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JOURNAL 
 
 OP THE 
 
 LIFE OF JOSEPH HOAG, 
 
 AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, 
 
 SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 
 
 "Blessed are the dead which die in th« Lord, from henceforth, yea, 
 saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and th«ir worlcs do 
 follow them."— Rev. xiv: 18. 
 
 AUBURN : 
 
 KNAPP & PECK, PRINTERS, AUBURN JOURNAL OFnCE, 
 
 No. 118 Genesee-st., Colonnade Block, Auburn. 
 1861. 
 
25a 7 7'/ 5 
 H ^A5 
 
 *»» •*€«•«•»• »»**••*•'•' 
 
At a Meetkg for Sufferings, of New York Yearly Meeting of 
 
 Friends, held at Poplar Ridge, Cayuga County, New York, 
 
 6th month, 29th, 1861 : 
 
 The examination of the manuscript Journal of our late be- 
 loved Friend, Joseph Hoag, having occupied this meeting 
 during several previous sittings, was concluded at this time ; 
 and believing that the valuable contents thereof, are worthy 
 to be preserved and read by the community at large, it was 
 concluded to publish the same. 
 
 Signed by direction of the meeting, 
 
 Aaron Mekeel, Clerk. 
 
 Mi50526 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 BELiEViNa it to be the will of God, that the righteous 
 should be held in remembrance, and having ample evidence, 
 both in Scripture testimony and the accounts left on record, 
 of the great benefit such remembrances have been to indi- 
 viduals and to the Church of Christ at large ; it is thought 
 best that the following accounts left by our worthy deceased 
 Friend, Joseph Hoacj, to his children, should be added to 
 the " cloud of witnesses " that have gone before, all testi- 
 fying to the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus, through ' the 
 jnanifestation of His grace, to save the people from their 
 sins. There are many still living, up and down in this 
 land, (for he was very generally known), who c^n testify 
 to his zeal in the Lord, and his labors of love, in persuad- 
 ing his fellow-creatiires to *' come, taste and see, that the 
 JiOrd is good." 
 
 He was as a sharp threshing-instrument in the Lord's 
 hand, in. rebuking sin, and all manner of iniquity; as wi|l 
 appear by the following pages ; bi^t to the humble, contrite 
 ones, his words often fell as the dew of Jlermon on the 
 tender plants, which greatly endeared him to the upright 
 in heart. Jf e was a man of strong mental powers — by 
 
tl PREFACE. 
 
 which, through the qualifying influence of God^s grace 
 abundantly bestowed, he was prepared as a judge, and 
 Counsellor in Israel, rightly to divide th£ Word, laying 
 "judgment to the line, and righteousness to the plummet;" 
 being quick of discernment in the fear of the Lord, and a 
 zealous disturber of every false rest Having in early life been 
 convinced of the rectitude of the principles of the Society of 
 Friends, (in which he was educated), he became warmly attach- 
 ed thereto, and was never known to swerve therefrom, through 
 the changing vicissitudes accompanying a life protracted to old 
 age; in which he suflfered "perils by sea, perils by land, 
 and perils amongst false brethren ; " for, as the Israelites of 
 old, were troubled with their Korahs, Dathans, and Abirams, 
 so the Church in his day, was afflicted at different pe- 
 riods, with false teachers, who have brought in heresies, and 
 taught doctrines, at variance with those upon which the 
 Society was first established. These innovations grieved his 
 spirit ; and as a faithful watchman on the walls of Zion, he 
 was concerned to sound the alarm, and testify against their 
 unsoundness ; notwithstanding which, many followed their 
 pernicious ways, which finally resulted in the Hicksite seces- 
 sion, and many trials and difficulties attetiding the introduc- 
 tion of the unsound views of Joseph John Gumey. As the 
 followers of each were numerous, and he drawing towards 
 the close of life, he became greatly concerned for the 
 preservation of his writings, lest they might fall into the 
 hands of those who would utterly suppress, or pervert them ; 
 knowing that they contained sentiments at variance with the 
 principles of both of those leaders. He, therefore, took 
 measures to guard against these evils, by adopting the fol- 
 lowing course, and giving forth the subjoined testimony : 
 
PREFACE. VU 
 
 MoNKTON, 1st month, 5th, 1846. 
 
 Having, from my younger life, felt best to keep by writing, 
 some account of the religious services and exercises, that from 
 time to time I have passed through ; but of latter times I be- 
 came uneasy relative to some circumstances which I had 
 omitted to commit to writing ; also, about the place where my 
 writings were, and no way seemed to open to have it otherwise, 
 until my wife proposed that I should go and get Narcissa 
 Battey to write for me. This looked pleasant to me. Ac- 
 cordingly, the past summer, I took my writings and carried 
 them to Ezra Battey's, and feeling easy about their location, I 
 have committed them to the care of Ezra and Hannah H. Bat- 
 tey, with a request that they shall not deliver them to any 
 other person, save myself; and if they are permitted to remain 
 in the hands of the said Ezra and Hannah, or either of them 
 at the time of my decease, I hope, and do now request them 
 to take especial care of them, and not suffer them to pass into 
 the hands of any who would destroy them, or cause them to 
 pass into oblivion ; as I believe some parts of them may prove 
 of importance in a future time, and feeling assured that some 
 parts of my writings are in opposition to the doctrines propo- 
 gated by Elias Hicks, and many of those written by Joseph 
 John Gumey, I am unwilling to have them fall into the hands 
 of any persons who have, or may support either of the above 
 named persons, or advocate either of their peculiar tenets ; and 
 feeling confidence in the above named Ezra and Hannah, I 
 therefore place, and have placed them with them for the pur- 
 poses above named : And further — if by reason of death or 
 otherwise, it shall appear necessary that they should be placed 
 with some other person, I request, that those who do witness 
 
Viil PREFACE. 
 
 this procedure, or the survivors or survivor of them, should 
 place them in the hands of some sound, substantial Friend or 
 Friends, agreeably to the foregoing request. 
 
 Joseph Hoag. 
 
 We being present, know the signer of the foregoing to do it 
 of his own free act, and requested us to witness the same. 
 Amos Battey, Ruth Battey, 
 
 Moses Huntington, Elizabeth Huntington, 
 Joshua F. Header, Joanna Worth. 
 
 Although our deceased Friend was not highly learned in the 
 literature of the age, and some of the expressions contained in 
 the following journal may not suit the nice and critical taste of 
 some readers, and may contain, in their view, some incidents of 
 a trivial character ; yet, as we believe he was taught in the 
 school of Christ, the compilers of this work thought it would 
 be more interesting to the general reader, that no material 
 change should be made in the language, and that it should be 
 presented to the public, very nearly in its original form. 
 
 We have endeavered in no instance, by change of language, 
 to alter the meaning of the Author. 
 
 The above statements relative to the disposition of Joseph 
 Hoag's writings, are corroborated by the testimony of Starks- 
 boro Monthly Meeting. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Introductory remarks — Joseph Hoag's birtli and parentage, with some 
 account of his ancestors — Their convincement of the principles of 
 Friends — His religious exercises in early life — Night vision — Impres- 
 sions relative to a call to the Ministry — His father taken prisoner in 
 the time of the revolutionary war — Trials and conflicts connected there- 
 with — Severe sufferings on account of imbibing infidel prmciples — Re- 
 markable testimonies of Abel Thomas — Impressions relative to water- 
 baptism— His exercises connected with his first appearing in the Min- 
 istry — Testimony of David Sands in confirmation of his call to the Min- 
 istry,. . , 9-4*7 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 His marriage and settlement in business — Meets with losses — His house 
 is burnt — Sufferings occasioned by an omission of duty — Remarks rel- 
 ative to a prospect of settling in Little Nine Partners — The opening of 
 a prospect to go to a new country — Removes, and settles in Charlotte, 
 Vermont — Exercises relative to the settlement of meetings — He visits 
 some of the meetings within hjs own Quarterly Meeting — He visits his 
 native place and parts adjacent — Visits the southern and eastern parts 
 of his own Yearly Meeting — 'Near the close of the visit he has a mirac- 
 ulous escape, 48-75 " 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Some account of tlie settlement of meetings for discipline — A prospect of 
 paying a re^ligious visit to New England, Nova Scotia, and the adjoin- 
 ing British Provinces, opens with him— Sets out on this journey in the 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 year 1801 — Attends New England Yearly meeting — Arrives at Nova 
 Scotia in the Ith month following — ^Has a meetimg in a barn, to which 
 a tribe of Indians come — Sets sail for St. John's — Called upon to give 
 an opinion of women's preaching — Falls in with the Swedenborgians — 
 He meets with a close temptation — Arrives at Halifax, 16-103 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 He has large, favored meetings at Halifax, and in the neighborhood — Has 
 a large meeting at a Baptist meeting-house, where several priests at- 
 tend — His companion feeling at liberty to return home, it was a trial 
 to part with him — Has a meeting at a private house at Digby, where 
 he was led to address the mother of a family who mourned over an in- 
 temperate husband — Foretells the death of the husband, which takes 
 place very soon — Dispute between the New Lights and Methodists, 
 each claiming a likeness to the Quakers — He visits some families of 
 Friends who had resided there for many years — ^Was confined at Sam- 
 uel Moore's for nearly three months, with sickness, during which time 
 he was sorely tempted ; but, through Holy Help, was preserved — Af- 
 ter his recovery, he returns to the States, and visits Martha's Yineyard, 
 Nantucket, &c — Arrives at Yarmouth in 5th month, 1802 — ^Attends 
 New England Yearly Meeting — In the 1th month he sets out for Port- 
 land, with Peter Morrell for companion — Arrives at home early in the 
 9th month — Record of some occurrences which took place during the 
 foregoing journey, 104-138 
 
 CHAPTER Y. 
 
 Some account of difficulties within his own Monthly and Quarterly Meet- 
 ing — In 1804 visits the eastern part of his own Quarterly Meeting — In 
 1806 visits the south and east part of his own Yearly Meeting — In 
 1801 performs a religious visit to Friends of Upper Canada and Farm- 
 ington Quarterly Meeting — Late in the Fall, goes to Queensbury — 
 Thence southwesterly, attending meetings until he got into Pennsyl- 
 vania — Thence to Brothertown — At Unadilla was attacked by a Pres- 
 byterian deacon — At a meeting afterwards, was opposed by a priest — 
 Yisits meetings on the west side of the Hudson river — Thence to New 
 York and attends the Yearly Meeting— Thence to West Chester and 
 into Connecticut — Thence homeward, where he arrived after an ab- 
 sence of about seven months — Yisits the southern part of his own 
 Yearly Meeting — "Wliile on Long Island, was attacked by a Priest on 
 the subject of election and reprobation — After an absence of about five 
 months, returns home, 139-175 
 
CONTENTS. XI 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 In 1812, he sets out on a religious visit to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 
 and to the settlements of Friends in the Southern States — He attends 
 meetings in Philadelphia — Visits the Poor-house and State-prison at 
 Baltimore^-Sad effects of Slavery on the Society of Friends — He is sin- 
 gularly led in testimony at Goose Creek — Has a remarkable meeting at 
 Washington — Attends Springfield Monthly Meeting, where he had a 
 close testimony in the women's meeting — He is taken sick at Mount 
 Pleasant, and apparently brought near the grave — Meets with, and has 
 conversation with a General of the army at Knoxville— Afterwards has 
 a satisfactory meeting at the same place with the soldiers and inhabi- 
 tants — Has a meeting at Canada Creek, where he clears up the false 
 charges brought against him by the Methodists — Attends North Caro- 
 lina Yearly Meeting, after which he returns home — Account of a 
 close testimony which he deUvered at the above named Yearly Meet- 
 ing, .. , 1*76-209 
 
 CHAPTER YII. 
 
 In the year 1816, he sets out on a reUgious visit to Friends within the 
 compass of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and North Carolina Yearly Meet- 
 ings — Attends Warrington Quarterly Meeting, which was a favored 
 time — Visits the family of our late Friend Abel Thomas — at Dea^- 
 Creek he was led to speak on the subject of Nebuchadnezzar's image — 
 He has close labors in Redstone and vicinity — He describes the evil 
 effects of Slavery on the minds of the people — Reviews his labors in 
 those parts — Attends Philadelphia Yearly Meeting — Attends Bucking- 
 ham Quarterly Meeting — At Darby is led in a very close and pointed 
 manner to show how the unity of the Spirit of the Gospel is formed with 
 and amongst brethren — Visits Westown School — Attends meetings in 
 Baltimore — Attends a meeting appointed by Isaac Hammer of Tenesee 
 —Mournful description of the sufferings of the Slavee, and the effects 
 of Slavery on the people — After attending a number of appointed meet- 
 ings, he and his companions were taken unwell in a very sickly part of 
 the country; but soon felt at liberty to turn for the hill-country — He 
 journeys to Alexandria, Washington, and Baltimore ; at the latter place 
 he was led solemly to warn Friends against speculative enquiries — His 
 exercises, and labors with Friends for being engaged in the distillery 
 business — Attends many meetings in New Jersey; after which he 
 feels at liberty to return home, 210-236 
 
Xll C O N 1* E N T S. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 He remains at and about home for several years, during which time he 
 had many deep trials — After which he feels his mind drawn in Gospel 
 love, to visit Friends and others in the southern and western parts of 
 his own Yearly Meeting— He proceeds to Queensbury, &c., and visits all 
 the meetings about Saratoga— Has a remarkable meeting in Duanes- 
 burg Quarter — He is followed by, and has some conversation with 
 some Ranters — Has a remarkable meeting in the neighborhood of Stan- 
 ton-hill — Proceeds to Cornwall Quarter — He assists in settling a diflSicul- 
 ty amongst Friends, of long standing, at Rosendale — Singular testuno- 
 ny at a meeting in Nine Partners Quarter — Singular circumstance with 
 regard to a borrowed horse — He attends the Yearly Meeting, and soon 
 returns home, where he arrived in the 6th month following, with his 
 mind richly filled with peace, 23'?-248 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 On the 6th of 12th month 1823, he leaves home, accompanied by Samuel 
 Knowls, to perform a rehgious visit in the Northern and Western parts 
 of his own Yearly Meeting, Ohio, Indiana, and some parts of North 
 Carolina, Yearly Meetmgs — Passed on, taking meetings in the way till 
 ho reached Canada — Near Adolphus town he finds the Society in a 
 sad state on account of spiritual pride — Attends the half-year's meet- 
 ing — He proceeds to Norwich, and attends their Monthly Meeting — 
 After returning to the "States, he visits meetings within the limits of 
 Parmington Quarter ; then sets forward for Ohio, and reached Salem 
 the 2nd of 6th month, 1824 — At Concord he falls in with a preacher 
 from Long Island, and meets with him at other places — Has conversa- 
 tion with him in regard to his false doctrines — Meets with him again 
 at Ohio Yearly Meeting, where he is deeply tried with his remarks in 
 relation to reading the Scriptures — After the Yearly Meeting, he re- 
 turns to Redstone Quarter, and after visiting meetings thereabouts, he 
 sets forward for Virguiia, where he arrived in the 10th month, and 
 soon proceeded to New Garden in North Carohna — He visits several 
 meetings, and returns to New Garden, where, after delivering a rehev- 
 ing testimony,he proceeds to Tennessee — He attends the Quarterly Meet- 
 ing, for Tennessee, wherein he was comforted — After attending several 
 other meetings, he left for Indiana — Proceeds in his visit in Indiana — 
 Remarks on the appointment of Elders — Goes to Illinois in search of 
 liis wife's sister — Some account of her husband &c. — Returns to Indi- 
 ana — At Sugar Creek, he gives Friends advice with regard to a person 
 who had been disowned — lie has a large, favored meeting at Indian- 
 
CONTENTS. XIU 
 
 apolis — Returns to Ohio, and after being relieved of a burden that had 
 long rested on his mind, he sets forward for home, .249-288 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Attends the Yearly Meeting in 1826 — Account of some conversation with 
 EHas Hicks in 1819 — Some account of the Yearly Meeting in 1827 — 
 Yearly Meeting in 1828, with some particulars of the Hicksite separa- 
 tion in that meeting ; also, the separation in his own, and Easton Quar- 
 terly Meetings, and his exercises and labors therein, 289-308 
 
 • 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 In the year 1829, he proceeds on a visit to several of the Southern Quar- 
 ters of his own Yearly Meeting — At a meeting at North Granville, he 
 rephes to a question put to him by an infidel — He receives an injury 
 by being thrown from a carriage — After completing his visit, he pro- 
 ceeds home, 309-334 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 In the year 1831, he attends the Yearly Meeting of New England — After 
 it, visits Sandwich Quarterly Meeting with most of the meetings con- 
 stituting it, in several of which h© had deeply exercising labor — He at- 
 tends fore and afternoon meetings at Providence; an exercising time 
 — He attends Salem Quarterly Meeting, which was painfully exerci- 
 sing — Attends Dover and Falmouth Quarterly Meetings — He returns 
 to Providence in 2nd month 1832 — After attending some meetings in 
 Smithfield Quarter, he proceeds to Wolfsboro on his return home — Ex- 
 tracts from a letter to his wife and children, 335-353 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 In the year 1832, he sets out to perform a religious visit to Friends in 
 Upper Canada, and some parts of Farmington Quarterly Meeting ; also 
 to attend the Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia, &c. — He attends the half- 
 year's meeting in C. "W. — Proceeds to Lockport, Farmington &c. ; 
 thence towards Philadelphia, and attended the Yearly Meeting — After 
 it visits meetings in New Jersey — ^Attends New York Yearly Meeting, 
 and returns home, 354-365 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Testimony at Starksboro Monthly meeting in ISZl — Job S. Collins' ac- 
 count of his visit in Ohio and Indiana Yearly Meetings — Account of 
 returning minutes — He attends New York Yearly Meeting in 1842 — 
 Obtains minutes to pay a religious visit to Friends within the limits of 
 Indiana Yearly Meeting ; after performing which, he returns to Ohio — 
 Willis & Ann Smith's account of his sickness, &c. — ^Account of returning 
 minutes — He attends the Yearly Meeting of New York in 1845 — Min- 
 utes of Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting — Some account of a discourse 
 with a Friend at Nev York in 1846 — His Vision in the year 1803 — 
 Testimony ®f Starksboro Monthly Meeting concerning him, and giving 
 some account of his last sickness and death, 366 — 389 
 
JOURNAL OF JOSEPH HOAG. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 I HAVE believed it right to leave to you, my cliildren, the ac- 
 count of some occurrences I have passed through in life, for your 
 improvement ; and such counsel and remarks, as shall open on 
 my mind in the clearness of gospel love and parental affection ; 
 and also a short account of our forefathers from the first family ; 
 for when I was in New England, I became acquainted with one 
 branch of the family that informed me they had been in the 
 practice of keeping the spread of the name ; and that their 
 branch of fore-parents, had preserved some remarkable occur- 
 rences that took place in the order of Providence, in the family. 
 A woman, some in years, of bright abilities, who appeared 
 sound in her memory, said she could well remember all the 
 children of the first family that stayed in America, and that 
 lived to' be old ; and she had heard all three of the brothers, 
 (when she was young), and the old man, relate the account of 
 the occurrences that took place. 
 
 I was born the 22d of the 4th month, 1'762, being the son of 
 Elijah and Phebe Hoag, and of the fifth generation from the 
 first family, which came over from England, and settled not far 
 from Hampton, and bound out their son John, an apprentice 
 to a leather dresser and glove maker. Shortly after this, there 
 came an advertisement from England, that there was a great 
 estate fell to them, so they all returned but this boy, whose 
 1 
 
'>0< ''' .'',:,'' JOURNAL OF 
 
 master would not give liira up ; so John remained an appren- 
 tice under a hard master, without a friend to interfere or plead 
 his cause, until he was of age, after which he married an only 
 child whose maiden name was Emery, and with her he had an 
 estate that placed him in good circumstance. It was remarked 
 that he was a man of that calmness of mind and steadiness of 
 deportment, that it was a rare thing to see him discomposed 
 by crossing occurrences. He was a man of fine natural abilities, 
 and filled the place of side Judge in the County Court, until 
 the taking up people for witchcraft, which he opposed with 
 such steadiness and resolution, that he lost his seat, and his in- 
 fluence with the people. He and his wife being zealous Pres- 
 byterians, were well agreed in the education of their children. 
 Their son, Joseph, while a young man, had it on his mind to 
 go to a Friends' meeting ; he did so ; it proved a silent one ; 
 there he became convinced, and soon joined the Society, be- 
 came an acceptable minister, and lived to old age. It was be- 
 lieved that he was faithful in his day, and died in good unity 
 with his Friends. His becoming a Friend, caused great unea- 
 siness and alarm in the family, so that they used all their en- 
 deavors by persuasion and argument to turn him from it, but 
 to no purpose, although he was a man the smallest in capacity 
 of the males in the family, yet none of them could hold way 
 with him in argument, in matters of religion. This so roused 
 his brother Jonathan, that he went to the Priest with the piti- 
 ful story, that Joseph had become possessed with the Quaker 
 spirit, and so bewitched with it that they could not talk him 
 out of it, nor do anything with him. He therefore wished the 
 Priest to come and talk to him, and pray with him, or else 
 they should lose him. This the Priest utterly declined to do, 
 telling him it would do no good to talk to him, for he would 
 not be talked out of it ; the best way would be to laugh and 
 jeer him out of it. If that did not do, take him to frolics and 
 make him dance ; if he did not get rid of it then, give him 
 drams until he was merry, and that would wear it ofi". This 
 counsel so displeased Jonathan, that he went home, out of pa- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 11 
 
 tience with his Priest, and concluded he would go to meeting 
 with Joseph, and see what he could find among the Quakers. 
 When he went, Lydia Norton was at the meeting; she so 
 thoroughly unravelled all the Presbyterian creeds, that he be- 
 came decidedly convinced. This increased the agony in the 
 family. Then Benjamin, their youngest brother, a man of great 
 wit and readiness of speech, with much anxiety, exerted all his 
 abilities for their preservation ; but finding himself unequal to 
 the task, and not being able to get his Priest to his assistance, 
 gave it up with sorrow, for awhile ; but observing the steady 
 conduct of his brothers, concluded he would go and see what it 
 was they got among the Quakers, that made such an alteration 
 in their conduct, (which he related afterwards) ; and at the 
 meeting he attended, a woman Friend came, who was so enabled 
 to overturn Benjamin's bulwarks, that it finished the business 
 with him. He told his brothers that he came there to see 
 what they were after, and he had found out, and did not blame 
 them, and never more followed the Priest, but became a Friend. 
 This, to their religious parents, was such a heavy stroke that 
 their mourning seemed to be without consolation, believing that 
 unavoidable destruction was the certain doom of all their sons — 
 so that for a while it seemed as if it would take their natural 
 lives ; but after a while they seemed to comfort themselves, 
 having done their duty, and God would be glorified in them 
 that were lost, as well as in them that were saved ; so gave it 
 up, endeavoring to keep their three daughters as much from 
 exposure as they could, and firom talking with their brothers on 
 religious subjects. But they being young people together, it 
 was out of their power. At length there came a Friend from 
 England, and Mary, their favorite daughter, went to the meet- 
 ing, and the testimony of the Friend so thoroughly convinced 
 her, that in a short time she became a member, and soon came 
 forward in the ministry, and in a few years became an able 
 minister. 
 
 Shortly after, one of the younger sisters was convinced and 
 became a member; the other gradually broke off from the 
 
12 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Presbyterians, and though she never became a member, the 
 greater, and all the latter part of her days she attended Friends' 
 meetings. Their parents continued a number of years in their 
 way ; at length the priest got to pitying them ; stating, what a 
 hard fortune it was to lose all their children, body and soul, 
 after raising so likely a family, to which the aged father replied, 
 "I do not know about my children being lost; I brought them 
 up as well as I knew how, and I thought they behaved well, 
 while they kept to their education. I have observed them a 
 number of years, since they have turned Quakers, and I think 
 their conduct is much more like the pattern of mankind, than 
 it ever was before." To which the priest exclaimed, " I see 
 you are gone ; " got up, left him, and never visited him after- 
 wards. After this, the father became a member, and died in 
 the principles of Friends. 
 
 This so affected his wife, that she seemed afflicted to his dy- 
 ing day. She often said she could not give up, as he had been 
 so upright a man, but that he would come out of that Quaker 
 spirit, and die a good man at last. 
 
 A short time before his death, he told her, that in a few 
 weeks he should die and go to rest ; that he had obtained an 
 assurance of happiness ; to which she exclaimed ; " oh ! my 
 dear husband, will you die in that delusion, and go to destruc- 
 tion ; " and wept very bitterly. 
 
 A little before he died, he told his wife he was not deceived, 
 and she would have a sign ; that when he died the cords of one 
 of his thighs should be shrunk, as Jacob's was, and that should 
 be a proof to her that he was not deceived. This but increased 
 her agony, for she viewed him still plunging into the dark cloud 
 of delusion, so that when he died, her mourning was without 
 bounds, thinking he was gone into misery. 
 
 When they came to lay him out, the cords of one his thighs 
 was so drawn that the leg stood as though he sat in a chair. 
 Several men tried to straighten it, but could not. After the 
 man had taken the measure of the corpse, he bethought him- 
 self that it might be had not got the bend of the limb exact, he 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 13 
 
 would go back and be certain ; when he came back he put his 
 hand under the heel and found it gave way, he straightened the 
 limb without any difficulty. 
 
 When the widow saw this I was told she sat down suddenly 
 and sat in a profound silence for some length of time, and then 
 exclaimed, " all my trouble is gone ; my husband is gone 
 happy ; " after which she gave the relation of these testimonies 
 — as given by her husband while living— in the presence of her 
 children and neighbors, but added, " I could not believe until 
 my own eyes see, and now I am satisfied ; " She went with the 
 Presbyterians no more, but attended Friends' meetings to the 
 end of her days. Her husband was upwards of eighty years of 
 age when he died. Their son Jonathan left six sons and several 
 daughters ; the sons, except one, all moved to the Oblong, in 
 New York State. 
 
 My grand-father on my father's side, was Jonathan — ^the son 
 of Jonathan — who was one of those who removed to the Ob- 
 long, was, I think, about 84 years of age when he died. 
 
 I shall now turn my attention to my own life, and subjects 
 connected with it. 
 
 Very early in life I was favored with Divine visitations and 
 well remember when the few friends that lived over the Creek 
 were allowed to hold a meeting ; this being the first I have any 
 remembrance of attending. I often felt my mind tendered in 
 these little meetings, and my understanding enlightened, and I 
 often covenanted that I would live a good life, and be a good 
 man ; but being of a fretful disposition, I often fell short, and 
 brought sorrow and keen conviction on my mind ; and I often 
 went into the woods alone and wept bitterly, and promised my- 
 self to do better. So I passed along several years, sometimes 
 doing pretty well and sometimes bemoaning myself in solitary 
 places. 
 
 But to return to the early day of this little meeting — which 
 consisted of five men and four women, who were heads of fam- 
 ilies, where I was steadily taken, and soon loved to go — I had 
 not passed my tenth year, when I was led into the following 
 
14 JOURNAL OF 
 
 night-vision. I fancied in my sleep that I went to meeting 
 with my little brothers on 4th day, it being our meeting day ; 
 and I beheld that my father and the few friends of that meet- 
 ing, came in and sat down together as usual. Shortly I saw 
 three or four coming from the southeast, riding very fast ; their 
 garb and appearance were like Friends, and I thought they were 
 Friends. They came into the house with a quick motion, and 
 fierce look, and seated themselves with my father. Shortly I 
 saw my father rise, and deliver a short testimony ; soon one of 
 this company rose up and condemned father's testimony, and 
 him as a false preacher, adding, that there was a false ministry 
 coming forth among them, and if they were not well guarded, 
 it would do much hurt ; at the same time pointing at my fath- 
 er, and with harsh censure sat down. One of his company 
 Mrose and united with the last testimony. Tlie meeting then 
 T^oon closed, and all went out together. My father and his 
 company turned to the tight, with a moderate, steady pace ; 
 the others turned to the left, with a quick hasty movement. 
 
 I thought I went the next meeting day, as usual, and saw 
 father and his little company sit down together. Shortly I be- 
 held the otter company come, in their former appearance and 
 motion ; but said they would not sit with Elijah ; he should sit 
 on the bench, and they would sit in the gallery. They fixed a 
 seat over his head and placed themselves there. Soon after the 
 meeting was quiet, my father delivered a short testimony, then 
 one of this company arose, spoke hasty and quick ; a second 
 followed, and looking down on my father, called him a de- 
 ceiver, a false teacher, a cunning deviser of fables, working in 
 the craft of the serpent, and warned those who sat with him to 
 make their escape before it was too late. The third arose and 
 united with him. I noticed father sat very still, looked solid, 
 but never replied. The meeting closed ; they parted much as 
 before, father looked very sober. 
 
 My prospect continued on to the third meeting, where I saw 
 father and his little band take their seats as usual ; the others 
 came in with their former appearance and motion, but at 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 16 
 
 a later period, being more in number ; and went to their 
 gallery, as they called it. In my view, father appeared in 
 this meeting, and was soon followed by one of that company ; 
 a second, and a third. Before they had done I discovered they 
 had gained the attention of two of father's little company ; an 
 own brother and brother-in-law. They repeated their former 
 censures and warning, and said the Lord sent them to warn 
 this people. This time they broke their meeting first, went out, 
 and turned to the left hand ; father broke his meeting as he 
 went out and turned to the right hand ; these two uncles 
 turned from him and followed the other company. He looked 
 sohd and sorrowful, but never replied nor showed resentment, 
 through all these appearances. 
 
 As I came out of the meeting house, I looked up and saw a 
 beautiful oval cloud, and a very comely man standing upon it, 
 who spoke to me, saying, " Dost thou know what these things 
 mean ?" I answered, " no ;" he replied, " I am sent to tell 
 thee." I then mused in my mind who he should be ; he re- 
 plied, " I am an angel of the Lord ; " then pointing to the 
 company which my uncles followed, he said, " that company 
 are schemers, and have a ranter spirit, and shall come to noth- 
 ing ; but that man of dark appearance, in the honesty of his 
 heart, shall be saved. Thou shalt see thy uncles come to 
 nothing. " Then looking towards father, said, " Thy father is 
 a true minister ; he will haye abundance to undergo from these 
 schemers, but if he keeps his place they never will overthrow 
 him for the Lord will keep him from falling. " All this was 
 showed me, before my father had appeared in public, neither 
 had I seen any of these men before I had this view, except my 
 uncles, but have seen all of them since. 
 
 Not long after this father appeared in public, and a few 
 months after this I saw all three of the men come in that ap- 
 peared to me before, where I heard the communications, and 
 saw the conduct, I think exact as it had appeared to me. Af- 
 ter meeting I learned their names, and who the dark appearing 
 man was ; he was a very dark, swarthy countenanced man, of 
 
16* JOURNAL OF 
 
 small natural abilities, and seemed to be influenced by others. 
 In a few montlis they came to our little meeting again in a 
 company as before, where I heard and saw acted out, what had 
 appeared to me before, except fixing a gallery ; but about a year 
 after, I think it was, I was at the old Nine Partners, at monthly 
 meeting, I believe, for the first time. Here was the first I ever 
 saw a gallery, and here, by this band, my father was ordered 
 off the front seat, and bid to sit down amongst the people. 
 He had before this been taken by his friends at home, on the 
 front seat, in his own meeting, and had been invited on to that 
 seat, by an old minister belonging to the same monthly meet- 
 ing. They not only ordered father down, but I heard the cen- 
 sorious communications delivered at large, and I noticed that 
 father sat very still, through all these different times, looked 
 very solid, but never replied a word ; so that I saw in the course 
 of two years all acted out by these three men that appeared in 
 my night vision. 
 
 My uncles, about this time, appeared very thoughtful and 
 religiously inclined; but after this last meeting, they turned 
 against my father, and would censure him to his face, and say 
 that these were all true recommended ministers, and other 
 Friends believed so ; and so it was that they manifested a bitter, 
 censorious spirit against him through life. 
 
 They were all young recommended ministers, when they be- 
 gan opposition to my father. One of them being a subtle, 
 smooth-tongued man, used all the influence he was capable of 
 to bear him down, and so far succeeded, during fifteen years, 
 as to get the greater part of the elders, and some of the minis- 
 ters belonging to our quarterly meeting in the same spirit of 
 opposition with themselves. Yet some aged ministers, and a 
 few elders countenanced my father, and plead for him. 
 
 My uncle by marriage, in a few years appeared to lose all his 
 religion ; took to drink, ran through his estate, and was disown- 
 ed from society. His family, all went out of society except my 
 aunt. My own uncle departed from all religious appearance 
 and became a hard drinker, involving his estate, leaving his 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 17 
 
 family nearly destitute. Two of his children became hard 
 drinkers ; several went out of the society, and have not returned 
 to this day, which is upwards of twenty years ; only one of the 
 family is a religious character. So they seemed to be scattered 
 in Israel, and divided in Jacob. 
 
 Now, to return to those pursuers of my father : two of them 
 carried a high hand for several years, till they got mostly the 
 rule of the monthly meeting, and during this time the meeting 
 disowned a great many youth for trifling misses; and older 
 friends, who did not tune after their pipes, if they could get a 
 hitch upon them. At length these two leaders fell out between 
 themselves, about interest matters, and carried the quarrel so 
 high as to charge each other with lies, so that the monthly 
 meeting had to disown them both. They ran through their 
 estates, and became insolvent ; the leading one never returned 
 to society ; the other, after many years came back, but never 
 has been of much use or account. The dark appearing man 
 being of small abilities, and naturally of a quiet make, content- 
 ed himself with his own gift, for the most part, so that he kept 
 his credit good in society and amongst his neighbors, and died 
 in unity with his Friends. The family of the leading one pret- 
 ty much ran out ; one daughter became a nice Friend, and rec- 
 ommended minister ; so that we see that those who consider 
 their ways, and turn to the Lord, do not have to answer for the 
 sins of their fathers. 
 
 This rent, made a great break in the strength of that class ; 
 and about this time, I think it was, some others, who were lead- 
 ing members, were detected in scandalous deeds, and were dis- 
 owned. So it continued along, and in a few years, I think there 
 was not less than fifteen leading members of this class disown- 
 ed from society. This made a great change in the times. 
 
 And now, dear children, in my silent musings, in lopking 
 over the just dealings of the Almighty, and remembering my 
 night-vision, and having lived to see it come to pass, and to see 
 the end of many of these fiery builders and ruin of their great 
 castle, and that, after all this, I have lived to see your grand- 
 
18 JOURNAL OP 
 
 father in his old age a recommended minister, who traveled in 
 the ministry, with the unity of his brethren, in different and 
 distant parts of this country, greatly to the satisfaction of his 
 friends, and the peace of his own mind, I believe it my duty to 
 leave the account of these occurrences for you to look at, and 
 think upon, when I am laid in the silent grave, where you may 
 see how the Shepherd of Israel preserveth, and carrieth through 
 all tribulation, those who trust in Him ; and that He never fails 
 to plead the cause of the innocent, and give them the new song 
 on the banks of deliverance. While on the other hand, you 
 may as clearly see how the Lord destroyeth Babel, with all her 
 builders, and that nothing will stand or endure but what His 
 own spirit createth and directeth, in all our religious move- 
 ments. 
 
 I now return to my getting along, from nine to twelve years 
 of age. I had many clear openings. I remember that in the 
 course of this time, I went one day to the meeting early, and 
 got to the house before any others came. I felt an inclination 
 to sit on the front seat, and I did so ; sat there awhile ; there it 
 was made known to me as clear as ever it was afterwards, that 
 in that part of the house I should have to sit in time to come, 
 and should have to preach, and I must conduct well, for if I 
 did not I should not be fit to preach ; and that I must mind 
 and do right. My mind was made sensible of the solemnity of 
 the subject, which continued with me through the meeting, and 
 it was revived on my mind at times for years. 
 
 Being early visited with good, I was often observed to be in 
 a muse, and was often asked what I was studying about, but 
 being of a bashful make, was not willing my thoughts should 
 be known to any mortal, and to escape being noticed, I often 
 went into the woods and other secret places to prevent expos- 
 ure. On account of my quickness of temper when crossed, and 
 aptness of disposition to be caught and diverted with merri- 
 ment, I took this way in order to cry to my Maker, without 
 any person knowing it ; but I invited a cousin about my age, to 
 go along with me, telling him my thoughts and feelings. He 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 19 
 
 went with me a little while ; at length he told me he could not 
 bear to be laughed at and despised by his brother and play- 
 mates, as he was, for being sober and going with me, and he 
 must leave me. I reasoned with him, and endeavored to per- 
 suade and encourage him to keep along steady. He acknowl- 
 edged he was well satisfied with my company, and that he nev- 
 er felt better than when he was sitting alone with me, in silence ; 
 he believed it was right, but could not bear what he met with, 
 and must leave me, which he did, to sorrow alone. He took 
 his career in merriment, and afterwards told me at times, that 
 by and by he would be good ; but sorrowful to relate, he has 
 never become a religious man to this day, though now over 
 fifty years of age. But I have heard of his telling of the good 
 meetings he and I had in 'the woods ; that he believed, if he had 
 kept with me, he would have been a good man. His departure, 
 with other circumstances, appearing to combine to depress my 
 mind, led me into great discouragements, being of a weakly 
 make, and having had a number of gatherings in my head, 
 which affected my hearing, and oft-times being in a muse when 
 spoken to, did not always understand, and of course did not at- 
 tend, which was often followed with a rebuke. This, with the 
 censure of being careless, (although I had no disposition to be 
 disobedient,) almost broke my heart at times. At other times 
 it would aggravate and discompose me, and I think these dis- 
 couraging circumstances continued for two years. Yet, all 
 along, my mind was impressed with a sense that it was my du- 
 ty to be obedient, for the Lord required it of me. Under these 
 impressions, my intentions were to try to do right, and many 
 times, when I had got out of the right way, and was favored to 
 see it, I went alone and bemoaned my condition, and begged 
 for the pardoning mercies of my Redeemer, and found Him a 
 tender Father, who pitied my weaknesses and compassionated 
 my griefs. 
 
 In the year 1111, being fifteen years old, I thought I would 
 learn to swim, and often being in the water, I perceived that 
 when the water got into my ears and ran out, it brought a wax- 
 
20 JOURNAL OF 
 
 like matter, whicli cooled the heat in my ears, and gave ease. 
 This induced me to practice, so I commenced going to a clear, 
 cold spring, nearly every day, and filling my ears with the wa- 
 ^r. It continued to bring away that gluey matter until I be- 
 gan to hear with one ear pretty well. This seemed to put new 
 life in me, for this enabled me to hear, and answer quick, and 
 pay attention. I continued the practice, and after a while, 
 there was a sharp snap* in my head that seemed to make it jar, 
 and soon after it, there came out of the other ear, a twist in the 
 form of a screw, that looked like glue, which I judge was the 
 eighth of an inch long. This coming away gave vent to thin- 
 ner matter, which so cleared my head, that it relieved me of a 
 roaring, which had been almost perpetual, and enabled me to 
 distinguish sounds, an enjoyment that I never had before. 
 This enlivened my spirits, and I soon manifested activity, and 
 abilities that were not discovered before, which drew the atten- 
 tion of those about me, and served to enliven my ambition to 
 embrace every opportunity to gain esteem. 
 
 This summer, about the beginning of rye harvest, in the time 
 of the revolutionary war, a band of rangers, so-called, came, and 
 commanded my father to go with them, under arms, to look up 
 some drafted men, who had absconded. Father refused ; their 
 captain demanded the reason ; he replied, it is against my con- 
 science to go with men under anlis to distress my peaceable 
 
 neighbors ; the captain replied, " ■ your conscience, you shall 
 
 go," drew his sword, and presented to father's breast bidding 
 him walk on, or he would run him through immediately. Fa- 
 ther being unwell, was lying on the bed ; he looked the captain 
 calmly in the face, and replied, "I shall not go with thee one 
 step as a pilot ;" the captain stepped forward with these expres- 
 sions : " you, then I will run you through immediately ;" 
 
 father replied, "that thou mayest do, for I shall not put my life 
 against my conscience ; but I would have thee consider, that thou 
 hast but one life to live, and must die as well as myself ; to shed in- 
 nocent blood is a heavy thing ; thou may bring a load on thy- 
 self, that thou may be sorry to carry through life, and will be 
 
JOSEPH HOAa. 21 
 
 a heavy thing to answer for, before the judge of all men, to 
 whom thou must give an account." The captain turned pale, 
 his hand fell with a tremor ; he turned to his men, and bid them 
 take him ; they were not hasty to obey ; he raised his sword 
 with a harsh expression, bidding them take him by the shoul- 
 ders ; they did so, dragged him out of that room, and across 
 another, down a flight of stairs, and through the kitchen, into 
 the door-yard, very quick. The captain then said, "I make a 
 prisoner of you for your stubbornness ;" father rephed, "as a 
 prisoner I will go where I am ordered, but as a pilot I will not 
 go one step." They put him under guard that night ; the next 
 day he was sent to jail, but the jailor not being there to take 
 the delivery of him, he returned home for a week, was then ta- 
 ken back and put into a miry, stinking room, adjoining a 
 slaughter yard, and no place to get air, except the window 
 fronting the slaughter yard, and a little hole where they passed 
 in victuals. Here they were kept a number of days, and were 
 not even allowed straw to lie upon. My father being taken 
 with the camp-fever, and in danger of dying, they became 
 alarmed, and removed him, (and another man confined with 
 him,) into a clean room, where they could have fresh air, allow- 
 ing his friends to come and bring him necessaries. 
 
 In about two weeks he recovered, and was then removed to 
 Esopas, (since called Kingston,) and put on board the fleet-pris- 
 on, where he was kept till after the fall sowing. When father 
 was taken away we had just begun to cut our rye, of which we 
 had five acres ; eleven bushels sowing of wheat, three acres of 
 flax, and three of oats. 
 
 Owing to the extreme difficulty of procuring help at this 
 time, we were under the necessity of accepting the kindly offer- 
 ed assistance of a young woman who lived in the family, and 
 who proposed that if we three eldest boys would take our sick- 
 les and reap, she would bind after us, and help set up. I went 
 forward with all the resolution my constitution would bear, and 
 we succeeded, with the help of a man for a few days, in secur- 
 ing our grain crops in good season. 
 
22 JOURNAL OF 
 
 I was prompted with the idea, that it should be seen the 
 crops should not be lost, if it were possible to save them ; yet 
 all this fell short of consoling my mind, so that, many hours 
 when at work, the tears would run down my face plentifully, 
 and weeping frequently occupied the watches of the night. I 
 often exclaimed, "0, Lord, what shall we do ? Have mercy on 
 us ;" and so he did, for my mind was often favored to feel that 
 peace, and that foretaste of joy, which I have not language to 
 express ; more particularly so in meetings. 
 
 Our father advised us to keep to meetings, and not to neglect 
 those of the middle of the week. We kept strictly to his charge, 
 and I believe to this day it was a blessing to us ; and I feel 
 myself bound, in humble gratitude thankfully to adore the good- 
 ness and tender mercies of the Shepherd of Israel, who gra- 
 ciously sustained in the needful time. 
 
 When we went at our hay, I found that I was so worn, I 
 could mow but to little purpose ; my strength so gone, and my 
 brother less able than I was, that under this depression, I wept 
 aloud as I mowed, and my father's youngest brother passing at 
 the time, stopped, and looked upon us with astonishment ; (he 
 was a fore-handed man, and had plenty of help) ; at length he 
 said, " Joseph, what is the matter with thee, that thee cry so ? " 
 Finding that my feelings were discovered, surprised me ; at 
 length I told him that we had almost worked ourselves to death 
 already, and had not strength to mow ; must lose all our grass, 
 and have no fodder for our stock in the winter, for we could 
 hire no help. My uncle, with a smile, bid me not be discour- 
 aged, or work too hard, and he would see if he could get some 
 help, and signified that our fodder would not be lost. lie went 
 home and told his men it would not do ; Elijah's boys would 
 kill themselves trying to save their hay ; seeing how the little 
 lellows worked in the meadow alone, gave him such a feeling 
 as he never had before, and they must go and help them. In 
 a few days, with his assistance, we were enabled to secure nearly 
 all our hay. This so put us forward, and renewed my courage, 
 that with diligence, I succeeded in putting in eleven acres 
 
, JOSEPH HOAG. 23 
 
 of winter grain, in good season, and had commenced 
 spreading the flax, when father returned home. Our suc- 
 cess in business during my father's absence, raised the ad- 
 miration of the neighbors. But, alas ! as ray former situa- 
 tion served to depress, and cast me down, this change sorrow- 
 fully produced the contrary effect, as is common for one ex- 
 treme to produce another. 
 
 Before leaving the subject of my father's imprisonment, I 
 shall remark that those in authority often endeavored to pre- 
 vail on him to take the oath of allegiance, or sign the associa- 
 tion, stating that he should then have his liberty ; he, refusing 
 to comply, informing them he had done nothing to forfeit it ; 
 that he was a free-born American and should not acknowl- 
 edge their right to make such demands, for he suffered 
 for conscience sake, in obedience to a King who was above all 
 the powers of the earth, to whom they must answer as well as 
 he. After a while they offered him that if he would be bound 
 to stay on his own farm, he might go home. He told them he 
 should enter into no such engagement ; that he suffered in a 
 good cause, and that if he was set on his own farm, he should 
 go where he thought right. After this they informed him that 
 he was to be banished to the British, at New York, and then 
 he might figkt for his King, to which he replied, if they sent 
 him there, he should return ; that he did not suffer for King 
 George, that he did not like his 'conduct better than theirs ; 
 that his sufferings were for the cause of another King, to whom 
 King George and they would have to give an account for their 
 wretched conduct, and the shedding of human blood ; to which 
 it was replied, " then you shall lay where you are until you die, 
 and the flesh rot off your bones." But shortly after, father was 
 set at liberty, with orders to go home and behave himself well. 
 There were several other Friends made prisoners, for going to 
 the Yearly Meeting ; which, at this time, was h«ld on Long 
 Island ; among these were two of his most absolute opposers, 
 who showed their feelings, even in this time of affliction, which 
 added to his sufferings. They often held meetings on the ves- 
 
24 JOURNAL OF 
 
 sel on first days, but their standing so opposed to him, there 
 seemed but little or no room for him to relieve his mind ; this 
 caused an additional weight to his sufferings. 
 
 I shall now proceed to relate some of the most trying part of 
 my life. Having now gained the attention of my father, the 
 praise of my neighbors, and the esteem of my relations, I now 
 thought I should be happy. This seemed to prepare my mind 
 to be taken captive at once. ; but notwithstanding, the Lord 
 favored me often with renewed visitations, so that I often re- 
 newed my promises to do right, yet often being persuaded 
 to go into company, which I had a strong taste for ; and prom- 
 ised myself, I would take care and do no harm, and about as 
 often returned home wounded to the heart for deviation from 
 my promises. Finding myself much noticed by my comrades, 
 I was loth to lose their friendship, which was an enjoyment I 
 never had before. I was also unwilling to lose the favour of 
 my Maker, and strove for a time to please both ; but being 
 much in love with the praise of the world, it made the struggle 
 hard. For while I strove in this way, to my soitow, I found I 
 displeased both. My company was not agreeable to my asso- 
 ciates, nor my course acceptable to my Maker. In this way I 
 got much into a bewildered state of mind, yet- was favoured at 
 times, to feel the renewed evidence of the testimony of the 
 Eternal Truth, that the time was drawing nigh, when I should 
 have to appear in the ministry, and it was sometimes in that 
 clearness, which removed all doubts and scruples. 
 
 Before I proceed farther with the above subject, I think it 
 right to relate two remarkable favors which the Most High 
 showed me, between the ages of nine and fifteen, which were 
 on this wise. 
 
 Feeling solitary, I laid me down in the twilight of the eve- 
 ning, in a ponderous muse, and whether I went to sleep or not 
 I never knew. But so it was, I was conducted with great 
 quickness, an immense distance down, or from all that was 
 light or cheering, until I was brought into full view of the re- 
 gions inhabited by infernal spirits. There I heard the cries and 
 
doleful lamentations of the miserable, exclaiming against con> 
 duct that brought them there. And I saw that every tongue 
 had to confess to the truth, and to acknowledge that it was their 
 own evil conduct which brought them there. Their agonies, 
 and cries, were beyond description, and their habitation a sea 
 to which I could see neither bottom nor shore, and all appeared 
 far below where I stood. And although it did not appear to 
 be elementary fire, yet there appeared a dark cloud of smoke 
 perpetually rising, that spread over the- earth. I turned to look, 
 and beheld, as it spread over the earth, that darkness increased, 
 and where the thick columns were, it almost eclipsed the light 
 of the sun ; then looking I beheld that there was a few who 
 seemed pleased with the liglit of the sun, and took psdns to 
 keep in it. The countenances of these appeared bright and ac- 
 tive ; but the greater part of the people appeared disposed to 
 choose the darkened air to breathe in, and where they got un- 
 der the thick columns of smoke, which were so dark, as almost 
 to take off the light of the sun, and quite its warming beams» 
 These I saw in motion, (and they perceived it not), hastening 
 down a gradual descent ; they soon moved more rapidly. As 
 they verged towards the burning sea, the columns of smoke 
 became so thick that little was to be seen ; yet they appeared 
 merry, and would make one another so. They seemed to have 
 neither fear nor concern, till they dropped into the burning sea, 
 when their surprise appeared indescribable, and their anguish, 
 no pen can paint. As I beheld, I noticed in the burning sea 
 and in the dark smoke, there appeared great motion, as though 
 the sea boiled. The sight seemed amazing, but more, 
 when I beheld the old dragon in his terrific hue, whose appear- 
 ance, and all the motions of his tail, seemed wonderfully to 
 promote horror and agony through the dark regions, at 
 which sight, it seemed as if I had no strength left. Then I 
 heard a voice from on high, saying to my guide, " see thou 
 and take him back ; " he touched me, and conducted me back. 
 When I came to myself, my face and body were much covered 
 
26 Journal oi* 
 
 with large drops of sweat, much resembling spring-water for 
 coldness. I soon raised up and saw that daylight appeared. 
 
 After this, I had no relief of mind until I told two, whom I 
 saw on the brink of eternal ruin. It took hold of the woman ; 
 she melted down in tears ; she was one the libertine sort. I 
 have never seen her since. About twenty years after, I fell in 
 with her husband who told me from that time and after she 
 lived a religious, sober life. The man seemed to struggle un- 
 der it, so I left him. About fifteen years afterwards, I fell in 
 with him at a Friend's house. The man of his own accord, re- 
 lated my visit in the presence of several Friends, and confessed 
 that he could never get the weight of it off his mind, until he 
 gave up, to be what he ought to be. The abote, made some 
 weighty impressions on my mind, for a while, and caused me 
 to refrain fi'om some wrong habits I had been in, yet often was 
 made sensible of falling short of being what I ought to be — the 
 sense thereof, frequently filled my mind with sorrow. 
 
 In this situation, I one day towards evening laid down, and 
 whether I dropped into a sleep or not, I cannot tell, but thought 
 I was standing on a beautiful eminence, where I had a view of 
 the heavenly host. There I saw the King of Kings on His 
 throne, and the Redeemer at the right hand of Power, and the 
 angels standing around the throne. My sins were shown me as 
 plain as a printed book. I stood trembhng, looking for my 
 final sentence ; and heard one of the angels say, " shall I slay 
 him ? " The great King said, "no, we will warn him. " The 
 angel said, " shall I warn him ? " The Savior of man replied, 
 " I will warn him ? " and arose from his throne and looked 
 down upon me, and cried, " depart, depart, from sin ; thy life 
 is not thy own ; " and as He retired to His seat the appearance 
 of a gate closed before me and shut all out of my sight. When 
 I came to myself I found my body in much the same condition 
 it was in when I had the night-vision before, and had lain about 
 two hours. This so impressed my mind that I endeavored, for 
 a while, to live as I ought to. 
 
 When I arrived at the age of about fifteen and a half years, 
 
JOSEPH HO AG, 2*7 
 
 I thought it my duty to speak to a difficult subject, then before 
 the Monthly Meeting ; but from a fear of opposition, I forbore. 
 This brought great distress upon me for a while. In about 
 three months it vas laid on me to bear a public testimony in 
 our meetings for worship, which I suppressed and reasoned 
 away, for about six months, when it all left me, and with it all 
 comfort and peace. My light became darkness, and truly great 
 was that darkness. I groped about seeking rest but found 
 none — bitterly bemoaning my condition in solitary places. At 
 length I concluded all was lost, and there was no place of re- 
 pentance for me ; that I might as well be meriy and take all 
 the comfort I could. In this state of mind I again joined my 
 young companions, and ran into mirth at a rapid rate, caiTying 
 the anguish of my soul with me, wherever I went, and was of- 
 ten met with by renewed convictions, which caused me to trem- 
 ble. Yet, concluding there was no return for me, I might as 
 well go on, so I dragged along for several months, sometimes 
 down in the extreme, at other times as much in the air. 
 
 About this time, hearing a discourse on Infidel principles, 
 where it was held up tliat the Scriptures were uncertain records, 
 and that the idea of the Divinity of Christ was a foolish one, 
 and that there was no future punishment ; this pleased me ; I 
 wished to have it so, and I laid hold of it willingly, endeavor- 
 ing to soothe all my feelings, in hopes it was so. But it was a 
 length of time before I could make myself believe this doctrine. 
 Still the inexpressible anguish of my soul went along with me, 
 nor could I reconcile my mind to the idea, until I concluded 
 that all the openings and impressions I had felt, and what I had 
 seen, were the effect of dubious stories, which my parents had 
 told me. When fixed in this idea, it seemed as though all light 
 left me, and I had little or no power, to govern my temper, or - 
 tongue. Of all states that I had ever witnessed for hardness of 
 heart, and of being void of any comfortable feeling, this exceed- 
 ed them. My distress for a while was indescribable ; yet I went 
 on to vindicate the doctrine, until I believed it. Gross dark- 
 ness, indeed ! where neither sun, moon, nor starlight, are seen. 
 
28 JOURNAL OF 
 
 In this state I took my career in merriment and mirth — and ia 
 this way soothed my feehngs as well as I conld, concluding all 
 was well ; and, though my mind was considerably lulled into a 
 state of imagined security, yet anguish kept along with me, and 
 oftentimes my days were wearisome, and mj nights tedi-- 
 ous. Yet, through all this bewildered state I was favored with 
 a view of honor which kept me from gross evils,, or from injur- 
 ing my fellow creatures, either in interest or character. 
 
 When about thirteen years of age, (I think it was), I was 
 sent to mill, and while the grain was grinding, the miller, who 
 was an old man, and two others, (aged men), fell into discourse 
 about a travelling Minister, who had been amongst them, of the 
 Methodist belief. They all agreed that he was an able Minis- 
 ter, and had preached several good sermons in that part of the 
 country. They believed the Lord sent him to preach, but that 
 m their neighborhood he said but little, and informed the peo- 
 ple that he could not preach any more, and dismissed them, 
 which disappointed them very much. Tliey thought it was not 
 right, and that he ought to be talked to. They agreed among 
 themselves which of the three should talk to him. 
 
 As I sat listening, in a deep muse, a solemn feeling came 
 over my mind, and I felt a forcible motion to go and speak to 
 them, and I believe the Lord required it of me. I hesitated 
 a little, but fearing to delay, I walked up to them, and I think 
 nearly in these words, addressed them : " You are old men, and 
 I have been hearing you talk about the Minister, who you be- 
 lieve the Lord sent amongst you.** They answered, " they did 
 believe so." I replied, "then I have something on my mind 
 to say to you," and proceeded, " If the Lord sent him, He 
 knew best where He wanted him to preach ; and it was certain 
 that the Lord knew the states of all the people, and knew what 
 to give him to preach that would be suitable for the people, 
 and how much; and if he preached any more it would only be 
 man-pi*eaching, and might not be suitable to the state of any 
 one in the meeting. They ought to be careful how they med- 
 dle with the man, seeing it was his duty to mind the Lord who 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 2U 
 
 sent him out ; and if by their talking to him, he should preach 
 more than the Lord gave him to preach, then he would turn 
 from pleasing the Lord, to please man, and this might offend 
 the Lord ; that He might take his gift in the Ministry from him, 
 and wha/t on evil that would be to the man, and an injury to 
 the cause of God. But if they saw anything in the Minister's 
 conduct that was not right, then it was their duty to talk 
 to him and show him his error, and in that way they might be 
 a help to keep him right. I thought they had better leave 
 him to the Lord, who they believed had sent him out, than to 
 meddle with him in any other way." I then stopped and 
 turned from them, feeling my mind relieved and filled with 
 peace. Not long after this, two of those men came to my fath- 
 er's ; ,one of them related to him the occurrence with this re- 
 mark — that in all his life, he never met with such a stroke ; to 
 think that such a child of my age and looks should be able to 
 teach him, and it was the truth which he had not seen 
 into before ; and he had not dared to say to the Minister what 
 he intended. I may remark that I went up to these men with 
 no other view than to say to- them what came into my mind, 
 and I found no want of words or matter ; thus witnessing, that 
 though a, .child, when I was obedient to the Lord, he was 
 strength in a weak child — wisdom and utterance in the needful 
 time — blessed be His holy name. 
 
 Another occurrence took place (I think), when L was be- 
 tween seventeen and eighteen years of age. I went to see an 
 aunt of mine, whose eldest child, (a daughter), had wanted to 
 go for some time to see a great uncle of ours. My aunt con- 
 cluded if I would wait on her, and see her safe home, she might 
 go. Accordingly, the next day we set out. It was a time of 
 life when at times I indulged myself in such conversation as 
 promoted merriment in company. In this way I entertained 
 my cousin most of the way going; but on our return we had 
 not travelled far, before we were overtaken by a man, who soon 
 fell upon me, censuring the Quakers in strong terms because they 
 would not fight. It was during the revolutionary war, and 
 
30 JOURNAL OF 
 
 criticaj times in that part of the country. I heard him pretty 
 much through, by which time I felt my mind closely arrested 
 with an uneasy feeling, that the principles of Truth, and the peo- 
 ple that I believed were faithful to them should be so censured, 
 though I felt conscious that I was not one of the faithful, which 
 at that time I forcibly felt. Yet, notwithstanding my embar- 
 rassed state of mind, the Lord, I believed, for the sake of His 
 own name, and the tender regard he had for his faithful 
 ones, so touched my mind, (though I was hardly sensi- 
 ble what it was), that I felt as if I could not hold my tongue 
 any longer, let the consequence be what it would. As I com- 
 menced, all fear was taken away, words flowed readily, and I 
 was enabled to show the difference between the law and the 
 Gospel ; to open to him our principles, give him our reasons 
 for them, and prove them by many scripture texts, and finally 
 to show him that it was impossible for a true Quaker to be 
 either Whig, or Tory, for that implied opposite parties, and 
 both believed in war, and Friends did not. By this time, the 
 man became so tender, that with tears running down his 
 cheeks, he acknowledged our reasons were good, and that our 
 principles were right, and wished Friends would keep to them ; 
 if they did, they would be a blessing to the world. This re- 
 mark came home to my feelings. He added, that he was fifty- 
 five years of age, and never saw these things before ; that it was 
 marvellous to him, and he believed there must be great wisdom 
 amongst the Quakers, for so young a man to know so much. 
 He urged me to go home with him ; I informed him I could 
 not. When we parted with him he gave me his hand, wished 
 me well, desired me to remember him and pray for him. 
 This thought went through me like a sword, " how can I pray 
 for thee, when I neglect to pray for myself? " 
 
 As I turned from this man I discovered a man who had been 
 riding behind us several miles, unperceived by me. He sud- 
 denly rode alongside, and exclaimed, " I am glad to hear you 
 bang ofi" that old Whig so, for he is an old rebel, an enemy to 
 his King, and it is good enough for him." I turned, and 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 31 
 
 looked him full in tlie face, It came forcibly into my mind, 
 " Thou art a tavern hunter, and one of the vilest men." I soon 
 replied, " I believe thou art mistaken in me, for I can no more 
 be a Tory than a Whig." He said, " why ? " I replied, that, 
 " before the war, our country got much filled up with a 
 sort of men that hung about the taverns, and practised card 
 playing, cock-fighting, horse-racing, and getting drank; and 
 then would go home and abuse their families; they were 
 equally met and agreed in the service of the devil, and of course 
 were his children. The Lord had suffered an evil spirit to di- 
 vide them, for they corrupted the land ; and now, one part had 
 taken side for the King, and the other for the country ; both 
 parties were still in the same practices, standing on the beasts' 
 head before the war, they stand on the beasts' head now, 
 only they have become divided into two horns, that push 
 one another. And I believed thai in this way the Lord 
 was purging our land, and the two horns would have to 
 go down into hell, with the beast : for these reasons I could 
 not be a Tory nor Whig." He rode off whistling, and left us. 
 My cousin then came up, and with a serious look, said to mc 
 in substance, " Joseph, almost all the way going to uncle's, thou 
 kept me laughing with thy nonsense, and now thou cans't talk 
 like an angel, set the first man crying, and the last one, thou 
 hast pictured out as correctly as I could, who have lived by 
 him all my days ; he is a neighbor to father, and is called a 
 fighter, card-player, horse-racer, and is a great drunkard, and 
 follows other wicked practices. Thou hast been talking to 
 him like a Minister ; what can I think of thee ? " These sim- 
 ple remarks, went through me like the arrow that was thrown 
 at a venture ; it cut me so close that I had to sink down, reas- 
 oning with myself, sure enough, what am I ? and as I sank 
 down in my mind, I felt the weight of my folly. After a 
 while it was opened to me in the Light, and with such clear- 
 ness, that I had no power to disbelieve, that the Lord put a 
 word in Balaam's mouth to deliver to the Midianites and Moa- 
 bites, though his heart was not right before the Lord ; not- 
 
32 JOURNAL OF 
 
 ■withstanding he was highly favored, yet he did not give up to 
 cleave unto the Lord with all his heart, and keep to the word 
 he had spoken to the people ; therefore the Lord cut him off. 
 And now the Lord had put a word in my mouth for those 
 men for the upholding of the Truth in the earth and the hon- 
 our of his own name ; though my heart was not right before 
 Him ; and if I did not cleave to the Lord with my whole 
 heart, and keep to the word spoken, the time was coming 
 when I should be cut off as Balaam was. 
 
 The force of this solemn subject turned my jovialness into 
 seriousness, and my merriment into heaviness of heart ; yet 
 while I mourned over my own folly, I marvelled at the wisdom, 
 goodness, and tender mercy of the Almighty towards me, in 
 awakening me, and instructing me in such a wonderful man- 
 ner. Adored and praised for ever, be His holy name 1 
 
 In this way, I struggled along, till near eighteen years of age, 
 when it pleased the Lord to send his faithful servant, Abel 
 Thomas, into our parts, who, in a large meeting, addressed a 
 single state, and was enabled to speak to my condition so clear- 
 ly that I could not deny a word, commencing with the first of 
 my religious life, to the condition I was then in, more correctly 
 than I could have done, and clearly informed me what I had 
 departed from, showing, that that was the cause of the distress 
 I had undergone. Then he took hold of my infidel principles, 
 fixed his eyes in my face, and to me, in a wonderful manner, 
 unfolded my reasonings, laid waste all my arguments, then 
 warned me in a solemn manner, to return to the Truth from 
 which I had departed, and closed his testimony with these 
 words : "That Jesus, whom thou hast denied, has revealed to me 
 thy state and condition." 
 
 Finding, after meeting, that he had traveled a number of 
 miles to reach it, and had lodged far from the meeting place ; 
 he had no chance to get any outward knowledge of any state 
 amongst us — this increased the weight of his testimony on my 
 mind, and so convinced me, that it overthrew all my castle, and 
 I durst not trust in it any longer. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 33 
 
 I went into tlie woods, and wept until I could weep no lon- 
 ger. Now, the potent enemy ef all happiness, poured in upon 
 my mind, a mighty flood of reasoning, thus — that this Friend 
 was not sent for my salvation, but only to stop me from holding 
 up blasphemous principles, so that I should not deceive others ; 
 it was for their sakes and not mine, that he was sent, and that 
 I had blasphemed the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; for the 
 spirit I had felt striving in me, reproving for sin, was the Holy 
 Ghost, and there was no mercy for me ; for the justice and ho- 
 liness of God, would never be reconciled to such a monster as 
 I was. 
 
 These thoughts sunk me below all hope. I became so dis- 
 ordered, that I was watched day and night, and was tempted 
 to hang' myself. Sleep went from me, my stomach refused 
 food, I pined away like one in a decline, for my distress and 
 horror were beyond the scope of language to set forth. I fan- 
 cied I saw the regions of endless torment ready to receive me, 
 so that many times I started, fearing that I heard the devil 
 coming to carry me away bodily. In this situation I remained 
 a number of weeks. 
 
 Now, dear children, stop and reflect ; behold what I passed 
 through for departing from the truth, and letting in unbelief. 
 Let it be a warning to you. My cravings are that another may 
 never experience the like distress. The above named Friends, 
 Abel and James Thomas, passing to the southward went through 
 our Yearly Meeting expecting to go home from Lon'g Island. 
 Instead of finding themselves at liberty to return, they felt their 
 minds forcibly arrested to come back more than a hundred 
 miles, to attend our Quarterly Meeting to be held at Oblong, 
 where father had taken me, fearing to leave me at home. 
 When they came into the meeting I was exceedingly shocked, 
 concluding they had now come to denounce my final doom. 
 
 After sitting awhile, Abel arose and brought into view the 
 state he had been led to feel for when in our land before, and 
 in a feeling manner, declared that he perceived the enemy had 
 taken advantage of the poor penitent, and had made him be- 
 
34 JOURNAL OF 
 
 lieve the Lord had no mercy for him, and that his damnation 
 was sealed. He continued, the enemy is a Uar and was so from 
 the beginning ; for whom Gfod cast off he no longer strove with ; 
 thererefore, while the strivings of His Spirit are felt to caution 
 against evil, it is an evid^ce that the day of mercy is yet con- 
 tinued ; that if the manifestations of the Spirit of Christ within 
 are faithfully obeyed^ a submission of self to the Lord's disposal, 
 in life, or in death, patiently enduring the needful baptisms, 
 submitting to the chastening of the rod that is lifted up, and 
 acknowledging the justice of the hand that shakes it, the days 
 shall come when the individual will have to go forth and tell 
 what great things the Lord has done for his soul. 
 
 When this was spoken, I said to myself, it is enough, I now 
 believe. He stopped as though he had heard me speak, and 
 turned to another subject, not afterw^ards resuming the former 
 one. These two sermons occasioned much reasoning in the 
 minds of Friends, it being thought there was no such state 
 present ; but he being a stranger they let him pass without in- 
 timating their doubts. May this remark be a caution to all to 
 whom these lines may come, to let that alone which they know 
 nothing about ; for the Lord had a witness, and the arrow was 
 directed to the right place. 
 
 I returned home, feeling much more composed in mind, but 
 it was not long before trouble poured down upon me like a 
 mighty torrect. Finding the company of my former associates 
 a grief*and a snare, I relinquished it, upon which they raised 
 many false reports and insinuations, which prejudiced the 
 minds of many elderly and some worthy Friends, so that I had 
 to bear the ridicule of the young and the censure of the older 
 ones. One woman who sat upon the high seat, came forward 
 ^nd declared to my face, that she saw me do what I had never 
 done or thought of doing, yet she, testified to it with such as- 
 surance that she was believed, and I was judged to be a liar. 
 This seemed as though it would take my life. I thought for 
 a while she had effected that which she had said she would ; 
 wlaich was that »h« would destroy my credit, and more so when 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 35 
 
 I met with cool countenance and shy carriage from those to 
 whom I looked for sympathy and counsel. This so unsettled 
 my mind, that when I thought of her, the saintish appearance 
 she made, where she sat, and how she had deceived Friends, I 
 was almost induced to think the Lord would not have any- 
 thing to do with such a people but to condemn them, under 
 which feelings I mostly refrained from attending their meet- 
 ings, except when urged by my parents, wandering about in 
 solitary places to make my moan before the Lord, and fre- 
 quently attending the meetings of all other societies in my vi- 
 cinity, in order to find a comfortable home among some of 
 them. While in this search, I attended the Baptist worship 
 several times, and my mind was much caught by water bap- 
 tism ; which exercised me much, and I was thoughtful of being 
 plunged ; and while waiting to ff^el an impression in my mind 
 thereto, I felt unusually drawn to attend Friends' meetings 
 again. Soon after I took my seat, these words came into my 
 mind, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with 
 fire, whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his 
 floor, and gather his wheat into the garner ; but he will burn 
 up the chaff with unquenchable fire." This continued with 
 me through the meeting. When I went out, the subject left 
 me, and I thQught no more of it until I took my seat in the 
 next meeting, when it again revived, and continued through 
 this as in the former meeting, when it left tae as before. 
 
 At the next meeting, the same passage was again presented 
 to my view, and I queried, what does tins mean that this text 
 should continue with me during three successive meetings ? It 
 then opened as clear to my mind, as the bright beams of the 
 sun, that the Holy Ghost was nothing more or less than the 
 Holy Spirit, for ghost is spirit, and God is Spirit, and all spirit, 
 and that the soul of man was the spirit which derived its being 
 from the creative breath of the Ahnighty, and was designed, if 
 obedient to the will of its Maker, to become an inhabitant of 
 heaven, and enjoy His glory. That God, tvho was all spirit, 
 self-existing, uncreated, was the Creator of all elements ; com- 
 
36 JOURNAL OF 
 
 posed them with matter far beneath Himself, and placed them 
 far below, yet it was He who sustained them. 
 
 It appeared clear to me, that as all matter, all elements, were 
 dependant on Spirit for the continuation of their being, it was 
 not in the power of the lesser to comprehend or penetrate the 
 greater ; and of course, the soul having derived its being from 
 God, it was a created spirit, and therefore, superior to all ele- 
 ments, being created for eternal being, and designed to become 
 an inhabitant of heaven, which the elements never were ; there- 
 fore, the produce of the earth, could feed the body, but it could 
 not feed the soul : Waters could wash and purify the flesh, but 
 could not reach the soul, the spirit in man, to which the Al- 
 mighty giveth understanding. 
 
 It appeared clear that John, being under a divine mission, 
 and under the influence of God's Spirit, saw through this mys- 
 tery, which had been hid for many ages of ^e world, and felt 
 himself authorized to cry, " He that cometh after me shall 
 baptize you with the Holy Ghost," etc., which is the Holy 
 Spirit. Here it appears clear that the spirit which brought the 
 soul into being, which the elements had no concern in doing, 
 was the only power which could restore a sick soul to health, 
 or a wounded one to a healed state. These views brought my 
 mind into solemn thoughtfulness, and this language ran through 
 it — the Holy Sph'it is also the Grace of God, and the Spirit 
 of God in creation acted independently of any other source, 
 so the Spirit of God acteth independent of all elements, in the 
 regeneration of men. 
 
 For any one who had been regenerated, born again, or 
 formed anew in Christ, to be baptized with water, would be 
 like some formerly, who began in the spirit, and turned to the 
 weak and beggarly elements, thinking to perfect their happi- 
 ness thereby, which an apostle under the influence and direc- 
 tion of the Spirit of God reproved them for. Being much re- 
 lieved from the entanglements of ceremonies, I felt an increas- 
 ing concern to attend the meetings of Friends ; and I was soon 
 forcibly impressed with the necessity of appearing in public 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 87 
 
 testimony from time to time, but fearing it was a transforma- 
 tion of the evil one, I felt if I did so appear, it would be 
 rejected by Friends, and I should be censured by them, I put 
 it off until my life became a burden, and was tempted to put 
 an end to it. At length, I gave up, and spoke a few words, 
 and found my mind much relieved and comforted. 
 
 My public appearance so disUirbed my old associates in folly, 
 that an own cousin spread a falsehood about me, of such a na- 
 ture as to cause, my being visited by the overseers. This laid 
 me under the necessity of proving the falsity of his story ; yet 
 he was not dealt with, and I was barely discharged, This so 
 discouraged me, that I did not dare to open my mouth in that 
 way again during twelve months. 
 
 When my cousin saw the effect it had, he boasted that he 
 had stopped me from preaching, which was what he intended; 
 but oh, the anguish of my soul, I have no language to describe. 
 Yet I was favored with the resolution to go no more with 
 such company, whatever my sufferings might be, even if it 
 took my natural life ; which at times I thought it would. But 
 I was favored to stand my ground, so that this storm seemed 
 a little to pass over, and I began to hope, although it soon 
 appeared that my cup of suffering was not yet full. 
 
 Sometime after Abel Thomas returned from his visit to our 
 parts, it was presented to my mind, that if I would curse God, 
 my father and mother, and the Bible, I should be happy as 
 long as I lived ; if I would not do this I #hould never be happy 
 in this world, and as for future happiness it was out of all 
 question, for I should never obtain it, it was not for me ; and 
 I had better be happy while I lived, than never to be so. 
 These thoughts surprised me ; I endeavored to put them out 
 of my mind, but all in vain ; they continued to roll in upon me 
 with such a weight of darkness that I was so confused as to be 
 very near deranged. It was then presf^nted to me that God 
 never suffered any of His to feel the torment that I did, and I 
 should never feel any better unless I cursed Him ; that would 
 relieve me. I strove to put these and the like thoughts out of 
 
88 JOURNAL OF 
 
 my mind; but in vain. I called to remembrance all I could 
 think of to strengthen my mind against the temptation, and 
 reasoned thus : if I curse God I shall surely be miserable ; it 
 is in His power to make me miserable in time and eternity ; 
 and no power could hinder Him from doing what He would. 
 I had sinned enough and had enough to answer for without 
 adding to the dreadful account ; therefore I could not do this 
 dreadful evil and sin against God. And I reasoned, where can 
 any comfort come but from God? It then rushed into my 
 mind like a flash of lightning, and I thought with the terror of 
 thunder, that if I would curse God, he would leave me, and I 
 could then join with those who had familiar spirits. These, 
 and the like thoughts were so perpetual that it seemed as 
 though I could not obtain a moment's relief from them, and 
 thought I should go into endless misery. This took away my 
 appetite, and I durst not sleep more than nature compelled me 
 to. I walked the house nights, and kept my feelings to myself 
 as much as I could day-times ; thinking if I must go in that 
 condition I would secrete it from my parents, lest it should 
 add to their affliction through life. My distress was dreadful ; 
 I grew weak and unable for business; my face became 
 pale and my eyes had a strange appearance ; when the neigh- 
 bors saw me they would ask, what ailed me ? and remark, that 
 I looked as though I was going to die, and that my eyes looked 
 ghastly ; which but heightened my misery and confirmed my 
 thoughts. My parents often asked, what the matter was with 
 me ; but I kept all to myself. 
 
 This temptation continued fourteen days and nights, when 
 finding my strength so far gone that I thought I could not 
 keep on my feet any longer, I laid down thinking it was likely 
 one hour would close the scene with me ; when I should find my- 
 self amongst the miserable. Soon after lying down I felt such 
 a weight come upon me that I could not stir, and thought I 
 heard as plain and intelligible a whisper as ever I heard from a 
 human being, to this effect : " surrender, or you shall die in a 
 minute, and go to the place of endless torment." I replied, 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 39 
 
 ^* I cannot do that, I never will curse God, if I lose my life. I 
 Lave enough to answer for without that terrible sin ; " for it 
 struck me with horror at first, and so continued through the 
 whole trial. When it appeared as though my breath was 
 going from me, and I looked for every breath to be the last, 
 I felt this language as the last tribute, I should ever have the 
 opportunity to ofter, " Our Father who art in Heaven, hallow- 
 ed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on 
 earth as it is in Heaven ; give us this day our daily bread, and 
 forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
 against us ; and leave us not in temptation, but deliver from 
 the evil thereof; for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the 
 glory, forevermore. Amen." I gladly embraced it, and as 
 it passed through my mind, the weight went off me, and the 
 cloud of darkness with it. My mind was at once composed 
 and seemed filled with the joys of Paradise. I found it best 
 to keep still, for I saw there was danger of being carried away 
 with the rapture. 
 
 Great was my peace for several days, and I had many clear, 
 lieavenly openings in the vision of light, in which there is no 
 deception. This strengthened my mind, for it was showed 
 me that the Redeemer gave His life for me, and my love to 
 Him was not proved until I had given up my life rather than 
 deny Him; that the Lord's prayer was prepared for meat 
 that time and His Power was with it. This was the only of- 
 fering that could possibly find acceptance with the Father 
 from me, and all who ever entered the Kingdom must go 
 through great tribulations, and have their faith and love thor- 
 oughly tried, that they might come forth like gold, seven times 
 tried in the furnace,, weighty and pure, fit for the Kingdom ; 
 and they that endured not the furnace were not accounted 
 worthy to be entrusted with the mysteries of the kingdom of 
 Heaven, or to enjoy the felicity of its glory. 
 
 It was not a great while, before my father sent me to a 
 neighbour's house, (who were 'members, and sat on the high 
 s.eatS; and mads a grave appearance), just.]»dfor8 sunset, to 
 
40 JOURNAL Oi" 
 
 borrow a tool. They were going to tea ; they pressingly 
 urged me to partake with them, which I consented to. After 
 supping, I made a move to go home ; but the young people 
 persuaded me to stay, and talk with them a little, which I 
 yielded to, against my feelings, thinking I might offend if I 
 did not. But ! how dangerous is our reasoning, as the fol- 
 lowing will show. I had not sat long with them, before I was 
 invited to an out-house about five rods distant. When I rose 
 to go with them, it came to my mind to turn and go home ; 
 but not heeding the motion, I went with them. As I came to 
 the door, this language ran through my mind — there is an 
 All-seeing Eye that will bring to an account for all this — yet I 
 stepped in, and this language followed — how would thy father 
 feel if he knew of this, whose prayers have been for thee, when 
 thine eyes have been closed in sleep. This shocked me, al- 
 most to trembling, but it was too late, the door was shut and 
 guarded, and I had no way to escape ; so I walked across the 
 room and sat down, and did not rise until they broke up. 
 They soon began, and went on with their dance, which con- 
 tinued till near break of day. Here I found 1 ought to bear 
 testimony against their conduct, but forbore, much to the 
 wounding of the little peace I now and then enjoyed ; but 
 went home, concluding to keep all this to myself; thinking, if 
 I told of it', as they were all children of Friends, except one, 
 and several of their parents were ministers, and I think elders, 
 and overseers, that they would deny it and throw the scandal 
 of a falsehood upon me. And I was not mistaken, for the girl 
 that did not belong among Friends, told of it. It soon got 
 among Friends, and the overseers took it up. This made an 
 alarm ; my father examined me several times, but I kept all to 
 myself. But to find the truth of the business, he sent me home 
 with the borrowed tool, and followed so close after, that I had 
 not time to get out of the house, before he came in, and or- 
 dered me to sit down. I obeyed, dreading what was coming. 
 He soon opened the subject, and informed the family who his 
 author was ; they all denied the fact, and called upon me to do 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 41 
 
 SO, which I could not do. The mother of the family asserted 
 that she sat where she saw and heard all that was said and 
 done ; and added, that there was neither singing nor dancing, 
 nor any unbecoming behavior. This pierced me to the heart ; 
 she being a woman in years, and sat on the rising seat in the 
 front of the meeting, often making the appearance of great 
 tenderness. But I was more shocked when she said, "God 
 knew there was no such conduct there ; " that she was not 
 afraid to appeal to the Almighty before whom she expected to 
 appear in judgment, and it would be a dreadful thing for her 
 to say so if it were not true. When this came, my head fell, 
 yet she pressed me to confirm what she had said, but I kept 
 silent. When we got away father remarked, that though I 
 said nothing, I had satisfied him ; for when she called on God, 
 my head and countenance fell, by which he perceived I had 
 not lost all my feelings, and wished me to keep to them. 
 
 After this, the overseers being in pursuit of the business, came 
 on me, for the young people (as I was told by one of the com- 
 pany), had all agreed to deny it, which they did, or that they 
 had ever told such a thing, and that it must be me, and what 
 1 did it for they could not tell, for the family had never given me 
 any occasion of offense that they knew of. This so filled the over- 
 seers, thati was severely treated by them. They then demanded 
 me to tell the truth. That I durst not do, believing if I did, 
 1 must be disowned as a liar ; but being pressed, I answered 
 them, they would never hear me say there was no dancing at 
 that place, and I did not think they would ever hear me say 
 there was. This they called equivocation, and concluded to 
 carry a complaint against me to the meeting. I then informed 
 them I must have my right, and see ray accuser face to 
 face, and if they could bring any person who would say they 
 had ever heard me say either good or hurt of the family, I 
 would be accountable for either, and until that was done, they 
 paust not carry a complaint against me. This so started one 
 qf the overseers that 'he reflected on me severely; the other 
 was more moderate. They proceeded not much further in the 
 3 
 
42 JOURNAL OF 
 
 business, but gave it as their judgment, that I had made, and 
 spread that false report about that family. This was generally 
 believed through the Monthly Meeting, in-so-much that some 
 of the elderly Friends who sat facing the meeting refused to 
 give me their hand. 
 
 Meanwhile these wicked young people would laugh and jeer 
 me, to see it ; and had not the Lord helped me, I believe to 
 this day that my natural life must have gone, for my flesh 
 wasted away as though I had had a fit of sickness. Here I 
 think right to remark that every young member who was at 
 the dance, was disowned from society within five years, and 
 within seven years the aged woman was disowned for bearing 
 false witness, and her husband for abuse to another man. 
 
 When all this took place, I could be believed. In these oc- 
 currences, a discerning eye may easily see the goodness of Di- 
 vine justice ; for though my back-sliding merited the rod, and 
 the Lord permitted these objects of pity to pour out their fury 
 upon me, and at the same time marvelously to preserve me 
 from utter ruin, and in His own time, after humbling me 
 enough, turned my captivity ; and in-as-much as my accusers 
 regarded neither truth, justice nor mercy, the Lord turned on 
 them the reproach of their own conduct, and they that dug the 
 pit were buried therein. 
 
 Now, dear children, let these things be as way-marks to you, 
 and remember whatever is wrong cannot be right, for the Lord 
 is against it ; and those who knowingly do wrong, are beaten 
 with many stripes. It is very unwise to buy trouble at so dear a 
 rate ; while those who do right have the Lord for their coun- 
 sellor and safeguard in all the vicissitudes of time, for while 
 these are faithful to their Maker's will, none can overthrow 
 them. The deepest afflictions that can be endured or come on 
 an innocent mind, are not to be compared with the distress of 
 a wounded and guilty conscience before the Lord. 
 
 Having passed through the above described combat, and 
 finding myself in the situation, that I could not be acceptable 
 company with the respectable and serious, I was determined 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 43 
 
 not to be company for the wicked, and the mean grades of 
 mankind ; so I lived almost without society for more than two 
 years, and I do not remember of going for a visit to more than 
 three houses in that time, one of which I visited on account of 
 a young woman, who afterwards became my wife ; and though 
 my visits were not often, but regular, I think I kept her com- 
 pany over a year before I broached the subject of my difficulty, 
 thinking she must have heard of it ; so I left that for her to do 
 until I thought she would not ; then I mentioned it. She read- 
 ily told me she heard of it all. in good time, and was press- 
 ingly advised to dismiss me, but whenever she sat down still, 
 and thought of it, it seemed always clear to her that the reports 
 were false ; and the reason she had never mentioned it to me, 
 was, that she thought I had trouble enough without it. 
 
 My society continued to be mostly at my father's house. I 
 kept steady to meetings, often walking to and from them alone ; 
 so I often had opportunity for serious thought. One thing I 
 may mention. My father entertained many traveling Friends 
 and others, and being much at home, I was ready to wait on 
 them ; my conduct was strictly watched. In the course of one 
 year, several of our leading members expressed their doubts of 
 the reports concerning me. I was not seen going in rude com- 
 pany to or from meetings, and appeared to wait on Friends 
 readily and with pleasure, and to love their company. In this 
 may be seen, when good conduct is pursued, with an honest 
 mind, that a blessing attends ; it pleads its own cause. Yet, 
 I carried much anguish with me, night and day, asleep and 
 awake. Notwithstanding all these commotions, I often felt the 
 Spirit of the Lord upon me, and a necessity laid on me to come 
 forward in the ministry, but reasoned that it could not be a 
 right call ; for, if it was, there would be a way open for it, and 
 now there was not ; so I endeavored to appease my feelings 
 as well as I could, but the woe was on me wherever I went. 
 
 At length I covenanted, that if the Lord would send a servant 
 (who knew nothing of me) to come and tell me that it was a 
 right call, I would give up to it. I rested upon this awhile, until 
 
44 JOURNi£L OF 
 
 I began to conclude I should get clear of preaching, and what 
 a happy thing it would be, for there was nothing in the line of 
 religion that I viewed with so much horror as a false ministry. 
 Thus, I rested about three months, when, to my great surprise, 
 David Sands came to our house, and almost as soon as he en- 
 tered the door he singled me out, and not only told me that 
 the call was right, but took hold of the reasonings and difficul- 
 ties I had passed through for years, more correctly than I could 
 myself. Then, in this moving language, said, " as sure as thou 
 knowest all this to be true, so sure thy exercise, thy concern, 
 and thy call is right ; and if thou wilt give up and be faithful, the 
 Lord will be thy strength, and thy reward, and will surely carry 
 thee through all thy straits ; the path of the righteous ever was 
 a tribulated one, and thou hast many trials to pass through, 
 but the Lord will be thy leader, and thy rearward ; and though 
 the mountains surround thee, they shall be removed ; the hills 
 shall be laid low, and the deep waters shall be divided for the 
 soles of thy feet ; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." 
 Here he closed. 
 
 My mind was much broken, my reasonings were all swal- 
 lowed up ; I had no power to disbelieve. My heart exclaimed, 
 marvellous ! marvellous ! wonderful are Thy dealings, Lord ! 
 with the children of men ; and Thy ways past finding out. I 
 then concluded, this is enough, I will give up and be faithful ; 
 yet when the exercise came upon me in meetings, to appear in 
 public testimony, being exceedingly fearful that I should not 
 ncove exactly right, I sat waiting to be certain, until meet- 
 ing broke, and then I was shocked in mind. In this way I 
 drooped along some time, until I verily thought I could not 
 speak a word if I tried, and begged the Lord from day to day 
 to take my life, and let that be an acceptable sacrifice in room 
 of the service. At length the Lord showed me, in a clearness 
 I have thought, that was equal to Paul's vision, that He would 
 take from me my life in Christ, and all His mercies, and they 
 should never return to me any more, and that, shortly, if I did 
 not give up and be faithful. He had granted the request, and 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 45 
 
 sign which I had asked, and I had not kept covenant on my 
 part, and now He would wait no longer upon me, for my nat- 
 ural life was not an offering that was acceptable to Him. It 
 was brought to my remembrance what Samuel said to Saul ; 
 and the Lord , further showed me that it was not owing to His 
 being a hard Master, that I had so often come short, but to my 
 reasoning with flesh and blood, and that gave the enemy the 
 advantage to deceive me ; and all this was the effect of not 
 trusting in His word, for He gave strength for the weak, and 
 wisdom to the simple, to all those who trusted in Him, and 
 called on His name. And now said the Lord by his Spirit ; 
 " take thy choice decidedly, for thou shalt have no longer time 
 to be waited upon ; and if thou refuse My word, I will leave 
 thee to become a drunkard and a vagabond upon the earth ; 
 and from My presence shalt thou go forth, and not live out 
 half thy days." 
 
 This clear manifestation so shocked the whole man, that my 
 limbs not only shook, but my knees, like Belteshazzar's were 
 ready to smite together. For three days and nights, my exer- 
 cise was such that sleep and appetite for food departed from me. 
 Now I had no confidence in myself, and I durst not so readily 
 promise or covenant as I formerly had done, fearing I should 
 fail as before. When I looked over the past I trembled ; 
 and when I looked forward to the woe that was pronounced 
 against me, it appeared dreadful. But after passing through 
 these alarming sensations, my mind was favored with some- 
 thing of a calm, and the language of my soul was to this effect; 
 Thou knowest, O Lord, all things ; Thou knowest that I am 
 nothing ; I have neither strength nor confidence to do Thy 
 will, for I have come short hitherto, and durst not promise ; 
 but if Thou, O Lord, wilt give me strength, then will I try to 
 serve Thee faithfully. If Thou grant not this request, I must 
 perish. Soon after this petition it seemed as intelligible to me 
 as though I heard a vocal voice say, I, the Lord, have heard 
 thy prayer, and grant thy request ; but keep thine eye on Me, 
 and let thy confidence be in Me alone ; obey My words and it 
 
46 JOURNAL OF 
 
 shall be well with thee. At this, my mind became quiet, ev- 
 eiything appeared pleasant about me. I now thought the worst 
 was over. This may show how apt poor man is to lay hold 
 of the prospect of ease. But what soon follows, will show how 
 liable to be disappointed. After this, I durst not admit rea- 
 soning thoughts into my mind, but endeavored to keep it as 
 quiet as possible. 
 
 When meeting day came, I attended. In the early part, a 
 few words came into my mind with such weight as caused me 
 to tremble. I soon felt the necessity to rise on my feet and 
 deliver them. I attended to the motion, felt my mind relieved 
 and the sweet returns of peace in greater fullness than I had for 
 a long time before. Now, my children, please to notice that 
 as soon as I besought the Lord to enable me to do His will, 
 strength was given to overcome the apparent insurmountable 
 difficulties ; whereas, all my promises in my own strength ever 
 failed me. He not only giveth strength, but richly rewardeth 
 every act of obedience. But my coming forward in the min- 
 istry, again raised another storm, and much pains were taken 
 by my kindred to render me odious, so that the Select mem- 
 bers would stop me from preaching. But they chose to be 
 deliberate and take time for judgment, though my opposers 
 brought over three or four Elders to their purpose, which made 
 hard work, and much suffering for me during several years. 
 These continued to persecute me, as long as they could. But 
 my relatives failing in the first point, fell on me themselves. 
 Awhile after this, a traveling Friend was at our meeting. Al- 
 though this stranger was present, I felt constrained to deliver a 
 sentence or two. The stranger soon arose, took the same for his 
 text, and kept it along through his sermon. After meeting, he 
 went to my grandfather's. I called in to see hun, and sat down 
 behind the door, not having confidence to go forward and give 
 him my hand. Soon after this, one of my relatives came in 
 
 and addressed me thus ; " well, , if you think you can 
 
 make as good -a hand at preaching as you have done at black- 
 guarding, I would have you follow the business ; " and with a 
 
JOSEPH HOAG, 47 
 
 iuock laugh, turned and went out. I soon followed, and after 
 getting out of sight, vented my grief in bitter weeping, until I 
 could weep no more. Awhile after this I saw another of these 
 relatives commit an unlawful act, and advised him to refrain 
 from such conduct, reasoning with him upon the consequences, 
 if pursued. This not being kindly taken, he went home and 
 told his father (my uncle) such a story, that when I met with 
 him, he broke upon me with great rage, and ordered me to 
 preach no more. 
 
 I met with many more similar occurrences, in the course of 
 five years, and mostly from my relatives, all of which are not 
 necessary to mention. My motive is to give you the opportu- 
 nity of serious reflection, and of beholding the difference be- 
 tween the effects of good and evil conduct ; for this relative's 
 family (which consisted of ten children) are all gone from soci- 
 ety except two. Some of them became hard drinkers, and 
 most of the family are now company for the lowest grades of 
 people. If this is the reward in this world, how ought people 
 to shun every appearance of evil, when that of the world to 
 come is woeful, and without end. May these truths be lasting 
 warnings to you, my children, for on the other hand, your 
 grand-father's offspring (rising of seventy souls) are all members 
 of society, and a number of them truly religious, useful in 
 society, and respectable in the community; so that well 
 doing has its reward in time, enough to induce thereto, if there 
 was no hereafter. But when we think of the latter, what 
 pleasure is there in this world, that is worth hazarding eternal 
 felicity for. O ! my dear children, seek true Wisdom, and let 
 the God of your fathers be the chosen lot of your inheritance ; 
 so that it may be well with you in time, and happy with you 
 in eternity. 
 
CHAPTER 11. 
 
 Having visited Huldah Case occasionally, on account of 
 marriage, for the space of two years or more, she, during this 
 period, had an opportunity of hearing many unfavorable reports 
 concerning me, and much advice from those in the first ranks 
 in society, to refrain from keeping my company. This, howev- 
 er, did not change her mind, until a ministering Friend, belong- 
 ing to a neighboring meeting came along, with whom she trav- 
 eled several weeks, who so pressingly advised her not to marry, 
 that her mind became shaken. She proposed dropping the 
 subject. I accepted the proposal, and we concluded it should 
 be final. I retired to my father's house, and kept as much from 
 company as I could ; not visiting my former intended for about 
 three months. But, through it all, I felt desirous that she 
 might do well. During this last interval many rejoiced, think- 
 ing she had escaped me. But afterward, meeting with her, she 
 proposed some conversation on the subject, and when opportu- 
 nity offered, informed me that she did not feel satisfied in dis- 
 missing the subject, on the principle she did, and chose to 
 remove all she had put in the way, leaving me to act according 
 to my own choice. It was remarked, that in these three 
 months, she had not opened her mouth in public, in any meet- 
 ing, until the day I met with her ; though frequently appearing 
 before, acceptably, to all classes of Friends. I was again brought 
 under exercise, for by this time I had appeared several times 
 in public, which made a stir amongst many ; and viewing how 
 acceptable she was with Friends, I could not marvel at her being 
 a little jostled by having so much said to her, especially when 
 she had seen me very much jostled several times. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 40 
 
 But, after expressing my feelings to her, and leaving her free 
 to consider all, and act according to her own feelings, we both 
 believed that we felt a clear evidence that it was right for us to 
 join in marriage, and soon proceeded therein, in the fear of the 
 Lord, whose counsel we had sought, and whose directions we 
 believed we had. And when we came to solemnize our mar- 
 riage, the meeting was large and solemn, and we were enabled 
 to go through our marriage ceremony, in a deliberate and aud- 
 ible manner. We each had a little testimony to bear in the 
 meeting, so that we were much confirmed that the Lord owned 
 our proceedings, which remains as a seal with us to this day, 
 and also as a staff to lean upon through many trying seasons. 
 
 Our maniage occasioned additional suffering for my wife. 
 Many judged she was undone, and were not content with neg- 
 lecting her, but used their endeavors to discourage and bear 
 her down for several years. I was indeed fearful they would 
 effect their wishes, yet through the tender mercy of Infinite 
 Goodness, she was so graciously preserved, that in the course 
 of a number of years she became established, and an acceptable 
 minister. 
 
