Biographical sketches and anecdotes of members of the religious society of Friends

PRINCETON, N. J. \^

BX 7791 .B5 1871

Biographical sketches and
anecdotes of members of th

1^3 Benefit St, Provldenca, R,),

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

AND

^^sTECDOTES

OF FiJi^^
JAN 21

OF

MEMBERS OF THE

RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FEIENDS.

PHILADELPHIA:
PUBLISHED BY

^ THE TRACT ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS,

No. 304 ARCH STREET.
1871.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by
THE TRACT ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington,

- -' "^VA,

J. FAGAN & SON,
STEREOTYIE FOINDEES, fi^«^^
PHILADELPHIA. <-n^^

CAXTON PRESS OP
8HERMAN & CO., PHILADELPHIA.

PREFACE.

THE following pages are chiefly compiled
from a series of articles published in a
religious periodical, about twenty years since,
with the title, " Thomas Scattergood, and his
Times." They comprise brief biographies of
Friends, who lived in this country in the last
and early part of the present century, who
became conspicuous for their devotion to the
cause of Truth. A number of incidents are
given that had not been printed before.

As the work is interspersed with numerous
anecdotes, and contains valuable records of re-
ligious experience, exemplifying the doctrines
and testimonies of the Society of Friends, and
their accordance with the Holy Scriptures, it is
hoped that it will prove interesting, and instruc-
tive to those into whose hands it may come.
Philadelphia, Eleventh month 10th, 1870.

4 V

V

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Davie Ferris 9

William Hunt 33

Samuel Emlex 46

John Churchman 67

Eebecca Joxes . - 80

Daniel Offley 127

William Savery 149

George Dillwyn 182

Arthur Howell 227

William Jackson 240

Peter Yarnall 259

AxTHONY Bexezet 296

Jacob Lixdley 305

Eli Yarxall 326

Sarah Harrison 344

John Parker 366

Nicholas Waln . . 381

Moses Brown 396

1* vii

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DAVID FERRIS.

TN the year 1727, a lad, in the twentieth year of his
age, who resided at Xew Milford, in Connecticut,
was passing under much inward trouble for his sins.
He had been divinely favored in early youth, but not
giving heed to the Light of the Lord Jesus inwardly
manifested to preserve from sin, he became fond of
vain company and earthly delights, and gave way
thereto until he lost his good estate. He was often
reproved for his sins, and became so distressed because
of his condition that he fell into despair, and wished
that he might die. All this time he did not forsake
his evil habits, and concluded it was too late to return,
that he might repent and live. One day he concluded
that he should be a disgrace to his relations if he
remained at home, and so determined to leave his
native land, and go where he should not be knoT^Ti.
That very day — a day of the deepest affliction and

distress he had ever knoT^Ti — he heard, as he followed

9

10

DAVID FERRIS.

his plough, a still, small voice saying in his soul, " The
blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin/^
Not willing to receive the consolatory declaration, he
replied, " It is too late ; there has been a day wherein
I might have been cleansed, but, alas ! I have let it
pass over my head forever.'^ In the course of some
minutes after, as he was musing whither he should flee,
the same words passed through his mind, and took
greater hold of his thoughts than at first. Still, after
a time, deeming himself lost, he once more returned
to his meditation on the place he should go to, and,
his anguish increasing, he stopped ploughing. Now,
with great power and authority, the language was a
third time uttered, " The blood of Jesus Christ his
Son cleanseth us'from all sin.^^ A change took place
in his feelings, faith awakened in his heart, and he
thought, " If all sin, why not mine ? Joyful emo-
tions stirred within him ; he saw there was still mercy
for him, and, penitent and tendered, a stream of thanks-
giving and praise arose in his heart. Now, through
Divine mercy, trusting in the Holy Spirit, and bow-
ing to the cross of Christ, he was enabled to press
after holiness along the narrow path of self-denial.

This young man was named David Ferris ; he was
born at Stratford, in Connecticut, Third month 10th,
1707, and was early favored mth the visitations of
Divine Grace. He mentions a simple circumstance,

DAVID FERRIS.

11

which, with reflections growing out of it, ministered
instruction to him when very young in life. He was
riding on horseback through a river, against a very
rapid current, and a young dog attempted to follow
him. On looking round, he perceived that the dog,
scarcely able to stem the force of the stream, was
unable to keep pace with the horse, and appeared in
great distress. David felt pity for the poor animal,
who seemed almost desperate, and while gazing on it
with concern, there opened to his mind a sense of the
awful amazement which a poor immortal soul must be
in when death is close at hand, and there appears no
hope of escape from everlasting punishment and woe.
This thought was of use to him for years.

David Ferris was brought up a Presb}i:erian, and
received a college education. Before going to college,
his understanding was opened to see that various points
of doctrine held by Calvin were not according to the
Truth, and he had many disputes with his classmate.s
upon the subject. He had also a long and satisfactory
conversation with the head of the institution on his
religious views and experience. About the middle of
his last year at college, he met with Barclay's Apology,*

*The full title of this standard work is "An Apology for the
True Christian Divinity, being an Explanation and Vindication
of the Principles and Doctrines of the People called Quakers."
By Robert Barclay. — It is to be had at Friends' Bookstore, 304
Arch Street, Philadelphia.

12

DAVID FEERIS.

and could not but unite with the doctrines Laid down
therein. Believing that men could give no authority
for any one to enter into the exercise of the ministry
of the Gospel, he now felt uneasy at taking degrees.
This was a time of deep exercise and trial with him —
he had been highly esteemed by those about him, and
he felt that should he now leave college he would be
despised. His father had fondly looked to him, as
likely to be an honor to the family — but David
knew if he followed his convictions of duty, his at-
tached parent would consider him as its disgrace..
Besides this, he had the prospect of an immediate set-
tlement, a numerous congregation, and a good salajy.

Having been favored with inward strength to
perform his duty and leave the college, he found less
difficulty than he had apprehended. His father, al-
though he would not speak to him for some time, yet
at last relented, and treated him affectionately. One
after another of the testimonies of Friends had been
opened to David Ferris, and he was brought, in a
great cross to the natural will, into plainness of speech,
and into a disuse of hat-honor to man. Now he felt
drawn to attend the meetings of the people called
Quakers, and accordingly, in the latter part of the
Third month, 1733, he went to the public meeting
held at the time of the Yearly ISIeeting on Long
Island. He wished to feel whether they were a living

DAVID FERRIS.

13

people. At this meeting were several Friends in the
ministry from Europe, both men and women. These
were, no doubt, Samuel Stevens, jMungo Bewley, Alice
Alderson, and ]\Iargaret Copeland, who were then in
America.

After attending this meeting, David says of the
Friends, " I Avas indubitably satisfied that their wor-
ship was in Spirit and in Truth ; and [that] they
[were] such worshippers as the Father sought and
owned. I was convinced, beyond a doubt, that they
preached the Gospel in the demonstration of the
Spirit ; and Divine authority was felt to attend their
ministry. They Avere not like the scribes, to whom I
had been listening all my life, who had neither com-
mission nor authority, except that which was received
from man ; being such as the Lord never sent ; and
therefore could not profit the people they professed to
teach. I now clearly saw the difference between man-
-made ministers, and those whom the Lord qualifies
and sends into his harvest-field ; the difference between
the wheat and the chaff ; and it was marvellous to me,
to reflect how long I had sat under a forinal, dry, and
lifeless ministry," I heard women preach the Gos-
pel, in the Divine authority of Truth ; far exceeding
all the learned rabbis I had known. This was not so
!?trange to me as it might have been to others ; for I
had before seen, by the immediate manifestation of
2

14

DAVID FURBIS.

Grace and Truth, that women as Avell as men might
be clothed with gospel power ; and that daughters as
well as sons, under the Gospel dispensation, wera to
have the Spirit poured upon them, that they might
prophesy; and though I had never before heard a
woman preach, yet I now rejoiced to see the prophecy
fulfilled.''

David Ferris found it necessary to look around for
some means of temporal support ; and, feeling inclined
to remove to Pennsylvania, he, in the Sixth month,
accompanied to Philadelphia three of the ministering
Friends from England before mentioned. In this
city he felt inclined to settle for the present, if he
could establish himself in business. When the Yearly
Meeting for the Provinces of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey, which was held there in the Seventh month,
was over, and he had become somewhat acquainted
with the Friends of the place, he concluded to open a
school, in which the Latin and Greek languages should
be taught. He says, " But, as I was a stranger, and
those children that were intended to be taught these
languages were mostly entered in other schools, I was
doubtful whether I should be able to get a sufficient
number of such scholars. I therefore agreed to teach
English also ; and, in time, I had a school of both
sexes, sufficiently large for my support. Being a
stranger, I consequently met with trials and difficul-

DAVID FEB BIS.

15

ties. For a wliile my school was small and not likely
to support me ; but I endeavored to be resigned, and
repose with confidence in an all-sufl&cient Providence,
from whom I had often received help in times of great
trial. !My difficulties were increased by the low state
of my funds. The weather was now beginning to
grow cold. It was customary for the teacher to find
wood for fuel, and for the scholars to pay a proportion
of the expense, when they paid for their quarter's
tuition ; and as I had but few scholars, and no money
due, and not two shillings of my own remaining, I
was very thoughtful how to procure wood. No one
knew the state of my purse, nor did I desire to make
it known ; and this I should do if I attempted to
borrow. I therefore omitted to buy as long as I well
could. I did not like to ask for credit, and if I did,
it was doubtful whether I should obtain it ; so that I
was closely tried. But, while I was under this exer-
cise, the weather was more moderate than usual at
that season. After I had been sufficiently tried to
prove my faith and confidence in Divine Providence,
a Friend came into my school, and privately gave me
twent}' shillings, which, he said, had been sent by a
Friend, who did not wish to be known as the donor.
For this unexpected favor I was thankful to the Lord,
whose mercies endure forever. Having now the
means, I soon purchased some wood ; and the weather.

16

DAVID FERRIS.

in a short time, becoming colder, I had a renewed
sense of the kindness of Providence, who had so
seasonably relieved me. But afterward, when -.my
stock of wood was nearly exhausted, 1 was brought
into the same difficulty and trial as before, and as
much needed a renewal of my faith. I strove to be
quiet, and to have my dependence placed on Him who
fed a great multitude with a few loaves and little
fishes ; and just as I began to suffer, another twenty-
shilling bill was privately presented to me by an un-
known hand; but I received it as coming from the
Lord, who knew all my difficulties. Thus I was
again relieved, and never afterward received anything
more in this way ; nor did I ever need it, as I was
sufficiently suppliea by the proceeds of my business.
This was a confirmation to me that I had been assisted
by a watchful Providence, who knows all states and
conditions, both internal and external, and is able and
willing to turn the hearts of his people, and constrain
them to help the needy, as, formerly, he sent the ravens
to feed the prophet."

There are many authentic anecdotes of the interpo-
sition of Divine mercy on behalf of his faithful chil-
dren when suffering from poverty or want of food.
Thomas Chalkley gives us an account of an interesting
incident of this kind which occurred while he was on
a passage from Bermuda to Philadelphia, in the year

DAVID FERRIS.

17

1716. The wind proved slight, and thus the time
occupied in the voyage was protracted to twice its
usual length.'/ -With twelve persons to feed, their store
of provisions was at last reduced to one piece of beef.
Pressed with hunger, and disheartened by a head wind,
those on board began to relate sad and sickening ac-
counts of seamen similarly circumstanced eating one
another. The murmurs increased, particularly against
Thomas Chalkley, to whom the vessel was consigned,
and he felt his mind clothed with inward exercise. At
last, after seriously considering the matter, he told
them that if there should be a necessity for one to die
for the rest, they need not cast lots, for he was free to
offer his life to do them good. At this, several of those
addressed said they would die before they would eat
him. Thomas says, " I can truly say, that at that
time my life w^as not dear to me, and that I was serious
and ingenuous in my proposition. As I was leaning
over the side of the vessel, thoughtfully considering
my proposal to the company, and looking, in my mind,
to Him who made me, a very large dolphin came up
to the surface of the water, and looked me in the face.
I called to the people to put a hook into the sea and
take him, ^ For here is one come to redeem me,' said
I to them. They put out a hook, and the fish readily
took it, and they caught him. I think it was about
six feet long, and the largest that ever I saw. This

18 DAVID FERRIS.

plainly showed us that we ought not to distrust the
providence of the Almighty. The people were quieted
by this act of Providence, and murmured no more.
We caught enough to eat plentifully of till we got
into the Capes of Delaware. Thus I saw it was good
to depend upon the Almighty, and rely upon his eter-
nal arm, which, in a particular manner, did preserve
us safe to our destined port, blessed be his great and
glorious Name, through Jesus Christ, forever.^' *

The next im23ortant movement of David Ferris was
that of seeking a wife. He was a man of a fine person,
and it would appear was at least willing to find a wife
with similar attractions. Near his residence in Phil-
adelphia, a young woman dwelt, whose family was
respectable, and their outward circumstances prosper-
ous. She was blessed with good natural talents, had
been educated in plainness, and was withal quite
comely in appearance. These circumstances drew his
attention to her, and friends who are generally ready
in encouraging matrimonial connections which appear
outwardly suitable, urged him to make proposals to
her. Taking the hint from them, and not waiting on
the Divine Guide for direction, he concluded to do so,
and for that purpose paid her a visit. After chatting
sociably for half an hour, he felt within him a word

* This incident is narrated in the Journal of Thomas Chalkley.
See also Friends' Library, edited by William and Thomas Evans,
Philadelpliia, vol. vi., p. 32.

DAVID FEB BIS.

19

of reproof. The language was uttered, " Seekest thou
great things for thyself? Seek them not." He felt
the rebuke, and, confused and perplexed, he was no
longer fit for conversation, and so withdrew. This was
the first and last attempt to bring about that, to appear-
ance, so desirable connection. It was well for him and
his peace of mind that he had proceeded no further in
his own will before he was checked by the inward Re-
prover. Some have gone on even until they thought
themselves ready to proceed in marriage, and have
then discovered that they had in no wise taken counsel
of Him who has a right to direct the movements of
his children. This must brino^ them under o-reat trial
and exercise. Some have gone on, because they could
not see how to withdraw, and have paid by a life of
discomfort for the haste with which they have run into
an affectionate encrag-ement.

Some months after David Ferris had been turned
back from his own choice as before narrated, he was
sitting at table in a Friend's house, and noticed a
young woman sitting opposite to him. He did not
remember ever to have seen her before, but he says,
"A language very quietly and very pleasantly passed
through my mind in this wise, ^ If thou wilt marry that
young woman, thou shalt be happy with her.' '' David
believed this intimation was from the Source of all good,
but finding that the young woman was lame, he was

20

DAVID FERRIS.

much displeased at the thought of marrying a cripple.
He passed through many exercises before his will was
brought in this thing to submit to the Lord's requir-
ings, but in a belief that it would tend to his own hap-
piness, he at last gave up. When his will was made
subject, then everything connected with his marriage
seemed bright and happy. They were married Ninth
month 13th, 1735, and at the close of forty years he
said he had never repented his choice. A blessing had
rested upon him and on his posterity. He says, " I have
lived to see my children, arrived to years of under-
standing, favored with a knowledge of the Truth;
which is the greatest of all blessings ; and some of
them, beyond all doubt, are landed in eternal felicity.
I have been blessed with plenty, and above all with
peace. I am, therefore, satisfied and thankful to my
gracious Benefactor, for his kindness to me in this con-
cern, as well as for all his other favors."

Thomas Ellwood gives an interesting account of the
manner of his proceeding in relation to marriage. He
found his feelings drawn toward a yoang woman
named Mary Ellis, in whom he thought he saw the
" fair prints of Truth and solid virtue." He was then
residing with Isaac and Mary Penington ; and as they
stood in the place of parents to him, he opened the
matter to them. He says, "They having solemnly
weighed the matter, expressed their unity therewith :

DAVID FEBBIS.

21

and indeed their approbation was no small confirma-
tion to me. Yet took I further deliberation^ often
retiring in spirit to the Lord, and crying to him for
direction, before I addressed myself to her. At length,
as I was sitting alone, waiting upon the Lord for coun-
sel and guidance in this, in itself and to me, so import-
ant affair, I felt a word sweetly arise in me, as if I
had heard a voice, which said, ' Go, and prevail.' And
faith springing in my heart with the word, I immedi-
ately rose and went, nothing doubting.

" When I was come to her lodgings, which were
about a mile from me, I desired the maid to acquaint
her mistress that I was come to give her a visit ;
whereupon I was invited to go up to her. And after
some common conversation had passed, feeling my
spirit weightily concerned, I solemnly opened my
mind unto her, with respect to the particular business
I came about ; which I soon perceived was a great sur-
prisal to her. For she had taken in an apprehension,
as others also had done, that mine eye had been fixed
elsewhere, and nearer home. I used not many words
to her ; but I felt a divine power went along with the
words, and fixed the matter expressed by them so fast
in her breast, that, as she afterward acknowledged to
me, she could not shut it out.

" I made but a short visit. For, having told her, I
did not expect an answer from her then ; but desired

22

DAVID FEE BIS.

slie would, in the most solemn manner, weigh the pro-
posal made, and in due time give me such an answer
thereunto, as the Lord should give her; I tool^ my
leave of Ler and departed, leaving the issue to the
Lord.

" I had a journey then at hand, which I foresaw
would take me up about two weeks. Wherefore, the
day before I was to set out, I went to visit her again,
to acquaint her with my journey and excuse my
absence; not yet pressing her for an answer, but
assuring her, that I felt in myself an increase of affec-
tion to her, and hoped to receive a suitable return from
her in the Lord's time ; to whom, in the meanwhile,
I committed both her and myself, and the concern
between us. And indeed, I found at my return, that
I could not have left it in a better hand ; for the Lord
had been my advocate in my absence, and had so far
answered all her objections, that when I came to her
again, she rather acquainted me with them, than urged
them.

" I continued my visits to my best beloved friend,
until we married; which was in the year 1669. We
took each other in a select meeting, of the ancient and
grave Friends of that country, holden in a Friend's
house; where, in those times, not only the Monthly
Meeting for church discipline, but the public meeting
for worship was som ^times kept. A very solemn meet-

DAVID FERRIS.

23

ing it was, and in a weighty frame of spirit we were ; in
which we sensibly felt the Lord with us, and joining
us; the sense whereof remained with us all our life-
time, and was of good service and very comfortable to
us on all occasions."

In a year or two after David Ferris was married,
the subject of removing from Philadelphia and settling
in Wilmington, claimed his attention. He took a lot
of ground there, and yet the w^ay did not at once
appear clear for him to remove thither, and his wife
seemed unwilling to consent. Various exercises at-
tended his mind in the consideration of a change of
residence, and he thus notes down some general re-
flections on the subject: "To move from one place to
another, in our own time and will, I believe is a mat-
ter of serious consequence. A change of residence
appears to me next in importance to marriage, and,
therefore, requires the same Divine Wisdom to direct
us aright. We may be qualified for service in one
place, and by removing to a distance, unless we are
directed by unerring counsel, the design of Providence
respecting us may be frustrated, and our usefulness
lessened."

Most of those who have taken notice of the thiup-s
passing around them, have seen instances of persons
who have been very useful in one Monthly Meeting,
who yet have, on removing i j another, been apparently

24

DAVID FUEEIS.

without any qualification for rightly taking part in the
discipline of the church. If we are not in our places,
we need not expect to find the proper business of our
day before us; and we shall look in vain for Divine
aid, if we attempt to perform that which rightfully
belongs to others.

At last the way opened clearly for David Ferris to
remove to Wilmington. His wife cheerfully acqui-
esced, and he felt the comfortable assurance that he
had the approbation of his Divine Master in the pro-
posed change, and that the Lord's blessing would be.
with them. He removed in the Third month, 1737,
and opened store in that place. Keeping closely to the
restraining influence of Divine grace, in his buying
and selling, he was directed safely, and, in time, accu-
mulated a competence.

Soon after he had been admitted into membership
among Friends, he believed he was called to appear
as a minister of the Gospel. This was a very solemn
and important call, and he had much reasoning on the
matter. From time to time, as he believed himself
required to stand up and minister in religious meet-
ings, he was not faithful, under the hope that at a
future meeting he would have more strength. During
a lo'i2:-con tinned time of disobedience, David Ferris
was favored with many warnings and incitements to
faithfulness. The Holy Spirit called him to obedience,

DAVID FEBEIS.

25

jis did many of the Lord's servants, who were dipped
into a sense of his state j and sometimes in visions of
the night, instruction was administered. He says :

One night I dreamed that I saw a hirge, spacions
building in an imfirdshed state : and the master builder,
who appeareil an excellent person, came to me, as I
stood at a distance, and desired me to go and take a
view of it, to which I agreed ; and as we were survey-
ing it. and examining the particular parts, I observed
that among the many pillars erected for the support of
the building, there was one lacking. I queried of him
what was the cause of that vacancy. He replied, it
was left for me, and that I was specially designed and
prepared for the place, and showed me how T fitted it,
like a mortise is fitted to its tenon. So that I saw in
my dream that all he said was true. But, notwith-
standing all this, I objected to my capacity and fitness
to fill the vacancy, and was, therefore, imwilling to
occupy it. He endeavored, by the most convincing
reasons, to remove all my objections, and to demon-
strate that I was fitted for the place. He fiirther told
me, that they had not another prepared for it, and that
the building woidd be retarded if I did not comply
with the design. After he had reasoned with me a
long time, and I still refused, he appeared to be
grieved, and told me it was a great pity that I should
be rendered useless in the house by my )wn obstinacy;
3

26

DAVID FERdlS.

and tlion added, ^ But it must not be so ; for if thou
wilt not be a pillar, thou shalt be a plank for the floor.'
He then showed me how I might be flatted and pre-
pared for that purpose. But I refused that place' also,
on the ground that it looked too diminutive to be a
plank to be trod upon by all who came into the house.
At this the master was troubled, seeing I would accept
no place that was offered me ; but, after a long debate,
he concluded to leave the propositions he had made,
for my further consideration ; and so we parted.

" The next day I was at a meeting on Long Island,
and a concern came heavily upon me to say something
that was presented to my mind. The burden of the
word was weighty, and more difficult to remove than
usual ; but I contended with it, and, at length, refused
to comply. I was then in company with two women
Friends. The following night one of them dreamed
that she saw me sitting by a pleasant stream of water ;
before me a table was spread with all manner of dain-
ties ; but I was chained, so that I could not reach any
of them, at which she was troubled, and asked the
master of the feast why I was deprived of the liberty
to partake of the good things on the table. He an-
swered, that the time had been, when, on certain condi-
tions, I might have enjoyed them to the full ; but that
I had refused the terms, and therefore was now justly
deprived of them. She inquired of him whether this

DAVID FERRIS.

27

must always be my case. He answered, perhaps not ;
that if I would yet submit, and comply with the terms,
it was not too late to partake of all the good things she
saw. The interpretation of this dream, and of mine
the night before, was easy and plain. They rested on
my mind for several years, as cause of humbling in-
struction and excitement to future care, diligence, and
obedience."

Individuals who have been called to the work of
the ministry, and have refused obedience, have some-
times been left by their Divine Master in a state of
darkness, their spiritual vision has been obscured, and
they have fallen into the snares of the enemy.

David Ferris, after rebelling for twenty years against
the Divine call to the ministry, at last yielded obedience
to the requirings of duty. Comfort Hoag * and Elizabeth
Dean, from New England, in the year 1765, attended
the Yearly Meeting in Philadelphia, and, when that
was over, the meetings generally in these parts. David
Ferris accompanied them, and Comfort was dipped
into sympathy with him, and felt from meeting to
meeting that he was called on to speak. " David, why
didst thou not preach to-day ? she asked him, after
one of the meetings. He smiled and put by the ques-

* Comfort Hoag, afterward well known as Comfort Collins, was
born about the year 1711, came forth in the ministry at an early
age, and continued faithfully laboring in the gift committed to her
to a very advanced period of life.

28

DAVID FERRIS.

tion. The next day she again addressed him in the
same words. He endeavored to get off without reply-
ing, but she told him it was useless to endeavor to
evade it; she was assured he ought to have spoken,
and his disobedience had almost prevented her service.
David then confessed that for twenty years he had
been unfaithful in this respect to apprehended duty.
Comfort, after expressing her wonder at the depth of
Divine kindness still manifest toward one so long in
rebellion, administered such counsel and advice on the
subject as she was furnished with from the Source of
true wisdom. The next day they were again at meet-
ing. Once more a call for obedience was made to
David. He says : " I again felt a concern to speak to
the people, but endeavored to evade it. A man of
some note was sitting before me, and this increased my
reluctance to speak. I supposed he would not be
present at the next meeting, and then I Avould obey
the call of the Lord to that service. Thus I spent the
greater part of an hour. At length, my Divine Mas-
ter, the great Master Builder, thus addressed me:
' Why dost thou still delay, desiring to be excused until
a more convenient season? There never will be a
better time than this; I have waited on thee above
twenty years ; I have clearly made known to thee my
will, so that all occasion of doubt has been removed ;
yet thou hast refused to submit, until thy day is far

DAVID FERRIS.

29

spent ; and if thou dost not speedily comply -with my
commands, it will be toojate; thy opportunity will
be lost.' I then clearly saw that if I were forsaken,
and left to myself, the consequence would be death and
darkness forever! At the sight of the horrible pit
that yawned for me, if I continued in disobedience,
my body trembled like an aspen-leaf, and my soul was
humbled within me ! Then I said. Lord, here am I ;
make of me what thou wouldst have me to be ; leave
me not in displeasure, I beseech thee. All my pov> er
to resist was then suspended ; I forgot the great man
that had been in my way, and was raised on my feet I
hardly knew how, and expressed, in a clear and dis-
tinct manner, what was on my mind. When I had
taken my seat, Comfort Hoag rose, and had an open,
favorable opportunity to speak to the assembly. After
meeting she told me that during the time we had sat
in silence, her whole concern was on my account ; that
her anxiety for my deliverance from that bondage was
such that she was willing to offer up her natural life
to the Lord, if it might be a means to bring me forth
in the ministry ; and that, on makiug the offering, I
rose to speak. On which her anxiety for me was re-
moved, and her mind filled with concern for the people
present.

" At that time I was made a real Quaker, and was
not ashamed to be seen trembling before tlie Lord,
3*

30

DAVID FERRIS.

Under a sense of so great and merciful a deliverance,
I saw and felt ample cause for it. It was with me as
with Israel of old, when the Lord caused their captivity
to return, saying he would build them as at the first,
and they should fear and tremble for all his goodness,
and for all the prosperity he would procure for them.
My soul rejoiced in the Lord, and I magnified his
excellent name, who is worthy of all honor, glory,
and renown forever.

"It appeared to me wonderful that I should thus be
lifted out of this horrible pit of my own digging ; and
I was so absorbed in the love and mercy of my heav-
enly Benefactor, that I was filled with thankfulness
and praise, attended with a desire that, in future, I
might diligently watch and wait for the pointing of
his holy finger to every service he might be pleased to
allot me, that so no opportunity might be lost of man-
ifesting my gratitude by obedience to his will. My
feelings were like those of a prisoner who had been
long in bonds and was set at liberty.'^

David Ferris was, according to the testimony of his
Friends, useful in the ministry, his Gospel labors sound
and edifying, and tending to advance the cause of
truth and righteousness. Yet they believed his long
unfaitlifulness had stunted his growth in his gift, and
caused him to go in measure halting all the days of
his life. In reference to this he says : " Having so

DAVID FERRIS.

31

long rebelled, I had no reason to expect that I should
be so useful as I might have been had I rendered
early obedience to the heavenly call. However, it
appeared necessary, if little were committed to my
care, to be faithful to that little." He had some closely
proving dispensations to pass through. At one long-
extended period he had no concern to labor in the
ministry, and he who had refused to do the Lord's
work when called to it, found all ability for service
taken away. He thought, and his friends thought,
the gift had been withdrawn. It was, however, the
will of his Lord once more to restore it, and to the end
of his days he appears to have endeavored to walk in
humility and faithfulness.

He was diligent in the attendance of meetings, and
in those for discipline was of good service. He did
not allow his temporal affairs to keep him from his
meetings, shutting up his shop that he might attend
there on week-days. He was religiously concerned to
educate his children in the fear of the Lord, and in
Christian simplicity and plainness. He was hospitable
to his friends, and charitable to the poor. He was
tried with bodily weakness and frequent sickness
during the last three years of his life, under which he
was preserved in much patience. His mind, in the
prospect of eternity, appeared tranquil and trustful,
and he was enabled to say, ^^AU is well.'' His

32

DAVID FERRIS.

Master was with him in his sufferings; and at one
time, when he had been sitting in silence with some
Friends who had gathered by his bed, he was strength-
ened, in the fresh feeling of life, to exclaim, " To me,
to live is Christ, and to die is gain/' Thus sustained
and supported, his close was in peace. His death took
place Twelfth month 5th, 1779, he being seventy-two
years of age.

WILLIAM HUNT.

WILLIAM HUNT, of whom Richard Jordan
once said, he ^yas the greatest man North Caro-
lina ever held, was born at Manoquacy, in Maryland,
in the year 1733. His parents had removed thither
from New Jersey. William, very early in life, was
made sensible of the visitations of Grace, and submit-
ting thereto, had, at eleven years of age, remarkable
openings in Divine things. His mind was unusually
mature, and he was enabled to perceive that the works
of creation and of Providence were full of wonderful
harmony. When about fourteen years old he received
a gift in the ministry, in which he labored with fer-
vency and heart-awakening power the short period
allotted him on earth. It has been the will of the
Lord Jesus to commit his precious gifts at times to
such as are very young, and to make them able min-
isters of his Gospel. Some such, having fulfilled their
portion of service in his cause on earth, have been
gathered home to their heavenly rest, while yet in

33

34

WILLIAM HUNT.

childhood ; others have been withdrawn from the con-
flicts of time in the dawning of manhood ; and a few
have remained bright monuments of the Lord's power
and goodness, testifying of his Grace and good Spirit,
to advanced age.

George Newland, in his twelfth year, was called to
the ministry of the Gospel by the Giver of all spiritual
gifts, and was favored to labor in the churches in his
native country, Ireland, to the comfort and edification
of his elder Friends. His understanding was bright,
his life was innocent, his conversation exemplary, and
his ministry sound. Six years of labor for his Divine
Master were soon over, and then a lingering illness
came upon him. He said he had passed through
much inw^ard exercise, known only to the Lord — and
he did not know but he had rather die than live — yet
he durst not desire death. " I have felt more of the
Lord's love to me since I was sick, in a Avonderful
manner, than ever before. I strove to serve the Lord
in my health, and now I reap the benefit of it. I can
look forward, and that is a mercy.'' The sensible evi-
dence of the love of God to his soul overcame him, and
he said, " Oh ! if the earnest be so precious, what will
the fulness be?" With the praises of God on his
tongue, and the love of God in his heart, his sickness
was stripped of gloom, and the hour of death brought
no bitterness of spirit to him. On the 24th of Eighth

WILLIAM HUXT.

35

month, 1708, being then not nineteen years of age, his
earthly com-se was finished, and he went rejoicing to
his rest.

Ellis Lewis of Xortli AVales, in Britain, when a
child, being favored with the visitations of Divine
love, submitted thereto, and about the thuteenth year
of his age appeared in a public testimony to the truth.
His first communication was delivered in English, a
language to which he was not accustomed, and it was
"remarkable and tenderino-/' Havino; eno^ao-ed in
the service of his Divine Master, faithfully did he
labor in the work of the ministry, at home and abroad,
adorning, by a holy life and circumspect demeanor,
the doctrine he was called and qualified to proclaim
and defend. His blaster saw meet to continue liim
long as a bright example of the blessed effects of pre-
ser%ang grace upon the willing and obedient; and
being full of love to the brethi-en, and clothed with
the meekness and gentleness which adorn the Chi-istian
mind, he laid down his head in peace in the Eleventh
month, 1764. He was then eighty-seven years old,
and had been in the ministry seventy-four years.

Kobert Barclay's daughter Christiana, in her fom--
teenth year was engaged to labor in calling others to
repentance; and- thus she continued to her seventy-first
year, when, her labor on earth being over, she received
the welcome message, " Come, ye blessed of my Father,

36

WILLIAM HUNT.

inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founda-
tion of the world."

Many members of our Society, in their fourteenth,
fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth years, have been
constrained to enter into the Gospel field of labor, and
to preach with power and authority the universality
of the love of God, the heart-cleansing visitations of
his grace, the holy certainty and saving efficacy of that
Divine Light which lighteth every man which cometh
into the world. Whether these died young, in the me-
ridian of life, or in advanced age, they never regretted
having given up the bloom of their youth to the Lord's
service. James Parnell and Edward Burrough —
youthful martyrs in the cause of Truth and righteous-
ness— died in prison. What to them, in the hour of
death, was the suffering their cruel enemies had inflicted
on them?

In that hour, James Parnell could say, " I die inno-
cently." "I have seen glorious things." Edward
Burrough, after praying for his persecutors, in a sweet
feeling of acceptance with God, declared, "Though
this body of clay must turn to dust, yet I have this
testimony, that I have served God in my generation,
and that Spirit which hath lived, and acted, and ruled
in me, shall yet break forth in thousands."

It would break too much upon this sketch of Wil-
liam Hunt's life, to tell of many of those early dedi-

WILLIAM HUNT.

37

cated ones ^vlio like him were led to traverse sea and
land to fulfil their Master's bidding, and who, being
faithful to the close, were crowned with a happy and
trustful death. Most of these instances occurred in the
earlier periods of our Socief)^, but not entirely so. The
Lord's precious gifts are bestowed, and his merciful
calls are yet extended to the very young, and some of
them, even in these days, have been strengthened to
proclaim his goodness to others. And why should not
the call to the ministry be given as early now as in
former days ? Why should not the Lord's power be
manifested or break forth through the labors of as
youthful instruments ? Surely, if the instances be few,
it is only for want of dedication in the visited children,
and the deadening influence of the example of those in
elder years.

William Hunt travelled much in the work of the
ministry, and being watchfully attentive to the oj^en-
ings of Truth on his mind, he was enabled to preach in
the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. His
vigorous intellect was sanctified by Divine Grace.
Wisdom in him seemed in advance of experience, and
in early youth he exhibited the ripeness of maturity.
When Herman Husbands departed from the principles
of our Society, and sought greater liberty in doctrine
than the Truth allowed, William Hunt was his most
unflinching opponent. He did not deem that it was
4

38

WILLIAM HUNT.

detraction to unfold the unsoundness of those who
were likely to lead others astray; neither did he think
it a breach of Christian charity to withstand them with
true-hearted zeal.

About the commencement of the year 1767, William
Hunt felt a concern to visit Friends both to the south
and to the north, and he believed it would be right
for Zachariah Dicks, also of North Carolina, to accom-
pany him. Under this conviction he wrote the follow-
ing letter to that Friend :

" Dear Friend, — Not having an opportunity to
converse, I send thee this ambassador, to convey some
fruit I lately got from the holy land, a little spikenard
and myrrh, the choice spices with which our Lord was
anointed before he passed through that painful dispen-
sation of suifering. My mind had been in a true calm
and profound quiet for some days, free from sorrowing
and tempest of any kind ; so that I was ready to con-
clude I should have no more to do, but sometimes to
eat this pleasant fruit and drink of the well that stands
in the midst of the court of God. But as I was thus
musing, with deep admiration and humble adoration to
the Great Name that had thus brought me through all
my great and sore trials, which the Lord knows were
many and grievous to be borne, I thought I espied a
little spring, like unto that thou knowest lies under the
threshold of the house of God, and it ran toward the
south, and pointed toward the north, like the glancing
of a candle by a glass window, [intimating] that some

WILLIAM HUNT.

39

of these fruits must be conveyed to some of those
inhabitants. And as I apprehend thou art a chosen
companion to me of God, in the moving of that en-
dearing love and good -will which hath subsisted be-
tween us from the beginning, I give thee a hint to
the end thou may est keep steady under the preparing
hand, that when the full time is come thou mayest gird
on the vestments of war, and appear as a soldier well
disciplined therein. I am at all times, and in all
things, thy assured Friend, William Hunt.

On the 25th of Fourth month, 1767, the meeting
at New Garden in North Carolina furnished William
Hunt and Zachariah Dicks with certificates of unity
with their prospect of religious service. They were
together at the Yearly fleeting of Philadelphia, to-
ward the close of the Ninth month of that year, soon
after which Zachariah Dicks believed it was in accord-
ance with the will of his Divine Master for him to
return to his home. William Hunt continued his
travels to the north. Perhaps it was during this
journey that he made use of an expression which has
been often repeated. " My concern is to be devoted to
the service of Christ so fully, that I may not spend
one minute in pleasing myself'^

Great was his labor as he travelled from place to
place. Though he was often engaged to minister at a
considerable length, yet the powerful baptizing influ-
ence which accompanied the word preached, so effec-

40

WILLIAM HUNT.

tually reached the hearers that they listened witli
unwearied attention. The plainness with which he
reproved thenij the blows of the "sharp threshing-
instrument which his Master put into his hands, did
not offend them. Those who were desirous of doing
right were glad to hear of their faults, and anxious
that the whole counsel of God should be shown them;
and those w^ho were lukewarm realized the truth of a
saying of Robert Walker, " People love to hear preach-
ing, but they do not love the cross." In regard to the
line of labor in which he was led, and the close rebukes
he had to administer, AVilliam said, " Most of my
work is rough ; but rough work brings good pay, if it
is well done."

In the Second month, 1768, William Hunt, at a
Monthly ^Meeting held at Flushing, Long Island,
having spoken largely to the states of Friends assem-
bled, felt his mind clothed with a concern that slavery
should be abolished. Toward the close of his testi-
mony, after expressing his desire that all the poor
oppressed African bondmen and women should be set
at liberty, he said, " I verily believe the jubilee year
is at hand, and I desire those that have slaves may not
put it off for their children to set them at liberty ; for
we know not what our children may prove to be. I
earnestly desire that none may put it off beyond the
appointed time; for if they do, I am firmly of the

WILLIAM HUNT.

41

mind they will be plagued, as sure as ever Egypt was
for retaining Israel.'^

During the time that AYilliam Hunt was on his
journey to the north he wrote the following letter,
addressed to James and Ann Mitchell :

"Salem, near Boston, 13th of Twelfth mo., 1767.

" Dearly beloved Friends, — Precious in the
sight of the Lord is the fellowship of his children, and
sweet their remembrance one of another, because the
odor of his ointment sends forth a fragrant smell. This
my joy is full in every remembrance of you, in that love
which first gave birth to the covenant of life in our
spirits, making them truly one, in the pure hope and
feeling of Gospel power. In this we have had a near
union and sympathy, with full assurance that the Lord
Almighty hath called us out of darkness into the true
light of his dear Son, through whom we have seen won-
derful things and unutterable. We have likewise sor-
rowfully to behold the deluge of apostasy that covers
our Sion, as with a thick cloud. But, dear Friends, in
Goshen there is light, which makes the dwellings of
Jacob beautiful, and the tents of Israel goodly. . . .

" This day, as I sat in meeting, a language passed
through my mind, ' Hasten, hasten to visit my seed
through the land, that thou may go where I send thee.'
Whether this be to the grave, or to a distant land, I
leave ; — only petition the great Name to preserve me
worthy to do all that he hath allotted me, so that I
may be fit to be gathered home in due season.

" Dear youth, the affectionate feeling of my spirit
4*

42

WILLIAM HUNT.

toward you I shall never forget, but often fervently
desire that you may come into the house of the Lord,
to behold the beauty of true holiness forever. I con-
clude with mine and companion's dear love, your often
very poor, but true friend, William Hunt.''

Some years before the Revolution, William Hunt
had, in common with many other Friends, a deep and
settled conviction that a time of trial and suffering was
coming on America. On the 18th of Second month,
1770, being at a meeting at Centre, in South Carolina,
he was earnestly engaged in exhorting those present to
examine the foundation on which they were building
before a time of trial came ; adding, " The Lord will
visit this land with his judgments, and then it will be
known who hath built upon the sure foundation, and
who hath not. In that time of deep trial, the hypo-
crites, formalists, and nominal Quakers will not only
suffer, but many will perish and come to nought;
while those who have built upon the sure Rock of
Ages will be preserved by him in the midst of these
trials, as it were in the hollow of his hand. There
are many grown, and now wdthin the audience of my
voice, that shall see these times come."

In the testimony concerning Susanna Lightfoot we
are informed, that at " divers meetings " previous to
the breaking out of the American Revolution, she
proclaimed, in an awful manner, that a stormy day

WILLIAM HUNT.

43

was approaching — a day which would shake the
foundations of men, and in which many of the formal
professors in our Society would be blown away.

William Hunt was again on a religious visit in the
northern provinces in 1770. He attended the Monthly
Meeting of Philadelphia on the 26th of Fourth month
in that year, and, during the sitting for discipline, said,
" The man's part, the creaturely part, has no right to
meddle with the business of the Monthly Meeting;
neither can it do any good."

In the year 1771, William Hunt paid a religious
visit to Friends in Great Britain and Ireland.

William Hunt and Thomas Thornburg, about the
close of Seventh month, 1772, went to Holland, ac-
companied by Samuel Emlen and Morris Birkbeck.
After visiting the Friends there, he embarked for
Scarborough, but by stress of contrary winds, not being
able to reach that place, he was landed at Shields on the
25th of the Eighth month. The next afternoon he
went to the house of James King, near New Castle,
where on the 28tli he was taken ill. On the fourth day
of his sickness the disorder appeared to be the small-
pox, and William, addressing his companion, said, " This
sickness is nigh unto death, if not quite." On Thomas
Thornburg saying he hoped it might not be so, Wil-
liam continued, " jMy coming hither seems to me prov-
idential, and when I wait, I am enclosed, and see no

44

WILLIAM HUNT.

farther." He said at one time, "One would wonder
all the world does not seek after a quiet mind — it is
such a treasure now." He was full of peace, and not-
withstanding the distressing nature of his complaint
he manifested no impatience — nothing but resignation
to the Lord's will. In the fulness of contented faith
he exclaimed, " It is enough ; my Master is here." A
Friend saying we might find cause of thankfulness in
all our afflictions, he said, "Great cause indeed. I
never saw it clearer. Oh the wisdom ! — the wisdom
and goodness — the mercy and kindness, has appeared
to me wonderful ; and the farther and deeper we go,
the more we wonder. I have admired, since I was cast
on this bed, that all the world does not seek after the
enjoyment of Truth, it so far transcends all other
things." Thus patiently he endured the disease that
lay heavily upon him ; being always hopeful, and some-
times rejoicing in hope, and making inward melody to
the Lord. Just before his close he triumphantly ex-
claimed, " Friends, Truth reigns over all ! "

Thus died William Hunt. He was of a meek and
retiring spirit, yet was sharp in opposing error, and
unbending in support of the Truth. He was an exam-
ple of patient, silent waiting in meeting for the arising
of life, and a skilful divider of the word, when the
Lord called him to minister. To the babes in Christ,
his doctrine dropped as the rain on the tender grass ; to

WILLIAM HUNT,

45

the self-willed and unfaithful, the backsliding and re-
bellious, the word in his mouth was as a two-edged
sword. Although but in his thirty-ninth year, he
stood as an elder in experience and stability, even as a
fether in the church, worthy of double honor.

SAMUEL EMLEN.

~PiURING the period of the American Revolution,
and for many years after, a neatly built man of
slender person, and a light, quick step, might have been
often seen treading the streets of Philadelphia. His
dress was generally of a drab color, and very neatly
made. When the weather rendered an overcoat neces-
sary, he wore one of a dark mixture, which he was
wont to keep folded over his breast, by the pressure of
his left arm. This man was Samuel Emlen. Some-
times, while passing along the street at his usual quick
pace, he would suddenly fall into a slower motion, and
his steps almost cease. On such occasions he would
frequently turn into some neighboring dwelling; and
soon — sometimes while still in the entry — commence
ministering in Gospel power, and in the true spirit of
prophetic discernment, to those within.

This man was considered the seer of that day. So re-
markably was he at times favored with an insight into
the character and condition of those he met with, that

46

SAMUEL EMLEN,

47

many who were conscious of secretly withstanding the
operations of grace in their hearts, were afraid to meet
him. Many instances are recorded of his quickness in
detecting, and promptness in rebuking evil. A young
man of a high, proud, self-sufficient spirit, has recorded
in a letter, a short sermon preached to him by Samuel
Emlen. His residence was near the northern line of
Pennsylvania, but being in Philadelphia, he called at
the counting-house of an elder of the Northern District
Monthly Meeting, where he found this man of spiritual
discernment sitting by himself. As he drew pear,
Samuel, whose eyesight was very defective, perhaps
thinking he was some one with whom he Avas ac-
quainted, thus addressed him : " Who art thou of lofty
stature ? By the time these words were uttered, he
was dipped into the state of the young man, and with-
out waiting for an answer, continued his discouj'se,
" An empty vine, thou bringest forth fruit unto thy-
self! A few more sharp, pithy sentences, followed.
Most emphatically true was this character, given by a
man who from outward information knew him not.
He brought forth fruit to himself, in a youth charac-
terized by a headstrong following of his own inclina-
tions; and he brought forth fruit unto himself, in a
maturity of disgraceful servitude to the love of strong
drink.

Samuel Emlen was born in Philadelphia, on the

48

SAMUEL EMLEN.

fifteenth day of the First month, 1730. His parents,
having themselves submitted to the restraints of reli-
gion— the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ — felt the
obligation of endeavoring to preserve their children
from evil. As ability was furnished them from above,
they labored for the good of their offspring, seeking to
bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord. The temptations of Satan were presented to
the mind of the youthful Samuel, and in measure
obtained some hold there ; yet, through the watchful
care of his friends, and the preserving grace of the
Most High, he was kept from gross evils. Very early
in life he was acquainted with the visitations of the
Holy Spirit, very early did he love inward commu-
nion with his Maker, and receive instruction in heav-
enly things.

He was blessed with excellent natural gifts. As a
scholar he was apt, and especially in the acquisition
of languages, being acquainted with Latin and Greek,
besides several of the tongues spoken by the modern
nations of Europe. He was thus qualified in after-life
to address foreigners in their own language, when he
was sent among them by the Bestower of all spiritual
gifts, to preach in Gospel power the unsearchable riches
of Christ.

After receiving his education, he was placed as an
apprentice in the counting-house of James Pemberton,

SAMUEL EMLEN.

49

where he acquired a knowledge of mercantile business ;
but having a sufficient patrimonial estate, he never
en crashed in trade on his own account. Soon after he
arrived at manhood, he accompanied Michael Light-
foot to the meetings of Friends in Virginia and Xorth
Carolina. In 1756, he paid his first visit to Europe,
sailing in a vessel for Ireland, with Catharine Pay ton
and Mary Peisley, who were returning from religious
labor in America, and with his relative, Abraham Far-
rington, who was going to visit the churches in Great
Britain. In Ireland he accompanied his cousin to
many meetings, and while with him first spoke as a
minister. He returned to America in 1758. It is
needless, in this brief sketch, to trace his labors mi-
nutely ; but we may say, that he subsequently visited
England six times, in only two instances remaining
over two years.

Samuel Emlen was of a cheerful temper, and having
his memory stored with interesting anecdotes — which
in conversation he freely brought forth — his societ}^
was very pleasant to young people.

Of the many anecdotes told of the spirit of discern-
ment which characterized him, we may relate a few.
X valuable Friend, a member of another INIonthly
^Meeting, paying a visit to Philadelphia, brought his
Hon with him. The young man, having heard that
Samu :!l Emlen could see into the inward state and con-
5

50

SAMUEL EMLEN.

dition of those he was with, was particularly desirous
of avoiding an interview, having, as he thought, suf-
ficient reasons for not liking to be seen just as was.
The father attended the Northern District Meeting, to
which Samuel Emlen belonged, and the son could not
refuse to accompany him, although he felt no little
fear at the prospect of being in the same house with
this discerner of spirits. He kept, however, as far
from the gallery as possible, and felt comforted at the
close of the meeting, that he had so far escaped a pub-
lic rebuke. But he soon found cause for fresh unea-
siness ; for Samuel Emlen kept close to his father,
and said, when the latter accepted an invitation to
dine with William Savery, " I will go along.'' Din-
ner passed sociably and pleasantly, and when the com-
pany afterward gathered into the parlor, the young
man took the farthest corner of the room from the
spot where the object of his dread had located himself.
All his plannings, however, were in vain. Soon
Samuel fell into silence, and the word of exhortation
and reproof was j^ut into his mouth. He addressed
himself at once to the trembling youth, with such a
soul-searching testimony as unveiled all that the latter
most wished to be hidden. But there was consolation
as well as rebuke in the testimony, and holy resolutions
were awakened, which, through the Lord's assistance,
were measrrably kept.

SAMUEL EMLEX. 51

AVe have alluded to the dimness of outward vision
of this extraordinarily gifted man. We have also
spoken of his inward quickness of perception. The
folloAving anecdote shows that his inward sense was
more to be depended on for direction than the outward
sight of others.

A Friend, late a valuable elder in this city, when
youn^ in years, waited on a stranger somewhat ad-
vanced in life, to pay Samuel Emlen a visit. While
sitting together, Samuel fell into silence, became reli-
giously exercised, and soon began to preach powerfully
to the state of some person young in years. There were
but three persons in the room, and the youthful elder
knew that the communication was fitted to neither of
them. He became nervous and uneasy. He thought his
spiritually gifted friend had for once made a mistake.
At last, as Samuel continued his discom'se, his uneasi-
ness became so great he could no longer retain his seat.
He arose and quietly approached the half-opened door
to make his escape, when he perceived standing behind
it, in the adjoining room, a young man weeping bit-
terly. Kelieved of all his faithless fears, the elder
returned to his seat with the substance of this text
impressed on his mind : The testimony of Jesus is
the spirit of prophecy.^'

Samuel Emlen and his friend George Dillw}m often
travelled togvther in great spiritual oneness, it being

52

SAMUEL EMLEK

their lot many times in Europe as well as America to
be led to the same meetings, and to labor in harmo-
nious exercise. At one time, while they were setting
together in a meeting in London, in which George
Dillwyn had been under great concern of mind, in a
feeling that he was preparing for religious service, but
knew not where it was to be performed, Samuel turned
round to him and said, as if answering a question,
" Thou must go with me to Holland." He who had
been fitting George for the labor had prepared Samuel
for a similar work, and unfolded to him the service to
which they were called. The whole matter was now
clear to both. They joined together, and, with the
unity of their friends, visited the land whereto they
were called, to their own peace and the edification of
the gathered church and many other seeking minds
there.

Samuel Emlen was sitting one day at a window
in Burlington, which overlooked a tavern yard, where
a number of persons were entering. The minister
was too blind to see their countenances, but in the fresh
putting forth of Gospel power, he commenced speak-
ing, " I have a message to thee, O captain ! " One
of the company, who was a captain, gazed at the
speaker with much earnest interest, astonished at such
a salutation. Samuel immediately continued, " I have
a message from God to thee, O captain ! " Having

SAMUEL EMLEN.

53

thus drawn attention, the Gospel message flowed freely
to the startled hearer. So effectually did it reach his
state, that it was the means, in the hands of Provi-
dence, of opening his spiritual eyes to see the things
belonging to his souFs peace, and from that time a
change took place. He witnessed true repentance and
amendment of life, and was himself concerned to call
others to the Lord Jesus Christ, who had had mercy
upon him.

His friends testify of Samuel Emlen, that he was a
man fearing God and hating covetousness. He was
no bigot, but he was a close reprover of those who, to
shun the cross, were following the vain fashions, cus-
toms, and opinions of the world. He was often drawn
to condemn the eager pursuit of riches, and yet he was
constrained to encourage honest industry within the
limitation of Truth. When engaged in the most lively
conversation, he seemed ever on the watch for the open-
ings of the Holy Spirit, and ever ready to drop a word
in season. Although different in many respects, yet
in fervent dedication he resembled our late dear friend,
Sarah Cresson, who once observed, that when entering
into company, she never was free to engage in general
conversation until she had first felt inwardly to know
whether her Master had anything for her to do there.

Samuel Emlen was a true comforter to those who
were dedicating themselves to the Lord's work. His
5*

64

SAMUEL EMLEN.

wisdom and his knowledge were great, and through
Divine favor he seemed almost always furnished with
a word in season for them. Job Scott very truly char-
acterizes him in a letter to a Friend : " Mention, if thou
pleasest, my love to my dear friend, Samuel Emlen.
His kindness is heartily and thankfully acknowledged.
I know he is a hearty lover of the blessed cause, and
therein his reward will not fail him. Except that, I
know no probability of his getting any. But that
being almost his whole delight, I conclude he wants no
other."

That honest elder. Increase Woodward, of Cross-
wicks, N. J., who deceased Sixth month 1st, 1822, in
the eighty-first year of her age, has this passage in
her diary: " Dear old Samuel Emlen, in his usual sal-
utations, generally had something to say to the state of
those he met with." She then says he told her one
day, that her last days would be her best days. This
she acknowledges had been verified at the time she
wrote the account. It was also her happy experience
to the end of her life, when she was enabled, in peace
and faith, to yield up her spirit in the confidence of
exchanging this earthly scene of trial for the joys of
heaven.

In the year 1793, William Lewis, of Bristol, Eng-
land, a serious seeker after righteousness, who liad
been lod by the dispensations of Divine Providence, to

SAMUEL EMLEN.

55

feel and acknowledge the truth of many of the princi-
ples and testimonies of the Society of Friends, was
brought under close exercise in reference to the adop-
tion of plainness in his attire, manners, and language.
Like many other individuals who dislike to bear the
cross Avhich a non-conformity with the customs of the
world imposes, he found arguments against obedience.
He gives an interesting account of the manner in
which he was led to feel the importance of faithfulness
in the maintenance of these testimonies. As respects
using the plain language he says, " The very idea of a
change in this particular, caused such a shrinking, and
almost dread of mind, as induced an attempt to sift
and prove groundless their arguments in proof of its
being a genuine Christian testimony against that cor-
ruption in speech, which, as to the letter, I could not
deny to be very evident, in that commonly adopted.
. . . . The first passage that met, and arrested my
attention, was the apostolic injunction to be in the use
of ^ sound speech that cannot be condemned.^ This
pressed and pinched in some degree at first, but I got
from under its weight by reasoning after this manner.
Sound ! that is surely so, which, proceeding from a
heart Avithout rottenness and divested of all deceit,
seeks not to leave a false impression on the minds of
hearers. But ^hold fast the form of sound words,'
came from the same authority, and appeared to incul-

56

SAMUEL EMLEN.

cale that substantial rectitude of heart, with every
other effect of the Light of Christ therein, should
shine forth in its native garb before others, and that in
the real possession of Truth inwardly, every appear-
ance of evil must be abstained from ovfy n- Ihi. This,
for a time, lay with more weight than the former ; but
at length, appeared to contain, in substance, nothing
that added to its force. I came at last to the Lord's
message unto his people through the prophet Malachi,
charging them with such withholding, as was even
robbery in his sight, and which was committed by •
keeping back ^ tithes and offerings/ Reflecting upon
this charge, and remembering that in these offerings,
mint, anise, etc., were included, things as insignificant
in themselves, when compared with the weighty mat-
ters of the law, as a form of sound words could be to
substantial truth in the inward parts, and yet that
Divine wisdom made them of such importance as to a
condemn those who refused compliance with what was
enjoined respecting them, in the awful manner noticed,
I began to fear — I say, to fear — that Friends were
right ; and that it was my duty, as an individual, to
join them in testimony against the corruptions crept
into modern language, and to go back to the primitive
simplicity and plainness of speech. A sore exercise
of mind now took place, and while under it, falling in

SAMUEL EMLEX. 57

company with a ministering Friend from America, a
communication from his lips was a seal thereto."

This minister was Samuel Emlen ; and of those assem-
bled on the occasion "William Lewis refers to, some had
departed from and given up the testimonies of Friends.
Samuel spoke to this import : Robbery, robbery ! it is
a crime of no small magnitude with respect to things
pertaining to men ; how great then is its turpitude,
when the rio^hts of the Most Hio;h are invaded, and the
creature holds back what is due to the Creator ! Some
of old were charged with this atrocity ; they had the
impudence to query, Wherein? but an answer was
ready, ^ In tithes and offerings.' " Samuel enlarged on
the subject, and addressed a person present. At the
close of his testimony he inquired who William Lewis
was. On being informed, he addressed this short ser-
mon to him : " Well, William ! bring all the tithes
into the store-house." This communication, in connec-
tion with his previous exercises, had a powerfully con-
vincing effect on the listener's mind. He gave up to
what he believed to be the Truth, and meekly bore the
cross his Master laid upon him. After a time he was
admitted into the Society of Friends, received a gift in
the ministry, and walking in the Light, experienced
sweet fellowship with the brethren, and the favor of his
Divine Master, to the close of his life.

Well would it be if our members who are inconsist-

58 SAMUEL EMLEN.

ent in their attire, were brought to participate in that
kind of feeling which troubled Thomas Ellwood, when
he heard a persecutor of Friends say of him, bec.ause
he wore a high black velvet cap, "Let him alone;
don't meddle with him; he is no Quaker, I'll warrant
you." This, he savs, was worse to him than if they
had beaten him as they did the Friends, and put him
out of conceit of his cap. If those who profess to be
Quakers, and yet do not conform to the testimonies of
the Society, were blessed with a sound, discriminating
judgment, they would not fail to perceive the incongru-
ity of their conduct. People who are not members
among Friends, have often a keen appreciation of
what consistency requires. Kobert Nesbitt, in 1791,
while laboring in the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia,
told an anecdote to this effect. Duriuij the war of the
American Revolution, a member of the Society of
Friends was laid hold on by a body of soldiers, who
told him that he must go with them to the war ; in
other words, join the army. His clothes were no index
to a peaceable profession, or he would not have been
disturbed. He told the soldiers, however, that he was
a Quaker, and could not fight. " You a Quaker ! ''
said they ; " you have not got the marks of one."
However, on his repeated assurance that he was a
Quaker, and earnest solicitation to be released, they let
him go, but not before they had cut off his hau-, which

SAMUEL EMLEN.

59

he wore tied beliind, his cross-pockets, and large fash-
ionable buttons — thus in a smmmary way reducing
him somewhat nearer to their idea of the true standard
of Quaker plainness than he had before exhibited.

We have spoken of Samuel Emlen's knowledge of
languages. On one occasion, in his public ministry of
the Gospel, he addressed a learned audience in Latin ;
and during his travels on the continent of Europe, his
French and German were frequently called into exer-
cise. During one of his visits in England, a female in
his presence, amused herself highly with his primitive
dress and diminutive person. Speaking in French, she
thought the object of her ridicule, though perhaps con-
scious that she was laughing at him, was yet ignorant
of what she was saying. At last she closed her foolish
remarks about him with, I wonder if it can talk ?
" Yes,'' said Samuel, turning his intelligent eye on her,
" Yes, it can talk a little Latin, a little Greek, a little
Hebrew, a little Spanish, a little German. AVhicli of
these wouldst thou like to converse in ? " Samuel
Emlen's rej^roof was felt by the poor girl, and in her
confusion she was fain to betake herself to the quiet-
ness which became her. She was no doubt more care-
ful in future in her speeches about others, and perhaps
had a conviction impressed upon her mind, that sim-
plicity in dress and manners was no proof of feeble
intellect or limited knowledge. Those who are accus-

60

SAMUEL EMLEK.

tomed to speak their minds freely, had need to be very-
watchful, before they draw up the floodgates of re-
straint, and let out the pent-up stream of thought,
opinion, and prejudice. Many an individual has unin-
tentionally hurt the feelings of others, and many have
brought on themselves severe rebukes for want of
attending to this.

