore the cross. The enemy tried every artifice to dectMvc me. lie 
 even, as it were, changed himself into an angel of light, and came 
 upon me. feigning himself to be the Holy One ; but be who bmits 
 his power anil sets bounds to his goings enabled me to know him in 
 all his transformations. I was delivered from his temptations, and 
 by the altility which Heaven gives I overcame him. and was i)er- 
 mitted to eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the 
 paradise of Ood. I, however, experienced many contlicting dis- 
 pensations before I 2:ained the victory over him. My works of 
 
24 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1818 
 
 rigliteousness were broiiglit to the test, and those of them which 
 crmkl not abide the Refiner's fire were consumed. The rest of them 
 stood tlie test and were purified. My faith, also. Avas much jiroved. 
 It was ahnost ready at times to fail me, but it was at others strength- 
 ened by him with whom there is everlasting strength ; in whom 1 
 trusted', and by whom ni}' spirit was often quickened and made 
 alive. 
 
 After I had patiently borne many refining l)a])t!sms and received 
 much deep instruction, large fields of labor in the work of the min- 
 istrv were presented to the view of my mind, and a willingness was 
 often renewed in me to walk in the path of duty while traveling- 
 through time, and to do the will of the Lord, to whom be ascribed 
 all praise, glory and honor, now and for ever I 
 
 On the isth day of the eleventh month. 1818, in the morning, a 
 while before daylight, I had the folloAving remarkal)le and instructive 
 dream : I dreamed that my soul was liberated from its clay tenement, 
 and situated between the lieavens and the earth, where it enjoyed the 
 utmost peace and tranquility. I thought it retained its mental 
 power and faculties, and Avas released from the concerns of time. 
 I thought it saw the grave where its earthly tabernacle, the body, 
 was laid. I thought at length the former openings of divine love 
 respecting the work of the ministry were brought to its remem- 
 brance ; that I Jiad seen in the visions of the Lord large fields of 
 labor for me in the work of the ministry, and now I was removed 
 from the church militant (as I thought) before much of this labor 
 was entered into. The remembrance of these things broke the peace 
 and rest of my soul ; a fear pervaded it that it had been deceived, 
 that it had been led astray by the insinuating workings of the 
 euemv, instead of being led in the visions of the Most High to see 
 a portion of its travels and labors pointed out Avhile going through 
 time. I thought after its rest had thus been broken with these 
 cogitations, its earthly house, the body, arose from the grave and 
 again received it as its tabernacle and place of alxxlc. (Oh I the 
 awful solemnity which appeared to pervade me, to think that 1 had 
 been dead aiul was brought to life again). 1 thought it Avas now 
 renewed in me. Avith the most convincing clearness, tliat I had not 
 been deceived, but had seen in the pure oijcnings of divine love 
 large fields of gospel labor for me, and I tliought it Avas now nuini- 
 fested to me tiiat I had much, very much, to do in the churdi 
 militant before I coukl be received into the joys and glories of the 
 church triunii)hant in heaven. I tliought I at length became en- 
 tirely subject to the will and direction of heaven, and Avas raised 
 above the earth by a supernatural power, and conveyed along Avitli 
 tlie utmost ease without any bodily exertion ; and to my right there 
 ai)|)eared a large field of rye, measurably ripe ; and under my feet 
 tiu're api)eared wheat Avhich was green and germinating, Avliich had 
 just grown large enough to overspread the earth. While 1 was thus 
 
182) JOLfKXAL OF TITO>[AS AKXETT. 25 
 
 conveyed along, ] viewed the rye and the wheat with unspeakable 
 concern, and the indescribable awe which appeared to pervade me, 
 at length broke my slec]). After 1 awoke, my soul was gathered 
 into tlie profoundest silence, the activity of thought was put forest, 
 every intervening cloud of imagination vanished, and my soul cen- 
 tered in God, the eternal substance. While thus influenced, the in- 
 struction of the foregoing dream or vision was opened in the ear of 
 my spirit in the following manner : It was manifested to me, in 
 the openings of pure wisdom, that I mast become thoroughly cru- 
 cified to the world and it to me ; that everything in me must ever 
 be kept under the control aiul influence of that pure light which 
 transcends the brightness of every other light ; that I should be en- 
 tirely subject to tlie guidance of that supernatural ])ower which 
 governs the heavens and the eartli, and controls the laws of nature, 
 and that I shouLI laboi- in the church militant, with a ]Hire heart, 
 and with clean bauds, according to the pure moving and directions 
 of this good ]>ower, for it emanates from the throne of grace, and 
 guides the children of light aright everywhere. It was also mani- 
 fested to me that tlie field of rye and wheat which I saw in the 
 vision was an indication of the field of labor in the work of the 
 ministry ; the rye pointing out to me such gos])el labors and travels 
 as were measurably ripe and near approaching ; the wheat such as 
 were more distant, such as had taken root in my mind, and would 
 some day arrive to maturity, if I should continue in faithfulness 
 and patience. These things were opened in the ear of mv soul, I 
 believe, by him who is the fountain of good and center of perfec- 
 tion, and Avho prescribes various means and ways for the instruction 
 of his devoted disci])le,s, leading them in visions, and instructing 
 them himself, according to their capacities, in every age of the 
 world. 
 
 For some days after I had tliis dream, seriousness clothed me, 
 and the spirit of prayer was often raised in me. I also had many 
 clear and encouraging confirmations that I had l>egun in tlie work 
 of the ministry according to the jwintings of truth, and that as 
 faithfulness was aljode in, 1 should expei'ience a gradual advance 
 and growth in the knowledge of the everlasting G(jsi)el. 
 
 I believe that every one who comes to be a mouth for the Al- 
 mighty must experience his jiurifying and qualifying power, must 
 ])ass from death unto life, and become refined as gold that passes 
 through the refiner's fire from time to time and still retains its 
 weight and value, before he can acceptably handle divine tilings, 
 and rightly divide the word of truth. For all gospel ministry is 
 pure, and it ever has been and ever will be preached to man 
 through ])ure channels, by the immediate revelation of the spirit and 
 ])Ower of the Lord. 
 
 In the eiglith month, 1850, with the approljation of Friends of our 
 Monthly Meeting of Union, and in com2)any with my dear friend 
 
20 .TontXAl, OP THOMAS AUN'KTT. isa 
 
 Joiiiithan ]\[ondGnhall (a Friend of our Monthly Meeting), I vis- 
 ited the families of Dover Monthly fleeting. I was shut up in 
 silence and })0verty of spirit in divers families : my spirit was 
 clothed with humility, and I sought the guidance of him who gives 
 ability to labor availinglyin his vineyard, and he was graciously 
 [)leased to open my mouth in a number of families with the word of 
 his testimony, and he also enabled me to divide the bread of life 
 and salvation according to the counsel of his own will, lilessed for- 
 ever be his holy name I ^^'e visited upwards of thirty families, to 
 the peace of our own minds, and to the satisfaction of Friends, be- 
 ing sensible that we had done the will of him who loves obedience 
 and sincerity. 
 
 In this year I also visited a few families that had very much de- 
 l)arted from genuine principles within the limits of our own Monthly 
 Meeting. I had the company of a worthy friend, one with whom 
 my spirit traveled. The Lord was with us, and enabled us to do 
 some good. Praised be his holy name, now and foreverl 
 
 In these days I experienced many conflicting and refilling bap- 
 tisms. I had many deep trials. I dwelt much in solitude, and 
 abode patiently in the valley of humility, beseeching heaven, with 
 many sorrows and tears, to preserve me from evil, and to establish 
 me in the i)ath which shines more and more unto the perfet't 
 day. I spent much time in awful abstraction of soul, reverently 
 abiding the reproofs of instruction, casting down imaginations 
 and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of 
 Grod, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obe- 
 dience of Christ. Departing also from every thing which indis- 
 poses the mind to receive and obey the precepts of pure wisdom. 
 The Comforter being withdrawn from me, I felt very ]>oor and 
 needy. I liungered and thirsted after righteousness, and after I had 
 experienced many refining ba})tisms, he returned to me with heal- 
 ing in his wings, and granted me a measure of that pure love which 
 soothes in adversity and comforts the solitary. 
 
 A desire having impressed my mind for some time past to visit 
 in gospel love most of the meetings that constitute our Quarterly 
 Meeting, and to appoint some meetings among those not of our so- 
 ciety, 1 seasonably opened this concern to Friends of our Monthly 
 Meeting, and received their unity and approl)ation. Joseph Men- 
 denhall (a worthy and experienced Friend of our Monthly Aleeting) 
 was my comjianion. 
 
 We had a meeting among the Afetliodists at Newhoj)e. in Stokes 
 county, on the tifteenth day of the sixth month, 18'-31. ]\Iy spirit 
 in the fore part of this meeting was much cast down. The spirit of 
 prayer and gospel ministry was, however, soon breathed upon me. 
 so that it ended to i)rettygood satisfaction. We had another meet- 
 ing among the ]\Ietho(lists on th(^ sixteenth, at A. 1. in Guilford 
 county. This was;igood and prolitable meeting. The seventeenth. 
 
1821 .lorn NAT. or THOMAS ARXETT, 27 
 
 {Uid First day of the week, we had a large, good and open meeting 
 at Dover. I found much liberty and freedom to speak to the states 
 and conditions of the people. The eighteenth we had a good and 
 open meeting at IIo])ewell, the power of divine life was felt. My 
 spirit was clothed with prayer and gospel love. The nineteenth wc 
 had a trying and exercising meeting at Newbury. My spirit was 
 much cast doAvn, poverty pervaded me. I uttered a few words in 
 much weakness, and the meeting closed to pretty good satisfaction. 
 1 this evening had very deep exercise, my spirit symi)athized with 
 the oppres:^ed, and I besought heaven to preserve and protect those 
 who have none to help them, who go mourning from day to day, 
 under suppression and abject servitude. The twentietli we had a 
 meeting at the usual hour of Friends meeting at Xew (larden, and 
 one in the afternoon for the youth. These were heavenly and pre- 
 cious meetings. The spirit of the everlasting gospel pervaded us, 
 and the spirit of prayer was also breathed upon us. The twenty- 
 first we had a painful and exercising meeting at Sherburn. I felt 
 the life to be weak, and in much poverty I spoke a few words, re- 
 minding Friends of the necessity of living near the Fountain of 
 God. The twenty-second we had a good and favored meeting at 
 Sandy Springs. I was much opened in gospel love to declare the 
 goodness and mercy of the Lord. The twenty-third we had a meet- 
 ing among the Presbyterians in the northern part of Guilford 
 county (the vicinity where I some years ago taught school.) It 
 was much, very much in the cross that I went among these people 
 to have a meeting, but the Lord was with me this day, and pre- 
 served me to the peace of my own mind, and to his glory. He em- 
 powered me to declare the gospel with life and })owei'. He also 
 breathed on me the spirit of prayer and supplication, so that this 
 meeting closed to good satisfaction. Blessed forever be his holy 
 name! The twenty-fourth, and First-day of the week, we had a 
 large meeting at a Methodist meeting house in the county of Rock- 
 ingham, among people of different denominations. The testimony 
 of truth availingly went forth, to the peace of my own mind, and 
 to the humiliating of the minds of the people, so that the meeting 
 ended to good satisfaction. Praised forever be the name of him 
 who is full of mercy and tender compassion I 
 
 On the fifteenth day oC the seventh month, and First-day of the 
 week, we had a good and open meeting among the Baptists at Ab- 
 bot's Creek. I was livingly opened in gospel love, and in the spirit 
 of prayer and sui)[)lication among these people with whom there is 
 a living birth and a precious seed. This meeting closed to good 
 satisfaction. Blessed be the Lord I 
 
 In this year, in company with a friend of our Monthly Meeting, 
 I also visited a few meeting and families within the limits of West- 
 field Quarterly Meeting, to good satisfaction. 
 
 In these days 1 experienced many divine favors, the Lord was 
 
28 jorKXAL OF T]r():\iAS akxktt. i»22 
 
 with me and led me in visions ; opening my understanding to see 
 tlie beauty of holiness, and the sjnrituality of the everlasting gos- 
 pel ; under a humiliating sense of his o-oodness and mercy, I often 
 reverently howed and worshiped liiin in spirit and in truth. ] 
 daily renewed and increased my acquaintance with him, and was 
 much encouraged to press forward in the way which leads to ever- 
 lasting rest, I had many comfortable seasons, and was often en- 
 abled to sing praises to the God of my salvation, to whom be as- 
 cribed all glory, honor, and dominion, now and forever! 
 
 In the first and second months, 1822, Avith the unity and concur- 
 rence of Friends of our Monthly Meeting, and in com'pany with my 
 beloved friend, Johathan Mendenhall, I visited m gospel love the 
 families of New Garden Monthly Meeting. I also visited most of 
 the meetings that constitute this Monthly Meeting, and was favored 
 to declare with tenderness and contrition of the Lord's gracious 
 dealings and goodness ; and with gratitude I san^- of his salvation. 
 We visited u]jwards of a hundred and fifty families, and had much 
 good service for the Lord : sometimes awful solemnity pervaded me, 
 at others serenity and peace clothed my mind. We often, while sit- 
 ting in families," experienced the melting power of Christ Jesus in- 
 wardly revealed, under the influence of which power we reverently 
 bowed and worsliiped him who loves a spiritual and self-denying 
 people, and .who makes his abode with those who keep his word and 
 are zealous of good works. My spirit was often clothed with gos- 
 pel love, and with prayer and supplication. I was often drawn to 
 speak to the youth in a measure thereof. Many of these dear young 
 friends were broken and melted into tears and contrition. They 
 manifested a disposition to receive the truth, and to improve their 
 minds in things which pertain to everlasting life. Through divine 
 goodness we were favored to perform this visit to the honor of 
 truth, to the peace of our own minds, and to the satisfaction of 
 our dear friends. It was truly a very solemn time with me, and I 
 believe a time to be remembered by many. All praise is due to the 
 giver of every good and perfect gift. 
 
 After this "I had very deep exercises and probation for manydays. 
 The unwearied adversary, I believe, had power granted him to 
 prove my patience, integrity, and faithfulness. He presented me 
 with manv temptations, and finding he could not make them avail 
 an vtiiing,' because I withstood them with prayer and with many 
 tears, he then l)roke my rest, and tormented my soul both day 
 and night. I thought 1 should no more see good. When I slept 
 lie scared me with dreams, and terrified me tbrough visions. AVhen 
 J awoke he tortured my soul with fearful and distressing api)re- 
 hensions. Sleep often fled from me because of the deep distress 
 and grief of mv soul. I often lay, when darkness covered the earth, 
 in silent grief 'and ])ain, pouring out my soul in i)rayer and supjtli- 
 cation, with many bitter tears, beseeching heaven to deliver me, and 
 
1822 JOrUXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 29 
 
 to increase my faitli and patience. My spirit was much, very much 
 cast down. It experienced many vicissitudes and was proved many 
 Avays. I was much abstracted from the concerns of time, and my 
 feelings were indescribably dee]) and awful. I at length rested on 
 the arm of eternal power and strength, and became willing to suf- 
 fer anything that would glorify him who had ever been with me, 
 and who had wrouglit many deliverances for me, and he again had 
 compassion on me. He dissipated my sorrows and delivered me 
 from the buffeting of the enemy, and mounted me, as it were, on 
 eagle's wings, and sent me forth in the s])irit and i)ower of the ever- 
 lasting gospel, so that I was enaljled to declare of tlieways of right- 
 eousness and to sing of liis salvati(jn and goodness. Blessed be 
 his adorable and exalted name, now and forever! 
 
 A desire having impressed me for sometime past to visit in gos- 
 pel love the meetings that constitute Deep Kiver and Westfield. 
 Quarterly Meetings, in due season 1 laid this matter before Friends 
 of our Monthly Meeting, and they had unity Avith it. A respecta- 
 ble and experienced friend of our ^Monthly Meeting, was my com- 
 panion. 
 
 We had a large meeting at Deep River on the seventh day of the 
 fourth month, IS22, and First-day of the week. This Avas a pain- 
 ful and exercising meeting to me, my spirit was cast down. I 
 spoke a feAV words in the ministry, but obtained no relief. The 
 spirit of prayer was at length breathed on me, so the meeting ended 
 pretty well. I this evening deeply sympathized with those Avho 
 groan under oppression. My spirit besought the everlasting God 
 to have mercy on those who oppress their fellow creatures, and 
 show them their folly and awful situation, except they repent and 
 let the oppressed go free. I also besought him to ])rescrve me in 
 the path of duty, ami enable me to do some good in the world, for 
 without him I can do nothing that will redound to the praise and 
 glory of his ever blessed name. The eighth we had a good and ed- 
 ifying meeting at Jamestown. Truth had the ascendency over the 
 niinds of the people. The ninth we had a pretty good meeting at 
 Kennet. I was favored after a time of much exercise to clear my 
 mind to good satisfaction. The tenth Ave had a heavenly and pre- 
 cious meeting at Springfield. It was a time of divine favor. I Avas 
 much opened in the ministry. The spirit of payer also Avas 
 breathed on me. The meeting closed to good satisfaction. The 
 eleventh Ave had a small and trying meeting at Piney Woods. The 
 life was Aveak. I, hoAvever, bore a small testimony, so the meeting 
 ended to pretty good satisfaction. The fourteenth day, and First 
 of the week, in the afternoon we had a large and good meeting at 
 Deep River for the youth. Solemnity pervaded our souls, and the 
 way which leads to everlasting rest was pointed out, and the meet- 
 ing closed under the influence of divine love. Blessed be the Lord! 
 
 Having visited the meetings that constitute Deep River quarter. 
 
30 JOUKXAL OF TIKIMAS ARXin'T. 1822 
 
 we proceeded in this month to visit those thtit constitute Westfield 
 quarter ; had a hirge meeting at Chestnut Creek tlie twenty-eighth 
 day, and First of tlie week. Tlie power of goodness i)revailed over 
 a worklly-minded people. The way of regeneration was pointed 
 out, and the meeting ended pretty well. The twenty-ninth and 
 thirtieth we rode to Hunting Creek, and had a meeting there on the 
 first day of the fifth month. I had some hard and close lahor, and 
 I thought some good was done. The second, attended Deep Creek 
 Preparative Meeting. Silence and serenity 2)ervaded my mind. The 
 third we had a meeting at Forbnsh Creek, in the fore part of which 
 my spirit was cast down ; in the latter part I was favored to relieve 
 ray mind, so it ijlosed in tender love. The fourth, attended Deep 
 Creek Monthly Meeting, and also attended the meeting for worship 
 there the next day, it being First-day, and had a large meeting 
 there for the youth in the afternoon. These meetings were times 
 of divine favor. That love which is gentle, pure, and easy to be 
 entreated, pervaded them. The gospel also was preached to edifi- 
 cation and comfort. Praised be the Lord! The sixth we had a 
 meeting at a school-house several miles from Deeii Creek, and the 
 power of Truth prevailed over a restless and unquiet 2-)eoi)le, and 
 brought them to a sense of their duty and awful responsi))ility. 
 Blessed forever be the name of the Lord. The seventh we had a 
 good, open and heavenly meeting at Surry court house. People of 
 different religious denominations attended this meeting, and I was 
 mucli opened in the doctrines of the everlasting gospel, to the 
 peace of my own mind, and to the edification of the people, who 
 were full of attention. Stillness pervaded them while I addressed 
 them, and the meeting ended to good satisfaction. The eighth, 
 attended Westfield Preparative Meeting, through which I sat in si- 
 lence and serenity. The ninth, visited a number of f:miilies, and 
 had some close, searching Avork, The tenth we had a })roving and 
 exercising meeting several miles west from Westfield, where a few 
 Friends live. I was made sensible of the darkness of the minds of 
 the peo])le, that they were not in a situation to receive much good, 
 so that I had not much to say to them. I left them with some sor- 
 row. The eleventh, attended Westfield Monthly Meeting, and next 
 day being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there for wor- 
 ship, and had one in the afternoon for the youth. These meetings 
 Avere times of great exercise to my mind. Through divine good- 
 ness, hoAvever, I was favored to relieve my mind. The sincere Avere 
 encouraged, the insincere Avere Avarned and called to repentance, so 
 these meetings ended to good satisfaction. JMessed be the LordI 
 
 In the sixth month, with the ap})robation of our Monthly Meet- 
 ing, Lagain visited in gospel love most of the meetings that consti- 
 tute our (Quarterly ^Meeting, and had some meetings for the youth 
 within the limits thereof. In all these meetings the Lord was Avith 
 me, and empowered me to bear his testimony availingly. I had 
 much good service for him. Praised forever be his holy name I 
 
1S:2-J .lOlKXAI, Ol' JIIO.MAS A KN KIT. 31 
 
 Oil the twontv-thirtl of this month, and First of the week, I had 
 a hirge and lieavonly meeting at Guilford court lionse. Many peo- 
 ple of different religions societies attended this meeting. I was 
 much opened in the life and in the ])Ower of the everlasting gospel, 
 to declare the truths thereof availingly. The peoi)le Avere very 
 quiet and still, and 1 hojie some good was done. The meeting sol- 
 emnly closed with prayer and su])plication. l^lessed be the nanu' 
 of God! 
 
 In the seventh month, in company Avith my dear and Avorthy 
 friend, Joseph Mendenhall, I visited the families of our OAvn 
 Monthly Meeting. Tnis family visitation was a time of divine fa- 
 A'or. AYe had good service for the Lord. AVe Avere favored to di- 
 vide and distribute tlie bread of life and salvation, our minds being 
 often clothed with gospel love andAvith deej) humility. Praised for- 
 ever be the name of him who teaches the meek of his Avays, and 
 guides his devoted followers in the path of duty I 
 
 After this, for some days I had deep trials. The Comforter Avith- 
 dreAV the liglit of his countenance, and mists of darkness perA^aded 
 me. The uuAvearied adversary seemed almost let loose against me, 
 to buffet me Avith doubts and Avith fearful api)rehensions. Oh, the 
 distress Avhich came upon me I I was as a Avanderer in a trackless 
 desert, and I sought him Avho had ever been gracious to me, and he 
 at length returned to me, and Avrought deliverance for me and gave 
 me a measure of ])ure joy, and taught me the necessity of abiding 
 ti'ibnlations for the testimony of truth, and of quietly Avaiting for 
 his salvation. Magnified be his holy and adorable name noAV and 
 forevermorel 
 
 My mind liaviiig Ijeen drawn for some time past to visit in gospel 
 love tlie AVestern and Southern Quarterly Meetings, and the meet- 
 ings that constitute them, I seasonably opened this concern in our 
 Monthly Meeting, and received the unity and sympatliy of friends. 
 A respectable friend of our Monthly Meeting Avas my companion. 
 
 We attended the Western quarter at Center the ninth day of the 
 eleventh month. 1823. I was shut uj) in silence, under much pain 
 and exercise of mind. The next day being First-day of the Aveek, 
 the public meeting for Avorship at this place Avas very large. I Avas 
 favored Avith a small testimony to the comfort and edification of 
 some minds, and the meeting closed Avith prayer and supplication. 
 The eleventh Ave had a good open meeting at Providence ; divine 
 love perA'aded our minds, under the influence of Avhich Ave Avere 
 edified and comforted. The tAvelfth Ave had a favored meeting at 
 Hopewell. My sjnrit Avas clothed with gospel love and Avith the 
 spirit of prayer, and in the openings thereof I had good service. 
 The thirteenth Ave had a i)ainful and exercising meeting at Cane 
 Creek ; a fear pervaded me that the life of religioii Avas weak in 
 this meeting ; I Avas filled Avith mourning and sorrow, under a 
 sense of unfaithfulness, being sensible there Avas more formality in 
 
32 JOURXAL OF TirOMAS ARXETT. 1822 
 
 this meeting than pure religion. Divine Avisdoni at length opened 
 the way forme to point out things just as they were. I had sonic 
 close and hard labor. I was enabled to clear my mind. I believe 
 some of the memljers of this meeting were reached, and saw tlieir 
 Avant of genuine Christianity. The fourteenth we had a good and 
 heavenly meeting at Spring Meeting. I was much opened in the 
 truths of the gospel, and the meeting solemnly closed witli prayer 
 and supplication. The fifteenth we had a pretty good meeting at 
 Ems. The sincere were encouraged, and the insincere were ten- 
 derly admonished. The sixteenth we had a precious and favored 
 meeting at Southfork. I was much opened in the love of the gos- 
 pel. Iwas enabled to point out the way which leads to endless 
 fruition. The word of life and salvation was preached availingly, 
 and the meeting closed Avith thankfulness and gratitude. The 
 seventeenth, and First-day of the week, we had a meeting at Rocky 
 River. It was a time of inuch exercise to me. In much poverty I 
 spoke a few words in the ministry. The meeting, however, closed 
 pretty well with prayer. The eighteenth we had a pretty good 
 meeting at the Ridge Meeting ; the power of truth prevailed over 
 a vain-minded people, the virtuous Avere comforted, and the vicious 
 were Avarned of their approaching danger, except tliey should obey 
 the reproof of instruction. The nineteentli we had a precious and 
 heavenly meeting at Holly Spring. The truths of the everlasting 
 gospel eminently Avent forth andlivingly baptized many tender and 
 precious minds."^ Solemn reverence pervaded us, and the meeting 
 ended in mucli tender sympathy and love. Blessed be the name of 
 the Lord ! Tlie twentieth Ave had a poor and exercising meeting at 
 Bethel. I uttered a few Avords in much Aveakness. the minds of 
 the people not being prepared to receive much good. The twenty- 
 first we had a pretty good meeting at Nory. My mind was opened 
 in gospel love, under the gracious influence of Avhich the sincere 
 Avere comforted and the insincere were feelingly admonished. The 
 twenty-second Ave attended the Southern Select Quarterly Meeting 
 at New Salem, and the twenty-third Ave attended the (^larterly 
 Meeting for Avorship and discipline. Friends Avere favored Avith a 
 degree of that love Avhich qualifies for usefulness, by Avhich they 
 Avere enabled to transact the affairs of Society to pretty good satis- 
 faction. I had some service among them, Avhich was acceptable to 
 them. The twenty-fourth being First-day, Ave attended public 
 meeting for Avorship, and had one in the afternoon for the youth. 
 These ineetings were large, and eminently favored. The true fol- 
 lowers of the Lamb Avere much encouraged and edified, and sinners 
 were called to repentance and self-denial, lilessed be the name of 
 the Lord, now and forever! The twenty-fil'th we had a Proving 
 Meeting at Concord. I Avas filled with sorrow, under a sense of 
 unfaitirfulness, being sensible that some of the members of tliis 
 meeting were deficient in many respects. I Avas favored through 
 
Ks2i .lOUHXAL OF THOMAS AHNKTT. ^o 
 
 divine gooilnoss to dear my miml and to point out tiicii- (k'licicucles, 
 8o I left tlieni with u degree of rejoicing. The twenty-sixth we 
 had a good open meeting some miles from New Sak'iu. w liei-i' some 
 Friends live, and where they sometimes hold a meeting for woi-sliip. 
 I was drawn to declare of tlie Lord's gracious dealings, my spirit 
 being clothed witli gratitude to him and with love to my feUow 
 creatures. Tlie twenty-seventh we attended l^ack Ch'eek Monthly 
 Meeting, and it was a low and exercising time. I was })oor anil 
 needy. I however had some acceptable service, and the meeting- 
 ended to i)retty good satisfaction. The twenty-eightli we liad a 
 good meeting at Marlborough. The power of (godliness ])ervaded 
 this meeting. It solemnly closed with ])rayei'. lik'ssed be tlie 
 name of the Lord ! 
 
 My employment for some years past has been teaching scliool, 
 iiaving taught school within the limits of our Monthly Meeting 
 of Union, since I joined the Society of Friends, five years, for 
 Friends' cliildren and others. I entertained that pure regard wliich 
 is the badge of friendship, and they esteemed me with that affection 
 which induced them to receive my instructions and counsel with 
 gratitude, and this principle of regard is still alive with them and 
 with me, and I trust it will be cherished and kept alive during life. 
 1 have taught school, in all, seven years, to general satisfaction, 
 having been studious to improve myself, and diligent to instruct 
 and counsel my pupils in literature and in the principles of virtue 
 and piety. 
 
 Teacliing scliool is certainly a very arduous enijiloyment. and one 
 that requires much learning, virtiie, piety, jiaticiice and assiduity, 
 as well as a 2)enetrating and sound judgment. I have often been 
 alfected with sorrow to see dear and tender children placed under 
 the tuition of those who were ignorant, vicious and vain, who were 
 not acquainted with the principles of virtue and piety. Suck will 
 ever do more hurt to the youth than good. I have been taught Ijy 
 experience that moderation in schools is preferable to severitv. 
 Children should never be reproved in a passion, but they should be 
 re2n-oved with mildness and discretion, and in the spirit of love and 
 meekness, Avhen they violate the precepts of sound wisdom, I have 
 frequently taken solemn opportunities with my students when they 
 violated my orders, and so deeply convicted them with gentle and 
 right words that tears di-opped from their eyes ; and b}^ this means 
 I won their regard and disposed them to receive my advice with 
 gratitude. I believe that the training of children and young people 
 in families, common schools and public seminaries is a matter of 
 the utmost responsibility to those who have them in charge. 
 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old "he 
 will not depart from it." 
 
 A concern having impressed my mind for some years past to visit 
 in gospel love Friends' meetings in Tennessee and tlie meetings of 
 
34 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1823 
 
 Fi-ieiuls that constitute tlie Indiana and Ohio Yearly ilectings. and 
 })elieving the time to be near approacliing for me to pi'oceed in this 
 great work and Aveighty service, I devoted much time to solemn re- 
 tirement before the Lord, in order to know the right time to pro- 
 ceed in this prospect. ])eing fully resigned to his holy will in every 
 respect. My soul was often clothed with awfulness, and the spirit 
 of prayer Avas often raised in me. I besought him to guide me in 
 his own A\ay, and ever to be with me in all his requirings, being 
 sensible that he knew the sincerity of my heart, and Avas able to 
 carry me through his work to his oavu glory and to the peace of my 
 (nxn mind. / 
 
 I Avas one day walking in the solitary Avoods, ruminating in my 
 mind on this concern, and Avhile I Avas pondering it silence and se- 
 renity so renuirkably perA^aded my mind that I stood still : and 
 while thus influenced this prospect opened befoi'e me Avith indubit- 
 able and convincing clearness, and it Avas manifested to me in that 
 pure opening which erases doul)t that the time had fully arrived for me 
 to proceed in this prospect, and all in me became Avilling to be devoted 
 to the divine will and to be governed by infinite Avisdom. I therefore 
 seasonably opened my concern and prospect in our Monthly Meeting, 
 and received the tender sympathy and unity of Friends. They 
 gave me a good certificate, Avhich Avas carried to our Quarterly 
 fleeting of Xcav Garden in the Third month. 1823, and it Avas there 
 a])})roved and endorsed. The Lord Avas pleased to fill my soul with 
 strength, and I gave utterance to the A\'eiglit of my exercise aiul 
 concern to the tendering of my oaa'u heart and the hearts of my 
 friends, and under the influence of his love I obtained the tender 
 sympathy and unity of Friends of this meeting. I put things in 
 order and made pre]iaration for the journey. ]My dear friend. 
 Jomithan Mcndenhall. having found a concern upon his mind to 
 accompany me as far as truth should o])en the Avay. he seasona])ly 
 opened his prospect in our Monthly Meetiiig. aiid obtained the ten- 
 der sympathy and unity of Friends. After visiting a feAV neigh- 
 l)oring meetings of Friends, I had a fareAvell meeting at our meet- 
 ing-house on the tAventieth day of the fourth month, 1823, and 
 First of the Aveek. It Avas very large, and it Avas a tendering, 
 affecting time ; and on the tAventy-sixth day of this month Ave 
 started from the house of my dear companion. We took a solemn 
 and heart-tendering fareAvell of his Avife and children, recommend- 
 ing them to the Lord for preservation and su])port. and rode about 
 forty miles to Dee]) Creek. On the twenty-seventh, being First- 
 <lay. we attended Friends' meeting for Avorship there. I bore a 
 s)nall testimony to good satisfaction ; and on the tAventy-eighth avc 
 took a solemn farewell of our Friends there and jjursued our jour- 
 ney, anil arrived among Friends in Teniu'ssee on the second day of 
 the fifth month. On the third wc liad a meeting at Limestone, 
 Avlievc I fouiul some good service. The fourth, being First-dav. Ave 
 
1823 JOIUXAI. Ol" THOMAS A K N KIT. 35 
 
 liad a mootiiii!" r.t Ne\vh()|ti', and one in the afternoon at Westlaiid. 
 These two nieotings were seasons of divine favor. l)eing owned by 
 the Shepherd of souls. The fifth we had a meeting at Lick Creelv, 
 where I Avas drawn to remind ns of our responsibility to the great 
 Creator. The aged and the youth were tenderly advised to fear 
 him and to give glory to him. The sixth we had a meeting at the 
 Presbyterian meeting-house in tlie town of Greeneville. It was 
 attended by people of different religious denominations. At this 
 meeting I Avas much ojieued in the truths of the gospel, and in 
 l)rayer and supplication. It closed to good satisfaction. Blessed 
 be the Lord I 
 
 We. this afternoon and the two following days, rode about one 
 hundred miles by the Avay of Lost Creek to Newbury, to attend the 
 Quarterly Meeting of Friends there. We had the company of a 
 number of Friends, who were going to Quarterly Meeting ; but I 
 rode much alone, my mind l)eing so remarkably turned heaven- 
 ward that I thought it best to keep silence that my soul might re- 
 ceive a measure of that instruction Avhicli comes down from above ; 
 and the Lord was pleased to lead me in visions to see his wonders 
 and glory. He also pointed out the way in which I should go in 
 this journey, so that I saw my travels opened liefore me for several 
 hundred miles. I also was renewedly convinced that I had under- 
 taken this great journey according to the pointings of truth. The 
 ninth we attended the Select Quarterly Meeting. My spirit was 
 much cast down ; it was a low, trying time. The tenth we attended 
 the Quarterly Meeting for worsliip and discipline. Friends were 
 enabled to transact the affairs of Society to good satisfaction. I 
 found some good and acceptable service among them. Blessed be 
 the name of the Lord ! The eleventh being First-day, the public 
 meeting for worship was very large. It was attended by many sorts 
 of people, and in the openings of pure love I was draAvn to admin- 
 ister the counsel and doctrine of truth to them according to their 
 several states and conditions. The humble were much encouraged, 
 and the disobedient Avere warned to flee from the Avrath to come. 
 The twelfth Ave rode about forty miles through the rain to Lost 
 Creek, and on the thirteenth we had a good meeting at the Valley 
 Meeting. I AA'as favored Avitli a living testimony ; the tender- 
 hearted Avere comforted and sinners were called to rei)eutance. The 
 fourteenth Ave had a hu-ge and heavenly meeting at Lost Creek. 
 The power of the Lord Avas present, and under tlie baptizing in- 
 fluence of his poAver many Avere brought to seriousness. Every 
 class Avas spoken to and invited to the well-spring of eternal life. 
 The meeting ended to good satisfaction. Blessed forever be the 
 Lord : 
 
 HaAing visited the meetings of Friends in Tennessee, Ave took 
 our journey for Cincinnati on the fifteenth, Avhere Ave arrived the 
 twenty-first, after having a solitary and discouraging journeA', and 
 
36 JOUKN'AL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 182:t 
 
 on the twenty-second we attended Friends' Meeting there for Avor- 
 ship. It was a low. proving time to me. I. however, in mncli 
 weakness, bore a small testimony which gave some satisfaction to 
 my drooping soul, and the meeting ended to pretty good satis- 
 faction. 
 
 My spirit for a few chiys past has been much cast d(j\\ii. and my 
 mind has frequently been filled with dai'kness. Try me, Lord I 
 Search me, and see if there be any evil way in me, and lead me in 
 tlie way everlasting. Purge me from time to time, and fit me for 
 thy service, and point out the good and acceptal)le way before me. 
 
 The 2od we rode about thirty miles to the neighborhood of Friends 
 of Elk. and the 24th we rested at a Friend's house. My spirit was still 
 mnch cast down. This was truly a low time with me. I i)rayed the 
 Lord to preserve me in all my dee]) trials. I exercised patience, and 
 was resigned to the divine will. The 25th, being First-day, we at- 
 tended Friends' meeting of Elk, and the Lord was pleased to dissi- 
 pate the clouds of discouragement, and to fill my soul with a measure 
 of his love ; and nnder the influence of this love I was enabled to 
 declare of his Avonders and goodness, and Avith gratitude I sang of 
 his sah'ation. Blessed forever be his holy name I for he e\'er knows 
 what is best for me. He brings Ioav and raises up again. He is my 
 shield and exceeding great rcAvard. Oh I that I may reverently fear 
 him, and give glory to him in my actions, for he is worthy of all 
 praise. noAv and for ever I 
 
 The 2(3th Ave had a good and heavenly meeting at Westfield. 
 Through divine goodness I Avas enabled to declare the Avay of eter- 
 nal life Avith poAver and authority. I trust some good Avas done. 
 The 27th we had a small meeting at Four Mile. The life was Ioav. 
 T, however, in mnch weakness, bore a small testimony to pretty 
 good satisfaction. We. this afternoon, arrived in the State of In- 
 diana (having passed throngh the State of Ohio), and the three 
 folloAving days we had meetings at Salem, Sih'cr Creek and Po})lar 
 Eidge. These Avere pretty good open meetings. I had some good 
 service for the Lord, and on the 31st we rode to New Garden. 
 
 Sixth month, 1st, we attended New Garden First-day meeting, 
 through Avhicli I sat in suffering silence. My spirit Avas much cast 
 down. It groaned and prayed to the Lord for preservation and 
 patience, feeling the Avant of that fortitude which supports in time 
 of discouragement. T"'he 2d and 3d we tarried among the Friends 
 of New Garden, for darkness so pervaded my mind that I coukl 
 not go forAvard. My trials Avere A"ery deep. Divine consolation 
 had AvithdraAvn ; doubts and distressing apprehensions came upon 
 me, so that it was a very low and discouraging time to me. Try 
 me, Lord, according to thine own will ; refine me in the furnace 
 of alTliction. and ever preserA"e me from the pollutions of a sinful 
 and deluded world I The tAvo foUoAving days, way opening for nu' 
 to go forward, we attended tlie Aveek-dav meetings of Friends at 
 
182;! .lOL'KXAL OF THOMAS AHNKTI'. 37 
 
 Dover and Woodbury as tliev eanie in course. The life was low. 
 I, liowever, in the openings of pure wisdom, liad some close, hard 
 labor, believin": there were deticieneies existing among Friends of 
 these two meetings which ought to be removed. I used much 
 plainness among them, and obtained some relief : and tliej were 
 friendly to us, aiul seemed desirous to improve in things which 
 pertain to everlasting life. 
 
 The (ith we attended the Select Quarterly Meeting at Whitewater, 
 where I had some good service for the Lord. Awfulness and deep 
 concern pervaded my mind. I was mnch concerned to go forth in 
 this great journey, to the honor and glory of him who had brought 
 me through many deep trials, and had sent me forth into the world 
 to be a mouth for him. The 7th we were at the Quarterly Meeting 
 for worship and discipline. I was favored with a short but edifying 
 testimony. This meeting was large. Many worthy Friends were 
 present, who seemed to be concerned for the cause of truth ; but I 
 thought there were those present, also, who lived more in the spirit 
 of the world than in the spirit of the gospel, as is the case with 
 many of our Society in many other places where I have been. The 
 8tli the public meeting for worship was very large, being attended 
 by many sorts ; and the Lord was pleased to sound the gospel 
 trumpet, to the edification of his children and to the warning of 
 sinners. We had a precious and heavenly meeting there, in the 
 afternoon, for the youth. It was large, and mucli favored with 
 the doctrines and truths of the gos])el, which many received with 
 tenderness and gratitude. The 9tli we had a small meeting at 
 Orange. This was a low time with me. My sjjirit Avas cast down. 
 I bore a small testimony, which gave me some relief, and the 
 meeting closed Avith solemn prayer. The 10th. Deep exercise at- 
 tended me this morning. My spirit breathed forth in vital prayer 
 to the Lord for his counsel and direction in this great undertaking. 
 Oh I how I desired him to lead me in the right way in these travels. 
 AVe attended Westgrove Monthly Meeting, where I had some good 
 service. Friends were reminded of the necessity of Working while 
 it is day, for the night comes, Avhen none can Avork. The 11th avc 
 had a meeting at AW'st Union, and I thought divine love over- 
 shadowed us, under the influence of Avhich I bore a small testi- 
 mony to pretty good satisfaction. The twelfth Ave hatl a good open 
 meeting at Milford. The ])OAver of the Lord was present, under 
 the guidance of Avhicli I bore a solemn testimony. The i)ure mind 
 Avas stirred up, and the slothful Avere roused to seriousness. 
 
 The tAvo following days avc rode about one hundred miles to 
 Driftwood, and the fifteenth being First-day we attended Friends' 
 meeting there for Avorship, and I was favored Avith the Lord's help 
 to encourage Friends to press forward in the Avay of well-doing, 
 knowing that in due season Ave shall reap if Ave faint not. The six- 
 teenth the refining hand Avas on me. Awfulness })ervaded my soul. 
 
38 .TOrRXAI. ()1- THOMAS AKXKTT. 182:$ 
 
 My feelings were in(leseribal)le. ^ly .s])irit reverently bowed and 
 prayed the Lord to remember me in hi.s loving kindness. We rode 
 about twenty miles to Blue River, and on the seventeentli we had a 
 proving meeting at Poplar Grove. F was under deep exercise. My 
 spirit sympathized with the tried seed. 1 spoke a few words in the 
 ministry, but obtained no relief. Tlie meeting, however, ended 
 pretty well with prayer. The eighteenth we had a ])retty good 
 meeting at Mount Pleasant. The searching power of truth was 
 present, and the states of the people were spoken to. Clicerful- 
 uess. sweetened with gravity, pervaded me this day. Every visil)le 
 object had a pleasing and delightful aspect to nic. Tlie nineteenth 
 we attended the week-day meeting of Frientls at Blue Kiver. as it 
 came in course, and had a meeting there in the afternoon for 
 the youth. These meetings Avere seasons of much divine favor. 
 I was much opened in the gospel, and in prayer and supplica- 
 tion. This Avas an aAvful day with me: my spirit dwelt deep, 
 and experienced the operations of that refining power Avhich 
 separates the vile. from the pure. The twentieth Ave tarried among 
 Friends of Blue River, and had a meeting this evening 1)y early 
 candle light at the court-house in the toAvn of Salem. It was 
 large, and I Avas much opened in the loA'e of the gospel, and in the 
 spirit of prayer and supplication. The tAventy-first we rode about 
 tAventy miles to Lick Creek, and the next day being First-day A\e 
 were at the meeting of Friends there, and the testimony of truth 
 eminently Avent forth to the peace of my mind and to the instruc- 
 tion of Friends. We had a Proving Meeting this afternoon at 
 Beech Grove. The people Avere not in a situation to receive much 
 good. They Avere more Avilling to hear than to im])rove. I spoke 
 awhile in love, but feeling the life to be low. I recommended them 
 to divine goodness and closed the meeting. The twenty-third Ave 
 rode to the neighborhood of Friends on White River, and the next 
 day Ave had a good meeting there. GosjjcI ministry ilowed freely 
 to the tendering and humbling of many minds. The tAventy-fifth 
 AA'e had a small and trying meeting at Indian Creek. I thought 
 that Friends of this meeting were deficient respecting worshiping 
 the Father of mercies in spirit and in truth. I reminded them of 
 this great and indispensable duty, and they appeared to be disposed 
 to iinprove in the Avay of Avell-doing. The tAventy-sixth we rode 
 about thirty miles to a neighborhood where a fcAv Friends live, and 
 on the tAventy-seventh Ave l)ad a meeting at a Friend's house for 
 Friends and their neighbors, and I had a pretty good open time 
 with them. The twenty-eighth Ave rode about fifty miles to the 
 neighborhood of Friends"^of Tunnan's Creek, and tlu- tAventy-ninth 
 being First-day avo Avere at the meeting of Friends there. I was 
 favored to speak to their states in gospel love. The meeting sol- 
 emnly closed Avith supplication. The thirtieth the preciousness of 
 timeAvas this dav rencAvedlv brouuht to mv remembrance. TTow soon 
 
1823 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AHXKTT. ."I'J 
 
 tlie flower of youth passes away, and how soon age overtakes the 
 children of men, and how soon tliey drop into the grave to be seen 
 of men no more ! Oh, that they would be wise betimes in that 
 pure wisdom which comes down from heaven and which would 
 ([ualify them for usefuliless while traveling through time and pre- 
 pare them for the joys and glory of eternity I We had' a heavenly 
 and edifying meeting at Union (this meeting is in the .State of Illi- 
 nois, being the only meeting of Friends in that State). The ba})- 
 tizing power of the Lord was present and baptized many souls with 
 teiulerness and contrition. 
 
 Seventh month, first. The morning was luminous, but clouds of 
 douf)t and fearful apprehensions soon pervaded me, and deep trials 
 came upon me. I supplicated the throne of grace for ])reservati()ii 
 and protection ; and I thought the following language was spoken 
 in the ear of m}^ spirit : " Be patient and abide probations faith- 
 fully, they are for thy good. Repine not at the reproof of instruc- 
 tion, but rejoice in tribulation, for accordhig to thy heights so will 
 be thy deptlis." This injunction disposed me to quietly wait for 
 the return of that pure love which dispels darkness, and erases 
 doubt from the mind, and soothes the solitary. . We had a trying 
 meeting at Honey Creek. My spirit was much cast down ; it was 
 a low time, and a time of deep exercise to me. I spoke a few woi-ds 
 in much weakness, but obtained no relief. So the meeting (dosed 
 with heaviness and discouragement to me. The second we rode 
 about fifteen miles to Spring Creek, and had a small meeting thei'i' 
 on the third. I was favored with a small testimony, to the relief 
 of my mind. Blessed forever be the name of the Lord I fY)r lie 
 is wonderful in all his Avays and gracious in all his dealings. The 
 two following days we rode about seventy miles through a wilder- 
 ness country to White Lick, a newly-settled part, where about forty 
 families of Friends have recently settled, and the sixth being First- 
 day we were at their meeting, and the Lord's testimony went foi-th 
 to the tendering and uniting of many hearts. It Avas a heavenly 
 and i)recious opportunity. The meeting solemnly closed witli 
 prayer. The seventh I felt ])ooy and needy. I was cast down. I 
 had some close trials. I besought the everlasting God to guide me 
 in judgment, and to increase my faith and strengthen my forti- 
 tude, so that I could go forth in his name and fight his battles 
 availingly. We rode about twenty miles to the town of Indian- 
 apolis, where we had a meeting this evening by early candle light 
 at a dwelling-house. It Avas a large, quiet meeting, inost of the i)eo- 
 ple of this town having never before been at a meeting appointed 
 by Friends ; and the way opened for me to speak to them on divei-s 
 subjects, particularly on the value of true and inward retirement 
 before the Lord, and I thought the meeting ended to pretty good 
 satisfaction. The two following days Ave rode to Milford (Avhere 
 Ave had been before). These Avere days of instruction to me. I 
 
40 JOL'HNAL Of THOMAS ARXf:TT. 1823 
 
 was tauglit the necessity of guarding against right liancl as well as 
 left liand errors. The tenth we were at Milford Preparative Meet- 
 ing, where I found some good service for the Lord. It was a com- 
 fortable and strengthening season, and a time of much rejoicing. 
 The eleventh we rode to Fairfied. and had a small meeting there 
 the next dav. I sat some time in suffering silence. I Avas at length 
 favored with a small testimony, to the relief of my mind. The 
 thirteenth we were at Springfield First-day meeting, where I Avas 
 somewhat opened in gosjiel love and in sui)plieation. The four- 
 teenth we had a meeting in the forenoon at Center, and one in the 
 afternoon at Cherry Grove. These meetings were seasons of divine 
 favor. I was enabled through divine goodness to declare the way 
 of salvation and righteousness. The fifteenth we had a favored 
 meeting at Dunkirk. I was much opened in the love of the gos]iel. 
 The meeting ended with gi-atitude and humility. The sixteentli 
 I Avas much exercised. My spirit reverently bowed. We liad 
 meeting in the forenooirat White River, and one in the afternoon 
 at Jericlio. These meetings Avere refreshing seasons. I Avas draAvn 
 to declare the Avay of righteousness. I had some close Avork Avith 
 the lukewarm, believing there Avere such in these meetings. The 
 tender hearted Avere enconi-aged to press forward in the Avay of self- 
 denial. The seventeenth I felt solitary and discouraged. I had 
 much concern for my preservation. Vie had u small meeting at 
 Xorwich. I was favored Avitli authority to encourage the sincere 
 and to advise the insincere The eighteenth 1 Avas much proved 
 and exercised. We had a meeting at Arba ; and, after sitting some 
 time in silence, I Avas opened in testimony to the comfort and edi- 
 fication of Friends. It was a pretty good meeting, and ended Avitli 
 solemn praver. The nineteenth Ave Avere at New Garden Monthly 
 Meeting. Avhere I found some good service for the Lord. Blessed 
 forever'be his holy name I The twentieth we were at Chester First- 
 day meeting, and experienced the refreshing presence of him who 
 leads his devoted followers in the Avay of righteousness and peace. 
 My understantling was opened, and the doctrines of truth were de- 
 liA-ered to edification and consolation. We, this afternoon, had a 
 meeting at Smyrna, and, after sitting some time in silence, the 
 spirit of prayer Avas breathed on me, after which I was drawn to 
 address tlie youth in gospel love ; so the meeting ended pretty Avell. 
 The twenty-first my understanding was opened to meditate on the 
 goodness and wisdom of God. I considered the immensity of his 
 works, and Avas renewedly made sensible that in wisdom he created 
 the lieavens and the earth and everything else which he formed, 
 and that he had made nothing in Aain, but everything that he made 
 Avas good. We had a meeting at tlie Hidge Meeting, and I Avas 
 favored to speak to the people in the power and love of the truth, 
 to the tendering and comforting of many minds. The twejity- 
 second, visited sonic families; and the twenty-third, iittended the 
 
1823 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 41 
 
 Weok-dav Meet i no- of Friends at New Hojie, as it came in course, 
 which was a pro\ ino- time to me. Tlie life of religion was low. I 
 had some close and searching labor with Friends of tliis meeting, 
 being sensible that they had but a small portion of that love which 
 (iuickens and makes alive. I recommended them to the fountain 
 of all good, and parted with them with a degree of rejoicing. The 
 twenty-fourth Ave were at the opening of a meeting for worship by 
 the name of Lynn, and divine wisdom administered, mucli instruc- 
 tion and counsel. 1 was opened in tlie love of the truth to declare 
 the Lord's goodness and mercy ; I was also o^jcned in the spirit of 
 prayer and su|)})licati()n. 
 
 The twentv-tiftli we were at the Select Q.uarterly Meeting of 
 Friends at Xew Garden, and it was somewhat a low time, and 
 Friends ai)peared to be sensible of it. The next day we were at 
 the Quarterly Meeting for worship and discipline, through which I 
 sat in suffering silence. The business of the meeting was trans- 
 ad ed to pretty "good satisfaction, a number of well-concerned and 
 exercised Friends being ])resent. The twenty-seventh being First- 
 day we were at the public meeting for worship. I was drawn to 
 bear a short but solemn testimony. We had a heavenly and edify- 
 ing meeting this afternoon at this place for the youth. It was 
 large and much favored with doctrine and counsel; many were 
 melted into tenderness and contrition, and the meeting concluded 
 with solem prayer and sui)plication, after which I took a heart- 
 tendering leave "of a number of l'"riends, who were full of love and 
 sympathv for me. 
 
 ' My dear friend, Jonathan ^lendenhall, believed his service in 
 this work to be done, and feeling easy to return homeward, having 
 traveled as far as his prospect extended when we set out together. 
 It was a trial to me to iiart with him. I could not, however, urge 
 liim to go forward; I therefore left him at liberty, trusting to 
 Providence respecting another companion to accomijany me in this 
 journey. We, therefore, this evening took a heart-melting fare- 
 well of each other, with tears and desires for our preservation, 
 having traveled together in true gospel love and Christian har- 
 mony, his sympathy having often boi'ne me up in low seasons. 
 Mav'thc Lord bless him forever I 
 
 The twenty-eighth. Having visited most of the meetings of 
 Friends in the State of Indiana, I therefore this day, in company 
 with Paul Beard, a resi)ectable Friend of Cherry Grove Monthly 
 
 Meeting, rode through tlie rain about thirty-five miles to the State 
 of Ohio, and had a good and highly-favored meeting the next day 
 at Union. The doctrines of the everlasting truth were delivered 
 to the comfort and instruction of many minds, and the Lord's 
 l)()wer was over all. Blessed forever be his name I The thirtieth 
 we had a small and exercising meeting at Concord, where I sat 
 some time in silence : and Avhile I was musing numy subjects were 
 
42 .TOFRXAL OF THOMAS AilXKTT. isti 
 
 presented to the view of my miud wliicli ;i|)]ieared to be replete 
 with instruction ; but they had not the liglit of life in them, there- 
 fore I forebore to communicate them, knowing they would not 
 avail anything to fhe peace of my own mind or to the glory of him 
 Avho ever knows best how and Avhen to instruct his people. After 
 the Lord had sutliciently proved me, and found no disposition in 
 me to speak in his name without the light and life of truth, he 
 enabled me to bear a small testimony to good satisfaction. Blessed 
 be his holy name ! 
 
 We had a meeting this afternoon at Mill Creek, where I had 
 good service for the Lord. The solitary and discouraged were 
 soothed, and the lukewarm were roused to serious reflection. The 
 meeting closed with prayer. The thirty-first. My mind this morn- 
 ing was luminous and replete with serious reflection. I meditated 
 on many passages of the Holy Scriptures, and received instruction. 
 We were at West Brancli week-day meeting, as it came in course, 
 where I sat in suffering silence till near the close of meeting, when 
 I Uttered a few words, but obtained no relief of mind. After 
 meeting, for a few hours, my spirit was deeply tried ; darkness and 
 doiibtful a})prehcnsions pervaded me ; the very face of nature aji- 
 peared to frown on me. I felt rebuked and much cast down. I 
 was much alone, and kept silence. We had a large meeting there 
 this afternoon for the youth, and the Lord was pleased to turn 
 away my probations and to fill my soul with gosi)el love, and in 
 demonstration of his spirit and power I was drawn to open manv 
 doctrinal points to the instruction of many. I trust some good 
 was done. Tlie meeting solemnly concluded with sui)plication. 
 Blessed forever be the name of him who works for his own eternal 
 glory and for the good of the children of men ! 
 
 Eighth month, first. We had a very solemn meeting at IJocky 
 Spring. The necessity of standing ready to meet the Author of all 
 Good was brought to remembrance ; it was a tendering time. Wo 
 had a pretty good meeting this afternoon at Randolph. It Avas a 
 tendering, open time, and a season of refreshment. The second 
 we rode about eighteen miles to Sugar Creek, and tiie next day 
 being First-day we were at Friends' meeting for worship there, 
 where I was favored with a short testimony to the relief of my 
 mind, after sitting some time in silence. This evening the refin- 
 ing hand was on me ; awfulness and solemnity pervaded my soul, 
 I felt solitary and disconsolate, T endeavorecl to abide in stillness 
 and to kee]) silence, I prayed heaven to preserve and protect me in 
 every vicissitude. Oh I the necessity of frequently abiding the 
 Refiner's operations ; to be ]mrged from time to time from the iiol- 
 lutiona of sin and iniquity; for this is a world abounding with 
 temptations and sin of every kind, and he who is saved must hv 
 purged and made clean by him who is full of purity, mercy and love. 
 
 The four I'oUowiDg days we had meetings at S])i-ingboroiigli, 'Pur- 
 
1823 .rori{XAL OF THOMAS ai{xi:tt. 43 
 
 tie Creek, Hopewell and bhe Grove Meeting. These meetings were 
 seasons of refreshment to many precious souls ; the followei-s of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ were edified and eomfortcd, and 
 sinners were entreated to turn from the darkness to light in tlie day 
 of their heavenly visitation. 
 
 The eighth. My concern this morning was very deep : my s])irit 
 was clothed witli humility and solemnity. I implored the Lord to 
 guide and direct mo in his own way, and to he with me in all my 
 goings through time. We attended* Miami Select Quarterly Meet- 
 ing of Friends at Waynesville, and under deep exercise I bore a 
 small testimony and approached the throne of grace in supplica- 
 tion. I this evening enjoyed peace and quietness of mind. The 
 ninth we were at the Quarterly Meeting of Friends for worship and 
 discipline. It was very large. Many worthy and respectable 
 Friends were present. I found some good service for the Lord. 
 The next day being First-day the public meeting for worship was 
 also very large, and I was empowered to sound the gospel trumpet 
 with power and authority. We had a large and pretty good 
 meeting here this afternoon for the youth. I was much opened in 
 the counsels and doctrines of the gospel. The virtuous were edi- 
 fied and encouniged, and the vicious were much convicted of the 
 evil of their doings. The meeting ended witli prayer. 
 
 Here my dear friend, William Nixon, of New Garden ]V[onthly 
 Meeting, in the State of Indiana, met me, in order to travel with 
 me, he having found a concern upon his mind to accompany me in 
 this journey as far as truth should open the way. Here I also 
 parted with my dear friend Paul Beard, wlio had agreeably been 
 my companion for some days past. 
 
 The eleventh we had a large and good meeting at C.esar's Creek. 
 The power of the Lord was over all, and his testimony went forth 
 to the tendering and instructing of many precious minds, and to 
 the warning of those who trusted in the riches and honors of a 
 sinful and deluded world. Praised forever be his holy name ! We 
 had a very trying and exercising meeting tiiis afternoon at Rich- 
 land. I was made sensible that the people were not in a situation 
 to receive much good. I therefore, after sitting some time in si- 
 lence, spoke a few words in love and much tenderness, and then 
 closeil tiie meeting. I this evening enjoyed that perfect peace 
 which this world can neither give nor take away. Blessed be the 
 name of the Lord I 
 
 The three following <lays w(^ had meetings at New Hope, Seneca 
 and Dover. These meetings were seasons of divine favor. TJie 
 everlasting gospel was preached with that searching power which 
 chains down the evil in man and reaches to the good seed in him. 
 Many precious minds were much tendered, edified and encouraged 
 to press heavenward. The aged and the youth were spoken to in 
 the love of the truth. Blessed l)e the name of God ! 
 
44 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AHXETT. 1823 
 
 The fifteenth. We had a meeting- this forenoon at Lytle's Creek 
 and one in the afternoon at Springfield. These meetings were 
 precious, heavenly ones. The sincere were much encouraged and 
 sinners were called to repentance and self-denial. The sixteenth 
 we were at Center Monthly Meeting, where I had much good ser- 
 vice for the Lord. This meeting was large, and remarkably owned 
 by the gread head of the church. The next day being First-day 
 the meeting for worsliip there was very large, and I was largely 
 opened in the spirit of prayer and in the spirit and power of the 
 everlasting gospel. Awfulness pervaded this meeting, and many 
 tender and i)recious minds were much instructed in the way of sal- 
 vation and righteousness. The light of truth transcendently shined 
 m many to the melting of them into tears and contritioit. Every 
 state was spoken to in the love of Jesus Christ. The meeting- 
 ended to good satisfaction. Blessed forever be the Lord I The 
 eighteenth we had a large and pretty good meeting at the court- 
 house in the town of Wilmington. It was attended by many classes 
 of people, and I had a free, open time with them in declaring the 
 doctrines and truths of the gospel. The meeting ended to satis- 
 faction. 
 
 Having felt drawings in my mind for some days past toward the 
 youth in the city of Cincinnati, we now turned our course thither- 
 ward, and had a meeting at a Friend's liouse on the way on the 
 twentieth, where a few Friends live remote from their meeting. I 
 had some small service among them. We this evening arrived in 
 the city, and next day we were at Friends' week-day meeting, as 
 it came in course, where I had some good service. AVe had a good 
 open meeting at Friends' meeting-liouse this afternoon for the 
 youth of this city, and the Lord's power was over all. I was largely 
 opened in the doctrines of the gospel. Many were much broken 
 and reached. It was a solemn, tendering time. The meeting 
 ended to good satisfaction. The twenty-second we had a small 
 meeting at Sj)ringfield among the Presbyterians, and I had a free, 
 open time with them, and they were very kind and friendly to us. 
 The next day Ave rode to the vicinity of Friends of Newburg, and 
 the twenty-fourth being First-day we were at Friends' meeting for 
 worship there, and I was enabled, through divine goodness, to 
 divide the bread of life according to the states of the people. We 
 had a meeting this afternoon at Turtle Creek, where I was favoi'cd 
 with truth's testimony and with ])rayer, to good satisfaction. The 
 five following days we had meetings at East York, Clear Creek, 
 Fall Creek, Wahuit C'reek and Lee's Creek. These meetings were 
 favored opportunities. The Lord was with me and ein])owered me 
 to declare the doctrines and the truths of the gos[)el. The con- 
 cerned and well-inclined were renewedly encouraged to hold out 
 faitiiful to the end, and the negligent and lukewarm were awaki-ned 
 to serious thouffhtfulness and reflection. The thii'ticth we were at 
 
18j:! JOrnXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 4-5 
 
 Fairfield Muntlilv Meeting, and in the openings of divine love T luid 
 some goood service. Tlie next being First-day tlie pnblie meeting 
 for worship there was large, through which I sat in silence, except 
 a few words which T spoke just before the close of the meeting, 
 tending to remind the people of the necessity of looking to God 
 for divine instruction. We had a very large and pretty good meet- 
 ing there this afternoon for the youth. Truth's testimony went 
 forth to the encouragement and instruction of the well-inclined, 
 and to the warning and admonition of the vain and proud. The 
 meeting ended to satisfaction. Praised be the name of the Lord, 
 now and forever I 
 
 Ninth month, first and second. We rode to the neighborhood 
 of Green Plain, and the next day attended the week-day meeting 
 of Friends there, and I was considerably opened in testimony and 
 in praver. It was a ])retty good meeting. 
 
 My "dear companion, William Xixon, having been unwell for 
 some days past, and now grew worse, we were under the necessity 
 to tarry in this vicinity awhile, he not being able to travel. The 
 fourth "I left him awhile m the care of Friends, to attend Plum 
 Grove week-day meeting for worship, which was small. I was fav- 
 ored with a short testimony and with supplication. I returned to 
 him in the evening and found him no better. The 5th and Gth I 
 tended on him faitlifully. He grew worse. I sometimes doubted 
 his recovery. I was much cast down under clouds of discourage- 
 ment. I felt very solitary and disconsolate ; darkness pervaded my 
 drooping soul ; cries went up to God for his preservation and guid- 
 ance. "Some dear Friends, who were sensible of my discouraged 
 situation, greatlv sympathized with me, and their unfeigned kindness 
 and attention tended somewhat to soothe me. The 7th being First- 
 day, I was at Friends' meeting for worshi]3 at Green Plain, and the 
 Lord was pleased to dispel the clouds of discouragement, and to 
 open my understanding in the love and in the power of the gosju'l, 
 and in the spirit of supplication, so that I had much good service 
 for him. Blessed forever be his holy name 1 I this afternoon iiad 
 a good and open meeting there for the youth, and the truth's tes- 
 timony went forth with that power which quickens the sincere and 
 convicts sinners. The meeting ended with prayer and supplica- 
 tion. The 8th, no probability appearing that my companion would 
 by any means be able to continue the journey, I therefore, with the 
 counsel of Friends and his approbation, came to the conclusion to 
 leave him here in the care of Friends, and pursue my journey, feel- 
 ing easy in my mind to go forward. I took a solemn leave of him 
 this morning, recommended liim to divine protection, and in com- 
 pany with Seth Smith, a respectable Friend of Green Plain Monthly 
 Meeting, rode upward of thirty miles to King's Creek, and the 
 ■ next day had a trving meeting there. The life was low. I, how- 
 ever, found some small service for the Lord. [I afterwards heard 
 
46 JOIKNTAL OF TIKXMAS AKXKTT. 1823 
 
 that this friend recovered and got home to his family. His com- 
 pany wliile with mo was very agreeable. He was meek and sincej-e. 
 AVe traveled together in gospel love and tender sympathy.] The 
 10th we had a good and heavenly meeting at Go^^heu. I was much 
 opened in a living, baptizing testimony ; the pure in heart were 
 much encouraged and comforted, and the lukewarm were tenderly 
 admonished. The meeting concluded with solemn prayer. The 
 11th we had a pretty open meeting at the Valley Meeting. The 
 states of the people Avere spoken to in the life and power of the 
 gospel. The meeting ended with prayer. The 12th we had a 
 small meeting at Upland, where I bore a small testimony to good 
 satisfaction. The 13th we rested at a Friend's house/ and the next 
 day being First-day, we Avere at Friends' meeting for worship at 
 Darby Creek, and had a meeting there in the afternoon for the 
 youth. These meetings were seasons of much divine favor. The 
 doctrines and truths of the gospel went forth with power. The 
 upright Avere edified and encouraged, and sinners were visited with 
 the tender visitation of divine love. Blessed be the Lord I Here 
 my beloved friend, Jesse Faulkner, a respectable Friend of Center 
 Monthly Meeting (in Clinton Co., Ohio), met me, with a prospect of 
 traveling Avith nic in this journey, he having found a concern upon 
 his mind to accompany me as far as truth should open the Avay, 
 Avhich was a great satisfaction to me. The loth. I this morning 
 took leave of my dear friend, Seth Smith, who had agreeably been 
 my companion for a few days past, and, in company with Jesse 
 Faulkner, rode this day and the next about fifty miles to the neigh- 
 borhood of Friends of Allum Creek, and had a small meeting there 
 the 17th, Avliere my mind was draAvn to supplicate the throne of grace, 
 and to bear the testimony of truth to good satisfaction. The 18th Ave 
 had a small meeting at a Friend's house (Avhere Friends sometimes 
 hold meeting for Avorship). I had some small service. Tiie 19th Ave 
 had another small meeting at a Friend's house, and one in tlie after- 
 noon on the liead of Allum Creek (places where Friends also hold 
 meetings for Avorship. These three meetings Avere Avithin the lim- 
 its of Allum Creek ilonthly Meeting). I was drawn to speak in 
 the Lord's name at these two meetings to edification and comfort. 
 Tlie 20th Ave rode about twenty miles to OavI Creek, and tlie next 
 day being First-day, avc Avere at Friends' meeting for worship there, 
 Avhere I found much good service for the Lord, both in the ministry 
 and in prayer and sui)plieation. This ])Ower Avas over all. Blessed 
 be his adorable name, noAV and forever ! 
 
 Having visited most of the meetings that constitute the Indiana 
 Yearly Meeting, Ave, the tAvo following days, rode about sixty miles 
 to Kendal (Avithin the limits of Ohio Yearly Meeting), and had a 
 proving meeting there the 24th. The life Avas low. I Avas much 
 exercised. A\ ay oi^ened, however, at length, for me to clear my 
 mind to pretty good satisfaction. The 25tli we had a meeting at 
 
is-JS ,)()IH\AI. OF THOMAS AltNKTT. 47 
 
 Deer Creek, and it was a proving, low time. J, however, liad some 
 elose and searching labor, believing tliat l"'riends of this meeting 
 had more of the form than the power of godliness, I was under 
 dee}) exercise this day. I addicted myself to serious retirement 
 liefore the Lord, and kept silence. ]My spirit was clothed with 
 humility, ])atience and meekness. 'JMie 20th Ave had a heavenly 
 open meeting at Lexington, where 1 was o})cned in a living, baptiz- 
 ing testimony, to the awakening of many to seriousness and con- 
 cern. The 27th Ave Avere at Marlborough Monthly Meeting, Avhere 
 I. Avas opened in gospel love to declare the Lord's goodness and 
 gracious dealings. Blessed for ever be his great name ! The 28tli, 
 l)eing First-day, Ave Avere at Friends' meeting of S])ringfield. I was 
 .silent, except a fcAv Avords Avhich I uttered just l)efore the close of 
 the meeting. I Avas much exercised this evening ; prayer Avas re- 
 newed in me, that I may ever be preserved from a spurious minis- 
 try, and that I may go forth in the purity, life and poAver of the 
 gospel,, working in the Lord's vineyard to the peace of my own 
 mind and to the praise and glory of his holy name. The tAvo fol- 
 lowing days Ave had meetings at Groshen and Center, and at both of 
 these places I Avas draAvn to declare the Avay of eternal life Avith 
 ])ower, and serious impressions Avere nmde on the minds of many. 
 I thought some good Avas done. 
 
 Tenth Mouth 1st. My exercise Avas very deep ; my spirit Avas 
 clothed Avith aAvfulness and prayer. I dwelt deeji and drcAv near 
 the throne of grace, and communed Avith him Avho liA'eth for ever 
 and ever. We had a good and heavenly meeting at Salem. It Avas 
 large and much favored Avith the doctrines of the e\'erlasting gos- 
 pel. The Lord's poAver Avas over all. The faithful folloAvcrs of 
 Christ Avere much encouraged to press forAvard in the Avay of life 
 and peace, and the Avick^d Avcre warned to flee from the Avrath to 
 come. AVe had a large and pretty good meeting there this after- 
 noon for the youth, which Avas also favored with the doctrines and 
 counsel of the gospel. Blessed for ever be the holv name of the 
 Lord : 
 
 The 2d we had meetings at Fairfield and Columbian. I had 
 some close and searching labor Avith the lukcAvai'ni and formal ; but 
 the sincere Avere comforted and encouraged, and the youth appeared 
 to be tender and contrite under a sense of divine goodness. The 
 3d Ave had a j^retty good meeting at MiddletoAvn. Tlirough divine 
 goodness I Ijore a small testimony to good satisfaction. The meet- 
 ing ended with })rayer. The 4tli. I Avas very deeply impressed 
 this morjiing Avith a measure of that ])ower Avliich begets a true 
 concern and gives a right spirit of judgment. My understanding 
 Avas opened, and I Avas led in the visions of the Almighty. Large 
 fields of labor in the Avork of the ministry Avere presented to the 
 view of my mind. All Avithin me reverently bowed, and became 
 Avilliug to do the Avill of heaven. I kept silence, and receiA'ed a 
 
48 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARN-ETT, i«is 
 
 portion of tliat iustrnetion which emuiiates from the throne of 
 grace. We had a very highly favored meeting at Elk Run. The 
 light and life of truth triumphed over darkness, and the doctrines 
 of the eternal and glorious gospel convincingly and availingly went 
 forth to the melting of many into tears anil compunctions. I 
 thought every individual was reached and hrought to acknowledge 
 tlie truths and tlie power of the gospel. Awfulness and serenity 
 2)ervaded the minds of the peojile, and they were, every one of 
 them, I believed, fully convinced that the true gospel of Christ was 
 I)reached to them Avitli life and with power. Magnified for ever he 
 the name of him who works miracles and wonders both in the 
 heavens and in the earth, and who makes known the way of right- 
 eousness to the children of men I 
 
 The 5th being First-day, we were at Friends' Meeting of Car- 
 mel, where I began to speak with a small opening soon after the 
 meeting was gathered ; and by being deliberate and heeding the 
 motions of divine life I was gradually opened and drawn out into 
 much gospel labor. Many were broken into tears and tenderness : 
 the sincere rejoiced in God, their salvation, and sinners were 
 brought to weep on account of their wickedness and disobedience. 
 The Gth we had meeting at Young's Meeeting, where my spirit Avas 
 cast down in the forepart ; but in the latter ]iart the power of truth 
 arose and reigned over a light-minded people, so that the meeting 
 ended well. The 7th we had a meeting at l^eaver Falls, where I 
 also was cast down for a while, till the light and life of truth arose 
 in dominion and gave me utterance. The power of divine life pre- 
 vailed over a jirond, high-minded people. The meeting endetl well 
 with solemn jirayer. The 8th we were at the week-day meeting 
 of Friends in the town of New Lisbon, and had a public meeting 
 in the afternoon. These meetings were favored with the counsel 
 and instruction of the truth. I was opened in the power of divine 
 love to declare the word of eternal life to edification and con- 
 solation. Blessed be the Lord ! The 9th we had a good meeting 
 at New Garden. I was favored with a short but edifying tes- 
 timony. Divine love pervaded our minds, and united us in tender 
 sympathy and Christian fellowship. ^Xc this afternoon had a 
 trying and exercising meeting at the Grove Meeting. After sitting 
 some time in suffering silence, I bore a small testimony in much 
 weakness, and the meeting ended to pretty good satisfaction. The 
 10th Ave had a large meeting at Sandy Spring, where I had much 
 to say in tender love. I was under deep exercise while I spoke. 
 'I^he meeting ended pretty Avell with solemn prayer and sujjplication. 
 The 11th we had a small meeting at Franklin, and it Avas a pretty 
 good and favored time. The 12th, being First-day, Ave had a large 
 and good meeting at Augusta. '^Fhe poAver of truth arose in do- 
 minion over a lukewarm and forgetful ]ieo]ile. There Avere some 
 sincere ones present, and these Avere much encouraged to press for- 
 
1823 -lOlltNAI. Ol' TIlOMAr- A K N KT'I'. 49 
 
 ward in the way of life and salvation. The meeting coiieliuled witli 
 supplication. 'JMie lOtii we rode ul)out twenty miles to Cross 
 Creek, and the next day had a pretty good meeting there. The 
 necessity of true watchfulness unto prayer was brought to re- 
 meml)rance. The meeting ended to good satisfaction. The loth 
 we had a large and heavenly meeting at Hmithficld, soon after 
 the gathering of which I was much opened in the power and doc- 
 trines of the truth, and through divine ability I Avas enabled to 
 divide the bread of life according to the states of the people. The 
 16th we were at Short Creek Prejiarative Meeting, where I was 
 drawn to address the youth in gosi)el love. I was also favored with 
 prayer. The 17th we had a good open meeting at Harrisville, 
 Avhere I had much service for the Lord. Sinners were called to re- 
 pentance and self-denial, a)id the sincere were edified ami much 
 comforted. Tlie 18th we had a small meeting at Little Vork. and 
 through divine goodness it was made a i)retty good oi)portunity. 
 The I'.ith, being First-day. we had a large and favored meeting at 
 West ( Trove. The baptizing power of trutii was present, and nniny 
 were brought to seriousness and tenderness. The meeting ended 
 to good satisfaction. We, this afternoon, had a good and favored 
 meeting at the court-house in the city of Cadiz. I w'as much 
 opened in the teachings and principles of the truth. I thought 
 some good was done. Praised forever be the name of him wlio 
 instructs, preserves, and protects the meek and lowly in heart ! 
 The 20th, we had a pretty good meeting at Brushy Fork. The 
 faithful Avere encouraged, and the slothful were tenderly and affec- 
 tionately admonished. The 21st, Ave had a proving meeting at 
 Freeport. The life Avas Ioav at this place. I had some hard and close 
 work with a lukeAvarm and formal people. The 22d, we had a pre- 
 cious and good meeting at Guer}isey. I was largely opened in the 
 life and })ower of the glorious gospel. Many precious and good 
 things Avere brought to remembrance. Evei-y class was spoken to, 
 with that searching })ower Avhicli reaches the Avitness for truth. 
 The power of the Ijord Avas over all. Blessed forever be his name ! 
 The three following days Ave Avere at the Monthly Meetings of 
 Friends as they came in course at Plainfield, Flushing, and Still- 
 water. These meetings were refreshing seasons from the Lord. I 
 had much good service, being ojoencd in that pure love Avhich gives 
 liberty and freedom, and fits the saints for use in the church. The 
 2Gth being First-day, Ave were at the public meeting of 
 Friends for worship at Stillwater, and had one there in the after- 
 noon for the youth. These meetings were large, and much 
 favored with the counsel and truths of the gospel. Many Avere 
 brought to tenderness and contrition. The poor in spirit had the 
 gospel livingly and savingly preached to them, and the high-minded 
 were entreated to abide in the valley of humility, and "to be open 
 a,nd pliable to tlie monitions and reproofs of the Spirit of the Lord. 
 
50 JOli^XAL OF TJIO-MAS AltXETT. IKS 
 
 The 37th we were at Somerset Monthly Meeting, and tlirough 
 the Lord's goodness and mercy, this meeting was made a refreshing 
 and heavenly season. The sincere hearted were enabled to sing in 
 their spirits the song of deliverance, and the remiss were awakened 
 to serions reflection. The 28th, we had a meeting at Feathei'wood, 
 where the life of religion was low, but the power of the Lord was 
 over a lukewarm and unconcerned people, many of whom 
 were much reached and convicted. Adored forever be his holy 
 name I We this afternoon and the next day rode to Zanesville, and on 
 the 30th we were at Friends' week-day meeting in that town. It 
 was a small, weak meeting. I had some small service to good sat- 
 isfaction. 
 
 The ;51st, we rode about thirty miles to Deerfield, and on the 1st 
 of the 11th month we had a favored meeting there. The poAver 
 of the Lord was felt, and I Avas drawn to speak in his name to the 
 tendering and humbling of many minds. The meeting closed 
 with solemn prayer. The 2d, being First-day, we had a good 
 meeting at Meigs' Creek, and the Lord's testimony went forth to 
 the edifying and comfort of many minds. The two following- 
 days we returned to Stillwater, and on the 5tli we were at Fj-iends^ 
 week-day meeting there, and it was a comfortable season. We had 
 a favored meeting this afternoon at the Eidge meeting. Many 
 precious and tender souls were much edified and encouraged, and 
 the remiss were reminded of their duties. The meeting solemnly 
 concluded with prayer and supplication. The Gth, we had a very 
 favored meeting at Captena. Soon after the meeting was gathered, 
 I was much opened in gospel love. I found much to say. Every 
 state I thought was spoken to. Blessed be the Lord I 
 
 The ith. I was deeply and awfully impressed this morning. I 
 renewed my petition to the everlasting God, and prayed liim to be 
 with me always, and preserve me to the glory and honor of his 
 great and adorable name. We had a meeting at Goshen, at the 
 usual hour of Friends' meeting, for all classes, and one in the after- 
 noon for the youth. These meetings were seasons of consolation 
 and instruction. They were large, and much favored with the 
 "VYord and doctrines of eternal life. The Lord's power was over all, 
 and many were broken into tenderness and contrition. I thought 
 some good was done. Every class Avas spoken to, in the love and 
 power of the gospel. Praised forever Ije the name of him, with 
 whom there is everlasting strength ! The 8th, we had a meeting 
 at Plainfield, (where Ave had been at Monthly Meeting before). I 
 was under deep exercise at tliis meeting, being sensible that the life 
 of religion was low at this ])lace, and that many Avho Avere 
 present had more pride than humility. My spirit mourned and 
 besought the Lord to have mercy on us, and at length he arose 
 and empowered me, I believe, to place the burden Avhere it 
 belonged, so that I came away much relieved in my OAvn mind. 
 
1825 .JOriiXAI. Ol' THOMAS A l{ N K'lT. 51 
 
 l*niisi'(l forever be his name I Tlie 'Jth, we were at Friends' First- 
 day meeting, in the town of Saint Clairsville, and had a meeting- 
 there in the afternoon for the youth. These Averc truly trying and 
 exercising meetings to me, being made sensible of the hardness of 
 the hearts of many who were present, that tliey were full of con- 
 ceit, and loved the riches and glory of this world more than the 
 cross. I had some hard labor among them, adverted to their defi- 
 ciencies, and left them with a degree of joy and consolation. 
 
 The 10th, we had a glorious and good meeting at Concord. The 
 invincible power of the everlasting God was over all. I felt as 
 though I had been raised from the dead, having been much cast 
 down for awhile past, but now that eternal power which can shake 
 the heavens and the earth, arose into demonstration, and gave me 
 strength and utterance to open several important doctrines, every 
 soul appeared to be hushed into a degree of awfnlness and rever- 
 ence, and many were melted into tears and tenderness. All praise 
 and honor be ascribed to him from whom proceeds every good and 
 perfect gift I We, this afternoon and the next day, rode to Con- 
 naughton, and had a good, favored meeting there, on the I'^'th. I 
 was enabled through divine guidance to point out the way which 
 leads to everlasting peace. The peojile Avere open to receive what 
 Avas said Avitli gratitude and humility. The meeting ended to good 
 satisfaction. The next day Ave rode to tlie toAvn of Mount Pleas- 
 ajit, and attended the select Quarterly Meeting of Friends there on 
 the 14:th, through Avhicli I sat in suffering silence. The 15th, 
 we Avere at the Quarterly Meeting of Friends for Avorship 
 and discipline.. It Avas large and much favored Avith tlie help 
 of divine gQodness. I had some good service for the Lord, ^[any 
 experienced and Avorthy Friends Avere present, and I tliought there 
 Avere those also present A\dio loved the riches of this Avorld more 
 than those of eternity. The next day being First-day, Ave Avere at 
 the public meeting for worship, and had one in the afternoon for 
 the youth. These meetings Avere open, favored seasons. The 
 youth's meeting Avas large, and a glorious good meeting, being 
 much favored Avith the doctrines of the gospel. It conchided with 
 solemn prayer and supplication. 
 
 The ITth. Having visited most of the meetings of Friends in 
 the State of Ohio, we this day rode to the neighborhood of Friends 
 on the head of Wheeling, in the western part of Pennsylvania, 
 and had a good, open meeting there the next day. I was favored, 
 in the opening of divine love, to speak to the people according to 
 their states and conditions. The lUth, Ave rode about twenty miles 
 to Pike Kun, and had meeting there the next day, AA'here I was 
 much cast down for awhile, but at length truth arose in dominion 
 over a loose, lukeA\arm spirit. The faithful Avere encouraged and 
 much comforted, aiid the disobedient Avere re])roved. We this 
 afternoon had a meeting at Westland, Avhere I had some small 
 
o2 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1823 
 
 service, but obtained no relief, my mind being borne down under 
 deep exercise. Tlie 21st we had a small and trying meeting at 
 ]\ruddy Creek. The pure life was low and weak at this place. Truth's 
 searching power pointed out things just as they were, so that the 
 meeting ended pretty Avell. The 22d, we had another meeting at 
 Westland, for the youth and others. It was large, and through 
 divine goodness I was enabled to clear my mind to good satisfac- 
 tion. The Lord's power prevailed over a careless and disobedient 
 people. The meeting ended with sujDplication. The next day 
 being First-day, we were at the meeting of Friends for worship at 
 Eedstone, and had one there in the afternoon for the youth. 
 These meetings were seasons of much divine favor. Truth tri- 
 umjihcd over all. I was much opened in the light and doctrines of 
 the gospel, to the edification and warning of many. The 24th, 
 we had a pretty good meeting at Center. I was favored to address 
 the people according to their states and conditions. 
 
 The 25th, we were at Providence Monthly Meeting, where I found 
 some good service for the Lord : and the next day we had a large 
 public meeting there, and it was a veiy solemn time. The light 
 and i^ower of faith triumphed over all. I was largely opened in the 
 love and doctrines of the gospel. The folloAvers of Christ were 
 encouraged, and sinners were reminded of their disobedience, and 
 invited to turn from the evil of their doings and serve their Creator 
 with sincerity and uprightness. The 27th, Ave had meeting at 
 Sewickby, at the usual hour of Friends' meeting, and one in the 
 afternoon for the youth ; and through divine favor, these meetings 
 were made heavenly and edifying seasons. The power of truth was 
 over all. The principles of pure religion were exi)]aiined to the 
 people, many of whom were reached and much tendered. Blessed 
 be the name of God I Wc, the next day, returned to Redstone ; 
 and on the 29th I parted with my dear friend and sympathizing 
 companion, Jesse Faulkner, he feeling easy now to return home- 
 ward. It was a great trial for us to part, having traveled together 
 in true gospel love, and in the unity of the spirit; being united 
 while we were together in that tender and true love which is the 
 bond of peace, and the source of all durable consolation. We took 
 a heart-melting farewell of each other, with prayers in our hearts 
 to the Lord for our preservation and faithfulness while traveling 
 through time to the awful confines of eternity. I, this evening, 
 was mucii cast down; I felt solitary and discouraged: my spirit was 
 much engaged in prayer to the Lord for his i)rotection and guid- 
 ance during the remaining part of this great journey. 
 
 The 30tli, being First-day, I had a large and good meeting at 
 Sandy Hill. I was much favored to point out things according to 
 the states and conditions of the people: truth had the ascendency 
 over them. T, this evening, had a pretty good meeting by early 
 candle light, at the school-house in Uniontown; it was large, the 
 
182;? JOUHXAL OF THOMAS A i;^\ KTT. 53 
 
 room where it was held being spacious, and it was mucli favored 
 with tlie doctrines and truths of the gospel. Tiie meeting ended 
 to good satisfaction with prayer and supplication. Magnified be the 
 adorable name of Clod now and forever I 
 
 12th month, 1st. I had a satisfactory and open opportunity this 
 morning with the students of Tnion Academy; I felt interested for 
 their religious improvement, and recommended tliem to him who 
 alone is able to teach the soul the things which pert.iin to everlast- 
 ing life and salvation. [ also this day visited divers families, rather 
 in a way of innocent sociability, to take my leave of them. Tlie 
 2d, I returned to Eedstone, and the next day I was at the Monthly 
 Meeting of Friends there, where I had good service for the Lord. 
 Blessed be his holy name ! The 4th, I felt very poor, and was 
 much discouraged in my spirit; I besought the everlasting (lod ever 
 to preserve me from the wiles and temptations of Satan. I rode to 
 Uniontown. and the next day in company with some friends I rode 
 to the vicinity of Friends of Sandy Creek. The Gth, I rested at a 
 Frieuds' house, and the next day, being First-day, I was at Friends' 
 meeting for worship there; and I was much opened in the love of 
 the spirit to declare the glad tidings of the gospel. The meeting 
 ended with solemn prayer and su])plication. 
 
 Tiie 7th. having visited the meetings that constitute the Ohio 
 Yearly Meeting, I found my mind quite clear and easy to return 
 homeward, believing I had faithfully finished the service which the 
 Lord required of me in this journey. The prospect of traveling 
 home by myself was somewhat discourging, but it was manifested 
 to my mind that- he who had sent me out Avould preserve and pro- 
 tect me on my way home if faith and sincerity should be abode in; 
 I therefore, this morning, took a hearty farewell of some dear 
 Friends of Sandy Creek, and turned my face homeward; and after 
 passing through a solitary journey, sometimes riding in the rain, 
 snow and high winds, it being very cold most of the way, I arriA^ed 
 home on the 20th, with the reward of i)eace of mind. " Magnified 
 forever be his holy and adorable name! For with him there is ever- 
 lasting strength; and those wlio serve him aright shall witness the 
 preservation and protection of this strength. 
 
 My dear friends appeared to be very glad of my safe return to 
 them again, and I also was glad again to be favored with their 
 company. 
 
 I was out on this exercising journey seven months and about 
 twenty-five days, and traveled, by comjiutation, about three thous- 
 and three hundred and fifty miles. 
 
 After I arrived home for awhile, my heart was (illcd with grati- 
 tude to God for liis kind providence and sure protection toward me 
 in the foregoing journey, believing that the angel of his presence 
 went before me, pointing out my way from day to day. Blessed 
 forever be his holv name I 
 
5j. .lOLIJSAL OF TJIOMAS AKXKTI'. 1821 
 
 In the second month, 1S:U, with tlic approbation of Friends of 
 our Monthl}' Meeting, 1 visited, in gosjiel love, a number of neigh- 
 borino- meetings among Friends. Most of tliese meetings were very 
 laroe, being public appointed meetings for worship for all classes of 
 people, and being attended by many sorts ; and they were seasons 
 of much divine favor ; the light and power of truth triumphed 
 over darkness, pride and high-mindedness ; the sincere followers of 
 the Lamb were edified and strengthened in the Christian warfare ; 
 and the disobedient were solemnly warned of their a])i>roaching 
 danger, without sincere repentance and sielf-denial unto life and 
 salvation. 
 
 I, also, in this month, in company with a respectable Friend of 
 our Monthly Meeting, visited in love of truth most of the families 
 of Holly Springs Monthly Meeting, in Kandoljjh county. We 
 visited upwards ot fifty families, and had much good service for the 
 Lord therein, being favored with divine help to break the bread of 
 life and salvation from house to house with gratitude and singleness 
 of heart : the slothful and lukewarm Avere reproved in the life and 
 power of faith, and the faithful were much edified and encouraged 
 in things which pertain to everlasting life and salvation. 
 
 In these days I renewedly travailed and sympathized in my spirit 
 with those who groan both day and night under cruel opjn-ession ; 
 I also prayed heaven to have mercy on their hard-hearted o])pres- 
 sors ; and while thus influenced, I conceived that desolation over- 
 •spread this country, on account of this great evil and wickedness. 
 
 My mind having been dniwn, for some time past, to pay a relig- 
 ious visit to Friends of the Virginia Yearly Meeting, and to Friends 
 in the eastern part of this State, I seasonably o]KMied this prospect 
 to Friends of our Monthly and Quarterly Meeting, and obtained 
 their certificate of unity and concurrence. My Avorthy friend, 
 George Swain, of New Garden Monthly Meeting, a man of good 
 sense and learning, and one who attained much knowledge, both 
 human and inspired, found a concern upon his mind to accomi^any 
 me. He obtained a certificate of concurrence of his friends for 
 this purpose. I put thingsMn order for the journey ; visited some 
 neighboring meetings of Friends, and had some public meetings in 
 Stokes County, among those not of our society, Avhich were at- 
 tended by many sorts of people, and which Avcre large, and much 
 favored with the counsel and doctrines of the everlasting gospel. 
 
 A while before I started, I had a farewell meeting at our meeting 
 house, and it Avas truly a heart-tendering time, being favored with 
 the instructions and doctrines of the everlasting truth. Blessed for- 
 ever be the name of Lord I 
 
 I set forAvard on the journey in company with my dear friend, 
 George Swain, the 5th day of the 5th month, l.S-^4, and rode about 
 tAventy miles, nnd had a small meeting in the afternoon, at a tavern 
 in the county of Rockingham, to pretty good satisfaction. I had 
 
1824 JOTHXAL Ol' THOMAS AUN'KTT. 00 
 
 some good service, which seemed well received by the people. The 
 6th we set forward for the neighborhood of Friends of South River, 
 where we arrived on the 8th, in the morning ; and this being Friends' 
 Monthly Meeting day there, we were at it, and found it to be a 
 very small' ^[onthly Meeting ; I was silent under deep discourage- 
 ment of mind. I was this (hiy brought very low : my drooping soul 
 prayed the everlasting God to ])reserve and protect me throug-hthis 
 Journey, to the glory and praise of his adorable name. The 9th be- 
 ing First-day, we were at Friends' meeting for worship, at South 
 River, where I was drawn to bear a very solemn testimony to good 
 satisfaction. We, this afternoon, had a meeting at the Methodist 
 * meeting-house, in Lynchburg. It was large and much favored. I 
 was drawn to declare the Lord's goodness and gracious dealings. 
 Those who hungered after righteousness were filled, and sinners 
 were called to repentence. The meeting ended to satisfaction. 
 Blessed forever be the nameof the gi-eat and merciful Creator I The 
 10th. Many exercises came upon me this day. I was patient un- 
 der them, trusting in him who brought them upon me. We vis- 
 ited divers families of Friends, rather in a sociable way. to take our 
 leave of them. The 11th. We set forward this morning for Grav- 
 elly Run, to attend the ensuing Yearly Meeting of Friends, where 
 we arrived, after passing through a trying, discouraging journey, in 
 time to attend the Quarterly Meeting of Friends tliere for worship 
 and discipline the 14th, Avhere I had some good service for the 
 Lord. Blessed forever be his name I The 151-11 began the Select 
 Yearly Meeting. It was, J thought, a pretty good meeting for some 
 dear friends. But I was silent under very deep discouragement. I 
 I was very much cast down. • I felt very disconsohite, Aveak, and 
 exceedingly solitary. The next day, being First-day, the public 
 meeting for worship was very large, being attended by many sorts 
 of people ; many of whom were very restless and unsettled. I was 
 sealed up in silence ; some other friends exercised in the ministry 
 had some good service. We, this afternoon, had a meeting for the 
 youth, and it was truly a A'ery trying, low time. I had some small 
 service, but obtained no relief. Lord, when Avilt thou arise for 
 me, and set me as an eagle's wings, and send me forth in the spirit 
 and ])ower of thy strength ? I am much cast down, and without 
 thee I cannot go fortli to glorify thy name, and tell my fellow 
 creatures of thy wonders and great goodness. Search me, and try 
 me, and refine me from everything which thy love disapproves, and 
 thy will and not mine be done. The 17th, after a meeting for 
 worship was held, Avherein 1 had some good service, came on the 
 business of society. It continued )jy adjournment three days, and 
 though it was a low and trying time to me througli the sitting 
 thereof, being much closed up in silence, yet divers others exercised 
 in the ministry, on a religious visit to these parts, had much good 
 service for the Lord, so that Friends were enabled, through divine 
 
56 JOl'HXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1824 
 
 goodness, to consider uiid transact the business which came l)efore 
 them to pretty good satisfaction. This Yearly Meeting was small. 
 It was a time of much exercise to a number of Friends, on account 
 of existing deficiencies among them. It solemly concluded under 
 the effusions of that pure love Avhich, out of weakness, makes 
 strong, and fits for service in the church. Blessed forever be the 
 name of the Lord I 
 
 The 20th and 21st, Ave rode upwards of seventy miles to the vi- 
 cinity of Friends of Caroline, and had a pretty good open meet- 
 ing there the 22d. I was enabled to declare the Lord's testimony 
 with power and authority, and thought some good was done. The 
 next day we were at the First-day meeting of Friends, at Cedar ■ 
 Creek. It was very small and weak. I was favored with a small 
 testimony to good satisfaction. I had much sympathy with the few 
 sincere and faithful ones of this place, being made sensible of their 
 discouraged and solitary situation, on account of the decline of 
 simplicity and ui)rightness apparent in this vicinity. The 24:th, we 
 had a highly favored meeting atGenits ; the Lord^s testimony pow- 
 erfully went forth, to the reaching of the witness for truth in the 
 minds of the people ; in many of whorn the evil was chained down, 
 and the good seed i-efreshed with the sprinkling of living water 
 from the fountain of all good. The 2")th, we rode to Richmond, 
 and the next day we were at Friend's week-day meeting there. It 
 was very small and weak as it respects the life and power of pure 
 religion. I was drawn to bear a small testimony, tending to remind 
 Friends of the value of inward retirement when we approach the 
 throne of grace for the pur|iose of divine worship. We, this after- 
 noon and the next day, traveled by the way of Wayne Oak to 
 Skemiuo, Avhere we had a small meeting the 28th. I, with iiard 
 Avork and under much exercise, bore a small testimony, being sen- 
 sible that though the people Avere moral, yet some of them posses- 
 sed not the life and poAver of pure religion. I cleared myself of 
 them, and left them with some sorrow. I passed tiirough dee[) ex- 
 ercises that day. 0, my God, make of me wiiatever seems good to 
 thy sight, andinstruct me from time to time in things Avhich per- 
 tain to eternal life and salvation. We, this afternoon, returned to 
 Wayne Oak, and had a good open meeting there. The next day 
 the Lord's power was present, under the divine influence of which 
 many were filled with tender and humilitating sensations. After 
 meeting we returned to Richmond, and the next being First-day^ 
 Ave had a public meeting there at Friends' meeting house; and I 
 Avas muck ojiened in the spirit and power of the ever glorious gos- 
 pel of Jesus Christ ; I was also drawn to ajjproach the throne of 
 grace, and pour out my soul in ])rayer and sup[)lication ; the meet- 
 ing ended to good satisfaction. The olst, we took leave of Friends 
 of the city of Richmond, and rode upwards of thirty miles to the 
 vicinity of Frieiuls of ^lerchant's Hope, where we had a small 
 
1824 .JOURNAL OF THOMAS AllNETT. 57 
 
 meeting the first of the Sixth month, and it whs a very low time ; 
 the pure life was weak ; I had some small service, but obt:iined no 
 relief. 0, my gracious God, sanctify, I beseech thee, all the afflic- 
 tions of my dro"o})ing soul! I have met Avith many, very many deep 
 probations since I turned from darkness to light, to walk in the 
 Avay of regeneration and self-denial ; I have experienced many 
 heights and depths ; I have passed through many vicissitudes ; I 
 have often been brought low and raised up ; cause, I beseech thee, 
 all things to work together for my good, and ever head me in the 
 path of duty and righteousness in all my goings through time. 
 
 The 2nd, we had a good and precious meeting at Burleigh. The 
 states of the people were spoken to according to the paintings of 
 truth. I had much good service to the peace of my own mind, 
 and to the satisfaction and edification of my friends. Blessed be the 
 Lord I We this afternoon rode upwards of twenty miles through the 
 rain to the neighborhood of Friends of Stanton's, and the next day 
 we had a small meeting there, where I labored a little in the min- 
 istry to pretty good satisfaction. I truly sympatliize with the few 
 Friends of this place, believing thi-y often feel cast down and dis- 
 couraged on account of their small number ; but where two or three 
 are gathered together in the Father's name, He will be in the midst 
 of tbem. The 4th, we had a small meeting at Blackwater, where 
 I also sympathized with the few Friends of this meeting, their meet- 
 ing being very small I was drawn in gospel love to encourage them 
 inl;he way. of sincerity and righteousness. We this afternoon rode 
 about fifteen miles to the vicinity of Friends of Black Creek, and 
 the next day we tarried at a Friend's house. I spent most of this 
 day in writing ; my mind being replete with a measure of that ])uro 
 love which administers instructions to the devoted disciples of 
 Heaven. The Gth, and First-day of the week. Oh ! the darkness 
 which filled my mind this morning. All consolation, both human 
 and divine, left me ; deep suffering and pain came upon my droop- 
 ing soul. I wished to be delivered from this deep probation ; 1 
 thought of the song of Sion which I had often sung to the meek 
 and lowly in heart, and I desired to sing this song this morning, 
 and to be mounted on eagle's wings, to declare of the Lord's ways 
 and goodness, but I thought the following language was spoken in 
 the ear of my spirit : "Be still, liow cans't thou expect to be fa- 
 vored to sing the new song continually, when thousands of thou- 
 sands of thy fellow-travelers are in cjiptivity, under deej) oppression 
 and affliction? be patient, and sympathize with them in their sor- 
 rows and deep sufferings, for there is a day approaching which will 
 try all who live in ease ; all who arc unfeeling of the woes of their 
 fellow creatures." I reverently obeyed the injunction, and deeply 
 sympathized with the oppressed, and prayed the Almighty to have 
 mercy on the cruel, proud, and high-minded oppressors. We this 
 day had a good open meeting at Black Ci-eek : it was large and 
 
58 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AHXKTT. 1824 
 
 highly favored with the doctrines of truth. Light, divine light, 
 arose, and dispelled all darkness from my mind. I felt like a new 
 creature, being immediately delivered from deej) trials and enabled 
 to declare the eternal gospel to my fellow creatures with life and 
 power. I had some close labor with slave-holders, many of them 
 being present, and some of them seemed affected and moved with 
 tender compassion for their oppressed fellow travelers. I hope 
 some good was done. The meeting reverently ended with prayer. 
 Blessed forever be the Lord I The 7th. I felt very poor and solitary 
 this morning ; I prayed the L(n-d to preserve me in all my goings, 
 in the way o^f well doing, ^\e had a pretty good meeting at Vicks' 
 Meeting. It was large and favored with the reproving power of 
 trutli. The sincere were encouraged and instructed in the way of life 
 and peace, and the insincere were much reproved. Every class of 
 thought was spoken to, in the power of truth. The 8th, we had a 
 Heavenly meeting at Johnson's Meeting. Truth's doctrines emi- 
 nently went forth to the gathering of the people to the witness for 
 truth in them. Every state was spoken to, and I thought every in- 
 dividual felt the etfect of that power which reproves for sin, and 
 gives place to well doing. The meeting closed with solemn prayer. 
 The Otli. I was much cast down this morniiig, being destitute of 
 the sui)])orting power of Heaven. Oh I liow I desired to be pre- 
 served in all my doings, to the glory and praise of the great Creator. 
 We had a meeting at the Western"^ branch, and out of weakness I 
 was made strong. I began to speak Avith a small opening, and with 
 a small degree of divine life ; but by keeping the eye single, and 
 speaking very delil)erately, I was gradually opened, and largely led 
 out into the doctrines of "the gospel, to the edificatio]i of the well in- 
 clined, and to the warning and admonishing of sue!) as procrasti- 
 nated the improvement of their minds. Tlie 10th. I was cast down: 
 povertv of spirit clothed me; my soul reverently bowed, and sup- 
 plicated the throne of grace for protection and preservation. "We 
 had a meeting at 8omcrton, where I was much proved and exercised 
 in the fore part, but the latter part was much favored with the 
 doctrines and instructions of the everlasting truth. I was much 
 opened in the gos])el, and utterance was given to declare the way 
 of salvation. In the latter part of my testimony I Avas drawn to 
 speak to the poor black ])eo])le, (many of them being present,) and 
 they seemed truly and affectionately thankful for the favor bestowed 
 on them in this meeting, and some of them were broken into ten- 
 derness. Praised forever be the name of the T^ord I 
 
 In traveling from place to place in this country I saw much pride, 
 naughtiness and oppression, on account of which I often mourned 
 in my spirit both day anduiglit ; being sensilile of the dreadful sit- 
 uation of the wicked when they are launched into the awful con- 
 fines of eternity. I found most of the meetings of Friends to be 
 small, but many were present when I was at them Avho were not in 
 
1S2J JOIKXAI- OF TIIO.MAS AUNK'l"!". 59 
 
 religious profession with us; most of them being pul)]ic uppointed 
 meetings. Some of these people were tender mid ojien to receive 
 good, but others of them Avcre so full of the ])erishing tilings of 
 this world that there was but little room in them for anything of a 
 serious and virtuous nature. I often remembered that the great 
 law-giver, when he was in tlie prepared body, did not many mighty 
 works in some ])laces, because of their unbelief; and the ti'uth of 
 this was verified in my travels in this land of cruel oppression, for 
 I was often made sensible that unbelief and hardness of heart shut 
 out the gospel, or prevented a free entrance thereof in the minds 
 of many whoui I saw at a number of the foj'egoing meetings; and 
 a sense of their lost and undone condition forever, without true and 
 sincere repentance unto life and salvation, often affected me with 
 sorrow and grief. I truly sym])athized with the few sincere and 
 faithful whom I found scattered abroad in this land of darkness and 
 cruel oppression ; being sensible that they were surrounded by those 
 who procrastinate from day to day the religious im]irovement of 
 their minds ; I encouraged them to hold fast their integrity and 
 patiently to be subject to all the directions and dispensations of 
 heaven. 
 
 The nth. Having visited the meetings which constitute the Vir- 
 ginia Yearly Meetings, and feeling clear of these parts, we this 
 morning took a farewell leave of some dear friends and rode up- 
 wards of thirty miles to the vicinity of Friends of Sutton's Creek, 
 in the eastern jiart of North Carolina, and the next day we were at 
 the Monthly Meeting of Friends there, and on the 13th, being 
 First-day, we also had a public meeting for worship there ; in both 
 of these meetings I found much good service for the Lord. The 
 states of the people were brought to remembrance and spoken to in 
 the spirit and ]iower of the ever-blessed gospel. The three follow- 
 ing days Ave had meetings at Wellses, Beach Springs, and Little 
 River. These meetings were seasons of divine favor, the Lord was 
 with me and enabled m^e to declare his word availingly. Blessed 
 forever be his holy name I 
 
 The 17th. Deep exercise came u])on me this morning, my spirit 
 reverently bowed and implored the Shepherd of my soul to lead me 
 aright in all my goings through this journey. We liad a good open 
 meeting at the Narrows : there seemed to be no lack of openings 
 and utterance, the gospel flowed freely without any obstruction, 
 the minds of the people being open, teachable and pliable ; the 
 meeting ended with ])rayer. AVe, this afternoon, had a meeting at 
 Pesquetank Court House, where I was much favored with the s])irit 
 of supplication. I was also enabled to declare the way of salvation 
 and righteousness with authority. The meeting ended to satisfac- 
 tion. The 18th, we had a meeting at Newbegun Creek, Avhere I 
 had some service under deep exercise to pretty good satisfaction. 
 The meeting ended well. 
 
00 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1824 
 
 The lOtb. This was an awful day with me. I was tliis morning 
 led in the visions of the Lord, my understanding was opened to 
 conceive liis divinity, majesty and holiness, and under a sense of 
 his divine attributes, a desire was renewed in me to he redeemed 
 from everything which his word disa|)i)roves. We were at Symons' 
 Creek Monthly Meeting, and through divine goodness it was made 
 a heavenly, edifying season. The power of an endless life Avas 
 over all : it was a lieart-tendering time ; many precious and heaven- 
 born souls felt the effusions of that pure love whicli i)asseth knowl- 
 edge, and the comfort of which surpasses all human consolation ; 
 and under the influence of this precious love. Friends were enabled 
 to transact their business in harmony and condescension. The 30th, 
 Ave had a heavenly and precious meeting at Piney Woods ; the Lord's 
 testimony eminently, availingly and convincingly went forth to the 
 edification and comfort of the sincere and faithful, and to the 
 awakening of tliose who slept in their sins and iniquities. My un- 
 derstaiiding was opened, and my heart Avas enlarged in gospel love. 
 Every individual was spoken to in that searching poAver which puts 
 doAvn the mighty from their seats and raises them of Ioav degree. 
 Blessed forever be the glorious name of him Avho preserves the little 
 ones iu all their dispensations, am\ Avho scatters the proud and lofty 
 in their vain imaginations ! 
 
 The two following days Ave rode upAvard of fifty miles to Rich 
 Square, and on the 23d we rode upAvard of tAventy miles to Jack 
 Swamp, and attended the AA^eek-day meeting of Friends there, 
 Avhich Avas small. I had a little service, to good satisfaction. The 
 next day Ave had a public appointed meeting there, and it Avas a 
 solemn time. I had much good service for the Lord. Blessed for- 
 ever be his holy name I After meeting, Ave returned to Hich Square, 
 and the following day Ave had a good meeting tliere. It Avas a ten- 
 dering season ; utterance Avas given, and the gospel freely flowed 
 forth to our comfort and edification. After meeting, Ave set out for 
 Edenton, Avhere Ave arriA'ed on the 27th. In the morning, being 
 First-day, and in the afternoon, Ave liad a meeting at the Baptist 
 meeting-house for the inhabitants of this town. It Avas large, and 
 much favored with the truths of the gospel. The people appeared 
 to be free and open to receive the instructions of the ever-l)lessed 
 truth. The meeting ended Avell Avith solemn prayer and supplica- 
 tion. I51essed be the Lord I 
 
 The 2Sth. We set out this morning for the town of Washing- 
 ton, on Tar River, Avhere Ave arrived the next day, and had a good 
 meeting there in the evening by early candle-light at the Methodist 
 meeting-house. The love of God Avas shed abroad among us, and 
 united us in tender sym])athy and affection. I had good service. 
 The peojile Avere kind, and manifested thankfulness for the o])i)or- 
 tunity. The meeting closed with sup])li('ation. A respcctal)le 
 Methodist family entertained us Avith the utmost kindness and 
 courtesv. 'IMic I^ord bless them forever ! 
 
1824 JOIRNAL OF THOMAS AKXET'I". 61 
 
 On the first of these tliree diiys was tlie warmest weather I ever 
 witnessed, which terminated in tlie afternoon with tlie awfulest 
 storm I ever saw on land, wliich met ns in the road al)out three 
 miles from any house, among the lofty pine timber, and continued 
 about ten minutes, during which time the lightning was striking 
 the trees around us, with awful thunder rolling through the air ; 
 the wind also blowing down the trees around us, and the rain and 
 hail-stoues pouring down upon us in torrents. While this storm 
 continued we were dismounted, and stood still in the road, per- 
 fectly resigned to the divine will, not knowing what moment we 
 Avould have to go into eternity, our minds being covered with that 
 consolation which the blessed .Savior gives to his faithful and de- 
 voted people. 
 
 The three following days we rode by the way of Newbern aljout 
 seventy miles to Core Sound (the weather being so warm that we 
 could not travel fast), and on the third day of the 7th month we 
 had a good and precious meeting at the Methodist meeting house 
 in the town of Beaufort. I was much favored to open the truths of 
 the gospel to the people. The meeting ended with supplication. 
 
 The next day being First-day, we were at Friends' Meeting for 
 worship, at Core Sound, and through divine mercy it was made a 
 solemn, edifying season. I was much o])ened in the gospel and in 
 prayer. The song of salvation was sung in our spirit, magnified 
 be the great and holy name. The 5th, we took a farewell leave of 
 some dear friends of Core Sound, and set out for Newborn, and had 
 a small meeting on the way at a dwelling house, where I had good 
 service. The people were much tendered and broken. It was a 
 good meeting and ended well. The jieople were very kind to us, 
 and expressed thankfulness for the opi)ortunity. We took a tender 
 leave of tJiem and arrived in Newbern this evening, where we tar- 
 ried the next day with a very'respectal)le and kind Methodist fam- 
 ily, and had a large meeting in the evening by early candlelight, at 
 the Methodist meeting-house. I was favored with divine ability to 
 declare many solemn truths to the i)eople ; I had good service 
 among them. The people were quiet and many of them were ten- 
 der and serious. The meeting concluded with solemn prayer and 
 supplication to the Lord. Praised forever be his ever glorious name I 
 The 7th, we took a tender farewell of some dear Methodists, and 
 left Newbern in order to go to Contentney, where we arrived in 
 time to attend the Monthly Meeting of Friends there, on the lOth. 
 There I had some small service to good satisfaction. The next day 
 we were at the First-day meeting at the same place, and truth's 
 testimony went forth to the encouraging of the faithful, and to the 
 admonishing of the slothful. It was a ])retty good meeting, and 
 ended with prayer and thanksgiving to him who gives strength to 
 the saints, and soothes* the truly sincere and solitary everywhere. 
 The three following days we had meetings at Turner's Svanip, 
 
62 JOUHXAL OF THOMAS AKXKTT. I8.i4 
 
 Xawhiinty, and Xeux. These meetings Avoro large and eminently 
 favored with the doctrines and counsel of the everlasting truth. 
 Many were tendered and much broken ; the Lord's dedicated ones 
 edified and encouraged in a virtuous and religious life, and sinners 
 were invited to turn from darkness to light in tlie day of their hea- 
 venly visitation. The 15th, we had a large and heavenly meeting 
 at Wayne court-house, where I was enabled through divine ability 
 to declare the gospel in the life and power thereof. The people 
 were fall of attention and I thought many of them were awakened 
 to serious reflection ; the meeting concluded with prayer. 
 
 The loth, we were at the Select Quarterly Meeting at Content- 
 ney, and it was a low time ; I was shut up in silence. The 17th, 
 we were at the Quarterly Meeting for worshi}) and discipline : and 
 through divine goodness it was made a comfortable and edifying 
 season ; I had good service both in the meeting for worship and 
 discipline. The next day being First-day, the public meeting for 
 worship was very large, and eminently favored with the doctrines 
 and truths of the everlasting gospel ; my soul was replete with a 
 measure of that pure love which emenates from the throne of grace, 
 and utterance was given me to unfold many solemn truths to the 
 people. Many precious souls rejoiced in Ood, their salvation, and 
 gave him thanks for his goodness and mercy. ToAvards the close 
 of meeting I was draAvn to speak to the black people in gospel 
 loA'C, (many of them being present,) and they seemed tender and 
 serious. Blessed be the Lord I 
 
 The 10th, we had a good ojien meeting among the Ba]itists and 
 others, at Union, (a Baptist meeting-house.) It Avas very large and 
 highly favored with doctrine and instruction. I had a very free, 
 open time with them ; many were much tendered and broken, and 
 gave thanks in their hearts for the opportunity. The meeting- 
 ended to good satisfaction. The peojole Avere full of kindness to us. 
 We took a tender leave of them and rode to the town of Smithi'eld, 
 where Ave had another meeting this afternoon at the court bouse. 
 It Avas also large and much favored Avith the counsel and instruction 
 of divine love. The people were quiet and full of attention; I had 
 a good open time Avith them. The meeting closed to good satisfac- 
 tion, and the people Avere kind to us. Blessed forever be the name 
 of the Lord! The 20th, avc rode upwards of tAventy miles to Ea- 
 leigh, Avbere avc spent the next day m visiting people of the first 
 character of this place, Avith Avhom avc found accci)tancc, and had a 
 meeting in the evening by early candle-light at the Methodist 
 meeting-house, in Avhich I had much good service for the Lord. 
 I Avas much opened in the love and poAver of Jesus Christ to declare 
 the Avay of life and salvation. I Avas also much favored Avith the 
 spirit of prayer. The meeting ended to good satisfaction. I 
 thought Ave did some good in this place, both in our private visits 
 from house to house and at meeting. The people Avere A'ery kind 
 
182J JOIUXAL OF THOMAS AUXETT. 03 
 
 and aft'ectionate to us. Praised forever be tlie name of the Lord I 
 The '^'^nd, we rode upwards of tliirty miles to the vicinity of P'riends 
 of Eno, Avhere we spent the two following days in visiting Friends, 
 rather in a sociable way, and the ;i5th we were at their First-day 
 meeting, where I found much good service for the Lord. Blessed be 
 His holy name! The 20tli, we rode upwards of forty miles to the 
 house of my dear companion, George Swain, and his family seemed 
 truly glad of our safe return. The next day I took a solemn fare- 
 well of him and his family, and rode home with the reward of 
 peace and consolation of mind. Blessed forever be the name of him 
 who preserved my beloved companion and myself in true gospel 
 love and sympathy in the foregoing journey, and who made us in- 
 strumental, I trust, in doing some good. 
 
 We were out on this journey about twelve weeks, and ti'aveled, 
 by computation, about fifteen hundred miles; and though we met 
 with some very deep trials of mind, yet we ofteu had some comfort- 
 able seasons, which will not soon be forgotten. 
 
 In the Sth month, 1824, with the appropabion of our Monthly 
 Meeting, I visited, in gospel love, the Western Quarterly Meeting, 
 and most of the meetings that constitute it, and had much good 
 service therein for the Lord. The glorious power of truth wjis over 
 all. The faithful were much strengthened and edified in the gospel 
 of Christ, and the way of life and peace was pointed out to sinners. 
 Blessed be the Lord! On the 22nd of this month I had a meeting 
 at Methodist meeting-house in Hillsborough, where I had good 
 service. The meeting ended with prayer, to pretty good satisfaction. 
 
 On the lOtli of the 9th month, I had a good meeting at Bethel, 
 a Methodist meeting-house in Guilford county. It was large and 
 much favored with doctrine and admonition, and it solemnly con- 
 cluded with pra3^er and supplication. 
 
 On the 3rd of the 10th month, I had a large meeting at Mount 
 Sion, a Methodist meeting-house in Stokes county, where I Avas 
 much opened in the doctrines and truths of the gospel. The meet- 
 ing closed with prayer, to good satisfaction. 
 
 In the 11th month, I attended our Yearly Meeting, held at Xew 
 Garden, to my satisfaction and edification; the several sittings there- 
 of being times of divine favor. Our esteemed Friend, William 
 Forster, a minister from Old England on a religious visit, attended 
 this Yearly Meeting, and had much good service therein for the 
 Lord; he before and since visited, in gospel love, most of the meet- 
 ings of Friends on this continent, and frequently had meetings 
 among those not of our religious society, and his services on this 
 continent were acceptable to Friends. He was sound in the min- 
 istry, and appeared to be very careful to minister in the light and 
 life of the precious truth. 
 
 Having thought for some years past that it would be right for 
 me some day to leave the land of my nativity and move to the State 
 
64 JOrHXAL OF THOMAS AI{XETT. 1824 
 
 of Ohio, and tliere settle myself, and believing the time had arrived 
 for me to look that way, I laid the matter before the Lord and 
 songlit his counsel; and being convinced in my mind that it Avas 
 consistent Avith His Avill for me to make such a move, I therefore 
 seasonsably laid my prospect before our Monthly Meeting, and after 
 a time of solid deliberation thereon, Friends gave me up to the 
 pointings of pure wisdom in this matter, though it was very trying 
 to them to part with me; and with their tender sympathy and ap- 
 probation I visited in gospel love most of the families constituting 
 our Monthly Meeting, and also visited a great many neighboring 
 meetings of Friends, and held a number of meetings among those 
 not of our religious society. These meetings were, most of them, 
 large and. tendering seasons, being times of divine favor, being also 
 farewell opportunities with many who had great sympathy with me, 
 and wlio desired my Avelfare both in time and eternity. 
 
 I have had a great deal of very deep exercise and laborious service 
 in my native country. I labored faithfully for a reformation among 
 my follow creatures, both within and without the limits of our 
 so'-iety: often visiting Friends from house to house, and appointing 
 meetings among all sorts of peojile, as truth opened the way. The 
 youth and slave-holders were often the subject of my concern; I 
 was frequenth' drawn to speak to them in my public communica- 
 tions, opening to them the repugnancy of slavery to the Ciiristian 
 religion, and pointing out to them the way of light and salvation. 
 The iioor, degraded, and sutfering Africans were often brought to 
 iny remembrance, claiming my S3anpathy and prayers for their 
 melioration, I frequently took individual as well as public oppor- 
 tunities with their cruel oppressors, for the purpose of convincing 
 them of the injustice of their conduct towards the poor colored 
 people. The poor suffering descendents of Africa will one day, I 
 believe, obtain their freedom some way or other: for that power 
 Avhich presides in the councils of nations will, in its own time, 
 l)ring about their freedom, either in mercy or in awful judgments. 
 Our society is on the decline in all the slave-holding countries; and 
 I am persuaded that the time is approaching when Friends will not 
 be found living where slavery abounds, for our profession is so 
 repugnant to abject slavery that I doubt whether they can long 
 dwell together, even under the same government. 
 
 I tjius labored in truth's service till I thought my mind was clear of 
 my native land for the present. I then requestetl and obtained my 
 certificate of right of membership among Friends to Center ^lonthly 
 Meeting in the State of Ohio, Ijelieving that I saw the light before 
 me pointing out the way to those parts. I had a farewell meeting 
 at our meeting-house (t'nion), on the 8th day of the otli month, 
 18'^."), which was hirge, and it was truly a tendering and solemn 
 season; after which 1 took my leave of my dear friends with tears 
 and brokenness of heart, and after sjiending most of the next day 
 
isa> JOUUN'AL OF THOMAS AKXI-rrT. 05 
 
 witli my relatives and some Friends, I took ii very affeetionate fare- 
 well of them and set forward on my intended jonrney, and after 
 having a trying and solitary travel, I arrived among Friends of 
 Center Montldy Meeting in the fore part of the following month. 
 Friends received me and my certificate with cordiality and gratitnde, 
 believing that Providence liad cast my lot among them, iind I was 
 also glad tliat T had arrived among them. 
 
 Soon after I arrived 1 o])ened a school at New Hoj^e, in Green ■ 
 county, a Preparative Meeting of Center ]\[onthly Meeting, for 
 Friends' cliildren, where I taught school for a number of months^ 
 to satisfaction. I also visited in gospel love, with the unity of our 
 Monthly Meeting (C-enter), a number of Friends' Meetings in these 
 parts, to edj/fication and comfort. Some of them were large and 
 remarkjjbly owned by the Good Shepherd of Israel. 
 
 In these days my spirit had a very sore travail. I dwelt much 
 alone, pouring out my soul in prayer and supplication before him 
 who knew the sincerity and integrity of my heart, and Avho was ac- 
 quainted" with all my sorrows and tribulations. I was sometimes 
 given up to the butfetings of the enemy, by whom .my weary soul 
 was much troubled ; for he bestirred himself, and set the human 
 imagination to work, and raised horrid thoughts and fearful appre- 
 hensions in my mind. All consolation, both humianand divine, fre- 
 quently departed from me, and doubts, with sore conflicts of mind, 
 painfully pervaded me. I at times, however, enjoyed some com- 
 fortable seasons ; but these seasons were of short duration ; they 
 were comparable to the wind that bloAveth, and ])asseth by us from 
 one quarter of tlie globe to another — we hear the sound thereof, 
 but cannot tell whence it cometh, nor whither it goeth ; it soon 
 Cometh, and as soon passeth away. The churches in Christ were 
 imj)rovingly brought to my remembrance, and I thought that I was 
 made sensible that many of them which were once in him, the 
 everlasting vine, and were nourished and kept alive by him while 
 they continued faithful, through 'unfaithfulness to him were now 
 in a state of depravit}^, and that the spirit of anti-christ was at work 
 in them, seeking their downfall and utter destruction. Many of 
 the members thereof, who were once shining ornaments ther-ein — 
 who had attained through self-denial much deep experience in the 
 school of Christ, and who stood as pillars for a season — whose head 
 had often been anointed with the heavenly anointing oil, and.sent 
 forth in the spirit and power of the glorious gospel of the meek and 
 holy Jesus, conquering and to conquer — have through disobedience 
 become captivated and beguiled by the baits and insinuations of 
 Anti-christ, the enemy of all that is of God. A sense of these 
 things grieved me. My spirit travailed in the deeps and in vital 
 prayer for their deliverance. Oli ! that those may see their awful 
 situation, and make their peace with God before their travel through 
 time shall be completed. Oh ! my God, thou hast a sure contro- 
 
(56 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1825 
 
 versy with all the nations, and with all the people of the whole 
 eartii ; and I beseech thee to have mercy on them, and let thy holy 
 name evfr be exalted above all, for thou art worthy. 
 
 My mind was very much impi-essed ; I had many things to pass 
 through, meeting with trials without and conflicts within. I was 
 at length made sensible that I was under the qualifying power and 
 discipline of truth for much service in the great vineyard of the 
 Lord ; that these trials and conflicts, if patiently borne, will more 
 and more refine me, and fit me for service in the church militant. 
 Oh! my God, refine me, I beseech thee, in thine own will and way, 
 as the gold is refined which hath passed seven times through the 
 refiner's furnace, and which afterward passeth through the burning- 
 furnace again and again, and cometh out with the same weight and 
 value with which it goeth in. Thus deal with me, I pray thee, and 
 be with me in nil my undertakings, and let me attain unto that 
 pure state of holiness wherein nothing can hurt me, so that I may 
 do thy will, and glorify thee both in time and eternity. I renewed 
 my patience in Christ and abode under his holy discipline, believing 
 that every trial and conflict will, if patience and sincerity be 
 abode in, more and more refine the truly devoted ones, fit them for 
 the Lord's service and draw them nearer and nearer to the king- 
 dom of heaven. Thus divine goodness dealt with me ; leaving me 
 at times to be tried and buffeted many ways, and at others, giving 
 me some comfortable and precious seasons, and leading me in vis- 
 ions to see the state of many important things. 
 
 In the 10th month this year I attened our Yearly Meeting, held 
 at Whitewater, in the State of Indiana, and therein had much deep 
 exercise of mind. Divers Aveighty matters were transacted in harmony 
 and condescension, through the cpuilifying infiuence of pure wis- 
 dom. Some suitable advices were sent down to the inferior meet- 
 ings upon sundry important subjects ; a joint committee of men 
 and women Friends was also appointed to go with these advices and 
 visit the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings constituting this Yearly 
 Meeting, and labor for a refornuition in society according to the 
 pointings of truth. My name was entered on this appointment, 
 and in going forward into this work we found many existing defi- 
 ciencies among Friends, yet to our consolation we met with many 
 dear and sincere hearted Friends, who stood firm for the law and 
 testimony, and these Avere encouraged in the way of well doing. 
 We were enabled through divine goodness to administer suitable 
 counsel and advice to the various departments of society, and I 
 trust that much good will result from this work. This Yeavly 
 Meeting is very lai'ge, and although many Avorthy and well-con- 
 cerned Friends belong to it, yet there are many others wlio do 
 dwell at ease, who ti)ink they are full and lack nothing,; aiul some 
 of them are not even sound in the faith. Oh I that these may see 
 their awful situation and amend their ways while it is d:iy, for the 
 night cometh, wherein none can work. 
 
182fi .JOIRXAL OF THOMAS A K N HTT. 67 
 
 Bc'lievini;' the time had iit leiigtli arrived for me to hegiii to tliiuk 
 al)out marrying and settling myself, having liitherto lived in other 
 people's huuses, having never had a home of my own. and I now 
 vei'ging on towards advanced age, I therefore thought when way 
 o])ened in the truth that it would he right for me to have a home 
 of my own. JIaving also of late felt more lonesome and tried in a 
 single life than ft)rmerly. My dear mother de[)arted tliis life in 
 peace some years hefore T left my native country, the loss of whom 
 increased my solitary hours. She was a good mother to me, and I 
 have no doubt but she is at rest. Friends have been very kind to 
 me since my lot was cast in our religions society; their houses and 
 hearts were open to receive me, and to tiy to make me comfortable 
 where my lot was cast among them. I here speak of genuine 
 Friends, for all are not genuine who belong to our society, for there 
 are those who have crept within the limits of our borders, who 
 have a name to live, but are dead to the pure principles of vital and 
 genuine Christianity. I know, from certain experience, that gen- 
 uine Friends are a very sympathizing people ; they sympathize with 
 all suffering humanity and visit tlie sick and afflicted. 
 
 I was very much concerned to nuirry and settle myself according 
 to the pointings and directions of him who has been very gracious 
 to my soul, and who has preserved me through many tribulations 
 and probations. I therefore with sincerity and purity of intention 
 laid this weighty matter before my Heavenly Father, and sought his 
 counsel with prayer and singleness of heart, and patiently waited for 
 his divine influence and direction; and I believe that he, in the full- 
 ness of time, turned my heart towards my dear Friend Rachel Faulk- 
 ner, an innocent and well-inclined young Avoman, and the daughter 
 of David Faulkner, deceased, and Judith his wife, and sister of Jesse 
 Faulkner, (the Friend who traveled with me when I was in this 
 country on a religious visit,) to whom I was married after mature 
 and solid deliberation, on the second day of the 12tli month this year, 
 1825, at our meeting at N"ew Hope. Afterwards I settled myself in 
 the vicinity, on the place where her father opened and improved; 
 she possessing a sufficiency of this Avorld for a good, comfortable 
 living with good economy. 
 
 On the thirteenth day of tlie 3rd month, 182(J, a Quarterly 
 Meeting was opened and estal)lished at Center meeting-house, 
 known by the name of '"('enter Quarterly Meeting." My mind 
 was comforted and edified at the opening of this meeting, being a 
 time wherein the good and helping Shepherd of Israel was graciously 
 pleased to vouchsafe his life-giving presence, and to enable his 
 little ones, his sincere, devoted followers, to sing the song of salva- 
 tion, and to give glory to his great and holy name. This, our 
 newly established Quarterly Meeting, is large, and although many 
 worthy Friends belong to it, who appear to have the cause at heart, 
 and to be much concerned for the removal of wrong things from 
 
G8 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AllXETT. 1828 
 
 among us, that our Sion may arise from the dust and shake herself, 
 and shine in her primitive beauty, yet there are those belonging 
 to it Avho dwell only on the surface of tilings, who have never, 1 
 fear, passed through the various stages of the great work of regen- 
 eration. May these experience true and Cliristian redemjotion 
 through the sufferings and mediation of the Lamb which was slain, 
 from the foundation of the world, for the sins and transgressions 
 of man; to whom all may come, and through his gracious propitia- 
 sion, by obedience and self-denial on their part, find acceptance 
 with the Fatlier and be saved Avith an everlasting salvation. 
 
 In tlie summer, this year, 18;^ 6, with the unity and sympathy of 
 Friends, and in company with my dear friend Jacob Carjienter, I 
 visited, in gospel love, most of the families of our own Montlily 
 Meeting, (Center,) and had some public appointed meetings for 
 worship. In this service we had cause to be reverently tbankful 
 for the condescending goodness of the Holy Head of the churcj], 
 under a sense of whose love and guidance we Avere enabled to go 
 from house to house, distributing the bread of life to the poor m 
 spirit, and reminding the negligent of the necessity of greater 
 watchfulness and more circumspect walking. We visited about a 
 hundred and twenty families, I thought to good satisfaction. 
 Glory forever be ascribed to him who is the giver of every good and 
 perfect gift ! 
 
 Our Yearly Meeting this year, 182G, was very large, and remarka- 
 bly owned by the Good Shepherd of Israel. And although it was 
 thought that some improvement had been made siiice last year, yet 
 we had to lament in observing various deficiencies among us, for 
 the removing of which several living testimonies Avere borne, and 
 Friends ai)peared to be engaged in endeavoring to bring about 
 measures which would effect a desired reformation in society, and 
 it was desired that the hands of the laborers everywhere might be 
 strengthened to labor effectually in the church of Christ. Suital)le 
 advices were sent down to the subordinate meetings, with pressing 
 desires that all our meml^ers may live up to the principles of our 
 religious profession. It was my lot, while at this Yearly Meeting, 
 to suffer with the suffering seed. I abode in patience and prayer, 
 being resigned to the Divine Will. 
 
 For several years following, my domestic avocation was farming, 
 which I managed in such a numner as to jirocure a sufficient living 
 for my family, and did not suffer the prosecution thereof to inter- 
 fere with my religious duties. I faithfully attended all our meetings 
 for Avorship and discipline, as they came in coui'se, and also, besides 
 this service, found much to do for the Lord Avithinthe limits of our 
 Yearly Meetings. In the year 1828, Avith the a|)probation of Friends, 
 and in company Avith Joseph Doan. Jun., a Friend in good esteem, 
 I visited in gosi)el love most of the families of Springfield and DoA-er 
 Monthly Meetings of Friends, to satisfaction. In this service Ave 
 
1828 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AI{\K'IT. 69 
 
 visited upwards of ;i hundred families and had cause to be reverently 
 thankful to the Lord for his mercy in preserving us to the glory of 
 his great name. Sometime after I j^erformod tliis visit, the Lord 
 removed, by death, our dear little son, an infant, our only child; 
 this was truly a great trial to us, but through divine mercy we were 
 in a good degree preserved in Christian patience and fortitude, 
 knowing that he was taken from the evil to come, and received into 
 everlasting rest. 
 
 The ditiiculties and peculiar trials of our religious society, in 
 many places on this continent, in and about this time, were of a 
 very serious nature. A considerable party in our society, who were 
 unsound in faith and doctrine, caused great trouble to Friends, 
 There were in this party, ministers, elders, and others Avho once 
 stood fair amongst Friends, but through unwatchfulness to the 
 light of Christ, they became deistical and opposed the faith and the 
 hope of the gospel. Those who constitute this party are justly 
 c.'dled Hicksites: being the followers of Elias Hicks. They 
 deny the fundamental doctrines of the religion of our dear Lord 
 and Savior Jesus Christ, and have gone out in open infidelity and 
 deism, proclaiming war against that salvation which the Redeemer 
 purcljased by his sufferings and precious blood for all mankind. 
 Our Society after faithfully laljoring Avitli them for their restoration, 
 according to our discipline, without the desired effect, was favored 
 through adorable mercy to sustain the cause of truth and righteous- 
 ness, and issue testimonies of denial against them and their anti- 
 Christian doctrines. In consequence of their unholy work, which 
 they prosecuted under the influence of the Prince of the Air, in the 
 specious garb of refined spirituality, a deeply-affecting schism has 
 been produced in many parts of the Society. Within the limits 
 of the Yearly Meetings of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, 
 Ohio and Indiana, meetings claiming the character of the Society 
 of Friends are held, though separated from the body.Jjoth in doc- 
 trine and discijjline. Through the Lord's protecting hand, howev- 
 er, the Ycarli/ Meetings of Friends in all those places ai'e sustained, 
 and hold religious fellowship with one another, and with the 
 ancient Yearly Meetings of New England, Virginia, North Carolina, 
 London and Dublin, in which there is no schism. These, accord- 
 ing to the order of the Society, constitute but one body, which 
 acknowledges no communion nor religious fellowship with the 
 Hicksites or their Meetings. 
 
 The Hicksites have been the cause of great trials and sufferings 
 to Friends, in which I have had my share; for those of them in 
 this country when I felt bound to bear the Lord's testimony against 
 their anti-Christian doctrines powerfully opi)osed me in many 
 instances, both in public and private, notwithstanding which I 
 believed it to be my duty to go forth, as divine aljility was given, in 
 refuting the doctrine of infidelity and deism held by them; and in 
 
70 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AHXETT. 1828 
 
 simply maintaining the docrines of the gospel of our Lord and Sav- 
 iour Jesus Clirist and his ins})ired apostles, according to the Holy 
 Scriptures. When they found that I was not to be turned out of 
 the way wliieh the Lord had cast up for me, they did all that they 
 could to reproach my religious character by si)reading and circulat- 
 ing false and scandalous reports on me in different parts of tlie world 
 ■where I was known, in order to lessen my standing amongst my fel- 
 low beings; but through these deep and sore trials the Lord in his 
 adorable mercy and goodness signally preserved me ; I trust in a 
 good degree to the glory and honor of his great name. 
 
