First day, the 31st. A solemn meeting to-day, in which my mind was led forth in humble supplication for support and preservation in my proposed journey; and that the Lord our gracious helper, in his guardian care, would be pleased to be near my dear family and friends at home, and be their comfort and strength in every needful time; and that all those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, might be redeemed therefrom, and translated into the kingdom of God, that so his truth might prosper and spread from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth; that his great and excellent name might be praised and magnified by all the nations of the earth, from the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof, world without end. Amen. Second and third days. Still busily engaged preparatory to leaving home, with a prospect of setting out on fourth day morning, if way should open. CHAPTER XI. General visit to Friends in New England, 1816. Fourth day, the 3d of 1st month, 1816. After taking a solemn and affecting opportunity with my dear wife and children, I took leave of them under a sense of the Lord’s goodness and gracious regard, and proceeded on my intended journey. Called on my kind kinsman Isaac Hicks, of Westbury, who had previously concluded to go with me as a companion. We proceeded that afternoon to New-York, where we tarried over the next day. On sixth day morning we left the city, and arrived at Bridgeport, in Connecticut, on seventh day evening, where we had a small though comfortable meeting, the next day, at the house of Thomas Woodward, whose wife was a member of our society. After this we proceeded to New Haven, and lodged. On second day we rode to Hartford, and lodged. On third and fourth days, rode to Leicester, and lodged with our friend Pliny Earle. On fifth day had an appointed meeting there, at the eleventh hour. A number of the neighbouring people, not of our society, attended with Friends, among whom was their priest. It was, I think, a season of favour, in which my heart and mouth were opened, under, I trust, the influence of gospel love, to declare the way of life and salvation to the people; proving from the scriptures, and clear rational demonstration, that nothing short of the inspiring spirit of truth, could enable any rational creature to make the least progress in a real Christian life, or qualify to worship the Father of spirits, in spirit and in truth; and that a confession to all, or any creeds or forms of religion, however specious in their appearance, without the immediate aid of this inspiring spirit, would, in the end, leave the soul in utter disappointment. I was also led to show the unreasonableness and inconsistency of the doctrine of unconditional election and reprobation, and that it was impossible to be drawn from a right and enlightened view of the divine character.