Samuel Emlen was fervent in his public ministra-
tions. His voice was clear and harmonious, and his
labors acceptable to Friends and others, being accom-
panied with baptizing power. His constitution was
infirm, and his bodily afflictions often rendered travel-
ling trying to him. But although very frequently un-
well, he was yet generally able to be moving about,
visiting the sick and afflicted, for which service he was
remarkably qualified. He could enter into sympathy
with them, he could console them with the precious
promises of Him, whom he had found to be a faith-
ful High Priest, touched with a feeling of our infirmi-
ties. During one of his visits in England, being very
ill, he made use of this expression, which, while it
manifested his humility, sets forth the ground on which
his soul reposed : Thanks be to the Lord, for the
h ope I have in his mercy !

Many of Samuel Emlen's letters are very instructive
and interesting, containing pithy passages worthy of
preservation. Those composed during the latter years

SAMUEL EMLEK

61

of his life were written by others at his dictation, be-
cause of liis inability to see ; yet he generally endeav-
ored to sign his name to them. In one dated Seventh
month 7th, 1794, addressed to his fellow-towiiswoman,
Sarah Harrison, then in England on a religious visit,
and to her companion, Sarah Birkbeck, is this passage :
My hope is that mercy and goodness will follow her
[Sarah Harrison] for present comfort and support, and
that at last she will be found, through adorable conde-
scension, worthy to dwell in the house of the Lord our
God forever and ever ; — the j^rospect of which should
be powerfully encouraging in a care to learn that ex-
alted anthem, ^ Thy will be done, O Father who art in
heaven ! ' I wLsh dear Sarah Birkbeck preserved from
sacrilege, — that she may not be a robber of churches
as she goes along, but obedient to holy commandment,
giving unto the people that they may eat, without im-
properly adverting to the quantity or quality of that
which may be intrusted to her by the good Lord of
the family.'^

Toward the close of his life, though his weakness of
body increased, and his pains augmented, yet were his
spiritual faculties in lively exercise, and his industry
in the fulfilment of his religious duties, whether of a
public or private nature, continued unabated. He had
the assurance, he said, that he must shortly put ofiP tliis
earthly tabernacle, and he desired to be found at his
6

62

SAMUEL EMLEN.

post of duty, with his loins girded and his light
burning.

In the year 1798, he first became affected with
spasms in the arm and chest ; these were believed to
be of a gouty character. Attacks of this nature, al-
though very violent while they lasted, were soon over,
and did not confine him to his house many hours at a
time. In the summer of 1799, while on a visit to his
son Samuel, who resided near Burlington, he thought
himself sensible of a slight paralysis. Its effects were
quite transient ; and on his return to Philadelphia, he
resumed, at the promptings of love and duty, his visits
of Christian benevolence.

In the Twelfth month of that year the gouty spasms
became more frequent, yet he still ventured to meeting.
On First-day, the 15th of that month, he attended his
own meeting, (the Northern District,) and was engaged
in earnest fervent labor in the ministry of the Gos-
pel of life and salvation. As his service was about
terminating, he felt himself suddenly taken very ill..
He leaned against the rail of the gallery for support,
not knowing but that his last hour was come ; and
then with much feeling he uttered the lines of Addi-
son.

"My life, if thou preservest my life,
Thy sacrifice shall be ;
And death, if death should be my doom,
Shall join my soul to thee."

SAMUEL EMLEX.

63

The Friends assembled perceived that Samuel was
ill, and the meeting closed. He was conveyed to a
neighboring dwelling, where he soon partially recov-
ered. The next day he attended the morning meeting
of ministers and elders, and on Third-day was at his
weekday meeting. At this meeting he was raised up
in Gospel power and authority to set forth the excel-
lency of that faith which is the saint's victory, and
which is sufficient to overcome the world. This was
the last public opportunity he had to advocYite the
cause of his Divine ^Master, which had been for nearly
half a century so precious to him. His weakness and
sufferings continued to increase, yet in the midst of
his afflictions of body, he was cheerful in mind, and
gladly received the visits of his friends.

Some of his beloved fellow-laborers in the GosjdcI of
Christ Jesus being with him, he said: "Remember,
' Ye have not chosen me ; but I have chosen you, and
ordained you, that ye should go, and bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit should remain."^

The attributes of the Almio;htv seemed ever before
him, and he frequently acknowledged, with thankful
emotions, the rich consolation administered to his soul.
These passages were uttered by him, in melodious
tones : " Their sin and their iniquities will I remem-
ber no more.'' " I will cast all their sins behind my
back/ " Ye shall have a song, as in the night, when

64

SAMUEL EMLEN.

a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as
when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain
of the Lord.'' " Oh, the tears of holy joy which flow
down my cheeks ! Sing praises, high praises to my
God ! I feel nothing in my way. Although my con-
duct through life has not been in every respect as
guarded as it might have been, yet the main bent of
my mind has been to serve thee, O God, who art glo-
rious in holiness, and fearful in praises ! I am sure I
have loved godliness and hated iniquity."

It was not until the day before his death that he
confined himself to his chamber, and even on that day
he sat up and enjoyed the conversation of his friends.
He made mention of many absent ones who were dear
to him, and expressed his fervent desires to the God of
all grace for their preservation and growth in the
Truth. He said he felt a portion of that love fo3
them which was stronger than death.

Serene and peaceful, he seemed in a state of mind
well befitting one about entering a happy immortality.
In this condition he retired to rest, about ten o'clock
in the evening, easy in body and in holy tranquillity
of soul. He fell into a sweet sleep, which lasted about
one hour, and was succeeded by a violent return of
pain, which resisted all efforts at alleviation. After
the physician had done all that seemed likely to be
useful, without effect, Samuel desired that nothing

SAMUEL EMLEN.

65

more might be attempted, saying, ^' All I want is
heaven ; Lord, receive my spirit/'' ^ly pain is great.
My God, grant me patience, humble, depending pa-
tience.'^ " Call upon me in the day of trouble ; I will
deliver thee, and thou shalt glority me." " Oh, how
precious a thing it is to feel the Spirit itself bearing
witness with our spirits that we are His." Oh ! this
soul is an awful thing; I feel it so. You that hear
me, mind, it is an awful thing to die : the invisible
world, how a^^-ful I "

He now deemed that his end drew near, and desired
that he might not be disturbed, except at his o^Tn
request, ^*that my mind may not be diverted — that
my whole mind may be centred in aspirations to the
tlirone of Grace." Inquiring the hour, he was informed
that it was al^out three o'clock ; he then said, " The
conflict will be over before live." He soon added, "Al-
mighty Father, come quickly, if it be thy holy will,
and receive my spirit." He now lay perfectly quiet
awhile, and life seemed over ; but a faint whisper was
heard, I thought I was gone I " Christ Jesus,
receive my spirit I " The end had now come I At
half-past four o'clock on the morning of the 30th of
Twelftii month, 1799, in a state of mind full of good-
will to man, and at peace with his God, he quietly
de[)arted.

How animating to the tribulated Christian ig euch a
6*

66

SAMUEL EMLEN.

close to such a life ! All have not the same brightness
of faith in the hour of death ; but however the true
follower of the Lord Jesus is led, his example may be
useful to others. Some are cheered by tracing the deep
poverty of spirit and exercise of mind in which some
faithful ones tread the valley of the shadow of death,
and some are anim,ated at finding departing saints
bursting out in thanksgiving, " Oh, blessed be God that
ever I was born ! "

JOHN

CHUECHMAN.

JOHN CHURCHMAN was born in Chester County,
^■^ Pennsylvania, on the 4th of Sixth month, 1705,
and was tenderly brought up by religiously concerned
parents, members of the Society of Friends.

He was a remarkable man. Visited by the Lord's
Holy Spirit in very early age, tendered and contrited
in meeting at eight years old, instructed and taught in
many of the mysteries of the kingdom while yet a
child, he grew up watchful and obedient to the direc-
tion of his heavenly Father and of his earthly parents.
He gave, it is true, early evidence that sin had a root
in him, which produced some fruit, which he mourned
over and repented of. Of the visitation in his eighth
year, he thus wrote : I saw myself and what I had
been doing, and what it was which had reproved me
for evil, and was made, in the secret of my heart, to
confess that childhood and youth, and the foolish
actions and words to which they are propense, are
truly vanity. Yet blessed forever be the name of the

67

68

JOHN CHURCHMAN.

Lord ! in his infinite mercy and goodness, he clearly
informed me, that if I would mind the discoveries of
his pure light for the future, what I had done iii the
time of my ignorance he would wink at and forgive ;
and the stream of love which filled my heart with
solid joy at that time, and lasted for several days, is
beyond all expression/'

Through various degrees of stability John grew up,
and having given up his own will to the Divine will,
he soon was made use of in the church militant.
Being brought forth in the ministry, he had some sore
conflicts of spirit, the enemy suggesting that the call
to speak had not been powerful enough, and that in
giving up thereto he had perhaps committed the sin
against the Holy Ghost which would not be forgiven.
Of this he says, "My exercise was great, but as I
endeavored to be quiet in my mind, seeking to know
the truth of my present condition, I was secretly
drawn to attend to something that spake inwardly
after this manner : ^ If thou wast to take a lad, an
entire stranger to thy language and business, however
likely he appeared for service, thou must speak loud
and distinctly to him, and perhaps with an accent or
tone that might show thee to be in earnest, to engage
his attention and point out the business; but thou
wouldst expect it should be otherwise with a child
brought up in thine house, who knew thy language,

JOHX CHURCHMAN.

69

and with whom thou hadst been familiar. Thou
wouldst expect him to wait by thee and watch thy
motions, so as to be instructed by thine eye looking
upon him, or pointing thy finger, and wouldst rebuke
or correct such an one, if he did not obey thy will on
such a small intelligent information/ I was instantly
relieved thereby, believing it to be from the Spirit of
Truth, that is to lead and guide into all truth/'

John Churchman mentions in his journal a remark-
able instance of obedience to Divine pointings in his
ministry. He was at Flushing, on Long Island, where
the Yearly Meeting was held. He says, " On First-
day I thought I had an engagement to stand up, and
considerable matter before me; and after speaking
three or four sentences which came with weight, all
closed up, and I stood still and silent for several min-
utes, and saw nothing more, not one word to speak.
I perceived the eyes of most of the people were upon
me, they, as well as myself, expecting more ; but
nothing further appearing, I sat down, I think I may
say in reverent fear and humble resignation, when that
remarkable sentence of Job was presented to my mind,
' Xaked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked
shall I return : the Lord gave, and the Lord hath
taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' I
suppose for nearly a quarter of an hour I remained in
a silent quiet; but afterward let in great reasonings

70

JOHN CHURCHMAN.

and fear lest I had not waited the right time to stand
upj and so was suffered to fall into rej^roach ; for the
adversary, who is ever busy and unwearied in his
attempts to devour, persuaded me to believe that the
people would laugh me to scorn, and I might as well
return home immediately and privately, as attempt
any further visit on the island. After meeting I hid
my inward exercise and distress as much as I could.
I lodged that night with a sympathizing friend and
experienced elder, who began to speak encouragingly
to me ; but I said to him, that I lioped he would not
take it amiss if I desired him to forbear saying any-
thing; for if he should say good things, I had no
capacity to believe, and if otherwise, I could not then
understand so as to be profitably corrected or instructed,
and after some time I fell asleep. When I awoke, I
remembered that the sentences I had delivered in the
meeting, were truths which could not be wrested to the
disadvantage of Friends, or dishonor of the cause of
Truth, though they might look like roots or something
to paraphrase upon ; and although my standing some
time silent before I sat down might occasion the people
to think me a silly fellow, yet they had no cause to
blame me for delivering words without sense or life.
Thus I became very quiet, and not much depressed,
and was favored with an humble resignation of mind,
and a desire that the Lord would be pleased to magnify

JOHN CHURCHMAN,

71

his own name and truth, and preserve me from bring-
ing any reproach thereon. I ventured to have meet-
ings appointed, and my particular friend and intimate
acquaintance, Caleb Eaper, of Burlington, being at
that meeting, went as companion with me, of whose
company I was glad, he being a valuable elder. AVe
went first to Rockaway, then to Jamaica, Sequetague,
Setawket, IMatinicock, Cowneck, and Westbury meet-
ings, and at most of them I had good satisfaction ; the
presence of the Lord in whom I delighted above all
things, being witnessed to my comfort, and I believe
to the edification of the sincere in heart ; but the testi-
mony of Truth was particularly sharp to the lukewarm
professors and libertines in our Society. That humbling
time I had at Flushing was of singular service to me,
being thereby made willingly subject to the Divine
openings of Truth, the motion of the eternal Spirit and
pure Word of life, in speaking to the several states of
those who were present in the meetings, and life came
into dominion, and the power thereof overshadowed at
times, to my humble admiration ; blessed be the name
of the Lord who is worthy forever and ever ! "

How much better for the meeting, and the minister,
that he should not rise to speak until he has something
given him to say, and that he should not attempt to
proceed when his Master withdraws his illumination
and direction. Mistakes have sometimes been made

72

JOHN CHURCHMAN.

by those who are rightly anointed for the work. Sam-
uel Fothergill on one occasion, while laboring in the
ministry, found the spring of life to stay, but did not
immediately cease speaking. When the meeting was
over, feeling that he had been wrong, and yet not quite
clear wherein he had mistaken his way, he asked of that
honest, clear-sighted mother in Israel, Sarah Taylor,
what she had to say of his service that day. She told
him that as he had spoken she had travelled in exer-
cise with him up to a certain point in his discourse.
" There,^' she said, " thou lost thy guide, thou thrust,
thy hands into thy own pockets and helped thyself !

John Churchman was discouraged when young in
the ministry by comparing himself with others, who
he deemed were growing in religious attainments and
in their gifts much faster than he. A. dream related
of Mary England may convey instruction. At the
time she appeared in the ministry, eight or nine others
at that meeting or neighborhood began to speak in
meeting. These all appeared to Mary to be growing
in their gifts, and were evidently branching out in
their communications, while she found nothing required
of her to deliver but a text or a few words. She be-
came discouraged, and thought she was making little
progress compared with the others. While in this
state of mind, she was relieved from her depression by
the following dream :

JOHN CHURCHMAN,

73

She thought she was in a room with the other voimg
ministers, when a person of pleasing and superior ap-
pearance came in, gave each of them a stone pitcher,
and bade them follow him. Glad to be near him, she
at once arose, treading close after him along the path
he trod, thinking the others were coming on behind.
He led the way down a descent to a spring of water,
the purest she had ever seen, and which might be com-
pared to the pure river John saw issuing out of the
throne. He told her to put her pitcher in the spring.
She did so ; and when it was filled, drew it out and
set it on the ground. The water at once began bub-
bling over the top, and continued doing so until the
pitcher was empty. Her guide then told her to put it
in again. She did so, again withdrew it, and set it
down, and once more the water flowed out. The
command was several times repeated, and she per-
ceived that the longer she allowed the pitcher to re-
main in the spring, the more water remained in the
bottom of it after the bubbling out ceased. Her guide
now told her to hold the pitcher in the water till he
hid her take it out. She did so, and as it was some
time before the command to withdraw it came, and
both hands were requisite to hold it, she became almost
overcome with fatigue. At last the word was given
to lift it out. She set it down, and it remained full.
Now she remembered that her director had never before
7

74

JOHX CHURCHMAN.

bid her withdraw it. On looking round, she now no-
ticed that not one of those who had been called when
she was, had accompanied the guide to the spring.

Mary England was instructed by this dream to keep
under exercise till the command was given to hand
forth to the multitude. And she afterward felt, in her
baptisms and exercises previous to engaging in the
ministry, similar feelings of fatigue to that she had
experienced vdien holding the pitcher in the spring,
awaiting direction to withdraw it. The young speak-
ers referred to, all branched out into words, and never
became established as Gospel ministers.

Gospel love, while it takes all bitterness from the
tongue, removes all flattery also. It ever tends to
make the Christian give utterance to plain, honegt
truth, but clothes even his chiding wi1:h a feeling which
gives evidence that he longs for the good of him re-
proved. Some people are so sensitive that a gentle
hint will reach them, and powerfully stir their feel-
ings. Others are so hardened in a continual round of
wickedness, or so sunk in the lethargy of indifference,
or so immersed in the spirit of the world, that to reach
them requires a direct and sharp address — a " Thou
art the man ! When John Churchman, in minister-
ing to the people at North Wales, had, as he tells us,
"with a zeal that exceeded my childish knowledge,
laid on some strokes with the strength of the maji's

JOHN CHURCHMAN.

75

part, more tlian ^\\t\\ the humbling powei of Truth,"
he soon felt inward darkness and dejection of mind.
He was enabled to see his error, and makes this remark,
" If we deliver hard things to the people, w^e should
ever remember that we are flesh and blood, and by
nature subject to the same frailties. This would lead
us closely to attend to the power, and to minister only
in the ability of Truth, in the meekness, gentleness,
and wisdom which it inspires.'^ This reflection did
not make him lower the standard of Truth, deliver its
testimonies deceitfully, or tend in anywise to make him
one of those who sew pillows under armholes.. In a sub-
sequent visit he thus wrote : ^' One meeting we were at
was remarkably hard, and my companion was exceed-
ingly exercised, under a sense that the people were too
rich, full, and whole in their own eyes ; but he sat the
meeting through, and suffered in silence. I had some-
thing to say which was very close, and felt a degree of
the strength and power of Truth to clear myself in an
innocent and loving manner; and remembering they
were brethren, I did not preach myself out of charity
toward them, and so had peace. We went home with
an elderly Friend, w^ho, in a stern manner, asked me
from whence I came, and said I was a stranger to him.
I answered him with a cheerful boldness. He asked
me what my calling was ; I told him husbandry. He
queried if I was used to splitting wood ; I let him know

76

JOHN CHURCHMAW.

I had practised it for many years. He asked me if I
knew the meaning of a common saying among those
who were used to that business, ^'T is soft knocks.^must
enter hard blocks.' I told him I knew it well ; but
that to strike with a soft or gentle blow at a wedge in
blocks of old wood that was rather decayed at heart,
would drive it to the head without rending them, and
the labor would be lost, when a few smart, lively
strokes would burst them asunder. Whereupon he
laid his hand on my shoulder, saying, ^ Well, my lad,
I perceive thou art born for a warrior, and I commend
thee.' Thus we came off better than we expected;
for I thought he pointed at my service that day. He
was ever afterward very loving to me, and I was
thankful that the Lord was near to me, for which I
praise his sacred name. To be beconlingly bold in the
cause of Truth at times is particularly necessary, other-
wise the weight of the testimony thereof would be less-
ened, and a carping spirit be set over it.''

The following is narrated by John Churchman in
his journal. He was told the anecdote by John Kilden,
of Masham, Yorkshire, England. A knight in that
county, calling to see one of his tenants who was a
member of the Society of Friends, found him actively
employed. After a time the landlord thus addressed
the tenant :

" So, John, you are busy."

JOHX CHURCHMAN.

77

Tenant. Yes ; my landlord loves to see his tenants
busy.

Landlord. But, John, where were you, that you were
not at your Quarterly Meeting at York the other day?
I saw most of your staunch Friends there, but you I
missed.

Tenant. Why, thou knowest I have a curious land-
lord, who loves to see his tenants thrive and pay their
rent duly, and I had a good deal in hand that kept me
at home.

Landlord. Keep you at home? You will neither
thrive nor pay the better for neglecting your duty,
John.

Tenant. I perceive my landlord was at Quarterly
Meeting. How didst thou like it ?

Landlord. Like it ! I was at one meeting, and saw
what made m}' heart ache.

Tenant. What was that ?

Landlord. Why, the dress of your young folks ; the
men ^vith wigs, and the young women with their finery,
in imitation of fashions. I thought I would try an-
other meeting ; so next day I went again, and then I
concluded there was little difference, but the bare
name, between us whom you call the world^s people,
and some of you; for you are imitating us in the love
and fashions of the ^vorld a.-5 fast as you can. So that
7 *

78

JOHN CHURCHMAN.

I said in my heart, these people do want a Fox, a Penn,
and a Barclay among them.

John Churchman was faithful to his Divine Master,
through his long life, and his blessed Saviour was very
Faithfulness and Truth to him in the hour of his death,
giving him a glorious close, and a certain foretaste of
the joys in store for the righteous. Exemplary in
youth, offering its bloom to his Divine Master — faith-
ful in maturity, dedicating its ripening fruit to the
Lord's praise — heavenly-minded in age, bringing all
of his stores of wisdom and knowledge to the altar of .
God, John Churchman stood pre-eminent in his day.
The Lord, whom he had served his life long, kept him
green to old age, gave him large place in the esteem of
the living in Israel, and amid all the exercises he caused
him to bear for the sake of the church, sustained him
in holy hope, in fervent faith, in cheerful resignation,
even to a joyful putting off the shackles of mortality.

John Churchman, like many others of the Lord's
deeply exercised servants, was cheerful in conversation,
and spread a pleasant influence wherever his lot was
cast. A happy turn for innocent pleasantry, circum-
scribed by an ever-watchful regard to the limitations
of Truth, made his company agreeable to young and
old, and enabled him to give instructive hints and sea-
sonable admonitions to hearts ready to receive them.

Watchful and careful in youth, John Cluirchman

JOHy CHURCHMAN.

79

was appointed an elder when but twenty-six years old,
and soon after received a gift in the ministry. Faith-
ful to the gift, he grew in it — labored in the Gospel
of his dear Lord in America and Europe ; and having
walked in great innocency and circumspection, and
performed his day's work with acceptance to his Divine
Master, lie was not affrighted when death came to re-
move him from earthly comforts and hopes. As he
grew weak, his spiritual exercises were continued to
him — he felt stripped of good ; but knowing that all
this was to bring him more perfectly into the image of
his Master, he was content to bear it, even until he
could say, "I now experience my life and my will to
be slain, and I have no will left.'' Then came his
time of rejoicing. Light broke forth in his darkness
— and in the midst of great pain, sweet melody
sounded forth in his voice, and aspirations of praise
went up from his soul to the Lord God of glory and
grace. He knew that when relieved from the body,
for him there was, through the Lord's goodness, nothing
but peace ; and that if then taken, he would be spared
many deep trials which he saw coming on the faithful
laborers remaining in the church militant. His close
took place on Second-day, the 24th of Seventh month,
1775.*

*For a furthei' account of this Frieud, see Journal of John
Churchuian, in FrieuJs' Library, voL vi., p. 176.

REBECCA JONES.

y^S Catharine Payton was entering one of Friends'
meeting-houses in Philadelphia, in the Third
month, 1755, a girl of fifteen or sixteen years of age
slipped what appeared to be a letter into her hand.
As at that time she could not examine it, she trans-
ferred it to her pocket, and took her seat in the gallery.
When the meeting closed, the paper was opened, and
proved to be a communication from one who was pass-
ing: throu2;h much relio-ious exercise. The writer was
already convinced that she must bear the fire of the
Lord in its inward burning until it should consume all
the corruptions of her heart, that she might be pre-
pare'd to feel true peace and spiritual enjoyment; for
she expressed her conviction that she should only re-
ceive consolation as she was fit for it. No name was
attached to this letter, and Catharine Payton, whose
heart was dipped into sym})athy with this unknown
lamb, who was bleating for admittance into the fold
of Grace, was at a loss to know where she should find

80

REBECCA JONES.

81

Ler, and how she should recognize her. Tradition says
she applied to her friend, Anthony Benezet, who, on
reading the letter, and being asked if he could tell the
author, answered, " I don't know — unless it be romp-
ing Beck Jones."

Rebecca Jones, to whom Anthony referred under the
above characteristic title, was born in Philadelphia,
Seventh month 8th, 1739. She received a good edu-
cation, and her mother, who was zealously attached to
the forms and doctrines of the Church of England,
endeavored to bring her up in the same profession.
But the child soon manifested a partiality to the meet-
ings of Friends, which she often solicited permission
to attend. Her mother frequently consented, thinking
no harm would result to her daughter, who, she deemed,
was too young to judge in matters of religion. Tradi-
tion says that sometimes Rebecca wandered at that
early age into the meetings of ministers and elders,
whose members did not think it needful to turn out
such a child, who sat down quietly and made no dis-
tur])ance. Although fond of sitting in silence in the
meetings of Friends, Rebecca was yet a child full
of animal spirits, whose earnestness in play won her
the title in good old Anthony's mind of Romping
Beck."

As she grew older, to her mother's inquiry, what
she went to Friends' meetings for, she replied, " I

82

REBECCA JONES.

don't know; but I believe they are a good people, and
I like their way ; for there is not so much rising up
and sitting down among them as at church/' -.She
says her mind was secretly drawn " toward this people,
not only to go to their meetings, but I loved even the
sight of an honest Friend. I was at times under the
influence of another spirit; and though I loved the
people, and very early discovered a beautiful order and
becoming deportment in their meetings, I could not
give up my days to lead such a life of self-denial
as the Divine Instructor in my own breast at times
plainly directed me to. I loved vanity and folly,
and to keep unprofitable company, by which I was led
into many evils, and quenched the blessed Spirit from
time to time, yet not wholly ; for oftentimes, in the
midst of my career, I was favored'' with its secret
smitings, and from which it was impossible to fly.
Frequently when in bed, or alone, my heart was made
uneasy for the multitude of my transgressions, so that
1 often promised to amend ; for I greatly feared to die.
But, alas, though I made covenant, I soon forgot it,
and returned to the same things for which I had been
reproved, and thus added sin to rebellion for some time,
yet kept close to meetings, both First and week days,
when I could get away without my mother's knowl-
edge — though I knew not why I went ; for I liked

REBECCA JOXES.

83

not their way of preaching, but was always best pleased
with silent meetings.

" In the year 1754, and in the sixteenth year of my
age, came from Worcestershire, in Old England, on a
religious visit to the churches of Christ in America,
Catharine Payton, in company with Mary Peisley
from Ireland. I was at divers meetings in this city
with the aforesaid Friend, and heard divers testimonies
which she bore, with which I was much pleased ; but
like many others, I only heard, and sought not to learn
the way to salvation in sincerity". But forever blessed
and praised be the great Minister of all ministers, and
Bishop of souls, who in his abundant compassion to a
poor creature, in the very road that leads to the
chambers of death, was graciously pleased through his
handmaid to set my state and condition open before
me, and enable her, in one of our First-day evening
meetings, to speak so pertinently to my situation, in
showing the consequence of trifling with Divine con-
viction, and proclaiming God's love through Christ to
all returning sinners, that I cried out in the bitterness
of my spirit, ' Lord, what wilt thou have me to do to
be saved ? ' So eifectually was my heart reached that
I was made willing to forsake everything here, to ob-
tain peace ; — yea, my natural life would not have been
too great an offering if it had been required — that I
might have inherited eternal salvation."

84

REBECCA JONES.

" Oh, the many days of sorrow, and nights of deep
distress, that I passed through ! How frequently did I
cry out, ^ Lord, save me, or I perish ! ' I almost de-
spaired of finding mercy ; — for sin, not only appeared
exceedingly sinful, but my soul's enemy almost per-
suaded [me] that my sins were of so deep a dye, and
so often repeated, that I had neglected the day of my
visitation, and that, though I might, like Esau, seek
the blessing with tears, I should not obtain it. But
forever magnified be the kindness and goodness of the
Lord my God — the everlasting Father — He left me
not here, though I was in the situation described by
the prophet, — I was greatly polluted, lay wallowing in
the filthiness of the flesh, without any succor from tem-
poral connections, and a stranger to the Lord\s family.
' Not washed at all, nor salted at all, but cast out as in
an open field, void of any enclosure ; — none eye pitied
me, to do any of those things to me,' when the sure
Helper passed by, beheld me in my deplorable condi-
tion, cast his mantle of Divine love over me, and with
a most powerful voice said. Live ! Yea, he said unto
me. Live ! I was again encouraged by the renewal of
Divine favor to enter into solemn covenant with that
gracious Being, whom I had so highly rebelled against,
and so justly offended ; and fervent were the breath-
ings of my soul, that I might be enabled to stick close
to the terms made in this, the day of my humiliation."

REBECCA JONES.

85

Such was the condition of mind of the young maiden,
who was rightly judged by Anthony Benezet to have
written tlie letter to Catharine Payton, before referred
to,. Catharine, on considering the matter, felt most
easy to answer that communication, which she did, and
gave what she wrote into the hands of Anthony to de-
liver. Rebecca Jones's mother had become very jeal-
ous of Friends, and very much opj^osed to her daugh-
ter's attending their meetings, and Anthony found it a
matter of some difficulty to place the document in the
young girl's hand.

In regard to her letter and this answer, Rebecca
Jones writes : My love to this instrument [C. P.] in
the Lord's hands was very great, and on a certain
time, being reduced very low in my mind, under the
consideration of my many and deep transgressions, I
took up my pen, and opened a little of my condition
to her, though I was afraid to sign my name to it, I
watched an opportunity and slipped it into her hand
just as she was going into meeting, and in two days
afterward I received, by the hands of one of her
friends, the following answer, which, as it had a
blessed effect in encouraging my mind reverently to
confide in the Lord's infinite mercy, 1 here transcribe
at large : peradventure it may revive the hope of
some afflicted soul.
8

86

REBECCA JONES.

" ' Philadelphia, Fourth month 1, 1755.

" ' Deab Child, — I have carefully read over thy
letter, and from a tenderness of spirit which I feel
towards thee, conceive much hope that thou wilt do
well if thou keep to that Power which has visited
thee ; which, as it has already appeared as a Light to
convince thee of sin, will, if thou wilt suffer it, destroy
it in thy heart. Which dispensation being already
begun is the reason of that anguish of spirit which
thou feelest, which will lessen gradually, as thou art
assisted to overcome. ^

" ' And be not too much discouraged, neither at what
thou hast committed against the Lord, nor yet what
thou mayst have to suffer for him; for though thy sins
may have been as scarlet, he is able and willing to
make thy heart as snow, upon thy sincere repentance
and humble walking in his fear, and also to give thee
strength to do whatsoever he commands thee. If thou
art Avilling and obedient for the future, thou shalt eat
the good of the land in the Lord's time ; and as thou
hast been already instructed that "thou shalt only re-
ceive consolation as thou art fit for it," wait patiently,
and let the administration of condemnation be fully
perfected; so shall the administration of light and
peace be more clear and strong, which will assuredly
come upon thee if thou abidest faithful to that Power
which has visited thee. Thou desirest me to explain
some ])ortions of Scripture to thee which I had to
mention, which I am willing to do as far as the men-
tioning of them respects thy state, which I believe was to
bring forth the fruits of purity and love to God, which

REBECCA JONES.

87

will be manifested only by thy obedience; and that
thou may not rest in anvthino; short of the knowled<z-e
of His power revealed in thy heart as a Refiner and
Teacher, nor place thy happiness in anything short of
his salvation.

" ^ I go out of town to-morrow, and not knowing
thy name by thy letter, know not how to get to speak
to thee, and have therefore committed the care of this
to A. Benezet, who, I believe, will use his best en-
deavors to convey it to thee.

" ' Farewell ! and may the Lord continue to bless
thee. I conclude, in much haste, thy sympathizing
Friend, Catharine Payton.*

" ^ P. S. — I had rather thou kept this to thyself; and
be sure be careful how thou tellest thy condition to
such who have no knowledge of it.'

" On the receiving and reading this letter, my heart
was melted into great tenderness before the Lord, and
my mind encouraged to trust in his boundless mercy
thus extended to a poor unworthy creature. My reso-
lutions were daily strengthened in remembering that
^at what time soever the wicked turnetli from his wick-
edness, and doth that which is lawful and right, he
shall save his soul alive.' ''

The case of Rebecca Jones is one among many in-

A further account of Catharine Payton (afterward Phillips)
may be seen in a memoir of her life published in Friends' Library,
vol. xi. A journal of Mary Peisley (afterward Neale) will also
be found in the same volume.

88

REBECCA JONES.

stances of young children, not members of the religious
Society of Friends, who have been glad to attend their
meetings. The case of Samuel W. Clark, of Riiode
Island, will probably suggest itself to some of our
readers. His parents were Baptists; but about his
seventh or eighth year, at his particular request, they
permitted him to sit with Friends in their meetings.
After a time the members of the Monthly Meeting at
Greenwich, at his request, granted him the privilege
of attending those for discipline. This young lad
ripened soon for heaven, being gathered by death in-
1815, when only nine years old.

An anecdote is told of a little boy of about eight years
of age, who was a pupil at a school in Pine Street in
Philadelphia, the teacher of which attended Friends'
meeting close by on Fourth-day, with his scholars.
The mother of this child was a Moravian by education,
who, having lost one of her children by death, was
greatly affected therewith, and endeavored to find con-
solation in attending places of worship. She went to
many, but did not obtain relief, and thought, in her
religious exercises, she should find no one to sympa-
thize, no body of professing Christians with whom she
could unite. She was sitting one day in great distress,
shedding many tears, when her little son entered the
room. He went to her, took her by the hand, and
began to weep aloud. No words passed to unfold to

REBECCA JONES.

89

liim the feeliugs of his mother. At last he asked what
ailed her — what made her cry so much, adding, I
wish you would come to one of the meetings our school
go^s to ; I am sure it would do you good." The child
had found consolation there, and the mother, strongly
stirred by the affectionate invitation, could not but
accept it. She found that for which she had sought,
doctrines which she could own — a people with whom
she could unite. She is said to have been ever after a
diligent attender of Friends' meeting, to have found
consolation in earthly sorrow, and to have been ena-
bled, through Divine Grace, to die in peace, full of
faith and hope.

Rebecca Jones now attended meetings constantly,
although she could not do it without much opposition
from her mother, and was subjected to many very try-
ing things in fnlfilling this duty. She was, however,
enabled to rejoice when meeting-day came ; and even
the evening before, her mind, she says, " seemed under
the preparing power for the solemn performance of
Divine worship, of the necessity whereof I was now
truly convinced, as well as of my unfitness therefor
without the daily influence of the blessed Spirit. The
heart - tendering power of Truth in a very singular
manner attended, insomuch that if I was not in the
enjoyment thereof, my meeting seemed in vain."

" I frequently compared my situation about this
8*

90

REBECCA JONES.

time with that of the children of solid Friends, many
of whom I perceived walked widely from their holy
profession. I thought if I had been favored with the
like privileges many of them enjoyed, I had not had
so much work for repentance. Oh, that they did but
see and rightly understand the manifold obligations
they are under to the everlasting Father, and also to
their pious parents ! Oh, the unspeakable advantago
of an early education in virtue and the fear of the
Lord ! Certainly, in the great day of decision, it will
but add to the weight in the scale against them, who-
pursue lying vanities, forsake their own mercies, and
rebelliously turn their backs on the admonitions, coun-
sel, and instruction of tender, pious, heart -aching
parents. I esteemed myself as a branch broken off
f]"om the wild olive and grafted into the good olive-
tree, and was secretly instructed that I stood by faith,
and that the goodness of God would be toward me,
while I continued in his fear — otherwise I should be
cut off. I often fervently desired that those who had
erred and strayed among the youth, whom I compared
to the natural branches of the good olive-tree, might be
grafted in again, for God is able to graft them in again.
^ Be not high-minded, but fear,' was the solemn admo-
nition frequently sounded in the ear of my soul.''

We may often observe children of the family — the
sons and daughters of faithful men and women, who

REBECCA JONES.

91

have not truly profited by the privileges they have en-
joyed. Some of them have run into evil courses, and
lost, even among men of the world, their reputation
and standing ; — some, seeking for a less cross-bearing
and more self-pleasing religion than that of their
fathers, join some of the form-laden and ceremony-
encumbered professions around them ; — some retain
"their membership among Friends, yet give the energy
of their minds to the acquisition of wealth, and demon-
strate that they love the present world, and are not as
pilgrims seeking for a better, that is an heavenly. In
vain for these has been the holy example, the Christian
discipline, the pious advice, the secret prayers and
wrestling of soul of their parents on their behalf.
While such are not prizing their privileges, we see some
brought into our Society as from the highways and
hedges, and made to sit among the princes of the
people — raised up as from the very stones of the street
to be, first, spiritual children, and then, as they ad-
vance in knowledge, to be fathers and mothers in the
church. Yet the Lord's blessing continues to be to
children's children of those that fear him; and he is
still raising up and qualifying some of these to occupy
the places of dignified and faithful ones, whom he has
taken home to their eternal rest. It is heart-cheering
to behold how, in divers instances, the blessing seems
eminently to rest, from generation to generation, on the

92

REBECCA JONES.

seed of the faithful. Some may deem that our Society
has effected all the good it is capable of doing in the
world, and be prepared to believe it will fall ; some
may think that to those brought in from other societies
we must principally look for supporters of the prim-
itive principles of Truth ; — we cannot believe either.
We look hopefully for a brighter day to come for our
Zion, a day of spiritual grace and enlargement; and
we firmly believe that the Lord will continue to be-
stow his gifts upon her children, from generation to
generation.

Toward the close of the last century, an individual,
called in from anoj^her profession, preached in one of
the meetings of Friends in Philadelphia. When he
had closed his communication, one of the ministering
Friends present rose with these words of Isaiah :
" Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the
sons of the alien shall be your ploughmen, and your
vine-dressers." Instantly Samuel Emlen, who, though
knowing the gathering mercy of God was toward all,
yet felt his heart clothed with love to the children of
the family, and warmed with a present assurance that
the Lord's peculiar blessing was not to be taken from
them, broke forth in an animated voice with the suc-
ceeding verse of the prophet, But ye shall be named
the priests of the Lord ; men shall call you the min-
isters of our God.''

REBECCA JONES.

93

Rebecca Jones, though suifering many things from
former acquaintance, yet was strengthened to persevere,
and her resolutions, she says, " were confirmed to serve
the Lord, the little time that remained to me in this
life, which I then often thought would not be long."

In 1756, Catharine Pay ton, with Mary Peisley and
Samuel Fothergill, returned home to England. A new
temptation of Satan now assailed Rebecca Jones —
she began to feel indiflPerent about attending meetings.
She was sorely tried with suggestions that her repent-
ance had been vain, and that her sorrow was feigned,
her tears insincere, and herself under a delusion. She
says, " The Lord, my only Helper in this night of pro-
bation, saw meet in his wisdom for the trial of my faith
to hide his face from me. Tlius spoke the deceiver,
* Why art thou thus ? Surely, if thou wert the visited
of God, he would not have left thee thus poor, stripped,
and helpless. Thou art not on the right foundation,
for if the Lord had been at all with thee, he would
have remained with thee forever.' Oh, the grief and
distress of my poor soul I The Divine presence was
withdrawn. I had no friend upon earth to speak to,
nor any to whom I could make my complaint. Yet
I was favored, under all, with strength to pray that I
might be favored to see clearly whence this distress and
doubting arose. Blessed forever be the God of my life,
whom though I thought afar off, was near, and had only

94

REBECCA JONES.

withdrawn as behind the curtain — He heard, and gra-
ciously answered me in the needful hour. I resolved if
I perished to perish at his feet. Thus spoke my- only
Friend and Helper : ' I will thoroughly purge thy dross,
and take away all thy tin ! ^ My soul replied, ' Amen !
so be it, blessed Lord ! ' Here I could feelingly say as
did David, ^ I know, O Lord ! thy judgments are right,
and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.' Hope
revived as an helmet of salvation. I saw mine accuser,
and he fled ! Oh, my soul, forget not thou the loving
kindness of thy God, who thus graciously appeared
for thy help, not only when the floods of the ungodly
made thee afraid'^ but when in close combat with the
Prince of the power of the air — the Lord's arm
brought salvation, and his right arm got the victory ! ''
After her deliverance from the temptation of the
enemy, Rebecca Jones found her love to the Lord's
people renewed, and she says, " Through much diffi-
culty and strong opposition I attended meetings both
on First and week days, and should have rejoiced had
I Ven worthy to sit at meetings of discipline — a privi-
lege not yet granted me. I frequently went to
Monthly and Quarterly ]\Ieetings, and stayed the first
sitting, but withdrew when Friends entered on busi-
ness. I knew I had no right to stay longer. Besides,
in one of the Yearly Meetings for business, I was de-
sired to withdraw by a Friend whom I afterward

REBECCA JONES.

95

loved; and though I left the meeting under much dis-
tress, (being at the time very low in mind,) yet no
hardness got in — blessed be the Lord! My love
rather increased, not only to this mother in Israel, but
to the whole flock ; and I admired the care used to
keep such meetings quite select, saw that it was neces-
sary to do so, and never after attempted to stay until I
was in^^ited by some who, I thought, tenderly loved
me, and were authorized to do it/^

Rebecca Jones, we have stated, was born of parents
in connection with the Church of England. She had,
however, been an attender of the meetings of Friends
from childhood, was of an exemplary character, and
as she now manifested, by her life and conversation
unity with the doctrines professed by them, she was
invited to attend their meetings for discipline, although
she made no application to be received into member-
ship. At this time there were not many among the
young in Philadelphia who had, by submitting to the
cross of Chrisr and the powerful operations of the
Holy Spirit, become qualified, and drawn to take part
in the discipline of Society. The meetings felt the
lack of such spirits. The elder and more experienced
Friends are expected to give sentiments on important
matters in such meetings, and sometimes, it may be, it
is done from custom or to answer the expectation of
others. AVhere there are young persons Avho, broken

96

REBECCA JONES,

under the humbling power of Truth, are constrained
to speak a word to matters under consideration, it is
apt to affect solemnly and beneficially the minds 'of the
hearers. The late Benjamin Kite, in one of his letters,
speaking of meetings of discipline, says : " I often
think that if some of our goodly young men were now
and then to put a shoulder to the Avheel, they would
be of singular service. Oli, it is of good savor when
words spoken to the discipline are not from habit, but
necessity." It is true, young people are sometimes too
zealous, and may put the hand too freely to the work-;
but in this, as in all other cases, true wisdom is profit-
able to direct. It is said that Samuel Bownas, perhaps
toward the close of his time, when the holy zeal of
some of those elders who succeeded George Fox had
begun to grow somewhat slack, came to a meeting in
which this was in some measure true. Among the
young people a zeal had sprung up to revive the dis-
cipline, and perhaps they were too energetic and eager
to move forward in the concern. After the meeting
was over, some of these came round Samuel and com-
plained that their elder members were too slothful and
lukewarm in carrying out the discipline. " Ah ! my
young friends," he said, ^' it is well for you that there
is some prudence in your elder friends, or you might
set the house on fire ! " Pretty soon, some of the more
aged members complained to him of the forward

REBECCA JONES.

97

activity of their younger brethren. Samuel, in answer ,
remarked, " It is well that there is some zeal in the
younger members, or you might all go to sleep \"

At the time when Rebecca Jones was first admitted
to sit in meetings of discipline, very little complaint
could have been made because of the zeal of the young.
She says, " And here I would mention the observation
I made of some of our youth, after I was favored to sit
in meetings of business. I frequently looked at them
with love and tenderness ; but I admired to see so
little sense appear among them of the nature and de-
sign of such meetings. I found many attended through
curiosity, and some from other motives, but very few
whose shoulders were preparing for the burden and
exercise that lay weightily on divers mothers in the fam-
ily, who were far advanced in years, and, in all probabil-
ity, would ere long finish their course. I mourned at
the little prospect there was of a succession, and wished
the spirit of Elijah might rest on Elisha. At these
seasons I often felt an holy zeal to cover my spirit,
and an engagement sometimes attended that the Lord's
work might go on and prosper ; but in that weak state
I concluded that if the youth would not come up to
the help of the Lord, (I mean children of believing
parents,) tlie cause would drop ; and was sometimes
favored to understand the Lord's proclamation, ^ I will
work, and who shall let it ? ' Yery frequently I was
9

98

REBECCA JOKES.

seized with an apprehension that if I was faithful to
the manifestations of Divine Grace, the baptizing influ-
ences thereof would be witnessed for the cleansing,
purifying, and preparing my spirit rightly to engage
in the Lord's work; at which my heart trembled
within me, and I greatly feared I should push forward
Uzzah-like. And though in meetings, both for wor-
ship and discipline, my duty was often clearly pointed
out to me, yet the fear of the Lord's work, a sense of
my own weakness, the situation I was placed in in the
world, the prospect of much suffering awaiting me,
but, above all, d sense of the purity and stability neces-
sary for those that fight the Lord's battles, and a sight
of my own state and lonesome condition in the family
— I say all these things mightily humbled me, and
reduced me to the brink of the grave. I went alone ;
I kept silence ; I refrained from my natural food, and
my sleep departed from me; a was stricken of God
and afflicted.' In this situation I attempted several
times to break my mind to some Friends by writing,
and to let them know how it was with me, but was
always stopped from doing so; and once, when I went to
the house of an honest-hearted, faithful servant of the
Lord, with an intention to open my case to him, the
ear of my soul was saluted with this prohibition, ' See
thou do it not. The work is the Lord's.' :\Iy mind was
fervent with the Lord (than whom none else knew my

REBECCA JOXES.

99

condition) that he would be pleased to favor me with
the distinct sight and knowledge of his will, that I
might not be deceived by the enemy of my soul —
whom I had before seen in some of his artful transfor-
mations— but that light might so attend as that I
might make no mistake in darkness. I carried my
burden from one month to another and from meeting
to meeting, until Seventh month 9th, 1758. In an
evening meeting, finding no excuse would longer do,
and that faithfulness was required, after William Rick-
ett had finished a testimony, in which he expressed
much sympathy and had great encouragement for some
v,'ho were under preparation for the Lord's service, I
stood up in great fear and trembling, and expressed a
few sentences very brokenly, and returned home with
the promised reward of peace, which I had long sought
in vain ; but now that I had given up to the Lord's
will, [I] was favored to obtain it. This was my first
public appearance; and I greatly desired, as a sign,
that if I was yet mistaken, I might be visited and
advised by some Friends ; but as I met with no o^^po-
sition from Friends, and, contrariwise, some spake
encouragingly to me, I found need to watch self with
a jealous eye, and Avas fers^ent in spirit, that I might
be preser^^ed in true humility and Divine fear, the
only safe situation for a Gospel minister."

On Fifth month 12th, 1760, Anthony Morris in-

100

REBECCA JONES,

formed the Second-day morning meeting of ministers
and elders that the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia
had approved the public ministry of David Estaugh
and Rebecca Jones. It Avas concluded to admit them
to sit in the Second-day morning meeting, and Anthony
Morris and Catharine Callender were appointed to
inform them of it. Anthony and Catharine were most
easy to give the information to Rebecca Jones in the
presence of her mother. They accordingly did so. On
hearing it the mother was much affected, and said,
" Beck, your friends have placed you on a pedestal ;
take care you don't fall ! " From that time Rebecca
had no difficulties thrown in the way of her attending
meetings. The mother's heart seemed to open toward
her daughter ; she became very affectionate, and treated
all Friends who came to visit them with kindness and
respect.

Rebecca Jones deemed herself very unworthy to sit
in the meeting of ministers and elders, and she says
she "attended the first meeting of that sort under
strong apprehensions of my own weakness and the
necessity of laboring after true humility.''

She continues her narrative :

" In the spring of the year 1761, my dear mother
began to decline very fast in her health, and could
scarce keep about house. She grew weaker and
weaker, insomuch that she needed constant attendance

REBECCA JONES.

101

all the summer. J had a large school on my hands
(the only means for our subsistence) to take care of,
and her to nurse both night and day, till the jSTinth
month, when she grew so ill that I was obliged to
break up the school. I also was much reduced in my
health, and, by such constant exercise both of body
and mind, received a weakness that I fear I shall never
be rid of. She deceased near the end of the Xinth
month, 1761. And here I seem free to add, that she
was a woman of good natural understanding, of a
noble disposition, had many good qualities, and lived
a peaceable life among her neighbors, and I have good
grounds to believe was under a religious exercise of
mind for many months before her decease. She was
favored with an easy passage, which she often in her
illness prayed for as a sign of acceptance with the
Lord, and was buried in the burial ground of the
Chm'ch of England, (so called,) among whom she al-
ways made profession. In her illness she desired to see
Daniel Stanton ; he came, and had a heart-tendering
time in supplication, particularly on her account,
(whom he had known from a young woman,) that slie
might be favored with patience, and might obtain
mercy with the Lord. After which she seemed easy,
and said he was a servant of the living God.'^

After the decease of her motlier, Rebecca Jones be-
gan seriously to consider whether it would be best for
9*

102

REBECCA JONES.

her to continue keeping school for a livelihood, or
whether she should make a change. She says, " But
as our Yearly Meeting was coming on, [I] concluded to
leave it till that was over; and in waiting to know
what was best, I seemed most easy to continue in the
same way, as being what I was most used to ; and a
suitable Friend offering, made it easy — Hannah Cath-
rall, a religious, prudent young woman, who joined me
in the business. I esteemed this a favor from kind
Providence, for I was now grown so weakly, I could
not have attem;^ted to have undertaken it alone, and
she [was] of an affectionate disposition to me. We
soon had a large school, and were blest with a suffi-
ciency to live comfortably. I had been very little
abroad ; not only because I was confined by my busi-
ness, but was at times under great discouragement in
my own mind on account of my weakness, both of
body and mind ; but whenever my aforesaid companion
apprehended me under any engagement of that sort,
she always encouraged me, and did all in her power to
make things as easy as she could; for which I feel
grateful acknowledgments and esteem for her. In 1762
I went, in company with E. Smith, of Burlington, and
some other Friends, to the general meeting held at
Shrewsbury; and after that, at different tim.es, with
Esther White, Mary Evans, Hannah Harris, etc., sev-
eral little turns, to some Quarterly, Monthly, ind par-

REBECCA JONES.

103

ticular Meetings, within the compass of our Yearly
Meeting.

"In 1769, I found a draught of love in my mind
toward the Yearly ^Meeting of Long Island, and ob-
tained leave of our Second-day morning meeting of
ministers and elders. I made preparation, and was in
readiness ; but Avhen the time came, my mind was so
beclouded and distressed, that I was glad to give it up.
The cause afterward appeared very plain to me, and
I was made thankful for the secret intelligence afforded
from on high.

" In 1770, the engagement for that meeting was re-
newed, and my Friend Hannah Foster, of Evesham,
having sent me word she intended [to be] there, I gave
up, and though much discouraged, being poorly in my
health, and not used to ride on horseback, yet was
favored to hold it pretty well as far as Rahway, where
my kind friends Joseph Shotwell and wife provided a
chair for my accommodation, and went with us to
Flushing. I was much assisted in this journey, or I
could not have held out, for I was not only indisposed
in body, but my mind was very low, insomuch that I
apprehended I should not live to return, and accord-
ingly settled my outward affairs, and took a very sol-
emn leave of my dear companion, who was also fearful
on my account. However, the Lord was near, blessed
be his Xame, and made the weak strong. We were

104

REBECCA JONES,

mutually comforted together at that meeting ; and I
returned home better every way ; for which I bo\^ be-
fore the Almighty, and acknowledge nothing is impos-
sible with him; praised and magnified be his great
Name, both now and forever !

"Soon after my return, my mind was bowed very
low by reason that a beloved friend and father in the
Truth, Daniel Stanton, was taken from works to re-
wards. He had been eminently favored in his public
appearances for many months before, insomuch that
many Friends -w^ere apprehensive of what he some-
times expressed, ^that he thought he had not many
days longer to labor among us/ This was a great
stripping to the church, a near trial to many individ-
uals, and the loss not likely to be soon made up. Such
was the prospect of things among us ; yet there were
still left some honest laborers, and a remnant clothed
with the same spirit of true zeal, which was the cover-
ing of this great and good man, who deceased the 28th
of Sixth month, 1770, in the sixty-second year of his
age, and had disinterestedly labored among us upward
of forty years, approving himself called of God, a work-
man that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the Word to every class in the family. ^ Precious in
the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.^ " *

* A journal of the life and Gospel labors of this faithful minis-
ter of Jesus Christ is published in Friends' Library, vol. xii.

REBECCA JONES.

105

Rebecca Jones endeavored faithfully to fulfil her
varied duties as an instructor of children, and as a
minister of the Gospel of Christ. Yet she was not
forward to move in her religious exercises; and her
friends sometimes thought that, through discourage-
ment, she tarried more at home than was best. Young
ministers are often exercised not to be in the way of
those of elder years and more religious experience ; and
the exercise is doubtless right ; yet, carried too far, this
feeling sometimes prevents their moving in the order
of Divine appointment, and hurts the service of the
meeting.

In the spring of 1784, R. Jones, Samuel Emlen,
Thomas Ross, George Dillwyn, and ^lehetabel Jenkins,
were all prepared with certificates of the unity of their
Friends to go to England on a religious visit. They
were anxious to reach London in time for the Yearly
Meeting held there, toward the close of the Fifth
month. Report says, that on considering in what
ship they should take their passage, most of them
were inclined to go in a new one then about to sail.
They, however, went in a body and sat down in it ;
when Samuel Emlen almost immediately intimated
that that ship would not do. They then repaired to
the ship Commerce, commanded by Thomas Truxton,
and on sitting down in her, Samuel almost as quickly
expressed his conviction that that was the ship they

106

REBECCA JONES.

must go in. They took their passage. When Trux-
ton found they Avere going with him, concluding that
no gaming could be alloAved in the ship while they
were on board, he took a pack of cards which he had,
and dashing them down the hold of his vessel, bid
them " lie there in death and darkness.'^

They sailed towards the latter part of the Fourth
month, and Truxton learning their wish to attend
London Yearly Meeting, informed them that it was
not to be hoped for, as his vessel ^vas a dull sailer.

One day on their passage, Rebecca Jones sat with
George Dillwyn^ who appeared to be in deep inward
thoughtfulness. After a time he asked her if she could
keep a secret ; she replied, that her Master had at times
communicated his secrets to her, and that she had
not revealed them without his permission — and she
thought she could keep the secrets of another. " Well,'^
he then added, " I. have one to tell thee : We shall see
England this day two weeks.'^ On the same day
being seated by Thomas Ross, he turned to her and
said, " Rebecca, canst thou keep a secret ? She an-
swered him in the same words she had used to George ;
and Thomas then added, " we shall see England this
day two weeks. That morning two weeks Rebecca
rose early, and found that George was up before her,
and had climbed to the romid-top. Soon he shouted
out " Land ! " which brought the mate to his side, who

REBECCA JONES.

107

not being able to see any, found fault with him. After
a little space George cried Land " again, and Truxton,
who was then on the quarter-deck, mounted the rigging
as his mate had done before, and nothing being visible,
he also remonstrated with George for giving a false
alarm. To this the self-appointed lookout man, as
if secure in the consciousness of being right, paid no
regard. Soon, in stentorian voice, George cried out,
" Land ! and breakers ahead ! Xow, other eyes could
see breakers near at hand, and the ship was safely put
about. The captain afterwards declared, that if George
had not been able to see Avhat they could not, they
would have been on the rocks and suffered ship^^Tcck.
England was soon plainly visible. The ship had made
an uncommonly quick passage for her, and the passen-
gers were able to reach London in time for tlie Yearly
Meeting. The new ship referred to did not arrive
until some time after.

Captain Truxton was much pleased with his passen-
gers, and had acquired a very higli estimate of them,
particularly of Eebecca Jones. An anecdote is related
strongly illustrating this. On his arrival, he had
some contention with one of the public officers con-
nected with the customs, who, in a pompous manner,
during the dispute, frequently made use of the phrase,
" Wisdom of Parliament.^^ Truxton, losing his pa-
tience, exclaimed, Wisdom of Parliament ! Why T

108

REBECCA JONES.

have a Quaker lady on board my ship who has more
wisdom in her little finger than you have in all your
Parliament put together !

When the Friends reached London, they found that
the women Friends who had collected there to the
Yearly Meeting of ministers and elders, were under
concern and exercise that a Yearly Meeting of business
for those of their own sex should be established. In
the year 1753 or ^54, a proposition was first made in
the men's Yearly Meeting for the establishment of a
similarly organized meeting for women Friends. At-
that time SamuM Fothergill rose and said, " I see it,
but not now ; I behold it, but not immediately nigh."
In the year 1783 it was revived ; but the meeting was
even then not prepared to adopt tlie measure. One of
the men who opposed it declared, in the Yearly Meet-
ing, that a body with t^vo heads would be a monster.
On which a woman Friend remarked that though a
body with two heads might be a monster, she could
see nothing incongruous in a body with one head hav-
ing two hands. William Matthews, from America,
had a deep concern in his mind for the establishment
of this meeting, and he visited the women collected in
London to spread it before them. They also were
under the concern, and thought it would be right again
to lay the matter before the men's Yearly Meeting.
Esther Tuke, Elizabeth Robinson, Rebecca Jones, and

BEBECCA JONES.

109

Dine others were selected to go on this important em-
bassy. The women were admitted, and Joseph Gur-
ney Bevan, observing the noble figure of Esther Tuke
as the delegation entered the men's apartment, had this
passage of Scripture instantly and forcibly brought to
his remembrance : " What is thy petition, Queen Es-
ther ? and it shall be granted thee : and what is thy
request ? and it shall be performed, even to the half
of the kingdom." When her request was made known,
the current of true unity therewith was so strong that
all opposition was borne down, although some diffi-
culties were raised by a few. A Yearly Meeting for
women Friends was established. Its first session was
in 1785.

Kebecca Jones, in her travels through England, was
often much discourao^ed at the low state of thinors in
our religious society there. Pier letters bear testimony
to this.

" Seventh month 1st, Norwich. The Quarterly and
Yearly Meeting here ended yesterday. William Mat-
thews and Elizabeth Gibson, with divers others from
a distance, attended. Though in many instances there
is abundant cause of lamentation and mourning, yet
the precious visitation of Divine love was remarkably
extended to the young people, many of whom were
bowed under it. . . . Upon tlie whole, it may be said
with thankfulness, there is yet a solid number in this
10

110

REBECCA JONES.

place wlio are, under the present low state of things,
much depressed. Among them are, particularly, wor-
thy Edmund Gurney and his sister Mary. Ha has
not gone into the gallery once during the meeting, but
sat low, and appears so, both body and mind. i\Iucli
plain dealing has been used in public and select meet-
ings for the help of ^ the men who are settled on their
lees.^ I trust the servants are clear.^^

In this same letter she says that the young people at
Norwich and London, had widely departed from the
primitive standard of plainness.

Eebecca Jonek returned to her own country in 1788.
In the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia, in 1792,
Rebecca was earnestly engaged in pressing on old
and young the necessity of weightiness of spirit in re-
lio-ious meetino^s. In the course of her remarks she
said, that if members were truly weighty in spirit dur-
ing the time of the meeting, they would Qot exhibit
the lightness which is so much apparent in some before
they are out of the house, and round about it. The
solemnity on the countenances of Friends would indi-
cate that they had been with Him whom they met pro-
fessedly to worship, and in meekness and humility
they Avould feel and show themselves to be his humble
servants.

How little is known by many of that state of true
introversion, in which the mind being drawn from out-

REBECCA JONES.

Ill

ward things, is properly prepared to understand the
motions of the spirit, and through the fresh aspira-
tions thereof, eflPectually to cry Abba, Father ! In-
stead of waiting upon God in earnest desire to draw
near him in spirit, many in religious assemblies let
their minds out in consideration of their business or
their pleasures. How common is this sin ! A Friend
of Philadelphia, who was by profession a tanner, once
dreamed that he was sitting in a religious meeting,
wherein he was surprised to observe the congregation
with tables before them, at which they were pursuing
their usual avocations. The merchant had his books
there, the retailer his goods, the mechanic his tools.
Indignant at such employment, among those profess-
edly assembled for the awful and soul-important pur-
pose of Divine worship, he was about rising to reprove
them sharj^ly, when, incidentally placing his hands be-
hind him, he found a bundle of calf-skins suspended
from his own shoulders ! How much easier it is to
discover the errors of others than our own, and how
often we richly deserve the very condemnation we
mete out to our neighbors. The wilful indulgence of
wandering thoughts in meeting, is sin, and it will be
felt to have been so, whenever the soul comes really
and truly under a concern to be saved. Perhaps there
are few things which have a greater tendency to encour-
age such unsettlement of mind, such dwelling on out-

112

REBECCA JONES.

ward things, than a lifeless, formal ministry. A true
Gospel minister, when clothed with the baptizing
power, and called to labor in word and doctrine, is
often enabled to awaken the sleepy spirit, recall the
wandering thought, and to bring many, at least, to a
transient sense of the awful importance of working
out their souFs salvation with fear and trembling. A
lifeless discourse, on the contrary, often disturbs the
true seeker after good, turns the thoughts of the weak
and unstable outward, and it is to be feared, the
hearers, finding no spiritual nourishment, sometimes,
willingly encourage thoughts of their business to pass
away their time. A ship-carpenter, not a thoroughly
religious man, but an acute observer of men and things,
once characterizing the ministry of two individuals,
remarked, that under one of them he could build a
ship from stem to stern, but under the other he could
not lay a single plank.

