I have had to review the Vanity which prevails with the young
People of our time, and the Avarice & Extortion that seem visible among
older Ones, which produce mournful feelings. Nor has it felt pleasant to
my exercised mind to observe so much of the free use of Silk in for
for clothing in our Country, which is so plentiful for Wool and flax; Might not
these seem to be sufficient on many occasions, without showing the desire
of over much delicacy. --- I have been at Greenwich

and Woodberry
Meetings, where Poverty was perceived, I fear the Truth is at a low
ebb among too many of us.

5th mo

I have apprehended the Hearts of many professors resemble the sto-
ny ground; So that altho' favour to them is renewed, for want of depth in
root they fall into old customs again.

Close work on answering the Queries in our Preparative Meeting

; I
feared that evasive answers to them, would be likely to become a Snare.

8th.

I had to minister Sound Truths, tho' it seemed hard work; and
hard for people to hear; yet I hope our Meeting ended Well to day.

Next day was our Monthly Meeting

: where my Concern mention'd last
month was united with, and a certificate granted according to my
prospect, signed with Unanimity.

The day following I had a desire
to See a number of friends come together at a suitable time & place, who had
let in hardness one against another; which desire prevailed, so that a time
was fixed, all uniting therewith except one person who had lost his right
amongst us: He went to the others, with a view to discourage their attending, and