 The ministers in our Yearly Meeting who went forth in this awful 
 time in the authority of truth, and stood alone for the testimony of 
 God, were but few, amongst whom our dear friend Charles Osborn 
 stood foremost ; he was eminently favored in refuting Hicksism and 
 making known the mystery of the gospel, for which he patiently 
 endured deejD trials and sore conflicts, through which the Lord sig- 
 nally preserved him to the glory and honor of his great name. 
 
 It became necessary, in consequence of the schism produced in 
 many meetings of the Hicksites in our society m this country, for 
 onr Yearly Meeting for some years to extend a fostering care to its 
 subordinate branches; in the course of which all the Quarterly, 
 Monthly and Preparative Meetings belonging to the Y^early ]\Ie(.t- 
 ing were visited, and some of them rejieatedly, by a solid committee 
 sent down from year to year to aid and assist Friends in sustaining the 
 cause of truth, and putting our discipline in force against the anti- 
 Christian doctrines of the Hicksites. Epistles of advice were also 
 re])eatedly sent down, adapted to the state of society, which were 
 calculated to encourage Friends to stand firm, and maintain the 
 faith and the hope of the gospel. A suitable ])ortion of this labor 
 fell to me, being repeatedly appointed by the Y^early Meeting, with 
 others, for the sustenance of our discipline and doctrines. In the 
 prosecution of this weighty engagement we were favored, I trust, 
 with that ability which enableth to Avork availingly in the militant 
 church of our dear Lord aiul Saviour Jesus Christ. In some places 
 we found a great deal to do in order to sustain the cliaracter of our 
 Society; through all which I trust we wei-e preserved, to the glory 
 and honor of the great Head of the Church, and to the peace of our 
 own minds. Blessed forever be the name of the Lord! This con- 
 cern was continued by our Yearly Meeting till the discipline of the 
 Society of Friends was, in most instances, put in execution against 
 the intrusion and anti-Christian doctrines of the Hicksites. By this 
 means the hands of faithful Friends were strengthened, and the 
 bond of religious fellowship was mutually increased. 
 
 My mind in these days became deei)ly concerned for the suste- 
 nance of the faith, the hoi)e and the doctrines of the gospel of our 
 dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Clirist; believing that the spirit of infi- 
 delity was making its awful strides in the minds of many, and 
 
1828 JOUHNAI. OF THOMAS ARNETT. 71 
 
 sproading. in many instances, desolation within the pale of the 
 church militant, under the specious garb of refined spirituality. 
 Under a sensible conviction of this con(iern, witli the unity and 
 approbation of my dear friends, way opened in my mind from time 
 to time to ai)poin't and hold many meetings in this country for the 
 open and public worship of God, not only amongst Friends, but 
 also in many places amongst those who arc not in religious profes- 
 sion with us; and I trust that the holding of these meetings, a 
 number of which were very large, did no injury to the cause of 
 truth, for I believe that the Lord was with me, and enabled me to 
 refute the principles of infidelity, and to deliver the doctrines of 
 the gospel to the satisfaction of the well-inclined. Praised forever 
 be His holy name I witliout whom I can do nothing. 
 
 It became necessary, also, for our Yearly Meeting of ministers 
 and elders, in the time of this unusual difiiculty and excitement in 
 our Society in consequence of the separation, to enter into a 
 weighty engagement in laboring with its subordinate branches and 
 members, which engagement is exhibited in the following Epistle 
 of advice, Avhich was issued by this part of the Society after the 
 separation took place in our Yearly Meeting. 
 
 "To the Quarierly and Preparative Meetings of the Ministers and 
 Elders tvithin the limits of Indiana Yearly MeetiiKj: 
 
 ''Dear Friends — This meeting being brought into a deep travail 
 and concern on account of the many deviations existing amongst 
 ns, and much pertinent counsel was delivered, tending to stir np to 
 a more diligent search and examination into our own states and 
 conditions; may we, dear friends, be made willing to be searched 
 and proved; for it is the will of the great Head of the Church that 
 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment and her converts with right- 
 eousness. We believe that the church has sustained grear loss, for 
 want of ministers nnd elders keeping under the baptizing power of 
 truth, which would have preserved them sound in the faith and 
 enabled them to fill their important stations with propriety. The 
 present day loudly calls for the observance of the injunction of the 
 Apostle, ' Beloved, ])elieve not every spirit, hut try. the spirits, 
 whether they are of God, becansc many false prophets are gone out 
 into the world. Hereby know ye the spirit of God, every spirit 
 that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God, and 
 every spirit tliat confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the 
 flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of anti-Christ whereof 
 ye have heard that it should come, and eveii now already it is in 
 the world.' This well accords with a prophetic declaration of 
 another Apostle, ' There were false prophets also among the i)eople, 
 even as there shall be false teachers among you, who jn-ivily shall 
 bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that l)0ught 
 them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many 
 
7'^ JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AHNETT. 1833 
 
 shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of wliom the way of 
 truth shall be evil s]3oken of.' This has been obvious in the present 
 day, and demands that we should be very watchful and guarded 
 against every appearance of this false doctrine. Every true gospel 
 minister Avill not only be preserved from denying the Lord that 
 bought them, but will be led to confess that Jesus Christ is come 
 in the flesh, and was crucified for the sins of tlie world. 
 
 " We earnestly desire that Friends may labor to train up their 
 children in greater subordination, in plainness of dress and simpli- 
 city of manners, speaking to them by their conduct the emphatic 
 language, 'follow us as we follow Christ,' and that they set a good 
 example in keeping them at home on afternoons of the First-day 
 of the week, in reading the Holy Scrii)turcs and othei' suitable 
 books, and that they daily collect their families for this purpose; 
 and we exhort all our dear friends in this part of the Society to be 
 Avatchful in this day of so general excitement on the all-important 
 subject of faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that they be 
 careful not lightly to bring into view before our young ])eoplc this 
 subject, whereby they may be encouraged in the like disposition of 
 mind to handle sacred things with irreverence, and thereby the sin 
 of taking the sacred name in vain apply to us." 
 
 Our Yearly Meeting also, that our members might be better 
 instructed in faith and doctrine, repeatedly advised in its Epistles 
 that Friends daily collect their families to wait upon the Lord; and 
 after a suitable j^ause, to read a portion of the Holy Scriptures 
 with their minds turned toward the source of all good; and it has 
 been found by experience that this practice is not only calculated 
 for religions instruction, but also for a deepening in the root of 
 immortal life to those who are engaged in it, in the faith and the 
 hope of the gospel, and who are dwelling daily under the baptism 
 of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 A concern having impressed my mind for a considerable number 
 of years past to pay a religious visit to Friends and othei's, as way 
 may open, in the love of the gosjiel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ, within the limits of Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, 
 and New England Yearly Meetings of Friends, and after passing 
 through many preparatory exercises and baptisms under the Lord's 
 hand for this weighty service, and apprehending that the time had 
 come for me to enter upon this arduous engagement, I therefore, 
 feeling the Avay clear in my own mind to proceed, seasonably open- 
 ed this concern before our Monthly Meeting. Much unity and 
 sympathy with me being felt and expressed by my dear friends, they 
 gave me a good certificate, which I, with my concern as expressed there- 
 in, laid before our next ensuing Quarterly Meeting, held on the 
 3rd day of the Eighth month, 18133, and being there fully united 
 with, the certificate was endorsed according to the order of our re- 
 ligious society, and much encoui-jigement was given to me to pursue 
 
\m JOURNA]. OF THOMAS ARNETT, 73 
 
 this important prospect as the blessed truth might from time to 
 time east up the way for me. 
 
 The prospect of leaving all that is near and dear to me in this 
 life, particularly my family, which consists of my beloved wife, my 
 dear mother-in-law, and a promising little daughter, and being so 
 long from home, was truly a great cross to me; but apprehending 
 that my peace, both in time and eternity, consisted in a faitiiful 
 obedience to this concern, I therefore, in a good degree, cheer- 
 fully yielded to the requiring of the Holy Head of the Church, be- 
 lieving that as true obedience was abode in, that the Lord in his in- 
 linite mercy and goodness would preserve and pi-ovide for both me 
 and my family during the ]irosecution of this great undertaking; 
 for the earth is his and the fullness thereof, and he numbers even 
 the very hairs of the heads of ail his faithful, dc]iendent children. 
 ]ilessed forever be his name, for he is worthy of all praise! 
 
 After I laid this concern before our society and obtained the ten- 
 der and precious "unity and sympathy of my dear friends, I passed 
 through a very solitary season for sometime; all within me was laid 
 low, deep poverty of spirit came upon me ; I felt stri])ped, and 
 found nothing to rest upon but the invincible arm of my dear 
 Saviour, and when I looked forward to the large field of labor be- 
 fore me, in the love of the everlasting, gospel, the language of our 
 blessed Lord impressively saluted my mind, ''carry neither purse 
 iwr scrip, nor shoes ; and salute no man by the way." I clearly 
 saw that I was to go forth in the Lord's work, not in my own will 
 and strength, but under the influence and leadings of the Holy 
 Spirit, moving in my religious exercises in that ability which the 
 great Head of the Church giveth. Prayer and supplication were 
 renewed in me that I might be favored to prosecute the very im- 
 })ortant engagement before me in the name of the Lord, which is a 
 strong tower, and in which alone there is safety. 
 
 Believing that the time had fully come for me to embark on my 
 anticipated journey, I therefore put my outward concerns in order, 
 and i>rovided a way to satisfaction for my famil}^ to live during my 
 absence. I attended our Yearly Meeting, which was a good, inter- 
 esting season, the Lord's power being with us, where many dear 
 friends had an opportunity to take their affectionate leave of me, 
 in which they desired my preservation. 
 
 A few days before I embarked, I held a public farewell meeting 
 for Friends and others at our meeting-house, New Hope, which 
 was large and favored with that power which is from above. This 
 was a tendering and affectionate opportunity. 
 
 My dear friend William Osl)orn, found a concern to be renewed 
 in his mind to travel with me in this journe}^ as far as truth may 
 open the way. He seasonably laid his prospect before Friends and 
 obtained their precious unity Jind symi)athy, and after attending 
 the service of our ensuing Quarterly Meeting, we set out. I held 
 
74 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1833 
 
 a general jjublic farewell meeting at Center on the ord day of the 
 Eleventh month, 18o3, being First-day, and the next day after our 
 Quarterly Meeting. This was a day which will long he remem- 
 bered by many. I this morning left my own home with feelings 
 unspeakably tender and affectionate, and in prayer and supplication 
 committed my dear family to the jH'otecting care of the Lord 
 Almighty. I took a very aiiectionate leave of my dear mother-in- 
 law and beloved little daughter, and in company with my dear wife 
 and some other friends went on and attended the ])roposed farewell 
 meeting at Center, which was very large ; in which I was drawn 
 forth in gospel ministry and in prayer and supplication to the ten- 
 dering of many minds. This was a heart-melting season. After 
 the meeting closed many, both young and old, in tears and bi-oken- 
 ness, took their very affectionate leave of me, fervently desiring 
 my preservation. My mind was deeply affected on this solemn, in- 
 teresting occasion; all within me, as it were, was melted down. I 
 besought the Lord to supjjort me in a becoming manner through 
 this deeply affecting season, and I believe that he remembered me, 
 and in his adorable mercy and goodness preserved me this day to 
 the glory and honor of his great name. May all pi"aise forever be 
 ascribed to him for he is Avorthy! After I had given Friends and 
 others a full opportunity to take their tender leave of me, I went 
 to the house of my dear friend and brother-in-law, William Walker, 
 and sjient the ensuing night there in company A\'it]i my dear wife 
 and a number of other friends, and on the next morning my com- 
 panion, William Osljorn, met me there, he having taken a tender 
 and affectionate leave of his dear family : and after a heart-melt- 
 ing season, I took my very tender and affectionate leave of my be- 
 loved wife, and a number of other dear friends, and we set out in 
 the holy fear of the Lord, and by the next First-day, Avhicli was 
 the 10th of the month, we rode to Saint Clairsville, and attended 
 Friends' meeting there, which was very small ; where I delivered a 
 few sentences in much weakness, desiring Friends more and more 
 to be faithful. The two following days we rode to Westland and 
 on the 13th attended Friends' Preparative Meeting there, which 
 was a good season to Friends. ^The three following days we rode to 
 the neighborhood of Friends on Dunning Creek, and on the lUh, 
 being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there, Avhere I had 
 some good service for the Lord : and on the three following days 
 we rode to the house of our kind friend, John Griffith, in Virginia, 
 where we rested the next day, being in some degree wearied with 
 traveling. My mind, since Ave set out on this journey, has witnessed 
 various vicissitudes, sometimes enjoying very comfortable seasons, 
 at others deep mourning Avas renewed; amidst all Avhich I was 
 faA'ored to keep low, looking to Jesus for sup])ort, the author and 
 finisher of the saint's faith. Blessed forever be his holv name I 
 
- 1833 .lOlKXAL or TITOMAS AKNKTT. 75 
 
 The 22(1. We, this evening, by early candle-light, had a good 
 open meeting in Winchester, held in the Methodist meeting-house. 
 This, througli the Lord's mercy, was made a good season ; the peo- 
 ple appeared to be satished. 2od. We, this al'tenioon, had a meet- 
 ing at White Hall, in the Methodist meeting-house, 'i'liis was in 
 some degree a ])roving time. 'Vhe truth, however, at lengtli arose 
 to the humbling of some minds. The 34tli, being First-day, we 
 had a good meeting at HojiewelL I, tlirougli the Lord's mercy, 
 was favored to point out the path of regeneration, to the tendering 
 of many minds. Blessed forever be the holy mime of the Ijord I 
 2oth. We rode about thirty miles to the neighborhood of Goose 
 Creek, and on the next day we held a meeting in this vicinity for 
 Friends and others at a dwelling-house, the Hieksites having taken 
 the Friends' meeting-house here. This meeting was a favored time. 
 The Lord had mercy on us and refreshed us together. 27th. We 
 had a meeting at South Fork, where I was drawn to bear the Lord's 
 testimony, to the satisfaction of the well-minded. The forgetful 
 were called to repentance and amendment of life. 2Sth. I was 
 yesterday taken a good deal unwell with a severe cold. I was so 
 indisposed in body througli the past night that I slept but little. 
 I besought the Lord to have mei'cy x\\:)on me and enable me to go 
 forth according to his will. I felt fnlly resigned to him. Blessed 
 forever be his name ! We this day again attended Friends' little 
 meeting of Goose Creek, being their mid-week meeting in coarse. 
 We felt small, but were favored to feel together for the arising of 
 truth. We this evening held a meeting in the town of Waterford, 
 in the Presbyterian meeting-house. I attended this meeting with 
 much indisposition of body. I felt very poor, but the Lord had 
 mercy on us this evening. This meeting was large and eminently 
 owned by the great Head of the Church. I was enabled to treat 
 on the doctrine of human redemption, to good satisfaction. The 
 people were quiet and attentive, and the meeting ended well. The 
 two following days we rode to Alexandria, and wei'e kindly received 
 and entertained ijy our dear friend Andrew Schofiield. 
 
 Twelfth month 1st. Being First-day, we rode to Washington City, 
 and attended Friends' little meeting in this city, which, through 
 the Lord's tender mercy, was made a good, refreshing season. My 
 health was now some better, for Avhich I was tiiankful to the Lord. 
 The 2d, we rode about thirty miles to Indian Spring, and on the 3d 
 held a meeting there, the forepart of which was a low time ; but by 
 keejoing the eye single to the Lord, he at length arose in a good 
 degree to the refreshing of our minds. Blessed be his name ! 
 
 The 4th. We set out this morning, and j"ode to the city of Balti- 
 more, and the next day, being the Monthly Meeting time of Friends 
 in this city, we attended it, to good satisfaction. Friends were 
 very glad to see us. I this day h;id some good service for the Lord. 
 Praised be his name I We, the two following days, paid a friendly 
 
76 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1833 
 
 visit to a number of families of Friends in this city, in gospel love, 
 and found a number of very interesting Friends here, with whom 
 my mind was united in a measure of that pure love which death 
 itself can never extinguish. We sympathized one with another 
 while participating in these visits, in that pure gospel fellowship by 
 whicli we are mutually strengthened in the faith and the hope of 
 the gospel of Christ. We found some dear young Friends in this 
 splendid city who live a self-denying life, who are well informed ; 
 and by ]iatiently submitting to the blessed cross of Christ, and 
 minding the teachings of the good spirit of God, they have obtained 
 a good degree of religious experience ; and I believe that as they 
 abide under the Lord's fpialifying liand, looking to him with a 
 single eye in true Christian faith, that they will be brought forward 
 in due time to be very useful members of our religious society. 
 May the Great Shej^herd of the sheep bless them for ever I 
 
 The 8th. Being First-day, we attended the morning and after- 
 noon meetings of Friends in this city. At the morning meeting 
 my mind was in a good degree opened in public testimony, to the 
 relief of my own mind and to the satisfaction of friends ; and at 
 the afternoon meeting my mind was much cast down in the fore 
 part ; in the latter part truth in some degree arose, so tliat the 
 meeting ended with prayer and supplication to God. On the next 
 day we rode to the neighborhood of Friends of Gunpowder, and on 
 the 10th held a public meeting for worship here, which, through 
 divine goodness, was made an open opportunity for the testimony 
 of truth. On the 11th we returned to Baltimore, and attended the 
 select Quarterly Meeting of Friends in this city this afternoon, 
 Avhich, through the protecting care and mercy of the Great Head of 
 the Church, was made a baptizing season ; our minds were refreshed 
 through the overshadowing power of the gospel. There was in this 
 meeting an aged ministering woman Friend of this city, who was 
 enabled m the Lord's revealing power to point out to mo many of 
 my religious exercises and deep inward conflicts since I left home. 
 Her mind was led into deep sympathy with me in this meeting, and 
 she spoke very encouragingly to me, fervently desiring that I may 
 be fully given up to the Lord on every hand, and be willing to pass 
 through every ba])tism that he may for my good be pleased to lead 
 me into ; and I believe that tlie whole meeting was led with her in 
 feeling sympathy with me, for much encouragment was given me 
 in this meeting. Blessed forever be the name of the Lord, who 
 still reveals his will to his faithful, obedient and dependent chil- 
 dren ! 
 
 The 12th. We this day attended the Quarterly Meeting of Friends 
 for discipline in this city, in which my mind was much opened in 
 gospel testimony. I was exercised to encourage F'riends to be faith- 
 ful unto death, that the crown immortal may be obtained. The 
 meeting for discipline was well conducted, and ended to satisfac- 
 
1833 JOUENAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 77 
 
 tion. The 13th. We tliis morning left the city of Baltimore and 
 rode about thirty miles to tlie neigliborliood of Deer Creek, where 
 we continued the next day at a Friend's house. Tiiis day I sjient in 
 writing and religious meditation. The loth, being First-day, we 
 attended Deer Creek JNIecting of Friends, which was a time of some 
 divine favor. The IGth. Ave rode about ten miles to" tlie house of 
 our dear friend Thomas Waring, and on the next day we had an 
 appointed meeting at his house, Avhich was vei'y small on account 
 of the inclemency of the weather ; but the Lord remembered the 
 few who were met, and refreshed us together. The 18th. We held 
 a good, open meeting this day at the house of our dear friend Joseph 
 Ballance. The 19th, we had a pretty good meeting at the house of 
 our kind friend David Griscom. This was a refreshing and uniting 
 season to the few Friends who Avere present. 
 
 In passing through the meetings of Baltimore Yearly Meeting 
 my mind Avas often brought doAvn in deep mourning to sym])athize 
 with those who had to Aveep Avith the op])resscd seed. Our Society 
 being verA" much stripped Avithin the limits of this Yearly Meeting, 
 iu consequence of the late separation, therefore Friends in these 
 parts have often to suffer Avith the suffering, oppressed seed ; and 
 iu this suffering it Avas my lot to participate in passing through 
 these parts. I had often to mourn Avith the oppressed seed in 
 otliers. The Hicksites have taken most of Friends' meeting-liouses 
 within the limits of this Yearly Meeting, and have also, not only 
 on this account, but in many other resjiects, subjected Friends to 
 many serious trials ; and although these trials have fallen u])on this 
 Yearly Meeting, yet there are some solid and very interesting Friends 
 in these parts, avIio endure the cross of Christ and stand forth in 
 support of our A^arious testimonies. 
 
 Having visited most of the meetings of Baltimore Yearly Meet- 
 ing, Ave proceeded on to the meetings of Philadelphia Yearly Meet- 
 ing, and on the 21st Ave had a meeting at FalloAvfield, Avhich, 
 through the opening of gospel love, was made a baptizing season. 
 All praise forever be ascribed to God! The 22d, being First-day, Ave 
 attended London Grove meeting for worshij), held at Isaac Pusey's, 
 Avhere my mind was opened in gosi)el love to declare the truth to a 
 good degree of satisfaction. 
 
 The six foUoAving days Ave held appointed meetings on each day 
 iu the folloAving manner, viz: 1st at West Grove, 2d at Spencey 
 Meeting (so-called), 3d at New Garden, 4th at Kennet, 5th at the 
 dAvelling house of Mary Brinton, and Gth at Ilokessin; all these 
 meetings Avere times of divine favor and refreshment from the pres- 
 ence of the Lord! Blessed forever be His holy name! 
 
 The 29th, being First-day, we attended the morning meeting of 
 Friends of AVilmington, Avhich, through divine mercy, Avas made a 
 good season. 30th. We this day attended Chester Monthly Meet- 
 ing, held at Springfield, where I found some good service for the 
 
78 JOIHXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1834 
 
 Lord. '31st, We were at Diirby Monthly Meeting, wliicli, though 
 small, was made, through divine regard, a good season. We after 
 meeting dined at Xathan Garrett's, and my dear friend and com- 
 panion, William Osborn, being so indisposed in body that it was 
 thought best for him to stop here and rest a while, in order to take 
 medicine for the improvement of his health, I therefore, for this 
 purpose, left him a while* under the tender care and sympathy of 
 friends of this kind and worthy family, where both the parents and 
 the children live consistent with our lioly profession. May the Lord 
 bless them forever! 
 
 First month, first, 1834. I this day (having suitable company in 
 the room of my companion) attended Hirmingham Monthly Meet- 
 ing, hold at Westchester, and in weakness found some service for 
 the Lord, It was my lot this evening to go down into deep suffer- 
 ing of mind before the Lord, The exercises which came u])on me 
 cannot be well described by language, No one in this world can 
 know them without going down in the spirits of the mind and par- 
 ticipating in them in true suffering and so'f-abasement. All within 
 me was laid very low; I bowed in self-abhorrence before God and 
 entered into a solemn retrospect of my past life, and had cause rev- 
 erently to acknowledge the preservation and protection of divine 
 mercy and goodness; and under a renewed sense of my own imper- 
 fections, and of the majesty and the power of the Lord, my prayer 
 was: "Sanctify me, Lord, and more and more fit me for service 
 in the militant church; sustain me on every liand. and let not Thy 
 holy cause suffer on my account. Let me more and more be de- 
 voted to a holy and self-denying life before Thee, so that I may 
 have no will of my own, but be altogether devoted to Thy holy and 
 blessed will throughout this life. Deal with me as it may seem 
 good to Thee, and keep me daily under Thy baptizing power," 
 2d, I this day attended Goshen Monthly Meeting, where the Lord 
 was pleased to arise and visit His faithful and dependent children, 
 to our comfort and edification. Blessed be Ilis name, I this even- 
 ing held a meeting at West-town for the conductors and students of 
 that institution. This was, through divine mercy, truly a very in- 
 teresting meeting; the Lord's power ))eing present, we had a bap- 
 tizing season. My mind was much opened in gospel ministry, and 
 in prayer and supplication. I trust tliat this was a season that will 
 not be soon forgotten. 
 
 3d. Attended Concord Monthly fleeting, and had some good 
 service, and on the next day was at Wilmington Monthly Meeting, 
 where the Lord was pleased to give His good presence. Blessed be 
 His name! 5th. Being First-day, I held a public appointed meet- 
 ing in Wilmington, which was eminently owned by the good pres- 
 ence of the Lord ; doctrine went forth to the edification of many. 
 All praise forever be ascribed to Him who shutteth and no man 
 can oiien, and openeth and no man can shut! Oth. I this day re- 
 
1834 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AUXKTT. 79 
 
 turned to Nathan Garrett's to see my dear friend and companion, 
 and found him still indisposed in body, where I spent the next day 
 in writing and meditation. 8th. I set out this morning, having 
 suitable company, my companion not being able to travel, and at- 
 tended Chester Meeting of Friends, which, through the Lord's 
 adoraljle mercy, was made a precious season. Here I met with my 
 dear friend Isaac Hammer, of Tennessee, who was on his way home, 
 having been out several months on a religious visit; he had good 
 service for the Lord in this meeting. This dear friend, who is a 
 minister in unity amongst Friends, has traveled much in truth's 
 service, both in America and Europe, to good satisfaction. While 
 "we were together here we had true sympathy for each other, and 
 we parted in that love which is experienced in the fellowship of the 
 gospel of Christ. 9th. A day of some proving; attended Friends' 
 meeting of Middletown. I had some service for the Lord. The 
 meeting ended pretty well. This evening sorrow of mind was my 
 portion. Oh I that I may be faithful in enduring hardness for 
 Christ's sake. 10th. Had a good open meeting at Chichester. 
 Blessed be the Lord I 11th. Through divine mercy, had a good 
 baptizing meeting at Birmingham. Blessed be the Lord I 
 
 r2th, being First-day, I attended Westchester meeting of Friends, 
 and was opened in gospel ministry to a good degree of satisfaction. 
 Here my dear friend Jesse J. Maris, of Chester Meeting of Friends, 
 met me, in order to travel with me a while, in whose company on 
 the next day I went to the house of Jeflrey Smedley, a worthy 
 Friend of Willistown, where I met with my dear friend and com- 
 panion, W^illiam Osborn, whose health had a little improved ; but, 
 it being found that traveling does not agree with him, lie appre- 
 hended that it would be best for him to return home. This pros- 
 pect he now opened to me for consideration. It was no small trial 
 to me to give him up, since we had traveled together in the fellow- 
 ship and unity of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour .Jesus Christ ; 
 but after a time of solid deliberation I became willing ibr him to 
 go. and he concluded to return home. On the 14th we held a meet- 
 ing in this neighborhood at Friends' meeting-house, which, through 
 the Lord's good presence, was made a heavenly season. After meet- 
 ing I took a very affectionate leave of my dear friend and compan- 
 ion. May the Lord bless him, both in time and eternity ! 
 
 The four following days, in company with .Jesse J. Maris, [ had 
 meetings at Whiteland, Bradford, Downingstown and Michlan. 
 These meetings were well attened by Friends and others, and were 
 eminentl}' owned by the protecting Shepherd of Israel. The Lord 
 was with me, and enabled me to deliver the doctrines of the gospel 
 to the people to good satisfaction. After these meetings, for a while, 
 I enjoyed perfect peace and consolation of mind, in which I sang 
 secret praises to the (Jod of my salvation. 
 
 The 19th, being First-day, we had a meeting at Nantsville. My 
 
80 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1834 
 
 mind, after a time of much exercise, was favored to enter into feel- 
 ing- with the people and to deliver doctrine suitable to their situa- 
 tion and condition. The 20th, we had a large meeting at East 
 Cain, where the Lord was pleased to send forth his testimony to 
 the humbling and edifying of many minds. Praised forever be 
 his great name, for he is worthy I The 21st, we had a meeting at 
 West Cain, where the life of pure religion was at a low ebb. I was 
 favored to release my mind to pretty good satisfaction. The 22d, 
 we had an open, baptizing meeting at East Sadsbury, and 
 on the 2od, we had a highly favored meeting at West Sadsbury. 
 I believe that the everlasting gospel went forth in this meeting to 
 the glory and honor of the name of God, to whom be given all 
 praise forevermorc I The 24:th, we had a pretty good open meet- 
 ing at Lampeter, and after meeting we went home with Hannah 
 Gibbens, who some years ago buried her husband. She is a worthy 
 Friend. I was drawn into near and dear sympathy with her and 
 her children, who appeared to be under the preparing hand of 
 truth for service in the church. May the Lord bless this family 
 forever ! The 25th, we travelled about twelve miles to the neigh- 
 borhood of Bart, and on the next day, being First-day, we held a 
 meeting here for Friends and others, to good satisfaction. My 
 mind was led to treat on doctrine. I trust to edification. We this 
 afternoon and the next day, which was the 2Tth, returned to the 
 house of our dear friend, Jeffrey Smedley, and on the 28th, in the 
 morning, my dear friend, Jesse S. Maris, took his affectionate 
 leave ol' me and returned home, Ave having traveled together 
 awhile in perfect unity. I spent this day in writing and medita- 
 tion. The 29th. I this day rode several miles to the house of my 
 dear friend, Jacob Maule, and on the next day had a good open 
 meeting at his house. The 31st. I held a meeting this dav at 
 Haverford, which was, through divine goodness, made a baptizing 
 season. Blessed forever be the name of the Lord ! The Second 
 month, 1st. I this day attended the select Quarterly. Meeting of 
 ministers and elders in the city of Philadelphia, and was silent. 2d, 
 being First-day, I this morning attended the Northern district 
 meeting of Friends, which was large and much favored with gospel 
 testimony. My mind was much oi)ened in this meeting in the love 
 of the everlasting gospel. In the afternoon I attended Arch street 
 meeting of Friends, and found it to be my duty to wait in silence 
 before "the Lord. The 3d. I this day attended the Quarterly 
 Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, in which much business was 
 transacted in a weighty and becoming manner. I found it to be 
 my jilace to wait in silence before the Lord while in this meeting. 
 I this evening received a letter from home, which informed me 
 of the death of my dear little daughter, which to me was a very 
 deep and close trial, and friends of this city finding that I was bro- 
 ken down in tenderness and tears on account of this deep trial, 
 
18:{4 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 81 
 
 h;ul much sympathy with me and oiiconragcd me not to be cast 
 (lowu, hut to go lorth in the Lord's work as way may 0])en. I 
 hc'souglit the Lord to liave mej'cy on me and to support mc in this 
 great "trial, and after a little settling down in my mind before him, 
 I was favored to say in perfect resignation to his will, " The Lord 
 gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the 
 Lord." Oh ! how I desired this evening to live nigh to the God of 
 my salvation while in this poor world, for there is nothing worth 
 living for in this poor world l)ut to serve him with a perfect heart 
 and With a willing mind, and to prepare for the mansion of ever- 
 lasting rest. Oh I God, I pray thee more and more to sanctify my 
 trials and conflicts, and cause all things to work together for my 
 Lood, and preserve me on every hand, for without thee I can do 
 nothing. Thy will and not mine be done in all things concerning 
 me. Amen. 
 
 On the -trth, I held a meeting at Marion, where the Lord was 
 pleased to give me a short testimony for the people. The meeting- 
 ended with prayer. I this afternoon rode to Germantown and 
 spent this evening in writing a letter to my dear wife, apprehend- 
 ing that the death of our dear little daughter was a close trial to 
 her as well as to me. She therefore feeling renewedly near to me 
 this evening, I was favored to write to her, encouraging her to look 
 to the Lord for support in time of deep and close trial. On the 
 otii and 6th, I attended the service of Abington Quarterly Meeting 
 held at this i)lace, wherein it was my duty to wait in silence, exeejit 
 a few words which I delivered in gospel love in the meeting for 
 business. Oh I that I may be faithful and closely mind the iioint- 
 ings of truth in thus going forth before the Lord, for of myself I 
 can do nothing that will redound to the glory of his name. On 
 the 7th, I held a meeting at Frankford, and on the 8th I also held 
 one at Byberry. At both of these meetings the Lord was ])leased 
 to be with me and to open my mouth in gospel testimony to the 
 praise of his great name. Oh ! that I may ever be humble befoi'c 
 him, and give him all the praise for his wonderful dealing with mc, 
 for he hath been very gracious to my poor soul. 
 
 The lith, being First-day, I attended Abington meeting of 
 Friends and found much good service for the Lord. This was, 
 through divine mercy, a good and heavenly meeting. The 10th, I had 
 a meeting at Plymouth, which was large and much favored with the 
 doctrine of truth. Praised be the Lord forever ! The 11th, I had a 
 meeting at Gwynedd, which, although it was small, was much 
 favored with gospel ministry and with prayer. Here my dear 
 friend, Kobert Scotton, joined me in order to travel with me 
 awhile. He is a minister in good esteem amongst Friends. I hav- 
 ing been conducted from meeting to meeting for some days past by 
 different Friends. 12tli, we had a small meeting at Horseham, and 
 were favored to deliver the testimony of truth to satisfaction. 
 
82 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1834 
 
 The 13th, we had a hirge meeting at Plumpstead, which was favored 
 with tlie doctrine of the everhisting gosjiel, to the liumbling of 
 many minds. Blessed forever be the name of God I The 14th, we 
 liad a small meeting at Solebury, in which I bore a short testimony 
 and was much favored in ])rayer and supplication. I have cause to 
 sing praises to thee, 0, Lord, for thou hast dealt wonderfully with 
 me. Thou hast been with me in many trials, and hast wrought many 
 deliverances for me. Thou hast done great things for me, whereof 
 I am glad. Thou knowest the sincerity and integrity of my heart. 
 I therefore, I beseech thee to preserve and sustain me on every 
 hand, and establish me in thine everlasting truth, and from time to 
 time give me ability to suJffer for thy testimony and to go forth 
 before thee in the way of thy requiring. More and more sanctify 
 me and tit me for thy work. All praise is thine both now and for- 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 The 15th we had a meeting at Buckingham which was large, and 
 the Lord's power being present, I was favored to proclaim the glad 
 tidings of the everlasting gospel. ICth, being First-day, Ave had a 
 meeting at Wrightstown, which in the fore part was a low time, but 
 the Lord at length was pleased to arise and authorize his testimony 
 to go forth to the glory of his name. The 17th, we had a small 
 meeting at Middletown, which was a time of some proving, way 
 opened however for some service for the Lord. The 18th, we had a 
 meeting at Bristol, which, through the Lord's adorable power was 
 made a precious season. The 10th, we had a large and favored 
 meeting at Falsington, the Lord's testimony went forth to comfort 
 and edification. We, after meeting, went home with our dear and 
 worthy friend Christopher Kealy, where we were entertained all 
 night to our satisfaction and strength. This beloved friend has trav- 
 eled much in truth's service to good satisfaction, both in America 
 also in old England ; he was this evening drawn into near and dear 
 sympathy with me, and encouraged me patiently to go forth in the 
 Lord's work, submitting to all my trials in his name. This was indeed 
 to me a heart-melting opjDortunity. May the Lord's name be praised 
 forever morel The 20th, we attended Trenton Preparative Meeting 
 of Friends, which was small and weak, but the Lord remembered 
 us in his goodness and mercy. The 21st, we had a meeting at Cross- 
 Avick's, Avhich, after a time of trial and hard struggle in the mind 
 against the darts of the enemy, truth in a good degree arose in 
 dominion. Blessed forever be the Lord I 22d, we had a meeting at 
 Mansfield, where truth's testimony Avcnt forth to edification. 
 
 The 23d, being First-day, Ave attended Upper Springfield meeting 
 of Friends, Avhicli Avas small. We were favored to encourage Friends 
 to be more faithful. We, after meeting, Avent to the house of our 
 dear and aged friend John Cox, Avhere avc Avere entertained all night 
 to good satisfaction. This dear friend informed us that he Avas this 
 day eighty years of age. AVe Avere edified in his company. He is a 
 
1834 JOUENAL OF THOMAS AIINETT. 83 
 
 minister in ffood esteem amon<rst Friends, and appears to stand as 
 a prince in Israel. The 24tli, we were at Burlington Quarterly 
 Meeting of ministers and elders, through which I sat in suffering 
 silence, beseeching the Lord in the secret of my mind to have mercy 
 on me and to preserve me on every hand Avhile in this life. The 
 :35th. This was a day which will be remembered bv me. We attended 
 Burlington Quarterly Meeting for worship and discipline. This was 
 a solid meeting, the Lord's presence prevailed. In the meeting for wor- 
 ship several short, living testimonies were borne by divers Friends ; 
 and in the meeting for discipline Friends were favored to move with' 
 harmony and condescension. I was concerned in this meeting to 
 encourage Friends to be more faithful, and to maintain our testi- 
 mony of silent waiting upon God in the faith and hope of the gospel 
 of Christ, and to mind the teaching of the Holy Spirit. The meet- 
 ing held long, and closed with thankfulness to the Great Head of 
 the Church. I this evening affectionately parted with my dear friend 
 Eubcrt Scotton, who has traveled with me about two weeks past, to 
 good satisfaction; and my dear friend Thomas Wister, Jr.,' of 
 Abmgton, met me here in order to join me in this journey for s'ome 
 time. 
 
 The three following days we held public meetings for worship at 
 Ancocus, Old Springfield, and Mount Holly. These meetings were 
 eminently favored with the good presence of the Lord, his truth 
 went forth to the humbling of many minds. Blessed forever be his 
 great and holy name! 
 
 The Third mo. 1st. I, in the forenoon, attended Evesham Pre- 
 ])arative Meeting of ministers and elders, where my mind was favored 
 to go down in profound silence before the Lord. I was imi)ressed 
 with a sense of his majesty, glory and jiower, and saw the great 
 necessity of livmg nigh him in the spirit of my mind, and of i)ray- 
 mg to hini without ceasing, in order to ex])erience true preservation 
 on every hand while in this life. Oh ! that I may be more and more 
 devoted to him, having no will of my own. In the afternoon we 
 had a meeting at Easton, which, through true wisdom, was made a 
 pretty good opportunity. The 2d, being First-day, we attended 
 Evesharn meeting for worship and found much good service for the 
 Lord. The three following days we held i)ublic meetings for wor- 
 ship at Upper Evesham, Cropwell, and Morestowu. These meetings 
 were large and much favored with doctrine; encouragement was given 
 to the true-hearted, and admonition to the slothful. All jiraise for- 
 ever be ascribed to him who liveth forevermore ! We had the very 
 acceptable company of our dear friend Hinchman Haines at the five 
 last-mentioned meetings, in all which he had good service for the 
 Lord. He is a minister m good esteem amongst Friends, and has 
 traveled much in truth's service, to good satisfaction. The Gth, we 
 attended Westfield Preparative Meeting, which, though small, was 
 made a good baptizing season. Blessed be the Lord forever! 
 
84 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1834 
 
 The 7tli. we had a meeting at Newtown, where the Lord gave me 
 good service. Our dear friends AVilliam Evans, and his wife, of Phil- 
 adelphia, who are ministers in good esteem amongst Friends, attended 
 this meeting, and they had good service for the Lord. We tliis 
 afternoon rode to the honse of onr dear and very kind friend Joseph 
 Whitacre, and had the tender sympathy of him and his family while 
 we were entertained there. This is a worthy Friend, being a minister 
 in very good standing in onr Society, and having traveled much in 
 truth's service, to very good satisfaction. He was one of the first who 
 detected Elias Hicks and his followers in their spurious doctrine, 
 and has stood firm against the flood of infidelity which has been 
 poured in upon our Society ; he is a good judge of faith and doc- 
 trine, and is well acquainted with the discipline of our Society. 
 
 The 8th, we made about twenty-five miles, to the neighborhood of 
 Salem, and the next day being First-day, we attended Friends' 
 meeting for worship there, which was a low time; I had a little 
 service but not to the relief of my mind. I was this day brought 
 into deep feeling of mind : the spirit of mourning and lamentation 
 was my companion ; my heart cried to the Lord, saying, I beseech 
 thee, oh, God, more and more to sanctify me and fit me for thy 
 work ; all my sorrows are known to thee, and thou art alone able to 
 -preserve me through them; thou knowest that I love thee, and desire 
 to go through life according to thy will ; try me and search me, and 
 establish me with thee forever, and more and more take away from 
 me all the fear of man, that I may go forth in the demonstration 
 of thy power, declaring the glad tidings of the gospel to the glory 
 and honor of thy great name. 
 
 The 10th we "had a small meeting at Pilesgrove, which, througli 
 the Lord's helping hand, was made a good and precious season. 
 11th. We had a good o[ien meeting at Woodbury; the Lord's tes- 
 timony went forth with power and to edification. 12th. I was 
 this day brought down in the spirit of my mind, in deef judgment 
 before Him Avho liveth forever and ever; the language'of my heart 
 was, "he hath led me and brought me into darkness, but not into 
 light." Oh! how j^oor I felt, and how necessary I conceived it to 
 be to be ])atient, and to abide in true stillness while under this 
 deep baptism, for the Lord's hand was upon me in judgment, 
 bringing my mind into a participation with the afflictions and 
 conliicts of his devoted, faitbful 2^Goi)le, and causing me to feel a 
 sense of the awful condition of a f\dlcn and wicked world. Truly 
 this Avas a day of great fear and trembling with me before him who 
 knoweth the secret of every heart, and who causes all things to 
 work together for good to them that love him. This was one of 
 the most conflicting seasons, in baptism, to my mind, that I ever 
 witnessed, in which I was favored, through divine mercy, to rely 
 alone on the truth for protection; knowing that those who ride the 
 King's horse and go forth in the power of inscrutable wisdom to 
 
1834 JOUJIXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 85 
 
 declare the glad tidings of the gospel, must again and again be 
 dismounted, and sit at the King's gate, and be dismantled, and eat, 
 as it were, tlic roll of the book, written within and without, con- 
 taining '* lamentations, and mourning and woe;" and here they will 
 feel very poor, and be impressed with a sense of the necessity of 
 abiding in true stillness while the cloud resteth upon the taber- 
 nacle, knowing that their suffering is alone of God, without whom 
 they can do nothing. I attended Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting 
 of ministers and elders, and was silent. I suppose this was a good 
 meeting to some, but to me this whole day was nia<le a deep, bap- 
 tizing season. 
 
 The 13th came on Haddonfield Quarterly meeting for worship and 
 discipline, which was very largo, and eminently owned by the Holy 
 Head of the Church. I Avas, through the Lord's mercy, called forth 
 into public testimony in this meeting, to the ])eace of my own 
 mind, and, I thought, to the satisfaction of Friends. Blessed forever 
 be the name of the Lord! We this afternoon and the next day rode 
 to the neighborhood of Eggharbor, near the sea-shore, and on the 
 lofh held a small and trying meeting there, in which I found some 
 little service, but not much, to the relief of my mind. I this day, 
 througji the inclemency of the weather, took a deep cold, which much 
 affected my health for some days. 16th being First-day, we held 
 a large and open meeting at Galloway; many attended who were 
 not members of our religious Society, and the "Lord was pleased to 
 send forth his testimony to the humbling of many minds. Praised 
 forever be his great and holy name ! I was this night very unwell, being 
 afflicted with a severe headache, so that I had but little sleep or 
 bodily rest. 17th. Being a little better in my health, we were 
 favored to travel on to Tuckerton, having rode yesterday afternoon 
 and this morning about forty miles to this place. AYe, this after- 
 noon held a good open meeting in this town for Friends and others, 
 the meeting was well attended, and through divine mercy it Avas 
 made a solemn season. 18th. We, this afternoon held a meeting 
 at Barnegat, which Avas in the fore part a trying time, but through 
 divine aid the meeting ended pretty Avell. I Avas this night very 
 much indisposed in body, being afflicted Avith a headache and sick 
 stomach. 19th. I Avas this day very unAvell; Ave, however, traveled 
 about forty-five miles to a friend's house, near Haddonfield, Avhere 
 we Avere kindly entertained while Ave continued there. I Avas this 
 night very uuAvell Avith a sick stomach and headache. I here took 
 some medicine which so operated that the next morning I felt some 
 better. We, this afternoon (being the 20th) and tlie two following 
 days rode to the neigliborhood of Greenwich. I continued to be 
 ])oorly and weakly, this Avas a low time Avith me, l)oth in body and 
 mind. I besought the Lord Avith tears to rememljer me and to sus- 
 tain me on every hand. I often about this time felt very lonesome 
 and sometimes Avas much closed up even in ordinary conversation. 
 
86 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1834 
 
 Oh I how I desired to please my God and to walk in liis divine 
 favor. I felt williiig to be brought as low in body and mind as 
 might be consistent with his blessed will, knowing that he would 
 cause all things to work together for my good if I continue to be 
 faithful to him in all things. On the 23rd, being First-day, we 
 attended Friends' meeting of Greenwich, and although I was un- 
 well, yet the Lord enabled me to move in gospel ministry to good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 I have received the following encouraging letter from my dear 
 wife: 
 
 New Hope, Green County, Ohio, 3d Month, 2d, 1834. 
 My Dear Hushand: — 
 
 I received thy letter of the 4th of last month, which afforded me 
 much satisfaction. I was glad to find by thy letter, that thou wast 
 enabled to bear the trial of the loss of our dear little daughter with 
 becoming fortitude. I can assure thee, that this trial coming on 
 me in thy al)sence was to me of a deeply-affecting nature, but 
 through adorable mercy, I was enabled to bear it with resignation 
 to the divine will. I can assure thee, my dear, that thou art often 
 brought near to my best feelings, in which thou hast my prayer and 
 sympathy. I sometimes feel very lonesome and much cast down, 
 but I desire to be patient and to be willing to endure affliction 
 for Christ's sake. My friends and relatives are very kind to me 
 and appear to have much sym]iathy and regard for me in all my 
 trials. I feel for thee, my dear, apjn-ehending that thou often 
 feelest very lonesome, being as a stranger traveling in a strange 
 land, but I want thee to be encouraged to travel on to the peace 
 of thy own mind and to the satisfaction of Friends. Put thy 
 trust in him who is able to support thee in all thy trials and con- 
 flicts. I have no doubt but Friends will be kind to thee, and 
 sympathize with thee in thy baptism. I want thee to be satis- 
 fied about home. I can assure thee that the want of thy com- 
 pany is a great privation to me, but I am fully willing to give 
 thee up to the Lord's service, believing tliat he requires much of 
 thee and has been very good to thee. I am willing to stay at 
 home in thy absence and to do the best I can, Ijeing assured if 
 we be faithful unto death, that the crown immortal will be our 
 hapi)y reward. In gospel love and true Christian sympathy, I re- 
 main thy loving and affectionate wife, Ka( tiel Aknett. 
 
 We, this afternoon and the next day rode to the city of Phila- 
 dclpliia, Avliere I spent tlio 25th ax a friend's house in order to rest 
 and improve my healtli, Friends of this city were very kind to me. 
 2Gth. My health l)eing somewhat imi)roved, we, this afternoon and 
 the next day rode to tlie neigliborhood of Stoney Brook (in A'ew 
 Jersey), and on tiie 2Sth attended Friend's meeting there, which 
 was a trying time till near the close of the meeting when truth in 
 
1834 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 87 
 
 some degree arose and caused tlie meeting to end pretty well. We, 
 this afternoon rode to East Branch, to a friend's house, where I 
 spent the 3!)th in writing and meditation. 30th, being First-day, 
 we held a meeting at East Branch, where we found an opposing 
 spirit in some, but the Lord through mercy opened my uioutli and 
 gave me ability and utterance to the glory of his name. We, this 
 afternoon traveled about thirty miles to" Shrewsburg, and on the 
 next day held a pretty good, open meeting there to satisfaction. 
 
 Fourth mouth, 1st. We this day rode about forty miles to Plain- 
 field, and on the next day held a meeting tliere, in the fore-part of 
 which I fejt very poor, but by waiting in faith upon Ood in silence 
 for some time, truth at length arose and gave us a good, comfortal^le 
 meeting. 3rd. We held a meeting at Rahwav, where the faithful 
 were encouraged and the slothful reproved. 
 
 Having visited the Meetings of Friends in New Jersey, we set out 
 this afternoon for Stroudsburg, (in Pennsylvania,) where we arrived 
 on the 5tli, and the next day, being First-day, we held a large 
 and open meeting there; the states of the people were spoken to in 
 the authority of truth. Blessed be the Lord! We, this afternoon 
 and the next day, rode to the settlement of Friends on Maiden 
 Creek, and the 8th I spent in writing and meditation on the good- 
 ness and mercy of God. 
 
 My mind was this evening brought into deep feeling; I thought 
 the hand of the Lord was upon me, I therefore reverently bowed 
 before him in the spirit of my mind, and supplicated him to deal 
 with me, while in this vale of tears, consistent with his holy will. 
 I was impressed with a seiise of His majesty, glory and power, and 
 contemplated, with deep humility, his great wonders and the im- 
 mensity of his works. Oh! how I desiral to dwell in his house all 
 the days of my life, and more and more to deepen in the root of 
 immortal life. A fervent desire was renewed in me more and more 
 to see into the spirtuality of the gospel of Christ, that I may grad- 
 ually receive instruction in the faith and the doctrines thereof, as 
 it may please the great Head of the Church to instruct me, to 
 whom be glory and honor, for he is worthy above all, forever and 
 ever. Amen ! 
 
 The 9th, we held a meeting at Maiden Creek, where mv mind 
 was opened in the doctrine of Christian redemption, to good satis- 
 faction. 10th. We had a meeting at Exeter, which in the fore- 
 part was a very proving time. I at length arose, in much weak- 
 ness, a little to inform the meeting of the exercise of my mind, not 
 expecting to have much to say, but by strictly looking to Cod for 
 direction, way opened in my mind to proceed in tlie gospel, stej) by 
 step, so that I was favored in gospel ministry and in supplication. 
 11th, we attended Robinson :\Ioiithly Meeting of Friends, where we 
 found pure religion to be at a low ebb. I was much favored to 
 speak, in gospel love, to the state and condition of this meeting, 
 
88 JOUHXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1834 
 
 for which I was revei-ently thankful to the Autlior of all good. 
 12th. We held a small meeting at Pottsgrove; the peojile who 
 attended being most of them lovers of the world more tl)an the 
 blessed cross of Christ, therefore a solemn warning went forth ad- 
 monishing them to flee from the wrath to come, and to prepare for 
 eternity while divine mercy was near. They seemed tender when 
 the meeting closed, and I hope they will be more serious in future. 
 
 The i:}tli being First-day, we attended Friends' Meeting of Ger- 
 mantown, Avhere the Lord was graciously pleased to send fortli his 
 testimony to the humbling of many minds. Praised forever )je his 
 great and holy name! 
 
 I this afternoon went home with my dear and kind friend Thomas 
 AVister, who has been for some time my very accei^table companion. 
 AVliile we traveled together a sincere friendshiji was contracted 
 between us, which I hope will continue as long as we live. He was 
 truly a good, sym])atliizing friend to me, and I hope the Lord will 
 bless him for his kindness to me. 
 
 The 14th. I this morning went on to the city of Philadelphia, 
 in order to attend some meetings of Friends there this week, and 
 also to attend the approaching Yearly Meeting of Friends there. 
 I spent this day, after arriving in the city, in writing and serious 
 reflection. I endured some conflict of mind, but by trusting alone 
 in the name of the Lord, I was in a good degree supported. 
 
 The 15th, 1 attended the Northern Meeting of Friends and was 
 favored with the most comfortable and peaceful silence. I thought 
 that a i)recious degree of solemnity jiervadedthis meeting, in which 
 the Lord was worshiped in s])irit and in truth. IGth. I attended 
 the "Westei'u District Monthly Meeting of Friends, and through 
 Divine mercy was favored with a precious testimony, to the satisfac- 
 tion of Friends and to the relief of my own mind. Praised forever 
 be the name of the Lord, for he is worthy. 17th, I was at Arch 
 street Meeting of Friends, in which theLoid was pleased to give me 
 a short testimony, in some degree to the relief to my mind. I Avas 
 this day much impressed with a sense of the power and majesty of 
 God. I looked'to him Avith holy fear and reverence, and secretly 
 besought him to remember me in his great loving kindness and 
 goodni'sss. I sensibly felt the great danger of going counter to his 
 Divine will. Oh! that I may be preserved on every hand, and do 
 his will in all things. 
 
 1'lie 18th, I attended the meeting for sufferings, where I enjoyed 
 much satisfaction of mind. In this meeting I found a considerable 
 numbei- of solid, exjierienced Fi'iends, who were well acquainted 
 with the discii)line and order of our Society. 19th. I attended 
 the "i'early .Meeting of ministers and elders, and had cause to believe 
 that a goodly number of Friends were present who maintain the 
 faith and doctrines of the gospel in the spirit of meekness and true 
 wisdom, and who are concerned to stand forth alone for the testi- 
 
1831 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. " 89 
 
 mony of truth. 20th. I this morning uttended Orange Street 
 Meeting of Friends, which was, in some degree, a low time. I 
 delivered a short, doctrinal testimony in true love, and in a good 
 degree to the peace of my own mind. In the afternoon T was at 
 the Western District Meeting, and was silent; some other minister- 
 ing Friends had a good service, for which I was thankful to the 
 great Giver. 
 
 The 21st. Came on the Yearly Meeting for discipline, which by 
 adjournments was held till the evening of the 2Gth. Tliis meeting 
 was large, and iu a good degree owned by the Good Shepherd of 
 Israel, under whose guidance and help Friends were enabled to 
 transact the important concerns of the Society, which claimed their 
 consideratiom with brotherly love and Christian condescension. 
 This was no doubt a good meeting to many; a fervent travail of 
 spirit ]irevailed, in which the faithful were encouraged to stand 
 firm for the testimony of truth, and to persevere to the end in the 
 way of the cross, that they may obtain the crown immortal; and the 
 negligent were admonished in gospel love to more diligence, and to 
 greater dedication of heart to him who is the Author of all our sure 
 mercies and blessings. 
 
 It was my lot to sit through this meeting in sutfering silence, in 
 which my mind was brought very low. I felt, indeed, very poor 
 and much forsaken; "my sjjirit was overwhelmned Avithin me," 
 and the travail of my soul was deep, and the inward conflicts of my 
 mind were great; so that it seemed to me that I could reverently 
 cry out with a faithful servant of God formerly, who said m true 
 humility: " I looked on my right hand, but behold, there was no 
 man that would know me; refuge failed me; no one cared for my 
 soul. I cried unto Tliee, Lord; I said, 'Thou art my refuge, 
 and my portion in the land of the living.' " While my mind was 
 thus solemnly pervaded I entered into a very strict and impartial 
 scrutiny of my past religious life, and, although I had to mourn 
 over my imperfections, yet, through the meritorious mercy and in- 
 tercession of the vvell-ljeloved Son of God, I felt no condemnation; 
 not that I had done anything that merited salvation, or that I 
 could be saved by works of righteousness which I have done, for 
 according to His"^ mercy He saves us by the washing of regeneration 
 and renewing of the Holy (J host. After I had investigated my past 
 religious walks and saw all my own righteousness, as it were, to be as 
 filthy rags, and conceived myself to be a i)oor, unprofitable servant, 
 and was renewedly made sensible that I had nothing to depend on 
 for salvation but" the rigliteousness of Christ, I with much fear 
 and trembling cried to the Lord for mercy and for preservation, 
 and this scrijiture injunction was renewed in my mind with much 
 force and weight: *' Be still, and know that I am God." I hum- 
 bly bowed in believing that His holy hand was u^ton me in baptism, 
 and saw the great necessity of abiding all His gracious dispensa- 
 
90 JOUKXAL OF THO:\rAS ARXETT. 1834 
 
 tions in the patience, the faitli, and the hope of the gospel, know- 
 ing that whom He loveth He rebuketh and chasteneth, and that He 
 dealeth with His faithful children in such a manner as that no 
 flesh shall glory in His sitht; in the most fatherly mercy He some- 
 times, as it were, strips His devoted children, and causes them to 
 put their mouth in the dust and to keep silence, and both to hope 
 and quietly wait for His salvation; and as they here dwell in true 
 stillness before Him, arrogating nothing to themselves, but keep- 
 ing all within themselves under the cross of Christ, He will in His 
 own time return with healing in His wings and arise for their as- 
 cendancy into His holy hill to sing praises to His immortal name. 
 Oh, how I desired patiently to endure the turning and the over- 
 turning of His mighty liand upon me, and to have no will at all of 
 my own! I besought him with tears, and with a broken and trem- 
 bling heart, to remember me in His mercy and in His loving kind- 
 ness. The language of my heart was: " Whom have I in heaven 
 but Thee, and what is there in the earth that I desire besides 
 Thee?" and He had mercy upon me, and showed me that He was 
 with me in all the refining baptisms that came upon me, and that 
 it was good to suffer in this life for His holy name's sake, and that 
 those who walk in the path which He casteth up for them, He will 
 be a friend to such that sticketh closer than a brother or a sister, 
 and cause all things to work together for their good. I beseech 
 Thee, Lord, to do with me as seemeth good to Thee. Thou 
 knowest I love Thee, and desire to serve Thee while in this life with 
 a perfect heart and witli a willing mind. More and more sanctify 
 me, and cause Thy will, and not mine, to be done.** 
 
 The 27th. I this morning, in company with Enos Lee, left the 
 city of Philadelijhia, and this being First-day, we rode to Baduor 
 Meeting of Friends, which we attended to good satisfaction; and 
 this afternoon and the two following days we rode to Pottsville, a 
 large town on the Schuylkill river, and held a good open meeting 
 there in the evening in the Episcopalian meeting-house. I was fa- 
 vored to deliver the doctrine of the gospel to good satisfaction. 
 30th. We rode about thirty miles to Cattawissa, a town on the 
 Susquehanna river. This was a day of much exercise of mind to 
 me. My heart was engaged in prayer and supplication to the Lord 
 for His mercy and protection. 
 
 5th mo. 1st. We this morning rode to Friends' settlement on 
 Fishing Creek, and the next day held two meetings — the one in the 
 morning at fireenwood, and the other in the afternoon at Fishing- 
 Creek; these were good open meetings, od. We rode to Muncy, 
 and the next day being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting 
 there, and were favored with a good open season, much to the )'e- 
 lief of my mind. We this afternoon and the next day rode up- 
 wards of sixty miles to Jiellefonte, and the Gth we spent at the 
 house of Bond Valentine, and were much interested in the company 
 
1834 JOURN"AL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 91 
 
 of him and his wife, believing that if they fully sul)mit to the 
 teaching of the cross of Christ they will be calculated to do much 
 good in our Society. I was engaged this day in writing and in 
 meditation. 7th. We this day held a meeting in Friends' meeting 
 house in this town, for Friends and others. (This meeting is a 
 branch of Baltimore Yearly Meeting.) The Lord's heljiing hand 
 was present in this meeting. Doctrine flowed freely to the tender- 
 ing of many minds, and the meeting ended to good satisfaction. 
 We this afternoon and the next day returned to Muncy, and, being 
 tired, we rested on the 9th at a Friend's house. 
 
 The 10th. We this morning set out from Muncy and rode 
 about thirty miles to the neighborhood of Elkland, and the next 
 day being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there, and, 
 through divine grace, found some good service for the Ijord. Af- 
 ter meeting and the two following days we rode to Friendsville, 
 and on the 14th we held a meeting there, which, after a time of 
 much deep exercise of mind, the Lord enabled me to stand forth 
 for the encouragement of His little, sincere ones, so that the meet- 
 ing concluded with thanksgiving to His ever blessed and worthy 
 name. 
 
 About this time the weather was so cold that in traveling from 
 place to place I suffered very much with the cold, with all my win- 
 ter clothes on; and this remarkable and unusual change of the 
 weather was not only witnessed here, but also in different parts of 
 the world. The ground was extensively covered with snow, and 
 the great freeze which was produced in consequence of the inclem- 
 ency of the weather had a very serious, chilling and blasting effect 
 on the germinating princij^le of the earth, so that when the cold 
 terminated the face of the earth for a while seemed to bear a 
 gloomy and desolating aspect — the tender plants and the leaves of 
 the trees in many instances being so affected by it that they soon 
 died and withered away. This uncommon change of the season 
 produced in my mind very serious reflections. I was brought to 
 consider how very dependent we poor, finite and fallen beings are 
 on Him who governs the vicissitude of the seasons and causes na- 
 ture to subserve to the counsel of His wisdom. He can at anytime 
 so change the season as to blast all our efforts and industry; and it 
 is through adorable mercy that He sustains the seasons and causes 
 nature so to smile upon our earth as to produce food and raiment 
 for our poor, frail bodies while passing througli this lower world. 
 Blessed forever be His worthy name! 
 
 On the 15th and lOth, we rode from the vicinity of Friendsville 
 to Stroudsburg, and being wearied with traveling through inclem- 
 ent weather, we concluded to spend the 17tli at the house of our 
 dear and very kind friend, Daniel Stroud, in order to rest. This 
 dear friend is a minister in unity with Friends, and he and his 
 family treated us with Christian kindness and true sympathy. The 
 
92 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1834 
 
 18th, being First-clay, we attended Stroudsburg meeting for wor- 
 ship, which proved to be a low and trying time till near the close, 
 when tlie meeting ended with prayer. 
 
 I have now visited the meetings that constitute Philadelphia 
 Yearly Meeting, and in passing through these meetings my mind 
 often witnessed exercises which language cannot well describe. 
 The Lord in a wonderful and weighty manner often laid his holy 
 hand ujjon me, and brought me down in judgment and baptism 
 before him, and made me sensible that the blindness in part hath 
 fallen upon Israel, and that the seed of life in many mourns, 
 and often prays for deliverance, and again and again he arose 
 in me so as to grant ability to encourage the humble traveler 
 in zion and to call sinners to repentance. Many meetings which 
 I held within tre limits of this Yearly Meeting were well attend- 
 ed by people of different religious denominations, who apj)eared 
 generally to be satisfied, and some of them Avere reached by the 
 power of truth and broken into much tenderness and contrition, 
 while others were so involved in the love of the world that al- 
 though they appeared to be satisfied with seeing doctrine brought 
 to light, yet the seed of life was not reached in' them. In this 
 Yearly Meeting I found many valuable and interesting Friends, 
 and I also met with those who were too much engaged in the jiur- 
 ticipation of the love and political bustle of a fallen world. And 
 in order mora fully to set forth the state of this Yearly Meeting, I 
 here again advert to the travail thereof in its late sojourn in send- 
 ing down to the subordinate meetings the following minute of ad- 
 vice, Avhich Avas directed to the careful attention of Friends indi- 
 vidually. 
 
 "This meeting AA^as introduced into much exercise for the j^res- 
 erA'ation of its members on the foundation Avhich has been the sup- 
 port of the faithful followers of Christ in every generation, that 
 by abiding in a state of Avatchfulness unto prayer, they may l)e pre- 
 served from being caught by the fluctuating spirit or policies of the 
 AV'orld, and through unreserved dedication to the teachings and 
 leadings of the Spirit of Clirist, be qualified to maintain inviolate 
 our testimony to the peaceable nature of his kingdom. And it is 
 our fervent desire, that all our dear Friends may be es])ecially on 
 their guard in times of outward commotion, endeavoring to keep 
 near to one another, and to the blessed truth in their own hearts. 
 TJiis Avill enable them to shoAv forth out of a consistent conversa- 
 tion, the fruits of righteousness, gentleness, meekness, and tem- 
 perance, and by thus exalti ig the testimonies given us to bear, 
 they Avill be made a blessing to tliose amongst Avhom they dwell. ^' 
 
 The Ilicksites have taken the control of tlie greater proportion of 
 Friei.uls' meeting houses within the limits of this Yearly Meeting, 
 80 that Friends in a 7iumber of neighborhoods have been under the 
 necessity of building new houses to hold their meetings in, and in 
 
18S4 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AllXETT. 93 
 
 some meetings tlicy continue sometimes to trouble Friends by 
 going in amongst tliem in meeting and imposing their communica- 
 tions on tliem. The Lord only knows when our sutfering will be 
 over which has been brought upon us in consequence of this un- 
 liaj^py schism. 1 know that judgment belongs to him and that he 
 will avenge his people, and punisii the wicked with everlasting des- 
 truction from his presence, and from the glory of his power. 
 
 On the iDth and 20th we rode to the city of New York, and here 
 ray dear friend, Enos Lee, who has been for awhile my very accep- 
 table companion, feeling his mind turned toward home, took his 
 tender and affectionate leave of me, and parted with me in that 
 love which is the badge of discipleship. 
 
 The 21st, I attended the meeting of Friends in New York City, 
 in which my mouth was opened in a pretty good degree in gospel 
 love to the sanctification of Friends. The 22d, I was at the meet- 
 ing of Friends at Flushing, on Long Island, and after waiting 
 sometime in silence in a very dependent frame of mind, the power 
 of truth arose to the humbling of many minds, so that the meet- 
 ing ended well. The 22d. I held a good open meeting at West- 
 bury. The Lord's power was present, under the influence of which 
 Friends were strengthened in the faith and the hope of the gospel 
 of Christ. The meeting ended well. The 24th. I this morning 
 returned to New York city in order to attend the approaching 
 Yearly Meeting of Friends, and on this morning the Yearly Meet- 
 ing of ministers and elders was opened. Through the Lord's help- 
 ing hand, ministers and elders felt the importance of living nigh 
 the blessed truth and strictly observing inward watchfulness unto 
 prayer. This is a time of great political confusion and commotion 
 in the civil world, as well as the unusual excitement on the all im- 
 portant subject of faitli and doctrine in the religious world. Oh I 
 hosv necessary it is that ministers and elders should lie low and 
 dwell deep in the spirit of their minds in such a period of the 
 world as this, that they may deepen in the root of immortal life, 
 and live near one another in the truth, having the same mind and 
 spirit, and maintaining the same faith, hope, and doctrine, in the 
 gospel of Christ. 
 
 The 25th, being First-day, the public meetings of Friends for 
 divine worship in this city were well attended, in which doctrine, 
 with encouragement to the sincere, and admonition to the wicked, 
 flowed freely to the glory and honor of the good name of God. 
 
 This was a day of unusual divine favor with me, while sitting 
 in a Friend's house, after having declared the Lord's truth in meet- 
 ing with power and authority, I felt indeed for awhile very lone- 
 some, being numy miles from home for the purpose of espousing 
 the faith, and the doctrine of the gospel before the public, and 
 having no regular companion, I felt for a few minutes very much 
 discouraged. At length a deep and pure silence of mind came 
 
94 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1834 
 
 upon me, and the Lord's glorious power so prevailed in me, that I 
 became wonderfully impressed with a sense of his goodness and 
 mercy, and I believe that this language passed through my mind 
 in the love of the gospel : "Be not dismayed, for I am with thee. 
 I will strengthen thee. Yea, I will help thee. Yea, I will uphold 
 thee by the" right hand of my righteousness, and fear not, for I 
 will send the angel of my presence with thee." Oh ! how my poor 
 soul adored the God of my salvation while his great power thus 
 pervaded me I It seemed to me that the glory of heaven was so 
 opened to my view, that I saw nothing here worth living for but 
 to serve God and to prepare for the mansion of everlasting bliss. 
 My spirit leaped with Joy unspeakable, and craved to mount up with 
 wings as eagles, and be forever at rest in the arm of the Lord Jesus. 
 But I know that I must go forth into the world and endure many 
 things for the testimony of the gospel, before I could enjoy that 
 pure peace in eternity, a fortaste of which I this day mercifully 
 Avitnessed. Oh ! that I may endure faithful unto the end with all 
 godliness and honesty, that I may obtain the crown immortal. 
 
 The 26th. On this morning the Yearly Meeting for Discipline 
 was opened under a sense of our inability of doing any good thing 
 of ourselves, therefore the sincere mind was engaged in prayer and 
 supplication to the great Head of the Church that he would be one 
 in the midst with us in this our annual assembly, which was merci- 
 fully answered; for through the course of this meeting he presided 
 amongst us by his spirit and granted ability to Friends to conduct 
 and manage the important concerns of Society with Christian love, 
 unanimit}' and harmony. I thought that this was one of the most 
 interesting Yearly Meetings that I over attended. I found many 
 valuable and well concerned friends in this meeting, with whom 
 my spirt sympathized in the travail of Society, finding that although 
 our discipline is well sustained in most instances, yet we had cause 
 to mourn in consequence of many existing disci])lines amongst us. 
 The Lord was graciously pleased to be with me through the course 
 of this meeting and mercifully gave me much good service, so that 
 I had cause often to sing the new song which none can sing but 
 those who are redeemed from the earth and from amongst men by 
 the blood of the Lamb. This Yearly Meeting on the oOth, closed its 
 session with thanksgiving and praise to the great Shepherd of Israel 
 for all his exercises and loving kindness vouchsafed to us. 
 
 The 31st, I took a passage this morning on steamboat from this 
 city to Sing Sing, and in passing along my mind was much engaged 
 in delightful reflection and conversation, being about three hun- 
 dred people on board the steamboat, amongst Avhom there were 
 many Friends returning home from the Yearly Meeting with thank- 
 ful hearts to the Lord in giving us at our annual assembly his soul- 
 solacing presence, and preserving us to the glory and honor of his 
 holy and worthy name. 
 
1834 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AllNETT. 95 
 
 Sixth month, 1st, being First-day, I this morning attended the 
 meetings of Friends at Crotton, and found some good service for 
 the Lord, and in the evening I hekl a hirge and good meeting at 
 Peekskill, in Friend's meeting house. The doctrine of 'Christian re- 
 demption was delivered to good satisfaction. 2nd. I held a good 
 and open meeting at Amawalk. ord. I had a meeting at Salem 
 in which the sincere were encouraged and the lukewarm were 
 warned. 4th. I attended Friend's meeting of Croton Valley, and 
 was in a good degree opened in gosj^el love. 5th. I held a good 
 and precious meeting at Cha})aqua, in which I was led to feel with 
 true sympathy with the pure seed. 6th. I this day held two meet- 
 ings, the one in the forenoon at Purchase, and the other in the 
 afternoon at Mansoneck, these meetings were seasons of much Di- 
 vine favor; the Lord's helping hand Avas felt to be near. I was this 
 night very kindly and affectionately entertained at the house of my 
 dear and worthy friend Kichard Mott, who is a minister in good 
 standing amongst Friends and has traveled much for the defence 
 of the gospel. The order and quietness of his family, I could but ad- 
 mire with satisfaction. He at a suitable time every morning col- 
 lects his family into a private and retired room, and after a due 
 panse, reads a portion of the Holy Scrij^tures with subsequent 
 waiting upon God for the renewal of Divine help, and I was made 
 sensible that this good practice was both blessed to him and to his 
 famil}^ and it would be blessed to all who would observe it with 
 fear and trembling, knowing that of themselves they can do noth- 
 ing that Avill avail their salvation. I regret in passing through our 
 Society to find this good practice neglected by many of my dear 
 Friends, knowing that in such neglect, they do sustain a serious loss 
 both to the parents and cliildren. 
 
 The 7th. I this morning returned to Ncav York city and had 
 the satisfaction to receive a very good and encouraging letter from 
 my beloved wife, at the reading of which feelings were renewed in 
 me toward her which cannot be well described. I also at the same 
 time received the folloAving sympathizing letter from a dear and 
 worthv friend of mine. 
 
 ''Clinton County, Ohio, 5th Month, 24th, 1834. 
 "Dear Friend Thomas Arnott : 
 
 "1 have often thought of thee since thou left us to enter upon 
 thy present ardent engagement. . My desires have been that thou 
 mightest be preserved in the everlasting truth steadfastly through- 
 out, and witness strength and comfort of mind through the love of 
 him Avho died for us, and be enabled to bless the Lord both in suf- 
 fering and in rejoicing. 
 
 " 1 liave felt for thee in several respects. In tlie first place it 
 doubtless was a great trial to thee to leave thy dear family and thy 
 connections and friends at home, and engage to travel with pres- 
 sure of spirit, amongst persons who were mostly strangers, but at 
 
96 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. i834 
 
 first thou wast favored with a companion from home who was truly 
 feeling, and to wliom thou couldst open thy mind fully when oc- 
 casion required, but soon thou wast deprived of his comi)any ; and 
 then the mournful tidings of the death of thy dear little daughter, 
 thy only child, must have been truly affecting : I have also been 
 informed that thy own health has not been good of late, but through 
 all I ho]ie the Lord will raise thee up, and continue his goodness to 
 thee by the inward consolation of his blessed spirit, and that he 
 will enable thee to press forward like one valiant in, and under the 
 cross of Christ to the honor of his great name. 
 
 " I desire thy encouragement, and that thou mayest dwell with 
 the pure and holy seed. Thou art aware that Friends as a people 
 have been characteristic for pressing the necessity of inward sancti- 
 fication and holiness ; they have not crowded their doctrines, or 
 discourses with very many distinctions or disquisitions respecting 
 the order of Christian redemption, or of the manner or mode of 
 being in a future state ; yet all riglitly informed Friends have be- 
 lieved in the doctrine of redemption through Christ Jesus, in the 
 resurrection of the dead, and a judgment to come, and that God 
 will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath 
 ordained, even the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the 
 gospel. In these things the scriptures are clear. It should be the 
 concern of the gospel minister to teach and indicate these things, 
 with all diligence and boldness in, and by, the spirit of the Lord, 
 as well as to press the necessity of inward purity and holiness, and 
 that of Avatchfulness unto prayer, that all my be preserved in an up- 
 right walking, and that the conduct and conversation of all may 
 adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, to maintain good works is 
 good and pr(;fitable to men, the contrary would bring condemna- 
 tion. 
 
 "The concerns of Society are, I believe, in a measure, prosper- 
 ous, brotherly love and good feeling towards each other generally 
 abound. 
 
 " With love, I reinain thy sincere friend, in which my wife heart- 
 ily joins. " George Carter." 
 
 Tlie 8th, being First-day, 1 this morning attended the meeting 
 of Friends in New York city, whicdi was very large and eminently 
 owned by Israel's good Shepherd. My mind was much opened in 
 the doctrine of Christian redemption, I thought to the comfort 
 and satisfaction of all the well minded who were present. In the 
 afternoon meeting I was silent, some other ministering Friend 
 found much good service for the Lord. 
 
 The Oth. I this morning, in much love and sympathy, wrote a 
 letter to my dear wife, feeling my mind turned toward her in that 
 l)ure love Avhich neither time nor distance can extinguish. I this 
 evening took a passage from this city by steamboat for Newj)orr,, 
 wliere \ was landed next morning: in fourteen hours after setting 
 
1834 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 97 
 
 suil, the distance being near about two liuudred miles. I this day, 
 after Lmding on Rhode Ishmd, felt very thankful to the Lord for 
 all his tender mercies to me. The 10th. I spent this day in writ- 
 ing and meditation, and at times felt very poor ; but again and 
 again divine grace was renewed in me, so that praise ascended from 
 my heart to the Author of all good. The 12th. I this day, Avith 
 divers other public Friends, attended Friends' meeting in Newport, 
 which, through Divine goodness, was made a. refreshing season. 
 The 13th. I devoted this day in serious retirement and to writing, 
 the good spirit of the Lord being with me and showing me the ne- 
 cessity of inward watchfulness unto prayer. Oh I that I may ever 
 be faithful to the pointings of truth and earnestly contend for the 
 faith once delivered to the saints I 
 
 The l-lth. I this day. under much exercise and some depression 
 of spirit, attended the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders for 
 New England, held at Portsmouth. This was a season of much 
 exercise to Friends, l)eing, as I thought, a low time with Friends. 
 The business that came forward was conducted with fear and trem- 
 bling, and also with much harmony. The 15th. Being First-day, 
 and was a time of deep travail of sjjirit with me. I attended two 
 large meetings for public worship held at Portsmouth, one in the 
 forenoon and the other in the afternoon. In both these meetings I 
 Avas silent, under much pressure of spirit, my mind being impressed 
 with a sense of the necessity of the minister of Christ being Avell 
 skilled in the knowledge of faith and doctrine, and also of only 
 handling such doctrine as is connected with his religious exj)erience, 
 knoAving that no man can preach the true gospel Avithout the im- 
 mediate interposition of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Head of 
 the Church, the minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle 
 Avhich the Lord pitched, and not man. ScA'eral ministering friends 
 had good service in these tAvo meetings for the Lord, so that to 
 many these meetings were made a season of divine visitation. 
 
 The 16th. This morning the Yearly Meeting of Friends for 
 Xew England was ojjened at XcAvport, on Rhode Island, which Avas 
 held by adjournments till the 20th, inclusiA'C. This Yearly Meet- 
 ing was a A'ery interesting season, and a time Avhich will be grate- 
 fully remembered by many. Beside a large number of Friends in 
 the ministry from other Y^early Meetings, there Avere in attendance 
 more than the ordinary pro])ortion of members from the remote 
 branches of the Yearly Meeting. Amongst the important subjects 
 which claimed the close consideration of Friends, that of the 
 guarded, religious and literary education of the youth Avas one ; and 
 this very interesting subject was entered upon Avith that zeal and 
 earnestness which its importance demanded, and I thought that the 
 interest which impressed the minds of Friends on this concern 
 promised beneficial results. Feelings of brotherly harmony and 
 concern for the general Avelfare of the body appeared to prevail 
 
98 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1834 
 
 throughout the sittings of tlie meeting, under the cementing influ- 
 ence of that love which constitutes the Church of Christ one com- 
 pact body. I greatly desire that this precious feeling, the unity of 
 the spirit in the bond of true peace, wherein the members of the 
 spiritual family love each other without dissimulation, in a pure 
 heart, fervently, may more and more obtain in every portion of our 
 small but favored community, for we have been a highly favored 
 people. 
 
 When I consider the preciousness of the testimonies which 
 Friends as a people are called to hold forth to the world, the im- 
 portant influence they have already produced upon the professors 
 of Christianity, the gradual advancement and ultimate triumph to 
 which they are designed, and the effect which tlie faithfulness of the 
 Society may have in hastening the happy day when they shall be uni- 
 vei'sally acknowledged,! cannot repress the ardent desire that through 
 submission to the power and leadings of the Holy Spirit (which 
 crucifies to the love and pursuits of the world, and separates from 
 its corrupt maxims and customs, and from everything that would 
 defile), we may be prej^ared as a people to hold up a clear and con- 
 sistent example to all around us, and adorn our high and holy 
 profession by a life of righteousness and self-denial, "'perfecting 
 holiness in the fear of the Lord." 
 
 My mind during this Yearly Meeting was deeply impressed with 
 a living concern for the preservation of our religious Society, de- 
 siring that Friends may always keep on that ground to which those 
 were called who were made instruments in the Lord's hand to 
 gather us to be a people and to be a light in the world. Those 
 bright sons of the morning suffered much in maintaining the vari- 
 ous testimonies of the gospel of Christ, and in their suffering they 
 lived nigh unto God in the spirit of their mmds, and became well 
 versed in the knowledge of the holy scriptures, and also well skilled 
 in the faith, the hope and the doctrine of the everlasting gospel, so 
 that they were enabled in the Lord's holy power to go forth and 
 sustain the cause of truth whenever an attack was made upon it by 
 its adversaries. They believed in what Christ has done for us with- 
 out us as well as what he does for us within us, and they were true 
 believers in the leadings of God's spirit ; and if Friends move forth 
 under the guidance of this blessed spirit, and maintain the ground 
 in all things which they maintained, the Lord, witii his protecting 
 power, will guard and sustain on every hand, and more and more 
 consistent with his design, cause us to be a blessing to the people of 
 the eartii. 
 
 The 2Lst. I this day attended Westport Monthly Meeting, and 
 through divine mercy found good service for the Lord ; and the 
 next day, being First-day, I held two meetings, the first at Center, 
 in the morning, and the other at Newtown", in the evening. In 
 tliese meetings truth reigned over all. Blessed be the name of the 
 
1S34 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 99 
 
 Lordl The 'lod, I lield ii good open meeting at Smith's Neck, and 
 also another highly favored meeting on the :24th at Allen's Neck. 
 The Lord in these meetings was with me, and enabled me to handle 
 doctrine consistent with his will. The 25th. This was a day of 
 much dejiression of spirit with me. Oh ! how I desired to live 
 near my Divine Master, and to go forth through this life consistent 
 with his blessed will, being willing on all occasions to endure the 
 cross and to bear the reproach of Christ with patience and self- 
 denial. I this day attended Dartmouth Monthly Meeting, and 
 found it to be my duty to sit in suifering silence. The meeting 
 was large. Many attended who were not members, but I had noth- 
 ing for them ; a testimony, however, was delivered by a ministering 
 friend, to good satisfaction. Here my dear friend, Abraham 
 Russel, of this meeting. Joined me as a companion while on this 
 journey. 
 
 The ^Gth, we attended New Bedford Monthly Meeting, and 
 found some interesting Friends, amongst whom I had good service 
 to their satisfaction, and the next day we held appointed meetings 
 at Acushnet and Long Plain. In these meetings the Lord's power 
 eminently prevailed, to the tendering and humbling of many minds. 
 Praised forever be his holy name I 
 
 The 28th. We traveled this day about twenty-five miles to the 
 neighborhood of Sandwich, and on the 29th, being First-day, we 
 visited the meeting of Friends in this vicinity, and had a good, 
 open, and watering time. In the evening we held a meeting in the 
 village of Sandwich, in the Methodist meeting house, which was 
 large and much favored with counsel and doctrine ; the meeting 
 ended to good satisfaction. 
 
 The ."JOth. This was a day of much divine favor with me; the 
 Lord was pleased to be with me, and to ojien my mind, in som,e 
 measure, to contemplate his wonders, mercy, and goodness, so that 
 I had cause to sing praises to his blessed and worthy name. AYe 
 held a meeting at Friends' Meeting house of Falmouth, which was 
 large, and through divine mercy was made a jirecious and heaven- 
 ly season, the good seed was reached and the evil chained down in 
 many ; the meeting closed with thankfulness to the Lord. In the 
 evening we held a large and good meeting in the village of Fal- 
 mouth, in the Methodist meeting house; the Lord's presence was 
 with us, in the opening of which I thought that doctrine flowed 
 freely to the edification and humbling of many minds. May all 
 praise be ascribed to him who is the giver of every good and per- 
 fect gift! for without him we can do nothing that will avail the 
 salvation of the immortal and never-dying soul. 
 
 Seventh month 1st. We this morning in company with about 
 fifty Friends went on board a vessel for Nantucket, in order to at- 
 tend the Quarterly Meeting of Friends there ; after setting sail the 
 wind became so unfavorable for our voyage that the captain of the 
 
100 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. im 
 
 vessel at length informed us that it was out of the question to land 
 us on Xantucket on that day, but that he thought he could land 
 us on Martini's Alneyard for the night and go to Nantucket the 
 next morning, so that after being on the water six hours, we landed 
 on Martha's" Vineyard, and the next morning we set out at four 
 o'clock, and after having a perilous voyage, we landed on Xan- 
 tucket in time to attend the Quarterly Meeting of ministers and 
 elders. I was this day much cast down in tlie spirit of my mind. 
 ! how I desired to live near tlie Lord all the days of my life. 
 
 The 3d came on the Quarterly Meeting for discipline. Through 
 divine help, the business of the meeting was conducted with Chris- 
 tian harmony. I was silent under very deep exercise throughout 
 this meeting. While sitting in this meeting and ruminating on the 
 state of our religious society, I clearly saw the want of Friends 
 living nearer one to another, and to the blessed truth, so that we 
 may be a deeper people in the knowledge of the Christian religion. 
 ! how I mourned in seeing the want of more depth in many who 
 profess with us. Several Friends in the ministry from a distance 
 attended this Quarterly Meeting, some of whom had much good 
 service for the Lord. The meeting closed with thanksgiving to tlie 
 Lord. 
 
 Tlie 4th. We attended two meetings for divine worshi]), which 
 were ap]iointed by divers Friends in the ministry from a distance, 
 who had good service. I was silent under very deep exercise in 
 in which I was preserved in patience, believing the Lord would 
 sanctify this my deep exercise. I spent the 5th in Avriting and 
 meditation, being much retired in my mind before the Lord. 
 
 The Gth, being First-day, and also a day of much divine favor, 
 the Lord was graciously pleased to be with me in a manner such as 
 to enable me to praise his ever blessed name. We attended the 
 morning and afternoon meeting of Friends on this island, both of 
 which were very large, and mercifully owned by the good Shepherd 
 of Israel. I was opened this day in gosiiel ministry to admiration, 
 and to the humility of many minds. Doctrine and counsel flowed 
 freely. The Lord was present by his invincible power, in which he 
 enabled us to offer both the morning and evening tribute of praise 
 to his worthy name, so that this was a day of groat refreshing to 
 Friends here. May all praise be ascribed to (iod foi'cverl 
 
 The 7th. We this day visited in gospel love a considerable num- 
 ber of the families of Friends, who through indisposition of body, 
 are not able to attend meeting : in this service the Lord was with 
 me and gave me a word in season, and in the life for the sick and 
 afHicted in spirit, so that we had cause to praise his name for his 
 goodness to us this day. In the evening we held a meeting for the 
 youth of this island, which was well attended, and in which there 
 was great sobriety ;ind stillness : the Lord's power eminently 
 jirevailed to the contrition and humbling of many minds. The doc- 
 
im JOUIIN'AL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 101 
 
 trine of Christian redemption flowed freely, in which was set forth 
 the great necessity of conversion to God, regeneration, and holi- 
 ness. I hope that an impression was formed this evening in the 
 minds of some that will not he soon erased. The meeting closed with 
 prayer and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. 
 
 There are on this island many valuable Friends, who very well 
 understand the laws of hospitality. My lot was never cast amoiigst 
 more feeling and sympathizing Friends in all my travels. They know 
 well how to feel for a poor, solitary traveler as I am. The reciprocal 
 impression that was formed between me and them will not sdon be 
 erased, ^fay the Lord bless them forevei' more I 
 
 The 8th. We this day, after receiving many very alfectionate 
 fai'owell visits of Friends, who took their leave of us wilh tears and 
 much brokenness of heart, recommending me to God. and to his 
 holy keejiing, praying in the sp)irit with prayer and supplicntion for 
 my preservation, desiring that my mouth may be opened boldly to 
 make known the mystery of the gospel of Christ, left Nantucket 
 and went on board the steamboat, and in about four hours after 
 leaving the island we were landed on the main land in the vicinity 
 of Falmouth, with thankful hearts to the Lord for his mercies. 
 
 The 9th. We this morning set out for Yarmouth, where we ar- 
 rived in the evening. On our way, we called at a tavern for some 
 refreshment. After being there awhile, the tavern keeper, who was 
 a Unitarian, finding out what my religious profession was, made a 
 violent attack on the divine character of onr Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ, asserting that he was not God, and denying the testi- 
 mony of scripture in regard to the three that bear record in heaven, 
 "the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are 
 One." I how my spirit mourned to hear such heart-ai)palling 
 assertions as these : I felt myself called upon to stand forth for the 
 character of my dear Lord and Master, who suffered in his holy 
 body for me and for all mankind ; in his holy fear and love to this 
 poor man, I appealed to the Holy Scriptures and thereby was en- 
 abled, through divine ability, to prove the eternal Deity of Jesus 
 Christ, and the doctrine of the atonement, and of the three that 
 bear record, in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, 
 and that these three are One in divine being, in eternity, 
 in glory, and in majesty. He finding that he could not 
 refute these important scripture doctrines, flew into a passion 
 and gave me some abusive language, accusing me of going about 
 and condemning all that would not unite with my religious senti- 
 ments; which charge I told him I was clear of, for that I believed 
 that there were many in other Christian denominations who were 
 true believers in Jesus Ciirist, and with whom my spirit felt fellow- 
 ship in the seed of everlasting life; withal, whose practices in re- 
 gard to some non-essentials I did not fully unite with, but that I 
 was very far from condemning such Christians. He then retorted 
 
102 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1834 
 
 on our Religious Society for disowning the Hicksitcs, accusing us of 
 being an overbearing people, asserting that the Hicksites wei'o bet- 
 ter than we were, and that we had no right to disown them. I told 
 him that we had a just right to disown them, because they esi)ouse(l 
 spurious doctrine, such as he was vindicating, and that sxrh due- 
 trine was not our doctrine, and that we intended to disown all that 
 publicly embraced it, because we w ere commanded by the great 
 head of the church "to have no felloAvship with the unfruitful 
 works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Before we left him 
 I calmly and disjjassionately warned him of the awful consequences 
 of unbelief, and set forth before him the only means by which we 
 could be saved; that there was no other name given under heaven 
 v/hereby we could be saved but by the name of Jesus Christ. He 
 appeared in some degree to feel the weight of these remarks, and 
 became more serious in his mind; so we parted with him, leaving 
 an impression which I hope will not l)e soon erased. My mind 
 mourned this evening over the prevalency of sin in the world. 0, 
 how I desire the salvation of all I the worth of souls feeling near 
 me in the seed of everlasting life. 
 
 The 10th, we held a meeting at Yarmouth. The j^eople in the 
 fore part were too outward, and not much settled in their minds; 
 but after I spoke a little on the importance of divine worship, 
 they became more centered down in mind, so that we had a pretty 
 good meeting. This afternoon and the next day we traveled to 
 the neighborhood of Pembroke, and the 12th, we sjaent at a Friend's 
 house, where I wrote a letter to my beloved wdfe, feeling my mind 
 turned toward her in gospel love. The 13th, we held two meetings 
 in this neighborhood, being First-day, one in the forenoon at 
 Friends' meeting house and the other in the evening at a Method- 
 ist meeting house. Both these meetings were large, and much 
 favored with doctrine and counsel. The poor in spirit were en- 
 couraged, and sinners were called to repentance. Blessed for- 
 ever be the name of the Lord! 
 
 The 14th. AV'e this morning set out for Lyjin, where we ar- 
 rived in the evening. This was a day of peace and cpiietness to my 
 mind. Much pleasing meditation engaged the attention of my 
 mind, in remembering the immensity of God's works, his good- 
 ness, his power, and his glory. The 15th. We this day held a 
 public meeting in the city of Boston for divine worship, which 
 was, through divine help, made a pretty good season. The Uith. 
 We attended the meeting of Friends at Lynn. This was a day 
 of much exercise with me. My spirit travailed with the suffer- 
 ing seed. I found some good service for the Lord, so that the 
 meeting ended well; and w^e this evening rode to Salem, Avhich 
 was a time of much inward ba})tism to my poor soul; and on 
 the ITth we attended Friends' meeting at Salem, which was to 
 me an exercising time. Truth, however, so arose that I was 
 
1834 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 103 
 
 favored in testimony and in prayer. On the 18th we rode about 
 twenty-five miles to West N^ewbury, wliere we spent the ]9tli at a 
 Friend's lionse. I was engaged on this day in writing, reading, 
 and religious meditation. 
 
 The 20th, being "First-day, we held a meeting in the forenoon 
 at West Xewbury. The state of the minds of the people was 
 low. The fear of the Lord was not before them. They were 
 too indifferent in regard to their eternal well-being. This made 
 hard work for me. I with much fear and trembling bore the 
 testimony of truth, and warned them to fear the Lord and seek 
 to be prepared for death. I often meet with many of this de- 
 scription in passing to and fro in the world for the defense of the 
 gospel. They appear to live as though they thought they would 
 never die. The fear of the Lord is not before their eyes, and 
 they love the world far more than the cross of Christ. In the 
 evening we held a meeting at Amesbury, which was very large. 
 People of various persuasions attended, amongst whom there were 
 Unitarians, Universalists and others. When the meeting became 
 still, the Lord raised me up in public testimony, and enabled me to 
 stand forth in the defense of his everlasting gospel, so that the 
 states of the people were seasonably spoken to, the sincere were en- 
 couraged and sinners were called to repentance. The meeting 
 closed with prayei-. 
 
 The 21st. We this morning held a small meeting at Seabrook, 
 which was a low time. I however found a short testimony to de- 
 liver. There were some sincere hearted ones here, who were en- 
 couraged. 
 
 For some time past my poor mind has been much cast down. I 
 have had to mourn for the want of more solid experience and relig- 
 ious depth in our Society, and I have had to go down in baptism 
 and travail with the oppressed seed in others. I beseech thee, 0, 
 my God, to preserve and sustain me in all the afflicting and con- 
 flicting dispensations of this life. Without thee I can do nothing. 
 0, therefore have mercy upon me and enable me to go forth in this 
 world consistent with thy blessed will. May all praise be ascribed 
 to thee, both now and forevermore. Amen. 
 
 The 22d. We this day held a meeting at Epping, which was 
 small, but through divine aid was made a ])recious opportunity. 
 My mind was set at liberty, to the comfort of Friends. 
 
 The 23il, we attended Dover Monthly Meeting, where my mind 
 was opened in a close and searching testimony, setting forth to 
 Friends the great need there was in many instances of being deeper 
 in the root of immortal life. This was a pretty good meeting, and 
 it ended well. 
 
 The 24th, we held two meetings, one in the forenoon at Meaders- 
 borough, and the other in the afternoon at Rochester. In these 
 meetings my mind was much opened in gospel love. The sincere 
 
104 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1834 
 
 were much encouraged to hold on their ^y^ly in well doing, and sin- 
 ners were called to repentance. The Lord's name was magnified in 
 these meetings. May all praise be ascribed to him forever I for 
 he is worthy. On the 'loth, we attended Berwick Monthly Meet- 
 ing, where we found some valuable Friends. My mind was opened 
 in a lively doctrinal testimony to the satisfaction of Friends. The 
 meeting ended to good satisfaction. We wei'e very kindly enter- 
 tained this niglit at the dwelling house of our dear friends, 
 Jolm Meader and his wife Elizabeth. These Friends are valuable 
 ministers of our Eeligious Society, and have traveled much in 
 truth's service to good satisfaction. They had mucii sympathy 
 with me in this great undertaking, and desired my encouragement. 
 We affectionately parted with these dear friends on the 2Gth, and 
 traveled about forty miles to Portland; and the next day, being- 
 First-day, we attended Friends' meeting of Falmouth in the morn- 
 ing, and in the afternoon we attended the meeting of Friends in 
 Portland. At both these meetings I found much good service for 
 the Lord. My soul was much set at liberty. Both doctrine and 
 admonition flowed freely. The power of truth was over all. May 
 the Lord be glorified forever I for he is worthy. 
 
 The 28th. We set out this morning and traveled about twenty 
 miles to the neighborhood of Durham. I felt very poor this day 
 in the spirit of my mind. I prayed for the Lord's mercy. 
 
 The 29th. A day to be remembered. My mind this morning was 
 brouglit under deep exercise. A fervent travail was renewed in 
 me, not only for my own preservation in the way of eternal peace, 
 but also for the salvation of the world. My mind was impressed 
 with a sense of the immense value of immortal souls, so that I was 
 l>owed in prayer and supplication for tlie well-being of all mankind. 
 \\ c this forenoon held a meeting at Durham which was large, and 
 tlie Lord s great power was present, and was over all, to tlie 
 glory of his name. Gospel ministry freely flowed. ]My lieart was 
 enlarged and my mouth was opened to make known his goodness, 
 to the tendering and ]iumbiing*of man}^ minds. In the afternoon 
 we held a good open meeting at Pownall. May all praise be for- 
 ever ascribed to God and to the LandjI for his mercy is from gener- 
 ation to generation, and his providence over all his Avorks. 
 
 The ;50th. We held a pretty good open meeting at Lewistown, for 
 Friends and otliers, and in the evening by early candle-light we 
 held a meeting at Lisbon factory village, in a public meeting-house 
 built for different societies. The Lord was present to the glory of 
 liis name. He gave me ability and utterance, to the rejoicing of 
 the tender-minded. Praised forever be his holy name! 
 
 Tlie 31st. AVe attended the meeting of Friends at Leeds, being 
 their meeting-day in course. After sitting some time in silence, 
 with sincere engagement of mind, the Lord was ])leased to give me 
 a short but ciicdui'.'iuing testinionv, to the comfort of the tender- 
 
1834 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 105 
 
 minded, so that the meeting closed with thankful hearts to the 
 great Shepherd of Israel for his continued goodness and mercy to 
 his meek and lowly followers. 
 
 8th mo. 1st. We this day held a meeting at Winthrop, which was 
 an exercising time to my mind. Tlie Lord, however, granted abil- 
 ity and utterance for the states of the people spoken to. The meet- 
 ing ended with prayer and supplication to the Lord. 
 
 The '^nd. We this day held a good open and heavenly meeting at 
 Litchfield, Avhich was well attended by Friends and others, amongst 
 whom my mouth was largely opened in gosj^el love. Truth reigned 
 over all, and the Lord's name was glorified. May all praise and 
 glory be ascribed to him forever, for he is worthy! 
 
 The 3rd being First-day, we this forenoon held a large and open 
 meeting at Sidney. Doctrine and counsel went forth to the hum- 
 bling of many minds. In the evening we held a meeting in the 
 public town house of Belgrade, mostly for those not of our society. 
 This was a large and crowded meeting, in which my mind was 
 opened in the doctrine of vital regeneration, to the tender contrition 
 of many souls. Some were broken into tears, and toward the close 
 of the meeting a woman who was in connection with the Baptist 
 Society arose, and, "with much brokenness of heart and with tears, 
 openly declared with fear and trembling, "that what had been of- 
 fered in the meeting was the truth, and would stand forever." The 
 meeting closed with prayer and supplication to the Lord, Avho is 
 worthy over all. 
 
 The 4th. We this day held a large and crowded meeting at i*'air- 
 field. More people turned out than could get in the house. This 
 was a solemn time. The meeting apjoeared to be hushed into true 
 silence and stillness, and the Lord's searching testimony went forth 
 to the reaching of the good seed in many hearts. The sincere were 
 encouraged, and sinners were called to repentance. 1'he meeting 
 closed with thankful hearts to the Lord for all his sure mercies. 
 
 The 5th. I was this day brought into deep and close considera- 
 tion in respect to the great responsibility that devolved upon me in 
 going forth for the dissemination of the doctrines of the gospel of 
 Jesus Christ, in which 1 entered into a solemn and imparlJal retro- 
 spect and scrutiny of my past life; and with much fear and trem- 
 bling I had great cause thankfully and reverently to acknowledge 
 the unmerited mercy and goodness of the Lord. 0, how I desired 
 more and more to deepen in tlie root of immortal life, and to be 
 fully devoted to the divine will all the days of my life, that I may 
 dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live, to behold his beauty 
 and inquire in his temple, and that his blessed will alone may ever 
 actuate me and preserve and sustain me on every hand in prose- 
 cuting his work, for without him I can do nothing. We this after- 
 noon held a meeting in the village of Waterville, to pretty good sat- 
 isfaction. My mind was opened in truth's testimony to the peace 
 thereof. Praised be the Lord I 
 
106 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. im 
 
 The Gtli. I was this day brought into much travail of spirit. 
 My heart desired nothing but to be engaged in doing the Lord's 
 blessed uill. Prayer and supplication in the spirit flowed freely to 
 him for his protection and preservation. We had a meeting at 
 Wasselborough, which was a season of much exercise. The Lord 
 enabled me to fieliver a ba^jtizing testimony, to the satisfaction of 
 Friends. On the next day we held two meetings, one at the Out- 
 let in the forenoon, and the other at the Neck in the afternoon. 
 Both these meetings were good and favored seasons. The Lord's 
 name be glorified forevermore! 
 
 The 8tli. We held a good, open and heavenly meeting at China. 
 The power of truth was over all, and the divine name w^as magni- 
 fied. In the evening we held a small meeting at Albion, which was 
 rather a trying and suffering time; I, however, had a little service. 
 
 The 9th. We held a meeting at Unity, which was a precious and 
 heavenly season. The Lord, by his spirit, was near, in which main'' 
 souls were visited and broken into tenderness. The meeting ended 
 with gratitude to him for all his sure mercies. 
 
 The 10th being First-day, we held a large meeting at Brooks, in 
 which my mind was opened to a good degree in doctrine and ad- 
 monition, to good satisfaction. The meeting closed with prayer. 
 
 The 11th. We held a meeting at the Outlet for the youth and 
 others. This meeting was large and eminently owned by the Good 
 Shepherd of Israel. The Lord's power was present, and his con- 
 vincing testimony went forth to the huml)ling and tendering of 
 many minds. This was a season long to be remembered by some, 
 for it was a near and close visitation and warning to a number. 
 The meeting appeared to be hushed down into true stillness, and it 
 closed with gratitude to the Lord and love one to another. All 
 praise forever be ascribed to the great giver of every good and per- 
 fect gift, for he alone is worthy I 
 
 The 12th. AVe spent the most of this day at a Friend's house and 
 had some bodily rest, which seemed to be necessary, for we were a 
 good deal fatigued with traveling. My mind this day passed through 
 some deep exercises and close baptisms. Prayer was renewed in me 
 to the Lord for a renewal of his sanctifying j^ower in my soul, that 
 I may experience a perfect establishment in the blessed truth. In 
 the evening we held a public meeting for divine worship in Au- 
 gusta, in the Methodist meeting-house, in which I was enabled, 
 through divine ability, to deliver the doctrine of Christian re- 
 demption with tlie authority which alone can be experienced in the 
 life of the blessed truth. Praised forever be the holv luime of the 
 Lord! 
 
 The 13t]i. We this day traveled about fifty miles to the neighbor- 
 hood of Friends of Windham, and on the next day we held a large 
 and good meeting there. The blessed power of truth was present, 
 to the comfort and edification of friends, and the day following we 
 also held a good oi)en meeting at Kaymond; the states of the people 
 
1834 JOURNAL OF TUOMAS ARNP^TT. 107 
 
 were livin.oly spoken to, and the meeting closed with prayer to tlie 
 Lord for his mercy and goodness. Our next meeting was at Gor- 
 ham, on thelfith, which was small, and which was also a trying and 
 proving time ; ability, however was at length given for me to clear 
 my mind to pretty good satisfaction, so that although it was a time 
 of trial for the want of Friends' faithfulness, yet I was euabled to 
 discharge my duty to the peace of my own mind. 
 
 The ITth being First-day, we on this day held two meetings, the 
 one in the forenoon at Livingston, and the other in the evening, at 
 Parsonsfield. In both these meetings I found hard work, and had 
 to mourn over some that were careless and indifferent in regard to 
 their eternal well-being. A solemn and close warning went forth 
 in that pure love which knows no bounds ; so that the Lord was 
 with me this day and preserved and sustained me consistent with 
 his blessed will. May all praise and glory be forever ascribed to 
 him I 
 
 The 18th. We this day traveled about thirty miles to Friends^' 
 settlement in North Sandwich, and on the next day we had a pretty 
 full meeting there, which, in the fore part was a very trying time, 
 the people not being settled and inwardly gathered in the spirit of 
 the mind. After sitting some time in suffering silence, I arose and 
 began to speak a little in much weakness, desiring the people to 
 gather in the scattered mind ; and as I kept the eye single to my 
 divine Master, truth arose in a good degree into dominion, so that 
 the sincere were much encouraged to hold on their way, and sinners 
 were called to repentance. Blessed be the Lord forever I 
 
 The 20th. Attended Sandwich Preparative Meeting of ministers 
 and elders. A day of much exercise and secret mourning with me, 
 in which I was in a good degree patient. 
 
 The 21st. We attended Sandwich Monthly Meeting, held at the 
 South meeting-house, which was a heavenly and baptizing season. 
 Many precious and well-concerned souls were present, and the Lord 
 mercifully remembered them, for he opened my mouth amongst 
 them in the constraining power of gospel love, whereby encourage- 
 ment was given in the way of divine life and peace. 
 
 The 22nd. We had a good and open meeting at Wolfsborough. 
 I trust the Lord's name was glorified this day in this meeting, for 
 he granted ability whereby praises were given to him. The 23rd. 
 We had a meeting at New Durham, which was rather a low time. 
 I was, however, favored through divine mercy to speak to the states 
 of the people, so that the meeting ended well. Blessed be the 
 Lord : 
 
 The 24th being First-day, Ave held a meeting in the morning at 
 Gilmantown and one in the evening at Pittsfield ; both these meet- 
 ings were large and much favored with the doctrine of truth. The 
 25th. We this day traveled about thirty miles to South Weare, and 
 on the next day we held a large and heavenly meeting there ; the 
 
108 JOTHNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1834 
 
 doctivne of Christian redemption was delivered in the demonstra- 
 tion of the spirit and of power ; truth rejoiced over all. This was 
 truly a heart-melting season. I thought every rational mind was 
 reached, and in a good degree humbled before the Lord. May all 
 praise he ascribed to him now and forever, for he alone is worthy to 
 be glorified by saints and angels I 
 
 TliC "^Tth. We this day held two meetings, one in the morning 
 at Xorth Weare, and the other in the evening at Henniker. These 
 were both good meetings ; the Lord's presence was with us, so that 
 we were enabled to give glory to his holy name. The 28th. We 
 traveled about forty miles to Friends' settlement in Unity, and on 
 the next day held a meeting there, which was a pretty good season. 
 The meeting closed to good satisfaction. The next day we traveled 
 al)out fifty miles to Richmond ; a day of serenity and peace of mind, 
 praises devoutly ascended to the Author of all my sure mercies. 
 The 31st being First-day, we had a large meeting at Eichmond, 
 wherein I found some good service for the Lord ; but it was a time 
 in which I had to move with some weakness, the minds of the peo- 
 l^le being very much outward ; the meeting, however, ended pretty 
 well, for Avhich I was thankful to the blessed Redeemer of mankind. 
 
 Ninth mo. 1st. We this day traveled to Bolton, and on the next 
 day held a precious heavenly meeting there. The Lord was with 
 us and refreshed our poor souls to our humble admiration. May 
 his name be magnified forever ! The 3rd. We had a pretty good 
 open meeting at Leicester. The 4th. A day of deep exercise and 
 much divine favor. We had a meeting in the forenoon at Xorth 
 Bridge, and one in the afternoon at L^xbridge. In these meetings 
 truth reigned over all. The 5th. We held two meetings, one at 
 Xorth Mendon in the morning, and the other at South Mendon in 
 the evening. These meetings, through divine mercy, were made 
 refreshing seasons. Blessed forever be the name of the Lord ! 
 
 The 0th. This was a day of deep and close exercise with me ; 
 secret mourning was renewed in me, my spirit was much cast down. 
 I travailed in the spirit of my mind for the light of the divine 
 countenance, and for my preservation. I spent this day at a Friends' 
 house in writing and in serious retirement. The 7th. This was a 
 day to be remembered by many, being First-day and a time of much 
 divine favor. We had a large and good meeting at Upper Smith- 
 Hi'ld, where my mind was largely opened in Christian doctrine, to 
 good satisfaction. In the evening we had a large and open meeting 
 at Woonsocket, in the Baptist jneoting-house, where the I^orcl was 
 with me and enabled me to declare the way of life and truth to good 
 satisfaction. On this day I received the following letter from my 
 dear wife, which renewed in me tender and Christian sympathy for 
 lier, being sensible of her trials and conflicts : 
 
1831 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 109' 
 
 Newhope, Green County, Ohio, Tth mo. 30th, IS;^. 
 My dear and loving husband : 
 
 I do this morniDg most tenderly and affectionately salute thee, 
 and desire, far more than I can ntter, thy encouragement. I think 
 I can say with sincerity, "Go, and the Lord go with thee till thy 
 mind is released.^' I can assure thee, my dear, that I pass through 
 many lonesome hours, and at times I am most cast down and feel 
 almost ready to give out ; but the language which salutes me in 
 these trying seasons is, " Be patient and bear thy trials with Chris- 
 tian fortitude, putting thy trust alone in the Divine Arm, and thou 
 shalt be jireserved." I may inform thee, my dear, that soon after 
 I last wrote to tliee I was taken with bodily indisposition, which 
 continued for several weeks ; my health was found to be so on the 
 decline that I submitted my case to a jihysician, by whose aid, with 
 Divine mercy, I have been much benelited, for which I am truly 
 thankful to the Author of all good. I am now pretty well, and 
 hope, with proper care, I shall shortly again enjoy my usual health. 
 I desire thee to give thyself no uneasiness at ail on account of my 
 health ; for although I feel the want of thy company, yet I am 
 much comforted with the Christian kindness and symjjathy of my 
 dear friends and relatives. I do greatly desire thy encouragement 
 in the prosecution of thy present important engagement till thy 
 mind is fully released. I thought that it would be right for me to 
 give thee some information of my late sickness, not to discourage 
 thee, but simply to let thee know of the affliction which I endure 
 in thy absence. I can assure thee, my dear, that my mind is often 
 turned toward thee with sincere desires for thy preservation, believ- 
 ing the Lord will bless us both in time and eternity if Ave walk 
 while here consistent with his divine will. I generally receive thy 
 letters in due time, which are always a great satisfactiun to me and 
 my dear friends. Many friends very affectionately remember their 
 love to thee, desiring thy encouragement in the prosecution of 
 thy journey, as truth may open the way. In conclusion, I desire 
 that the blessed truth may be with thee and preserve and sustain 
 thee on every hand. In gospel love I bid thee affectionate farewell. 
 
 Eaciiel Arnett. 
 
 The 8th. We had a good meeting at Burrilville. My mind was 
 much opened in Christian love; the people were tender and quiet, 
 and the meeting ended with prayer: and on the next day we had a 
 small but pretty good meeting at Pomfort; and in the afternoon we 
 rode to Plainfield, to the house of our dear and kind friend Roland 
 Greene, where we were entertained with Christian attention and 
 sympathy. This, our beloved friend, is a minister in good esteem, 
 and has traveled much in truth's service, to good satisfaction. We 
 had a meeting with him in this neighborhood on the lOtli, to good 
 satisfaction, and after meeting we parted affectionately with him 
 desiring each other's preservation. 
 
110 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1834 
 
 The 11th. We had a meeting at Foster, which was, I thought, 
 in a good degree owned by the blessed truth. The meeting closed 
 with prayer and supplication to the Lord. 
 
 The 13th. We had a small but open meeting at Scituate; my 
 mind was much opened in unfolding the nature of true and living- 
 worship to (lod, who is a Spirit, and who is to be worshipped in 
 spirit and in truth. The meeting ended well. We this afternoon 
 rode to the city of Providence, and were kindly received and enter- 
 tained by onr dear friend William Almy, who is a minister amongst 
 Friends; other Friends of this city were also very kind to us, 
 amongst whom we had a very interesing visit. We spent the next 
 dav in the Boarding School of Friends of New England Yearly Meet- 
 ing, which is located in this city, for the education of our youth. I 
 had much satisfaction this day in being in this school, believing that 
 it was a good Institution, and one which the Lord M^ill bless if it be 
 consistent with his Divine will. The teachers and students appeared 
 to have in a good degree a regard for the blessed truth, and for the 
 holy Scriptures. 
 
 The 14th, being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting in this 
 city in the morning, and in the afternoon we were at meeting in the 
 Boarding School, both of which meetings were times of much 
 Divine favor; the Lord opened my mind in doctrine and counsel, to 
 comfort and good satisfaction. We S2)ent this night with our dear 
 and aged friend, Moses Brown, who was nearly ninety-six years of 
 age. His company was not only interesting to me, but also edifying; 
 he was able to attend our meetings for worship and discii)line, and 
 he has been faithful to this great duty, for which the Lord has 
 blessed him. I thought it might be said of him that "his eye was 
 not dim, nor his natural force abated;" he appeared to be a pattern 
 of humility, and one so established in the truth that he shall go no 
 more out. 
 
 The loth. We had a meeting this morning at Lower Smithfield, 
 and one in the evening at Cumberland. These were pretty good open 
 opportunities; the Lord had mercy on us. On the next day we had 
 a large and heavenly meeting at JMansfield; truth flowed freely, to 
 our humble admiration and thankfulness. 
 
 The 17th, we had a small but precious meeting at Freetown; the 
 Lord was mercifully with us, and granted ability for the glory of 
 his great name. On the next day we had a precious and heavenly 
 meeting at Somerset; the Lord by his power was present, under the 
 demonstration of which many souls were melted down in tenderness 
 and thankfulness. Blessed forever be his name! 
 
 The l'.)th. We this morning traveled to the neighborhood of 
 Little Compton, and spent the rest of the day at a Friend's house. 
 I devoted my time to writing and religious meditation, and had 
 cause to be thankful to the Lord for all liis mercies to me; and 0, 
 that I may dwell in his house all the days of my life, to see his beauty, 
 and to infpiire in his lein])lel for in the time of trouble he will 
 
1834 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. Ill 
 
 hide me in liis pavilion; in tlie secret of his tiibeniaelc he will hide 
 me and set me up upon a rock; this will be his sure i)rotection to 
 them that love him and dwell in his house always. On the next 
 day, which was the 20th, we held a good and precious meeting in this 
 vicinity; many sober-minded people who were not members of our 
 Society attended, and the Lord's power being present, this was 
 made a heart-melting opportunity. I was much opened in gospel 
 ministry, and in prayer and supplication; the hungry and thirsty 
 were much encouraged to look to Jesus for true peace, who is the 
 author and finisher of our faith, and sinners were called to repent- 
 ance in the love of the gospel. The meeting ended with thanksgiving 
 to the Lord for his love and mercy. May his name be praised for- 
 ever, for he is worthy I 
 
 The 21st, being First-day, and a day of much deep religious exer- 
 cise with me, we in the forenoon attended Tiverton Meeting of 
 Friends, and in the afternoon we were at Friends' meeting in the 
 village of Fall Eiver. In both of these meetings my mind was impres- 
 sively engaged in vocal gospel ministry, to good satisfaction. 1 this 
 evening was brought down in the spirit of my mind to mourn with 
 the oppressed seed. 0, how I desire the faithfulness of the true 
 and secret mourners in Zion, believing that there are inany who 
 are cast down when the oppressed seed mourns; and may the 
 Lord in his infinite mercy and goodness preserve and sustain these, 
 to the glory of his great name ! This was a deep and instructive 
 evening with me; the holy hand was upon me in baptism, so that it 
 it was my duty to be still in my mind and faithfully abide the turn- 
 ing and overturning of the Divine hand upon me, and by submitting 
 my all to him who liveth forever and ever, I could even rejoice in 
 tribulation, "knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and j^a- 
 tience experience, and experience hope; and hope maketh not 
 ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by 
 the Holy (rhost, wdiich is given unto us." So that it is of great 
 importance for the true believer in Jesus Christ to be patient in all 
 the afflicting and conflicting dispensations of this life, having no 
 will of his own, but submitting his all to him who died for us; and 
 he who serves the Lord with a perfect heart, and with a Avilling 
 mind, can with Christian fortitude rejoice evermore, pray without 
 ceasing, in everything give thanks, and not quench the Spirit. 
 He who thus lives near the divine Master and is led by the Holy 
 Spirit, will more and more deepen in the root of immortal life. 
 
 The 22nd. 1 this morning, with much tenderness of feeling, afi:ec- 
 tionately parted Avith my dear friend Abraham Iiussel, who was my 
 acceptable companion for nearly three months; he now feeling his 
 mind released from this service, left me and returned home. I this 
 day (having suitable company) held a good and precious meeting 
 at Portsmouth, and in the afternoon attended a^ meeting at Fall 
 Eiver, on a funeral occasion, which was an affecting time to all 
 who were present. 
 
112 JOUEXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. is:« 
 
 The 2'^Yd we traveled about twenty miles to Providence. This was 
 a day of deep travail of spirit with me; sincere prayer was I'enewed 
 in me to the Father of all our sure mercies for my in-eservation. 0, 
 how I desired to pi-ess forward in the way of the cross, and come 
 to be complete in Christ Jesus, that I may go forth in his name con- 
 quering and to conquer, being fully devoted to him in all things. 
 
 The 24th we attended Providence Monthly Meeting, Avhich 
 through divine ability, was made a precious and heavenly season; 
 truth reigned over all; my cup was filled to overflowing. I was 
 enabled to deliver a doctrinal testimony, to the satisfaction of 
 Friends, in which I was exercised to maintain the doctrine of the 
 outAvard and inward manifestation of our Lord and Savior Jesus 
 Christ, and of the influences of the Holy .Spirit on the human mind 
 according to the Scriptures. Friends of this meeting were bap- 
 tized into true gospel sympathy Avith me, and they very much desired 
 my encouragement in the Avay which the gospel of Christ points out. 
 I thought tiiat this was a time which Avill long be remembered by 
 many for good. May all j^raise be ascribed to God and to his Avell- 
 beloved Son forever, for he alone is worthy, noAV and forevermore! 
 
 The 25tli Ave attended Cranston Preparative Meeting, and found 
 some 231'ecious, Avell-concerned Friends, amongst Avhom avc had a 
 good baptizing season. In the evening Ave held a large and good 
 meeting at a Methodist meeting-house in this neighborhood; the 
 people Avere still and attentive, and doctrine floAA'ed to edification 
 and comfort. 
 
 The 2Gth we had a |»retty good open meeting at Coventry, 
 where we found some Avell-concerned Friends. In the evening aa'g 
 held a baptizing meeting in the village of Phoenix, in the Baptist 
 meeting-house, AAdiich Avas a free and open time for the doctrine of 
 truth; the people Avere very still and attentiA^e, and the meeting 
 ended to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 27th, Ave in the forenoon held a meeting at Centreville. in 
 the Methodist meeting-house, and in the afternoon Ave also held one 
 at the Fulliugmill village, in the academy. Both these meetings 
 Avere OAvned by the ])lessed truth; the doctrine of the gospel floAved 
 freely, to the comfort of many. 
 
 The 28th being First-day, we held a good and full meeting at 
 WavAvick, Avhere my mind A\'as much opened in unfolding the spir- 
 ituality of the gosjiel dispensation. The i)eo])le Avere quiet and atten- 
 tive, and appeared to be Avell satisfied Avith the meeting, those avIio 
 attended being, most of them, members of other religious societies. 
 
 The 29th avc attended GreenAvich Monthly Meeting, Avhere my 
 mouth Avas opened with a living testimony, to good satisfaction. 
 In the evening, by early candle-light, avc held a pretty good meeting 
 at Wickford, for Friends and others, and on the next day Ave held 
 a good and open meeting at Kingston, in the Presbyterian meeting- 
 house, Avhere my mind Avas much opened on the doctrine of Chris- 
 tianity, to good satisfaction. 
 
18:{I JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 11:!; 
 
 Tenth month 1st. We, this day attended the Western Meeting 
 of Friends (so ealled) to good satisfaction, the Lord's hiiptisinj)^ 
 power being present to our mutual help and strength. 
 
 The 2nd we attended South Kingston Meeting of Friends and in 
 the afternoon hehl one at Richmond. In both these meetings my 
 mind was in a good degree bai)tized into the states of tlie jjeople, 
 and ability was afforded to speak suitable thereto; those who 
 loved the Lord were encouraged to persevere in tlie way of self- 
 denial, and the forgetful were warned to flee fi*om the wrath {<> 
 come and to lead a new life. 
 
 The 3rd we held a good and full meeting at Hopkintun. My 
 mind this morning was much cast down, 1 felt very poor iu 
 the spirit of my mind. I besought the Lord to have mercy on 
 me. I renewedly saw that without him I could do no good 
 thing. I felt my entire dependence on him for every blessing, 
 and desired more and more t(j live near him all the days of my 
 life, that I may enjoy him forever. In this meeting a measure 
 of his ])ower was renewed in me, so that I was enabled to de- 
 clare his truth to the satisfaction of Friends. In the afternoon 
 for a while we were kindly entertained at a Friend's house, where 
 several Friends of this neighborhood being present, the state of our 
 religious society in some degree was brought to view, and some dis- 
 quisition in relation thereto wiis entered into, in which I saw the 
 necessity of being guarded in all. our conversation, especially where 
 detraction in any degi'ce is countenanced, I felt the weight of this 
 Scripture remark: " Set a watch, Lord, before my mouth, keep 
 the door of my lips;"' and in Christian love I was enabled to bear a 
 faithful testimony against that .spirit which would i)ull down the 
 true pillars of the church, and exalt the false i)r(;phets in' leading 
 a party to utter destruction. 
 
 The 4th. We this- day went to Newport on Rhode Island. 1 this 
 day enjoyed sweet peace and comfortMble meditation of mind. I 
 sang secret praises to the Lord for all his mercies and goodness to 
 me. May his holy name be praised forever! 
 
 The 5th being First-day, we attended the fore and afternoon 
 meeting of Friends in Newport, where I found much good service 
 for the Lord to the satisfaction of Friends. 
 
 The Gth we held a good and open meeting for Friends and others 
 on the Island of Jamestown, where my mind was much oi^ened in 
 gospel ministry and in pra3^er, to good satisfaction. The meeting 
 closed with thankful hearts. 
 
 The 7th. AYe this day went to the dwelling house of our dear 
 friend Edward Wing, whose wife is a minister in esteem amongst 
 Friends. "We held a meeting this evening at their house for their 
 friendly neighbors, where I was much favoi'ed in gospel ministry 
 and in prayer, to good satisfaction. The jjeople were still and atten- 
 tive, being most of them members of otlier religious societies ; and 
 
 8 
 
114 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 18»4 
 
 they, after meeting, expressed much satisfaction with the doctrine 
 which was delivered. 
 
 The 8th we attended Friends' meeting at Fall River, where my 
 mind was centered in true silence and stillness; and in this frame of 
 mind I received divine instruction, and had cause to admire the 
 goodness of the Lord. 
 
 I this afternoon, being much indisposed in body and mind, 
 fatigued with traveling, went to the house of my dear friend, Isaac 
 E. Gifford, of Dartmouth, in Massachusetts, to rest a few days and 
 to improve my health, where I continued the three following days 
 and received the kind and Christian attention of this dear friend 
 and his beloved wife, for which I hope the Lord will bless them. 
 
 The 12th. My health being somewhat improved, I this day, 
 being Frst-day, held a meeting in the forenoon at Apponagansett, 
 and in the afternoon one at New Bedford. In these meetings my 
 mind wai? opened in gospel love, to good satisfaction; and on the 
 next day, in the evening, 1 held a good meeting at Padonaram, in the 
 Ba]itist meeting-house, where doctrine flowed freely with that 
 power which edifies the church of Christ and convicts the soul for 
 sin. May all praise forever be ascribed to him who hath all power! 
 
 The lltli. I this day went to Fall River, and on the ricxt day at- 
 tended Friends* meeting there, and was silent. After meeting I 
 Avent to the city of Providence, where Friends were very glad to see 
 me ; and on the Kith I attended Friends' meeting in that city, and 
 was also silent. The two following days I spent tliere in visiting 
 some friends, and also a little to rest and improve my health, dur- 
 ing which time I passed through some close and deep baptisms, in 
 which I desired to be more and more devoted to the divine will in 
 all things. When I arrived in this city, I had the satisfaction to 
 receive the following encouraging letter from my dear wife : 
 
 Xewhope. Greex Coi'XTY, Ohio, Ninth mo. '^Sth, 18o4. 
 My Deaki.y Bi;ia)Vki) Hisbaxd: 
 
 Having felt thee very near my best feelings for some time past, 
 J therefore this day salute thee, and impart to thee what revives in 
 my mind, in that })ure love which is the fountain of all true conso- 
 lation, hoping that tliis my sympathy may tend to thy encourage- 
 ment. J can say. my dear, that however short I may have been in 
 living up to the teaching of light and life, yet it is my crown and 
 chief joy to feel the renewal of the holy, harmonious influence and 
 inshining of the light of Jesus Christ, my dear Saviour, upon my 
 soul, and 1 feel that without the inward consolation of this pre- 
 cious and divine principle I cannot l)e truly happy. I can assnre 
 thee, my dear, that 1 do greatly desire thy encouragement in pro- 
 gressing forward "toward the mark for the prize of the high call- 
 ing of God in Christ Jesus," earnestly contending for the faith 
 which was once delivered to the saints. 1 do very much desire 
 that thou mayest be encouraged to i)ress forward in tlie prosecution 
 
'•IM JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 115 
 
 of thy very important engagement, as far as truth may open the 
 way, that thou mayest return to me when the time shall come with 
 the reward of peace. My health is now pretty good, for which I 
 feel very thankful to the author of all our blessings. Friends are 
 very kind to me, and appear to have much sympathy with me in 
 thy absence, many of whom remember their love to thee in tender. 
 Christian affection. In conclusion, be assured, my dear, that thou 
 art often borought near to my feeling in that immortal seed which 
 abides forever, in which I fervently desire that we may more and 
 more labor after true resignation to the Lord's will. And may we, 
 above all things, seek to please him, for he alone can give us true 
 peace in every dispensation of life; and I trust that as we are fully 
 devoted to him, and to his blessed cause, that we shall experience 
 the guardian of his holy presence to encamp round about us, and 
 his everlasting arms to be underneath to support us in all the trials 
 and conflicts of this life. JSTow, in gospel love, I bid the affection- 
 ately farewell. Rachel Aexett. 
 
 The 19th, being First-day, and a day of much divine favor, I in 
 the forenoon held a good and open meeting at Scituate, in which the 
 sincere were much encouraged, and the unfaithful were tenderly ad- 
 monished. In the afternoon I held a public appointed meeting in 
 the city of Providence, which was well attended, and which was also 
 owned by the Great Shepherd of Israel. His blessed power was 
 over all. Christian doctrine flowed with that evidence which car- 
 ries the seal of the living God. The meeting closed with prayer 
 and thanksgiving to him who liveth forever and ever. I also this 
 evening held a good and heart-melting meeting for the sui)erintend- 
 euts, the teachers, and the scholars of New England Yearly Meet- 
 ing Boarding School. This was truly a tendering season. The 
 Lord's power was present to our humble administration, in which 
 thanksgiving and praises were returned to jiim for all his blessings 
 and mercies bestowed upon us. 
 
 I have now visited most of the meetings that belong to the New 
 England Yearly Meeting, to good satisfaction. And in passing 
 tlirough this Yearly Meeting I found, in many instances, great 
 openings in other Christian denominations for Friends' meetings 
 and doctrines. I often found myself deeply interested in feeling 
 with people of this description, both in })ublic and in jirivate, many 
 of whom gave me the right hand of fellowship in that true sympa- 
 thy which is renewed in that immortal seed and principle which 
 dwells with all the true and sincere l)elievers in every Christian de- 
 nomination under heaven. 
 
 In traveling in New England, I often met with people of the first 
 intelligence and best information, who were also very engaging in 
 their manners, and kind to strangers, and I often felt very grateful 
 for the attention which I received from these people. 
 
 In prosecuting my visit to Friends of New England Y'^ early Meet- 
 
116 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1834 
 
 ing, I found man}" members of our religious society who well un- 
 derstood the law of Christian hospitality to stranijers; and those of 
 this description had much sympathy with me and did all that they 
 could to bear me upon that foundation which standeth sure. I 
 also found a goodly number of solid, well experienced Friends, who 
 were well instructed in the knowledge of the faith and the doctrine 
 of the Christian religion, and who appeared to take a deep interest 
 in promoting the cause of truth and righteousness in the earth. 
 Upon the whole, I may say that my visit to Friends and others in 
 New England was of a very interesting character, and one wiiich 
 I trust will long be remembered for good. May all praise be for- 
 ever ascribed to him Avho only hatli immortality, dwelling in the 
 light which no man cana])proach unto! Amen. 
 
 I apprehend that it will be proper for me here to observe that I 
 set out on this journey on a hoi'seback, and traveled mostly in this 
 way till I came to iSTew England; but this manner of traveling 
 being so much out of practice in these parts that I could not find 
 company to travel with me in this way, therefore I left my horse 
 with a friend and passed through New England Yearly Meeting in 
 a carriage; and when I was about to leave Providence for the fur- 
 ther prosecution of this journey, Friends of that city, apprehending 
 that traveling on a horseback was so much out of practice thi'ough 
 the course of the remainder of my present engagement, concluded 
 that it would be best for me to dispose of my horse. I therefore 
 sold him for what he w'as worth in the city of Providence, appre- 
 hending that whoever traveled with me would take me in a carriage, 
 as has been the case for some time past. 
 
 The 20th. I this day, about 1:2 o'clock, after taking my tender 
 and affectionate leave of a number of very kind jind affectionate 
 Friends of Providence, went on board the steamboat for New York, 
 where I was landed the next morning by sun-up, and Friends of 
 that city were very glad to see me; and after resting awhile I went 
 out to AVcstburg, on Long Island, in company with a number of 
 Friends, to attend the Quarterly Meeting of Friends there, which 
 was held on the three following days, including the meeting of 
 ministers and elders, and that for discipline, and one for public 
 worship; and through the watchful care of the great Head of the 
 Church this was made a heavenly and baptizing season; and on the 
 25th I went, in company with Stephen Jiushmore and his wife, to 
 the neigliborhood of Purchase, in order to attend Friends' Quar- 
 terly Meeting there, and the next day being First-day, I attended 
 Friends' meeting at Purchase, and was silent; and on the 2?th I 
 held two meetings, one in the forenoon at White Plains, in the 
 court house, and the other in the afternoon at Kings Street, in a 
 Methodist meeting-house. In both these meetings I found much 
 good service for the Lord, the people were still and attentive, and 
 appeared to be willing to hear the doctrine of truth. The three 
 
^^^ JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 117 
 
 following days I attended the service of Purchase Quartorlv Meet- 
 ing, which was, through divine goodness, a Inimbling and cdifvincr 
 time^; gospel ministry flowed freely, to the tendering of nianv 
 minds. May the Lord be praised forever, more. 
 
 The 31st. I this morning, in company with Beniamin HaviJand 
 set out to attend Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting; and traveled this 
 day as far as to Fiiends' settlement in New Milfoi-d, and in passin- 
 along this day through the country, I enjoyed that true pWce o1 
 mind which springs from the Source of all good, in which I i)lea8- 
 antly contemplated the works of nature, to the huinilitv of mv 
 repentant soul. "^ ■^ 
 
 Eleventh month 1st. I this day held a o-ood open mcetino- at 
 New Miltord, and on the next day, being First-day, I held Uvo 
 meetings, one m the forenoon at Oblong, and the other in the after- 
 noon at the Branch, so called. Both these meetings were times of 
 divme favor. Praised be the Lord forever! 
 
 The 3rd. This was a day of serious consideration with me, hav- 
 ing been from my own home one year on this important eno-aoe- 
 nifut. I this day entered into a solemn retrospective scrutiny*in 
 respect to my conduct and religious services since I set out on this 
 great jouriiey, and had cause to believe that I had endeavored to 
 live near the blessed truth, and had in a good degree minded the 
 pointings thereof; and as poor and unworthy as 1 often feel, yet I 
 this day could but acknowledge the goodness and mercy of tlie 
 Lord in preserving and sustaining me on every hand in this great 
 .louniey. I this day wrote a letter to my dear wife, fcelincr my 
 mind turned toward her in gospel love. I also atten.led ^Nine 
 lartners Quarterly Meeting of ministers and elders, whi.-h was a 
 season of refreshment, and the two following days I attended the 
 Quarterly Meeting for discipline and worsh'ip, and found much 
 good sei-vice for the Lord. 
 
 The 6th I attended Stanford Quarterly Meeting of ministers and 
 elders, held at the Creek meeting-house, wherein I was silent under 
 deep exercise. 0, the deep mourning that came upcm me this 
 day. AH withm me was brought down, so that I, as it were, sat alone 
 and kept silence, because it was borne upon me; [)ut on the next 
 day, in the Quarterly Meeting for worshin and discipline, I was 
 largely oipened m public testimony, my soul was much set at lib- 
 erty, and my cup run over; this was a good meeting, und one to be 
 remembered. Blessed be the Lord! The 8th I spent in writin<r 
 and in i^aying some social visits to Friends, and on the 9th, being 
 l^irst-day, I held a heavenly and o])en meeting at Stanfi.id- truth 
 reigned over all, and the Lord's holv name was magnified. May- 
 all praise be given to him forever, for he is worthy! 
 
 After this I held meetings in the following inanner: On the 
 Kith at Little Nine Partners; the lltli, at Northeast, so called: 
 the mh, at Oswego; and the 13th at Beekman, and in the evening 
 
118 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. JSSi 
 
 on this day, a meeting at Poughkeepsie, in Friends' meeting-house. 
 All these meetings were times of divine refreshment, so that the 
 hungry were fed, and sinners were called to repentance. Praised 
 foreVer be the Lord! On the 14th I held a meeting in the evening 
 at Marlborough, which was a good open season. 
 
 The lotli. I this day, in company with a young friend, traveled 
 about twenty miles to Cornwall, and the next day being First-day, 
 I attended Friends' meeting there, and found some good service in 
 gospel ministry, and in the evening I held a meeting at the Clove, 
 so called, in a school-house, which was, through divine mercy, 
 made a baptizing time. After this, in company with a young 
 friend, I attended the following meetings: On the 17th, at Bloom- 
 ing Grove; the 18th, at the Valley, so called; the 19th, at Platte- 
 kill; and the 30th, at Paltz, and a meeting on this day in the 
 evening at the Plains, so called. In passing through these meetings 
 I had to mourn with the oppressed seed, yet through divine mercy 
 1 had a word of comfort for the sincere laborers in Zion, and the 
 worldly-minded were also tenderly admonished in gospel love. May 
 all praise and glory forever be ascribed to the Lord! 
 
