FOURTH Month, 1760. -- Having for some time past felt a sympathy in my mindwith Friends eastward1, I opened my concern in our Monthly Meeting, and,obtaining a certificate, set forward on the 17th of this month, in company withmy beloved friend Samuel Eastburn. We had meetings at Woodbridge, Rahway, andPlainfield, and were at their Monthly Meeting of ministers and elders inRahway. We laboured under some discouragement, but through the invisible powerof truth our visit was made reviving to the lowly-minded, with whom I felt anear unity2 of spirit, being much reduced in my mind. We passed on and visitedmost of the meetings on Long Island. It was my concern from day to day, to sayneither more nor less than what the Spirit of truth opened in me, being jealousover myself lest I should say anything to make my testimony3 look agreeable tothat mind in people which is not in pure obedience4 to the cross of Christ.
The spring of the ministry5 was often low, and through the subjecting power oftruth we were kept low with it; from place to place they whose hearts weretruly concerned for the cause of Christ appeared to be comforted in ourlabours, and though it was in general a time of abasement6 of the creature, yet,through His goodness who is a helper of the poor, we had some truly edifyingseasons both in meetings and in families where we tarried. Sometimes we foundstrength to labour earnestly with the unfaithful, especially with those whosestation in families or in the Society was such that their example had apowerful tendency to open the way for others to go aside from the purity andsoundness of the blessed truth.
At Jericho, on Long Island, I wrote home as follows: -24th of the Fourth Month, 1760.
DEARLY BELOVED WIFE, -- We are favoured with health; have been at sundrymeetings in East Jersey7 and on this island. My mind hath been much in aninward, watchful8 frame since I left thee, greatly desiring that our proceedingsmay be singly in the will of our Heavenly Father.
As the present appearance of things is not joyous10, I have been much shut upfrom outward cheerfulness, remembering that promise, "Then shalt thou delightthyself in the Lord"; as this from day to day has been revived in my memory, Ihave considered that His internal presence in our minds is a delight of allothers the most pure, and that the honest-hearted not only delight in this, butin the effect of it upon them. He regards the helpless and distressed11, andreveals His love to His children under affliction, who delight in beholding12 Hisbenevolence, and in feeling divine charity moving in them. Of this I may speaka little, for, though since I left you I have often an engaging love andaffection towards thee and my daughter and friends about home, and going out atthis time, when sickness is so great amongst you, is a trial upon me; yet Ioften remember there are many widows and fatherless, many who have poor tutors,many who have evil examples before them, and many whose minds are in captivity;for whose sake my heart is at times moved with compassion13, so that I feel mymind resigned to leave you for a season, to exercise that gift which the Lordhath bestowed14 on me, which though small compared with some, yet in this Irejoice that I feel love unfeigned towards my fellow-creatures. I recommend youto the Almighty15, who, I trust, cares for you, and under a sense of His heavenlylove remain,Thy loving husband, J. W.
We crossed from the east end of Long Island to New London, about thirtymiles, in a large open boat; while we were out, the wind rising high, the wavesseveral times beat over us, so that to me it appeared dangerous, but my mindwas at that time turned to Him who made and governs the deep, and my life wasresigned to Him; as He was mercifully pleased to preserve us, I had freshoccasion to consider every day as a day lent to me, and felt a renewedengagement to devote my time, and all I had, to Him who gave it.
We had five meetings in Narraganset, and went thence to Newport on RhodeIsland. Our gracious Father preserved us in an humble16 dependence17 on Him throughdeep exercises that were mortifying18 to the creaturely will. In several familiesin the country where we lodged19, I felt an engagement on my mind to have aconference with them in private, concerning their slaves; and through divineaid I was favoured to give up thereto. Though in this concern I differ frommany whose service in travelling is, I believe, greater than mine, yet I do notthink hardly of them for omitting it; I do not repine at having so unpleasant atask assigned me, but look with awfulness to Him who appoints to His servantstheir respective employments, and is good to all who serve Him sincerely.
We got to Newport in the evening, and on the next day visited two sickpersons, with whom we had comfortable sittings, and in the afternoon attended the burial of a Friend. The next day we were at meetings at Newport, in theforenoon and afternoon; the spring of the ministry was opened, and strength wasgiven to declare the Word of Life to the people.
The day following we went on our journey, but the great number of slaves inthese parts, and the continuance of that trade from thence to Guinea, made adeep impression on me, and my cries were often put up to my Heavenly Father insecret, that He would enable me to discharge my duty faithfully in such way asHe might be pleased to point out to me.
We took Swansea, Freetown, and Taunton in our way to Boston, where also wehad a meeting; our exercise was deep, and the love of truth prevailed, forwhich I bless the Lord. We went eastward about eighty miles beyond Boston,taking meetings, and were in a good degree preserved in an humble dependence onthat arm which drew us out; and though we had some hard labour with thedisobedient, by laying things home and close to such as were stout20 against thetruth, yet through the goodness of God we had at times to partake of heavenlycomfort with those who were meek21, and were often favoured to part with Friendsin the nearness of true gospel fellowship. We returned to Boston and hadanother comfortable opportunity with Friends there, and thence rode back aday's journey eastward of Boston. Our guide being a heavy man, and the weatherhot, my companion and I expressed our freedom to go on without him, to which heconsented, and we respectfully took our leave of him; this we did as believingthe journey would have been hard to him and his horse.
