after which I made visits to some pious individuals. Feeling my way open to take my departure this evening, I proceeded accordingly; the son of the coach-master, having been at the meeting, had secured a comfortable seat for me in the diligence, and put me under the care of the superintendent, by which means I was favoured to proceed comfortably, and we reached Nismes on fifth-day night. Sixth-day, my kind friend, Lewis Majolier, came in search of me, with whom I proceeded to Congenies. First-day, attended meetings there. My kind friend, James Charlton of Bristol, who was here on account of his health, became my interpreter; and as he had obtained a pretty thorough knowledge of the French language, he was of great use to me. Previous to leaving Geneva, the grievous abuse of the first-day of the week in that city took such hold of my mind, as to influence me to attempt an opportunity with those in authority; but not succeeding in obtaining full relief, and the exercise reviving, accompanied with apprehensions of duty to take up my pen, I addressed the governors, magistrates, and clergy on the subject; and after submitting it to my English friends and Lewis Majolier, it was ordered to be translated into French. Believing it would be of advantage, both to my mind and body, I endeavoured, as far as I was able, to assist in completing the wall of the burial-ground here, by which means my time passed more comfortably to myself, than otherwise would have been the case. to another young woman professing with Friends, and who was not at the meeting, but had been spending her time unprofitably, "Your heart must be hard to prefer spending your time as you have done this evening, and slighting your privilege, by not attending the reading meeting." Fifth-day, the meeting this morning was large, and a favoured time. O these tokens of adorable love and mercy! how my soul craves there may be a gathering under its allpreserving influence. First-day morning, we had a comfortable sitting together; at the close of which, the two months' meeting was held; the reading meeting in the evening was attended by many strangers, and we had good ground for hoping it would prove a profitable, instructive season to many. The disorder occasioned in the two months' meeting by a painful case that came before it, made such impressions on my mind, that I saw no way for me to get properly from under them, but by being willing to make a visit to the individuals most conspicuous in occasioning it. With the help of one of my countrymen I proceeded, and endeavoured to do what appeared to be my proper business: we had reason for believing our visit was kindly received. Some cases having come under my notice that required the care of the overseers, I endeavoured to encourage them to a timely faithful discharge of their duty. Fifth-day, attended the usual meeting; in which I should have been willing to keep silence, could I have been satisfied it was my proper allotment; but I found if I preserved my own peace, I must proclaim the absolute necessity of being willing to renounce our own ways and the ways of the world, before we can experience the ways of the Lord to be ways of pleasantness and his paths peace. First-day, 1st of twelfth month, the meeting was large; at the close of which was held an adjournment of the two months' meeting. | Much labour has been bestowed on the Friends here, to excite to a greater individual concern for the welfare of the cause of Truth; and Sixth-day, my mind had been at times exalthough it appears like hoping against hope, ercised with apprehensions it would be required earnest are my desires that Friends may not of me to make a visit to the mayor, which suffer discouragement to prevail, and hinder subject has come weightily before me this day, their doing what their hands may find to do; accompanied by earnest desires that the Alleaving the issue to the Lord. A reading mighty will direct my movements, and grant meeting is now established, as at Pyrmont, that they may be rightly timed; from the aswhich was well attended at this time. Some surance, that if we are favoured to obtain refew strangers gave us their company; Divine lief, when brought under exercise for religious Goodness was pleased to condescend to be usefulness, all our movements must be rightly near to us; and such was the precious cover- timed; for except this is the case, how can we ing felt over the meeting, that when it closed, expect to be favoured with the Lord's strengththe people were unwilling to separate. These ening, qualifying presence therein: it being precious feelings, we afterwards understood, as impossible for us to do the Lord's work in were generally experienced, so as to become our own time, as it is for us to do it in our the subject of conversation; some saying, own strength. "We never felt the like before;" others, "The love of God warmed our hearts." A young woman who was at the meeting, but did not profess with Friends, we were informed, said Seventh-day, the time for making a visit to the mayor being come, I requested the assistance of my kind friend, James Charlton, as my interpreter: we proceeded to his residence, he received us in a kind, affectionate manner, and I laid