neither were we of that flock which he should partake of the milk of; neither were a vineyard which he had planted, that he might eat of the fruit thereof. Furthermore I said, as I am a 'stranger, and an excommunicated person, and not of thy children, the apostles, if they wanted or were in any straits for necessaries, did not apply to strangers for help, but to such of their children as they had been instrumental in the hand of God to plant the true faith, and sow the seed of the kingdom in now these who were thus convinced, and by the work of God's power converted, these were such who knew spiritual things sown in them, who I believed were very free to distribute, where true need was, of their temporal things, especially to such who had been instrumental in the Lord's hand to their coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But I shewed the priest, that all this carried no analogy to what was between him and me, for I being excommunicated, was but to him as an heathen man and a publican, and as we never came to hear him, we could not owe him any acknowledgement, nor could he expect any thing as a freewill offering on that account.

This priest Wykes (for that was his name) was a strong-spirited man, of considerable parts and learning; and a neighbouring justice of the peace told me, he was fearful would be very severe with me; yet to his commendation be it

spoken, he was ever after this conference. very loving, and never gave me any trouble for those he called his dues.

I may add one observation or two not mentioned in our debate, which were, that if the maintenance of the priests was to be wholly withdrawn, or left to the freedom and generosity of the people, many of them would want and come to poverty, and be forced to labour with their hands, which would distract, or at least impede their studies. I answered, That with such ministers as they were, this might be the case: but if all would come truly and rightly to wait on the great teacher, the anointing in themselves, it would greatly tend to the advantage of Christendom; for the Almighty, who by his good Spirit is alone able to raise up and qualify gospel ministers, as he knows the wants of his people, and their faith and trust in him, would no doubt raise up from among them faithful ministers; such, who being humble, meek and low in heart like him of whom they had learned, would be content to live in moderation on a little, and to - labour in their respective callings, like the apostle Paul, that great minister of the Gentiles, working with their hands that their ministry might not be chargeable, such as fishermen, collectors of customs, &c. whose ministry being not their own, but received immediately from the great shepherd of the sheep, would not re

quire much time and study to pen down, but coming from the Spirit of Truth immediately moving upon the ministers hearts, would be more effectual to reach the witness of truth in the hearts of their hearers, than all the laboured discourses of the most subtle priest, though the produce of much pains and study. Neither have I found in all my travels, from any observation I have made, that ever the faithful ministers of Christ became any great burthen or charge to the churches; for I have seen the divine Providence attend the Lord's faithful servants, who thereby have been enabled to order their affairs with discretion, so as to want little.

AN

ACCOUNT

OF MY

SECOND VISIT TO FRIENDS

IN

AMERICA.

I HAVING had drawings in my mind, for some considerable time, once more to visit Friends in several parts of America, and inasmuch as I believed it was my duty, and what the Lord required of me to give up to, I was resigned, after some reasonings about my age, and declension as to ability of outward strength, concerning which I met with some inward conflicts and combatings which brought me very low for a time; but the Lord helped me through these difficulties, and caused his truth to spring comfortably in my heart, and his heavenly presence I witnessed at times to refresh my soul in these exercises unknown to many;

and the time being come for my preparing for the journey, on the 15th of the third month, 1731, I set forward from Hutton ia the Hole to Scarborough, where I took shipping with George Widget, for London, and came thither the first day of the Yearly-meeting, with which I was very well satisfied, and on the 25th day of the fourth month went on board of a vessel bound for Philadelpia, iu America, John Wilcox master, who was very civil and kind to me.

On the 27th of the said month we set sail, and had a good passage in the main, excepting that we had one very great storm, in which we were in danger of being lost; our bowsprit was broke, and the masts were in danger of coming down, yet we were preserved; and in about eleven weeks, being the 12th of the seventh month, I landed near Philadelphia, to the great satisfaction of friends as well as myself, renowned be the great name of the Lord for ever.

I have many times considered, that although it was my place to leave my very near and dear friends, children and relations, who in a tender frame of spirit were much concerned for me, and 1 for them, yet I met with many tender-hearted friends in my travels, who were very near with me in the blessed truth; which fails not those who trust in the Lord, and are faithful, according to the ability and understanding which the Lord hath given to the children of men, and are de