In the Tenth month, 1793, Rebecca Jones was
seized with the yellow fever, which at that time was
raging to a fearful extent in Philadelphia. On the
23d, Thomas Scattergood, calling to see her, found
her scarcely able to speak through extreme suffering.
On the 24th he says, " Dear E-ebecca Jones appeared
under much discouragement respecting getting about
again, but was in a heavenly frame of mind and glad
to see me, telling me tliat I felt like bone of her bone.

REBECCA JONES.

113

Od my telling her that I had not seen but that she
might be raised up to bear testimony to the Lord's
goodness and Truth, she replied, ^ I am a poor atom,
unworthy to be employed in the Lord's work. Dear
Thomas, many have fled from the Truth, but the Lord
will meet with them. I have been an exercised woman
for thirty years past, and often grieved to see the pride
and forgetfulness of many in our Society, the multi-
plying of pleasure-carriages, formal visiting, etc' At
another time, when Avith her, she said, ^ There is an-
other dispensation in store for this people, depend upon
it,' repeating it more than once, ^ if the people are not
humbled by the present.' "

Those who are acquainted with the state of things
in Philadelphia for the next few years, will know^ how
fully this prediction of Rebecca Jones was verified.
On the 25th, Thomas Scattergood in the morning again
called to see his sick friend, and was distressed to find
her so low as to take no notice of him. About noon
she was somewhat revived, and told him she had seen
him in the morning, but was unable to speak to him.
She added, " I am in waiting ; there is nothing to do."
Before narrating what further took place on this occa-
sion, we may say that Thomas Scattergood had long
been wading under heavy exercise, in a prospect that
it was required of him by his Divine Master to pay a
religious visit to England. He had told no one of his
10*

114

BEBECCA JONES.

concern, although he now deemed the time for laying
the subject before his friends drew near. But although
Thomas had not opened his prospect, the Lord him-
self had unfolded it to Rebecca Jones, bringing her
into heartfelt sympathy Avith his poor servant, whom
he was anointing to send forth in his name. Rebecca,
as she lay, was too weak to do "much more than look
round with love and sweetness on her friend. At last
she said, " Go, and the Lord go with thee.^^ Later in
the day, Thomas being there again, she said, " Dear
Thomas, if thet ]\Iaster renews thy commission, and
should send thee over the water, mind the time ; do
not deal it out to individuals, but spread it before thy
Friends, and thou wilt find sympathizers. When thou
gets there, remember the poor servants in families ;
they are too often neglected. The Lord dealt bounti-
fully with me in that land, and I have had comfortable
seasons with such.^' Thomas then asked what she
meant by her address to him when previously with
her ? She answered, " I could not tell thee before J.
J., though I love him, but I alluded to thy going over
the great waters. The Lord has in some instances
intrusted me with his secrets, and I have not betrayed
them." This conversation proved very consoling to
Thomas Scattergood, confirming his faith that it was
indeed the Lord who was calling him to labor in a dis-
tant part of his vineyard.

REBECCA JONES.

115

Such secret sympathy with others and inward par-
ticipation in their thought and exercise are not always
confined to those in advanced years. The late Daniel
Haviland, feeling drawn to attend a meeting not very
distant from his residence, took his daughter Hannah,
then quite young, with him. Soon after the meeting
was gathered, she seemed to enter into sympathy with
her father, thought it would be right for him to appear
in the ministry, and saw clearly the text he should
speak on. After a time her father arose, and, to the
great comfort of the child, commenced with the pas-
sage of Scripture that had impressed her mind. As
he spoke, she was enabled to follow him in great unity
of feeling for some time. At last he reached a point
at which the opening on her mind closed, and she
thought he ought to stop. He did not, however, cease
speaking, but, to her great distress, continued his dis-
course. When the meeting was over, they went home
with a Friend to dine. After dinner, Daniel took his
pipe, and got into a corner by himself, apparently
uneasy and desirous of avoiding observation. On
their ride homeward, the little girl asked her father
how he felt ; but as this did not lead him to unburden
his feelings to her, she told him honestly how it had
been with her. As she described how her mind had
been impressed in the early part of the meeting, how she
had travelled on with him as he had ministered, where

116

REBECCA JONES.

she thought he ought to have stopped, and her dis-
tress at his proceeding, he became deeply affected, saw
clearly the mistake he had made, and exclaimed to his
child, " My dear daughter, ^ flesh and blood hath not
revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in
heaven.' "

Soon after the return of John Fothergill from his
last visit to America, he went to the Quarterly Meet-
ing at York, which was large, and attended by many
Friends from different parts of the nation. His com-
pany was very acceptable ; and the occasion was, in a
peculiar degree, solemn and instructive.

Here he met his son Samuel. Tradition has handed
down (and there is no other record of it) a remarkable
circumstance connected with this, their first interview,
after the return of the father to England. It is said
that, from some accidental circumstance, John Fother-
gill did not arrive in York until the morning of the
day of the meeting, and that it was late when he entered
the meeting-house : after a short period of silence he
stood up and appeared in testimony ; but after he had
proceeded a short time, he stopped, and informed the
meeting that his way was closed ; that what he had
before him was taken away, and was, he believed, given
to another. He resumed his seat, and another Friend
immediately rose, and taking up the subject, enlarged
upon it in a weighty and impressive testimony, deliv-

REBECCA JONES.

117

ered with great power. It is added, that at the close of
the meeting John Fothergill inquired who the Friend
was that had been so remarkably engaged amongst
them, and was informed that it was his own son
Samuel !

Their thus meeting together, under circumstances so
different to those in which their last memorable inter-
view had taken place, previous to John FothergilPs
departure from England, was peculiarly moving and
affecting to them both. The good old man received
his son as one restored from tlie spiritually dead, and
wept and rejoiced over him with no common joy.

Our late worthy ministering Friend William Wil-
liams, in his religious labors in the State of Delaware,
appointed a public meeting, to which came the Gover-
nor of the State and many other persons of eminence.
The subject that opened on the mind of William, was
the unlawfulness of war. He felt tried to be called on
to speak on that subject, fearing his inability to do it
justice, and for a long time thought he could not give
up to the requiring. At last, however, trusting to Him
who is might and wisdom, tongue and utterance to his
dependent children, he stood up, and the Lord was
pleased to favor him eminently that day, in matter and
manner. After the meeting was over, as William was
sitting on the porch of a Friend's house, Solomon
Bayley, a pious colored man, came near. The owner

118

REBECCA JONES.

of the dwelling, who knew and respected Solomon,
invited him to walk in. He declined doing it, but
said he wished to speak to the Friend. Addressing
William, he said, "Thy Master commanded thee to
preach ; but thou wert afraid ; but when thou submit-
ted. He brought thee off victorious.'^ Tliis touched
William's feelings deej^ly ; he felt this colored man's
participation with him in his exercise of spirit, as a
token of the Lord's mercy, and he was thereby quick-
ened to endeavor after a livelier and more unshaken
fliith.

How low and humble the condition of mind in
which Eebecca Jones was kept by her Divine Master !
Often the true minister of the Gospel must go mourn-
ing in the tribulated path of obedience ; and we may
receive it as a certain truth, that those who know not
Z, inward conflicts and fiery baptisms, are not walking in
the favor of the Lord, nor advancing toward that city
where sorrow is unknown. That wise woman and
sound minister Sarah Harrison, wrote thus in 1796
from England : " When I last met with i^icholas Wain
at York, he was in a very tried state, not having
opened his mouth in testimony since he left Ireland,
nor for some time before. Poor man ! he has to tra-
I vail in the deeps ; and I wish with all my heart, that
\ it was the case with some others. Then I believe the

REBECCA JONES.

119

f/race would be more magnified, and the creature less
gratified both in visitors and visited/^ j

Sarah Grubb says in one of her letters, " I remem-
ber to have heard that Samuel Fothergill, in the last
journey he took, was often so exceedingly stripped and
tried, particularly after his public appearances, that
the unity or approbation of the least child in the
family would have revived him; [this] led him to
acknowledge he was never more weak, and apt to
doubt the rectitude of his ministry ; [yet] a Friend of
much religious worth and S23iritual discernment, who
was often with him, told me that it was never more
pure and baptizing.'^

Thomas Cash had a saying to this purport, " ^Ye
cannot think too lowly of ourselves, if we do not des-
pair." This doctrine was beautifully and very char-
acteristically set forth by our simile-loving Friend,
James Simpson : " Friends, be as little as the snow-
birds, and then the Devil can't hit you."

A young Friend of Philadelphia, who was passing
through great exercises of mind, was much depressed.
He felt as though he were of no value or importance
to any one ; in short, that no man cared for his soul.
While in this condition, feeling his mind drawn to
call upon that honorable elder William Wilson, he
went in fear, thinking it almost presumption in him to
venture to intrude on a father in the Truth. When

120

REBECCA JONES.

he was introduced into the room where the worthy old
Friend sat^ he was cordially received and greeted with
a salutation in substance as follows : " I take it very
kind indeed of thee, to call and see an old man who
did not know that there was anybody in the world
thought him worth coming to visit. It is very kind
indeed ! " This unexpected reception immediately
afforded relief to the disconsolate youth, and they
were comforted together. " He that watereth shall be
watered also hiraself.^^

Rebecca Jones sometimes preached very short ser
mons. The following note from Richard Baker,
that valuable minister of Dover, England, inserted in
a letter from Thomas Scattergood, gives us one of
them. " Richard Baker desires his very dear love to
be remembered to Rebecca Jones, who frequently has
revived in his remembrance profitably, and wishes her
to be informed, for her encouragement, to attend to
impressions that may sometimes appear small ; that the
single sentence she delivered to him in a street has
been made more profitable to him than some whole
volumes he has read, which was this : ^ Blessed are
they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.'

In the meeting at which Robert Barclay was con-
vinced of Friends' princij^les, we are told that but
three sentences were spoken, viz. : " In stillness there
is fulness. In fulness there is nothingness. In no-

REBECCA JONES.

121

thingness all things.'^ Our late pithy friei.:!, Samuel
Atkinson, of Raneocas, Xew Jersey, once delivered
the following short, thought -awakening discourse:
•^Shepherds and shepherdesses, take care of the lambs;
wolves are very hungry in snow-time." At another
time he uttered this short text, and still shorter com-
ment : " ^ Put olF the old man with his deeds.' A
Jong job for some of us ! ''

In the summer of 1799, Rebecca Jones, with Jane
Snowdon for a companion, visited Friends in Xew
England. She writes from Xantucket, under date of
Seventh month 10th, that she and her companions,
seven in all, were then waiting for a fair wind to take
them to Xew Bedford, which, according to a received
opinion among Friends there, would remain ahead as
long as anything further icas to be done.

The reference above made to the prevalent idea at
Xantucket, that the wind will not become fair for
ministers to leave that island until they have per-
formed all tlie service required of them there by their
Divine blaster, recalls to mind an anecdote, in wliicli
a horse refused to go into a boat to leave a place where
his mistress had not discharged her duty. The ac-
count was o;iven bv a ministerino: Friend, the late
Samuel Gummere, who said he received it from the
mouth of the female minister herself. About the
time of the last war with England, the Friend, having
11

122

RFBECCA JOKES.

a concern to visit Canada, passed there in a sloop
which plied regularly as a ferry-boat. The horse of
her companion being led on board, her horse, to the
surprise of the witnesses, followed of its own accord.
When her labor in those parts was nearly completed,
she felt a concern arise in her mind to have a relio-ious
meeting with the inhabitants of Kingston. But it was
court time, many military officers and great men w^re
there, and her faith failed her. Jonah-like, she took
her passage, intending to cross the lake, and thus escape
drinking this bitter cup. The sloop in which she had
come to Canada was to convey her back, and the man
who had led her companion's horse into it on the
American side, now did it again, expecting to see her
horse follow. But the animal showed no disposition
to stir. Efforts Avere then made to lead him on board,
but he stoutly resisted ; and, after many vain attempts,
the tackle of the vessel had to be employed, whereby
he was fairly hoisted in. This difficulty over, they
started with a fair wind, and the captain said he
thought they might reach their port in half an hour.
But presently the wind arose boisterous and contrjtry,
and the vessel beat about for some time, but made no
progress. The poor deserter from duty felt like Jonah
indeed, and was now willing, could she return to
Canada, to j)erform her Master's bidding. She de-
sired the captain to put her back ; but he told hei it

REBECCA JONES.

123

was impossible, with that wind and such weatlier, to
reach the place he had left. There was a point of
land on the Canada side not very distant which he
could make, but it was one of the English military
posts. At her request, the captain hailed the sentinel,
and inquired if a passenger might be landed there.
The sentinel replied he dared not permit it under pain
of death. The woman Friend, recollecting she had
been born a subject of the king of England, and had
never forfeited her allegiance, desired the captain to
inquire if there was any officer at the post. An officer
was called, who granted her permission, as one of
his majesty's subjects," to land. The landing was
effected after thev had been tossino^ from eio'ht o'clock
to twelve on the water. Beino- now ao-ain on shore,
the woman Friend was prompt to take the necessary
steps to enable her to fulfil her apprehended duty. She
applied to an English naval officer, stating her desire
of having a meeting with the inhabitants of Kingston.
He readily offered his services in procuring a suitable
place, and endeavored to obtain the Episcopal meeting-
house for that purpose. The clergyman was, however,
from home, and it was said the key could not be found.
In the mean time, the Chief Justice, hearing of the
Friend's concern, procured a large ball-room, and had
it fitted with benches. The meeting Avas held that
very evening, and, it was thought, three thousand per-

124

REBECCA JONES.

sons were present. When the meeting closed, the
Chief Justice sent to the Friend's lodging to inquire
if he might pay her a visit. On her assent being
given, he came. In the course of his conversation he
informed her that he had tried being a Roman Cath-
olic, an Episcopalian, and a Presbyterian, and now he
found he had all to learn yet. He said he had here-
tofore been harsh towards Friends who had been
brought before him for not obeying military requisi-
tions, because he had believed their refusal proceeded
from obstinacy, but that now he thought otherwise.
The next dayihe Friend crossed over to the New York
shore, her horse going on board the sloop without
leading. The captain, observing the action of the
horse, said, "It will go over now, for the work is
done.'' It may be well to add that the Chief Justice
fulfilled his promise, and that no consistent Friend, up
to the time this account was written, had suftered
under him for conscientious scruples.

Those who remember Rebecca Jones in health and
vigor, describe her as being of a fine, portly person,
as having an imposing appearance in the gallery, and
a countenance readily flushed by the earnestness of her
feelings, as she was pleading with her fellow-candidates
for immortality, that they might be reconciled unto
God. There was much dignity in her demeanor and
wisdom in her conversation. In meetings for worship

REBECCA JONES.

125

she was clothed with Gospel power and authority, and
in meetings for discipline with the spirit of wise dis-
cernment. Some years before her death, her labor for
others being much over, and tried with many infirmi-
ties of body, she looked, with wistful earnestness, for
the period when her Master should grant her a release
from the afflictions of life's weary pilgrimage.

Kebecca Jones had experienced many trials calcu-
lated to depress her spirits. She had beheld those with
whom her soul had enjoyed sweet fellowship, who had
labored with her in the Gospel of her dear Lord, who
had been as bone of her bone, fall from their stability,
lose their spiritual gifts and graces, and even bring
reproach on the blessed Truth. Her heart had been
sorely wounded thereby ; her faith had been closely
tried, while she feared lest she also might one day fall
and become a castaway from the holy fellowship of her
people and the blessed favor of her God. Many of
the faithful had been removed from her side, and earth
offered little to induce her to desire to longer tarry
amid its checkered scenes. Samuel Emlen had gone
to receive the blessed reward of pure dedication.
Sarah Harrison had been in mercy taken from a world
of trouble. Thomas Scattergood had exchanged his
earthly state of mingled weeping and rejoicing for a
resting-place in that glorious city where sorrow finds
no entrance. And others, near and dear to her heart,
11 *

126

REBECCA JONES.

were now, like herself, aged pilgrims, waiting for their
own dismissal from mortality, with little ability to
salute an old fellow-traveller in the way everlasting.
She could but hope over some of the younger laborers
in the Lord's vineyard; yet the signs of the times
seemed to her prophetic of coming sorrow, and feeling
that mourning, lamentation, and woe'' were inscribed
on the future, she found little room for rejoicing.

Her decease took place on the 15th of Fourth
month, 1818, she being then nearly "seventy-nine years
of age.

t

DAXIEL OFFLEY.

/~\N the east side of Front Street near AYalnut Street,
^ in Philadelphia, about the close of the Revolu-
tionary war, was a large blacksmith's shop, in which
anchors were forged. In it might be seen, standing at
an anvil, hammer in hand, a strong, wide-shouldered,
full-set man, of about five feet ten inches in height,
whose powerful, clear voice could be heard above all
the din of the roaring of fires and the ringing of iron.
It was a scene to attract attention. This stout man,
the proprietor and conductor of the business, was of a
light complexion, of handsome features, and well-pro-
portioned in every part of his muscular body. When
the gazer, while beholding the many ponderous ham-
mers descending on the partly-finished anchors, and
feeling alniost stunned by the noise, heard the voice of
the owner rising distinct and clear above all, directing
the workmen in their various labors, it was wont to
excite surprise. That voice was peculiar, and in a
meeting for worship, when the speaker was under deep

127

128

DANIEL OFFLEY.

religious exercise and concern for his fellow-believerw,
it was remarkable for its melody. It was exceedingly
rich in tone, and he seemed to speak without effort.
This man of the fine face, the well-proportioned frame,
the powerful arm, the far-extending voice, was Daniel
Offley.

He was the son of Daniel and Rachel Offley, and
was born in Philadelphia, on the 29th of the Eleventh
month, 1756. Being of an animated and joyous dis-
position by nature, not regulated by Divine Grace, he
rushed, in his youth, into many of the vanities and
follies which beset his path. He was gay and light-
hearted, but was far, very far from partaking of true
peace and heart-comforting happiness. These can only
be enjoyed by those who, through the mercy of the
Lord Jesus Christ, witness a pardon for past sins, and
grace to enable them to live a life of piety and virtue.
One of his most intimate friends, and the partaker
with him in vanity and frivolity, was Jonathan Evans.
This, his strong-minded associate, was as averse to
religious things as himvself, until brought, through the
secret convictions of Grace operating by a providential
incident, to repentance and amendment of life. From
the memorial of Jonathan Evans, and the account
given by some of his friends, we learn some of the
particulars of his convincement. In search of some-
thing he wanted, he was examining the contents of "n

DAXIEL OFFLEY.

129

old chestj when, picking up a book wliicb he found
there, he opened it. His eves caught the words The
Lio-ht of Christ.'^ There Avas nothino; in this sentence
attractive to him, so the book was tlirown down, and
he went about his business. But although the book
was closed and left behind him, and he occupied by
his worldlv concerns, -he could not forget that sentence,
"The Light of Christ." At last he determined to
examine the book further, and, on taking it from the
old chest, found it to be AVilliam Penn's " Xo Cross,
no Crown." He read this book, and, througli Divine
mercy, was now thoroughly reached and awakened to
a sense of his lost and undone condition by nature,
and was prompted to seek earnestly for deliverance
from the shackles of sin. As he could no longer
enjoy the company of his former associates, he with-
drew from them, keeping himself much retired. Some
of those who loved his society were not disposed to
give him tip, and Daniel OjSley undertook to reason
the matter with him. Daniel supposed this with-
drawal from a gay life was btit the effect of a melan-
choly fit, which would soon depart if he would mingle
with his former associates ; and in arguing with him
he told him so. This opened the way for Jonathan,
who so clearly set foi1:h the sinfulness of the course
they had both been pursuing, that Daniel Offley was
lumself convinced. He too now felt strong convictions

130

DANIEL OFFLEY.

for sin, and^ through the mercv of his Saviour, he also
experienced repentance toward God and a saving faith
in our Lord Jesus Christ. Being brought undei: the
power of judgment and condemnation for his past
transgressions, in a sense of his lost condition, except
lie could find one mighty to save and able to deliver,
he was deeply humbled. But as he patiently bore the
chastening of the Lord, he was favored to experience
the glad tidings of the Gospel of Jesus, who saveth
his people from their sins. Then was there opened to
him, for his comfort, the dayspring from on high, .
and, in the midst of conflicts, he had joy and peace in
believing.

He was not yet free from trials. He who had re-
deemed him from evil, now called him to labor in the
work of the ministry. Strong baptisms of spirit were
therefore upon him ; — and under their operation, his
will was subjected to the Lord's will — and before
many months had elapsed, he opened his mouth in
religious meetings to the comfort of his Friends. In
a very short time afterwards, his friend Peter Yarnall
appearing in the same way, a strong sympathy of spirit
was superadded to their former friendship for each
other.

Peter Yarnall being at Concord trying to establish
himself in business as a physician, Daniel thus wrote
to him:

DANIEL OFFLEY.

131

" Philadelphia, Twelfth month 20t.h, 1780.

" Dear Friend, .... Thine, by favor of Jonathan
Evans, contained a very seasonable apology for thy not
calling to see me, when last in town. Since which
[time] many favors conferred upon us, claim our deep
and humble acknowledgment 'to the great Author. It
still continues to be my lot, to dwell mostly in a state
of deep proving, and "humbling exercise. I am de-
siring to be made fully acquainted with my own in-
firmity, and the workings of the enemy of our happi-
ness, which I believe many of us have been favored to
see, are deep and hidden. I think I have also been
favored to see the indispen,^able necessity of our dwell-
ing deep, and being often brought under the baptizing
power of Truth, which has a tendency, as it is patiently
abode under, clearly and distinctly to discover the
snares which Satan, or his emissaries, have laid for us.
I believe these snares and baits are always suited to our
various natural inclinations.

"As respects us, who have believed ourselves called,
and not only called, but chosen of God, to bear a public
testimony to his goodness, oh ! that I, in particular,
oh ! that all who are thus called, may dwell so deep as
to be preserved from all the snares of the enemy, and
kept under that Power which gives authority, and
which ' maketli his angels spirits, and his ministers a
flame of fire,' that neither the stubbJe nor the chaffy
nature can withstand. For I do verily believe, if there
be but, on our part, a proper waiting for the fresh
anointing, that the Lord will raise up ^ threshing instru-
ments.' Oh ! how necessary it is to guarvd well against

132

DANIEL OFFLEY.

the working of self-imagination, compassing ourselves
about with sparks, but not of the true fire ; and by
impatience (when perhaps the anointing Power was at
work, and Avould have properly qualified) there has
been strange fire offered; which I believe, without
breach of charity, has been offensive in the sight of
God, who will not accept ^robbery for burnt-offering.'
There must be a waiting in holy silence, and ceasing
from self-activity, until we feel the command, ^ proclaim
my word which I have given thee, to this people/

When there is such a clear discovery, it is an awful
thing, and its consequences are fearful to disobey.
Notwithstanding it is so, there has been at times, i-n
myself, and it may be so with others, a reluctance to
yield obedience ; and then we are brought under chas-
tisement and close rebuke ; which may work in us a
disposition of willingness to do anything, in order to
be relieved from the deep distress of mind that we
feel. Here is the enemy again, presenting a way for
us, working upon the unmortified nature, and proposing
many things to us, in order to get from under this trying
dispensation ; which in these beclouded times, makes
the trial still deeper and more exercising. I have ever
found it safest for me, in the course of my small ex-
perience, to bear the indignation of the Lord, till it be
overpast, and his mercy again revealed, with a clear
evidence of his being again reconciled.

I cannot tell the reason why 1 should be thus led;
but hope these remarks may, by no means, be a dis-
couragement to thee, whom I love and esteem. But if
thou should have to travel in any of th-ese trying paths,

DAXIEL OFFLEY.

133

thou mav remember that others have trodden therein
before thee. So, in dear love to thee, in which my Avife
joins, I remain thy assured friend,

Daniel Offley, Jr."

The comparatively trifling occurrence made use of
in the Divine hand in the convincement of Jonathan
Evans, and, through him, of his friend, Daniel Offley,
is in accordance with the working of Providence in
awakino' manv others. The followins; anecdote is an
incident in point. A gay, thoughtless, unregenerate
woman, in looking over the shoulder of a religious
servant, to find out what she was reading, had her
attention arrested by the word " eternity." Eternity !
— a word of but eight letters — yet how much is com-
prised in it ! The Holy Spirit set this word home on
the heart of the careless beholder. She began to feel
what eternity, to an immortal, accountable being, im-
plied— future unending happiness to those who on
earth should walk in obedience to the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus; hopeless, irremediable
misery to those who, like herself, were gratifying the
desires of the vain mind. That night sleep forsook
her eyes, deep exercise of spirit came upon her, and
from that time, as she submitted to the inward bap-
tisms of the Holy Ghost and fire, her heart grew more
and more tender, and her spiritual understanding
more enlightened. That one glance had produced,
12

134

DANIEL OFFLEY,

through the Saviour's blessing, a train of reflections,
of inward conflicts, of submissions on her part, which
resulted in a change of heart, manifested in a change
of life.

Edward Andrews, of the province of New Jersey,
the son of faithful parents, in his early years took
great delight in music and jollity. By giving way to
his evil propensities, he stifled the reproofs of instruc-
tion, until at last the Lord's Holy Spirit seemed no
longer to strive with him. After a time a series of losses
and crosses, as respected worldly things, came upon him,
and yet little change for the better was wrought in him
thereby. His residence had been among Friends at
Mansfield, but he now removed to the neighborhood
of Egg Harbor, on the sea-shore, where his principal
companions were Indians, and their chief business
seemed to be getting up idle diversions, wherein the
fiddle had the principal place. He was far from any
meeting of Friends, and the princijDles of his education
seemed to have lost all hold on his mind. In the
twenty-seventh year of his age a renewed visitation of
the Lord's mercy was manifested effectually, savingly
to him, and very simple indeed did the first moving
thereof appear. He saw, one day, as he was walking
in hig field alone, a bone of a man's leg. He had
often handled it, and had at times made use of it as a
club to strike with and to throw ; but now there came

DANIEL OFFLEY.

135

a thought fulness over his mind as he looked at it,
with an impression that it would be right to bury
it. This, after a time of inward debate, he did, and
felt peaceful in so doing. From this time the witness
for God stirred in him again, recalling the days he
had spent in vanity and estrangement from good, and
raising in him desires for deliverance from sin. Step
by step he trod the path of self-denial and the daily
cross, until he ^vas led out of his former evil habits,
and was brought into inward conformity to the will
of his God. It was in the Fourth month, 1704, that
he found this bone, and as he continued faithful to
that which reproved him, he was led for a time through
many conflicts, and experienced largely of w^eeping
and mourning, and then came a season of inward com-
fort in the assurance of the Lord's favor. Xow his
blessed Saviour filled his heart with love for others ;
be was brought to long for their spiritual welfare, and
then a gift in the ministry of the Gospel of life and
salvation w^as committed to him. He labored as the
Lord opened his way. A blessing attended his min-
istry ; many were convinced, and a meeting of Friends
was soon established near his residence. Through
faithfulness under his exercises, and to his openings,
he grew in spiritual grace and wisdom.

He was honest and sharp-sighted as a watchman on
the ^\•alls of Zion, bearing a true testimony against

136

DANIEL OFFLEY.

wrong spirits in the church, whilst ever ready to pass
by and forgive trespasses against himself. He did not
live long to labor, and being taken sick, was sensible
that his end had nearly come, telling his friends the
Lord had brought him through all his exercises. The
evening before his death, his heart was tendered by the
sweet incomes of the love of God, and in living prayer
he committed himself and family to the Lord's keep-
ing. On the 26th of Tenth month, 1716, having been
favored with the Lord's comforting and sustaining
presence to the last, he joyfully departed.

Daniel Offley continued to labor faithfully in the
ministry to which he was called. To his friend Peter
Yarnall, at Concord, he thus wrote :

" PiiiLADELPPiiA, Eighth month 7th, 1781.

" Dear Friend, .... I have often thought, and
had to marvel at the long forbearance and mercy of
our God ; and a language, similar to that formerly ex-
pressed respecting some other places, has often run
through my mind. Oh, Philadelphia ! Philadelphia!
had the many powerful visitations, Avhich have been
extended to thee, been reached forth unto Sodom and
Gomorrah, they would have repented long ago, in dust
and ashes. Therefore the men of these cities shall rise
up in judgment against thee, and, may I not say, con-
demn thee. But I do believe there are a living num-
ber, whose cries have entered into the ears of the Lord
of Sabaoth, and he has opened a gracious ear to their

DANIEL OFFLEY.

137

mourning and sigliings, as between the porch and the
altar, with this language, ^ O Lord, spare us a little
longer. Try us yet another year.' He has long waited
for fruits. But it would be no marvel at all with me,
if his anger should yet rise higher, and he should pour
out the vials of his wath upon the inhabitants of this
once highly favored city.

" As to my own particular state, I have been of latter
Aveeks under much humbling exercise. Yesterday I
attended our Quarterly Meeting, and believe it was
favored with a covering, which clearly evidenced that
something good was still with us ; and that the Lord
had not wholly forsaken his people — it may be for the
sake of the ' ten righteous,' whom he has yet found
among us. And, oh ! saith my soul, may their num-
ber increase ; and that we, who have put our hands to
the gospel-plough, may not look back, nor, through
dust gathering on our garments and becoming soiled,
thereby dim the beauty of holiness, and occasion the
weak to stumble, and the daring rebel to reproach the
holy Truth. ... I believe it cannot now be called a
time of health in the city.

Thy affectionate friend, Daniel Offley, Jr."

An expectation similar to that expressed by Daniel
of a time of judgment on the city of Philadelphia,
was felt and declared by many other Friends. The
year 1793 saw the fulfilment of their fears. Then

came the yellow fever, and with it fearfulness of heart

12*

138

DANIEL OFFLET,

and paleness of face throughout the devoted city.
Then was felt the silence of desolation ; the wheels of
trade were at rest, and little was heard but the rum-
bling of the dead-cart, even more awful becaus^ of the
absence of other sounds.

About the beginning of the year 1783, Georgo
Dillwyn and Daniel Offley, Jr., paid a visit to Friends
in New York State. On this visit, when at Stanford,
they called one evening at the house of Tiddeman
Hull, the father of the late Henry Hull. Henry,
then eighteen years of age, was engaged in his father's
fulling-mill, and being sent for to the house, was dis-
turbed in his mind to find he was interrupted in his
business merely to come into a family sitting. He
says he "could hardly speak pleasantly to the Friends.''
Notwithstanding this, Daniel Offley was so enabled to
minister to his spiritual condition as to be the means,
he records, of "turning me into the paths of obe-
dience."

How great the influence for good or evil man pos-
sesses, and how necessary that all should be faithful to
apprehended duty ! No one knows, whe;i he is doing
despite to the convictions of grace, how many are
evilly affected by his sin ; and no one knows, when he
yields himself up in perfect obedience to the Lord's
will, how much of a saving ministry to others there
may be in his example of humble dedication. Jonathan

DAXIEL OFFLEY.

139

Evans was faithful to the awakening call given him ;
he was made instrumental in the conversion of Daniel
Offley, and Daniel Offley of Henry Hull. Doubtless
many were stirred up to spiritual diligence — were
made to cry earnestly for help to the Lord — through
the baptizing power of Henry Hull's ministry. See
how the circle of good influences extends. Every
one who receives permanent benefit is himself a fresh
centre of beneficial action on others. So is it of evil.
If bv my example others are encouraged in wrong,
their influence is exerted in behalf of wrong. It is,
indeed, an awful thing to live ; for unless we retire to
the solitude of some distant forest, or bury ourselves
on some uninhabited island, we cannot rid ourselves
of the fearful responsibility of living — of operating
for o'ood or for evil on societv.

In a letter addressed to Peter Yarnall, dated Seventh
month 29th, 1783, after mentioning that he was about
setting out on a visit to Xew York, Daniel Offley adds :

" Xot long since, I returned, with my friend, George
DillwA^n, from the tour I now have in prospect. But,
finding a too anxious desire after home, I returned
too early, to my wounding. Oh, dear friend, there is
need for us to mind the pointing of the Lord's finger,
both in o'oino; out and comin2: in : to be whollv un-
shackled from all the cumbering things of this world,
and to be given up to his appointment and direction !

140

DANIEL OFFLEY.

If this was more the situation and state of such as are
at times made use of as instruments in his holy hand,
how many shining stars would there be, whose bright-
ness would have a tendency to overawe thosa clouds
of darkness which sometimes do overspread our Sion.
I feel a necessity for myself to be more devoted in
heart to run, with a becoming cheerfulness and resig-
nation, the w^ays of his requiring, whereby my strength
might more increase. For how subtle is the adversary
in his attempts to ^ draw us back into captivity and
thraldom ! So that I have sometimes, when in low,
desponding moments, been ready to query, who is able
for these things ?

" But we have a merciful God to deal with, who,
when he has tried the integrity of our hearts, will arise
in his mighty power, and put to flight the enemy : and
thus our souls, wearied with exercise, will be permitted
to enjoy a short, but precious Sabbath. May I, Avith
thee, dear friend, ever press forward through these
crowds of opposition, which I believe neither of us are
exempt from, that so, neither heights nor depths, prin-
cipalities nor powers, things present nor to come, may
ever be able to separate us from the love of God in
Christ Jesus. As this becomes our daily concern, I
humbly hope that way will be made for the remnant
of God's Israel to pass through as on dry land, to the
praLse of his holy Name."

BAXIEL OFFLEY.

141

Many another Friend besides Daniel Offley, has re-
tired from fields of service to ^vhich they were called
before they were quite released. Henry Drinker, of
Philadelphia, writing to Samuel Xeale, under date.
Third month lOtli, 1788, says: ''Our valuable friend
Samuel Emlen hath visited my dwelling twice this
day. He is, as thou must have known him, often feeble
in body, but continues to be a vessel chosen and ap-
pointed to preach the Gospel in the authority thereof,
frequently animated and strengthened to the admiration
of many. Ever since his last return from your land
he appears at times much bowed under a sense of a too
hasty escape, and an apprehension that he must yet
give up to visit some parts of the island of Great
Britain once more."

AVe are all liable to be led astray, when we allow
our reason to take the place of revelation, and let our
own idea of fitness govern us in things where simple
obedience is required at our hands.

AVe are told by George Fox in his Journal, that in
the year 1648, being at Mansfield in Xottingham, he
felt a concern to go and speak to a company of Justices,
who were there sitting " about hiring servants." The
burden on the mind of George to deliver was, a warn-
ing to them not to "oppress the servants in their
wages." In obedience to the will of his Divine Master,
he started toward the inn where they met, but on

142

DANIEL OFFLEY.

coming near and finding a company of fiddlers in the
same house, his fiiith fiiiled him, and he turned back,
thinking that time not seasonable for so serious a sub-
ject as he wished to bring to their notice. With the
prospect of returning in the morning, he turned from
the performance of present duty. In the morning
when he came to the inn, he found that the justices had
departed. Under the feelings produced by this infor-
mation, he became so blind he could not see. The
tavern-keeper informed him the justices were to sit that
day at a village eight miles from Mansfield. His con-
cern to sec them still continued, and in the prospect -of
being yet able to perform his duty, his hope revived,
and his sight began to be restored. In the present
strength and vision afforded, he commenced running
as fast as he could toward the village named. He
reached the place, and entered the room where the jus-
tices were sitting with many servants before them. In
the power and authority given him of the Lord, he
delivered his warning to the justices, and then exhorted
the servants to be fixithful in the performance of their
several duties, serving in all honesty. Those addressed
received his exhortation and warning with kindness
and attention.

We have but little to say of the many religious en-
gagements of Daniel Offley during his short life. In
the Eleventh month, 1 786, he and Samuel Emlen left

DANIEL OFFLEY.

143

Philadelphia for Barbadoes and some other of the West
India islands. At Barbadoes they were received with
kindness, and particularly so by the Governor of the
island. They found that the great hurricane of 1780
had blown down all the meetin-g-houses of Friends,
which were five in niynber. Preparations were, how-
ever, then making for the erection of a new one.

The memorial of Daniel Offley says that in this
visit to the islands, and in his labors in many of the
meetings on this continent, his service was "to the
satisfaction and edification, of those among whom his
lot was cast ; [he] being often, through deep baptism,
led into close-searching labor with the indolent and
lukewarm professors of the blessed Truth.'^

About the middle of the Eighth month, 1793, the
yellow fever made its appearance in Philadelphia, and
as it was evidently spreading with fearful rapidity,
and was generally quickly mortal in its effects, a great
degree of public terror was shown. By the 26th, vast
numbers of the citizens began to remove, and for many
days the public roads leading from tlie city were
thronged with vehicles of all descriptions laden with
people and furniture. ]Many members of the Society
of Friends fled with their families; but there were
others who believed it their duty to remain — some as
a testimony to their belief in the superintending prov-
idence of the Most High, and others to minister to the

144

DANIEL OFFLEY.

wants of the sick and needy. Among the latter was
Daniel Offley. He was not one of the original volun-
teers appointed by the citizens to assist the guardians
of the poor in the general oversight of the greatly-
increasing number of persons who were destitute of
the means of living, or were taken down with the dis-
temper ; but in a few days he joined them. To walk
about the street at this time with any degree of com-
posure and peacefulness, required great command of
nerves or a great faith in Him who alone can control
" the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the de-
struction that wasteth at noonday." To hear, while
walking, the bells of the different places of worship
tolling unceasingly for the members of their respective
congregations who were hourly dropping, one by one,
into eternity — to see the yellow flags waving on all
sides, and other marks of sickness within, on windows
and doors through all the streets, and to meet at every
corner the hearse with its dead, or the sick-cart con-
veying its sick and dying to the hospital, were evident
tokens of mortality sufficiently striking to appal the
bravest. Yet amid all these sights and sounds, in the
performance of his Christian duty, Daniel Offley con-
tinued his almost unabated labor in visiting the sick,
ministering to their physical wants, and, as ability was
afforded, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom to
them in freshness and power. With some he could

DANIEL OFFLEY.

145

rejoice even while niourning that they were about put-
ting oflF mortality. Calling on the 19th of the Ninth
month on Sarah Rodman, a young woman of ]S'e\^^ort,
Rhode Island, who had been taken with the prevailing
fever the previous day, he had to tell her of the com-
fort it had afforded liim to feel that she was favored
with quietness and tranquillity, and to know that she
had not, at that awful time, to learn where to look for
relief in her distress, or how to pray to Him who alone
could deliver or save. In his visits to the sick, he
called almost daily upon her. At one time he said,
" The Ijord is with thee, and I believe he will be with
thee as thy Caretaker, thy Supporter, and thy Com-
forter, however the present illness may terminate.''
At another time he was bowed in awful supplication
in her chamber to the Father of mercies, wherein, in
fervency of spirit, he made intercession that she might
be su})ported on the bed of languishing, have her spirit
raised above the fear of death, and centred in safety
with her God. He felt himself clothed with sympa-
thy also with the relatives of the sick and dying. To
Hannah Fisher, sister of Sarah Rodman, he was on
different occasions drawn to administer the word of
consolation. He affectionately desired her, on the
25th, to seek after resignation, saying, in relation to
tlie probability of her sister's speedy decease, " It is,
indeed, a close trial, and many of thy friends feel for
18

146

DANIEL OFFLEY.

thee ; but, as I have told thee before — and now have
no disposition to recall it — she is the Lord's, and let
him take her. I have no doubt she will enter into the
full fruition of that joy which is prepared for the
righteous. She will be released from a troublesome
world, and centred where the wicked cease from trou-
bling and the weary are at rest. This is my faith con-
cerning her ; therefore try to compose thy mind, and
do not give way to sorrow which may hurt thee. I
know it is hard to part with such near connections,
having had to experience it.'^ The night of the next
day, Sarah, having given a bright example of patience
and resignation, passed quietly away ; and, according
to the necessary custom of that sad period, in a few
hours after her body was consigned to the earth.

As the mortality in the city grew greater, the ring-
ing of the bells to denote death, w^as dispensed Avith,
but the increased activity of the hearses, and the gen-
eral yellowness of the complexion of the citizens, made
walking the streets as little to be desired as ever. But
Daniel Offley still was faithful to his duty. His sta-
bility and unshaken confidence in God, made him a
comfort to the distressed in mind, and the faint-hearted
ones who seemed cast down at the prospect around
them. In religious meetings, which were then small,
he was often clothed upon with heavenly love, and
enabled in a tender and Christian manner to exhort

DAXIEL OFFLET.

147

those gathered. He pressed upon them fidelity in the
discharge of religious duty — and in thus doing, he
believed a qualification would be granted them to un-
derstand the language of the awful dispensation meted
out to them, and prepared, if it should be the Lord's
will, to lay down their lives with joy.

It is not needful to narrate many of the heart-rend-
ing scenes which the city of Philadelphia witnessed
during the Ninth and Tenth months, 1793. Many
died unattended — \^dves fled from sick husbands —
husbands abandoned their dying wives — parents de-
serted their own offspring in their distress — and chil-
dren left their plague-stricken parents to die of neglect.
But notwithstanding this, very many instances of deep
affection, of faithful fidelity unto death, were also wit-
nessed. Xever were the kindnesses of human nature
and the prevailing loveliness of Divine grace in tender-
ing the feelings to the woes of others, more strongly
developed, than at this season, where, in many, self ap-
peared all in all.

Daniel Ofiley having, about the close of the Xinth
month, been with two of his friends and associates on
some errand of mercy, as they were separating, he
said, " The language of this dispensation to every one
of us is, ^ Be ye also ready,' for at such an hour as we
ex})ect not, the messenger of death may be sent to our
houses." They parted, never to meet again. Two of

148

DANIEL OFPLEY.

them were soon called home to heaven the third, our
late friend, Thomas Wistar, sickened with the prevail-
ing disorder, but was, in the ordering of Divine Provi-
dence, restored to health, and survived, many years,
the death of his companions.

On the 3d of the Tenth month, Daniel Offley was
taken ill. On the 4th, one of his friends came to see
him, and while sitting by his side, expressed the sorrow
with which he was affected, at seeing one who had been
so serviceable to the sick, himself seized with the dis-
order, adding, that he had hoped Daniel would have
been spared. The grace-supported patient cheerfully
replied, " It matters little, when in our places, how we
are disposed of, whether in life or death."

With a holy, happy confidence in the Lord, un-
shaken by the pains of his distressed body, he lay
serenely tranquil, waiting the result. He knew that
all would be well, and expressed his resignation to the
Lord's will, whether it should be for life or death. On
the morning of the 7th of the month, his wife asking
him how he was, he replied, that he had had a very
comfortable night, and had been overshadowed with
the calming influence of Divine love, in a degree he
had never before experienced.

Thus sustained and comforted, he continued to the
close, departing this life on the llth of the Tenth
month, 1793, aged nearly thirty-seven years.

WILLIAM SAVEEY.

WILLIAM SAVERY, tvIio had been plucked by
Divine Grace as a brand from tlie burning, was,
in the year 1780, occasionally opening his mouth in
the ministry, ^'illiam was born in Philadelphia, in
the year 1750. In the days of his youth he had given
way to the temptations of the enemy of all good, and
had become estranged from the paths of purity and
peace. Yet he was not forgotten of his God. Many
and many a visitation of reproving mercy was meted
out to his soul. His days, which were often spent in
wantonness and mirth, were followed by nights of
lamentation and mourning. ^Ve learn from his own
accoimt, that he at this time frequented taverns and
places of diversion, and indulged in card -playing.
Having been somewhat 'awakened to a sense of his evil
habits, he endeavored, in his own strength, to improve
his moral condition. He refrained from some of his
most glaring sins, and, doubtless, appeared much im-
proved in the sight of men. He says :

13 * 149

150

WILLIAM SAVER Y.

"Now I struggled hard to break myself of my
fondness for company, seeing the snare there was in it,
being apt to relate adventures and tales to provoke
mirth; and often, for the embellishment of them, to
strain beyond the truth. I was much concerned to
watch over myself in this particular, which is both
dishonorable and sinful, yet a vice that I have ob-
served to be very prevalent among the youth of both
sexes. Even in comjDanies that are termed polite, or
well bred, the discourse is often so strained, that few
sentences or narratives, if examined, would be found
to be strictly true. Some fondly imagine that there
is but little harm in telling untruths, unless they be
related seriously, not considering our holy profession,
and who it was that said, ^ Let your yea be yea, and
your nay, nay ; for whatsoever is more than this cometh
of evil.'

"Oh, the folly of thus misspending our precious
time ! How watchful, how careful ought we to be of
our words and actions! always remembering that the
holy eye of an all-seeing God pervades the most secret
chambers we can retire to, and his ear is ever open to
hear both the evil and the good ! Insomuch that one
formerly said, ' There is not a thought in the heart,
nor a word on the tongue, but he knows altogether ! '
Yea, and many of the present day have known when
the terrors of the Lord have overtaken them for sin.

WILLIAM SAVER Y.

151

and they have had to taste of the spirit of judgment
and of burning — that every secret thing has been
brouo^ht to li^iht, and the hidden works of darkness
have been made manifest; and that even iov idle words
they have had to render an account.

I had been employed, as before related, in bringing
myself to a more circumscribed life, being pretty care-
ful in my conduct and conversation and just in my
dealings among men, and was willing to believe that I
had attained to great matters, and that I might now
take up my rest ; for by luy own strength, ability, and
contrivance, I could not only keep up a fair, upright
character among men, and make myself happy and
respected, but (oh, the deceitful workings of Satan !
oh, the mystery of iniquity !) that it would, at the
close of time here, gain me an inheritance among all
those that are sanctified, in the regions of purity and
peace.

How can I sufficiently adore [the Lord] for his
continued regard and care over me, in that he did not
suffer me to remain long in this state of delusion and
error, but disturbed my false rest, and made me, at
times, exceedingly uneasy with it ? At length he gave
me to see that, notwithstanding my regularity of be-
havior and all my boasted attainments, I fell far short
of that purity which all the vessels of the Lord^s house
must come to, and that I was yet under the law, w^hich

152

WILLIAM S AVERY.

cannot make the comers thereunto perfect, not having
passed under the flaming sword, nor felt the day of
the Lord to come, which burns as an oven.

" This brought great distress and anxiety of mind
over me, and sometimes I was ready to doubt the truth
of these Divine revelations. I was also exceedingly
desirous to find, if possible, an easier way to happiness
than by submitting myself wholly to the cross, of
which I had, as yet, experienced but little. And one
night, as I was much tossed and distressed in mind,
(which was usual for me about that time,) I went to
bed, and as one that Avas in a dark and howling wil-
derness, where I could see no way out, to the right
hand or to the left. But at length the Lord, who,
indeed, watched over me continually for good, (blessed
and praised forever be his name!) brought me into
some degree of composure, so that I believe I went to
sleep. Be that as it might, it appeared to me that I
was travelling with a friend, and we saw, at a distance
from us, a very spacious house, the like I had never
seen, situate on a high hill, which I believed to be the
mansion of rest and happiness. We kept together
along the road, and, with little difficulty, arrived
within a few yards of the house, which we then per-
ceived to be the back part of it ; and in the door stood
a very venerable old man, whom I thought to be one
of the prophets, and who, I think, beckoned to us not

WILLIAM SAVER Y.

153

to come forward. At which we stopped, and he in-
formed us we were not right, and that this was not the
right way into the house, and that if we got in that
way, we should not enjoy the happiness we expected.
Upon which I left mf companion, and soon found
myself at the front of the house. But now the diffi-
culty appeared ; for between me and it was a furnace,
which all that ever arrived therein must pass through.
Around this furnace, at a little distance, stood a mul-
titude of people, who, I believed, had likewise the
desire that I had of getting into the house, and were
looking at the furnace, but were afraid to enter. I
pressed for\s^ard and got near the mouth, and it ap-
peared exceeding hot, about four times as long as
myself, and about four feet in diameter. As I stood
viewing it, I believed the fire was much the hottest
round the sides, but decreased in heat toward the mid-
dle, which appeared to be the best place to pass through,
and where, if I could be steady enough to keep, I
should receive the least hurt. My thoughts were much
tossed to and fro and very irresolute, and I reasoned
thus : If thou shouldst attempt to pass through, and
find the fire too hot, and be obliged to come out again
backward, thou wilt then become the laugh and scorn
of all the multitude : and I believe my heart failed
me, and I turned away sorrowful, and remember no
further, but thus far dwelt exceedingly lively in my

154

WILLIAM S AVERY.

imagination, and with uncommon clearness. I imme-
diately related it to my beloved partner, who, being
acquainted with my state of mind, without much hesi-
tation could unravel the meaning of it, which, indeed,
was so plain that he that runs might read.

" Though I have not been apt to catch at every
imagination that presents itself in sleep — believing, in
general, that dreams are but of small import, and com-
monly proceed from the engagements of the day — yet
I have no doubt that the Lord is pleased, at times, to
manifest himself to man in dreams, as he sees meet,
either for encouragement, reproof, or instruction.

" With respect to what I have related, the strong
impression it made on my mind, the plain application
of it to the state I was then in, and the instruction it
conveyed to me, left no room to doubt its being di-
vinely intended for my good. But as it opened my
eyes more clearly to discern where I was, and tnat all
the righteousness of my own putting on was as filthy
rags, of which I must be stripped before I could ex-
perience a putting on of that purity and righteousness
which is the fine linen of the saints; so it brought
great distress and anxiety of mind over me.''

The dream of William Savery, in which a state of
acceptance with the Lord, is typified under the form
of a house enclosed and of difficult access, recalls to
recollection one of a somewhat similar kind, the

WILLIAM 8A7ERY.

155

dreamer of which was a young Carolina girh The
circumstance was narrated by William Williams during
one of his religious visits in this city.

This young girl was a member of the Society of
Friends, a child of careful, religious parents. Having
gone one day to a neighboring factory, she was tempted
during the absence of the owner from the apartment
she was in, to steal an earthen cup of little value which
she saw lying there. She committed the sin, and re-
turned home with the cup secreted in her dress. The
owner almost immediately after missed it, suspected
her of the theft, and was able to prove it upon her.
The Devil who had led her to commit this disgraceful
act, now sought to harden her in crime, and prompted
her to refuse to acknowledge her sin. The case was
brought to the ]Monthly fleeting ; and when the com-
mittee who had, in conjunction with her concerned
parents, unavailingly labored to bring her to a state
of humble acknowledgment and contrition, reported
their want of success, there seemed no way for the
meeting to act but to disown her. This would no
doubt have been the case, if William Williams had not
been, in the ordering of Providence, at that meeting.
He felt his mind clothed with love for the child, and
with an apprehension of duty to visit her. He told
his feelings to the Friends, and way was made for his
visit, the meeting deferring a definite judgment in the

156

WILLIAM SAVER Y.

case for another month. His visit was attended with
a very different result from that of the committee.
The Good Sheplierd Avho still loves to seek and to save
those who are lost, had prepared the way before him,
and opened her heart to receive the word of exhorta-
tion and tender entreaty. Her proud spirit was hum-
bled, and in the depth of abasement she made a full
and complete acknowledgment of her transgression.
It was a melting season of heartfelt sorrow and con-
trition. " Now, mother," said the weeping girl, " shall
I tell him the dream I had last night?" Being
encouraged by her mother, she gave a narrative, of
which the following is the import.

She thought she was alone in a wilderness, around
which there was an impenetrable hedge of briers, ex-
cept on one spot from which a path led up a very steep
hill. To escape from the wilderness she commenced
ascending the hill, and although many difficult and
steep places obstructed her passage, she reached its
summit. Here she found a beautiful mansion, within
whose wall she much desired to be. Indeed, a fervent
and uncontrollable longing for admission took hold of
her mind, and she sought to enter. Her wishes, how-
ever, seemed vain. The door was so high from the
ground she could not reach it — and no one appeared
to offer her any assistance. She walked round and
round the building in vain, disconsolate and hopeless.

WILLIAM SAVERY.

157

At last her persevering desire for admission was granted,
for William Williams came to the door, and stooping
down to her low condition, laid hold of her hands and
lifted her in.

Such was the dream. The interpretation was plain.
He whose mercies are toward all his works, thus opened
her heart to receive with humble alacrity the word
which he had put into the mouth of his servant for
her good. Rightly humbled, she sincerely condemned
her evil act, to the satisfaction of the meeting she
belonged to; and she grew up, respectable and re-
spected. How applicable the passage of Scripture,
" God speaketh once, yea, twice, yet man perceiveth it
not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep
sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed,
then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their
instruction, that he may withdraw man from his pur-
pose, and hide pride from man.''

William Savery having through the merciful visita-
tions afforded his soul been made willing to bear the
yoke of Christ, was brought into great circumspection
of conduct, and watchfulness over his thoughts and
conversation. He now felt the necessity of doing his
Master's will, and not his own. In 1779 he left the
comforts of his home, and the pursuits of worldly
business, to accom^^any a ministering Friend to visit
the meetings in Virginia and Carolina. This visit
14

158

WILLIAM SAVER Y.

was paid at a time when it was dangerous to travel, on
account of the war that was waging, and the warlike
spirit that was in full force in many of the inhabitants.
Among the cases of suffering in support of the doc-
trines of peace furnished during that eventful period,
William Savery narrates one with which he became
acquainted on this journey. A Friend who had been
drafted for the army in one of the Southern States,
refused to serve because of his conscientious scruples
against war. For this lie was tried by a court martial,
and condemned to receive forty lashes on his bare back
with a whip of nine thongs. The punishment was
inflicted in the midst of many witnesses. The poor
mangled sufferer bore it all with unflinching patience,
and was enabled by the grace of his Divine Master, to
remain firm to his faith and consistent to. his principles.
He was offered different employments in the army, such
as waiting on the sick, etc., but as he was satisfied that
he could take no post there with peace of mind, he was
proof against persuasion and threats. In his diffi-
culties, his honest wife encouraged him in faithfulness
to his religious duty, and was much tried at hearing a
report, which, however, was false, that he had been in-
duced to comply with the wishes of his persecutors.
When the period for which he had been drafted had
expired, he was permitted to return home in peace.
Very many instances of suffering among Friends

WILLIAM SAVEBY.

159

occurred in the Southern States diu'ing the war In
the Xinth month, 1777, foui'teen members of Hope-
well meeting, in Frederick County, Virginia, were
taken from their habitations by files of soldiers, and
carried to AVinchester. They refused to perform mil-
itary service, and for tliis, they were very roughly
treated by Marquis Calamis, lieiueuant - colonel, by
James Barnet, the captain of the company they were
drafted into, and several other officers. These drew
their swords on the Friends, and with the points of
them pushed them into rank, declaring they would
kill them if they did not comply. The um-esisting
prisoners were preserved in meekness and patience, so
that they allowed the officers to push and drag them
aboiu at will, neither saying or doing anything which
might provoke them to further injury. They had,
after a time, an opportunity- of opening and explaiu-
ino" their views of war to those who had thus ill-treated
them, which for a time seemed to give them some re-
lief. They were, on the 23d of Xiutli month, sent
from Winchester, to join the army under Washington,
which was then lying north of Philadelphia, watching
the English who had possession of that city. Various
efforts were made on thefr march to induce them to
take part in military operations, without effect, although
they were again harshly treated, and on three of the
youngest men, guns were fastened.

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WILLIAM SAVER Y,

When they reached the camp where Washington lay
with his army, which was on the Skippack Road, twenty
miles from Philadelphia, their appearance drew the
attention of Clement Biddle, a colonel in the army.
His sympathies were perhaps aroused, and he made
application to the General, who ordered them to be
instantly discharged, with a pass to return home. The
same favor was shown to a number of young Friends
forced in the same manner from Loudon County, in
Virginia. When the Friends from Hopewell were
about setting out for their homes, they thought it right
to bid farewell to the officers who had brought them,
and who had ill-treated them. It was now found that
their patient. Christian spirit, had produced a great
change of feeling in these men toward them. They
received them kindly, and generally expressed their
satisfaction at their release, and also their friendly
desire that they might get well and safely home. This
they did about the 1st of Eleventh month, thankful
in heart to the Lord, who had preserved them in faith-
fulness, and had opened the Avay for their compara-
tively speedy deliverance. While with the army, they
would not partake of the military stores, and had it
not been for the kindness of Friends at different places
on their march, they must have suffered extremely if
they did not perish of hunger.

The faithfulness of Friends throughout the whole

WILLIAM S AVERY,

161

of the provinces, in support of their testimony against
war, had at length a powerful influence upon the
thoughtful and reasonable people of other professions.
Some of them did not hesitate to declare that Friends
ought not to suffer, for they had not attempted to de-
ceive; that they had from the beginning opposed war;
and that the consistent ones among tliem would under
no circumstances bear arms.

During this journey to the South, William Savery
met with an observation made by a great woman, a
member of the Church of England, which he noted
down. It was to this effect : " She observed some of
the Quakers' children had departed from the plainness
of their profession, and got about half-way into the
fasliions of the world, which rendered them ridiculous
in the eyes of others, and a reproach to their own
Society."

One of the striking characteristics of William
Savery's ministry was its full and forcible acknowledg-
ment of the divinity and various offices of our Lord
Jesus Christ. He had no sympathy with infidelity in
any shape. While on a religious visit in Europe, in
1797, he makes this note in his diary, dated at Paris,
Second month 23d : " I do not doubt that with all the
vices and infidelity which reign in Paris, there are
many of Sion's true mourners there ; with such I was
favored frequently to feel a secret sympathy. ^lay the

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WILLIAM S A VERY,

great and universal Shepherd of the heavenly fold
stretch forth his arm to tliis nation, and gather many-
thousands to the standard of truth and righteousness,
where their tossed souls may lie down in safety, and
none be able to make them afraid. In the evening,
David Sands and myself fell in with Thomas Paine,
and spent about an hour and a half in conversation
about his opinions and writings. He made many as-
sertions against Moses, the prophets, Jesus Christ, etc.,
which had much more the appearance of passionate
railing than argument, to all which we replied. I felt
zealously opposed to him, and believe that nothing was
said by my companion or myself that gave him the
least occasion to exult. We bore our testimony against
him firmly .^^

At Dunkirk, Fourth month 30th, he writes, " Had
meetings morning and evening ; at the latter, through
the condescension of the good Shepherd of the sheep,
it was a time of refreshment and comfort, I believe,
both to the laborers and the auditory. For my own
part, having felt for a number of days like a dry and
withered branch, I was rejoiced to feel again the circu-
lation of that life and virtue, by which alone all the
branches of Christ, the true Vine, are nourished and
supported to bring forth fruit to his praise. The
Truth as it is in Jesus, appeared to rise into dominion.
The erroneous and destructive opinions of deism are

WILLIAM S AVERT.