 However singular the penning of these circumstances may 
 seem, I believe it right to leave a record of these facts. Having 
 had almost forty years of experimental proof in regard to the 
 rightfulness of our marriage, I am to this day confirmed that 
 the Lord owned our proceedings, notwithstanding we had to 
 suffer much from the censure and opposition of some who with 
 an apparent zeal, professed it was their duty. Here I would 
 leave a caution not to meddle with that which does not belong 
 to us ; for, in the order of Divine Justice, that which we mete to 
 others will surely be turned on our own heads. Bear in mind 
 that the seat of judgment is filled with One in Heaven, before 
 whose throne angels and archangels bow, and submissively wait 
 for direction how to execute judgment. 
 
 Were the children of men careful so to do, the innocent 
 would not suffer oppression from their fellow creatures, nor the 
 devil be exalted in the seat of judgment above all that is called 
 
50 JOURNAL OF 
 
 God, for all Mse judgment glorifies him, and builds up his 
 kingdom. I feel the more concerned for you, my dear chil- 
 dren, believing the Lord has shown me, if you keep your ranks 
 in righteousness, that the most of you will have to stand in the 
 front of the Lord's assemblies, to turn the battle to the gate, 
 and may be often tried with a spirit that loves to get together 
 and form bands, and work one another up into a zeal; the 
 sparks thereof is a fire the Lord abhorreth, and will surely blast. 
 But as you keep your eye single to the Lord, he will favor you 
 to see through all such works of darkness, and so to stand in 
 your lots as to escape the snares which are many, and fill up 
 your measures in your generation, as shining lights in his hand. 
 We were married when I w^as about twenty years and six: 
 months old, and the spring following commenced house-keep- 
 ing, being poorly provided with things necessary for farming, 
 which rendered my situation embarrassing. I often felt my 
 mind drawn to visit neighboring meetings, and sometimes those 
 more distant. This gave some Friends who were desirous of 
 my welfare, considerable uneasiness, who reasoned on this 
 wise : that in my limited circumstances it could hardly be re- 
 quired of me, to be so frequently from home, and neglect my 
 temporal concerns ; and those who lightly esteemed me would 
 take advantage of it, and raise a prejudice against me as being 
 a forward person, and this might injure my services, and close 
 my way among Friends. These reasonings brought a great ex- 
 ercise of mind, and bore me down exceedingly, until the Lord 
 helped me, and enabled me to see with clearness, that there 
 was no room to scruple the manifestations with which He had 
 favored me ; speaking thus intelligibly to my understand- 
 ing : "I, the Lord, hold all the treasures of the creation in My 
 hand, and I can blast all the endeavors, contrivances and wis- 
 dom of man, and give bread to the hungry, and water to the 
 needy. When didst thou ever see the righteous forsaken or his 
 seed begging bread ? Obey thou My voice, and not that of 
 man, and thy bread and thy water shall be sure ; thy family 
 shall be fed of My bounty, and taken better care of than thou 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 51 , 
 
 art able to take of them." It was also shown. me that as I was 
 faithful in my gift, Friends would be dipped into sympathy for 
 me, and be brought into unity with me, and be moved in their 
 spirits to plead my cause ; and that in this way, the opposition 
 against me would be overruled. These openings in the light 
 revived me, and encouraged me to press forward with renewed 
 confidence in the Lord. And here I think right to acknowl- 
 edge, with humble gratitude and thankful praises, the tender 
 mercies of the adorable Shepherd of Israel ; for in a few years 
 it all came to pass which had been shown me. Inquiry was 
 made abroad why my ministry was not owned, and David 
 Sands, a wise man, an able minister, and truly a nursing father 
 in the church, took up the subject of my public appearances, 
 and laid it so home to my opposers that they gave up to my 
 recommendation as a minister. But as my poor wife gave up 
 to stay much at home, it was several years before her liberation 
 was accomplished. I have cause to acknowledge that the 
 counsel of the Lord is better than all the wisdom of man, for in 
 the former there is no disappointment, while man's wisdom 
 fails. 
 
 There is an occurrence which I am not free to omit, which 
 is this : Nearly a year after I went to house-keeping, I went on 
 temporal business about twelve miles from home, where I had 
 no knowledge of the people. As I came in sight of a house, I 
 felt my mind arrested to stop and go in. The impression in- 
 creased with such weight that I was afraid to pass by. So 
 I alighted and went in. As I entered the door, this portion 
 of Scripture, powerfully ran through my mind : "Set thy bouse 
 in order, for thou shalt surely die and not live." I was exceed- 
 ingly struck with the language, and instead of uttering it, as I 
 ought, I sat down and reasoned, until a cloud came over my 
 mind, and concluded that I was too young and had not arrived 
 to experience enough to deliver such a solemn and awful mes- 
 sage. And how did I know but that it was all the work of the 
 wicked one. So I got up and left without delivering the mes- 
 sage, but went away with a heavy heart. Yet I pursued my 
 
'62 JOURNAL OF 
 
 business, and when returning the next day, the g?ame impression 
 came over me, but I rode by and went home, but lost my peace 
 and testimony, which did not return, I think, for months. In 
 about a year after, passing the same road, when I came in sight 
 of the house, my former exercise came fresh before me, but I 
 had no impression to stop. Yet it took my thoughts so that I 
 called at another house near by, and enquired after the family, 
 when I was told that a great change had taken place within 
 three months ; that the family had always been healthy, and 
 there had been no death, nor serious sickness amongst them 
 before ; they had twelve children under the same roof, and that 
 within three months the mother and seven of the children had 
 died with a fever, within a few weeks of each other. I then 
 asked if they were religious people ; the answer was no, not at all. 
 By this time I had got a load, and was in a fit condition for Satan 
 to buffet. Notwithstanding I had passed through deep suffer- 
 ings and sore chastenings, for an omission of duty, I often 
 thought if I could be favored with the return of peace, I should 
 be willing to perform any duty that might be required, if I had 
 a sure evidence. I greatly feared being deceived, or running 
 without right authority, and desired to know with certainty 
 whether I had done wrong, in withholding as I did. At length 
 this language was presented to my mind : As thou did it not 
 through willful disobedience, but through fear of being deceiv- 
 ed, there is forgiveness for thee. Soon after this my peace in 
 good measure returned, and I had appeared a number of times 
 in public, to my own comfort, and felt pretty well settled, until 
 I heard the account of the deaths in that family. And then 
 the enemy poured in his floods upon me, in this way, that now 
 I knew for certainty, that I had disobeyed the word of the 
 Lord, that I had not warned the wicked, and they had died 
 in their sins, and their blood was required at my hands ; that 
 the idea I had of finding forgiveness, was all imagination, so 
 that I was almost driven to despair, and had not the Lord in 
 mercy rebuked the old serpent, I should have sunk and given 
 up the ghost. Adored be the Lord's holy name, forevermore ! 
 
JOSEPH pOAG. 53 
 
 Here I can but remark that had I, instead of entering into 
 reasonings set down in the quiet, and shut the door of my 
 mind, and turned to the Lord with humble prayer, that He would 
 preserve me from all delusion, and give strength to do His will ; 
 no doubt I should have been enabled to do my duty, enjoyed 
 a tranquil and peaceful mind, and escaped the buffetingsof Sa- 
 tan. I should have saved loss of time, escaped abundance of 
 sorrow and woe, and have been abundance better able to fill up 
 my duty, both in a temporal and a religious line. I have suf- 
 fered almost every way on account of my remissness herein, 
 for when my mind was so much perplexed, I was not able to 
 manage my temporal affairs to good account. May these por- 
 tions of sorrowful experience be lessons of lasting instruction to 
 my posterity. 
 
 I now return to the time of our commencing business, which 
 was the spring after our marriage. My father persuaded me 
 to take part of a farm, which I consented to, though I pro- 
 ceeded against my own feelings ; for my mind was often turned 
 towards a small meeting in the Little Nine Partners ; and 
 this impression always appeared pleasant, and continued with 
 •me several years. But when I mentioned the subject in my 
 father's hearing he would speak discouragingly ; and having 
 confidence in his judgment, I submitted, to the wounding of 
 my feelings, until the prospect left me. But so it turned that 
 when brought into great straits in my aff'airs, that I had a 
 chance to sell my farm well, and did so. Then I wanted to 
 take a look into the Little Nine Partners to see what I could 
 do there, but father endeavored to prevent it. So after taking 
 half of another farm I went on with fresh courage, thinking I 
 could now live. But soon after it would come into my mind, 
 now thou must go into the new country to live. And this, fol- 
 lowed me from month to month for years, though I strove to 
 put it out of my mind. When I mentioned it, my wife ap- 
 peared opposed and her connections firm against it; likewise 
 my parents spoke discouragingly, and I gave up the prospect, 
 thinking I could get a living there. But things continued to work 
 
54 JOURJIAL OF 
 
 against me from time to time. In the course of two years I lost * 
 much of my stock so that I had to buy my meat instead of hav- 
 ing some to sell. This brought me into a great strait and much 
 reasoning, so that I called all in question in regard to my set- 
 tling in a married state, instead of seeking to the Lord to know- 
 why it was. In this I missed the mark, and got so far bewild- 
 ered as to cause unnecessary exercise in regard to my getting 
 along. 
 
 In the spring of the year, after sustaining the aforementioned 
 losses, my house took fire and burned up. Now we were 
 stripped in a manner naked, including all that my wife brought, 
 with the exception of two beds and their covering ; that is of 
 things about the house, which fire would consume, and my 
 wife had a good setting out, she being an able farmer's daugh- 
 ter. After this father took us home for awhile. Then after 
 getting my business a little arranged, and having but little 
 property left to depend upon, finding myself some in debt, my 
 father and father-in-law seeing how I was situated joined and 
 paid half of my debts. From that time I had to manage for 
 myself without any material help from any other quarter, mov- 
 ing once or twice a year for several years, until I paid my* 
 debts, and got something to help myself with. 
 
 The following circumstance, I think right to record, for not- 
 withstanding all my exercises and losses of property, I was so 
 far favored in the ministry, that in about five years fi-om my 
 first appearance therein, I was recommended. I think about 
 this time I was reduced to my greatest straits by losses 
 except what went with my house. And being anxious to live 
 above board, as I heard of some lands owned by a Friend in 
 New York, lying not far from a settlement of Friends, and 
 that the owner wanted to sell them, I went to see if I could get 
 a chance to help myself ; but I did not succeed. I got into 
 New York on first day, in time to attend the morning meeting. 
 I had a favored testimony to bear, and was more enlarged than 
 at any previous time, and was affectionately noticed by Friends 
 after meeting. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 55 
 
 Next day I left the city, to meet my father as I had agreed, 
 who was on business at West Chester. But before I got off of 
 York-Island it came upon me with great weight to turn back 
 into the city and attend their next meeting, for the Lord^ was 
 going to visit the city with a sore mortality, and it was re- 
 quired of me to warn them thereof, and proclaim repentance in 
 the city. Under the weight of this exercise I struggled much, 
 and reasoned for several hours ; not that I scrupled so much its 
 being the word of the Lord, as I did, Jonah like, for I feared 
 that if it did not come speedily to pass, I should be censured 
 as a deceived man. But after setting by the way side a long 
 time, it was opened to my mind as plain as though it had been 
 printed, " it shall not come speedily, and they will receive thy 
 message coolly, and thou will be censured for it ; but when it 
 eometh to pass, they shall remember thy warning, and have to 
 acknowledge that the Lord was thy director, and Ilis word was 
 truth in thy mouth, for it shall surely oome. But if thou diso- 
 bey Me, I, the Lord, will bring trouble on thee that shall be 
 much worse to bear." When this appeared I concluded to go 
 and see my father and return, as there was plenty of time for it 
 I thought. It then came to me not to go to him, but return 
 back ; but I thought father would think strange of it, as there 
 was time enough to go and eome. Then it came into my 
 mind thus : write to thy father, and that will be better than 
 for thee to go to him. Yet I went to father ; I informed him 
 of my prospect to return into the city to attend the Quarterly 
 Meeting. 
 
 He strongly opposed it and invited me to go with him. I 
 complied with the invitation, though against my feelings, and 
 it proved an entire prevention of my getting to the Quarterly 
 Meeting. This threw me into great confusion. 
 
 I was in great distress nearly all the time I was in that part 
 of the country ; and I never had an opportunity afterwards to 
 relieve my mind of the before-mentioned subject. Another 
 stepped in and took the crown. They were warned, and death 
 
56 JOURNAL OF 
 
 came. This step of mine opened the door for tlie heaviest suf- 
 ferings I ever experienced from without. 
 
 (It appears from his memoranda, that these suflfermga continued sev- 
 eral months, in consequence of misconceptions and unfounded reports in 
 regard to his movements, and although his accusers did not succeed in 
 carrying through their designs, yet he was discouraged from exercising 
 his gift in the ministry for a time.) 
 
 At length I was taken sick with vomiting which continued 
 without much intermission until I thought I was dying. Un- 
 der this apprehension I turned my attention to reflect how I 
 was going ; it looked all dark, and I felt I was sinking into 
 utter darkness, which so alarmed me that the bed shook under 
 me, and caused me to cry. Lord, have mercy on me I what have 
 I done that this must be my doom ? The query was quickly 
 answered ; " thou hast obeyed man and not Me ; thou hast given 
 up the testimony which I, the Lord, gave thee to bear, because 
 man has commanded thee to be silent when I did not ; neither 
 did I command man to do such a thing. Now, go thou to man 
 and let him save thee." When this word came, I felt as if my 
 breath was going from me, and I gave up ; but a calm came 
 over my mind, and a clear, gentle voice, in this language, salu- 
 ted the ear of my soul : " wilt thou obey Me, if I spare thee this 
 once ?" I quickly answered, " yes, I will, Lord, if Thou com- 
 mand me to go through the fire or water." 
 
 My sickness ceased almost instantly. I soon asked for victu- 
 als ; after eating a little I soon got up and walked the house. 
 Next day, the seventh of the week, I did a pretty good day'a 
 work in the field, which was a wonder to the neighbors who 
 saw me the day before. The day following I went to meeting, 
 in the early part of which I felt an opening in gospel authority, 
 and arose on my feet with these words : " The word preached 
 doth not profit unless it be mixed with faith in the hearer," 
 and bore a lengthy testimony, much to the relief and sweet 
 peace of my mind. This caused an alarm, and the elders got 
 together to consult what to do. Two or three of them were 
 tor laying an absolute command upon me to keep silent, but I 
 
JOSEPH ttOAG. §7 
 
 Was informed that a young elder asked the others if they be- 
 lieved I had a gift in the ministry* Tliey answered, " Yes ; '* 
 he replied, " aud we have owned it, we have recommended 
 him ; now, I want you to answer one question. Did you 
 ever hear Joseph more in the clearness of gospel power than he 
 was to-day ? " they answered, " no." Then he replied, " it is 
 a proof the Lord hath not forsaken him, and I shall have no 
 hand in silencing him, for I am afraid to fight against God." 
 They replied, " what shall we do ? " he answered, " set him at 
 liberty;" which was in a measure, soon done. Still 1 had 
 much to pass through for several years on account of jealousies 
 and surmisings, but the Lord preserved me through it all> 
 blessed be His goodness and holy power. During this time a 
 minister from Long Island, came to our Monthly Meeting and 
 harshly censured it for allowing me to visit meetings out of its 
 limits. This man in a few years so lost his standing as to get 
 under dealings, thereby losing his influence. There were two 
 others who followed me privately and publicly, one of whom 
 died in a few years, having had his share of trouble on account 
 of a difficulty between himself and an elder of his own meeting, 
 which so shut up his way that he could never afterward get a 
 certificate to travel. 
 
 The other got into a way of preaching, so much as to be- 
 come burdensome to his friends, whereby he lost much of their 
 esteem. It comes close to my feelings, dear children, to write 
 these truths, for I would prefer like Noah's sons, to throw a 
 garment over the nakedness of these ministers, if I could have 
 felt easy so to do. But such is the e\dl that hath been done 
 in our Society in my day, by private whispering, private influ- 
 ence, and these, under the appearance of great concern and 
 zeal, so as to deceive the simple, and set the sincere-hearted 
 one against another, and to make wounds that are not easily 
 healed ; seeing that what we mete to others will be meted to 
 us again. I desire yen may be so warned and instructed that 
 you may take care and never be drawn away, or prejudiced 
 against any one, without first knowing both sides; then let 
 4 
 
58 JOURNAL OF 
 
 truth and justice be your standard, lest you fare like those 
 poor men, who were all three favored ministers, while they 
 kept to the Master's leadings, and only judged as He gave 
 them judgment. 
 
 A criminal is entitled to just judgment, and it is enough to 
 bear his own sins. When the mind of one who means to be 
 just, is drawn away to give unjust judgement with zeal, in this 
 he glorifies the devil and builds up his kingdom. This grieves 
 the spirit of Christ and wounds the feelings of the sufferer, and 
 Christ will not reward with his blessing for such services. When 
 the superficial, designing and evil-minded succeed and get the 
 better class to be tools for them, it strengthens and encourages 
 them to repeat their conduct. In this way, abundance of dis- 
 cord is promoted, the innocent, many of them, deeply wound- 
 ed, and the evil-minded encouraged to rush headlong, until de- 
 struction opens her mouth and swallows them up. 
 
 Again, if angels have to wait until God gives them judgment, 
 and then for directions how to mmister and administer it, how 
 careful ought poor finite creatures to be how they execute judg- 
 ment without divine direction. After living through many and 
 varied trials with an almost constant scene of conflict and being 
 permitted to get my mind into the quiet, I entered into deep 
 searching of heart to know the cause of trouble so continually 
 coming upon me. The Lord in His own time gave me to see 
 that if I had sought to Him for direction, instead of listening 
 to human contrivings, I might have been settled in Little 
 Nine Partners for many years and been in my right place, 
 where the Lord's blessing would have been upon me ; but as I 
 had neglected His pointings therein. He had withheld it. Not- 
 withstanding, I had striven so long m this way that I had neither 
 money or friends to help me, it now appeared clear that if I 
 would give up and go into the new country I should be blessed. 
 It so settled on my mind that I told it to my wife, and opened 
 my prospect to my own and to her relations. My keeping stead- 
 ily to the prospect brought my wife under deep concern. How- 
 ever, it was not long before she told me that she saw so clearly 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 59 
 
 there was a good farm for us in the country (where we now 
 Hve), that she was willing to go with me, ever after remaining 
 steady in the prospect, and thinks we are on the very spot 
 which was presented to her view. 
 
 When I opened the prospect to my friends for their consent, 
 they utterly denied me any liberty to move. In this situation 
 they kept me for more than two years, which did not jostle me, 
 feeling easy in having done all on my part without feeling hard 
 towards them, fully believing they would have to give it up. 
 The Lord had shown me that I had much to suffer for my own 
 neglect, so that I dared not murmur. 
 
 I saw that I had suffered the loss of property for not attend- 
 ing to the pointings of true wisdom in settling ; also, that my 
 neglecting to turn back when I was coming out of New York, 
 as the Lord required of me, was another great cause of my fall- 
 ing into trials. It grieved me much to find so many of the 
 honest-hearted amongst us so unfavorably impressed that they 
 were shy of my company, and I went mourning on this account 
 many days. It also grieved me that I had given any occasion 
 for the superficial to triumph and to have advantage to deceive 
 the better ranks amongst us, but the adorable Shepherd of Isra- 
 el was pleased to shew me that for my revolting it was just for 
 me to suffer, and that when I had suffered enough he would 
 plead my cause, and that the works of the ungodly who had 
 spread discord among brethren should turn on their own heads. 
 And whereas they had pretended a godly concern to hide their 
 deceit, those should be blasted in my day. This I have seen 
 come to pass very fully, and the Lord showed me also that those 
 of the better class who judged by the sight of the eye and 
 hearing of the ear, and these, only on hearing one side, judged 
 wrong ; that they should suffer for their own wrong, while those 
 who looked to him for counsel would be sensible of the truth 
 in the life of it, for that salutes its own. All this have I expe- 
 rienced and seen come to pass. Let these remarks, my chil- 
 dren, be way-marks, and let other's harms be lessons of improve- 
 ment to you. This opening much relieved mymind and raised 
 
60 JOURNAL OF 
 
 my drooping spirits, and I took renewed courage to try to do 
 as well as I could. 
 
 I mentioned previously of Friends holding me back from 
 moving. It was, I think, a year before I got leave to purchase 
 lands in the new country, and two years before I got leave to 
 move, and yet another year before we got certificates, although 
 I had settled all my outward affairs. The year we were de- 
 tained from moving proved well for my wife, as she went to 
 reside at her father's in the verge of Little Nine Partners meet- 
 ing, where she grew in the ministry and in the life, as well as 
 in largeness of testimony, so that soon after moving into this 
 country she was approved as a minister and continues in good 
 esteem. 
 
 After we settled in this country, things turned otherwise with 
 us ; we prospered remarkably and soon got into a comfortable 
 way of living, having a good possession, which we yet enjoy, 
 having the pleasure of entertaining many friends. 
 
 I do not speak of our friends discouraging us from moving 
 as censuring them, for the misfortunes I had met with, caused 
 them to think I should never be able to provide for my family. 
 But the God of all tender mercies helped to bear up our minds, 
 and carried us through all the trials He permitted to come up- 
 on us, and we have lived to see to our great comfort, seven Pre- 
 parative Meetings, three Monthly Meetings, and a Quarterly 
 Meeting settled in this country. Whereas, when I first came 
 here, there were but three families of Friends, they being set- 
 tled wide apart. 
 
 After a number of Friends had moved into these parts I felt 
 much concerned that Friends should keep together in the 
 Truth, and live up to their principles ; on which account I la- 
 bored much. Many of them came with little thought, further 
 than to obtain property, and it seemed hard to turn their at- 
 tention to any other concern ; so much so, that when some of 
 us met together they opposed us, and when we wanted to re- 
 quest for a meeting, they kept us back for some time, pleading 
 that we lived too much scattered — that when the country was 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 61 
 
 cleared up and the roads made good, and Friends got forer- 
 handed — then it was time enough, for then we could attend 
 meetings comfortably and entertain our friends. But not 
 thinking these reasons sufficient, we determined, after awhile, 
 to forward a request, and when they saw they could not keep 
 us back any longer they put their hands to it. We soon ob- 
 tained a meeting, and in a few years we had an established 
 Preparative Meeting. 
 
 During this interval I had to make several visits to the meet- 
 ings and neighborhoods in the compass of which I was now 
 settled. This, I have since seen, was ordered in the wisdom of 
 Providence, in a two fold sense. Firstly, that now my labors 
 were mostly to be in this and the adjoining country, and 
 this could not be without the unity of my Friends, and gener- 
 ally so of the Monthly Meeting. Secondly, as some from oth- 
 er parts, took pains to send the reports that had been spread 
 about me, into all these northern parts, especially among the 
 select members, with this charge — if I came there, to take 
 good care of me, for I was a, strong-headed, forward man, and 
 they feared I would do much hurt. This so affected many, 
 that they appeared cool towards me, which made hard work 
 for some time. 
 
 The first of those visits was pretty soon after I got my fam- 
 ily settled in this country. I felt my mind weightily arrested 
 to attend Easton Monthly Meeting, with such clearness that I 
 fully believed it my duty. Accordingly •! went. I arrived 
 there when nearly dark in the evening. Next day I attended 
 the Monthly Meetiqg, which was composed of Easton, Sarato- 
 ga, Queensbury, and White Creek Preparative Meetings ; con- 
 sequently it was large, most of the principal members being in 
 attendance. As I entered the meeting house these thoughts 
 came into my mind. " How ought those who sit in the front 
 of the meeting so to conduct as to adorn the seat of Moses, as 
 judges and lights in Israel ? " It rested on me until I was 
 made sensible it was my duty to leave it among them, and 
 feeling the lively authority of Truth, I arose with these words : 
 
 ^m^^ 
 
62 JOURNAL OF 
 
 " Friends, it is often the case when I come into the meeting- 
 house and cast my eyes towards the gallery, that the thought 
 comes over me, how ought those who sit there in Moses' seat 
 to adorn the place, as pillars in the church, to be shining ex- 
 amples to the people ? Friends 1 our neighbors have a right to 
 look for it — our children have a right to call for it. The con- 
 sideration of this subject many times causes my heart to trem- 
 ble when I look towards the gallery. 0, Friends ! were this 
 class what they ought to be how they would hold up the stand- 
 ard of light and life to the people, and the language of encour- 
 agement to the assemblies of the Lord. Then would He bless 
 His heritage, and his standard-bearers with wisdom and sound 
 judgment. But, Friends, it appears to me that there are 
 amongst you those who have mounted Moses' seat, who sit in 
 your galleries, whom the Lord has never placed there — whose 
 conduct has been a reproach." Then I was led to show how 
 they injured the cause o£ Truth, and grieved their honest 
 brethren, to whose hearts the testimony of Truth was more 
 dear than their natural lives, and how they caused the seeking 
 enquirer after the ways of Zion to stumble, and give an advan- 
 tage for gain-sayers to reproach and the daughters of the un- 
 circumcised to triumph. Then I was led to call upon the 
 Joshuas to arise, and cleanse the camp and remove the accursed 
 thing out of the host, that Israel might journey forward. Then 
 I felt my mind turned to other subjects. 
 
 After meeting, my aged aunt, Anna Hoag, came to me, with 
 tears running down her cheeks, took me by the hand with these 
 words, " Dear Joseph, keep to thy Master, and He will keep 
 thee, and thou wilt not be destroyed." Friends then generally 
 looked upon and spoke to me pleasantly. I went to my un- 
 cle's and my aunt took a seat by me, and said, " Joseph, I 
 must tell thee, for we know thou couldst not have had any 
 outward knowledge, as thou hast not been amongst us since the 
 occurrence took place, (which was true), there is a Friend in 
 White Creek meeting, who sits on the high seat, at the right 
 hand, and has quarrelled with his neighbors about their land 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 6? 
 
 lines, and carried it to such a length, that he has got the neigh- 
 borhood, both ia Society and out, in an uproar ; and that 
 Friends were then laboring with him to get the business settled ;" 
 then said, *' Joseph, if thou keepest thy place, this day's labor 
 will make thy way amongst us, let them say what they will." 
 
 Before I left the place, (I think it was), I was told there 
 was another Friend living at Queensbury, who was a man in a 
 good deal of business, and sat on the front seat, at the right 
 hand. He had so much jangling in doing business, that Friends 
 had been laboring for some time to get his aiFairs settled, and 
 one of his neighbors told him in their presence, that it " would 
 have been much for the credit of the Quakers, and the peace 
 of the neighborhood, if he had been put under ground 
 years ago." Both these Friends sat on the second rising seat, 
 and nearly before me, at the Monthly Meeting. I soon returned 
 home, taking one meeting in my way, having great peace of 
 mind. I had abundantly to marvel in deep humiliation, at the 
 wonderful goodness of the Lord in thus making a way for me, 
 where I believe blind zeal had endeavored to close it. 
 
 Sometime after this, I went again to Monthly Meeting at 
 Easton, and having it on my mind to appoint some meetings 
 on my return home, I informed the Meeting of my prospect, 
 and had its approbation, expecting after meeting, to pursue 
 it. But as soon as I came out of meeting, it seemed to shut 
 down over my mind, for some hours. An old experienced 
 Minister remarked to me, after meeting, (who had approved of 
 my prospect), that while the subject was before the Meeting, 
 the remark of John Churchman came into his mind, when, in 
 England a large prospect opened towards other people, and a 
 language followed, that there was need of his labors in our 
 Society ; or nearly to this amount. He said, he had not men- 
 tioned this, with the intention to discourage me ; but I could 
 not see anything in it for several hours. At length I dismissed 
 part of my company, and my mind was turned towards White 
 Creek, entirely another way. My aged uncle and aunt went 
 with me, and we lay by during seventh day, with my mind 
 
64 JOURNAL OF 
 
 much depressed and under a cloud, and thick darkness ; so 
 that I was not capable of being sociable with my friends. We 
 attended the first-day meeting there, in the course of which I 
 was favored with a pretty lively opening ; but as soon as I came 
 out of the house, distress came over me. I felt almost amazed, 
 so that I could not tell where to go, or what to think of myself. 
 My aunt came to me, and invited me to go and see a woman 
 who had been long sick. I went with her, but had not been 
 long in the house before it was opened to my mind, that the 
 sick woman was in despair, wearing out in a decline, under the 
 affliction of all the terrifying ideas that the human mind was ca- 
 pable of realizing. I was led to state her condition to her, and 
 how she came into it; and that if she labored to get into the 
 quiet, and then turned her attention to the Lord, and pour 
 forth to Him her prayers, they would be heard and she would 
 experience reconciliation with her God, and , her peace to be 
 made, witnessing the seals of redeeming love, before she went 
 hence, to be seen of men no more. Before we left, she called 
 my aunt to her, and told her I had described her thoughts and 
 feelings, better than she could herself, and that was an evidence 
 to her, that I was right, and now she had hope. I was informed 
 afterwards, by her sister who nursed her, that she soon became 
 very quiet, and sometime before she died, she expressed, that 
 she had become reconciled to her Maker, and was willing to 
 die ; feeling that peace and love, which was an evidence to her, 
 that her sins were forgiven, and she should be happy. She de- 
 parted easy, and quiet. 
 
 We returned to our lodgings ; I felt easy and quiet, and 
 thought I saw why I had been plunged into ^ich extreme suf- 
 ferings the afternoon before ; but still could see no way to move, 
 or what step to take next, until near nine o'clock next morning, 
 when, sitting down with the family, it opened clearly to me I 
 must go to East Hoosick next, a place I most dreaded of any I 
 knew of in those parts. Now, the time had come, that I must 
 go. I released the company, except my aged uncle and aunt 
 who went with me. It was a good day's ride, so that we got 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. b5 
 
 in late. My mind was depressed with a heavy hearted feeling 
 all day. Next morning, aunt proposed to go to Isaac Kelley's, 
 which I felt free to do ; but soon after I mounted my horse, it 
 came into my mind, " whatsoever house or city ye enter, there 
 abide till ye go thence." I told it to my aunt, she advised me 
 to keep to my own feelings. As soon as we entered Isaac's 
 house, and I had taken him by the hand, I asked him if he was 
 willing to let me have a room, where I might be, and no one 
 know that I was there. He led me into another room ; it was 
 well furnished for my accommodation. There I staid until near 
 sunset, then walked out on a hill, viewed the place and re- 
 turned. 
 
 I slept but little that night, for my distress kept with me, 
 and rather increased, so that in the morning I walked the 
 house pretty much, until one hour before meeting. I then 
 laid down and dropped into a sweet sleep. When I awoke, 
 rising up, I saw the people gathering into the meeting house. 
 While looking at them I felt as though I should faint, and said 
 to myself, " I cannot go into that house, for I have not 
 strength to get there ; " and I sat down. I had not sat long, 
 before a language ran through me, " go ! and I will go with 
 thee, and be thy strength." 
 
 I rose on my feet, and Avent to meeting feeling pretty well 
 composed. I soon found I had been mistaken with regard to 
 them as I had for years viewed them, very much refined indeed, 
 for they were the most reserved in conversation, of any Friends 
 I ever saw ; strictly uniform in their dress, and plain to a nicety. 
 Their select members were so particular, that many of our little 
 preachers hardly dared to speak before them. But when I 
 came to sit with them, I was almost amazed for one hour ; for, 
 instead of finding all things in perfection, I could think of but 
 little else, than when the sons of God met together, Satan came 
 also amongst them. I had to take this subject up, and show 
 them that it was reasonable to believe that Job was one of 
 those Sons of God, and that Satan meeting with them, was 
 with an intent to make an inroad amongst them ; and when ho 
 
66 JOURNAL OF 
 
 got liberty to fall upon tlie best man amongst them, he soon ef- 
 fected it by raising a false zeal in Job's friends, which set them 
 accusing Job of that of which he knew he was not guilty ; he 
 therefore knew their zeal was false, and did not come from God. 
 This made Job turn their charges upon their own heads, until 
 the controversy ran so high, that they charged each other with 
 falsehood, violence, hypocrisy and speaking wickedly for God ; 
 and while they strove to mend each other's faults and neglected 
 their own, they made a bad matter worse. I continued, " now. 
 Friends, look and see what an example these peculiar friends of 
 Job set ; these great, wise, and religious men, all believing in 
 the one principle, and the true God." I was led to open all 
 parts of the subject and apply them ; feeling Gospel authority 
 to arise in my mind, all fear of man was taken away, and Di- 
 vine Power raised into dominion. I was led to press it on 
 each of them, to mend their own faults, as they were the only 
 ones who could do it, and then there would be nothing to dif- 
 fer about, for that ended the controversy between Job and his 
 friends. When this was done, they could meet together in 
 unity, as before. Then I addressed them thus ; " Friends, look 
 to these things, why are my feelings thus ? is there not a cause ? 
 And why should those who have been anointed with royal oil, 
 and have borne the shield of God in the day of battle, whose 
 sword returned not empty from the slaughter — why should it 
 be said of thee they have vilely fallen on the mountains of Gil- 
 boa, as though the shield had not befen anointed with oil? 
 Publish it not in Gath, tell it not in the streets of Askelon, lest 
 the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised 
 triumph." With these words, I think I sat down, finding my 
 mind well relieved, and feeling as if I was in a new world. Af- 
 ter meeting, several Friends came to the house where I stopped 
 and showed a disposition for conversation, but I felt cautious, 
 believing -it was best'for me to keep pretty quiet, though I felt 
 a freedom to go to some of their houses. But all kept still, 
 except asking me a few questions, which I briefly answered. 
 Next morning, as soon as I awoke, it came into my mind, 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 67 
 
 " Get tliee out as thou came in." I mused a little upon it, and 
 a second language ran through my mind, " thou came in here 
 knowing nothing of what is among them ; now, get thee out 
 knowing nothing ; this is best for thee." I got directly up, 
 put on my clothes, got some victuals as soon as I could, took 
 leave of my Friends, mounted my horse, and went direct home, 
 leaving my uncle and aunt there, and heard no more from them 
 for several months. Here ended my prospect, that the Month- 
 ly Meeting had approbated ; it has never returned to me since. 
 I have had to remember the old Friend's remark, having found 
 more need of my labors at that time, among Friends than other 
 people. 
 
 Several months after this, I fell ill company with aunt again. 
 She asked me if I had heard from Hoosick since I was there. 
 I let her know I had not. She remarked, she would now let 
 me know how it was, as she thought I now could bear it, and 
 that she believed it was well I came away when I did ; for, had 
 I staid, and heard matters talked up as she did, she thought 
 likely it would have been too much for me to bear. It was 
 wonderful how I was led, and that the parties on all hands were 
 exceedingly broken down under it, and that she and uncle staid 
 and labored with them until they brought them to a settlement, 
 and an agreement to drop all matters past, and be at peace one 
 with another. She informed, that the contention began amongst 
 the Select members, and had divided the whole Monthly Meet- 
 ing, and spread far among other people. She then observed, 
 " so thou may see thy sufferings were not for nothing, and now 
 thy way is clear with Friends there." 
 
 I made a number of little visits in the compass of my own 
 quarter, in the course of a year or two, generally to the satis- 
 faction of Friends and others, and much to the satisfaction of 
 my own mind. I was often brought to admire the wonderful 
 goodness of God, in supporting my mind, and carrying me 
 through, where there seemed to be no way. Blessed be His 
 adorable goodness. 
 
 After a few years, I felt my mind drawn to perform a rehgious 
 
68 JOURNAL OF 
 
 visit to my native place, and parts adjacent. I laid this pros- 
 pect before the Monthly Meeting, and had its full unity, but 
 having lost my minutes of that journey, I can leave no more 
 than occurs clearly to my memory. I set out in the beginning 
 of winter, with Eeuben Peckham for my companion. After 
 taking a few meetings about Easton, we rode to Coeyman's 
 Patent. On our way, we fell in with a little preacher by the 
 name of Rowland Robinson, who kept our company for several 
 weeks. Before we got to our quarters at night at Coeyman's, 
 we passed a house, and saw a plain man at the door. The 
 sight of him struck my mind with a disagreeable feeling, and 
 Rowland's as much so. I concluded he was not what he ap- 
 peared to be, for he appeared to be a plain Friend. We pass- 
 ed on nearly a mile, and put up at Jonathan Souls. Not feel- 
 ing easy about the man we had passed, we enquired after him, 
 and were informed that he was a solid Friend, who had been re- 
 ceived a member not a great while since. This increased our 
 exercise, so next morning we walked back, and made the 
 family a visit, not feeling easy to omit it. Pretty soon Row-' 
 land addressed the widow and fatherless, and for awhile I could 
 not see what he was at, though there was an aged widow in the 
 family and we knew it not. But he did not apply his commu- 
 nication there ; which caused a serious exercise to come over 
 my mind how we should come out ; and while thus musing, it 
 came upon me with weight, and an awful feeling, in this Ian-- 
 guage : "When a man neglects his wife, withdraws his affec- 
 tions from her, and does not provide for her and her children, 
 then his wife becomes a widow and the children fatherless, 
 while he is yet in the body ; and when this is done with the 
 view of religion, believing it to be duty, it was the temptation 
 of Satan, and the works of darkness, which God would blast in 
 the end." As soon as Rowland stopped speaking, I was ready 
 and the words went through me, I thought, like a flaming 
 sword, and caused the man to tremble. Then I was led to 
 show how people got into such darkness, and what they had to 
 take heed to, to come out of it ; as also what would be their 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 69 
 
 reasonings to uphold such wrong principles, and with what con- 
 fidence, and hardness of heart it would oppose all that was right 
 or of the Lord. I closed my service to the forsaken and afflict- 
 ed, directing to keep in the patience, with the mind resigned 
 to the Providence of God ; casting all care, and placing all con- 
 fidence in Him ; then every tribulation would be sanctified to 
 us, and every bitter cup would be sweetened in the end, with 
 the reward of peace. When we concluded the visit, the woman 
 and wife took me by the hand, with tears on her face, and ex- 
 claimed, "I am a widow, and no widow neither." I turned 
 and took the man by the hand, he looked me in the face, with 
 a fiery countenance, and said "I am dead, and burnt up, there 
 is none of the old corrupt nature in me, it is all consumed ; I 
 have no power to gratify the flesh," I let him know that the 
 spirit that separated man and wife, was the devil, and under 
 the curse, and so parted. We told Friends, how we found 
 them, and they went forward, searched into the matter, and 
 found things every way as they appeared to us, and that the 
 man had been in full communion with the ranting Shakers, se- 
 'cretly, for several months, for which he was disowned. 
 
 From here, we passed to Hudson, and then down the west 
 side of the river, taking all the meetings down, as far as Friends 
 then lived, besides having a number of meetings amongst other 
 people, in all of which, the merciful Shepherd of Israel was 
 pleased to open and direct our way, and favor with His life- 
 giving presence, so that our visit was much more acceptable 
 amongst Friends, than I expected, and abundantly so amongst 
 other people. 
 
 There was one occurrence in this part of my journey I do 
 not feel easy to omit. When at Gokeat, a meeting consisting 
 mostly of Friends, who joined Society by convincement ; 
 after I had, as I thought, cleared my mind in a pretty large 
 mixed gathering and had sat down, it soon opened in my mind 
 in such clearness that there was no room to doubt, that I must 
 communicate what was shown me. I stood up with these 
 words, " I sat down expecting I had cleared my mind, but 
 
70 JOURNAL OF 
 
 since taking my seat it lias appeared to me that there are tliose 
 in this meeting, who in days past were convinced of the Truth 
 and covenanted with the Lord that they would be His, and 
 serve Him ; and when this was the case they walked to- 
 gether in the unity of the Spirit, and were each other's joy in 
 the Lord ; but now they had got settled down in the love of 
 the world, and were at variance about Interest matters, so as to 
 censure each other with fraud and falsehoods, and this publicly, 
 before neighbors, so as to be a stumbling block and a proverb 
 in their mouths. Friends, this will not do — if you do not stop 
 and return to your first love the Lord will take the crown from 
 your heads and put it on the heads of them who will be more 
 righteous than you are." I delivered considerable more that I 
 do not remember. After meeting we stopped near by to take 
 dinner, and while there, I was called into another room. 
 There lay a man on the bed weeping, who confessed that he 
 and his cousin, who were both at meeting, were guilty, for they 
 had been at variance sometime about Interest ; and only the 
 day before they were invited with a number more to help a 
 neighbor, and there they got to talking on the subject, got into 
 a quari'el and gave each other the lie, and threatened to com- 
 plain of, and turn each other out of the meeting ; and that their 
 neighbors who heard them quarrel were at meeting to-day, and 
 he could not live so, but must have it settled, and wanted me 
 to assist. I referred it to other Friends, they were called in, 
 and the business was settled on the spot ; but I was told his 
 cousin was very obstinate. At length the penitent told the 
 other he would give up all his demands, though he suifered 
 loss ; the other concluded if he would settle so he would settle 
 with him, and so the matter ended with them. I was at that 
 meeting a number of years after, and found the penitent man 
 a substantial Friend, and one of the main pillars of that meet- 
 ing ; the stubborn one had gone out, was disowned, and had 
 become a poor creature, doubtless reaping the blast of his de- 
 parting from his first-love. I was informed these two were 
 very intimate when they came among Friends. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 71 
 
 After getting through these parts, we crossed the river and 
 visited Oswego, Apoquage, and all the Oblong meetings, 
 and having cleared my mind in these parts, witnessing the arm 
 of Israel's Shepherd to strengthen and carry me through many 
 deep wadings and painfal exercises, and to give strength to 
 clear my mind so as to feel peace and solid satisfaction. We 
 then proceeded to Nine Partners, my native place. Here a 
 field of labor opened, not only amongst Friends, but others ; 
 and the Lord favored me from day to day with life and gospel 
 authority in my labors. This gladdened the heart of many of 
 my friends who feared how it would turn with me when I 
 moved from them ; it was a time of comfort to us all. From 
 here we went to Hudson, crossed the river, and had a number 
 of meetings amongst other people, and had extensive labor be- 
 ing much enlarged while there. When I bad cleared my 
 mind in these parts, I felt at liberty to return home, after being 
 absent, (I think,) more than three months, and found my family 
 and friends well and glad to see me return. 
 
 The next visit of any considerable length of time that I find 
 any account of was pretty much through the old part of our 
 Yearly Meeting ; but the date is lost. I remember this was a 
 very exercising prospect to me, for I should have to visit all 
 the meetings where I had my former difficulties and had suf- 
 fered so much, that I thought I was willing to undergo any- 
 thing that could be endured for peace sake. 
 
 I laid my concern before Friends, had their unity, and pro- 
 ceeded on my journey in the early part of the winter, having 
 Stephen Rogers, of Danby, an elderly Friend, for companion. 
 He had large acquaintance through the Yearly Meeting, was in 
 good standing, and was of good use to me in this journey. 
 We visited, I think, nearly all the meetings on the east side of 
 the Hudson river as we went, till we arrived at New York, where 
 we made a stop for several days. Here, I may remark, that 
 ■we passed along pretty smoothly until we got into the compass 
 of Purchase Monthly Meeting, and though no outward opposi- 
 tion appeared, yet from meeting to meeting it seemed like 
 
V2 JOURNAL OF 
 
 standing in front of castle walls and bulwarks. But it wad 
 marvellous to me that the Holy Shepherd of Israel so harnessed 
 my mind with strength and fortitude that all the castles could 
 not stop the current of Gospel life ; my mind being led into the 
 states of meetings so clearly that it was acknowledged by 
 Friends to my companion, from place to place, that they did not 
 expect it from me ; and they believed it was right I was there 
 in this manner. The adorable goodness of the Almighty, sus- 
 tained and carried me through ; blessed be His name. 
 
 I now return to where I digressed from. After staying sev- 
 eral days at New York, and having some close service there, 
 our minds feeling clear, we proceeded to Flushing, and had a 
 pretty full meeting there ; and the day following we were at 
 Cow Neck. Here my companion had to come to plain work, 
 as he sometimes had a little testimony to bear. I had to fol'- 
 low on and bear a testimony against covetousness, and neigh- 
 bors injuring each other in interest or credit ; showing that it 
 promoted hardness between families, spread discord in Society, 
 and did abundance of hurt. I showed them how different this 
 spirit was from that disposition which endured all things, with 
 meekness and patience, for the testimony of Jesus, and a good 
 conscience. Here we met with our worthy Friend, Gideon 
 Seaman, who took us home with him. The next day we were 
 at Matinicock Meeting, and the day following, had an appointed 
 meeting at Westbury, where I had to warn them against a 
 worldly spirit. Next we went to a place called Half Hollow 
 Hills, a little meeting that had much run down by disunity 
 among themselves. This was a laborious, suffering time with 
 us. The next was Bethpage, where we had a pretty good 
 meeting, which ended to satisfaction. Thence we went to 
 Jericho ; notice having been given, there was a large gathering. 
 I expected a fine meeting, where there were so many good 
 folks, but was sadly disappointed, for my mind was dipped into 
 a sense that many in that place had attained to the knowledge 
 of the Truth, so as to know it, when they felt it, but were not 
 enough concerned to live in the life and spirit of it. They had 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 73 
 
 settled on their beds of ease, and were disposed to stretch on 
 their couches of ivory. I had to come to plain work, and 
 sound an alarm among them. I was told after meeting, by a 
 Minister, who was there, that a little before, he had to deliver 
 the same testimony, almost word for word, at that place. So 
 I found I was not alone. We returned to Gideon Seaman's to 
 lodge, in company with Fry and Anna Willis, who had been 
 with us for several days. In the evening, several Friends came 
 in to see us, we being about to depart next day. While to- 
 gether, one Friend remarked, they were all glad of my visit, and 
 believed it was right ; that I might return not only with peace 
 of mind, but with the satisfactinn that I was well accepted by 
 Friends. This gave great relief to my mind, for it gave reason 
 to hope that the old prejudices were now removed. The next 
 day (I think) we set forward for New York, in order to reach 
 their Monthly Meeting, and got in timely. Here my compan- 
 ion received a letter, informing that his son, with whom he left 
 his business, was taken deranged, yet he kept wit!i me until we 
 reached Amawalk ; he then went home, and I crossed the 
 Hudson river, where I spent the remaining part of the winter, 
 travelling without any steady companion. I continued diligent 
 and seldom missed attending a meeting a day, and sometimes 
 two, until I got to Coeyman's, where I was taken sick with a 
 severe cold, occasioned by hard traveling and much exposure, 
 which stopped me for several days. After my recovery, I went 
 pretty direct home, found my family well, to my great comfort 
 and their joy, after being absent, I think, over five months. 
 
 I had thought to omit the followmg event, but an uneasy 
 feeling pervading my mind, therefore I record it. Near the 
 close of the above stated visit while at Smith's Clove meeting, 
 the last I expected to attend in this vicinity, except one in 
 course next day, near the close of the meeting, it came over 
 my mind with weight, to appoint three more meetings before I 
 left. I exclaimed in my mind, " I cannot for I have been five 
 months from home, spring's work is coming on, and I am in 
 low circumstances, and must go home." So I broke up the 
 
JOURNAL OF 
 
 meeting ; a Friend came to me at the door and expressed that 
 his feelings were sucli that he wanted me to have three more 
 meetings, and named the places. I replied short, I have set 
 my face homeward, I do not intend to turn to the right or left, 
 feeling determined that home I would go. I had not rode far 
 before my horse on a brisk trot, fell through the frost; he 
 threw me over his head with force ; I dropped on my head. 
 A Friend riding behind said, he heard my neck snap like a 
 dry stick, and that I arose on my feet with a smile, but fell 
 back on the ground. I knew nothing until I found myself 
 stayed up, sitting on the ground, feeling as though I had awoke 
 out of sleep ; but soon felt such sharp pain in my neck and 
 head that it seemed almost insupportable. I was taken by 
 short stages to the Friend's house, where the meeting was held 
 that I expected to attend, which I think was the next day. I 
 kept my bed mostly, until meeting time next day, my neck 
 being much swollen, with a hard ring round it, which felt 
 more like a bone than flesh, and looked nearly black, so that 
 my case was thought dangerous. But through Divine mercy, 
 I had a number of hours for reflection in which my feelings 
 were solemn. When meeting time came, I was placed on a 
 bed in the room where the meeting was held, it being my de- 
 sire. In the early part of the meeting a voice spoke to me as 
 intelligibly as ever I heard a vocal sound, saying ; " if thou 
 wilt go back and have the three meetings, I, the Lord, who 
 have wounded thee, and stopped thee in thy career, will ena- 
 ble to perform all I require of thee. And this shall be 
 an evidence to thee that I, the Lord, speak to thee ; thou shalt 
 be enabled to bear a testimony for me in this meeting." Un- 
 der the impressions of this voice my mind was brought into a 
 calm, and it appeared to my view how it was and why it was 
 that I was brought into this situation; and also that it was 
 off"ensive to the Almighty and dangerous for man, who knew 
 the Lord's will, stubbornly to disobey. My mind was serious- 
 ly humbled, my spirit contrite before the Lord, and I was glad 
 to feel the smile of forgiving mercy once more, being made 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 15 
 
 willing to give up all to his disposal. Towards the close of the 
 meeting, with the help of my companion, unexpected to my 
 friends, I rose on my feet, and was enabled, I believe, to bear 
 an acceptable testimony to my Friends, and felt great peace of 
 mind for the obedience, my pains also were much mitigated. 
 
 At the close of the meeting I called a Friend to me, agreea- 
 bly to the opening of Light on my mind, and desired him to 
 go to the nearest place, and give notice of a meeting for the next 
 day, and see that word was sent to the other two places, one in 
 the day and the other in the evening. He answered me ; " I 
 have not faith to believe thou cans't possibly do it." I answer- 
 ed I have faith enough for both of us ; the meetings must b'e ap- 
 pointed." He went, and did accordingly. Next day I rode 
 (I think), twelve miles, reached the place in good season, and 
 had a satisfactory meeting. Next day and evening, attended the 
 other two, much to the relief of my mind ; but had to endure 
 considerable pain, all which 1 bore with cheerfulness, seeing I 
 brought it on myself. I much desire that when my children 
 read these lines they may pause a little and behold the tender 
 mercies of Jehovah, when under the chastening rod, to spare 
 life even when in the jaws of death ; and when rightly sought 
 unto, equally tender to forgive, heal, and give ability to do all 
 He requires of us ; richly rewarding the obedient with heavenly 
 peace for doing their duty, which they could not do without 
 this holy help. Adored forever be His holy name ! for He is 
 worthy thereof. Dear children, let the first be a warning and 
 the latter an encouragement to faithfulness of duty, through 
 vour generation. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Having brought my account thus far, I go back to the time of 
 our becoming tliougbtful of having a Preparative meeting. This 
 also met with strong opposition, some members openly declared 
 against it, that discipline always promoted contention, and did 
 more hurt than good ; which backened the work for a while, 
 until Friends abroad grew uneasy ; consequently the opposition 
 ceased. But one member told me if we obtained meetings for 
 discipline I should never live to see the day that Friends would 
 live peaceably and happy together ; notwithstanding, we went 
 forward and obtained a Preparative meeting, and affairs went 
 along pretty smoothly for a few years. These same opposers 
 came forward in our meetings for business, and affected to be 
 w^ell satisfied with order, at the same time taking much pains 
 to ingratiate themselves into the esteem of Friends abroad, un- 
 til they thought they had got strong enough, then they 
 broke out and endeavored to destroy the influence and credit 
 of every faithful honest friend, who dared to oppose them. 
 This gave Friends abundance of trouble for about fw^enty years, 
 until the death of a member who said it should be so. Some 
 of his aids soon followed him, since which, that spirit has much 
 subsided amongst us, and we are at peace in doing church busi- 
 ness. 
 
 I now leave this subject (as I shall in the course of the nar- 
 rative have recourse to some of the events which transpired 
 during that time,) and turn my attention to the labors of my- 
 self and bosom companion. We being placed in a new coun- 
 try, w^hich was filling up with people of every society, or nearly 
 so, in our land; the priests not being anxious to crowd in un- 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 11 
 
 til some more favorable prospect of pecuniary advantages could 
 be obtained, the people were thus left destitute of preachers, so 
 that there was great openness. We often felt our minds drawn 
 to have meetings amongst them ; the Lord blessed our labors, 
 many became convinced and joined our Society. A number of 
 these are faithful members to the present day. This increase, 
 with young Friends moving in, soon caused meetings to be 
 settled at Peru, Grand Isle and Lincoln, all which soon became 
 Preparative Meetings. This relation may show you my chil- 
 dren, how the Lord blesses the labors of the faithful to their en- 
 couragement and comfort, and to the praise of His ever adora- 
 ble name. We found it our duty when at home to be faithful 
 in attending our meetings, so that the two first years we used 
 to walk over four miles, twice a week, spring, summer and fall : 
 In winter I used my oxen for a team, taking all our family with 
 us. Starting about sun-rise, we could get to meeting seasona- 
 bly, and home about sun-set. When I got able to buy and 
 keep a horse for your mother to ride, I felt rich. Oh ! dear 
 children, I want, if any, or all of you, should arrive at easy cir- 
 cumstances, that you remember whence you have risen, and 
 always let a thankful and humble mind be your inner gar- 
 ment, that the blessing of the dew of heaven may rest upon 
 you. Friends got along in the main, pretty well, until we got 
 several settled meetings, and others began, when we thought it 
 time to have a Monthly Meeting of our own ; we made a re- 
 quest, and obtained it, with Danby added. 
 
 Having lived here from about the age of twenty-eight to 
 thirty-eight years, and meetings thus far settled in order, and 
 my family as comfortably situated as the circumstances of a 
 new country would admit, my estate being nearly clear of debt, 
 I found my mind impressed from day to-day with a prospect 
 of paying a religious visit to the inhabitants of Nova Scotia, 
 and the adjoining British Provinces, and to Friends with others, 
 generally in New England. After considering the importance 
 of the subject for several months, the Lord gave me to see 
 clearly that the time was come to inform Friends of my con- 
 
78 JOURNAL OF 
 
 cern, which I coinplied with at the next Monthly Meeting, un- 
 der a feeling sense of the greatness of the undertaking. The 
 meeting took up the subject and appointed a commitee to con- 
 sider the matter and report. Some Danby Friends being on 
 the committee, one of whom having much influence in his own 
 meeting, drew the line at once that I should not go unless I 
 would give up all my prospect on British ground. This, I 
 could not, and dared not do, so they kept it along about one 
 year without giving a decided report At length the concern 
 left me, as though it had never been ; of this I inTormed the 
 meeting. It seemed to shock the Friends who had held back ; 
 the business dropped here. I felt no more of it for more than 
 a year, being quite easy ; but those Friends who held back, 
 were much uneasy the whole time. 
 
 When I opened my prospect again, in the year 1800, the 
 meeting gave me a certificate expressive of full unity ; the 
 Quarterly Meeting endorsed it, and it appears by the minutes 
 1 kept, that I took a solemn leave of my family on the fifth of 
 first month, 1801, and traveled one hundred miles within the 
 verge of our own Yearly Meeting ; having had twelve meetings 
 during the time, mostly amongst those not of our Society, 
 where there appeared much openness. 
 
 When this service was accomplished, the Friend who was 
 with me returned home, and I went to Danby to fall in with 
 my other company, arriving in time to be at their first day 
 meeting, which was an exercising one ; but through the aid 
 of Holy help I was enabled to clear my mind to the several 
 states brought before me, so as to feel well relieved. 
 
 From here we set forward for Richmond; crossing the 
 Green Mountains, we reached there on second-day evening, the 
 26th of the month, and had a meeting there on the 2'7th. 
 Here, deep suffering was my lot ; patience seemed the only 
 stay for a while ; it appeared to be much of a barren place every 
 way. 
 
 From here we went to Orange, a small meeting, there being 
 notice given of our coming, a number of their neighbors cdSne. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 79 
 
 In this meeting my mind was bowed, and brought into a re- 
 newed sense of the dependent state in which the human family 
 stood, not able to help themselves, nor to help others without 
 Divine aid and support; therefore the Lord only is to be 
 looked unto, and waited for, who was pleased, at this meeting, 
 to cause His holy presence to be felt amongst us, to the ten- 
 dering and encouraging of some minds. After meeting, we 
 rode until in the evening. The day following, there fell a 
 heavy rain with hail. This made me thoughtful of my health, 
 but finding Uxbridge Monthly meeting to come the next day, 
 I felt most easy to go forward. Though the storm was severe, 
 I took no cold, and arrived in season to attend that meeting, 
 held on the thirtieth of first month, at which I found it painM 
 to be baptized for the dead, who were wrapped up in a worldly 
 spirit, and buried deep in the earth ; who called self-confidence 
 righteousness, and have made it a bed, or couch of ivory to 
 stretch upon. 
 
 I had to arise under the w^eight of the subject, bear a faith- 
 ful testimony against such Babels, and sound an alarm to those 
 who were at ease in Zion. My mind was relieved and com- 
 forted in feeling the arm of Israel's Shepherd, to be under- 
 neath, and strong in the time of battle ; blessed be His holy 
 name ! The meeting for business was exercising ; that which 
 glorified Israel and comforted Jacob, appeared very low, and 
 suff'ering appeared to be the bitter meat of the upright in heart. 
 Near the close of the business I was enabled to clear my mm4t 
 so as to feel easy. 
 
 The day following we traveled to Leicester, attended their 
 meeting on first-day, in which painful travail and searching of 
 heart was my lot ; blessed be the Lord whose arm was under- 
 neath ! He gave strength to bear the testimony He required, 
 to the peace of my mind, and I hope to the praise of His holy 
 name. We went next to Bolton and attended their Monthly 
 Meeting, held the 2d day of 2d month. Here the Holy One 
 was graciously pleased to be near His people and feed His 
 
80 JOURNAL OF 
 
 flock, to the refreshing of His heritage ; blessed be His name ! 
 may Israel now say, for His mercy endureth forever ! 
 
 On the third we lay by and rested ; the fourth had a meet- 
 ing at Northbridge, and on the fifth day of the week, had one 
 at Mendon. This appeared to be an old meeting nearly run 
 down. On sixth day we were again at Uxbridge Meeting. On 
 seventh day we had a meeting at Douglas. The first of the 
 week and eighth of the month we attended a meeting at Smith- 
 field, called Winsocket. At this place the gospel flowed freely ; 
 it was a good, comfortable meeting to us. 
 
 After proceeding thus far, I felt a full stop ; but after several 
 hours of serious musing, my way opened clear to attend a 
 Quarterly Meeting for the Province of Maine. I informed 
 Friends of my prospect ; they soon furnished me with a com- 
 panion. The next day Nicholas Battey and I pursued our 
 journey, having to ride one hundred and forty miles as soon a» 
 we could well perform it. On our way, a number of miles be- 
 fore we got where the Quarterly Meeting was to be held, we 
 came to a small settlement of Friends near night, who held a 
 meeting. It came into my mind that we could have a 
 meeting there early next morning, and reach the Quarter. 
 We being at the house where they held their meeting. I 
 opened niy prospect to the man ; he answered me short, and 
 left the Tohm, but soon returned. I resumed the subject, he 
 .'§nswered as before, and left the room again. This so afi'ected 
 my feelings that I went into another room and lay down. 
 My companion then took hold of the subject and obtained lib- 
 erty for the appointment. We got an active young man to 
 give notice that evening. In the morning we had a large 
 gathering and a solid favored time, so much so, that the Friend 
 acknowledged the meeting to be right, and that his objection 
 was, he thought neither of us looked as- though we conld 
 preach, and he did not want the people to be disappointed ; 
 but he would never do so again, so we parted. We rode that 
 day hard, and the next day fifteen miles, before meeting ; it 
 being a select one, and gathered when we arrived, and my 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 81 
 
 companion a private member, I had to go in where there was 
 not one face that I ever saw before. There appeared the most 
 general gravity and exact uniformity in dress and deportment 
 that I ever noticed. Oh ! I exclaimed in my mind, what a fine 
 body of solid Friends here is. 
 
 It was not long before all turned dark and painful. I said in 
 myself, what does this mean ? It came forcibly into my mind, 
 that when the Sons of God met together, Satan came also ; 
 and his first work was, (as fast as he was suffered to do it), to 
 get them all by the ears, and quarreling, which was the case 
 with this fine looking people, and that I had to tell them how 
 they appeared. Solemn were my feelings, and weighty the 
 subject upon me. After sitting one hour, feeling the well- 
 spring of gospel life forcibly, I rose with these words : " Friends, 
 I have never learned any other rule to preach, or speak by in 
 the assemblies, but feeling," and proceeded, as matter and 
 words flowed, without turning to the right or left. It was a 
 heart-aching time to me, for I had to tell them plainly that the 
 accusing spirit had got in, and there were those who charged 
 others who were innocent, with that which they stood in them- 
 selves. I had to go largely into the subject in an iftipressive 
 w^ay, and closed with these words: "Friends, you know, I do 
 not, though I believe there is cause for this ; let the subject 
 rest on your minds, for if it has not already appeared, the old , , 
 serpent lies at your doors ; his crooked tail is at the steps o^jtj^ 
 them, and it is time for you to be on your guard." Man^l^ 
 heads hung down. They soon proceeded to business, nothing 
 was discovered from their accounts, yet I felt a solemn, peace- 
 ful quiet, to cover my mind. The meeting for worship and 
 discipline was held the next day; it was large and favored. 
 The business was transacted lively and harmoniously. There 
 was a woman Friend in attendance, from another Quarterly 
 Meeting, who had a good minute, giving her liberty to visit the 
 meetings of this Quarter, and a number had been appointed. 
 There was also a man Friend of this Quarter, who with the 
 unity of his Friends had appointed several meetings ; one of 
 
82 JOURNAL OF 
 
 their appointments was at the same place and time. The man 
 preached first, the woman followed. Nothing appeared in their 
 testimonies to clash ; but as soon as meeting closed, the woman 
 arose and desired the select members to stop. She then testi- 
 fied that the man Friend was a false minister and had preached 
 false doctrine that day. The man being quick and nervous, it 
 came to sharp words. The other members ordered them to 
 stop. They consulted together and told them their mind was 
 that each of them should attend the meetings they had already 
 appointed, and appoint no more until after the Quarterly 
 Meeting, which was to be in a few days. They would then at- 
 tend to it, and give their judgment on the subject. These oc- 
 currences took place but a few days previous to the Quarterly 
 Meeting, and were unknown to me, until after I had attended 
 a neighboring Quarterly Meeting. 
 
 After this Quarterly Meeting we rode several miles towards 
 the other Quarter, and found this woman and husband, (he be- 
 ing her company), at the house where we proposed to lodge. 
 She was on a bed, groaning and making much ado. The man 
 was more sociable, asking questions about Friends and their 
 ways in my country. At length, it came into my mind pleas- 
 antly to remark ; there was one thing we did not approve of, 
 which is, one minister's running down another ; little thinking 
 how suitably it applied. It stopped any further inquiries. 
 
 The next day we rode forty miles through snow banks and 
 ..mud. I attended the Select Meeting of that Quarter and found 
 it no better. My labors were nearly of the same nature, so 
 that after meeting I much doubted the possibility of my feel- 
 ings being right. My mind was bowed under the reflection, 
 earnestly craving that I might be preserved aright. Next 
 came on the meetings for worship and discipline, where I soon 
 felt that light and gospel life was in dominion. I rose in the 
 early part ©f the meeting, feeling my mind furnished with good 
 matter ; strength and utterance were given ; the doctrines of 
 the Gospel flowed freely, and went forth in the light of Gospel 
 life. The meetincr closed under a sweet calm. This time of 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 83 
 
 favor a little revived my drooping mind ; but short was the re- 
 past ; for, when business came on, such feelings arrested my 
 mind, and such conduct was presented to my view that I knew 
 not what to think. When I looked at them with my outward 
 eyes, seeing their comely appearance, I said, " these things 
 cannot be." These thoughts were followed with distress. 
 When I looked with an inward eye it was clear and plain, as 
 though I knew it. I waded in this manner for some hours ; 
 and to add to my trials, the woman who had given dissatisfac- 
 tion within the other Quarter, was at this meeting, and came 
 into the men's room, walked into the gallery, and thus ad- 
 dressed the meeting : " My mind has been pained, and I felt a 
 necessity to come in here ; for, notwithstanding what was said 
 in the foregoing meeting, the people were not fed, neither 
 were the mourners comforted ; I am come to comfort them, 
 and give the children some bread." She detained the meeting 
 sometime, but this did not take the load off my mind. After 
 the rise of the meeting two Elders came to me and questioned 
 me as to what I thuught of that woman's visit to their meeting. 
 I told them I did not come there to meddle with their Minis- 
 ters ; that was the Elder's business ; but, " if I have said or 
 done anything that hurt your right feelings, I hope you Will 
 treat me as I should expect my friends to do were I at home." 
 They paused a little, and one, with a smile said, " we have 
 nothing for thee on that ground, for thou hast been highly fa- 
 vored, and rejoiced the hearts of thy bretheren to-day. This 
 interview seemed a little to relieve my mind. 
 
 There being some time between this and Bedford Quarter, T 
 visited Seabrook, Dover, Almsberry, Turkey-Hill, Meaderbor- 
 ough, ^nd returned to Seabrook Monthly Meeting, and a meet- 
 ing for discipline at Dover. When I came into their meetings 
 for business my former burden came rencAvedly upon me, and I 
 endeavored to clear my mind from place to place, as I had 
 done in the smaller meetings I visited. 
 
 Having got through these parts, looking over my labors I 
 greatly feared I was wrong. The enemy took the advantage 
 
84 JOURNAL OF 
 
 and brought a dark cloud over me so that I beheved all was 
 wrong ; that I had done hurt, wounded the innocent, and was 
 bringing reproach on my Friends at home. I concluded to tell 
 Friends my prospect had closed up, and 1 felt best to go home. 
 I had slept but little for two nights ; the last, scarcely at all. 
 I got up in the morning with a resolution to return home. I 
 had not yet mentioned it, as I was waiting for the Friends who 
 were with me, to go away, thinking then to get on my 
 horse and go home. While thus musing, in stepped Joseph 
 Header, an Elder, and asked me to go into another room. He 
 then said, " I parted with thee, not expecting to see thee again ; 
 but after riding several miles my mind was weightily arrested 
 and impressed with a sense that thou wast sinking under dis- 
 couragements, thinking that things could not be as they had 
 appeared to thee. Thou mayest be assured that it is all so, 
 thou hast not been mistaken in one instance where I have 
 been with thee, as I have heard of." This interview so re- 
 lieved my mind as to renew my courage to pursue my journey. 
 But entering into a solemn consideration and enquiry, why it 
 was, if all was right, that I was left to fall into such distress, 
 and was led to see in the clear light of the Lord, that I had 
 reasoned with flesh and blood, and had not gone to Him for 
 counsel and knowledge ; thereby leaving the way open for the 
 old serpent to present his false and deceiving representations to 
 my mind. It was an humbling, contriting season to me, and I 
 was made willing to enter into renewed covenant, let what 
 would come, if the Lord would be my guide and helper, I 
 would serve Him faithfully. Blessed be the adorable goodness 
 of the Most High God ! . 
 
 After these occurrences I fell in wkh a Friend who told me 
 he was at the first Select meeting where the two Ministers 
 were who had disagreed, and that I brought to view the alter- 
 cation that passed between them, nearly word for word — and 
 showed so clearly where the wrong was, that Friends there 
 were all satisfied. They acquitted the man Friend, and direct- 
 ed the woman to go home, but she followed me to the next 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 85 
 
 Quarter to try what she could do there ; but, failing of suc- 
 cess, she went home. I shall have cause to mention her here- 
 after. In looking over the marvellous and tender care of the 
 Most High, in bringing about my relief in the way he did, 
 my mind was bowed in gratitude, thanksgiving and praise to 
 the Great Shepherd of Israel. I took fresh courage and pur- 
 sued my prospect cheerfully. 
 
 The next meeting I attended was at Sandwich, the 18th of 
 3d month. There, being taken sick with a heavy cold, and 
 the weather being inclement, I lay by until first day, and at- 
 tended that meeting again. From thence, rode to Sandwich, 
 Barnstable county, Massachusetts, and attended their Select 
 Preparative Meeting on the 27th, sensibly feeling the want of 
 true Gospel love and unity, which gave me close exercise. But 
 I relieved my mind amongst them, and some of them confessed 
 after meeting, there was just cause for my feelings. 
 
 From this place I rode to New Bedford to attend the Quar- 
 terly Meeting, and was taken to the house of William Roach, 
 where I was affectionately received. Next day I attended the 
 Select Quarter, and found myself embodied with a number of 
 sound-headed, solid Friends.. Notwithstanding it appeared so, 
 my mind was strongly impressed there was a disease amongst 
 them, and there were some ailing who were not sensible of it, 
 but believed themselves well, while the mortal disease was in- 
 creasing on them ; and that such were like those in a slow con- 
 sumption, exposed to flattering hopes, until dissolution closed 
 the scene ; then all would be over. I was led to call their at- 
 tention solemnly to this subject, and whom to call on individu- 
 ally, to know what, and where the disease was, and what would 
 be the remedy. After meeting, some Friends remarked, they 
 believed there was a dkuse for my feelings, and told me where 
 they applied it. But, as it proved, those who applied it to 
 others were the very ones to whom it applied. In this way, 
 the poor servant's labor is often handled, much to the hurt of 
 those to whom it applies, by depriving themselves of the bless- 
 ing of improvement, and rendering the labor lost. 
 
8(5 JOURNAL OF 
 
 The day following, tlie meeting for worship and discipline 
 was held. The presence of the Shepherd of Israel, was felt to 
 own this meeting ; the business was conducted in harmony. 
 Near the close thereof, my way opened clearly, to proceed to 
 Nantucket, but the wind not being favorable, we had to lay by 
 on seventh day. We attended their meeting on first day ; it 
 was large and favored. The wind continued unfavorable until 
 3rd day, the 31st, when we set sail, about seven in the morn- 
 ing, for Nantucket, and arrived there about one in the afternoon. 
 The 1st of the 4th month, I attended their Monthly Meeting 
 for the northern district. 2d of 4th month and 5th of the week, 
 I attended the old meeting, and lay by on sixth day. The 4th 
 of the month, I had an appointed meeting. 1st day, the 5th, 
 attended the northern meeting in the forenoon, and the old 
 meeting in the afternoon. In all these meetings, I found Holy 
 help to bear up my mind, in the exercises that came upon me, 
 and ability was given to clear my mind, so as to feel easy to 
 leave for this time. 2d day morning, I went on board for New 
 Bedford, where we arrived in about seven hours, being very 
 sea-sick on the passage. 3d day morning, the Tth of 4th month, 
 I set forward for the Yearly Meeting ; it being some time ahead, 
 I employed my time in visiting the meetings in that part of the 
 country. I was conducted to Moses Brown's, in Providence. 
 Here I was kindly received ; he and his wife went with me to 
 the Quarterly Meeting, and introduced me to a rich Friend's 
 house ; but being dressed in coarse cloth, and making a rustic 
 appearance, I was coolly received and coolly treated. All this 
 I did not mind, it being good enough for me, but I could not 
 get fodder and grain for my horse as he needed ; the poor crea- 
 ture could not speak for himself — I had to care for him. When 
 morning came, I took my horse and walked towards the meet- 
 ing house. I saw a house that looked right, and meeting a 
 young man, I asked him if a Friend lived there ; he replied, 
 yes. I asked him if he would take my horse there, giving him 
 directions how he should be fed, and to tell the Friend, if he 
 would do so, that after meetino: I would come to his house to 
 
JOSEPH HOAG, St 
 
 dine. The young man, with a smile, comphed with my request. 
 When I came there, I found a good home for my horse, and a 
 kind reception for myself, where I made my home while in 
 these parts. I attended the Select Meeting at East Greenwich 
 the 8th, the meeting for worship and discipline the 9th. At 
 this meeting my mind was much grieved, and heart pained, with 
 a lengthy testimony borne by one of their own members, who 
 ran into repeated repetitions, which hurt the meeting, and 
 closed my way. The business went on dull. I sat nearly silent 
 through these three meetings, but had one appointed at even- 
 ing, in the same house, which was pretty large, and acknowl- 
 edged to be a solid favored meeting. Then I had a meeting 
 at Wickford. 1st day, the 12th, attended South Kingston ; 
 the 13th had a meeting at Richmond ; the 14th at South King- 
 ston, upper house; 15th at Westerly; 16th at Hopkinton ; 
 11th at Foster ; 18th at Scituate ; 19th at Elisha Stear's, Smith- 
 field ; the 20th was at the lower meeting, Smithfield ; the 21st 
 I reached Providence, and was silent ; the 22nd at Cranstone ; 
 the 23d at Providence again ; way opened to relieve my mind, 
 Oospel doctrines flowed freely. The 24th was at Cumber- 
 land ; 25th was at Pautuxet ; the 26th and first of the week at 
 Providence, and silent the second time. The 2'7th, being much 
 fatigued and not well, I had no meeting. After this I had 
 meetings at Somerset, Rehoboth, and Taunton. 5th month 
 1st, I had a meeting at Freetown; the 2d and Vth of the week 
 at Fall River, which was a large, good meeting. The 3d and 
 1st of the week, was at Tiverton, and at Fall River again, in 
 the afternoon, at a meeting in the Baptist meeting house. Here, 
 utterance and ability were given fiilly to clear my mind, so that 
 I felt relieved and clear of the place, and sweet peace to be the 
 reward. The 4th of the month and 2d of the week, I was at 
 Swansey Monthly Meeting, and found myself among some solid 
 Friends ; but all things not well. I had to labor plain amongst 
 them. The 5th had no meeting ; the 6th had a meeting at 
 Little Compton ; the Yth at Accoakset, and in the afternoon at 
 Centre ; the 8th was at Aponaganset ; the 9th at New Town ; 
 
88 JOURNAL OF 
 
 the 10th at Freetown again, in the morning, and at Bower's 
 Shore in the afternoon. The 11th I was at the house of Joseph 
 Austin at Accushnet; the 12th I had a large, crowded meeting 
 at this place ; the presence of Divine Power was felt to be over 
 all. After delivering a testimony, in which I thought I feeling- 
 ly cleared my mind, I had sat but a minute or two before it opened 
 as clearly to my mind, as the large plain print of a book, so 
 that there was no doubt remaining, and that I must deliver a 
 message in that meeting, without delay. I rose on my feet, I 
 think, with these words : " Friends, I rise on my feet, to deliver 
 a message, and I want you individually to turn your attention 
 to your own feelings, for, if you do, doubtless the one to whom 
 it belongs, will feel the force and evidence of it. It has ap- 
 peared as plain to my view, as a plain printed book, so that I 
 have neither doubt nor scruple, that there is one in this meet- 
 ing, who has lived a good moral life, been a good companion, 
 a good parent, a good neighbor, and an honest dealer, but has set- 
 tled down at ease, thinking this was enough ; yet thou hast not 
 made thy peace with thy God, and while this is wanting, all 
 that is essential is wanting ; thou hast time to make thy peace 
 with thy God, and not a moment to spare, for thy time is very 
 short ; thou must go hence to be seen of men no more. O ! 
 let not sleep rest on thine eyes, nor slumber upon thine eyelids, 
 until this work is done ; for thou shalt have no time on a lan- 
 guishing bed ; for when thy change comes — in the language of 
 the apostle — it shall be in an instant, at the twinkling of an 
 eye ; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." I sat down, 
 and was favored to feel that the power of the Almighty Jeho- 
 vah reigned over all. The meeting closed under great solem- 
 nity. The 13th I was at Long Plain ; here had been a great 
 division amongst Friends, which appeared to be wearing oft' 
 and improving, but not altogether healed. There was need of 
 Friends keeping humble and watchful, w^hich I had to put them 
 in mind of. The 14th I returned to New Bedford, thence to 
 Sandwich on the iVth, and 1st of the week, where I met with 
 my intended companion for Nova Scotia, Joseph Wing, a pleas- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 89 
 
 ant, agreeable man. The 18th was at Yarmouth, and 19th at 
 Fahnouth. At all the places I have mentioned, I had meet- 
 ings ; but the state of them and my exercises in them were so 
 similar that I thought it would not be edifying or instructive, 
 to go into particulars ; yet am willing that it should be seen 
 I did not idle away my time. 
 
 From Falmouth I went to Nantucket, attended the north 
 meeting once, and the old meeting twice. Here I was led into 
 close labor, and felt concerned to sit in some families. I called 
 on the Elders and opened my prospect to them. After sitting 
 for some time in stillness, one of them said I had opened my 
 prospect so plainly, that he thought they clearly understood 
 me, and that the business could be accommodated. They all 
 expressed their unity, and named a Friend of each meeting, to 
 be my company, who knew their own members, and the class 
 I had pointed out. I entered into this work in fear, and deep 
 searching of heart, and found Divine Wisdom and Holy help 
 amply sufficient in every needful time. Good is the Lord to 
 His seiTants who are devoted to Him ! In five families out of 
 thirty, I had to proclaim the near approach of death, and to 
 warn them to prepare for the solemn change — a humbling time 
 to me. I did not hear anything particular from these labors in 
 four or five years, when I fell in with a widow, at Hudson, who 
 informed me she was one of the visited ; that she had a hus- 
 band, three sons, and two daughters, all in good health, about 
 her at that time, and that in six months from that time, she 
 buried her husband and two sons ; and that there was not one 
 house, where I was led in that way, but one or more died within 
 nine months, and some within a short time. 
 
 After clearing my mind in these parts, I went to Rhode Is- 
 land and attended their Monthly Meeting, where I had satisfac- 
 tory service to my own mind and my Friends. On 5th day, I 
 had a meeting at Portsmouth, and 6th day on Conanicut Island, 
 and returned to Newport, and on 1st day attended both fore 
 and afternoon meetings. On 2d'day I went to Hopkinton, and 
 had a favored meeting. From here we went over into Connect 
 6 
 
90 JOURNAL OP 
 
 ticut, had a meeting at William Browning's, and next day liad 
 one at John Foster's, and the day following had another at 
 Samuel Browning's. These three last places were in Stoning- 
 ton, Connecticut. I think it was in this little town, in the first 
 meeting, there came in so few, that I felt disappointed. In 
 musing upon it, it came into my mind that Friends had not 
 given general notice as I requested, and there was time for 
 another appointment in the afternoon. This language crossed 
 my mind, " Tell them how thou feelest — send them out again, 
 and thou wilt get a meeting." It appeared so singular, that I 
 suppressed my feelings, and suffered the meeting through, to 
 but little satisfaction, feeling much depressed with poverty of 
 spirit the remainder of the day. The next meeting I found it 
 so again — sat the meeting through with but little service, and 
 at the close of it I informed Friends how it appeared to me, 
 what my feelings were, and desired them to go out and give 
 notice faithfully, for a meeting at the 4th hour at that house. 
 "When the time came, a large body of people were gathered, 
 and through the tender mercies of Israel's God, we had a fine, 
 favored meeting. I felt much better, and went on cheerfully, 
 finding my good Master's word to be Truth, as I ever had done. 
 I came to the next meeting, and found it in the same situation. 
 I sat the meeting through, and had but little to hand out to 
 them. At the close, I informed them of my feelings, and de- 
 sired them to make a second trial for a meeting there, the 4th 
 hour that afternoon. When the hour came, I thought it was a 
 larger gathering than there was the day before. It was a solid 
 favored time ; Truth arose into dominion. I felt comforted in 
 having given up to the openings of Truth, and that I had left 
 a good lesson for them to think of. 
 
 I returned to East Greenwich, attended their meeting on 1st 
 day, the 1th. of 6th month, and had a meeting at the meeting 
 house in the town, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. In both these 
 meetings I was enabled to deal plainly, and felt ample satisfac- 
 tion in so doing. On the 8th attended the Monthly Meeting 
 at this place, and though the business was conducted regularly, 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 91 
 
 the want of concern to live up to our ancient and present prin- 
 ciples, was too prevalent, which caused deep exercise, and pain- 
 ful labor — the aged buried in the earth, the young on the wings 
 of the air, embracing the customs of the world in dress and 
 address, which was so prevalent in these parts, that many of 
 the young people could hardly be distinguished from the fash- 
 ionable world — so that my soul was many times clothed with 
 mourning, as with a mantle. I often felt the necessity to labor 
 plainly, and call their attention to first principles, showing them 
 the consequences of their departure. This seemed to be my 
 general labor amongst Friends, and though ray lot was painful, 
 yet bountifully good was the Most High, in giving confidence, 
 streng-th, and utterance, and causing me to feel His holy arm 
 underneath in my getting along. Blessed, forever, be His holy 
 
 name 
 
 On the 9th of the month, I had a meeting at a hoi^^e owned by 
 Friends, where Friends lived, which was to good satisfaction. 
 On the 11th I had a meeting four or five miles south of this 
 place. From here, I went to attend Rhode Island Yearly Meet- 
 ing, and attended the several sittings of it, which were large, 
 and in general, favored with the presence of the Great Head of 
 ,the Church, to the comfort of many. The business was con- 
 ducted with much condescension. In the main, I was favored to 
 feel my mind much released from public labor, though not al- 
 together. At this meeting, we had the company of John Hall, 
 a Minister from Old England, and Stephen Grellett, his com- 
 panion, a Minister from Philadelphia ; also, many of the Select 
 members, from all the Quarters, where my mind had been so 
 tried. Stephen addressed them on the same subjects that I 
 had, not only the same words, but whole sentences as I deliv- 
 ered them, in their meetings at home. His communication 
 was strengthening, confirming, and relieving to my mind. The 
 Select Meeting met several times, and after Stephen had cleared 
 his mind, John Hall, at a subsequent sitting took up the sub- 
 ject at large, and spoke in that authority and clearness, that 
 the heads of a number fell, and rose no more with equal con- 
 
92 JOURNAL OF 
 
 fidence, through the remainder of the Yearly Meeting, much 
 to the joy of the upright in heart, and their admiration of the 
 Lord's goodness, in confirming His people and comforting His 
 sorrowful ones. 
 
 After Yearly Meeting, having got somewhat acquainted with 
 Ann Mifiin and Mary Gilbert, from Philadelphia, whose com- 
 pany we had had, and finding my companion not ready, and 
 the vessel not prepared, I was invited by these women Friends 
 to be their company, as they were going to Nantucket. I 
 complied therewith, to fill up the time. We went to Fall River, 
 where they appointed a meeting — they both being Ministers — 
 which was to good satisfaction. They had another meeting at 
 the head of the river, with the Indians ; it was a favored, ten- 
 dering time ; the poor creatures appeared very grateful for the 
 favor. Oh ! thought I, how many poor creatures there are, 
 up and down in the earth, who would rejoice to have the crumbs 
 of Gospel favor, that fall from the Lord's table, while they are 
 overlooked, and despised by many of our members. Surely, 
 will not the Lord require it at our hands, and justly turn oft* 
 many of the children of the kingdom, who despise their favors, 
 and will gather from the solitary corners of the earth, to sit 
 down with the faithful, in the Kinojdom of the Lamb. 
 
 They had a meeting at Westport, and from there they went 
 to Aponaganset and had a meeting, and returning to New Bed- 
 ford, made some tarry there. Then went to Rochester, where, 
 I am told, was once a body of faithful Friends, and now bul 
 one family. Their meeting house is occupied by a set of sep- 
 aratists, who went out from Friends. Benjamin Bump was 
 their minister, who was disowned for justifying the payment 
 of war taxes. There was scarcely anything of the life of pure 
 religion to be found among them, and the very form of godli- 
 ness was lost. It was a laborious time. Next day they had a 
 a meeting at Long Plain, where the dear sisters were enlarged ; 
 it was a favored, good meeting, which seemed to revive their 
 spirits. In the afternoon they had a meeting at Accushnet, 
 the dear women were favored with lively testimonies, which 
 
JOSEPH no AG. 93 
 
 settled like dew on the tender herbs. O, may it rest long. 
 The meeting ended well. We then attended New Bedford 
 meeting in course. After this, Ann, her companion, and my- 
 self, felt drawings to appoint a public meeting at Friends' 
 meeting house there, but the packet being ready, we all kept 
 our feelings to ourselves. Next morning early, we went on 
 board, and sailed about an hour, when the wind shifted directly 
 ahead, and held us half a day. At length, the captain con- 
 cluded he had a Jonah on board, and he would go back. While 
 going back, we got each other's minds, and when we got to 
 the wharf, we three stepped off. I turned to the captain, and 
 told him he might go to Nantucket — we should not go with 
 him, and I thought the wind would let him sail. In about one 
 hour the wind was fair, they hoisted sail, and were out of sight 
 before sunset. 
 
 We went to William Roach's, and opened our prospects. 
 They gave notice that evening. The next day we had a pretty 
 full meeting. Ann and Mary had good lively testimonies to 
 bear. I had not much in that way ; it seemed to be my lot to 
 feel with them, and hold up their hands, which I was enabled 
 to do in my little measure. That evening the other packet 
 came in, and in the morning we went on board ; we had a fair 
 wind, fine weather, a good passage, and arrived in season to at- 
 tend their first-day meetings. We next attended their Quar- 
 terly Meeting, which was large. John Hall, Stephen Grellett, 
 and Elizabeth Coggshall, were present; several large, weighty 
 testimonies were borne to the everlasting Truth, to the refresh- 
 of many, and warning of the careless ones. The business was 
 conducted in a solid, harmonious manner. 
 
 My companion not yet coming to me, I had to stay some 
 days. Feeling the return of an opening, that had been presen- 
 ted to view s^veral times, which now came before me with 
 weight, to appoint a meeting for the people of color and the 
 Indian natives on the island, I opened it to Friends, who 
 united with it, and took considerable pains to get them to- 
 gether. There was a fine body of people collected. I soon 
 
94 JOURNAL OF 
 
 felt my mind clothed witli Gospel love, wliicli flowed to 
 that people ; utterance was given in language that was easy 
 for them to understand ; which flowed freely, accompanied witli 
 Gospel energy, to the tendering of many of them to tears. A 
 heavenly solemnity was felt to spread over the meeting, clearly 
 evidencing, that equal are the mercies of the Lord, to all the 
 children of men. The service closed with prayer and thanks- 
 giving to the Lord, for the continuance of His mercies to His 
 people. 
 
 Ann and Mary wanted to pay a visit to the people on Mar- 
 tha's Vineyard, and desired my company, with which I com- 
 plied, as my companion had not yet arrived. The first meet- 
 ing was at Old-Town, a dark, hard place ; Gospel communica- 
 tion rebounded, like water poured upon a rock, and we were 
 glad to make our escape from the place. We went to Gay 
 Head, and had a large meeting amongst the Indians. Those 
 precious women were favored, and the meeting was quiet, and 
 solid, and ended so. The poor things expressed a great deal 
 of thankfulness for the visit. We returned to Old-Town ; there 
 we parted ; they went to Holmes' Hole, and as I did not feel 
 clear, I went to the east end of the island, and had a meeting 
 with a small tribe of Indians ; after which I felt clear to return 
 to Nantucket, where I staid till the 14th of the Yth month, 
 when the vessel was ready to sail. 
 
 Before leaving, there came a letter from Samuel Rodman to 
 William Macy, informing that not long since, "a Friend near 
 sixty years of age, belonging to Accushnet meeting, went to 
 the barn near night to milk his cow, a little earlier than usual, 
 as it looked likely to rain. While milking he was struck with 
 lightning, and instantly killed. The Friend was at the meeting 
 when Joseph Hoag dropped that singular testimony, and that 
 he appeared to be such a person as Joseph described. And now 
 Friends are easy and satisfied in regard to Joseph." The 
 above is as near as I can remember the contents of the letter on 
 that subject. 
 
 The 14th of the Yth month, we set sail for Nova Scotia; 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 95 
 
 were five days on tlie voyage, owing to contrary winds, fog, 
 and poor pilot. When we got into Beaver Harbor, on the 
 19th, we had a meeting with the few Friends living there, and 
 being first-day, there was more of a gathering than I expected. 
 In the course of my testimony, I was led to speak to a single 
 state, who felt whole, and thought himself in good standing ; 
 who was in good health, and as to the outward, appeared like- 
 ly to live for years ; who had not long to live, and was deceived 
 in the favorable belief ^f himself. I was led to call the atten- 
 tion home, to a narrow heart search, and a faithful petition to 
 the Lord, that He would show how it stood, between Him and 
 the soul'; saying "the Lord will show thee, and show mercy 
 too ; this is the only escape from a disappointment in the end, 
 which cannot be recovered." 
 
 From here, we went back into the country, to a new settle- 
 ment, and had a large, favored meeting, in a barn, to which a 
 tribe of Indians came, and sat very soberly. After meeting, 
 they were asked how they liked what was said. One of them 
 answered, putting his hand on his breast, "I could not under- 
 stand every word, but felt him here. I believe, he is a very 
 good man." ! thought I, how many of the wise and learned 
 never think to try preaching by that standard. "We returned 
 back to the Friend's house we first put up at ; we left him well 
 but now found him sick with the pleurisy. I had it on my 
 mind to have another meeting there, which was readily conseuT 
 ted to, and the sick Friend chose to lie in the room where the 
 meeting was. I had to take up the subject of the woe to them 
 who were at ease, and trusted in the mountains of Samaria ; 
 showing there was no greater mountain than the Gospel, and 
 no greater name than the Truth, for that was over all ; and 
 when all this was professed and believed, and their peace not 
 made with God, it would disappoint in the end ; and this was 
 the woe under the Gospel. After meeting the sick man was 
 much broken down, and acknowledged that he saw it was not 
 with him as he expected. We left him under great exercise. 
 I heard a few weeks after, he was gone ; and, that after passing 
 
S6 JOURNAL OF 
 
 through great and painful exercises, he was favored to come t6 
 a quiet, resigned state of mind, which was joyful to hear. 
 
 Before I take leave of this place, I feel most easy to remark 
 that all three of these meetings were favored ; the Truth was in 
 dominion, and the people generally acknowledged its doctrines. 
 One thing I mourn for, Friends did not meet together, nor sit 
 down in their families ; they were not willing their children 
 should go to other meetings, of course ; poor things, Avere 
 growmg up, not only in a way that was unprofitable, but unea- 
 sy to themselves ;*not informed in Friends principles, through 
 the neglect of their parents, I was grieved for them ; faithfully 
 cleared my mind to the parents, and left them. O ! may the 
 Lord remember the dear children, who are so neglected, and 
 be a father to them, and gather them into his own enclosure. 
 
 We staid hereabouts until 10 o'clock on first-day, when we 
 set sail for St. Johns. Had a quick passage, and made a short 
 tarry at this place ; then went up the river about 60 miles, in 
 an open boat. Setting out late in the day, and the wind leav- 
 ing us, we sat in the boat nearly all night ; being foggy it was 
 very uncomfortable, and what made it more uncomfortable, we 
 had a noisy ruffian on board. We landed near the place' we 
 intended, and hired horses of Hugh Copperthwaite. We rode 
 forty miles up the river, and came am«ngst a people who held 
 their meetings some like Friends. They rejected hireling min- 
 istry, and held that none ought to preach but those who were 
 called upon, and qualified by the spirit of Christ. There were 
 three of those meetings, about 12 miles apart. They generally 
 ended their meetings with a psalm or hymn. We got amongst 
 them the second day's travel, about noon, and had a meeting 
 with them at five in the afternoon. There, was openness with 
 the people to hear and receive the Truth, which flowed freely 
 in Gospel authority. They were much broken into tender- 
 ness, under a sense of Divine favor. The day following we 
 had a meeting about a mile up the river, which was very large, 
 and much favored ; it was truly an humbling time. Praised be 
 the Most Hio'h God ! 
 
JOSEPH IIOAG. 9T 
 
 After meeting we were called npon to give our opinions on 
 women's preaching, being informed that tliey had three women, 
 one at each meeting, who preached ; that they, were the most 
 able Ministers they had, and all the traveling Ministers who 
 come along before us had opposed women's preaching. This 
 opened the door for us to let them tnow we approved of wo- 
 men's preaching, and had women preachers amongst us, who 
 were able Ministers, and to show them our reasons at large 
 why we approved of them^fn that way. This was very satis- 
 factory and rejoicing to many of them. We returned to Nich- 
 olas Eideouts ; in this place we stopped and had a large meet- 
 ing — a day of high and renewed favor to the people. May 
 they be wise and improve it to their comfort ! We went to 
 Hugh Copperthwait's and delivered up his horses ; he would 
 take nothing for their service. We had no meetiaig on 7th 
 day ; but on first day two, the first was pretty satisfactory to 
 the people ; the latter was a large gathering of several different 
 Societies. I was led to show that the law and the ceremonies 
 in our day were all of a piece ; that they could not make the 
 comers thereunto perfect, as to the conscience, and of course 
 left them under the dominion of sin ; that nothing could puri- 
 fy the conscience but the law of the spirit of life which made 
 free from the law of sin and death. This doctrine offended 
 some, who, though they could bring nothhig to confute it, yet 
 were disturbed by it. Others rejoiced that the subject was so 
 clearly opened to their understandings. 
 
 On the 2d day of the week, twelve miles down the river, we 
 had a meeting at the house of one Birdsall, who went from 
 Friends ; a number being there of that sort. I had close, exer- 
 cising, plain labor among them, and felt much satisfaction in 
 being honest to my Lord and good Master. We continued 
 down the river to New Brunswick town, and on the 14th, had 
 a large meeting in the Methodist house. The people sat sober- 
 ly, conducted respectfully, received our visit well, and treated 
 us kindly. 
 
 The 16th, first day, we attended two meetings; the first was 
 
98 JOURNAL OF 
 
 satisfactory, the last was much hurt, by my endeavoring to 
 evade taking: hold of the subject as it opened in my mind. 
 After proceeding a little way it all left me and I had to sit 
 down in confusion, and remained so until meeting ended, and 
 some time after, until the Lord showed me that if I had looked 
 to Him for counsel and strength, He would have carried me 
 through all He required ; but in that I leaned to my own un- 
 derstanding, it was but right that He should chastise me. It 
 was an humbling and instructive time. 
 
 The iVth we sailed for Westmoreland, but went up Maccan 
 Kiver to Nathan Hoag's, and held a meeting there, among a 
 thoughtful, enquiring people, mostly Welsh, who appeared 
 willing to hear and believe the Truth. The day following, we 
 had a meeting down the river apiece, which was satisfactory ; 
 and the next day, in the Court House near Cumberland Fort. 
 There was a large company of mixed people, and it was an ex- 
 ercising time. Though some of them acknowledged to the 
 Truth, yet there were many others, who, when their sentiments 
 were crossed, it seemed to set them on fire ; particularly the 
 belief that if a man once had grace, he cannot be lost ; let him 
 do what he will, he will be brought in at last. This idea is so 
 pleasing to carnal nature, that it seems almost impossible — sor- 
 rowful as it is — to prevail with them to admit the thought, that 
 it is possible for them to be wrong. This much closes the way 
 for profitable labor in these parts. 
 
