On fifth day I attended our preparative meeting, in which I had some service for the promotion of truth’s cause. The four other days of this week, I spent in my usual necessary avocations. First day, the 15th. Nothing in particular to remark respecting the exercise of this day. On the fourth day of this week, our monthly meeting was held, in which I was led into some close searching exercise, in order to stir up Friends to more diligence and circumspection, that so their light might shine forth to the help of others, and their conduct appear consonant with their profession. In this meeting I found it expedient and consistent with my duty, to open to Friends a prospect and concern which had for a considerable time rested on my mind, to pay a visit in gospel love, to Friends and others in some parts of the yearly meetings of Philadelphia and Baltimore. The subject obtained the solid attention of the meeting, and some Friends were appointed to confer with me on the subject, and, as way opened, prepare an essay of a certificate for that purpose, and produce it to our next meeting. First day, the 22d. Whilst sitting in our meeting to-day, my mind was led into a view of the great and singular advantages that would accrue to the children of men, from their having right and just ideas of religion, the want of which was the principal cause of all the distress and misery that fell to their lot, both here and hereafter. The subject spread, and, as I communicated, opened to a large field of doctrine, which had a very reaching effect upon the assembly, and a very precious solemnity was spread over the meeting; for which my heart was made truly glad, with that gladness that hath no sorrow with it. The rest of the week I was busily employed in the care of my temporal concerns, which nevertheless has no tendency, if kept within right bounds, to prevent internal religious exercises, and spiritual meditations and soliloquies. Sat our fifth day meeting in silence. First day, the 29th. I sat our meeting to-day in a sense of great weakness, in which I realized the truth of David’s testimony: “Verily every man at his best estate is altogether vanity.”