 The 21st. i traveled this day about twenty miles to Poughkeep- 
 sie, and in the evening, by early candle-light, I held a good open 
 meeting there in the village hall, for the citizens of that place, 
 wherein my mind was largely opened on the doctrine of Christian 
 redemption. The people were full of attention, and I believe that 
 they were well satislied with the meeting, I this night, about 12 
 o'clock, went on board the steamboat for Hudson, where I was 
 landed in about four hours' passage, and on the 22nd I rested in 
 Hudson, at a Friend's house, and the 23rd, being First-day, I 
 attended Friends' meeting in Hudson, and held a youth's meeting 
 there in the evening, to good satisfaction. The two following days 
 I spent in writing and pious meditation at a Friend's house, where 1 
 received very kind attention. 
 
 The 26th. I this day attended Hudson Monthly Meeting, which, 
 though it was small, yet the Lord mercifully remembered us and 
 united us in that true sympathy which is experienced in the gospel 
 of Christ. 
 
 The 27th. I this morning, in company with my dear friend 
 Joseph Bai-ton, set out and traveled to the neighborhood of Chat- 
 ham, and on the next day we held a small meeting there, which 
 was, through divine mercy, made a season of admonition and warn- 
 ing. 
 
 The 29th. We this morning set out for a village by the name of 
 Hoosack Four Corners, I feeling my mind turned that way. We 
 arrived there in the evening, after traveling about forty miles, and 
 put up at a tavern. Soon after arriving there I found that the Lord 
 had a woik for me to do there ; for the Ilicksites had made the 
 citizens of this place believe that they were the I'eal Society of 
 
1834 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNE'JT. 119 
 
 Friends, and that we were the Separatists ; and I found it to be my 
 religious duty to let them know that they had been misinformed, 
 which renewed a great excitement in their minds to know more i)er- 
 fectly about these things, and therefore some of tlie leading char- 
 acters of this village held an interview with us this evening, which 
 continued about three Incurs, in which I was favored, in a brief 
 manner, to advert to the rise, the history and the doctrines of our 
 Society, and also to the conduct and doctrines of the Hicksite So- 
 ciety, showing the contrast between them and us, and proving ulti- 
 mately to their satisfaction that we were the true Society of Friends, 
 and that they had seijaratod from us in consequence of spurious 
 doctrines. When tlie interview closed, they rejoiced because our 
 lot was cast amongst them, as tliey never before had the like ojjpor- 
 tunity to be informed in respect to these things. They, witli grati- 
 tude, admired the order of our Society, and expressed their unity 
 with our doctrines and testimonies, and they appeared to be glad 
 of our faithfulness in sustaining the cause of truth against the Hicks- 
 ite separation. This was a very interesting interview, and ended 
 to good satisfaction. On the next day, which was First-day, Ave 
 held a good and very interesting meeting for the citizens of this 
 village and its vicinity. The meeting was held in theBa))tist meet- 
 ing-house, and it was large and eminently owned by the Good Shep- 
 herd. The power of truth was over all, and every mind appeared 
 to be hushed down into true stillness and humility. Christian doc- 
 trine flowed to the edification and tenderness of many minds. The 
 meeting closed with prayer and supplication. May all praise forever 
 be ascribed to God and to his well-beloved son I for he putteth the 
 mighty down from their seats and exaltetii them of low degree. 
 
 12th mo, 1st, We traveled to Friends' settlement in East Hoo- 
 sack, in ^Fassachusetts, Avhere we held a pretty good meeting in the 
 evening for Friends and others, and on the two following days we 
 traveled to Friends' settlement of Schaghticoke, and on the 4Lh we 
 had a meeting there for Friends and others, which was a pretty good 
 season, and in the evening we held a good open meeting in the vil- 
 lage of Schaghticoke Point, in the Methodist meeting house. 
 
 The 5th we traveled about forty miles to Qneensl)ury, and on the 
 next day we rested at a Friend's house. 
 
 The 7th being First-day, attended Friends' meeting of Queens- 
 bury, which was a time of divine favor, and in the evening we held 
 a meeting at Sandy-hill, in a school-house, whei'c I I'omul some ten- 
 der-hearted people, amongst whom I was opened in gospel love to 
 good satisfaction. Blessed forever be the Lord I 
 
 The 8th, I this morning, in company with my dear friend Solo- 
 mon Ilaviland, set out and traveled to the village of Fort Ann, where 
 we held a meeting in the evening in the Presbyterian meeting house, 
 which was a low and exercising time, I had some service, but not 
 much to the relief of my mind. 
 
120 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1834 
 
 The 0th we traveled to Friends' settlement in Granville, and in 
 the evening held a ])rctty good meeting at a village by the name of 
 Middle Granville, in the Presbyterian meeting house. The people 
 were still and quiet, and appeared to be satisfied ; and the next day 
 we rested at a Friends' house. My mind was much favored with 
 the illumination of the light which lighteth every man that cometh 
 into the world, in which I was enabled secretly to glorify the Lord. 
 
 The 11th we attended Danby Monthly Meeting, held at Granville, 
 where I found some good service for the Lord. In the evening we 
 held a meeting at East Granville, in the Methodist meeting house, 
 which was a proving time. I, however, had some service to pretty 
 good satisfaction. 
 
 Tiie 12th we traveled about fifty miles to Friends' settlement of 
 A¥ey bridge, in Vermont, where, on the next day, in tlie evening, 
 we held a precious and good meeting. The Lord's name was mag- 
 nified, to the glory thereof. 
 
 Tiie 14th being Fii'st-day. and a very cold, stormy time, we this 
 morning traveled about fifteen miles, facing the .storm, to Ferris- 
 burgh, and attended Friends' meeting therej which was very small, 
 wherein I had to sit with suifering silence. In the evening we went 
 to the house of our dear friend Joseph Hoag, a valuable minister of 
 our (Society, and one that has traveled much in truth's service to 
 good satisfaction, where avc were entertained with Christian kind- 
 ness ; and on the next day we traveled about fifteen miles to the 
 village of Kichmond, where we held a meeting in the evening in a 
 school-house, and the Loitl's mercy was near to tiie reaching of 
 many hearts. 
 
 The Kith we traveled about thirty miles to Friends' settlement in 
 Montpelier, where we had a meeting in the evening for Friends and 
 others, to good satisfaction; the states of the people were spoken to 
 in the })ower of trutli. 
 
 The ITth. We this evening held a trying and proving meeting, 
 in tlu' village of Montpeiiei', in the court-house. There was not 
 much openness with the i)eo2)le for the doctrine of truth. I had 
 some service, but not much to the satisfatttioii of my mind. The 
 next day we traveled upwards of thirty miles to the house of our 
 kind friend Benjamin T.ibor, a miiiisier in unity amongst Friends, 
 and one that has ti'avckd consideralile in truth's service, to good 
 satisfaction, at whose house we lested on the 19th, and received 
 with satisfaction and pence of mind Christian attention. 
 
 The 20th. We held a pretty good meeting at South Lincoln, and 
 on the next day, being First day, we atti'uded the meeting of 
 Friends at Lincoln, where I found soaie good service for tne Lord, 
 to pretty good satisfaction. 
 
 The three following days we held meetings at the Creek (so 
 called), .Starksboiough, and Monktini. These meetings were times 
 of divine and eminent favors; my mind was much set at liberty and 
 
18*5 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 121 
 
 the Lord's lioly name exalted ubove all. May all glory be given to 
 him, for he is worthy, both now and forevermore! 
 
 On the 2oth and :i(jth we traveled about seventy miles to Friends 
 settlement in Danby, and on the :i7th we rested at a Friend's house, 
 being wearied with traveling. 
 
 The 28th, being First-day, we held a meeting at Danby, where I 
 was favored to deliver a tt'stiniony on the subject of the nature and 
 duty of true worship to God ; the peojjle were still and apjieared to 
 be well satisfied. We this afternoon rode to Friends' settlement. 
 in Gianville, and on the m-xt day in the evening we lield a highly 
 favored meeting at the village of West Granville. My mind was set 
 at libt'rty to tlu' glory of the name of God. The people were very 
 still and attentive and ap[)eared to be well satisfied. Praised forever 
 be the Lord! 
 
 Th(^ 3()th Ave rode to the house of my dear friend Solomon Ilavi- 
 land, wlio has been mv agreeable and sympathizing companion for 
 a few weeks past. On the 31st I attended Qiieensbury Monthly 
 Meeting, whirh to me was a time of close trial. I had some service, 
 but not to the relief of my mind. I was this day much cast down 
 in my mind. I felt solitary, and the spirit of mourning was re- 
 newed in me. I besought the Lord to have mercy on me, and more 
 and more to sanctify my sorrows and conflicts to the glory of his 
 immortal name. 
 
 First month, 1st, 1835. I spent this day at a Friend's house, in 
 writing, and also in religious and solid retirement of mind, and was 
 favored in a good degree to retrospect the time of my latter life, to 
 pretty good satisfaction, and had great cause to acknowledge the 
 goodness and mercy of the Lord to my poor dependent soul. 
 
 The 2d I held a meeting in the town of Luzerne, in a school 
 house, for Friends and others, which was well attended, and divine 
 ability was granted to the glory of God. I rested at a Friend's 
 house on the 3d, being a very cold day and I being a little unwell, 
 and on the 4th, being First-day, I held a large and good meeting 
 at Queensbury. Doctrine went forth to the comfort andiiumility of 
 many minds. May all glory and praise be given to God forever! 
 
 The 5th, in company with myfriend James Mott, I traveled about 
 thirty miles to Friends' settlement of Half-moon, where, on the next 
 day, we attended their Monthly Meeting, and also in the evening 
 held a puldic meeting for worship, and I had cause to be thank- 
 ful to the Lord for the favors of this day, for he was with me to 
 the glory of his name. 
 
 The 7tli we traveled about twenty-five miles to Greenfield, and on 
 the next day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends held there, 
 which was small, but was favored with the encouraging language of 
 truth. In the afternoon we traveled about fifteen miles to Provi- 
 dence, and on the 9th we attended PViends' Monthly Meeting there, 
 which was small, and a low and trying season. Friends were en- 
 
122 JUliKXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. i»*> 
 
 eouraged to more diligence and faithfulness in enduring the cross 
 of Christ, In the evening we held a public meeting for worship 
 there, Avhich 'svas well attended, and in which truth reigned in do- 
 minion over a forgetful and lukewarm congregation. May the Lord 
 be praised forevermore, for all power is his, and out of weakness he 
 makes strong and gives ability to the upright to glorify his name! 
 
 The 10th, in company with my friend Wing Chase, I traveled 
 about thirty miles to Friends' neighborhood in Charlestown, and 
 the next day being First-day, I held a large meeting there, where I 
 was concerned to j)oint out the true way to happiness and everlast- 
 ing peace to a mixed congregation. Truth, in a good degree, gained 
 the victory, and the Lord's name was exalted. 
 
 I this evening was much stripjjed and cast down in the spii'it of 
 my mind. I felt the renewed necessity of living near the blessed 
 truth in all my religious acts and services. The language of my heart 
 was, "Thou knowest, Lord, that I love thee, and desire above all 
 things to be fully devoted to thee ; I am poor and needy, and stand 
 always in need of thy mercy and protection; I pray thee, therefore, 
 more and more to establish me with thee, and preserve me in the 
 hour of temptation. Lead me, I beseech thee, in the way of true 
 holiness and sanctification of mind, that I may serve thee in up- 
 rightness of heart, having no will of my own. May all praise be as- 
 cribed to thee forever! Amen!" 
 
 The 12th, in compuny Avith Nathaniel Bowdish, I traveled about 
 twenty-tive miles to Middleburgh, where, on the next day, I held a 
 meeting, in which, after sittin;; sometime in much Aveakness, truth 
 arose into dominion and the states of the peojile Avere livingly spo- 
 ken to. I this evening, in company with some dear friends, went 
 about ten miles to the dwelling house of Peter Stoven, Avhere, on the 
 next day, I held a small but pretty good meeting, in whose company, 
 after meeting, I traveled about twenty miles to the settlement of 
 Friends of Coeymans, through a violent rainstorm. Thetniveling 
 some ])laces was dangerous, in consequence of the snow having so 
 melted as not to be sufficient to bear a horse and carriage; but Ave 
 were preserved, to our admiration and thankfulness. For several 
 weeks past it has been the coldest time where I have been traA-el- 
 ing that I ever saAv, during Avhich time much snow fell; but the 
 weather being noAv so mild as to occasionally melt and freeze the 
 snoAV, makes the traveling difficult; but Friends are very kind tome 
 and conduct me about from place to place Avith as much safety as 
 they can, for which I hope the Lord will bless them. On the i5th 
 I attended Coeyman's Preparative Meeting of Friends, Avherein it 
 was my lot to sit in suffering silence. 0, the poverty of mind 
 which I witnessed this day, I cried to the Lord for mercy, for with- 
 out him I can do nothing. 
 
 The IGth. A day of much religious exercise and l)aptism. I 
 held a large and highly favored meeting at Coevmans, on a funeral 
 
M85 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 12'3 
 
 oceasion, wherein the doctrine of the Christian religion went forth 
 in demonstration and with power. The sincere were much en- 
 couraged to hold on their way to true happiness, and sinners were 
 called to repentance ; the name of the Shepherd of Israel was glori- 
 fied and exalted over all. The meeting closed with prayer, suppli- 
 cation and thanksgiving. In the evening I held a meeting in Reus- 
 selaerville City, in the Methodist meeting-house, which was rather 
 a low time. A short doctrinal testimony, however, was delivered to 
 pretty good satisfaction. 
 
 The 17th. In company with David Boughton 1 traveled about 
 tifteen miles to Oakhill, where, on the next day, being First-day, I 
 held a large and interesting meeting. The Lord's power was near, 
 and baptized many minds into a humbling sense of the religious 
 obligation due to hmi for his mercy and loving kindness. The 
 meeting ended with prayer and thanksgiving. My mind this even- 
 ing was raised in secret praises to him Avho liveth forever and ever, 
 being impressed with a sense of his glory, majesty and power. 
 
 The 19th I spent at a Friend's house, in writing, and religious 
 meditation, and was favored to feel the divine presence to be near 
 me ; and 0, that I may ever walk worthy of that mercy which has 
 hitherto preserved and sustained me! 
 
 The 20th. In company with my dear friend Henry Bull, I trav- 
 eled some upwards of forty miles to the dwelling house of David 
 Gurney, in the town of Maryland, where, on the next day, we held 
 a small and trying meeting. x\fter sitting some time in silence, I 
 delivered a few words, recommending Friends to more inward watch- 
 fulness to prayer, so that the meeting ended with much weakness. 
 In the afternoon we rode to Mi.ldh field, and on the 22d we at- 
 tended the Preparative Meeting of Friends there, which Avas small 
 and a low, proving time, I found some close and hard work, :ind 
 had to mourn over a lukewarm spirit in some of our members in 
 this meeting. 
 
 The 23rd. We held a large and pretty good meeting at Laurens. 
 My mind was opened in gospel nnniittry to the ccmifort of the sin- 
 cere, and Ihe forgetful wei'c warned to flee from the wrath to come. 
 
 The 24th. We held a large and open meeting at Otsego. I was 
 much favored through divine al)ility in pointing out the way of 
 eternal life. The pe()i)le were still and quiet, and appeared willing 
 to be instructed in the things of life and salvation. The meeting- 
 ended well. 
 
 The 25th. We held a very large and heavenly meeting at Butter- 
 nuts. Being First-day, the ])eople generally in this neighborhood, 
 of all classes, attended this meeting, and the Lord had mercy <>n us, 
 and largely and impressively opened my mouth in gospel love. The 
 doctrine of Christian redemption was ti'eated on in a convinc- 
 ing manner. There were many sinceie and seeking heaits jnesent 
 that secretly rejoiced in God. Sinners were (railed to repentance in 
 gospel love. The meeting closed with thanksgiving. 
 
124 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARKETT. 1835 
 
 The 20th, in company witli my dear friend Caleb Bralcy, a min- 
 ister in good esteem amongst Friemls, I held a meeting at Burl- 
 ington, where, after sitting sometime in silence, in much weakness, 
 truth in a good degree arose in dominion, and enabkd me to de- 
 liver a testimony to the humbling and tendering of many minds, 
 so that we had cause to admire tlie Lord's goodness. 
 
 The 27th we held a good and precious meeting at Smyrna, wliere 
 I found some hungry and thirsty souls on whom the Lord had 
 mercy by refreshing them with the water of life and salvation; and 
 on the next day, in company with some dear fiiinds, I attended 
 Deriter Monthly Meeting and found some good service for the 
 Lord. 
 
 The 29th. I this morning, in company with several Friends, helda 
 good and open meeting in the village of Symrua, in the Pi'csbyter- 
 ian meeting house. This was a very impressive opportnnity; truth 
 was over all, and the minds of the people were hushed down into a 
 true stillness. The Lord's holy name was magnified and exalted above 
 all. Glory forever be oiven to him. In the afternoon I attended Bridge- 
 water Preparative Meeting of ministers and elders, held at Madi- 
 son, where also on the next day I attended Bridgewater Monthly 
 Meeting and found uinch good service for the Lord in gospel min- 
 istry. This was a good and blessed meeting, and ended to good satis- 
 faction. 
 
 The 31st, at Brookfield, I thought the Lord's holy name was 
 praised in this meeting in the seci'etof many hearts. Gospel minis- 
 try flowed frei'ly and the meeting closed with prayer and thanks- 
 giving to the Lord fur all his mercies and blessings bestowed 
 njjon us. 
 
 Second month, 1st, being First-day, I this morning set ont in 
 company with my dear friend Ilezekiah Collins, of Brookfield, 
 who has found a concern to travel with me awhile on this great 
 journi-y. For sometime past I have had no regular companion, but 
 Friends have been very kind in conducting me about from place to 
 place, so that I have iiad no difficulty m finding suitable company 
 and conveyance, although I have not had the company of the same 
 friend long at a time. We this morning rode about fifteen miles 
 to Driilgewater, where we attended Friends' Meeting and found but 
 a few Friends, amongst whom it was my lot to deliver a short testi- 
 mony in much weakness. This was a day of much close and prov- 
 ing exercise and baptism with me. 
 
 The 2(1 we held a small but pretty open meeting at New Hart- 
 ford, and in the afternoon we rode to the city of Utica. where we 
 were very kindly rei-eived and entertained by our dear iriend Zeno 
 Carpenter, who is a mini.>ter in good esteem amongst Friends. He 
 and his dear family had much Christian sympathy with us. 
 
 The 3rd. We spent this day in this city. I wrote a letter to my 
 dear wife, in which she was brought near to me in that life which 
 
1835 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AUNETT. 135 
 
 death itself can never extinsfiiish, having been absent from her now 
 for fifteen months ])ast. In the cveniiiu: we held a meeting in this 
 city in the Methodist meeting-house, which was well attended, and 
 the Lord was ])resent to enable me to declare the doctrine of truth 
 with power and demonstration of the spirit. The people were still 
 and attentive, and the meeting ended with prayer and supplication 
 to the Lord. 
 
 The 4th. We this morning left this city and rode to West- 
 moreland, where we attended Friends' meeting for worship, in 
 which I h;id to mourn over a lukewarm spirit. Toward the close 
 of the meeting I became concerned to admonish Friends to more 
 lively diligence in the things which pertain to life and salvation. 
 In the afternoon we rode to the house of our dear friend, Henry 
 Dopp, wliere we w'ere kindly rect'ived and entertained by him and 
 his family, and on the next day, in the evening, we held a pretty 
 good and o]ien meeting in this neighborhood in a Methodist meet- 
 ing-hou:-e. The ])eoi)le jqipearcd to be willing to be instructed in 
 the way of a holy life. The Lord had mercy and his truth went 
 forth to the glory and honor of his immortal name. 
 
 The 6th.' We rode this day to a Friend's liouse in the neighbor- 
 hood of Western, where we had the satisfac'ion to meet with our 
 dear Fiiends, Dongan Clark and his wife Asenath, of North Caro- 
 lina, both of whom are mmisters in good esteem amongst Friends, 
 and she is a daughter of our valuable Friend and minister, Nathan 
 Hunt, who is well known amongst Friends. These dear Friends 
 have been out from home, engaged in the |irosecution of a religious 
 visit to Friends and others in these parts more than one year; and 
 they have given good satisfaction wnere they have traveled. We 
 have several times before met on the present journey, and have 
 always experienced the reciprocation of the unity of the S])irit and 
 of life. On the 7th, in the morning, we attended a meeting ap- 
 pointed by these dear Friends at Western, where they had much 
 good service for the Lord. After the meeting, we jjarted in that 
 pure love which death itself can never extinguish, commending 
 each other to God and to the word of his grace, desiring the divine 
 blessing on our labors in these parts. In the afternoon we held a 
 large meeting at a school house a few miles distant from Western, 
 where I had to deliver truth's testimony to a people that knew but 
 little about the power of the cross of Christ. They were, however, 
 attentive, and I hope some of them were benefited. The meeting 
 ended pretty well. 
 
 The 8th, being First-day, we held a pretty good oi)en meeting at 
 Western. The Lord's power was present to the humbling and ten- 
 dering of many minds ; and the 'Jtli we si)ent at a Friend's house, 
 in reading, writing and religious meditation. 
 
 The three following days, we attended the service of Leroy Quar- 
 terly Meeting held at Lee, which was a time of eminent divine 
 
IM .TOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. i*« 
 
 favor. Tlie Lord's baptizing power was present to the reaching 
 and humbling of many minds. Many friendly people attended the 
 public service of this meeting, who were not members of our Soci- 
 ety, and they appeared to be well satisfied with the meeting. My 
 mind was largely opened in the doctrines of the gospel, in this 
 meeting, which caused such an impression with many that they 
 were broken down into tears and deep humility. The meeting sol- 
 emnly closed with thanksgiving and prayer to God for his mercies. 
 
 The 13tli, we traveled about thirty miles to Lowville, where we 
 this evening held a meeting for Friends and others, and I thought 
 the blessed truth was over all. This was truly a heavenly and bap- 
 tizing season. The Lord's name was praised and excelled above all. 
 Glory forever be given to his holy name I 
 
 The 14tli, we traveled about twenty-five miles to Leroy, and on 
 the next aay, being First-day, we held two large and favored meet- 
 ings, one in the forenoon at Leroy, and the other in the evening at 
 Indian Kiver. Both of these meetings were times of refreshment 
 to the sinner and of warning to the slothful. My mind was emi- 
 nently opened this day in the doctrines of the Oliristian religion, 
 and the Lord's great name was exalted over all. May all praise be 
 forever ascribed to him who is worthy always to receive glory, honor 
 and immortality I 
 
 The Kith, a day of much inward and religious meditation with 
 me, I rejoiced in God, my salvation, for all his mercies and bless- 
 ings to my soul. 0, that I may be faithful to him all the days of 
 my life I for great has been his goodness to me. We this evening 
 held a precious and good meeting at a village by the name of 
 Evans' Mills, in the Presbyterian meeting-house. The Lord was 
 with me and granted me ability and utterance to the glory of his 
 blessed name. The people were still and attentive and the meeting 
 ended to very good satisfaction. 
 
 Tlie l?th. We this morning set out for Upper Canada, and 
 traveled about thirty miles to the St, Lawrence river, and stayed all 
 night at Oak Point, and found that the river, Avhich was three miles 
 wide, was frozen over, and the snow on the ice was about a foot 
 deep, and the ice not being very solid rendered the crossing 
 somewhat dangerous. I therefore settled down in the spirit of my 
 mind to know the divine will, and the pure light sprang u]) in me 
 and pointed out my way across that great river at that time, and the 
 prosj)ect of crossing such a river on an icy bridge brought me under 
 very deep exercise of miiul ; but on the next morning, seeing the 
 way to be very clear to go forward, we committed the keeping of our 
 souls, in the confidence and the faith of the everlasting gospel, to a 
 faithful Creator, and ])assed over tiuit great river on the ice. We 
 passed over with a cari-iage and two horses, and were about one 
 hour in going over, and had to pass over facing a violent snow- 
 .storm ; and when we landed on the Canadian shore our hearts were 
 
(«iD JOl'RNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 13? 
 
 replete with gratitude to him wlio controls the planets and the ele- 
 ments, believing that we this morning witnessed his mercy and all- 
 controlling power to preserve us in passing over that great river. 
 May all praise be given him now and forever ! After we landed in 
 the Province of Upper Canada, we traveled on this day about fif- 
 teen miles, to Friends' settlement of Leeds, where, on the next day, 
 the 10th, we attended their meeting for worship, as it came in course, 
 wherein I sat with suffering silence, and had to deplore the i^revalence 
 of a lukewarm spirit in this meeting, which had brought some from 
 under tlie baptism of the Holy Gliost to depend on the merits of 
 their own works and on the outside appearance for salvation, and 
 after the conclusion of the meeting, I labored faithfully with those 
 of this description in a private manner, showing the necessity of 
 keeping under a proj^er daily exercise of mind, and of depending 
 on divine mercy for salvation. For according to his mercy he 
 saves us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy 
 Ghost. In the evening we held a public meeting there, which was 
 well attended, in which I delivered the Lord's testimony with much 
 weakness, the minds of the people being scattered, which made 
 hard work for me. The meeting, however, ended pretty well, and 
 on the next day, the 20th, we traveled about fifty miles, to the 
 neighborhood of Kingston, where on the next day, the 21st, we 
 rested at a Friend's house. 
 
 The 22d, being First-day, we lield a meeting in the forenoon at 
 Waterloo, in a school-house, for Friends and others, and one in the 
 afternoon, in the village of Kingston, in tlie court-house. My mind 
 in both these meetings was drawn forth in gospel love. The people 
 were still and attentive, and appeared to be well satisfied, and will- 
 ing to receive instruction in the Avay of true life. On the next day 
 we traveled about thirty miles to Adolphus town, where we were 
 very kindly received and entertained by our dear and worthy Friend 
 Willet Casey and his family. We had cause to believe that the 
 sympathy and hospitality which we received from this worthy fam- 
 ily sprang up in the pure love of the gospel, for they entertained us 
 in a manner as becomes Christians. On the 24th we held a good 
 and highly favored meeting in this vicinity for Friends and others, 
 in which thanksgiving and jiraising were ascribed to the King im- 
 mortal for all liis mercies and blessings to us, wliich have been 
 many. 
 
 The 25th. We passed over the Bay Quante on the ice, facing a 
 most violent wind-storm, and went on to the village of Hollowell, 
 where, in the evening, we held a precious and heavenly meeting in 
 the Methodist meeting-house. My mind Avas much engaged in the 
 overflowing of gospel love ; the people were quiet and sober, and 
 appeared to be tender and broken. 0, that I may ever be faithful 
 to the Lord, and praise him for his goodness and loving-kindness to 
 me, without whom I can do nothing that will advance liis great and 
 
128 JOUUNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 18S5 
 
 blessed cause in the earth ! All praise is forever his due, both in 
 heaven and also in the earth. 
 
 The 20th. We atteniled the nieetino- of Friends at AV^estlake, 
 where my mouth was opened with a refresliing testnnuny. 'J'lie 
 Lord was" with ns, and througli mercy, granted us a precious and 
 good meeting. 
 
 Tlie 27th. We had a meeting at Ameliashurgli, where the testi- 
 mony of truth livingly flowed to tlie encouragement of tlie humble 
 and warning of the slotliful. 
 
 Tlie 28t]i. A day of much pleasing and encour;igingantici])ati()n 
 in the hope of the gospel, tlie divine presence l^eing with me, and 
 opening my mind in some degree to have a siglit of the glory and 
 immortal happiness of the righteous. 0, how 1 desired to die the 
 death of the righteous, and tliat* my last end may be like unto his. 
 We, on this d:iy, traveled about fifty miles to Fiiend's settlement of 
 Haldimand, where we found a few Friends who were concerned for 
 the cause of truth. 
 
 Third month 1st. Being First-day, we held a small but |)retty 
 good meeting at Haldimand, for Fi'iends and others, and on the next 
 day we traveled about fifty mik'S to Pickering; and on the 3rd we 
 held a i)retty good meetiiig there. Through divine mercy, the way 
 of etei'ual life was pointed out to the comfort and edification of 
 Friends. 
 
 The 4th. We traveled aliout foity miles to Yongestreet, wliere, 
 on the next day, we attended the Preparative Meeting of Friends, 
 in which I found it to be my duty to sit in silence, and secretly to 
 admire the mercy, the goodness, the loving-kindness and the pre- 
 servation of the Lord to me through my M'hole life. Praised forever 
 be his name ! 
 
 The 0th. We held a full and crowded meeting at Whitchurch, 
 where, out of weakness, I was mercifully strengthened to bear the 
 Lord's testimony to the glory of his name. May I praise him both 
 in time and eternity. On the next day Ave held an exercising meet- 
 ing at Tecomsett. I found hard work in this meeting, but ability 
 was given me to clear my hiind to the peace thereof. 
 
 The 8th, being First-day, and a time of much divine favoi-, we 
 held two large and highly favored meetings, one in the forenoon at 
 Friends' meeting-house of Yongestreet, and the other in the even- 
 ing at a Methodist meeting-house, a few miles distant from the 
 former. My mind in both these meetings was extensively opened 
 in Ciiristian doctrine. The people were very still, and many oC 
 them were broken into much tenderness and humility. The Lord's 
 great name was exidted over all. Glory to him for ever more ! 
 
 The two following days we traveled upwards of a hundred miles 
 to Norwich, wheie, on the 11th, we attended the Monthly Meeting 
 of Friends, which was a season of much exercise. I found some 
 close and hard labor, and through divine inerey, ability was given 
 
1835 .TOURKAL OF THOMAS AHNETT. 129 
 
 nie to clear my mind to the satisfaction thereof. Praised forever be 
 the Lord's lioly name I 
 
 The two following days we traveled about one hundred miles to 
 Friend's settlement of Pel ham, where, on the 14th we rested at a 
 Friend's house, being wearied with traveling; and on the loth, hv- 
 mg First-day. we held a i)i-etty good meeting there for Friends and 
 others. My mind was opened in gospel love to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 16th. Feeling my mind clear of the Province of Upi)er 
 Canada, we this morning set out for the Western parts of the State 
 of Xew York, and crossed the Niagara river below the great falls, 
 and went on to Lockport, wnere, on the next day, we held a pre- 
 cious and heavenly meeting. The power of truth was over all, and 
 many minds were melted down into tenderness and tears. 
 
 The 18th. Attended Hartland Preparative Meeting of Ministers 
 and Elders, and on the next day attended the Monthly Meeting of 
 Friends there, which was, through the melting power of trutli, 
 made a heart-refreshing season. Glory forever he ascribed to the 
 Lord, for he is worthy ! On the 20th we held a trying and proving 
 meeting at Shelby. I found some close and searching service, and 
 discliarged my duty faithfully. Thanks forever be given to the 
 Lord for his mercy I 
 
 The 21st. We traveled about forty miles to the city of Eochester. 
 and on the iiext day, being First-day, we were at the meeting of 
 Friends there, where I found much good service for the Lord. 
 Blessed be his name I 
 
 The 23rd. We traveled to Friend^s settlement of Macedon. 
 Avhere, on the next day, we held a good, open meeting. The divine 
 presence prevailed to the humbling of many minds. The meeting- 
 ended to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 25th. Attended Farmington Preparative Meeting of Minis- 
 ters and Elders, which, to me, was a time of mnch exercise and in- 
 ward engagement. On the next day we attended the Monthly 
 Meeting of Friends there, whicli was, through the refreshings of 
 gos])el love, made a heavenly and precious season. Blessed be the 
 Lord ! 
 
 The 27th. We on this day, and the next morning, traveled to 
 Skaneatelas, where, in the evening (of the 28th) we held a good and 
 favored meeting in the Methodist meeting-house, in which the 
 Holy and Divine Name was praised in consideration of his mercv 
 and goodness. 
 
 The 20th being First-day, I this morning affectionately parted 
 with my dear friend, Hezekiah Collins, who has for some time 
 past been my agreeable and sympathizing companion in this my 
 present important and religious engagement. After parting with 
 him I set out in company with my dear and worthy friend, J()se])h 
 Tallcot, and went to Simjjsonious, where we held a jiretty good 
 meeting for Friends and ntlier-. in which the Loixl was with me 
 
 9 
 
130 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AUXKTT. is:« 
 
 and enabled me to stand forth for his testimony to the gloiT of his 
 blessed name. 
 
 The 30th. AVe traveled this day to the town of Venice, where 
 on the next day we held a meeting at a school-house, Avhich was 
 large and crowded, and the blessed truth eminently prevailed, to 
 the humbling of many minds. 0, that I may be sufficiently 
 thankful to the Lord for these his Divine favors, for without him 
 I can do no good thing I 
 
 Fourth month 1st. We attended Scipio. Preparative Meeting of 
 Friends, which was to me a low, exercising time. I found some 
 service, however, in the truth. In the evening we had a blessed 
 and highly favored meeting in the village of Aurora, in a scssioti 
 house of the Presbyterians. My mind was eminently opened in the 
 doctrine of Christian redemption, truth was over all, and the 
 Lord's name was praised and glorified. 
 
 The 2nd. Attended Xorth street Preparative Meeting of Fi-iends, 
 which was, through Divine goodness, made a time of refreshment 
 and encouragement. In the evening we held a small but pretty 
 good meeting in the town of Ledyard, in a school-house. The Lord 
 was Avith me and enabled me to speak in his blessed name to good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The 3d. In company with my friend, Jacob Griffin, I traveled 
 to Friends' settlement of Hector, and on the next day in the even- 
 ing we held a j^retty open meeting at the village of Mecklenburgh, 
 in a school-house, where I trust that u'or.'<hip was in a good degree 
 ascribed to him who livoth forever, and who is worthy to receive 
 glory and honors. 
 
 The 4th lieing First-day. and a time to bo remembered, the Lord 
 was mercifully with nie and pi'cserved me, to the gioi-y of his name. 
 We were at Friends' meeting of Hector, and experienced a good 
 refreshing season. In the evening we held a large and highly 
 favored meeting in the village of Trumansburgh, in the Methodist 
 meeting-house. This meeting was a season thankfully to be re- 
 membered ; the Lord's power was over all, and the doctrine of the 
 Christian religion flowed to the humbling and tendering of many 
 minds. All appeared to be hushed down into profound stillness 
 and reverent acknowledgment of the mercy, the goodness, and the 
 loving kindness of the King immortal, to wliom be glory, honor, 
 and majesty, l)oth now and evermore I 
 
 The 5th. AV^e returned to the neighborhood of Scipio, where I 
 was very kindly received and entertained by my dear friend. Job 
 Otis, and his family, at whose house I s])ent the next day in writ- 
 ing and pious meditation of mind. 
 
 The three following days I attended the service of Scipio Quar- 
 terly fleeting, which, to me, was a time of deep exercise and travail 
 of spirit ; I was bowed under a sense of the Lord's gracious deal- 
 ings with his devoted people, and was brought to admire his mercy. 
 
l8;!o .IMIHN Al. OF THOMAS ARNETT. 131 
 
 his goodness ;iii(l iiis pj-iitvctioii to them; his loving kindness was 
 renewedly vouchsafed to this meeting, no that his great and worthy 
 name was magnified and exalted above all. Glory forever be given 
 to him I On the evening of the 10th, after the conclusion of this 
 Quarterly Meeting, in company with several Friends, I held a good 
 anil precious meeting at Springport, in the Presbyterian meeting- 
 house. The Lord's name was praised and glorified. 
 
 The 11th, I this morning, in company with my dear friend. 
 Henry A. Knowles, of Smyrna, who found a concern to travel 
 with me awhile, set out and rode about forty miles to Palmyra, 
 where, on the next day, being First-day, we attended the meeting 
 of Friends, which was a refreshing season ; and in the evening we 
 held a highly interesting meeting ni the village of Palmyra, in the 
 Presbyterian meeting-house. 0, the goodness and mercy of God 
 in granting me ability to declare the glad tidings of the gosi)el in, 
 this meeting! His Holy name was glorified, and the people were 
 very still and much humbled in spirit. 
 
 On the loth we visited a few families in this vicinity, to mutual 
 satisfaction and strength. 
 
 The three following days we attended the service of Farmington 
 Quarterly Meeting, which w^as a time to be remembered. The 
 Lord's presence Avas witness to the comfort and edification of 
 Friends. Much weighty business was considered and disposed of 
 in Christian harmony. On the evening of the IGth, after the close 
 of this Quarterly Meeting, we held a pretty good meeting at the 
 house of our dear friend, Gideon Ramsdell. While attending this 
 Quarterly Meeting I received the following letter from my dear 
 wife : 
 
 "Newhope, Green County, Ohio, 2d Mo. -^Ist, 1835. 
 •• My Dear Husband : 
 
 "I again salute thee in the fresh opening of that pure 
 love which neither time nor distance can extinguish, in which I do 
 most sincerely desire thy encouragement in the way which leadeth 
 to everlasting life. I have no doubt but thou often feelest dis- 
 couraged, but in all thy trials and conflicts look unto Jesus in the 
 oljcdience of faith and he will ])reserve thee on every hand ; he will 
 make hard things e.isy and bitter things sweet; he Avill sanctify 
 thy sorrows and i)rovi]igs, and cause all things to work together for 
 thy good. Thy last letter afforded me special satisfaction and re- 
 lief, liaving heard of the severe cold weather in that country, and 
 being informed that some were frozen to death in those parts, I 
 thought if I could only hear that thou wast alive, I would be verv 
 thankful, and it Avas very grateful to my mind in finding by thy 
 letter that thou wast mercifully preserved through such inclement 
 weather, and I believe that thou wilt be preserved to the end as 
 faithfulness is abode in, being fully persuaded that thou art doing 
 the Divine Master's will. I have no desire for thee to return home 
 
!;}•> JOl-RXAL OF TirO.MAS AKXETT. 1835 
 
 till thou canst foci true peace in so doing. I often feel very lone- 
 some and at times miu-h cast down, feeling the want of th}' com- 
 pany, bnt fully believing that it is the Divine will for thee to be 
 thus ibs'jnt from me; I, therefore, am m>rcifnlly emibled to bear 
 up in my solitary seasons with fortitude, having a ho]ie that we 
 shall again enjoy each others' company, with the reward of peace. 
 I h;ive the satisfaction to inform thee, my dear, that my health has 
 latterly very much improved, which I deem as a special blessing, 
 an:l for which 1 hope thanks will be returned to the Author of all 
 good. Many friends very affectionately remember their love to 
 thee, and much desire thy preservation and S'r'.fe return home when 
 tiie right time shall come. With feelings of Grospel love and sym- 
 pathy, I now affectionately bid thee farewell. 
 
 "Rachel Arkett." 
 
 The ITtli. We in the evening of this day held a meeting at 
 Henrietta Academy, which was rather a low and trying time. Un- 
 der much exercise, however, I found some close and hard work. 
 Tlie |)eople were very much outward, and know but little about in- 
 ward stillness. *I was faithful in discharging my duty to them, and 
 took my leave of them in true gospel love. 
 
 The I8th. In the evening of this day we held a large and hea- 
 veidy meeting in the village of Scottsville, in the Methodist meet- 
 ing-house. This was a season in which the water of life was poured 
 forth, as the rain descends uj^on the garden prepared for it. May 
 all praise forever be given to God, for he is worthy I 
 
 The 19th being First-day, we attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Wheatland, which was a refreshing time. In the evening, in com- 
 pany with several Friends, we held a very interesting meeting in 
 Rochester, in the African Methodist meeting-house, for the colored 
 people of that city. The meeting was large and much favored with 
 gospel ministry. A great deal of quietness and attention prevailed, 
 and many were broken into tenderness and contrition. ]\[ay the 
 L)rd sanctify that opportunity to the good of that peoj^le. who ap- 
 peared to be very thankful for this meeting. We parted with them 
 in that love which spreads over the whole human family and gives 
 peace to all the righteous, without respect to persons. 
 
 The 30th. We rode about thirty miles to Elba, where, on the 
 next day, we held a meeting for Friends and others, in which my 
 month was opened in living testimony, to the tendering and humb- 
 ling of numy minds. 
 
 The 23d. We traveled about thirty miles to Friends' settlement 
 m the town of Orangeville, where, on the next day, we held a trying 
 and proving meeting. I found some hard labor."^ Ability at length, 
 however, was given me to release my mind to pretty good satis- 
 laclion. 
 
 The 34th. We on this day rode about thirty miles to the settle- 
 ment of Friends of Hamburgh, where on the next day we staid at 
 
1835 J U K-\ A L O F 'I' 1 1 ( ) M A S A l{ N KTV. 1 ;);> 
 
 ;i Friend's house, being weiiried with traveling and somewhat un- 
 well, and therefore we needed some rest. I spent this day mostly 
 iu writing and meditation. I wrote a letter to my dear wife, feel- 
 ing my mind to be turned toward her in that true love whieli ex- 
 tends over sea and land, and unites in gospel fellowship. 
 
 The 2(Jth being First-day, we held a large and full meeting at 
 Hamburgh. Many came in who were not members of our .Society, a 
 number of whom for awhile were mu?^! outward, but at length 
 truth arose in such a manner as to cause that humility to pervade 
 which the gospel of Christ inspires ; so that we had a very good 
 meeting. Gospel ministry eminently flow^ed to the glory of the 
 name of the Lord. The meeting ended with i:)rayer and supplica- 
 tion. May all the praise and glory forever be ascribed to the great 
 giver of every good and perfect gift, for he is worthy! 
 
 The .^9th. A day of much deep exercise of mind with me. I 
 this morning was much cast down. 0, how I desired to live near 
 the throne of grace, and more and more press onward in the way of 
 l)erfectionI I renewed ly saw the great necessity of strictly main- 
 taining daily watchfulness unto prayer, that ability maybe received 
 from on high to withstand the enemy in all his fiery darts, for he stands 
 ready to take every advantage of the true believers, when 0])i)or- 
 tunity is given him. But as Christians look unto Jesus Christ in 
 the obedience of faith in the hour of temptation, he will grant 
 them ability to stand firm at the approaches of the evil one. 
 
 We this day rode to the city of 13uflfalo, where in the evening we 
 held a pretty good meeting in the Baptist meeting-house. My 
 mind was open in doctrine jind prayer to good satisfaction. On the 
 next day we returned to Hamlnirgh, where, on the 29th, we at- 
 tended the Monthly Meeting of Friends, which was a low time. I 
 was silent under much exercise of mind. 0, that I may ever Ijc 
 faithful and be fully devoted to the divine will in all things! 
 
 The 30th. We attended Collins Monthly Meeting, Nihicli to me 
 was a time of much deep exercise; but after centering down in that 
 true humility which the gospel inspires, the blessed truth in a 
 good degree arose in dominion, so that I found a living testimony 
 to bear to the glory of the immortal luime. May all praise forever 
 be ascribed to him who is Avorthy to receive glory, honor and 
 power I 
 
 Fifth month 1st. We this day held a meeting at Clear Creek, 
 where I found a living testimony to deliver. The doctrine of i-e- 
 generation was opened, to the humility of the minds of the people. 
 After this meeting, I enjoyed this ilay that true peace which 
 the gospel of Christ inspires. 
 
 The 2nd. I this day experienced that true consolation wliich 
 alone can be found under the infiuences of the Holy Ghost. <), 
 how my spirit rejoiced in God my salvation! Truly I secretly sang 
 praises to his great and holy name! We traveled this day to Eicra, 
 
i;U .lOlKNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. is;« 
 
 ill Cliautau(|u;i eoniity, \vhere, on the next day,, being JMrst-day, we 
 hold a large an<l good meeting for Friends and others. My mouth 
 was ojieiied and my heart was enlarged in this meeting in gospel 
 testimony. Christian doctrine flowed freely, to the humility and 
 edification of many minds. This meeting closed with ])rayerto the 
 Lord for all his mercies and blessings. After this meeting, tliat 
 gratitude was renewed in me to the Lord which the gospel inspires, 
 for his mercy, goodness and 2)rotection to me throughout this great 
 journey, for hitherto he hath been with me and preserved and sus- 
 tained me on every hand. 
 
 I have now visited, in gospel love, most of the meetings of 
 Friends of New York Yearly Meeting, I believe to good satisfac- 
 tion: and in passing through the meetings of this remotely situated 
 Yearly Meeting, and feeling in the pure seed of life after the vari- 
 ous states of our members and others who atteiided meetings with 
 us when I held public appointed meetings at Friends' meeting- 
 liouses — for many of such meetings were often largely attended by 
 tliose who are not in religious profession with us — I was enal)led, 
 through that adorable mercy which is from everlasting to everlast- 
 ing, to divide in true wisdom the word of life, according to the 
 need and conditions of the people, which often had the good effect 
 of producing much tenderness and contrition with many, and re- 
 newing that true sympathy which the Holy Si^irit inspires, so that 
 the JjOrd's name on these occasions Avas often exal.ted and glorified, 
 and the sincere-hearted comforted and edified, and sinners were 
 warned in true love to flee from the wrath to come, and seek for 
 sincere repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 In the prosecution of my visits to Friends and others in the 
 veiuc ol tliis \' early Meeting, I often had to mourn in beholding 
 the tiials to which Friends have been subject in consequence of the 
 laie separation from our Society. Some meetings were wholly 
 swept otf on accou))t thereof, and others very much strii)i)ed and 
 reduced, so that Friends, in a number of instances, have to nicet 
 in Very small companies, and altliough they have many discourage- 
 ments to encounter, yet tliey are faitiiful in sustaining their meet- 
 ings, to the honor of trutli. With these 1 had a great sympathy, 
 and was enabled to encourage them to trust in the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, who hath promised tlicd where tiro or three are gathered in 
 his name, he will he in the midst wit// them : and this blessed prom- 
 ise he often fulfills, to the humble admiration and edification of 
 his sincere- people, whom he will never forsake. For he has also 
 promised to l»e with them as long as the world shall stand. There- 
 fore, those who trust in him will witness preservation and protec- 
 tion in all the solitary and afflicting dispensations of this life. 
 There are, however, some large and lively meetings in the verge of 
 this Yearly Meeting ; and while I had to regret the lukewarmness 
 
mr, .TOURISrAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 135 
 
 :inrl indifference whicli prevailed M'ith some of our members, yet T 
 was much comforted in finding tliat there are many valuable and 
 worthy Friends within the limits of this Yearly Meeting, who stand 
 forth for the testimony of truth, and who have been enabled, 
 through divine mercy, to sustain our discipline and put it in execu- 
 tion as occasion has required, and as w^ay has opened. The Hicksites 
 have taken, I suppose, within the limits of this Yearly Meeting, 
 rather more than half of the meeting-houses of Friends, and 
 amidst those difficulties wdien our dear Friends had to leave their 
 own meeting-houses, and ])rocure other places for the holding of 
 their religious meetings according to our discipline, they were 
 favored, through divine mercy, to maintain our peaceable principles 
 to the honor of truth, so that while we, as a Christian Society, liave 
 witnessed trials of a deeply affecting nature, the Lord has been 
 with us and blessed us, to the glory and honor of his name. 
 
 In the 'prosecution of this great and important journey, I often 
 met with sincere and secret mourners in Zion, and these strongly 
 ehiimed my tender solicitude and my sympathy. For it is one of 
 the interesting concerns of the true and faithful minister of the great 
 Head of the Church, to go forth in that immortal principle which will 
 again and again renew Christian sympathy for those who mourn in 
 Zion, who often feel poor and needy, and who are often cast doAvnin 
 spirit. For he who " died for our sins," and " Avas buried," and " rose 
 again the third day according to the scriptures," and "ascended up 
 far above all heavens, that he might fill all things," still invites by 
 the everlasting gospel which is preached in his name, to (or in 
 every creature which is under heaven), after this manner, "Come 
 unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I Avill give you 
 rrst." Therefore, he who goes forth with the I'ight anointing, to de- 
 clare the glad tidings of the gosjiel, will frequently be eiuibled, 
 through the agency of the Holy Spirit, to speak a w^ord of comfort 
 and consolation to the solitary mourners in Zion, and invite them, 
 in gos]xd love, to look unto him for true rest who is the author 
 and finisher of our faith, who is touched with the feeling of our 
 infirmities, and who causeth all things to Avork together for good to 
 them that love him. For, although the heaven is his throne, a?id the 
 <^arth is his footstool, yet he beholdeth, w^ith infinite mercy and com- 
 jiassion, all the poor in spirit, and he Avill more and more sanctify 
 their mourning, affliction, and tribulation, to the glory and honor 
 of his exalted and immortal name. 
 
 I believe that the prosecution of this arduous and exercising 
 journey has not only Ijeen interesting to me, but to many others. 
 For, in many instances, I met with serious iiKjuirers after the 
 blessed truth, who Avere not in open j)rofession Avith Friends. Fre- 
 quently, Avhen I put up at public-houses for entertainment, those 
 of this description came in to see me, and introduced the subject of 
 the Christian religion for conversation, wherebv I Avould soon find 
 
13G JOLKXAL OF TUO.MAS AKXETT. mr< 
 
 that they Avcre, in some degree, under the poAver of the cross of 
 Christ ; and by being faithful to the pointings of truth, I was 
 favored to direct I hem to the great ''Minister of the sanctuary, and 
 of the true t;ibernacle which the Lord pitched, and not mnn," for 
 divine instruction and consohition. I also, in many of the public 
 meetings which I held amongst other Christian denominations, 
 found many tender and broken-hearted ones, who loved the blessed 
 cross of Christ more than the vanity of a fallen world. These 
 were, also, through divine mercy, directed to him who liveth for- 
 ever and ever for true rest of spirit. So that I often met with 
 those, both in private and in public, who were under the refining 
 and qualifying power of truth for service in the church ; and while 
 I had cause to mourn, in beholding the desolation of unbelief, in 
 many instances I was encouraged in believing that there are many, 
 not only in our Society, but also in other Christian denominations, 
 who, in a good degree, are faithful to the instruction of that true 
 principle which dwells with the Lord's people in every age of the 
 world. 
 
 In the prosecution of this weighty and very important eng.ige- 
 ment, my mind Avas often impressed with a deep sense of the im- 
 portance of the subject of divine and acceptable Avorship to him 
 " Avho is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and 
 Lord of lords ; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light 
 which no man can approacli unto; whom no man hath seen nor can 
 see; to whom be honor and poAver everlasting !" and as this deeply 
 interesting subject impressed me, I often had to mourn in believ- 
 ing that many Avho are in open religious profession Avith i;s, 
 through inattention to the influence and instruction of the Holy 
 Spirit, often fall short of the faithful performance of this great 
 duty. It is a testimony of the great Head of the Church that 
 "God is a Spirit." This is one of the first, the greatest, the most 
 sublime and necessary truths in the compass of nature. There is a 
 God, the cause of all things — the fountain of all perfection, idling 
 the heavens and the earth, pervading, governing, and upholding all 
 things. He is an infinite Spirit, he looketh on the earth and it 
 tumbleth, he toucheth the hills and they smoke; and as all Creatures 
 Avere made by him, so all owe him obedience and reverence: and for 
 us to to be acceptable in his sight, our Avorship to him must be of a 
 spiritual nature, must spring from the heart through the influence 
 of the Holy Sj^irit, and it must be in truth, springing up under the 
 poAver of the cross of Christ, according to the divine revelation 
 which he mercifully gives us of himself. Those who neglect tliis 
 true and acceptable Avorship to God, cannot deepen in the root of 
 that immortal principle Avhich bears up the mind in the afflictions 
 of this life. 
 
 If the members of our religious society Avould always be careful 
 to meet for divine Avorship according to our holy profession, and 
 
is« ,1 L" 1! X A I . O I' r 1 1( » M A S \\{ N i:'!"!'. 1 o T 
 
 iipproiich before tliu Lord in a riglit frame of uiiud. tliere would 
 be more solid weight in our religions meetings than is often experi- 
 enced; for while I believe that tliere are many amongst us who are 
 very faithful to the performance of the great duty of worship, I 
 am persuaded that there are those also among us who are too in- 
 different in regard to this deei)ly interesting duty, and fJw.ye instead 
 of being instrumental in adding weight to our religious assemblies, 
 often bring sorrow and mourning upon the minds of the faithful. 
 When we consider that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness there- 
 of, that every blessing we receive comes from him, that without 
 him we can do no good thing, and that without his continual pro- 
 tection we cannot be upheld and supported, our hearts glow 
 toward him with that true gratitude which the Holy Ghost inspires; 
 and we also feel bound under the strongest obligations to ascribe 
 to him that true worship which is ever his due ; and we deplore in 
 beholding many of our members, who are partaking daily of his 
 blessings, yet being unmindful of the greatest duty which devolves 
 ujjon us in this life, that of ascribing to him that worship, homage, 
 and adoration Avhich we jioor, finite, fallen, and dependent beings 
 owe to him. 0, that every one who nameth the name of Christ 
 may depart from iniquity, and more and more daily maintain in- 
 ward watchfulness unto j^rayer, praying without ceasing, in every- 
 thing giving thanks, and ascribing that worship to God which 
 stands in spirit and truth I 
 
 The 4:th. Having completed the religious service and gospel la- 
 bors wdiicli the Lord, my gracious Master, pointed out in mercy for 
 me within the limits of Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and 
 ISTew Engiaiul Yearly Meetings of Friends, and seeing my way home 
 in that true light which hath gone before me throughout this great 
 journey, I therefore, this morning, with a peaceful mind, set my 
 face homeward, in company with my dear friend who is now my 
 companion, he having found a concern to bear me company part of 
 the way liome; and while Ave traveled together on my Avay home, I 
 enjoyed that true peace which this world can neither give nor take 
 away. I secretly sang that true song which none can sing but the 
 redeemed and the ransomed of the Lord; my heart rejoiced in him, 
 my Savior and my salvation. I retrospected my past life, and had 
 great cause to admire the goodness, the mercy, and the loving kind- 
 ness of the Lord, a sense of which humbled me with that true hu- 
 mility Avhich the divine principle of life inspires. While I was thus 
 pervaded, I took a general view of this great journey, which I am 
 now completing, and had all cause to believe that the Lord was 
 with me, and in many instances made way for me where there ap- 
 peared to be no way; and, 0, that I may increasingly be faithful 
 to him as long as I live, and trust alone in his blessed and worthy 
 name I We arrived at Salem, in Columbiana county, in tlie State 
 of Ohio, on the 7th, where, the two following days, we attended the 
 
i;}8 .lOL'HXAL OF THOMAS ARN^ETT. 1835 
 
 Quarterly Meeting of Friends, which was a good, refreshing season. 
 Friends were very ghid to see me, and I was equally glad to see 
 them, so that this was a time of much interesting feeling and sym- 
 ])athy. Blessed forever be the name of him who livetli forever and 
 ever I 
 
 Tlie 10th Ijeing First-day, we attended the ]\[eeting of Friends 
 for worshi}) at .Salem, which was a solemn impressive time, and 
 after this meeting 1 very affectionately parted with my dear friend, 
 Ilrnry A. Knowles, who lias been for some time past my very 
 agreeable and sympathising companion, and in company with some 
 dear friends I traveled this afternoon about twenty-five miles, to 
 Wellsville, a small village on the Ohio river, and on the next morn- 
 ing I parted with these dear friends, who kindly accompanied me 
 this far, and Avent on board a steamboat for the city of Cincinnati, 
 where I was landed on the 14th, in the forenoon, and in the after- 
 noon of the same day I took a. passage in the public stage for 
 Xenia. a fine village near my habitation, where I arrived early on 
 the next morning, the 15th, and had the satisfaction there to 
 meet with a dear friend, who immediately took mo in his carriage 
 and went home with me. So that on this day I was, through 
 the mercy and protection of God, favored again to see my own 
 home, and there meet with my dear wife and family, with that 
 ti-ue j)eace which alone springs from the Savior of the world. 
 My dear wife and family and friends were very glad again to see 
 me, and I was glad to see them and to be with them, after be- 
 ing so long from them. 
 
 I was from home on this great journey one year, six months, 
 and about twelve days, and traveled, according to computation, 
 about eight thousand miles, and attended, including the several 
 sittings of the Yearly and Quarterly Meetings which I was at, 
 and also some family opportunities, about the number of five 
 hundred meetings. "^May all praise forever be given to God I 
 Amen I 
 
 After I returned home from off this lengthy journey, for about 
 the space of the following five years I found much to do within 
 the limits of our own Yearly Meeting ; frequently holding })ublic 
 appointed meetings for divine worship for Friends and others in 
 these parts ; my mind being drawn forth to the divers religious 
 denominations in gospel love, for the dissemination of the glad 
 tklings of the blessed truth. I was also often engaged in visiting 
 Friends' meetings for discipline, as Avay opened, in order to stir up 
 tlie pure mind and to strengthen the hands of the faithful laborers. 
 Jn this service the Lord was mercifully with me, and gave me 
 strength, Avisdom and utterance to the "glory and honor of his 
 worthy name, and to the consolation and 'edification of the sincere 
 devoted ones. And in addition to this engagement, our Yearly 
 
1835 JOIJJNAL OF THOMAS AKNKT'r. 18'.) 
 
 ]\[eetiiig and Meeting for Sufferings, as well as other meetings for 
 discipline, often ]iut npon me weiglity a])pointments in connection 
 Avitli other Friends, there being a great call for mncli faithful and 
 honest laborers within the limits of onr Yearly Meeting, in order to 
 guard well the faith, the doctrines and the varions testimonies of 
 our Society on every hand ; and in the ]irosecution of this labor the 
 Oreat Head of the Church was with us, and enabled us to sustain 
 his good cause, to the ])raise and honor of his holy name, and to 
 the peace of our own minds, often sending his faithful servants 
 amongst us from other Yearly Meetings for our help and assistance, 
 so that we had cause to l)e thankful to him for his continued care 
 and pi'otection to us. *• 
 
 I also in these days found much to engage my attention and con- 
 sideration at home, my dear wife being much afflicted with bodily 
 indisposition for a considerable length of time, which was c;mse of 
 trial and grief to me; but I trusted alone in that great and worthy 
 l)eing who has preserved and sustained me through many troubles, 
 and I daily experienced in degree his support and guidance. We 
 at length had the deep mortification and trial to bury another dear 
 son, our third child, and no language can dcscril)e our feelings on 
 this deeply afflicting occasion ; the fresh remembrance of all of our 
 dear children having been taken away from us, brought that deep 
 humility upon us which enabled its in the obedience of faith both 
 to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord, and to 
 l>raise his great and holy name for all his gracious dealings towards 
 us ; he having, again and again, through great mercy, pei-mitted 
 the hand of adversity to be turned and overturned upon us for our 
 good and advance in the path of the just, which is as the shining- 
 light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Tender 
 a deep sense of his mercy in his Son, our holy Saviour, that all in- 
 fants that die in innocency are saved through his meritorious 
 sufferings and righteousness, Ave thankfully acknowledged his 
 mercy in taking away our dear children from the evil to come, 
 and blessing them with the crown of immortal glory that fadeth 
 not away. 
 
 A concern for some time ])ast having impressed my mind to pay 
 a religious visit to the Yearly Meetings of Ohio and Baltimore, and 
 to ai>point some meetings in thosti parts for Friends and others, I 
 seasonably opened this concern to Friends of our Monthly and 
 Quarterly Meetings, and obtained a good certificate of them for the 
 prosecution of the journey. My dear fiiend, Asa H. Hoge, with 
 the unity of Friends, was my companion in this service. We set 
 out 071 this im]iortant engagement on the 22d day of the Sixth 
 month, 1840, parting with my dear wife and family with tears, and 
 with prayer and supplication for our mutual preservation and pro- 
 tection. We held a very interesting meeting at JamestoAvn, where 
 many met us to take their leave of us, commending us to Divine 
 
140 JDl KNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 183.5 
 
 protection, liiid on the next day, being First-day, we held meetings 
 tit Green Phiin, and at Springfield in the evening, in the Presby- 
 terian meeting-house, which were seasons of eminent Divine favor. 
 
 The "iith. We traveled to the city of Columbus, and spent the 
 next dav in visiting the public benevolent institutions there, and in 
 the evening held a good open meeting in the Methodist meeting- 
 house. The '2Gth. We this morning left this city, and on the next 
 morning landed at Zanesville, where we held a meeting in the even- 
 ing for the 3Iethodists and others, which was a good season. On 
 the two following days we traveled to the neighborhood of Flush- 
 ing, where, on the 30th, we attended the First-day meeting of 
 Friends, which was through holy help nuide a good and heavenly 
 season. 
 
 The 31st. We held meetings for divine worship at Guernsey and 
 Freeport, for Friends and others, whicli Avere well attended and 
 favored with the overshadowing presence of the Good Shepherd. 
 Many minds were reached and humbled in thankful acknowledg- 
 ment of his mercy, goodness and protection. 
 
 Ninth month 1. We rode to the neighborhood of Westgrove, 
 and on the next day we attended Friends' Meeting thei'e, 
 and in the evening held a meeting at Cadiz in the Methodist 
 meeting-house, and the power of truth was present in these*meet- 
 ings, to the humble admiration of many. The 3rd. We attended 
 Friends' meeting of Harrisville, which, after waiting some time in 
 silence, was made a good and open season. After this we went to 
 the town of Mount Pleasant in order to -attend the Yearly Meeting 
 of Ohio, Avhicli commenced on the 5th and closed its session on the 
 11th, where we met with divers other Friends engaged in the 
 work of the ministry, from various parts, who found much good 
 service for the Lord, so that this was a good meeting to many. 
 
 T found some good service in this Yearl}' Meeting, Imt through 
 the most i)art thereof it was my lot to go down in judgment and 
 to suffer witii the suffering seed, whicii was depressed in many, in 
 consequence of the cares and love of this world : and in this bap- 
 tism truth preserved me to my furtherance in Christian experience. 
 Many worthy and valuable friends belong to this Yearly Meeting, 
 who were favored to conduct the concerns which came before them, 
 in a good degree, with Christian harmony and brotherly condescen- 
 sion. 
 
 After the Yearly Meeting we paid several visits to Friends" fami- 
 lies in this neighborhood, rather in a social way, to good satisfac- 
 tion, and on the 13th avc attended Friends' meeting at Concord, 
 where I was opened in the love of the gospel, my spirit being much 
 set at liberty to speak to the states of the people. Praised be the 
 name of the Lord I 
 
 The 14tli and l.")th we traveled to Salem, and on the 16tli we 
 were at Friends' meeting there, which was large, and in a good 
 
1835 JOrUXAI. ()!• 11 1 (> MAS A K N KTT. 141 
 
 degree owned by tlic blessed triitli. The ITtli wo held meetings 
 at Springfield and (ioshen, wliei-o I was enabled to speak on the 
 subject of Faith and Devotion, to satisfaction. We held, on the 18th, 
 a good and large meeting at New Gnrden; my mind was much 
 opened in the love of truth, to encourage the faithful ones, and to 
 warn sinners of the wrath to come on tlie children of disobedience. 
 Tlie 10th we attended Carmel Monthly Meeting, where I delivered, 
 under deep exercise, a short but impressive testimony, tending to 
 stir up Friends to more faithful diligence, under the conviction of 
 the existence of lukewarmness in this meeting, as well as at many 
 other places in these parts, which caused much decj) mourning to 
 my spi]-it, often having to go down in judgment, to eat the roll of 
 the book containing lamentations, and weeping, and woe; but I was 
 favored again and again to come forth and speak to the states of 
 the people, to the glory of the blessed Saviour, and to the peace of 
 my own mind. 
 
 The "^Oth, being First-day, we held a good and open meeting at 
 Middletown, for Friends and others. I was drawn in the authority 
 of truth to deliver some important ])oints of Christian doctrine. 
 Some were much tendered and humbled, in thankful acknowledge- 
 ment of the providence of the great and Almighty Creator of the 
 heav'fn and the earth. 
 
 After this, we set out for Friends settlement of Sewickly, in Penn- 
 sylvania, where we arrived in time to attend their Preparative 
 meeting, on the 23d, and on thenext day weheldaj)ublica})pointed 
 meeting there, for Friends and others, which was well attended, 
 and the power of truth was over all; the good seed was reached to, 
 and the evil chained down in many, so that the Lord's name was 
 mngnified. 
 
 The 'ioth we held a deeply interesting meeting at the town of 
 West Xewton. People of divers religious denominations attended, 
 among whom my soul was much set at liberty, to the glory and 
 honor of the name immortal. Truth reigned in dominion; every 
 mind seemed to be hushed down in profound silence, and ])repared 
 to receive the truth as it was delivered, in demonstration of the 
 spirit and with power. This meeting closed with prayer and thanks- 
 giving to the Lord for all his mercies and blessings to us. 
 
 After this we held several meetings for divine worship in the neigh- 
 borhood of Brownsville, for Friends and others, which were well 
 attended, and much favored with the doctrine of truth, my mind 
 being much led out into the states and conditions of the people. 
 
 On the 30th we attended Redstone Monthly meeting, wliich was 
 a time of great suffering. I was silent in the meeting, under the 
 apprehension that the life of true religion was low, and thatF'riends 
 loved this world more than the cross of Christ, which caused deep 
 inward mourning to me. I thought that the minds of Friends in 
 this meeting were so taken uj) with the cares of this life that 
 
l-i-> -lurUN'AI. Ol" THOMAS AK-VETT. isa5 
 
 tliere was no opening among them for the free circuhition of the 
 blessed truth. I, therefoix', found it to be my duty to lie low and 
 dwell deep, and keep my exercise to myself while among them, 
 fervently desiring at the same time the renewal of divine favor upon 
 Friends of this Monthly Meeting. 
 
 Tenth mo. 1st. We set out this morning for Hopewell, in Vw- 
 ginia, where we arrived in time to attend Friends' First-day meeting 
 for worship, on the 4th, and found Friends very glad to see us, 
 among whom we had a refreshing season ; and after holding several 
 highly favored meetings in these parts for Friends and others, and 
 attending Hopewell Monthly Meeting, all to good satisfaction, the 
 ])ower of truth being with us, and enabled us to go forth to the 
 refreshing tenderness and humility of our fellow beings, we set out 
 for Goose Creek, in Louden county, where we attended Friends'* 
 meeting on the loth, which was small, but favored with the divine 
 jiresence; and after holding some meetings in these parts for Friends 
 and others, we, on the 18th, being First-day, held one at Leesburgh, 
 in the Methodist meeting-house, which was very large, and emi- 
 nently favored with the doctrine of Christian redemption. The 
 people were still and quiet, and appeared to be well satisfied with 
 the meeting. 
 
 The 19th. We set out this morning and traveled about thirty 
 miles to Washington City, where we spent the fore part of the next 
 day in taking a view of some of the public buildings, with a sincere 
 desire for the peaceful preservation of our beloved country. Under 
 the conviction of the critical situation of this Xation, on account 
 of the sin of slavery, and many other evils, we were much humbled 
 in secret prayer and supplication for mercy to the citizens of this 
 great and extended Republic. In the afternoon we obtained an 
 interesting interview with the President of the United States, in 
 which was brought to view subjects of a religious nature, calculated 
 to imbue the mind with a sense of the providence of that Being 
 who presides in the council of Nations, and by whom civil rulers 
 reign and Princes decree Justice. In taking our leave of him, he 
 aj^peared to be thankful for our visit to him, so that we|)arted with 
 him in that true love which casteth out fear. In the evening, by 
 early caudle-light, we held a good and open meeting in Georgetown, 
 among the Methodists and others, and on the "21st we set out for 
 the city of Baltimore, and landed there in the evening, where 
 friends api)eared to be glad to see us, and on the next day we at- 
 tended l-'riends' meeting in this city, where it was my lot to sit in^ 
 suffering silence. My spirit supplicated the mercy and protection 
 of truth, that in all things I may be preserved on every hand. On 
 the 23rd we attended the Quarterly Meeting of Friends in this city, 
 which was a low time. Friends, however, were favored to transact 
 their business to mutual satisfaction. 
 
 The Yearly Meeting of Baltimore commenced on the 24th, and 
 
is.i5 .)Ori{>CAL OF TJIUMAS AKXETT. 14)^ 
 
 closed its session on tlie 29th. I found much good service for the 
 Lord in tiiis meeting. Other Friends, also, who were present, en- 
 gaged in the work of the ministry, were favored, to the satisfaction 
 of Friends; all of us laboring together for the promotion of the 
 same cause of truth. 
 
 This Yearly Meeting, though it was small, yet through divine 
 mercy was made a time of mutual refreshment. The aged and sin- 
 cere were encouraged to hold on their way to the end, the luke- 
 warm were admonished in gospel love to more diligence and faith- 
 fulness, and the beloved youth were exhorted to bear the yoke in 
 early life, and to cast their all in the obedience of faith (tu the 
 Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 After the conclusion of this Yearly Meeting we turned our faces 
 homeward, and traveled ou slowly, often feeling concerned to stop 
 and hold meetings for divine worship on the way, according to the 
 pointing of truth; and finding much openness with the people for 
 meetings in divers places, we therefore held a number of good and 
 open meetings, to mutual satisfaction, on our way home, where we 
 were favored to arrive on the 10th day of the 11th month, 1840. I 
 found my family in pretty good health, for which I was thankful, 
 feeling peace of mind for this dedication of religious duty. We 
 were out on this journey about twelve weeks and five days, and 
 traveled, by computation, about fourteen hundred miles, and were 
 preserved together in gospel sym])athy. 
 
 After I returned home from otf this journey, there appeared to 
 be increasing difficulties within the limits of our Yearly Meeting, 
 on the subject of slavery, wdiicli called forth the united labor of 
 many solid Friends amongst us, to guard our testimony in its true 
 light, as well as to maintain all our other testimonies on Christian 
 ground. Some Friends, who stood high as ministers in our society, 
 with several others of the leaders of our ^'early Meeting, left the 
 proper ground for Friends to occup\ in the maintenance of our 
 various testimonies, and went out into the over-active field of the 
 anti-slavery societies, which was cause of very deep distress to me 
 and many other dear Friends. We sujjj^licated to the Great ILnid 
 of the Church in the spirit of truth, for strength and wisdom to do 
 his will in relation to this dee^jly affecting difficulty; when, at 
 length, our Yearly Meeting was favored, through his interposition, 
 to issue advice to our members, neither to join the popular associa- 
 tions of the world on the subject of slavery, as they were producing 
 great confusion and excitement in our beloved country, and much 
 calculated to lead away from under the weight of the cross of 
 Christ, nor to open our meeting-houses for anti-slavery lectures, 
 because, in general, such lectures amounted to be reproachful abuses 
 to our Society, and to other respectable Churches in our country. 
 We could not, therefore, consistently countenance them; and this 
 advice was oi)enly and publicly violated and opposed l)y tlicse our 
 disaffected members. 
 
144 JOIKXAI. OF TIIOMA.S AKXETT. I8:i5 
 
 This serious difficulty brought on me, and on other solid Friends, 
 ver}' deep exercise. We labored with these disaffected members faith- 
 fully, in the spirit of truth, for sometime, for their restoration into 
 the unity and travail of our Society. But this Christian lalior, which 
 was extended to them in the tenderest love, and with tears and 
 supplication, appeared to be calculated more and more to harden 
 them, because they stood in opposition to the fervent travail of the 
 Church of Christ. While our Yearly Meeting was in session, in 
 the year 1842, a very deep and mighty concern came upon me, that 
 a faithful standard might be raised against this over-active zeaJ, 
 which appeared to be calculated not only to ])roduce schisms in the 
 churches, but also to dissolve civil government, if permitted by 
 divine providence to have poAver to control the aifairs in civil com- 
 munities. I tlierefore, under great weight of spirit, and with fear 
 and trembling, in the constraining power of gospel love, stood forth 
 in this large Yearly Meeting for the testimony of truth, and 
 brought to review the propriety of appointing those on the weighty 
 services of society who stood in unity with Friends, and faithfully 
 maintained the discipline, the travail, and the advice of our So- 
 ciety, and that those who had opeidy and publicly violated and 
 opposed the discipline, the travail, and the advice of our Yearly 
 Meeting, ought not to be placed on the weighty services of Society 
 while they remain in such manifest opposition to the body. 
 
 This ])roposition was united with by a general expression of 
 unity by those who endeavored to live near the Great Head of the 
 church, and near one another in the fellowship of the gospel; de- 
 siring under all circumstances to lead a quiet and peacable life, in 
 all godliness and honesty, which is good and acceptable in the sight 
 of that J>eing whose providence is over all his works. Thus a firm 
 standard was effectually raised in our Yearly Meeting against this 
 unholy zeal, and measures were taken to carry out this standard 
 down to the subordinate meetings, by issuing an epistle of advice 
 adapted to the state of Society, and by a])pointing a committee of 
 men and women Friends to go down with it and labor in the spirit 
 of truth for the restoration of these our disaffected members, and 
 for the maintenance of the order and advice of our Yearly ]\[eeting. 
 
 Soon after this Yearly Meeting, we who stood appointed on this 
 committee entered into our labors according to the pointings of 
 trutli, and were favored to go forth to the honor of tlie good 
 cause; and visited those meetings for discijiline generally where this 
 disaffection existed, to tlie satisfaction and help of our dear Friends 
 who stood in unity with the body. But our distiff'ected members 
 opposed us ojienly, declaring their disunity with the proceedings of 
 our '^' early Meeting. But we were enabled faithfully to discharge 
 our religious duty to them, warning them in gospel love of the 
 awful consequences of sei)a)-ating themselves from the unity and 
 fellowshij) of our religious Societv. 
 
1843 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 145 
 
 The present appears to be an awful time in our beloved country 
 in many instances, a time wherein sin and ini(juity do very much 
 abound Avith many, and also with this nation; for the combined 
 sins of individuals form the accumulated iniquity of a nation. 
 
 While the subject of slavery is producing excitement and sejjara- 
 tions in the various churches, and great confusion and distress in 
 our civil community, other subjects are intervening before the 
 religious and civil community of a very specious appearance, in 
 many of the public newspapers, and in the common lectures of the 
 day, very much calculated to lead away from the mortifying power 
 of the cross of Christ, Under a conviction of religious duty, I was 
 often bound to speak of these things in our religious meetings, 
 warning our dear Friends to be well guarded against them, and 
 exhorting them to retire from them, and settle down in their own 
 minds and move forth on all occasions in the wisdom of truth, 
 abiding in the name of the Lord which is a strong tower: the 
 righteous run into it and are safe. 
 
 In the First month, in the year of 1843, with the unity of our 
 Monthly Meeting, and in company with a respectable Friend, I per- 
 formed a very interesting religious visit to Friends and others in 
 the city of Cincinnati. In the prosecution of this concern I held 
 several meetings for divine worship to mutual satisfaction. The 
 Lord was with me and eminently opened mv understanding in the 
 great doctrine of Christian redemption. 
 
 In the fore jDart of the Tliird month, this year. 1843. I attended 
 the service of a called Meeting for Sufferings at Whitewater, in the 
 State of Indiana, on a very jiainful occasion. Fifty appointed mem- 
 bers attended this meeting w'ith feelings of great solemnity and 
 humility, being united in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of 
 peace. In the progress of the workings of a spirit of human activity, 
 self confidence and insubordination, which has been api^arent 
 among a portion of the members of our Yearly Meeting for some 
 time past, another separation from our Religious Society has been 
 effected and a new and independent association has been organized 
 bearing the title of "Indiana Yearly Meeting of Anti slavery 
 Friends." This separation took place at Newport, Indiana, on the 
 7th of last month, and this was the cause of our being called 
 together at this time. We were favored to issue suitable epistles to 
 all the Meetings for Sufferings of Friends on this painful occasion, 
 as also to send down to the meetings and members of our own 
 Yearly Meetings a weighty address for the clearing of truth on 
 account of reproachful charges, falsely preferred against the char- 
 acter of our Yearly Meeting, and some of its subordinate branches, 
 and some individuals filling acceptable stations in Society, as it 
 appears to be a very prominent object with this separation to sow 
 the seed of disunity and discord among Friends; and in order to 
 effect this, the character of our Society and that of individual 
 
 10 
 
146 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1345 
 
 Friends standing prominent for the cause of truth is shamefully 
 misre})resented before the public and widely circulated in some of 
 the pernicious anti-slavery newspapers. 
 
 In these misrepresentations my name stands the most prominent 
 before the public, and the following circumstance is one of the 
 greatest trials that I ever met with from the ingratitude of false 
 brethren. A member of my own particular meeting who lives near 
 me, who has stood in the station of an elder, as also filling some 
 other stations in Society for several years past, he and his family 
 always manifesting the warmest friendship for me till this separa- 
 tion took place, and then in consequence of nourishing a spirit of 
 bitterness through the over active zeal of the Anti-slavery Society, 
 openly turned against me, because I was bound to stand forth alone 
 for the testimony of the blessed truth, as it is in Christ, the hope 
 of glory. 
 
 They repeatedly questioned me in relation to the proceedings of 
 our last Yearly Meeting of the intention of some of the acts thereof, 
 in order to take some advantage of my answers for the injury of my 
 character and standing, and I was very careful on all occasions to 
 give them correct answers in the spirit of truth, with a sincere 
 desire for their preservation on every hand; at length, when they 
 thought that they had heard me say enough on the subject, they 
 manufactured out of my conversation, a misrepresentation, and in 
 the first place they verbally spread a reproachful report on me, and 
 finding that it would not raise much difficulty among Friends, to 
 keep this report in a small circle, they therefore at length personally 
 with my name and theii' own names came out against me with this 
 report in one of the most pernicious anti-slavery newspapers in our 
 country, which has a wide circulation. 
 
 This attack on my character, placed me in a very critical and 
 tried situation, five in one family, of some standing, all our mem- 
 bers, in open violation of our discipline, tlius standing before the 
 public against me, and there being no way for me to clear myself but 
 to give in my testimony before Friends against them. ]\fy prayer 
 was sincerely put up to the Lord for liis sustaining protection in 
 this deep and sore trial, and in my distress, I remembered the com- 
 plaint of David the king, who was tried in a similar manner in 
 the day of his calamity, when he said: ''It was not an enemy 
 that reproached me, then could I have borne it; neither was it 
 he that iiated me tiiat did magnify himself against me, then I 
 would have hid myself from him; but it was thou, a man niine 
 ecpial, my guide and mine acquaintance; we took sweet counsel 
 together, and walked unto tlie liouse of God in company." While 
 I was pondering on this deeply alfiicting trial, this language was 
 often reiterated in the spirit of my mind, "Keep thy place and 
 there sliall not a hair of thy head be hurt." I at length obtained 
 several interviews before suitable Friends on this painful subject. 
 
18« JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT, 147 
 
 which finally eventuated in my testimony being received against 
 them, and that their report which they had widely circulated on 
 me, was a misrepresentation of what I said to them; so that the 
 judgment of truth was placed upon them, and through Divine 
 mercy and interposition I was favored to move forth in this singular 
 and sore trial to the satisfaction of my dear friends. 
 
 Fourth month 21st, 1843. My aged mother-in-law, who has made 
 a part of my family ever since I settled myself, for several months 
 past has not been able to go out of her room, or to get up or down 
 without help. She, on this morning, without help, left her room 
 and walked out into the kitchen and sat down awhile, and then 
 arose and returned to her room. In the afternoon she was taken 
 with a violent chill and shaking, which terminated in a high fever. 
 On the next day we apprehended that her end was near, ^^'e therefore 
 sent for her children who were in reach, who landed in time to see 
 her depart this life. Through the course of this day she appeared 
 to be in much pain and misery, and towards evening her fever in 
 some degree left her. On the 23rd, being the First-day of the 
 week, we saw plainly that she was going, which caused this day to 
 be a very solemn time with us. She continued to gradually pass 
 away till about two o'clock in the afternoon, when she breathed her 
 last, and on the next day, in the afternoon, she was solemnly and 
 decently buried in our graveyard at Newhope before a large congre- 
 gation of peojde. 
 
 I observed for some time before her departure that she was in a 
 good degree calm and quiet in her mind, and appeared to be re- 
 signed to the divine will, for which favor we were tliankful, appre- 
 hending that she is gone to the good and everlasting home. Her 
 age was eighty-two years, six months and twenty days, and she 
 lived with me about seventeen'years and fourmontlis, during which 
 time I was favored to put my trust and confidence, in all the trials 
 that came upon me, in that worthy and holy Being who causes all 
 things to work together for good to them who serve him with their 
 whole heart. 
 
 After this for some time, many deep trials both within and without, 
 came upon me : it appeared to me that Satan was permitted to try my 
 innocency, integrity and sincerity to the very utmost. Within, temp- 
 tations assailed me of a very striking nature; and without, those who 
 had recently seceded from our religious society, published and 
 widely circulated many false and reproachful reports on me for the 
 injury of my religious character and standing, so that it became 
 my duty to lie low and dwell deep in the spirit of my mind, trust- 
 ing alone in the obedience of faith in Him who gave Himself for 
 me, and in the day of darkness and sore conflict, my spirit acknowl- 
 edged, " Behold I go forward, but He is not there ; and backward, 
 but I cannot perceive Him : but He knoweth the way that I take. 
 When He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold," and by keep- 
 
148 JOUENAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1844 
 
 ing tlie word of his patience, all these trials were sanctified to 
 the glory of His worthy name and to my deepening in faith and 
 doctrine. 
 
 My mind having been impressed with a concern to pay a religious 
 visit to the Quarterly Meeting of Friends in the State of Indiana, 
 and to appoint some meeting for divine worship for Friends and 
 others in those parts, I seasonably opened this concern to our 
 Monthly Meeting, and received the full unity and sympathy of 
 Friends" tliereof, who desired my encouragement in the prosecution 
 of this concern. My dear friena, Samuel Compton, Sr., of Ciesar's 
 Creek Monthly Meeting, found himself religiously engaged to ac- 
 company me on this journey, which concern Friends approved of 
 and encouraged him to attend to it according to the pointing of 
 truth. We set out in the prosecution of this service on the Tenth 
 day of the Fourth month, 1844, parting with our families with 
 tears and supplication, commending them to the protection of that 
 worthy Being who had called us forth into this work, and were 
 favored to land in the State of Indiana in time to attend the service 
 of West Grove Monthly Meeting, held at Fairfield on the 13th, 
 where I found some good service for the Lord, and on the next day, 
 being First-day, we had a good and open meeting at West Grove, 
 and in the evening we held a large and highly favored meeting at 
 Centreville amongst Methodists and others. Tlie jieople after 
 meeting were very tender and affectionate towards us. On the loth 
 we traveled to the town of Rays vi He, and on the next day we had a 
 good and favored meeting there for Friends and others, and in the 
 evening we held a good meeting in Kiiightstown for Friends, 
 Methodists and others. 
 
 The 17th we traveled upwards of forty miles to the house of our 
 dear friend Samuel Spray, who was very thankful to meet with us, 
 and on the next day we attended Fairfield Monthly Meeting, which 
 was large and much owned by the Good Shepherd. Friends were 
 glad to see us, and desired our encouragement. On the 10th we 
 held good meetings for divine worsliip at Fairfield and at Easton, 
 where we were united with Friends in the great duty of s]uritual wor- 
 ship, the power of truth being present. On the '-iOth we had a good 
 meeting at Lick Branch; the Lord was with us, aad pointed out the 
 way to eternal happiness : some were reached and mucli broken in- 
 to tenderness. Praised forever be the great and holy name! 
 
 The 21st. being First-day, we spent in the city of Indianapolis, and 
 held a meeting at 11 o'clock, at a school-house, for the few Friends 
 who live there, and a number of others attended who were friendly 
 to our Society, and through Divine mercy this was made a Heavenly 
 season. In the afternoon at four o'clock, we held a public, large 
 meeting for the citizens of this city in the IMetliodist meeting-house. 
 The people were still, and paid Cliristian attention, among whom 
 was opened the doctrine of Christianity. The meeting closed with 
 
18-14 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 149 
 
 prayer and supplication. On the :22nd we rode about twenty-i3ve 
 miles to Friends' settlement of West Union, where on the next day 
 we held a large and deeply interesting meeting. The power of an 
 endless life was overall, many tender souls were melted down into 
 deep humility, and the great name was exalted and praised. The 
 meeting ended to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 24:th we rode about fifty miles to the neighborhood of Sand 
 Creek, Avhere, on the next day, we attended Friends' mid-week 
 meeting for worsliiiJ, which, though it was small, yet was made a 
 good season. On the 20tli commenced the service of Blue River 
 Quarterly Meeting at this place, which closed its session on the 
 28th, including the meeting for discipline and public worship. 
 Through the services of this meeting I was much opened in the 
 love of the gospel into the states and conditions of the people, to 
 the satisfaction of my dear Friends, who were very glad to see me. 
 Praised forever be the name of the Lord ! The 29th we had a 
 good, open meeting at Driftwood for Friends and others ; and on 
 the 30th, in the evening, we held a large and good meeting in the 
 town of Columbus, in the Methodist meeting-house. The people 
 were still and attentive, and some appeared to be reached with con- 
 trition and tenderness. The Good She2)herd was present, and gave 
 ability to praise and exalt His name. 
 
 Fifth month 1st. We traveled this day about forty miles, to the 
 home of our dear and kind Friend, Joel Dixon, of White Lick, 
 and on the next day we held a pretty good meeting at Bethel, 
 where w^e found some well-concerned Friends. On the 3rd we had 
 a good and favored meeting at Sugar Grove. The Lord's great 
 power Avas present, under which many minds were deeply humbled 
 in gratitude and tenderness, so that his name was exalted and glo- 
 rified. May all praise be given to Him now and forever, for he is 
 worthy! 
 
 After this we went on to the neighborhood of Friends of Mill 
 Creek, where, on the 5th, being First-day, we attended their meet- 
 ing and had a good, open time among them, and in the afternoon 
 we held a meeting for divine worship in the town of Danville, in 
 the Methodist meeting-house, which was rather a proving time. 
 Truth, at length, however, bore some sway, so the meeting ended 
 pretty well ; and on the Gth we held a precious and good meeting 
 for Friends and others at Spring Meeting, so-called. The Lord 
 was with us and gave us strength to glorify and exalt His great and 
 worthy name. 
 
 The 7tli we rode about forty miles to Friends' neighborhood of 
 Bloomfield, where, on the next day, we attended their Monthly 
 Meeting, which was large, and, through divine mercy, was a 
 refreshing season ; and on the 9th we held a meeting at Annai)olis, 
 where we met with many respectable people, among whom we were 
 favored to feel the Divine presence, to the humility of many minds. 
 Praised be the o-reat name ! 
 
loO JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNf:TT. 1844 
 
 On the 10th and 11th we attended the service of the AVestern 
 Quarterly Meeting, hold at Bloomfield, which was, through adora- 
 ble mercy, made a season of divine refreshment. My mind was 
 much opened in gospel ministry to good satisfaction ; there ap- 
 peared to be much weight with Friends in transacting this business. 
 This was a good meeting and ended well, and on the 12th, being 
 First-day, after attending the meeting for worship at Bloomfield, 
 which was a good meeting to many, we held a very large and highly 
 favored meeting at Rockville, in the Presbyterian meeting-house, 
 Avhere the doctrine of truth went forth in demonstration of the 
 spirits, and with power. 
 
 The loth we had a precious and heavenly meeting at Eocky Run, 
 where I was much opened to travail with the pure seed ; the sincere 
 Avere much encouraged, and the negligent were warned of the dan- 
 gers to come without repentance ; and on the next day we had a 
 meeting at Poplar Grove, where I was mucli opened to point out 
 the way of conversion, regeneration and holiness, to the reaching 
 of many who had lived in sin and transgression, the melting power 
 of truth was present, and caused many to fear and treml)le, and to 
 desire purity of heart. Praised forever be the gi'eat and everlast- 
 ing name, who is worthy! 
 
 The 15th and IGth we again returned to the home of our dear 
 Friend, Joel Dixon, in order to attend the service of AVhite Lick 
 Quarterly Meeting, which commenced on the 17th, with the Meet- 
 ing of Ministers and Elders, where the Lord gave me some good 
 service, and on the 18th came the meeting for worship and disci- 
 pline, which was very large and much owned by the Great Head of 
 the church. My mouth was opened, and my heart was enlarged in 
 gospel love. Friends were much favored to feel together in tlie 
 unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. On the 19th, being- 
 First-day, although it was a rainy day, yet the public meeting for 
 divine worship was very large, in which I Avas opened to very hum- 
 ble admiration in many jioints of Christian doctrine. In the after- 
 noon, at 4 o'clock, Ave held a heavenly and open meeting for the 
 youtli ; the Avay of life and salvation avms pointed out, and many 
 Avere reached and broken doAvn in tears and groat tenderness. 
 Blessed forever be the worthy name I 
 
 The 20th and 21st we traA^eled through the raiu and on a very 
 rough, muddy road, to Avithin the limits of Spiceland Monthly 
 Mc^eting, Avhich Ave attended on the 22nd, and found a large num- 
 ber of worthy, res])ectable Friends, among Avhom, after sitting 
 some time in silence, under decj) exercise, these Avords sprang up 
 in my mind : " Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sus- 
 tain thee ; He shall never sutfer the righteous to be moved,'" Avhen 
 I stood forth, in i)ul)lic testimony, in a baptizing manner, to the 
 encouragement and edification of many. May all praise be forever 
 given to the everlasting name, Avho is forever Avorthy! 
 
1844 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 151 
 
 On the 23i-d we rode about forty miles over a very bad, difficult 
 road to travel ; attended Flatrock mid-week meeting, as it came in 
 course on the way, and in the evening we were favored to land at 
 the house of my dear brotlier, Jesse Arnett, who is an approved 
 and acceptable minister in our religious Society, and on the 24th 
 commenced the service of Newgarden Quarterly Meeting, which 
 ended on the 26th, in the evening, with a Youth's Meeting, where 
 we met with several other Friends, who were out engaged in the 
 work of the ministry, and wc all, with a united voice, harmoniously 
 labored together, through the various sittings of this meeting ; it 
 api^eared that the fountain of life and salvation was opened to the 
 consolation and strength of the poor in spirit, so that this was a 
 good and precious meeting, and closed with gratitude and thanks- 
 giving. 
 
 After this we held Meetings for Divine worship for Friends and 
 others, in company with some other ministering Friends who were 
 also out on religious visits, viz., at Arba in the forenoon and at 
 Lynn in the afternoon on the 2Tth, at Cherry Grove on the 28th, 
 and at Dover in the forenoon and at Chester in the afternoon on 
 the 29th. In all these Meetings the Lord was mercifully with us, 
 and granted us strength, ability and utterance to the glory of his 
 worthy name, and to the peace of our own minds ; many points of 
 Christian doctrine were opened to our humble admiration, and to 
 the comfort and edification of the faithful ; and sinners were 
 called to rejientance and warned of the danger of delay, and many 
 of them woi*e reached and broken down into tears and great tender- 
 ness, praised for ever be the holy name I 
 
 On the oOth and 31st came the service of our Meeting for Suffer- 
 ings, and also White Water Quarterly Meeting of ministers and 
 elders, which we attended to good satisfaction, being favored to 
 conduct the concerns that came before us in that love wdiich gives 
 ability to labor successfully in the Church of Christ, to whom be 
 given praise and glory, now and for ever I 
 
 Sixth mo. 1st, Came on the service of White Water Quarterly 
 ]\[eeting for worship and discipline ; the Meeting for worship was 
 a good refreshing season, several testimonies were delivered in the 
 authority of truth ; but the Meeting for discipline, for want of 
 Friends minding the pointing of truth, was a time of much suffer- 
 ing. I mourned in my mind, in this Meeting, because of the want 
 of depth, in some instances, with some who stand high in the 
 Church, yet who have never gone down into suffering, so as to 
 attain to the experience of perfection. 
 
 The 2nd, being First-day, and a time to be remembered by many, 
 we attended White Water "Meeting for worship, which Avas illumi- 
 nated by the light of the glory of the gospel of Christ ; spiritual 
 worship was performed in that true humility which truth inspired, 
 so that Friends were united and mutually edified to the renewal of 
 
152 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1844 
 
 religious strength and help in the great and worthy name. In the 
 afternoon, at 4 o'clock, Ave held a deeply interesting Meeting for 
 the youth and others, particularly for the citizens of Eichmond, 
 which Avas Avell attended Ijy all for Avhom it was appointed, and the 
 doctrine of truth Avas spread forth o\xr this Meeting in that demon- 
 stration and poAver which reached to the good in many and chained 
 the evil down ; the divine hand Avas over all, and victory was ob- 
 tained to the glory of the great name. 
 
 The 3rd. We "had a Meeting at Milford in the forenoon, and 
 one at Bethel in the afternoon, and through holy help these Meet- 
 ings Avere made tendering, melting and refreshing seasons ; and on 
 the 4th, Ave had a good and precious Meeting at Hopewell, Avhere I 
 was much set at liberty ; doctrine flowed freely, and the great and 
 holy name Avas exalted over all. In the afternoon we had another 
 Meeting at Kicli Square, Avhich Avas also a pretty good open time. 
 The 5th Ave attended the mid-Aveek Meeting of Friends at Eagsville, 
 as it came in course, and on the 6th Ave held a good Meeting at 
 Eushville, in the Baptist Meeting House. I Avas humbled in this 
 Meeting in that true love Avhich inspires with gratitude to God 
 and love to man, in Avhich I Avas mercifully opened in the doctrine 
 of life and salvation. Tiie people Avere attentive, and appeared to 
 be Avell satisfied. 
 
 On the 7th and 8th came the service of Spiceland Quarterly 
 Meeting, held at Walnut Eidge, Avhere Ave met with many Friends, 
 this being a large Qnavterhi Meeting. In the select Meeting I Avas 
 mostly silent, but in the Meeting for Avorship and discipline I found 
 much good service for the Lord,"being opened in faith and doctrine 
 to my humble admiration, and I believe to the coQifort and edifi- 
 cation of many dear friends who Avere united together Avith afeivent 
 concern for the prosperity of 8ion, and the tranquility of our be- 
 loved country on every hand, feeling the present age of the Avorld 
 to be vcj-y important to many. 
 
 The 9th, being First-day, the meeting for Divine Avorship was 
 very large, and eminently owned with the over-shadoAving of 
 Ancient Goodness. I was able to bring to view and sustain many 
 points of Christian doctrine to good satisfaction. This meeting 
 closed Avith reverent thanksgiving to the good .Shepherd of Israel 
 for all his mercies and blessings bestowed upon us. 
 
 There being a settlement of colored jieople in these parts, Ave felt 
 the love of truth towards them, so that Avay opened for us to hold 
 a meetitig for Divine Avorsliip among them this afternoon, Avhich 
 Avas Avell attended by them, and through Divine mercy Avas made a 
 good refreshing season to them and to us, for Avhich they appealed 
 to be very thankful to the good Shepherd. 
 
 The 10th. We had a meeting in the forenoon at Elm Grove, 
 and one in the afternoon at Duck Creek. In these meetings the 
 Lord Avas Avith us, and granted strength and utterance to the glory 
 
18-14 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 153 
 
 of his name, and to the edification and comfort of his devoted 
 servants. 
 
 The lltli. Wo this morning at 10 o'clock lield a large and in- 
 teresting Meeting at Olear Spring, where the doctrine of the offer 
 of universal salvation was sustained, according to the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, as also flutt of eternal future rewards and punishments ac- 
 cording to the deeds done in the body. Many were reached and 
 humbled in tenderness. In the evening Ave held a pretty good, 
 open meeting at the village of Middletown. The people were veiy 
 still and quiet, and appeared to receive witli thankfulness the doc- 
 trine delivered. 
 
 The 12th we traveled about thirty miles over a very bad, rough 
 road, held a pretty good, open meeting at Summerton, and were 
 favored in the evening to land in Friends' settlement of Back 
 Creek, where, on the next day, we attended their Monthly Meeting, 
 and found a good, open time among them to satisfaction. 
 
 The service of the Northern Quarterly Meeting of Friends came 
 on at this place on the 14th and 15th, which was made, through 
 adorable mercy, a heavenly, refreshing season, my mind being 
 much opeued into the states of the jicople, to thankful admiration 
 and humble gratitude. 
 
 The IGth, being First-day, we attended Friends meeting at Back 
 Creek, and found much good service in the ministry, and in the 
 evening we held a large and interesting meeting at Marion, in the 
 court house, where I was much opened in the love of the gospel, 
 and on the next day, in the forenoon, we had a meeting at Mississi- 
 newa, and one in the afternoon at Center, both of which were 
 heavenly, good seasons. 
 
 After this we turned our faces homeward, and held some meet- 
 ings on the way to good satisfaction, where we arrived, with peace 
 of mind, on the 'l')t\\, and found our families well. We were pre- 
 served together in this service in the unity of the spirit, in the 
 bond of peace, and were out from home about two months and 
 fifteen days, and traveled, by comi)utation, about the distance of 
 one thousand miles. 
 
 After I returned home from off this journey, my mind soon be- 
 came impressed with a concern to pay a jeligious visit as far as way 
 should open to the meetings constituting Fairfield Center, Miami, 
 West Branch, and Alum Creek Quarterly Meeting of Friends, and 
 to ai)point some Meetings within those limits for those not in mem- 
 bership with us, and also to appoint a few ]\Ieetings beyond the 
 limits thereof in the more western part of this State ; I cherished 
 this concern in the spirit of my mind with humility and resigna- 
 tion, waiting for the right time to attend to it, and believing at 
 length that the time had come, I therefore opened it to Friends of 
 our Monthly Meeting on the 15th day of the First month, 1845, 
 and they by abiding with the true and immortal seed of life and 
 
154 JOUKXAL or TJIO.MAS ARNETT. 18*i 
 
 consolation, were favored to enter into gospel sympathy and unity 
 with me, and gave me much encouragement to attend to it according 
 to the pointings of the wisdom of trutli. 
 
 I, therefore, with suitable company, attended to the opening of 
 this concern from time to time througli the course of the present 
 year. In the prosecution thereof I found much weighty service for 
 the Lord, amongst Friends and others ; many of the Meetings 
 which were held on this occasion were large and favored with the 
 jDresence of Him who sways the scepter of His Majesty over the 
 unnumbered myriads of saints and angels ; under whose blessed in- 
 fluence and guidance, I was enabled to enter into gospel sympathy 
 with the poor in s^Dirit, and to point out to such the only way to 
 eternal happiness. I also was enabled in the good spirit to call sin- 
 ners to repentance ; and on many occasions, while engaged in this 
 visit, the hearts of many were broken and melted down with grati- 
 tude and deep humility before Him who inhabits eternity, to 
 whom be given all praise both now and forever, 
 
 A concern having for sometime past rested on the minds 
 of Friends of our acting Indian Committee to send out a deputa- 
 tion to pay a religious visit to our establishment among the Shaw- 
 nee Indians west of the Missouri, and also as far as way should 
 open, to visit the Indians themselves in Christian love, and I feel- 
 ing my mind turned in gospel love towards this service, therefore, 
 on solid consideration it resulted in appointing me to go in com- 
 pany with my dear friend, Joseph Doan, for the discharge of this 
 important concern and duty. We set out on this weighty service 
 on the 26tli day of the 3d month, 184G, and arrived at our station 
 on the l(»th day of the following month, meeting with some delay 
 in ascending the Missouri Kiver because of the low stage of the 
 water ; we continued in those parts for about the space of ten days ; 
 which gave us an opportunity of becoming acquainted with things 
 tliere. We were glad of the privilege of sitting witii them in their 
 meetings for worship, and to witness them to be seasons of refresh- 
 ment and renewal of spiritual strength. A number of Indians at- 
 tended and sat in a solid manner, and the deportment of the child- 
 ren therein was as orderly as that of the children of white people 
 in general. We were pleased with the quiet and orderly manner 
 witli Avhich their meals were conducted. They all sit down at once 
 at two tables large enough to contain about fifty persons ; a pause 
 is observed before and after eating, and each morning a suitable 
 portion of the Holy Scriptures is read to them, and after a pause, 
 the children, at the signal of the Superintendent, rise and depart 
 from the tables in a becoming and orderly manner. 
 
 We visited a numl)er of the Indians in their own houses, and 
 found in many of them more of the comforts of civilized life than 
 we ex})ected to find. They are turning their attention more to the 
 cultivation of their lands, raising stock, and building more com- 
 
1846 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 155 
 
 lortable dwellings. Thus, we jierceivc, tliiit the fruits of the 
 arduous labor of our dear Friends amongst them, are, under the 
 divine blessing, gradually making themselves manifest ; yet we 
 were made deeply sensible that murk remains to be done in order 
 to raise them out of that low and degraded condition into which 
 they are plunged. May a wise providence, whose tender mercies 
 are over all His works, bless and carry on the work of reformation 
 according to His own good pleasure. We made several satisfactory 
 visits to the school, which sometimes has been filled to the number 
 of about fifty scholars ; the progress the pupils were making in their 
 literary studies was very encouraging to us. Many questions on 
 difi:erent branches were put to them by the teachers, which were 
 readily and correctly answered for the most part ; their exercises in 
 First-day schools were satisfactory ; a number of them repeated con- 
 siderable portions of Scripture with having had but little time to 
 commit the same to memory. 
 
 Wc also held a council with the Indians in Friends' school-room, 
 several chiefs, with a considerable number of other Indians at- 
 tended. We informed them that our Friends in Ohio had sent us 
 to see them, and our Friends who reside amongst them for their 
 encouragement, and our advice to them was in substance as follows: 
 That they should love God, the Giver of every blessing ; that they 
 should encourage their people to attend meetings for worship, that 
 Ave should be glad to have them attend our meetings at any time, 
 that we wished them to be industrious, to cultivate their good lands 
 and raise plenty of grain and stock of horses, cattle, sheep, and 
 hogs, and also to build themselves comfortable houses, and particu- 
 larly to encourage J;he education of their children and young peo- 
 j)le, as well as learning them to work, and that they should per- 
 suade their young people not to drink whisky, or other strong 
 drink, which was so injurious to them. We "told them that we 
 were sorry that bad white men were continually sending them 
 whisky, and that it was our desire that they and their children after 
 them might continue on tlie lands which they now possess and culti- 
 vate them, that our Government might have no pretext for remov- 
 ing them any more. 
 
 After a time for consultation among themselves, they sent for us 
 and through their chief, Blackhoof, replied to what had been com- 
 municated to them in substance as follows : " Our brothers, the 
 Quakers, we are glad to see you amongst us and to hear your good 
 talk ; it is under the blessing of God that we are permitted to meet 
 togerher at this time. Brothers, our hearts have been made sorry 
 because many of our brethren have lately died, among which were 
 some of our chiefs and councilmen, which makes our hearts very 
 sad at this time. Brothers, all that you have told us is good, and 
 we will try to take your advice. Our friends, the Quakers, have 
 often told us these things before ; they told them to some of us and 
 
156 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. I84« 
 
 onr forefathers when wo lived in Ohio, but Indian was wild man 
 then, very wild, and made but little progress in these things for a 
 long time, but now we are trying to do better. We then lived in 
 little villages, and spent our time in talking and smoking, but now 
 Ave are spread over the country, and every man has his farm, and is 
 trying to make them larger every year, and add to them stock of 
 horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, and to live like white men, but some 
 Indians won't work much yet. We will talk to our young men, 
 and discourage them from the bad practice of drinking whisky, 
 and we will encourage our young people to go to school, and learn 
 to read and work. We are very glad to see our Friend-Quakers 
 among us at this time, and we wish them to give our love to all our 
 Friends, the Quakers in Ohio and Indiana ; that is all we have to 
 
 A concern having impressed my mind for some time past to pay 
 a religious visit as far as way should open, to the Meetings and 
 families of Friends constituting Center Quarterly Meeting, and to 
 appoint some Meetings for Friends and others within those limits; 
 after passing through much deep exercise in relation to this matter, 
 I opened it before our Monthly Meeting on the 14th day of tlie 10th 
 month, 184G, and after a time of solid deliberation thereon, Friends 
 united with me therein, and left me at liberty to pursue it as. Divine 
 Wisdom should open the way. I seasonably entered on this visit, 
 with a sincere desire to be favored under the pointings of truth, 
 rightly to divide the word of truth, and continued in the discharge 
 of this weighty duty from time to time as way opened 'till this ded- 
 ication of Christian duty was accomplished, to mutual edification 
 and encouragement. I visited about the number of two hundred 
 and twenty families, and held a number of Meetings which were 
 large and much crowned with the overshadowing of Divine Wis- 
 dom, in which the doctrine of Christian redemption was sustained 
 in demonstration of the truth, and with power according to the 
 Holy Scriptures. 
 
 In the ]irosecution of this weighty engagement, Friends were 
 careful to furnish me with suitable company through the whole 
 visit, and the good spirit was with me, under the influence whereof 
 my mouth was opened, and my heart was enlarged in that love 
 which breathes on'earth peace, and good will towards m«w, in which, 
 in going from house to house, breaking the bread of life and salva- 
 tion with prayer and singleness of heart. Friends were brouglit to 
 feel very near and dear one to another in the unity of the spirit, in 
 the bond of peace; the solemn close of time to mati was often very 
 impressively brought to view, with the various religious duties of a 
 Christian life, particularly the duty of daily cherishing in the 
 spirit of the mind devotional exercises, and the daily reading of a 
 suitable i)ortion of the Holy Scriptures with our families collected 
 for that purpose, in order to wait on Him, in true devotion, who is the 
 
1S46 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT, 157 
 
 fiuthor of all our sure mercies. In many instances the good seed 
 was reached, in the hearts of many, who were melted down into 
 that true tenderness and contrition of s^jirit which alone can be 
 witnessed under the influence of Him who searcheth the hearts, and 
 knoweth what is the mind of the spirit, because he maketh inter- 
 cession for the saints according to the will of God. 
 
 While I was engaged in the prosecution of this visit, I was very 
 much exposed to the inclemency of the weather, the winter this 
 season being very changeable, and the traveling from house to 
 house in many instances being so difficult that I had to travel very 
 niuch on horse-back, whereby I took repeated deep cold, which 
 eventually brought on me, soon after I had passed through this 
 service, a very severe attack of bodily indisposition. I was taken 
 with very severe chills which terminated with very violent liead- 
 ache and high fever. I was confined about tlie space of one month, 
 during which time I was brought low in body, so that my recovery 
 was doubted, but my mind was centered in God, the eternal sub- 
 stance; medical aid was believed to be necessary, which through 
 skillful and efficient application, had the desired effect. The dis- 
 ease very much settled on my lungs, and a fear was entertained for 
 awhile that it would terminate in a very serious inflammation 
 thereon, but through divine mercy and right application of medi- 
 cine, the progress of the disease was eventually arrested. 
 
 While I was suffering under this afflicting dispensation, my 
 mind was replete with that ^' peace" "which pcisseth all under- 
 standing." I remembered with deep humility the sufferings of 
 the dear Son of God, not only for me, but i'or all mankind in 
 every age of the world; being made renewedly sensible that all 
 my sufferings of every kind are not worthy to bo compared with 
 those which he endured for me, and for "the sins of the whole 
 U'orld," in the day of his poverty and humility. 
 
 As I remembered the goodness of the Lord to man, and meditat- 
 ed on his mercy to him " in the night watches," all my fellow 
 beings, in Christian love were brought to feel near and dear to me, 
 and in beholding, in degree, the extent of redeeming love, I could 
 but deeply deplore the accumulated sins and iniquity of the nations 
 and the people of this fallen world. 
 
 The rulers of this world, who impiously wage war one with 
 another, who induce their subjects to go into battle, and fall 
 therein, who exult over the dying groanings of their enemies, so- 
 called, gratifying their vain ambition, and seeking to obtain a cor- 
 ruptible crown, were brought to my remembrance, under the re- 
 newed conviction of the awful sin of the spirit of war, being made 
 sensible that those who goto war, under the glorious gospel dispen- 
 sation, cannot feel true peace of mind at the time of their depart- 
 ure, without repentance toward God, and faith toward his dear and 
 well beloved Son. 
 
158 JOUENAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1847 
 
 My mind was turned to view with concern, the fearful sin of 
 slavery, I deplored the condition of the cruel slave-holders, who will 
 not let the oppressed go free, but who bind their burden more and 
 more heavy, knowing that without repentance in this life, they 
 cannot find acceptance in the great and general day of judgment, 
 "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his 
 mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know 
 not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; 
 who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the pres- 
 ence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, when he shall 
 come to be glorified in his saints, and to l^e admired in all them 
 that believe in that day."' 
 
 The remembrance of those who spend their precious time in the 
 cause of intemperance, vanity, and profaneness, also impressively 
 came before me with much tender concern and Christian solicitude 
 for their conversion; and the spirit of prayer and supplication was 
 renewed in me for them, and for all mankind, under a sense of the 
 weight of this Scripture testimony, " If tlie righteous scarcely be 
 saved, where shall the ungodly and tlie sinner appearV Knowing 
 that all sinners who leave this world in sin and transgression will 
 receive the sentence of eternal condemnation. 
 
 The spirit which conflicts with the churches of Christ, and in a 
 number of instances, separates, scatters, and divides among them, 
 was renewedly brought to my view, and I clearly saw in the true 
 liglit tluit this is a wrong spirit, and that the judgment of truth is 
 over and above this opposing and restless spirit. 
 
 These things with many other subjects of various kinds, very 
 much impressed my mind, Avhile under this afflicting dispensation; 
 I felt as a poor worm of the dust, and my whole de})cndence for 
 peace of mind, and for everlasting salvation, was alone founded on 
 the meritorious suffering, the mercy, and the righteousness of the 
 dear son of God, the blessed Saviour of mankind in every age of 
 the world. 
 
 The minds of the rulers and of the citizens of our beloved country 
 in this day, in many instances, being inflamed with the spirit of 
 war, and many of the professors of the Christian name advocating 
 therefor, and concentrating their strength therewith ; I therefore 
 became deeply concerned as way opened, and as opportunity oft'er- 
 ed from time to time reneicedly, to stand forth for tlie defence, and 
 in the development of the peaceal)le nature of the kingdom of the 
 Prince of Peace, and in the exercise of this concern, the good si)irit 
 was with me, and enabled me occasionally, in coming in contact 
 witli my fellow beings, both in public meeting for worship, and 
 also on other occasions, substantially to maintain tliei3osition that 
 war is utterly incompatible with the s])irit of the Christian religion, 
 and tliat it was understood so" to be by the primitive Christians. 
 
1847 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 159 
 
 Those who lived nearest the time of our Saviour's iicrsMial ap- 
 pearance, are likely to be correctly informed of the will and inten- 
 tions of the founder of Christianity, and to have acted conformably 
 to it, without those corruptions which we know were subsequently 
 introduced. During a long period after the death of Christ, it is cer- 
 tain that His followers believed war to have been entirely forbidden 
 by Him. Of all the Christian writers of the second century, every one 
 who in any way notices the subject, declares it to be unlawful "for a 
 Christian to bear arms. Earnest -recommendations of forbearance, 
 lenity and forgiveness mix with all the writings of that age. There 
 are more quotations in the " Apostolic Fathers," of texts of Scrip- 
 ture which relate to these duties than of any other. 
 
 But they not only declared in w^ords that it was unlawful for a 
 Christian to fight, they enforced it by example, and suffered unto 
 death rather than violate the law of Christ. 
 
 Is there anything in the spirit of the Gospel that would sanction 
 the spirit of war ? Does the spirit of our Divine Redeemer, who, 
 when enduring the bitter agonies of the cross, breathed for his 
 relentless persecutors the dying petition, " Father forgive them, for 
 they know not what they do," sanction the anger, the revenge, the 
 cruelty and murder which reign upon the battle-field ? Did not 
 He whose v/ord is the law of Christians, and whom we look to as 
 our Saviour and our Judge, command us, "not to resist evil, but 
 whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, tui-nto him the other 
 also." " I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse 
 you, do good "to them that hate you, and pray for them which de- 
 spitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children 
 of your Father which is in heaven." 
 
 Forgiveness of injuries is one of the fundamental laws of Christ- 
 ianity, and we are solemnly assured by Him who is Truth itself, and 
 cannot lie, that if we from our hearts do not forgive those who tres- 
 pass against us, neither shall we be forgiven our sins. Can we 
 believe for a moment that if those plain and positive precepts of 
 Christ were observed by all who profess his name, there would ever 
 be such a thing as war ? Could we fight and kill our fellow men, 
 who have never injured us, when we are commanded even to love 
 and to pray for, and to do good to those w'ho were enemies to us, 
 and to forgive them who had injured us? Surely not. Xo two things 
 would be more directly at variance. 
 
 It is true that, in the inscrutable wisdom of His providence, the 
 Almighty was at times pleased, under a former dispensation, to per- 
 mit and to authorize war for the punishment of nations for their 
 wickedness, but this is no warrant for us to fight. We can plead 
 no such authority ; we are living under that administration of 
 grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ. His advent upon 
 earth was ushered in by a multitude of the heavenly hosts, prais- 
 ing God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth 
 
160 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. IM7 
 
 peace, good will toward men." It is the purpose of our Heavenly 
 Father that mankind should be brought under the power of His 
 grace and of this truth. As this becomes the case, that love to our 
 native land, and that affection to our countrymen, which are nat- 
 nral to us, are enlarged, exalted and purified. Fnder the sacred 
 and blessed influence of the love of Christ, we not only seek to live 
 in harmony with our own countrymen, and in the performance of 
 acts of brotherly kindness toward them, but under the expansive 
 230wer of the same heavenly principle, we acknowledge the people 
 of every nation, of every color, and of every climate, as our 
 brethren, the children of one and the same Almighty Parent, our 
 Father in heaven. Regarding them in this relation, we desire to 
 serve them, to help them, and to do them good ; we feel that to 
 injure or to destroy them is to violate that brotherhood Avhich God 
 has established between us, is to trangress that holy law of peace 
 and good will which is the distinguishing characteristic of the do- 
 minion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 My mind, with the concurrence of my dear wife, having been 
 turned for sometime past, with a prospect of the discharge of relig- 
 ious duty towards removing and settling within the limits of Miami 
 Meeting of Friends, under an impressive apprehension of a field of 
 labor in that, as well as in Miami Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, 
 consistent with the opening and requiring of divine wisdom. This 
 concern appeared to us to be a very weighty matter, and one that 
 involved much responsibility, and was the cause for awhile of much 
 deep, conflicting exercise of mind to us, but under divers considera- 
 tions, and of different kinds, we had cause to believe that the pros- 
 pect came upon us in the ordering of Him who numbers even the 
 hairs of the heads of His faithful, devoted children, who bottles up 
 in His remembrance all their sincere tears, and who directs and 
 leads them about under His divine providence in all the various cir- 
 cumstances of this life, and provides for, and takes care of them 
 in all parts of the world, for the earth is His and the fulness 
 thereof. 
 
 We having generally carried on farming since we settled our- 
 selves, and in the management thereof much care and cumber often 
 came upon us, in part, in consequence of having no family of our 
 own but ourselves, which care and cumber, in consideration of our 
 situation in life, we thought that it would be right in degree for us 
 to be released from, and to stand more devoted to the opening of 
 the discharge of religious duty. 
 
 We, therefore, with the advice of many of our dear Friends, sold 
 our farm and made ready as way opened from time to time for our 
 removal. We, on the i4th day of the 4th montii, 1847, opened 
 this im]iortant prosj)ect before Center Monthly Meeting, which, 
 after a time of solid deliberation and Christian sympathy, Friends 
 united in appointing a committee to prepare a suitable certificate of 
 
1847 JurUXAL OF THOMAS AUXHTT. 101 
 
 removal, which accordingly was prei)arcd and produced to the next 
 Monthly Meeting, and was united with ; so that we, meamuhile, 
 removed and settled consistent with our prospect, with the unitv 
 and Christian symi)athy of our dear Friends, and became members 
 of Miami ]\lonthly Meeting of Friends, where, m the opening of 
 truth, I soon fonnd much good service in the ministry of tlie Word 
 to the i)raise of Him who " openvtJi and no man .^^lixtfrfl/, and .shnf- 
 tetJi and no man openelli." 
 
 A concern having impressed my mind for some time past to per- 
 form a religious visit, as far as way should open, to tlie Quarterly 
 Meetings of Friends constituting our Yearly Meeting, and also, in 
 the Oldening of truth to appoint some Meetings for divine worsliip 
 within those limits for Friends and others. I weighed this concern 
 again and again before the Lord witli feelings of much humility in 
 the obedience of faith to know the mind of truth, and at length 
 seeing the way clear to move therein, I opened it to Friends of Mi- 
 ami Monthly Meeting on the 23d of the Gth month, IS-tT. While 
 this subject was before tlie meeting, I thought that a precious degree 
 of solemnity pervaded the minds of Friends, uniting them therein 
 with me in this concern, and with feelings of sympathy and unity 
 much encouragement \vas given to me to attend to it in the open- 
 ing of Him "whose goings forth have been from of old, from ever- 
 lasting." 
 
 In the course of the present year, I occasionally attended to the 
 prosecution of this concern from time to time, as way opened, 
 having suitable company furnished by the Montlily Meeting 
 throughout. 
 
 In visiting the Quarterly Meetings, under this concern, Friends 
 Avere brought to feel near and dear to me. in the sympathy of that 
 love which emanates from the throne of grace, and calls sons and 
 daughters from far to replenish the Church of Christ, and which 
 alone qualifies for the discharge of every religious duty. 
 
 I was much opened in these Quarterly Meetings, and also in the 
 appointed Meetings which I held for Friends and others in the })rose- 
 cution of this visit, in the love and power of the everlasting (los- 
 pel, and in many instances the eternal truth reigned overall, to the 
 glory of the name of tlie Creator of the world and all things 
 therein. 
 
 In attending to the opening of this concern, I traveled in the 
 whole by computation upwards of l,'-^50 miles, and attended most 
 of the Quarterly Meetings belonging to our large Yearly Meeting ; 
 the whole visit was to the peace of my mind, praised forever be the 
 name of the Lord! 
 
 My mind having been impressed with a concern for sometime 
 past, to pay a religious visit, as way should open, to the Meetings 
 and families of Friends belonging to Miami Quarterly Meeting, and 
 to appoint some Meetings for divine worship in those parts for 
 
163 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNKTT. 1848 
 
 Friends and others, I opened this concern to Friends of our 
 IMonthly Meeting, on the 3(ith of the First month, 1848, and after 
 a time of solid deliberation thereon, Friends nnitedwith me therein, 
 and gave me much encouragement to attend to it in the opening of 
 tlie everlasting truth. 
 
 While I was engaged in the prosecution of this visit, Friends 
 Avere very kind and careful to see me furnished with suitable com- 
 pany throughout the whole concern. 
 
 In entering on this visit, for awhile I felt ])oor in spirit and was 
 much ca^^t down, but by abiding with the true seed, truth soon 
 arose and opened my mouth and enlarged my heart, so that I found 
 much good service in going from house to house, praised forever be 
 the name of the Lord! 
 
 In the prosecution of this concern I visited about two hundred 
 and fifty families, and held a number of meetings for divine wor- 
 ship for Friends and others, all to good satisfaction. 
 
 In going from house to house in this work, the Everlasting Truth 
 was with me and enabled me to labor to the peace of my own mind, 
 and I trust in a good degree to the edification of the visited, all the 
 praise is alone due to the Lord. . 
 
 1'lie tender in heart were searched and encouraged to look alone, 
 in the obedience of faith for divine instruction to the great High 
 Priest, the Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle 
 which the Lord pitched, and not man, and the negligent were in- 
 vited in the tenderest love ever to stand ready to receive the offer 
 and saving visitation of divine mercy, and seek to serve the Lord 
 wuth a perfect heart and with a willing mind. 
 
 The agjed and sincere were much encouraged to hold on in the 
 good old way marked out by the Holy Prophets and Apostles, so 
 that they may be finally recompensed at the resurrection of the 
 just. 
 
 Parents and heads of families were encouraged to be faithful in 
 the duty of family devotion, and to instruct their children in the 
 doctrine of Christianity as contained in the Holy Scriptures, and 
 the beloved youth w^ere very particularly remembered and earnestly 
 encouraged in the way of life and salvation : they were exhorted, 
 ever to keep a single eye to tlu^ everlasting truth, that the whole 
 body may be full of light. 
 
 I feel a desire here to express the conviction of my mind, — that a 
 Christian family, where the Almighty Creator is duly honored and 
 adored, where becoming subordination is maintained in the unity of 
 the sjiirit. in the bond of peace, where ihoti-ue altar is erected, and 
 religious sacrifice daily offered up thereon, in the obedience of 
 faith, where divine worshi]) and devotional exercises, with the con- 
 sistent reading of a suitable portion of the Holy Scriptures, are 
 daily, collectively and mutually entered into, lender din'ne grace, 
 — is a deei:»ly interesting spectacle. I believe that the discharge 
 
1818 JOL'llNAL OF THOMAS AKN^KTT. 163 
 
 of this duty is as indispensable to tlie increase of tlie knowledge of 
 God as it is to attend ri'fjiikirlii all our Meetings for worship and 
 discipline. The exami)k' of faithful Abraham, in constantly erect- 
 ing an altar wherever he settled, is worthy of our serious regard. 
 He well knew that the path of duty wasalwiys the jmlh of safety, 
 and that if he acknowledged God in all His ways, he might expect 
 Him to direct all his steps ; he felt his dependence on God, he in- 
 voked Him through a mediator, and offered sacrifices \n faith of 
 the coming Saviour, he found blessedness in this work, it was not 
 an empty service, he rejoiced to see the day of Christ, he saw it and 
 was glad. He was called the friend of God, who delivered this 
 testimony concerning him : "I know him, that he will command 
 his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the 
 way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment." 
 
 I believe that it is tne religions duty of all our dear Friends 
 everywhere, to follow the example of thnt worthy servant of God, 
 the Father of the faithful, in commanding our children and our 
 household after us, and I apprehend, that under the discharge of 
 such Christian dnty, that a blessing would descend upon us, as a 
 religious and Christian Society, and upon our children from genera- 
 tion to generation; and our light under the influence of the ever- 
 hasting truth would shine before men, and our Almighty Father in 
 heaven would thereby be glorified, and we would be preserved on 
 every hand to the honor and praise of His worthy name. 
 
 In these days the mighty hand of God was weightily upon me. 
 0, how I desired, above all things, to be perfectly sanctified through- 
 out in soul, spirit and body, that I may be renewed up into the 
 divine image, and prepared to enjoy God in time and in eternity; 
 so as to be worthy at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, to 
 \\2i\'(i part in the glorious resurrection of the just from the dead, that 
 I may reign with him to all eternity, to wliom alone belongs all the 
 praise forever I 
 
 In these days I renewed my application to the study or very dili- 
 gent reading of the Holy Scriptures, having been faithful in my 
 daily application to them now for many years past, and I believe 
 that it was the everlasting truth that called me to this faithful ap- 
 plication of them, and the more that I read them the more I love 
 them. 0, how I desire to be more and more instructed in the doc- 
 trine of Christianity as contained in them, under the blessed influ- 
 ence of the spirit of God I 
 
 The apostle, in relation to the use of the Holy Scriptures to man- 
 kind, delivered this testimony : " Whatsoever things were Avritten 
 afore time were written for our learning, that we, through patience 
 and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope ;" that is, that we, 
 through those remarkable examples of patience, exhibited by the 
 saints and followers of God, whose history is given in those Scrip- 
 tures, and the comfort which they derived from God in their patient 
 
164 JOL'KN^AL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1848 
 
 sufferings brought upon them through their faithful attachment to 
 truth and righteousness, miglit have hope, that we shall be upheld 
 and blessed as they were, and our sufferings become the means of 
 our greater advances in faith and holiness, and conse((uently our 
 hope of eternal glory be the more confirmed. ''All Scripture is 
 given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for re- 
 proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the Man 
 of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works," 
 being able to make wise unto salvation through faith in the Lord 
 and kSaviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 In the jjerusal of the Holy Scriptures it should always be remeu)- 
 bered that amidst all the variety of information and instruction 
 contained in them, their main purpose from Genesis to Eevelations 
 is to testify of tbe Lord Jesus Christ. The words of the Most High, 
 written in the sacred volume, are still found to point in various 
 ways and forms — by the shadows of the law, by the types of the his- 
 tory, by the predictions of the prophets, by the narrations of the 
 evangelists, by the doctrines of the apostles, and by the figures of 
 the ai)Ocalypse — to him who is the Word. They reveal and portray 
 Him who was with God in the beginning, and who was God, by 
 whom he made the worlds, who was incarnate in the flesh, died for 
 our offences, rose again for our justification, ascended upon high, 
 reigns above in glory, and will come again in the great and general 
 day of judgment, to judge the quick and the dead. 
 
 I believe that it is very desirable for a minister of thegos^iel to be 
 a person of the soundest understanding, the most cultivated mind, 
 the most extensive experience, — one who is dee2)Iy taught of God. 
 and has deeply studied man ; one who has prayed much, read much 
 and studied much ; one who takes uj) his work as from God, does it 
 as before God, and refers all to the glory of God : one who abides 
 under the inspiration of the Almighty, and moves in the discharge 
 of religious duty, in divine ability ; and one who has hidden in the 
 heart the word of God, the spirit of grace, so as to be preserved on 
 every hand to the glory of his name. The school of Chrid, and that 
 alone can ever form a true minister of the everlasting gospel. 
 
 I have long been concerned to attain to a perfect understanding 
 in relation to the things which belong to life and salvation, that I 
 may be ready in the Lord's time to point out the way from death to 
 life, and from the land of destruction to tlie glorious celestial para- 
 dise; for the worth of souls immortal lies near and dear to my heart, 
 so that it is again and again reiterated in the si)irit of my mind, 
 that woe is unto me excei)t I go forth, when called u])on, to ])reach 
 the glad tidings of the everlasting gospel, as strength and wisdom 
 may be given, in the name of the Lord. 
 
 I have labored much in the love of the gospel of peace for the 
 good of precious, immortal souls, and there is no exercise in which 
 I can engage that gives me as much peace of mind as that of the 
 
 A 
 
is^S JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 165 
 
 * 
 
 exercise and the labor of the gospel of Christ. The weight of the 
 call to preach the gospel rests upon my mind both day and night, 
 and I know that there is an awful responsibility attached to this 
 call, and 0, therefore, how deeply I am daily concerned, that I may 
 ever be favored and preserved in the right prosecution of this deep 
 and weighty call, that I may ever go forth therein to the glory of 
 the name of God. 
 
 To have a right understanding m respect to the doHrine of Chris- 
 tian redemption, has ever been a matter of deep and vital importance 
 to me ever since I turned my face Zionward; and in the pursnit of 
 the knowledge of this doctrine I can say that I count all things but 
 loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord ; 
 and 0, tliat I may yet more and more be instructed in the school of 
 Christ in faith and doctrine, that I maybe strong in His grace, and 
 ever 1)e ready to endure, to tlie glory of His worthy name, wdiatso- 
 ever may come upon me, for in His name I can endure all things, 
 and without Him and His protecting care, I should utterly fall and 
 become a castaway. 
 
 In these days I devoted much of my time to religious meditation, 
 to reading, to study, and to devotional exercises, sometimes being 
 very ]ieaceful and luminous in the spirit of my mind, and at others 
 being brought down into deep mourning, wherein my soul suppli- 
 cated in this language : "Save me, God, for the waters a,re come 
 in unto my soul ; I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing ; 
 I am come into deep waters, where the floods ovei'flow me." 
 
 In these days I dwelt much alone, under deep and weighty re- 
 ligious exercise of mind, meditating in the law of my God both day 
 and night; and renewed my application to the great duty of closet 
 prayer according to this language of our blessed Savior, "When 
 thou prayest enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door 
 pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth 
 in secret shall reward thee openly." Prayer is the most secret in- 
 tercourse of the soul witl) God, and as it were the conversation of 
 the heart with Him ; the infinite, eternal Spirit Pi'ayer requires re- 
 tirement, at least of heart, for this may be fitly termed tlu^ closet in 
 the house of God, which house the body of every true and sanctified 
 saint of God is in every age of the world. 
 
 While thus engaged in the spirit of my mind at the throne of 
 grace, I desired, above all tilings, ever to be singly and watchfully 
 devoted to the paintings of the everlasting truth, api)rehending in 
 the opening of him " that 0})eneth, and no man shutteth, and shut- 
 teth, and no man openeth." Thrit there is wnv at hand a large 
 field of labor before me, in the love of the gospel of Christ, which 
 is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth ; 
 and in viewing this prospect, the language of my heart was : "Thy 
 will God, in all things, and not mine be done. Amen !"' 
 
 A concern, witli much pressure of spirit, has impressed my mind 
 
1G6 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1848 
 
 for many 3'ears past, in the love of the everlasting gospel, to per- 
 form a religions visit to Friends and others, as way may open, in 
 Great Britain and Ireland, and to stand resigned to travel in Trnth^s 
 service on the continent of Europe. In the repeated opening and 
 renewing of this weighty concern, in the spirit of my mind, from 
 time to time, I was induced frequently in the ohedience of faith, to 
 approach the throne of grace and pour out m}^ soul in prayer and 
 supplication to the everlasting God, with a siiicere desire to know 
 his will in regard to a subject of so great and responsible magnitnde 
 as this concern appeared to me to be. In meditating in this way 
 on this great matter for some time, trying, as it were, the ^"fleece," 
 both wet and dry, I saw, in a very luminous manner, that this dedi- 
 cation of religious duty, as faith and obedience should be abode in, 
 would be required, under the cross of Christ, at my hand. In 
 viewing this large field of labor, in connection with my oivn ina- 
 bility for the discharge of such arduous engagement, and also in 
 connection with the difhculties in many instances noio existing in 
 our religious society, the excitement in the church in general, and 
 the commotion in the civil administration of the affairs of the 
 world, I was often ready to j)lead excuses, that the tvill might be 
 taken for the deed, bnt the mighty hand of God was upon me, and 
 "IIls wordivas in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones;" 
 And a language similar to this frequently saluted the ear of my 
 spirit : " When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die, and 
 thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from 
 his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his 
 ini(pnty ; but his blood will 1 require at thine hand; yet, if thou 
 warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from 
 this wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity ; but thou hast deliv- 
 ered thy soul." "''I will send thee into that part of my vineyard, 
 to labor in my name for the good of souls, to visit my people there, 
 and to call sinners to repentance." 
 
 Wherefore in the vision of light and life I saw that the peace and 
 the salvation of my soul consisted in my submitting to this concern; 
 therefore, under the energy of the Holy Spirit, all within me was 
 often melted down into deep humility, and the language of my 
 heart was : "Thy will Lord, in all things, and not mine be done, 
 for thou art worthy for evermore !'"' 
 
 After thus submitting to this weighty and very imjjortant con- 
 cern in my own mind, it frequently became my religious duty to 
 feel after the right time to move therein ; under exercise of this 
 nature, for sometime, I passed through many preparatory baptisms 
 in connection with some contlictts williiu, and deep trials without, 
 all calculated to humble me as in the dust. In being thus slughj 
 and ivalrlifuUii devoted in the spirit of my mind, to the pointings 
 of tlie everlasting truth, in relation to the ordei'ing of this concern; 
 I felt myself called upon, prior to moving therein, to put all my 
 
1S48 JOURNAL OF I'lIOMAS ARNKTT, 167 
 
 outward concerns in readiness therefoi-, that I may stand clear and 
 aloof from the things of this world. After attending to this part 
 of my religious duty, in settling down in the sjnrit of my mind, 
 under the grace of God, I saw in the illumin;ition of that light 
 which never has, and never will deceive, that the time liad come for 
 me, in the obedience of faith, officially to submit to this deeply in- 
 teresting concern according to the oi'der of our religious societv. 
 
 I therefore, with feelings of deep humility, in great tc;nderness 
 of spirit, and with "fear and trembling," informed Miami Monthly 
 Meeting of Friends of this weighty and very important concern, on 
 the "^Ist day of the 6th month, 1848. While tliis subject was before 
 the meeting, under a covering of much solemnity, the sym[)athy 
 and unity of Friends with me therein were felt and ex[)ressed, and 
 much encouragement was civen to me to be faithful to the point- 
 ings of divine wisdom in the prosecution of this concern ; and on 
 the 12th day of the 8th month following, I opened this concern in 
 Miami Quarterly Meeting of Friends ; and in Christian love and 
 religious fellowship. Friends of this Meeting felt and exi)ressed 
 their sympathy and unity with me in this concern, and encouraged 
 me to attend to it in the opening of the ever blessed truth. 
 
 On the ■26tli day of the 0th month, 1848, under the weight of 
 the mighty power of God, I spread this concern before the Yearly 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders of Indiana Yearly Meeting. While 
 Friends were engaged in deliberation on this weighty and very im- 
 portant subject in this Meeting, the baptizing power of the Lord 
 was felt to be over the meeting, uniting Friends in a feeling of 
 sympathy and unity with me in this concern; and in the opening 
 of divine wisdom, the sympathy and unity of Friends in this Meet- 
 ing were felt and expressed with me in this engagement ; and with 
 feelings of deep humility, much encouragement was given to me in 
 this meeting by Friends to go forth in the prosecution of this con- 
 cern, as the everlasting truth may, from time to time, open the 
 way for me to labor in the work whereunto I am called. 
 