 In this part of the country I fell in with the Swedenborgians, 
 who tried hard to bring me over to their belief. They kept 
 about me for several days. At length one of them asked me 
 what reason I could give, why we were not in duty bound to 
 believe what that man of God (Swedenborg) wrote, as much as 
 to believe the Scriptures, for the prophets said, " Thus saith 
 the Lord," and so did he. I considered a little, and it came 
 into my mind to answer, that (Swedenborg's) was.a revelation 
 different from the law or the Gospel. God chose his own way 
 to reveal the law in a way that man could not counterfeit by 
 signs and miracles that were visible to the natural eye ; and 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 99 
 
 when Jesus Christ came to introduce the Gospel He wrought 
 miracles that were as much greater than those of the law, as the 
 Gospel was more glorious ; and that we, Quakers, were not go- 
 ing to give away revelation so well proved as the Scriptures 
 were, for a revelation that had no better foundation than the 
 assertion of one man. To this they made no reply, and I got 
 rid of them, for which I was truly glad. 
 
 After the last meeting we were invited home by Thomas 
 Eoach, a Methodist by profession. He lent us horses to ride 
 across the country, and a civil old man was our pilot ; they, 
 neither of them, would have anything for their services. We 
 rode it in one day, dismissed the man and horses, and let him 
 return the next day. Here we were detained about a week, 
 before we could cross the bay to St. John's Island. It being 
 wheat harvest, we went into the field to labor, to save spending 
 money. We earned our living and a dollar over. 
 
 While detained here the enemy poured his floods upon me, 
 insinuating that I had no business there ; if I had, I should not 
 have been disappointed, and that was not all ; I had no busi- 
 ness to leave home, and my family to suff'er ; I was deceived, 
 and had deceived my Friends ; that to be a deceiver and a 
 false teacher was the most wicked of sins ; and I was guilty of 
 that sin ; for to destroy the souls of others was worse than to 
 destroy their bodies. In this way I was afflicted from day to 
 day. When I strove to get those thoughts out of my mind, 
 I found it in vain ; and to flee from them, out of my power. 
 At length it was presented to me — and it came like the voice 
 of a lion — that if I went on as I had done, deceiving the peo- 
 ple, a dreadful judgment would come upon me, for God would 
 not be mocked. It came so heavy that my stomach failed for 
 food or drink, my strength failed every way, and when I 
 thought of stopping and going home, the enemy would tell me 
 that would not do, for when I got there and told my friends 
 how I was deceived they would ever after disregard me, and 
 my wife would look coolly upon me. Then I had better be 
 dead than alive ; that the best way for me was to slip away and 
 
100 JOURNAL OF 
 
 get into some solitary place where I never should be heard 
 from. It was in vain for me to plead sincerity, for the Lord 
 knew my heart, and that to plead innocence was mocking God, 
 for my own feelings told me better. By this time my distress 
 was such that I slept but little and ate little, grew weak fast 
 and could find no other stay to my mind than in this appeal — 
 " I am before thee, Lord ! thou knowest all things, and if things 
 are so or not ; to run away I cannot and dishonor thy Holy Name, 
 reproach the Truth and thy people, and bring scandal on myself, 
 I cannot do it ; I would rather die in this strange land and be 
 buried among this strange people. Lord ! if it is any off"er- 
 ing, here is my life, my body and my soul, in time and eter- 
 nity, at thy disposal, for Thou wilt do right. But I pray Thee 
 to preserve me from bringing reproach on thy Holy name, or 
 on Thy righteous cause." When my mind became stayed 
 here, the billows rolled away, the mists passed over, and my 
 poor mind was admitted once more into the clear sunshine, to 
 rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for His wonderful mercy 
 and sustaining Providence in the hour of temj)tation. 
 
 The 30th of the month and first of the week, we sailed for 
 the Island of St. Johns. We were about twelve hours on the 
 water ; landed at Charlotte town, and were kindly received by 
 John Cambridge and wife, whose house we made our home 
 while on the Island. The 1st of 9th month we had a large, 
 quiet, good meeting. The Governor and his wife attended ; 
 he expressed his satisfaction with the communication. Thus 
 we see many will acknowledge and approve of that which they 
 are not disposed to practice. We enquired for horses to hire ; 
 the Governor hearing of it, offered his : we accepted, and sent 
 for them next morning. He had his own riding horse fur- 
 nished for me, and said ; " let the Minister ride that horse, he 
 will carry him well ; he looked at the saddle and said ; " it is 
 so fine I don't know but it will hurt the Minister's feelings ; 
 bring the blanket;" had it put on and said; "now he won't 
 Bee how fine it is, and it won't hurt his feelings." I note this, 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. ; ,''', J '^ y/ y \ [)i)i\ 
 
 as due, to show the kindness of the man, though one of the 
 great of the world. 
 
 The 2d of 9th month we rode 25 miles through a wilderness 
 of good land to Tryon village, and had a comfortable meeting 
 with a body of poor people; thence we rode 12 miles through 
 the woods to a settlement, mostly refugees, and had a meeting 
 with them. It seemed like encompassing Jericho ; their walls 
 were strong. But blessed be the name of the Lord, who was 
 pleased to give strength so to blow the Gospel ram's horn that 
 the walls gave way and Truth rose into dominion. Not feeling 
 clear, we stopped until first day, the 6th of the month, and had 
 anpther meeting with them, which was large and much favored ; 
 the way appeared open, and the minds of the people much 
 reached and tendered. The meeting was solemn and ended 
 well. From here we put forward 17 miles through a thick wil- 
 derness and a poor path, and had two rivers to swim our horses 
 across. In the latter, we stood a narrow chance of drowning our 
 best horse, owing to mud in the bottom, but were favored hap- 
 pily to escape and get into Parker's Corner in good season. Went 
 to Farmer Townsend's (who had been formerly a Friend,) and 
 had a meeting at his house, the 8th of the month. Here we 
 had to wade under deep sufferings ; I had to deal in a plain, 
 close, and solemn manner, showing the desolation it produced 
 where there was a known departure from the truth, and 
 what stumbling-blocks such were to the honest seeker after 
 righteousness ; but it seemed like pouring water on a rock. I 
 was informed before I left here that a number of years past, 
 there came several families of Friends and an approved Minis- 
 ter and settled in this place, and held a meeting under the 
 care of Friends in England for some years. The preacher and 
 the next principal member took to excessive drinking, so as 
 often to be disguised ; the people would not meet with them 
 and the meeting had dropped. When I heard this I did not 
 marvel at the sufferings we had to feel. 
 
 The 9th of the month, we left this place with heavy hearts, 
 and rode thirty miles back to Charlotte, through the wilderness, 
 
,0*101^^; /'^f ' ''• ': JOURNAL OF 
 
 a dreary, solitary ride to me. The 10th, 11th and 12th, we 
 did not travel, but rested at our former home, and wrote to 
 our Friends. The 13th and first of the week, we had a second 
 meeting at this place; the 14th we had a little meeting on the 
 south part of the Island, five miles from the town, among a 
 tender, thoughtful people. The Lord was with them to do 
 them good, and His presence was felt amongst them ; it was a 
 tendering, humbling time, I think not easily to be forgotten. 
 O, how often is there renewed cause for humble thanks, and 
 grateful praise to the Most High God, for the continuation of 
 His mercies, that endure forever. The 15th and 16th we rode 
 to the east end of the Island; the 17th we had a small meeting 
 at one Coffin's, who was formerly from Nantucket, and brought 
 up a Friend. There were several more of this description 
 present. It was an exercising, laborious time, which is often 
 the case, when we fall among people who know what the Truth 
 is, and do not live up to it ; it is not only a loss to themselves, 
 but often proves a hindrance to others. In the evening, we 
 had a meeting about three miles from this ; a number came to 
 it who had never been to a Friend's meeting before. It was a 
 favored meeting ; the minds of the people were touched and 
 tendered, and they seemed to want to show their gratitude. I 
 thought it best to retire from them as quietly as I could. In 
 the evening, it came into my mind, that when I departed, I 
 must give the mistress of the house where we lodged, a dollar. 
 In the morning, it came into my mind again, so that when we 
 departed, I left a dollar in her hand, and told her to take it, 
 and make good use of it, and left them. 
 
 When we got on the road, John Cambridge told me he went 
 out among the people after meeting, and they were gathering 
 money for me, until he told them I would not take it. Then 
 they stopped. The husband of the woman I gave the dollar 
 to, was the most earnest to raise something handsome for me. 
 I then thought I could see clearly, why my mind was impressed to 
 leave money with them, to show them I could give, but not 
 receive on the principle they gave, and to confirm John's testi- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 103 
 
 mony. We rode back to St. Petersburg; the- 20th and first 
 of the week we had a meeting there, where was great opposi- 
 tion in the minds of the people, which caused deep searching 
 of heart, until Truth arose, and cleared my way, and enabled 
 me, with gospel authority, to hold up the standard of Truth ; 
 the people acknowledged to it, but seemed to struggle under 
 it, which, Balaam like, is too often the case. I felt well re- 
 lieved and satisfied. We staid in the neighborhood the night 
 following. The 21st we returned to John Cambridge's, and 
 staid there until the — , for a passage, when we took a solemn 
 departure from those kind, friendly people, and on the — land- 
 ed at Pictou, a little Irish village, not a house without some 
 more or less sick with the small pox in it. Neither of us ever 
 had it. We had to stay several hours, to hire horses to ride 
 across the country. We were at a place where, when we sat 
 down, we could look through the loose partition, and see them 
 on their couches, apparently at the point of death, all having 
 the disorder the natural way, yet we neither of us took it ; a 
 great proof of Divine Providence, the remembrance of which 
 was truly humbling to my mind, and awakens and calls for 
 grateful thanks. We started the same day for Halifax, one 
 hundred and forty miles distant. Got there the — very much 
 fatigued. We stopped a few minutes at a Friend's house, who 
 asked me if we intended a meeting in the city. I answered, 
 that I had heard it said, that when sailors came in from sea, 
 they must first get a good entry into harbor, before they could 
 tell much about their clearing out ; and thus the subject 
 dropped. We soon crossed the river and put up with Seth 
 Coleman, and kept ciose for several days. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 After getting recruited, and my spirits revived, we appointed 
 a meeting in the evening, at Friends' meeting house, in Dart- 
 mouth. It was small, but it seemed pleasant to be with 
 Friends again, after a long absence. The evening following, 
 we had a meeting in Halifax, which proved a good entry into 
 harbor. At the close of this meeting, it sprang into my mind 
 to express my satisfaction with their solid deportment and good 
 attention, and that it was encouraging to me, as it showed re- 
 gard for religion, and that I did not feel clear of the place, and 
 if it were agreeable to them, I wanted to meet with them again, 
 on such a day, at the fourth hour in the afternoon. They an- 
 swered, it would be agreeable. I then requested them respect- 
 fully to inform their neighbors, that their company would be 
 grateful to me. After we came away, Friends told me they 
 thought I would be disappointed, for there had been several 
 Friends from England, and the States, who had made trial, 
 and could never get a much larger meeting than we had. I 
 felt easy in what I had done. 
 
 We returned to Dartmouth ; from — to — of 10th month, 
 we staid with Friends there, and had no meeting. The — we 
 attended our appointed meeting at Halifax, to which it was 
 thought that more than two hundred people came, whose de- 
 portment was becoming Christians. It was a favored time. 
 The people were much tendered. On my sitting down, soon 
 after delivering a testimony, it came weightily on my mind to 
 appoint another meeting in the city. I said to myself, it can- 
 not be, for this house is crowded full, and there is nowhere to 
 meet. While I was musing, a genteel appearing man stood up 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 105 
 
 and said, "Do you want another meeting in the city? My 
 mind is impressed that you do. If you do, you can have the 
 Methodist meeting-house. It is the largest in the city, and 
 best seated ; I own two-thirds of it, and you are welcome to it. 
 Appoint your meeting at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when the 
 laboring class will be at liberty, and you will have a great 
 meeting." I turned to my companion, and asked him what he 
 thought of it. He answered, "It was on my mind with 
 weight, to have another meeting, but I could not see how or 
 where. It is best to accept the offer." I stood up and let the 
 people know, we should be at the house at the hour, to a min- 
 ute if we could, and that I wished them respectfully to inform 
 their neighbors that it would be cordial to my feelings, to 
 have the company of all that were willing to meet with us. The 
 meeting then closed, and we went to the Friend's house who 
 lived near. I soon asked the Friend if there was not a man 
 living in the north part of the city, who would let us have a 
 meeting at his house. He answered, "Yes," we sent a messen- 
 ger with orders, if the way was clear, to make the appoint- 
 ment and go forward and notify the people. We attended 
 and had a comfortable meeting ; the people's minds appeared 
 open to receive the doctrines of Truth. At the close we in- 
 formed them of the other appointment, and returned to Dart- 
 mouth. Not feeling clear, I proposed another meeting there ; 
 and general notice being given, it was large ; here way opened 
 and utterance was given to clear my mind so as to feel fully re- 
 lieved. 
 
 The — , according to appointment, we attended at the Meth- 
 odist house in Halifax. When we came to the place, we found 
 a large house ; and after we entered the door, we had to stop 
 often, for the people to make way for us to get to our seats. 
 When we came there, there was no place but the pulpit for us. 
 We walked up ; I looked around and saw the house crowded 
 from one end to the other, with people,^ and a great body stan- 
 ding outside ; I, there in a lofty pulpit, seated on a satin cush- 
 ion, a thought came into mv mind, if my friends at home knew 
 1 
 
106 JOURNAL OF 
 
 where I was, their hearts would tremble for me. I saiil< down 
 and wished I had not made the appointment, and concluded I 
 could not open my mouth. There I sat under such depression 
 of spirit arid distress of mind ti.at 1 could hardly keep from 
 trembling for some time. My companion kept his faith well, 
 whic'i was a strength to me ; but at length, through the mercy 
 of a gracious Re ieemer, all this was taken off; they appeared 
 to me to be no more than children, and all about me no more 
 than dust. Feeling, the Word of Life to arise in my mind, 
 with strength and Gospel authority, I was preparing to rise, 
 when a language saluted me, "see that thou keep calm, and 
 speak deliberately." Under the impression, I rose on my feet, 
 and though there was considerable whispering, over the meet- 
 ing, the first sentence spoken sti!ie-J them so that my compan- 
 i 'U remarked, the hke he never saw ; he took notice and did 
 not remember that ho saw a hand lifted or a foot moved f.r an 
 hour and a half; the power of the Lord came mightily over 
 the meeting. Truth reigned bey«>nd what I had ever experi- 
 enced before ; Gospel Truths flowed as the gentle waters, drop- 
 ped as the rain, and distilled as the latter rain upon the people. 
 The service closed with thanksgiving to the Most. High God, 
 for favors past, and hujnble prayer f .r the continuation of 
 them, and a blessing on the fav.-r of the day. In g"ing out or 
 the house, I felt a caution to take care not to be drawn av\ay 
 by the affections of the people. I was favored to take the hint, 
 and got away as quick as 1 could to the Friend's liouse near 
 by, away from all noisi*, and fell joy and peace in so doing. 
 Next morning, after having a sweet refreshing night's sleep, I 
 awoke feeling clear of th'»se parts. I told my companion we 
 would now leave; while all v\as well we woull leave it well. 
 
 We took stage, and in three days we crossed over ihe coun- 
 try, to the bay side, and came to Samue! Mo re's, at who-e 
 liouse a Friends' meeting was h^^ld, on first days, once in two 
 weeks. The — and — we lay by and wrote home. The 1 1th 
 and 1st of the week, we had a large, favored ujeeiing at >anm- 
 el Moore's; the minds of iht people wore broken into tender- 
 
• JOSEPH HOAG. 107 
 
 ness, several of them to tlie shedding of tears plentifully. In 
 the afternoon we had a meeting on the mountain, amongst a 
 poor people who seemed glad of the visit, and much tendered 
 under the testimony I had to bear amongst them, yet there did 
 not appear to be much religious concern with any of them. I 
 felt peace in discharging my duty. The 12th we rode to Gran- 
 ville, and put up with Thomas Green, a public Friend, and the 
 only one in this country. On the 13th we had a full and sat- 
 isfactory meeting there, where Friends' meeting is held half of 
 the time. On the 14th we had another meeting at Granville, 
 in a Baptist meeting house. This was a large meeting. I was 
 told that four priests came to that meeting — all of different 
 sentiments — and their hearers with them, strongly armed with 
 a coat of mail ; the materials, superstition. They did not mean 
 to be touched on any side, nor have their castle defaced any- 
 where ; a sense of the state of the people very much depressed 
 my mind with painful exercise. I said in my heart, in vain 
 will it be for me to open my mouth. I felt much stripped in 
 spirit, and was resigned to pass the meeting in silence, believ- 
 ing the Lord knew what was best for me and the people. My 
 mind became calm and composed ; after a long silence I felt 
 the Word of Life to arise with powerful authority, with those 
 words : "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? it is hard for 
 thee to kick against the pricks." I was led to open and apply 
 the subject in all its bearings ; the priests' heads soon fell ; the 
 Lord's power came over the meeting, and the mighty power of 
 the Most High shook their castle to the foundation ; though 
 they struggled for awhile, their armor failed them ; their Goli- 
 ah fell, and the spirit of opposition, Philistine-like, fled and left 
 the field ; Gospel Truths flowed in a clear and easy manner, 
 and dropped as the early dew ; may it rest long on the people, 
 many of whom were broken to tenderness of heart, and some 
 to tears. Oh ! may my soul forever bow before the Lord in 
 humble gratitude, thanks and praise to His eternal, holy name ! 
 The 15th we had a meeting at Annapolis, in a Methodist 
 meetiug-house ; many inquiring, tender people came to it, and 
 
108 JOURNAL OF • 
 
 the Lord favored us with a good refreshing meeting. The 16th 
 we had a meeting at Clemmens, twelve miles from Annapolis, 
 among the Dutch, a poor people. We had a solemn, tender- 
 ing time. They seemed much rejoiced with the visit. From 
 this we rode ten miles to Digby village, and on the 18th and 
 first of the week we had a meeting in the Church meeting- 
 house ; the minister gave up the afternoon to us. He attended 
 himself, and showed no disgust, though plain truths were told 
 them. It was a satisfactory opportunity to us, and generally 
 so to the people. The 19th we went to Trout Cove, and had 
 a meeting there on the 20th, and found kind reception by the 
 people. We also had a meeting at Little Culver's Hole. The 
 22d we had another at Sanchy Cove. In all these places we 
 met with kind reception, and good attention was paid to us. 
 The 23d we made round Stormy Bay, ten miles, and lodged 
 with a man by the name of Jones, and had a meeting there 
 on first day, the 25th, where a great many people were gather- 
 ed together. The power of Truth broke in upon them in a 
 wonderful manner ; they seemed melted like wax, and some 
 wept aloud. The Lord was pleased to exalt the standard of 
 Truth and righteousness, and magnify His power in the eyes 
 of the people. Blessed be His holy name fore verm ore ! 
 
 The 26th we started for Wilmit, where Samuel Moore lived ;* 
 but hearing of Obadiah Griffin, an old neighbor of my father's 
 when a boy, we went thither, by whom w^e were joyfully re- 
 ceived. My companion having informed me before that he 
 thought be must return home in the fall, now let me know he 
 thought the time had come. Not feeling clear of the country, 
 it was a trial to me to think of parting, after traveling several 
 months together without the least discordance ; but after some 
 struggle of mind I was favored to give him up, and we parted 
 with composure. He went to Digby to seek a passage, and I 
 went to Wilmit, where I made some stay. 
 
 The next meeting I have an account of was on St. Mary's 
 road, three miles from Digby. After it we rode to Digby, and 
 found my companion there ; he had not yet got a passage. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG, 109 
 
 We were one night together, and had to part again. We 
 went on to Annapolis, and made but little stop there. I now 
 had Samuel Moore for company. The morning following we 
 rode about five miles and came to a thickly settled neighbor- 
 hood ; we stopped and had a meeting with a careless, easy peo- 
 ple, who concerned themselves very little about religion. Af- 
 ter meeting we went to Robert Fitz-Randolph's, the 30th of 
 the month, and lay by until first day, when we attended meet- 
 ing at Wilmit, and had an appointment on the mountain in the 
 afternoon ; the meeting was pretty full and favored. Truth gave 
 strength and utterance to clear my mind, so that I felt fully relieved. 
 I lay by a short time, to recruit, if I could, as I was much 
 worn down ; but my rest was not long. Being strongly im- 
 pressed to go to Cornwallis and Hoveton, I informed Friends 
 of my prospect, and they approved of it. Samuel Moore and 
 Thomas Green accompanied me. The 4th of the week and 
 month, we set out and rode forty miles, but got in so late that 
 there was not time to have a meeting that evening. We gave 
 the next day to look for a place and inform the people, and on 
 6th day we had a meeting in the Baptist meeting-house. The 
 gathering was not large, the inhabitants mostly Baptists, and 
 fixed in their belief, so that it seemed heavy getting along 
 amongst them, but 1 was favored to relieve my mind. On the 
 Vth of the week and month, we rode to Hoveton ; the 8th of 
 the month and first of the week, we had a large meeting in 
 the Baptist meeting-house of that place ; many of other socie- 
 ties coming in, there was an open door for labor. My mind 
 was much enlarged, the doctrines of Truth went forth clearly, 
 and appeared to be well received by the people. 
 
 We then returned to Samuel Moore's. "The 11th, I made a 
 little visit to the inhabitants of the Mountain, and took my final 
 leave of them. The 12 th we went to visit the few Friends at 
 Granville, and made our home with Thomas Green; 13th, 
 met with the few Friends there, and some of their neighbors 
 sat with them ; where we experienced the Lord's promise ful- 
 filled — that where two or three are gathered in His name, there 
 
110 JOURNAL OF 
 
 He would be in the midst of them, whose presence gives joy 
 and gladness of heart and raises the drooping head. The 14th, 
 I appointed a meeting at Annapolis ; but not feeling clear, I ap- 
 pointed another on first day, the 15th. The collection of peo- 
 ple was large, which gave opportunity to relieve my mind in a 
 solid, feeling manner, and to part with them affectionately. The 
 day following, we rode to Digby, 40 miles ; the lYth, we went 
 up the River about nine miles, and had a meeting on the north 
 side of the basin. I went to this meeting poor, empty, and 
 bowed in spirit. In this depressed condition I mourned 
 awhile, but my Redeemer was pleased in His own time, to 
 arise with healing in His wings, and to annoint the shield. I 
 went forth under the banner of His love ; my bow abode in 
 strength, and the battle was turned to the gate this day, I 
 hope to the everlasting honor of the true and living God. The 
 — we returned to Digby, and the next day, at evening, had a 
 meeting in a private house. In the course of my communica- 
 tion I was led to address the mother of a family, who mourned 
 with heart-rending grief for a drunken husband, who was 
 spending his property at taverns in drunkenness ; so that she 
 greatly feared her children would come to poverty and want. 
 I had to address her in this language ; " hold up thy head in 
 hope for thou shalt soon be relieved of thy burden ; thy hus- 
 band shall be taken away and laid under the cold' turf and not 
 suffered to deprive thee of a living nor thy children of a home. 
 When this takes place see that thou art a mother to thy chil- 
 dren, bringing them up in the fear of the Lord, that He may 
 be a Husband to thee, and a Father to thy children, and may 
 bless you." After meeting there came in several where I was. 
 One man looked on me and said, " According to your preach- 
 ing such a man is going to die soon, and you pictured him out 
 exactly." I said, " was he at meethig ? He answered, "Yes, 
 and his Avife too." Before I got away from the place, there 
 came a man into the house where I was, and said, such a man 
 is dead, just as the Minister said — he died drunk — and now we 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. Ill 
 
 want to get the Minister to stay and preacli the funeral sermon. 
 I thought it best to pass away as quietly as I could. 
 
 Not feeling clear of the inhabitants up the River St. John's, I 
 made the second visit, with Samuel Moore for company ; he 
 made an agreeable companion. The 21st we set sail for New 
 Brunswick and arrived there about twelve at night. The next, 
 being first day, at evening we had a large, solid, comfortable 
 meeting in tlie Metho«list meeting liouse; in it my 
 f^pirit was revived, and courage renewed in the Lord 
 to go forward in hope. Accordingly we sailed up the 
 River about forty miles to Archelaus Carpenter's, and got 
 there the 25th of the month. The 26th, we had a large 
 meeting at Ilohert Smith's in the neighborhood ; here the way 
 for communication was made easy, the doctrines of Truth were 
 clearly opened and the people gave good attention. Near the 
 close, a comely woman stood up and acknowledged, "This is 
 the everlasting truth we have heard to-day ; and there is no 
 other way to be saved ;" and she wished the audience to prize 
 the favor, and in all diligence to make their peace with God. 
 
 Feeling clear of this place, we took the boat to go up the 
 River, the wind being ahead, we stopped after getting about 
 four miles. The next day, the 27th, the wind being ahead, we 
 traveled on foot six miles, to Benjamin Birdsall's. Here wc 
 stopped and had a meeting with a careless people ; yet such 
 were the mercies of the Lord that the Truth came over all, and 
 the minds of many were tendered. The 29th, and first of the 
 week, we had a meeting in Waterbury with the Baptists. 
 Though the Lord gave strength and utterance amongst them, 
 they were so settled in their belief that it was like pouring wa- 
 ter on a rock, yet I felt peace in doing my duty. After meet- 
 ing we traveled twelve miles to Hugh Copperthwait's, in Shef- 
 field. The 30th, had a meeting there at evening, amongst a 
 loose, hard people, mostly refugees. It required sharp, heavy 
 strokes to enter old dozy blocks ; this made the labor hard, but 
 good was the Lord, who helped me to clear my mind, so that I 
 felt easy to leave them, and glad to escape. 
 
112 JOURNAL OF 
 
 The 1st of the 12th month, we traveled twelve miles to 
 Nicholas Rideout's and lodged with him. The 2d of the 
 month we sat with a tender few who were concerned to meet 
 together in the manner of Friends, and were comforted. I had 
 to encourage them to abide faithful, and the Lord would be 
 with them and keep them in safety. The 3d we were detained 
 by a snow storm. Early in the morning of the 4th we started 
 for Frederickton, finding the river not passable, we returned to 
 our Friend Rideout's. We had a little meeting in the neigh- 
 borhood on the 5th of the month, and next day the first of the 
 •week, we met with the few fiiendly people at Rideout's, where 
 they commonly met. Notice being given of our being there, a 
 pretty large company came in. Here I was favored with a 
 lively, clear testimony. In the afternoon we met with the few 
 friendly people who chose to meet by themselve^s, as usual ; the 
 life of Gospel love was sweetly felt amongst them. Feeling 
 much sympathy with them I was led to encourage them to 
 abide in and keep the word of patience ; it was these the Lord 
 would keep in the hour of temptation. 
 
 The '7th of the month, the roads not being fit to travel, we 
 lay by. The 8th, Ave made trial, and got across the river on the 
 ice, and went to Frederickton, made our home with Robert 
 Smith, and w^ere kindly used. The 9th, at evening, we had a 
 large, crowded meeting, at Cornelius Ackerman's. Here I 
 w^as led to show that the devil was the first that ever preached 
 the doctrine that a man might sin and should not die; and to 
 show that God had always said the soul that sins shall surely 
 die ; that God had Ministers and the devil had Ministers, and 
 when we heard Ministers preach such doctrine as the devil first 
 preached we might know they were not the Lord's Ministers. 
 I was led largely into the subject ; the people gave good atten- 
 tion, and appeared solid. I was told after meeting that there 
 was a great dispute between the New Lights and Methodists, 
 each claiming the right of likeness to the Quakers. The man 
 remarked, "You have decided the dispute." I asked him, 
 how it turned? He said, "The New Lights believe, 'once in 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 113 
 
 grace, always in grace,' in the extreme ; and you have laid all 
 that waste, and the Methodists exult." I was told there was a 
 number of both sorts at meeting. After another meeting I 
 was attacked by a "New Light preacher, and about twenty with 
 him; he accosted me thus: "Well, friend, I can fellowship 
 you, I have seen Quakers before, and if I am ever so happy as 
 to get to heaven I expect to have Quaker's company ; but how 
 you get along without baptism and the sacrament, or Lord's 
 Supper, I cannot see." Being fatigued and seeing such a sharp- 
 looking man, and a large company with him, I was afraid, for I 
 thought they came for argument, which I was not fond of. I 
 sat a little to think when it came into my mind to ask a few 
 questions, which would, perhaps, bring the matter to a close. 
 I proceeded : " Did I understand thee that thou believest there 
 are Quakers, in Heaven ? " Answer, " Yes." Question — " Is 
 there any way to get into heaven, but by Christ, the door?" 
 Answer, " No." Question — " Are they ever turned out when 
 once admitted." Answer, " No." I then remarked, " Then I 
 think the Quakers have the better of the Baptists, and make a 
 saving." He said, " Why so ? " I remarked, " We save the 
 labor of going down into the water, and coming out again, and 
 drying our clothes, and get to Heaven as safe as you." He 
 sat a little, then arose and took me by the hand, with these 
 words ; " I can bid you God speed, farewell ; " and went oft 
 with his company ; and glad was L 
 
 The 10th we traveled up the river seven miles. A storm 
 coming on, we stopped with General Isaac Allen, who kindly 
 invited us to stay with him through the storm. The 12th, we 
 moved on up the river about four miles, and stopped to have 
 a meeting in the evening. We met with painful trials, as I 
 had now got on the ground, where the people held their meet- 
 ings somewhat in the form of Friends for several years, and had 
 rejected the common ceremonies. There came in a New Light 
 preacher who staid round several months, and persuaded a num- 
 ber of them to go into the water, and forbid women's preaching ; 
 he had crazed one woman but the other two somewhat stood 
 
114 JOURNAL OF 
 
 tlieir ground. He forbade the people to meet in tlie Quaker- 
 way, as he called it. There were a number who would not go 
 into the water nor receive his doctrine ; and after he had got 
 the people all in confusion and contention, he went off and 
 left them in a pitiful situation. I found it my business to go 
 among the remnant, that had not been drawn away, encourag- 
 ing them to meet together as before. They had found the ef- 
 fects of admitting Ministers to preach in their meetings before 
 they knew their pinciples. I thought it a sufhcicnt warning in 
 fature, but, poor things! they seemed so bmken and heart 
 rent, that, I could but mourn for them. 0! may the Lord be 
 a wall about them ! I believed it right to encourage the v\o- 
 men to stand their ground. 
 
 The 13th and first of the week, we had a meeting in Cove 
 village, in King's Clear. It was large, both sorts being present. 
 My mind was led in a clear, discriminating line of doctrine, 
 between the precious and the vile, the letter and the Spirit, cer- 
 emony and Gospel substance ; in that the letter killeth, but the 
 quickening of the Spirit maketh alive unto love and good works. 
 This rejoiced the poor broken ones, the others were silenced, 
 and Truth had the victory. Blessed be the name of the Most 
 High, who is strength in weakness, riches in poverty, and a 
 ready helper in every needful time, to all those Avho look to, 
 and put their trust entirely in Him. 
 
 The 14th, (I think) we had a meeting, to which a number of 
 black people come ; it was a tendering time. They seemed 
 more open and ready to believe the Truth than many who had 
 more information, for they acknowledged they felt the Truth. 
 The 15th, we had a meeting at Archelaus Hammond's in the 
 evening — not large, but satisfactory, excei)ting some lightness 
 amongst the youni:' people, but they became s.-ber before meet- 
 ing ended. Not feelitig clear of the place, we appointed anoih- 
 er meeting in the neighborhood, for the evening of the 16lh. 
 It was laro-e. Truth c-uiie over all and arose in dominion. The 
 people were t.'n<le;'ed and fully acknowledged to the truth of 
 what was delivered among them. The 17th, we had a meeting 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 115 
 
 at Jolin Bar"l5:er's, to good satisfaction to ourselves and the peo- 
 ple. 19tli, had a meeting in the evening at the house of John 
 Lawrence, a favored, solemn time. 20th, first day, had anoth- 
 er meeting in the neighborhood, to which a large, number 
 came. I found my mind drawn to take up the subject of man's 
 sinning during life ; that those who believed in and taught 
 that doctrine were not the followers of Christ, for he came to 
 put an end to sin, and finish transgression, and in the room 
 thereof to bring in everlasting righteousness, (a new doctrine 
 in this part of the country), which made the people stare for 
 awhile. Through the mercies of the Most High, I felt my 
 mind harnessed for the day, and enabled to show them from 
 many Scripture texts, that God through Christ had amply pro- 
 v'ded means, in the pouring forth of the spirit of His grace 
 upon all flesh ; a measure of which was given to every man 
 to profit withal, which, if they beheved in, and obeyed in 
 all things, it would become that strength in them, which 
 would enable them to walk in newness of life — after the 
 Spirit and not after the flesh — and to worship the Father 
 in spirit and in truth, which was the only worship accepted 
 of Him ; and I was led to show them that what was not of 
 God, was sin, as well in worship, as in all other conduct. I 
 was much helped — the word went forth clear and in good au- 
 thority. The meeting was quiet and closed solidly, for which 
 I felt renewed cause to give thanks, and praise to the Lord 
 Most High, for the favors of the day. 
 
 21st, not being well, I lay by, except riding about five 
 miles to Bear Island, where we had a large meeting the 2 2d, 
 in the evening. The people were attentive and quiet, and I 
 think it was to the satisfaction of all. After this meeting I 
 felt at liberty to turn about. 1 left some of them weeping; it 
 was an humbling parting. 23d, traveled ten miles, mostly on 
 foot, and put up at Benjamin Stewart's, formerly from Fishtill, 
 New York State, who kindly entertained us. 24th and 25th 
 we continued our travel on foot through the snow, which was 
 very fatiguing, until we got to Jonathan Sisson's, at Li;5away 
 
116 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Creek ; he- was from my native country, and ver}^ glad to see 
 me. Here we had a good home, where we rested the 26th. 
 
 First-day, the 27th, we had a meeting at Jonathan Sisson's, 
 where we found a few serious, enquiring people, and the way 
 opened to minister Gospel truths, which were gladly received. 
 
 29th, we had a meeting on Island. In this meeting it 
 
 was shown me in the clear light of the Lord, that the people 
 had been visited with the day-spring from on high, and much 
 awakened ; and that the Priests, (as in some other places) had 
 taken this opportunity to make them believe that this was their 
 day of grace, and seal of their election ; that they never could 
 be lost ; and had turned the minds of the people from that 
 which began the work of reformation in them, to believe that 
 if they were baptized in water, partook of the sacrament, as 
 they call it, kept the Sabbath-day, and paid the Priests 
 well, all was well, even while sin had dominion over them ; and 
 the last state of such was worse than first. I was constrained 
 to take up the subject at large, and go into all its branches and 
 show the corruptness of such principles, and the weakness and 
 hardness of heart it would leave them in ; that it was delusion, 
 and delusion always brought forth sin, and sometimes, conduct 
 transacted and cloaked under religion, that was strange. After 
 going through these subjects I was helped in a marv^ellous 
 manner to call the attention of the people to that which first 
 awakened them, showing them from many Scripture texts what 
 it was and what it would do for them ; and if they would be- 
 lieve in it they would have the everlasting Gospel preached to 
 them without money and without price. After this meeting, 
 feeling so relieved and clothed with peace, I could but admire 
 and marvel in thinking of the goodness of the Lord in giving a 
 sense of, and strength to speak to the state of the people ; they 
 acknowledged it was so, and that many had run into strange 
 things ; so much so, that an unlawful intimacy had been urged 
 with one of their Ministers, as the will of God. 
 
 After meeting, we went to Cornel Allen's ; 30th, we came to 
 Frederickton, and having a heavy cold on my lungs, we lay by 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 117 
 
 till the 2d of 1st month, 1802. In the evening we had a meet- 
 ing in the town ; many came and apparently well satisfied. 3d, 
 first day, we moved down the river ; my being much unwell, 
 we traveled slowly ; 4th, we got to Hugh Copperthwaite's ; 
 6th, we rode about twelve miles, but growing more unwell, I 
 gave up proceeding, only as I could bear it, but soon had to 
 stop. This gave chance to recruit a little, but feeling my mind 
 drawn towards a village at the head of Grand Lake, I persua- 
 ded Benjamin Birdsall to take us there, a distance of thirty 
 miles; he took us to Marraaduke Hutchinson's. We found 
 them Friends and rejoiced to see us come ; we had a meeting 
 at, his house next day, and they being much beloved by their 
 neighbors, and living near the village, the meeting was full — a 
 precious, tendering time. The first Deacon of the church, with 
 his wife, was convinced of the Truth at that meeting ; both 
 have since become members of our Society, and nearly all their 
 large family of children. Next day we parted with them af- 
 fectionately, and returned to Benjamin Birdsall's on the 11th. 
 But my weakness on the lungs rather increasing I lay by sev- 
 eral days until I was a little recruited, and then went down the 
 river to Wickham, to Samuel IJnderhill's, where we stopped 
 and had a large meeting on first day, the i7th, which was tru- 
 ly favored, and the people were generally tendered, acknow- 
 ledging the truth of what they had heard. AVhen I came into 
 this place and informed what my prospect was, and when they 
 said a Baptist Minister had appointed a meeting the same day 
 and hour, and notice was spread. I thought of it a little and 
 then told them I felt best to attend to my own prospect, and 
 as we lived in a free country, the people might go the way they 
 liked. My proposal was complied with, and when the time 
 came, the Priest seeing how the minds of the people stood, 
 proposed to them to drop his appointment and come with 
 them to my meeting. This was readily agreed to ; the Priest 
 acknowledged he was glad he was there, being well paid for 
 coming ; the presence of the Lord was amongst us, and he 
 wished the people to take heed to what they had heard, for it 
 
118 JOURNAL OF 
 
 was tlie truth. I note this for encouragement to you, my chil- 
 dren, to stand faithful to the pure openings of liglit and life, 
 resting assured that the Lord will make way for the right thing. 
 The 18th, we went down to New Brunswick, and my lungs 
 becoming more affected, we staid until we could get a passage 
 in a good vessel to Digby. We sailed at two in the afternoon, 
 and in a few hours there came on a tremendous storm from the 
 south-east and brought the fog so thick that we could not see 
 from bow to stern of the vessel. They had soon to light lamps, 
 and the tide going out we had a dreadful sea. Night came 
 on, dark beyond description, so that for twelve hours it seemed 
 awful. In the morning we narrowly escaped being dashed upon 
 the rocks ; but our lives were all spared, and we had to look 
 back and reflect upon the marvelous providence and tender 
 mercies of Him who controlleth the great deep. We staid at 
 Digby one night, and then went up the river to Wilraet, home 
 witli my companion, who, to his joy, found his family all well. 
 By this tiu:e I was nut able to travel. I kept my room mostly, 
 for several weeks, except to attend meetings as they came in, 
 course. They were held half the time at Samuel Moore's, at 
 whose house I was then staying. Whilst here T heard of three 
 faniilii'S of Friends, (the men were all brothers), that lived back 
 ill the count j-y, and had not been visited by Friends since they 
 came there. I felt my mind impressed night and day to go 
 and see them. When I was recruited so that 1 could ride I 
 set out with Samuel Moore and Thomas Green for company, 
 and found them; one of the brothers was dead. They told us 
 they agreed tor their passage to Pennsylvania, but before they 
 sailed, (unknown to them), the Captain was ordered to land 
 them in Nova Scotia, just about the time war was declared 
 with America, and it contitmed so long that they became dis- 
 co r ged and bought land there, and had lived in the country 
 twent}-eight years, without having any intercourse with our 
 S )ciety. The old people appeared to retain the likeness of 
 Frl nds, in language, dep rtment and dress. The children were 
 much ipOne, except thosQ of the youngest brother, who had set- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 119 
 
 tied a nnniber of miles back. T' e parents were in tlie practice 
 of sitting down with their children on Mrst days, which the 
 others had omitted. The difference in the families was easily 
 seen. We had a meeting in each neighborhood, but this last 
 was a solid, tendering and joyful time to this dear family. 
 When we parted with them, tears fell ft-om their cheeks like 
 drops of rain, and my heart ached for them. We returned to 
 the other settlement where I was taken sick and confined a 
 wei'k. When recruited, we had another meeting with them 
 and parted, and I returned to Samuel Moore's. After parting 
 with these Friends and looking over the great number I had 
 fallen in with, who told me their parents or grand-parents were 
 Friends, and some that they were members, appearing as sheep 
 without a Sliepherd, all within me capable of feeling was awa- 
 kened to sympathy, so that I could but pour forth my prayer 
 to the Lord that He w^ould pity tids land and b(; a Shepherd 
 to the people. In many places I was entreated with tears to 
 come and live among them ; that they wnuhl be Friends and 
 enjoy Society; for ihey could be nothing else and thty would 
 not go to hear the Priests ; therefore they were nothing. 
 Many affecting scene- I passed through in this land, feeling 
 this language pass through my mind; Oh! that Friends did 
 but enough consider what our fore-fathers passed throuiih for 
 the principles we profess, and the blood of the righteous that 
 was shed for the liberty we enjoy, they would nt)t wander from 
 the sacred enclosure of Israel's King as they do," seeing the 
 Lord doth not withhold anything that is for the good of those 
 who love him. 
 
 Ketuining to Samuel Moore's, I found myself unable to keep 
 up, and in a few days was confined to the bed with an inflam- 
 mation of the iui^s Hvire I was c )nfi:ie I for n-aly three 
 month-, and was brought near the grav*' ; the pain and agony 
 I underwent, 1 cannot describe; affecting my head, so that I 
 was often fl ghty in my talk. When more settled, the thought 
 of being deranged, and also of dying in a stran e land, away 
 from my family aud friends, was very afflicting. The eld eue- 
 
120 JOURNAL OF 
 
 my was suffered to throw his fiery d^rts, which tried my faith 
 to an hair's breadth, in presenting to me that this was the re- 
 ward of all my toil and anxiety ; that I had preached repent- 
 ance, which was false doctrine, for God never sinned ; and I 
 had told the people that God had sent Ilis Son, Jesus Christ, 
 into the world, who had laid down his life as an offering, ac- 
 ceptable to God, His Father, that sinners might be converted ; 
 all this was horrid blasphemy, for it was inconsistent with the 
 nature of God, reason, or good sense, to believe that He would 
 take the life of a good man, (for he was a good man), to satisfy 
 His revenge on the wicked, was horrid to believe ; fiat I had 
 preached it up, and that if I would renounce this false doctrine, 
 I should feel better, for I was going to die, and if I did not do 
 it, hell would be my doom. This put me in such agony that I 
 requested no one should be admitted into the room without 
 my consent. I kept my room, in this condition, for two weeks, 
 but all through this sore trial I felt a spirit in me to contradict 
 all these presentations, and when the darkest shades of despair 
 came over me, it kept a little spark of hope alive, which could 
 not be put out. I was reduced under these trials to an almost 
 helpless condition ; to deny all that I had ever found comfort in, 
 I durst not, without an evidence of light, that would bring peace 
 and quiet to the mind — this I did not find. To try to comfort 
 myself with past experience, I found, gave no relief. I turned 
 and turned, but found no ray of solid comfort, until I gave up to 
 die in that country, in just such a manner as the Lord was 
 pleased I should ; for in all these rolling thoughts, there was 
 nothing in me that would consent that God was not perfect 
 goodness, and equally just. This grain of faith I never gave 
 up, and it proved enough to keep the fire of hope alive. For 
 a number of days I durst not converse with any person, only 
 to ask for what I needed. I dared not look into a book, as I 
 found my mind could not bear it. I lay for days and nights, 
 keeping as still as possible in body and mind ; the only theme 
 of meditation was, " I am here before thee, Lord ! a poor, 
 helpless creature ! If I have been wrong, less or more, Thou 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 121"' 
 
 knowest it all, and canst show it me ; if I have been right, Thou 
 canst confirm it to me, and strengthen me to endure whatever 
 Thou wiliest I should, without a murmur. Here I am, in life, 
 in death, and in judgment ; do with me what is good in Thine 
 eye." 
 
 In this state of mind only, could I feel composed, and enjoy 
 a little the comforts of hope, until the Lord was pleased in 
 mercy, to take me out of the horrible pit, and give me to see 
 in the clear visions of light, that it was the hour of temptation 
 which I had passed through, in which, and with which kind of 
 floods the old dragon had swallowed up many, and would draw 
 down many with the sweep of his tail ; and as I did not run 
 with the temptation, nor lean to my own understanding, but 
 had regard to that Spirit which withstood the tempter in me, 
 and had called on Him alone, and not on another — therefore 
 He heard me, and would hear all such, and keep them in the 
 hour of temptation from falling. The floods passed away ; I 
 seemed as though I was in another world, much like a Paradise. 
 I found the feet of my mind once more set on the Rock of all 
 Ages, that was never prevailed against, and was higher than 
 I, and where I could sing praises to the Lord God, and the 
 Lamb, who was slain from the foundation of the world. 
 
 I soon recovered, and spring having come on, I made prep- 
 aration to return to the States. The 19th of the 4th month, I 
 came to Bigby to seek a passage, but had to wait several days, 
 in which time I felt a draft on my mind to make some visits. 
 I attended to it, and attended a meeting at James Hollinghead's, 
 at Jogins, and one at Joseph Young's, at Digby ; both were 
 comfortable and refreshing to me. 23d of 4th month, I em- 
 barked for the States about 9 in the morning, with a fair wind, 
 but had sailed only a few hours, when there came on a heavy 
 northeast storm ; before it we ran three days and nights. "When 
 in sight of and opposite Cape Cod, the storm ceased, and for twen- 
 ty-four hours we had a calm. The sea having been blown into 
 great swells, and the wind ceasing at once, we could not sail 
 at all, and the vessel rolled exceedingly. The next morning 
 8 
 
122 JOURNAL OF 
 
 the wind stirted firom the W. N. W., with a tremendaous blow, 
 so that we were in imminent danger for six hours. About the 
 middle of the day it abated, and I was set on shore at Martha*s 
 Vineyard, near the house of a Friend named Coffin, who, with 
 his family, were glad to see me return. I had not been long 
 here, before I felt drawings of mind to pay a visit to Gay Head. 
 I went and had a solid meeting with the people of color, and 
 found my mind entirely relieved, and at liberty to take a final 
 &rewelL We returned to Wm. Coffin's, and on first day the 
 2d of 5th month, had a meeting there, and one in the afternoon 
 a few miles oS, at the house of Obed Coffin, both to good sat- 
 isfaction. 
 
 The 5th I was landed on Nantucket, and the day following 
 I attended the South meeting. Next day had a meeting at 
 New Town, and felt well satisfied it was right that I attended 
 to the opening on my mind. The 9th, first day, I attended 
 the South meeting iu the morning, and at the North in the 
 afternoon. In both these meetings, I was enabled to clear my 
 mind in the most relieving manner that I ever experienced in 
 this place. The packet not being ready to sail, I had to stay 
 until after their mid-week meetings. In both these, I felt con- 
 strained to come to dose, plain work, there having been a di- 
 vision amongst them, that had done much hurt After these 
 meetings, and having had private opportunities with several of 
 them, I felt clear, and saw my way to leave them. 
 
 14th, I took my departure fix)m Nantucket, with the enjoy- 
 ment of a peaceful mind, that made all around me look beauti- 
 ful. 15th, I was set on shore at Yarmouth, and first day, the 
 16th, I attended tliat meeting, and had the company of dear, 
 aged Mary Mitchell, and heard her blow her little trumpet as 
 clear as a belL It was like marrow to my bones to see such 
 greenness in old age, and such precious fruit brought forth. 
 After meeting, rode to Sandwich, and went to Paul Wing's, 
 who appeared rejoiced to see me return, and soon walked over 
 to Joseph Wing's — ^my former c( moanion for several months — 
 who seemed as much rejoiced to see me return. On returning 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 123 
 
 to Paul Wing's I found myself unable to travel, so lay by seve- 
 ral days and attended tbeir mid-week meeting. 
 
 It being known tliat I was expected there, the meeting was 
 full. I felt my mind uncommonly shut up, and much com- 
 posed in stillness. Musing, why is it that I am so shut up, and 
 feel so easy ; a language ran through my mind, "There are a 
 number of members here who would not have been present, had 
 they not expected thee ; they are waiting for, and looking to 
 thee, and not to Me, the Giver of all good." I became satisfied, 
 and passed the meeting in silence, feeling great ^eace of mind 
 in so doing. Not feeling clear of the place, I went to see the 
 sick, made some social visits, and had religious opportunities 
 in two or three families. After attending their meeting on first 
 day, in which I had good service — but mostly for other people 
 — ^in the line of doctrine, not yet feeling clear, I proposed to 
 meet with them on second day, which was agreed to. In this 
 meeting my mind was bowed under a deep and clear sense, 
 that there was a trying day coming on Friends, in that part of 
 the land ; a. sifting time, in which every foundation would be 
 tried. I had to sound the alarm in a solemn, moving manner ; 
 it seemed to settle on the minds of the people, and I felt fully 
 reheved. 
 
 24th I took leave of my Friends affectionately, and went to 
 Pembroke, and attended their Preparative Meeting, and not 
 feeling clear, made a short tarry. I went to Marshfield, and 
 had a meeting at Joseph Rogers', and another in Hanover at 
 Mordecai Ellis', and returned to Pembroke, and attended that 
 meeting on first day, In all the above meetings, ability was 
 given to discharge the duty required of me, so as to feel re- 
 lieved, and to enjoy a peaceful mind. I then moved on to 
 Lynn, and attended their fore and afternoon meetings on first 
 day, the 6th of 6th month. In the first I was silent — in the 
 latter, much enlarged, to the satisfaction of my Friends, and 
 the relief and comfort of my own mind. Thence to Salem, to 
 attend the Quarterly Meeting, which was large, and though ex- 
 ercising on account of the state of Society as shown in the ac- 
 
124 JOURNAL OF 
 
 counts brought up, yet in the main, was a favored meeting. I 
 then proceeded to the Yearly Meeting, and was able to attend 
 the several sittings, though much unwell. The business in gen- 
 eral was conducted with a good degree of harmony. 
 
 After the close of the Yearly Meeting, I returned to Provi- 
 dence, and on the following day had a favored meeting at Cum- 
 berland, amongst a thoughtful people. On first day, 20th, I 
 attended a meeting at Smithfield in the forenoon, and Provi- 
 dence in the afternoon, and bad good service in both. I ex- 
 pected to go direct to New Bedford, without making any stop 
 excepting for refreshments, but was suddenly taken sick, so 
 that I could not tarvel. When a little recovered, it was shown 
 me that I had to go to Swansey, with which I compHed, after 
 some close exercise. I attended one meeting, and had another 
 appointed amongst and for other people, which was large, and 
 much favored. My way being clear, I now went to New Bed- 
 ford, enjoying a peaceful mind. I there made my home with 
 Wm. Rotch, the elder, where I was kindly taken care of. 
 When I got here, my mind was much depressed, and in this 
 situation I thought it not safe to move, and lay by the most of 
 two days. I came here with an expectation to attend the 
 Quarterly Meeting soon to be held on Nantucket, but when 
 the packet came in sight that was to carry Friends, the cloud 
 passed off my mind, and I was shown in the clear light of the 
 Lord, that the resigned will was taken for the deed, and I was 
 at liberty to turn my course towards Portland — a joyful re- 
 lease this was to me. I made ready, and in a short time was 
 on my way with John Winslow for company. On our way, 
 we attended Seabrook mid-week meeting, and not feeling clear, 
 another was appointed next day. A number of members came 
 to it, who seldom attended meetings in the middle of the week, 
 and way opened to address that class in a weighty, feeling 
 manner, in the authority of Truth, which rose into dominion 
 at that time. We were next at Almsbury ; the meeting was 
 small ; there were a few plain, aged Friends, who were con- 
 cerned to keep up their meeting^. The testimony of Truth 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 125 
 
 lay low amongst them. I returned to Seabrook, and attended 
 their meeting on first day, where my mind was much enlarged 
 in the doctrines of the Gospel, and it went forth clear. There 
 being a number present who were looking towards Friends^ it 
 was a satisfactory meeting, and fully relieving to my mind. 
 We passed on to Epping, and found when we came there, that 
 the Friend who undertook to notify for the meeting, had not 
 been faithful. Of course, the meeting was small, and not feel- 
 ing easy, I appointed another the next day, which was large 
 and favored. Thence to Lee, a small meeting, and I thought 
 it poorly attended in the middle of the week. I was led to 
 treat the subject with plainness, and to remind Friends of the 
 sufferings of our fore-fathers for that testimony ; and that by 
 their faithfulness, they purchased the liberties we enjoy ; and 
 how lightly they are thought of as appears by neglect in the 
 attendance of our meetings. Next we went to Dover, and from 
 impressions that I felt in attending their mid-week meeting, 
 which was small, I believed many of their members were not 
 there. I felt most easy to call a meeting the next day, when 
 they generally came. I had to speak at large on the subject of 
 Friends' neglect of duty in the attendance of meetings ; bring- 
 ing to mind the testimony we •profess to bear, the integrity of 
 our first worthies, and our reaping the harvest of their 
 faithfulness, showing the responsibility that rested on us, to 
 support the noble testimony. I was mercifully helped to lay 
 these truths so close and tender, that they seemed to settle 
 home on the meeting at that time. May the Lord cause it to 
 be as the nail in a sure place. 
 
 The following meeting was at William Brown's. It was 
 la'rge, and favored with the presence of the .Holy Shepherd of 
 Israel. We attended meeting on first day following, at Ber- 
 wick, which was a trying one to my feelings, for it appeared 
 clear to me, that the form of godliness was much more affected 
 in some of the leaders of the people, than they were concerned 
 for the life of it ; and by these the power of God was rejected 
 in themselves, and by them opposed in others, who were wil- 
 
126 JOURNAL OF 
 
 ling to obey the Truth. The effect was great spiritual desola- 
 tion, heart-broiling and contention amongst the old, while the 
 dear youth were left exposed to the ghtter of the world, too 
 much unassisted, but rather staggered. My feelings were 
 aroused ; I had to put on my armor, and go into the field with 
 the drawn sword of the Spirit, and to wield it under my Mas- 
 ter's banner, until His mighty power rose into dominion, and 
 the battle was turned to the gate for the day. Blessed be His 
 ever Holy name ! I felt great peace, and full relief after this 
 meeting. 
 
 On second day morning, the 12th of '7th month, I set out 
 for Portland with my agreeable Friend, Peter Morrell, for my 
 companion. 13th, we had a meeting in the town — a large, 
 mixed multitude, but in the main, a favored meeting ; but I 
 hurt myself in speaking too fast, and I thint it hurt the force 
 of my testimony ; yet through the unmerited mercies of the 
 Most High, the meeting ended quiet, and the people appeared 
 to feel serious. From here we went to Falmouth, and attended 
 their Preparative Meeting — shut up in silence. At Windham, 
 the day following, and silent there also. We left an appoint- 
 ment for seventh day, hoping way might open to get some re- 
 lief, as my mind seemed loaded, and my heart greatly distressed. 
 There was also a meeting appointed at Gorham on 6th day ; 
 we attended to the appointment — still my mouth was sealed, 
 and the people appeared much disappointed. 
 
 We returned to Windham, where the meeting was large. 
 Here again my lips were sealed, and my heart shut up. I 
 passed the meeting in silence, but not without deep searching 
 of heart, questioning the rectitude of my movements ; for the 
 people were not only disappointed, but some of them dissatis- 
 fied, and thought themselves not well used. This, in addition 
 to my burden, gave no relief, so that I wist not what to do or 
 what to think, until my Lord and Master gave me clearly to 
 see that the appointments were not wrong ; and it was right 
 for me to go, in resignation to His will, and better for me and 
 the people, to be a sign to them, in the will and wisdom 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 
 
 127 
 
 of the Lord, than to speak out of it ; that it was right for me, 
 when the Lord directed, to go from meeting to meeting, and 
 see and feel the states of meetings and the people, in silence, 
 as it was for Nehemiah to view Jerusalem throughout, before 
 he put his hand to the work. This opening fully relieved my 
 mind ; I said, " Good is the will of the Lord, and let it be 
 done." 
 
 The next day and first of the week, we attended Falmouth 
 meeting. In it, I had to lift up my voice like a trumpet, to 
 show many their transgressions, and the high, superficial pro- 
 fessors their sins. The word went forth in its own authority ; 
 the Truth prevailed over all opposition, and the meeting be- 
 came solemn. Magnified be the name of the Lord. 
 
 In the afternoon we attended Portland meeting, which was 
 large, and favored with renewed visitation. Second day we 
 had a meeting at a place called Little Falls, and found a people 
 who professed to be Friends ; but being wanting in the pos- 
 session, it was hard getting along with them to satisfaction. 
 We returned to Portland, and the day following attended their 
 Monthly Meeting at Falmouth. I was silent in the meeting for 
 worship ; in that for discipline, I had satisfactory service on 
 the women's side, and made some remarks to the young menf 
 which gave relief to ray mind. 
 
 The 22d we went to Durham, and attended their Monthly 
 Meeting the next day in suff"ering silence, for things were not 
 in good order amongst them. In the last meeting, way opened 
 to clear my mind in a plain way, but not very pleasing to all 
 of them ; yet the faithful being encourged and rejoiced, I got 
 my penny of peace, and that satisfied me. The next meeting 
 was at Lewistown, on 7th day. First day we were at Leeds, 
 the meeting was large and satisfactory. After meeting we rode 
 to Winthrop ; here we found a little company of goodly 
 Friends, amongst rigid Presbyterians. We had a large, favored 
 meeting here, to the rejoicing of the few, in that the Truth 
 made its way over all opposition. After this we went down 
 the Kennebeck river to Dresden, and had a little raeetmg at 
 
128 JOURNAL OF 
 
 George Ramsdell's. 29th, rode to Bristol and had a meeting 
 there on 6th day, mostly of other societies. Here ray mind 
 was set at liberty ; the truth flowed freely, and settled on the 
 minds of the people. May it last long to their comfort and 
 durable good. Ob, good is the Lord to the children of men. 
 
 On first day, the 1st of 8th month, we were at Camm ; had 
 a considerable gathering of people too much at ease, and insen- 
 sensible of their condition, taken up with the cares of the world ; 
 the few well concerned had about enough to do, to keep their 
 ground ; so thatpainful were myfeelings and laborious my services 
 among them ; but through the mercies of Jehovah, ability was 
 given to relieve my mind and pass from them in peace. Sec- 
 ond day we rode to Kennebeck, and had a meeting there on 
 third day, with a number of sober looking people. I was fa- 
 vored with a short, penetrating testimony, that seemed to reach 
 the minds of the people, and gather them into seriousness of 
 spirit. The meeting ended to my satisfaction. Blessed be the 
 Most High. 
 
 On the 5th of the month we were at Vassalborough East 
 Pond meeting ; after sitting awhile leaning forward, suddenly 
 I felt my mind in a state of stupor, almost to insensibility. I 
 raised up, and looked over the meeting, and to my surprise, I 
 really thought that one quarter of the people were nodding 
 with sleep ; as one waked up, another would fall asleep ; the 
 like I never saw before. At least one half of the meeting had 
 taken a sound sleep. This discomposed me for preaching, and 
 after sitting a long meeting, I arose with this remark, " I con- 
 clude there are many who have come to meeting, expecting to 
 hear a communicetion, but I think I should look like a fool, 
 preaching to a parcel of people asleep, and I am sure I should 
 feel like one." I then sat down and closed the meeting. Ben- 
 jamin Worth, of that place, an aged minister, took me by the 
 hand with these words, " Joseph, I am glad thou hast been 
 favored to keep thy place to day." From this we went to Fair- 
 field, and had a meeting, and returned to East Pond, to attend 
 a meeting by appointment on fiii'st day afternoon ; many cauie 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 129 
 
 to it ; the life of pure religion appeared very low ; the Master 
 of Israel's assemblies was pleased to favor the people with a 
 plentifiil shower of Gospel rain, that seemed to tender the 
 earthly part, and somewhat broke it up ; may it prove to the 
 lasting good of the people, and to the everlasting praise of the 
 Most High, for He is worthy of it. On second day we were at 
 Belgrade, and third day at Sidney. In both these meetings, 
 the overspreading of Divine favor was felt in a renewed visita- 
 tion to the people — may it prove a blessing to them, to the 
 gathering to Shiloh's rest. 
 
 Feeling now clear of these parts we returned to Portland and 
 went to Samuel Hussey's, where I made my home, and was ta- 
 ken as good care of as I could desire. Soon after coming 
 there I was taken sick, so that I could not travel for some time ; 
 but most of the time was able to sit a meeting. My compan- 
 ion returned home ; we parted in mutual friendship. I attend- 
 ed meetings steadily and passed four or five of them in silence, 
 under great depression of spirit, until the last meeting I was at, 
 where all present were members except one. The Lord show- 
 ed me that the cause of the distress I felt in their meetings, was, 
 some of the heads of the people had drawn their swords on 
 their fellows, who were better than themselves ; that they had 
 disordered the flock, and confused the heritage of God, and if 
 there was not a stopping, turning about, and withdrawing the 
 hand from oppressing the innocent, the Lord would arise and 
 make bare His arm. He would turn and overturn; there 
 should be a cutting off to rise no more ; for the Lord would 
 arise and support His depeifdent ones. I had to deliver it all 
 in full plain terms ; felt my mind fully relieved, and at liberty 
 to depart. In about half an hour after the close of the meet- 
 ing, I mounted my horse and rode several miles without look- 
 ing back, or conversing with any, with my mind filled with 
 peace and joy. I went to Falmouth Select Preparative Meet- 
 ing, and attended the Monthly Meeting following. In the 
 meeting for worship I was silent, and in that for business until 
 near the close, I was constrained to stand up and tell them 
 
130 JOURNAL OF 
 
 plainly how it appeared to me some of them had treated their 
 friends ; that the Lord was not pleased with it, and in all their 
 affected zeal and show, the Truth had not been advanced, but 
 hurt, and the feelings of the pure in heart wounded. This ap- 
 peared to offend several, notwithstanding it was acknowledged 
 by Friends that it was so, and they all knew it. In this meet- 
 ing it was shown me in clearness that I was at liberty to take 
 my leave for home, with taking two meetings on my way — a 
 joyful prospect. I informed my friends, and took a solemn 
 farewell. On the 26th of the 8th month, in a feeble state of 
 health, I rode to Livingston, twenty miles. 27th had a favored 
 meeting there which seemed to revive my spirits a little. The 
 28th I rode to Sandwich, New Hampshire, and attended their 
 first-day meeting on the 29th, in which my mind was tried in 
 a singular way for me, for after sitting a considerable time, it 
 was made known to me that the people were waiting on me, 
 and not on the Most High ; looking to me and not to the Lord, 
 which would close my way and I must tell it to the people. The 
 singularity of it tried my mind, but not feeling easy without do- 
 ing it, I gave up, simply told them my feelingsjand sat down ; 
 but soon felt like a vessel pressed full, which wanted vent, and 
 could not have it. In this suffering condition I had to sit as 
 long as meetings commonly hold, until the people gave up their 
 expectation of hearing preaching, and became quiet ; then my 
 way opened in a lengthy, searching testimony, that reached the 
 witness for God in their minds, and broke them down to a ten- 
 der feeling, and an acknowledgment of the truth. Oh ! may the 
 Lord fasten the Truth in their hearts, as a nail in a sure place, 
 and bless the service of the day to the people. 
 
 The 30th of the 8th month I started for home, reaching 
 there in three days, found my family well, and we were mutu- 
 ally glad to see each other once more. 
 
 The following occurrences took place during the foregoing 
 journey : 
 
 Abigail and her husband, with their adherents, (the 
 
 woman who attacked me in the gallery, in my early travel in 
 
JOSEPH noAG. 181 
 
 that part of the country,) entered a complaint against me for 
 preaching false doctrine, and prophesying their downfall. This 
 was when I was on my way for Portland the last time. The 
 Elders came apparently strong. I told them "It was happy for 
 me that I remembered the subject well, and I thought I could 
 repeat the discourse nearly verbatim, for it was a short one.'^ 
 I informed them of the subject, showed in what point of view 
 I held it forth, and the language I closed with, and added this 
 remark, "Who of you can say this is not truth ?" They sat 
 awhile, and the leading Elder said, "Joseph, I am glad to find 
 thee on such good ground ; it is good sound doctrine ; I will 
 not only acquit thee, but I will stand by thee. Do thee keep 
 that ground, and thee will stand." And so we parted. The 
 
 above named Abigail and her husband have since run 
 
 into Rauterism, and are disowned by Friends. 
 
 Shortly after this I stopped at Berwick on my way to Port- 
 land. After meeting, four or five very grave-faced persons came 
 to the house where I was, and with much affected sanctity, 
 questioned me as to how I felt in the company of my intended 
 companion. I answered, "Very well ; he appears an agreeable 
 man." Question — "Dost thou feel no disagreeable feelings 
 when in his company ?" I answered, "No, not at all." The 
 reply was, "I marvel that such a great seer as thou art, can be 
 with such a man and not feel him out. I answered, "Friends, 
 I have no unity with your conduct ; neither do I think you are 
 sound ; for was I such an one as you state, it is neither right 
 nor wise to talk so in my hearing ; it has the appearance of 
 flattery. And that is not all, I am but a man, and can only see 
 the state of a meeting or an individual when my master gives 
 me eyesight. So that it is not me but my master ; these things 
 are at his disposal, and you ought to understand them, to be 
 fit for judges. The reply was, "Well, we hope if thou does 
 feel anything, thou wilt be faithful." I answered, "If I should 
 feel anything I should strongly suspect it arose from what I 
 have heard, and should be very cautious how I meddled. You 
 have blocked up my way, and if there is anything needed to 
 
132 JOURNAL OF 
 
 be done, yoic have s^ot to do it. You ought never to treat any- 
 one as you have treated me, for if there was anything in the 
 way, you ought to have told him, he could not go without do- 
 ing his part to remove the objection ; and if he did not do it, 
 to have provided me with other company, and not let me know 
 anything of the matter. You have had time enough, for some 
 of you were sitting by when he offered his service, and I ac- 
 cepted it. Some might be hurt by such treatment, and get off 
 the right ground ; so that it is clear to me you are wanting in 
 best wisdom. Have you told the Friend of this objection ?" 
 The answer was, "No." Question — "Did you know of it as 
 long ago as when he offered his service? The answer was, 
 "Yes." Question — "Why have you lain still ?" The answer 
 was, "We feel very weak, and were in hopes thee would feel 
 him out." I answered, "Friends, you are wrong; for the Great 
 Master portioneth the work to every servant, and hand-maid, 
 and gives them knowledge what his will is, and ability to do it. 
 It is not reasonable to believe He will lay all the service on one 
 servant ; for without His help they are no more than other 
 men. And now, Friends, for you to want more laid on me than 
 the Master has appointed, is not right; it is an evil covetous- 
 ness, and your prayers are not granted, for I feel as though I 
 had no business with the concern you want me to meddle 
 with ; and you have got to clear my way." At this they seem- 
 ed like people amazed. I then said, "Friends, you have said 
 so much that I must know there is something the matter, and 
 have you looked into the affair, so as to know whether there is 
 a just cause for uneasiness or not ? The answer was, "No." I 
 then replied, "How do you know there is any just cause of 
 complaint ; and if not, what ground is there for me to have any 
 uneasy feelings with the Friend ? Now, Friends, I want you to 
 see where you are. This Friend is in the station of an elder, 
 and so are several of you ; and you are here holding up ideas 
 of reproach against his character, and do not know whether 
 there is any cause for it or not ; and that to a stranger who 
 ought never to hear of it. It is evident you are very unsound 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 133 
 
 or very unfaithful to the righteous cause, and your brother, or 
 both. I have no favorable opinion of such conduct ; I have no 
 unity with it." 
 
 Here again was a silence ; at length it was proposed for me 
 to lay by a day or two, for them to look up company for me. 
 I then told them I had been gone from home, going on two 
 years. I left a wife in small circumstances, with a large family 
 of children, in a poor log house, and that I did not feel easy to 
 idle away one minute ; therefore, if they would provide me a 
 pilot, if it was only a youngster, who knew the way to Portland, 
 I would take up with it, but they must let the Friend know 
 why he was rejected. They answered, we expect thee to do 
 that. I told them, that I would not do, unless I had the lib- 
 erty to make use of their names as the objectors, and to do it 
 by their request, for in my feelings I had no objection. I then 
 pressed them to go and see the Friend, as he was near by, but 
 could not move them thereto. It was then proposed for me to 
 go with him to Portland, and then dismiss him and send him 
 home, and was asked if I would do it. I said, by your orders, 
 and not without. I was answered, that would not do, for he 
 would then take them in the discipline ; but they thought I 
 might tell him I was not easy to travel with him, for they did 
 not see how I could feel easy knowing how they felt. I told 
 them that part of their uneasiness, as respected themselves, I 
 could tell him, but as to make any pretentions of uneasy feel- 
 ings as my own, when it is not so, only to gratify your feelings, 
 when you do not know whether there is any just cause for 
 those feelings or not, that would be playing the hypocrite ; 
 that I should not do for any of you. I shall act candid, open 
 and honorable with all men ; my station calls for this, and as 
 for making any pretentions of Divine impressions or revelations, 
 when I did not feel it, it was in my opinon very near blasphe- 
 my ; that, while I had my senses, I should never do ; and as for 
 their exposing themselves to the discipline, they had already 
 done it, was I to tell what they had said, and they had no 
 way to get out unless they denied their own talk ; but that I 
 
134 JOURNAL OP 
 
 was not disposed to do if tliey would treat the matter honor- 
 ably with the Friend according to gospel order and provide me 
 with company, I would go along quietly. They then concluded 
 to go and see the Friend ; but shortly returned and told me 
 they did not see that they could attend to it, and had concluded 
 to let the Friend go with me, but hoped I wonld see my way 
 clear to dismiss him, after I got amongst Friends again. I then 
 took up the subject. " Friends, you seem determined to place 
 me in a situation that you can criminate me or make me hurt 
 myself; for look at it, for to send the Friend back, without 
 good reasons — he comes back, he has his friends, and perhaps 
 many of them ; he is a man of sense, and knows what good 
 usage is ; his friends ask him why he returns so soon ; lie an- 
 swers, Joseph Hoag sent me home. Where from ? As soon 
 as I got to Portland. For what? I do not know; I went 
 with him for the respect I had for him, and waited on him as 
 well as I knew bow, and did all I could to make him comforta- 
 ble. When I got there he told me to go home, without a rea- 
 son, only he was not free to travel with me. He tells this to 
 his good friends, and perhaps these are one-half of your Month- 
 ly Meeting. What would be the remark? Why, I did not 
 take Joseph Hoag to be such a man. He answers, neither did 
 I ; but so it is. Now see what a block this would put in their 
 minds, should I have a mind to come into this country again. 
 What good would it do for me to preach to them ? I might 
 as well preach to the stumps. What excuse could I plead ? 
 Could I say it was acting the Christian — doing as I would be 
 done by ? No ! and you would not, neither, was you in his 
 place. Is it acting the gentleman? No ! Is it acting the 
 brother ? No ! Friends, this will not do. Now take it on 
 the other hand ; suppose it to be as you have stated, in the 
 minds of many others, that I am a favored man, and a seer, 
 and after I am gone there does actually come to light some 
 conduct of his that is scandalous, what would be the language 
 of these people ? Would it not be like this, how could that 
 good man and great seer go off" with that monstrous h^^ocrite 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 135 
 
 and he have no sense of it ? Here you may see they are stag- 
 gered and blocked up. Would not the result be, O, I do not 
 believe there is ;^so much in religion as they tell of, and so the 
 good is destroyed that they might have been benefitted by. 
 
 This brought tears into some of their eyes, and they faithful- 
 ly promised me that if any of these occurrences take place that 
 they would inform the people I had been long from home, and 
 was in haste to get along ; there was no other to go, and 
 it was a matter of necessity, and that my credit should not be 
 hurt, and were willing the Friend should go with me ; and 
 they hoped he would not be burdensome, and so we parted. 
 
 The Friend went, I found him pleasant, agreeable, kind com- 
 pany as my heart could desire. I never so much as hinted a 
 word of this to him, but when we parted I looked him in the 
 face and said, Peter, I want thee to keep thy eyes in thy own 
 head, and take care how thee steps. He answered, I under- 
 stand thee, and so we parted. He went home and found what 
 a report had gone abroad, and by whom. He took it up and 
 made some of these very Friends go about the neighborhood 
 and take back their own talk, and testify the report was false. 
 That stilled and ended the uproar. 
 
 Another that ITiave to record is, as I was passing through 
 that Yearly Meeting, I often heard spo- 
 ken of as the greatest minister in the Yearly Meeting — a 
 man of great talents, and a fine man, which made me crave to 
 get to his house as soon as I could. But alas ! when I got 
 there I was plunged into such distress and darkness as I am 
 not able to describe. I knew not what to think of myself, for I 
 durst not think anything but good concerning him. When I 
 went to his meeting the next day, it was hard enough, and 
 seemed all dark ; this puzzled me much. He offered to pilot 
 us to several meetings, which I readily accepted, thinking I 
 should have some good help. He preached at every meeting, 
 but alas, I got no help, neither could I find where his preach- 
 ing came from. I durst not think otherwise than that it was 
 all good, and the fault was all in me, until I got so that I could 
 
136 JOURNAL OP 
 
 hardly contain myself, my agony was so great. I went alone, 
 and exclaimed in my heart, " Lord, have mercy, what have I 
 done ? " And I was answered in as intelligible language as ever 
 I heard vocally with my natural ear, " it is nothing thou hast 
 
 done ; it is on account of that thy feelings are as they 
 
 are, and thou hast got a close message to deliver to him for 
 Me ; see that thou do it faithfully." This brought me very 
 low ; it looked great, he being in high standing, and looked 
 upon as a great man, but I durst not think of giving back ; the 
 Lord had shown me what the message was, and I was afraid. 
 I prayed the Lord to make and open a way, and give strength 
 
 to do my duty. I think it was the next day entered 
 
 into a long detail of the distressing days and nights he had 
 passed through of late, so that he had almost despaired. After 
 getting through he turned to me and said, " Joseph, what dost 
 thou think of me ? " I replied, " at a suitable time I am 
 willing to tell thee." We rode on until we came to a Friend's 
 house. I soon gave a motion ; we walked into a field and sat 
 down. I soon began with these words, " I have un- 
 dergone much exercise on thy account, and I believe it has 
 been given to me to see in that light, in which there is no de- 
 ception, how it is with thee. It appears to'me thou hast been 
 one that has been annointed with the royal oil, and has had an 
 excellent gift in the ministry bestowed on thee, and has been 
 promoted to ride the King's horse, and to be arrayed with the 
 royal robe. The proclamation went forth, this shall be done 
 to the man whom the King dehghteth to honor. But when 
 thou rode the King's horse, thou forgot to remember mercy. 
 Thou hast put thy foot on the necks of those that were as right- 
 eous as thou ever wast, and hast trodden them down. And 
 thou may think it a favor, if thou art permitted to undergo 
 enough to atone for the evil thou hast done to them that are 
 as good as thyself. And if thou live through it, thou hast got 
 to go over all the country, where thou hast put on these yokes 
 and burdens, and take them all off. And if thou refuse to do this 
 thou will be left to fall to the bottom of the hill and shall never 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 137 
 
 rise any more." He seemed to struggle under it a little while, 
 ^then looked up and said, " thou art a stranger and I will not 
 jet angry with thee," arose, turned his back on me and walked 
 to the house. In a short time we parted. I named one of the 
 Friends he had trodden down ; the blood flashed in his face. I 
 
 said in my heart, poor — — is gone, for warning he will not 
 
 take. And it proved so. I have not seen him since to speak 
 with him. Afterwards he took to ardent spirits, and in a very 
 few years got so as to give way to immoral conduct, and used pro- 
 fane language, for which he was taken up and was turned out of the 
 Select Meeting, and his ministry disowned ; but he begged so 
 hard that after awhile Friends accepted an acknowledgement, 
 and let him stand a member, and there he stands, his credit 
 and influence lost, and is at the bottom of the hill. 
 
 I have written these accounts, my children, for you to look 
 at, believing the circumstances are such that if you will read 
 candid, and think on them seriously, they will afibrd usefiil and 
 corufortable instruction several ways, through life, and to your 
 children after you. 
 
 Here I oMse my account of this long journey in which I had 
 to pass through many deep tribulations, and witnessed the 
 Lord to be my helper in every needful time, and in the might 
 of His streng-th I was enabled to run through the troops that I 
 met with, and to leap the walls of opposition that were raised in 
 my way. Glory, honor and everlasting praise, be ascribed to 
 the Holy name of the great King of Heaven, for all His mer- 
 cies that endure forever. 
 
 I think best to relate two occurrences that took place while 
 I was at Nova Scotia. The first was in a short time after I left 
 Halifax. There came a message to me to know if five hundred, 
 pounds Halifax money, a good sized house, well furnished, a 
 cow, kept the year round, and brought to my door to be 
 milked, and a ' horse and chaise the year round, at my com- 
 mand, with all my wood cut at the door, and at the close, I 
 was earnestly desired to let them know if the salary was 
 enough to make me satisfied to come and settle with them. 
 9 
 
138 JOURNAL 0¥ 
 
 This brought a close trial over my mind ; not that the offer 
 was any temptation any more than the dust I trod on, but how 
 to get along with the business, and not hurt the people, nor the 
 good cause. But, beyond my expectation, way opened to give 
 them my reasons why I could not comply with their desire, in 
 so plain a way, they understood me, and in that pleasant way, 
 that they took no offence, and we parted very friendly. 
 
 The other was in another part of the country. They offered 
 me a farm of five hundred acres of land, sixty acres under good 
 improvement, with a good house and barn on it, for one hundred 
 pounds, and they would fiirnish it with five cows and a yoke of 
 oxen, a span of horses, and all farming utensils ; and all these I 
 should have at my own price, and from seven to fifteen years to 
 pay it in, and without interest. And they thought I might ac- 
 cept this offer, for it would not be taking a reward for preaching, 
 but only accepting a chance that would put me in a situation 
 that I could attend to my duty without being embarrassed, or my 
 family suffering want. This, I had much more of a task to open 
 in all its bearings, so that they could clearly understand me, and 
 to show them in what point of view I stood, and the difference 
 between their views and mine ; and when they understood, 
 they acknowledged that I could not accept it, and they be- 
 lieved I was sincere, and they must give it up ; but they were 
 sorry. So we parted very friendly and loving, which I thought 
 a great favor. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 I now return to the time of my setting out on my joumo} to 
 New England and the British Provinces in 1801, at which 
 time we had two candid, faithful overseers, their standing faith- 
 ful with a few other Friends, for the support of order and dis- 
 cipline, and being opposed by others often made hard getting 
 along ; the latter, who complained of discipline doing hurt, 
 would oppose in nearly every case, taking up or calling to an 
 account any of our members for evil conduct. One of these 
 overseers took a piece of work to do for two men, (zealous 
 members of the Methodist Society), to the amount of sixty 
 dollars. They acknowledged the work was done to their full 
 satisfaction, but when the Friend called for his money they ut- 
 terly refused to pay him. The Friend urged his claim, upon 
 which they went to the Friends who opposed discipline. The 
 latter went to the Friend, (two of them being Elders who had 
 been brought over to the libeftine sentiment), and ordered him 
 to give up his demand. He asked, for what ? They said the 
 men would not pay it ; and if he contended for it, it would 
 make a great noise, and that would be a scandal to society. He 
 let them know he should venture that. They then told him if 
 he did not comply with their orders, be peaceable, and say no 
 more about it, they would carry a complaint against him for 
 being contentious, and refusing the advice of Friends ; and ac- 
 cordingly did so, but could not make their matters, work, till 
 they charged the Friend with disunity. In this plausible way 
 they got him and his associate dismissed from being overseers, 
 and had twO Appointed of their own choosing who presented a 
 complaint that was never supported, and got it into the meet- 
 
140 JOURNAL OF 
 
 ing, and a committee appointed. By this time the Monthly 
 Meeting was about equally divided and all in an uproar. The 
 committee was as equally divided, being two on each side, and 
 80 it was continued until my return, the Friend still insisting 
 on having a hearing, and his evidence heard, as his witnesses 
 were credible persons, stating he could prove the charges false. 
 
 Two of the committee absolutely insisted that there should 
 be no proof heard, neither should they be suffered to speak 
 against what the Elders had stated. The other two were as 
 absolute on the other side, as to the Friend having his rights. 
 But in order to carry their point, they got a Baptist man to 
 take up the business as his own, who in truth, was not present, 
 and knew nothing of the bargain, only what the Methodists 
 told him, and then brought them in for witnesses, so by false 
 witness they so placed the business that the Friend could not 
 recover. He brought forward one witness who stated the truth, 
 and told Friends and others concerned, that he had another 
 which he should produce before the business ended. They 
 wanted to know who that witness was, but the Friend would 
 not tell them. (I being the other witness and absent from 
 home on Truth's service, was the reason of his declining to tell 
 them who his other witness was, thinking it might unprofitably 
 embarrass me if I was written to on the subject, and he chose 
 to wait for my return.) 
 
 The next day, I think, after I got home, one of the Elders 
 came to my house and stated to me that the Friend was a won- 
 derful liar, and it was proved by the two Methodists he had 
 called on for paymeiit, but the Baptist man had the business, 
 and the Friend had to look to him for it. I asked the Elder 
 how he knew that ? He said it was all proved by the two 
 Methodists. I asked if they had no other evidence ? He an- 
 swered, No. I asked what they stated, and he told me. I 
 then asked what the Friend stated ; he told me. I asked if 
 the Friend had no evidence? He said, yes, one, and said he 
 had another, but does not produce him, or tell who he is, and 
 by such kind of equivocation and lying, he deceives many 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 141 
 
 Friends, and we cannot disown him. I am glad thon hast got 
 home. I hope thou wilt help us. By this time I felt poorly. 
 I began to see how the situation of affairs stood. I then looked 
 on the Elder, and remarked, that the Baptist had no more 
 business with it than he, or any other man ; that the Friend 
 had stated the truth, and his witness had stated the truth, and 
 that those men had falsely sworn money into their own pock- 
 ets, for they were the men who employed the Friend, and the 
 money was due from them ; for I was the other witness, and 
 there were no others by, when the agreement was made, but 
 myself and the other witness, excepting the parties. The El- 
 der looked at me with a stem countenance, and with a strong 
 voice, said, " Joseph, do thou never tell this again, for thou 
 art now in unity with Friends, and if thou tell this, thou wilt 
 lose thy unity with Friends and never travel any more." I re- 
 plied, what didst thou ever see in me to make thee think that 
 the fear of man could induce me to withhold the truth in a 
 case of suffering innocence. No, Friend, if I am called on in 
 this case I shall tell the truth before any tribunal At this an- 
 swer he seemed offended and left me ; but when I came to the 
 Monthly Meeting I found it in such a state as I never saw a 
 meeting in before. 
 
 When this subject came before the meeting, I requested to 
 have it lie over one month, that I might have an opportunity 
 to see the committee, and those who had acted in the case, to- 
 gether with the Friend, which was strongly objected to by the 
 Elder, and several others, and he, in a taunting manner held 
 up, that public Friends had no business to meddle with disci- 
 pline, neither with contention between members in* any case, 
 and gave me a severe reprunand. This grated my feelings,, 
 and I returned a warm reply, which silenced him and his abet- 
 tors, but this did not do the meeting or me any good. I had 
 to suffer for it, but the meeting laid the business over. Yet I 
 was not allowed the opportunity I requested. This so tried 
 my feelings that a little before the next Monthly Meeting, I 
 took my horse and went away, to be absent at that time, but 
 
142 JOURNAL OF 
 
 there being so many dissatisfied, the meeting put it over again. 
 This brought them to, and when I came to open all I knew, 
 and give the business a fair statement, and show them what 
 could bo supported, a number of them who had been drawn 
 into a party, backed out, which so far started them that they 
 proposed a trial for settlement. I advised the Friend to ease 
 away all he could consistently, and after several hours, it was 
 brought to a settlement, all persons excepting one member, 
 agreed that they would be satisfied ; although the Friend did 
 not obtain his right as he ought. But when the monthly 
 meeting came, the committee would not report, though they 
 were present at the settlement, and all agreed to it but one. 
 In this way it was continued for several months. The meeting 
 grew uneasy, took the business up, and appointed a second 
 committee to call on the first, and find their reasons for not 
 complying with the meeting's directions ; also to search into 
 the business and report. The latter committee attended 
 strictly to directions, and reported, (two of the former commit- 
 tee uniting with them), that they were satisfied with what the 
 Friend had done. The other two reported they had visited 
 him to no satisfaction ; but the meeting chose to receive the 
 report of the second committee, and put an end to the 
 business. This so vexed them, that they pursued him and 
 others, who were disposed to maintain discipline, as it ought 
 to be, that they kept murmuring, and complaining against dis- 
 cipline, and would spiritualize it into lily meaning they wanted, 
 and in this way they disordered our meeting at times for twen- 
 ty years. 
 
 At length there was a difficulty between two Friends, in a 
 neighboring meeting. The case came to the Quarterly Meet- 
 ing, where a committee of seven was appointed, of which I was 
 one. We agreed to pay no attention to reports, or parties, 
 but to go into the merits of the case by proof, and we kept to ' 
 it with a steady eye, to close the business with truth and jus- 
 tice, and let each party make the best defense they could by 
 proof. The Friend who had been harrassed so muclj in our 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 143 
 
 Monthly Meeting, was the first who was brought on for a wit- 
 ness in this case. His testimony appeared clear and correct, 
 but was denied by one, until it was confirmed by several of the 
 first characters ; then he gave it up, and owned that the testi- 
 mony was truth. Of course, judgment went against him. This 
 ofifended some of his party so much, that they advised their 
 fellow to refase compliance, and accordingly he did so. 
 
 There being a committee appointed by the Yearly Meeting, 
 to visit the Monthly Meetings, and labor for the support of dis- 
 cipline, they came while things were in this unsettled state. 
 They did not go into the merits of the difficulty, but insisted 
 that all should be dropped where it was, and be at peace. I 
 told them that would not do, for there was a company that al- 
 ways had been contentious, and sought to hurt those who were 
 concerned to support discipline ; but they would not believe 
 me, and quashed the business until they got out of sight. It 
 was but a short time before the person, failing in all his attacks, 
 got another member to join with him. They persuaded a 
 Methodist to enter a complaint for perjury against the first wit- 
 ness in the above case, and that they would support it. They 
 prevailed with him and attested enough to obtain an indict- 
 ment. It went into the Court, and was not decided for more 
 than two^ years, and there, in the Supreme Court, the Friend 
 brought on his witnesses, and I being one of them, gave good 
 attention. I heard these two members whose testimonies ob- 
 tained the indictmentp and one more member, come forward 
 and give in testimony to support the indictment, under affirm- 
 ation as false as false could be. Then there were five other 
 members called up, w^ho felt it our duty to tell the truth. This 
 led to expose the whole business, before a great body of peo- 
 ple. The Friend was cleared by public proclamation. There 
 were others standing by who could witness what the five testi- 
 fied, but the Judge would have no more witnesses, and ex- 
 claimed, "You cannot criminate the prisoner at the bar, and 
 ■why will you try ? Here are five witnesses of the first charac- 
 ter, and we know them, and they agree ; they tell one thing, 
 
144 JOURNAL OF 
 
 and neither two of you agree ;" then exclaimed, "Monstrous ! 
 there is a monstrous mistake made by some of you." 
 
 I have given the particulars, finding some of that class had 
 reported that the indictment was never fairly tried, which is 
 entirely false, except that the Friend indicted was stopped from 
 bringing all his witnesses, and they brought all they had. This 
 decision very much put a stop to the libertine class, and we 
 had much more peaceable times. 
 
 I shall now relate some of the conduct and events that fol- 
 lowed the two overseers who carried in the complaint against 
 the Friend. They both were men in good circumstances as to 
 a living, and one a thriving man; but soon after they took 
 their stand they began to go down, and in a few years became 
 very poor, and every way they seemed to be blasted, and at 
 last were both disowned. Their families are gone from Friends 
 also, and parents and children are gone from good living, and 
 good credit, to poverty and want, and have taken their rank 
 amongst the libertine rabble of the world. I note these events, 
 my children, for your instruction, knowing them to be true, in 
 hopes they will be precepts to guard you from being drawn 
 into a fixed belief, by hearing one side, either against, or in fa- 
 vor of a person, or cause, until you know the truth to the bot- 
 tom, and see what justice and truth are ; then, abide by that 
 standard, without fearing man ; then you will always have the 
 Lord on your side, who will uphold the innocent, and rebuke 
 the guilty; as I have seen in this case, in several instances. 
 The two before mentioned Methodists, were men of handsome 
 property, and of good credit in the world ; now one of them is 
 as poor, as he well can be, having become a drunkard, and 
 acknowledges that a blast and a curse, has followed him ever 
 since, for his conduct to the Friend. The other who was not 
 so spiteful, but who went hand-in-hand to defraud the Friend, 
 has run down, and is brought into straitened circumstances ; 
 and things seem continually going against hira. He has con- 
 fessed that he always knew, that the Friend was wronged. The 
 Baptist was a man of heavy property, but in a few years was so 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 145 
 
 run, as to be confined in jail for debt for several years, and 
 died a prisoner, leaving the most of bis family very poor, and 
 bis estate deeply in debt. Tbe libertine class, by out-door com- 
 plaining, and telling pitiful tales, affecting grief with sanctimo- 
 nious countenances, drew in many honest-hearted Friends, to 
 their own hurt. This they did at home and abroad, while the 
 upright felt bound not to tattle or speak evil of any ; and it 
 appeared the libertines thought they had a great advantage ; 
 and they made use of it ; but it all failed them. The truth at 
 last had the victory. Those who were drawn in, fared with the 
 rest. There was one who had a fine gift in the ministry, very 
 acceptable to his Mends ; but when he sallied off with the con- 
 tentious, his gift dwindled away, and ceased to be ; and he be- 
 came a poor, sleepy, thing, appearing like the heath in the desert. 
 So we may see that being deceived will not excuse us ; for the God 
 of all grace, gives a sufiicient measure of Light and Truth, which 
 if kept to, with a single eye, will preserve us from all'deception, 
 and enable to see it, and through it, and will bind the mind to 
 the law, and testimony, of the Spirit of Life ; where He sustain- 
 eth those who put their whole trust in him, even when the 
 mighty billows pass over the head, can my soul truly say. 
 
 Here I close this disagreeable account, having lived to see 
 the rise, progress and fall of those who arose against truth and 
 order. I now have to acknowledge, that it was of the Lord's 
 mercies, who upheld and sustained His little ones, through all 
 this fiery trial. Blessed be His holy name, and exalted be His 
 power and goodness over all forevemiore. 
 
 In the year 1804 I felt drawings of Gospel love, to visit the 
 scattered Friends and others, in the eastern parts of my own 
 Quarterly Meeting. I obtained the unity of my Friends, and 
 attended the Quarterly Meeting in the 11th month, at Danby ; 
 went from there to Easton, and attended their Monthly Meet- 
 ing; the day following I was at Saratoga Monthly Meeting, 
 where I had to bear a close, searching testimony, found things 
 much out of order and a great want of love and good will 
 ajnong them. The next first-day I was at Galway Meeting. 
 
146 JOURNAL OF 
 
 It was large and favored with the over-shadowings of good. 
 On second-day I attended their Monthly Meeting where I found 
 it my place to be a silent preacher. This sometimes is better 
 for the people than words. Third-day, I had an appointed 
 meeting at Upper Greenfield, where I had to exhort the peo- 
 ple in moving language, to be faithful to the knowledge already 
 received, as the only way to grow in grace and in the saving 
 knowledge of the Lord. That evening I had a meeting at the 
 house of Israel Kelsey, a few miles from Friends ; a crowded 
 meeting and favored time. The next, I was at Queensbury, 
 and fell in with Asa Smith, on the same route. After making 
 our visit here, we went to Chester; where there are a few 
 Friends, and had a meeting with them, also two, among a com- 
 pany of rigid Baptists in that part of the country. It 
 was heavy getting along with them. We took our depar- 
 ture, and went to Granville, by the way of Queensbury; were 
 at Granville Preparative Meeting, where I saw no room to 
 preach to them, neither did Asa communicate much ; it seemed 
 a closed up, suffering time. From here we went to Danby, 
 were at their Monthly Meeting. Here we were nearly united 
 in close, plain labor, with a people much like some formerly, 
 who believed they were rich and lacked nothing; wise and 
 able to judge those, who were of the synagogue of Satan, when 
 in truth, they were so in the spirit of the world, atid pursuit of 
 its riches, that they knew not how they were blinded, or how 
 naked they appeared, in the sight of the Searcher of all hearts ; 
 or that they had fallen from their first love ; therefore, they 
 were not willing to part with their possessions, to buy soft rai- 
 ment or gold tried in the furnace, that they might be rich. 
 Though the exercise and labor were painful, and deep sorrow 
 was our lot ; yet good was the Lord, who gave strength to la- 
 bor, so as to feel clear of them, and the evidence of "well done" 
 was felt. 
 
 First day, the 2d of 12th month, we had a meeting near the 
 Creek ; many came to it not of our Society, and many young 
 people. The Lord had compassion on them ; He brake the 
 
JOSEPH HOA&. 147 
 
 bread, and fed them to the full. Oh, that they would gather 
 up the fragments, and let nothing be lost. On second day, we 
 rode to Mount Holly, and third day, visited the families of that 
 little meeting. On fourth day we attended the meeting there, 
 the well-springs of life were low, and sorrow was our bitter 
 meat at this place, on the account of unfaithfulness ; we were 
 grieved, as it was a stumbling block to others. Here our labors 
 together closed, Asa feeling easy to go home, we parted in 
 mutual friendship on the sixth of the 12th month. 
 
 I went for Weston, and got there in the evening ; stopped 
 and had a small meeting at Land Grove, and another at Weston ; 
 in both ability was given to do the work of the day. The 9th 
 and first of the week. We had a meeting in Derry, at the house 
 of Samuel Arnold, who was a well behaved man, and entertained 
 us kindly. The meeting was large — the people sat soberly — 
 gave good attention, and appeared to be well satisfied. The 
 evening following, I had a meeting near Andover, amongst a 
 people who sought to get to heaven an easier way than by the 
 Cross of Christ ; preferring ease, to faithfulness to known duty. 
 I had to proclaim the notable day of the Lord, which would 
 shake all false rests, and search out all false coverings. The 
 next, we went to Ludlow, and had a meeting at the house of a 
 family by the name of Havens. It was not large, yet it was a 
 favored meeting, and much rejoiced some tender, seeking minds. 
 The Friend, who had been with me several days, left me, and 
 Anthony Nichols took his place. I was glad of his company. 
 We went to Hanover and got to John Williams' on the 12th. 
 The 13th we had a large meeting in the neighborhood; the 
 people were civil, and the Lord gave strength for the day, and 
 utterance for the time. I was enabled to bear a clear, faithful 
 testimony, to and for the Truth, amongst a mixed multitude. 
 The meeting ended quietly, and the people retired with a sober 
 countenance. The 14th we rode to Stafford, and went to Al- 
 exander Presson's. The 15th we had a meeting in that neigh- 
 borhood. 
 
