Chapter II第二章

1743-17481743-1748

His first Journey, on a Religious Visit, in East Jersey— Thoughts on Merchandising, and Learning a Trade— Second Journey into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina— Third Journey through part of West and East Jersey— Fourth Journey through New York and Long Island, to New England— And his fifth Journey to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the Lower Counties on Delaware.他的第一次宗教探访旅程，前往东泽西；关于经商与学手艺的思考；第二次旅程，前往宾夕法尼亚、马里兰、弗吉尼亚和北卡罗来纳；第三次旅程，经过西泽西和东泽西的一部分；第四次旅程，经过纽约和长岛，前往新英格兰；第五次旅程，前往马里兰东岸和特拉华下县。

My esteemed friend Abraham Farrington being about to make a visit to Friends on the eastern side of this province, and having no companion, he proposed to me to go with him; and after a conference with some elderly Friends I agreed to go. We set out on the 5th of ninth month, 1743; had an evening meeting at a tavern in Brunswick, a town in which none of our Society dwelt; the room was full, and the people quiet. Thence to Amboy, and had an evening meeting in the court-house, to which came many people, amongst whom were several members of Assembly, they being in town on the public affairs of the province. In both these meetings my ancient companion was engaged to preach largely in the love of the gospel. Thence we went to Woodbridge, Rahway, and Plainfield, and had six or seven meetings in places where Friends’ meetings are not usually held, chiefly attended by Presbyterians, and my beloved companion was frequently strengthened to publish the word of life amongst them. As for me, I was often silent through the meetings, and when I spake it was with much care, that I might speak only what truth opened. My mind was often tender, and I learned some profitable lessons. We were out about two weeks.我所敬重的朋友亚伯拉罕·法林顿准备去探访本省东部的教友；他没有同行伙伴，便提议我同去。我同几位年长教友商量之后，同意前往。我们于一七四三年第九月五日出发；晚上在布伦瑞克一家客栈举行聚会。那城里没有我们教会的人居住；房间坐满了人，众人都很安静。随后到安博伊，晚上在法院举行聚会，来了许多人，其中有几位议会议员，因为他们正为本省公共事务在城中。 在这两次聚会中，我年长的同伴都蒙感动，以福音之爱充分讲道。此后我们去了伍德布里奇、拉威和平原镇，在一些通常不举行教友会聚会的地方开了六七次聚会，参加者多为长老会信徒；我亲爱的同伴常常得着力量，在他们中间宣讲生命之道。至于我，在聚会中常常沉默；我说话时也极其谨慎，只愿说真理所开启的。我的心常常柔软，也学到一些有益的功课。我们在外约两周。

Near this time, being on some outward business in which several families were concerned, and which was attended with difficulties, some things relating thereto not being clearly stated, nor rightly understood by all, there arose some heat in the minds of the parties, and one valuable friend got off his watch. I had a great regard for him, and felt a strong inclination, after matters were settled, to speak to him concerning his conduct in that case; but being a youth, and he far advanced in age and experience, my way appeared difficult; after some days’ deliberation, and inward seeking to the Lord for assistance, I was made subject, so that I expressed what lay upon me in a way which became my youth and his years; and though it was a hard task to me it was well taken, and I believe was useful to us both.大约在这时候，我因一些外在事务同几家人有所往来；这些事务带着困难，相关情况有些没有说明清楚，也未被众人正确理解，于是当事各方心中生出一些激烈情绪，一位很有价值的朋友一时失去警醒。我很尊重他；事情解决以后，我强烈感到应当就他在此事中的举止同他说话。可是我还年轻，而他年岁和经验都远在我之上，这条路在我看来很难。 经过几天思量，并在内心寻求主的帮助之后，我被带到顺服之中，于是以一种合乎我年轻身份、也合乎他年岁的方式，说出了压在我心上的话。虽然这对我是一件艰难的事，他却善意接受；我相信这对我们二人都有益。

Having now been several years with my employer, and he doing less in merchandise than heretofore, I was thoughtful about some other way of business, perceiving merchandise to be attended with much cumber in the way of trading in these parts.我这时已经同雇主相处多年，而他经营商品买卖已不像从前那么多；我便思考别的谋生方式，因为我看见在这些地方经商交易伴随着许多烦累。