 All then of these meetings gave me good and suitable certilicates 
 in the order of our Religious Society, for the execution of this con- 
 cern ; recommending me in Christian love to the tender care and 
 sympathy of Friends, where my lot may be c;)st, and to the protect- 
 ing care of the Lord aiid Savior Jesus Christ. 
 
 After this concern had passed the concurrent sympathy and 
 unity of Friends, in the order of our Religious Society, I was' deeply 
 humbled in renewcdhi feeling the beuetit aiul the strength of the 
 unity of the spiiit in the bond of pe;ute. This unity proceeds from 
 Him who gathers and sustains tlu^ true church in every ;ige of the 
 world, and all the spiritual members thereof, in living nigli llim in 
 the spirit of the mind, and near one another in Christiai\ fellowship, 
 do participate in this unity with that sweet \w\\('v wliich passeth :dl 
 understiiiuliiip-. 
 
1G8 JOrRN'AL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1848 
 
 The insi)ire<l proji'iot illustrates the benefit of this unity in tliis 
 language : " Jii'lmld. how good and how pleasant it is for brethren 
 to dwell together In niiity I It is like the precious ointment ni)on 
 the head, that ran down upon the beiird, even Aaron's beard, that 
 went down to tiie skii"ts of liis garments, as the dew of Hei'mon, 
 and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for 
 there the Lord comnumded the blessing, even life for evermore I'' 
 
 Christian unity is, according to this Scripture, a very good thing, 
 and a great blessing, and es])ecially among bretliren — members of 
 the same family, of the same Christian community, and of the same 
 nation. Aud why not among the great family of mankind ? 
 
 Al! the sanetified members of our Religious Society, who walk 
 *• with :dl lowliness and meekness, witli Tongsuffering, forbearing 
 one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of tlie spirit, in 
 tlie bond of peace,*' stand on the sure foundation, liaving this seal, 
 the Lord knoweth theni, and he will never leave nor forsake them; 
 but as they hold out faithful to the end, he will bless them in 
 time and in eternity. 
 
 After our Yearlv Meeting, through the couivse of the winter, I 
 liad a severe attack of bodily indisposition, and was, for awhile, 
 brought Jow in body and mind. My complaint was chills and fever. 
 I was confined to my room about a month, during wiiich time I 
 felt perfect resignation to the will of the Lord. I cried to him for 
 mercy, preservation, and ])rotcction on every hand, and he heard 
 me and mercifully strengthened me in mind, sjnrit and body, so 
 that, through his mercy, my health was pretty soon again ]-estored 
 as usual. During the time of this affliction, I remembered, with 
 feelings of deep humility, the language of one of the atfiicted 
 servants of God. formerly, delivered in this moving strain: " 'J'he 
 L)rd killeth and maketh alive. He bringeth down to the grave, 
 and bringeth up. The Lord ma,keth poor, and maketh rich. He 
 bringeth low and lifteth up." He dealeth with his ministers, 
 whom he sendeth forth in his name, in a manner as they can have 
 nothing to rest ujion, consistent with his will, but his own all- 
 su])])orting power, in wliom there is everlasting strength. Praised 
 forever be his holy and worthy name ! 
 
 lielieving that the time had fully come for me to ret out on my 
 great journey, having put all my outward concerns in ]-eadlness 
 therefor, and aftci- liolding a numhcr of farewell Meetings for di- 
 vine wor^hiji. In various settUments, for Friends and others, in 
 which the Spirit of the (Jood Shepherd was with me, granting me 
 strength and wisdom to labor in his good cause, to the glory of 
 his name — \, on the LOth day of the od month, 1840. with fervent 
 prayer and supplication to Almighty God, took a most affectionate 
 leave of my de;ir wife and some other deiir relatives and friends, 
 commending them to God and to the word of his grace, left home 
 and went to Cincinnati, where I continued fur a few rlavs. visiting 
 
IS48 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AUNETT. 169 
 
 Sdiiie dcai- friends, so as to take my leave of them, and on tlie 18th, 
 being First-day, I attended Friends' meeting there, wliicli was a 
 good and lieart-melting opportunity. On the lOtii, in the morn- 
 ing, I left this city on a steamboat for Pittsburgh, where I was land- 
 ed on tlie following Fourth-day night, the 21st, about two o'clock 
 in the morning; and on the 22d, left this jDlace for Brownsville, on 
 a steamboat, in the morning, where I was landed in the evening 
 about six o'clock: and immediately took a stiige passage for Cum- 
 berland, where I was landed, on the next evening, about seven 
 o'clock; and on the 2J:th, I went, on the railroad train of cars, for 
 Baltimore, in tlie morning, and was landed in that city about mid- 
 night. ])eiiig detained on the way about six hours by an accident 
 which occurred on the railroad ; and on the 25th, being First-day, 
 I attended the fore and afternoon Meetings of Friends, and found 
 some good service; and on the 2Gth, I left this city for Philadel- 
 phia, in the morning, on the railroad, where I was landed in the 
 afternoon. I continued in this city three days, visiting the Meet- 
 ings of Friends on these days, as they came in course, and was 
 silent in all of them. And' on the 30th, I left this city in the 
 morning, for New York, where I was landed in the afternoon, and 
 was kindly received and waited on by my dear Friend, AYilliam F. 
 Mott, and' his dear wife. In all three of these cities Friends were 
 glad to see me, and manifested the utmost sympatiiy and unity 
 Avith me in regard to the prosecution of this great journey, com- 
 mending me earnestly, with prayer and supplication, to the Lord 
 Almighty, for preservation and protection on every hand. I was 
 much humbled, in believing that I had not only the sympathy and 
 unity of Friends of my own Yciirly Meeting, in regard to this con- 
 cern, but also, ilidt of my dear Friends in other Yearly Meetings. 
 
 The 4th month 1st, being First-day, I was at the fore and after- 
 noon Meetings of Friends in New York, and was called into much 
 good service ; and on the 2d, I attended the Meeting for sufferings 
 of Friends there. On the 3(1. I was at the Pj-eparative Meeting of 
 Ministers and Elders of Friends in this city. In both these Meet- 
 ings, Friends were united with me in Cliristian love. 
 
 On the 4th, in the morning, between nine and ten o'clock, I was 
 accom})anied by several dear Fri(Mids of New York, through a great 
 crowd of peojde to the steamship (Canada, where I embarked for 
 Liverpool. These dear Friends continued with me till a few^ min- 
 utes before she sailed, when they took a very affectionate leave of 
 me, commending me to tlie ])rotecting care of the Lord Almighty. 
 The steamship, after firing cannon several times, sailed about 
 twelve o'clock. She was much crowded with pa«sengers, among 
 whom there Avere people of much religious respectability, being 
 members of various Christian denominations, with a number of 
 Avhom I formed an interesting acquaintance, during the voyage. I 
 found much good service among them in explaining to them the 
 
170 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AUNETT, 1848 
 
 ])rinciplGS of Friends, informing them tliat we founded all our 
 doctrines, and distinguishing views and practices, under the grace 
 of God, on the authority of the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 We had a pleasant passage to Halifax, where we landed, on the 
 7th, in the evening, about six o'clock, where we met with cold 
 Aveather, which continued to be the case afterwards throughout the 
 voyage. The hills of Nova Scotia, which were presented to our 
 view, were covered with snow. We made a stop here of two hours, 
 and then again sailed. On this day I was sea-sick in some degree, 
 and vomited once, and felt better ; and on the next day, being 
 First-day, I was so unwell that I Avas not able to sit up much. I 
 privately waited on the Lord in my state-room, frequently reading 
 the Holy Scriptures, whereby I felt strengthened in the spirit of my 
 mind. 
 
 On the 9th, I felt better, and was able to be up and converse with 
 the passengers. On this evening, about nine o'clock, an awful 
 storm of wind and rain arose in direct opposition to our great 
 steamer, which continued for three days and nights. This was to 
 me the most awful time that I ever saw. Our great steamer was 
 plunged up and down over the awful Avaves, a little similar to that 
 of being tossed up and down over little mountains ; and some- 
 times she was so violently plunged from side to side, that it was as 
 much as I could do to keep from being thrown out of my berth. 
 Sometimes an awful high wave was dashed upon the ship Avith such 
 violence as to cause her to quiver for a few minutes, during Avhich 
 time she Avas so enveloped Avith Avater that even the AvindoAvs were 
 much darkened, and frequently the water on deck Avas over shoe-tojD 
 deep. During this aAvful time I Avas exceeding sea-sick, so that I 
 Avas brought Ioav in body and mind. I was, most of the time, not 
 able to sit up ; at length I vomited most violently, and felt a little 
 better. During this sea-sickness I mostly dieted on gruel, us noth- 
 ing else Avould so Avell lie on my stomach. 
 
 While this storm Avas raging with awful violence, I aat.s induced 
 Avith feelings of the deepest humility to examine rencivedly the pro- 
 l)riety of this concern. I scrutinized the origin thereof and traced 
 the scrutiny up to, and through the meeting Avhich liberated me to 
 this Avork, and also continued the consideration up to the time of 
 my setting out on this great journey; and tlie result of this exami- 
 nation Avas very convincing to me. under Divine Grace, that I luid 
 nun'cd forth, and Avas still moving forth in this concern consistent 
 with the will of the Lord Jesus Christ; and in settling doAvn in the 
 spirit of my mind, in the obedience of faith, this language SAveetly 
 saluted the ear of my spirit: "Fear thou not, for I am with 
 thee, the eternal (Jod is thy refuge, and underneath are the ever- 
 lasting arms." The all supporting power of the Lord Avas merci- 
 fully exteiuled to me, so that I saw clearly through true faith, that 
 through divine interposition we Avould all be safely landed at our 
 desired iwi t. 
 
1848 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 171 
 
 I liad the satisfaction, both before and after this awful storm, to 
 take a fine view of the great Athmtic ocean, which to me was grand 
 and deeply humbling, displaying the wisdom, the majesty, and 
 the glory of that great and worthy Being who inhabiteth 
 eternity. 
 
 On the loth, being First-day, I was again so unwell that I con- 
 tinued most of the day in my state-room, secretly waiting ou the 
 Lord for the renewal of my strength in him. AVe were at length 
 favored to land at Liverpool on the 10th, in the morning, being 
 nearly fifteen days after leaving Xew York, and when we landed, 
 the weather was cold, the ground being covered with snow; and 
 after landing I was conducted by a dear friend wlio was ready to re- 
 ceive me, to the very kind and hospitable house of Francis Thomp- 
 son, who with his dear wife, Susan M. Thompson, received me in 
 the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace, manifesting that 
 Christian sympathy for me, with feelings of humility, which the 
 Christian religion ever inculcates. I praise thee, 01 Lord, everlast- 
 ing God, for thy mercy and protection to me since I set out on this 
 great Journey; all praise is forever thine! 
 
 When I was landed at this port, I was so reduced in body, under 
 the effect of a sea voyage, that it became necessary for me to rest 
 awhile, for the purpose of a little improving my health, which 
 within a few days, through the assistance of a little medical 
 aid, was much restored, for which I was thankful to the good 
 Shepherd. 
 
 Friends of Liverpool were exceeding kind to me, manifesting the 
 utmost sympathy and unity for and with me. desiring my en- 
 couragement in the prosecution of the great work before me, com- 
 mending me earnestly to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all my 
 movements. 
 
 On the 22nd, being First-day, I attended the morning and even- 
 ing Meetings of Friends in this place, and found it to be my duty 
 to sit with them in silence, under feelings of deep humility. In 
 the Morning Meeting, a dear friend in the ministry appeaVed in 
 supplication, in whicii he was called upon to pour out his soul in 
 prayer on my behalf; not only returning thanks to the Lord for his 
 protecting providence toward me while passing over the great water, 
 but also that he may mercifully preserve and sustain me amidst all 
 the trials and plungings in all my future life. This was indeed a 
 weighty and impressive prayer, being delivered under the ins2>ira- 
 tion of the spirit of the everlasting truth. 
 
 On the ^-tth, I wrote a letter to my dear wife, giving her some 
 account of my sea voyage, 1 also wrote to her from the city of Xew 
 York. 
 
 On the 2Gth I attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends m Liv- 
 erpool, and through the opening of the good spirit I was favored 
 with a refreshing testimony to the satisfaction of Friends. 
 
172 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AHXETT. 1S48 
 
 On the 27tli with suit;iblc com^^any, intlie evening I set out on a 
 steamer fdr tlic city of Dublin, in Irehmd, for the ])iirjio3e of at- 
 tending the Yearly Meeting of Friends tliere, where I was landed 
 on the next morning, and was very kindly received hy Friends. I 
 made my home through this Yearly Electing with my dear friend, 
 Samuel Bewley, who, with his dear wife, Maria Bewley, did every- 
 thing that they could to render me comfortable while I was under 
 their roof; they appeared to be worthy Fj-ionds and were interesting 
 and kind. 
 
 On the 28th came the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and FUlers, 
 held in Dublin. I was silent in this meeting under feelings of deep 
 humility, and on the next day, being First-day, I was much opened 
 in the love of the gospel in the morning meeting, which was large, 
 in which many souls were humbled under the baptizing power of 
 the Lord; praised forever be his worthy name. In the evening 
 meeting I was silent, but some other dear Friends in the ministr}' 
 had much good service. 
 
 On the 30th, the Yearly Meeting for Discipline was opened, and 
 much business Avas transacted on this day in Christian love. 
 Friends appeared to be conceived to live nigh the blessed truth, and 
 near one another in religious fellowship. 
 
 5th mo.. First. Frieiids came together on tliis day with feelings 
 of deep humility. In entering on the State of Society as reported 
 np fj-om the Quarterly Meetings, the spirit of the everlasting truth 
 was with us, and granted many well concerned Friends strength 
 and wisdom to labor for tlie promotion of the good cause. 
 
 The 2nd came on a public Meeting for Worship in the morning, 
 wdierein my mouth was o])ened in truth's testimony to good 
 satisfaction, and in the evening Friends again assembled for the 
 transaction of the affairs of church discipline. 
 
 The od. Friends were much favored on this day in coming 
 togetlier twii-e for the ])rosecution of the concerns of the Yearly 
 Meeting, and under feelings of deep humility and thankfulness 
 to the Lord for all his blessings and mercies to us. The Meet- 
 ing foi- Discipline closed its session this evening; Friends having 
 acted on the business of the church with much harmony. 
 
 The 4th. Friends came together this morning to hold a pub- 
 lic general Meeting for AVorshij), in which we were much hum- 
 bled under the baptizing power of the Lord. I was much opened 
 in the love of the everlasting gos]iel to good satisfaction, and 
 this meeting was considered to be the final close of the Yearly 
 Mei'ting, and Friends parted after this Meeting with feelings of 
 the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. 
 
 TJie oth, I spent very agreeably in jjaying some social visits to 
 Friends, and on the* next day, being First-day, I attended the 
 Meeting of Friends in Dublin, in the morning, and in the evening 
 I was at Friends Meeting at Monkstown. In botli these Meetings 
 
.1848 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 173 
 
 the Lord was mercifully with me, iind gave me strength, wisdom 
 and utterance, to })oint out the way of life and salvation. 
 Many precious souls were reached and much humbled as in dust 
 and ashes. 
 
 The 7th. I this morning left Dublin for Liverpool, on a steam- 
 er, and the Irish Channel being very rough, I soon became ex- 
 ceeding sea-sick, but vomited violently and was better. I was 
 landed at Liverpool on the next morning, and was again very 
 kindly received at my home there; and on the 9th in company 
 with my dear friend Thomas Thompson, I set out on railroad 
 conveyance to attend Brighouse Monthly Meeting, to be held at 
 Huddersfield; and landed there in the evening, and found a very 
 kind reception at the house of my dear friend Thomas Robson, 
 with whom I became acquainted some years since in my own 
 country, when he was there with his wife, Elizabeth Robson, ou 
 a religious visit; and on the next day I was at Huddersfi Id Par- 
 ticular Meeting for worship and' was silent, and on the 11th came 
 the Monthly Meeting, which was large, and much owned by the 
 good Shepherd of Israel. I found much labor in the work of the 
 ministry in this meeting to good satisfaction. Praised forever be 
 the Lord I 
 
 The 12th. Again returned to Liverpool, and on the next day, 
 being First-day, I found much good service in the work of the 
 ministry in attending the morning and evening Meetings of Friends 
 there, strengtli and wisdom being granted to worship God in spirit 
 and in truth. Blessed be his name for evermorcl 
 
 The 14th and 15th I spent in writing and in meditation, and 
 on the IGth in the morning I attended Friends Meeting at Egre- 
 mont, and in the evening I was at Friends Meeting at Birkenhead. 
 In both these Meetings I found good service in the love of the 
 truth. 
 
 The 17th I was at Liverpool Particular Meeting for worship. 
 and was silent under very peaceful feelings. I thought that a 
 precious degree of solemnity pervaded this Meeting. Adored for- 
 ever be the Lord! 
 
 On the 18th I set out in company with some dear Friends for 
 London, in order to attend the Yearly Meeting of Friends in 
 that great city; we traveled by railroad conveyance, being upwards 
 of two hundred miles, and went the journey in about six hours, 
 and when I was landed there I was very kindly received by William 
 and Maria Allen to be their lodger during the Yearly Meeting, and 
 on the next day I was at the Meeting for Sufferings in this city, 
 and felt much united with Friends in the concerns which came 
 before them. I was indeed comforted nmong them. 
 
 The 20th being First-day, I attended the morning and evening 
 Meetings of Friends at Devonshire House, and had some good ser- 
 vice in the ministry and in prayer. 
 
174 JOLKXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1848 
 
 The 21st. The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders came 
 together this morning with feelings of great hnmility, which meet- 
 ing lield two sittings on this day, and one on the next day. This 
 meeting was large, and Friends ajipeared to be concerned in all 
 their movements to keep under the pointings of truth. I found 
 some good service in this meeting to satisfaction. 
 
 On the 23d the Yearly Meeting for Discipline was opened at the 
 Devonshire House. Friends came together this morning with sin- 
 cere desire to move in the weighty affairs of the church, in that 
 wisdom which comes down from above, with which this meeting 
 was abundantly favored in all the sittings thereof. They were 
 enabled quietly to move forth on this and the next day in the tra- 
 vail of Society to satisfaction. 
 
 The 25th. I this morning attended the public Meeting for Wor- 
 ship at the Devonshire House, it was very large and much crowded, 
 in which I was opened in the love of the everlasting gospel to good 
 satisfaction. Blessed forever be the Lord I 
 
 The 26th. Friends again resumed the concerns of Society, and 
 were favored with the overshadowing wing of ancient goodness and 
 protection, under which we were brought to feel near and dear one 
 to another. 
 
 The 27th being First-day, I this morning attended Friends Meet- 
 ing at Stoke Xewington, and was abundantly opened in illustration 
 of the grand scheme of Christian redemption to good satisfaction, 
 the baptising power of the Lord was over this large and very inter- 
 esting meeting, under which we were brought to feel near and dear 
 one to another in Christian love. 
 
 In the evening I was at Friends Meeting at Tottenham, which 
 through Divine Wisdom was made a refreshing and strengthening- 
 season. 
 
 The 28th and 20tli. Friends again resumed the concerns of the 
 church, and were favored to move forward therein to very good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The 30th. I again this morning attended the public Meeting 
 for Worship at the Devonshire House, which was very large and 
 much owned by the everlasting truth. Much service fell on me in 
 this meetino- to sood satisfaction. Fi*aised be the Lord forever- 
 
 more 
 
 The 31st. I this morning with the unity of Friends had some 
 good service among Women Friends in their Yearly Meeting, where 
 I found many very valuable dear sisters who love the truth above 
 all things. 
 
 6th mo. First. The Yearly Meeting for Discipline this day 
 came to a very satisfactory conclusion. This was one of the most 
 interesting Yearly Meetings that I ever attended, many valuable 
 and experienced friends belong to it; the baptizing power of the 
 Lord was felt to be over this meeting in all the sittings thereof, 
 
184S JOURNA]. OF THOMAS ARNETT. 175 
 
 uniting Friends in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of loeacc, 
 under the blessed intluenceof which, Friends were enabled to come 
 to satisfactory conclusions in all their deliberations. Many very 
 weighty and important subjects came before them which Avcre con- 
 sidered and decided upon in that love wliich first gathered us to be 
 a separate and distinct jieople, and which has been with us through 
 many trials and difiBculties down to the ])resent day. Our dear 
 friends, Anna A. Jenkins and Susan Howland, being accom- 
 panied by her dear husband, George Howland, a worthy elder, 
 acceptabl}' attended this Yearly Meeting. These dear Women 
 Friends were valuable ministers from New England Yearly Meet- 
 ing, they found much good service in the work of the ministry in 
 this Yearly Meeting. I was glad to meet with them, and they 
 manifested the same feeling in meeting with me. 
 
 Friends of this Yearly Meeting manifested that genuine kind- 
 ness, sympathy and unity with me which the spirit of the gospel of 
 Christ ever cherishes with the true, experimental believers in every 
 age of the world. 
 
 The 2nd. This day tlie Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders 
 came to a conclusion with feelings of deep humility and gratitude, 
 the Lord mercifully condescended to manifest His good presence in 
 this meeting, granting that counsel, wisdom, and utterance which 
 edified the body in love and renewed up the sj^irit of the mind in 
 the obedience of faith ; many worthy and valuable ministers and 
 elders belong to this meeting. Toward the conclusion of this meet- 
 ing, all within us appeared to be humbled down as in the dust and 
 ashes, and the meeting finally concluded Avith thanksgiving to the 
 Holy and Everlasting God. 
 
 The 3rd being First-day, I this morning attended Friends' meet- 
 ing at Peckham, which was large and much favored with the bap- 
 tizing power of the Lord. I was called forth into the work of the 
 ministry to my own humble admiration, and I believe to the edifica- 
 tion of Friends. Praised be the Lord forever ! ^ 
 
 In the evening I was at the same meeting, and was mercifully 
 called forth in prayer and supplication on behalf of all my fellow- 
 beings throughout the whole world. The meeting closed with 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 The 4:th. I rested some on this day, being much wearied in 
 attending meetings under deep exercise of mind, and on the next 
 day I attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends at the Devonshire 
 House, and found some good service among them. 
 
 The Gth I spent in writing and meditation, and my dear wife 
 being brought renewedly to my remembrance in the love of the 
 everlasting Gospel, I therefore wrote a letter to her, encouraging 
 her in the way of life and salvation. 
 
 I have, since I left home on this great Journey passed through 
 many deeji exercises of mind ; I have shed many tears in solitary 
 
170 JOURNAL OF TllUMA.S AllXETT. liH3 
 
 places, I have oftentimes poured out my soul in seei'ct prayei* and 
 supplication to that worthy Being who alone is the author of all my 
 sure mercies, befoie whom I am often deeply humbled in the humility 
 of which he alone is the author, and he knows the sincerity and the 
 integrity of my heart, he knows altogether mine u|)rising and my 
 downsitting, and I feel myself to be' a poor unworthy servant before 
 him ; not being worthy of the least of his mercy and of his truth 
 with which ho has blessed me. I beseech thee. 01 Lord, everlasting 
 God, abundantly to have mercy upon me, and grant me from day 
 to day strength and wisdom for the pi'osecution of the great work 
 noio before me. The cause is thine, holy One. 01 I pray thee to 
 prosjjer it in my hand, and from time to time give me utterance to 
 the glory of thy name and to the peace of my own mind. Advocate 
 for me, ! holy and adorable ^?aviour, and open a door for me in 
 this country which no man can shut, for I have none to look to but 
 to thee who loved me and gave thyself for me and for all mankind 
 in every age of the world. All the glory is thine forever more I 
 
 The 7th. I this morning at 9 o'clock, left the city of London for 
 Ireland, feeling my mind turned to that land in the prosecution of 
 the field of labor before me. Having suitable comjjany, we went 
 on railway most of the way, by Birmingham and Holyhead, and 
 were landed in the city of Dublin about lU o'clock in the evening, 
 having traveled upwards of three hundred miles, and on the next 
 morning, with suitable company, I set out for Grange to attend 
 the service of Ulster Quarterly Meeting to be held there, and landed 
 at this place in the evening, and on the 9tli I attended tlie Quar- 
 terly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, and on the next day, being 
 First-day, came on two large meetings for worship, attended by 
 many not of our Society. In the morning meeting I was pleasantly 
 called forth in the work of the ministry to good satisfaction ; it 
 was a good meeting to many precious and well-concerned souls. In 
 the evening the meeting was very large, a number of the soldiers 
 attending from their station at Charlcmont, a town not far distant. 
 I was led to speak on the subject of war, and was favored in a good 
 degree to illustrate the peaceable nature of the Kingdom of Christ, 
 and to invite the people to come out from the war s])irit, the spirit 
 of the devil, and enlist under the banner of peace, the spirit of the gos- 
 pel of Christ. The mighty power of God was over this meeting and 
 humbled many minds as in dust and ashes. Praised forever be his 
 great and worthy name I 
 
 The 11th came on the Quarterly Meeting for discipline, whei'ein 
 Friends were enabled to transact the business that came before them to 
 good satisfaction ; and on the next day this meeting closed with hold- 
 ing a public meeting for worship, in which Friends were brought to 
 feel near and dear one to another in the unity of the spirit, in the 
 bond of peace, and at the close of the meeting Friends parted in 
 that true sympathy which is ever cherished and sustained by the 
 
1849 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT, 177 
 
 everlasting gospel. After meeting I went to the house of my dear 
 friend Jacob Green, a valuable minister, who twice paid very satis- 
 factory visits in gospel love in America, where I was very kindly 
 entertained, and on the loth I attended his particular meeting at 
 Ballinderry, which was through divine love made a very good meet- 
 ing. In the evening I held a public meeting at Hillsborough to 
 good satisfaction, ])raised be the Lord. 
 
 The 14th I attended Friends' meeting at Eichhill, and found a 
 number of tender-hearted Friends, among whom I found much 
 good service, an^l in the evening I held a meeting at Moyallen, 
 which was rather a trying season ; the people came together very 
 much in the outward, and not in a right disposition to receive the 
 truth, m the love of it, and it is ever trying to me to meet such a 
 congregation, which has often been very much the case with me in 
 many instances. May the Lord have mercy on such peojile. I 
 found some service in this meeting, but not much to the peace of 
 my mind. I commended the people to God and to his mercy and 
 grace manifested in the heart. 
 
 The 15th I attended Lurgan Monthly Meeting, which was small, 
 but was much owned by the good and merciful Shepherd of Israel. 
 
 The 16th I held a public meeting at Rothfirland, where I was 
 enabled to preach the everlasting gospel in the demonstration of 
 the spirit and with })ower. The people appeared to be very serious, 
 and much disposed to receive the truth in the love of it; I hope 
 that some good ini}n-ession was made on some minds that will be 
 like a nail driven in a sure place. 
 
 The l?th being First-day, I this morning attended the meeting 
 of Friends in lielfast, which was large and through divine mercy 
 Avas made a good meeting. In the evening I held a public meeting 
 for Friends and others which was well attended, among whom I 
 was largely opened in illustration of the great doctrine of Christian 
 redemption, I though t that many hearts were touched and softened 
 by the finger of divine love; this was a good meeting and closed 
 with prayer to God. While here I received a very kind and affec- 
 tionate letter from my dear wife, giving me some good account from 
 home, which was very humbling to me. I thank Thee, 0! Lord, 
 everlasting God, for all thy mercy and blessing bestowed on my 
 dear wife and on myself, continue holy One more and more to 
 inspire us Avitli gratitude to thee and preserve us from evil on every 
 hand, and conduct us through all to thy heavenly kingdom, 
 for thine is the power, the glory, and the majesty noAv and 
 forever ! 
 
 The 18th. I this evening held a good open meeting at Lisburn, 
 for Friends and others, which was well attended and it was a 
 solemn and impressive season. 
 
 The 19th. I held a small meeting at Lower Grange; the few 
 who attended seemed thankful for the opportunity. 
 
 12 
 
1T8 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARX^ETT. 18-19 
 
 The 20th. I attended Gmnge Monthly Meeting, and was much 
 opened in gospel love to good satisfaction; all the praise is forever 
 due to the Lord I 
 
 The 31st. I set out this morning, having suitable company, for 
 Cootshill, where we arrived in the evening in time to hold a public 
 meeting, where the people came together, I thought, more through 
 curiosity than for divine worship, which brought on me deep exer- 
 cise: I found among them some service, but not much relief. The 
 meeting closed pretty well with prayer. 
 
 The 2'id. We set out this morning for Moate, m order to attend 
 the service of Leinster Quarterly Meeting, to be held there. I was 
 much aifected on this day as well as on other days generally while 
 traveling in this land, in observing the poor beggars; oftentimes in 
 stopping in towns and villages, I am surrounded with them, begg- 
 ing of me a little money. On such occasions I was moved with 
 tender compassion and prayer for them in the spirit of my mind; 
 ma}'^ the Lord have mercy on them I 
 
 The 23d. I this morning attended the Quarterly Meeting of 
 Ministers and Elders, held at Moate, which was a good refreshing 
 season. There I met with my dear Friend, Jacob Green, who had 
 left home with a prospect of joining in with me awhile as a fellow 
 laborer in the prosecution of the great work before me, Avhich was 
 very cordial and acceptable to me, feeling that unity with him in 
 his prospect, which truth alone is the author of; blessed be 
 God! 
 
 The 24th being First-day, I this morning in the public meeting 
 for worship, found it to be my place to sit in silence under deep 
 exercise of mind, but in the itfiternoon meeting I was much set at 
 liberty in the work of the ministry to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 25th came on the Quarterly Meeting for discipline, which 
 was conducted to satisfaction, and in the evening this meeting 
 closed with holding a meeting for public worship. 
 
 The two following days we held meetings for worship for 
 Friends and others, at Tullamore and Edenderry, which were good 
 open seasons, and on the 28th in the morniiig we held a small but 
 good meeting at Eathangan, and in the evening we attended a 
 Society Meeting of Friends at Monkstown, instituted for the relig- 
 ious instruction of the youth among Friends; this was indeed a 
 very interesting meeting. After reading some very excellent advice 
 to the youth, selected from Friends' writings and then settling 
 down in the spirit of our minds, we found much good service 
 among them in the work of the ministry. 
 
 The 29th. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends in 
 Dublin, where I was silent under comfortable feelings, and in the 
 evening we held a public meeting at Wicklow, where we found 
 much good service. 
 
 The 30tli. We again returned to the city of Dublin. This was 
 
1849 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKKETT. 179 
 
 my birth-day, being fifty-eight years of age. In entering into a 
 solemn retrospect of the Lord's mercies to me from my infancy to 
 this day, I was deeply humbled with gratitude to him for all his 
 blessings to me. 
 
 7th mo. 1st being First-day and a time of deep exercise with me; 
 attended this morning Friends' meeting at Monkstown, and had 
 some good service. In the evening we held a public appointed 
 meeting for worship in the city of Dublin, for the citizens thereof; 
 it was a large and quiet meeting, in which T was called upon to de- 
 velop tlie i^rinciples of the everlasting truth in the demonstration of 
 the spirit, and with power; it was a good meeting, and ended in a 
 degree of that humility wliich the everlasting truth inculcates and 
 inspires. 
 
 The 3nd. We this morning left the city of Dublin and traveled 
 by railway and coach nearly a hundred miles to Birr, and held in 
 the evening at that place a meeting for Friends and others, where- 
 in the jjower of truth prevailed m a pretty good degree to the 
 humility of a number of sincerely engaged minds. 
 
 The 3rd. We had this evening a very interesting meeting at Eos- 
 crea, for Friends and others; I was opened in much Christian love 
 to the peoj)le who were very attentive and appeared to receive what 
 was delivered, I thouglit, in a good degree in that faith which 
 works by love; may all praise be alone given to God! 
 
 The 4th a day of much deep inward exercise of mind. I felt very 
 solitary and desired above all things to berenewedly resigned to the 
 will of Him who hath sent me into this country to declare the glad 
 tidings of the everlasting gospel. The Good Shepherd at length 
 strengthened me and caused me to rejoice in his worthy name. We 
 had a pretty good meeting at Knock bally maher, wherein I was 
 drawn to set forth the necessity, in order for salvation, of loving 
 the blessed Saviour in the way of the cross, and of keeping his 
 words; some were much tendered and humbled in their minds. 
 
 The 5th. We held a good and open meeting at Mountrath, 
 wherein I was much set at liberty in the love of the everlasting 
 gospel. Some dear Friends were much tendered; the good seed 
 was reached to, and the evil chained down. 
 
 The Cth. We preceded this morning to Mountmelick, and 
 landed there in the afternoon. My health this day was poor; I was 
 brought low in body and mind, I desired abundantly ever to be 
 found resigned to the divine will; my spirit secretly cried to the 
 everlasting God for his all supjiorting power, under all the trials of 
 this life, and I know that he will preserve and support me through 
 all as I keep the eye of the mind single to Him. 
 
 The 7th. This was a very sick day with me, Friends here 
 were very kind to me, they proposed some medical aid which 
 being attended to, under skillful administration, very much, under 
 divine mercy relieved me. 
 
180 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. m9 
 
 The 8th being First-day, I was able this morning to attend 
 Friends' meeting, and was favored with the testimony of truth 
 to good satisfaction. We this morning held a public meeting for 
 the citizens of the town, which was well attended, and the people 
 were very still and attentive, and the power of truth pervaded 
 the meeting under which many souls were visited in the love of 
 the everlasting truth; it was a good meeting. 
 
 The 9th we traveled to Ballintown, and on the next day we held 
 a good and refreshing meeting there, the truth was near and 
 granted wisdom and utterance to edification ; praised forever be the 
 name of God I 
 
 The 11th we attended the meeting of Friends at Carlow, which 
 in the opening of Christian love was made a good and very im- 
 jiressive season, the power of the everlasting truth was over all 
 and some minds were humbled, as in dust and ashes; so that we 
 were encouraged to look forward in the obedience of faith. 
 
 The 12tli. We held a good and very interesting meeting at 
 Kilconner, the people appeared to be willing to receive the truth 
 in the love of it, some were broken down and edified under the 
 power of it: we had cause to thank God and take fresh 
 courage. 
 
 The 13th. AVe had a meeting at Ballintown, wherein I was 
 called upon to bear the testimony of truth with fear and trembling,, 
 feeling the life to be so low that I was induced to move with 
 great caution, it was, however, a pretty good meeting. 
 
 The 14th. We held a precious and open meeting at Cooladine, 
 wherein the power of the everlasting" truth prevailed over all,, 
 some were much tendered and humbled; may all the praise be for- 
 ever given to the Lord who alone is worthy! 
 
 Tke 15th being First-day and a time of deep exercise with me, 
 we this morning attended the meeting of Friends at Enniscorthy, 
 in which my companion found good service, but it was my i^lace 
 to sit in suffering silence. Language cannot describe my very 
 deep exercise while in this meeting, my heart mourned over a 
 lukewarm spirit, jjrevalent in many. None in this meeting knew 
 my inward suffering, they were not deep enough to go down with 
 me in spirit and sympathize with those of the suifering seed, and 
 this is the case in many instances in this land, which often causes 
 me to feel very solitary, so that frequently I have to go from 
 place to place under deep mourning, oftentimes being silent, un- 
 der suffering, as to ordinary conversation. In the evening we 
 held a public meeting for Friends and others, which was well 
 attended by jjcopleof different persuasions, among whom my mouth 
 was opened and my heart was enlarged in the love of the gospel. 
 The peoi)le were very still and quiet and appeared to be willing 
 to receive the truth in the love of it; many were broken down 
 into tenderness and contrition. I hope a lasting impression was 
 
 d 
 
184!> JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 181 
 
 formed which will be as a nail driven in a sure place. This was 
 to nie a good and relieving meeting, and I believe that it was a 
 solemn time with many. 
 
 The 16th. We tliis morning held a public meeting at Wexford, 
 for Friends and others, it was well attended, and the people ap- 
 peared to be humbled under the mighty power of God; among 
 whom I was much opened in gos]iel love to very good satisfaction. 
 The 17th. We this morning had a public meeting at Eoss, it 
 was large and much crowded, and in the forepart was very un- 
 settled, but at length the power of truth prevailed over many 
 minds, and brought humility over the meeting, and so way opened 
 for the flow of the gospel. 
 
 The 18th, We this day went on a steamer to Waterford, where 
 we were very kindly received and entertained by our dear friends, 
 Eichard Allen and his dear wife, and on the next day we attended 
 the meeting of Friends there, as it came in course, and found much 
 good service in the work of the ministry ; and on the 20th in the 
 .evening, we liad a public meeting for Friends and others, wherein 
 the everlasting truth had the ascendancy ; many minds were Jium- 
 bled as in dust and ashes ; the sincere were encouraged to hold on 
 their way, and sinners were called to repentance. The meeting 
 closed in prayer and supplication. 
 
 The 31st, we this day traveled to the city of Cork, and the next 
 day being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting in the morning, 
 and held in the evening a public meeting ; in both these meetings 
 the mighty power of God prevailed to the deej) humility of many 
 minds. All the praise be forever given to the Lord ! 
 
 The 23d, we this evening held a good and open meeting at 
 Youghal, wherein my mind was much opened in the love of the 
 everlasting gospel ; the people were still and attentive. After meet- 
 ing I received a very kind and affectionate letter from my dear wife, 
 giving me some good account from home. This intelligence was 
 truly satisfactory and liumbling. 
 
 The 24:th, we traveled on this day to the neighborhood of Cahir, 
 and on the next day we attended the meeting of Friends there, as 
 it came in course, and found much good service in the love of the 
 everlasting truth. 
 
 The 2Gth, we attended the meeting of Friends, as it came in 
 •course, at Clonmel, wliere in the fore part my spirit was cast 
 down, but at length truth arose in dominion, whereby my mouth 
 was opened and my heart was enlarged in gospel love to the humil- 
 ity and edification of Friends, 
 
 The 27th, we traveled on this day to the city of Limerick, in or- 
 der to attend the service of Munster Quarterly Meeting of Friends, 
 to be held there, and on the next day we were at the Quarterly 
 Meeting of ministers and elders, which under the overshadowing 
 wing of ancient goodness was made a refreshing season. Friends 
 were brought to feel near together. 
 
182 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. m» 
 
 The 29tli being First-day, we attended the morning and evening 
 meetings of Friends in this city, being pnblic Quarterly Meetings 
 for worsliip. In both of these meetings I was abundantly called 
 out into the work of tlie ministry, in the demonstration of the 
 spirit and with power. Some other Friends engaged in the work 
 of the ministry, also had good service on this day. The good s))irit 
 of the Lord was Avith ns and enabled us to worship him in spirit 
 and in truth ; many precious souls were humbled as in dust and 
 ashes, and the negligent were impressively warned of the wrath to 
 come without repentance toward God, and faith toward his well be- 
 loved Son, who gave himself for us. This day will long be remem- 
 bered by many who attended these meetings. 
 
 The 30th. Friends came together this morning to transact the 
 affairs of the Quarterly Meeting for discipline, and they were fa- 
 vored under the influence of true wisdom to conduct the business 
 that came before them to good satisfaction ; and in the evening 
 this Quarterly Meeting closed with holding a public meeting for di- 
 vine worship, which opportunity was eminently owned by him who 
 never has and never will leave nor forsake his little ones, but these 
 he will preserve and sustain through all trials and tribulations, to- 
 the glory and honor of his holy and worthy name! 
 
 After the service of this Quarterly Meeting was over, I parted 
 with my dear and sympathizing friend Jacob Green, we having 
 traveled together since he joined me in this work in the unity of 
 the spirit, in the bond of peace ; he was much favored in the work 
 of the ministry while with me, particularly in the family oppor- 
 tunities, wlierein he was opened to speak to the states and condi- 
 tions thereof, to good satisfaction. We parted in that love which 
 death can never extinguish, commending each other to God, and to 
 the word of his grace manifested in the heart. 
 
 The olst. I this day traveled to Knockarder, near Garlow,. 
 where I was kindly received and entertained a few days, by my 
 dear friend, Elizabeth Houghton. I being in much need of a lit- 
 tle rest, she manifested the tenderest and utmost Christian sym- 
 pathy for and with me, for whom I became deeply interested ; she- 
 having recently buried her dear father and brother who lived with 
 her, and her duar mother having deceased long since, and all hei* 
 near relatives being in America. Therefore, she being lonely sit- 
 uated, she had a sti'ong claim on the symi)athy of her dear friends. 
 She is a young woman of a sound mind, and of an excellent under- 
 standing, her capacity being bright and intelligent, and she having 
 received a liberal education and being well informed; therefore,! 
 believe that as she may be favored to keep her place in yielding to 
 the conviction of the everlasting truth, she will be an acquisition 
 to our religious Society ; and I have met with many dear young 
 women, and also young men in our Society of this description, in 
 passing through the meetings of Friends in this land, to whom I 
 
1S4-J JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 183 
 
 became united in that love wliicli eminates from the throne of 
 grace, in wliich I commended them to the protection of the ever- 
 histing God I 
 
 Eighth month 1st. I on this day attendeil Friends' meeting at 
 Carlow, and in the evening held a public meeting for the citizens of 
 the town. In both these meetings I was much enlarged in the love 
 of the gospel. 
 
 The two following days I devoted to resting, meditation, and 
 writing, and on the 4th I went to the city of Dulilin ; and the next 
 day being First-day, I Avas at Friends' meeting there in the morn- 
 ing, which was large, and in the evening I attended Frientis' meet- 
 ing at Monkstown. In these meetings I was called forth into much 
 good service. 
 
 The (3th I devoted to rest and meditation; on the next day I 
 was again at Friends' meeting in Dublin, to satisfaction. 
 
 The 8th. Feeling my mind turned again in gospel love to Bel- 
 fast, I therefore on this day traveled to that town, and on the next 
 day I attended the meeting of Friends there, and ojiened to them 
 a prospect which imi)rcssed my mind of performing a visit in gos- 
 pel love to the families of this meeting, which being united with, 
 I therefore with feeding of deep humility, entered upon this very 
 interesting concern, and in the prosecution thereof, I attended their 
 next First-day morning meeting for woi'ship, which was large, and 
 in the evening held a meeting for the youth ; and both these meet- 
 ings were much owned by the good Shepherd of Israel. Blessed 
 forever be his holy and worthy name I 
 
 I proceeded in, and completed this family visit on the 14th, and 
 on tho 15th, I quietly rested at a Friend's house ; having visited 
 about forty families of Friends to good satisfaction. In going in 
 among them from house to house, they appeared to be open in 
 s])irit to receive the truth, the whole truth, in the love of it. 
 
 In passing through the meetings of Friends in this land, while 
 I met with many dear, sweet-spirited friends, I had cause to mourn 
 in many instances over the existence of a lukewarm spirit in many, 
 with whom the life of pure religion was at a low ebb, which often 
 brought on me deep exei'cise and travail of spirit ; and I believe 
 that the following letter which I received a few days ago, from a 
 dear friend who had sometime ago traveled in this land in the work 
 of the ministry, will, in degree, represent the state of our religious 
 )Society in this part of the great vineyard. 
 
 Ben-Rhydding, 7th Month, ;Mth, 1849. 
 Mil Dear and Beloved Friend : 
 
 Since we saw each other in the great city of London, very often 
 have I thought of thee, and my mind seems to have followed thee 
 in pursuing thy gosjiel mission from place to place in Ireland, and 
 where no doubt thou hast to meet with deaths oft and baptisms 
 
184 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1349 
 
 many ; for it remains to be a trntli, that where the Master is, there 
 must the servant be also, and no doubt but in that land thou wilt 
 find the precious seed of life in many i^laces to be low and under 
 oppression ; but how sweet it is to believe that as we keep near to 
 the pood Master, even as servants waiting for their direction, 
 whether it lead us into suifering or rejoicing, wo shall know the 
 promise to be fulfilled, "If any man serve me, him will my 
 Father honor,^' — and though we find in ])assingupand down in the 
 Lord's service, that there is much cause for mourning and lamenta- 
 tion, because of the low state of things amongst us in many places; 
 yet I believe there is also ground to entertain a cheering hope that 
 the o-athering arm of the Lord is stretched forth over us, and that 
 there are more than a few who are evidently yielding to his benign 
 influence; and I doubt not, but that in Ireland, thou wilt meet with 
 many sweet-spirited friends, whose minds are exercised for the pros- 
 perity of Zion, and the enlargement of her borders. I do not know 
 where this letter may find thee, but 1 liojje it may get to thy hand 
 before thou leavest Ireland, Being at this place for a week or ten 
 days, for a little relaxation and change of air, feeling rather feeble 
 and out of health, it felt pleasant to me to sit down ana write to 
 thee a few lines in token of my remembrance of thee, my dear 
 friend; though I am feeling in so low and poor a state of mind, 
 yet it is very precious to feel that I love the brethren, and it may 
 perhaps be looked upon as a token of some remaining life. Oh, it 
 is very sweet to feel united in the precious fellowship of the gospel 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ. My heart has often flowed in love and 
 sympathy with thee, believing that in endeavoring to discharge a 
 solemn duty, thou wilt often be brought under deep exercise of 
 mind, and })erhaps have to sit as in low places; but fear not, I 
 feel sweet unity with thee and fully believe tlie great Master, Avho 
 has sent thee forth, will not forsake thee; thou hast known what it 
 is to be brought low, and the Lord hath lielped thee, and it is writ- 
 ten concerning them who fear the Lord and walk in his command- 
 ments, '^ I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." I have not 
 happened to hear anything of thee since thou got into Irehmd. 
 though I have made inquiry fre(piently. I however, have no doubt 
 as to the sustaining power of the Lord having been with thee, and 
 I hope thou hast been favored with pretty good health, so as to be 
 able to get on pretty comfortable in that respect, and perhaps thou 
 mayest be drawing to a close in Ireland. Well, my very dear 
 friend, in the feeling of a measure of that love which changeth not, 
 I must bid thee farewell, and remain in much sympathy, thy sin- 
 cere and affectionate friend, Richard F. Foster. 
 
 The 16th. I this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 in Belfast. It was a large and good meeting. I was much opened in 
 gospel love among Friends in this meeting, to good satisfaction. And 
 MO?^', feeling my mind turned, in the love of truth, to attend theUen- 
 
1849 JOUENAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 185 
 
 ei-al Meeting of Friends in Scotland, to be held at Aberdeen, I there- 
 fore this evening went on l)oard a steamer, and was landed early 
 the next morning in Scotland, and by way of railroad and coach 
 conveyance I was landed in the evening at Aberdeen, and on the 
 18th in the evening came the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, 
 which was held to good satisfaction. Here I met with my dear 
 friend James Jones, from America, a minister of onr religious soci- 
 ety, and a member of New England Yearly Meeting, he being lib- 
 erated in the order of our society for much religious service in this 
 country. AVe labored harmoniously together through the service 
 of thisGeneral Meeting, being united in the unity of the spirit in 
 the l)ond of peace. 
 
 Tlie 19th being First-day, in the morning meeting I was silent, 
 under deep exercise of mind. My dear friend from America found 
 much good service; and in the evening meeting we both found 
 much good service in the love of truth. Praised forever be the 
 Lord! 
 
 The •^Oth. On this day. after a meeting for divine worship, 
 came the meeting for discipline, which was conducted m the love 
 of the gospel; this was, upon the whole, a good and edifying 
 meeting, and ended in true Christian sympathy and tender affec- 
 tion. 
 
 The ,21st, we Jield a meeting in the morning for Friends of 
 Kinmuch, at their meeting-house, which Avas a precious opportu- 
 nity, and in the evening we held a meeting there for their neigh- 
 bors, which was well attended, and the Lord granted to us his tes- 
 timony, to the humility and edification of many minds. 
 
 The 22n(\. I this morning very affectionately parted with my 
 dear friend from America, and in the evening I held a pretty good 
 meeting at Old Meldrum, in the town hall. The people were 
 attentive. 
 
 The 33rd I rested at a Friend's house, and on the next day in 
 the evening I held a good open meeting at Inverary, in the town 
 hall. It was a large, crowded meeting, and the testimony of truth 
 went forth, to the humbling of many minds. 
 
 T'he 25th. I again returned to Alierdeen, and the next day being 
 First-day, I was at Friends" meeting in the morning, which was 
 held in silence; and in the evening I held a public meeting for the 
 citizens of the city, in Friends" meeting-house. It was a large, 
 crowded meeting, and much owned by the good Shepherd of Israel. 
 I was enabled to declare the everlasting truth in the demonstration 
 of the spirit, and with power. While here I was very kindly enter- 
 tained at the house of my dear friend Lydia A. Barclay, who mani- 
 fested the tenderest Christian sympathy for and with me, in the 
 unity of spirit in the l)ond of peace. She is a valuable minister of 
 our Society, and appears to be deeply concerned for the right main- 
 tenance of the principles of our Religious Society, she is a descend- 
 ant of the valuable and the worthv Robert Barclay. 
 
186 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1S4(. 
 
 The 2Tth. Feeliug my mind clruwn in gos])el love to visit some 
 parts of .Scotland where no Friends reside, I therefore, this morn- 
 ing, having suitable company, set out for Stone' Haven, where 1 
 held a meeting in the evening in the Methodist meeting-house, to 
 good satisfaction. On my way to this town I turned aside to visit 
 Ury, the residence of the noted and the worthy Robert Barclay. I 
 was kindly conducted througli the whole building, which he once 
 occupied, and saw the room whore he wrote the "Apology."' While 
 taking this view, I was humbled in meditating on the subject of 
 the blessed exchange of the righteous from the earth to heaven. 
 
 The 28th. I this evening held a good, favored meeting at Mont- 
 rose, in the Guild hall, so called. The people appeared to be 
 willing to receive the truth of the gospel in the love of it, in this 
 meeting. I met with a number of tender hearted people, who were 
 very alfectionate to me. 
 
 The 29th. I this evening held a pretty good meeting at Dundee, 
 in the Caledonian hall, so called. The people, in the fore part of 
 the meeting, were restless, but at length the power of truth was 
 much spread over us, under which numy minds were humbled, as 
 in dust and ashes; so that the worthy and the great name was 
 exalted over all. Here I met with a number of very tender-hearted 
 people, with wliom I had a more ])rivate interview after the public 
 service of the meeting was over, wliom I commended to God and to 
 the word of his grace. 
 
 The 30th. I this evening held a deeply interesting irieeting at 
 Perth, in the City hall. It 'was largely attended by intelligent and 
 well informed people, over whom the ancient wing of goodness was 
 spread, to the humbling and edifying of many minds. Praised be 
 the Lord! 
 
 The 31st, a day of much pleasing meditation with me,. my spirit 
 being clothed with gratitude to God, and love to all mankind. I 
 this evening held a good and very favored meeting at Crieff, in the 
 Masons' hall, so called. The everlasting truth reigned over all. 
 Blessed forever be the Lord. 
 
 Ninth month 1st. I this day, having suitable company, traveled 
 to the city of Glasgow, and the next day being First-day, 1 attended 
 Friends' meeting there for worship, and was much united with them 
 in the testimony of truth. In the evening I held a large and very 
 interesting meeting for the citizens of the city, in the Trades hall: 
 the doctrine of the everlasting gospel was preached in the demon- 
 stration of the spirit, and with power; many souls were visited, 
 and humbled as in dust and ashes. The great name was exalted 
 over all, and the meeting closed very solemnly, Avith prayer and 
 su] (plication. 
 
 The 3rd. I this evening had a meeting at Paisley, in the Aber- 
 corn assembly-room, which, in the fore part, was somewhat trying, 
 but at length the testimony of truth was given, in the demonstra- 
 
1849 JOUHxNAL OF THOMAS AllNETT, 187 
 
 tion of the spirit, and with power, so that it turned out to be a 
 good and refreshing season. 
 
 The 4th. I this evening held a good open meeting at Kilmar- 
 nock, in the Presbyterian meeting house. Tlie people were still 
 and quiet, and numifestcd much religious feeling. The power of 
 truth was over all, and many precious souls were visited and encour- 
 aged in tlie way of a lioly life. 
 
 The 5th, I this evening held a large and highly interesting- 
 meeting at Bannockburn, in the town hall. My mind was much 
 opened in this meeting in gospel ministry, to the humility and edi- 
 fication of many minds. Praised forever be the Lord! 
 
 The 6th. I this evening held a trying meeting at Coatbridge. 
 The people came together very much in the outward, but at length 
 they became a little settled down in spirit, after which I had some 
 service among them, but not much to my relief. I thought, how- 
 ever, that some litttle good was done among them. 
 
 The 7th. I this evening iield a good open meeting in the town 
 of Lanark^ in a school house. Those who attended were gener- 
 ally of the youth, to whom the call of the everlasting gospel went 
 forth, to mnch humility of sjnrit. After this meeting, with suita- 
 ble company, I set out for the city of Edinburgh, where I was 
 landed this night about 2 o'clock after midnight, and being much 
 fatigued with traveling, and in poor health, I therefore rested at a 
 Friend's house on the 8th. Friends here were very glad to see me. 
 
 The 9th, being First-day, and a time to be remembered by many. 
 I this morning attended Friends' meeting in this city, and found 
 much good service among them; and in the evening I held a public 
 appointed meeting in the South College street chapel, so called. 
 This was a very large, still and quiet meeting, and it was one of the 
 best meetings that 1 ever held. My mind, to my own admiration, 
 was eminently opened in illustration of the great doctrine of Chris- 
 tian redemption. Many minds were deejily humbled, as in dust 
 and ashes. The everlasting truth reigned over all, and the great 
 and worthy name was exalted, to the glory and praise thereof. x\ll 
 the praise is due to Him who works wondrously in the heavens and 
 in the earth, according to the counsel of his own wisdom! 
 
 The 10th. I this evening held a very good meeting at Leitli, in 
 one of the assembly-rooms. It was well attended, and the power of 
 truth was over all. J31essed forever be the name of the everlasting 
 God! 
 
 The 11th. I this evening held a good and precious meeting at 
 Dunfirmline, in the Jiaptist meeting-house. Many precious souls 
 were visited to edification, in the love of the everlasting gospel. 
 There was much Christian feeling entertained by many in this 
 meeting. All the praise is due to the Lord! 
 
 The 12tli I spent in resting and meditation, and on the next day 
 I attended Friends' meeting, as it came in course, and had some 
 good service. 
 
188 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1849 
 
 The l-itli I spent iu writing and visiting some indisposed Friends, 
 to good satisfaction, 
 
 Ti»e loth, I this day, with suitable company, set out for Liver- 
 pool, feeling my mind religiously directed that way, where I arrived 
 in the evening; and the next day being First-day, I attended 
 Friends' meetings there, as they came in course. In the morning 
 meeting I was silent, but in the evening meeting I had pretty good 
 service. Friends here appeared to be very glad again to see me. 
 
 The 17th and the 18th I spent, under very deep exercise of 
 mind, in writing and in meditation, I was brought down deeply 
 in judgment before God. I felt destitute and very poor; his mighty 
 hand was upon me, mercifully showing me that all my strength was 
 alone in him, and that without him I could do nothing that would 
 advance his good cause. Language cannot describe the feeling of 
 my mind, I said " Oh, that I had wings like a dovel for then 
 would I fly away and be at rest. Lo! then would I wander far off, 
 and remain in the wilderness. I would hasten my escape from the 
 Avindy storm and tempest." I said, "He has caused the arrows of 
 his quiver to enter my veins." I sat alone, and kept silence, " be- 
 cause he hath borne it upon " me. I put my mouth as in the dust, 
 "if so be there may be hope.'" Oh, how very much I desired, about 
 this time, to be preserved on every liand, to the glory and to the 
 honor of the everlasting truth I 
 
 The 19th I attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends, held in 
 Liverpool, and in the evening was at their Quarterly Meeting of 
 Ministers and Elders. I was silent in these meetings this day, 
 under very deep exercise of mind. Some other Friends in the work 
 of the ministry had good service. 
 
 The 20th came the Quarterly Meeting for worship and discipline, 
 which through divine mercy was made a season of humility and 
 edification. My mind was much opened in the love of God, in 
 which Friends were brought to feel near and dear one to another, 
 in the unity of spirit in the bond of peace. Here my dear friend 
 Eussel Jeffrey, of London, a minister, met me, with a certificate in 
 the order of our society, liberating him to travel with me, as way 
 may oi)en, which was very satisfactory and acceptable to me. 
 
 The 21st. We spent this day in visiting some families of Friends, 
 to our mutual strength and satisfaction. 
 
 The 22nd. We left this evening for Kendal; and the next day 
 being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there in the morn- 
 ing, and in the evening held a public meeting. These meetings 
 were deeply interesting seasons; the Lord was with us, and hum- 
 bled us as in the dust. 
 
 The 24th. We this evening held a deeply interesting meeting at 
 Penrith, The power of truth appeared to be over all. 
 
 The 25th. We held a meeting at Scotby in the morning, and 
 one in the afternoon at Moorhousc, both of which were satisfactory 
 and strengthening seasons. 
 
1849 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 180' 
 
 The 26th. We this morning held a good open meeting at Wig- 
 ton, and in the evening attended the Quarterly Meeting of Minis- 
 ters and Elders at Cockermouth; and on the next day we attended 
 the Quarterly Meeting for worship and discipline there, to good 
 satisfaction. The Lord was with us, and mercifully opened the 
 way for the flow of gospel ministry, to the praise and glory of his 
 great and Avorthy name. 
 
 The 3Sth, We this evening held a heavenly and very precious 
 meeting at White Haven, for Friends and others. The power of 
 divine life was over all, to the deep humility of many souls. Bles- 
 sed Ije the Lord forever! 
 
 The 30th. We this day traveled to the neighborhood of Brougli- 
 ton, and on the next day, being First-day, we held a meeting there 
 in the morning, and one in the evening at Pardshaw. Both these 
 meetings were well attended, and the spirit of truth reached many 
 minds therein, so that many precious souls were humbled, as in 
 dust and ashes. 
 
 Tenth month 1st. We this morning held a meeting at Maryport, 
 for the few Friends who reside there, which was a good opportunity; 
 and in the evening we held a meeting at Beckfoot, Avhich was well 
 attended, and which was also much owned by the good Shepherd. 
 
 The 3nd. We had a meeting this morning at AUonby, and one 
 in the evening at Bolton; both of which were favored with the in- 
 struction of the truth. 
 
 The 3rd. We held a small and trying meeting at Mosedale. 
 Truth, hower, had some dominion over the minds of a few tender 
 hearted people. 
 
 The 4th. This to me was a deeply affecting day. I this morn- 
 ing received a kind and affectionate letter from my dear wife, 
 which informed me of the sudden death of several dear friends in 
 my neighborhood, occasioned by the cholera, and also of her own 
 sickness: but she had then recovered, and was enjoying 2)retty good 
 health. This intelligence much affected me with brokeniiess of 
 heart and with tears. We this day attended the service of the 
 Quarterly Meeting of Friends, held at Keudal, and found much 
 good service therein, to the satisfaction of Friends. 
 
 The 5th. We this evening held a good oi)en meeting at Colt- 
 house. The truth reigned over all, to edification. 
 
 The (Jth, we traveled the most of this day, and visited some fami- 
 lies, and on the next day being First-day, we attended the little 
 meeting of Friends at Swarthmore in the morning, wherein I was 
 silent, but some other dear Friends exercised in the work of the 
 ministry being present, had good service. In the afternoon we held 
 a public meeting at this place which was large, and much owned 
 by the Good Shepherd of Israel. I found much good service in this 
 meeting to satisfaction. While in this neighborhood I visited 
 Swarthmore Hall, the former residence of Geore Fox, where I also 
 
190 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1849 
 
 saw his bible, all which to me was a pleasing display of antiquity, 
 manifesting the genuine simplicity of that worthy Friend; and 
 also his bible, with the notes retained therein, manifested his faith- 
 ful application for scriptural knowledge. 
 
 The 8th. We set out this morning for the city of York, in order 
 to attend the service of the Quarterly Meeting of Friends to be held 
 there, where we landed on the next evening in time to be at the 
 Quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders, and on the two follow- 
 ing days came tlie meetings for worship and discipline ; through 
 the whole of this meeting the good Shepherd of Israel was with us 
 and granted us strength and wisdom a little to exalt his good cause 
 to the glory of his great and worthy name. While here I received 
 the following affectionate letter from a friend engaged in the work 
 of the ministry : 
 
 Carlisle, 10th mo. 6th, 1849. 
 
 My Dear Friend: For such I feel that 1 may call thee, though 
 our acquaintance has been so short. Thou hast been so much tTie 
 companion of my thoughts since I parted with thee, that it seems 
 as if it would be a relief to my mind to tell thee so, and that being 
 the case, I believe thou wilt excuse the liberty I take in addressing 
 thee. Very earnest have been, and still are, the desires of my 
 sjDirit, according to my small measure, that the Lord may ever 
 preserve thee from all evil, yea, that he may ])reserve thy going out 
 and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. 
 And may it please him abundantly to bless thy labors of love in this 
 our country, and give thee to be devoted to his will in all things, 
 Avitli the I'eward of sweet peace. "He that dvvelleth in the secret 
 place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Al- 
 mighty." Oh ! may this be more and more our abiding place, that 
 so we may continue to know of being covered as with his feathers, 
 and having our trust in the shadow of his wings. Very precious to 
 me was thy cordial greeting at a time when my spirit was wading 
 in the deeps and almost ready to faint by the wayside, but my 
 heavenly Father has been pleased since I saw thee, to lift up my 
 head above the waters, and to speak to the raging billows ; and oh I 
 when the dear Savior himself is i)leased to say, "peace, be still," 
 how sweet is the calm. " Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that 
 is within me, bless his holy name." I now, dear friend, do affec- 
 tionately bid thee farewell, and remain thy sym])athising friend, 
 
 Sarah Axn Doeg. 
 
 The 13th. We this evening held a good open meeting at Ruth, 
 in a school house. The people appeared to be open to receive the 
 truth in the love of it. 
 
 The V.M\\. AVc this evening held a very interesting meeting at 
 Aysgarth. This meeting was well attended, and there were many 
 precious souls present, who were visited in the love of the gospel. 
 
 The 14tli being First-day, we attended Friends' Meeting m the 
 
1849 JOUR]SrAL OF THOMAS AIINETT. 191 
 
 morning at Bainbridge, wlicrcin I was silent under deep exercise of 
 mind, but my companion had good service. In the evening we held 
 a large public meeting at this place, wherein I was much opened in 
 the love of the everhisting gosi)el. 
 
 The loth. We this evening held a public, large, and very good 
 meeting at HaAves. I was much set at liberty in this meeting in 
 the love of the gospel. 
 
 The 16th. We attended the General Meeting of Friends for 
 Avorship, so called, at Brigflats, which was a good meeting. There 
 Avere several short, but impressiA'C testimonies delivered by divers 
 dear friends exercised in the Avork of the public ministry. 
 
 The 17th. We this morning held a public meeting at Leyent, 
 Avherein we were favored to labor in the love of the gospel to good 
 satisfaction, and on the next day we attended the Monthly Meeting 
 of Friends at Brigflats, and found much good service therein, and 
 on the evening of this day we held a highly favored meeting at 
 Sedbergh, the truth, in the love of it, reigned over all ; many pre- 
 cious souls Avere much broken into tenderness and dee]) humility ; 
 blessed forever be the Lord! 
 
 The 19th. We this evening held a very interesting meeting at 
 Kendal, for the youth and others. I Avas much opened in the doc- 
 trine of Christianity to the edification of many precious and tender 
 souls, who received the truth in the love of it. 
 
 The SOtli. AVe this day, after visiting some families of Friends, 
 Avent to Carlisle, and the next day being First-day, Ave attended 
 Friends' Meeting there in the morning, and held in the evening a 
 large public meeting ; in both these meetings Ave Avere much opened 
 in the love of the gospel. In the prosecution of this great Avork in 
 the ministry of the word noAv before me, the mighty hand of God 
 is often upon me, and his billoAA's go over my head, so that I am 
 frequently plunged doAvn into deep baptisms; Avherein I, in seeing 
 the vanity and various temptations in this Avorld, often do cry out 
 under much discouragement in this language, " 0, Lord, take my 
 life, for I am not better than my fathers ; " but he said to me, " My 
 grace is suflicient for thee : for my strength is made perfect in 
 weakness." " I am with thee, and thy name is written in my book 
 of life." I saAv the great necessity of renewed strict watchfulness 
 unto prayer daily, keeping "under my body," and bringing "it 
 into subjection ; lest that by any means, Avhen I have preached to 
 others, I myself should be a castaway." I said, while under these 
 deep exercises, " Set a Avatch, Lord, before my mouth ; keep the 
 door of my lips," and in the light of divine truth this language 
 saluted the ear of my spirit, " Watch thou in all things, endure 
 afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy 
 ministry." In my desire for entire perfection, I Avould often cry 
 out, " In the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have" / " waited for 
 thee, the desire oi" my "soul is to thy name, and to the remem- 
 
192 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1^9 
 
 brance of thee ; with my soul have I desired thee in the night, yea, 
 with my spirit within me will I seek thee early." I cried earnestly 
 to my God for preservation on every hand. I said, preserve me, 
 
 my God, and deliver me from all my enemies, both within and 
 without, for thou knowest them all, and seest their snares, even 
 before they are laid ; give me to see, and strength to shun them all, 
 both on the right hand and on the left, even unto the end, that so 
 
 1 may be enabled to bring honor and praise unto thy great and 
 worthy name through all the remaining part of my days here, and 
 unite with those wlio, in unceasing anthems, sing thy everlasting 
 praise beyond the grave. 
 
 The 22nd. I spent this day quietly and alone, in writing and 
 meditation, and on the next day I wrote in gospel love a very 
 affectionate letter to my dear wife, and in the evening held a large 
 and open meeting at Stanwin, a village near Carlisle: and on the 
 24th, in the morning, we set out for Cornwood, where we arrived 
 in time to attend the Monthly Meeting of Friends held there, which 
 was small, and in the evening we held a public meeting there, 
 which was well attended; this was a day of much divine favor 
 with us. 
 
 The 25th. We traveled this morning through the I'uin about 
 twelve miles in a common open rough cart to Alstom, where in 
 the evening we held a good open meeting in the Methodist meet- 
 ing house. There were many serious and well concerned souls 
 present, who were visited in gosiael love to humility and edification 
 of spirit; truth reigned over all in the demonstration of the spirit 
 and with power. 
 
 The 26th. We this evening held a good and ])recious meeting 
 at Allendale. The people generally attended with open hearts to 
 receive the truth in the love of it, and under the blessed influence 
 thereof they were much broken down into tenderness and humility 
 of spirit. 
 
 The 27th. We this day went to Newcastle upon Tyne, and 
 the next day being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there 
 in the morning, which was large, and in which I was silent under 
 deep exercise of mind. I rcnewedly felt, with fear and trembling, 
 the great necessity of moving alone in divine ability in the great 
 work of the ministry of the word; my companion had good ser- 
 vice in this meeting. In the evening we held a public meeting 
 which was largely attended, and which was favored with much re- 
 ligious feeling. I was drawn in the love of the gospel to a little 
 illustrate the great doctrine of Christian redemption. 
 
 While here I received the following affectionate letter from a 
 Friend of my own neighborliood : 
 
1849 JOUKKAL OF THOMAS ARNETT, 193 
 
 Waynesville, 9th mo. 30tli, 1849. 
 My Endeared Friend: 
 
 After procrastinating, I may sa}^ almost for weeks past, I have at 
 length commenced penning a few lines to tliee, and I can say in 
 truth that thon hast been for some time past daily in mind, and at 
 last so much so that I could not well defer writing to thee any longer. 
 I have felt for thou on account of hearing from every account re- 
 ceived of thy continued poor health. The last that has come to hand 
 affords some ground to hope that thy health is improving. I had. 
 all along cherished a hope that thou wouldst be graciously favored 
 by our dear Master with health of body and mind, to spend and be 
 spent in his service, what may be allotted for thee to do in those 
 distant parts, from the land of our birth, and when that shall be 
 accomplished, that tliou shouldst be favored to return to us again 
 with a peaceful mind. Should the result be otherwise, resignation 
 on our parts ought to be sought for in the firm conviction that the 
 Judge of all the earth will do right; and should thou be permitted 
 in due time to return to our meeting, there will be no certainty of 
 thy meeting all those Friends that thou hast left behind; that has 
 already been reduced to a certainty, for some are already gone from 
 whence they will not return. The shafts of death have shot through 
 our land, or the messenger of death has been sent calling more of 
 the citizens of our neighborhood from time to eternity than I ever 
 knew in the same space of time; and it has not been confined to 
 our neighborhood, but to many others, many by the cholera, and 
 many by perluips a complication of diseases, with symptoms of 
 cholera and dysentery, mingled with fever, though the cholera has 
 done the most. I would descend more to jDarticulars, but I think 
 likely that thy dear wife or some other hand may have done so 
 before me, as she has. I learn, written to thee recently. And now in 
 the feelings of near affection to thee, I will bring my letter to a 
 close. Mayest thou be preserved on every hand, and attend simply 
 to the putting forth of the Master's finger, pointing out the path 
 for thee to pursue from day to day. Thomas Evaks. 
 
 The 29tli. We this evening held a heavenly meeting for Friends 
 and others at Benfieldside, which was well attended, and in which 
 the gospel was preached to demonstration and with power, to good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The 30th. We this morning held a precious and favored meet- 
 ing at Wallsend, in the Methodist meeting house. Many souls 
 were visited in the love of the gospel, to humility and edification. 
 
 The 31st. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 North Shields, and in the evening we held a public meeting there 
 to good satisfaction; the Lord was with us this day and gave us 
 strength and wisdom for the Avork of the day. 
 
 11th mo. 1st. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends 
 
194 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARXf:TT. im 
 
 at Siuiderlancl, as it came in course, in which I was silent^, but my 
 companion had good service. In the evening we held a large pub- 
 lic meeting there to good satisfaction; the power of truth was very 
 near, and granted me strength and wisdom to labor to the edifica- 
 tion of the people. 
 
 The 3nd. We this morning held a pretty good meeting at Dur- 
 ham. The people I thought came together very much in the out- 
 ward, but at length the truth gained some ascendency over them, 
 so that I hope that some serious impression was formed among them 
 to lasting benefit. 
 
 The 3rd. Again returned to Newcastle upon Tync, and the 
 next day being First-day, attended again Friends meeting there in 
 the morning, wherein I was much opened in the love of the gospel 
 to good satisfaction; and in the evening we held a large and satis- 
 factory meeting at Gateshead, in the Methodist meeting house. 
 The people were serious and attentive, and appeared to receive the 
 gospel in the love of it. 
 
 The 5th. I spent this day quietly and alone, in writing and in 
 religious meditation, and on the next day, in the evening, we held a 
 meeting at Howdon, in the Independent meeting house. The peo- 
 ple were serious and attentive, and appeared to receive what was de- 
 livered in the spirit of true Christian love. 
 
 The 7th. We this morning attended Friends' meeting again in 
 Newcastle upon Tyne, which was, through divine love, made a good 
 season; and in the evening we held a very good meeting at South 
 Shields, in the Independent Chapel — so called. There were many 
 serious minded peojile in this meeting, who received the truth in 
 the love of it. 
 
 The 8th. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 North Shields, as it came in course, which was a good, precious sea- 
 son, and in the evening we held a large and deeply interesting 
 meeting at Delaval, in the Methodist meeting house. The power 
 of truth was over all in this meeting. Praised forever be the Lord, 
 for he is alone worthy I 
 
 The two following days I spent quietly and alone, in reading, 
 writing and meditation, and on the 11th, being First-day, we again 
 attended the meeting of Friends at Sunderland, which was, through 
 divine mercy, made a good season; and in the evening we held a 
 very large meeting there, in a large and fine chapel belonging to the 
 Methodists. It was thought that upwards of three thousand people 
 were in attendance. The meeting held about two hours, during 
 which time, under the authority of the ministry of the word of the 
 gospel, which llowed freely, a remarkable solemnity prevailed over 
 the whole congregation. Many souls in this meeting were reached 
 and gathered to the fountain of life and salvation under the power 
 of the everlasting truth. All the praise be forever given to God, 
 who alone is worthy I 
 
1849 JOURNAL OF THOMAS A I{ \ ETT. 19") 
 
 The l^th. We this morning held rutlier a trying meeting at 
 Hexham in the Methodist meeting-house. Tlie ])eople in the fore- 
 part of the meeting were much unsettled in mind, I)ut at length 
 truth arose in degree, and they became more settled, so that the 
 meeting ended pretty veil. 
 
 The 13th. I found it to be necessary to devote this day to rest, 
 and to the administration of a little medicine, my health being 
 poor, which was improved by such application, and on the next 
 d.iy, in the evening, we held a highly interesting ;ind favored meet- 
 ing in Salem chapel, a Methodist meeting-house, at Newcastle 
 upon Tyne. The testimony of truth went fortli in tlie demonstration 
 of the spirit and with power, and on the loth we again attended 
 the meeting of Friends there, to very good satisfaction ; the Lord 
 was with us and enabled us to labor to the edification of his devoted 
 people. 
 
 The IGtli I spent much alone, in writing and religious medita- 
 tion, the mighty hand of God being in some degree upon me, so 
 that I was deeply humbled before him in baptism, as in dust and 
 ashes, in which I renewedly earnestly desired to be devoted to his 
 holy and blessed will in all things. 
 
 While we were in and about Newcastle u])on Tyne, laboring in 
 the gospel, we were very kindly entertained at the house of our 
 dear Friend, George Ricdiardson, and his son and daughter. He 
 is a valuable and experienced minister among Friends, and his 
 dear children are worthy Frieuds. We particijxited in their tender 
 Christian sympathy, whereby we were strengthened and encour- 
 aged to hold on in the good old way, so as to look alone for wis- 
 dom and utterance in the work of the ministry to the author and 
 finisher of our faith, to whom belongs all the praise and glory 
 now and forever. 
 
 The 17th. We this morning left Newcastle upon 'i'yne for Dar- 
 lington, where we were very kindly received by our dear and worthy 
 Friend, Edward Fente, who is an experienced elder among Friends, 
 and where many other dear Friends also manifested the warmest 
 friendshiji toward us. And the next day being First-day, we at- 
 tended Friends' meeting in the morning, and in the evening we 
 held a large public meeting. In both these meetings the good 
 spirit was with us, and granted us strength and wisdom to labor 
 to the glory of the great name and to the peace of our own 
 minds. 
 
 The 19th. We this morning held a pleasant and good meeting 
 at Cotherstone, and in the evening we held a good open and highly 
 favored meeting at Barnard Castle, in the Methodist chapel, where 
 the i)ower of the everlasting truth was over all. 
 
 The 30th. We this morning had a meeting at Staindrop, and 
 07ie in the evening at New Shildon. Both these meetings were 
 baptizing seasons. Many precious souls were broken down into 
 much tenderness. 
 
196 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AllXETT. 184!> 
 
 The ;ilst. We this day held a small but good meeting at Bishop 
 Auckland, where we were enabled to labor to good satisfaction;. 
 and in the evening I received the deeply affecting intelligence 
 from home of the death of my dear nephew, a worthy young nian^ 
 and also of the sickness of my dear wife, Avho had been brought 
 low through bodily indisposition, but was some better. On receiv- 
 ing this account all within me was very tenderly moved toward her, 
 I supidicated the everlasting God to have mercy on her, earnestly 
 desiring that his will in all things concerning us may be done. 
 
 The 2'^nd. We this day attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Ayton, and also visited the school under the care of Friends there, 
 to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 23d. We this morning held a small but interesting meeting 
 at Osmotherly, and in the evening we held a precious and good 
 meeting at North Allenton, in the Methodist chapel. The people 
 were much humbled under the mighty power of truth. 
 
 The 24:th. We rested the most of this day, and in the evening, 
 we went to Stockton, and the next day being First-day, we attended 
 Friends' meeting there in the morning, and in the evening we held 
 a large public meeting there. The good spirit was with us this day 
 and eiuibled us to labor to edification and to the peace of our own 
 minds. 
 
 The 26th. We this evening held a good and precious meeting at 
 Middlesbro, in the Independent chapel, and on the next day we at- 
 tended Darlington Monthly Meeting, where we found many worthy 
 and valuable Friends, among whom we labored in the gospel to their 
 satisfaction and to the peace of our own minds. 
 
 The 28th I spent much alone in resting, writing and meditation, 
 feeling quiet and resigned in the spirit of my mind in all things. 
 
 AVhile here I rereived the following affectionate letter from a 
 dear Friend. 
 
 Liverpool, 11th mo. 24th, 1849. 
 
 My Dear Friend : By a note from our friend Edward Pejise, 
 to my husband, received last evening, containing the account of the 
 removal by death of thy dear nephew, and also the indisposition of 
 thy dear Avife, our tenderest sympathy was awakened for thee my 
 beloved friend ; but I believe thou knowest where and to whom tO' 
 look for comfort and consolation in these seasons of deep trial, 
 which are greatly increased by being widely sejiarated from those 
 we love. I think I can speak from some dx'gree of experience, 
 having been called upon to resign a beloved mother and sister, with 
 other dear relatives and friends, without the sacred j)rivilege of 
 watching around the dying jullow and soothing the spirit as it fled 
 to the mansions of eternal rest and peace. But oh I my dear friend, 
 whilst nature cannot cease to mourn for the dead beloved, and the 
 tear of sweet affection shed wiien the sad reality presses upon the 
 mind that the cord which bound us so closely here on earth is. 
 
1849 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 197 
 
 severed link by link, and that the places which have known them 
 sliall know them no more; but what an unspeakable mercy it 
 is to believe that they are gone where "sin can never taint them 
 more, nor doubt their faith assail/' "nor this meek trust in Jesus 
 Christ nor the Holy Spirit fail." And what a mercy also, my dear 
 friend, to feel that there is balm in Gilead, which can heal the 
 wounded heart, and a physician there who can bind up that which 
 he has broken. May he be pleased to be very near for thy help 
 and support. And oh! my friend, when we are thus bound down 
 under the weight of our trials, afHictions and burdens, of what- 
 ever character they may be, when the poor heart is ready to faint 
 beneatli its trial, may we endeavor to look in humble, confiding 
 faith to that blessed Saviour who is pleased to remember us in all 
 our afflictions, and who is afflicted with us ; keei)ing a single eye 
 to our heavenly guide, who safely leads the weary pilgrim to the 
 promised land, the glorious end, where, to the righteous and faith- 
 ful ones, all will be joy and praise. But oh my dear friend, 
 whilst I thus write to thee, believing thou hast had a foretaste of 
 these joys, yet my soul is often sick and beset from within and 
 Avithout by the cruel enemy of all peace, who is ever laying his 
 baits in various ways to cast down and discourage, and sometimes a 
 fear clothes my spirit that I shall not hold out to the end of the 
 race. Then again I am greatly cheered and comforted in the re- 
 membrance that jny blessed Saviour died for and ever livetli to make 
 intercession for such a poor unworthy worm of the dust as thy 
 friend, who is, in much affection, thy truly sympathizing friend, 
 earnestly desiring to commend thee to the care of Israel's Shepherd. 
 Farewell in the everlasting truth, Susan M. Tpiompson. 
 
 The 29th. We this day held a small but interesting meeting at 
 Ouisborough, where we were favored to labor in the gospel to the 
 peace of our own minds and to the satisfaction of Friends. 
 
 The 30th. We this morning held a small and rather a trying 
 meeting at Castleton, where we found much luke-warmness with 
 Friends, for the removal of which we labored, we thought to some 
 good eifect. In the evening we held a large public meeting at 
 Whitby ; the people were quiet and serious, and manifested a dis- 
 position to receive the truth in the love of it. Our minds were 
 much opened in this meeting, to our own peace and to the honor of 
 the everlasting truth. 
 
 Twelfth month 1st. We traveled on this day to Scarborough, 
 where we were kindly received and entertained by our dear and 
 worthy friend, Richard F. Foster, a valuable and experienced min- 
 ister of our Society. And the next day being First-day, we at- 
 tended Friends' meeting there in the morning, wherein I was 
 silent under very comfortable feeling ; but my companion found 
 much good service for the Lord, so that this was a good meeting to 
 many souls. In the evening we held a public meeting there which 
 
198 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. m» 
 
 was well attended, and the mighty power of God was overall. 
 Many souls Avere melted down into tenderness, and many tears 
 were shed; one woman cried out with tears and said, "I am broken 
 to pieces, I hope this jnecting will be a blessing to my husband." 
 This meeting will long be remembered by many for good. It was 
 closed with prayer and thanksgiving to the Father of all our sure 
 mercies. 
 
 The 3rd. We this evening held a large meeting at Herbymoor- 
 side. The baptizing power of the Lord Avas felt to be over this 
 meeting, under the melting influence of Avhich all who were present 
 Avere hushed down into profound stilhiess. The gospel Avas preached 
 in the demonstration of the spirit and Avith power ; every soul in 
 the meeting was visited, the sincere Avere encouraged, and sinners 
 were warned to flee from the wrath to come. 
 
 The 4th. We this morning held a good open meeting at Picker- 
 ing, Avhere the Lord's power Avas over all. The sincere Avere much 
 encouraged to hold on their way to liappiness, and sinners Avere 
 called to repentance and self-denial. 
 
 Li the evening we held a public meeting at Malton, wliich was a 
 good meeting till the latter part thereof, when a young Avoman 
 fainted, which so much disturbed the meeting that the flow of gos- 
 pel ministry was so much obstructed that I tiiought it right to take 
 my seat, and after a suitable pause to close the meeting. The peo- 
 ple, however, appeared to be humble and thankful. On the next 
 day we Avere at their usual mid-Aveek meeting, as it came in course, 
 and were much comforted in being Avith Friends of this meeting. 
 In the afternoon we went to Hull, and on the 6th we attended the 
 Monthly Meeting of Friends there, and held a public meeting in 
 the evening Both these meetings Avere seasons of refreshment. 
 
 The Tth. We this morning held a public meeting at Selby, 
 which was mnch owned by him who liveth forever and ever, and 
 who preserves his saints to the glory of his Avorthy name. 
 
 The 8th. We this day Avent to Wakefield, and the next day be- 
 ing First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, 
 through which I sat in suffering silence ; and in the evening we 
 held a jiublic nu'eting there, Avhieli was largely attended, and which 
 was eminently owned and crowned with the life of the everlasting 
 gos])el, under blessed influence of which many })recious souls were 
 visited and much humbled as in dust and ashes. 
 
 The 10th. We tliis evening held a very interesting meeting at 
 Newbury. The people were gathered down into stillness, and the 
 way opened for the flow of gospel ministry to edification. 
 
 The 11th. Our service this day Avas that of holding a public 
 meeting this evening at Worldale, which Avas Avell attended, and 
 the power of the CA^erlasting truth ])revailed OA'er many minds to 
 deep humility. 
 
 Tiie 12tli. We this evening held a public meeting at High 
 
1849 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 199 
 
 Flatts, which was, through the interposition of divine love, made a 
 good and refreshing season. Blessed be God! 
 
 The 13th. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends 
 at Barnsley, as it came in course, which was a good meeting. In 
 the evening we held a large and open meeting there in the Metho- 
 dist chapel, where the power of the Lord was over all, to the edifi- 
 cation of many precious souls. 
 
 The 14th. We this evening held a deeply interesting meeting at 
 Pontefract ; the power of the eternal trutli was over all, and every 
 soul appeared to be humbled down as into dust and ashes. Blessed 
 be the Lord! 
 
 The 15th. We traveled this day to Sheffield, and the next day 
 being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, 
 which was a comfortable season, and in the evening we held a large 
 public meeting there, in which I was much set at liberty in the il- 
 lustration of the peaceable nature of the kingdom of Christ, to the 
 edification of many. 
 
 The 17th. I this day received the following very kind and 
 affectionate letter from my dear and loving wife, for which I was 
 thankful. 
 
 Waynesville, 11th mo. 21, 1849. 
 
 My Dear Husband: Though I have been very much afflicted 
 since I wrote to thee the last time, yet I am noiv happy to inform 
 thee that my health has much improved. I am now able to be 
 about the house and sit up all day, and my friends say that I look 
 quite natural, considering the length of time that I was sick and 
 the manner in which I was held. My dear, no doubt but thou hast 
 heard of our great loss and affliction, yet I will speak of it. Our 
 dear nephew was taken with a very severe diarrhea on the 22d of 
 9th mo. last. He called medical aid immediately, but to no last- 
 ing good effect, though many times through medicine relief was 
 given for the time being. He was confined about one month, and 
 suffered very much, which he endured with much patience, and 
 was very thoughtful, frequently asking to have a suitable portion of 
 the Holy Scriptures to be read to him, which was attended to. He 
 passed away very quietly, and we believe that he went to everlast- 
 ing rest. His funeral was largely attended, and a solemn meeting 
 for divine worship was held on the occasion, and several living tes- 
 timonies were delivered by concerned Friends. I feel tiie loss of 
 him to be very great, and many others in some degree feel sensi- 
 ble of the same loss. But 0, let us not murmur, but let us say in 
 truth, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed 
 be the name of the Lord ! " 
 
 I was taken sick one week after our dear nephew was taken sick, 
 with the same disease, though held differently. I suffered ex- 
 tremely ; was confined to my bed and room six weeks, and was 
 taken through a severe course of medicine. I did not see our dear 
 
200 JOTRXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1849 
 
 nepliow from the time of my confinement till his remains were 
 bronght to m}' bed-side on the day of his funeral, Miiich thou 
 knowest was indeed a very deep, sore, heart-melting trial to me, as 
 he had been so very kind to me since I parted with thee. Thou 
 knowest that I was left very much under his care, but now he is 
 gone to his long home. 
 
 There are many inquiries after thee by many dear friends, who 
 do very much desire thy encouragement in every good word and 
 work. I do earnestly desire thy preservation on every hand, to the 
 glory and honor of him who separated thee from me, under this 
 engagement, to promote his cause of truth and righteousness in 
 the earth. May he bless thee to the glory of his worthy name! 
 And let us often be found at the throne of grace pouring out our 
 souls in prayer and supplicu'tion before him. I now bid thee fare- 
 well. " Eachel Arnett. 
 
 In the evening we held a good and precious meeting at Wood- 
 house, in the Methodist Chapel ; the Lord's baptizing power was 
 over this meeting to the humility and edification of many minds. 
 
 The 18th. We this evening held a meeting at Thorn, which in 
 the f'jre part was a low time, but at length truth arose in complete 
 dominion, every soul appeared to be hushed down into true still- 
 ness and silence, and the meeting closed with prayer to good satis- 
 faction. 
 
 The 19th. We this morning attended the mid-week meeting of 
 Friends, as it came in course, at Doncaster, and in the evening held 
 a public meeting there to good satisfaction. The Lord was with us 
 this day and gave us wisdom and strength to do his work to satis- 
 faction. 
 
 The 20th. We this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 at Sheffield, which, through divine love, was made a precious and 
 heavenly season. 
 
 The '-i 1st. We this evening held a very interesting meeting at 
 Wath, in the Methodist chapel. It was well attended by serious 
 minded people, who received the truth in the love of it. Blessed 
 be the Lord I 
 
 The 22x1(1. We went this day to Ackworth school, a very inter- 
 esting institution of our religious Society, for the education of 
 Friends' children ; and the next day being First-day, we attended 
 Friends' Meeting there in the morning, wherein I was drawn to ad- 
 dress the students of this>school in gospel love to satisfaction, there 
 being about three hundred males and females of this class in at- 
 tendance. While here, in visiting the various departments of this 
 school, I was much humbled in believing that this is a garden from. 
 which many blessings, under the divine hand, have been dissemina- 
 ted, in many instances to our religious society. In the evening we 
 held a public meeting there to very good satisfaction. Blessed for- 
 ever be the name of God I 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. ^(»1 
 
 The 24111. I this morning very affectionately parted with my 
 dear friend Russel Jeffrey, who "has been for some time very ac- 
 ceptably my companion in the work of the ministry, he feeling his 
 mind turned homeward. While he was with me he found much 
 good service for the Lord in the gospel. He was oftentimes par- 
 ticularly favored \vith public prayer and supplication, to the humility 
 of many minds. I this day also wrote a tender and affectionate 
 letter to my dear wife, feeling my mind renewedly turned toward 
 her in that love which united us together in the solemn engage- 
 ment of marriage. 
 
 The 25th. I this day went in company with several friends to 
 the city of York, in order to attend the service of Friends' Quar- 
 terly Meeting there, which was, under divine mercy, made a good 
 season: and after the service thereof was over, I held on the evening 
 of the 27th a public meeting in tiiis city, which was well attended, 
 and much favored with the doctrine of the everlasting truth. 
 
 The 28th. I this morning went in company with my dear friend 
 and valued minister of the gospel, Richard F. Foster, of Scarbor- 
 ough, to the neighborhood of Darley, and on the 30th, being First- 
 day, we attended Friends' Meeting there in the morning, and m 
 the evening held a public meeting at Harrogate in a public town 
 hall. Both these meetings were well attended, and owned by him 
 who preserves and sustains his faithful ministers to the glory and 
 honor of his worthy name. 
 
 The 31st. We this morning held a very interesting meeting at 
 xVddingham, in the Methodist chapel, wherein our minds were ten- 
 derly drawn in gospel love to encourage the righteous in well-doing, 
 and to warn sinners to flee from the wratli to come. 
 
 First month first, 1850. This was a very solemn and impressive 
 time with me. I entered into a very impartial scrutiny in regard 
 to mv past life, and while I had cause to mourn over mine infirma- 
 ties, m many instances, yet I had cause to acknowledge the mercy 
 and protection of that worthy Being of whom the whole family is 
 named in the heaven and the earth ; and I earnestly desired ever to 
 live nigh him and near to his people while in this tribulated world, 
 that I may enjoy him and the society of the holy angels and the 
 saints in light in the good world to come. Blessed be his name for- 
 ever I 
 
 We this evening held a precious and interesting meeting at the 
 village of Akley, near Benshydding, where we lodged for a few 
 days for the sake of the imjjrovement of our health. The meeting 
 was held in the Methodist chapel, and those who attended were - 
 serious minded people, and they received the truth in the lovcA 
 of it. . / 
 
 The 2nd we spent in quietness and meditation at our lodgyng 
 place, feeling true peace of mind. 
 
 The 3rd.. We this evening had a pretty good meeting at Kaw- 
 
202 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. IS-V) 
 
 don. The good spirit was with us, whereby we were enabled to la- 
 bor in the gospel to satisfaction. 
 
 The 4th. ^Ye this evening held a good open meeting at Skipton, 
 in a public school-house, which was well attended, and the people 
 appeared to receive the truth in the love of it. 
 
 The 5th. We this day went to Settle, and the next day being 
 First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, 
 which was a small but good meeting ; and in the afternoon we held 
 a public meeting there, which was well attended, and the doctrine 
 of truth Avent forth freely, to the humility and edification of many 
 precious minds. 
 
 The 7th. We this evening held a public meeting at Airton, 
 where the i)0Aver of truth liad the ascendency over a light-minded 
 company of people, who assembled in a vain disposition of mind^ 
 but many of them were much broken down in spirit, and went 
 away under the conviction of the everlasting truth. 
 
 The 8th. We this evening held a good open public meeting at 
 Lothersdale, where the warning of truth went forth to demonstr;t- 
 tion and to the edification of many minds ; and on the next day we 
 attended Friend's meeting at Marsdon, as it came in course, which 
 was a small but a very good and interesting meeting. 
 
 The 10th. We this evening held a public meeting at Todmor- 
 don, which in the fore j^art was rather a low time; but truth at 
 length arose into dominion, so that the meeting ended to very good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The 11th. We this evening held a meeting at Colne, in tlie 
 Methodist chapel, which, although it was not very large, yet it was- 
 much owned by the Good Shepherd of Israel. The doctrine went 
 foth to the edification of many precious minds. 
 
 The 13th we spent quietly at a friend's house, in reading, writ- 
 ing and in religious meditation, in the neighborhood of Mars- 
 don ; and on the next day, being First-day, we attended Friends^ 
 meeting there in the morning, and many coming in who were not 
 our members, and a little settling down in spirit. They received 
 the solemn warning of the everlasting truth in the love of it; and 
 in the evening we held a large, precious and heavenly meeting at 
 Crawshawbooth, in the Methodist chapel. It appeared to me that 
 divine mercy was wondrously extended to this meeting, in Avhich 
 every soul present Avas visited. The sincerely engaged were en- 
 couraged in the way of life and salvation, and sinners Avere called 
 to repentance. Blessed forever be the Lord ! 
 
 The 14th. We this eveiiing held a meeting at Blackburn, which, 
 though it was not very large, yet it was a very favored ojiportunity. 
 Those who attended were visited in that true love which gathers 
 living members into the church of him who gave himself a ransom 
 forVill, to be testified in due time. Blessed forever be his name! 
 
 The 15th» We this evenins: held a meetinjr at Bolton, which was 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 2U5 
 
 pretty well attended, and it was a precious, heavenly season. I 
 thought that every soul present was visited in that love which is the 
 source of all consolation. 
 
 On the two followin^r days we attended the service of the Quar- 
 terly Meeting of Friends held at Preston, which was a favored sea- 
 son ; and on the evening of the latter, we held a public meeting 
 there, Avhich was very large, where the constraining power of the 
 everlasting gospel went fortli to the deep humility and enlarged 
 edification of many tender minds. 
 
 The 18th, I this morning very affectionately parted with my 
 dear friend Richard F. Foster, he feeling his mind turned home- 
 ward. He has for ^metime past been my companion in the labor 
 of the gospel, and he is a Avorthy and experienced minister thereof; 
 and while traveling with me he cherished that true sympathy for 
 and with me which is ever sustained in the unity of the spirit in 
 the bond of peace. I spent this day quietly at a friend's house for 
 the purpose of of resting, writing and religious meditation. 
 
 In passing along from place to place on this great journey, my 
 mind is often brought down under deej) exercises, in whicii mourn- 
 ing is often renewed in me, in feeling sensible of the lukewarmness 
 of many who make open profession of the Christian name, and are 
 destitute of the spirit and power of the gospel. May divine mercy 
 be extended to such betimes, saith my spirit, and gather them into 
 the everlasting kingdon of Christ. 
 
 The 19th. I this day, having suitable company in the work of 
 the ministry, went to Lancaster, and the next day being First-day, 
 we attended Friepds' meeting there in the morning, and in the 
 evening held a public meeting there ; and the Lord was with nsthi& 
 day, and strengthened us sufficient for his good work. 
 
 The 21st. We this morning held a meeting for the Friends of 
 Yealand, and in the evening we held a public meeting at Holme 
 Mills, in the Methodist chapel. Both these meetings were precious 
 and heavenly seasons, and many souls were baptized and encour- 
 aged in the way of life and salvation. 
 
 The 22nd. We this day held a meeting at Wyersdale, and one in 
 the evening at Caldervale. Both these meetings were well attend- 
 ed, in which doctrine descended as the heavenly dew, to the edifica- 
 tion of many precious souls. 
 
 The 23rd. We this morning attended Friends' meeting at Cal- 
 der Bridge, and in the evening held a public meeting at Birken- 
 enhead, both of which were seasons of favor, humility and edifi- 
 cation. 
 
 The 24th. We this morning were at Friends' meeting at Egre- 
 mont, which was a pretty good season, and in the evening Ave held 
 a very interesting public meeting there in Independent chapel. I 
 thought that every soul in this meeting was visited. 
 
 The 25th. We this morning went to the city of Chester, and 
 
1?04 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1850 
 
 ^f ter visiting the few Friends there in their families to good satis- 
 faction, we, in the evening, held a public meeting there, which 
 was pretty well attended, and it was mercifully a favored season. 
 Many precious souls were much humbled under the overshadowing 
 wing of ancient goodness ; wisdom was given so as to enable us to 
 worship God in spirit and truth. Praised forever be his name, for 
 he is worthy! 
 
 The 26th. We this day went to Liverpool, imd on the next day, 
 being First-day, although my health was poor, having traveled and 
 labored for some time past, under much bodily infirmity, yet I this 
 morning attended Friends' Meeting there and was silent ; and in 
 the evening we held a public meeting there, which was well attend- 
 ed, wherein I was called forth into much doctrinal illustration; 
 and after I had labored about 07ie hour in this way, I became so 
 very much debilitated that I felt myself sinking very fast under 
 the pressure of fainting operations. I stood and spoke as long as I 
 could, and when I could stand no longer, I instantly fell back on 
 my seat, and felt vei^ much like fainting away ; and after sitting 
 a few minutes in silence, I was so far recovered as to my bodily 
 strength so as to be enabled again to arise and to go on with my 
 discourse much to the relief of my mind, and so the meeting at 
 length ended under much Christian solemnity. 
 
 After this it became necessary for me to continue here for some 
 time under medical care for the improvement of my health, during 
 which time Friends of this place manifested toward me all becom- 
 ing kindness and sympathy, in that true love which abides forever. 
 While quietly resting here I was brought low in body and mind. 
 I was plunged down as into dust and ashes under the Judgment of 
 (fod, wherein I was constrained to cry out in the spirit of my mind 
 in this language, " The judgments of the Lord are true and right- 
 eous altogether, more to be desired are they than gold, yea than 
 much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb ; 
 moreover by them is thy servant warned, and in keeping them there 
 is great reward.'* Teach me, Lord, more and more ever to keep 
 them in thy fear and love, that I may be preserved on every hand, 
 to the glory and honor of thy great and worthy name, and conduct 
 me through all to the end, I pray thee, into thine everlasting king- 
 dom, for thine is the glory both now and forever. 
 
 2(1 Mouth, Otli. My health having so far recovered as to enable 
 me again to travel, I therefore this morning set out in company 
 with my dear comjianion and fellow laborer in the gospel, and at- 
 tended the Meeting of Friends at West Houghton, where we found 
 ■much good service for the Lord ; and on the next day we attended 
 the JMeeting of Friends at Warrington, where we found some pre- 
 vious and well concerned P^'riends, among whom the life of truth 
 went forth to encouragement. 
 
 The 8th. We this morning held a meeting for Friends and oth- 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. -^05 
 
 ers at Oldham, and one of the same description in the afternoon at 
 Rochdale. Both these meetings were seasons of much favors and 
 refreshments. Blessed be the Lord forever! 
 
 The 9th. We this day went to the city of Manchester, and the 
 next day being First-day, we in the morning attended Friends' 
 meeting there, and found it to be a large, interesting meeting, in 
 which we had much good service, to satisfaction and mutual edifica- 
 tion. In the evening we held a public meeting in this city, for 
 Friends and others, which was largely attended and eminently 
 owned by the Great Head of the Church, who, through his good 
 spirit, presided among us, to the deep humility and gratitude of 
 many precious and well-concerned souls. 
 
 The 11th. We this morning held a public meeting at Halifax, 
 which was an opportunity of a deeply interesting nature ; every 
 soul in attendance was visited, and the water of life given suitable 
 thereto. Praised forever be the name of God! 
 
 The 12th. We this evening held a meeting at Brighouse, which 
 was well attended, and much favored with the doctrine of the ever- 
 lasting truth. 
 
 The 13th. We this evening held a lai'ge meeting at Hudders- 
 field, in the Independent chapel. The good spirit was with us on 
 this occasion, and granted us wisdom and utterance, to the edifica- 
 tion of many religious and precious sonls. 
 
 The 14th. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Hudderstield, as it came in course, and in the evening we held a 
 large and highly favored meeting at Bradford, for Friends and 
 others ; wisdom and utterance were given in this meeting, to the 
 edification of many sincere souls. 
 
 The 15th. We this day held a small but good meeting at Gilder- 
 some. The divine presence was with us in this meeting, and united 
 us mutually in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. 
 
 The IGth. We this day went to Leeds, and the next day being 
 First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, and 
 in the evening we held a public meeting there ; both these meet- 
 ings were heavenly seasons. The good spirit was' with us and en- 
 abled us to perform true and spiritual worship to mutual edifica- 
 tion. 
 
 The 18th. We this afternoon held a very interesting and highly 
 favored meeting at the village of Cottingwith, for Friends and 
 others. The power of an endless life prevailed over all. 
 
 The 19th. We this evening held a good open meeting at Thirsk, 
 which was well attended, and wherein the sincerely engaged were 
 encouraged in the way of a holy life, and sinners were impressively 
 called to repentance and self-denial. Blessed forever be the ever- 
 lasting God! 
 
 The 20th. We this day held a meeting at the village of Thorn- 
 ton, which was a pretty good opportunity, strength and wisdom 
 being given to the glory and honor of the great name. 
 
206 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARXETl 18.30 
 
 I this day received a kind and very affectionate letter from my 
 dear wife, giving me some account of the gradual improvement of 
 her health, which was to me cause of humble gratitude to the 
 Author of all our sure mercies. 
 
 I also this day very affectionately parted with a dear friend, who 
 has been for some time past acceptably my com])anion and fellow- 
 laborer in the work of the ministry, he feeling his mind released, 
 and turned homeward. 
 
 The 21st. I this day with suitable company traveled to the town 
 of Stockport, and on the next day in the evening I held a good 
 open meeting at Low-Leighton, where I thought that the gospel 
 message given me to bear had a good effect on the minds of the 
 people, who appeared to be humbled as in dust and ashes. All 
 praise is due to Him who liveth forever and ever. 
 
 The 23rd. I this day rested quietlii at the house of my dear 
 friends, Thomas Amorth and his dear wife, Alicia S. Amorth. 
 She is a worthy woman, possessed of an excellent understanding, 
 and a very intelligent, interesting minister of the gospel. They 
 manifested to me in Christian love the utmost kindness and the 
 tenderest gospel sympathy. They are both of them experienced 
 Friends, and possessed of enlarged capacities; and their minds being 
 merged into the spirit of the everlasting gospel, therefore their 
 understanding is opened and illuminated under divine grace, so as 
 to understand the whole counsel of God in regard to the great doc- 
 trine of Christian redemption. 
 
 The 34th being First-day, 1 this morning attended the meeting 
 of Friends at Stockport, and in the evening had a public meeting 
 there ; both these meetings were favored seasons, the Good Spirit 
 was with us this day, and gave me wisdom and utterance, to the edi- 
 fication of many precious souls. 
 
 The 2r)th. I this evening held a public meeting at Macclesfield 
 in the Methodist chajjcl. There were about twelve hundred people 
 in attendance, among whom the doctrine of the everlasting truth 
 went forth in the demonstration of the s])irit and with power; 
 many precious souls were deeply humbled, and the favor granted to 
 this meeting through divine mercy was publicly acknowledged by 
 some at the conclusion thereof. All the praise is alone due to Him 
 who sitteth on the throne. 
 
 The 2Gth. I this day wrote a letter to my dear wife, feeling my 
 mind turned tow ard her in Christian love, and in the evening held 
 a public meeting at Morley, where much Christian solemnity per- 
 vaded, under which many souls were much humbled and instructed 
 in the way of life and peace. 
 
 The 37th. 1 this evening held a public meeting atNantwich, in 
 a large school-room, which was well attended and eminently owned 
 by the Good Shepherd of Israel. Gospel ministry went forth to 
 the edification of many sincere, precious minds. 
 
^^'^ JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 207 
 
 The 28tli. I this afternoon held a public meeting at Fi-andlej, 
 where I met with many precious and sincerely engaged souls, who 
 were in this meeting much encouraged to lay hold on the refuge of 
 salvation, Jesus, the Son of God, and to serve him with a peT'fect 
 heart and with a willing mind, for he is wortliy of all the praise 
 both now and forever more ! 
 
 Third month, 1st. I this morning held a public mcetino- at 
 Warrington, where all who were present ajipearcd to be humbled as 
 in dust and ashes under the jjower of the everlasting truth. Praised 
 forever more be the great and holy name ! 
 
 The 3nd. I this day went to *Stoke-upon-Trent, and the next 
 day being First-day, I was at Friends' meeting there in the morning, 
 and in the evening held a public meeting there, which was well 
 attended. In both these meetings I was, through divine mercy, 
 strengthened and enabled to discharge my religious duty to the 
 satisfaction and peace of my own mind. 
 
 The 4th. I this morning held a good open meeting at Utoxeter, 
 where those who were in attendance were united in the unity of the 
 spirit, in the bond of peace, being possessed of much religious 
 feeling; and on the next day I was at the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 held at Stoke-upon-Trent, which, through divine mercy, though it 
 was small, yet it was a very favored season. Blessed be the Lord 
 forever more ! 
 
 The 6th. I this day being in poor health, I therefore, under some 
 little medical care, rested quiefli/ at a friend's house, and enjoyed 
 that true sweet peace of mind which none can give but he who is the 
 author and source of all true consolation. Blessed be his name 
 forever I 
 
 The Tth, a day to be remembered by many. I this evening held 
 alarge, crowded meetingat Leek, in Friends' meeting-house. Though 
 there is no Friends' meeting there, yet this meeting-house is occa- 
 sionally occupied by friends in the work of the ministry in holdino- 
 public meetings. This meeting was a memorable season: truth 
 reigned over all. Blessed be God forever morel 
 
 The two following days I devoted to moderate bodily exercise and 
 to paying some social visits, rather for the benefit and improvement 
 of ^my health, wherein I enjoyed true peace of mind. 
 
 The 10th, being First-day, I this morning again attended the meet- 
 ing of Friends at Stockport, which was a refreshing season; and in 
 the evening I held a good open meeting at Hyde, in a school-room, 
 where the warning of the gospel went forth in the name of Christ, 
 to the conviction of many sinful hearts. Glory to God forever 
 morel 
 
 The 11th. I this evening held another public meeting at Stock- 
 port, m a large school-room, where there were about fifteen hun- 
 dred people in attendance, among whom the gospel testimony went 
 forth m the demonstration of the spirit and with power, to the edi- 
 fication of many precious minds. 
 
208 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1850' 
 
 The I'-ith. I this evening held another large public meeting at 
 ^larshsfield, in a large school-room. The people in attendance 
 manifested much solid deportment. They were very attentive, and 
 received the word of truth delivered among them to humility and 
 to edification of spirit. 
 
 The 13th. I this day was at the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 held at Stockport, and found it to be my place to sit therein under 
 suffering silence. Some other dear Friends, however, in the work 
 of the ministry found much good service ; and the next day I 
 attended the service of the Quarterly Meeting of Friends held there, 
 wherein my mouth was opened, and my heart was enlarged in the 
 love of the everlasting gospel, to the edification of many dear 
 friends. May all the praise be given to Him of whom the whole 
 family is named in the heaven and in the earth I 
 
 The 15th. I was this day renewedly brought under very serious 
 consideration in regard to the concern of always being ready peace- 
 fully to leave this world when called upon — one year having now 
 jjassed away since I parted with my dear Avile and other dear rela- 
 tives and friends in my own beloved country, a number of whom 
 are now in eternity, — a deep and sincere desire was renewed in me 
 that my dear wife and myself may ever stand ready to be gathered 
 into the fold of eternal rest, consistent with the will of Divine Wis- 
 dom. 
 
 I this evening held a good open meeting at the village of Poyn- 
 ton, where the gospel stream flowed to the melting of many sincere 
 precious souls. Blessed be the Lord forever more I 
 
 The 16th. I this day went to Birmingham, and on the next day, 
 being First-day, I attended Friends' Meeting there in the morning, 
 and in the evening I held a public meeting there, which was well 
 attended. Both these meetings were seasons of eminent favor, 
 wherein I was much opened in the love of the gospel, to the edifi- 
 cation of many precious and seeking souls. 
 
 The 13th. I this evening held a very interesting meeting at 
 Stourbridge. This meeting was well attended. Tlie people received 
 the truth in the love of it. Every soul was humbled in dust and 
 ashes, and the meeting closed in love to God and man. 
 
 The 19th. A day of much exercise with me. I felt renewedly my 
 entire dependence on the Divine Master for strength, wisdom and 
 utterance, to enal)le me to labor in the work of the gospel to the 
 glory of His worthy name, for without Him I c;in do nothing that 
 will redound to His praise or advance His glorious and good 
 cause. 
 
 I this morning held rather a trying meeting at Dudley. This 
 meeting was not large, and the life of pure religion was at low ebb; 
 however, at length, the truth arose in some degree, so that some 
 precious souls were visited, and sinners were warned to flee from 
 the wrath to come, so that I thought that some little good was done 
 in this meeting. 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 209 
 
 The 20th. I this movn'mg again cittended the meeting of Friends 
 at Birmingham, which, through divine mercy, was a precious and 
 good meeting, and in the evening I held a large and interesting- 
 meeting there, in the Independent chapel, where the doctrine of 
 the gospel was illustrated to the humility and edification of many 
 minds. 
 
 The 21 st. I this morning held a pretty good open meeting at 
 Tamworth, wlic^e the sincerely engaged were much encouraged to 
 hold on in the way of life and salvation, and sinners were very im- 
 pressively called to repentance. 
 
 The 22d, I this morning held ajDrecious and heart-melting meet- 
 ing at vVtherston, those who were in attendance being broken down 
 in spirit and brought into a situation to receive the trutli in the 
 love of it ; therefore this was a good and very impressive opportu- 
 nity. 
 
 The 23d. I this day went to Leicester, and the next day, being 
 First-day, I was at Friends' meeting there in the morning, and in 
 the evening I held a public meeting there, which was well attended. 
 Both these meetings were much favored with the baptizing power 
 of truth, under which many precious souls were much humbled and 
 edified in the doctrine of the everlasting truth. May all the praise 
 forever be given to him who can do all things according to his will! 
 
 The 25th. I this morning held a large and highly favored meet- 
 ing at Oakham, in the Agricultural Hall. The people in attend- 
 ance generally, in the forepart of the meeting, manifested a want 
 of solidity of spirit, but the power of the holy truth soon arose in 
 complete dominion, so that every soul was hushed down in silence, 
 and the doctrine of the gospel was preached in the demonstration 
 of the spirit and with power. 
 
 The 26th. I this day went to Coventry, and on the next day 
 attended the mid-week meeting of Friends there, as it came in 
 course, and in the evening I held a public meeting there. The 
 good spirit was with me this day and strengthened me mercifully, 
 sufficient for the work and the service of the day. 
 
 The 28th. I this morning attended the usual mid-week meeting 
 of Friends at Warwick, which was small, but a refreshing season, 
 and in the evening I held a public meeting there, in which a gen- 
 eral invitation went forth to the tendering and melting of many 
 hearts. The poor in spirit were encouraged to hold on in the good, 
 old way, and sinners were warned and called to repentance. 
 
 The 29th. I this morning met about a hundred dear young 
 friends of Birmingham at a Friend's house, who desired a little to 
 be refreshed with me both in body and spirit, which was mercifully 
 experienced ; for after a time of mutual force and open conversa- 
 tion, under divine reverence, the power Df truth came upon us, 
 whereby we were renewedly united in the unity of the spirit, in the 
 bond of peace. This opportunity closed with prayer and thanks- 
 
210 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 18.50 
 
 giving to the Lord for all his mercies and blessings to us. I have, 
 in the prosecution of this visit, met with many similar companies 
 in various places, to mutual good satisfaction. 
 
 The 30th. I spent this day in visiting some dear and aged 
 Friends, who were confined to their rooms, and who were very glad 
 to see me ; and on the next day, being First-day, I, in the morning, 
 again attended the meeting of Friends at Birmingham, which was 
 a precious and refreshing season. In the evening I held a good 
 open meeting at Wednesbury, in the Baptist chapel, where that 
 true and si)iritual worship was i^erformed through the holy spirit, 
 Avhich is ever his due, who sitteth on the throne, and who is worthy 
 to be praised forever I 
 
 Fourth month 1st. A day to be remembered by many for good. 
 I this morning held a large, glorious and heavenly meeting at Dar- 
 laston, in the Methodist chapel. It ajipeared to me that every soul 
 in attendance was visited and humbled as in the dust. Blessed for- 
 ever be the name of the everlasting God ! 
 
 The 23d. I this morning held a precious and good meeting at 
 Ockerhill, in the Methodist chapel, where my nioutli was opened in 
 gospel love, to the edification of many humble and sincere minds. 
 All the praise is due to the great Creator. 
 
 The 3d. I this morning held a meeting at Great Bridge, in the 
 Methodist chapel, which was well attended by people with open 
 hearts to receive the truth in the love of it, which was mercifully 
 given in the demonstration of the s])irit and with power. Many 
 precious and sincere souls in this meeting were renewedly united in 
 the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. The upright in heart 
 were much encouraged in the way of life and salvation, and sinners 
 were warned to flee from the wrath to come. May all the praise be 
 given to him who inhabiteth eternity ! 
 
 The 4th. I this morning held a large, interesting, glorious and 
 heavenly meeting at Tipton, in the Methodist chapel, the people in 
 attendance being humbled in spirit ; the power of an endless life 
 had the entire ascendancy over this meeting, under wliich every 
 soul present felt the immense value of the knowledge, under divine 
 mercy, ever to live a holy life, so as to enjoy peace immortal in time 
 and in a glorious eternity. 
 
 The 5th. I this morning held a meeting at the town of Walsall, 
 in the Methodist chapel. This meeting will long be remembered 
 by many for good; the power of the everlasting truth reigned over 
 all, — strength, wisdom and utterance being mercifully given, to the 
 decj) humility and renewed edification of all in this very interesting 
 meeting. Tiiose in attendance were generally religious people, 
 among whom much religious feeling was cherished in this meeting. 
 This glorious opportunity ended with ])rayer and thanksgiving to 
 the great and merciful giver of every good and jjerfect gift. 
 
 The meetings for divine worship wliich I have held in these parts 
 
1850 JOURNAT. or THOMAS AHNETT. 211 
 
 during tlie fore part of this niontli were generally attended by the 
 Methodists, who manifested much religious feeling. They also 
 gave me the right hand of fellowshi}), manifesting toward me th« 
 unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. Many tears were shed in 
 these meetings, and many precious and well concerned souls were 
 encouraged in the way of life and peace ; the mournful in sjairit 
 were comforted, and tiie thirsty and hungry in spirit received mer- 
 cifully of the water of eternal life. All the praise forever be given 
 to him who doeth all things right! 
 
 The 6th. I this day went to Coalbrookdale, where I was kindly 
 received and entertained by my dear friend Barnard Dickinson, who 
 is a valuable minister among friends; and the next day, being First- 
 day, I attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, and in the 
 evening I held a public meeting there, which was well attended. 
 This day was rather a low tiuie with me, both in body and mind. 
 My spirit earnestly desired Divine support. I trusted alone in my 
 blessed Saviour, and He mercifully remembered me, and gave me a 
 little strength in body and mind, so that I was enabled this day to 
 labor in the gospel in a good degree, to the peace of my mind and 
 to the satisfaction of Friends. 
 
 The 8th. I this morning, in company with my dear friend, Bar- 
 nard Dickinson, set out for Bewdly, where we arrived in the even- 
 ing in time to hold a public meeting, in which my mind was much 
 opened in the constraing power of the gospel. Many precious and 
 humble souls were visited and much encouraged in the way of life 
 and salvation. 
 
 The 9th. We this evening held a meeting at Bromyard, which 
 was well attended, and the melting power of the everlasting truth 
 was over all. Many precious and sincere souls were visited and 
 encouraged in the way of eternal glory and happiness. Praised for- 
 ever be the name of the everlasting God I 
 
 The 10th. A day of deep exercise with me; I was brought low in 
 body and mind. I felt i-eneiuedhj tiiat I had none to depend upon 
 but my blessed and holy Saviour, for vain is the help of man; but 
 help is laid on One who is mighty, and who will help and support 
 all his little dependent children. We this evening held a large 
 meeting at Leominster, in which out of weakness I was made strong 
 in Divine grace, being much enabled through Infinite mercy to 
 enter into an illustration of the great doctrine of Christian redemp- 
 tion, to the humility and edification of many sincere Christian 
 souls. Blessed be the Lord forever! 
 
 The 11th. We this evening held a meeting at Walton, in a 
 granary room, which was fitted up for this meeting. This was a 
 large and highly favored meetin;^, there being many hungry and 
 thirsty souls present, who received the bread .and water of eternal 
 life in the love thereof. 
 
 The 12th. We this day held a precious and open meeting at 
 
212 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. iSoO 
 
 Pales. All who attended this meeting were visited and broken down 
 in spirit, in many instances even into tears. 
 
 . The 13th. We this morning lield a meeting at Kay, which was 
 small, but the few who attended were mercifully remembered in the 
 love of the gospel. Praised be the Lord forever ! 
 
 (The three last-mentioned meetings are, as I am informed, situ- 
 ated in Wales.) 
 
 We this afternoon went to Hereford, and the next day being First- 
 day, we attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, which was 
 small, and wherein I sat with sutfering silence ; and in the evening 
 we held a public meeting there, which was well attended, and in 
 which I was mercifully opened in the love of the everlasting gospel, 
 to the edification of many precious souls. 
 
 The loth. We this evening held a pretty good meeting at Koss. 
 Those in attendance (jenerally appeared to be in a situation of mind 
 to receive the truth in the love of it, which was mercifully vouch- 
 safed to us through the mediation of our blessed Saviour. 
 
 The two following days we attended the General Meeting of 
 Friends, so called, held at Worcester, which was through adorable 
 mercy made a precious and refreshing season to many sincere hearts; 
 and it appeared to me that all our dear friends in attendance at 
 this meeting were reached in the spirit of the mind to edification. 
 
 After this meeting was concluded I parted affectionately with my 
 dear friend Barnard Dickinson, wlio has very acceptably traveled 
 with me for some little time past; at which time my dear friend 
 William Ball, a worthy minister among Friends, joined me, to 
 travel with me as way may open in the love of the gospel. 
 
 The 13th. We this evening held a large meeting at Campden, 
 where the power of truth was over all. The Good Spirit was with 
 me, and gave me utterance to the glory of the great and adorable 
 name, and to the humility and edification of many precious and 
 sincere souls. 
 
 The 19th. Our service this day was that of a meeting this even- 
 ing at Evesham, which was well attended, and eminently owned by 
 the Good Shepherd of Israel; and on the next day we returned to 
 Worcester, and the 21st being First-day, we attended Friends' meet- 
 ing there in the morning, which was a good season; and in the even- 
 ing we held a public meeting there, which was large and highly 
 favored with the overshadowing of Divine mercy, under which faith 
 and doctrine were illustrated to tlie humility and edification of 
 many sincerely engaged minds. 
 
 The 22nd. We this evening held a glorious and heavenly meet- 
 ing at Dudley, in the Methodist chapel. This was a large meeting, 
 and eminently favored with tlic presence of the Lord. The right- 
 eous were much encouraged, and sinners were warned and called to 
 repentance. 
 
 The two following days we attended the service of the Quarterly 
 
 i 
 
1850 JOUENAL OF THOMAS AENETT. 213 
 
 Meeting of Friends held at Birmingham. Although my health was 
 poor at this time, yet I was strengthened in body and mind, so as to 
 be enabled to labor in this meeting, to the peace of my own mind 
 and to the satisfaction of' friends. 
 
 The 25th. I rested quietly at a friend's house, being in poor 
 health, and under some little medical care for the improvement of 
 my health. My mind this day in degree entered quietly into relig- 
 ious meditation on the subject of the wondrous works of Divine 
 Providence; and under a sense of the vastness of His works who 
 made the world and all things therein, I felt deej^ly humbled as in 
 sackcloth and ashes before Him. 
 
 The 26tli. Wo this evening held a meeting at Entington, which 
 ' was well attended and highly favored with the overshadowing of 
 Divine grace, under the blessed influence of which every soul pres- 
 ent was mercifully visited and edified. Blessed be the Lord forever! 
 
 The 27th. We spent this day quietly at a Friend's house, in 
 religious meditation, reading and writing. I was this day under 
 much exercise of spirit ; the mighty power of God was upon me, 
 whereby I was humbled as in sackcloth and ashes before Him. 
 
 The isth, being First-day, we this morning attended the meeting 
 of Friends at Shipton, wherein I was much cast down in spirit and 
 in suffering silence. My dear companion and fellow-laborer in the 
 gospel had good service in this meeting; and in the evening we held 
 a public meeting there, which was a large, crowded meeting and in 
 which my mind was eminently opened in the- love of the everlasting 
 gospel, to the deep humility of many minds. 
 
 The 29th. My spirit this day was a little revived, so that I 
 rejoiced in the anticipation of the hope of the gospel. We this 
 evening held a meeting at Breiles, where the people, under Divine 
 mercy, a little retiring in spirit, and coming to be prepared to re- 
 ceive the i^reaching of the toord in the love of it ; wherefore it 
 appeared to me that every soul present was visited in a degree of 
 that love which breathes on earth peace and good will toward all 
 mankind. My mind was deeply humbled and much opened in the 
 love of the gospel on this occasion. The power of an endless life 
 was over all, to the praise of Him who doeth all things right. 
 
 Tlie 30th. I was this day brought under deep exercise of mind. 
 I felt very solitary and much cast down in spirit. I was possessed 
 of mournful feelings. I cried to the Lord, and he mercifully 
 remembered me and strengthened me. We this evening held a 
 meeting at Banbury. Those in attendance were generally religious 
 people, and under the constraining power of the gospel my mind 
 was much o]>ened among them in the illustration of the duty of 
 Divine worship, to satisfaction. 
 
 5th month, first. I this morning received a very kind and 
 affectionate letter from my dear wife, informing me of tJie gradual 
 improvement of her health, and also encouraging me, notwithstand- 
 
214 JOUENAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. ISW 
 
 ing all her afflictions, privations and solitary feelings, yet to look 
 forward in the obedience of faith in the prosecution of tiie field of 
 gospel labor before me, and desiring me not to turn my face home- 
 ward until the Divine Master bids nie so to do, and assuring me 
 that amidst all her adversity she often enjoyed the sweetness of that 
 true peace which this world can neither give nor take aiVay. This 
 letter was instrumental in humbling me as in dust and ashes, and 
 prayer was secretly raised in me on her behalf, knowing that very 
 many probations have assailed her since I parted with her very affec- 
 tionately for the prosecution of this weighty engagement now upon 
 me. 
 
 We this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends at Hook- 
 Norton, which, through Divine inercy, was made a glorious and 
 very impressive season. Friends were united in that love which 
 first gathered us to be a people, under the blessed influence of which, 
 we were much refreshed together. We this evening held a public 
 meeting in this neighborhood, in a barn, which was fitted up for this 
 meeting. The mercy of God descended upon us, to the decp' 
 humility of many minds; the righteous were much encouraged to 
 look alone to Him for support and protection who is the author 
 and the finisher of the saints' faith, and sinners were called to re- 
 pentance and tenderly warned to flee from the wrath to come.. 
 Praised forever be the name of the Lord I 
 
 The 2nd. We this day attended the meeting of Friends at Sib- 
 ford, which, in connection with the children of the school taught 
 there under the care of Friends, made this a very interesting- 
 meeting. The language of truth went forth to our mutual strength. 
 In the evening we held a public meeting there, which was large and 
 mercifully owned by the great head of the Church, who manifested 
 His love, to the comfort and edification of many precious and bap- 
 tized souls. Praised be the Lord forever! 
 
 The 3rd. 1 this day was much cast down in spirit, till the even- 
 ing, when we held a public meeting at Adderbury, at which 
 time the power of an endless life arose for my deliverance, and set 
 me at liberty in the love of the glad tidings of the gospel, so that 
 I was much enlarged toward the very interesting company before 
 me. The faithful were much encouraged in the way of well-doing, 
 and sinners were called to repent and live forever. 
 
 The 4th. We this day went to Charlbury, and the next day 
 being First-day, we were at Friends' meeting there in the morning,, 
 which was a blessed, favored season; and in the evening we held a 
 public meeting at Chipping-Norton, wliicli was a large and highly 
 favored meeting. Blessed be the Lord forever more! 
 
 The 6th. I this morning wrote a letter to my dear wife, feeling 
 my mind most affectionately turned toward her in the love of the 
 everlasting gospel; and in the evening we held a glorious and 
 lieavenly meeting at Charlbury for Friends and others. This was * 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 215 
 
 large meeting, and tliose in attendance appeared to be humbled 
 down in spirit in that love which Avould through faithful obedi- 
 ence gather all " mankind loliile i7i this world under divine grace" 
 into everlasting happiness and immortal glory. 
 
 The 7th. We this morning, after seeing Friends of Burford 
 together for the purpose of divine worship, in the evening held 
 there a public meeting, which was well attended, and much owned 
 by Him who livetli forever and ever, and who is worthy of all the 
 praise. 
 
 The 8th. We this morning, after attending the meeting of 
 Friends at Witney, in the evening held a large and highly favored 
 meeting there. It appeared to me that every soul present was vis- 
 ited and invited to come and take the water of life freely. Many 
 hearts were much tendered and broken down into deej) contrition. 
 
 The 9th. A day of deep exercise with me. I renewedly saw and 
 felt the responsibility attached to the work of the public ministry 
 of the gospel as imparted to me, and I earnestly su]>plicated the 
 sustaining power of the Most High in the prosecution of this 
 great work. We this evening held a large and very interesting 
 meeting in the city of Oxford, in the town hall. The power of 
 an endless life reigned over all, and many sincere-hearted Chris- 
 tians were much strengthened in the way of life and salvation. 
 The citizens of this city manifested much Christian regard toward 
 us, .and appeared to be very thankful to us for the meeting that we 
 held among them. All the praise is forever due to the everlast- 
 ing God ! 
 
 The 10th. We this evening held a meeting at Henly, in the town 
 hall, where I stood forth to labor among the people in much weak- 
 ness ; but keeping faithfully under the leadings of the truth, 
 strength was soon given and utterance was granted, so that it 
 Avas mercifully a good and favored meeting, and ended in prayer 
 and thanksgiving to the Good Shepherd of Israel. 
 
 The 11th. We this day rested quietly at a friend's house in the 
 town of Reading, and the next day, being First-day, we attended 
 Friends' meeting there in the morning, Avhich, through divine 
 mercy, was made a precious and refreshing season to many sincere 
 and faithfully devoted Friends. In the evening we held a public 
 meeting there, which was a large and highly favored meeting, in 
 which the wisdom of man, the might of man, and the riches of 
 man, were set forth under divine grace in their pro])er place; and 
 the mercy, power, and wisdom of God reigned over all, to the deep 
 humility and renewed edification of many j^recious and sincerely 
 engaged souls. This meeting closed with prayer and thanksgiving 
 to the good Shepherd of Israel, " To whom be praise and domin- 
 ion forever and ever." 
 
 The 13th. We this evening held a meeting for Friends and 
 «thers, at Maidenhead, in the Independent chapel. Those in at- 
 
216 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1850 
 
 tendance were generally religions people, among whom, settling 
 down under the influence of divine tvisdom in mutual Christian 
 sympathy, we were favored to feel for, and with the interesting 
 company collected before us in the love of the everlasting gospel, 
 wherefore we were mutually refreshed together. 
 
 The 14th. We this day attended the Monthly Meeting of 
 Friends, held at Reading, wherein I was silent, feeling poor and 
 much cast down in spirit. My dear companion and fellow-laborer 
 had much good service. In the evening we held a large meeting at 
 the town of Workingham, in the town hall, where the people in 
 the fore part of the meeting were very much unsettled in mind, 
 among whom I stood forth to labor in much weakness ; but keep- 
 ing singly under divine grace, strength was soon given to my own 
 admiration, and to the humility and edification of the people. 
 
 The 15th. We this morning attended the usual mid-week meet- 
 ing of Friends, at Warborough, which, through divine mercy, we 
 were refreshed, together with the few friends of this neighborhood; 
 and in the evening we held a pretty good public meeting there. 
 The people in attendance appeared to be serious and disposed to re- 
 ceive the truth in the love of it. Praised forever be the name of 
 the Lord! 
 
 The 16th. I this day went with my dear companion, William 
 Ball, to his residence at Tottenham, where I met with a very 
 kind welcome by him and his dear wife, Ann Ball, both of whom 
 received me in Christian love to be their lodger through the ap- 
 proaching Yearly Meeting of Friends to be held in London. They 
 are dear and worthy friends. 
 
 The 17th. I was this day under much exercise of mind. I de- 
 sired most earnestly for renewed dedication of heart to God, feel- 
 ing my entire dependence on him for every blessing, both outward 
 and inward. I this day received the following kind and affection- 
 ate letter from a dear friend in America. 
 
 Philadelphia, 4th mo. 14, 1850. 
 
 My Dear Friend: I heard a few da3^s ago of an opportunity to 
 England on the 17th of this month, and frequently it has been 
 with me to avail myself of it to address a line in order to convey 
 my sympathy to thee in thy present important and solemn en- 
 gagement, and not only so, but to encourage thee, my dear friend, 
 to hold out to the end, and in doing the work assigned thee by 
 him whom thou knowest is a rich rewarder of those who love him 
 and keep his commandments faitbfully. 
 
 It has been comfortable, yea, precious to me, to learn that it has 
 been well with thee througli the aboundings of that grace that 
 comes alone tlirough our dear Redeemer. No doubt thou art at 
 times sorely tried, tossed, perplexed, distressed, and cast almost 
 down; but was it not so even with the immediate disciples of our, 
 dear Lord — and did he not say that it was enough for the disciple 
 
1850 
 
 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 217 
 
 to be as his Master. Thou hast mercifully found that tribulation 
 worketh patience, and patience experience; yet there arc times 
 when we are so left that we cannot so very jirofitably apply this 
 truth. Notwithstanding, it remains true, and in due time, if we 
 keep faithful, we shall be feelingly edified thereby. 
 
 In a measure, I trust, of that love which binds the household of 
 faith together, I would call to thy remembrance the message of 
 Paul to Archippus, in this language: " Take heed to the ministry 
 which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." I now 
 bid thee affectionately farewell, remaining thy true, sympathizing 
 and attached friend, Thomas Wistar, Jr. 
 
 The 18th. I this day attended the meeting of sufferings, held 
 in London, and the next day, being First-day, I attended the morn- 
 ing meeting of Friends at Tottenham. This was a day of deep ex- 
 ercise with me. I was silent this day as to gospel ministry ,_ except 
 in the evening meeting I delivered a short but impressive dis- 
 course to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 20th. I this day attended the opening of the Yearly Meet- 
 ing of Ministers and Elders, held in Loudon, which was a good 
 meeting. Friends were brought to feel near one to another in 
 Christian love. 
 
 The 21st. I this day attended another sitting of the Yearly 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders, before whom, with feelings of deep 
 humility, I spread a concern which impressed me to pay a relig- 
 ious visit to those professing with Friends on the continent of Eu- 
 rope; and while engaged in those parts in the prosecution of this 
 concern, also to stand open to attend to any other religious service 
 that may appear to be called for under the pointings of the ever- 
 lasting truth. While this subject was before Friends, under solid 
 consideration, the baptizing power of the Lord w^as felt to be over 
 the meeting, uniting Friends in a feeling of sympathy and unity 
 with me in regard to this weighty concern. Sweet was their unity 
 toward me, and earnest was their desire for my encouragement in 
 the prosecution of the field of labor before me; and they, in the 
 opening of Christian love, granted me a very good certificate for 
 the prosecution of my religious duty on the continent of Europe. 
 
 The two following days the Yearly Meeting for Discipline was 
 comfortably engaged in reading the queries and the answers there- 
 to from the Quarterly Meetings of Friends. 
 
 The 24:th. I this morning attended a very large meeting at 
 Devonshire House, in London, wherein I Avas drawn in gospel love 
 to preach, I believe, the everlasting gospel, to the humility and edi- 
 fication of many precious and sincere souls. In the afternoon 
 Friends were engaged in considering the state of Society. 
 
 The 25th. The Yearly Meeting this day came together under 
 feelings of deep humility, and various subjects came before us, 
 which were considered and disposed of in Christian love ; and the 
 
218 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1850 
 
 next day being First-day, I attended in the morning the meeting of 
 Friends at Tottenham, and in the evening I was at Friends' Meet- 
 ing at Stoke-Newington. Both these meetings were precious and 
 favored seasons. 
 
 The 27th. The two sittings of tlie Yearly Meeting this day ap- 
 peared to be owned by the Great Head of the Church, under whose 
 guidance Friends were favored to transact the affairs that came be- 
 fore them to satisfaction. 
 
 The 28th. The Yearly Meeting met this morning under much 
 humility, and Friends were favored to move forward with the busi- 
 ness thereof to good satisfaction; and in tlie evening, with the imity 
 of Friends, I held a meeting for the youth and others at Devon- 
 shire House, in London. There were about fifteen hundred people 
 in attendance at this meeting, and the. baptizing power of the Lord 
 was felt to be over us, whereby I was enabled to preach to this in- 
 teresting company "Jesus and the Resurrection," in the demon- 
 stration of the sjDirit and with power. This meeting will long be 
 remembered by many for good. 
 
 The 29th.' I this morning attended a large meeting at Devon- 
 shire House, and was silent. The service of this meeting fell on 
 other Friends who Avere engaged in the work of the ministry. In 
 the afternoon Friends again resumed the prosecution of the con- 
 cerns of the Society, to good satisfaction. 
 
