The yearly meeting closed on the third day following; and although strength was afforded me to discharge myself in the several sittings thereof, both for worship and discipline, in a manner productive of that true peace, which is the sure reward of a faithful discharge of duty, yet it was, for the most part, a dull time, and the spring of life seemed very low; occasioned, in part, as I apprehended, by a very small number taking upon them the whole management of the business, and thereby shutting up the way to others, and preventing the free circulation and spreading of the concern, in a proper manner, on the minds of Friends; which I have often found to be of very hurtful tendency.
On fourth day morning we left Newport, and rode to Portsmouth, and attended their preparative meeting. The forepart of the meeting for worship was a heavy season, in which it was my lot to be baptized for the dead; but, as I patiently abode under suffering with the pure seed, the Lord was pleased to arise, and give ability to come forth, and sound an alarm to the lifeless; whereby his power and presence were experienced, in good measure, to cover the meeting, to the comfort and encouragement of the living travellers; to the Lord alone be the praise, who is worthy for ever.
The next day we passed the ferry, and rode to Tiverton, on the Main, and attended a meeting, by appointment, which was chiefly made up of people not of our society. Through the prevalence of divine love, after a season of close labour, strength was afforded me, largely to open the truths of the gospel, in a clear manner, greatly to my own satisfaction, and apparently so to most or all present; for which my spirit was truly thankful. The next day we attended a meeting at Little Compton, which was large, and mostly composed of people of other persuasions. It was a comfortable edifying season; the Lord was graciously pleased to be near, and to afford wisdom and utterance; many things were opened in a doctrinal way, suitable to the states of those present, in the clear demonstration of the spirit, and with power; in a sense whereof, the living were made to rejoice, and return thankful acknowledgments for such unmerited mercy.