148 JOURNAL OF 
 
 On first day, the 16th, we had a meeting at Timothy Blade's. 
 In both the above meetings, close, plain labor, was my lot, 
 amongst a people who had known better days than they now 
 enjoy. In the evening we had a meeting at Preserved Taft's. 
 It was full and richly favored with a renewed and tendering 
 visitation to the people of that place. Oh ! may it not be like 
 the early dew, that soon passes away. The iVth we had a 
 meeting at Matthew Herrinton's. More people came in than 
 I expected, it being a windy day, and the snow flew much. 
 This was a season of mourning. There had once been a Friend's 
 Meeting kept in these parts, in a hopeful state ; but they not 
 being enough on their guard, got into contention, and their 
 meeting dropped. The old fire had not yet gone out. I had 
 to labor close and plain with them ; cleared my mind and felt 
 well relieved. 1 8th, parted with Anthony Nichols, in good 
 unity, he wanting to go home. The 19th, I started with Tim- 
 othy Blake, for Charleston, in New Hampshire, to answer a re- 
 quest of George Churchman, and with one day's search found 
 all that could be found, of what he wanted, and sent it to him. 
 The 21st we returned to John Williams', in Hanover. The 
 22d we had a meeting near the College, at the house of Ezekiel 
 Baldwin. To it came a number who were high in their feel- 
 ings, and full of high notions. This brought deep exercise over 
 my mmd, until the Lord of Hosts was pleased to send forth his 
 word with power, and his Truth in clearness, which made its 
 way and prevailed. Their partition walls gave way; their high 
 feelings came down, and Ti-uth reigned, to the praise of the 
 name of the Most High. First day, the 23d, I had a meeting 
 in the East part of Hanover, and a number of seeking people 
 came to it. I felt the Gospel to flow to them, and it settled on 
 them as the dew, to the 1»endering of many minds. May the 
 Lord bless the favor of the day to them, and hold them as in 
 the hollow of His hand. The 24th, we returned to Timothy 
 Blake's. The 35th, had a meeting at Benjamin Folsom's, in 
 Tunbridge, where, after having a favored, solid meeting, and 
 closed the same, they being what is called New Lights, went 
 
JOSEPH HO AG, 149 
 
 into their manner of worship, for several Lours. They soon 
 destroyed all the precious life that had been felt in the meeting 
 before. It being evening, I had nowhere else to go, and had 
 to stay, see and hear it all. They kept the noise agoing until 
 they wearied themselves. They then went off by one and two, 
 and tapered off until there were none left. I had some discourse 
 with Folsom on the subject, but he insisted it was perfectly 
 right. I had a wearisome night, and was glad when morning 
 came. I pitied them, and left them. The 26th, I rode to Ezra 
 Sleeper's, in Corinth, and had a large, favored meeting at his 
 house. The power of the Lord was felt to be over all. The 
 2'7th had another meeting in Corinth. It was also large, and a 
 favored, humbling time. The 28th, I had a meeting at Chelsea, 
 and had the company of the high and gay. I had to come to 
 close, plain work, and was strengthened through Divine Mer- 
 cy, to perform the service of the day, to the relief and peace of 
 my mind. 
 
 The 29th, I rode to Montpelier. First day, the 1 3th, attended 
 that meeting, in which I had close labor, and felt well satisfied. 
 31st, I had another small meeting in Montpelier; after that I 
 felt clear to look towards home, where I arrived the 2d of 1st 
 month, 1805, and found my family well, to my comfort. 
 
 In the year 1806, a prospect opened with weight on my 
 mind, to visit the meetings of Friends in the. south and east 
 parts of our Yearly Meeting. I opened it in the Monthly- 
 Meeting, and had their consent. The 7th of the 2d month, I 
 left home, with Nicholas Battey for a companion, and went to 
 Danby, and on first day, the 9th, sat through the meeting in 
 deep suffering, with sealed lips. We had an appointed meeting 
 in the afternoon, in the Valley, where way opened to get relief. 
 The comforting presence of the Lord was felt to crown the 
 meeting. The 10th, we rode toEaston. The 11th, I attended 
 our Select Quarter, where we had the company of Mary New- 
 bold and Elizabeth Coleman, two goodly ministers from Bur- 
 lington, New Jersey. We had a favored Quarterly Meeting, 
 and from it I went to White Creek, and on the 14th had a la- 
 
150 JOURNAL OF 
 
 borioiis meeting there, having to encounter ease, and a worldly 
 spirit. I was mercifully helped to relieve my mind, so as to 
 feel satisfied. On the 15th, we rode to Adams. 16th, we at- 
 tended their first day meeting, where, after sitting some length 
 of time under deep exercise, and much strippedness of spirit, 
 way opened in Gospel light and life, to deliver a testimony 
 which much relieved my mind, and was a comfort and satisfac- 
 tion to my friends. We' then went to Hancock, where were a 
 few Friends, and on the l7th, appointed a meeting there, which 
 though not large, was favored with the owning presence of Is- 
 rael's King. After it, we went to John Gorton's for the night, 
 and found a large family of children, several grown up. In the 
 evening, we had a solemn, tendering opportunity in the family, 
 much to the satisfaction of the parents, and sweet peace of my 
 mind. 18th, we passed on to New Britain, having John Gor- 
 ton for our pilot. This was a large meeting. The 19th, we 
 had a meeting at Clinakiln, which was also large. In both 
 these meetings, I had painful labor, there being much of a 
 worldly spirit and self-confidence among Friends — states hard 
 to touch. I passed from them with a heavy heart. 
 
 The 21st, we had a meeting in Hudson, which was a large 
 gathering, and a deeply exercising time, it being the place 
 where Hannah Barnard had sown much of her infidel seed, so 
 that there was great coolness in the minds of many ; yet they 
 would come to meetings when strangers passed along. Through 
 Divine Goodness, ability was given to bear a faithful testimony, 
 which gave me fall relief. On the 22d, we traveled to Little 
 Nine Partners. First day, the 23d, we attended that meeting. 
 The 24th, we had a meeting at Stanford. The 25th, we had a 
 meeting at the Creek — my native place. The 26th, had a meet- 
 ing at Crumb Elbow. From there we went to Poughkeepsie, 
 and had a satisfactory meeting in the town. In the above 
 meetings heart searching exercise was much my lot, for a world- 
 ly spirit and a state of ease had got so much the ascendency 
 in many minds, that it was trying to my feelings to be faithful 
 to the openings of my gift ; but in faithfulness, I found great 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 151 
 
 peace. I liad now and tlien to drop the language of encour- 
 agement, to the honest and upright ; this was pleasant. We 
 had a meeting in Pleasant Valley, a comfortable time, the 
 meeting ended sweetly. The 1st of 3d month, we had a meet- 
 ing at the West Branch, Oswego. First day, the 2d, we at- 
 tended Nine Partners meetiDg, where I had to come to plain 
 work amongst the great ones, and had peace in obedience. On 
 2d day, we had a meeting at Old Oswego, and the day follow- 
 ing at Apoquague. Here I had to see the ways of Zion mourn, 
 and to mourn with her, in seeing her walls trodden down, by 
 some who ought to have been repairers of her breaches. 
 
 We were next at the Ridge meeting. From there we went to 
 the Little meeting. West Branch, Oblong, and proceeded to 
 West Hartford, Connecticut, and attended their meeting. We 
 found them in a tried situation, on account of some who had 
 dissented from them, and were disposed for clamour. Not 
 feeling easy to leave, we staid until after their Monthly Meeting, 
 and then passed on to New Milford, got there on the 13th and 
 had a meeting with them on the 14th. There were many 
 present who were not of our society. It was a time of favor ; 
 many minds were tendered, and brought to remember "the 
 rock from whence they were hewn, and the hole of the pit from 
 whence they were digged," and to acknowledge to the Trath ; 
 may it prove a time of profitable planting to that people. 
 
 The 15th, we rode to Middlesex, and the 16th, the first of 
 the week, notice being given, there came in a number of sober 
 countenanced people, for whom I nearly felt — it being a day of 
 favor — for the inhabitants of that part of the country are so in- 
 fested with hireling priests, that if a little light break forth 
 amongst the people, they bestir themselves to cast a veil over 
 it, so that it seemed mournful, and I pitied the people. 1 7th, 
 we crossed the East Eiver, at Rye Ferry, and went to Stephen 
 Titus', and being much unwell, I stopped until after their 
 Monthly Meeting at Westbury, on the 19th, where, not finding 
 any commission to preach, I passed the meeting in silence. 
 20th, we attended Jericho Monthly Meeting, v/here I had a 
 
152 JOURNAL OF 
 
 stort, close testimony, and was well rewarded by my Good 
 Master. 21st, we had a meeting at Matinicock. Here, having 
 a clear, extensive opening, on a deep subject, I mused on it 
 and put it off, until I lost the right time and best strength, and 
 thereby wounded myself and hurt the meeting, and had to 
 suffer deeply for it. The next meeting was at Cow Neck, and 
 having learned by the things I had suffered, I endeavored to 
 mind my Master's business more attentively, and was favored 
 to get through the service of the day to good satisfaction to 
 myself and Friends. 23d, first day, we were at Flushing, where 
 it pleased the Master of Israel's assemblies to lift up the light 
 of His countenance, and raise the standard of Truth, and set 
 its dominion over all. After this meeting, I felt arrested to go 
 into New York City, and appoint a meeting for second day 
 evening the 24th, at Pearl street meeting house. This brought 
 close exercise, as I never had appointed a meeting in the city ; but 
 seeing no way to turn to the right or left hand, I gave up, went 
 to the city, and opened my prospect to Friends. They strug- 
 gled under it for awhile, and proposed several alterations. I 
 let them know I could not turn to the right hand or left. I 
 could give it up and go along, but to alter, I could not. They 
 did not choose to take the burden off me, so complied with 
 my prospect, and informed the people. It was thought that 
 more than two thousand people collected, and He who required 
 the appointment, furnished with matter, and gave ability and 
 utterance sufficient for the day ; favoring with His holy solem- 
 nity, which covered and crowned the meeting, to the joy of 
 many hearts, and the satisfaction of Friends in general. The 
 meeting closed with thanksgiving and praise, to the Most High 
 God, for His present and past favors, with an humble prayer for 
 a continuation of His mercies that endure forever. 
 
 Third day, the 25th, we rode to Westchester, and stopped 
 with Thomas Walker and wife, where we found kind reception. 
 Next day, attended that meeting, and though a stormy day, it 
 was pretty full, and a favored, satisfactory meeting ; after which, 
 we rode to New Rochelle, and lodged with Joseph Bownc, 
 
JOSEPH BOA&. 153 
 
 where we were kindly treated. STth, we were at Mamaroneck 
 meeting. Here, finding my mind led into different subjects, I 
 was thoughtful to close in good season ; but after sitting down, 
 I did not feel that clear quiet which I commonly feel when I 
 time it right ; but being unwilling to rise again, or kneel — for 
 my mind was arrested with both — I sat until it wore ofi", and 
 then broke the meeting. After I got out, an Elder came and 
 took me by the hand and said, " Joseph, thou hast been preach- 
 ing to others to be faithful to their gifts ; hast thou been faith- 
 ful to thine ? I confess I did not expect the meeting to end 
 so," and turned away. Though I did not expect to be found 
 out in that way, I was glad to meet with such honesty from 
 the Friend. 
 
 We went on to Harrison's Purchase, where we stopped until 
 first day ; we attended that meeting, according to prospect, and 
 had another in the evening at North Castle. In both these 
 meetings ability and utterance were given to bear a faithful tes- 
 timony against the unlawful love of the world, the love of ease 
 and carnal security, and I felt comforted in the quiet I enjoyed. 
 The next meeting was at Shapaqua. Here I had to put on my 
 mourning garment, and call on the Ministers of the Lord, to 
 weep between the porch and the altar. The day following, we 
 were at Croton Yalley. Here we had a comfortable meeting, 
 with a little company of well concerned Friends. We 
 passed from this to Amawalk, where we had a serious, good 
 meeting, and then went to Cortland's Manor, near the mouth 
 of Croton, and had a meeting there to good satisfaction. We 
 passed on to Peekskill, and had a meeting in the evening, where 
 I remembered the apostle, who felt a necessity to labor in 
 weakness and fear. After this, we went to West Point, and 
 crossed the river and mountains to Cornwall, to see my aged 
 friend, David Sands, who had lately returned from a long re- 
 ligious visit in Europe. We found him cheerful, enjoying the 
 rich sheaves of a well gathered harvest. While here, I felt ar- 
 rested to have a meeting at Newburgh. It kept with me with 
 weight, and I sww no better way than to open it to Friends) 
 10 
 
154 JOURNAL OF 
 
 • 
 
 who seemed not opposed to it. It was agreed on ; we set out 
 with a young friend to pilot and assist us. After we got into the 
 road, it was shown me, in great clearness, that the offering was 
 accepted — the will was fully taken for the deed — and I was at 
 liberty to go home — a joyful release. We dismissed the young 
 man and went forward for home, and made no stop except for 
 rest, etc., until we got to Troy, where we stopped to their first 
 day meeting — ^to me a refreshing time, the living presence of 
 the Lamb of God was felt to be in the midst, sweetly giving 
 strength for every good word and work. I being unwell, and 
 the weather unfavorable, we got no farther than Granville by 
 4th day. We stopped and attended that meeting. In it I 
 had satisfactory service. This was the last meeting we attended 
 in this journey. From here we went direct home ; got there 
 the 18th of the 4th month, and found my family well, and 
 glad to see me return. 
 
 On the Yth of 5th month, 1807, I set out to perform a visit 
 to Friends of Upper Canada, and Farmington Quarter, in com- 
 pany with Valentine Header, (my son-in-law), and Nathaniel 
 Austin. We went to Peru on seventh day, and attended that 
 meeting on first day, the 8th. The 9th we had a meeting in 
 the town of Jay, about twenty miles up the river Au Sable. 
 10th, we had a meeting on the west branch of said river; both 
 of them small meetings, amongst a careless, easy people, who 
 cared very little about religion ; so that it seemed like beating 
 the wind, to preach to them. 11th, we had a meeting in Ches- 
 terfield, to good satisfaction; the people were attentive, open and 
 tender. 12th, we attended meeting at Peru again, where I had 
 extensive labor, and was much relieved in mind. In the after- 
 noon, we had a favored, satisfactory meeting, two or three miles 
 north of Friend's meeting house. On the 13th we set forward 
 for Upper Canada, traveled seventy miles through a wilderness 
 almost without inhabitants, the road new and miry, so that it 
 took us two days and a half to gain Salmon River, where there 
 is a newish settlement, mostly Scotch, and finding no way to 
 cross the river St. Lawrence until second day, the 16th, we lay 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 155 
 
 at one Comon's, wlio went witli us across tlie river, and landed 
 us in Charlottebury. We rode eight miles and took dinner in 
 Camwell, and on tlie lYth and 18tli traveled to Elizabethtown, 
 staid with Matthew Howard for the night, and were kindly en- 
 tertained. We had a meeting in this settlement. The people 
 were civil and quite attentive, and appeared well satisfied ; 
 thence to Gershom Wing's, (a Friend), twelve miles ride, where 
 we had another meeting. It was a favored, tendering time. 
 May the hand of the Lord be over that people for good ! 
 
 After this we journeyed through a long wilderness for Kings- 
 ton ; the weather being rainy, and the roads new, we, and the 
 horses were much fatigued, but were favored to get through in 
 good season on the 21st, and went to the Widow Brewer's, in 
 Kingston, where we were kindly received. First day, 2 2d, we 
 attended the little meeting there, which was painful, on account 
 of the want of true zeal and faithful obedience to the knowledge 
 already received by some of their members. I had to come to 
 plain work, and found peace in, being faithful. Not feeling 
 clear, I appointed another meeting at the 4th hour in the after- 
 noon, at the same place, which was trying to an hair's breadth. 
 The people being uneasy and restless, it seemed hard getting 
 into the quiet, or a suitable preparation either for worship or 
 service. Thus tried, I sighed to the Lord, and breathed in the 
 grogjaings of spirit, that He would arise for the help of the 
 needy, and order the battle of the day. He was pleased to 
 still the bustle in a marvelous manner, and open the spring of 
 life in the needful time, so that the testimony of Truth went 
 forth in clearness and living authority, to the breaking down 
 of the strongholds of opposition for that time. Blessed be the 
 mighty power of the Lord forevermore ! 
 
 The 23d, we rode to Adolphus town, and went to John Dor- 
 ian's — an old friend of my father's — where we were cordially 
 received. 24th, had a meeting with Friends there. Next day, 
 we attended their usual meeting, with them, and in the after- 
 noon had a meeting with those not of our Society. We next 
 had a meeting across the Point, in the Court House, In both 
 
156 JOURNAL OF 
 
 these meetings the people were sober and attentive, and parted 
 with us respectfully. From here, we crossed the Bay to a set- 
 tlement of Friends at Ameliasburg, where we had a large, fa- 
 vored meeting, for the place, and I passed on cheerfully. Sev- 
 enth day, we rode to Westlake, and put up at a Friend's house. 
 There soon came in a number of people. I felt that I could 
 not stay in the house in peace. The sun was all of two hours 
 high when I walked into the woods, and did not return until 
 after dark, when I found the house clear of the company. The 
 next day, at their meeting, I was led in the course of my testi- 
 mony to take up the subject of high professors taking advan- 
 tage of the necessities of the poor, to screw them down, and 
 grind the face of the needy. I was led to make some close re- 
 marks on the subject ; but not feeling clear of the place, we 
 appointed a'meeting in the afternoon, and to it abundance of 
 people came. I had to take up the subject at large, and show 
 that the rich had it in their power to wipe the tear from the 
 widow's eye, and make the fatherless rejoice, and their hearts 
 bless them ; that the honest and industrious poor ought to be 
 helped. This would be acting as Ministers of the Lord to the 
 poor. But when the rich took the advantage of the poor, to 
 increase their hoards of shining ore, they made the poor to 
 sigh, the widow to weep, and the fatherless to cry for want ; 
 thus adding grief to sorrow, and vexation to those already in 
 trouble ; so that in vain is the profession of such. The Lord 
 will have no respect to your oflPering, until you can streteh out 
 your hands to the poor, to relieve the agonies of woe. The 
 word of Truth went forth in that authority, that all opposition 
 fell before it ; the meeting became very much broken into ten- 
 derness of heart, and many to weeping — a solemn, humbling 
 time. May the Lord bless it to the people, to the praise of 
 His own name ! 
 
 After we left there, I was informed by my company, that 
 those who gathered at the house where we first went, came 
 there on account of an arbitration between a rich Friend and a 
 poor man. They sat by and heard the investigation, and it 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 157 
 
 was made to appear that the Friend had taken unjust advan- 
 tage of him several ways, and screwed him down unmercifully ; 
 that when the award was brought in, the Friend refused com- 
 pliance, and went off offended. This took place while I was in 
 the woods. Both parties were at the meetings, and they heard 
 the Friend came forward the next day pliably, and was willing 
 to settle. I had reason to hope that some good was done, and 
 I had in humility, to admire the tender care of the Lord, in 
 leading me into the forest, solitary and alone, so that I heard 
 nothing of it until I got clear from them. I have often found 
 it good to adhere to impressions felt, though at the time I knew 
 not for why or what. 
 
 The 30th, second day, we set forward to Yonge street, rode 
 about forty miles through woods and mire, and weary enough 
 when night came. We put up vdth Joseph Keeler, a friendly 
 man — his wife a member. Here we had a meeting in the af- 
 ternoon, which was to our comfort, so that we were glad we 
 were here. We passed from here to Whitby, forty miles, and 
 reached Russel Hoag's, a kinsman of mine. He was educated 
 a Friend, and his wife a Baptist ; each closely attached to their 
 education, so that it made hard work in their family, they hav- 
 ing a number of children. They both earnestly endeavored to 
 get as many as they could to go with each of them, so that I 
 pitied the children. The parents brought this dilemma upon 
 themselves, and it was but just that they should feel the rod of 
 their own choosing. 3d of 6th month, we had a meeting at 
 his house, amongst a people settled at ease on couches of their 
 own choosing, off of which they seemed determined not to be 
 moved. To preach to them seemed to make no more entry to 
 many minds than water poured on a rock. I parted with my 
 kinsman with a heavy heart, who feels the weight of his situa- 
 tion, and none in that place to unbosom his grief to, so that his 
 trials are deep, and afflictions great ; but it is the reward of his 
 own conduct. 
 
 From here, we went to Timothy Roger's, at Duffin's Creek, 
 eight miles, who seemed rejoiced to see us. A few years be- 
 
158 JOURNAL OF 
 
 fore tMs, he had moved from my neighborhood. We tarried 
 with him one night, and I was glad to see him so comfortably 
 settled. We took a solid parting opportunity with the family, 
 and went on to Asa Randall's, at Whitchurch, the 4th. First 
 day, 5th, we attended Friends' meeting in that town, and ap- 
 pointed another in the afternoon at the same house, which was 
 large, and the minds of the people were open to receive what 
 the Great Master had for them ; and the Lord was pleased to 
 favor with a plentiful shower that softened and tendered the 
 soil, and revived the tender plants. 
 
 Second day, we rode to Yonge street, and went to Jacob 
 Winn's, another Friend, who had moved from my country. 
 He and family seemed much joyed to see us. Third day, we 
 went to Ephraim Dunham's, (my brother-in-law), in Queen 
 street settlement, where we had a large, favored meeting. The 
 Truth went forth like a sword, that divided between the pre- 
 cious and the vile, and reigned over all wrong that day to the 
 honor of the cause of Truth, and I hope to the praise of the 
 Most High God. 8th, we attended the Preparative meeting, 
 at Yonge street. Notice being given, the meeting was large. 
 I was led into a close, searching line of testimony. I felt the 
 Truth to prevail, and its authority to rise in dominion over all 
 opposition, to the great joy of my heart, and the comfort of 
 many honest minds. Magnified be the name of the Lord, who 
 abundantly giveth strength sufficient for the day ! 
 
 The 10th, we rode to TJxbridge, a long stretch through the 
 woods, and had a meeting with a few Friends there. It was a 
 tendering, comfortable opportunity. 11th, we returned to 
 Yonge street. First day, the 12th, we attended Whitchurch 
 meeting. Here I was led into a painful exercise, being deeply 
 distressed, and saw no way to get relief, but to tell Friends how 
 I felt, and how it appeared to me it was with them, and how it 
 came to be so, and what they had to do to get into a better 
 state, though it was much in the cross. I was finally relieved, 
 and after meeting, felt my cup to overflow with peace, as a riv- 
 er. I was told by a Friend of that meeting, that I had twitted 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 159 
 
 them of facts, and that it was so ; for they had been in a sad 
 quarrel, and he hoped it would do them good. 
 
 Second day, the 13th, we attended an appointed meeting, at 
 Queen street, for Sarah Pope, of Jersey, and Gulielma Widdi- 
 field, of Philadelphia— a good meeting. 14th, we had a meet- 
 ing in the south part of Uxbridge, it was small. Being elec- 
 tion day, many of the men were gone. We had a fine compa- 
 ny of women, and a favored, tendering time. The meeting 
 closed under a sweet solemnity. 15th and 16th, attended 
 Yonge street Monthly Meeting; abundance of people came to 
 it. After sitting awhile in this meeting, under a close, lively 
 exercise, I felt a clear opening, and lively motion to rise on my 
 feet, and when I had opened my subject, it was all taken from 
 me. I stood a little, then sat down, and felt great peace in 
 being resigned to the Lord's will. The people were much dis- 
 appointed ; but the women had good service. In the last meet- 
 ing my bow was well strung, and I returned from the field of 
 labor well rewarded. 
 
 The I7th, we rode to Humber, where I met with my wife^s 
 sister, Elizabeth, who I had not seen, for nine years. Here be- 
 ing taken sick, I stopped one day. First day, 19th, I parted 
 with the family, with an exceeding heavy heart, and rode forty- 
 three miles. The roads were generally muddy ; the country 
 being new, we had deep mud holes to plunge through. Wc 
 arrived at the Government house at the head of Lake Ontario, 
 where we staid all night. 20th, we got into Pelham; 21st, 
 this morning, parted with our sowthern friends, and next day 
 attended meeting there. It was a crowded one, and much of 
 mixed multitude. Here, my son-in-law bore the most able 
 testimony, I thought, that I had ever heard from him. I had 
 to follow on, and the Lord was good, and clothed with strength 
 sufficient for the day, furnished with matter and utterance 
 equal to the occasion, and raised the Truth in dominion, and 
 exalted the standard of righteousness to our great joy, and to 
 the honor of His holy and ever adorable name. 
 
160 JOURNAL OP 
 
 The 23d, we attended a litttle meeting at Wm. ShowdM's. 
 Here I was shut up in silence. At the close of the meeting I 
 thought I felt it best to remark, that it was they, and they on- 
 ly, who waited on the Lord, that renewed their strength ; and 
 and it appeared to me, that if the people then gathered had 
 waited as intently on the Lord as they had on an inferior ob- 
 ject, no doubt we should have had a fine, precious meeting. I 
 felt well satisfied in making the remark After meeting I felt 
 easy to go on to attend an appointment in Cowland, where' a 
 number of sober looking people came together. Here the 
 well-springs of the Gospel were opened, and its waters ran 
 freely, forcibly, and made its way in the dry and parched, as 
 well as other kind of soil, and abundantly refreshed the tender 
 plants — a day of favor to the people. May it be remembered 
 with thanksgiving, and wisely improved ! 
 
 Seventh day, we visited Niagara Falls, a great curiosity of 
 nature. From this, we went to Black Creek, attended that 
 meeting on first day, the 26th. It was large, and a renewed 
 visitation of the Lord witnessed. Oh ! that the people would 
 improve their favors. 
 
 The 2'7th, we crossed the Niagara river at Black Rock, into 
 the States, and traveled through Bufialo Indian settlement — a 
 beautiful tract of land — the Indians were very kind. Finding 
 their crooked paths puzzled us, they sent one to pilot us to the 
 few Friends who had settled a few miles from them. With 
 these Friends, the 28th, we had a favored, and to us a refresh- 
 ing meeting. 29th, we rode thirty miles, mostly in a wilder- 
 ness, through good land. 30th, we continued our wilderness 
 travel twenty-eight miles. The 1st of Vth month, we came to 
 Abraham Lapham's ; we got a little refreshment and went to 
 Caleb Macomber's where we stopped and got some rest, for we 
 and our horses were much fatigued. 2d of the month we had 
 a meeting at Asa Aldrich's, in Palmyra — a laborious, exercis- 
 ing meeting. I was led to show that one fault-mender was 
 worth many fault-finders, as none could mend a fault, but those 
 who committed the fault, and while people were looking up 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 161 
 
 others fanlts, they certainly neglected their own. I had to 
 come to plain work, and felt quite comfortable after it. First 
 day, 3d, we attended Farmington meeting ; this was also a 
 tribulating time to me. I was led to address the backsliders, 
 who wanted to be esteemed, and like Adam, were hidden un- 
 der a fig-leaf covering ; showing them, that would not do, as 
 also the eagle-eyed, to spy out others faults for an excuse for 
 the neglect of their own duties, showing them the neglect of 
 duty was wrong, and doing wrong was the neglect of duty ; 
 and while they were condemning others, they were acting like 
 them, and ranking themselves in range with those they de- 
 spised. This was not wise. I was enabled to open these 
 points close and plain, to the relief of my mind. Near the 
 close of this meeting, I felt drawings towards the youth, and 
 appointed a meeting the 4th hour, the same afternoon. Many 
 came to it, and He that declared Himself to be the true Shep- 
 herd, was pleased to be in the midst, and to break and bless 
 the little with an abundant increase, so that there was enough 
 and to spare. And Oh ! that the dear youth would gather up 
 the fragments, and let nothing be lost. 4th, being rainy, we 
 lay by ; 5th, had a meeting in Bristol, among the Baptists, who 
 come so armed, that it caused a long silence. At length my 
 son-in-law felt authorized to tell them that we had not come for 
 battle, nor to preach any other doctrine, than the grace of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, which appeared to all men, by which we are 
 to be saved, if we are saved, and that, through faith in the gift, 
 and the Giver of it. This so settled the people that they laid 
 down their arms, and the way opened for gospel communication, 
 and it flowed freely. A solemnity came over the meeting, and 
 it ended pleasantly. 
 
 From this, we returned to Farmington, and attended their 
 Hiid-week meeting on the Tth. To me it was a solemn part- 
 ing, feehng my mind drawn into tender sympathy with the hon- 
 est-hearted of that place. May the Lord be their helper in 
 every needful time ! In the afternoon we had a meeting at Pal- 
 myra, among a people that was so much in the outward, that 
 
162 JOURNAL OF 
 
 it was heavy wading to get along. The next meeting was at 
 Junius, on the 9th. Here was a small settlement of Friends, 
 some of them under a good exercise, to whom the language of 
 encouragement flowed freely. After the meeting, we rode 
 twenty-two miles, to Scipio, and on first day, the 10th, attend- 
 ed that meeting. In it I hurt my testimony by making an 
 apology to soften the matter, and soon discovered I had weak- 
 ened my hands. After the meeting an Elder — after making a 
 long apology — ^remarked to me, that the Truth did not need an 
 apology, and he thought a great porch and a little house did 
 not look well ; and if I saw anything in him, he was as willing 
 to receive as to give. I told him I had nothing, only he had 
 chastised me for an apology in a good work, and I thought he 
 was in as good a work, and had made as long an apology, 
 which I thought did not come out right, for there was no more 
 need in one case than the other. So we parted, and I hope we 
 both learned a good lesson. We had another meeting in the 
 afternoon, in which I had close work, but I took care not to 
 make an apology. 11th, had a meeting at Calvin Tupper's, a 
 favored time. Truth broke in on some minds, like the break- 
 ing in of mighty waters. After it, we rode to Sempronius, and 
 had a meeting there on the 12th. The people were mostly not 
 Friends. I sat a long time in this meeting, under such a dark 
 cloud of distress, that it seemed almost insupportable. I cried 
 in my agony, " Lord ! what have I done amiss ? show it to 
 me and purify me, until I am acceptable in thy sight ; " and in 
 deep prostration of spirit I lay low. In this condition, a lan- 
 guage saluted the ear of my soul, remarkably clear and forcible ; 
 " How shall the dead be raised — or thou be qualified to speak 
 feelingly and efi'ectually to their conditions, if thou art not bap^ 
 tized for the dead, and feel the weight of distress that is on 
 them? Or how canst thou pray for them fervently, without 
 feeling their distress and their wants ? " This was a good, prof- 
 itable, and instructive time to me. After passing through this, 
 I felt a lively motion to rise on my feet, and set forth in a clear, 
 lively manner the tender mercies of the Lord, in often calling 
 
JOSEPH HOAG, 163 
 
 upon, and long waiting upon the children of men, for their re- 
 turn to Him ; also the nature of spiritual worship, and what 
 qualified therefor, and the great loss sustained by all who do 
 not believe the Truth and neglect these things. It was a 
 memorable time to me, and may the Lord be pleased to make 
 it so to the people, to the everlasting praise of His own name ! 
 
 The 13th, we rode to Pe Ruyter, and had a meeting there on 
 the 14th, to good satisfaction. 15th, we rode to Brothertown, 
 and went to John Dean's, an old acquaintance of mine ; we 
 were glad to meet once more. Friends living very scattered, it 
 was thought best to lay by on the 16th. First day, lYth, we 
 attended their meeting. It was large for that place. Several 
 of them came sixteen and eighteen miles to meeting. It was 
 pleasant being with them, on account of their lively concern 
 for the testimony of Truth. We had another meeting in the 
 latter part of the day, with the Indian natives; we found a very 
 open, cordial reception among them. 18th, we went to Wes- 
 ton, and had a meeting there on the 19th. Here I was led to 
 feel much for those who were disposed to halt, and question 
 the way of Truth, instead of coming up in the pointings of 
 duty, which they already know, and so avoid the cross of 
 Christ ; and thus deprive themselves of a growth in experience 
 and knowledge of the mystery of Truth, and the comfort aris- 
 ing therefrom ; thus endangering the loss of the crown. A 
 sense of these things gave me pain and sorrow of heart, and I felt 
 pity for them. 
 
 The 20th, rode all day. 21st, we got among Friends in 
 Mayfield, and had a meeting with them. 2 2d, had another 
 meeting at Abraham Wood's. 23d, was at Northampton, and 
 had a meeting there. Not feeling clear of Mayfield, we stopped 
 to their first day meeting, the 24th. Here, my good Master 
 opened the door of utterance, furnished with matter, and gave 
 ability fully to clear my mind, so that I felt relieved, and clear 
 of this part of the country, where I had to wade under deep 
 exercise from meeting to meeting, with much ardent labor. To 
 me it was a joyfiil release, and an humbling, tendering time to 
 
164 JOURNAL OF 
 
 the upright in heart. At 5 o'clock we had a precious, go.od 
 meeting at Providence. 25th, we had a meeting at Galway. 
 Here, I had to call on those who were at ease in Zion, and 
 couched on their beds of ivory, and to blow the trumpet of 
 alarm amongst them. 
 
 From here we went to Ballston, and all our little company 
 felt very much distressed in coming into the place, which con- 
 tinued with us. Third day, we attended that meeting. General 
 notice being given, there came in many who were not Friends. 
 We sat silent the usual time of holding a meeting, when I in- 
 formed the people, we had requested their attention, and were 
 glad of their company ; that their solid deportment was grate- 
 ful to our feelings ; but as the Lord had not given anything to 
 communicate, we felt it not safe to undertake to preach, with- 
 out His help and direction ; lest we run when we are not sent, 
 and that would not profit the people. Therefore, we believed 
 it best to be resigned to the Lord's will, who always knows 
 what is best for us, and He would do right. I then informed 
 the people that I wanted an interview with mj Friends, and if 
 they were willing to retire, it would be grateful to my feelings. 
 They rose up with pleasant countenances and went out very 
 quietly. I afterwards heard they were well satisfied. We had 
 not sat long by ourselves, before I had to address them in this 
 language : " In the foregoing meeting, this was presented, and 
 it still remains with me : * There is death in the pot, and bitter 
 gourds put therein, by those whose business it was to provide 
 wholesome food for the needy and sickly ; having no Elisha 
 among you to direct what to do, nor meal to put into the pot 
 to take away the bitter, neither had it been sought for ; there- 
 fore death remains in the pot.' " After clearing my mind, I got 
 away as soon as I could, but felt great satisfaction in being 
 faithful. A while after, I was informed that there could be 
 nothing more appropriate, and at that time there was an Elder 
 in that meeting who had so conducted, as to get the meeting 
 into an unsettled and divided state, so that their neighbors 
 would not meet with them ; and they could do nothing with 
 
JOSfiPH HOAG. 165 
 
 him, short of dismissing Mm from his station, and disowning 
 him from Society. Then the conftision settled away, and 
 things returned to their former quiet channel. 
 
 From here we went to Troy, and attended their fore and af- 
 ternoon meetings on First-day, 31st. In both, we had good 
 service, and were well accepted by our Friends. After the last 
 meeting, my master took off the harness, and showed me that 
 I might go home. Accordingly, we set out early on second- 
 day morning, and rode several miles without much discourse. 
 Observing that Nathaniel and Valentine rode with their heads 
 down, it came lively into my mind to ride up to Nathaniel and 
 relate a fable that I had fallen in with ; so I said to Nathaniel, 
 I have concluded to go home like the old jay-bird. He said, 
 "What does thee mean ?" I then remarked, that among the 
 fables, it was stated that the jay-bird took a feather from every 
 bird, and plumed herself with them. Then she was the finest 
 bird in the woods. At length the birds discovered how it 
 was ; each came, claimed, and took its own feather. She look- 
 ed on herself and exclaimed, "I am the poor old jay-bird." I 
 said, "I am going home, the old jay-bird. The good Master 
 has harnessed, and plumed us in this journey, and has now ta- 
 ken it off ; therefore it was best for He and I to be contented 
 with it, and go home, the old jay-bird. For the Master had a 
 r^ht to do it, being the rightful owner of the plumage, and 
 now it is best for us to go home and do as well as we can." 
 He replied, "This will do. I have thought a good many times 
 since we have been out, feeling what I have, and seeing so 
 many clear proofs of its being right that we are out in this 
 work, that I have concluded, if I live to get home, I will live 
 as I ought, and do better than I ever have done. But since 
 leaving Troy, I have felt so poor and stripped, I did not know 
 what to think." I then remarked, that "Mordecai did not give 
 out after riding the king's horse because the royal robe was 
 taken off, but quietly went and put on his sackcloth, and wait- 
 ed at the king's gate ; and by that means was found worthy to 
 be promoted to greater honor. And so it might be with him 
 
166 JOURNAL OP 
 
 and me, if we did riglit." The discourse ended, with his con- 
 cluding to do right ; but, poor man ! he has fallen further into 
 the dark than he was before. We continued on our way- 
 homeward, and when arrived there, found all our families well, 
 to our mutual joy. 
 
 After returning home from my long Eastern journey, I re- 
 mained about home most of the time for several years, being 
 often confined with sickness ; yet I made several visits within my 
 own and neighboring Quarterly Meetings. Of these visits I 
 find no correct minutes. I have lost the date of the year, and 
 considerable of the minutes of one long journey ; so that I can 
 do no better than relate, what clearly occurs to my memory. 
 
 I set out late in the Fall of the year ; went to Queen sbury, 
 took that meeting, Saratoga, Milton, Greenfield, Galway, and 
 several other meetings. From this part I went to Cherry Val- 
 ley, with having, I think, one or two meetings on the way. 
 From Cherry Valley, we commenced having meetings for the 
 most part, as often as one a day, for, I think, two months ; and 
 having got into the edge of Pennsylvania, and almost beyond 
 civilization, I felt easy to turn about. In this part of the visit, 
 we met with great openness, and kind reception with the people. 
 
 On our return to the older settlements, we stopped at a tav- 
 ern where two men had just entered into a warm dispute rela- 
 tive to the Indians. They ran so high in argument, that one 
 asserted they were savages, and ought to be cut off" from the 
 face of the earth ; that they were worse than the beasts, and 
 had no souls. The other argued that they were of the human 
 family, possessing all the feelings of sensibility that we have, 
 and that they were as capable of being improved as we were. 
 "When they had tired themselves, they turned to a plain, gen- 
 teel looking man, and asked his opinion on the subject, who 
 answered thus : "There has lately been a missionary out on a 
 visit to a tribe of Indians, that never had been visited by a 
 Christian minister before, who preached to them four times. 
 At length, he took up the subject of the conception, birth, life, 
 miracles, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 167 
 
 our Savior, in one sermon. He stated that all his other ser- 
 mons were well received ; but, after this meeting — as is their 
 universal custom when they hear preaching they do not under- 
 stand or beheve, they call a council, and agi-ee what answer to 
 give the minister, and if they do not approve, they hear him 
 no more — they called a council, but could not altogether 
 agree in belief ; so they put it on one of their chief speakers to 
 give the minister an answer. The Indian said, 'Well, then me 
 go into the woods,' and retired about four hours. When he 
 returned, the Indians gathered about him, and said, 'Well, 
 what you think ?' He replied, '0, minister preach true, cer- 
 tain.' One exclaimed, 'Minister no preach true ; a man hang 
 up till he is dead, a great hole cut in his side, all the blood, all 
 the water run out ; he no live certain.' Then the chief speaker 
 began. 'Now you hear me ; me tell you. The Great Spirit 
 speak all things ; He make all the people ; they all His chil- 
 dren ; He love them all ; He tell them to love one another, and 
 do good to one another. But some of His children, by and by, 
 grow bad ; they quarrel ; they cheat ; they tell lies ; they make 
 some of the rest of his children do bad. The Great Spirit see 
 it ; He sorry ; He speak to them ; they no mind Him ; He 
 speak to them again ; they no mind Him. He see they grow 
 very wicked ; He much sorry ; then Great Spirit think, think, 
 think. He say, 'Well, Me send my son ; they mind Him.' 
 He know his son must have body, or they no see Him. He 
 look all over among the women ; He see one very good wo- 
 man, purer than all the rest. Now you hear ; you mark and 
 remember; the Great Spirit speak a body in that woman. 
 When that body came into the world, and grow big enough, 
 He fill that body full of He-self. That His son. Now you 
 hear, mark well, remember. You know the Great Spirit speak 
 all things ; He speak cold weather ; that may come great deal 
 snow, great deal ice. No snow, no ice in warm weather ; all 
 water then. So Great Spirit speak warm weather again ; and 
 that make all the snow, all the ice back to water again. Now, 
 you remember that me tell you, the Great Spirit send His son j 
 
168 JOURNAL OF 
 
 He came ; He do much good ; cure the sick ; He make blind 
 folks see ; He make lame folks walk ; and He make some dead 
 folks live. His good children much glad, they mind Him; 
 His bad children no mind Him. He speak to them ; He tell 
 them they no mind Him. He then speak strong, very strong. 
 That make them very mad. They get together ; they catch 
 Him; they kill Him. The Great Spirit see it. The Great 
 Spirit much sorry to see His children so wicked. Now, you 
 remember ; the Great Spirit speak that body ; He no lose that 
 body ; He speak that body to life again ; He call His son home. 
 That body, spirit before He came into the world ; that body 
 spirit now. The minister preach true, certain.' " Here, he 
 stopped, with this observation: "Now, gentlemen, you may 
 judge for yourselves," got up and went off. I w^as sorry that I 
 had not detained him a little, to know who, and what he was ; 
 but my mind was in such a muse on the subject, that I did not 
 re-collect myself until he was gone ; and I can say no more, than 
 that he appeared to be a sensible candid man — and was very 
 likely a Methodist Missionary. 
 
 From this western travel, we put forward to Brothertown, 
 where we found a few Friends ; some Hving with the Indians, 
 and had several meetings thereabouts, to good satisfaction. 
 Then, passed on, taking all the settlements of Friends on the 
 west side of the North Eiver as we traveled southward ; having 
 many meetings among those not of our society, where we met 
 with open doors and kind reception. 
 
 In Unadilla, I was attacked by a Presbyterian deacon, almost 
 as quiek as I sat down after speaking, who tried hard to get 
 into an argument. Thinking there was not much good to be 
 got by it, I endeavored to bring the business to short, plaiu 
 work. After altercating the matter a little, I brought him to 
 agree, that what could not be proved by Scripture, should be 
 rejected. He strove to open the subject of unconditional elec- 
 tion ; but I thought it not best, as we had had a favored meet- 
 ing, and the minds of the people appeared sober. I asked 
 hmi, "By what are we to be saved ; by works ?" He answer- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 169 
 
 ed, "No." I then asked him, "Are we to be saved by faith 
 alone f He answered, "No." I then asked him, "By what 
 are we to be saved ; is it by grace through faith, and that not 
 of ourselves?" He answered, "Yes." I then replied, "The 
 Grace of God that bringeth salvation, the Apostle tells us, hath 
 appeared unto all men ; and remarked, that there are no more 
 in number than all\ therefore there were none overlooked, 
 and that His grace did not appear as an outward object to the 
 natural eye, but in man in its own power of manifestation." 
 To this he agreed. I then replied, "If it appeared in man, it 
 was certainly put within his reach, and he could lay hold of it; 
 and thou wilt not deny that the grace of God, is over all the 
 power of the devil." He answered, "It is." I then remarked, 
 "If this is so, as thou acknowledges, were all mankind to lay 
 hold of this grace, and believe in it, it would teach them the 
 same thing — to deny all ungodliness, the world's lusts, to live 
 soberly, and to do right in all things. So thou seest we should 
 all be engaged in the one concern ; eyeing the same thing, and 
 walking by the same rule. Now, what room would there be 
 for division among the people, or occasion for disputes ?" 
 
 This so confused the deacon, that }ie stood some time silent. 
 The people all sat quiet, till the subject was brought to a 
 close, when several spoke to this effect : Tlie stranger reasons 
 fairly ; it is good, sound doctrine, and you ought not to crowd 
 upon him. Here it ended, and I was truly glad to get through, 
 without having the people's minds jostled, or drawn from un- 
 der the solemnity that was over the meeting, which was the 
 object aimed at, and through mercy, attained. It is not desir- 
 able after a solid meeting, to get into a discussion upon what 
 has been said, but many artfal sectarians will seek to do it, I 
 have thought, purposely to divert the attention of the people" 
 from what they have heard and felt. ^^ 
 
 We passed on, having meetings where way opened for it,~ 
 until we got to Otego ; there was a settlement of Friends. We 
 had several meetings thereabouts. At one of them, were peo- 
 ple of different persuasions ; amongst the rest, a deacon ; and 
 U 
 
170 JOURNAL 01* 
 
 in our company, we had a young woman a preaclaer," who, in 
 the early part of the meeting gave us a short, hvely discourse. 
 The deacon arose quickly, and reproved us for suffering a wo* 
 man to preach. When he was through, I asked him to bo 
 quiet until the meeting ended, and then we would answer to that. 
 He remained quiet until near the close of the meeting, when 
 the woman Friend kneeled. After the prayer ended — in which 
 she was favored — the deacon arose and tantalized her for pre- 
 suming to pray when there was a man Minister by, whose duty 
 it was to do that service. He laid women very low. By this 
 time I felt my niind well harnessed for the occasion. I took 
 up the subject in a calm, pleasant way, beginning with the 
 promises, and went through the Prophets, Christ being born 
 of a woman, Christ sending women to preach His resurrection, 
 Paul's recommending Phebe and other women, as fellow labor- 
 ers in the Gospel, and lastly, Paul's teaching women how they 
 should behave when they prayed or prophesied. When the 
 subject was closed, the people appeared more solid than in any 
 other part of the meeting, and acknowledged their satisfaction 
 with the reasons and meeting ; so that the Lord disappointed 
 the device of the crafty, and turned their folly on their own 
 heads. 
 
 I think, from here, we passed on to Oakhill, taking meetings 
 on our way. Thereabouts I felt drawings to have some meet- 
 ings with those not Friends. At one of these, their Priest 
 came. I was led to show, that God, by, and through Jesus 
 Christ, had provided means in the gift of grace, and pouring 
 oiit of His spirit upon the children of men, and to show, if they 
 believed in it, and walked in it, and through the Spirit, morti- 
 fied the deeds of the flesh, that this Spirit and grace of God 
 would enable them to live without sinning, in word, thought, or 
 deed ; and that this was the perfection we believed in, and 
 sought to go on to, quoting many of Paul's sayings in confir- 
 mation ; and I was led to show that Paul, in walking by this 
 rule, overcame the world, fought the good fight, kept the faith, 
 and obtained an evidence that there was a crown laid up for 
 
^ JOSEPH HO AG. 171 
 
 him in heaven, and not for him only, but for all those who love 
 the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ: with this I closed. 
 Their Minister rose quickly, and with a warm tone of voice ex- 
 claimed, that he had labored among them, by night, and by 
 day, and had gone with his life in his hand, to gather a little 
 flock; and now, when the wolf came he thought it his duty to 
 come and guard his flock, and that what they had heard was 
 false, for there never was a man, who lived a day without com- 
 mitting sin enough to damn him ; forgetting, that by such as- 
 sertions, he made God unjust. He carried the matter so far, as 
 to assert that Paul lived a sinner all his days and died a sinner, 
 excepting only his hope in the mercy of Christ. With this asser- 
 tion he sat down, and I made a few short, plain remarks on the 
 several points to which he had objected. I then turned to the 
 people, and reminded them that I had not come there to invite 
 them to be Quakers, but to call them to Christ, and to the word 
 of His grace, which the Apostle said would build us up in the 
 most holy faith, and give an inheritance among the sanctified ; 
 and the people could judge, if to preach Christ, and to recom- 
 mend to the word of His grace, was false doctrine ; seeing I 
 had the Apostle with me in sentiment and practice, and as to 
 the Apostle's living and dying a sinner, they might judge ; 
 querying, which knew best — Paul, who had left his experience 
 on record, or this man who had come into being almost two 
 thousand years afterwards — seeing there was a flat contradiction 
 between them. I then sat down and waited a little ; no re- 
 ply being made I acknowledged the civility of the people, and 
 closed the meeting; but the hearts-of the people were moved ; 
 they reprobated their priest's conduct, and urged me to stop 
 and preach for them again ; but I was glad to get awky from 
 them as easily as I could, and could but rejoice that the Lord 
 returned the priest's venom on his own head, and caused it to 
 ^ work more to the settling of the people in the belief of what 
 they had heard, than otherwise would have been, had he 
 been peaceable. 
 
 I went on, taking Friend's meetings, and had a number with 
 
172 JOURNAL OF 
 
 other people on the west side of the Hudson river to New York, 
 and attended the Yearly Meeting through. After it I went to 
 West Chester, and, having spent all my pocket-money, I con- 
 cluded I must go home with my prospect unfinished. At eve- 
 ning a Friend came in where I was, who took me by the hand, 
 and left a ten dollar bill with me, saying, " Take it, thou hast 
 need of it," and went out. I knew I had not told any one ray 
 situation, and all excuse being out of the way, I had to give 
 up, and finish my visit. After attending West Chester meet- 
 ing, I went into Connecticut, and visited all the meetings of 
 Friends in that State, west of the Connecticut river, and had a 
 number with the Presbyterians and Baptists, where I found la- 
 borious getting along. They were very much afraid of having 
 their old castle shaken, but ray good Master favored with 
 strength and utterance, so that when I got through I felt well 
 relieved. Keturningto Nine Partners, I visited several raeetings 
 thereabouts, and took some on my way home, where I arrived 
 after an absence of more than seven months, found my family 
 and friends generally well, and felt my mind richly rewarded 
 with the enjoyment of peace. 
 
 I have but a part of the account of ray next journey, the 
 date being lost,* and ray recollection not retaining the particu- 
 lars with correctness, until I was in and about New York, where I 
 met with kind reception. 
 
 When on Long Island, after having several raeetings with 
 Friends, I felt forcibly arrested to have several meetings with 
 those not of our society. This prospect was not favored by 
 the Hickses ; though they did not forbid it, they held back, so 
 that I could get no company or assistance. I concluded that it 
 was in vain to run against wind and tide, so turned my atten- 
 tion for home, and rode to Danby, more than two hundred 
 miles, and there was taken very sick, confined I think, 
 nearly three days, and thought of calling on a doctor, but ray 
 Master told me, if I would go back through Connecticut and 
 
 *It appears by the records of his Montlily Meeting, that he was hher- 
 ated to perform this visit in the 9th month, 1809. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 
 
 173 
 
 pay up the arrearage of the other visit there, and go on Long 
 Island, and do His will, He would cure me without a doctor. 
 I thought of it awhile and promised my Master if He would go 
 with me, and show me "plainly what He wanted, I would go, if 
 it was through fire and water. In a few hours I was well and 
 able to ride, and turning about rode to Nine Partners, and took 
 a Friend, a bold man, and went into Connecticut. Had a 
 meeting or two on the way to West Hartford, where I called 
 on Thomas Rotch and wife, and told them I had come back to 
 give up that concern to them to look to. I had intended when 
 there before, to have a meeting in Hartford town, but they 
 were so loath I should appoint a meeting there, that I gave it up 
 and it had remained with me ever since ; now I resigned it to 
 them and Friends of that place. Tliey would not take it from 
 me, but chose to appoint a meeting. Thomas and his wife at- 
 tended it. After meeting, Friends let me know that if I want- 
 ed any more meetings in the town, the way was open for them. 
 I informed them I desired not to do anything more than my 
 Master bid me, nor to run without His command. I then 
 went to New Milford, and attended Friends' meeting. There 
 I parted with my companion, took another Friend, attended a 
 little meeting in the southwest part of the state, and taking a 
 Friend, from there, went on the Island among those not Friends. 
 I did not go near Friends until I had got through all the meet- 
 ings I wanted with other people. My great and good Master 
 favored and helped me through all in a wonderful manner. 
 Honored and* adored, forever, be His holy name ! 
 
 There is one event I think best to note. The second meet- 
 ing I appointed, after getting on the Island, was among the 
 Presbyterians, near their meeting-house, in a school house that 
 we obtained liberty to have for the purpose. Shortly after the 
 people were notified of the appointment, the priest of that 
 place came to the Inn where I was, and about ten or twelve 
 with him, and attacked me. We soon got on the subject of 
 election and reprobation ; he being very full of talk would give 
 but little chance to hear, and if I attempted to speak, he would 
 
174 JOURNAL OF 
 
 break upon me with this assertion, " I came to convince you, 
 I can convince you, and I will convince you," and if I men- 
 tioned any text of Scripture, he would reply, " you could not 
 pick a better text for me," and would go on and put his own 
 construction upon it, going his round over ag^in, so that I saw 
 it was in vain to attempt to reason with him, as he was deter- 
 mined to havo all the talk. I sat silent until he had somewhat 
 emptied his fund, and then said, " Wilt thou answer me a few 
 plain, simple questions, right to the point ? " He said, " I will." 
 I then queried, " Art thou sound and unshaken in thy own 
 principles ? " He answered, " Yes." I then asked if he be- 
 lieved that everything that took place to the smallest iota, was 
 fore-ordained ? He answered, " Yes." I then remarked, " If 
 thou wilt hear me a few minutes, we will decide this dispute on 
 thy own ground. If all this is so, I was fore-ordained to be a 
 Quaker many thousand years before I was born, and to be just 
 such an one as I am, and to have the disposition I have, which 
 is to make thy principles look ragged, and I am doing the will 
 of God, and can do no otherwise, and thou dost not know but that 
 I am one of the elect for happiness ; and this is not all, if these 
 things are so, it was fore-ordained that I should come here and 
 appoint a meeting in this place, and that thou shouldst not like 
 it, but shouldst come here to convince me, saying thou couldst 
 do it and wouldst ; also that it was fore-ordained that thou 
 shouldst not convince me, for if anything, I feel stronger in my 
 principles than before, and of course it was fore-ordained that 
 thou shouldst labor in vain." f. then said, " Is it not just so ? " 
 He sat mute for awhile. I again queried, " Is it not just so ? " 
 now answer me to the point. He answered, " I suppose it is." 
 When this came, his company went out at the door like a flock 
 of sheep, and he followed them. Thus I was released, and felt 
 bound gratefully to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord, in 
 opening a short, plain way to confound their false doctrine, and 
 silence the boasting tongue. 
 
 After getting through this meeting with others to my satis- 
 faction, I went to Fry Willis' and released the Friend who had 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 175 
 
 been with me, as lie was desirous to go home. I rested 
 awhile, then visited the rest of the meetings, and felt at liberty 
 to go home, not having met with any opposition now, though 
 I went among the Hickses ; they were very smooth to me, so I 
 parted with them, and set forward for home, after spending 
 near five months away from my family ; one month and a half 
 longer, I think, than I need to have done, if I had not been in- 
 terrupted. 
 
CHAPTER YL 
 
 In the year ]812, having for a long time had a prospect of a 
 religious visit to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and to the set- 
 tlements of Friends in the Southern States generally, and now 
 feeling the concern weightily to increase upon my mind, I laid 
 it before my friends, and obtained their unity and certificate. 
 
 I set out 30th of 10th month, having Weston Macomber for 
 a companion. Had a meeting at Waybridge, and went to the 
 Quarterly Meeting at Danby ; after the Quarter had a meeting 
 in Dorset, amongst the Presbyterians, much more favorable 
 than I expected. First-day, 8th of 11th month, attended meet- 
 ing at Granville, which was large and much favored; went 
 next to Easton Quarter, and attended that meeting, where I 
 had good service ; next to Saratoga^ and had a large good 
 meeting; then to Queensbury, and attended that meeting, 
 first-day 15th; from thence to Greenfield, Milton and Gal way, 
 where we attended a Monthly Meeting on the 18th. 19thy 
 started for Duanesburgh ; 20th had a meeting there ; 21st, had 
 one at Berne, and went next to Stanton Hill, and attended a 
 meeting there. We then set forward and drove seventy-two 
 miles in two days, and reached Tristam RusselFs, in Newburg 
 Valley, and attended their Monthly Meeting next day. Tho 
 day following traveled sixteen miles and attended Cornwall 
 Monthly Meeting ; after this, we stopped at Smith's Clove, and 
 had a meeting ; from thence to Hard wick, Sussex County, New 
 Jersey, fifty-three miles, arrived on seventh-day evening, and 
 attended that meeting on first-day, 29th. 30th, we had a 
 meeting at the same house. Finding my mind clear of that 
 place, 1st of 12th month, we rode to Kingwood ; 2d, to Buck- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. IVT 
 
 ingham, in Pennsylvania, and arrived just before their Prepar- 
 ative Meeting broke up. 3d of the month, we reached Phila- 
 delphia, and made our home with Thomas Scattergood. Hav- 
 ing met with an accident by a hurricane, which rent our car- 
 riage top to pieces, we had to stop here to get it repaired, and 
 were detained till first-day. This crossed my inclination, as I 
 did not want to stop in the city until I returned ; but I had to 
 submit. When first -day came, I dreaded to go to meeting in 
 Philadelphia, with such great folks ; but my Master soon show- 
 ed me they were all of the human family, and were as much 
 dependent on Him, for their life and being, as I was. This 
 soon calmed my mind, and I had a short, clear testimony to 
 bear, which was well received by Friends. This was at the 
 Northern District Meeting. In the afternoon I attended Arch 
 Street Meeting, where I had to take up a copious subject, and 
 go through with it. Thomas Scattergood followed, and united 
 with my testimony. Thus I found much encouragement, that 
 if I only kept to my Lord and Master's direction, I was safe 
 among every people. Second-day, having Stephen Mackfield, 
 and John Paul, for our pilots, wo rode thirty-six miles, and 
 lodged with John Pine, in Chester County. 8th, we rode to 
 Columbia on the Susquehanna forty miles. 9th, had a meeting 
 in that town ; after meeting we crossed the river and rode ten 
 miles to Little York. 10th, we had a satisfactory meeting 
 there. 11th, we rode to Gunpowder, and had a meeting there 
 on the 12th ; pretty exercising, on account of many being set- 
 tled down at ease. After this meeting we rode to Baltimore, 
 
 sixteen miles, and made our home with John M , where we 
 
 were kindly provided for. Here we had occasion to lay by till 
 fourth-day, when we attended the West Meeting, and had a 
 meeting, with the youth of that part of the city, the largest 
 that I ever saw of the kind. iVth, we attended the Old Meet- 
 ing, in the east part of the city, and had a meeting with the 
 youth there in the evening; both comfortable, and favored. 
 This seemed to make up for some of the hard, painful meetings 
 I had passed through, and renewed my courage. I noticed at 
 
178 JOURNAL OF 
 
 all tlie meetings in this city, that the people of all descriptions, 
 even down to little children, sat very still ; more so, than I re- 
 member to have observed in all my travels ; an evident mark 
 of -a good education, and a wise, prudent care in parents, over- 
 seers, and other leading characters of meetings. My mind be- 
 coming settled that it was best to attend to my prospect, and 
 visit the poor-house, and the state prison, I opened it to Friends, 
 who made way for it by taking considerable pains. 19th, we 
 had a solid, satisfactory meeting with the invalids ; after meet- 
 ing we stopped a little, and seeing some without feet, others 
 without hands, some with parts of limbs gone, and many with 
 scarified faces, I enquired the cause. I was told that nearly 
 all of it came from their intemperance. I exclaimed, in my 
 heart, what a spectacle of warning to the rest of mankind, to 
 take care and not become dupes, and miserable slaves to that 
 unmerciful tyrant, ardent spirits ; truly heart-aching to behold 
 its effects. 
 
 20th, first of the week we attended the West Meeting. In 
 the afternoon we visited the State Prison, and had a meeting 
 with them. There is a great contrast between this, and the 
 Poor House, many of these, of bright countenance, and pos- 
 sessed of active minds, capable of being useful, and doing much 
 good in their generation, confined for their wicked, outrageous 
 conduct, which rendered them a pest to the human family; 
 many of these brought to this by attending balls, horge-racing 
 and gambling-houses, whereby they get stripped of all they have 
 then flee to the tyrant, ardent spirits, for comfort, which 'soon 
 dupes them to thieving, forgery, and all manner of evil conduct, 
 and then to the State Prison. The consideration of these 
 things bore heavily on my spirits, but through the tender mer- 
 cies of the most high God, I was enabled to clear my mind 
 amongst them in a way that was well received, though plain to 
 the point. 21st, we had a meeting at evening at the West 
 House, with the people of color ; it was large ; they behaved 
 very quietly, as became Christians. I think they were evident- 
 ly owned by the Shepherd of Israel ; it was a serious, tendering 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 179 
 
 time, a renewed visitation to that people ; may the Lord make 
 it a blessing to them. 22d, we went to Elk Ridge, and attend- 
 ed that meeting in course. There being a marriage it was 
 pretty full, and sometime unsettled, not at all to my satisfac- 
 tion, they not giving opportunity to me to clear my mind. 
 After meeting we drove to the head of South river. 25th, to 
 William Ward's ; not far from this stood an old meeting-house, 
 once occupied by a large society of Friends, and now left desti- 
 tute. I enquired if they had moved away ? I was answered, 
 "No ; the old stock owned abundance of slaves, and the young 
 ones had fallen pff ; when the parents died, there were none to 
 keep the meeting up." This answer was so full, I thought well 
 to notice it, for although their parents left them rich in this 
 kind of property, their offspring, now, are generally poor, 
 proud and lazy ; a sad entailment — clear evidence that a little, 
 earned by honest industry, is better than much, otherwise ob-^ 
 tained ; in that the latter is blest, and the other blasted, every 
 way. I could but mourn for their offspring ; their countenan^ 
 ces looked sour towards Friends. 26th, we rode to the Cliffs, 
 where once was a large body of Friends, and the first, or nearly 
 the first Yearly Meeting that was held on the Continent, which 
 was large for many years. But Friends running much into 
 slavery, and raising their children in idleness, they have gone 
 from the society, and many of them now are some of the most 
 cruel slave-holders in that country, and Friends have ceased to 
 be, over a tract of country that is very beautiful. In a space of 
 country one hundred and fifty miles in length, and several wide, 
 much of which was formerly owned by Friends, there is now 
 but one meeting pretended to ,be kept up, and that by an old 
 man, whose children will go to the meeting-house with him some- 
 times. Some of their descendants seem to have a regard for 
 Friends, and mourned their situation. We had a meeting at 
 the Cliffs, which was heavy, and heart-aching on account of the 
 two or three Friends who could not be reconciled to leave the 
 country. We parted with them, and returned ten miles on 
 our way back. 29th, rode ten miles and attended an appointr 
 
180 JOURNAL OF 
 
 ed meeting in a village called Friendship, where there was a 
 good sized meeting-house owned by Friends ; but not a Friend 
 in that part of the countiy to come to it, and the inhabitants 
 had filled it with tobacco ; on that account the Methodists of- 
 fered us their house which was large and accommodating. To 
 this meeting came abundance of people ; the arm of the Lord 
 was felt to be strong this day. I had to go into a large field 
 and show the abuse of slavery on the human family, the perni- 
 cious effects on the offspring of slave-holders, and its open vio- 
 lation of all right in a gospel point of view. I had not witness- 
 ed the power of gospel authority so to rise in dominion over 
 all opposition for many days. It was the Lord's doing, and the 
 glory is all His. From this we went to attend an appointed 
 meeting, the 30th, near West River, where Friends once held 
 their Yearly Meeting for Maryland. We found it a desolate 
 spot, the meeting-house almost rotted down, the grave-yard ly- 
 ing common, and briars and bushes growing over the bones of 
 the dead, and many of the graves rooted down with swine, so 
 that mournful were my feelings, and heavy was my heart. I 
 could but exclaim, "how the earth mourns with a dreary face, 
 and refuses to smile upon the dead, w^ho marred her beauty by 
 oppression !" We had a little meeting there and departed. 
 31st, we attended Indian Spring Meeting. 1st of 1st month, 
 1813, we rode to Sandy Spring; 2d, we had a meeting with 
 Friends there, wherein my mind was comfortable, feeling the 
 presence of the Lord was near to uphold and sustain all those 
 who put their trust in Him. After this meeting we rode six- 
 teen miles toward Washington, and lodged with Tssachar Scho- 
 field. First-day, the 3d, we attended the little meeting of 
 Friends in Washington City. 4th, rode to Alexandria, and 
 had a large meeting with Friends and others. 5tb, we return- 
 ed to Washington, in the evening we had a meeting in George- 
 town. 6th, we attended the Preparative Meeting in Washing- 
 ton, and after it rode to Alexandria. Yth, attended their mid- 
 week meeting. 8th, we rode to Nathaniel Elicot's, at Occo- 
 quan, where we had a meeting in the evening, which was fa- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 181 
 
 vored ; and holy help was felt to give ability to discharge my 
 duty from day to day, and to feel sufficient satisfaction there- 
 for. 9th, we traveled thirty-eight miles to Fredericksburgh. 
 10th, forty miles to Caroline. 11th, we had a meeting in that 
 place ; the prospect is, that meeting will run down ; it was 
 small, and but little true gospel life felt amongst them. 12th, 
 we went to Cedar Creek. 13th, attended that meeting, where 
 I had to come to close work, which made my heart ache. 
 From thence to Jenito, and had a meeting ; then returned to 
 Cedar Creek. 15th and 16th, we lay by except visiting the 
 sick and afflicted. l7th, first of the week, we attended Cedar 
 Creek meeting again, where I had to show the evil effects of 
 those who Lorded over God's heritage, and oppressed the Babe 
 Immortal, in their brethren, Christ's little ones ; a solemn day 
 to me. I felt richly rewarded for being faithful, yet could but 
 mourn for the self-righteous, important feeling in that land 
 which would not enter the kingdom themselves, nor suffer oth- 
 ers who wanted to enter. I had to leave them to the Lord. 
 21st, rode to Wayne Oak. 22d, wehad a meeting there. 23d, 
 
 we rode to . 24th, first of the week, we attended that 
 
 little meeting. 25th, rode back to Wayne Oak, and attended 
 meeting there on the 26th. 27th, rode to Burleigh, and cross- 
 ed James River. 28th, we had a meeting with Friends there, 
 and rode after meeting eight miles to William Hunicot's. 
 29th, we had a meeting at his house. 30th, we rode ten miles 
 to Petersburg, and had a meeting there the same day, where 
 my heart was pained to see the droves of human beings driven 
 about like cattle, and used much worse. After meeting, we 
 drove to Gravelly Run. Here was a pretty large, lively meet- 
 ing, there being a number of well established Friends. 31st, 
 first-day, we attended that meeting to good satisfaction. 1st 
 of 2d month, we went to Stanton. 2d, we laid by to give op- 
 portunity of notice for future meetings. 3d, wehad a meeting 
 there; after it we rode twelve miles to Samuel Jones', and 
 had six miles to ride in the morning. We had sent a written 
 information of our appointment to a Friend that was recom- 
 
182 JOURNAL OP 
 
 mended to us, to be relied upon, but instead of answering our 
 request, he kept still until the morning that the meeting was to 
 be, at 11 o'clock; he then sent it to a poor man who had no 
 horse, who gave what information he could. When we got 
 there, there were five or six friends,'and two or three neighbors, 
 and the Friend who had neglected our request. It came so 
 clear before me how it was, that I rose on my feet and stated, 
 it appeared to me that the Friend who was requested to give 
 notice of the meeting, had neglected it, and put it on another, 
 who was not in circumstances to do it, and at so late a period 
 that it was out of his power to notify the people according to 
 my request; and I thought it hard after giving up to come 
 so far as I had, that I could not have the opportunity of seeing 
 the people I wanted to ; but having done my duty, must leave 
 it on the Friend, who had neglected his, to look to, and sat 
 down, and soon broke the meeting. Friends called on the 
 Friend, who acknowledged he had given no information, but 
 had sent the paper .to a poor Friend that morning. I was told, 
 they asked him why he did so ? He answered, "He did not 
 know of any Friends in Vermont, and thought it better to get 
 acquainted with the man, and to know whether he could preach 
 first; if I had come from Philadelphia, he should have felt safe 
 in informing the people." 
 
 After this, we drove eighteen miles, to Benjamm Jordan's, 
 near Vix Meeting, at whose house we found kind usage, 'and 
 on the 5th had a large, crowded meeting, at that place. At 
 this meeting, the High and Holy One was pleased richly to 
 furnish me with matter, strength, and utterance, so that the 
 power of Truth came over all, and a solidity sat on the coun- 
 tenances of the people. 6th, we went to Somerton. 'Zth, first 
 of the week, we were at that meeting. From thence to Johns- 
 ton. 8th, we had a meeting with the inhabitants thereabouts. 
 9th, rode to Secock, and attended an appointed meeting ; it 
 being rainy, we tarried with John Watkins, the night. 10th, 
 went to Black Water, and attended the Quarterly Meeting of 
 Ministers and Elders. While sitting there, it was shown me, as 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 183 
 
 clear as tlie beams of light, that there was in that meeting, one 
 who defrauded the free Macks out of their wages, after they had 
 well earned them, and that was the reason the Lord^s presence 
 was not to be found in the meeting. It was also shown me, 
 who it was that was guilty ; but they all looked so smooth, and 
 answered the queries so whole, that I reasoned until the subject 
 died away, to the wounding and burdening my mind for many 
 days. And before I left the countr}^, I was told "that it was 
 actually the case, and who the man was, (the very person that 
 was brought to my view) ; when this was told me, I had not 
 so much as hinted my feelings to any mortal. This re-inforced 
 the burden on my mind. I leave this for a warning to others. 
 11th, came on the meeting for worship and discipline. It was 
 painfully exercising, the continual moving of the young people, 
 and running in and out of the rabble. At the meeting for bu- 
 siness, they set the windows and doors open, and the rabble 
 would come and put their heads in at the windows and listen ; 
 others almost continually running in and out ; and many sat 
 in the meeting w^ho were not members, nor even moral people, 
 and no endeavors were used to have it otherwise. I was glad 
 when the meeting ended. We appointed a meeting there the 
 next day, the 12th, where I cleared my mind as well as I could, 
 and left them with a grieved heart and pained mind. After 
 meeting, we drove to the Western Branch twenty miles. 13th, 
 we had a favored meeting with a few Friends there ; a tender- 
 ing, contriting season to some minds. 14th, first of the week, 
 had an appointed meeting at Suffolk. 15th, we rode to the 
 Widow Winslow's, in North Carolina. 16th, had a meeting 
 at Piney Woods, and another at Beach Springs on the 18th. 
 19th, we had one at Goose Creek; at this, my mind was sin- 
 gularly led, and having suftered deeply for suppressing my 
 feelings before, I gave up, to walk up to the mark faithfully. 
 The saying of the prophet arrested my mind : " Thy Maker is 
 thy husband ; the Lord of Hosts is His name ; thy Redeemer, 
 the Holy one of Israel ; the God of the whole earth shall He 
 be called." I was led to show that this would apply to the 
 
184 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Churcli, and to individuals ; and that the way the Church became 
 the Lamb's wife, was by entering into promises : the Bride had 
 to make promises as well as the Groom, and these promises 
 were not to be broken without guilt, and the reward of guilt 
 was condemnation always ; and in like manner it would apply 
 to individuals. Here I felt a full stop, but shortly the language 
 flowed forcibly, " What aileth thee, O wife ! Has thy husband 
 withdrawn his affections from thee, or doth he neglect to pro- 
 vide for thee, or hast thou let out thy affections to another, and 
 played the truant thyself; and now, to hide thy shame, and to 
 secrete thy wickedness, art accusing thy husband of being guilty 
 of thy own conduct ? This is cruel." Then I was led to show 
 how such a disposition would affect grief, and use a private in- 
 fluence to get a strong party on their side ; and that such 
 would pretend a broken heart, to carry their points, while suf- 
 fering innocence could say but little more than " I am clear, 
 I am innocent, I never did so." I then was led to show the 
 agonizing pain it must give to an innocent mind to meet with 
 such treatment, and that from one in whom they had put the 
 greatest confidence. When I felt clear of this part of the sub- 
 ject, way opened to show the inseparable unity between Christ 
 and his Church ; and that it was by covenant, and that com- 
 pared to the wedlock covenant ; and when both parties kept 
 the covenant inviolate, then each partook of every solace that 
 could promote joy and happiness ; but to those that broke 
 covenant, sorrow, anguish, and woe, were certain. I was, to 
 my own mind, marvelously strengthened to go through the 
 service of the day, to my own peace, and the satisfaction of 
 Friends. I was shortly after informed there had been such a 
 case with them, which run to that length, that it brought the 
 Monthly Meeting into confusion, but that now all parties were 
 satisfied. The woman was disowned, and all things returned 
 to a quiet course, to the exaltation of the standard of Truth and 
 Righteousness ; and I hope to the everlasting praise of the true 
 God. We went on to Simons' Creek to attend their Monthly 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 18S 
 
 Meeting on the 20th, but such a rain came on that only enough 
 came to adjourn the meeting to another time. 
 
 On first day, 21st, we attended the meeting at Newbegun 
 Creek 2 2d, had a meeting at Pasquotank, and returned to 
 Aaron Morris'. 23d, we rode to Nathan Morris'. 24th, we 
 had a meeting at Sutton. 25th, attended the adjourned Month- 
 ly Meeting at Simons' Creek 26th, attended the Quarterly 
 Meeting for Ministers and Elders at Little River. 27th, Quar- 
 terly Meeting for worship and discipline. First day, 28th, we 
 attended the burial of Mary White, daughter of Aaron Morris ; 
 a large and solemn gathering. 1st of 3d month, had a meeting 
 at Pasquotank Narrows. 2d, a meeting at Little River. 3d, 
 had another meeting at Sutton's Creek 4th, we had another 
 meeting at Simons' Creek. 6th, we had a meeting at Nixonton. 
 All through this low country I felt much for Friends ; many 
 of their brethren who had freed their slaves, had left them un- 
 protected and unprovided for ; and they themselves had gone 
 into another country, leaving their blacks a burden on their 
 friends who staid behind ; for they were liable to be taken up 
 and sold again, unless protected by Friends, so that it was a 
 grievous burden. I thought it right to encourage Friends to 
 do what they could for this oppressed and much injured people, 
 for whom I had much labor laid upon me, to plead their cause, 
 and bear a faithful testimony against the wicked practice of 
 holding slaves. 
 
 The 6th of the month, we attended Piney Woods Monthly 
 Meeting. First day, Vth, we attended Wells meeting ; and at 
 three o'clock another appointed for us at Beach Springs. 8th, 
 we rode to Eli Copeland's, thirty-eight miles. 9th, rode to 
 Richsquare. 10th, attended Richsquare Meeting. 11th, we 
 rode to Jack Swamp. 12th, had a meeting in that place. 13th, 
 
 we had a meeting at M . First day, 14th, we attended 
 
 Richsquare meeting again. 15th, we drove forty miles, to 
 Tarburgh, and had to cross the great Waynoak river ; here, to 
 our grief, we saw abundance of slaves, who were hardly used. 
 We put up with Henry Austin. 16th, we had a meeting in 
 12 
 
186 JOURNAL OF 
 
 that town; after it, we drove to Coiiteiitney. I7tli, attended 
 meeting there. 18th, attended meeting at Turner's Swamp. 
 19th, attended Holly Spring meeting. 20th, visited Nahanty 
 meeting. First day, 21st attended Contentney meeting again, 
 after which we rode to Cane Creek. 2 2d, had a meeting with 
 the inhabitants of that place. 23d, set out for Core Sound, 
 and continued traveling the 24th and 25th, and arrived at Jo- 
 siah Burden's 26th, in that neighborhood. 27th, attended Core 
 Sound Monthly Meeting. First day, 28th, attended Core 
 Sound meeting. 29th, we had a meeting in Beaufort Village, 
 by the Seaside. From here we went back to J. Burden's. 31st, 
 we drove to Newbeme. 1st of 4th month, reached Washing- 
 t(yi, a little town on Bear River ; part of the roads were pole 
 and log cross-ways, for miles together ; the most tedious of any 
 I ever met with. 2d of the month, rode to Pungo river. 3d, 
 we drove to Mattimuskeet. 4th, and first of the week, we at- 
 tended that little meeting. After this, we appointed a meeting 
 at the lower end of Musketo Lake, and attended it on the 5th 
 of the month, and returned to Mattimuskeet. The 6th, returned 
 to Pungo river. Vth, arrived at "Washington. 8th, had a 
 large meeting there. Here were abundance of slaves, and it 
 being in the time of the war with England, it ,was thought dan- 
 gerous to say much against war or slavery. I was led to show 
 that the gospel, if complied with, led every true follower of 
 Jesus Christ to endure every burden, break every yoke, and let 
 the oppressed go free ; and those who did not comply there- 
 with, were not true christians, but deceivers of themselves and 
 others, and therefore, anti-christians. From this I was led to 
 the subject of war. But when I mentioned that, a number 
 straitened themselves up, and stared me full in the face, with 
 all the defiance of confident countenance they could ; so much 
 so, that I stopped, and thought to sit down, and give up any 
 further attempt to» preach to them. As I went to set down, 
 the ear of my soul heard a clear voice, saying " stand still and 
 wait for the Lord, and He will help thee." So I stood like a 
 stock to be stared at, awhile. Then the voice spoke again, say- 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 187 
 
 iiig " speak to the people and state to thera where thou livest, 
 and the situation of the country and people." I then proceeded, 
 and stated that I lived, when at home, within sixty miles of the 
 British lines ; the nation that we are now at war with. It is a 
 land line two hundred miles ; one hundred through a country of 
 rich, fertile soil, and both thickly settled, not only with farms, 
 but towns, villages and meeting houses ; and that I had trav- 
 eled m nearly all of the British American Provinces, and found 
 Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, Methodists, 
 Eestorationists, and Roman Catholics, and large societies of 
 each, and many of them own brothers, children of the same 
 mother, and communicants at the same table. When I had 
 proceeded thus far, Gospel life arose, with authority, in this 
 manner : now, is it possible, for any one who has rational sense 
 and power of reflection, to make himself believe that Jesus 
 Christ, the Prince of peace, who came not to destroy men's lives, 
 but save them, should command any of His dear children of the 
 same communion, who, in commemoration of His agonized suf- 
 fermgs for them, in hopes that through His merit, atonement 
 and the gift of His grace, they may obtain eternal salvation, 
 (and this is the belief of all these societies), should command any 
 ofthemto draw the martial sword, to open the veins of life of their 
 brethren, and deprive them of the remainder of their days. 
 And this is now the case in our land, with all those societies 
 except the Quakers. Who can believe all thif should be ? I 
 cannot, though I am well aware that the monarch s of the earth, 
 command obedience from their subjects, on the plea of being 
 subject to the higher power ; seeming to forget that all power 
 in heaven and earth, was given to Jesus Christ, and that they 
 have their power by his permission, and are bound in duty not 
 to counteract His command, and are as accountable to Him as 
 their subjects, and have no right to control conscience ; and 
 Jesus commands to do good for evil ; and He, in the Father, 
 is the highest power of all. When this came, every head had 
 dropped, and every countenance had fallen, except one ; he 
 struggled awhile longer. I felt the power of Truth to arise 
 
188 JOURNAL OF 
 
 mightily over tliem all, and the spring of the Gospel to flow as 
 a mighty stream, so that I had to keep on my guard to speak 
 distinct and clear. The last head came down ; many of them 
 wept much. Tims, the Lord was pleased to make bare his 
 arm, and show his mighty power, and exalt the truths of the 
 Gospel, amongst a full, hardy people, to the honor of His own 
 ever adorable name ! and richly rewarded the poor servant, for 
 the obedience of faith this day. Blessed forever be His good- 
 ness, and honored be His name. 
 
 After this, we journeyed to Greenville. 9th, to Contentney. 
 10th, we attended their Monthly Meeting, and put up with Si- 
 las Hallo well, and rested one day. 12th, we visited Holly 
 Spring Meeting. 13th, attended Nahante Meeting. 14th, we 
 attended Bear Creek meeting. 15th, I attended the Quarterly 
 Meeting for Ministers and Elders, at Contentney; afterward 
 we attended the Quarterly Meeting for discipline. First- 
 day, the 18th, was a general parting meeting, which was 
 large, solemn and favored. All the meetings in this quar- 
 ter are small, many having moved away, and meetings go- 
 ing down, which seemed gloomy and discouraging. There 
 seemed hardly strength to support discipline. Many of 
 their children marrying into slave families, taking their wives' 
 portion in slaves ; then ends all fellowship with Friends. They 
 become the hardest people that I fell in with. While I mourned 
 for the slaves, I could but doubly mourn for the dwindling state 
 of our Society in these slave countries. My heart was many 
 times so filled with grief, that had not the Lord sustained me, 
 I should have fainted in the field. 19th, we had a meeting at 
 Neuse, eighteen miles from Contentney. 20th, set out for 
 Eno ; arrived there 23d, and had a meeting with the few 
 Friends of that place. After meeting, drove twenty miles, and 
 crossed the river Saxapahaw, to attend Spring Monthly Meet- 
 ing, 24th of the month. First day, 25th, attended that meet- 
 ing again. 26th, had a meeting at South Fork, and rode to 
 Cane Creek. 27th, had a meeting there. In this part of the 
 country, I found things much out of order, and much discord 
 
JOSEPH HOAG, 189 
 
 amongst Friends. My Master led me from day to day, and 
 from meeting to meeting, into a clear sense of the state of meet- 
 ings and individuals, and laid His command on me to speak His 
 word faithfully, from which I durst not deviate, so that my 
 fears of missing the right mark were almost continual : being 
 in almost every meeting, for quite a number of days, led into a 
 sense of the wrongs that were among them, and had to deal 
 plainly with them, which was very painful to me, and deeply 
 under the cross ; so that it wore upon my constitution to that 
 degree, that I sometimes thought I should lay my bones among 
 them. And had not the Lord borne me up, I should have 
 fainted in the field. 28th, we were at Rocky River and made 
 our home with David Vestal, one of their worthies, an Israelite 
 indeed, and attended that Preparative Meeting, and went to 
 the Ridge, twelve miles. 29th, had a meeting there. From 
 thence, we went to Holly Spring once more ; much in the cross. 
 Was at that meeting the 30th of the month. After it we re- 
 turned to David Vestal's. The 1st of 5th month, were at Cane 
 Creek Monthly Meeting. First day, the 2d of the month, we 
 had a meeting at John Long's, seven miles from Cane Creek. 
 3d of the month, had a meeting at Providence. The 4th, at 
 Salem. 5th, at Centre. 6th, at Marlborough. At this meet- 
 ing, painful was the travail of my mind, on the account of dis- 
 cord amongst brethren ; and I had to leave some close remarks 
 in some families. I was told after leaving that place, there 
 were two brothers, both members of Society in that meeting, 
 who had not spoken to each other in five years, and that I had 
 dined at one of their houses, and that I need not think strange 
 of the remarks that I had to make in the family. Yth, I at- 
 tended the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, at Black 
 Creek, where I was led into the closest communication, and 
 was, I think, constrained to express the sharpest language that 
 I ever had in charge from my Master in a meeting of that kind, 
 and was told after meeting there was a cause for it. The 8th, 
 was their meeting for business, somewhat exercising on account 
 of an opposing spirit, but by Friends keeping in the quiet and 
 
190 JOURNAL OF 
 
 patiently waiting at Wisdom's gate, Truth bore the victory. 
 Q'he business was conducted regularly and consistently, to the 
 comfort of many minds. First day, the 9th, was the conclud- 
 ing meeting for the Quarter. 10th, we had a meeting at TJwa- 
 vie. After this meeting we drove twelve miles, and the 11th 
 traveled forty-five miles, to Rockingham. 12th, got to Pedee, 
 about 8 o'clock in the morning, and attended their mid-week 
 meeting, and appointed a meeting for the next day, at the 
 same house, and another in the afternoon, on the other side of 
 Pedee river, at a place called Little Creek. Both these meet- 
 ings were satisfactory. 14th, we set forward for Piney Grove, 
 in South Carolina. 15th, we attended Piney Grove Monthlv 
 Meeting. Here, Friends labor under great discouragements, a 
 number having removed to other countries, and they, sur- 
 rounded with slaveholders, so that they seemed to be in an 
 unsettled state. They conducted the business in much conde- 
 scension and humility. There appeared nothing austere amongst 
 Friends of this place. I had the best satisfaction with Friends 
 here, of any meeting for business I had attended for a long 
 time. 16th, and first of the week, we attended meeting there 
 again. l7th, we affectionately parted with Friends of this 
 place, and turned our course for New Garden, in North Caro- 
 lina. "We went to Rockingham. The 18th, we had a meet- 
 ing with the inhabitants of Rockingham, and rode to Archibald 
 Morman's. There, we had a meeting the 19th. After this 
 meeting we rode thirty miles, and the 20th, we rode twenty- 
 five miles. The 21st, we got to John Winslow's. The 2 2d, 
 we rode to Nathan Hunt's, in Springfield. The 23d, and first 
 of the week, we attended Springfield meeting. The 24th, I 
 had to lay by and doctor, having taken a great cold. 25th, I 
 went to Matthew Coffin's. About this time, my companion 
 becoming very uneasy and discontented, left me, in a distant 
 land, among strangers, where I was often plunged into deep 
 sufferings. 26th, I attended Springfield mid-week meeting. 
 27th, had a meeting at Piney Woods. 28th, had a meeting 
 at Kennet. 29th, rode twelve miles to attend Back Creek 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 191 
 
 Monthly Meeting at Heworry. In this little tour I had Mat- 
 thew Coffin for a companion. First day, the 30th, I was at 
 Heworry Meeting, and returned to Phineas Nixon's, where T 
 was kindly cared for. 31st, I had another meeting appointed 
 at Back Creek. This seemed almost like giving up my life, 
 to have to go back to a place, where I had been so many times, 
 and been plunged into such deep exercise ; it seemed like the 
 mighty waters that rolled over the head. But I found peace 
 in giving up to my Master's requirings. He was pleased to 
 bear me company, and strengthened with ability and utterance, 
 so to do His work that I felt well relieved, and richly rewarded. 
 The 1st of the 6th month, we returned to Springfield and 
 attended their Preparative Meeting. 2d of the month, again 
 visited Piney Woods Meeting. The 4th, at Kennett; 5th, 
 attended Springfield Monthly Meeting, where I had to go into 
 close, searching labor. After they commenced doing the busi- 
 ness, I felt my mind impressively drawn to make a visit to the 
 women's meeting. I opened it to the men and hud their con- 
 sent, and a Friend was named to go in with me, and soon after 
 I got there, it was opened to me that there was one in the meet- 
 ing who was accused of stealing, who was as innocent of such 
 a crime as a child unborn. I sat under the exercise until my 
 Master showed me how, and in what manner to take hold of the 
 subject. I then rose with these words : Had I in the men's 
 meeting met with what I have here, I should not have been 
 surprised ; for men who have to go ahead in the business of 
 the world, will sometimes run across each others' track and spat 
 each other ; but to find amongst the fair sex, to whom we look 
 for the finest feelings of sympathy, those who are accusing an 
 innocent sister of taking property, not her own, and keeping it 
 for her own use, who is as innocent of any such crime as a 
 child unborn ; and not only accusing, but whispering and 
 spreading it abroad to the great injury of the credit of the in- 
 nocent ; and what is still worse, for those Avho sit in Moses' seat, 
 and those in the station of Elders to sanction these reports, is 
 cruel ; and to be found among the fair sex, is surj3rising. But 
 
192 JOURNAL OF 
 
 rest assured, the Lord will overturn all this, and the day will 
 come that it will be known who is innocent — for the Lord 
 will plead the cause of suffering innocence. And if thou who 
 art the sufferer, keep in the quiet, and abide in patience, the 
 day shall come when this shall be carried over the heads of thy 
 accusers. I passed on, and no one said anything to me on 
 the subject. I heard nothing of it for years. But when I did, 
 it was said that a Friend and his wife and children, had accus- 
 ed a daughter-in-law, a widow, of taking several hundred dol- 
 lars in money, that was not her own, and had secreted it. Sev- 
 eral years passed; at length the man who had the money, 
 came forward and let it be known that the widow's husband 
 had paid the money over to him a few days before he died, 
 for land which he gave a deed for, and the deed was found, and 
 agreed with the man's testimony. Thus, I was credibly in- 
 formed, the widow was cleared. I leave this, in hopes that it 
 may be a caution to others, how they accuse on suspicion, and 
 give pain to suffering innocence. 
 
 The 6th of the month, and first of the week, I was at 
 Deep River Meeting ; the Yth, I attended Deep River Month- 
 ly Meeting ; 8th, at Muddy Creek Meeting ; the 9th, at Blue 
 Creek Meeting; the 10th, I attended Dover Meeting; the 
 11th, attended New Garden Quarterly Meeting for Ministers 
 and Elders ; the 12th, the meeting for business. First day, 
 the 13th, attended their closing meeting held for worship 
 — it was a solid, favored meeting; 14th, visited Hope- 
 well Meeting; here I had Jesse Towel for a companion; 15th, 
 we had a meeting at Newberry; 16th, at a meeting at Sandy 
 Springs ; 1 8th, we were at Centre Monthly Meeting ; it was a 
 trying day on account of a division amongst Friends, and a 
 noisy man, they were about to disown, at length left the meet- 
 ing, after which the business was conducted pretty harmoni- 
 ously ; 20th, first day, we attended Centre Meeting in the fore- 
 noon and had an appointed meeting at Providence in the af- 
 ternoon; 21st, went to Jesse Towel's, where we put up for the 
 night; 22d, we rode to Joseph Thompson's; 23d, we had a 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 193 
 
 meeting at Hillsborough ; 24th, we attended Eno Preparative 
 Meeting, and returned to Jesse Towel's, twenty-six miles ; 25th, 
 I laid by and wrote letters; 26th, we attended Spring Monthly 
 Meeting ; 2'7th, we were at Rocky river Meeting, and took 
 dinner with our worthy, aged Friend, David Vestal; 28th and 
 29th, we traveled sixty-eight miles and reached Archibald Mer- 
 man's for the second time ; 30th, we had a meeting at Samuel 
 Chauncey's, and tarried with him the following night. The 
 1st of 'Tth month, we had a second meeting at Rockingham ; 
 2d, we reached Piney grove, in South Carolina, and made our 
 home with John Thomas. 4th, first day, we attended Piney 
 grove meeting, which was large and favored ; a tender, humb- 
 ling time ; 5th, 6th and Yth, we spent in visiting the families 
 of that meeting ; 8th, w^e attended their mid-week meeting, 
 which was a solemn, parting opportunity, and proved a final 
 parting with several of us, who had become much bound to- 
 gether in spirit; 9th, set out for Bush river ; 10th, we got to 
 Camden, seventy miles on our way, and had a meeting there 
 on first day, the 11th, which was large and favored. We 
 made our home with Samuel Mathers, a Methodist preacher, 
 who treated us with Christian kindness, and was verv helpful in 
 getting a house for the meeting, and notifying the people. We 
 had another meeting in the evening, in the same house, to good 
 satisfaction. 11 ere, I was shown the ground where Friends held 
 their Quarterly Meeting for sixty years, and was told that Friends 
 once had a large, good house there ; but the ground then lay 
 commons. I asked what had become of Friends, and was told 
 they all moved off in a body, except a few who had since 
 died, and one old man.. The Quakers told us for several 
 years, that if we did not use our slaves better they would quit 
 the country, for they could not endure to see it ; but we did 
 not believe them until we saw them go, and sorry enough we 
 are that they are gone, for they were good inhabitants. This 
 gave me a fair opportunity to reason with them on the subject, 
 and show how inconsistent it was with good policy or humani- 
 ty, and repugnant to the very nature of all the Divine attri- 
 
194 JOURNAL OF 
 
 butes, and entirely incompatible with every precept of the 
 Gospel. They acknowledged it was wrong, but complained 
 they had got them ; their fathers had left them on their hands, 
 and they did not know what to do with them ; their fathers 
 liad done them a great evil. Here they chose to stop, and 
 curl down on their fathers' sins, making that a couch of secu- 
 rity. They seemed to have no disposition to ease their slaves' 
 burdens, or mitigate their|distress, nor yet to look forward for 
 their enlargement ; but the plea was, we have got them, and 
 must keep them, and keep a strict hand over them, or they 
 will be saucy and rebel. So I said, no blindness so gieat as 
 willful blindness ; no sin so hardening to heart and searing to 
 the conscience, as the sin against light and knowledge. 
 
 The 12th, resumed our journey for Bush River, over a hilly, 
 rough country. We lodged at a small village called Winns- 
 borough. Here, we thought best to stop and propose a meet- 
 ing with the people, which was readily complied with. It was 
 held on the 13th ; the people were civil, and appeared well sat- 
 isfied, and I felt much relieved. Our landlord's name was Hugh 
 Barclay. 14th, we started, expecting our next night's lodging 
 would be at Bush River. It was a heavy day's travel, over a 
 hilly, dry country ; the water was very poor, which is not com- 
 mon in a hilly country. I was taken sick on the road, vomiting 
 heavily several times, but continued our travel, and arrived at the 
 widow Hannah Kelly's, where we put up for the night. 15th, 
 continuing sick, we moved to Isaac Kirks, an able man, who had 
 a good open heart to take us in, and do all he could for me. 
 When wegottherethey were just going to meeting, but I was not 
 able to go with them. My sickness proved to be the billions 
 colic, and I was confined here among sympathizing, kind 
 Friends, till first day, the 18th, by which time I had so recruit- 
 ed as to be able to attend their meeting ; and notice having 
 spread of our being in the place, the meeting was large. The 
 Master of Israels' assemblies was pleased renewedly to visit that 
 people, and cause the water of His love to be plentifully show- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 195 
 
 ered on Ilis lieritage, to the tendering of many precious minds. 
 May it be productive of fruitfulness unto holiness ! 
 