 The two following days the Yearly Meeting progressed in the ad- 
 ministration of the affairs of the Church with feelings of deep in- 
 terest, wherein Friends manifested all due Christian condescension 
 one to another in that love which is the badge of discipleship. 
 
 6th month, first. I awoke tliis morning under feelings of deep 
 discouragement. 0! it seemed to me that I could but cry out with 
 the prophet in this language, "Thou didst hide thy face, and I 
 was troubled." I cried mightily to God for His all-sustaining 
 power, and toward evening He mercifully heard me, and renewcdly 
 manifested a degree of the sweetness of His countenance toward 
 me, so that I felt a little renewedly built up in the most holy faith. 
 Praised forever be His great and worthy name! 
 
 London Yearly Meeting of Friends this day closed its session, 
 with gratitude to God and love one to another. I was silent this 
 day in tliis meeting, it being a low time with me. Many Friends 
 this day found much good service in this meeting. After the con- 
 clusion of tliis Yearly Meeting, Friends parted one from another in 
 Christian love, commending each other to God and to the word of 
 His grace, which is able to build u}) and to give an inheritance 
 among them which are sanctitied. 
 
 It appears to me that in many instances that this is one of the 
 mosi interesting Yearly Meetings in our religious Society. Many 
 valuable and experienced Friends belong to it, who well understand 
 the doctrine of Christianity according to the Holy Scriptures, in 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 219^ 
 
 connection with much general knowledge, and who practice and 
 inculcate, under divine grace, practical Christianity. There are 
 many valuable ministers and elders belonging to this meeting, who 
 study to show themselves approved unto God, instruments in His 
 work, that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of 
 trutli; and there are many o//^er dear and wortliy Friends witliin the 
 limits of this meeting of excellent understanding, manifesting in 
 life and conversation a sfrofig attachment to the doctrine of the 
 Christian religion according to the Holy 8erij)tures. 
 
 Among the beloved youth in this part of our religious Society 
 there is much to interest me. They, in many instances, // appears 
 to me, — in point of literary attainment, capacity of mind and intel- 
 ligence, both natural and religious, — stand equal if not superior to 
 any other part of our religious Society ; and upon the Avhole, in 
 consideration of the general knowledge and intelligence, the en- 
 larged understanding, under divine grace, and the Christian for- 
 bearance manifested [lenerally within the limits of this deeply in- 
 teresting Yearly Meeting, I am oftentimes humbled as in dust and 
 ashes with gratitude to God and Christian love to all "our" dear- 
 Friends everywhere, believing that the good spirit continues merci- 
 fully to be with all uprightly concerned Friends in every part of 
 our religious society; and very strong is my desire, with jjrayer and 
 supplication to God, that all "oicr" dear Friends everywhere may 
 ever stand on the sure foundation, for the foundation of the Lord 
 standetk sure, having this seal: The Lord knowcth them that are 
 His. 
 
 Friends of this Yearly Meeting have before them many Christian 
 benevolent subjects of a deeply interesting nature — the right train- 
 ing and the literary, guarded, and religious education of our be- 
 loved youtli and children, in connection with the promotion of 
 Scriptural instruction, "forms" a prominent part of their Christian 
 concern; and while they are engaged in the promotion thereof, they 
 are not unmindful of the poor, but they manifest practically and' 
 liberally their Christian benevolence to all the objects of charity 
 that come up within their reach before them, not only within the- 
 limits of our own society, but, as way may open for it, among other 
 people also. 
 
 Among the various subjects of deep interest before this Yearly 
 Meeting for solid consideration and disposal in the light of truth,, 
 that of the universal abolition of African slavery, consistent with 
 the sj^irit and the peace of the everlasting gosjiel, "forms" a most 
 prominent place in the Christian sympathy and benevolence of 
 Friends of this meeting. Long have they, in the spirit of Christian 
 love, pleaded the cause of the oppressed everywhere, embracing 
 every right opening to meet this subject before "those" in civil au- 
 thority, expostulating with "such characters" in the spirit of meek- 
 ness and forbearance, to interpose for the amelioration of the op- 
 pressed and of the poor everywhere. 
 
"220 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AIIXETT. 1850 
 
 In order more fulhj to represent the concern of Friends of this 
 Yearly Meeting on this deepl}^ affecting subject, I believe that it is 
 right "for me here to give a place to the following document adopted 
 by this meeting a year ago. 
 "To Sovereigns and those in authority in the nations of Eurojje, and 
 
 in other parts of the loorld where the Christian retigion is pro- 
 fessed. 
 ""From the YearJg Meeting of the Religioiis Society of Friends of 
 
 Great Britain and Ireland, hetd in London, 1849. 
 
 "It having pleased the Lord to bring our fathers to a sense of the 
 cruelty and wickedness of the African slave trade, and of the in- 
 justice of holding their fellow-men in slavery, they were strength- 
 ened to act upon the conviction wrought on their minds. They set 
 at liberty those they held in bondage, and in their faithfulness they 
 enjoyed the answer of a good conscience towards God. In that 
 love which comes from Him their hearts were enlarged in love to 
 their neighbor, and they could not rest without endeavoring to 
 bring others to that sense of justice and mercy to which the Lord 
 had brought tliem. From that time to the present day we have 
 felt it to be laid upon us as a Church to bear a testimony against 
 the sin of slavery. 
 
 "We have believed it to be our Christian duty to represent the 
 wrongs inflicted upon the people of Africa, and repeatedly to plead 
 the cause of the slave in addresses to our own Government. We 
 rejoice and are thankful at the progress which has been made in 
 this country and in other nations in this cause of righteousness. 
 Hundreds of thousands of slaves have been restored to liberty, and 
 many of the nations of the civilized world are now to a large extent 
 delivered from the guilt of the African slave trade — a trade which 
 the Congress of Vienna in 1815 pronounced to be "a scourge which 
 desolates Africa, degrades Europe, and afflicts humanity," and for 
 the supjiression of which laws have been enacted. But our hearts 
 are sorrowful in the consideration that this traflfic is still carried on 
 to a large extent, and that a vast amount of the population of the 
 western world still subject to the cruelty and the wrong of slavery. 
 We desire to clierish this sympathy, and that we nuiy behold the 
 increase of it amongst all men everywhere. 
 
 " One God is the Creator of us all. His eyes are in every place, 
 beholding the evil and the good. He will bring every work to judg- 
 ment, and every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be 
 evil. The families of the earth are all of one blood, — all i)artakers 
 in the same corrupt nature ; all are alike subject to infirmity, dis- 
 ease and death, and all amenable to the same judgment after death. 
 In the grave of our Lord Jesus Christ there is no respect for 
 persons. He tasted death for every man; all distinctions of coun- 
 try, tongue and color are merged in the immunity of that love 
 in which the Father has sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 22t 
 
 Wlierever the religion of the gospel of Christ obtains proper place 
 within us, it softens our hearts; it brings man into fellow feelino- 
 with his fellow-man ; it brings him to regard every man as a 
 brother, and to look upon the nations of the earth as all of one 
 family. Among tlie millions of mankind there is not one beneath 
 the notice of our Father who is in heaven. If we be partakers of 
 His love it leads us into pity for the forlorn, the helpless and the 
 oppressed, and it constrains us to do what we can to mitigate the 
 pain and to assuage the sorrows of those who are in suffering; to 
 befrieiid the friendless, and to labor for the improvement of 'the 
 condition of the most degraded of our race. 
 
 *' We are now assembled in our Yearly Meeting for the promotion 
 of charity and godliness amongst ourselves, and according to our 
 measure for the spreading of truth and righteousness upon the 
 earth. 
 
 " The condition of the nations of Africa, as affected by the contin- 
 uance of the slave trade, and that of the slaves in North and South 
 America and on the islands adjacent to that continent, have again 
 awakened our sympathy. 
 
 '' We believe it to be a duty laid upon us to plead the cause of these 
 our fellow-men. We submit to the consideration of all those in 
 authority in the nations which take upon them the name of Christ, 
 the utter incompatibility of slavery with the divine law, "Thou 
 shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." -'All things whatsoever ye 
 would that men should do to yon, do ye even so to them." These 
 were the precepts of our Lord. He spoke as never man spoke, and 
 of His words He declared "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but 
 my words shall not pass away;" they are the law of God's righteous- 
 ness to all generations. 
 
 " We submit whether, without breaking this law, it be possible for 
 man to hold or to claim a right to pro})erty in tlie person of his 
 fellow-man; whether, admitting the sujjreme authority of this law, 
 man can buy or sell his brother; whether he can withhold from those 
 who labor for him that which is just and equal; whether the forced 
 and uncompensated labor of the negro slave be not the breaking of 
 this law — in short, whether any man or any of the nations of men can 
 in anyone of these things violate tlie law of the Lord and be guiltless. 
 
 " For the space of three hundred years the trade in slaves has been 
 carried on from Africa to the opposite shores of the Atlantic, and 
 this traffic in the persons of men is still prosecuted with unrelenting 
 and unmitigated cruelty. Year by year countless multitudes are torn 
 from all that they hold dear in life to pass their days in toil and 
 misery. Men are still to be found so hardened in heart, so bent 
 upon the gain of oppression, and so devoid of all that we deem the 
 common feeling of humanity, as to spend their time and talents in 
 pursuit of this criminal commerce. We forbear to enter in detail 
 upon the large variety of human suffering inseparable from this 
 
^23 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETl 1850 
 
 complicated iniquity. But we trust we do not take too much upon 
 ourselves in asking those whom we now address to open tlieir cars 
 to the groaning of the oppressed, and to give themselves to sympa- 
 thy with their sufferings; to tliink upon the war, and rapine, and 
 bloodshed attendant upon the capture of slaves in the interior of 
 j^fj-ica — upon what they are made to endure in their transit to the 
 coast and in their passage across the ocean ; and not to shrink from 
 making themselves acquainted with the horrors and loathsomeness 
 of the slave-ship, to follow the poor, helpless, unoffending Negro, 
 if he survive the suffering of the voyage, and to think upon his 
 condition when landed upon a foreign shore, and entered upon a 
 life of hard and ho})eless servitude, — it may be — to be worked to 
 death in his early manhood, or to live to behold his children sub- 
 jected to the same degradation and oppression as himself. 
 
 "Blessed is the man that considereth the poor. The blessing of 
 the Lord resteth upon him who, knowing the evil which attends 
 his neighbor's lot in life, is stretching forth his hand for the relief 
 of his poverty and distress, and his blessing is upon those who, 
 like the patriarch of old, are inquiring into the sorrows and hard- 
 ships of the poor, the fatherless, and tliose who have none to help 
 them. 'The cause which I knew not,' said he, 'I searched out.' 
 
 "Our sympathies are awakened not for the native African alone 
 and the victims of the African slave-trade; but we feel for those 
 who are living and laboring in a state of slavery, who were born in 
 slavery, and possibly may die subjected to its privation and its 
 hardships. In those countries in which this system is upheld by 
 law, man is degraded to the condition of a beast of burthen, and 
 regarded as an article of merchandise. The slave has nothing in 
 life that he can call his own — his physical powei-s, the limbs of his 
 body belong to another ; it can scarcely be said that the faculties of 
 his mind are his own. All that distinguishes him as a rational 
 creature is by the law of the State treated as the property of 
 another. He may be a man fearing God, and desiring to api»rove 
 himself a discii)le of Christ ; we believe that there are such. What- 
 ever the consistency of his character as a Christian, and however 
 advanced in the cultivation of his mind, all avail him nothing, he 
 is still a slave, and the law allows him nothing to look to in life but 
 hopeless, helpless, friendless slavery. Endowed by his Maker with 
 capacity for enjoyment like other men, he has his social affections; 
 he mav be honorably married, and in married life surrounded by 
 offspring dear to him as his own flesh ; but lie knows not the day 
 nor the hour in which he may be torn from liis wife, or in which 
 his children, at their tender age, may be snatched away, sold to the 
 man-trader, and carried into far-distant captivity. So long as 
 slavery is upheld by law, we can have no security for the extinction 
 of a trade in slaves. Such are the contingencies of the system 
 under every modification of which it is capable, that until slavery 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 323 
 
 be abolished, men, women and children will, we fear, be imjiorted 
 from Africa and be bought and sold like the cattle of tlie lield ; 
 and the barbarities of the slave market will continue to pollute the 
 towns and villages of those islands in the West Indies in which 
 slavery exists, and in the slave-holding couiitries of America. 
 
 " The subject is so vast and of such manifold atrocity, we think, 
 that even the history of the whole world does not furnish a parallel 
 to its crime. We deem it scarcely possible for a man of the most 
 compehensive mind fully to possess himself of the extent of the 
 evil. The Lord alone doth know ; none but the Infinite Mind can 
 comprehend the individual and aggregate sufferings of those sub- 
 jected to their enormities. God alone can reach the heart and 
 awaken the conscience. It is our strong desire — we speak with a 
 reverence and fear — it is our prayers that He may bring every one 
 to a sense of his own share in the guilt, and that, ceasing from his 
 iniquity, the condemnation resting upon the man-stealer, and njion 
 those who trade in the persons of men, may no longer attach itself 
 to any one bearing the name of a Christian ; and thnt the slave- 
 holder, whether he be -more or less involved in the sin of op- 
 pression, may be brought to act in obedience to the law of impar- 
 tial and uncompromising equity, and, without hesitation and with- 
 out delay, restore to immediate and unconditional freedom every 
 slave that he holds in bondage. 
 
 " The gospel of Christ is precious to us. Through the mercy of 
 God to our s(nils we trust we are ]n-epared in some degree to appre- 
 ciate the means which, in his wisdom and love, he has provided for 
 the redemption of the world and the reconciling of man to himself. 
 In the word of ancient prophecy, Christ was promised that in him 
 all the families of the earth might be blessed. We cannot but 
 entertain the opinion that the enlightenment of multitudes of the 
 inhabitants of Africa, and their participation in the ])rivileges and 
 the consolations of the Christian religion, have been mucli retarded 
 by the evil deeds of many who have gone among them ; and espec- 
 ially that the cruelty and wickedness of the slave-trade have done 
 much to keep them in ignorance of him who died for them. In 
 that love which extends over sea and land, and seeks the happiness 
 of the whole human race, we make our appeal to those with whom 
 it lies, and respectfully press upon them to take their part, in accord- 
 ance with the peaceable religion of Christ, in removing every imped- 
 iment out of the way, that, through the grace of God, the African, 
 of every tribe and every tongue, may be brought to the knowledge 
 of the truth as it is in Jesus. 
 
 "May it please the Lord Almighty to bless those who reign, and 
 those who are in authority, in every nation in which Christianity 
 is acknowledged. May his wisdom preside in all their councils, and 
 the law of his righteousness be the rule of their actions. May the 
 Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus our Savior, be honored wherever his 
 
224 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1850 
 
 name is known. May liis holy religion obtain its rightful influence 
 in the earth, and the people become prepared to offer praise to God 
 in the language uttered by the heavenly host, ' Glory to God in the 
 highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' 
 
 " Signed in and on behalf pf the meeting, 
 •'George Stacey, 
 '■HJlerh to the meeting this near." 
 
 This address, through a snitable deputation from this Yearly 
 Meeting, has been presented and read officially before most of the 
 Soverigns in Europe, and has been published and circulated in the 
 various languages prevalent among most of the kingdoms of Europe. 
 The object of the prosecution of promoting this concern in this 
 way is to call up the attention of those in civil authority, through- 
 out the civilized nations of the earth, on this deeply affecting and 
 very calamitous subject, and to introduce such characters into all 
 becoming sympathy on behalf of those of our fellow beings every- 
 where who groan under the cruel chain of bondage and oppression; 
 and so far as this concern has been thus prosecuted, it appears, 
 according to the reports delivered through the deputation from 
 time to time, that this address has made a favorable impression 
 generally where it has thus been thrown before the public. 
 
 Many dear Friends of this Yearly Meeting appear to be impressed 
 with sorrow and regret, in consequence, in many instances, of the 
 present unsettled state of our religious Society, occasioned in a great 
 manner by the spirit of controversy, striving ''about words to no 
 profit, but to the subverting of the" harmony and the peace of the 
 church. I believe that the truth is not in this spirit of contro- 
 versy, which in the present day so much disharmonizes in some 
 parts of the Society of Friends. Therefore saith my spirit, let all 
 upright Friends, everywhere, more and more "earnestly contend 
 for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints," and also to 
 " pray for the peace of Jerusalem." 
 
 I believe that the spirit of controversy will cease in the church of 
 Christ in proportion as holiness advances, and not because there 
 will be less love for the truth, but because there will be more faith 
 in God. The man of a small degree of faith loves the church un- 
 doubtedly, and the interests of the church, but he fears it will one 
 day fall under the attacks of its adversaries. The man of strong 
 faith loves the church, but he believes that the church is safe, be- 
 cause God is its protector. Having confidence in the power of 
 truth to make its own cause good, he has less anxiety while he has 
 equal affection. The man of little faith is fearful, and to some ex- 
 tent a selfish man; and these mental truths, naturally react upon 
 and exaggerate his distrust of others. The man of strong faith is 
 necessarily courageous and generous, and has every disposition 
 therefore to give to even his enemies what is justly their due. The 
 man of little faith, not being able to see, resorts to what is visible 
 
1830 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 325 
 
 and tangible to human instrumentality, mingled up, as it often is, 
 with human passions. The man of strong faith relies with confi- 
 dence upon what is unseen, and conscientiously regrets all instru- 
 mentality which has not God for its author. 
 
 Strong faith, by a natural and unalterable law, gives origin to 
 strong love, that love which, in the language of the apostle, suffer- 
 eth long and is kind, envieth not, is not easily provoked — thinketh 
 no evil, beareth all things, enduretli all things. 
 
 Such faith resulting in such love, does not give rise to conten- 
 tion, but terminates it. It hushes the voice of suspicion and un- 
 kindness. The truth itself rejects all defenses and supports that 
 are not made in a true spirit. It does not need and it cannot ac- 
 cept such aid. There can be no greater or more injurious error 
 than to suppose that the truth requires or desires to be sustained 
 by a false spirit. The truth has power, but it is the truth when 
 sustained and announced by a true spirit which has the highest 
 power, the power to overcome all its enemies. It is the truth thus 
 announced and thus supported which shall harmonize every dis- 
 cordant interest, which shall bring to its true standard every erring- 
 intellect, which shall demolish every idol temple, and make every 
 hill and valley vocal with the Saviour's name! 
 
 Let all those among us, saith my spirit, who stand as way-marks 
 for the flock of Christ, maintain a firm stand against all uncalled- 
 for controversy; but let such " take heed unto " themselves, ''and 
 to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made" them 
 "overseers, to feed the church of God which he hath purchased 
 with his own blood." Christ hath, by his blood, opened up our 
 way to God, he " hath once suffered for sins," let all his faithful 
 followers therefore more and more suffer for and with him, so as 
 finally to obtain the crown. If we trace the lives of the most emi- 
 nent saints, shall we not find every notable step that is recorded 
 marked with a new cross, one trouble following on another, as the 
 Avaves of the sea do ? Is not this manifest, in many instances, in 
 the lives of the holy prophets and apostles, who stood firmly as 
 way-marks for the people of God, and suffered jmtieyitly for the 
 testimony of Christ ? Thus the church, which is likewise his body, 
 when it seems undone, when it is brought to the lowest posture and 
 state, yet by virtue of that mystical union with Jesus Christ shall 
 • be preserved from destruction, and shall be delivered and raised in 
 due time, yea, as he was nearest his exaltation in the lowest step of 
 his humiliation. So it is with his church: w^hen things are brought 
 to the most hapless appearance, then shall light arise out of dark- 
 ness. Christ can and will deliver and sustain his own church him- 
 self ; and I believe that all uncalled-for controversy is of most un- 
 happy consequences to his church. The foundation of God stand- 
 eth sure, having this seal: the Lord knoweth them that are his, he 
 bears the weight of all their works, and loorTcs them in them and 
 
226 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1850 
 
 for them, and herein he ordains peace for them, for their sanctifi- 
 cation. Therefore, saith my spirit, let not the man who is weak in 
 faith be found so much in thorny questioning, doubting and dis- 
 puting at every step, but apply himself more sim])ly to his duty, 
 studying to be " quiet," and trusting alone to his divine Master. 
 
 The gracious design of God in dealing with his church is, in 
 many instances, to make much room for his grace by much hum- 
 bling; and thus the time is not lost, as many suppose, when the 
 church is under much affliction; Imt trials patiently borne will 
 more and more advance the cause of truth and righteousness in the 
 earth, for God hath said in regard to his dealing with his church, 
 '' In my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on 
 thee." " I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many 
 generations." Therefore he will ever preserves and protect his own 
 church himself. " Christ also loved the church, and gave himself 
 for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of 
 water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious 
 church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it 
 should be holy and without blemish ; " and he will preserve and 
 protect his church through all time to the end, and finally, in the 
 great and general day of judgment, he will present it to himself a 
 glorious church. " Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun 
 in the kingdom of their Father." And finally, saith my spirit, let 
 all the saints know, " that the name of the Lord is a strong tower, 
 the righteous runneth into it and is safe." 
 
 The 2d, being First-day, I attended the morning and evening 
 meetings of Friends at Peckham, and was much favored in the 
 opening of gospel ministry. 
 
 The three following days I delightfully devoted to a little respite 
 of body and mind, to reading, writing, and to meditation on various 
 subjects. 
 
 The Gth. I this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 at Tottenham, which was, under divine mercy, made a good and re- 
 freshing season. 
 
 The 7th. I this day attended the Meeting of Sufferings in Lon- 
 don, which to me was an opportunity of interest and improvement. 
 
 The 8tli. I this day ^'again," in company with my dear friend 
 William Ball, set out for Chelmsford, and the next day being First- 
 day, we attended the meeting of Friends there in the morning, and 
 in the evening we held a large public meeting there. Both these 
 meetings were seasons of much favor and edification ; I was enabled 
 to deliver the doctrine of truth to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 10th. We proceeded this day to Colchester in order to at- 
 tend the Quarterly Meeting of Friends to be held there, which com- 
 menced this evening with the Meeting of Ministers and Elders, and 
 the next day a meeting for worship in the morning, and in the 
 afternoon a meeting for the administration of church discipline. 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT, 237 
 
 Prior to the meeting for worship very deep was my exercise, but in 
 the meeting for worship I was k^l in the opening of the everlasting 
 truth to labor in the gospel to the relief of my own mind, and, I 
 believe, to the satisfaction of Friends ; and on the 12th, in the even- 
 ing, we held a good open public meeting in this town for Friends 
 and others, to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 13th. We this morning held a glorious and heavenly meet- 
 ing at Dunmow, the people in attendance being in a capacity of 
 spirit to receive the truth in the love of it. They were deeply hum- 
 bled and much edified, and the great and worthy name was adored 
 and exalted over all ; and on the next day we attended the meeting 
 of Friends at Stansted, which, although it was small, yet it was a 
 heavenly, refreshing season to Friends. 
 
 The 15th. We sjjcnt this day ([uiethi at a Friend's house at Saff- 
 ron- Walden, in writing, reading and meditation, and the next day 
 being First-day, we attended Friends' meeting there in the morn- 
 ing, which Avas a good refreshing season to Friends ; and in the 
 evening we held a large public meeting there, wherein I was much 
 opened in the love of the everlasting gospel to speak to the states of 
 the people. This was a comfortable and glorious meeting. Praised 
 be the Lord forever I 
 
 The 17th. I this morning received the following kind and affec- 
 tionate letter from a dear and symj^athizing friend, who felt much 
 for me : 
 
 Chelmsford, Gth mo. 15th, 1850. 
 
 My Dear Friend: Since we parted thou hast been very often in 
 my remembrance with such affectionate regard and feeling sympa- 
 thy for thee that I am inclined to send thee a few lines, and would 
 a little cheer thee, if I could, believing that thou hast often to pass 
 along under feelings of depression and discouragement ; but, dear 
 friend, thy anchor is a snre and safe one, and thy refuge is in him 
 who remains to be a never-failing helper, the source of all true con- 
 solation, so that thou hast great occasion to trust and .not be afraid. 
 
 We have felt it a comfort and privilege to share thy company and 
 to witness thy humility and devotedness. It ought to stimulate us 
 to "walk by the same rule, and mind the same things," by which 
 thou hast been guarded safely on thy heavenward journey. 
 
 Accept this little salutation Avith much love, from thy affectionate 
 friend, Caroline Marriage. 
 
 I was this day much comforted in my mind in meditation on the 
 wondrous works of God, whom all within me adored and worshiped 
 in the beauty of holiness with deep humility. 
 
 We this evening held a meeting for Friends and others at Bard- 
 field, wherein the Lord was mercifully with us, so that I was en- 
 abled to declare the truth with such authority that every soul, I 
 thought, was much humbled and reached. 
 
 The 18th. We this evening held a pretty good meeting at Stebb- 
 
228 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. iSoO 
 
 ing for Friends and others, where the light of Christ was mani- 
 fested, it appeared to me, to the humility of every soul in attend- 
 ance ; the sincere were much encouraged in the right way, and .sin- 
 ners were called to repentance. 
 
 The 19th. Our service this day was that of holding a meeting 
 this evening at Maldon, wherein the great duty of waiting upon 
 God, including thcd of divine worship, was illustrated to the humil- 
 ity and edification of many minds. 
 
 The two following days we attended the service of the Quarterly 
 Meeting of Friends, held at Ipswich, which, through the opening of 
 the everlasting truth, was made a glorious and heavenly season; the 
 Good Shepherd of Israel mercifully interceded for us, and enabled 
 us to worship him in spirit and in truth. This was a time long to 
 be remembered by many for good. Praised forever be the name of 
 God, for he is worthy ! 
 
 The 22d. We this evening held a solemn and interesting meet- 
 ing at Woodbridge for Friends and others, wherein the great name 
 was exalted and adored in deep humility of spirit. Praised forever 
 be the Lord ! 
 
 The 23d, being First-day, we, in the morning, were at Friends' 
 meeting at Ipswich, which was a good and refreshing opportunity, 
 and in the evening we held a large and very interesting meeting 
 there, wherein the canopy of the love of God was sjDread over us to- 
 deep humility, under which the doctrine of Christianity flowed 
 freely. 
 
 The 24th. I this morning received a very kind and affectionate 
 letter from my dear wife, informing me that with much humility 
 of spirit she was pretty comfortable both in body and mind, and 
 that she was fully resigned to the divine will under all the circum- 
 stances of this life. 
 
 We this evening held a small but interesting meeting for Friends 
 and others at Bury, wherein God Avas worshiped in spirit and in 
 truth. 
 
 The 25th. I was this day much favored with pleasant religious 
 feeling and with sweet meditation. We this evening held a good 
 open meeting for Friends and others at Sudbury, wherein the warn- 
 ing of the everlasting truth went forth, to the deep humility of 
 many minds. 
 
 The two following days we attended the service of the (Quarterly 
 Meeting of Friends held at Norwich, wherein we found much good 
 service for the Lord, whose presence was with us in this meeting, to 
 the refreshment of many well concerned Friends. 
 
 The 28th. I this morning very afl'ectionately parted with my 
 dear friend William Ball, who has for some time past very accept- 
 ably been my companion and fellow laborer in the love of the gos- 
 pel ; and Avhile we traveled together we were united in the unity of 
 the spirit, in the bond of peace. 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 229 
 
 I this evening held a joretty good meeting at Wymondhara, in the 
 British school-room, where I thought some good impression was 
 made, and the next day I spent at a friend's house in writing some 
 letters to friends in America. 
 
 The 30th, being First-day, and a time of much divine favor. 
 This was my birthday, being fifty-nine years of age. Deep was the 
 gratitude which was raised in me this day to the everhisting God, 
 for all his blessings and mercies, which have attended me from the 
 time of my birth up to this day. All within me praised him for 
 his merciful, protecting care extended to me all my life long. 
 
 I this morning attended the meeting of Friends in the city of 
 Xorwich, and in the evening I held a large and highly favored pub- 
 lic meeting there. I was enabled in both of these meetings to 
 preach, I believe, the everlasting gospel in demonstration of the 
 spirit and with power, to the humility and edification of many 
 souls. 
 
 7th month, first. A day of much sweet and delightful medita- 
 tion with me, wherein I secretly sang praises to Him who is the 
 lifter up of my head and the sustainer of my soul under all circum- 
 stances. I this evening held a small but good open meeting at Yar- 
 mouth for Friends and others. 
 
 The 2nd. I this evening held a most interesting meeting at Pake- 
 field. The people in attendance were deeply humbled under the 
 power of the everlasting truth, wherein many tears were shed. 
 Blessed be God forever! 
 
 The 3rd. I this evening held a pretty good open meeting at Lis- 
 ton, and the next day I attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 there, which, through adorable mercy, was made a heavenly and 
 edifyingly refreshing season. Praised be the Lord I 
 
 The 5th. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Laverbreton, and in the evening held a meeting for Friends and 
 others at Kelvedon. Both these meetings were pretty good refresh- 
 ing seasons. 
 
 The 6th. I spent this day quietly at a Friend's house, in the 
 town of Coggeshall, in writing and meditation ; and the next day 
 being First-day, I attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, 
 which was a small but a good refreshing meeting ; and in the even- 
 ing I held a large public meeting there, which was eminently owned 
 by the Good Shepherd of Israel, whose presence was manifested, to 
 the humility and edification of many minds. I was much set at 
 liberty m this meeting, to the peace of my own mind in that true 
 love which is the source of all consolation. Praised forever be 
 the Lord I 
 
 The 8th. I this morning held a small but pretty good meeting 
 at Eaii's-Colm, wherein the good spirit was with us ; and in the 
 evening I held a large and heavenly meeting at Halsted, wherein 
 the everlasting truth reigned over all. I thought that religious im- 
 
330 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1850 
 
 pression in this meeting was formed in many serious minds, whicli 
 cannot be very soon erased. All the praise forever belongs to Him 
 who reigns in the heavens and in the earth. 
 
 The 9th. I this morning held a good open meeting at Booking, 
 wherein the divine presence pervaded, to the humility and edifica- 
 tion of many precious minds; and in the evening I held rather a 
 trying meeting at Witham. The people in the forepart thereof 
 were very much unsettled in their minds, particularly the youth 
 and the children, which 1 find is often the case in this country, 
 which is very much owing, I believe, to their training and educa- 
 tion. I at length, however, arose with much weakness, and after 
 desiring the people in Christian love to be stiU in body and mind 
 while in this meeting, strength, wisdom and utterance then being 
 mercifully given, so that this meeting ended in degree to the i)raise 
 and glory of God. 
 
 The 10th. I this day again attended the usual meeting of 
 Friends at Chelmsford, as it came in course, wherein the baptizing 
 power of the Lord was felt to be over the meeting, under the con- 
 straining power of the everlasting gospel. I was much favored in 
 this meeting, and in the afternoou I went to Tottenham, where on 
 the next day I again attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends, and 
 was therein favored with a short but impressive testinion}^, to the 
 satisfaction of Friends. 
 
 The 12th. I spent this ^d^y quietly at the kind house of my dear 
 friend George Stacey, who, with his dear wife and children, were 
 very kind to me in Christian love and sympathy. I this day wrote 
 some letters for America, of which one was affectionately for my dear 
 wife. 
 
 The 13tli. I this morning, with feelings of the deepest humility, 
 in company with my dear friends, George Stacey and Charles Fox, 
 set out for Norway. We went early this morning on the railroad at 
 Tottenham, near London, for Hull, upwards of two hundred miles, 
 where we landed in the evening in time to go on l)oard the Courier, 
 the British mail steamer, near midnight ; and the next day being 
 First-day, we held one little meeting for worsiiip to ourselves, 
 wherein our spirits were mutually refreshed togetiier in Christian 
 love. 
 
 We landed at Christian-Sands in Norway, after having in some 
 degree a rough passage, wherein I was pretty much sea sick, at 3 
 o'clock in the morning of the IGth, where we rested at an inn till 7 
 o'clock in the evening, when we set out by land on a double and 
 single cariole for Mandal, where we landed, after traveling forty 
 miles, at 3 o'clock in the morning of the 17th. The road on which 
 we traveled passing tiirough a broken and mountainous country, 
 was therefore very rough, so that it was very ditlicult to travel so as 
 to be out of danger, but we were mercifully preserved in safety on 
 every hand. It is in this season of the year light all night in this 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 231 
 
 country. The sun hides himself a very few hours about midnight, 
 but not so as to withdraw his reflecti7ig light at this season of the 
 year from this part of the globe. 'J'his night was a trying and 
 gratifying time to us — ti'ying on account of the dangerous travel- 
 ing, and gratifying on account of the wondrous display of nature 
 continually springing up before us, in respect to the lofty, craggy 
 mountains, very generally on each side of us. The night was clear 
 and serene, and everything before us was calculated to inspire de- 
 votional feelings, with deep humility to that worthy and Almighty 
 Being wlio provides for "man and beast." 
 
 We left Mandal at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of this day, and went 
 on board of a Norwegian steamer for Stavanger, where we landed, 
 with thankful hearts to the great giver of every good and perfect 
 gift, at 10 o'clo(;k in the evening of the ISth. 
 
 This passage on this steamer was very delightful and interesting, 
 seeing so very impressively before us the wondrous works of God ; 
 beholding on one hand the wonders of the mighty deep, and on the 
 other hand, very frequently, lofty and rocky mountains were pre- 
 sented to our view; so that everything before us was calculated to 
 inspire sweet meditation to the Almighty Creator of the world and 
 all things therein. 
 
 The 19th. I awoke this morning with sick-stomach complaint. 
 I felt discouraged and cast down in spirit, being very far from home, 
 among a j^eople of a strange language, and being in poor health, un- 
 der the care of public inn-keepers, the place of our lodging, who 
 were very kind to us. Under consideration of all things around me 
 I felt humbled as in sack-cloth and ashes. I poured out my soul 
 in secret prayer and supplication to him who had sent me to this 
 part of the world; and he heard me, and mercifnlly comforted my 
 bowed down soul. I took a little medicine and soon found relief in 
 my stomach. In the evening we attended the meeting of those 
 professing with Friends at Stavanger, and were much comforted in 
 sitting in silence with them; and the next day we sjient at our 
 lodging, in writing and meditation. 
 
 The 31st being First-day, and a time of deep exercise with me, 
 accompanied with true humility of spirit, prayer was raised in me 
 to the Lord that he would open the way for me in this country, 
 for I had none other to look to, being a stranger among a people of 
 a strange language ; great was the responsibility that I felt resting 
 upon me. I was, however, well assured that the Clood Shepherd of 
 Israel had mercifully sent me into this country for the pnmiotion 
 of his good cause. I therefore took fresh courage and trusted c//o?3e 
 in him. 
 
 We this morning attended the meeting of those professing with 
 Friends at Stavanger. There were about a hundred people in at- 
 tendance. After sitting with them in silence about one hour, all 
 of my certificates were read to them as translated in the Danish 
 
232 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1850 
 
 lano-uage by the reader, which is the Language spoken in this coun- 
 try ; after the reading of which, my dear friend Endre Dahl was 
 selected to be my interpreter during the prosecution of my relig- 
 ious engagement wliile in this country, through Avhom I spoke a 
 little to this interesting company, with feelings of great humility 
 and tenderness; so that the meeting closed under a precious cover- 
 ing of Christian solemnity. 
 
 In the afternoon we held another meeting there, when about two 
 hundred people attended, among whom I delivered a short but im- 
 l^ressive testimony. The power of truth was felt to be over this 
 meeting, whereby we were enabled to worship God in spirit and in 
 truth. The meeting closed with feelings of deep humility. Praised 
 forever be the Lord I 
 
 The 32nd. We this day, in the opening of the everlasting truth, 
 entered upou a family visit to those professing with Friends in these 
 parts; and we visited this day in the town of Stavanger about 
 eighteen families, to good satisfaction. The Lord was with us and 
 gave us much good service this day. 
 
 The 23rd. We this morning proceeded on a little sail boat to 
 Hunmaag Island, and through the course of the day we visited 
 about ten families of those jirofessing with Friends on that island, 
 and in the evening we held a iniblic meeting there at the dwelling- 
 house of our dear friend Eudre Dahl, my interpreter, to good sat- 
 isfaction. There were about two hundred people in attendance, 
 who were serious and attentive. The Good Shepherd of Israel was 
 mercifully with us this day, and gave us strength and wisdom suf- 
 ficient for his good work required of us through this day. 
 
 The 24th. We proceeded this morning on a little sail boat to 
 Dusevigan, rather a country place; and after visiting several fami- 
 lies of those professing with Friends, we held in the evening a very 
 interesting meeting in the open air; upwards of a hundred people 
 attended, who were very serious and attentive, and the Lord had 
 mercy upon us. and sent forth his call through the love of the gos- 
 pel to the tendering of many hearts, even to the shedding of many 
 sincere tears. 
 
 The 25th. We this day visited about ten families of Stavanger, 
 and attended the meeting of our dear Friends there, as it came in 
 course. There were about a hundred people in attendance, who 
 Avere very serious, to whom my mind was opened iu gospel love, to 
 the deep humility of spirit of all in attendance, many of whom 
 poured forth their tears in great tenderness of spirit. 
 
 The 26th. We set out this morning in a little sail boat for 
 Strandsogn, where we landed after about two hours" delightful sail, 
 and in the afternoon we held a meeting there. About a hundred 
 people attended. The meeting was hekl at the dwelling-house of a 
 friendly man, who was very kind to us. The people in attendance 
 were serious and much broken down in spirit, among whom I was 
 
1850 JOUENAL OF THOMAS ARNETT, 233 
 
 drawn to bear the Lord's testimony, much to their cnconragement, 
 and in the evening we had a religious opportunity with several fam- 
 ilies of those professing witli Friends there, to good satisfaction; 
 after which we returned to our lodgings at Stavanger, on our little 
 sail-boat, where we spent the next day in reading, writing and in 
 religious meditation. 
 
 The 28th, being First-day, deep was the exercise of my mind 
 this day. I felt poor and needy; my spirit was raised in prayer 
 and supplication to God, "with groanings which cannot be uttered." 
 I desired His all-sustaining power above every other consideration, 
 knowing that I had none other to depend on to euable me for the 
 discharge of all my religious duties ; and He mercifully heard my 
 secret cry this day, and enabled me for the work of the day. 
 
 We this day attended the fore and afternoon meeting of our dear 
 friends at Stavanger, there being about two hundred people in at- 
 tendance on each occasion, among whom my mind was very much 
 opened in the love of the everlasting gospel, to the comfort and 
 •edification of the spirits of our dear friends, who shed many tears 
 with us under the power of the truth. We also this day had relig- 
 ious opportunity with several families of our dear friends, to very 
 good satisfaction. 
 
 The 29th. We set out this morning on a little sail-boat for the 
 island of Renmsoe, where we landed in time to hold a public meet- 
 ing in the afternoon, in a barn. About two hundred people at- 
 tended, who were very serious, and appeared to be willing to receive 
 the truth delivered among them in the love of it; and after the 
 meeting closed, they manifested towards us warm feelings of friend- 
 ship. 
 
 In the evening we had religious opportunity with several families 
 on this island — of those professing with Friends — to very good sat- 
 isfaction; after which we returned on our little sail-boat to our 
 lodgings at Stavanger, where we spent the night with peaceful 
 mind. 
 
 The 30th. A day long to be remembered by many. I awoke this 
 morning under much exercise of spirit, attended with discourage- 
 ment of mind. I cried to the everlasting God for his mercy and 
 for his all-sustaining power, and he in his own time heard me, and 
 strengthened me for the prosecution of his good work before me. 
 We this evening held a deeply interesting and a large, crowded 
 meeting at Stavanger, in the Moravian chapel. The ]ieople in at- 
 tendance were very serious and attentive, among whom I was much 
 opened in the love of the everlasting gospel. Divine truth was dis- 
 tilled upon this meeting as the heavenly dew, and many hearts were 
 open to receive it in the love of it; and the great name of God was 
 exalted and glorified. Many hearts were softened and broken down, 
 and many tears were shed; the blessed truth reigned over all, and 
 the meeting closed with thanksgiving to the Good Shepherd of Is- 
 rael for all his blessings and mercies. 
 
234 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AllNETT. 1850 
 
 The 31st. A day long to be remembered for good. We this day- 
 attended the Two Months' Meeting among those professing with 
 Friends at Stavanger — a meeting institnted by them for church dis- 
 cipline — and they transacted the concerns that came before them in 
 the unity of spirit and in the bond of peace. About two hundred 
 people attended the meeting for worship, held prior to their pro- 
 ceeding to business, among whom I was most impressively opened 
 in the love of the gospel. Under the constraining power thereof 
 they poured forth their tears, and my tears also responded to theirs, 
 under feelings of the deepest humility. This was a heart-melting 
 meeting; every soul in attendance was bowed down as in dust and 
 ashes, and a Christian solemnity covered the meeting which cannot 
 be well described. 
 
 This was my farewell meeting with these tender-hearted people, 
 never expecting again to see them in this world; therefore strong- 
 was our desire that we all might so walk and so conduct ourselves 
 while in time as finally to be accounted worthy to meet in heaven, 
 where parting will be no more. We were together this day under 
 the refreshing influences of the Holy Spirit, and this meetnig closed 
 with gratitude to God, and the tenderest love one to another, and 
 this meeting closed our service at Stavanger. 
 
 While there we visited upwards of fifty families of those profess- 
 ing with Friends in those parts, to mutual satisfaction and refresh- 
 ment of spirit. The Lord was mercifully with us in the prosecu- 
 tion of this visit, and gave us, from time to time, strength and wis- 
 dom to the glory of his name. 
 
 In the prosecution of our visit to these tender-hearted people, we 
 were oftentimes deeply humbled. The tenderness we have witnessed 
 among them, and their cordial reception of our visits in their hum- 
 ble dwellings, have been much to our comfort; and, not in a few 
 instances, have we been ministered unto, though not by Avord,. 
 yet by the salutation of their spirits in Christian love. From day to 
 day we felt our responsibility while among this tender-hearted and 
 awakened people. 
 
 In order more fully to show the feeling of this awakened people 
 toward us, and their Christian acknowledgment of our visit to them, 
 I will here give a record of their testimony of our service among 
 them, in the following certificate, which they issued this day on 
 our behalf: 
 
 ''In this, our Two Months' Meeting, we have the pleasure of 
 having in our presence a minister of the Gospel from Indiana Yearly 
 Meeting in North America, Thomas Arnett, and two members, 
 George Stacey and Charles Fox, from England. These Friends are 
 on a religious visit to us; we therefore believe it right on theioresent 
 occasion to express our feelings of gratitude, first, towartl God, from 
 Avhom all good gifts come, and next, towards our friends present, 
 for their sympathy and services for our spiritual growth and eternal 
 happiness. 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 235- 
 
 "We have great occasion for being ashamed when we look upon 
 their zeal, their labor and their devotion, only for the eternal hap- 
 piness of their fellow men; and Friends, when rightly examining 
 ourselves, must we not acknowledge that we are wholly unworthy 
 of so much mindfulness ? The kind exhortations which, we feel, 
 have reached and afresh warmed our hearts, is a renewed grace from 
 the Lord towards us. Great will our responsibility be if we do not 
 earnestly mind these blessings, and seek to come nigh the fountain 
 of life, whereby our souls may be refreshed. Yea, seek more ear- 
 nestly, each for himself, to watch against the dreadful fruits of 
 slothfulness, that this evil may not spring forth and appear to us 
 ourselves, or to others, that we have ceased to love Him above all 
 things who first loved us so much. Let, therefore, a renewed fer- 
 vency become our happy portion, that we may bear fruit to the 
 honor of Him who called us. Then will the loving kindness which 
 our present friends have evinced be rewarded, and the parting with 
 them will not then become hard, though we should not see one an- 
 other any more; hoping that as we continue faithful and watchful 
 until the evening ol our Christian combat, we shall behold one an- 
 other in eternal luqipiness. On this blessed occasion we believe it 
 right to preserve a testimony of our dear friends, Thomas Arnett, 
 George Stacey and Charles Fox, who, in great humility and Christ- 
 ian simplicity, have visited every one of us in our own houses, and 
 communicated suitable admonitions to our states; and they have 
 also held several public meetings for worship in our neighboring 
 l^arts, where Thomas Arnett very effectively has spoken to the state 
 of the people, by which many have evidently been touched. Thus 
 has he in the Lord's garden watered the seed which the Lord alone 
 can give growth unto. 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of the Two Months' Meeting held at 
 Stavanger, on the 31st of the 7th month, 1850. 
 
 "By Endre Dahl." 
 
 We this morning, with feelings of deep humility, left Stavanger 
 and went on board of a Norwegian steamer. Many of those profess- 
 ing with Friends, and many other friendly people accompanied us 
 to the water-side, where they took a most hearty and affectionate 
 leave of us, we, under much religious feeling, mutually commend- 
 ing one another to God and to the word of his grace manifested in 
 the heart, never expecting to meet again in this world, therefore 
 very earnest was our desire that we might ever Avalk the life of the 
 righteous, and finally be favored to meet in heaven where parting 
 will be no more. Thus we parted with this tender. Christian, and 
 awakened people, whom God mercifully gathered through the draw- 
 ing of his good spirit to be as a light, I believe, in this part of the 
 earth ; and in parting with them in brokenness of heart and in tears, 
 I commended them to him who is able to keej) them from falling. 
 
236 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1850 
 
 and to present them faultless before the presence of his glory, in 
 the heavens, with exceeding joy. 
 
 Eighth month, first. We this morning, about C o'clock, landed at 
 Christian Sands, where we lodged through the night, and on the 
 next day, the 2nd, we held a most interesting meeting there, in a 
 large room of the Britannia Hotel, fitted up for the pur^DOse. This 
 was a large and favored meeting; every soul in attendance Avas 
 hushed down in profound silence, and the name of God was exalted 
 over all, and at the close of the meeting the people most affection- 
 ately took their leave of us with tears and brokenness of heart. Here 
 I most affectionately parted with my dear friend Endre Dahl, of 
 Stavanger, who had been very acceptably my interpreter in the 
 prosecution of my visit in Norway. We this afternoon, at 3 o'clock, 
 again went on board of our steamer, and had a pleasant sail on the 
 wati-rs of the German Ocean till the next evening, the 3rd, about 
 8 o'clock, when a very awful storm arose, which continued raging 
 Avith awful fury for about the space of ten hours, causing the sea to 
 be very boisterous, during which time I was very sea-sick. This was 
 an awful night, our steamer being plunged up and down over the 
 furious Avaves, and not knowing what minute we might be thrown 
 into eternity ; but during this trying time I felt perfectly peaceful 
 and resigned in my mind to him Avho had sent me forth to proclaim 
 the glad tidings of the gospel. When the storm a little passed away, 
 and we were favored to see the first day of the week, the 4th, we, 
 with thankful hearts to God for all his mercies and deliverances, 
 held our little meeting, which was to our mutual strength in him 
 whose name "is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it, and 
 is safe." 
 
 We were favored at Umjtli, on the next day, the 5th, at 3 o'clock 
 in the afternoon, to land at the port of Travemunda, where we imme- 
 diately took coaching for the city of Hamburgh, a distance of about 
 fifty miles, and Ave landed there about 11 o'clock this morning, 
 where Ave left on the next day, the 6th, in the morniiigat 11 o'clock, 
 on railroad, and landed in the evening at the city of Hanover, 
 Avhere we left on the next morning, the 7th, on railroad, and landed 
 late in the evening at the city of Cologne, where early on the next 
 morning, the 8th, Ave left on railroad and landed in the evening 
 about o'clock at Ostcnd. And I believe that the following night 
 Avas one of the most dangerous and aAvful nights that I ever passed 
 through. We proceeded this evening to pass over the English 
 channel to Dover, being about sixty miles over across. We went 
 on l)oard of a little sail packet in company Avith about fifty pas- 
 sengers, in order to pass over a sand-bar, so as to go on board of a 
 Belgian steamer which Avas Avaiting for us on tlie opposite side of 
 the bar. When our little sail packet came to the bar, the tide Avas 
 ra])idly rising, and a very aAvful wind storm arose, and the mighty 
 waves Avere raging in aAvful fury. I cannot describe the awfulness 
 
18.50 JOUllNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 337 
 
 and grandeur of this deeply affecting scene. It appeared to me, ac- 
 cording to natural observation, that we would all be instantaneously 
 thrown into eternity, and this was the general opinion of the pas- 
 sengers. For my own part, I soon became centered down in spirit 
 in obedience of faith, and felt perfectly resigned to the divine will, 
 and felt that I had none to depend upon but tlie Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ, whom, in my spirit, I most earnestly supplicated for 
 his mercy and protection toward all of us at this awful time, and I 
 believe that he mercifully interposed for us and gave me the assur- 
 ance that we should all pass over the channel in safety. Our little 
 sail packet, as slie passed over the bar, was continually plunged 
 up and down over the awful, furious waves, and every time when 
 she was plunged down from the waves she was dashed upon the bar 
 with such violence that it seemed that she would be instantly bursted 
 all to pieces, and the water so violently dashed in upon her so as to 
 wet us all over, and we had to lay hold strongly on her, to keep 
 from being thrown out of her. We at length were favored merci- 
 fully to pass over this bar in safety, and Avitli much difficulty to go 
 on board the steamer for Dover, where we landed on tlie next morn- 
 ing about 6 o'clock, after passing through a most boisterous and 
 stormy night, during which time I was very sea-sick, our steamer 
 being plunged up and doAvn all night over the awful, furious waves. 
 
 After resting awhile here, and taking some refreshment, we left 
 Dover and went on a railroad conveyance for the residence of my 
 dear friend George Staeey, of Tottenham, where Ave landed in the 
 evening with feelings of deep humility and gratitude to him who 
 was mercifully with us in the prosecution of the dedication of this 
 our late service in obedience to his blessed will. We felt our minds 
 inspired with thankfulness to him, not only for his mercy and pro- 
 tection manifested to us while on this perilous journey, but also for 
 his kind providence bestowed upon us throughout all our life long. 
 Here I very affectionately parted with my dear friend Charles Fox, 
 who was very useful on this journey in various ways, manifesting 
 to me all becoming Christian sympathy and kindness. 
 
 The 10th. I rested this day quietly at the kind house of my dear 
 friend George Staeey, who had been a most acceptable companion 
 to me on this late trying journey; he is a worthy and a very expe- 
 rienced friend. 
 
 The 11th, being First-day, I attended Friends' Meeting in the 
 morning at Stoke-IS^ewington, and in the evening at Tottenham, 
 and was thankful in spirit again to be with Friends who could un- 
 derstand my speech and language. 
 
 The 12th. I this morning attended the Second-day meeting of 
 ministers and elders in London, and was much comforted under the 
 covering of the Christian sympathy manifested toward me by 
 Friends of this meeting; and in the evening I went to Saffron- 
 Walden, where I spent the next day in writing and visiting fami- 
 
^38 JOUllXAL OF THOMAS ARXETl 1850 
 
 lies, ]iarticularly such families of Friends who were not able through 
 indisposition to attend meeting. 
 
 The 14th. I this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends, 
 held at Wisbeach, which was a good, comfortable meeting; tind on 
 the next day in the evening I held a good open meeting there, in 
 the Baptist chapel. The truth reigned over all in this meeting. 
 Praised forever be the Lord! 
 
 The 16th. I this evening held a large and very interesting meet- 
 ing at Lynn, in the Town Hall. The warning and the invitation 
 of tiie everlasting gospel went forth in this meeting, to the deep 
 humility and edification of many souls. The sincere were en- 
 couraged in the way of life and salvation, and sinners were called 
 to repentance, and the meeting solemnly closed with prayer and 
 supplication to God. 
 
 The 17th. I this day went to Chatteris, and the next day being 
 First-day, I attended Friends' Meeting there in the morning, which 
 was a small but comfortable meeting ; and in the evening I held a 
 public meeting there, in the Methodist chapel. About a thousand 
 people attended, who were very serious and attentive. Divine truth 
 reigued over all in this meeting. 
 
 The 19th. I this evening held a pretty good and open meeting 
 at Earith. Those in attendance appeared to be people in the lower 
 walks of life, but they appeared to be sober and thoughtful ; and 
 through divine mercy my mouth was opened unto them, and my 
 heai't was enlarged toward them in the love of the everlasting 
 gospel. 
 
 The 20th. I this evening held a meeting at Sutton, wherein, 
 after waiting awhile in silence, the everlasting truth opened my 
 Avay to deliver the testimony of the gospel to the people, to their 
 deep humility and edification of soul. Praised forever be the name 
 of God! 
 
 The 21st. I this evening held a small but pretty good meeting 
 at Huntingdon. The people in attendance appeared to be generally 
 religious, and desirous to receive Christian instruction, which Avas 
 mercifully given in gosjiel love, to their humility and edification. 
 
 The 22nd. I this evening held a public meeting in Friends' meet- 
 ing-house at Cambridge. Though no Friends reside there, yet they 
 have a good meeting-house there, which is occupied occasionally by 
 Friciuls who are engaged in the public work of the -ministry, in 
 holding pul)lic meetings for divine worship; and the meeting held 
 there on this occasion was large, and of a deeply interesting nature, 
 wherein I was called upon, in the demonstration of the si)irit, and 
 Avith power, a little to illustrate the doctrine of conversion to God, 
 regeneration and holiness, according to the Holy Scriptures. The 
 people appeared to be very serious, and manifested a disposition of 
 mind to receive the truth of the doctrine, which was delivered in 
 the love of Christianity. Praised forever be the Lord! 
 
1850 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 239 
 
 The 23rd, I this evening held a pretty good meeting at Ives, 
 where the testimony of truth went forth, to the humility and edi- 
 fication of many tender minds. 
 
 The 24th. 1 traveled this day to Attleborough, and the next day 
 being First-day, I attended meeting in the morning with the few 
 Friends there, whicli, though it was very small, yet we were favored 
 with the divine presence; and in the evening I held a large and 
 highly favored meeting there in the Baptist chapel. The presence 
 of the Lord was mercifully with us on tliis occasion, and the right- 
 eous were much encouraged in the good old way, and sinners were 
 warned and called to repentance and amendment of life. 
 
 The 26th. I this evening held a good open meeting at Harling, 
 wherein the benetit of waiting upon God in public, in families, and 
 in private, was brought to view and sustained to good satisfaction, 
 according to the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 The 2Tth. I this evening held a small but jiretty good meeting 
 at Tivet's Hall. Those in attendance appeared to be religious peo- 
 ple, and manifested a desire to receive the instruction of Christian- 
 ity in the love of it. 
 
 The 28th. I was this day under feelings of much humility and 
 interest. About this season of the year is the time of wheat har- 
 vest in this country, and, in passing on from place to place, I ob- 
 serve many poor women and children in the wheat stubble-fields, 
 gleaning for the purj^ose of procuring some bread for their suste- 
 nance. I this day became concerned to visit a company of these 
 gleaners. I therefore, having suitable company, went into a field 
 where they were gleaning, and proposed a meeting for them. They 
 were glad of the opportunity, and soon assembled around me in a 
 suitable spot of the field, there being upward of fifty women in the 
 company, with a number of children, and while standing together, 
 way opened in my mind for me to deliver to them a suitable word 
 of exhortation, to good satisfaction. 
 
 In the evening I held a large and very interesting meeting at 
 Diss, where the power of God reigned over all, to the glory and 
 honor of His worthy name. All the i:)raise be given to Him for- 
 ever. 
 
 The 29th. I this evening held a very good and open meeting at 
 Tasburgh. The ])eople in attendance were serious, and received, I 
 hope, the truth delivered through me, to their humility, benefit 
 and edification. 
 
 The 30th. I this morning received the following very kind and 
 affectionate letter from my dear wife : 
 
 Waynesville, 6th month, 29th, 1850. 
 My Dear and Affectionate Husband: 
 
 I this morning received thy very kind and interesting letter, 
 which gave me great satisfaction to hear from 0)ie who shares so 
 largely of my love, and who occupies so great an interest in my 
 
240 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. isao 
 
 prayers, that tliou mayest be preserved from the snares of this 
 world, both temporally and spiritually. And, my dear, feel assured 
 that thou art remembered at the throne of grace by thy affection- 
 ate wife. But, my dear, another portion of thy letter cast a differ- 
 ent shade over my feeling, knowing that thou hast been called to 
 ])ass through deep waters and sore afflictions, and thy bodily afflic- 
 tions have been so great; and notu, in the dispensation of a kind 
 providence, a new door of labor has been opened to thee, I feel to 
 sympathize with thee, and to humble myself before the Lord, and 
 to ask with more earnestness than usual that thou mayest be sus- 
 tained under all the trials that thou mayest be called to pass 
 through. The Lord has ])romised to sustain all that call upon Him 
 in the obedience of faith, and we have none other to go to, as touch- 
 ing this matter. I have but little idea of the country or the peo- 
 ple that thou art going to visit, but I feel assured that it is not the 
 work of man that has induced thee to this work; and, if of the 
 Lord, it makes no difference what we are called upon to jiass 
 through, for if the Lord is on our side He will bring us through 
 more than conquerors. My desire is that the God of mercy and of 
 love may go with thee, and strengthen thee on every hand, adequate 
 for His work, that He may from time to time grant thee wisdom 
 and utterance to the glory of His worthy name, and to the edifica- 
 tion of those to whom He may mercifully call thee to visit. May 
 He bless thee forevermore! 
 
 I now close this letter with feelings of deep and tender sympathy 
 toward thee, and remain, most affectionately, 
 
 Thy sympathizing wife, 
 
 Eachel Arnett. 
 
 I this evening held a small but pretty good meeting at North 
 Walsham. Those in attendance were religious people, and mani- 
 fested a disposition to receive the truth, delivered in the love of it. 
 
 The 31st. I this day went to the city of Norwich, and my dear 
 friend, William Forster, being at home, I therefore lodged Avith 
 him during my stay in this city; and he, together with his dear 
 wife, Anna Forster, manifested towards me the tenderest Christian 
 sympathy in the unity of the spirit and in the bond of peace, 
 whereby I felt a little renewedly encouraged, and strengthened up 
 in the sjiirit of my mind. They are both of them very valuable 
 ministers of the gospel, and bright ornaments in our religious soci- 
 ety; and he has traveled very extensively in the work of the i)ul)lic 
 ministry, both in Europe and also in America, and has always given 
 good satisfaction in his travels, not only among all upriglit Friends, 
 but also among Cliristians of other religious denominations where 
 he has traveled. 
 
 Uth month, Urst. Being the first day of the week, I this morn- 
 ing attended the nu'eting of Friends in the city of Norwich, and 
 in the evening I held a large public meeting there. Both these 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT, 241 
 
 meetings were seasons of much divine favor, wherein I believe that 
 many precious and baptized souls were mei'cifully merged into 'the 
 spirit of the glorious gospel, to deep humility and to much edifi- 
 cation of spirit; and sinners were also tenderly warned to flee betimes 
 from the wrath to come. 
 
 The 3nd. I this evening held a precious and good meeting at 
 Lammas, wherein my mouth was opened in the love of the glorious 
 gospel, to good satisfaction. Praised forever be the Lord ! 
 
 The 3rd. I this morning left the city of Norwich, and traveled 
 to the town of Wells, where in the evening I held a large and good 
 open meeting in the Independent chapel. The jieople in attend- 
 ance appeared to be willing to receive the testimony of truth which 
 was delivered among them, with humility and to edification. 
 
 The 4th. I this day, after visiting some families, held a small 
 but pretty good meeting at Downham, Those in attendance 
 appeared to be serious, seeking people, and they were in this meet- 
 ing encouraged in the way of salvation. 
 
 The 5th. I this evening held a precious and glorious meeting at 
 Gedney, where the everlasting truth reigned over all, to the deep 
 humility and tenderness of many precious and well-concerned minds. 
 May all the praise be forever given to God, for he is worthy eter- 
 nally ! 
 
 The 6th. A day of much exercise with me, wherein my spirit 
 was bowed before God in secret prayer and supplication for his pre- 
 servation on every hand. I this evening held a large and heavenly 
 meeting at Spalding, where I was largely opened in the love of 
 Christ, to the edification of many jn-ecious and tender minds. 
 
 The 7th. I was this day inspired with delightful and prayerful 
 meditation on the wondrous works of God, wherein, under a re- 
 newed sense of his glory, majesty and power, every thought in me 
 was brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. This was a 
 season of much refreshment. and consolation to my poor mind. I 
 this day went to the home of my dear and kind friend, George 
 Stacey, of Tottenham, near London, and the next day being First- 
 day, I attended the morning and evening meeting of Friends there^ 
 as it came in course, and was much comforted in being with friends- 
 on this occasion, who were very kind to me. 
 
 The 9th. I this day again attended the Second-day morning meet- 
 ing of ministers and elders in London, wherein prayer, witii feelings 
 of deep humility, was offered up to the Lord Almighty for his wis- 
 dom and for his merciful protecting power on every hand. Friends 
 of this meeting manifested deep and tender sympathy for and with 
 me in the prosecution of the Aveighty concern now resting upon' 
 me, and they encouraged me to be faithful to every opening of Di- 
 vine wisdom. 
 
 The 10th A day of very deep exercise with me. All within me 
 was humbled as in the dust. I was brought very low in spirit. Y 
 
242 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. ^^ 
 
 cried secretly to my blessed Saviour for support, for I felt th^t I 
 had none other to depend upon; and as it pleased him, he merci- 
 fully remembered me, and a little renewedly strengthened me. I 
 s^jent the forenoon of this day in writing and in meditation, and in 
 the afternoon I attended a meeting for worship at Tottenham, held 
 on a funeral occasion, wherein I sat in suffering silence. Some other 
 Friends, however, engaged in the work of the ministry, had good 
 service, so that it was a good meeting to many. 
 
 Tiie 11th. I this morning, under feelings of very deep humility, 
 and with prayer and supplication to God for his wisdom and pro- 
 tection on every hand, in company with my dear friend, John S. 
 Eobson, again set out in the prosecution of my religious visit on 
 the continent of Europe. We left London about 11 o'clock this 
 morning, and went on the railroad for Dover, where we landed in 
 the afternoon, in time to go on board a French steamer for Calais, 
 and passed over to that port in about two hours, with a pleasant 
 sail, where we continued through the night with comfort. 
 
 The 12th. We this morning left Calais and went on railroad 
 conveyance for Minden, in Germany, where we arrived, with some 
 occasional detention on the way, on the 14th^with thankful hearts. 
 
 The loth, being First-day, we attended the meeting of Friends 
 at Minden in the morning, and toward the close of the meeting all 
 my certificates were read in the German language, and my dear 
 friend, David Peitsmeyer, was selected by friends to be my inter- 
 preter while in this part, after which I spoke a little to those pres- 
 ent, being about fifty persons, and informed the Friends of this 
 meeting of my prospect of a family visit among them, which was 
 united with by them. In the afternoon we again attended their 
 meeting, there being about a hundred persons i)resent, among 
 whom I found much good service in the gospel, to our mutual sat- 
 isfaction. ■ 
 
 We spent the two following days in visiting the families of this 
 little meeting. We visited about twelve families, to good satisfac- 
 tion, in which Friends were much encouraged in the way of salva- 
 tion. 
 
 The 18th. We again this morning! attended Friends' meeting, 
 as it came in course, and were much comforted together with them; 
 and in the afternoon we held a public meeting for the citizens of 
 Minden, in a large room of a hotel fitted up for the purpose, which 
 was well attended by Friends, Jews, Lutlierans and lloman Cath- 
 olics, and the power of the Lord was over and above all in this 
 meeting. The people were very still and attentive, and received 
 the word of the ministry delivered among them, I trust, to some 
 lasting benefit. 
 
 The 19th. We this morning, with feelings of deep humility and 
 gratitude to God, held a meeting at Herford, in a large room of a 
 hotel, which was pretty well attended by serious-minded people. 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 243 
 
 jinioug svhom tlie power of truth broke forth to the touching of 
 some tender hearts, who poured forth their tears under a sense of 
 the want of a Saviour's mercy and forgiveness of their sins. 
 
 After meeting, a young man — a Lutheran and a schoohnastcr — 
 €ame to our lodging with much tenderness and tears, and desired 
 an interview with us, which being granted, be informed us that his 
 heart was ''touched and broken tbrough the gospel, in being at 
 this meeting with us, wherein he saw that he was a sinner; and he 
 earnestly desired me to pray for him.*' 
 
 I opened to him the nature of true prayer, that the blessed Sav- 
 ior, through the Spirit, was the author thereof, to whom I directed 
 him as the healer of breaches, the mediator of the New Covenant, 
 -and the great minister of the true sanctuary, and of the true tab- 
 ernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man. We parted most 
 friendly. 
 
 The 20th. We this day, under some discouragement in my mind, 
 held a meeting at Motho, in a large room of a hotel. About a 
 hundred people attended, who were mostly of the Lutheran church, 
 among whom was one of their priests. The power of the Lord 
 prevailed in this meeting, and I believe that some present received 
 the word of the gospel to lasting benefit. The people after meet- 
 ing Avere very friendly and affectionate toward us, and expressed 
 their satisfaction with my service in this meeting. 
 
 The 21st. We this day traveled to Pyrmont, which is a place of 
 much interest and delight in respect to the natural scenery exhib- 
 ited there, affording a iield for much pious meditation; and the 
 next day, being First-day, we in the morning attended the little 
 meeting of Friends there; where, after the reading of all my cer- 
 tificates, and my dear friend, August Mundhunck, being selected 
 to be my interpreter, I spoke a little by way of encouragement to 
 the dear friends who constituted this meeting, and informed them 
 of my prospect of a family visit among them, which was united 
 wnth, and in the afternoon meeting I found good service among 
 them, to satisfaction. They appeared to be glad to see us, and they 
 gave us a hearty welcome among them. 
 
 The two following days we devoted in paying a religious visit to 
 the families of this little meeting, where wc found aljout ten fam- 
 ilies, and about fifty members, among whom we found a number of 
 sincere-hearted Friends, with whom we were comforted in the 
 spring of life. 
 
 The 25th. I arose this morning with much pleasant feeling in 
 mind, spirit and body; but as soon as I had dressed myself, I had 
 a most iminful and bitter cup to drink. The deepest trial came 
 upon me that I ever experienced — the heart-melting and the tears- 
 flowing intelligence of the death of my dear wife — according to the 
 account of a dear friend of mine from my own neighborhood — a 
 W'orthy and experienced Christian of the Methodist Church, as con- 
 tained' in the followino- letter : 
 
244 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1850 
 
 AVayxe.sville, 8tli mo. 31, 1850. 
 Thompson and Midgley — 
 
 Dear Friends : As Thomas Arnett has his letters I'rom America 
 directed to your care, I have taken the liberty of addressing you, 
 and through you to his friends. This morning, at 9 o'clock, his 
 wife ceased to live amongst us. She had been sick about ten days 
 only. Her i>riucipal disease was inflammation of the bowels, or 
 modified cholera. I saw her daily, except one day, while she was 
 sick. I did not think her dangerous until the last two days of her 
 illness. Everything was done for her that could be done by earthly 
 friends, and while we attended to her temporal wants, I trust that 
 our Heavenly Father attended to her spiritual wants. She was sub- 
 missive, and complained but little. I sat by her for some time be- 
 fore she died; and while the change was going on, I could not com- 
 pare it to anything better than a candle burning out in the socket. 
 She passed off without a struggle: but I hope that our loss was her 
 eternal gain. We miss much her cheerful company and pleasant 
 society, and feel that a blank is made amongst us that can never be 
 filled. The ways of Divine Providence are m3'sterious. 
 
 I do feel truly for my dear friend. Thomas Arnett. He has met 
 with a great loss. It may not be long until he will meet his dear 
 wife in the great multitude which no man can number. I have no 
 doubt but sister Eachel Arnett died happy, as she lived a very ex- 
 emplary life. Her funeral was solemnly and impressively attended 
 to throughout in the order of the Society of Friends. 
 
 I am, in Christian love, your friend, John M. Hadden. 
 
 Some little time prior to receiving this intelligence, I dreamed 
 one night that my dear wife, with a most pleasing, smiling and 
 transparent countenance, and "clothed with a white robe," ap- 
 peared to me, and said: '' I am in heaven." I thought I was moved 
 upon with awful solemnity, and said to her: 'Why hast thou thus 
 appeared to me?" and she said: ""The Good Master has thus sent 
 me to give thee this intelligence at this time, to prepare thy 
 mind to receive it with Christian fortitude when it shall come 
 to thee outwardly; for tliou wilt never again see me in this world. 
 Therefore, give me up to Him wlio doeth all things right." I thought 
 I then approached her, and umler a flood of tears on my part, took 
 a most affectionate leave of her, during all which her countenance 
 remained unchanged. I then awoke, under feelings of very deep 
 humility. 
 
 In receiving this intelligence, although this dream sprang right 
 up before me, yet for awhile I was afraid that it would be more than 
 I could bear. I wept bitterly, and mourned deeply in my spirit. 
 My dear companion did all that he could to bear me up. I at length 
 found myself fainting away, at which time I went and composed 
 myself on the bed in my lodging-room at a public hotel, where my 
 mind became a little centered in God. the eternal substance. I then 
 
18.W JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 245 
 
 •arose antl cried in my spirit to my God to support and to protect 
 me in this my deepest trial. I cried, in my lamentation, in this 
 language: ''iSTaked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked 
 shall I return thither. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken 
 away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!" "The thing which I 
 greatly feared is come upon me. and that which I was afraid of is 
 come iinto me.'" "0 that I had wings like a dove, for then would 
 I fly away and be at rest." " I am the man that hath sore affliction" 
 by the turning and the overturning of the holy hand upon me. 
 Let me live a solitary life, and let me sit alone and keep silence as 
 it may be borne upon me; and let me again and again go forth in 
 my sorrow, and put my mouth in tlie dust as in heavenly places, if 
 so be there may be hope for me, a poor worm of the dust, because 
 my dearest love upon earth is gone — she who was my sweet comfort 
 when at home. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto 
 the house of God in company. Yes, she who was the bearer up of 
 my arms in the day of trouble is gone, and I am left alone to weep 
 iifter her. Yes, all my family is gone into heaven, and left me be- 
 hind! my God, remember me in this deep affliction. "0 that 
 my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I 
 might weep day and night" for the loss of my beloved, who was one 
 of the best of women, who faithfully discharged all her domestic, 
 relative and religious duties with all becoming humility of spirit, 
 calmness and dispassion." 
 
 Under a sense of this very deep loss to me, "I cried unto the 
 Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my 
 supplication. I poured out my complaint before him, I showed 
 before him my trouble." "I looked on my right hand and beheld, 
 but there was no man that "could comfort me. " Eefuge failed 
 me;" no man could bear up my afflicted and borne-down soul. "I 
 cried unto thee, Lord; I said Thou art my refuge and my portion 
 in the land of the living: attend unto my cry, for I am brought 
 very low." Extend thy mercy, thy compassion and thy protection 
 to me, my God, in this my deepest trial, and enable me to endure 
 hardness for the sake of thy good cause. let me suffer for and 
 with thee, holy Saviour, while I am in time, that 1 may forever 
 reign with thee in the glorious world to come. 
 
 In my lamentation under this privation, this ancient promise was 
 renewed in my mind in the love of my blessed Saviour through the 
 Holy Spirit : "'As thy days, so shall thy strength be." " My grace 
 is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.'' 
 Let me, therefore, both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of 
 the Lord, for my beloved one is taken away from the evil to come. 
 Yes, the wife of my bosom is gone into heaven — into "the house 
 not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." let me so go 
 forth, while in time, as finally to be accounted worthy to meet her 
 there, where parting will be no more. I know that my loss is her 
 
246 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1850 
 
 gain; therefore let me bless God and look forward in the obedience 
 of faith, and go forth in his name in the work of tlie ministry, 
 whereunto I am called. Yes, let me go forth according to his holy 
 will, for I know that while I am mourning after my beloved one, 
 she is enjoying the society of the holy angels and the spirits of the 
 just in the heavens, in the glory of that great city, the street of 
 which is pure gold, ''as it were transparent glass,'' wherein there 
 is no temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the 
 temple of it." And seeing that my dear one is there, let me there- 
 fore, under God's grace, quietly give her up to him who for a sea- 
 son gave her to me. Blessed be his worthy name forever! 
 
 But, 0, my sorrow is very deep on this occasion, and this my 
 lamentation is known in heaven; for "'Behold my witness is in 
 heaven, and my record is on high." "0 that my words were now 
 AvrittenI 0, that they were printed in a book I That they were 
 graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever." 0, let 
 me more and more set my face toward heaven, that I may be pre- 
 pared to be gathered there in leaving this world! Yes, "Let me 
 die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like unto 
 his," for "when a few years are come, then I shall go the way 
 whence I shall not return." "Turn thee unto me," my God, 
 "and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted ; the 
 troubles of my heart are enlarged. 0, bring thou me out of my 
 distresses ; look upon mine affliction and my pain," and sanctify, I 
 beseech thee, this my deepest of all trials, to the glory of thy great 
 and worthy name, and to my furtherance in the way of sanctifica- 
 tion and purity in soul, spirit and body! And "forbid that I should 
 glory save in the cj'oss of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world 
 is crucified unto me, and I unto the world," for it api)ears to me 
 that all this world, with all its pleasures, riches, and glory, is but 
 as "vanity of vanities." Yes, "All is vanity." I beseech thee, 
 holy and adorable Saviour, to enable me to endure hardness, under 
 this mournful trial, as a good soldier of thine, and keep me from 
 evil on every hand, and lead me in the way everhistmg, and let all 
 things Avork together for my good ; and finally, saith my spirit, in 
 regard to the wondrous works of God, "0, the depth of the riches, 
 both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" How unsearchable 
 are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! Praised be His 
 worthy name forever! 
 
 I this afternoon at 4 o'clock had a public meeting appointed for 
 the citizens of Pyrmont — notices of this meeting having gone out 
 prior to my receiving the account of the deatli of my dear wife — and 
 when tlie appointed hour came, although I was deeply depressed 
 with sorrow, and i^ossessed of a mournful spirit, yet believing that 
 this meeting was appointed in the ordering of truth, I therefore 
 felt bound to go forth and attend this meeting. But 0, tlie bur- 
 den that was upon me in approaching this company! Tiie meeting 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 24T 
 
 was well attended by the most respectable class of the citizens, 
 among whom, after sitting a while in silence, I arose, I believe in 
 the strength and power of the everlasting God, and was favored in 
 His name to proclaim the glad tidings of the glorious gospel, to the 
 deep humility of the whole meeting; and toward the close of my 
 discourse I informed the people of the death of my dear wife, the 
 intelligence whereof having been received by me this morning, which 
 raised in then- minds the deepest sympathy for me, so that many 
 tears were shed on this affecting occasion. 
 
 The 26th, We this morning left Pyrmont and traveled during' 
 this and the following day to Elberfeld, a fine and interesting town, 
 where, on the 28th, Ave rested, my health being poor and delicate. 
 And the next day being First-day, we held in this town, in the eve- 
 ning, in the Gymnasium College school-room, a most interesting 
 meeting. About a thousand people were in attendance, and all of 
 them appeared to be broken down in tenderness and tears; and to- 
 ward the close of my discourse in this meeting, I also informed of 
 the death of my beloved wife, which intelligence seemed to touch 
 every heart in attendance; and when the meeting closed, the peo- 
 ple generally came and spoke to me through my interpreter, John 
 Easche, a worthy young Friend, and expressed their deej) sympathy 
 for and with me, in respect to the loss of my dear wife; so that 
 we parted under the tenderest feeling and j^rayer for and with one 
 another, hoping fi/ially to meet each other in heaven, where part- 
 ing will be no more. This was a glorious meeting, and o)ie that 
 will long be remembered by many tor good. Praised forever be the 
 name of the everlasting God I 
 
 The 30th, We this morning left Elberfeld, and set out in the 
 jDrosecution of my visit to those professing with Friends in the 
 south of France, We went on railroad conveyance to Cologne, 
 where we went on board of a steamer, on the river Rhine, and had 
 a pleasant sail to Coblentz, where we landed in tiie evening and 
 lodged there all night, I was this day much depi'essed in spirit, 
 in consideration of my solitary situation in life, No language can 
 describe the discouragement that attended my borne-down spirit 
 this day. 
 
 Tenth month 1st, We this morning again Avent on board of our 
 steamer on the Rhine, for Strasbourg, Avhere we landed, after pass- 
 through some interesting country, on the next day in the eA'ening, 
 and lodged there all night. And on the 3rd Ave Avent on railroad 
 couA^eyance to Mulhouse, and lodged there all night, and the next 
 day and night aa'c traA^eled by ddigence to Besancon, a dark, Ro- 
 man Catholic town, Avhere we landed early in the morning of the 
 5th. My health Avas very poor this day, being afflicted in my stom- 
 ach and bowels, so that I Avas hardly able to travel, but under solid 
 consideration I concluded to go forward. We therefore left Besan- 
 con after staying there a few hours, and traveled this day by chaise 
 
248 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1850 
 
 to Dole, and in landing there I was very unwell and much cast 
 down in spirit. I, however, through a little medical aid, soon ex- 
 perienced much relief in my stomach and boAvels, for which I was 
 very thankful to that great and worthy Being, who not only gov- 
 erns the universe, but also sustains all his little, dependent chil- 
 dren; very great has been his mercy and protection toward me, a 
 poor worm of the dust. Praised be his name forevermore! 
 
 The 6th being First-day, we therefore continued at Dole this day, 
 and found it to be a dark place, the Roman Catholics having the 
 sway there. We at a suitable time held our little meeting to our- 
 selves and were much comforted in spirit. 
 
 The 7th. We this morning left Dole and traveled by chaise and 
 railroad conveyance -to Chalons, where we lodged all night. And 
 on the 8th, in the morning, we went on board of a steamer on the 
 river Soane, for Lyons, where we landed in the evening and lodged 
 there all night at a good hotel, with thankful and peaceful minds. 
 
 The 9th. We this morning left Lyons and went on board of a 
 steamer on the river Ehone, and had a very interesting sail to Val- 
 ence, through a country exhibiting much delightful scenery. And 
 on the next day we proceeded forward by steam navigation, and 
 railroad and coach conveyances, and were favored at length to land 
 a,t Nismes, in the evening, with thankful hearts, where the few 
 Friends there were very glad to see us, so that they gave us a very 
 hearty welcome; and the 11th we spent there in writing, reading, 
 and in meditation. Praised be the name of God forever I 
 
 The 12th. We this day went to Congenies, and the next day, 
 being First-day, we in the morning attended Friends' meeting 
 there, where we met upwards of fifty people, among whom I found 
 much good service ; and toward the close of the meeting, all my 
 certificates were read in the French language, and my dear friend, 
 Jules Paradon, was selected to be my interpreter, and I informed 
 Friends of my prospects of a family visit among them, in the love 
 of the gospel, which was united with. And in the afternoon we 
 held a pul)lic meeting there; about two hundred jDcople attended, 
 among whom the testimony of the gospel went forth, to the edifi- 
 cation of many minds. 
 
 The two following days we visited about twenty families of 
 Friends at Congenies, among whom way opened in the truth to 
 break the bread of life from house to house, to mutual help. And 
 in the evening of the latter day, we held a meeting at the town of 
 Calvisson, in the Protestant Temple, so called, where about five 
 hundred people attended, among whom the solemn warning of the 
 gospel went forth, to the humility and edification of many minds. 
 
 While we were at Congenies, we were very kindly entertained at 
 the house of our dear friend Lydia Majolier, a worthy Friend, one 
 who loves the truth, because she has exiierieneed conversion to 
 God, through the blessed oi)eration of the spirit of the holy Saviour. 
 
1850 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 249 
 
 The IGth. We this day held a small but very good meeting at 
 Fontanes, in the dwelling-house of a friend. Those who attended 
 were all of them religious people, among whom the stream of gos- 
 pel love went forth to edification and encouragement; and after 
 ipeeting they all gave me the right hand of fellowship, and desired 
 my encouragement in the prosecution of the work of the ministry, 
 consistent with the will of him who has thus sent me forth. 
 
 The ITth. We this day held a deeply interesting meeting at 
 Saint Hippolyte, in the Protestant Temple. About two hundred 
 people attended this meeting, who were gpierally religious profes- 
 sors, among whom the water of eternal life flowed freely, to their 
 humility and edification, so that I thought that this meeting was 
 in degree to the glory of God; and while we were there we visited 
 several families of those professing with Friends, to very good sat- 
 isfaction. Praised be the Lord forevermore! 
 
 The 18th. We this day held a small but good meeting at Cres- 
 pian, in the dwelling-house of a family professing with Friends. 
 Those who attended Avere religious people, and appeared to be glad 
 of this religious opportunity; and in the evening we returned to 
 Nismes, where on the next day we visited about ten families of 
 those professing with Friends, which visit, I thought, was mutually 
 helpful, being a little refreshed in spirit renewedly from house to 
 house, in the opening of divine wisdom. Praised be the Lord for- 
 evermore ! 
 
 The 20th. Being First-day, we this morning attended the meet- 
 ing of Friends at Nismes, and some notice being given of our 
 being here, upwards of fifty people came in and attended this meet- 
 ing with us, who were (jeneraUy religious people, and we were favored 
 with a blessed meeting. The word of life and salvation went forth 
 freely, to our strength and humility; and at the afternoon meeting 
 upward of fifty women attended, and a very few men, among whom 
 the word of the gospel went forth, to the waking of their hearts, 
 and after meeting they manifested the tenderest sympathy for and 
 with me. 
 
 The 21st. We this evening held a deeply interesting meeting at 
 Xismes, in the Methodist chapel. About three hundred people at- 
 tended this meeting, who were generally religious people, and who, 
 being in a situation of mind to receive the truth in the love of it, 
 therefore the water of eternal life was poured forth among us, as the 
 rain descends upon the thirsty ground. Every soul in attendance 
 was reached, and many tears were shed; and toward the close of 
 my discourse I informed them of the death of my dear wife, which 
 called forth very deep sympathy for and with me. 
 
 The 22nd. We this morning went to Saint Gilles, and after hold- 
 ing a good and comfortable meeting for and with the few Friends 
 there, in their usual meeting-room, we held a public meeting there, 
 in the Protestant Temple. About a hundred people attended, who 
 
350 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. l8SO 
 
 were generally serious-minded people, among whom, through divine 
 wisdom, we were in degree united in the unity of the spirit, in the 
 bond of peace. Although this is a dark, Roman Catholic place, yet 
 in some degree light is a little springing uji in the minds of some 
 of the people. 
 
 The 23rd. I arose this morning with a cheerful and peaceful 
 mind, and gratified myself awhile in viewing some of the antiquities 
 of Nismes, wherein I was much humbled in seeing such ancient work 
 of the hand of man, which has so long since mouldered away in the 
 dust of the earth. In the afternoon we held a good and precious 
 meeting at Codognan, in the Methodist chapel. About fifty people 
 attended, who were sober minded and seeking people, among whom 
 the testimony of the gospel went forth to their edification. 
 
 The 24th. We this morning at 9 o'clock held a good and farewell 
 meeting for and with the few friends at Nismes. About twenty-five 
 people, including Friends and others, attended this meeting, which 
 Avas, through divine goodness, made a heart-melting season; after 
 which we left this town and set out by the diligence, so called, for An- 
 nonay, where we landed on the 2Gth, in the evening ; and next day 
 being First-day, we held a meeting there in the afternoon in the 
 Protestant Temple. About a thousand people attended this meet- 
 ing, and many of them were Roman Catholics, among whom I was 
 much opened in the love of the everlasting gospel, to the glory of the 
 cause of truth and righteousness in the earth. Magnified forever be 
 the great name of God! 
 
 Here I parted with my dear friend, Jules Paradon, my interpreter, 
 who, while he was with me, manifested the dee])est sympathy for and 
 with me under my present affliction — the loss of my dear wife. 
 t The 28th. We this morning left Annonay, and set forward on 
 our journey; and on this and the three following days we traveled 
 (meeting with some occasional little detention on the way) by steam 
 navigation, railroad and diligence conveyances, to the town of Ton- 
 nerre, and in landing there my health was poor, and my mind was 
 under much depression, so that I felt much borne down in body and 
 in mind. I secretly supplicated the everlasting God to have mercy 
 upon me, and He mercifully heard me, and a little strengthened me 
 up. Magnified forever be His great. His glorious and His worthy 
 name I 
 
 11th month, first. We this day went on railroad conveyance at 
 Tonnerre for the city of Paris, where we landed in the evening at 6 
 o'clock, among a great crowd of people; and in passing from the rail- 
 road station for some miles to a hotel for lodging, the luminous ap- 
 ])earance of this great city, being lighted up with gas, was grand, 
 and the noise and confusion of the city were humbling, so that my in- 
 troduction into this noted and fashionable city was of a very interest- 
 ing nature and character. 
 
 The 2nd. We spent this day very much in visiting some religious 
 
1850 ' JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 251 
 
 and interesting people of this city among the Methodists and the 
 Protestants, so called, who received our visits in that true love which 
 unites the children of God together everywhere. 
 
 I this morning received the following testimony concerning my 
 dear wife, from a dear friend to his wife, and through her to me, 
 who is now in America, from Great Britain, engaged there in the 
 work of the ministry, in the order of our religious society. 
 
 ''How affecting the unexpected decease of the wife of our dear 
 friend, Thomas Arnett! We received information from a dear 
 friend, of Indiana, of the mournful circumstance. We felt sweetly 
 united together when permitted to meet. She was very kind and 
 remarkahly open, and it would seem that both she and her husband 
 had given each other up for the service to which the latter was 
 called in the gospel of Christ, without much expectation of meet- 
 ing again on earth. The loss of such a wife will be a heavy bereave- 
 ment to him, but we cannot doubt that He who in infinite wisdom 
 has seen meet thus to afflict, will abundantly open those springs of 
 consolation to his own soul to which he has so often invited others. 
 We cannot doubt that the mourner will be comforted, and that all 
 will tend to magnify the power of divine grace and to the further- 
 ance of the gospel. My Christian love and tender sympathy is 
 towards him under this peculiar trial." 
 
 Benjamin Seeuohm. 
 
 The 3rd. Being the first day of the week, and a sorrowful and 
 painful day to me, in observing"the vanity, the wickedness, the con- 
 fusion and the looseness manifested in this place, so that I could but 
 deeply weep over this city in seeing this day of the week so awfully 
 and so openly violated. May God have mercy on tlie citizens of 
 this high, proud and lif ted-up city! No way opening for us to hold 
 a public meeting on this day in this city, we therefore retired to our 
 room at our lodging, and held our little meeting to ourselves, to the 
 comfort of our own minds. 
 
 The 4th. A day of deep exercise with me. I was much cast down 
 in spirit. I sought carncdhj the mercy and the protection of my 
 God, which was extended to me in the latter part of this day. We, in 
 the evening, held a good open meeting in this city, in the Methodist 
 chapel, which was Avell attended by religious people; for although 
 there is so much "sin" in this city, yet there are tender, lumible- 
 minded and seeking people to be found therein. My dear friend, 
 Charles Cooke, a worthy and experienced minister of the gospel, of 
 the Methodist church, Avas my interpreter in this meeting. The 
 Lord was with us on this occasion, and enabled us to worship him 
 in spirit and in truth, so that we parted with the people who at- 
 tended this meeting in true Christian love. 
 
 The 5th. We this morning left the city of Paris, and traveled 
 this day on railroad conveyance to Boulogne, Avhere we lodged all 
 night, and the next morning we passed over the English channel 
 
252 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. i850 
 
 to Folkstone, on a steam packet, and had a very rough passage, in 
 which I was very sea sick; and after passing over in about two 
 hours, we went on railroad conveyance for London, and from there 
 to Tottenham, and were favored to land at the house of my dear 
 friend George Stacey, in the evening, where I very affectionately 
 parted with my dear friend, John S. Eobson, who, while he was 
 Avitli me, was a very kind and sympathizing companion to me, and 
 did all he could to render me comfortable. 
 
 In traveling on the continent of Europe in the prosecution of 
 my religious concern, I frequently saw and felt much in regard to 
 many things which affected me and caused me to mourn; for not- 
 withstanding the darkness which prevails there in many instances, 
 under the influence of the Roman Catholic church, yet in some 
 degree the light of the gospel is springing up in the hearts of the 
 people, so that I found many tender-hearted people in my public 
 meetings there, who appeared to be submitting to the power of the 
 cross of Christ, which mortifies the seeds of the body and leads the 
 true believer to eternal happiness. 
 
 While there I visited, in gospel love, upwards of a hundred fami- 
 lies of those professing with Friends, who received this visit with 
 all becoming humility and brokenness of spirit, manifesting true 
 Christian sympathy for and with me. 
 
 While traveling there, I was oftentimes distressed in observing 
 the First-day of the week, a day set a part for rest and public wor- 
 ship, so aivfully violated; the citizens in many instances paying no 
 more respect to this day than any other day, but throwing it open 
 to all manner of looseness, sin and vanity. May God have mercy 
 upon them! It appears to me, according to the Holy Scriptures, 
 that throughout the Patriarchal and Mosaic ages of the world, that 
 the seventh day of the week was sanctioned to man as a day of rest. 
 And as our blessed Saviour arose from the dead on the first day of 
 the week, and it is gent'ralJij believed that He ascended up into 
 heaven on the first day of' the week, and the day of Pentecost, 
 when the Holy Spirit was so wondrously poured forth upon the 
 Christian believers in their collective capacity, being also on the 
 first day of the week, and it is well known that the early Christians 
 did observe the first day of the week as a day of rest and public 
 worship, wherefore I believe that there is sufficient Scripture au- 
 thority to observe the first day of the week as a day set apart for 
 rest to man and beast, and for public worship, to the very end of 
 this world. 
 
 The 7th. I this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 at Tottenham, and found it to be my duty to sit with Friends in 
 silence. In the meeting for worship, prayer was openly offered up to 
 the Lord Almighty on my behalf, by a dear Friend in the work of 
 the ministry, wlierein I was commended to Him and to the word of 
 His grace, under the affliction noiv resting upon me in consequence 
 
JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 253 
 
 of the loss of my dear wife. Friends of this place were very glad 
 again to see me, and they entered into the tcnderest sympathy for 
 and with me, in consideration of my late sore bereavement ; and I 
 was very glad to see them, and felt thankful that I was released 
 from being under the necessity of laboring in the gospel for the good 
 of souls through an interpreter, for it appears to me that the word 
 of the ministry of the gospel passing through this channel to the 
 j)eople will very much lose the effect thereof before it reaches the 
 'understanding of the hearers. 
 
 The two folloAving days I spent quietly in writing and in resting 
 at the house of my kind friend, George Stacey ; and on the 10th, 
 being First-day, I attended the morning and evening meeting of 
 Friends at Tottenham, and found much good service therein in the 
 work of the ministry. 
 
 The 11th. I this day attended the Second-day morning meeting 
 of ministers and elders in London, wherein way a little opened for 
 me a little to inform Friends, in some small degree, in a few in- 
 stances, of the exercise and trial attendant on my religious life, in- 
 cluding my late bereavement, the loss of my dear wife, and the deep- 
 est sympathy was responded to me in Christian love by Friends of 
 this very interesting meeting, wherein prayer was openly offered up 
 to the Good Shepherd of Israel on my behalf, by a dear Friend in 
 the work of the ministry; that the springs of consolation might be 
 opened to me, was supplicated for, under the late mournful afflic- 
 tion that had been permitted to come upon me. This was a reliev- 
 ing and refreshing season to my afflicted spirit and borne-down 
 mind. 
 
 The two following days I again spent quietly in writing and in 
 resting at my lodging, the residence of my dear friend, George 
 Stacey; and on the 14th I was at the meeting of Friends for wor- 
 ship at Tottenham, and was silent; and in the afternoon I visited 
 several aged Friends, who were not able to go out to meeting, which 
 visit was, I believe, mutually helpful in the blessed truth. 
 
 The loth, I this day traveled on railroad conveyance to Notting- 
 ham, where on the next day I spent in reading, writing and in med- 
 itation; and on the 17th, being First-day, I attended Friends' meet- 
 ing there in the morning, and in the evening I held a public meet- 
 ing there, which was well attended. In both these meetings the 
 Lord was mercifully with me, and opened my mouth and enlarged 
 my heart toward the people. Praised be His name forever ! 
 
 The 18th. A day of pleasant meditation with me. My mind 
 was much humbled, under a sense of the mercy and goodness of 
 God to me. I S})ent this day mostly in writing. 
 
 The 19th. I this day traveled to Gainsborough, and on the next 
 day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends tliere, where I again 
 met with my dear friend, Richard F. Foster, under religious concern 
 "again" to travel with me a Avhile, whose prospect was as cordial to 
 
^54 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETl 1850 
 
 my soul. We had good service in this meeting, and Fiiends ap- 
 peared to be very glad to see us, among whom we felt comforted. 
 
 The 21st. We this evening held a large and crowded meeting at 
 Blyton, in Hickman's Court-room, so called. The Lord was mer- 
 cifully with us on this occasion, and granted us strength and wis- 
 dom to labor in His good cause, to the glory and honor of His wor- 
 thy name. 
 
 The 22nd. We this evening held a deeply interesting meeting at 
 Sturton, in the Methodist chapel, where the fountain of the water 
 of life was opened freely, to the refreshing of many precious, hun- 
 gry and thirsty souls. Praised forever he the name of the everlast- 
 ing God I 
 
 The 23rd. We spent this day quietly at a Friend's house, in 
 reading, writing, and in meditation, feeling peaceful in mind under 
 the spring of divine consolation. 
 
 The 24th. We this morning, being First-day, attended Friends' 
 meeting at Gainsborough, wherein I sat in sulfering silence. My 
 dear companion, however, found much good service in the work of 
 the ministry of the gospel. In the evening we held a public meet- 
 ing in tills town, in the Corn Exchange. About a thousand peo- 
 ple attended this meeting, among whom the testimony of the ever- 
 lasting truth went forth, to the humility and edification of many 
 minds. The meeting solemnly closed with prayer and supplication 
 to the good and merciful Shepherd of Israel. Praised forever be 
 His name I 
 
 The 25th. A day of pleasant meditation with me, the spring of 
 consolation being opened to my weary and afflicted soul, so that I 
 rejoiced in the God of my salvation. We this evening held a meet- 
 ing at Scotter, in the Methodist chapel, where several hundred peo- 
 ple were in attendance, among whom there were many precious, 
 hungry, thirsty and baptized souls, unto whom the fountain of the 
 water of eternal life was opened freely, to their encouragement and 
 refreshment, and sinners were Avarned and called to repentance. 
 Praised forever be the name of God! 
 
 The 26th. I was this day under much exercise of mind. I se- 
 cretly approached the throne of grace, and supplicated the God_ of 
 my salvation for mercy and protection, knowing that I had nothing 
 to"^depend upon but His mercy and grace, so as to be preserved from 
 evil on every hand. We this eVening held a large and highly favored 
 meeting at Epworth, in the Methodist chapel. Those who attended 
 were fjoieraUij religious people, among whom the uniting testimony 
 of truth went forth, to the breaking down of the spirit of disunity 
 and discord among the professors of Christiiiuity. I thought that 
 many precious and sincere souls were edified in tliis meeting. 
 
 The 27th. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends, as 
 it came in course, at Brigg, and although it was small, yet it was a 
 very favored and refreshing season; and in the evening we held a 
 
mo JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 255 
 
 / 
 
 public meeting there, in the Corn Exchange. A.bout a thousand 
 people attended this meeting, who appeared generally to be very in- 
 telligent, among whom the light of the gospel went forth, to the 
 calling up of much interest and strong desire so to walk in the 
 way of the power of the Cross while in this world as finally to be 
 saved with an everlasting salvation. Praised eternally be the name of 
 Ood! 
 
 The 28th. We this evening held a very interesting meeting at 
 Barton, in the Temperance Hall. Several hundred people were in 
 attendance, among whom the free offer of eternal salvation through 
 the gospel in the name of the blessed Saviour went forth, to the hu- 
 mility of many minds. I thought that every state in this meeting 
 was spoken to in the light of truth. Praised forever be the name of 
 God! 
 
 The 29th. Our service on this day was a meeting in the evening 
 at Winterton, in the Temperance Hall, which was a large and very 
 good meeting, wherein truth reigned over all, to the glory of God; 
 and on the next day I very affectionately again parted with my dear, 
 worthy and sympathizing friend, Richard F. Foster, he feeling his 
 mind again turned toward home. We traveled together while he 
 was with me in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace ; and 
 on this day, after parting with him, I traveled to the neighborhood 
 of Broughton. 
 
 12th month, first, — and the First-day of the week. I this morn- 
 ing attended the meeting of Friends at Broughton, which was a 
 small and very good meeting; and in the evening I held a precious 
 and open meeting there, wherein I was much opened in the liberty of 
 the everlasting gospel. Praised forever be the Lord I 
 
 The 2nd. I this morning received another deeply affecting let- 
 ter from a dear friend of my own Yearly Meeting, conveying to me 
 the sorrowful intelligence of the death of two dear sisters of my 
 dear wife, who recently departed this life, — one in my own neigh- 
 borhood, and the other one near thereto. It appears that they made 
 a glorious and happy end through the meritorious suffering and the 
 righteousness of our adorable Redeemer. The succession of such 
 intelligence deeply affects me, so that I again this day dwelt much 
 alone and wept bitterly. I poured fortli my tears in solitary places. 
 The language of my heart was, "Save me, God, for the waters 
 are come in unto my soul." "I am come into deep Avaters, where 
 the floods overflow me." Deliver me, my God, and let me 
 not sink. "Hear me, Lord, for thy loving kindness is great. 
 Turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mer- 
 cies," and cause all these, my deep trials and afflictions, 
 more and more to work together for my good. "Let not the water- 
 flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up," but pre- 
 serve me, God, according to thy mercy and judgment, amidst all 
 my heights and depths, and provide and open the way for me while 
 I am in this world, on every hand, according to thy wisdom. 
 
256 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1830 
 
 I this evening lield a meeting at Navenby. in the Methodist 
 chapel, where about five hundred people attended, many of whom 
 were God-fearinf/ people. I was much set at liberty in the ti-uth in 
 this meeting. The power of divine grace was magnified, and the 
 blessed truth reigned over all. Exalted forever be the great and 
 worthy name! 
 
 The 3rd. A day of much exercise with me, Avherein I Avas much 
 alone, and shed many secret tears. No language can describe my 
 solitary feeling. I felt, however, re^iewedly that I was going the 
 way of all the earth, and that I had provided for me, through the 
 merc}^ of God, a home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 In the evening I held a good open meeting at Leadenham, in the 
 village hall, wherein I thought every soul in attendance was merci- 
 fully visited through the love of God. Praised forever be his great, 
 glorious and worthy name! 
 
 The 4th. I this evening held a precious and open meeting at 
 Pulbeck, in a barn, fitted up for the purpose. The people in attend- 
 ance were very still and quiet, and received the word of truth which 
 was delivered to them in the demonstration of the spirit and with 
 power, to much benefit. 
 
 The 5th. I was this day brought under renewed deep exercise 
 of mind, in which I felt my entire dependence on the Good Shep- 
 herd of Israel for every good and perfect gift. I in the evening 
 held another jiublic meeting at Nottingham, in the Corn Exchange. 
 Upwards of two thousand people attended this meeting, which was 
 a very mixed congregation, ^Jeople of various persuasions in regard 
 to religion being present, among whom the uniting testimony of tlie 
 great doctrine of Christian redemption went forth in the authority of 
 truth, to the breaking down of prejudices between the Christian 
 churches. This was a most glorious meeting, and 07ie that will 
 long be remembered for good. Blessed be the name of God for- 
 ever! 
 
 The 6th, I this evening held a pretty good open meeting at 
 Theanor, in the Methodist chapel, wherein the great duty of divine 
 worship is illustrated, to the edification of a respectable congregation 
 of Christians of various persuasions, who were in this meeting a 
 little reneiuedly united in the love of the Christian religion ; and 
 the next day I sjjent quietly at a friend's house in resting and 
 writing. 
 
 The 8th. Being First-day, I this morning attended the meeting 
 of Friends at Derby, and in the evening I held a large, crowded 
 public meeting there. In both these meetings I was drawn to la- 
 bors I believe, effectually in the love of the gospel, to the edification 
 of many sincere and ])re(aous souls. 
 
 The 9th. I on tiiis and the next day attended the service of the 
 Montlily and the Quarterly Meetings of Friends at Chesterfield, and 
 on the evening of tlie latter day I held a public meetingthere, which 
 
1850 JOL'KXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 257 
 
 was largely attended. Through the whole of these meetings it was 
 a season of much heavenly refreshment to many borne-down and 
 afflicted souls. Blessed be God forevermore! 
 
 The 11th. I this evening held a good open meeting at Monyash, 
 in the Methodist chapel. This was a large, crowded meeting, which 
 was much crowned with the overshadowing of divine grace. The 
 sincere were encouraged, and the wicked were warned to flee betimes 
 from the wrath to come. 
 
 The 12th. I Avas this day led into sweet, delightful meditation of 
 Him Avho created the heavens and the earth for the purpose of His 
 own glory. JMy soul was deeply humbled before Him. under a re- 
 newed sense of His continual mercy and protection to man. Praised 
 forever be His name I 
 
 In the evening I held a luminous and very interesting meeting at 
 Bakewell, in the Independent Congregational meeting-house, where 
 I met about five hundred people, [jcneraUji professing much intelli- 
 genca and religious experience, among whom the doctrine of the gos- 
 pel went forth, to the edification of this respectable congregation, and 
 to the glory of the great name of God. 
 
 The 13tli. I this evening held a good and glorious meeting at 
 Castle-Donington, in the Methodist chapel. .Several hundred peo- 
 ple attended this meeting, who were very still and ((uiet, and re- 
 ceived the word of the gospel, which was delivered among them in 
 the obedience of faitli. It appeared to me that the light of Christ 
 "did sliine" forth in this meeting, to the oi)ening and to the illumin- 
 ation of the understanding of many. Blessed forever be His 
 name ! 
 
 The 14th. I this day traveled to Mansfield, and the next day 
 being First-day, I attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, 
 which, through the mercy of the Good Shepherd of Israel, was 
 made a good refreshing season; and in the evening I held a large 
 public meeting there, whereiu I was brought under much exercise 
 in gospel labor in directing the people to the teaching of the light of 
 Christ. This was, through adorable mercy, a pretty good meeting. 
 Blessed be the Lord forevermore I 
 
 The 16th. I this day held a good and glorious meeting at Blyth, 
 wherein the love of the blessed Saviour prevailed, to the melting 
 down of all in attendance in deep humility and brokenness of heart. 
 I was much set at liberty in this meeting, in a little illustrating the 
 blessed effect of the love of the everlasting gospel, to good satis- 
 faction. 
 
 The l?th. I rested this day quietly at a Friend's house, my health 
 being poor, and I feeling borne down under the Aveight of religious 
 exercises; and on the next day I traveled to the city of Lincoln, 
 where, on the 19th, I attended the service of the Quarterly Meeting 
 of Friends held there. This was a small but most interesting meet- 
 ing, wherein it appeared to me that the fountain of gospel ministry 
 
258 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. ^gjo 
 
 was mercifully thrown open for labor to a number of worthy Friends 
 who have been called up into this great work, among whom Avas a 
 dear friend, Mary M. Thompson, being her^rs^ appearance in the 
 work of the public ministry, who had /o«^been under the preparing 
 hand for such service. She arose with much weight of spirit, and 
 Avith that humility and dignity attendant on the gospel, and deliv- 
 ered a few words in demonstration of the spirit and with jjower. 
 May the everlasting God bless her I May he preserve and sustain 
 her on every hand, and may He give her an enlargement in His 
 work, and finally crown her Avith peace immortal in the house not 
 made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 
 I in the evening held a public meeting for the citizens of this 
 city, in the Corn Exchange. About five thousand people attended 
 this meeting, among whom the testimony of the everlasting gospel 
 went forth, to the glory of the name of the Good Shepherd of 
 Israel. Christian believers Avere much encouraged, and sinners 
 Avere impressively called and warned to flee from the Avrath to come. 
 This Avas a glorious and heavenly meeting. May all the praise be 
 given to God, who is Avorthy eternally! 
 
 The 30th. I this day, after paying some social visits to some in- 
 teresting characters in the city of Lincoln, in the evening held a 
 pretty good meeting at Wadington, in the Methodist chapel. Those 
 in attendance Avere generally serious and sober-minded people, and 
 thankfully received the Avord of truth "delivereir' among them in 
 the obedience of saving faith. 
 
 The 21st. I this day ayai7i returned to the kind house of my 
 dear friend, George Stacey, at Tottenham- and the next day being- 
 First-day, I attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, Avherein 
 I sat in very comfortable silence; and in the evening I held a large 
 and highly favored meeting there, to very good satisfaction to 
 Friends and others, wherein my mind was much opened in the illus- 
 tration of the Avay to eternal happiness. I believe that many were 
 much edified under divine grace in this meeting. 
 
 After this, during the three following days, I attended the service 
 of the Quarterly Meeting of Friends in the city of London, held 
 at Devonshii'e House. tJpAvards of a thousand Friends attended 
 this- meeting, and, through adorable mercy, I thought that thisAvas 
 07ie of the best quarterly meetings that I ever attended. The mercy 
 of the everlasting God Avas abundantly extended to us, so that we 
 were renewedly united together in Christian love. Praised forever 
 be the Lord. 
 
 After the close of this quarterly meeting, during the three fol- 
 lowing days, I rested quietl}'^ in reading, Avriting and meditation at 
 a Friend's house, my health being poor; and on the 29th, being 
 First-day, I attended Friends' meeting at Stoke-Newington in the 
 morning, and held a public meeting there in the evening, and the 
 good spirit of God was Avith me this day, to the edification and hu- 
 mility of many. 
 
1851 • JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 259 
 
 The 30th. I this evening held a public meeting at South wark, 
 which was well attended, and on the next day I attended Friends' 
 Meeting there as it came in course. On both of these occasions 
 the good spirit was with us, whereby I was enabled to labor in 
 Christian love, to the satisfaction and edification of many sweet- 
 spirited Christians. 
 
 First Month, 1st, 1851, This was a very solemn and impressive 
 day with me. All withiu me was deeply humbled under consider- 
 ation of the deep affliction that came upon me through the course 
 of the past year. Strong and earnest was my prayer to the Lord 
 Almighty for my preservation and protection on every hand. My 
 spirit, under his grace, was enabled to cry out in this language : 
 ^'0 Lord, thou art my God. I will exalt thee ; I will praise thy 
 name, for thou hast done wonderful things. Thy counsels of old 
 are faithfulness and truth." When ''I found trouble and sorrow, 
 then called I upon the name of the Lord." ''^ I was brought low 
 and he helped me ; return unto thy rest, my soul, for the Lord 
 hath dealt bountifully with thee." "I will walk before the Lord 
 in the law of the living," according to his mercy and grace bestowed 
 upon me, for he hath "delivered my soul from death, mine eyes 
 from tears, and my feet from falling." "I was greatly afflicted," 
 and I cried to him and he heard me and comforted my spirit. 
 " What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward 
 me ? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of 
 the Lord." I will cast my burden upon him, and then I know that 
 he will sustain me and keep me on every hand, to the glory of his 
 name. He will then never suffer me to be moved out of the right 
 way, but the angel of his presence will save me. 
 
 .1 this morning attended the meeting of Friends at Deptford, and 
 held in the evening a public meeting there. Both these meetings 
 were seasons of much sj^iritual refreshment and strength, wherein 
 thanksgiving and praise were rendered unto the Lord for all his 
 mercies. 
 
 The next day I spent quietly at a friend's house, in resting and 
 in writing, and on the 3d, in the morning, I attended the Meeting 
 of Suffering of Friends in London, with feelings of much interest ; 
 and in the evening I held a pretty good and open public meeting at 
 Peckham, and the next day I S2)ent in visiting some Friends, to 
 good satisfaction. 
 
 The 5th, being First-day, I attended Friends' Meeting in the 
 morning at Devonshire House in London, which Avas a good and 
 refreshing season ; and in the evening I held a public meeting there, 
 where upward of a thousand people attended, among whom the 
 everlasting gospel was preached, in the demonstration of the spirit 
 and with power. 
 
 I this evening, after this meeting, received the following kind 
 and very affectionate letter : 
 
260 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. . 1851 
 
 Chelmsford, First Mo., 2d, 1851. 
 My Esteemed axd Dear FriekiJ : 
 
 Many times, perhaps I might say during every passing day that 
 has elapsed since I lieard of the sore bereavement permitted to befall 
 thee, has my mind saluted thee in the feeling of deep and tender 
 sympathy, and I have often desired to express a little of that which 
 1 belive has been the fellowship of suffering ; but from a sense of 
 unworthiness, and of my incapacity to pen anything worthy of thy 
 perusal, I have been fearful of addressing thee ; but now, hearing 
 that thou art in the vicinity of London, I can scarcely do less than 
 to acknowledge that I have been a true mourner for the great loss 
 which thou hast sustained, for I felt a peculiar nearness to thy 
 precious wife. But whilst I felt tenderly for thee and for all who 
 were closely united to thy beloved, departed own, I am sensible that 
 on her account thanksgiving, and not sorrow, may be justly the 
 clothing of each spirit, for I have not the least doubt that, through 
 living faith in the all-availing mediation of tlie blessed Redeemer, 
 she was favored to obtain a glorious victor y over all that could obstruct 
 an entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our God and Saviour, 
 and that she now unites with that countless multitude that surround 
 the throne in ascribing glory and honor and power unto him who 
 bought them with his blood ; and while mentally saluting them, 
 dear friend, I have always felt an assurance that thy gracious Lord 
 and Master is with thee. He has sustained thee in every season of 
 conflict and affliction. His candle shines about thy head, and by 
 His light thou art enabled to walk as through darkness, and to 
 glorify thy God as in the midst of the fire; and oftentimes thou dost 
 renewedly experience his helping hand and qualifying power, and 
 cans't say without boasting and in perfect sincerity, "I count all 
 things but loss that I may win Christ and be found in Him.'' He 
 will in His own good time cause thee to finish thy "course with 
 joy, and the ministry which thou hast received of the Lord Jesus. '^ 
 It affected me also to hear of the decease of thy sisters-in-law, but 
 thou art given to say in truth, thy will, Lord, be done. Fare- 
 well. With much love and Christian sympathy, I am thy 
 
 Affectionate friend, 
 
 Susanna Corder. 
 
 The 6th. I spent this day in visiting some Friends, rather in a 
 social way, and the next day 1 held a good open meeting at Epping 
 for Friends and others; and after this, through the two following 
 days, I attended the service of the Monthly Sleeting of Friends at 
 Stoke-Newington and Tottenham , where the Lord was mercifully with 
 me, and granted me wisdom and strength to labor in the love of the 
 gos])el, to the satisfaction of Friends. 
 
 The lUth. I this evening held a public meeting at Winchmore 
 Hill, which was well attended, and where the warning and the call 
 of tlie gospel went forth impressively, to the humility of many 
 
1851 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 261 
 
 minds; and Mie next day I devoted to quietness, resting and writing 
 at a friend's house. 
 
 The 12th. Being First-day, I this morning attended tlic meeting 
 of Friends at Westminster, in London, and in tlie evening I held a 
 large and very interesting public meeting tliere. The good spirit 
 of God was mercifully with me this day, and enabled me to labor 
 to the edification of the children of light, and to maintain the doc- 
 trine, according to the Holy Scriptures, of the peaceable nature of 
 the kingdom of Christ. Praised forever be His name! 
 
 The 13th. I this day attended the Second-day morning Meeting 
 of Ministers and Elders, in London, with feelings of interest; and the 
 next day I attended tiie Monthly Meeting of Friends at Southwark, 
 which was a precious and favored opportunity. 
 
 The 15th. I this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends at 
 Staims, where I met with some kind and very interesting Friends, 
 among whom I was much opened in gospel love, to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 16th. I this evening held a meeting at Brentford, for 
 Friends and others, which was well attended, wlierein the everlast- 
 ing truth prevailed, to the humility and edification of many minds. 
 
 The 17th. I was this day led into pleasing meditation on various 
 subjects. The good spirit was with me, and granted me much 
 comfort and peace. I in the evening held a public meeting at Ux- 
 bridge, wherein I was led, under divine grace, a little to illustrate the 
 great doctrine of Christian redemption, to the comfort and en- 
 couragement of many minds. Praised forever be the Lord ! And 
 the next day I spent pleasantly, in company with some dear friends, 
 in traveling a little for exercise and for the benefit of my health, 
 being a good deal unwell in body. 
 
 The 19th. Being First-day, and a time long to be remembered 
 by many for good, 1 this morniug attended the meeting of Friends 
 at Staims; and in the evening I held a public meeting there, and 
 truly the everlasting God was with me this day, and mercifully 
 opened and illuminated my understanding, so that I was enabled 
 under His grace to defend His good cause, to the glory and to the 
 honor of His great and worthy name. All the praise l>elongs to 
 Him forever. 
 
 The 20th. I this evening, with feelings of deep humility, held a 
 public meeting at Windsor, in the Town Hall, where I met a very 
 respectable congregation, among whom the great doctrine of prac- 
 tical Christianity was thrown oj^en in the love of the gospel, to the 
 humility and edification of many j^recious souls ; and on the next 
 day I returned to London, where, on the 22nd, in the evening, I at- 
 tended a meeting held for the youth of our society at Gracechurcli 
 street, which was a very tender and impressive season. 
 
 After this, during the three following days, I found it to be nec- 
 essary to rest a little and to submit to some suitable medical aid, 
 my he ilth being poor, which, through the Christian attention of. 
 
262 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 185J 
 
 some dear friends, and the mercy of God, was in some degree im- 
 proved . 
 
 Tlie 2Gth. Being First-day, and a time of mncli divine favor, 
 I this morning attended the Quarterly Meeting of Friends in London; 
 and in the evening I held a large i)ublic meeting there, and this 
 day's labor with me was crowned with glory and immortality, to the 
 humility, the tenderness and the edification of many precious and 
 baptized souls. Glory forever be given to the Lord Almighty! 
 
 The 27th. I spent this day in writing and in paying some social 
 visits to some interesting Friends, to good satisfaction; and the next 
 day, in the evening, I held a good and open meeting at Esher for 
 Friends and others, where, through the power of truth, the sin- 
 cere were encouraged, and sinners were warned betimes to flee 
 from the wrath to'come. This was a good meeting to many. 
 
 The 29th. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Kingston, as it came m course, and held there a public meeting in 
 the evening; and through the everlasting gospel many precious souls 
 were reached and deeply humbled as in dust and ashes among those 
 who assembled with me this day for the purpose of divine Avorship. 
 Truth reigned over all, and the doctrine of life and salvation was 
 lively set forth, to the glory and honor of the Good Shepherd of 
 Israel. 
 
 The 30th. My service this day was that of attending the meet- 
 ing of Friends at Wandsworth in the morning, and of holding a 
 public meeting there in the evening, Avhere tiie blessed truth very 
 sweetly united those in attendance in the bond of true Christian 
 fellowship. 
 
 The 31st. A day of sorrow and much depression of spirit with 
 me. I this morning received a very affectionate letter from a dear 
 friend of Lidiana, giving me the mournful intelligence of the death 
 of a dear friend of mine, who was a worthy and very promising 
 young Friend. This account deeply touched my heart, and raised 
 in me renewed mourning of spirit. my God, sanctify, I pray 
 thee, all my trials and privations, to the glory of thy name and to 
 the good of thy cause; and let me more and more be patient under 
 all the turning and the overturning of thy holy hand upon me, for 
 ''even to-day is my complaint bitter — my stroke is heavier than my 
 groaning." I am borne down in spirit, and I have none to look 
 unto for support but to thee. Holy Saviour. I beseech thee to pre- 
 serve and sustain me on every hand through all to the end, to the 
 glory and honor of tiiy worthy name. 
 
 I this evening visited a very interesting school of boys and girls, 
 under the care of Friends, at Croydon. There were a hundred and 
 twenty students in this school, and in my visit among them the 
 good spirit reached tiieir hearts and sealed much instruction on 
 their understanding. 
 
 2nd month, lirst. I sjjent tiiis day ({uietly at a friend's house at 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 2G3 
 
 Croydon, in resting and in meditation, and the next day being First- 
 day^ I attended tlie meeting of Friends there in the morning and 
 also in the evening. I held there a large, open and crowded meet- 
 ing, and truly this ajipeared to me to be a glorious and very lumin- 
 ous day with many who were assembled with me for the purpose of 
 divine worship. The windows of heaven appeared to be opened 
 unto us, and under divine grace many precious souls were humbled 
 and visited; and after this I spent the two following days in resting, 
 reading, writing, and in visiting some families of Friends, to good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The 5th. I this morning attended the usual mid-week meeting 
 of Friends at Croydon, where I had the satisfaction to meet with 
 my dear friends, Hannah Eliodes, and her companion, Elizabeth 
 Pearson, of Philadelphia, in America, who are in this country, en- 
 gaged in the prosecution of a gospel mission. While being to- 
 gether we were favored with that true sympathy for each other 
 which ever unites the children of God in Christian fellowship. 
 
 I in the evening held a public meeting at Gracechurch street, in 
 London, where those in attendance, being in a capacity of spirit to 
 receive the truth in the love of it, therefore the gospel was preached 
 in the demonstration of the spirit and with power. I thought that 
 some good was done in this meeting. It appeared to me that under 
 the power of the cross of Christ that every soul in attendance was 
 visited. Blessed be the Lord forever! 
 
 The 6th. I this morning attended the Meeting of Friends at 
 Plaistow, as it came in course, where I found much good service for 
 the Lord; and in the evening I held a large and crowded meeting 
 at Barking, in the Town Hall, where I was enabled to speak to the 
 states of the people to their deep humility and edification. 
 
 The two following days I spent at the very kind house of my 
 friend Samuel Gurney, in resting and in writing, and, while there, 
 I could but admire the Christian order of this interesting and 
 worthy family, particularly in regard to family divine worship, he, 
 his family, including his servants, coming together every morning 
 for the discharge of this duty, and after reading a suitable portion 
 of the Holy Scriptures, with a subsequent pause, a little centering 
 the mind in God, the eternal substance, for the arising of the true 
 life in the soul, and in thus waiting in the silence of all flesh for 
 the renewing of the Holy Ghost, on such occasions it appeared to 
 me that Christian solemnity much pervaded these opportunities in 
 this family. 
 
 The 9th, being First-day, I attended in the morning Friends' 
 meeting at Ratcliff, and held there in the evening a large public 
 meeting, and the spirit of life and salvation abundantly attended 
 the ministry of the word given to me this day, so that many 
 hearts were reached and melted down into deep humility and tender 
 contrition; the seed of life in every soul was visited; the faithful 
 
264 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. X851 
 
 were much encouraged in the way of a lioly life, and sinners were 
 Avarned and called to repentance, and tlie way was pointed out, in 
 gospel love, to receive doliveranco from the bondage of sin and death. 
 May all the praise forever be ascribed to Him who sitteth upon the 
 throne I 
 
 After this, in consequence of much complicated bodily indisposi- 
 tion, it became necessary for me to rest awhile, and to throw myself 
 under suitable medical care and aid for the improvement of my 
 health, being very much worn out in holding so many jniblic meet- 
 ings; and finding so much pul)lic labor therein thrown upon me by 
 HimAvho has mercifully called me and sent me fortli in the mission 
 of his everlasting gospel, 1 was much afflicted in my throat, which 
 had become ulcerated in consequence of so much public speaking; 
 and being otherwise possessed of bodily infirmity, I therefore, 
 under solid consideration, and with the advice of some dear and 
 experienced friendfS, spent the two following weeks in the city of 
 London, in a retired manner from all public exercise and labor, 
 under wise and experienced medical attention and operation, to the 
 benefit and improvement of my health. 
 
 The 23d, being First-day, I again in the morning attended the 
 Meeting of Friends at Pla'istow, and held there in the evening a 
 public meeting; and under the renewed anointing of the everlasting 
 truth. I was this day enabled to labor in the gospel to the humility 
 and edification oC many precious and sincere souls, and the next 
 day I devoted in degree to retirement of spirit, and also in paying 
 some social visits to some Friends to satisfaction. 
 
 The 25th. I, this day, under feelings of some depression of 
 s]iirit, traveled to Hitchin ; and on the next day I attended the 
 Monthly Meeting of Friends there, where I met with an interesting 
 company of Friends, among whom I was much opened in the testi- 
 mony of the gospel, to mutual edificatio'.i. Praised forever be the 
 name of the everlasting God I 
 
 The 27th. I this evening held a i)retty good open meeting at 
 Baldock for Friends and others, where, under the renewing of the 
 good spirit, many precious souls were encouraged in the way of life 
 and salvation; and on the next day, in the evening, I also held a 
 similar meeting for divine worship at Ampthill, where the people 
 in attendance being in a preparation of spirit to receive the truth in 
 the love of it, therefore the gospel was distilled upon them as the 
 heavenly dew, to the edification of nniny minds. 
 
 Third month 1st. I spent this day at Ilitchin very much quietly 
 in resting till the evening, when I met the young Friends of this 
 town in a* social and religious way, among whom I had a very 
 interesting interview; and the next day being First-flay. T attended 
 the meeting of Friends there in the morning, where, through the 
 overshadowing wing of ancient goodness, Friends were renewedly 
 united in Christian loA'e: and in the evening I held a public meeting 
 
1851 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT, 265 
 
 there. About a thousand people attended this meeting, among 
 whom the everlasting gospel was preached in the demonstration of the 
 spirit and with power. The glory of God was manifested at this 
 meeting; the righteous were much encouraged in the way of life 
 and salvation, and sinners were solemnly called and warned to flee 
 betimes from the wrath to come, and the way was pointed out to 
 them for repentance and eternal salvation. Praised be God for- 
 evermore. 
 
 During my stay at this place, I was most kindly entertained at 
 the house of my dear friend Samuel Allen. He and his dear wife 
 are aged Friends, and both of them are valuable ministers among 
 us. And while I was with them, I was instructed by their sweet 
 and valuable conversation and Christian remarks. 
 
 The 3d. I spent this day mostly in resting, writing, and paying 
 some social and religious visits to some dear Friends to good satis- 
 faction; and the next day I went to Hertford, where, on the 5th, I 
 attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends, and found a small but 
 interesting company of Friends in this meeting, among whom, 
 under depression of mind, I was favored with a pretty relieving 
 testimony. Praised forever be the name of the Good Shepherd of 
 Israel ! 
 
 The (Jth. I was this day renewedly l)rought under deep exercise 
 of mind, in which prayer was secretly raised in me for the renewing 
 of the Holy Spirit from day to day, that I may thereby be enabled to 
 go forth in tlie labor of the gospel to the glory of God. I, in the 
 evening, held a good and o^Den meeting at Ware, where many pre- 
 cious souls were impressively visited, and called in the love of the 
 glorious and everlasting gospel. 
 
 The 7th. My mind this day was sweetly opened and illuminated 
 in the lights of truth, and led into a profound and devout medita- 
 tion on the wondrous works of God, and strong was my desire to 
 please him in all my goings forth. Praised forevermore be his great 
 and holy name! I, in the evening, held a glorious and heavenly 
 meeting at Hoddesdon. The people in attendance were serious, 
 and I thought that they were much concerned to receive the whole 
 truth in the love of it ; and truly it appeared to me that the power 
 of an endless life eminently prevailed in this meeting, under the 
 blessed influence of which many hungry and thirsty souls received 
 the water of eternal life, to edification, and sinners were warned and 
 called to repentance and amendment of life. Praised be the Lord 
 forever I 
 
 The 8th. I rested this day quietly at a dear and kind friend's 
 house at Hertford, and the next day being First-day, I attended 
 Friends' Meeting there in the morning, which was a good and re- 
 freshing season ; and in the evening I held a i)ublic meeting there, 
 which was largely attended by people of dift'erent persuasions as to 
 religion, among whom I was much opened in the love of the ever- 
 lasting gospel, to the humility and edification of many Friends. 
 
266 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. iSoi 
 
 The 10th. I this evening held a good and favored meeting for 
 Friends and others at Hempstead, which Avas well attended by peo- 
 ple of much sobriety and religious feeling ; and the next day I 
 went to Luton, where, on the 12th, I attended the Monthly Meeting 
 of Friends, and met a very interesting company of Friends, among 
 whom I was opened in the fresh spring of the gospel of life and 
 praise, to our mutual edification and help. Praised forever be the 
 Good Shepherd of Israel! And on the 13th, in the evening, I held 
 a large and very interesting public meeting for the citizens of this 
 town, in the town hall. The jjeople in attendance manifested much 
 Christian feeling, among whom divine love pervaded as a canopy. 
 The windows of heaven appeared to be opened unto this deeply in- 
 teresting company, and I thought that every soul therein was visited 
 in the love of the everlasting gospel. Christians of various denomi- 
 nations were renewedly united in the unity of the spirit, in the 
 bond of peace; and tlie wicked were solemnly warned to flee be- 
 times from the wrath to come, and to accept the offer of divine 
 mercy in the love of it. The meeting closed with prayer and sup- 
 plication to God. 
 
 The 14th. I this evening held a large and crowded meeting at 
 Hogsty-end, where I met with many precious and hungry souls, 
 who were thirsting after the water of eternal life; and through di- 
 vine mercy they were directed to look to him alone in faith for the 
 water of salvation, who giveth liberally to all them that ask of him, 
 and who upbraideth not. This was a glorious and blessed meeting, 
 wherein the Avell-sjiring of the water of life was mercifully opened, 
 to the refreshing of many tender and baptized souls. 
 
 The 15th. I rested this day quietly at a dear friend's house at 
 Leighton. Being under deep exercise, my soul cried mightily to 
 the everlasting God, — recollecting with feelings of deep humility 
 the many sorrows and changes that have come upon me since 1 
 turned my face Zion-ward. I said in my exercise, "The Lord is 
 my light and my salvation;" "The Lord is the strength of my 
 life;" "hear "me, "0 Lord, when I cry with my voice, have 
 mercy also upon me ;" "hide not thy face far from me; " "leave 
 me not, neither forsake me, God of my salvation ; " "teach me 
 thy way, Lord, and lead me in a plain path," and preserve and 
 protect me on every hand, through all to the end, to the glory of 
 thy worthy name. 
 
 The IGth. Being First-day, I this morning attended the meeting 
 of Friends at Leighton, where I met a small but interesting com- 
 pany of Friends, among Avhom I had much refreshing service, to 
 good satisfaction ; and in the evening I held a large and crowded 
 meeting for the citizens of this town, in the temperance hall, where 
 the everlasting truth eminently reigned over all, to the glory of the 
 name of God. 
 
 The 17th. 1 this evening held a large and very interesting meet- 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 267 
 
 ing at Berkluimpstead, where I met a company of people wliose 
 minds were prepared to receive the truth in the love of it, among 
 whom my month was opened and my heart was enlarged in gosjiel 
 love, to the edification of many minds. 
 
 The 18th. I this day a(jain returned to Hertford, and on the 
 next day I attended the service of the Quarterly Meeting of Friends 
 held there, wherein my mind was eminently opened in the love of 
 the everlasting gospel, in which Friends were brought to feel near 
 and dear one to another in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of 
 peace. This was a good and precions meeting. Praised be the Lord 
 forevermore! And the next day I devoted to rest and quietness, 
 my health being poor. I was brought low in body and mind ; Y 
 cried to the Lord and said, " Hide not thy face from me in the day 
 when I am in trouble, incline thine ear unto me ; " in the day when 
 I am cast down in spirit, then let my soul rest in hope and confi- 
 dence upon thee. 
 
 The 31st. I this day traveled to the town of High- Wycombe, 
 where, in the evening, I held a large and crowded meeting. Those 
 in attendance were still and quiet, and under the preparation of the 
 ever blessed truth. Their hearts were mercifully opened to receive 
 the gospel in the love of it, which was preached in the demonstra- 
 tion of the spirit and with power. I thought that every state in 
 this meeting was spoken to in Christian love. The meeting closed 
 with prayer and supplication, to good satisfaction; and the next day 
 I spent at a friend^s house in this town, in writing and in religious 
 meditation. 
 
 The 23rd, being First-day, and a time of deep exercise and medi- 
 tation with me. I this day had a meeting at Jordans. About five 
 hundred people attended; many of them were serious and sober, and 
 some of them manifested much vanity and inattention of mind. 
 The testimony of truth, however, went forth to the glory of the 
 name of God, and the meeting closed with prayer and supplication. 
 After the meeting was over, I went to see the graveyard, and saw, 
 as I was informed, with feelings of deep humility, the grave of 
 William Penn, his two wives and eight of his children, Isaac Pen- 
 ningtun and his wife, Thomas Ell wood and his wife, and several 
 others of the most worthy of our Society. This graveyard is kept 
 in good order by Friends. Although there is now no meeting of 
 Friends regularly held there, yet Friends are careful to keep this 
 property in good order; the graves are raised so as to be seen dis- 
 tinctly. In thus visiting the sepulchres of these worthy servants of 
 God, my mind was raised in solemn meditation toward the house 
 not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, where those worthies 
 are, without doubt, executing the will of him who shall judge the 
 world in righteousness in the great and general day of judgment; 
 when at his final appearing, to judge both quick and dead, all that 
 are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they 
 
^68 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1861 
 
 that liave clone good unto the resurrection of life, and they that 
 have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. I was this day 
 very deeply humbled in meditating on the subject of the great doc- 
 trine of Christian redemption, and strong was my desire that I may 
 ever be favored so as to walk while in this world, and finally to at- 
 tain unto the I'esurrection of the just. 
 
 The :^4:th. I this evening held a large and crowded meeting at 
 Chisham, where I met a mixed congregation of people, among 
 whom the testimony of truth went forth in a powerful and glorious 
 manner, to the edification of the righteous and the warning of the 
 wicked to flee from the wrath to come: and the next day I traveled 
 to Kittering, where, on the 2Gth, I attended the mid-week meeting 
 of Friends as it came in course, which was a small but a good and 
 refreshing season — ])raiscd be the Lord forever! — and on the 27th, in 
 the evening, I held a public meeting in this town, in the Independ- 
 ent chapel. About a thousand people attended, among whom the 
 great doctrine of Christianity was opened and illustrated, to the 
 humility and instruction of many pious and precious minds. Every 
 state in this meeting was spoken to in the love of the everlasting 
 gospel, and the meeting solemnly closed with prayer and suj^plica- 
 tion. 
 
 The 28th. I this evening held a full and crowded meeting for 
 Friends and others at Timdon. When I went into this meeting I 
 felt poor and cast down in sj)irit; but in settling down in the spirit 
 of my mind, and looking to the right source for strength and wis- 
 dom, truth soon arose in dominion, so that we had a good and pre- 
 cious meeting. Praised be the Lord forevermorel 
 
 The 20th. I this day went to Northampton, and the next day 
 being First-day, I attended Friends' meeting tliere in the morning, 
 which was a good, refreshing season; and in the evening I held a 
 public meetijig there. About a thousand people attended, amoiig 
 whom the spring of gospel love was very eminently opened, to the 
 deep humility and thankfulness of many precious and baptized 
 souls. The sincere were much encouraged in the way of life and 
 salvation, and sinners were called to repentance; and on the 31st I 
 rested rpiietly at a Friend's house, my health being rather poor. 
 
 Fourth mo. 1st. I was this day brought under much renewed 
 baptism, through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, Avherein 
 I was eiuibled to cry out in the spirit of my mind in this language: 
 "I die daily," "always bearing about in the body the dying of the 
 Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in" 
 my "body,'' knowing that those who live unto Jesus Christ "are 
 always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of 
 Jesus might be made manifest in" their "mortal flesh," for such do 
 "not hencefurth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for 
 them and rose again." I saw aiul felt renewedly the vast import- 
 ance of continual watclifulness unto prayei". The language of my 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. ^GO' 
 
 heart was: " I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, 
 lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, J myself 
 should be a castaway." I saw myself as having nothing to de- 
 pend on for eternal salvation but the free mercy of God in the 
 name of the Lord Jesus Christ; but I was encouraged in knowing 
 that he, my blessed Saviour, is ''touched with the feeling" of my 
 "infirmities," wherefore he will preserve and sustain me through 
 all to the end, to the glory of his worthy name, if I continue to 
 retain my sincerity and integrity faithfully while in this world. 
 
 I this evening held a large public meeting for Friends and others 
 at Willingborough. There were many serious minds in this meet- 
 ing, who stood open to the conviction of the truth in the spirit of 
 their minds, and there were others also present who quenched the 
 operation of the Holy Spirit. The testimony of the everlasting 
 gospel, however, went forth to the visitation of every state in this 
 meeting, so that truth in a good degree gained the victory. Praised 
 be the Lord forevermore! 
 