163

subtilely making their way into many minds, who will
be robbed and spoiled, whether they be of our Society
or others, that indulge it, of the most inestimable jewel,
the most powerful consolation to the soul, both in life
and death, that ever a Being, infinite in mercy and
boundless in his compassion, conferred on mankind.
Oh ! that he may protect and preserve our Society from
drinking in this deadly poison to the soul — that the
watchmen on the walls may be enabled faithfully to
sound an alarm to the careless, to whom it may be
oflFered as a gilded bait, and the poor wounded receivers
of it [not] be left to lament their folly in that day when
its fatal consequences will be forever irretrievable/^

In Ireland there was at that time much secret infi-
delity among some members of the Society of Friends,
and it is, therefore, not a matter of wonder that Wil-
liam Savery should often feel his mind drawn to set
forth the danger of deistical opinions while in that
land. When Nicholas Wain attended, in 1795, the
province meeting held at Mount Mellick, through the
immediate openings of the Holy Spirit, his mind was
impressed with the conviction that there was a spirit at
work in that place which would divide and scatter
Friends. He believed it would draw many of those
who even filled high stations into self-sufficiency and
a disbelief of the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As he honestly unfolded his view, it w^as a matter of

164

WILLIAM SAVERT.

surprise to many of his hearers, and some wished to
have him publicly censured. Now in the First month,
1798, when William Savery attended a meeting at the
same place, his mind was also opened to discover the
workings of the same unbelieving spirit, and he faith-
fully labored against it. At many meetings on his
travels, wherein he was constrained to bear testimony
to the Truth as it is in Jesus, fully and emphatically,
he afterward found that avowed deists were present.
In one of his meetings at London he spoke to the fol-
lowing import : One of the brightest young men I
ever knew was the delight of his acquaintance, the
pride of gay company, the life, or, as some say, the
soul of every place he visited for gayety, humor, and
wit. The Lord, in his wisdom, laid his hand upon
him — laid him on a sick-bed. Wlien he was brought
to see that he had not many days to continue, he wished
to see some who he thought were religious. Oh, how
was his heart tortured, and what were his expressions ?
AVhy, upon this wise : ^ I have seen abundance ! I
know men and things ! I have been at diiferent
courts ! I have tasted a great deal of that which the
world*calls enjoyment! I have been educated in some
religious principles, but they were too narrow for me !
I read Bolingbroke and Hume, and encouraged myself
in their views. But now it has pleased the Lord to

WILLIAM SAVEBY.

165

bring me upon the bed 8f sickness, where medical aid
cannot help me/

" While he was in this state I went to him, and
found him wet with tears. He told me his former
companions neglected him, but added, ^ If they had
not neglected me, they would have yielded me no com-
fort ; they would have been stings to my conscience,
and as dao^wrs to mv heart. What would vou have
me to do ? I want to believe ; but I have been so
dark, and encouraged these principles so long, I cannot
believe as I ought to do.^ This was a sorrowful and
afflicting scene to me ! The Lord, no doubt, is rich
in mercy, and I trust he visited the soul of this
young man even in the last few days of his life. I
cannot say that Infinite Love did not, even at that late
hour, accept him. But, oh! my friends, let us, while
we have strength and liberty — let us, with all our
hearts, apply them to those things which will be some-
thing to lean upon in such an hour ! This is the end
of all religion, so to live as not to be afraid to die ! —
and so to die, when it shall please the Lord to separate
us from this body, that we may live before him for-
ever ! "

After William Savery had returned to America, the
spirit of infidelity and cm'ious speculation in Ireland
still further increased and spread, through the efforts
of Hannah Barnard, a person in the ministi}' from the

166

WILLIAM S AVERY.

State of New York. When this woman hiid her con-
cern to visit England before her Monthly Meeting, a
committee was appointed to consider the subject —
which committee feeling doubts and misgivings, did
not report to the meeting for nine months. Had they
reported that a way did not open with clearness to set
her at liberty, much trouble and exercise might have
been spared the church. We shall not follow her in
her various movements in England and Ireland, but
shall briefly state that her unsoundness at last claiming
the consideration of Friends, she was prevented travel-
ling as a minister. She appealed to the Yearly Meet-
ing at London, in 1801, which confirmed the judgment
of the subordinate meeting. During the period inter-
vening between the judgment of the one, and the con-
firmation by tlie other, William Savery thus wrote to
a Friend near London :

" Many of my friends in and about London are very
often sweetly in my remembrance, and of latter times
you have had my near sympathy, under your divers
trials; but nothing has been more exercising to me,
than the concern my countrywoman, Hannah Barnard,
has occasioned in the church. I look forward to your
Yearly Meeting as a time that will require the Avhole
armor of light to be sought for, as much as at almost
any preceding period. Ye cannot doubt of the kind
care of the Shepherd of Israel over you, who has long

WILLIAM S AVERY.

167

blessed Friends of your nation many ways ; and will
be, in every needful time, ^a spirit of judgment to
those who sit in judgment, and strength to them that
turn the battle to tlie gate.' The longer I live, the
more unshaken confidence I think I obtain, that the
doctrines laid down by Robert Barclay and our first
Friends, founded on the Xew Testament, and still
maintained by the Society at large, are invulnerable to
the efforts of vain philosophic sophistry and curious
speculation, so long as we retain a belief in that most
excellent of books ; and am of the mind, that all such
as depart from that foundation, will wither and be
confounded.''

Hannah Barnard had obtained a number of ad-
herents to her views in different parts of England, but
the Yearly ]Meeting very decidedly condemned her
doctrinal sentiments. A charge was presented to her
Monthly fleeting at Hudson, by which she was dis-
owned.

Hannah Barnard's appeal was heard at her Quarterly
fleeting, and then at her Yearly Meeting, both of
which bodies confirmed the judgment of the Monthly
Meeting. After this she lived very many years, a
poor, isolated person, who having separated herself
from the Holy Head of the church, was separated from
the unity and fellowship of the faithful.

An interesting incident in which William Savery

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WILLIAM S AVERY.

bore a part, is told relative to Whitehead Humphreys,
an infidel who had once been a member among Friends
in Philadelphia. Sarah Harrison one night dreamed
that she was sitting on a low chair in her parlor with
a white apron on. Soon a tall person entered the
room, and coming up to her, threw something heavy
upon her lap. She looked at it, and inquired of him
who brought it, what it was. He answered, " It is a
soul in hell ; but touch it with the end of thy finger
and thou wilt find there is life in it ! " She did as she
was bidden, and the soul began to move about in her
lap. She became greatly agitated, and her husband
finding her very much disturbed, awakened her to in-
quire what ailed her. She said she could not tell him,
but she expected to be called shortly to witness some
awful scene.

Whitehead Humphreys was at that time very ill,
and his friends, believing his close drew near, were very
anxious about him, knowing the infidel principles he
had professed. His brother, who was deeply concerned,
asked him if he would not like to see some Friends.
The dying man did not aj^pear to feel his situation,
and declined to have an interview with any one, until
the morning after Sarah Harrison's remarkable dream.
He then consented to see Arthur Howell. His brother
hastened to Arthur's residence, and not finding him at
home, left a message, and went to Samuel Emlen's

WILLIAM SAVER Y.

169

house. Samuel also was out. On his way back to his
sick brother, he met Sarah Harrison and William
Savery, and requesting them to accompany him, they
did so. Soon after they reached the residence of
Whitehead Humphreys, Samuel Emlen and Arthur
Howell came in. They proceeded to the chamber of
sickness, and found the dying man full of conversa-
tion, and in a restless, unsettled state. They sat down
in silence by him, and at last Samuel Emlen said,
" Whitehead, Whitehead ! there is no time to be idle ;
thou art in an awful state ! This seemed to quiet
the poor man, and then Sarah Harrison was dra\vn
under a deep and awful concern to pray for him.
After this he became more composed. He acknowl-
edged fully the absurd wickedness of his infidel pro-
fession, saying, " Tell it at the corners of the streets ;
proclaim it in the assemblies of the people, that I have
been endeavoring to believe a lie ! " After some time
the Friends left the chamber, somewhat relieved from
the soul-harrowing feelings which had overpowered
them on first sitting down in it. As she went away,
Sarah Harrison told a sister-in-law of Whitehead her
dream of the previous night, and mentioning the awful
im23ressions which had clothed her mind, at the time
of the vision, and when she first saw the sick man ;
she added, that her feelings were much more comfort-
16

170

WILLIAM SAVER Y.

able. She thought he might be called as at the eleventh
hour. He died in two or three days.

Arthur Howell has been heard, in his public min-
istry, with a loud voice and energetic manner rehears-
ing this deathbed declaration of the would-be infidel —
" Tell it at the corners of the streets ; proclaim it in
the assemblies of the people, that I have been endeavor-
ing to believe a lie ! "

It is related that while William Savery was in Ire-
land, he attended one meeting in which he was unable
to speak in his usual fluent manner, and yet was not
easy to omit endeavoring to express his concern. Yet
his ministry in this meeting, foolish as it almost seemed
to him, was of excellent service, and he mentioned
after his return to America, that he had heard of more
good effected by it, than by his testimony in any of his
large meetings where words flowed smoothly and freely.
It is not the melody of sentences or the beauty of ideas
which makes the true ministry of the Gospel — it is
the power which accompanies the words spoken. This
power may accompany broken sentences, and set home
the unpolished language of the illiterate even to the
saving of souls.

While Mehitable Jenkins was in England on a re-
ligious visit, perhaps in the year 1787, she attended
the circular meeting held at Exeter. Catharine Phil-
lips was also at the meeting, and in the exercise of her

WILLIAM S A VERY.

171

beautiful and acceptable gift, spoke largely to those as-
sembled. After Catharine had ceased, Mehitable, who
was an illiterate woman, and not extensive as a minis-
ter, stood up and delivered a brief testimony. Some
critical Quakeress, concerned perhaps for the literary
reputation of the Society of Friends, complained to
Timothy Bevington, that such a Friend as Mehitable
should speak in such a large meeting. The complain-
ant thought that good order required that an oppor-
tunity should be taken with Mehitable to prevent the
possibility of her disturbing large gatherings, and said
that the Friend's gift appeared better adapted to small
meetings of our own Society. Timothy Bevington,
from whom the anecdote is derived, replied to her that
he believed no harm had been done. It so happened,
that he had invited a man of some standing in Exeter,
to attend this circular meeting, Avho had accepted the
invitation. Soon after, he met Timothy, and ex-
pressed his warm thanks for the treat he had received.
Timothy said he was pleased to find him so well satis-
fied — adding, " My friend Catharine Phillips is con-
sidered a great minister." " Yes,'' replied his friend,
^' we know Mrs. Phillips is a very sensible woman ; we
therefore are not surprised to hear her preach a good
sermon; but the few words the elderly lady from
America said, were to me far more weighty and suited
to my situation of mind than anything Mrs. Phillips

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WILLIAM S AVERY.

had to say. I hoj)e to be thankful as long as I live
for the great instruction, and sensible feeling of Divine
goodness I experienced from the sweet, the short ser-
mon of your American Friend.'^

This anecdote is very much in accordance with the
testimony of William Penn. The wife of Lord Balti-
more, after attending a meeting for worship at the time
of the Yearly Meeting in Maryland, told him, she did
not want to hear him, and such as he, for he was a
scholar, and a wise man, and she did not question but
he could preach ; but she wanted to hear some of the
mechanics preach — husbandmen, shoemakers, and such
like rustics ; for she thought they could not preach to
any purpose. William told her, some of them were
rather the best preachers we had among us.

The account of John Steel, and his testimony against
those ancient apostates, John Wilkinson and John
Story, is a strong illustration of the power of the Holy
Spirit in qualifying illiterate instruments for the Lord's
work. His testimony was, in the words of William
Penn, Neither the wisdom of the North, nor the
eloquence of the South, but the power of God through
a ploughman, and marvellous in our eyes.'^

About one hundred and twenty-five years ago, a
Friend from England, on a religious visit in Arherica,
appointed a meeting in Philadelphia. After a time
of silence, a young man in his common working clothes,

WILLIAM S AVERY.

173

with a leathern band aronnd his waist, arose from his
Beat about the middle of the meeting, and stepping
into the passage-way, began to preach with great
energy and power. This youthful preacher was the
illiterate Thomas Brown. The Friend who had ap-
pointed the meeting felt excused from any public labor
therein, but was well satisfied with that which had
taken place. After the close of the meeting some of
his Friends gathered round him, expressing their sor-
row that another should have occupied the time, so
that he should have had no opportunity of relieving
his mind. He replied, ^'The service fell upon the
lad."

John Richardson informs us in his journal, that
when a young man he attended a large Yearly Meet-
ing, at which there were many able ministers. The
principal part of the labor having fallen on him ; Wil-
liam Penn, when the meeting was over, took him
aside, and thus addressed him : The main part of the
service of this day's work went on thy side, and we
saw it, and were willing and easy to give way to the
Truth, though it was through thee, who appears but
like a shrub ; and it is but reasonable the Lord should
make use of whom he pleases : now, methinks, thou
may est be cheerful.

He says that, from William Penn's remarks, " I
gathered, that he thought I was too much inclined to
15*

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WILLIAM SAVERY.

be cast down ; therefore I gave him this true ansA\?er :
^ I endeavor to keep in a medium, out of all extremes
as believing it to be most agreeable to my station ;
with this remark, ^ the worst of my times ratiier im-
bitter the best to me.' William shook his head, anc
said with much respect, ^ There ^re many who steer in
this course besides thee, and it is the safest path foi
us to walk in ; ' with several other expressions which
bespoke affection. This worthy man, and minister of
the Gospel, notwithstanding his great endowments and
excellent qualifications, yet thought it his place to give
way to the Truth, and let the holy testimony go through
whom it might please the Lord to empower and employ
in his work, although it might be through contemptible
instruments. I sincerely desire this may prove profit-
able to those whom it may concern, and into whose
hands it may come, that the Lord's work may be truly
minded, and given way to, when it is opened ; for
seeing no man can open it, let not any strive in the
man's part to shut the same."

John Richardson gives an interesting anecdote, show-
ing how the Lord, in great kindness, did condescend
through an unusual incident to confirm the faith of
one of his tried and faint-hearted children. He says,
One thing is worthy of notice. As I was speaking
in a meeting in Virginia, a sudden stop came upon
me, and occasioned me to say, ^ I cannot go forward ;

WILLIAM S AVERY.

175

whatsoever the matter may be, I know not ; ' but giving
over immediately, a friend, whose name was Edward
Thomas, began to preach, who was but young in the
ministry, though an elderly man, and apt to be at-
tended with reasonings. He said, after the meeting,
he had sought to the Lord with prayers, that he would
condescend so far to his request as to give me a sense
of him, and in so doing he would take that as a great
strength and confirmation to his ministry, in this day
of many exercises and great fears/^ John stopping in
the midst oi his discoiu'se, just when Edward Avas
under a concern to stand up, was felt by the latter to
be such a confirmation of the Divine authority of his
call, as greatly consoled him. John adds, " Thus we
see the Lord in his great mercy condescends to the
low, weak, and as it were, infant states of his children,
like a tender father, and beino^ our heavenlv Hio-h
Priest, is touched with a feeling of the infirmities of
his people ; thanksgiving and honor be given to his
most excellent name, now and forever."

William Savery was frequently silent in the meet-
ings he attended in Europe, and sometimes his com-
munications were very brief. ^lary Dudley informs
us, that at a meeting in Ireland, he was silent until
near its close, when he arose, and said, " I feel as I
often do when in meetings with my brethren and sis-
ters — not much to say. But I wish them well, and

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WILLIAM S AVERY.

if they are not admitted to the communion table, tlie
supper of the Lamb, it will not be because they are
not bidden guests, but because they are in the same
state as those formerly bidden, not ready ; — being full
of, or employed too much about other things — lawful
in themselves, but pursued to the hindering their ac-
ceptance/^

While William Savery was abundant in his ac-
knowledgment of the benefit of the outward coming
of the Lord Jesus Christ and his sufferings and death
upon Calvary, he was no less full in his testimony to
the universality of the manifestations of the Lord's
Light and Grace, and good Spirit in the hearts of all
men with the offers of salvation. His Christianity
was that of Fox, Barclay, and Penington. It em-
braced the one great sacrifice for all, and the benefit of
that sacrifice offered for the acceptance of all by the
Holy Spirit, through obedience to its requirings. He
believed, and his heart was often warmed with grateful
emotions in the belief, " that the grace of God, which
bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men/' In
one of the meetings he attended in London, he spoke
thus :

"Light is come into the world; but men love dark-
ness better than light, because their deeds are evil.
They are not willing to bring their deeds to this glo-
rious touchstone — this test that would try all manner

WILLIAM SAVERY.

177

of actions — Christ in you, tlie liope of everlasting
glory, in which the primitive believers were settled,
and found rest. Here, from the beginning, the church
of Christ was built — upon this Holy of holies, and
everlasting Word of Christ and of God, speaking,
directing, teaching, and leading them wheresoever they
should go. If men had abode under this, it would
have taught them all the same thing. It would have
preserved those that have called themselves Christians,
as well as all others, in harmony and unity. It could
have made neither rents nor divisions. It would not
have told thee one thing and me another. But this is
the language it would have proclaimed in thy heart
and mine, ' The Avork of righteousness is peace, and
the effect thereof, quietness and assurance forever.'
Is not this written upon every man's conscience? I
am persuaded it is. I have heard the wild inhabitants
of America declare this was truth. They found in-
scribed on their hearts, according to their own expres-
sions, ^ by the finger of God's Spirit, that the work of
righteousness is peace, and the way to be happy in this
present life, and to be eternally happy in the world to
come, is to obey his voice — to do those things which,
by his law written in them, he had made known to
them they ought to do.' This Divine principle I desire
more people to come to ; but men have been too long

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WILLIAM SAVEBY.

bewildered in following one another in darkness and
confusion/'

This doctrine, as " Christ within the hope of glory/'
was abundantly preached by our early Friends': How
it was held and enforced by George Fox, we have set
forth in the following narrative given by an ancient
woman :

" Now, Friends, I will tell you how I was first con-
vinced. I was a young lass at that time, and lived
in Dorsetshire, when George Fox came to that county ;
and he having appointed a meeting to which the people
generally flocked, I went among the rest ; and on my
going along the road, this query arose in my mind :
^ ^Yhat is that I feel which condemneth me when I do
evil, and justifieth me when I do well ? What is it? '
In this state I went to the meeting^. It was a laro^e
gathering, and George Fox rose up with these words :
' Who art thou that queriest in thy mind, what is it
which I feel, which condemneth me when I do evil,
and justifieth me Avhen I do well? I will tell thee
what it is. Lo ! He that formeth the mountains and
createth the wind, and declareth unto man what are
his thoughts, that maketh the morning darkness, and
treadetli upon the high places of the earth ; the Lord,
the God of Hosts is his name. It is he, by his Spirit,
that condemneth thee for evil, and justifieth thee when
thou dost well. Keep under its dictates, and it will

WILLIAM S AVERY.

179

be tliy preserver to the end.' " After narrating this,
the aged Friend was enabled to add, It was the
truth — the very truth, and I have never departed
from it."

On the 30th day of the Eighth month, 1650, George
Fox was committed to the House of Correction in
Derby, for his faithfulness to apprehended duty.
While he was in confinement, a trooper being in the
parish steeple-house listening to the priest, heard a
voice within him, saying, ^' Dost thou not know^ that
my servant is in prison ? Go to him for direction."
He went to see George, who spake to his condition, so
that his spiritual understanding was opened, and he
made sensible of the Lord's mercy. The substance of
the sermon was, " That which shows thee thy sins, and
troubles thee for them, will show thee his salvation.
For He that shows a man his sin, is the same that
takes it away."

AVilliam Savery was an active, energetic laborer in
whatever his Master called him to. He said, " In the
Lord's house there is no room for the slothful ; " and
his actions manifested that he believed in the truth of
this assertion.

He was in person about five feet nine or ten inches
in height, was of a firm make, and for one inclining
to corpulency, had a good figure. His features were
comely, and although his complexion was not fair, it

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WILLIAM SAVER Y.

was good and healthy. The expression of his face
was usually placid, and when he was sitting in silence,
in meeting, or the social circle, it w^as dignified and
sedate. But when in conversation, his countenance
would often suddenly brighten up, and a smile the
most benignant and attractive would play over it.

He was diligent in his worldly business — liberal in
administering to the wants of the aeedy, as far as was
in his power — and faithful in the performance of his
various religious duties. In 1802, and 1803, in both
which years Philadelphia had slight visitations of
pestilential fever, he devoted himself to visiting the
sick and afflicted, and being deeply aifected with their
sufferings, he was enabled to sympathize with them,
and minister to them at seasons comfort and consola-
tion.

While his bodily health was declining, he did not
complain, but continued attending to his outward busi-
ness, with quiet cheerfulness. He found himself con-
strained to declare in some of the last public meetings
he attended, that his time on earth would not be long,
but signified, in an animating view of a blessed im-
mortality, that it mattered not hoAV short it might be,
if heavenly rest was attained.

When unable to attend meetings, he at one time ap-
peared anxious to get there, that he might have the
opportunity once more to warn the aged who had got

WILLIAM SAVER Y.

181

into tlie earth, and the youth who had got into the
air.

The Sa\'iour whom he loved, was with him *o the
close, leading him in a low, humble path, wherein all
earthly dependence was shaken. His labors in the
ministry — the favored seasons- he had witnessed — the
services his Master had enabled him to perform in the
church — were not now his stay and support. " I
thought," he said, " I was once strong for the work,
but now I am a child, brought back to my horn-book,
and have nothing to trust to but the mercy of God
through Christ my Saviour.'^ Thus leaning on the
Christian's unfailing support, he drew nearer and
nearer his close, and in the fresh feeling of inward
comfort, he exclaimed, " Glory to God ! A short
time after thus expressing himself, he quietly passed
away, leaving to sui'vivors a bright example of dedi-
cation and humility. His death took place on the 19th
of Sixth month, 1804.
16

GEOEGE DILLWYN.

p EOEGE DILLWYN was born in Philadelphia,
^ on the 26th day of the Second month, 1738. His
parents were members of the religious Society of
Eriends. His father was removed by death when he
was quite young, leaving him to the sole care of his
mother, who was enabled, through the Lord's holy
assistance, to exercise a wise and restraining influence
over him. Her watchful care over his conduct, and
pious concern for his souFs best welfare, were no doubt
blessed to him, yet he was often thoughtless in his
actions, and at times little outward evidence could be
seen of the operation of that principle of light and
Truth which was at work in his soul.

He manifested a strong tendency to foppery in dress
and a great fondness for vain amusements. These, no
doubt, often grieved the heart of his mother, and
caused the secret prayer to arise that God would
enamor his soul with such a love for the ornaments of
the Christian character, and such a taste for heavenly

182

GEORGE DILLWYK

183

refreshment, that all outward adorning would appear
to him as less than nothing and vanity, and all earthly
pleasures as trouble in disguise. Among other foolish
habits he was wont to indulge in whistling. When
Thomas Gawthrop, that honest old seaman, w^as on
his second religious visit to this country, in the year
1755 or '6, he was sitting at the dinner -table in a
Friend's house, when George Dillwyn entered the
room, whistling in his usual thoughtless manner.
Thomas ceased eating, laid down his knife, and, in
accents of strong feeling, said, " I wished for the wings
of a dove, to be with you; and now you make my
heart sick ! " This short sermon made a powerful
impression on the lad to whom it was addressed, and
it was remembered and repeated by him in very ad-
vanced life.

In the early part of his life George Dillwyn was in
Lancaster for a short time. During that period the
following occurrence took place. As he was walking
in the street one day, he beheld the Deputy-Governor
of the province approaching, and at the sight an inti-
mation was inwardly given him, " Thou must address
him in the singular language." He had not yet
learned to take up the cross of Christ and despise the
shame, and therefore he met the dignitary with the
usual salutation, " How do you (Jo, sir ? " as he bowed
his head and touched his hat, with that flourish of the

184

GEORGE DILLWTN.

hand, which is intended to say, You may consider
my head uncovered/^ Condemnation followed in the
mind of the young man for this compliance with the
fashions of the world, in opposition to the sense of
duty which had been clearly given to him. In an-
guish of spirit he paced up and down the streets,
despising himself for his weakness and folly. Some
time after he again met the Governor, and, in a vivid
feeling of his past troubles for unfaithfulness, he
touched not his hat, while the simple Quaker saluta-
tion, " How dost thou do ? ^' passed from his lips. In
the latter part of his life, while relating this circuin-
stance, and commenting on the comfort he felt for this
little act of faithfulness, he said, " It was as if a peb-
ble had been removed from the spring's mouth, so
sweetly did the stream of consolation flow.''

In the latter part of 1759, wlien but little more
than twenty-one years of age, George Dillwyn mar-
ried Sarah Hill of Philadelphia. He then entered
into business, in which he met with many losses and
disappointments. Honest in principle, he felt himself
bound to pay every one of his creditors in full, which,
by dint of economy and retrenchment, he effected.
During these temporal trials which beset his path, and
which helped to drive him to the Fountain of love for
comfort, an honest Menonist, who loved him and was
anxiously concerned for his best interest, one day thus

GEORGE DILLWYN.

185

accosted liim : Georgey, I heard de was in drouble,
and I was very glad of it ! " The speaker, no doubt,
had learned, from heartfelt experience, that trouble
springeth not " out of the ground ; that it is whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth," and that it still re-
mains to be a truth that " acceptable men are tried
in the furnace of affliction."

As the trials of life began more and more to press
upon him, his inward desires after holiness grew
stronger and stronger. Through the effectual bap-
tisms of the Holy Spirit, the process of regeneration
was carried on, and in that closely proving season, he
witnessed a preparation for entering upon the exercise
of a gift in the ministry, which the Lord Jesus Christ
had conferred upon him. This was in the twenty-
eighth year of his age.

Some of his friends were slow to receive the convic-
tion that he was really an anointed minister ; but as
he endeavored patiently to keep to his gift, his heav-
enly Master made way for him, and removed one by
one the fears and the prejudices which at first pre-
vailed against him.

He was deeply impressed with the mercy which had
been extended to him, and, in looking back over the
many sins and corruptions which had marked his youth-
ful years, he was ready to query, ^' If I am accepted,
who can be rejected?" Feeling the universality of the

16*

186

GEORGE DILLWYN.

love of God to every soul which he had created, and
remembering his own deliverance, no wonder that
he should often be led to treat thereon in his ministry
Indeed, so emphatically did he declare that God \villeth
not the death of him that dieth — so earnestly set forth
the sufficiency of the means of grace and salvation for
the redemption of all — that some mistook him, and a
fear that he was tending to " Universalism was one
of the causes which prevented full unity with him for
a time. As way was made for him in the minds of his
friends, he was soon called abroad to travel in the work
of the ministry. One of his first visits of any length
was through the Southern States, with Samuel Emlen
and Thomas Scattergood, the latter of whom had not
then opened his mouth as a minister. .

Thomas Scattergood, after his return from a journey
to the East, in 1781, passed through many fiery bap-
tisms and spiritual exercises, and was thereby prepared
in humble faithfulness to wait on the gift committed
to him, and to minister in the Lord's time, and under
the fresh anointing, in life and power. In the First
month, 1783, the elders of the meeting he belonged to
called the attention of the meeting to his public ap-
pearances as a minister among them. Great unity was
expressed with his Gospel labors, and a proposition
was . made to acknowledge his gift in the ministry by
recommending him to the Quarterly fleeting of INlin-

GEORGE BILLWYN.

187

isters and Elders. Some Friends, tliough uniting
with him, yet were not disposed to move along so fast,
and proposed that the case should lay over another
month for consideration. Others thought, that as the
meeting had entered into the subject, and had fully
and freely expressed its unity with him, the business
had better be finished at that time. Some discordant
remarks were made, and as the discussion continued,
Thomas, who had been sitting under religious exercise,
arose, and, after premising that though the unity of
his friends was precious to him, yet the time of pub-
licly acknowledging it was of no consequence, pro-
ceeded to labor in Gospel power and authority. So
remarkably Avas he favored, that when he took his seat
the subject of recommending him at that time being
revived, not a dissenting voice was heard. It seemed
as though the overshadowing of heavenly good attend-
ing was a seal of Divine approval appreciated by all
present.*

Although his services were generally acceptable to
Friends, George often experienced times of desertion and
conflict, in which he was buffeted by Satan. During
one of these seasons he was at a meeting in Philadel-
phia, in which a Friend from England spoke encour-

^ A memoir of the life and religious labors of this dedicated
follower of the Lord Jesus has been published. See Friends'
Library, vol. viii.

188

GEORGE DILLWYN.

ugingly to liis state, as he thought, yet he seemed
unable to lay hold of it, and could derive no comfort
or satisfaction therefrom. After meeting he wandered
about the streets disconsolate, and apparently Without
any other purpose than an endeavor to escape from
himself. Without knowing whither he was going, he
had approached William Wilson's door, and, upon re-
cognizing the place, concluded to go in and see that
worthy elder. As he entered the door, William cried
out, in a cheerful voice, " George Dillwyn, thou art the
very man I wanted to see ! I have just received a
letter from Samuel Emlen, who says, ^ Give my love
to dear George Dillwyn, and tell him, we know in
whom we have believed.' '' This message from his
dear companion came to the soul of the mourner in tho
very spirit of true Gospel ministry, reviving his faith,
animating his love, and awakening gratitude and
praise. The clouds of gloom fled aAvay, and once
more, in hope and confidence, he could look toward
the Lord's holy habitation. Trials and exercises he
held to be needful for all Christian travellers, but par-
ticularly for ministers of the Gospel.

During the troubles of the American Revolution, he
thus wrote to a Friend, Fifth month 8th, 1781 : ''We
were yesterday invited to the burial of Edmund Hol-
linshead ; but it being our ^lonthly Meeting, and the
day inclement, few went from Burlington to it. In-

GEORGE DILLWYN.

189

aeed, such changes don't appear to make tlie same im-
pression on our minds now as in sereuer days. They
rather look like escapes from approaching storm ; and
our concern for the departed is lost in apprehension
for the livino^/^

In 1784, George Dillwvu left America, with the
unitv^ of his Friends, to pay a religious visit in Eng-
land, in which country he principally resided for the
next eighteen years. His wife, a valuable woman and
true helpmeet, accompanied him. It has been pleas-
antly said, that when he was about starting, she went
into the men's Monthly Meeting at Burlington, where
they then resided, and asked the advice of the meeting
whether she had better accompany him or not, saying,
" I am resigned to go or stay; but I believe I am most
resigned to go.''

George Dillwyn, a short time before his decease, told
a friend who had gone from Philadelphia to visit him,
that he had had a heavenly visitation when only four
years old. This merciful extension of Divine regard
was experienced by him while at meeting in the old
Market Street house. He said, that after that visita-
tion he had wandered far and wide, yet he never lost
sight of it at any time, and the remembrance of the
feelings he had then known remained with him, and
was as a rallying point.

His religious services in England were very much

190

GEORGE DILLWTN.

confined to London and its neighborhood. Things
were, according to the account given in his letters,
very low in our religious Society there ; and he says
in meetings for discipline, " the guidance of a ivisdom
superior to human, appears to be but little waited for
or attended to, as the rule of action." While there,
George was much led into family visits, in which his
dear friend and fellow-countryman, Samuel Emlen,
frequently joined him. He returned to America in
1791, having visited parts of Holland and France, as
well as England and Ireland.

As to personal appearance, George was a handsoilie
man, though corpulent ; his complexion in middle age
was so ruddy and healthy, that even in England it
was thought fine, and rich in color. He was about
five feet nine inches in height ; his usual dress was
drab, although sometimes it almost approached a
brown. His voice was in younger life very melodious,
and though impaired by age, yet it was agreeable to
the close of his life. In matter, he was evangelical —
in mode of delivery sententious — and peculiarly
solemn and sweet in prayer. Age, which took the
color from his cheek, and somewhat of the silver tone
from his voice, but added to his heavenly-mindedness,
and his religious sensibility.

In 1793, under an impression of duty, he removed
with his wife to London, believing that his labors in

GEORGE DILLWTK.

191

the ministry for a few years would be principally in
the neighborhood of that city. Samuel Emlen, who
was there when he arrived, thus writes to his friend,
Henry Drinker, of Philadelphia, under date Eighth
month 23d, 1793:

Our beloved George Dillw}"n and wife met with a
very cordial welcome among Friends in this city. I
think George, indeed, honored of his Master, and
wisely careful not to rob him of that honor which is
only to be ascribed to Him, who is infinite in wisdom,
and mighty in power, for promoting the work of
righteousness and Truth through such instruments as
he chooses. I don't find George has any idea of an
establishment in London; his amiable Sarah, though
allowing England to be a fine country, evinces a strong
preference to the land of our nativity. George desires
my offering thee his brotherly salutation, and I know
from conversation heretofore, that he does love thee."
^' I sometimes see Dr. Edwards, who offered me a hun-
dred thousand acres of land, saying he is employed by
thee, and some others, as a vendor. I told him, it
would be very strange, if I, who came over to this
country to persuade people to think more of heaven
than of earth, should become a purchaser of a hundred
thousand acres of land !

While residing in London, George Dillwyn was so
often led to administer the word of reproof, that some

192

GEORGE DILLWYN.

of liis high-minded hearers, whose backslidden or
unregenerate state he had sharply spoken to, became
much dissatisfied with him. The knowledge of this
sometimes caused him deep discouragement, knd he
often went mourning on his way, in a sense of the
degeneracy of many, and the dislike of a few. During
one such season of depression, the prospect that it
would be right for him to hold an evening meeting in
that city opened before his mind. He was so much
cast down, that he thought as his Master had led him
to utter such hard things, no way would open in the
minds of Friends to appoint a meeting for him, arid
in this tried state he remained for a few days. In the
mean time, Thomas Scattergood, who was also then
engaged in a religious visit in England, came into the
city, and after remaining a short period, felt a concern
to appoint an evening meeting. The meeting was
held. Thomas had no vocal service therein, but
George Dillwyn was largely 023ened in Gospel power
and authority to unfold the Lord^s message to the
people. When the meeting was about closing, Thomas
Scattergood arose, and said, that when he had entered
London a few days previously, the language had run
through his mind, " What if thou shouldst appoint a
meeting for thy elder brother.^' He said that he had
not understood the query, and the remembrance of it
was quite taken from him, at the time the concern

GEORGE DILLWTN.

193

came upon him to have the j^eople collected for an
evening meeting. " I have appointed a meeting," he
added, " in which I have had nothing to say, but my
elder brother has had the service."

On the 14th day of the Seventh month, 1800,
Thomas Scattergood wrote a letter to his friend George
Dillwyn, from which we extract a fe\y passages. They
were yet both in England. Thou art, I think, just
right with respect to comparing, or bringing us back
to youthful days. I was a diver, and thou and I have
had our dips under the water together, since the day
we met in this land. How singular, and yet how
comfortable was it, on reading thy lines, to remember
afresh the thoughts of my heart respecting thee, within
these few days past — they came up somewhat after
this manner ; for I may assure thee, I have had a very
deep plunge : ^ There is my friend and brother, George
Dillwyn, who appears to be bearing me company, and
seems like another Ezekiel ; he has prepared his stuif,
and has removed ; he has had a singular life in this
land, much like mine ; he has returned again, and
though I am separated from wife, and children, etc.,
yet he appears like one bound as I am. I have seen
him as a mark that has been shot at, and the archers
liave wounded him.' From thoughts like these my
mind was brought into near fellowship with thee.
Was not this lil'e diving under the water, and touch-
17

194

GEORGE DILLWYN.

ing f Can thou recollect that we can see one another
under the water, when we cannot speak ? I have often
wanted to say more to thee, but when with thee have
been restrained."

Many very apt illustrations are to be found in the
writings and sayings of George Dillwyn, and though
not of so poetic a cast of mind as James Simpson, his
similies are generally striking. The following extract
of a letter from David Sands to Thomas Scattergood
embodies one of them. " I have heard of thy late
trial in the loss of thy dear daughter, and I believe
do sympathize with thee in that and other afflictive
dispensations, yet have not the least doubt but all those
things that we meet with, and which may seem little
else to our taste than the wormwood and gall, are but
like the strong winds sent to bring the leaky ship to a
safe port. As I remember to have heard dear George
Dillwyn say, when in America, to an afflicted Friend,
^ Our proper business at such times is to keep the head
of the vessel the right way ; if we do so, we shall gain
by such dispensations.' "

George Dillwyn thus laconically writes to Thomas
Scattergood : Thou and I correspoud, in the letter
way, like poor day-laborers who have but little to
spare to each other. The sparing of that little, how-
ever, seems to be saying, ^ If I had more thou should st
be heartily welcome to it.' I may congratulate thee

GEORGE DILLWYX.

195

on thy finish at Devonshire house [a family visit], and
was })le^ed with thy retreat into the country, though
such little recesses from service often remind me of
a speech of the mate of the ship Pigou, one morning
to the sailors : ^ Come, lads, step down and get your
breakfasts as quick as you can, and then you will have
nothing to do but to work.' "

In the year 1802, George Dillwyn, believing that
his service in England was completed, returned to
America, and once more settled at Burlington. He
did not travel much in the ministry after this, but was
diligent in the attendance of his particular meetings,
being seldom absent from either the Monthly, Quar-
terly, or Yearly Meeting to which he belonged. He
was particular in his endeavor to take all the members
of his family with him, saying, He did not find his
meetings did him much good, if he could reflect upon
having left any person in his service unnecessarily at
home.'' How is it possible for any one who really
believes that it is in accordance with the will of the
Great Head of the church for his children to meet
before him for public worship, to neglect the assem-
bling of themselves together, as the manner of some
is?"

The following anecdote contains a pungent rebuke
administered effectually to one, and there may be
others tc whom it would equally apply. A member

196

GEORGE DILLWYN.

of the Society who resided in a village not far from
Philadelphia, during a considerable portion of the
meridian of his life, evinced little disposition to con-
form to the testimonies and principles of his 'profes-
sion. Among other things, he was very negligent in
the attendance of religious meetings, and on one oc-
casion refused to withdraw a few minutes from his
worldly business to sit with his family during the
time of a religious visit paid them by two ministering
Friends. His son, having been favored with a pow-
erful visitation of Divine love, yielded in measure
thereto, and became diligent in going to meetings,
walking to the one they belonged to, though at the
distance of several miles. One day Joseph Hemphill,
a distinguished lawyer of Philadelphia, afterward a
judge and member of Congress, came into the store,
and, not seeing the young man, inquired of the father
where he was. " Gone to meeting,'^ said the father,
with a sneer. " Gone to meeting ! replied Joseph.
" The more to his credit ; for he gets no help from his
father, mother, or sister ! I tell you what, if I was
in your place, if I could not live up to the principles
I professed, I would request to be released from mem-
bership."

This unexpected rebuke had a powerful effect on
the man to whom it was addressed. He said he
never had had such a sermon preached to him. He

GEORGE DILLWYN.

197

could not get from under the weight of it, and soon
found himself most easy to be diligent in his religious
duties. At the time of his death he sat head of the
meeting he belonged to, and was thought to have be-
come a humble-minded Christian.

George Dillwyn was a watchful, tender, sympathiz-
ing friend of those who were young in the ministry,
not hastily condemning them because of a misstep in
their tribulated way. He remembered his own coming
forth in that line ; and the difficulties he had met with,
caused him to be willing to make full proof of others
before he rejected their offerings. It is stated, that
when he had spoken a few times in public, a valuable
elder, who had come to a hasty conclusion in his case,
told George he believed he had mistaken his calling,
and requested him to withhold his exercises from the
meeting. George meekly replied, if the elder would
take the burden upon him, he would be silent. This
the Friend was willing to do; and for some time
George's voice was not heard in the public assemblies.
But while the silenced one was permitted to enjoy quiet
peace in submission, the mincl of the elder became tried
and uneasy ; and eventually, under a sense of duty, he
called upon George, and told him he could not bear
the responsibility of sealing his mouth any longer, and
encouraged him to exercise his gift when he felt the
Divine call thereto. This is a very instructive anec-
17*

198

GEORGE DILLWYN.

dote ; to elders it is a warning not to be too hasty in
judgment; — to young ministers an incitement to leave
their cause with their heavenly Father to plead for
them, while they endeavor to receive the counsel of
t^eir elder friends with meekness and submission.

On his return from Europe, George Dillwyn devoted
his leisure more to literary labors for the good of the
community, than he had hitherto done. His work,
commonly known as " Dillwyn's Reflections,^^ contains
many pithy thoughts, well expressed. It also contains
some anecdotes, from which a few extracts will be
given. He says :

"In conversing with a person of distinction in the
community, on the universality of Divine Grace, he
related the following anecdote, which I give in nearly
his own words. ^ When I was a little boy, I Avent to
a school, which assembled by the ringing of a bell ;
and one morning, on hearing it, I hastened into my
father's chamber, to receive a penny or two, which he
daily gave me to buy a cake by the way ; but found
him in a sound sleep. The case was urgent, and as J[
feared to awake him, I thought I might venture to
take my usual stipend from his pocket, and tell him
at my return what I had done, not doubting my reason
for it would satisfy him. I accordingly took it, but
instantly felt it was wrong ; and, by tlie time I reached
the head of the stairs, my uneasiness increased to so

GEORGE BILLWYN.

199

great a degree, that I could not proceed till I had re-
placed the money; which having done, I went off
quiet and cheerful. Now, sir/ said the relator, Ms
this what the Society of Friends allude to, as an uni-
versal principle in the heart of man ? ' I answered,
' Yes/ ^ Why, then^' he replied, I have been more
of a Quaker than I thought myself, from my early
days; and the remembrance of this occurrence has
proved cautionary to me, on many occasions, in my
business and conduct, ever since/

Another instance of the restraining influence of
Divine Grace narrated, is one in which he himself was
concerned ; he says :

" When the compiler of these anecdotes was a wild,
heedless boy, about seven or eight years old, he had
several very corrupt playfellows, and among them was
one of an uncommonly daring disposition, vrho, being
paramount in wickedness and profanity, and leading
the way into mischief, was envied by the rest ; there-
fore, for them to be as clever as they thought him, it
was necessary to curse and swear, without hesitation or
fear. In order to which, the compiler, on a certain
day, and in a place not easily to be forgotten, attempted
to take the Sacred Name into his mouth, and call for
damnation to his soul ! but he had hardly begun the
shocking sentence, when he was seized with a sensa-
tion of horror, beyond description. This check to his

200

GEORGE DILLWYK

wicked ambition was effectual, and the temptation to
that evil was so completely overcome, that he never
afterward dared to indulge it in the smallest degree.
It was, indeed, the triumph of mercy over presump-
tion !

The restraining mercy of the Lord is indeed great !
How often have Ave been preserved from engaging in
evil courses by providential hindrances! Sometimes
by the voice of His reproofs speaking terror to the
soul ; sometimes by the persuasions of his love awak-
ening abhorrence of sin. I remember to have heard
a son of piously concerned and godly parents say that
at a time when he was about engaging in a wrong act,
an appearance as of the face of his loved, respected,
and honored father came before him, and he could not
proceed. Of the saving mercy of the Lord Jesus, the
following anecdote, quite abridged in its details, is a
striking example.

A youthful member of Philadelphia Monthly Meet-
ing, many years ago, gave way to evil habits until he
had become an alien from his father's house. He had
taken up his abode in a tavern, and seemed hastening
to destruction with rapid strides. The entreaties of
his concerned parents, the visible sorrow of their
hearts, the secret reproofs of the Holy Spirit, the fear
of the " dread after-scene," all seemed to produce no
effect upon him. He had taken his own course, ho

GEORGE DILLWYX.

201

had chosen his own dehision, and little hopes were
entertained that he would ever be respectable as a man,
much less consistent as a Christian. Yet the long-
forbearino; mercy of a oTacious Saviour toAvard him was
not exhausted. This prodigal, who turned away from
his friends, who fled from his father, who seemed to
court everlasting destruction, was made a witness of
one more gracious, heavenly visitation of saving love.
The tavern where he lived was on the Delaware.
Late one night he retired to his bed, and while lying
on it, as far as he could tell, perfectly aAvake, and cog-
nizant of all that was going on around him, he heard
a voice calling him by name, and bidding him go to
the piazza of the house which projected toward the
river. He obeyed the mandate, and from the piazza
he saw, over the water, what appeared to him a mani-
festation of the Saviour of the world. Awfully im-
pressed with the sight, the heart of the young man
was sensible of remorse and condemnation. He was
told that this was the last visitation of mercy he would
ever receive, that now there was an open door for his
escape from damnation ; but that if this opening was
not embraced, he was lost forever. He who opened to
him his state, bade him go home at once to his father's
house. Sensible, at length, that obedience was his
only safety, the poor rej^entant prodigal, in the middle
of the night, left the tavern, and went to the door

202

GEORGE DILLWYN,

which, in comparative innocence, he had often en-
tered. He took courage to knock, and as he did so,
the door opened, and the father, with extended arms,
was ready to receive him. He who had given the
saving visitation to the son, had been with the father,
had aroused him from his bed, and, by the secret in-
spiration of his Holy Spirit on his mind, had thus
brought him to the door to receive his weeping son.
Having thus given up to the Lord's visitation, the
young man, through faithful obedience to manifested
duty, grew in grace, and experienced the work of re-
generation carried on in his soul. He became a steady,
religious character, was for a long time an overseer of
that meeting, and in the hour of death felt himself
sustained by the Christian's hope.

George Dillwyn, although often led, in his ministry,
to speak at considerable length, yet was remarkable at
times for the brevity of his public communications.
Some of these were sufficiently startling. One day,
while sitcing in his select preparative meeting, he broke
the silence with this arousing discourse : " Friends, I
perceive the cloven foot is getting in among us ! "
What an incentive for deep heart-searching was this !
Well might every minister present have put the ques-
tion to him or herself. Have I lost my true guide ?
Am I listening to the voice of the stranger ? Has the
love of self beguiled me ? Do I preach without the

GEORGE DILLWYN.

203

life and power that once attended my ministry ? Yea,
ministers and elders might have united in the heart-
raised inquiry, Lord, is it I that have given occasion
for this?

George Dilhv}'n says, " When persons who think
they have attained to a stability in religion, speak
lightly, or seem to make no account of those little
steps of faith and obedience by which the Lord sees
meet to lead his flock, and fit them for his fold, it is
questionable if they have not missed the right gate,
and are trying to get in some other way/'

Some individuals are ready to esteem lightly, to
speak contemptuously of our testimony to plainness in
dress and address. These have either known nothing
of those fiery baptisms through which some are made
willing to take up the cross to their natural inclina-
tions, and by consistent attire and scriptural language,
become as spectacles to men ; or having once known
and departed in heart from the Truth, they are seeking
to persuade themselves that the inward conflicts through
which they were led to it, were delusions.

We have heard it related that a young female, per-
haps not a member of the Society of Friends, became
convinced that it was her religious duty to conform to
its testimonies in regard to language and dress. About
this time the family were preparing to give a great
party, and she believed that on that occasion she must

204

GEORGE BILLWYN.

manifest in her conduct her obedience to the will of
her Lord and Saviour in this respect. Deep was the
trial to her ; flesh and blood could but revolt at the
mortrfication self was doomed to experience. While
under this exercise of mind, she one morning went
into the parlor, the windows of which had not been
opened, and there, sitting out of sight of men, she
sought for resignation to the Divine requiring, and
strength to enable her to perform it. While she was
thus engaged, Samuel Emlen, passing along the street
she lived on, came opposite the house. A sense of a
religious duty to be performed therein suddenly took
hold of him. He paused, stepped in the entry, passed
on till he reached the door of the darkened parlor.
Putting his head inside of it, he exclaimed, ^'Be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of
life." Having said this, he returned to tlie street, and
went on his way, having been enabled to adminis-
ter, through the Lord's holy assistance, the word of
strength and consolation to the unseen and unknown
mourner. Animated by this providential visitation,
the young woman was enabled to pursue the path of
duty opened before her.

The following extract from a letter written to one
who was passing through the baptisms incident to the
transition state between a life of self and a life of
self-denial, may illustrate this subject :

GEORGE DILLWYX.

205

" Thou hast suffered from the ridicule of those who
woukl not have thee enter on a religious life, a life of
self-denial and the daily cross. Thou hast been tried,
I fear, also bv the advice of shallow though high pro-
fessors, who have never submitted to be dipped into
those trials and exercises into which the great Head of
the Church introduces all those who are truly devoted
to him. It is strange how easily some seem to slide
out of a gay life into a plain one, out of the obvious
rebellions of an unsubjected will, indulging in the
vanities of a frivolous mind, into, at least, an appear-
ance of tolerable consistency. They have made changes
which have cost others months of anguish and suffer-
ing, and yet seem to have known nothing of taking up
the cross. Some occupy stations in the church, rightly
to qualify for which fiery baptism after fiery baptism
must needs be endured, and yet there is but little ap-
pearance in them that they have ever experienced that
inward burning which can alone purge away the tin
and the reprobate silver. They seem to have discov-
ered some bridge of human invention over Jordan, the
river of judgment ; and it is no wonder to me that
they should not be familiar with its depths ! ]Many
can talk of the great love and mercy of their heavenly
Father, can even vocally rejoice that Christ died for
them, who yet know little of those inward, purifying
18

206

GEORGE DILLWYN.

suiferings through which lie makes his dear children
partakers of that salvation he has purchased for them.

" AVe suffer tribulation and baptisms, on various ac-
counts, and we cannot always understand how we are
to gain spiritually, from that we are enduring. Never-
theless, I believe, however dark the dispensation may
seem at the time to us, that every such trial, rightly
borne, is of consequence in furthering the work of per-
fect redemption. The trials we pass through, when
obediently bearing the cross, maybe necessary for our-
selves — may be useful to others. The patience and
gentleness with which we bear them, may be an effec-
tual ministry to the unsubdued spirit of some watchful
friend ; — a ministry owned by the Master, although
not even suspected at the moment by us. Beside this,
w^e know not how peculiarly needful all that we endure
may be to fit us for some unforeseen service, which our
Lord will require at our hands. He may be thus
fitting us for a long life of devotion to him, or for an
early death. I remember an amiable young friend of
mine, who for years had felt inwardly uneasy with
respect to his dress, and who, in a season of renewed
visitation, after many struggles of mind, took up the
cross, and bowed to the requirings of duty. The day
he made the change, an elderly female friend not ac-
quainted with the circumstance, called at his house.
On entering the door, sensations peculiarly solemn fell

GEORGE DILLWYN.

207

on her, and she seemed to partake a little of the deep
baptism in which his mind was plunged. INIany words
did not pass between them, but the feAV he uttered set
forth the depth of anguish which pressed upon him.
He said as respected his feelings he could not suffer
more, if the skin had been violently torn from his
body. He found it no easy matter to make the change
— but strengthened by his heavenly Father, he had
taken the cup of affliction, and with quiet submission,
drunk it to the dregs. Mortified pride submitted ; —
affection wounded in the house of his friends, found
comfort and healing from the Physician of value ; —
faith grew stronger through this exercise ; — obedience
became less bitter ; and from these inward trials the
Christian graces seemed to gain new bloom. His re-
ligiously-minded friends sympathized with him, and
rejoiced over him. They trusted that this suffering
was to qualify him for a useful life ; but his Saviour
designed it as a preparation for a happy death ! A
few weeks after this change in his attire, while the
freshness and sweetness of his recent humiliation of
spirit was still upon him, he became suddenly ill.
There were a few days of patiently borne suffering,
sustained by a comfortable assurance that for the
Saviour's sake, he was accepted in his obedience and
dedication — and then he was taken away from all
sorrow. The visitation which seemed to this young

208

GEORGE DILLWYJSr.

man but as a powerful incentive to consistency of
attire, was indeed the last call of his Almighty Father
to obedience^ and the resignation of his will. He sub-
mitted, and his end was ha23py; — had he rebelled —
how awful might the consequence have been !

We give a few other anecdotes related in the words
of George Dillwyn.

" The following relation was given in a private con-
versation by a Friend in the ministry from England.
Being on his return home from America near to the
coast of Ireland, in very hazy weather, he was awaked
by an uneasiness of mind, and a strong impression
that the ship was in danger. He roused the master,
who also lay in the cabin, and requested him to go up
and see how things were ; but the captain, not liking
the disturbance, told the Friend to make himself easy;
they would take care enough of him. The Friend
tried to compose himself, and refrained from speaking
again for some time. The uneasiness, however, con-
tinuing, and becoming more urgent, he cried, with
great earnestness, ^ Captain, thou must get up ! ' The
captain, with some grumbling, at length complied ; and,
in ascending the companion-way, roused the attention
of the helmsman, who, as Avell as the seamen near the
forecastle, were supposed to be dozing. This man,
calling to the others, they presently exclaimed, ^Helm
hard-a-lee ! There 's a light ahead On immediately

GEORGE DILLWTK

209

sounding, they found themselves in shallow water, and
dropped anchor, where, the weather being mild, they re-
mained till the next morning, when, to their great sur-
prise, it appeared they were near the shore, and that if
they had continued their course but a few minutes longer,
the vessel, at least, would probably have been lost.
Such a manifest escape from danger humbled them all,
and on the captain mentioning the Friend's uneasiness
as the means of their j)reservation, the mate related a
similar intimation to his own mind, by which the
vessel he was in was preserved from being suddenly
tkrown on her beam-ends. ^ I think, sir,' said he,
^this emotion of mine was like yours.' ^Ah, man,'
said the Friend, ^ if thou art so wise as always to heed
that, it will guide thee to everlasting happiness ! ' "

Another instance is related by a serious person,
^vho, being master of a vessel, was in the harbor of
Cape Francois at the time when the blacks revolted,
and took arms against the whites. He was leaning on
the rail of the quarter-deck, a sorrowful witness of
that dreadful scene, when, without any apparent cause,
he was suddenly impelled, as by a sense of fear, to
quit the rail, and seat himself behind the companion-
way for shelter. As he left the rail, the mate took
his place, and instantly had his thumb fractured by a
musket-ball from the shore, which, had not the mas-
ter removed, must have entered his body."
18*

210

GEORGE DILLWYN.

" A sea-captain, well known in Philadelphia, being
on the point of going on shipboard, felt his mind so
impressed with uneasiness, that he could not proceed,
and resigned the command. All he could say on the
occasion was, that he was not easy to go ; and the event
proved he was right in attending to the restraint ; for
the vessel was lost, as is supposed, being never heard
of after touching at Batavia/^

Many circumstances of a similar character might
be collected from the journals of Friends and other
sources. One which some of the residents in this city
have heard related by a Friend, now deceased, who
was acquainted with the person alluded to, is inter-
esting. A man, who was on his way to Europe in a
brig, or some craft of small size, one night was aroused
from his sleep by a sudden impression of terror, which
caused him to spring out of his berth, and, without
waiting to dress, hurry up the companion-way. As
he reached the top, he saw a dark body rapidly pass-
ing; instinctively, as it were, he clasped his arms
around it, and found himself suddenly borne to one
side. An awful crash instantly followed, the vessel he
had been in suddenly disappeared from below him,
while a large ship, around the bowsprit of which he
was clinging, passed rapidly over it, and swept on in
the darkness. He soon made his way to the deck, and
was comfortably cared for ; but the vessel he had left

GEORGE BILLWYN.

211

his home in, and his late companions, were never more
seen.

The following quotations from George Dillwyn, are
all intended, though in different forms of language, to
encourage humility, and discourage pride.

" Humility and love are equally essential to devotion
and to happiness.'^ The root of pride is self-confi-
dence ; and they who fancy themselves more humble
than others, may be the least so." " Humility of mind
is neither arrived at, retained, nor increased, by com-
paring ourselves with others." " In ascending the
mount of rectitude, we are more apt to indulge in re-
flecting on the past, than in contemplating the future ;
and so, comparing our attainments rather with those
behind than w4th those before us, we easily, and often,
mistake our resting-places for our journey's end."

As a warning to those, who, from any cause, either
of personal or mental accomplishments, or because of
the supposed more perfect discoveries of Truth to the
mind, feel disposed to consider themselves elevated
above their neighbors, we will narrate an anecdote.

A ministering Friend residing in England, under a
religious concern paid a visit to the meetings in Ire-
land, in which service he was eminently favored.
From place to place, as he travelled, he was furnished
with abundance of suitable matter to communicate,
and a baptizing power accompanied the Word preached

212

GEORGE DILLWYN.

to the tendering the hearts of the hearers, in a re-
markable manner. During his visit, he was preserved
in a humble state of mind, watchfully attentive to the
openings of his Divine Master, and was therefore per-
mitted to return to his home in peace. In his subse-
:][uent meditations, however, on his past visit, and the
evident Divine influence attending his ministry, spirit-
ual pride crept in ; and he was apparently in danger
of making total shipwreck of his humility, and thereby
losing his hope in Christ.

While in this critical condition, he was instructed
by a dream. He thought he was walking on a plain,
reflecting on his late visit to Ireland — the wonderful
service he had had there — and exulting in his increase
of spiritual experience. As he was thus ministering
food to his earthly nature, he lifted up his eyes and
perceived a person of lofty stature approaching him.
Full of presumption, engendered by his late thoughts,
he advanced to meet the new-comer, and demanded
his name. " My name is Self,'^ said the giant.
"Well,^' added the other, "I will kill thee.'' He
thought in his dream that he immediately commenced
the attack, and after a sharp contest, succeeded in beat-
ing Self to death. He then renewed his walk, and in
addition to his former cause of inAvard gratulation,
he now with much satisfaction thought over his last
valorous exploit. While thus engaged, he beheld ap-

GEORGE DILLWYN.

213

preaching a figure closely resenibliug the giant he had
just killed, but of more than twice the size. As this
majestic person drew near, he was met with the same
question which had greeted the other — Who art thou ?
" I am Self/' was the answer. I thought I had
killed thee/' said the puffed-up preacher, but I will
do it again." So saying, he vigorously assailed this
formidable enemy, and after a very severe and desper-
ate struggle, succeeded in destroying him. Xow again
he began to meditate on his great deeds; when he saw
before him a person, featured as the two others, but of
immense stature, his head reaching to the clouds. He
approached, and to the demand of his name, answered,
" I am Self." Once more a combat commenced ; but
it was soon apparent that this new giant was coming
off victor. The poor crest-fallen dreamer was brought
to the ground, and perceived, as he thought, his death
inevitable. Then, indeed, he thought of One, whose
arm of power could bring aid and safety in any diffi-
culty. His heart seemed humble, secret prayer was
begotten to the Source of strength, his faith was re-
newed, and Self vanished. Then ended his dream.

As he pondered over its different parts, the delusion
he had been previously under, was made clearly mani-
fest to his mind. In tears and true contrition of heart
he looked to the Source of every good and perfect gift,
and received therefrom a renewal of that humility and

214

GEORGE DILLWYK

fear, which in the days of his youthful visitations were
given to him. Self, which in his first submission to
the cross of Christ had been in measure slain — whicli
had subsequently, through unwatchfulness, revived as
a mighty giant, after, through Divine Grace, the pollu-
tions of nature had been to a great extent cleansed ;
which then in a time of renewed visitation had been
as it were slain a second time ; and again revived by
outward flattery, and inward unwatchfulness, into a
spiritual monster, whose head reached the clouds —
was now once more cast down. He felt in great tribu-
lation ; he saw the imminent danger he had been in of
plunging himself into everlasting destruction ; and
with these feelings, and this sense, he dared no longer
dwell upon his past labors for the Truth. His eye
was now once more to the Lord, and the dream and
the interpretation thereof, were to him as merciful
warnings never to be forgotten.

George Dillwyn was much interested in the welfare
of the Indian natives of this country, and at times felt
his mind drawn toward them in that love which per-
suaded him there was that in them to which the Gos-
pel might be preached. He had divers interesting
religious conversations with a deputation of Cherokees
who visited the city of Philadelphia in the First
month, 1792. These Indians were seven in number,
six mules and one fem.ile. The chief man among

GEORGE DILLWYN.

