In the afternoon, I had a select opportunity with the Ministers, Elders and Overseers. In this opportunity, I, in a good measure, relieved my mind from a burden I had been under for some time, respecting Friends in those stations. In the evening I had an appointed meeting in the east part of the town, principally among those not in membership with us. It was held in a large, commodious building, erected for the purpose of educating the children of such poor people as did not belong to any society of professed Christians. There was at this time a school held in it, consisting of nearly four hundred such children. The expenses were defrayed by the charitable donations of the citizens at large. It is a benevolent institution, and well conducted. The meeting was large, consisting, as was supposed, of a thousand people; to whom the truths of the gospel were largely opened, comforting and instructing many minds, and administering reproof to the lukewarm, the licentious, and immoral. A general solemnity spread over the meeting; and we parted under a deep and humbling sense of the unmerited favour.
Fifth day. Attended the preparative meeting at Liberty-street, which was a comfortable meeting. The queries appeared to be answered with much more consistency than at the other. The afternoon and evening spent in the family visit; as also the two following days.
First day, the 2d of 4th month. I attended Pearl-street meeting in the morning, and that at Liberty-street in the afternoon; and public notice being given of my intention of attending the latter, it was large. I also had an appointed meeting in the evening at Pearl-street, which was also very large. They were all seasons of favour, especially those at Pearl-street, wherein truth reigned, and the people’s minds were solemnized, and the faithful comforted and made glad together, under a grateful sense of the continued mercy, and longsuffering loving kindness of Israel’s Shepherd to the workmanship of his holy hand.
Second day. Sat with four families in the forenoon; and, in the afternoon, had an appointed meeting at Flatbush, near the west end of Long Island, where no Friends live. The inhabitants were mostly Dutch people, the descendants of the ancient Hollanders: they had but little acquaintance with us or our principles. The meeting was held in their court-house. A respectable number collected, and behaved quietly, becoming the occasion. Our gracious Helper was near, furnishing doctrine suited to their states and conditions; which had a reaching and salutary effect upon many minds; and through the prevalence of the power of truth, which rose into dominion, divers hearts were broken and contrited. We parted from them with thankful hearts, and returned to the city that evening.