The 21st we attended the preparative meeting of South Fork, which is a branch of Goose Creek monthly meeting. I was silent in the meeting for worship, but had some close labour with Friends in their preparative meeting. I felt my spirit much oppressed with a sense of the great lukewarmness, and love of the world, which appeared to prevail in such a manner, that the business of the preparative meeting was conducted in a very weak vague manner, and void of a right sense of the dignity of such a meeting, or a due concern for the preservation of right order. I felt peace of mind in a faithful discharge of my duty among them. The 22d we were at Goose Creek preparative meeting, which was large in the first sitting, many of other societies coming in. After a considerable time of silent labour, in deep baptism with the suffering seed, my mouth was opened in a clear full testimony, directed to the states of those present. And many were brought under the influence of that power which “cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon.” Truth came into dominion, and a good degree of victory over all was witnessed. Nevertheless, such is the deadness and indifference of some who go under our name, that, at the close of this very solemn meeting for worship, they withdrew with those who were not members, and continued out until the preparative meeting had proceeded considerably in its business; and then came in one after another, in a very careless unthinking manner. My heart was grieved, and I have often been affected with similar conduct in many places in those parts, as also in some others; a conduct, which appears to me to carry in it great indignity to our high and holy profession; and, I believe, is greatly offensive to the great Head of the Church, for the promotion of whose righteous cause, these meetings for discipline are established. I believe one great cause of this sorrowful weakness and declension is owing to a want of due administration of discipline, by those who are called thereto. By overlooking one little thing after another, custom establishes those bad habits; and great loss is sustained by the Church in general, and by some of its members in particular. It is very observable that meetings, where those things are apparent, are generally in a declining state. I was exercised in a plain way of dealing with those delinquents, showing them the hurtful tendency of such conduct. Truth prevailed, and many hearts were much tendered, and the hands of the faithful strengthened; to the Lord only wise be the praise of his own work, who is over all, worthy for ever.