My mind, through the power of truth, was in a good degree weaned from the desire of outward greatness, and I was learning to be content with real conveniences, that were not costly, so that a way of life free from much entanglement appeared best for me, though the income might be small. I had several offers of business that appeared profitable, but I did not see my way clear to accept of them, believing they would be attended with more outward care and cumber than was required of me to engage in. I saw that an humble man, with the blessing of the Lord, might live on a little, and that where the heart was set on greatness, success in business did not satisfy the craving; but that commonly with an increase of wealth the desire of wealth increased. There was a care on my mind so to pass my time that nothing might hinder me from the most steady attention to the voice of the true Shepherd.借着真理的能力，我的心在相当程度上脱离了对外在显达的愿望；我也在学习满足于实际的便利，只要不奢费即可。因此，一种免于许多纠缠的生活方式，在我看来最适合自己，即使收入可能很少。曾有几次看似有利的营业机会摆在我面前，但我看不清道路，不敢接受；因为我相信这些事会带来比我所当承担更多的外在忧虑和烦累。 我看见，一个谦卑的人若有主的祝福，靠少许也能生活；而一个人的心若系于显达，事业成功也不能满足那种渴望。通常财富增加时，对财富的欲望也随之增加。我心中有一种谨慎，愿意这样度日，使没有什么事妨碍我最稳定地留心真牧人的声音。

My employer, though now a retailer of goods, was by trade a tailor, and kept a servant-man at that business; and I began to think about learning the trade, expecting that if I should settle I might by this trade and a little retailing of goods get a living in a plain way, without the load of great business. I mentioned it to my employer, and we soon agreed on terms, and when I had leisure from the affairs of merchandise I worked with his man. I believed the hand of Providence pointed out this business for me, and I was taught to be content with it, though I felt at times a disposition that would have sought for something greater; but through the revelation of Jesus Christ I had seen the happiness of humility, and there was an earnest desire in me to enter deeply into it; at times this desire arose to a degree of fervent supplication, wherein my soul was so environed with heavenly light and consolation that things were made easy to me which had been otherwise.我的雇主虽然这时是零售商，但本行是裁缝，并有一个男仆做这门手艺。我开始想到学裁缝，期望如果将来安顿下来，或许可以靠这门手艺和一点小规模零售，以朴素的方式谋生，而不背负大生意的重担。我向雇主提起此事，我们很快谈妥条件；凡我从商品事务中得闲时，便同他的工人一起做活。 我相信上天的手为我指出了这门职业，也受教对此感到满足；虽然我有时仍感到一种倾向，想去追求更大的事物。但借着耶稣基督的启示，我已经看见谦卑的福乐，心中有一种恳切的愿望，要深入进入其中。有时这种愿望升到热切祈求的程度，我的灵魂被属天的光和安慰环绕，以致那些原本不容易的事，对我变得容易。

After some time my employer’s wife died; she was a virtuous woman, and generally beloved of her neighbors. Soon after this he left shop-keeping, and we parted. I then wrought at my trade as a tailor; carefully attended meetings for worship and discipline; and found an enlargement of gospel love in my mind, and therein a concern to visit Friends in some of the back settlements of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Being thoughtful about a companion, I expressed it to my beloved friend, Isaac Andrews, who told me that he had drawings to the same places, and also to go through Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina. After a considerable time, and several conferences with him, I felt easy to accompany him throughout, if way opened for it. I opened the case in our Monthly Meeting, and, Friends expressing their unity therewith, we obtained certificates to travel as companions,— he from Haddonfield, and I from Burlington.过了一段时间，我雇主的妻子去世了；她是一位贤德的妇人，邻里普遍爱戴她。不久以后，雇主停止经营店铺，我们便分开了。此后我做裁缝为业；谨慎参加敬拜和纪律事务的聚会；并感到福音之爱在我心中扩大，其中带着一种关切，要去探访宾夕法尼亚和弗吉尼亚一些偏远聚居地的教友。 我思量同行伙伴时，把这事告诉了我亲爱的朋友艾萨克·安德鲁斯。他告诉我，他也被吸引前往同样的地方，并且还想经过马里兰、弗吉尼亚和卡罗来纳。经过相当一段时间以及同他的几次交谈之后，我若道路打开，就安心同他全程同行。我把这件事向我们的月会说明，教友们表示同心赞成，于是我们取得了结伴旅行的证明书；他从哈登菲尔德取得，我从伯灵顿取得。