In visiting the meetings in those parts we were measurably baptized into afeeling of the state of the Society, and in bowedness of spirit went to theYearly Meeting at Newport, where we met with John Storer from England,Elizabeth Shipley, Ann Gaunt, Hannah Foster, and Mercy Redman, from our parts,all ministers of the gospel, of whose company I was glad. Understanding that alarge number of slaves had been imported from Africa into that town, and werethen on sale by a member of our Society, my appetite failed, and I grewoutwardly weak, and had a feeling of the condition of Habakkuk, as thusexpressed: "When I heard, my belly22 trembled, my lips quivered, I trembled inmyself, that I might rest in the day of trouble." I had many cogitations, andwas sorely distressed. I was desirous that Friends might petition theLegislature to use their endeavours to discourage the future importation ofslaves, for I saw that this trade was a great evil, and tended to multiplytroubles, and to bring distresses23 on the people for whose welfare my heart wasdeeply concerned. But I perceived several difficulties in regard topetitioning, and such was the exercise of my mind that I thought ofendeavouring to get an opportunity to speak a few words in the House ofAssembly then sitting in town.
This exercise came upon me in the afternoon on the second day of the YearlyMeeting, and on going to bed I got no sleep till my mind was wholly resignedthereto. In the morning I inquired of a Friend how long the Assembly was likelyto continue sitting, who told me it was expected to be prorogued24 that day orthe next. As I was desirous to attend the business of the meeting, andperceived the Assembly was likely to separate before the business was over,after considerable exercise, humbly25 seeking to the Lord for instruction, mymind settled to attend on the business of the meeting; on the last day of whichI had prepared a short essay of a petition to be presented to the Legislature,if way opened. And being informed that there were some appointed by that YearlyMeeting to speak with those in authority on cases relating to the Society, Iopened my mind to several of them, and showed them the essay I had made, andafterwards I opened the case in the meeting for business, in substance asfollows: -I have been under a concern for some time on account of the great number ofslaves which are imported into this colony. I am aware that it is a tenderpoint to speak to, but apprehend26 I am not clear in the sight of Heaven withoutdoing so. I have prepared an essay of a petition to be presented to theLegislature, if way open; and what I have to propose to this meeting is thatsome Friends may be named to withdraw and look over it, and report whether theybelieve it suitable to be read in the meeting. If they should think well ofreading it, it will remain for the meeting to consider whether to take anyfurther notice of it, as a meeting, or not.
After a short conference some Friends went out, and, looking over it,expressed their willingness to have it read, which being done, many expressedtheir unity with the proposal, and some signified that to have the subjects ofthe petition enlarged upon, and signed out of meeting by such as were free,would be more suitable than to do it there. Though I expected at first that ifit was done it would be in that way, yet such was the exercise of my mind thatto move it in the hearing of Friends when assembled appeared to me as a duty,for my heart yearned27 towards the inhabitants of these parts, believing that bythis trade there had been an increase of inquietude amongst them, and way hadbeen made for the spreading of a spirit opposite to that meekness28 and humilitywhich is a sure resting-place for the soul; and that the continuance of thistrade would not only render their healing more difficult, but would increasetheir malady30.
Having proceeded thus far, I felt easy to leave the essay amongst Friends,for them to proceed in it as they believed best. And now an exercise revived inmy mind in relation to lotteries31, which were common in those parts. I hadmentioned the subject in a former sitting of this meeting, when arguments were used in favour of Friends being held excused who were only concerned in suchlotteries as were agreeable to law. And now, on moving it again, it was opposedas before; but the hearts of some solid Friends appeared to be united todiscourage the practice amongst their members, and the matter was zealouslyhandled by some on both sides. In this debate it appeared very clear to me thatthe spirit of lotteries was a spirit of selfishness, which tended to confuseand darken the understanding, and that pleading for it in our meetings, whichwere set apart for the Lord's work, was not right. In the heat of zeal32, I madereply to what an ancient Friend said, and when I sat down I saw that my wordswere not enough seasoned with charity. After this I spoke33 no more on thesubject. At length a minute was made, a copy of which was to be sent to theirseveral Quarterly Meetings, inciting34 Friends to labour to discourage thepractice amongst all professing35 with us.
Some time after this minute was made I remained uneasy with the manner of myspeaking to the ancient Friend, and could not see my way clear to conceal36 myuneasiness, though I was concerned that I might say nothing to weaken the causein which I had laboured. After some close exercise and hearty37 repentence fornot having attended closely to the safe guide, I stood up, and, reciting thepassage, acquainted Friends that though I durst not go from what I had said asto the matter, yet I was uneasy with the manner of my speaking, believingmilder language would have been better. As this was uttered in some degree ofcreaturely abasement after a warm debate, it appeared to have a good savouramongst us.