215

them was Nelietooyah, or the Bloody Fellow/' and
he appears to have done all the public speaking on
their behalf. This being the first opportunity Friends
had ever obtained of showing kindness to the members
of this distant tribe^ they were anxious to treat them
with suitable hospitality and attention. On the 29th
of the First month, the male part of the delegation,
with an interpreter, were, by invitation, at the house
of Isaac Zane, and appeared much gratified with exam-
ining a terrestrial globe which was sho^vn them, par-
ticularly when the place of their own homes was
pointed out on it, and the route they had travelled to
Philadelphia. After listening to what was told them
relative to the shape of the earth and other matters of
a kindred nature, Nehetooyah, in a very pathetic tone
of voice, gave utterance to a short speech. He first
adverted to the great advantages which the Avhite peo-
ple had over their red brethren in knowledge. He
then added an expression of surprise, that notwith-
standing the white men knew that the Grciffc Spirit
made all, and provided for all his children, they should
treat the red men so unfairly. He spoke of the first
settlement of the whites, their gro^\i:h, and how they
had driven the Indians from their ^possessions without
compensation. As he had travelled through the coun-
try, he had seen the fine houses which the white jnen
had erected on the lands they had taken from the red

216

GEORGE DILLWYK

men ; and yet tliey were not satisfied, but coveted the
little the red men still held. He ended with express-
ing his belief that this could not be consistent with the
mind of the Great Spirit.

On Second month 2d, the Indians being: ag^ain at
the house of Isaac Zane, they were met by George
Dillwyn, Mary Ridgway, and Jane Watson. On this
occasion, these Friends addressed them by way of re-
ligious counsel. They spoke on the nature of the
Divine Being, the inward workings of his Grace and
Good Spirit in the hearts of all to restrain them from
doing evil, the dependence of all on him for life,
health, and every blessing ; and pressed the conclusion,
that as all were children of one common Father, they
were bound to love one another, and to live in peace.
One of them, addressing the Indians, said, "As any
one of you would be grieved to observe quarreling and
fighting amc^ng your children, so our heavenly Father
is displeased with whatever interrupts the harmony
that should always subsist among his children in the
great family of mankind.'^ During the course of the
religious conversation, the Indians were told of a red
brother named " The Guerre,'^ who had once been a
great warrior, but having been convinced of the evil
of contention and war, had become a man of peace.
He was one who attended the treaty at Lancaster in
i762, and the change in his sentiments being known,

GEORGE DILLWYX.

217

he was inquired of as to the cause. Laying a hand
on his breast, and looking upward with a reverent
expression, he said, "The Great Being has made it
known to my heart, that he did not make men for the
purpose of killing one another."

When George Dillwsm and his two female friends
had fully expressed what was on their minds, the
Indians requested time to deliberate on a suitable an-
swer to such important advice as they had heard, and
proposed that the Friends should meet them at the
same house on the evening of the following day. On
that occasion, Second month 3d, Xehetooyah spoke to
the following import : " What we have heard from
you has opened our eyes and om' hearts. We feel
very grateful for the concern and love which our bro-
thers and sisters have shown for the red people, and
the pains they have taken to bring them more to a
knowledge of the Great Spirit above, and to make
them acquainted with his will. In all the places Ave
have visited, we never heard anything that opened
our hearts so much. We did not believe that any
woman could say such wise things as our sisters have
said to us. But when we consider that from women
came all men, we cannot wonder that they should be
as wise as we.'' He then promised they would carry
what they had heard in their hearts, and tell it to the
red people in their own country. He said their fathers
19

218

GEORGE DILLWYN.

had told them the white men were wiser than the red
men, because they had been able to read the Book
which the Great Spirit had given them, and then
added, " But we think he takes care of red men, who
are his children too. We were told by our fathers
to look up to the Great Spirit above when we were in
distress, and he would help us."

The next day, Second month 4th, they visited Wil-
liam Waring's school, and had the various changes of
the moon and the cause of eclipses explained to them.
They were deeply interested, and as they seemed to set
a very high estimate on such knowledge, the Friends
took occasion to inform them that they considered all
such things of less importance than goodness of heart.

On the evening of the 8th, George Dillwyn and
others being present, the Indians were asked if they
had ever heard of William Penn, or brother Onas, as
the northern Indians called him. They replied they
had not, but they thought it likely their fathers might
have done so. The principle of the Society of Friends
in respect to v/ar was more fully unfolded to them;
and they were informed that its consistent members
would not undertake to defend themselves ; and that
this was so far from generally provoking abuse, that
they had been often permitted, during the late war, to
pass through both armies without molestation. One
of Nehetooyah^s speeches during this evening was this :

GEORGE DILLWYN.

219

" The life of all men is given by the Great Spirit, and
life to every one is allowed but for a short time. There
are many ways by which it may be taken from us when
the Great Spirit pleases, without our killing one an-
other. This killing, I believe, would all cease if peo-
ple would all love each other, and live according to
the mind of the Great Spirit."

During George Dillwyn's last sojourn in England,
he became closely attached, as a father in the Truth,
to Susanna Horne, a young woman then just coming
forth in the ministry. In the year 1812, she came to
this country on a religious visit, and George had near
unity wdth her in her ministerial labors among us. A
few weeks after Susanna had sailed from this land,
George Dillwyn rose, at the close of a meeting for
worship in Burlington, and, in much brokenness and
humility, said, "As many Friends are interested in
Susanna Horne, I may tell them she has arrived safely
in England." This annunciation was startling to all ;
and the weak in faith were no doubt full of fears, lest
the slowly revolving weeks should not bring its con-
firmation. But time proved that George had been
enabled to follow her in spirit even to her port, and
was made sensible, although at three thousand miles'
distance, of her landing.

Many somewhat similar circumstances are narrated.
One is told of Martha Routh, who being from home

220

GEORGE DILLWTN.

attending her Quarterly INIeeting, became very much
agitated under a revelation to her mind that a nephew,
whom she was bringing up as a son, was drowned.
The accident took place at Manchester, some miles
from Warrington, where the Quarterly Meeting was
held. Martha gives the details in a letter, from which
we take the following : " A Friend coming into our
women's meeting with some papers for us to sign, said
he thought it might not be improper just to mention
that our friend, Robert Valentine, who had intended
to proceed forward, was, on further consideration, most
easy to return to Manchester. No sooner had he spoken,
than a very unusual sadness, like a dart, struck through
my whole frame, so that it Avas with difficulty I sat till
the meeting was done, and then could not refrain from
telling^ mv aunt somethino' had fallen out at Man-
Chester since we left it yesterday, which is the cause
of Robert's going back. She tried to put it from me,
believing it was only a turn in his own mind, that he
did not feel quite clear of us. But the intelligence in
my own mind Avaxed louder and louder, so that before
we were well out of the meeting-place, the voice said
plainly, ^ Thy nephew is dead ! ^ I then told my aunt
again, who, seeing me very sorrowful, said, ^ ^ly dear,
do not afflict thyself so, but have faith and patience
till inquiry can be made.' I said, ^ My dear aunt, I
do not afflict myself, but am distressed, and not Avith-

GEORGE DILLWTN.

221

out cause.' I then looked inward to see if he was
removed by any kind of accident in the warehouse ;
but the answer was, ^ No ; he is sunk in deep water/
I then turned into a Friend's house, and sat in as
much stillness as I could, but in great agony of spirit,
which the Friend perceiving, inquired if anything was
amiss. I told her my nephew was dead, and the way
it had been permitted. She seemed much astonished,
for she knew him well ; but was willing to hope it was
not so, and tried to comfort me ; but I could receive
none till another intimation was sounded in the ear of
my soul : ^ Be not overmuch troubled ; he is taken from
the evil to come, and is entered into rest and peace.'
Nature then got some relief by tears, which were
soon renewed by my dear husband's coming in, who
was then told of the event, and was deeply afflicted
therewith.

" We got home that evening in a carriage, and found
the remains of our adopted son laid out, a fair corpse,
except a little settling of blood in his face, being found,
face downward, in what is called the whirlpool, near
the usual place of bathing. Our before - mentioned
Friend, and many others that were standing around
him, I trust felt such a time of solemnity as will not
easily be forgotten, when Robert was drawn forth in
testimony, in which he had to express, from Divine
19*

222

GEORGE DILLWYN.

authority, ^ Sorrow not, my Friends, for I feel an evi-
dence that it is well with the young man ! '

Joseph Priestley, the Unitarian preacher, and experi-
mental chemist, who belonged to a school of philoso-
phers who believe nothing they do not comprehend,
hearing of this incident, applied to William Rathbone,
of Liverpool, to inquire of Martha Ronth herself,
whether it were true. William, intending to ask the
question, came to a meeting where Martha was, who
rose with the text, If they believe not Moses and
the prophets, neither would they be persuaded, though
one rose from the dead." In commenting upon these
words, she was so sharp on the incredulous, unbeliev-
ing spirit of the world, that William was ashamed to
speak to her on the subject.

Our late honest, plain-spoken Friend, George Withy,
related the following anecdote while in this country.
On a certain time, as he was travelling alone in Wales,
where he was paying a religious visit, he felt a sudden
impression that it would be right in him to turn round
and go directly home. It was about midday, or shortly
after, for he had attended a meeting in the morning,
and was on his way to another, to be held in the after-
noon. On receiving this apparent direction to forsake
the work to which he had previously felt bound, he
paused, and endeavored to weigh the matter in his own
mind, looking for the pointings of Truth. The result

GEORGE DILLWTN,

223

of his secret breathing for right guidance was a strong
impression of duty, to " Go home, and that quickly."
He obeyed, and by travelling all night, reached his
residence in the mornins;. He found that at the time
the call to return home was felt by him, a niece of his
was drowned — and as his wife had a family of chil-
dren to care for, his presence and assistance on the
occasion, seemed indispensable.

Of a similar character is the following incident,
which is given as narrated in a letter bearing date
some years since.

" A married man * in the younger walks of life,
who had long been under the preparing hand of the
Lord, for service in his church, believed it right to
give up to accompany a minister in an extensive re-
ligious engagement. This was no small trial to him.
He had a comfortable home, a lovely wife, several
sons, and one daughter. He however bowed his neck
to the cross — gave up to the requiring of duty, and
with the consent and approbation of his Monthly jNIeet-
ing set forward on the journey. During the visit his
mouth was opened in the ministry to the comfort of
his friends. As he and his companion were, one day,
about entering a meeting-house, a letter was handed to
him, which he saw was from home. Instantly a sense
of sorrow seized him, and he felt that afflicting tidings

* Our late friend Samuel Bet tie.

224

GEORGE BILLWYN.

were contained in that letter. After a severe inward
struggle, he believed it would be right in him to go
into the meeting-house without breaking the se?Ll. He
did so, and notwithstanding the feeling of sorrow, he
was enabled to get under religious exercise, and was
strengthened to labor vocally with the people. His
duty toward them over, his mind was turned in much
love and solicitude toward his family at home. His
wife was first brought into view, and in the opening
of Truth, he saw her at home, and well. One by one
his children seemed to come before his spiritual vision
with the assurance that they were all in health, until
he came to the last, his only daughter. His spiritual
eye could not discern her in the family circle, and as
he sadly mused, this language was spoken to his in-
ward ear : ^ She is dead.' The evidence which accom-
panied the words was so strong, that he could not
doubt the truth of the opening, and the anguish of his
mind was great. The meeting closed; and yet he
dared not open the letter, for he felt what was in it,
and was afraid to trust himself to read it in company.
When he entered the carriage with his companion, and
a valuable female minister, they queried what a* led
him? He told them from his feelings he was sure
his daughter was deceased. His companions were not
willing to believe the opening on his mind, and en-
deavored to encourage him to think it was not true.

GEORGE DILLWYK.

225 N

Nothing however shook his faith, and when they
reached the place where they were to dine, he retired
to a private room and opened his letter. It was but a
confirmation of that which he by faith already knew.
With tears he read the account of the dear child's
sickness and death, and then summoning up fortitude,
he passed into the parlor, threw the letter into the
female minister's lap, and once more retired."

George Dilh^yn had been unusually exempt from
bodily pain, even in advanced age, but on the 3d of
the Second month, 1820, when on his way to meeting,
the ground being covered with sleet, he fell and frac-
- tured the hip bone. The attendant pain being very
distressing, and every exertion failing to afford relief,
a state of deep suffering ensued ; his exercised mind
was tempted, tried, and afflicted, as he expressed,
beyond what he had ever before known, yet his con-
cern was that he might be enabled to wait in deep
abasement until light should arise upon his dwelling.
Thus he passed nearly five montlis of great bodily
suffering, and seasons of close mental conflict, through
all which the Christian character shone with bright-
ness. " I find there is a comfort over which disease
has no power," was his remark on one occasion.
Again, Xow I am prepared to adopt the language —
Lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the
flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of

226

GEORGE DILLWTN,

birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in
our land."

Patiently awaiting the coming of his dear Master's
summons, he was released from his suffering taberna-
cle on the 23d of the Sixth month, following, in the
eighty-third year of his age.

ARTHUE HOWELL.

A RTHUR HOWELL, the son of Joseph and
Hannah Howell, was born in Philadelphia,
Eighth month 20th, 1748. Although he was natur-
ally of a quick, lively turn of mind, by obedience to
the inward teachings of Truth he early knew his own
will brought into subjection, and continuing faithful
to his Heavenly Teacher, he came forth in the ministry
in his minority.

He was acknowledged as a minister by his ^lonthly
Meeting, in the Xinth month, 1779, when but twenty-
one years of age. He was a frequent visitor at neigh-
boring Monthly and Quarterly meetings, and meetings
for discipline, and often had minutes from his Friends
to visit those at a greater distance.

Various circumstances had indicated that he was
often gifted with clear discernment in spiritual things,
and that his ^Master at times favored him with pro-
phetic foresight. The following incident illustrating
this is in accordance with anecdotes told of many

228

ARTHUR HOWELL.

other faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. An
English woman Friend who was in this land on a re-
ligious visit, apprehending the time of release drew
near, went, accompanied by Arthur, on board a vessel
just ready to sail for her native country, to feel if she
would be easy to take her passage in it. Arthur be-
came distressed and agitated, and drawing a circle with
chalk on the deck, said, " I can see, as plainly as I
can see that ring, that this is neither the time, nor the
vessel." The Friend did not take the passage, and the
vessel sailing was never afterward heard of.

In 1793, when the yellow fever prevailed in Phila-
delphia in so alarming a manner that great numbers
of the inhabitants fled from the city, Arthur Howell
deemed it his place to remain, rendering such aid as
was in his power to his afflicted fellow-citizens. One
day, about the middle of the Ninth month, a colored
man, named Benny, called on him, soliciting occupa-
tion in sawing and preparing the winter's wood.

The next morning one of his children, noticing he
seemed very serious as he descended from his cham-
ber, anxiously queried if he were ill? '^No," he
answered, " but Benny is dead." His son asked how
he could say so, as the man had been at their house
only the evening before. Arthur reiterated his con-
viction of the colored man's death, and taking his son
with him, started for his residence. Where Dock Street

ARTHUR HOWELL.

229

now is, in those clays was an open stream, and in a
small hut on its banks, near Second Street, Benny had
been living. Aja they passed along, meeting some
acquaintances, Arthur Howell called to tliem, informed
them of the death, and asked them to accompany him
to the house. On forcing open the door, Benny was
found within, dead. This was one of the last cases of
death from the prevailing fever that year.

In the First month, 1794, Arthur Howell visited
the families of Friends belono-ino; to Haddonfield
Monthly Meeting, and in the Fifth month, 1795,
attended the Yearly Meeting held in the city of New
York, and the Yearly Meeting at Rhode Island.
During the visit to Xew^ York, as he was w^alking one
morning along a street, he felt a strong impulse to go
into a house Jie ^vas passing. The pointing of duty
was so clear, that although he supposed himself a per-
fect stranger to the inmates, he was made willing to
obey ; — he stopped at the door, found it the residence of
an acquaintance from Philadelphia, whose wnfe, a min-
ister, was confined to her chamber, sick in body, and
deeply discouraged in mind. At Arthur's request he
was admitted by her bedside, and was soon dipj^ed into
spiritual sympathy with her. In the arisings of life,
his iiouth was oj^ened, and he had a powerful and
consolatory testimony to deliver to lier, which reach-
ing her spirit in the land of her captivity, was made,
20

230

ARTHUR HOWELL.

through the Lord's blessing, the instrument of awaken-
ing her hope, and quickening her faith. She was com-
forted, and he being relieved from concern on. her ac-
count, passed peacefully on to their Yearly Meeting.

On one occasion a company of young women who
had come from a distance to Philadelphia, and who
were anxious to see whatever was interesting and cu-
rious in it, concluded to step into Friends' Market
Street meeting-house. At the head of the women's
gallery sat a ministering Friend from England, whose
person and attire peculiarly attracted the attention of
one of the strangers, who could not cease looking at
her. Perhaps something of the work of grace might
have been traced by the gazer in the outward attire,
and in the deep solemnity which sat sweetly on the
countenance of the Friend. Some longings after spir-
itual good were awakened in the mind of the young
woman, secretly giving birth to the wish, which she
found herself saying over and over inwardly, " I wish
J was like that lady! I wish J was like that lady!"
While thus engaged, a man of full habit of body and
of a medium height, rose in the gallery, and, in an
energetic manner and sounding voice, spake out,
" Leave off wishing and desiring, and seek for thy-
self! " " How does that gentleman know what I am
thinking about?" said the young woman to herself
Serious thoughtfulness was increased in her. She felt

ARTHUR HOWELL.

231

drawn earnestly to seek after the Truth^ and^ through
the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, found it to her re-
joicing. The young woman became a useful member
of the religious Society of Friends ; the brief preacher
was Arthur Howell.

How fearful is it for any one to be found resisting
the calls of the Lord, refusing obedience to manifested
duty. He waiteth long and is kind, but he will visit
in righteous judgment the backsliding and rebellious.
As Arthur Howell was passing through the market-
house one day, he saw a woman Friend standing with
her back toward him. He did not know her, but
under a sense of duty he came to her, and, placing a
hand on each arm, said, " What art thou doing, stand-
ing with thy arms akimbo in the market ? Go and
preach the Gospel ! This woman had long felt an
impression of duty to appear in the ministry, but she
would not submit to the call of her Divine Master.
Depression of mind followed, and still she refused
obedience. The warning given her by Arthur was
suffered to pass unimproved. After many loud calls
and invitations, her mind became agitated, unsettled,
and at last insane. She was deranged many years;
and this arose, according to her own confession, from
her want of submitting to the commands of Him who,
as our Father in heaven, the Giver of every temporal

232

ARTHUR HOWELL.

and spiritual blessing, has a right to demand obedience
from every soul which he has created.

Many unlooked-for warnings did Arthur give.
Once passing along a street in Philadelphia, he sud-
denly addressed a person who was passing : " Young
man, if thou enterest into that thou art going about, it
will be thy utter ruin ! " The young man was at that
moment planning a speculation into Avhich he was
about entering. The salutation he thus received was
accepted by him as a word of warning; he gave up
his speculation, and soon saw that if he had engaged
in it, temporal ruin would have been the consequence.

One First-day morning, after his own meeting was
over, Arthur felt a sudden but strong impression of
duty to attend the Quarterly Meeting which was to be
held at Salem, New Jersey, the next day. At the
time we are writing of, the Quarterly Meeting of Min-
isters and Elders of that Quarterly Meeting was held
on Seventh-day, two meetings for worship were held
on First-day, the meeting for business on Second-day,
a youths' meeting at Salem on Third-day, and a youths'
meeting at Pilesgrove on Fourth-day. As Arthur
endeavored to weigh the concern, he felt most easy to
attempt to fulfil it, notwithstanding it seemed late to
engage in it. His old friend, Benedict Dorsey, agreed
to accompany him, and they set off for Salem. It was
very late at night before they reached the house of a

ARTHUR HOWELL.

233

Friend who resided near that place, where they pur-
posed to find shelter. The family had all retired to
their chambers ; but being aroused, they quickly gave
the Friends a hearty welcome, and ere long a warm
supper.

The next morning, after breakfast, Arthur was in-
clined to walk, and while passing along, he saw many
Friends collected about a house. A concern now came
upon him, to go in among them. He obeyed his feel-
ings, and after he had saluted them, silence almost
immediately fell upon the group. After a time of
deep exercise, Arthur began to address the owner of
the house, and his wife, with whom he was unac-
quainted, and of whose private history he had had no
hint. He told them from the impressions on his mind
he did believe they were endeavoring to force their
daughter, who was present at tlie interview, to marry
contrary to her inclination. He added, if they should
succeed in their endeavors, it would be the daugh-
ter's ruin, temporally and eternally. So much Divine
power and unction accompanied the ministry, as to
baptize the company into tears ; and some of them —
we have the testimony of an eye-witness — went to
Quarterly Meeting that morning, with eyes bearing
witness of recent strong emotion. This remarkable
communication had a prevailing effect — the match
20*

234

ARTHUR HOWELL,

was broken off — and the young woman was after-,
ward happily married.

In the First month, 1798, Arthur Howell was set
at liberty by his Monthly Meeting to visit Friends in
the middle and western parts of Pennsylvania ; in the
Eleventh month, 1799, to attend meetings in New
Jersey, and some other parts of Philadelphia Yearly
Meeting; in the Tenth month, 1800, in company with
Anne Mifflin and Ruth Richardson, to visit Friends
in Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, and elsewhere;
and in the Second month, 1801, to perform a general
visit to Friends of New Jersey.

On one occasion, after a meeting in New Jersey, he
felt himself drawn to approach a carriage, which,
having received its passengers, was about being driven
away. Looking in, he beheld a woman, and addressed
her in the following words : ^' Thou hast a work to do.
Do it ! and if they knock thee down, get up and go at
it again.'' The woman Friend thus addressed, came
forth in the ministry, in which she labored to an ad-
vanced age.

One bright summer morning, Arthur Howell felt an
impression that some service was required of him out
of the city, but where, or what, was hidden from him.
He mentioned his feelings to some members of his
family, and was encouraged by them to prepare him-
self to start ; the idea suggesting itself to them that

ARTHUR HOWELL.

235

his concern would prove to be for IMerion meeting,
which was held that day. His horse was accordingly
attached to the family chair, or chaise, which was one
of those old-fashioned, roomy vehicles, with one seat,
on which you could stow comfortably about as many
persons as in a modern two-seated carriage. Arthur
took a seat in it, accompanied by his son Israel, and a
vouno- man, named William ^lott. At Arthur's direc-
tion they drove to Fourth Street, turned northward up
it, and as the young men would occasionally inquire,
" Which wav ? " he continued replying in the words,
" Drive on." Thus they proceeded, Arthur yet in the
dark as to where his service might be ; but still his
watchword to the young men was ^' Drive on,'' " Drive
on," till they reached the house of his journeyman,
John Xutts, who lived in Germantown, directly oppo-
site Friends' meeting-house. Stopping the horse, they
alighted, and as they did so, saw a funeral approach-
ino^. The carriao-es were driven into the vard bv
Friends' burial-ground, and Arthur, feeling now a
clear manifestation of duty, followed after, accom-
panied by his two young men. Soon a fire was
kindled within his heart, and a word was put into his
mouth. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord
from henceforth : Yea, saith the spirit, that they may
rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."
This was his text ; and in his communication he set

236

ARTHUR HOWELL.

forth the blessedness of redeemed souls set at liberty
from the shackles of mortality, in energetic language,
and spoke as though this had been the happy experi-
ence of the individual, whether man or woman, he had
no information, whose body was then being consigned
to the earth. When this service was over, Arthur re-
turned in peace to his home.

The next day, when his journeyman, Nutts, came into
the city, he inquired of Arthur if he knew that people
said he was a prophet? Arthur demanded what he
meant. J ohn, by way of reply, informed him, that the
person whose funeral he had attended the day before was
a woman who resided on the Logan estate. Her nephew,
who was under her care, having died, some malicious
person had spread abroad a report that she had caused
the death of the child in order to inherit his property.
The aunt was so affected at hearing this wicked charge,
that her spirits sank, her health became impaired, she
declined in strength, and at last died of a broken
heart. During her season of sickness and sorrow, she
had learned to look to the Lord for comfort, and, in
full faith in the verity of the openings of his Holy
Spirit on her mind, she had declared, when near her
close, that the Lord would, in token of her innocence,
send one of his ministers to preach at her funeral.

Arthur Howell was remarkably nice in his habits.
He was neat in his person, and loved to have every-

ARTHUR HOWELL.

237

thing about him in order and clean. In his leather
store, if the removal of hides, or other causes, brought
dust on the floor, he would take a brush and sweep it
out. His friend, Nicholas Wain, while passing by his
place of business one day, seeing him busily occupied
in this way, called out, " There are sweepers in high
life as well as in low ones, Arthur.'^

In his public ministry, Arthur Howell was peculiar.
His voice was loud, and as he only gave utterance to
a few syllables with each breath, his communications
appeared somewhat abrupt. In this particular he
resembled our late Friend Thomas Shillitoe. He was
peculiarly led to attend the funerals of Friends, and
not many took place in the city among his acquaintr-
ance that he neglected.

The last mfnute he obtained for religious service
from his Monthly Meeting was one in the Ninth month,
1812, setting him at liberty to visit the Western Quar-
terly Meeting and Baltimore Yearly Meeting.

He was now growing in years, and evidently be-
lieved that the time of his release from earthly cares
and troubles drew nigh. He settled all his outward
affairs that could be settled ; and many little incidents
remembered after his departure, gave his friends the
undoubted assurance that he saw his end approaching,
and was making himself ready. He was, as he him-

238

ARTHUR HOWELL.

self expressed to one of his sons^ much weaned from
the world.

On the 24th of First month, 1816, he arose as
usualj but soon complained of indisposition. On the
afternoon of the next day, he appeared extremely ill,
and much oppressed. This oppression continued to
increase, and he expressed a desire to be allowed to
remain perfectly quiet, without being interrupted by
the administration of medicine or of any kind of nour-
ishment. One of his sons asked him how he felt as
respected his future prospects. He replied, calmly,
" There is nothing in my way.'' His physician, Sam-
uel P. Griffitts, added, " That crowns all." His illness
increasing, he rapidly failed in strength, but continued
perfectly sensible to the close, which took place early
on the morning of the 26th, he being in the sixty-
eighth year of his age.

Having been enabled in various ways to administer
to the spiritual and temporal wants of others, his heav-
enly Father richly supplied his needs, and blessed him
with a quiet and peaceful close. Oh, how holy the
faith of those who, having proved that the Lord Jesus
is gracious through the many trials of an obedient and
dedicated life, can rest in quiet, unfaltering confidence
upon his saving mercy in the hour of death ! Thus
died Arthur Howell. He had lived beloved by his
intimates, respected by the community in which he

ARTHUR HOWELL.

239

dwelt. His funeral was largely attended by the mem-
bers of the religious Society he belonged to, and by a
very large concourse of his fellow-citizens, who gath-
ered without ostentation or parade, in the deep feeling
of a public loss.

WILLIAM JACKSON.

A MONG those members of the Society of Friends
in Ireland who, about 1720, had their minds
turned to the consideration of removing to America,
was Isaac Jackson. He had a family of children
growing up around him, and his thoughts were often
upon them and their future settlement in life. He did
not wish to take them to a new country, even though,
it offered many advantages over those they could hope
for where they were, unless it should be according to
the will of his heavenly Father. Both he and his
wife had this subject much on their minds, being deeply
exercised that they might know what their duty in this
matter was. While Isaac was still undecided, and his
mind full of earnest thought, he was favored with a
remarkable dream, which he believed was providential,
and which had the effect of convincing him that his
removal to America was in the ordering, and would
be with the approbation of Him who still leads his
humble, dependent children, even in temporals, in the

240

WILLIAM JACKSON.

241

paths wherein they sliould go. The dream is thus
described in the record made of this circumstance by
one of Isaac's descendants :

^' While Isaac and his wife were under exercise and
concern of mind about so weighty an undertaking, and
desirous that best Wisdom should direct, Isaac had a
dream or vision to this import : That having landed
with his family in America, he travelled a considerable
distance back into the country, until he came to a val-
ley, through which ran a pretty stream of water. The
prospect and situation of the place seemed pleasant —
a hill rising on the north, and a fine spring issuing near
its foot; and in his dream he thought that there he
and his family must settle, though [it was] then a wil-
derness and unimproved.'^

This dream seemed accompanied by a Divine unc-
tion, which satisfied him that it was right for him to
remove to America, and in 1725 he came over to
Pennsylvania. Soon after his arrival, he went into
the country to seek for a place wherein he and his
family might settle. In the course of his travel he
came to the house of Jeremiah Starr, a Friend, who,
in 1720, had settled in the wilderness in that part of
Chester County known now as Londongrove Township.
During conversation at this Friend's house, Isaac re-
hited his dream ; and when he had described the beau-
tiful spring, the uprising hill behind it, the lovely
21

242

WILLIAM JACKSON.

valley spreading out before it — which even the forest
which clothed it could not hide — he was told that a
spot just such as he described was near by. In the
words of the account from which we have already
quoted, " He soon Avent to see it, which, to his admi-
ration, so closely resembled what he had a foresight of,
that it was cause of gratitude and humble thankful-
ness."

He purchased the spot, and there, in Harmony Val-
ley, his descendants reside at this present day. The
valley spreads out now in beautiful greenness, and the
pure water of that spring continues as refreshing as in
the day when it bubbled out in the shade of the pri-
meval forest.

The labor of Isaac Jackson, and his son William, a
young man about twenty years old at the time of theii
removal to Pennsylvania, soon caused the hidden
beauties of the spot they had chosen, to become ap-
parent to the most careless 2:)asser-by. A portion of
the valley Avas quickly stripped of its timber, and
grass and grain soon covered the earth with verdure —
the noble spring was opened out to day, and its Avaters
sparkled in the bright sunlight, as the old overhang-
ing trees were felled. A dAvelling in Avhich, although
elegance was Avanting, yet content found a resting-
place, w?^ speedily erected, and beneath its sheltering
roof the father and mother, although possessing little

WILLIAM JACKSON.

243

wealth, except their lovely farm, lived in peace, enjoy-
ing all necessary comforts. This Isaac Jackson ^as
a s:randfather of the William Jackson mentioned
below.

William Jackson, the youngest son of William and
Catharine Jackson, was born in Londongrove Town-
ship, Chester County, on the 14th of Seventh month,
1746. His honest - hearted parents endeavored to
bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord, restraining him from evil, and leading him, as
ability was received from above, into the way of
Truth. In after life he felt and expressed his thank-
fulness for the care bestowed upon him by his parents,
and referred to the beneficial eifects resulting from
their labors.

Toward the xylose of the Ninth month, 1754, Samuel
Fothergill, who had come to America on a religious
visit, and John Churchman, who had been to England
on a similar errand, arrived in the Delaware River.
John Churchman passed directly to his home at East
Nottingham, and after a month or two, Samuel Fother-
gill came out through Chester County, being on his way
to attend some of the meetings in the southern and
western parts of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. He,
Avith John Churchman, held an aj)pointed meeting
somewhere near the dwelling of the elder William
Jackson, and his young son William, then eight years

244

WILLIAM JACKSON.

old, ran to the place along with others of the family
who were going. The house in which the meeting
was held was probably crowded, for William, in de-
scribing the occurrence, said, " They pushed me in,
that they might not lose me, and being where I saw
the strangers, their solemn appearance and communica-
tions made lasting impressions.'' Samuel Fothergill
in the course of his ministry dwelt much on the
Saviour, and his miraculous birth, and the heart of the
young child was open to receive the truth as it is in
Jesus. The ministry of that day relative to the Lord
Jesus, his conception and birth, " fixed," William
said, "the belief immovably in my mind; — which
shows the necessity of making right impressions on
children's minds early."

As William Jackson continued faithful to the in-
ward manifestations of the Lord's directing, illuminat-
ing grace, he grew in the knowledge of the Truth to
the stature of a young man in Christ Jesus. A gift
in the ministry of the Gospel of life and salvation was
committed to him, and his public exercises being
weighty and savory, were acceptable to his friends.
It was about the year 1775 that he first appeared as a
minister. In that same year he accompanied that
father in the Truth, John Churchman, in his last
journey on religious service.

The following memorandum, found in William

WILLIAM JACKSON.

245

Jackson's handwriting, bearing date Second month,
1775, has doubtless reference to the exercises he was
passing through to fit him for the ministry. " Having
for some months in the beginning of this winter felt
the refining hand to work mightily upon me, and be-
lieving it to be for some good end, a prayer was often
formed in my heart : ^ Thou knowest, O Lord, for
what end thou thus dealest with me ; grant me, there-
fore, patience, and to my soul a place of quiet, that I
may wait to know the end/ " From other notes made
by him about this time, it ajjpears that he had many
baptisms to pass through in view of the awful work
to which he believed himself called.

His ministry was sound in doctrine, and his deliv-
ery was clear and forcible. The matter was good, and
the manner characterized by simplicity and solemnity.
He was recommended as a minister in the Second
month, 1776, and was soon engaged to travel abroad
in the work of the ministry.

In 1778 he married Hannah, daughter of Thomas
and Hannah Seaman, of "Westbury, Long Island, to
which place he removed, residing there about two
years.

Of his Gospel labors while a member of New York
Yearly Meeting, we find no account preserved. He
returned to Pennsylvania in 1790, and a certificate for
himself and wife was accepted by New Garden

21 *

246

WILLIAM JACKS OK

Monthly Meeting in that year. At the time of her
removal from Long Island, Hannah Jackson stood in
the station of elder. She had been carefully and
religiously trained in early life, and, through the bless-
ing of the Lord's Holy Spirit, and humble obedience
on her part, the watchful care bestowed on her had not
been lost. The memorial issued concerning her and
her husband says, that her father, " being concerned to
train up his children in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord, in the frequent reading of the Holy
Scriptures and the writings of our primitive Friends,
in the diligent attendance of religious meetings, and
the practice of frequently sitting together in silence to
wait for the renewal of strength, her mind was pre-
pared to embrace the early visitations of Truth ; and
by yielding obedience to the gradual unfoldings of the
Divine counsel, she became qualified for usefulness in
the church, and was, at an early period of life, ap-
pointed to the station of elder. In this situation, the
integrity of her life, and the sweetness of her spirit,
brought her into near unity with her Friends ; but a
further dispensation being plotted her, she passed
through various humiliating exercises, and was thereby
prepared to engage in the important work of the min-
istry."

Having received a gift in the ministry of the Gos-
pel, and, under the fresh puttings forth and qualifying

WILLIAM JACKS OX.

247

influence of the Holy Spirit, having made full proof
of her calling, she was, in the Sixth month, 1792,
recommended as a minister by New Garden Monthly
Meeting. The comforts which William now expe-
rienced in his happy home did not prevent him from
the faithful performance of his religious duties. He
continued earnestly endeavoring to fulfil all the re-
quirings of his blessed Saviour, whose providential
mercies had crowned his life with blessings. His
Gospel labors for several succeeding years appear to
have been extensive in Philadelphia, Xew York, and
New England Yearly Meetings, but no particular
description of his services has come under notice.
From the account received, it appears he was enabled
to move under the puttings forth of the Lord's Spirit,
and was favored with his holy help from day to day.
In the simplicity of the Truth, and by plain, honest
integrit}^, he advocated the cause of his blessed blaster,
and was enabled to adorn, by a circumspect life, and
conversation, the doctrine which he delivered to others.

His Master now called for further dedication at his
hands, and in the Second month, 1802, he opened to
the Friends of his Monthly ^Meeting a prospect of a
religious visit to Friends in Great Britain and Ireland,
which had for some years rested on his mind. Much
unity was expressed by his Friends with this concern,
and his ^Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and the

248

WILLIAM JACKSON.

Yearly Meeting of IMinisters and Elders liberated him
for that service.

After an unpleasant voyage, during which he suf-
fered much from sickness, on the 27th of Eighth
month, the ship Mars, on which he was a passenger,
reached her place in the dock at Liverpool, and soon
after James Cropper and James Ryely came on board.
William says, " It did my heart good to see the faces
of Friends ; my heart filled my eyes." James Crop-
per kindly invited William to go to his house, which
invitation was accepted. He was kindly welcomed by
his host's wife, and William says " her cordial recep-
tion, attentive, tender care, and good nursing, made it a
comfortable retreat. [It was] a satisfactory home dur-
ing my stay in this great town."

We extract the following from a letter to his wife,
written a few days after his landing.

" Last Fourth-day evening came dear Richard J or-
dan,to my lodging. Grateful [the being together] was
to us both. Next day [we were] at meeting. Oh ! it
was a most precious season to me, as [it was] also to
him, when on the bended knees of both soul and body,
he had to petition the Father on my behalf. In truth,
I could say as holy Paul did at a certain time, ' God
that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted
us by the coming of Titus.' So have I been comforted

WILLIAM JACKSON.

249

by llie coming of dear Richard ! We have been com-
forted in one another, and in the Lord Jesus Christ."

Doubtless at that meeting Richard was favored, as
he often was, with a powerful manifestation of Divine
Grace, in the exercise of his gift. There are those
now living who can remember divers occasions wherein
meetings have been baptized under his ministry, into
such a holy, such an awful solemnity, that it seemed
as if all present felt, and were tendered. On some
such occasions, with such weight and authority did he
utter the Gospel promises, that they appeared to come
with fresh power, and as new offers of mercy, then first
made to poor sinners from the Fountain of love. The
fathers and mothers in the Truth, as well as the babes
and sucklings, at such times were animated and made
glad, through the extendings of Divine Grace.*

On the 12th day of the Twelfth month, 1797, in the
authority of Truth — in the power and prevalence of
Gospel love, Richard J ordan thus preached the Word
at the North Meeting-house in this city, and old and
young, the learned and unlearned in the school of
Christ, felt the precious influence. When he sat down,
Samuel Emlen, that venerable minister of the Gospel
— that prophet and seer — that true-hearted lover of
the Lord Jesus Christ, animated by the participations

* A journal of the life and labors of this eminent minister of the
Gospel has been published. See also Friends' Library, ^roi, xiii.

250

WILLIAM JACKS OK

of the spiritual food which had been blessed by the
Master, and distributed by the servant, rose and ex-
claimed, "I have been made to rejoice in the Lord,
this day, for the offers of his salvation."

In the course of this visit William Jackson rode
to Peter Price's, near Neath, in Wales. He says:
"Having been much unwell the evening and night
before, this was a hard day's work, thirty-two miles.
Here I had to tarry for some days."

Of this friend, Peter Price, with whom William
Jackson was comfortably resting for a few days, the
following interesting circumstance is given in a letter
from a Friend who travelled in England on a religious
visit some years since.

" We came from thence into Glamorganshire, to the
house of our dear worthy friend, Hannah Price. She
is a minister, and in her eighty-sixth year. Her son
Joseph is an elder. They are altogether a lovely
family, and reminded me of the ^household of Nar-
cissus,' and of ^ Grandmother Lois.' The family re-
late a very remarkable circumstance which took place
with Peter Price, their father, Hannah Price's hus-
band. He was the son of a very rigid Koman Catholic
widow, and at the age of fifteen, he and a sister were
both taken ill of a fever. The sister died, and was
buried. He too, as the family thought, was dead, but
the doctor said there were symptoms about him which

WILLIAM JACKS Oy.

251

seemed to indicate some glimmerings of life; and
although the family several times prepared to lay him
out, jet the doctor would still say he would rather
they would defer his interment ; and in that way they
kept him for thirty days ! On the night before his
revival, his mother felt impressed with the wish to
place a small loaf of baker's bread near him, and in
the morning when she came into his chamber, he was
up, and the small loaf Avas gone. He afterward mani-
fested very little uneasiness, except hunger ; and when
he alluded to his sister, they told him that she had
been taken to her uncle's, for the doctor had desired
them not to tell him of her death. ^ Ah ! ' said he,
* she is not there, for I saw her in heaven ! '

"He could not be persuaded to tell them what he
had seen while Jie lay in that state, only that he had
seen heaven and hell. He said it was too awful for
him to describe. When arrived at manhood, he went
over to America, but when the war commenced, he
felt that he must not fioht, and so returned to Ens:-
land. Soon after he became acquainted with Friends,
joined the Society, and was always a very serious and
exemplary character. He told his family that he in-
tended to leave in writing, what he had seen, while he
lay in that state of seeming death ; but he was taken
so suddenly ill, that it was not in his power to write.
When he w^as expiring, the room w-as so filled with

252

mLLIAM JACKSON.

melody, that his family thought their servants were
singing a hymn, and sent to see, but there was no such
thing, and the sweet melody continued, to the utter
astonishment of all in the chamber; so that such a
saint might well leave a family of faith behind him.''
We have not the means of following William Jack-
son through the various religious engagements of his
after life. He appears to have kept no journal, and no
letters of his writing after his return from Europe
have come to hand. He visited many meetings within
our own, and the Yearly Meetings of Virginia and
Maryland, and in 1824, attended the Yearly Meetings
of New York and New England. " In these various
engagements, his edifying ministry and solid, circum-
spect deportment obtained the cordial approbation of
Friends, and rendered his memory precious to many
of those among whom he travelled. When at home,
he was exemplary in the diligent and timely attend-
ance of religious meetings. His appearances there. in
the ministry were not very frequent, but carried with
them the seal and evidence of Truth. As he bore a
faithful testimony in his own practice in favor of plain-
ness in dress and the furniture of his house, so he was
frequently concerned to recommend it to others, being
often deeply pained with the departure of many among
us from primitive simplicity. The ancient testimony
of the Society to live within the bounds of our circum-

WILLIAM JACKS OX.

253

stances, and to avoid engaging in hazardous enterprises
to the disturbance of our own tranquillity and the-en-
dangering of the property of others, lay very near to
his heart, often advising his friends, and particularly
those who were just setting out in life, to make their
wants few, and thus avoid the danger of being driven
to doubtful or improper expedients to supply them."

"William and Hannah had, in their old age, two
girls living with them, who were wont to accompany
them to meeting, leaving the house to take care of
itself during their absence. On one Fifth-day, a young
man going late to meeting, saw that the roof of Wil-
liam's dwelling was on fire. He hurried to the meet-
ing-house, and, opening the door, said, William
Jackjon's house is on fire ! " The meeting rose in a
body, and while the men ran down to the dwelling,
the women followed as fast as they conveniently could.
William and his wife were too aged to be hurried ;
he must get his horse, and get his beloved Hannah
behind him, before he could start, and that took time.
They found that the activity of their loving friends
had succeeded in arresting the flames, and after a time
spent in clearly ascertaining that the fire was all ex-
tinguished, the whole body of Friends returned the
half-mile to the meeting-house, and, taking their seats,
held their usual meeting. The members of some fam-
ilies who had been left at home that dav wondered
22

254

WILLIAM JACKSON.

much what could have detained Friends at meeting an
hour Liter than usuaL

Some time before his decease he found himself dis-
eased, and suffered much at seasons ; yet he was some-
times able to attend his own meeting, and was favored
to minister in Gospel authority therein. At one time
seeing a number of young people at the meeting, his
heart seemed to yearn over them in a peculiar manner,
and he repeated the patriarch Jacob's benediction :
" God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac
did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto
this day — the angel which redeemed me from all evil,
bless the lads." The solemnity with which this was
uttered, made a deep impression on many of those in
attendance.

During his decline he made many remarks showing
the soundness of his Christian principles, rnd his love
for the simplicity of the Truth. He told those about
him of a legacy which a Friend had left his children.
The legacy was to this effect :

"Let your wants be few,
Then a little will do."

In commenting on it, he said he found it true.

Being asked if he had any pain, he answered, "No;
^ but the end of all things is at hand : ' yet hope is an
anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast. I often

WILLIAM JACKSON.

255

feel more [desire] than I can express, that the youth
may walk in truth and righteousness."

In speaking of an aged friend ^y]\o had been removed
from the trials of time, he said, " ' The righteous per-
isheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and merciful men
are taken away, none considering that the righteous is
taken away from the evil to come.' We know not the
vahie of our friends until we lose them." He after-
ward added : " I plainly see that if ever Friends are
a true Society again, they must come through suffering
into primitive simplicity, as in former days. Though
the present generation may think themselves wiser
than our forefathers, yet they cannot experience the
same joy in the Holy Ghost, which they did, unless
they practise their abstinence." He then expressed a
deep concern for some of his connections, and his
desire that they might know the truth in themselves,
as it is in Jesus. And especially the parents, for their
dear children's sake, and bearing in mind, " all must
die." His mind had evidently been travailing on be-
half of some who he feared were in danger of infi-
delity, and he added, " Holy men of old, spake and
wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. What
was written aforetime, was ^T:'itten for our learning,
that we, through patience and comfort of the Scrip-
ture might have hope. As he spake by the mouth of

256

WILLIAM JACKSON.

his holy prophets, which have been since the world
began

A Friend bidding him farewell, William, in allusion
to their taking leave again of each other, sweetly said,
" I expect every time to be the last. Death has no
sting, neither the grave any terror. I shall soon be
cold. Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou re-
turn."

He at one time said, that his mother's advice to him
was, not to talk too much, nor to laugh too much, but
to take his father for an example, and walk as he did.
He then referred to his father's dying direction relative
to a plain coffin, and said that the mechanic who made
it had expressed his desire that every person were like
the deceased.

Hannah Jackson, who had been enabled to wait on
and minister to the comfort of her beloved husband
during most of his illness, toward the close of his life,
began to fail rapidly, and deceased Twelfth month
25th, 1833, aged about eighty-five years. The be-
reaved husband, by the remains of his beloved com-
panion, was enabled to say, " Peace — peace be to him
that is far off, and to him that is near. Peace to the
Israel of God ! and that he believed that she had
witnessed this through life.

On one occasion, speaking of faith and hope in God,
William Jackson said, " I may say they have been my

WILLIAM JACKSON.

257

great stay through life, even from my youth up ; or,
in ot jer words, they were my guide and stay in youth,
mv strength in manhood, and now, in my old age, a
support to me — a staff for me to lean on." Toward
his close, he expressed his anxiety for the spread of
simplicity and plainness in his own immediate neigh-
borhood, where he had lived for nearly ninety years,
and which he was about to leave, expressing a hope
that his neighbors might yet be united in simplicity
and true holiness, meetins; too:ether with one accord
and under the influence of one Spirit.

At another time he alluded to the necessity of en-
deavoring always to keep a sound mind. Then, after
being silent awhile, he added, The time is near when
those who wish to walk in the Truth as it is in Jesus,
will meet with great trials."

He continued alive to the best interests of others to
the close. One day, hearing those about him speak of
a vouno; man who had o-iven evidence of a chang-e of
heart, having become concerned to dress more simply,
and who had spoken in meeting, the account fairly
animated this lover of the Lord Jesus and sincere
laborer for the Truth. Thus, with his sj^iritual facul-
ties alive, and the love of God sweetly flowing within
him, he waited patiently till his close came. Tlie
Lord Jesus, whom he had loved and served in his
measure through his long life, Wiis near to support
22*

258

WILLIAM JACKSON-.

him through the valley and shadow of death, and to
give him the victory over the last enemy. In the
hope and faith of the Gospel, he quietly and peace-
fully resigned his spirit to him who gave it] on the
10th of First month, 1834, in the eighty-eighth year
of his age.

Of him and his beloved Hannah it may truly be
said, they were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and
in death were not long divided.

PETER YARNALL.

rVS the ITth day of the Fifth month, 1772, at Spring-
^ field, Pennsylvania, a group of mourning chil-
dren was gathered around the death-bed of ^lordecai
Yarnall. All the children of that ancient minister of
the Gospel were with him except his two sons, Mor-
decai and Peter, who, in the wildness of youth and the
wickedness of an un subjected will, had departed from
the advice of their father — had disregarded his whole-
some admonitions, his Christian counsel, his secret and
public prayers for them — and had both of them joined
the army. Their conduct, with other causes of grief,
was depressing the spirit of the good old man, and
bringing down his gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
The life of the dying man had been one of early ded-
ication to the Lord's service, and, though encompassed
with outward trials and afflictions, he was not forsaken
now. Two of the lambs committed to him, to train
and lead forward to the heavenly fold, had widely and
sorrowfully wandered; but he had endeavored to do

260

PETER YARNALL.

what he could for them, and, no doubt, felt that assur-
ance of the Lord's merciful visitations to their souls,
which brought him hope for them even now they were
as prodigals, far — far from the mansion of sjDiritual
plenty and peace.

Mordecai Yarnall had been, early in life, called to
the ministry, and was fervent and faithful therein.
His labors were abundant in America, different parts
of which he often visited; and he paid a short but
very acceptable visit to Friends in England in 1757
and 1758. While on his way thither, the vessel he
was in was taken by the French, and he was carried a
captive among a people of strange language. He was,
however, soon released, and permitted to cross the
Channel to his allotted field of labor. While Mor-
decai was endeavoring to fulfill his duty in England,
Samuel Fothergill, sympathizing with the bereaved
wife in America, wrote a letter to Mary Yarnall, of
which we give an extract : " I early felt with thee, and
for thee, when he was suffered to fall into the hands
of unreasonable men; but He whom thy dear hus-
band served, set bounds to their wrath, and vouch-
safed a speedy deliverance. And why may we not
suppose the Lord of the harvest perfectly wise, in now
and then lighting a candle in these lands where dark-
ness prevails? It is, doubtless, consistent with his
sovereignty and goodness who would bless the utmost

PETER TARKALL.

261

borders of his ample empire, and make the place of
his feet glorious.'^ . . . ^^I remember, and at this
time it is fresh with me, that in my honorable father's
absence — he being in your land — the humbling, con-
verting Hand effectually prevailed with me, to em-
brace the day of his visitation. And my heart is
anxious that you, the beloved offspring of the Lord\s
servant, may be enriched with the same blessing, and
that you may give up your names to be inserted
in the roll of the Lord's servants, which is the
Lamb's book of Life. For this his prayers ascend,
who, having proved the service of the Most High,
has found it to be freedom and perfect liberty. May
a holy union of spirit unite the whole together, that
you may availingly follow after those things which
make for your p^ace ; and may innocent hands be put
up to the Almighty for a beloved father's return to
you in safety, and with sheaves in his bosom."

Peter Yarnall was bound apprentice to a Friend in
Philadelphia, who was a tanner and currier ; but his
master soon after declining business, the youth was
placed with another Friend following the same occu-
pation, within the limits of Uwchlan Monthly Meet-
ing. As Peter grew up toward manhood, his fine
talents, liberal education, pleasant manners, and great

■5^ This letter, with others of that highly gifted minister of Christ,
is published in the " Memoirs of the Life of Samuel Fothergill.*'
See, also, Friends' Library, voL ix.

262

PETER YARNALL.

powers of mimicry made him a favorite with the
young. Pride took deep hold of him, and although,
when about eighteen years of age, he was deemed reli-
giously thoughtful, yet the serious feelings were not of
long duration. He was proud ; he could not, or would
not bear reproof, or aught that seemed disparaging
to his dignity. Exasperated by treatment which he
had received at the hands of his master, he suddenly
left his employ, went to New York or its neighbor-
hood, and there enlisted as a soldier. Exulting in his
freedom from his former yoke, he soon wrote to his
father, explaining where he was, but manifesting no
desire to be released from his military servitude. It
was not long, however, before he found that the free-
dom he now possessed was slavery itself compared to
his former mild restraints. But pride was in the way
of an immediate acknowledgment of error.

The heart-afflicted father, when he knew the situa-
tion of Peter, came into Philadelphia, and sought to
interest his friends there, in behalf of his high-minded,
misguided boy. That meek disciple, John Pemberton,
who honored Mordecai Yarnall through all the period
of his adversity, who loved him truly in these his days
of affliction — for the father's sake, and for the Lord
Jesus Christ's sake, became earnestly watchful to pro-
mote the welfare of the son. While Mordecai was in
the city — bowed down under sorrow of heart, he

PETER YARXALL. 263

attended tlie ^larket Street meeting, and therein spoke
this language : ^Manv are the afflictions of the right-
eous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them aH/^
His own^ time of release drew near. As sickness
wasted his strength, all his children but Mordecai and
Peter were with him to receive his blessing, and min-
ister to his comfort. A short time before his death, in
a sense of the Lord's unfailing mercies, he thus ad-
di'essed those around him :

I believe it to be my duty, as it was a command
given to Israel of old, [diligently to teach his chil-
dren,] to tell of the loving-kindness of God to my
soul, during my pilgrimage on earth; that, tln'ough
the various changes it has been • my lot to meet with
here, I have ever had a refuge to flee to. And though
I have sometimes iiad to think how nearly I have been
tried, even in great tribulation, when in the hands of
the enemy, and separated from the near and dear con-
nections in life — yet I had foith to believe, that the
same Divine hand which had been with me, and led
me safely through the peril of deep waters, would still
continue with me to the end ; and my confidence was
so firmly fixed in him, that he never suffered me once
to fail. I always thought I should not want; and
have now reason to believe I never shall. He that
hath been my Alpha, will be my Omega.

" And my desire is, that you, my dear cliildren, may

264 PETER YARKALL.

steadfastly place your trust and confidence in that same
Power which has preserved me; — that the days of
your youth may be devoted to his service. Though
many may be the close trials that you will have to
meet with, in passing along thi'ough this world, I have
to say for your encouragement, that he will never for-
sake them that trust in him. He that hath delivered
out of six troubles, will not leave in the seventh.
Therefore, let not your dependence be on anything
which this world can afford ; but in Him alone ; and
He that is the guide of your youth, will become a staff
for you to lean upon in your advau(ied age."

Thus was this ancient laborer sustained in faith at
the approach of death, and thus, he could comfort
others with the same consolation, wherewith his God,
in trials and distresses, had comforted him. He died
in peace ; — and by his bedside, as the spirit departed,
and by the open grave which had received the clay
tabernacle wherein he had dwelt, there was felt that
calming presence of his Divine Master, sealing the as-
surance on the minds of those assembled, that he had
escaped from all sorrow, and had entered into perfect
rest.

Peter Yarnall soon grew weary of his position in
the army. Before the death of his father he wrote two
letters to John Pemberton, expressing his regret for
the course he had taken, and asking that the influence

PETER ViRXALL.

265

of Friends might be used to obtain his release. John
Pemberton took no direct notice of these letters, but
through the agency of a Friend in New York, took
some steps to obtain the discharge of both Mordecai
• and Peter from the army. After the death of his
father, Peter again wrote to John Pemberton, who re-
plied to him in an honest, plain-dealing letter, which
was preserved by Peter through all his subsequent de-
viations from the paths of righteoiLsness, in his wan-
derings by sea and land. One passage in the letter is
as follows : " I wish thy mind may become so humbled,
and thy spirit contrited, that thou may experience
greater degrees of light and favor, after having passed
through the righteous judgments of the Lord, because
thou hast transgressed his holy laws, and run counter
to the conviction^ of his grace. I much wish to see
some one, and indeed all the offspring of thy worthy
father, tread in his steps, and become ornaments of our
holy profession.'' *

Soon after receiving this letter, Peter Yarnall ob-
tained, through the efforts of John Pemberton, a dis-
charge from the army.

Although Peter had not submitted to Divine grace,

■-'John Pemberton auJ his elder brothers Israel and James,
were prominent and influential members of civil and religious so-
ciety, and during the American Revolution, suffered much for
their conscientious testimony against war. A Life of the foi-mer
has been published. See Friends' Library, vol vi.
23

266

PETER YARNALL.

so as to q lalify him to walk in the way of holiness,
with fear and Christian circumspection, yet a sense of
gratitude to his benefactor led him to take his advice.
He went at his recommendation to live with Stacy
Potts, at Trenton, with whom he remained until he
was twenty-one years of age, when he removed to
German town, and worked as a journeyman tanner.
He followed that business, however, for a very short
time : being encouraged to study medicine, he ob-
tained a situation in the Pennsylvania Plospital.
Here he found time, even in the midst of his medical
pursuits, to peruse the writings of our early Friends,
and some of his visitors entertained strong hope that
his mind was becoming more seriously and thought-
fully engaged for his own everlasting good. These
hopes were premature. The war of the Revolution
coming on, and the American army being scantily sup-
plied with medical men, an opportunity was opened
for young students of medicine, to obtain employ-
ment, experience, and preferment. Peter Yarnall was
anxious for all these, and his vague admiration for the
principles of peace, truth, and righteousness, exercised
little restraint on his actions. He entered the army
as a surgeon's mate, early in 1776, and in the summer
of that year was stationed at Fort Washington, on the
Hudson. Being now thrown among irreligious men,
he gave full play to his evil propensities, and was in

PETER YARKALL.

267

the habit of gross wickedness, particularly nf profane
swearing.

Although Peter was now, to justify his own course,
disposed to condemn Friends and their principles, yet
the remembrance of John Pemberton's labors of love
on his account, and of the affability and kindness with
which Samuel Emlen still continued to greet him when
they met, exercised at times a salutary restraint on his
tongue, and, as he acknowledged, prevented him from
abusing the Society, as he would otherwise have done.
We will not follow him in his various j^osts of labor,
but briefly state that in the Seventh month, 1778,
being in poor health, he obtained a discharge from the
army. He now prosecuted his medical studies, and
obtained a diploma, dated the 10th of Second month,
1779. The next'day he embarked on board the Dela-
ware, Captain Barry, sailing under a letter of marque,
and bound to the West Indies, to seize on all English
trading vessels they might meet. They were success-
ful in this .robbery, and had prize money, the price of
blood and of outrage, to distribute. What character
could be found less resembling that of Mordecai
Yarnall, meek, humble, and hopeful, as he approached
the grave, than his son at this period of his life ? The
father had believed in, and preached Christ Jesus, as
the Saviour and sanctifier of men — the Prince of
Peace, full of mercy toward all — and had been

268

PETER YARNALL.

engaged, for his dear Master's sake, to press on men
the necessity of holiness, of living in love, of doing
unto others as they would have others do unto them.
The son, actively engaged in robbery, in legalized
murder, in doing deeds of wickedness, speaking words
of profanity, and in enticing others by example into
acts of evil. But the mercy of the INIost High was
not yet exhausted toward him ; a raving visitation Avas
yet to come upon his poor soul.

During the continuance of the war, as Peter Yarnall
was riding up the valley of the Schuylkill, on a First-
day morning, he found a number of persons collected
round a house, and on inquiring the cause, was in-
formed that it was a place of worship, and the minis-
ter had not come to preach for them according to en-
gagement. Peter, perhaps, was dressed in black; at
least, from his dress, the company supposed him to be
a preacher, and on his being questioned if he was not,
he did not disclaim the office. He was then invited
to address them that day. Having a great share of
self-confidence, and a retentive memory, he did not
hesitate to accept the offer ; — and this wicked man,
this profane swearer, this scoffer at religion, undertook
to preach of repentance, of purity, of peace! So
pleased were the hearers with his eloc|uent language,
and good sentiments, that they pressed him to become
a stated minister for them. They detected not the

PETER YARNALL.

269

hollowness of the language uttered, which came from
the intellect and memory, unseasoned with spiritual
unction, unaccompanied with the baptizing power of
the true ministry of the Gospel of life and salvation.
Where the hearers are rightly brought to wait on the
great Minister of the sanctuary, Christ Jesus, the ever-
lasting Teacher of his own people, they will be bur-
dened by that which is offered as ministry without life
and power, let the counterfeit be ever so perfect, let
the outside appearance be ever so conformable to the
truth.