We left our province on the 12th of third month, 1746, and had several meetings in the upper part of Chester County, and near Lancaster; in some of which the love of Christ prevailed, uniting us together in his service. We then crossed the river Susquehanna, and had several meetings in a new settlement, called the Red Lands. It is the poorer sort of people that commonly begin to improve remote deserts; with a small stock they have houses to build, lands to clear and fence, corn to raise, clothes to provide, and children to educate, so that Friends who visit such may well sympathize with them in their hardships in the wilderness; and though the best entertainment that they can give may seem coarse to some who are used to cities or old settled places, it becomes the disciples of Christ to be therewith content. Our hearts were sometimes enlarged in the love of our Heavenly Father amongst these people, and the sweet influence of his Spirit supported us through some difficulties: to him be the praise.我们于一七四六年第三月十二日离开本省，在切斯特县上部和兰开斯特附近举行了几次聚会；其中有几次，基督的爱占了上风，使我们在他的事奉中合而为一。随后我们渡过萨斯奎哈纳河，在一个名叫红地的新聚居地举行了几次聚会。 通常是较贫穷的人先去开垦偏远荒地；他们只有少量家当，却要建造房屋，清理并围起土地，种植谷物，置备衣服，教育儿女。因此，探访他们的教友很应当同情他们在荒野中的艰辛。虽然他们所能提供的最好款待，在习惯城市或老定居地的人看来也许粗陋，但基督的门徒理当对此知足。我们在这些人中间，有时心中因天父之爱而开阔；他圣灵甜美的感化支撑我们经过一些困难。愿赞美归于他。

We passed on to Manoquacy, Fairfax, Hopewell, and Shanando, and had meetings, some of which were comfortable and edifying. From Shanando, we set off in the afternoon for the settlements of Friends in Virginia; the first night we, with our guide, lodged in the woods, our horses feeding near us; but he being poorly provided with a horse, and we young, and having good horses, were free the next day to part with him. In two days after we reached our friend John Cheagle’s, in Virginia. We took the meetings in our way through Virginia; were in some degree baptized into a feeling sense of the conditions of the people, and our exercise in general was more painful in these old settlements than it had been amongst the back inhabitants; yet through the goodness of our Heavenly Father the well of living waters was at times opened to our encouragement, and the refreshment of the sincere-hearted. We went on to Perquimans, in North Carolina; had several large meetings, and found some openness in those parts, and a hopeful appearance amongst the young people. Afterwards we turned again to Virginia, and attended most of the meetings which we had not been at before, laboring amongst Friends in the love of Jesus Christ, as ability was given; thence went to the mountains, up James River to a new settlement, and had several meetings amongst the people, some of whom had lately joined in membership with our Society. In our journeying to and fro, we found some honest-hearted Friends, who appeared to be concerned for the cause of truth among a backsliding people.我们继续前往马诺夸西、费尔法克斯、霍普韦尔和沙南多，举行聚会，其中有几次令人安慰并得造就。从沙南多出发后，我们在下午动身前往弗吉尼亚教友的聚居地；第一夜我们同向导一起宿在树林里，马就在附近吃草。可是他的马匹装备很差，而我们年轻，又有好马，第二天便愿意同他分别。两天后，我们到了弗吉尼亚朋友约翰·奇格尔家中。 我们沿途参加弗吉尼亚各处聚会；在某种程度上，我们受洗进入对当地人状况的感受之中。总的说来，在这些老定居地所受的操练，比在偏远居民中更为痛苦；然而借着天父的良善，活水之井有时为鼓励我们、也为更新诚心的人而开启。我们继续前往北卡罗来纳的珀奎曼斯；举行了几次大型聚会，发现那些地方有些敞开，在年轻人中间也有可盼望的景象。 后来我们又转回弗吉尼亚，参加了此前没有去过的大多数聚会，照着所得能力，在耶稣基督的爱中在教友中间劳苦。随后我们往山地去，沿詹姆斯河上行，到一个新聚居地，在那里的人中间举行了几次聚会；其中有些人近来加入了我们教会。在往来旅途中，我们遇见一些心地诚实的教友，他们显出为真理事业在一个退后的民中挂心。