before him the dangerous consequences resulting from the dancing-rooms and gaming-houses being opened, especially on the first-day of the week, and the practice of playing at bowls, ball, &c. on that day. He in strong terms condemned these practices, as having a tendency to bring together numbers of young persons, and leading to pernicious consequences; but as the laws of the nation allow these places to be opened on a first-day after the places of worship are closed, the mayor has no authority to close them, except any disturbance is occasioned in them: a case of this sort having occurred, the mayor informed us he had then closed them. I endeavoured to press upon him the necessity of being firm in not allowing them again to be opened, giving it as my belief, that so far as our authority extends, if we fail to exert it faithfully in preventing practices that are evil, we become parties in the sight of Almighty God in all the evil consequences. I laid before him a case that had come under my notice of a lad in Congenies, who had no visible means of obtaining money to gamble with, attending the gaming-table, to the grief of his parents, to play on credit; and I stated, that on further inquiry I found it was a common practice to admit even children to game on credit. I endeavoured to press upon him the necessity of his speedy interference, to put a stop to such practices as would be likely to be promotive of dishonesty in the youth, by which they might hope to furnish themselves with the means for gratifying their inclinations for this evil. He acknowledged his full conviction of the truth of what I said on the different subjects, and I could do no other than give him full credit for his willingness to do his part towards remedying these matters. We next waited on the Protestant clergyman, who received us kindly, and manifested a disposition to hear what I offered to him, and to unite his endeavours, with others, in having the evil practices which abound amongst them removed. I had it in charge to remind him, that the situation we professed to be called upon to fill, was an awfully important one, requiring our utmost exertions, both by example and precept, that we may be found faithful in warning the people of their danger, otherwise we are countenancing them in their evil practices; and if such should be the case with us, we shall have a sad account to give of our stewardship in the great day of reckoning. Before I left him, I proposed for his consideration, whether an advantage would not be likely to result to the youth amongst them, by assembling them on first-day evenings to read the Scriptures and other suitable books. He allowed he believed such a practice would be beneficial, and keep the youth out of unsuitable company, but the Protestants were so numerous they could not assemble them in one house; but he could recommend their uniting in companies for this purpose, and would take the subject into consideration, and consult his consistory on it: we parted in a friendly manner. We then visited the adjoint mayor, who is a Catholic; he received us respectfully. I spread before him my view of the necessity of keeping the dancing-rooms closed, and prohibiting the use of the gaming-tables, especially on first-days: but this he opposed, saying, the law allowed of their being opened at noon on sundays: we parted in a friendly manner. We then called at the house of the Catholic priest, to whom, after some difficulty, we obtained admittance: on my expressing my sorrow on account of the diversions going forward on the first-day, he said he had attempted an improvement amongst his parishioners, and had also applied for the interference of the civil authority; expressing his earnest desire for a reformation. On my return home I felt thankful these mountains had, through holy help, been travelled over. First-day morning, we had a large meeting, in which I was engaged to labour with the youth, not to slight the day of Divine visitation which was mercifully extended, lest they should draw down upon themselves the displeasure of heaven, and the declaration pronounced against Jerusalem formerly should be pronounced against them, their house left desolate, and the things belonging to their souls' peace be for ever hid from their eyes. The afternoon meeting was small, few of the young men giving us their company. I was constrained to call the attention of parents and heads of families to this lamentable neglect of duty on the part of the young men, so conspicuous on first-day afternoons, and to urge them to consider if something further was not required at their hands towards endeavouring to remedy it: giving it as my belief, their parents might be well assured they were neither in suitable company, nor was their time properly occupied; and that I was fearful the cause of Truth suffered through their evil example. The reading meeting was largely attended by Friends and others; it proved a season of comfort and encouragement to such as were desirous to be found in the way of well-doing, and of the daily-cross. Second-day, I went to the school-room, and took my seat amongst the scholars: during the pause that succeeded the reading, I had some observations and advice to