The Yearly Meeting being now over, there yet remained on my mind a secretthough heavy exercise, in regard to some leading active members about Newport,who were in the practice of keeping slaves. This I mentioned to two ancientFriends who came out of the country, and proposed to them, if way opened, tohave some conversation with those members. One of them and I, having consultedone of the most noted38 elders who had slaves, he, in a respectful manner,encouraged me to proceed to clear myself of what lay upon me. Near thebeginning of the Yearly Meeting, I had had a private conference with this saidelder and his wife concerning their slaves, so that the way seemed clear to meto advise with him about the manner of proceeding9.
I told him I was free to have a conference with them all together in aprivate house; or, if he thought they would take it unkind to be asked to cometogether, and to be spoken with in the hearing of one another, I was free tospend some time amongst them, and to visit them all in their own houses. Heexpressed his liking39 to the first proposal, not doubting their willingness tocome together; and, as I proposed a visit to only ministers, elders, andoverseers, he named some others whom he desired might also be present. A careful messenger being wanted to acquaint them in a proper manner, he offeredto go to all their houses, to open the matter to them, -- and did so. About theeighth hour the next morning we met in the meeting-house chamber40, the last-mentioned country Friend, my companion, and John Storer being with us. After ashort time of retirement41, I acquainted them with the steps I had taken inprocuring that meeting, and opened the concern I was under, and we thenproceeded to a free conference upon the subject. My exercise was heavy, and Iwas deeply bowed in spirit before the Lord, who was pleased to favour with theseasoning virtue43 of truth, which wrought44 a tenderness amongst us; and thesubject was mutually handled in a calm and peaceable spirit. At length, feelingmy mind released from the burden which I had been under, I took my leave ofthem in a good degree of satisfaction; and by the tenderness they manifested inregard to the practice, and the concern several of them expressed in relationto the manner of disposing of their negroes after their decease, I believedthat a good exercise was spreading amongst them: and I am humbly thankful toGod, who supported my mind and preserved me in a good degree of resignationthrough these trials.
Thou who sometimes travellest in the work of the ministry, and art made verywelcome by thy friends, seest many tokens of their satisfaction in having theefor their guest. It is good for thee to dwell deep, that thou mayest feel andunderstand the spirits of people. If we believe truth points towards aconference on some subjects in a private way, it is needful for us to take heedthat their kindness, their freedom and affability, do not hinder us from theLord's work. I have experienced that, in the midst of kindness and smoothconduct, to speak close and home to them who entertain us, on points thatrelate to outward interest, is hard labour. Sometimes, when I have felt truthlead towards it, I have found myself disqualified by a superficial friendship;and as the sense thereof hath abased46 me and my cries have been to the Lord, soI have been humbled47 and made content to appear weak, or as a fool for His sake;and thus a door hath been opened to enter upon it. To attempt to do the Lord'swork in our own way, and to speak of that which is the burden of the Word in away easy to the natural part, doth not reach the bottom of the disorder48. To seethe49 failings of our friends, and think hard of them, without opening that whichwe ought to open, and still carry a face of friendship, tends to undermine thefoundation of true unity. The office of a minister of Christ is weighty, andthey who now go forth50 as watchmen have need to be steadily51 on their guardagainst the snares52 of prosperity and an outside friendship.
After the Yearly Meeting we were at meetings at Newtown, Cushnet, Long Plain,Rochester, and Dartmouth. From thence we sailed for Nantucket, in company withAnn Gaunt, Mercy Redman, and several other Friends. The wind being slack weonly reached Tarpawling Cove53 the first day; where, going on shore, we found room in a public-house, and beds for a few of us, -- the rest slept on thefloor. We went on board again about break of day, and though the wind wassmall, we were favoured to come within about four miles of Nantucket; and thenabout ten of us got into our boat and rowed to the harbour before dark; a largeboat went off and brought in the rest of the passengers about midnight. Thenext day but one was their Yearly Meeting, which held four days, the last ofwhich was their Monthly Meeting for business. We had a labourious time amongstthem; our minds were closely exercised, and I believe it was a time of greatsearching of heart. The longer I was on the island the more I became sensiblethat there was a considerable number of valuable Friends there, though an evilspirit, tending to strife54, had been at work amongst them. I was cautious ofmaking any visits except as my mind was particularly drawn55 to them; and in thatway we had some sittings in Friends' houses, where the heavenly wing was attimes spread over us, to our mutual45 comfort. My beloved companion had veryacceptable service on this island.
When meeting was over, we all agreed to sail the next day if the weather wassuitable and we were well; and being called up the latter part of the night,about fifty of us went on board a vessel56; but, the wind changing, the seamenthought best to stay in the harbour till it altered, so we returned on shore.