 The 2nd. I this morning held a precious and favored meeting 
 at Bugbrook for Friends and others. Those in attendance were 
 generally sincere-hearted people, among whom the encouraging lan- 
 guage went forth to humility and edification, even the language of 
 the glorious and everlasting gospel. Praised be the Lord forever- 
 more ! 
 
 The 3rd. I was this day brought under deep proving of spirit. 
 My soul mourned within me; I felt destitute and cast down. The 
 language of my heart was: "As the hart panteth after the water- 
 brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, God: my soul thirsteth 
 for God, for the living God." "My tears have" oftentimes "been 
 my meat day and night." "When 1 remember these things, I pour 
 out my soul in me." *' Why art thou cast down, my soul? and 
 why art thou disquieted m me?" " Hope thou in God; for I shall 
 yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." "0 my God, 
 my soul is cast down within me : therefore will I remember thee,'^ 
 because of all thy mercies granted to me. "Deep calleth unto 
 deep at the noise of thy waterspouts; all thy waves and thy billows 
 are gone over me;" "yet the Lord will command his loving kind- 
 ness" to me. "Li the daytime and in the night his song shall be 
 with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." 
 
 I this day again attended the meeting of Friends at Northamp- 
 ton, wherein I sat througliout iti suffering silence, and on the next 
 day 1 held a glorious and luminous meeting at Eydon, which Avas 
 largely attended by many serious-minded people, among whom I 
 was eminently opened in the unfoldings of the boundless love of 
 God. All appeared to be hushed down in quietness and stillness 
 of spirit, and the name of God was exalted above alL Glorified 
 and praised for ever be his name, for he is worthy ! 
 
 The 5th, I this day rested quietly at a friend's house, and dwelt 
 
•270 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETl 1851 
 
 mucli alone in meditating on the things of Groci ; and the next day, 
 being First-day, I attended in the morning the meeting of Friends 
 at Kewportpagnell, which was a small but good meeting, and in the 
 evening I held a public meeting in this town in the British School- 
 room, so called. Many came to this meeting and could not be 
 accommodated and went away ; and this is often the case in this 
 country in regard to my public meetings, great crowds of people 
 flocking out to them and cannot be accommodated for the want of 
 room and going away. May God bless all such. I went into this 
 school-room under great weight of spirit, and found several hun- 
 dred peojile crowded in this room, among whom the everlasting 
 gospel was preached with that authority which hushed down every 
 soul in attendance into deep humility. Praised eternally be the 
 name of God ! 
 
 The 7th. I was so poorly this day that quiet rest at a friend's 
 house was necessary for me, and on the next day, in the evening, I 
 held a public meeting at Olney, in the Independent Chapel, where 
 I met a large and interesting congregation of people, who were pos- 
 sessed of much religious intelligence, among whom the well-spring 
 of eternal life was thrown open through the adorable mercy of God, 
 so that the stream of everlasting life, it appeared to me, watered 
 every himgry and thirsty soul in attendance, and sinners were most 
 affectionately called and warned to flee betimes from the wrath to 
 come, and to lay hold on the refuge of salvation, the Good Shepherd 
 of Israel, and trust alone in his holy and worthy name. This meet- 
 ing solemly closed with prayer to God. 
 
 The 9th. I spent this day in quiet meditation, reading, and 
 visiting at a friend's house, and on the next day I attended the 
 Monthly Meeting of Friends at Hogsty-end, where I met a small 
 but interesting company of Friends, among whom the sympathy 
 of the gospel in the life thereof was manifested, to oicr mutual 
 edification. 
 
 The 11th. I was this morning brought low in the sjjirit of my 
 mind ; all within me was broken down in tenderness. I suppli- 
 cated for divine mercy and strength. I felt jDoor and needy, and 
 saw rcnewedli/ that I had none to depend upon but the good and 
 merciful Shepherd of Israel. In the evening I held a public meet- 
 ing at Bedford, in the *Bun3-an meeting house, so called. Upward 
 of a thousand people attended this meeting, who possessed mucJi 
 intelligence generalh/, both natural and religious. Christian solem- 
 nity deeply pervaded this very interesting congregation, under the 
 blessed influence of which all was hushed down into the most ])ro- 
 found stillness and quietness. This was a most delightful and 
 solemn meeting, wherein I was called upon largely to illustrate the 
 
 Note.— This Bunyau Meeting House, as I was informed, stands on the very spot of 
 ground of the chapel tliat the n<)to<l .lohn Bunyan oicupied in }iis lifetime. I also, while 
 here, sat on the chair that lie commonly used when living, which is kept for antiquity. 
 
t85i JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 271 
 
 merciful economy of the great leading doctrines of Christian re- 
 demption, according to the Holy Scriptures. Many precious and 
 baptized souls in this meeting were brought to feel near and dear 
 one to another, in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. It 
 appeared to me that the windows of heaven were opened ujion us 
 in this meeting, which very solemnly closed with prayer and sup- 
 plication to God. 
 
 The 13th. I this day went to Buckingham, and the next day, 
 being First-day, I in the morning attended the meeting of Friends 
 there, which was a very small but a good, refreshing season to 
 our souls. In the afternoon, at 3 o'clock, I held a public meeting 
 in this town, in the town hall. Upward of a thousand people at- 
 tended this meeting, who were orderly in their behavior, among 
 whom the treasures of the Christian religion were mercifully and 
 fully thrown ojoen, and the stream of gospel love appeared to reach 
 every heart in attendance. The way of life and salvation was 
 pointed out according to the Holy Scriptures, and many were 
 broken down in tenderness and tears ; and the meeting solemnly 
 closed with prayer and supplication to God. Praised forever be his 
 holy name ! 
 
 The 14th. I this day went to Witney, where, this evening and 
 the following day, I attended the service of the Quarterly Meeting 
 of Friends held there, which was a season lo)i(j to be remembered. 
 The everlasting God, through his spirit, was mercifully with us, 
 and rcneioedly united us together in the unity of the spirit, in the 
 bond of peace. Our souls were much refreshed in this meeting, 
 and true and acceptable worship was performed through the blessed 
 mediation of the great and merciful ministry of the sanctuary and 
 of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man. The 
 solitary and the discouraged in this meeting were mercifully visited 
 and lifted up in the anticipation of the hope of the everlasting gos- 
 pel. This meeting closed with renewed gratitude to God and love 
 unfeigned to each other. 
 
 The loth. I spent this day quietly at a friend's house, under 
 deep exercise of mind. All within me "was brought low and hum- 
 bled as in the dust. I said in my spirit, " Whom have I to depend 
 upon but thee, 0, my God ! Thy holy hand is heavy upon me, 
 preparing me for renewed service in thy church. I sat alone, be- 
 cause of thy hand ; for though hast filled me with indignition, so 
 that my spirit mourns within me, because of the short-coming, in 
 many instances, of those who profess to be thy people. ! enable 
 me, Holy One, through thy grace, faithfully to discharge my duty 
 in all re^)ects while in this tribulated world." 
 
 The 17th, I this day went to Berkhampstead, where, this evening 
 and on the next day, I attended the service of the Quarterly Meet- 
 ing of Friends held there. This was a season of very deep exercise 
 with me, I secretly poured out my soul in prayer to God for his 
 
272 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1861 
 
 all-supporting power, which was mercifully vouchsafed in this Quar- 
 terly Meeting for worsliip. The ]iower of an endless life reigned 
 over all, and my spirit was sweetly united with many poor, hungry, 
 baptized, precious and discouraged souls in attendance. This was 
 a time long to be remembered by many for good. Blessed be the 
 Lord ! 
 
 The 19th. I this day went to London, and the next day, being 
 First-day, I in the morning attended Friends' Meeting at Stoke- 
 Newington, and in the evening at Westminster ; both of which 
 meetings were times of refreshment to many precious and weary 
 souls ; and the next day I spent quietly at a friend's house, in 
 writing, reading and in meditation; and on the 22d I went to 
 Maidstone, where, on the next day I attended the mid-week meet- 
 ing of Friends, which was a small but good meeting ; and on the 
 24th T held a public meeting in this town, in the Corn Exchange, 
 which was well attended by people of various persuasions as to re- 
 ligious sentiments, among whom the testimony of the everlasting- 
 gospel went forth, to the humility and edification of many precious 
 souls. The good spirit was with us on this occasion, whereby I 
 was enabled to labor to the peace of my own mind and to the satis- 
 faction of the people. Blessed be God forevermore ! 
 
 The 25th. I this evening held a public meeting for Friends and 
 others at Ashford. The people were still and quiet, and appeared 
 to receive the word of the gospel delivered among them to benefit 
 and to edification. This meeting was well attended, and ended 
 with thankful hearts. 
 
 The 26th. I this day went to Dover, and the next day, being 
 First-day, I attended Friends' meeting there in the morning, which 
 was small, but, through the overshadowing of the ancient wing of 
 goodness, Avas made a precious and refreshing season. Li the 
 evening I held a public meeting in this town, which was well at- 
 tended by serious-minded people fjcneraUy, among whom the waters 
 of eternal life went forth, to the refreshing of many precious, hun- 
 gry and thirsty souls. The name of God was much exalted in this 
 meeting, and every state was s])oken to in the authority of the 
 blessed truth. The meeting ended to good satisfaction with prayer 
 and sui)plication. 
 
 The 28th. I this evening held a meeting at Folkstone for Friends 
 and others, which was well attended, wherein the power of an end- 
 less life prevailed, to the deep humility of many souls. Magnified 
 forever be the name of the everlasting God! And during the two 
 following days I traveled leisurely to Southampton, my health being 
 poor and feeling much cast down in spirit, but I was in a^ood de- 
 gree i)rescrved in Christian patience and resignation to the divine 
 will. 
 
 5th month, first. I was this morning under very deep exercise of 
 mind. I was murk humbled "under the mighty hand of God," 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. -273 
 
 and strong was my prayer to him ''that he" miglit exalt me in his 
 truth "in due time." I cast "all" my "care upon him/' and he 
 mercifully cared for me this day. I felt as a stranger in a strange 
 land. There were none before me in this world to whom I could 
 unbosom the sorrows of my heart. I poured out my complaint he- 
 fore him who had sent mo forth in his name on thiK gospel mission, 
 and he heard me tltis day, and gave me strength and wisdom, to the 
 glory of his great and worthy name. 
 
 I this drty attended the service of the general meeting of Friends, 
 so called, held at Southampton, wherein the everlasting truth arose in 
 dominion. Many precious and baptized souls were humbled as in 
 dust and ashes, and Friends were 7-enewedly hrou^xt to feel near and 
 dear one to another in that true love which casteth out fear. Praised 
 forever be the name of the Lord ! And the next day I spent in sweet 
 meditation on various subjects, and in paying some social visits 
 to some dear friends, to good satisfation. 
 
 The 3rd. I this day went to the city of Canterbury, and the next 
 day being First-day, I attended in the morning Friends' meeting 
 there, which was very small, but through divine mercy was made a 
 good and refreshing season to some precious souls. In the evening 
 I held a public meeting in this city, which was well attended by re- 
 spectable, serious people, among whom the gospel message went 
 forth, to the glory of the great and worthy head of the church. 
 
 The 5th. I spent this day at a friend's house, in writing and in 
 meditation : and on the next day, in the evening, I held a public 
 meeting at Margate, in the Baptist chapel. Those in attendance 
 were ^e?zfr«//?/ serious and religious people, among whom the uniting 
 testimony of truth went forth, to the deep humility and refreshing- 
 edification of many sincere, precious and baptized souls. The meet- 
 ing solemnly closed with prayer and supj)lication to God for all 
 his sure mercies. 
 
 The 7th. I spent this day in writing, in meditation, and in vis- 
 iting some families of Friends; and on the next day, in the evening, 
 I held a painful and trying meeting at Sittingbourne, in the Wes- 
 leyan school-room. About fifty people attended this meeting, who 
 came together generally not in a disposition of mind to receive the 
 truth in the love of it. My spirit monnied in this place, and with 
 sorrow of heart I delivered a short testimony on the subject of 
 divine worship, and closed the meeting with a heavy and mourn- 
 ful heart. 
 
 The 9th. I this day went to the city of Rochester, where I 
 found a number of valuable, kind sympathetic Friends, who mani- 
 fested much tender and Christian sympathy for me, among whom I 
 spent the next day in a social and pleasant manner. 
 
 The 11th. Being First-day, and a time of very deep exercise 
 with me, all within me was humbled as in dust and ashes. I cried 
 for the renewal of divine mercy and support, which at length in de- 
 
^4 
 
 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AIINETT. 
 
 grec being granted, I was thereby enabled to pass through the labor 
 of the day to satisfaction, I this morning attended the meeting of 
 Friends in the city of Rochester, and in the evening I held a large 
 public meeting there, wherein the good spirit was with me, and 
 granted me strength and utterance, to the edification of many 
 precious souls. 
 
 After this, during the course o^'^this week, I was brought very 
 low in soul, spirit and body, my health being poor, so that it became 
 necessary for me to rest aivhile in quietness and stillness. I Avas 
 brought under deep ''chastening" and "rebuke," "for whom the Lord 
 lovetli he chasteueth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." 
 "Day and night his hand was heavy upon me," and I said in my 
 spirit, "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me," "for thou hast 
 lifted me up and cast me down."' Thou has dealt mercifully and 
 wonderfully with me throughout all my life, my God! I renew- 
 edly felt with feelings of the deepest humility the awful responsi- 
 bility resting upon me in the prosecution of the mission of the 
 glorious and everlasting gospel, — knowing that in going forth in 
 this weighty concern that I am "made a spectacle unto the world, 
 and to angels, and to men," and feeling renewedly my infirmity 
 under the weight of this mission, and seeing in the light of truth 
 the many temptations of various kinds surrounding me in this 
 world, I could but have in some degree "a desire to depart and to 
 be with Christ," "for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain;" 
 ''nevertheless to abide in the flesh," so long as it shall please God, 
 "is more needful" for me and for tlie Church, and strong and earn- 
 est was my prayer to him that his holy will concerning me in all 
 things may ever be done, to the glory of his luime. 
 
 I know that God hath chosen me for his own work, so far as he 
 opens the way for me, and he hath, according to his mercy and judg- 
 ment, permitted many deep and sore trials of various kinds to come 
 upon me for my good and sanctification; so that it seems to me often- 
 times that I may in some small degree, with great fear and tremb- 
 ling, adapt this language in my experience, that "Lest I should 
 be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revela- 
 tions, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh — the messenger 
 of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure," 
 for again and again Satan hath assailed me with his temptations, 
 both within and without; and even during this low time with me 
 he rcneivedly exerted himself with his fiery darts to overthrow me; 
 but I cried mightily day and night to him who is "touched with 
 the feeling of" my "infirmities," and who "was in all i>oints 
 tempted like as " his faithful followers are, "yet without sin," and 
 he at length in his own time mercifully heard me, "and he 
 said unto me," " My grace is sufiicient for thee, for my strength is 
 made perfect in weakness; most gladly therefore will I rather glory 
 in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me ; " 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 275 
 
 therefore let me watch and pray both day and night, "that" I 
 ""may adorn the doctrine of God, my Saviour, in all things." 
 
 The 13th. Being First-day, I this day attended meeting with 
 Friends in the morning and in the evening at Devonshire meeting- 
 house in London, where, on the next day, commenced the YearlV 
 Meeting of Friends, which was held by adjournments after this 
 through the course of this niontn, closing its session on the last day 
 thereof, with feelings of gratitude to the Good Shepherd of Israel 
 for all his mercies, and with that true love, one toward another, 
 which unites the faithful followers of Christ in the unity of the 
 spirit, in the bond of peace. 
 
 During the forepart of this Yearly Meeting it was rather a low 
 time Avith Friends, but as we progressed in the prosecution of the 
 ■concerns of the church, truth gradually arose with us at length 
 in a good degree into dominion, so that upon the whole this was a 
 good and refreshing Yearly Meeting to many dear and worthy 
 Friends. 
 
 There were many subjects of importance and interest brought ujd 
 before this Yearly Meeting for consideration and disposal, in the 
 free discussion of which Friends manifested Christian patience, 
 calmness and dispassion, and were favored on all occasions to come 
 to satisfactory, and, I believe, to right conclusions, so that the cause 
 of truth and righteousness was, I thought, a little exalted among us. 
 
 Our dear Friends, John Meader and Elizabeth Meader, his wife, 
 from America, very acceptably attended the service of this Yearly 
 Meeting. They are valuable ministers among Friends of New 
 England Yearly Meetings and being noio in this country on a 
 gospel mission, and we meeting together in this Yearly Meeting 
 with feelings of Christian love, we passed through the service thereof 
 with tender sympathy for and with each other, in the unity of the 
 spirit in the bond of peace. 
 
 I passed through this Yearly Meeting with much suffering, being 
 rather a low time with me. I, however, occasionally had some good 
 and relieving service in the work of the ministry. 
 
 While attending this Yearly Meeting my prayer was to the 
 Father of Light for his mercy and protection on every hand, and 
 my cry was: 0, thou who rulest in heaven and among the children 
 •of men, who hast, in great mercy, been with me hitherto, and sup- 
 ported my mind under all my trials, enable me increasingly to love 
 thee, and to serve thee faithfully in my generation; be pleased to be 
 with me all the remaining days of my pilgrimage here, and let 
 nothing turn me out of the way of thy path, cast up in thy wisdom 
 for me to walk in, and so purify my spirit that it may become fitted 
 for the enjoyment of thy glorious and holy presence, in the house 
 not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. " Hear my j)rayer, 
 Lord, and let my cry come unto thee;" " my soul cleavetli unto the 
 dust, quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared" 
 
276 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARSTETT. 1851 
 
 thy word among the people, "and thou heardest me; teach me 
 thy statutes: make me to understand the way of thy precepts, so 
 shall I talk of tliy wondrous works " before my fellow-beings. " My 
 soul melteth for heaviness, strengthen thou me according unto thy 
 word.'' "Remove from me" vanity, and lead me in the way of 
 truth and righteousness, " and grant me thy law graciously." "I 
 have chosen the way of truth, thy judgments h;ive I laid before me. 
 I have stuck unto thy testimonies ; Lord, put me not to shame:" 
 "give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall 
 observe it with my whole heart," and be enabled through thy word 
 to comfort the mourners in Zion, and to call sinners to repentance; 
 "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou 
 me in thy way;" "let thy mercies come also unto me, Lord, even 
 thy salvation, according to thy word." "I am a companion of all 
 them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts." "Let 
 those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy 
 testimonies," that my arms may be borne up in the day of battle, 
 and that the enemy may never be permitted to prevail against me, 
 for I am poor and needy. 0, keep and preserve me on every hand 
 througli all to the end, and save me eternally in thy kingdom ! All 
 the praise is thine forever. 
 
 Gth month, first. Being First-day, I this morning and evening 
 again attended meeting with Friends at Devonshire House, and was 
 much favored with them in the renewed flow of gospel ministry and 
 with prayer, to very good satisfaction. 
 
 After this, through the course of this week, I spent rather under 
 medical attention, my health being poor. I however occasionally 
 attended to writing, and taking suitable bodily exercise for the ben- 
 efit of my health. My mind during this time was under weighty 
 religious exercise. 
 
 The 8th. Being First-day, and a time to be remembered by 
 many. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Brighton, where I met with a goodly number of kind, sympathizing 
 Friends, among whom I was refreshed with the flow of the ministry 
 of the everlasting gospel. 
 
 In the evening 1 held a public meeting there, which was largely 
 attended by serious-minded peo])le, among whom the fresh spring of 
 gospel love was opened, to the deep humility and mutual edification 
 of many minds. The meeting solemnly closed with prayer to God 
 for all his sure mercies and blessings. 
 
 The 9th. I this evening, after having a religious opportunity 
 with the few Friends at Chichester, to satisfaction, held a public 
 meeting there, which was small, and in the forepart trying, but 
 truth at length arose in a pretty good degree into dominion, so that 
 the meeting ended to good satisfaction. Praised forever be the 
 Lord! 
 
 The 10th. I this evening held a public meeting at Lewes, and 
 
1851 JOUENAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 277 
 
 on the next day attended the mid-week meeting of Friends there, 
 as it came in course ; and, upon the whole, I had a pleasant visit 
 among Friends and others in this place, botli the public meeting 
 and that of Friends being very favored opportunities, so that many 
 precious and sincere souls were much encouraged and ediiied. 
 
 The 12th. I this day attended the meeting of Friends at Hors- 
 ham, as it came in course, which was a small meeting, wherein I 
 oould but mourn over a lukcAvarm spirit winch prevailed to some 
 extent among the few Friends of this little meeting. I however had 
 a word of exhortation for them, tending to encourage them to more 
 renewed dedication of heart, that purer religion may find more place 
 among them. 
 
 The 13th. I this evening held a good open and precious meeting 
 at Ifield, which was well attended by sincere and honest-hearted peo- 
 ple, among whom I was much set at liberty in the love of the ever- 
 Tasting gospel, to the deep humility of many precious, baptized souls. 
 Pi-aised forever be the name of the Lord! 
 
 The 14th. I this day went to Reigate, and the 7iext day being 
 First-day. I in the morning attended the meeting of Friends there, 
 and also held there in the evening a public meeting, which was well 
 attended by serious-minded people, who were very still and quiet, 
 and humbly received the truth in the love of it. This was with me 
 a day of much favor. The good spirit was with me, and granted 
 me strength and utterance, to the j^eace of my own mind and to the 
 satisfaction of Friends and others. All the praise alo7ie is due to 
 him who puts down the mighty and exalts them of low degree. 
 
 The 16th. A day of much proving to me, being a low time with 
 me, and a season wherein I had to mourn over the existence of a 
 lukewarm spirit among some of our members. I this morning held 
 a meeting for the few Friends of Godalming, where I found the life 
 of pure religion to be very low. I however had a little word of 
 exhortation for them, tending to stir them up to more faithful- 
 ness in the blessed truth. In the evening I held a public meeting 
 at Guildford, which was small, and in some degree a trying season. 
 Truth, however, at length granted a little strength and utterance, 
 I hope to some benefit to a few sincere individuals. 
 
 The 17th. I this evening held a good and very precious meeting 
 at Dorking for Friends and others, which was well attended by re- 
 ligious-minded people, among whom the spring of the everlasting 
 gospel was eminently opened, to the thankfulness and edification of 
 many precious, sincere and baptized souls. 
 
 The 18th. I this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 a,t Capel. where I found a number of well-concerned and sincere- 
 hearted Friends, among whom I was much refreshed under the re- 
 newed putting forth of the everlasting truth. Friends in this meet- 
 ing were ^brought to feel near and dear one to another, in- the unity 
 of the spirit, in the bond of peace ; and on the next day in the 
 
278 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AHNETT. 18-5I 
 
 evening I held there a public meeting, which, although it was small^ 
 yet being attended by sincere and serious-minded people, we were 
 mercifully remembered by the Good She])herd of Israel. 
 
 The 20th. I spent this day very much in religious retirement, 
 in writing, in meditation, and in visiting some dear friends, feeling 
 renewedly very desirous for a growth in the knowledge of the glori- 
 ous and everlasting truth. 
 
 The 21st. A day of much religious retirement, meditation and 
 secret prayer with me. My spirit cried earnestly to the everlasting^ 
 God for his mercy, preservation, counsel and protection, knowing 
 that vain is the help of man. 0, how I desired not to be turned 
 out of the rigid way, on no occasion, in the prosecution of the mis- 
 sion of the everlasting gospel, — neither on the rigid hand nor on the 
 left hand. All within me was humbled under the operation of 
 divine grace, in which I saw renewedly the necessity of increased 
 watchfulness unto prayer for my preservation on every hand, so as 
 to go forth promoting the cause of truth. 
 
 I this day traveled on railroad conveyance upwards of two hun- 
 dred miles to the city of Exeter; and the next day being First-day, 
 I attended Friends' iiieeting there in the morning, where I met a 
 number of interesting and intelligent Friends, among whom I was 
 much opened in gospel love. In the evening I held a public "meet- 
 ing for the citizens of this city, which was well attended by respect- 
 able, serious-minded people, among whom my mind was much 
 opened in the illustration of the great doctrine of Christian redemp- 
 tion, to the deep humility, comfort and edification of many pious 
 and sincere souls. Truth eminenthj reigned over all in this meeting, 
 in which sinners were warned betimes, under divine mercy, to flee 
 from the wrath to come. 
 
 The 23rd. I this day went to Plymouth, and on the next day I 
 attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends there, and was favored 
 with a short and refreshing testimony, to good satisfactipn; and on 
 the 25th I attended the service of the Quarterly ]\[eeting of Friends 
 held in this town. This was a day of very deep exercise with me. 
 All within me was humbled under the spirit of pra3'er and suppli- 
 cation to the Good Shepherd of Israel. I was borne down in spirit 
 under deep and weighty concern. My spirit mourned and wanted 
 vent, which was mercifully granted this day in this Quarterly Meet- 
 ing, wherein I was Dmcli set at liberty in the love of tlie glorious 
 gospel. Truth reigned over all in this meeting, and ended with 
 thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for all his mercies. 
 
 The 2'Jtb. I this evening held a good and open meeting for 
 Friends and others at Tavistock; and on the next day in the even- 
 ing I held a j^ublic meeting at Plymouth, wliich, though it was not 
 large, yet it was much owned by the everlasting truth, wherein the 
 gos])el was preached, to humility and edification. 
 
 Tiie 28th. I this day had a pleasant ride in an open coach to 
 
1851 JOUEXAL OF THOMAS ARXETT, 27& 
 
 Liskeard, where, on the next day, being First-day, I attended the 
 morning and evening meeting of Friends, the latter of which was 
 largely attended by those who are not in membership with ns. The 
 Lord was mercifully with me this day, and opened and illuminated 
 my understanding, so as to enable me to stand forth in the defense 
 of his good cause, to the glory of his worthy name, and to the com- 
 fort and edification of many sincere, precious and baptized souls. 
 Praised be his worthy name now and forever! 
 
 The 30th. I devoted this day to retirement of spirit, to writing, 
 to meditation, to reading, and in some degree to an examination of 
 ray past life, — being my birth-day, — having noic passed through sixty 
 years in this tribulated world, and having in my pilgrimage life up 
 to this day met with many sorrows, oftentimes connected with deep 
 and sore troubles and besetments of various kinds. In retrospect- 
 ing my past life, all within me was deeply humbled under a renewed 
 sense of the mercy, condescension and loving kindness of the ever- 
 lasting God, vouchsafed to me all my life long through the blessed 
 mediation of his well beloved Son, and through the opening and 
 drawing of his good sj)irit; and strong and earnest was my prayer 
 to him this day that he may continue to preserve and to protect me 
 on every hand, to the end that he may more and more sanctify me, 
 and fit me for service in his church ; and when my work is done in 
 this world, consistent with his will, that he may mercifully then 
 receive me into the house not made with hands, eternal in the 
 heavens. I this day, in recounting the mercies and the blessings of 
 the Good Shepherd of Israel unto me, could but acknowledge before 
 him in this language: "I have been young and now am old, yet 
 have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." 
 The Lord has ever been very merciful to me, from my youth up to 
 this day. He has oftentimes delivered me and made way for me, 
 where, according to the wisdom of man, no WQ,^could be seen. I 
 beseech thee, Lord, everlasting God, more and more to cause all 
 things to work together for my good, for thou knowest that I love 
 thee above all things, and am devoted through thy mercy to thy 
 good cause. Thy will in all things, and not mine, be done. 
 Amen. 
 
 7th month, first. I awoke this morning with feelings of grati- 
 tude to the Lord for all his mercy manifested to me throughout all 
 my life up to this time, with sincere desire to him for the continu- 
 ance of his protection to me while I am in this tribulated state, 
 and my cry to him was that I may in his own time be received into 
 his glorious and everlasting kingdom, where sorrow and trouble can 
 never come, but where all is peace forevermore. I this day attended 
 the Monthly Meeting of Friends at Liskeard, where I was favored 
 with a short but impressive testimony, I hope, to the comfort of . 
 Friends; and on the next day I attended the service of the Quar- 
 terly Meeting of Friends there. This was a time of deep exercise 
 
2S(I JOLKNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1851 
 
 and proving to me. In the meeting for worship I was in a pretty 
 good degree opened in the testimony of the gospel; but soon after 
 closing my discourse I was dismounted, as it were, from off the 
 Kino-'s horse, and had to go down, as it were, to the King's gate, and 
 to sit alone, clothed upon with dust and ashes, and -with the gar- 
 ments of wi'cpiiKj and woe and lamentations. 
 
 I beseech thee, Lord, everlasting God, to support me with 
 thine own outstretched arm under all these dei-p and weighty exer- 
 cises, for vain is the help of man, and thou alone kuowest all my 
 secret sorrows and groanings. I am poor and needy, and I stand 
 continually in need of thine adorable mercy. More and more, I 
 pray thee, to unite me with thy wisdom, with thy grace, and with 
 true and saving faith, that I may go forth in thy name in a manner 
 as shall be well pleasing to thee, and to the comfort and edification 
 of thy people; and as it may please thee, let thy good spirit more 
 and more lead me in all things. Thy Avill, not mine, be done. 
 iVmen. 
 
 The 3rd. I this evening held a public meeting at Looe, a sea- 
 port town, in the temperance hall, which was a large and crowded 
 meeting. Those in attendance came in very much unsettled in their 
 minds, which caused me to feel deeply concerned for them, so that 
 I secretly prayed in my spirit for them. 1'ruth at length arose in 
 dominion over this company, and granted me wisdom, strength and 
 utterance, to tlie peace of my own mind and to the humility and 
 comfort of many minds in attendance. The baj^tizing jiower of the 
 Lord was felt to be over this meeting. All the praise is alone due 
 to him forevermore. 
 
 The -ith. I this morning received the following kind and very 
 affectionate letter from a dear friend of mine in America: 
 
 Philadelphia, 5th mo. 5th, 1851. 
 My Edeemed Friend: 
 
 In a measure of brotherly love I feel disposed, to address thee, 
 and to say thon art often the companion of my thoughts, — having 
 long felt a deep interest in thy welfare, which feeling has been 
 strengthened by the lapse of time, and by the service in which thou 
 art 7101V engaged. I can truly say the very responsible mission thou 
 art noiu performing has introduced my mind into deep feeling with 
 and for thee, earnestly desiring that lie who can alone guide in the 
 path of safety may graciously continue the extension of his holy 
 care over thee. 
 
 -From what I liave heard of thy progress, I am comforted in be- 
 lieving that the dear Master has condescended to be with thee, ful- 
 filling his promise of being nioutli and wisdom. Humbly believing 
 this to be the case, tlie first wish of my heart is that we may be able 
 in sinccrili/ to say in this language: "Xot unto us, Lord, not 
 unto us, but unto thy name give" ice ''glory for thy mercy and for 
 truth's sake." I have not heard what tby })rospccts are in relation 
 
1851 JOURN"AL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 281 
 
 to thy return to this country, but, my dear friend, I can and do in 
 measure enter thy sdlTowful feelings when looking towards thv 
 vacant and lonely home. Should it appear, however, consistent 
 with thy duty again to cross the Atlantic, thou wilt find my house 
 and heart open — should life and health be given me at that time — 
 to thee, and any service in my power that may tend to thy con- 
 venience will be, I trust, cheerfully performed by thy 
 
 Sincere friend, 
 
 Thomas Wistar, Jr. 
 
 In the evening of this day I held a meeting for Friends and 
 others at Tideford, which was small, and rather a trying and jorov- 
 ing season, in consequence of the lukewarmness prevalent among the 
 few friends of this place. I was at length, however, favored with a 
 short but impressive testimony, to pretty good satisfaction, tending 
 to stir up the minds of those present by way of remembrance, and 
 commanding them to the pointings of truth. 
 
 The 5th. I this day traveled to Austle by coach conveyance, and 
 the next day being First-day, I attended Friends' meeting there in 
 the morning, which was, through divine mercy, made a pretty good 
 season; and in the evening I held a public meeting in this town, 
 which was largely attended by a promiscuous congregation, among 
 whom the glad tidings of the everlasting gospel went forth, to the 
 . humility and edification of many precious and baptized souls. The 
 sincere Christian and tribulated traveler toward a glorious and hap- 
 py eternity was much encouraged in the way of righteousness, and 
 the sinner was called and warned to flee betimes from the wrath to 
 come, and the way was pointed out to him for amendment of life. 
 
 The 7th, I this day went to the town of Truro, where in the 
 evening I held a meeting for Friends and others, which was a large 
 and highly favored meeting, wherein the solemn and impressive 
 warning of the glorious and everlasting gospel went forth in the 
 •demonstration of the spirit and with power. This was a meeting 
 long to be remembered, I believe, by many for good. 
 
 The 8th. I devoted this day to writing, reading and meditation, 
 and to some bodily exercise for the benefit of my health; and on the 
 next day I attended the little meeting of Friends at Penzance, as it 
 came in course, where in the evening I held a i)retty good open 
 iniblic meeting, wherein the blessed truth in a good degree had the 
 .sway and government over the minds of the jDcople. 
 
 The 10th. A day of deeji exercise with me, wherein "I cried 
 unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill." 
 I said in my prayer "Arise, Lord I Save me, my God," for 
 thou art more to me in thy protection and salvation than all the 
 world; therefore, keep and sustain me on every hand for thy work's 
 sake; and when I am brought very low, and feel that I have to stand 
 alone before thee, then 1 beseech thee to protect me through thy 
 iidorable mercy. Thy will, God, and not mine, be done, for 
 
282 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1851 
 
 thine is the glory now and forever. In the evening I held a public 
 meeting at Camborne, in the Bible Christians' chapel, so called, 
 where I met a hungry and thirsty congregation of believers in 
 Christ, among whom Ihe doctrine of the everlasting gospel was 
 preached in the authority of the power of an endless life. I thought 
 that some good was done in this meeting. The great name of the 
 Good Shepherd of Israel was exalted over, and above all. Praised 
 forever be his glorious name, for he is worthy! 
 
 The two following days I dwelt very much alone. I felt solitary, 
 and was much cast down in spirit. I wanted more and more to live 
 very nigh unto him who alone can support and protect me in all my 
 goings forth in this world. I cried in my prayer to him in this 
 language: "Hear when I call, God of my righteousness; thou 
 hast enlarged me when I was in distress. Have mercy upon me, 
 and hear my prayer." "Give ear to my words, Lord, — consider 
 my meditation;" let me "stand in awe, and sin not;" let me "com- 
 mune with" my "own heart upon" my "bed, and be still." Let 
 this be my experience before thee oftentimes, my God, and "keep 
 me as the apple of the eye, — hide me under the shadow of thy 
 Avings," and order all my steps before thee ; and "let the words of 
 my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy 
 sight, Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." "Hear my cry, 
 
 God; attend unto my prayer, — from the end of the earth will I 
 cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock 
 that is higher than I, for thou hast been a shelter for me, and a 
 strong town from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for- 
 ever — I will trust in the covert of thy wings, for thou, God, hast 
 heard my vows; thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear 
 thy name." I beseech thee, Lord, everlasting God, to keep me 
 and to preserve me in the day of rebuke, and let me not give place 
 to the enemy, in any degree, in the hour of temptation; and for the 
 sake of thine own cause strengthen me, I pray thee, in the day of 
 battle: and teach me more and more to be patient, calm and dispas- 
 sionate in thy name, under all the circumstances of this life; and 
 let me in faith more and more unreservedly dedicate myself wholly 
 to thee, for thou art worthy now and forever. Amen. 
 
 The 13th. Being First-day, I attended in the morning the 
 meeting of Friends at Redruth, and had some })retty good service. 
 
 1 found some kind and interesting Friends in this meeting, and it 
 appeared to me that there Avere also those therein who were careless 
 and lukewarm. In the evening I held a public meeting for the 
 people of this town. When I Avent to this meeting I met such a 
 great crowd of people that it was Avitli much difficulty that I could 
 proceed forward and obtain my seat. In doing which, hoAvever, I 
 soon felt the mighty power of God to arise, Avheuein I was favored 
 to labor eircctually, there being many hungry and thirsty souls in 
 attendance, who were much comforted under the effusion of the 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 383 
 
 water of eternal life. I thought that every state in this meeting- 
 was, in degree, spoken to, in the love of Christ, who is worthy now 
 and forevermore. 
 
 The 14th. I was this day much depressed in the spirit of my 
 mind. I was brought low in body and mind, my health being poor. 
 I mourned in my heart in consequence of the prevalence of a luke- 
 warm spirit, in many instances, in the professed churches of Christ, 
 and prayer was raised in me to him to bring about in his own way 
 and time a revival among his people. I this day dwelt much alone 
 in solid retirement of spirit. 
 
 The 15th. I this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends 
 held at Truro, where I met with a goodly number of kind and in- 
 teresting Friends, among whom I felt much refreshed and renewed 
 up in the spirit of my mind. The good presence of the Shepherd 
 of Israel was mercifully with us in this meeting, wherein we felt 
 renewedly built up in the most holy faith. Friends, after this 
 meeting, manifested much Christian sympathy for and with me. 
 Praised be the Lord forever! 
 
 The 16th. I this day attended the mid-week meeting of Friends 
 at Falmouth, as it came in course, where, on the next day, in the 
 evening, I held a good and open public meeting. My visit to this 
 place was of an interesting character. In the meeting of Friends, 
 as well as in the public meeting in this town, I was much opened 
 and set at liberty in the love of the everlasting gospel. Friends 
 there, while my lot was cast among them, were very kind to me, and 
 manifested toward me the tenderest Christian sympathy. While 
 there I visited a number of aged Friends, in gospel love, as well as 
 many of the beloved youth, to mutual benefit and encouragement. 
 
 The 18th. I was this day brought into deep feeling in the spirit 
 of my mind, wherein the language of my heart was in my prayer 
 to the eternal, immortal King, after this manner: "The Lord is my 
 shepherd, I shall not want; He maketh me to lie down in green 
 pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters; He restoreth my 
 soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for His name's 
 sake." "Judge me, Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity; 
 I have trusted also in the Lord, therefore I shall not slide; examine- 
 me, Lord, and prove me ; try my reins and my heart, for thy 
 loving kindness is before mine eyes, and I liave walked m thy truth. 
 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemb- 
 lers." Unto thee will I cry, Lord, my rock; be not silent to me, 
 lest if thou be silent to me I become like them that go down into 
 the pit," for I know that I have nothing to stand upon for thy sal- 
 vation but thy free mercy; thou knowest, my God, that often- 
 times deep are my exercises, and many are my solitary tears. 0, 
 I pray thee to protect me in all my heights and depths, to the glory 
 of thy name. Amen. 
 
 The 19th. I this day traveled, through a great storm of wind 
 
284 JOURNAL OF THOMAS Al^NETT. 1851 
 
 and rain, to Kingsbridge ; and the next day being First-day, I at- 
 tended in the morning the meeting of Friends there, which was 
 .small, and a season of deep and sore exercise with me, wherein " I 
 was dumb with silence ; I held my peace." "and my sorrow was 
 stirred; my heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire 
 burned" within me, but there was no utterance given to me. My 
 secretory was, "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure 
 of my days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am." I was 
 dumb; I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it." "Hear my 
 prayer, Lord, and give ear unto my cry ; hold not thy peace at 
 my tears, for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner" in this 
 tribulatcd world, going forth as a solitary stranger among strangers, 
 in the defence of thine everlasting gospel. 0, preserve and sustain 
 me, I pray thee, on every hand, in the prosecution of this great 
 concern, into which thou hast mercifully called me, for the cause 
 is thine, and not mine ; therefore sustain it in my hand, to the 
 glory and the honor of thy worthy name. 
 
 In the evening I held a public meeting in this town, which was 
 a large and crowded meeting. The people in attendance came to- 
 gether very much unsettled in the spirit of their minds, and I, 
 taking my seat among them, soon became deeply impressed with a 
 weighty concern for their present and eternal well-being, and the 
 truth soon opened my mouth, and set me much at liberty among 
 them, and it appeared to me that every soul present soon became 
 hushed down into profound silence under the power of an endless 
 life. This was a good and precious meeting, and closed with prayer 
 to God for all his mercies. 
 
 The 21st. I this evening held a public meeting at Modbury, in 
 the British school-room. When I went into this meeting I felt 
 poor, and was much cast down in spirit; but truth soon arose, in a 
 good degree, into dominion ; so that we had, mercifully, a good 
 open meeting. Praised forever be the Lord I 
 
 The 22nd. I this day dwelt much alone, being much retired in 
 the spirit of my mind, and the language of my heart was: "I will 
 extol thee, Lord, for thou hast lifted me up," and delivered me 
 again and again. "U Lord, my God, I cried unto thee, and thou 
 hast heard me," and again and again thou hast anointed me and 
 sent me forth in the love of thine everlasting gospel.- "In thee, 
 Lord, do I put my trust, let me never be ashamed" of thy good 
 cause; "deliver me in thy righteousness, bow doAvn thine ear to 
 me;" "be thou my strong rock, for an house of defense to save me, 
 for thou art my rock and my fortress, therefore for thy name's sake 
 lead me and guide me." "Into thine hand I commit my s])irit; 
 thou hast redeemed me, Lord God, of truth." "When I kept 
 silence" then oftentimes my spirit mourned within me, because I 
 was cast down under deep pressure of spirit, under a sense of the 
 vanity of this world: but "the Lord is nigh unto them that are of 
 
1*51 JOUKJfAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 285 
 
 a broken heart, and savetli such as be of a contrite spirit; many are 
 the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of 
 them all. I love thee, Lord, and "I will give thee thanks in the 
 great congregation; I will praise thee among much people," "and 
 my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all 
 the day long," for "thy mercy, Lord, , is in the heavens, and thy 
 faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds," "for with thee is the fount- 
 ain of life, in thy light shall" I "see light." "0, continue thy 
 loving kindness unto" me, and let thy will in all things be done. 
 Amen, 
 
 The 2ord. I this evening held a public meeting at Totnes, in the 
 Independent chapel. The people who attended were generally of a 
 religious character, and ajjpeared to be desirous renewedly to be in- 
 structed in the gospel of Christ, among whom I sat some time in 
 silence, under deep exercise. At length way opened, in the love of 
 the truth, for me to arise and address them, I trust effectually, in 
 the authority of the power of an endless life. They were vey still 
 and quiet, and appeared to receive the truth delivered among them 
 in the love of it. The meeting solemnly closed with prayer to 
 God. Praised forever be his name. 
 
 The 24th. I awoke this morning with feelings of deep humility, 
 desiring the fresh income of divine support. "I waited patiently 
 for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry." 
 "Many, Lord, my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast 
 done, and thy thoughts, which are" toward thy faithful and de- 
 voted people; "they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee.'^ 
 "If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be 
 numbered," wherefore "I delight to do thy will, my God; yea, 
 thy law is within my heart." I beseech thee more and more let 
 me meditate in thy law both day and night, that I may gradually 
 deepen in the root of immortal life, and please thee in all things. 
 
 I this evening held a public meeting at Torquay, in the Union 
 hall, which was pretty well attended by serious, sober-minded peo- 
 ple, among whom I was largely opened on the subject of the 
 wondrous works of God, and the manifestation of his mercy toman 
 through the blessed mediation of his well beloved Son, and the 
 manifestation of his good spirit, in every i\ge of the world. They 
 appeared to be much humbled, and I believe that they in some de- 
 gree were benefited by attending this meeting. All the praise is 
 forever due to the Good Shepherd of Israel. 
 
 The two following days I spent in visiting some friends, in trav- 
 eling a little from place to place, and in meditating on the wondrous 
 works of God, being impressed in some degree with a renewed sense 
 of his glory, wisdom and power. 
 
 In my meditation the language of my heart was, "God is" my 
 "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore will 
 not" I "fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mount- 
 
286 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARKETl 1851 
 
 ains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof 
 roar and be troubled, though tlie mountains sluike with the swelling 
 thereof/' I "have thought of thy loving kindness, God, in the 
 midst of thy temple; according to thy name, God, so is thy praise 
 nnto the ends of the earth ; thy right hand is full of righteousness;"' 
 therefore "have mercy upon me, God, according to thy loving 
 kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot 
 out" all "my transgressions," and "wash me thoroughly," and 
 cleanse me from time to time, that I may be kept pure and un- 
 spotted from the world, that thy free word may flow through me, to 
 the edification of thy people and to the calling of sinners to re- 
 pentance, for "I am," in some degree, "like a green olive tree in the 
 home of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever," 
 yet I am clothed upon with much infirmity, and oftentimes have 
 to go both day and night on my way with deep inward mourning, 
 crying in my spirit to the everlasting God to lead me in his own way, 
 and more and more to deliver me from the evil, both on the right 
 hand and on the left hand, knowing that I cannot stand pre- 
 served before him in this wicked and fallen world, even one 
 momeiit, without his almighty protecting arm; and in the discharge 
 of all my religious duties I am still an unprofitable servant, and can 
 alone depend on his free mercy for eternal redemption, therefore 
 "save me, God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength ; hear 
 my prayer, God, give ear to the words of my mouth," and direct all 
 my steps according to thy wisdom and truth. "Behold, God is mine 
 helper; the Lord is with them that uphold mysoul," therefore "give 
 ear to my pra3'er, God. and hide not thyself from my supjDlica- 
 tion; attend unto me, and hear me; I mourn in my complaint," and 
 cry to thee, for "my heart is fixed, God, — my heart is fixed: 
 I will smg and give praise" to thee according to the opening of 
 thy good spirit in me; therefore "hear my cry, God; attend 
 unto my prayer; from the end of the earth will I cry nnto thee 
 when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher 
 than I, for thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower 
 from the enemy. J will abide in thy tabernacle forever, I will 
 trust in the covert of thy wings;" therefore, "my soul, wait thou 
 only upon God, for my expectation is from Him; He only is my 
 rock and my salvation; lie is my defense, I shall not be moved" 
 while I trust in him, for "in God is my salvation and my glory; the 
 rock of my strength and my refuge is in God," for "my soul fol- 
 loweth hard after thee; thy right hand uplioldeth me," for "I re- 
 member thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night 
 watches, because thou hast been my help; therefore, in the shadow 
 of thy wings, will I rejoice;" "but' I am," oftentimes, "poor and 
 sorrowful; let thy salvation, God, set me up on high," for "I will 
 ])iaise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with 
 thanksgiving," "for thou art my hope, Lord God; thou art my 
 
JS.51 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 287 
 
 trust from my youth," for "I am us a woman unto many, but thou 
 art ray strong refuge; let my mouth be filled with thy praise and 
 with thy honor all the day; cast me not off in the time of old age," 
 for "I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more; 
 my mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all 
 the day, for I know not the numbers thereof. ''Thou which 
 hast showed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, 
 and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth/" This 
 has oftentimes been my experience, my God, under the turning 
 and the overturning of thy holy hand upon me, from my youth up 
 to my present age. Again and again thou hast permitted deep and 
 sore trials to come upon me for my good, and thou hast therein 
 shewed me thy great and protecting power, and again and agaiif 
 thou hast brought about many deliverances for me, and it is of thy 
 mercies alone that I am not consumed, because thy compassions to- 
 ward me fail not. They are new toward me every morning, and 
 even every moment of my life, yet I am often very poor and much 
 cast down in the spirit of my mind, wherein much inward mourning 
 is oftentimes renewed in me, ''nevertheless I am continually Avith 
 thee; thou hast liolden me by my right hand; thou shalt guide me," 
 as I am faithful to thee, "with thy counsel, and afterward receive 
 me to glory," for "whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is 
 none upon earth that I desire beside thee," for thou art "the 
 strength of my heart and my jDortion forever," and "it is good for 
 me to draw near to'' thee oftentimes, and to "put my trust in" thee 
 alone, "that I may declare all thy works,'' so far as may be consist- 
 ent with thy holy will. I beseech theOj my God, to have mercy 
 upon me, and perform thy will concerning me in all things, and 
 preserve me unto thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. 
 
 The 27th. Being First-day, I this morning again attended the 
 meeting of Friends at Plymouth, having gone to this j^lace on the 
 evening preceding. This meeting was a good refreshing season to 
 Friends, we being a little renewedly united in spirit, and brought 
 to feel near together in Christian fellowship. In the evening I 
 held another iDublic meeting in this town. About five hundred peo- 
 ple attended this meeting, who were very still and quiet throughout 
 the whole service thereof, and although this was a very mixed com- 
 pany as to religious opinion, yet the everlasting truth overruled all, 
 to the glory of God. My understanding was eminently opened in 
 the illustration of the great doctrine of Christian redemption, to 
 the breaking down of many prejudices and renewedly uniting the ' 
 people before me in a more of a oneness of feeling in regard to the 
 way of life and salvation. Praised forever be the Lord. 
 
 The 28th. I this day traveled much, upwards of fifty miles to 
 Spiceland, where, in the evening, I held a pretty good meeting for 
 Friends and others. About a hundred people attended, among 
 whom the principles of truth were disseminated, to edification. 
 
288 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1851 
 
 The 20th. I tliis day, after passing through a sleepless night, 
 had to endure much trial, discouragement and proving exercises of 
 mind, my health being poor, and being much cast down in body 
 and mind. I traveled upwards of forty miles to Barnstaple, where, 
 in the evening, I held a public meeting in the Guild hall, so called. 
 About a hundred people came together, among whom I deeply 
 mourned in spirit, under a renewed sense of the prevalence of a 
 lukewarm spirit in the professed churches of Christ. After sitting 
 some time among them as a fool for Christ's sake, a little word of 
 exhortation was given me for them, after the delivery of which the 
 meeting closed under some little religious feeling, but not to the re- 
 lief of my conscience and borne-down mind. 
 
 The 30th. I traveled this day by coach and railroad conveyance 
 through a delightful and beautiful country, upwards of forty 
 miles, to the city of Exeter, where, on the next day, I again at- 
 tended the meeting of Friends, as it came in course, which was a 
 good and pleasant opportunity, after which, in the evening, I 
 traveled by coach conveyance to Bridport. 
 
 8th month, first. I awoke this morning under much deep re- 
 newed concern for my preservation on every hand, wherein "I cried 
 unto God with my voice, and He gave ear unto me." I said in my 
 spirit, "I call to remembrance my song in the night; I com-, 
 mune with mine own heart, and my spirit made diligent search." 
 "T will remember the works of tlie Lord, surely I aviII remem- 
 ber thy wonders of old; I will meditate also of all thy work and 
 talk of thy doings," for "thy way is in tlie sea, and thy path in the 
 great waters, and thy footsteps are not known," and great and 
 wonderful is thy mercy to man in every age of the world. 
 
 I this evening held a public meeting at Bridport, in the Meth- 
 odist chapel. About five Inmdred peojjle attended this meeting, 
 who were generally under religious concern for their present and 
 eternal well-being, among whom the message of the everlasting 
 gospel went forth, to the melting down of many sincere baptized 
 souls into humility and thanksgiving to the merciful Shepherd 
 of Israel for all his mercies and benefits. 
 
 The 2nd. I traveled this day by coach and railroad conveyance 
 to Poole, and the next day being First-day, I attended the meeting 
 of Friends there in the morning, which was a small but joretty good 
 refreshing meeting. In the evening I held a public meeting there, 
 where I met about five hundred sober-minded people, among whom 
 I was much set at liberty in pointing out the awful consequences of 
 sin, and the way to be delivered therefrom, so as to enjoy eternal 
 ha])pinoss. 
 
 The 4th. I this day traveled to Shirley, near Southampton, 
 wliere, on the next day I was very much <iuiet and «/o«^' at a friend's 
 house, engaged in writing and meditation, wherein I was brought 
 under deep inward exercise of mind, and in the opening of the light 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 289 
 
 of truth, the language of my heart was, "How amiable are Thy 
 tabernacles, Lord of hosts ; my soul longeth, yea, even faintetli 
 for the courts of the Lord ; my heart and my flesh without for the 
 living God ;" yes, saith my spirit, " blessed are they that dwell in 
 Thy house, they will be still praising Thee ; they go from strength to 
 strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God ;" "for a 
 day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door- 
 keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wicked- 
 ness ; for the Lord God is a sun and shield ; the Lord will give 
 grace and glory, no good thing will He withhold from them that 
 walk uprightly ; Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth 
 in Thee ;" and for my own part, " I will hear what God the Lord 
 will speak, for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His 
 saints ; but let them not turn again to folly." In my prayer I said, 
 " Bow down Thine ear, Lord, hear me, for I am poor and needy ; 
 preserve my soul" from the evil and from sin, and "be merciful 
 unto me, Lord, for I say unto Thee daily," "give ear, Lord, 
 unto my prayer, and attend to the voice of my suj^plications; in the 
 day of my trouble I will call ujwn Thee, for Thou wilt answer me ;" 
 "teach me Thy way, Lord, I will walk in Thy truth, unite my 
 heart to fear Thy name ; I will praise Thee, Lord my God, with 
 all my heart, and I will glorify Thy name forevermore ;" Lord 
 God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee, let my 
 prayer come before Thee, incline Thine ear unto my cry. 
 
 The 6th. I this evening held a public meetmg at Shirley, in the 
 Methodist chapel, where about a hundred people attended, among 
 whom I had pretty good service to the edification of the sincere and 
 faithful, and on the next day I attended the monthly meeting of 
 Friends, held at Southampton, which was a was a good and refresh- 
 ing season to Friends. 
 
 The 8th. I this evening about 11 o'clock, in company with my 
 dear friends, Eobert Alsop, and his wife, Christine Alsop, (who was 
 to be my interpreter as occasion should require), William Hull, and 
 his wife Annie M. Hull, Joseph Eaton, and William R. Wagstaft', 
 went on board the British mail steamer at Southampton for the 
 Island of Guernsey ; we set sail at 12 o'clock, and after having a 
 very pleasant passage, landed there at St. Peter's port, on the 9th, 
 at 9 o'clock in the morning, where on the next day, being First-day, 
 we attended in the morning the meeting of Friends, and met about 
 twenty-five people, mostly Friends, which was a season of encour- 
 agement, and in the evening we held a public meeting there ; about 
 a hundred people attended, who were serious and appeared to 
 receive the truth delivered among them in the love of it. Praised 
 forever be the Lord. 
 
 After this, through the course of the two following days, we vis- 
 ited in Christian love the few families of Friends residing on this 
 island, amounting to the number of twelve families, and in going 
 
290 JOUliNAJ> OF THOMAS ARNETT. ig^i 
 
 forth on this visit from house to house, wc were much favored under 
 divine mercy, to speak suitably to the states of our dear friends, 
 liauding forth the word of encouragement and exhortation to mutual 
 benefit and edification, and in some instances in this family visit, 
 my discourses had to be interpreted by my interpreter into the 
 French language ; and I trust that this visit will be of lasting bene- 
 fit to some poor discouraged souls. 
 
 The 13th. We this evening held a meeting at St. Sampson's 
 port, in the Methodist chapel ; about a hundred people attended, 
 among whom the language of truth went forth rather in a degree 
 of weakening, it being rather a low time with me ; this meeeting, 
 however, ended pretty well, and I think it will have some good 
 ett'ect. 
 
 The 14th. I this day was renewedly brought under deep exercise, 
 in which I desired to live nigher and nigher to the good Shepherd 
 of Israel, and the language of my heart was. '"' I will say of the Lord, 
 He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom will I trust ;" 
 "for when I said my foot slippeth. Thy mercj^ Lord, held me 
 up : in the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts 
 delight my soul ;" for many are my temptations both within and 
 without : '" but the Lord is my defense : and my God is the rock of 
 my refuge,'"' and my support. 
 
 We this morning again attended the meeting of Friends at St. 
 Peter's port, where we met about fifteen Friends, and a few others 
 who are friendly toward us, among whom I sat in suffering 
 silence, but some of the dear Friends of my company found some 
 good service on this occasion, by way of exhortation and a word of 
 encouragement. 
 
 In the evening we held a public meeting for the citizens of this 
 town, in a large and splendid Metliodist cluipel ; about five hundred 
 peoi)le atteiuled this meeting, who were mostly professors of Chris- 
 tianity, among whom the way of life and salvation was eminently 
 illustrated in the demonstration of the spirit and with power. I 
 thought that all the states in this meeting were spoken to, and many 
 hearts were reached and melted doAvn into great tenderness and 
 humility. The meeting solemnly closed with prayer to the Lord 
 Almighty for all his mercies and blessings to all mankind. 
 
 The loth. AVe this evening held a good o])en meeting in the 
 French Methodist chapel, near Breckfield, in St. Martin's Parish; 
 about a hundred people attended, a number of whom could not 
 understand my language, to whom the substance of my discourse was 
 interpreted in the French language by my interi)reter, so that this 
 was a satisfactory and edifying meeting. Praised be forever the 
 name of the good Shepherd of Israel. 
 
 The IGth. We this morning at U o'clock went on board the British 
 mail steamer for the Island of Jersey, where we landed at St. Helen, 
 after a pleasant sail of about three hours, and the next day being 
 
1851 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 201 
 
 First-day. we attended in the morning Friends meeeting there, 
 where we met about twentj^-five people, including Friends and those 
 friendly toward us, among whom we had a good religious opportu- 
 nity, and in the afternoon at 3 o'clock we held a public meeting at St. 
 Aubin, in the French Methodist chapel ; about two hundred and 
 fifty people attended, who could generally understand my language, 
 among whom I had a good, free, open opportunity in throwing 
 before them the exercises of my mind for their present and eternal 
 well being. This was a very solemn meeting, and ended to good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 After this, through the course of the two following days, we vis- 
 ited in Christian love the few families of Friends, and some others 
 who are friendly toward us, residing on this island. In the prose- 
 cution of this concern, we visited upward of twelve families to good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The 20th. I awoke this morning with a peaceful mind; all within 
 me was humbled under a renewed sense of God's mercy toward me. 
 I sang in my spirit the song of thanksgiving to him ; even the new 
 song which no man can learn but those who are redeemed from the 
 earth and from among men by the precious blood of the Lamb, the 
 Saviour of the world I 
 
 In the evening we held a meeting in the French Methodist chapel, 
 in St. Peter's Parish. About two hundred people were present, 
 and although my discourse had to be interpreted in the French lan- 
 guage, yet remarkable Christian sobriety and solemnity was felt to 
 be over the meeting, under which I believe all present were hum- 
 bled and editied. Blessed be God forever. 
 
 The 21st. We this morning held a meeting in tiie Frencli Metho- 
 dist chapel in the parish of St. Owen, upward of three hundred 
 I^eople attended, to whom the mercy of God, with the call of the 
 everlasting gospel, was much extended. I had to labor in the gospel 
 before this company through my interpreter, having before me a 
 French congregation, and under the power of divine grace, all who 
 were present appeared to be humbled as in dust and ashes. 
 
 The 22d. I was this day favored in degree with the good pres- 
 ence of him, ''that Wcis slain to receive power, and riches, and wis- 
 dom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing ; " to whom 
 I cried in the spirit of my mind, in this language : "' Lord, thou 
 art my God ; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name, for thou hast 
 done wonderful things ; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and 
 truth," and thy mercy is to man from generation to generation. 
 
 In the evening we held a meeting in tlie Methodist chapel at 
 Gorey, where about two hundred English people attended, among 
 whom the power of an endless life eminently prevailed ; every soul 
 present was hushed down into that pure silence of mind, which 
 opens the way in the heart to receive the whole truth in the love of 
 it. Blessed be God forevermorel 
 
292 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 185» 
 
 The 23d. I devoted this day to rest and quiet meditation, and 
 the next day being First-day, we again attended the meeting of 
 Friends at St. Helens in the morning, where we met the same com- 
 pany that came together with us a week ago, among whom we again 
 had a good refreshing season. 
 
 In the afternoon at 3 o'clock we held a public meeting for the 
 English citizens of this town in the Methodist chapel (Grove Place): 
 about twelve hundred people attended this meeting, among whom 1 
 was eminently opened in the illustration of the great doctrine of 
 Christian redemption in the demonstration of the spirit, and with 
 ])Ower. Much Christian solemnity covered this meeting, and many 
 ])recious, hungry, sincere and baptized souls were humbled as in 
 dust and ashes, who rejoiced in God, the author of all our sure 
 mercies and blessings. 
 
 The 25th. We spent the forepart of this day in taking some 
 bodily exercise for the benefit of our health, and also in visiting 
 some families of those friendly toward us to good satisfaction, and 
 in the evening we held a meeting in the parish of St. Martins, in 
 the French Methodist chapel. About four hundred people attended . 
 Avho generally could only understand the French language, before 
 whom, therefore, I labored in the gospel at some length through mv 
 interpreter to very good satisfaction. The power of an endless life 
 prevailed in this meeting to the tenderness and edification of many 
 souls. Blessed be God forever! 
 
 The 26th. We this evening held another public meeting for the 
 French citizens of St. Helens, in the 6Y«;/e Methodist chajDel (Grove 
 Place), Avhere the meeting was held on the first day preceeding. 
 About six hundred people attended this meeting, before whom I 
 labored much in the gospel through my interpreter. The baptizing 
 power of the Lord was felt to be over this meeting, uniting many 
 Christian souls reneiuedly in gospel fellowship. 
 
 The 27th. We this morning at 7 o'clock went on board the 
 British mail steamer for Southampton, where Ave arrived after having 
 a very rough and boisterous voyage of about twelve hours, during 
 which time I was very sea-sick, and vomited most severely. There 
 were about two hundred passengers on board, most of whom were 
 also very sea-sick, and part of my company also suffered much in 
 this way, so that we were all glad and thankful when we were safely 
 landed; and after landing at this port, I most tenderly, affection- 
 ately, and prayerfully took my leave of my dear, interesting Friends 
 who had been acceptably my company in my visit to these two 
 islands, they feeling the Avay now clear again to return home. After 
 parting witli them, I for awhile felt very lonesome, but I was favored 
 in the obedience of faith to look alone to God for support, and my 
 cry unto him was: "Hear my cry, 0, Lord, and let my cry come 
 unto thee; hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in 
 trouble," and much cast down under solitary feelings. "Incline 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 293 
 
 thine ear unto me; in the day when I call answer me/' according to 
 thy holy will, for " I will sing nnto the Lord as long as I live; I 
 wiil sing praise to my God while I have my being; my meditation 
 of him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord;" *' remember me, 
 Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people; visit me 
 with thy salvation;" "I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; 
 yea, I will praise him among the multitude." '' I will praise the 
 Lord with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright, and in 
 the congregation " of the people let me praise him. "I love the 
 Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications; because 
 he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as 
 long as I live," wherefore " return unto thy rest, my soul, for the 
 Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee," therefore saith my spirit, 
 '■'1 will walk before the Lord in the land of the living," and ''what 
 shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will 
 take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 
 Blessed be his name forever. Amen! 
 
 After I had landed at this port, I devoted the three following days 
 to resting, to writing, and reading, to the improvement of my health, 
 iind to quiet, religious meditation and retirement of spirit. 
 
 The 31st, being First-day, and a time long to be remembered by 
 me, strong was my prayer and supplication to the good Shepherd of 
 Israel, that the work of sanctitication may more and more progress 
 in me, till all within me may come to be assimilated to his holy and 
 divine will; knowing that I have his "treasure," that of the Chris- 
 tian religion "in" an "earthen vessel, that the excellency of the 
 power may be of God, and not of" myself, let me therefore go forth 
 while in this world, " always bearing about in the body the dying of 
 the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest " 
 more and more in this, my body, which is clothed upon with much 
 infirmity, in Avhich I a;:,ain and again do "groan earnestly, desiring 
 to be clothed upon with " that " house which is from heaven." May 
 the God of mercy and love keep me on every hand, and preserve me 
 on all occasions through all to the end into his glorious, peaceful, 
 and everlasting kingdom. Amen. I this morning attended the meet- 
 ing of Friends at Southampton, where I met upwards of fifty Friends, 
 mostly in the younger walks of life, among whom a good refreshing 
 season under divine mercy was granted, and in the evening I held a 
 public meeting for the citizens of this town in the splendid Victoria 
 room. Several hundred people attended this meeting, who were 
 very still and quiet, among whom, under the baptizing power of the 
 . Lord, the great doctrine of Christianity was in degree thrown open 
 to the admiration of many minds. Praised be the Lord forever. 
 
 Ninth month 1st. I awoke this morning with feelings of grati- 
 tude to him of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is 
 named, and with Christian love toward the whole family of man, 
 and under renewed consideration of divine mercy toward man, and 
 
t»94: .lOUKNAI. OF THOMAS AKXETT. mt 
 
 the gracious dealings of divine Providence toward me all my life 
 long. The language of my heart was poured forth in this tender 
 and very humble strain: "I will praise thee with uprightness of 
 heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments; I Nvill 
 keep thy statutes; 0, forsake me not utterly! " "With my whole 
 heart" '' I sought thee," and found thee, in the day of the merci- 
 ful conviction and drawing of thy good spirit in the spirit of my 
 mind. "0, let me not" now "Avander from thy commandments," 
 for "thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against 
 thee. Blessed art thou, 0, Lord, teach me thy statutes," for " I 
 will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways; I 
 will delight myself 'in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word." 
 " Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wonderful things out of 
 thy law;" for in many instances '' I am a stranger in the earth; " 
 therefore, "hide not thy commandments from me,'' for "my soul 
 cleaveth unto the dust. Quicken thou me according to thy word,"' 
 for "I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me. Teach me 
 thy statutes, make me to understand the way of thy precepts, so 
 shall I talk of thy wondrous works." Remember the word unto 
 thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope," for this is 
 my comfort in my affliction; for thy word hath quickened me," 
 and " it is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might 
 learn thy statutes;"' for " the law of thy mouth is better unto me 
 than thousands of gold and silver." Therefore, "let thy tender mer- 
 cies come unto me, that I may live, for thy law is my delight."' 
 "Quicken me," therefore, "after thy loving kindness, so shall I 
 keep the testimony of thy mouth; forever, 0, Lord, thy word is 
 settled in heaven,'" and "unless thy law had been my delight, I 
 should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget 
 thy precepts, for with them thou hast quickened me," oftentimes; 
 therefore, " O, how love I thy law; it is my meditation all the 
 day;" for "thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my 
 l)ath." Therefore, "accept, I beseech thee, the free-will offering 
 of my mouth, 0, Lord, and teach me thy Judgments," for "my 
 soul is continually in my hand, yet do I not forget thy law," for 
 " thou art my hiding place and my shield," therefore, " I hope in 
 thy word." And I i)ray thee more and more to " uphold me ac- 
 (•(jrding unto thy word, that I may live; and let me not be ashamed 
 of my hope," but " hold thou me up, and 1 shall be safe, and I 
 will have respect unto thy statutes continually," for thy testimonies 
 are wonderful, therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance 
 of thy word giveth light, it giveth u!iderstanding unto the simple. 
 I o])ened my mouth and i)anted, for I longed for thy command- 
 ments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest 
 to do unto those that loved thy name. Order my steps in thy word, 
 and let not any iniquity have dominion over me; " for " mine eyes 
 prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. 
 
1851 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AKNiri'T. 395 
 
 Hear my voice tieeording to tliy loving kindness; <), Lord, ({uicken 
 me according to thy judgment;" and " consider mine affliction, 
 and deliver me " more and more from the evil, ''for I do not forget 
 thy law. Plead my cause, and deliver me '" in the day of tempta- 
 tion, and more and more " quicken me according to thy word,"' 
 and let my cry come near before thee, 0, Lord. Give me under- 
 standing according to thy word," and let my supplication come 
 before thee," and preserve me "according to thy Avord." In all 
 my goings forth while in time, " I Avill lift up mine eyes unto the 
 hills, from whence cometh my help,'' for " my help cometh from 
 the Lord, which made heaven and earth." And "in my distress 
 I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me" from heaven, his 
 lofty habitation, and his mercy and protection are extended to 
 all his faitliful and devoted children in every age of the world, 
 even to those who are contrite and humble inspirit. For thus saith 
 the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eteruity,whose name is holy: 
 I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a con- 
 trite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to 
 revive the heart of the contrite ones." And I feel l)efore him, 
 under a renewed sense of his highness and holiness, that " I am a 
 worm, and no man." I feel that I am willing to suffer anything 
 that may tend to magnify his great and holy name. And I feel 
 oftentimes, in this day, very solitary in spirit before him, having 
 now no dear and near companion of my bosom in this world. My 
 bereavement in regard to the loss of my dear and precious compan- 
 ion in life s]irang up this dayl)efore me under deep renewed weight 
 of spirit and mucli mourning of heart; siie having now one year 
 ago gone into a glorious and ha])py eternity, and I am still left 
 behind in this tribulated world a little longer, to fill up my meas- 
 ure of suffering. I beseech thee, 0, Lord, everlasting God, more 
 and more mercifully to cause all things that befall me to work 
 together for my good; keep me daily under thy mercy and protec- 
 tion, and let all my future life be devoted to thy cause and to thy 
 glory, and let thy will in all things, and not mine, be done. 
 Amen. 
 
 In the morning of this day I held a meeting at Fordingbridge 
 for friends and others, which was well attended, wherein a very 
 solemn warning went forth in gospel love to those who were under 
 sin, spending their precious time in the pleasure and vanity of 
 this fallen world, to whom, also the way was pointed out to 
 attain to conversion and holiness of heart; the sincerely engaged 
 in the way of life and salvation were also much encouraged to hold out 
 faithful to the end, so as to be accounted worthy to receive the 
 crown immortal. This was a very solemn meeting, and ended 
 under much religious impression. 
 
 The 2nd. I this evening held a public meeting in the city of 
 Salisbury, in the Baptist chapel; about 500 people attended, of 
 
21)6 JOL'KNAL Ol- THOMAS AKNKTT. 1851 
 
 various religious persuasions, among whom the testimony of the 
 glorious and everlasting gospel went forth in a manner as renew- 
 ed ly to unite them one to another in the unity of the spirit in 
 the' bond of peace. This was a very solemn and impressive meet- 
 ing, wherein the truth reigned over all. Many hearts were reached 
 and broken down into tenderness and contrition, and the next day 
 I spent quietly at a friend's house in writing and meditation. 
 
 The 4th, I this day again attended the Monthly Meeting of 
 Friends at Southampton, where I again with feelings of humility 
 , and thankfulness met Avith my dear and sympathizing friends 
 John Mason and his wife, Elizabeth Mason, who were glad again 
 to see me in this country, and after passing through the service of 
 this meeting with them, to good satisfaction, I took my very affec- 
 tionate leave of them in mutual gospel sympathy, and went on 
 board, in company with several friends, of the British mail steamer 
 f(»r the Isle of Wight,^where I was lauded, after one hour's very 
 ])leasant sail, at Westcowes, and went home immediately with my 
 kind and dear friend Thomas Pierce, of ISTewport, at Avhose house 
 I spent the two following days in reading, writing, resting a little, 
 and in meditation. 
 
 The 7th. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Newport, (this being the First day of the week,) wherein I met 
 about twenty friendly people, a number of whom were our mem- 
 bers. There being but a very few Friends on this Island, and these 
 few hold their meetings for worship at this place; we this morning 
 w^ere a little refreshed together. 
 
 In the evening I held a public meeting for the citizens of this 
 town, in the Queen's room. About five hundred people came to- 
 gether, among whom the water of life and salvation was offered 
 freely in a degree of that love which death can never extinguish. 
 Many hungry and thirsty souls were refreshed in this meeting, and 
 sinners were solemnly warned betimes to flee from the wrath to 
 come, and to lay hold on the only refuge of salvation, the blessed 
 mediator l)etween God and man. This meeting solemnly closed 
 with prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord. 
 
 The 8th. I this day ])asscd through some deep and weighty ex- 
 ercises of mind, my spirit was much cast down and mourned with- 
 in me, and the language of my heart was, ''Out of the depths have 
 I cried unto thee Lord — Lord hear my voice; let thine ears be at- 
 tentive to the voice of my supplication. If thou, Lord, shouldest 
 mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand. ^ — but there is forgivings 
 with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my 
 poul doth wait, and in his word do I hope; my soul waiteth for tht; 
 Lord, more than they that watch for the morning; I say more than 
 they that watch for the morning," because he alone can guide and 
 preserve me in the ]>ath of truth, judgment and righteousness. 
 
 In the evening I held a meeting' at Brixton, in the Bible Chris- 
 
■iSal JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 297 
 
 tians' chapel. About a hundred people attended, generally of tlie 
 poor laboring class, who appeared to be serious in spirit, and desir- 
 ous to receive the truth in the love of it; among whom I was much 
 favored in gospel ministry, and in prayer to their humility and edi- 
 fication. All the praise is forever due to the Good Shepherd of 
 Israel. 
 
 The 9th. I this evening held a meeting at Brook, in the Bible 
 Christians' chapel, where I met about a hundred people, some of 
 whom were serious and religious, and others of them were much 
 unconcerned in regard to their present and eternal well-being. The 
 language of the truth, however, went forth suitably to all the states 
 in the meeting, so that under divine mercy this was made a pretty 
 good refreshing season. Praised forever be the Lord! 
 
 The 10th. I this evening held a meeting at Newbridge, in the 
 Bible Christians' chapel, where about a hundred and fifty people 
 came together, generally with sincere desire to be instructed in the 
 ■way of life and salvation, and their desire was mercifully answered; 
 for the power of an endless life eminently prevailed in this meet- 
 ing, under the blessed influence thereof every soul present ap- 
 peared to be humbled as in dust and ashes, my mouth being 
 ■opened, and my heart much enlarged in gospel love toward this 
 company, who were generally of the laboring class. This meeting 
 €nded with prayer and thanksgiving to the author of all our sure 
 mercies; and on the next day I again attended the little meeting of 
 Friends at Newport, where I only met ten Friends, among whom I 
 was much comforted. 
 
 The 13th. I this evening held a trying meeting at Guuville, in 
 the Bible Christians chapel. About a hundred people attended, 
 among whom generally the life of true religion was low. There 
 were, however, some serious exercised minds among them, but 
 there were a number of them who manifested much unionism in 
 regard to their present and eternal well-being, and some of them 
 appeared to have no solidity about them, who manifested such un- 
 becoming behavior that they had to be publicly reproved in order 
 to keep up sobriety in the meeting. I mourned in my spirit over 
 this company, till at length the warning testimony of truth was 
 given to me for them, and after the delivery of which I felt clear of 
 them; and the next day I spent in reading, writing and meditation. 
 
 The 14th, being First-day, and a time of much divine favor. I 
 this morning again met the few Friends at Newport, being in num- 
 ber twelve persons present, who were in a good degree refreshed 
 and united together in love and unity. 
 
 In the evening I held a meeting at Ryde, in tlie Methodist chapel. 
 About seven hundred people attended this meeting, mostly relig- 
 ious professors, among whom remarkable quietness and Christian 
 sobriety prevailed, and way opened for me in the spring of gospel 
 love, to labor among them to their humilitv and edification. I be- 
 
298 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AllNETT. issr 
 
 lieve that every soul in this meeting was visited and solemnized by 
 the presence of him, who alone can touch the heart and soften it, 
 so as to prejxire it in true and saving faith, for the effectual receiv- 
 ing the seed of immortal life. This meeting closed under a very 
 precious covering with prayer and thanksgiving to him who alone 
 is worthy of all the praise in the heaven and in the earth, and the 
 next day I spent peacefully and quietly at my lodging in writings 
 reading and in meditation. 
 
 The loth. T this morning renewedly desired Avith secret prayer 
 and supplication, to be more and more dedicated to the will of God 
 in all things, and that he may ever direct my steps in truth and 
 righteousness, and under a sense of my infirmity and short-coming 
 before him, my spirit cried out in this language, " Lord, I know 
 that the way of man is not in himself ; it is not in man that walk- 
 eth to direct his steps; Lord, correct me, but with judgment, 
 not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to notliing ; " for it is alone 
 on the ground of thine adorable mercy tiiat I can find acceptance 
 with thee. 
 
 In the evening I held a meeting at Chale, in the Methodist 
 chapel, where I met a about a hundred and twenty-five sober- 
 minded and well-disposed people, who aj^peared to be desirous re- 
 newedly to be instructed in the way of life and salvation; and mer- 
 cifully their desire was answered," for the language of truth went 
 forth among them in the demonstration of the spirit and with 
 power. Praised forever be the name of God ! 
 
 The 17th. I awoke this morning under much bodily indisposi- 
 tion. I was much cast down in my mind; my spirit mourned with- 
 in me, and supplicated for the renewal of divine strength, so as to 
 be enabled to go forth according to the pointing of divine wisdom. 
 
 In the evening I held rather a trying meeting at Chillertou, in 
 the Methodist chapel, where I met about a hundred people, among 
 whom a number a})peared to be sincerely engaged in the way of life 
 and salvation, but others were under sin and transgression. I Avas 
 unable to discharge my duty before them in the labor of the gospel 
 in much weakness of body and mind, and so took my leave of 
 them. 
 
 The 18th. I suffered much this day in body and mind; my 
 health continuing to be poor, and much discouragement assailed 
 me, so that it was a low time with me. I was, however, in a good 
 degree preserved in Christian patience and resignation to God. 
 
 In the evening I held a meeting at Blackwater, in the Methodist 
 chapel. A1)out a hundred and fifty people attended, mostly those 
 in tlie younger walks of life, among whom the call of the everlast- 
 ing gospel went forth to their humility and edification. 
 
 The two following days I spent at my lodging under skillful medi- 
 cal attention, being so afflicted in my stomach and bowels, that 
 such attention became necessary, under the application of which, 
 through divine mercy my health became again improved. 
 
1851 JOl'UN'AL OF THOMAS AIHSTETT. 29(> 
 
 The 21st being First-day, although I was weak in body, yet mer- 
 cifully and thankfully I was able to attend an appointed meeting in 
 the evening at West Cowes, held in the town hall, where I met 
 about three hundred respectable people, among whom out of weak- 
 ness I was made strong in preaching the glad tidings of the gos- 
 pel, to the warning of the nominal professors of Christianity, and 
 to the benefit of practical Christians. This meeting ended to very 
 good satisfaction; and the next day I spent at my lodging in quiet- 
 ness and resting for the improvement of my health. 
 
 The 23rd. I this morning renewedly desired with prayer and 
 supplication, more and more to be dedicated to the righteous cause 
 of him "that is ready to judge the quick and the dead ;" and in 
 looking to him in true and saving faith this language was revived 
 in me under a deep concern that it may be attendant more and 
 more upon all my pilgrimage life : '''In the morning sow thy seed, 
 and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not 
 which shall prosper, either this- or that, or whether botii shall be 
 alike good ;" therefore let me more and more go forth in his name, 
 sowing the seed of his glorious gospel, keeping "on the armor of 
 light," and being armed under the power of the cross, "by the 
 word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness 
 on the right hand and on the left ;" and let me keep "on the whole 
 armor of God," that I "may be able to stand against the wiles of 
 the devil ;" for I wrestle not only "against flesh and blood," but 
 against many temptations of various kinds, both within and with- 
 out ; wherefore let me " take the helmet of salvation, and the sword 
 of the spirit, which is the word of God," praying always with prayer 
 and supplication for my preservation on every hand. 
 
 In the evening I held a meeting in the long-room, at East Cowes 
 Park. About two hundred and fifty people attended, which was a 
 very mixed congregation, including a number of soldiers of the 
 Queen's Guard, who were attentive and sober, and through the 
 light of everlasting gospel, this was made a glorious and luminous 
 meeting ; the mercy of God was extended toward this company 
 under the blessed influence of which it appeared to me that 
 every heart present was opened to receive the whole truth in the 
 love of it. The sincerely engaged in the way of prayer and salva- 
 tion received much encouragement to hold on their way to the end, 
 and sinners were warned to flee betimes from tlie wrath to come, 
 and to seek the salvation of their precious, never-dying souls. 
 
 The 24th. I this day, after passing through much exercise of 
 mind, attended with prayer and supplication to the Almighty Cre- 
 ator for my safety and preservation on every hand, held in the 
 evening a meeting at Wootton, in the Methodist chapel, where I 
 met about a hundred and twenty-five serious-minded and sober- 
 > spirited people, among whom the truth of the gospel went forth to 
 their humility, tenderness and edification. I thought that in some 
 
300 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1861 
 
 small degree, that every heart present was reached and softened by 
 the finger of him who alone can touch the heart and pardon sin and 
 transgression : praised forever be his great name, for he is alone 
 worthy. 
 
 The 25th. I was this day renewedly brought under much con- 
 cern and weight of spirit with sincere supplication to the Good 
 Shepherd of Israel for my preservation on every hand ; remember- 
 ing many instances, the many deep and sore trials through which I 
 luive passed since I turned my face Zionward, and even in these 
 days I oftentimes have to go forth in the work of the gospel with 
 "great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart," feeling sensi- 
 ble that I have now no very sympathetic companion in this world ; 
 ''but none of these things move me, iieither count I my life dear 
 unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the 
 ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the 
 gospel of the grace of God ;" and I know that as I keep my place 
 while in this world, in strict watchfulness unto prayer, that then 
 neither " highth nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to 
 .separate" me "from tlie love of God which is in Christ Jesus," my 
 Lord, and my holy and adorable Saviour. 
 
 In the evening I held a meeting at Lamb's lease, in the Independ- 
 ent chapel, where I met about a hundred serious-minded people, 
 mostly professors of Christianity, among whom the great and im- 
 ])ressive duty of divine worship was opened and iliustrated with 
 that authority which solemnize every mind ])resent. This was a 
 good and glorious meeting, and one that will long be remembered 
 by a number to their benefit. 
 
 The two following days I devoted very much to religious retire- 
 ment, to reading, to writing, and to meditation ; the hand of God 
 being upon me, so that the language of my heart was : " Lord, 
 thou hast searched me and know me, thou knowest my down-sitting 
 and mine uprising ; tliou understandest my thoughts afar olf," for 
 thou triest me oftentimes both without and witliin ; "thoucom- 
 jiasseth my path, and lying down, and art acquainted with all my 
 ways ;" and tliou keepest me on every hand both day imd night, 
 "for there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, Lord, thouknow- 
 vst it altogether," for thou knowest all things ; thou hast often- 
 times "beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me," 
 and brought me down before thee as in dust and ashes ; tlien I felt 
 poor and needy, when I beheld in degree tlie beauty of thy holiness 
 and thy glorious and wondrous majesty. "Such knowledge is too 
 wonderful for me ; it is high, I caniu^t attain to it," for "how un- 
 searchable are" thy "judgments, and" tliy " ways })ast finding out." 
 "0 Jjord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day 
 ol' affliction," I beseech thee to have mercy upon me when I am 
 brougiit very low, and when I am surrounded with temptations of 
 various kinds, for I fear and love thee with the whole heart, and in 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 301 
 
 the opening of thy love, and through the drawing of tliy good 
 spirit, ''I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully 
 made ; marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right 
 well ;" "how precious also are thy thoughts unto me, Clod, how 
 great is the sum of them ; if I should count them, they are more in 
 number than the sand ; when I awake I am still with thee;" where- 
 fore, " search me, God, and know my heart ; try me, and know 
 my thoughts ; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead 
 me in the way everlasting;" and direct all my steps while I walk in 
 time, and finally when it shall please thee, gather me into thy glo- 
 rious and everlasting kingdom. " I said uiito the Lord," in the 
 depth of humility of spirit, "thou art my God ; hear the voice of 
 my supplication, Lord, God, the Lord, the strength of my sal- 
 vation, thou hast" oftentimes, "covered my head in the day of 
 battle," and given me the victory in thine everlasting truth ; and 
 " I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and 
 the right of the poor," therefore, so long as I keep my place, 
 under the weight and the power of the cross before him," he will 
 mercifully maintain my cause and my right, for I am oftentimes 
 deeply afflicted in spirit, and feel very poor ; let me, therefore, 
 thank God, and take fresh courage in the way of liis good and 
 righteous cause ; for "surely the righteous shall give thanks unto 
 thy name ; the upright shall dwell in thy presence ;" wherefore, let 
 me more and more dwell in thy good presence, and thank thee for 
 all thy merciful dealings unto my soul. 
 
 I said, "Lord, I cry unto tliee : make haste unto me ; give ear 
 unto my voice when I cry unto thee ; let my prayer be set forth 
 before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the even- 
 ing sacrifice ; set a watch, Lord, before my mouth ; keep the 
 door of my lips ;" and more and more deliver me from everything 
 that would hurt or destroy in thy holy mountain ; and " let the 
 righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness ; and let him reprove me, 
 it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not" hurt me, but let thy 
 mercy attend me in all my ups and downs, for " mine eyes are unto 
 thee, God, the Lord, in thee is my trust ; leave not my soul des- 
 titute," but "hear my prayer, Lord, give ear to my supplica- 
 tion,in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness," for 
 I oftentimes " meditate on all thy works. I muse on the work of 
 thy hands ;" according to the opening of thy good spirit, and in 
 my prayer "I stretch forth my hands unto thee, my soul thirsteth 
 after thee, as a thirsty land ;""^ cause me to hear thy loving kindness 
 in the morning, for in thee do I trust ; cause me to know the way 
 wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto thee ;" "teacii 
 me to do thy will, for thou art my God ; thy spirit is good ; lead 
 me into the land of uprightness," and "I will speak of the 
 glorious honor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works ;" and 
 "my mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord ; and let all flesh 
 
30-^ JOUHXAL OF THOMAS ARN'ET'l 1851 
 
 bless his holy name forever and ever ;" sing praises unto my God 
 while I have any being;" for all the praise is alone his due forever- 
 more. Amen. 
 
 The 28th. Being First-day, and a season of much divine power 
 with me, I again this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Newport, Avhere I met fifteen Friends, among whom I was drawn 
 forth m prayer and supplication, to good satisfaction. In the even- 
 inff I held a public meeting at Ventnor, in the Bible Christians* 
 chapel. About three hundred people attended this meeting, who 
 were generally under religious impression; and their hearts being- 
 open to receive the truth in the love of it, therefore the glorious 
 and everlasting gosjiel was preached among them in the demonstra- 
 tion of the spirit, and with power. I believe that every one of ma- 
 ture age in this meeting Avas visited, and in degree humbled as in 
 dust and ashes. The sincerely engaged were much encouraged in 
 the way of a holy life, and sinners were called to repentance and 
 amendment of life. This meeting very solemnly closed w'ith prayer 
 and supplication to him who is the author of all our sure mercies, 
 and after the conclusion thereof, a number of sincere - hearted 
 Christians surrounded me, with tears and brokenness of heart, and 
 manifested toward me the tenderest gospel sympathy, so that finally 
 we parted in a degree of that love which death can never extinguish. 
 
 The 29th. I this evening held a meeting at Niton, in the Bap- 
 tist chapel, where I met about two hundred people, who appeared 
 to be generally sober-minded, religious professors, among whom I 
 was much set at liberty in the free love of the gospel. Divine truth 
 eminently reigned in this meeting, to the "casting down imagina- 
 tions and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowl- 
 edge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obe- 
 dience of Christ." After the conclusion of this meeting, a number 
 of sincere-hearted Christians gave me the right hand of fellowship, 
 and desired my encouragement in the work of the public ministry. 
 
 The 30th. 1 was this day brought renewedly under deep exercise 
 of mind, wherein I earnestly desired more and more while in this 
 world to be a faithful partaker "of Christ's sufferings," going forth 
 "bearing His rei)roach," "that when His glory shall be revealed," 
 I "may be glad also with exceeding great joy," and that "the spirit 
 of glory and of God " may rest upon me, knowing that without 
 him, my blessed Saviour, I can do nothing that will advance his glo- 
 rious cause of truth and righteousness in the earth. Let me, there- 
 fore, under all my sufferings, place my entire dependence on him, 
 and look to him alone in true faith for direction and counsel in the 
 work of the word of his ministry imparted to me mercifully for the 
 good of souls. 
 
 In the evening I held a meeting at Whitwell, in the Bible Chris- 
 tians' chapel, where about two hundred and fifty sober-minded and 
 well-inclined })e()ple attended, among whom I was much opened 
 
IS.M JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. ;3()o 
 
 under the free mercy of God in pointing out the way of life and 
 salvation ; and it a})peared to me that these of this company were 
 generally reached, even to shedding of tears. All the praise is alone 
 due to him who willeth not the death of a sinner. 
 
 Tenth mo. 1st. I was this day so delightfully impressed with a 
 rencAved sense of the past mercy, condescension, deliverances, and 
 and the protection of the Lord Almighty to me, that I devoted it 
 very much alone before him in retirement, and in writing and med- 
 itation; and the language of my heart was: "Now will I sing to 
 my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard: my 
 well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill; and he fenced it, 
 and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choic- 
 est vine, and built a town in the midst of it, and also made a wine 
 press therein;" and he hath long since sent me into his vineyard to 
 be a laborer; and that I may ever be faithful to all his openings 
 and shuttings, so as to be preserved on every hand to the glory of 
 his worthy name! ''Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and 
 not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song: 
 He also is become my salvation." "With my soul have I desired 
 Thee in the night, yea, with my spirit within me will I seek Thee 
 early," and continually ; for according to thy mercy and judgment 
 ••Thy dead men shall live: together with my dead body shall they 
 arise," even in the glorious morning of the resurrection of the just; 
 therefore, "0 Lord, be gracious unto me I" I "have waited for 
 Thee, be Thou" my "aim every morning," and my "salvation also 
 in the time of trouble;" for, "0 Lord God of hosts, God of Israel, 
 that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou 
 alone of all the kingdoms of the earth; Thou hast made heaven 
 and earth; incline thine ear, Lord, and hear; open thine eyes, 
 Lord, and see!" And hear all the sincere cry of my heart, for 
 thou knowest that I lovo thee, and that I seek daily to do thy will 
 in all things, and all the praise is thine, both now and forevermore. 
 Amen. 
 
 The three following days with me were a delightful season. This 
 portion of time I also spent very much alone, in resting, in read- 
 ing, in writing and in meditation, "The peace of God which pass- 
 eth all understanding" sweetly pervading the spirit of my mind, so 
 that I was renewedly encouraged to follow Him "which maketh a 
 way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters," and "Who hath 
 measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out the 
 heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a 
 measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a 
 balance; who covereth himself with light as with a garment; who 
 stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain; who layeth the beams of 
 His chambers in the waters; who maketh the clouds His chariot; 
 who walketh upon the wings of the wind; who maketh His angels 
 spirits. His ministers a flaming fire;" who is "clothed with honour 
 

 ;304 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. iSSt 
 
 and majesty;" "who laid the foundations of the earth, that it 
 should not be removed forever;" and "who only hath innnortality 
 dwelling in the light which no man can approach nnto; whom no 
 man hath seen or can see; to whom be honor and power everlast- 
 ino-." And " Whom shall He tfeach knowledge ? and Avhom shall 
 He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the 
 milk, and drawn from the breasts/' even those whom he Justifies 
 and sanctifies "by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the 
 Holy Ghost;" on whom He sheds his light abundantly and inspires 
 them through his good spirit, and leads them in the way of "the 
 path of the just," which "is as the shining light that shineth more 
 and more unto the perfect day." 
 
 And let me more and more while in this world walk with him 
 in this path under the cross, so as to grow in grace, and more and 
 more learn doctrine. 
 
 The 5th, being First-day, and a season of eminent favor. I was 
 clothed upon this day with renewed deep and fervent concern, under 
 which my spirit traveled for the eternal salvation of precious and 
 immortal souls ; all my fellow beings feeling near and dear to me in 
 a degree of that love which casteth out fear, and which visits man 
 from generation to generation for his present and eternal well 
 being. 
 
 In the evening I held a public meeting at St. Helens, in a chapel 
 room built through benevolence for Christian service of the various 
 Christian denominations, called "The Evangelical Alliance." A 
 mixed congregation of about five hundred people attended, among 
 whom I was largely opened in the illustration of the Christian doc- 
 trine, and it appeared to me that the window of heaven Avas opened 
 upon us, and that the heavenly dew was distilled upon this company 
 to their humility and cdificatioij, so that all present appeared in 
 some degree to be merged into the spirit of the glorious and ever- 
 lasting gospel; all the praise is alone due to him, " who was delivered 
 for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification," who is 
 worthy forevermore. 
 
 After this meeting I went a little while, through a kind invita- 
 tion, to the house of Edward Dawes, who is a member of the British 
 Parliament, and he, his wife, and children belong to the Church of 
 Enghmd; and wliile I was with this very interesting family, partak- 
 ing of tlieir tenii)oral and spiritual refreshment, I felt that I was 
 among the children of God. They manifested the tenderest Chris- 
 tian sym})atliy for, and with me, and gave me the right liand of 
 feUowslii]), and much encouraged me to be faithful in the prosecu- 
 tion of tlie mission of tiie gospel imparted to me. This case is a 
 renewed evidence to me, in addition to many others of tlie same 
 nature, with which I have met in my travels, that God has upright 
 chihlren in every Christian and evangelical denomination. 
 
 Tlie Gth. I tliis evening held a meeting at Casisbrook, in a chape! 
 
V851 JOURiSrAL OF THOMAS ARNETT, 305 
 
 room built tliruugli benevolence for the aecomniodiition of the 
 various Christian denominations, who desire to hold meetings for 
 divine worship therein. About a hundred people attended, among 
 whom, after sitting awhile in silence under deep concern, I was 
 enabled to rise and declare to them the glad tidings of the gospel of 
 praise to their humility and thankfulness. 
 
 The 7th. I this morning renewedly felt my entire dependence on 
 the great head of the church for strength, wisdom, and utterance, 
 to enable me to go forth in his name so as to be instrumental in 
 promoting his good and peaceable reign in the earth, and earnest 
 was my prayer to him, that he might more and more sanctify his 
 work through me to the glory of his name and to the benefit of his 
 l)eople, and also to the calling of sinners to repentance and amend- 
 ment of life. In the evening I held a meeting at Wellow, in the 
 Baptist chapel, where about a hundred people met me with a sincere 
 desire to be instructed in the way of life and salvation, which desire 
 was at length mercifully answered, my mind being much set at 
 liberty among them in the freedom of the love of the gospel to their 
 edification and thankfulness. 
 
 The 8th. I this evening held a meeting at Ningwood, in the 
 Primitive Methodist chapel, where about a hundred serious-minded 
 and seeking people met me with a sincere desire to be benefited and 
 helped in the good old way to eternal happiness, and we mutuallv 
 settled down in a degree of true faith in the dear son of God; he at 
 length, in his own time, mercifully remembered us, and through 
 the baptizing power of the water of everlasting life, our souls were 
 much refreshed, and made glad and thankful in his great and worthv 
 namej and this precious meeting very solemnly closed with prayer 
 and siipplication to him. 
 
 My visit on this island, I.believe, was mutually of a very interest- 
 ing nature, in the prosecution thereof I generally met the ministers 
 with their leading members of the chapel where I held meetings 
 after the service thereof was over, with whom I had very interesting- 
 interviews, they giving me the right hand of fellowsliip, manifesting 
 for, and with me, tliewtirmest and most afliectionate Christian sym- 
 l)athyand unity, and encouraged me very much to be faithful to' the 
 end in the prosecution of the very important mission imparted to 
 me from the great head of the church for the good of souls. 
 
 They oftentimes, in the freedom of Christian love, would ask me, 
 for their information, the propriety of those testimonies that 
 Friends are called upon to bear before the world, which distinguish 
 us as a separate body of professing Christians from other bodies of 
 Christian denominations, and I was enabled, I believe, through the 
 assistance of divine grace, to answer all their questions to their 
 satisfaction, convincing them, as it appeared to me, in degree, "that 
 all our distinguishing views and practices" are strictly Scriptural, 
 being those testimonies attendant alone on the glorious and ever- 
 
;5(l(i JOIKXAI. OF THOMAS ARXETT. igsi 
 
 lasting gospel, detached altogether from the wisdom and priestcraft 
 of man, but founded alone on the authority of the Great Head of the 
 Church according to the Holy Scriptures, so that I believe that this 
 visit upon the wiiole was calculated not only in degree to raise the 
 character of our religious society in the estimation of those whom I 
 visited on this island, but also, in many instances, a good and sweet 
 impression was left in the hearts of many tender, precious. Christian 
 and baptized souls, who poured forth their tears in "these" meet- 
 ings under the bai)tizing power of the Lord, to whom all the praise 
 is alone due now and forevermore. 
 
 While I was on this island in the prosecution of my religious visit, 
 I lodged most of the time at the house of my kind and dear friend. 
 Thomas Pierce, who, with his dear Avife and children, manifested 
 toward me all becoming Christian kindness and sympathy. He was 
 very useful and instrumental in calling up "these" meetings for 
 me held on this island, and he was also acceptably my companion in 
 attending "these"' meetings with me. He appears to be one of 
 good standing, and held in esteem by the people generally on this 
 island. This solitary family very much keeps up the little meeting 
 of Friends at Newport, being the only regular attendants thereof, 
 oftentimes going forward and sitting alone therein; and when 
 Friends visit this island on any occasion, they generally go and sit 
 with them, there being but a very few other Friends who perma- 
 nently reside on this island. While I was with this interesting and 
 affectionate family, I could but very much admire the Christian 
 order thereof; their simplicity, their plainness of dress and address, 
 and their concern of the reading of a suitable portion of the Holy 
 Scriptures both morning and evening, with a subsequent pause, 
 being, as I believe, very beneficial and praise worthy. 
 
 The yth. I this day, after again attending the little meeting of 
 Friends at Newport, and taking my very affectionate leave of them, 
 left this island for Southampton, where I landed in the evening, 
 after having a pleasant sail on board of a steamer of about one hour, 
 and on the next day, m the evening, I held a large and highly 
 favored meeting at Komsey, in the Independent chai^el, where the 
 everlasting truth reigned over all. so that many ])rccious, sincere, 
 and bai)tized souls were deeply humbled and much editied in the 
 doctrine of the glorious gospel of peace and salvation. Magnified 
 forever be the great Creator! 
 
 The 11th. 1 this day traveled to Alton, and the next day being- 
 First-day, I attended the meeting of Friends there, in the morning, 
 with whom I had a good refreshing season, and in the evening 1 
 held a large and crowded meeting there, wherein I was much set at 
 liberty in pointing out the way of happiness and eternal glory. 
 Truth reigned over all on this occasion, and many souls were reached 
 and humbled down as in dust and ashes, and the name of God was 
 magnified. All the praise is alone due to him now and forever ! 
 
1851 JOURN'AL OK THUM.VS AllNETr. odi' 
 
 The loth. I devoted this day to writing and in visiting some 
 families of Friends to mutual satisfaction ; wherein deep and fer- 
 vent was my concern to be inore and more faithful in the discharge 
 of my religious duty in the prosecution of the mission of the gospel, 
 weightily resting upon me both day and night ; feeling reneioedly 
 the very great responsibility attached to this mighty concern, and 
 earnest Avas my prayer and supplication to the Author of all my 
 sure mercies, without whom I can do nothing that will advance his 
 glorious kingdom of peace and righteousness in the earth, that he 
 may afiU go before me in this great work, which is his and not 
 mine, mercifully opening the way for me all my appointed time in 
 a manner as no man can shut the opening of his door against me, 
 for vain is the help of man, so that I oftentimes feel that I have 
 none to depend upon but my blessed Sa^dour in going forth in sup- 
 port of his cause, bearing his reproach, oftentimes with very deep 
 humility of soul, spirit and body. 
 
 On the next day in the evening I held a good and pleasant meet- 
 ing at Basingstoke, for Friends and. others, which was well attended 
 by serious-minded people, among whom the testimony of the glo- 
 rious and everlasting truth went f(jrth, to the humility and comfort 
 of many tender and baptized souls. Praised be the Lord forever 
 more I 
 
 The 15th. I spent this day very much quietlii at a friend's house, 
 except visiting a few families of Friends to mutual benefit and sat- 
 isfaction, my health being poor, so that a little rest and quiet 
 appeared to be necessary for me. I was this day deeply impressed 
 reneiuedlii with a desire for a more enlarged understanding in the 
 wisdom of God, feeling a renewed sense of my ignorance in regard 
 to the things of eternity, and the doctrine of life and salvation, 
 wherefore my prayer to God was: '' I beseech thee, holy and eter- 
 nal One, to have mercy upon me from day to day, for I am j)oor 
 and needy, and I am not worthy of the least of thy notice and pro- 
 tection, but for thy work's sake, and for the good of souls, morn, 
 and noon I pray thee to open my mouth and enable me to deliver 
 the message of thy gospel according to thy will, and enlarge my 
 heart in thy love, that I may go forth in thy name with renewed 
 authority from time to time, so as to be made instrumental in point- 
 ing out the doctrine of life and salvation, and directing the people 
 ro tlie right ^m/A of a glorious and happy eternity, for the work in 
 which I am engaged is alone thine ; therefore sustain it in my hand, 
 to the glory of thy name and to the benefit of the people, for thine 
 alone is the glory now and forever. Amen." 
 
 On the next day in the morning I attended the meeting of Friends 
 at Basingstoke, as it came in course, where I met a little interesting 
 company of Friends, among whom I was much comforted, and in 
 the evening I held a meeting in the city of Winchester, in the City 
 Hall. Although this meeting was not very large, yet those attend- 
 
:]()S .lOUHXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. i*>r 
 
 iiig a little retiring in spirit, with a desire to be instructed in the 
 gospel, we were therefore mercifully remembered by the Great Head 
 of the Church. My mind being much opened in the illustration of 
 the doctrine of life and salvation, not only to my own admiration, 
 but to the humility and edification of those who were before me. 
 Praised be God forever ! 
 
 The 17th. I this evening held a meeting at Ringwood, in a house 
 formerly occupied by Friends for a meeting-house, but no20 fitted 
 for a Methodist chapel, there being 7ioio no Friends residing in this 
 town. This meeting was well attended by sober, serious-minded 
 people, over whom the baptizing power of the Lord ^vas felt to be 
 prevalent, to the melting down of many hearts iiito tenderness, con- 
 trition and thankfulness. This meeting solemnly closed with prayer 
 and supplication to the Author of all our sure mercies. 
 
 The 18th. I this day traveled by coach conveyance about twenty- 
 five miles to Shaftsbury, and the next day being First-day, I 
 attended in the morning the meeting of Friends there, where I met 
 only ten friends, among whom I was much comforted, the Divine 
 |)resence being prevalent among us, uniting us in a feeling of unity 
 and sympathy in Christian fellowship. 
 
 In the evening I held a public meeting for the people of this 
 town, which was largely attended by people of various Christian 
 denominations, among whom the gosjDcl of peace was preached in 
 that demonstration and power as to reach to the good seed and chain 
 the evil down. The power of an endless life prevailed in this meet- 
 ing, so that under the baptizing power of the Lord, all Avho were 
 [)resent appeared to be humbled down as into dust and ashes. 
 Praised be the name of the Lord forever I 
 
 The 2()th. I devoted this day very much to religious retirement, 
 desiring very much to be alone. " Remembering mine aflfliction," and 
 my trials in former time, '' my soul hath them still in remembrance, 
 and is humbled in me ; this I call to my mind," with the remem- 
 brance of the manifestation of Divine mercy upon me all my life 
 long, "therefore have I hoi)e;" knowing that "it is of the Lord's 
 mercies that I am not consumed, because his compassions fail not, 
 they are new every morning ; great is thy faitbfulness. The Lord 
 is my portion, saitli my soul, therefore will I hope in Him." And 
 let all that is Avithin me praise and exalt his great and worthy name, 
 and let me also so walk before him while in time as finally to be 
 accounted worthy to attain unto the glorious resurrection of the 
 just, so as to reign with him forevermore, for, "thou, Lord, 
 remaincst forever, thy throne from generation to generation," and 
 thy mercy is manifested in this world from age to age, and iliinc 
 alone is the praise, both now and forevermore ! Amen. 
 
 The 21st. I this evening held a deeply interesting meeting at 
 Gillingharn, in the Temperance Hall. About five hundred people 
 attended tliis meeting, among whom the power of an endless life 
 
1851 . JOUllNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 309 
 
 ])revailecl, and unto whom the door of the spring of everlasting life 
 opened, to the benefit and comfort of man}' precious and sincere souls. 
 my God, inspire me more and more with gratitude toward thee 
 for these wonderful favors to the people, through me, thy poor, 
 slender and unworthy servant, for I oftentimes feel that I am one of 
 the lowest and poorest of thy flock, and I am not worthy of the least of 
 thy mercy and grace, because 1 formerly sinned so much against thee, 
 in the day of my vanity, when I went on in my own way, grieving 
 thy good spirit from time to time, and it is through thy mercy and 
 grace alone that I am still in the land of the living, being clothed 
 upon with much infirmity, daily feeling my entire dependence on 
 thee for every blessing that I stand in need of I Let me more and 
 more suffer patiently according to thy will while I am in this sinful, 
 fallen world, so as I may through suffering in thy name come to be 
 perfectly sanctified in soul, spirit and body, so that finally I may 
 reign with thee forever and ever, for I have never done anything 
 to merit thy salvation, for it is alone on the ground of thy free 
 mercy that I can be saved with an everlasting salvation! Thine is 
 the glory now and forever ! Amen. 
 
 The 22nd. I this morning attended the little meeting of Friends 
 at Marnhull, which was a low and trying time, wherein I felt sensi- 
 ble that there was a want of a more lively feeling among these few 
 Friends. In the evening I held a public meeting there, which was 
 largely attended by many serious-minded people, and which ap- 
 peared to be crowned with immortal life. I was abundantly set at 
 liberty in the opening of the gospel in this meeting, to the edifica- 
 tion of many sincerely-engaged souls. 
 
 The 23rd. I this morning attended meeting, much to my com- 
 fort, with the few Friends of Wincanton, and in the evening I 
 held a public meeting there, in the town hall, which was largely 
 attended by people of various religious persuasions, who, in the 
 fore part thereof, were very much unsettled in their minds; 
 Avherein a sincere prayer was secretly raised in me for the breathing 
 forth of divine mercy and grace on this company, which at length 
 was graciously answered, so that I thought that this meeting ended 
 in degree to the glory of God. Blessed forever be his holy name! 
 
 The 24th. I uaveled this day about twenty miles to Strut, 
 where on the next day I rested quietly at a friend's house. My 
 mind this day being much turned heavenward, so that the lan- 
 guage of my heart was, with prayer and suiiplieation, let me give a 
 regular time every night, when retiring for bodily rest, to self-ex- 
 amination. God, make me to live to thy glory; may I be 
 clothed more and more with the armor of religion; may I grow 
 deeper and deeper in the right princijjles and practice of thy Son's 
 gospel; and as years roll over my head, may I withdraw my affec- 
 tions from time, and feel that in moving through this world I am 
 moving towards eternity. God, may I grow in grace, and feel 
 
310 .lOURXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1851 
 
 more and more the sovereign efficacy of a Cliristian faith, in giv- 
 ing consolation to my lieart and purity to my obedience." Dissi- 
 l)ate, Lord, as it may please thee, the cloud which oftentimes 
 overhangs my own feelings, and let me grow brighter and brighter 
 in the knowledge of thine everlasting truth, and let thy will con- 
 cerning me in all things be done. Amen. 
 
 Tlie 3Cth being First-day, and a season of much divine favor. 
 I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at Strut, Avhere I 
 met a very interesting company of Friends, among whom I was 
 much drawn in gospel sympathy, to their comfort; and in the 
 evening I held a public meeting there, where I met a large, pro- 
 miscuous congregation of jDcople, who manifested a desire, with much 
 Christian sobriet}^, to be instructed in the way of life and salvation, 
 whose desire was mercifully answered: for it appeared to me tluit 
 the fountain of the Avater of life was freely opened to this company, 
 so that I thought that every soul present was visited, in degree, 
 to benefit and edification. Praised forever be the name of the 
 Lord! 
 
 The 27tli. I spent this day very much in writing and in medi- 
 tation, and also in the latter part of the day I met about twenty- 
 five young Friends of Strut, with feelings of much interest, with 
 whom I had an interview in a free, social manner, on divers sub- 
 jects, to very good satisfaction; and on the next day in the even- 
 ing I held a large meeting at Glastonbury, in a meeting-house for- 
 merly belonging to Friends, but now occupied by the people called 
 the "Plymouth Brethren." Those who attended this meeting 
 manifested much solidity and sobriety, among whom the testimony 
 of truth went forth, to the softening and the comforting of many 
 hearts. Magnified forever be the grace of God! 
 
 The 29th. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Long Sutton, as it came in course, where I met twelve interesting- 
 Friends, with whom I was much comforted; and in the evening 
 I held a meeting at Somerton, in the Independent chapel, where 1 
 met about a hundred Christian-spirited })eople, among whom I was 
 drawn forth in that gospel sympathy which tends more and more 
 to unite the believers of the Christian churches in the unity of the 
 spirit, in the bond of peace. This was a good, refreshing meeting, 
 and ended with j^rayer and supplication to the Lord. 
 
 The oOth. I this evening held a meeting for Friends and others 
 at Yeovil, where I met about a hundred serious-minded people, 
 among whom my mind was much opened in the illustration of the 
 great duty of divine Avorship, to edification and comfort. Magiii- 
 fied forever be tlie name of the Lord! 
 
 The olst. I this day traveled by coach conveyance upwards of 
 twenty-five miles, through a beautiful and interesting country, to 
 'J'aunton. My mind being much impressed with the sweetness of 
 Christian hive in l)cbolding the beautiful scenery before me this 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AHXETT. 311 
 
 day in passing along in my travel; whereupon, in my meditation, 
 the language of my heart was, '^How vast, yea, illimitable, is the 
 field of knowledge! embracing an acquaintance with the everlasting 
 (rod, the creator and upholder of all things, and witli the works 
 of his hands, animate or inanimate, intelligent or irrational, from 
 man, his noblest piece of workmanship (in this lower world), to 
 the meanest insect that flatters in the air; from the glorious orb of 
 day to the sands upon the sea-shore; and from the plants to the 
 germinating herbage of the earth. Let me more ami more humble 
 myself, and seek to grow in his grace. In beholding his wondrous 
 works let his love more and more inspire me with holy devotion. He 
 can mercifully clear the mists from the intellect, and remove the ob- 
 scurity from the mental vision. Opening the window of the soul, 
 he can pour in such a stream of light and radiance as shall chase 
 away the night. And let his holy spirit more and more guide me 
 in the way of truth and righteousness. All the praise is his due, 
 now and forever. Amen. 
 
 Eleventh month 1st. I awoke this morning under feelings of 
 very deep humility, so that I thought that it became my duty to 
 spend this day very much in retirement and alone, the hand of God 
 being so very weightily upon me as to cause me renewedly to fear 
 and tremble before him under a sense of my own utter unworthi- 
 ness, and in recounting in degree my past trials, besetments and 
 deep tribulations, in connection with the man}^ merciful deliver- 
 ances wrought for me through his condescension, protection 
 and providence. I became inspired with secret prayer and sup- 
 lication, more and more to dedicate myself wholly to his glorious 
 and good cause while in this world, so as to enjoy him eternally in 
 tiie blessed and happy world to come. May all the praise be given 
 to him alone, both now and forevermore, for he is worthy! 
 
 The 2nd being First-day, I this morning attended the little 
 meeting of Friends at Taunton, among whom a merciful oppor- 
 tunity was granted through the opening of divine love, and in the 
 evening I held a public meeting there, which was well attended by 
 a respectable, sober-minded company of people, among whom I was 
 much opened in the demonstration of the strain of gospel love 
 and with power, to the humility and comfort of many hearts. All 
 the praise alone is due to the Lord. 
 
 The 3rd. I this day went to Bridgewater, and on the next day 
 in the morning I attended the meeting of Friends there, where I 
 met twenty- five well-concerned Friends, among whom I was much 
 drawn out in gospel sympathy, to good satisfaction: and in the 
 evening I held a public meeting there, where I met about live 
 hundred people, among whom the warning and the instruction of 
 the gospel went forth, to the humility and benefit of all who were 
 present. Christian solemnity pervaded this meeting, which closed 
 under feelings of thankfulness. 
 
 While here I received the followino^ kind and affectionate letter 
 
;rr2 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. t851 
 
 from a dear friend whom T never saw, being not able to go to meet- 
 ing because of bodily indisposition. 
 
 Taunton, 11th month, 2nd, 1851. 
 
 Dear Friend : Thou wilt doubtless be surprised to receive a few 
 lines from under my pen, for I am quite a stranger to thee; but I 
 have thought of and felt so much for thee to-day, that I believe I 
 mav be most comfortable just in this way to tell thee so, for I have 
 nothing in contemplation to write about; bat under, I humbly trust, 
 a degree of that precious influence which wishes well to the whole 
 human race, and which particuhu-ly seems to bind one to those who 
 are about their dear Master's business, and who are willing to 
 spend and be spent in his cause, which I do believe is dearer to 
 thee tluin houses and land, corn, Avine or oil, or all that this world 
 (.■an give. May he, my dear friend, preserve thee, in thy stepping 
 along through this pilgrimage state to the end, both over sea and 
 land. Thou knowest, my dear friend, that he is no hard Master; 
 tliat, although at seasons, thy faith may be closely tried, even as to 
 a hair's breadth, yet his power is the same that ever it was; he 
 giveth strength to them that are ready to faint, he is the same yes- 
 terday, to-day, and forever. 01 he is a God hearing and answer- 
 ing, prayer. Thou hast, no doubt, oftentimes experienced, but 
 there are seasons at times permitted, even to his devoted followers, 
 something like the heavens being like brass and the earth like iron. 
 Yet, yet, notwithstanding he may appear, in infinite wisdom, 
 thus to hide his face as for a moment, he will, yes, my dear friend, 
 be will again return and give unto these "^ the oil of joy for mourn- 
 ing, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." I know 
 not Avhy I am thus led in my sympathy toward thee; perhaps it may 
 be a time of singing and rejoicing vith thee. Do please excuse me. 
 for I feel very desirous not to do any harm with my pen. I am 
 aware that I am a poor, unworthy one, and I often shrink from ex- 
 ])03ure in this way; but if thou knew how much thou hast been my 
 mental companion this day, and the sympathy attending my feel- 
 ings for ami witli thee, with desires that thou mayest be helped and 
 strengthend, so as to be enabled to advocate the dear Kedcemer's 
 cause, thou wouUlest, I am sure, accept this my sympathy toward 
 thee in love. May the blessed Savior more and more strengthen thy 
 hands to war and thy fingers to figlit; thou hast oftentimes proved 
 him to be thy battle-axe and shield, also thy sun and sure defense. 
 
 I am prevented, through bodily indisposition, from meeting with 
 my friends in a collective capacity; but, thanks be to Israel's She])- 
 herd, for he condescends at seasons to be near, even to such a very 
 ])oor creature as I know myself to be. (), he continues to be very 
 gracious, long-sulfering, and full of compassion, even to the hin- 
 dermost of the flock. Now, in conclusion, saith my spirit, may 
 celestial rain aiul heavenly dew rest on thee and shine more and 
 more. This is the desire, at this time, of thy sincei'e friend, 
 
 Mauy Gower. 
 
mi JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 313 
 
 The oth. I this morning went to Willington, where I attended 
 the meeting of Friends, as it came in course, which was a small but 
 good meeting; and on the next day, in the evening, I held a pub- 
 lic meeting at Milverton, where about a hundred people met me, 
 who generally aj)peared to be much unconcerned in regard to their 
 eternal well-l^eing; but after sitting with them a while under dee}) 
 concern for tliem, way opened at length for me to deliver to them 
 the warning testimony of truth, to their humility, and much to the 
 relief of my mind. Praised be the Lord forever! 
 
 The 7th. I, through the fore part of this day, felt much broken 
 down in spirit, so that I mourned as in dust and ashes, tmd earn- 
 estly desired that the will of God may more and more be sanctified 
 in my experience, knowing that without his mercy and grace I 
 can do nothing that will promote his good cause in the earth; there- 
 fore earnest was my cry to him for the renewal of his mercy and 
 grace, which being Avonderfully granted in a public meeting that I 
 held in the evening at Wellington, where I met a large, serious con- 
 gregation of people, among whom I was eminently opened in the 
 demonstration of the spirit and with power, to the glory of Grod, 
 and to their edification and comfort; truth reigned over all in this 
 meeting. Blessed forever be the great and holy name, who only is 
 worthy! 
 
 The 8th. I this day traveled to Sidcot, and the next day being 
 First-day, I attended in the morning the meeting of Friends there, 
 where I had to mourn, in consequence of the i^revalence of a luke- 
 warm spirit among them, although I had some labor among them 
 tending to awaken them to more vigilance to the great duty of 
 watchfulness unto prayer. Yet my mind was not relieved, so that 
 after this meeting I dwelt for a wJiile much alone, and poured forth 
 my tears, with secret prayer and supplication on behalf of our re- 
 ligious society, under a sense of the prevalence in many instances 
 of much self-righteousness and lukewarmness within our borders. 
 Yet there are many sincere and sanctified souls among us. In the 
 evening I held a public meeting for Friends and others of this 
 neighborhood, where I met about five hundred people, who came 
 together rather in a loose manner. But after sitting with them 
 awhile in silence, the window of heaven appeared to be opened in 
 mercy to this congregation, and the stream of gosi)el love seemed 
 to reach and to soften every heart in attendance. The name of 
 God was much exalted in this meeting, and I trust that some good 
 and lasting impressions were formed. 
 
 The 10th. I this day, after visiting some families of Friends in 
 Christian love, held in the evening a small but pretty good meet- 
 ing at Weston-super-Mare. Those who attended were serious- 
 minded people, among whom the wa}^ of life and salvation was 
 pointed out, in a degree of that true love which softens tlie heart 
 and prepares it for receiving the truth, the whole truth, iu tlie love 
 of it. 
 
314 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1852 
 
 The lltli. I this day traveled to the city of Bath, where, in the 
 evening, I attended the ^fonthly Meeting of Ministers and Elders of 
 Friends, to mutual comfort and satisfaction; and on the next day 
 I attended in this city the Monthly Meeting of Friends for wor- 
 ship and discipline, where I found a very interesting company of 
 Friends, among whom I was much set at liberty in the love and in 
 the power of the everlasting gospel, under the blessed influence of 
 Avhich Friends were renewedly united together in the unity of the 
 spirit, in the bond of peace. 
 
 The 13th. I this evening held a public meeting at Chew-Magna, 
 where I met upwards of a hundred serious-minded people, upon 
 whom the dew of heaven was distilled, to benefit and great humility 
 of spirit. It appeared to me that every soul present was bowed in 
 deep reverence before him who alone can touch the heart and 
 draw it to himself and open it for religious instruction. My mind 
 was much opened in gospel love in this meeting, so that I was en- 
 abled to labor to the edification of the people and to the relief of 
 my own mind. Praised forever be the name of the Lord! 
 
 The 14th. I this day, after passing through much exercise of 
 mind, held in the evening a meeting for Friends and others at 
 Claverham, where I met about five hundred sober-minded people, 
 among whom the light of the glorious and everlasting gospel did 
 shine forth to the opening and illuminating of many precious and 
 well-concerned souls. Truth gained the victory in this meeting, 
 and all present ap})eared to be bowed in solemn reverence befoi-e 
 the eternal and immortal King, who is worthy of all the praise 
 both now and forevermore. 
 
 The loth. I this day again returned to the city of Bath, and 
 the next day, being First-day, I attended in the morning the meet- 
 ing of Friends there, which was mercifully made a good, refreshing 
 season ; and in the evening I held a public meeting therefor Friends 
 and others, where I met several hundred people, over whom the 
 poAver of an endless life eminently prevailed, to the benefit and 
 comfort of many precious and sincere souls. Ble.^sed forever be 
 the name of the everlasting God, who is worthy above all ! 
 
 While here I received the following kind and very affectionate 
 letter from a dear friend of mine in America : 
 
 EiCHMONi), Indiana, 10th Mo. loth, 1851. 
 My Dear Friend : 
 
 I have long had it in my mind to forward a line to thee, but 
 have still delayed the attempt until the present time, under a hope 
 that tliou wouldst be favored with a word Irom others, more suited 
 to thy bereavement than I am able to give. Nevertheless, under 
 that unity of sj)irit which has in bygone days replenished our hearts 
 together, and whicli has oftentimes, as well as at the present, been 
 brought feelingly to my remembrance, and has a tendency to 
 strengthen and confirm my tribulated spirit in its wayward course 
 
1881 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNTETT. 315 
 
 through life's probationary scene ; and notwithstundinpj many days 
 have passed away since it has been our precious privilege to take 
 sweet counsel together, and that many and various have been our 
 conflicts on life's troubled sea, yet it is cause for thankfulness that 
 our Father in heaven has, in Jiis condescending goodness and un- 
 merited mercy, been pleased to remember us still, and even in the 
 very midst of chastisement to pour in the oil and the wine, to stay 
 the raging billows, and speak j^eace to the tribulated and faithful 
 ones. 
 
 My heart has oftentimes been warmed with lively feelings and 
 earnest desires that he who j)utteth forth his own sheep and goeth 
 before them may be thy leader and thy director in each and every 
 engagement, that thou thereby mayest be enabled to declare to the 
 people the unsearchable riches of Christ in the fullness of his 
 blessed gospel, by which life and immortality are brought to light. 
 
 I have been brought oftentimes of late to mourn over our beloved 
 and much tribulated Society, with a secret fear that there is much 
 to be dreaded on this very ground ; that the spirit of antichrist, 
 which has pervaded the Christian Church again and again, and 
 which was so boisterous in the days of the apostles, must at this 
 day be met by every devoted soldier of the cross. And my spirit 
 is at seasons comforted in believing that there are, and I trust not 
 a few, who feel themselves bound to the law and the testimony, 
 who have felt the force of that command delivered to the early be- 
 lievers when the prison doors were opened, " Go, stand and speak in 
 the temple to the people all the woi'ds of this life." It is these that 
 are brought to know Christ to dwell in their hearts by faith, and 
 are able in good measure to '"'comprehend with all saints what is 
 the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the 
 love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that" ive ''might be filled 
 with all the fullness of God." It was this that enabled that emi- 
 nent apostle of the Gentiles on a memorable occasion to declare: 
 " I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of 
 all men, for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the coun- 
 sel of God." 
 
 And now, dear brother and fellow-laborer, I have been made to 
 believe that it was for this same cause that we have been separated, 
 and thy lot cast in a distant land, where tribulation, sorrow and 
 anguish have all been permitted to be thy companions, at seasons, 
 for the furtherance and perfecting of the work through him who 
 is head over all things to his church ; therefore the injunction, 
 "take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be^ able to 
 withstand the evil day, and having done all, to stand." May this 
 be thy blessed experience, and mayest thou be favored amidst all 
 seasons of trial and proving to keep thine eye single to him who as 
 a father pitieth his children, and protecteth them that fear and 
 serve him; wherefore let us look upward and onward, keeping in 
 
310 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AHNETT. J85i 
 
 view the great recompense of the reward, so that, when a few moi'c; 
 conflicts are ended, we may also be by faith enabled to say, "I am 
 now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is now at 
 hand; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have 
 kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of right- 
 eousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at 
 that dav; and not to me only, but unto all them that love his ap- 
 pearing." I remain thy 
 
 Affectionate friend, 
 
 Benjamin Fulghum. 
 
 The 17th. I this day went to Calne, and on the next day, in the 
 nmrning, I attended the little meeting of Friends there, as it came 
 in course; and in the evening I held a jiublic meeting there, which 
 was well attended by sober-minded and thoughtful people, among 
 whom the glad tidings of the glorious and everlasting gospel went 
 forth, to the reaching and softening of nitiny minds. How wonder- 
 ful is the dealing of that great and worthy Being to man, whose 
 merciful providence is over all his works, and whose spirit is given 
 to every man to profit withal I 0, that men would praise him for 
 his mercy and for his wonderful works, for all the praise is his due 
 in the heavens and also in the earth. 
 
 The 19th. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Melksham, where I met a very interesting company of Friends, 
 among whom I was much comforted; and in the evening I held a 
 public meeting there, which w'as pretty well attended, wherein I 
 was much oj^ened in gospel love, to the edification and comfort of 
 many sincerely engaged souls. Much Christian solemnity prevailed 
 in this meeting, which closed to good satisfaction with prayer to 
 God. 
 
 The 20th. 1 this evening held a public meeting at Frome, in 
 the Baptist chapel, where I met several hundred people, who came 
 together with hungry and thirsty souls, and through the overshad- 
 owing of the wisdom of the gospel. This was mercifully made a 
 glorious and luminous meeting. All present appeared to be bowed 
 in solemn reverence before him who is the only object of divine 
 worship in the heaven and also in the earth. This was a precious 
 and a refreshing opportunity, and closed Avith many thankful 
 hearts; and the next day I spent pretty much in writing and visit- 
 ing some families of Friends. 
 
 The 22nd. I this day went to the city of Bristol, and the next 
 day being First-day, I attended in the morning the meeting of 
 Friends in this city, where I met about five hundred people, in- 
 cluding Friends and others. In this meeting I passed tlirough 
 very deep travail of soul, in which I groaned in sjurit and cried in 
 secret sujjplication for an opening, to be delivered in degree from 
 thft weight of the concern resting upon me for those who were 
 before me, and at length truth arose in degree, and set meat liberty 
 
1851 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 317 
 
 very iiincli in this meeting, so that I had some liard labor, of a 
 close and searching nature, in throwing my concern upon those who 
 were before me ; and in the evening I again attended Friends* 
 meeting in this city, and their neighbors being invited at my re- 
 quest to attend, it was therefore a full meeting, wdierein I was again 
 In'ought under very deep travail of soul, and trusting alone in the 
 power of an endless life for wisdom and strength to labor for the 
 advancement of the good cause, therefore truth again at length 
 arose in a good degree into dominion, so that I had renewed cause 
 to praise and thank the great giver of every good and perfect 
 gift for his mercy to me this day. 
 
 The 24th. I this day attended the Monthly Meeting of Ministers 
 and Elders in this city, and on the next day I attended the Monthly 
 Meeting for worship and discipline there, where I found a large 
 number of worthy and experienced Friends, among whom I was 
 much opened in Christian love. I felt much comforted and strength- 
 ened in this meeting. Friends manifesting that unity for and with 
 me which tends more and more to merge the saints of the great 
 head of the church into the spirit of the glorious and everlasting 
 gospel. 
 
 The 2Gth. I this day attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Lawrence- Weston, where I met ten worthy and intelligent friends, 
 among whom I felt much strengthened and comforted. 
 
 The 27th. I was this day renewedly brouglit under very deep 
 exercise of mind, in which my spirit travailed in sweet prayer for 
 my preservation on every hand. In the evening I held a public 
 meeting in the city of Bristol, where I met several hundred religious- 
 ly-inclined people, among Avhom the way of life and salvation was 
 eminently opened in the demonstration of the spirit and with power. 
 The name of God was exalted in this meeting, and many sincere and 
 precious souls were much edified and comforted. 
 
 The '^th. I this evening held a public meeting for Friends and 
 others at Olveston, which, in the fore part, was rather a trying time, 
 but at length truth, in some degree, arose to edification, so that this 
 meeting, in a good degree, ended to the praise and glory of the 
 great and eternal name. 
 
 The 29th. I this day went to Frenchay, and under the tender 
 influence of divine grace manifested in my mind, this Avas made a 
 day of renewed covenant with me, the visitation, in degree, of divine 
 love in my heart, from my childhood up to this day, l;eing brought 
 mercifully before me, so that I poured forth my tears in considera- 
 tion of the precious dealings of Divine Providence to my soul all 
 my life long, and the language of my heart was: "0 Lord, my Sav- 
 iour, continue, I beseech thee, to preserve and protect me on every 
 hand to the end of my pilgrimage. When storms and oj^position 
 arise before me, then interpose for me, and through the angel of 
 thy 2)resence open the way thy own self for the prosecution of the 
 
318 JOURNAI, OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1851 
 
 mission of thy glorious gospel now resting upon me according to 
 thy will, and let no man, and nothing else, obstruct thy will con- 
 cerning me: but let me go forth while in time in thy name con- 
 quering and to conquer, that I maybe made mercifully in thy hand 
 instrumental in going forth in thy work, so as "to open " the eyes 
 of those who are yet under sin and transgression, "and to turn them 
 from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto " thee, 
 "that they may receive forgiveness of sin, and inheritance among 
 them which are sanctified by faith that is in^' thee, for thou hast 
 oftentimes mercifully " appeared unto " me "for this purpose," and 
 I beseech thee more and more to sanctify me, that I may stand 
 daily prepared for thy work, that my evening sun may go down 
 Avith the crown of praise and immortality upon me, and with the 
 song of eternal praise to thee, "and everhisting joy upon" my 
 head, that I may finally obtain an inheritance incorruptible through 
 faith in the "blood of the everlasting covenant," so that "sorrow 
 and sighing shall flee away" eternally: and let thy will in all things, 
 and not mine, be done. Amen. 
 
 The 30th being First-day, I this morning attended the meeting 
 of friends at Frenchay, where I met upwards of fifty very interest- 
 ing Friends, being mostly those in the younger walks of life, among 
 whom I was much drawn out in gospel love to mutual benefit; and 
 in the evening I held a public meeting there for Friends and others, 
 which was largely attended by many sober-minded people, among 
 whom the great doctrine of Christian redemption was brought to 
 view, and sustained in the light of truth, according to the Holy 
 Scriptures. This was a good and glorious meeting, and ended to 
 good satisfaction. 
 
 Twelfth month, 1st. I this evening held a public meeting at 
 Portshead for Friends and others, in the Independent chapel, where 
 I met upwards of three hundred people, among whom I was much 
 opened in Christian love. It appeared to me that everyone in 
 this meeting received in degree of the heavenly calling, to oenefit 
 and comfort. 
 
 Through the two following days I attended, the service of the 
 Quarterly Meeting of Friends at Bridgewater, which was made, un- 
 der the opening of divine love, a deeply interesting season. There 
 was an evidence granted, through adorable mercy, that we, un- 
 worthy as we are as a iieople, are still not forsaken, but that the 
 protection of the Good Siiepherd of Israel is still mercifully extended 
 towards us. Blessed be his holy name forever! 
 
 The 4th. I was, in the fore part of this day, brought under very 
 deep exercise of mind. Darkness appeared to ]X'rvade me. I feft 
 very low and destitute; I felt stripped and distressed in mind, but I 
 cried to him for comfort who alone can sujiport the poor, solitary 
 soul under all its exercises, and he mercifully heard me this even- 
 ing, in a large meeting I held at Bradford, in the Independent 
 
i^si JOUENAL OF TJIOMAS AUNETT. 319 
 
 chapel, where he ai'ose eminently for my deliverance, and set me 
 at perfect liberty in his blessed gospel, to the edification and comfort 
 of all before me. Praised forever be his worthy name! 
 
 Tlie 5th. I this evening lield a deeply interesting pnblic meeting 
 at Trowbridge, in the Independent chapel, where I met a large and 
 intelligent congregation of Christians of various religions denomi- 
 nations, among whom the great leading doctrines of Christianity 
 were thrown open in the spirit of the gospel, to the glory of the 
 name of God, and to the solemnizing influence of all who were be- 
 fore me. I believe that this meeting will be of a lasting benefit to 
 many sincere souls. Praised be the Lord forever I 
 
 The 6th. 1 this day went to Cn-eucester, and the next day being- 
 First-day, I was at Friend's meeting there in the morning, where 
 also in the evening I held a large, crowded meeting for Friends and 
 others, and this day with me was crowned with the life of salvation 
 and immortality; and through the course of the two following days 
 I attended, to mutual comfort and edification, the service of the 
 Quarterly Meeting of Friends held at this place. 
 
 The 10th. I this day traveled about twenty miles toFarringdon, 
 where in the evening I held a public meeting for Friends and 
 others, which was a blessed and glorious opportunity; and on the 
 next day I traveled to the city of Gloucester, where, after this, I 
 spent the two following days at a Friend's house, quietly in reading, 
 writing and meditation. 
 
 The 14th being First-day, and a season of much divine favor with 
 me, I this morning attended the meeting of Friends in the city of 
 Gloucester, where I met a goodly number of interesting Friends, 
 among whom I was much comforted through the imparting of the 
 spiritual bread to the nourishment of our souls; and in the evening 
 1 held a public meeting in this city, where I met several hundred 
 people, among whom I was largely drawn out in the love of the 
 gospel of peace and salvation, to the interest of many precious souls, 
 and the next day I spent comfortably in visiting some Friends. 
 
 The 16th. I this evening held a public meeting at Nailsworth, 
 which was ])retty well attended by thoughtful and sober-minded 
 people, to whom I was much drawn out in that love which breathes 
 peace on earth and good will towards men. It appeared to me that 
 there were those people before me in this meeting who were renew- 
 edly visited and called to repentance and amendment of life. 
 Praised be the Lord forevermorel 
 
 The 17th. I this day, after passing tlirough much exercise of 
 mind, connected with much conversation on religious subjects — 
 Avitli some religious people not of our society, I hope to benefit — 
 held in the evening a large, crowded meeting at Pamswick, which 
 was much owned by him who willeth not the death of a sinner, but 
 again and again mercifully calleth all to return, repent, and live 
 forevermore. 
 