offer to one of the lads, who had manifested a refractory disposition; which produced consid erable tenderness in his mind. My friend, the pillar of fire by night will be vouchsafed Priscilla Scales, had something to communi- to us. cate, which produced tenderness in many of their minds. Third-day, Priscilla Scales and myself went to Aujargues, about two miles from Congenies. Our first call was upon a young man who is engaged in business; having but seldom seen him at meeting, and then unseasonably late, I found I must be faithful in treating with him on this subject. His wife not professing with Friends, and they having a family of small children, I felt that caution was necessary in making my observations, and I proposed their endeavouring to do their best to set each other at liberty to observe a timely attendance; seeing the Lord requires the whole burnt sacrifice, if we fall short in devoting the whole time which is set apart for these religious duties, we cannot expect our approaches before the Divine Being will find full acceptance with him. What was offered appeared to be well received: the Patois language, which is a mixture of French, Spanish and Italian, made it trying to me, because what I offered had to pass through two translations. Fifth-day, attended the usual meeting. First-day, our meeting was small; the reading meeting was well attended, many strangers coming to it: we were favoured with a quiet, instructive opportunity, for which many of our minds were made thankful. Second-day, my friend Priscilla Scales and myself feeling drawings in our minds to sit with such Friends as were unnecessarily at Somnieres at the day of balloting for the army; we made them a visit, endeavouring to impart such counsel and admonition as came before us in the line of apprehended duty, which we had reason to believe was well received. First-day morning, our meeting was well attended, and Divine mercy was again extended to the humbling of many minds. The reading meeting gathered early, and was crowded by Friends and others. It settled down in such a quiet as I have not often known exceeded; affording fresh cause for the acknowledgment of "good is the Lord, and worthy to be waited upon, and feared, served, and obeyed!" The destitute situation of the young people of Congenies, for want of employ, having claimed much of our at tention, we have been desirous of pointing out a way, whereby they might be assisted in this respect; assured that want of suitable employ has been one of the causes of their being so much in league with those of other societies, and unable at times to earn sufficient to support nature. A plan for their relief was adjusted, which appeared likely in time to effect the end designed; but in consequence of a rumour of war between France and Spain, it appeared most prudent to take no steps towards its being put in practice. Yet it is a subject of so much moment to the welfare of the rising generation who profess our principles, that a hope is raised in my mind, at a future day their situation may engage the attention of Friends in England. There is a considerable number of persons professing with Friends, and a meeting regularly held at Giles, a part of this two months' meeting, situated about twenty English miles from Congenies, who are generally visited by such Friends as come on a religious account to the south of France, and they had frequently been mentioned to me; but as no way opened in my mind to proceed to make them a visit, I durst not attempt it. First-day, attended the morning meeting, which was small. The afternoon meeting was large, but gathered stragglingly: I hope it was profitable to many. The reading meeting was crowded and offers of Divine help were evidently extended to the helpless; but there was reason to fear the minds of some of the youth suffered loss through the improper conduct of others in profession with us: the transgressors were treated with on this account. Fifth-day, 23d of first month, 1823, the meeting this morning gathered well: the good Shepherd, in mercy, condescended to stretch forth his crook, for the help of those who were willing to lay hold upon it. Early in the meeting I felt an engagement to stand up; but fearing to interrupt the holy quiet that was spread over us, I kept silence, until the word given me to proclaim became as a fire in my bones, so that I durst no longer refrain from saying, that if ever we are favoured to reign Second-day morning, I left my bed in a with Christ in his kingdom, we must be wil- very tried state of mind, which continued with ling to suffer with him in this world, by daily me through the whole of the day. In the dying to self and to sin, maintaining the daily evening, going into the school-room whilst the warfare against the enemies of our own house- children were reading, a few remarks sprung hold, our own heart's lusts, continually eye-up in my mind for communication, which I ing our great captain, Christ Jesus, until the victory becomes complete; and then the blessing dispensed to Israel formerly will not fail to be our experience, the cloud by day and was enabled to utter: this little act of faithfulness procured me a morsel of heavenly comfort, and I retired