Feeling clear as to any further visits, I spent my time in my chamber, chieflyalone; and after some hours, my heart being filled with the spirit ofsupplication, my prayers and tears were poured out before my Heavenly Fatherfor His help and instruction in the manifold difficulties which attended me inlife. While I was waiting upon the Lord, there came a messenger from the womenFriends who lodged at another house, desiring to confer with us aboutappointing a meeting, which to me appeared weighty, as we had been at so manybefore; but after a short conference, and advising with some elderly Friends, ameeting was appointed, in which the Friend who first moved it, and who had beenmuch shut up before, was largely opened in the love of the gospel. The nextmorning about break of day going again on board the vessel, we reached Falmouthon the Main before night, where our horses being brought, we proceeded towardsSandwich Quarterly Meeting.
Being two days in going to Nantucket, and having been there once before, Iobserved many shoals in their bay, which make sailing more dangerous,especially in stormy nights; also, that a great shoal which encloses theirharbour prevents the entrance of sloops57 except when the tide is up. Waitingwithout for the rising of the tide is sometimes hazardous58 in storms, and bywaiting within they sometimes miss a fair wind. I took notice that there was onthat small island a great number of inhabitants, and the soil not very fertile,the timber being so gone that for vessels59, fences, and firewood, they depend chiefly on buying from the Main, for the cost whereof, with most of their otherexpenses, they depend principally upon the whale fishery.
I considered that as towns grew larger, and lands near navigable waters weremore cleared, it would require more labour to get timber and wood. I understoodthat the whales, being much hunted and sometimes wounded and not killed, growmore shy and difficult to come at. I considered that the formation of theearth, the seas, the islands, bays, and rivers, the motions of the winds andgreat waters, which cause bars and shoals in particular places, were all theworks of Him who is perfect wisdom and goodness; and as people attend to Hisheavenly instruction, and put their trust in Him, He provides for them in allparts where he gives them a being; and as in this visit to these people I felta strong desire for their firm establishment on the sure foundation, besideswhat was said more publicly, I was concerned to speak with the women Friends intheir Monthly Meeting of business, many being present, and in the fresh springof pure love to open before them the advantage, both inwardly and outwardly, ofattending singly to the pure guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therein toeducate their children in true humility29 and the disuse of all superfluities. Ireminded them of the difficulties their husbands and sons were frequentlyexposed to at sea, and that the more plain and simple their way of living wasthe less need there would be of running great hazards to support them.
I also encouraged the young women to continue their neat, decent way ofattending themselves on the affairs of the house; showing, as the way opened,that where people were truly humble, used themselves to business, and werecontent with a plain way of life, they had ever had more true peace andcalmness of mind than they who, aspiring60 to greatness and outward show, havegrasped hard for an income to support themselves therein. And as I observedthey had so few or no slaves, I had to encourage them to be content withoutthem, making mention of the numerous troubles and vexations which frequentlyattended the minds of the people who depend on slaves to do their labour.
We attended the Quarterly Meeting at Sandwich, in company with Ann Gaunt andMercy Redman, which was preceded by a Monthly Meeting, and in the whole heldthree days. We were in various ways exercised amongst them, in gospel love,according to the several gifts bestowed on us, and were at times overshadowedwith the virtue of truth, to the comfort of the sincere and stirring up of thenegligent. Here we parted with Ann and Mercy, and went to Rhode Island, takingone meeting in our way, which was a satisfactory time. Reaching Newport theevening before their Quarterly Meeting, we attended it, and after that had ameeting with our young people, separated from those of other societies. We wentthrough much labour in this town; and now, in taking leave of it, though I feltclose inward exercise to the last, I found inward peace, and was in some degree comforted in a belief that a good number remain in that place who retain asense of truth, and that there are some young people attentive61 to the voice ofthe Heavenly Shepherd. The last meeting, in which Friends from the severalparts of the quarter came together, was a select meeting, and through therenewed manifestation62 of the Father's love the hearts of the sincere wereunited together.
The poverty of spirit and inward weakness, with which I was much tried thefore part of this journey, has of late appeared to me a dispensation ofkindness. Appointing meetings never appeared more weighty to me, and I was ledinto a deep search whether in all things my mind was resigned to the will ofGod; often querying63 with myself what should be the cause of such inwardpoverty, and greatly desiring that no secret reserve in my heart might hindermy access to the divine fountain. In these humbling64 times I was made watchful,and excited to attend to the secret movings of the heavenly principle in mymind, which prepared the way to some duties, that, in more easy and prosperoustimes as to the outward, I believe I should have been in danger of omitting.
From Newport we went to Greenwich, Shanticut, and Warwick, and were helped tolabour amongst Friends in the love of our gracious Redeemer. Afterwards,accompanied by our friend John Casey from Newport, we rode through Connecticutto Oblong, visited the meetings in those parts, and thence proceeded to theQuarterly Meeting at Ryewoods. Through the gracious extendings of divine help,we had some seasoning42 opportunities in those places. We also visited Friends atNew York and Flushing, and thence to Rahway. Here our roads parting, I tookleave of my beloved companion and true yokemate Samuel Eastburn, and reachedhome the 10th of Eighth Month, where I found my family well. For the favoursand protection of the Lord, both inward and outward, extended to me in thisjourney, my heart is humbled in grateful acknowledgments, and I find reneweddesires to dwell and walk in resignedness before Him.