 The 19th, we had a meeting in Newberry Court House, 
 which was large, and the people very attentive and quiet. 20th, 
 we appointed a meeting at New Chapel, it was large. In both 
 these meetings my mind was enlarged in the love of the Gospel, 
 and the doctrines thereof, flowed freely to the people. 21st, 
 we had a meeting with Friends by themselves — a humbling, 
 parting opportunity, not easy to be forgotten by me. 22d, we 
 set out for North Carolina, and rode thirty-one miles through 
 a hilly, stony country, James Galbreth being our pilot. 23d, 
 pursued our journey through that hilly country, and drove forty- 
 four miles ; 24th, we drove to Statesville, forty-two miles. 25th, 
 first day, by driving twenty-three miles, we got to Hunting Creek 
 Meeting; though late, I was glad to find myself among my Friends 
 once more. Not feeling clear, I proposed a meeting there the 
 next day, which was readily complied with. It was large and 
 favored, much to the relief of my drooping mind. The 27th, 
 we had a meeting at Swan Creek ; this was also to good satisfac- 
 tion. After which, we rode to Deep Creek, and had an appoint- 
 ed meeting there on the 28th. The spring of gospel life ran free- 
 ly ; 29th, we went to W€stfield twenty-five miles. I was taken 
 sick on the road, and was not able to travel or attend meeting- 
 till first day, the 1st of 8th month, when I got out to West- 
 field meeting. Here I parted with my agreeable companion, 
 Jesse Towel, who had been w4th me through this southern 
 tour. 
 
 2d of the month we set forward to cross the Blue Ridge, to 
 go to Fruit Hill, thirty-five miles; I think the worst road of 
 the length that I ever drove a carriage over. 3d, attended 
 Fruit Hill Meeting; I had Nathan Coles for companion, at 
 whose house I had been confined at Westfield, where I was 
 kindly nursed. 4th, we were at Mount Pleasant Meeting. It 
 was small. We lodged with John McLane. From here I had 
 to ride on horse back fifteen miles, to Chestnuts. Previous to 
 my arrival, I had to stop for refreshment; the fare was poor, 
 
196 JOURNAL OF 
 
 but the people were kind. We got to meeting in season; it 
 was small ; the country was hard, and Friends poor. After 
 meeting we set forward on our return to Mount Pleasant, but 
 failing, I did not get in until near one o'clock next day, 6th. 
 On the Yth, by the doctor's direction, I took an emetic, which 
 operated so violently, that it nearly overcame nature, and I lay 
 about six hours nearly as cold as a corpse, until they boiled a 
 large vessel of water with a quantity of bitter herbs. They 
 put me in this warm bath, and rubbed me faithfully with the 
 boiled herbs ; this promoted a warmth, and restored nature to 
 action. The emetic turned down, operated powerfull}^, and I 
 revived ; but it broke the fever which had been hanging about 
 me for several months. I sweat profusely for about twelve 
 hours, which reduced me very low. I think I never was 
 brought so near the grave, in my life, before. I was taken to 
 John McLane's, on account of his wife being a good nurse, and 
 I had never before fallen into the hands of one, equal to her in 
 skill and motherly affection, so that when I think of her, my 
 heart glows with gratitude, much desiring, and fully believing, 
 that the Lord will richly reward her for her kindness to me, a 
 stranger in a strange land. 
 
 I was confined from traveling until the 20th, except to at- 
 tend Westfield Quarterly Meeting, and in the latter part of the 
 time I sat with Friends twice in their little meeting at Mount 
 Pleasant. After attending the Quarter, I visited Fruit Hill and 
 Pine Creek meetings ; returned to Mount Pleasant, and attend- 
 ed their Preparative Meeting the 2'7th, and their Monthly 
 Meeting, the 28th; both of them were small and weak. 29th, 
 first day, was at Chestnut Creek meeting again, after which, I 
 returned to Mount Pleasant, where I met my intended compan- 
 ion for Tennessee — Caleb Carson. 
 
 On the 30th, we set out for Tennessee. We had to cross 
 the Blue Ridge. The first day we traveled twenty-eight miles, 
 the 2d day, thirty-eight miles. The 1st of 9th month we trav- 
 eled thirty miles ; the 2d, not more than twenty miles. We 
 turned over our carriage, damaging it considerably, so that we 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 197 
 
 had much difficulty in getting amongst Friends. The first 
 Friend's house we came to was Isaac Hammer's, where we put 
 up for the night. From here, we went to Isaac Beal's, and 
 mended our carriage. The day following, we had a comforta- 
 ble meeting. The next meeting was at New Hope, and 
 the day following at the little meeting at Tick Creek. In all 
 the above meetings I was led much in the line of doctrine. 
 Friends here generally lived comfortably, but none of them 
 rich ; they seemed to be pleasant company for one another, no 
 distinctions to feed jealousy or promote pride, so that it was 
 much easier getting along here than in manj^ other places. We 
 had a large meeting at Canada Spring, (about the time the 
 Methodists were holding their Camp Meeting, not far distant), 
 to which many of the Methodists came. I was led to show that 
 the work of religion was a work carried on between God and 
 the soul of man. I was also led to show that while the soul 
 kept its attention on the spirit of the Lord, which began the 
 work of reformation in and upon it, every advance in the 
 growth of grace, from stature to stature, was known in the com- 
 munion that was held between the spirit of the Lord and the soul ; 
 and when the spirit of the Lord was believed in and obeyed, it 
 dictated all our duties to God, our fellow creatures, and our- 
 selves ; and the duties so done were always acceptable with the 
 Lord, while all man-contrived devotion and will-worship, is re- 
 jected by Him. They took offense at my remarks, and after I 
 was gone, they charged me with false doctrine, l give a little 
 sketch of this meeting as an introduction to what will come in 
 course before I leave the country. 
 
 After meeting we rode to Lost Creek, fifteen miles. 9th, we 
 had a large, favored, satisfactory meeting with Friends and oth- 
 ers of that place. 10th, we had a small meeting at the Valley. 
 11th, we had a little meeting at Grassy Run. A number of 
 these little meetings were once larger, many having moved 
 away, to get out of a slave country, and left a few scattering 
 ones in each place, who do not seem willing to give up holding 
 their meetings, though some of them were but little more than 
 
198 JOURNAL OP 
 
 ceremony. They seemed in an uneasy and unhappy situation, 
 so that I thought these had better follow their brethren ; yet I 
 think, that had Friends of that part of the country kept togeth- 
 er, and been faithful to 'their principles, and stood their 
 gromid, they might have done much good to, and for the 
 oppressed black people, who have but few to plead their cause ; 
 and I think they would have done much better than moving 
 away. In that part of the country there are many not Friends, 
 who are very uneasy with slavery ; so that I think, where 
 Truth shakes the foundation of iniquity. Friends had better 
 keep the ground and hold up the standard of light and Truth 
 to the people. 
 
 The 12th, we went to Newberry, twenty-five miles, 13th, 
 we lay by to give opportunity for the notice of the meeting. 
 Friends living scattered. 14th, we had a large, good meeting 
 at that pSace. 15th, we started to return, but not feeling clear, 
 we turned back, and had a meeting about five miles southward 
 of Friends' Meeting-house, on the 16th, and then returned to 
 Friends. lYth, we visited families. 18th, we started for Lost 
 Creek. We stopped on our way, at Knoxville, to take breakfast. 
 The Indians having made an invasion on the frontiers of the 
 white inhabitants, it was a time of general alarm while I was 
 there. Being taken into the room where the General was with 
 his officers ; the sergeants made their returns to the Gene- 
 ral, that they had warned every man that the law required to 
 do military outy, Quakers and all, and there had not one Qua- 
 ker appeared on the ground. In the meantime the General 
 looked sharply at me, as I was walking the room, and said, 
 "Well, we have lost a number of our frontier inhabitants, and 
 some of our soldiers, and a people who would not defend the 
 frontier inhabitants, when the savages were destroying and 
 scalping them, could not be considered friends to their country, 
 and should have no favor from him." He then said, "How do 
 you like this doctrine, stranger ?" I answered, "It is no doc- 
 trine for me ; I have little or no opinion of it." He asked, 
 "Why ?" I said, "The people with whom I commune, who 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 199 
 
 are sound in their principles, are all King's men to a man, and 
 are remarkably attached to their King, and our King told Pon- 
 tius Pilate, that His kingdom was not of this world, for if it 
 ■was, then would His servants fight that He should not be deliv- 
 ered to the Jews ; that His kingdom was not from hence, and 
 that His kingdom was our kingdom ; that He had nothing to 
 fight for in this world, neither have we ; and you warriors are 
 fighting for the riches, honor, and glory of this world, and when 
 you have got them, you cannot stay with them. We choose 
 to lay up our riches, and have our treasures, where the rust 
 cannot mar them, nor thieves nor warriors get them from us." 
 The General sat down, but soon rose with these words, "I am not 
 going to give up the argument so ; I see by the look of your eye, 
 that you are no coward ; you are a soldier ; and if an Indian was 
 to come into your house to kill your wife and children, you would 
 fight." I answered, "As for cowardice, I ever despised it," but 
 pointing tow* d the guns standing in the house with bayonets on 
 them, "General, it would take twelve such men as thou art — 
 and then you would not do it — to make me take hold of a gun 
 or pistol, to take the life of a fellow creature," and looked him 
 full in the face. He said, "I see you do not deny the sword." 
 I replied, "No ; I profess to be a swordsman, that is the weap- 
 on I go into the field with — a sword that never was beaten in 
 the field nor foiled in battle." He turned and sat down, but 
 not long, and said, "I will bring you to the point. If an Indi- 
 an was to come into your house, with his knife and tomahawk, 
 and you knew he would kill you, your wife, and children, and 
 you knew you could kill him and save all your lives, you would 
 kill him ; if you did not, you would be guilty of the death of 
 the whole." I thought it time to look ifor a close, and propos- 
 ed a standard to bring the argument to, that should decide it, 
 but he declined. I then asked him if he professed to be a 
 Christian, a Jew, or a Mahometan ? He declined awhile. I 
 then added, if he were a Jew, he was not prepared to fight ; 
 his men were not circumcised, he had not burnt a sin offering, 
 nor a peace offering. He excljjimed, "I profess to be a Chris- 
 
200 JOURNAL OP 
 
 tian ; I am not a Jew or a Turk," I asked him if he believed 
 Jesus Christ was the author of the Christian dispensation." He 
 said, "Yes." I asked him, if he believed Him sufficiently equal 
 to the work as God himself, as he received all the works of 
 God to do. He said, "He did." I then told him, I should 
 keep him to the Christian platform or creed, laid down by Je- 
 sus Christ ; and that he would not deny that a Christian was 
 fit to live or die — I meant a true Christian. He said a true 
 Christian was fit to live or die. I then told him I would give 
 the subject a fair statement, and he might judge. I proceeded 
 thus : " I shall state, that myself and wife are true Christians, 
 and our children are in the minority — and thou know est it is 
 natural for children to believe what their parents teach them 
 — and therefore we are all true Christians as far as our several 
 capacities enable us to be ; and now the question lies here ; 
 which is most like the precepts and example of our King — the 
 author of the Chistian religion — to lay down our lives, and all 
 go to heaven together ; or kill that wicked Indian, and send 
 him to hell ; for he must be in as wicked a state as he can be, 
 to kill a family that would not hurt him. General, it is a seri- 
 ous thing to send wicked folks to hell ; they have no chance to 
 come back and mend their ways ; and thou dost not know, but 
 that if that wicked Indian was spared he might feel remorse 
 enough to make him repent, so as to find forgiveness, and go 
 to heaven. I really believe, I should feel much better to see 
 him come there than to send him to hell ; and that is not all. 
 General ; when I killed that wicked Indian, and sent him to 
 hell, I imbrued my hands in human blood ; before, they were 
 clean ; but now they are stained deep in the crimson gore. 
 Canst thou make thyself believe, that I stand as good a chance 
 to get to heaven, as to die when my hands were clean, and I 
 innocent of human blood ? And besides, our King who was 
 Lord of all, had disciples and many women who looked up to 
 Him for protection, as much as a wife to a husband, or children 
 to their father. Did He, when the wicked Jews came out with 
 staves to take Him, cut ofi" those wicked creatures, and send 
 
JOSEPH IIOAG, 201 
 
 them to hell, when he could have the command of twelve le- 
 gions of angels ? He did not act without reason, He knew if 
 He cut them off they must go to hell ; and He knew if He laid 
 down His life, He was going to heaven ; and neither thou nor 
 I knows, but some of the poor creatures repented of their con- 
 duct, and found forgiveness, and are now in heaven, glorifying 
 His name for sparing them. Now General, was He guilty of 
 suicide ? Thou wilt answer. He came into the world for this 
 purpose. I reply that we are brought into the world to obey 
 his commands, and to follow his example, and do likewise if 
 called on ; and. General, we find He had one soldier among 
 His followers, who drew his sword and fought like a valiant for 
 his Lord. But what then said his Lord ? Did He say, thou 
 art a good fellow, I will promote thee for this ? Or, did He 
 not say, put up thy sword into its sheath, for they that use the 
 sword shall perish with the sword. General, thou will do well 
 to remember that saying ; it is the word of a King. 
 
 The General made no answer, but sat and hung his head for 
 some time. One of the company at length replied, " Well, 
 stranger, if all the world was of your mind, I would turn and 
 follow after." I replied, " so then thou hast a mind to be the 
 last man in the world to be good. I have a mind to be ©ne of 
 the first, and set the rest the example." This made the Gene- 
 ral smile. He got up and went out at the door, and ordered 
 his officers to let me go where I pleased, and not to interfere ; 
 then turned and came in. I was then walking the floor, and 
 after a little discourse, the General said, " well, stranger, there 
 are a great many of your sort of people in this State." I an- 
 swered, " yes, and I hope thou finds them an honest, industri- 
 ous, peacable people ; good inhabitants to populate and clear 
 up a new country, and make it valuable." He said, " yes, they 
 are an industrious, harmless people." We were both on our 
 feet. I turned, ahd looked him full in the face, and spoke with 
 some emphasis. " General, canst thou say that an honest, in- 
 dustrious people, who will harm nobody, are enemies to their 
 country ? " He paused awhile, and said, " No, and they shall 
 13 
 
202 JOURNAL OF 
 
 have my protection, and you have the word of a General for it.'' 
 I then felt easy that all was done that could ha done. I had 
 the same man's word who had said, " No favor should be 
 sh'vwn the Quakers," now ple^lge Ids honor to protect them. 
 After some mure conversation, we parted very pleasantly. We 
 refreshed and went on ; and after getting alone and looking it 
 all over, 1 said in my heart, "Lord, what hast Thou done, for 
 Thou wast near me and I perceived it not ; Thou carried me 
 through, and I knew it not. The honor and the praise is all 
 Thine ; Thou hast magnified Thy own honor, and exalted the 
 cause of righteousness in the eyes of gainsayers, and caused 
 the tongue of the lofty to change, and hast caused the mighty 
 to feel Thy power to be over them all, to the praise of Thy 
 ever blessed name ! " 
 
 The 19th, we attended Lost Creek Preparative Meeting. 
 29th, we attended Grassy Valley Preparative Meeting. In both 
 of these I had relieving service to my mind, and good satisfac- 
 tion ; but not feeling clear of Knoxvilh^, we returned to it, 
 whilst the army lay there. 21st, we had a meeting with the 
 oflBicers, soldiers, and inhabitants — a great concourse — having; a 
 place that would accommodate thousands. Here, the Lord, 
 n^v good Master, gave strength sufficient for the day, and took 
 all the fear of man from me, and furnished me with ability to 
 hold forth the beauties of the peaceable kingdom of the Messiah, 
 the Lamb of God; and to bring into view the reward in time, 
 in the enjoyment of social society in love, whose law is kind- 
 ness ; that hn^e which worketh no ill to its neighbor, but pro- 
 moteth peace, and spreadeth joy in the human family. Thus, 
 I was led to hold up the warrior's weapons in their terrific 
 hues, and show the agonies they caused, in making widows, 
 and fatherless children, with the other evils attendant, and had 
 to contrast the subjects, so they would look me in the face, 
 look down on their swords, turn pale and hang their heads, 
 and some of them shed tears. Truth arose mightily in domin- 
 ion over them all. The power of the Lord and the Lamb, 
 reigned that day, to the honor of the Godhead, to whom all 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 203 
 
 honor belongeth. After meetino^, I thoiiglit to get away soon, 
 but before I could start a man came to me with a miinber of 
 silver pieces in his hand, to reward me for my service, at d 
 urged me to take them, and t<> stay three-quarte'S of an h- ur, 
 and they would raise something handsome for me. for that was 
 not half enough; the people wanted to <lo it, and I ouglit to 
 receive it, for I well deserved it. So that I was oblige ^1 to take 
 up the subject at large, an<l give them my reasons why I could 
 not take even one piece of the money. They gathered around, 
 and looked on me like people amazed, until I had done, and 
 then the man who held the money lo* ked on me and said, " I 
 believe you are sincere and conscientious in it, but I think you 
 are a little bigoted, and we are sorry, for we think you ought 
 to take the money." I acknowledged their respect, and was 
 glad to get away so well, and returned to Lost Creek. 
 
 The 22d, we attended that Monthly Meeting. 23d, first day, 
 we were at Canada Creek Meeting. Notice being given of our 
 being there, a number of Methodists came in. This was the 
 place where the Methodists accused me of false doctrine when 
 here before, but now I had to take up the subject of silent wor- 
 ship at large, and show from many scripture tcxt% that silence 
 was an ordinance of heaven — as preparatory to all right devo- 
 tion. I was led to bring into- view the silence in heaven for 
 the space of half an hour, and what transpired after it ; also 
 Elijah being silent in the cave's mouth, when the wind, the fire, 
 and the earthquake passed by, and the Lord was in none of them, 
 and was led to show what transpired after it, in confirmation 
 that silent worship was acceptable with God, and a necessary 
 preparation for all other devotion ; then sat down. 1 had not 
 sat long before I found my mind drawn to take up the subject 
 of prayer, and call to remembrance the Lord's instruction how 
 to behave in prayer; that Christians were not to make long 
 prayers as the heathen did, thinking they should be heard for 
 their much speaking ; nor to blow the trumpet to call pco})le 
 to hear them pray ; nor to stand in corners of the streets to be 
 
204 JOURNAL OF 
 
 heard or seen of men ; but to pray to their Father, who was in 
 secret, and who would reward them openly. 
 
 When we returned to John Kennedy's, after meeting, the 
 aged Friend, remarked that, he did not know but that his 
 prayer was answered; for the Methodists had said so much 
 about my false doctrine, that he had craved that I might come 
 back and have another meeting with them, and clear the way. 
 He thought I had been enabled to answer every objection and 
 every cavil, as plainly as though I had heard them ; and that, 
 too, in the hearing of the objectors, in such a manner, that he 
 saw no way but they must be still and quiet now. He could 
 but marvel at the goodness of Providence to his people. Then 
 remarked, thy last testimony crowned all the rest ; for in their 
 Camp Meeting they blow the trumpet to apprise the people, 
 and when they thought they had time to wash and prepare 
 themselves, they blow the trumpet to call them to prayers. 
 And when they had time to breakfast, they blew the trumpet 
 to call them into the camp. So that when thou came over 
 the blowing -of the trumpet, and the manner of parade, it so fitly 
 applied, that the Minister who sat before thee, dropped his 
 head that had held up before, and he did not raise it again 
 until thou sat down. So that I think it is evident that the 
 Truth arose in dominion over all opposition ; a favor that we 
 ought to be thankful for. And truly the account was hum- 
 bling to my soul. 24th, we drove about ten miles on our way, 
 stopped and had a meeting ; after which, we drove ten miles 
 and put up with Jacob Killpatrick. 25th, we drove but twen- 
 ty-four miles ; it being very rainy, we stopped with Friends at 
 Lick Creek. 26th, we had a satisfactory meeting with them. 
 After meeting we drove to Newhope, and had a meeting with 
 them on fifth day. After meeting, we drove to the widow Eliza- 
 beth Powel's, in Limestone Settlement, and had a meeting with 
 them on 6th day of the week. In these last meetings the way 
 was opened, and I was favored so with utterance, that I felt 
 fully relieved, and at liberty to bid farewell to Friends, and that 
 country, for that time. 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 205 
 
 The 2d of 10th month, we set forward for Westfield, in 
 North Carolina, and arrived there the 10th of the month. We 
 attended but one meeting in the time, and traveled three hun- 
 dred miles across the most hilly, mountainous country, that I 
 had ever traveled. 11th, I attended Westfield Monthly Meet- 
 ing, and was glad to get amongst Friends again. 12th, first- 
 day, I attended that meeting again, to my own, and Friend's 
 satisfaction and comfort. 13th, I left Deep Creek, and reached 
 there about the middle of the next day, 15th, I had a second 
 meeting there. 16th, had a satisfactory meeting at Hunting 
 Creek, and took dinner after it with Daniel Burnsides. lYth, 
 I went to Swan Creek, and had a good meeting there on the 
 18th. 19th, I returned to Deep Creek, and was with Friends 
 of that place, on first day, 20th. 21st, in company with John 
 Jackson, I had a meeting at a town called Rockford, on the 
 east side of the Yadkin River. From there we returned to 
 Westfield, and lay by on the 2 2d, waiting for company, being 
 bound for the Yearly Meeting of North Carolina, to be held at 
 New Garden. 23 d, we crossed Surry town mountains, and put 
 up at night with Latham Folger. 24th, we drove to Barnabas 
 Cofiin's, Deep River. 26th, I attended the Yearly Meeting for 
 Ministers and Elders. 27th, first day, attended meeting at the 
 same house. At this meeting I hurt my testimony by speak- 
 ing fast, fearing I should be in the way of others. 28th, the 
 Yearly Meeting for business commenced, and held by adjourn- 
 ment several days. Much deep exercise was witnessed on ac- 
 count of the many deficiencies, which through declension, had 
 crept into our Society ; so that there was much disorder in the 
 Yearly Meeting, by young people going in and out, who were 
 not members, accompanied by young Friends ; so much so that 
 I proposed to appoint door-keepers to prevent the disorder, 
 which the meeting did ; yet a member of Friends were highly 
 offended with it, so that I had much arduous, and painful la- 
 bor through this Yearly Meeting, on account of the many 
 wrongs not done away. There were many colored children 
 
206 JOURNAL OF 
 
 amongst them, who were in no way for obtahnng learnino- to fit 
 them for business; and when I talked with some Friends on 
 the subject, they replied, that if they gave them learning, it 
 would make them saucy, and they would feel themselves as 
 good as white folks. There were others who felt concerned for 
 them, and wished them to have learning; but there were few 
 who were willing to put forth the hand ; so that I felt. a neces- 
 sity laid heavy upon me. to labor !i<^nestly, faithfully, and plaj^- 
 ly with Friends on that, and several othep accounts, which lay 
 heavy on me. But it did not suit them in general, and only a 
 few would receive it. But my good Master strengthened me 
 so from day to day, to bear tlie testimony which he gave me, 
 that when the meetinir closed I felt easy, clear, and richly re- 
 warded with the returns of that peace, which no man could 
 take from me. 
 
 After this meeting, my way being shut up as to any further 
 gospul labors in this land, I set out for h Mue and traveled four- 
 teen days, wiihout any stop except what nature ca'led for, until 
 I got to Stroudsburgh, in Pemisylvan'a. There I stop[)ed a 
 week and rest'd my horses, g.>t my clothes washed, and then 
 started again, and reached home in about ten days; found my 
 family and Friends generally in good health, after nn absence of 
 thirteen months, having passed through many deep wadings, 
 and witnessed the arm of. the Lord to carry my soul through 
 lieights and depths. It is all of His power and mercy uhich 
 hath sustained me hitherto. H mored, worshiped, and adored 
 be His goodness, and His holy came for everm.>re, saith my 
 soul! 
 
 Several years have pas-ed, in which T had to make several 
 shirt religious visits in different parts (;f my own Yearly > eet- 
 i >g. Not having regulai-ly dated minutes, 1 pass by them, and 
 take up the following account to close my first visit in North 
 CVirolina. After getting through South Carolina, I expected 
 from there to go home, but after getting from Chestnuts, among 
 the mountains, 1 was taken very sick, and was confined most of 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 207 
 
 the time for several weeks, at Mt. Pleasant, and at one time so 
 low, they thought I was dying, and I thought so myself. At this 
 time I was seriously looking over, to find if all was well to leave 
 the world, and the Lord showed me that I was not to die yet. 
 I had got to attend North Carolina Yearly Meeting and several 
 others, and tliere, in every place, deliver what lie gave me, and 
 see that I did not turn to the right hand nor to the left. Short- 
 ly after, I was able to get into my carriage and ch^se my visit 
 in Tennessee, and return to North Carolina. I visited one 
 Quarterly Meeting, and two Monthly Meetings before the Year- 
 ly Meeting caftie on, and found close, searching labor in all of 
 them, much more so than is common for me in such meetings. 
 When the accounts were presented to the Yearly Meeting from 
 the different Quarters, there appeared much disorder and weak- 
 ness among them ; I found my mind arrested to hibor much, 
 plain and clear; among the rest, my mind was ari-ested with 
 weight, for a length of time, which I sat under, until 1 was not 
 able to attend to their business sufficiently to know how it was 
 going on. I then informed them there was a subject on my 
 mind, and continued With me so heavy that I saw no other 
 Avay but to leave it where I found it. The subject is this — it is 
 not good for Ministers and Elders to mount their horses and 
 ride round the country to electioneer to get a slave-holder for 
 an assembly-man — it is not consistent with our principles. I 
 was led to show that while we were bearing a testimony against 
 slavery, to ride round and endeavor to get in an assembly-man 
 who was determined to support slavery, was not consist- 
 ent, and w.is led to trea*" the subject very ]>laii!, and clear, to 
 show the encouragement it gave for other Fri- nds to do so 
 likewise ; that it was not good ; Friends had bett< r keep out of 
 the inixuire. I sat down, feeiin.g great peace of mind, and had 
 but little more service through tlie meeting. 
 
 When the meetir«g closed, my cerificate uas not given me ; 
 when one-tl ird were out of the house, I found the clerks 
 crouched down behind the door writing on the back of it. I 
 took it and M\ilked into the yard and saw Avhat was put (\^rit- 
 
208 JOURNAL OF 
 
 ten) upon it, that the Yearly Meeting knew nothing about as a 
 Yearly Meeting ; written in the name of the Yearly Meeting, and 
 signed by its clerk. 
 
 I soon fell in with N H , the assistant clerk, and 
 
 asked him what it meant. With a good deal of emphasis, he 
 said, oh, thy conduct has ruined the Yearly Meeting. I queried 
 with him wherein ; he did not let me know, but insisted that I 
 had wounded a great many Friends' feelings, and ruined tl^e 
 Yearly Meeting, and that I had no business here ; I had ought 
 to have gone home. I let him know that I knew better, and 
 gave him a short account how I knew that I had done my Mas- 
 ter's work faithfully, and got my reward — a good reward, so 
 that they could not help it ; which seemed to check him a little. 
 We soon parted. Being yet feeble, I thought it best to leave 
 
 as soon as I could. There was one D Q , of my own 
 
 Yearly Meeting that came home and reported that I was sent 
 home, which was altogether ifelse, as there was never such a 
 word or hint given me ; for what was put on my certificate was 
 not an act of the Yearly Meeting, but Avas left so no one could 
 tell what was meant. 
 
 I returned home and had it to muse upon for five years, be, 
 fore I knew wh^ it meant. When I visited that country a 
 
 second time, I fell in with M C , an Elder of the same 
 
 place, who asked me if I knew what it was that offended 
 
 N H , and his brother, (who were clerks of the 
 
 Yearly Meeting when I was there before), I replied, no. He 
 
 then said, N H , persuaded me to ride with him to 
 
 electioneer for such a man. I rode with him one day and a half, 
 and told him I could not ride any more, as I did not feel right, 
 left him, and he rode alone. This influence got the man in ; after 
 he was in, he made sport of it, saying the Quakers were such 
 fools as to think he would favor them. He proved the hardest 
 man against Friends they had in a great while, and afterwards 
 was detected in Pennsylvania in kidnapping, suffered impris- 
 onment, and had to pay a heavy fine. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG, 209 
 
 When I heard all this, I was amazed, for the Lord knew, and 
 does to this day, that He laid it upon me to deliver it there in 
 
 the meeting, as I never had a thought that N H , or 
 
 any in his station, would go into such business, until I had to de- 
 liver it. When I look it over, to this day, it gives me a gloomy 
 feeling, for he fought against the living truth, and his tantaliz- 
 ing was hard to bear. 
 
CHAPTER Vir. 
 
 On the 24lh of 9tli month, 1816, having obtained the unity 
 of ray own Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, I set out with Se- 
 lah Gregory, a member of my own Monthly Meeting, to pay a 
 religious visit to Friends and others, within the compass of 
 Philadelphia, Baltimore and Ni»rth Carolina Yearly Meetings. 
 On my way, I visited my daughter, Elizabeth Taber, living in 
 Cliester, State of New York, and sat with the few Friends of 
 that meeting, and had two appointed meetings Avith other peo- 
 ple, to good satisfaction. I was always glad that I made this 
 little visit, for I never saw my truly beloved stm-in-law, James 
 Taber, after ; for, before I returned, he was laid in the grave. 
 He told me a little before we parted, that he should not live 
 long; spoke with much assurance, and made some feeling re- 
 marks on himself, the situation of their meeting, and why it 
 was so. He was a bright, talented, clean-handed, sweet-spirit- 
 ed man. 
 
 From here we went to Queensbury, and attended that 
 Monthly Meeting, I was enabled to clear my mind to solid 
 satisfaction. Thence, we went direct to Stanton Hill, and at- 
 tended that meeting on first-day, which v\ as large and much 
 favored. Afier meeting, we drove to Athens ; from thence to 
 Cornwall, where we tarried two nights, attended Cornwall mid- 
 week meeting, and took our leave of the last meeting in our 
 own Yearly Meeting on our way. The next stop amongst 
 Friends, was at Stroudsburgh, in Pennsylvania, where we arriv- 
 ed on seventh-day evening. We attended that meeting on 
 First-day, and had another in the afternoon ; both to good sat- 
 isfaction. Thence we went across the count rv to AVilkesbarre, 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 211 
 
 on the s^reat flats of SuRqnehannah, where we found a few mem- 
 bers of our Society, with whom, and the inhalntants of the 
 plane, we had an exercising meetinjT ; but the Good Head of 
 tlie Church raised the standard of Trutli, over the head of giant 
 opposition — to the praise of ilis own name ! 
 
 We went no the river about twenty miles, where we found a 
 number of our members. With them and their neighbors, we 
 had a comfortable, refreshing meeting. After this, we went for 
 Berwick, and got there on seventh-day, the 19th of the 10th 
 month, and attended that meeting on first-day. 21st, we had 
 a meeting at Fishing Creek Here is a good-sized meeting, and 
 some valuable Friends. We passed from this to Muncy, 
 and attended their Monthly Meeting the 26th. It was small 
 and weak, many havijig moved away. The life of pure religion 
 appeared very low in these parts, and a worldly spirit much 
 cherished. Next we went to a small meeting on the mountain, 
 called Elkland, consisting of a few families of poor Friends, who 
 were rejoiced with the vi^it. We were favored with the com- 
 forting presence of the Shiloh of Peace. When I had returned 
 to Muncy, I was almost sick with fatigue, for I had to ride on 
 horseback, the roads being uncommonly bad. Soon after we 
 got to our quarters, a neighboring woman, a ministering Friend, 
 came in, and inquired how we got along, and what kind of a 
 meeting we had. I replied, "They were glad to see us, and we 
 were not sorry we had been with them; and that we had a 
 good comfortable meeting." She exclaimed, "I am glad, I have 
 wanted to go there these four months, and could not; and 
 when ycu came into the plac, I prayed that you mig' t have 
 to go." I remarked, that I had seen many who were fond of 
 cutting out work, and were ingenious at it, who would not put 
 forth a finger to make it up. She paused a little and said, "It 
 is no matter; for I have heard s;iy, that if a garment is well 
 cut out, a bungler can make it u'>." So I cone uded I had got 
 my returns in ready change, and would let it go at that. 
 
 We staid at Muncy, and attended their first day meeting the 
 27th, and had another at evening, in Penn's village. 28th, wo 
 
212 JOURNAL OF 
 
 had a meeting at Pine , and another in the evening at 
 
 WilUamsport, somewhat favored. I have had generally, the 
 most favored meetings amongst other people, where the doc- 
 trines of the gospel are most needed to be held forth; but 
 amongst Friends in these parts, it has been abundantly my lot 
 to combat a worldly spirit ; beds of ease, and a form of godli- 
 ness without the life and power — hard places to get entry, pain- 
 ful to my feelings, and laborious to get along with. We re- 
 turned to Muncy, and attended their mid-week meeting, and 
 Fishing Creek mid-week meeting. We then took Roaring 
 Creek and Catawissa meetings ; in them very little of the life 
 of Gospel love was felt, and they were not overdone with the 
 form. 
 
 First-day, the 3d of 11th month, at three in the afternoon, 
 we had a meeting at a village about three miles from Catawissa. 
 Thence we went to a place called Buffalo, and had a meeting 
 in that place. Here we parted with Henry Batten, a kind 
 Friend and Elder, who had been with us for several weeks, as a 
 pilot and company ; and also Chandly Eves, who had in kind- 
 ness found us horses to travel with one week, and took our 
 horses and fed them well during that time ; being Friends to 
 us in the needful time, in a strange land ; so that it seemed like 
 parting with own brothers. We passed on to Bellefonte — two 
 days travel. The day following, we had a meeting with 
 Friends and others, at Bald Eagles, to the comfort of Friends 
 there, and our own peace. The next day had a meeting at 
 Millsbury village ; this also was to good satisfaction. We had 
 another at evening in Bellefonte village ; it was large, and an 
 open, favored meeting. From this, we went to Half-Moon set- 
 tlement of Friends, and attended that meeting on First-day. 
 Then went to Chesterfield, about fifty miles, and across the Al- 
 leghany to a small indulged meeting. " We had a comfortable 
 meeting with them, and had another at evening, sixteen miles 
 on our return to Half-Moon, where we put up with George 
 Wilson. Having been enabled to clear my mind of this part 
 of the country, we parsed on for Dunning's Creek, and arrived 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 213 
 
 on seventh-day evening, and attended that meeting on first-day, 
 the I7th. This was the largest body of Friends we had fallen 
 in with, but they were not without the trouble of false breth- 
 ren ; into a sense of it my Master plunged me, and helped me 
 out again ; much to the relief of my mind, and I hope to the 
 strengthening of the hands of the upright. We appointed a 
 meeting at four in the afternoon, for those not of our Society ; 
 it was a very crowded, satisfactory meeting. Thence, to Pipe 
 Creek, one hundred miles steady travel, in order to attend 
 Warrington Quarterly Meeting, which was held the 25th of 
 11th month. It was a favored meeting; the presence of the 
 Master of Israel's assemblies was felt to be over all, through the 
 several sittings of the Quarterly Meeting. The business was 
 conducted in much condescension and harmony. 
 
 From this, we went to Monallen meeting on fifth-day. In 
 the verge of this meeting, our aged Friend Abel Thomas, a 
 faithful Minister, spent his last days. We made his family a 
 visit, which was acceptable to his lonely widow. We took 
 Huntingdon, Warrington, and Newbury. In all these meetings 
 I had to come to close labor and plain testimony, particularly 
 in the latter. The Ist of 12th month, first-day, we were at the 
 meeting in York in Pennsylvania. On third-day, we went to 
 Faron, and had a meeting there on fourth-day. On fifth-day, 
 we had one at Deer Creek. Here, I was led to speak on the 
 subject of Nebuchadnezzar's setting up an image, and compell- 
 ing all others to worship it ; showing the principle, its rise, and 
 unfeeling cruelty ; that it was very far from a Christian spirit. 
 I was told after meeting, that there was a man at meeting, who 
 had for a long time refrained from eating flesh of any kind, and 
 had got so strong set in it, that of late he had compelled his 
 family to refrain from eating flesh, against their belief; not 
 suffering it to be cooked, or eaten in his house by any one ; 
 and the reason he gave, was, that his God commanded him to 
 do so, and that it was his duty to make his family comply with 
 it, whether they saw it a duty or not. Friends were rejoiced, 
 in hopes the communication would be of use. The account 
 
214 JOURNAL OF 
 
 was truly strengtliciiinfr to ray mind, on my own account, for I 
 had ueighed it for several days, under great depres>ion of 
 spirits. 
 
 On sixtli day, we were at Busli river meeting, and seventh 
 day we had a meeting at the Forest. First day, vvc attended 
 at Little Falls ; it was a lively, comfortable meeting. Second 
 day, we rode to Gunpowder, and met with Friends of that 
 place. There, were sympathizing Friends, who had to wade 
 along under the pressure of a gainsaying, worldly spirit, in their 
 professed brethren. 11th, we attended the upper meeting in 
 Baltimore. 12th, we attended the lower meeting. While in 
 this place, we made our home with John McKim ; staid until 
 first day, the 15th, and attended the upper meeting, where 
 there appeared much rubbish. My good Master enabled me 
 to bear a faithful testimony amongst them, and rewarded me 
 well for it. We had a meeting the same day, about five miles 
 from the city, towards Elk Ridge. Third day, we had a meet- 
 ing at Elk Ridge. Fourth day, we went to Bush Creek, and 
 next day had a meeting there. Sixth day, we attended Sandy 
 Spring Monthly Meeting. Seventh day, we went to Indian 
 Spring, and attended that meeting on first day. Second day, 
 we rode to Washington, and had a meeting in the city on third 
 day evening. Fourth day, we had a meeting at Alexandria in 
 the evening. Fifth day, we rode to Waterford, and repaired 
 our wagon on sixth day, and had a meeting there on seventh 
 day. First day, at Goose Creek meeting. Second day, wo 
 had a full meeting at South Fork. Third day, we returned to 
 Waterford. 
 
 On the 1st day of the year, 1817, we attended Fairfax Month- 
 ly Meeting, it was comfortable and favored. 2d, fifth day, we 
 attended Goose Creek Monthly Meeting, and next day rode to 
 Barclay; had a meeting there on 7th day. On first day, we 
 attended Hopewell meeting, where I was much enlarged, in 
 clear, settling testimony, wdiich has been the favor given at sev- 
 eral meetings. Second day, we had a meeting at Middle 
 Creek, where I had to dig about the fruitless fig trees. Third 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 215 
 
 (lay, were at Ridore, a small, weak moeting ; from hence to 
 Winchester, in Virginia, and" staid the night with Goldsmith 
 Chandler. Fnmi tlds, we went to Centre, and had a meeting. 
 The day following, we attended Hopewell Monthly Meeting. 
 Here I was led into feeling sympathy with the afflicted, who 
 wore sackcloth of mournmg for their inner garment, and my 
 liorn was filled with the oil of encouragement to anoint them. 
 11th, we had a meeting at Crooked Run. 12th, First day, we 
 attended Mount Pleasant meeting. Second day, we had a 
 meeting at Back Creek. 15th, at Dillin's run. This closed 
 our visits in Baltimore Yearly Meeting. 
 
 From this place, we set forward for Redstone, and it took 
 the 16th, l7th, and 18th, to get aci*oss the Alleghany Moun- 
 tains, it being severe, snowy weather, so that we suffered much 
 with the cold, but were favored to get into Sandy Creek glades 
 on first day, just at evening, amongst Frien<ls, who received us 
 kindly, and did what they could to make us comfortable. Wo 
 had a comfortable meeting with Friends on second day, and 
 drove to Providence on third day. Fourth day, we attended 
 Redstone Monthly Meeting, liehl at Providence, where they 
 made me think of Ezekiel's dry bones in the valley, which 
 needed a shaking to bring them together ; for they had got 
 wide apart, and they needed the spirit of the Lord to move 
 upon them, to make them live. My Lord enabled me to sound 
 an alarm. From here we went to Centre, where I was taken 
 sick, and confined two days. On seventh day ,tlie 2oth, \\e had a 
 meeting there, and fiist day were at Providence. 27th, we 
 
 went to S , and had a meeting with them on the 28th, 
 
 and returned to Providence the same evening. 29th, came to 
 Redstone, and had a large meeting there on the 80th, where I 
 found hard wark enough to get along to my own satisfacion. 
 After meeting, we rode to Westland, and attended their Select 
 Quai'ter on sixth day^ Next day was their meeting for worship 
 and discipline. Here I had to proclaim the word of the Lord 
 against tattlers, liars, miscldef makers, and sprea.lers of discord 
 amongst brethren. It was a sifting time, but my good Master 
 
210 JOURNAL OF 
 
 carried me througli all, and over the head of all opposition. 
 Blessed be His name ! 
 
 On first day, the 2d of 2d month, I was at that particular 
 meeting. 3d, were at Pike Run meeting ; returned to Redstone 
 and attended their first day meeting. Second day, we returned 
 to Providence, and proceeded to have a meeting in Roberts- 
 town village. Next day, we had a meeting at C town, 
 
 and proceeded to visit Sandy Hill meeting ; and at evening we 
 had a meeting at Uniontown. "We returned to Centre, and 
 had an appointed meeting there. First day, we were at Prov- 
 idence again. Second day, we had a meeting at P , and 
 
 another at evening ; the day following at Colwellsville. This 
 concluded our visits in this part of the country. When I was 
 about to take my departure, Friends solidly told me, I need 
 not be uneasy about my labors being so close, and plain at all 
 their meetings ; that there was a cause for it, and they were 
 satisfied with my labors. So T passed away from them, feeling 
 thankful to my Lord and Master, for preserving and keeping 
 me right ; much desiring that the Lord may bless the labors to 
 their help. 
 
 After this, we set forward to cross the Alleghany Mountains 
 into Virginia, and got to Dunnings' Creek on Yth day afternoon, 
 and attended that meeting on first day, 23d. 24th, we ky by 
 on account of a heavy snow storm. 25th, we had a meeting in 
 Bedford Village, and then went to Little York ; reached there 
 Yth day evening, and attended that meeting on first day, the 
 2d of 3d month. Second day, we rode to Lampeter. Third 
 day, we attended Sadsbury Monthly Meeting, held at Lampe- 
 ter. Fourth day, we had an appointed meeting at Sadsbury. 
 Fifth day, we had a meeting at Fallow Field. In these parts 
 my exercise was heavy, and my labors painful ; having to cc*m- 
 bat an infidel spirit that was creeping in amongst Friends in 
 many places. It is a dark, defying spirit, but the Lord har- 
 nessed me for the day, and enabled me to wash my hands from 
 the blood of all men in these parts. Oh, good is the Lord, and 
 greatly to be feared, and highly to be praised forevermore ! 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 
 
 217 
 
 On sixth day, we rode to Wilmington, in the State of Dela- 
 ware. Here we stopped, and got our wagon mended. Seventh 
 day, we rode to Apaguiraa, and attended that meeting. First 
 day, at Smyrna ; third day, at Little Creek ; fourth day, at Cam- 
 den. In these parts. Friends' meetings are generally very small, 
 where once there were large meetings ; but Friends in this land 
 formerlv held many slaves, and many of them refusing to free 
 them, went out from Friends in a bitter state, and carried their 
 families with them. Some zealous people in that land, who 
 refused to join Friends for several years, because they held 
 slaves, after they got clear of them, came forward and joined 
 our Society ; and had it not been for these, there are several 
 meetings that would now have been extinct, which are kept 
 up by the offspring of these humble, faithful people. Friends 
 there, giving me this account, I thought it just to give it a 
 place in memory. We had the opportunity to be in their com- 
 pany several times ; they appeared to be a zealous people, much 
 in the simple innocency; while the ofF^^pring of Friends, who 
 were negro masters, are now the tyrants of the land. A stand- 
 ing proof of the evil of slavery, and the blast such left on their 
 offspring. 
 
 On fifth day, we had a meeting in the State House, at Dover, 
 which was large and favored. This is the handsomest village I 
 saw in Delaware. Sixth day, we had a meeting at Motherkill. 
 Seventh day, we were at Milford, and in the evening had a fa- 
 vored, satisfactory meeting at a small village called Fr'edericka. 
 First day, we were at Cjld S,>ring meeting. Tiie house was 
 very full, and the people quiet, and attentive. Here is a meet- 
 ing, that has, I think, three or four small families to keep it up. 
 They live wide apart, and are not very zealous, so that in this, 
 and some other places in these parts, it looks very discouarging 
 as to the testimony of Truth being held up long. In Bowers- 
 town, we had another large meeting the same day. Here- 
 about the people were more attentive to get to meetings, than 
 at some other places. 
 
 Second day, had a small meotins: at Milton ; then took the 
 14 
 
218 JOURNAL OF 
 
 meetings of Centre, Northwest Fork, Marshy Creek, Clioptaiik, 
 and were at Third Haven meeting on first day. Next day, we 
 were at the Bayside. Our meetings in this part of the country 
 are generally small, and dreary getting along ; for it does seem 
 that the mildew of slavery, and the rust of barbarity had nearly 
 consumed all the humane, benevolent principles of the Gospel ; 
 and Infidel darkness, and savage barbarity are taking the room 
 in maaiy minds. Sorrowful to reflect upon L, 
 
 Third day, we were at Tuckahoe Neck, and fourth day at 
 the Neck meeting. Fifth day, we rode to the head of Chester. 
 and had a meeting at that place on sixth day. Seventh day, 
 we had a meeting at Cecil. First day, we had a meeting at 
 Chester Neck. This ends our visit in that Quarter ; and now 
 in looking it over, I felt deeply to acknowledge, that although 
 deep, and sorrowful, oft, have been my wadings in this land, 
 and dark and gloomy have been many of the hours, yet good 
 is the Lord, that in, and through it all. His holy arm hath hith- 
 erto borne me up, and sustained in times of sharpest trials. 
 He showed me clearly what His will was that I should do, 
 and gave me fortitude, that I feared not the face of the sons 
 of men, and ability to do His will at all times,, and now 
 favors me with a return of a rich and joyful reward. Blessed 
 and adored forever be His Holy name ! Oh, may I evermore 
 serve Him, with a ready and willing mind ! 
 
 Second and third days, we spent on our road to Maryland, 
 and had a meeting at East Nottingham on 4th day. • Next day, 
 at West Nottingham. Sixth day at Eastland, and seventh day 
 at Little Britain. On first day, the 6th of 4th month, we 
 crossed the Susqu^annah river, and went to Deer Creek meet- 
 ing. Next day, we returned to Dunmore, and had a meeting 
 there on third day. Fifth day, had a meeting at Darien. 
 Sixth day, we w^ere at Westport, and seventh day at Spencer. 
 First day, the 13th, reached New Garden, in Pennsylvania. 
 14th, we were at Hockesson. 15th, at Stanton. 16th, at 
 Wilmington: this is a large meeting. iTth, at Chichester. 
 18th, at Chesty; both these were small meetings. In this last 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 219 
 
 little tour, the Gospel spring ran lively. I was led into tlie 
 state of several meetings, and enabled to clear my mind, to the 
 satisfaction of my Friends, and my own peace. Though there 
 is much rubbish that needed to be removed out of the way, 
 there are many well concerned Friends in this part of the land ; 
 so that the testimony of Truth may yet be held up with clean 
 hands. 
 
 From here, we went to Philadelphia, to attend the Yearly 
 Meeting, which was large. Several weighty subjects came be- 
 fore it, which took up much time, and caused deep exercise to 
 the rightly concerned and discerning part of Society. On one of 
 these subjects, I felt ray mind weightily impressed, and forcibly 
 drawn to give a sentiment, and my reasons therefor; for which 
 I got a quick, sharp reply, and a heavy censure in the face of 
 the meeting. This occasioned deep searching of heart for some 
 hours, until my good Master was pleased to show me that all 
 was well, as I had done His will ; which gave my troubled mind 
 relief. The day following, the subject was brought up again, 
 and after much reasoning had passed on it, feeling my mind 
 weightily impressed, I saw my way clear to speak to it again, 
 and proceeded calmly, and deliberately : being enabled to treat 
 the subject so clearly in all its parts, feeling the authority of 
 Truth to accompany the words, that there was no reply. That 
 subject was soon disposed of for that time, and the business 
 passed on pretty harmoniously for the day.* After this, there 
 was one subject, that took up much time to no good purpose ; 
 there being much of a libertine spirit in this country, that is 
 inclined to run out of order, and some day will give Friends 
 much trouble. The meeting closed in a favorable quiet, on 
 sixth day. 
 
 On first day, following the Yearly Meeting, we attended 
 Arch street meeting, and in the afternoon we were at the 
 Northern District meeting. Second day, we were at Abington 
 Monthly Meeting. Here I had some close work to do, yet it 
 was acknowledged there was cause for it. Third day, we at- 
 tended Byberry Monthly Meeting, and fourth day had an ap- 
 
220 JOURNAL OF 
 
 pointed meeting in the snme house. Fifth day, we had atneet- 
 iiig at Fnmktort. Sixth day, we attended Germanlown in 
 course, and after meetincr we went to Plymouth, and put up 
 with Jacob Albertson. First day, the 4th of 5th month, we 
 atten-led that meeting. Second day, we were at Gwynedd 
 meeting. Third day, were at Upper Dublin. Through this 
 part of the country 1 had many deep conflicts of spirit to en- 
 dure, being much led into cL)se, plain labor; many of the aged 
 so buried in the earth, and some have fixed themselves in a 
 security that will fail them in the end, and seemed determined 
 not to be aroused from their couches ; while the young are 
 taking their flight upon the wings of the morning of their day, 
 in pursuit of the gaudy trimmings of the world, and airy, but 
 poisonous notions, that are too prevalent in onr land ; so that 
 mourning has been my lot, and my morsel has been eaten as 
 with bitter herbs. The few who walk faithfully in the path 
 that is cast up for the ransomed, have to keep much on their 
 watch, and walk in fear, lest the glitter deceive them, or the 
 charms of the enchanter draw them out of the way of safety. 
 Oh, may the Lord remember this once favored land, and shake 
 their earth and their false heavens, and gather the people to a 
 foundation that cannot be shaken ! 
 
 The 7th of the month, we attended Abington Quarterly 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders, held at Horsham, and the 
 meeting for wor.^hi^ and discipline on fifth day. Sixth day, had 
 a meeting at Radnor. Seventh day, at the Valley. First day, 
 the 11th, at Charleston, and in the afternoon was at Providence 
 meeting. Second day, at Potts Grove. 1 3th, at Exeter. 14th, 
 at Reading. 15th, at Maiden Creek. 16th, we drove to Rich- 
 land, almost forty miles. 1 7th, we parted with our beloved 
 Friend, and agreeable companion, Jacob Albertson, who had 
 been wiih us ahout twelve days. First day, the 18th, we at- 
 tended Richland meeting. These latter meetings were gener- 
 ally small in number of Friends, yet many others came in when 
 notice was given — a token that they lived peaceably with their 
 neighbors. Though we fell in with a number of well concerned, 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 221 
 
 faithful Friends, there is far too muf^h assimilation with the 
 spirit and cust'»ras of the world, and a mournful letting down 
 the ancient simplicity and faithful integrity that once so lieau- 
 tified our Society ; an<l if they cannot be prevailed upon to re- 
 turn to the true Shepherd of Israel, and abide in His fold, the 
 effect will be a a'^eat falling away, and running into the wilder- 
 ness of vain imaginations; from whence they never will all re- 
 turn — a heart aching view of the times. 
 
 Second and third days, we had meetings at Plumstead and 
 Solesbury, and went to John Balderson's. Fourth day, we at- 
 tended Buckingham meeting. It was very large, and my MaS' 
 ter gave me not a word for the people — a great disappointment 
 to them — yet I felt gre;at peace in being I'esigned to the Lord's 
 will, believing He knew best, what was good for them and me. 
 Fifth and sixth days, we were at Makefield and Wr ghtstown ; 
 in both meetings I had satisfactory service. On seventh day, 
 we appointed a meeting at Middleton in the morning, and an- 
 other at four in the afternoon in Newtown, where was a large 
 gathering, mostly not members of our Society. I soon found 
 that my lips were sealed, which caused deep searching of heart, 
 and close enquiry whether the appointment was right, but 
 could not see anything amiss on my part, and was favored to 
 settle down resignecl, in a quiet feeling of mind. Almost at 
 the same instant, in stepped a public Friend from New England, 
 on a religious visit. I was glad to see him. It was not long 
 before he was well furnished with good matter and Gospel au- 
 thority. It was a favored time, and truly strengthening and 
 comforting to my mind, standing resigned to the Lord's putting 
 forth. After meeting, tiie Frieu'l told me that he heard of the 
 appointment, and felt a draught to come to it, but hesitated 
 some time, thinking he might be in the way, or intrude, until 
 it was so heavy on him that he was afraid to forbear, and 
 thought he now saw it was best to believe and obey his good 
 Master; for had he not delayeJ, he might have been in better 
 season. 
 
 We returned to Buckingham, and attended that meeting on 
 
222 JOURNAL OP 
 
 first day, the 25tb, and way was opened to relieve my mind 
 pretty fully. After meeting, we went to Thomas Carey's, a 
 Friend, who had been with us several days. On second day, 
 we had a meeting at a place called Milton, and on third day, 
 came the meeting for Ministers and Elders of Buckingham 
 Quarter, and on fourth day, the meeting for worship and dis- 
 cipline. Tliough I passed this meeting in much exercise, I had 
 no liberty to impart to them what I saw and felt, but enjoyed 
 a peaceful mind, in being willing to fill up my measure in silent 
 suff'ering. After the Quarter, we went to Falls, Penn's Manor, 
 and Bristol, and had meetings at each place. At the latter, 
 my mind was clothed with Gospel life and love, and utterance 
 given ; the like I had not felt for a length of time, for it had 
 been much my lot in this land to labor in a plain, simple style, 
 not at all pleasing to the tasfy, but best pleasing to my Master, 
 or He would have given it otherwise, and I was content to 
 please Ilim. 
 
 From here, we returned to Philadelphia, to John Morton's, 
 our former home. Third day, attended the Northern Meeting, 
 had nothing for them but the example of silence, which has 
 often been my lot of late, and however trying to the people 
 this may be, I find my peace much depends on keeping re- 
 signed to the Lord's will, and being careful not to be drawn to 
 utter words by the spirit of the people, without Gospel author- 
 ity, for this would never profit the people, or build up the ways 
 of Zion. After this, we attended Green street, Marion, and 
 Haverford meetings. In these last, I was enabled to clear my 
 raind in a plain, close way, so as to feel quite peaceful. 
 
 On second day, the 9th of 6th month, we had a meeting at 
 Darby, an ancient settlement of Friends and a large meeting ; 
 but an enemy had got among them. I was led in a very close 
 and pointed manner, and had to tell them what it was, and how 
 it was that the unity of the Spirit of the Gospel was formed 
 with, and amongst brethren, and that it was kept only by abi- 
 ding in the Truth, that first formed the unity, and those who 
 went out of the Truth, broke the unity. In vain it was for 
 
JOSEPH IIOAG. 223 
 
 those to call for unity who had gone out of it ; for those who 
 kept in the Truth, were bound in the bonds of the Gospel to 
 stand by the Truth and support its honor. There was no other 
 way to enjoy the unity, but for those who were out of the 
 Truth to return to their first love, and mend their own faults, 
 as none othisr could mend them for them ; that would heal the 
 breach, and their brethren would receive them with open arms. 
 Some of them turned and twisted about, and some wept. Af- 
 ter meeting, I was told by a Minister of that place, that if I ' 
 had lived amongst them, I could not have gone through the 
 situation of their meeting more exact ; and with tears running 
 down her cheeks, expressed, she hoped it would be of use, and 
 do them good — a humbling time to me, in that it was a re- 
 newed confirmation that I was in my Master's field of labor, 
 and that He was leading me about to do His will ; and that I 
 may be preserved to do it is my chief desire, for this have I 
 chosen for my meat and my drink. 
 
 We passed from here to .Springfield, Newton, Middletown, 
 and Providence, having meetings at all these places, and felt 
 the arm of the blessed God of Jacob to be underneath, to bear 
 up and carry through all the exercises allotted me. On sev- 
 enth day, we had no meeting, it being market day. First 
 day, the 15th, we were at Williston in the morning, and at a 
 Goshen in the afternoon, both large, favored meetings. Sec- 
 ond day, we were at Westchester, and third day, at Birming- 
 ham. Between these meetings we visited West-town school, 
 which appeared to be kept in beautiful order, and much sim- 
 plicity. Fourth day, we were at Concord. Fifth day, at Cen- 
 ter. Sixjfeh day, at Kennet. Seventh day, was at Marlborough. 
 First day, the 22d, was at Kennet Square. Second day, at 
 London Grove. From there we went to Dunmore, and attend- 
 ed their meeting on fourth day. Fifth day, at Little Britain 
 again. This ends our visit in Pennsylvania, for the present. 
 We crossed the Susquehannah to Deer Creek, and put up at the 
 house of Samuel Coles, and attended that meeting on first day, 
 the 29th. Second day, had a meeting at Dublin. Third day, we 
 
224 JOURNAL or 
 
 liad a meeting at Thomas' Run. 4th, we appointed a meeting at 
 Bel Air. On fifth day, we attended the Little Falls Prepara- 
 tive Meeting. It was trying to my mind, to go to so many 
 meetings, where I had so lately been, but my good Master was 
 kind and true to me, and gave me to see what he sent me back 
 for, and ability to do all he required, and rewarded well my 
 obedience. After meeting, we rode to Baltimore. Beino- 
 much fatigued and some unwell, we lay by until first day, the 
 6th of 7th month, where we attended both meetings in the 
 city, where painful, heart-aching labor was my lot. Second day, 
 rode to Alexandria. 3d, rode to Occoquan, and had a satisfac- 
 tory meeting there in the evening. Fourth day, we rode to Dum- 
 fries, and had a meeting tliere just at evening. 5th, passed on 
 to Fredericksburg. Sixth day, we had a satisfactory, comfortable 
 meeting at that place. After meeting we rode to Carlisle, and 
 lodged with Joseph Terrii. Next morning we reached Cedar 
 Creek Monthly Meeting, where T had close labor; showing that 
 those who ruled in the Lord's house, ought not to lord over 
 God's heritage ; for where any lorded over their brethren, the 
 lambs could not grow up in good liking, and the flock was not 
 healthy. Though some of the great ones looked Romev\hat 
 shy on me, T felt such serene peace, that I was satisfied. I had 
 the Lord for my leader, with which I was content, let what 
 would come. After meeting, we went to Micajah Crew's to 
 dinner, and proceeded to Richmond, and attended that meet- 
 ino" with the few Friends of that place, and another at four in 
 the afternoon, appointed by Isaac Hammer, a Dutch Friend, 
 from Tennessee. He was small in tlie Ministry, but sound and 
 weighty in spirit. Both these meetings were attended hy ma- 
 ny not of our Society, and Gospel truths fl>\ved to them freely. 
 Second day, the 14th, we went to Petersburgh. Third day, 
 rode to Gravelly Run, and had a meeting at 5 o'clock in the 
 afternoon, and lodged with John Andrews. Fourth day, we 
 journeyed to Stanton, and attended that Preparative Meeting 
 on fifth day. The meetings of Friends here are generally very 
 small, many having moved away on account of slavery, and 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 225 
 
 many of the young people marrying into slave-holding families, 
 and of course go from Friends; so that the prospect is that 
 Friends must cease to be a people in the slave-holding coun- 
 tries, unless a great alteration should tahe place with ihe iidiab- 
 itants at large, which there is no prospect c)f, short of the strong 
 hand of Divine interposition. For to see the poor blacks 
 crowded into little lints, like bocrs in a pen, or sheep in a y^rd, 
 all ao-es and sexes together — and their masters strive to have it 
 as much so as they can, in f'rder to eradicate all feelings of hu- 
 manity, honor, modesty, or virtue — and plead it is best for the 
 blacks, that they are less sensible of their depravity. This is 
 not all; the masters even sell their own Mulatto children to 
 make their white children rich. In general, the blacks are 
 talked to, and used more like brutes than the human family. 
 Chihlren from eight to twelve years of age, would talk to aged, 
 gray -headed men and women, and call them black dogs, and 
 worse names than a civil man would call his dog by; yet the 
 poor things dare not show any resentment. I often, said in my 
 heart, " IIovv long will this be suffered ? " Wl)ile my heart was 
 ready to melt with compassion for the black people, my 
 thoughts were often turned to look over the white people's sit- 
 uation ; a people endued with superior light and talents, capac- 
 itated to be eyes to the blind, and leaders of the ignorant ; but 
 are so far the reverse, that they seem bent to display the 
 utmost stretch of their power, and gratify their own wills, and 
 to grind down the poor blacks as much below the dumb ani- 
 mals as they can. Thus, in musing and looking over the state 
 of this wretched country, and seeing that the whites, for a few 
 days of fleeting pleasure, were preparing themselves to the nt- 
 most of their power, for the never ending aii'es of eternity to be 
 thecon pmions of demons, and for that place, where the fii-e 
 shall never be quenched; their w<>rm dieth not and the tire is 
 not quenchel.^ And to reason with, or j>reach to them seemed 
 to have no more effect, than water poured upon a rock. This 
 appears to be the state of the ruling class of the people, w hile 
 there is another class who use their slaves more humanely; and 
 
22G ' JOURNAL OF 
 
 still another class who would be glad to free their blacks, if the 
 laws of the land would protect them. And these last are des- 
 pised by the others ; so that musing on their situation, my sleep 
 often left me, my appetite failed for food, and I became feeble ; 
 feeling a necessity laid on me to be faithful in every place, and 
 with all people to whom I had anything in charge from my 
 Master, feeling a heavy woe if I gave back, so that my compan- 
 ion often thought I hazarded my life. I have no language to 
 set forth so that another can realize what I passed through in 
 these varied exercises, unless they are placed i;i a similar situa- 
 tion. I verily feared I should lay my bones in this gloomy 
 land. Yet, marvelous to reflect upon, T was never once drawn 
 into action, either public or in private, but that the fear of man 
 was taken from me. They appeared no more to me than grass- 
 hoppers, in the time of action ; and I felt no want of matter or 
 language, to confute their reasoning, or confound their boast in 
 favor of slavery. I suppose I was attacked in my travels in th§se 
 slave states, more than one hundred times ; and sometimes by the 
 learned and great. So that in all of these disputes my great and 
 good Master furnished and helped me, they were always brought 
 to acknowledge, (withbut two exceptions that I remember of), that 
 it was wrong to hold their fellow creatures in slavery, and were 
 convinced it was contrary to every attribute of the Divine be- 
 ing. And then would exclaim, what shall we do, we have got 
 them, and it will not do to free them and let them be amongst 
 us ; they would overrun us — and to wind up, we must keep 
 them in slavery, and as ignorant as we can for our own safety ; 
 and seemed determined not to admit the thought, that it was 
 the Lord who had opened their eyes, and if He was sought unto, 
 could, and doubtless would, grant wisdom and open a way, 
 which would be right and good for both black and white. But, 
 as there is a standing against Divine justice and mercy with 
 their eyes open, G-od will not be mocked, neither will His jus- 
 tice always slumber. O, may the Lord, in the counsels of His 
 great wisdom, open a way for the oppressed, to be set free with 
 out the effusion of a river of blood. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 227 
 
 Sixth day, the 18th, we returned to Gravelly Run. 19th, at- 
 tended that Monthly Meeting, and was comforted, having the 
 company of a number of solid, lively spirited Friends. First 
 day, the 20th, we attended that meeting again, and attended 
 an appointed meeting at five in the afternoon at Petersburg. 
 21st, rode to Burleigh, and attended an appointed meeting 
 there in the afternoon. 22d, we rode to Staunton. 23d, rode 
 to Vichs ; having stopped on our way at Jerusalem, and had a 
 satisfactory meeting in that place. 24th we got our carriage 
 mended. 25th, we rode to Murphysboro' and had a meeting 
 there at five in the afternoon, amongst staunch Presbyterians, 
 who came on their guard ; and far beyond my expectation. He 
 who hath all power given Him in heaven and earth was pleased 
 to open a gentle stream, in Gospel light and love, which drew 
 the attention of the people, so that they forgot their coats of 
 mail, and the stream increased to a river. Gospel truths flow- 
 ed freely and forcibly, and settled solidly on the meeting, and 
 it ended quietly. So that the people acknowledged they were 
 satisfied ; that what they had heard were gospel truths. And 
 the Lord was pleased for His own name's sake to exalt the 
 Truth this day, in the eyes of the people. Blessed be His holy 
 name ! 
 
 Seventh day, 26th, we rode to Rich Square, and went to 
 Jesse Outland's. First day, 2'7th, we attended that meeting 
 and had good service. 28th, we set forward for Mattimuskeet, 
 and arrived there the 31st. We had a meeting there with 
 Friends, 1st day of 8th month. Seventh day, we had a meeting 
 with the Baptists up the Lake. First day, the 3d, we had a 
 meeting at the lower end of the Lake, in a Methodist house. 
 The meeting was large and the people were civil and attentive. 
 In this place I saw a master beat a colored person wickedly 
 with a knotty cudgel. It moved my feelings so, that when the 
 master got over his fret, I told- what I thought of such conduct. 
 He seemed to resent it for a while, and rose three times from 
 his seat, either to frighten or give me a blow. But it did not 
 move rny feelings with fear at all. I kept my eye fixed on his, 
 
228 JOURNAL OF 
 
 and coTitinned my speech until he sat down, and kept quiet, 
 hung his head and heard me through, then acknowledged it 
 was nt»t right to hold them in slavery, or use tliem so. Upon 
 this, after making a few remarks, we closed the discourse and 
 parted. I left him with a loaded mind, which I hope will pro- 
 duce some good effect. We had a meeting the same day on 
 the South side of the Lake, at the Baptist meeling-house, which 
 was also large, and the people gave good attention. Hereaway, 
 the Lord in the riches of his mercy and love to the people, 
 plentifully furnished with matter and utterance, though niuch 
 of it seemed to me like the rain that falls on the barren land 
 and rocks, where it can make no entrance to profit, but has to 
 make its way to the valleys and streams, and return to the 
 fountain from whence it was taken. Tiie Lord's will must be 
 done. The barren land must be rained on as well as the fertile 
 soil. 
 
 After this last meeting we rode eighteen miles on our way 
 towards Core Sound to a place called Gcrmantown, where we 
 had a meeting with a parcel of slaveholders, where the Lord 
 my Redeemer strengthened my mind to bear a faithful testimo- 
 ny, for the cause of Truth and Justice. Third day and fourth 
 day we journeyed to Washington. Fifth day we had a pretty 
 full meeting in that village, where the Most High for His own 
 name's sake, and in mercy to the people, was graciously pleas- 
 ed to give strength and ability to bear a faithful testimony to 
 the noble cause of justice, mercy and Truth, in that authority 
 which prevailed over all opposition, and Truth reigned for that 
 time. Sixth day, the 8th of the month, in Newberne, my com- 
 panion was taken very sick ; also our pilot and myself became 
 quite unwell. This brought deep thoughtfulness over my 
 mind, it being a very sickly, dying time in all the lowland 
 country that we could hear from, with man and beast. We 
 saw hogs and horses dying by the side of the road frequently, 
 as we traveled. After considering our situation seriously, and 
 asking counsel of my Master, I felt my mind clearly at liberty 
 to turn our course for Contentney, and get into the hilly, heal- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. ^29 
 
 thy country, as soon as we conld. It took us until the 12th to 
 get thei-e. Being much fatigued and sick, we stopped with 
 Friends here a few days, and attended their meeting on fourth 
 day. Fifth day we attended another meeting in those parts. 
 Sixth day we had an appointed meeting at Holly Springs, to 
 good satisfaction. We then set forward for Eno, and arrived 
 there the 18tli of the month. We stayed about here several 
 days. I had a meeting about five miles from Eno, much to the 
 relief of my mind. My companion was prevented from being 
 with me, by indisposition. We attended Eno meeting as it 
 came in course. Seventh-day we attended Providence Monthly 
 Meeting. I was well satisfied in being with Friends here. 
 
 First day, the 24th, we attended New Garden meeting. North 
 Carolina. At this parting opportunity, the Master of Israel's 
 assemblies, favored with His life giving presence, to the glad- 
 ening of many hearts. On second-day we lay by, and my com- 
 panion becoming more sick, and myself quite unwell, we felt 
 most easy to turn our course for Alexandria, where was a phy- 
 sician with whom 1 had formed some acquaintance, under 
 whose care I felt desirous of placing my companion. On third 
 day we set forward, the distance being over three hundred 
 miles, the way we traveled. The weather being very warm, 
 and our horses much fatigued and we both sickly, it took us 
 nine days to reach there. By this time my companion had 
 become so ill, that I was somewhat alarmed. The doctor was 
 soon sent for ; he readily gave medicine which had a good ef- 
 fect, so that in about a week, my companion was getting smart 
 and lively. While here, I attended Friends mid-week meeting, 
 and their fore and afternoon meetings, the 7th of 9th month. 
 In all these meetings I had good satisfaction in sitting with 
 Friends, though I had not much public service amongst them, 
 but felt that peace that satisfied me. We continued here until 
 fourth day morning, when we movt^d forward to attend the lit- 
 tle meeting in the city of Washington, where our Friends 
 showed great gladness to see us. It was truly comfortable to 
 be with them a^ain. 
 
230 JOURNAL OF 
 
 On fifth day we moved on towards Baltimore. The weather 
 yet warm, and my companion not having got strong, we went 
 jio further than Samuel Snowden's, who received us kindly. 
 We staid here (my companion being feeble,) until seventh day. 
 Then went to Baltimore, to our old home at John McKim's, 
 who with his wife received us kindly. First day, the 14th, we 
 attended the upper meeting in the morning. In this meeting 
 I was led largely to warn Friends, against speculative inquiries, 
 and embracing unfounded notions ; for this would lead to disbe- 
 lief of all former revelations, as testified in the Holy Scriptures ; 
 and to reject the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 
 as testified by the apostles ; and would finally end in dark infi- 
 delity. And the propagators of those dark principles would 
 often go or creep about slily under the mask of religion, and 
 bring forward questions calculated to puzzle the unguarded 
 mind. For should they show at once what they were at, they 
 would alarm and lose their object. And just so the devil 
 works ; first get hold, and then lead on to destruction ; and so 
 do those first get the mind shaken, and then introduce their 
 dark principles ; and they creep about to do it under the 
 mask of religion, as the serpent crept on his belly. I had 
 to warn Friends to be on their guard. While I was on my 
 feet speaking, there were two members of our Society, who sat 
 near me, (and who I had noticed to be quite active in their meet- 
 ings for discipline,) who got up with an air that showed dis- 
 composure, and went out, and round, and came in at the back 
 door and placed themselves as far from me as they well could ; 
 but through mercy it did not jostle or move me. After meet- 
 ing a number of Friends expressed their full satisfaction with 
 my being with them as I was. My good Master richly reward- 
 ed me for blowing my ram's horn faithfully against the harlot's 
 walls. In the afternoon we attended the Old Meeting. Here 
 I had to dip deep in sympathy with the oppressed, and to 
 mourn with the afflicted, and to encourage them to steadfast 
 patience, that they might obtain the immortal crown when time 
 with them should be no more. 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 231 
 
 Third day, we drove to Gunpowder. 4th, att^ded that 
 meeting. Notice being given, it was large and much favored. 
 Fifth day, rode to Little York. Sixth day, we rode to Columbia, 
 on the Susquehanna, arriving there in season to liave a meeting 
 in the evening, which was full, and closed to my satisfaction. Sev- 
 enth day, we drove to Robeson, forty-five miles. First day, the 
 21st, we attended that meeting in Pennsylvania. We lodged 
 at Rebecca Scarlet's. Second day, we drove to West Cain. Third 
 day, we had a meeting there. Fourth day, we were at East 
 Cain meeting. Fifth day, we had a meeting at Bradford. Sixth 
 day, we had a meeting at Downington. Seventh day, we had 
 a meeting at TJwchland. First day, 28th, we were at Bradford 
 again. Second day, we had a meeting at Pikeland. Third 
 
 day, 30th, at Whi . Fourth day, 1st of 10th month, we 
 
 lay by at our esteemed Friend, Jacob Albertson's. The next 
 day, attended their Monthly Meeting, at Plymouth. In the 
 meeting for worship, I was entirely shut up. In that for busi- 
 ness, my mind was furnishea in a short testimony with a few, 
 clear, plain remarks that settled on the meeting like dew upon 
 herbs. After meeting we went to Germantown. Sixth day, 
 we passed through Philadelphia, and crossed the Delaware at 
 Waterford, and went to Benjamin Cooper's, in New Jersey. 
 Seventh day, we had a meeting at Newton. First day, 5th, 
 we were at Westfieldin the morning, and at Chester in the af- 
 ternoon. Second day, we had a meeting at Evesham. Third 
 day, we were at Easton meeting. Fourth day, we attended 
 meeting at Upper Evesham. Fifth day, we had a meeting at 
 Cropwell. Sixth day, had a meeting at Iladdonfield, and re- 
 turned to Cropwell, and attended Evesham Monthly Meeting ; 
 and had a meeting appointed at four o'clock, at the Cross- 
 roads, among Presbyterians, where Friends had seemed very 
 backward in consenting for me to appoint one. Yet, several 
 Friends attended and frankly acknowledged after meeting, that 
 the appointment was right, and that Truth arose in dominion, 
 beyond what they had any idea of. It has been much my lot 
 through a number of meetings, to stand much alone, and made 
 
232 JOURNAL OF 
 
 to feel tlie sure stepping stones, there being so much ease and 
 self-security in this part of the land ; so that if the bow is not 
 drawn in full strength, t!ie arrow never enters. Yet, there are 
 a number who are endeavoring to be what they ought to be. 
 But there are so many dead weights around them, I think it 
 must often cause them deep wadings to keep their standing at 
 all times, and fill up their measures. May the Lord keep and 
 support them, and add to their number ! 
 
 First day, the 12th, we attended Newton meeting again, and 
 traveled twelve miles, and attended an appointed meeting the 
 4tb hour in the afternoon, at a place called Green-tree. From 
 here we returned to Haddonfield, and attended their Monthly 
 Meeting on second day, and rode to Woodbridge, and had a 
 meeting at that place on third day. Fourth day, I attended a 
 little meeting at Chestnut Ridge. Fifth dnj, we had a meeting 
 at Woolwich. Sixth day, had a meeting at Upper Greenwich. 
 Seventh day, we had a meeting ^t Penn's Neck. First day, 
 the 19th, we attended Piles grove meeting. Second day, we 
 had a meeting at Salem, and third day, at Alloway's Creek. 
 Fourth day, we had a meeting at Greenwich, Cumberland 
 County. The next meeting was at Morris River, and another 
 at Morris River Point. Seventh day, we had a meeting at Ce- 
 darville, and returned to Morris River, and attended that meet- 
 ing again on first day, the 26th. I had much Gospel labor in 
 this part of the country. A number of the meetings I have no- 
 ted, were where no Friends live. May the Lord bless the labor ! 
 We next went to Cape May, where we found a little meeting 
 much laid waste by the bad conduct of a Minister. The next 
 we v\ ent to Great Egg Haibor. Here we found a small, weak 
 meeting. We crossed the water to Little Egg Harbor, and 
 found a body of Friends. Among them there was a number of 
 well-minded, lively-concerned members; we had a comfortable 
 meeting with them. We passed on to Martha Fearney's, and 
 had a meeting there ; and had another at Bastoe Furnace, and 
 though they were civil, they were a hardy people to preach to. 
 W<3 had a satisfactory meeting at the Bank, where we staid the 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 233 
 
 night with David Mapes, a colored man, who is a respectable 
 Friend. From here we returned to John Hallock's, at Tucker- 
 ton, the 4th of the 11th month. Fourth day, we went to Bar- 
 negat. Fifth day, we had a small meeting with Friends there. 
 Sixth day, we went to Squanham, and had a meeting with the 
 inhabitants of that place, and seventh day, had a meeting at 
 Squan. 
 
 Though I have thought best not to make many exposing re- 
 marks, yet there is one subject I feel most easy to notice. In 
 passing through the southern and southeastern parts of Phila- 
 delphia Yearly Meeting, I found active members in the Society, 
 carrying on the distillery business, buying up grain to make 
 whisky of, and selling their liquor by wholesale or retail, to 
 any one, or in any way, that would bring gain to the seller. 
 Some merchants sold by wholesale, and some by retail ; others, 
 who kept public houses, would sell by small measure to their 
 neighbors, until they were drunk. These different branches 
 were carried on in several parts of that Yearly Meeting, and 
 I was credibly informed, also, to some extent in the city of 
 Philadelphia. This subject lying heavily on my mind, I felt a 
 necessity at times to labor faithfully with Friends thereon, for 
 which I was heavily censured by some. Notwithstanding this, 
 I was made willing to bear a faithful testimony against those 
 evils whenever my Master required it of me ; who renewed the 
 bow in my hand, which caused sundry attacks in a private way. 
 When I came to bring into view the inconsistency of destroy- 
 ing so much of the grain, that should be for food ; and so far 
 from supporting human nature, it became a great destroyer of 
 it, worse in many places than the sword ; and so also with the 
 sweet of the cane, and the goodly juice of the grape made into 
 spirits, that it augmented the burden of slavery. When I 
 brought these views before Friends in a calm, clear and solid 
 manner, with the baneful effects thereof in our land, and the 
 inconsistency for Friends, professing as we do, to be actors in 
 and actual encouragers of all those evils, so incompatable with 
 the philanthropy and precepts of the Gospel, that they could 
 15 
 
234 JOURNAL OF 
 
 not Le reconciled ; these reasons, with the energy that my good 
 Master favored me with, both in and out of meetings, silenced 
 all opposition ; and sometimes brought to a full acknowledg- 
 ment of the truth of the sentiments. Yet, through all these 
 painful straits, I had consolation in finding my Great and good 
 Master always true to His promise, that He would be with me 
 in all my trials, a ready and sufficient helper in every needful 
 time. Gloriously good is He in all His attributes ; worthy to 
 be honored, worshiped and obeyed, and His Holy name praised 
 forevermore ! 
 
 First day, the 9th of 11th month, we attended Shrewsbury 
 meeting. 10th, at Long Branch. 11th, at Poplar Swamp, 
 and a meeting in the evening at Edington. AU these were 
 favored, satisfactory meetings. 12th, attended the Select Quar- 
 terly meeting at Shrewsbury, and at four in the afternoon, we 
 had an appointed meeting in the neighborhood of Black Point, 
 which was acceptable to the people, and satisfactory to us. 
 13th, attended the Quarterly Meeting for worship and discipline ; 
 ia both of which, it was my lot and business to fill up my meas- 
 ure in suffering silence ; being made sensible there was more 
 of a disposition to hear tell of good things, than to practice 
 them. 14th, we had a meeting at a place called Highlands. 
 15th, at Middleton village. First day, the 16th, we attended 
 Shrewsbury meeting, and had another in the afternoon at a 
 place called the Falls. I7th, we rode to the East Branch, and 
 had a meeting with the people there on the 18th. 19th, we 
 had a meeting at Upper Freehold. In most of these meetings, 
 my Lord and Master favored me with His Holy presence, and 
 caused the Gospel spring to run freely, and settle on the peo- 
 ple as the dew on the tender grass. In some of tlie old meet- 
 ings my Master laid it on me to dig about the fruitless fig trees, 
 and endeavor to enliven the soil with Gospel counsel. 20th, 
 we were at Upper Springfield meeting in the morning, and at 
 another meeting in the afternoon at the Mount. 21st, at Vin- 
 centown, and another in the evening at Mount Holly. 22d, 
 had a meeting at old Springfield. First day, the 23d, we were 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 235 
 
 at Mansfield meeting. In some of these last meetings, I was 
 not only constrained to dig about ttem, but closely to examine 
 tbe roots, and show the people what manner of fruit, old, cor- 
 rupt, unsound roots would bring forth, warning the people, and 
 closely admonishing some to seek the Great Healer of maladies 
 for soundness. 
 
 24th, attended the Select Quarterly Meeting of Burlington, 
 held at Chesterfield, and next day the meeting for worship and 
 discipline. 26th, we had a meeting at Rancocus. 27th, we 
 attended Burlington meeting, where I was led into plain, close 
 labor, for which I enjoyed. peace. 28th, we had a meeting at 
 Lower Mansfield. 29th, at Bordentown. First day, the 30th, 
 attended Crosswicks meeting, and in the evening had a large 
 meeting in Trenton; the people sat quiet. The 1st of 12th 
 month, second day, we had a meeting at Stony Brook. 2d, 
 we went to Kingwood, and had a meeting in that place next 
 day, which was relieving to my mind. 4th, we went to Hard- 
 wick, and had a meeting there next day. 6th, we rode to Ran- 
 dolph. First day, the 7th, we attended that meeting. 8th, 
 we passed on to Plainfield, and had a meeting at that place on 
 the 9th. 10th, we had a solid meeting at Rahway. This was 
 the winding up meeting of this long journey of fifteen months. 
 After passing Burlington, it felt to me like a clearing ofi" show- 
 er, after a long rain. Though I was often led into close com- 
 munications, as also encouragement to the upright, I thought 
 I was never favored to see the states of meetings more clearly. 
 Easy utterance was given to open subjects, and apply them in 
 the clear openings of Truth. The Gospel spring continued 
 unabated, and its current flowed strong, until it closed with the 
 closing meeting; after which I felt clear and at liberty to go 
 to my family and friends, with a bosom filled with peace. 
 Thanks be to the Most High God ! Glory, honor, and ever- 
 lasting praises, be given to His eternal Holy name ! 
 
 We crossed the water at Paulus Hook, and went into New 
 York, where we staid one night, and went forward for home, 
 
236 JOURNAL OF 
 
 without making mucli stop, until we got to the Creek Meeting, in 
 Nine Partners, my native land and meeting. We sat with 
 them on first day, and passed on until we arrived at Easton, 
 where we stopped and attended the Monthly Meeting ; then 
 journeyed steadily until we reached home, where we once more 
 had a joyful meeting, finding our families and Mends well. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Some time having passed, during which I kept much at 
 home, except attending neighboring meetings, and a few short 
 visits not far distant, of which I kept no account, in which time 
 I had to pass through many deep and soiTowful trials, which I 
 sometimes thought would take my life ; there having risen up 
 a company in the Quarterly Meeting to which I belonged, some 
 of whom were active members in each Monthly Meeting, who 
 seemed determined to lay waste all order in the Society, mak- 
 ing great pretention of the Spirit and revelation ; pleading that 
 they must go by the Spirit, and not by the letter ; that the 
 discipline did abundance more hurt than good. They disor- 
 dered and troubled our meetings for several years, until the 
 Lord was pleased, in tender mercy to His people, to shake and 
 expose their foundation and principles, and put them much to. 
 silence. When their principles were discovered, they were 
 found to be Deistical, and their aim seemed to be, to lay waste 
 the Society, root and branch ; and in order to do this, their 
 endeavors were to run down every faithful member, by slander 
 and censure, and by this means, to stir up discord among breth- 
 ren ; thus bringing much trouble and grief to Friends, and re- 
 proach on the Truth. 
 
 After this storm had a little passed over, I felt my mind 
 drawn in Gospel love, to visit Friends and others, in the south- 
 ern and western parts of my own Yearly Meeting. I laid my 
 concern before Friends, and obtained their unity fully expressed. 
 I proceeded to Queensbury, where I perceived Friends were 
 almost alarmed, as they bad heard slanderous reports about me, 
 having no idea of seeing me there again in that way, as some 
 
238 JOURNAL OF 
 
 of these reports — though utterly false — were carried by Minis- 
 ters who had been in our country, professedly in Truth's serv- 
 ice ; which gave the reports credit abroad. I remark this, with 
 a hope it may prove a caution to others, how they carry reports 
 which they do not know to be true. It made hard work for 
 me for some time ; but good was the Lord, His strong arm un- 
 derneath, supported, and His Spirit sustained me, and in many 
 instances. He caused the walls of prejudice to fall before me, 
 as dust is blown before the wind. Blessed be His name. 
 
 After having a solid, satisfactory meeting at Queensbury, I 
 passed on to Greenfield, Providence and Galway, visiting all 
 the meetings in that part of the country, in which I had much 
 labor, greatly to my satisfaction, and the full acceptance of my 
 Friends. Thence we went through Saratoga, visiting all the 
 meetings thereaway, being enabled to clear my mind nearly to 
 universal satisfaction, and passed on to Duanesburgh Quarter, 
 there attending two meetings. The third meeting T attended, 
 was at a place where Friends had disowned a number, but 
 keeping entirely still, (which was right in them), these circum- 
 stances were unknown to me. I afterwards learned it was on 
 account of denying the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and holding 
 the doctrine of annihilation of the wicked. Soon after taking 
 my seat, from impressions felt, I soon became satisfied there 
 was a strong and very wiqf|ed spirit in that meeting, and sitting 
 under the weight of it, I felt a clear and forcible motion to rise 
 on my feet, and attending to it, I was led to take hold of the 
 subject, showing that Truth led into knowledge, whilst the 
 spirit of the old serpent, led into imaginations. The Truth 
 leads to gather in love, and to encourage and build up in the 
 holy faith ; whilst the spirit of the devil urged people with high 
 pretentions, and much apparent zeal, to lay waste and destroy 
 the heritage of God, if they were suffered to do it. Thus, I was 
 led to show how it would work, and in such a manner that it 
 excited them — a number of them being present — so that after 
 meeting, those of other societies exclaimed, " now we know 
 who is right, for here has come an old Quaker, from another 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 239 
 
 part of the country, who knew nothing about them, and he has 
 laid waste their doctrines and proved them false, and the doctrines 
 of the Gospel to be true, and its foundation to be as sure and 
 durable as God ; the Quakers have done right in disowning 
 them." This seemed to aggravate their feelings, for they had 
 made much noise among the people, asserting that Friends had 
 disowned them for their religion ; calling it persecution. But 
 the righteous Lord Almighty, was pleased for His Holy name's 
 sake, and in tender mercy to His suffering people, to turn the 
 battle to the gate, in favor of the everlasting Gospel of our 
 Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ; forever and ever adored, be His 
 Holy name ! 
 
 After meeting, I rode five miles before I stopped to dine ; 
 but a number of those Eanters followed me, and brought their 
 champion with them. I was favored to keep much in the quiet, 
 and let them run on awhile ; then, as it opened clear and lively 
 in my mind, I called their attention to a few binding points, 
 which I requested them to remove out of the way, by proof and 
 sound reason, or their doctrines must fall, as I should not admit 
 bold assertions only, to destroy proof. This brought them to 
 a stand, and soon to silence, and I embraced the opportunity 
 to tell them what I thought of their principles, and what they 
 were doing for themselves, and trying to do to the Society they 
 had left ; and I felt to admonish them, which I did faithfully, 
 and found peace in so doing. They seemed quite willing to 
 get off as easy as they could, and glad was I, feeling there was 
 renewed cause to give thanks to my good Master for helping 
 me through so easily. 
 
 I passed on, taking meetings until I came to Staunton Hill. 
 While thereabout, I had a meeting where a meeting had once 
 been held, but was now laid down, there being so many Ran- 
 ters among them, who created great disorder — which Friends 
 kept from me. As my concern was general, a meeting was 
 appointed there ; a number of that class came to it, I think, as 
 many as half the meeting. I had not sat long, before I was 
 made sensible, that I was amongst a dark people, who were 
 
240 JOURNAL OF 
 
 carried away with wild and strange imaginations, as much so, 
 as ever I had fallen in with. I had to address them in these 
 words : " The consequence of imbibing pernicious principles 
 is very dangerous," and was led to- show what conduct and dis- 
 order it would bring forth. The word of Truth went forth with 
 that authority, that before I sat down, they settled down and 
 hung their heads, and some of them wept. Truth rose into 
 dominion, and reigned that day. They let me pass quietly off, 
 and Friends who went with me expressed their joy that they 
 kept still, informing me that I could not have described their 
 conduct and conversation, and the censure they cast upon 
 Friends, more correctly, if I had lived among them. This made 
 my way in that part of the country, so that I went through the 
 rest of the meetings of that Quarter, and found pretty open 
 doors with Friends, having much arduous labor amongst them ; 
 but the Lord being my Leader and helper in every needfiil time, 
 way was made for me many times, where there appeared to be 
 no way. Blessed be His Holy name ! 
 
 From this, I went into Cornwall Quarterly Meeting, attending 
 Rosendale first, where I had painful labor ; things being much 
 out of order ; and next at Little Esopus Monthly Meeting, where 
 I think I was never more sensible of disease extending from the 
 crown of the head to the sole of the foot ; they being full of 
 wounds and bruises, and putrifying sores. With the help of 
 my good Master, I cleared my mind amongst them, in a plain, 
 coarse way, and passed on. I had not attended more than one 
 or two meetings, before I had to go back to Rosendale, and 
 have a second meeting, which was no less painful than the 
 former. I turned, and took another course, but had only a few 
 meetmgs, before I had to go to Rosendale again, and had the 
 third meeting with them, and endeavored to clear my mind 
 faithfully amongst them ; but after getting away, I told Friends, 
 it seemed to me, there was something very deathly and wound- 
 ing in that meeting ; and notwithstanding all that had been 
 done, I thought the cause was not removed, but I felt that I 
 Ijad cleared my mind as to any further public labor with them. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 241 
 
 They then told me that there was a difficulty in that meeting, 
 of five years standing, that had set the members of the meeting 
 and families at variance ; that the Monthly Meeting had made 
 several trials to settle it, but had not succeeded, and that mem- 
 bers of Society had got into the law. This account blocked 
 my way from going forward. After musing upon it several 
 hours, it came into my mind to take two Friends — whose names 
 were presented to my view — and go bapk to Rosendale as pri- 
 vately as we could, and if we took hold of the business right, 
 we should settle the difficulty. I slept quiet, after taking this 
 view of the subject. 
 
 The morning following, I called on the two Friends, and 
 opened my prospect to them. They said they would go, but 
 seemed very doubtful of success. I told them I was willing to 
 lay by that day, to give them time to consider of it, and ac-* 
 cordingly did. The day following we went, and when we told 
 our business, it alarmed the parties. I had told the two Friends 
 that they must go forward and take the laboring oar, but they 
 might make use of my name when they could to good advan- 
 tage. They proceeded accordingly, and it was thought it did 
 much better for me to set and hear, and once in a while make 
 a serious remark, than to have gone into it otherwise. I think 
 it took us two days and a half to bring the business to a final 
 settlement. But when we came to go into the business, it 
 appeared that one of the contending Friends had committed 
 the crime, in a poor part of the country, of getting richer than 
 any of his brethren, and not by speculation, but by good econ- 
 omy and prudent industry. And now it was to keep him down 
 and not let him get proud. It seemed this Friend and his 
 wife were desirous to have the business settled, and were 
 brought to an agreement, at a considerable loss of property. 
 The business was agreed to by all parties ; but in a few hours 
 the other side flew oft', and did so three times, and seemed not 
 to regard their, promise until the suit was like to turn to their 
 discredit and disadvantage. They then complied, and signed 
 j in article of settlement. We could have given no countenance 
 
242 JOURNAL OF 
 
 to the loss the Friend sustained, had he not given way to im- 
 proper resentment, and made some wrong moves in his own 
 defense, and had given advantage, which the others were dis- 
 posed to hold on to. So that we thought it best to advise him 
 to comply. 
 
 After getting through this siege, I passed through the re- 
 mainder of this Quarter pretty smoothly, and crossed the Hud- 
 son river into Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting, and had meet- 
 ings at Poughkeepsie, Pleasant Valley, and Oswego ; at the 
 latter place, I attended a Monthly Meeting. Hereabout was 
 another set of Ranters, whom Friends had disowned ; but I 
 had not fallen in with them before, in this part of the country, 
 that I knew of. To this meeting, two of their champion preach- 
 ers came. Here, I felt my mind arrested with a question that 
 ,was so singular, I did not know for a long time, what to think 
 or make of it ; at length, I became persuaded it was best to let 
 the meeting have it, and arose on my feet, I think, with these 
 words : " I have been thinking, whether there is any person 
 in this meeting, who has ever read in any history that may be 
 relied on, or found in the Scriptures, that God ever created 
 such a creature, as all mouth and no ears." Here, I made a 
 pause, and then proceeded : " if God nevei; made such a crea- 
 ture, and if there were such creatures in mutability, then it 
 must be that the devil had a hand in making them such crea- 
 tures." I then proceeded as I felt ability and utterance given, 
 and was led to show that such a creature was out of all proper 
 shape, and could not be in the order of the Great Creator, and 
 must be a monster, and therefore could only work in its own 
 element, to destroy harmony, lay waste order, which was God's 
 creation, and spread confusion amongst the inhabitants of the 
 earth ; and it would be wise for the children of men to be on 
 guard and beware of them. I was led largely, plainly, and 
 fully into the subject, and enabled to clear my mind, so as to 
 feel well satisfied. 
 
