On fourth day attended the funeral of a young woman on Cowneck, who was taken away very suddenly, with about three hour’s illness. I had an open time among the people that were assembled on this solemn occasion, and was led to call their attention to the propriety and necessity of an early preparation for death; and to show that it manifested great presumption in such a poor impotent creature as man, who was so sensible of the uncertainty of time, to dare to lay his head down at night to take his natural rest, without knowing his peace made with his God.
Fifth and sixth days. Attended, in company with some of the committee of the quarterly meeting on the subject of schools, the preparative meetings of Martinicock and Bethpage; both of which were open favoured seasons, while the subject of our appointment was under consideration.
On seventh day I attended the funeral of a very aged man of my acquaintance, being upwards of ninety years old, who lived in the town of Hempstead. There was a pretty large collection of the neighbouring inhabitants present, among whom I was led and strengthened to open divers necessary and important doctrines of the gospel, in the clear demonstration of the spirit; and, I trust and hope, to the edification and religious instruction of many present. Surely it was the Lord’s doing, and to him belongs all the praise and honour of his own works, and nothing due to man.
First day, the 17th. Sat our meeting in silence. It was a quiet solid season. The rest of the week I was occupied in my husbandry business, except attending our monthly meeting on fifth day.
First day, the 24th. My mind in our meeting to-day, was led into an humbling exercise, under a sensible view of the great ascendency of evil over the good among mankind in general, not excepting the best regulated society among men. I was also led, under the saddening prospect, to communicate to the meeting the feeling impressions of my mind thereon, together with the causes of this great degeneracy from the simplicity of the gospel of Christ; and that it was the effect of a spirit of ease and carnal security, and being led and governed in our conduct and works by custom and tradition, without taking the pains to examine whether they were founded in truth and righteousness or not; and when at times they are awakened by the convicting evidence of truth on the mind, instead of willingly submitting thereto, they call to their aid all the powers of their reasoning faculties to drown the reprover’s voice, that so they may rest secure in their ceiled houses. Alas for these in the trying hour of final decision! how dreadfully saddening will be their prospects in a dying hour!