An interesting anecdote illustrating this, is told by
our ancient Friend, Richard Davies. He was in the
city of London on a First-day, and being unwell,
could not go to the morning meeting. Indeed, he was
so weak as scarcely to have strength to rise out of bed.
Notwithstanding his condition, when the time for the
afternoon meeting came, he believed it would be his
duty to attend that held at the " Bull and Mouth."
The Friend, with whom he lodged, thought him un-
able to accomplish his prospect, but Richard said he
would go as far as he could. The Friend accompanied
him, and they reached the house, but not until after
the meeting had gathered. Richard thus describes
what followed : " As we went through the passage
to go in, I heard a voice that I Avas satisfied was not
the voice of a true shepherd, the meeting being already
23*

270

PETER YARN-ALL.

gathered, and many people there. "When I went up
to the gallery, one was preaching of perfection, who
said, ' Be ye perfect, as your heavenly Father -is per-
fect,' etc. I stayed to hear him but a very little while,
till I stood up and judged him, and told the people
that the kingdom of God stood not in words, but in
power, righteousness, and holiness. Then the man
went in a rage out of the meeting, and a considerable
company followed him. . . . We heard afterward,
there was a wager laid, that this man, who was a
Jesuit, would preach in the Quakers' meeting, and that
he should not be discovered ; and had he gone without
reproof, they would say, that a Jesuit preached in the
Quakers' meeting, and that they could not discern
him. . . . We have cause to bless the Lord for his
goodness to his people, that gives them a discerning
spirit to judge between good and evil, and between
those that serve God in truth and righteousness, and
all deceitful hypocrites, who are to be judged and con-
demned by the word of his power."

After his privateering career was over, Peter Yar-
nall settled down to his profession, attending the
practice of the Pennsylvania Hospital, in physic and
surgery, daring one year; and was then appointed
apothecary to the institution; the duties of which
station he discharged with the strictest attention and
fidelity.

PETER YABNALL.

271

At this period, while on an excursion with some
young persons toward Virginia, Peter was taken ill
near the^ Susquehanna River, and being unable to pro-
ceed with them, was there left. Here, while death
seemed to stare him in the face, the sins of his past
life came up before him, and profitable impressions
were made upon him, which were not afterward en-
tirely effaced. Nevertheless, on the return of health,
it does not appear that any marked change for the bet-
ter was immediately apparent, and this visitation also
of the love of God to his soul, seemed as though it
Avould pass away, like the early dew or the morning
cloud, leaving no trace.

On the 11th day of the Fourth month, 1780, Mor-
decai YarnalFs last wife was buried at Springfield;
after which a public meeting was held. Among those
gathered on that solemn occasion, was her stepson,
Peter, clothed in his uniform as a surgeon in the army.
There were other wild young men present, and among
the rest, Timothy ]Matlack, Jr. Samuel Emlen in that
meeting was clothed with an earnest concern for the
eternal well-being of some of those assembled. He
quoted the passage from Jeremiah, " Weep ye not for
the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him
that goeth away : for he shall return no more, nor see
his native country.'^ He also rehearsed the words of
Ezra, Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of

272

PETER YARNALL.

Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God,
to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little
ones, and for all our substance. For I was jJshamed
to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen
to help us against the enemy in the way, because we
had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our
God is upon all them for good that seek him ; but his
power and his wrath is against all them that forsake
him/'

Clothed upon with Gospel authority and power,
Samuel addressed those present, dividing the word
given to him with proj^hetic discernment and heart-
tendering power. Various were the states he ad-
dressed, and his heart was turned with love and
ardent solicitude toward the wayward son of his old
friend and father in the truth, Mordecai Yarnall, who
was yet apparently wandering in the path of sinful
indulgence, which leads down to the chambers of
death. He said he had often been led to labor with
one present, in public and in private, with no benefi-
cial effect ; that now there was a renewed visitation of
mercy to the soul of that sinner, and if the present
offers of grace were not accepted, no others would be
made ; but, in his sins and transgression, the wanderer
from the father's fold would soon be cut off!

This testimony reached the heart of the young man,
and he felt that part of it which was for him. Never-

PETER YARXALL.

273

fcheless, that very afternoon, being with a company of
young men, most of whom were his relations, he was
led to display his power of mimicry and of memory,
by repeating the discourse of Samuel Emlen, and imi-
tating his gestures and tones. As he delivered the
sermon, whenever a passage occurred which he thought
suitable for any of the young men, he would tell them
so. At last he came to the awful warning to one of
a fresh and a last visitation of Divine mercy. As he
said, Xow this is for none of you, it is for myself,"
his gayety of manner departed, and he became much
affected. The day closed, and Peter returned to the
city. He entered on his usual avocations, but he had
that working: ^s ithin him that oave him no rest until
he submitted his n^ck to the yoke of Christ, and with-
drew from his evil associates, walked consistently and
circumspectly among men, and made public acknowl-
edgment of the evil of his youthful career.

One of the young men who was present, and to
whom we are indebted for recording the above affect-
i-ng incident, added to his account of it, " The next
time I saw him he had on a plain coat.''

He felt the truth of Quaker doctrines and testimo-
nies, and he felt the obligation resting upon him to
maintain them ; yet being called on to give testimony
at a court-martial a few weeks after the funeral, he
could not then bear the cross of using the plain Ian-

274

PETER YARNALL.

guage. Soon, however, submitting to the inward op-
eration of the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost,
he became prepared in this particular to perform his
duty. We are told, that having to deliver a message
to an officer, he felt that the time of dedication had
come, and that he must speak as a Quaker. It was a
grievous and sore trial to him, and during his walk
to the officer's dwelling, poor nature seemed ready to
rebel ; yet he was favored with strength to submit to
the plainly-felt requiring of Truth. When he reached
the house, he knocked, and the door was opened by the
person he wished to see. Peter addressed him, and
surprise sealing up the officer's lips, he did not imme-
diately reply. Thus having taken up the cross pre-
pared for him by his Divine Master, he was stren^tli-
ened to bear it with patience, and the change wrought
in his general deportment was rapid and permanent.
Conflicts of spirit were his portion ; for he had much
to repent of, much to be forgiven, the habits of years
to overcome, the pollutions of sin to be burned
ujD. He became diligent in the attendance of meet-
ings for worship, and soon, in the midst of fiery
baptisms of spirit, he received a call to enter on
the ministry of the Gospel, ^\diich awfully affected
him in a sense of his utter unworthiness. Tn the
Ninth month, scarcely four months from the time of
the memorable meeting at Springfield, he opened his

PETER YARNALh.

275

^louth in public testimony in the Market Street meet-
ing-house. An awful sense of his long rebellion was
no doubt upon him ; a fervent fear lest he should not
prove faithful in this last visitation of mercy no doubt
affected him, as he declared, Whosoever shall be
ashamed of me, and of my words, of him shall -the
Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his
own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.'^

When Peter had received his share of the prize-
money obtained by privateering, he had invested it by
purchasing a tract of land in the State of New Jei^ey.
Now he dared not partake of the spoils of that un-
righteous robbery, and therefore relinquished all ben-
efit from the property, seeking with earnest diligence
for some opening to restore it to its rightful owners.

Among those who entered the American army during
the Revolution, w^as Robert Hatton, son of Susanna
Lightfoot. Unmindful of the sorrow of his deeply-
tried mother, turning aside from the counsel of his
careful and concerned stepfather, he took up the mur-
derous weapons and engaged in tJie war. But long-
before the war was over, he withdrew- from all par-
ticipation in military scenes, being brought into deep
repentance for the course he had pursued. In such a
state of mind, he was prepared to rejoice over tlie
change effected in his friend, Peter Yaruall, and a
correspondence ensued between them. In a letter

276

PETER YARN ALL.

from Robert, dated Uwchlan, Eleventh month 14th,
1780, he says, " May we hold on, by taking good heed
to that Light which doth reprove for evil. Herein we
shall find a hammer and a fire to break and* to con-
sume that which is contrary to the Divine will. May
thou and I hold on in well-doing, steadily looking to
our Guide, who has been with us in many dangers, and
who Avill lead us along in the way that is cast up for
the ransomed to walk in, even the redeemed of our
God, who is willing to be gracious unto the returning
prodigals. This I know by his gracious visitation to
my poor soul, who has been, what if I should say, thy
brother-companion in vanity. But I hope and trust
we may become brother-companions in righteousness,
even to the exaltation of the pure Truth here on earth
more than ever w^e did to dishonor it.'^

Having forsaken his sins, and taken all the steps in
his power to make remuneration to those he had
wronged, Peter felt that the time had come to con-
demn before the church his evil conduct. He no
doubt remembered the declaration, " Whoso con-
fesseth and forsaketh [his sins] shall find mercy.^' In
the Twelfth month of the same year, 1780, he offered
the following acknowledgment to Uwchlan Monthly
Meeting, which had disowned him :

"Dear Friends, — Notwithstanding I was edu-
cated, and for some time made profession with the

PETER YARXALL.

211

religious Society of Friends, yet, for want of a strict
attention to the teachings of Divine Grace, I so far
deviated as to deny, in my life and conversation, the
principles of the blessed Truth, absconded from my
master, with whom I was placed as an apprentice to
learn a trade, and enlisted myself as a soldier in the
British army ; for wliich misconduct a testimony was
publicly read against me some years since. Although
frequent visitations of Divine love were extended, I
continued in a long course of vanity and dissipation.
At the commencement of the present unhappy war, I
took an oath of allegiance to one of the contending
powers, and, actuated by heat and malice, frequently
engaged in a task which was conducive to destroy
men's lives, contraiy to the pure ^Drinciple of Jesus,
who gave his cheek to the smiter, his hair to those
that plucked it out, and hid not his face from shame
and spitting. Thus was I pursuing one scene of licen-
tiousness and cruelty after another, and soaring above
the Witness which frequently convicted me of sin.
Being in some measure sensible of the reproach
brought on Truth by such repeated transgressions, I
do hereby sincerely condemn the same, hoping, through
repentance and amendment of life, to be preserved
fr'om future snares and entanglements,

" I remain your loving Friend,

Peter Yaexall."

Uwchlan ^Monthly fleeting received this acknowl-
edgment, and sent a certificate for Peter to the South-
ern District Monthly Meeting in Philadelphia. But
24

278

PETER YARKALL.

the poor penitent was not satisfied with this public
confession : he prepared another, addressed to the meet-
ing in the city he now belonged to.

" I, some time since, delivered a paper of acknowl-
edgment to the ]\Ionthly Meeting of Friends at
Uwchlan, where I formerly had a right of member-
ship— yet, as part of my conduct was more generally
known in this city, and is not particularly mentioned
in my offering to that meeting, I have been under
weighty exercise, and my mind drawn to a further
declaration, for the clearing of Truth from the iniquity
of my conduct in engaging in the station of a surgeon
on board a privateer. In the course of that employ-
ment, I became jT party in seizing by violence the
property of others, and a sharer therein, contrary to
the law of righteousness, which directs to do unto all
men as we would they should do unto us. I hereby
sincerely condemn the same, fully intending to make
restitution to such whom I have thus injured, as far as
I may be abilitated."

Peter Yarnall continued in obedience to what he
considered the requirings of his Divine Master, to
minister in the assemblies of his peoi3le. His par-
ticular friend, William Savery, was also just coming
forward in similar acts of dedication. At a meeting
in the Market Street house, both of them having
spoken, Nicholas AValn stood up and quoted the text,
" Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priest's offices,

PETER YAEXALL.

279

that I may eat a piece of bread/' His comments
on this were close, aiming at such as were endeavoring
to live on the priest's office, in other words, preaching
for hire. The two young ministers, jealous over them-
selves, and fearful of acting out of the unity of Truth,
and giving uneasiness to the church, supposed that
the remarks of Nicholas were intended for them. On
comparing sentiments they concluded to call on Nicho-
las, and learn the truth from himself. They did so,
and received from their elder brother in the ministry
the assurance that he had unit^^ with their labors, and
that in his communication, he had no reference to
them. Some time after they learned that a young man
who had come to Philadelphia to prepaid himself by
study to preach for hire, was at the meeting, and his
judgment was so enlightened as to the freedom of
Gospel ministry, by the communication delivered by
Nicholas, that he abandoned his design, and returned
to his home. ThiLS the word preached did not return
void, but it accomplished that for which it was given.

Vs^e have it on record that John Salkeld once, while
sitting in a meeting for worship, suddenly struck the
floor with his cane, and exclaimed, " Resist the devil
this once, and he will not trouble thee again." The
singularity^ of this proceeding, drew on John cnution
and reproof from his friends, who, while loving and
honoring him for the powerful gift committed to him

280

PETER TARNALL,

by his Master, were watchful to repress his eccen-
tricities. JohD, in reply, said, he believed what he
had at that time done and said, was by direction of
Him who had called him to the work of the niinistry.
Some time after the delivery of this sermon, a man
with whom he met, inquired of him if he remembered
the occurrence. The reply was, he did, and had cause
to do so, because of the reproofs he had received -for
it. The man expressed his belief that the singular
manner in which J ohn had been led, had been designed
for his benefit, and stated that it had under Providence
been the means of preventing him from committing
suicide. In explanation, he said, that having been in
a low, melancholy state of mind, for some time, he had.
fully determined to destroy his life, and thus leave the
world in which all was gloomy and dark to him. On
the morning of the day on which the occurrence above
referred to, took place, he had. taken a rope with him
into a neighboring woods to effect his dreadful pur-
pose. While there, he felt a sudden inclination to
attend the meeting, and postpone his self-destruction,
until that was over. He entered the house, and while
meditating on his gloomy earthly prospects, and his
intended mode of escape, the raps of the cane on the
floor attracted his attention, and the short discourse
that followed came with life-quickening ^^ower to his
soul. He saw that his purpose to destroy himself,

PETER YARNALL.

281

was formed at the instigation of Satan ; lie felt that
if he resisted it, there yet was mercy for him — and
strengtliened and encouraged he turned away from this
temptation, and found relief. The impulse to destroy
his life being resisted, had passed away, and he had
since found the prediction realized, for in that way the
devil did not trouble him again.

The following anecdote of a similar character is in-
structive.

While the late David Sands was one day travelling
in Ireland, he felt an impression of duty to appoint a
meeting at a place where he was. It was in a district
thinly inhabited — the night was stormy, and there
was little probability that many persons could be got
together. As his companions ui'ged these objections,
David said, " If there are but few, the great and good
Shepherd has promised to be with us, and I shall feel
clear in having done what appears to be my duty."
Steps were immediately taken to have a meeting, and
notice being spread as circumstances permitted, more
persons came to it, than could have been expected.
The opportunity was a favored one ; a solemn cover-
ing spread over the meeting, and Darvid Sands was
clothed with ability that night to preach the Gospel
with power and authority. He commenced his testi-
mony with these words, " Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. Turn unto Him who is able and will-
24*

282

PETER TARNALL.

ing to save. Although your sins be as scarlet, He will
make them Avhite in the blood of the Lamb. He is
still waiting to be gracious, and though you have
strayed far from the fold, He will lead you as unto
pleasant pastures, where streams of living water flow
forevermore.^^ With deep earnestness the preacher
dwelt on the Lord's unfailing goodness, and invited
the listeners to come to the Fountain of mercy for help
and salvation. He then added, " I am bound to ex-
press my feeling and impression, (though I know not
for whom it is intended,) that I believe there are those
present who have been so far led astray by the enemy
of their souFs salvation as to be ready to take their
own life." The meeting closed solemnly, and after it
had broken, a w^ell-dressed man, apparently in great
distress of mind, came to David Sands, and said,
" Your message is to me. I now have the instruments
of death in my pocket. I have become weary of life,
and have no resolution to withstand the tempter, so as
to face the cruel blasts of adversity, and had deter-
mined this night to commit the fatal deed. Yet I felt
the awful responsibility; and having heard of this
meeting, and knowing that Friends often sat in silence,
I believed that I should be enabled to become calm
and composed before the awful close of life. But now
I have abundant reason to bless God, in that he has
made you the instrument of saving my life, as also my

■PETER TARN ALL.

283

immortal soul ; whicli, but for this interposition, would
have rushed unbidden into the presence of an insulted
God." There stood the penitent — the loaded pistols
still in his pocket, with which he had intended to end
his life — his sorrow still upon him, and yet grateful
emotions stirring; within him to God the Father of all
soul-saving mercies, and to David Sands, the instru-
ment made use of for his good ! This remarkable pro-
vidence had an abiding influence upon his future life.

About the time of the change in Peter Yarnall, his
brother Mordecai, who had absconded and joined the
army while a minor, also came under religious convic-
tions, and submitted himself to bear the cross of the
Lord Jesus. He thus wrote to his brother, under date
of First month 1st, 1781 :

" My Dear Brother, . . . Let me say to thee,
hold fast that which thou hast experienced to be
Truth. May the God of Truth not spare nor pity
thee nor me, until he has purified our hearts by his
powerful judgments, mixed with infinite mercy and
adorable love ! And may the God of our father be
our God forever !

" Give my kind love to John Pemberton, who has
been our father's friend, and almost unspeakably our
friend; and ungratefully have I returned his tender
love and care over me.

" With true and tender regard, I remain thy affec-
tionate brother, Mordecai Yarnall."

284

PETER YARN ALL.'

In the Second month, 1781, Peter Yarnall having
appeared in snpplication in the Market Street meeting-
house, George Churchman, who was present,-, felt fear-
ful that the youthful minister had extended his peti-
tions somewhat beyond what was best. On returning
toward his home, this experienced elder believed it
would be right to drop a tender caution and hint to
his young friend, and therefore wrote him a letter.
He expresses therein his sympathy for Peter, his
desires for his preservation, and also his feeling that
tliere was a savor of life about the supplication which
had been offered. He then tenderly hints he had
thought it might have been better to have closed it
sooner, adding :

" [I feel] great tenderness, yet withal a care that
thou, in thy infant state, may be preserved from getting
out of or swimming beyond thy depth in the stream
with which thy acquaintance and experience have been
but short, although thy mind has been mercifully
turned, I hope, toward the way everlasting.

" I have apprehended some danger has attended,
and may attend young hands, without great care, in
regard of repetitions ; public prayer in a congregation
being a very awful thing, and He to whom it is ad-
dressed being the Author of infinite purity. I believe
there is no need of discouragement ; but if the mind is
sincerely devoted to the merciful Father, to seek for
preservation out of every danger of forward stepping,
superfluous expressions, and fleshly mixtures, there

PETER TARXALL.

285

will be Divine assistance afforded to contrited souls, so
that experience and strength will, from time to time,
be enlarged, and a gradual growth witnessed in a state
which is ^ sound, healthy, and safe. That this may
truly be thy state is the sincere desire of thy well-
wishing friend, George Churchmax."

Peter Yarnall having given up the wages of iniquity
— the gain he obtained in his privateering robbery —
and having no patrimonial estate to resort to for a
maintenance, was now anxious to find some place
where he might successfully enter into practice as a
physician. There appeared to be an opening in Con-
cord and its neighborhood for him, and there he set-
tled in the spring or early in the summer of 1781,
although he seems to have spent some time there
during the }]a'evious winter.

It need be no cause of wonder if some persons were
slow to receive the ministry of Peter Yarnall. Yet
the fear of those who were anxiously regarding him
wore off as he continued humbly watchful, waiting on
his Divine ]\Iaster for strength, and seeking in patient
faithfulness to do his will. In the summer of 1782
he was acknowledged as a minister by his friends
at Concord, and about the same time married Hannah,
daughter of Benjamin Sharpless, of Middletown.

Continuing faithful to apprehended duty, he soon
felt drawn in Gospel love to visit Friends in other
places, and, -svith the unity of his Monthly Meeting,

286

PETER YARNALL.

in the year 1782, he visited the Quarterly Meeting of
Fairfax. In 1783, besides religious labors within the
limits of his own Yearly Meeting, he visited parts of
New York and New England. He was engaged in
various labors of love in 1784, and in 1785 he re-
moved to Yorktown, Ya., where he resided for about
six years.

Often, very often must the remembrance of the sins
of his youth been brought to the recollection of Peter
Yarnall, with mingled emotions of anguish for their
enormity, and of humble thankfulness to that Almighty
Saviour, whose mercy had given him free pardon for
the past, and whose grace sustained him against pre-
sent temptations.

Samuel Fothergill could say long after he had been
a faithful minister of the Lord Jesus, in recollect-
ing a certain sin of his youth, that it was " a sword
which seemed as though it would never depart wholly
from his house or heart.'^

Being now an acknowledged minister among
Friends, and frequently engaged in Gospel labors for
the good of others, Peter Yarnall found it needful to
watch against his natural eloquence, and the fervor of
his own spirit, in the Lord's cause. How difficult it
is for eloquent men, and those of ready utterance, to
be restrained within the true limits in their ministerial
exorcises! And more particularly so, if popularity-

PETER YARXALL.

287

and applause follow them. Sometimes such ministers,
without having entirely strangled the gift, have grown
faster than the Truth would warrant, have shot into
great branches, when as yet the root was small, and
thus have endangered themselves to be overturned
^vith the first high wind of temptation. The records
of our Society need not be traced very far back to find
illustrations of this. Popular preachers are always in
danger of craving popular applause — of expanding
in words without a corresponding depth of iuAvard
exercise and feeling. Two of this class, whose popu-
larity- was evinced by their being followed from meet-
ing to meeting by a multitude of those who loved to
hear good sentiments eloquently expressed — words
well-fitted too'cther — beino; at a meetino- in Philadel-

o o o

phia, at the time* of a Yearly ^Meeting, held many
years ago, both spoke for an hour each. After these
were over, our plain-spoken Friend, James Simpson,
remarked, that he had been thinking of those who pin-
ned their faith on popular preachers. " They seemed
to him to resemble the children of Israel, who danced
round the golden calf that Aaron had made for them."

In 1791, Peter Yarnall settled within the limits of
Horsham Monthly Meeting, ^lontgomery County,
Pennsylvania, and during the fall of that year held
many public meetings in the neighborhood, having
frequently on these occasions the company of James

288

PETER YARNALL.

Simpson. These meetings were largely attended, and
the testimonies delivered powerful and edifying.

Peter Yarnall, in exercising his gift in the ministry,
was wont to be very slow in delivery, when' he first
began to speak. Soon, however, his manner became
animated, his articulation rapid, and as the w^hole
energy of his soul seemed to breathe forth for the good
of others, and the Divine blessing was with him, his
labors were powerfully awakening, pa^^ticularly to the
young, who were wandering afar from the fold of
peace. For such his soul yearned, with earnest long-
ings to gather them back to the Lord Jesus Christ', to
bring the prodigals from feeding on the swine-husks
of self-indulgence, to partaking of the fatted calf of
Divine acceptance. Oh, how he could tell of mercy
to prodigals ! — an allusion thereto seemed to call up
the deepest energies of his feelings. He had not for-
gotten, when, being himself far off from his Father's
house, yet looking there — longing for acceptance, if it
might be as a hired servant — the Father himself had
beheld him — had drawn nigh to him - — had caused
his rags to be taken from him — clothed him with the
best robe — made him welcome as a son beloved, and
caused the household to rejoice over him, as one that
having been dead, was alive again — having been lost,
was now found.

His style of expression was elevated, his manner

PETER YARXALL.

289

emphatic, and he had a peculiar ease and felicity in
expressing his thoughts. When he arose and com-
menced speaking, he stood nearly perfectly still, but
as his delivery gained strength and force, as his earnest
exercises began to find fitting language, his whole body
seemed to partake of the ardency of his feelings.

We are told that being on a visit in New Jersey, in the
year 1791, the exercise of his mind was very great, so
that before rising to address the assembly, the perspi-
ration started as freely from him as from a mower in
the harvest-field. This was in part occasioned by the
close and searching testimony given him to deliver.
As he stood up he said — and we can well imagine the
deep solemnit}" and awe which covered him as the
words came slowly forth — " It is a cloudy time, both
inwardly and outwardly. Clouds of thick darkness
have spread themselves.'' From this he proceeded to
lay open the deficiencies of those present in a " power-
ful and searching manner," so as to draw the acknowl-
edgment from some, This is going to the bottom of
things." Such was Peter Yarnall's usual manner.
Loving, affectionate, courteous, yet faithful to his
Lord's bidding, and careful to sew no pillows under
armholes.

In 1793, Peter Yaruall paid a religious visit to Xew

England, in the course of which he attended a meeting

at East Hampton, that had been appointed there at
25

290

PETER YARNALL.

eleven o'clock, of whicli he says : " We found the time
was not altogether suited to the convenience of the
people ; yet I hope it was a good meeting. A proposal
was made to us to hold a meeting in the evening, and,
not feeling my mind wholly relieved, I felt willing to
encourage it ; and we accordingly had another meeting
there at seven o'clock, whicli, I believe, Avas the largest
meeting we had on the east end of the island ; and
although I was silent therein, my mind was much re-
lieved through secret, hidden exercise. I heard no
complaint respecting it, and the people appeared very
affectionate.-'

This secret, hidden exercise, this prostration of soul
before the Lord, and silent prayer to and communion
with him, which constitute true worship, have at times
wrought upon those who were strangers to this inward
operation of the Spirit, in meetings where not a word
was spoken, as effectually as could have been done by
any vocal utterances. The following incidents are
illustrations of this remark.

It is related that an individual residing near Rich-
ard Jordan had heard of his powerful preaching, and
felt a great desire to hear him. He attended a Friends'
meeting on a First-day ; but Richard, though present,
was silent. He did so again and again, and still no
ministry was heard. Concluding that Richard must
preach at the week-day meetings, he tried them with

PETER YARXALL.

291

no better success ; but at last he began to feel what
these meetings were for ; his heart was opened to per-
ceive the beauty and excellency of silent waiting and
inwai'd spiritual worship, and then the seals were taken
from the lips of the minister. This," said William
Williams, '^was Richard Jordan's way of making a
convert."

Richard Jordan used to relate an interesting account
of a man of note in England who was convinced of
the Truth, in an opportunity wherein not a word was
spoken. The man was a captain in the na\y, and was
in expectation of recei^^ng an admiral's commission.
He had fallen in company with Richard Jordan and
some other Friends, and on their sitting down to talk
a solemn silence came over them ; during which, the
inward power and effectual ministration of Truth so
reached his soul, that he burst into tears ; the doctrines
of the Gospel were unfolded to him in tlieir fulness,
and he laid down all his weapons of war.

After Peter Yarnall's return from his eastern jour-
ney, he was frequently engaged in Gospel laboi'S about
home. He also visited New York Yearly Meeting,
and the families of several Monthly Meetino^s, in-
eluding that of Philadelphia.

On the 11th of Fourth month, 1795, his wife, Han-
nah, was removed from him, and in less than three
weeks after that event, while wounded affection was

292

PETER YARNALL.

mourning in the fresh grief of recent bereavement, he
laid a prospect of further religious service to the north
before his sympathizing Friends. After much labor
in New York and !N^ew Jersey, in the Eleventh
month of the same ^year, he started on a visit to the
South, accompanied by his friend, James Emlen.
James was a useful and baptized elder, a firm though
an affectionate and tenderly concerned parent, a self-
denying Christian, a meek-spirited, humble-minded
man. Through the strengthening influences of Divine
Grace, and a constant watchfulness unto prayer, he
had obtained great command over his passions, so that
the evenness of his temper amid the trials of life was
very remarkable. Having attended the Yearly Meet-
ing in Philadelphia in 1798, James Emlen took the
yellow fever and died, being able to say, just before
his departure, that he felt in such a calm, quiet frame
of mind, he did not stand in need of any human con-
solation.

They returned from this jom^ney about the close of
summer, and in the following Second month, (1797,)
Peter Yarnall was married to Hannah Thorntou, a
Friend in the ministry, residing at Byberry, where he
now settled, and where he continued to reside during
the short period allotted him on earth. He had accu-
mulated but little of this world's goods, for although
very much esteemed as a physician, his dedication to

PETER YARNALL.

293

his Master's cause took him away so ft-equently, and
kept him so long from his medical practice, that his
emolument derived from thence was small. The me-
morial issued concerning him says, " Much of his time
was given up in travelling abroad to promote truth
and righteousness among mankind." He had a belief
that his day for labor would not long be lengthened
out, and in a letter T^Titten during his last visit to the
Eastern States, he said he had been under a close ap-
prehension, " I should never have it in my power to
be here more.''

In his personal appearance Peter Yarnall was tall,
yet, being well-proportioned and graceful in his mo-
tions, it was not at once strikingly apparent. His fea-
tures were prominent, and liis countenance earnestly
lighted up when pleading with prodigals — when set-
ting forth the inexhaustible store of mercy laid up in
Christ Jesus for the penitent and obedient. His pow-
ers of conversation were good, and he very often felt
freedom, in innocent cheerfulness, to take a prominent
part in social intercom-se with his friends. Having
passed through many scenes, having acute perception
and an astonishing power of memory, he was, on such
occasions, full of matter, and his company was very
attractive to the young, But at times, even in the
midst of the free conversation of those he loved, a sol-
emn awe would steal over him, his interest in what
25*

294

PETER TARNALL.

was going on around him would instantly cease, and
he would seem to feel himself in as complete solitude
as though no mortal beheld him. As a physician, he
was considered skillful, and being of a tender, sympa-
thizing spirit, he was much beloved by his patients.

We draw near the close of this faithful, dedicated
servant of the Lord. He had a dream a short time
before his last illness, the import of which was, that
he and his early associate and long-cherished friend and
fellow-laborer in the Gospel, William Savery, were en-
closed together in a place of safety, out of the reach
of everything that could hurt them or interrupt their
joy and peace.

On the 14th of Second month, 1798, he was taken
sick ; that afternoon he told his wife this dream, and
afterward said, " Heaven is a glorious place, into which
I have no doubt of an entrance, if I should be re-
moved at this time. I acknowledge it is awful to
think of appearing before the bar of the just Judge ;
but on looking at it, I feel my mind centred in an
uninterrupted quiet.'^ On the 1 8th : " I have been
sensible of many infirmities ; but I believe I have an
evidence that my gracious Master has blotted out my
transgressions." Again: "The Lord Jesus, my Sa-
viour, is near, whatever becomes of this poor body. I
hope my gracious Master will grant me patience to
wait his time." "Oh, the goodness of the blessed

PETER YARNALL.

295

Jesus ! " Addressing a friend, he said, " I have blessed
the Lord many a time, for that he brought my poor
soul acquainted with true silence.'' The night before
his close, being asked how he was, he replied : " In
the Lord's keeping." He died on the 20th of Second
month, 1798, in the forty-fifth year of his age. His
sun went down in brightness, and in a few years his
friend, William Savery, having been kept by the
Lord's power on earth, followed him to the regions
of everlasting safety and blessedness.

ANTHONY BENEZET.

/^NE of the memorable and honorable Friends of
^ Philadelphia, at the time of the American Revo-
lution, was dear, quaint, humorous, straightforward,
kind-hearted, Anthony Benezet. An indefatigable
laborer for the good of others, he even restricted his
hours of sleep, saying, in allusion to the usual period
allotted for rest, "he could not reconcile a habit of
such slothful indulgence with the activity of Christian
fervor/' He was quick-witted, and apt at repartee,
and his witticisms were generally instructive and play-
ful. Benevolent to all — ever ready to furnish from
his own store supplies for the needs of others, and
moderate in his desires, he never acquired much pro-
perty. Nay, restricted by the narrow bounds of his
own wants and wishes, he felt inclined to doubt
whether the accumulation of a great estate was con-
sistent with the self-denying religion of the cross.

If born to the inheritance of a large fortune, we
know not how far Anthony's view of wealth might

296

ANTHONY BENEZET.

297

have been modified; nor how differently he might
have acted if large possessions had been suddenly left
him. We know, however, his actions were beautifully
consistent Avith his theory ; and though the opinions
of men are liable under peculiar temptations to change,
we trust he was too Avell grounded in Christian prin-
ciple, to have altered much in theory or practice.

The testimony of Anthony Benezet against the love
of riches had a deep root; yet he knew that it was
natural for young men to aim at that wealth which
gave them influence and respectability in civil society.
He saw no remedy for the evil, but Christian principle,
constraining to Christian moderation.

We have said that Anthony Benezet was an active,
industrious man. He had no sympathy with that
spirit which seems ever on the watch to evade bodily
labor — to w^ithdraw from exertion and toil. Some
individuals, loving ease, and luxuriating in inac-
tivity, have plead in excuse a conscientious dislike
to hard work. Such a plea would have stirred up
Anthony Benezet's zeal, and would have called down
on the avower of it, his earnest rebuke. He believed
that man was created for labor — that independent of
pecuniary emolument, he was bound to work for his
own bodily and mental benefit, and to be liberal in his
exertions for the good of others. His own heart ex-
panded toward all ; he was willing to help, to labor

298

ANTHONY BENEZET.

for, and by every means in his power administer to the
true comfort of those around him. Thus he knew he
should best accomplish his duty as a man — thus best
fulfill the law of Christ.

But though earnest and active, he was not a man to
do things in a hurry. He loved to see persons, while
industriously attending to their occupations in this
world, giving evidence that heavenly things had the
pre-eminence in their affections, and in the direction
of their movements.

One day, while walking the streets of Philadelphia,
he saw a man approaching him rapidly, who was
habitually in haste. In reply to Anthony's call to
stop, the man, as he hurried by, said, " I am now in
haste, and will speak with you when we next see each
other." Quick as thought the arrow of reproof was
fitted to Anthony's keen bow of wit — "Dost thou
think thou wilt ever find time to die ? " The arrow
was not shot at a venture ; it reached the conscience
of him to whom it was addressed — and he afterward
strongly expressed his obligation for the admonition.

One of the principal occupations of Anthony Bene-
zet's life, was that of a schoolmaster. In a letter, the
original of which he kept, as was his custom, sending
a fair copy to his correspondent, we find him saying, he
had been so long engaged at that occupation, as to be
then instructing the grandchildren of his first pupils.

ANTHONY BENEZET,

299

As a teacher, he was kind and affable — ever ready to
remove dii&culties out of the way of the learners, and
to encourage and promote with them the freedom of an
affectionate intercourse.

He wrote and compiled many books. There was
sound sense — there was enlarged humanity — in all
his literary productions. He lacked not strength of
argument ; he gave expression to fervid bursts of feel-
ing. But in his compositions little of clear connected
outline was discernible. They seemed like masses of
good thoughts, susceptible feelings, enlarged views,
strong arguments, heaped together, as they happened
to arise in a discursive mind.

Anthony Benezet could not descend to use compli-
ments to flatter the pride of a fellow-man, a poor
worm of the dust, whose only hope of eternal happi-
ness depended on that humility which compliments
and flatterers were fitted to destroy. His earnest ex-
pression of good-will and kind feeling, however, were
generally acceptable to strangers, even to those most
used to receive fulsome adulation, and those highly
wi'ought phrases,, which say much, and mean little.
He frequently visited Count de Luzerne, the ambassa-
dor from France, to enlighten him on the subject of
Abolition. A reciprocal interest was awakened in
each other, and when the Count was about returning
to his own country, Anthony thought it right to call

300

ANTHONY BENEZET.

and take a parting farewell. Many persons were
gathered on the same errand, and Anthony retreated
out of sight, where, unobserved, he listened to the
compliments poured forth on the Count.' When
several had retired, he came forward, and thus ad-
dressed his friend: Thou knowest I cannot use the
compliments which the company have expressed — but
I wish thee the favor of heaven, and a safe return to
thy country." " Oh ! ]\Ir. Benezet," said the Count,
warmly embracing him, '^you have exceeded them
all.!"

That he knew how to give a reproof very delicately,
the following anecdote shows. Having called on one
of his former scholars then recently married, he was
ushered into a room where he found her in full dress
for a ball. He was surprised, and, in a plaintive

voice, exclaimed, My dear S , I should not have

recognized my amiable pupil, but that thy well-known
features and excellent qualities are not to be hidden
by so grotesque and lamentable a disguise ! "

The usual gentleness and equanimity of his temper
would sometimes be stirred to vehement zeal when he
found those abounding in riches manifesting a covetous
disposition. He was wont to say, " The highest act
of charity in the world was to bear with such unrea-
sonableness of mankind."

His heart was naturally open and generous; he

ANTHONY BENEZET.

301

would give the coat from his back, or the blankets
from his bed, to relieve the sufferings of others. His
benevolenpe sprang from the fulness of feeling which
made it a relief to him to give.

Anthony is said to have been at times truly eloquent
in his appeals on behalf of the rights of the oppressed.
At one time a proposition was before the Yearly
Meeting to make some new movement against slavery.
Some opposition was made, when he arose, weeping,
and, in broken accents, exclaimed, Ethiopia shall
soon stretch out her hands unto God ! These words,
with the feeling that accompanied them, silenced all
opposers, and the proposition was adopted.

Ever active for the good of others, Anthony Bene-
zet passed on his way, blessing the world by his exer-
tions and by his example. On his death -bed, he
exclaimed, I am dying, and feel ashamed to meet
the face of my Maker ; I have done so little in his
cause ! " Alack ! alack ! we are poor creatures ; I
can take no merit for anything I have done. There
is mostly something underneath that is selfish, which
will not bear sifting." " I could w^ish to live a little
longer, that I might bring down self ! " To his w^ife,
Joyce, to whom he had been -a faithful and loving
husband for forty-eight years, he said, " We have lived
long in love and peace."

Many tears of real sorrow were shed when it was
26

302

ANTHONY BENEZET.

known through the city of Philadelphia tltat Anthony
Benezet was removed from the sphere of his charities
on earth to the resting-place of the righteous. Many
were the testimonies to his worth which came forth
from persons of every rank and station in society.

Kebecca Jones thus wrote from England : " The
removal of that little, valiant man, Anthony Benezet,
will be a sensible chasm ; but I t emember from whom
he derived his qualifications, and that the Divine
Fountain is inexhaustible. I feel as I should on the
occasion, and for dear Joyce, who is not far from the
same peaceable mansion."

Henry Drinker, writing to J ohn Pemberton, says :

" I expect thou wilt have heard before this reaches
thee, of the removal of our beloved friend and brother,
Anthony Benezet, who peacefully passed away, full
of years and full of honor, to a better inheritance.
Where shall we find another Anthony Benezet — a
man so uniformly and steadily engaged in promoting
the real good and true happiness of his fellow-man ?
It was thus he was engaged, early and late. That the
just man's life is a shining light has, I think, been
verified in the example of this pious man, whose love
and good-will was of that enlarged kind that all ranks
and descriptions of men were the objects of his Chris-
tian regard and notice.''

We are called to good works ; yet our own deeds,

ANTHONY BENEZET. 303

even those wliich seem most the product of genuine
benevolence, will not purchase a place for us in the
kingdom of heaven. Anthony Benezet had been loDg
an open-hearted benefactor of mankind, yet in his last
illness he was kept by his Divine Master in a state of
mind remarkably stripped of all dependence on former
experiences and former faithfulness. The works of
mercy he had been enabled to perform gave hirn no
satisfaction in review, and, in poverty of spirit, he lay,
trusting alone in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

During this season, James Thornton paid him a
visit, and, in relation thereto afterward, said, " On
entering the room, he had never been more deeply
imj)ressed with a sense of spiritual poverty than at
that time.'' He was permitted to enter into sympathy
with the dying man, who, in a sense of inward want,
was, in humility and self-abasement, drawing near the
hour of his departure. At the time of the funeral,
James Thornton again entered the house; but, oh, the
change ! " It felt to him as if it were divinely per-
fumed — something so like the opening of heaven and
a sense of the Divine presence as he had at no other
time experienced ! " Those good works and alms-
deeds which, through the aid of the Lord's Holy
Spirit, he had been enabled faithfully to perform, had
been accepted of his blaster, and ^vere even as a sweet-
smelling savor poured forth. The Lord's gracious

304

ANTHONY BENEZET.

acceptauce of his past labors, withheld from the percep-
tions of the dying man, lest being trusted in, it might
hinder his heavenly progress, was now made manifest
to the spiritually-minded in an extraordinary degree.

He died Fifth month 3d, 1784, aged seventy-one
years.

Perhaps it may be safe to assume," that all portions
of the human race, who are not disabled by some
peculiar providence of God, are called to. industrious
habits, and to cultivate a social disposition, fulfilling
the duties they owe to their kindred and friends, as
fellow-partakers of infirmity.

We are not all endowed with the same natural and
spiritual qualifications; we do not all fill the same
position in life, neither have we the same outward
means of contributing to the wants and necessities of
others. But let each one wait to know his own call-
ing, and therein abide.

JACOB LINDLEY.
ACOB LINDLEY was born in the year 1744,

^ and was by nature affable in manners, excitable
in feeling, and energetic in action. Although often
pointed in rebuke, he did not willingly hurt the feel-
ings of any, and seldom took offence at the remarks
or reproofs of others. Men of strong minds and de-
termined characters are often — perhaps generally —
characterized by a disposition which leads them harshly
to reprove, and causes them easily to take offence at
the reproofs or actions of others. Jacob Lindley
would, doubtless, have been no exception to this rule,
if he had not come under the regulating, heart-soften-
ing influence of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He knew the Spirit of the Saviour was a Spirit of
love, because he felt it clothing him with charity and
kind feelings toward those whose actions he was bound
publicly to condemn. He labored to keep his excita-
ble temperament under control, and to manifest the
reality of that religion of whose heart-cleansing, love-
26 * 305

306 JACOB LINDLET.

inspiring influence he was at times drawn to speak
unto others. He knew that if he were allowing him-
self to indulge in angry thoughts, harsh feelings, and
overbearing manners and remarks, it would matter
little how much or how eloquently he might plead for
love and meekness, or how truly he might speak in
praise of the gentleness of Christ.

Having received a gift in the ministry, and being
faithful in its exercise, he grew in grace, and was qual-
ified by his Lord and Saviour for much usefulness in
the church.

He was a powerful minister of the Gospel, and an
earnest advocate for the rights of humanity. He was
large in person, and before his death became quite cor-
pulent. With a voice of great power and compass, he
was wont, when under impressions of religious duty,
to sound forth an alarming cry to sinners, to call them
to repentance and amendment of life. Often has he
warmed cold hearts and shaken the strongholds of
prejudice in them, as with the earnestness of hearty
feeling, and in the authority of Truth, he has pleaded
the cause of the oppressed, the enslaved, the suffering,
the neglected African. Such was he in the meridian
of life ; such was he to the close of his days.

He came forth in the ministry during the commo-
tions which immediately preceded the American Rev-
olution ; and in those times of trial he was led to

JACOB LINDLEY

307

caution all classes, but especially the young, against
allowing themselves to be caught with the spirit of
war. It 'is, indeed, very difficult for those living in a
community w^hich thinks itself wronged, not to par-
take, more or less, of the resentful spirit which pre-
vails about them. We may, in the abstract, think
war sinful — may deem that the weapons of the Chris-
tian are love, meekness, and forgiveness of wrong —
and yet when we partake of public or receive private
injuries, we shall find it hard to retain or to regain
true love for those who have injured us. Jacob Lind-
ley saw clearly into the evil principle from which war
arises, and he had a powerful testimony to bear against
it. He knew the horrors of the field of battle, he
knew the human sufferings that attend the wounds of
the musket-ball and the bayonet and sword, and he
knew, however much the love of liberty and the neces-
sity of protecting their riglits might be insisted on by
those engaged in it, yet that war, in its origin and its
progress, its glories and its triumphs, was rooted in
sin, and was sustained by the pride and corruption of
man. His Friends, in the memorial issued concern-
ing him, state their belief that his labors against war
"were productive of salutary eflFects.^^

Jacob Lindley was fond of telling anecdotes, especially
if a religious impression could be made w^ith them. On
one occasion, he narrated the following occurrence. A

308

JACOB LINDLET.

man wlio resided in his neighborhood, one day under-
took to burn an old greasy hub of a wheel, in order to
get the iron that was on it. He watched the flames
curling in great beauty round the old wood, licking
up the grease and tar, and all other impurities ; and
the impression was made on his mind, that thus would
the Holy Spirit consume all the impurities of his
nature, if he would submit to its operations. This
reflection was raised in his mind by Him, who, in love,
seeketh that all His rational creatures should turn,
repent, and live. The heart of this hub-burner was
efifectually touched, and this accident was as the turn-
ing point of his life. He became a religious man.
" Oh ! exclaimed Jacob, after relating the circum-
stance— Oh ! that there were some more old hubs to
burn.'^

Jacob Lindley, when a young man, was present at a
meeting of Friends, where a proposition was con-
sidered, which he and his companion believed ought
to have been adopted. But a member of the meeting
who did not seem prepared with arguments against it,
yet expressing that he had " scruples ; the meeting
in deference to those unexplained scruples, laid by the
subject for the present. After the meeting was over,
Jacob and companion being at a Friend's house, and
thinking themselves alone, began to discuss what had
taken place, expressing their earnest disapprobation

JACOB LINDLEY.

309

of the result, and treating the " scruples of the
Friend with little respect. While thus freely ex-
pressing themselves, Elizabeth Coale, a very small
woman, though an able minister of Baltimore Yearly
Meeting, rose up in a corner where she had been sit-
ting unobserved, and thus addressed the startled fault-
finders : Young men, I know in the gross weight of
millers a scruple is of little account ; but in the balance
of the sanctuary, a scruple is a scruple !

Jacob could not but feel the clear-witted rebuke.
He knew, and must have acknowledged it as a general
truth, that it is not the magnitude of wordy reason-
ings, which should lead religious meetings into action ;
and that it is far more safe to wait on, and to suffer
the restraints of secret feelings of uneasiness, which
may not haA^e as yet shaped themselves into logical
arguments. The expression of uneasiness, from the
lips of one who is an earnest seeker after the mind of
the Spirit, is in truth, as good and sufficient a reason
as that person could offer. Sometimes it so happens,
that a reason, undeniable arguments to sustain it,
does exist, and yet cannot well be brought forward.
On such occasions, how much better would it be,
simply to offer the true Quaker plea of " uneasiness
— of ''a scruple" — rather than to look out for other
arguments against the measure we disapprove, which,

310

JACOB LINDLEY.

when we have uttered them, may be weighed in the
scales of critical opponents, and found wanting.

When Jacob in after-life related this anecdote, he
used pleasantly to remark, that he never entered into
free expression on the character, opinions, or actions
of others, without looking around him to see if there
was not " a little Betty in the corner.''

An amusing anecdote is related of Jacob Lindley,
who, when riding on horseback one day not far from
his own residence, was overtaken by a shower, and
took shelter under the sheds belonging to the New
Garden meeting-house. Here the grave-yard was open
before him, and his mind soon became busy in recall-
ing to recollection the many worthy Friends and
faithful ministers of the gospel buried there, who,
having served the Lord in their generation, had died
in peace. His feelings became warm, and at the top
of his powerful voice, he broke out in the words of
Addison :

" How are thy servants blest, 0 Lord !
How sure is their defence !
Eternal Wisdom is their guide,
Their help Omnipotence."

Such a voice as his, echoed far and wide. A neigh-
bor who was passing hlong the road at the time, hear-
ing the words uttered in such a tone, proceeding ap-
parently from the grave-yard, and perceiving no one,

JACOB LINDLEY.

311

he deemed it was something unearthly, and putting
spurs to his horse, fled from the place with fear and
precipitation. Jacob, liearing the clatter of the horse's
hoofs, as the man galloped off, immediately compre-
hended the cause, and to appease the man's alarm, he
shouted after him. In his earnestness he did not let
his voice fall, and the man's fears were aggravated by
hearing himself called by that voice. His spurs did
not cease their office, until he had gone a considerable
distance from the spot whence such sounds proceeded.

We have an account left by William Savery, in his
Journal, of a journey performed by himself and several
other Friends, to attend a treat}^ with Indians, to be
held at Sandusky. Jacob Lindley, who wtis one of
the company, also kept a journal, which has been pre-
served. He left his home on the 28th of Fourth
month, 1793, and joined his fellow-travellers in Phila-
delphia. Feeling a religious concern to see President
AVashington, with whose approbation Friends were
going to the treaty, Jacob Lindley spoke on the sub-
ject to AYilliam Savery, " and found he was under a
like impression." He says, " James Pemberton, Wil-
liam Savery, John Elliott, and myself, went about
nine o'clock ; met with a favorable reception, and had
a full opportunity to relieve otir minds : which we
thought tended to his [the President's] satisfaction, as
well as ours."

312

JACOB LINDLEY.

This treaty had for its object the estabh'shment of
peace with the Northwestern tribes. The Six Nations
besought the President to send as agents "men of
honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men who loved
and desired peace," and also suggested that the agents
should be attended by a Friend. This request of the
Indians does not appear to have been known to the
Friends at the time they first opened their concern.

On Seventh-day, the 4th of Fifth month, they left
New York for Albany, in the sloop Schenectady, Cap-
tain Lansing, with a favorable wind ; but soon after
the wind changed, and a storm came on, which obliged
them to cast anchor. The fury of the wind increas-
ing, the vessel dragged her anchor, and was almost
driven on shore, so that the captain was glad to retrace
his path, and get once more to the wharf from whence
he had sailed. This gave the Friends an opportunity
to attend the usual First-day meetings in the city of
New York. A concern came on AYilliam Savery to
hold a public meeting in the evening for Friends and
others, and notice was given to that effect, at the close
of the afternoon meeting. The meeting was to com-
mence at seven o'clock, and was gathering when
Friends received notice from Captain Lansing to come
on board the vessel. The concern to hold the meeting
continued pressing on their minds — public notice had
been given — and people were assembling — but if

JACOB LINDLEY. 313

they did not go immediately to the vessel, t aey did not
know that the captain would wait for them. The trial
was great to the Friends, but religious duty was para-
mount. Jacob says, " ^Yilliam and I agreed, let the
consequences be what they might, we would attend the
meeting. ^Ye did so, and a favored time it was.
^About nine o'clock, several Friends, merchants of the
city, accompanied us to the vessel, where the passengers
and captain were in a heat ; but we kept doion, and it
blew over. Captain Lansing told me afterward with
seriousness, he did believe the storm was permitted in
order to give us time for meeting."

While Jacob Lindley and his friends were crossing
Oneida Lake by night on this journey, a storm sud-
denly arose, and they were in great apparent danger.
The water being shoal, and the sliore rocky, they durst
not attempt to run in, but by break of day they suc-
ceeded in getting their boat into the safer waters of the
Oneida River. Jacob says, on this occasion, ^' I under-
went a close and searching baptism, not only respect-
ing the present embassy, but all the actions of my life,
for eternity appeared very near."

Jacob could doubtless amid all his inward coo:ita-
tions trust in the Lord for succor, knowing that it was
in obedience to what he believed to be his religious
duty, that he was then in apparent danger. The feel-
ing of being in his proper place, would take away
27

314

JACOB LINDLEY.

from the fear of death. Very different were his feel-
ings from those of our dear Friend, Anthony Benezet,
who being at one time persuaded to go down to the
Capes of the Delaware, without having any call of
duty, or necessary business there to attend to, was
caught in a violent storm. As he looked at the sea
and saw the storm raging^ and looked on the vessel
and perceived the sickness and distress of the passen-
gers, the sense of impending danger drove him to con-
sider where he was, and why he was there, and forced
from him the inward ejaculation ! " What business
have I here?"

Doubtless the same kind of feeling has been expe-
rienced by many when brought into trial and trouble.
The sense of having run into them without being sent
has added bitterness to sorrow, and fearfulness to dan-
ger. On the contrary, the feeling that it was obedience
to the Lord^s will which has brought on the Christian
the trial, the difficulty, the suffering, the danger, will
have a tendency to sustain him under them, and to
enable him to believe that all things Avill work his
furtherance in good.

In prison-houses, at the whipping-post, at the scaf-
fold, on the bed of death, the sense of the Lord's
approving presence has made many to rejoice and bless
his name that they had been created — that they were
then and there suffering according to his will. Wluit

JACOB LINDLEY.

315

to our ancient worthy Friend, Anthony Patrickson,
was the affliction of the body when he could exclaim,
" The Lord hath * given me assurance of that blessed
inheritance that never will have end ! " * Strong was
the faith, holy was the hope, and glorious the assurance
that animated Margaret !Molleson, when, according
to the Lord's will, she was about to depart from her
earthly tabernacle. To her physician, who tried to
encourage her to believe that she should recover, and
who told her not to fear, she said, " Fear ! I have no
cause! My Advocate is witTi the Father, and my
peace is made ; I am feeding at a table none of you
perceiveth. ]\Iy eternal joy is already begun ! " f

So abiding was the holy feeling of the Lord's ap-
probation with ^^ary Dyer, for a few days before
her execution, so joyful the flow of peace that poured
through her soul, that as she ascended the ladder to
suffer, she could, as a living testimony to her Saviour's
grace and mercy, declare, " I have been in Paradise
these several days ! " % She was there in the Lord's
will — she was suffering for his Truth — the strength
of earthly ties was dissolving, and through his mercy
she was made spiritually to partake of the river of the
water of life, and to know a holy communion with
him.

* Piety Promoted, vol. i., p. 341. f Ibid., p. 69.
J Sewel's History of the People called Quakers, vol. i. (stereo-
type ed.) p. 300.

316

JACOB LINDLEY.

Continuing their journey^ on the 11th of Sixth
month, Jacob Lindley and his Friends were at De-
troit, and called to see Isaac Williams, a noted Indian
trader. He narrated many instances of the cruelty of
the Indians, and stated that they were at that time
more haughty and insolent than they had been. He
expressed his doubts of the company ever returning
from Sandusky, unless the United Stafes commissioners
should yield to all the. Indians demanded. This ap-
peared, also, to be the sentiment of others, and the
information tended to drive Friends to look to the
Lord for safety in this their season of trial and danger.
The Indians around them were often intoxicated, and
in that condition they manifested much ferocity. In
considering all he heard and all he saw, Jacob Lindley
remarks, " It evidently appears a serious business, and
little, if anything, short of offering up life by those
who attend it."

The Friends arrived safely at Sandusky in the
Seventh month, and spent several weeks in the com-
pany of the Indians and United States officers at that
point. While there, as well as at other places on
their journey, they held meetings for Divine worship,
which were attended by some of the Indians and also
by the whites and on some occasions they had oppor-
tunities of a more private character with individuals.

On the 27th of the Seventh month, the Friends had

JACOB LINDLET.

317

a close, solid conversation with some of the officers in
the army on the subject of slavery, war, swearing, and
debauchery. Jacob makes the following remarks rel-
ative to this opportunity : When men are closely
pinched, I find their nearest way to get rid of a diffi-
culty is a denial of the Scriptures, to turn deists, and
explain away tlie weighty parts of the moral law.''

It is not wonderful that men who are living in the
indulgence of the fleshly appetites, should desire to
disbelieve the truth of that religion which calls for
purity of heart, for purity of life, for a constant walk-
ing in fear and reverence before God. They know
how far they are from fulfilling its moral requisitions,
and they know (if the Christian religion is true) the
dreadful penalty tliey must pay for the sin-pleasing
j)leasures they now indulge in. How,'' exclaimed
the noted infidel, Carlile, to Wilberforce, who had a
Bible in his hands, "how can you suppose I can like
that book ? for if it be true, I am undone forever ! "

We have it recorded that a late literary character
was, in younger life, in the habit of conversing with a
fellow-infidel against Christianity and its evidences.
They were living in sin, and a sin-condemning religion
was not wide enough and easy enough to suit their
inclinations. After a time, this man, touched by the
power of Divine Grace, repented of his sin, and found,
m the Gospel of Christ Jesus, the very religion which
27*

318

JACOB LINDLEY.

a soul anxious for the favor of God, for true peace in
life, and for a sustaining hope in death, needed.

Having been brought to repentance, he was-.anxious
to do away, as far as he could, the eifect of the evil in-
fluence he exerted in the days of his wilful estrange-
ment from the path of purity and peace. Many of his
infidel conversations had been carried on in the presence
of a religious but uneducated man. Fearful lest some
seeds of skepticism might have been sown in his mind,
and taken root there, he sought him out to express his
concern. The man replied, that their remarks had
produced no impression upon him. " No impression !
Why, you must have known we had read and thought on
these things much more than you had any opportunity
of doing." The man, though illiterate as to this world\s
knowledge, was wise in a higher wisdom, and he made
this sensible reply : Oh, yes ; but I knew your man-
ner of living ! I knew to maintain such a course of
conduct, you found it necessary to renounce Chris-
tianity."

The Indians, with whom it was proposed to make a
treaty, showed no disposition to come to terms, except-
ing on the condition that all the whites settled beyond
the Ohio should retire to the east of that river, which
should thenceforward be the boundary between them
and the United States. After a period of nearly two
months spent in fruitless attempts at negotiation, it

JACOB LIXBLET.

319

l>eoame evident that a treaty could not be concluded,
and on the 17tli of Eighth month the Friends and
some of the commis*ionei*s started homeward. Jacob
says, ^' My mind felt sorrowful in reflecting on the
important subjects of our journey. On lurniug my
mind to consider if we had omitted anything we might
have done, or that might be done, nothing appeared to
give uneasiness. I therefore rested Sittisfied in leaving
it to the Lord, who jiidgeth righteously, and with joy
turned my mind homeward, willing to leave a settle-
ment so greatly dissipated with every species of ini-
quity-, that they iq^pear to live almost without law,
morality, or religion."

In the Xiuth month, 1793, Jacob Lindley proceeiled
to Philadelphia to 'attend the Yearly Meeting. The
yellow fever was raging with fearful violence in that
city, but the knowleilge of this did not release our
valiant warrior in the Lamb's army from the belief
that it was his duty to attend at that time. During
the sitting's of the meeting, his mind, with that of
many others, was litted up above fear, so that he could
rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of his salvation.

In 1797 the yellow fever ag-ain prevailed to an
alarming extent in Philadelphia, and many of its in-
habitants fled for safety to the surrounding coiiutry.
In the Xiuth moiuh, Jacob Lindlcy, in writing to his
brother and sister, J. and A. Dawes, who lived in tliat

320

JACOB LINDLEY.

city, thus expressed the emotions of his mind at this
solemn period :

" My inmost feelings have often been exercised, and
my spirit has been drawn in near sympathy toward
you, with others of my beloved friends resident in
the long highly-favored, sumptuous metropolis, since
the awakening sound of this second awful trumpet has
reached my ears. But what shall we say ? Is it not
a dispensation from that unerring Hand who doeth all
things right ? At whose sovereign beck ten thousand
times ten thousand ministering angels wait the execu-
tion of his almighty decree? His bowels of compas-
sionate mercy endure forever. When a proud and
rebellious people are humbled to hear the rod and him
who hath appointed it, then I assuredly believe, the
Sun of righteousness will arise, with healing in his
wings, and turn the sound and shadow of death into
a glorious morning ; when the stars shall sing together,
and the sons of God shout for joy.

" The sacred declaration was, that tlie Lord of hosts
would be sanctified in righteousness and exalted in
judgment. Truly great and marvellous are his works,
who shall not fear him? saith my soul. How suddenly
hath that great and populous city, almost equally the
envy and admiration of kingdoms and nations, become
a terror to its own inliabitants ! How contrasted the
prospect must aj)p(^ar in the southern parts, especially
where the throng oi' busy merchants resorted, and the
adventurous mariners disburdened their deeply-laden
vessels — now, the yellow flag and other ensigns of
sickness and mortality !

JACOB LINDLEY.

321

" I need not expatiate npon tliese obvious occurrences
to those who, doul)tless, have more deeply pondered
the affecting subject, and I trust have experienced,
proportionate to the trials of the day, the fulfilling of
that Scripture testimony, ^ Thou wilt kec]) him in per-
fect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he
trusteth in thee.' The name of the Lord, which is
his power, remains unalterably a strong tower and
refuge for the righteous. I thought I never more
fully experienced the weight and force of a sentence
or two divinely fraught with consolation to the church
of Christ, and I believe to every baptized member,
than when in Philadelphia in the Xinth month, J 7 9." J:
^ Thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not
fear ; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee.'
May your minds be supported and rightly directed in
this truly alarming crisis, has been my request on your
behalf ; whether to stay or to go I cannot undertake
to determine. I humbly hope the Shepherd of Israel
will availingly care for you, direct and keep you as
under the hollow of his hand, until his indignation be
overpast. . . .

" I trust the sure and strong foundation [of our at-
tachment] is that love which is only derived from our
Father which is in heaven.

" I deeply feel for that important, essential branch
of our Christian testimony which relates to the public
worship of Almighty God. May his unsearchable
wisdom, his sustaining arm, preserve the ark of the
testimony from falling before the Philistines.