 Soon after the close of my testimony, the meeting proceeded 
 quietly to business, but these men were so disturbed, that the 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 243 
 
 champion of the two, staid near by until the meeting was over. 
 I went direct to a Friend's house to take dinner ; he came there, 
 and walked to and fro by the door, sending in word several 
 times, that he wanted to talk with me. So, as soon as I had 
 done eating, I went to him. We talked, I think, for an hour ; 
 he poured out heavy censures on me and Friends, for awhile, I 
 thought best to keep much in the quiet, until he had emptied his 
 store. I then asked, what his principles were, that he and 
 Friends could not agree ? He then stated, that he believed 
 mankind came into the world as all other animals did, without 
 any other souls than the beasts had ; their souls went down to 
 the earth when they died, and so it was with mankind, until 
 they were quickened by Grace, and Grace, if they were faithful 
 to it, immortalized the soul. I asked him, what became of 
 children before Grace came on them ? He answered, " they 
 died as beasts did ; their souls went down into the earth, and 
 ceased to be." I asked, what became of the man who embraced 
 Grace, and ran well for a season, and then made shipwreck of 
 faith and a good conscience, and died in that state ? He an- 
 swered, " the Grace returned to its own fountain, and the man 
 dropped into the condition of the beast, and when he died, was 
 like the beast ; he ceased to be." I asked him, if he preached such 
 doctrine in our meetings ? He said, "Yes." I replied, "I think 
 Friends have done well to disown thee, for these are not our prin- 
 ciples, and never were, and thou knowest it ; and what dost thou 
 want to be a member for ? " He said, " to spread the Truth 
 among the rising generation, for the old ones would not be mov- 
 ed, and his being disowned, deprived him of the privilege 
 of doing his duty ;" and then exclaimed, " that old, superstitious 
 book, the discipline, will tear you all to pieces yet." I an- 
 swered, " Thou art mistaken, for it has proved a wall around 
 our Society, for almost two centuries, which always has enabled 
 them, when giddy headed men rose up and propagated false 
 principles — and would not desist — to put them out of Society, 
 and prevent their spreading discord among the brethren, and 
 drawing the youth into wild notions ; and thou wilt find it will 
 
244 JOURNAL OF 
 
 answer the same purpose now, if kept to." This stopped him 
 on that point. I embraced the opportunity to ask him, how 
 he came by these principles ? He said, " by revelation." I 
 thought it now time to bring him to the binding points, which 
 had stopped the mouths of all his brethren I had fallen in with ; 
 so I asked, " what proof they gave of their revelation ? " He 
 said, " the same as the prophets did — * thus saith the Lord' — 
 and those who did not receive them, were punished, and so 
 they would be now." I then remarked, " your revelation con- 
 tradicts abundance of the Scripture ; and seeing that God chose 
 His own way, when He introduced the bible into the world by 
 the hand of Moses ; He sent him with a message, * Thus saith 
 the Lord God ; ' and then endued him with power to work 
 marvellous signs and wonders, such as had never been seen or 
 heard of, and in the presence of unbelievers as well as believers, 
 in proof of his revelation. And it did not end here ; it con- 
 tinued with Joshua, and several of the prophets at different 
 ages ; and this is not all ; when Jesus Christ came into the 
 world to introduce the Gospel to the people. He did not ask 
 the people to receive Him as Christ, until He had worked many 
 miracles, such as had never been seen or heard of before, and 
 far to exceed Moses ; for Moses' miracles were punishments, 
 and the display of the power of God on the wicked. But Jesus 
 Christ's miracles were benevolence, and mercy to suffering hu- 
 manity — the full revelation of His love and tender mercies to 
 all people. Yet, He did not call on them to believe Him, but 
 for the work's sake ; for, said He, * No man hath done the 
 works ye see me do.' And now, friend, thou hast told me, that 
 your revelation has carried you beyond all the old prophets, 
 beyond the apostles and all our ancient Friends, into the vision 
 of light ; beyond what any of these ever saw, and that it has 
 carried you beyond the Scriptures; and in that, your revelation 
 contradicts the revelation of the Scriptures. For the power of 
 working miracles did not end with the outwai'd Ministry of 
 Jesus Christ, but rested on His apostles. His successors, long 
 after His ascension. Now, friend, we look back as well as for- 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 245 
 
 ward, and when we reflect seriously, on the mighty, and long 
 continued evidence of both the former dispensations, we think 
 that He is the same God He ever was, and changes not ; and 
 that His love and long forbearance, is as much toward the peo- 
 ple, as it ever was ; and we think, that if God was about to re- 
 veal a new dispensation, which would be more glorious than 
 either of the others, that you would give an evidence answera- 
 ble to the magnitude of the revelation ; seeing He has always 
 taken that way. So, that there are too many sound heads in 
 our Society, to be drawn oflf of this ancient foundation, and well 
 proved doctrine of the Gospel and Divine revelation, by noth- 
 ing better than the bold, empty assertion of a few confident 
 men ; and that, in contradiction to all well proved revelation.'* 
 To all this, he made no answer ; but mused awhile, and then 
 exclaimed, " I always heard, that thee was a tender spirited, 
 charitable man, but I am disappointed, for I now see that thou 
 art as much laced up in that old buckram superstition, as any 
 of them." And so we parted. 
 
 Previous to this, I had a number of meetings laid out, and 
 notice of the appointments timely given ; so that when I 
 came to Crum Elbow, Little Nine Partners, and the Creek, I 
 had full and satisfactory meetings ; but when I came to Stan- 
 ford, though Friends had received the notice, they had made 
 no appointment for the meeting, so I passed on to the Plains, 
 thence to Nine Partners ; then turned about, and attended the 
 Creek Monthly Meeting. Here, I observed that two Friends 
 mostly dictated the business, and when any one opposed them, 
 they bore heavily upon such ; and if they said nothing, they 
 urged them to unite : the effect was, that they had nearly all 
 the speaking to do, and the business went heavily. After the 
 business was through, I told them what efiect such conduct had 
 on the meeting, and felt good satisfaction in telling them my 
 mind. There was a complaint brought against a member for 
 drunkenness, and was under the care of a committee, and no 
 favorable report ; but these two Friends strove hard to throw 
 
246 JOURNAL OF 
 
 it out, and have no further notice taken of it ; yet, they did 
 not effect their purpose that day. 
 
 The next day, I attended Stanford Monthly Meeting, held at Lit- 
 tle Nine Partners, where I had satisfactory service to myself and 
 Friends. After meeting, I set forward for home, and thought 
 I saw my way clear, expecting to be at Hudson meeting the 
 next day. I had a borrowed horse ; for when I was in the 
 Otego country, my beast was taken sick, so that she could not 
 travel, and a kind Friend, Aaron Wing, lent me a noble young 
 horse, a fine traveller, to go the rest of the journey. All the 
 time I had him, he never lost his course for home, and when- 
 ever he saw a road that turned that way, he would pull hard 
 for it. But on this afternoon, when I started, and thought to 
 make good headway, as the horse would travel freely towards 
 home, after a few miles drive, I came to a road that turned from 
 his home, and the horse, for the first time, pressed hard to take 
 it ; but I urged him by, and though a lively horse, he after- 
 wards traveled slowly and dull, so that I had to urge him on. 
 A heavy feeling came over me ; I could not see for what, but 
 it increased as I went forward, and I concluded, if I came to 
 another road, and the horse made a choice, he should go where 
 he would. I soon came to a road that turned the same way 
 the other did ; the horse crowded for it, so I let him go ; he 
 then pressed ahead, and traveled fast. My mind became easy, 
 and I went on until I came in sight of the stage road, conclud- 
 ing to let the horse go where he pleased ; when we came to 
 it, the horse turned again from home, and went ahead fast, un- 
 til near night, before he slackened his speed. I then enquired 
 if any Friends lived on that road, and was answered, that some 
 distance beyond, a half Quaker lived, and his wife was a whole 
 one. I passed on, and enquired again ; was answered as be- 
 fore. A man standing by, said he was his neighbor, and if I 
 would let him ride, he would show me his house. When I got 
 there, I found him so drunk that he could but just totter about, 
 and not able to talk plain. When morning came, I cleared 
 my mind, and left him, and went on to Crum Elbow ; being 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 247 
 
 first day, we bad a large, solemn, favored meeting, so that I 
 was satisfied I was in my right place, though a horse was my 
 pilot. 
 
 After meeting, I informed Friends, with whom I lodged, and 
 how I found him. They then told me, he was the man the 
 complaint stood against, that the two Friends strove to throw 
 out, as being taken up on a trifling affair ; and that be had 
 been in the practice of drinking strong liquors, to intoxication, 
 for years, and it was much known round the country, among 
 every sort of people. I said in my heart, " alas ! if these are 
 the principles of those who sit at the head of government, an 
 Elder and a Minister, who will rise up and endeavor to sup- 
 press discipline, and prevent the testimony of Truth from going 
 forth against such filthy evils, it is no marvel that it is felt, that 
 the Spirit of the Lamb of God groaneth under crucifying suf- 
 ferings ; and that the spirits of the upright mourn in sackcloth 
 and ashes, to see the wall about the Church broken down, by 
 those who ought to stand as faithful watchmen, to keep it in 
 good repair and good order. Where there is such unsound- 
 ness in the head, the faintness is such, that when they attempt 
 to do the business of the Church, it drags like Pharoah's char- 
 iot wheels." 
 
 From Crum Elbow, I felt drawings in my mind to attend my 
 own Yearly Meeting. After considering it, I became satisfied 
 it was best. I took Amawalk, and Shappaqua on my way ; I 
 was led into close, painful labor, there being much of a worldly 
 spirit, self-security, and worldly wisdom in these meetings, so 
 that it was painful ; being made sensible that the true spirit of 
 the Gospel was much oppressed in the minds of many, but not 
 in all, I think. I attended the Yearly Meeting, which was 
 deeply exercising, in the several sittings thereof; yet the busi- 
 ness was conducted in a good degree of condescension, and 
 ended quietly. After the close of the Yearly Meeting, I felt 
 my mind arrested to be at Shappaqua meeting, on first day. 
 When I got there, my Master showed me a monster, and his 
 name was Great I, and my Master constrained me to describe 
 
fi48 JOURNAL OF 
 
 him to the people, that they might know he was a monster, 
 and not a disciple of Jesus Christ. It was a solemn day to 
 me. At four in the afternoon, I had a meeting at Croton where 
 my testimony did not suit all. I was led to preach up the 
 doctrines and acknowledge the Divinity of Jesus Christ ; and 
 after meeting, was treated with great coolness. From here, I 
 went pretty directly on to return my borrowed horse ; and 
 when I got there, my little mare was dead, and I had to borrow 
 the horse the second time, to get home, where I arrived in the 
 6th month, after an absence of five months or more, in which 
 time I had many sore conflicts to pass through. But such was 
 the goodness of the Lord, that He supported me, feeling His 
 strong arm underneath, to bear up in every trial, and His power 
 to give strength in every battle, with wisdom and utterance in 
 in every needful time. Thus the Lord marvelously led me 
 along, in such a way that I had the opportunity of clearing ray 
 mind to good satisfaction, and to silence those wicked, false 
 reports, which were sent over the country ; so much so, I was 
 credibly told, that one of the Friends who gave the reports 
 credit, wrote to his correspondents and connections, informing 
 them that I had been in his country, and had visited nearly all 
 the meetings in those parts, and that my conduct and labors 
 in the ministry had been to good satisfaction wherever I had 
 been, and that he had heard me ; that he never had better unity 
 with me in any part of my Hfe. This got to them before I got 
 home, and stopped their clamor ; so that through the mercy of 
 the Most High God, in his interposition, all was still without, 
 when I got home, and my mind richly filled with peace. Bless- 
 ed, worshipped and adored, be the Lord, my Redeemer, for- 
 evermore I 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 In the year 1823, 1 felt my mind arrested from day to day, 
 with drawings in Gospel love, to pay a religious visit to Friends 
 and others, in the northern and western parts of my own Yearly 
 Meeting, Ohio, Indiana, and some parts of North Carolina 
 Yearly Meetings. After weighing the concern in my mind 
 several months, I told my Master, that my situation and cir- 
 cumstances were such, being much in debt, and there had 
 been so much division of sentiment in the Monthly and Quar- 
 terly Meetings, and I, in obedience to Him, had taken an ac- 
 tive part in them, to maintain discipline, that Truth, and Soci- 
 ety should not be scandalously reproached ; and in so doing, I 
 had offended so many, that they would not let me go. My 
 Master returned me the answer, " Do what I bid thee, and if I 
 do not make way for thee, thou shalt be clear." So I laid my 
 concern before the Monthly Meeting ; it had a month to con- 
 sider of it ; it was then united with, without a dissenting voice. 
 I took my certificate to the Quarter, and laid it, with my con- 
 cern, before that meeting ; it took time solidly to consider it, 
 and uniting fully with my concern, set me at liberty. I made 
 preparations, and took leave of my family and friends the 6th 
 of 12th month, 1823, Samuel Knowles being my companion. 
 We crossed the Lake, and arrived at Peru on seventh day. We 
 staid (having several meetings thereabouts) until fifth day fol- 
 lowing, when we set forward for Black River. It took us four 
 days to reach Indian river, the first settlement of Friends we 
 came to — (it is now called Philadelphia), and had a meeting- 
 there on the 15th, with Friends and others; and found the 
 same old satan, who met with the sons of God in Job's day — 
 
 n 
 
250 JOURNAL OF 
 
 and as his manner was in that day, to set them to accuse and 
 hurt one another, so it is with him now ; lie had got into this 
 little meeting, and had sown so much of the seed of jealousy, 
 that it had broken out into a flame, and almost destroyed the 
 meeting. The flame had a little abated, but its anguish still 
 remained. We had much painful labor with them, but were 
 mercifully enabled to clear our minds, so as to feel relieved. 
 
 On the 16th, we had a full meeting at Le Eay ; this was also 
 deeply exercising, there being much want of true Gospel love 
 amongst them. Holy help was mercifully felt, to enable me to 
 clear my mind, so as to feel well relieved. From here we went 
 to Brownsville and Lowville, and had a satisfactory meeting at 
 each place. 23d, we had a meeting at Western. I was at that 
 place some years before, and it appeared a hopeful, growing 
 meeting in the Truth ; but the old serpent had got among 
 them, and on the seat of judgment, having nearly destroyed 
 all the precious life of the Lamb of God amongst them — a dried 
 up, barren meeting. 24th, we were at Lee meeting ; here was 
 felt a lively concern among them, though all was not well ; but 
 much more comfortable than the other meeting. 25th, we re- 
 turned to our kind Friend, Thomas Townsend's, in Lowville, 
 and proceeded to Germantown, where we had a satisfactory 
 meeting. Then, to Pleasant Creek Meeting, and returned to 
 Brownville, aud had a good, solid meeting there ; mostly with 
 those not members of our Society, and returned to Pleasant 
 Creek. From here, we proceeded to Morristown, on the riv- 
 er St. Lawrence, forty-five miles, and got there just at dark. 
 The next morning we crossed the River, and went to Jedadiah 
 Wing's, in the town of Yonge, Lower Canada. Here, we at- 
 tended their Preparative Meeting, which, from^ a small begin- 
 ning, had become much increased, and a pretty lively meeting. 
 Here Friends had kept together in the quiet, and their neigh- 
 bors loved them. From this, we drove to Elizabethtown, and 
 got to Isaac Booth's the first day of the year, 1824. The day 
 following, we went to Brockville, and had a meeting in the 
 town, among a hardy set of the human family; returning to 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 251 
 
 Elizabcthtown the same day, and appointed a meeting there, to 
 be held the next day, in the afternoon. Next morning, being 
 first day, the 4th of 1st month, we drove twelve miles, and at- 
 tended Friend's Meeting at Yonge, and returned seasonably, to 
 attend our appointed meeting. 
 
 On second day, we set out for Kingston; drove fifty-four 
 miles, and got there in the evening, and put up with Peter 
 Knight. Third day, we had a meeting at Kingston ; this has 
 become very small by Friends moving away. We had anoth- 
 er in the evening in the village, at the Methodist meeting 
 house, which was pretty large ; the people sat respectfully 
 quiet, the meeting was favored, and the Truth was felt to spread 
 over it, and it closed with solemnity. From here, we drove to 
 Earnest town, forty-one miles, and stopped at John Burley's, 
 and had a meeting in this town, on sixth day ; and after meet- 
 ing we drove twenty miles, to Daniel Haight's, in Adolphus 
 town. Seventh day, we lay by. First day, 11th, attended 
 that meeting. Here, some years ago, was a large, lively meet- 
 ing, but some of its members having a high opinion of 
 themselves — much more so than they were worthy of, or their 
 Friends had of them — they sought the rule and government, 
 and were much uneasy ; and in order to get power into their 
 hands, they stirred up false jealousy against their better breth- 
 ren, and had much borne them down, and laid the meeting al- 
 most in a state of desolation. They greatly oppressed the bet- 
 ter class, were still disposed to lord over God's heritage ; they 
 seemed afraid that anything should rise above them, however 
 clear in the Truth ; so that the innocent, righteous seed, was 
 much oppressed in this place ; and will be, until- the Lord is 
 pleased to rebuke spiritual pride in high places, and lay giant 
 self confidence low ; which may He do for His own name's 
 sake, and in mercy to His suiFering remnant and precious seed ! 
 Some of the leaders of this mischief moved into other meetings, 
 where they could have more influence. It was mournful to 
 feel and see what the old enemy, by spiritual pride through his 
 
252 JOURNAL OF 
 
 agents, had done. I had much painful labor with Friends in 
 these parts, both in public and private. 
 
 Second day, we went to Grassy Point, and had a little poor 
 meeting, in a big-feeling member's house. Third day, we went 
 to Ilollowell, twenty miles, and attended that Select Meeting, 
 on fourth day. It was seriously painful, and deeply exercising, 
 for I perceived that self-importance had got into this depart- 
 ment, and it was jealous and afraid ; but through the goodness 
 of the Most High, I was strengthened to discharge my duty 
 faithfully, and felt peace. Fifth day, attended their Monthly 
 Meeting ; after it we went to Sidney, where we had a meeting 
 with Friends, and two amongst other people ; all of them to 
 good satisfaction, being favored meetings. Second day, 19th, 
 we went to Coal Creek, and had a comfortable meeting there 
 the 20th, and after it, we went back to Sidney. Fourth day, we 
 returned to Hollowell, and made our home with Jonathan 
 Clark, and attended that meeting on fifth day. Sixth day, we 
 had a meeting in Hollowell village, a cold, careless place, and 
 hard getting along. First day, 25th, we attended Amelias- 
 burg meeting ; it was a solemn, favored time, and we returned 
 to Jonathan Clark's, where we lay by on the 26th, not being 
 well. 
 
 Third day, the 2'7th, attended the Select Half Year's Meet- 
 ing. It was deeply exercising ; the want of Gospel love, true 
 charity, and fervent zeal, were sensibly felt amongst them. 
 Fourth day, attended the meeting for business ; in it I had an 
 opportunity to see their jealous fears, and also to clear my 
 mind in a plain, feeling manner, and was well relieved ; it 
 stilled them much for the day. Fifth day was the closing and 
 parting meeting, and was a favored, precious time. From this, 
 we went to the Carrying Place, had a meeting there on the 
 30th, at evening, w^liich was said to be the largest ever held in 
 the place. The people were civil and attentive ; the meeting 
 became solid, and ended so. Then went to Cramahe, where 
 we had a meeting in the Methodist meeting house, on first 
 day the 1st of 2d month, and had another meeting in the eve- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 253 
 
 ning at Holderman ; both to good satisfaction to ourselves, and 
 appeared so to be with the people. We lodged with Freeman 
 Clarke. Second day, we drove to Cyrus Richmond's. 3d of 
 the month, we had a meeting in Hope, and another in the eve-" 
 ning in the same town. In both of these meetings the doc- 
 trines of Truth flowed free and clear. 4th, we proceeded to 
 Whitby. 5th, we attended that Preparative Meeting. And it 
 was a tough meeting ; it seemed as though I could but just 
 live through it ; for some who sat at the head appeared rotten- 
 hearted, and full of mischief. I had to deal out coarse medi- 
 cine to them which made my'heart ache, but my good Master 
 rewarded me well for it. After meeting we went to Timothy 
 Roger's, where we were well received. 
 
 Sixth day, had a meeting at one M 's, and another in the 
 
 evening at John Haight's ; the latter a very satisfactory meet- 
 ing. Tth, went to Uxbridge. First day, the 8th, we attended 
 that meeting. 9th, went to Whit Church. ■ 10th, had a meet- 
 ing there. 11th, we went to Queen Street Meeting; here are 
 a number who have dissented from Friends, and gone into wild 
 Ranterism. Several of them came to the meeting ; though I 
 knew it not. I had a solemn testimony to bear, and felt the 
 mighty power of the Lord to go over the heads of all opposing 
 spirits so that Truth reigned. Fifth day, was at Yonge Street 
 Monthly Meeting ; in it I had good service. Sixth day, went 
 to Luke Stoutenburg's. 14th, went to Little York (now To- 
 ronto), had a meeting in the town, at evening. To it came a 
 number of gay people, who sat quiet and attentive, and passed 
 soberly away. 15th, and first day, we attempted to return to 
 Stoutenburg's, to have a meeting in that neighborhood in the 
 evening, but there came such a fall of snow that we could not 
 get in seasonably. 16th, we returned to Yonge Street, with 
 our horses much fatigued. lYth, we attended Queen Street 
 Meeting ; but not feeling clear we had a meeting appointed in 
 the evening. In it way opened to relieve my mind pretty ful- 
 ly. 1 8th, we had an appointed meeting at West Gillensbnry, 
 returned to Yonge street, at evening, and attended that meet- 
 
254 JOUBNAL OF 
 
 ing again on fifth day. Sixtli day we attended a meeting 
 at Markliam in tlie evening. Seventh day, we drove to 
 Pickering, and attended their meeting on first day, the 2 2d. 
 Second day, we drove forty miles, and on third day, fifty-two 
 miles, to a small settlement of Friends in Ancaster ; we stopped 
 and had a meeting with them on fourth day. 
 
 On fifth day, the 26th, we drove to Norwich. Here I had 
 my feelings exceedingly tried ; for 1 had not been long in the 
 Friend's house, where I put up, before he wanted to have my 
 opinion on some affairs amongst them. I told him, I came 
 there knowing nothing, and it was my right to go away know- 
 ing nothing, except they saw a wrong in me, and then they 
 should let me know it. I desired him to forbear, and not tell 
 me anything. He pressed me so hard to hear him, that I told 
 him at last, if he would not forbear, I would leave his house, 
 and go where they would let me be quiet ; for I would not 
 have my ears filled with outward information. After that, he 
 let me alone. When I came to meeting I found myself plunged 
 into thick darkness that could be felt, and felt a spirit amongst 
 them as bitter as the waters of Meribah. My Master laid it on 
 me to deliver His word faithfully and plainly, without any 
 shadow of turning ; it was a solemn, trying day to me, but 
 strength and fortitude were given, sufiicient for the day, and 
 utterance for the occasion, through the tender goodness of Isra- 
 el's holy Helper. 
 
 First day, 29th, we attended the same meeting, where I was 
 silent. There came in a Minister of their own from another 
 meeting, who took up such a length of time in preaching, that 
 I had no opportunity to relieve my mind. I thought his com- 
 munication was not to the purpose, so that I had to pass the 
 meeting in deep suSering, being led into a clear sense, that the 
 destroyer of all good had got amongst them ; he had got into 
 the seat of judgment, where he had not only exalted himself 
 above all that is called God ; but through agents, was endeav- 
 oring to destroy the man child as soon at it was bom — ^he had 
 cast out his floods to swallow up the woman, the mother — but 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 255 
 
 the Lord, in mercy, hath, hitherto caused the earth to open her 
 mouth and swallow up the floods, so that the child and its 
 mother are not quite destroyed, although they are under great 
 sufferings. Oh ! may the righteous Lord, for his own Name's 
 sake, and the promotion of Truth and righteousness in the earth, 
 continue to sustain the true mother, and lift up the head of the 
 holy child, to the casting down and dethroning the old serpent 
 from lording it over God's heritage ! 
 
 The 1st of 3d month, .second day, we had a meeting at Pine 
 Street ; there are but few Friends here, and the mejeting small 
 and weak. Thence to Yarmouth, fifty miles. The country be- 
 ing new, and roads bad, it took two days. Fifth day, we had 
 a meeting with Friends and others of that place ; notice being 
 given the meeting was large, and much favored. Here is a, 
 hopeful prospect of a growing meeting ; the members appeared 
 to be in good friendship one with another, and to live peace- 
 ably with their neighbors. Sixth day, we had a meeting at 
 Talbot street. Though small, it was satisfactory. From this, 
 we returned to Norwich, and reached there seventh day. First 
 day, the 7th, we attended that meeting ; in it holy help was 
 richly felt, and my mind was so strengthened thereby, that I 
 spoke in undisguised plainness, and got much relief. Second 
 and third days we had no meetings. On fourth day, the 10th 
 came on their Monthly Meeting ; we attended it. They came 
 in from all the different meetings, and brought themselves along 
 just such creatures as they were at home, and brought their 
 rubbish with them. My mind was brought into a deeply bowed 
 state before the Lord in the early sitting down of the meeting, 
 and was led into so clear a view of the state of it, that I could 
 have no doubt or scruple of the opening. Under the increas- 
 ing weight of the subject, I felt a necessity to rise on my feet, 
 in the impressive flowings of the Gospel. I was led in much 
 plainness to show the sad effects of surmising jealousy, which, 
 tormented with a fear that others would be better thought of 
 than themselves ; when nursed with imagination, this soil pro- 
 duced heart-burning hatred, which fed the hot coals of malice. 
 
266 JOURNAL OF 
 
 that not only tormented tliem in wliom they were nursed and 
 kept alive, but after, broke out in destroying flames of slander, 
 which spread discord amongst brethren, and separated near 
 Friends. I was led solemly to warn them against these evils, 
 and was strengthened to proclain the day of the Lord amongst 
 them, greatly to the peace and relief of my own mind. 
 
 Fifth day, we went to Long Point. Sixth day, we went to 
 Richard Meade's. Seventh day, we had a meeting in the town 
 of Woodhouse, and another in the evening, in Charlotte ville. 
 First day, the 14th, we had a meeting at Burford, at eleven in 
 the morning, another at three in the afternoon, at Windon 
 meeting house, and the third, at candle lighting, at a village 
 called Waterford. Second day, returned to Norwich, and third 
 day, being snowy, we lay by. Fourth day, we attended that 
 meeting for the last time, where I had to proclaim a solemn 
 alarm amongst them, so that I felt clear of the blood of all 
 mankind in that part of the country, and left them with a 
 peaceful mind, and a heart full of pity. 
 
 Fifth and sixth days, we drove to Pelham, and put up with 
 Samuel Taylor. Seventh day, we had a meeting there, and 
 had a meeting at Lyne's Creek in the evening. First day, the 
 21st, we attended Black Creek meeting, and were favored with 
 the presence of the Lord to our comfort, and much to the re- 
 newal of our strength. It being the last meeting, we took our 
 farewell of the British government. Second day, we traveled 
 thirty miles, and on third day, we crossed the river into the 
 State of New York, arriving at Lockport in the evening, and put 
 up with my much esteemed Friend, Jared Comstock. Fourth 
 day, we lay by, and attended that meeting on fifth day. We 
 then passed on to Hartland, and had a meeting there on sixth 
 day. On seventh day, we returned to Lockport, and attended 
 their meeting on first day, the 28th, where I had an opportu- 
 nity to clear my mind to satisfaction, and after meeting we re- 
 turned to Hartland. Second day, went to Somerset, and had 
 a mSeting with the few Friends of that place, and their*neigh- 
 bors, and returned to Hartland. Fourth day, we drove to Roy- 
 
\ 
 
 JOSEPH HOAG. 257 
 
 alton, and attended their mid-week meeting ; but not feeling 
 clear, we appointed another meeting for fifth day, the 1st of 
 4tli month, which was much to my satisfaction. "We then 
 passed on to Shelby, where we had a meeting on seventh day. 
 First day, we attended a little meeting at Elba. Several of 
 these last meetings were small. It was easier getting along 
 than in the large, old meetings, where wealth and distinction 
 are looked at, for in new countries they have much to struggle 
 with, and have to be helpful to each other. They are glad to 
 see their Friends, and generally stand open to receive what we 
 have for them, with less extravagance and more true humility, 
 than is often the case in old and populous places. 
 
 Second day, we drove to Riga, and had a meeting there on 
 third day. Fourth day, had a meeting at Wheatland. Fifth 
 day, at Henrietta, where my Master gave me nothing for the 
 people. After meeting, we drove to Rochester, and had a 
 meeting there on sixth day. We went to Macedon the same 
 day, and attended an appointed meeting there on seventh day ; 
 and another at four in the afternoon, in Palmyra village. First 
 day, the 11th, we attended Farmington meeting, and second 
 day appointed a meeting at South Farmington. Third day, 
 had a meeting at Galen. Fourth day, we were at the mid- 
 week meeting at Junius. After meeting, we drove fifteen miles, 
 and reached Milo in season to attend that meeting on fifth day, 
 but had nothing to impart to them. I sat and looked on them 
 with pity, for it appeared clear to me that a slack, easy, un- 
 believing spirit, was making its way among the people in that 
 part of the land. 
 
 On sixjh day we drove twenty-eight miles to Scipio, and 
 first day, the 18th, we were at Springport meeting. Second 
 day we visited Scipio North meeting. In this meeting my 
 mind was feelingly arrested with a sorrowful sense, that an in- 
 fidel spirit was prevailing among them. I felt constrained to 
 bear a faithful testimony against unbelief, and invalidating the 
 Holy Scriptures, ridiculing the truths of the Gospel, and ma- 
 •king light of those truths that God had already revealed. As I 
 
258 JOURNAL OF 
 
 stepped along in tlie exercise of my testimony, I felt the 
 power of Truth to go forth in the name of Jesus Christ, in such 
 authority, that their walls gave way, and their weapons fell. 
 Truth arose in dominion, and reigned that day to the joy of 
 many minds, which had been much borne down with this un- 
 believing, rending spirit, that had crept into our Society. 
 
 Third, fourth, and fifth days, attended Farmington Quarter- 
 ly Meeting, held at Scipio. In the Meeting of Ministers and 
 Elders, I was made painfully sensible that unbelief had got into 
 this part of Society. It had crept in as the serpent creeps on 
 his belly among the weeds, unperceived and unthought of, and 
 was secreted under the plain Christian cloak, while it was en- 
 deavoring to undermine the truths of the Gospel, and lay waste 
 the discipHne, and destroy all good order in our Society. I 
 had to sound an alarm among them, and it made a stir. I felt 
 great peace for the discharge of duty on this occasion. In the 
 other meetings I had but little service, except to set the exam- 
 ple of silence. After Quarterly Meeting, we took Salmon Creek, 
 Sempronius and Skaneateles. From there we went to De Ruy- 
 ter, where we staid until their Monthly Meeting. Fourth day, 
 the 28th, which was another trying meeting ; for where the 
 head is sick or unsound, it is not to be marveled that the body 
 becomes diseased. Strength was given to bear a faithful testi- 
 mony and sound an alarm amongst them, so as to feel pretty 
 well relieved. I could but mourn in seeing how insensible that 
 meeting was of its own state, so that I said in my heart, poor 
 meeting ! thou needest eye-salve to give thee true sight ; may 
 the Lord grant thee that favor before it be too late ! Then re- 
 turned to Scipio, and attended that meeting on first day, the 
 2d of 5th month. Thence to Hector, and had a meeting, and 
 another at Elmira, on our way to Deerfield, where we found 
 Friends in a sad condition. A Minister belonging there had 
 gone into immoral conduct, and drawn a party with him, and 
 got the meeting into such a state, that it had been put down 
 for awhile. After some time, a few of them not feehng easy 
 to live so, met quietly by themselves. The Monthly Meeting 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 259 
 
 hearing of this move, appointed a committee to visit them, who 
 went and sat with them, and approved of their meeting, but 
 advised them to go to the meeting house, instead of meeting at 
 a dwelling house. This displaced the Minister from his usual 
 seat, which so offended him, that he and his company went and 
 sat on the back seats. When I came into the place I felt my 
 mind arrested to call Friends and their families together by 
 themselves. Friends had kept me entirely ignorant of their 
 situation, and when they came together, to see them sit down 
 in two distinct bodies, and an empty seat between them across 
 the house, it looked strange. But I soon felt- there was a cause 
 for it. I sat near an hour, until my Master gave me the com- 
 mand to delay no longer. I rose on my feet in faith, and He 
 was bountifully good to me ; He furnished with matter, ability, 
 and utterance, so that it was acknowledged, after meeting, the 
 testimony was appropriate and well applied. Blessed be His 
 name ! 
 
 We staid hereabouts until first day, the 9th of 5th month, 
 and had a large public meeting, which was truly satisfactory. 
 We then set forward for Farmington, and on our way, had a 
 meeting at Penn Yan with the towns people. It proved a com- 
 fortable time. After attending Farmington meeting, we had a 
 meeting at Palmyra village, on sixth day. First day following, 
 attended Farmington meeting, where I was enabled fully to 
 clear my mind, and felt much relieved. Second day, we took 
 our departure, and journeyed to Moscow, and fell in with Phin- 
 eas Butler, at whose house I staid twenty years before, when 
 in the eastern country, and now found him and family settled 
 here, a pleasant meeting to us both. Fourth day, attended 
 their meeting, and passed on to Orangeville, and had a meet- 
 ing there. Then went to Hamburgh, and had a large meeting 
 there. Here, I fell in with many of my old Friends, who ap- 
 peared rejoiced to see me. From here, we took Holland, Bos- 
 ton and Eden, three small meetings, in our way, to Collins, 
 where we had a meeting with Friends, and had another meet- 
 ing the same day, about three miles from Friends meeting- 
 
260 JOURNAL OF 
 
 house. Then, passed on to Clear Creek, and had a meeting 
 •with Friends there. This closed our labors in Farmington 
 Quarter. 
 
 We took an affectionate leave of our Friends, and set for- 
 ward for Ohio the 27th of 5th month, passing over the Indian 
 Reservation, a fine tract of rich farming land as I had ever seen. 
 Next day, we got into Pennsylvania, having traveled fifty 
 miles, through a fine, flourishing country of farming land, and 
 good roads. 29th, we traveled forty-two miles through a new 
 country, and lodged at Kingsville, in Ohio. First day, 30th, 
 we drove fifty miles, mostly on the turnpike, through a new 
 country. 31st, we drove thirty miles and reached Salem be- 
 fore night, and put up with Samuel Davis, where we found 
 kind reception. Fourth-day, the 2d of 6th month, we attend- 
 ed Salem meeting in course. Fifth day, at Springfield meet- 
 ing — ^both satisfactory meetings. Sixth day, at Goshen. Sev- 
 enth day at Lexington. First day, the 6th, we were at Deer 
 Creek Meeting. At all these meetings, the Master of Israel's 
 assemblies, furnished with matter, ability and utterance, to the 
 satisfaction of my own mind, and my friends, among whom my 
 lot was cast. Second day, we were at Marlborough meeting. 
 Third day, we drove . to Kendall, and made our home with 
 Mayhew Folger. In this part of tbe country, we saw much 
 land made almost barren, by the timber having been destroyed 
 by fire. After having a poor meeting at Kendall, we set for- 
 ward for Augusta, thirty miles, and had a meeting there on 
 sixth day. Seventh day, had a meeting at Sandy Spring. 
 First-day, the 13th, attended New Garden meeting, and anoth- 
 er at four in the afternoon at the Grove. At a number of 
 these last meetings, a coolness too generally appeared amongst 
 Friends, in a concern for the cause of Truth, and the things 
 that belong to their peace. Much of an eager pursuit after the 
 world, prevailed, and in some meetings unity and Gospel love 
 were much wanting, all which made it painful, exercising get- 
 ting along. But the Lord, who is rich in mercy, and bounti- 
 ful in helping, so strengthened from day to day, with ability 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 261 
 
 and utterance, that I enjoyed sweet peace and solid satisfaction. 
 I often had to acknowledge, it is Thou, O Lord ! who carriest 
 on the work ; for without Thee, I can do nothing to Thy hon- 
 or, or my own peace. Therefore, leave me not in this strange 
 land, for Thou art my all in all ; be pleased to guard, guide, 
 and lead me in the right way ; for Thine is the kingdom, the 
 power, and glory forever more ! 
 
 Second day, we had a meeting at New Lisbon. Third day, 
 at Middleton. Fourth day, at Beaver Falls, in Pennsylvania. 
 From there we went to Dry Run, and had a small meeting. 
 Then to Carmel, where we had a large, comfortable meeting ; 
 and seventh day we attended their Monthly Meeting, to our 
 own and Friends' satisfaction. First day, the 20th, we attend- 
 ed Eckron meeting. Second day, at Middleton Monthly Meet- 
 ing, where my Master enabled me to bear an honest, faithful 
 testimony, and rewarded me well for it. Third day, had a 
 meeting at Fairfield, and attended Salem Monthly Meeting on 
 Fourth day, the 23d, where was a body of solid Friends. 
 Their business . was conducted regularly, and in harmony, 
 though they told me it had been far otherwise. A class had 
 risen up, who denied some of the doctrines of Friends, exclaim- 
 ing against, and endeavoring to lay waste the discipline, saying, 
 "It is superstition — a dead letter — tyrannizing over conscience 
 — and we must go by the Spirit, and have liberty." These be- 
 came so wild and noisy, that Friends could see no other way, 
 than to disown more than forty persons, within the compass of 
 Salem Quarterly Meeting; since which their meetings have 
 been quiet and orderly. Fifth day, we attended New Garden 
 Monthly Meeting, and Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting on sixth 
 day, in both of which I had to go into close, searching labor, 
 and plain dealing, and was relieved thereby. Seventh day we 
 had an appointed meeting at Franklin. First day had another 
 
 at . Thence to Richmond, and had a meeting there on 
 
 third day. "We then drove to Benjamin Ladd's, at Smithfield, 
 where we had a large meeting on fourth day, made up of diff- 
 erent societies. Here I was led into doctrine in a plain, clear, 
 
262 JOURNAL OP 
 
 manner, showing the emptiness of ceremonial religion without 
 the power and spirit of the Gospel, and where this spirit was 
 enjoyed, and had its work on the soul, it produced regenera- 
 tion, and effected its salvation, without the aid, and indepen- 
 dent of all ceremony. I was also led to warn them not to pin 
 their faith too much on their teachers ; but to believe in the 
 Light, and walk in the Light, that they might see for them- 
 selves. I was enabled to show them what the Light was, and 
 how to know it. I was told that my doctrine did not suit all ; 
 but knowing it to be the truth, and upon serious reflection, 
 feeling conscious that I was rightly authorized to deliver it, I 
 was well satisfied on my own account. But to my sorrow, I 
 have often observed that there are those among Friends, who 
 seem more concerned to have their neighbors pleased, than to 
 have sound doctrine preached. 
 
 After this meeting, we went to Short Creek, and attended 
 their mid-week meeting, on fifth day, the 1st of 7th month, and 
 had an appointed meeting the same day at Mount Pleasant. 
 2d, we had an appointed meeting at Concord. In these three 
 last meetings, the Gospel flowed gently and clear, and I found 
 good acceptance with my Friends here. Thence to Plainfield, 
 where we attended their first day meeting on the 4th. 5th, 
 had a meeting at Goshen. 6th, had a meeting at Captina. 
 7th, at Somerset. 8th, attended the Ridge meeting. In this 
 route, my labors in general, were close, searching, and plain. 
 There appeared too generally, a slackness in the minds of 
 Friends, in regard to feeling after the life of pure, spiritual re- 
 ligion ; and many were settled down in the smooth form of 
 godliness, entirely void of the substantial power, and vital life 
 of the Gospel day; burdens to society, and often bringing 
 grievous burdens on the shoulders of the living in the Church ; 
 which they will not touch with the tip of their fingers to give 
 relief. But in most of these meetings, there were those who 
 endeavored to stand faithful, and labor honestly, for the sup- 
 port of the cause of truth and righteousness. I was led to feel 
 much for these, and sometimes was authorized to encourage 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 263 
 
 them, in feelings of pure love and Gospel sympathy, to hold on 
 their way, to stand faithful, and fill up their measure in their 
 generation, that the crown at the end of the race, thereby would 
 be made sure; an ample reward for all we pass through in 
 time. 
 
 Sixth day, the 9th, we visited Stillwater ; a large meeting, 
 and a number of substantial Friends there ; yet there were oth- 
 er descriptions among them. We had a favored meeting, and 
 the Truth went forth in its own authority. On first day, the 
 11th, we attended that meeting again, and was authorized and 
 enabled to bear a faithful testimony against oppressive specula- 
 tions, over-reaching in trade, and dealing onejwith another, to get 
 gain ; showing that it was often oppressive, causing the needy 
 to groan, and the hearts of the oppressed to cry, whose cry 
 reacheth the ear of the Lord of Sabaoth, and he reserves a just 
 retribution for the oppressor, against the awful day of solemn 
 account. I had to proclaim a solemn warning, and leave it 
 with them, and felt my mind not only relieved, but refi-esbed. 
 The hearts of many Friends were made glad ; and some of 
 them told me, that my testimony was entirely appropriate, and 
 fittingly applied to the conduct and states of some in that 
 meeting ; sufferers, as well as oppressors. Oh ! I felt renewed 
 cause, in deep humility, to recount the marvelous, tender deal- 
 ings of my God, in leading me in the right way, and sustaining 
 me through the many and deep exercises He was pleased to 
 lead me ; making strong my arm in the day of battle, to the 
 exalting of the standard of Truth and Righteousness ; I hope to 
 the praise of His ever adorable name ! 
 
 Second day, the 12th, we had a meeting at Richland. Third 
 day, went to Gurnsey, and attended their Preparative Meeting 
 on fourth day. Fifth day, had a meeting at Freeport. Sixth 
 day, at Bushy Fork. Seventh day we drove to West Grove, 
 and attended that meeting on first day, the 1 8th. Second day, 
 we had a meeting on our way to Short Creek. These latter 
 places visited, are mostly in new parts of the country; the 
 meetings small, and some of them weak. I felt much for them. 
 
264 JOURNAL OF 
 
 and was enabled to impart such counsel and encouragement as 
 my good Master furnished me with. Third day, we attended 
 Short Creek Monthly Meeting, where the business was con- 
 ducted in harmony, and with condescension. Fourth day, wc 
 attended Concord Monthly Meeting. I sat the meeting for 
 worship, through in silence, occasioned by a woman Friend, 
 who suppressed her gift. I passed through the meeting, 
 and got no relief. After meeting, I told the woman of it ; she 
 confessed, with tears, that she had withheld her gift, fearing 
 she would take up the time from others. Thus, by giving way 
 to reasoning, and not minding her Lord's direction, slie shut 
 up the door of the Ministry that day, and hurt the meeting 
 much, so that through the business meeting, things dragged 
 heavily. As I got no relief that day, I had to return there 
 again, and was enabled to clear my mind, aiid get relief. 
 
 After the Monthly Meeting closed, we went to Wheeling, and 
 had a meeting there that evening. Fifth day, we set forward 
 for the head of Wheeling, and had a small meeting with the 
 few Friends there, on sixth day. After meeting, we drove to 
 Washington, in Pennsylvania, and lodged with William Min- 
 nakin ; he and his family were kind, and the only Friends in 
 the place. Seventh day, we journeyed to Pike Run, in Red 
 Stone Quarter. First day, the 25th, we had a large, favored 
 meeting there. Second day, we had a large, solid meeting at 
 Westland. Third day, we drove to Muddy Creek settlement. 
 Fourth day we were at the Ridge meeting, and went to South 
 Fork, where, on fifth day, we had a large meeting at a Baptist 
 meeting house. The doctrines of Truth, in the love of the 
 Gospel, flowed freely, and a comfortable solemnity spread over 
 the meeting ; but soon after I sat down, a noisy man rose, and 
 undertook to explain what I had delivered, and ran into wild 
 ranterism, exclaiming against all government. He detained the 
 meeting sometime, and got it all in a jostle. When he stopped, 
 I saw it necessary to make some plain remarks on some of his 
 movements and discourse, showing the people what was our 
 belief, and our reasons therefor. This, gathered the people 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 265 
 
 into a quiet again, much to their satisfaction ; which they ex- 
 pressed after meeting ; and as I sat down, I informed the people 
 that the service of the meeting was closed; and so gave him no 
 opportunity for the second harangue, for which the people were 
 glad ; so I parted with them, glad to escape so well, and went 
 to Redstone, where, on 6th day, we had a meeting. This was 
 once a large meeting, but now much run down. After sitting 
 in this meeting some length of time under a weight of exercise, 
 I felt constrained to arise on my feet But looking to the right 
 hand and left, I saw several on the front seats who appeared to 
 be fast asleep, and a number in the body of the meeting in the 
 same situation. I concluded it would be of no use to preach 
 to them ; but feeling no release, I rose on my feet, and after 
 speaking a few words, I spoke with a sharp tone of voice, 
 *' Friends, do wake up, for I think I am rightly authorized to 
 deliver a discourse, and want you to hear me, so as to under- 
 stand what I say, which you cannot if you are asleep, so as to 
 have any correct judgment about it." By this time they were 
 all awake. I then proceeded as matter and utterance was giv- 
 en, and was led into a close, plain, searching discourse, and 
 mercifully enabled to clear my mind, so as to feel well satisfied. 
 Seventh day, had a meeting at Centre. First day, 1st of 8th 
 month, we attended Providence Meeting. Second day, at 
 Sewickly Meeting, held the 3d hour in the afternoon. Fourth 
 day, following, we attended Redstone Monthly Meeting, where 
 there was room for much labor. May it prove useful to them. 
 After this meeting, we crossed the river, to attend the Quarter- 
 ly Meeting, to be held at Westland, on 6th and lih days of 
 of the month and week ; and though the life of pure religion 
 was low in those parts, and several meetings had almost run 
 down, yet it pleased the holy Shepherd of Israel, in his tender 
 mercies, to favor with His presence through the several sittings 
 thereof. The business was conducted in harmony, the honest- 
 hearted were encouraged to faithfulness, both in their private 
 walk, and in the honest maintenance of the discipline ; the lat- 
 ter being too much neglected. Wherever this is the case, 
 17 
 
266 JOURNAL OF 
 
 •weakness and a falling away, are certain to ensue, and such 
 meetings get into a lifeless, formal state of security — hard to be 
 helped, or made to believe they need a helper — a dangerous, 
 pitiful condition, much indeed, to be mourned over in this land. 
 I had to travail, clad with the spirit of mourning, and to labor 
 under the weight of its impression. 
 
 First day, the 8th, was the closing, parting meeting. The 
 power of the Gospel arose in dominion over all opposing spir- 
 its ; its doctrines flowed freely, and the meeting closed under a 
 heavenly solemnity. Honor, thanks, and everlasting praises, 
 be ascribed to the Lord God, and the Lamb, saith my soul ! 
 
 Not feeling clear of Redstone, we had a meeting appointed 
 at the fourth hour in the afternoon, at this place. The Lord 
 enabled me to sound the alarm, in a solemn, searching manner, 
 and was led to show how Satan had got among them, and what 
 he had done, and that that the love of many had waxed cold. I 
 felt my mind well relieved, and thankful to the Lord therefor. 
 Second day, we had a meeting at Sandy Hill, and on third 
 day we crossed Laurel Hill, and had a meeting there on fourth 
 day. The next day, we again crossed Laurel Hill, to a neigh- 
 borhood near Waynesburgh, where, (after traveling ten miles), 
 we had a meeting with the Baptists and others. It was as full 
 a meeting as could be expected ; the people sat quiet, and ap- 
 peared attentive, received the visit courteously, and made no 
 objections, though plain truths were told them. After this 
 meeting, we drove to Pike Run, and on first day, the 15th, at- 
 tended that meeting ; it was large, and a favored time. 
 
 Second day, we had a public meeting at Fallowfield ; the 
 house not being large enough to hold the people, it was held 
 in the woods. It was a satisfactory meeting to me, and I now 
 felt clear to return to Ohio. On third day, we arrived at 
 Washington, in Pennsylvania, and made our home with Wil- 
 liam Minaken. I felt my mind arrested to have a meeting in 
 this place, but a member of our Society from the city of Wash- 
 ington, a little before, and who had a meeting there — had giv- 
 en such general dissatisfaction, that the prospect of getting a 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 267 
 
 meeting, looked gloomy. But not feeling easy without making 
 a trial, we appointed one for tlie evening of the 19th, when 
 quite a body of people came together ; yet many said they 
 would not come to be black-guarded, but those who came, sat 
 quiet. I sat sometime under deep exercise and fear — but not 
 of man — until I felt the authority of Truth to put me forth, 
 and in it I arose on my feet, and as utterance was given, the 
 Gospel was preached without equivocation or flattery. It went 
 forth in its own authority, and settled on the people, and they 
 settled under it. I was told the people acknowledged to the 
 truth of the doctrine. I felt my mind much relieved and made 
 glad, and had thankfully to acknowledge, that strong is the 
 arm of the Lord, and mighty is He, in the day of battle ! 
 
 Sixth day, we drove to Wheeling, in Virginia, and put up 
 with a Friend, who had been made considerable account of. 
 We proposed having a meeting in the town, but he refused to 
 give any aid or countenance to the prospect ; so on seventh 
 day, we went to Concord, and attended that meeting on first 
 day, the 2 2d, and staid thereabout until fourth day, and attend- 
 ed the Monthly Meeting there. Here I fell in with a preacher 
 from Long Island — ^head quarters — with a good certificate. He 
 seemed glad to see me, but my feelings drew back from him, 
 and I could not account for it. However, when the time came, 
 we went to meeting. It was my lot to bear testimony first ; 
 he soon followed, and at first seemed to unite with what had 
 been said, but soon run across, and quoted the fall of Adam 
 and. Eve in the Garden, with what transpired — pretty correctly 
 — -and drew some rational inferences from them ; then wound up 
 with asserting, " These things are all allegories." After meet- 
 ing, I asked him, what house he was going to, and went to the 
 same. As soon as I could get an opportunity, I remarked to 
 him that I very much doubted any Quaker Minister ever hav- 
 ing right authority to state, that those facts of truth which are 
 stated in the Scriptures, were nothing but allegories. He 
 made no reply, so I let it pass, in hopes a few words were suf- 
 ficient. After dmner, we went to Plainfield, to attend that 
 
268 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Monthly Meeting, which was held on fifth day. Here, it was 
 my lot to bear testimony first, again ; and, as it turned, I Was 
 glad ; for he went on the same ground, spread broad sails, run 
 across my testimony, and asserted that several accounts stated 
 in Scripture as facts, were allegories ; and this, with a good 
 deal of confidence. After meeting, I went to the same house 
 that he did, and remarked to him, that I had no opinion of 
 Quaker preachers telling the people that this, that, and the 
 other part of the Scriptures, were nothing but allegories, and 
 50 turning it into a novel book ; for it set the young people to 
 reasoning and disputing it, (the Bible), introduced divisions, 
 and did much hurt ; religious speculation ran high in our land, 
 and it waS highly needful for Friends to keep to sound princi- 
 ples. He turned and looked me full in the face, and said, "All 
 the Ministers who come from England believe that the death 
 and sufferings of Christ did something for us." I then saw 
 that he was one of those who denied the Divinity of Jesus 
 Christ, the propitiatory sacrifice, and the atonement; and be- 
 lieved that he came into the world as all other men ; that he 
 was a good man, and died a martyr to his principle. They also 
 deny the being of satan, and they say and preach that there is 
 no devil, only what originates in man. I looked him as full in 
 the face, and replied, it is our ancient principle, that agreeable 
 to the statement of John the Evangelist : In the beginning was 
 the Word ; and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
 And the worlds were made by Him. And without Him was 
 nothing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, 
 and dwelt amongst men. So that we see Divinity took on it 
 humanity, and Jesus Christ never resigned the glory He had 
 with the Father, before the world was, and took on Him hu- 
 manity for the sake of devils ; that is out of the question. Nei- 
 ther did He come for the animal part of creation, for they are 
 not possessed of immortal spirits ; so that His conception, birth, 
 life, ministry, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension 
 were all for man. These are our ancient principles, and they 
 are mine ; and I can find no where to par£ or divide Him. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 269 
 
 And, it is marvelous to me that any finite creature should sup- 
 pose that the great fountain of eternal knowledge had not wis- 
 dom, so to order the business and lay the plan, so as to answer 
 the great purpose designed, for the past, present, and to come. 
 At this, he turned from me without any reply, and seemed shy 
 of me afterwards. I sought an opportunity to clear my mind 
 to him, but he would not hear me. I then gave him up to run 
 his own course. But it brought me into a sad strait, he being 
 from head quarter, and I only a back-woodsman, and both from 
 the same Yearly Meeting, and directly across each other in our 
 testimonies. This, I saw would bring exercise on Friends, for 
 I felt no liberty to deviate from my principles nor give up my 
 testimony. So I concluded to let him alone, and let Friends 
 decide between us. After this, my companion and myself 
 went to St. Clairsville, where I had once been disappointed in 
 obtaining much of a meeting, owing to the neglect of those 
 Friends, who took it upon them to inform the people. I now 
 went to another house, and employed others, who were faith- 
 ful; we had a large, crowded meeting and a highly favored 
 time, so that those who neglected me before, wanted me to go 
 to their houses ; but I thought if I had got my credit up, it was 
 best for me to go about my own business. After this meeting, 
 we drove to Stillwater. Seventh day, we attended Stillwater 
 Monthly Meeting, where I had good service, and felt sweet 
 peace therein, as also the first day meeting, the 29th, at the 
 same place. Second day, we attended Somerset Monthly 
 Meeting. Third day, attended the Quarterly Meeting for Min- 
 inters and Elders at Stillwater. Fourth day, the 1st of 9th 
 month, we attended the Quarterly Meeting for worship and 
 discipline. Here, I fell in with my Long Island friend again, 
 and, as before, I bore testimony first. We both went our own 
 way. While I was on my feet, my aged Friend, Hugh Judge, 
 sat quietly ; but soon after the other Friend arose, he grew un- 
 easy, and would look on him wishfully. Soon after he sat 
 down, the meeting proceeded to business, took hold of it in a 
 solid manner, and conducted it with dignity, and in harmony. 
 
270 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Fifth day, we attended Plainfield meeting, and then bent our 
 course for the Yearly Meeting, to be held at Mount Pleasant. 
 It commenced on Seventh day, the 4th of 9th month. When 
 we arrived there, we found many Friends much stirred in mind, 
 and they frequently came to me to know, if I believed in 
 that man's doctrine — and told me that he had asserted in one 
 of his sermons in that place, that Jesus Christ came into the 
 world as all the rest of us did, sin only ex^pted. Did I be- 
 lieve that ? I told them no, I did not, as I had answered 
 several times. This inquiry came so frequent, I told some of 
 them I had always been an open man with them, and had al- 
 ways preached the principles I believe in ; I had gone over a 
 great part of that Yearly Meeting, and I thought they had had 
 opportunity to become acquainted with my public and private 
 conversation enough to be satisfied. They acknowledged they 
 had not discovered anything, and after that they let me alone on 
 that head. But the Friend went on his own way, and gave great 
 dissatisfaction. Friends let him know that his sentiments were 
 unsavory, and that some of his communications were not accept- 
 able. He neither replied, nor paid attention to it. At length, 
 when the meeting had the query before it, on the subject of read- 
 ing the Scriptures, this Friend arose and stated, that it was an 
 unsuitable book for children, and young, inexperienced persons to 
 read ; and he thought dangerous, as they could not understand 
 it, and that none ought to read it, except when the Spirit of 
 Truth was on them, to give them a right understanding of it. 
 This cut me to the heart, hearing such a communication from 
 a member of my own Yearly Meeting ; and knowing for myself 
 that when I was quite a child, reading the Scriptures had intro- 
 duced my mind into the most substantial ideas of the Great 
 Supreme Being, and into the sublime views of His divine attri- 
 butes. It caused my heart to bleed, and all within me to re- 
 ject the communication. While I was musing, the subject was 
 taken up by several, largely and fairly investigated, and the 
 meeting closed, without a dissenting voice, in judgment of the 
 unsoundness of his communication, and that it was false doc- 
 
JOSEPH HOAO. 271 
 
 triae ; this pretty much stilled him through the remaining part 
 of the meeting. At the close, the meeting refused to give him 
 any return of approbation to take home. A solid committee 
 had an interview with him ; he gave them no satisfaction, but 
 refused to give them any answer to what they said. I was 
 told he was advised to go home. He paid no attention to it, 
 but went into Bedstone Quarter, visited neayly all its meetings, 
 and continued to preach his spurious doctrine. These occur- 
 rences embarrassed me more than anything else that ever hap- 
 pened to me while away from home. It rendered me almost 
 useless through the Yearly Meeting, though I had solid satis- 
 fe,ction, in seeing the meeting transact the weighty and inter- 
 esting concerns that came before it, with solemnity, dignity, 
 and harmony. It was truly strengthening to my drooping 
 mind, to see that the Lord continued to be the wisdom of His 
 people, and the crown of their assemblies. 
 
 In the latter part of the Yearly Meeting, I felt my mind so 
 solemnly arrested to return into Eed Stone Quarter, that it 
 tried my feelings exceedingly, having had a prospect of attend- 
 ing Indiana Yearly Meeting ; but this lay so heavily on me, 
 that I could see no way to enjoy peace than to stand resigned 
 to it. 
 
 The Yearly Meeting ended on sixth day the 10th of 9th 
 month. We staid thereabout until second day, the 13th, and 
 then went to Wheeling, in order to have a meeting. I had 
 told Friends how I had fared when there before ; they inform* 
 cd me that the Friend and his wife whom I called on, wese 
 both under dealing, which they supposed was the reason I met 
 with such crusty treatment. We called on other Friends and 
 found no difficulty in getting a full meeting, which was a favor- 
 ed time. From this we went to the head of Wheeling, and 
 had a meeting there on fourth day. After it, we drove to 
 Washington, and put up at my old Friend Minaken's. Fifth 
 day, drove to Westland, twenty miles, by meeting-time. Sixth 
 day, drove to Muddy Creek, and on seventh day had a meeting 
 there, and returned to Frederickton, sixteen miles, where we 
 
272 JOURNAL OF 
 
 had a meeting in the evening, and after this we went to our 
 esteemed Friend, George Smith's, to lodge ; he, I think, is a 
 good pillar in the church. First day, the 19th, we went to 
 Pike Run, and had a meeting at Bettysville at three in the af- 
 ternoon. Second day, we went to Red Stone, and had an ap- 
 pointed meeting. Third day, we attended their Monthly Meet- 
 ing, and drove to Sewickly, fifteen miles. Fifth day, the 23cl, 
 we attended Providence Monthly Meeting, where I was led to 
 sift and investigate doctrines — to me it was marvelous. Af- 
 ter meeting I met with several of their first members, one of 
 whom, in the presence of the others, told me that it was believ- 
 ed by the solid part of Friends, that my coming among them 
 at that time, was in the ordering of Providence ; as that Long 
 Island preacher had gone through but a few days before, had 
 given great uneasiness, and set many of their members to rea- 
 soning, and questioning the correctness of our principles ; that 
 they were alarmed, but had observed that in my movements, I 
 had followed after the Long Island man, and as far as I had 
 heard, wherever he had held up his erroneous sentiments, in 
 the course of my communication, I had gone over the same 
 subject, and had been enabled to lay it waste with such clear- 
 ness, that they thought it was in Divine mercy to that land 
 that I was sent back ; that several times I had taken the same 
 text that he did, as I had that day, and from it refuted his 
 preaching in such a manner, that it was not only marvelous in 
 their eyes, but rejoicing to them ; and they hoped it would 
 check the rage, if not put out the strange fire that was kindled, 
 and strengthen and settle those who were inclined to adhere 
 to the principles of Truth. These remarks very much relieved 
 my mind, for to come back had seemed, I thought, more bitter 
 than wormwood and gall. I had traveled with a heavy heart, 
 often asking in my mind, why I was brought here, where I 
 had labored so much, and why I was led in testimony in the 
 manner I was ; but now, the Lord was pleased in this way to 
 show me why. It was not only relieving but humbling to my 
 soul, and I said in my heart, "0, surdy the Lord knows best 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 273 
 
 what is best, how, when and where to send His servants ; who 
 also goeth before them in all His puttings forth, and safely 
 leads them, causing them to behold His wonders in the deeps, 
 *which is marvelous in their eyes !' " After this, I went on 
 pretty cheerfully. 
 
 Sixth day we had a meeting at Union school-house, and re- 
 turned to Westland. Seventh day, we had a meeting at 
 "Waynesburgh, and after meeting we drove fourteen miles to 
 John Haines'. First day, the 26th, we rode to Centre, twelve 
 miles, and attended that meeting, and appointed another for 
 second day, where I had an opportunity to relieve and clear my 
 mind. Third day, we drove to Sandy Hill. Fourth day, we set 
 forward to cross the Alleghany and Blue Ridges, for Lynchburgh 
 in Virginia, and traveled industriously until the 2d of 10th month, 
 when we got amongst Friends, and put up with Joseph Lapham. 
 First day, the 3d, we attended their little meeting, which was 
 almost run down by Friends moving away, the aged ones dying 
 off, and the young ones leaving the Society — many of them 
 by marrying into slaveholding families, which stride, generally 
 proves fatal to principles and morals. Second day, we resum- 
 ed our journey, and arrived at Lynchburgh on sixth day, the 
 8th, and attended their Monthly Meeting, which I found much 
 better than I expected from reports. Though they were but 
 few, they appeared concerned to keep up their meetings re- 
 putably, and to conduct their business regularly and in order. 
 I felt authorized to encourage them to faithfulness, believing I 
 felt the presence of the Lord to be with us, agreeably to His 
 promise, that where two or three are gathered together in His 
 name, He will be in the midst ; and where His presence is felt, 
 there is Ijfe and strength. We staid their first day meeting, 
 which was a favored time, and then parted with them affection- 
 ately. I felt well rewarded for my visit. 
 
 On second day, the 11th, we set forward for New Garden, in 
 North Carolina. When we had traveled two days, one of our 
 horses was taken sick and died. This detained us two days 
 more, and not being able to procure another, we proceeded 
 
274 JOURNAL OF 
 
 with one horse, traveled twenty miles a day, and in two days 
 got among Friends at Hopewell on seventh day, where, in a 
 short time, we attended the burial of an aged Friend. This 
 gave opportunity, and we embraced it, to give notice of our in- 
 tention to be at that meeting next day, which was large and 
 much favored, there was great openness in the minds of the 
 people to hear the truth, whether they were disposed to obey 
 or not. Second day, the 18th, we had a meeting at New Gar 
 den, and next day we lay by for Friends to provide us a horse, 
 which they appeared to do cheerfully, showing much sympathy 
 for us. 
 
 Fourth day, we were at Concord meeting. Fifth day at Cen- 
 tre. Sixth day, at Providence. First day at Back Creek 
 meeting. Second day at Marlborough. Third day, at Salem. 
 Fourth day, we had a meeting at Springfield, where I felt the 
 Truth to arise in dominion over all opposition — the sturdy had 
 to jb'bw and acknowledge to it. Next day, we were at Deep 
 River, thence to Providence again on seventh day, and had a 
 meeting there; returned to New Garden, and attended that 
 meeting on first day the 31st, wherei, after delivering a testimo- 
 ny, relieving to my mind, I took, I believe, my final farewell of 
 North Carolina. In this little tour, my gracious Lord and good 
 Master enabled me to relieve, and clear my mind of a burden, 
 that had laid upon it for a number of years. I also cleared my 
 mind to several individuals, some of whom had used me very 
 ill when I was there before, without any just provocation. 
 
 After getting clear of this land, on second day morning, the 
 1st of 11th month, we took our departure for Tennessee, with 
 joyful hearts, and thankful to the God of all our sure mercies, 
 for His abundant help in this needful time. And I now have 
 to acknowledge, that I fully believe, that he was mercifully 
 pleased to be my director, and to furnish with matter, ability 
 and understanding, how and where to labor, suitable to the oc- 
 casion. Oh, let pure worship and thanksgiving be rendered to 
 His holy goodness, and everlasting high praises to His eternal, 
 worthy name, saith my soul ! 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 2V5 
 
 We traveled two hundred miles on our way, without making 
 any stop except what nature called for. Our new horse failing, 
 it took us seven days with diligence, and great expense to get 
 amongst Friends. We arrived at Mark Reeves', second day, 
 8th of 11th month. My companion being unwell we remained 
 thereabouts several days and had several meetings, one at a 
 school house „ near Mark|Reeves', at the boat yard; both of 
 these were satisfactory. Had another at Lime Stone, a poor 
 run down meeting ; several of its leading members having gone 
 from Friends, and joined the Ranters, who call themselves 
 Christians. First day, the 1 4th, we had a meeting at the same 
 place, painful enough. There came a number of these dark, 
 wild people to it. The Lord in his wonted goodness, gave mc 
 a clear sight, and strengthened me to deliver His message to 
 them in such authority that I met with no interruption from 
 them. Good is the Lord and greatly to be loved and feared ! 
 Second day, we went to New Hope. Third day bad a meeting 
 there, and attended their Preparative Meeting on fourth day. 
 Fifth day, we had meeting at Westland. Sixth day the Quar- 
 terly Meeting for Tennessee came on, held at that place. It 
 was much larger than I expected, as many Friends had moved 
 into the western country. It was evident that Truth owned 
 the several sittings of the meeting. Their business was con- 
 ducted with weight, order, and much harmony. I was com- 
 forted in being with them, feeling the Gospel spring to arise 
 with life and strength, and to flow freely ; settling upon the 
 people as dew upon herbs. Truly it was a refreshing time to 
 the drooping in spirit, through the continued tender mercies of 
 our God. We attended their first day meeting on the 21st, 
 also their Monthly Meeting on second day, wherein I felt much 
 for them, and was enabled, in a feeling, tender manner, fully 
 to relieve my mind, in my last legacy and farewell address to 
 them — an humbling, tender time to me, not easy to be forgot- 
 ten. 
 
 Having procured a good horse, we set forward for Lost Creek ; 
 reached there fifth day. Sixth day had a small meeting at 
 
276 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Orassy Valley. Seventh day, being their Monthly Meeting at 
 Lost Creek, we attended it, also their first day meeting, the 
 28th. Both these meetings were favored with the owning 
 presence of Israel's Shepherd. Second day, we set forward for 
 Newbury, arriving there on third day. On fourth day, the 1st 
 of 12th month, we attended their Preparative Meeting, and their 
 Monthly Meeting coming on seventh day, we staid to it, and I 
 was glad I did, finding the Lord was with His people every- 
 where — however scattered abroad and small the remnants are — 
 when gathered in His name. His presence is felt in the midst. 
 We staid to their first day meeting also, where I was enabled, 
 through Holy help, so to relieve my mind, that I felt clear, and 
 entirely easy to take my leave of friends in Tennessee. After 
 meeting, we rode back to the Ferry, where we had a satisfac- 
 tory meeting. Next day, we went to Knoxville, and had a 
 meeting there at evening ; this was a dark, hard place. A suf- 
 fering time we had, under a sense that oppression reigned, and 
 the pure Gospel principles were trodden under foot, while they 
 make great pretentions thereto. Through it all, my great and 
 good Master, whose arm is strong, so strengthened and enabled 
 me to bear a faithful testimony, to the great, good, and right- 
 eous cause of justice, mercy, and truth, that I felt my mind well 
 relieved ; and some of them acknowledged to the truth of the 
 testimony. 
 
 On third day, the 7th of the month, we parted affectionately 
 with the Friends who accompanied us here, and went forward 
 for Blue River, Indiana. It being winter, and often rainy, the 
 roads were muddy, and much of the way, the mire very deep, 
 so that it took us eleven days, to get to Friends, a distance of 
 two hundred and eighty-one miles. Nearly all of this solitary 
 travel was in Kentucky, where, to hear of their cruel acts to 
 the slaves, and see what we did, was shocking to all human 
 and christian feelings ; and it made me think of the soul of 
 just Lot, that was vexed from day to day, with the filthy cofix- 
 versation, and the corrupt conduct of the people of Sodom. It 
 was a heavy-hearted travel to me. We got among Friends 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 2*11 
 
 at Blue River on seventh day, the 18th, and providentially fell 
 in at James White's, where we were tenderly taken care of, and 
 treated with parental affection, being almost worn out. May 
 the Lord bless them for it I 
 
 First day, the 19th, we attended Blue River meeting, where 
 I had to pass through some painful sensations, but had no 
 opening in the Ministry. Not having recovered from our fa- 
 tigue, we rested on second day, and on third day, we had a 
 full, satisfactory meeting, at Salem Town. Fourth day, the 
 2 2d, we had a meeting at Poplar Grove. Fifth day, were at 
 Blue River again, where I was enabled, so to labor in the author- 
 ity of Truth, as to get some relief. Sixth day, we went to 
 Driftwood. Seventh day, we lay by for notice to be given. 
 First day, the 26th, we attended that meeting, and drove to 
 Sandy. Had a meeting there on second day, and returned to 
 Driftwood. Third day, we returned to Matthew Coffin's, at 
 Blue River settlement. Being unwell, we lay by until sixth 
 day, the 31st, when we attended a meeting at Mount Pleasant, 
 and returned to Matthew Coffin's, and attended Blue River 
 Monthly Meeting, on seventh day, the 1st of 1st month, 1825. 
 Here, the Lord, in His abundant mercy, gave strength, confi- 
 dence, and utterance, to relieve my mind of a grievous burden 
 that had lain on me, ever since I came into the vicinity of Blue 
 River Quarter, on account of unsoundness in the faith, and that 
 amongst the leaders of the people — which had spread much in 
 that Quarter. I had to labor in much plainness with them, 
 both in public and private. At this meeting we had the com- 
 piany of Stephen Grellett. On first day, the 2d, we attended 
 meeting at the same place, where I was enabled so fully to re- 
 lieve my mind, and clear my skirts of them all, that I left that 
 part of the country, receiving a plentiful harvest, and a full bo- 
 som of well loaded sheaves. 
 
 Second daf, we went to Lick Creek, and had a meeting there 
 the next day, where Satan had been at work, and had made 
 sad division amongst the brethren, on account of the appoint- 
 ment of an Elder. The meeting had proposed one, but there 
 
278 JOURNAL OF 
 
 was another member wlio wanted the appointment, and thought 
 himself much better quahfied for the office, than the one named. 
 He had got a party, and so resolutely opposed the appoint- 
 ment, that it stopped in the Monthly Meeting. I commended 
 the meeting for not bringing forward the one who wanted the 
 place, for I never knew one of that disposition, who was put 
 into that office, but who proved a self-confident, overbearing, 
 burdensome member to the living in the Truth, and a very 
 dead weight in a select capacity. Truly, there is great need 
 in these days, for meetings to be careful whom they put into 
 the office of Elder, and to ascertain clearly that they are sound 
 in the faith, and well baptized for the office ; for such will feel 
 the responsibility that devolves on them, and their accounta- 
 bility to the Great Head of the Church. Such ones are not 
 looking for promotion, or the praise of men ; but are favored 
 to see the awful state of those who become drunk with self-con- 
 fidence, and beat their fellow-servants and hand-maidens. They 
 will not dare to lift up the hand in judgment, without a re- 
 newed anointing from the Lord, and a clear command from the 
 Most High, any more than a Minister who keeps his place will 
 dare to-day to rise on his feet, to deliver a testimony, because 
 he was favored yesterday. The want of this care in Elders, I 
 have sorrowfully seen in the light of the Lord, has done much 
 hurt in many places. 
 
 On fourth day, we had a meeting at East Grove. Fifth day, 
 at the Branch ; in both these meetings Holy help was afforded, 
 sufficient for the day. After this last meeting, I felt easy to 
 leave them to the Lord, and truly glad of the release. Sixth 
 day, we went to White River, and had a meeting with a few 
 Friends there, on seventh day, after which, we drove twelve 
 miles, in a new part of the country, a very tedious road, and 
 fatiguing to the poor horses. We got amongst Friends at In- 
 dian Creek, seasonably to attend their little meeting on first 
 day, the 9th. Second day, we rode twenty miles, made a short 
 stop, and went to Ephraim Owen's, where we had a comforta- 
 ble meeting on third day. Fourth day, we drove to Jonathan 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 279 
 
 O'Ncirs. Fifth day, started for Palmyra, in the State of Illi- 
 nois, to find a sister of my wife. We traveled thirty miles that 
 day, and lodged in Washington, Indiana. Sixth day, we drove 
 thirty miles. Seventh day, we crossed the Wabash at Ram- 
 sey's Ferry, where we heard from my brother-in-law, who was 
 gone from there. 
 
 Here, I think it right to give some account of my brother- 
 in-law. He was a man of middling capacity. He and his wife 
 came amongst Friends by convincement. They acquired a 
 handsome property by their labor and prudence. When the 
 second war took place between England and America, he lived 
 in a part of the country, where the authority was pretty severe 
 with Friends ; they repeated their demands, and took away 
 his property, which made him very impatient. He turned out, 
 and went with the militia to save his property, and not being 
 willing to condemn this conduct. Friends disowned him ; at 
 which he to»k such offense, and with the Government, that he 
 was determined to leave the country. He sold to disadvantage, 
 and fled to another part of the country, where he found it no 
 better; so continued moving from place to place — until his 
 property was gone. He and his family became very poor. 
 Then he took to hard drinking, and had gone from the place, 
 (where he and family had been some time), down the river four 
 hundred miles, on to a slave holder's farm, and had taken the 
 business of slave driver. As this came to my knowledge, so 
 correct that I could not doubt it, it so bore me down that I 
 had as much as I could do to support the man, in that quiet 
 composure that became the dignity of a christian ; for I could 
 not refrain from musing on the subject, for several hours ; and 
 to reflect that a man once in the enjoyment of the Truth, and 
 knew what right was, for the sake of saving a little property, 
 and to shun bearing the cross for Truth and righteousness' sake, 
 would give way to make shipwreck of faith that he had once 
 embraced, and a good conscience that he had once enjoyed, 
 and had brought on himself and family, such woeful destruction, 
 in every sense of the word. The thoughts of it awakened such 
 
280 JOURNAL OF 
 
 feelings in my mind, that I do crave that this event may be a 
 warning to my oftspring to the latest generation, when they are 
 brought to the trial, that interest or good principle must be 
 sacrificed, let the interest go, and never wound a good con- 
 science, for that which cannot stay by nor befriend in the need- 
 ful time, when the blast of the Almighty is blown upon it. 
 And be sure not to do wrong in acquiring it, that you may 
 enjoy in peace what the Lord gives. And if you should leave a 
 little after you, honestly gotten, it will be a blessing in the 
 hands of your children. After wading as above described, un- 
 der the pressure of this severe trial several hours, my great and 
 good Master was pleased to give a hand of help in the needful 
 time, and strengthened me to give it all up, so that I became 
 calm, and then saw my way clear to pursue my religious con- 
 cern. We turned up the river, on the Illinois side, twenty-five 
 miles, to Lawrenceville. First day, the 16th, we drove to 
 Thomas Lindley's, on Union Prairie, forty miles. Second day, 
 we had a meeting with Friends and others of that place, which 
 seemed to rejoice the few Friends thereabouts. Third day, we 
 crossed the river to Indiana, and went to Tarman's Creek, and 
 had a meeting there on fourth day. After meeting we drove 
 to Henry's Creek, and had a comfortable meeting there on fifth 
 day. 
 
 At this place there seemed to be some life and concern 
 among Friends, and we felt a comfortable hope, they would 
 dwell therein. Sixth day, we drove to Spring Creek, and had 
 a meeting there on seventh day. First day, the 23d, we crossed 
 the river to Illinois side, and went to Vermillion, and on sec- 
 ond day we had a meeting in this place — a comfortable time — 
 then rode eight miles, and had a meeting in the evening to 
 good satisfaction, and staid the night with Henry Canady. 
 Third day, we journeyed for Leatherwood Creek, arriving there 
 about dark. Here, we obtained a pretty full meeting the next 
 day ; for, notwithstanding our late getting in, Friends seemed 
 lively and spirited, in giving notice to' each other, and their 
 neighbors ; also, in coming to meeting, which much revived my 
 
JOSEPH ttOAG. 281 
 
 drooping mind. Wc had met with so much indifference in 
 many places about giving notice of our appointments, it made 
 heavy getting along. The bountiful Shepherd of Israel, was 
 pleased to bless this meeting with His holy presence, which 
 was felt in the midst ; it was a solemn, good time to many 
 minds. May it be remembered with thanksgiving to the Great 
 Giver, by all who were there ! 
 
 We then proceeded to Sugar Creek, arriving there on sixth 
 day. Seventh day, we had a meetil!^ with the few Friends of 
 that place, who were much tired with a person, who had been 
 disowned and had frequently come into their meetings, and 
 took up much time in preaching, to the burdening of Friends ; 
 and what made it more grievous, he preached what Were not 
 Friends' principles, and when spoken with, he justified himself, 
 saying, tnat if he could not preach among them agreeable to 
 his own conscience, he would not meet with them. After 
 weighing the subject, I believed it right to tell Friends, that I 
 thought it would be best for them to let him know they could 
 not receive his testimony, and why ; for if you suffer him to 
 continue on, and he preaches as you have stated, it will do 
 more hurt in this new country, by your giving him countenance 
 — where Friends and their principles are but little known — 
 than all he can do, should he make a noise abroad ; for you 
 can then inform the people why you rejected him. Thus, you 
 will be bearing a testimony for the Truth, in which you will 
 be justified. 
 
 First day, the 30th, we had a large, favored meeting in Craw- 
 fordsville. Second day, we moved on for White Lick, and ar- 
 rived there third day evening, and fourth day we attended that 
 meeting. Fifth day, we had a meeting at Fairfield. Sixth 
 day, we went to Indianapolis, and lay by on seventh day. I 
 felt my mind seriously drawn to have a meeting in this village, 
 and the people thought that as it was Court time, if I could 
 stay with them over first day, it would be their desire generally 
 to be at the meeting. I felt easy to comply therewith, and on 
 first day, the 6th of 2d month, we had a large, crowded meet- 
 18 
 
282 JOURNAL OF 
 
 ing in the County House. Divine Power was felt to arise in 
 dominion in an eminent degree. The word went forth in Gos- 
 pel authority ; the meeting became solemn, and ended, I think, 
 under a sweet and heavenly calm. Blessed be the Name of the 
 Lord, for when He leadeth into the deeps. His arm is under- 
 neath and upholdeth ; when He raiseth on high, it still sustain- 
 eth and carrietb through in safety, to the promotion of His 
 own righteous cause, and the glory of His holy Name, to whom 
 all honor, worship, and high praises are due, forevermore ! 
 
 Second day, we set forward for little Blue River, and reached 
 there on third day. Fourth day, we had a small meeting with 
 a few Fjiends, and some of their neighbors at Duck Creek. 
 Fifth day, we bad another small meeting with Friends and oth- 
 ers, at Flat Kock. Sixth day, had another at Siraon^s Creek, 
 and though the prospect was not very promising thereabout, 
 we were well satisfied in being with our Friends ; having re- 
 newed cause to believe that the Lord is mindful of His people 
 everywhere, and rich in kindness to impart such meat and help 
 as they stand in need of. Blessed be His holy name I 
 
 We drove to Milford, and lay by on seventh day, and on first 
 day, the 13th, we attended that meeting; then drove to West 
 Union, and on second day, had a meeting in that place. On 
 third day, we were at meeting at West Grove. 16th, at Fair- 
 field. 17th, at Springfield. 18th, at West River. 19th, at 
 Dunkirk. 20th, first day, at White River. 21st, at Jericho. 
 22d, at Norwich. 23d, at Arba. 24th, at Lynn. 25th, at 
 Cherry Grove. 26th, at Centre. First day, 2'7th, at New Gar- 
 den, 28th, at Dover. We also visited Chester, Woodbury, 
 and Smyrna, before the Quarterly Meeting, at Richmond came 
 on. It may appear strange that after visiting such a chain of 
 meetings, there was no particular observation made ; but they 
 being divided into two parties, in one quarter and part of anoth- 
 er, and great disunity having spread amongst them, it occa- 
 sioned much repetition in my public labors, which caused me 
 many hours of deep searching of heart, so that I called all in 
 qijiestion ; but, relying on the arm of the Lord, I was strength- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 283 
 
 ened and enabled from time to time, in a plain, solemn, search- 
 ing manner to labor so as to feel my mind relieved, and clear 
 of all their blood. In passing through this part of the country, 
 Friends let me entirely alone, until I. had finished my visit with 
 them, which was perfectly right. They then told me how it 
 was with them, which was an additional relief to my mind, in 
 finding I had not been deceived in my feelings, nor misled in 
 my labors, and I can gratefully acknowledge that hitherto the 
 Lord hath helped me. Forever adored be His goodness, and 
 eternally blessed be His holy name I 
 
 We attended the several sittings of the Quarterly Meeting, in 
 which my lot was deep, painful exercise, finding the love of 
 many had waxed cold, towards each other. Great want of true 
 and living zeal, for the righteous cause of truth, and great cause 
 of humiliation and mourning, to the rightly concerned among 
 them, to whom a portion of cordial encouragement was impart- 
 ed, as also plain truths to the other class. T felt well relieved 
 at the close of the meeting on first day. Third day, the 8th 
 of 3d month, was at the Ridge meeting ; thence at Silver Creek, 
 Poplar Ridge, Salem, and at Newhope, on first day, the 13th. 
 After which, being much fatigued, and having a heavy cold in 
 my head, Hay by on second day, at the house of Joseph Maxwell, 
 where I was kindly nursed. Third day, we moved on to West- 
 field, attended that meeting on fourth day, and went to Elk, 
 and fifth day attended that meeting. The Quarterly Meeting 
 coming on at this place, we met with Friends in the several sit- 
 tings of it. 
 
 At this Quarter and in its vicinity, my mind was solemnly 
 impressed with a sense that false principles and spurious preach- 
 ing were creeping in amongst Friends, and I had to give the 
 alarm amongst them, and felt great peace in being faithful to 
 my holy Lord and good Master. From this place we went to 
 Rocky Spring, and had a meeting there on third day. Fourth 
 day, went to Union, and met with Friends of that place on fifth 
 day. Thence to Concord, when we met with a small number 
 of Friends to good satisfaction. Then took Mill Creek before 
 
284 JOURNAL OF 
 
 their Monthly Meeting came on, at which we were on seventh 
 day, and staid their first day meeting, the 27th, which proved 
 a reUeving time to my mind. Thence to Randolph, and had a 
 meeting there on second day. Third day, went to Sugar 
 Creek, and had a meeting there on fourth day ; then drove to 
 Springborough, and had a meeting with Friends of that place, 
 the 1st of 4th month, and drove to Henry Paddock's, at head- 
 ing. Seventh day, we went to Cincinnati, and on first day, the 
 3d, we attended that meeting, in which my mind was^led into 
 a deep concern, under a sense of the great want of faithfulness 
 in many high professors, in not walking answerable to what 
 they professed, and knew was right. Such are stumbling blocks 
 to the honest seeker, a reproach to the Truth, and a sore grief 
 to the upright hearted. Yet, through the tender mercy of Is- 
 rael's unslumbering Shepherd, strength and utterance were giv- 
 en to relieve my mind to good satisfaction. After meeting, we 
 returned to Benjamin Paddock's. We had a pretty full meet- 
 ing in Reading village, on second day. Here, the Truth had 
 the dominion ; its doctrines went forth in Gospel authority, 
 greatly to the relief of my much tribulatcd mind, and I hope 
 to the honor of the great Head of the Church, who is truly 
 worthy forevermorc, of the praise of all His works throughout 
 His vast umpire ! 
 
 After meeting, we rode to Benjamin Butterworth's, and had 
 a meeting in that neighborhood, on third day. Then passed 
 on to Hopewell, where, on fourth day, we had a meeting ; then 
 to Turtle Creek, and met with the people of that place on fifth 
 day, and went forward to Waynesville, where we had a meeting 
 on seventh day. On first day, we attended Dayton meeting. 
 In these parts, it was as in many other places, such a likeness 
 in the states of meetings, it seemed too much repetition to de- 
 scend into particulars. Yet, we had this comfort, from impres- 
 sions felt, that there were well concerned minds in nearly every 
 meeting, to whom the Lord had special regard, and for whose 
 sakes He continues His favors to the Church ; and in answer 
 to their prayers, often renews His visitations to those who are 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 285 
 
 settled down at ease in a profession of the Truth, as on their 
 beds of ivory, in the outward form, which will do no more for 
 them, than ceremonies do for other Societies. It finds them 
 under the dominion of sin, and leaves them under condemna- 
 tion in the end ; for there is nothing of man's wisdom, doings, 
 or contrivance, that can ensure peace in the end ; nothing short 
 of a full belief in the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, 
 our Lord and Advocate with the Father, and a full and faithful 
 obedience to all its manifestatians, that can set us free from the 
 law of sin and death, and enable us to rise superior to all the 
 enchantments of a glittering world, the lusts of the flesh, and 
 the temptations of the devil, and enable us to experience a go- 
 ing on, conquering and to conquer principalities and powers, 
 and casting down all vain imaginations of the human heart. 
 
 The same day, we had a large, favored meeting at Dayton 
 village, in the meeting house belonging to the Methodists, who 
 seemed very free to accommodate us. We parted with them 
 in much good will. May the righteous Lord bless that favored 
 season to the people ! Third day, the 12th, we had a meeting 
 with Friends and others at Plumb Grrove. We then went to 
 Greenplain, and made our home with Samuel Sleeper, an old 
 acquaintance. Fourth day, attended that meeting. Notice 
 having been given, the meeting was large, and owned by the 
 presence of Divine powder, which was sensibly felt, to the ten- 
 dering of many minds, and I hope the contriting of some. Oh ! 
 how much we have to humble our minds, under a sense of the 
 continuation of Divine favor, far beyond our worthiness ! 
 
 Fifth day, we drove to King's Creek, and on sixth day had a 
 meeting with the inhabitants of that place. Then went to 
 Goshen, and were at that Monthly Meeting on seventh day. 
 First day, the lYth, we were at the same place, which gave op- 
 portunity for me fully to relieve my mind, where there truly 
 was need of well authorized labor. From here, we went to 
 Upland, where we had a small meeting on second day. Third 
 day, we were with Friends and others at a meeting at West- 
 land. Fourth day, had a meeting at Darby. Fifth day, re- 
 
286 JOURNAL OF 
 
 turned to Samuel Sleeper's, at Greenplain. Sixth day, had a 
 meeting at James Orin's, who lived in a little village, a little out 
 from Friends, which appeared to be a satisfactory opportunity, 
 both to Friends and others. Afterwards, we drove to Seneca, 
 where we had a meeting on seventh day ; then went to New 
 Hope, and met with Friends on first day, the 24th. Then 
 passed on to Grassy Run, where we had a meeting on second 
 day. We then drove to Dover and had a meeting there on 
 fourth day, and proceeded on to Clear Creek, Fall Creek, Fair- 
 field, and Walnut Creek, where we lodged with Jacob Todhun- 
 ter. Thence, to Dry Run and Fairfield. We generally had 
 full meetings in the above named place. The Gospel spring 
 ran lively and free, and I told my Friends that it seemed to me 
 a clearing out, solemn, parting time, and it appeared to be so 
 with many of them. 
 
 We lay by on fifth day, I being sick. On the 6th of 5th 
 month, we attended the Select Quarterly Meeting, at Fairfield, 
 and next day, the meeting for worship and discipline, and also 
 the first day meeting on the 8th, and after it drovfe to East 
 Fork. On second day, had a meeting there, then took Green- 
 bury, Newbury, and Wilmington, having meetings in each of 
 these places, much to the relief of my mind. Thence, to Mi- 
 ami Quarterly Meeting, held on sixth and seventh days, which 
 was large, and much favored in its several sittings. Truth 
 arose in dominion over all opposition, and reigned to the praise 
 of the holy Shepherd of Israel. First day, the 15th, we attend- 
 ed meeting at the same place, to good satisfaction. Then went 
 to Grove, Springfield, Little Creek, Chester, Cyrus Creek, and 
 Richland. We haft meetings in all the above named places, 
 and then went to Greenplain, and had a meeting at a place 
 called Charleston, at four in the afternoon. Third day, we 
 drove to Springfield, where we fell in with Elizabeth Robson, a 
 Minister from England, who had appointed a meeting in that 
 place. We attended with her, and were truly edified with her 
 lively Gospel testimony. I was brought into near sympathy, 
 and sweet unity with her. After meeting, we parted with our 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 287 
 
 friends, and put forward for Urbanna, where, on fourth day, we 
 had a meeting in that village to good satisfaction. From this, 
 we journeyed till we got to Columbia, and on sixth day, we 
 had a meeting there.' The people appeared well satisfied, and 
 I felt my mind well relieved. Seventh day, we drove to Dela- 
 ware, and lodged with Joseph Howard. First day, the 30th, 
 
 we drove to Horton Howard's in C , Weston, and on 
 
 second day, we had a meeting with the Friends of that place. 
 Then proceeded to Alum Creek, and put up with Aaron Bene- 
 dict Fourth day, the 1st of 6th month, we had a large meet- 
 ing there, much favored, and truly relieving to my pained mind. 
 Fifth day, we attended their Monthly Meeting, and then con- 
 tinued our journey till we got to Lewis Taber's, where we 
 stopped and had a meeting. Thence to Joseph Washbourne's, 
 where was a small settlement of Friends, and had a meeting 
 with them. There appeared a want of a lively, fervent zeal 
 amongst them, and the spirit of the world creeping in ; so that 
 the prospect of Truth's Nourishing in that place is rather dull 
 Thence, to Benjamin White's, and had a meeting, and proceed- 
 ed to Owl Creek, and attended that little meeting on first day, 
 the 12th. From this place, we went to Zanesville, and had a 
 meeting in the town on fourth day. On seventh day, we went 
 to Meig's Creek settlement, and met with Friends at Blue 
 Kock meeting, on first day, the 19th. 
 
 We then turned our course homewards, and took the follow- 
 ing meetings. First day, attended Plainfield Monthly Meeting, 
 and Flushing Monthly Meeting on seventh day. First day, the 
 26th, we attended Short Creek meeting. Here I was enabled 
 to clear my mind of a burden I had long carried ; for when I 
 was at the Yearly Meeting and thereabouts, I was much embar- 
 rassed with the unsound preaching of a Minister from my own 
 Yearly Meeting, (which preaching caused a considerable stir 
 amongst Friends), so that I passed from those parts, not get- 
 ting the relief I wanted. But now, on my return this way, 
 finding my way clear, and that my Master had renewed his 
 bow in ray hand, with additional strength, I stopped and visit- 
 
288 JOURNAL OF 
 
 ed several meetings hereabouts, viz: Mount Pleasant in the 
 afternoon, on first day. Second day, at Harrisville. Fourth 
 day, Carrolton, Fifth day, we returned to West Grove, and 
 had a meeting there the 1st of the Yth month. Then went to 
 Smithfield, attended that meeting on first day, the 3d. In all 
 these meetings, the Gospel current flowed fbee and clear ; I felt 
 my mind fiilly relieved, and filled with heavenly peace, and 
 enabled to return thanks and praise to the Lord, my Redeemer, 
 who had led me about, sustained and carried me through the 
 heights and depths, when no other arm could have supported 
 me. Blessed, forever, be His holy name ! 
 
 From this place we put forward for New Lisbon. On fourth 
 day, we attended that meeting, and went to New Garden. Fifth 
 day, we attended that meeting. Sixth day, had a meeting at 
 the Grove. My labors in these last three meetings were plain 
 and laborious, there being much want of Gospel love amongst 
 the professed brethren, and false j^rinciples creeping into many 
 families. Yet, my good Master, through it all, gave strength 
 and utterance so to labor as to feel well relieved, and clear of 
 all their blood, whether they hear or forbear. First day, the 
 10th, we attended Salem meeting, which was large and a re- 
 freshing time to me. Second day, we set forward for Conneaut. 
 Third day, we reached the settlement. Fourth day, had a 
 meeting with the few Friends there. Fifth day, 14th, we set 
 forward for home, where we arrived on seventh day, the 30th 
 of the month, having attended two meetings on the way. In 
 this journey we traveled seven thousand six hundred miles, in a 
 few days short of twenty months. I found my family well, to 
 my great comfort. 
 
 Here ends the account of my religious travels, to the sixty- 
 fourth year of my age, which I want should be kept by my chil- 
 dren, for their warning, instruction, and encouragement ; and 
 may the Lord bless its contents to them, for good. 
 
iJai- 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 The first time I attended our Yearly Meeting, after ray re- 
 turn from my western journey, (from which I had been absent 
 for several years, owing to my being in other parts of the coun- 
 try on religious service), I found the minds of Friends like the 
 troubled waters, as two of our Quarterly Meetings brought up 
 proposals in strong terms, to make an alteration in the disci- 
 pline in the appointment of Elders ; to drop the practice «)f ap- 
 pointing them as always had been the practice ever since 
 Friends had been a people, and to appoint them only for four 
 years. This aroused Friends, and led to the enquiry as to what 
 was the cause of this. It was soon discovered to be Elias 
 Hick's followers, pretty generally, who had already made a 
 heavy attack on several of our sound, faithful Ministers and El- 
 ders, in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. They had disowned 
 several for opposing Elias Hick's false doctrine, and infidel 
 principles, but they were all restored by appeal. This aroused 
 the Hicksites in that Yearly Meeting, and the same plan was 
 urged in our own Yearly Meeting. Several of the first mem- 
 bers of the Yearly Meeting, living on Long Island, were under 
 dealing, and the charge of a committee, for opposing Elias 
 Hick's false and pernicious doctrines, which conduct much 
 aroused the sound part of Society. * Yet, the Hicksites crowded 
 their plan so hard, that they got a large committee appointed 
 to consider the subject. "When the committee sat on the sub- 
 ject, there was so much weight in favor of the sound part of 
 Society, that the Hicksites could not fnake headway ; so the 
 committee concluded to report, that they could not agree to 
 propose any alteration in the discipline on the subject. This 
 
290 JOURNAL OF 
 
 made a stir in the meeting for sometime, and the Hicksitea 
 crowded hard to keep the subject in the meeting. 
 
 At length, to get rid of it for that time, it was submitted to, 
 and put over until the next year. This move so fully spread 
 the subject in every part of the Yearly Meeting, that when the 
 year came about, Friends seemed settled, and prepared to meet 
 it ; but when it came before the meeting, the Hicksites would 
 not give up without the appointment of a committee. When 
 the committee came to go on to the ground, the Hick's party 
 found themselves weaker than they were the year before, and 
 were induced to comply with a similar report. When it was 
 read in the meeting, the Hicksite party showed a good 
 deal of agitation ; but Friends kept much in the calm, keeping 
 close and steady to the point. This seemed to increase the 
 heat with E. Hick's party, when they saw they were not going 
 to carry the business as they intended ; so much so, that the 
 Friends who favored the committee's report, were censured, 
 and reflected on, and frequently with abusive language. Friends 
 kept steady, and deliberate, but at length the heat ran so high, 
 that when a Friend sat down after speaking, though he spoke 
 ever so calmly, by the time he was on his seat, and sometimes 
 before, several of Elias' followers would be up at a time, all 
 speaking at once. This, I think, continued an hour — though 
 Friends several times called for order, but had little or no at- 
 tention paid to them. At length, Elias Hicks called for order, 
 and his followers quieted, so that the meeting became tolerably 
 still. Elias then stated, " We cannot give the matter up with- 
 out seeing if the meeting could not decide it," and then stated 
 the majority was the weight of the meeting, and that every 
 member in the house had an equal right to his sentiment, call- 
 ing pressingly for all to come forward and give their sentiment, 
 and the young men in particular, asserting they had as good 
 right to give their sentiment as any. When he sat down, they 
 went on rapidly uniting with the proposed alteration ; some" 
 times several up at once, and several were seen to rise and 
 unite twice, and others three times. After awhile they came to 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 9&l^ 
 
 a stop, when Elias arose quickly and proclaimed, " All of three 
 fourths majority ; we have got the judgment of the meeting." 
 A Friend arose quickly and observed, " The other side has not 
 had the opportunity of giving their sentiment ; and the subject 
 will not be given up, until they have a chance to speak their 
 minds ; " and then advised to proceed orderly. They did so, 
 and in the course of half an hour, Elias Hicks had the oppor- 
 tunity of seeing a large majority, come forward in favor of the 
 old institution ; yet he was so far from acting up to his own de- 
 clared sentiments in favor of majorities, when he saw how it 
 turned, he quickly arose, and declared that the meeting was so 
 divided that it could not decide upon it, but must be again re- 
 ferred another year, and not allowed to be taken from the min- 
 utes. This was submitted to, but through the remainder of the 
 meeting, business dragged heavily. 
 