From Virginia, we crossed over the river Potomac, at Hoe’s Ferry, and made a general visit to the meetings of Friends on the western shore of Maryland, and were at their Quarterly Meeting. We had some hard labor amongst them, endeavoring to discharge our duty honestly as way opened, in the love of truth. Thence, taking sundry meetings in our way, we passed towards home, which, through the favor of Divine Providence, we reached the 16th of sixth month, 1746; and I may say, that through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, which mortifies selfish desires, my companion and I travelled in harmony, and parted in the nearness of true brotherly love.我们从弗吉尼亚在霍氏渡口渡过波托马克河，对马里兰西岸教友各聚会作了一次普遍探访，并参加了他们的季会。我们在他们中间有些艰难劳苦，照着道路开启，竭力在真理之爱中诚实尽责。此后，我们沿途参加若干聚会，向家中行去；借着神圣眷顾的恩惠，我们于一七四六年第六月十六日回到家。 我可以说，借着圣灵的帮助，就是那治死自私欲望的灵，我的同伴和我一路和谐同行，并在真正弟兄之爱的亲近中分别。

Two things were remarkable to me in this journey: first, in regard to my entertainment. When I ate, drank, and lodged free-cost with people who lived in ease on the hard labor of their slaves I felt uneasy; and as my mind was inward to the Lord, I found this uneasiness return upon me, at times, through the whole visit. Where the masters bore a good share of the burden, and lived frugally, so that their servants were well provided for, and their labor moderate, I felt more easy; but where they lived in a costly way, and laid heavy burdens on their slaves, my exercise was often great, and I frequently had conversation with them in private concerning it. Secondly, this trade of importing slaves from their native country being much encouraged amongst them, and the white people and their children so generally living without much labor, was frequently the subject of my serious thoughts. I saw in these southern provinces so many vices and corruptions, increased by this trade and this way of life, that it appeared to me as a dark gloominess hanging over the land; and though now many willingly run into it, yet in future the consequence will be grievous to posterity. I express it as it hath appeared to me, not once, nor twice, but as a matter fixed on my mind.这次旅程中有两件事令我格外注意。第一，是关于我所受的款待。当我在一些人的家中白白吃喝住宿，而这些人却安逸地生活在奴隶艰苦劳动之上时，我心中感到不安；我的心向内转向主时，发现这种不安在整个探访期间不时回到我身上。若主人承担了相当一部分劳苦，生活俭朴，使仆人得到良好供给，劳动也不过重，我便较为安心；但若他们生活奢费，把沉重负担加在奴隶身上，我所受操练常常很大，也常在私下同他们谈论此事。 第二，把奴隶从他们本国输入的贸易，在他们中间受到许多鼓励；白人和他们的儿女又普遍不多劳动，这常常成为我严肃思想的主题。我在这些南方省份看见这么多罪恶和败坏，由这项贸易和这种生活方式而增长；在我看来，仿佛有一片阴暗的愁云悬在这地之上。虽然如今许多人甘愿投入其中，然而将来其后果必使后代受苦。我这样表达，是因为它向我显明为如此；不是一次，也不是两次，而是作为一件固定在我心上的事。

Soon after my return home I felt an increasing concern for Friends on our seacoast; and on the 8th of eighth month, 1746, I left home with the unity of Friends, and in company with my beloved friend and neighbor Peter Andrews, brother to my companion before mentioned, and visited them in their meetings generally about Salem, Cape May, Great and Little Egg Harbor; we had meetings also at Barnagat, Manahockin, and Mane Squan, and so to the Yearly Meeting at Shrewsbury. Through the goodness of the Lord way was opened, and the strength of Divine love was sometimes felt in our assemblies, to the comfort and help of those who were rightly concerned before him. We were out twenty-two days, and rode, by computation, three hundred and forty miles. At Shrewsbury Yearly Meeting we met with our dear friends Michael Lightfoot and Abraham Farrington, who had good service there.我回家后不久，对海岸地区教友的关切在心中增长。一七四六年第八月八日，我在教友同心支持下离家，并与我亲爱的朋友和邻居彼得·安德鲁斯同行；他是前面提到的我那位同伴的兄弟。我们普遍探访了塞勒姆、开普梅、大蛋港和小蛋港一带的各聚会；也在巴纳加特、马纳霍金和马尼斯宽举行聚会，随后前往什鲁斯伯里的年会。 借着主的良善，道路得以打开；神圣之爱的力量有时在我们的聚集中被感受到，使那些在他面前正当挂心的人得安慰和帮助。我们在外二十二天，按估计骑行三百四十英里。在什鲁斯伯里年会上，我们遇见亲爱的朋友迈克尔·莱特富特和亚伯拉罕·法林顿，他们在那里有很好的事奉。