The prospect looks very solemn in contemplating

322

JACOB LINDLEY.

the attendance of our approaching annual solemnity.
Only this remains : times and seasons are in the hands
of Him who can do great things — things that we look
not for — in a short time/^

A number of Friends having settled in Canada,
many of whom were from the limits of Exeter Monthly
Meeting, the meetings established there were consid-
ered as belonging to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. In
1797, at the time when the yellow fever was raging in
Philadelphia, a committee was appointed by the Yearly
Meeting to visit the Friends in Canada. Of this com-
mittee Jacob Lindley was one, and amid many dis-
comforts, arising from the wilderness character of the
country at that time, the journey was performed.
They had many comfortable meetings in Canada, and
doubtless returned well satisfied that the visit had been
in the Divine appointment.

On one occasion, when camping out for the night
during this journey, an incident occurred which, how-
ever trying at the moment, was not without instruction.
When preparing to kindle a fire, everything being
covered with snow, it was very difficult to find suit-
able wood. At last a fire was struck, and there
seemed little doubt but with care it might be en-
larged so as to make them comparatively comfort-
able. While the little fire was slowly increasing,
Jacob Lindley, finding in the woods a log which he

JACOB LIXDLEY.

323

tnought might aid them in getting warmth for the
night, had placed it on his shoulders, and brought it
where his companions were. A little proud of his
success in obtaining such a treasure, and perhaps of
his strength in carrying it without assistance, he threw
it on the ground, exclaiming, " See what a man can
do ! " Alas for his pride and their comfort ! The
log fell upon the burning wood, and utterly extin-
guished it. In vain they tried to rekindle it ; every
effort proved ineffectual, and they passed an uncom-
fortable night.

Jacob Lindley was not the first man, who, by en-
deavoring to give great aid and assistance to a cause,
has been the very means of ruining it. Some who
have come forward with an air of importance, which
plainly said, " See what a man can do,'' have put out
every spark of life by their untimely aid. Every
effort to benefit the church, performed in the spirit that
feels like takiufr credit for what is beino; done, will fail
to make the fire of Truth greater, if it does not seriously
deaden its burning.

Jacob was noted for his genuine kindness, as well
as warmth of feeling. A respectable mechanic once,
during the lifetime of his first wife, alluding to the
hospitality which characterized them, said, " Their
house is in one respect like the kingdom of heaven, no
profession or complexion being excluded.'^

324

JACOB LINDLEY.

Jacob Lindley lost his first wife, Hannah, in 1798.
She had gone to attend the Yearly Meeting in Phila-
delphia that year, and soon after her return, being;
taken with the prevailing fever, she was callbd to re-
ceive the reward of a life of dedication to her heavenly
Father's will. She was a minister of the Gos23el.

His second marriage was with Eatli Anna Rutter,
also a minister. Ruth died in 1810. Jacob still con-
tinued zealously to labor for the good of others, and
for the salvation of his own soul. The poor Africans
continued to claim his tenderest sympathy, and to call
forth his most energetic labors. He thus wrote : Oh !
surely I may say, I shudder, and my tears involun-
tarily steal from my eyes, for my poor, oppressed,
afflicted, tormented, black brethren — hunted- — fright-
ened to see a white man — torn from every source of
comfort that is worth living for in this stage of being.
The tears — the groans — the sighs of these, have
surely ascended to the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth,
and as a thick cloud are awfully suspended over this
land. I tenderly, and tremblingly feel for the poor
masters, involved in the difficulty. I am awfully
awakened into fear, for our poor country — with the
language, ^ I gave her time and place to repent ; but
she repented not ! '

On the afternoon of the 12th day of the Sixth
month, 1814, while at home at Burlington, Sarah

JACOB LIXDLET.

325

Dilhvyn observed her husband^ George Dill\syn,
sitting with such a peculiar and awful expression of
countenance, as to create an alarm in her aifectionate
heart. She immediately approached him, and in the
kind carefulness of love, inquired what was the matter.
In answering her question, he said, he was very sorry
she had disturbed him, for he had at that time been
visited by Jacob Lindley's spirit ! That day Jacob
Lindley, in usual health, had attended his own meet-
ing at Xew Garden, in Chester County, more than
fiftv miles from Burlino-ton. In tlie meetino; he was
engaged in a living, powerful testimony, wherein he
intimated his conviction, that there were tliose present
who would not see the light of another day, and
added, " perliaps it may be myself! " That afternoon,
by a sudden jolt he was thrown from his vehicle into
the road, and fell upon his head. Being a heavy man,
his neck was dislocated, and his spirit was thereby
suddenly released from the shackles of mortality. He
was in his seventieth year.
28

ELI YAENALL.

TjlLI YARN ALL was one who from early youth
was much devoted to the Lord Jesus, and pre-
pared by his Holy Spirit to exercise a gift in the
ministry, which he was enabled to do to the comfort
and strength of the church militant. He was born
about the beginning of 1753. During his youth, being
favored with the visitations of Divine Grace, he gladly
accepted them, submitted his own will to the will of
his God, became inwardly acquainted with the motions
and leadings of the Spirit, and was made a partaker
of that blessed liberty and freedom which is under the
yoke of Christ. Being faithful to the manifestations
received, he grew in godliness, and the blessing of the
Almighty, in spiritual gifts and graces, descended upon
him.

In the beginning of the year 1779, when he was
about twenty-six years of age, and while the various
exercises which were preparing him for the work of
the ministry were heavy upon him, he received notice

326

JELI YARNALL.

327

of an appointment from the commissioners of Chester
County as collector of the taxes in the district he re-
sided in. Besides the taxes at that time assessed — most
of which must go to the support of war — there w^ere
to be collected fines for not taking the test oath or
affirmation. Of course Eli Yarnall could not con-
scientiously do aught under the commission, Avhich
had, no doubt, been conferred upon him with an evil
intent.

On considering the subject, it seemed to him best,
in refusing to act, to furnish the commissioners with
his reasons for so doing, and he accordingly addressed
a letter to them. In this letter he says : " Ye may
read, that it was said of old, by way of comparison,
* The fig-tree said ^unto them. Should I forsake my
sweetness and my good fruit, and go to be promoted
over the trees?' In like manner, I say unto you,
shall I forsake that spirit of calmness, tenderness, and
humility that breathes peace on earth and good-will
toward all men, with which I am, through mercy,
measurably favored, and accept of that power offered
by you, and exercise the same by tyrannizing over the
consciences of my brethren, violently distressing and
spoiling their goods ? Nay, surely, I dare not do it,
let my sufPerings in consequence thereof be never so
great. I make no doubt but ye have been informed,
that we cannot, consistently with our religious princi-

328

ELI TARNALL,

pies, hav^e any hand in setting up or pulling down
governments. Part of this, that is called a tax, is a
fine for not taking a test of fidelity to one government
and abjuration of the other, which would immediately
make us parties.'^

The letter is throughout well written, and sets forth
the blessed, peaceable nature of the Christian religion,
and the contradiction manifested by its professed be-
lievers in their oppressing tender consciences and
spoiling the goods of their brethren, whose only fault
lay in their endeavors to be faithful to what tliey
deemed the commands of their God. Soon after, Eli
Yarnall was called on to exhibit Christian patience in
suffering. For his refusal to collect these taxes, he
was fined by the commissioners, and on the 7th of
Seventh month, 1779, a valuable horse was taken
from him to satisfy that fine. This was but the be-
ginning of this kind of trial, for he had afterward to
witness various parts of his property seized, because
he could not muster as a militia man, and because he
was as much opposed in conscience to paying another
to fight for him as to fighting himself.

During these trials he apj)eared in the ministry, to
the relief of his long-exercised mind, and to the sat-
isfaction and edification of his friends. Toward the
close of this year, he received a letter from John Pem-
berton, encouraging him and other Friends in that

ELI TARNALL.

329

neighborhood, who were suffering because of their
testimony to the peaceable nature of the Gospel of
Christ, to bear all with patience and resignation. In
replying to this letter, Eli thus writes : " Thy exhort-
ation to patience and resignation I hope will be duly
regarded, most of us being mercifully preseryed in
measure possessors of that happy attainment. Our
greatest concern, some of us can truly say, is to stand
faithful, and approve ourselves worthy to suffer on the
behalf of Christ. I have a comfortable hope that
our patient sufferings will add to the furtherance of
the Gospel, and in due time be a means of inclining
the hearts of others to seek after the pearl of great
price, to purchase which, many of us seem willing to
part with all, if it be the Divine Avill.''

About that time many suffered much, principally
because those who had espoused the cause of the re-
public, regarded Friends' testimony against war as an
indication of attachment to the royal cause. This was
not a sure criterion. The doctrines and principles of
the Society were well fitted to make its members good
citizens under all governments, yet it can scarcely be
denied by any close observer, but that the whole tenor
of its influences is in favor of that freedom of thought
and action that brings all classes to a com non level,
and which is most in accordance with republican
ccpiality and ec[ual rights. The body of Friends,
28-

330

ELI YARN ALL.

therefore, if they could have dared to have harbored
a desire in the matter, would have been best pleased
to live under a republic; but some, considering the
mode adopted by the republicans, in asserting and
fighting for their rights, to be wrong, and remembering
how peaceably and comfortably they had lived under
the king, would have been willing to have slipped
back from the state of persecution and privation they
were then in to the peace and plenty of their former
condition.

Vt one period in the war a number of peaceable
Friends were dragged from the comforts of their
homes, and carried prisoners to Lancaster. Some for
no other charge than for attending their Yearly ]Meet-
ing in Philadelphia while the English had that city
in possession, and for refusing to take the test. Dur-
ing their confinement, that true-hearted Christian and
bold, unflinching advocate for the Truth, Abraham
Gibbons, having gone from his residence at Lampeter
to Lancaster to see them, thought it right to call on an
officer of rank then in that place, -to see if anything
could be done to obtain their release.

The officer demeaned himself haughtily when Abra-
ham was introduced to his presence, and when he
heard the a]:)plication on behalf of the innocent men
who were suffering in prison, he broke out in words
of the following import : " You talk of innocent men !

ELI YARXALL.

331

T will ask yoUj whether you yourself have not a choice
which of the contending powers shall get the victory ?
For my part, I believe every man has a choice, and
that you also must have one/^ Abraham had a cour-
ao;e which dano-er could not daunt, and, believino; it
was his duty to speak the truth plainly, he boldly said :
" Thou hast asked me a close question, and my words
may involve my liberty, but I shall give thee a candid
?:usAver. ^yhen I take into view the conduct of the
Americans, and consider how Friends have to suffer un-
der your treatment of them, I sometimes wish that the
British might get the better of you; but these wishes
and feelino^s I am liable to as a man. When I o;ain the
state I wish to live in, and which I believe it to be my
duty to attain as a Christian, if the turning of my
hand would give either party the victory, I would not
do it." The officer was affected at the answer, Avliich,
perhaps, opened to him a view of a state he had never
before thought of. His harshness of manner disap-
peared, and at that time, and ever afterward, he treated
Abraham Gibbons with distinguishing courtesy and
respect.

Another meek-spirited man, whom duty made bold
and unflinching in this time of trial, was Warner
Mifflin, who having been appointed with some others
to present a memorial to General Washington, from
the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia, passed across the

332

ELI YA^RNALL.

battle-field at Germantown, among the wounded and
dying. In the course of conversation with the Gene-
ral, Warner frankly told him, and no doubt, the scene
he had just witnessed, gave energy to his expressions,
" I am opposed to the Revolution, and to all changes
in government which occasion war and bloodshed/^
Some years after, while Washington was President of
the United States, Warner again visited him on an
errand of mercy. The President, in reference to their
former conversation, asked him on what principle he
had been opposed to the Revolution. On the same
principle,'^ said Warner, "that I should be opposed
to a change in this government. All that ever was
gained by revolutions, is not an adequate compensation
to the poor mangled soldier, for the loss of life or
limb.'^ Washington paused awhile to consider the
position assumed by the philanthropist, and then said,
to him, " I honor your sentiments ; there is more in
that than mankind have generally considered.

We have seen in the above anecdotes the beneficial
influence of speaking the truth in love, Avithout fear
or flattery ; we will relate an incident occurring during
the same period, showing the powerful effect of Chris-
tian meekness, which, without verbal reproof, reached
to the conscience, and subdued the wicked spirit of
a backsliding clergyman, who had become a partizan
officer.

ELI YARXALL.

333

A compauv of armed republicans from Xew Jersey,
crossed the river Delaware into Bucks County, Penn-
sylvania, intent on plundering all the tories they could
find. They considered all Friends in that class, be-
cause they were opposed to war — and this predatory
excursion could only be considered as an intention
of robbing them, there being many residing in that
neighborhood. The leader of this company had been
a Baptist clergyman, who had evidently once known
something that would have taught him better than to
rob the innocent and unresisting.

^A'illiam Blakey, a minister of the Society' of Friends,
residing at Middletown, was well known by repute, as
a friend of peace, and as the fearless opponent of war.
It was to his house, therefore that this renegade clergy-
man first led his troops, and commanded them to seize
all the horses and wagons, and load upon them as much
of the grain as they would contain. William Blakey
stood by, a patient, unresisting, uncomplaining be-
holder of the spoil of his produce, the robbery of his
stock. He felt the supporting presence of his Divine
Master with him, and he sought for the spirit of sup-
plication wherein he might not only be enabled to ask
strength for himself, but to say, Father, forgive them,
for they know not what they do." The olficer was
evidently much disconcerted at the quiet, Christian
gubmission of him he wa* wronging. He could see

334

ELI YARNALL.

no fear nor anger manifested — he could hear no
petitions, nor invective, but he saw in William courage,
crowned with a Christian spirit, and an evident sense
of God's overruling providence, sustaining ' and sup-
porting amid all. He tried for a time what a domi-
neering, insulting behaviour would effect, evidently
wishing to provoke the sufferer to make some sharp or
angry rebuke, which might justify him to himself for
that which he was doing. Perhaps he wished to pro-
ceed to still greater acts of outrage, which he could
not do, unless he could feel, or imagine, some provo-
cation.

As William continued calmly to look on the labors
of the men, the officer at last became silent, and evi-
dently agitated in mind. He came at last to William,
and with a faltering tongue, tremulous with emotion,
asked him, if he ever prayed. This question was put
to one, who, in his quiet resignation to his heavenly
Father's will, was living in prayer — and he could
answer with a modest assurance, that he had at times
been favored with access to the throne of grace ; and
that he had, on the present occasion, been endeavoring
to feel after the spirit of supplication. Do you ever
pray for any one but yourself? " William replied in
the affirmative, and his interrogator then said, " I wish
you would pray for me. I would not endure the
wretchedness I now feel, for all you are worth ! " By

ELI YARNALL.

335

this time the men had secured as much of the grain as
the wagons and horses could carry, and were ready to
depart, but the officer commanded them to return it
all whence they had taken it ; and after some serious
conversation with William, they all rode off, having
done him no injury.

On the 2^h day of the Eleventh month, 1783, Eli
Yarnall was married to Priscilla Walker, who proved
a valuable companion, being a nearly united spiritual
sympathizer with him in his journey Zionward. They
married, in some sense, as though they married not.
For though their love to each other was strong and
fervent, yet their love to their Divine Master w^as
above all. In a little more than four weeks after their
marriage he left her, his dearest earthly treasure, and
went to pay a religious visit to Friends in Maryland
and Virginia. The day of his leaving home to enter
on his journey, she wrote thus in her diary : " The
Lord of heaven who pointed us out for each other, I
have a hope, and most ardent desire indeed, will in
his time safely conduct us to each other's arms again.
Kemember, O Lord, him who hath now left his most
endeared connections, to obey thee. Be pleased to be
his companion, and conduct him safe to the bosom of
her, who for his sake, believing it to be thy will, hnth
left the hospitable house of her fither, wherein t]iy
love has often descended as the dew of Hennon."

336

ELI YARNALL.

On the next day she writes of "being most affec-
tionately engaged in sympathy with my darling, who,
from all others I have chosen, humbly beseeching
Almighty God to enable us to walk hand' in hand
through every trying dispensation, and though out-
wardly separated, that we may be present in spirit,
feeling that that which joined us together for thy
glory, is now separating us for thy praise. Oh, thou
most gracious and everlasting Father and fountain of
goodness, preserve us in the hollow of thy hand, that
so we may not stray so far as to have a single wish
contrary to thy will ! " Her constant state of close
union with her distant husband is noted in her diary,
in which she records her thanks to the Lord, who per-
mitted her to feel him in sj)irit with her as she lay
down to rest, and when she awoke in the morning,
saying, " Thou withholdest him not from assisting me
to sing forth thy evening hymn and morning praise."
Other striking instances from her diary might be quoted
to show how closely she felt bound to her husband in
Christian love and fellowship of spirit.

Eli, who although not a frequent minister, was yet
one of the most powerful and favored of his day, felt
the aid of her spirit in his Gospel labor, and after her
death thus wrote of her : " Through the increase of
that union which makes male and female one in Christ
Jesus, she proved a great strength and confirmation to

ELI TARNALL.

337

me in the exei 3ise of the small gift bestowed upon me
Such was the sympathetic travail of her spirit when
with me in meetings, that when I have had anything
to say, she was generally favored with a sense of the
very time wherein I have felt the motion of the Spirit
to appear ; and also when I have been at neighboring
meetings, and she remained at home attending to her
lawful concerns, she hath bee;n made a partaker with
me in seasons of favor, and a sharer also in more
stripped and trying opportunities; which being the
Lord's doing, was marvellous in my eyes, and cause
of great humiliation and gratitude. I believe few, if
any, ever performed the duties of a wife to a husband
with more loyalty and upright affection, being desirous
of contributing to^¥ard my present and eternal hap-
piness to the utmost of her power. An affectionate
mother and kind mistress, watching over and encour-
aging her family, as well as reproving and restraining
from things of an evil tendency those under her care.
She was a lover and promoter of retirement in the
family, some of which opportunities were eminently
favored with the overshadowing of Divine goodness
and mercy."

At the commencement of her last illness, in 1795,
she said she was preserved even from the desire of
knowing what way the Lord designed to dispose of
her. At times she spoke of the love and mercy of

29

338

ELI YARNALL.

the Lord manifested to her in the overshadowing of
his presence while alone in her chamber, saying her
sense of his fatherly tenderness was so great, she had
no language to set it forth, being at times dumb with
admiration of his goodness.

After many sweet and comforting seasons, and drop-
ping many encouraging expressions, on the 10th of
Sixth month, in the year just mentioned,^ she took an
affectionate farewell of her family, and quietly and
trustfully departed. Eli says, "At which awful sea-
son, my mind being gathered into stillness, the lan-
guage of the apostle was comfortably revived, ^ There
is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are
in Christ Jesus.' A firm belief that she was enrolled
among that blessed and happy number tended much
to alleviate my affliction on account of the loss of so
valuable and much beloved a companion and a help-
meet indeed, whose sympathizing spirit hath been in-
strumental to strengthen and console my mind under
many adverse and trying allotments. Concerning her,
I have been enabled to adopt the sentiment of Job,
'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord.' ''

At the burial, Eli was strengthened in the renewed
feeling of the Lord's mercy, and in the assurance that it
is in rigliteousness he afflicts the children of men, to
bear a close testimony, commenting on the text,

ELI YARN ALL.

339

" Affliction cometh not forth of the dust neither doth
trouble spring out of the ground."

Eli Yarnall continued faithfully obedient to the
requirings of his almighty Caretaker and Saviour, and
' day by day grew in spiritual stature, till he stood as a
father in the Truth. He was not frequent in the min-
istry in his latter years, but was a good example of
fervent inward exercise and travail of soul for the
arisings of life among those assembled. His spirit
was often tendered in silent meetings, and, under a
sense of Divine love and regard, tears of grateful
thanksgiving would at times flow from him.

An interesting anecdote relating to his Gospel ser-
vices, and illustrating the true fellowship which exists
among those who are rightly called into the solemn
work of the ministry, is as follows :

James Simpson, though endowed by his Divine
Master with a remarkably baptizing gift in the min-
istry, was often greatly depressed. On one occasion,
after attending a meeting, in the course of a religious
visit at Springfield, Delaware County, Pennsylvania,
he experienced a season of great discouragement and
desertion. Thinking himself unfit for the ministry of
the Gospel, and for the service he was then engaged
in, he pressed upon his companion the necessity of
returning home. To this the Friend objected, saying,
that they had appointed a meeting at Providence for

340

ELI TARNALL.

the next day, and must attend it. Jame^ replied that
he thought he could not go to it, and plead to return
home. After an afternoon and night of distressing
conflict of mind, James arose unrelieved, and bent on
leaving the neighborhood at once. His companion,
unwilling to take this course, invited him to sit down,
and they would try to wait on the Lord for direction
and consolation in this time of trial. They had not
sat long when James, with a bright countenance and
cheerful voice, announced his readiness to attend the
meeting, telling his friend, " My Master has been here,
and said to me, ^ Go, and I will send my servant, Eli
Yarnall, and he shall come and pray for thee.^

On that morning, Eli Yarnall, who lived several
miles from Providence, was ploughing one of his
fields, when he felt a strong impression to go at once
to Providence meeting-house. He wondered at this,
as it was not the usual meeting-day there, and he had
not heard of the appointed meeting. But the call was
clear, and he obeyed it. His wife was also surprised,
remarking, " It was not meeting-day there, and she
could not think what he Avas going for.'^ He, how-
ever went, but did not reach the house until the peo-
ple had gone into it. Taking his seat in the gallery,
the mind of Eli Yarnall was soon brought under
religious concern, and he felt it his duty to break the
silence by prayer, in which he interceded for his be-

ELI YAEXALL.

341

loved friend, James Simpson, that his faith might be
strengthened, and help vouchsafed of the Lord to
enable him to prosecute his religious services to the
edification of the Church and his own peace and com-
fort.

James soon afterward arose in a living and awak-
ening Gospel testimony, which had a powerful effect
upon the audience, many being greatly affected and
contrited into tears.

Toward the close of his life, Eli Yarnall married
Thomasine Robeiis, a daughter of John Roberts. In
his intercourse with his family and in the world, his
conduct was marked with Christian circumspection and
watchfulness. He was upright in his dealings, honest
toward man and toward God, prompt in the fulfillment
of his duties, and cheerfully dedicated to attend to all
the services the religious Society he belonged to re-
quired of him.

In the Seventh month, 1812, being taken unwell,
he had a sense that death was di'awing near. In the
Eighth month, to one ^^isiting him he said, " My dear
friend, I believe I am going the way of all flesh. My
pain is often very great; but my mind, under the
prospeqt of approaching dissolution, enjoys entire re-
signation. Indeed, the quiet and peaceful serenity
with which I have from day to day since my confine-
ment been favored, even when under excruciating

29 *

342

ELI TARNALL.

pain, is cause of much thankfulness and admiration."
On one occasion, after supplication for preservation, he
addressed his two sons, reminding them of visitations
immediately and instrumentally, which had' been mer-
cifully granted to them. He sought to encourage
them to walk in obedience to the Lord's requirings,
and to make their Saviour their friend, that he might
be their strength and support in after life. Soon after-
ward he broke forth into a strain of praise and thanks-
giving to the Father of mercies for the blessed present
assurance of his love, and that the work of his soul's
salvation was perfected, and his peace made with his
God forever. " ^ Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth, peace, good will to men.' Often before now I
have been made sensible of the universality of the love
of our heavenly Father, and now I feel it to flow
toward all men. If I die now, give my dear love to
all my friends, and tell them I die in peace and unity
with all faithful Friends."

At another time he said, " My dependence is on the
Lord Almighty, whose blessed will be done. I can
say in truth. Come, Lord; thy servant is ready. I
have not now to suffer the pangs of guilt." Two
days after, he said his mind was at peace with God
and man, and then added, " The sting of death is sin,
and that is taken away." Relieved from severe pain,
full of gratitude to his Almighty Helper, he went

ELI YARNALL.

343

rejoicing tln'ough the dark valley and shadow of death,
fully assured that he who sustained him in faith and
hope here would cro^vn him with glory hereafter. On
the 25th day of the Eighth month, 1812, hope was
lost in certainty, and faith in fruition. He was in his
sixtieth year.

SARAH HARRISON.

OAR AH HARRISON was a daughter of Rowland
^ Richards, and was born about the year 1748, in
what is now Delaware County, Pennsylvania. She
was naturally cheerful, and animated, and in the days
of her youth suffered herself to give way to vanity
and frivolity, which afterward caused her much suffer-
ing and mental conflict. She says :

In my youthful days, I gave way to things that
proved a snare to me, and caused me many sorrowful
days and nights, yea, months and years, before I wit-
nessed reconciliation with my God ; and I now stand
as a monument of his mercy. All unrighteousness is
sin ; and the wages of sin is death. This I know by
sorrowful experience; for it brought death upon the
innocent life of God in my heart, and made me a long
wilderness travc'. I too lightly esteemed the early
visitations of God to my soul, until I became some-
what like the deaf adder that would not hear the voice
of the charmer, thougli he charmed ever so sweetly.^'

344

SABAH HARRISOX.

345

" But in these my voung years, when I was flying
away as upon the wings of vanity, the Lord was
pleased to meet with me in a narrow place, where I
saw there was no way for me to escape his righteous
judgments, either here or hereafter. I was led deeply
and a^'fully to consider the woful consequence of my
sins being brought to judgment after death, where
there is no remedy ; and I was made willing to bear
his indignation, because I knew I had sinned against
him many a time, though in what the world calls little
things ; yet I was convinced they were great enough
to exclude me from the Divine presence forever, if I
did not repent, and endeavor to walk more circum-
spectly. I can with thankfulness say, that the awful
impressions that were then made on my mind, have
never been erased. Xo ; they were too deep for any
blast of temptation to blow away."

The natural mind is, and ever will be, in enmity to
the cross of Christ, and many young persons have ex-
perienced baptisms of an awful character before they
have been brought to surrender their own will to the
Divine will. Some, after having submitted, again
rebel, and thus bring on themselves trials and suffer-
ings, deeper and heavier than those which they had
previously encountered.

A valued minister, now deceased, in speaking of the
trials he passed through, in becoming a plain and con-

346

SARAH HARRISON.

sistent Quaker, stated tlie following facts. He had,
under a conviction of duty, and through an obedience
springing out of many fiery baptisms, become plain.
But after a time, the cross appearing too great to be
borne, he once more changed his attire, and in oppo-
sition to the dictates of conscience turned back to the
world. It was not long that he could with any com-
fort pursue the old road he had once more taken.
Reproofs were inwardly administered to him by the
Holy Spirit, until he was thoroughly aroused to his
awful condition. He saw the path of duty before
him, but he saw no forgiveness for the past acts of
rebellion, particularly for his wilful turning back from
what he knew to be right. He had been a youth of
uncommon vivacity, constitutionally cheerful, and
seeing the bright side of things — now all was changed.
He lost his animation, the fear of eternal death and
everlasting punishment took hold of him, and for five
long years he was traveling in the deeps where no ray
of light seemed to reach him. During these years, he
said, " I never smiled.'' Divine Goodness at last ex-
tended a saving hand to him — he felt his backsliding
pardoned, and in due time a true Christian cheerful-
ness was given to his heart, and once more vivacity,
tempered by the fear of the Lord, sat smiling on his
face.

Sarah Richards, about the twentieth year of her

SARAH EARRISOX.

347

asre, was married to Thomas Harrison, and became a
resident in the city of Pliihidelphia. She fnlfilled
with faithfulness and activity the duties of her new
sphere of life, was managing and neat as a house-
keeper — warm-hearted and kind to friends and
neighbors, hospitable to strangers, charitable to the
poor, and ever ready to perform services of kindness
to all. The Lord, her almighty Caretaker, did not
permit her to pass along without trials. Several of
her children died in infancy, and she was dipped into
various baptisms to qualify her for the ministry of
the Gospel, to which service her Lord had appointed
her. During the time of the Revolutionary war she
first spoke in the meetings of Friends, and was ac-
knowledged as a minister in 1781.

In his Journal, Thomas Scattergood makes this
entry: Third month 5th, 1783 — Spent some time
with Sarah Harrison with unusual openness, in com-
paring our getting along in a religious sense."

Sarah Harrison had been acknowledged as a minis-
ter a short time before Thomas Scattergood was ; and
a precious feeling of Gospel fellowship subsisted be-
tween them, until death.

The following anecdote respecting Joseph Lukens
and Sarah Harrison, is interesting, as setting forth the
truth of the openings of the Divine gift. Joseph
Lukens, who resided at Horsham, , ..:ue to Philadel-

348

SARAH HARRISON.

phia, on the 16th of the Ninth month, 1784, and
attended the High Street Meeting, where he had a
lively and acceptable testimony. Toward the close of
the meeting, Sarah Harrison, under the constrainings
of religious duty, rose up and spoke to this import :
" There is one present, who will not have the oppor-
tunity of again thus meeting with Friends." After
saying that this made it necessary that such an one
should improve the present, to prepare for the final
change — she, in the warm feeling of Gospel fellow-
ship, bade the individual she was addressing, " fare-
well in the Lord." This short communication was
delivered with great solemnity, and Joseph Lukens
had an inward assurance, that he was the individual
referred to. In the afternoon he attended a sitting of
the Meeting for Sufferings, and before night went out
of the city, part of the Avay toward his residence.
The next morning he again started, but was taken sick
before reaching home. In obedience to the warning
given, he endeavored to prepare for leaving his earthly
business and Friends — and as his illness gradually
increased on him, he took leave in a solemn and
weighty manner of his wife and children. He passed
from this scene of conflict and sorrow, on the 27th of
the same month, aged fifty-five years.

On the 28th of the First month, 1785, Sarah Harri-
son was set at liberty to pay a religious visit to the

SARAH HARRISOy.

349

families of her owii ^lonthly Meeting. This arduous
^7ork, to prepare the poor servant for which many
previous baptisms seems needful, is often verv bene-
ficial to the church. If the minister is rightly quali-
fied to dip into the states of the visited, he may be
enabled in Divine authority not only to deliver words
of consolation, counsel, entreaty, and warning, but to
bring them home where they are needed, with a " Thou
art the man.'^ It is related, that during the last war
with Eno'land, a woman Friend beino^ on a relio;ious
visit in tlie northern part of Xew York State, held a
meeting to which a small number of persons came,
among whom was General Brown, the commander of
the American army in that neighborhood. The Friend
found her mind exercised on behalf of those assem-
bled, and was led to speak to them one by one, looking
at the person she was speaking to. The General, who
had been brought up a Friend, did not like such close
work, and as he watched her turning from one to the
other, as they sat around the room, laying open their
states, and administering the needful advice and warn-
ing, he became very uneasy. He doubtless had suf-
ficient reasons, as he deemed them, for desiring not
to be singled out, and have his sins brought home to
him publicly. He sat until she began to speak to the
one next to liim, when he suddenly rose and left the

meeting.

30

350

SARAH HARRISON.

Thomas Carrington, of Pennsylvania, a simple-
hearted Friend, but honest minister of the Gospel,
being in England about the time of the American
Revolution, paid religious visits to the keepers of the
ale-houses in Bristol. In one of them he found that
the head of the house was dissipated, but his wife was
a religious woman, who was endeavoring, as far as it
lay in her power, to counteract the evil influence of
their situation on the minds of her children. One of
her sons, then about thirteen years of age, had flillen
into bad habits, and was very far from the patli of
Christian rectitude. This lad had no intention of
being preached to, and understanding when Thomas
Carrington would, in all probability, be at his father's
house, he absented himself. After a time, supposing
the Friends to have departed, he ventured home. He
entered the parlor, where, to his surprise, he found
them still remaining, although on their feet ready to
go. His mother was in sadness of heart speaking to
the Friends about him, and lamenting over him with
tears. Thomas Carrington feeling his mind filled
with Gospel love toward the youth, looked at him with
a solid countenance, expressive of deep religious con-
cern, and then addressed a few Avords to him, withal
laying his hand on his head. The future career of
this youth was at that time, in the openings of the
Lord's blessed Spirit, made known to the minister,

SARAH HARRISON.

351

wlio turning to the mother, bade her be comforted,
saying her son would be a comfort to her old days —
that he would become a member of the Society of
Friends — a minister of the Gospel — and that in that
capacity he would be led to yisit the continent of
Xorth America. All this, the pious mother liyed to
see realized. That son was George Withy, and she
did not decease until after his yisit to America was
accomplished, when she was gathered to her heayenly
Father's house in peace, being about ninety years of
age.

About the close of 1803, Elizabeth Foulke, a minis-
ter of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, under a religious
concern to yisit certain indiyiduals, who had been dis-
owned from the Society of Friends, opened the subject
to her meeting, and receiyed permission to perform the
seryice, and the expression of much unity therewith.
She knew of no one to accompany her ; but after the
meeting, Peter Andrew.^, from sympathy, offered to
go. He did so to two or three families, when finding
he had nothing to do with the seryice, he told her,
that his free-will offering was not accepted, and that
he could go no further. In her distress, she looked
round her for help, and wrote to James Simpson,
stating her condition, and quoting to him the passage,
"Come oyer into Macedonia and help us.'' James
had no inclination to engage in that to which he wa«

352

SARAH HARRISON.

not called, bat in giving his refusal, he said he had, in
a dream or vision, seen a woman Friend, who, he was
persuaded, was designed to accompany her in this ser-
vice. Soon after Martha Routh came to Philadelphia,
and felt the concern laid immediately upon her. The
Monthly Meeting approved of her joining Elizabeth,
and their labor appears to have been remarkably
blessed. Several, being reached through their minis-
try, were brought back to the fold, and of these some
became ministers of the Gospel.

Isaac Jacobs, a minister belonging to Uwchlan
Meeting, having been, through the winter of 1784-5,
engaged in visiting meetings in the Southern States,
thus wrote from Petersburg, Virginia, to Sarah Har-
rison, under date of Third month 12th, 1787: "Now
dear Sarah, I address myself to thee, and may inform
thee that there is a field of labor for those who are
entered into the public vineyard. We found the
spring of the ministry at a low ebb in some places,
meetings rather on the decline, and some almost ready
to be laid down. I am thankful to find that there is
a seed preserved in every place, and though small, yet
1 found my mind united to that little, so tliat I could
say it was enough to reward for my poor labor in
leaving my connections at home. In places where
things seemed the least, there appeared marks of the
love and gracious regard of the holy Shepherd, in

SARAH HARRISON:

353

turning some from the barren wilderness of an empty
profession, to seek him and become of his flock. This
I trust some are, who have come in by convincement.
. . . We seem to be on our way home, and can say for
thy encouragement, (apprehending that thou art rather
diffident at times,) that in most places there is an open-
ness among Friends and other sober-minded peoj^le to
receive Friends among them with a great deal of good-
will. Our esteemed Friends, Edith Sharpless and
Sarah Talbot, having been through many places where
we have been, have left a pleasant savor ; and in divers
places not among Friends, their services, I believe,
will redound to the credit of Truth."

The mind of Sarah Harrison had been drawn to
the South, but the time for the performance of her
visit had not yet come. Isaac Jacobs appears, by this
letter, to have entered into feeling on this subject with
her

The following message from her friend, Samuel
Emlen, then in Dublin, contained in a letter written
22d of Seventh month, 1785, expressing his sympathy
with her in her exercises, must also have been as a
cordial to her mind, and strengthening to her faith in
this time of trial. He says : " I desire my affectionate
salutation given to Sarah Harrison and husband. Tell
her, though she has received no written testimony of
my continued brotherly regard, yet she is, as a Chris-
30*

354

SARAH HARRISON.

tian pilgrim in the path of tribulation and varied
exercise, largely interested in my sympathy and truest
well-wishings. I trust she knows in whom she has
believed, even in whom it is said, ' There is Tione holy
as the Lord, neither is there any Rock like our God,
May she then, with a perfect submission and a righteous
confidence, at all times give up to the heavenly vision,
and not furnish occasioil for the reprehensive expostu-
lation, thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou
doubt?'''

In the Fifth month, 1786, Sarah Harrison left her
home, accompanied by her friend, Mary England, to
attend the Yearly Meeting of Virginia, after her
return from which her mind was impressed with a
sense that further religious labor in the Southern States
was required of her. In the latter part of the same
year she was liberated by her Monthly Meeting to
attend all the meetings of Friends in Virginia and
many of those further south.

In the course of this visit she attended North
Carolina Yearly Meeting, in the Tenth month, 1787,
where she remarks, " The subject of holding mankind
as slaves came weightily before the meeting, and a
committee was appointed to visit such as have slaves,
and if they continue to disregard the wholesome advice
of the body. Monthly Meetings were directed to dis-
unite them."

SARAH HARRISON.

355

In the early part of the year 1788, she spent sev^eral
weeks in Charleston, S. C, where she wrote as follows :
"Great has been the oppression we have felt here;
the Gospel truths we have had to deliver being so
repugnant to the disposition of the minds of most of
the inhabitants, who, like many others, love ease, and
do not want their false rests disturbed. They say
much against slave-holding; all we have conversed
with agree that it is not right to hold tlieir fellow-
creatures in bondage, and wish they were all free, de-
claring that they are only a burden to them. But
when an}i;hing is said to promote their freedom, they
soon turn and say they are not fit for freedom, because
they are such poor, helpless creatures. But, oh, that
God may be pleased to hasten the coming of that day
when the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and
the ears of them that hear shall hearken to His in-
speaking voice ! "

On the 27th of the Third month, Sarah Harrison
again wrote : " Yesterday I was at a small meeting in
Charleston, when the states of those present were laid
open before them, I trust in a clear light, though not
with enticing words of man's wisdom. I often think
I am one of the most stammering speech of any that
ever were sent forth on such an errand. May he that
promised to be with the mouth of Moses, be with me at
all times, especially when engaged in his cause, and teach

356

SARAH HARRISON.

me what I shall say, is the desire of my heart ; that so
his great name may be exalted, and self may be abased
in me. Although the Lord has been pleased at times
to lead me through the valley and shadow ©f death,
yet there have been times when I could sing praises to
his name, and extol him that rideth upon the heavens/'
Much religious labor was performed by Sarah Har-
rison and her companions during this journey with
those members of our Society who then held slaves.
Going from house to house, clothed with meekness,
yet in the power and authority of the Lord's Holy
Spirit, their labors were blessed with unexpected
success.

Many individuals, particularly in Virginia, were
much contrited under the Divine power attending her
ministry, and, from a heartfelt conviction of duty,
bore a righteous testimony against slave-holding by
manumitting all their slaves. Within the limits of
one Monthly Meeting in that State, the Friends had
the satisfaction of seeing nearly fifty of their fellow-
beings released from bondage in their presence. To-
w^ard the conclusion of their journey, Sarah Harrison
remarks : " I can with gratitude say, I believe the arm
of God's salvation has been made bare for our preser-
>^ation thus far."

They reached Philadelphia in the Eighth month,
1788, having been nearly a year engaged in this

SARAH HARRISON.

357

arduous service. The annals of our Society furnish
no similar record of such successful labor in the cause
of the oppressed.

While engaged in her labors in the South, Sarah
Harrison received an encouraging letter from her
adopted daughter, and affectionate sympathizing com-
panion, Sarah Dickenson, who, a short time previously,
had been united in marriage, to a sweet-spirited Friend,
Charles Williams. Sarah Williams had passed through
many outward trials, and inward baptisms, in early
life, and had appeared in the ministry, when a very
child in years. Under date of Fourth month 19th,
1788, she Avrote:

" Being informed by thy dear husband of an oppor-
tunity for conveying letters to thee, I thought I felt a
freedom once more [to address thee], as a testimony of
my unshaken love and sympathy for thee ; and more
especially as my mind was peculiarly impressed, upon
receiving such intelligence, with a sacred and blessed
promise uttered by the lip of Truth, that every one
who had left father, mother, houses, and children, for
his sake, should receive in this life an hundred-fold,
and in that to come, life everlasting : the remembrance
of which I thought was sufficient to bear up such
through every proving dispensation, allotted in this
state of pilgrimage.

Yea, my dear mother, permit me to say, that I

358

SAFAII IIAEBISOK

believe it has not been for nought that thou hast been
called into that desolate part of the vineyard ; for the
^Master, it seems to me, is about to visit the highways
and hedges, and to draw, as it were, the heathen by his
powerful love to come in and sup with him/'

While in Baltimore, in a subsequent visit to the
families of Friends in that place, in 1789, Sarah
Harrison received intelligence of the death of Sarah
Williams, which occurred on the 18th of the Seventh
mouth, at the early age of twenty-four years. It was
a great shock to Sarah Harrison, yet, she says, " The
language occurred, ^ Weep not for me, but weep for
yourselves, and for your children.' Dear Sarah has
been the subject of my thoughts almost every day, for
several weeks, Avhile we have been visiting families ;
and often in the course of my testimonies, I have had
to mention her zeal for the honor of Truth, at so early
a period of her life, though she labored under many
difficulties and discouragements. Many trying circum-
stances of her life were brought to my remembrance,
as well as her growth and experience in the work of
religion, and at what age her mouth was opened in
meetings. She was recommended to the meeting of
ministers and elders at about the age of eighteen
years. And now methinks I hear a voice, saying,
^ Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from
henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may

SARAH HARRISON.

359

rest from their labors, and their works do follow
them/ "

Such was the testimony of Sarah Williams's adopted
mother — and a deep feeling of lamentation for her
loss was experienced by the church, while its members
could but feel, that their departed sister, though young
in years, had been enabled to work out her portion of
labor in the Master's vineyard, and had been taken as
at noon to receive her penny of everlasting peace.

While absent on this journey, the tender feelings of
Sarah Harrison experienced another shock in the re-
moval, by death, of her son Thomas. When infor-
mation reached the poor, heart-stricken mother, she
found that there was One who could heal her. She
felt his Holy Spirit near her, and was enabled in true
submission to the Lord's will, to bow down in suppli-
cation, that herself and husband might be preserved
in a state of perfect resignation, so that they might be
enabled to say, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath
taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord."

She was enabled to feel that those of her children,
seven in number, who had been taken from her by
death in their early years, had been gathered in mercy
among the saints in light. She knew that for them,
there was no cause to sorrow, and in the strength
which the Lord alone can give, she felt that she would
rather that all should be taken in the innocency of

360

SARAH HARRISON.

youth, than that one should grow up a servant of
sin.

It is the duty of all of us to strive after resignation
to the loss of friends and connections, when' it is the
will of our heavenly Father to gather them from us.
He knows when it is best to remove them, and it be-
hoves us earnestly to seek for resignation to his will.
The following anecdote in relation to this subject con-
veys much instruction. A religious woman had a son
apparently near to the gates of death. She believed
he would be taken, and felt it would be right to resign
him, but her maternal feelings overpowering her' re-
ligious sense of right, she refused to do so, and con-
tinued to petition, that her son's life might be spared.
It appeared that her requests, unsanctified by resig-
nation, were granted in judgment, not in mercy. The
child recovered, and grew up to be the thorn and
sorrow of her life — the bitterness of anguish, and of
shame to her ! Why should we mourn and weep for
the loss of friends who have been gathered in mercy,
and safely housed, as we humbly trust, in one of the
many mansions in glory ? Here, had they been con-
tinued, it would have been in probation, with a possi-
bility of losing the crown in the end ; there, they are
forever at rest — forever settled in unending happi-
ness. Our late Friend, Thomas Kite, while on his
death-bed expressed the sentiment, that to be removed

SAFAE RARRTSOX.

361

when in the prime of usefulness, from the church, was
desirable. He alluded to one who had fallen away in
his old age, and stating that this individual had in
early manhood a very severe illness, added, " Had he
been taken then, all Israel would have mourned for
him !

In 1792, Sarah Harrison was liberated by her friends
to pay a religious visit to Great Britain and Ireland,
a prospect of which had for some time previously
weightily impressed her mind. She sailed for Liver-
pool on the loth of the Seventh month, in company
with Mary Ridgway and Jane Watson, who, after
having accomplished a visit in Gospel love to the
churches in America, were returning to their native
land. Samuel Emlen, who had also been set at liberty
for religious labor in Europe, was a fellow-passenger.

In the course of this visit Sarah Harrison felt a
great care not to minister to itcliing ears, but would
rather travel on in silence and sorrow than speak,
unless under the clear requiring of duty. Her feel-
ings were much in unison with those of Richard Jor-
dan on this subject, as thus expressed by him in a
letter written from Enoland to his wife in 1802 :

" Alas ! what can we do, when He who hath the
keys of David is pleased to shut ? Who can dare
attempt to open? ... I fully believe that attempts of
this sort is the reason of so much lifeless ministry

31

362

SARAH HARRISON.

prevailing in the world, (even among us as well as
other people,) which T believe seldom (rightly) either
opens the understanding or convinces the judgment.
Many seem to get on very easy, as if custom had
made it so, and it may be so to them, but, verily, I
cannot learn how they come at it ; for when I am ap-
prehensive that I have missed it in this respect, the
affliction and anguish of my soul are beyond descrip-
tion. It is only by the breath of life from God that
man becomes a living soul, and it is only by the re-
newing of it in our souls that we are enabled to offer
acceptable offerings unto Him. ... I cannot bear the
thought of being numbered among those that encom-
pass themselves ' with sparks of their own kindling,^
whose portion is (if they persist) to lie down in sorrow,
. . . When I have been favored with patience to wait,
through deep suffering, for the lifting up of that
that smote the rock in the wilderness by the hand of
Moses — blessed be his name — he hath been pleased
to smite it again and again, and cause living water to
gush out, and many more souls with mine to drink as
into the everlasting fountain, to our mutual refresh-
ment and humble rejoicing in the renewed offers of
his salvation.''

It is very important that ministers should be
strengthened to refuse the demand of the itching ears
for words, when nothing is committed to them to de-

SARAH HARRISON.

363

liver; and equally so, that they deliver faithfully what
is given them, even though it may be disagreeable
truths to those to whom it is addressed. The following
account contains a very instructive moral. An honest,
simple-hearted minister of the Gospel, belonging to
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, had been liberated by
his Friends to pay a religious visit, and no doubt was
often exercised in secret prayer that he might perform
it safely, and return with peace of mind as the reward
of faithful obedience. Just before the time came for
him to leave home to commence his proposed labor, he
' dreamed as follows : He thought that he had already
started on his journey, and was carrying a white bag
with him. Around him many people were collected,
all anxious for a portion of the contents of the bag,
but each one desiring to choose for himself what he
would have. His heart was stirred up with earnest
zeal, and, in Scripture diction, he emphatically de-
clared, "As the Lord liveth, and as your souls live,
I will not give you aught, save that which cometh to
hand.^' The remembrance of the dream remained
with the Friend on his journey, and he thought it
proved of good service to him.

In many places which she visited abroad, Sarah
Harrison was often under much discouragement of
mind, but she was at times comforted and animated to
pursue her religious engagements by the messages sent

364

SARAH HARRISON,

her by her valued co- laborers in the ministry and
other sympathizing friends.

Samuel Emlen thus addressed her in the language
of encouragement, in a letter dated London, Tenth
month 12th, 1793.

" My belief is that the Lord will bless the faithful
in his work, and prosper it in their hands. Be not,
therefore, improperly discouraged, although at times
thou may be ready to exclaim, * Who hath believed
our report? or to whom is the arm of the Lord re-
vealed ? ^ If we are really and sincerely devoted to
Divine appointment, there is cause reverently to hope
that we shall, at least, ^ deliver our own souls ' from
that condemnation which the unfaithful and negligent
are incurring, to their own abundant loss and grievous
disappointment. I feel that I yet love thee as a co-
worker unto the kingdom of God ; for thou art, and
often hast been, a comfort to my best life.

" I am thy cordial, well-wishing friend,

Samuel Emlen."

In scenes of trial and apparent desertion, the sym-
pathy of those rightly qualified to feel is often blessed
to the revival of a little grain of holy hope. The
letters received by Sarah Harrison gave her evidence
that her Friends at a distance felt with her and for
her, and so did her closely united companion, Sarah
Benson and others, where her lot was cast. A Friend
in the ministry, while travelling on the Continent of

SAFAH HARRISON.

365

Kurope, being under deep depression of spirit, was
suddenly comforted with an assurance inwardly given
him that Mary Dudley was at that time engaged in
supplication on his behalf. So strong was the impres-
sion that he noted down the time, and when afterward
in England, he learned that at that very time Mary
Dudley had felt constrained to kneel down in a public
meeting, and vocally to approach the throne of mercy
and grace on his behalf.

Sarah Harrison was several years in Europe, visit-
ing Friends' meetings in the limits of Loudon and
Dublin Yearly ^Meetings, and also travelling on the
Continent, where the unsettled state of the country
subjected her to many trials and difficulties in the
prosecution of her labors of love, being, on one occa-
sion, held prisoner for several days, by the French
authorities, on suspicion of being an English spy.

After her return home, her health became much
broken, so that she seldom got out, except to her own
meetings.

Her last illness was very short. She died the 29th
of Twelfth month, 1812, in much calmness and qui-
etude, her last words being, " Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit." She was in the seventy-sixth year of her age".
31 *

t

JOHN PAKKEE.

JOHN PARKER was born in Wilmington, in the
^ State of Delaware, in the year 1748. He was by
birth a member of the Society of Friends, and we may
believe that he experienced some beneficial restraints
from his connection therewith. By the loss of his
father while he was still young, he could no longer
receive paternal admonition, nor be subject to that
watchful oversight and control which a religiously
concerned father might have exercised. In early life
he too much allowed his naturally lively imagination
and strong will to rule his conduct. It is believed
that he was favored to witness preservation from gross
and reproachful vices, though he deviated from the
simplicity of the Truth, and turned aside from the
way of the cross. Yet, when the Lord^s Holy Spirit
awakens the best and cleanest livers among unregen-
erate men to a sense of their lost and undone condi-
tion, how do they see that their whole life has been a
polluted one ! and how are they brought to repent, ip

366

JOHN PARKER.

367

dust and ashes, over past transgressions and inward
and outward corruption !

He once, in his earnest, animated manner, gave a
ministering Friend an account of the way in which
he became a Quaker. His narrative was to this effect :
At the time the English army, early in the Ninth
month, 1777, after having landed at the head of Elk,
were approaching Philadelphia, they passed near the
place where he lived. He was out of his house, and
a company of Hessians meeting him, appeared dis-
posed to rob him. By some means they learned that
he was a Quaker, whereupon they desisted from all
acts of violence toward him, but carried him to the
English officer in command. Here, too, probably, the
reputation of the Society of which he was then but an
unworthy member, cast a shield over him, and he Avas
told that he should receive no harm. He must, how-
ever, remain with them for a time, as they were about
to engage with the American army, and if he were
released, he might carry to their opponents the knowl-
edge of their position and their intentions. They
treated him, however, kindly, and the chief officer of
that portion of the army kept him near his person.
As they were standing on the Brandywine hills, sur-
veying the beautiful country around — beautiful al-
though arrayed in the graver tints of early autumn —
the British officer made many remarks on the loveli-

368

JOHN PARKER,

ness of the scene. At last the firing commenced, and
John, who was still near the officer, saw many fall
around him. The awfulness of his situation, in the
consciousness that he was unprepared for death, made
him tremble. The officer perceived the uneasiness of
his companion, and, smiling on him, inquired if he
was afraid. To this John promptly replied, " Yes."
As no object was to be gained by detaining him any
longer, he was told he might go, and he soon reached
his home in safety. As John in his old age related this
circumstance, he added, " That day made me a Quaker.
I never was one before.'^

It is probable that the view of death thus brought
powerfully before him, was of essential service, and
tended to drive him to seek for consolation where
alone it could be found, even in Him, who, by taking
away our sins, taketh away the sting of death. He
had been made to quahe for fear of death ; — he was
now made a Quaker indeed, in an awful sense of the
power and presence of the Lord God of Hosts, visit-
ing his soul as a refiner Avith fire, and as a right-
eous Judge with judgments. Witnessing his own will
brought into subjection, a new heart was given him,
and he no longer took delight in this world's pleas-
ures. He submitted to the cross of Christ, and
through the effectual working of the Lord's preparing
Spirit, and a gift in the ministry of the Gospel com-

JOHN PARKER.

369

mitted to him, he was soon qualified for usefulness in
the church of Christ. The prospect of entering into
the ministry, was a very awful thing to him, and
many deep baptisms were his portion. In relation to
it, he said, " He felt so poor, so little, so rude and
uninstructed in the work of religion, that he could
hardly esteem it possible that the Almighty could
condescend to make use of so mean an instrument for
the promotion of his holy cause." Yet as he abode
under the visitation and the baptisms allotted him, he
was brought into submission to the Lord's will, and
in due time was enabled in living authority to speak
of that which he had known in himself, and to direct
his hearers to the Lord Jesus Christ, the sanctifier and
Saviour of his people.

John Parker was thoroughly convinced that the
salvation of man ^sas in and through the Lord
Jesus Christ. He knew that through the offering
of the dear Son of God — a lively faith in Him —
and submission to his soul - cleansing baptisms, he
had witnessed the forgiveness of sin — and therefore
in the love which would have all saved, he pressed
upon his hearers the necessity of obedience to that
Spirit, and faith in the Lord Jesus, through whom
there is forgiveness and remission of sins. He c.mld
speak from living experience, for he had himself
tasted and handled of the good "Word of life, and

370

JOHN PARKER.

therefore lie was prepared to proclaim with emphasis
and energy, " These are not cunningly devised fables,
but living, substantial truth.''

The first time he opened his mouth in the way of
public ministry, he uttered but four words. This act
of dedication, notwithstanding the smallness of the
offering, he said brought him the reward of peace.
He was not for a time abundant in expression, for he
knew the necessity of waiting closely on the Lord, and
speaking only as he opened the way. Being concerned
to close his communications at the Master's bidding,
as well as to commence in his authority, and in obedi-
ence to his will, his growth was solid.

John Parker was no man's copy. He possessed a
large share of natural ability, and although he had
not been favored with much literary education, yet his
cheerful temper, and his lively imagination, under
subjection to the Truth, made his company and con-
versation agreeable to young and to old. Great, at
times, were his earnestness and fervency of spirit,
when in a loud, clear, and melodious voice, he was
enabled to preach the Gospel of life and salvation.
There was much solemnity in his manner, and his
delivery was impressive, while his illustrations from
common things of daily occurrence, connected with
the business of life, were often exceedingly felicitous,
and happily adapted to give to the mind of the hearer

JOHN PARKER.

371

clear views of doctrinal truth and practical heart-
cleansing religion.

It appears from an account preserved, that Joshua
Evans was at times led to make comparisons in his
ministry, some of which, although startling to his
hearers while he was enunciating them, were found at
the close to be exceedingly pertinent, and to leave
valuable and lasting impressions. On one occasion,
while on a religious visit in the limits of Xew York
Yearly Meeting, he held a meeting, at which there
were few Friends present, but many others, among
whom were the most respectable and best - educated
people of the neighborhood. After a time of silence,
Joshua arose, and commenced speaking to this import :
" Suppose a person eminent for wisdom among you,
being about to perform a journey, should harness his
horse behind his wagon ! AYould you not, if he were
your friend, remonstrate against the measure, and if he
persisted, would you not tliink him irrational, and that
his undertaking would never be accomplished ? "

As Joshua spoke these sentences, the congregation
seemed astonished. Joshua then quoted the text,
"Seek ve first the kinwlom of God and his rioht-
eousness, and all these things shall be added unto
you.'' " This," said he, " was an admonition or com-
mandment of the blessed Saviour himself ; but people
generally, instead of obeying him, seek first the things

372

JOHN PARKER.

of this world and the glory thereof, and appear to be
under an apprehension that the kingdom and right-
eousness of God will be added, without their care or
concern. When or how it is to be obtained seems a
matter of indifference to them, although they think
and say, ^ It is desirable/ In this careless and uncon-
cerned state, many are summoned to appear before the
Great Judge who gave forth the command. These
careless and unconcerned ones are more unlikely to
accomplish the design of their creation, and to be
saved with an everlasting salvation, than the man
would be to accomplish his journey whose horse was
hitched behind his wagon." The assembly, by this
time, began to appreciate the fitness of the comparison,
and appeared to feel the solemnity and importance of
the subject. The baptizing power of Truth was man-
ifested that day among them, and many tears of con-
trition were shed. The meeting was long remembered
in that neighborhood, and was often spoken of by
those who had attended it, who manifested a high
degree of veneration and respect for the simple-hearted
preacher.

After John Parker was acknowledged as a minister
by his Friends, he sometimes paid religious visits
within the limits of his own Yearly Meeting. Yet
he went not much abroad. His Master, whose pre-
rogative it is to call his servants to labor where and

JOHN PARKER.

373

when lie pleases, generally apportioned him his field
of service at home. There he was best known, and
there he was most beloved. His consistent walking
among men had an influence for good on those around
him, and opened the way for his ministry, and for the
counsel and warning which he was at times led to
administer to those who had departed, or were in dan-
ger of departing from the Truth. These reproofs,
although at times solemn and very close, it is believed,
being given in love, were generally received in love.

He was distinguished by genuine, plain hospitality,
and his friends were ever wont to be received at his
house with a cordiality that made them feel that they
were welcome. He was a hearty sympathizer with
those who w^ere in affliction, and wheu sickness as-
sailed, or death entered a family, he was a frequent
and welcome visitant. In the hour of trouble and
season of calamity, he was looked to by his neighbors
for comfort and advice, and tender consolation and
judicious counsel were often administered by him.

John Parker had received but a limited education
in his youth, yet, by reading and observation, he had
accumulated quite a ;und of knowledge, and his judg-
ment of men and things was in general good. His
conversational powers were excellent, and his animated
yet familiar manners made his company very pleasant
to young and old. He was often enabled to draw
32

374

JOHN PARKER.

from even trivial events lessons of instruction for his
youthful visitors.

John was in limited circumstances when he began
life, but, through industry and economy, he supported
a large family with reputation. He continued to labor
with his own hands until quite advanced in years, yet
he was very careful, after he had submitted to the
cross of Christ, not to allow his temporal affairs to
prevent his attending his own meeting or to interfere
with his other religious concerns. Our Christian
duties ought to be attended to, however much we may
in a pecuniary point of view suffer thereby, inasmuch
as heavenly riches exceed in value mere earthly treas-
ure; yet men seldom suffer loss by attending dili-
gently their religious meetings.

The following anecdotes are in point : On a certain
occasion the late Timothy Paxson closed his place of
business in order that he might attend his week-day
meeting. During the time he was absent for this pur-
pose, a customer went to his store with the inten-
tion of purchasing five hundred barrels of flour for
immediate shipment. Finding that the door was
shut, the man turned into an adjoining store and
made his purchase. When Timothy returned from
meeting, his neighbor who had made the sale, came
to see him, and informed him what he had lost
by his going to- meeting. Timothy quietly told him

JOHN PARKER.

375

that religious duty must take precedence of worldly
business. The next morning a vessel arrived from
Eui'ope, bringing information of a sudden advance in
the price of breadstulfs, and Timothy sold his flour at
a dollar a barrel more than he would have received if
he had not been at meeting.

Another Friend of this city, who deceased some
years since, said that it had always been the practice
of himself and brothers, who were his partners, regu-
larly to attend all their week-day meetings. He added,
they thought that even in a pecuniary point of view,
they had never lost one cent by it. He said that once,
on meeting-day, one of their largest customers called,
and, as the members of the firm were all absent, he, in
a great hurry to procure his goods, went to another
store, where he purchased his six months' supply.
After meeting, they were informed of what had hap-
pened, and came to the conclusion that in this one
instance they had been pecuniarily losers by attending
to their religious duties. But the result proved other-
wise. Before the time came round at whicli payment
for the purchase would in common course have been
made, the customer was a bankrupt, and they saved
the whole amount of the bill which he would have
bought of them had they been at the store. These
instances are introduced to show that apparent losses
in support of our duty are not always really so, and

376

JOHN PARKER.

that while it is the business of a Christian to walk in
the path his Master points out, without reasoning as
to consequences, yet that our blessed Caretaker often
causes outward prosperity to attend a faithful per-
formance of duty.