3iiO JOUKXAL OF THOMAS A RNETT. 1851 
 
 The 18th. I this evening hehl a very trying meeting at Tewks- 
 bury. About a hundred and fifty people attended this meeting, 
 who came together in a light, airy manner, among whom there wei'e 
 a number of children, who, by their behavior, manifested a great 
 want of proper training, and in addition to this, I have seen many 
 such instances in this country. After sitting some time among- 
 them with pain and sorrow, way opened at length for me to arise 
 and to deliver a very solemn warning in gospel love, I hope to some 
 good impression and lasting benefit ; and the next day I spent in 
 writing and meditation. 
 
 The 20th. I this day, after visiting some dear aged Friends in 
 the city of Gloucester, to good satisfaction, went to Cheltenham; 
 and the next day being First-day, I attended in the morning Friends' 
 meeting there, where I met twenty-five interesting Friends, and we 
 were mutually comforted together; and in the evening I held a large, 
 crowded meeting in this town, wherein I trust that the everlasting 
 gospel was preached in that authority which reaches to the good 
 seed and chains the evil down. 
 
 The 22nd. I traveled this day upwards of twenty-five miles to 
 Sudbury, where, in the evening, I held a large meeting. Those in 
 attendance Avere generally people in the 3^ounger walks of life, to 
 whom the visit atian of gospel love was mercifully extended, to the 
 humility and tenderness of many precious, sincere souls ; and the 
 next day I traveled, through an aiv/ul dark thick fog. on railroad 
 conveyance, upwards of a hundred miles to Neath, in South Wales: 
 and this day with me closed in thankfulness to God for all his mer- 
 cies to me. 
 
 The 24th. I spent this day very much in resting a little, and also 
 in visiting some dear aged Friends, in which service the truth of 
 this language was mutually realized, as ''iron sharpeueth iron, so a 
 tnau sharpeneth the countenance of his friend," and this is very 
 often the experience of the saints of the Good Shepherd of Israel 
 when they meet and converse about heavenly things; then often- 
 times he is 0)i(' with them, and opens their understanding, whereby 
 they more and more discover in degree the beauty of his holiness 
 and their own utter unworthiness. Blessed be his name I 
 
 The 25t]i. I this day attended the meeting of Frieiuls at Neath, 
 where I met twenty-five people, including Friends and others, 
 among whom, under divine grace, I was a little drawn out in the 
 work of the ministry, to good satisfaction; and on the next day, 
 in the evening, I held a piiblic meeting in this town for Friends 
 and others, in the Methodist chapel, where I met about a hun- 
 dred and fifty sober-minded people, among whom the life of the 
 spirit of the gospel was raised, in some small degree, to humility; 
 wherein I labored in this meeting under a degree of weakness, with 
 much concern of soul for the i)resent and eternal well-being of the 
 people before me. This meeting ended with thanksgiving to God 
 for all Tlis wondrous mercies. 
 
1851: JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. S'll 
 
 The 37th. I this day traveled part of tlie way by railroad, but 
 most of the way by coach conveyance, through a broken, hilly coun- 
 try, u])wards of seventy-five miles to Milford ; and the next day 
 being First-day, I attended there, in the morning, the meeting of 
 Friends, where I met fifteen people, including Friends and others, 
 among whom I had a comfortable opportunity, after which for a 
 few hours my mind was brought under deep proving. I felt very 
 poor and destitute. I secretly called upon God, my only refuge, for 
 help, which he, in degree, mercifull}" granted in the evening in a 
 large meeting which I held for the peo])le of the town, in the 
 Methodist chapel. Although religious feeling was not raised very 
 high in this meeting, yet the testimony of truth went forth, in de- 
 gree, to comfort and edification. 
 
 The 29th. I this evening held a glorious and luminous meeting 
 at Haverfordwest, in the Methodist chapel, where I met several 
 hundred people, upon whom the spirit of the gospel was gently 
 distilled as the heavenly dew. INIany hearts were mercifully reached 
 in this meeting and bowed under the weighty power of God, wherein 
 I was set at perfect liberty in my labor, to the humility, edification 
 and comfort of the people before me. All the praise is alone due 
 to him who inhabiteth eternity. 
 
 The 30th. I this day traveled by coach conveyance upwards of 
 fifty miles to Tjlanelly, where, in the evening, I held a public meet- 
 ing, in the Independent chapel, which was pretty well attended by 
 religious professors, among whom I was much opened in that pure 
 love which breathes peace upon all the faithful followers of God in 
 every age of the world. I believe that all who were before me on 
 this occasion were very glad and thankful for this opportunity; and 
 the next day I returned to Neath, with a thankful heart to God for 
 all his mercies toward me. 
 
 First month, 1st, 1853. I awoke this morning with feelings of 
 deep gratitude to God and love to all my fellow-beings everywhere. 
 Praise ascended renewedly from my heart to him, not only for his 
 mercy and protection to me through the jiast year, but also for all 
 his mercies and favors bestowed upon me all my life long; and I 
 was very thankful to him for permitting me to see the light of 
 this day, and the language of my heart was: "Suffer me not, 
 Lord, to be hurried away in any wise from thee by worldly thoughts; 
 suffer me not to be seduced into false hapi^iness ; suffer me not to 
 delight in the thoughts that must end in pain, and suffer me not to 
 think anything more blessed than to think of thee. Happy, thrice 
 happy, immediately happy, is that man whose happiness is placed 
 alone in thee, thou perfect, holy and adorable God. He that has 
 happiness in thee can enjoy it at all times, and in all places; it is a 
 light that shines every wdiere, no time or place is hid from its bright 
 and hallowed influence. 
 
 He who delights in the love of the world is ever looking forward 
 
322 JOIKN'AL OF THOMAS AKXETT. igg.. 
 
 to something greater than he enjoys. His covetous heart is never 
 satisfied ; it is empty, and he longs to fill it witli things that 
 are empty; but he who delights in his Eternal Father and Almighty 
 Creator is not looking forward to anything greater on earth, for what 
 is greater than God ? What spirit of light can be more blessed than 
 he wlio feels that be loves God with all his heart? 
 
 I do know from certain experience that it is the greatest pleasure 
 and the greatest indulgence to tliink of God ; tliink of anything 
 else, and I will find disai)pointment in it ; whatever I think of 
 long together, in regard to the pleasure of this world, will at last 
 give me pain; it will show me that I must be disappointed and 
 mortified in such indulgence. 
 
 When I examine m}' own self in the light of truth, and call up in 
 my remembrance all my former sins and misgivings, then I can but 
 mourn that I ever in an)'wise displeased my merciful Creator; and 
 under a sense of my many infirmities, I can but call upon him for 
 his mercy and protection, knowing that it is alone on the ground 
 of his mercy, through faith in the blood of Christ, that I can be 
 saved with an everlasting salvation. AVliatever friend I associate 
 with, so as to form an. intimate acquaintance with him, I find in 
 bim some imperfection or weakness; for the very best friends are- 
 clotbed upon with infirmities. Whatever church I think of, and a 
 little look into in the liglit of truth, I see much therein to be de- 
 plored, in consequence of the discijiline thereof, and a defect in 
 many instances in regard to faith and doctrine. Whatever kingdom 
 or nation I see and think of, 1 will find that it is badly governed, 
 even in very many instances, in this enlightened day. Wluitever 
 sense, talent or cajxtcity I meet with and think of. I am thereby in 
 degree met with ignorance and imperfection. But when I meditate 
 on God, tliere is no imperfection there. He is what he should be — 
 perfectly perfect. He is perfect happiness, and is such a fountain of 
 lia])piness in himself that he has enough for all wlio love him and 
 seek it according to iiis holy will. He has so much power that noth- 
 ing can obstruct his wise counsels and purposes. He is so good and 
 kind as to cause all things to work together for good to them that 
 love him. There is no ])ain in meditating on these things; there is 
 no discouragement in thinking of everlasting happiness. It is, in- 
 deed, the experience of many, that when the body is Aveary it can 
 no longer think of anything, and the mind being so enveloped with 
 slumber that oftentimes the most delightful thoughts and medita- 
 tions at last quietly and soothingly sink into sleej). 
 
 When I meditate on anything of an irritating nature, it is often- 
 times my experience that such meditation disturbs me, and is rather 
 an enemy to peace and quiet repose; but when I meditate on God 
 and his goodness, there is such a sweet and soft delight in it, that 
 if the mind and body are not oppressed with sleep I can continue to 
 meditate on (iod and his attributes longer with sweet delight than 
 
1852 .lOlKNAl. OF THOMAS A UN KIT. 323 
 
 I can tliink of anything else; and yet if the body be weary and 
 wants sleep, there is such a softness in the delight of meditating on 
 God and his wondrous works, that the mind and body easily and 
 delightfully oftentimes fall into refreshing slumbers. 
 
 But again and again, in some form or other, at some time or 
 other, suffering I may look for; and suffering is necessary for my 
 refinement, for the path of sorrow, and that alone, leads to the land 
 where sorrow is nnknown. 
 
 It is oftentimes my experience that when the calm seems most 
 profound the tempest may be gathering. The darkness, however 
 deep, the waves, however wild, are no disproof of Christ's love; 
 but they are illustrations that his love is wise; for if the trial were 
 not necessary it would not be sent. Trials oftentimes remind me 
 that this world is not my home; if I met with no sorrow in my way, 
 I should be still more prone than I am at present to forget that 
 better land towards which I am journeying; and the inconveniences 
 of the path continually remind me that I am only a stranger and 
 sojourner in this world, oftentimes going forth in the mission of 
 the gospel for the good of souls as a poor, solitary stranger before 
 many strangers; but in my retired walk I am led in my manj^ pri- 
 vations more earnestly to seek the aid of my Divine Comforter, and 
 to look to the rock that is higher than myself, knowing that I have 
 none other to depend upon. 
 
 It appears to me that faith is oftentimes strengthened by trial; 
 every Chriatian grace becomes more vigorous by exercise; therefore 
 let me more and more glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation 
 worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. 
 I^et me count it all joy when I fall into divers trials, knowing this, 
 that the trying of my faith worketh patience; and let me also be 
 encouraged to patience and cheerfulness in affliction by the thought 
 that the trial of my faith, being more precious than of gold that 
 perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, 
 and honor, and glory at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 Not that the beneficial effects of the storm are always felt while it 
 continues; the mind may be too much agitated by terrors, too much 
 occupied by sorrow, and too much debilitated by sympathy with 
 a diseased body to be conscious of any immediate advantage; and 
 thus, for encouragement, the language of truth is that no afflction 
 for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward 
 it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are 
 exercised thereby. So in a tempest, the gale from which the mar- 
 iner dreads destruction oftentimes drives the vessel rapidly onward 
 in her course. This may not be perceived while the storm is at its 
 height; but afterwards, Avhen the sky becomes clear and when the ne- 
 cessary observations, can be taken, it is oftentimes found that much 
 more progress has been made during one tempestuous night than 
 many previous days of calm. This is always the case with the 
 
3-^4: JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1852 
 
 storms which assail the believer; they invariably speed liim onward 
 towards his desired haven; and though, while the winds are howl- 
 ing and the Avaves are roaring around him, he may sometimes say: 
 "All these things are against me," and fear that he is driven farther 
 from the desired port, nevertheless afterwards he discovers with 
 thankfulness that the winds which he dreaded have been wafting 
 him onward in his voyage, and that the waves Avhich seemed to 
 threaten him with death have borne him heavenward. 
 
 that I may more and more so go forth while in time as to be 
 accounted worthy oftentimes sweetly to enjoy the peace of God that 
 jiasseth all understanding, and that is able to keep my heart and 
 mind stayed upon Him at all times and in all places, and under 
 every exercise and conflict that may befall me. 
 
 In prosperity and applause may I not be lifted up, nor in adver- 
 sity and opposition be cast down; and still, whatsoever befalls me in 
 this life, may I give unto God thanksgiving and praise, and still 
 earnestly desire and crave that he may cast out of my heart every- 
 thing that is contrary to his holy and ever-blessed will. 
 
 God trieth his people in every age of the world according to his 
 holy Avill, and he causeth all things which befall them by the way 
 more and more to work together for their good. Adversity and an 
 an afflicted condition, either inward or outward, or both together, is 
 no sure mark of his displeasure, no more than prosperity is of his 
 love. Let me, therefore, be more and more resigned to him in the 
 obedience of faith under all circumstances of this life. 
 
 my God, remember me in all my distresses, when my soul is 
 almost overwhelmed under affliction of any kind; then protect me 
 and fortify me with thy strength to stand firmly against all the 
 fiery darts of the enemy. Forgive all my weaknesses; sanctify and 
 prepare me for further service in the work of thy good cause. 
 Cleanse me from secret faults, Lord! Thou knowest my heart; 
 I cannot hide anything from thee. Cover me with the mantle of 
 thy love, and clothe me with humility, and let me go forth under 
 thy heavenly power, so as to be made instrumental in converting 
 and gathering souls unto thee, for which purpose thou hast sent me 
 forth very extensively in the love of thine everlasting and glorious 
 gospel of peace. 
 
 1 have shed tears enough, I beleive, already, in the prosecution of 
 this gospel mission now resting upon me, since I left home under 
 the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and also under the various other 
 afflicting circumstances permitted to assail me, to wash me all over; 
 but the washing of these tears, my God ! cannot cleanse me, for 
 tliou alone canst wash me, and cleanse me, and enable me to " wash 
 my hands in innoccncy,'' so as to "compass thine altar ;" " wasli 
 me thoroughly," I beseech thee, and cleanse me from all wrong 
 things ; wash my head, my hands, and my feet;, and make me 
 " clean every whit," that I may be pure. Thou hast, my Sa- 
 
i8,v: JOURNAL OF THOMA.S ARNETT. 335 
 
 viour, loved me, "and washed" me ''from "my "• sius in" thine 
 "own blood." I therefore pray thee to sanctify and strengthen me 
 more and more, for in thy name I have passed through great tribula- 
 tion ; let me therefore finally be "washed" and made "white in" 
 thy "blood," that I may be accounted worthy finally to be " arrayed 
 in" a " white " robe, and be permitted, in thy mercy, finally to attain 
 unto the resurrection of the just, so as to reign with thee in light, 
 glory and happiness forever more. 
 
 Carry on, I pray thee, my God, thy good work in me accord- 
 ing to thy worthy will, and let the prosecution of this great mission 
 of thy love, now resting upon me, as well as all my pilgrimage 
 life, finally end to the peace of my mind, to the glory of thy name, 
 and to the advancement of thy kingdom of peace and righteous- 
 ness in the earth ; and now unto thee I commend myself, for thou 
 art able to keej) me from falling, and finally to present me faultless 
 before the presence of thy glory,with exceeding joy and praise un- 
 speakable. Amen. 
 
 I this day again attended the meeting of Friends at Neath, among 
 whom I was much comforted in believing that the good presence of 
 the divine Master was with us, and a little renewedly strengthened 
 us in the way of a holy life ; and the next day I spent very much in 
 writing and in meditation on heavenly things ; my mind being 
 inspired very much with devotional exercise, under a fervent desire 
 more and more in all things to please my Almighty Father and Cre- 
 ditor in heaven. 
 
 The 3rd. I this day went to Swansea, and the next day, being- 
 First-day, I attended there, in the morning Friends' meeting, 
 where I met twenty-five persons, including Friends and others, for 
 whom the word of exhortation was given me to comfort and edifi- 
 cation. 
 
 In the afternoon at 3 o'clock, I lield a public meeting in this 
 town, in the Welch Calvinistic Methodist chapel, where I met about 
 fifteen hundred people, among wbom the doctrine of the offer of the 
 free salvation of Grod through his well beloved Son to all mankind 
 in every age of the world was brought to view and sustained accord- 
 ing to the holy Scriptures. 
 
 The 5th. I this evening, under feelings of deep humility held 
 another meeting in Swansea, in the Welch Baptist chapel, where I 
 met upward of three hundred people, who came together under 
 much sobriety of spirit, among whom the gospel was preached in 
 the authority of life and salvation ; and after I had delivered my 
 discourse, the minister of the chapel, Daniel Davis, a worthy and 
 experienced blind man, translated the substance thereof into the 
 Welch language, to the understanding of those present who could 
 not understand the English language, which interpretation he per- 
 formed in a masterly manner. 
 
 The 6th. I was this day much refreshed in my mind with the 
 
:^->(; JOURNAL OF THOMAS AHXETT. 1852 
 
 income of the good presence of the Lord ; I sang in the spirit of 
 mv mind praises to his great and worthy name, feeling renewedly 
 biiilt up in the most holy faith. In the evening I held a meeting 
 at Morristown, a village about three miles from Swansea, in the 
 Welch Calvinistic Methodist chapel, where I met upward of three 
 hundred people, who were generally professors of Christianity, and 
 through the openmg of Christian love this was made a heavenly 
 and refreshing Reason, I believe very much to all who were before 
 me ; and the next day I sj)ent very much in resting and reading 
 and meditation. 
 
 The 8th. I this day went to Cardiff^ where, in the evening I 
 held a meeting in the Wesleyan Methodist chapel ; therefore part of 
 this meeting was a very trying season, about a hundred people had 
 come together whose minds were not for awhile prepared to receive 
 the word of life and salvation. I mourned in spirit over them, and 
 secretly implored for the renewal of divine mercy, and after sitting 
 sometime in silence, truth in a good degree arose in dominion, so 
 tliat I found among them much good service in opening and illus- 
 trating the duty, nature,,and character of divine worship, to the 
 praise of my own mind, and to the satisfaction of the people. 
 
 The 9th. I this day went to Newport, where, in the evening I 
 hold a meeting in the town hall ; about three hundred people 
 attended this meeting, being a very mixed company of the higher 
 and lower rank in life, and also possessed of various opinions in 
 regard to religion, among whom at length the harmonizing testi- 
 mony of the everlasting truth went forth to the merging in degree 
 into the spirit of the gospel of praise. Praised forever be the name 
 of the great Shepherd of Israel. 
 
 The 10th. I this day traveled by railroad conveyance upwards of 
 a hundred and fifty miles to Tottenham, where, on the next day, 
 being First-day, I pleasantly attended the service of Friends' meet- 
 ings as they came in course. 
 
 The 13th. I this day, with feelings of very deep humility and 
 weiglit of spirit, attended the service of the Second-day morning 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders in London, wherein I gave some 
 little account of my movements in the prosecution of my travels 
 in this beloved country, and also of the opening of truth. I in- 
 formed Friends of the remaining future prospect before me prior to 
 the close of my religious service in these parts. This account appeared 
 to be very satisfactory to Friends, and also this prospect met their 
 Cliristian symjiathy and unity, and they encouraged me to be faith- 
 ful to the opening and the shutting of the great and merciful head 
 of the churcli. 
 
 After this, during the nine following days, I spent my time 
 pleasantly in and about this great and wonderful city, J)eing em- 
 ployed in the discharge of various duties, such as resting and im- 
 proving my health a little, attending Friends' meetings occasionally 
 
1852 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. :]2] 
 
 as they came in course, paying some religious ;iud social visits to 
 Friends and others, and reading, writing and meditation. 
 
 The 22nd. I this day attended Friends' meeting at Peckham, as 
 it came in course, where, after I had delivered a discourse to the 
 comfort of Friends, a dear Friend, engaged in the work of the min- 
 istry, was drawn most fervently and devoutly to kneel down and 
 pour forth her prayer and supplication to the Lord Almighty on my 
 liehalf, wherein she was opened in the light of truth, a little, to 
 respond to the many baptisms of the holy spirit attendant on me 
 in the prosecution of my gospel mission in this country; and also 
 she earnestly supplicated for my jireservation through all to the end. 
 All in this meeting heartily united in this prayer. 
 
 While here I received the following kind and affectionate letter 
 from a dear friend: 
 
 Gloucester, 1st mo. 14th, 1852. 
 My Very Dear Friend: 
 
 Thou hast often been brought to my remembrance since we part- 
 ed as a brother beloved in the Lord, in a measure. I think of that 
 love which many waters cannot quench, neither can the floods 
 drown it. I believe that it is one of the precious privileges brought 
 to us by the gospel to feel at times a sweet cementing of spirit 
 one to another in the bond of Christian fellowship which endures 
 so long as we are alive in Christ.. Thy visit here I trust I shall long 
 remember with than kfulness as a time of refreshing and strength- 
 ening to my often-tired spirit. 
 
 I hope thou hast passed along comfortably since we parted, and 
 and that thou hast known thy great and merciful Master to be with 
 thee, and himself annointing thee for every fresh service which he 
 calls for at thy hands. Oh! I crave for thee, my dear friend, that 
 thou mayest continue faithful to the end of thy gospel mission in 
 this country, and then thou wilt be permitted in peace to depart; 
 and also then thy tender Heavenly Father will grant thee strength 
 according to thy day, to endure all that He sees fit to lay upon thee 
 in returning to thy now desolated home. My hear!: has deeply sym- 
 pathized with thee in thy numy bereavements; and I do desire that 
 the sweet income of Divine love and goodness will be so abundantly 
 shed abroad in thy soul that it will more than outbalance all thou 
 hast had to suffer. 
 
 And now, my beloved friend, be steadfast; abounding more and 
 more in. the work of the Lord, whereunto thou art very impress- 
 ively called, and believe me to be thy sincerely attached friend, 
 
 Eliza Sessions. 
 
 The 23rd. I this day again left the city of London, under feel- 
 ings of much religious concern, to keep a single eye to the point- 
 ings of truth in the prosecution of the gospel mission now before 
 me, and traveled by railroad conveyance upwards of a hundred and 
 forty miles, to the neighborhood of Derby, where on the next day I 
 
:V>8 JOTRNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1852 
 
 was confined at a friend's house, in consequence of bodily indisposi- 
 tion. I suffered much under a bilious attack, but through a little 
 medical aid, in the evening I became much relieved, when my heart 
 was renewedly filled with gratitude to the great Creator of the ends 
 of the earth for all his mercies and blessings bestowed upon me all 
 my life long. 
 
 The 25th. Being First-day, and a time long to be remembered 
 bv many. I this day, in the afternoon at half past two o'clock, 
 held another public meeting at Derby, in the Mechanics' Hall, 
 where I met about two thousand people, who were very still and at- 
 tentive. Much Christian solemnity pervaded this company, and 
 the baptizing power of the Lord Avas felt eminently to be over the 
 meeting, under the blessed influence of which the glorious and ever- 
 lasting^gospel was preached in the demonstration of the spirit, and 
 and with power. Many hearts were reached, and all before me ap- 
 peared to be bowed in spirit and hushed down into that silence 
 which prepares the soul to receive the whole truth in the love of it. 
 Praised forever be the holy name of Israel's Shepherd I 
 
 The 26th. I this day traveled by railroad conve3^ance upwards 
 of fifty miles, to llochdale, where, on the next day in the evening, 
 I held a public meeting, which was small; and in the forepart 
 thereof it was to me a trying season: but at length truth a little 
 arose and gave me some "little strength and utterance, in some small 
 degree to fhe relief of my mind, so that the meeting ended pretty 
 well, and I passed the night under comfortable feelings. Praised 
 be the Lord forevermorel 
 
 The 28th. I this day traveled to Preston, where on the next day 
 T attended the meeting of Friends as it came in course, which was 
 a small but good meeting. 
 
 The 30th. I this day, under feelings of deep exercise of mind, 
 traveled to Fleetwood, where in the evening I held a public meet- 
 ing in the Methodist chapel. In this meeting I had before me a 
 large and respectable congregation, many of whom possessed seek- 
 ing and sincere minds, among whom I was eminently opened in the 
 love of the everlasting gospel to point out the only way of eternal 
 salvation. Many minds were much reached and broken down into 
 tenderness and contrition. Praised be the Lord foreverl 
 
 The 31st. I this day traveled to Bolton, under much pressure 
 of spirit, all within me being humbled as into dust and ashes. 
 Strong was my cry to the blessed Saviour to guard me against all 
 evil and temptation of every kind, knowing that without him I 
 cannot be |)reserved a solitary moment while traveling in this sinful 
 and fallen world. 
 
 Second mo. 1st. Being First-day, and a season of much divine 
 favor with me. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Bolton, where I met about a hundred Friends, among whom I was 
 much o])cne(] in Christian love to mutual benefit and edification. 
 
1852 JOUKJSTAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 329 
 
 In the afternoon, at half past two o'clock, I held a public meet- 
 ing for the people of this town, in the Temperance liall, where I 
 met about two thousand peoi)le. This was a very mixed congrega- 
 tion, those present being out of the various churches in the place; 
 but under the control of divine wisdom, the cementing and har- 
 monizing testimony of the gospel went forth, to the breaking down 
 of many imbibed" prejudices. This was a glorious and blissful 
 meeting, and closed to satisfaction with prayer and thanksgiving to 
 God for all his mercies. 
 
 The 3nd. I this day traveled to Liverpool, where, through the 
 course of the two following days, I spent very much in reading, 
 writing and meditation, and in visiting some families of Friends — 
 I believe much to mutual benefit, comfort and edification. 
 
 The 5th. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Liverpool, and was much comforted in being with Friends again 
 of this place. They manifested that sympathy towards me which 
 lives in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. In the even- 
 ing I held a meeting for Friends and others at Southport, in the 
 Methodist chapel, where I met about five hundred sober-minded 
 people, among whom the inviting testimony of the glorious and 
 everlasting gospel went forth, pointing out the way to come to Him 
 for peace and salvation who is the "Minister of the sanctuary and 
 of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man." 
 This was a blessed and heavenly meeting, and ended to good satis- 
 faction. 
 
 The 6th. I have for some time past, with feelings of deep hu- 
 mility, believed that it would be my religious duty again to return 
 to Ireland, for the discharge, as way may open, of further service 
 in the truth there. I therefore this evening, at seven o'clock, went 
 on board of a steamer at Liverpool for the city of Dublin, where 
 I Avas landed the next morning, after having a pleasant sail of 
 twelve hours; and after landing, I again took up my lodging with 
 my dear friend, Samuel Bewley, who, with his dear wife, again 
 kindly received me. 
 
 The 8th. Being First-day, I this morning, with a thankful heart 
 to the Author of all my sure mercies, attended the meeting of 
 Friends at Dublin, among whom I had given some precious and 
 lively testimony, to mutual comfort; and in the afternoon meeting 
 I found it to be my duty to sit with Friends with much peace- 
 ful silence. 
 
 The 9th. I spent this day very much alone, feeling much retired 
 in spirit under renewed consideration of the blessed benefit and 
 effect of the glorious and everlasting gospel to man as he opens his 
 heart to receive it in the love of it; and seeks, under divine grace, 
 to come to be merged into the spirit thereof, for the gospel is one 
 grand system of truth, one magnificent whole. Every part of it 
 is needed for the recovery and salvation of man. No devotion can 
 
3;>0 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKN'ETT. 1S62 
 
 be genuine which inspires not sentiments of this nature, for devo- 
 tion is not to be considered as a transient glow of affection, occa- 
 sioned by some casual impressions of divine goodness, which are 
 suffered to remain unconnected with the conduct of life and con- 
 versation. It is a powerful principle which penetrates the soul, 
 which purifies the affections from debasing attachments, and, by 
 a fixed and steady regard to God, subdues every sinful passion and 
 forms the inclinations to piety, virtue, godliness and holiness of 
 heart. 
 
 It is, however, a joyous consideration that the glorious light of 
 the gospel is freely emitted from the sun of righteousness; and that 
 though instruments are mercifully called upon in the various ages 
 of the world to bear testimony to it in redeeming invitation and 
 love to man, yet that He before whom all "the nations are as a drop 
 of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance; be- 
 hold he taketh up the isles as a very little thing," can, when they 
 fail, do his work without them, and glorify the house of his glory. 
 
 This gospel ••'is the jjower of God unto salvation to everyone that 
 believetli," and "therein is the righteousness of God revealed from 
 faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith," and 
 through the general effusion of this gospel all are warned to flee 
 from the wrath to come, and to return, repent, and live forever- 
 more. 
 
 The 10th. I this day, with feelings of very deep humility, at- 
 tended the Monthly Meeting of Friends held in the city of Dub- 
 lin, wherein, with much fear and trembling, I opened a concern 
 which had for some time past Aveightily impressed my mind to pay 
 a religious visit to the families of Friends constituting tliis large 
 monthly meeting, and also those within the limits thereof who are 
 not in membership with us, but who are in the babit of attending 
 Friends' meetings. This concern, being spread before Friends, met 
 their hearty unity and concurrence in tiiat sympathy which springs 
 up under the power of the cross, and which oftentimes mutually 
 refreshes the liearts of the sanctified and tribulated believers. 
 
 After this, during the space of upwards of two months, I was 
 faithfully engaged in the prosecution of this very weighty concern, 
 and also in other religious exercise and service which fell upon me 
 in various i)arts of Ireland, including that of attending the Quar- 
 terly, and some other meetings of Friends in this land, and that of 
 holding a number of public meetings for Friends and others in 
 various parts of the island; and some of them were largely attended 
 and much owned by the Good Shepherd of Israel, and all of this 
 service was, in a good degree, relieving to my mind. 
 
 In the prosecution of this family visit, I paid — under deei> exei- 
 cises, and with great humility of spirit, connected with strict 
 watchfulness unto i)rayer, minding my ste})ping-stones in the open- 
 ing of true faith in my movements — about two hundred and sev- 
 
1852 JOUKNAI. or THOMAS AHNETT. ool 
 
 enty-five visits to Friends and those professing with us, to mutual 
 comfort and edification. 
 
 In going forth from house to house on this very weighty service, 
 I believe that he who "pntteth forth his own sheep" and "goeth 
 before them" was mercifully with me and went before me, preparing 
 the way in the hearts of those whom I visited to receive his testi- 
 mony in the love of it, for "the ]ireparations of the heart in man, 
 and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord." 
 
 I was not only led, under the baptisms of the holy spirit, into the 
 states and conditions of the visited, but also my understanding was 
 so opened and illuminated in the light of truth, as to enable me to 
 discover and to visit the seed in the love of the gospel, and to labor 
 effectually for the entire deliverance from under the bondage of sin 
 and death, so as to come to be accounted to be worthy of being 
 numbered with the children of God, "for as many as are led by the 
 spirit of God. they are the sons of God;'' and all sanctified believers 
 are led by his good spirit, and these "have not received the spirit 
 of bondage again to fear," but these "have received the spirit of 
 adoption, whereby" they "cry Abl)a, Father." "The spirit itself 
 beareth witness with" their "spirit, that" they "are the children of 
 God, and if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with 
 Christ; if so be that," they "suffer with Him, that" they "may be 
 also glorified together, for I reckon that the sufferings of this pres- 
 ent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall 
 be revealed m"all the righteousness of God, for "eye hath not seen, 
 nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things 
 which God hath prepared for them that love him, but God hath re- 
 vealed them unto" his children "by his spirit, for the sprit search- 
 eth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 
 
 In attending to the discharge of my religious duty from day to 
 day, in paying these family visits, very deep and weighty were my 
 exercises, and various were the Christian duties which were, in 
 Christian love, opened, developed and inculcated, to mutual bene- 
 tit; and I believe that consequently, in some degree, to the deepen- 
 ing in the root of immortal life. 
 
 Many whom I visited appeared not to be deep and well experi- 
 enced in the knowledge of the Christian religion, wherefore I was 
 oftentimes called upon a little to illustrate and open the economy of 
 the great doctrine of Christian redemption, includmg the sin con- 
 sequent on the fall of man, tlie great love of God to him, and to 
 all his posterity, through a merciful and crucified Redeemer; the 
 teaching of the holy spirit, the necessity of repentance, conversion, 
 regeneration and holiness of heart; the doctrine of future rewards 
 and punishments "according to that" we have "done, whether it 
 be good or bad," and the great and general day of Judgment — all 
 these things I was enabled to inculcate according to the Holy 
 Scriptures, under a deep sense of the great duty of strict watchful- 
 
33-^ JOUHN'.VL OF 'I^IOMAS AKNETT. isryi 
 
 ness unto prayer continually, so as to be enabled so to walk in the 
 light of Christ as to have fellowship one with another in his true 
 church; and then his precious blood, through living and saving 
 faith therein, will cleanse us from all sin. I believe that this visit 
 will long be remembered by many for good, in the prosecution there- 
 of, while I mournfully sometimes met with those who were lukewarm, 
 and depending very much on self-righteousness for salvation, yet 
 I joyfully oftentimes met with many sincere, exercised and baptized 
 souls, among whom the word of encouragament was given to "press 
 toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
 Jesus." Knowing that we are "compassed about with so great a cloud 
 of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which dotli 
 so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set 
 before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, 
 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising 
 the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God: 
 for consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against 
 himself, lest" we "be wearied and faint in" our "minds." In con- 
 nection with this religious duty, that also of keeping daily under 
 the sanctifying influences of divine grace was very impressively 
 inculcated, so as to be accounted worthy to "dwell in the house of 
 the Lord all the days of" our natural life, so as "to behold the 
 beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple," then "in the time 
 of trouble he shall hide" us "in his pavilion, in the secret of his 
 tabernacle shall he hide" us; "he shall set" us "up upon a rock;" 
 knowing "that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dis- 
 solved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, 
 eternal in the heavens.'' Let us therefore go forth, while in this 
 world, patiently "bearing" the "reproach" of Christ, "for here we 
 have no continuing city, but we seek one to come," "the street of" 
 which is "pure gold, as it were, transparent glass," and we under- 
 stand that there is "no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty 
 and the Lamb are the temple of it, and the city" has "no need of 
 the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God" 
 doth "lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." All these 
 things were inculcated in the prosecution of this family visit, and 
 finally we were reminded under this visit that "the name of the 
 Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runnetii into it, and is safe." 
 I oftentimes feel in latter time that I am like one who has no 
 resting-place on this earth, or any sure consolation in this world, 
 in which I dare trust; but if I am found worthy to follow him in 
 holiness of heart who said, "the foxes have holes, and the birds of 
 the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his 
 liead," he will mercifully provide for me, for he is the Creator, and 
 therefore the possessor of all the worlds. As to the performance of 
 my religious duty, I desire therein to be low and humiJe, under the 
 power of the cross, and under this power my s])irit has oftentimes 
 
1882 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 33:^ 
 
 been dip[)ed into sympathy inexpressible with a seed in this land, 
 of which I have not attained the outward discovery. May God, in 
 his infinite wisdom, bless and water this seed as it may jilease him, 
 so as to bring forth fruit, to the glory of his name; and in his own 
 time and way, may he mercifully raise his church in this land out 
 of its present low state, so that the light thereof may shine upon 
 this land, which appears to me to be much covered with •'darkness" 
 and "the people" with ''gross darkness," the sense of which causes 
 oftentimes very deep inward mourning to my bowed-down soul. 
 
 AiHicted believer, saitli my spirit, be comforted; weeping may 
 continue for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Think not 
 too much of th}^ light afflictions, which endure but for a moment, 
 but of thy eternal weight of promised glory; thy heart may be 
 panting and sighing for deliverance, as the hart panteth for the 
 water-brook, but remember thou hast a river of water of life at 
 hand; and that soon — very soon — thou wilt be conducted unto liv- 
 ing fountains of water, and God shall wipe away from thy eyes all 
 tears forevermore. Soon shall time pass tliee into eternity; soon 
 shall mortality be swallowed up of life, when thy labors shall be 
 exchanged for that rest which remaineth for the people of God; 
 when thy sorrow shall be exchanged for a feeling of joy at God's 
 right hand forevermore. A few more struggles, and all toil will 
 be over; a few more setting suns, and thy eyes shall behold that 
 angelic convoy prepared to bear thee Avitli holy transport and 
 seraphic song on their golden pinions to tlie glorious mansions of 
 peace and everlasting rest in the heavens. 
 
 I have, for my own part, long since learned to expect trials, be- 
 cause I am so much clothed upon Avith infirmity that I cannot ex- 
 pect to be exempt therefrom while in this sinful world. Oh, that 
 my acquaintance may become more and more intimate with him 
 in whom is the fulness of undefiled peace, then may I rejoice in 
 every tribulation that comes upon me. 
 
 There appears to me to be no joy like that of the righteous, nor 
 any unity similar to theirs, and next to the immediate influences of 
 the Holy Spirit, it is to me desirable ; and, indeed, Christ himself 
 IS the author and the sustainer of this joy and of this unity. 
 
 Nothing is impossible with God, and nothing can limit the exer- 
 cise of his mercy and power in exalting the poor penitent from the 
 lowest depths of sin and depravity to the highest position in his 
 kingdom in heaven. He who said, "Let there be light, and there 
 was light," and who by his quickening energy can in an instant 
 convert the vilest sinner, and grant pardon in the hour of death, 
 can, in a moment, illuminate the dark understanding of the most 
 abandoned of sinners. Glory to him forever! For they who have 
 turned to the stronghold, the only refuge of salvation, are prison- 
 ers of hope. The Lord is their strength and redemption, whose 
 power is invincible, unchangeable and eternal. He is the same yes- 
 
334 JOURXAL OF TUOMAS AKXETT. 1862 
 
 terday, to-day, and forever; lie is still ^'traveling in the greatness 
 of liis strength," and the powers of darkness shall fall before him, 
 according to the working of his power, nntil "the heathen" shall 
 come to be his "inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth" 
 his "possession." 
 
 He who is the Creator and Preserver of all mankind in every 
 age of the world, alone knows what is best suited to each of his 
 rational creatures, and shall he not do what he will with his own? 
 Yea, he doeth whatsoever he pleaseth in the armies of heaven, and 
 among the inhabitants of the earth. In a moment he can throw 
 his smile over the couch of poverty and disease, and invest it with 
 the joys of heaven; and he can also cast his frowns around the lap 
 of ease and prosperity, and invest it with the extremes of misery 
 and wretchedness. The springs of sorrow and of joy hang upon 
 his mercy and upon his judgment, and move at his command. In 
 an instant he can bring all these into full oi^eration, and call into 
 existence a thousand fresh currents, unknown to man, of agony and 
 of pain, and of joy and of rapture. 
 
 There is no condition or place in this fallen world exempt from 
 tlie encroachment of sickness, disease and sorrow. It appears to 
 me to be a necessary law of the fallen organization of man and all 
 his i)Osterity, consequent upon his fall, and the sin transmitted 
 througii his fall to all his posterity, for what man is he that liveth 
 and shall not see death? for in consequence of sin all must die. 
 
 Man brings with him at his birth a constitution of body having 
 within it the seeds of sickness and death, and he is ever, while in 
 this world, surrounded by noxious agents which tend to his death. 
 How can we expect to find happiness without alloy in a fallen and 
 deluded world, where all things are full of labor and traveling in 
 pain? How cheering it is to know that every dark spot in the 
 gloomy hemisphere of the present life is gilded by a future ray of 
 joy to the saint. Every cloud has a sunshine behind it, and a hope 
 within it, of a fairer and a brighter day. When his day of life is 
 drawing to a close, and the dark shades of death are falling uj^on 
 him, he can welcome them as the peaceful harbinger of his setting 
 sun, which Avill soon rise in glory and in immortality. He has within 
 a hidden life which outlives all the gratifications of sense and all 
 the desolations of time; and as his outward man decays, his inward 
 man is renewed from day to day. 
 
 If we look to the prophets and to the apostles, if we look to our own 
 friends and relatives around us in like manner, we see that troubles 
 and afflictions have ever mingled with their comforts and consola- 
 tions. Look at the Saviour himself, submitting meekly to suffering. 
 How remarkably did the life of Christ in his incarceration exhibit a 
 man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, and how truly did he 
 leave us an example of patient endurance under affliction and trial, 
 to which we are subject in this world. 
 
«852 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 335 
 
 What ji checkered scene is Imman life, and how various are the 
 baptisms and the afflictions of the righteous. One hour we seem 
 almost to enjoy the bliss of the holy angels, the next, of all men, the 
 most miserable! At one moment a ])eaceful serenity reposes on the 
 soul, and pervades the feelings like that which rests on the face of 
 the ocean in an evening calm. At another we are like the troubled 
 sea when it cannot rest, all calculated to inspire us with a sense of 
 the vanity of this world, and that here we have no continuing city. 
 The God of mercy and of love seems to have wisely designed certain 
 visible objects iii an especial manner, to inspire us with a sense of 
 our present and future condition. 
 
 Death is an event in the history of man which has ever been re- 
 garded with very solemn and impressive feelings. The close of the 
 present, and the entry upon a future world, must naturally awaken 
 the most serious and anxious reflections. Nor can we wonder that a 
 train of the most profound and imju'essive emotions should arise 
 within the mind of the sanctitied believer, when he feels the curtain 
 of natural life about to fall; and when he stands at the portal into 
 eternity, about to witness the separation between the mortal body 
 and the immortal soul, how wonderful is this dissolution, and how 
 surpassing wonderful will that event be which God will bring about 
 at the general resurrection of the dead. How does it confound all 
 human wisdom when we take but one glance of this wonderful and 
 miraculous event! this mysterious change which shall be brought 
 about under the economy of God in the great and general day of 
 judgment, for "we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 
 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the 
 trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and 
 we shall be changed, for this corruptible must put on incorrup- 
 tion, and this mortal must put on immortality," so that finally 
 ''death" shall be "swallowed up in victory." 
 
 I have, in the prosecution of the gospel mission resting upon me, 
 under the power of the cross of Christ, never sought for great 
 things, neither have I studied the eloquence of the learning of this 
 Avorld, for I can certify "that the gospel which" has been "preached 
 of me is not after man, for I never received it of man, neither 
 was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ," where- 
 fore in the work of this gospel ministry I can say that my labor 
 therein has not been with " excellency of speech or of wisdom," 
 "and my sjieech and my preaching" has not been "with entic- 
 ing word of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit, 
 iind with power," that the faith of those before whom I have 
 labored in gospel love "should not stand in the wisdom of 
 man, but in the power of God." Notwithstanding, I believe 
 that I have been favored in a good degree to " speak wisdom 
 among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of this world, nor 
 of the princes of this world, that come to nought, but" "the wis- 
 
336 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 18.V.* 
 
 doni of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which (rod or- 
 dained before the world unto" the glory of his name, ''which uona 
 of tlie princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they 
 would not have crucified the Lord of Glory;" but in the opening of 
 this wisdom all faithful believers in Christ are oftentimes comforted 
 in looking through the ho])e of the faith of the gospel beyond the 
 grave for their final reward, knowing that "eye hath not seen, nor 
 ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things 
 which God hath prepared for them that love Him, but God hath 
 revealed them unto" his faithful children "by his spirit, for the 
 spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God," in whose 
 hand is all the power both in the heaven and also in the earth. 
 
 I have oftentimes known it to be very profitable for me to be 
 deeply humbled and awfully prostrated in spirit before the Almighty^ 
 powerful helper of his people, that so what I am in the work of tiie 
 ministry of the gospel, I may be by his grace only; having observed 
 that in many instances, when the creaturely part is not wholly 
 abased under divine grace, but some self sufficiency or treasure be- 
 longing thereunto is yet saved or reserved, there has been a mixture 
 brought forth neither tending fully to the glory of God nor sowing 
 the seed of life and salvation in that authority which reaches the 
 witness for truth in the heart; wherefore, I feel that it is a great 
 matter to stand fully approved by the great head of the church in 
 this very solemn and responsible service, to "speak as the oracles 
 of God," and to " minister" " as of the ability Avhich God giveth," 
 is the very indispensable duty of all who are called of him into 
 this great work, "that God in all things may be glorified through 
 Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. 
 
 In the discharge of my religious duty, under the mission of the 
 gospel, from time to time and from place to place, "I have not 
 shunned to declare unto'" the people "all the counsel of God," ac- 
 cording to the holy scriptures; giving oftentimes "attendance to 
 reading, to exhortation, to doctrine," meditating "upon these 
 things," giving myself "wholly to them," that my "profiting," un- 
 der divine grace, "may appear to all." I have also, with fear and 
 trembling, under deep leligions concern, with prayer and supplica- 
 tion, studied "to show" myself "approved unto God, a workman 
 that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 
 I now, with feelings of very deep humility, commit the keeping of 
 myself, with all the labors of my j)ilgrimage life, unto him "who 
 only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can ap- 
 proach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be 
 honor and power everlasting." Amen. 
 
 Fourth mo. 24th. I this day, under very deep exercise of mind, 
 with some discouragement of spirit, attended the Yearly Meeting 
 of ministers and elders, in the city of Dublin, where I met with my 
 dear friends, Eli Long and Sybil Long, his wife, from New England 
 
1852 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 337 
 
 Yearly Meeting of Friends. These dear Friends are acceptable 
 ministers of onr religious society, who are now in this country in 
 the prosecution of a gospel mission consistent with the order of our 
 society. We were glad and very thankful in being permitted thus 
 to meet in this country, being mutually united in spirit in that true 
 sympathy which springs up under the influence of the cross. 
 
 A little prior to this time, I was renewedly plunged down into 
 deep baptism of spirit, wiierein I cried mightily to him who alone 
 can save me, and who hath said, ''It is impossible but that offences 
 will come, but woe unto him through whom they come." I beseech 
 thee, holy and adorable One, to keep me under the shadow of thy 
 wing when offences come upon me from any qiuirtcr whatsoever, 
 and "lead" me "not into temptation, but deliver" me "from evil, 
 for thine is the kingdom, :ind the power, and the glory, forever." 
 Amen. 
 
 The 2oth. Being first day, I this morning attended the Yearly 
 Meeting for worship, through which I sat in peaceful silence. Some 
 other Friends in the work of the ministry, however, had good ser- 
 vice. In the evening meeting, way opened for me to labor in the 
 love of the gospel to good satisfaction. 
 
 The 2Cth. The Yearly Meeting for discipline was opened this 
 morning, and Friends this day appeared to be much favored in 
 thankful acknowledgment to the Good Shepherd of Israel for being- 
 permitted thus again to come together. 
 
 The 27th. I this morning, with feelings of deep humility, was 
 permitted, through divine mercy, to pay a visit in gospel love to the 
 Yearly Meeting of women Friends, to mutual comfort and satis- 
 faction. 
 
 The 28th. I this morning was at another sitting of the Yearly 
 Meeting for worship, wherein I was again silent; and in the after- 
 noon I attended another sitting of the Yearly Meeting for disci- 
 ])line. 
 
 The 29th. I this day, after attending the service of the Yearly 
 Meeting for discipline, held in the evening a highly favored meet- 
 ing for the youth, which was largely attended by many intelligent 
 and interesting young Friends. This meeting will be long remem- 
 bered by many for good ; the everlasting truth reigned overall, and 
 the seed of life in many was mercifully visited. Praised forever be 
 the Lord ! 
 
 The 30th. I this morning was at another sitting of the Yearl}- 
 Meeting for worship, and was silent under deep exercises of mind. 
 Some Friends in the work of the ministry had, however, j^retty 
 good service. In the evening this Yearly Meeting for discipline 
 satisfactorily closed its session, with feelings of gratitude to God for 
 all his mercies toward us, not only on the present occasion, but also 
 throughout our sojourn in this world. This Yearly Meeting will 
 long be gratefully remembered by many dear and sincerely engaged 
 
338 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. ^gj.. 
 
 Friends, wlio. diiriug the course thereof, were l)rought to feel very 
 near and dear one to another in the seed of immortal life. It was a 
 season of much refreshment and comfort to Friends, wlio manifested 
 Christian love one to another, and who Avere favored, under the 
 direction of the Great Head of the Church, to cai'ry on their business 
 to the lionor of his name. 
 
 Fifth mo. 1st. This morning the Yearly Meeting of ministers 
 and elders again came together with feelings of deep humility, and 
 Friends of this meeting, under the prospect of soon parting with 
 me, so as never again expecting to see me in this world, were iinited 
 with me in the sweetness of the unity of the spirit, in the bond of 
 peace; and^under this precious feeling, prayer was otfered up to the 
 Lord Almighty on my behalf, and under his baptizing power, this 
 meeting also this day closed its session, soon after issuing the fol- 
 lowing certificate in acknowledgment of my services within the 
 limits of this Yearly Meeting : 
 
 To Miami Monthly Meeting, Miami Quarterly Meeting, and the 
 Yearly Meeting of Ministerf< and Elders of Indiana: 
 Dear Friends : — Our beloved friend, Thomas Arnett, concern- 
 ing whom we received your certificates liberating him for religious 
 service in these parts, has visited the meetings generally in this 
 land, the families of Friends in some places, and has also attended 
 this Yearly Meeting ; and having informed us that he believes the 
 time of his return to his native land is drawing near, we certify on 
 his behalf that his company and gospel labors have been acceptable, 
 and that his conduct and conversation amongst us have been in- 
 structive and edifying. Desiring for this our dear brother, that 
 the Good Shejiherd may mercifully continue to be with him, safely 
 conduct him through any further service he may be pleased to 
 require of him. and finally grant to him an entrance into his rest, we 
 are, with the salutation of love, your friends. 
 
 Signed by direction and on behalf of the Yearly Meeting of min- 
 isters and elders for Ireland, held in Dublin, on the 24th of Fourth 
 nio. , and by adjournment on the 1st of Fifth mo., 1852. 
 
 AV-M. Jas. Barcroft, 
 Clerk to the Meeting this year. 
 
 The 2nd. Being First-day, and a time of very deep exercise with 
 me, my soul was bowed down as in the dust, and my spirit cried to 
 (rod for his mercy and support. I this morning attended another 
 sitting of the Yearly Meeting for worship, and was silent ; and in 
 the evening the Yearly Meeting for worship again came together as 
 the final close of this interesting meeting, wherein I was much set 
 at liberty in the freedom of the gospel ; all before me were brought 
 to feel very near and dear to me, and to one another, under the 
 prospect of this being my final opportunity with them. When this 
 meeting came to a close, many dear Friends took their very dear 
 
1852 .lULliNAI. OF THOMAS A RN K TI'. 330 
 
 ali'ectionate leave of me in that Christian sympathy which springs 
 up and lives under the influence of the cross of Christ, so that we 
 parted with the prospect of finally meeting in heaven, where parting 
 will be no more. 
 
 The 3rd. I this day, after paying a number of social visits to 
 Friends, as a farewell opportunity with them, in the evening, feel- 
 ing clear of Ireland, went on board a steamer for Liverpool, where 
 I was landed on the next morning, after having a very delightful 
 and* calm voyage ; and after paying some social visits there, to 
 Friends, I on the next day, in the evening, went on railroad con- 
 veyance to London, where I arrived in about six hours' travel, w^ith 
 much peace of mind, and with a prayerful spirit. 
 
 I beseech thee, Lord, everlasting God, to have mercy upon me, 
 for I am poor and needy ; preserve me to the end of my pilgrimage, 
 and finally grant me a place in thy heavenly kingdom, and let this 
 journey end in peace with me! Amen. 
 
 The 6th. I was this day brought very low in the spirit of my 
 mind ; I felt that I had no support but in heaven ; my sj)irit in 
 faith looked up there to my Almighty Friend with earnest prayer 
 and supplication for his providence and ]U'otection. 
 
 The 7th. I this day attended the meeting for suffering in Lon- 
 don, and although Friends appeared to be glad again to see me, yet 
 my spii'it was much cast down. I felt poor, destitute, and stripped, 
 and my cry was alone to him who only can help and support me. 
 May his will concerning me be done. 
 
 The 8tli. I spent this day very much in writing, reading, med- 
 itation, and in suitable bodily exercise, and in the evening I again 
 went to the house of my kind and affectionate friend, George 
 Stacey, of Tottenham, who, with his family, appeared to be very 
 glad to see me ; and the next day, being First-day, I attended there, 
 the morning and evening meetings of Friends to good satisfaction; 
 and on the 10th I was again at the Second-day morning Meeting of 
 Ministers raid Elders in London, wherein Friends manifested much 
 Christian sympathy for me. 
 
 After this, during the remaining part of this week, I spent pleas- 
 antly in paying some social and farewell visits to some dear friends 
 in and about London, attending some meetings of Friends as they 
 came in course. These visits were mutually strengthening, com- 
 forting, and encouraging. 
 
 Tlie IGth. Being First-day, I in the morning and evening at- 
 tended meeting with Friends at Westminster, wherein I was much 
 opened in the love of the gospel to very good satisfaction. 
 
 The 17th. I attended this day two sittings of the Yearly Meet- 
 ing of Ministers and Elders in London, wherein I was much opened 
 with a sweet and comforting discourse to mutual satisfaction. 
 
 The 18tli. I this day attended another sitting of the Yearly 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders, which, through divine mercy, was 
 
340 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1352 
 
 one of the most interesting meetings of tlie kind I ever attended. 
 Many weighty subjects came before Friends, which were considered 
 in the liglit of truth, and disposed of with sound discretion. 
 
 The 19th. I this morning attended the opening of the Yearly 
 Meeeting for Discipline, which was a time of thankful acknowledg- 
 ment to the Lord Almighty for all his sure mercies unto us ; and 
 in the evening I was at another sitting thereof with feelings of deej) 
 interest. . 
 
 I'he 20th. I this day attended two sittings of the Yearly Meet- 
 ing with feelings of deep interest and humility, and found some 
 acceptable service ; and on the next day, in the morning, I was at 
 Gracechurch street meeting for worship, wherein I was silent ; 
 several other Friends, however, in the work of the ministry, had 
 good service. 
 
 The 22nd. I this day attended another very deeply interesting- 
 sitting of the Yearly Meeting, and was enabled throagli divine wis- 
 dom to deliver a discourse to the satisfaction of Friends. 
 
 The 23rd. Being First-day, I this morning and evening attended 
 Friends' meeting at Devonshire House, and was silent under deep 
 exercise of mind ; several other Friends in the work of the ministry, 
 however, had much good service. 
 
 The 24th, I this day again attended two sittings of the Yearly 
 Meeting, with feelings of Christian love. 
 
 The 25th. I this morning attended to a concern resting on my 
 mind in paying a religious visit to the Yearly Meeting of women 
 friends, much to the relief of my mind, this being my farewell, 
 final visit to them, which was a deeply humbling opportunity. 
 
 The 20th. I this morning attended the meeting for worship at 
 Devonshire House, which was a large meeting of Friends and others. 
 The service of this meeting very much fell upon me. Way opened 
 in my mind to preach the glorious and everlasting gospel to a very 
 intelligent and tender-hearted congregation. Many tears were shed 
 in this meeting under the prospect that very soon I should be far 
 separated from the very interesting company before me, feeling my 
 services drawing to a close in this country. I therefore, with feel- 
 ings of gratitude to God for all his mercies toward me in all my life 
 long, at length took my very alfectionate farewell leave of tiie jieo- 
 ple l)efore me, in this "language : " Finally, brethren, farewell ; be 
 l)ei'i'ect ; be of good comfort ; be of one mind ; live in peace, and 
 the (iod of love and i)eace shall l)e with you ;" and saith my spirit, 
 with very earnest desire for you : ''the grace of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, 
 be with you all. Amen;" 
 
 The 27th. T this day again attended the usual service of the 
 Yearly Meeting, and on the next day, in the evening, this Yearly 
 Meeting for discipline solemnly closed its session, with many thank- 
 ful hearts to the Lord for his mercy and favor toward us, exper- 
 ienced on the })resent occasion. 
 
1852 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 341 
 
 The 29tli. The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders this 
 morning again came together, and after passing through much 
 ■weighty business, this meeting also closed its session with feelings of 
 gratitude to God for all his mercies toward us, and with Christian 
 love one to another. A little prior to the close of this meeting, 
 Friends entered into deep sympathy for me, and with prayerful 
 feelings they issued the following certificate in regard to my ser- 
 vices in this country : 
 
 To the Monthly Meeting of Miami, Warren County, Ohio, the Quar- 
 terly Meeting of Miami, and the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and 
 Elders of Indiana : 
 
 Dear Friends : — Our dear friend, Thomas Arnett, attended 
 this meeting in 1849, and presented certificates of the concurrence 
 of your meetings respectively with his prospect of religious service 
 in Europe. He was also with us in 1850 and 1851 ; and being again 
 acceptably present at this time, has informed us that his way ap- 
 pears clear to a jieaceful retreat from this field of labor as soon as 
 our present Yearly Meeting may terminate. In the prospect of thus 
 parting with our dear friend, we are engaged to testify to our belief, 
 that he has, during his sojourn on this side of the Atlantic, sought 
 with all the diligence which his health would admit, to fulfill the 
 work to which he has believed himself called. He has visited our 
 meetings very generally, held many meetings for worship appointed 
 for those not in religious profession with us, and with the concur- 
 rence of this meeting, visited the small settlements of those who 
 profess with us, upon the Continent of Europe. During the whole 
 of these extended labors, we are grateful in believing that his min- 
 istry has been sound, his conduct circumspect, and under the heavy 
 domestic afflictions which have been permitted him, and in which 
 he has had our tender sympathy, he has instructively evinced the 
 blessed support of the faith and the hope of a Christian. 
 
 We desire that on the return of our dear friend to his native land 
 a,nd to you, he may continue to feel the peaceful seal of our gracious 
 Saviour's acceptance of his dedication, and be kept of him through 
 the remainder of his earthly pilgrimage to his heavenly kingdom. 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and 
 Elders, held in London, by adjournments, on the 17th, 18th, 20th, 
 and 29th of the Fifth month, 1852. 
 
 Thomas Norton, Clerk. 
 
 The 30th. Being First-day, I attended meeting in the morning 
 at Devonshire House, and found much good service in the work of 
 the ministry, and on the next day I went to Liverpool. 
 
 Sixth mo. 1st. I was this day and the next day clothed with the 
 most perfect sweet peace of mind, under the prospect of being lib- 
 erated from this beloved country ; wherefore I looked forward to 
 my own beloved country with that true consolation which this world 
 
342 .lOlliXAL OK THOMAS ARXETT. 1S5^ 
 
 can neither give uor take away. Thankfulness was raised in my 
 heart to the Lord Almighty for his mercy, his preservation, and his 
 protection toward me throughout this great journey. Praised for- 
 ever be his great and worthy name! 
 
 The 3rd. I this day again attended the Monthly Meeting of 
 Friends at Liverpool, under the prospect of this being my last op- 
 portunity with Friends of this place, and under the blessed influ- 
 ence of the Holy Spirit. I was favored with, a precious and sweet 
 farewell discourse, wherein Friends were brought to feel very neai- 
 and dear me, in the blessed, sweet and immortal life ; and toward 
 the close of the meeting for worship, a dear Fi'iend, a worthy min- 
 ister of the gospel, was drawn to kneel in prayer and supplication to 
 the Lord Almighty, wherein he was impressively drawn to supplicate 
 liis many loving kiudness and protection on my behalf through all 
 to tue end of my earthly pilgrimage. 
 
 The 4th. I spent this day very much in making preparation for 
 my voyage to America, and in receiving farewell visits from many 
 dear Friends, and also in taking my very affectionate leave of them, 
 and on the next day, at 11 o'clock in the morning, with feelings of 
 deep humility, and with the most perfect sweet peace of mind, after 
 taking a most affectionate leave of many dear friends, I went on 
 board the British mail steamer Europa, for New York, with sweet 
 prayer to Almighty God for his jirotecting power, iiot only through 
 this voyage, but through all my life long. 
 
 After going on board of this vessel, before setting sail, I received 
 the following kind and very affectionate farewell letter from a dear 
 friend of mine : 
 
 London, Sixth mo. 4th, 185"2. 
 
 My Dear Friend : — I supjjose that when this reaches thee thou 
 wilt be upon the ship which thou hast chosen to convey thee across 
 the great waters to the land of thy birth and of thy love. Li leav- 
 ing this country, thy retrospect upon the immense labor which thou 
 hast i)erformed here in the service of thy Master, cannot afford any 
 other than comfort and peace. Yet I am sure the feeling at part- 
 ing forever with this land, and the friends who in such numbers 
 have been so kind to thee, must produce some painful feelings. 
 Yet these feelings of pain may be in a measure softened by the 
 knowledge that many a warm heart is this day beating in sympathy 
 with thee, and res])onds to thy regrets at the separation. Among 
 these, I believe that thou hast no one more fervent and more ardent 
 than myself. And now, in bidding farewell upon thy dei)arture, I 
 must express my heartfelt wish that thou may be preserved during 
 tiiy stay upon the mighty deep, and be favored with a speedy and 
 prosperous voyage to thy own beloved countr}'. 1 sincerely hope, 
 also, when thou readiest thy own country, that thou wilt gratefully 
 remember me. And now, with feelings of the warmest attachment 
 toward thee, I bid thee affectionately, farewell. 
 
 William II. Wagstaif. 
 
18.>2 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXKTT. C43 
 
 Many farewell letters, similar to this, in and about tliis time were 
 affectionately thrown in before me from friends in Great Britain 
 and Ireland, and in addition thereto, a little prior to this time, 
 many dear friends came to see me, so as to take their final farewell 
 leave of me, never expecting again to see me in this world. On 
 tliese occasions, oftentimes tears were poured forth, with prayer and 
 supi)lication on my behalf, that the protecting hand of the Shepherd 
 of Israel may attend me through all, so as finally to crown me with 
 glory and immortality. 
 
 I beseech thee, Lord, everlasting God, to guard me with the 
 angel of thy presence while I am on this great water. All things 
 in the heavens and in the earth are under thy control and subser- 
 vient to thy wise counsels and purposes; 0, therefore, mercifully ex- 
 tend thy preserving and protecting hand to me, not only during 
 this voyage, but also to the end of my earthly pilgrimage, and finally 
 grant me a place in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. 
 
 The 6th. Being First-day. and although I was very sea-sick, yet 
 I was able to sit alone and keep silence awhile in waiting upon the 
 Lord, after reading a suitable portion of the holy Scriptures. 
 
 The 7th. The sea this day was rough, and my sea-sickness in- 
 creased, until at length I was a litfle relieved by vomiting severely. 
 My heart was this day very thankful to that God. who, while he 
 controls the worlds, and governs the mighty deep, yet he hath 
 respect to the humble and lowly in spirit. 
 
 The 8th. A very delightful and interesting day with me ; the 
 sea was more calm, and I was able most of the day to be up on 
 deck, so as to behold the grandeur of the great water with that 
 sweet peace of mind which nothing could inspire but that great and 
 W'Orthy Being who created the world and all things therein, who is 
 Lord of the heaven and earth, and who willeth that all mankind 
 living should return, repent, and live forever. Blessed be his 
 name forevermore! 
 
 The 9th. The sea this day was again so rough that I suffered 
 much with sea-sickness, but the sweet peace of my mind continued 
 iminterrupted, with grateful meditation on the wondrous works of 
 him who preserves his faithful servants both on the land and on the 
 sea. 
 
 The 10th. The sea this day was more calm, and my sea-sickness 
 was a little passed off, so that my heart was renewedly filled with 
 gratitude to God, and with love toward all my fellow beings in 
 every country in all the earth. 
 
 The 11th and 12tli. With the exception of some fogs arising and 
 ])assing over the sea occasionally through these two days, we had a 
 delightful sail, the sea being generally pretty calm, as also the 
 state of my mind was perfectly calm, being filled with that sweet 
 consolation which none can give but he who inhabiteth eternity, 
 whose name is holy, and whose merciful providence is over all his 
 
;]4:4 JOTRXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1852 
 
 works. May he point out my path for me in all things to the end. 
 
 The 13th. Being First-day, although the sea was pretty eahn 
 this day, yet I suffered much Avith the sick stomach comi)laint. 
 I however was able to sit up and read some Scripture, and to wait 
 awhile on God in the discharge of the duty of divine worship to 
 him. 
 
 The lith. This was one of the most delightful days to me that 
 I ever saw on the great waters. The sea was very calm, and it 
 was a clear time, so that the sun shone beautifully on the mighty 
 deep, and great was the sweet peace of my mind. 
 
 The loth. My mind this day was much clothed with sweet and 
 peaceful meditation, thankfully acknowledging in the spirit of my 
 mind, the mercy, the condescension, and the goodness of him who 
 suffered more for me, and for all mankind, tlian I can suffer for 
 him. Let me, therefore, more and more be willing to suffer for 
 him, and for his good cause, while in this fallen and sinful world, 
 that I may reign with him eternally in the good world to come. 
 
 The IGth. I was this day, in the evening, landed at the city of 
 New York, after a sail from Liverpool of about eleven days and five 
 hours. After landing, my heart was filled with feelings of grati- 
 tude toward him whom " the sea and the fountains of waters " obey, 
 for all his wondrous and marvelous mercies extended toward me 
 throughout all this great and extended Journey. The three follow- 
 ing days I visited very much, quietly with Friends of this city, 
 who were very glad again to see me in my own beloved country. 
 
 The J^Oth. I this morning attended the meeting of Friends in 
 this city, and was favored with a refreshing testimony to the satis- 
 faction of Friends and the peace of my own mind, and in the after- 
 noon I also attended their meeting to satisfaction. 
 
 The 31st. I this day, in company with my dear friend, Thomas 
 Wistar, who came to this city a little to assist me on my way homeward , 
 went to Philadelphia, where, the three following days, I attended 
 the meetings of Friends as they came in course, and the 25rh and 
 20th I spent in writing and in visiting some dear friends. 
 
 The 27th. Being First-day, I attended meeting Avith Friends in 
 the morning and evening with Friends of Philadelphia, who a})- 
 peared to be ghid again to see me ; and on the 29th, in company 
 with my dear friends, Thomas Wistar and his wife, I left this city 
 for the deeply affecting approach of Waynesville, where we arrived 
 l)y railroad and coach conveyance, on the 2nd day of the Seventh 
 month, in the evening, having been absent from this neighborhood 
 about three years, three months and seventeen days, and having 
 traveled while out on this great journey, on land and water, upwards 
 of twenty-five thousand miles. 
 
 Very thankful was my heart to Almighty God; on my return, for 
 the wonderful extension of his adorable mercy, preservation, and 
 protection toward me, a poor worm of the dust, throughout all this 
 
1862 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 34.") 
 
 great and extended journey, and sweet, very sweet, was the peace 
 of my mind, in feeling in the spirit of my mind his merciful and 
 gracious acceptance of this my dedication to his good cause. 
 
 On my arrival, having no home of my own where to lay my head, 
 therefore a dear friend of mine, of this neighborhood, through ten- 
 der Christian sympathy toward me, in consequence of the heavy 
 domestic afflictions resting upon me, kindly met me and conducted 
 me to his house for the place of my sojourn till some way should 
 open for me ; who, on the next day after my arrival, went Avith me 
 to Friends' graveyard, where I saw the grave of my dear wife, 
 and that of a number of her dear relatives, where I stood for some 
 time under the deepest mourning and grief. I again poured forth 
 my tears, and the language of my heart was : Lord, thou that 
 dwellest in eternity, which beholdest from above things in the 
 heaven and in the air, thy throne is holy, so that thy glory may not 
 be comprehended, before whom the hosts of angels stand trembling; 
 let me also stand trembling before thee, for 1 am clothed upon 
 Avith much infirmity, therefore let me pray before thee for myself, 
 a poor, unworthy worm of the dust; hear my cry, and understand 
 my words, for I see now the falls of the awful desolation of death, 
 which is the consequence of sin, but according to the swiftness of 
 thy holy word, the grave shall not always have the victory, but in 
 the last day, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last 
 trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised 
 incorruptible, for this corruption must put on incorruption, and 
 this mortal must put on immortality ;" and when this wonderful 
 event shall be brought about, then death shall be swallowed up in 
 victory. "0 death, where is thy sting! grave, where is thy 
 victory !" Therefore, under the sorrowful sight now before me, 
 let me hope in the prospect of the glorious resurrection of the 
 just. But my heart is deeply affected in beholding the spot wherein 
 is laid the nearest and dearest object that I had upon tliis earth. 
 Hear, Lord, the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the peti- 
 tion of thy poor, solitary, afflicted and cast down one, and let this 
 affliction be sanctified to me and to others instructively; but Lord 
 Almighty, I am brought very low, and thou only art my preserver 
 and protector ; therefore help me, a poor desolate one, at this awful 
 time, for I have no helper but thee. 0, therefore hear the cry of 
 thy poor, forlorn servant, and strengthen me more and more ac- 
 cording to thy will. Open before me, holy one, as it may 
 please thee, some way for my outward comfort and accommodation, 
 while I am permitted of thy mercy to live in this world, and point 
 out to me, in thine own time and way, where, and how, I am to 
 spend my future time in this world, for I am thine; therefore do 
 with me according to thy will in all things, and preserve and me 
 unto thy heavenly kingdom, for thine is the majesty, the glory, and 
 the dominion, now and forever. Amen I 
 
346 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT, is5-2 
 
 After this, we went into the room where my dear wife breathed 
 her last, where my sorrowful heart was still bowed in awful rever- 
 ence before the Almighty. We then went and took a view of my 
 household goods, and my heart was still melted with sorrow in be- 
 holding so many things which my dear wife had handled with her 
 own hands. We then went into the parlor where I took my final 
 leave of my dear wife and a number of our near and dear relatives 
 and some other dear worthy Friends; and in remembering that five 
 out of thaf lovely company who were before me when I took my 
 farewell leave of them, are now in eternity, all witliin me was 
 melted down as into dust and ashes: and after this, on the next day, 
 being First-day, I attended our ]\[eeting for Worshijj, and although 
 I saw and felt in this meeting a great change since I left home, 
 yet I was favored in gospel ministry and prayer. Praised be the 
 Lord forever! 
 
 After this, for some time, the language of my heart was often- 
 times: ''I weep" '''some in the night," and my '"tears are on" my 
 "cheeks," "among all" my "lovers," I have "none to comfort" 
 me like unto my departed dear and very affectionate wife. "Is it 
 nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be 
 any sorrow like unto my sorrow, whicli is done unto me. wherewitli 
 ^he Lord hath "permitted this deep affliction to come upon me. 
 For this affliction I weep deeply;'" "mine eye runneth down Avitli 
 water." "Behold, Lord, for I am in distress," and "mine heart 
 is turned within me," and "my soul hath" "still in remembrance" 
 my sore bereavement, "and is humbled in me." "This I recall to 
 my mind" in remembrance of thy mercy towards me, "therefore 
 liave I hope." I know that "it is of" thy "mercy tliaf I am "not 
 consumed, l)ecause" thy "compassions fail not." "They are new 
 every morning; great is tliy faithfulness." Thou art "my portion, 
 saith my soul; therefore will I hope in" thee, for "thou hast heard 
 my voice, hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry,'" for 
 "thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee." "Thou 
 hast pleaded the causes of my soul, tliou liast redeemed my life." 
 "Remember, Lord, what is come upon'" me, "and behold"' in thy 
 great mercy my solitary situation in life, and open in thy wisdoui 
 some way for my outward comfort while in this world. 
 
 1 will "seek unto Cfod, and unto"' him I will "commit my cause,"' 
 "which doeth great things and unsearchable, marvelous things 
 without number; who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth 
 waters upon the fields;'" who sitteth "upon high those that l)e low, 
 that those which mourn may be exalted to safety," "for he maketh 
 sore and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole." 
 0, that I may more and more be faithful before him, and do all his 
 holy will, that I may be accouTited worthy under his mercy to come 
 to ray "grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his 
 season," for "now my days are swifter than a post, they fiec away'" 
 
1852 JOL'llXAL OF THOMAS AR.VHTT. 347 
 
 one after another, and will never to me again return. 0, saith my 
 spirit, "that I were as in months past, as in the days'' when God 
 blessed me with a kind, affectionate and sympathizing wife, but 
 '•'now my soul is poured out upon me;" "he hath cast me into the 
 mire, and I am become like dust and ashes," "for I know that thou 
 wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. '^ 
 "Let me" therefore "be weighed in an even balance, that God may 
 know mine integrity." for behold he seeth all my ways and counteth 
 all my ste]is," for I know that my Redeemer liveth," "and though 
 after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see 
 God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and 
 not another, though my veins be consumed within me." and I now 
 mourn deeply under my affliction. 
 
 I will therefore more and more quietly hope, in the obedience of 
 faith, in the glorious resurrection of the just, having my "conver- 
 sation" "in heaven, from whence also" I "look for the Saviour, the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change" my "vile body, that it may 
 be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working 
 whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself," for "it 
 doth not yet appear what" I "shall be," "but" I "know that when 
 he shall appear," I "shall," with all other saints, "be like him," 
 for all the faithful and sanctified believers in his name, in the great 
 and general day of judgment, "shall see him as he is." 
 
 "Although," saith my spirit, "the fig tree shall not blossom, 
 neither shall fruit be in the vines; the fields shall yield no meat; 
 the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd 
 in the stalls, yet," under all my afflictions and privations, "I will 
 rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation; the Lord 
 God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and 
 he will make me to walk upon mine high places;'" even the high 
 and holy way cast up before me in the Avisdom of truth, wherein I 
 need not fear what man can do or say about me, for he only can 
 have great tranquility who walks upon the high and holy ground, 
 and abides in the name of God, whose happiness depends not on 
 the praise and dispraise of man. If his conscience be pure he would 
 be contented in every condition, and undisturbed by the opinions 
 and reports of man concerning him, for man's commendations can 
 add nothing to his holiness, nor his censures take anything from it. 
 What he is, he is; nor can the praise of the whole world make him 
 greater in the sight of God. The more, therefore, his attention is 
 fixed upon the true state of his spirit, the less will he regard what 
 is said of him in the world. Man looks only on the face, but God 
 looks on and searches the heart, — man considers only the outward 
 act, but God the inward principle from which it springs. 
 
 Let me therefore more and more, — in the hope and in the faith 
 of the glorious and everlasting gospel, under all the circumstances 
 of this life, — seek ever to be accounted worthy to walk, Avhile in 
 
348 J0U1{XAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1852 
 
 this life, in the high and holy way cast up for the righteous in eveiy 
 age of the world through the mercy of him '"who hath measured 
 the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with 
 the span, and comprehend the dust of the earth in a measure, and 
 weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance,'' for ''it 
 is he" alone ''that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the in- 
 habitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the 
 heavens as a curtain, and sj^readeth them out as a tent to dwell in. 
 Praised be his name forevermore! Amen. 
 
 It appears to me in many instances that Great Britain is now one 
 of the most interesting spots of all our mighty and stuj)endous 
 globe. Her vast wealth, her splendor in many instances, and the 
 various distinctions in civil and religious society therein mani- 
 fested, from the crown down to the poor, ragged and solitary beg- 
 gar — the appearance of these things to me was humbling and im- 
 posing, for I saw not only the Queen thereof, her husband and their 
 children, but also the various ranks and stations in civil and relig- 
 ious society, down to the poor, degraded beggars, who appeared to 
 be dependent on the benevolence of the people for their support. 
 
 In traveling to and fro on this conspicuous island in the prosecu- 
 tion of a gospel mission, the mercy and the judgment of God mani- 
 fested to the people of this island in former ages were often brought 
 to my remembrance, with a conviction, I believe, raised in nw heart 
 through the operation of the spirit of truth, that God hath a seed, 
 a precious seed, scattered abroad therein, and he hath a people 
 there in the various Christian and evangelical denominations, that 
 fear his name and walk in his ways: a people who oftentimes do 
 Worship him in spirit and in truth; and with these precious ones, 
 both among Friends and others, I felt myself sweetly united in a 
 degree of that love which preserves unity and harmony, not only 
 among all the hosts of the heavenly intelligences, but also among 
 all the family of the household of faith and gospel fellowship, where 
 it has the entire reign and government in the heart. 
 
 And these dear brethren and sisters manifested towards me the 
 warmest friendship, unity, kindness, tender Christian sympathy, 
 and a desire for my preservation and encouragement on every hand; 
 and very often was my soul poured out in prayer and sui)plication 
 on behalf of the inhabitants of this island, under a i)elief that not- 
 withstanding the existing sin and iniquity abounding therein, yet 
 God will again and again extend his mercy, judgment and visitation 
 to this island, and cause righteousness more and more to branch 
 out therefrom, less or more throughout the earth, till the kingdoms 
 of this world shall become subservient to the controlling power and 
 government of the adorable Prince of Peace. 
 
 AVhile traveling in Europe on a gospel mission, friends were care- 
 ful on all occasions to see me furnished with suitable company and 
 with every other necessary accommodation throughout the whole 
 
1852 JOURNA]. OF THOMAS AKNETT. 34'.> 
 
 journey, that appeared to be neeilful to promote the prosecution of 
 the weighty concern resting upon me for the good of souls. 
 
 In passing from place to place among Friends in Great Britain, 
 Ireland and elsewhere, I have been affected with sorrow when my 
 lot has been cast in the families of Friends where I have met with 
 so much lukewarmness that there appeared to be no disposition 
 manifested to converse on religious subjects; and many such fami- 
 lies I have found in my travels in our religious society over whom I 
 have mourned with much heaviness of spirit; and such of our mem- 
 bers, without a reformation in the light of truth, will never grow 
 in the grace of God, nor in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 because they neglect one of the most imj^ortant religious duties as 
 inculcated by the great head of the church, in this language: 
 •' Hear, Israel, the Lord our God is our Lord, and thou shalt 
 love the Lord as thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, 
 and with all thy might: and these words, which I command thee 
 this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them dili- 
 gently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when tlK)u sittest 
 in their house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou 
 liest down, and when thou sittest up, and thou shalt bind them for 
 a sign upon thine hand, and they shall ))e as frontlets between thine 
 eyes." What a sorrowful consideration it is that so many of our 
 numbers live in the daily neglect of this very important religious 
 duty, manifesting by conduct and conversation more concern for the 
 things of this world than to live daily in the peace and love of the 
 everlasting God ; for according to the testimony of truth it appears 
 that "they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and 
 the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was 
 written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought 
 upon his name." This is the experience, I believe of all the chil- 
 dren of the Shepherd of Israel in every age of the world. Nothing 
 can more interest and delight them than to be engaged in the duty 
 of the morning and the evening sacrifice of family worship as well 
 as in ail their other domestic relation and religious duties, they 
 with purity of heart meditate in the law of God both day and night, 
 and out of such sweet meditation will flow oftentimes, as out of 
 a hidden treasury, that edifying conversation which springs up 
 under the power of the cross of Christ, and thereby the great and 
 iioly name will be magnified, and they more and more mutually 
 helped and strengthened in the way of life and salvation. 
 
 In closing this account in regard to my gospel mission and la))ors 
 to the people of Europe, I will here give a place for tlie record of the 
 testimony of those professing with Friends in France, in regard to 
 my service in that country, which was duly furnished to me. 
 
 Dear Friends : We write to you in a feeling of deep gratitude to the 
 Lord, in that it hath pleased him to send among us in his mercy 
 our dear and much esteemed friend Thomas Arnett, to visit us in 
 
350 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1852 
 
 the love of the gospel. The labors of this dear friend among us, 
 both private and public, have been to man}' a great spiritual advan- 
 tage. His conversation and his ministry in our meetings, as well 
 as in those for the public held at his request, have given proof that 
 this dear friend has been led and guided by the spirit of the Lord. 
 We desire that our God may continue to bless him and to make 
 him more and more an instrument of good among his people. 
 
 In the name of the two months' meeting, held at Congenirs the 
 19th day of the First month. 1851. 
 
 And signed on behalf thereof, by 
 
 Jules Paradon, Provisional Secretary. 
 
 I beseech thee. holy and glorious God, to remember mercifully 
 how I have walked before thee in the prosecution of thy truth, with 
 a sincere desire to serve thee with a perfect heart and with a willing 
 mind. Remember also my deep afflictions, for I. have no one upon 
 the earth to whom I can unbosom the sorrows of my heart; but in 
 a solitary place, '"like a crane or a swallow," oftentimes do "I chat- 
 ter" in my heart before thee, and "'mourn as a dove," so that "mine 
 eyes fail Avith looking upward." "0 Lord," "undertake for me," 
 "thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corrup- 
 tion, for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back." Worthy is 
 thy name forever I 
 
 Bless, I pray thee, all the labor Avhich I have performed in the 
 love of thy glorious and everlasting gospel, so that souls tJiereby 
 may be gathered into thy heavenly and ever blessed kingdom. 
 
 Lord, my God, thou art my supreme and consummate good; 
 and who am I, that I should presume to open my lips before thee? 
 I am thy least and most unprofitaljle servant, for I have done 
 nothing to merit thy salvation, yet remember me, Lord, and have 
 mercy upon me. for without thee I can do nothing. Thou art alone 
 just, holy and good; thy power is infinite, and the manifestations of 
 it boundless; thou fillest all things. 0, therefore, more and more 
 fill my heart with thy love and with thy peace. 0, turn not thy 
 face from me; delay not thy fatherly visitation, and suspend not the 
 consolation of thy spirit, and let me daily grow stronger and 
 stronger in thy grace and in true saving faith. Let tliy truth 
 teach, protect and preserve me to my final redemption, and let it 
 deliver me from every evil temper and inordinate desire, so that I 
 may walk before thee in the glorious liberty of thine everlasting 
 gospel. 
 
 1 bless thee. heavenly Father, the father of my Lord and 
 Saviour .Jesus Christ, that thou hast vouchsafed to remember so 
 poor and so unworthy a creature as I am! Father of mercies and 
 God of all consolation, I give thee most humble thanks, that, un- 
 worthy as I am of all comfort, thou hast been pleased to visit my 
 soul with the light of thy countenance oftentimes in my pilgrimage 
 life. I ascribe to thee, God, and to thy well-beloved Son, and 
 
1852 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 351 
 
 thy Holy Spirit, the comforter^ blessing, praise and glory forever and 
 ever. 
 
 Lord, my God. from thy instructions and my own experience, 
 I learn the most absolute necessity of patience, for this fallen state 
 is full of adversity and temptation. 
 
 Send me thy spirit, most merciful Saviour, from the throne of 
 thy glory, that it may be present luith me and labor with me, and il- 
 luminate, sanctify and bless me forever. Enable me always to will 
 and desire that which is most dear ami acceptable to thee; let thy 
 will be wholly mine, and let it reign in me to thy glory and to thy 
 honor. 
 
 Open my heart, Lord, in thy law, and teach me to walk in 
 thy commandments. Give me understanding to know thy will, 
 iind to remember, with faithful recollection and profound rever- 
 ence, thy innumerable benefits and blessings granted mercifully to 
 me all my life long, and lift up the light of thy countenance upon 
 my soul, that every thought in me which is vain may vanish be- 
 fore it. This is my strength and comfort, to fly to thee in every 
 tribulation and distress, to confide in thy support, to call upon thee 
 from the lowest depths of my heart, and patiently wait for the 
 superior consolations of thy good spirit. 
 
 God, uphold me with thy free spirit, strengthen me with might 
 in the inner man. send me thy wisdom from the throne of thy 
 glory, that I may seek to know thee altogether; that I may love thee 
 and delight in thee above all things, and that I may understand 
 more and more all thy will concerning me Avhile in this fallen, tribu- 
 lating world. 
 
 my God, what a sujjerior portion of grace do I still want to be 
 able continually to turn to thee when trouble comes, for I am poor 
 jind needy. eternal light, infinitely surpassing all that thou 
 illuminatest, let thy brightest beams descend upon my heart and 
 penetrate its inmost recesses. purify, exhilerate, enlighten and 
 enliven my spirit, that with all its powers it may adhere to thee 
 in raptures of triumphant joy. When I am cast down in spirit, 
 and when this world frowns upon me, then protect and sustain 
 me, to the comfort of my soul. 
 
 my God, what is my confidence in this life, and what my com- 
 fort in the possession and enjoyment of all things under heaven? 
 Is it not thee alone, whose mercies are without number and without 
 measure? In the multitude of thy tender mercies, turn unto me, 
 and hear the prayer of thy poor unworthy and afflicted servant, 
 and more and more in thy mercy turn all my adversity and calamity 
 to the glory and to the advancement of thy good and righteous cause 
 in the earth. 
 
 my God, let thy good spirit more and more so effectually work 
 in my soul both day and night, both to will and to do of thy good 
 pleasure, so that under all the circumstances of this life, the ac- 
 
352 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 18.52 
 
 ktiowleclgcment of this testimony, in true and saving faith in thy 
 name, may be my blessed experience. I liave learned, in whatso- 
 ever state I am, therewith to be content. 
 
 worthy and adorable Saviour, the righteous Advocate with the 
 Father, and the merciful Mediator between Cod and men. advocate 
 for me, I beseech thee, a poor, unworthy worm of the dust ; and 
 let thy good spirit so operate in my heart that a disposition maj^ Ije 
 wrought in me. that when thou art pleased in any way to call me 
 forth in the public labor of thy glorious and everlasting gospel, there 
 may be in me a ready obedience of faith to go forth in thy holy 
 name, in the light of thy countenance, and in the power and au- 
 thority of thy all-sufflcieiit word: and let me, under thy holy con- 
 trol and government, brighten up in the spirit of my mind more 
 and more^ so that my latter day maybe, under thy mercy and grace, 
 my best dav; and let all my future life tend more and more to the 
 glorv of thy name and the honor of thy cause. 
 
 0" Lord, my God, I beseech thee, mercifully to bless my latter end 
 more than my beginning; and neither ''forsake me" nor be "far 
 from me," for without thee I can do nothing; but in thy name, and 
 in the peace of the love of thy gospel, I can bear all things; where- 
 fore, in the obedience of faith, "'I commit the keeping of" my 
 ])recious soul to thee, "in well doing as unto a faithful Creator." 
 Praised be thy name forever. Amen. 
 
 1 have in all my extended travels and labors, in the mission of 
 the glorious and everlasting gospel, acknowledged in the spirit of 
 Christian charity, true and sincere Christians of every church as 
 my brethren and sisters beloved in the Lord; for, according to the 
 testimony of Scriptures, all true Christians who are regenerate, who 
 really believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and desires to obey his com- 
 mandments, according to the degree of light afforded them, are 
 subjects of his spiritual kingdom, and members of his universal 
 church; for he hatli said, "there shall be one fold, and one Shep- 
 herd." Whatever may be their advantages or disadvantages, their 
 reputation, or disrepute among their fellow ])eings, or, to express 
 the same in spiritual language, the members of the true churcli 
 of Christ are those everywhere, who have been " l)aptized by our 
 spirit into our body," who believing in Christ, abide in him, as the 
 branches in the vine; and who "hear his voice and follow him," as 
 tiie sheep hear and follow their shepherd. 
 
 Though Christ's church is termed universal, because limited to 
 no one body of men, yet how small is tlie number of its real mem- 
 bers, as compared with the bulk of mankind, or even with the many 
 who are his professed followers ! And Avhy is it thus ? but l)ecause 
 in acts we too often deny him whom in words Ave acknowledged, 
 because our hearts and lives are not subject to his spirit. 
 
 Notwithstanding the l)old assumption of particular denomina- 
 tions or classes, it is our high privilege, if we are true Christians. 
 
1852 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 353 
 
 to believe that ''one is our Master, even Christ, and tliat all we are 
 brethren." Consoling and humbling is this view of the groat 
 brotherhood — the universal church of Christ, consisting even ou 
 earth of a ''great multitude which no man could number, of all 
 nations and kindreds, and people, and tongues/' "washed and 
 brought nigh by the blood of Christ," partakers of his grace and 
 redemption. And the nearer they are brought to him, as the com- 
 mon center and fountain of their faith, righteousness and hope, 
 the nearer, also, will they assuredly be brought, one to another, in 
 him, and united in a sense of his heavenly love. Is not this " the 
 holy Catholic church," and the true "communion of saints ?" 
 
 While each feels a deep convictiou of the truth of that view of 
 gospel doctrines which he especially professes, and a living interest 
 in its wide diffusion, his heart is expanded with love to others, who 
 hold the great truths of our common religion in a devout Chris- 
 tian temper, but who may yet in some respects differ from him in 
 the mode of apprehending or expressing them. He cannot, indeed, 
 have fellowship with darkness and error, but feels bound to reprove 
 them; yet he can thankfully unite with that which is truly good in 
 whomsoever it is found, and can rejoice in its existence and ex- 
 tention. Painfully sensible that he himself is not free from igno- 
 rance, frailties and infirmities, he will be ready to make allowance 
 for defects in others, whose advantages may not have been equal to 
 his own; remembering the searching apj)eal of our Lord, "let him 
 that is without sin cast the first stone." 
 
 So diversified are we in the constitution of our minds, in the 
 measure and nature of our gifts, and in the tendency of education 
 and experienne, that it is not to be expected, in this imperfect state, 
 even with the same good spirit for influence and direction, that all 
 men should perceive or feel exactly alike. As there is a pleasing 
 variety in the outward and material system, so, doubtless, differ- 
 ences were wisely permitted in the mental and spiritual constitu- 
 tion, and must, in the nature of things, exist, for good hidden 
 purposes. 
 
 While, therefore, we hold fast the truth as made known to our- 
 selves, let us regard charitably all the differing results of the pres- 
 ent varied organizations, and thankfully accept those means which 
 an All-wise Creator has placed within our reach for the harmony, 
 the happiness and the benefit of ourselves and of others. 
 
 Even in the apostolic times, the views of all the believers did not 
 exactly accord on every point. Some esteemed one day above 
 another, others esteemed every day alike. One believed that he 
 might eat all things — another, who was weak, restricted himself to 
 herbs. Which of them had authority to determine that his own 
 view alone was right, and that all other views were wrong? or to 
 thank God that he was not as other men were ? or to condemn the 
 rest as heretics or schismatics ? The injunction of the Apostle 
 
354 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 1852 
 
 Paul was, that they should not judge or despise one another, but 
 that every man should be fully persuaded in his own mind. 
 
 And, indeed, inconsiderable and occasional difference of senti- 
 ment, when allowed to operate rightly, by constraining us to ex- 
 amine more closely our own experience and evidence,-tcnd, through 
 the power of divine grace, to strengthen our standing and to call 
 up some of the finer feelings of the chastened mind, in humiliation 
 of self and in charity towards others. As the various but nicely 
 adjusted physical influences retain the heavenly bodies in beautiful 
 order in the firmament, each occupying its right position and pur- 
 suing its respective orbit, so may the different states and well-bal- 
 anced attractions of Christian feeling, operate under the divine 
 blessing on the humble and obedient mind, tending, without com- 
 promise or unfaithfulness, to maintain in harmony denominational 
 zeal on the one hand, with a good degree of charity and fellowshi}) 
 towards all who may in some respects differ, on the other; and j)re- 
 scrving alike close attention to individual judgment and duty, 
 amidst general forbearance, moderation and love. 
 
 To the maintainance of entire religious duty, two elements appear 
 to be essential — the one, an agreement on the doctrine entertained; 
 and the other, a right frame of mind to uphold them. Full Chris- 
 tian fellowship depends greatly on the amount of both, and is ob- 
 structed by a deficiency in either. Even a large degree of ortho- 
 doxy may be professed in a pharisaical self-righteous spirit, and the 
 truth may be held in unrighteousness; while, on the other hand, 
 f-o great is the divine condescension that, though the spiritual eye 
 may be but partially opened to the discoveries of divine truth, and 
 may be able to see men as trees walking, yet the heart may be 
 Avarmed and expanded with the influences of heavenly love. Be- 
 tween such, if they truly love Christ, though they may not see 
 altogether alike, there may be a consoling degree of Christian unity 
 and charity. How many of us, alas, are in this half-enlightened 
 condition, for want of maintaining a larger measure of faith and 
 obedience! Well is it for all, in this state of limited apprehension, 
 in which we see but in part, often to remember the vision sent for 
 the instruction of Peter, that zealous Israelite, that he might not 
 judge severely and partially, when the voice came to him from 
 heaven, "What God hath cleansed, that call thou not common." 
 We shall then be brought to confess with him, "that God is no 
 resi)ecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and 
 worketh righteousness is accepted with him." 
 
 The humble believer will desire to bear in mind that all are par- 
 takers of divine benevolence and light, that Christ died for all; 
 that the grace of God has appeared to all men, and that to his own 
 master every man must stand or fall ; thankfully sensible that the 
 re(|uirements from each will be in just proportion to the degree of 
 grace and opportunity afforded, he will rejoice in the assurance that 
 
1852 JOLKNAJv OF THOMAS ARNETT. 355 
 
 the universal church of Christ knows no natural distinction of 
 color, clime, class or people; that God giveth to all men liberally, 
 and upbraideth not; and that all' are invited to be fellow partakers 
 of life and salvation. If tempted to inquire, ''and wduit shall this 
 man do ?" he will recollect that the reprehensive answer was, " What 
 is that to thee ? Follow thou me." And while endeavoring closely 
 to fulfill his own convictions of the truth, he will humbly rejoice to 
 say, " Grace be with them that love the Lord Jesus Christ with 
 sincerit3^ 
 
 The true church of Christ consists of members of all the visible 
 churches in the whole world, who, in the sincerity of their hearts, 
 perform the will of God, and serve him both day and night with a 
 perfect heart and with a willing mind; walking with him in the 
 obedience of faith, according to the teaching and the leading of his 
 good spirit, manifested in their hearts, being faithful in the way 
 of the path of the just, which is as the shining light that shineth 
 more and more unto the perfect day, living nigh him in the spirit 
 of their minds, and near one another in the unity of the spirit, 
 in the bond of peace. 
 
 These will be finally accepted, whatever denomination or name 
 they may have borne among men, and will, in a glorified state, form 
 part of that great company, which the evangelist, in the vision of 
 God, saw gathered before him, even "a grccit multitude which no 
 man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and 
 tongues," surrounding the throne and uniting in the song of " sal- 
 vation" and of "worship." 
 
 And it was made known to the evangelist that "these are they 
 which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes 
 and made them white in the blood of the Lamb ; therefore are they 
 before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his tem- 
 ple, and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them ; 
 they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall 
 the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the 
 midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto liv- 
 ing fountains of waters ; and God shall wipe away all tears from 
 their eyes." Blessed be his name forevermore ! 
 
 The rise and progress of the Christian church is a scene of won- 
 ders and admiration. The dreadful persecution which assailed it in 
 the beginning is suificient to show that had not God himself been 
 the founder and the supporter thereof, it never could have been 
 preserved in branching out so wondrously among the civilized na- 
 tions of the earth. Jesus Christ himself was exposed to this perse- 
 cution in the greatest degree. After his death, resurrection, and 
 ascension, the apostles suffered every evil which the malice of the 
 Jews could invent, and their mad zeal execute. Like their holy 
 and divine Master, they w^ere despised and rejected of men, and 
 treated with the utmost indignity, cruelty, persecution and con- 
 tempt. 
 
356 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1*52 
 
 The liistory of the apostolic church is a series of wonders. 
 Every-thing that could prevent such a church from being 
 established, or could overthrow 'it when established, is brought 
 to bear against it. The instruments emploN^ed in its erec- 
 tion and defense had neither might nor power, but what came im- 
 mediately from God. They work, and (rod works with them and 
 through them. The church is founded and built up in the most 
 holy faith, and its adversaries, with every advantage in their favor, 
 cannot overthrow it. Is it possible to look at this without seeing 
 the mighty hand of God in the whole? He permits devils and. 
 wicked men to work; to avail themselves of all their advantages, 
 yet counterworks all their plots and designs, turns their weapons 
 against themselves, and 2)romotes his cause by the very means that 
 were used to destroy it. How true is the saying : There is neither 
 might nor counsel against the Lord. 
 
 This ancient promise has been abundantly realized in the experi- 
 ence of the true church of God in every age of the world. ''As thy 
 days, so shall thy strength be. There is none like unto the God of 
 Jerusalem, who rideth upon the heaven in th}' help, and in his ex- 
 cellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and under- 
 neath are the everlasting arms; and he shall thrust out the enemy 
 from before thee, and shall say, destroy them." 
 
 The apostle describes the true and living members of the church 
 of Christ "as lively stones," who "are built up a spiritual house, 
 an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God 
 by Jesus Christ." The true and upright believers in the church 
 are they who have been "washed," and "sanctified," and "justi- 
 fied in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God," 
 whose " conversation is in heaven; from whom also " they " look 
 for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile 
 l)ody, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, accord- 
 ing to tlie working whereby he is able even to subdue all things 
 unto himself.^' 
 
 The glory of the church of God, under the Christian dispensa- 
 tion, consists not in stately buildings, and rich furniture, for tliis 
 agrees not with its spiritual nature. Its true and genuine beauty 
 is to grow in spirituality, so as to have the presence of God, and 
 his glory filling it as a cloud, and it has been observed that the 
 more the church grew in outward riches and state, the less she 
 grew, or ratlier the more sensibly she abated in spiritual excellencies 
 and holiness. 
 
 In the Christian church there is no peculiar office of priesthood 
 for offering sacrifices, but his alone who is the head of it ; but this 
 dignity alluded to by the apostle, of an holy priesthood offering up 
 s{)iritual sacrifices, is common to all tliose who are in Christ ; as 
 they are living stones built on him, into a si)iritual house, so tliey 
 are priests and children of that same house, built \i\) by him, 
 
1852 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 357 
 
 who is "amiuister of the sanotnaiy, and of tlie true tabernacle, 
 which the Lord pitched, and not man." 
 
 Some time after my return to my own beloved country, a little 
 settling down in the spirit of my mind in the obedience of faith" 
 to feel for the arising of the will of the great head of the church 
 concerning me — in this experience I soon felt myself called upon 
 for renewed service in the discharge of my religious duty, under a 
 concern which impressed me, to appoint and hold many meetings 
 for divine worshij) among Friends and others in these parts, I sea- 
 sonably attended to this concern in the order of our religious 
 society, with the unity and approbation of Friends; and in the 
 prosecution thereof I held many meetings for religious worship 
 among the various Christian denominations, visiting for this pur- 
 pose pretty generally the cities and towns in these parts. Most of 
 these meetings were largely attended and eminently owned by the 
 glorious and everlasting truth, wherein the people generally ap- 
 peared to be glad and thankful again to see me engaged in the 
 mission of the gospel among them. 
 
 I abouts this time, and some time prior thereto, was induced 
 under solid religious concern to take the subject into serious con- 
 sideration, how and where I ought to spend my future precious 
 time, having no home of my own, and having neither wife nor 
 children to comfort me, but being under the necessity of living in 
 other peoples' houses; and although friends were kind to me in 
 opening their hearts and houses for my accommodation, yet I could 
 not feel satisfied without again having a home of my own, where I 
 could welcome and entertain my dear friends when they should be 
 inclined to come and see me. 
 
 While under this weighty consideration, waiting in the obedience 
 of faith for the counsel and direction of divine wisdom in this very 
 important matter, this language at length, I believe in the wisdom 
 of truth, saluted the ear of my spirit, that, "He who had given 
 and had taken away in the counsel of his own wisdom, hath already 
 anointed one to be joined to thee in marriage, who shall comfort 
 thee in the evening of thy life." In receiving this gracious visita- 
 tion, pointing out this pros]3ect before me, I was favored in the 
 obedience of faith to keep a single eye thereto, secretly pouring out 
 my soul in prayer and supplication to him Avho "searcheth all 
 hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts." 
 Knowing that I have none to look to for counsel and direction in 
 this weighty matter but to him alone, and knowing also that he 
 who first instituted the marriage covenant could even in this day by 
 his good spirit, wondrously and mysteriously influence and draw 
 together, to be united in this union, to the admiration of the wis- 
 dom of man, and whom he thus draws together for this purpose, 
 no person has any right whatsoever to interfere therewith, and also 
 whom he draws together and unites in this covenant, '^'^they are no 
 
358 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1852 
 
 more twain, but one flesh. "What, therefore, God hath joined to- 
 gether, let no man put asunder;" neither let any man, under any 
 ^circumstances whatsoever, while a prospect of this union is in 
 'view, and under consideration with the believers in Christ, and sub- 
 ject in true faith to his wise direction, undertake to interfere there- 
 with, for in so doing such will disquiet the spirit of their own 
 minds, and in degree be found guilty of sowing the seed of discord 
 and disunity in the church, for whatsoever interferes with and op- 
 poses in any degree the divine will, tends to scatter instead of 
 gathering into the true sheep-fold of Christ; and all the sanctified 
 members of tliis fold will more and more be concerned in Christian 
 love to labor harmoniously together for the. advancement of truth 
 and righteousness in the earth. • 
 
 While meditating on this subject, with feelings of deep humility 
 in the faith and in the hoi^e of tlie gospel, with prayer and suppli- 
 cation to be rightly directed in a matter of so great magnitude, my 
 mind was, I believe, in the light of truth, very affectionately in 
 Christian love turned towards my dear, worth}' and affectionate 
 friend Hannah Hudson, a devoted, intelligent and acknowledged 
 minister in our religious society, and daughter of Samuel and 
 Dinah Hudson, of Ireland, under whose Christian care she has re- 
 ceived a right training, and was brought up in the order of our 
 religious society, consistent with the principles of truth, in connec- 
 tion with a good, guarded, religious and literary education. And 
 as way opened in the truth, I informed her of my very affectionate 
 feelings towards her, proposing for her deliberation, at the same 
 time, the prospect renewed in my mind of our union in the mar- 
 riage covenant, and she, after a time of solid, deliberate religious 
 consideration, informed me of this proposal meeting her ap])roba- 
 tion, and the way being clear on every hand to consummate our 
 pros[)ect, we were therefore, in the order of our religious society, 
 with feelings of the deepest humility, united in the solemn cove- 
 nant of marriage on the 2d day of the lltli month, 1853 in a 
 large and highly favored meeting of Friends held at Miami meet- 
 ing-house, in Waynesville. This meeting was crowned with the 
 power of the glorious and everlasting truth ; and on the next day 
 after our marriage, with thankful hearts, we went and commenced 
 house-keeping at my own home in Waynesville, which I had some 
 time prior to this bought for our comfortable accommodation, wliere 
 we feel mutually comforted in spirit, and enjoy that true and sweet 
 peace of mind wliicli this world can neither give nor take away. 
 We feel in the spirit of our minds that the covenant of our mar- 
 riage is sanctioned and recorded in the Lamb's book of life. Praised 
 and adored be liis great and holy name, for he alone is worthy of 
 all adoration and worsliip, both now and forevermor'e. Amen, 
 
 After we settled and commenced keeping house, we regularly, 
 tlirough a religious concern that impressed us, adopted the prac- 
 
18&1 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AUNKIT. ooO 
 
 tice of sitting down together both morning jind evening of every 
 day for the purjiose of waiting upon God for the renewal of our 
 spiritual strength, reading on these occasions a suitable porti(jn 
 of the Holy Scriptures, believing that the observance of this duty' 
 is as much called for under divine grace as it is to attend all 
 our meetings for worship and discipline as they come in course, 
 and in the discharge of this duty we enjoy oftentimes "'the peace 
 of God which passeth all understanding." Praised forever be his 
 name ! 
 
 In the course of this year, 1854, many and various were the do- 
 mestic, relative, social and religious duties which engaged our 
 attention. Having recently settled ourselves, therefore for awhile 
 our time was much taken up in improving our little home, 
 and in procuring the additional necessary household furniture 
 to render us comfortable at home, and having also many 
 visits from Friends and others, which were, in degree, mutu- 
 ally strengthening and satisfactory, and in parting on such oc- 
 casions the language of sympathy and encouragement would 
 often be humbly reciprocated. In addition to the discliarge of 
 these various duties, we, with the unity of our dear friends, vis- 
 ited, in gospel love, most of the meetings of our quarterly meet- 
 ing, and also held, within those limits, a considerable number of 
 meetings among those not in religious profession with us. In the 
 prosecution of this visit the Lord's melting power attended our 
 gifts in the ministry to the reaching, and, we trust, to the awaken- 
 ing of many precious, tender and immortal souls. 
 
 During the forepart of the year 1855 our service was very much 
 in and about home, attending to our domestic, relative and relig- 
 ious duties, as they came in course, spending our leisure hours, as 
 is usual with us, in reading, writing and meditation. In the sum- 
 mer of this year we held a few public meetings within the limits of 
 our monthly meeting, to very good satisfaction. We also while en- 
 gaged in this service visited some families of Friends, to comfort 
 and edification. Our health in the latter part of this summer be- 
 came poor, the weather Ijeing exceedingly warm, but we were 
 thankful in feeling perfectly resigned to the divine will in all 
 things. In attending the service of our Yearly Meeting in the 
 autumn of this year, we were thankful in believing that the great 
 liead of the church was mercifully in the midst of us, enabling us, 
 in the various departments of this body, to move forth under his 
 gracious guidance. Our Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders 
 became deeply concerned for our preservation on the sure founda- 
 tion on every hand in this day of trial and conflict, in many in- 
 stances in our religious society. The following epistle of advice, 
 issued by this meeting, will, in degree, manifest this concern and 
 exercise of Friends: 
 
3li() JOL'RXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1854 
 
 '' From our Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders,, held at 
 White Water, Wayne county, Indiana, the 2d of 10th month, and 
 i>y adjournments, the 4th, 8th and 9tli of the same, 1855. — To 
 the Quarterly and Preparative Meetings thei'eto belonging: 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 "Our assembling together at this season, in the capacity of a 
 Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, was under an humbling 
 sense of our own unworthiness and utter inability of ourselves to 
 d(» any good thing; realizing the truth of the words of our blessed 
 Lord to his disciples, "without me ye can do nothing," but through 
 condescending goodness and mercy of our heavenly Father, he was 
 pleased to be in our midst, immediately by his good spirit, and to 
 favor us with the help of his dedicated servants and handmaidens 
 from distant parts, who labored harmoniously and acceptably 
 among us. 
 
 "Ministers and elders were exhorted to put on strength in the 
 name of the Lord, to put on the whole armor of God, that we may 
 be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, 
 seeking also to be clothed with wisdom from above, which is pure, 
 peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good 
 fruits, that we may thereby be enabled to fill the stations which we 
 now occupy to the honor of the Holy Head of the church. Thus 
 might we hope to be favored with ability, not only to take heed to 
 ourselves, but to the flock over which we are made overseers, and to 
 feed the flock of God that is among us, taking the oversight there- 
 of, not by constraint, but willingly ; not for tilthy lucre, but of a 
 ready mind, neither as being lords over (Jod's heritage, but being 
 ensamples to the flock, that when the chief Shepherd shall apjiear 
 we may receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away, 
 
 "Our attention was turned towards those who are young in the 
 ministry, desiring that they may be very tenderly watched over, in- 
 structed, and gently led along by the nursing fathers and mothers, 
 that the diffident and trembling ones may be encouraged and helped 
 on their way. 
 
 "A lively concern also prevailed for the ministry in general, that 
 all who have received the gift may minister the same as good 
 stewards of the nuinifold grace of God, 'If any num speak, let him 
 speak as the oracle of God; if any man minister, let him do it as 
 of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be 
 glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion 
 forever and ever,' Let all read the Holy Scriptures diligently, and 
 be careful neitiier to misquote nor misapply them. Let all study 
 to show themselves approved unto (Jod; Avorkmen that need not 
 be ashamed, rightly dividin;^ the wortl of truth. And above all, 
 let no one shun to declare all the counsel of God, according as it 
 may be rec[uired of them; but to seek in humility to l)elieve heart- 
 ily the whole doctrine of divine revelation, as recorded in the Holy 
 
185« JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXP:TT. 361 
 
 Scriptures, without stuml)ling or doubting, and to speuk the simple 
 yet powerful truths of the gospel in their fulness and without clip- 
 ping or evasion, according to their gifts, and as the Holy Ghost 
 may lay it upon them; that as the closing period draws nigh, they 
 may in good measure be enabled to adopt the language of the 
 apostle: 'Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure 
 from tiie blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare unto 
 you all the counsel of God.' 
 
 '"Earnestly have been our desires that we may be preserved in 
 tlio unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace, laboring for the re- 
 moval of all wrong things; and that as a united baud we may be at 
 our posts, standing as watchmen on the walls, ready to see and 
 chock all the subtle and specious devices of the enemy of all good, the 
 accuser of the brethren, that he may not be permitted in this day 
 of trial and division in some parts of our religious society, to make 
 an inroad within our borders, to the scattering of the flock. Many 
 are the devices of this cruel enemy, who desires to have us, that he 
 may sift us as wheat. He goes about not only as a roaring lion, 
 but as a cunning, subtle serpent, seeking whom he may devour; 
 and, dear Friends, may we be preserved from all his baits and 
 snares, and this we doubt not will be experienced as we resist him, 
 abiding steadfast in the faith, and keep strictly on the watch, for 
 'surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.' 
 
 '"Let us shun in ourselves judging and unfounded jealousy, and 
 check in others all evil surmising, whispering and back-biting; and 
 'let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil 
 speaking, be put away from' us, 'with all malice,' and let us 'be 
 kindly affectioned one to another.' 'forgiving one another, even 
 as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven' us. 
 
 ''A deep and lively concern was felt that our dear children may 
 be instructed in the principles of the Christian religion, and we 
 were affectionately reminded that it is not enough to train them up 
 iruplainness of speech, deportment and apparel, however excellent 
 this is, and not to be neglected, but that their tender and suscepti- 
 ble minds be early taught the necessity of a change of heart; that 
 without holiness no one can see the Lord ; that except we be born 
 again, we cannot enter into tlie kingdom of heaven; that it is by' 
 grace we are to be saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, 
 it is the gift of God; and that the first step in the great work of 
 sanctification is, 'repentance toward God, and faith toward our 
 Lord Jesus Christ.' 
 
 "Taken from the minutes of the meeting aforesaid. 
 
 "Joseph Doan, Clerk." 
 
 In the latter part of this year we visited, in Christian love, with 
 the approbation of Friends, West Branch Quarterly Meeting and the 
 meetings constituting it, and also held in those parts a considerable 
 nu)nber of meetings for those not in membership with us, and some 
 
362 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARXETT. 185S 
 
 of them were largely attended by peojDle of different religious i)er- 
 suasions. This visit, we believe, will long be remembered by many 
 for good, both among Friends and others, the Good Spirit being 
 with us, enabling us to move forth in demonstration of the spirit, 
 and with power, granting us strength, wisdom and utterance, to 
 the glory and honor of him who inhabits the praises of Israel. 
 
 In the opening of the year 1856 the weather was exceedingly in- 
 clement and cold, and continued so to be through the winter, the 
 ground being covered with snow about a foot deep, so that we were 
 thankful in being permitted through divine mercy to enjoy the com- 
 forts of our little home through the most part of this severe winter, 
 being the coldest weather that we ever saw in tliis countr3^ We, 
 however, in the latter part thereof, proceeded, with the concurrence 
 of Friends, in the prosecution of a religious visit to the meetings 
 of Friends generally constituting Fairfield and Center Quarterly 
 Meetings; and through the course of the following spring we were 
 enabled, through divine mercy, to pass through this visit to the 
 peace of our own minds, and we thought to the satisfaction and 
 comfort of those whom we visited. While engaged in this visit 
 we held many public meetings for those who are not in membership 
 with us, and some of them were largely attended by tender-hearted 
 people, who were open to receive the truth in the love of it. We 
 also while out on this mission occasionally visited, rather in a social 
 way, a number of families among Friends and others, to mutual 
 satisfaction and edification. This kind of visiting is very profit- 
 able when the conversation of the company is mutually guarded 
 and of a religious nature, but when the spirit of tale-bearing and 
 detraction on such occasions is indulged in, it is very injurious, and 
 opens the way for sowing and cultivating the seed of discord and 
 disunity among the brethren and sisters of the same household in 
 the mititant church. 
 
 In the autumn of this year. 185G, with the unity of Friends, we 
 left home with feelings of deep humility, with a i)rospect of visit- 
 ing Westfield Quarterly Meeting of Friends, and the meetings 
 constituting it. We also were engaged in the discharge of this 
 dedication, to hold a number of meetings for divine worship among 
 those not in religious profession with us, and in the prosecution of 
 this visit we Avere very thankful in believing that he who inhabits 
 eternity was with us, and mercifully granted us from day to day 
 strength, wisdom and utterance, to the glory of his name; and also 
 tending a little to advance his cause of trutli and righteousness in 
 the earth. While engaged in this service Friends and others were 
 very kind to us, manifesting that sym})athy towards us which lives 
 in the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace. 
 
 After passing through this visit to mutual satisfaction, we at- 
 tended the service of our Yearly Meeting, which was large and 
 mucli owned by the Good Shepherd of Israel, who mercifully man- 
 
1857 JOUKNTAL OF THOMAS AKN^ETT. HG.? 
 
 ifested his presence in our midst, and enabled us to Tnanago the 
 affairs of the church, in a good degi^ee, in the unity of the spirit, 
 in the bond of peace. The public general Yearly Meeting for 
 divine worship was very large, being held on the first day of the 
 week. It was thought that upwards of ten thousand people came 
 together on this occasion, for the accommodation of wliom we held 
 meetings both within and without the doors of the meeting-house, 
 which were seasons of much favor, and the pouring forth of gospel 
 ministry so that many were benefited and edified on this interesting- 
 occasion. 
 
 In the latter part of the summer of this year, 1857, with the 
 unity of Friends, after passing through many exercises and repeated 
 baptisms of the Holy Spirit, my dear wife and myself left home, 
 with feelings of deep humility and prayer to the Author of all our 
 sure mercies, with a jirospect of visiting, in the love of the gospel, 
 as way should open, Friends and others within tlie limits of New 
 Garden, White Water and Spiceland Quarterly Meetings of Friends. 
 
 In the prosecution of this concern the Lord was mercifully with 
 us, granting us strength, wisdom and utterance from day to day 
 and from place to place, to the glory and honor of his holy name; 
 and we believe, generally, to the benefit and edification of those 
 whom we visited. AVhile engaged in this work we visited the meet- 
 ings constituting those quarters, and held a considerable number of 
 meetings for divine worship among those not of our society, and 
 often had good religious service in the families of Friends where 
 our lot was cast. While under this engagement. Friends and others 
 were very kind to us, manifesting unity and sympathy for and with 
 us. We were enabled to pass through this dedication to the peace 
 of our own minds and to the satisfaction of Friends and others, in 
 time to attend the service of our Yearly Meeting in the autumn of 
 this year, which meeting was very large and graciously owned by 
 him who presides in and governs his own church. 
 
 We had acceptably with us several Friends engaged in the work 
 of the ministry from other Yearly Meetings, who had good religious 
 service among us. It was thought that while this meeting was in 
 session that about fifteen thousand people assembled to attend the 
 public meetings which we held for divine worship, both within and 
 without the meeting-house doors, and this large companyappeared 
 to conduct themselves with sobriety on this deeply interesting oc- 
 casion. ■ 
 
 W^hen this Yearly Meeting closed we returned home with peace- 
 ful and thankful hearts to him "of whom the whole family in 
 heaven and earth is named." 
 
 I have devoted much of my time in my pilgrimage life to religious 
 meditation, and being now thus engaged, it appears to me that man 
 may be considered as living in two worlds, the external and the in- 
 ternal — the world of outward circumstances and active duties, and 
 
364 JOUENAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1857 
 
 the world of thought, emotion and purpose. The temperaments or 
 habits of some incite in them a calm, meditative spirit. Life, in 
 many instances, is made up of dreams, of ideal pleasures, of finely 
 •wrought plans, seldom matured or carried into execution. Others 
 live altogether in the outward world ; they are active, industrious, 
 enterprising. The door of the heart is seldom opened ; an hour is 
 seldom rescued from the intense activities of life and devoted to 
 corhmunion with one's own spirit or with the Deity. The Bible 
 and religious books may be read, religious communications may be 
 listened to, meetings may be punctually attended, and yet the re- 
 ligion lie upon the surface and be expended in the performance of 
 external duties. 
 
 That this is the tendency in the churches at the j)resent day is 
 obvious to the casual observer. The great moral questions which 
 are exciting })ublic attention, the Christian enterprises that relate 
 to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, in this and other 
 lands, and the fields for usefulness everywhere opening around us 
 tend to draw the zeal and energies of Christians into these channels. 
 Nor would we abate, in any degree, this zeal or effort. We would 
 rather see them increase ; but we would not lose sight of the fact 
 that no Christian can neglect his secret duties, the care of his own 
 soul, without serious detriment to his spiritual interest. No 
 amount of external labor will compensate for a deficiency in this 
 resj)ect. To know God, to have the affections drawn out toward 
 the Saviour, to gain an experimental knowledge of the doctrines of 
 the Christian faith, we must obey the exhortation made by the 
 Apostle Paul to Tmiothy, ''' Meditate upon these things." Unless 
 they become the subject of distinct and protracted thought, unless 
 they are studied with somewhat of the feeling that inspires the phi- 
 losopher or the man of science in their investigations, unless they 
 are seized under a deep sense of personal interest and responsibility, 
 there can be little spiritual growth. 
 
 The apostles and early disciples, in the midst of the most arduous 
 labors and exciting scenes, felt the importance of an inward relig- 
 ious culture. Neither imminent dangers nor the demands for an 
 untiring vigilance to protect life, nor storms of persecution could 
 excuse them for the neglect of this duty. They were conscious 
 that their spiritual existence, hopes, happiness and usefulness de- 
 pended upon it. And the history of every distinguished Christian 
 from that day to the })resent, of every devoted servant in Christ's 
 army, of every faithful advocate for the truth in times of peril or 
 apostacy, reveals the efficacy and the absolute necessity of this in- 
 ward culture. 
 
 Let the Church at the present day add to its external resources 
 the forces to be gathered from frequent and deep meditation upon 
 spiritual themes and from the kindred duties of secret prayer, self- 
 examination and watchfulness, to which this naturally leads, and 
 
1857 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARN"ETT. 365 
 
 we slionld speedily see the results in an augmented spirituality and 
 religious joy in the multiplication of revivals and the rapid and per- 
 manent extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. Upon such a church, 
 with every doctrine of Christianity a living power in the soul, with 
 an individual consciousness of the divine presence and an indi- 
 vidual experience of the Saviour's love, the influences of the Holy 
 Spirit would be poured out. God could use such a church for the 
 accomplishment of his divine purpose. Each heart would he a 
 temple consecrated to his service. Each life would be a force filled 
 with divine power and sending forth streams that would make glad 
 the city of our God. 
 
 A concern having impressed my mind for some time past, to- 
 gether with a similar concern of my dear wife, to i^ay a religious 
 visit, as way should open, to Friends and others withing the limits 
 of the Northern Quarterly Meeting of Friends. We, with the sym- 
 ])athy and unity of our dear friends, set out on this prospect with 
 feelings of deep humility and prayer to God, after attending the 
 service of our Monthly Meeting held on the 25th of the 8th month, 
 1858, and proceeded immediately to the State of Indiana, and in 
 the prosecution of this concern we attended the service of the 
 Northern Quarterly Meeting of Friends, and visited in the love of 
 the gospel of peace and salvation most of the meetings constituting 
 it, and we also visited, in holding public meetings for divine wor- 
 ship, most of the towns and villages in those parts, and these meet- 
 ings were generally largely attended by Christians of the various re- 
 ligious denominations in those parts and by many others who make 
 no profession of the Christian name. In these meetings we were 
 mercifully enabled to labor in the might of the power of the Lord, 
 to the edification of the true, sincere believers in the name of the 
 blessed Saviour, and to point out to sinners the way of repentance 
 toward God and faith toward our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, so 
 that all these meetings ended to the glory of God. 
 
 This visit, upon the whole, was a season of eminent favor. The 
 great Head of the Church, throngh the spirit, was mercifully with 
 us, granting us from day to day a fresh supj^ly of his grace, wisdom, 
 strength and utterance to the glory of his name and to the peace 
 and comfort of our own minds. Blessed forever be his name ! 
 
 We were enabled through divine mercy to pass through this visit, 
 to the satisfaction of friends and others, in time to attend the serv- 
 ices of our large, highly favored and deeply interesting Yearly 
 Meeting, which was a season long to be remembered for good by 
 many dear friends and others ; for amidst the seasons set apart for 
 public divine worship several thousand jjeople met with us from 
 various parts of the surrounding coimtry wdio were not members of 
 our society, and all of this description generally behaved themselves 
 in a manner becoming the solemnity of the occasion, to whom, as 
 well as to friends, the glad tidings of the gospel of peace and salva- 
 
366 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1857 
 
 tion was preached in the demonstratiou of the spirit and with 
 power, for we had acceptably with iis many ministers of the gospel 
 from various parts of our society who were enabled to labor in the 
 truth to the edification of the Church and to the honor and glory 
 of the cause of ]ieace and rightousness in the earth. Praised for- 
 ever be the Lord ! 
 
 Much important business was transacted in this Yearly Meeting 
 in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, so that Friends were 
 refreshed and encouraged in coming together on this solemn, im- 
 pressive and very weighty occasion. 
 
 We passed through the service of this Yearly Meeting with peace- 
 ful and thankful hearts, and were favored after the close thereof to 
 return home with peace and comfort of mind. Praised be the Lord. 
 
 I have often, through the coarse of my labors in the gospel, in 
 opening and illustrating the great doctrine of Christian redemption 
 according to the scriptures, before my fellow beings, very much ad- 
 mired both the wisdom and power of God in the spread of the bless- 
 ings of Christianity to the nations of the earth. 
 
 Christianity is a social religion ; its virtues are of a character at 
 once binding and diffuse, and amidst all the fruits of the spirit, 
 there is none so delightful and none so distinguishing as that holy 
 love, of which God in Christ is the first object, and all mankind 
 the next, and which more especuilly unites in the bonds of the fel- 
 lowship of the gospel those persons, of whatever name or profes- 
 sion, who believe in the Lord Jesus, and are "baptized by one spirit 
 into one body." 
 
 Theirs is the " unity of the spirit in the bond of j)eace ;" " the 
 communion of the Holy Ghost." And this communion extends 
 itself from the church militant to the church triumphant. It 
 already brings heaven and earth together ; and its full perfection 
 will be known in that glorious day when the number of God^s elect 
 shall be completed ; when all distinctions of peculiar opinion shall 
 be forever lost amongst them, and when the universal society of 
 saints and angels shall unite in rendering unto the glorious and 
 everlasting God the same eternal tribute of obedience, thanksgiv- 
 ing, glory, honor, adoration and praise. 
 
 Christianity brings the favor of God very near to us. He meets 
 the perception of his reconciled children in every flower that 
 blossoms, in every star that shines upon them, and in every cloud 
 that passes over their heads. They find him in daily and hourly 
 contact with themselves, in his providential mercies and, in his pa- 
 ternal care. 
 
 To retire occasionally during the day, and especially at the be- 
 ginning and end of it, from worldly considerations, for the purpose 
 of self-examination and prayer, is a practice which Christianity 
 very much inculcates, and which affords a very important qualifica- 
 tion for the discharge of every other duty. 
 
isr.7 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 367 
 
 Christianity procures for all mankind the offer of a pure and sub- 
 stantial happiness. The true Christian is happy far above all other 
 persons, for various reasons : Because, though his sins may have 
 been many, he is reconciled to the Father, through the mediation of 
 the Son, Jesus Christ; because, notwithstanding his infirmity, he is 
 enabled to walk in the way of righteousness through the leading 
 and teaching of the Holy Spirit ; because a sense of the divine love 
 and approbiition dwells in his heart ; because he is taught to regard 
 every tribulation as a moral discipline directed to greater good; and 
 because he is animated through faith by the blessed hope of a future 
 joy perfectly replete in its nature, and eternal in its duration. 
 
 The principles which are common to all sound and devotional 
 Christians, are of infinite strength and efficacy ; amply sufficient to 
 unite in holy fellowship multitudes who entertain very different 
 opinions on subordinate questions of I'eligion. In this union, under 
 the providence and grace of God lies the strength very much of the 
 Christian cause. May it never be severed ; and may the happy and 
 glorious day roll on, under the economy of the everlasting gospel, 
 consistent with the divine will, when pure and primitive Christian- 
 ity shall abound in the world, and reign triumphant in the hearts 
 of all the children of men. 
 
 Christianity purifies and prepares us for the happines of heaven. 
 We can never take possession of the eternal inheritance which Christ 
 has purchased for us with his blood, unless we be restored, under 
 divine grace, to that likeness of God, in which our first parents 
 were created; for without holiness ''no man shall see the Lord," 
 and none can enter into that blessed and happy world but those 
 whose names are writtan in the " Lamb's book of life." 
 
 What tongue can tell, what heart conceive the joy which is reserved 
 in heaven for those who have here by the work of divine grace, been 
 assimilated to Jesus Christ! ''Beloved, now are we the sons of 
 God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know 
 that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see 
 him as he is. " If even in this Avorld we have been taught to love God 
 because of his moral perfections, and if our love for him has ever 
 been found to increase, as we have been enabled to advance in 
 holiness, what will be the increase and measure of our love I What, 
 therefore, the fullness of our happiness when the moral beauty of the 
 Deity shall be revealed to us in all its radiance, while our own ca- 
 pacity for appreciating it is unutterably enlarged ! Forever likened 
 to their Saviour, the risen and glorified children of the Lord will 
 experience in heaven the perfect blending of love and holiness; and 
 both these will be forever associated with unclouded joy. 
 
 It appears to me, according to the Scriptures, that both immedi- 
 ately after death, and when the glory of the saints shall be consum- 
 mated by the resurrection, it will be the happiness of the Lord's 
 children to be in the immediate presence of the blessed Saviour, in 
 
368 JOURXAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1857 
 
 intiinate and holy communion with him ; and also in sweet union 
 with the just, the righteous, and the good of every generation, to- 
 gether with all the angelic beings, all employed in adoring the great 
 God and the Saviour to all eternity. 
 
 A concern having impressed my mind for some time past to pay a 
 religious visit, as far as way may open to the meetings constituting 
 Western Yearly Meeting of Friends, and to appoint some meetings 
 in those parts for those who are not in membership with us, also to 
 appoint a few meetings on the way going and returning, and my 
 dear wife also being impressed with a similar concern, we therefore 
 seasonably spread this concern before Friends of our Monthly and 
 Quarterly Meetings, and receiving the entire sympathy and unity of 
 friends, they therefore granted us the needful certificates for the 
 performance of this dedication. We, on the 29th day of the Sev- 
 enth month, 1859, with feelings of deep humility, set out in the 
 prosecution of this weighty concern, and went to the house of our 
 dear friend, Thomas Miller, in wdiose company, with his carriage 
 and horses, on the next day traveled to White Water, in Indiana ; 
 and on the 21st, being the First day of the week, we attended the 
 meeting of Friends there, and held, in the afternoon, one for the 
 youth and others. These meetings w^ere large, and much ownetl 
 by the great and merciful head of the church. 
 
 Eighth month 1st. We this day paid a religious visit to our 
 Yearly Meeting boarding-school, in holding a meeting for divine 
 worship for the teachers, students and other who were concerned 
 in the institution. This visit was of a very interesting character. 
 The truth was with us, and enabled us to deliver suitable instruc- 
 tion and advice to good satisfaction. In the performance of this 
 duty we had cause to believe that this institution, if properly con- 
 ducted, will be a garden which the Lord wull bless, to the present 
 and future generations of many in our religious society. 
 
 The 2d. We this day traveled to the neigliborhood of Bethel, 
 and on the next day we were at Friend's meeting there, as it came 
 in course, and found much good service in the blessed truth. 
 
 After this we set out for Westfield wnth a prospect of attending 
 the service of Union Quarterly Meeting to be held there, where we 
 arrived in time to attend this meeting, wdiich commenced on the 
 5th and continued through this and the two following days, which 
 was a season long to be remembered. The meeting was large and 
 eminently owned by the great head of the church. 
 
 The Sth. We this morning held a public meeting at East Branch 
 for Friends and others, and in the evening we held one at Nobles- 
 ville in the court house. Both these meetings w^ere well attended, 
 and the Good Spirit being with us, we were thereby enabled to labor 
 in the Gospel to the ]icace of our own minds, and to the satisfac- 
 tion of the people. Blessed forever, be the everlasting God! 
 
 After this we proceeded in our visit, and held meetings through 
 
1859 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 3C9 
 
 the course of this week as follows: On the 9th at Hinkles Creek 
 in the forenoon, and one in the afternoon at West Grove ; on the 
 10th at Grreenwood in the forenoon, and one at Oakridge in the 
 afternoon ; on the 11th at Eagle Creek in the forenoon, and one at 
 Pleasantview in the afternoon ; on the 13th at Poplar Ridge, and 
 on the 13tli at Richland. All these meetings were well attended 
 by Friends and others, and the spirit of the Lord being mercifully 
 with us, we were therefore enabled to preach the Gospel in tiie 
 demonstration of the spirit and with power. 
 
 The 14th, being First day. We spent this day in the city of Indian- 
 apolis, and attended Friends' meeting in the morning, and held in 
 the afternoon a large meeting in Robert's Chajiel, a Metliodist meet- 
 ing house. Both these meetings were highly favored, opportunities 
 wherein truth reigned over all, and on the next day we held a 
 meeting in the morning at East Fork, and .one in the afternoon at 
 Centre. These meetings were well attended by Friends and others, 
 and much fiTvored with the doctrine of life and salvation. 
 
 The IGth. We this day held two large public meetings for 
 Friends and others, the first at Bush Grove in the morning, and the 
 other at Easton in the afternoon. The power of truth was over all 
 in these meetings, under the influence of which many were edified 
 and comforted ; and on the next day we attended Friends' meeting 
 at Plainfield, as it came in course, and had a very pleasant op})or- 
 tnnity with Friends. Praised be the Lord. 
 
 The 18th. We this day attended Fairfield Monthly Meeting, 
 where we met a large and interesting company of Friends, among 
 whom we found much good service in the ministry of the everlast- 
 ing gospel. 
 
 The 19th. This day commenced the service of the Quarterly 
 Meeting of White Lick, which closed on the 21st (being First day,) 
 with a meeting for the youth in the afternoon of that day. Many 
 Friends and others were in attendance, so that it was a large meet- 
 ing ;ind a deeply interesting season, wherein the gospel was 
 preached to the edification and comfort of many. After this meet- 
 ing we alfectionately parted with our dear friend Thomas Miller, he 
 feeling his mind now turned homeward. While he was with us we 
 traveled together in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. 
 
 In the further prosecution of our visit, we held meetings through 
 the course of this week as follows : on the 23d at Sugar Grove ; on 
 the 23d at North Branch in the forenoon, and one at Bethel in tlie 
 afternoon; on the 24th at Highland ; on the 25th at West Union 
 in the forenoon, and one in the afternoon at West Grove ; on the 
 2Gth at West Branch, and on the 27th at Spring meeting. All 
 these meetings were well attended by Fi lends and others, wherein 
 the truth reigned over all, our minds being opened in the illustra- 
 tion of the Christian religion to our admiration, many minds 
 
370 JOUKXAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1850 
 
 being humbled under the mighty power of God, and appeared to 
 receive the truth in the love of it. 
 
 The 28th, being First day, Ave this morning held a public meeting 
 at Mill Creek lor Friends and others, and in the afternoon we 
 met a large congregation of people at Danville, in the Baptist 
 meeting house. In both these meetings the Lord was with us and 
 enabled us to preach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit, 
 and with power. Praised forever be his name. 
 
 The 29th. We this day traveled upward of forty miles, to the 
 neighborhood of Bloomfield, and the next day we spent pleasantly 
 in visiting some families of Friends in a social and religious way to 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The o] St. We this day held a good open public meeting for 
 Friends and others, at Eocky Eun. The meeting was largely at- 
 tended and much owned by the great head of the church, who, 
 through the spirit manifested himself in our midst, and 
 granted us wisdom, strength and utterance to the glory of his 
 name, and to the benefit of the people. Praised be his worthy 
 name forever! 
 
 Ninth month 1st. We this day held a good public meeting 
 for Fj-iends and others, at Eush Creek. The m.eeting was large, 
 and many Avere tendered under the power of the glorious and ever- 
 . lasting gospel. 
 
 The 2d. We this day held a good open meeting at Annapolis, in 
 the Methodist meeting house, where Ave were much favored with 
 the word of life and sah^ation ; and on the next day Ave held a 
 meeting for Friends and others at Po]»lar Grove, Avhich, through 
 divine mercy Avas made a good season. Praised be the Lord I 
 
 The 4th, being Frst day, and a time of much favor Avith us, we 
 this morning attended the meeting of Friends at Bloomfield, and 
 in the afternoon Ave held a meeting for divine vvorshij^ at Eockville 
 in the Methodist meeting house. Both these meetings were very 
 large, Avherein truth reigned over all to the glory and honor of the 
 great head of the church. 
 
 The 5th. We on this and the next day traveled to the neighbor- 
 hood of Thorntown ; and these tAvo days Avere a season of deep and 
 jiroving l)aptism to us ; Ave Avere brought down in judgment before 
 God ; Ave mourned in spirit, and in prayer and supplication to him 
 Ave called for lielp, knoAving that Avithout him Ave should utterly 
 fall ; and he mercifully heard our cry and strengthened us in his 
 grace and in the power of his might. Praised forever be His great 
 name ! 
 
 The 7th. We this morning held a meeting for Friends and 
 others at Sugarplain, and in the evening Ave held a similar one at 
 ThorntoAvn, in the Methodist meeting-house. Both these meetings 
 Avere well attended, and the people therein Avere quiet and still, 
 among whom the life of the gospel was raised in a good degree into 
 
1869 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 371 
 
 dominion, so that way opened for us to labor in tlie truth, to the 
 comfort and praise of our minds and to the edification of those who 
 were in attendance ; and on the next day we attended Friends' 
 Meeting at Walnut Grove, which, through divine mercy, was made 
 a refreshing season. 
 
