I now found I had to travel still more extensively in the work of the ministry, and I applied to the Lord for direction.  I was often invited to go hither and thither, but felt that I must wait for the dictates of His Spirit.

At a meeting which I held in Maryland, I was led to speak from the passage, “Woe to the rebellious city,” &c.  After the meeting, the people came where I was, to take me before the squire; but the Lord delivered me from their hands.

I also held meetings in Virginia.  The people there would not believe that a coloured woman could preach.  And moreover, as she had no learning, they strove to imprison me because I spoke against slavery:  and being brought up, they asked by what authority I spake? and if I had been ordained?  I answered, not by the commission of men’s hands:  if the Lord had ordained me, I needed nothing better.

As I travelled along through the land, I was led at different times to converse with white men who were by profession ministers of the gospel.  Many of them, up and down, confessed they did not believe in revelation, which gave me to see that men were sent forth as ministers without Christ’s authority.  In a conversation with one of these, he said, “You think you have these things by revelation, but there has been no such thing as revelation since Christ’s ascension.”  I asked him where the apostle John got his revelation while he was in the Isle of Patmos.  With this, he rose up and left me, and I said in my spirit, get thee behind me Satan.

I visited many remote places, where there were no meeting houses, and held many glorious meetings, for the Lord poured out his Spirit in sweet effusions.  I also travelled in Canada, and visited several settlements of coloured people, and felt an open door amongst them.

I may here remark, that while journeying through the different states of the Union, I met with many of the Quaker Friends, and visited them in their families.  I received much kindness and sympathy, and no opposition from them, in the prosecution of my labours.

On one occasion, in a thinly settled part of the country, seeing a Friend’s meeting house open, I went in; at the same time a Friend and his little daughter followed me.  We three composed the meeting.  As we sat there in silence, I felt a remarkable overshadowing of the Divine presence, as much so as I ever experienced any where.  Toward the close, a few words seemed to be given me, which I expressed, and left the place greatly refreshed in Spirit.  From thence I went to Michigan, where I found a wide field of labour amongst my own colour.  Here I remained four years.  I established a school for coloured orphans, having always felt the great importance of the religious and moral agriculture of children, and the great need of it, especially amongst the coloured people.  Having white teachers, I met with much encouragement.