John Parker continued laboring faithfully in his
gift, and cheering his neighbors by his animated man-
ners and kind interest in their welfare. One day,
having been favored to preach the Gospel with an un-
usual degree of the demonstration of the Spirit and
power, on leaving the door of Kennet meeting-house,
he appeared very cheerful, as was frequently the case
with him under such circumstances, shaking hands
with and addressing some pleasant remark to each per-
son as he passed along. One of his sober neighbors,
not a Friend, who had l)een at meeting that morning,
stood a little back from the crowd, with much solemn
gravity expressed in his countenance, viewing John's
cheerful progress among his Friends. When John
reached the spot where he stood, the neighbor, taking
his offered hand, said, " I do marvel how you can be
so lively and pleasant, immediately after having been
so favored as you have been this morning, while en-
gaged in the solemn and awful work of the ministry.*''
After a short pause, John said, " I find I can raise a
variety of crops, and keep different kinds of animals
on my small farm by keeping good strong fences be-

JOHN PARKER.

377

tween the different fields, so as to confine everything
to its proper place/^ I see/' answered his neighbor,
" that much depends upon good strong fences to keep
everything in its proper place, and that there is, in
fact, but a step from one field of labor to another."

In the winter of 1828-29, John Parker had a severe
attack of catarrh, and never seemed fully to recover
from its effects. During the time he was most afi&icted
by this disease, he was absent from his meeting but
one day, being there when many a younger person
would have esteemed himself excused from attend-
ing. But he loved to be at the religious assemblies of
his Friends, and in social worship to w^ait upon the
Lord for a renewal of spiritual strength. When he
grew somewhat better, he paid a visit to his Friends
in Philadelphia, and in Xew Jersey, and was often
engaged in public ministry in the meetings which he
attended, as they came in course. He appeared lively
in the exercise of his gift, and it was animating to be-
hold this aged warrior of the cross, now evidently fail-
ing in bodily powers, so green and vigorous in the
spiritual life.

John Parker attended the Yearly Meeting in 1829,
and took part in the concerns w^hich claimed its atten-
tion. The impression was strong on his mind that it
would be the last he should ever be at. On his return
home, his bodily infirmities increased, but his mind
32

378

JOHN PARKER.

seemed brighter ; and in his visits among his friends,
he manifested much of that charticter so beautifully-
drawn of him in the memorial issued by his Monthly
Meeting. It says, he was " not very thoughtful of
what he should eat, or wherewithal he should be
clothed ; and feeling happiness and contentment within
himself, he seemed to spread a ray thereof where he
went." His strength gradually declined, but he con-
tinued to get to his religious meetings, and to the
dwellings of Friends near by, almost to the very close.
He one day said to a Friend, " I think much of late
about dying. It is a serious thing to die. ^ If the
righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly
and the sinner appear ? ' "

As the days of this aged servant of the Lord drew
toAvard a close, his cheerfulness continued, and his
mind seemed clothed with serenity. His thoughts
were on religious subjects — and. his conversation
tended to the edification of his listeners. His judg-
ment seemed clear and strong, and a sweet, deep feel-
ing of humility appeared to clothe his spirit. He re-
marked on one occasion, I can remember the time in
my youth, when I first fully gave in my name to serve
the Lord. I was broken down and deeply contrited,
and, in this lowly state, experienced inexpressible
peace and sweetness of feeling. A renewal of this
precious feeling I have felt at various subsequent

JOHN PARKER.

379

periods." He then added with emotion, " And I think
I have felt a measure of it now in my old age."

How full of heavenly sweetness and consolation
must such a condition of mind be at such a moment !
To be able to look with gratitude to the Lord, who
hath redeemed us from evil, and given us to experience
the peace of his children ; to feel the warm gushes of
thankfulness for the present assurance of his love, and
to have a quiet, well-grounded hope of a blessed im-
mortality through the redemption which is in Christ
Jesus, must indeed be as a foretaste of that heavenly
joy which is laid up in store for the righteous, in that
kingdom which shall never have an end.

In the latter part of the Sixth month, 1829, John
Parker attended a meeting for worship for the last
time, after which he said, This world has lost its
charms for me. I have no wish to continue a moment
longer in it, unless it might be that I could do some
good to the Master's cause."

After this he was mostly confined to the house, and,
though gradually decreasing in strength, continued
calm and cheerful. He at one time expressed that
his only hope was in Christ, and in his mediation and
intercession with the Father, for being received in the
end. At another time, Avhen under great suffering, he
exclaimed, " Oh, that I had the wings of a dove, that
I might flee away, and be at rest. Be near me, O

380

JOHN PARKER.

Lord, in these times of great trial, when the soul is
about to be separated from the body. O Lord, my
trust is in thee ; let me not be ashamed ! "

Two days before his death he took an affectionate
leave of his family, setting forth his faith in the dear
Redeemer, who had given himself a ransom for all.
He could say in the present feeling of living faith, "
know that my Redeemer li veth ; ' and because he liveth,
I shall live also.''

He continued at times engaged in supplication until
First-day morning, the 12th of Seventh month, 1829,
when he was quietly released from the body, and,
we reverently believe, was gathered into one of those
mansions which our Saviour testified that he went
before to prepare for those who, believing in God,
believed also in Him. He was in his eighty-first
year.

NICHOLAS

WALN.

ICHOLAS WALX was the son of Nicholas and
^lary Wain, and was born on the 19th of Ninth
month, 1742, at Fair Hill, near Philadelphia. He
was deprived of a father's care, when he was about
eight years of age ; but was tenderly and affectionately
brought up by his mother, aided by his guardian, her
brother.

Soon after his father's decease, he was placed at a
school, founded by charter, granted by William Penn,
under the care of Friends in Philadelphia. Here he
passed through the English departments, studied the
mathematics, and became a good Latin scholar — and
what was of far greater importance upon his after life,
he was educated in the principles and doctrines of the
Christian religion.

Nicholas Wain used to relate in after life that
he never wholly lost the early impressions of pure
religion. When tempted to go with his companions
into many vices and follies, incident to vain youth, he

381

382

NICHOLAS WALK.

would peremptorily refuse ; and when rallied for his
parsimony, on the ground that sordidness and love of
money was the cause of his refusal, he allowed him-
self to be accounted mean in this respect, instead of
acknowledging to them, as he should have done, his
regard for a governing principle in his own mind, that
secretly restrained him from gross evils, and mercifully
kept him from " many foolish and hurtful lusts, which
drown men in destruction and perdition."

Immediately after leaving school, and while yet a
mere lad, he commenced the study of the law; de-
voting a part of his time to obtaining a knowledge of
the German language. In his close application to
study, an important habit of industry was acquired ;
he was freed from the train of temptations and evils
that wait upon idleness, and, in great measure, from
the company and solicitations of idle young men.
He was naturally vivacious, witty, and sarcastic,
delighting in gayety and merriment, but suffered
nothing to interfere with his studies ; and, while yet
a minor, was admitted to practice in the courts, where,
it is said, ^' he met with great encouragement."

With a view of improving his knowledge of the
law, he embarked for England, on the 10th of Tenth
month, 1763, and proceeding to London, immured
himself in the Temple, and entered upon his studies
anew. Here his early habit of attention to the object

NICHOLAS WALN.

383

of pursuit, had also a tendency to preserve liim from
the idle pastimes, diversions, and dissipations of a
great city, and the absence of his old associates, in
M'hose company he had at home delighted to spend
the part of his time allotted to relaxation, in gayety
and frolic, gave him leisure for reflection and retire-
ment. Early religious impressiojis were here revived,
he reviewed his past career, and seemed resolved to
lead a different life. The following letter to his aunt,
the widow of his guardian, shows the state of his
mind at this time.

"London, 20th of First month, 1764.

^'Dear Aunt, — I have entertained an opinion that
it is my duty by this opportunity to write to thee, for
whom I have a very great regard. I am sensible thou
hast undergone a great deal of affliction, and hast been
wounded with the most piercing sorrow — which has
rendered it highly necessary for thee to sum up all
thy fortitude and patience to bear up under them.
There is something implanted within us by our
Heavenly Father, w^iich excites our grief for the
death of our friends and relations, and that in propor-
tion to the affection and esteem we have for them.
This is a natural principle, and by no means incon-
sistent with Christianity. But, as the dispensations
of Providence are always founded upon the highest
wisdom, it is undoubtedly our duty to submit to them
with patience and resignation, and to say, ^ Thy will
be done, O Father,' without murmuring. I am confi-

384

NICHOLAS WALK

dent, dear aunt, it is a hard task for flesh and blood ;
but, nevertheless, if everything is duly considered, as,
first, that we are born to know trouble, that we are
placed here in a state of probation, and must neces-
sarily expect to meet with trials — we shall then
plainly perceive that we suffer nothing more than
that we fall heirs to as men, and of course ought to
be satisfied with our lot. But, this is not all. Let us
consider the gracious promise of our Lord, the blessed
Redeemer of mankind, who says, ' Come unto me, all
ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest;^ and again, ^ Blessed are they that mourn, for
they shall be comforted.^ These are gracious promises,
for which we can never be enough thankful, and which
ought to cheer up the drooping spirits of the afilicted
Christian, who, by applying to the great Physician of
souls, will find relief and comfort in the most fiery
trials. Let us then not despair, but place an implicit
faith in Him, who is Truth itself, and can never have
deviated from his blessed promise, but will always be
with his children and people.

" I thank God, the Father of all mercies, that he
has been pleased to visit my poor soul, and convince
me of the errors of my conduct; and I hope I shall
be enabled, by his blessed assistance, to experience a
redemption from the things of this wicked world ; for,
really, the more I see of its vanities, the more empty
they appear to me, and altogether incapable of afford-
ing any solid satisfaction. Cheer up, and rejoice, for
the time is drawing nigh, when everlasting joy will be
assigned to those who have fought the good battle of

NICHOLAS WALN.

385

faith, and have worn the cross with resignation and
patience. Amen.

" I am, etc.,

Nicholas Waln."

From other letters there is evidence that his stay in
Loudon was a time of religious impressions, though
not a season of much religious improvement. After
he had passed through his new course of study, and
become a member of the Temple Society, he returned
to Philadelphia, after an absence of little more than a
year, and resumed the practice of the law.

The fluency w^ith which he spoke the German lan-
guage, his cheerful, pleasing, and amiable manners,
together with their confidence in his integrity, soon
made him a favorite with the Germans, and opened,
in addition to his Philadelphia business, an extensive
and profitable practice in the County Courts, particu-
larly at Lancaster and Easton ; and, during a period
of nearly seven years, he seems to have devoted every
faculty of his mind to his profession, and apparently
with a view to make money.

He married Sarah, the only child of Joseph Richard-
son, of Philadelphia, on the 22d of Fifth month, 1771,
who, as he many times bore testimony, was, through
life, a true helpmeet to him.

In the course of a year after his marriage, he was
mercifully favored with a renewed visitation. That
33

386 NICHOLAS WALK

good hand which had been with him from childhood,
now seemed to lay hold on judgment^ and bring all
his sins into remembrance. He, by whom " God shall
judge the secrets of men," even Jesus Christ, who,
according to the apostle, is in all men, sat upon the
judgment - seat, in his soul. The book wtis opened,
and he was judged out of those things that were
written in the book. His whole life, even every day
of his life, as he long afterward used to describe this
"judgment day," seemed to be laid opeii. Every
thing that was covered, or past, was revealed; and
through the power of conviction, he experienced judg-
ment to pass upon the transgressing nature. He had
many times consulted with flesh and blood, and rea-
soned himself from under strong convictions ; but now,
through the power of constraining grace, he gave
up to the heavenly visitation. He was overwhelmed
with sorrow and contrition. He was utterly dis-
qualified from attending to business, or for seeing and
conversing with business men. In this unsettled
condition he remained, until he felt an impression
of duty to go to the Youth's meeting, held for
Divine worship, on the Third day of the week, at
the Market Street house, on the 4th of Second month,
1772.

In this meeting he felt constrained to appear in
public prayer to the Almighty. It was evidently an

NICHOLAS WALK

387

unexpected thing to the whole assembly; but his
supplication, which seemed to be altogether on his own
account, and was delivered with great deliberation,
had a powerful effect upon all present; and, upon
the minds of his acquaintances, as they heard of it,
and indeed upon the citizens generally, (for he was
known to almost every one,) it was scarcely less
humbling and remarkable.

Leaving his seat in the middle of the house, and
advancing to the preachers^ gallery, he kneeled in the
attitude of prayer. The congregation arose, but for
some minutes the internal agitation of the young man
seemed to preclude utterance. At last his lips opened,
and with a tremulous, but powerfidly melodious voice,
these aspirations burst forth :

O Lord God ! arise, and let thine enemies be
scattered ! Baptize me — dip me — yet deeper in
Jordan. Wash me in the laver of regeneration.

" Thou hast done much for me, and hast a right to
expect much ; — therefore, in the presence of this con-
gregation, I resign myself, and all that I have, to thee,
O Lord ! — it is thine ! And I pray thee, O Lord, to
give me grace, to enable me to continue firm in this
resolution !

" Wherever thou leadest me, O Lord, I will follow
thee; if through persecution, or even to martyrdom.
If my life is required, I will freely sacrifice it. Now

388

NICHOLAS WALK

I know that my Redeemer livetli, and the mountains
of difficulty are removed. Hallelujah !

Teach me to despise the shame^ and the opinions
of the people of the world. Thou knowest, O Lord,
my deep baptisms. I acknowledge my manifold sins
and transgressions. I know my unw^orthiness of the
many favors I have received ; and I thank thee, O
Father, that thou hast hid thy mysteries from the wise
and prudent, and revealed them to babes and suck-
lings. Amen."

Slowly, sentence by sentence came forth, and while
breathing the spirit of humble supplication, or burst-
ing forth in a hallelujah of praise, they baptized the
hearers into tears.

When meeting was over, he quietly went to his
habitation, where he kept much retired for a time.
He left the bar, gave up his briefs, put on the attire
of the consistent Friend, and in fervency of spirit
sought to fill up his measure of religious duty.

For several years he led a very retired life, mostly
at home, and diligently attended meetings, as they
came in course ; — and, during this period, his ap-
pearances as a minister w^ere seldom, and his sermons
very short and weighty.

As a companion to James Thornton, in the Fifth
an<i Sixth months, 1774, he visited some meetings in
Philadelphia, Chester, Lancaster, and York Counties.

NICHOLAS WALN.

389

After which, meeting with Johu Churchman, at a
Quarterly Meeting, held at Cecil, in Maryland, he
accompanied him to some meetings in Delaware, in
the Eleventh and Twelfth months following. But
for several years, he was mostly at home, or near
home, and grew in his gift, and in religious useful-
ness. He attended the Yearly Meeting, held at New-
port, for New England — and also New. York and
Baltimore Yearly ^Meetings ; and the two latter many
times in the course of his useful life. But, it was in
and near Philadelphia — in the Youth's meetings,
held quarterly — and in those large general meetings,
which, in those days, were held once a year, at suit-
able places through the country, that he was most
frequently engaged in the exercise of his gift, which,
at times, was attended in no ordinary degree with the
influences of the Holy Spirit.

On Sixth-day, the 11th of Eighth month, 1797, he
attended a Youth's meeting, held at Abington. After
the meeting had been sitting awhile in silence, a tall,
slender man, in the preachers' gallery, whose head
had been, for some time, bent down between his knees,
slowly rose. His form bent over, his silk cap, and
white dress might have drawn a smile from the heed-
less stranger ; but there was an earnestness about his
countenance which bespoke attention and respect.
He spoke briefly, yet forcibly. Apt at illustration,

33 *

390

NICHOLAS WALK

and felicitous in expression, he caught and enchained,
the attention of all, strangers, children, babes in the
truth, and fathers and mothers in the church. Though
not a writer of rhyme, he was yet a poet, and throngs
of bright images, carrying forcible conviction, and
Christian instruction, flowed from his lips. His name
was James Simpson. He sat down, and a deep silence
came over the heart - tendered assembly. After a
solemn pause, Nicholas Wain rose on his feet. His
heart seemed filled with Gospel love, to which his
richly melodious voice gave utterance — while the
baptizing power of tlie Holy Spirit accompanying the
word preached, softened the hearts, and moistened
the eyes of those there gathered. He stood and
ministered for about an hour ; after which, upon his
knees, he lifted up the voice of prayer and praise. A
solemnity very unusual covered those assembled, as he
ceased to oifer on their behalf supplication to the God
of mercy and grace. The solemnity continued ; and
they remained sitting together, baptized into oneness
of feeling. Those at the head of the gallery at last
shook hands, in token that the meeting had closed.
The solemnity was still unbroken — and no one seemed
willing to depart. A pause ensued — Nicholas then
spoke out, " Under the solemn covering we are
favored with, perhaps Friends had better separate.'^
A few young men near the door then rose on their

NICHOLAS WALK

391

feet, but the solemnity was still over them ; and ob-
serving none follow their example, they sat down
again. Sweet, awful silence continued, until Richard
Jordan standing up, broke forth with the song of
triumph, which greeted our Saviour's entrance into
Jerusalem, " Hosanna ! blessed is he that cometh in
the name of the Lord ! " A few sentences followed,
setting forth the blessedness of these merciful visita-
tions, these seasons of favor, wherein the Saviour
makes himself known among his people. He sat
down, and again shaking hands with the Friend by
his side, the meeting ended. Most present were so
solemnly tendered in spirit, that few words of conver-
sation passed among them, as Friend separated from
Friend.

Although Nicholas Wain was at times thus favored
in his ministry, he was careful in the freedom of
Gospel truth, to make way for the humble little ones,
who were just beginning, in obedience to the call of
the Lord, to deliver the messao-e he o-ave them.

Oliver Paxson speaking of him, expressed his
opinion in the following words : " As a great man, as
a wise man, as a learned man, and as a rich man, I
know none possessed of as much childlike humility
and simplicit}^ as Nicholas Wain.'' Others who knew
him, thus bear testimony : Although he was a man of
no ordinary talents, and had great influence in society.

392

NICHOLAS WALN,

Jie was remarkable for condescension." " He was an
original, being no man's copy, and remarkable for
independence of mind. He feared no one, in doing
Avhat he believed to be his duty, and sought' not the
applause of men. Faithful Friends, and even chil-
dren, loved him, but hypocrites feared him. He pos-
sessed much of this world's goods, but lived a life of
self-denial."

He had an exalted idea of the unity and harmony
of religious society, as inseparable from its strength,
considering it an evidence of Divine approbation. -In
reference to this subject, he wrote, Though there
may be a variety of prospects, and difference of senti-
ment, yet as we dwell in love, and keep low in the
feeling state, we are sometimes favored with a sense of
what is proper to be done, and so unite with the judg-
ment of Truth ; and which, when known, we dare not
oppose."

The natuie of that government in religious society,
which we profess to be Divine, cannot perhaps be
better described. To dwell in love, and keep low in
the feeling state," is the condition in which we arrive
at "the judgment of Truth," which is the judgment
of Christ — and "when this is known, we dare not
oppose." When the unity is broken, and love is lost,
in any, then there is an end of " keeping low in the
feeling state" — "the judgment of Truth" cannot be

NICHOLAS WALK

393

known, though it may be professed ; and without it
our own judgment soon carries us beyond the bounds
of charity and brotherly kindness ! " By this shall
all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another !

Nicholas Wain seldom made general visits of a re-
ligious character, apprehending it was not right for
him to remain from home, and away from his home
friends, long at a time. He used to say it was better
to go again, twice or thrice, than overstay one's time ;
for then we are liable to become bewildered, and not
know when to return."

In the years 1783 to 1785, he visited most of the
meetings in England, to his own, and greatly to the
satisfaction of Friends. Ten years afterward, ac-
companied by David Bacon, of Philadelphia, an elder,
he visited Friends in Ireland, and thence, passing
through some parts of England, again returned home
in the Tenth month, 1796, after an absence of one
year and four months.

His natural peculiarities were of such a character as
ever to distinguish him from others ; yet he labored
harmoniously in the ministry of the Gospel, with men
of weaker intellects, and widely different tempera-
ments from his own. Strong good sense distinguished
his conversation ; yet his keen sense of the ludicrous,
and nervous constitution of mind, at times led him to

394

NICHOLAS WALK

actions inconsistent with his usual quiet, staid dignity
of manners — actions which he afterward deeply re-
gretted. Meek was he with the meek, but to the bom-
bastic or hypocritical he was severe and sarcastic in no
ordinary degree. Humor, at times, sparkled in his
light eyes, and the reflection of ludicrous thought often
flashed in changeable hues over his face. He was
throughout life noted for quickness of repartee, and
aptness of reply : in his facetious manner, he once
rebuked one of his young friends, whom he found
wearing an outside fashionable coat, hung round with
several capes. Nicholas, taking hold of one of the
capes, inquired, " What is this ? " Cape Hatteras,"
was the reply of the young man, who wished to turn
aside Nicholas's reproof vvith assumed pleasantry.
" And this ? " continued Nicholas. " That is Cape
Henlopen.'' "This, then, I suppose, is the Light-
house/' said his interrogator, placing his hand on the
young man's head '.

An anecdote of Nicholas Wain published shortly
after his death, in some of the public papers, contains
a narrative of a generous act, coupled with a little of
his pungent wit. The account states that he noticed
his wood-pile in the back of his yard rapidly and
mysteriously diminishing, and on watching, found that
a person living on a small street in the rear of his
house was making free use of it. Believing that the

NICHOLAS WALK

395

man was really needy, the next morning Nicholas
went to the wharf, bought a load of wood, and directed
that it should be delivered at the door of his pilfering
neighbor. The man came speedily round, demanding
the reason of the gift. " I did not want thee to break
thy neck off my wood-pile-," was the reply.

As age advanced upon him, he became increasingly
feeble, yet continued diligent in his attendance of meet-
ings, even at times when his friends thought his bodily
infirmities might excuse him from it. To one of them
who kindly spoke to him on the subject, telling him
he was not well enough to go to meeting, he replied,
that he "would as lief die there, as anywhere else."
As the end approached, a season of deep conflict was
permitted to assail his mind, and prove his faith in the
sufficiency of divine and saving faith; but a short
time before his death, he said, with much emphasis,
" To die is gain."

He deceased the 29th of the Ninth month, 1813,
aged seventy-one years.

MOSES BROWN.

"l/rOSES BROWN was born in Providence, Rhode
■^-^ Island, on the 23d of Seventh month, 1738.
He was the son of James and Hope Brown, who in-
structed him in the tenets of the Baptist Society, of
which they were members. He received a plain,
moderate education, leaving school at thirteen years
of age. As his father was deceased, he then went to
reside with an uncle.

As. Moses grew up to manhood, he manifested a
strong mind, and his influence was felt in every body
of men with whom he associated. From 1764 to 1771,
he was a representative in the General Assembly
of the Colony of Rhode Island; and such was the
character he bore among his fellow - citizens, that,
notwithstanding partizanship and political differences
prevalent, he was elected without opposition. At this
time he was an active, earnest man in all that he
undertook — but, though bearing a good character

among men, and honest and honorable in all his inter-

396

MOSES BROWN.

397

course with his fellows, he was not a religious man ;
his duty to his heavenly Father was not the upper-
most thouo-ht in his mind. The circumstances under
which he first bowed in awful fear, and with deep
-reverence and prostration of soul, entered into cove-
nant with his Maker, he related in after life in conver-
sation with his friends. It was while travelling by
water between ]^ewport and Providence, when a storm
came down on the boat in which he was. So violent
was the tempest, that all hope of the vessel living
through it was taken away, and the poor trembling
sinner w^as brought to feel the apparent certainty of
immediate death. He knew he was not prepared by
living faith in the Lord Jesus, and the heart-reno-
vating influence of the baptisms of the Holy Ghost
and fire, to enter into rest with the redeemed children
of God. Nought else remained but that his portion
must be with the accursed, who have their perpetual
habitation in the lake of fire, where the worm dieth
not, and the fire is not quenched. In this fearful
condition of mind, he was led to cry mightily for
help, and to enter into covenant with the Lord God of
mercy and strength, that if he would send deliverance,
the life thus spared should be dedicated to his service.
The storm abated — he reached his desired haven, and
the covenant made in his hour of distress he was

enabled in good measure to keep.
34

398

MOSES BROWN.

Moses Brown was married in the year 1764. He
had the previous year entered into a commercial busi-
ness in partnership with his three brothers, in which
he continued actively engaged for ten years. At^ the
end of that time having a sufficiency, and being in
feeble health, he withdrew from business.

About the year 1773, Moses Brown was acknowl-
edged as a member in the Society of Friends. His
was no change made from a sudden, temporary im-
pulse. He acted from a conscientious conviction of
the truth of the doctrines advocated by Fox, Pening-
ton, and Barclay ; and under a persuasion of duty, he
applied for membership among the professors of those
doctrines. Having been deeply grounded in these
principles, he was prepared to advocate and defend
them, and was soon esteemed by those he had joined
as one of their faithful and prominent men.

Friends in Philadelphia, in 1775, were brought into
sympathy with the jDOor in Boston, which Avas then in
possession of the English, and blockaded by their ves-
sels, while on land strictly invested by the American
army. Knowing that much suffering must result to
those of small means, from this state of siege, the
sympathizers desired to administer some relief. For
a time they could not see how to do it, without com-
promising their Christian testimony against war. They
were anxious to alleviate suffering ; but they did not

MOSES BROWX.

399

wish, by anything they did, to appear as thongh they
thought that emptying the tea into Boston harbor was
right, or the best way of obtaining redress of colonial
difficulties. A correspondence was opened by Friends
of the Philadelphia Meeting for Sufferings, with some
members of Salem ^lonthly Meeting, Massachusetts,
relating to the condition of Friends in Boston. The
Meeting^ for Sufferins^s then addre&sed a letter in the
Fifth month of the same year, to the Yearly Meeting
of Rhode Island, suggesting the propriety of that body
appointing a committee on sufferings. This hint was
well received by the Yearly Meeting held in the Sixth
month, and such a committee was appointed. It con-
sisted of twenty-two meml^ers, of whom Moses Brown
was one.

In the Seventh month of that year, a committee of
Friends of the fleeting for Sufferings in Xew Eng-
land, which had been appointed to further the concern
of Philadelphia Friends, took boat at Lynn, and went
round to Boston harbor by water. Moses Brown was
a member of this committee. Being taken before the
British admiral, they told him the business which led
them to endeavor to enter the town. The admiral
had heard of divers Friends having joined the Conti-
nental army, and that a regiment of them had been
raised at Philadelphia, and he seemed disposed to show
the committee no favor. They told him that no con-

400

MOSES BE OWN.

sistent Friend had taken up arms, and that those who
had done so, had been disowned by the Society. This
explanation satisfied him, and permitting them to pro-
ceed, they entered Boston, and found the few members
residing there were in low circumstances.

In the Eleventh month following, David Evans
and John Parrish, two members of the Meeting for
Sufferings in Philadelphia, feeling a concern to attend
the newly organized Meeting for Sufferings of New
England Yearly Meeting, left Philadelphia to fulfil
their prospect. They carried with them, on behalf of
Friends in Philadelphia, funds to the amount of two
thousand pounds, most of it in gold, for the aid of the
destitute in New England. The epistle, of which they
were the bearers, which was to govern Friends in New
England in the disbursement of the money, has this
passage in it. " It is not our intention to limit the dis-
tribution to the members of our own, or any other
religious Society, nor to the place of their present or
former residence. It seems probable many who never
lived in Boston may be as proper objects as those who
have ; and though we would not have our brethren in
religious profession who are in real suffering, excluded
from partaking of the contribution, yet we consider
they are entitled to your immediate care, and will no
doubt partake of the Christian brotherly assistance we
have ever as a Society extended to such/'

MOSES BROWN.

401

After receiving this contribution^ an attempt was
made to carry out the benevolent design of the donors,
and in the Twelfth month a committee of five Friends,
of whom Moses Brown was a member, was appointed
by the Meeting for Sufferings for this purpose. In
pursuance of their object, they presented an address
to General Washington, commanding the American
forces around Boston, desiring permission to enter tlie
town ; and a copy was also sent to General Howe, the
officer in command of the British troops ; an extract
from which is as follows :

" The principle of benevolence and humanity ex-
citing our brethren in Pennsylvania and Xew Jersey
to contribute and send to our care a considerable sum
of money, to be distributed among such sufferers as
are by the present unhappy difficulties reduced to
necessitous cu'cumstances, without distinction of sects
or parties, provided they are not active in carrying on,
or promoting military measures, (so that our religious
testimony against wars and fightings may be preserved
pure ;) and we being sensible there are many sucli
within, as ^ell as without the town of Boston — ana
being desirous of finding those that are most needy
there, as well as without, desire thy favorable assist-
ance in getting into the tou n."

Though kindly received by General ^'i'ashington,
the requisite permission could not be obtained, and
34*

402

MOSES BROWN.

difficulties being raised by those in possession of the
town, a draft for one hundred pounds was sent to two
Friends residing in Boston, and the committee .turned
their attention to relieving the destitute in other por-
tions of New England.

In a letter written by Moses Brown, there is a brief
account of the labors of this committee, from which
the following is extracted :

At Marblehead, 18th of Twelfth month, 1775,
"we went from house to house among the poor, see-
ing and inquiring into their circumstances. Where
need required, and they were within the intention of
the donation, we relieved them. . . . We found great
poverty to abound ; numbers of widows and father-
less, and wood and provisions greatly wanting among
them. . . . When I have since reflected on divers
necessitous states [we met with], I have been so
affected, as to conclude, had I not been favored with
an unusual fortitude, and guard upon the affections,
the service we went through would have been too
hard for me to have borne. Through Divine favor
we were preserved through the whole in a good degree
of satisfaction, having sometimes a word of consola-
tion, counsel, and admonition, occasionally arising.
We visited this day, and helped between sixty and
seventy families, mostly widows and children."

At Cape Ann, he says, " The inhabitants were very
necessitous, having been poor, when the fishery was

MOSES BROWN.

403

carried on — which is now wholly stopped. You can
have very little idea of their poverty, yet the children
seemed healthy, though crawling into the ashes to
keep themselves warm. I may say it hath been a sort
of school to us, for we never saw poverty to compare
with [that of] about one hundred families in this
town, which we visited and relieved. Many ex-
pressed — some [of them] feelingly — a sense of grati-
tude. The name Quaker, though little known in these
parts, will be remembered, and perhaps some may no
more think it a reproach. I have thought of John
"Woolman's remark in his illness, of afQuence reliev-
ing in times of sickness. [' How many are spending
their time and money in vanity and superfluities, while
thousands and tens of thousands want the necessaries
of life, who might be relieved by them, and their dis-
tresses at such a time as this, in some degree softened
by the administering suitable things.'] This has been,
indeed, the case with some."

Further remittances ^vere made by Friends of Phil-
adelphia, making the amount contributed by them
£2540. The names of three thousand and thirty
families, consisting of six thousand nine hundred
and twenty-three persons, who received aid from this
sum, were recorded. Of the families more than eight
hundred were those of widows. This charitable gift
appears to have been of singular service, and carried

404

MOSES BE OWN.

the more weight as an act of public generosity, inas-
much as very few members of the Society of Friends
received any benefit from it. The report sent to
Friends of Phihidelphia states the profession of reli-
gion, as well as the names of those relieved. The
whole sea-coast of Xew England, from ISTew Hamp-
shire to Ne^^^ort, was visited by some of the members
of the committee, of whom Moses Brown appears to
have been the most prompt and efficient. Xantuckct
and the Isle of Shoals also received help.

About the time that Closes became a member of the
Society of Friends, his first wife, Anna Brown, died,
making a remarkably peaceful close. On returning
from her grave, and while meditating upon the Lord's
mercies and favors to him, the query arose in his
mind : What shall I render unto Thee for thy lov-
ing-kindness and abundant mercy?" At this time
his slaves passed in review before his mind, and he
afterward said to those to whom he was relating it,
" I saw them with my spiritual eye as plainly as I see
you now, and it was given me as clearly to understand,
that the sacrifice that was called for at my hands was
to give them their liberty."

He liberated all his slaves, and from this time be-
came a consistent and fervent advocate for the rights
of suffering humanity, earnestly desiring to see slavery
abolished, and the prejudice of caste done away. He

MOSES BE OWN.

405

acknowledged the black man as his brother^ entitled
to all the privileges of humanity, and an equal partici-
pator in its responsibilities.

Having cleared his own hands of the iniquity of
holding his fellow-men in bondage, he was prepared,
as the Lord led him, to kibor availingly to induce
those who still hekl slaves to give them their freedom.

He was an active member of committees of the
Yearly fleeting and ^leetings for Sufferings of Xew
England, appointed at different times to petition those
in authority in the States of Rhode Island and ^lassa-
chusetts, to pass laws for the abolition of slavery in
their respective territories.

In the Second month, 1784, Moses Brown had the
satisfaction of seeing a law passed by both Houses of
the Legislature in his own State, prohibiting the slave
trade, and providing for the gradual abolition of
slavery within its limits.

In the year 1786, Elisha Kirk, being on a religious
visit in New England, made the following memoran-
dum under date of Sixth month 27tli : " We lodged
at Moses Brown's, a Friend who was convinced, and
joined our Society about ten or twelve years ago. He
had formerly been a Baptist, and very active in the
affairs of Government, but has given up to the cross,
which crucifies to the world. He is a man of great
parts and a large estate ; he is also a very useful man

406

MOSES BROWN.

in Society, though he makes but very little appearance.
I think he is the most like Anthony Benezet of any I
now remember. His wife is also one of the same
stamp/^ Respecting his labors on the 7th of Seventh
month, Elisha wrote : " Next day, in company with
Moses Brown, made several family visits in Provi-
dence, leaving matters as they in simplicity arose. In
one family I was led to speak on the danger of those
who had known good beginnings, sitting down by the
way, and taking up a rest short of the true rest, in-
stancing the children of Israel formerly, the primitive
church, and many gloriously begun reformations' of
such who, beginning in the Spirit, degenerated into
externals, and sat down short of the true rest which
was prepared by the Lord for those who were still
pressing forward toward the top of the mountain of
his holiness. While I was speaking, I observed a
young woman present was much affected, which she
endeavored to hide till I was done, by turning herself
away, after which she left the room, and stayed out
till she had a little recovered. On her return, Moses
Brown tenderly spoke a few words to her in much
brokenness, withal informing her that it was not our
practice to give information beforehand of the state of
any to Friends who were travelling. With this she
was exceedingly overcome, so that she could not for-
bear crying out aloud. I was afterward informed she

MOSES BROWN.

407

had been religiously inclined from her childhood, and
when about twelve years old had joined the Baptists,
and been baptized; but not finding full satisfaction,
had latterly left them, and had not joined any religious
society."

This ministry, by which a rightly authorized servant
of the Lord Jesus is brought into sympathy with, and
enabled to speak effectually to the condition of sti*an-
gers, is not understood by the world, being indeed a
mystery to the unregenerate mind. The apostle de-
clared, that the Gos23el which he preached ^^was not
after man ; " for said he, I neither received it of
man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of
Jesus Christ.'' This is the ground of true Gospel
ministry, and the openings and intimations of the
Lord's Holy Spirit not only enable his servants to
minister to individual states, but also at times, in a
remarkable manner, to reveal his secret things.

In the year 1752, Catharine Payton was ill in Scot-
land, and a report spread in England that she had
there deceased. Samuel Fothergill was at the time in
London to attend the Yearly Meeting. He had heard
the rumor, and one day a woman Friend came to
bring him information which seemed to confirm the
statement. On hearing it, Samuel was quiet for a
time, when he felt an internal assurance which ena-
bled him in humble confidence to bid the Friend tell

408

MOSES BROWN.

her informer from him, that Catharine Payton was
not dead. This assertion was speedily confirmed.

There is an anecdote recorded concerning that valu-
able minister, Joseph Gill, to this effect: He' was tra-
velling on a religious visit, when he felt a stay on his
mind to proceeding, and a belief that it would be
right for him to return directly home. He did so,
and found his wife dying. How grateful must he
have felt to his Almighty Caretaker, who had thus,
through the directing influences of his Holy Spirit,
brought him once more to see and to be with his
beloved companion, before she was forever removed
from this state of existence !

Gervase Johnson, a ministering Friend of Ireland,
toward the close of the last century was liberated to
pay a religious visit to America. Before leaving his
native country, he attended a Quarterly Meeting, in
which a Friend, in a religious communication, re-
ferred to a dear brother, who was going to a distant
country, with his life in his hand. He expressed his
faith that the Lord would be with him and lay out
his work, day after day; that he would enable him
to perform acceptably what was designed for him to
do ; and to return him to his family and friends with
the reward of peace; giving him to experience Him
who had been his morning light, to be his evening
song. But he stated that in his absence, the sword

MOSES BROWN.

409

would be near his house — the dead bodies lying in
the streets — but neither hurt nor harm should befall
his family ; for the Lord would encamp about them
and preserve them, as in the hollow of his hand, from
the rage and fury of the enemy.

This opening was in a remarkable manner verified.
Gervase Johnson's residence was in Antrim, and dur-
ing the battle at that place, while he was in America,
the insurgents planted their cannon before his door.
His family endeavored to escape from the place, but
owing to the crowd around they could not effect it.
They all succeeded in returning to the house, ex-
cepting the son, who for a time took refuge in the
stable. His sisters soon found where he was, and one
of them venturing thither, brought him in safety to
the house. The rebels being vanquished, the family
were in great danger of being injured by the victori-
ous party. Orders were issued that the part of the
town in which they resided should be destroyed ; but
one of the daughters applying to the commanding
officer to know if their house was to be burnt, he
commanded that the houses around it should be
sacked, and it saved. Many attempts were made to
plunder them, but not a shilling's worth was taken
from them, and none of them sustained the slightest
injury.

In early life Moses Brown had been a member of a
35

410

MOSES BROWN.

Free Masons' Lodge — but left it soon after he was
brought under serious conviction, and felt bound to
walk consistently with the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
He was admitted a member on the 4th of the Tenth
month, 1758, was made secretary to the lodge in the
Twelfth month following, and continued to fill tliat
appointment until the year 1768, when he withdrew
from all attendance at their meetings. In his ninety-
third year he wrote, ^' If any have the curiosity to
inquire w^hy I left the lodge — I may state, that about
that time, I became more engaged after improvement
in the Christian religion, and its Divine precepts, than
for the social company, precepts, or work of the lodge,
as it used to be called ; believing that the benevo-
lence, the charity, the enjoyments and usefulness which
Christianity affords to its votaries, are much more
precious, valuable, and worthy to be sought after and
enjoyed, than all that attends the Masonic system/'
" About five years after I left the attendance of the
lodge, I became a member of the Society of Friends,
whose discipline was and is against the members of
our religious Society joining in the meetings or public
entertainments of those called Free Masons." "It
has long been known that Friends have been opposed
to all oaths, secret combinations, and public parades —
well knowing that the vanity and exaltation of the
human heart are to be subdued or checked."

MOSES BROWN.

411

TVe have not sufficient information to enable us
closely to follow Moses Brown in liis private life, or
to trace him in his ma^nifold labors for the good of
that religious Society of which he was a member. It
may be safely said, that he was actively engaged in
promoting the welfare of the human family, and was
earnestly concerned that true Christian faith and the
fruits of the Spirit should increase and abound.

He was remarkable for his uprightness and consist-
ency. He was intrusted with a large share of this
world's goods, which he was concerned to hold in due
subordination to religious obligations ; his philan-
thropy was proverbial, though not ostentatious, and
he observed in an uncommon degree this injunction of
our Lord : " When thou doest alms, let not thy left
hand know what thy right hand doeth." His house
was always open for the entertainment of Friends;
and his hospitality in this respect was experienced by
many. Being a man of good natural parts, and of
large and varied information, he ^vas interesting and
agreeable in conversation beyond most, on which ac-
coimt his company and advice were much sought by
men of all classes, not only within his own community,
but beyond its limits ; and his simplicity of manner,
unassuming deportment, unbending integrity, and con-
sistent adherence to his religious principles, won for
him the respect and veneration of all who sought his

412

MOSES BROWN.

acquaintance. For many years he occupied the sta-
tion of elder in the Society of Friends; and during
the latter part of his life he occasionally spoke in our
religious meetings to the comfort and satisfaction of
the right-minded.

A concern for the maintenance of the original doc-
trines of the Society of Friends, manifests itself in
Moses Brown's last will. Having left some property
for certain designated purposes to the Yearly Meeting
of New England, he adds, " It is my will that the
same, and all estates herein given to them, do vest in,
and remain to the said Yearly Meeting, and to their
successors holding the same Christian faith and doc-
trines as exemplified in the writings of George Fox,
George Whitehead, William Penn, Robert Barclay,
and others of our early Friends, professors of the
Christian religion of our blessed Lord and Saviour —
both as to his outward manifestations in the body, and
inward Divine Light, Spirit, Grace, and Truth, for the
conversion, regeneration, preservation, and sanctifica-
tion of the mind and soul of man, and is truly taught
in the Scriptures when opened by the same Divine
Spirit which superintended the writers thereof

A Friend has furnished the following sketch of
Moses Brown, as he appeared in his extreme old age.
" A few months previous to his decease, I enjoyed the
privilege of spending an afternoon in conversation

MOSES BROWN.

413

with him. He was then in his ninety-eighth year,
yet apparently in the enjoyment of good health.
Although his body was slightly bent, his step was
firm, and I observed that he could read without the
use of glasses. He was very abstemious, and his food
was of the simplest character. So vigorous 'vas his
frame, that he regularly attended to his outward affairs,
and was diligent in the attendance of religious meet-
ings. In one for discipline, I heard him deliver an
impressive exhortation to young persons, in which the
necessit}^ of inward and vital religion, was clearly set
forth. Considering his age, the powers of his mind
were truly astonishing — particularly his memory.
Few persons, in the meridian of life, can recall to
mind past events, with the accuracy which he could,
after having lived almost a century. Whether he re-
ferred to occurrences of his early years, or to those of
recent times, it was with equal clearness and precision.
He appeared to be able to mention the day and year,
in which any event took place, of which he was speak-
ing ; and to describe the smallest particulars respecting
it. He must have been distinguished for order and
method, for having occasion to refer to various letters
received, at widely separated periods of time, he could
tell, without a moment's hesitation, where each one
was to be found.

" In conversation, he was very animated and instruc-
ts*

414

MOSES BR OWN.

tive. His memory being stored with anecdotes, he
was enabled to illustrate the various subjects of dis-
cussion, and to interest those with whom he conversed.
With the history of the Society of Friends, he was
very familiar, and was deeply interested in its welfare.
He was a firm believer in the soundness of the doc-
trines and testimonies, into the profession of which
Friends were originally gathered — and in their adap-
tation to all times, and all conditions of society. To
those, who, he feared, were in danger of making ship-
wreck of faith, and of a good conscience, he pointed
out the rocks upon which many who had sought an
easier way had been lost, and faithfully warned them
of the consequences of a departure from the true
ground of old-fashioned Quakerism."

This aged patriarch having filled up a long life of
usefulness — having dedicated the strength of youth,
of manhood, and of age, to the service of his Divine
Lord and Master — was sustained in a quiet, comfort-
able faith, as he approached the borders of the grave.
His comfort sprang not from looking over his past life,
and enumerating supposed good deeds ! No ! he felt,
in himself, poor, and weak, and destitute of all claims
on the kingdom of grace and glory ; but in the Lord
Jesus he had hope, he had peace, he had confidence of
attaining the rest of the righteous. On the 23d of the
Eighth month, 1836, he was taken unwell, and grad-

MOSES BROWN.

415

ually, yet constaDtly, declined in strength. He felt
that the issue was uncertain, and arranging all his
temporal affairs, awaited in calmness the result. His
mind continued vigorous, and no cloud of doubt ap-
peared to overshadow his spirit, as he entered the
valley of the shadow of death. On the 6th of the
Ninth month, having nearly completed his ninety-
eighth year, he was released from all the trials of
time.

INDEX.

A.MERICAN Revolution, Predictions of William Hunt and oth-
ers in reference to the, 42.
Brief allusion to troubles during the, 188.
Labors of Jacob Lindley against war during the, 307.
Observations on the feelings of Friends during the, 329.
Relief afforded by Friends to the destitute in New Eng-
land during the, 399.
Andrews Edward, Illustration by, of the importance of attend-
ing to impressions of duty, 134.
Brief account of, 134.
Andrews Peter, Notice of, 351.

Atkinson Samuel, Short discourses by, in a religious meet-
ing, 121.

Baker Richard, Testimony of, to the importance of attending

to small impressions of duty, 120.
Barbadoes, Notice of a religious visit by Samuel Emlen and

Daniel Offley to, 142.
Barclay Christiana, Brief notice of, 35.

Barclay Robert, Incident attending the convincement of, 120.
Barnard Hannah, Notice of, 165.

Bayley Solomon, Anecdote of spiritual sympathy of, with Wil-

liam Williams, 117.
Benezet Anthony, Sketch of the life of, 296.

417

418

INDEX.

Bettle Samuel, Divine intimation to, of the death of a daughter,
223.

Bible, Objection made to the, by an infidel, 317.
Blakey William, Meek endurance of robbery by, and its ef-
fects, 333.

Bownas Samuel, Counsel given by, after a religious meeting,

to the younger and older members, 96.
Brown Moses, Sketch of the life of, 396.
Brown Thomas, First appearance of, in the ministry, 173.
Burrough Edward, Dying expressions of, 36.
Business, Religious duties not to be interfered with by worldly,

374.

Carping Spirit withstood by John Churchman, 75.
Carrington Thomas, Prophetic declarations of, respecting

George Withy, 350.
Cash Thomas, Remark of, upon humility, 119.
Chalkley Thomas, Providential relief of, from starvation at

sea, 16.

Christ, Observations on and illustrations of the spiritual ap-
pearance of, in the heart, 176, 178, 179, 198, 208.
Church, Observation on efibrts to benefit the, 323.

On government in the, 392.
Churchman George, Letter of, to Peter Yarnall, 284.
Churchman John, Sketch of the life of, 67..
Clark Samuel W., Brief notice of, 88.

Coale Elizabeth, Remarks of, to Jacob Lindley, upon religious
scruples, 309.

Collins Comfort, Brief notice of, 27.

Exercise of mind of, on account of David Ferris, 29.

Covetousness, Testimony of Anthony Benezet against, 300.

Creaturely Activity in Monthly Meetings, Observation of Wil-
liam Hunt on, 43.

Davies Richard, A spurious ministry detected and judged by,
269.

Dawes J. and A., Letter of Jacob Lindley to, 319.

INDEX.

419

Dicks Zacliariah, Letter of William Hunt to, 38.

Dillwyn George, Sketch of the life of, 182.

Dillwyn George, Prophetic intimations to, 106, 219, 325.

Apt illustrations and remarks of, 194.
Dillwyn's Eeflections, Extracts from, 198, 199, 203, 208, 209,
210, 211.

Discernment, Anecdotes of Samuel Emlen illustrating spirit-
ual, 47, 49, 51, 52, 105.

Dream of D. Ferris in relation to his call to the ministry, 25.
Of Mary England conveying instruction in regard to the
ministry, 72.

Of William Savery on the necessity of passing through

the fire of the Lord's judgments, 152.
Of a young Carolina girl, related by William Williams, 155.
The danger of spiritual pride made known to a minister

through a, 211.
Of Isaac Jackson respecting his settlement in America, 241.
Of a minister about to set out on a religious visit, 363.
Dress, Observations and anecdotes on plainness of, 57, 161,

205, 206, 207, 345, 346.
Remarkable encouragement given to a young woman in

regard to plainness of, 203.
Drinker Henry, Eemarks of, on the character of Anthony

Benezet, 302.
Letter of Samuel Emlen to, 191.
Dudley Mary, Prayer of, on behalf of a distant brother, made

effectual, 364.

Dyer Mary, Joyful declaration of, at the time of her execu-
tion, 315.

Ellwood Thomas, Account of the proceedings of, in relation
to marriage, 20.
Remarks of, in reference to a plain appearance, 58.
Emlen Samuel, Sketch of the life of, 46.

Remarks of Henry Drinker in reference to, 141.
Short message of, remarkably encouraging to George Dill-
wyn, 188.

420

INDEX.

Emlen Samuel, Remarks of' in reference to George Dillwyn, 191.
Encouragement given by, to an unknown auditor, 204.
Eemark of, in reference to the ministry of Richard Jor-
dan, 249.

Peter Yarnall effectually reached by the ministry- of, 271.
Message of, to Sarah Harrison, 353.
Letter of, to Sarah Harrison, 364.
England Mary, Instructive dream of, 72.
" Eternity," Anecdote of the effect produced upon a gay woman

by the word, 133.
Evans Jonathan, Account of the convincement of, 128.
Evans Joshua, Anecdote of a startling comparison made use
of in the ministry by, 371.

Ferris David, Sketch of the life of, 9.

Fothergill Samuel, Remarkable participation of, in the spir-
itual exercise of his father, 116.

Impressions made by the ministry of, on William Jack-
son, 244.

Letter of, to Mary Yarnall, 260.

The reported death of Catharine Payton contradicted by,
407.

Remark on the humility and ministry of, 119.
Foulke Elizabeth, Notice of, 351.

Fox George, Anecdote of, concerning the necessity of prompt
obedience to apprehended duty, 141.
Narrative of the convincement of a young woman by, 178.
A trooper sent to, for direction, 179.
Free Masonry, Testimony of Moses Brown respecting, 410.
Friends, On the privileges and responsibilities of the children
of, 90.

Prophetic declaration of Samuel Emlen respecting, 92.

Funeral, Account of a remarkable communication by Arthur
Howell at a, 235.

Furniture of houses and simplicity of living. Advice of Wil-
liam Jackson upon, 253, 254.

Gawthrop Thomas, Whistling reproved by, 183.

INDEX.

421

Gibbons Abraham, Keply of, upon partisan feeling during the

American Eevolution, 331.
Gill Joseph, Anecdote of obedience by, to intimations of duty.

408.

Harrison Sarah, Sketch of the life of, 344.

Extract from a letter of, 118.

Letter of Samuel Emlen to, 61.
Haste, Reproof of Anthony Benezet to a person habitually in,
298.

Hatton Robert, Letter of, to Peter Yarnall, 276.
Haviland Daniel, Spiritual sympathy of the daughter of,
with, 115.

Horne Susanna, Divine intimation to George Dillwyn of the

safe arrival of, in England, 219.
Howell Arthur, Sketch of the life of, 227.
Hub-burner, Anecdote of religious impressions made on the

mind of a, 308.

Hull Henry, Convincement of, through the instrumentality of

Daniel Offley, and comments, 138.
Humility, Observations upon, 119, 211.

Humphreys Whitehead, a professed infidel, Account of the

death of, 168.
Hunt William, Sketch of the life of, 33.

Incivility reproved by Samuel Emlen, 59.

Indian, Testimony of an, against war, 216, 219.

Indians, Interview of George Dillwyn and other Friends with

a deputation of Cherokee, 214,
Visit of Jacob Lindley and other Friends to attend a

treaty with, 311.
Individual Example, Observations on the influence of, 139.
Infidel, Dying expressions of a professed, 164, 169.

Testimony of a religious man against the conduct of an, 317.
Infidelity, Testimony of William Savery against, 161.

Jackson Isaac, Notice of, 240.
Jackson William, Sketch of the life of, 240.
36

422

INDEX,

Jacobs Isaac, Letter of, to Sarah Harrison, 352.

Jenkins Mehetabel, Anecdote of the effectual ministry of, 170.

Johnson Gervase, Prediction of the preservation of, and his

family — its remarkable fulfilment, 408.
Jones Eebecca, Sketch of the life of, 80.

Jordan Richard, Observations on the powerful ministry of,
248, 249.
Remarks of, on ministry, 361.

Kirk Elisha, Remarks of, on the character of Moses Brown,
405.

Anecdote of the ministry of, 405.
Kite Benjamin, Observation of, in reference to young men in

meetings for discipline, 96.
Kite Thomas, Remark of, on his death-bed, 360.

Labor, Precept and example of Anthony Benezet in regard to,
297.

Language, Experience of William Lewis in regard to the use
of the plain, 55.
Peace felt by George Dillwyn for faithfulness in the use

of the plain, 184.
Peter Yarnall required to use the plain, 274.
Lewis Ellis, Short account of, 35.

Lewis William, Convincement of, in regard to the testimony
of Friends to the use of the plain language, 54.

Lindley Jacob, Sketch of the life of, 305.

Lukens Joseph, Warning given to, through the ministry of
Sarah Harrison, 347.

Marriage, Experience of D. Ferris in relation to, and com-
ments, 18.

Of Thomas Ellwood, Account of the, 20.
Spiritual unity and fellowship of Eli Yarnall and his wife,
335.

Meetings Religious, A member among Friends reproved by
his landlord for non-attendance of, 76.
Consolation experienced by a child in, 88.

INDEX.

423

Meetings Religious, Observations and anecdote upon the indul-
gence of wandering thoughts in, 110.

Remarks of George Dillwyn on the attendance of, 195.

Observations on silent exercise in, 280.

A member among Friends rebuked by Judge Hemphill
for non-attendance of, 196.

Maintenance of, in Philadelphia, during the prevalence
of the yellow fever in, 319, 321.

On the attendance of, in the middle of the week, 374.
Mercy, Remarkable illustration of the Lord's restraining and
saving, 200.

Mifflin Warner, Remarks of, to General Washington, upon the

Revolutionary War, 331.
Ministry, of women, Observations of David Ferris upon the, 13.
The gift of, at times, committed to very young persons, 33.
Anecdotes illustrating the necessity of being subject to

Divine openings in the, 69, 71.
Remarks upon a lifeless, 112.

Melody of sentences and beauty of ideas, not Gospel, 170,
171, 172.

The advice of elders to be taken by Friends in the, 197.

A spurious, detected by Richard Davies, 269.

Observations on the nature and authority of Gospel, 407.
Mitchell James and Ann, Letter of William Hunt to, 41.
Molleson Margaret, Holy rejoicing of, on the bed of death, 315.

Nesbitt Robert, Anecdote respecting inconsistency in dress

related by, 58.
Newland George, Short account of, 34.

" No Cross, No Crown," Instrumentality of, in the conviuce-
ment of Jonathan Evans, 129.

Obedience to manifested duty, On the danger of refusing, 231.
Offley Daniel, Sketch of the life of, 127.

Parker John, Sketch of the life of, 366.
Parnell James, Dying expressions of, 36.

424

INDEX.

Patrickson Anthony, Eejoicing of, under affliction of the body,
315.

Paxson Oliver, Testimony of, concerning Nicholas Wain, 391.
Paxson Timothy, Anecdote of the attendance of week-day

meetings by, 374.
Payton Catharine, Letter of, to Rebecca Jones, 86.
Penn William, Remarks of, in reference to the ministry of

illiterate Friends, 172, 173.
Pemberton John, Notice of, 262, 265, 283, 328.
Letter of, to Peter Yarnall, 265.
Letter of Eli Yarnall to, 329.
Philadelphia, Incidents connected with the appearance of the

yellow fever in, 112, 137, 143, 228, 319, 320.
Popularity, Observations on the danger to ministers of, 286.
Price Peter, Brief account of, 250.

Pride, Remarkable dream upon the danger of spiritual, '211.
Priestley Joseph, Brief reference to, 222.

Privateering, Peter Yarnall required to make restitution of

money obtained in, 275, 278.
Providential relief experienced by David Ferris in pecuniary

distress, 15.

Relief from starvation of Thomas Chalkley and compan-
ions, 16.

Deliverance from shipwreck, 208.
Warnings, 209, 210, 228, 232.

Removals of residence. Comments on, 23.
Resignation to the loss of friends and connections. On the duty
of, 360.

Richardson John, Remarks of, in reference to the ministry, 174.
Rodman Sarah, Interview of Daniel Offley with, and death
of, 145.

Ross Thomas, Anecdote of a prophetic intimation given by, 106.
Routh Martha, Divine intimation to, of the drowning of a
nephew, 220.

Visit of, to individuals in Philadelphia, with E. Foulke,
352.

INDEX,

425

Savery William, Sketch of the life of, 149.

Dream of Peter Yarnall concerning himself and, 294.
Salkeld John, An admonition of, made instrumental in pre-
venting a person from committing suicide, 280.
Sands David, Letter of, to Thomas Scattergood, 194.

A person deterred from self-destruction through the min-
istry of, 281.

Scattergood Thomas, Eemarkable confirmation of a religious

concern of, through Rebecca Jones, 114.
Interesting circumstance attending the acknowledgment

of, as a minister, 186.
Led to appoint a meeting in London for Oeorge Dillwyn,

192.

Letter of, to George Dillwyn, 193.
Scott Job, Testimony of, concerning Samuel Emlen, 54.
Scruples, Anecdote and observations upon religious, 308.
Simpson James, Remark of, upon humility, 119.

Remark of, upon a dependence on popular preachers, 287.

Divine intimation to, in reference to Eli Yarnall, and its
fulfilment, 339.

Ministry of, in a youth's meeting at Abington, 389.
Slave-holding, Observations of William Hunt upon, 40.

Apprehension of Jacob Lindley of an approaching judg-
ment upon the land on account of, 324.

Successful labor of Sarah Harrison against, 356.

Moses Brown led to testify against, 404.

Notice of the efibrts of Friends against, in New Eng-
land, 405.

Stanton Daniel, Brief notice of, 101, 104.
Steel John, Brief notice of, 172.

Swearing, Observations of George Dillwyn upon, 199.

Thomas Edward, Confirmation of, in his ministry, through the
instrumentality of John Richardson, 174.

Thornton James, Remarks of on the death of Anthony Ben-
ezet, 303.
Brief notice of, 388.
36*

426

INDEX.

Truxton Thomas, Observation of, in relation to Rebecca
Jones, 107.

Universality of Divine Grace, Anecdotes and observations re-
specting, 198, 208.

Valentine Eobert, Providentially restrained from proceeding

on a religious visit, and led to speak at a funeral, 220.
Vision seen by Peter Price, Account of a, 250.

Wain Nicholas, Sketch of the life of, 381.

Observation of Sarah Harrison respecting, 118.
Labors of, against infidelity in Ireland, 163.
Effectual testimony of, on the freedom of Gospel ministry,
279.

War, Anecdotes of sufferings endured by Friends on account
of their testimony against, 158, 331.

Testimony of an Indian against, 216, 219.

Eefusal of Eli Yarnall to collect taxes for purposes of, 327.
Wealth, Scruples of Anthony Benezet upon accumulating, 296.
Williams Sarah, Letter of, to Sarah Harrison, 357.

Testimony of Sarah Harrison respecting, 358.
Wilson William, Anecdote of humility in, 120.
Wistar Thomas, Notice of, during the yellow fever of 1793, 147.
Withy George, Prediction of Thomas Carrington in relation
to, 350.

Divine intimation to, during a religious visit, to return
home, 222.

Woman Friend in Canada, Remarkable incidents connected

with the ministry of a, 121.
Women, Observations of David Ferris on the Gospel ministry

of, 14.

Incidents connected with the establishment of a Yearly
Meeting of, in London, 108.
Woodward Increase, Brief notice of, 54.
Worship, On silent, 280.

Yarnall Eli, Sketch of the life of, 326.

INDEX.

427

Yarnall Mordecai, Brief account of, 259.

Yarnall Mordecai, Jr., Letter of, to Peter Yarnall, 283.

Yarnall Peter, Sketch of the life of, 259.

Yarnall Peter, Letters to, from Daniel Offley, 131, 136, 139.

Yarnall Priscilla, Spiritual sympathy and fellowship of, with
her husband, 335.
Dying expressions of, 337.

Yearly Meeting of Women Friends in London, Incidents con-
nected with the establishment of, 108.

Yellow Fever in Philadelphia, Notice of the, 112, 137, 143, 228,
319, 320.

Zane Isaac, Brief notice of, 215.

THE END.

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