786

FRIENDS’ REVIEW. -

 

After mentioning the publication, in 6th mo.,
of this year, of his “ inquiry into public abuses,”
&e., towhich allusion has already been made, the
diary proceeds :

“8th mo. 27th. I left home to attend Salem
Select Preparative Meeting on the following
day. On Second-day the 30th, I was at their
Monthly Meeting and then rode to Green-
wich, where I attended their Monthly Meeting
on Fourth-day. John Cowgill of Little Creek,
in Kent county, was at these meetings,
all of which were in a good degree sat-
isfactory, although the’ discipline is not con-
ducted with that strength and clearness among
them which I thought it was in years back. I
was from home one week, and much indisposed
part of the time. ;

“11th mo. 2d. I attended Chester [Moores-
town] Preparative Meeting, and was on Fourth-
day at Upper Evesham, and on Fifth-day (in
company with Philip Donnip and Richard
Wood,) attended Mount Holly Monthly Meeting,
whose weak state, as it appeared to me, wasindeed
affecting. _Sixth-day morning I was at Evesham
Select Meeting, and afterward at their Monthly
Meeting, at which a committee of the Quarter
attended, to assist in considering an acknow-
lédgment from a woman for marrying her first

cousin. This case occasioned much debate in
consequence of some Friends being there from
Philadelphia; but the meeting with much una-
nimity agreed to receive it. .

“Jith mo. 8th. The Quarter having at the
request of Haddonfield Monthly Meeting, ap-
pointed a committee of twelve Friends to assist
them in considering a concern of Joshua Evans,
to pay a religious visit to the inhabitants of
Nova Scotia, they attended that meeting this
day. The subject was very solidly and fully
considered, but there did not appear by any
means a concurring sense of Friends to leave
him at liberty to proceed at that time. This

concern was first laid before the Monthly Meet-|

ing last 2d month, and was then, with the
greatest unanimity put by. In the 4th month
he moved it again, with like result. He again
moved it in the 6th and in the 8th month, when
it was still put by. without any minute. In the
9th month he again moved it, with the informa-
tion that a solid Friend in Pennsylvania had the
like concern, and it was likely they might go in
company. A minute was then made, and

the assistance of the Quarter requested as

above.

“1785, Ist mo. 11th. The first Monthly
Meeting was opened at Woodbury this day, in
consequence of a request from Upper Green-
wich for the Monthly Meeting to be held here

as the central place; with which Woodbury

concurred, but Haddonfield Friends were so 0

posed to it that, very undesired and donrpecied
a division took place; the Select Meeting
continue together, to sit.at Woodbury the morn-

5
to

 

ing of that Monthly Meeting.’? [By this lan-
guage we understand that Haddonfield and
Woodbury at this time became distinct Monthly
Meetings, but that as. yet the Select Preparative.
Meeting remained undivided. Our readers are
aware that they are now in different Quarter):
Meeting districts.] ‘‘ George Churchman an
Jacob Lindley were in attendance, as also Mark, —
John and Benjamin Reeve. It was a solemn
and favored meeting. After the conclusion of
business the partition was opened, and the men
and women Friends had another favored oppor-
tunity together.” er
- Under date of 5th mo. 24th, 1785, we find
the following note, explanatory of D. C.’s view
in penning this Diary.
“ My dear Children,—Not knowing how long

I may be continued with you, I think it neces-
sary, in order to prevent a mistake in regard to
my intention in penning these memoirs, to let
you know it was not with the least view of any
further use being made of them than for your-
selves: but with the hope that some hints of my
sentiments and experience might encourage and
strengthen you in the pursuit of peace here, and
happiness hereafter. This I considered the one
thing needful, and it hath been the principal ob-
ject of my concern for you from your infancy ;
more, yea inexpressibly more, than to procure
for you the treasures of this world. This con-
cern reaches beyond my own existence in time,
and thirsts after being useful to you, even when
Iam no more, And it affords no small consola-
tion to my gray hairs, that, though you are not
all and fully what I would wish you to be, there
is a hope that you will all die the death of the
righteous, and:meet in the heavens neve®to be
again separated. To return, let not an impru-
dent partiality or affection after my decease,
lead you to spread this contrary to my inten-
tion, or suffer extracts to be taken out of the
family.”
In the above passage the reader will find a
reason for what may have occasioned him some sur-
prise : the suppression of these memoirs for sixty
seven years after the death of the writer and’
subject of them. This has not been effected
without the exercise of vigilance, and firmness.
of authority. The diary was presented by D. C.
to his daughter Martha, and committed to her
care. Her surviving executrix, Elizabeth Al-
linson, held it as a trust, and near the end of her
sweet and beautiful life of faith and love, com-
mitted it to the present compiler, with an im-
pression that the time was approaching when
the reasons for privacy being weakened or re-
moved, and the exigencies of the Society seem-
ing to call for such a testimony from the grave,
there might be a propriety in removing the seal,
a similar violation of the diffident wishes of
Rebecca Jones having been made with EK. A.’s
full approyal. Whether it has been too long
withheld, others will judge, but in the early part