 Much enquiry continued to be made out of meeting, as to 
 the cause of all this, and much agitation prevailed amongst 
 Friends of all classes; many believing there was something the 
 matter, but that it was kept out of sight ; which, at that time, 
 was the case — as E. Hicks' principles were not then generally 
 known, though they had been preached up in a blind way for 
 many years, to thfe great exercise of discerning Friends. Much 
 tender advice had been bestowed upon him from time to time, 
 to save him from running out, not only to nothing, but much 
 worse than nothing, but all to no good purpose. All this time, 
 he was in the plausible appearance of great love and concern 
 for the cause of Truth, and the welfare of the Church ; and in 
 this way, he was diffusing — in private — his deistical sentiments ; 
 and by letters, he spread his principles far and wide, before 
 Friends were generally aware of it. 
 
 About nine years before the division took place in our So- 
 ciety, in consequence of the doctrines promulgated by Elias 
 Hicks, he came into our country with credentials to perform a 
 religious visit.* I was in Ferrisburg on temporal concerns, and 
 
 *NoTE. — It appears from a record that has been kept, that Elias Hicks 
 was here in the 2d month, 1819. 
 
292 JOURNAL OF 
 
 was told wliile there, that Elias Hicks was in the neigh- 
 borhood, and would have an appointed meeting there that day, 
 and that it would be largely attended, for everybody that could 
 would come. 
 
 I had no thought of attending it myself, but intended to re- 
 turn home as soon as I had finished my business. When that 
 was accomplished, it pressed upon my mind with such weight, 
 that I believed it right to stay and attend the meeting, which 
 I did. It was a great gathering of people. Elias rose very 
 early in the meeting, and stated that, "In the beginning God 
 created the heavens and the earth, as we read in Scripture. 
 He also made man in his own likeness, as we read in Scripture ; 
 and prepared a garden in Eden, in which He placed the man 
 and his wife ; and also the tree of life, and the tree of the 
 knowledge of good and evil, in the midst of the garden, as we 
 read in Scripture." He made a full stop, then took up the 
 tree of knowledge of good and evil — a distinct subjects— and 
 occupied a full half hour, to make it appear that there was no 
 other evil in space ; and three times asserted positively, that it 
 was not possible to be otherwise; yet he brought no proof 
 only his own statement. By the way, to polish his discourse, 
 he recommended a good deal of moral conduct. He then took 
 up the tree of life, and treated upon it separately, for about an- 
 other half hour, and three times stated without reserve, that 
 the tree of life was God Almighty himself, and it could not 
 possibly be otherwise ; but offered no proof except his own as- 
 sertion ; and as before, dressed it with the beauty and happi- 
 ness of good moral conduct; and had much to say on the right 
 and liberty of choice. 
 
 He made a full stop, stood a little while, and then stated, 
 "We have a right to choose good or evil, just as we please ; 
 and take that right from me, and I would not value my being 
 worth having !" For about half an hour, he appeared to labor 
 with much earnestness to substantiate his statements, and then 
 stopped, and soon closed the meeting. 
 
 I walked into the yard with a heavy heart, and a grieved 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 203 
 
 mmd, intending to get my horse and go immediately hotaej 
 without speaking to any one ; but hearing some one following 
 me, with a quick step, I halted a little, and a voice said, "Stop, 
 I want to get thee by the hand." I turned round, and one of 
 our head elders said, "Joseph, dost thou know that it is contra- 
 ry to discipline, to show restlessness during the preaching of a 
 minister, while in unity with the body ?" I said, "Yes, and I 
 have good unity with that discipline." "Well, thou showed 
 it to-day three times*" I said, "Did I ?" He said, "Yes, and 
 the young people noticed it." "Didst thou see it ?" "I did." 
 I replied, "Then I will not dispute it." He said, "Thou hadst 
 not unity with him to-day." I replied, "I had not." He said, 
 "What is the matter ?" I answered, "He preached false doc- 
 trine, and I can prove it, if you allow the Scriptures for a test, 
 and thou may take me before any tribunal thou choosest." 
 We then parted. 
 
 I returned home, and told my wife the discourse, and my 
 feelings, and that I would follow him through the Quarterly 
 Meeting, and attend every meeting which he did, in order to 
 have an opportunity of conversing with him. 
 
 I perceived that the Elder intended to have a company ; but 
 I thought it best to take him alone, according to Gospel order, 
 and then was willing to meet him before whomsoever he pleas- 
 ed, but could not get an opportunity. The next day, he was 
 at the meeting to which I belong, where he gave us a similar 
 discourse, but not so bare-faced. After meeting, I asked him 
 to go to my house ; he answered, "No, I am going to another 
 Friend's house." 
 
 I went home, took dinner, and went to that house immedi- 
 ately. When I arrived, he was rising from dinner. I beckon- 
 ed to him, and went into another room ; he followed, and I 
 shut the door. I soon said to him, "I wish to have some talk 
 with thee, with the privilege of speaking freely, openly, and 
 plainly ; without thy taking offense, and thou shalt have the 
 same liberty with me ; for we are both m^n who know how to 
 treat each other properly, and he that refuses this treatment, 
 
294 JOURNAL OF 
 
 shall forfeit his right of having any further attention paid to 
 him." To this he cheerfully agreed, and gave me his hand. 
 1 then informed him, that I was dissatisfied with his preaching ; 
 to which he replied, "Well, wherein ?" I then proceeded to 
 repeat his text, word for word, and said, "This gave the people 
 to believe thou wast going to treat upon the text agreeably to 
 the tenor of it. Thou acknowledged that God planted the tree 
 in the midst of the garden, as the Scripture said ; and then for 
 full half an hour labored to make us believe that that was the 
 only evil in space, instead of explaining it according to Scrip- 
 ture ; and three times thou asserted it was not possible to be 
 otherwise. I cannot take up with thy bare assertion ; I must 
 have better proof than that ; for thy idea makes the Almighty 
 the author of all evil ; for he planted the tree." He said, 
 "What other evil is there then?" I replied, "The Bible tells 
 of a serpent." "What !" said he, "a snake ?" I replied, "No, 
 I think thou knowest better than that ; no, an evil spirit, inim- 
 ical to all good ; and if thou dost not know of such a devil out 
 of thee, thou art not fit to preach. Thou and I have been such fel- 
 lows when young, and wewouldtry what we could do ; and wlren 
 we have been in our high career in company, something has met 
 us, so clear in its manifestations, so powerful in its convictions, 
 and so convincing in its evidences, that we have had to acknowl- 
 edge that we had done wrong, in thus going into loose compa- 
 ny ; and thou hast felt it so severe, thou hast concluded to refrain 
 from such courses ; and as thou didst so, thou hast felt quiet and 
 peace, and as thou continued in well doing, thy peace has increased. 
 All this thou knowest, yet by unwatchfulness, there has something 
 from somewhere, (for it was not in thee, when that which 
 brought peace was, for they cannot both abide in the same 
 person at the same time, we both know,) that suggested to thy 
 mind, that the serious thoughts were all a notion ; that thou 
 didst not make thyself, but was created by the Almighty ; and 
 that He gave thee thy dispositions, and created objects of de- 
 light, and placed them before thee, that thou mightest enjoy 
 them ; but when thou hast listened, and put forth thy hand, 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 29i^ 
 
 End embraced the temptation, thou hast always felt thy peace 
 stung to death, and thy conscience sorely smitten. I want thee 
 to tell me what these two are that will not agree ; the one urg- 
 ing to right, promising peace, and always performing, when we 
 obey ; the other enticing to do wrong, and promising increase 
 of happiness, but always disappointing us. If that tree is the 
 only evil in space, what is that which thus follows us, which we 
 both know ?" 
 
 He said. " I do not mean to discard the idea that there i» 
 an evil spirit which tempts us.** I said, " What then dost thou 
 mean to deny ? Thou certainly denied it in thy preaching.'' 
 He said, " I mean to deny that there is a great mawking devil, 
 with one ox foot and one man foot and fire eyes, which ap- 
 pears to the people to scare them." I said, *'I am disappointed 
 in Elias Hicks. I always thought him to be a man of talents. 
 I did not expect to hear such words come out of his mouth. I 
 have no belief that there is a child in our country, twelve years 
 old, who has learning enough to read, that believes such an 
 idea. Matter does not inhabit the world of Spirits.'' He re- 
 marked, that " many of our Quaker Ministers believed it." I 
 requested him to stop, and remarked, that " the Bible tells us 
 that our Savior cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalene," add- 
 ing, " thou may see how short thy ideas are." 
 
 I then took up the tree of life, and his statement of God's 
 planting it in the midst of the garden, according to Scripture ; 
 and his statement of its being God Almighty Himself, and 
 could not possibly be otherwise — and requested him to recon- 
 cile these two statements, and make good, sound doctrine, or 
 even good sense, which he declined attempting to do, though I 
 pressed him closely. 
 
 I then endeavared to show him, how confusedly he handled 
 the Scriptures, in treating the fall of our first parents, and en- 
 deavoring to make it appear that there was no other evil in 
 space, but the tree of knowledge ; as it plainly appeared that 
 there were three criminals, and three punishments stated aa 
 facts that took place, and wished him to reconcile this with his 
 
^t)6 JOURNAL O^ 
 
 discourse — in which he had crossed himself— and I let him 
 know that these were points I must have cleared up. He made 
 no reply, though I urged him* 
 
 I then dropped that point, and took up his assertion of our 
 right of doing as we pleased, and put sundry questions ; wheth- 
 er light and darkness could be blended together, and be one 
 thing ? He answered, " it is not possible.'" I proposed to him, 
 that " good and evil, right and wrong, we knew, were in the 
 world, and that they were opposite, we knew. Is there any 
 such thing, as bringing these together, and making but one 
 thing of them ? " He answered, " it is not possible." I re- 
 plied, " each must have its spring of action, and place of ex- 
 istence ; now I want thee to show whether all good must not 
 emanate from the fountain of good, and evil from the fountain 
 of evil ; and as thou hast acknowledged that right and wrong, 
 good and evil cannot be brought together, show where thou 
 gettest thy right to choose evil, for thou didst not make thy- 
 self, and thy rights are limited. Where didst thou obtain lib- 
 erty to do right if thou pleased, and wrong if thou pleased, 
 which thou prizest so highly, that thou wouldst not value thy 
 existence worth having without it ? Here, Elias, I wish thee to 
 clear this up with Scripture proofs and sound reason." 
 
 He sat awhile, and replied ; " we are free agents." My an- 
 swer was, " free agency I don't deny ; moral agency I don't 
 deny ; but we were created agents, we were not our own crea- 
 tors. Free agency belongs to the Almighty ; He is His own 
 agent, His own being. His own vast dwelling place ; we receive 
 all our power, which is agency, from Him ; we are limited crea- 
 tures. Now show me wherein we are not accountable for those 
 powers and faculties which are given us, and if accountable, 
 where is the unlimited freedom ? I deny that Adam was 
 brought into existence, a free agent; for he was God's repre- 
 sentative — His image — and placed lord of these lower regions, 
 free from guilt and shame. His free agency given him, there- 
 fore, stood in freedom of fellowship and communion with his 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 297 
 
 God. I can see claim to free agency in no other point of 
 view." 
 
 " But where was he after the fall ? A great alteration took 
 place ; for he was put under punishment all the rest of his life. 
 Was he free while under bonds, and these never to cease but 
 with hfe ; and the same with his wife, for the same length of 
 time ? Were they then, or ever after, free agents ? But there 
 was an agency renewed to them ; they were to have dominion 
 over the earth, to multiply and replenish it, and to till the 
 ground ; this I call moral agency. But that which they lost 
 and never regained, they never could bestow upon their off- 
 spring, and this shows the reason why the human family needed 
 a Mediator." 
 
 He sat some time, entirely silent, and then said, " Free 
 agency I will not give up." But he offered no defence in favor 
 of it. 
 
 I replied, " when a man will not give up a point which he 
 don't attempt to defend, I think it is because he has not where- 
 with to support his argument ; therefore, I shall urge it no 
 longer." 
 
 I then said, " I have traveled after thee in New England a 
 number of weeks ; in Maryland and Pennsylvania, I was two 
 weeks behind thee, for more than two hundred miles ; in all 
 which places I heard many remarks upon thy preaching, and 
 some upon thy private conversation. I was frequently interro- 
 gated, whether I was acquainted with Elias Hicks, and had 
 unity with his doctrines. I had one way of escape, and was 
 glad of it. " I have not heard Elias Hicks preach within five 
 years. They would then state what he preached, and wished 
 to know my sentiments. I let them know they were not my 
 sentiments nor doctrines. 
 
 " I queried with them, whether they had been honest and 
 let him know their dissatisfaction. Some said they sought 
 such opportunities, but could not obtain them ; others, that he 
 appeared so great that they were afraid. I replied, ' I should 
 have talked with him ; and if ever I see him, I intend to tell 
 19 
 
298 JOURNAL OF 
 
 him how you talk about him.' They said, * thou mayest tell 
 him the whole, for he will never make Quakers by his preach- 
 ing, but he will make infidels.' 
 
 " I agree with them ; and I have no more unity with thy 
 preaching and sentiments, than I have with a Presbyterian 
 Priest, who preaches unconditional election. 
 
 "But as we have discoursed calmly, and are now going to 
 part, I cannot in conscience give thee may hand in fellowship ; 
 but if thou wilt receive it as a token of civility, and let me re- 
 serve the fellowship, I will give it upon that principle." And 
 I reached forth my hand. He took it, and we parted. 
 
 He staid hereaway some time ; held meetings, and made 
 social visits, until he had enlisted every Elder in our Monthly 
 Meeting, and several influential members ; and went off and 
 left me in as hot a furnace, as he could prepare for me. 
 
 When the Hicksites thought they had become strong enough, 
 they made strong efforts in many places, to displace all the sound 
 Clerks, and place others in their stead, in order to hold the 
 books and records. They made a resolute attempt to displace 
 the clerks of our Yearly Meeting, who had served several years, 
 to the satisfaction of Friends ; but failing in their attempt, they 
 manifested much uneasiness, and some of them cast unhand- 
 some reflections on the clerks. The great struggle was with 
 the Ministers and Elders. In their meeting it was proposed 
 (by a woman Friend from England), to appoint a solid commit- 
 tee to go into a judicious investigation of the subject, which 
 Elias violently opposed ; and when any attempt was made to 
 bring the dispute to a settlement, he, with a few others, would 
 oppose it with violence, making long replies to every one who 
 spoke; their replies being often full of harsh and bitter reflec- 
 tions. In this way, they produced such confusion in the meet- 
 ing, that the business could not be done in order, and this con- 
 tinued, until Friends gave up the attempt, and passed through 
 the Yearly Meeting, (1827), as well as they could. When a 
 knowledge of the cause of contention became more spread, the 
 Hicksites saw their former mask would not hide them any 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 299 
 
 longer. They came out more open and bold in their princi- 
 ples, laboring in every part of the Yearly Meeting where they 
 could, to make strong their bands in preparation for a large 
 sweep the next Yearly Meeting, (1828). 
 
 Elias, and one of his confederates, in the spring of that year, 
 went to Philadelphia, and joined a body that were of his prin- 
 ciples, who had already separated from Friends, and held what 
 they called a Yearly Meeting, with which, he fully identified 
 himself. A great number of these seceders from Philadelphia 
 Yearly Meeting, many of whom were disowned, or under 
 dealing for their out-goings, came to New York. Sev- 
 eral of these imposed themselves upon us at the opening of the 
 Meeting of Ministers and Elders, on seventh day. Friends 
 bore long with them without casting any reflections, yet stood 
 firm in the maintenance of our ancient order — not to transact 
 the business of the Society, before those who are not members 
 of it — and in return for their calmness, received little but harsh 
 reflections and censures, which are beyond the power of my pen 
 to describe. In this way we passed two long sittings, and ad- 
 journed until after the opening of the Yearly Meeting at large, 
 on second day, when several hundred of these intruders poured 
 in upon us, and proceeded as they had done in the other meet- 
 ings. Friends objected to proceeding to business, until the 
 meeting was select. The Hicksites insisted that the regular 
 clerk should not act for the meeting at all, and in their con- 
 tending, used abundance of censures ; but Friends kept calm, 
 and close to the point in hand, until the meeting got into such 
 a general uproar that no business could be done in decent or- 
 der. At this juncture, a Hicksite proclaimed that the repre- 
 sentatives had agreed to propose such a Friend for clerk, which 
 was not strictly true ; for it was ascertained that a large num- 
 ber of them knew nothing of the Agreement. This was objec- 
 ted to by Friends, and united with by a few Hicksites, and 
 quickly a cry was made by a number speaking at once, " Clerk, 
 go to the table ! " which he did, and a part of the way by pass- 
 ing over the heads of Friends, by stepping from the back of 
 
300 JOURNAL OP 
 
 one seat to another. The regular clerks were crowded away, 
 and he was placed in their stead. 
 
 At the time the cry was made for their clerk to go to th^ 
 table, I think there were not less than forty or fifty on their 
 feet speaking, some of them very loud ; many were drumming 
 with their feet, others with their canes, and many others with 
 their hands, on the backs of the seats, while others were laugh- 
 ing and hissing, and acting many kinds of gestures, indicating 
 extreme bitterness. The like I had never seen before, though 
 I had traveled all over this continent, where there was known 
 to be any body of Friends, and had then passed the 66th year 
 of my age, had seen much, but nothing that would compare 
 with this horrid scene ; neither had it entered my heart to be- 
 lieve that there was any set of men, professing the peaceable 
 principles of a Quaker, who would act so void of all truth, jus- 
 tice, and honor, as they did, as though they feared not God, 
 neither regarded man, and believed there was no devil, or fu- 
 ture punishment. 
 
 When the din had so abated that a voice could be heard, a 
 Friend audibly proposed for all those who believed in our an- 
 cient principles, and wished to adhere to and maintain the an- 
 cient order of our Society, to withdraw to the basement story, 
 to hold the Yearly Meeting. Accordingly, we arose, and went 
 out in a body ; but when we got to the door of the apartment, 
 we found it locked and guarded, and we were told, in a taunt- 
 ing manner, that if we attempted to open the door, the law 
 would be put in force against us. Friends replied, that they 
 should use no violence, but wished to enjoy their rights peace- 
 ably. When we found we could not be permitted to enter, we 
 retired to a Medical College in the city, where we transacted 
 our business in unity, harmony, and a peaceful quiet. A new 
 field of labor now opened, in ^expectation that the Hicksites 
 would assume to be the Yearly Meeting, in which Friends were 
 not deceived ; therefore, in order that sound Friends should not 
 be drawn away by them, an epistle, setting forth the cause of 
 the division, and the treatment Friends endured, was drawn up, 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 301 
 
 and a large committee appointed to accompany that and the 
 extracts, down to the Preparative, Monthly, and Quarterly 
 Meetings, as promptly as way might open. 
 
 The Hicksite Yearly Meeting closed one day before ours, at 
 the close of which, I returned home, being aware that the two 
 eldest and most influential men, Elders, had for many years ad- 
 hered to those separate doctrines, and having become strong 
 therein, endeavored to spread them; yet I had opposed 
 those principles in every part of the Quarterly Meeting, where- 
 ever I found them, showing that it was rotten infidelity, wrap- 
 ped up under the plausible pretext of a more profound, relig- 
 ious knowledge, thati Friends had ever attained to before. My 
 opposing it steadily, which was mostly among the younger 
 class, soon got to the Elders, and I was called on by them, and 
 inquired of, if I opposed such sentiments. I let them know 
 that I did, and gave them my mind, letting them understand 
 plainly, that if such sentiments prevailed amongst Friends, the 
 time would come when it would make the greatest division that 
 ever was, since Friends were a people ; as their principles were 
 not those of Friends ; being deistical sentiments, which seemed 
 to offend them. I was told in reply, that they were Elias Hick's 
 sentiments, and that he was no deist, but the greatest man in 
 the world; and one of them said, "I believe he knows more 
 than George Fox did." I replied, "I do not go to Elias Hicks 
 or any other man for my religion." I was replied to, in a short 
 way, that he was not afraid to trust himself upon Elias Hicks* 
 knowledge. Thus, all our friendship closed, as they continued, 
 both in public and private, whenever they thought it would be 
 borne, to pour out censure upon me to destroy my credit as a 
 Minister, and my influence in the discipline and amongst Friends; 
 having others to back them openly. Not knowing how far their 
 pernicious principles were diffused, it seemed at times, as though 
 there were but a few steps between me and death. 
 
 Before we left New York, I told Friends of my own Quarter 
 who were appointed with me on the Yearly Meeting's Commit- 
 tee, that I thought it would be best for us to furnish ourselves with 
 
302 JOURNAL OF 
 
 epistles and extracts ; giving them my reasons, with which they 
 united ; yet when we got home the Hicksite epistles and ex- 
 tracts were circulating from hand to hand, very currently. The 
 minds of Friends seemed agitated, and things looked gloomy ; 
 yet they were favored to keep steady and calm, so that when 
 the documents from our Yearly Meeting were offered to the 
 Preparative Meetings of Starksboro Monthly Meeting, at which 
 time there were four, they all received and acknowledged them, 
 without a dissenting voice. Two of the Preparative Meetings 
 at Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, received them without any hesi- 
 tation ; the others refused. The Preparative Meetings of Peru 
 Monthly Meeting refused to pay any attention to the Yearly 
 Meeting's committee. "When Monthly Meeting came, the com- 
 mittee presented our epistle and extracts, which were violently 
 opposed by a few, and the committee was treated with very 
 unhandsome language. At length, a Friend proposed to allow 
 more time, as he thought they were not enough informed to 
 come to a judgment on so weighty and important a subject ; add- 
 ing, he had seen the epistle and extracts on one side, and that 
 he wanted to see them on the other, before he could form a 
 judgment to his 'satisfaction, and thought it was the case with 
 others. This was satisfactory, and the subject was laid over 
 for one month. At Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, the two El- 
 ders censured us for attempting to come there and offer an 
 epistle from that company who had gone off from the great bo- 
 dy of Friends. The committee calmly showed them, that our 
 Yearly Meeting was in full unity with the Yearly Meetings in 
 Europe, and nearly all on this Continent, and that theirs was 
 disowned ; which somewhat checked their boasting. 
 
 After enduring many reflections, a proposition was made to 
 let it rest one month for consideration, which appeared to be 
 the mind of several ; and the committee uniting, informed, that 
 all who wished for information, would have the epistle and ex- 
 tracts handed them, at the close of the meeting. Nearly all 
 came forward and were furnished ; and here it rested for one 
 month. Starksboro Monthly Meeting received, and cordially 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 303 
 
 united with the epistles and extracts, without a dissenting voice. 
 When the month came round, we attended Peru again, and re- 
 newed the offer of the extracts and epistles ; which met with a 
 resolute opposition from a few ; but Friends being now well in- 
 formed, a number desired to have them read. The debate con- 
 tinued two hours; during this time, theHicksites often threw out 
 heavy and harsh censure upon the committee, one of them proph- 
 esying with affected solemnity, that we were in a delusion, and 
 should run out to nothing ; yet Friends were favored to keep 
 patient, until the Hicksites had much exhausted their funds, in 
 a way that was not convincing in their favor. At length it was 
 proposed by a Friend, that he thought it would be right for 
 those who had spoken so much, to give it up, and let the meet- 
 ing decide, as they were not likely, by continuing the dispute, 
 to bring the business to a close ; and seeing the meeting so ful- 
 ly united, they gave up. The documents were then read and 
 accepted ; and the women's meeting did the same. 
 
 When we came again to Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, and of- 
 fered the extracts, the Elders arose in vehement opposition, 
 casting on us and the Yearly Meeting, heavy censure ; calling 
 the committee separatists — deluded imposers on Friends^ — press- 
 ing us not to stand against the great, and weighty body of Friends, 
 of which they were members — that such attempts have never 
 prospered, and never would. In this way, they kept bearing 
 down on the committee whenever they offered anything to the 
 meeting, until it was in such confusion, that there would be five 
 or six up and speaking at one time. Several moves of this kind 
 were made when any Friend arose to speak. They seemed de- 
 termined to run us down, and the clerk — ^being a Hicksite — 
 would have nothing to do with our business. A Friend pro- 
 posed for Friends to withdraw, when a Hicksite arose quickly 
 and said there was no need of dividing, — ^he knew of nothing to 
 dinde for. When he stopped, another arose and requested to 
 be heard, and spoke lengthy. The substance was, keep togeth- 
 er a little longer. Through the whole. Friends were favored to 
 keep much in the patience. When the last set down, I soon 
 
304 JOURNAL OF 
 
 arose and proposed, that all who believe in and are satisfied 
 with the ancient principles of Friends, propagated and main- 
 tained by George Fox and his cotemporaries, and wished to 
 maintain our discipline and ancient order, which was estabhsh- 
 ed by our forefathers, which has proved a blessing to our so- 
 ciety to the present day, to withdraw as still as they could. — 
 Then I went out to the school-house, and found it fastened. I 
 had not expected more than one quarter of the meeting would 
 withdraw. But when I turned about and saw such a body 
 standing, and little lads from ten to fifteen years of age, looking 
 as sober as old men ; and some of them with tears in their 
 eyes, it so came over me, that for a short time, I had enough 
 to do to command the man. After a short pause and recollec- 
 tion, I thought we had nothing but the open canopy to hold 
 our meeting under. But looking around, I saw at the east end 
 of the horse shed, there was a space, where we went. And by 
 taking the seats out of Friends' carriages, and picking up a few 
 boards, we seated more than forty pretty comfortably ; leaving 
 only eleven men and three lads in the house, although they had 
 boasted of their great majority. 
 
 Shortly after we were seated, a pleasant calm came over the 
 meeting, which brought us into a tender and near unity, one 
 with another, which encouraged our drooping minds, to go for- 
 ward in this sharp trial. We appointed clerks, and having the 
 minutes of two of our Preparative Meetings, after a suitable in- 
 troductory minute to organize the meeting, we transacted the 
 business in much harmony, and adjourned to Monkton. The 
 women kept the house for the day, but the Hicksites refused to 
 act with them. They also adjourned to Monkton, where we 
 hold our meetings to the present time, without interruption. 
 
 At the ensuing Quarterly Meeting, which came in course at 
 I*eru, we had the company of several of the Yearly Meeting's 
 committee, from New York and thereabouts ; and all three of 
 the Monthly Meetings having fully acknowledged the authority 
 of the Yearly Meeting, there was but little struggle in the Quar- 
 ter, and we went through with our business comfortably. Yet, 
 
JOSEPH HOAG, 305 
 
 at the next Quarter, held at Ferrisburg, there came a company 
 of Hicksites from New York, Long Island, Saratoga, and Pitts- 
 town, who got into the house early, and filled the seat at the 
 clerk's table ; and when the clerk drew near, an individual from 
 Peru, gave him a push to keep him off; and when he, by direc- 
 tion, arose to open the meeting, the Hicksites opposed him, and 
 ordered their own clerk to proceed. Friends opposed this in 
 moderation, and civil language, and with composed firmness as- 
 serted their rights, and gave their reasons. This so heated them, 
 that they fell to their usual practice of censuring, a number speak- 
 ing at the same time, until the meeting was in great confusion. 
 They withal let us know, that their meeting they would hold, 
 and that we should not do our business first, if we sat all day. 
 
 I looked it all over ; it being the fall Quarter, the roads were 
 muddy, and it was four miles to the nearest meeting-house ; the 
 probability was, that if we attempted to withdraw at that time, 
 as the weather was not favorable for being out of doors, that 
 these circumstances might induce some to stay with them, and 
 others might go home, rather than undertake the toil, as it 
 would bring meeting very late. Under these views, I propo- 
 sed to Friends to stop disputing and sit quietly, and let them 
 do their business, hoping that when they were done, they would 
 treat us with a little civility. Friends readily agreed to the pro- 
 posal, and the Hicksites proceeded, and might have finished in 
 a short time, for their business appeared to be nearly all writ- 
 ten down ; but their clerk appeared disposed to prolong the 
 time all he could ; and when they were informed that the bus- 
 iness was completed, several of them wanted to clear their minds; 
 so we had to sit, I think near an hour to hear them, which was cal- 
 culated to wear our patience, and grind our feelings. After they 
 had all got through, no reply being made, we sat quietly a little 
 time, then modestly asked the Hicksite clerk, to let our clerk 
 come to the table. He did not, however, and was asked the 
 second time ; but he did not move, until one of his own side 
 said, that as we had sat so long quietly, and had not disturbed 
 them, he thought now we ought to have the privilege of doing 
 
306 JOURNAL OF 
 
 our business. Their clerk then, with apparent reluctance, left 
 the table, and our clerk came forward and opened the meeting. 
 The Hicksites withdrew, leaving us to transact our business, 
 wliich was accomplished in harmony, and greatly to our com- 
 fort. "We adjourned the meeting for worship the next day to 
 Monkton, where we had a large, crowded meeting, many of 
 our neighbors coming in, some of whom had left our meetings 
 on account of the doctrines they heard preached by travellers 
 that came amongst us, not knowing but that Friends approved 
 of such views. But now, seeing the separation had taken place, 
 said, "We will come to your meetings again, where we can hear 
 the old fashioned preaching ; for you believe in Jesus Christ, as 
 we do — the other side does not ;" — an evidence that those of 
 other Societies saw clearly what error was promulgated— calling 
 it infidelity. 
 
 This division in the Quarter, proved favorable for Peru ; for 
 there the Hicksites would not divide, but kept harrassing 
 Friends ; but now they went out with the rest, which gave us 
 the opportunity of knowing who they were, and relieved Friends 
 of a grievous burden. Now we can meet, worship, and trans- 
 act our business without interruption, to our great joy. 
 
 A short time before our Quarterly Meeting, there came a letter 
 from Friends of Danby Monthly Meeting, informing that the 
 Hicksite extracts were presented to their last meeting, and that 
 a considerable majority chose to accept and identify themselves 
 with them ; in consequence whereof a number withdrew to a 
 Friend's house, and adjourned the meeting to be held the next 
 month at Granville, earnestly desiring those of the Yearly 
 Meeting's committee belonging to Ferrisburg Quarter, to meet 
 with them, as they had no prospect that any of the committee 
 from the south would attend. Agreeably to their request, four 
 of us attended, and found them laboring under great discour- 
 agement ; yet there appeared a sufiicient number of well quali- 
 fied members, t<* sustain a Monthly Meeting to the honor of 
 Truth. We met at the meeting house — the Hicksites also at- 
 tending — and at the opening of the meeting for business, we 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 307 
 
 offered the extracts from our Yearly Meeting, and requested the 
 privilege of attending to the business according to the order, 
 and in subordination to the Yearly Meeting, under which the 
 Monthly Meeting had always acted. The Hicksites rejected 
 this with abusive language, especially one of their nuntber, who 
 made use, I think, of the most insulting language we met with ; 
 but by being guarded, Friends were preserved from running 
 into rambling disputes, which were sought for by the dissent- 
 ing party. When we had accomplished our duty agreeably to 
 our appointment, we withdrew to a convenient dwelling, owned 
 by a Friend, who kindly offered it, where we sat down like two 
 little flocks of kids, feeling stripped, peeled, and borne down. 
 In this state, it pleased the God of all our sure mercies, to com- 
 passionate us, and favoring with the overshadowing of His 
 heavenly presence, to the reviving of our drooping spirits, and 
 strengthening our confidence in His never-failing arm. The 
 members were brought into unity and sympathy one with an- 
 other, and we passed through the business to our mutual satis- 
 faction, and I believe, to our thankful joy in the Lord, who had 
 wonderfully made a way for our escape from the scourge of the 
 cruel tongue, and had enabled us to hold our meetings in the 
 ancient quiet. The minds of the committee were brought into 
 serious consideration of the propriety of encouraging Friends 
 to try to sustain Easton Quarterly Meeting, All being united 
 therein, it appeared necessary for that Monthly Meeting to ap- 
 point a committee to visit East Hoosick Monthly Meeting to 
 inform them of what had taken place, and of the proposition 
 for them to meet with us. After a time of consideration, the 
 meeting appointed a committee, who found that most of the 
 Friends in East Hoosick were sound in principle, and rejoiced 
 in the steps that had been taken. 
 
 When the time came, we found a larger collection than we 
 had expected ; for we had several from Easton and Troy 
 Monthly Meeting, whose remaining with Friends we knew not 
 of. We also had several of the Yearly Meeting's committee 
 from the Southern Quarters, who approved of the steps taken. 
 
308 JOURNAL OF 
 
 The several sittings were favored, contriting seasons, tending 
 to strengthen our confidence in the unslumbering Shepherd of 
 Israel. The meeting was adjourned to the same place the next 
 quarter. It was considerably larger, and owned by the great 
 Head of the Church. Our business was conducted with solem- 
 nity and near unity and brotherly condescension, and adjourned 
 to be at Adams, the next Quarter, formerly called East Hoo- 
 sick This ends the account for the year 1828. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 In the year 1829, having obtained the unity of my own 
 Monthly Meeting, I set out the 10th of 7th month, to perform 
 a religious visit in the vicinity of several of the Southern Quar- 
 ters in the Yearly Meeting, and fell in at a small meeting at 
 Danby oli first day, that seemed to me like a little company of 
 kids couched down, while the boasting Assyrian Spirit had fill- 
 ed the country with their clamor; and when I came to sit 
 down with them, I was favored to feel the presence of the Lamb 
 oi God to be with them ; with a clear evidence that the Lord 
 Almighty continues to regard the low estate of His people, 
 who look to him with unabated constancy, for counsel, direc- 
 tion, and protection ; and that His never failing arm always 
 upholds — -His wisdom guides — and His almighty power enables 
 them to fight under the banner of the Lamb, so as to obtain 
 the victory. My heart was made glad, and my soul comforted 
 in being with them. At four in the afternoon, I had an ap- 
 pointed meeting in a small village called the Borough, where 
 considerably more came than I expected. They were mostly 
 a sober countenanced people; it was a favored, satisfactory 
 meeting to me. Some Friends thought there would have been 
 many more at the meeting, had not a Hicksite preacher come 
 into the place a few hours before me, and notice thereof spread 
 ahead of mine. Many of other societies were disposed to go 
 and hear for themselves, and see if he would preach up his 
 principles; as many had heard him years before, when he 
 stood in unity with Friends ; but now they were disappointed, 
 as several told me, for he never touched his principles, appear- 
 ing careful to preach an old fashioned sermon ; which gave 
 
310 JOURNAL OP 
 
 them cause to think he was a hypocrite, and ashamed to own 
 his principles. This so nettled the Hicksites, that they resort- 
 ed to their accustomed plea, that the people did not under- 
 stand him; they believed he meant otherwise; which they 
 could not reconcile with the people ; so that his visit proved 
 not satisfactory to either party. 
 
 After meeting, I went to Noah Conger's, and staid that 
 night, and most of second day. The Hicksites finding I was 
 there, several of them and a number of friendly neighbors came 
 in. Caleb Randall, one of the Hicksites, a subtle, oily-tongued 
 man, aimed at me his discourse. I think for one hour and a 
 half he kept up his caviling. And by being guarded, I was 
 enabled to answer in a way that disappointed him in» every at- 
 tack. At length, I told him that I knew he was as subtle as 
 any other man, and that he would not get me in that way, for 
 I was aware of him, and he might as well give it up first as last. 
 This so far dashed him, that he dropped his discourse and be- 
 came mute. This gave me an opportunity to make a number 
 of observations on his expressions, and to state a number of 
 facts, which I was eye and ear witness to, of their conduct and 
 language; very much to the satisfaction of those neighbors 
 who sat by; upon which he left. Though a number were 
 present, we soon all became silent, and were favored with a 
 tendering, refreshing time, not easy to be forgotten by me. 
 After which I took my leave of them, and went to Christopher 
 Almy's, in Tinmouth, and had a meeting on third day, in that 
 neighborhood, with a thoughtful people, several of whom were 
 looking toward Friends. It was a favored time, I hope to the 
 praise of the Lord, and promotion of the righteous cause of the 
 Gospel. 
 
 On fourth day, I had a meeting in another part of Tinmouth. 
 It was full ; the minds of the people appeared open to hear the 
 truths of the Gospel. It was a refreshing, relieving time to my 
 mind. Thanks be ascribed to the Lord Most High, for the 
 continuation of his day of favor and visitation to the people, 
 and strengthening His poor dependent servants as He leadeth 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 311 
 
 Ihem about, and they are obedient to do all lie requires of 
 them ; richly rewarding them with heavenly peace. Blessed 
 be His holy name ! 
 
 Fifth day, I went to Abner Potter's, in Granville, State of 
 New York On sixth day, I had a very small meeting in 
 North Granville Village. After sitting a little in silence, an in- 
 fidel sitting in the meeting, inquired the difference between the 
 Orthodox Friends and the Hicksites. I felt fully at liberty to 
 answer him, by stating the difference in sentiment on points of 
 doctrine. He broke in several times, to defend the Hicksites. 
 I told him, he had asked a fair question, and I should answer 
 it before I went on any other discourse. When I had thus 
 said, I took up his and the Hicksites principles, and showed 
 him that his and their belief had no proof but bare assertion, 
 for they both discarded the Scriptures as a test for doctrines. 
 It was folly, and they had no right to resort to a book to prop 
 their fabric, which they declared not to be relied on ; so of 
 course they had no proof but their wit, eloquence, art or soph- 
 istry, to prop their fabric with, while we had the Scriptures ; 
 for as we believed in them, we had a right to appeal to them,. 
 Especially as they were ushered into the world in a different 
 manner from other books ; God being pleased to bear the wit- 
 ness of them by signs and wonders, and many miracles — a proof 
 of their Divine origin. Also, the records of several nations co- 
 temporary with them, had stated the same events, in a number 
 of instances ; and I should not ramble about with him, but call 
 for his proof. He became mute, and after a short pause, fil- 
 ing my mind much opened, I took up the subject at large, and 
 showed the few who were gathered, the abundant proof there 
 was in support of the Gospel, and the great want of it on the 
 side of the infidel ; also the reason of our hope and faith, from 
 the same store of proof. When I felt the current to stop, and 
 closed with it, a perceptible solemnity was spread over the 
 meeting, and some shed tears. We sat a little; the people 
 were then informed that I had nothing more for them. All 
 appeared well satisfied who spoke to me ; one woman express- 
 
312 E^ JOURNAL OF 
 
 ed, slie believed every word. I felt my mind fully relieved 
 and comforted. 
 
 On seventh day, I returned to Danby, and attended that lit- 
 tle meeting again, and another in the afternoon, which was 
 large for that place. In both, the Master of Israel's assemblies 
 was felt to be in the midst with His people, to comfort and 
 strengthen them to hold up the standard of Truth in its own 
 authority ; to the praise of His own name, who is worthy 
 thereof. On second day, with Noah Conger, I went to Mount 
 Holly, where all the members but one were gone from Friends ; 
 the most of them Hicksites ; so we had a meeting in the Meth- 
 odist meeting-house ; many of the inhabitants and most of the 
 Hicksites attending. I was led in a way not usual for me, 
 having to state our principles on the fundamental points of the 
 Gospel, and those of the Hicksites on the same points, contrast- 
 ing the diflPerence between the two, at considerable length ; 
 bringing into view much Scripture proof of our doctrines, so 
 that it was a laborious day to me ; yet through the tender mer- 
 cy of Jehovah, holy Help was given equal to the occasion, and 
 sufficient for the day. Blessed be His holy name ! For His 
 heavenly presence was felt to spread over the meeting — a sol- 
 emn, tendering time, to many minds. 
 
 I went to the house of Samuel Cook, an elder who went 
 with the Hicksites ; most of that class there, coming in, one of 
 them began the subject. This opened the way for me to in- 
 form them what the Hicksite principles were, in all its bear- 
 ings, and of their conduct, that I had been an eye and ear wit- 
 ness of, relative to their rending, harsh conduct in words and 
 actions. They sat like people amazed until I got through, 
 then asked a few questions, which I answered plainly and clearly, 
 so that when we parted with Samuel Cook and family, he look- 
 ed like a sick man. I found they had been j&lled with false 
 representations. In answer to those questions, I stated facts 
 that could be supported by the best authority, and a large 
 number of accredited documents. I left it with them to think 
 for themselves, with desires that the Lord might compassionate, 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 313 
 
 in His boundless favors, of His forgiving mercies to these poor, 
 deceived creatures, for they know not what they do. With 
 thankfulness, I may truly acknowledge, that I felt as great sat- 
 isfaction and peace in the labors of this interview, as any ser- 
 vice, I had performed in the cause of Truth, in this journey. 
 
 Third day, we returned to Danby. On fourth day, I attend- 
 ed the small meeting there, where we were comforted together, 
 being favored to feel the Heavenly Father's love to bind us to- 
 gether in the fellowship of the Gospel. After meeting, I re- 
 turned to Granville, and having taken cold, I lay by sixth and 
 seventh days to recruit, at the house of my valued friend, Na- 
 thaniel Potter. First day, the 26tl^ I attended Friends' meet- 
 ing, and appointed another in East Granville for the afternoon. 
 In both, the spring of the Gospel was lively, and its testimony 
 went forth in the clearness of Gospel authority, to the humb- 
 ling and tendering of the minds of many ; Truth reigned to the 
 glory and ho»or of the God of all grace, to whom all praise be- 
 longeth ; and may He grant the favor of the day to be a lasting 
 blessing to the people. 
 
 Second day, the 2'7th, I went to Cambridge, and called on 
 
 , a family that had been more than common attached to 
 
 me for twenty years or more ; so much so, that they seemed 
 hurt in their feelings if I passed by, and did not call on them. 
 Of course, I often called when I passed that way ; for I had of- 
 ten been a guest at the table of his wife's parents, for nearly 
 twenty-seven years, and was always treated with great respect. 
 Her father had been deceased two or three years, and her moth- 
 er was living with her. When I entered the door, the wife was 
 standing near ; I offered her my hand ; she gave her hahd with 
 a remarkable sour look. I then asked after the family's health ; 
 she answered me with a voice that indicated ill-nature, and I 
 could not hear all she said. I then asked, if her mother was 
 living ; she said, "yes, she is in the other room." She went in, 
 and I followed, and took her mother by the hand, asking after 
 her health. She answered, "I am a poor creature ;" then look- 
 ed me full in the face, withdrew her hand, and turned from me ; 
 20 
 
514 JOURNAL OF 
 
 her daughter told her who I was, but it made no difference in 
 her coYiduct. I introduced some discourse, but got no answer. 
 When I got tired of this treatment, I went into the other room 
 again, and asked for the husband, as I wished to see him. She 
 sent for him ; he was not far off, (as he stood and looked at me 
 when I drove up to the door,) but did not come in. I urged 
 it ; she sent for him a second time, yet he did not come. I 
 asked twice for some food for my horse. At length there was 
 a small lock of hay brought, which looked like the leavings of 
 another ; my creature would not touch it, though she had been 
 drove a long distance, and was quite hungry. The wife — moth- 
 er of the family — asked ft I wanted some victuals ; I told her 
 "No" (for the truth was I had got a full meal by this time,) but 
 said, "I shall be glad of some cool drink." She brought me a 
 glass of warm beer, with a cold countenance, and slc^ step. I 
 endeavored to introduce discourse on different subjects; but got 
 for answer, Yes, or No ; and sometimes no answer at all. I had 
 not often been beat in this way, and was not willing to give it 
 up, as I had called on them, for former friendship ; not know- 
 ing how they stood. After sitting some time silent, I pleasant- 
 ly asked her, what I had done, or what had transpired, that 
 changed their conduct towards me ; as I did not know what it 
 was, I wished to be informed ; but got no answer. I repeated 
 the question several times, yet there was no answer. She be- 
 came "dumb. I then stated, that it was my right, if I had done 
 anything, to know what it was, that I might take it out of the 
 way ; and if innocent, to speak for myself. When, this answer 
 answer was given : " I have nothing laid up against anybody." 
 I said, "This does not directly answer my question, and from 
 what I have seen and met with, I shall consider myself excused 
 from calling on you in future ; " and left them with ray mind 
 filled with heartfelt pity, with this conclusion : if this is the ef- 
 fect of Hicksite principles, I am glad and thankful that I am 
 no Hicksite. *I then had to ride nine miles, before I got any 
 refreshment for myself and horse, after driving a pretty full 
 day's journey before — unless I had stopped at a tavern. When 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 315 
 
 I arrived at Cornelius Devors widow's, I met with a kind re- 
 ception, good entertainment, and a fine night's rest, which 
 seemed to sweeten the bitter cup of the day before. 
 
 Third day, 28th, I had a meeting in the neighborhood, which 
 was pretty full for the place, and a favored time, to the tender- 
 ing of many minds. Thence to Caleb Barker's, at White 
 Creek, where I was received with kindness ; and the day fol- 
 lowing, had a small meeting in a little village near. The next 
 day I spent in a social visit, much to my satisfaction, as it gave 
 me an opportunity to clear my mind, without giving oflfence, 
 on the subject of the division among us. Thence I went to 
 Pittstown, and on my way, turned a little aside to visit J. A. 
 I found his wife a tender, well concerned Friend, and he a warm 
 Hicksite. He cast many reflections on Friends, and some false 
 statements, which I endeavored to correct, but to no satisfac- 
 tion to him. Observing this, I endeavored to close the dis- 
 course, but could not, for he continued to bring up new char- 
 ges, that grieved his wife, and deprived me of the comfort I 
 hoped for in the visit. Seeing no prospect of its being any bet- 
 ter, I took leave of them, and went to Micajah Hunt's. He and 
 his wife were kind, faithful Friends. I staid with them all 
 night; and on seventh. day, the 1st of 8th month, I started for 
 Schaghticoke Point, and the day following I had a meeting in 
 the South part of Pittstown, near one Slade's, a Friend living 
 much alone ; it was an humbling, serious time to me, which 
 appeared to be the state of the meeting. The next day we 
 went to Adams, and called oft a Friend by the way, who was 
 desirous to know the cause of contention. I gave him all the 
 information I could, which appeared to relieve him much. His 
 ears had been filled with sentiments entirely false. I informed 
 him how and where he might find all that I had stated, suppor- 
 ted by the best authority, and I parted with him in a tender 
 state of mind. 
 
 When I arrived at Adams, I found that their mid week meet- 
 ing was on Fifth day, and that there was a funeral of a young 
 man who was to be buried before the meeting. Notice of my 
 
316 JOURNAL OF 
 
 being there having been given, the meeting was large ; many of 
 the Hicksites came, whose countenances bade defiance, and 
 they appeared to be armed with a coat of mail. There cham- 
 pion came, and placed himself at my right hand, and soon this 
 language ran through my mind, "This is a Hicksite ; " but I 
 felt to my comfort, that his spirit could not touch me. After 
 sitting a little in deep humility, I felt the Word of Life to arise, 
 and in attending to the Divine motion, the Word of Truth went 
 forth in the clearness of its own authority, and arose into do- 
 minion ;— the power of the Lord bound down that boasting 
 spirit, the-meeting became solemn, and ended quietly ; I hope 
 to the honor of Truth and the glory of God, who is worthy of 
 honor, might, majesty, and the praise of all His works forever- 
 more ! 
 
 On Sixth day, I had a meeting in Cheshire, to pretty good 
 satisfaction ; yet there was not that openness in the minds of 
 the people to receive the Truth, as in some other places. — 
 Seventh day, I had a meeting in Adams, North Village — a fa- 
 vored season. Thanks, honor, and praise, be ascribed to the 
 Name of the most high God, for His safe, directing hand through 
 the heights and depths, and for His preserving power, in aba- 
 sedness and aboundings hitherto ! First day, I met with Friends, 
 and was favored to feel with them in their tried state, and had 
 a word of encouragement for them to abide in the patience, and 
 keep to the faith once delivered to the saints. Second day, I 
 drove to Granville, to attend Easton Quarterly Meeting, held 
 there. The several sittings thereof were owned by the Great 
 Head of the Church ; the business was conducted in harmony 
 — a uniting solemnity was realized to the close, and Friends 
 parted from each other, I trust, with thankful hearts, for the fa- 
 vor of enjoying our meetings without being disturbed. Great 
 are the favors of the Lord, continued to His people. Blessed, 
 forever, be His Name ! 
 
 After meeting, with other Friends, we drove about twenty 
 miles towards Easton, and on sixth day had a meeting in a vil- 
 lage, formerly called Whipple City. The opportunity was 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 3lT 
 
 mucli to the relief of my mind, and well accepted by the peo- 
 ple. The truths delivered were acknowledged by them. After 
 meeting, I drove to Abner Devol's and rested on seventh day. 
 First day, the 24th, I attended the small meeting of Friends 
 near Schaghticoke Point ; wherein, to my comfort, and satis- 
 faction, I found their meeting together, was owned by the Head 
 of the Church — three families that could not join with the 
 Hicksites, but met by themselves. On second day, I went to 
 Little White Creek, and next day had a small meeting there, in 
 which I was enabled to clear my mind, and left them peacefully. 
 Fourth day, I went to Cambridge, and had a small meeting 
 at five in the afternoon. Here is but one woman who is a 
 Friend, the rest are Hicksites. I went to the house of one of 
 them. At first he appeared very pleasant, and expressed his 
 gladness that I had called on him, saying I was welcome. Af- 
 ter some conversation, I informed him that I came there with a 
 prospect of having a meeting with the people, if they were wil- 
 ling to meet with me, and asked him, where he thought I could 
 get a house. He replied, " There is the meeting-house." I 
 informed him that I could go into it on my own right agd no 
 other principle ; having a right to any Friends' meeting-house in 
 the Yearly Meeting. This seemed to startle him a little, yet he 
 said, "Thou hast my consent if the rest agree to it." The 
 thought struck me, that I should not get the meeting-house, 
 and I asked if there was a school-house in the neighborhood, 
 owned by different Societies. He said, there was one near the 
 meeting-house. I turned to the young Friend with me, and 
 told him to go to the others and find whether they were will- 
 ing for me to go into the meeting-house, if I felt free to do so ; 
 if not to go to the trustees of the school-house, and obtain that 
 if he could. The Hicksite replied, "I am a proprietor and a 
 trustee, and will give my consent." The young Friend went to 
 several, who would neither fully deny nor consent ; but having 
 obtained liberty to use the school-house, we notified for the 
 meeting. Near the time appointed, quite a body of people 
 gathered, and stood in the road before the meeting-house ; and 
 
318 JOURNAL OF 
 
 there in the presence of many of their neighbors, they denied 
 us the house, -and we went into the school-house, which 
 was soon filled and crowded. It proved a good meeting, and 
 the truths of the Gospel opened clearly, and flowed freely. 
 
 Next morning, my host, after all his pretended kindness, 
 wondered how I could have the confidence to come among them 
 and want to have a meeting, when I was one of those who had 
 disowned them, as believers in false principles. He went on so 
 long, that I found it needful to exercise patience, and after he 
 got through, I observed, that he must know that Friends often 
 traveled amongst other societies, and the motive was to con- 
 vince them of their errors, and to strengthen that which they 
 found to be right ; that thus I had come amongst them. He 
 quickly answered, "Thou hast not convinced me, for I feel 
 four times as strong as I did before." I pleasantly answered 
 him, that I did not feel myself accountable for his not believing. 
 After some moderate discourse, we parted. I had not gone 
 far, before I fell in with another of the same class, and soon 
 found that my getting a meeting in the neighborhood was not 
 pleasing. Their neighbors being so well satisfied appeared to 
 perplex them. He asked me several questions, which T ans- 
 wered in a plain, simple manner, he seemed willing to let me 
 pass, and we parted apparently pleasant. I passed on to Job 
 Allen's,-^his wife is the only Friend in that meeting — and took 
 breakfast, and left without anything disagreeable occurring at 
 that time, and went to Pittstown, to Micajah Hunt's, where I 
 was confined for several days by indisposition. 
 
 In looking over what I have passed through the last week, I 
 find deep cause to be thankfiil to the Great Head of the Church, 
 for favoring me with patience and ability to answer cavilers in 
 a way that often disappointed them ; and to bear the tantali- 
 zing censures, with calmness, as though all was fair weather — a 
 thing I should once have thought could hardly have been, with- 
 out having my feelings touched. The preservation of the Lord 
 to me is marvelous, and His strong arm bore up and sustained 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 319 
 
 through every trial. Forever adored and magnified, be His 
 Holy Name ! 
 
 On first day, T had a meeting at Micajah Hunt's house, 
 one-fourth of a mile from Friend's Meeting House ; it was 
 large for that place, and through Divine mercy, a favored, ten- 
 dering time. May the Lord bless it with increase to His own 
 honor, and the gathering of the people ! Second day, I drove 
 to Philipstown, and called on an aged aunt, whom I had not 
 seen for twenty years. The family were glad to see me, and 
 treated me with respectful kindness. My uncle had moved 
 there for the sake of enlarging his possessions, when he was 
 well off before. Settling out from Friends, and pursuing his 
 object — the increase of wealth — ^he lost that love for the Socie- 
 ty, and that religious concern which he once had, and fell into 
 weakness, for which he was disowned. His children all left 
 Friends ; and when he deceased, he left them as to property, 
 far short of liis object — a sentiment that I had long entertained, 
 livingly revived while I was with them, that Friends ought to 
 have a strict regard to its being right for them to move, as well 
 as an eye to the advance of their pecuniary interest. When the 
 former is neglected, the latter may be blasted, and families sus- 
 tain great loss every way. 
 
 I went next to Chatham — not a large meeting — where most 
 had gone off with the Hicksites, except a few, with whom I had 
 a meeting, and a goodly looking company of their neighbors 
 were present. The meeting was favored and ended quietly. — 
 From thence I went to Ghent, and put up with Samuel Mar- 
 riott, and the day following had a full, satisfactory meeting in a 
 school-house ; the Hicksites having possession of the meeting- 
 house. Friends were debarred the use of it. At four in 
 the afternoon I had a good meeting in Hudson, to tlie comfort 
 of the honest hearted. On second day, I went to Little Nine 
 Partners ; had a meeting there on third day, in Friends Meeting- 
 house ; a mixed gathering, and exercising time ; yet the Lord 
 in mercy to the people, gave ability to hold forth the truth of 
 the Gospel in clearness ; the meeting was solid and quiet. — 
 
320 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Fourth day, I was at the Plains. Those who had the oare of 
 giving notice of the meeting, being unfaithful, the meeting was 
 very small. Fifth day, I attended Stanford meeting, in course, 
 notice being given, that I was expected there ; it was well at- 
 tended ; ability was given to relieve my mind, so as to enjoy a 
 peaceful quiet. Sixth day, I had a meeting at the Creek, my 
 native place ; which was large, considering the situation ; ma- 
 ny having gone off with the Hicksites, yet many of their neigh- 
 bors came in. It was a favored time ; the Lord's presence was 
 sensibly felt, to own the little, stripped and tried company of that 
 meeting. Seventh day, I crossed the river at Hyde Park, and 
 went to Rosendafe. Attended that meeting on first day. Ma^ 
 ny not in membership with Friends were in attendance. My 
 mind was enlarged, and I was enabled to hold up the standard 
 of Truth over the head of boasting Goliah and all his host. — 
 Blessed be the name of the Lord. I am now at Isaiah Tilsou's, 
 seventh of 9th mo. After this, I visited Paltz, Plattekill, and 
 Upper Clove meetings. In all of these I was mercifully ena- 
 bled, so to clear my mind as to feel well relieved, and the re- 
 ward of full showers of peaoje, having the evidence that Truth 
 reigned over all opposition. Next I went to Canterberry, first 
 day of the week, and had a meeting at six o'clock in the even- 
 ing. It was large and crowded, consisting of a great mixture, 
 among whom were many hardy minds, so that the labor in the 
 ministry was very trying, feeling the necessity to stand on 
 my feet a length of time, and communicate to the people. I 
 felt it return like the rebounding of water cast against a rock, 
 refusing all penetration ; ft was so discouraging, that I fully be- 
 lieve, had it not been for the sake of a better class among them, 
 I should hav« been excused from speaking. I was led to show 
 the Divine authority by which the Holy Scriptures were ush- 
 ered into the world ; and the abundant proof to substantiate 
 them and establish the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
 Christ ; also, to contrast the doctrines of the Gospel, with the 
 Infidelity of the present day. I had to show that Infidelity was 
 always built on the opinions of men, which had never given any 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 321 
 
 better proof, than the art of sophistry, and casting censures and 
 ridicule on the Christian religion, by which conduct they de- 
 ceive the unwary. Some in the assembly, received the com- 
 munication with gladness ; others listened to it with attention ; 
 yet there appeared to be a number, who, in all the defiance of 
 hardihood and confidence, stood out to the last. When I sat 
 down, my shirt was wet to my back, and I was brought to re- 
 member, that it was the case with my Lord many times, that 
 although the people saw his miracles, they would not believe, 
 nor receive him. Although I was, in the tender mercy of my 
 Lord, enabled to clear my mind of all He gave me for the peo- 
 ple, yet I could but sorrow for those of the unbelieving class, 
 and parted with them with a heavy heart. 
 
 I then went to Marlborough, and had a meeting with a 
 stripped few there ; it was a time of comfort and encourage- 
 ment, to the honest of that place. 1 5th of 9th month, I at- 
 tended a Monthly Meeting at Poughkeepsie, and returned to 
 Samuel Adam's, the 16th. iTthand 18th, I lay by. 19th, 
 first day, had a meeting at Clinesopas, where a number of the 
 Hicksites came, I was enabled to hold up the standard of 
 Truth, over the head of the Hicksite spirit. Truth prevailed 
 over all opposition. I attended a meeting in the afternoon 
 
 with ; he preached a long sermon, and acted out a 
 
 deal of gesture, and I thought lessened the weight of his 
 preaching. The third day following, the Monthly Meeting was 
 held at Rosendale Plains ; it was large for that place, and was 
 a humbling, tendering time, to the refreshment of the upright. 
 Their business was conducted in much harmony. Fourth day, 
 attended the Valley Monthly Meeting ; their business was man- 
 aged very regularly, and in harmony. My service was some- 
 what laborious, yet I was marvelously enabled to clear my 
 mind, and felt satisfied. 
 
 Fifth day, I attended Cornwall Monthly Meeting, where they 
 are much stripped, many having gone off* Avith the Hicksites, 
 who had driven Friends out of nearly all their meeting-houses 
 in those parts ; yet it was a favored time of renewal of strength. 
 
322 JOURNAL OF 
 
 The Holy presence of the Lord was felt to be near and pres- 
 ent, with the few faithful sufferers of this place, to the encourag- 
 ing of the honest-hearted. Blessed, and forever adored, be His 
 holy name, who never said to the wrestHng seed of Jacob, seek 
 ye My face in vain ! I returned to the Valley, and on seventh 
 day, in company with Tristam Kussell, went to Marmakating 
 Hollow, and put up with James Pine, for the night. First 
 day, the 26th, we had a meeting there to pretty good satisfac- 
 tion. Second day, we rode to Paul Horton's, in Bethel, where 
 we had a meeting in the evening, with the few Friends and 
 their neighbors — a low time — the professors of religion ap- 
 peared to be much dried up, if they were ever alive, in a true 
 living concern. 
 
 Third day, we went to Mount Silby, where we had a meet- 
 ing in the Court House, at three, in the afternoon. It was 
 small ; — it was thought by Maria Emley's having been there 
 and preached Hicksite doctrine, which offended the people of 
 the village, and they concluded they would not be imposed up- 
 on — this shut up the way for Friends. I found it my duty to 
 set forth Friends' belief in the fundamental doctrines of the 
 Gospel in full, and to state, that whosoever denied those doc- 
 trines, we, as a people, had no fellowship with. From this, 
 we went to Ebenezer Lounsbury's, where we had a full, good 
 meeting at evening. The truths of the Gospel flowed freely ; 
 the minds of the people were open to hear ; it ended well. We 
 then went to James Devine's, Upper Navesink ; he and his 
 wife were warm Hicksites, yet appeared earnest that we should 
 have a meeting at their school-house, in the neighborhood in 
 the evening, which we complied with. It was a full meeting, 
 and I was much enlarged in holding up the doctrines of the 
 Gospel, being led to show that Grace and Truth came by 
 Jesus Christ ; and Truth was over all opposition, and reigned 
 at that time. The man and his wife above-mentioned, attend- 
 ed the meeting, but had kept their principles out of sight. Af- 
 ter meeting we returned to their house ; they appeared uneasy 
 the rest of the evening. Next morning early, they broke out 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 223 
 
 with heavy censures and bitter reflections against Friends, 
 mixed up with many objections against our principles and doc- 
 trines, and yet contrived to assert, that they were Friends. 
 After they had nearly exhausted themselves, we calmly endeav- 
 ored to show the inconsistency of their principles and conduct 
 as a people, and parted with them much more calm, than it 
 had appeared we should be able to — a favor that seemed to 
 sweeten the bitter. 
 
 We next went to Daniel Reynold's, at Thunder Hill. He and 
 family were Hicksites. They received us with courtesy, and 
 when we opened our prospect of a meeting, it did not discon- 
 cert him. He sat calm a little, then said, we were welcome to 
 the school-house, in which they met, and of which he was 
 chief owner ; but that he could not assist us at all in giving no- 
 tice, as we had disowned them. This honest conduct was so 
 to my satisfaction, that I felt better in his house than I did be- 
 fore. The two Friends who were with me, went out and gave 
 pretty general notice. We had a full favored meeting in the 
 evening, Daniel and his family mostly attended. It was easily 
 seen that Daniel was disappointed, in seeing so many come to 
 the meeting ; yet he carried it through courteously, and we 
 parted with them pleasantly, and went to Greenfield, where I 
 appointed a meeting, at evening, in Friends' meeting-house, and 
 met with no opposition on that account, though they were 
 nearly all gone from Friends. It was large for that place. I 
 felt my mind clothed with Gospel authority, and was led to 
 show, that the spirit that confessed not that Jesus Christ 
 has come in the flesh, is not of God. I was much enlarged in 
 the authority of the everlasting Truth, which was in dominion, 
 and prevailed over all gainsaying spirits. 
 
 We next went to Benjamin Birdsall's, at Marmakating Hol- 
 low, and had a meeting at the widow Anna Penny's, at eve- 
 ning ; a pretty full gathering of people. Much of the formal, 
 but little of the life of vital religion, could be realized among 
 them ; yet through Divine goodness, I was enabled to clear my 
 mind in a plain, sifting testimony, to my relief, and peaceful 
 
224 JOURNAL OF 
 
 quiet — a good reward. On seventh day morning, we returned 
 to James Penny's, very much worn down with fatigue, where I 
 lay by, and rested on first day, the 5th of 10th month. Sec- 
 ond day, we went to the Valley and lodged with Tristam Rus- 
 sel. Third day, I went to sec the children of the late widow 
 Heaton, five in number, all single. They appeared very sensi- 
 bly to feel the loss of their valuable parents, yet they were fa- 
 vored to bear their trials, with a good degree of composure and 
 resignation, which I was glad to see ; yet my feelings were 
 tenderly impressed in sympathy for and with them. Fourth 
 day, I attended Platte Hill Meeting, where I was favored feel- 
 ingly to sjrmpathise with that small meeting, in the loss of two 
 valuable pillars, as the two before mentioned Friends were. 
 Fifth day, I attended the Valley Meeting, where they had un- 
 dergone severe trials and siftings ; yet, there was that remain- 
 ing, that kept the pure spring of life from a free circulation, 
 and caused the innocent life to suffer. I was enabled to clear 
 my mind to full satisfaction. 
 
 Sixth day, I went to Blooming Grove, and attended that 
 meeting on first day, where there was much rubbish. Strength 
 was given sufficient for the day, and utterance to clear my 
 mind, so as to feel a peaceful quiet. Blessed be the Lord, for 
 His sustaining help, and holy guidance ! Second day, I went 
 to Smith Glove, to James Hazard's, where I had a full, crowded 
 meeting. In the fore part of it, I felt stripped in spirit, but la- 
 boring to be patient and resigned to the Lord's will, I felt a 
 gentle spring of the Gospel to open in clearness. As I attend- 
 ed to it, it became as a river that a man could swim in. Truth 
 arose in dominion, its standard was set up by the help and 
 strength of Israel's Shepherd. Blessed forever, be His name ! 
 
 I returned to the Valley, to attend the Quarterly Meeting. 
 The several sittings thereof were owned by the holy Shepherd 
 of Israel, to the strengthening and encouraging of the right 
 minded. I returned to the Clove again, and had a large meet- 
 ing in the Methodist meeting-house; the people were sober 
 and attentive — a favored time, through the continued mercy of 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 325 
 
 the blessed Shepherd of Israel ! We then went to William 
 Conklin's, in Conegat, who had gone with the Hicksites, but 
 was more mild than many I had met with before. He enter- 
 tained us kindly. I informed him we came with a view of 
 holding a meeting in that place, if the people were disposed to 
 meet with us ; and asked him, where he thought a house could 
 be had. He said, there was the meeting-house, that I could 
 have. I told him I could not go into it on any other princi- 
 ple than my own right, for I considered I had not forfeited my 
 right in any house in the Yearly Meeting, nor had the Friends 
 that I fellowshipped with. He answered, he thought I had as 
 good a right as ever, and I was welcome to the use of it. The 
 meeting was held in it, and largely attended by Friends, 
 Hicksites and their neighbors ; it was to the relief of my mind, 
 as my Master furnished me with ability, and utterance to hold 
 up the truths of the Gospel ; and to show the cloud of wit- 
 nesses, that ever had and ever would accompany and sustain 
 the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We next 
 went to Harristown, where there were but two members, and 
 some friendly people, who were under discouragement, on ac- 
 count of the confusion among Friends. We had a meeting 
 with them, which seemed to raise their drooping heads. 
 
 My stopping here so detained me, that I did not get to the 
 Quarterly meeting in New York, where I wanted to be, until 
 the parting meeting; where I had the company of many of my 
 Friends, enjoying the comforting holy presence of the dear 
 Master of the true Israel of our assemblies. After meeting I 
 went to Flushing, on Long Island, and put up with Walter 
 Farrington, the 2 2d of 10th month, and had a pretty full meet- 
 ing for the place, at evening, in their new meeting-house, which 
 the few Friends who staid faithful, had built ; having been 
 dispossesed of their former house by the Hicksites. Friends 
 had well accommodated themselves with a good one, where 
 they could meet together in the quiet. Each one sat under 
 his vine and fig tree, and none to disturb. I was comforted in 
 being with them, and glad to find them cheerfully resigned to 
 
226 JOURNAL OF 
 
 their condition. I think they possess their souls in the quiet. 
 First day, I attended Westbury meeting, in their new meet- 
 ing house ; they were similarly situated as their brethren at 
 Flushing. The meeting was larger than was expected, as many 
 of their neighbors came in and sat with us, in a sober, solid 
 way. Truth spread over the meeting to the tendering of many 
 minds, and comforting of the few faithful Friends there, who 
 have been deep suflferers in the great convulsion among us. 
 At four in the afternoon, I had a meeting at Thomas Willis', in 
 Jericho ; Friends being also deprived of their house, and but 
 few Friends left. The meeting was larger than I had reason 
 to expect. The great Head of the Church was pleased to fa- 
 vor with His holy presence in the midst, to the comforting to- 
 gether of the upright in heart. I then crossed to the Main, and 
 attended Purchase Quarterly Meeting. The several sittings 
 were owned by the great Head of the Church ; His presence 
 being sensibly felt amongst us. The business was conducted 
 with weight, condescension and solemnity, to the satisfaction 
 and comfort of many. At the closing meeting, it pleased the 
 righteous, holy Shepherd of the flock, to favor His little ones, 
 with a small portion of the best wine, to the strengthening of the 
 weak, and raising in hope, the heads that hung down. For- 
 ever praised and blessed, be His holy name ! 
 
 After meeting, I went to Lot Birdsall's, where I lodged, in 
 Shapaqua, the 29th of 10th month. The day following I had 
 a meeting there. Then at Croton Valley, Peekskill, Croton 
 and Salem ; in all which it pleased the head of the Church to 
 favor with His holy presence, and to comfort His tried ones. 
 From Salem, I went to Purchase to attend that Monthly Meet- 
 ing ; it was small, yet favored. Their business was conducted 
 in harmony, and I think in the right life. The next day I was 
 at Shapaqua Monthly Meeting. I think it is not quite as much 
 reduced by the division as the Purchase ; they also did their 
 business in condescension. The following day I was at Ama- 
 walk Monthly Meeting ; it was larger than I expected to find 
 it ; their business was guardedly conducted in condescension. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 327 
 
 In all those meetings, the presence of the holy Head of the 
 Church, was felt to be the strength of His people, and the lift- 
 ing up the hands that hung down. 
 
 I then turned and went to Westchester, and put up with 
 Lindley More, on seventh day evening, where I staid over first 
 day, and attended that meeting. Friends had been driven out 
 of their meeting-hguse, and it was then held in Lindley More's 
 house ; where it pleased the Beloved of souls to fulfill His 
 promise, that where two or three are gathered in His name, 
 there He would be in the midst of them. I continued atLind- 
 ley's on second day. Third day, the iVth, I went back to 
 Long Island. Fourth day I attended Westbury and Jericho 
 Monthly Meeting, which was small, owing to dissension from 
 our principles ; yet their business was conducted in good order. 
 
 Fifth day, the 19th, I went, in company with John Titus, to 
 Bethpage, with the prospect of having a meeting with the peo- 
 ple ; but we found that all who had been Friends, were now 
 Hicksites. We met with a cool reception, and no way opened 
 for a meeting until I was near giving out, when calling at the 
 house of one not of our Society, I informed him of our desire ; 
 but he not readily giving an answer, I observed that I thought 
 it best to be honest, and let him know how I stood, desiring 
 him to be free. With a smile he said, "I am willing to open 
 my house for any good minister, and a meeting may be held 
 in it." The day being considerably passed, we concluded to 
 have it in the evening ; this man was ready and active in giving 
 notice. It was a favored opportunity, and larger than we ex- 
 pected. On sixth day, we parted with the family, who appear- 
 ed loving, and the man expressed a desire, that if ever I came 
 that way again, I should call on him, adding that his house 
 and heart were open for such Friends. 
 
 I then returned to Westbury, where Eichard Mott had an 
 appointed meeting, in which he was favored ; it was large for 
 that place. Seventh day, I returned to Flushing, and on first 
 day, 2 2d, returned to the city, and attended their morning 
 meeting, silent. In the afternoon, way opened to clear my 
 
328 JOURNAL OF 
 
 mind fully, and felt great peace. On fifth day, I attended Sha^ 
 paqua meeting, and after it drove to Salem, and put up wiUi 
 M. Smith. Seventh day, I went to New Milford, where I met 
 with John and Elizabeth Meader, (she is ray youngest daugh- 
 ter but one ;) ^^ey were on a religious visit. We all attended 
 that meeting on first day. It was a large and good meeting. 
 We then went to the Branch, to an evening meeting appointed 
 for them. The members having nearly ^11 left Friends, th* 
 meeting was small, yet favored to feel the presence of Him who 
 promised He would be in the midst, when two or three are 
 gathered in His name. Second day evening, we had a meeting 
 on the Hill, which was small fi-om the same cause, yet there 
 were a few, who stood firm in the true faith. With these we 
 had a comfortable meeting, and went to Peter Dakin's togeth- 
 er, where we staid until fourth day morning, when we parted, 
 and I went to Beakman. On fifth day, attended that meeting, 
 and £|b evening had a meeting at Isaac Flagler's. Sixth day 
 evening, had a meeting at Poughkeepsie, and seventh day 
 evening I had one at Pleasant Valley. In all these, it pleased 
 the great Head of the Church to give ability to relieve my 
 mind of all that He required, so as to feel quiet and peaceful. 
 
 First day, I attended Oswego meeting. It was small, owing 
 to the great division that had taken place ; yet it was owned 
 by the great Head of the Church, and we were comforted to- 
 gether. From here I went into my old neighborhood, and 
 spent most of the week in social visits to my former neighbors 
 and relatives. Seventh day evening, I had a meeting east of 
 Stanford, at the house of a Friend by the name of Bartlett. 
 First day, attended Nine Partners meeting, with the^ few 
 Friends who had survived the rent in that place, and had kept 
 together in the truth. Through the continuance of Divine fa- 
 vor, we had a comfortable and encouraging time. Third day 
 I went to Silas Downing's, in Pleasant Valley, in order to at- 
 tend Beakman Monthly Meeting, held at Poughkeepsie, the 
 16th of 12th month. It was much larger than I expected — a 
 solid, comfortable meeting. The business was conducted with 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 329 
 
 candor and harmony, and it was pleasant to be with them. 
 17th, I attended Nine Partners Monthly Meeting, which was 
 small; yet there were several valuable Friends belonging to 
 that meeting. I was entirely shut up as to any public labor, 
 without material suffering, further than to taste the low strip- 
 ped feeling, the faithful had to bear up under. Friends were 
 favored at this time with the company of our aged Friend, 
 Matthew Ferris, from Oblong, who bore a short testimony that 
 was comforting. 
 
 The eighteenth attended the Creek Monthly Meeting, and 
 found it larger than I expected. When I came to sit down 
 with them, to my comfort, I soon found my spirit mingling 
 with the spirits of a number who were travailing under exer- 
 cise, of a faithful concern for the cause of Truth and righteous- 
 ness. It was a good meeting ; for where there is a faithful rem- 
 nant, the Lord will never suffer his standard to fall to the ground. 
 Their business was conducted lively, and in gdod order. 
 Seventh day, I attended Stanford Monthly Meeting ; it was fa- 
 vored ; they conducted their business pretty regularly, and in a 
 good degree of harmony. First day, the 20th, attended the 
 little meeting at the Plains, where my Master put on the whole 
 armor, and Truth went forth victoriously. May it prove a last- 
 ing blessing to the people, and honor to the Great Head of the 
 Church, for to Him it is due ! In the evening, I had a meet- 
 ing, at the Plains Village, which consisted of a mixed multitude, 
 and was much unsettled in the fore part of it. It was trying 
 to my feelings to appoint that meeting, and I sat feeling very 
 poor in spirit, and much stripped for a length of time, which 
 tried my faith, and brought me into a close exercise, fearing I 
 had not done right in making that appointment. After awhile, 
 I was favored to get into a quiet, resigned state, and soon felt a 
 gentle motion to rise on my feet, accompanied with a clear 
 opening. I attended to it, but had to move slowly, and look 
 well to my stepping stones, and was favored to experience the 
 little stream that only came about the ankles, to become a stream 
 to swim in. The meeting became settled, and the people sat 
 21 
 
330 JOURNAL OF 
 
 remarkably still, for some time before I took ray seat, and con- 
 tinued quiet until the meeting closed, and I felt a comfortable 
 hope through the blessing of a kind Providence, the meeting 
 would be of use to them. 
 
 Second day, I went to Nathan Case's, my brother-in-law. 
 Third day, I desired to see another brother-in-law. It came 
 into my mind to take my own horse and carriage. Nathan 
 urged me to let my horse rest, and he would take one of his 
 that was gentle, and go with me. I gave up to him with reluc- 
 tance. We had rode but little over a mile, before his horse 
 took fright going down a long hill, and bounded at such a rate 
 that our lives were in danger. I endeavored to clear myself 
 from the wagon as well as I could, but fell on the frozen ground 
 and cut one side of my face exceedingly, and it bled freely, and 
 I was other ways wounded. When I came to my recollection, 
 I remembered the first impression I felt, to take my own horse, 
 now I had to repent being persuaded from it, as I have done in 
 many other instances in my life, and left to suffer for it. I was 
 confined several days, and had to endure severe pain. I so far 
 recovered by first day, that I attended meeting with a very sore 
 head ; yet in it had to bear a relieving testimony to my mind. 
 I put up with Nathaniel Mead. On second day, I drove to 
 Hudson, and lodged at Isaac Hall's, son of John Hall of Eng- 
 land — a valuable minister, with whom I became acquainted 
 when he was on a religious visit in America in 1801. It was 
 truly comforting to meet with his children, finding them to be 
 such Friends as I like to be in company with. I staid with 
 them on third day, in order to attend an evening meeting in 
 Hudson. The meeting was larger than I expected, and proved 
 a favored time, though trying in the fore part ; being much 
 stripped in spirit, and under great poverty for a length of time, 
 until there was an opening in the clear light, in the appearance 
 of a bright star ; accompanied with a gentle motion to arise on 
 my feet. In attending to it, the Gospel spring arose to a for- 
 cible stream, and through the tender mercy of the Lord to the 
 people, it ran clear and free, and settled on the people like the 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 331 
 
 dew on the tender herbs. May it rest long on them, and prove 
 a blessing to them ! * 
 
 The day following, I drove to Stanton Hill — fifteen miles. — 
 I had to cross Coxsackie Flatfe> a number of miles, where the 
 mire was equal to anything I ever met with. It took me near- 
 ly all day to get to Thomas Bedell's, where I put up the last 
 day of the year 1829. The first day of the year 1830, I had a 
 large meeting at Coeyman's. The next day at New Baltimore, 
 and the day following, had a meeting at Isaac Babcock's, in 
 Renselaer, and another in the evening at Rensselarville ; all of 
 them large meetings, and several of them were attended by a 
 number of Hicksites. In the last, I felt the life and power of 
 the Gospel to rise higher, and more powerfiil than I had in all 
 this journey before. Ability was given to open and hold forth 
 the doctrines of the Gospel, and contrast them with Infidelity, 
 with such clearness, that I met with no opposition. The pow- 
 er of the Lord so came over the people, that they were quiet in 
 every meeting, and closed under a sensible feeling of solemnity. 
 It was the Lord's doings. Blessed, forever, be His Name, and 
 greatly magnified be His glory ! 
 
 After the last meeting, I went to Middlebury, expecting that 
 an appointment was given out at that place ; but when we ar- 
 rived. Friends had heard nothing of it, and appointed one for 
 the evening. The time being short to give notice, and the 
 weather unfavorable, the meeting was small, yet favored and 
 comfortable ; but not seeing the people as I expected, I thought 
 best to make another appointment, and give time for notice. 
 The weather still being unfavorable, this meeting was not large, 
 but the presence of the holy Shepherd was felt amongst us. f 
 Next I went to Oak Hill, and had a meeting in Friend's meet- 
 ing-house, on seventh day, which was a considerable gathering, 
 and Truth reigned over all. On first day, I met with the few 
 who remained with Friends, at Stephen Bull's ; Friends being 
 deprived of the meeting-house on the usual days and hours. 
 I had a third meeting at the fourth hour in the afternoon. 
 
A 
 
 332 JOURNAL OF 
 
 about three miles from the meeting-hiouse. It was large, and 
 through Divine mercy, a favored, tendering time. 
 
 Second day, we crossed the Highlands for Otsego ; but the 
 weather being very cold, I suffered much, and put up several 
 miles short of what I intended. Third day, I got in amongst 
 Friends, and on fourth day, I attended their mid-week meeting 
 in silence. I also attended Joseph Bowne's meeting that eve- 
 ning in the village ; it was large, and Joseph was' well harness- 
 ed for the occasion, with a lively, appropriate testimony. Fifth 
 day, the 14th of 1st month, I went to OUver Gorton's, in Bur- 
 lington, and had a full, favored meeting there ; then went to 
 Butternuts, and attended that meeting on first day. Notice 
 being given that I was to be there, it was large, and the Gos- 
 pel spring arose with strength and energy, and flowed freely to 
 a mixed multitude. Through the tender mercy of the Lord it 
 appeared to settle on the people like the dew on the tender 
 grass. May it rest long on them ! 
 
 ^ I then went to Laurens, and had a meeting there on third 
 day, which was a large, mixed gathering, and an exercising 
 time. Holy help was granted ; strength and utterance were 
 given to go through the labor of the day, greatly to the relief 
 of my mind, and to the satisfaction of my Friends. I then 
 went to Crumhorn, in company with Moses Hoag, where there 
 was a small, divided meeting — the few Friends were in low 
 spirits ; to whom it was a cordial visit in a needful time, which 
 seemed to raise their drooping heads. I was led to show to a 
 number of Hicksites present, the want of foundation and proof 
 to support the doctrine they held forth, and the great cloud of 
 
 itnesses, there was in favor of the doctrines professed by 
 George Fox and his cotemporaries. Truth evidently rose into 
 dominion, through the mighty power of the Lord to whom 
 may all the praise be given, forevermore ! 
 
 Next I was at meeting, which was small and weak, 
 
 there being too much lukewarmness among them. I had close, 
 plain labor with them ; especially on account of their not ta- 
 king their children to meeting when small, yet large enough 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 333 
 
 to behave well ; also letting their children run about on first 
 days. I was led to show the responsibility that devolved on 
 parents towards their children, and the most certain effects that 
 follow the neglect of those duties ; such as their leaving our So- 
 ciety and running into prodigality, if not into all manner of 
 evil ; which some of them acknowledged was already the case. 
 O, may the Lord in mercy remember the poor, neglected chil- 
 dren. 
 
 We returned to Laurens, and I went to James Brown's, on 
 seventh day; he and Andrew Hoag accompanied me to 
 Bridgewater, and put up with Obadiah Williams, who was very 
 low in spirits, on account of the sad division that had taken 
 place in that meeting. He was not willing that any notice 
 should be given of our arrival, as he thought it would do no 
 good, and that Friends' credit was so low, that nobody would 
 come to meeting. However, notice was given, and there came 
 a gathering of respectable looking people, besides Friends, and 
 we had a comfortable meeting together, so that our disconso- 
 late Friend seemed cheered up, acknowledging the propriety 
 of the movement. Second day, we drove to Utica, and put up 
 at Zeno Carpenter's. He and his wife not being at home, I 
 was disappointed of their company, for I wished to see them. 
 I staid one day, and had a meeting in fhe evening, which was 
 pretty full, and consisted of almost every description in that 
 part of the land. It was a deeply exercising meeting, yet 
 through Divine mercy, holy help was granted to clear my 
 mind in a peaceful way. 
 
 After meeting, I had a visit from a Hicksite, who reproved 
 me for taking so much time in supporting that Jesus of Nazar- 
 eth, who was born of the Virgin Mary, and that He was the 
 very Christ, and not a divided Christ. He asserted that the 
 body of Christ did nothing for him, and that His blood, shed 
 so long ago, he believed was of no more use than another man's. 
 I thought best to bring the subject to a point. I replied, " I 
 perceive we do not both serve one Christ." He said he be- 
 lieved in Christ within as much as I did; but Christ without, 
 
334 JOURNAL OF 
 
 he did not believe in. I answered, " I believe in that Jesus 
 Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary, and at whose birth 
 the Angel of God announced, that in Judea, a child is born, a 
 Savior given, which is Christ, the Lord ; and that it was known 
 by many, that His spirit was an all-powerful spirit, and very 
 clearly bore witness to Him, and to the Scriptures, that they 
 were a true revelation of God. I perceived that his Christ was 
 never manifest in the flesh, and therefore was anti-Christ; and 
 he always contradicted the revelation of the Christ of God ; he 
 did it to our first parents, and told them they should not surely 
 die, and of course he made his followers, like himself, con- 
 tradictors of the followers of the Lamb of God, and accusers of 
 the brethren ; while Christ taught His followers to be patient, 
 and endure all things for His and the Gospel's sake." This 
 stopped him for awhile, but he resumed the subject, saying, " I 
 had not unity with the first part of thy sermon — the last 
 of it, I had unity with." I pleasantly replied, " It is a fine 
 thing that I am not accountable to such a man as thou, but to 
 Him who overrules all." He stopped, which gave me an op- 
 portunity to clear my mind faithfully, and we parted. 
 
 I then set forward for home, and went by the way of Green- 
 field, attending their first day meeting, where it pleased the 
 Master of Israel's assemblies, to raise the standard of Truth over 
 all opposition, and to silence the gainsaying tongue, to the 
 praise of His own name. I passed on to Queensbury, and at- 
 tended that Monthly Meeting, and had a little acceptable ser- 
 vice therein, and had the satisfaction to see them conduct their 
 business in much harmony. I found them not so much re- 
 duced by the division as in some other places. Thence I went 
 directly home, where I arrived the Yth of second month, 1830, 
 and found my own particular family well ; but my mother and 
 my youngest brother had died in my absence ; also, an aged 
 woman, out of my own house. 
 
lU 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 About the middle of 5th month, 1831, having obtained the 
 approbation of my Friends, I set out for the Yearly Meeting to 
 be held in Rhode Island. Spring being unusually wet, the 
 roads were so mirey, it took me two days to accomplish one 
 day's travel. Having broken my wagon, I lay by on seventh 
 day, in Montpelier, and repaired ; attended meeting there on 
 first day, where a disowned person had undertaken to keep 
 possession of the Meeting house, by taking the upper seat in 
 the men's room. I felt no freedom to give it up to him, hav- 
 ing got there first, I took my usual seat ; several foUowaid. 
 When he came, he walked to the upper seat, and made several 
 motions for me to give place to him, but not noticing with that 
 attention he desired, he stepped into the women's apartment, 
 and seated himself at the head of their part of the meeting, 
 which put the meeting into a jostle, which it did not get fiilly 
 over, though the latter part of it became measurably setttled. 
 Second day, I moved on for Sandwich, in New Hampshire. It 
 still being rainy and the roads mirey, it took me two days to 
 cross the Mountains. The fatigue was so great, I feared I 
 should ruin my horse ; yet we were favored to get through one 
 day before Monthly Meeting, which gave an opportunity to 
 rest. I attended the Monthly Meeting. There my Master set 
 me to digging about some old fruitless fig trees, which ap- 
 peared when viewed at a distance, fair and flourishing, but 
 when thoroughly inspected, no appearance of frait could be 
 seen. A laborious day to me. The Good Master was pleased 
 to grant Holy Help, so that I relieved my mind, and gained 
 my penny. The next meeting I attended, was at Wolfsborough, 
 
336 JOURNAL OF 
 
 on first day, where I was set at pruning and digging about. I 
 found it required care and close application, to do the work to 
 my Master's acceptance and my comfort. After the close of 
 this meeting, my Master gave me the garment of praise for the 
 spirit of heaviness. I then went and lodged with Jacob Bean, 
 and appointed a meeting among the Baptist inhabitants of that 
 place, where the Lord's favor was sensibly felt to solemnize the 
 minds of the people. Blessed be His holy name ! 
 
 Thence to David Dows, in Pittsfield, intending to attend 
 Salem Quarterly Meeting ; but not being correctly informed, 
 I fell behind the time of holding it, which was no small disap- 
 pointment to me ; yet I was favored to be resigned to the event, 
 without repining or reflecting on my Friends; desiring that 
 their care in future may prevent the like taking place again. 
 
 I next went to Henniker, where 1 had a pretty full meeting, 
 which was painfully exercising, under a sense of a worldly spir- 
 it with parents, that caused them to neglect their duty to their 
 children, in teaching them the principles of Truth and the fear 
 of the Lord ; an evil much to be lamented in our Society, and 
 hard to be removed by reason of unbelief. This class settle 
 down in the form of godliness, and many of them are very zeal- 
 ous in the form, but having nothing of the power thereof, are a 
 grievous burden to Society ; for when parents feed their chil- 
 dren with what they love, and teach them what they admire, 
 thus the old Pharisee educated the young to follow his steps, 
 and these become a burden to the next generation. The 
 mourning women were called on, to teach their daughters 
 wailing. 
 
 The following day, I attended Ware North meeting ; it was 
 large. Here, infidelity, under the plain coat, stared me in the 
 face, with all its attendant evils; into which subject I was 
 largely led ; the power of Truth came over this hard-faced gi- 
 ant, and cast him down ; the standard of Truth was raised 
 above all opposition, to the everlasting honor of the God of the 
 just of all generations, who giveth strength to the weak, and 
 tumeth the battle to the gate. I next attended Ware South 
 
JOSEPH HOAO. 337 
 
 meeting, which was also large, wherein it appeared that too 
 many who had known better days, were settled down at ease 
 and the young people going into the air. I had to sound the 
 alarm amongst them, to the relief of my mind ; yet I could but 
 look over to the young people with a heart impressed with 
 sorrow, to see how Tittle help they had from those, who ought 
 to have been nursing fathers and mothers. Thence to Salem, 
 where I arrived the 4th of 6th month, on seventh day, and 
 lodged with Enoch Page. I attended that meeting on first 
 day, the 5th, in the forenoon, and Lynn in the afternoon ; both 
 were favored, satisfactory meetings. 
 
 I then went direct to Rhode Island, to attend the Yearly 
 Meeting of New England, which was large. The business was 
 conducted in harmony, and favored with the greatest degree of 
 solemnity, from beginning to the end, of any Yearly Meeting I 
 ever attended, and ended under a humbling, thankful sense of 
 the unmerited favor of the Lord, continued to His Church and 
 people everywhere. On first day, I attended a meeting on the 
 Island, and at Tiverton, in the afternoon, and went to Edward 
 Wing's. My youngest son being on a religious visit in those 
 parts, without suitable company, I traveled with him a space of 
 time. We attended Westport, Dartmouth, Allen's Neck, and 
 Smith's Neck meetings, also New Bedford Monthly Meeting. 
 The latter was a laborious day to me ; as the public service fell 
 mostly on me. After which, we visited New Town and Acush- 
 net. In these meetings my son had nearly all the public ser- 
 vice, and was favored. 
 
 Seventh day, at night, we arrived at Obadiab Davis', Long 
 Plain, and attended that meeting on first day, the 26th. Sec- 
 ond day, we went to Rochester, and had a meeting there ; 
 thence to Sandwich and Yarmouth. Lindley was favored be- 
 yond my expectation, but my mind was shut up, as with a 
 close seal ; with many painful exercises to wade through, on 
 account of an infidel spirit amongst Friends, secreted under a 
 plain coat, and smoothed over by an affected concern and zeal 
 for the Truth. Thence to Nantucket Quarterly Meeting, where 
 
338 JOURNAL OF 
 
 there came in a number of Ministering Frienjis from different 
 parts, one of them from North Carolina. They kept up such a 
 stream of preaching, that T saw no way to relieve my mind, and 
 gave it up, concluding to stay after the Quarter, and try to get 
 an opportunity. As soon as that meeting closed, two Friends 
 who had occupied much of the time, went to appointing meet- 
 ings in the town, so fast one after another, that I found my 
 way closed again, and I give all up, except attending the two 
 meetings on first day, in which I relieved my mind in a meas- 
 ure. My son left on seventh day. Second day, I was wind- 
 bound, but intended to go on board the Packet ; the wind still 
 standing ahead on third day, I informed Friends it was on my 
 mind to appoint a meeting at the North meeting-house at five 
 in the afternoon. It was readily agreed to. The meeting was 
 pretty full, and favored, to the relief of my own mind, and the 
 satisfaction of Friends. There had been so much preaching, 
 that many Friends had been burdened ; so that, although I had 
 been silent through the Quarter, I had concluded to go off and 
 not burden them myself; but head wind had detained, until I 
 yielded to duty and accomplished it. Then, on fourth day 
 morning, I went on board the packet, finding nothing in my 
 way, and had a pleasant passage to Yarmouth, with the enjoy- 
 ment of a peaceful mind. I got there in good season, and 
 attended that little meeting on fifth day, and appointed a meet- 
 ing on sixth day afternoon, at the same house, which was well 
 filled, and it pleased the Great Head of the Church to favor 
 with His solemnizing presence ; doctrine flowed freely, and 
 Truth arose into dominion. On seventh day, we went to Fal- 
 mouth, and attended that meeting on first day, where I was 
 enabled to relieve my mind amongst a prudent set of plain 
 Friends — prudent for this world, but too much wanting in re- 
 ligious weight and Gospel love. Second day, I rode to New 
 Bedford, and attended the Monthly Meeting, where I had close 
 searching service ; being dipped into a sense of a rending spir- 
 it amongst them. I was enabled through Divine mercy to 
 clear my mind, so as to enjoy a full reward of peace. I also 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 339 
 
 attended the Preparative Meeting of Long Plain, where Friends 
 "were in a languid state. My mind was dipped into a feeling 
 sense and near sympathy with them, and I felt strengthened to 
 minister that to them, which my Master gave me, and found 
 relief. 
 
 After meeting I returned to New Bedford, and attended their 
 Preparative Meeting, where my mind was dipped into a feeling 
 sympathy with the suffering seed of Life, and those who suffered 
 patiently with it. A little portion was given me from my Master 
 for them, which I cheerfully handed to them ; but not feeling clear, I 
 had to labor plainly with those, who in a fiery zeal wanted to drive 
 furiously. It was painful labor, but I obtained a rich reward. 
 After meeting, I returned to my friend, Francis Taber's, where I 
 made my home, and after dining with his brother, I journeyed 
 
 to Fall River, and put up with S Chase, the 2 2d of 7th 
 
 month. The day following, I had a meeting there, which was 
 more comfortable than in some other places ; as Friends ap- 
 peared to live peaceably with themselves and their neighbors. 
 Then I went to Providence on seventh day, and on first day, 
 attended their morning and afternoon meetings ; where there 
 was much more correct outward acquired knowledge, than in- 
 ward vital experience of true religion. To me it was an exer- 
 cising time, but I was enabled to relieve my mind, and felt 
 quiet. The night following, I lodged in Friend's Seminary in 
 Providence ; where, if it was not for the high exalted feeling 
 and aim of the planters of that institution, and something of 
 the same disposition in the managers, it might be a blessing to 
 our Society. 
 
 Thence I went to Lynn, and I attended their meeting on 
 fourth day, and fifth day at Salem. In both I was comforted 
 in being made sensible that there was a goodly remnant, who 
 were honestly laboring to be what they ought ; yet they were 
 not all Israel who were of Israel in them. After meeting at 
 Salem, I attended a funeral ijear Marblehead, of a young man 
 whose mother was a Friend, but his father was not. The 
 young man went out of the world in great distress, both of 
 
340 JOURNAL OF 
 
 body and mind. It was a solemn time. On sixth day, I went 
 to Seabrook, and put up with my cousin Benjamin Dow, where 
 I was received with great kindness and affection. I lay by on 
 seventh day, and had notice given of my intending to be at 
 meeting on first day. The meeting was a full one — a mixed 
 people ; the doctrines of Truth went forth in its own authority, 
 and prevailed over all opposition ; I hope to the honor of the 
 Great Head of the Church, who is worthy of the praise of all 
 His works. At five in the afternoon, I had a meeting at Ams- 
 bury, where were a large number not of our Society — a goodly 
 looking people. The doctrine of the Gospel dropped as the 
 dew, and distilled as the rain, and appeared to settle on the 
 people. Blessed be the God of all grace, for the continuation 
 of His mercy in visiting the people. May the favor rest long 
 upon them, as the dew upon the tender grass ! 
 
 Fifth day following, I attended the Monthly Meeting at Sea- 
 brook, and found it in a low state, as to the pure life of the 
 Gospel— rbut little more than the form — the well concerned 
 amongst them were almost ready to give up. I labored 
 amongst them, in that strength my Master furnished with, but 
 it seemed almost like beating the wind. The next meeting I 
 attended, was appointed by my son Lindley, amongst the Bap- 
 tists ; he was much favored. I passed the meeting in peaceful 
 poverty. I then went to Epping, and attended their morning 
 and afternoon meetings. In both of them I was enabled to 
 clear my mind fully, to the relief of it. Second day, I had a 
 meeting at Lee, at five o'clock in the afternoon, where, after a 
 time of deep poverty and strippedness, the Gospel spring open- 
 ed and arose in the clearness, and its doctrines flowed freely ; 
 Truth had the victory. Blessed be the God of Truth ! 
 