这些时候心中颇想念东部的朋友们，曾向我们的月会提出这事，并取得证件，于一七六○年四月十七日出发。好友伊斯特本于约定时间前来，我们乃结伴同行。
我 们在武德布洛兹，拉卫，普楞飞德诸地都有聚会，也参加他们在拉卫举行的牧师及长老月会。我们在某些不愉快的情况下工作，但藉着真理的无形能力，我们的访问 对那些谦虚者颇有益助，我既觉得自己在精神上颇为衰弱，因此更和他们接近了。我们继续旅行，访问了长岛方面多数的聚会处。每天我都留意所说的话只是真理之 灵要我说的，不多不少，因恐一不小心，将说了一些迎合那些不完全顺服基督十架者之心意的话。
我 们教牧工作的动力往往非常薄弱，因此我们藉着真理的能力，学会了谦卑；我们所到的地方，凡真正关心基督事工的人，似乎都从我们得到安慰；虽然这时候一般人 是趋向于堕落的，但藉着那帮助穷困者的上帝的良善，我们得了一些有益的时光，无论是在聚会或在家庭访问中；有时候我们觉得在那些信心动摇之人当中工作大有 能力，尤其是对那些在家庭或社会上有地位，他们的行为很可能引人背离真理正路的人工作，更是如此。
在长岛的耶利哥地方，我写了给妻的一封信：
我所亲爱的：
我们都平安健康，在东泽西一带和长岛参加了许多聚会。自从同你分别以来，我内心时刻在警醒中，但愿我们所进行的确能符合天父的旨意。
目 前的工作似乎不可乐观，在外表上我没有欢乐，却记得圣经上的应许，“你将以耶和华为乐。”每天这句话在我记忆中显出，我认为祂之在我们心中乃是一切可乐之 事的最纯洁者，忠诚的人非但以此为乐，且以它所生的影响为乐。那关心困苦无助者的神已彰显了祂对祂处在患难中的子女之爱。他们仰望祂的仁爱，感觉到那爱在 心中运行，并以之为乐。这一点我应该略为提及，因为自从和你分别以来，我时时觉得对你，我的女儿，和其他好友的爱心；当你们中间好些人患重病的时候离开 你，这对我确是一件极难堪的事；可是我时常想起许多寡妇和孤儿，许多人在不良导师之下，受到恶劣影响，也有许多人心被奴役；为着这些人的缘故我常受感动， 认为暂时和你们分离是应当的，好将主赐给我的恩典应用出来；虽然我的恩赐比不上一些别人的，可是我仍以我对同胞所存的诚实无伪的爱心为乐。我自己时常感觉 到全能者的爱，所以将你付托给祂，知道祂必看顾保守你。
你的丈夫伍尔曼约翰书
一七六○年四月廿四日
我 们从长岛东端渡海，新伦敦，航程约三十里。我们所乘的是一条的船，开蓬出海之时风浪甚大，浪涛袭击船只多次，殊甚危险，只是当时我心倾向于创造及掌管深渊 的上帝，并将生命付托于祂；祂既然怜恤地保守了我们，叫我有机会想到每一天的时间都是向神支借的，更觉应当把我的时间和其他一切所有的，奉献给那赐给我这 一切的主。
我 们在那刺干塞特地方参加了五次聚会，从那里又往罗德岛的新埠去。施恩的天父保守了我们，并将消除我们的意志，锻炼我们，叫我们谦卑地倚靠祂。在我们所住地 方有几家朋友，我觉得应当和他们私下谈谈关于他们畜奴的事；由于神的帮助，我终于得以履行任务。对于这事我的主张似乎和许多比我更有工作能力的人相左，他 们之避免讨论这事我亦不怪他们。我并不埋怨这一任务的艰辛及不愉快，却以敬畏之心仰望神，祂指派不同仆人各尽职责，并恩待一切忠心服事祂的人。
夜间我们抵达新埠，隔天访问了两位病人，和他们谈话。下午参加某朋友的葬礼。第二天在新埠数次参加聚会，心里觉得工作之门已开，上帝给我们力量向居民宣布生命之道。
第二天我们继续旅行。这一带地方奴隶之多，和与基尼间来往贩运奴隶的情况深刻地印在我的脑中，我不时在隐密中呼求天父叫我能够按照祂所指示的方法履行我的责任。
在 赴波士敦参加聚会途中，我们经过斯温西，夫里坦，汤吞诸地。我们心中感觉甚深，充满真理之爱，应当感谢主恩。我们到了波士敦以东约八十里地方，参加聚会， 蒙保守谦虚地倚靠带领我们出来的臂膀。虽然那些不顺服和坚决反对真理的人使我们在工作中遭遇若干困难，可是藉着上帝的良善，我们有时和那些温柔的人一同享 受天上来的安慰，也常常和朋友们同享在福音中的团契。回到波士敦时我们又有了和朋友们相聚的另一机会，以后又骑马经一日路程到波士敦以东地方。我们的向导 是一个肥胖的人，天气又热，长途旅行对他和他的坐骑均甚困难，所以我的同伴和我向他表示无需他继续向导，他同意了，于是我们同他在互相尊重中分手。
我 们访问这一带聚会处，对团体的一般情况略能了解，于是以谦虚之心前往参加在新埠举行的年会。会中我们见到了从英国来的斯托雷，和从本洲各地来的瑟比里女 士，冠特夫人，福斯特夫人及热地曼等，都是福音的使者，得与他们相会确甚愉快。这时我知悉有一大批奴隶从非洲贩运至此，由一个本会会友经售。这消息使我食 欲减退，身体十分衰弱，我的感觉正如哈巴谷一样，他说，“当我听见了……身体战兢，嘴唇发颤……在我所立之处战兢，等候灾难之日临到”（参哈3：16）。 这时我筹谋甚多，非常苦恼。我希望当地朋友们向立法机关请求设法禁止贩运奴隶入口之事，因为我看出这种买卖是极严重的邪恶，将造成无穷灾害，延祸于我所深 切关怀的这一带居民。但我知道作此要求将牵涉到好些困难问题；为了这一切我心中切盼能有机会向正在会期中的议会发言。
这 种意念是在年会第二天下午发生的，当晚上床不能成眠，一直到心中完全顺服。翌晨我询问一位朋友议会会期将继续至何时，他告诉我一二日内即将休会。当时我盼 望参加本年会的会务讨论，可是知道议会必在我们的会务讨论结束之前休会，因此游移不决，经过严重思想，求主指示之后，终于决定参加会务讨论；到了最后一 天，我草拟一封短文，准备若机会许可的话，呈送立法会议。这时听说年会已委派某些人向当局陈述有关本团体的一些事，我乘这机会向他们当中数人披露我的心 意，把我所草就的短文给他们看，同时将这事件提交会务会议讨论。我的提案大要如下：
