Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias HicksHicks, Elias
Religion
Journal of the Life and Religious Labours of Elias Hicks
Hicks, Elias
Hicks, Elias, 1748-1830 -- Diaries; Hicksites; Quakers -- United States -- Diaries
First day, the 20th. Had a conflicting season in the forepart of our
meeting to-day with a worldly spirit, and the benumbing consequences
of a desire after riches. And while labouring under a feeling of these
states, with their stupifying effects, which were even intolerable to
bear, it often ran through my mind, that “the cares of the world, the
deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust of other things, like briars and
thorns, choke the good seed and prevent its growth. And as I continued
patiently under the labour, towards the close of the meeting light
sprang up and dispelled the darkness; in which strength and ability
were dispensed to communicate in a lively and clear manner, showing
the pernicious effects of those things, wherever they obtained the
ascendency in the minds of men and women; elucidating the subject
by the parable of our Lord, concerning the rich man and Lazarus the
beggar. It was, I believe, a season of real instruction to some
present, which I hope may not be soon forgotten.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, I attended a meeting I had
previously appointed in a neighbouring village. It proved a
satisfactory season to my own mind, and generally so, I believe, to all
who attended. These favours are not to be lightly esteemed, but held in
grateful remembrance.
In the course of this week was our quarterly meeting, held at this
time at Flushing. Although some of the sittings were exercising and
arduous, yet in the main, I think, it was a favoured edifying season;
and we parted at the close of the public meeting on sixth day, under a
thankful sense that the Shepherd of Israel had not forsaken his people,
but was still graciously near, a present helper to all his faithful
and devoted children. In the course of this meeting, on the evening of
fifth day, I had an appointed meeting in the town of Jamaica, among
those not in profession with us, which proved a very satisfactory
season. The people’s minds appeared to be gathered into true stillness,
a situation most suitable to be taught and instructed.
First day, the 27th. Sat our meeting mostly in silence, but towards the
close my mind was opened and led to communicate a short, but lively
testimony, which was introduced by the greatest part of the first psalm
of David: in the opening of which, the meeting appeared generally to
be gathered into a sweet, comfortable solemnity, and we parted under a
solemn sense of the unmerited favour.
In the course of this week, I attended, in company with most of the
committee of the quarterly meeting on the concern relative to schools,
the two preparative meetings in New-York, and that at Flushing; also an
appointed meeting at Brooklyn on third day evening, and one at Newtown
on fifth day evening. The last was a very instructive favoured meeting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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