 After meeting, with a pilot I drove to Dover, and third day 
 morning, went to Meaderboro'. Thence, with Ezekiel Jones 
 for company, I went to New Durham, where I had a meeting, 
 and returned to Meaderboro', and attended their Preparative 
 Meeting. The day following, we had a meeting at Chestnut 
 Hill, and drove to South Durham, where we had a meeting on 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 341 
 
 seventli day. Most of these meetings were very small, owing 
 to the younger class going to other parts of the country to live ; 
 the aged ones died oiF; some leaving Friends, and a want of 
 zeal in most of them ; so that it leaves a gloomy prospect. 
 Yet through the goodness of kind Providence, I was enabled 
 80 to clear my mind in the ability given, in this part of the 
 country, as to enjoy a peaceful mind. Blessed be His name 
 forever ! 
 
 We then went to Dover, and attended that meeting on first 
 day. It was large, and laborious for me. In the afternoon we 
 attended a funeral, held at Friends' meeting-house, which was 
 also large — a mixed multitude in both meetings ; so that the 
 labor of the day was deeply exercising, and truly humbling, as 
 the Lord doth not require any service of His servants, until He 
 gives them to understand what the service is ; and when obe- 
 dience of faith is kept to, He richly rewards them with heaven- 
 ly peace. Thanks, honor, and praise be ascribed unto Him, 
 and the Lamb, forevermore, saith my soul ! 
 
 Second day, the 15th of 8th month, I returned with Ezekiel 
 Jones to Amsbury. He had been with me the week past, and 
 was pleasant company. I next attended Salem Quarterly Meet- 
 ing, held at Lynn ; to me a painful, exercising meeting ; yet 
 the Lord's Divine mercy was good, as he gave ability and ut- 
 terance to discharge the duty He required of me, and richly 
 rewarded with heavenly peace. Then returned to New Dur- 
 ham, and attended that and Chestnut Hill, Meaderboro' and 
 Lower Rochester meetings, and returned to Dover and attend- 
 ed their meeting on first day, and a funeral in the afternoon. 
 In both I had laborious testimonies to bear, was favored to 
 feel greatly relieved and comforted, and proceeded to Berwick 
 to attend Dover Quarterly Meeting held there. The public 
 service mostly fell on me, in a close plain way, which gave re- 
 lief. I then went to Kittery, where there had once been a 
 considerable meeting of Friends, now nearly run out. We had 
 a pretty full meeting ; and ended much to my satisfaction. 
 First day, attended meeting at Berwick, where I had close 
 
342 JOURNAL OF 
 
 searching service, but through Divine favor was enabled to 
 clear my mind, and felt relieved. In the afternoon I attended 
 an appointed meeting at the Great Falls which was large. 
 The service was principally allotted to my son, Lindley. He 
 being young it tried his feelings pretty closely, yet I believe all 
 was right; preachers have need to learn as well as teach. 
 From this I proceeded to Falmouth Quarterly Meeting. In 
 the meeting of Ministers and Elders, I felt a necessity to deal 
 plainly and honestly. I hope it will do good. The following 
 meeting, the service fell almost entirely on Lindley ; he was 
 much favored ; Truth reigned to the honor of the head of the 
 Church. Sixth day, I had a meeting at Pownell ; which 
 though not large, was favored — the minds of some were com- 
 forted. On first day, I attended a large meeting at Durham, 
 where I was not altogether satisfied with myself, not keeping 
 enough in the patience and simplicity. 
 
 Second- day, I went twenty miles to Gardner, and put up 
 with Noah Ferris, and had a small meeting in the town, at five 
 in the afternoon, to good satisfaction. The day following, I 
 attended the Monthly Meeting, at East Pond, where I had 
 close, searching service, which made some stir amongst Friends ; 
 yet I felt great peace. I next attended Fairfield Monthly 
 Meeting, where I was silent. Three or four of the leaders from 
 the other Monthly Meeting came, I thought, as spies. I had 
 nothing for them. Then we went to Comville, and had a 
 meeting on the East Ridge, having Israel Goddard and Phebe 
 Cobb, for company. The day following, we had a meeting at 
 Athens Village. On first day, at Robert Went worth's. Also, 
 one at five o'clock at Braton Village, both of them to good sat- 
 isfaction. Thence went to Sandersfield, and had a meeting. 
 Then went to Sebec, and had a meeting. Thence to Sirena, and 
 lodged at John Burton's, a Friend, and had a good satisfactory 
 meeting in the neighborhood, which was the case in several of 
 the last mentioned meetings, there being great openness in the 
 minds of the people, to hear. The Lord favored with suitable 
 matter and free utterance, and richly rewarded with peace. 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 3481 
 
 Blessed be His high and holy name ! We then rode to St, 
 Albans, and put up with Samuel Beals, seventh day, 24th of 
 9th month. On first day we attended their meeting, which 
 was large and much favored. At evening, we had a large 
 meeting at Newport, which was laborious, but well. Second 
 day, we rode twenty miles, and had a meeting at evening in 
 Friends' meeting-house at Brooks. It was not large, but a fa- 
 vored time. We lodged at Doctor Roberts'. Third day, we 
 rode to Unity. Fourth day, attended their meeting in course. 
 Thence Albion, Hope and Bremans, and had a meeting in each 
 place, and were favored to the enjoyment of peaceful minds. 
 Second day, we rode to Winsof, where we stopped and had a 
 meeting among the Methodists, to the satisfaction of the peo- 
 ple. Fourth day, we attended the River meeting. Fifth day, 
 we attended meeting at Vassalborough, where I had close, 
 plain service in good authority, which made its way through 
 all opposition. Sixth day, we were at Sidney Meeting, where 
 my sufferings were unusually painful a length of time, when 
 way opened to clear my mind, in a plain way to its relief. Sev- 
 enth day, we had a meeting at Belgrade ; Gospel life rose into 
 dominion, and its doctrines flowed freely. On first day, the 
 9th of 10th month, we attended Winthrop meeting. It being 
 a very rainy day, the meeting was small ; a comely number of 
 young people attended, to whom tender counsel flowed freely. 
 After meeting we went to Elijah Pope's ; were there detained 
 by a great fall of rain. On fourth day, we attended Litchfield 
 meeting. Truth opened the way, and gave ability to clear my 
 mind, in a close, searching testimony, which gave relief Fifth 
 day, we journeyed to New Sharon, over a very hilly country, 
 and lodged. 
 
 Sixth day we had a trying meeting there, in the exercise of 
 close, plain testimony. After meeting, we drove to Wilton, 
 and had a meeting there on seventh day, which was troubled 
 with an impostor who took up considerable time in preaching, 
 tending to the unsettlement of the meeting, so that I was fear- 
 ful it would be spoiled ; yet, through Divine mercy. Truth rose 
 
844 JOURNAL OF 
 
 in a powerful manner over all opposition. The meeting ended 
 under a quiet solemnity, to the satisfaction of the people. We 
 returned the same day to New Sharon ; had a meeting there. 
 Passed on to Fairfield, and attended a large favored meeting on 
 first day. After it, we drove to John Cock's, about twenty 
 miles. Second day, we attended the Preparative Meeting of 
 Ministers and Elders, at Unity, where it fell to my lot, to com- 
 municate some plain truths. The day following, attended their 
 Monthly Meeting, which was the most solemn, favored meeting 
 that I have attended in this part of the land. 
 
 The next day, I attended the Monthly Meeting at Yassalbor- 
 ough. It was large and favored. In the evening attended a 
 meeting appointed by J. J. W., at Hallowel Forks, in a school 
 house ; a full meeting, wherein the doctrines of truth flowed 
 freely and appeared to settle on the minds of the people, as 
 dew on the tender grass. On 5th day, I attended Sidney 
 Monthly Meeting. It appeared to be a low time with Friends, 
 owing much to the want of true Gospel love, and a right zeal. 
 Their business was managed dull ; yet the Gospel spring flow- 
 ed in strength, and arose in dominion. Sixth day, I attended 
 Leeds Monthly Meeting held at Winthrop, where the business 
 was also conducted without much energy. In both the last 
 meetings, I enjoyed myself in peaceful silence, and was com- 
 forted in partaking of a share of the reward of those who labor- 
 ed. On seventh day, I had a meeting in the town of Hallowell, 
 amongst a high feeling people, where through unmerited mer- 
 cy, strength was given to deliver the truth, in such Gospel au- 
 thority the people became settled : the meeting ended quietly. 
 We next went to Leeds, and attended that meeting on first day. 
 I was silent, and well satisfied with it. Second day, I attended 
 the Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, at Durham. 
 Third day, the Monthly Meeting, a laborious time with me, in 
 clearing my mind to the relief of it. Fourth day, I attended 
 Falmouth Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, where 
 I had to communicate some plain remarks. Fifth day, I attend- 
 ed the Monthly Meeting, where I was greatly enlarged, to the 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 345 
 
 felief of my own mind, and it appeared to the satisfaction of 
 my Friends. Sixth day, I had a meeting on Cape Elizabeth, 
 where an approved minister amongst Friends had turned Hick- 
 site, in consequence of which, several were jostled in mind, and 
 some became more slack in attending meetings, so that the meet- 
 ing, which was not large before, became very small and some- 
 what languid, but through unmerited mercy, it pl<eased the 
 Head of the Church to speak comfortably, to those who remain- 
 ed alive among them, to hold fast that which they already had, 
 and let no one draw them off from the Truth. Seventh day, in 
 company with Samuel Hussey aud wife, I made a social visit to 
 all the femilies of Friends, and returned to Portland that night. 
 On first day, I attended their fore and afternoon meetings, 
 where the Grospel spring arose in strength, flowed freely, and 
 went forth in its own authority over all opposing spirits, I hope 
 to the glory of God. Strength and utterance were given to 
 hold up the standard of Truth, and the ensign of righteousness, 
 to the people. Second day, I lay by in Portland, the Quarter- 
 ly Meeting being near at hand. 
 
 Third day, I went to Durham, and on fourth day attended 
 the meeting of Ministers and Elders, and on fifth day the Quar- 
 terly Meeting at large. Both were favored meetings. Under 
 a sense thereof, many minds were humbled and contrited, in 
 consideration of the tender mercy of the Lord, who doth not 
 limit His mercies to our worthiness. Seventh day, I had a 
 meeting at Humphrey Purinton's, in Bath, the fore part of the 
 day ; in the afternoon I had another in the Village of Bath. 
 First day, I had a meeting at Brunswick. Second day, I had 
 
 one in Bowdoinham, and then went to John Perry's, at B , 
 
 and had a favored meeting in that neighborhood. The next 
 day I had a meeting in Lisbon Village, where my labors were 
 deeply exercising, on account of the careless, unconcerned state 
 the minds of the people were in ; which appeared to be the 
 general state in most of the meetings in this town. Though 
 my mind has been depressed for several days past, under a 
 sense of my own weakness, and the painful labor I had to pass 
 22 
 
346 JOURNAL OP 
 
 through, from day to day, yet through all, my good and heav- 
 enly Master, has been my only helper, furnishing with matter, 
 strength, and utterance, which enabled me to clear my mind 
 from day to day, and obtain comforting peace. Blessed be His 
 ever adorable name I 
 
 On fifth day, I rode to Lewistown, and put up with Amos 
 Davis. Israel Jones accompanied me, who, with his brother, 
 Thomas, had been agreeably with me for several days ; the lat- 
 ter having returned home. Seventh day, I went to Windham, 
 and attended that meeting on first day, which was very large 
 and solemn. Through Divine help, the testimony of Truth 
 was set forth in Gospel authority. Second day, I rode to Po- 
 land, and had a comfortable meeting there in the afternoon. 
 Fourth day, I went to Norway, and had a small meeting. A 
 company of rude young people came to it, and kept it unset- 
 tled. Near the close, I believed it right to address them, and 
 let them know my thoughts of their conduct, in relation to 
 their own credit, and the reproach it cast on tbeir parents who 
 brought them up ; as also their irreverence to their Creator. 
 This stilled them, and some of them looked ashamed. 
 
 On fifth day, the 6th of the month, I went to Raymond, and 
 had a meeting there next day, in which I was enabled to clear 
 my mind to good satisfaction. From thence, I returned to 
 Portland, and attended their fore and afternoon meetings on 
 First day, which were painfully exercising, and I had to deal 
 plainly, which gave a comfortable enjoyment of sweet peace. 
 Second day, I returned to Raymond, and had another meeting 
 there on third day. I had to sound the alarm, and show the danger 
 of being deceived by the subtle serpent, and his transformings 
 in the appearance of an angel oi light ; and was led to set forth 
 how he might be known and detected, greatly to the relief and 
 refreshment of my mind. 
 
 I returned to Windham on fourth day, and had a meeting 
 at Gorham, which was not large, but a suffering time. It ap- 
 peared that heart-felt sickness was among them ; I cleared my 
 icind, and felt a peaceful quiet. Sixth day, I attended Wind- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 347 
 
 ham Monthly Meeting, held at Limington. After suffering in 
 deep poverty and strippedness of spirit, the Gospel spring rose 
 high and flowed freely ; though much weakness was felt, the 
 Lord favored with a renewed visitation to the comforting of the 
 honest-hearted, and a solemn warning to those at ease, who 
 choose their own ways, and despise the cross of Christ. 
 
 Seventh day, the 26th of 11th month, I went to Parsonsfield, 
 and lodged with Charles Cartland, when feehng my mind clear 
 of that part of the country, I went to Winter Harbor, and had 
 a small meeting there. The snow coming on, made it difficult 
 traveling on wheels, so I went direct to Berwick, and put up 
 with my children, John and Elizabeth Meader, for several 
 weeks. While there, I attended that meeting several times, 
 and Dover twice, and had a meeting on Dover Neck. In all 
 these meetings, my good Master was pleased to furnish with 
 appropriate matter, ability and utterance to relieve my mind, 
 and obtain the reward of peace ; being mercifully supported 
 in all the exercises, though they were painful and laborious. 
 A fig-leaf covering was too much resorted to by many, which 
 often caused mourning with the few upright-hearted amongst 
 them. May the Lord sustain these, that the ensign of right- 
 eousness may not fall in the streets ! 
 
 After making these visits, feeling my mind drawn to visit 
 Pittsfield, Weare, and Henniker, a kind Friend, Joseph Bracket, 
 took his sleigh, and carried me this short tour. We attended 
 Pittsfield meeting on first day, but the weather being stormy, 
 the meeting was very small. Not feeling clear, I proposed 
 meeting with Friends again on second day, which was agreed 
 to, and notice given, but the second meeting was very little 
 larger than the first; some whole families not attending. 
 Having done all I could, I felt clear, and had two meetings in 
 that part of the country, out from the settlement of Friends, 
 much to my satisfaction. There was more openness amongst 
 them, than with nominal professors of my own Society. We 
 then went to Weare North Meeting on first day, at the usual 
 time, and at the South Meeting at three o'clock ; both were 
 
348 JOURNAL OF 
 
 well attended. The word of Truth went forth in its own au- 
 thority and its standard was over the heads of transgressors, by 
 and through the power of the mighty God of Jacob. Blessed 
 be His ever adorable name ! 
 
 On second day, I had a meeting at Henniker, where I passed 
 through great depression of spirit, under a sense of the want 
 of faithfulness in many professing with us, who, instead of being 
 lights and encouragers of others, were stumbling blocks in their 
 way. I was enabled faithfully to bear the testimony my good 
 Master gave me, to my relief and peace. After meeting, I went 
 to my cousin, Winthrop Dow's where I was on the 10th of 1st 
 month, 1832. I next attended Weare Monthly Meeting, wherein 
 I had close, painful, and exercising labor ; and the day follow- 
 ing, I went to Concord, and had a meeting in Friends' meeting 
 house, which was large, and favored with a renewed visitation 
 from on high. May the people gratefully prize the favor ! 
 
 I then returned to Berwick. Next I went to Seabrook, and 
 attended Salem Quarterly Meeting, where I had to preach plain, 
 solemn truths ; then returned to Berwick, and attended that meet- 
 ings on first day, and a meeting in the evening at the Great Falls, 
 which was well attended, and a favored time. Thence I went to 
 Sandwich, N. H., and attended that Quarterly Meeting. That for 
 worship was a renewed visitation to the inhabitants thereaway. 
 Oh, that it may be wisely improved ! The meeting for business 
 ness was very dull, taking a long time to transact a little business. 
 
 I then went again to Pittsfield, and attended their Monthly 
 Meeting, and was enabled to clear my mind so fully, that I 
 hope ray Master will not send me there again, but bless the 
 labors already bestowed. I then set out in a sleigh for Smith- 
 field, but the snow going off", I was stopped at Edward Goves', 
 in Seabrook. The 4th of 2d month, in the evening, I had a 
 meeting with those not of our Society ; the doctrines of Truth 
 were well received and acknowledged. On first day, I attended 
 Seabrook meeting, which was very small. The life of pure relig- 
 ion was very low, and were it not for a few honest-hearted ones 
 I think that meeting would cease to be. May the Lord strength- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 349 
 
 en the hands of the few, to hold up the standard of righteous- 
 ness to beholding enquirers, to the honor of His own Name ! 
 
 I next went to Lynn, and attended that Monthly Meeting — 
 a suffering time to me. I next journeyed to Providence, and 
 attended the morning meeting in the town — a dry, suffering 
 time to me. In the afternoon I attended meeting at the School, 
 which was a favored time, wherein I felt my mind above the 
 depression of spirit I had waded under for days, and was mar- 
 velously enabled, both in public and private, to clear my mind 
 of a concern that had arrested it, until it became a heavy bur- 
 den. He who promised to go before His sheep that He put 
 forth, made a way for me, beyond my expectation, and my la- 
 bors were received without any apparent offense, though they 
 were plain and close. I felt fully relieved, and made to rejoice 
 with thankfulness to my Lord and Master, for His direction 
 and holy help, through this portion of exercising service. 
 
 I then went to SQuth Smithfield, and attended a meeting 
 there, which was not large, but favored, and the minds of the 
 people appeared open to hear the Truth. The day following, 
 I was at a meeting at Cumberland, where there was not such 
 openness as at the former, which made the labor more painful, 
 but my mind was strengthened to discharge my duty. I then 
 rode to Mendon, and attended their Preparative Meeting ; it 
 was small, and I had good service ; yet, not feeling clear, I had 
 a meeting appointed at three in the afternoon, which was pretty 
 full and favored, and the testimony of Truth rose into dominion. 
 The day following, I attended Smithfield North Meeting, a 
 large and deeply exercising one, there being great want of a 
 true religious concern amongst the people ; although it was a 
 laborious day, I was favored to feel a peaceful mind. The next 
 meeting was at Uxbridge, where we had a searching time, and 
 the testimony of Truth went forth in its own authority, and reign- 
 ed over all for that time. In the evening I had a meeting in a 
 school house near Jacob Aldrich's, to my satisfaction ; the tes- 
 timony of Truth went forth in clearness, accompanied with 
 tendering Gospel authority, and closed solemnly. 
 
350 JOURNAL OF 
 
 On the 11th, I was at Douglas — a meeting much run down. 
 The 12th, I was at North Bridge, a pretty full, favored meeting. 
 Thence to North Mendon ; the meeting was considerably full. 
 The testimony of Truth went forth in clearness, and good au- 
 thority, to full satisfaction to my own mind. The next was 
 Bolton Monthly Meeting, attended by many not of our Society. 
 The truths of the Gospel were largely opened, and appeared to 
 settle with weight on the minds of the people. I next attended 
 Richmond, where there were more in number, than there were 
 Friends. I was led to show the difference between the Gospel 
 and its effects, and the inventions and wisdom of men, in the 
 great cause of religion ; and to contrast them in a clear point of 
 view. The testimony of Truth was in dominion, and the spirit 
 of oppression gave way. 
 
 I proceeded to Unity, where there was a pretty full gather- 
 ing of Friends and others, and much openness in the minds of 
 the people. Truth flowed freely, to the comfort of the honest- 
 hearted. I then passed on to Pittsfield again, and attended 
 that meeting once more, and was mercifully enabled to bear a 
 close, searching testimony, greatly to the relief of my troubled 
 mind. 
 
 Having discharged my duty to some individuals, I felt clear 
 to take my departure, and journeyed to Gilmantown, where I 
 had a pretty full, favored meeting, which ended to good satis- 
 faction. At evening I attended a meeting appointed by Abi- 
 gal Miller ; the first time that I had an opportunity to hear her, 
 except a few words, and to my satisfaction, found she was an 
 able Gospel minister. The day following, sixth day, the 10th 
 of 3d month, I went to Wolfsborough. 
 
 [No further narrative of this journey is given, and at what time he ar- 
 rived at his own home, is not certainly ascertained ; yet, it is beUeved not 
 to be long after the close of his narrative at "Wolfsborough, then one hun- 
 dred and fifty miles from home. 
 
 The following extracts from a letter written to his wife and children 
 about the middle of his last visit to New England, will be familiar to 
 those who have been acquainted with him in conversation ; from the 
 manner of style and expression.] 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 361 
 
 "Portland, 24th of lOth month, 1831. 
 Beloved Wife and Children : — I take my pen once more 
 to address you, with making this apology, that I have put off 
 writing in hopes I should find myself at liberty to come home. 
 But seeing no time for my release, I feel best, to inform that I 
 am in good health, and have been, by far the most of the time, 
 since I left home — a favor that calls for humble gratitude, and 
 a thankful heart to the Giver of the blessing ; not only for this, 
 but in that He has enabled me in a marvelous manner, to per- 
 form all that He hath required of me, since I left Rhode Island, 
 From there I passed on, taking, meetings in course, until I got 
 to New Bedford, where I found satan had got into the high 
 bench, where he sat himself as God, and had made such a rent, 
 as almost to destroy harmony and unity, through one Quarter- 
 ly Meeting, and to draw down several stars of magnitude, that 
 once shone brilliantly. The escaped remnant lay low, al- 
 most buried under discouragement ; that this part of my travel 
 was in a land of sorrow to me, in beholding the breaches in the 
 wall, and the desolation in the city. My inner garment was 
 that of mourning, from day to day. From thence I put on for 
 Lynn, where I met a troop of archers, with their bows all bent 
 — the horse and his rider, all in battle array. But my Master 
 made my arm strong to handle the bow, and He directing the 
 arrow, it never missed so that the battle was turned to the 
 gate, and the prison doors were ordered open by the King, and 
 the captive daughter was set free, to the honor of the King's 
 name, I hope. From here I passed on, until I got to Berwick, 
 where I found old satan working like fire in the roots of the 
 trees, under ground, so as to be sure to kill all the green tim- 
 ber, and not be seen to blaze, lest it should be put out. His 
 fire-bed got exposed and his head bruised ; the people were 
 warned to watch his moves. From thence I passed pretty 
 smooth, until I came to Yasselborough, where I attended their 
 Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, a goodly appearing 
 band, I was pleased with the sight. But my Master came and 
 annointed my eyes, and bade me look with a single eye. When 
 
352 JOURNAL OF 
 
 I fixed my eye intent, and the light shown clear, behold I saw 
 satan in the midst, dressed up in an Elder's suit, from head to 
 foot. My Master caused me to see that satan was very busy 
 in raising a zeal that would tread to death every seed that He, 
 the Lord, had planted, if not checked, and bid me pitch battle 
 with him, and put a sword into my hand for that purpose. 
 And when I came to try it I found it was a wieldy sword, 
 that had a sharp edge ; and every blow cut so that the enemy 
 squirmed every way he could, so that he exposed himself and 
 got detected, and a mess of bars and bolts taken from him. 
 And it was found that he had one of my Master's children, 
 summoned, and was endeavoring to handcuff, and fetter him, 
 and cast him into prison for life. But the poor child was res- 
 cued, taken from him, and it is the King's mind that he should 
 be set at liberty. I have since visited all the meetings in that 
 Quarter. In many of them my Master tuned my ram's horn, 
 so that many of their walls gave way before it. In other pla- 
 ces He gave me the pipe and harp, to cheer the heavy hearted. 
 I have got through this tour, and well entered into Falmouth 
 Quarter. I have visited Weare and all those parts, and found 
 our Society in a pitiful state ; of course my labors were heart- 
 aching, and wearing every way. * * * 
 My Friends take good care of me, as to all I need to keep me 
 comfortable. * * * * . * 
 I can give no opinion about coming home, having already been 
 disappointed, in having double the ground to travel over, that 
 I expected to, when I left home, and am not yet favored to see 
 when I may return ; though I think my stay here will be long- 
 er on Lindley's account. There is as much need of my being 
 in this part of the country on his account, as there was at 
 Rhode Island ; and whether I shall not have to stay until he is 
 ready to return, is unknown to me. * * * 
 I now take my pen, the 25th, to close this detail, with giv- 
 ing a general view of the state of our Society, as it appears to 
 me, in this part of the land. The first disorder appears to be 
 spiritual pride, out of which grows jealousy, and a tormenting 
 
JOSEPH HOAG« 353 
 
 fear that anything should rise as high as Master Pride's shoul- 
 ders. In order to prevent the rise, let the seed be ever so good 
 in its kind and the plant grow in ever so good and beau- 
 tiful order, Master Pride fixes the more an eagle eye 
 upon it, and in the appearance of a dove, will coo about it, 
 in order to set its talons under its roots and destroy them, so 
 that the plant must die. If it cannot prevail this way, it will 
 turn into a serpent, and creep under the grass and weeds — buz- 
 zes in the ears of its own kind, and starts their fears. Then it 
 is to draw in the better hearted, and raise a strong zeal. When 
 this is fixed, the tongue of slander blows it into a flame. In 
 this kind of toss and fuss, ups and downs, satan hath walked in 
 this land, until he hath abundantly marred the beauty of our 
 Society, and deeply wounded the pure in heart. * * 
 
 I now take my pen to close this, the 4th of 11th month, at 
 the house of Thomas Jones, a ministering Friend, who has been 
 at our house. Yesterday I attended the Quarterly Meeting, 
 which was large, and much favored ; and though much weak- 
 ness appeared in their accounts, their business was conducted 
 in harmony. I may now inform you, that in my hours of in- 
 termission, T often find myself at home looking round among 
 you, feeling anxious for you. The language runs through my 
 mind, * Here I am in a strange land, wearing out the last of 
 my strength, oft in heart- aching labor ; and how is it with my 
 Friends at home ? ' A heavy-hearted feeling returns upon my 
 spirit. I do not write this, as having any doubt of being in 
 my right place, for I am abundantly confirmed that I am. I 
 have often thought of thee, my son Nathan, when in different 
 parts of this land. I now draw to a close, desiring, fervently 
 desiring your faithful standing in the Truth, and prosperity 
 therein. Give my love to all my children, relatives, and en- 
 quiring Friends. You may rest assured that I never felt great- 
 er desires for the peaceful welfare of my own country, than at 
 this time. Farewell. Joseph Hoag." 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 On the 21st of llth month, 1832, having obtained the uni- 
 ty of my Friends, I set out to perform a religious visit to 
 Friends in Upper Canada, and some parts of Farraington Quar- 
 terly Meeting, and to attend the approaching Yearly Meeting, 
 of Philadelphia, and visit some meetings in its vicinity. We 
 traveled several days before we stopped to have a meeting ; 
 the first being at the town of Chateauguay, an assembly of 
 bright countenanced people, who appeared fixed in a choice of 
 a popular religion, so that though the doctrines of the Gospel 
 flowed freely and Uvely, it appeared to make but little en- 
 trance. I parted, feeling much good will for them, with a re- 
 lieved, peaceful mind. We traveled two days more before get- 
 ting to Friends' settlement at Indian River, now called New 
 Philadelphia, where I was delayed a day, on account of the 
 Hicksites having possession of the house. The meeting was 
 held on sixth day, when Friends generally attended, and a few 
 of the neighbors. I was in hopes, as there had been a heavy 
 shaking, and a number had gone ofi*, to have found them in a 
 humble quiet, encircled with Gospel love, and bound together 
 in the unity of the Spirit, but it was sorrowfully otherwise. 
 The old serpent had got among them, and sowed the seeds of 
 jealousy, which had taken deep root, and the fire had broken 
 out, to the great grief of the upright among them. Being con- 
 strained in Gospel love to be faithful to my Lord's command, 
 though with an aching heart for the people, my labors were 
 painful, pointed, and close ; and I was favored with the re- 
 ward of sweet peace for obedience. I have always found my 
 good Master a rich re warder for faithfulness, and a sure sup- 
 
JOSEPH HOAQ. 355 
 
 porter in every trial, if fully confided in. Blessed, and forever 
 adored be His holy name ! 
 
 From this place we went to Le Ray, and broke down our 
 carriage on the way, which detained us on our journey to get 
 it repaired ; but a Friend took us through in a sleigh, in time 
 to have notice given. The meeting was large, including a 
 small band of lively spirited Friends, who were helpers in the 
 field of labor, being disposed to stay the hands from dropping, 
 while the rod of God was lifted up. The battle was turned to 
 the gate and the Truth reigned. May the Lord bless that day 
 of favor to the people ! After our repairs were finished, we 
 proceeded to Oak Point, on the River St. Lawrence, where an 
 aged Friend and his wife lived, remote from any meeting of 
 Friends. We stopped and appointed a meeting the next day. 
 Many came in, all anxious to bear, which caused the meeting for 
 sometime to remain unsettled, but sitting in solemn travail of 
 spirit, I felt the word of Truth to arise in Gospel authority. 
 In attending thereto I felt strength to increase, and ability giv- 
 en to hold forth the truths of the Gospel, in a clear, plain 
 manner, easy to be understood, which appeared to settle upon 
 them as the dew. Their countenances became grave, and some 
 of them tendered. In this state, the meeting closed, much to 
 my satisfaction. I felt great tenderness for them, remember- 
 ing that though Paul might plant and Apollos water, yet it was 
 God only who could give the increase ; here I felt easy to leave 
 them. 
 
 The day following, we crossed the river to the British side, 
 and went to a small settlement of Friends in the county of 
 Leeds, where we arrived the 6th of 12th month. On 
 sixth day, lib. of 12th month we had a meeting with 
 Friends and others ; found the state of society low ; too 
 too many at ease; were it not for a few faithful ones 
 among them, who labor under much discouragement, the testi- 
 mony of of Truth must fall. I was enabled to relieve my mind. 
 Not being able to get a pilot to go forward, we lay by, seventh 
 day, and had notice given. • The meeting on first day was 
 
356 JOURNAL OF 
 
 large ; the doctrines of the Gospel flowed freely, and went forth 
 in good authority. Truth rose into dominion. Blessed be the 
 name of the Lord. Second day, we started for Kingston, and 
 on third day we got to the widow Ferris'. Fourth day, at eve- 
 ning, we had a meeting in Kingston. Next day, at Waterloo. 
 Sixth day, we passed on for Adolphus town, and were with 
 Friends on first day, the 16th. All three of those meetings 
 were small ; two of them reduced by the disorganizing spirit 
 that hath prevailed. Yet, amid all this stripping there was 
 comfort felt in finding at every place, there were those who 
 stood faithfully concerned to maintain the testimonies of Truth ; 
 and the Lord was not only pleased to sustain, but often times 
 to meet witJi them in their assemblies ; to strengthen and 
 sweetly comfort them. From Adolphus we went to West 
 Lake, and had an appointed meeting there before the Monthly 
 Meeting came on ; it was a large, solid, favored meeting. The 
 day following, we had a meeting at Hilyard, where, after, sit- 
 ting in much poverty of spirit, a living spring in Gospel love 
 was felt to arise, and in carefully attending to it, it increased to 
 a lively stream, and plentifully watered the garden. 
 
 We returned and attended the Monthly Meeting at West 
 Lake, where it was my lot to feel my mind depressed, and 
 stripped of all lively feelings for awhile ; but sitting in resigna- 
 tion to my lot, and gathering into stillness, I was favored to 
 feel, though very small, the gentle arising of Gospel life, and 
 attending thereto in deep humillity and simplicity, it became a 
 river, not only to the ankles, but to the waist, and a river to 
 swim in. The service of the day appeared to settle on the as- 
 sembly as the dew on the tender grass, and distil as the rain, 
 to the tendering of many minds. The business was conducted 
 pretty regularly. Thence we went to Cold Creek, and put up 
 at the widow Terrill's. The next day attended meeting in that 
 place ; it was a suffering time until Truth arose, and gathered 
 the minds of the people into a solemn quiet. 
 
 The next place we stopped at was Haldimand, where we 
 had a meeting with the few Friends and their neighbors, where 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 857 
 
 the Gospel spring flowed lively, to the tendering of many 
 minds. May it rest long on them. The meeting closed great- 
 ly to my satisfaction. The 25th of 12th month, we went for- 
 ward to Pickering, where the meeting had been greatly shat- 
 tered ; some of the few Friends who kept to our ancient prin- 
 ciples felt as though they had done so nicely, that they ap- 
 peared in imminent danger of settling down at ease, to their 
 own hurt, while others appeared pretty well concerned to keep 
 their ranks in the Truth. My labors in this meeting were ar- 
 duous and searching. The following day, we had a meeting at 
 TJxbridge, where, for want of a true watchful concern, the life 
 of religion was very low. We proceeded to Whitchurch, where 
 there appeared to be a little band of well concerned Friends, 
 who were kept out of their meeting-house by the Hicksites, and 
 had to meet in an old school-house ; but the Great Head of the 
 Church was pleased to meet with us, to our comfort. 
 
 We next went to Yonge street, where we fell in company 
 with Jacob Green, from Ireland — a goodly Friend, and edify- 
 ing Minister. On sixth day, the 4th of 1st month, 1833, we 
 went to Tecumseh, a small meeting and settlement of mostly 
 youngerly Friends, with whom we had a meeting on seventh 
 day. It was a comforting time; the Holy presence of the 
 Great Head of the Church being sensibly felt amongst us. 
 Blessed be His name ! After meeting we returned to Yonge 
 street, and attended their meeting on first day ; it was large 
 and the fore part was dull, and a deeply suflfering time ; but as 
 resignation was kept to, the Master of Israel's assemblies an- 
 nointed with the influence of holy strength, the word of Truth 
 went forth in Gospel authority, and reigned over all, to the 
 tendering of many minds. May the Lord bless the favor of the 
 day, to the everlasting good of the people ! 
 
 On second day, being fatigued, I lay by to rest. Third day, 
 we had a meeting at a small village called Beverly, a larger 
 collection than I expected. The word of Truth flowed freely, 
 attended with that solemn weight, that it appeared to rest on 
 the minds of the people, like the dew on the tender grass. 
 
358 JOURNAL OP 
 
 May the Lord render the favor of His visitation, a blessing to 
 that people, for many days yet to come ! 
 
 Fourth day, we were at Asa Rogers'. Fifth day, I attended 
 their Preparative Meeting, in which I was enabled to relieve 
 my mind, and felt clear. Sixth day, we took our departure for 
 the Half Year's Meeting, near West Lake. We stopped at 
 Whitby, and had a meeting with the people of that place — a 
 suffering and laborious season, owing to the state of ease the 
 people were in. I had to speak to them in a plain, close way, 
 and though painful to me, so to do, I felt the reward of sweet 
 peace for being faithful. After this, we made no other stop, 
 except for our accommodation, until we got to West Lake, and 
 put up with Jonathan Clark, on sixth day, the 18th. First day, 
 the 20th, we attended that meeting, where Truth, in its own 
 I authority rose into dominion, to the comfort of the upright, 
 and the encouragement of the sincere in heart. Thence to 
 Thurlow, and had a meeting with the few Friends and others 
 there. Also two meetings in Sidney. In all these, the Master 
 of Israel's assemblies was pleased to favor with his owning 
 presence, and richly favored, with suitable matter and utterance. 
 Blessed be His holy name ! 
 
 We returned to Judah Bowerman's, on fifth day, and on 
 sixth day evening, we had a meeting at Hollowell, which was 
 laborious. Holy help was given to hold forth the Truth in 
 plainness, and it appeared to be well received by the people. 
 Seventh day, we lay by. First day, the 27th, we had a crowded 
 meeting near Little Lake, among a raw people ; many of them 
 made no profession of religion, yet they were very attentive. 
 The doctrines of Truth were largely communicated ; the meet- 
 ing became settled into stillness, from a restless state, and closed 
 in quietude. May the Lord grant that the labors of this day, 
 be like the bread cast on the waters, to be gathered in time yet 
 to come. 
 
 The Half Year's Meeting commenced with that for Ministers 
 and Elders, the 29th of 1st month — a deeply suffering time to 
 me ; being made sensible that human wisdom was too much 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 359 
 
 acte(i in, while transacting their business, and Divine wisdom 
 not even sought for by many of them so that the poor in spirit 
 who had no wisdom but the Truth to lean upon, often went 
 with their hands upon their loins, when they saw their beloved 
 turned out of doors, and true judgment trodden under foot. I 
 was enabled to clear my mind on this subject in plain dealing. 
 The day following, they were long and dull in doing their bu- 
 siness, and of course got but little done, owing to a worldly 
 wise spirit, that influenced many who appeared determined 
 that true judgment should not be brought to the line, or right- 
 eousness to the plumb-line ; and in order to carry points, out- 
 door plans were laid, and practiced in meetings ; they had to 
 adjourn to another day to finish their business, in which some 
 important matters were carried by misrule, deeply wounding 
 the feelings of their brethren. 
 
 After this meeting, we set forward for Norwich, and got to 
 Pickerinfif, attending that meeting on first day, which was a 
 favored, refreshing time. We passed on round the head of the 
 Lake, to Daniel Crossthwaite's, where we had a meeting to 
 our own satisfaction, and that of the people. We continued 
 our journey until we got to Job Peckham's, in Norwich, on 
 sixth day evening, the 8th of 2d month, where we staid until 
 first day, and attended their meeting. Here, I found many 
 sick, and death in the pot, and much bitterness in the minds 
 of some against their better brethren ; but Truth enabled me 
 to clear my mind for that time. After it, we had a meeting 
 in the lower settlement, with a little remnant who staid with 
 Friends, the most of that meeting having gone ofi" with the 
 Hicksites. In this meeting, we were favord with the company 
 of the dear Redeemer, to our comfort and encouragement. 
 The Monthly Meeting coming on fourth day, we staid and at- 
 tended it, where I had to pass through deep, painful feehngs, 
 which made my heart to ache, in seeing the discipline trodden 
 under foot, and those who wished to have it so, justified. I 
 was strengthened again to bear a faithful testimony in the plain- 
 ness of Truth, 
 
360 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Thence we went to Yarmoutli, and had two meetings in that 
 town, and one at a place called Nova Scotia Settlement, in all 
 which it pleased the Head of the Church to give strength in 
 weakness ; for it was my lot between meetings, almost contin- 
 ually to pass under great poverty of spirit, and to feel great 
 weakness. In this way I was led about from place to place, 
 not knowing what would come next, until I was brought into 
 action, and the Master laid it upon me to hand out to the peo- 
 ple, and in simply attending to His directions, I have witnessed 
 a being raised out of great poverty and weakness, and clothed 
 with strength to run through a troop, and leap over the walls 
 of opposition, and the Truth to rise into dominion over all. 
 Blessed, and forever adored, be the name of the Lord, my God ! 
 We returned to Norwich and attended the fourth day meeting, 
 where my good Master strung my bow and tuned my harp, and 
 enabled me to clear my mind, in so full and plain a manner, 
 that I felt clear of them, whether they will hear, or whether 
 they will forbear. 
 
 We arrived at Pelham, on seventh day, the 23d. First day, 
 we attended a meeting there ; the presence of the Lord being 
 felt amongst a little band who had been closely peeled, but not 
 forsaken. We then proceeded to Lockport, in the State of 
 New York, where we had a favored meeting on fifth day. On 
 sixth day, the 1st of 3d month, we had a suffering meeting at 
 Hartland, and put up with Benoni Sprague, where we were 
 blocked up by a boisterous snow storm. We next proceeded 
 to Rochester and had a meeting in the town ; then one in Ma- 
 cedon, and attended Farmington meeting on first day, at the 
 old house. In the evening, we had a meeting in Macedon vil- 
 lage. On second day, we set forward for Pennsylvania, and on 
 third day night, we arrived amongst Friends at Hector, where, 
 finding their Monthly Meeting was the next day, we attended 
 it. Fifth and sixth days, drove to Friendsville, in Penn- 
 sylvania, and put up with John Hudson. Finding there 
 was a small meeting of Friends held in the place, we concluded 
 to proceed to Jehu Lord's, and lay by on seventh day. On 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 361 
 
 ^rst day, tlie l7th, we met with Friends and others of that 
 place — a mixed multitude, and crowded meeting, which caused 
 close labor ; but the Truth made its way through all opposi- 
 tion, and arose triumphant. 
 
 Second day, we set forward for Stroudsburg; the roads be- 
 ing exceedingly muddy, it took three days, but we got through 
 in season to attend the Monthly Meeting, which was small, 
 having been reduced by a number running into infidel princi- 
 ples ; yet they conducted the business regularly and in harmo- 
 ny. In this meeting I had the indulgence to sit in peaceful si- 
 lence, which I esteemed a favor ; but not feeling clear, I ap- 
 pointed a meeting on sixth day, which gave an opportunity to 
 relieve my mind considerably ; yet not feeling clear to leave, I 
 concluded to stay over first day, the 24th of 3d month, at our 
 kind friend, Daniel Stroud's. We attended their meeting, 
 where a number present appeared in a very unsettled state of 
 mind. I was dipped into a sense of their dark state of insen- 
 sibility, and had to warn them seriously ; it was a painful, ex- 
 ercising meeting, and there appeared a determination in some 
 of them, not to receive or believe the Truth, so that I parted 
 with them under the impression of sorrow. We left on sec- 
 ond day, and arrived at Plumstead on third day evening, and 
 had a meeting there on fourth day, and one at Buckingham 
 on fifth day — both favored meetings. Sixth day, we went to 
 Christopher Healey's, where we were on seventh day. First day, 
 the 31st, we attended Falls Meeting ; there being a goodly num- 
 ber of Friends who had kept their places through the struggle 
 which produced the great rent in our Society. We returned to 
 Buckingham Monthly Meeting on second day, which was much 
 larger than we expected. They conducted their business in peace 
 and good order. Third day, we attended Wrightsto wn Monthly 
 Meeting, the weakest that I ever remember of attending — a 
 painful, exercising one to me. We next attended Middleton, 
 on fourth day ; it was small, yet they conducted their business 
 in pretty good order, and appeared concerned to sustain the 
 reputation of the Monthly Meeting. I had pretty good satis- 
 23 
 
862 JOURNAL OF 
 
 faction with the little band of that place. Filth day, we at- 
 tended Falls Monthly Meeting, where we met, I think, with the 
 largest body of Friends in a Monthly Meeting capacity that 
 we had fell in with since we left Canada. The good Shepherd, 
 who goeth before His sheep, and puts them forth, was pleased 
 not only to furnish matter, but to give strength and utterance. 
 The testimony went forth in its own authority. I felt fully clear 
 after meeting. On sixth day morning we rode to Middletown, 
 and put up with David Comfort, and staid until seventh day, 
 when he took us into the city of Philadelphia, to Ellis Yam- 
 all's, in season to attend all the meetings but one, before the 
 Yearly Meeting, and also that of Darby. In all of them, I was 
 enabled to clear my mind, so as to feel pretty well relieved. 
 The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Elders commenced on 
 seventh day, and the Yearly Meeting ended on seventh day fol- 
 lowing. I was favored to attend all the sittings, and mercifully 
 indulged to pass them all in silence, with the enjoyment of 
 peaceful poverty of spirit. 
 
 On first day morning, I attended Orange street meeting; 
 therein my mind was enlarged ; Truth flowed free and lively — 
 a refreshing time to me. On second day, I went out to By- 
 berry, and had a meeting on third day, with the few Friends. 
 Notice being given, quite a number, not of our Society, attend- 
 ed, so as nearly to fill the house ; amongst whom, were several 
 of those who had seceded from us. Truth went forth in its 
 own authority, and arose in its own power and dominion over 
 all dark spirits. Blessed be the name of the Lord Almighty, 
 who giveth strength in the day of battle ! 
 
 On seventh day morning, the 27th, I returned to the city, in 
 season to attend the Monthly Meeting for the Western District. 
 There the Master of Israel's assembhes was pleased to open the 
 well-spring of life, and water His heritage. Blessed and adored 
 be His goodness, for evermore ! 
 
 On fifth day, I attended Arch street meeting, where Mildred 
 RadclifF and another woman Friend, were much favored in tes- 
 timony to the comfort of their Friends. Sixth day, I went to 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 363 
 
 Marion, and tad a meeting witli the few Friends there, much 
 to my satisfaction, and returned to the city. Seventh day, we 
 crossed the Delaware River, and went to Burlington, and at- 
 tended the morning meeting, entirely closed up, without suf- 
 fering. In the afternoon, way opened in the springing of the 
 Gospel, to bear a short testimony to the relief of mind ; I de- 
 parted in peace, and went to Springfield, where we had a fa- 
 vored meeting ; for the Holy Shepherd of Israel, in the clear- 
 ness of Gospel light and life, furnished with matter and utter- 
 ance to divide, and apply. to the several states before me; full 
 telief was given ; peace flowed as a river. Blessed be His ho- 
 ly name ! 
 
 The next meeting was at Mount Holly, where they were 
 much stripped by the rent that had taken place ; yet I thought 
 they were in a better state than they were, when I was there 
 some years before, when their meeting was large. I think I 
 was rightly authorized to encourage them ; if they abode faith- 
 ful there would come a returning Spring, when they would not 
 only bud and blossom, but he nourished to bring forth good, 
 acceptable fruit to the Great Head of the Church. We passed 
 on to Rancocas, the meeting is pretty large ; there appeared to 
 be a number of well-concerned Friends, yet with the younger 
 class too much of a worldly spirit prevailed. My labors were 
 exercising and plain, rewarded with peace. The following 
 meeting at Westfield was reduced by the revolt amongst them ; 
 a stripped remnant appeared concerned to keep up their little 
 meeting in fgiithfulness. The presence of the good Shepherd 
 was felt amongst them, to our comfort, and their encouragment. 
 
 We then went to Newtown and Haddonfield. In both those 
 meetings, the testimony was deeply exercising, yet Truth rose 
 in dominion. Thence, on first day, to Cropwell. We attend- 
 ded a large, favored meeting on second day, at Moorestown, 
 where the Gospel spring ran freely, greatly to the relief of my 
 mind, and tendering of many minds in the assembly. On third 
 day, we had a meeting at Easton, to my satisfaction, and the 
 
364 JOURNAL OP 
 
 comfort of honest Friends, wlio had suffered by the bearing 
 down disposition of the seceder^. 
 
 Fourth day, we attended Springfield Monthly Meeting. It 
 was small, being reduced, by many leaving Society ; the rem- 
 nant that were left, appeared well resigned, and engaged to 
 maintain the good order, in support of our Society, conducting 
 their business regularly. After meeting, we went to Joseph 
 Haine's, where we were on fifth day, the 9th of 5th month. 
 Sixth day, we attended Lower Evesham Monthly Meeting. 
 Seventh day, at Upper Evesham Monthly Meeting — both fa- 
 vored meetings. First day, we attended the Upper meeting 
 again, greatly to the relief of my mind. Second day, we went 
 to Tuckertown, on Little Egg Harbor, and had a meeting with 
 Friends and others. Fourth day, we attended Barnegat meet- 
 ing. Fifth day, we proceeded to Shrewsbury, and on sixth 
 day we had a comfortable meeting with them. We made our 
 home with the widow Elizabeth Williams, the iVth of the 
 month. The 18th, we went to Plainfield, and had a pretty full 
 favored meeting there the next day. After this meeting, I felt 
 easy to take my departure, to attend our own Yearly Meeting 
 at New York. We reached the city on the 21st, and the day 
 following, attended their mid-week meeting, and found I was 
 in my place, and general satisfaction I think was given. I lay 
 by until the Yearly Meeting came on, and attended all the sit- 
 tings, wherein business was conducted in harmony and conde- 
 scension, ending in the quiet. Sixth day, I met with my wife 
 in the city, and had her company through the Yearly Meeting, 
 and up the river as far as Troy. There she took land convey- 
 ance ; I kept to the water some miles further, and landed at 
 Stillwater, where a carriage came for me the same day, and 
 took me to Schaghticoke Point. My wife arrived there first, 
 and had appointed a meeting there for the day following. I 
 stayed and attended it with her, and was well satisfied with the 
 meeting. She went on for home. I had to wait for my car- 
 riage to come, which arrived at night the day she left me in 
 the morning. We started for Granville and arrived in good 
 
JOSEPH HOAG» 365 
 
 season. My wife had stopped on the way, and had appointed 
 a meeting, so that she got in but little before me ; and finding 
 their Monthly Meeting was coming on the next day but one, 
 we both stayed and attended it, and felt glad that we did. 
 Then quietly left for home, and arrived there the fore part of 
 6th month, 1833. 
 
 [From this time forward, there has been no further memoranda kept 
 by Joseph Hoag, of his travels, or rehgious exercises. Probably occa- 
 sioned by his inabihty to write, from advanced age, being in his 12d 
 year.] 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 [The following, is neatly vertabim what was delivered by our aged 
 Friend, Joseph Hoag, at the meeting referred to below, and has been 
 corroborated by the testimony of Starksboro Monthly Meeting, and other 
 reliable witnesses.] 
 
 In tlie Fall of tlie year, 1837, at Starksboro Monthly Meet- 
 ing, held at Lincoln, Vermont, Joseph Hoag, in a solemn and 
 impressive way, spoke at considerable length, of the severe tri- 
 als that Friends had passed through in many places, within 
 several Yearly Meetings, whilst this Monthly Meeting had been 
 preserved from the Hicksite ravages. He then adverted to the 
 doctrines, practices, self-denying and cross-bearing life of our 
 fore-fathers in the Truth ; to whom their peculiar testimonies 
 were as life to them, and brought them together to be one peo- 
 ple in religious fellowship. Far is this from that state of de- 
 lusion, brought painfully to view at this time, when professors 
 of our name, let loose the restraints of Gospel truths, and peace- 
 able practices that bound them together at first, and instead 
 thereof, be found, little by little to shun the cross, mingle more 
 and more with the world, in its ways of glitter, pride, wealth, 
 and supposed refinement, from primitive principles of a self- 
 denying, cross-bearing life, to one more in the will and wisdom 
 of the creatures, which seeks to change its own views, holding 
 to great pretentions of firmness and zeal and to former name and 
 action, to screen them from shame. From these, and causes 
 growing therefrom, this society will be brought into greater 
 trials than they have heretofore witnessed beginning at the 
 heads of the tribes, who have gone into spiritual pride, from 
 high stations down to the rear ranks, and Friends will be tried 
 
JOSEPH HO AG. 367 
 
 to a Hairs-breadth, brayed as in a Mortar, and sifted from sieve 
 to sieve ; yet a remnant will be preserved tbrough these trials. 
 I may not live to see it, but there are those who are in this 
 house that will — adding—" Friends, you may pen it down if you 
 please, as it will cause a greater split, than that we have passed 
 through." The solemnity attendant at that memorable time, is 
 still lively, in the remembrance of many then present. 
 
 [The following account of the travels and reUgious meetings attended 
 by Joseph Soag in Ohio and Indiana Yearly Meetings in 1840-41, was 
 kept by his kind Friend and companion, Job S. Collins, of Utica.] 
 
 They left Utica, the 6th of lih month, 1840, in a boat bound 
 for Buffalo, and arrived safe at Lockport, the lOtb ; dined at 
 Jesse P. Haine's. From thence to Mead Atwater's, put up 
 there, staid over first day, and attended their meeting held at 
 Lockport. From thence to Buffalo, where we took the steam- 
 boat for Huron, in Ohio, and landed there on the 15th. From 
 thence to Joseph Healy's, in Greenwich, twenty-eight miles, 
 where we arrived about noon. 1 Vth, attended an appointed meet- 
 ing there ; that meeting having been laid down in consequence 
 of improper management therein. After meeting we returned to 
 J. Healy's. 18th, Willis R. Smith took us in his carriage 
 thirty-two miles. We staid one night at A. Carey's. 19th, had 
 an appointed meeting two miles out of the village, called San* 
 dusky Meeting, after which, we staid the night at Benjamin 
 Carey's. Thence to Samuel Peasley's, and staid the night. 
 21st, attended Gilead Monthly Meeting. 22d, attended an ap- 
 pointed meeting at Westland. 23d, attended AUum Creek 
 Monthly Meeting, and put up at William Benedict's. 24th, in 
 company with Samuel Peasley, we started for Lewisburg, forty 
 miles distant. 25th, had an appointed meeting there, and rode 
 eight miles to Goshen ; staid at Martin Norraon's. 26th, attend- 
 ed their mid-week meeting. 27th, attended Westland meeting 
 held in the woods, the house not being large enough to hold the 
 people. After meeting, returned to Thomas Pjearson's, and staid 
 at his house. Samuel Peasley then returned home. 28th, we 
 started for Carmel, ten miles ; put up at Thomas Cowgill's. 9fch, 
 
368 JOURNAL OF 
 
 attended Carmel Meeting. SOtli, in company with Henry Pick- 
 erill, we started for Centre Quarterly Meeting, Warren county, 
 Ohio, fifty miles distant, and arrived at Nathaniel Carpenter*s, 
 where Joseph was taken sick and was not able to attend the 
 Quarterly Meeting. He remained sick about five weeks, his 
 life being often despaired of by his nurse and physician ; yet he 
 recovered his health so far as to be able to ride out. He then 
 gave out appointments for four meetings near each other, occa- 
 sioning seventeen miles travel. The last one being held at 
 
 Wilmington, near John M ^ where Joseph again lay sick two 
 
 weeks. When recovered, we went on to Turtle Creek Meeting. 
 From thence to Springfield Monthly Meeting, held 15th of 9th 
 month, 1840. It was an interesting meeting ; the young people 
 whose countenances bespoke innocence and integrity of heart, 
 were an ornament to their parents, and an encouraging pros- 
 pect to the society of Friends. 16th, we proceeded down the 
 Creek five or six miles, and attended a small meeting, held in 
 a brick Meeting house. iVth, we traveled to Harveysburg, and 
 attended their mid-week meeting; dined at Doct. Harvey's. 
 From thence we went 12 miles to Jonathan Johnson's, in 
 Wainsville. 18th, had an appointed meeting there ; thence 12 
 miles to Springborough ; on account of Joseph being sick, we 
 remained two weeks at Solomon Miller's, and were kindly en- 
 tertained by him and his wife, who arranged to accommodate 
 with their horse and carriage to attend several meetings at Su- 
 gar Creek and Springborough. In attending those meetings 
 we traveled fifteen miles. The 11th of 10th month, Jacob 
 Taylor took us to Cincinnati, to Ephraim Morgan's, where we 
 fell in company with Enos T. Robinson, from England, and 
 John Scott, from Maryland. 15th, we attended Cincinnati 
 Monthly Meeting. 16th, we started in a steamboat for Beaver 
 Falls, 500 miles up the river, where we landed the 21st, about 
 one o'clock at night. 22d, we took coach for New Brighton, 
 where I left Joseph at his son's, and returned home. 
 
 Fourth month, 8th, 1841, I left home in order to accompany 
 Joseph Hoag through the remaining part of his religious visit 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 369 
 
 to Ohio and Indiana Yearly Meetings. I arrived at Joseph D. 
 Hoag's, at Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, the 15th, 
 where I found my aged Friend in tolerable health for traveling. 
 18th, we took steamboat, for Pittsburg. 19th, took the boat 
 for Redstone, 60 miles; arrived there the 20th. 21st, attend- 
 ed their Preparative Meeting. 2 2d, (the first day of our aged 
 traveler's eightieth year,) rode 11 miles to Pike Run, had a 
 meeting there, and staid the night at Amos Grifiith's. Next 
 day after meeting rode six miles to Westland, and staid at 
 George Smith's. 24th, we had an appointed meeting there, 
 after which we dined at Mildred RadclifF's. 26th, returned to 
 Eli Haine's, at Redstone. 28th, attended their Select Monthly 
 Meeting. 29th, attended the Monthly Meeting. 30th, went 
 to Providence, and attended the Quarterly Meeting. 5th 
 month, 2d, attended Centre Meeting and staid the night after, 
 at John Lippincot's, returned to Providence, and put up at 
 Samuel Cope's. Third we arrived at Sewickley. 4th, had an 
 appointed meeting there. 5th, we went to Youghiogeny Riv- 
 er ; thence by boat to Pittsburg, 28 miles. Next morning took 
 steamboat for Wheeling, and arrived there that evening. 8th, 
 took coach for St. Clairsville. 9th, attended an appointed 
 meeting there, and went to Benjamin Vail's, at Plainfield. 10th, 
 attended meeting there. After which, John Yail went with us 
 to Stillwater ; we put up at our kind Friend, Benjamin Hoyle's, 
 11th, attended their Meeting. After which, our kind Friend, 
 Jacob Crew took us to his house, and on the 12th, took us to 
 the Ridge Meeting. 13th, attended Sommerton Meeting. 
 Thence attended meeting at Sunbury, Richland, Goshen, and 
 the Select Meeting at Stillwater. 23d, attended meeting at 
 Stillwater. 24th, attended Ridge Monthly Meeting. Thence re- 
 turned to Stillwater ; 30th, attended Pennsville meeting ; thence 
 to Chesterfield Meeting, which was large ; thence to Plymouth, 
 and had a meeting there on the 3d, and arrived at Cincinnati, 
 5th of 6th month, and attended meeting there the 6th. Then 
 had an appointed meeting at Elk. Thence to New Hope, and 
 attended meeting there. 10th, at Westfield Select Quarterly 
 
370 JOURNAL OF 
 
 Meeting, held at Salem. 11th, attended with the African Com- 
 mittee. 12th, attended Westfield Quarterly Meeting, where 
 Joseph was highly favored. 13th, attended their meeting, and 
 an appointed meeting at 3 o'clock, at Silver Greek. Thence 
 to Millborough — Joseph was favored at both the last meetings. 
 On second day, we attended meeting, at Poplar Ridge, which 
 was favored. 15th, had an appointed meeting at Orange. 
 Thence to Woodbury, and attended an appointed meeting 
 at Chester. 19th, at Dover; then to Concord, and New Gar- 
 den, on the 20th. 21st, at Newport. 22d, at Arby meeting. 
 23d, Cherry Grove. 24th, at Lynn. 25th, at Jericho. 26th 
 at White River. 2'7th, at Duck Creek, then to Sparrow Creek, 
 
 L Creek, Popple Run, West River, Springfield, Nettle 
 
 Creek, and attended Westbury meeting, the 4th of Vth month, 
 first day ; then to Flat Rock, Clear Spring, and the mid-week 
 meeting at Spiceland, on the 1th ; thence to Duck Creek, and 
 Elm Grove, which was fully attended. 10th, at Raysville, then 
 to Carthage, Walnut Ridge, Little Blue River, Sandy Creek, 
 Driftwood, Blue River, Beech Grove, Lick Creek, and Blue 
 River Quarterly Meeting, on the 25th and 26th. 30th, had an 
 appointed meeting at Hopewell. 31st, at Bethel, in Wayne 
 county, Indiana. 8th month, 1st, at Milford meeting; then to 
 West Grove, Fairfield, West Branch, Mill Creek, Concord, 
 Randolph and Mill Creek again. Then returned to Randolph. 
 13th, Joseph attended Waynesville Select Meeting. 14th and 
 15th, at Miami Quarterly Meeting. l7th, attended Mill Creek 
 Monthly Meeting, then to Union. 19th, at West Branch 
 Monthly Meeting. 20th, Joseph attended the Select Quarterly 
 Meeting. 21st, we attended the Quarterly Meeting at West 
 Branch, and on first day following, the public meeting. 25th, 
 attended Monthly Meeting at Richmond. Then to New Gar- 
 den Select Meeting and Quarterly Meeting. Next day attend- 
 tended the public meeting. Thence to Somerton, Beech Creek, 
 Oak Ridge, Deer Creek, Missineway, New Hope, and Centre 
 meeting. Then moved forward for Allum Creek Quarterly 
 Meeting, and on the way attended Carmel Preparative Meet- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 371 
 
 ing, Westland meeting, also a Select Preparative Meeting, and 
 Goslien Monthly Meeting. On the 23d of 9th month, attended 
 Allum Creek Quarterly Meeting, and after it we went to Wil- 
 liam Gidley's. We then attended Allum Creek, Gilead, and 
 Owl Creek meetings. Then accompanied by our kind Friend, 
 Birthday Cone, we passed on to Joseph Healey's, in Green- 
 wich, and attended that meeting. We arrived at Huron, the 
 2d of 10th month. Thence by steamboat to Buffalo, where we 
 arrived on the 3d. We then proceeded to Lockport and at- 
 tended an appointed meeting there on the 6th. The Tth, we 
 attended Farmington Quarterly Mee'ing for worship, and were 
 at Rochester, on first day, the 10th, arriving safely at Utica, 
 on the 15th. 
 
 The following account is given by Benjamin Taber, who took 
 Joseph Hoag from Utica to his own home : "On the 21st of 
 10th month we rode thirty-two miles, part of the way through 
 deep mirey roads. 22 d, we traveled to Gal way and lodged at 
 Caleb Palmer's. Seventh day, 23d, we rode thirty-two miles 
 to Isaac Mosher's in Queensbury, and attended that meeting on 
 first day, the 24th, and lodged with Caleb Dean. Second day 
 we went to Luzerne ; Uncle Joseph appointed a meeting there 
 for the next day at eleven o'clock; after it we returned to 
 Queensbury, and attended their mid-week meeting on fourth 
 day. We then attended four appointed meetings as follows : 
 Glenn's Falls, Nider, Gurney Settlement, and Kingsbury ; the 
 latter a crowded meeting in a school-house ; all of which were 
 seasons of favor, and spiritual refreshment ; especially the last 
 one among the Baptists, where the outward, shadowy, figura- 
 tive law was brought to view, and contrasted with the inward 
 and spiritual law of the spirit of life ; showing that as the for- 
 mer was but as the shadow, or figure of the substance, it must 
 decrease and give place, when the substance was brought ex- 
 perimentally and feelingly to the heart. Then as the former 
 decreased, the latter would increase — as it was practically abode 
 in — to that of perfection in holiness, in accordance with the 
 measure of the gift of the grace of God. It was a season of fa- 
 
372 ^ JOURNAL OF 
 
 vor to the people, and one to be remembered. One of tbeir 
 deacons was so far convinced tbat he left the Baptists, and has 
 been a pretty steady attender of Friends meetings ever since. 
 First day, the 31st, we were at Queensbury meeting. Truth 
 owned the testimonies delivered, and we were enabled to leave 
 them with peaceful enjoyment, which seemed to render our 
 journey pleasant to our homes. We traveled that afternoon 
 fourteen miles to Isaac Osborne's. Next day rode to Cornwell, 
 forty-three miles. Third day morning the 2d of 11th month, 
 we started very early, and rode twenty-four miles in season to 
 take refreshment before attending Ferrisburgh Select Prepara- 
 tive Meeting ; thence to Uncle's home." 
 
 As our beloved Friend Joseph Hoag, did not keep any ac- 
 count of the preceding journey himself, probably owing to his 
 advanced age and infirmities, the following will no doubt be in- 
 teresting to Friends generally. It appears by the records of 
 Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, Vermont, that he obtained a min- 
 ute of concurrence, to perform a religious visit to some parts of 
 Ohio, and nearly all the meetings in Indiana Yearly Meeting, 
 which was dated 4th month, 29th, 1840, which he returned 
 the 3d of 11th month, 1841, with returning minutes from West 
 Branch, Red Stone, and several other Quarterly Meetings, with 
 a large number from different Monthly Meetings, all expressive 
 of his company and gospel labors being satisfactory ; except one, 
 which expressed that his company and deportment were satis- 
 factory. 
 
 After his return home in the 11th month, 1841, he attended 
 the Yearly Meeting in New York, in 1842, and nearly all the 
 meetings in Ferrisburg Quarter. Having obtained a minute of 
 concurrence from Ferrisburg Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, 
 the former dated the 3d of 8th month, 1842, to perform a re- 
 ligious visit to the meetings of Friends within the limits of In- 
 diana Yearly Meeting, he left home, in company with Samuel 
 Peasley and wife, and Johanna Worth, in the 9th month, 1842. 
 He afterwards visited most of the meetings within Indiana 
 Yearly Meeting, extending as far west as Iowa, where he spent 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 373 
 
 a considerable portion of one winter, with his son Joseph D. 
 who had recently removed there. He returned back to Wil- 
 lis and Ann Smith's, at Greenwich, Ohio, from whom the fol- 
 lowing account has been received. 
 
 " We think it was in the latter part of 1th. month, 1844, that 
 Joseph Hoag came to our house, being desirous to go to Lake 
 Erie to embark for home. He mentioned, that though he was 
 preparing to return, there was a cloud before him, and that he 
 could not see his way clear ; yet said, we might prepare a car- 
 riage for him to start the next morning. He got up in the 
 morning, and went to the door to go out and wash (not suffer- 
 ing water to be brought to him), and fell from the door on the 
 ground. He was raised on his feet, and still persisted in the 
 attempt to wash his face and head, but growing faint, was 
 helped into the house. We attempted to lay him on the bed, 
 but it gave him so much pain, he was placed in an easy chair, 
 in which he remained, (though sometimes raised upon his feet) 
 for more than two weeks, without a murmur or a groan that we 
 ever heard. After he w^s able to converse, he said that he now 
 saw the cause of the cloud that was placed before him ; that 
 his Master required it of him to go to a Monthly Meeting, 
 which he named, to assist a remnant of that meeting, who were 
 borne down by the other part, and said, that if his Master 
 raised him up, he should return ; which he did on his recovery, ' 
 to his satisfaction, as he expressed when he came back to our 
 place. And also said, now he thought his work was nearly 
 done, that his Master would send him of no more errands ; and 
 appeared cheerful. During his confinement at our house, he 
 frequently expressed his concern for the Society of Friends ; 
 also, that he believed there was coming a more trying time to 
 Friends than they had ever known, because the old dragon 
 was about, and had already in some places, turned himself into 
 the appearance of an angel of light, and would draw many stars, 
 yea many who had been bright stars, to the earth, by his fine 
 speeches — but that he believed there would be a remnant, 
 that would be preserved, though in the furnace of affliction, and 
 
374 JOURNAL OF 
 
 that this remnant would grow, and eventually fill the earth; 
 Many, very many, were the times he expressed a concern for 
 some of his own family, who were in high standing, and had 
 known the time when they spoke tremblingly ; then they were 
 on good ground, but now he feared for them. Often would he 
 
 exclaim, * O, poor , thou thinkest thou art rich and 
 
 strong ; but if thou only knew thy nakedness, thou wouldst sit 
 in sack cloth and ashes.' We could fill many sheets with his 
 expressions whilst confined, but perhaps this may sufl^ice. We 
 know that some here and at other places say, he was childish, 
 but we believe, he was a strong man in the Lord." 
 
 It appears from the records of Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, 
 that he returned the forementioned minute the 28th of 8th 
 month, 1844, with returning minutes from Indiana Yearly 
 Meeting, from Western, Blue River, and White Lick Quarterly 
 Meetings, with a large number from different Monthly Meet- 
 ings, expressive of his company and gospel labors while among 
 them, being satisfactory. 
 
 The following was taken down in his own words, by his 
 daughter, the late Hannah H. Battey : " I attended the Yearly 
 Meeting in New York, in 1845, which to me was a painful, dis- 
 tressing time, especially some of the sittings ; though unable to 
 hear one word that was spoken in meetings, I believe I was not 
 void of a true sense of the present situation of our Society. I 
 
 was in company with , and , they carried high 
 
 heads and lofty looks, and appeared in high spirits. There 
 was a great deal of conversation ; I could not hear it, but I felt 
 it, and it distressed me. I found by inquiry that I was not 
 mistaken as to the subjects conversed upon. I mused often up- 
 on my present as well as former feelings, respecting the situa- 
 tion of the Society in New England Yearly Meeting, particu- 
 larly their treatment of John Wilbur. Sometimes I would say 
 to myself, am I deceived, or am I not ? They do not tell me 
 much about it, but I cannot get rid of the impression that he 
 has been, not only a sufferer, but a deeply injured man, and 
 
JOSEPH HQAG. 375 
 
 that by false brethren. If so, will not one be raised up to plead 
 his cause, or defend him in this day of trial 2 " 
 
 The following information is obtained from the records of 
 Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting. 
 
 *'0n the 26tli of 2d month, 1845, our aged Friend Joseph 
 Hoag, obtained a minute to perform a religious visit to Friends 
 and others, in the western and northern parts of Ferrisburg 
 Quarterly Meeting ; which he accomplished in the 6th and 7th 
 months following. 
 
 He also obtained a minute on the 1st of 10th month, 1845, 
 to pay a religious visit in some places in the compass of Sara- 
 toga Quarterly Meeting; which it appears he was enabled 
 mostly to perform. 
 
 These appear to be his last religious visits with minutes. He 
 attended New York Yearly Meeting, in 1846. 
 
 9th MONTH, 6th, 1846. 
 
 It is with painful feelings that I believe it is encumbent on 
 me to cause to be placed on paper a pretty full and explicit ac- 
 count of some conversation of mine, which took place at New 
 York, in the time of our last Yearly Meeting, in consequence of 
 reports getting into extensive circulation, very different from 
 my understanding, or my intention to convey ; I have there- 
 fore requested Amos Battey, to act as scribe for me. 
 
 I put up at Mahlon Day's, where -, an aged Friend 
 
 — who had long been in good standing as a member of our So- 
 ciety, but had latterly taken a decided stand with the larger 
 body in New England — also put up, who showed great respect 
 for me. Conversation by different persons was often started, as 
 I thought, to get my sentiments in regard to the present exist- 
 ing troubles in our Society ; and when pressed pretty close, I 
 generally answered [in this way : I think I see an unhallowed 
 fire on both sides, and it all comes out of one focus. By this 
 unhallowed fire, I meant the heat I discovered in different in- 
 dividuals on both sides, in conversing oi^the subjects. And I 
 said, if you will quarrel and divide, I do not see but I shall be 
 
376 JOURNAL OF 
 
 left alone, for I have no unity with these fires that all come out 
 of one focus ; for I did not come here to be busied about the 
 concerns of another country, and another Yearly Meeting, out 
 of doors, where they cannot decide or settle anything, but get 
 into a heat, and sometimes censure ; if this is not a strange 
 fire, I do not know what to call it. I said this to show them 
 my views, for I am not a party man, but one who wishes to 
 stand firm to the ancient principles, as held by our early 
 Friends. 
 
 But to proceed. I was much noticed by . I had 
 
 considerable conversation, in which I brought to view a num- 
 ber of events, which had taken place since the first gathering 
 of our Society, in which there had been a defect, not only in 
 regard to the right and faithful support of the discipline, but 
 
 also in regard to doctrine. I told , I had never altered my 
 
 sentiments that I was sensible of, one hair's breadth, through 
 all the Hicksite concern, nor in this ; for when I was fully con- 
 vinced of our ancient principles, I was as fully convinced of the 
 propriety and right of our discipline, and Church government 
 
 of our forefathers. with a smile, answered, " I never 
 
 thought thou, had." By this time, all were gone out of the 
 
 room but , and myself, and I supposed out of hearing. 
 
 We both sat silent awhile. It was in my mind, to teli him 
 what I saw in the meeting on second day afternoon. I sat and 
 mused, until much of its lively feeling was lost. This made me 
 think more seriously, and it returned with equal clearness. I 
 still mused, until it seemed to me like the blaze of a candle 
 nearly gone out, and I felt not as I wanted to. I began to 
 
 think I almost wished I had let have it, but it came again 
 
 with increased clearness. I turned to him and said, " I have a 
 mind to tell thee, what appeared to me as I sat in meeting." 
 He said, " I am willing to hear it." I then said, "It opened 
 to me in the clearness, that many of the leaders of our Society, 
 (meaning our Yearly Meeting as then being held) were in dan- 
 ger of running into ranterism, and not know it ; and it would 
 be in this way; in speaking to business, which every con- 
 
JOSEPH HOAG. 3Y7 
 
 Cerned member has a right to do, and to give their reasons 
 therefor, if need requires ; but there is a class that will do all 
 this, and then take up more time in preaching in favor of their 
 sentiments, and sometimes double the time. The Ministry is 
 a pure gift, and ought not to be mixed with other matters. 
 Elias Hicks practiced in that way for many years, and see what 
 he came to ; and several others in my day have very much run 
 down, and some entirely out. Alter informing him, that I 
 told him this for him to remember, for I thought I should not 
 live to see the effects that would follow, in consequence of that 
 spirit spreading, but L thought he would ; here the discourse 
 stopped for that time. 
 
 In the course of the next day I was sitting alone ; 
 
 came and sat by me, and in the appearance of much solidity, 
 said, he had thought much of our conversation, that we had the 
 day previous. He proposed for me to read and sign a paper, 
 which he had written on the subject. I declined, as I could 
 not well read strange hand-writing, and my hand trembled so, 
 that I had not pretended to write in some time. He 
 then read it to me. He had got a long preface to it, 
 so that I concluded I should not put my hand to it. I 
 made no remark to him, but I thought he seemed unwilling to 
 give it up ; yet all the time he carried the idea that the sub- 
 ject had so impressed his mind that he felt most easy to write 
 it, to lay by and keep, as a testimony, to have recourse to in a 
 future day. I had no thought that he had any other object in 
 view, and I consented for him to put my name to what I had 
 said, which he had asked the privilege of; but in looking it 
 
 over, I grew uneasy and took aside, and told him in 
 
 substance, that if he kept that paper, he must draft it off; and 
 the preface that he had written, put at the head of the sheet, 
 and strike a black mark across the sheet and put his own name 
 to it as the author ; then under it thou mayest write what I said 
 on the subject, but put it in the same words as near as thou pos- 
 sibly canst, and to that thou mayest put my name, and under my 
 name I want thee to put a note, that I also observed, that there is 
 24 
 
378 JOURNAL OJ- 
 
 a class that would be careful, neither to meddle, fior move, only 
 as they see in the clear light of the Lord, was required by 
 Him ; and when they had done their duty, leave it all to the 
 Lord, keeping their eye single to Him, and no where else. 
 These will be preserved to the end, for He always had a people 
 and always will ; and it is this class only that the Lord always 
 owned and kept, and always will, while He remains to be an 
 unchangeable God. 
 
 After this I turned to , and told him, "I see my 
 
 mental faculties are failing, and should I be drawn off from the 
 Truth, as Hugh Judge was, and thus bring a reproach upon 
 the Truth, then let this all be put in oblivion, that it never be 
 known that such a writing ever was ; " which he appeared to 
 assent to cheerfiilly. Joseph Hoag. 
 
 Neither had he assented to any writing understandingly, 
 which might carry a different meaning to the foregoing. And 
 as he wished us to be witnesses, we have hereunto set our 
 hands. 
 
 Ruth Battey, William C. Battey, 
 
 Lydia Worth, Louisa Battey, 
 
 Nicholas Battey, Thankful Battey. 
 
 As the subjects alluded to in the following vision, are of gen- 
 eral interest, and much expression having been given in favor 
 of its being appended to this journal, it is concluded to do so : 
 
 " In the year 1803, probably in the eighth or ninth month, I 
 was one day alone in the fields, and observed that the sun 
 shone clear, but that a mist eclipsed the brightness of its shi- 
 ning. 
 
 As I peflected upon the singularity of the event, my mind 
 was struck into a silence, the most solemn I ever remember to 
 have witnessed, for it seemed as if all my faculties were laid 
 low, and unusually brought into deep silence. I said to my- 
 self, * what can all this mean 1 I do not recollect ever before 
 to have been sensible of such feelings.' And I heard a voice 
 from hfeaven say, * This that thou seest, which dims the bright^ 
 
JOSEPH HOAO. 379 
 
 Mess of the sun, is a sign of the present and coming times. I 
 took the forefathers of this country from a land of oppression ; 
 I planted them here among the people of the forest. I sus- 
 tained them, and while they were humble, I blessed them 
 and fed them, and they became a numerous people : but 
 they have now become proud and lifted up, and have for- 
 gotten Me, who nourished and protected them in the wilder- 
 ness, and are running into every abomination and evil practice 
 of which the old countries are guilty ; and I have taken quie- 
 tude from the land, and suffered a dividing spirit to come 
 among them. Lift up thine eyes and behold,' And I saw 
 them dividing in great heat. This division began in the Church 
 upon points of doctrine. It commenced in the Presbyterian 
 Society, and went through the various religious denominations, 
 and in its progress and close, the effect was nearly the same ; 
 those who dissented, went off with high heads and taunting 
 language ; and those who kept to their organized sentiments, 
 appeared exercised and sorrowful. And when this dividing 
 spirit entered the Society of Friends, it raged in as high a de- 
 gree as any I had before discovered, and as before, those who 
 separated, went with lofty looks and taunting, censuring lan- 
 guage ; those who kept to their ancient principles, retired by 
 themselves. 
 
 It next appeared in the Lodges of the Free Masons, and it 
 broke out in appearance like a volcano, inasmuch as it set the 
 country in an uproar for a length of time. Then it entered 
 politics throughout the United States, and did not stop, until 
 it produced a civil war, and an abundance of human blood was 
 shed in the course of the combat. The Southern States lost their 
 power, and Slavery was annihilated from their borders. Then 
 a Monarchical power arose — took the Government of the States 
 — established a national religion, and made all Societies tribu- 
 tary to support its expenses. I saw them take property from 
 Friends to a large amount. I was amazed at beholding all 
 this, and heard a voice proclaim, ' this Power shall not always 
 stand, but with this Power I will chastise my Church until they 
 
380 JOURNAL OF 
 
 return to the faithfulness of their forefathers. Thou seest what 
 is coming on thy native land for their iniquity, and the blood 
 of Africa ; the remembrance of which has come up before me. 
 This Vision is yet for many days." 
 
 I had no idea of writing it down for many years, until it be- 
 came such a burden, that for my own relief I have written it. 
 
 Joseph Hoag." 
 
A TESTIMONY 
 
 OF STARKSBORO MONTHLY MESTIwa OF FRIENDS, CONCERNING 
 OUR BELOVED FRIEND, 
 JOSEPH HOAG, DECEASED. 
 
 The subject of this memoir was the eldest child of Elijah 
 and Phebe Hoag, and was born the 22d of 4th month, 1T62. 
 He very early in life manifested an inclination to sobriety, and 
 the steady attendance of religious meetings ; often feeling his 
 mind tendered and his understanding enlarged, he became de- 
 sirous of living an upright and holy life ; yet being of a quick 
 and unstable disposition, he often fell short of the fulfillment 
 of those good resolutions, and the convictions he felt for these, 
 his short comings, at times caused him to weep, and promise 
 amendment of life ; thus several of his juvenile years were 
 
 At intervals he was in an uncommon degree permitted to 
 partake of the incomes of heavenly intelligence, which unfolded 
 to his mind things of a deep spiritual nature. It was an 
 early period when he witnessed a clear evidence that he should 
 be called to the work of the ministry, and was shown the re- 
 gions of misery and woe, with people traveling thither ; the 
 awfulness of this view caused him for a time to refrain from 
 wrong habits ; he was also permitted to have a view of the heav- 
 enly host, with a warning to repent, yet after these clear open- 
 ings, when the time arrived for him to engage in the service 
 pointed out by his Divine Master, he was unfaithful and diso- 
 
382 TESTIMONY. 
 
 bedient ; soon the tendering influences of heavenly goodness 
 became much elffaced, his mind alienated from the source of 
 all good, and by listening to the insinuations of the enemy of 
 man's happiness, he was left to doubt the truths of the Gospel, 
 and embrace infidelity ; while thus wandering from the fold of 
 Christ, it pleased his Heavenly Father, in mercy to send a 
 faithful servant, who was enabled to open unto him his condi- 
 tion and the doubts of his mind, closing his testimony in this 
 moving language : "7%a« Jesus whom thou hast denied, hath 
 opened unto me thy state and condition." This so wrought 
 upon his mind that he became penitent even unto tears. 
 
 The enemy then endeavored to make him believe that he 
 never should arrive at a state of acceptance, tempting him to 
 give up all hope. His afflictions under these besetments were 
 great for some time, when the same minister was qualified to 
 show him that this also was the work of the enemy, with more 
 of a comfortmg nature. Being thus again encouraged, he re- 
 signed himself to the disposal of the Great Head of the Church, 
 and came forward in his first appearance in the ministry not 
 far from his eighteenth year, to the peace of his hitherto op- 
 pressed and afflicted soul. 
 
 For this change in his manner of life, he had much to en- 
 dure from his former associates in folly, and found it necessary 
 for him to withdraw from their company. 
 
 The enemy still continued to follow him with his insinua- 
 tions, endeavoring to make him believe that the continued calls 
 to come forward in the ministry were not from the right source ; 
 in this season of conflict and trial, he covenanted with the 
 Lord, if he would send a servant unacquainted with his condi- 
 tion, to tell him he was rightly called, he would endeavor to be 
 faithful. The Lord condescended to answer his desire, delega- 
 ting one of his servants to inform him that his call was right, 
 and to speak comfortably to him, encouraging him to faithful- 
 ness. Yet after having his request thus granted, he still hesi- 
 tated, greatly abhorring a false ministry, and desired that his 
 life might be taken as an acceptable sacrifice in lieu of the ser- 
 
TESTIMONY. 383 
 
 vice. The Lord showed him that no other sacrifice except that 
 of His own appointment would be acceptable, and that he had 
 not kept his covenant after the desired confirmation had been 
 granted. Being sensible of his disobedience, he once more re- 
 solved to serve the Lord faithfully, and henceforward his ap- 
 pearances in the ministry were more often ; this was near his 
 nineteenth year. 
 
 In the fell of 1782 he was married to Huldah Case (who 
 had also acceptably appeared in the ministry.) Although their 
 circumstances were rather limited, he gave up to apprehended 
 duty, visiting in the love of the Gospel the neighboring meet- 
 ings, and at times some more remote ; these little services were 
 acceptable to his friends, and they officially approved of his 
 ministry about five years from his first appearance. 
 
 In 1789 or 90, with the approbation of his friends, he re- 
 moved with his family from his native place (Dutchess County, 
 N. Y.,) and settled in Charlotte, Vermont, then a new country, 
 where there were but few Friends, and they remotely situated. 
 Here he continued to reside the rest of his days. In his new 
 location he felt drawn forth in the work of the ministry, hold- 
 ing religious meetings in many places ; thus was he made an 
 instrument in the Lord's hand in gathering people to the Truth, 
 so that in process of time, with the increase of Friends from 
 other places, several meetings were established in those parts, 
 in which he continued to labor, under the pointings of Truth, 
 as a faithful watchman, through his long and useful life, to the 
 edification of many. Neither were his labors in Truth's ser- 
 vice confined to these, but several times he traveled more ex- 
 tensively, and on the 5th of 1st month, 1801, left his own hab- 
 itation to perform a religious visit through New England Year- 
 ly Meeting, extending it to Nova Scotia and other British 
 Provinces ; having to travel some parts of this lengthy journey 
 two or three times over, it occupied upward of one and a half 
 years in the prime of life. 
 
 For several years after his return, being often out of health, 
 he traveled but little, and that within his own Yearjy Meeting, 
 
384 TESTIMONY. 
 
 although it appears he spent considerable time in labors of love 
 between that time and the year 1812 ; and again in 1816, he 
 visited nearly all the meetings of Friends in Pennsylvania, Ma- 
 ryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and some parts of 
 Tennessee, appointing some meetings amongst those not of our 
 Society. In the two last visits he spent about twenty-eight 
 months ; many and deep were his baptisms, increased in con- 
 sequence of that system of oppression which prevails in the 
 southern portion of these United States. Yet endeavoring to 
 follow the pointings of his Heavenly Leader, he experienced 
 many preservations, and the incomes of sweet peace to bis 
 mind. After this he performed a visit of five months within 
 his own Yearly Meeting, and on the 6th of 11th month, 1823, 
 he left home to visit the northern and western part of New 
 York, Ohio, Indiana, and some parts of North Carolina, Yearly 
 Meetings. In this, as in several previous similar engagements, 
 ho felt constrained to travel some parts over the second time. 
 Humbling as these requirements were, they afforded the re- 
 ward of peace ; 7,600 miles were traveled in a few days short 
 of 21 months. 
 
 Previous to the separation which took place in 1828, his 
 spirit was often brought into deep religious exercise, in behold- 
 ing the introduction of a spirit of disbelief and misrule, and the 
 inroads that were being made in the Society, through the in- 
 fluence of an unsound ministry. He as a faithful watchman 
 upon the walls of Zion, gave warning of the approaching dan- 
 ger, and took an early opportunity with the principal leader in 
 the defection, pointing out to him the unsoundness of his min^ 
 istry, and the tendency of his course to spread disaifection in 
 the Society ; nor did he rest satisfied without extending his la- 
 bors to others, boldly maintaining the testimonies of Truth. 
 For his faithful adherence to the ancient principles and order of 
 Society, he endured much contumely and scorn. Being one 
 of the committee to assist subordinate meetings in their tried 
 situation after the separation, his time was much taken up ^^ 
 that service the remainder of the year. 
 
TESTIMONY. 385 
 
 The following year he performed a general visit through the 
 southern part of the Yearly Meeting, and has since acknowl- 
 edged that he had not at any time of life witnessed more of 
 the overshadowing influence of heavenly help. 
 
 In his 70th year he felt drawn to make a general visit 
 through New England Yearly Meeting, and left home for that 
 purpose in 5th month, 1831, returning in about ten months. 
 It appears that this journey was attended with many deep bap- 
 tisms of spirit ; being shown the situation of society in those 
 parts as he traveled from place' to place, he discovered writings 
 in circulation containing sentiments at variance with the estab- 
 lished doctrines of our religious Society. After leaving the 
 southern part of that Yearly Meeting he believed it required of 
 him to return to Providence and labor with one in high stand- 
 ing, who was endeavoring to produce a change in the manner 
 of doing much of the business of that meeting, insinuating that 
 it could be better done by a committee empowered with au- 
 thority than by the meeting itself. "I labored faithfully," says 
 he, "with the individual, to convince him of the bad consequen- 
 ces of such a course, and that it would eventually scatter and 
 divide Society." He also labored in public and private to con- 
 vince Friends of the impropriety of suffering those unsound 
 writings to be spread amongst them, expressing that if they 
 were circulated within the compass of that meeting they would 
 produce a schism. Thus we find this servant of the Lord at an 
 early period, contending against those doctrinal innovations, 
 which have since those days extended through most places in 
 Society, laying waste its principles and changing its order. 
 
 After this he was favored, to the satisfaction of his Friends, 
 and we doubt not to the peace of his own mind, to perform 
 quite lengthy visits, one in 1832, and one in 1840 and '41 ; and 
 again in 9th month, 1842, in his 81st year, under the infirmi- 
 ties of age, he left home, visiting most of the meetings in Indi- 
 ana Yearly Meeting, extending his visit to Iowa. Whilst out 
 on religious visits, especially in his advanced age^ he was seve- 
 ral times reduced to so low a state of health that doubts were 
 
386 TESTIMONY. 
 
 entertained of his recovery, and in the last visit, having return- 
 ed to Greenwich, Ohio, (in the summer of 1843) thinking to 
 embark for his own residence, although he expressed to the 
 Friends where he was staying, that there was a cloud before 
 him, he was suddenly taken ill and confined for some time, not 
 able to rest on a bed for more than two weeks. Upon his re- 
 covery, he found it required of him to return, and assist an op- 
 pressed remnant in a certain Monthly Meeting; this service 
 being performed, he returned to the same Friend's house, and 
 appeared cheerful, expressing his belief that his work was near- 
 ly done. He performed but few, and these but short, visits af- 
 ter his return. During the aforesaid confinement in Ohio, he 
 manifested deep anxiety, not only for some of his own family, 
 then in high standing, but for the Society at large, under the 
 conviction that there was a more trying time coming than 
 Friends had before known, expressing his belief that many 
 stars — ^yea, many that had been bright stars, would be drawn 
 to the earth, through the transformings of the evil one, yet he 
 was decided in the belief that a remnant would be preserved. 
 
 Inasmuch as we have oft-times been favored with the pleas- 
 ant company, the cheerful conversation, and the deep search- 
 ing ministry of our worthy Friend, we are concerned to give 
 forth this testimony respecting him, although he was not a 
 member of this meeting. 
 
 Being a man of good understanding, and having a retentive 
 memory, and a mind seasoned with grace, his conversation was 
 truly instructive, and his services for the maintenance of good or- 
 der in the Society, were very useful. As an experienced father 
 in the Church, he was tender and affectionate to the young and 
 inexperienced, watching over them for their good, with desires 
 that they might be gathered into the fold of Christ, and under 
 the teachings of His Spirit come to a full understanding of that 
 which pertains to their growth in grace and the saving knowl- 
 edge of Jesus Christ. But to those who were disposed to 
 slight the counsel of their Friends, reject the witness for truth 
 in their own breasts, and to set at naught or trample under 
 
TESTIMONY. 38*7 
 
 foot the order of society, he was clothed with the spirit of 
 judgment, and authority to place it upon them. 
 
 But perhaps of all the qualifications with which a wise Prov- 
 idence had endowed him, he appeared most conspicuous in the 
 gift of the ministry and the spirit of prophecy. Often was he 
 qualified to enter with great clearness into the state of individ- 
 uals and meetings. We are able to call to memory certain oc- 
 casions, when, in obedience to his Heavenly Leader, he came 
 amongst us, and in the authority of the Gospel disclosed things 
 known to but very few ; and divers are the occurrences, when 
 in the vision of light, he was led to announce the near approach 
 of death, in some instances that it would be sudden — no time 
 given on a bed of languishing. 
 
 Many among us can recur to testimonies delivered by him, 
 wherein he was permitted to see, yea, rather was shown and 
 was authorized to depict with much clearness, what would take 
 place in the Society. At one time (about the year 1838) he 
 expressed that a separation on account of doctrine would take 
 place in that meeting, (Ferrisburg Quarter) and feeling full 
 confidence in the opening, in the authority of Truth, remarked, 
 "Friends, you may pencil it down if you please." The falfill- 
 ment of these predictions is an evidence that his authority was 
 from Him who knoweth all things, and can see the end from 
 the beginning. Neither did he expect that these troubles in 
 Society would be confined to a small place, for he as a faithful 
 shepherd had watched with sorrow the diff'asion of sentiments, 
 inimical to the principles of Friends, the effect of which would 
 be to produce discord and disruption in many parts of the So- 
 ciety. He attended the Yearly Meeting in 1845, and again in 
 1846, both of which were to his experienced mind seasons of 
 deep exercise, under the belief that things were carried in a 
 wrong channel, although unable to hear what was said. Truly 
 his spiritual vision was yet clear, and that ear, long acquainted 
 with the voice of the True Shepherd, was open to His teach- 
 ings. 
 
 He believed it right to keep, by writing, some account of the 
 
388 TESTIMONY. 
 
 religious services and exercises that he from time to time had 
 passed through in his pilgrimage, but from negligence or the 
 infirmities of age, it was with great difficulty he could use the 
 pen ; and he had omitted, for some years, to continue the ac- 
 count. 
 
 Feeling uneasy in regard to these omissions, he, at the sug- 
 gestion of his wife, in the summer of 1845, brought his writings 
 within the limits of this meeting, for assistance in taking down 
 additional accounts and the regulation of some partially done, 
 and feeling easy with their present location, he placed them 
 the following winter, by writing, in the hands of two of our 
 members with instructions not to suff^ them, after his decease, 
 to fall into the hands of any who wotilMeslroy or cause them 
 to pass into oblivion, or into the hands of any persons who have 
 supported, or who may support either Elias Hicks or Joseph 
 John Gurney, or advocate either of their peculiar tenets, feeling 
 an assurance that some parts of them are in opposition to the 
 doctrines propogated by the former, and many of those writ- 
 ten by the latter. He farther requested that if it became nec- 
 essary, by reason of death or otherwise, to place them with 
 some other person, that those who witnessed "this procedure" 
 the survivor or survivors of them, should place them in the 
 hands of some sound, substantial Friend or Friends. 
 
 His remained to be a tribulated path ; he was censured for 
 his faithful opposition to those unsound views, and the misrule 
 in support of them which were agitating Society on the one 
 hand, and on the other frequent were the reports that he had 
 changed his views respecting them ; on being informed of the 
 latter, he requested that when such statements were made, they 
 might be contradicted on his behalf; at onetime when inform- 
 ed of these reports being much spread abroad, he showed deep 
 regret that such efforts should be used to make him appear dif- 
 ferent from what he was, and wept at the injustice done him. 
 
 The last time he attended this meeting was about the 1st of 
 0th month, 1846. Having endeavored to place on paper some 
 statementstoleaveasa testimony in refutation of the many incor- 
 
TESTIMONY. ^ 380 
 
 rect reports relative to a change in his views in regard to what 
 was transpiring in Society, he came amongst us to obtain some 
 assistance, that they might appear more legible than he could 
 make them. This being accomplished, he expressed that he 
 now felt satisfied with his writings, and easy to leave them, and 
 soon returned to his own habitation, and finished his course on 
 the 2 1st of 1 1th month following, in his 85th year. During hia 
 last illness, of about five weeks continuance, he conversed but 
 little, though at times observations dropped from his lips deep- 
 ly instructive. A few days before his close, he took an afiec- 
 tionate leave of his wife and other relatives present. 
 
 From the knowledge we have of this dear Friend and the 
 course he pursued. Me feel safe in asserting that through the 
 different changes anj trials which have befallen our religious 
 Society in his fbie, he adhered to its ancient doctrines, and was 
 opposed to all and every innovation upon them. Truly it may 
 be said, he "fought the good fight, he kept the faith," and hav- 
 ing finished his course, has doubtless received a crown of glory 
 that fadeth not away. 
 
 Signed on behalf of Starksboro Monthly Meeting, held the 
 4th of 3d month, 1853. James Harkness, ) fjigj.;u.g 
 
 Susannah Hoag, ) 
 
 The foregoing Memorial, from Starksboro Monthly Meeting, 
 concerning our beloved Friend, Joseph Hoag, deceased, was 
 read in this meeting, and after mature deliberation was approv- 
 ed and directed to the Meeting for Sufferings, having the wo- 
 men's concurrence therein. 
 
 Signed by direction of Ferrisburg Quarterly Meeting of 
 Friends, held at Starksboro the 5th of 5th month, 1853, 
 
 by Amos Battey, Clerk. 
 

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