“ 好些时候以来我为着大批奴隶被运至本邦这件事心中不安。明知提出这一问题必得罪许多人，可是若不说出，在神面前将无以自白。我已草就一短文，拟呈立法会 议。我今建议本会指派会友研究此文，然后报告本会，是否他们认为本文宜于在会中宣读。若认为宜于宣读，则本会当决定是否将采取进一步的行动。”
略 加讨论之后，有几位朋友退席，在外阅读本文，赞同本文在会中宣读。宣读之后，许多人表示同意我的提议，另有些人则认为呈文内容须加扩大，并由会外凡同意文 中意见者签名，较为适合。我原来亦有此意，但现在我希望呈文由本会通过提出，因为我心中很受感动，关怀这一带居民，相信由于这种邪恶的贸易，他们当中祸患 必日渐增加；那种与谦卑及人道精神——即人类灵魂的安息处所——相违背的风气却更易于传布；而这种贸易若继续下去，则此种病症非但无法加以纠正，反将更加 沉重。
事 情进行到这里，我认为已经可以把呈文交给此地的朋友们，让他们依照他们所认为最好的方法提出。现在对于在这一带地方盛行的彩票赌博一事的关怀又临到我心 中。我先前曾在本会议的某次聚会中提出这一问题，那些为赌博辩护者所提的理由乃是它并不抵触法律。这次再行提出，所遇到的反对理由与前相同；可是有些忠实 的朋友们却一致表示愿意在会中阻止赌博之事，双方对此争论颇烈。这一场辩论使我更清楚地看出赌博的自私性，足以混乱和蒙蔽人们的理解力；在我们的聚会上为 它辩护是错误的，因为它和主的事工不相符合。在热烈的争辩中我曾以不甚温和的话回答一位老辈友会，及至坐下来后，才觉得我的话实在缺少慈爱，因此缄默不再 提这件事。以后会中通过了一议案，分别通知所属季会，劝勉朋友阻止会友之从事赌博。
这 议案通过后，我心中仍因曾以不良态度与前辈朋友说话而觉不安，且无法掩饰这种不安之情，只是我仍谨慎，不愿意说出任何足以削弱我对这问题之主张的话。在心 中为了不曾紧张随圣灵引导而痛切悔改之后，我就站立起来提起这事，告诉朋友们我虽然不敢改变这问题的初衷，可是我知道我若应用比较温和的言语，必将有更好 的结果。在一场意气的争执之后，这几句自卑的话似乎使大家觉得轻松愉快多了。
现 在年会已告结束，但我心中仍有一件隐密而觉沉重的事，即关于新埠方面某些畜奴的会友。我曾向两位从乡间来的前辈朋友提起这事，表示若机会许可的话，愿意和 这些畜奴会友谈谈。其中一人和我同往会见当地最著名的长老之一，他也是拥有奴隶的人，他以尊重的态度鼓励我把心中的话说了出来。在将近年会召开之期，我有 了一次机会和这位长老及其夫人谈论关于他们的奴隶的事，所以现在可以进一步劝勉他们如何处理这一问题。我告诉他我愿意和他们一起在某私人住宅会见，但若他 认为他们不喜一起前来，我也愿意个别地到他们各人府上访问。他表示属意前者，因相信他们都愿意一起前来；我的原意是只会见牧师，长老和监督等，但他提出一 些别人的名字，说他们也应该出席。当时我们需要一位谨慎小心的人通知他们，他自愿担任这工作，亲至各家说明聚会目的。第二天早晨八点左右我们在聚会所厅上 相见，和我们在一起的有上面所提到的那位乡间来的朋友和斯托雷君。大家默祷片刻之后，我告诉他们召开这谈话会的经过，和我个人对这件事的关怀，于是我们开 始自由地交换意见。我心中颇觉沉重，在主前谦恭俯首；蒙主施恩赐下真理之德，使我们当中有温柔爱心，大家在安静柔和中讨论这一问题。终于我心中如释重负， 于向他们告别时颇觉满意。从他们关怀这事所表现的爱心，和从他们当中某些人之表示他们死后要如何处理黑奴，我相信善意已开始在他们当中滋长。我谦恭地为此 感谢上帝，因祂支持我，使我在这一切试炼中能够顺服祂。
你 们有时旅行各地为主工作的人，往往受朋友的热烈欢迎，从许多地方看出他们因为能够接待你们而得到满足。那么，你们在和他们的交接中应当深入了解他们。如果 我们相信依私下谈话的方式更能说明某些问题的要点，那么我们就须留意不叫他们的殷勤和蔼阻碍了主的工作。我从经验知道在那种客气殷勤的空气中，要向那些接 待你的主人说出有关他们属世利益的话，确是一件难事。有时候当我觉得真理是如此导引的时候，我又发现自己受了面子友谊的影响，不配说话。当这种感觉苦恼我 时，我就向主呼吁，知道我自己的卑微软弱，恰像愚拙的人，这样，机会之门就为我开着。企图以我们的意旨来做主的工作，且以平凡的方法来述说真道所晓谕的， 必不能达到那混乱的核心。看见我们的朋友们跌倒，心中不值他们的行为，却不指出我们所应当指出的，仍然带着一副友谊的面具，这就是危害了真团契的基础。作 为一个基督工人的职务是极其艰巨的；既然成为守望的人，就须谨慎提防，不因与会友中之昌盛者间的友谊而松于规劝。
年 会过后我们又到纽坦，卡士那特，长原，罗撒斯特，和达茅资诸地参加聚会。以后又从海路往南塔刻特岛，同行的有冠特夫人，热地曼和其他几位朋友。第一天未得 好风，我们的船只走到塔普宁湾，在那里上岸，找到一家旅店的房间，只有几张床位，其他的人睡在地板上。第二天天亮又上船，风虽微弱，但船已到达距离南塔刻 特约四里地方。我们当中约十人在天黑以前划小船进港；到了午夜时份有一条较大的船出去把其余的客人接来。过两天他们的年会开始，会期四天，最后一天也是他 们月会讨论会务的一天。我们在他们当中颇费苦心，大家有亲密的感觉，而我相信这是寻觅人心的重要时机，我在岛上逗留的时间越长，越发现这地方有许多忠诚的 朋友，虽然邪灵猖獗，在他们当中兴风作浪。这时候我对访问工作极为谨慎，不敢随便，除非心中有特别感动，即不访问。有几次在朋友家中聚会，神翼覆盖，叫我 们都得安慰。我所敬爱的友伴在这岛工作有优异的成绩。
会 期结束之后，大家同意若天气适合而大家觉得精神不错，隔天即可出航。午夜以后我们给唤醒了，收拾上船，搭客约五十人；可是不久风向变了，船家认为最好暂缓 出海，等待好风，于是我们又上岸去了。这时我觉得无须再作访问工作，多半时间独自留在房中；过了不久我心中充满着祷告情绪，我的祈求和眼泪在天父面前一齐 涌出，恳求祂在我生命上所遭遇的一切困难中帮助及带领我。当我在静候主的旨意之时，住在另一屋子的女会友们差人前来，要求我们指定一聚会时间；这使我颇觉 为难，因为我们已有许多类似的聚会；但略事商讨并请教前辈会友之后，我们也就指定了一次聚会的时间，会中那位建议聚会的姊妹发言；过去她不多说话，这时在 福音爱中大有见证的能力。第二天我们再上船，傍晚时份抵达大陆上的法茅资。我们的马匹已在等着我们，于是上马赶往参加撒得维起的季会。