The winter following died my eldest sister Elizabeth Woolman, of the small-pox, aged thirty-one years.随后的冬天，我的大姐伊丽莎白·伍尔曼死于天花，年三十一岁。

Of late I found drawings in my mind to visit Friends in New England, and having an opportunity of joining in company with my beloved friend Peter Andrews, we obtained certificates from our Monthly Meeting, and set forward on the 16th of third month, 1747. We reached the Yearly Meeting at Long Island, at which were our friends, Samuel Nottingham from England, John Griffith, Jane Hoskins, and Elizabeth Hudson from Pennsylvania, and Jacob Andrews from Chesterfield, several of whom were favored in their public exercise; and, through the goodness of the Lord, we had some edifying meetings. After this my companion and I visited Friends on Long Island; and through the mercies of God we were helped in the work.近来我心中感到被吸引，要去探访新英格兰的教友；又有机会同我亲爱的朋友彼得·安德鲁斯结伴，于是我们从月会取得证明书，并于一七四七年第三月十六日启程。我们抵达长岛年会；在那里有来自英国的朋友塞缪尔·诺丁汉，来自宾夕法尼亚的约翰·格里菲思、简·霍斯金斯和伊丽莎白·哈德森，以及来自切斯特菲尔德的雅各布·安德鲁斯。他们中有几位在公开操练中蒙恩；借着主的良善，我们有一些使人得造就的聚会。 此后，我的同伴和我探访了长岛的教友；借着上帝的怜悯，我们在工作中得着帮助。

Besides going to the settled meetings of Friends, we were at a general meeting at Setawket, chiefly made up of other societies; we had also a meeting at Oyster Bay in a dwelling-house, at which were many people. At the former there was not much said by way of testimony, but it was, I believe, a good meeting; at the latter, through the springing up of living waters, it was a day to be thankfully remembered. Having visited the island, we went over to the main, taking meetings in our way, to Oblong, Nine-partners, and New Milford. In these back settlements we met with several people who, through the immediate workings of the Spirit of Christ on their minds, were drawn from the vanities of the world to an inward acquaintance with him. They were educated in the way of the Presbyterians. A considerable number of the youth, members of that society, used often to spend their time together in merriment, but some of the principal young men of the company, being visited by the powerful workings of the Spirit of Christ, and thereby led humbly to take up his cross, could no longer join in those vanities. As these stood steadfast to that inward convincement, they were made a blessing to some of their former companions; so that through the power of truth several were brought into a close exercise concerning the eternal well-being of their souls. These young people continued for a time to frequent their public worship; and, besides that, had meetings of their own, which meetings were awhile allowed by their preacher, who sometimes met with them; but in time their judgment in matters of religion disagreeing with some of the articles of the Presbyterians their meetings were disapproved by that society; and such of them as stood firm to their duty, as it was inwardly manifested, had many difficulties to go through. In a while their meetings were dropped; some of them returned to the Presbyterians, and others joined to our religious society.除了去教友已设立的聚会以外，我们还在塞塔基特参加了一次总聚会，参加者主要来自其他宗派；我们也在牡蛎湾一所民宅里举行聚会，来的人很多。在前一次聚会中，以见证方式说的话不多，但我相信那是一次好的聚会；在后一次聚会中，借着活水涌起，那一天值得感恩地记念。 探访完长岛以后，我们渡到大陆，沿途参加聚会，前往奥布朗、九伙伴和新米尔福德。在这些偏远聚居地，我们遇见几个人；他们因基督之灵在心中直接运行，被吸引离开世上的虚浮，转而在内里认识他。他们原本受长老会方式教育。该会相当多年轻成员常常聚在一起寻欢作乐；但其中几位主要青年，被基督之灵有能力的运行所临到，并因此被谦卑地引导背起他的十字架，便不能再参与那些虚浮。 这些人坚定持守内在的确信，便成了他们从前一些伙伴的祝福；于是借着真理的能力，有几个人被带入深切操练，关乎他们灵魂永远的安宁。这些年轻人有一段时间仍继续参加他们的公开礼拜；此外也有自己的聚会。起初他们的牧师允许这些聚会，有时还同他们一起参加；但后来他们在宗教事务上的判断同长老会某些信条不合，这些聚会便被该会否定。那些坚定站在自己内里所显明的责任上的人，不得不经过许多困难。过了一段时间，他们的聚会停止了；其中有些人回到长老会，另一些人加入了我们的宗教团体。

