On the fourteenth Day of the fifth Month I was at _Camp-Creek_ Monthly-meeting, and then rode to the Mountains up _James-River_, and had a Meeting at a Friend's House; in both which I felt Sorrow of Heart, and my Tears were poured out before the Lord, who was pleased to afford a Degree of Strength, by which Way was opened to clear my Mind amongst Friends in those Places. From thence I went to _Fort-Creek_, and so to _Cedar-Creek_ again; at which Place I had a Meeting; here I found a tender Seed: And as I was preserved in the Ministry to keep low with the Truth, the same Truth in their Hearts answered it, that it was a Time of mutual Refreshment from the Presence of the Lord. I lodged at JAMES STANDLEY'S, Father of WILLIAM STANDLEY, one of the young Men who suffered Imprisonment at _Winchester_, last Summer, on Account of their Testimony against Fighting; and I had some satisfactory Conversation with him concerning it. Hence I went to the _Swamp_ Meeting, and to _Wayanoke_ Meeting; and then crossed _James-River_, and lodged near _Burleigh_. From the Time of my entering _Maryland_ I had been much under Sorrow, which so increased upon me, that my Mind was almost overwhelmed; and I may say with the Psalmist, "In my Distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God;" who, in infinite Goodness, looked upon my Affliction, and in my private Retirement sent the Comforter for my Relief: For which I humbly bless his holy Name. The Sense I had of the State of the Churches brought a Weight of Distress upon me: The Gold to me appeared dim, and the fine Gold changed; and though this is the Case too generally, yet the Sense of it in these Parts hath, in a particular Manner, borne heavy upon me. It appeared to me, that, through the prevailing of the Spirit of this World, the Minds of many were brought to an inward Desolation; and, instead of the Spirit of Meekness, Gentleness, and heavenly Wisdom, which are the necessary Companions of the true Sheep of Christ, a Spirit of Fierceness, and the Love of Dominion, too generally prevailed. From small Beginnings in Errors, great Buildings, by degrees, are raised; and from one Age to another are more and more strengthened by the general Concurrence of the People; and, as Men obtain Reputation by their Profession of the Truth, their Virtues are mentioned as Arguments in Favour of general Error, and those of less Note, to justify themselves, say, such and such good Men did the like. By what other Steps could the People of _Judah_ arise to that Height in Wickedness, as to give just Ground for the Prophet _Isaiah_ to declare, in the Name of the Lord, "that none calleth for Justice, nor any pleadeth for Truth." _Isaiah_ lix. 4. Or for the Almighty to call upon the great City of _Jerusalem_, just before the _Babylonish_ Captivity: "If ye can find a Man, if there be any who executeth Judgment, that seeketh the Truth, and I will pardon it." _Jer._ v. 1. The Prospect of a Road lying open to the same