to bed with thankfulness for this mercy thus vouchsafed. In the midst of difficulty and danger, oh! the need there is for me to be careful in all my religious movements, lest I should plunge myself into those troubled waters I at times so much dread. Holy Father! keep me, I pray thee, in the hollow of thy mighty hand, until that portion of labour thou hast assigned me on this side the great deep is fully accomplished, that when the time for my departure clearly opens to view, it may be with the peaceful reflection of having done what I could! ed to the principles we profess, and full of love to those whom they believe to be concerned in advocating the cause of truth and righteousness. Had an open, satisfactory opportunity with the rest of the family. From their situation, on account of distance, and the bad road they would have to travel in winter, we enencouraged them, when they were not able to reach Congenies, to sit down together in their own house on first and week-days, fixing upon an hour the most suitable, and to be punctual in keeping to it, which advice appeared to be well received. Fifth-day, attended the usual meeting, which was small. First-day morning, the meeting was well attended, but greatly disturbed through the disorderly gathering of it, which was spoken to in a plain and close manner. The reading meeting was well attended. Fifth-day, the meeting small, but a quiet, favoured time. Fourth-day morning, fresh trials and temptations open each day to the mind, as a fresh Fourth-day, I received letters from England, call to labour for that bread which alone is with an account of the prospect of the removal sufficient to sustain the soul, and keep it alive of a near relative, who was anxious to see me unto God. A letter, received this morning once more. Agreeable as such an interview from my native land, speaks of war between would be to us both, it excited afresh in my this country and Spain, and the probability of mind an earnest seeking to the Lord, to be England being involved in it on reading preserved watching against any effort or anxthis, satan entered my mind like lightning, iety to be released from further service, and suggesting to me the danger I should be in- return home, until the way clearly opened for volved in, if such a circumstance took place it. This evening brought a proof-sheet of the before I was liberated to return home. This, address to Geneva, which being corrected, a for the moment, was permitted to overpower suitable number was ordered to be printed for me, and produce great depression: but paus- distribution. ing, I was favoured to resume my confidence in the never-failing arm of Omnipotence, to carry me safely through all the trials that awaited me, and sweetly to call to remembrance the covenants I had made and of late renewed, under a sense given me that my Divine Master had a further field of labour for me after my return. I was enabled to turn my back upon these reports, and the sugges- Sixth-day put me in possession of the adtions of satan, and my peace was not again dress to Geneva, and on seventh-day it was disturbed by them. The meetings of Giles forwarded to two of my friends there, to whom and Cordognan were again mentioned to me; I had reason to believe my mind had been but however my passing them by may be a rightly directed for taking the charge of the solitary instance, my way in this respect con- distribution. tinues quite closed up; and I find it will not 3d of first month, 1823. First-day morndo for me, unbidden, to go in the same tracking, the meeting was large: the reading meetwhich others have gone, and I again gave the ing was well attended, and closed satisfactorily. subject the go-by. Second-day morning, accompanied by my kind friend James Charlton, we made a visit to the Protestant preacher; a report being in circulation in the village that he was in the habit of playing at bowls on the first-day. I informed him of this report respecting him, and that I did not dare to leave Congenies without mentioning it to him. He did not deny the charge, but excused himself by saying, he might sometimes, on that day, stand and see them play. I felt I must tell him, if I had been guilty of such conduct, I should feel my. self implicated in those evil practices; adding, that if the youth followed his example as specSecond-day, Priscilla Scales and myself tators, there would be a danger, in time, of went to Fontanes, a village about six miles their becoming players as well as others; for from Congenies. Sat with an aged Friend satan would be ready to whisper in their ear, and her grandson, who appear warmly attach- if they felt anything like reproof on the occa Fifth-day, we had a small meeting, but in unmerited mercy it was owned by Israel's Shepherd. Earnest have been my supplications for days past, that the God of my life would be pleased so to direct my course to the end, that nothing may be taken home with me, which I should have left on this side of the great deep. First-day morning, a small meeting: the afternoon meeting better attended by the young men than is usual; as was also the reading meeting, which was cause of rejoicing to some of our minds. sion, there could be no harm in their play-nation