I had conversation with some of the latter to my help and edification, and believe several of them are acquainted with the nature of that worship which is performed in spirit and in truth. Amos Powel, a friend from Long Island, accompanied me through Connecticut, which is chiefly inhabited by Presbyterians, who were generally civil to us. After three days’ riding, we came amongst Friends in the colony of Rhode Island, and visited them in and about Newport, Dartmouth, and generally in those parts; we then went to Boston, and proceeded eastward as far as Dover. Not far from thence we met our friend Thomas Gawthrop, from England, who was then on a visit to these provinces. From Newport we sailed to Nantucket; were there nearly a week; and from thence came over to Dartmouth. Having finished our visit in these parts, we crossed the Sound from New London to Long Island, and taking some meetings on the island proceeded towards home, which we reached the 13th of seventh month, 1747, having rode about fifteen hundred miles, and sailed about one hundred and fifty.我同后一类人中的一些交谈，自己得了帮助和造就；我相信他们当中有几位熟悉那种在灵里、在真理中实行的敬拜。来自长岛的朋友阿莫斯·鲍威尔陪我穿过康涅狄格；那里主要由长老会信徒居住，他们一般都以礼相待。骑行三天以后，我们来到罗得岛殖民地的教友中间，探访了纽波特、达特茅斯及那一带各处教友；随后我们去了波士顿，并向东一直到多佛。离那里不远，我们遇见来自英国的朋友托马斯·高思罗普，他当时正在探访这些省份。 我们从纽波特乘船到楠塔基特，在那里将近一周；随后从那里渡到达特茅斯。在这些地方完成探访以后，我们从新伦敦横渡海峡到长岛，并在岛上参加几次聚会，然后朝家中行去。我们于一七四七年第七月十三日到家，共骑行约一千五百英里，航行约一百五十英里。

In this journey, I may say in general, we were sometimes in much weakness, and labored under discouragements, and at other times, through the renewed manifestations of Divine love, we had seasons of refreshment wherein the power of truth prevailed. We were taught by renewed experience to labor for an inward stillness; at no time to seek for words, but to live in the spirit of truth, and utter that to the people which truth opened in us. My beloved companion and I belonged both to one meeting, came forth in the ministry near the same time, and were inwardly united in the work. He was about thirteen years older than I, bore the heaviest burden, and was an instrument of the greatest use.在这次旅程中，我可以概括地说，我们有时极其软弱，在灰心之下劳苦；有时则借着神圣之爱重新显明，有更新的时刻，其中真理的能力占了上风。我们借着新的经验受教，要为内在的安静而劳苦；任何时候都不去寻求话语，而要活在真理的灵里，只把真理在我们里面开启的说给众人。 我亲爱的同伴和我同属一个聚会，差不多同时进入传道职事，并在内里于这工作中联合。他比我年长约十三岁，承担较重的负担，也成为更有用的器皿。

Finding a concern to visit Friends in the lower counties of Delaware, and on the eastern shore of Maryland, and having an opportunity to join with my well-beloved ancient friend, John Sykes, we obtained certificates, and set off the 7th of eighth month, 1748, were at the meetings of Friends in the lower counties, attended the Yearly Meeting at Little Creek, and made a visit to most of the meetings on the eastern shore, and so home by the way of Nottingham. We were abroad about six weeks, and rode, by computation, about five hundred and fifty miles.我感到关切，要去探访特拉华下县和马里兰东岸的教友；又有机会同我深深爱戴的年长朋友约翰·赛克斯同行，于是我们取得证明书，并于一七四八年第八月七日出发。我们参加了下县教友的聚会，出席了小溪年会，并探访了东岸大多数聚会，然后取道诺丁汉回家。我们在外约六周，按估计骑行约五百五十英里。

Our exercise at times was heavy, but through the goodness of the Lord we were often refreshed, and I may say by experience “he is a stronghold in the day of trouble.” Though our Society in these parts appeared to me to be in a declining condition, yet I believe the Lord hath a people amongst them who labor to serve him uprightly, but they have many difficulties to encounter.我们的操练有时沉重，但借着主的良善，我们常常得着更新；我可以凭经验说：“他是患难日子的坚固保障。”虽然这些地方的本会在我看来处于衰退状态，我仍相信主在他们中间有一群人，他们劳苦要正直地事奉他，只是他们有许多困难需要面对。