这 次到南塔刻特有两天路程，从前也来过一次，我发现此海湾有许多沙滩，使航行非常危险，尤其是在风雨之夜。我又看见一大沙洲围绕着港口，使较大的船只有在水 涨时才能进出。在港外等待水涨有时使他们遇到暴风，在港内等待则有时误失了好风。我也注意到小岛上有许多居民，而土地贫瘠，所产木材都用完了，所以为了造 船，筑篱，和燃烧之用等，他们只得从大陆上运入。这运进木材的费用和其他费用主要是依靠捕鲸业来抵付的。我想到这些市镇的规模日渐扩展，而靠近水路交通区 域所产木材无多，砍伐木料颇费劳力；至于捕鲸业因搜捕过多，且有时击伤了鲸鱼而未加捕获，因此鲸鱼多畏避不来。我又想到地形，海，岛屿，港湾，河流和那在 某些特殊地方造成沙洲的风汛等，都是那位全智全善之神的作为；人若遵行祂的命令，一心信靠祂，祂供给他们生活上所需的一切。在访问这里居民时，我有了一种 强烈愿望，要他们在那可靠的基础上建立自己，所以除了一些公开的劝勉之外，我又找机会在女会友讨论会务的月会上向她们讲话，出席的人数颇多；我以纯爱的心 告诉她们，一心遵行圣灵的引领，并以此教育儿女学习谦虚，放弃一切奢侈生活，这样无论在内心或外表方面，均大有益处。我要他们记得她们的丈夫或儿子在海上 工作是何等困难，如果她们能过一种更简单朴素的生活，她们的男人则可以无需多冒危险，挣钱来供给她们；我又劝勉年轻妇女整洁朴素，勤于家务，并尽机会所许 可向她们表示，凡真正谦虚，亲自劳动，满足于朴素生活的人，往往比那些好大喜功，虚张声势，拼命挣钱来支持这种门面的人更能过着真正平静泰然的生活。当我 发现他们当中很少有畜奴的人，我就鼓励他们应该以没有奴隶为满足，并提起那些倚靠奴隶劳动者心中所常有的许多烦闷苦恼。
我 和冠特夫人及热地曼同往参加散得维起的季会。这季会召开之前他们曾有月会。两会会期共三天。我们依照所得各种恩赐，在福音爱中，以不同方法在他们当中工 作。有时候我们为真理的圣德所荫蔽，能够安慰忠诚，鼓舞冷淡。在这里我们和冠特夫人及热地曼分别，前往罗德岛，途中参加过一次聚会，获益良多。我们在季会 开始的前夜抵达新埠，即行参加聚会，会后又和一些从别的教会分离出来的青年人会谈。在这城中我们有许多工作，虽然内心始终有许多挂虑，临别时却甚平安，且 因知道此地还有不少明白真理的人，也有好些喜听天上牧者声音的青年人，心中颇得安慰。最后一次聚会是牧师和长老的特别聚会，从各地来的朋友们聚在一起，由 于天父之爱的一再彰显，所有忠诚者的心都契合无间。
当 我开始旅行之初所经验到的灵性上的贫乏和内在的软弱，后来却变成为从主而来的仁慈。约定聚会之事对我似乎是极沉重的，我曾深自检讨，是否每一次都完全顺服 神的旨意；并省察为什么内心如此贫乏，深深盼望心中没有什么足以阻碍自己接受神圣泉源的秘密处。在我存心谦虚之时，我就得到帮助，知道警醒并留意心中那真 理之灵深刻的运行，这样许多责任就放在我的身上，我想当我心中充塞之时，我对这些责任必将有疏忽的危险。
在 离开新埠往康涅狄格去的路上我们参加了三个地方的聚会，又访问格林尼治，掸狄格，和窝立克诸地，然后和从新埠来的朋友卡息君结伴，骑马经过康涅狄格到奥 郎，访问这一带的聚会处，并从这里前往参加在赖武德举行的季会。在神的恩眷帮助之下，我们在这一带有了一些好机会。以后我们又至纽约，发拉星，拉维卫诸地 访问朋友，在此地和我所敬爱的朋友及同工伊斯特本分别，于一七六○年八月十日返抵家门，家中各人均安。由于主的保佑爱护，使我在这次短短的旅行中身心各方 面均得益处，我谦虚地感谢主恩，并立志凡事顺服祂，生活在祂的旨意中。
收听单词发音 |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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unity
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| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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abasement
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| n.滥用 | |
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jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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meek
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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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distresses
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| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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prorogued
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| v.使（议会）休会( prorogue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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yearned
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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meekness
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| n.温顺，柔和 | |
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humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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lotteries
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| n.抽彩给奖法( lottery的名词复数 )；碰运气的事；彩票；彩券 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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inciting
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| 刺激的，煽动的 | |
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professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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seasoning
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| n.调味；调味料；增添趣味之物 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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abased
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| 使谦卑( abase的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到羞耻； 使降低（地位、身份等）； 降下 | |
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humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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seethe
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| vi.拥挤，云集；发怒，激动，骚动 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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sloops
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| n.单桅纵帆船( sloop的名词复数 ) | |
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hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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aspiring
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| adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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querying
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的现在分词 )；询问 | |
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humbling
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| adj.令人羞辱的v.使谦恭( humble的现在分词 )；轻松打败（尤指强大的对手）；低声下气 | |
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