which he had previously communicated ing, as their minister encouraged them by to me; observing to him how quiet the village being a looker-on; that if we profited the peo- had been on first-day evenings, since they had ple, it must be by our good example as well as been closed: to which he replied, it was his precept, and I hoped he would avoid, in future, determination to keep them closed during his being present on such occasions. He replied, continuance in office; and expressing his de young persons frequently diverted themselves sire for my safe return, we parted affectionin this way, after their meeting in the morn-ately. ing was over; they had been advised to ab- Fifth-day, the meeting was small; apprestain from these amusements during the time hending it would be safest for me to have a appointed for religious worship, but the custom religious opportunity with the ministers, overof playing at bowls, &c. after their worship | was over, had been established perhaps four hundred years; and he did not consider he was acting improperly, or taking any part in their amusements, nor did he apprehend he was ministering cause of stumbling to others, by standing to look on, quoting, by way of justification of his conduct in this respect, the expressions of the apostle, "Rejoice with them that rejoice." I told him, that was not the rejoicing the apostle alluded to. After some further observations on the dangerous tendency of his example in this respect, we parted in a friendly manner. Although unwilling to acknowledge the impropriety of his conduct, he carried conviction in his countenance of its being wrong, and I left him thankful to my Almighty Helper, in thus strengthening me to do what to me appeared to be a duty. Fourth-day, in company with my friend. Priscilla Scales, we made a visit to a young woman not in profession with our religious Society, who had long been confined to a sick bed, and appeared fast advancing towards the close of life: a number of persons were in her room, variously engaged in conversation. Believing my mind to be charged with something for the sick woman, I desired they would cease conversation, which took place; my friend, Priscilla Scales, gave her in French what I communicated. The sick woman received what had been communicated, as a fresh token of Divine regard; saying, it had introduced her mind into such comfortable feelings, that she should be thankful to be permitted to depart under them, for what had been communicated felt at that time more to her than bags full of gold and silver. seers, and their wives, seven o'clock this evening was proposed for it, and we met accordingly. At our first sitting down together, I was closely tried with inward poverty, accompanied by fears, that my calling Friends together, was either something I had worked myself up to, or that I had not observed the right time for moving in it: but by endeavouring to keep in the patience during this stripping dispensation, it tended to my centering down to the gift of Divine grace in myself; and as I became willing to move under the influence of that grain of faith in mercy dispensed, matter was given me for communication, which I had reason to believe was well received: may I be found enrolling this fresh interference of Divine mercy, amongst the innumerable blessings he has been pleased to dispense, since my arrival on this side the waters. First-day morning, the meeting was well attended; at the close of which the two months' meeting was held; the queries were read, and answers prepared, to go to London Yearly Meeting. This afforded an opportunity to speak more fully to the state of things here: the youth were laboured with, relative to their conduct, both in meetings and out of meetings, to endeavour to bring them to a proper sense of the loss they sustain, for want of greater circumspection of conduct, as well as the injury their example was likely to be to others. The afternoon meeting was small; but the reading meeting was well attended, and from the unwillingness manifested on the part of the people to leave, hopes were entertained that it was a season of profit to some. Fourth-day, after an almost sleepless night, I felt as if under the weight of the mountains, I afterwards paid a farewell visit to the assailed by fears, that, after all I have passed mayor, to express the satisfaction which his through, in endeavouring to fulfil what I besteady conduct had afforded me, in refusing lieved was the Divine counsel respecting me to allow of the dancing-rooms being opened, in this journey, the enemy will in some way although great efforts had been made by the gain upon me, and that I shall return home in young men; they not succeeding, the young disgrace. O! for patience in these seasons of women went in a body, and unable to prevail, buffeting, and for ability to flee for help to that one of the company went on her knees to so- merciful Redeemer, who told his poor disciple, licit the mayor to yield to their entreaties. As" satan hath desired to have you, that he may ability was afforded, I endeavoured to encour- sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, age the mayor, to remain firm in the determi- that thy faith fail not." |