 The 9th. We this day traveled upward of thirty miles to Honey 
 Creek, where, on the next day, we attended the Monthly Meeting of 
 Friends, which was small in consequence of the great rain which 
 fell in the morning thereof. We were favored in this meeting with 
 the testimony of truth ; but Friends appeared to be so lukewarm, 
 that we thought our labor of love had not much place with them. 
 
 The 11th. Being First-day, we again attended Friends' Meeting 
 at Honey Creek, and notice being given of our attendance, it was a 
 large meeting, and way opened for us to preach the gospel of life 
 and salvation to good satisfaction ; and on the next day we returned 
 to the neighborhood of Thorntown with peace and consolation of 
 spirit. 
 
 The 13th. We this day held a good open meeting at Centre for 
 Friends and others, where the searching powers of truth went forth 
 to the humility and searching of many minds. Praised forever be 
 the everlasting God ! 
 
 The 14th. We this morning attended Friends' Meeting at 
 Gi'avelly Eun, where we met a number of interesting and well-in- 
 clined Friends, among whom we found pretty good service in the 
 testimony of the everlasting truth. In the evening we held a large 
 and deeply interesting meeting at Crawford sville, in the Methodist 
 moeting-house, where we met people of various classes and mem- 
 bei's of different denominations, among whom the doctrine of 
 Christian redemption was opened and illustrated to edification and 
 admiration. Blessed be the Lord ! 
 
 The 15th. We this day attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Sugar River, where we met a precious little flock of Friends, among 
 whom we found some good service, to mutual edification, comfort 
 and strength. 
 
 The 16th. We this day traveled to Plainfield, where, on the next 
 day, we attended the Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders of 
 Western Yearly Meeting of Friends, where we met with a number 
 of ministers, engaged in a similar concern with us, from various 
 parts of our religious society, with whom we were much united in 
 the fellowship of the glorious and everlasting gospel. 
 
 The 18th. Being First-day, and the time of the public Yearly 
 Meeting for divine worship, on which occasions meetings were held 
 in the morning and also in the afternoon, both in the meeting- 
 house and also out of doors, their being several thousand people in 
 attendance. We attended the service of divine worship in the 
 meeting-house ; and in the morning meeting I was very impres- 
 sively called upon ^;o deliver a weighty and powerful doctrinal testi- 
 
372 JOUJtNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 185» 
 
 mony, iu which I was engaged for about the space of one hour, 
 there being about three thousand people in the meeting-house, 
 among whom much Christian solemnity prevailed, and the life of 
 truth was raised over all, so that the righteous were much encour- 
 aged in the way of life and salvation, and sinners were called upon 
 to return, repent and live forever. Blessed forever be the glorious 
 and everlasting God I 
 
 The 19th. This morning the Yearly Meeting for discipline wa.s 
 opened, which continued its session by adjournments till the 23d, 
 inclusive. This Yearly Meeting, which branched out of Indiana 
 Yearly Meeting, in the order of our society, in the unity of the 
 .spirit, in the bond of peace, was opened and established at this 
 place one year ago ; and in our attendance of it this year we met 
 with a very interesting flock, there being upward of three thousand 
 Friends m attendance, among whom wo found much good service 
 for the Lord. 
 
 The 24th. We this day traveled to Greencastle, and the next 
 day being First-day, and a time long to be remembered for good by 
 many in tliis interesting place. In the morning we held a good, 
 large ahd interesting meeting iu the Presbyterian chapel, in which 
 the Lord was Avith us and granted us wisdom, strength and utti'r- 
 ance, to the glory of his name and to the edification and comfort of 
 tlie people. In the afternoon, at 3 o'clock, we held a meeting in 
 the college chapel room of Asbury University, where we mot up- 
 ward of a thousand people, including the professors and students of 
 the institution, together with the ministers of the various churches 
 in the place and many of their members and heai'ers. When the 
 meeting became gathered and settled in stillness, I arose in the spirit 
 and power of God and addressed the people about one hour, during 
 which time much Christian solemnity covered the meeting ; and 
 when I closed my testimony my dear wife was much favored with a 
 deep and weighty prayer to God for the various classes of people in 
 attendance, so that this meeting ended to the glory and honor i)f 
 him who sent us to this place ; and in the evening we also held an- 
 other meeting in the Methodist chai)el, which was likewise largely 
 attended, wherein the gospel was preached with life and power to 
 edification and comfort. Praised forever bo tlie miglity name of 
 the everlasting God I 
 
 The 2Gth. We this day traveled to Belleville, wlu're, on the next 
 day, we held a meeting in the Baptist meeting house, which was a 
 small but good meeting. Those in attendance were tender and 
 thankful for the favor bestowed on us. All the praise is alone due 
 to the Lord ! 
 
 The 28th. We spent this day very much in writing, reading and 
 meditation, and m visiting some families of Friends, to mutual 
 strength, edification and comfort. 
 
 The 2Uth. Wo this dav set out for Sand Creek, where we arrived 
 
18-W JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 373 
 
 on the next day in the evening, and were very kindly entertained at 
 a worthy Friend's house. 
 
 lOth month. 1st. AVe spent this day in quietness and in resting, 
 and the next day being First-day, we attended the meeting of 
 Friends at Sand Creek, and many coming in who were not mem- 
 bers with us, so that it was a large and good meeting ; and in the 
 evening we held a precious, open and large meeting at Columbus, 
 in the Presbyterian meeting-house. In this meeting the Lord was 
 with us and granted us wisdom, strength and utterance, to the glory 
 of his name and to the benefit and edification of the people. 
 
 The 3d. We this day traveled to Friends' neighborhood of Drift- 
 Avood, and on the next day in the evenmg we held a good aiid open 
 meeting at Seymour, in the Presbyterian meeting-house. The peo- 
 ple in attendance Avere still and quiet, among whom the gospel was 
 jireached to comfort and edification. 
 
 The 5th. We this day attended the meeting of Friends at Drift- 
 Avood, among Avhom Ave found much good service ; and in the after- 
 noon we traveled about tAventy-five miles to Sycamore Valley, Avhere, 
 on the next day, Ave attended the meeting of Friends, Avhere we 
 found a sincere and precious flock of Friends, among Avhom we were 
 comforted and refreshed in spirit ; after this we set out for the 
 neighborhood of Friends of Blue River, Avhere Ave arrived in time 
 to spend the 8th at the house of a very kind friend^ in quietness and 
 in resting. 
 
 The 9th. Being First-day, and a season of much religious favor 
 Avitli us, feeling pretty avcU in soul, spirit and body, we this day 
 attended the meeting of Friends at Blue River, which was well at- 
 tended by Friends and others, and in the afternoon we held a meet- 
 ing at Salem, in the Methodist meeting-house. In both these meet- 
 ings the Lord, through the spirit, was mercifully Avith us, and en- 
 abled us to jireach the Avord of his gospel to the edifying of the 
 upright in spirit and to the calling of sinners to repentance. 
 
 The 10th. We set out this morning for the neighborhood of 
 Friends of Lick Creek, where we arrived in the evening, and the 
 next day we spent pleasantly among Friends in visiting some of them 
 from house to house, as way opened, and on the 13th Ave attended 
 their PreparatiA^e Meeting, where we were favored with the testi- 
 mony of truth to good satisfaction. 
 
 The loth. We this day attended Newburg Preparative Meeting 
 .of Friends, held in Birch grove. This was a good and large meet- 
 ing, AA'herein we Avere much favored in gospel ministry and in prayer, 
 to good satisfaction. Blessed be the Lord! 
 
 The 14th. We this day set out for Jeft'ersonville, under a re- 
 ligious concern to visit the State prison of the State of Indiana, 
 where we arrived on the next day in the eA'ening, and were kindly 
 received by all the officers of the prison. 
 
 The IGth. Being First-day, and a time long to be remembered. 
 
374 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 185» 
 
 by us. Wefouml hv in(|niry, the number of tive liundred and forty- 
 two prisoners in this prison, eleven of wliom were women, among 
 whom we were granted any opportunity that wouhi be desired 
 among them in the discharge of our gospel mission toward them. 
 We therefore very much devoted the service of the day in this 
 prison. In the morning at 8 o'clock, we attended the Scriptural 
 school among them, and found it to be well conducted by the State 
 Cliaplain. The service of this school continued about two hours, 
 after which we had private opportunities with some of the prison- 
 ers, as way opened in the truth, and at 1 o'clock in the afternoon 
 came on the meeting for divine worship for all the male prison- 
 ers, held in the chapel-room, and after sitting awhile in silence 
 among them, I arose with feelings of deep humility, and addressed 
 them in the love of the gospel, at some length. They were very 
 attentive, and some of them were tendered, but others of them ap- 
 peared to be much hardened. After I took my seat, my dear wife 
 was drawn forth in a weight}^ manner in prayer and supplication on 
 their behalf, and then the meeting ended. Our next service was to 
 visit those in the cells; passing through the prison, and distributing 
 tracts among the prisoners, giving them at the same time suitable 
 advice, as way opened, all of which being received by them, and 
 after j^assing through this service we had a meeting among the 
 female prisoners, wherein the service mostly fell on my dear wife, 
 who addressed them at some length in gospel love, during which 
 time some of them poured forth their tears and cried out aloud 
 under a deep sense of their sin and transgression. After this meet- 
 ing our service closed in this jii'ison, the evening of the day having 
 approached. On jsarting with the prisoners, both men and women, 
 in many instances, with tenderness and with tears took their leave 
 of us; and we, on our part, in the engagement of the service 
 whicli fell u]ion us this day, also poured forth our tears, our 
 hearts being filled with sorrow in behalf of so many of our fellow 
 beings thrown into prison, in consequence of the commission of sin 
 and transgression. We, however, had cause to believe that these 
 poor prisoners were under good prison discipline, for which we 
 felt thankful, and in closing our service for this day we enjoyed the 
 sweetness of that peace of mind which passeth all understanding. 
 Blessed foi-ever be the name of the glorious and everlasting God I 
 
 The 17th. We this morning set out for Livonia, where we ar- 
 rived on tlie next day in time to attend an appointed meeting for 
 divine worship, in the evening, in the Presbyterian chapel, which,* 
 under divine grace, was made a precious and heavenly season. The 
 people in attendance were kind, affectionate, and thankful for the 
 opportunity. Praised be the name of" God. 
 
 The lOtii. We this evening held a good, open and heavenly 
 meeting at Paoli, in the Methodist meeting-house. The Lord was 
 with us in this meeting, and eiuibled us to labor in his name to 
 
18G0 JOURNAL OF THOifAS AllNETT. 375 
 
 the edification and satisfaction of the j^eople. Blessed forever be 
 his name! 
 
 The "^Oth. We this day lield a good open meetino- at Newbury, 
 for Friends and others, among whom we had much gospel labor, 
 we hope much to the benefit and edification of those in attend- 
 ance. 
 
 The 21st. We this day attended the Quarterly Meeting of Min- 
 isters and Elders of Blue Elver Quarterly Meeting of Friends held 
 at Lick Creek, which season with me was a low time. I mourned 
 in spirit, and felt destitute, and had to walk by faith and not by 
 sight. 
 
 The 22nd. In attending the Quarterly Meeting for Worship and 
 Discipline, we found much good service in the truth. My mind was 
 much opened in the love of the gospel in delivering a very en- 
 couraging testimony to Friends, adverting to the example of the 
 prophets and apostles, in regard to suffering affliction and main- 
 taining that true patience which divine grace inculcates. This 
 was a good and highly favored meeting. 
 
 The 23rd. Being First-day, and a time long to be remembered 
 "by many. The public meeting for divine worship was largely at- 
 tended by people of different religious persuasions, and also by many 
 who made no profession of religion. The service of this meeting 
 very much fell upon us, in which I was largely opened in the illus- 
 tration of the doctrine of Christianity, to the benefit, tenderness, 
 humility and edification of the people. Praised forever be the 
 name of the Lord ! 
 
 After this, feeling a quiet retreat granted us from this field of 
 labor, by him who sent us forth, we therefore turned our faces 
 homeward, where we arrived with true peace of mind, and with 
 thankful hearts, by carriage and railroad conveyance, on the 28th, 
 after beiug from home about the space of three months. 
 
 In the })roseeution of this journey, Friends and others were very 
 kind to us throughout the whole of this dedication ; so that we 
 found no difficulty in being conveyed from place to ]ilace, for 
 Friends were faithful in the discharge of their duty in waiting upon 
 us, so as to promote the cause of truth and righteousuess in which 
 we were engaged, and others were glad to receive us and kindly 
 to entertain us in parts where no members of our religious society 
 resided. 
 
 We beseech thee, Lord, everlasting God, to bless the service 
 of tliis dedication to many whom we visited in the love of thy gos- 
 pel; and carry on thy work in this world till ''the earth shall be 
 filled with the knowledge of" thy "glory" "as the waters cover 
 the sea." And thy will in all things be done. Amen. 
 
 In the opening of this year, 1860, I was inspired with deep hu- 
 mility and thankfulness to God for all his mercies and blessings 
 bestowed upon me. The language of my spirit was: "Bless the 
 
376 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. im 
 
 Lord, my soul, and all that is within me ; bless his holy name. 
 Bless the Tjord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits," who hath 
 forgiven all thine iniquities, and taketh care of thee under all the 
 circumstances of this life, executing for thee righteousness and 
 judgment, according to his mercy, loving kindness, grace, jireser- 
 vation, providence, truth and continual 23rotection. 
 
 Among the various services that fell upon me through the course 
 of this year was that, in the discharge of my religious duty, of 
 holding many public meetings for divine worship, for Friends and 
 others, around about in these parts, visiting in gospel love most of 
 the cities, towns and villages in this part of the country. The 
 most of these meetings were largely attended by people of different 
 religious persuasions, and in all of them the Lord was with me, 
 and granted me strength, wisdom and utterance to labor in the 
 gospel, to the glory of his name and to the benefit and edification 
 of the people, many of whom in many instances were broken down 
 into much tenderness, and had cause to acknowledge that of a 
 truth the Lord hath been with us on these solemn occasions. In a 
 number of these meetings my dear Avife participated with me in 
 this concern, and had much service in the gospel, and we were 
 thankful in believing that the Lord was jiouring out his spirit upon 
 the children of men. 
 
 It ap])ears to me that the Avoi'ld has passed through few more 
 eventful years than this. It has been marked by powerful revivals 
 and mighty revolutions. The current of affairs in civil and relig- 
 ious life has rushed on with all the force and fullness of a mighty 
 torrent, to the shaking and awakening of many. The gospel has 
 been preached, and many souls have been converted to God. May 
 he carry on the work of reformation in the earth, consistent with 
 the counsel of his own will, till the glorious day shall be realized 
 when "the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in 
 the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and 
 all nations shall flow unto it, and many people shall go and say, 
 'come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the 
 house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and 
 we will walk in his paths;' for out of Zion shall go forth the law, 
 and the word of the law from Jerusalem, and he shall judge among 
 the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat 
 their swords into ])lowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks. 
 Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they 
 learn war any more," and when "the earth shall be full of the 
 knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." 
 
 Amidst the excitement, agitation," Commotion and revolution, 
 rolling on among tke civilized nations of the earth in the jiresent 
 day, it appears to me that in this respect this country stands most 
 l)romineiit. 'J^'he signs of the times in this great republic have 
 long been portentous. The combined sins of individuals do more 
 
)8fio JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 377 
 
 or less form the accumulated iniquities of a nation, and the iniquity 
 of this country has come to be very great, and has reached up unto 
 heaven, and "in consequence thereof a very awful and dreadful 
 judgment has assailed our beloved country. 
 
 This government, ever since it was instituted, has been, it appears 
 to me, very much under slave-holding policy, so that all the presi- 
 dents and vice-presidents that have been elected, either the one or 
 the other have been slave-holders, till the election in the autumn of 
 this year, when the people who had the right of suffrage succeeded 
 in the election of anti-slavery candidates to the high office of presi- 
 dent and vice-president, who were elected by a very hirge majority 
 of votes, which was a dreadful shock upon the shive-holders and 
 upon slavery. 
 
 I have long believed that slavery in this coutitry would eventually 
 be abolished by peaceful legislation or through confusion and vio- 
 lence. I have now lost all hope of the peaceful abolition of slavery 
 in these United States. Much has been done for many years past 
 in various ways and forms, under divine grace, pleading witii the 
 rulers of this land to break off the sin of slavery and let the 
 opi)ressed go free, that the tranquility of this country may be con- 
 tinued uninterrupted; but all such warning and expostulation have 
 been resisted by the slave-holding policy. 
 
 It is an awfui consideration, that so far as I can trace back the 
 history of the human race, I discover the existence of the sin of 
 slavery. One of the most obvious causes of this sin is to be found 
 in the almost incessant wars wliich were carried on the early periods 
 of the world between tribes and nations, in which prisoners taken 
 in war were either slain or reduced to slavery. 
 
 Shivery never has been, nor never can be, instituted consistent 
 with the divine will. It is a sin that stands utterly repugnant to 
 the light of the Christian religion, and I believe that no civil gov- 
 ernment can stand on a sure basis where this enormous sin exists and 
 is cherished. This truth has been abundantly realized in this 
 country. The various churches in these United States have for 
 many years ])ast been dreadfully agitated and shaken in consequence 
 of the" cruel oppression of the African race, and in many of them 
 separations have been realized; and I believe that had all the 
 evangelical churches reared up a standard against slavery at or about 
 tlie time that the Society of Friends did, and concentrated their 
 ettorts with us, and labored in maintaining a faithful testimony 
 against this evil, as we have done, that slavery would have been 
 peacefully abolished before this time in this country; but now it 
 appears to me that it m;iv be abolished through violence and blood- 
 shed. 
 
 Througii the course of this year the census of the United States 
 was taken, according to the law of this land, the whole population 
 amounting to about thirty millions, there being about twenty mill- 
 
378 JOURN'AL OF THOMAS ARXETT, 18*) 
 
 ions in the free States, so called, and about ten millions in the 
 slave States, and about four millions of that number being slaves. 
 In the platform of the presidential election this autumn it was re- 
 solved that no more slave territory should be added to these United 
 States. In this resolution the sin of slavery was felt to be very 
 enormous, and, in consideration of the fugitive slave law being 
 supported by our general government, the conviction was felt that 
 this whole great republic is implicated in this terrible and awful 
 sin; therefore, it was and is the desire of many to take a firm stand, 
 so as to avert this evil from off the face of our beloved country, 
 which has prospered and improved, under divine providence, equal 
 to any country in all the world for the sjjace of upwards of the past 
 three-fourths of a centurj^ When the intelligence of all this move- 
 ment reached the slave-holders, seeing that the scejDter had departed 
 from them, and they not being willing to be governed by the ma- 
 jority, as is usual in a republican form of government, and being 
 also determined to hold on to the sin of slavery, in violation to the 
 right of man, many of them therefore revolted — violated their alle- 
 giance to the government of the United States — reared up their 
 defiance to the rightful rulers thereof, and went out into open re- 
 bellion, which "is as tiie sin of witchcraft," and is utterly incompat- 
 ible with the Holy Scriptures, for therein it is inculcated ''to be 
 subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready 
 to every good work." "Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, 
 resistcth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to 
 themselves damnation,'' so that a rebellion against civil government 
 is a terrible and awful sin. 
 
 It appears to me, however, according to the precepts of the gos- 
 pel, that the civil magistracy has no right to usurp authority over 
 tender, religious conscience. In matters of this nature God alone is 
 to be obeyed; yet when such usurpation does take place it is the 
 duty of all the followers of Christ, when their religious principles 
 come in contact with the civil authorities under which they live, to 
 bear patiently the persecution that may come upon them. This 
 has been the invariable practice of the genuine Church of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 It appears to me that the framers of the constitution and laws of 
 our general governmcjnt never intended the perpetual continuance 
 of slavery in this country. They were impressed, I believe, Avith a 
 sense of the just rights of man, in issuing this sentiment in the 
 Declaration of the Independence of the United States: "We hold 
 these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that 
 they are endowed by their Creator Avith inherent and unalienable 
 rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap- 
 piness." 
 
 The principles developed in this sentiment would, I ajjprehend, 
 if carried out consistent with the divine will, embrace every right 
 
18U1 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AUN'ETT. 379 
 
 opening for the peaceful abolition of the sin of slavery; for the 
 whole human family, without distinction as to nation or color, are 
 our fellow-beings, and are equally endowed, through the mercy of 
 God, with all the privileges, both civil, and religious, attendant on 
 the human race; for he "hath made of one blood all nations of 
 men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth," therefore all are 
 equally near and dear to him in the love of Christian redemption; 
 and it is the duty of all who fear and love him, who pray to him 
 consistent with his will, who worship him in spirit and in truth, 
 and who walk uprightly before him, to plead the cause of those who 
 are degraded and trodden down under cruel oi)i)ression, "to loose 
 the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the 
 oppressed go free;" and if all who profess the Christian name every- 
 where would, under divine grace, live in the faithful discharge of 
 these duties in that pure love which breathes "glory to God in the 
 highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men," then, I believe, 
 that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness would generally be 
 enjoyed in the earth. 
 
 in the fore part of this year, 1861, several of the Southern and 
 Southwestern slave-holding States revolutionized, and formed into 
 a separate government, without any just cause, violating the law of 
 God and of civilized nations. In this revolt many of the slave- 
 holders are guilty of the most awful treason and rebellion, for they 
 are endeavoring to revolutionize all the slave states into their pro- 
 posed separate government, and to overthrow tliis government; and 
 while there are many of tliis descrijjtion in all the slave States, yet 
 there are those in all of them who are loyal to this government and 
 advocate the faithful maintenance thereof. 
 
 This revolution thus rolling on with the horrors of sin and ini((- 
 uity, till in the si)ring of this year, when the rebels, contrary to the 
 laws of nations, opened fire upon one of the Southern forts of the 
 United States, which opened the way for defense by hostility, by 
 soldiers of this government, who were placed there according to 
 law for the defense thereof; thus civil w.ir being opened in our once 
 tranquil and prosperous country, and, in consideration of which, 
 our President issued his pioclamation, calling for a large number of 
 volunteers to organize out of the various States of the United 
 States, so as to stand ready, under his command, to go forth to put 
 down rebellion where it exists in this country, in consequence of 
 this revolt of the slave-holders. The free States, so called, are so 
 generally united that in the course (if a frw mouths, including 
 many loyal citizens of the slave States, upwards of six hundred 
 thousand troops volunteered^ organizid, and are now in the field de- 
 fending this government. 
 
 The insurgents, m nominating and appointing their officers, con- 
 trary to the usuage of a republican fuim of goverameut, assumed 
 the appellation of the Southern Coufederacy of North America. 
 
380 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. J861 
 
 Their President, so called, also ordered out a large number of 
 troops, to enable liini, togetlier witli his coadjutors, to carry on 
 their i-ebellious work; biit soon finding that they could not obtain 
 their troops by volunteering, adopted a very severe plan to force out, 
 under their command, ordering them into their army or leave their 
 States, and in this way they eventually gathered out into the field 
 upwards of four hundred thousand troops. 
 
 In consequence of such arbitrary procedure, in many instances 
 our dear Friends in the slave States were brought under extreme 
 suffering, and indeed all our dear Friends in this great republic are 
 brought under much trial in maintaining our testimony to the 
 peaceable nature of the kingdom of the Prince of Peace, and it is 
 he alone who can preserve us on the sure foundation in this day of 
 agitation, commotion and civil war. Since hostility commenced 
 there have been many battles fought in the slave States, those parts 
 being made the seat of war, and in some of those parts the country 
 is thrown into a disgraceful and awful anarchy, the rebels commit- 
 ting depredations and outrages on loyal citizens in various 
 ways and forms, perhaps not surpassed in the most darkened savage 
 parts of the heathen world. 
 
 Many have already, in this war, on both sides, fallen in battle, and 
 while the war spirit is much increasing within our borders, the 
 whole country, in consideration of carrying on a civil war, is brought 
 under very dee]^, awful, and intense excitement, together in many 
 instances with weepings mourning, and lamentation. 
 
 Tliis great country, which has sprung up in ^Jrosperity under the 
 hand of divine providence, to the wonder and admiration of the 
 civilized nations of the earth, has now become belligerent; and the 
 spread of so dreadful a calamity upon us, has much, excited the 
 civil authorities of the world, and aroused the war spirit in many 
 instances among the people of the kingdoms of the earth, so that 
 the present is an awful day, not only in this country, but in many 
 instances elsewhere. 
 
 In the approach of this dreadful calamity upon my country, I 
 was very deeply affected; I was grieved in sj)irit, I mourned in soli- 
 tary ])laces, I shed many tears, and poured out my soul in private 
 and in public, in jirayer and supplication to God on behalf of this 
 land. I cried out with the prophet in this language, " My bowels, 
 my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise 
 in me, I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, my 
 soul, the sound of the trumpet, tlic alarm of Avar, destruction 
 u])on destruction is cried." 
 
 It is, indeed, a "cloudy and dark day," " a day of wrath, a day 
 of trouble and distress, a day of wastencss and desolation, a day of 
 darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness," and 
 "a day of the trumpet and alarm against " slavery and many other 
 enormous accumulated sins, evils, iniquities, and transgressions 
 
i8»;i JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 381 
 
 committed in this country; and I believe that these troubles and 
 calamities will never fully subside till slavery in some way or other 
 is abolished in this great republic. 
 
 Under a sense of the turning and overturning of the hand of 
 God upon this guilty nation, in consequence of sin and transgres- 
 sion, I also cried out with the proiahet in this language: ''With 
 my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit with- 
 in me, will I seek thee early; for when thy judgments are in the 
 earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. J^et 
 favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; 
 in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not be- 
 hold the majesty of the Lord. 
 
 In this national scourge now upon us, while many deal unjustly in 
 this land, yet there are many among us who are deeply humbled as 
 in dust and ashes, and are daily more and more learning righteous- 
 ness, and also are deepening in the root of immortal life. 
 
 I believe that God is gradually and mysteriously carrying on his 
 work in the worl'd, according to this prophetic testimony of the 
 prophet: " Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations 
 he hath made in the earth; he maketh wars to cease unto the end 
 of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sun- 
 der; he burnetii the chariot in the fire; be still, and know that I 
 am God. I will be exalted among tbe heathen; I will be exalted in 
 the earth." God will, I believe, in his own way and time, carry out 
 the truth of this testimony, till " the kingdoms of this world are 
 become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ," for " the 
 earth is the Lord\. and the fullness thereof, the world, and they 
 that dwell therein," ''and he shall reign forever and ever." 
 
 It appears to me, that of all the evils which disturb the tran- 
 quillity and lay waste the welfare of the human family, there is 
 none which operates to so great an extent, or with so prodigious 
 desolation, as that of war. This tremendous and dreadfully pre- 
 vailing scourge, is ])roductive of an incalculable amount of bodily 
 and mutual suffering, so that it may be considered one of the most 
 terrible enemies of the happiness of the human race, and should 
 be regarded as an awful iniquity interwoven with a variety of evils, 
 and is much calculated to render the heart of man callous to the 
 feelings and sympathy of humanity. 
 
 In consideration of the utter repugnancy of war to the Christian 
 religion, it is a matter of wonder to me that the Society of Friends 
 are almost the only Christian church who hold it to be their duty 
 to God, to their neighbor, and to themselves, entirely to abstain 
 from that most injurious practice. We believe, and that with no 
 small degree of earnestness and conviction, that all war, whether 
 offensive or defensive, and whatever may be its peculiar features, 
 circumstances, or pretexts, is wholly at variance with the revealed 
 character and known principles of the Christian religion, and is 
 
382 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 1862 
 
 the consequence of sin, and " lusts that war in " the " members" 
 of the children of men. 
 
 While tliere are many Christians among other religious denomi- 
 nations who unite with Friends that all warfare carried on among 
 the nations of the earth is wrong, yet Friends, as a church, 
 stand almost alone in maintaining a true and comjDlete testimony 
 against war, and all the horrors and evils thereof ; and for my own 
 part, it appears to me to be inconsistent with the precepts of the 
 gospel for man to take the life of man, under any circumstances 
 whatever; I believe that this is alone the prerogative of God. 
 
 There is a better way to settle public disputes than by the force 
 of arms; and it would seem to me that the evils already known 
 to be consequent upon war, ought to be sufficient to induce the 
 churches, the humane, and the civilized nations of the earth to 
 devise some pacific, efficient and j^ermanent plan whereby national 
 difficulties may be adjusted without resorting to the sword. 
 
 I believe that it would-be a very desirable movement if the rulers, 
 together with the people of the civilized nations of the earth, would 
 enter into a united compact in instituting a great national court of 
 arbitration and adjustment, in which all differences among the con- 
 tracting parties may be finally settled, not merely by way of recom- 
 mendation, but by a plenary authority, grounded on the judgment 
 of the united powers of the Christian world. 
 
 If a tribunal of this nature could be instituted, sustained and 
 conducted in a right spirit, I believe that it would be wonderfully 
 calculated to supersede the calamity of war, and to promote and ad- 
 vance the princij)les of peace, harmony, righteousness, charity, be- 
 nevolence, and "good will toward men," among the inhabitants of 
 the nations and kingdoms of the earth. 
 
 I, together with my dear wife, having been impressed for a con- 
 siderable time past with a concern to pay a religious visit, as far as 
 way should open, to Friends and others in the State of Iowa, and also 
 to stand resigned to such service as might fall upon us on the way 
 going and returning, after obtaining the needful certificates from our 
 Monthly and Quarterly Meetings for the performance of this dedi- 
 cation, we set out in the prosecution thereof, with feelings of deep 
 humility and prayer to God for our preservation and protection on 
 every hand, on the IGth day of the 5th month, 18G2, and went to the 
 house of our kind friend Thomas Miller, who, on the next day, set 
 out with us with his own conveyance, and traveled to Whitewater, 
 where, on the 18th, being First-day, we attended the meeting of 
 Friends, which was large and much owned by the Good Shei)lierd 
 of Israel ; and on the 19th and 30th we traveled to the neighbor- 
 hood of Greenwood, where, on the 21st, we attended Friends' meet- 
 ing and found ourselves cast in among a precious little flock, to our . 
 comfort and consolation ; and on the 22d we went to Thorntown, 
 where, on the 23d and 24:th, we attended the service of Concord 
 
1862 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 383 
 
 Quarterly Meeting of Friends, held in this neighborhood, and found 
 therein much good service in the name of the Lord ; and on the 
 25th, being First-day, the public Quarterly Meeting for worship 
 was very large, wherein the gospel stream flowed, to the watering 
 of many precious souls, and warning and calling sinners to repent- 
 ance ; and in the evening we held a large and interesting meeting 
 in Thorntown, in the Methodist meetiug-house, wiierc we were 
 enabled, under divine grace, to preach tlie gospel to a very attentive 
 congregation, to cMjmfort and edification ; and on tlie next day we 
 went to the neighborhood of Greenfield, where, after visiting a few 
 families, Ave attended the meeting of Friends on the 28tli, and 
 Avere mutually comforted with friends. Here we parted with our 
 dear friend Thomas Miller, he feeling his mind turned homeward, 
 according to his prospect Avhen he left home; and on the 29th we 
 went on railroad conveyance ac Lafayette for Muscatine, in Iowa, 
 where we landed on the next day with thankfnl hearts, and found 
 Friends of this place to be kind and affectionate to us. Soon after 
 our arrival there was a terrible and awful thunder shower for nearly 
 an hour; the rain came down in toi'rents ; and this storm did mnch 
 damage in this city, and also in the adjacent country around about 
 for a considerable distance. It was, indeed, a memorable time. 
 
 Sixth month 1st. Being First-day, and a season long to be re- 
 membered by many, we were deeply humbled in prayer and suppli- 
 cation to God in consideration of the prospect before us. We this 
 morning attended the meeting of Friends in this city, and in the 
 evening we held a large public meeting for the citizens thereof in 
 the Methodist meeting-house. The Lord was with us this day, and 
 granted us Avisdom, strength, and utterance, to the glory of his 
 name and to the peace of our minds. Praised forever be his name, 
 for He is Avorthy ! 
 
 The 2d. We this day Avent to the neighborhood of Blooming- 
 ton, where, on the next day, we held a meeting for Friends and 
 others, among whom we were much opened in the ministry of the 
 gospel, 
 
 - The 4th. We this day traveled to Friends' neighborhood of Aber- 
 deen, Avhere, on the next day, we attended their meeting, as it came 
 in course, and found ourselves among a sincere and interesting 
 company of Friends, with Avhom Ave Avere much favored in gospel 
 ministry. 
 
 The fJth. We this evening held a small, interesting meeting at 
 Center for Friends and others, Avhere Ave found good service in the 
 name of the Lord, to mutual satisfaction ; and on the next day Ave 
 held a meeting for Friends and others at Honey Grove. This meet- 
 ing Avas Avell attended, and a precious degree of Christian solemnity 
 pervaded us, and in the opening of the love of the gospel every soul 
 in the meeting appeared to be visited and humbled before the Lord. 
 Blessed be his name forevermore ! 
 
384 JOURXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. iSiii 
 
 The 8tli. Being First-day, we this morniug attended the meet- 
 ing of Friends at Red Cedar, wherein we were much opened in 
 prayer and in the ministry of the gospel, to good satisfaction ; and 
 in the evening we held a meeting in Iowa City, in the Methodist 
 meeting-house. There were several htindred of the first characters 
 in the various churches in this city in attendance. The meeting 
 room was crowded. A precious degree of solemnity covered this 
 interesting congregation. All were Temarkably still and quiet; and 
 the great doctrine of Christian redemption was opened and illus- 
 trated to edification. 
 
 The 9th. We this afternoon held a meeting at Crosswicks, which 
 was well attended by Friends and others ; and in Christian love it 
 appeared to us that all were visited and much humbled in sj^irit. 
 Praised forever be the everlasting God I 
 
 The 10th. Wc this evening held a meeting at Pedee, a Presby- 
 terian meeting-house, situated in a country place. The fore ])art 
 of this meeting was trying, but at length truth arose and granted 
 a renewed visitation to us. 
 
 The 11th. AVe this day, with much humility of spirit, attended 
 Red Cedar Monthly Meeting, where we met a large company of 
 interesting, intelligent, and well-concerned Friends, among whom 
 we were opened and authorized to preach the glad tidings of tin- 
 gospel, to the humility and edification of Friends; among whom, 
 also, we were comforted and much encouraged to hold on our way 
 in the prosecution of our gospel mission to Friends and others in 
 this land. Praised forever be the name of the Lord I 
 
 The 12th. We this morning set out for the neighborhood of 
 Salem, where we landed in time to attend Cedar Creek Monthly 
 Meeting on the 14th ; and although w^ay opened for service for us. 
 yet we were made sensible that it was a low time in this meeting in 
 respect to true, saving religion. Friends were exhorted to live nigh 
 the truth and near one another in spirit, so as to deepen in the root 
 of immortal life and to bear the reproach of Christ. 
 
 The 15th. Being First-day, and a season of deep experience to 
 us, we this morning attended the meeting of Friends at Salem, and 
 in the evening we held a public meeting there for Friends and 
 others ; and Avliile we were called upon to labor in the love of the 
 gospel in these meetings at this place, yet we felt that all Avas not 
 right amongst Friends in this neighborhood. We, however, were 
 enabled to discharge our duty consistent with the spirit of the gos- 
 pel, so that on our part we felt pretty Avell satisfied with this day's 
 labor. 
 
 The IGth. We this day held a meeting for Friends and others at 
 Chestnut Hill, which was a large and crowded meeting, and not 
 very well settled, there being in attendance so many children and 
 infants who were not quiet and still. The Lord, however, enabled 
 us to preach the gosi)el, to the benefit and edification of many. 
 Praised forevei- be his name I 
 
isb- JOURNAL OF THOMAS AUNETT. 'AS') 
 
 The 11th. Uiu- Dieeting to-day was at Pilot Grove, Avhicli was a 
 time long to be remembered, some valuable Friends being in attend- 
 ance. While my dear Avife was engaged in prayer, one of our mem- 
 bers, a man, fell down under the stroke of a convulsive fit, and had 
 to be carried out, which much disturbed the meeting, but she was 
 favored to pass through her prayer, to the glory and praise of God. 
 And afterward, while I was preaching the gospel, some of the 
 plastering fell down from the ceiling above upon the heads of those 
 under it, but they were not hurt, but amidst all this the truth so 
 reigned that ^ve had a good and blessed meeting. 
 
 The 18th. We this day attended Salem Monthly Meeting, and 
 wliile we had to mourn in spirit under the conviction that many 
 mighty works could not be done there, because of unbelief, yet 
 truth, in degree, opened the way for us to labor in the gospel and in 
 jmiyer, to the satisfaction of the true and ajn-ight Friends in at- 
 tendance : and those of this description we felt very much for, be- 
 lieving that there are hidden sins carried on among some of our 
 members in this place. 
 
 The 19th. We this day attended New Garden Monthly Meeting, 
 wherein we found some intelligent, worthy and experienced Friends, 
 among whom we were comforted and edified under the flow of the 
 gospel stream poured down upon us, uniting us in the unity of the 
 spirit, in the bond of peace ; and after meeting, a number of 
 Friends took dinner with us at a Friend's house, and in this oppor- 
 tunity God was with us through the spirit, and brought us to feel 
 near and dear one to another, in that love which is the source of 
 true consolation. 
 
 In passing through these meetings of Friends in the neighbor- 
 liood of Salem, we were clothed upon with weeping, mourning and 
 lamentation, under the conviction that "the infinite works of 
 darkness" were "hidden" and carried on among some of our 
 members in these parts, to the obstruction of the life and i)ower of 
 pure religion; and in consequence of the want of true religious depth 
 among Friends in this part of the vineyard, these things are not 
 discovered by them, but tale bearing and detraction appeared to 
 be carried on in many instances to a sorrowful extent. May the 
 Lord shine upon this part of our society, and bring about in His 
 own way a reformation among them. 
 
 The 20th. We, this morning, with sorrowing hearts, left Salem, 
 being impressed with a sense of the low state of pure religion 
 among Friends in these parts, and traveled this day to the neigh- 
 borhood of Walnut Creek, where, on the next day, we held a meet- 
 ing for Friends and others, which was so largely attended that the 
 meeting-house was much crowded and a number of peo])le in 
 the yard, and the Lord's power was over this congregation to com- 
 fort and edification. 
 
 The 22d. Being First-day and a season long to be remembered 
 
38f) JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1862 
 
 bv many. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends at 
 IMeasant Plain, general notice being given of our attendance, so 
 that the meeting was very large, and abundantly owned b}' the 
 Great Head of the Church, so that he, through tiie spirit, was one 
 in our midst, and his name was exalted over all, to the glory thereof. 
 
 In the evening we held a public meeting at Fairfield, in the 
 Methodist meeting-house. It was believed that upward of a 
 thousand people were in attendance, being a very nice congrega- 
 tion. People of all classes in the town were present, upon whom 
 the canopy of Heaven appeared to be opened, so that stillness, 
 quietness and attention prevailed throughout this meeting, which 
 was held near two hours, during which time the great doctrine of 
 Christian redemption Avas opened and illustrated, to comfort and 
 edification. Praised forever by the great and holy name! 
 
 The 23d. We this afternoon held a meeting at Eichland, for 
 Friends and others, which was a large, crowded meeting, there be- 
 ing many in attendance who had lived a loose and wicked life, who 
 were very solemnly warned, in the love of the gospel, betimes to 
 flee from" the Avrath to come and lay hold on the refuge of salva- 
 tion, the Lord Jesus Christ, and seek through him the redemption 
 of their souls ; and the upright were encouraged in the way of a 
 holy life. Some were tendered and brought under conviction. 
 May the Lord have mercy on them! 
 
 The l-ith. We this morning went to Brighton, where we had 
 proposed holding a meeting for divine worship in the Methodist 
 meeting-house, but in landing there we found, to our sorrow, that 
 the proper notice had not been given ; and cases of this nature we 
 often met with. In many instances Fiiends who take the charge 
 of appointing meetings are, in some instances, so lukewarm that 
 they do not consistently interest themselves to get the people out, 
 which neglect causes mourning to the ministers of the gospel who 
 desire to see them, and there is no small responsibility attached to 
 such neglect. However, in this case we got a few together — being 
 mostly children — for whom we had some advice, which was well 
 received. 
 
 The 25th. When we awoke and arose this morning there was 
 heavy rain, lightning and thunder in operation, and our health be- 
 ing poor, so that we needed some rest, therefore we concluded to 
 spend this day at a kind Friend's house, in reading, writing and 
 meditation; and the Lord, through the.spirit, was mercifully with us 
 this day, and granted us the sweetness of that consolation which 
 this world can neither give nor take away. Blessed forever be His 
 holy name! 
 
 The 2Gth. The weather this morning being pleasant and de- 
 lightful, we therefore set out for Gilead, and were favored to land 
 there in the evening, where, on the next day, we held a jmblic 
 meeting for Friends and others, which was well attended, wherein 
 
1862 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AHNETT. 387 
 
 the baptizing power of truth went forth to the humility of many 
 minds, uniting in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ; 
 and in the afternoon we traveled to the neighborhood of Si)ring 
 Creek, where, on the 38th, we spent in visiting some families of 
 Friends, rather in a social way. 
 
 The 29th. Being First-day, and a season of much favor, we this 
 morning attended the meeting of Friends at Spring Creek, where 
 we were enabled to labor in the authority of the truth, to the edi- 
 fication of many minds; and in the afternoon we held a pulilic 
 meeting in Oskaloosa, in the Baptist meeting-house. In this meet- 
 ing, when I arose to labor, I felt that there was some oj)i)osition to 
 my testimony, but by keeping the eye single to the Great Head of 
 the Church, truth arose higher and higher, till it gained the vic- 
 tory and reigned over all, to the glory of God, to the peace of our 
 minds and to the edification of the people. 
 
 The 30th. This was a very solemn and impressive day with me, 
 being my birthday, seventy-one years having passed over my head since 
 I came into this world. I this morning retired into a solitary place, 
 and kneeling down, poured out my soul in prayer and supplication 
 to God, who has taken care of me all my life long; I supplicated 
 for the daily renewal of his mercy and protection through all my 
 future life in this world, that I may be preserved on every hand, to 
 the glory of his name, so as to be enabled of him to fight a good 
 fight, to keep the faith, and to finish my course with joy, so as 
 finally to be accounted worthy to receive the crown immortal which 
 fadeth not away. 
 
 We this day held a public meeting for Friends and others, at 
 Center Grove, where we met an intelligent and interesting concire- 
 gation, many of whom were young men and women, and also chil- 
 dren, and to this company the effect of sin was pointed out, and 
 the way to be delivered therefrom was opened and illustrated in the 
 authority of the glorious and everlasting truth, under the power of 
 which many minds were much humbled and edified. In the after- 
 noon we visited in Christian love a few families of Friends, to mu- 
 tual satisfaction and benefit, the baptizing power of truth being 
 Avith us, uniting in the sweetness of gospel love, and in tender and 
 affectionate Christian sympathy. Praised forever be the name of 
 him who is from everlasting to everlasting, God over all, and who 
 only is worthy of all the praise both now and forevermore! 
 
 Seventh month 1st, We this day traveled about twelve miles to 
 the neighborhood of Sharon, where, on the next day, we held a 
 meeting for Friends and others. To this meeting there was a gen- 
 eral turn-out of all classes of people in the settlement, and in being 
 gathered in stillness and quietness, way opened in the truth to point 
 out the awful consequence of sowing to the flesh, and also the 
 blessed and happy consequence of sowing to the s]urit. The people 
 were serious, and the meeting ended to good satisfaction. 
 
388 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. ISB? 
 
 The ;3rd. We this day held two public meetings for Friends and 
 others, one in the morning at Chester, and the other in the after- 
 noon at Lynn Grove. In these meetings we passed through much 
 exercise and labor in the love of the gospel. This was a favored 
 day with us; truth gained the ascendency over the mmds of the 
 people, the sincere were encouraged, and sinners warned and called 
 to repentance. 
 
 The 4th. We found it to be our place this day to rest quietly at a 
 kind friend's house, the minds of the people being so agitated in cele- 
 brating the American Independence, so called, that it appeared to be 
 no time to appoint a meetingfor divine worship. We this day renew- 
 edly moui-ned over the state of our beloved country; the calamity 
 thereof still continues, and the war is going on in some of the slave 
 States, with all its horrors and dreadful consequences, in which 
 many are still falling in battle on both sides. Yery earnest is our 
 prayer to God on behalf of this country, that he in his own time 
 may again restore tranquility to the people thereof. May he in his 
 mercy preserve us through all to the end, to the glory of his name, 
 for we are of his poorest servants. 
 
 The 5th. We went this day to Friends' settlement at Center, 
 and the next day being First-day, we attended their meeting, notice 
 being given. It was a full meeting, but not very well settled, and 
 some did not observe good behavior: but the warning power of truth 
 went forth to the conviction of many minds. In the afternoon we 
 held a very interesting meeting in Xewton, in the court-house, 
 which was well attended by people of various persuasions, among 
 whom the great doctrine of Christian redemption was preached in the 
 authority of the glorious and everlasting truth. 
 
 The 7th. We this day held a meeting for Friends and others, 
 at Pleasant View; in the" fore part thereof we were much tried, the 
 people coming in rather in a careless manner, not looking to the 
 right source for religious instruction; we secretly supplicated God 
 to have mercy upon them. At length truth arose in a good degree, 
 and enabled us to hold forth the glad tidings of the gospel, to the 
 encouragement of the upright, and to the warning and calling of 
 sinners to repentance, during their day of saving and merciful vis- 
 itation. 
 
 The 8th. This was a day of much deep exercise with us; we 
 secretly supplicated God for his mercy and protection on every 
 hand. ^ We this morning held a public meeting at Sugar Creek, 
 where we were favored with the spirit of prayer and gospel ministry, 
 to good satisfaction; and in the evening at 8 o'clock we held a large 
 and favored meeting in Grinnell. in the Congregational nieeting- 
 house; the people appeared to come together with a desire to be 
 benefited, so that the Lord blessed us with his good presence. 
 
 The 9th. We this day set out for a small settlement of Friends 
 by the name of Xewhope, where we arrived in time to have them 
 
1862 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNKTT. 380 
 
 iuu] their neighbors together on the 11th, with wliom, through di- 
 vine mercy, we had a good refreshing season; and after this meeting 
 we this day traveled about twenty miles to the neighborhood of 
 Middle River, where, on the next day, we rested at a kind friend's 
 liouse. Our health being poor, and the weather warm, we therefore 
 occasionally need some rest, in the prosecution of this might dedi- 
 cation. 
 
 The loth, being First-day, and a season of deep interest Avith us. 
 ^\v this day attended Friends' meeting of Middle Iviver, and notice 
 being spread of our attendance, it was a large meeting, wherein the 
 testimony of the gospel went forth, to the conviction and edification 
 of many minds; and in the afternoon we held a meeting at Palm3'ra, 
 in the Methodist meeting-house, where we met a very large congre- 
 gation, the house being crowded, and some hundreds of people being 
 in the j-ard thereof; and among this promiscuous congregation the 
 gospel was preached with power. 
 
 The 14th. AYc this morning held a meeting for Friends and 
 others at Goshen, and a smiilar one in the afternoon at South River. 
 Both these meetings were large, many being in attendance who 
 were desirous of being instructed in the way of life and salvation; 
 and this desire was mercifully answered in the love of truth, for the 
 Lord through the spirit was with us this day, and enabled us 
 to preach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit and with 
 power. The faithful were much encouraged to hold on their way 
 to the end, and the lukewarm and sinners were invited to return, 
 repent betimes, so as to live forever in peace and happiness. 
 
 The 15th. We set out this morning, and traveled (the Avay we 
 went,) upward of fifty miles to Rich Square, where, on the next 
 day, we held a public meeting for Friends and others, which was 
 well attended by people of various opinions in respect to religion, 
 among whom various points of Christian doctrine was opened and 
 illustrated, including that of the resurrection of the body, and the 
 final day of judgment, according to the Scriptures. And while in 
 this neighborhood we were much grieved to meet with some of 
 our members who denied the doctrine of the general resurrection 
 of the dead and the day of judgment at the end of this world, 
 iipon whom we bestowed much labor and left them with sorrow. 
 
 The 17th. This was a day of deep trial and bai)tism to us. so 
 that we cried in si)irit, in this language : "He hath led" and 
 •'brought" us "into darkness, but not into light;" He "hath 
 turned aside" our "ways and pulled" us "in pieces; He hath 
 made "us "desolate." "We are troubled on every side, yet not 
 distressed ; we are perplexed, but not in despair ; persecuted, but 
 not forsaken ; cast down, but not destroyed ; always bearing about 
 in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus 
 might be made manifest in our body ; for we which live arc always 
 delivered unto death for Jesus sake, that the life also of Jesus 
 might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." 
 
39Q .lOUJlXAL OF THOMAS AHNETT. 1862 
 
 0, Lord, everlasting God, abundantly daily have mercy upon us. 
 We are among thy poorest servants. We feel that none are more 
 poor than we are. We go forth in this laud, laboring and are heavy 
 laden. We are under deej) exercises of mind, and much mourning 
 in spirit, in consideration of the low state of vital religion, in many 
 instances, among our members in this land. 0, preserve and pro- 
 tect us, we beseech thee, in the dedication of this mission in this 
 newly settled country, that we may pass through it to the glory 
 of thy name, and be permitted through thy mercy, consistent with 
 thy will, to return home at the right time, with true peace of mind. 
 AVe have none to depend on and look to for wisdom, strength and 
 utterance, in carrying out this concern, but to thee, 0, God ; we 
 therefore, thy poorest servants, pray thee to remember us in this 
 land, and open the way for us according to thy holy will. Amen. 
 
 The 18th. Way opened this morning for us to leave this neigh- 
 borhood ; we therefore set out for the city of Des Moines, the capi- 
 tal of the State of Iowa, and on this and the next day we traveled 
 to within five miles of that city, where, on the 20th, being First- 
 day, we held a public meeting in the morning in a school-house, at 
 Elm grove, a place where Friends never before held a meeting. 
 This meeting was well attended and orderly conducted, and the 
 Lord, in his mercy, gave us a baptizing testimony for the people, 
 who seemed much humbled in spirit and thankful for our visit. In 
 the afternoon, at four o'clock, we held a public meeting in the city 
 of Des Moines, in the Methodist meeting-house, where we had in 
 attendance several hundred people of the first character in the 
 city in this congregation. The Great Head of the Church, through 
 the spirit, presided, under whose gracious power all was hushed 
 down into profound stillness and silence and way opened for the 
 gospel to be preached, in the demonstration of the spirit and with 
 power, to the humility and edification of this deeply interesting 
 company. Praised forever be the everlasting God! 
 
 The 21st. We this day traveled about forty-five miles, to the 
 neighborhood of Friends of Xorth Branch, where, on the next 
 morning at nine o'clock, we held a public meeting, and in the after- 
 noon at four o'clock we held a similar one at Bear Creek, being eight 
 miles distant. In both these meetings many people were in attend- 
 ance, unto wlioni tlie Lord opened tlie way for us to labor in the 
 gospel to the benefit and edification of many minds. The up- 
 right were encouraged to hold on their way, and sinners were 
 warned and called to repentance and amendment of life. 
 
 The 23d. We set out this morning and traveled about twenty- 
 five miles, to the neighborhood of Friends of Spring Valley, where, 
 in the afternoon at four o'clock, we held a public meeting in u 
 large school-house ; and this was a large and interesting meeting, 
 people of various i)ersuasions l^eing assembled, among whom the 
 gospel of life and salvation went forth, to the conviction and edi- 
 fication of many minds. Praised forever be the Lord! 
 
18(!2 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARxXI:TT. ;5!)1 
 
 The 24th. We this morning traveled ubout fifteen miles to Sum- 
 mit Grove, where we attended the meeting of Friends, as it came 'n 
 coarse, and notice being given of our attendance, we therefore met 
 a full meeting, wherein we had much close and honest labor, tend- 
 ing to stir up Friends to more diligence in respect to the great duty 
 of family and public worship ; and this duty is much neglected by 
 many of our members in tliis land, as well as in many other parts 
 of our society, whicli causes grief and mucii lamentation to our 
 minds. 
 
 The "-iSth, We this morning set out for the town of Winterset, 
 wliere we arrived in time to hold a meeting in the evening in the 
 Baptist meeting-house : and in assembling for the purpose of di- 
 vine worship, it soon opened in our minds that many had come 
 together with a sincere desire to be instructed in the way of life 
 and salvation, and in the authority of truth this desire was an- 
 swered, for which the people appeared to be very thankful. 
 
 The 26th. We this day traveled to Indianola, where, on the 
 next day, being First day, we attended, in the morning. Friends' 
 meeting, and through divine grace we found some good service ; 
 and in tlic afternoon at four o'clock we held a large and open meet- 
 ing in the Methodist chapel. Tlie people came together, generally, 
 hungering and thirsting after the water of eternal life and the 
 bread of salvation : and the Lord remembered them, and had 
 mercy on them, in granting us a good, refreshing testimony to de- 
 liver among them. Praised forever be His name I 
 
 The 28th. We this day traveled upward of fifteen miles, to the 
 settlement of Friends of Hickory Grove, where in the evening we 
 held a public meeting, and the weather being very warm and more 
 people being gathered than Friends' meeting-room could hold, we 
 therefore held this meeting out in the open -air, under some shade 
 trees, and tlirough divine mercy we were favored with a precious 
 testimony to deliver to the peoj)le, who were thankful for this 
 favor. * 
 
 The 29th. We, througii the course of this and the two follow- 
 ing days, traveled to the neighborhood of Friends of Sugar Creek, 
 where we had been before, and here we had a little rest, which 
 seemed necessary, our health being poor and we being much fa- 
 tigued in traveling and in holding public meetings. 
 
 Eighth mo. 1st. We spent this day with feelings of deep humil- 
 ity at a kind friend's house, in reading, writing, and meditation. 
 AVe were much humbled in recounting the mercy of God bestowed 
 upon us, his very poor servants, not only in the prosecution of 
 this journey, but during all our life long. May we so walk and 
 conduct ourselves before him, as to be accounted worthy to enjoy 
 him in time and in eternity. 
 
 The 2nd. We set out this moaning for Legrand, where we 
 arrived in the evening, after traveling througii rain ; and the next 
 
302 JOTRNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. J8B2 
 
 day, being First-day, Ave attended Friends' meeting there in the 
 morning, and in the afternoon we held a public meeting in the vil- 
 lage, in a public meeting-house, which stands open to all religious 
 denominations. Both these meetings were well attended and much 
 favored with counsel and doctrine, to the edification of Friends 
 and others. 
 
 The 4th. We this morning set out for Hartland, where we ar- 
 rived in time to hold a meeting for Friends and others on the 
 next morning, and in the evening of the same day we also held a 
 public meeting at Marietta, in a large school-house. These meet- 
 ings were well attended by people of various religious i)ersuasions, 
 among whom we were enabled to declare the glad tidings of the 
 gospel, in the demonstration of the spirit and with power, to good 
 satisfaction. 
 
 The Gth. We this morning traveled about ten miles to the meet- 
 ing of Friends of Bangor, which, in attending, as it came in course, 
 we found a large and interesting meeting, to which many valuable 
 and worthy Friends belong, among whom we were baptized into 
 deep feeling, and way opened for us to labor among them to edi- 
 fication; truth reigned overall, and the meeting closed with thanks- 
 giving and praise to the everlasting God. 
 
 The 7th. This was a day of deep exercise and baptism with us. 
 We this morning held a meeting at Highland, for Friends and 
 others, which was a large and crowded meeting, and much owned 
 by the Great Head of the Church, for the word of the gospel was 
 delivered m a mannei' as to seal conviction on many minds. In 
 the evening we held a meeting at Xew Providence, in which, after 
 sitting sometime in silence, way opened for us to labor to good sat- 
 isfaction. Praised be the Lord I 
 
 ■ The Sth. We this dtiy traveled to the neighborhood of Rocksyl- 
 vania, nnd the next day we spent at a kind friend's house in quiet- 
 ness and retirement of spirit, feeling ourselves to be the poorest 
 among the Lord's servants. It being a low time with us, we felt 
 poor and needy, and much discouraged and cast down, our health 
 being poor: but in spirit we called upon the name of the everlasting ' 
 God for help, support, and protection, in the ])rosecution of this 
 weighty and very important engagement. 
 
 The 10th. Being First-day, and a time long to be remembered 
 by many. We this morning attended the meeting of Friends in 
 Ilocksylvania, and many coming in who were friendly people, and 
 desirous to be instructed in the truth, way therefore opened for us to 
 })reach the gospel to comfort and edilication; and in the evening, at 8 
 o'clock, we iield a deeply interesting meeting at Iowa Falls, in tiie 
 J*resbyterian nieotiug-house, which was largely attended by people of 
 different religious jjcrsuasions, among whom the glad tidings of the 
 gospel were powortiiliy proclaimed, to the conviction and edification 
 of manv minds. 
 
1862 JOUliXAL 01'' THOMAS AKXKTT. 393 
 
 Tlic 11th and 12th we spent in traveling from place to place, in 
 visiting some families of Friends, rather in a social wa}^, being care- 
 ful, however, to direct our conversation aright, so as to show the 
 ^salvation of the Lord; and this we believe to be the dut_y of the 
 ministers of the gospel, to be watchful even in ordinary conversa- 
 tion, speaking of things which tend to edification. 
 
 The 13th. We this day held a public meeting at Chester, which 
 Avas well attended by Friends and others ; in the fore part of which 
 Avo were cast down in spirit, under deep exercise, but being patient, 
 and keeping the eye single to the truth, at length the power of God 
 nrose, and enabled us to preach the gos2)el in that authority which 
 humbled this company as in dust and ashes, so that we hope some 
 little good may result from this heavenly visitation. 
 
 The 14th. We this day attended the meeting of Friends at 
 Honey Creek, and notice thereof having been given, it was well 
 attended by Friends and others ; but the fore part thereof was much 
 disturbed and injured by a man coming in and undertaking to preach 
 the gospel, without any rightful authority, he being a member of 
 another religious society; but when he took his seat and became 
 still, truth in a good degree arose in dominion, so that we had a 
 pretty good meeting. Praised be the Lord I 
 
 While engaged in the prosecution of a gospel mission to Friends 
 and others in tJiis land, deep are our exercises on account of the 
 awful increased calamity upon our beloved country. The Avar is 
 still raging with increased horrors and distresses, so that the mantle 
 of sorrow, mourning and lamentation is spread over many very sor- 
 rowful hearts in this great republic, and in our public labors in relig- 
 ious meetings we Avere often called upon to bring these things to view, 
 directing the attention of the people to God for protection, and often- 
 times Ave beheld them melted down in spirit, pouring forth their tears; ' 
 and also, Ave often in private and in public were moved to pour forth 
 our prayers and supplications to (iiod on behalf of our beloved 
 country. 
 
 Tlie loth. We this afternoon attended the Preparative Meeting 
 of Ministers and Elders at Bangor, where, on the next day, we 
 attended the Monthly Meeting of Friends, Avhich was large, and 
 truth arising for us in this meeeting, and setting us at liberty in 
 the spirit of the gospel, so tliat we had a heavenly and precious op- 
 portunity with Friends, being united in spirit, in the unity of the 
 spirit, in the bond of peace. Friends here Avere very kind and 
 affectionate toward us. 
 
 The 17th. Being First-day, and a season of religious visitation to 
 many, we this day held a public meeting in Marshalltown, in a 
 large room in the court-house, Avhich Avas a very large meeting, the 
 room being filled Avith the first cliaracters in the town. Over this 
 meeting Avas spread the canopy of the love of God, so that all Avere 
 still and quiet; and under the influences of the Holy Spirit many 
 
394 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. IS-K 
 
 points of the great doctrine of Christian redemption were opened 
 and illustrated, to the admiration, humility, and edification of many 
 minds. 
 
 After this, we also again returned to the settlement of Friends of 
 Sugar Creek, where there is a precious flock of sincere-hearted 
 Friends, with whom we attended meetings three times, in which we 
 were mutually edified. Our healtli about this time was poor, hav- 
 ing taken deep colds through exposure of traveling ; we, however, 
 on the 21st, set out to attend the service of Pleasant Plain Quar- 
 terly Meeting, to be held at Spring Creek, which commenced on the 
 23nd and continued its session till the evening of the 24th, being 
 First-day, and then ending witli a meeting for the youth and others. 
 Through the course of this meeting, together with other Friends 
 from various parts, engaged in the work of the ministry, we found 
 much good service for the Lord. Friends were glad to see us 
 among them, with whom we were mutually refreshed with several 
 baptizing gospel showers, so that it ajDpeurcd that every situation 
 and condition in this meeting were spoken to and visited in a degree 
 of that pure love which breathes "glory to God in the highest, and 
 on earth, peace, good will toward men." All the praise is alone due 
 to him who is worthy to rule and govern throughout the universe. 
 
 When this Quarterly closed its session, we felt a quiet retreat 
 granted us through the spirit of God from any Further service in 
 Iowa, under this dedication; we therefore thankfully turned our 
 course toward Burlington, where we were enabled to land in time 
 to go on the railroad in the evening of the 2Ttli for Lafayette, where 
 we landed on the next day about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, very 
 much fatigued, our health still continuing to be poor; and on the 
 next day after landing we went to a kind friend's house in the neigh- 
 borhood of Greenfield, for the purpose of rest and quiet retirement. 
 
 The 31st, being First-day, and a season long to be remembered by 
 many for good. We this day held a public luminous meeting in 
 the city of Lafayette, in the Second Presbyterian meeting-house. 
 This meeting was largely attended by people of the first character 
 in the city, amounting to several hundreds in attendance, and there 
 were those present from most of the churches in the city. This 
 was a very' open and heavenly meeting. God, through the spirit, was 
 in our midst and humbled all down as in dust and ashes, and we 
 were wonderfully favored in gospel ministry and in prayer. Praiscii 
 forever be his holy name I 
 
 After this, for awhile, we were brought very low in soul, spirit 
 and body, our health being very poor, feeling much fatigued and 
 worn out under the pressure of the exercises and manner of travel- 
 ing through which we had passed ; we knew, however, that we wej'e 
 serving a good Master, and we felt that the eternal God was our 
 refuge, and underneath were the everlasting arms ; he well knew 
 the integrity and the sincerity of our hearts, and in his sight we 
 
1802 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNTETT. 395 
 
 acknowledged our infirmity and weakness, knowing that we were 
 poor, unprofitable servants, and had done, in tliis dedication, "that 
 which was our duty to do;" and in the obetlience of faitli, with 
 prayer and supplication, we called upon his name, mercifully to 
 point out to us the path which we should now pursue, having no 
 will of our own, but resigning our all to him ; and at length he 
 arose for us and granted us a quiet retreat from this field of labor. 
 We therefore made suitable preparation for our return home, aiul 
 went on railroad conveyance at Lafayette for our habitation, with 
 feelings of humility and gratitude, where we arrived on the 3rd of 
 tiie 9th month, with truly tliankful and peaceful minds. On our 
 return, Friends and others appeared to be very glad again to see us; 
 and it was with feelings of Christian love to them that we were en- 
 abled to reciprocate our tender regard toward them for the respect 
 and affection which they manifested toward us ; and with prayer 
 and supplication to God in lauding again in our own house, we 
 returned to him thanksgiving and praise, not only for the contin- 
 uance of his mercy and protection toward us through this dedica- 
 tion, but also for permitting our safe return to our quiet and peace- 
 ful habitation. 
 
 In the prosecution of this journey in Iowa, Friends were very 
 kind to us in conveying us about from place to place. We traveled 
 in various kinds of vehicles ; sometimes pretty good carriages, but 
 generally in open spring wagons, and frequently in common rough 
 road wagons, so that together with the entertainment generally re- 
 ceived at Friends' houses — they in many instances living in small 
 houses with but one room — we were so fatigued with traveling, pass- 
 ing under deep exercises of mind, we obtained oftentimes but little 
 rest day or night, so that this was a very laborious field of labor and 
 exercise to us. In the performance of this journey we traveled by 
 railroad way and other conveyances about the distance of twenty- 
 five hundred miles, and attended, while in Iowa, including some 
 school and families opportunities wliere members were collected, 
 about seventy-five meetings, besides those we attended on the way 
 going and returning. May God in his mercy and providence bless 
 this dedication! 
 
 We found, while traveling in Iowa, many dear friends who love the 
 truth, who, being intelligent and well educated, together with much 
 religious experience, they are calculated for mucli usefulness in the 
 church; while, on the other hand, we met with those who were luke- 
 warm, and who were neither much educated nor instructed in faith 
 and doctrine ; but, upon the whole, we found a very interesting flock 
 among Friends in this land, who have emigrated and settled there 
 from the various parts of our Society, very much throughout the 
 world. . 
 
 The face of the country in Iowa is moderately uneven, without 
 any mountains or high hills. The margins of the rivers and (Teeks,. 
 
396 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. IH62 
 
 extending back from one to ten miles, are generally covered with 
 timber, while be3'ond this the country is un open prairie without 
 trees. By the frequent alternations of these two descriptions of 
 land the country is greatly diversified, and it is believed that the 
 prairies covered nearly three-fourths of the surface of the State, 
 and although they are destitute of trees, they present a varied asi)ect; 
 some have a level, and others a rolling surface ; some are covered 
 with a rich coat of grass, well suited for grazing ; in others, this is 
 interspersed with hazel thickets and sassafras shrubs, and in the 
 summer season of the year superbly decorated with flowers of 
 various kinds, so that in passing through these great, beautiful and 
 splendid prairies, we were oftentimes deeply humbled in spirit in 
 meditating upon the wondrous works of God in creating this earth, 
 together with all his varied and wonderful works, and making and 
 forming man and placing him in this world, to love him and to keep 
 his commiindments; and in these meditations we were oftentimes 
 inspired with this desire — " that men would praise the Lord for 
 his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" 
 But these sweet meditations were often interrupted in the very sor- 
 rowful recollection of the very awful and dreadful calamity still 
 pervading our beloved country, for the war is still raging with all 
 the horrors and evils attendant on this deeply afflicting scourge. 
 
 In the remembrance of these terrible national troubles, we were, 
 however, deeply affected with sorrow in believing that these calam- 
 ities do not sufficiently humble the people of these United States. 
 If we would, as a nation, manifest a more practical reliance on the 
 great Euler of nations, reposing our country's cause more in his 
 hands, and assuming its defense and management less in our own 
 way, co-operating, however, with him in all ways consistent with 
 his will, then we would have cause to ho})e that he would arise for 
 our deliverance and again restore tranquility and prosperity to our 
 beloved and deeply afflicted country. 
 
 In attending our Yearly Meeting this autumn, 1862, I was 
 deeply affected in lamenting the sorrowful reports that came up 
 from our Quarterly Meetings, spreading before us the intelligence 
 that upwards of a hundred of our young men had volunteered and 
 Joined the army, and hud gone into the war; and many other young 
 men in our society, in various parts of the United States, have also 
 left us, volunteered, and have gone into this Avar. And also, about 
 this time, under the draft ordered by our President, many among 
 us were drafted; some of whom stood firm for the testimony of 
 peace, while others, instead of suffering as Christians, under the 
 requisitions of this government, jiaid their fines, and so far violated 
 this precious testimony; and such departure by our numbers from 
 n gospel testimony so dear and precious to me as that against war, 
 is the cause of much sorrow, grief and lamentation to my mind. 
 
 This intelligence being spread before us, deeply humbled our 
 
180-3 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARN-ETT, 397 
 
 minds, under the conviction tluit all wars and fightings are forbid- 
 den under the gospel dispensation, which was ushered in by the 
 anthem " on eartli i)eace and good will toward men," and the prom- 
 inent characteristic of which is love to God and man — a love which 
 will effectually prevent us from taking the lives or shedding the 
 ])lood of our fellow-beings. We should rest with humble reliance 
 upon our blessed Savior, Who is toncbed with a feeling of our in- 
 firmities, and who lays no requisition upon us without enabling us 
 to perform it, to the glory of his name, and to the peace of our own 
 minds. The experience of his followers in all past ages should 
 strengthen our faith and confirm our reliance upon him. When 
 surrounded with difficulties through which we cannot see our way, 
 let us cast ourselves upon him, in the obedience of faith, and he 
 will in his own time deliver us, to the peace and comfort of our 
 minds, and to the glory of his name. 
 
 In the opening of the first day of this year, 18G3, T, together 
 Avith my dear wife, were deeply bowed in spirit, so that this morn- 
 ing, in the time of our family worship, prayer and supplication, 
 together with thanksgiving and praise, were offered up to God for 
 all his mercies and blessings bestowed on us, his poorest servants, 
 all our life long; and we were also drawn to supplicate on behalf of 
 our troubled country, as well as for all our fellow-beings through- 
 out the whole world, all being the objects of redeeming love. 
 
 This was a most important day to this country. The President 
 of the United States, in consideration of the sin of slavery being 
 the cause of the dreadful calamity now upon this afflicted land, is- 
 sued on this day his proclamation of emancipation, declaring "that 
 all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a 
 State," where the people thereof are " in open rebellion against the 
 United States," shall " henceforth and forever" be free. 
 
 The issuing of this proclamation by him was " sincerely believed 
 to be an act of justice warranted by the constitution, upon military 
 necessity; " therefore he invoked the considerate judgment of man- 
 kind and the gracious favor of Almighty God. 
 
 This proclamation, if carried out, will emancipate many thou- 
 sands of poor, degraded and trodden-down, afflicted and suffering 
 slaves. 
 
 This work of emancipation had, however, already commenced 
 under the military authority of the United States; for since this war 
 commenced many afflicted slaves have obtained their freedom, and 
 also many soldiers on both sides have fallen in battle, and many 
 others also have died through diseases taken in the army. Such are 
 the dreadful evils consequent upon the sin of war and of slavery, 
 together with the heavy expenditure and troubles thrown upon the 
 people in general. 
 
 In a review, through the course of this year, of the present situ- 
 ation of our religious society, and also of the calamity attendant 
 
398 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. i8fiS 
 
 on this afflicted land, much discouragement pervlided me, in con- 
 sideration of the want of more vital Christianity among us, and 
 also among the ]ieople generally in this country, the war spirit so 
 much ]n-evailing in many minds. 
 
 In respect to the Society of Friends, I can but mourn, under the 
 conviction of the want of more mutual confidence, in many in- 
 stances, among us, and also in being made sensible of the departure 
 of many of our members from a number of the testimonies of the 
 gospel given us to bear to the world in this adulterous and sinful 
 generation. But those who are ashamed of the blessed Saviour in 
 this world, of them also shall he be ashamed " when he cometh in 
 the glory of his Father with the holy angels." I believe, however, 
 that there are many sincere-hearted, upright and devoted Christians 
 among us, who do not shun to declare and to maintain all the 
 counsel of God, together with all the testimonies attendant on the 
 glorious and everlasting gospel of peace and salvation. 
 
 In regard to my beloved country, I felt much borne down in 
 spirit, in consideration of the dark and awful cloud now hovering 
 over this government. The civil war is still raging with dreadful 
 and fearful fury; many during this year, in the free States, so 
 called, turned to be open traitors to their country, and made efforts 
 to assist the rebels in their outrage against this government; so 
 that it appeared to me to be indeed a very awfully critical time in 
 this land. And notwithstanding all these very heavy national 
 troubles and afflictions, yet in many instances the people are not 
 humbled in spirit before the great and almighty Euler of nations. 
 
 Our Yearly Meeting came together this autumn ( 1SG3 ) with 
 feelings of deep humility, and with prayer and supi^lication to 
 God for all our fellow-beings, especially for those who are in au- 
 thority, earnestly desiring that all our dear Friends everywhere 
 '■ may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, 
 for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 
 who will have all men to be saved and come unto fllie knowledge 
 of the truth." 
 
 Among the subjects that came before us for consideration and 
 disposal was that of the suffering condition of the pool' colored 
 people who had been liberated from slavery through the course 
 of this year, under the proclamation of emancipation issued by 
 the President of this government; for through this channel many 
 thousands of the poor slaves have obtained their freedom, and 
 stand in great need of the benevolence of all humane people every- 
 where. 
 
 Towards these poor, suffering, destitute and trodden-down peo- 
 ple our sympathy was deeply awakened, and with a desire that the 
 members of our religious society everywhere may stand foremost in 
 rendering them all the assistance needful every way, which is our 
 reasonable duty as Christians, according to this testimony of our 
 
\m JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 399 
 
 blessed Saviour, to be brought to view in the last day, '* I was an 
 hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me 
 drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed 
 me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came 
 unto me." For " inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least 
 of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." 
 
 In feeling after our religious duty in respect to this matter, way 
 opened for us to appoint an executive committee to take charge of 
 this concern, to labor for the relief of the physical necessities 
 and the religious and mental improvement of those who have been 
 and may be released from slavery under the dreadful and awful ca- 
 lamity now s})rcad over our beloved country, to receive all funds 
 Avhich may be contributed for their benefit, and to see that they 
 are proi)erly applied ; to employ suitable agents to attend to their 
 distribution : to judge of the qualification of those Avho may offer 
 themselves to devote their time to the work of visiting them, or 
 residing among and instructing the freed people of color, and 
 otherwise in every way they can to further the good cause of benev- 
 olence toward them ; and our dear Friends everywhere a})pear to be 
 lively in promoting this good work. May God, in his mercy and 
 in his own Avay, carry on tbis good work of freedom till slavery 
 shall be abolished throughout the whole world I ^ 
 
 In the opening of this year, 1864, 1, together with my dear wife, 
 were deeply humbled in the spirit of prayer and supplication to 
 God, that he would have mercy upon all our dear Friends every- 
 where, and also upon our beloved country, and that he would, in 
 his own time, interpose on behalf of this agitated and afflicted 
 land; for the war is still raging with dreadful and awful horror, 
 and many are still falling in battle on both sides, and Ave fear that 
 Friends, in many instances, in various parts of this country, are 
 not maintaining a faithful testimony to the peaceable nature of the 
 kingTU)m of the Prince of Peace, as called for by the spirit of the 
 gku'ious and everlasting gospel of the blessed Saviour. 
 
 In the fore part of this year most of the meetings for sufferings 
 m tbis country, as representatives of our society in the Yearly 
 Meetings wherein they were appointed, agitated the subject in the 
 Congress of the I'nited States, by presenting memorials asking ex- 
 emption from under the draft law pending under the control of 
 this government, and tbe result of this agitation eventually had the 
 effect in our Congress to produce the following bill, whicli became 
 a law, containing this section : '' Members of religious denomina- 
 tions, who shall, by oath or affirmation, declare that they are con- 
 scientiously opposed to the bearing of arms, and who are prohibited 
 from so doing by the rules and articles of faitli and practice of such 
 religious denominations, shall, Avhen drafted into the military serv- 
 ice, be considered noncombatants, and shall be assigned by the Sec- 
 retary of War to the duty in the hospitals, or to the care of the 
 
400 • JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKN'KTT. IS-H 
 
 freedmeu, or shall pay the sum of three hundred dollars, to be applied 
 to the benefit of the sick and wounded soldiers : proTidetl. that no 
 person shall be entitled to the benefit of this section unless his dec- 
 laration of conscientious scruples against bearing arms shall be su])- 
 ported by satisfactory evidence that his deportment has been uni- 
 formly consistent with such declaration." 
 
 In the administration of church discipline this year, in our 
 Yearly Meeting, the subject was agitated whether our members, 
 when drafted, could, according to our conviction of the peacable 
 nature of the kingdom of our blessed Saviour, accept this offer of 
 our government. While engaged under this deliberation. Friends 
 were very much divided in sentiment on this subject but discuss- 
 ing it with Christian condescension, resulted in the conclusion to 
 leave our members at liberty, when drafted, to accept the offer of 
 our government in case that such should believe it to be their dutv 
 so to do. 
 
 Since the commencement of the dreadful and awful calamity 
 now spread upon our beloved country, I have spent much time in 
 deliberating with prayer and supplication to God, to see and to 
 know the duty of all our dear Friends who live under this govern- 
 ment, in the maintenance of our testimony against war. In this 
 dedication my conviction has been, that it is the duty of all our 
 dear Friends to stand very firm to this testimony, in faithful al- 
 legiance to Him whose it is and who gave it to the Apostles and to 
 the early Christians, and also to us as a church, to bear before the 
 rulers and the people of the world. 
 
 My desire has been, dnring these very awful calamities now agi- 
 tating this country, that we, as a Christian church, may live so 
 nigh to Him " whose goings forth have been from of old, from ever- 
 lasting," and so near one to another in the unity of the spirit, in 
 the bond of peace, as to deepen in the root of immortal life; that 
 N^e may be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, through 
 faith, showing, out of a good conversation and consistent con- 
 duct, that while we are bound in faithful allegiance to Him in the 
 maintenance of this Christian testimony, yet we are perfectly loyal 
 to the government under which we live, submitting in the obedi- 
 ence of faith, either actively or passively, to the execution of the 
 laws thereof ; and as we maintain this precious testimony inviolate 
 in a right spirit, under all the trying circumstances that may come 
 upon u^, then, 1 believe, under the grace of God, we we shall, as a 
 christian Church, in degree, be the harbinger in the accom])lish- 
 ment of that glorious day when "the kingdoms of this world are 
 i)ecome the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall 
 reign forever and ever. '" 
 
 It is my conviction, that had all our dear Friends stood firm in 
 the maintenance of our Christian testimony against war during the 
 time of our national calamity, as well as at all other times, accord- 
 
1864 JOURNAL OF TIIOAIAS AIINETT. 401 
 
 ing to the will of God, that he would have preserved and protected 
 us and caused his light to shine through us to the world, to the 
 glory of Ilis name and to the honor of his peaceable testimony 
 to the rulers and peo])le of the earth. But instead thereof, so 
 many of our members have gone into the army, others have paid 
 their draft fine, and many others have violated tliis precious and 
 Christian testimony in various ways and forms, so as, u'pon the 
 whole, by all these violations, we have, in degree, as a Christian 
 church, lessened, I believe, the weiglit of our character before the 
 rulers of our agitated and afflicted land, as also before the people 
 who uphold and support our government. I am comforted in be- 
 lieving, however, while I mourn over the walk and conduct of our 
 inconsistent members, that there are many among us who hold the 
 faith, the doctrine and all the testimonies of the gospel to be very 
 near and dear to them, and who walk in the light of God, and 
 have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, 
 His son, cleanses them from all sin. 
 
 My dear wife, having been impressed for a considerable time 
 past with a religious concern to attend, in the love of the gospel, 
 Philadelphia and New York Yearly Meetings of Friends, and to 
 attend to such other services, while under this engagement, as 
 called for, in the truth, after receiving the full unity and sympathy 
 of Friends, according to the order of our society, for the opening of 
 the way to carry out this dedication, she set out in the prosecution 
 thereof in the Spring of this year, 1864, in time to attend the serv- 
 ice of Phihxdelphia Yearly Meeting, where she safely arrived, to 
 the comfort of many Friends in that city and the vicinity thereof. 
 And after attending the service of the Yearly Meeting in that city 
 to good satisfaction, she jiroceeded to New York, where she was 
 kindly received by Friends, and where she also attended the service 
 of the Yearly Meeting of Friends in that city, to the comfort and 
 edification of the brethren and sisters in attendance. And after 
 performing her gospel mission to Friends and others, as way 
 opened, in the limits of these Yearly Meetings, to the comfort and 
 consolation of her own mind, and to the satisfaction and edifica- 
 tion of those whom she visited, she returned home with sweet 
 peace of mind, to my joy and comfort, and to the satisfaction of 
 Friends. She was out in the prosecution of this concern upward 
 of two mouths, and Avhile she was engaged in the performance of 
 this dedication, Friends and others were very kind and attentive 
 to her. Praised and adored forever be the Lord! 
 
 Wliile my dear wife was out, engaged in the prosecution of this 
 religious dedication, I was also called upon, through the sjurit of 
 God, and with the unity and sympathy of Friends, to perform u 
 religious visit to Friends and others in the limits of Fairfield Quar- 
 terly Meeting of Friends. While engaged in this dedication, I vis- 
 ited the meetings and most of the families of Friends, constituting 
 
4()-2 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1864 
 
 tliis Quarterly Meeting, and held several public meetings in those 
 parts for Friends and others, who manifested much sympathy and 
 unity for and with me. In performing this family visit, I was daily 
 under great weight of mind. The spirit of prayer and supplica- 
 tion to God lived in me very much, both day and night, that he 
 would lead me aright, and enable me rightly to divide the word of 
 truth, to the Avarning and edification of all the visited, whereunto 
 I was called in passing on from house to house. In the prosecution of 
 this dedication, I met with many sincere-hearted Friends, who had 
 been converted, and were growing in grace, and in the knowledge of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ; and I also met with those who were lukewarm, 
 and had not mucli dejitli of religious e.\i)enence. The Lord, how- 
 ever, enabled me to speak to the states and conditions of those whom 
 I visited, so that from day to day, in the performance of this gos- 
 pel labor, I felt the gracious seal of his acceptance. 
 
 In the prosecution of this concern, I visited two hundred and 
 twenty-five families, to the peace and comfort of my own mind, 
 and to tiie satisfaction and edification of Friends in those parts. 
 Praised forever be the name of the Lord! 
 
 Through the course of this year, ISGi, it was oftentimes in my 
 experience to shudder and to tremble, under a sense of the agita- 
 tion and affliction still permitted to assail my beloved country, 
 there being, in many instances, such powerful opposition to the 
 l)rc8ent administration in the effort already made for the entire 
 abolition of slavery throughout this great republic. Matters thus 
 rolled on, under a deep struggle and conflict, till the time of the 
 presidential election again arrived, which occurred in the latter 
 part of this year, when Abraham Lincoln, our beloved President, 
 Avas again elected to that high ofiice, together with Andrew John- 
 son for Vice-President. They were elected with a very large ma- 
 jority of votes, they being united in carrying out the complete abo- 
 lition of slavery throughout the limits of this government. This 
 renewed manifestation of public sentiment against slavery had a 
 powerful check u{)on their opposite candidates for the presidency, 
 and also upon those who supjDorted them by the right of suffrage, 
 and therefore their defeat in this election was much calculated to 
 settle and in some degree to harmonize the people in this country, 
 and to strengthen this government, wherein there are many sincere 
 believers in Christ under mourning and lamentation in beholding 
 the sin and wickedness of this nation. 
 
 In the opening of this year, 1805, I, together with my dear wife, 
 Avero impressed Avith feelings of very deep humility and thankful- 
 ness to God for all his mercies and blessings bestoAved upon us all 
 our life long; we Avere inspired Avith the s})irit of prayer and sup- 
 plication, not only for ourselves, but for all our fellow-beings every- 
 where. We, hoAvever, mourned over the continued calamity of 
 our beloved country, for the civil Avar is still rolling on Avith in- 
 
1865 JOURNAL OF THOMAS A U N KTI'. 403 
 
 creased horror and destruction of luiniun life. Tiirougli the past 
 year many fell in battle on both sides, while others, under various 
 circumstunees, died in the armies among the soldiers of our gov- 
 ernment, and also among those of the rebels. 
 
 We had evidence, however, in the light of truth, to believe that, 
 through divine interposition, this war would be brought to a close 
 by the fall of the rebellion, and our government would be sustained, 
 to the joy of all our loyal people, through the course of this year. 
 For the force of the rebels is becoming weaker and weaker, while 
 that of the United States is growing stronger and stronger. Many 
 thousands of our countrymen have fallen in battle in this war, and 
 also many thousands of the poor slaves have obtained their free- 
 dom since this war commenced. Amidst these national troubles, 
 while the mantle of weeping and lamentation is spread over many 
 minds in our midst, yet there are many among us who are commit- 
 ting sin and wickedness in high places. 
 
 The rulers, together with the people generally, in this country, 
 now becoming more and more awakened, so as to see and to under- 
 stand the enormous and horrible sin of slavery, that it is a curse 
 upon our afHicted land, and that our government will never be set- 
 tled upon a sure basis till it be utterly abolished from out of our 
 midst, therefore this subject very much agitated the members of 
 our Congress till the last day of the first month of this year, 1865, 
 Avhen, on that day. Congress passed an act, by upwards of two-thirds 
 of the votes of the members thereof, to amend the Constitution of 
 the United States, so as to be enabled, when this act shall become 
 so far ratified by the State Legislatures of this government as to 
 become a law, utterly to abolish the sin of slavery throughout this 
 great republic. And my earnest desire and prayer to God is, that 
 this work may roll on, consistent with his will, till the yoke of op- 
 pression shall be broken, so as all the sons and daughters of Africa 
 may go free throughout the world. 
 
 As "there was long war between the house of Saul and the house 
 of David, but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house 
 of Saul waxed weaker and weaker," so it was very much about this 
 time in this country under the long war pending between the North 
 and the South. The Xorth waxed stronger and stronger, and the 
 South waxed weaker and weaker, till the oi)ening of the fourth 
 month in this year, 1865, when intelligence was very much spread 
 throughout the United States, that after some dreadful battles, in 
 which several thousand fell on both sides, that the rebellion had 
 fallen, and was crushed down by the forces of the United States 
 armies. This intelligence being spread over the country caused a 
 most wonderful uproar among the people generally throughout the 
 land, rejoicing in various ways and forms, in consequence of the 
 fall of the rebellion, connected with shouting, firing guns, music, 
 and beating of drums. The intelligence of these things deeply 
 
404 .JOUKNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 18(» 
 
 moved my dear wife and myself into the most profound Inimility of 
 spirit, Avitli tears, prayer and siijaplication to God, together with 
 thanksgiving to him for the close of this dreadful war and for the 
 return of traucjuility and prosperity upon this great and exte'ided 
 government. After this there were skirmislies for awhile fought 
 in various parts of the rebel States, but they soon subsided, and so 
 the war ended, after raging with dreadful fury for about the space 
 of four desolating and conflicting years. 
 
 The war being now ended and the rebellion fallen, many of the 
 leaders thereof having surrendered to the authorities of the United 
 States, and in consequence of the triumphant victories obtained 
 over the insurgents, many believers in Christ, I believe, were sin- 
 cere in giving thanks to God in acknowledgement that, under his 
 mercy and providence, that the greatest rebellion recorded in his- 
 tory had fallen; yet I had cause to mourn over the American jieo- 
 ple, in many instances, in consideration of their vanity and self- 
 importance publicly manifested on this deeply affecting occasion — 
 they generally ai)peared to feel very independent and safe, not con- 
 sidering that "the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous 
 runneth into it and is safe;" and they moved forth in their course 
 as the noise of many waters, together with all the vanity connccred 
 with the seed of sin and transgression interwoven in human nature, 
 consequent upon the fall of man, so that under all the calamity 
 permitted upon this country, in consequence of sin and transgres- 
 sion, the people were still not humbled as they ought to be. But 
 God, I believe, for some wise pur[)ose, very much unknown toman, 
 permitted the exultation of tiie people of our afflicted land to be 
 turned into the most keen and intense sorrow, by the spread of a 
 cloud of darkness, sackcloth and tishes over our deei)ly afflicted 
 and agitated country. 
 
 AVickedness having now come to the highest pitch in high places 
 in this country, so that on the 14th day of the 4th month, 18()5, 
 our faithful and devoted President was assassinated near toward 
 midnight in a theater in Washington, lie was shot in the head by 
 an enemy to all that is right and good, and died eai'ly on the next 
 morning; so that the 15th day of this month in this year was, I 
 apprehend, the most awful and mournful season that ever fell upon 
 this country, very much similar, it appears to me, to tliat which 
 was in the experience of David, the King, in feeling the force of 
 his physical and political strength, which induced him to di liver 
 this testimony: "In my prosperity I said, I shall never be mov>'d. 
 Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand simng; 
 thou didst hide thy iace, and I was tronl)led." I believe that God, 
 however, in permitting this sudden, renewed calamity tt) be spread 
 upon this country, will yet abundantly bless, i)rosper and juotcct 
 this government. 
 
 The intelligence of the loss of our valued and honored President 
 
im, JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. 405 
 
 on this day flashed over the nation through telegraph electricity 
 like lightning, and humbled all the loyal people thereof in the most 
 intense grief and lamentation, so that in all the cities, towns, vil- 
 lages, and throughout the country generally, tokens of sorrow and 
 mourning were manifested. Thousands and millions of our peo- 
 ple, I believe, poured forth their tears under a deep sense of the loss 
 of onr Chief Magistrate in such a shocking manner, being "the 
 minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth 
 evil." 
 
 He was one of the best Presidents that ever presided in this gov- 
 ernment. He was one who was very much raised up from humble 
 walks in life, and through his own energy and good conduct be- 
 came useful in our government, and finally so far gained the confi- 
 dence of our peoi)le as to be jiromoted to the highest political sta- 
 tion upon the earth, being made a spectacle to men, to angels and 
 to the world. He was a believer in the doctrine of the Christian 
 religion, and in his messages and proclamations, delivered under 
 his judicious and wise administration, he acknowledged the pro- 
 tecting power and authority of Almighty God over the nations of 
 the earth. He was the friend of the suffering sons and daughters 
 of Africa, and was the first Pj-esident in this country who reared 
 u]) a laithful standard against slavery, and did all that he could, 
 consistent with the laws and constitution of our government, utterly 
 to abolish this dreadful curse from the face of this country; and he 
 was instrumental, together with his fellow-laborers, to lay tlie 
 foundation of the coniplete extinction of slavery from the Ameri- 
 can soil, which dedication finally cost him his natural life. But his 
 energetic labor and fervent desire for the good of the poor, degraded 
 and \rodden-down colored nuin will not only be spread throughout 
 the civilized world, but will also be transmitted down to the latest 
 posterity, as an honorable testimony to his name. 
 
 AVhile [, however, do deeply mourn in consequence of the lossof 
 our late President, yet I do most deeply regret that he was assassin- 
 ated in a theater, believing that such places ought not to be fre- 
 quented by people of such high standing, nor by the professors of 
 Christianity. 
 
 A person who is in the habit at his leisure hours of looking into 
 the vast and stupendous works of creation, of contemplating the 
 wisdom, goodness and power of the Creator, of considering the 
 great and magnificent works of his providence; who is in the habit 
 of surveying all mankind, of tracing the same unerring channel; 
 the uses iind objects of their existence; the design of their differ- 
 ent ranks and situations in life; the nature of their relative duties, 
 and the like, could never, I believe, have either any enjoyment or 
 be concerned in the invention of dramatic exhibitions. To a mind 
 in the habit of taking such an elevated view, it appears to me that 
 evervthing on the stage must look little and insignificant and out 
 
406 .lOUliXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1865 
 
 of place. How could a person of such a mind be delighted with 
 the musical note of a fiddle, the attitude of a dancer, the impas- 
 sioned grimace of an actor? How could the intrigue, or the love- 
 sick tale of the composition, please him? Or how could he have 
 imagined that these could be tlie comi)onent parts, in any degree, of 
 the Christian religion? 
 
 This inference, I believe, is confirmed by the testimony of the 
 early Christians. They considered the manner of the drama as 
 objectionable. They believed that he who was the author of truth 
 could never approve of that which was false, and that he who con- 
 demned hyjDocrisy could never approve of him who personated the 
 characters of others on tlie stage; and that they, tlierefore, who 
 pretended to be in love, or to be angry or to grieve, when none of 
 these passions existed in their minds, were guilty of prevarication 
 in the sight of God. 
 
 They considered their contents to be noxious. They looi<ed upon 
 them as consistories of immorality. They affirmed that things 
 were shown there which it did not become Christians to see, and 
 that while these things i)olluted tliose from whom tliey came, they 
 also polluted those in time in whose siglit and hearing they were 
 either shown or spoken. 
 
 They believed tliat these things not only polluted the spectators, 
 but that the representation of certain characters upon the stage 
 pointed out to them the various roads to vice, and inclined them to 
 become the persons whom tliey had seen represented, or to be actors 
 in I'eality of what they had seen feigned upon the stage. 
 
 They believed that dramatic exhibitions produced a frame of 
 mind contrary to that which should exist in the mind of a true 
 Christian; that there was nothing to be seen upon the stage that 
 could lead or encourage him to devotion to God; but, on the other 
 hand, that the noise and fury of the [)lay-house and the representa- 
 tions tliere produced a state of excitement that disturbed the peace 
 and (piietness of the mind, where.is the spirit of a Christian ought 
 to be calm, quiet, patient and composed to tit it for the duties re- 
 quired under the Cross of Jesus Christ. 
 
 And they believed, also, that such ])romiscuous assemblages of 
 men and Avomen were unfavoral)le to virtue, for that the sparks of 
 the passions were there blown into ilames. 
 
 I have no cause to believe that there has been any moral improve- 
 ment in the management and in the conducting of theaters since 
 the day of the early Christians down to the present time; therefore 
 it is as much the duty now for Christians to bear a testimony 
 against them and their evil consequences as it was then; and I be- 
 lieve that it had a tendency, in degree, in many instances, to add 
 affliction very much throughout tlie Christian world that our late 
 and valued Presidi-nt, after executing so many worthy and excellent 
 acts under the administration of liis high office, should linally be 
 assassinated in a theater. 
 
1865 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT, 4(»T 
 
 On the same dav of the death of our late and lamented Presi- 
 dent, Andrew Johnson, the Vice-President, Avas duly inaugurated, 
 according to the law of this government, the President of the 
 United States, and not long after his inauguration our society m 
 this country united in presenting before him the following address: 
 
 "To Andrew Johnson, Presit/enf of the Vnifed States: 
 
 "We appear before thee as the representatives of the religious 
 Society of Friends. We desire first to express our heartfelt grief, 
 in common with all true men, under the terrible calamity in which 
 our nation has been involved by the assassination of its honored 
 Chief Magistrate, the late Abraham Lincoln, a ruler whom we sin- 
 cerelv and warmly loved, and to whom Ave accorded our profound 
 respect, our unbounded gratitude. We sympatliize with thee. 
 President Johnson, in thy being unexpectedly called to the dis- 
 charge of duties always of the greatest importance, but especially 
 difficult and embarrassing in the peculiar .situation of our country. 
 We rejoice that the people of our land and the authorities of our 
 States have given unmistakable evidence that thou hast their confi- 
 dence, and that they will give thee their hearty support as the head 
 of the nation. Permit us to say that the religious society which 
 we represent has ever been loyal to government— always engaged, 
 by every means which they can consistently use, to uphold it, and 
 duly to respect and honor those placed in authority. We tender to- 
 thee the assurance of our sincere regard. We pray for thee, that 
 thou mayest receive divine grace to cheer and comfort thee, divine 
 o-uidance to lead and direct thee, and divine protection to sustain 
 and keep tliee. We crave that thy administration of the govern- 
 ment mav be to the honor of God and the welfare of the people, 
 and that thou mavest be instrumental in restoring permanent peace. 
 Mav the blessing of heaven descend upon our beloved country, and 
 may the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be extended 
 therein and throughout the whole world."' 
 
 When it is considered how large a share of the world's attention 
 Abraham Lincoln had drawn upon himself, how difficult his situa- 
 tion, the prejudices he had to encounter at home and abroad, the 
 abuse and tile slander that he endured, and then consider his un- 
 moved and unshaken cquaminity under all circumstances— never 
 swerving from the strict line of justice, ever maintaining a spotless 
 integrity that shone brighter the more it was tested and tried- 
 such a man, and such a ruler's death, is to be mourned over by all 
 classes of loyal people throughout the world 
 
 He lived, I believe, a temperate and abstemious life, a friend 
 and benefactor to everv movement that would benefit and elevate 
 his race. He appeared to consider very much how he could 
 make others happy, while all the care and responsibility were his 
 
 own. . , » 
 
 Free, open, and without guile or deception, he was a man ot 
 
408 JOrilXAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. 1865 
 
 prayer and supplication to God, and exposed himself freely to the 
 malice of his enemies, Avhile he labored to save them from ruin 
 they would bring upon themselves. Honest, faithful, aiul compe- 
 tent, he inaugui'ated measures and carried them out that have 
 linked his name through time to the latest posterity with honor 
 4ind renown. 
 
 Not only this nation, but other nations mourn his death, while 
 they abhor the conduct of the councils and men that procured the 
 assassination of such a great and good man. Few men have lived 
 Avho attracted more attention, and few have died who caused such 
 ^^niversal grief and sorrow. 
 
 Since the termination of the deeply afflicting civil war, permitted 
 to come upon this country, it has been estimated that the aggregate 
 number, including all, both among the federals and rebels, who in 
 battle and otherwise fell victims under "the sting of death" dur- 
 ing this calamity, amounted to upwards of half a million of our 
 feliow-beings, who left many behind them to mourn, and deeply to 
 lament their loss and the want of their society. 
 
 In consideration of the very heavy accumuhited debt now rest- 
 ing ui)on this government, instituted by the acts of our Congress, 
 to be enabled to sustain the Constitution of the United States, in 
 connection with the loss of so many lives and other evils connected 
 with the sin of war, it is very earnestly to be desired that the rul- 
 ers and the people throughout the civilized Avorld will hereafter 
 C'ver stand so open to the conviction of truth as to see, under divine 
 grace, the evil consequences of war, of slavery, and of rebellion. 
 
 While the civil Avar Avas raging in this agitated and afflicted land, 
 our dear Friends of London Yearly Meeting repeatedly sent us docu- 
 ments expressive of their sympathy for and with us, and toAvard 
 this country, under these calamities, as brought to vicAV in the fol- 
 lowing e[)istie from them : 
 
 From the Yearly Meeting of Friends, held in London. Fifth month, 
 
 1865. To Friends in North Atnerica. 
 
 Dear Friends : We have repeatedly expressed our deei) sym- 
 patliy with you in the calamities and trials of your protracted civil 
 Avar. Nor can we Avithhold the like expression on the great national 
 jiffliction Avhich you have sustaiiied in the assassination of your be- 
 loved President, just as that Avar seemed brought to a close. 
 
 You will already have been aware of the deep feeling Avhicli 
 the tidings of this aAvful ci'imc awakened among all classes of our 
 fellow-countrymen. Our chief object, hoAvever, in noAv addressing 
 you, is to express the heartfelt joy and gratitude Avith Avhich Ave 
 have received the tidings of the war having in a great measure 
 ceased, and of the anticipated termination of slavery throughout 
 your land. Events so rich tn ])i'esent blessin;,s, and so fraught with 
 "hope for the enslaved throughout the Avhole world, call for our de- 
 
1865 JOUUXAL OF THOMAS ARNE'JT. 4U13 
 
 Yout thanksgiving to liim who ctuises even the wrutli of man to 
 praise him. 
 
 With chastened and humble thankfulness we would congratulate 
 you and ourselves, that for so many years the members of our re- 
 ligious society have been free from all participation in slave-trading 
 and slave-holding. The testimony against slavery, as a sin against 
 Ood, and a crime against our fellow-men, is a precious inheritance 
 received from our jiredecessors ; a testimony borne by them in your 
 land, at the cost of much pecuniary and otlier sacrifice. It has been 
 vour ])rivi!ege and ours to enter into their labors. 
 
 Although the abolition of the slave trade and slavery has long 
 been a cherished object with our beloved country, yet we do not 
 forget that it was Great Britain that planted slavery in your States, 
 and that a large proportion of your colored population descended 
 from African slaves carried thither under the British flag. Our na- 
 tion has largely shared in the sin of American slavery, as it has 
 also, to some extent, ])artaken in the suffering caused by the war. 
 
 AVhile we entertain the hope that peace is virtually secured, and 
 that slavery in the United States is about to disappear utterly and 
 forever, we feel that there is much more to be done than to join with 
 you in the song of rejoicing. 
 
 Heartily have we sympathized with you, and with very many of 
 vonr fellow-Christians, in your efforts for the succor of the perish- 
 ing fugitives from slavery while the war was in progress. These 
 endeavors to clothe the naked, to relieve the sick, the aged, and the 
 helpless, and to im]iart religious instruction to the liberated negroes 
 have been greatly blessed. "A still wider field of Christian benevo- 
 lence, and one in which we trust that we and our fellow-countrymen 
 may be privileged to share, opens before you and others like 
 minded, in seeking to lead millions of emancipated human beings out 
 of the darkness and degradation of slavery, to qualify them for the 
 true appreciation and enjoyment of civil and religious freedom, and 
 ■effectually to secure for them the permanence of these blessings. 
 Every benefit conferred, every step gained in this onward and upward 
 progress, will not only be a p'ersonal blessing to our colored brethren 
 in your land, but will advance the cause of the oppressed and injured 
 negro in every (piarter of the world, not excepting his own benighted 
 Africa. 
 
 We rejoice to hear of the extent to which, in this day of trial. 
 Friends have remained faithful in maintaining the testimony of our 
 religions society against war. Both war and slavery are opi)Osed to 
 the spirit and precepts of the gospel of Christ; and in speaking of the 
 manner in which one of these evils has been instrumental in over- 
 throwing the other, we do but recognize the power of the Most 
 High to bring good out of evil, which is so often exemplified in his 
 moral government of the world. We affectionately desire that grace 
 and wisdom mav be given you to em]iloy your Christian influence 
 
410 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AUN'ETT. 1SG.> 
 
 for the healing of the many wounds caused by this bitter strife, and 
 for the promotion of love and good-will among all classes of your 
 countrymen ; and do no less desire that both you and we may be 
 engaged in prayerful dependence on the divi7ie blessing in seeking 
 to spread in our respective countries those sentiments of mutual 
 charity and good-will which furnish the best security for the con- 
 tinuance of international peace. 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of the meeting, 
 
 Joseph Crosfield, Clerk. 
 
 It is a matter that ought to induce people to be loyal to the gov- 
 ernment under which they live, consistent with the truth, in con- 
 sideration of the great contrast betweeii the lo3'al and rebel States 
 during this civil war ; for while many blessings were jioured down 
 upon the loyal States, the rebel States, in many instances, were 
 brought to participate in the most extreme sufferings in various 
 ways and forms, so tliat many of the people thereof were starved 
 to death for the want of the sustenance of life. Such was the 
 awful consequence of this rebellion. 
 
 In the Autumn of this year, 1685, my dear wife, with the a])pro- 
 bation and unity of Friends of our Monthly and Quarterly Meet- 
 ings, attended, in the love of the gospel, the service of Ohio Yearly 
 Meeting of Friends, and also visited most of the meetings thereof. 
 During this weighty dedication she was favored with good health, 
 and enabled to jjreach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit 
 and with power, to the comfort and edification of Friends and 
 others. She was out engaged in the prosecution of this concern 
 upward of three weeks, and traveled about fifteen hundred miles, 
 under the kind sympathy and care of Friends where her lot was 
 cast; and after performing this service, consistent with divine will, 
 she returned home with sweet peace of mind and to our mutual 
 joy and thankfulness to the Great Head of the Church. 
 
 The 18th day of the Twelfth mo. in this year, 1865, was a very 
 important and deeply interesting time to the people of this country, 
 in consideration of the final overthrow of shivery in the United 
 States and freedom proclaimed throughout our afflicted land. On 
 this day the Secretary of State of the United States issued his 
 proclamation on behalf of this Government, declaring that, Avhereas 
 the Congress of the United States having passed an act for the 
 amendment to the Constitution of the United States whicli, 
 when ratified by three-fourths of the State Legislatures of this 
 Government, shall be valid to all intents and purposes as a part of 
 said constitution. This amendment was for the entire abolition of 
 slavery throughout this great republic. Therefore, whereas three- 
 fourths of the State Legislatures of this Government having rati- 
 fied the proposed amendment, therefore be it known by the Secre- 
 tary of State of the United States that the ameiulment aforesaid 
 has become valid to all intents and purposes as i)art of the Consti- 
 
1806 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 411 
 
 tntion of the United States. Therefore slavery is forever abolished 
 in our beloved country, to the joy and thankfulness of many in our 
 afflicted land. 
 
 I thank thee, Lord, everlasting God, for ])ermitting me, thy 
 very poor and unAvorthy servant, through thine adorable mercy, to 
 live in this world to witness the abolition of slavery in this coun- 
 try, and a standard of freedom raised under this Government, 
 wherein all shall have equal rights and liberty. 
 
 Thy warning for many years, in the love of thy glorious and ever- 
 lasting gospel, went forth to the slave-holders, pleading with them 
 to let the oppressed go free, and to repent of tiicir sin and trans- 
 gression, so as to obtain thy mercy and witness pardon for tlieir 
 many evils which they had committed. And from the warning of 
 the expostulation of thy gos})el they tiirned away and became more 
 and more determined in their accumulated iniquity to hold on to 
 the sin of slavery, till thy very awful and dreadful judgments were 
 permitted to be poured down upon this country till the bond of op- 
 pression was broken asunder and the poor trodden down slaves per- 
 mitted to go free, and to enjoy, in a good degree, the rights of 
 man, after long suifering. 
 
 I beseech thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, to have 
 mercy upon this country, and to remember, in thy great loving 
 kindness, all the sufferings and afflictions of the sons and daughters 
 of Africa throughout this great Government, and more and more 
 in thy love, turn the benevolence of the j^eople toward them, so as 
 to relieve them in thy mercy from their sufferings and their deep 
 and sore afflictions. And I pray thee, Heavenly Father, to carry 
 on thy great work of universal reformation in this world, consist- 
 ent with thy will, till war, slavery and intemperance shall be abol- 
 ished throughout the whole world. Amen ! 
 
 Through the course of this year, 186G, various and weighty were 
 the exercises and concerns that came upon my dear wife and my- 
 self ; sometimes, in the order of our society, holding public meet- 
 ings together for Friends and others, and at other times traveling 
 separately in truth's service, to the peace of our minds and to the 
 satisfaction of Friends and others ; and on one occasion, while she 
 was out engaged in the jsrosecution of truth's service, I visited 
 most of the families of West Branch Quarterly Meeting of Friends, 
 together with holding some public meetings for those not of our 
 society. The whole number of families which I visited on this 
 concern amounted to about one hundred and fifty. 
 
 In the prosecution of this family visit I was very often reminded 
 through the spirit of this gracious ancient i)romise of God to Abra- 
 ham — "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed," relating 
 to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh, and shedding 
 his precious blood on the cross for the remission of sin. In conse- 
 quence of that one groat offering which he made of himself, once 
 
412 JOUKNAL OF THOMAS AKXETT. im 
 
 for all, through the eternal spirit, the blessing of God being ex- 
 tended to all tlie families of the earth in every age of the world. 
 
 I passed through this whole visit to the peace of my own mind, 
 and I believe to the comfort and edification of those whom I vis- 
 ited. The Lord, through the spirit, was with me, and granted me 
 strength and wisdom to labor, to the peace of my own mind and to 
 the gh)ry of his name. 
 
 After I had passed through this dedication consistent, I believe, 
 with the divine will, I returned home with sweet peace of mind, 
 and found my dear wife enjoying good health, she having, prior to 
 this time, performed her visit and returned home with true peace 
 of mind, having the evidence that this dedication had received the 
 gracious acceptance of the blessed Saviour, and that it was to the 
 comfort and edification of Friends and others among whom she 
 labored in the love of the gospel. 
 
 There is, according to the Scriptures, but one gospel to be 
 preached to the inhabitants of the earth, which is the message of 
 peace and salvation from God to man, through Jesus Christ, who 
 shed his blood on the cross for the remission of sin. And it is by 
 faith in the blood of Jesus Christ that this gosjiel shall reform and 
 evangelize the world, whicii is to be preached "unto them that 
 dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, 
 and people, according to this testimony and command of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, which he delivered in his language, after he had 
 tasted death for every man, and a little before his ascension into 
 heaven : "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go, 
 ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of 
 the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them 
 to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, 
 I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Go ye 
 into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." 
 
 This command should be received in faith, as addressed to all 
 the true messengers who are engaged in the prosecution of the mis- 
 sion of the gospel; this command has been and will be carried under 
 the grace of God, through the instrumentality of the great mission- 
 ary concern, in which all the Christian and evangelical churches 
 shoukl participate in the promotion of this great and good work, 
 and also in the necessary support of those who are called upon by 
 the Great Head of the Church to go forth to "preach the gospel of 
 peace and bring tidings of good things." 
 
 The gospel of "Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the 
 mystery which was kept secret since the world l>egan, but now is 
 made manifest, and by the scrijitures of the ])rophets, according to 
 the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all na- 
 tions for the obedience of faith : wherefore, according to this scrip- 
 ture testimony it is the duty of all the faithful laborers in Christ 
 to be " workers together with him " for the spread of the glad tid- 
 
1866 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT, 415 
 
 ings of this gospel among the nations of the earth for the obedience 
 of faith in him " who was delivered for our offences and was raised 
 again for our justification." 
 
 The ministry of the gospel as it is developed in the holy scrip- 
 tures and recognized in our religious society is so unshackled, such 
 liberty is given for the exercise of the gift bestowed, so extensive 
 the field that lies open to the gospel laborer, both within and with- 
 out the pale of our religious society, and so varied the exercises to 
 whicli such may be called, that it is very important all the means 
 tiiat can be employed for the help and instruction of these should 
 be brought into exercise. 
 
 Many young ministers, I believe, suffer great loss for want of 
 timely counsel and care. This is surely a subject of vast importiince 
 to the well-being of our religious society, seeing however excellent 
 the gift, or evident the anointing, human insti-uments are weak and 
 fallible, having " this treasure in earthen vessels" and always liable 
 to receive a bias from a variety of causes and circumstances. 
 
 The constitution of our Society in this matter appears to me to 
 be excellent ; let it be acted U])on and carried out with faithfulness, 
 in simplicity and godly sincerity, and then I believe fruit will be 
 found to the praise and glory of him who is the head over all things 
 to his church. It does not indicate the quiet and meek spirit of 
 the gospel for ministers to set their own feelings above the care of 
 friends or the judgment of the church. These should remember 
 that the various members of the body have not all tlie same office;, 
 but that the Lord hath tempered them together as it hath pleased him, 
 so that the "eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee, 
 nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." They are 
 for the help and comfort one of another that the functions of the 
 whole may be healthfully iierformed ; and while we should not in 
 any degree diminish the imjiortance of ministers, looking with a 
 single eye to their heavenly leader and guide, remembering the 
 declaration of our blessed Lord, " One is your master, even Christ, 
 and all ye are brethren; " they should bear in mind that while to one 
 is committed the gift of prophecy or preaching, to another is given 
 the " word of exhortation," and that it is the Lord's will that his 
 people should be subject one to another, that all may learn and all 
 be comforted. 
 
 I believe that it is the duty of the minister of the Lord Jesus Christ 
 to read and to meditate, under divine grace, so as to be well ac- 
 quainted with the holy scriptures and to seek Avisdom and instruction 
 from him who inspired them and gave them fortii, so as to be able 
 through the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit to make a right 
 application of them. The great Apostle, in relution to this subject, 
 delivered this testimony, which should be received as addressed to 
 every true minister of the gospel, "Give attendance to reading, to 
 exhortation, to doctrine, neglect not the gift that is in thee, niedi- 
 
414 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AIINETT. 186G 
 
 tate upon these things, give thyself wliolly to them, tliat thy profit- 
 ing may appear to alL" " Study to show thyself approved unto God, 
 a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the 
 ■word of truth." 
 
 It is also the duty of a minister of the gospel to be an example of- 
 the believers, in word, in conversatioij, in charity, in purity, and in 
 all becoming Christian forbearance and long-sntferiug. 
 
 We see, according to the testimony of this great apostle, that it is 
 the duty of the ministers of the gospel not only to live a holy and 
 sanctified life, but also to study sosas to improve and to store their 
 minds with such knowledge as will enable them, under divine grace, 
 to defend the doctrines of the gospel and to illustrate the sacred 
 writings. 
 
 And above all things, in minstering the word of life and salva- 
 tion it is their very indispensable duty to move therein according 
 to this apostolic direction: "If any man speak, let him speak as 
 the oracles of God : if any man minister, let him do it as of the 
 ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified 
 through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and 
 ever." 
 
 It is very important in the prosecution of the great Avork of the 
 ministry of the gospel, that " as every man hath received the gift, 
 e\en so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the 
 manifold grace of God." 
 
 'This precious gift is not of man, but it is of God, according to 
 this apostolic testimony, "I certify you, brethren, that the gospel 
 which was preached of me is not alter man : for I neither received 
 of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus 
 Christ." This gospel " is the power of God unto salvation to every 
 one that believeth." And if all who are engaged in this very im- 
 portant and interesting work would be careful to wait in the name 
 of the Lord till they should be endued with power from on high, 
 and in all their services in the gospel to move "as of the ability 
 which God giveth," then I believe that Christianity would branch 
 out in the world " upon every high mountain and upon every high 
 hill," as rivers and streams of waters, to the converting and saving 
 many precious souls. 
 
 Ministers of the gospel, in the exercise of their gifts, when they 
 feel called u})on to open and illustrate the doctrines of the Christian 
 religion, should ever be careful to elucidate subjects of this nature 
 according to the scriptures, neither misquoting nor misapplying 
 tlu'm, but inculcating "all the counsel of God," in the authority of 
 "the everlasting gospel "as therein contained and develoi)ed. 
 
 While it IS the duty of the ministers of the gospel in explaining 
 the great doctrine of Christian redemption, such as the sin conse- 
 quent upon tile fall of man and the benefit resulting to the whole 
 family of man through the coming of the dear Son of God in the 
 
186(5 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 415 
 
 tlt'sh, that ''Christ also liath once suffered for sins, the just for the 
 unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the 
 flesh, but quickened by tlie spirit ;" together with all other points 
 of doctrine relative to tlie benefit and instruction of the Ijelievers 
 in Christ and others. It is also their duty, under the right anoint- 
 ing, to inculcate in "the work of the ministry," the whole truth, 
 as it is developed in the sacred volume, in elucidating the doctrine 
 of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to "judge the world in 
 righteousness '" in the great and general day of judgment, when 
 all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth, 
 they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life ; and they 
 that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 
 
 In opening and illustrating the great doctrine of Christian re- 
 demption, the mystery thereof, however, should ever be left where 
 the Scriptures leave it, knowing that " the secret things belong 
 unto the Lord our Clod; but those things which are revealed belong 
 unto us, and to our children forever, that we may do all the words 
 of this law." 
 
 The institution of elders in the church of God, as recognized in 
 the sacred volume, and acknowledged in our religious society, such 
 as have " passed from death unto life," " being justified by faith," 
 and "sanctified in Christ Jesus," ruling well their own houses 
 " with all gravity," having a right understanding of faitli and doc- 
 trine, according to the Scri|)tures, and having been anointed under 
 the influence of the Holy Ghost to be laborers among the i)eople of 
 God, is surely one of the greatest blessings bestowed upon the 
 household of God; and the duty resting ujion those of this de- 
 scription is inculcated in this apostolic testimony, "Take heed 
 therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the 
 Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, 
 which he hath purchased with his own blood," "taking the over- 
 sight of" the heritage of God, being oxain2)les to the flock. 
 
 We see, according to this testimony, that elders should be very 
 watchful over themselves, and also over the flock among whom they 
 reside, laboring therein with all gravity for the encouragement of 
 the faithful, and for the awakening and restoration of those who 
 live in the neglect of tlieir various religious duties. 
 
 Ministers and elders, being united in the unity of the spirit, in 
 the bond of peace, may be mutually helpful to each other, and la- 
 bor as nursing fathers and mothers in the church, teaching and in- 
 structing those who are young in the ministry, and discouraging 
 everything that is unbecoming a work of sucli vast importance to the 
 well-being and preservation of the church. 
 
 Ministers and elders in the church of God, being " perfectly 
 joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment," and 
 being also " rooted and grounded" in " the love of Christ which 
 passeth knowledge," and through the leading and teaching of the 
 
416 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AKNETT. i8fcT 
 
 Holy Spirit having received spiritual gifts, so as to be enabled, un- 
 der divine grace, to open and to illustrate all the doctrines 
 of the Christian religion, to the edification and comfort of 
 all the members of the spiritual house of God, which, being 
 built up "as lively stones," " a holy priesthood, to offer up spirit- 
 ual sacrifices acceptable to God, by Jesus Christ." 
 
 Those of this description, being faithful in the exercise of their 
 gifts, will not only be as ])illars in the " church of the living God," 
 but will also labor harmoniously together for the spread of the glad 
 tidings of the gospel, both within and without the pale of the 
 Christian church; and it is their duty, together with all the mem- 
 bers of the house of God, "to follow after charity," "and desire 
 spiritual gift," so as to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of 
 our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," " praying always with all 
 prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto Avith 
 all perseverence and supplication for all saints." 
 
 It is the duty of all the Christian and evangelical churches, in the 
 obedience of faith, to seek under divine grace to be enabled to par- 
 ticipate in and to carry out, as way may open in the wisdom of truth, 
 this testimony and injunction of Jesus Christ: " The harvest 
 truly is great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord 
 of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." 
 
 The field of the great harvest is the whole world, and all those 
 of every description who go forth and labor in this fiekl, consistent 
 with the truth, according to their gifts, for the purpose of gathering 
 souls to him " whose goings forth have been from of old, from 
 everlasting," God will bless such laborers in time and in eternity; 
 for, according to the scriptures, "they that be wise shall shine as 
 the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to right- 
 eousness as the stars forever and ever." 
 
 I, together with my dear wile, in passing through the course of 
 this year, 1867, participated in deep and weighty exercises in the 
 discharge of our various domestic, relative and religious duties, to- 
 gether with much affliction both of body and mind. 
 
 In the spring thereof my health had been for some time poor, 
 till eventually I was suddenly seized with a most severe chill, which 
 continued for some hours, and terminated with a severe attack of 
 billions fever, which confined me to my bed and room for about the 
 S])ace of two weeks, during which time I was l)rought low in body; 
 but under this deep affliction, my mind was filled with the love of 
 Christ, and perfect sweetness and peace pervaded my spirit. While 
 under this alUiction, permitted to come upon me for some wise pur- 
 pose, I thought much about the situation of those who si)end their 
 time in vanity and wickedness, knowing according to the scriptures 
 the awful condition of such when brought down on a death-bed, with- 
 out sincere repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. While health and opportunity are afforded, people ought 
 
1867 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 417 
 
 to return, repent and seek, under divine grace, to be prepared for a 
 happy eternity, when death places them out of time, and they pass 
 from works to rewards, no more to be seen in this sinful and fallen 
 world as they now are. May God have mercy on all such, while 
 they are in the land of the living. 
 
 I had cause, however, eventually to thank God that through his 
 mercy, together with the most kind nursing and Christian care of 
 my dear and loving wife, including the needful medical attention 
 and aid, I, in process of time, recovered from this attack of 
 bodily indisposition, and was again restored to my usual health. I 
 beseech thee, Lord, everlasting God, to sanctify to the glory of 
 thy cause, and to my benefit and purity, this sore and deep afflic- 
 tion. Praised forever be thy holy and ever worthy and adorable 
 name! Amen! 
 
 After my recovery from this severe attack of bodily indisposition, 
 my dear wife and myself, being under a religious concern to visit, 
 in the love of the gospel, the meetings and families constituting 
 our Quarterly Meeting, to appoint some meetings in those parts for 
 Friends and others, and also to appoint a few similar meetings in 
 some other parts of this country, including the city of Columbus. 
 
 In the opening of the wisdom of God, we eventually entered 
 upon this visit with the unity of our dear Friends; and in the 
 prosecution of our visit to the meetings and families of Friends, 
 under this weighty concern, we were enabled, through the spirit, to 
 labor to the satisfaction and edification of those whom we visited, 
 and to the peace of our own minds, desiring that God in all our 
 labors may be glorified through us, and that his grace may be more 
 and more magnified in our experience ; desiring also that our dear 
 Friends whom we visited may ever live so nigh God in the spirit, 
 and so near one to another, as to be preserved in the unity of the 
 spirit, in the bond of peace, so as to grow in grace, and in the knowl- 
 edge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and all our domestic, 
 relative and religious duties were impressively and earnestly incul- 
 cated, we believe to very good effect. The aged were encouraged 
 to be faithful to the end, so as to be accounted worthy to receive 
 the crown of righteousness promised to all the children of God ; 
 and the youth were exhorted to make a full surrender to the cross 
 of Christ, so as to enjoy and to glorify him forevermore. 
 
 Many of the public meetings which we held among Friends and 
 others under this concern were very large and eminently owned by 
 him who sent us forth ; and in tliem the gospel was preached in all 
 its fullness, in the demonstration of the spirit and with power, ac- 
 cording to the scriptures ; so that the name of God, through Jesus 
 Christ, the holy and adorable Mediator, was magnified therein to 
 the humility and edification of many minds, so that we had great 
 cause to bless God and to take fresh courage in walking with him 
 who ''made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is 
 
418 JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 1867 
 
 Lord of heaven and earth," and is ''no respecter of persons, hut in 
 every nation he that fearetli Him and worketh righteousness is ac- 
 cepted with Him." 
 
 Our visit to the city of Cohimbus, under tliis concern, was of a 
 deeply interesting nature. We left home to perform this part of 
 our dedication in this service on the l.'Uh day of the 9th month, 
 1801, and on the next day we had a very interesting meeting with 
 the inmates of the State Blind Asylum, where we met about one 
 hundred blind children, who were much tendered in spirit through 
 the ministry of the gospel ; and on the loth, being the First-day of 
 the week, we visited the State prison ; aiul in the morning we had 
 a meeting for the female prisoners, there being twenty-live of this 
 description in attendance, who were, under the reaching power of 
 the gospel, broken down under conviction through a sense of their 
 sin and transgression ; and after passing through the First-day 
 scriptural school exercises with the i)risoners, we attended the meet- 
 ing of the male prisoners, which commenced at 11 o'clock, and held 
 about one hour, there being in attendance nine hundred and ninety 
 prisoners, together with the State officers of the prison and about 
 two hundred citizens of the city. In this mixed multitude we 
 were much favored in prayer and in preaching the gospel of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, in the demonstration of the spirit and with 
 power, in Avhich salvation was offered to all in attendance through 
 repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 And in the evening we held a large and very interesting public 
 meeting for the citizens of the city, in a Methodist meeting-house, 
 wherein truth reigned over all. Many were humbled as in dust and 
 ashes and in thanksgiving to God for this gracious and merciful 
 visitation, to whom all the praise is due. After this we returned 
 home with sweet peace of mind. 
 
 There are no writings in the world which contain history so im- 
 portant, poetry so sublime, delineation and biography of character 
 so instructive and interesting, devotional compositions so tender 
 and impressive, and lessons so wise and useful as the holy scriptures. 
 No ])eo})le can be in the habit of reading the sacred volume with 
 attention and in a humble, devotional spirit without finding them- 
 selves instructed in the knowledge of tbe doctrine of Christianity. 
 
 The scriptures are so full of instructions — the mine is so deep 
 and richly stored — that the treasure is never exhausted. We may 
 read the same passage thereof a thousand times, and then return 
 to it again in a right spirit, and be renewedly edified and com- 
 forted. 
 
 In consideration of the very immense value and benefit of the 
 scriptures to the inluibitants of the whole world, how very im- 
 portant it is that all the Christian and evangelical (iliurches under 
 the i)rovidence and grace of God should be engaged in the partici- 
 pation of tbe general circulation of the sacred volume, in connec- 
 
1867 JOirR>rAL OF THOxMAS AKNTETT. 4111 
 
 tion with the great missionary concern for the spread of the gospel 
 throughout the wliole liabitable world. 
 
 I am thankful, however, in believing that this great and good 
 work, under the benevolence of the Christian religion, has been 
 already commenced, and is still going on, consistent with the truth, 
 through the instrumentality of the various Bible societies, whose 
 object it is to print and circulate the scriptures through all the 
 habitable world and in all the languages spoken on the face of the 
 earth ; and I believe that this great and good work will still go on 
 under divine grace, "till the earth shall be filled with the know- 
 ledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea ; " for the 
 Lord will carry on his work of general reformation in the world 
 till his will shall be done on the earth as it is in heaven. 
 
 I believe, that in connection with the concern of the dissemina- 
 tion of the truths of the gospel to the inhabitants of the world, 
 through the instrumentality of the believers in the various evan- 
 gelical churches, has been the institution and sustenance, under 
 the grace of God, of First-day scriptural schools for the study of 
 the scrijDtures, which are able to make wise unto salvation and 
 righteousness through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
 
 I believe that the origin of these Christian Sabbath schools was 
 in the wisdom of him who is the author and finisher of the saint's 
 faith ; and as they are conducted and carried on in a right spirit, 
 under the supervision of the various Christian evangelical churches, 
 consistent with the providence and grace of God, they will, I am 
 persuaded, be instrumental of one of the greatest blessing through 
 the light of the gospel in converting and gathering many sons and 
 daughters worthy to be adopted as members in the great family of 
 God. 
 
 The Bible has God for its author, truth for its essence and salva- 
 tion, under the divine grace, for its object ; and as the sacred 
 volume is read and studied in a right spirit in these schools, with 
 prayer and supplication, the truths thereof through the light of the 
 gospel will often be opened and illustrated to the edification and 
 comfort of many. I beseech, thee, Lord, everlasting God, abund- 
 antly to continue thy mercy, preservation and protection toward 
 me, thy very poor and unworthy servant ; open and illuminate my 
 understanding more and more, so as I may yet be enabled to work 
 for thee consistent with thy holy will. Bless, I pray thee, all my 
 labors in the gospel, for all this work has been thine and not mine, 
 for I am only the instrument thereof ; and now in faith I dedicate 
 all my works performed in thy name to thee, and to thy gracious 
 ordering, and in all things concerning me, together with my dedica- 
 tion to thee and to thy cause, thy will, and not mine be done. 
 Amen. 
 
 We have need to praise the Father of Spirits, for he has ever fed 
 us with good things. Though our trials be deep, yet if we trust in 
 
420 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AftNETT. 1867 
 
 him, he will sanctify them and turn them to our good. Though 
 mountains may seem to obstruct our ^^atli, his power can remove 
 them from our sight and make good pastures for us where they 
 were. If the elements seem to make war against us, he can rend 
 the heavens and come down and govern them. He guides the 
 meek in judgment, and a broken and contrite heart he will never 
 despise. When he seems to leave ns and permits the tempter to 
 buffet us, a fear is apt to i^ervade at times that he is gone forever, 
 that we shall no more see good. But when he returns with heal- 
 ing in his wings, we feel that all is well. I have often times felt 
 poor, but he remembered me in those days and manifested his 
 strength and brought to my remembrance his gracious dealings to 
 his saints in former ages. We have it stated in sacred history that 
 three of his saints were once cast into a burning, fiery furnace, and 
 his power was with them and prevented them from receiving any 
 hurt. The history of the apostles also states that John the evan- 
 gelist " was put into a cauldron of boiling oil," and the Divine Provi- 
 dence delivered him from receiving any injury. Many other similar 
 instances might be adverted to, but these are deemed sufficient. 
 How confirming are these things of his gracious providence and 
 power ! Where will the atheist find himself under the considera- 
 tion of these truths ? Perhajas he will deny the authority of them ; 
 but he may with the same propriety deny the authenticity of all 
 history, which he will not, I hope, have the assurance to do. And 
 no history extant is better founded than the Scriptures of truth, for 
 both ancient and modern historians authenticate them, and truth 
 fulfils the prophecies which are stated in them. 
 
 There are many in the world who presume to deny the divinity of 
 Jesus Christ, but they have no authority to entertain such a 
 thought, for his divinity has been sufficiently shown by many infal- 
 lible proofs. He was with the Father from the beginning, and by 
 him he created all that was made, " who being the brightness of his 
 glory and the express image of his person, and upholding all things 
 by the word of his power, Avhen he had by himself purged our sins, 
 sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High,'' and to him 
 every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. He wrought many 
 wonderful miracles when he was visibly in the world ; and he works 
 wonders in the heavens and in the earth even in these days, though 
 not so conspicuous to the eye of the natural man as those were 
 which he did when he was personally on the earth ; but the spiritual 
 eye sees his wonders in the heavens and in the earth, in the seas and 
 in tiie fountains of waters. His saints see his wonders continually. 
 For the sun that rolls over our heads, the moon that gives light by 
 night, those luminous bodies whicli bespangle the heavens in a dark 
 night, the vicissitudes of the seasons — in fine, the structures of cre- 
 ation are all conspicuous wonders and should be sufficient to con- 
 vince the most tenacious deist in the world. Some of the most 
 
isfiT JOURNAL OF THOMAS ARNETT. 431 
 
 celebrated infidels were brought to acknowledge his divinity in the 
 hours of their dissolution. They saw the error of their belief and 
 wished for time to amend tlieir ways ; a guilty conscience smote 
 them ; they retrospected their i)ast conduct with regret, because 
 tliey had employed tlieir nol)le faculties in endeavoring to confute 
 the truths of the Christion religion and the doctrines of the gospel. 
 
 I desire those who have time afforded them for repentance will 
 improve it betimes and acknowledge the divinity of Christ, propa- 
 gating the truths and the doctrines of the gospel, avoiding the lo 
 here's or the lo there's, but giving heed to the principle of light and 
 life in them which will lead them out of all error into all truth, if 
 they mind its monitions. 
 
 I will trust in the Lord of all my sure comforts, for his spirit 
 penetrates my heart ; it has often chained down the evil in me and 
 reached the good seed in my heart and watered it with the waters 
 of everlasting life. 
 
 I will praise him and endeavor to teach transgressors his law and 
 show to sinners that he willeth not their death, for he wishes all to 
 live with him in paradise forever. 
 
 I impart these things to thee with a wish that thou mnyst attain 
 such a degree of purity that nothing can hurt thee, for those saints 
 which sacred history speaks of and states that the terrors of death 
 did not move them,"^ and that all the artifice of man could not hurt 
 them, had passed from death to life, and had attained a very high 
 degree of perfection, and if thou attain it nothing can hurt thee. 
 
 When our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, "who is over 
 all, God blessed forever," was about to withdraw his visible appear- 
 ance from this world what was the legacy he bequeathed to his deso- 
 late and afflicted believers and followers ? Was it power to exalt 
 them above their enemies ? Was it Avealth to supply them with 
 worldly gratifications ? "Was it even sagacity or knowledge with all 
 their attendant blessings ? " Peace I leave with you ; my peace I 
 give unto you ; not as the world giveth give I unto you." This is 
 the secret treasure of the Christian life ; this is the peculiar blessing 
 of spiritual mindedness. 
 
 The world is full of vehement desires and eager competitions ; 
 the faculties of the mind driven forward by its passions and provid- 
 ing for their gratifications and vain pleasures. In the progress of 
 earthly prosperity we are continually advancing from comparative 
 stillness and tranquility into a busy and tempestuous region. As 
 riches increase and honors multiply our projects become more ex- 
 tensive, our enemies more numerous, our contests more severe, our 
 anxieties ceaseless and consuming ; and often in the more pul)lic 
 and exalted scenes of life, the storm still grows more tempestuous, 
 even to the day when the hand of death arrests us and we sink and 
 pass away with " shame and everlasting contempt." 
 
 Far different is the path of the Christian, which '* is as the shining 
 
422 JOURNAL OF THOMAS AHNETT. isfiT 
 
 light that shinetli more and more unto the perfect day." Dark- 
 ened, perhaps, at first with clouds of perplexity and temptation, the 
 pilgrim looks around with a trembling anxiety and treads even the 
 wav of salvation with some heaviness ; but the light which shone 
 faintly and fitfully for a time becomes clear and steady. As he as- 
 cends" onward and upward towards the celestial paradise, leaving 
 behind him tlie various troubles, temptations and darkness, together 
 with all the trials and tumults of this lower Avorld, his prospect is 
 still growing more extensive and delightful, the region more tran- 
 quil and peaceful, and finally, when he shall receive this welcome 
 message from the Prince of Peace, "Well done, thou good and 
 faithful servant;" ''enter thou into the joy of thy Lord," — into 
 the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens ; and God 
 shall wipe away all tears from his eyes and give him a crown of 
 righteousness and adopt him into the great city of glory and happi- 
 ness, to join the holy angels and the saints in light to praise and 
 adore his great and wonderful name forever and ever. 
 
 God is wonderful in all his ways. He directs the planets in their 
 courses and preserves perfect harmony among them through all 
 time. If the same order were instituted and preserved among the 
 children of men as is among them, then the nations of the earth 
 would liarmonize and leai'n war no more one with another, and the 
 church militant would triumph and reign in the earth, and sons 
 and daughters would be gathered from far, and in the sweetness of 
 divine love they would unite in praising God in his entire being, as 
 Father, Son and Holy Ghost, one eternal Almighty God, "and the 
 bright and morning star" would arise upon them and guide them 
 to the house of divine knowledge, where they would receive comfort 
 and instruction, and be enabled to labor in the wisdom of God, in 
 gathering souls to him; knowing that " they that be wise shall 
 shine as the brightness of the firmanent, and they that turn many 
 to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." 
 

 
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