First day, the 23d. My present allotment is a state of depression and poverty of spirit: but considering myself deserving thereof, I do not complain. In this condition I accompanied my family to meeting as the best thing I could do, not feeling the least qualification to be in any degree useful to myself or to others; except in a voluntary surrender of myself to be any thing or nothing, as He, who has a right to dispose of his own workmanship at his own pleasure, should see meet. But I had not sat long in this submissive state, before a prospect presented to my mind, that opened to a field of labour, in which I had to espouse the Master’s cause, and demonstrate to the people present the just and indubitable right he had to them and all their labours, without the promise of any reward: and that our true and real felicity, in time and in a future state, solely depended on this complete and willing surrender of ourselves and all we have, to his holy and gracious will; as nothing short thereof can produce our real sanctification and adoption. Second and third days. Nothing occurred worthy of particular notice. Fourth day. Was our quarterly meeting of Ministers and Elders, held at Westbury. I attended under great depression and poverty of spirit, which sealed my lips, as to any communication, the greater part of the meeting. I sat resigned to my lot, and heard my friends, or some of them, express their exercise, which was principally directed to Ministers and Elders, especially in regard to an honest, careful exercise of their gifts as such; and also alluding to the dulness and want of life that too generally attended those meetings. I felt very little effect wrought in the meeting from their labour, and could take no part in it; but as I sat patiently waiting, and endeavoured quietly to endure the cloud that was spread as a veil over the meeting; it clearly opened on my mind, that it was not brought over us in consequence of a deficiency in ministers, as it respects their ministerial gifts, nor from a want of care in elders in watching over them; but from a much more deep and melancholy cause, viz: the love and cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches; which, springing up and gaining the ascendency in the mind, choke the good seed like the briars and thorns, and render it fruitless; and produce such great dearth and barrenness in our meetings. As the matter spread with a degree of animation on my mind, I found it my place, near the close of the meeting, to open the prospect and sound an alarm to Friends, which appeared to have a quickening effect on many minds, and enabled us at parting, to renew our trust in the Almighty arm of divine sufficiency, and still to believe that the Lord had not altogether forsaken his people, but was mindful of the seeking remnant of his heritage, and continued his gracious calls to his backsliding children.